#because all the side effects got worse and I was like 'oh it's just the dosage increase' but I don't think it's just side effects

[keeps-ache]

awkward way to have a convo but okay

[plain inks below cut]

[traegorn]

while i completely agree with your assessment of realistically what a trump vs harris presidency will look like, i think the issue me and a lot of other leftists have is that there is no need to tell people (and effectively tell harris) that oh ofc we are gna vote for her despite these issues because trump is THAT bad and if you say you don't want to vote for her because her party is pro-war, pro-genocide, then you are condemning americans to a trump presidency. we know trump is worse! i don't want him to win AT ALL, but why would harris even consider even changing the language she is using (i'm looking at the absolutely stupid speech she was giving in michigan, given the large arab & muslim-american population there and given its a battleground state) if she thinks she is going to win on a not-trump basis? i know who i'm voting for on nov 5th if it comes down to it, but we need the democrats to THINK they are going to lose until the very last minute, we need them to feel like they can't just rely on being the lesser of two evils if we want any chance of a shift on palestine. because they very well might lose, for this exact reason (and i'm speaking again more to the votes of the arab & muslim-american population which is far more demographically meaningful than the votes of leftists) and if that happens, they have no one to blame but themselves.

So I'm going to tell you something important: You don't have the leverage you think you have.

Political campaigns are a machine that's been operating the same way for a long time on the Democratic side. The Republicans may have abandoned a lot of the old ways of doing things, but the Democratic party hasn't. And you've got people running these campaigns who are steeped in the "wisdom" of how you win.

And when a block of voters says they're not going to vote for their candidate, they tend to believe them. So they decide to go court the people who they think will vote for them. That's why you've seen the Harris campaign trying to court moderate Republicans who might be iffy on voting for Trump a third time.

Right now one of the reasons Netanyahu is refusing to commit to a cease fire is because he thinks Trump can win. If Trump wins, he has no reason to ever agree to one. One of the reasons he thinks Trump can win is because the polling is so close.

If you want to know why they've gone to the right recently, it's because they think they've lost the left. And since a lot of those leftists are claiming there's a line in the sand that they don't have the power to appease (because -- again -- they can't get Netanyahu to do shit right now), they're going to go for the centrist Republicans.

Also, there seems to be this weird notion that the only way to move the Democrats is during the election. That's not how you move people. You keep pressuring them during their term and it works. Like Biden is continuing to work on forgiving student debt even though he doesn't have an election ahead of him. Because they know that what he does reflects on the future of the party. Voting doesn't end this game, it's the start of it.

But none of it will matter if Trump wins.

[derinthescarletpescatarian]

what’s the story about the generative power model and water consumption? /gen

There's this myth going around about generative AI consuming truly ridiculous amount of power and water. You'll see people say shit like "generating one image is like just pouring a whole cup of water out into the Sahara!" and bullshit like that, and it's just... not true. The actual truth is that supercomputers, which do a lot of stuff, use a lot of power, and at one point someone released an estimate of how much power some supercomputers were using and people went "oh, that supercomputer must only do AI! All generative AI uses this much power!" and then just... made shit up re: how making an image sucks up a huge chunk of the power grid or something. Which makes no sense because I'm given to understand that many of these models can run on your home computer. (I don't use them so I don't know the details, but I'm told by users that you can download them and generate images locally.) Using these models uses far less power than, say, online gaming. Or using Tumblr. But nobody ever talks about how evil those things are because of their power generation. I wonder why.

To be clear, I don't like generative AI. I'm sure it's got uses in research and stuff but on the consumer side, every effect I've seen of it is bad. Its implementation in products that I use has always made those products worse. The books it writes and flood the market with are incoherent nonsense at best and dangerous at worst (let's not forget that mushroom foraging guide). It's turned the usability of search engines from "rapidly declining, but still usable if you can get past the ads" into "almost one hundred per cent useless now, actually not worth the effort to de-bullshittify your search results", especially if you're looking for images. It's a tool for doing bullshit that people were already doing much easier and faster, thus massively increasing the amount of bullshit. The only consumer-useful uses I've seen of it as a consumer are niche art projects, usually projects that explore the limits of the tool itself like that one poetry book or the Infinite Art Machine; overall I'd say its impact at the Casual Random Person (me) level has been overwhelmingly negative. Also, the fact that so much AI turns out to be underpaid people in a warehouse in some country with no minimum wage and terrible labour protections is... not great. And the fact that it's often used as an excuse to try to find ways to underpay professionals ("you don't have to write it, just clean up what the AI came up with!") is also not great.

But there are real labour and product quality concerns with generative AI, and there's hysterical bullshit. And the whole "AI is magically destroying the planet via climate change but my four hour twitch streaming sesh isn't" thing is hysterical bullshit. The instant I see somebody make this stupid claim I put them in the same mental bucket as somebody complaining about AI not being "real art" -- a hatemobber hopping on the hype train of a new thing to hate and feel like an enlightened activist about when they haven't bothered to learn a fucking thing about the issue. And I just count my blessings that they fell in with this group instead of becoming a flat earther or something.

[mggslover]

‘spencer’s “first” time showing you his jealous/possessive side’. bau reader and spencer just started dating and are a bit reserved when it comes to showing affection in the office. a new agent starts flirting/trying to get readers attention and for the first time spencer make sure everyone knows who his girl friend is <3 thank you !!!

the first time spencer gets jealous genre: fluff word count: 965 a/n: oh how i love this prompt!! thanks for the request

Spencer Reid wasn’t big on PDA, so it didn’t surprise you when he suggested keeping your relationship under wraps once it became official. You didn’t mind much—sure, it was a little frustrating when he’d pat your hand away at the round table or create distance the morning after a particularly fun night, knowing he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off of you—but in general, you were glad to keep things private. You had no problem avoiding the “no dating between coworkers” policy drama, and it gave you the opportunity to focus on the cases and enjoy Spencer’s company even more when you’d sneak off home together at the end of the day. 

So, when you found yourself chatting with the new addition to the team—Agent Owen Rogers—you didn’t expect the effect it would have on your boyfriend.

“Of course he’s taken an interest in her. That woman makes everyone fall head over heels,” Penelope half-sighed, her voice a mix of awe and envy as she watched you talk to Owen from the office window. Her words caught Spencer’s attention, and he turned to the scene, spotting you mid-conversation. He recognized the looks his colleagues were giving Owen—those same dreamy, admiring glances they'd had for Hotch’s brother whenever he visited the office.

Spencer’s posture stiffened as the understanding sank in. If he were being honest, he’d liked the new agent when they first met, but now, seeing the way Owen was smirking at you as he moved closer, that initial fondness had quickly morphed into distaste. He could still hear his colleagues gushing over the agent as he quickly got up and headed down the stairs toward you.

“So, I was thinking Italian? Do you like Italian?” Owen asked, his voice upbeat.

Before you could even open your mouth to turn him down, you felt the familiar warmth of your boyfriend’s arms wrapping around your waist, his head resting on your shoulder.

“We love Italian.”.

You stood there, completely bewildered, as your boyfriend not only inserted himself into the conversation but also made the boldest display of possessiveness, wrapping his arms around you without a second thought. It was so un-Spencer-like—especially in the office—but you weren’t about to complain, your hands instinctively resting over his arms.

“Actually, Owen—I can call you Owen, right?” He doesn’t wait for confirmation before continuing. “You know, it’s fascinating how often people pick Italian food for a first date. Objectively, it’s a terrible choice. Think about it: you’ve got these long, slippery noodles—spaghetti, for instance—that are practically designed to humiliate you. The odds of splattering marinara sauce all over yourself—or worse, your date—are alarmingly high. And then there’s the garlic. People convince themselves that a mint will magically erase it, but we both know that’s just a delusion. Why anyone still thinks it’s a good idea is beyond me. Kind of stupid, don’t you think?”

You bit your lip, struggling to suppress your laughter as Owen’s face crumpled. You truly felt sorry for the poor thing—he really was a nice guy—but seeing Spencer get this sassy, especially when it was all because of you, was strangely entertaining.

“I—uh, yeah.” Owen gives a nervous laugh, his fingers awkwardly brushing the back of his neck. “Pretty stupid.”

“But we’d love to have Italian food with you! Right, baby?” Spencer gives your waist a subtle squeeze, his silent cue for you to play along.

You cough slightly, trying to cover your laugh. “Right! Yes, totally—Italian sounds great.”

“Yeah, that’s cool, guys. But, uh, now that I think about it, I’m swamped. You know, being a new agent and everything.” Roger’s voice wavers just enough to betray his weak excuse.

“So unfortunate. Maybe another time,” Spencer replied smoothly. Owen nodded stiffly, forcing a tight smile before quickly walking off.

You scoffed a laugh as Owen disappeared down the bullpen, the shock still lingering. You turned to Spencer, your eyes wide in disbelief.

“What in the world has gotten into that pretty head of yours?”

Spencer’s cheeks flushed a little, suddenly aware of how much of a spectacle he had just made in the middle of the office.

“He was asking you out,” he said quietly, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

You chuckled, reaching up to adjust his collar. “And I was just about to say no.”

His arms found their way back around your waist, leaning into your touch as if he’d forgotten where he was. His eyes flickered from your hands to your face, his expression softening. “I know you were. But he should know not to ask you.”

You smiled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear, amused by how the man who’s so intent on keeping your relationship discreet in public is now letting his clingy nature shine through.

“You know he can’t smell that I’m taken, right?” you teased, a playful glint in your eyes.

“Well, maybe we should change that,” Spencer whispered, his voice low as he leaned in. His curls tickled your neck, causing you to giggle.

Unbeknownst to you, the whole team had quietly tiptoed their way down the stairs, and gathered around on the other side of the bullpen. They stood there, wide-eyed, like they were watching an episode of their favorite drama.

“Derek… Am I seeing this right?” Garcia whispered, voice dripping with curiosity as she watched Spencer's face disappear into your neck.

Morgan’s chuckle echoed through the bullpen. “Oh yes, babygirl. You’re seeing it just right.”

Spencer’s grip on you tightened as he sensed the peering eyes, but instead of discomfort, he radiated a quiet pride. He wasn’t hiding anymore—he was proud of what you shared, proud to be yours, and for you to be his, and he wanted the world to know it.

[nereidprinc3ss]

candied pecans

in which uni!reader has to wake up early for a final, and spencer reid is determined to let you get as much rest as possible

fluff (18+ for mildly suggestive remarks) wc <800 warnings/tags: Spencer being a sweetheart, basically sex jokes, he makes you breakfast, gnreader a/n: I MISSED THEM BADDDD!!! this is v v short and based on a dream I had where he brought me breakfast so I could sleep in and I asked him to stay in bed while I was gone LOL

Your alarm goes off and your brow furrows like even in sleep, you’d been bracing for it. Every dream had been sterile—and worse—or potentially better—you’d dreamed about your study material.

Quickly as it started, the robotic blaring ceases. You almost slip back into sleep, but fight tooth and nail for consciousness, propping up on an elbow and rubbing your eyes in the dark grey of the early morning. Already there’s a warm hand on your chest, exerting what is more a suggestion of pressure rather than any actual force. Spencer’s voice is grainy. 

“Hey. Go back to sleep.”

“I have a final,” you slur. 

“In two hours. You can get at least another half hour of sleep.”

“But then I can’t—”

“I know, you can’t use that time to scroll on your phone. I’m terrible for even suggesting it. You were up late, honey. Come back and sleep longer and you’ll do better on your final.”

You’re already falling down. The bed is so warm, and your lids are so heavy. 

“Okay,” you mumble, eyes shut before you even hit the pillow. 

You wake up to fingers in your hair. He’s always so unbelievably gentle with you. Just as effective as an alarm clock—far more pleasant. 

“Good morning,” he says, and there’s no sleep in his voice like there was the last time you woke up. You curl into him where he sits on the side of the mattress and he cups your cheek with a warm hand. 

“Time?”

“Don’t get mad at me.”

That really wakes you up.  

“What did you do?”

“I let you sleep for a half hour!” he defends. Your brow furrows and you rub an eye, squinting up at him. That sheepish look on his face is concerning. “… Twice.”

“It’s seven?” You half yell, rocketing upward. He laughs and catches you against his chest. In your half-awake state, you can’t defend yourself, so you end up with your head cradled to his chest. But you’re not as happy about it as you’d normally be. 

“All I did was cut into your phone time, which we came to a consensus on, and your breakfast time. So I made you breakfast.”

You turn your head so you can look up at him from against his chest. 

“… Oh. You did?”

“Yes,” he says simply, picking up the plate you’d missed on the bedside table and presenting it to you. 

Two pieces of toast, each with butter and a different kind of jam because he knows you can never pick. Apple slices. Eggs, exactly the way you like them. Candied pecans, which are supposed to be for salads, and which you sneak handfuls of anyway. 

“Oh,” you murmur again. 

“There’s green tea in the mug, too. Caffeinated, obviously.”

You sit up straighter and take the plate into your lap over the blanket, nibbling on a slice of toast before kissing him. 

“Thank you,” you say, leaning your head on his shoulder and studying the frosty day beyond the window, deciding how to dress for the weather as you chew. 

He slips his hand under your shirt to rub circles on your back. 

“Of course. I was actually excited to make you breakfast. How often is it that you’re running out the door and I don’t have anywhere to be?”

“How often is it that you get so badly injured Hotch makes you stay home?”

Too often, is the punchline. 

“He’s being anal,” Spencer scoffs, mood suddenly a wink soured. “A sprained ankle is hardly an injury.”

“Mm,” you hum around another bite of toast. “I’d say a fractured bone is pretty injurious.”

“He’s on your payroll, and you want me home. It’s a plot.”

“That’s ridiculous. I don’t pay him. He’s just scared of me.”

“It is pretty suspicious I got the week off just as we’re heading into your winter break.”

“Mhm. I’m gonna keep you here,” you say earnestly, snapping off half an apple slice with your teeth and offering the rest to him. “And make you watch movies and have sex all week.”

He crunches on the fruit and laughs. 

“Ambitious. I’m pretty sure it’s more likely that we watch movies and sleep all week.”

You look up at him with big eyes. 

“That’s still fun.”

“Oh, that’s exactly my idea of fun,” he says, and while those who don’t know Spencer quite as well as you do would perhaps mistake it for sarcasm, you know better. You settle back on his shoulder. 

“I think you should stay in bed, ’cause I’ll be home by 10:00. And then I’ll get here and you’ll already be all warm and cozy so we can cuddle all day.”

“Or we could have sex,” he says hopefully. 

You throw a pecan at him. 

[mywritersmind]

WANT ME IN RED - LN4

summary : Lando Norris is the bane of your existence, him following you into your drivers room yelling about on track drama is enough for you to spiral. What you don’t realize is that you both have been dancing around one specific issue, something that you solve. Something that involves his mouth on yours and his hands on you.

listen up : something everyone’s been waiting for… smut!!!!! p in v. dirty talk. unprotected sex. yelling. hot people doing hot things.

words : 2105

⋆｡‧˚⋆

“Get the fuck out of my driver room, Norris!” He doesn’t listen. Lando slams the door behind him, storming after me as if he owns the place.

“What the hell was that!?” He yells at me as I roll my eyes, too mad to even speak. I’m sweaty, i’m sore, and i’m really fucking pissed off.

“I could ask you the same thing!” I spin around, my suit now half unzipped and hanging around my hips, “You cut into my line and you fucking know it!”

“Cry me a goddamn river, Y/n! A second later you ran us both off track and put me into the wall!” I bite back a smirk, the memory fresh and completely true in my mind.

“Deserved it.”

This makes him even angrier, his cheeks red and his eyes dark, “I cannot stand you!”

“Poor baby,” I fake sympathy, “Did you forget we’re racing to win?”

“I’m racing to win!” He points at his own chest, his suit undone and his hair wild, “One of us hasn’t gotten there yet.”

“I could have if you hadn't tried to do more than you’re capable of!” Another loss because of a bitch in orange got on my nerves. “Are you ever not an absolute cunt? Or is it just your nice fancy car that gives you all this false confidence?”

