#bat lake trail

[citrus-moonlight]

Some pictures I took on a hike late September last year. It might be my favourite trail now (too bad it's three and a half hours away, lol).

[phantomrose96]

So my mom's birthday was this week and I flew down with Patches to visit her for a few days. Patches, while a verified hater of the airport, really loves my mom's place because there are so many more closets to explore and birds to watch and cobwebs to dust with her stupid little face.

My mom also goes to bed earlier than anyone I know, so for the evenings it was on me to monitor Patches' activity. And she's very good. She's 99% good. She's 1% "could use improvement" good and the 1%, which I'd forgotten about, is tomatoes.

Patches will leave most things alone. (And by "alone" I mean she'll absolutely bitch slap them onto the floor, but they will leave the ordeal with just as many or few surface punctures as they had before the encounter started.) Not tomatoes. Patches has it the fuck out for tomatoes.

So when I noticed her batting something around on the ground I realized that my mom had left a sole, roma tomato in the fruit basket on the counter and it was now experiencing the life cycle of a pingpong ball between Patches' paws.

I take it away from her, like a fucking evil woman, and now I'm like "okay actually, where do I hide this." See at home I have an anti-Patches cabinet, which is for things that have no business living in a cabinet but which WILL have business dying at Patches' hands if left accessible. And this is WEIRD to have such a cabinet but it's my own home.

I'm scanning my mother's cabinets going "is this weird here? can the tomato go in my mother's dish cabinet?" And I briefly consider sticking it in the fridge, as a normal location, but the audacity of altering this tomato's ripening process is an audacity I do not possess. So I go with cabinet. I go with the first eye-level cabinet, which is the coffee mug cabinet, which is perfect because the tomato will not be lost to cabinet purgatory there, since my mom opens it every morning for her coffee. I will simply tell her in the morning that the tomato is there.

Next morning. Seeing as my mother goes to bed at the butt-crack of dusk she ALSO gets up at the ass-crack of dawn. This means I trail down like 2 hours after her with my work laptop and Patches. This is also now her birthday. I'm sharing the sofa with her for a good 15 minutes when I think to myself I'd like some coffee, and I remember I put a tomato in the cabinet. I tell my mom as much. I put the tomato in her coffee mug cabinet.

And the look I get is one I can't really figure out on spot. But she says "Chrissy this is the best birthday present you could have given me" which is a very weird response to the already weird statement "Oh you probably saw, but I hid the tomato in the coffee mug cabinet because Patches has it out for tomatoes."

So I do not at all know how this makes for a good birthday gift. My mom tells me how a week or two ago, she came home unloading groceries. At the end of putting everything away she could not for the life of her find her phone. Absolutely nowhere. She pinged it from her iPad and it started singing. From the fridge. She opened her fridge. Her phone was in the fridge.

A couple days later she lost Ash's collar. Spent three days looking for it. Couldn't remember where she'd taken it off or what she did with it. Showed up in the grass when she remembered she took it off to let him play fetch in the lake.

And then this morning, her birthday morning, she came into the kitchen, made her pot of coffee, opened the cabinet to fetch her coffee mug, and found... tomato. Singular. Tomato in the cabinet. Tomato she had no memory of placing in a cabinet. Tomato she could not possibly fathom having a reason for being in the cabinet.

She was like Chrissy I cried. She was like this is it, time to send her to pasture. She's a harebrained old lady now and there is no coming back from this. She's the lady who accidentally puts tomatoes in the cabinet. Awake before God, standing in the kitchen, signing her life away over this tiny roma tomato. (Roma tomato with little cat vampire teeth marks in it).

I was like oh. No. I put it there. Because Patches was going to commit war crimes against it. I put it there because I did not stop to consider "Will finding a single tomato in the coffee mug cabinet somehow be the very specific thing that undoes my mother this morning?" I put it there out of careful consideration for the life of this tomato, and with no consideration for the extremely esoteric way that a tomato in the cabinet could be received like a horse head in the bed, Godfather style.

We made a salad with the tomato. Happy birthday Mom.

[yundeob]

the parent trap | KHJ

part 1 of the Night in Hollywood!series

☆ trope: exes to lovers!au, divorced!au

☆ pairing: producer!hongjoong x designer!reader, dad!joong x mom!reader

☆ warnings: nsfw (mdni), swearing, mentions of food, mentions of food poisoning, female desc. reader, drinking, suggestiveness, smut, slight!breeding kink, oral sex (f. receiving), overstim, unprotected sex (wrap before you tap!) nipple play, titty sucking, marking, praise, slightdom!joong, blond!joong bc that itself is too much for me, mentions of (early) pregnancy, you’re both in your early thirties and make an unbelievably stubborn couple in this!

☆ synopsis: AS DIVORCED PARENTS to two twin daughters, you and hongjoong have your fair share of work cut out. Driving to piano lessons, cheering at hockey games, drop offs at each other’s houses, it can all be a little much. But could a relaxing summer retreat as a whole family possibly rekindle past emotions you’ve swept under the rug? . . .

☆ word count: 18.1k

☆ playlist: soulful strut by young-holt unlimited, l-o-v-e by nat king cole, just the way you are by billy joel, slipping through my fingers by abba, this will be (an everlasting love) by natalie cole

☆ a/n: it’s finally here. I can’t believe I’m writing this and saying it’s finally here oh my goodness. first off, thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me with the series so far (shoutout to @kitten4sannie , @byuntrash101 and especially @desirehorizon for being amazing!) everyone’s sweet comments have been greatly appreciated, and I just hope this silly little fic brings a smile to your everyday lives.

ty for making writing worth it as a writer. now cue the opening credits!

“ABSOLUTELY NOT” Hongjoong says.

“But dadd,” she whines, clutching the wrinkled pamphlet closer to her chest. Eunseo’s small hands are covered in purple doodles her sister drew using a glitter pen. 

“Why not?” the girl complains, shrugging her shoulders. 

He sighs, pushing his glasses up with one hand as he continues typing away at the important document the producing company sent him on his laptop. He tries his best to reason with the child.

“Because, baby…” pausing to think for a moment before responding. “It would be hard for your mom and I to find a time that fits into our schedules. I’ve got work, and she must be busy as well.” 

Eunseo glares at her father’s excuse. 

Okay, yeah, the man knows it’s somewhat of a lie, himself. 

She continues to protest by shoving the advertising pamphlet in her dads face and blocking his view of the screen. Thankfully, Hongjoong is used to these sort of work distractions, expertly avoiding her by craning his neck sideways and continuing to type away.

“But dad, it’s an amazing cottage resort! They’ve got a lake where you can go swimming in, a forest hiking trail, a bonfire to roast marshmallows and even a diner less than fifteen minutes away! So if you end up burning the camp food like last time, we can just order and eat in! Isn’t that great?” She beams. 

He stops typing for a second, fingers hovering over the keyboard as he gives his first born a look that makes her immediately break into a sweet smile, batting her lashes and flashing him a look of innocence. 

“Please?” She begs, standing on the edge of her feet as she gazes up at him. “The last time we went was when Eunbyul and me were toddlers.” 

And how on earth could any dad’s heart not melt at the sight of his daughter trying to convince him about one harmless vacation? 

Hongjoong wheels his office chair back, turning so he could look her in the eyes properly and tuck a stray hair behind her ear. 

“Listen honey, I’m sorry, I really wish I could, but…” he trails off, looking back at the open tabs and file documents displayed on his computer.

Turning his head around and upon seeing a frown form on his daughter's face, he quickly reassures her. 

“Once you finish your final piano recital tomorrow and your mom picks your sister up to take her to her hockey game, how about we go fishing the weekend afterwards?” he suggests, brows raising. “That’ll mean I have just the two of you all to myself.”

Eunseo mumbles under her breath, quiet but insistent enough that he catches it. 

“But we’re supposed to be a family of four.” 

She sulks, thinking of how that would leave you, her mother, left out of their plans. The arms holding the pamphlet up, ultimately fall down in defeat. 

He places a peck on her forehead, patting her on the back. “You know, if you can get your mom to say yes, then I’ll think about it” he chuckles, knowing the highly unlikely probability of the event.

Adjusting his glasses, the producer goes back to his work, peeking his daughter slugging away from the corner of his eye. 

Eunseo slumps her shoulders in defeat as she walks out of her dads office, turning the corner to see her twin sister, Eunbyeol, pressing her ears near the door with her neck outstretched. Clearly she’s been caught in the middle of trying to overhear their conversation. 

The twin younger by fifteen seconds quickly rushes over, waiting expectantly.

“So? What did dad say?”

Eunseo exhales, throwing the information pamphlet away on the wooden floors and slumping against the living room couch. 

“He’s totally not buggin. Said he wants to take us fishing next weekend instead. Just us three.” she grumbles. 

Eunbyeol scrunches her nose at the idea. 

“But dad sucks at fishing.”

Her sister groans, kicking her small feet against the couch in frustration. “I know!” Eunbyeol starts to worry, coming to sit beside her.

“Then how on earth are we going to get mom and dad to get back with each other again? They haven’t been in the same room since we were like, five!”

Her twin sister scoffs, “First, we gotta get them to have a proper conversation with each other. They barely even talk when they drop us off at each other's houses.”

Nobody truly knows why you and Hongjoong had divorced so suddenly when the girls were young. Not even themselves.

All they were used to were cold stares and one word replies shared amongst their parents, refusing to find harmony in their co-parenting.

Frankly, your girls have had enough of the performance you were both trying to maintain, looking past your expressions to realize you and your husband still held feelings for the other. It was only a matter of time and place in order to set you two up together, thus, the idea of an intimate, family getaway came into their minds. 

After a few moments of letting her words hang in the air, Eunbyeol’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. 

“That’s it!”

The older twin looks up quizzically, watching her sister jump off the couch and gaze at her excitedly. 

“We’ll just have to force them to meet each other! We can always guilt trip them for dropping us off at their houses and making us play alone!”

Eunseo rolls her eyes at the idea. “Right, and how are we going to do that dummy? The only reason they’d do that, was if it was an emergency.”

Whoever said twin telepathy wasn’t a thing was a liar, because the second Eunseo catches onto what her sister is saying, the twins share a look of pure mischievousness, the gears in their brains working together as one. 

With hushed whispers and quiet giggles, the twins immediately begin conducting their plan in secrecy near the corner of the living room, backs turned and in the middle of discussion when Hongjoong walks out of his office with an empty coffee mug. 

“What are you guys doing over there?”

“Leave us alone! Family man traitor!” Eunbyeol shouts, holding a slightly hostile grudge to her father before turning back to whisper to her twin. 

Hongjoong shakes his head, sighing as he heads into the kitchen. 

“Then it’s perfect! I’ll stay here with dad once my piano recital is over, and then when Mom picks you up for your hockey game tomorrow, we’ll try convincing them together!”

Eunbyeol nods her head in agreement, eyes lighting up with excitement as she whispers in a hushed tone. 

“And once both events end, we’ll pretend to be so sick that they have to take us to the nearby hospital.”

The other twin smirks. ”Where we’ll end up guilt tripping them into taking us to the cottage.”

They double high five in victory at their flawless plan, already waiting for tomorrow to come as soon as possible.

“A summer cottage?” you repeated, brows raising at the idea as you made a left turn onto your street. 

Eunbyeol nods eagerly from the back seat after getting picked up, having ranted on and on about the ad in the pamphlet since the moment you saw her.

“It's an amazing establishment mom,” She boasts, making you laugh at her words while parking the car and unbuckling your seatbelt.

“They have everything you could possibly think of!”

��Oh, really?” You say skeptically, opening the door for her. 

Eunbyeol is lost in the middle of passionately describing all the relaxing activities you could do by yourself, or rather per se, with a special partner together. 

“There’s couples hiking retreats, couples canoeing, couples yoga… did I mention couples hiking retreats?” She confuses, retracing her words. 

You roll your eyes and smile, keys jangling as you walk through the entrance of your apartment flat while balancing the bags and items in your hands.

Being a wedding dress designer and yet picking up your daughter from your ex-husband's house could’ve been ironic to some people. But after having split with Hongjoong since the girls were so young, you came to grow fond of having some independence as a divorcee, channeling your main focus into setting up your own bridal shop downtown.

It was through that hard work and focus that you did it all by yourself with no additional help.

You’d be lying if you said you haven't opened a bottle of red wine some nights due to loneliness as a divorced single mother, but at least that was what you had your daughters for.

You made sure to work just as hard as you did enjoy playing and spending time with them. After all, they were the light of your life and purpose for living.

Balancing the pizza you picked up on the way home, you set it down on the kitchen island, telling Eunbyeol to go wash her hands in the sink. The girl doesn’t stop ranting.

“There’s usually only two rooms in the cottage, so you’ll have to sleep together with dad, but I guess you won't mind, would you? After all, you were once married” She rolls her eyes, reaching for the soap.

You shake your head with a sigh. ”What is up with you and getting me and your father together in the same room?” you muttered as you took out the plates and utensils. 

Eunbyeol eventually walks back to you, wiping her hands on her baggy jeans before sitting on the kitchen stool. 

“It’s not that I’m obsessed, Mom. Actually, Eunseo and I are just dying to get away this summer now that school is over.”

Turning around from plating the pizza and salad, you chastise your daughter, telling her to sit with her bum flat on the stool so she doesn’t fall. She immediately listens, carrying on with her persuasion. 

“We just want you and dad to get the chance to relax as well, that’s all!” her mouth full from a bite of hot, greasy pizza. 

You smile, wiping your washed hands on the kitchen towel and coming over to wrap your arms around her affectionately. 

“Spending time with you and Eunseo every week is how I relax,” you assured her, smothering your baby with kisses on her cheek.

Byeol lets out a squeal of annoyance, taking another bite of her pizza. “You’re squishing me!” She tries hiding her smile, failing when you lean in closer. 

You pull back in laughter, ruffling her hair as you walk away while reminding her.

“Oh! Don’t forget you’ve got your hockey game tonight!”

Byeol chews faster, munching on the soft crust and counting down the hours on the kitchen clock. 

She smiles to herself. 

“Don’t worry, I know!”

“What do you mean you need to go to the hospital?” Hongjoong asks in a worried voice, standing against the women’s washroom stall. He holds Eunseo’s congratulatory flower bouquet for first place in hand, feeling the stares of multiple women passing by, clearly judging him for being in the ladies room with them. 

“Honey, is everything all right?” He asks worriedly. A string of groans come from behind the door.

“You need to leave!” one old lady thrusts her walking cane at the father, lips pursed in dissatisfaction. 

Eunseo did such a phenomenal job tonight for her piano recital, that Hongjoong was shocked to see his daughter clutch her stomach first thing after running down the steps of the stage, dashing to the washrooms.

He whips his head back. “My daughter’s having a bit of a situation in here, okay miss? Have a bit of understanding!” He barks frustratedly out loud to the onlookers before speaking softly back to the stall door. 

“Eunseo, baby, talk to me, is everything alright in there? Are you sure you need to go to the hospital? Is it that bad?” 

The girl continues her acting performance, letting out fake groans while typing furiously on her cellphone. 

“Oh the pain! I think I might have food poisoning, dad!”

Seolie: How far along are u

Byeolie: Mom’s outside, banging to come in. 

Seolie: same, I told dad I needed to go to the hospital.

Eunseo lets out another groan of pain, causing Hongjoong to worry even more. 

“That’s it, Eunseo. Let me in and help you” he decides, searching his bag for a painkiller or at least some sort of medication for relief. 

The girl frantically checks her phone, eyes lighting up at the new message. 

Byeolie: Mom’s getting the car to take me to the hospital. I’ve got her convinced to call dad soon.

Eunseo types as fast as her small fingers can move, even faster than when she performed her piano solo from before. 

Seolie: Then what do I do????

Hongjoong gets slightly suspicious at the lack of sound coming from the stall, calling to his daughter again.

“Eunseo? Everything alright?”

At the next notification, the girl makes up her mind, getting the signal from her sister. 

Byeolie: play dead. Mom calling soon. See ya there.

The actress gets into character, gaining her composure before unlocking the washroom stall and holding her stomach as she stumbles into her dad’s surprised arms. 

“Eunseo!”

She wails, falling limp. “Oh, dad! Please! Take me to the hospital, it hurts too much!”

It’s truly a mystery which parent she got her acting skills from.

But she doesn’t have to tell him twice at that point. The man is already piggy backing his fainted daughter and sprinting out of the ladies washroom, reassuring her with soothing comments as he makes a beeline for the parking lot.

“Stay with me baby!” He huffs, unbeknownst to Eunseo who peeks one eye open. 

Only after he straps his daughter in the backseat and is turning on the engine does he receive a sudden phone call from you, pressing the speaker for the whole car to hear your panicked voice. You break the news to him first. 

“Eunbyeol’s severely sick. She fainted right after her hockey game.”

Hongjoong’s eyes widened. “What?”

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. “She was holding her stomach saying she ate something wrong. Is Eunseo okay?” 

Hongjoong puts the stick into drive, backing out of the parking lot and replying in a hurry.

“She’s hit with the same thing right now. I’ll meet you at the Hospital in ten” he grunts, sweat forming on his brow as he speeds through traffic, not caring if he gets a ticket. 

Had he looked in his rear view mirror, he would have seen Eunseo sagging near the car door, clutching her stomach with a small grin on her face.

You never liked the hospital. 

The sounds of babies crying and hospital beds wheeling become the background noise, shifting nervously in your seat that was in the emergency pediatrics unit waiting area. 

Hongjoong has his eyebrows furrowed, hunched over one seat beside you as he hangs his head in his hands, knees bouncing up and down. A middle aged nurse nasally calls on the next family waiting from the front desk, boredom laced in her voice. 

You sigh, uncrossing your legs and choosing to bite at the fingernail on your right hand once realizing you’ve already done the same to all the ones on your left. 

“It’s all my fault.” Hongjoong confesses, suddenly sitting still. 

You glance to your left, watching as he sits up slowly. 

“Last thing they ate together would’ve been at my house. I probably made them sick with something I fed them,” he dejects, hanging his head down in shame. 

“It’s all my fault, god I’m so stupid!” He beats himself up. 

You have half the mind to snap at your ex-husband, anger already filling up inside you earlier when you heard Eunbyeol suggest it was something she ate at her dad’s house. You really did want to yell at him for being so bad of a chef that he sent his own daughters to the emergency pediatrics unit, undeniably relieved that Seonghwa was working tonight’s shift. 

But those cruel words sitting on the tip of your tongue are thrown away when you glance down to see your ex-husband missing a shoe on one of his feet. 

Hongjoong rushed over here so fast with Eunseo that he left his shoe behind like some sort of fairytale, Cinderella. He hasn’t even realized he wasn’t wearing one right now.

You exhaled, knowing that if there's one thing you’ve learned while parenting, it was that to have patience and understanding was a virtue. Even for your ex-husband.

“It’s not your fault,” you sighed, staring at your hands folded in your lap. 

It feels awkward when Hongjoong stops tugging at his blond locks to look at you in surprise, continuing to speak as you place a gentle hand on his thigh. 

“That could’ve happened to anyone. We don’t know yet if it was because of the food. Let’s just pray and wait and see” your voice being a sign of reliability to him. 

The man is a little shocked at your supportive nature to tell you truthfully. He delivers all the things he needs to say through his grateful gaze alone, reciprocating a small smile. 

“Didn’t think I’d see you guys tonight.” Seonghwa chuckles, walking in before Hongjoong has the chance to reply. He comes from the patient's room wearing his dashing, white doctor's coat. “Together, at that” he mumbles under his breath before looking up and flashing you a polite smile while giving his worried friend a soft pat on the back.

Hongjoong holds his breath when he asks: “How are they?”

“Better,” he tells him, flipping through some papers on his clipboard. “But it was a big shock to their bodies. They need some rest at the moment.” 

The pediatrician tries not to show his smile, standing in front of you and Hongjoong while hiding his expression behind his clipboard as per his niece’s request.

To be fair, if someone had told Seonghwa earlier that evening that he would receive a fifteen minute pep talk from his best friend's twin daughters that day in the emergency unit, he would’ve laughed in their faces. 

Alas, life was always filled with surprises. Here’s what went down thirty minutes earlier in the hospital room:

“We’re trying to get them back together,” Eunseo announced confidently, sitting next to her sister on the hospital bed. 

Eunbyeol nodded, eyeing the dumbfounded medical professional standing in front of them with his clipboard tucked under his arm, hands in his pockets. 

“So.. you guys don’t need an IV drip?”

“It’s this whole entire thing, Uncle Hwa, we’ll explain to you later.”

It took a minute before Seonghwa reclaimed his composure as an adult, chastising the twins for pulling a false alarm over something like this. He made sure to make them promise him they wouldn’t do something stupid like this again. But after that, of course Seonghwa is immediately pairing to help them with their plan on getting his best friend back together with his ex-wife. The man is just tired of watching Hongjoong beat himself up half the time about missing you. 

“So you essentially want me to lie about the fact that you guys don’t have food poisoning, and were just faking this whole thing so your mom and dad would have a reason to see each other.” 

The twins nod, one of them pointing out. “And make sure to tell them we’re fine of course. Maybe throw in we’re like, really sick, but that we’ll live so it’s best if we get rest.”

“At like a cottage or something” the other chimes in, wiggling her eyebrows at the hint. 

The doctor sighs, scratching his neck sheepishly. 

When Seonghwa leads you and Hongjoong into the hospital room, both of you feel awful seeing your babies laying in their beds, dressed in the children’s gowns. 

Eunbyeol peeks open her eyes first, voice hoarse (she practiced). 

“Mom? Dad? Is that you?” she groans, pretending to clutch her stomach in pain. 

Both you and Hongjoong rush to each child, grasping their hands and stroking their heads softly with sympathy. 

“Hey baby, I’m here” you coo.

“I’m so, so sorry girls, it was probably all my fault. I should’ve never cooked for you guys earlier today.” their dad cries out painfully, looking down in shame.

You come to stand beside him, reassuring them both. “But what’s important is that you guys get better now. We want to make sure you get the rest you need” you say, making eye contact with your ex-husband. 

Seonghwa clears his throat, crossing his arms as he flashes a wink to the girls behind your backs. 

“They seemed to have been mentally exhausted as well,” He asks on purpose, watching as you and Hongjoong share a look with each other. “Have they been receiving proper familial support at home?” 

“I can’t even remember the last time I saw my parents in the same room together.” Eunseo weakly admits, showing a faint smile. 

As parents, you and Joong feel the most amount of guilt anyone could ever feel. You realize how exhausting and stressful the pickups and drop offs to each other's houses could’ve been, especially when you two were so busy with your respective jobs to spend time with your daughters now that it was summer break for them. 

Hongjoong smiles, holding both their hands and making a promise to them. 

“Make sure to rest you two. Tell me, is there anything you guys need right now? Anything you guys want I'll make sure to get it for you.”

”Do you guys have crunchy ice?” Eunbyeol blurts out loud, breaking her weak facade. 

Eunseo almost wants to shoot a glare at her sister but she realizes both of you are still looking at them. 

“I can get you some ice!” Seonghwa quickly assures you and his nieces, mouthing to them good luck for support as he shuts the door behind him. 

You sigh, coming over to stroke Eunseo’s hair and caress Eunbyeol’s hand. 

“Well? Is there anything else you guys need from us?” Hongjoong states, eyes soft in sympathy. You nod, waiting to hear their response.

“Let us know girls, anything at all.”

Eunbyeol and Eunseo finally take their chance, sharing a hesitant look before speaking at the same time. 

“We want to go to the cottage”

“Together,” Eunseo says.

“As a family.” Eunbyeol adds in.

You and Hongjoong share a silent look. 

Later into the night, the twins are finally discharged from the hospital, deciding that they would stay at Hongjoong’s mothers apartment which was closest nearby, considering they were both tired and immediately needed a place to rest. 

The car ride home is awkwardly silent, even as the kids are (what you think) to be fast asleep, hockey gear and a bouquet of flowers riding with them in the backseat.

It was at their request for you to drive them to their grandmother's house, wanting both their parents with them till the ride home. Hongjoong settled on driving your car and dropping all of you off, planning to take a taxi back home and pick up his own car in the morning. Despite your protest on how inconvenient that was, he insisted as he didn’t want to disappoint the twins.

But suddenly the man begins to regret his offer, currently driving in complete silence on the highway, eyes facing forward and shoulders tense. Quiet FM nightly jazz plays from the radio. 

You’re sitting passenger seat up front with him in what feels like forever, looking solely at the reflections in the window, the street lamp lights scattering across your face as you travel through the nighttime traffic. It’s awkward being together like this.

You hear him clear his voice, speaking softly so he doesn’t wake up the girls.

“So, are we really considering that cottage retreat?” he glances back at you. 

You sit up, straightening your back and exhaling as you secretly wanted to have avoided that topic of discussion.

“We can’t Hongjoong,” you reasoned, shaking your head. “I couldn’t possibly take a whole vacation from the dress shop. Not unless I had someone take care of it for me, which my staff probably aren’t ready to do.” you explained, voice tense.

Hongjoong nodded, understanding your point of view. “I realize that. I’ve got a few projects I have to record and demo with Eden.” he tells you, an arm placed on the wheel with his sleeve rolled up. His veins become perfectly outlined as he passionately tells you about his producing job.

He’s so hot like that.

Jesus what were you thinking? Cursing your mind as you clear your voice and try to change the topic.

“How’s everything been going then?” you say stiffly. He nods, still awkward with sharing conversation with you. 

“Um, it's going good. You?” he asks.  

“Fine.” you swallow. 

Silence prevails. He’s first to speak again, building the courage to say the next thing in his mind. 

“I’m willing to put things on hold if I need to.” He confesses. 

Hongjoong continues to drive normally after having said that. Now it becomes your turn to stare at him now, watching how he glances at the side mirror, switching lanes swiftly like the pro-driver he was. 

“What do you mean?”

“Honestly, I think it would be good for the girls,” he admits, calling you by your name. Even hearing him call you your name feels weird. It feels foreign, like it almost wasn’t yours. 

“Hongjoong-” you warn, shaking your head at the warry possibility. 

“Just hear me out, alright?” He states firmly, making you quiet. 

He glances back into the rear view mirror, watching your girls peacefully asleep with their heads leaning against each other. 

“It’s been almost seven years. Seven years since they’ve last seen their parents speak to each other without breaking into a fight. Tonight was the first time they saw us together without having to plan a drop off and pick up in god knows how long.”

Hongjoong licks his lips, gripping the wheel as he emphasizes. “Seven years since they’ve gotten a goodnight hug and kiss from us at the same time in one place.”

You scoff, turning to face him properly this time. “I don’t know why you’re acting as though we can make this request of theirs come true Hongjoong. This is a big deal-”

“It is a big deal!” he exclaims, trying to get his point across. “I can see how badly our daughters want us to both be in their lives more, to acknowledge the fact that the other still exists after splitting apart.”

He sighs. “Us, not acknowledging each other’s existence at all is worse than if we had to see each other regularly.”

You bite your lip, getting angry. “So what Hongjoong? You’re saying you want to suddenly play family with them at the cottage?”

You shrug your shoulders. “Do you really think we can pretend to be normal parents to them without fighting like we are now? There’s a reason why our current schedules work. Don’t make me seem like the bad guy for not wanting to take them.” You glared, pointing a finger at him. His jaw locks. 

“You fully knew the lifestyle changes we would need to make as a couple when you signed those legal papers—”

“Well then did you also predict everything that happened after you brought me those papers?” He spits like venom, gaze hard as he clenches the wheel.

You blink your eyes at his words, pressing your knees together at his sudden attack. 

You don’t remember clearly if you even meant what you said at the time when you threw those papers at him seven years ago. But all you still know is that Hongjoong was just as stubborn as you were, making up his mind to sign them in the end regardless.

Looking in the rear view mirror, you muttered to him quietly. 

“Don’t raise your voice. The kids are sleeping.”

Their dad scoffs, muttering a sure, under his breath as he switches lanes. 

The kids were in fact, not sleeping, and very much awake. Eyes closed but ears wide, as they were listening in to the first real discussion their parents were having in so long. Or perhaps it was an argument?

At the right turn into his mother’s apartment’s underground parking lot, Hongjoong shuts off the engine, getting out of the car without another word and shutting the door in your face. 

You pinched the bridge of your nose, hear the back door open. 

You watch in the corner of your vision as his demeanor immediately changes, softly caressing Eunseo and Eunbyeol’s hair. 

“Hey girls, we’re here now. You gotta wake up.” He coos.

They yawn theatrically, pretending to stretch their arms. 

“So soon?” Eunbyeol mumbles.

A few feet ahead, you see your mother in law walking out from the elevators, a knit cardigan wrapped around her small frame. You smiled, getting out of the car and greeting her first. 

“We’ll leave Eunbyeol’s hockey gear with you for the night if that’s alright Mom-” 

Hongjoong’s words are cut off as the woman who birthed him walks straight past him, ignoring him and immediately taking you in her warm embrace, eyes forming crescent moons. 

“How are you my dear?” she asks, causing you to smile and hug your mother in law affectionately. “It’s been so long, I’ve missed you so much!”

Despite the break up between you and Hongjoong, you were thankful for one thing, and that was the fact that your relationship with Hongjoong’s family stayed strong, especially with Mrs. Kim.

“I’ve missed you too” you tell her genuinely. “I’ve been good, I’m just sorry for dropping them off so suddenly at your place,” You say, feeling apologetic for waking her up late into the night. 

“We had a bit of a situation,” you explain, watching as Hongjoong collects their things. 

She shakes her head, reassuring you. “Nonsense! Why would you be sorry for that.” she grins, turning her head at the car. “And where are my girls, may I ask?”

At the sound of her voice, Eunbyeol and Eunseo dash out from the back seat and into their grandmother's welcoming arms, pressing soft kisses to her cheeks.

Hongjoong is the only person that stands all alone, awkwardly holding the bouquet of flowers with heavy hockey gear and a duffle bag perched on his shoulder. 

“Oh, how I’ve missed my little squirrels!” she exclaims using their signature pet name and happily reuniting with her grandchildren. 

She turns her head, face falling at the sight of her son and lips pursing into a frown. 

“And where on earth have you been? Not giving me a call!” she snaps, slapping her son on his back. Eunbyeol laughs out loud while Eunseo tries to keep her giggles in. 

You hear your ex husband protest to her while you close the back seat door. 

“OW! I’ve been busy alright?” he mumbles, massaging his sore arm. 

Your mother in law takes both the twins hand’s on each side, nodding her head to you. 

“Leave all the kid’s stuff to Hongjoong, he’ll take care of it darling” she smiles sweetly, sending a glare to her son to take a hint and be more of a gentleman to you. She walks away with her smiling granddaughters, exchanging light-hearted giggles and excitement. “Bye, mom!” The twins wave back. 

Hongjoong cranes his head up, sighing at the ceiling before taking Eunseo’s piano bag that you were holding in your hand in one swift motion, walking reluctantly behind the three. 

“Stay here. I’ll drop them off.” he briskly walks away, leaving you stunned. 

Hongjoongs words from before can’t help but replay inside your head as you wait for him to come back down. 

Before you guessed it, it was already the ride back home, and the car was painfully silent once again. In reality, you were each thinking deeply to yourselves about the possibility of the cottage retreat. Could you really be a mom and dad together as a couple to your kids?

“Are you giving your plants enough water?” He brings you out of thought, the car slowing down as he turns onto your street. 

You look up, giving him a confused look. 

Hongjoong nods in direction, following his eyes to look at the measly, dying flower pot perched on the steps of your flat’s entrance as the car stopped to a halt. “You know, it’s really hard for plants to die when they’re outside.” He says in amazement at your shit gardening. 

You scowl at him, asking him when he became such a plant expert all of a sudden. 

He continues to poke fun at you, smirking when he undoes his seat belt. Hongjoong suddenly leans over to help you unbuckle your own, face dangerously close to yours as he lowers his voice. 

“Unless their owner just really sucks at taking care of them.” 

His eyes gaze into yours for a split second, feeling your face heat up from the proximity. You let out a tiny gasp for air when he leans back in his own seat. 

“Fuck off” you replied harshly. 

“You should give them some more care,” he suggests, ignoring your swearing. 

You don’t reply to his stupid comment, refusing to look at him as you get out of the car. 

“I can go in by myself” you press, adjusting the strap of your purse on your shoulder. You didn’t think it was necessary to draw out your time with this man any further.

Hongjoong straightens his dress shirt as he moves to your side of the car, shoving his own car keys in his trousers as he locks your doors and hands over the keys. You take them hesitantly, watching as he rests against the car door, strong arms crossing against his chest. 

“Think about it at least.” he mutters to you. 

You look at him, eyes shutting softly when you realize he was still talking about the cottage getaway. Sighing his name is exasperation, you run a hand through your hair. 

“Hongjoong-”

“Would it kill you to spend a week with me and our daughters?” He scoffs as he asks you straight up, looking at you in a way that makes you hesitate to say your next words. You observed one hand come to shuffle with the silver lighter in his trouser pockets. 

You stayed silent for a moment, genuinely thinking back to your daughters and what this meant to them if you went. What this would mean for you two as well. 

Finally, you look up to him, returning his gaze.

“I need time.” 

He nods, face serious. “I understand.”

“Let me think about it.” You mumbled. 

And with that you turn around, walking up the steps to your front door. At the sight of your flowerpot, you quickly remember his comment and snatch it in your hands, slamming the door shut to Hongjoong as he finally lets a soft grin break out on his face. Letting his back come up from leaning against the door, Hongjoong nods his head, satisfied enough at that answer, as he walks silently down the road while opening his Uber app. 

At least you’d give it some thought. 

Okay, maybe now you’ve given it too much thought. 

Sipping your fifth glass of wine of the night, you’re sitting, back hunched over with your knees tucked into your chest on the breakfast table chair, zoning out as your best friend Sophie continues barking at you and your inconsistent commitment. 

“I don’t even understand why you’re considering going! Does the man realize what it takes to leave your own shop for a full week?” she fumes, adjusting her royal jelly sheet mask while cursing at your ex-husband for pressuring you into going to the family retreat. 

“Not everyone can just pack their bags and go swimming at the cottage, Jesus Christ” she rolls her eyes. 

“He didn’t pressure me,” you told her pouting. “He wants to do it for the kids” you mumbled looking down as you defended him. 

You invited your best friend Sophie over to your apartment that evening for your weekly slumber party, a time you each looked forward to dedicating a bottle of wine and chardonnay over some gossip, spilling all the uneventful drama in your lives. 

Perhaps you revealed too much drama to your best friend tonight. 

“I don’t think I would mind going, to be honest” you hiccup, words slurring. “I haven’t had a vacation in so long, Sophie, and the girls really want to go! I would feel bad for leaving them with nothing to do this summer.” confessing through the alcohol. 

Cheeks flushed, you sigh as you play with your silk robe mindlessly while Sophie shakes her head at you, one hand coming up to snap at you and bring you back to reality. 

“Hello? Earth to Ms. Divorcee?” She sighs, rolling her eyes in frustration. “You said you wanted to set boundaries with him! To cut the line straight and keep your distance so you could get over your feelings for him! Show him who’s boss!” 

“He said he’s willing to put his music projects on hold for us,” you muttered quietly, the thought making your heart weak as you smiled at the memory of Hongjoong teasing you about your flower pot. Your chest blossomed with warmth now. 

Sophie sighs, shaking her head as she thinks just how differently you were feeling four wine glasses ago.

“Listen, honey, I’m just warning you in advance” she sips the golden liquid in her glass before placing it on the table. 

“Take it from a girl who’s had three divorces. I mean look at me! I’m still somewhat young, I’ve got no kids, no responsibilities, filthily rich, and not once have I had to pay for my own divorce settlement fees!” 

You nod mindlessly, eyes blinking softly under the bright kitchen lights. 

“What you need is a provider, sweetheart,” she crooned, caressing your head. 

“A guy who won’t leave you stressed and unimpressed like Hongjoong does.”

You continue mindlessly nodding your head at her words, ears perking up when you hear small footsteps come down the stairs. 

“Hi mom, Hi aunt Sophie.” Eunbyeol greets, eyes glued to her iPad that Eunseo trails after from behind, whining how it was now her turn to play Super Mario.  

“Hi girls,” Sophie replies like the cool, hot aunt she is, eyes shut as she’s concentrating on giving herself a collarbone massage right now. 

“Hey sweetheart,” you mumbled, smiling at your daughters standing near the fridge getting a glass of water. 

“Say, did your dad tell you guys anything about the cottage?” You blurt out loud, avoiding the look that Sophie gives you. Eunbyeol looks up from the glowing screen, ears perking in interest. “No, not much, why?” 

Eunseo snatches the iPad from her twin, coming over to you. “Did Dad say we’re going?” She asks enthusiastically, eyes widening. Sophie is quick to assure them. 

“Now of course not girls, your mother here was just-”

“Oh fuck it, why not?” you say confidentially, shining a bright smile. “Let’s go to the cottage!” You exclaimed in drunk excitement, all three girls staring at you with their jaws hanging at your sudden profanity as well as your final decision. 

Oh, how dangerous the effects of a bottle of wine were. 

Eunseo and Eunbyeol immediately embrace each other in a passionate hug, squealing in excitement that their plan actually worked. You and Hongjoong were now both convinced. “Oh my gosh, we’re going to go as a family!” They cried in happiness. You giggled at their joy, reciprocating their enthusiasm.  

Sophie leans back in her seat defeated, shaking her head with pursed lips as she picks up the whole Chardonnay bottle and sips it. 

“Oh whatever. . . This isn’t my problem anyways.” 

When Hongjoong drops by the next morning to pick up Eunbyeol and Eunseo from your house for the weekend, he can’t lie but be a little heartbroken at the way his daughters ignore his kiss to them first thing. They instead, immediately shove the cottage advertising pamphlet in his face with victorious grins. 

“See! We told you mom would say yes!” 

“Say yes to what?” He pouts, avoiding the paper and obsessively trying to peck a kiss to each of his daughter's cheeks. The idea of going to the cottage almost slipped the busy man’s mind after almost a week of no news from you. 

“What’s so important that you guys don’t even say hi to me anymore?” he sulks.

Eunseo giggles, fighting back her laughter when her dad tries to tickle her with his kisses. 

“We’re going to the cottage!”

Hongjoong stills himself, leaning back to make sure he heard her correctly. 

“We’re what?”

Eunbyeol, taking after her mother, has a cheeky expression on her face as she places her hands on her hips and sasses her father. 

“Pack your bags and swimming shorts, daddy, we’re going on a family vacation!” 

In perfect timing, you manage to stumble out your front door, coffee mug in hand and mid-yawn when you realize Hongjoong is already staring at you in shock. 

“What?” you snap, still grumpy from your slight hangover. “You’ve never seen a woman wake up before?” You replied, asking your kids if they packed all their stuff. 

The twins watch as their dad stands up from his crouched position. 

“You’re going to go to the cottage?”

At Hongjoongs words you freeze, everything coming back to you all at once. The wine, the twins, the promises, it hits you like a moving truck. 

“Well…”

“No take backs mom! You said it yourself last night that you were excited to go to the cottage!” One of the twins pointed out. 

Hongjoong doesn’t take his eyes off of you. 

“I-I did say that, didn’t I?” You chuckled sheepishly, toes curling at the rookie mistake you made in parenting 101: saying yes when you should’ve said no. 

Your ex-husband quickly tells the kids to put their things in the trunk, promising he’ll be right with them after talking to you. As Hongjoong dashes up the stairs in his white polo golf shirt, you feel slightly exposed being in only your silk slip dress and robe. 

“I didn’t realize you’d be here so early” you mumbled, looking down at your toes. 

He ignores you. “So I’m guessing we’re going then?” He smirks, looking at you with an expression of undeniable cockiness and peaked interest. 

You shrug nonchalantly. “Let’s surround the focus of this trip towards the kids” you remind him, straightening your back.

Hongjoong nods, agreeing with you wholeheartedly. “Of course, that was my intention from the beginning,” he smiles. 

You swallow the lump in your throat, unnoticing his stare drop at your breasts perking up from the cool morning air. You jump in surprise as you hear the honking of the car. 

“Come on, love birds! We gotta go back to dad’s to get our swimming stuff!” Eunbyeol cackles, leaning from the backseat into the driver's seat window. Eunseo already begins journaling in her hello kitty note book, an organized list of what she’ll need to bring to the cottage.

Hongjoong looks back at his daughters, before looking back at you with a smile. 

“Let’s keep in touch about details, alright?”

You nod silently, gripping your mug. At the sound of your nextdoor neighbor coming out, Hongjoong contemplates for a moment before quickly leaning forward, shielding you from their view with his backside. Clearing his throat, Hongjoong nods his head to the inside of your house, leaning forward to whisper to you. 

“Think, um, you should get inside, it’s getting cold,” he mutters, his dimples faintly showing. You glare up at him, “I’m going to say goodbye to my own daughters”. Still clueless to what he was referring to. He grins, shrugging his shoulders before looking at you. 

“If you insist. Just thought you wouldn’t want your neighbor to see what I can see, would you?”

You gasp at his words, looking down at your chest to see what he means before wrapping your robe around you. You quickly waved goodbye to your girls before you shut the door in Hongjoong’s smug face. 

It’s now become the second time you’ve done that.

Thankfully, the next time you see Hongjoong you’re wearing a much more appropriate outfit. In a white cotton blouse and casual jean shorts, your effortlessly chic vacation outfit was the only highlight today, considering the day you had been internally dreading for so long was finally here. 

You tried to take deep breaths while scurrying all over your house and finishing some last minute packing. Reassuring yourself that a family getaway couldn’t kill you. 

Right?

Reservations at the cottage were made over the phone last week, booking a house with the perfect lake side view, access to the forest trail and close proximity to the offered activities. It would only be a seven day stay, both in your respective rooms, (you clearly emphasized you and Hongjoong had to have separate ones) while the twins would lodge together. You had no intention of interacting with your husband alone together on this trip, apart from the quote on quote, ‘family bonding times’ you promised your daughters. And yet why were you here sweating nervously like a sinner in church?

“What a hot lady!” Eunbyeol wolf-whistles at your outfit when she walks through your bedroom doors. You jump at the sudden entrance, realizing Hongjoong was already here to pick you up with the girls.

A pair of black designer sunglasses slightly too big for her sat perched on her nose. Eunbyeol smiles before jumping onto your bed of clothes. You already know Hongjoong must’ve spoiled her and her sister with those, buying them a pair each.

“C’mon Byeol, off the bed” you quipped, packing your toothbrush as she reluctantly slugged off the covers. 

Your suspicions of Hongjoong buying them designer items are correct when Eunseo walks in, classily perching her matching white ones on her head before chastising her sister's tasteless compliment. 

“Elegant. She’s Elegant, Byeol. You don’t just go around wolf-whistling at people.” she rolls her eyes. 

“You look very pretty by the way, mom”

You smiled, nevertheless pleased at both their compliments and thanking them before going back to doing a last minute check of your things. 

Sun cream, clothes, makeup bag, swimsuit…

At the thought of your swimsuit you immediately blush, thinking back to how Sophie forced you to borrow her yellow bikini that left very little to the imagination. Despite your protests that you wouldn’t be needing it, she insisted. 

Hongjoong is last to walk through your front doors, swinging his car keys around his index finger and calling to his three girls from the downstairs foyer of your apartment. The man is clearly excited for the trip, he can’t lie. 

“Come on ladies, we’re gonna miss the chance to swim in that lake if we don't leave soon!” 

Hongjoong is your typical dad, except for the fact that he does not mess with dad!fashion. The producer is dressed classily from top to bottom in a loose-fitting designer button up with a pair of reformed denim pants, his pearl earrings and gold piercings complementing his outfit perfectly. 

Kim Hongjoong didn't play when it came to fashion. Even as a father. 

“Coming!” You exclaimed, ushering your kids out of your bedroom and making your way down the stairs with your suitcase. Seeing that it would only be a week at the cottage, you tried to pack light, though you may have to reconsider that thought with the way you struggled to lift the case properly. 

“Need some help?”

A strong hand comes to help you, immediately inhaling the scent of Hongjoong’s cologne as he brushes his knuckles near yours. “Here, I’ve got it” he assures, making you step back and admire your undeniably fine husband. 

Ex-husband. You meant Ex-husband. Scratch out the fine as well. 

You watch from behind as he struts out the foyer, smiling and joking playfully with his twin daughters, carrying your luggage out the door with them. 

What was this trip doing to you?

Once you’re on route to the cottage resort and the GPS is set, the car is blissfully quiet, each and every one of you surprisingly at peace. Jittery excitement still lays deep in your daughters' minds as you overhear them talk about what they want to do first once they arrive. 

Hongjoong’s 2000s soft rock and ballad playlist is playing quietly throughout the speakers right now, relishing in the music as luscious, green trees flash by you from the passenger window. 

While Byeol and Eunseo distract each other on their own, Hongjoong turns to talk to you. 

“I’m not going to lie, it’s been forever since I’ve been on a road trip” he smiles.

You copy him, feeling good in the moment. “Same, I don’t remember the last time I went to one.” you confessed, thinking only of all the times you had in the past when you were a child and as a teenager. 

Even back to when you were a young college student, wide eyed and so innocent to the chaos of your first college retreat with Hongjoong. That was the summer you two began dating, and boy were you fools in love. You cautiously look to your husband driving, bringing up past memories.

“Do you remember that one college retreat we went on during second year?” 

The corners of Hongjoong’s lips are already grinning upwards, smiling as he reciprocates your expression. 

“Right, like I could forget that summer” he replies sarcastically, gripping the steering wheel. 

It’s an easy memory to digest. A time when you were both so young, filled with nothing but dreams and passionate love for one another. Love so deep, that you remember the nights you’d spend locked up with Hongjoong under the sweaty bed sheets inside your cabin, blissfully making love until the sun would rise and he would finally kiss you to sleep. Perhaps, it was that summer when you realized you were going to marry and be with Kim Hongjoong forever someday. 

Though it’s too bad, someday already passed. 

“Do you remember when Seonghwa got so drunk he ended up confessing to Jieun in front of all the girl’s sleeping cabins?” Hongjoong snickers, relishing in the embarrassing memory his friend always hates him for bringing up. You laugh out loud, remembering the memory. “Oh my god, yes!” You turned to face him, shaking your head. “In nothing but his underwear, right?” 

Hongjoong nodded, smiling with one hand on the steering wheel as he drove.

“Didn’t he end up jumping into the lake afterwards? With you having to go in and save him as well?” You share your laughter with one another, catching up on past memories as your twin daughters listened attentively in the back, reliving them with you together.

That's what makes the hour and half drive from the city into the wilderness feel so short, finally pulling into the graveled parking lot of the vast cottage resort. White suburban cottages lined along one another, a good amount of distance in between each for every family staying. 

As Hongjoong parked the car, the view outside was so glorious you had to hold your breath. Glistening clear blue waves in the lake reflect the bright sunshine from above. A light breeze is present today with the way the willow and oak trees swayed gently. 

“It’s beautiful” you gasped from as far as you got out of the car, stretching your upper body with eyes closed as you inhaled the fresh air. 

Hongjoong stills his movements, shutting the door before replying with his gaze caught at your backside.

“Yeah, it is” he smiles.

Both of you turn around at a loud voice coming from behind. “We’re gonna explore the campsites and souvenir shops first!” Eunbyeol shouts as she runs away with her sister's hand in hers, towards the wooden cabin that's settled further away. 

“What about lunch?” you call to them. 

“We’re not hungry!”

Hongjoong tells them to be safe, and to stick around nearby. You smirked, helping him unload the trunk as you told him. “They’ll be fine. They’re probably too excited to even think right now” you giggled, bumping shoulders with him. 

You feel the tension that was once so strong between you two fade slowly, walking up the wooden steps of your lodge and exchanging conversation with each other.

“Hey, I just want my babies to be safe” he admits, a grin on his face as he holds the cooler in his hands. You chuckle, shaking your head at his protectiveness. 

“Here it is!” he exclaims, setting the suitcases in the front foyer as he opens the door. “Lodge number 1117”

The two story cottage is larger than it appears from the outside, having a modern yet rustic interior that you and Hongjoong admired. It had everything you would need, from a well designed kitchen area to a cozy living room space.

“It’s perfect, the kids will love it” you beam, looking at the hanging hammock chair in the corner of the living room and the gray stone fireplace. It fit perfectly for your family. 

Hongjoong smiles, sunglasses perched on top of his head as he sets the luggage down near the kitchen. Walking up beside him, you help him unload the cooler and ice boxes first, settling into your new home for the next few days. 

“I’m guessing you still drink?” you ask, looking in his direction as you unloaded the case of beer you saw him bring from the trunk.

He gestured to the booze. “C’mon, it wouldn’t be a vacation without it, would it?” 

You wholeheartedly agreed, placing a few in the fridge before you shut it closed. 

“Hopefully, this time we won’t end up shit faced like we did back in college” you laugh, turning to face him. 

“I can already picture that time we got so drunk from that bottle of tequila my friend brought, we snuck out of the campsite and went to the forest and got lost.” you spoke, the memory a little foggy but nonetheless fresh in your mind. 

Hongjoong smiles, listening as you speak.  

“There wasn’t anything but trees and bushes in that forest!” You exclaimed, shaking your head. “What did we even do there?” 

Hongjoong replies nonchalantly, folding the cardboard box in his hands.

“I’m pretty sure we fucked.”

You momentarily freeze at his words, before letting out a soft awkward laugh, causing him to look up. 

“No we didn’t, Hongjoong” you immediately deny, not believing his words. But your brows began furrowing at the foggy memory, starting to realize you really couldn’t trust your alcohol tolerance, now as an adult and even back when you were a college student. Did you guys have sex? In a forest out of all places?

Hongjoong leans against the kitchen counter, across from you as he crosses his arms in front of his chest and smirks smugly. 

“Nope, I distinctly remember it” he recalls, taking a step closer so he was now in your space. 

“I held your hand in mind as we walked up that trail by the cliff. And gosh, were we horny that night, because I remember you complaining about all that dirt you got on your knees from giving me the greatest head i've ever experienced in my entire life-” 

Slapping your hands over his mouth to stop him from going on, you blushed as you glared at him. 

“Jesus christ,” you mumbled, rolling your eyes before confessing.

“I get it, we fucked.”

Suddenly, you and Hongjoong break out into giggles like varsity sweethearts again at the story. Though embarrassed and cringing internally from the way you acted as young adults, it was nice to share them together now. At the proximity in which you’re standing in, you can't help but stare at each other softly. A hand wraps around your waist, making your breath hitch as he pulls you closer. 

“What are you doing?” you grin, watching him.

He looms over you, able to tell that something sits right at the tip of his tongue that he hesitantly decides to say. “I’m pretty sure,” he mutters, staring at your face and cautiously grazing the skin under your blouse. You feel your breathing speed up. 

“I also held you like this in my arms as you were leaning against that tree” his grip gentle and immediately transporting you back to the scenery that night. His sharp tone contrasts his touch. 

“Yknow, the one we fucked against?” he teases to you one more time.

The scent of burning campfire. A cold, midnight breeze. The feeling of the rough cedar tree against your back as Hongjoong thrusted inside you with every delirious snap of his hips, holding you close while he fucked you to oblivion with only the forest animals standing witness to your sinful actions. The film replays like a cheesy R-rated romance movie in your mind. 

“Did you, now?” You gulp, looking up at him as you adjust to the foreign feeling of his touch on your hips. 

“Yeah. I remember it all” he states, smirking down at you with an intense gaze.

The memory dies down when you catch yourself staring at his lips, arms finding their way around his neck as he dives down to whisper softly to you.

“Do you remember too?” He asks.

How he held you in his arms. How he whispered in your ear while you came around his cock, drool and traces of cum littering the corners of your mouth while Hongjoong didn’t care if you were stretching his flannel from how hard you were tugging at the material.

You nod. “I do,” you muttered, lashes fluttering as you felt as though your heart wouldn’t stop beating. “I remember you kissed me on the lips,” you confessed. 

Perhaps you wanted him to do it again right now. 

He looks in your eyes, searching for your approval that you desperately give, breath hitting each other's faces as he slowly leaned down to try and connect your lips. His chest is pressed against yours, and you begin to realize you haven’t shared the same breath like that in so long. You were so close to kissing right then and there.

If only you leaned in closer…

“We’re back!”

You push Hongjoong across the kitchen, shoving his hip painfully into the marble counter and ignoring his high-pitched groan of agony as you immediately look away to avoid suspicion, continuing to grab the beer from the icebox in front of you.

“Girls!” you exclaimed, voice wavering. 

Of course, Eunbyeol and Eunseo walk in with matching postcards and goodies from the souvenir shop in their hands, their sunglasses perched on their heads as their eyes lit up with excitement. They were still oblivious to the fact that they almost caught their parents about to make out in the kitchen.

“Dad, this place is amazing!” Eunbyeol deadpans, telling her father. “They even have jet skiing on the other side of the lake! We gotta go now!”

Hongjoong clutches his hip, pursing his lips as he hides his expression of pain and surprise. 

“Really? That's great sweetie”

Eunseo however, is quick to catch on.

“What were you guys doing?” she looks at you suspiciously. Her words hang in the air for a moment. 

“Were you guys about to kis-”

Hongjoong and you frantically scurry to find a plausible excuse, shuffling awkwardly. 

“I was helping your dad unload the cooler” 

“I was helping your mom get something out of her eye”

Both girls stare at you meekly. Eunbyeol scrunches her nose. “Huh?”

Plastering on a fake smile, you briskly leaped over the luggage nearby, ushering them upstairs before they had the chance to ask anymore questions.

“I think it’s time to unpack your things.” you watched their eyebrows quirk at the way you pushed them out the kitchen.

“We can do it on our own, mom! It’s really no big d-”

You clamp Eunbyeol’s mouth shut with your hand, blushing profusely as you walk away with them. 

Hongjoong stands there alone in the kitchen, rubbing his hip and wondering what the hell just almost happened.

The next few days, you and Hongjoong don’t discuss the incident between you two. Rather, the beginning of the trip after that event has become a painful performance trying your best to be eerily polite yet distant to each other in front of your children, as if that would make you forget the fact that you two almost kissed in the kitchen.

“Could you pass the sunscreen, honey?” Hongjoong would say awkwardly, turning his back to flash you a cheery smile on the lake deck as Eunbyeol and Eunseo watched you interact while floating in the cool, summer waters. 

You passed the bottle to your ex-husband while maintaining awkward distance. “Of course, darling!” 

“Thanks honey!”

“No problem sweetheart!”

This resulted in Eunbyeol and Eunseo looking at their parents in horror, the youngest twin muttering under her breath as they discussed an urgent change of plans.

“We have to get them to stop being weird.”

Apart from that, the ‘family bonding time’ promise to your daughters was maintained, and each day was an adventure for all of you in terms of what you would do together next. An accumulation of forest trekking, water-skiing and outdoors barbeques on the patio of your cottage made everyday feel more and more special for your girls, seeing how they relished in having both their parents with them at the same place and time. It became moments of peace and resolution that eventually became special for you and Hongjoong too. 

“I hope we stay here forever,” Eunseo blurted out one evening after a blissful day near the lakeshore, watching as the sun began to go down. She was busy licking the sticky sides of her melting ice cream cone in one hand, the other one held in yours. 

Hongjoong and Eunbyeol were a few feet ahead, laughing loudly and holding hands as they compared their fruit popsicles with one another to see whose was bigger. 

“You and Byeol would eventually get sick of going to the lake all the time” You smiled, the corners of your mouth turning up before her next words made the strings of your heart tug. 

“Sure, but at least you and dad could be together with us too.”

You watched as she ran up to her sister and dad, joining in on their fun as she began boasting that her ice cream was better than theirs. Hongjoong’s smile is the biggest you’ve ever seen it to be, looking down at his girls with a golden tan from the past few days spent outside, and hair slightly damp from swimming. 

Any person could tell the love in his eyes was as pure a father’s love for his girls could be. 

Her words stuck with you until that very night, where after dinner, board games, and much pacing back and forth in your own room before getting into bed, you decided to cautiously approach Hongjoong’s room on the opposite side of the second floor.