“Oh please don’t pull that shit! You lost because you’re batshit crazy!” I scoff, throwing my Ferrari hat down and stepping closer to him.

“It’s called aggressive driving but you wouldn’t know that, would you? Mr. gave a win away!”

He shakes his head, “Keep my moves out of your bitchy little mouth.”

“Can’t own up to your mistakes?” I pout, his eyes dropping to my lips, “Or is it your pathetic team that’s making you such a pussy?”

He’s backed me up into the wall, staring down at me as if he wants to hit me. Or worse, kiss me.

“Has the red dye gone to your head already!?”

“Has the vocabulary of only ‘papaya rules’ gone to yours?” I laugh in his face, “Get off your high horse, Norris, you’re not all that special.”

His arm braces itself next to my head as he leans in closer, “Wanna know what I think?”

I cross my arms over my chest, “Not particularly.”

“I think that you want me.” his voice lowers, his head dipping closer to mine, “And it fucking kills you.”

My heart is beating faster than in our cars. I stand my ground, blinking as if he has absolutely no effect on me, “Are you still sour that I said no to being your teammate?” He scoffs, looking away from me and giving me a face full of his hardened jaw, “Because it really was the idea of doing everything with you that made me physically ill. That, and I don’t look good in orange.”

His eyes find mine again before trailing down my body. “It’s gotta be better than red.” He catches his lip between his teeth, pulling at my skin tight fireproofs and snapping the fabric against my side.

“Do you wanna know what I think, Norris?” I look him dead in the eye, his body tensing as a smirk forms on my lips. I stand taller, leaning into him and whispering so close to his ear that my lips dust his cheek. “I think that you’re a horrible fucking liar.”

Our bodies are against each other now, waiting for one of us to make the first move. I snap my head back against the wall, his eyes zoned out as I grin to myself. I’ve got him and he knows it.

His gaze finally meets mine, dark and full of lust. “Admit it.” I say, looking up at him mischievously. His breath is calmer than I'd expected, but something tells me his heart is beating like crazy. Just the thought makes me want him even more. “You want me. Right here. Right now.”

He doesn’t say anything, just drops his head and closes his eyes. God… he looks hot when he’s pissed off and sweaty. Especially when he knows damn well that both of us want him to take it out on me.

I watch his head sway from side to side, thinking… contemplating. Then, he looks back up, his back hunched and his eyes at my level. I know what he’s waiting for. I know we both want it.

My eyes lock on his, “Wanna fuck me in red, Norris?

This time, he doesn’t hesitate. His lips are on mine in an instant, a hand already on my waist and shoving me into the wall. I’ve never kissed Lando before, every moment I've shared with him was one of us aching for each other.

Now that I have, I can confirm that the rumors are true.

He mumbles something against me but I can’t even register it because the second he runs his hand under my fireproofs and over my nipple, I groan. Christ, he’s quick with it. His hands are huge, exploring my chest, waist, and slipping below my race suit.

“Lan-” I’m about to tell him to slow down but my mind is quickly changed by his hand snaking up my leg and moving it off the ground so he’s gripping my thigh.

His mouth is hot against me, straying from my mouth but never leaving my skin as his lips navigate to my neck. My skin is on fire, a warmth that pools between my legs and makes me grind against him.

He clearly likes his, pushing me harder against the wall and tugging at my race suit. I bring Lando’s lips back to mine, grabbing his chin forcefully and not missing the breathless smirk that plays on his lips.

That look tells me all I need. I don’t really know how it happens so quickly, both of our rushed movements and hurried kisses end up in my race suit on the floor.

“You’re so-” Lando kisses my neck, making his hands slide down my waist to where he snaps my panties back against my skin, “Fucking… hot.”

“Everytime we’ve fought- you’ve wanted to fuck me, huh?” I moan at the contact of his hand to my core, sliding over the fabric and teasing me to no end.

“Every. Damn. Time.” I kiss him again, resting my hands on his neck as his fingers explore the thin black of my underwear.

I breathe against him, pushing him away which earns me a slight whine from his lips. My hand goes to his hair, his head leaning into my hand as I do so. He’s eager for me.

I push down and he goes right with my movement, his eyes locked on mine as one knee finds the floor. I’m testing him and he’s too pathetic to even care. He looks as if he’s drooling for me, his mouth slightly parted as his lust clouded eyes stay on me.

I can’t help but smirk, grabbing the collar of his race suit and pulling him back up. Like I've got him on a goddamn leash. He doesn’t look mad- just in a hurry. “Tease.” He says against my lips as the satisfying sound of a zipper rips through the room.

“Slut.” I say right back, my hand moving down his body and letting the suit fall below his waist.

I can feel him against me now. The Calvin Klein waistband staring at me as his dick throbs under the fabric. His hands are on me again, now onto my ass which he squeezes as if he owns it.

His hands are something worth fantasizing about, cupping my ass like it’s nothing as one of his fingers, too big for his own good, slides my underwear down.

“Tell me you want this.” He says quickly.

“I want you.” my words make him shiver, his underwear long gone and his dick staring right at me. “You want me?” I whisper, my hand drifting over him just enough for him to whimper in my ear.

“If I ever say no to that question, kill me.” His hand covers mine, dwarfing me as he positions himself to my entrance. He lifts my lips for me and in a moment of intimate silence, he pushes into me.

My head goes back instinctively as I feel him in me. He groans when I accidentally slip down the wall a bit, “Fuck, I hate you.” I love it when he lies to me.

He starts going now, pushing into me like i’ve always dreamed of. His hand slams next to my head as his head lulls in between us. I moan, watching his arm tense against the wall as he quickens his pace.

I can’t even tell if my feet are on the ground anymore, he’s holding me so tight as if i’ll slip away. As if I'd want to.

I moan louder as my body squeezes against him, matching his whines before he moves his hand over my mouth. “Fuck you.” I bite out before he pushes against me harder, mumbling my voice and making him grin.

“Check.” He chokes on a laugh, turning it into a whimper and taking his hand off my mouth, “Gotta stay quiet.”

I can’t do anything but nod, feeling him so intensely as I grind into him more, wanting all of it. “So fucking good for me.” He mumbles, watching his dick move in and out of me.

He starts going harder, that dizzy feeling overtaking me as I roll my eyes back, “Norris-”

“Say my name, Y/n.” His voice, deep and gravelly, makes me reach my high even faster. He dips his head to my neck again, practically biting me.

“Lando.” I force out as my whole body catches fire. I cum just before Lando, pulling out of me and releasing on my thigh. I watch the milky substance drop down my leg as my own mixes in.

We both stand there for a second, out of breath and in shock. And then Lando and I collapse onto the floor, my head slumped against his shoulder, not caring about the mess or our suits.

“Y/n!” A voice comes from outside the door, “Just making sure you’re okay!” It’s my best friend. “You have an interview in twenty-“

“I’m good!” I yell back, still out of breath and achy, “I’ll be out in a sec.”

Lando leans his head back next to me, “Next time, we’re fucking in my room.”

I scoff, “Next time?”

He whips his head towards me, “Don’t do that- That’s not fair!”

I smirk slowly, “All's fair in sex and racing.”

He shakes his head, his curls still damn and his cheeks flushed, “You’re evil.”

“You love it.”

He cleans me up after that, being much gentler than he was during the act. I watch his hands- god I love his big hands, especially knowing that they were just all over me.

He slides my panties back on, slow and steady as if he doesn’t want to hurt me. Or he doesn’t want to stop looking. Then my race suit gets zipped back up, only halfway because his hands still on me means my skin still on fire.

He glances at my neck, “Just- pull that up a bit.” My eyes widen when I realize what he means. Standing up quickly and rushing to my mirror I stomp my foot.

“Norris!” There aren't many, but one hickey would be enough to make the media go crazy.

He appears behind me, grinning proudly as he looks at his handy work. He pulls up the neck of my fireproof just enough so it’s covered, “There.”

“You’re a lucky man.” I turn to him, my arms crossed.

“Trust me,” He grins, “I know that.”

I check both ways before we both step out of my room, going separate ways in the empty hallway. I watch him walk away, turning back and watching me walk backwards.

“Norris.” I say, biting my lip and impulsively grabbing the hem of my fireproof, pulling it up so I flash him my tits.

He groans immediately, looking like he’s ready for another round already. “You’re gonna kill me.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” I shrug, still walking and pulling my shirt back down. “See you next weekend, love.” I say the last word in a mock accent, teasing him.

I can hear the whine in his voice after I turn around to walk fully away, “Suck my dick, red!”

I hold my hand, flipping him off and laughing, “Maybe at a later date.”

[kxsagi]

hey girl....imma...imma need u to write ab the whole... bicep crushing thing w Isagi cuz.. now u got me thinking 😈😈😩

“𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢’𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧”

a/n: need to see his biceps and triceps flexed as he grips the headboard 

yeah i’m down bad so i made two parts 🙁 (second part is a little suggestive)

“𝐢 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐚”

one look at your boyfriend and you only have one thought: #needthat. 

isagi stood by the kitchen counter, leaning against it lazily with one hand holding his phone, the other casually gripping a glass of water. his thumb scrolled absentmindedly, but your eyes? glued to the way his bicep flexed subtly each time he lifted the glass. the veins along his forearm shifted with every movement, stretching across his skin like delicate, winding rivers taunting you. 

you were supposed to be doing something productive. anything, really. but instead, you sat at the table, chin in your hand, fully mesmerized by the spectacle that was isagi existing. 

“you good?” his voice snapped you out of your blatant gawking, and you realized you’d been staring for way too long. his brow arched slightly, though there was a teasing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. he knew. and oh how much it boosted his ego. 

“hm? yeah, just… thinking,” you lied through your teeth. 

but then he did it. the absolute audacity. he set the glass down and stretched. arms raised above his head, shirt lifting just enough to reveal a sliver of toned abs, but that wasn’t even the problem. the problem was the way his biceps peaked, perfectly rounded and taut, as he locked his fingers together, letting out a small sigh. 

and you? done for. 

“you’re still staring,” he pointed out, lowering his arms, but instead of dropping them to his sides, he bent one and flexed slightly, pretending to stretch his shoulder. oh, he was absolutely messing with you now. 

you scoffed dramatically, feigning annoyance. “don’t flatter yourself.” 

but isagi, being the menace he was, smirked wider. “flatter myself?” he mused, flexing again, just subtly, enough for you to notice. “nah, you’re the one doing all the flattering with your eyes.” 

your face felt hot. and it only got worse when he casually walked over and placed his hands on either side of your chair, leaning down slightly. the proximity gave you a front-row seat to the definition in his arms, the way his triceps curved beneath his skin, the warmth radiating off him. 

“wanna feel?” his voice was low, teasing, but it made your breath catch. 

you blinked, caught between playing it cool and completely folding. spoiler alert: you folded. instantly. without another word, you reached out, brushing your fingers along the firm muscle. warm, smooth skin stretched over pure strength. you squeezed lightly, your hand barely able to fit around his bicep. 

“jeez,” you muttered under your breath. “these things should be illegal.” 

isagi chuckled, and you could feel the vibration of his laugh through his arm. “should they?” he teased, bringing his face a little closer, his breath fanning over your ear. “you seemed pretty interested in them a second ago.” 

you glared at him, though the effect was ruined by the way you were still clinging to his arm. “don’t be cocky.” 

he leaned in further, lips just grazing the shell of your ear as he whispered, “too late.”

“𝐛𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧”

you should’ve known better. you really should’ve. 

it started innocently enough – playful, teasing, nothing serious. you were lying on the couch, your legs draped over isagi’s lap while he scrolled on his phone, absentmindedly tracing patterns along your shin with his thumb. soft. casual. domestic. 

but then your eyes wandered (because how could they not?) to the way his forearm flexed slightly as he adjusted his grip. the shift was subtle, but you caught it – the faint ridge of muscle, the delicate winding of veins beneath his skin. and just like that, you were done for. 

you stared a little too long. and isagi? he noticed. 

“you good?” he muttered, not looking away from his phone. 

you hummed, feigning nonchalance. “mhm, just thinking.” 

“about what?” 

you glanced at his arm again. mistake. your fingers twitched slightly against his thigh. the urge was too strong. you reached out before you could stop yourself, lightly squeezing the bulk of his bicep. 

and you had the audacity to say, “huh… not that big.” 

his head snapped toward you, eyes narrowing slightly. oh, you were asking for it. 

he didn’t say a word, just slowly set his phone down on the coffee table. the shift was deliberate. predatory. when he turned back to you, there was a faint glimmer in his eyes, something dangerous and amused all at once. 

“what was that?” he asked, voice low and steady. too steady. if you wanna test him like that, you have to be ready for it. 

you blinked at him innocently, playing dumb. “what?” 

his gaze dipped to where your hand still rested on his bicep. “not that big, huh?” 

before you could offer some snarky retort, he moved. suddenly. swiftly. in one smooth motion, he grabbed you by the waist and flipped you beneath him, caging you against the couch with his arms braced on either side of your head. 

your breath caught. his face was only inches from yours, but you barely noticed. no, you were far too distracted by the wall of muscle surrounding you. his forearms, thick and unyielding, pressed into the cushion beside your face, framing you completely. 

“still not big enough?” he muttered, voice low and teasing, but there was a heat behind it that made your stomach tighten. 

you couldn’t answer. not when he shifted lower, bringing his chest flush against yours, and wrapped his arms around you. 

and then? he squeezed. 

slowly. deliberately. his biceps flexing against your back, the solid muscle closing around you like evil. warm, firm, and completely unforgiving. 

your breath hitched. “oh my gosh –” 

his arms tightened further, just slightly, enough to steal the air from your lungs. you squirmed, but the more you struggled, the harder his hold became. his biceps flexed again, the muscle shifting and pressing against your ribs, making it almost impossible to breathe without feeling him everywhere. 

“too tight?” he murmured near your ear, voice dark with mock concern. 

you shook your head weakly, your fingers gripping at the unyielding muscle. 

“no?” he taunted softly, his breath warm against your skin. “then let me…” his arms flexed subtly again, the veins in his forearms pulsing faintly beneath his skin, “hold you a little tighter.” 

and he did. slowly and thoroughly. 

you could feel the strain of his biceps beneath your palms, the way the muscles coiled, dense and unrelenting, keeping you locked against him. your legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, heels digging into his lower back as you tried to get some semblance of leverage, but he was immovable. 

his chest pressed against yours, warm and solid, each breath making the cage of his arms press into you further. you let out a soft gasp against his throat, fingers fisting the fabric of his shirt as your body went pliant beneath his strength. 

“yoichi…” you barely managed to breathe out, voice muffled against his skin. 

his lips brushed your temple, a dark chuckle escaping him. “what?” 

you squirmed slightly, your breath hitching when his arms flexed again, hard muscle coiling tighter around you. you felt it – the shift beneath his skin, the sheer force of it. crushing. suffocating. consuming. and yet? you didn’t pull away. 

no, instead, you clung to him, fingers tracing along the tense ridges of his arms, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath your fingertips. 

“tighter,” you whispered, half-daring, half-pleading. 

he froze slightly against you, his breath catching for just a fraction of a second, before he grinned against your skin. 

“you’re dangerous,” he muttered softly, but his arms obeyed anyway, flexing harder. pulling you in so snugly against him that your ribs practically caved into his chest, breathless and overwhelmed. 

and still? you didn’t tell him to stop. 

his lips brushed along your throat, teeth grazing gently against your skin. slow. deliberate. 

and then? he stilled. just for a second. 

his arms were still snug around you, keeping you completely captive, but he shifted back slightly, just enough to look at you. really look at you. 

your eyes met his, wide and slightly dazed, chest heaving faintly from the lack of air, but still, you didn’t pull away. you just stared up at him, your fingers still trembling slightly against the bulk of his arms. 