Bare feet padded across the wooden floors as you peeked through the sliver of the open door.

He's wearing an oversized sleep tee and blue pajama pants, getting in some nighttime reading before bed. His glasses are perched on his nose, intently reading his paperback novel. He looks as domestic as a husband gets. 

At the sound of your steps though, he sits up from his relaxed state on his bed, one arm that was supporting his head coming out as the other hand settles the book down on his abdomen. He looks surprised to see you. 

“Hi” he states, looking at you. 

“Hey”

Hongjoong’s expression immediately softened at your figure, watching as you shuffled awkwardly in front of him. The room is quiet. 

“Can I come in?”

“Of course,” He nods, setting his bookmark in the spine of the cover and turning his attention to you, offering you to take a seat on his linen covers. You see his polaroid camera with photos taken of Eunbyeol and Eunseo perched on a desk nearby. 

You don’t see the ones he secretly took of you, as those are in his drawers. 

“Don’t tell me you can’t sleep by yourself” he gently teases before watching as your smile doesn't reach the ends of your eyes. You wrap your silk robe closer to your body, feeling sort of vulnerable. 

“How do you like the resort so far?” He asks, watching as you played with your fingers absentmindedly. “Is the room okay?”

“It’s wonderful Hongjoong, better than I could ever have hoped for.” You spoke up, telling the truth.

It’s hard to arrange your thoughts in your head when it’s just the two of you in his room. The kids were already fast asleep. Now was your chance to just tell him how you felt. Why were you hesitating so much?

“Hey, look at me.” Hongjoong’s soft voice calls out to you, a protective hand coming out to caress the back of your head in habit. He can tell you want to say something, and the gesture makes you emotional, remembering how he always used to do that to ease your nerves when you were younger. 

“What’s wrong? Am I making things uncomfortable on the trip?” he worries about the boundaries you established with him at the beginning, watching as your lip begins to quiver and the emotions suddenly overcome you. 

“I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry.” you sniffled, tears forming near the brim of your eyes as you looked up at the father of your children. 

Hongjoong’s eyes widened, shifting through the covers over to you. “Woah, hey, shh that’s alright I got you” he coos, immediately going into dad mode and embracing you in his arms, letting your head rest against his chest. 

The action is natural, no longer foreign or weird, and you silently thank him for leaving reassuring circles on your back. Husband or not, Hongjoong would always be your best friend first. You had forgotten how much you missed this comforting side to him.  

“Tell me what you’re sorry about” he states, chest tightening at your wet cheeks before he slowly raises your chin to look him in the eyes. 

“For being mean to you for so long” you sniffle, a weakened state of emotional guilt eating away at you. You let him watch you carefully.

“I’ve been thinking about how happy the girls have been during this trip. A-And it kills me that we’ve been fighting for the past seven years, and that they’ve grown up seeing such bad parts of ourselves, of my own self” you ramble, confessing how you felt. 

You look up. “They’re happy because we’re together Joong. Because we’re not fighting or avoiding each other like we used to do before.”

He watches as you look up at him with tears forming in your eyes. 

“You’re such a good dad. And I realized you deserve to hear that.”

At the sounds of more sniffles, Hongjoong finally speaks, smiling as he brushes stray hair from your face. 

“I wouldn’t want anyone else but you to be the mother of our children, I hope you know that”

His truthfulness throws you off guard.

“I’m sorry too” he sighs, letting you sit up straight and look him in the eyes properly. “I haven’t been the best partner either, baby. We were both mean to each other.” he says, brushing a tear away from your face.

“I’m pretty sure you’ve thrown a hair dryer at me once before as well” he attempts to make you laugh, affection blooming in his chest when he sees he succeeds, wiping your tears. 

“But I already knew how you felt, sweetheart. I always know” he smiles, eyes mirroring a weak ache in his heart.  

“Married or not, we were once friends. And now we’re family” His voice turns deep, strong and dependable like the father he’s become.

“We can start over” you tell him, smiling as he folds his hands over your palm. “We can always do better from now and going forward. For ourselves, and for Eunseo and Eunbyeol.” 

Hongjoong nods, hesitantly for a split second before he leans over to press a soft kiss to your cheek, showing a gesture of affection that you longed for so long.

You shut your eyes, the kiss making your heart flutter. 

“Friends again?” He whispers, though silently wanting something more. 

You sighed, pulling him in closer to embrace in a hug. “Friends” you nodded while inhaling his comforting scent. 

The next morning, and for the rest of the remaining trip onwards, you and Hongjoong’s relationship dynamics did the equivalent of a 180 degree turn. 

It’s hard to believe you two really just wanted to be ‘friends’

Eunbyeol and Eunseo could tell by the way you talked to each other more, noticing you share more secret glances and fleeting touches that were innocent to the eye, but concealing a longing that you both tried to hide. You knew you couldn’t get carried away. You and Hongjoong were simply resolving a rough patch in your parenting. Not getting back together in a relationship. 

But after spending more time together while Eunbyeol and Eunseo became occupied on their own, it was hard keeping the interactions to a justified amount. Long walks in the forest, evenings spent cooking together, even cuddling together on the couch during family movie night. Thinking your kids were too busy watching the vintage Disney movie play on screen, when in fact, the real love story they were more invested in was happening right in front of their eyes, watching their parents falling in love again.

This led to the last event in their plan that they hoped would finally seal the deal. 

On Saturday night, the last night of your trip before you had to go back to the city, you and Hongjoong are surprised to find mini invitations left on your beds, scribbled in glitter pen and cursive handwriting reading out the following:

Gourmet Dinner Date for 2

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: Outdoor patio 

Dress code: Formal and Classy

You and your husband chuckled at the cards left on your beds, suddenly finding a twin each by your side and ushering you to get ready. 

“Do you and your sister even know how to cook dinner, Eunbyeol?” You questioned as your daughter rushed to push you into your walk-in closet, forcing you to get ready. 

She huffs, placing her hands on her hips looking offended. 

“At least my cooking skills don’t take after Dad’s, mom.” She mumbled, choosing your shoes for you. “Have some trust in a girl!”

Meanwhile, Hongjoong gets pampered by Eunseo in the other room, though in reality, her blunt critiques on her dads fashion are bruising his pride at the moment. 

“Dad, you have many normal clothes to wear. You have to chill with the ripped baggy jeans.” she demands, trudging through his closet to find something formal for him to wear. 

He begins to protest but his daughter shakes her head. “You’re supposed to look good for mom!” she huffs, searching on her own. At Eunseo’s words, the man starts to slightly worry, scratching the back of his head. 

“You and Byeol are gonna join too, right?”

She stops for a second, looking back to her father as she avoids the question and instead retorts back. 

“It’s just a date, Dad. Relax”

Back to what was happening in the other room at the end of the hallway, you huffed in frustration when you walked back into your closet after Byeol rejected another one of your outfits for the dinner date. 

“I have nothing else to wear, sweetie, these are all the clothes I have.” you came to terms with a hand coming to your forehead after having searched in despair. 

The ten year old shakes her head before pushing you out of the way and digging deep into your suitcase. She reveals a delicate piece of material you didn’t even realize you packed. 

“We got some help from Aunt Sophie and Uncle Hwa to pack you guys clothes that you could wear for a special occasion.” she wiggles her eyebrows, a smug grin on her face as you gap in shock. 

You inspect the dress, lips parting in disbelief as you feel the material. 

“I haven’t worn this since I was in college.” You uttered softly to yourself. 

At one longing look of the short dress, you shake your head, walking back into the closet to find something else. “I-I can’t wear this Byeol, what would your dad think?“ you asked nervously.

“Dad said he thinks your boobs looked hot in this dress so Aunt Sophie and I picked it specially” she looks up at you, proud of what she just said.  

You whip your head around, mouth hanging open in shock.

“Byeol! Where did you hear that from?” 

She sighs. “Dad had one too many drinks this one time and started talking about you guys back in college” she explained before shoving the infamous black dress in your hands. 

“Talked a lot about how pretty you were,” she draws out her words in a teasing voice. You curse your husband for his mistake.

You bite your lip as you stare down at the fabric in your hands. 

It was undeniable. You knew you looked amazing in this dress. You could testify from the amount of times Hongjoong ripped it off of you after countless night out’s filled with sexual tension and playful flirting. For god's sake, Eunbyeol and Eunseo could’ve almost had another sibling thanks to that dress.

“Fine.” you muttered bashfully, turning away as you walked into the closet to change. 

“But I’m just gonna try it on.”

Thirty minutes, one mental breakdown and too many outfit changes to count later, you walk down the stairs wearing the dress Eunbyeol had successfully persuaded you to wear. 

What do you know, the kid was right. Your boobs looked amazing in that dress. 

Not just your boobs, your whole body looked incredible with its strong curves and the beautiful fill it gave to the dress, making it slightly tighter than when you wore it as a twenty year old, but still all the more mature and sophisticated. You really did look hot.

Eunbyeol rushes down the stairs before you, catching up with her sister to inspect her job on their fathers preparation. 

“Well?” She says expectedly, looking at her dad. “Let’s take a look!”

He sports a simple yet timeless white collar dress shirt, the first few buttons undone as he wears a form fitting black dress-vest that accentuates his waist, dress pants paired to go along with it. Though simple, his silver rings pulled the outfit together, making him just as good looking and sophisticated as you were. 

Hongjoong’s back faces towards your front, watching as the man nervously shuffles his hands in his pockets.

“How do I look guys?” He gulps, adjusting his collar and sweeping his blond hair back. 

Eunseo rolls her eyes, a grin on her proud little face. “Do you even have to ask, dad?” She’s more than confident in the outfit she and Seonghwa coordinated together. 

He chuckles, shaking his head as he nervously tells them. 

“I want to look good for your mom, you know what I mean? She's a difficult woman to impress sometimes.”

“I’m difficult?” You tease, walking down the last few steps of the stairs. 

The man turns his head around, losing his breath at the sight of you standing there in front of him, wearing that dress that he hadn’t seen you wear for so long, looking breathtaking in every possible way. 

“Hi” you grinned softly, feeling sort of shy.

The way you fit in that dress made an insatiable hunger fuel inside Hongjoongs chest, eyes gazing at the way you strutted over in the black, lace covered material with your hair tied back and glossed lips turned upwards as your dimples showed. He breaks from his admiration when you quirk a brow at him, making the man almost fall to his knees and stutter uncontrollably. 

“I-I No I didn’t mean that-“

You giggle as you bravely take Hongjoongs hands in your own, shutting him up as you turn to your daughters standing in front of you, starstruck at your aura. 

“Outside, right?” you winked at them. 

“Right this way!” Eunseo enthusiastically leads you out back to the outdoor patio, a perfect view of the garden and lakeside coming into effect. Hongjoong slips his hand from yours, and slides it across your waist, pulling you into his side. 

“My parents are too cool” Eunbyeol sighs under her breath, watching from behind in awe.

Your ex-husband makes you swoon when he leans in to whisper softly. “You look breathtaking, sweetheart.” feeling an immense sense of pride at how lucky he was to make you the mother of his children. 

You blush, turning to him to whisper playfully back. 

“Not bad yourself.” 

You both look forward when you come to a stop at the patio steps, sheer amazement at the full preparation your daughters did for this event. Fairy lights were hung around the area, a table with two chairs on either side placed with a white table cloth and a bouquet of freshly hand picked flowers from the forest, battery powered candles that were sold at the souvenir shop lit in the middle and glowing softly. 

Eunbyeol dashes to the door when it rings, making you and Hongjoong furrow your brows. 

“Is someone here?” he asks, watching Eunseo fold a napkin over her arm like the pro waiter she was. The other one walks out, an oily fast food paper bag in her hands as she smiles. “Dinner is served!” 

“Turns out that diner 15 minutes away also delivers!” She chuckled, helping her sister plate the two cheeseburgers, fries, and vanilla and strawberry milkshakes. 

You and Hongjoong continue to watch in stunned amazement as the girls prepare the not exactly gourmet(?) but still impressive meal in front of you, their small hands working swiftly. 

“You guys prepared all of this?” You asked, getting a little emotional. They grin proudly, nodding their heads. “We called the place earlier and planned it all by ourselves!”

You pressed a kiss to each of their soft cheeks, thanking them both as Hongjoong did the same. 

“What did I do to get so lucky with my girls?” he smiles, ruffling their heads. 

“What about you guys?” You asked, watching as they slowly backed away to give you two some privacy. 

“Natalie and her mom invited us over for dinner and a sleepover tonight at her cottage,” Eunbyeol smiles. At the mention of their newly made friend that they had gotten close to over the week, Hongjoong looks at you then back at them. 

“What? But- ”

She cuts him off, rolling her eyes. “Her mom said it’s totally fine with her. She’s only two cottages down, and she’ll make sure we’re back in time again for tomorrow when we leave!” 

The two girls smile in excitement, though the both of you have your parental instincts kick in. 

“Please?” they begged, wanting you to let them go so that they could do this for you guys as much as they wanted to do it for themselves. “She’s waiting for us now!”

Hongjoong feels guilty. “C’mon, you guys should still join us!”

Eunseo immediately shakes her head, declining the offer. 

“Tonight is all about you guys. We don’t want to intrude” she chuckles, bumping shoulders with her sister who chips in.

“We’ll text you guys in the middle to let you know everything’s good of course” 

You and Hongjoong smile, a feeling of immense proudness overwhelming you from seeing your daughters act so grown up. There wasn’t anything else you felt grateful for more. 

“Thank you girls.” you muttered softly, watching as they flashed you a wink before hurrying out through the backyard door. 

“Don’t get all kissy in the backyard!” Eunbyeol teases, making cheesy smooching sounds with the back of her hand as her sister rolls her eyes and shoves her out. 

Before you know it, you’re left standing with just the sound of smooth jazz playing on the patio speakers and the buzzing of the summer cicadas. 

“She takes after you, I hope you know that” You told Hongjoong softly.  

He chuckles, “Not as much as you.” He gestures to the table. “Shall we?” 

And that’s how the next few hours seem to pass by without even realizing. 

You see, there was a reason why you fell in love with the man sitting in front of you, and you’re just beginning to remember it now. Being with Hongjoong felt as if the moment was everlasting, and you could testify that from the amount of laughter and deep conversation that was shared over dinner, bringing you to sit on that patio until the sun had set. Every so often you’d smile again at the thought of the twins preparing this all for you. 

“I don’t remember the last time I’ve been on a date like this” You blurted out after laughing about something, taking a sip of your strawberry milkshake through a straw. 

“Oh, so we’re going on dates now, are we?” Hongjoong grins, making you roll your eyes at him. 

You lean forward on the table cloth, watching as a glimmer passes through your husband’s eyes while he sits back in his chair, cocking his head to the side as he clears his voice. 

“But you’ve gone on dates after we split, haven’t you?” he asks, leaning forward in interest now, letting his chin rest on his palm. 

You shook your head slowly.

“Nope. Not since signing those papers” you revealed. 

Hongjoong furrows his brows in surprise. “And why’s that?” 

You suddenly didn’t have an answer. “I-I don’t know, I just…” You began, watching how he looked at you with an unreadable expression. You smiled, looking down and suddenly feeling embarrassed. 

“I guess I was too focused on running the bridal shop, I couldn’t find the time to.” You use as a cliche excuse. 

“Bullshit” he retorts back immediately. 

“It’s true!” You protested, throwing a fry at him that he dodges, landing on his finished plate. 

“You always did say back when we were younger that you wanted to be a designer. And look at you now” he admires, letting the candle lights shine a youthful glow to your face. 

“You always said you wanted to become a music producer and write your own songs.” you reciprocated, smiling as you soaked in the presence of one another. “And here you are now.” 

You think for a moment before asking the same question. 

“How about you?” 

Hongjoong silently shakes his head as his answer, though silently thinking about something else. The music changes to some old Billy Joel song in the back. You don’t realize it, but Hongjoong smiles to himself when he realizes the girls added it to the playlist. Of course they had to, it was one of the songs you played at your wedding. 

“What were we thinking when we got married like that?” You asked out loud, looking at how far you’d both come. You definitely skipped some of the order of the stages of a normal relationship. 

“I mean, we had no money, no prospects. Hell, we didn’t even have a car, Hongjoong!” you realized.

Your husband laughs, sitting straight and letting some skin show through his unbuttoned collar. 

“We were young” he justifies. 

“Yeah, and stupid too,” you pointed out, feeling the summer breeze pass by. It felt good to sit here like this with him.

You wondered, could sitting here like this with Hongjoong be a regular thing? After this trip, would you be able to walk back into each other’s lives again like this? 

As both parents and lovers?

Hongjoong brings up something you wouldn’t have expected him to. 

“Do you remember when we first found out about Eunseo and Eunbyeol?” he questioned softly, looking at you. 

You blink, taken aback. Suddenly you’re back in your college dorm washroom, sobs wracking through your body as Hongjoong who had only just sent his first few mixtapes to recording stations and companies nearby, pulled you close into his chest, eyeing the two lines left on the counter while he caressed your back. Only twenty years old and figuring out what you wanted to do with your lives, you were suddenly stuck in a sudden situation that had made you feel like your dreams would have been given up on completely. 

“I do,” you told him, pulling yourself from the memory. 

“I remember because in that moment I felt like the whole world was caving in”. You laughed, though it wasn’t fully cheerful.

“I don’t regret it, though” Hongjoong replies after some thought, gazing at you with truth in his eyes. 

You shook your head. “Of course. Neither do I.” 

It was a blessing to have two beautiful daughters as the product of your love.

“I don’t regret you either.” Hongjoong states.

You lock gazes, unable to take your eyes off of his face. 

“I loved you when I first met you and I still loved you when we divorced,” he says all at once, making your breath hitch and heart waver. 

“Don’t say that.” you tell him, looking away and suddenly reminding yourself you’re still divorced from the man sitting in front of you. 

How could he still love you after all this time? How could you feel the same about him?

Hongjoong continues, shaking his head as he bites back the lodge in his throat and makes up his mind. He has to tell you. 

“Truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving you.” 

Don’t do this to me you begged silently.

“I’ve hurt you just as much as you’ve hurt me.” He swallows, thinking back to the times you already knew he was referring to. The times where you fought to the point where there wasn’t even anything worth fighting for anymore. 

“But you have given me the greatest gifts of my life.” He smiles, holding his tears back.

“And for that I will always love you.”

You push your seat from the table, suddenly feeling overwhelmed and wanting to avoid him.

“I can’t do this anymore.” you dejected, walking away from the patio and from Hongjoong.

There wasn’t anything else you could fake anymore. You couldn’t bear to hear the man you once loved, possibly even still love, say these things like he had a dagger lodged in his heart. Didn’t he know he was only going to do the same to you?

Hongjoong is quick to catch up, holding onto your wrist and turning you around, that your back collides with the nearest wall inside, pressing your fronts together and closing the distance.

“Why do you always run away from me? From the possibility of us?” He exclaimed, voice breaking. His heart crushed at the way you turned your head, hot tears already clouding your vision. 

“Because ‘us’ can’t happen again, Hongjoong!” You cried, staring up at the man you once promised your life to.

“Don’t you get it? Us going on this trip isn’t a sign to get back together. What would we do seven years after breaking up?”

“We could do it” He states firmly, staring you down, both your chests heaving.

You bite your tears back again. “No we couldn’t, honey. We would be pretending to think we solved our marriage. What would we do about our daughters? After putting them through our constant fighting— ”

He slams his lips to your own, shutting you up as you painfully resist his touch. Your hands came up to push him away, but at the sudden gesture, you’re already giving in and sobbing softly, letting him hold you for just one last time. 

Your lips mold so perfectly, it almost hurts how much you missed this feeling. To have him slot his arms around your waist, pull you in close, and cherish you. You almost forgot this feeling. 

He pulls away softly, watching your lashes flutter, pleading to you for a chance as he leans closer, making your breath hitch. 

“We could be together as a family again,” he states firmly, your name leaving his lips in a desperate plea. “We never know if we try—”

You drown out his words, looking up with tears falling as you cut him off. 

“Seven years ago I gave you those papers to sign, thinking that you would’ve chased after me,” 

Hongjoong holds his breath, watching as the next words stumble from your mouth. 

“I realize now, how stupid I was to think that.”

“I didn’t know you wanted me to chase you”

Shoving his chest away while mustering the last of your strength you uttered. “Of course I wanted you to chase me.” You let go of his hands. “It’s too late either way”, walking away from the defeated man.

Hongjoong stands alone near the patio entrance, watching his tears fall to the wooden floorboards. Holding the ring he had kept hidden in his trouser pocket, he plays with it in his fingers, silently wishing he had given it to you sooner. 

It rains the next morning on your departure back to the city. Perfect, considering it reflects the sudden storm of utter depression that falls upon your family. Long gone are the cheerful giggles and longing stares that were shared between you and Hongjoong during the ride to the cottage. 

There was no room for that, not after last night.

Eunbyeol and Eunseo sat slumped in the backseat, rain hitting the roof of the car as they mindlessly played on their cell phones. Really, they were peeking from behind every so often and watching their parents sit in the front seat with tension so thick, you could’ve cut it with a knife. 

What had they done wrong? They planned the trip, the activities, the dinner— it was all perfect. And yet why were you still fighting with each other? 

These questions racked in their brains, baffled to have witnessed the sight of their parents refusing to talk to each other after walking back from their friends' sleepover. 

Eunbyeol and Eunseo felt as useful as matchmakers without a couple, feeling their efforts all gone down the drain. 

At the sudden ring of your cell phone, you pick up, answering at the voice of your assistant. 

“I’m driving back up right now”

Hongjoong continues focusing on the road, the occasional wiping of rain from the windshield wipers on the front window. 

“Yes. That’s okay, I'll take care of it.” You muttered, glancing at the rear view mirror for a moment. Your twin daughters immediately sigh, having an idea of what to expect when you say those familiar words. 

“Thanks for letting me know.” 

You hang up the phone, 

“One of us isn’t going with you, are we?” Eunseo asks, making you look back at her with a sigh. 

“No, you’re not” You confess, apologetic. ‘I’m sorry honey. I really am.”

You look back facing the front, swallowing as you told Hongjoong. 

“You’ll have to drop me off at the studio. Some things aren’t working out with the client so they need me to come in and take care of it.”

He nods, unphased as he continues to look straight. 

“Will you be fine with the girls?” You asked carefully, watching them as they were slumped in the backseat.

Hongjoong grips the wheel before turning to you. 

“I‘ll be fine. Don’t worry about it” sending a small smile, though it doesn’t fully reach his eyes. 

The twins thank god that at least neither of them had to choose to go back home with either parent. 

They would’ve hated that more. 

After barely being able to depart and say goodbye to your daughters in front of your studio, holding them close for a warm embrace and thanking them for an unforgettable weekend, Hongjoong drives off with his daughters, an empty feeling cascading his thoughts. He puts on a smile still, trying to cheer up his girls. 

“What do you want to do first when we go home? Want to unpack and then eat? We can eat and then unpack. Or we could- ”

Eunseo crosses her arms, having been fed up for far too long.

“Dad, you must be out of your mind.” 

Hongjoong stills, furrowing his brows and peeking at the first born who crosses her arms, holding an attitude. 

“Eunseo, what are you- ” 

“You’re telling me you and Mom just spent a whole entire week together at the cottage, had the best time of your lives since separating with one another, and now you’re just going to go back to not speaking or talking to each other again?”

Hongjoong blinks at his daughter’s sudden outburst, already making a turn into the driveway of his house.  

Eunbyeol now reciprocates her twin, looking at her dad as she slouches beside him, coming near the front seat area. 

“She’s got a point dad. Do you really just not love mom anymore?” She worries, looking up at him genuinely concerned. 

Hongjoong doesn’t know how to answer these sudden questions right now, stuttering to reply.

“Me and your mother are fine!” He lies, trying to reassure them. “That trip wasn’t just for us, it was also for you two to enjoy— ”

Eunseo asks the million dollar question. 

“If you still love Mom, why are you letting her go a second time?” 

With the engine turned off, it's gone silent. Two pairs of eyes staring at their father, awaiting his response. 

“Well? Are you going to chase after her or not?!” Eunbyeol groans, her fathers lack of response making her pull her hair. 

They were right. How could he have made the same stupid mistake twice?

Hongjoong struggles to put the keys back in the engine, telling them to put their seat belts back on. Their eyes begin to glow with hope.

“Do you girls mind staying at your uncle’s for a bit?” He asks hurriedly, punching into his cell phone to call his brother for a favor as he pulls out of the driveway. Eunbyeol squeals, hands clamping over her mouth as her sister speaks on behalf of them both. 

“Dad, if you don’t drop us off and get your butt over to mom’s right away, I’m gonna report you to child services.” she threatens, watching as he steps on the accelerator, heart pumping so fast as he smiles through the rear view mirror.

You sighed, holding up your cellphone to your ear. 

“Call me once she approves the design then,” you told your assistant through the receiver, one hand looking over the sheets of paper, highlighting the changes to the new blueprint. 

“Alright then, bye.” 

After hanging up the phone, you rubbed your temples, head pounding as you tucked the files back into the folder. 

The clock in your studio showed the hands about to reach seven pm. A few hours had already passed since coming back from your trip to the cottage, trying to forget everything by burying your focus into the new dress prints a client of yours requested, remodeling them after the original was rejected. 

Fingers worked away swiftly, comparing textiles and fabrics as you looked at the piles of papers and messy sticky notes in front of you. But yet the gears in your mind seemed to churn achingly slow, sighing as you repeatedly told yourself the same thing. 

Just focus on the dress, focus on the dress, focus on the dress.

Don’t think about him. 

The task is impossible. Your mind can’t help but slip back to what your relationship has become with Hongjoong, and what you were going to do now that those seven days were over. For so long you had deprived yourself from indulging in your love life, prioritizing taking care of Eunseo and Eunbyeol while juggling your job as a designer. Had you been doing it all wrong? 

Hongjoong’s words repeat in your head like a broken record player. 

I will always love you

Lies. That promise couldn’t be kept. Your divorce was a clear outcome of it. You and Hongjoong were two people not meant for one another. You were too different, all you would do is hurt one another, make life an unbearable living hell—

And yet you missed him. You missed Hongjoong so much. 

What was fucking keeping you from loving him? Was it your stubbornness? Was it really the fact that he didn’t chase after you? Or was it none of that and just your own self being stupid?

The front door of the studio opens, pulling you from your thoughts as you got back to the sketches. You called up from your desk as you worked quietly. 

“The studios closed for the- ”

Heavy breathing. The man who just walked in catches his breath from dashing out of his car and up the three flights of stairs, driving through almost an hour of traffic in pouring rain to be here in this moment with you.

“Hongjoong?”

He’s drenched, making a mess on the floor of the studio as the droplets fall softly one by one. 

Suddenly he's striding over to where you’re sitting in long steps before slamming his lips against yours. The kiss throws you off guard, the shock of his cold hands cradling your face makes you close the gap unknowingly. 

Linking your arms around his neck while kissing back passionately, you let your hands rest on his shoulders, pulling back for air as you panted heavily, catching your breaths and looking at each other with pure love and lust. 

“Why are you here?” you asked, feeling dumb because your heart already knew the answer. His hands wrap around your waist, desperate as if you would leave him again. 

But he’s just so fucking tired of that now. He just wants to love you now.

“I lost you once.” He breathes, eyes watering.

“I’m not going to lose you again”. 

Suddenly, everything that kept you from being with each other is thrown away. 

That hate, that fear, everything is gone because you realize you still needed each other. You’re still the same twenty year old couple standing in that dorm washroom, holding each other close and knowing it’ll be okay because at least you had each other. 

You grasp onto his damp shirt, pulling him down with such force that your lips meet again, taking charge as you finally allowed him to have you. 

“You’re a fucking idiot” you whined between kisses, curses escaping your lips when he softly bites the flesh of your neck to test the waters. “I hope you know that”

He agrees wholeheartedly, nodding as if he was already getting pussydrunk.

“I’m an idiot” he mumbles to himself, letting it escape his lips like a mantra. Well, he was stupid enough to only chase after you this late, so if his wife told him he was an idiot, then so he was.

“Let me prove how much I love you,” a hand comes to graze near the collar of your shirt. 

You gasped, watching as Hongjoong lifted you from your seat and rutted his hips against your core pathetically, your ass digging into the edge of the table.

“Here?” Your eyes widened, watching his expression turn dark. He presses kisses on your collarbone, making your hands grasp the wood for support. “Hongjoong wait,” you exhaled in a deep breath, heart beating against your chest.

But he doesn’t give a shit. He’s tired of waiting. 

“It’s been too fucking long” he protests, ripping your top off. You’re dizzy from how abruptly he’s stripping you, latching onto his shoulders for support as you wobble from him unzipping your jeans and pushing them down, exposing you in nothing but your underwear and bra. 

And like the good little whore you are, you immediately spread your legs, letting Hongjoong get a view of the embarrassingly wet patch leaking through your panties as he’s crouched down to let you step out of the denim near your ankles.

Holy fucking shit

You stand bashfully, toes curling from how exposed and vulnerable you were being the only one naked. 

“Please?” you asked nicely, letting your foot rest on his shoulder as your pussy was now on full display for him.

You don’t have time to even finish the last word before Hongjoong dives in, lapping at your soaking cunt and humming in pure ecstasy at the taste. The muffled vibrations make you throw your head back, tugging on his locks to shove his face further. 

Hongjoong’s hands press into your thighs that cage his head in, leaving a grip that you guarantee with littering the flesh with red splotchy bruises. Did you mind? Not at all.

When his tongue pokes at the gummy flesh of your walls, you let out a full moan, echoing throughout the studio as the air begins to smell like sex. 

“Right there, yes” you urged him, leg beginning to shake from how weak it was getting. 

He's so invested, you fear he might suffocate any longer if he doesn’t pull back for air. So you grasp his head, pushing him away from his meal while you both gasped lightly.

You watch him wipe his slick covered chin with the back of his hand, not breaking eye contact as he stares. 

“You were just begging to be fucked for all these years, weren’t you sweetheart?” He teases. 

Though you wanted him to lap at your juices until you came, you knew you needed to still feel his cock inside after so long. 

Your fingers played with the hem of your underwear, smiling back at your husband. 

“And you were just begging to get a taste of this pussy, weren’t you, Joong?” wiping that smug grin off his face.

”Lay down for me” he demands, getting up so that one hand finds its way to the back of your bra to unclasp it. The other clears half your desk covered in wedding dress blueprints and sketches, making sure nothing would make you uncomfortable before he fucked you on that mahogany surface so all you’d remember would be his name. 

And people said romance was dead. 

When the bra slides off and your bare back hits your desk, you suddenly realize what Hongjoong’s intention was when he ordered you to do that. 

Soft mounds spill out as your breasts take their natural form, giving Hongjoong the perfect view of your tits. Pervert. 

He immediately latches his tongue on a nipple, taking his hand and playing with the other, twisting painfully. 

A cry escapes your lips, parting them open as you let him play with them as much as he wanted to. He smiles against the motherfuckers, knowing that shut you up perfectly. 

“Are you ready for me to fuck you now?”

“Please, Joong, I need you” you whined, submitting yourself to your husband. He already knows you’re in need of one last kiss, coming up to give his wife what she wants by slotting his lips against yours again, this time much harsher. 

“Tell me so that I treat you good, baby” he mumbles, pulling back and making you clench your thighs together. He undoes his shirt in the meantime, unbuckling his belt and pressing a sweet kiss to your cheek when you sobbed. 

“Fuck me, please” 

His fingers slide your panties to the side to press his aching tip to your wet core. 

“Like this?” He teases.

“Inside, Hongjoong” you emphasized, meaning what you said with the way your nails dug into a pile of papers nearby. Biting your lip from how sensitive and needy your cunt was. 

“I know, I know,” he murmured, smiling to himself after messing with you. 

“I just missed this pretty cunt” before in one strong thrust, Hongjoong’s bulging tip enters inside your walls, giving you a stretch you forgot how much you loved. You whined softly. 

“Shit” he curses, relishing how the buildup finally led to this moment. 

The man is ravenous, but he’s genuinely trying his best to ease the painful stretch as you adjust to his thickness, nipping your neck in a trail of hickeys and love bites posessively.

With every thrust he makes, you arch your back, pencils and papers shuffling near by you. 

“Fucking look at my wife” he admires proudly, watching the woman he loves bounce her tits at every thrust of his cock. 

“S’too much” you caved in, shaking your head at the stimulation. 

You claw at his arms, head turning to the side as your eyes roll back from pleasure. 

“I know, mama, I know” 

He grabs a tit in his left hand, the right one coming down to play with your clit, pressing slow circles near where you were connected. 

“Fuck, I missed these” He rasps, savouring the feeling of your soft flesh in his hand, making you throw your head back. 

“Missed how they looked when you were pregnant” he says, thinking of how ethereal you looked when you were knocked up with his kids. 

“God, at this point I’m gonna get you fucking pregnant again” Hongjoong grunts, snapping his hips deliriously back and forth. He envisions you round and full, fulfilling his inner fantasy. 

“Shut up.” You spat, breaking the mood as you bit your lip to suppress a moan. He almost laughs when you then crane your hips back to give him easier access to keep penetrating you. The desk shuffles. 

“Your mouth is saying one thing, honey, but your body is saying something else” 

After hearing his words, you suck him in further, both of you now getting close. 

“M’close. M’so close!” you whimpered, sitting up so that now Hongjoong could hold you in his arms, caging your body so his cock could stuff you better. 

Your mouth hangs open in silent bliss, hands scratching his back. You leaned into his ear, making the final chord inside him snap. 

“Make me cum, daddy” 

And just like that, you’re clenching around Hongjoong’s massive cock as a creamy white ring begins to form. Hot ropes fill you up inside, tangled in a sweaty mess as he purrs, caressing the back of your head again in habit. 

“So fucking good, sweetheart. You did so good for me”

The sounds of your breathing fill the studio, a pencil or two rolling quietly away on the ground from being shoved off the desk. He shakes his head when you try to pull your sweaty bodies away, hair sticking to your neck but feeling the way he refuses. 

“Just let me love you,” he mumbles into your shoulder, dick softening inside you. “Just for a moment.”

You’re too tired to say anything back, so you finally give in. 

Seven years passed by you two without even realizing how much you still loved each other. Though you wouldn’t be able to get that time back, for once, there was something that you and Hongjoong agreed upon. 

You had no intention of wasting that time any more. 

𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄:

Months later, and it still takes everything in Eunbyeol and Eunseo hearts to not scream at the sight of their parents when they walk hand in hand, smiling happily in public as they pick their daughters up from the first day of school. 

The girls jump into their parent’s embrace, eying the two silver rings they now wore proudly together. 

“How was school, darlings?” Hongjoong asks, pressing a kiss to Eunseo and Eunbyeol. 

“It was fun! We watched a documentary about lovebirds” she smiled, looking back up. You laughed softly.

“Which reminded me to tell you,” she grins, watching as you, her sister, and father all looked at her. 

“I hope you know that getting you and dad back together was my plan from the start.” she confesses, smirking at Eunbyeol who scoffs, crossing her arms. 

“Nuh uh, this was my idea first!” 

Before her sister could yell at her twin, you jumped in. 

“Plan? What plan?” You asked quizzically, both you and Hongjoong standing there confused.

“To get you guys to fall back in love again, of course!” Eunseo smiles, both her and her sister now giggling softly together.  

“How am I just finding out that there was a plan?” Hongjoong mutters, scratching his neck in confusion. You turned to the two girls, stopping in your tracks on your way to the car

“When did you two even think of all this?” grinning in astonishment as you felt Hongjoong slot his hand and intertwine it with yours. It felt natural now.

“Yeah, I'm curious too” he states, leaning close and becoming intrigued.

Your daughters look at each other before smiling. 

“It’s a long story.”

But at last, time is something you finally now have as a reunited family of four, walking back to your car, holding hands with a twin on each side.

Listening carefully, as your daughters start from the very beginning.

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[lukecastellanlov3r]

thinking about y/n accidentally flashing Luke while changing, and him being super flustered and horny for the rest of the day, than later, y/n catches him in the bathroom moaning her name while… you know 👀

OMGG, YESS. I LITERALLY CAN IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING

Luke Castellan x Reader

Smut warning

All the counsellors had a day off from camp activities today, meaning everyone was down by the docks.

You headed down there with Luke. He had just assumed that you weren't going to swim in the lake since you had your normal shorts and camp shirt on. He didn't know that you had your bikini underneath.

"You swimming, Luke?" You asked as you guys reached the docks

"Not today, no," he shrugged, laying out his towel on the sand and sitting on it. You sighed. He never came into the water anyway. You just shrugged it off and started to pull off your camps shirt, then your shorts. You bend over to put your clothes in your bag, not realising that your bikini bottoms were riding up slightly.

Luke's eyes widened as you bent over, getting a full view of your ass. He groaned quietly, his hand already adjusting his shorts as he felt a tent forming in them.

~★~

Luke had left the docks soon after you got into the lake, which was odd. Not to mention, he was acting a bit weird around you. Fine, a lot weird. But he was weird in general, so you barely batted an eye to it.

You got out of the lake and grabbed your bag, heading towards the counsellors' shower rooms. Slowly, you push open the door and are instantly greeted with groaning. The voice sounded very familiar. And the person was.... moaning your name?

Then it hit you.

Luke.

You dropped your bag onto the floor out of pure shock. It makes a thud loud enough that his moans stop.

It takes you a while, but you work up the courage to speak after a few seconds of gruelling silence.

"Luke.....?"

"Y/n?" He calls back, his voice hoarse and shaky.

You take a few shaky and slow steps towards the shower cubicle that you heard his voice coming from and knocked softly.

"Can you.... let me in?"

There's another beat of silence before the door clicks open, and the next thing you know, you're being pulled in, and the water from the shower soaks your hair. He pins you to the wall abruptly and makes out with you like there's no tomorrow. He pushes his tongue into your mouth and explores. His hands begin to wander, and they start pushing your bikini down. They hit the shower floor with a wet slap.

You gasp quietly, pulling away from his lips as you feel his long and nimble fingers trace all the way down to your folds.

"You want this, Y/n, right?" He whispers in your ear, nipping at your ear lobe.

You let out a small mewl, and that gives him enough of an answer. He turns you around and undoes your bikini top. He drops it to the side and presses your front against the shower wall. He trails gentle and slow kisses on the back of your neck and shoulders. His hands trace down your curve, and he groans into the nape of your neck.

He guides your hands up and presses them on the wall as he bends you over. Without warning, he slips two of his fingers inside of you and starts pumping in and out of you. His fingers curled inside of your gummy walls.

"F-Fuck, Luke..... just do it already," you moaned, cleching around his fingers. He'd barely even done anything, but he already had you begging for more.

"You sure?"

"Mhmm~ just do it. Please," you mumbled

He pulls his fingers out of you, and you instantly feel empty. Not for long, though. His tip presses against your entrance before he starts to ease his length into you.

He barely got halfway before you had tears brimming your eyes, and you were moaning his name loudly.

Out of nowhere, he slams his hips into you, pushing himself completely inside you.

"You're fine, baby. Im not gonna hurt you," he murmured as i pumped in and out of you quickly.

He clamped his hand over your mouth as you started to get too loud. You were close, and so was he. You could barely keep yourself standing, and you could feel his dick twitching inside of you.

"L-Luke, 'm close," you muttered between sharp breaths and moans.

"Whenever you're ready, baby." He whispered, groaning while he bucked his hips into you faster and faster.

You both rode out your high together, loud moans ringing out through the shower. Your legs shook, and shivered as he slowly pulled out of you and his cum spilled out of you, dripping down your inner thighs

"Gods..... y/n, you have no idea how long I've wanted to do that to you," he whispered.

~★~

Hey guys, sorry if this is bad, but it's my first ever fic. I'd love any tips or points. Thank you, anon, for the request.

[halfbloodfics]

Warmth

Severus snape x Professor! Reader

18 +! Minors dni.

Warnings: Smut, slight degredation

Tropes: Smut, soft dom snape, rough but gentle sev, established relationship

Requests are open! See my pinned post for details xox

~

Christmas wasn't for another week, but it may as well have been today. The students had spent all day in a scurried, sense of irritability that can only be described as a widespread, severe case of "holiday impatience". You were typically respected as a professor by your students, even the first years payed attention in your class. But this week, it seemed as though the impending holiday vacation left no room in any of the students heads for lessons on astronomy.

You sighed, leaning against the window frame of you and Severus's shared bedroom quarters. The room completely dark expect for the few candles by the bedside where you had been marking, you stared out the window at the snow falling gently onto the Black Lake, watching thick snowflakes build on the castle.

Shivering, you wrapped the sheer nightgown closer to yourself, regretting your decision not to put something thicker. In all honesty, you chose this specifically for the reason that it was sheer. As cold as it is in the castle during this season, you had the slight hopeful feeling it wouldn't be cold in here for long.

Severus entered the room quietly, the only sound giving him away being the slight turn of the door knob. The candle light was just enough to make out the soft blur of his features, casting shadows on the right side of his face, highlighting the bridge of his nose, the slight crease of his brow.

You hummed. "Hi handsome."

The corner of his lip tugged up ever so slightly in an amused smile. Over a year of dating you had taught him well to stop trying to fight those compliments. However mich he disagreed with them, he was beginning to believe that somehow you actually believed the words you spoke to him.

"I apologize for being so late." He spoke. "The students are being... Somehow more unruly than usual."

You laughed, leaning against the stone frame of the window and running a hand through your hair. "Tell me about it. They couldn't care less about astronomy this week."

Severus stepped closer, closing the distance between you. His frame was radiating warmth, and the mixture of the cold and your longing drove you in for a hug. Stretching your arms around him, you felt his hand run up your back to rest protectively on the back of your head, his other hand around your waist, holding you close.

You inhaled, the scent of herbs and smoke filling your lungs. With an exhale you nuzzled yourself closer.

"It's cold in here." You murmered against his chest.

He scoffed. "Well I suppose so, when you're hardly wearing any clothes."

You placed your hands on his chest and pulled away to show off the nightgown even further. "I'm sure this counts as clothes Severus."

But the raise of his left eyebrow disagreed. Your eyes flicked up, meeting his intense gaze and just now realising the darkness that flickered in them.

A familiar heat grew between your legs as you recognized this look. You knew him well enough by now to know when he was fighting the urge to lay with you, and when he was losing. And boy, you would make sure he'd loose.

Severus's eyes trailed down your body, pausing at your breasts. Your nipples were hard from the cold and almost entirely visible from the sheerness of your white nightgown. You made a point to breathe with your chest and when his eyes met yours again in knowing, you batted your eyelashes, hoping the doe eyes would let him know what you were thinking.

The slight clench of his jaw told you he knew exactly what you wanted.

He stepped closer, backing you into the wall, gaze fixed on your eyes. Your lips parted as you felt the chill of the stone wall against your back and his firm grip on your waist.

His hand trailed up, fingers brushing just teasingly along your nipple. You gasped, feeling embarassingly needy under his touch, as his hand trailed up to cup your face, the other still firm on your waist.

"I'm not sure that this, piece of cloth, could ever keep you warm."

You stared at him, lips still parted. "I think... That it's perfectly fine..."

He cocked his head teasingly, the hand on your face leaving once again to trail downwards. This time, his touch was more direct, firming pinching your hardened nipple.

You gasped, exhaled, your breath fogging up what little space remained between the two of you.

He hummed knowingly, eyes still on you. "Not cold?"

He tugged this time, rolling your nipple between his fingers, teasingly.

You moaned quietly, knowing you couldn't keep up this charade much longer, but still feeling too shy to verbally ask for what you wanted so badly.

He leaned in, breath hot against your ear as he continued to touch your chest, this time fondling your entire breast, the other hand reaching to cup the back of your neck.

"What did I say.." He whispered, "About using that pretty mouth of yours."

You whimpered at his words. "Sev..."

"Words, darling. Tell me what you need."

All restraint you had melted away. It was embarassing, how quickly you could lose yourself in this man. How simply his voice and hand on your chest could make you crave him so badly.

With another whimper, you squirmed underneath him.

"Please.. Touch me Sev..."

Before his name even left your mouth, his mouth was on your neck. Leaving soft, peppering kisses that turned into bites and lovemarks, only to continue with the delicacy, alternating between them. All restraint gone with your verbal permission, his right hand slid down and up under the nightgown until his fingers met your warmth.

He groaned ever so slightly into your neck, the hand on the back of it tightening it's grip.

"Nothing underneath? Someone was planning this..." He murmered, contiuing his kisses on your neck. His fingers began tracing your wetness, teasingly flicking over your clit before tracing your center again.

Soft whimpers escaped your mouth, impatience growing inside you. "Wanted you.. I want you..."

His middle finger brushed your clit once more, elicitng a gasp from you, before returning back to where it was.

He kissed your jaw. "So badly you're wearing practically nothing to get my attention hmm?"

You nodded quickly, eyes closing as his fingers continued to tease you.

"You dirty, needy thing."

In an instant, you were picked up and gently placed on the bed near the candle light. His grip now tight on your thighs, Severus towered over you at the end of the bed between your legs. In the light you could now clearly see the tightness of his pants, the mess of his hair, the need in his eyes. He looked possessive, almost primal and yet, so very gentle.

Your spread legs caused your nightgown to bunch up on your waist, revealing you in your entireity to Severus, who was now staring between your legs with a hungry gaze.

His eyes flicked up towards you, silently asking for permission.

"Yes, Severus. Please." It came out barely a whisper, more breathy than vocal, but enough for him to fall to his knees at the end of the bed and drag you closer to him.

You gasped he began kissing you gently on the thighs, approaching your cunt closer and closer.

It always amazed you, how dominant yet gentle Severus could be. He showed you everyday he loved you, in every way he possibily could. Even in bed, never once did he push you, nor act without your verbal permission. It made you want him even more.

His breath hot against you, he finally dove in. Flicking his skilled tongue up you, teasingly, agonizingly slow.

You moaned, louder, clearer than your previous ones. The warmth, the wetness, in contrast to the freezing temperature of your room. It felt like heaven, and when you looked down at Severus you realised this might be his heaven too.

You had never looked at him while he's done this to you. Despite always feeling comfortable, you still felt slightly embarassed and vulnerable as he did this. But as you looked down that melted away.

The candlelight danced upon his face, showing you how madly lustful he looked. His gaze looked tenderly up at you, black eyes gentle and soft, but full of desire. Upon seeing this, you moaned his name, louder this time, as his tongue once again teasingly flicked across your clit.

That must have snapped something within him, as his hands on your thighs gripped you even closer to him, pulling you in as if he was starving, and Merlin, did he begin to act like he was starving.

In an instant, his teasing turned into full force, devouring. His mouth tight against your cunt, eyes closed in concentration, fingers digging painfully into your thighs and his tongue, flicking deliberately, quickly, rhymatically over your clit.

The moan you let out was practically a scream as you arched your back, tossing your head back against the mattress. Your body squirmed on it's own accord, but Severus held you tightly in place, only your upper body able to move, your arms gripping the sheets beside you, tugging at the pillows above you, the wall, Severus's soft hair, anything. Searching for release.

You chanted his name like a prayer. A tangled mess of pleas and whimpers and his name. "Pl-please Sev, oh my fuck. Sev! Please, please, shit!"

The knot in your stomach tightening, you began to tremble, thighs shaking against his head.

You frantically jerked your head down to find Severus's eyes now open, tongue still quick against you, gaze firm but gentle. He broke away from your cunt for only a second, quickly muttering: "My pretty girl, come for me my love."

And that was all it took. The thread breaking in an instant, waves of pleasure riding over you as you lost control, shaking, trembling, whimpering and moaning his name as you grinded your cunt against his face, feeling him moan as he tasted your orgasm.

You whimpered as you came down from your high, Sev placing gentle kisses on your thighs as he pulled away and leaned on top of you. His hands found your face, thumbs gently caressing your cheeks as he leaned in and gently kissed your lips.

"So beautiful, my darling girl. Sweet, sweet girl." He murmered between kisses as you panted, trying to catch your breath.

You felt his hardness pressing on you gently, eliciting another small, overstimulated whimper from your face.

He kissed your cheek softly. "We don't have to my love, if you're too sensitive."

Though your heart swelled, you smirked as you flung your arms around him and pulled him closer, need still coursing through you.

"If you want to, Sev... I very much, want to."

Severus smiled gently, kissing you again on the lips before leaning back to kneel on the edge of the bed between your thighs. He began unbuttoning his pants, watching as your chest rose and fell with each breathe, your breats exposed as your nightgown lay tangled on your exhausted body.

"Oh," He said lowly. "I very much want to."

He stroked himself gently before leaning in. Out of instinct, you reached to the bottom of your night gown to pull it over your head and toss it at the side.

"No." He said firmly, hands stopping yours. "You wanted to wear it so badly, then you will get fucked in it."

As it was possible for you to get wetter...

You removed your hands, placing them gently on his shoulders as he adjusted himself.

He met your gaze, stilling.

You nodded.

"Words, darling." He murmered.

And for a moment you almost forgot them. Entranced by how beautiful he looked between you in the candle light, hair messy, cock in hands, eyes dark and dominant...

But you found them, of course, whispering: "Fuck me Severus. Please..."

He smiled, gently, leaning forward to be closer to you, now completely draped over you like a curtain and gently pushed himself in.

You gasped, always somehow forgetting how to adjust to his size. It wasn't a sharp, painful ache. You were more than ready for him, and he always made sure of that. But it was more of a stretch, as Severus slowly sunk all the way in, filling you completely.

He groaned against your ear. Right hand now on your waist, left arm by your head. "So warm... So ready for me... Are you alright, my love?"

You whimpered, having adjusted to the size and feeling complete pleasure overtake the initial discomfort. "Yes, fuck. So good, move."

He laughed, leaning in again to kiss your cheek as he began to move, slowly. "Impatient thing, where are your manners bratty girl? I know you have them."

You whimpered taking it upon yourself to grind on him faster, bucking your hips up and feeling instant relief, though only for a brief moment.

Severus hand pushed your waist back down into the bed, his other tangled into your hair and very slightly, but firmly gripped it.

"My, you are impatient. Where's my good girl, hmm?" He bit ever so gently the soft of your neck just under your jaw, drawing out a whimper. "Ask, nicely."

And you caved, desperate to be properly fucked. "Please Severus. Fuck me, hard. Rough. Please."

You didn't have to ask twice. His grip tightened, pushing you harder into the bed as he began to fuck you at an incredible pace, slamming into your G-spot rough and fast.

"Fuck!" You screamed, feeling your breasts move with the fast pace of which Severus was now slamming into you.

He let out a raspy, half groan-half laugh into your neck. "Dirty mouth. Such a desprete little thing. Is this what you wanted?" He asked.

His pace consistant, he slammed into you again and again, mercilessly sucking on your neck, hands gripping at you. Every cell on your body felt as if it were on fire as the heat in your stomach grew, your second orgasm already approaching.

"I know this is what you wanted love. I know." He murmered, groaning slightly as he continued to pound into you. "So beautiful for me, so needy. Merlin, I love you. I love you so fucking much..."

His face was now burried in your neck, groaning deep, low moans as he fucked you.

You whimpered, your body beginning to shake even harder than before. The bed creaked, groaned, though not as loud as you, who was a whimpering, babbling mess. "I l-love... fuck. I-I love y-you, Sev fuck!"

He groaned. "I know darling, I know. My sweet girl. So fucking good for me. Letting me use you like this, my baby."

You could feel now he was slipping. His pace becoming rapid, desprete and rhythim faltering. He moved his hand from your waist to raise your thigh, pulling you somehow closer and managing to fuck you deeper.

And that was the last straw for you. The thread in your stomach snapped, orgasm washing over you with such a force you clawed and dug at Severus's back as you trembled, screaming and shaking and squirting on him again and again.... and again...

He made a sound that only be described as a sort of whimper, feeling your walls tighten around him and the increased wetness of your orgasm. He fucked you even faster, even harder.

"Y/n." He said quickly, rushed. "Gonna... Fuck...."

You whimpered, still riding your high as he fucked your overstimulated body.

"Severus... Please.." You cried.

His hips faltered, body shuddering and he whimpered again, this time pulling you closer to him as he jerked, finally stilling inside you, panting.

You panted, whimpered as he pulled out gently. When you opened your eyes you saw him staring hungrily between your legs, watching his cum drip from you.

"My girl." He whispered, looking up tenderly to meet your gaze.

He crawled beside you, pulling your nightgown down over your body and your body close to him.

"My beautiful girl."

His hands in your hair, his lips on your forehead.

"My beautiful, beautiful girl."

He held you close enough to where you could hear his rapid heartbeat as it finally began to calm down in time with yours. Both of your breathing slowly returning to normal.

After a moment, he spoke. "Was that... alright my love? Did I hurt you? Was that, what you want-"

"Severus, that was perfect. Thank you, darling." You whispered, cutting him off before his fear of hurting you could creep in any further.

And then the comfortable silence that you could only ever feel in his presence filled the air again, shared only with the sound of the cold, December wind outside the window.

Severus carassed your arm, feeling no goosebumps.

"Warmer now?" He murmered.

You smirked, nuzzling closer to his chest. "Very much so."

la fin

[sc0tters]

In The Water | Luke Hughes

summary: Luke has had a wandering eye for you all week so when he gets you in the pool one night it’s finally his turn to have some fun.

request: yes/no

warnings: sexual themes, p in v, swearing.

word count: 1.69k

authors note: I’ve been waiting to write this for weeks! It was fun writing the Luke x Quinn bsf pairing cause it means all I need to do is a Quinn x Luke bsf pairing then I’ve done all of the brother and friend pairings! Part of me is also starting to think that I’ve forgotten how to write smuts because I really don’t know how I feel about this one…

Luke thought the world was being cruel to him.

Originally he was fine when he heard that Quinn was bringing a girl to the lake house. But the moment he met you that idea quickly changed when he realised it was you.

The youngest Hughes boy didn’t know you from a bar of soap but watching you walk around in shorts and your little bikini top with Quinn’s tigers hat on your head made him feel some kind of way.

His speculations that something was going on between you and Quinn weren’t so wrong either, being neighbours in Vancouver you two learnt how to lean on each other during the pandemic and that sometimes resulted in sexual interactions between you two. But your little fuck buddy time together was a mere moment in your relationship and the last time you had gotten on your knees for the Hughes boy was well over a year ago.

But the level of banter that you two seemed to gain from having gone that far.

Quinn was fast asleep as you slipped out of the bed next to him letting your feet take you downstairs as you realised the light outside was still on.

Curiosity got the best of you and you were glad that it did as you walked out to see Luke in the pool.

His back muscles were defined as he would extend his arms with each stroke before he brought them back to his sides “I can feel you staring at me.” Luke mumble stretching his arms as he let his fingers press on the wall in front of him never taking this eyes off of the water.

You took this as a moment to walk up to him letting your legs down into the water as you sat on the side a couple of feet away from him “got a lot to stare at.” You shrugged sending him a smile as you weren’t going to hide that you were indeed looking at him “would have thought you’d want a closer look.” His smirk was clear as he finally looked up to see your eyes staring at him.

Taking in how his curls were wet as water droplets fell against his skin felt like a sight for sore eyes “where is the fun in just giving it to you Rusty?” You raised your eyebrows mentally letting out a silent cheer as Luke listened to you.

His fingers let go of the wall before he slowly swam over to you settling between your legs as he pushed your knees wider apart “think it’s unfair having you on a higher level than me.” Luke frowned as he let his hands run up your legs “can’t be getting Quinn’s shirt wet.” You shot back irritatingly reminding the younger boy about his thoughts of what Quinn must have done to you.

The hockey player ran his tongue over his lower lip “could just get you out of it.” It was the obvious option but the way it nervously came out of his mouth made you smirk “never thought of that one before.” You brought your hands to the hem of the shirt before you pulled it over your head revealing the skimpy little lingerie set that you decided to wear underneath it.

His swim shorts grew tight around his cock as his eyes trailed over your breasts with nipples barely covered by the black lacy fabric of the bra “fucking hell.” Luke mumbled under his breath taking in the sight as his eyes stared at the left nipple as he realised that you had pierced it.