“you like this, huh?” his voice was a low rasp, but there was something softer in it now, something dangerously tender. 

you didn’t answer. you just tugged him down, pressing your lips softly to his. slow. deliberate. deep. 

he groaned softly against your mouth, arms still holding you tight, still keeping you locked against him. but this time, he kissed you slower. deeper. his lips moving against yours like he had all the time in the world. 

he didn’t let go. didn’t loosen his hold. no, he kept you right where you were, completely encased by him. 

and when he finally pulled back, just slightly, his breath warm against your lips, he whispered softly: 

“mine.” 

and with one slow, final squeeze, you melted entirely into him. 

© 𝐤𝐱𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐢

[vaguely-concerned]

huh. you know something I just consciously put together for the first time about caterina and lucanis' relationship is that through the game we get to hear them talk about each other a lot, but we get very few chances to hear them speak with each other at any length at all. contrast it with other companions whose storylines have elements of 'believed lost/long time no see relative returns!' like bellara and davrin, where we get to see both of them have several pretty in-depth conversations with cyrian and eldrin. hell I think even rook talks with varric longer in the regret prison scene than we ever get to see lucanis and caterina interact directly.

(and when we do see them interact, it's mostly one-sided -- it is, perhaps unsurprisingly, caterina who is doing most of the talking and giving all the orders, as he ruefully observes is her wont after murder of crows. including jumpscaring him with 'you're first talon now btw' and the shocked pikachu face in five acts he goes through in response lmao. perhaps it's more accurate to say that she talks at him and he reacts, than that they talk to each other much.)

it has such an interesting effect too, because in deliberately denying us direct insight or experience and only having this mosaic of description from each of them to go on, as well as forcing us to pay attention to the negative space of what is carefully not said, it's evocative along the same principle that you never actually show the monster in a horror film. if you've read the wigmaker job you have a clearer image of the more uh. worrying elements at play here going in, but there is something fascinatingly insidious and naturalistic in the way it's 'hushed up' in the game itself. she has his complete loyalty both as a member of her house and, more importantly, that of an abused child to a parent figure. he readily admits several times that she's a difficult person to live with, an even more difficult person to be loved by ("even for me. and I was her favourite")... but never once does he actively blame her nor truly conceptualize that he has every right to do so (that he can be angry with her and still love her, because whether he should or not he unavoidably does), or that she might have acted differently than she did, that she made a choice every time to hurt him. even affectionately he speaks of her as a force of nature, an act of god -- something that can't be reasoned or pleaded with or resisted, something you can only hope to navigate with as little pain as possible and pray to survive. let yourself get carried away by the riptide, resisting it will only make it worse. you don't compromise with a hurricane, you just try to find the best shelter you can and cross your fingers while you wait for it to pass and be calm again.

love is that hurricane. you do whatever she asks. you earn her continued affection day by day by never letting her down. you only want the things she tells you it's okay to want and cut everything else away preemptively. ("A wyvern tooth dagger?? I loved wyverns as a boy --Caterina would never let me have one of these, though." and as we have all wept and gnashed our teeth over, it never even OCCURS to him that he's a like thirty-five year old adult man who can buy himself any dagger he wants at any time. she said he couldn't have one. so he'll never have one. that's just how it works. and maybe if Illario could just accept that and find his peace with it like I have, this whole thing wouldn't be so difficult. oh lucanis.)

such is the price -- and the cost -- of being loved by her, it's a loan on which the interest will never stop piling up. you have to keep paying it down in perfection every day if you want to keep it. who got the worse deal there: the grandson who has abandoned everything else in life to live up to that and mostly succeeded, until the day he's so burned out and broken it threatens to no longer be an option, or the grandson who can never seem to scrape together enough worth in her eyes no matter how he begs, borrows or steals it, how he hustles and plays dirty?

one of the worst things that can happen to anyone is to be loved by a selfish god. another one of the worst things that can ever happen to anyone is to not be loved by a selfish god. (hope that helps, boys!) even in betraying everything else, Illario can't bring himself to hurt his grandmother, because that would defeat the whole point. who would he defiantly be proving himself worthy to, without her. in love, devotion, submission, hatred, frustration, bitterness, everything is defined in relation to her, you can spot the gravitational force of it through how the dellamorte family move through time and space. she -- her love and regard and attention -- is still the sun both of their worlds orbit around, even as adults. the game might never tell you outright 'she used to beat and starve them growing up. for their own good you see, so they'd be strong (and broken down enough for her to build them up again however she wanted but I'm sure that's incidental)', but if you know even a little bit about how these dynamics can work the writing is on the wall everywhere you look and all the more unsettling for it.

follow lucanis' freeze-logic and fraught interpersonal catch 22 irreconcilable mixed emotions problems back far enough, looong before the ossuary entered the picture, and you start to see caterina's ghost around every fucking corner. she is so proud of him. (well, she would be. she made him. she forged exactly the knife she needed and it rests willingly, devotedly, in her hands, it would return to her every time because it doesn't know love as anything but to be a knife. his tama never taught him how to be anything else. his biggest fear with her is that she won't even want him back, the way he is now.) to the best ability of her soul, whatever parts of it survived a lifetime of crow politics and 'five children, eight grandchildren, only Illario and me left now', I think she really does loves him. he certainly loves her, with all the sincerity and artless desperation of a child, of the little boy he was once. and what she's done to him (and to illario, for all his shitty gremlin scar-ass antics lol) is awful. the harm is real, and the love is real, and trying to find a way for these two truths to exist in the same space is driving all three of them their own individualized forms of insane. you know. the way only family can and so often does lol.

through implications and short glimpses and having to put the pieces together yourself, you can have the feeling that there is very genuine mutual love and attachment in this relationship... and that beneath that there is something so profoundly wrong. and the sneaking '...oh shit it gets worse the longer I think about it' horror of that is more effective for me at least than the stark in-your-face presentation of the facts of the matter could have been. the love is here. the love is here. it only ever makes it worse.

[dontbesoweirdkira]

How would Platonic! Yan! Batfamily react to Reader with Narcolepsy?

A/N:Thank you for requesting. I hope I did okay with this, please respectfully correct me if I got anything wrong or unintentionally offensive with this as I do not suffer from narcolepsy.

Warnings: Toxic and abusive family dynamics, infantalization, medication tampering, worsening issues

Masterlist

Requests: always open

Oh my gosh that would be the worse thing to deal with in a Yan! family. Especially with one as affectionate as them.

Can you imagine trying to avoid Dick or Tim but just falling right asleep in their arms from the stress...then when you wake up moments later, they aren't allowing you to leave their grasp...oh how terrifying that'd be.

Anyways, they are rather attentive to your needs and observant. If one of the siblings notice that you are showing signs that you will abruptly collapse, they will rush over and quickly guide you to a safe area where you can rest.

The family is very strict on not giving you certain tasks that may be hard on your body. Especially if you deal with cataplexy. If you need help with moving something, or completing a task, just ask someone. They will be very upset if you get yourself hurt.

The down side of not having great muscle control or overall weakness is the constant babying. They treat you as if you were made out of glass. It can be quite annoying when you need to strengthen your muscles even if it's very difficult for you. They also might enjoy keeping you weak and vulnerable because you have less of a chance to escape and no real ability to fight back. You are far to precious to not be in their care.

Your family is strict about not allowing you to hang out with friends and staying only in the home. Occasionally they'll allow you to have a supervised visit. They even may force you to take up schooling at home and you're not allowed to work. It's all far too dangerous when they aren't near to assist you. You cannot trust anyone outside of them.

If you suffer with hallucinations, whether that may be audio or visual, they will be very understanding. You aren't the only one in the family to suffer with symptoms like such. Many days Jason and Bruce are struggling with those things. I can't imagine anyone would poke fun, they'd just redirect you.

But his can kind of suck given that sometimes you cannot tell if something that happened was real or not. Your family may say that you were just having a hallucination but you swear that you heard them talking about tampering with your meds.

Speaking of such, they most definitely do. The medicine that is supposed to help with your EDS seems to have the opposite effect on you. Some days it seems like you've been sleeping for weeks. You swore that you feel asleep in the living room...why are you now in an entirely different sect of the mansion..???

If you suffer with memory issues, that will be a huge problem because so many things they get away with or manipulate you about and because you have no recollection of any events..you are just forced to go with it, even if your gut says something is wrong.

Sometimes the family can get a bit worried if you are up all night..they worry you might wonder off or get hurt while they are either on patrol or sleeping so one designated person must be up with you at all times.

Even when you're sleeping. Someone is monitoring you and your health. Usually Alfred or one of the siblings if they are free.

Often Tim will take the shift since he is usually home and doing work anyways. Too many times have you randomly woken up in his dark room with him in the corner watching you.

Your constant fatigue is an excuse your siblings may use to just carry you around without your consent. Yes, you were struggling up the stairs. but no. you didn't really want Dick to just come and pick you up and carry you around the house like a pet. It's worse when it's Jason because he throws you over his shoulder...he's working on it.

Alfred has a specialty diet for you, which kind of sucks sometimes when the others are eating your favorites. But it's for the best he tells you. It's supposed to help with your symptoms but...every time you eat his cooking, you just feel sick then super drowsy..Alfred says it's the adjustment period to the new diet..but you can't shake the feeling that the food is worsening your conditions

[spiderb00bs]

ahhhhh!!!! you mentioned thoughts about jackie and shauna fighting over beefy!reader in the last post. please elaborate 🙏🙏🫶

ngl, i'm loving this :)

୨୧ Growing up with Jackie and Shauna was simply a whirlwind of emotions!

୨୧ Your mothers were friends and it was almost inevitable that the three of you wouldn't become inseparable. Which was funny, since you all had very different personalities.

୨୧ Jackie was always popular, winning everyone over with an contagious smile and a lot of charisma. Shauna was always more reserved, she was always with Jackie, almost like a shadow.

୨୧ You, on the other hand, were happy to have your best friends around, but you were also very happy when you started meeting other kids at school.

୨୧ As I said, you had very different personalities, and although that wasn't a problem for you, you can't say you didn't enjoy it when you met kids who had the same interests as you.

୨୧ Maybe that's when it all started to go wrong.

୨୧ Jackie and Shauna started to see how happy you seemed with your new friends. And how could you imagine that this would be such a bad thing for the two eleven-year-old girls?

"Hey, where are you going?" Jackie asked when she saw you move slightly away from her. Shauna just watched and waited anxiously for you to answer the question.

"Oh, my friend Jordan asked if I could sit with him at lunch today…" You said, lifting your tray slightly to emphasize your point.

"Who's Jordan?" Shauna asked, that frown you knew all too well.

"He's just one of my friends from my karate class." You felt like you were being interrogated, but it wasn't the first time that had happened.

And it definitely wouldn't be the last.

"Bullshit!" Jackie said, tugging on your arm to make you walk back to her side. "If he's your karate friend, you can watch him in the karate. Let's go."

୨୧ Shauna may have agreed with Jackie about the whole Jordan thing, but she certainly didn't agree with how close the Taylor girl made you get to her.

୨୧ Since then, the whole dynamic of your friendship has been like this. Jackie and Shauna competing for your attention. You didn't realize it most of the time, but the two girls knew better.

୨୧ It was like a silent war, the two girls placing grenades at strategic points, secretly hoping to blow each other up.

୨୧ Shauna always made you play what she wanted, being aggressive and bossy, you couldn't lie and say you weren't afraid of her. But Jackie was always there to save you. Telling Shauna that she was being too rude, or cleaning your scars with a smug smile on her face.

୨୧ It all got worse when the three of you joined the Yellowjackets. The competition was no longer just an innocent rivalry between two little girls. You were teenagers, and both Jackie and Shauna knew exactly what they wanted from you!

୨୧ Unfortunately for them, the sports you had devoted your entire childhood to came into effect when you became teenagers. Puberty hit you hard.

୨୧ Your arms got bigger, your thighs looked nice and buff, healthy eating gave you good, beautiful skin, and now you had lots of girls looking in your direction.

୨୧ Which means that Jackie and Shauna wouldn't leave your side if their lives depended on it.

୨୧ Shauna is furious because Jackie has a boyfriend. I mean, she's already got Jeff, why doesn't she just get out?

୨୧ But even with all the fighting, there's nothing to stop them getting together to push any girl away from you.

୨୧ Telling random girls that you weren't interested in girls, saying that you don't like being in relationships, saying that you have a girlfriend who lives in another country, they're honestly making up all the lies they can.

୨୧ Some girls come up to you and you're extremely confused as you try to disprove all the lies that Jackie and Shauna have spread about you.

୨୧ It gets to the point where you fight with both of them, confronting them and asking them why they're spreading lies around.

୨୧ When the plane crashes, you're still not on good terms, but when the two girls see that you're too close to Lottie, they come together instantly, hatching a plan to get you back!

୨୧ Making up with Jackie and Shauna only for them to start fighting again, almost like they did when they were kids.

୨୧ But you still felt there was something more, almost as if Jackie had some kind of "advantage" over Shauna.

୨୧ Jackie was your first kiss. You were the one she kissed on the night of the doomcoming.

୨୧ Shauna was furious, the other day, after all the craziness between the girls, Jackie acted like she was your girlfriend. Holding your hand while she questioned the girls about what had happened the night before.

୨୧ Shauna wanted to throw up.

୨୧ You felt a bit sick. You saw your two childhood friends hating each other and fighting constantly. It was quite a pain.

୨୧ But none of that pain could compare to the pain of losing Jackie.

୨୧ You should have put her inside. Jeez, you shouldn't even have let her out of the cabin. You should have ended that stupid fight between them.

୨୧ But that night, you fell asleep in Shauna's arms, comforting the girl as she cried silently into your chest.

୨୧ And the next morning, when Shauna cried with you over Jackie's body, part of her couldn't help thinking about how she could take care of you. ୨୧

[mountttmase]

I Bet You Miss Her

Note - Hey guys 🩷 just a cute little baby fic today and thank you to the anon who sent the request in, I hope it’s okay for you 😘 feedback would be appreciated 🩷

Pairing - Mason Mount × Reader

Word count - 5K

Warnings - angst and fluff

Mason always loved a pre-season party, getting everyone together after weeks apart and excited for the season to start usually meant he was in his element but this year was different. You weren’t with him this time.

That didn’t mean he didn’t see you everywhere he looked. That when he watched one of his teammates wrap their arm around their significant other he didn’t feel a pang of emptiness because you weren’t by his side. He knew he should be there with you and he knew this was all his doing but being here hurt more than thought it might.

He felt lost. His arms limp by his sides as he couldn’t figure out what to do with his hands now they weren’t wrapped around yours. His eyes glued to the floor as he knew he’d still be looking for you even though you were miles away and as he stood with Licha and his family he was trying his best to act normal and not let his inner turmoil spill over.

‘So Mase, where’s y/n?’ Muri asked, a bright and friendly smile on her face as she wrapped her hand around Licha’s bicep and the sound of your name sent shock waves through him. He’d been expecting it for a while but he wasn’t sure if he wanted your name brought up in conversation or not. On the one hand he was desperate for someone to bring you up so he could imagine you once more and have an excuse to talk about you but he also knew the memories would just be too painful just like they always were.

‘Oh uh, she’s on a work trip. She’ll be back in a few days’ Mason lied smoothly. His lips pressed into a tight line as he fiddled with the last button on his shirt but thankfully she bought his excuse.

‘Ah amazing, she doing so well for herself. I bet you miss her though’ she pouted and her sympathy just made him feel worse somehow.

‘Yeah, yeah I really do’ Masons whispered and it was like the words hit him in his soul. Gulping back a lump that was rising up his through far too quickly for his liking before raising his glass to his lips in a final attempt to disguise his emotions.

Today had been a lot.

It was officially three months since the breakup and Mason couldn’t have felt worse if he tried.

Nothing had caused the pair of you to break up, nothing big at least. The move from London to Manchester had been tough for the pair of you and you knew he was finding it hard to settle. The constant injuries meant he spent more time with the United staff rather than his teammates that he should have been bonding with and unbeknownst to you one of them was having more of an effect on him than you knew.