The shiny titanium bar clearly stuck out as you pushed yourself off of the bricks that lined the pool slotting yourself between Luke and the wall as you smiled “you like what you see Hughesy?” You asked letting your fingers run down his abs as you innocently batted your eyelashes at him.

Luke swore that he was a deadman walking as he watched you look at him like he was the only man in the world “it’s all perfect.” His hands ran over your jaw as he tilted it up letting you look at him “like a fucking goddess.” The boy added bringing his lips down to yours.

You wanted to push onto your toes as his lips against yours and the boy smiled at your desperation “what do you want princess?” Luke smirked as you brought your hands up to hold his.

The hockey player watched as you let your lips form a pout “just fucking kiss me already Luke.” Your complaint was short lived when he captured your lips in a kiss.

It was hot as his tongue ran over your lower lip wanting to slide it into your mouth “please,” you whined feeling his bulge against your core “you sure?” Luke pulled away with big eyes full of concern “I don’t have a condom-” he added as he didn’t even have one upstairs and going into either of his brothers rooms to get one was just asking for a disaster to strike.

You pecked the boys lips wanting him to shut up “I’m on the pill and clean,” your tone was suggestive as he smiled “I am too.” Luke nodded as his heart practically pounded out of his chest “come and get me baby.” You mumbled into his ear before you pushed him away trying to swim away as you wanted to tease him.

Luke took a mere few seconds to reach out and grab your foot as he pulled you towards him “I don’t like chasing.” The hockey player muttered as his hands moved to your bra unhooking the back of it.

He wrapped his hands around your legs as he picked you up “have your way with me Lukey.” You smiled as he dropped his head to your pierced nipple.

His mouth wrapped around the sensitive peak “fuck Lu,” you cried as his tongue swirled around your piercing “you’re so good,” you cooed totally unaware of how each cry that left your lips went straight to his cock.

Your fingers locked into his curls as Luke brought his hand up to your other nipple making sure that it wouldn’t feel left out “I want you cock Luke.” You blurted out making him smile as he pulled away from your breasts “let’s get you out of these then.” Before you both knew it there was a wet mound of clothing that sat next to the pool as Luke ran his fingers over your stomach.

It was almost sweet as he backed you up against the wall “you sure you want this?” Luke asked you as his hands went to either side of you “yes Luke.” You nodded softly kissing his lips as he brought his cock up between your legs teasing your clit “shit!” You groaned as his cock slid down your slit before he trusted into your cunt.

Luke’s hands gripped at your sides as you adjusted to his size “move, please.” You gritted out making him nod “can’t believe how good you feel.” Luke blurted out as your picks moved up to wrap around his waist “been thinking about this all week.” He added making you smile through hooded eyes.

His breath fanned against your skin as you brought your hands up to lock in his hair again “should have made a move sooner.” You gritted your words out as your pussy clenched around his cock.

The hockey player nipped at your neck “can’t have hickies.” You shook your head “like my bikini.” The reminder of the tiny pieces that you wore made Luke smirk “want the boys to know you had a good time.” Trevor had been trying to flirt with you since the moment he arrived so this all was doing absolute wonders for Luke’s ego.

Water was pushed around you both as mini waves formed with each thrust of the boys cock “Luke-” your complaint was cut off as his hand slipped in between you both reaching down to your clit “oh my god!” You slapped your hand over your mouth as his cock began to throb between your legs.

Luke shook his head pulling your hand away “it’s just me baby.” He smiled pecking your lips “boys so asleep they won’t hear you.” The boy added knowing that each of the boys in the house were not going to be coming outside regardless of if they heard your moans or not.

Your legs tightened around his waist “I’m not gonna last.” You confessed letting your hands pinch at your breasts.

It made Luke smirk at how he knew he was making you feel “let it go baby.” The hockey player nodded pecking your lips as he wasn’t far behind “let anyone out here hear how good I make you feel.” He added sucking at your earlobe as you cried out.

It was hot watching you come around his cock as you body shook showing him just how good he made you feel as you brought your hips to grind against his bringing Luke’s orgasm on in the process “don’t stop.” You moaned letting your head fall back as he continued to fuck you through your orgasm.

As you both came back down your breaths were heavy “that was hot.” You blurted out smiling as you pecked his lips when he slid his cock out of you “you think you can survive for another one?” Luke asked as he watched you make your way over to the other side of the pool “it’s getting late.” You sighed motioning to the sun that was starting to rise over the water as you pushed out of the water letting droplets run down your naked body.

Luke smirked as he watched you pull Quinn’s top over you “both need a shower before we go to bed.” The boy loved how the grey fabric clung to your wet breasts “grab those clothes and meet me up there.” You smiled as he sent you a salute pushing off of the wall to the other side of the pool before he followed your wet footprints into the house.

[gladiatorcunt]

- UNDEAD UNEARTHED !!

you’re too sweet for me

cw: 18+ mdni, goth reader, reader is lowkey mean but not really on purpose, mentions of reader wearing makeup & a skirt, dubcon due to alcohol use and taking advantage of a vulnerable person, ambiguous intentions/ending, reader has a pussy, friends!pope & reader, one line of vomit kink & puppy reader talk, unprotected sex on the beach, feet kink, mentions of animal hunting & implied bone collecting, arguable intox (?) kink, unedited, title inspired by hozier but not directly from the unreal unearth album (subtitle is), experimental style, one usage of the word ‘daddy’, piss kink

wc: 1.5k

1k event. / consider commissioning me!

You’re out at night hunting a gator that some jackass threw into your family’s lake on a whim. It’s not a body of water that beckons the upper class to visit, large parts of it swamped with algae and fervidly humid as any circle of hell. But it’s yours, and you’d hate to get your foot bitten clean off because you procrastinated taking things into your own hands. An annoying job anyway, guess the bones rumored to be buried in the marsh will have to wait.

You’re just minding your business when a boat pulls up. Standing tall behind like the wheel like a captain is your one night stand from a few days ago, John….. C? Or maybe B, whatever. To his right is your longtime acquaintance Pope, someone who you probably would be a lot closer to if you didn’t resign yourself to being the world’s youngest hermit. You bonded over math and reading and you were glad to feel normal for once, to have a normal near-friend and do normal things.

He was the one that made an off handed comment about a party going down at the beach. Nothing special on this sinkhole in the shape of an island, but in theory you can appreciate a casual offer to hang out. You made the decision to only be there for half an hour since the drive back to your trailer was long and winded. You must have looked lonely, because John B (though you didn’t know his name at the time) had sought you out 15 minutes after your arrival and pats your back while you throw up the cheap liquor. Fuck you for trying out the nauseating neon colored liquids in those cheap red solo cups.

You can’t be mad at Pope, you squirreled your way to the pebbled trail leading to the beach soon after exchanging small talk.

“You’ll feel better when you get it all out, okay?” The brunette guy holding your back softly smiles, chomping at the bit to take care of something other than everything else he has to deal with. “Just lean on me and try to relax your throat.”

You’re admittedly embarrassed but you felt something warm stir within you, if you were sober you’d have batted his hands away and all but hissed and bared your teeth. You could almost purr like this, a heavy hand settled on your head and another petting your flank to soothe your trembling. The crosses on the black jacket you’re wearing shook in the breeze, a soft chorus of jingling sounds ringing through the air. Eventually you empty your stomach, he squeezes your shoulder and tucks you into his side as you calmed down.

Your heavy eye makeup and dark lipstick are smudged, your mascara left little trails down your face due to your tears. Having a gag reflex really was the worst, you decide.

“So, do I have a name to call you?” He asked “Can’t think of you as the pretty stranger I saw puking their guts out forever, y’know?”

Your cheeks heat up and you really wish a random tsunami would sweep you out to sea, but you give him your name and hoard the sound of him repeating it in your skull. A part of you between your legs hopes that he does the same when you wrap your lips around the simple syllables of his name, first and last. John B. Routledge is more attractive than he has any right to be, but you know he doesn’t need you to tell him that.

He tilts his head and the moonlight shifts to frame his face. It makes him look like the kind of guy you‘d go to a Lovers Lane with and makeout in his car past any reasonable hour. Someone normal, and you’re a recluse but that doesn’t mean you don’t get lonely. You stumble away from the partygoers, led by his firm grip to a private-ish area of the beach.

He smiles at you again as he pulls his t-shirt off and lays it down on the ground.

He takes a seat and pats the spot beside him, “You need some peace and quiet, some fresh air too. Come sit with me, I don’t think it’d be a good idea to leave you alone right now.”

You bite the inside of your cheek but sit down anyway, and you let him rest your head against his shoulder. You sit in that position for a while, watching the full moon shine on the ocean below. It feels nice, and you weirdly don’t want to leave, so you sink into the embrace and allow the distant cheers and yelling to fade into the background.

The world is fuzzy when he kisses you for the first time, there’s an airbrush filter over everything in your field of vision. You throw caution to the wind and clumsily kiss back, enjoying the glide of your lips together and the reoccurring pecks that bookmark every brush of skin.

You slur that you really never do this, have sex with somebody the night you meet them. John B chuckles, assuring you that he never thought you were the type to do that anyway. You keep to yourself too much, it’s a wonder you’re even allowing him to peel off your studded skirt and lace panties. He kisses down your leg and when he gets to your strappy sandal, he directs your foot to his bulge and grinds against it while he undoes the straps.

Your right shoe is promptly tossed over your head. Your top joins it, but the sickening clang your jacket makes is close to taking you out of the moment.

Then he groans, and you boldly move your toes up and down the shaft, giving what seems like a sizable cock a sloppy footjob. Your foot keeps slipping, but it makes him harder watching you struggle to regain your footing and keep up your pace. You press your heel into his balls, judging the heft of them and how they swell. You only stop when you skirt your big toe around the head of his dick, and John B clamps a hand around your ankle, chiding you for being so greedy already.

He repeats the process with the other shoe and suddenly your legs are spread and he’s kneeling in front of your exposed pussy with the strangest look on his face. Like it’s what he’s been waiting his entire life for but never knew he needed until he saw it in the flesh. He teases your clit with a few uncoordinated touches, messy circles with the tip of his thumb that leave you wanting.

Your limbs wade through water on the way to wrap around his neck, your anchor in the dizzying sea of lowered inhibitions. You grow wet disturbingly quickly, and the sticky sounds of his fingers playing with your folds, delving deeper up your slit and into your cunt sound louder than gunshots.

You’re so out of it you don’t notice the golden droplets falling on the pads of his digits. He wears them like luxury rings.

He coos and grins, “That’s it, you’re a messy puppy, huh? ‘S okay, I think it’s sweet.”

Your throat spasms and gargles around a watery reply, something about agreeing and thanking him and begging. You think you call him Daddy when the pleasure starts to rewire your brain.

He’s… caring, adjusting his shirt under you so you don't get too much sand sticking to your skin and stroking his thumbs down your thighs whenever you tense up. A tad too sweet for your liking, without the bitterness you’d expect from someone else. It feels right, and you guess that’s what causes you to whine and paw at the waistband of his shorts. John B pants into your slack jawed mouth and nods, licking your teeth and freeing his dick.

You don’t pick up on the lack of alcohol that should be permeating his breath, all you can focus on is how softly he taps the fat tip of his cock on your hole. Like it’s shy but going to do whatever it wants regardless, mold your guts around his length and leave anyone else without being able to fit into the lock he’s custom made.

In the present, your grip around your shotgun loosens considerably and that’s the sign he needs.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you, and I forgot to get your number, so I…I just couldn’t wait anymore.” He says as if that explains everything, as if it seems perfectly fine that he dragged his friend out onto his boat to find out where you lived.

You don’t remember the specifics of the night, but you recall bits and pieces. How his cock stretched your walls and left you clenching around nothing, his necklace smacking the inside of your chin as he thrust inside of you with expert precision, his tongue cleaning the dried vomit off the corner of your mouth and forcing you to taste it. You don’t really remember the individual actions, but you can’t forget the sensations, so you watch the barely there ripples in the water as the boat moves farther into the distance. Your number on a torn piece of paper clutched in John B’s fist.

The gator better not have been scared off.

[loveinhawkins]

ao3

Steve hears Eddie’s voice in The Upside Down.

It starts when they reach the vine infested attic of the Creel House, after they’ve lured the bats into the woods with a trail of fire, made them drowsy and stupid before setting them all ablaze; like a fucked up fairy ring, Steve had thought, and it had felt like exactly the kind of thing Eddie would think, and Steve’s trying to hold onto the words so he can remember to tell Eddie later; he wants to tell him—

He’s halfway up the stairs, stepping over a vine when he hears it.

“Shit. Oh, shit,” Eddie breathes.

He sounds so close, like he’s whispering in Steve’s ear.

And then he’s gone, and Steve’s turning to see Nancy and Robin just a step behind him—they haven’t heard anything, he can tell, but they both freeze for a moment, like they can read the fear on his face, something’s wrong, something’s really wrong.

But they all keep going, one step then another, and Steve thinks of history class, of soldiers going over the top.

He prays. Please, please…

More stairs. The door to the attic. Steve opens it.

Eddie’s voice again, high pitched and frightened. “H-hey, listen, man, you don’t—”

The sound is cut off abruptly; Steve feels a touch to the back of his hand. Robin.

He hands her the lighter, but he can see her hesitate out the corner of his eye, are you okay?

He shakes his head once, no time, and he smells a rag soaked with fuel when the voice comes again, still so desperately afraid, but hardening at the edges, “Oh, Jesus Chr—stop!”

“Steve.” Nancy next to him, eyebrows drawn.

There’s a Molotov cocktail in his hand that he can’t remember lighting.

Steve throws it.

He doesn’t even look to see if his aim is true, because Eddie is back, and his voice still shakes but there’s steel in its core, and Steve knows that all too well, knows the exact place it comes from: thinks of standing his ground in ‘84, knowing deep in his bones that it was down to him, that he’d do anything so long as the kids—

“Get away from them. I’m not—I’m not fucking messing around here, get away—”

Robin throws a bottle of her own; the flames soar, and Steve hears a new voice, dark and commanding—one he’s heard across the basketball court, but never quite like this.

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone—”

Nancy aims the gun.

“—where the beast and the false prophet are—”

Fires.

“—and shall be tormented day and night—”

Again.

“—forever and ever.”

Nancy steps forward, takes aim once more.

And Steve hears another pair of footsteps, someone running; he turns towards the sound, towards the door, and for a moment it’s almost as if he can feel Eddie rush past him like a ghost—wants to reach out, to grab his hand, but the sensation slips away like smoke; he’s too far away, he’s too…

Nancy takes the final shot. Henry Creel’s body shifts from something monstrous to something that’s smaller and human, but no less terrible for it.

Steve doesn’t watch. Can’t rid the feeling that it all rings false.

He can’t hear Eddie anymore. Can’t hear anything apart from the frantic thud of his own heartbeat, but that’s good, that’s good, he can work with that—lets it drive him forward, lets pure instinct take over so he’s grabbing the axe without a thought, swinging so it hits the vines still tangled on the wall, dormant, dead.

They break easily. Steve keeps going; there’s the barest hint of resistance, but all it tells him is that he’s on the right path, and then something gives, parts…

“Nance,” Steve says.

She’s right by him; he feels her hand around his wrist. From the way she squeezes tightly, knows that she’s already understood.

“Okay,” she says, fragile, “okay, okay.” A shuddering breath. “Steve, I can’t just—I have to—”

“I know,” Steve says softly, because he feels it, too: the awful thought that it’s all over too quickly. Senses Nancy’s anxiety as if it was his own, the desperate need to check, to stand vigil. Then—and only then—will she declare it over to herself.

He holds her hand, squeezes back. Lets go.

There’s movement to the left of him. Robin, her hair in her eyes, and that’s gonna bug her eventually, so Steve fixes it for her, tries to smile, to make this easy.

“Five minutes, okay?” he says—thinks of the elevator in Starcourt, how she counted the seconds passing with freakish accuracy. “No more.”

She opens her mouth, but Steve keeps talking before she can. “Promise me.”

She goes to shake her head.

“Robin, please,” he says, voice breaking.

Years ago, his mom got a phone call about the fatal car crash his uncle had been in. She’d picked up somewhere in between the second ring and the third, and then she’d screamed, and Steve had overheard without understanding—had still felt the echo of her grief.

He’s never told anyone that. But he wonders if Robin can see something of it on his face—that he’s stuck: still in between rings, the split second before the scream—because she’s nodding suddenly, close to tears, but so serious.

“I—I promise, Steve.”

He slips through the Gate in the wall, leaves them both behind—all he has to soothe him is a gut feeling, as the heat of Nancy setting the vines alight fades away: that The Upside Down is just a graveyard now. That there’s no danger to be found—not anymore.

Not in there.

He steps into the attic, where the floorboards are bare. Looks around sharply—Lucas and Max, huddled in the corner, and he can’t tell, he can’t tell if—

As Steve runs to them, a soft click filters through. Max, rewinding her tape; she’s not even looking at her Walkman, like she’s not even aware that she’s doing it. The headphones lie around her neck.

“Oh, thank God,” Steve finds himself whispering, gets one hand on Max, the other on Lucas, “thank God, thank God.”

They shake under his touch. Steve wants to shield them from every horror in existence, wants to swear to them that it’s over now, that they don’t have to do it anymore, but he has to—

“Where’s Eddie?”

It’s not a surprise when Max’s eyes dart to the door. Steve’s stomach drops anyway.

Lucas speaks, voice ragged, “Jason, he…”

And as Steve looks at him, the kid’s thirteen again, eyes wide with fear in the face of Billy Hargrove. You’re dead, Sinclair.

Steve pushes back a hot swell of anger. Hugs Lucas roughly, then Max, murmurs, “Okay, it’s okay. Stay right here. Nancy and Robin are coming, I promise.”

“Steve,” Max whispers when he’s at the door.

He turns back.

But it’s like she’s run out of words, shivering in Lucas’s arms. Still rewinding the tape, but her fingers are slipping now.

Lucas speaks for her—eyes off to the side, like he’s seeing something more than a Gate in the wall. “He had a gun.”

Steve checks a couple rooms, floorboards creaking no matter how quiet he tries to be. His heart’s still racing. It leads him to the staircase.

And Eddie’s right there, just a few steps down.

There’s the faint screech of a car driving away.

Eddie looks up at him. He’s standing obliquely, clinging to the bannister. His eyes shine in the dark, and Steve can just barely make out the evidence of bruises and cuts all across his face.

“He’s gone,” Eddie says with such relief.

I’ll kill him, Steve thinks numbly.

”I, um. I had to run,” Eddie continues, almost like he’s defending himself. “He—he wouldn’t listen, man. The kids, I… I couldn’t let him—”

“They’re fine,” Steve says, talks right over Eddie’s answering sigh, “we should go back up. Check on them.”

A pause.

“Yeah,” Eddie says. “Sure. Think I—think I just need a second.”

“Okay.”

Eddie smiles. It’s the worst thing Steve has ever seen.

“Did it work?”

“Yeah,” Steve says, his throat tight. The word is ash on his tongue. “Yeah, it worked. It’s finished.”

“Good.” Eddie inhales. “And you’ll—you’ll tell my uncle, right? Tell him I didn’t kill Chrissy.”

“Tell him yourself,” Steve snaps.

But Eddie’s shaking his head. Steve can visibly see the adrenaline draining from him: his arms shaking as his grip on the bannister falters.

“Nah, man,” Eddie says, his voice thick and wet with tears.

“Stop fucking crying,” Steve says, instantly ashamed as the words slip out—fear rendering him sharp and mean; Eddie’s hand slips, and he turns, “Oh my God,” Steve says uselessly, “Oh my God, Eddie,” because it’s not a dawning horror really, more a realisation that they’ve both been putting off.

Maybe Steve has known all along.

He gets hold of Eddie before he can fall, mutters, “Here, I’ve got—Jesus, just lie down.”

“No, I don’t—” Eddie kicks out aimlessly, panicking, “I don’t wanna lie down, I don’t wanna lie down.”

Steve ignores him. Presses down on Eddie’s abdomen, hands already slick with blood.

Eddie is hyperventilating. He keeps saying it, “I don’t wanna lie down,” until it devolves into just, “Steve, Steve, I don’t want to,” until it doesn’t sound like he’s talking about lying down at all.

“You won’t,” Steve says, “you won’t, Eddie, just—push down, okay? You’ve got to—here, here, just push—”

Eddie’s hands are slack in his, and as Steve pushes against him, harder, harder, he cries out, breathing so shallow, so quick, too quick, “I’m sorry,” Steve whispers, “I’m sorry, Eddie, I’m so sorry.”

He thinks Eddie must be in too much pain to understand—his body still spasming, still weakly fighting against Steve’s pressure.

But then he feels Eddie’s hand move, loosely clasp around his wrist.

“It’s okay,” Eddie says, still crying, but Steve can hear him smiling somehow, fuck, how can he even—?, “hey, S-Steve, it’s okay. Just—just want to go home.” He’s rambling, almost incoherent, “It’s not that far, it’s—take me home, please, please, can you take me home, just—”

“I will,” Steve lies. “We need to fix this first, okay? Eddie, are you listening? Then we can…”

He trails off at the sight of Eddie looking up at him, his eyes so big, so full of life, and Steve doesn’t understand the expression on his face, doesn’t think he’s ever seen him look like this; and he wants Eddie to explain it to him, just wants him to talk, wants to…

I want to tell him, Steve thinks nonsensically.

“Steve Harrington,” Eddie murmurs, like he’s savouring Steve’s name. “You’re so…”

But Steve will never find out what he is, the rest of the sentence lost to a pained gasp.

“Don’t talk,” Steve says. Hates how harsh he sounds. “Eddie, just. Stay.”

Eddie smiles through blood. “I think I could’ve loved you.”

Steve hears movement from way above, a door slamming open, Robin and Nancy’s voices filtering down, still too far away to understand.

He could keep talking. Keep talking to Eddie.

But he knows.

The front door opens. Erica tears through it, screaming Lucas’s name, and then she stops in her tracks.

Dustin nearly collides with her from behind. Pulls her back, face slack with horror.

Steve leans over Eddie, desperately trying to shield him from them.

Dustin’s eyes meet Steve’s, over bright with fear; Steve thinks of him freezing in the graveyard, his own panicked shout, call Nancy and Robin!

He doesn’t want it to be too late.

“Call an ambulance,” Steve says, and Dustin’s eyes widen. He doesn’t sound remotely like himself, Steve knows, but he can barely even… Can only say it again, voice breaking horribly, “Call an ambulance!”

Dustin tugs Erica back. They run.

Steve stays right where he is. Looks down, and keeps looking—doesn’t turn away, not for anything, not even when it’s obvious that Eddie’s eyes are fixed and glassy.

He will bear witness to this.

[eddiesxangel]

Take Me to the Lakes | E.M x Reader ~ 4/6

CW: Oral (f receiving), more angst, classism? 18+ only

wc: 5.2k

Master list

You woke up extra bright and early the following day with a smile. As you opened your eyes, the memories of last night came flooding back to mind. Even though it was only 6:00 a.m., you walked to the showers with an extra pep. 

The steamy memories of last night flooded your mind, and even with the ice-cold water hitting your body, it couldn’t wash away the heat of Eddie’s touch. It was like he was burned into your skin, the way his calloused fingertips glided over you, how he gripped your hair, how he gave you the most earth-shattering orgasm. 

Your body craved him, you missed him, and you wished you could have slept next to him and had him hold you all night long. Everything you had wanted for so long was finally at your fingertips. You just had to reach out and grab it. 

Reality finally hit you when you shivered; you could no longer bear the icy water. The bitter morning air made everything that much colder, and the dilemma of having something that would cover all of the love bites Eddie gave you was coming to the forefront of your mind. 

You knew you would swim today and chose your baby blue one-piece suit. It covered everything on your stomach but was a different story from the chest up. 

The highest cut tops you owned were crewnecks and hoodies; there was no chance you’d wear a hoodie all day when the forecast was 30°C + weather. So you opted for your forest green Camp Murdock crewneck tee. It didn’t cover half of the love bites Eddie had made, but it was the best you could do without dying from heat stroke. You paired the shirt with some high-waisted light wash cut-off jean shorts. They made your ass look fantastic, and you wanted Eddie to be drooling over you. 

You slowly forgot about your salacious affairs from the previous night as you focused on picking up Eddie a coffee, like every morning. You knocked on the door thrice before entering.

“I hope everyone is decent,” you giggled, entering the cabin.

To your surprise, it was empty, so you walked back to the mess hall with the two cups of coffee in hand and joined the other girls at your usual table, and you took a seat beside Nancy.

“Have you seen the guys yet?” You asked. 

“Missing lover boy already?” Cassie teased. 

“Maybe.” you smile. 

“Here they come,” Robin pointed to them as they came from across the room.

You see Eddie's fist, and Steve, Billy, and Ashton are trailing behind him. They were making their way to the serving counter, and you caught Eddie’s eye and gave a small wave. He smiles and winks at you, and you swear your heart has stopped beating.

You turned back, unable to hide your facial expressions, and the girls started to mock you.

“Oh, Eddie, I love you so much; you’re handsome and funny.” Robin batted her eyes, and you couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. 

Nancy chimed in after, making the most obscene moans unbothered that we were in a room full of people. “Oh, Eddie!! Fuck me harder, you have the biggest coc—” She was cut off by someone clearing their throat. 

Your heads whipped around to see all four guys standing with jaws hanging open, but Eddie stood there with the biggest shit-eating grin.

“Good morning, ladies.” He chuckled and sat down beside you. The rest of them walked over to sit down on the other side.

“Morning,” you and the girls mumbled, a bit embarrassed by their actions. 

Eddie leaned into you and whispered a “Good morning, beautiful” under his breath so no one else heard. A shiver ran up your spine as you felt his warm breath hit your ear. 

“So, uh, the fuck was that all about?” Billy asked, bringing up the elephant in the room. 

“What do you mean?” Cassie innocently asked. 

“You know exactly what he means.” Ashton chimed in. 

“Nancy, you’re the one fucking Ed?” Billy accused. 

“What?! Absolutely not! No offence, Lancelot,” She defended.

“Non-taken,” he laughed, and a discreet hand trailed up your back, sending a shiver down your spine. 

“But you know who is?” Billy questioned. 

“Maybe, but it’s not for us to tell.” Robin’s eyes trailed to you as she spoke, making all the guys, including Eddie, look at you. 

Would Eddie be mad you shared details about last night? 

“I’m hungry. Who’s hungry? Clover? Moose? Oh! Eddie, here is your coffee.” Trying to deflect, you passed over the coffee to him but accidentally tipped it, dumping it all over you. 

The coffee was still scolding hot; your first reaction was to stand and take the burning material off your body, knowing your bathing suit would still keep you modest. 

“Oh god, I’m so sorry,” You apologized to Eddie.

 While still looking down at your arms to make sure there was no burn forming it was weirdly silent at the table, so I look up to staring eyes from all the guys. 

“Well, that didn’t take long to figure out.” Steve laughed under his breath. 

“What?” You question him.

“I knew I was right!” Ashton cheered and leaned over the table to give Eddie a high-five. 

“What?” You asked again.

“Bambi,” Nancy whispers to you while circling her chest with her pointer finger. 

Your hands instinctively shoot up to cover yourself as much as possible. 

Eddie takes off his flannel and drapes it over your shoulders, not that it dose anything more, but the gesture is nice. 

“Guess the cat is out of the bag.” Eddie wraps an arm around your shoulder and leans in to kiss you on the temple.

“Fucking finally, guys, it took you long enough.” Steve smiled.

“Jesus, dude, we thought you were marked up pretty bad; you fucking wrecked her.” Ashton laughed.

You buried your head into Eddie’s shoulder, but that only exposed the hickeys more because my hair fell behind your shoulders.

Billy abruptly got up and stormed off from the table without a word. 

“What was that all about?” Robin asked. 

“He’s butt hurt, is all; he’ll get over it.” Ashton shook his head, finally diving into his breakfast. 

You felt a little bad for Billy, but you told him time and time again that it was never going to happen. 

Eddie pulls you closer, hugging you tightly from the side. 

“Sorry, Princess. I couldn’t help myself.” He gives you four little pecks on your cheeks before standing up to get more napkins for the forgotten coffee that spilled on the table.

“Oh, gross. Please don’t tell me you’ll be that couple now.”  Robin rolled her eyes. 

“No, don’t worry, we won’t be like that during work hours; there is no way I’m losing this job.” You laughed, shaking your head. 

-

Due to your different schedules today, you didn’t see Eddie much after breakfast, but you ran into Billy again while swapping activities at the arts and crafts station. 

“So, you and Edward.” He said his name with so much venom in his voice. 

“Yeah, we, uh, it just kind of happened.” You stray your eyes, not wanting to look at him. 

You hated that you were the reason he felt this way. Sure, he’s been an ass, but he was still your friend, the guy from the last summer is still in there somewhere. 

“Well, whatever.” He bumped your shoulder as he passed you.

“Hey!” You yelled at him, but he kept sulking. 

“Coyote!” You grabbed his shoulder so he could turn around. 

“I don’t know what your problem is, but I told you repeatedly that this would never happen." You point between you and him, "I’m sorry, but we will only ever be just friends.”

Billy rolled his eyes and stomped off like a child. 

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Steve approaches you,

“Don’t worry about him; he’ll get over it. He’s only upset because you chose Eddie over him. It’s not like he’s in love with you. He just wanted to get his dick wet.” 

“You sure about that? He seems hurt?” you questioned. 

“Yeah, don’t sweat it, Bambi; watch by this time tomorrow. He will be going after Heather or Veronica.” he laughed. 

“If you say so…” I still was unsure but couldn’t let this Billy thing hang over your head; it wasn’t your fault.

-

To say Eddie is infatuated with you is an understatement.

Who would have thought Hawkins' very own Princess would also be a freak in the sheets for him? Well, it's not totally freaky. Eddie could have pushed it more, but he decided he best not. He didn’t want to scare you off before you ever got started.

He couldn’t stop thinking about last night. Your moans and gasps played on a loop in his memory, the sweet dip in your voice when you screamed for him to fuck you, begging for his cock. He's been wound up all day because of it and needed you.

Eddie didn’t know how he would survive not being able to touch you for the rest of the day until after the bonfire. Time slowed down without you; it felt like forever before Eddie got a chance to sit beside you at the fire.

He had brought his guitar, remembering you said musicians were your type, hoping to score more brownie points. 

Everyone sang the camp songs Eddie played, and then he opened to play some real songs. Eddie was mindlessly strumming when he caught you staring at his hands while biting your lip. He knew he had you right where he wanted. 

You and Eddie didn’t get to talk much after last night’s escapades, but he wanted to stay in that shabby cabin with you all night. He needed to know your favourite TV show, your favourite food, how old you were when you lost your first tooth, your preference for ice cream or popsicles, and your favourite band. Eddie needed to know every detail about you. 

“Hello, earth to Eddie.” You giggled. 

Oh god that laugh could heal a million broken hearts

“Sorry, princess, zoned out a minute there.” Eddie stood up, seeing as though everyone was going to bed for the night.

“Hey, you guys coming to the mess hall after we put the campers to bed? We are playing cards.” Steve asks. 

You and Eddie looked at one another, and you both knew you wanted to be alone with one another. 

“Nah, man, we will call it an early night,” Eddie winked. 

“Gross,” Robin said under her breath. 

“Oh come on, don’t be like that, Bird,” You pouted, and all Eddie wanted to kiss it right off your face. 

“You better be back by curfew, I am not covering for you again.” Steve pointed at Eddie. 

“Okay, man, jeez, what are you, my uncle? What next? You’re going to give me the safe sex talk?” Eddie laughs.

“Could you be any louder?” You gently smack his chest. 

“You’re cute when you’re mad.” He takes you by the waist and shoves your bodies together.

“Eddie, not here! I don’t want to get in trouble.” You giggled, but he couldn’t help himself. 

After last night's encounters, Eddie couldn’t keep his hands off you any longer. He crouched lower to pick you up, threw you over his shoulder, and ran to Cabin 7. 

You squealed as Eddie dropped you face up on the bed. Then you giggled when he pinned your arms over your head and onto the bed. Eddie finally got to kiss you for the first time since last night. Your lips were warm and soft and tasted like marshmallow, chocolate, and strawberry chapstick.

You moaned into his mouth and couldn’t help but grind your hips on Eddie's firm crotch.

“I don’t know how much time we will have, princess. I can’t have any of the others seeing you like this.” Eddie spoke into your neck, gently kissing over the marks that he had left the previous night. 

"Oh, we're a little jealous, are we?" You giggled again, but Eddie was not joking. "I would rip any guy's head off who walked in here." His tone was stern, and he heard your breath hitch. 

Eddie hoped he didn’t scare you, but that thought faded when you grabbed the back of his head to pull him into another delicious kiss. You got bold and slipped your tongue into his mouth, and you tried your best to fight for dominance; he let you win for a little while, but you both knew you would submit. 

You waited no time to take off your sweatshirt and bra, and Eddie’s hands were on you the second your skin was exposed to him. He slid his hands down your torso and across the soft, pillowy skin of your tummy until he hit the waistband of your jeans. 

“These have got to go,” He says as he unbuttoned them. 

You watched as Eddie got off the bed and knelt on the floor before tugging off your pants. You gave a little yelp when he then grabbed both of your ankles and pulled you towards him until your legs were dangling off the edge. 

“Open your legs for me, baby. Don’t get shy on me now.” He spoke as he pressed his hands to your inner thighs. 

How was someone’s skin so soft all the time? Eddie squished his fingers into your soft inner thighs. 

You couldn’t help but want to hide, raising your hands to cover your face, but Eddie wasn’t having it. 

“Don’t do that.” he crawled back up your body to move your hands. “I need to see you, pretty girl; I’ve been waiting for this all day.” 

You can’t help but whine at his words. Never had you been with a guy who liked to talk this much during sex. 

“Don’t be a brat; you don’t want me to show you what brats get when they’re punished,” Eddie whispers in your ear before slinking down your embody once again, ready to devour you.

A visible shiver runs through your body, and Eddie can see the tiny bumps lining your skin. 

“What if I want to find out?” You bite your lip, and Eddie’s head shoots back up with lust in his eyes.

“Oh, baby, I wouldn’t ask about what you’re not ready for?” He threatened. 

Eddie didn’t give you any time to respond, he couldn’t wait any longer, the smell of your arousal was controlling his needs. 

He started by making out with your lower lips before he slowly broke through your slit, and your breath hitched when he circled his tongue on your clit. 

Your gasps and moans were music to Eddie’s ears. 

Eddie continued making you sing for him as he buried his face into your pussy. He loved your taste; it was like he was addicted and he needed all of you. 

You moan as Eddie works his tongue from your clit down to your hole. As he sticks his tongue inside you, you can’t help but grind your hips into his face.

“Eddie, please, it’s so good, please.” 

You feel Eddie pin down your hips to keep you from moving. His hold was firm. It didn’t take much effort on his end to keep you still; your difference in size was to his advantage. 

Eddie continued and worked his way back up to your clit; he could see you were close; he watched and listened to your heavy breathing and moans that were getting louder and louder.

“Come on, pretty girl, cum for me. I know you can do it” Eddie clamped back down on your clit only a few more seconds he will have you coming all over his face. 

“Eddie! ohmy—!” you scream.

“Hey there, you guys ar—OHMYGOD.” Ashton screams and covers his eyes.

-

Eddie has you right in your sweet spot; the pressure is building and building, you’re so close just a few more seconds and  

“Eddie ohmy—“ you thoughts are cut off because you’re cumming!  You’re cumming so hard, you’re unaware of the other person who entered the room. Once you no longer feel Eddie’s touch, you hear another voice that is not Eddie. 

“—MYGOD”

“Get out!” You hear Eddie scream as you come down from your orgasmic bliss. 

As you’re still trying to catch your breath you see Eddie marching towards the door. 

Oh god, someone came in; one of the guys saw you! You quickly scramble to hide your naked body under the sleeping bag. 

Eddie is already out the door, but you can still hear everything since he didn’t close it. 

“I didn’t see anything, man, I promise! Dude, I’m sorry, no one told me you were in there!” Ashton was pleading with Eddie. 

“You sure you saw nothing, man?” Eddie’s voice was gruff. 

“Yes! I swear, dude!” 

“Give me half an hour…” Eddie walked back into the cabin and slammed the door shut.

“Fucking hell, that’s why they laughed when they told me to go get the bug spray” you hear Ashton talking to no one in particular. 

You giggled, but Eddie’s face was stone cold, even if it glistened with your juices. 

“Oh, come on, Eds, it was an accident.” You sat up on your knees, the sleeping bag sliding back down. 

That caught Eddie’s attention; his eyes filled with lust once again as you started to graze your hands across your breasts, kneading them and teasing your nipples. 

Eddied stalked your way. He ducked under the top bunk. 

“What did I say I’d do if any man saw you the way I see you?” he growled in your ear. 

You didn’t answer him; you didn’t want to play these games. Instead, you kissed him to shut him up, tasting yourself on his lips. You brought your hands to the back of his head, lightly digging your fingertips into his curls, but Eddie pulled away abruptly. 

“What did I—“ WACK “—Oh fuck!” 

Eddie reached for the back of his head, and you couldn’t help but laugh at the fact Eddie hit his head on the top bunk.

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” You get out between fits of giggles.

“Yea, I think I'll be okay. That hurt like a motherfucker.” The hit to the head seemed to snap him back to regular Eddie. 

“Want me to kiss it better?” You bat your eyes. 

“I can think of another head that you can kiss better.” He wiggled his eyebrows and carefully crawled into the bed with you, avoiding the top bunk.

You were wrapped up together, and the mood had shifted. It was light and fun, playful and giggly. 

After giving him what you believe to be the best blowjob of his life you got so comfortable cuddling you had fallen asleep. 

Eddie shook you awake, you had only been sleeping about ten minutes. Eddie hated that he had to disturb you, you looked so peaceful, but the guys would be back any minute. You reluctantly got dressed but plopped back down on the bed. 

You rested your head on Eddie’s shoulder just as you heard a tentative knock on the door. 

“It’s safe. You can come in.” You hummed. 

“I’m so sorry ‘bout that, guys. Fuck.” Ashton apologized profusely. 

“It’s okay, Rooster!” You laughed. Eddie gave you a look of warning, but you brushed it off. 

You see Steve and Billy followed in behind him, hysterically laughing. 

“I can’t believe you actually walked in on them, dude,” Billy laughed; you could see tears coming from his eyes. It wasn’t that funny.  

“This your wise idea?” Eddie asked Steve. 

“Nah, man, it was all Coyote, but it’s pretty funny; poor guy had no idea.” Steve laughed. 

“Oh, I see; Billy just wanted to cock block us…” You rolled my eyes. 

“You think this is funny, man? Do you think it’s funny for a girl to be walked in on, exposed and vulnerable? You didn’t stop thinking about how this would make Y/N feel.” You watch, stunned, as Eddie gets up from the bed and walks over to Billy. 

Two things: one, he used your full name, which made your thighs clench in a way you never thought possible, and two, Eddie was getting in Billy’s face to defend your honour. He was possessive and protective, and you couldn’t deny you were getting wet… again. 

“Woah, dude, it was just a joke.” Billy shot his hands up in defence. 

You stand up off the bed to help as Steve pull Eddie back. 

“You need to work on your temper, bro,” Steve whispers to him. 

“Yea, well, I don’t need assholes disrespecting my girl.” He spat. 

Your heart fluttered, and your breath hitched at his words. You hadn’t had time to speak about anything of that nature; you were too busy exploring one another in a different way. But Eddie said you were his.

“Your girl, huh?” Billy scoffs. 

“Your girl?” You asked meekly. 

Eddie's face softened as he turned to face you. His cheeks reddened. 

“Yeah, I mean, if you wanna be?” he asked, reaching for your hands. 

You jump into his arms; he catches you, spins you around, and plants a fat, wet kiss on your lips, ignoring everyone else in the room.

“Ugh, get a room.” “So gross.” “Stop my eyes!” The three of them complained all at once, but you didn’t care. Eddie was finally yours.

As you slid down the front of Eddie’s body as he put you down, you could feel him getting hard again. 

“Walk me back to my cabin?”

“Your wish is my command, Princess.” He bowed with his arm pointed to the door. 

The walk to the cabin was not long, only about fifteen feet between Cabin 7 and Cabin 8. However, it seemed to take Eddie and you ten times longer to get there. Stolen kisses turned into make-out sessions and more groping.

Eddie had you pinned up against the back of the cabin, hands down your pants, whispering dirty words about how he’ll have you begging for mercy while he fills you with his fat cock, until you saw the light of a flashlight. The night watch was on duty; you realized it was past curfew and needed rest. 

“Goodnight, baby girl, sweet dreams,” Eddie left you with a head-spinning kiss. 

-

You felt like you were living in a fairytale; everything was perfect—maybe too perfect. Maybe you were being too cynical; it’s only been two weeks, and you shouldn’t think about when the ball will drop… 

Your past relationship wasn’t the best. Then again, you were in the 10th grade and didn’t know anything about relationships, nor did he. You were never cheated on, but you never felt like he was there for you when you needed him the most. 

It also didn't help that your parents disapproved of him. His family was not up to their standards, which you never understood. You were middle class, and your father worked very hard to support you and your mother.

Both of you had been kids, so it's not like you were getting married. But the pressures you felt from your parents and the lack of support in that relationship made your mind wander. You felt like you were just arm candy and nothing more.

There was no depth betwen you and your ex, and you were scared that would happen with Eddie. You have wanted to be with Eddie for so long, and you should be happy...

_

You decided to call Ashley that evening after dinner. She always knew how to make you feel better. It had been weeks since you had spoken on the phone.

Ash’s mom picked up after the second ring. 

“Well, hi sweetie, how have you been? Miss you around here!” 

“I’m great, Mrs. Thompson, thanks! I would be missing home, but there are more Hawkins here than usual.” You laughed. 

“Oh yeah, Ash told me Eddie was also there this summer, such a sweet young man.” she mused. 

“Yeah, he sure is sweet, alright.” You sighed. 

“Y/N, I’d say you have a crush on that boy!” She giggled. 

You always loved Ashley’s mom; she was like a second mom, but one you felt like you could talk to as a friend. 

“That’s kind of the reason I called...Is Ash around?”

“Yeah, just a second, sweetie… ASHLEY SWEETHEART, PHONE!” she yelled. 

You waited a few seconds and could hear her feet padding the floor to answer the phone. 

“Hey, bitch what’s up?” She laughed. 

“You are not going to believe what is up!” you half screamed excitedly. 

“Spill it, now.” You can picture Ash sitting at your shared kitchen table, ready and focused. 

“Do you want me to spare any details, or can you muster up the courage to take it all?” you giggled. 

“Details, now.” She demanded 

“Your friend is the best dick I’ve ever had!” You half-whispered in case anyone was about to come into the office. 

The line was silent for a few seconds. 

“Ash, you still there? Oh god, don't tell me your mom is still there?” Your apartment wasn't the biggest.

“You son of a bitch, you did it! I knew you could do it!” She cheered so loud you had to take the phone off your ear. “Tell me EVERYTHING!” And so you do...

“Fucking finally! I knew you would be perfect together.” 

“That's the thing, Ash. It’s too perfect. What if he realizes he made a mistake?” You bit your nail.

“No, dude, that’s not Eddie. I know that kid like the back of my hand. Once he is in it, he’s not giving up. He’s very set in his ways once he fixates on something,” she reassures. 

“But have you ever considered that we have never seen him with a girlfriend at school? What if he isn’t the relationship type?” You questioned. 

“Did you fall and hit your head? This is Eddie we are talking about. He is in charge of the Dungeons and Dragons Club. He is the biggest nerd on the planet. And you’re concerned he won’t want to be with you? The pretty angel of a human, hot, popular cheerleader?” 

“Well, yeah…” You sunk back into the chair, 

“You must have bashed your head into the headboard while Eddie rocked your world.” She laughed and you can't help but also laugh.

“I don't know; we are two totally different people! We are in two totally different groups. What if it doesn’t work out? What if we are too different? what about my parents?” 

“You and I are in two different groups. You and I are two totally different people, and we get along just peachy. Who says your parents even have to know?” 

"Well, they have to know eventually"

"Why are you planning on marrying him any time soon?" she snorts.

"...No"

Well, any other concerns you want to tell me about?” She quipped.

“Well… don’t kill me, but I told Eddie about our matching tattoos.” You cringed, hoping she wouldn’t kill you. 

“HA! I wish I were there to see the look on his face! Was it priceless?” She laughed. 

Ash and you started catching up with her and her trips to the city pool, and she said she had been going to the roller rink to see the cute counter girl. 

 “There you are, pretty girl.” You jumped as you turned to see Eddie walking over.  

“Shhhh, Im talking to Ash,” You hushed him. 

Before you could tell her he was there, he grabbed you by the middle, lifted you up and sat you on his lap. Then he took the phone. 

“AshCash! What’s up, man? It's been forever. Do you miss the dungeon master yet? Is Jeff holding up as my stand-in?” 

You can’t help but roll your eyes. This boy was talking a mile a minute. 

You couldn’t hear the rest of the conversation on her end, but you think she said something along the lines of “I’ll rip your dick off if you try anything funny with y/n.” Then Eddie laughed, saying, “Cross my heart and hope to die.” Then he hung up.

“Hey, I didn’t even get to say goodbye!” You pouted. 

“Don’t look at me like that, Princess,” 

You continued to pout and crossed my arms to hike your breasts up. 

“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m not responsible for what happens next.” He nuzzled his face into the crook of your neck. 

“Is that a threat or a promise?” 

Eddie let out a groan of frustration. 

“Come on, princess. We have to go meet with the others; they’re complaining we're being too antisocial.” 

— 

The night continued, and you and your friends decided to let loose tonight. One more night was before the month ended, and the Campers turned over. You would miss your campers but couldn’t wait to meet the new ones. 

As you and Eddie walked over to the pit hand in hand, you could see the others around the already roaring campfire. 

“So, what were you two up to?” Robin asked, wiggling her brows. 

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” You walk up behind her, surprising her with a kiss on the cheek. 

“You and Eddie sit on the only free log left, and he wraps an arm around you. 

“You guys are so cute.” Nancy sighs. 

“You are so lucky you live in the same town. That way, you won’t have to break up at the end of the summer.” Steve points out. 

That starts the gears turning in your head. Being at home with Eddie, the thought rarely even crossed your mind. What were you going to do? The only reason you’ve been so yourself with him was that you were here, hours away from home. What were your parents going to think? What was the town going to think? You built up this whole reputation around yourself so people would like you. You needed everyone to like you. What will they all feel when they see you around with Eddie?

They would judge you; you know they would. What will the football team say when one of their cheerleaders is dating the town pariah? 

Your mind was racing a mile a minute, and you lost track of the conversation. 

“Princess” 

You snapped out of your inner thoughts. 

“What?”

“I said I can’t wait to walk around Hawkins with you on my arm,” Eddie affectionately nuzzled his face into your shoulder.

“Oh, uh? Yeah… totally.” You reached for a drink from the cooler. You needed something to calm your nerves.  

“Gunna, show you off to the whole town. Tell everybody that I bagged the prettiest, most thoughtful, most caring, joyful girl in Hawkins. 

“ Can’t wait.” You smile half heatedly when you feel like your heart is sinking. 

Tags: @winchester-angel @josephquinnsfreckles @lemme-slytherin-that-dick @emma-munson @littlexdeaths @siriuslysmoking @peachysink @nailbatanddungeon @leelei1980 @daisy-munson @taintedcigs @take-everything-you-can @strangerstilinski @bl0ssomanddie @seb-buckybarnes @chickenandsheep-blog @lokis-army-77 @ali-r3n @erinekc @impmunson @snowflowersstars246 @micheledawn1975 @princesatracionera @bells-28 @kellsck @guineveresghost @ezzynf @oneforthemunny @brxkenartt @ktiutsa @sofiaadela @guineveresghost @nabiiturner @eddiesguitarskills

[apomaro-mellow]

idk how detailed of a prompt ur looking for but: Eddie thinks Steve's chest hair is hot for the bingo

im thinking of them going to the lake or something and Steve takes off his shirt and Eds nearly has a heatt attack bc yeah he'd seen Steve's chest before but he kinda repressed it? along with the whole upside down deal so he's like choking at the sight and at the newly found memory lol

but anything you come up with will be amazing im sure <3

every time i get a prompt i rub my lil raccoon hands together ehehehe

They weren't going to Lover's Lake. That had been the one thing everyone agreed on at first. Too much to unpack but it went without saying that no one wanted to relive the memory of what had happened in those waters. They all packed up and went about three hours away to a totally different town with a totally different lake.

"Summer time, a bunch of teens, a town where no one knows us", Eddie commented as they parked. "Did we just drive into another horror movie set up?"

"I think we can handle some random killer in the woods", Jonathan said.

Eddie couldn't argue. He knew for a fact that Steve had packed away his oh so trusty nail bat and that Nancy was strapped too. At a moment's notice, Robin looked ready to turn a beer into a makeshift molotov. But that was the last thought he wasted on the spring break from hell. Because the moment everything was set up, Steve pulled his shirt off like he was in a goddamn cologne ad.

That unnecessarily sexy way where he grabbed it off his back and pulled it of, shaking out his hair as if it would dare to fall out of place.

So here's the thing.

Eddie saw Steve shirtless that one time back in Hawkins. But it had been dark, and they were on a boat hunting an evil wizard and then in an underworld running from demon bats and there had been a lot going on, okay? He's ogled Steve plenty since then, now that he had time to, but he hadn't had an opportunity to see his naked chest again.

"Put on sunscreen!", Robin shouted, tossing it at Steve's head.

"Ow! Rude!" Steve picked it up and obeyed anyway, starting at his arms. Time seemed to slow. Or maybe Steve was purposely going slow, it was hard to tell. Then his eyes met Eddie and his next stroke up towards his neck seemed very intentional.

Eddie swallowed.

"Mind getting my back?", Steve asked.

Eddie didn't trust his mouth for once, so he just nodded, taking the tube of sunscreen and was definitely not thinking about squirting another kind of creamy white substance onto this beautifully dotted back. He tried to distract himself by looking at what the others were doing. Jonathan had already lit up a joint that he was now passing to Nancy. Robin was laid out in a chair, nose in a book.

Argyle was leading the kids down the shore to where they could rent out canoes. Or was it kayaks? All Eddie knew was that El was adamant on some sort of boating adventure.

"You okay back there?", Steve asked.

"Yep, yup, mhm. Almost done." He was done. The sunscreen was completely gone and he was just rubbing circles into his skin for no reason.

"You mind doing my chest too?"

"Wh-hat?", Eddie choked.

"I don't really like the feel of sunscreen on my hands", Steve justified and that was good enough for Eddie.

He still wasn't prepared for when Steve turned around. Eddie sat between his legs and god this might've been the closest they've ever been. Especially with this little amount of clothes between them, both of them in their swimming trunks and nothing else. Eddie squeezed some sunscreen onto his hands first, rubbing them together and warming it before pressing them to Steve's chest.

Goddamn it felt so....would it get thicker as he got older? It went all the way up to his collarbone and there was just a hint of a happy trail now but maybe with some time...

"They do know we're still here, right?", Nancy asked after letting out a puff. True, they were some feet away but still.

"I've got a spray bottle in case they go below the waist", Robin said, shaking said bottle.

Steddie bingo under the cut

[dame-zoom-a-lot]

The scariest thing on the other side of Hawkins

For @steddiesmuttyseptember week 3 Prompts:  rough | lingerie | aftercare | sneaking around Tags: Talon Kink, Human/Monster Romance, Monsterfucker Steve Harrington, Monster Eddie Munson, Lingerie, Rough Sex, Insecure Eddie Munson, The Upside Down, Under-negotiated Kink, Graphic depictions of violence Beta: @stervrucht Wordcount: 6.3k Rated E Inspired by: @aidaronan's Cassiopeia, Orion, Bootes, and In the Woods Somewhere Ao3 Link

“Funny how Eddie can hear everything for miles, but needs you to say this specific thing to get him to show up,” Wayne says as he watches Steve take off his shoes and socks.

“I’m pretty sure he’s just making fun of me sir.” Steve wades into the ice cold water of Lover’s Lake. Wayne chuckles.

“Eddie the banished, prit...thee? Bless these plebians with your presence once more,” Steve chants as he wiggles his toes in the water. It’s very important, apparently, that he gets his toe vibrations just right. Then they wait. This is the hardest part. Steve and Wayne don’t make a sound, afraid they’ll miss Eddie when he surfaces, terrified that this might be the night when he stops coming back.

“Come on Harrington. You can give me more feelings than that .”

Steve exhales. Eddie breaches the water, grinning at them. His hair is even wilder and thicker now. He comes out of the water and shakes off like a dog, spraying water everywhere. He’s wearing nothing but swim shorts he pillaged from somewhere in the Upside Down. Wayne throws him a towel to wipe himself off before he joins them on the picnic blanket right up against the shorelines. Eddie keeps both feet in the water as usual. The three of them settle into the typical dinner-time conversations about sports, the kids, and the restoration effort at Hawkins.

“Dustin’s threatening to go rogue,” Steve says, skipping a stone across the lake. “He’s got it in his little head that he can help guard the portal. Because the last time I left the two of you by yourselves went so well.”

“He’s not giving you a hard time is he?” Eddie asks, “or there’s going to be mimics in his future.”

“Eddie, the kid just misses you,” Wayne admonishes. He inhales sharply. “I know I keep asking. But… you sure you need to do this?”

“Uncle Wayne, I keep telling you. I’m the scariest thing on the other side of Hawkins. I’ll be fine .”

Wayne shrugs and switches the topic back to baseball. Eddie sighs and lays across Steve’s lap so Steve can play with his hair. Eddie’s hair has layers now. The top is kind of rough and oily. The second layer is gloriously soft and downy. Eddie’s body is also covered in this soft downy pelt except for the patches of scar tissue, which are hairless. Steve likes rubbing over them, likes the variety in sensation. Good thing Eddie likes it too.

Too soon, it’s time for Wayne to leave for his night shift. He pulls Eddie into their daily hug. “You’ll be here tomorrow,” Wayne states.

“Absolutely. That’s a promise.” 

Eddie and Steve wave at Wayne until his truck disappears over the horizon. Eddie settles his head back on Steve’s thighs, purring as Steve cards through his hair and rubs along his chest, occasionally tweaking his lone nipple. Eddie gradually inches himself up to lick at Steve’s happy trail, stretching a leg out so he can leave at least one foot submerged in the lake so he’d sense it if anything got through the portal under Lover’s Lake. Even in this moment, Eddie can’t truly relax. Steve wants to take Eddie’s place. He wants to take his nail bat to the portal and smash it to pieces. He settles for sucking on Eddie’s ear instead.

“Ugh, Harrington, let me say hi properly ,” Eddie says, tugging at Steve’s polo.

Steve laughs and tugs his shirt off. He reaches into Eddie’s swim shorts. From a distance, Eddie almost looks like his old self. The soft down covering his entire body is skin colored. The most visible changes are his feet and hands. His hands got thicker, kind of gnarly. Razor sharp talons grow from all his fingers, too tough to clip off or grind smoother. They’d tried. His feet are longer now. The fur ends at the ankles, and is replaced by scales instead. The same scales are scattered throughout Eddie’s body, barely hidden by the velvety fur. Eddie’s scales are sensitive to everything. Steve’s already made Eddie cum before just by muttering sweet words directly onto the scales.

Today feels like a handjob day though. Eddie shivers as Steve strokes along the length, twisting a little. Steve wonders how it would feel in his mouth, up his ass. Sometimes, when Eddie is really worked up, he’ll curl his fingers involuntarily until his talons meet Steve’s skin. It reminds Steve of the night at the boathouse, of the cracked bottle at his throat, of getting pushed up against the wall, of the way Eddie stared at him. Brown eyes wide.

For now though, this is all Eddie is comfortable with. With Eddie’s long hair, and with his feet submerged in Lover’s Lake, they could pass as your everyday teenagers stealing a little smooch at the end of the world.

Eddie pulls away from sucking on every inch of Steve’s chest. “You ok?” He asks, frowning.