What started off as bickering as you were both on edge became bigger arguments as the season wore on. Mason spending longer hours with his new friend on the physio table and at first you didn’t mind because it gave you a chance to cool off but soon enough it got to the point of no return for him.

You always figured the fighting was a phase and something to move past but the morning of a big away game, his first start since October the year before, he’d told you he couldn’t carry on and felt it was best if the pair of you ended things there so it didn’t get any worse.

You were blindsided, it never being in your head that he would end things as you knew you loved him enough to work through it but as soon as he left for the game you packed your car until it was full and made your way back home to London later that evening.

It felt like he was taking the easy way out. Not giving you a chance to fight or say anything back, just telling you he was done and running away so he didn’t have to face the consequences but if that’s what he wanted then that’s what he would get. Driving back to your best friend's house who was ready to welcome you with open arms whilst you cursed his name all night. Confused as to how you’d even got here but you were hoping that when he returned home he’d feel just as awful as you were.

The game went terribly, Mason not really ready to play the amount of time he had been given and even though he wasn’t really to blame the loss hit harder than most. Not speaking a word to anyone unless he had to on the flight home and once he was back in his car he finally let his emotions get the better of him. Slamming his head onto the steering wheel before letting the first few tears fall.

This felt like rock bottom.

Mason knew you were gone as soon as he got home. Your car was gone and your house keys left in the dish on the console table told him as much when he walked in, but he could also feel you were gone. Your presence had been sucked right out of the home you’d built together and Mason felt awful instantly. He’d known since he stepped onto the plane yesterday morning that he’d made a mistake and all he wanted after an awful 12 hours or so was for you to make him feel better like you always did.

He tried every way known to man to try and get a hold of you but nothing seemed to be working. Even contemplating sending a messenger pigeon if he thought that might have worked but after five days of nothing from you he knew you were done. He’d made his bed and now he just had to lie in it no matter how uncomfortable it was.

In the end he figured he’d just wait for you to come to your senses and reply as you must be missing him just as much as he was missing you but the call never came. Just days that turned into weeks of waiting and waiting and soon enough the inevitable questions as to your whereabouts came.

Muri wasn't the first person to ask after you and she wasn’t the first to have been lied to by Mason. Everyone who mentioned you he managed to fob off with a different excuse and at this point you’d been on more girls trips and work trips than he could shake a stick at. He was running out of excuses though and he’d told his mum you’d been ill for so long that she was threatening to come and look after you herself but Mason always had it covered.

He was surprised he’d managed to get away with it for this long without someone coming back at him, thinking word must have gotten back to you eventually but no one ever questioned him and his spiral of lies just kept getting deeper. Too embarrassed to admit he’d let go of the best thing to ever happen to him so he kept going until the excuses no longer sounded plausible.

Where were you? Oh, yeah she’s at the dentist, she’s gone back home to visit her family for a few days, she’s already got plans she can’t cancel he lied but before he knew it he was paying for his sins.

It was 11pm a few days after the pre-season party and Mason was just about to get ready for bed. Switching his tv off and taking his snacks back to the kitchen but that’s as far as he got. The sudden sound of pounding fists on his door startled him and he froze in fear for a moment before he quickly pulled up the doorbell app on his phone. It was clearly a little slow to alert him to someone being outside but was met with a sight he thought he’d never see again.

He was running to open the door in a flash, pulling it open so quickly you almost fell inside as you were still aggressively slamming your fists on it and once you’d gathered yourself Mason swore he’d never seen you so mad before.

‘Why are you telling everyone we’re still together?’ You demanded, your voice loud and hard and he felt his tummy drop as the seconds went by. A deep feeling of regret but also love for you swimming through him and he didn’t quite know what to say.

‘Wha… what are you doing here?’ He asked, trying to avoid the question a little bit he knew it was for nothing. You were beyond furious.

‘Work trip, funnily enough’ you laughed but he knew there wasn’t an ounce of humour in it. Clearly word had gotten back to you and at this moment he didn’t know if he was happy about it or not. ‘Now answer my question’

‘I- I don’t know-‘

‘‘Keep my name out of your mouth, Mason. You broke up with me, remember? You don’t get to do this’ you cut him off, ready to turn around and leave as you had nothing else to say to him but as soon as you looked away his helpless voice ran through the air.

‘Baby please-‘

‘Don’t’ you snapped, holding your finger up so he would stop talking. Your voice now cold compared to what it just was and Mason realised in that moment he’d rather have you angry at him than whatever this was. ‘Just don’t. You don’t get to call me that’

‘Don’t go, I fucked up but we can fix this’ he pleaded but you didn’t come here to talk. You came to tell him to leave you alone and you weren’t prepared for this at all.

‘No we cant-‘

‘Baby please-‘

‘No Mason! Why are you doing this to me? Have you not put me through enough?’ You shouted as you turned back to him fully, your emotions getting the better of you as you tried and failed to hold in a sob and your hands were now balled up into fists as you were so frustrated with the boy in front of you. ‘I’m trying to move on with my life but I’ve got people asking me about you all the time and bringing you up cause you’re still living in some weird fantasy land!’

‘Please baby, please don’t cry I can fix it’ he whimpered as he moved closer to you but made sure to take a step back so he didn’t get too close.

‘There’s nothing to fix! We’re done!’

‘No we’re not. Don't say that okay, you’re mine’ he sobbed as he ran his fingers through his hair erratically. ‘What do you want from me, huh? What is it cause whatever it is I’ll do it now. You want me on my knees? You want me to beg for you back cause I don’t care I’ll do it’ he told you, lowering himself onto the ground in front of you but all it did was make you sob harder. ‘I don’t care that you hate me, I don’t care that you think we’re done. I love you and I'm not giving up on us ever when I know we can work this out’ he cried. ‘Why won’t you listen to me’

‘Because you’re a coward, Mase! You broke up with me before an away game so you could run away. You didnt fight for me then and you don't get to fight for me now’

‘Please’

‘No’ you told him, hoping that could be the end of it so you turned in your heel and ran away. Knowing that he’d be delayed by a few seconds if he wanted to get up and chase you but by the time you’d got in your car and looked back he hadn’t moved from his spot. His chest now pressed to the floor as he’d slumped forward with his head hidden in the crook of his arm and you could see his back moving erratically up and down from what you presumed was him crying.

There was something in you that made you stop, something that made you want to get out of your car and run back to him. To stand him up and hold him and tell him everything was fine and you were still his but you didn’t. You couldn’t.

That didn’t mean you didn’t think of him over the next few days. Hours spent in your friend's box room as you didn’t have the heart to find your own place yet but the sound of his voice and the memory of him being so heartbroken was etched into your brain and you couldn’t seem to move on from it.

You’d never seen him so distraught before in all the time you’d known him. On his knees in front of you begging for another chance and you’d just ran away and left him sobbing on his drive after pouring his heart out to you.

You hated the way he still occupied your thoughts. Before things had gone wrong you believed he was your forever and would have done absolutely anything for him but all that had changed and right now you didn’t think you could ever fully move past this unless you sat with him and spoke to him properly. No matter how much it hurt.

Mason was absentmindedly watching whatever was on tv when his phone alerted him to someone being outside. He didn’t hear a knock or anything moving outside so he quickly opened the app to put his mind at rest when he was met with your face. Your hand rising and falling as you thought about whether or not you should press the bell but Mason wasn’t about to give you a choice and shot up from the sofa to pull the front door open

You weren't expecting him to suddenly be there, a hopeful look on his face as he tried to control his breathing and you felt your heart leap at the sight of him.

‘You’re back’ he whispered, watching you wrap your arms around yourself as you looked down at the floor and all he wanted was to wrap you up in his own arms. To kiss you and promise you he’d never hurt you again as he hated how you looked so fragile and nervous but he was taking you being as a positive sign.

‘Yeah’ you breathed, nodding lightly. ‘I was just about to knock, I um… do you think… do you think I could come in?’

‘Of course you can’ he nodded, pulling the door open wider before shutting it behind you. Watching you glance around the house you used to call a home before you stood playing with your fingers. ‘Can I get you anything? You want a drink or-‘

‘No, I think it’s best we just talk and get this over with’ you told him. walking right by him to get to the sitting room and the familiarity of the place hit you immediately. Nothing had changed, he even still had the same pictures of the pair of you in the frames by the fireplace and you felt your tummy drop at the sight of them. They felt like they were from a different life at this point and you didn’t know if you’d ever get to be like that with anyone ever again.

Mason sighed before joining you, his shoulders slumped as he thought maybe you’d come here to listen to him and let him put things right but from just that small awkward interaction he knew you were done. He was just praying to anyone and anything he could change your mind somehow.

‘I’m sorry’ he mumbled as he took a seat opposite you but you weren’t here to listen to that again.

‘I don’t want an apology Mason, you’ve said that a million times now. I want an explanation’ you told him calmly. ‘What happened?’

‘Nothing… and everything I guess’ he sighed, running his hand over his beard before scratching the back of his neck. All of his tells to let you know he was nervous. ‘Things were rough for a while, I think we both can agree on that’ he said and you nodded lightly. Things had been hard but never once had you thought about ending things with him. ‘It was just a hard year for me… and then were was Jason’

‘Jason?’ You asked, confused as to who he was talking about as the only Jason you knew was Mason's physio and he’d always been sweet to you when you’d seen him so you were confused as to why he was being bought up now.

‘Yeah, he’d been on at me for months about ending things with you’ he confessed and you felt your heart sink. ‘It's my fault, I saw him most days and we got pretty comfortable around each other so I said some things that looking back now I shouldn’t have. It was just guy talk you know? I didn’t mean anything by it at first, we were just moaning about our other halves but then he broke up with his girlfriend and he was going on about how much lighter felt now he was single and maybe I should do the same so we could be single together’

‘What?’ You breathed. Not knowing if this was a joke or not but you knew Mason and you knew he was open to everyone so it was no wonder he took advice from some he thought he could trust.

‘I know, and I know it doesn't make me sound any better. I get that. But we were arguing over stupid things and I had him in my ear constantly like I just lost it’

You didn’t know what to say. You understood a bit better now but it still didn’t make things easier.

‘But I knew it was dumb, maybe in the back of my mind that’s why I did it when I did cause you’re right. I was a coward and I wanted to run away but I knew It’s not what I wanted as soon as I got on the bloody plane to leave. I didn’t get chance to talk to you or do anything until later that night and I tried to call you but I never heard from you’

‘You didn’t even really give me a chance to fight for us. You told me what you wanted and left as quickly as you could. I didn’t exactly feel like giving you a chance to explain anything after that’ you told him quietly and he nodded knowingly. His face crumpling as he tried and failed to hold it together and you couldn’t lie and say the way he was wasn’t having an effect on you and his watery eyes were like a dagger to your heart.

‘I know you don’t believe me, but I’ve never stopped loving you’ he sobbed, pressing the heels of his hands into his eye so he could stop crying but it only made your eyes sting in return. ‘That day when I finished things, well I didn’t just hurt you. It's like I tore my own heart from my chest and I’ve never been able to numb that ache. Why do you think I lied and told everyone we were still together?’

‘Cause you’re certifiably insane’ you whispered. Your heart leaping at the way he let out a little chuckle as he wiped his eyes and when your eyes locked you felt your resolve crumble further.

‘Well yes, there’s that, but I couldn’t admit what I’d done to anyone cause I was embarrassed’ he gulped. ‘And I didn’t want to admit it to myself half the time. You’re way too good for me, I know that. Fuck everyone knows that so why would I want to tell everyone I’d thrown away the best thing to have ever happened to me. I know exactly what they’d say and how dumb I felt even just thinking it to myself so I made out you were just busy or something’ he shrugged. His confession melting your cold exterior slightly before he was scratching the back off his neck again. The cogs turning in his brain as he tried to make you believe in whatever way he could.

‘Mums been asking after you loads, I kept saying you were sick or had an appointment. She even sent me those special immunity tea bags to give you like they’re in the cupboard and everything’ he laughed and you felt your heart warm at how kind his family were. You’d missed going to visit them but didn’t want to reach out and have things be weird but now you were glad you hadn’t as clearly they were none the wiser

‘Does she know now?’ You whispered but he just shook his head awkwardly. The bridge of his nose turning a bright red out of embarrassment but your heart was hammering as you always found that to be one of his cutest tells and it was like you had to restrain yourself in your seat so you didn’t reach over to grab his face and kiss him.

‘No, she still thinks we’re together. I'd actually like to keep it that way’ he told you and even though you knew it was coming you weren’t ready to accept what he wanted to say. At least you didn’t think you were.

‘Mason-‘

‘Please’ he pleaded. His big brown eyes melting you even further and even though you promised yourself you’d be strong he was making it difficult. ‘Please, y/n. I said it the other night and I’ll say it again. I really would do anything for another chance and I’ll get down on my knees again if you want me to’ he told you and the tiny smile on your face must have given him the courage to push forward a little bit. Sliding off the sofa before getting himself settled between your thighs and resting his hands on them gingerly. You felt your heart thump as he looked up at you through his lashes and you knew you were putty in his hands at this point no matter how much you didn’t want to be.

‘I’m the biggest idiot known to mankind and I let you go when I should have held you closer. I know I can make you so happy, we were happy once were we?’

‘Yeah, we were’ you agreed quietly cause deep down you knew you really were and you knew I wouldn’t take much to get back there.

‘So we can do it again, right?’

‘I don’t know Mase’

‘Why? What’s holding you back?’ He questioned and at this point you didn’t even know. Only a few seconds away from just agreeing with anything he said as the hopeful look on his face was destroying you but you knew you had more to say.

‘Cause it hurt’ you whispered. ‘I hurt when you left me, it still hurts now’

‘It hurts because it matters’ he whispered, tucking some hair behind your ear and the gesture made you shiver. ‘And it matters because we still love each other. If you didn’t care anymore then it wouldn’t hurt’ he told you and you hated but loved the way he had you on strings. ‘Please baby, please. I can’t be without you anymore it’s killing me’ he told you, his voice wobbling as he looked down into your lap.

You couldn’t take it anymore, reaching down to cup his jaw so he’d look at you and the tears rolling down his cheeks broke your heart. You knew he was right, it hurt because you still loved him but looking at him so devastated between your legs hurt more than anything else.

All you wanted to do was make him feel better and you knew there was only one way to do it. Leaning down and pulling him up slightly so you could drop a sweat kiss to his lips and you knew he was surprised as he froze for a beat.

You both sat there for a few moments, foreheads touching with your eyes closed as it hit you what was happening but the smile on his face made you giddy so when he lent back in you let him take the lead. Kissing you gently as he gripped your thighs, almost making sure that you were actually there and he wasn’t dreaming but you were holding onto him just as tightly before pulling back to catch your breath.

‘I didn’t think I’d ever get to kiss you again’ Mason whispered but you couldn’t reply, Mason pulling you down onto the floor next to him before rolling himself half on top of you so he could kiss you again but the pair of you giggling didn’t help. ‘Is this really happening?’

‘Trust me when I say this, but I came over here with the intention of just putting things to bed and going back home’ you told him. Watching his face drop as things turned sombre. ‘But you’ve just made me realise I am home’ you told him, watching him pout slightly as he was so emotional. ‘I’ve been lost without you Masey, and yeah what you did sucked but I know you’re sorry yeah? I can see it all over your face’

‘I really am’

‘I know you are, and it’s okay. I forgive you’ you whispered and it’s like you felt his body relax under your fingertips.

‘Are you sure? I feel like I haven’t said half of what I wanted to’ he gulped, almost as if he couldn’t believe you’d forgiven him so quickly but you didn’t see the point of prolonging everything.

‘That’s okay’ you whispered. ‘You’ve said enough for me, life isn’t always about big apologies you know? I’d rather you make up for things with actions not words’

‘And I will’ he confirmed before leaning down to kiss you again. You tummy flipping at how gentle he was being with you and even before things had turned sour you couldn’t remember the last time you kissed like this. The last time he made you feel like this but you knew the feelings had never died, other stupid things had just gotten in the way.