“What? Yeah? Why?”

“You seem distracted.”

“I do?”

“Yeah, you have this faraway look, like a third-time widow wondering when the life insurance check is coming in,” Eddie says. He sighs and hides behind his hair. “We have been doing the same song and dance for a while… Am I boring you?”

“No, no. Eds. You know you’re not.”

“Then spill? Or I’m going to have to obsess over this all day Steve. It’s not like there’s a lot of distractions down there. There I’ll be, watching the portal to make sure nothing gets through. But in a half-assed and mopey way because I’ll be thinking ‘oh no, am I boring my hot boyfriend with my weak-ass dick game?’ Then eventually, I’ll bring the mood down so badly that a Demogorgon will decide to check on me. And we’ll end up having a strong, unexpected connection that—”

“More like your dick game is too strong ,” Steve says, cutting Eddie off before he rambles further about Demogorgons and fucking.

“Aha! Flattery! Elaborate?” Eddie lays on his stomach next to Steve and puts his hands together so he could rest his perfect face on them. He flutters his lashes while looking up at Steve.

“God, you’re an ass .”

“Right? I’ve been told by reliable sources that it’s one of my most cherished traits.”

“I meant your actual physical ass you dork,” Steve says, attempting to slap said ass. But Eddie rolls out of the way with his now superhuman speed. Steve imagines Eddie rushing across some room at that speed with Steve gripped in his arms, unable to move.

Jesus fucking christ . It was a mistake letting Robin read out that weird novel to him.

“Ah, ah! No ass-cess until you tell me what’s wrong! Get it? Ass-cess?”

Steve’s not ready to say it yet. But this must be love. Because he hears that line and still snorts because it’s Eddie saying it.

“Ok! I was thinking about… about the boathouse.”

“Oh,” Eddie’s face crumples. He starts slinking back into the water. Steve jumps to hold Eddie in place.

“No! In a good way!” Steve babbles, terrified that Eddie might go underwater and never return. “It was terrifying, yeah, but in a really hot way. And Robin recently got a bunch of free monster erotica as a gag gift. We got really drunk and acted out a few to each other as a joke, and now I can’t fucking stop thinking about the time you pinned me at the boat house so I couldn’t… you know… move. You were standing so close, pinning me so hard. And I, fuck man, you could have kissed me, or… something.”

Eddie’s face is inscrutable. Steve mumbles the rest. “I’m sorry. This is all so stupid. I’ll get it out of my system soon. It was all just… very recent.”

“How many awakenings have you had because of me Harrington?” Eddie asks, grinning so smugly Steve can’t help but bend down low to kiss it away. Eddie smacks Steve’s exposed ass with his wet feet. Steve gasps. “What?! Your ass was up and wiggling! What was I supposed to do? Not smack it?”

“Ugh, now my pants are wet,” Steve says, wiggling on purpose this time. “Maybe I should take it off.”

“Maybe you should,” Eddie says, sitting up and getting closer to put his sharp talons around the waistband of Steve’s jeans. His breath hitches. Maybe tonight, tonight will finally be the night Eddie loses that infuriating self-control.

But Eddie stops himself.

“Sorry,” he mutters, putting his hands away. “Almost got carried away there.” He starts heading for the water. “I should get back. The portal’s not going to guard itself.”

“What if,” Steve wets his lips. They’re so dry. “What if I went down with you? And we could mess around a little near the portal?”

“Excuse me? Am I hallucinating? Did I just hear you ask to swim down to the Upside-Down with me Harrington ?” Eddie asks sharply.

“What if I did? Eddie, I get it. You can’t be seen, or get too distracted from guarding the portal. And ok! That’s all very noble and reasonable! But if we hook up by the portal, you’d be right there to react if anything tries to get through, and no government goon will see you and try to force you into their lab.”

“Steve Harrington! How the fuck did you keep yourself alive with your zero , absolute negative survival instincts?!”

“You’re the one constantly telling me that you’re the scariest thing on that side of Hawkins,” Steve says, arms crossed. “What? Was that all just talk?”

“You want these ,” Eddie waves his claws around, clacking them together, “near your balls . Are you insane ?”

“Yes,” Steve says defiantly. “Or do you not want these,” Steve waves his hands around a bit, mimicking Eddie, “around your balls? I’ve been jerking you off. You never planned to return the favor?”

“I could seriously hurt you,” Eddie whines.

“You won’t,” Steve says, leaning into Eddie’s space, stroking his face. “We’ve been fooling around for almost two weeks now and you’ve never even broken skin.”

“You said yourself that you’re just going through a monster phase because of those stupid books.”

“That was me being a coward and you know it,” Steve can hear the desperation in his voice. But he seems to be getting somewhere closer to getting Eddie’s dick up his mouth, or ass—Steve’s not picky.

Eddie throws a weird half-tantrum in sitting position. He splashes a bit as he flails his legs and feet. He’s got his head in his face, muttering something. But Steve can see Eddie’s cock fill out under the swim shorts. He’s getting somewhere. He knows it. Steve gets up and goes around Eddie to straddle his thighs, ignoring the ice cold water lapping at his feet and knees. Eddie whines and tugs at Steve’s hair, so torn. Steve should feel guilty about pushing at Eddie’s limits. And he probably will, later, in the privacy of his own bed. But for now…

Steve puts a hand on Eddie’s crotch. Rubs it hard. “Let me visit. We’ll have a whole dimension to ourselves. Pin me down. Put your claws on my neck so I can’t move . Stroke me wherever you want. Choke me. Make me take it. You’ll make me feel so good Eddie. I’ll be right where you want me, safe . Knock me around. Throw me somewhere. Take as long as you want. As short as you want. Open me up. Knock my legs apart. Keep them open for easy access. Use me. Play with me. However you want. Please. Make me be good for you,” Steve whispers into Eddie’s ear, really hoping that the random zine Robin lent him was right about the hanky code. This is going to be super awkward if the black fabric in Eddie’s back pocket had just been like… a fashion thing.

“Fuck, fuck fuck, fuck ,” Eddie suddenly tags Steve into himself by the hair, hard. Steve gasps as the air gets knocked out of him. It feels even better than he’d imagined. Eddie stiffens, shuddering as he comes all over his swim shorts. Steve can finally feel his own jeans getting weighed down by the lake water. It’s going to be a really wet, uncomfortable drive back, but totally worth it.

“You freak,” Eddie says with a sheepish smile. “Alright, if you want it that bad. But promise me you’ll tell me to stop if it’s too much?”

“Eddie. You know I can handle myself.”

“I thought I knew that. Sue me for not being so sure anymore,” Eddie says gesturing, “ Fuck man, you’ve like, made all my brain cells drain down to my balls or something.” Eddie chews his lips. Steve grins and Eddie swats at him, giggling. “Could you do me a favor?” Eddie asks, trying and failing to keep his tone light.

“Anything.”

Eddie squeaks. If his fur weren’t in the way, Steve’s pretty sure he’d be fiery red. “I’d really like it if you wore lingerie?” Eddie says, rapid-fire.

“I think I can make that happen. Yeah,” Steve says, trying to sound super casual and normal about this. At least one of them has to. “Might take me a few days though.”

“That’s perfect actually. I need to… get some stuff ready.” **********

The next few days go by in a blur. Eddie spends most of it thinking about Steve. Steve working at Family Video. Steve driving the kids around. Steve hanging out with Robin. Steve playing basketball in tiny shorts. Steve shopping for lingerie and trying it on. Steve touching himself with the lingerie on, fantasizing about Eddie, him, for some reason Eddie still can’t figure out. Eddie also spends, probably too much of it hunting for soft things to make his outpost more suitable for… horizontal action. He finds a house with a room that basically has a shrine to dildoes in one of his search. So he also spent most of his actual portal guarding time training his throat, bobbing the dildo in and out of his mouth like some fucked-up lollipop while glaring at the sky for signs of Demobat swarms.

It’s all wildly irresponsible. He’s already almost let five or so creatures through. But, in his defense, he only almost let them through. And what’s he supposed to do? Fuck Steve Harrington, love of his life (hasn’t told him yet, can’t scare him off) into the rough dirt of the upside down? Travesty.

Steve told him yesterday that he got nice panties and a bra, blushing from head to toe. If Eddie jerked off to that for hours while sucking down on his training dildo… well, that’s between him and the Demodog that almost slipped past him.

Steve shows up for their usual family dinner time with a flushed face and glossy lips. Eddie’s pretty sure Wayne knew something was up. He left for his shift a little earlier with the world’s worst wink. He’s going to buy Wayne like all the tickets to balls in various baskets if the apocalypse ever ends and Corroded Coffin manages to make it big.

They make out for a while at the shore of Lover’s Lake. It feels different this time–more heat, more desperation. 

“Ok, I’m ready to go down,” Steve declares, pulling away. He turns to Eddie, still clothed in a muscle shirt and swim shorts. Eddie can see the outlines of something under the shirt. He begs his brain cells to stay in his head, at least for now. “Can you carry my bat for me?” Steve asks, handing Eddie his trusty nail bat.

“Actually, I had a better idea,” Eddie says. He’s planned this moment obsessively . Eddie picks Steve up in a fireman’s carry. Steve squeaks and points the nail head of the bat as far away from Eddie as possible. Cute, as if Eddie wouldn’t heal from anything in like a few hours or less. In Eddie’s mind, this moment was a lot more impressive, had a lot more… swan diving into the river like a graceful, ethereal mer-creature. But… they’re starting out from right at the shoreline as usual. So Eddie just walks in, carrying Steve. Judging by the thump thump thump of his heart, Steve doesn’t mind.

Eddie’s finally in his element once he’s in the water. Steve gasps when Eddie creates a water bubble around the both of them so they can breathe. “How did you think I was going back and forth?” Eddie asks, smiling.

“Didn’t think about it that much I guess,” Steve says, looking around the dark, still lake, then down to the bright glow of the portal below. “I thought you just swam as fast as you could from the portal to the surface. I mean, I’ve made that swim.”

“Right, but you were captain of the swim team and I can’t remember the last gym class I didn’t skip. I appreciate your faith in me though. Alas, I’m a cheat and a fraud.” Eddie clutches Steve deeper into his chest. “You alright?”

“Yeah, perfect,” Steve says, snuggling into Eddie with a contented sigh. Steve Harrington is going to kill him. Of cuteness. Eddie clears his throat and forces his dick to get a grip. He’s got a plan . He takes the time to give Steve a tour of the lake, of all the underwater rock formations he’s managed to find, of the beavers he’s managed to make friends with. In a perfect world… Well, in a perfect world, Eddie wouldn’t be this half-seal, half-reptile, half-human monster (yes, he knows the math is off) stuck guarding a portal to hell to make sure nothing goes through. But in a less imperfect world, Eddie would be able to maintain the air bubble long enough for them to fuck underwater, so Steve wouldn’t have to settle for the grim dark of the upside down. Too soon, Eddie has to take Steve into the hell dimension.

Eddie tries to hide his nerves when he leads Steve into his sad little outpost, freshly cleaned and decorated. Steve looks around. He doesn’t seem to mind at all.

“I was worried you’d be slumming it,” Steve says, running a hand over a Metallica banner and some basketball jersey Eddie had managed to find. “I’m glad you had time to decorate.”

Eddie decides not to tell Steve that it was just bare dirt before the last few days. He was too busy obsessively watching the portal, making sure nothing would get through, because the alternative would have been thinking about stuff and then he would have lost his mind.

“So,” Steve turns around, licking his lips. It’s so shiny, plush, and pretty. Eddie grabs Steve by his stupid muscle shirt and shoves him into the wall where he’s nailed on some gym mats. Steve moves easily. Eddie still cradles the back of Steve’s head, just in case.

Steve’s heart beats faster. He looks at Eddie, eyes wide and dark.

To be totally honest, that moment in the boathouse was not something Eddie had ever fantasized about. Sure, the general concept of Steve Harrington, pinned in place, free for him to ravish and tear to pieces (metaphorically) then to piece back together with soft words and softer hands? Eddie’s onboard. So onboard. But getting found by a gang of people who were mostly strangers to him right after he watched Chrissy break apart midair, then finding out that he’d been living above a hell dimension the entire time which no one had the courtesy of warning him about?

No, not sexy. The epitome of anti-sexy. Honestly, Eddie would have been offended by Steve’s boathouse fantasies if they hadn’t been packaged in such a pretty man and delivered so sweetly. Besides, he had more important things to worry about than Steve’s lusting over their shared trauma. Not accidentally slashing his pretty face for one thing.

And being able to rewrite the memory of that terrible night with right now , with this view of Steve squirming, looking at him with excitement and trust so deep Eddie feels like he might drown, is actually healing. Who needs therapy when you’ve got a Steve under your arms?

Steve twists his neck, not to get away from Eddie’s claw at his throat, but to extend it so he could give Eddie more room to latch onto. Eddie uncradles Steve’s head so he could free a hand to drag it over the muscle shirt. The fabric tears easily, melts apart under the sharp talons.

“What are you doing here?” Eddie growls, pushing Steve harder into the wall with his forearm while continuing to shred at Steve’s shirt. “It’s awfully late. And you’re awfully alone.”

“Looking…” Steve pants. It’s kind of terrifying how easily Eddie can cut Steve’s clothes away. There’s lace underneath. Eddie can barely hear Steve over his own heartbeat. He finally uncovers Steve’s lingerie. Jesus H Christ . Eddie was expecting like, a bra and panties from Macy’s. Steve is wearing some skimpy, lacy underwear version of a blue sailor’s uniform. There’s a lacy collar at his neck that meet in the middle to draw a wavy line down to his belly. That wavy line expands into a sort of see-through waistband that wrap tightly around Steve’s perfect belly and accentuates his happy trail. Steve’s tits are exposed, highlighted by the long line that connects the collar to the waistband . Eddie can feel how wide his mouth dropped open. Steve blushes all the way down to his belly and squirms.

“Looking for?” Eddie asks when he finally gets his words back. He’s got to get Steve’s stupid swim shorts off him. He kind of loves this. It’s like unwrapping a present. But he also kind of hates this because the present is right here and he still has to unwrap it before he can play with it.

“You,” Steve says. Eddie rips Steve’s boxers away in one slash. Steve is wearing a blue, nautical g-string underneath. The lace was not meant to hold dick and balls, especially not one that’s hard and leaking already. The fabric strains. Eddie can see Steve’s whole ass, beautifully accentuated by the blue and white lace. Eddie swallows so he doesn’t drool on Steve like a lunatic.

Steve whines and bucks his hips, looking for friction and finding nothing but air. Eddie shoves a leg against Steve’s crotch to give him something to rub off against. He can feel Steve’s pre-cum on his thigh. “This,” Steve whispers, grinding slowly, “please.”

For the millionth time, Eddie cusses out the upside-down in his head, this time for giving him fuck-off talons and not, you know, more arms to hold Steve Harrington with. Eddie lowers his hands to lift Steve up away from the wall by the ass, cupping the perfect cheeks lined perfectly in the perfect soft lace. He throws Steve into the queen mattress with the nice sheets Eddie had found in Upside-Down Loch Nora. Steve giggles as he lands.

Eddie pounces. Steve grabs Eddie into a bear hug and pulls him closer when Eddie hesitates at the noise Steve made when Eddie landed on him. They giggle as they wrestle to be the one on top. Eddie accidentally grazes Steve’s skin. Steve closes his eyes and moans. By the time Eddie ends up on top of Steve, with Steve’s arms pinned down as Eddie straddles Steve’s hips, Steve is a keening, scratched up mess. He squirms while Eddie does a quick check to make sure nothing is actually bleeding, just marked up.

“Fuck, Steve. You look…” Eddie searches for the right word, “like mine. Like I should carve my name into you.” Shit! Not those words.

But Steve doesn’t flinch at the weirdness. He keens and bucks his hips instead.

Eddie figures he might as well keep pushing while he’s ahead. “Like, right… here,” Eddie says, tracing his name over Steve’s chest through Steve’s boob window. Steve thrusts his torso into Eddie’s claw, and Eddie very nearly actually stabs him. Eddie reaches down to spank the top of Steve’s thigh, hard, taking a moment to appreciate the bloom of red. “Stop trying to stab yourself Harrington.”

“Maybe I’ll stop trying to stab myself if you stop stalling ,” Steve grunts, bucking his hips. Eddie feels like he’s riding one of those mechanical bulls. “Come on. Open me up.”

Eddie spanks Steve one more time and gets off of Steve, keeping one hand on that gorgeous chest. “I was going to. But since you’re being such a brat about it, you can open yourself up.”

“Aww, Eddie,” Steve pouts.

Eddie crosses his arms and puts on his best evil smirk. Steve… wouldn’t have thought there was a chance in hell Eddie was going to put his claws anywhere near Steve’s rim right? Steve sits up and looks at Eddie, pleading.

“Alright sweetheart. Just because you’re so pretty, I’ll lend you a tongue, ok?” Eddie manhandles Steve down onto all fours. “Start opening yourself up love, and I’ll lick into you at the same time.”

“Oh, oh yes. Fuck yes. That’s perfect.” Steve lubes up his hand and reaches behind to finger himself open, slow and teasing at first, trying to give Eddie a show, then faster as he loses himself. Eddie tests the limits of how far his tongue can reach, pokes around, tries to find the prostate. His tongue isn’t quite long enough, but Steve seems to enjoy it nonetheless. Steve keeps pushing himself back onto Eddie’s tongue. Eddie’s pretty sure he could come from just this, the feeling of Steve fucking himself on his fingers and Eddie’s tongue.

But Steve pulls away after working up to three fingers. “I’m ready now.”

“Baby, you think my dick’s that small?”

“I’m looking at it,” Steve says with a grin, grabbing Eddie’s dick to pull it down and giggling as it bounces back to standing. “Besides, my hand’s cramping.”

“Alright, alright. Princess ,” Eddie knocks Steve down on all fours again and licks his rim just for fun. Steve mewls. “Any—”

“Yeah yeah daddy , anything hurts even a little bit, I tell you to pull out immediately. I get it . Now. Please !”

Eddie spanks Steve again then slowly eases his way in.

Holy shit.

This is only the second time Eddie’s done this. The first time was in a rush in some dark bathroom in Indy before all the…monster stuff happened. They had to break apart before either of them managed to finish because the smell and cold tiles kept killing their boners. Doing this with someone he trusts, on soft, clean-ish sheets in the privacy of the outpost, being able to see Steve sway and gasp, seeing the way Steve’s whole body vibrates…

Eddie slams in and out harder than he intended, lost in the sensation. He slows himself down. This is Steve’s first time. He should go slow and gentle. Make love and all that. But Steve is moving faster now, fucking himself into Eddie, wailing. Eddie lets himself relax, focus on the hot tightness of Steve Harrington around him, on the grunts, moans and cries they’re making, on the sound of skin slapping on skin. He’s so close. He’s not sure Steve can come from this though. He really should ask. See if Steve wants a hand around his cock. But words are hard.

Something heads towards the portal. Some things.

Eddie pulls out. His balls scream in protest.

“What—” Steve mutters, looking back at Eddie, open mouthed, eyes glassy. “Did you—”

“Stay right here . Do not leave the bed,” Eddie feels like he’s yelling. Steve nods.

Eddie rushes out towards the portal where a fucking Demogorgon already has half a leg through. Eddie jumps on it from about 30 yards away, latching onto its neck as he lands. They fall backwards away from the portal. Eddie ignores the pain blooming across his back when he slams into the ground. He claws the Demogorgon open. He’s never been this furious. All his stabs are landing with more power than necessary. Meat and juice fly everywhere. He’s being stupid. They tend to travel in packs. He’s going to burn himself out. But he’s hopped up on so much adrenaline and pain and fury that he can’t help but waste time and energy shredding this one monster into pieces.

Behind him, he hears the familiar nightmarish flutter of wings. A Demobat swarm, trying to rush out through the portal. Images of Dustin getting shredded the way he did flits across his mind. Eddie untwists that new knot at the back of his throat and he feels himself… open.

Eddie remembers the first time he managed to do this. He’d fretted for weeks, trying to figure out where the monster ended and himself began. He got over it eventually, especially after Steve found him guarding the portal at Lover’s Lake. But it never feels great. He feels his body split into multiple pieces, turn into one giant mouth really, lined with layers and layers of teeth. Some scientist somewhere could probably tell him how all this makes sense. For now, he uses whatever the fuck his body is doing to launch his split-open body at the demobat swarm, swallowing most of them whole. He can feel some stray ones biting, trying to chew at what parts of him they can reach, trying to get past him through the portal. He feels his claws connect with most of them. Damn, he might have to go hunting for a few in the lake as well.

Somewhere, someone’s screaming. Eddie feels a woosh of air near his side. Eddie closes himself up, taking the Demobat swarm inside him to go… somewhere. Steve is right next to him, raising the bat again high over his head to sink it back into a Demodog. His underwear is gone because Eddie took it off, probably, or maybe cut it off. He’s still wearing the blue and white sailor corset with the nip windows. Steve twirls his bat then runs after another Demodog, the competent bastard. The dog launches itself at Steve and Steve just… bats it so hard it flies ten feet away until it lands on the ground, twitching. Eddie positions himself behind Steve. They stand back to back. Two more Demodogs circle them, head cocked. Steve roars and they back away carefully until they’re about 40 yards away. Then they turn tail and scamper off as fast as they can. Steve sinks to the ground, panting.

Eddie stands, unsure what to do. Steve definitely saw his secret, the way his entire body opens up into some fucked up flesh mouth monster. Eddie hasn’t even seen what he looks like when he’s in that state. Should he leave? Will Steve even want to be friends after this? His stupid dick continues to bob hopefully. Eddie begs it to please read the room .

Steve knee walks over to Eddie, ignoring the way the rough dirt of the Upside Down digs into his legs. Eddie lowers himself down so Steve can collapse onto him. They clutch each other. Eddie wants to cry. He spent all that effort so Steve wouldn’t have to get Upside Down gunk on him and it was all for nothing.

“How are you still hard?” Steve interrupts Eddie’s spiral with a giggle, poking at Eddie’s boner.

“I don’t know man. Rage? Eldritch powers?” Eddie says, clutching Steve harder into himself. He wants to pretend, for as long as possible, that Steve Harrington still wants him.

“I can take care of that,” Steve says.

“What?!”

Steve does this weird thing with his lips that Eddie thinks is supposed to be seductive. It’s awkward and adorable. Eddie has never been more confused in his life.

“Oh are you not… in the mood anymore?” Steve asks, folding into himself a little. “Sorry, I’m still kind of hopped on adrenaline. I should have been thinking…”

“No, of course, I’m… in some type of mood. But you still want to? After you saw the whole…” Eddie finally lets go of Steve to make a big flower opening type of gesture.

“I mean, yeah? That was cool. But what does that have to do with like, anything?”

“I told you to stay put !” Eddie sputters, mind reeling, trying to latch onto anything that might justify the spiral of self-hatred and sense of rejection he’s still feeling right now for no reason apparently.

Steve rolls his eyes. “If I stayed put, you’d be Demo-kibble by now asshole . You’re welcome .”

“Well usually I’m not that distracted and pissed off!” Eddie can’t believe this. He thought Steve would be scrambling to get as far away from him as possible so he can help El close the damn portal with Eddie on the other side.

The actual Steve scoffs and pushes Eddie down to the ground. “Shut up,” he mutters. Steve knocks Eddie’s legs open and starts lowering himself down on Eddie’s still hard cock. “Tell me no,” he whispers.

Eddie doesn’t think he could say no if Steve was coming at his dick with a car compactor.

It takes about three rounds of Steve Harrington bobbing up and down on his dick before Eddie finally catches on that he’s not having some weird Demo-bat induced hallucination. Steve still wants him. Cared about the whole ‘body-opening-into-some-monstrous-eldritch-dimension-entryway-full-of-teeth’ situation so little that he hadn’t even noticed that Eddie was self-concious. Once Eddie’s stupid brain catches up, he finally notices how Steve’s breath flutters just right, how much of a vision he is as he bounces up and down, eyes closed. Eddie grabs at Steve’s waist, careful not to scratch him, but desperate to feel even more of his boyfriend. Steve smiles, leans down to kiss him, deep and messy. Eddie comes almost immediately at that. Steve giggles into his mouth then lazily pulls off.

“You didn’t finish,” Eddie says, distraught. Steve’s dick bobs, kind of sadly, as Steve walks over to his bat.

“I don’t even care man. I feel like I’ve been fucked like, all the way through.” Steve says.

That won’t do. Eddie throws Steve over his shoulder and sprints back to the outpost, savoring the thump thump thump of Steve’s heart and his little gasp. Steve squeals when Eddie dumps him on the mattress again.

“Steve,” Eddie says, stroking Steve’s hair. It’s messed up, sweaty, and limp. It’s perfect. “I think I might get eaten by Demobats again if I don’t suck you off right now.”

“How does that even—” Eddie cuts Steve off by sucking down his entire dick in one swoop. Steve gasps and accidentally bucks hard into Eddie’s mouth. Eddie ignores Steve’s whispered apology and pulls him tighter onto his throat, telegraphing him to fuck into it. He’s not going to let all his prep go to waste. Eddie grabs Steve’s hands and forces them onto his mess of curls. Steve grips his hair and it feels so good that Eddie nearly loses his rhythm. His mind goes pleasantly fuzzy as he sucks harder, as Steve fucks into his mouth as instructed, hands tight around on his hair.

“Shit, Eddie, I’m, ah, gonna,” Steve shifts and tries to pull out. Eddie grips Steve’s hip and holds him firmly, accidentally nicking Steve with a claw. Steve, the gorgeous, perfect, beautiful, pain slut (apparently), cums with a shout right down Eddie’s throat. Eddie swallows then licks up and down Steve’s taint and torso before he throws himself down next to Steve.

“That was,” Steve pants, “the weirdest, most violent sex I’ve ever had in my life.”

Oh no.

“Sorry,” Eddie mutters. “I really… I wanted to make this nice. I should have waited…”

“No! You jackass. Ugh, I can’t word right now.” Steve shifts to collapse on top of Eddie like the world’s most gorgeous blanket. “This was hot . I’m going to replay this over and over again to the point it’ll be a problem hot. You’re incredible.” Steve grins at Eddie. Eddie grins back. Steve peers down at the sharp gravel and dirt embedded everywhere around his legs and winces. “We should do this again, but… maybe not directly on the ground next time.”

“And whose fault was that ?” Eddie asks, laughing. He can feel the itch of a road rash on his back. But he knows it’ll heal by tomorrow. He just needs to not scratch.

“Yours,” Steve says petulantly, leaning down to suck on a scale by Eddie’s hipbone. “How dare you tear into those things right in front of me. How else was I supposed to react?”

“You say that after you bit off a Demobat’s head in front of me. Then took out those dogs with your bat, dicks out, balls swinging, just twirling that stupid bat like it’s your arm.” Eddie pulls Steve up over his chest. They lay there for a while longer.

“We could… see more of each other like that,” Steve eventually says, so quietly that Eddie almost misses it.

“What?”

“I could stay with you. You shouldn’t… you shouldn’t have to fight alone like this. What if I wasn’t here today?” Steve sounds pissed. Eddie strokes up and down Steve’s back. He needs to phrase this right.

“Steve. You don’t heal like me. We have no idea what the air down here would do to you.”

“So what? I keep doing this? Waiting for you top-side, worrying that you might not come back up one day? Leave you here to risk your life by yourself?”

It does sound pretty bad when Steve puts it that way. But.

“Yes. Wait for me top-side,” Steve starts to protest. Eddie grips him closer and Steve trails off with a choked whine. “Listen. You, the geniuses, Hopper, Nancy, El , all the most capable, badass people I know are looking to close this portal. We’ll get that round two against Vecna. We’ll close the stupid thing. And I’ll be free to terrify the good Christian folks of Hawkins yet again. This isn’t permanent. I’m going to survive this. I’m going to come back to you. Over and over and over again. Please. Trust me?”

“I’m going to woo you so hard when you’re back,” Steve murmurs, pressing harder into Eddie.

“You will . That’s a promise.”