You pulled back soon after, the pair of you just looking at each other in awe as you shared tiny kisses and soft stares before you felt his hand on your waist. You’d missed his touch and the feel of him made you wonder what else you’d missed in your months apart.

‘You won the fa cup’ you giggled, your eyes burning again as you thought back to the pictures of him looking so happy with his team mates. A nice end to a hard year he’d suffered and even though you’d been mad at him you knew how much it meant for him to win a domestic trophy and you couldn’t not be pleased for him.

‘I did yeah’ he laughed, tears springing to his eyes once more. ‘And we didn’t get to celebrate it together’

‘We’ve got time to, it’ll just be a little late that’s all’ you shrugged and he nodded down at you enthusiastically.

‘We do’ he breathed. Kissing your forehead before cradling your face so he could look at you properly. ‘And you’re going on work trips?’

‘Yeah, a week or two after I went home I got promoted’ you smiled, rolling your eyes lightly as the pair of you knew it was something you’d been working towards but in your mind it was still a little way down the line.

‘I’m so fucking proud of you’ he told you sincerely, pecking your lips quickly before looking at you again and the smile on his face melted you. ‘Looks like we’ve got a fair few things to celebrate then’

‘I think so, and you know how I like to celebrate’

‘Chocolate cake?’ He questioned, an eyebrow raised but he knew he was right. It was always your little tradition and how you celebrated the small wins.

‘Chocolate cake’ you confirmed with a smile and his bright eyes made you melt.

‘I’m gonna get you the best chocolate cake I can find, yeah. Only the best for my girl’ he smiled before his face dropped a fraction. ‘You’re still my girl aren’t you?’

‘I’m still your girl’ you told him, stroking his cheek as he looked at you softly. ‘Even though I was mad as hell I was always your girl Mase. And I always will be’

‘You and me against the world, sweetheart’

‘Of course, but I have a condition’ you told him, watching him raise his brow at you questioningly. ‘If you get upset again, please talk to me so we can work it out’

‘I will baby, I promise’ he told you sincerely and you knew he meant it. ‘I don’t ever want to be without you again, yeah? I fucking hated it’

‘Me too’ you laughed, pulling him down into a soft kiss that you couldn’t help but smile into as you felt him melt. ‘Now what’s happening with that chocolate cake’

‘Come on, we’ll get it together. Not letting you out of my sight now’ he told you, helping you up from the floor so you could make your way to the car, your heart finally home with your forever person.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed if you feel like leaving some feedback it would be much appreciated 🩷

[ankababy]

A Home (part 15)

Part 1 Part 14 Part 16

Chishiya x reader x Niragi

Can someone take that fucking gun from Niragi already?

A few days had passed.

A few days since you had looked Chishiya in the eyes and told him the truth. Since you had asked all the right questions, since you had seen through him with that frustrating, impossible clarity. A few days since you had sat close to him, warm and kind, your voice steady and soft, telling him things he had never let himself believe before. A few days since you had held his hand, kissed the side of his head, and made him feel like a person instead of an observer.

And now, he stood in the entrance of the hallway, watching.

The kitchen was across the living room, and he could see you perfectly from where he stood. You were talking to Niragi, that absolute monster, fussing over him, laughing at something he said, all care and warmth despite everything.

Niragi was better now. The fever had passed, the wound had closed, and he was his usual unbearable self again—arrogant, loud, biting. But Chishiya could still see it—the way Niragi leaned in, just slightly, when you touched him. The way his sharp words softened around the edges when they were directed at you. The way he let you get away with things nobody else could.

You had that effect on people.

“Really, you need to be more careful.” you were saying, your voice teasing but sincere as your hands brushed against Niragi’s shoulder. “It would be a shame if you died, you know. Those great collarbones of yours would go to waste.”

Niragi pulled his mouth, tilting his head back. “Oh? You like them that much?”

“I like you alive that much.” you corrected, rolling your eyes. “But yes, they’re nice. It’s all very aesthetically pleasing. So try not to get yourself shot again, alright?”

Niragi scoffed, but there was something almost pleased in his expression. “No promises.”

You huffed. “You’re impossible.”

And Chishiya? Chishiya just stood there, watching.

Thinking.

You had a way of making people feel like the best versions of themselves, even when they were at their worst. You had done it to him that night—shown him something he didn’t even know he had been waiting to hear. And now here you were, doing the same thing to Niragi, effortlessly drawing something human out of someone who had spent his entire life trying to prove he wasn’t.

Chishiya didn’t know how to process big feelings.

So he didn’t.

Instead, he studied the situation like he always did. Detached. Observant. Cold.

But the conclusion was the same.

You were perfect.

Not in the way that meant you were flawless. No, you were messy, complicated, frustratingly real. You got overwhelmed. You panicked. You carried the weight of things that nobody else would carry.

And yet, you chose to be this way.

You chose to care.

And Chishiya didn’t know what to do with that.

Because he had never met someone who could look at people like Niragi—people like him—and still find something worth holding onto.

And worse, he had never met someone who made him want to be worth holding onto.

Niragi had been more distant lately.

Not physically—no, he was still around, still in the same spaces as you, still close enough to reach. But his words had sharpened, his temper shorter, his moods unpredictable. He wanted to push you away, but at the same time, he wanted you more than anything. You were the only warmth he had ever known, and yet, he was convinced he shouldn’t have it.

You had noticed, of course. You noticed everything.

And you never let it stop you.

You stood by the kitchen counter, slicing something for breakfast, while Niragi sat at the table, lazily drumming his fingers against the wood.

“You should eat something.” you said, your voice gentle as you glanced back at Niragi. “You barely touched your food yesterday.”

Niragi scoffed, leaning back in his chair. “What, are you my mother now?”

You let out a breath, setting the knife down. “That’s not what I—”

“You gonna start spoon-feeding me next?” Niragi interrupted, voice full of mockery. “Tuck me in? Read me a bedtime story? Jesus, you’re so fucking clingy.”

You didn’t even flinch. “You don’t have to eat if you don’t want to.” you said, the same patience in your voice as always. “But I’m making something anyway, so if you change your mind, just let me know.”

Niragi’s jaw tightened. He hated that. Hated that you never snapped back at him, never gave him an excuse to fight. Hated that you stayed, no matter how cruel he was.

“Why the fuck do you do that?” he muttered.

You blinked, tilting your head. “Do what?”

“That.” He gestured at you. “Act like—like none of this bothers you. Like I don’t bother you.” Because he bothered everyone, didn’t he?

You frowned, crossing your arms. “Because you don’t.”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s not bullshit.” you said simply. “I care about you. That’s not going to change just because you’re trying to piss me off.”

Something flickered across his face, something almost pained, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Yeah?” he said, voice mocking. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”

Chishiya exhaled slowly through his nose, tapping his fingers against the wall.

He had been watching this play out for days now. Watching Niragi push, waiting for you to push back—but you never did. And that was what unsettled Niragi the most, wasn’t it? That no matter how much venom he spit, you never gave him the reaction he was looking for.

You never gave up on him.

Chishiya could see it all. The way Niragi was unraveling, the way he was testing you, waiting for you to leave—because that’s what people did, wasn’t it? People didn’t stay. People didn’t care, not really.

And yet, you were still here.

Chishiya knew what Niragi was doing because he had done it himself, in his own way. There was nothing more terrifying than being loved when you didn’t think you deserved it. When you had spent your whole life assuming you couldn’t be loved.

Niragi was waiting for you to prove him right.

Chishiya had been waiting for you to prove him right, too.

And neither of them had been able to break you.

That was the problem, wasn’t it? Because you didn’t love them because they had done something to deserve it. You didn’t love them because they had changed, or because they had earned it. You just did.

And that was worse than any cruelty they had ever known.

Because it meant they could lose it.

And neither of them knew how to handle that.

~

Niragi was stretched out on the couch, looking far too comfortable. His arm was lazily draped over the back of the couch, his other hand resting against his stomach, fingers tapping idly. You were right next to him, legs tucked up beneath you, practically pressed into his side.

Your hands were on his face, gently cradling his jaw, thumbs brushing over his cheekbones. You were talking—just rambling, really—about something you had seen earlier. A cat, small and scrappy, lurking near the alleyway when you had gone out for a walk.

“It had the biggest eyes.” you said, smiling as you tilted Niragi’s face slightly, inspecting a small scratch near his jawline. “And the fluffiest little tail. It was so cute, but it wouldn’t let me get close. Just ran off the second I tried.”

“Smart cat.” Niragi muttered, though his voice lacked its usual bite.

You hummed. “I wanted to bring it food. Maybe I’ll go back tomorrow and try again.”

Niragi huffed out a breath. “Dumb. Stray cats don’t trust people. They know better.”

You just smiled, tilting your head. “Yeah? So what does that make you, then?”

Niragi blinked, his lips parting slightly before he scoffed, turning his head away from you. But he didn’t pull from your grasp. He let you hold him, let you touch him, let your fingers run along the angles of his face.

His moods were unpredictable—whiplash inducing, really. He could go from pushing you away, all teeth and venom, to melting under your hands in the blink of an eye. And right now, he was leaning into it.

“Maybe the cat just thought you were annoying.” he muttered, tilting his head further into your touch even as he insulted you. “Maybe it ran off because it didn’t want to hear you talk its fucking ear off.”

You just laughed, unfazed as always. “Maybe. But I’ll try again anyway.”

“Yeah?” Niragi smirked, something playful in his gaze. “You really think you can win over some half-dead street rat just by being nice?”

You smiled at him, all warmth and patience.

“Hasn’t failed me yet.” you said softly, brushing a thumb over his cheek.

He let out a breath, leaning further into your hands, letting himself enjoy it. Letting himself be touched—not out of violence, not out of necessity, but simply because you wanted to.

And fuck, he wanted it, too.

But he wouldn’t say that.

Wouldn’t admit to the way he felt lighter when you touched him, when you talked to him like he wasn’t just some monster, when you looked at him like he was worth something.

“You’re such a dumbass.” he muttered, voice low, but he let you hold him. He let you stay.

Niragi knew exactly what he was doing.

He had always known.

He wasn’t stupid—no, he never had been. He knew how people worked, knew how they looked at him, knew how they judged him before he even opened his mouth. Back then, when he was nothing but a nerdy fuck, a punching bag, an easy target, he learned fast. People were cruel. People took what they wanted and left nothing behind. People used others, squeezed them dry, then tossed them aside.

Now he was the one in control.

He was hot, and he knew it.

And you—fuck, you loved him.

You were all over him, touching him without hesitation, holding his face in your soft little hands like he wasn’t some bloodstained mess of a person. You looked at him with so much warmth, so much adoration.

It was almost funny.

Because if you had met him before, before all this—before he had carved himself into something unrecognizable—you wouldn’t have given him the time of day.

Back then, he was nothing.

But now, he could have anything he wanted.

Including you.

And oh, he knew he could use this. Could use you.

You were soft. You were kind. You cared about him like no one else ever had.

And Niragi knew exactly how to take advantage of that.

He let you hold him, let you cradle his jaw, let your fingers skim along his face with so much tenderness it almost made him sick. But he didn’t pull away. No, he leaned into it. He smirked at you, eyelids low, voice smooth as he let himself sink into your touch.

Because he knew he had you wrapped around his fucking finger.

“You should be careful, Y/N.” he murmured, voice dripping with something slow and honeyed. “You’re getting a little obsessed with me.”

You just laughed, still so fucking sweet. “I just like taking care of you, Niragi.”

He wondered—just how far could he push this? How much could he take from you before you realized he was only holding onto you because you were something warm in his cold, dead hands?

How much could he make you love him before you saw him for what he really was?

And when that happened…

Would you still stay?

But there was something, though.

Something small, something he didn’t want to name. Something that curled up in the back of his mind like an unwelcome guest and whispered to him in the quiet moments, when you weren’t talking, when you weren’t touching him, when you weren’t right there.

He ignored it. He always ignored it.

Because Niragi knew what he was doing.

He let you touch him, let you baby him, let you love him, because why wouldn’t he? He deserved this. After everything—after years of getting spat on, after years of taking punch after punch, after years of being no one, nothing—he deserved to take whatever the hell he wanted.

You gave so freely. You never asked for anything in return. You just gave.

So why shouldn’t he take?

Why shouldn’t he sink into your touch, let himself melt under your hands, let himself need your attention?

Need?

Niragi’s jaw tensed. His fingers twitched against his knee. Something in his chest felt wrong.

He didn’t need shit.

He didn’t need anyone.

And yet, when you pulled your hands away, when you shifted slightly on the couch, when you turned your head for even a second—his muscles tensed.

He almost grabbed your wrist.

Almost.

Instead, he tilted his head. “What, getting bored already?”

You blinked at him, all soft eyes and warmth, as if you didn’t even realize what you were doing to him. “Of course not.”

Then why did he feel like something was missing the second you weren’t touching him?

Niragi pushed the thought away, leaned back on the couch, let his body go loose and lazy. “Good.” he muttered. “You’re the one who won’t leave me alone, after all.”

He expected you to scold him, to sigh at him, to roll your eyes and call him a brat. Instead, you just smiled. Like you saw through him. Like you knew.

His throat went dry.

No.

You didn’t know shit.

You were just some stupid, soft-hearted idiot who didn’t realize that one day, he was going to take too much from you. And if you ever did realize—if you ever really saw him—he already knew what you would do.

You’d leave.

Just like everyone else.

So Niragi did what he always did.

He got meaner.

“You should really get a hobby, Y/N.” he sneered. “I know I’m hot, but you’re starting to look desperate.”

And still, still, still—you didn’t pull away. You just laughed. And Niragi hated it. Hated that laugh, hated that look, hated the way his fingers twitched again with the urge to grab you.

Because maybe, just maybe—there was something there.

Chishiya had no interest in getting involved, but watching you two was becoming a reliable source of entertainment.

So, when he walked into the massive living room—hands in his pockets, posture loose, looking like he had nowhere better to be—he only raised a brow at the scene in front of him.

You, perched right next to Niragi, looking at him like he was the only person in the world. And Niragi, sprawled out like a king on his throne.

Pathetic.

Not you—him.

Chishiya could see it. Niragi was obvious as hell. He was drinking it in, every drop of attention you gave him, even as he insulted you, even as he pushed at your warmth with mean words.

Typical.

But you—you were something else.

“Chishiya.” you said, eyes lighting up the second you saw him. You were beaming at him before he even said a word. “Hi.”

He didn’t react, but something in his chest did. The way you said his name—so full of warmth, so genuine—it was still something he hadn’t quite figured out how to process.

“You two are getting along well.” he remarked, gaze flicking toward Niragi. “Almost heartwarming.”

“Fuck off.” Niragi sneered immediately. “What the fuck do you want?”

Chishiya smirked. “Just seeing what all the noise was about.”

“And getting entertainment from us?” you added knowingly, teasing.

“Maybe.”

You laughed softly—but you didn’t stop looking at him. And it was the way you looked at him that got to him. Like you wanted him there. Like his presence was something good.

Chishiya wasn’t used to that. He wasn’t used to being wanted without some kind of motive behind it. But with you, he could never quite figure out the angle.

Because you—god, you were so fucking sweet.

“You should sit with us.” you said, scooting just slightly, patting the empty space next to you.

Chishiya glanced at Niragi, waiting for him to snap, but Niragi only scoffed and muttered, “Fuckin’ great.”

For once, he didn’t argue.

Chishiya tilted his head, considering.

Interesting.

Without another word, he moved toward the couch, lowering himself into the spot next to you. You barely even let him get comfortable before you turned fully toward him, all soft-eyed and full of warmth, just like you always were.

And Niragi hated it.

“Jesus Christ.” Niragi grumbled, rolling his eyes. “If you keep looking at him like that, I might actually throw up.”

Chishiya smirked. “Jealous?”

“Jealous of what?” Niragi snapped, but there was something tight in his voice, something just under the surface.

You, of course, didn’t seem to notice. Or if you did, you didn’t react to it.

“Be nice.” you scolded, voice soft.

“Yeah, Niragi.” Chishiya echoed, still smirking. “Be nice.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

But you were already moving, your attention shifting back to Niragi without hesitation. You were ridiculous. Impossible. Every time Niragi was just about to push too far, you pulled him back in with your warmth, your patience, your fucking kindness.

Chishiya didn’t understand it.

You should’ve hated Niragi. You should’ve hated him.

But you didn’t.

And that—that was fascinating.

“What were you two talking about before I got here?” Chishiya asked casually, already knowing Niragi would snap again, already knowing it would be funny.

“Nothing you need to know about.” Niragi muttered.

“Just something I saw outside.” you answered at the same time.

Niragi glared.

“Something you saw outside?” Chishiya prompted.

“Yeah.” you said, your voice full of that softness again, that ever-present warmth. “I saw this little orange cat in the street yesterday. It was so cute, Chishiya, I swear, I wanted to bring it home.”

Niragi let out an exaggerated groan. “For fuck’s sake, here we go again.”

You huffed, giving him a playful shove. “Like you weren’t just letting me talk about it.”

“Doesn’t mean I liked it.”

“You listened to me.” you pointed out with a teasing smile.

“You had your hands all over me. It was a distraction.”

Chishiya watched. It was like watching a cat toy with a mouse—except neither of you seemed to know who was the cat and who was the mouse.

Chishiya liked to watch you.

Not just because you were beautiful—though you were. Not just because you were fascinating—though you were that too.

It was because there was something about you that he couldn’t figure out. And Chishiya prided himself on always figuring people out. You, though? You had a way of slipping through his careful observations, of twisting logic into something lost, of making him feel something in his chest he couldn’t quite name.

You were perfect. And you looked perfect, sitting there between him and Niragi, smiling like the angel you were.

But the way you looked at them—god—it was unbearable.

You looked at them like they mattered. Like they weren’t just violent, selfish, cruel things forged in blood and destruction. Like they weren’t built from bitterness and loneliness and pain.

“You know,” you started, voice soft but clear. “you two are my favorite people.”

Chishiya didn’t react. Niragi scoffed, moving his head, poking his tongue around in his mouth, rolling his eyes—but he was listening. He was always listening to you, even when he pretended not to.

“You say that like you know anyone else.” Niragi muttered.

You just smiled. “I’d still say it even if I did.”

Neither of them spoke.

You looked between them, your expression so open, so genuine. “It’s not just because we’re stuck together. It’s not just because we’re surviving together. If I had known a hundred other people before this, I still would’ve liked you both the most.”

Chishiya watched you carefully. He had spent his whole life understanding actions, not hearts. But your actions never made sense to him, because your heart was different from anyone else he had ever met.

“And it’s not because I think you’re better than you are.” you continued, gaze flicking between the two of them. “I know who you are. I don’t look at you and pretend you’re not violent, or dangerous, or capable of horrible things.”

Niragi didn’t say anything. He was watching you too, quiet.

“I just don’t think that’s all you are.” you added, voice softer now, but firm. “And even if that’s all you think you are, I don’t have to agree with you.”

It was infuriating. Not because you were wrong—god, Chishiya wished you were wrong—but because you were saying things that neither of them knew how to process.

Because no one had ever looked at them like this before.

No one had ever wanted them like this before.

You sighed, tilting your head, giving them a look like you knew they weren’t believing you, and that frustrated you just a little.

“I like you.” you said simply, as if that was the easiest thing in the world. “Not because I think you’re secretly good or because I have some delusional hope that you’ll change. I like you because you’re you.”

It was too much.

Niragi ran a tongue over his teeth, looking away, shifting like he was uncomfortable.

Chishiya didn’t move.

It would’ve been easier if you were stupid.

If you had underestimated them. If you had ignored all the blood on their hands and convinced yourself they were something else.

But no.

You knew. And you chose them anyway.

And Chishiya—he had spent his whole life knowing what people wanted. Money, status, power. Control. Safety.

But you—what the fuck did you want?

What did you see when you looked at them?

“You’re ridiculous.” Niragi muttered, but his voice lacked its usual bite.

“You both are.” you teased, giving them that look again. The one that made them feel like they were the crazy ones, not you.

Maybe they were.

Maybe you had made them crazy.

But Chishiya didn’t mind watching you. He didn’t mind feeling this—whatever this was. Because the way you smiled at them—like they mattered—was something he wasn’t sure he ever wanted to let go of.

“Anyways, I swear, I see the same little orange cat every time I go out.” you said, your voice light and thoughtful. “Or maybe there’s just a lot of orange cats around. I don’t know. But this one had little white paws, and it was so cute. It was sitting on top of some car.”

Chishiya gave a slow blink, unimpressed. Niragi scoffed. The speed you changed the topics was impressive, to be honest.

“You should’ve caught it.” Niragi muttered. “Could’ve eaten it.”

You gasped, shoving at his arm without thinking. “Niragi!”

Your leg brushed against Chishiya’s, shifting absentmindedly as you kept talking, your energy restless, your presence so immediate it was impossible to ignore. You couldn’t stay still. Even as you talked, you moved, shifting your legs, fidgeting, your knee knocking against Niragi’s before leaning into Chishiya’s.

And neither of them moved away.

Niragi, as much as he liked to act like a heartless bastard, let your fingers graze over his wrist as you gestured. Let your leg stay against his like it was nothing.

And Chishiya—who usually didn’t like being touched at all—let you do the same to him.

He didn’t know why.

But it was just you.

You didn’t hesitate, didn’t second-guess, didn’t seem to care that they weren’t nice, weren’t safe, weren’t the kind of men that were used to this kind of thing.

Maybe that was why you did it.

Maybe you knew.

Maybe you knew that no one had ever touched Niragi just to touch him.

That no one had ever leaned against Chishiya like they belonged there.

That neither of them had ever been given anything without some kind of expectation in return.

Maybe you knew that, and maybe you didn’t.

But either way, you kept touching them.

And they liked it.

Fuck.

“That damn place is probably on fire without us.” Niragi muttered. His arm stretched over the couch, loose and relaxed, and it just happened to rest behind you. “They probably lost their fucking minds when we disappeared.”

Uhuh, yeah, they did not give a fuck about your little cat.

Chishiya gave him a glance, unimpressed. “You think they care that much?”

Niragi grinned.

You glanced between them, your expression curious. “The beach?”

Niragi’s hand slipped onto your thigh.

It wasn’t sleazy.

It was sweet.

A slow drag of his fingers, the weight of his palm resting warm and solid against you, the casualness of it making it feel natural.

You didn’t even react. That was the thing about you. You never reacted to him in a way that made him think you didn’t want it.

And you liked to be touched.

So he did it.

He knew what he was doing. Chishiya knew it, too. And he was letting him do it.

“Well, it’s a kingdom, isn’t it?” Niragi continued, his voice smooth, his fingers tracing patterns into your skin. “And we were the top dogs. If we’re not there, it’s bound to fall apart eventually.”

You were curious. That much was obvious. “The top?” you repeated, glancing at him. “You were at the top?”

Niragi poked at his cheek with his tongue. “Course we were.”

“More like the dogs guarding the throne.” Chishiya said.

Niragi shot him a sharp look, but you laughed, the sound light and full of warmth, and that was enough to make Niragi let it go.

His fingers squeezed your thigh slightly.

“What’s it really like?” you murmured.

Chishiya watched as Niragi gave you a look. It was the kind of look Niragi always had when he was enjoying something. When he was toying with something.

But this time, it wasn’t cruelty.

It was you.

“I think you’d like it.” Niragi murmured, his voice taking on something sweeter.

You blinked at him, and he only smiled.

“People do what they want there.” Chishiya took over. “It’s easy to get by. There’s food, shelter. No real responsibilities. As long as you follow the rules, there’s no reason to worry.”

You were listening.

Niragi’s fingers slid up your thigh just slightly.

It was gentle.

Not pushing.

Not forcing.

Just reminding.

“You should come with us.” he murmured.

You exhaled a small laugh. “Why?”

“You wouldn’t have to keep running around out here like a little rat.” Niragi said, and though his words were harsh, his tone was soft. “You’d be with us.”

That part was important.

With them.

Chishiya watched as you considered it.

You still thought it was a joke. That’s why they had to be careful. If you realized it was happening, you’d resist. But if they kept nudging—kept pressing, kept pulling—then eventually, you’d come to the conclusion yourself. And that was how you won someone over completely.

Chishiya should know.

That was how they had gotten through you.

Niragi could feel the hesitation the moment it settled in you. It was the way your fingers lightly traced the hem of your sleeve, the way your eyes darted toward the fairy lights you’d so carefully placed around the room. The way your brows knit together, just slightly, before you even realized what you were doing.

Doubt.

Niragi had been called a lot of things in his life. Ruthless, sadistic, cruel. All of it was true.

But he was not stupid.

And he knew people.

He knew you.

So he softened. Leaning in just slightly, his fingers traced light, lazy shapes over your thigh, and his voice dropped into something low and coaxing.

“Oh, come on.” he murmured, and there was something softer in his tone now. Something fond. “I know you’re not actually considering staying here.”

Your lips pressed together, your eyes flicking over the dim, warm glow of the living room.

“I just…” You exhaled, fingers tapping against your leg as you thought. “I like it here.”

He had expected that. Niragi let out a small hum, his fingers pressing slightly against you before rubbing slow, soothing circles against the fabric of your pants.

He smiled.

“Yeah, yeah.” he murmured. “The lights, the couch, the little homey feel.”

You gave him a look.

“You’re not really attached to this place, though.” Chishiya said, his tone even. “You’re attached to the idea of it.”

Your lips parted slightly, brow furrowing.

“You like making things safe.” he said simply, watching you closely. “You like making things yours. But that doesn’t mean this is where you should stay.”

Niragi could see it. The way the words landed.

You were listening. Thinking.

“Baby.” Niragi murmured, and his voice was so sweet it could rot your teeth. “You don’t actually think this place is gonna last forever, do you?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” you muttered.

But Niragi knew. He knew exactly what that meant. So he just smiled, letting his fingers trail slightly higher, dragging along the side of your hip before resting his palm there instead.

“It’s cute.” he murmured, his tone lilting, teasing, warm. “The way you try to hold onto shit.”

You frowned, eyes flicking toward Chishiya. “Is he part of the argument, or is this just him being an asshole?”

Chishiya shrugged. “Both.”

You exhaled sharply, rolling your eyes, but Niragi laughed. And then he leaned in.

“Hey.” he said, his voice low, sweet. “Come with us.”

Your breath hitched slightly. And Niragi saw it. So he pressed further.

“I like having you around.” he admitted, his tone softer than usual. More genuine. “And he likes having you around.” His hand on your hip squeezed slightly. “You’re fun.”

You blinked. “That’s your argument? I’m fun?”

“Fun.” Niragi repeated, dragging the word out. “Hot. And cute.”

Your cheeks warmed.

And Niragi knew it.

Chishiya let out a soft sigh. “The point is,” he said, speaking more plainly. “you don’t actually belong here.”

Your eyes snapped toward him. “And I belong at the Beach?”

Chishiya blinked slowly. “Yes.”

Your frown deepened, and he continued.

“You don’t belong alone.” he clarified. “And if you go with us, you won’t be.”

Niragi could see it.

That last part had done it.

It wasn’t a reaction, wasn’t a visible thing.

But Niragi knew.

Your fingers tapped lightly against the fabric of your pants. Your weight shifted just slightly toward him. Your teeth caught your lip, just barely. A small, barely-there pause.

“…Fuck.” you muttered.

Chishiya sat back, watching you carefully. The way your brows furrowed, your fingers tapped lightly against your knee, your lips parted just slightly before pressing together again. You were thinking.

That night in your room, when you’d spoken to him—really spoken to him—it had been the first time in a long, long time that someone had made him stop.

Had made him listen.

You had asked him the right questions, and he hated that. Hated how right you had been. Because you were right. About everything. And he knew it.

That night had stayed with him.

He had replayed the words over in his mind, over and over, that annoying, perfect voice of yours sticking to the insides of his skull.

It wasn’t just that you understood him.

It was that you hadn’t judged him for it.

And now, sitting here, watching you carefully as you hesitated, as you chewed your lip in thought, as you felt more deeply than he ever could, he felt that same strange feeling settle into his bones.

You were soft words and warm hands, caring too much for people who didn’t deserve it.

Who would never deserve it.

He exhaled slowly, shifting just slightly. He had been watching you so closely that he hadn’t realized how long he’d been staring.

At your face, at the curve of your lips as you chewed the inside of your cheek, at the slope of your nose, the soft tilt of your head.

You were pretty.

He glanced away, exhaling slowly, before looking back up.

You were still chewing your lip.

Still thinking.

Still perfect.

But anyway, that’s how you manipulate someone.

Because they had just gotten you to go back with them.

And you hadn’t even realized it. Not really.

“Think about it.” Niragi murmured, tilting his head, eyes soft, voice coaxing. “Us. Back at the Beach. You’d have fun, baby, I promise.”

He never fucking promised things.

His fingers slid further up your thigh, just a little, just enough to suggest—but not enough to push. Not enough to make you pull away.

Because he knew you wouldn’t.

Because you never did.

And Niragi knew how to play a game when he saw one.

“You wouldn’t have to lift a finger.” he continued, leaning in just slightly, just enough that you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. “I’d take care of you, y’know? Carry your bags, make sure you’re comfortable, maybe even keep you warm at night.”

You rolled your eyes, but you didn’t move. Didn’t push him away. Didn’t shut him down completely.

And that was a fucking win.

“You’re so annoying.” you muttered, but it lacked any real bite, and Niragi just grinned. Because he had you thinking. Had you considering.

“You’ve never seen the Beach.” he continued smoothly, fingers still lazily tracing against your thigh. “Never really seen what it’s like. It’s fun, baby, I swear. You’d love it there.”

It wasn’t a lie, not exactly.

But he didn’t need to lie.

He just needed to frame it the right way.

Because Niragi knew how to make people want things. And right now, he was making you want this.

“You said yourself.” he added, voice dropping just slightly, gaze locking onto yours. “We’re your favorite people, yeah?” His thumb brushed against your leg, barely there. “So why not stay with us?”

You exhaled slowly.

Chishiya had been quiet this whole time, watching, analyzing. He watched. But this time, it wasn’t to pick apart someone’s weaknesses. This time, it was to see you. To see what you would do. What you would choose.

He had already known what Niragi was doing. Had seen the moment Niragi made the decision to change tactics.

To be sweet instead of brutal.

To coax instead of taunt.

Because that was how you got people.

You didn’t force them.

You made them want it.

And Chishiya had to admit, Niragi was good.

Because now? Now, you were nodding slowly. Now, you were considering.

Niragi was satisfied. Partly with himself, partly with you.

Because fuck, that was almost too easy.

He had you.

Had you.

And he could see it. Could feel it in the way you weren’t resisting anymore, in the way your hesitation had all but melted away under the heat of his words, under the weight of his touch.

It was like watching prey walk willingly into the jaws of a beast.

And fuck, it was delicious.

So he grinned, sharp and feral, his teeth flashing as he leaned in close, too close, and pressed a kiss to your cheek.

Fast. Rough. Possessive.

His lips lingered just for a second—just long enough to prove his point—before he pulled away and let his hand slap against your cheek in that careless, almost playful way.

That pat.

The one that wasn’t really a pat.

The one that was more territorial than anything else.

And then he laughed. A low, wild, pleased sound as he flopped back against the couch, stretching his arms over the back of it, looking like a fucking animal who had just devoured his meal and was now basking in the afterglow of the kill.

“Fuck, I love you.” he said, still laughing, like he thrived off this shit.

You gave him a look, unimpressed, but he could see the way you fought a smile.

And that just made him laugh harder.

Because you could pretend all you wanted.

But he knew.

He fucking knew.

“You’re insane.” you muttered, shaking your head, but there was no real heat behind it. You were smiling. You were nice.

He flicked your forehead.

You swatted at him.

He laughed.