[oceanreveuse]

𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀, 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶 𝘆𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶

◟fem!reader, sfw, reader wears a sundress, petnames (princess? baby) , maybe ooc isagi, reader + isagi meet during blue lock but this is set post-blue lock, quality time w isagi, a lil suggestive at the end, not proofread! ◟anastasia's footnote : happy birthday to my dearly beloved little sis @reonaissance !! welcome to the big scary world eeek !! i hope i did isagi justice at least a liiiiiiittleeee... i fought my demons to finish this (´；ω；`)

from the moment you met him, you figured he'd have the mindset to spoil you. it was blatantly obvious from the look in his eyes whenever he'd spotted you across the cafeteria, mindlessly blanking out his friends' words as they spoke to him. if it was anything to go by, it was almost as if his entire world disappeared the second you were in his vicinity - or his line of sight. it was pretty simple why; you were quickly becoming his world.

your birthday perhaps rolls around too quick for your own liking but for ISAGI, it's the best time of year. a chance to truly treat you like a princess where no one will bat an eyelid, he was beginning to grow a little tired of bachira and kunigami's teasing when you was the topic of conversation between the trio - he wouldn't complain usually, he loves to go on about you. in fact, they can almost predict when he's about to start another lovesick babble.

in between training, matches and flying you across the globe with him, isagi tries to keep everything as domestic as possible. he loves you, smitten and knitted together like your fingers on this late summer evening. the skies are pinks, oranges, hues of purple fading in like a watercolour painting. it's been a conversation before, muttered between cotton sheets and a warm breeze through the open window - you found it difficult sometimes to keep travelling with him, to stick at his side wherever he goes. you support him, yes you always will but you knew soon you needed to stay home, to cheer him on through a screen until he returned home.

"you're thinking again, baby," his familiar voice is soothing, eases the irritating repetitive thoughts that nag on your bones like a dog. you turn your attention to those deep blue eyes and a smile caresses your face, squeezing his hand in reassurance, "relax, will you? it's your birthday."

"i know it is," you roll your eyes with a playful huff, amused with his constant reminder that today is your special day. it would feel like a normal day otherwise, if your boyfriend wasn't so insistent. he gives a puppy-like grin in response, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

"i have to make sure you know, we can't have you forgetting, y'know?" isagi hums, his blue eyes reflecting the sunset like a body of water - specifically like the lake stood before you, the mirror reflection of the sky disrupted by the ripples.

the breeze blows against your bare legs once again, ruffling the skirt of your sundress and isagi hums in response, eyes flickering down to watch the fabric momentarily. after a few seconds, he lets go of your hand to shuffle behind you, toned arms wrapping around your waist and pulling your back flush to his chest. his body is warm, a personal heater compared the hug of chilling air around the pair of you.

a calloused thumb brushes up and down on your hip, his chin situated on your shoulder as a silence settles between you, comforting when you just lean into his touch, his presence. taking a walk so far from home you got both away from the suffocating air that came with being a footballer and in light of that, the partner of a footballer. not a soul in sight other than a few ducks settled on the water, no loud clicks of press cameras and reporters eager to get a word in with isagi - just the two of you and your breathing.

"happy birthday, princess..." his voice trails off, a delicate kiss pressed to your neck moments after and you hum in response, placing a hand over his. your thumb strokes against the skin of his hand. a small smile decorates your face however isagi is quick to move his hand away, much to your dismay. it trails a path down your waist, the curve of your hip before settling comfortably on your thigh.

isagi's fingers slip under the hem of your sundress, a playful chuckle rumbling against your back as you give him a knowing look over your shoulder, almost a warning, "c'mon, i think i have another present to give you back at the hotel."

© oceanreveuse 2024 | reblogs appreciated | do not repost, steal, translate, etc. on any social media platform & do not feed to ai.

◟the waves call for . . . @qichun @tetsuskei

[ the magazine is affiliated with @houseofsolisoccasum ]

[spidermans-l-o-v-e-r]

Now You See Me

This was a cop out title and I KNOW okay I KNOW

Pairing: Buck x Reader

Word count:

Notes: I want this man. I neeeeed this man

⭐️Day 22: Mirror Sex⭐️

Buck likes working out.

Sometimes.

Other times he’d rather jump head first into a boiling lake of lava.

Today was one of those days

Buck stood in front of the mirror, watching his form as he lifted the hand weights. He wasn’t feeling it as he stared dully into the large mirrors.

“Buck? Earth to Buck?” Chimney waves his hand in front of Bucks face, chuckling.

“You have a visitor, she looks kind of familiar..”

You pop out from behind Chimney and wave excitedly “Surprise!”

Buck laughs and sets his weights down, hugging you tightly against him.

“Hey baby, what are you doing here?” He leans down and kisses you, his hands cupping your cheeks.

“Can’t I just come visit one of my favorite people? Do I have to have an excuse?”

“She brought cookies!” Chimney says excitedly as he leaves the two of them alone. Buck leans down again and gives her a sweet kiss, slow and teasing. He runs his hands over her soft skin and wraps his arms around her waist. He loves when she wears her workout sets for errands. They leave very little to his imagination.

“Cookies huh? You bake ‘em?”

“I sure did” you smile proudly. Buck pulls away from you turning to set his weighs back on the rack

“Did you leave some at home?”

“Yeah of course” you wander over to a barbell and look it over, it’s not really got much weight on it. You try it out for a minute, picking it up to see if you can handle it. It’s easy enough to squat with so you start a few reps, making sure your ass is pointed at Buck.

“So! would you like a tour… around the…-“ Buck trails off as he stares. You look back at him and smirk, poking your ass out a bit more. He bites his lip looking at the door for a minute.

“Would I like a what? What were you saying?” You say sweetly and bat your eyelashes.

Buck walks over to the door and locks it leaning against it, staring at your ass as you squat again. He walks over, taking off his shirt and tossing it to the side. You look at him in the mirror and smirk.

“Need a spot?” He asks as his hands lay on your waist. You set the bar down, keeping your hands on it as you’re bent over

“Maybe…” you spread your legs a bit more, rubbing your ass against the front of his pants.

“Your form is terrible” he teases and runs his hand over your back. He leans over and grabs your shoulders, pulling you up some so you’re staring into the mirror with your hands on your knees. “See? That’s better.”

You watch as he slowly unzips his pants, he’s staring at you as he does it. He presses against you and your breath hitches, feeling how hard he is for you already. He nudges you forward a bit and you place your hands on the mirrors. He smirks and starts to pull your workout set down over your ass, teasing himself with how slowly he reveals your gorgeous body

“Are you not…?” He keeps pulling your leggings down but he doesn’t run into underwear, you smile sweetly up at him and wink

“I know what I came here for Buck and it wasn’t just to deliver cookies…I just didn’t think it would be this out in the open”

He exhales loudly and rubs the tip of his cock against your pussy, he looks at you in the mirror, your eyes fluttering shut and your head falling forward as he drags the head up and down through your wet sex. He pulls your hair back, pulling you up to look at him in the mirror again.

“Eyes on me baby girl I want to see the look on your face when I-“

He slowly sinks into you, all the way to the hilt, feeling your tight walls suck him in. Your mouth opens slowly and your eyes roll back in your head as he settles there for a moment, fighting the urge to just pick you up and fuck you right there. No he wants to be able to see you.

“Look at how pretty you look.” He groans as he holds onto you, your body already weak for him. He holds you up, and stares down at the way you’re connected together watching how you stretch around him. You look at him in the mirror, your cunt fluttering and clenching around him. You start to wriggle, trying to get him to just take you.

“Evan” you whine and hold onto his arms, he finally starts moving, slowly at first in and out in and out and you can feel every vein on his thick cock as he gets you used to him. He can never resist when you whine his name like that. Your legs shake as you balance on your toes, and he pumps in and out of you taking his sweet time working you up

“Fuck, Evan, please faster” you beg and he smirks deviously

“Kiss yourself” he hisses in your ear and he leans over you, his hands holding your waist“Make out with that pretty girl in the mirror” he growls as he feels your walls flutter and tighten around him

“Oh you like that huh?” He laughs as he watches you kiss the mirror tentatively “Like you mean it Y/N”

Your tongue darts out, licking a little first and then you moan, your hands reaching down to play with your tits as you make out with yourself in the mirror. The little gasps and sucking noises driving Buck crazy. He grabs your shoulder and pulls you upright, his hand wrapping around your neck and squeezing a bit.

“Fuck everything you do is too much for me” he pants as his hips piston into you, he grips you tighter by your waist, lifting you onto his cock more. Your hands shoot out to brace yourself against the mirror as he uses your body like his own toy. You claw at the mirror crying out his name and he grips your throat a little tighter, laughing crazily

“Shhhh baby fuck, they’re gonna hear you” your eyes meet his in the mirror, tears pricking at the corner of your eyes from pure pleasure as he loses himself in you. He pulls you down on him fully and you scream out his name, cumming all over his cock and squirting down his thighs. He thrusts into you harder a few more times before he moans your name loudly cumming inside you. He pumps his hips a couple more times before leaving it in you, stuffing you full of his cock and your cum mixing together with his. You fall limp in his arms and he backs up slowly, sitting down on the bench behind him. You lay back against his chest and he holds onto you, panting and gently kissing your neck.

“I’m gonna be real Y/N I didn’t think the rest of this through” Buck laughs breathlessly as he holds you in his lap “This is gonna make a mess…”

“I guess we’re stuck like this” You giggle and get comfy in his lap, and he rolls his eyes

“We can’t stay like this, can you reach my phone? We can call Eddie for help” He nods over to his phone on the floor in front of the mirror and you make a face at him.

“Do you or do you not regularly make fun of my “t-Rex” arms???”

He throws his head back and laughs “You do have hilariously short arms. Here why don’t we just-“ He stands up with you still connected to him and waddles over to it. “Try that”

You reach down and as your fingertips brush the screen, the door opens. Eddie stands in the doorway, laughing with Chimney, a key in his hand. His mouth drops open and he slams it shut

“You know I don’t think we need to work out right now.”

[schoenpepper]

i want jade leech and since i want jade leech i will force you to want jade leech too

warnings. things minors shouldn't be reading, also it's not formatted or proofread cus i'm about to sleep and i'm on my phone

you chose this.

out of everyone on campus, the ones that still have some semblance of goodness in their dark, withered souls, you chose Jade. somehow. for some reason.

do you regret it?

do you regret offering to join him on hikes that neither Azul nor Floyd would ever willingly volunteer for? his voice is a soothing timbre that drills its way into the synapses of your mind, every fleeting touch he graces you with is a pebble skipped across the surface of a lake; it ripples through your very being with want and need. you take advantage of a moment when he's vulnerable. when he's happily talking about the various kinds of mushrooms he'd managed to spot on this specific trail, you manage to corner him, his back against a tree with his enchanting mismatched eyes wide in surprise. he doesn't fight back when you claim his lips hungrily, ravishing him for all he's worth. the kiss is not one that poets would write about, it is a thing of pure and ravenous hunger, desire. longing.

Jade finds it amusing whenever you act so pathetic. desperation is one of his favorite things to see on your pretty face.

he kisses back rather submissively, letting things go according to your whims. but what you want is much more than this, isn't it? your hands find their way through the underside of his jacket, groping muscle you can't feel the true texture of through the barrier of clothing. holy fuck, he's wearing too much. there are straps and things clicking and a very tight turtleneck (that you would very much like to appreciate on its own some other time), and there's too much in the way of his skin.

he slows you down with a laugh.

"oh dear, are you really going to do such a thing here? now? wouldn't you catch a cold?"

you assure him that catching a cold was never in your list of priorities, as the only thing on your to-do list is his name.

"not subtle, hm? well, if you insist on something happening, perhaps you can get down on your knees for me."

yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

he's kind enough to throw something soft down at his feet (is it a pillow? an inflatable sleeping bag? you don't care, you kneel on it anyway)

he barely fits in your mouth, and even then, not all of it is in. but you relish the feeling because you've dreamt of this, and this isn't an opportunity you're willing to let slip. he tastes bland, mostly, just a little salty and a bit bitter. (you gulp him down like it's the nectar of the gods) you're just so amusing. you meet his eyes and it's like he can see the stars in yours. you look so cute and innocent.

but darling, you're so filthy.

perhaps that's what made you so adorable to him. you seem so eager to please with your soft tongue and wandering hands. if you want him so badly, he'll indulge you (isn't it the octavinelle core value? benevolence?)

you're getting desperate, how sweet. is he taking too long? he should have warned you before you started taking him throat-deep, and he's quite cruel for not doing so, no? then why does it seem like you enjoy it? you bob your head up and down and bat your pretty little lashes up at him. he feels you moan around him when his hands find purchase in your hair, lightly gripping. do you like it when it hurts? or do you just like it because it's Jade? oh, do be gentle with him, it's not as if this is the kind of activity he frequently does. be a little more patient, dove.

you swallow.

he pulls your head back by the hair and you let out another cute moan. he enjoyed it, truly, but don't you think you deserve a prize too? you've been such a good little thing, you'll let him explore you too, wouldn't you?

this far into the woods, no one can hear you scream.

lucky you.

[thedovesaredying]

Reverse Fae AU

Was in the middle of working on the next Cowboy Nikto chapter but got sidetracked by the ask @ghouljams got about Love being a fae/goddess and Ghost being the human one, so uhhh I had to feed the brain worms.

Not sure if it'll be canon or not, I'm just playing around with some thoughts.

(Brief warning for gore at the start. Unedited because I'm lazy)

Hot flesh squelches between your teeth, sending a thick trail of blood dripping down your chin. A single twist of your head and the whole chunk comes free, and it slides down your throat slowly, before settling heavy in your stomach. It gives you a warm, tingling feeling inside to have a fresh kill to feed upon.  

The man’s eyes are staring unseeing into the distance, face frozen for all eternity in an expression of pure terror. The blood that had been spurting from the large hole in his throat has finally dried up, leaving only small drips raining from the wound.  

Your bright eyes lift from your meal, only to meet a pretty pair of icy blues. No doubt they would taste delicious pulled from the man’s skull and shredded by your canines. You wonder how attached he is to them.  

You hold the stranger’s gaze while you lean closer to your kill, playing with a strand of sinew with your clawed fingers. “Come to avenge your friend?” you ask, sickly sweet and batting your eyelashes up at him. You’re not too hungry, satisfied with the one pretty soldier boy, but who are you to waste a free meal?  

“нет,” the man says, and you tilt your head, pausing your flirty little act, “this is his problem, not mine.” 

You giggle loudly, not having expected that from him. It’s fair enough you suppose. “Will you come to the lake with me? I need to wash out all this blood,” you coo, pushing a little influence into your tone.  

The other soldier looks at you and then looks at the water, then he says, “you are Rusalka?” 

He’s smarter than the other soldier, that much was already clear, but to have no reaction to your attempt at convincing him to follow you? Something’s different about this one. “No, Rusalki are my cousins, I am the Each-Uisge.” 

The strange soldier just stares at you again, still unblinking. “You kill the other soldier too?” he suddenly asks, gesturing his head back toward the bar where you’d found your first victim of the evening.  

“Wait-” Now it’s your turn to blink, “you want me to kill the other soldier you were with as well?” 

“да,” he nods.  

You can’t help giggling again, what a weird human. But sure, you’ll entertain this guy, at least for as long as it provides you an easy meal or two. You wonder what this other person has done to deserve being killed by a fae though, and ask, “why do you want him dead?” 

The guy shrugs, “there is no need to split payment if no one else returns, yes?” 

[fuedalreesespieces]

inukag week - day 1: yearning

nan chun

read on ao3!

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Inuyasha waited for his mother to light the lanterns. It was a nightly tradition of theirs, unspoken but consistent throughout the long, tedious days of isolation. Though the luminous glow of stars flooded their home, Izayoi insisted on lighting the four lanterns christening each corner of the house – for warmth, she said simply, her sticks of incense trailing their smoky tresses through the buffeting winds. 

The orange flames made grand, admirable leaps past their wilting wicks, and Inuyasha watched them as they flickered desperately over the clay diyas. They bathed his mother in soft golden hues as she did away with the day’s cumbersome adornments, sheet after sheet of silk layers from her jūnihitoe. She tied up her heavy hair best as she could, then came to sit behind him, their chins tilted towards the moon’s silver face. 

The wooden teeth of her comb gently began to part Inuyasha’s hair. “Haha-ue,” he said, “tell me a story.” 

She hummed in consideration. “Shall we continue last night’s tale of the bridge oni?” 

He refused to admit that that story had been so vivid it practically roosted by his ear like an owl, reminding him to check underneath the low stone bridges cusping the estate each time he crossed them. “No,” he said with feigned disinterest. “Something new.” 

“I’ll tell you...” her voice trailed off, “...the story of the youthful bakeneko.” 

Bakeneko?” 

“If she were to stretch her torso, it would span the length of this lake,” Izayoi said. “But she kept her form to that of a young village girl. She would offer to brush the hair of the other little girls – see, her brush was lacquered gold, and nobody could believe it was hers and hers alone. It was so shiny, the others could glimpse their reflection in its metal from afar. And so naturally they all wished to be pampered by the bakeneko, in the hopes that they might get a look. 

The girls came each day to get their hair combed. The bakeneko told them stories and gave them fresh persimmons, and she kept them so distracted that they hardly ever looked to her face.” Izayoi’s fingers pulled away at stray, tangled locks, tilting her son’s head to the right. The lake surface skewed in his vision like a spinning metal disk. “When they left, their hair shined with an silky veneer, but their skin was wrinkled and tight.” 

“What’d she do to them?” Inuyasha asked, wrenching his head out of his mother’s hands to face her.  

 “So impatient,” she teased, her grin endearing. “The youkai’s golden brush was the culprit. The comb’s teeth were magic, and with each stroke they tore the youth from one’s scalp, like a bat siphoning blood. In this way, the bakeneko could stay young forever.” 

Izayoi’s fingers traversed Inuyasha’s spine, slow as a spider’s crawl. “Eventually she was chased out of the village...but there were always other villages, and there would always be youth to steal.” Her fingers rested at his upper torso, and when he was sure she would say something, she attacked with a barrage of tickles. He shrieked with laughter, running out of her reach and tumbling onto their sole futon.  

“Not fair!” he shouted. 

Izayoi’s eyes glittered with mirth. “I’m afraid you walked right into the bakeneko’s trap, my dear son. Look how you crumble like an autumn leaf. You’ve grown old already!” 

He quickly returned to her lap, his stubby hands finding the ticklish spot on her neck, and she joined him in laughter, making no move to push him away. There were few moments where he was able to make her laugh so boisterously, and he suspected that years in the main estate had made her bottle up the sound, like a sweet fragrance stifled in a clay jar. 

But there was no one here on this wooden island, so she laughed until her chest hurt. For warmth , she repeated, snuggling close.  

“Haha-ue,” he asked sleepily, as they lay curled up on the futon, “why did the bakaneko want to live forever?” 

“Who can say?” she told him. “Perhaps there was something she wished to do. Perhaps she wanted to extend her life to figure out what.” 

Inuyasha thought about it for a moment, his mind muddled by encroaching sleep. He understood that part, at least. He’d never thought about how being half-youkai would effect his lifespan, but if it meant he could keep these nights with his mother, and every day after that, then...then he supposed he wouldn’t mind living forever. As long as she was at his back, her warm robes enveloping him and the sound of waves lapping at the edge of his consciousness, for as long as he was given. 

. . .

The first thing Inuyasha noticed was that his wife was not in the house. 

He knew she wouldn’t be. Her miko duties required that she rise early, and she could often be found in the shed assessing her medicine stock at this hour, or attending to the village herb garden. 

 Her side of the futon was neatly made, and he did his best to match her efforts as he rose for the day. The blankets smelt of the lavender soap she lathered herself with each day to remove the aroma of herbs from her skin, a mild yet soothing scent. He found himself holding them longer than necessary, savoring the comfort they brought. 

There was a cup of tea by the fire, the same kind she always made before departing. He decided to take it with him as he strode out, the ceramic warm in his wrinkled hands. He stood outside for a moment, watching the villagers slowly awaken – men heading out to the fields with their eldest sons in tow, women gathering together to cook the evening meal as they gossiped, their children playing beneath the shadow of their connected cutting boards. 

 A fine, powdery snow sprinkled the stones above their huts. Below, flowers began to push through the wet soil, flanked by dewy grass.  

“Dad?” a familiar voice cut through his inspection of the flourishing plant life. “Staring into space again, huh?” 

Moroha ascended the hill, a basket of apples at her hip. He smiled at the sight of her – it seemed her wife had finally convinced her to wear a cloak, much to Moroha’s chagrin, and it hung snugly at her shoulders. She reached into her basket and offered him a piece of fruit. 

Inuyasha slipped it into his suikan, ignoring her previous jab. “Is Kagome still at the shed?” 

“She just left the hot springs. Why?” 

“Nothin’. You know where we’ll be if ya need us.” 

“Dad...” she trailed off. “I dunno if you should go alone. The path there is still pretty icy. I heard ojisan fell on his way up to the temple.” 

“Sure is helpful that I ain’t Miroku.” 

“Yeah, but you’re also only three years younger than him and tripped over a root yesterday, so there isn’t that big a difference.” Inuyasha rolled his eyes. “At least let me get you the cane Aki made for you-” 

“Keh!” he bellowed. “To hell with that. I’ll be walkin’ with my own two feet.” 

“You’d be doing that regardless,” she said dryly.  

“I don’t need that scrap of wood. Tell Akira she can keep it.” 

“Dad!” she admonished. Her gaze sharpened, the way it did when they hunted together and she’d spotted their prey before him. “Fine. If you’re going to be like that...” 

Moroha dropped the basket of apples and lifted him off the ground, sprinting downhill. He sputtered – a combination of expletives Kagome would have whacked him on the head for saying, despite the fact that Moroha was well in her thirties and had exhausted cursing to its limit. Kagome herself was guilty of profanity too, the worst in the family by far, for she always cursed at the most inopportune times and immediately denied doing such a thing afterward. 

Mikos don’t curse, she once declared jokingly. So whatever you just heard come out of my mouth is the sign of a whimsical imagination.   

Just the reminder of that outlandish statement made him laugh, and Moroha peered down questioningly, though she didn’t say anything. He suspected she was starting to rationalize all his behavior with ‘he’s old’, which was a little insulting but granted him a sizeable amount of leeway. And though his younger self would rather have cut his tongue out than admit it, being carried was a nice gesture. She cradled him gently against his chest, just as he had done with her for the earliest years of her life. The thought made him yearn to raise her all over again.  

“Put me down here,” he told her, before he grew too emotional. It was much harder to hide things like this from her than ever before, and it was a conversation he wasn’t prepared to have so early in the morning.  

She obliged, eyebrows drawing forward in concern. “Are you sure? There’s still a ways to go.” 

“Not too far. I wanted to walk some of the path anyway.”  

Moroha squeezed his shoulder. “Alright. Stay safe.” She lightly kissed his cheek. “Don’t trip on any tree roots. I won’t be there to pick ya up.” 

He snorted at her cheeky grin, but allowed her the last word as she departed. The path ahead was a meager distance. Beneath his feat, the ice cracked and bit into his toes. It was cold enough that his breath steamed in the air, but warm enough for little blossoms to begin emerging from the dull earth.  

The goshinboku remained as unchanged as it had always been. Its thick trunk was dusted with the final shavings of winter’s snow and rose higher than its companions. Boughs stretched out to meet the sun, heavy with new, budding leaves. Kagome sat at its feet, her bright red hakama easy to spot among the pale foliage. She held one of her arrows, caressing the pointed tips with a fixed, droll gaze. 

At the sound of his footsteps, her eyes brightened. “You’re early.” 

“Moroha brought me,” he admitted, coming to sit beside her. “Said the path was too slippery for an old man.” 

Kagome laughed. No matter how many years passed, that sound was eternal, beautiful and never-changing. He found himself more desperate to hear it each day. “Whomever could she have been referring to?” 

“You’re laughin’ now, but it’ll be you next that she’s coddlin’.” 

“You shouldn’t say anything about coddling, Inu-ya-sha. You carried me everywhere.” 

“’Cause you were slow.” Their fingers coiled together like braided twine. The wrinkles in his skin are little compared to the ones in her own, but they share the same calluses. “And ‘cause I wanted to be close to you.” 

She smiled. “Maybe that’s how Moroha feels, then.” 

A silence descended between them. It happened often as they grew older and less words were needed, only the comfort of the other. A fox scampered past, kicking up snow. “Do you think she’s worried? ‘Bout us, I mean.” 

“It’s natural for her to worry,” Kagome said. “Sometimes I overhear her talking with Gyukuto. Miroku’s been sick lately, and his fall hasn’t helped. After Sango passed, I think it’s on all their minds.” 

Sango’s passing had been, thankfully, a peaceful one. She had succumbed to the long lasting injuries from Kohaku’s sickle. They had revealed themselves slowly after the birth of her final child: a consistently aching back, stiff muscles, and in a year, she couldn’t move above her hip. Confined, her children kept her entertained in their hut. Despite the confounding nature of their mother’s condition, in Sango’s final months, their home had been a merry one. 

Kohaku had shown up briefly for the funeral, and no one had seen him since, but Sango’s grave was always clean when Miroku and Kin’u came to pray. Moroha had been inconsolable for weeks, and eventually she began looking at her parents differently, realizing that they, too, could leave at any moment.

“Did ya ever think about it?” 

“Mm?” she hummed. 

“During the journey, when we were hunting the shards...” It felt like such a long time ago. “Did you ever wonder about dyin’?”

Kagome was silent for a moment. “A few times,” she admitted. “But it was always dreams about you, or Sango, or Miroku’s deaths. Naraku kept pulling the rug out from under our feet, and I always wondered when we would hit our limit on how much power we could consolidate. Naraku always had something up his sleeve, but there were only so many things we could do...”  

She leaned her head against his shoulder, her silver hair plastered against the tree. “In the end, he was mortal like us, and it didn’t matter how many tricks he had.” 

Inuyasha nestled closer. “‘M glad.” 

Kagome rose one incredulous eyebrow. “Glad I was thinking about death?” 

He gave her a deadpan look, and she laughed again, clear as melted springwater. “Very funny.”  

“I try.” 

He pressed a kiss against her forehead, savoring the dregs of her laughter. “What I meant was...’M glad we have this. Enough peace that we can sit and think about a natural death.” Inuyasha sighed. “Sometimes I just think I’m dreamin’. I never thought about bein’ old. Now my daughter’s offerin’ to carry me to my wife. My daughter. My wife.” He made a sound of incredulity.  

“It’s not so crazy. You’re very handsome,” she teased, snuggling close. “What were you thinking of when you were younger, then?” 

“Survival, mostly. What I was gonna eat that night.” His claws brushed against her knuckles. “When I was livin’ with my mother...I dreamed about stayin’ forever with her.” 

“Immortality?” 

“Nah. I wanted to live as long as she did. That was the only way to be with her forever, ‘cause if I lived longer than a normal human, she would die before me. And after she died, it was food. Shelter.” He peered up at the branches, where light filtered through. “Strength. That’s when I started searchin’ for the jewel. I wanted a lotta things. And then I wanted you. You know...you made me start wishin’ for things I didn’t think I gave a damn about.” 

It was always his most candid statements that made Kagome blush like she was in junior high again. “Oh?” she squeaked. 

"Oh?” he echoed. “Soundin’ real mousy there, Kagome-” 

“Shut it, you,” she hissed, a grin on her lips. “You don’t get to romance me and make fun of me after.” 

“I thought that was our routine by now?” 

Her grin widened. A flock of birds settled in the goshinboku’s branches, shaking snow onto their heads. Inuyasha remembered the apple he had stashed away and broke it in two, offering one half to his wife. The ate in silence, the sounds of the village greeting them from below. They had sat here season through season, but the comforting presence of the tree never waned. It stood steady and reassuring, even as their backs bent from age. 

Inuyasha shifted gently, opening his mouth to tell Kagome they should get going, but she had fallen asleep. Her eyes were fluttered shut, and she made no movement as he swept her hair across her brow. He could hear her heartbeat and the soft cycle of breathing, in and out. The blood-red apple laid listless in her hand. With how pale her skin had gotten in the cold, she resembled a body awaiting embalming. 

He draped his suikan over her and kissed her forehead. It could be his last, but strangely enough, there was no fear in the thought.