Because he won. Because you were his, whether you realized it or not.

And fuck, that was all he needed.

~

It was late.

You were in the kitchen, sitting on the counter, bare feet swinging just above the floor, fingers loosely curled around a glass of water. The only light came from the dim glow under the cabinets, casting long shadows across the room.

It was quiet. Almost too quiet.

Until the soft sound of footsteps.

And then—Chishiya.

You saw him before he spoke, before he even fully stepped into the kitchen. The way his pale hair caught the light, the way he always moved, like he was completely aware of his presence in a space. He was watching you.

You raised an eyebrow. “Couldn’t sleep?”

“Came to check on you.”

Check on you?

You blinked at him, the words sitting strangely in your chest.

Chishiya didn’t do things without reason. Didn’t waste his energy unless there was something to be gained.

But he had nothing to gain from checking on you.

And yet, here he was.

“Why?” you asked, tilting your head.

“Because I knew you’d still be awake.” It was such a simple statement. But something about it felt heavier than it should have.

You looked down at your glass, running your thumb along the rim. “Yeah, well. Just thinking.”

Chishiya didn’t say anything. Just watched you.

You sighed, lifting the glass to your lips, the cool water grounding you for a second. “You know… sometimes I think I like the quiet. But then I get too much of it, and it makes me feel like I’m being left alone with my own thoughts.”

A beat of silence.

“I get that.” Chishiya said.

You looked at him. And for once, he wasn’t wearing that detached asshole expression. No, there was something there. Something you couldn’t quite place.

He understood.

And that alone made you exhale softly, the tension in your shoulders easing just a little.

“Guess that’s why I like having people around.” you admitted, rolling the glass between your palms. “Even if they’re assholes.”

Chishiya let out a quiet hum. “You attract them like a magnet.”

That made you laugh, just a little. “Yeah, yeah. And you’re included in that, by the way.”

He smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of denying it.”

You shook your head, but your voice was softer when you spoke again.

“…But thanks. For checking on me.”

Chishiya didn’t respond right away. Just watched you again, gaze steady, before he finally walked over, stopping a few steps away.

“You’re always taking care of everyone else.” he said, almost idly. “Figured someone should return the favor.”

That made your breath catch, just for a second.

Because it was such a small thing to say. But from him, it felt—

You swallowed, looking down again.

“…That’s sweet.” you said, your voice quieter now.

“Don’t get used to it.”

You smiled. Because you didn’t believe that for a second.

Chishiya leaned against the counter beside you, his side facing you, close enough that you could feel the shift of the air when he moved. His hands slid into the pockets of his hoodie, posture relaxed, like he had all the time in the world. Like he wasn’t standing in the dimly lit kitchen with you in the dead of night, checking in on you for reasons he probably wasn’t ready to admit to himself.

You were swinging your feet a little, glass of water still in your hands, eyes soft but thoughtful.

“Still thinking about leaving with us?” he asked, breaking the quiet.

You exhaled, tipping your head back slightly. “Yeah.”

There was something honest about the way you said it. No hesitation, no sugarcoating—just real. And that was what made you so different from everyone else he’d known. There was no calculation to the way you spoke, no agenda behind your words. You weren’t trying to convince him of anything, weren’t trying to manipulate or deceive. You were just you.

That made him want to listen.

Made him want to understand.

“I guess I just—” You sighed, lifting a hand to tuck some hair behind your ear. “I made this place my home, y’know? I decorated it, made it feel warm. I thought I’d be happy here.”

“And you’re not?”

You hesitated.

He watched you closely.

“…I think I just liked trying to be happy.” you admitted. “Liked pretending I had something stable. That I wasn’t just surviving.”

That struck something in him.

Because he knew that feeling. That need for control. For some kind of certainty in a world where certainty didn’t exist.

It wasn’t about the place.

It was about what the place represented.

And now, you were being asked to leave it.

Chishiya exhaled through his nose. “That’s a nice thought. But you know stability doesn’t last.”

You glanced at him, a small, knowing smile tugging at your lips. “You think I don’t know that?”

He didn’t answer. Because of course you knew. Of course you did. You survived this world. You weren’t naive. And yet, you still carried so much warmth, so much hope, like you chose to believe in something better.

It was infuriating.

And he hated that it made him like you more.

“…Niragi wants you to go.” he said instead, watching for your reaction.

You snorted. “Yeah, I got that.”

“And you’ll say yes.” he said, almost like a statement.

You bit your lip, tapping your nails lightly against your glass. “Maybe.”

Chishiya tilted his head slightly, studying you. “Because you want to? Or because he wants you to?”

You paused.

That was a good question.

And you weren’t sure of the answer.

“…Both.” you admitted eventually. “I want to go. I do. But I also think I’m just bad at saying no to people I care about.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, just continued to watch you, his expression the usual. You sighed, tilting your head slightly toward him, voice softer now.

“You want me to go?”

Chishiya blinked.

And for a moment, he didn’t answer.

Not because he didn’t know.

But because he did.

“…I don’t care.” he said smoothly. “Do what you want.”

You huffed a small breath. “Right. Sure.”

You didn’t believe him.

You shifted, drawing your legs up onto the counter, crossing them under you as you got comfortable. Then, without much thought, you leaned in, resting your cheek on Chishiya’s shoulder.

He didn’t move.

Didn’t stiffen, didn’t pull away.

He just let you.

It was such a simple action, something so small, but it felt big in a way neither of you acknowledged. Because Chishiya wasn’t used to being touched like this—so casually, so gently. No ulterior motives, no expectation behind it. Just you, finding comfort in him, like it was normal.

Like he was safe.

“You’re not stopping me.” you pointed out, your voice soft, teasing.

“I don’t care enough to stop you.”

You huffed a quiet breath. “You say that about a lot of things.”

“Because it’s true.”

“…Is it?”

Chishiya didn’t answer.

Because he knew you knew.

He felt the way your cheek shifted slightly against his shoulder as you smiled. And for some reason, that made something coil in his stomach, something unfamiliar, something he didn’t want to name.

“You still haven’t answered me.” you murmured.

“About what?”

“Do you want me to go?”

Chishiya exhaled through his nose. “I told you, I don’t care.”

“You care about some things.” you said, voice light. “You cared enough to come check on me, didn’t you?”

He didn’t say anything. Didn’t confirm or deny. Because you were right.

“…You really think Niragi’s gonna let you say no?” he said instead.

You let out a small breath. “No. But it’s cute when he thinks I have a choice.”

Chishiya huffed quietly, shaking his head slightly. You were ridiculous. But he didn’t argue. Because he knew Niragi wouldn’t let you go. And that was the problem.

Not because he was worried about you. Not because he thought you couldn’t handle it. But because Niragi was Niragi. He needed. He took. And Chishiya knew that once he had his teeth in something, he wasn’t letting go.

Now that “something” was you.

You, with all your warmth, all your softness, all the kindness that neither of them deserved.

“…You really want to go?” Chishiya asked after a moment.

You sighed, fingers absently running along the rim of your glass. “I don’t know.”

Chishiya turned his head slightly, just enough that he could see your face, your expression thoughtful, conflicted. You meant it. You really didn’t know.

“…Does it matter if I want you to go?” he asked eventually.

You turned your head, cheek still against his shoulder, looking up at him now.

“Yes.” you said simply. “It does.”

And Chishiya felt his stomach twist.

Because fuck you.

Fuck you for being so sincere. For looking at him like his opinion actually mattered, like he actually mattered. Because he wasn’t used to that. He wasn’t used to you.

“…You should sleep.” he said eventually, looking away.

You hummed, closing your eyes briefly against his shoulder. “Yeah. Probably.”

Neither of you moved.

You lifted your head slightly, your cheek dragging against the fabric of his hoodie as you turned to look at him over his shoulder. He felt it before he saw it—your movement, your warmth, the way your breath ghosted against his skin.

Chishiya tilted his head, just slightly, just enough for his gaze to meet yours.

Close.

You were so close.

Your eyes flickered over his face, searching, thoughtful. Not in the way most people looked at him. No, you looked at him like you were concerned. Like you cared.

“…How have you been?” you asked, voice quiet.

Chishiya raised an eyebrow. “Since when?”

You tilted your head slightly, your gaze not breaking from his. “Since we talked. That night.”

Chishiya exhaled through his nose. He should’ve expected that. Of course you would bring it up. Of course you wouldn’t just let it go.

He rolled his shoulder slightly, shifting against the counter. “I’m fine.”

You narrowed your eyes.

He sighed.

“You’re looking at me like I just lied.” he muttered.

You didn’t deny it. Instead, you softened, just a little. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Chishiya studied you for a moment, then looked away. “Not now.”

You nodded, unbothered. “Okay.”

Chishiya glanced at you again, a little surprised at how easily you let it go.

“I’m here when you do.” you reached up, your fingers barely brushing the back of his head before sliding deeper into his hair, a soft, slow movement that made something in his chest tighten.

It wasn’t much.

It wasn’t anything, really.

But it was gentle.

It was warm.

You sighed, your fingers tracing absentmindedly through his hair, the touch more comforting than anything he could ever remember.

“…I like your hair.” you murmured suddenly, voice light, thoughtful. “Always looks so soft.”

“That’s a weird thing to say.”

You huffed a small breath. “You think everything I say is weird.”

He didn’t argue.

You smiled, tilting your head again. “But it is soft.”

Chishiya exhaled, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. “Are you done?”

You grinned. “Not even close.”

Of course not.

Of course not.

You never were.

Chishiya sighed, letting his head tilt slightly into your touch. He told himself it was just because he was tired. That it was just easier than moving away. But deep down, somewhere, he knew the truth. That he didn’t want you to stop.

You sighed, your breath warm against the fabric of his hoodie as you let your head rest against his shoulder again.

Just for a little longer.

You felt him shift slightly but not pull away, and that alone made something in your chest ache. Because Chishiya wasn’t the type to seek out comfort. He wasn’t the type to allow it, accept it. And yet, here he was. Letting you stay close. Letting you rest against him like this, in the quiet of the dimly lit kitchen.

It wasn’t much.

But it was something.

And you knew better than to push. So you just sat there for another few seconds, letting the silence settle between you.

Eventually, though, you sighed again.

“Alright.” you murmured, lifting your head, stretching your arms slightly before pushing yourself up from the counter.

Chishiya straightened a little as you moved, his eyes flickering over you.

You gave him a smile, small but warm. And when you spoke, your voice was just as gentle. “You should get some rest.”

“Should I?”

You grinned, tilting your head. “I don’t know, doctor. Should you?”

Without thinking, without even hesitating, you reached out and gave his arm a soft squeeze.

Comforting.

Familiar.

Like you had known him forever.

Like you wanted to know him forever.

He just stared at you.

You gave him one last, lingering glance, something soft and sincere in your expression, before you turned on your heel and padded back toward the hallway.

You were gone.

Chishiya stood there for a moment, unmoving, hands still in his hoodie pockets as he listened to the faint sound of your footsteps disappearing down the hall.

And then, when he was finally alone, he let out a slow breath, tilting his head back slightly to stare at the ceiling.

You were getting close.

Too close.

~

The morning was still heavy with sleep when you stepped into the living room, your slippers soft against the floor, your hair a little messy, tired. All you really wanted was a slow morning—maybe some tea, maybe some time to wake up properly.

But the moment you entered, you knew that wasn’t going to happen.

Chishiya stood with his hands in his pockets, his gaze steady, but something about the way he watched you felt expectant. Like he was waiting for something.

And then there was Niragi. His rifle swinging casually in one hand as if it was nothing more than an accessory.

“Hey.” Niragi cooed, tilting his head, his voice syrupy sweet. “Hope you slept well, because we’re leaving.”

You blinked, still sluggish with sleep. “What?”

“Time to go.” he drawled, waving his gun around, gesturing lazily toward the door. “We’re taking you home.”

Home.

You looked at him, then at Chishiya, then back at Niragi. “You’re serious?”

“As a bullet to the skull, sweetheart.” Niragi grinned, shifting his rifle to rest against his shoulder. “So go get your shit. We’re not wasting any more time.”

You felt your stomach twist. “I—I just woke up. You didn’t even give me a second to—”

“Don’t need a second.” Niragi interrupted smoothly, stepping closer, voice dropping into something almost sickeningly sweet. “C’mon, baby, no need to drag this out.” His free hand came up, his fingers just barely grazing your chin before you pulled back slightly, and god—he had the audacity to chuckle. “It’s cute, though.” he added, tapping the barrel of his rifle against his temple. “That little hesitation. But we both know you’re coming with us, yeah?”

Your throat tightened. “I just—I need a second to think, I need—”

“You don’t.” Chishiya finally spoke, voice calm, steady. “Thinking about it won’t change anything.”

Your brows furrowed as you turned to him. “That’s not—”

“You want to stay here?” Chishiya asked, tilting his head slightly, like he already knew the answer. “Alone?”

And that was the thing.

You didn’t.

They knew you didn’t.

And maybe if they had asked instead of telling, you wouldn’t feel this sick about it.

But Niragi wasn’t going to ask. He was already wrapping an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close, the metal of his gun cold against your arm as he leaned down, his lips barely brushing your ear.

“C’mon, angel.” he murmured, low and coaxing. “We take care of you. I take care of you.”

You swallowed hard.

And Niragi knew. Because he laughed, tapping the rifle against your thigh now, light and teasing, as if he wasn’t wielding something deadly.

“That’s my girl.”

He pulled back just slightly as he took you in—your hesitation, the way you stood there, almost barefoot in your sleepwear, barely awake, barely processing. He had you, and he knew it.

“Go get dressed.” he said, sharp but still syrupy sweet. “We’re not waiting all fucking day for you to stand here looking like a lost little bunny.”

Your mouth opened slightly, but there was nothing to say, nothing you could argue when he was looking at you like that—like he already won, like he always won.

And maybe that was the worst part. That you let him win.

So you sighed, brushing past them, Niragi’s fingers ghosting over your wrist just for a second as you did. You didn’t look back, just walked down the hall to your room, closing the door behind you and letting out a slow breath.

They didn’t give you space to argue, didn’t give you time to think.

And now here you were.

Leaving everything you built behind because they told you to.

You stared at your reflection in the mirror, your tired eyes, your pretty clothes, the way you still looked soft and sleepy. They expected you to get up and leave, no time to dwell on what you were abandoning.

Fine.

If you were going to leave, you were at least going to look good doing it. So you changed, slipping into something pretty, something soft. Pink. Some dress.

And when you stepped back into the living room, brushing your hands over the fabric, adjusting it slightly, Niragi let out a low whistle, head tilting, eyes dragging over you from head to toe.

“Fuck.” he muttered, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Look at you.”

You didn’t respond, just raised an eyebrow, but that only made his grin wider.

“Dressing up for me, angel?” he asked, voice teasing.

“For myself.” you corrected, but you knew it didn’t matter what you said—he was going to take credit for it anyway.

Niragi stepped closer, reaching out, his fingers just barely grazing the hem of your dress before you swatted his hand away. He only laughed.

“Yeah, yeah.” he said, waving his gun lazily in the air, dragging his mouth. “Get your shit. We’re leaving.”

Chishiya hadn’t said anything yet, just stood there watching, hands in his pockets, gaze flicking between the two of you. He didn’t whistle, didn’t make a comment, but his eyes lingered for half a second longer than they should have before he finally spoke. “Put the gun down.”

Niragi laughed. “Oh, come on, let me have my fun.”

But he lowered it.

For now.

You blinked at them, standing there in your pretty pink dress, fingers lightly fidgeting with the hem. You were still waking up, still trying to catch up with the way they just decided things and expected you to fall in line. “You two aren’t bringing anything?”

Niragi snorted, twirling his gun around his finger. “What the fuck do I need? I’ve got this.”

You stared at him. Then looked at Chishiya, who, predictably, looked unbothered, hands tucked into his hoodie.

“So… you’re telling me we’re leaving, just like that, and you two don’t need anything?”

Niragi scoffed, rolling his eyes. “We’re not princesses like you. We don’t need to pack a fucking suitcase.”

You hummed softly, tilting your head. “But what if you get hungry? Or if it gets cold?”

“Then we eat whatever’s there, and if it’s cold, I’ll just use you for warmth.”

That made you huff a little laugh, but you shook your head. “I just mean… you’re making me pack, but you haven’t thought about what you need at all.”

Niragi waved you off like it was the dumbest thing he ever heard. “We’re not staying in the middle of nowhere, angel. There’s food there. There’s clothes. I can get a hundred outfits, and I’ll still look better than every sad fuck at the Beach.”

Chishiya finally cut in, voice dry. “That’s assuming there’s anything left for you to steal.”

That actually made Niragi laugh, like the idea of arriving back at the Beach and having nothing was hilarious. Maybe it was.

“What do you even need to bring?” Niragi asked, pointing his gun at you, not as a threat, just to make a point.

You blinked, mouth opening slightly. “Um—”

Niragi didn’t even let you start. “Clothes? You think we don’t have clothes there?”

“Well, I just—”

“And food? We have that too.”

Chishiya, ever the calm voice of reason, glanced at Niragi. “Still needs things.”

“Like what?” Niragi scoffed.

And this was where you should have been irritated, where you should have pointed out that you knew what you needed better than they did. But you weren’t irritated. You weren’t annoyed. You just stood there, watching them bicker about your things like they had more of a say in it than you did.

It was so them.

Chishiya sighed, still looking at Niragi like he was exasperated. “Toothbrush, for one.”

Niragi made a face, like he just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world. “She can get a new one.”

You stifled a laugh. “I like my toothbrush.”

“And what about hygiene products?” Chishiya added, like he knew Niragi hadn’t even thought of that.

That made Niragi’s face twist up slightly, nose scrunching. “What, you mean period shit?”

“Yes, Niragi.” you said flatly. “Period shit.”

You were trying so hard not to laugh, watching Niragi act like the concept of periods was somehow going to kill him. He waved his gun a little, expression dramatic.

“Just take what you need and let’s go.”

And that was the end of the conversation, apparently.

Not that it was really a conversation to begin with.

You just smiled, shaking your head, already turning back towards your room to pack.

You barely had time to adjust the strap of your pink little bag before Niragi was already waving his gun toward the door, like some impatient drill sergeant who had no concept of personal space.

“Move it, angel.”

Chishiya was less aggressive about it, but no less expectant. He stood by the entrance, hands tucked into his hoodie, watching you with that expression that meant he was thinking something, but he wasn’t going to share.

You hesitated for just a second, looking over your shoulder. The little apartment you had built into a home—your fairy lights still glowing faintly against the morning light, your cozy little couch, the kitchen where you spent so many nights making food for the very same men dragging you away now.

And maybe they saw it, that flicker of attachment in your expression, because Niragi’s voice softened. Just a little.

“C’mon, baby. No use looking back now.”

The way he said it was almost gentle, but there was an edge to it, like he needed you to listen, like he needed you to turn away from all this and go with them.

But you still stood there, frozen for just a moment too long.

And then Niragi was suddenly behind you, long fingers wrapping around your wrist, not squeezing, not pulling—just holding. His voice dropped low, too sweet, almost coaxing.

“You don’t need this place anymore.”

You felt bad. But that didn’t stop you from exhaling, from letting your fingers tighten around the strap of your bag before finally nodding.

“Okay.”

And that was all it took.

Niragi grinned, triumphant, and Chishiya just gave the smallest tilt of his head, like he knew this was going to happen, like he knew you were always going to choose them in the end.

And just like that, you were stepping forward, out of the apartment, out of everything you had made for yourself.

Niragi threw an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close like you belonged to him, like he had won. His lips pressed against the top of your head in something that almost felt affectionate—but you knew better.

And Chishiya? He just glanced at you as you walked past him, his gaze lingering for just a second too long before he followed.

You didn’t look back.

~

The streets stretched out before you, empty and endless, the sun casting long shadows against the crumbling buildings. You followed behind them, one step after another, the soles of your pretty shoes barely making a sound against the cracked pavement.

You were always talking. Always. You were an endless stream of warmth, of sweet words and gentle touches, filling the silence with something bright and real. But now? Now, you didn’t say a word.

Niragi’s eyes flicked back toward you, just a glance over his shoulder, but it lingered. Like he was waiting for you to say something, anything. A dumb little comment, some rambling thought about the buildings you passed, or maybe just the way the sky looked today. But you said nothing.

Chishiya noticed too, of course. He always did. He didn’t look back at you, didn’t even acknowledge it at first. But his steps slowed, just slightly, just enough that you could catch up to his side if you wanted to.

You didn’t.

You just kept walking, a few paces behind them, watching the city as it passed.

You had built something back there. In that little apartment, in the warmth of your fairy lights, in the way you had decorated every corner like it mattered. Because it did matter.

And now you were leaving it behind.

You didn’t want to.

But you loved them more.

So you followed.

You watched the wind ripple through the abandoned streets, stirring up old newspapers and broken glass. You watched the buildings, the ones you had learned to recognize, the ones that had made up your world for so long. You memorized them, committed them to the back of your mind like a photograph, like a goodbye.

And still, you were quiet.

Niragi exhaled sharply, tilting his head to the sky before finally throwing his arms out dramatically, his voice breaking through the silence like he couldn’t fucking stand it anymore.

“Alright, what the fuck is it?”

You blinked, finally looking at him.

He slowed his steps, turning to face you fully now, walking backward like it was easy, like he had done this a thousand times before. The gun dangled loosely from his fingers, the weight of it careless.

You didn’t answer.

His expression twitched, just for a second, like he was resisting the urge to grab you, to shake the words out of you. Instead, he lifted the gun, tapping it against his temple with an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, come on. You’re making me feel bad here.”

That wasn’t true. Niragi didn’t feel bad about shit. But he did feel bored, and he did feel annoyed, and you knew that was just as dangerous.

Still, you didn’t answer.

Chishiya finally turned his head, just slightly, just enough to watch you out of the corner of his eye. He was quiet too, but his silence was calculated. Yours wasn’t.

Yours was grief.

And Niragi? Niragi fucking hated that.

His fingers tightened around his gun before he finally dropped his arm back to his side. “What, you miss your little dollhouse already?”

It was mean. It was supposed to be. Niragi was always mean. But the second he said it, something flickered across his face, too fast for you to catch. Something almost uncertain.

Because he had the feeling that, for the first time, he had said the wrong thing.

“Yes.”

One word. No hesitation. No softness, no attempt to sugarcoat it, no sweet little smile to smooth the edges. Just yes.

Niragi actually faltered. It wasn’t much—just a flicker of something across his features, just the briefest twitch of his fingers around the gun. Like he had been expecting you to brush it off, to laugh it away, to say something sweet and pretty and manageable.

But you didn’t.

You just stood there, looking at him like that, like the weight of this decision was sinking into your bones, like it hurt, and Niragi hated it.

He hated that you weren’t fawning over him right now. He hated that you weren’t touching him, that your hands weren’t on his arm, on his face, soothing away whatever nastiness came out of his mouth. He hated that for the first time in a long fucking time, he wasn’t the center of your universe.

And most of all? He hated the way you looked at him.

Not angry. Not even upset.

Just honest.

It was fucking unbearable.

“Pft.” Niragi scoffed, rolling his eyes, shifting his weight onto one foot. “You’re seriously pouting over some shitty little apartment? That place was a fucking dump.”

You tilted your head, still watching him.

You never snapped.

Not once.

You had all the reason to. You had been through hell and back, you had lost, you had bled, you had killed, and still, still you had never once raised your voice in anger. Never let the poison leak out the way it had infected the rest of them.

You could have.

You should have.

But you didn’t.

Instead, you just exhaled quietly, gaze flicking toward the empty street ahead before dropping to the cracked pavement beneath your feet.

“…It was my home.”

Niragi actually stopped walking. For half a second. For the tiniest fraction of time, he just stood there, blinking, his fingers twitching around the gun before he huffed sharply, shaking his head.

“Oh, come on.” He threw out his arms again, gesturing around wildly. “This is your home now, sweetheart. Us. We’re your home.”

The words came out too fast. Too insistent. Like he was trying to convince himself just as much as you.

You looked at him for a long moment, something soft shifting behind your eyes, something Niragi couldn’t fucking stand, something that made him want to bite, to scratch, to ruin it.

But you just smiled, small and tired, before finally stepping forward, finally pressing a hand to his chest, your touch feather-light. “I know.”

Niragi exhaled sharply through his nose, glancing away.

Whatever. You were fine. You’d get over it.

Chishiya, who had been silent this entire time, finally spoke, his voice as quiet and dry as ever. “We’re burning daylight.”

Niragi huffed again, but he turned around, walking forward, letting his fingers tap against the barrel of his gun as he walked.

You followed.

Of course you did.

But Niragi didn’t know when to shut the fuck up.

He didn’t know how to leave things alone. He was the kind of guy who had to keep pressing, keep poking, keep digging until he hit something raw. He liked getting reactions out of people, liked watching them twitch, liked knowing he was the one pulling the strings.

So of course, as you walked behind them, all quiet and weird and not you, Niragi couldn’t just let it go.

“The hell’s wrong with you?” he scoffed, knocking his elbow against yours, forcing you to look at him. “You gonna sulk the whole way there?”

You barely even reacted. Just a small blink, a tiny glance up at him, before your gaze dropped again.

Fucking hell.

Niragi rolled his eyes. “Seriously, this is pathetic. What, you need me to hold your hand or something?”

No biting retort. No exasperated sigh. No teasing little smile.

Just silence.

It was pissing him off.

Niragi clicked his tongue, reaching out to tug at the strap of your bag, yanking on it just enough to jolt you. “C’mon, babe. Don’t tell me I gotta babysit your ass all the way back—”

Then you turned your head and looked at him.

And fuck.

It hit him like a goddamn bullet to the ribs.

Your eyes—big, round, shiny. You looked at him like a kicked puppy, like someone had taken something out of you and hadn’t given it back, like you were standing in the middle of an empty fucking street, lost.

And Niragi didn’t know what the fuck to do with that.

Because for the first time since meeting you, he had the distinct, horrible feeling that he had actually hurt you.

Not the usual way. Not the way he liked.

But in some way that twisted up his insides, made something uncomfortable curl in his stomach, made his fingers flex and twitch like he wanted to grab you and shake you and fix it.

And the worst part?

He didn’t know how.

“…Fuck’s sake.” he muttered, glancing away, rolling his shoulders back like it could shake off the weight pressing against his ribs. “You’re such a fucking crybaby.”

It was cruel.

It was unnecessary.

But it was safe.

Because Niragi didn’t know how to deal with softness. He didn’t know how to sit with it, how to hold it, how to fucking comfort someone without turning it into a joke.

And god, you were so soft.

You didn’t say anything, didn’t even flinch at his words. Just let out a slow, quiet exhale through your nose before dropping your gaze again, lashes brushing against your cheeks as you looked down.

That uncomfortable feeling in Niragi’s chest only grew.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

He shouldn’t care. He shouldn’t fucking care.

And yet, as you kept walking, as you kept trailing slightly behind them, so small and quiet and not yourself—Niragi felt his fingers twitch with the overwhelming, unbearable urge to grab your wrist.

To pull you closer.

To do something.

But he didn’t.

He just scoffed, stuffing his hands into his pockets, eyes flicking up toward the sky, as if he could find an answer there.

Whatever. You’d be fine.

You always were.

~

You had been walking for a while now.

It should have felt peaceful. But it didn’t.

Because you were quiet.

And Niragi was ignoring that, pretending not to care, half-focused on searching for bullets in whatever abandoned buildings you passed.

And Chishiya—well. Chishiya noticed everything. He walked ahead for a long while, hands in his pockets, glancing back at you every so often. Your pink little bag bounced slightly with every step, but you still walked slower than them, trailing behind, eyes downcast. You hadn’t even tried to talk to them.

That wasn’t like you.

And maybe that was why, after a few more minutes, Chishiya suddenly slowed his pace.

Then he was walking next to you.

“You know,” he said. “I saw your cat.”

You blinked, glancing up at him.

It was so sudden—such a random topic, so detached from the weight hanging between you. But maybe that was why it worked.

“…Really?” your voice was quiet, hesitant. But it was something.

Chishiya nodded, gaze still ahead. “Mm. The orange one. Looked well-fed.”

Your brows furrowed a little. “How would it even get food in this city?”

“There are ways.”

“Like what?”

“Maybe it steals.”

Your lips parted, confused. Then, a small huff of laughter, a tiny curl of your mouth.

From a few steps ahead, Niragi let out a loud scoff.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” he sneered, not even looking back. “Are we seriously talking about a fucking cat right now?”

You tensed slightly at his voice. But before you could retreat back into yourself, Chishiya hummed.

“I don’t see why not.” he said. “It’s better than listening to you talk about your gun.”

You let out a real laugh at that. Short, soft, but real.

And Niragi whipped his head around, giving Chishiya a nasty glare. Chishiya just raised an eyebrow, completely unbothered.

And maybe it was that, maybe it was the ease of it, or maybe it was the way Niragi’s face twisted into irritation—but suddenly, something about it felt normal.

Like you had slipped back into something familiar, something safe.

You weren’t completely okay—not yet. But you felt lighter.

And Chishiya—he didn’t smile, didn’t change his expression. But as you kept talking, soft and genuine, he couldn’t help but feel something satisfied settle in his chest.

Because he had done that.

And he wasn’t sure why that mattered, but it did.

“God, you two are fucking boring.” Niragi turned his head slightly, looking over his shoulder at you and Chishiya.

You had barely said anything about his previous complaint—just a little glance in his direction before going back to your conversation with Chishiya, soft-spoken and calm.

That irritated him.

Niragi didn’t like being ignored.

So, naturally, he decided to entertain himself.

He twirled his gun in his fingers, walking backward as he looked at you both. “I mean, fuck, is this what I have to deal with now? You two whispering about cats and whatever the fuck else?”

Chishiya didn’t even blink. “You don’t have to listen.”

But Niragi just smiled. “Oh, but I want to.”

And before either of you could respond, Niragi suddenly whipped his gun up and shot at a car to the side of the street.

The sound exploded through the air.

You didn’t even flinch. Not even when Niragi screamed immediately after, the sound completely unhinged, something wild and cruel and thrilled.

“WOOOHOOO!!” he roared, dragging the word out as long as his lungs would let him, head tilting back with the force of it. Then he shot again—BANG BANG—at nothing in particular, just making noise, just because he could.

He was laughing, loud and rough, adrenaline singing through his veins as he waved the gun around.

Chishiya sighed, visibly unimpressed, but still didn’t say anything.

And you—well. You just watched him, eyes soft, curious, as if you were observing some strange new species rather than a man waving a gun in the air like a lunatic.

You had always been like that with him.

Like nothing he did could truly shake you.

Like you weren’t scared of him.

It should have pissed him off. Should have made him want to shake you, make you react, make you afraid. But instead—somehow—it just made him want to do more.

So he shot again.

And again.

Shouting, laughing, alive.

And you, still, just walked. Quiet. Unbothered. Like this was just him. Like you were used to it.

You picked up your pace. Your feet barely made a sound against the pavement, slipping between Niragi’s wild movements—ducking under the gun he swung carelessly in the air, stepping closer even as he pointed it at you, completely unbothered by the way his finger twitched over the trigger.

You had walked in silence long enough. And you weren’t meant for silence. You were not fine. You were so fine. So you spoke.

“You know what I’ve been thinking about?”

Niragi turned his head sharply, mouth open as it usually was, his gun shifting just slightly in your direction. He didn’t actually stop walking, still moving forward, but his attention was on you now.

You had it so easily. Just like that.

Chishiya watched from a few paces behind.

“I’ve been thinking,” you continued, eyes bright again. “about mini ponies.”

Niragi blinked. Then let out a short, barking laugh, almost thrown off by the unexpected words.

You smiled, as if pleased with yourself. “Not the baby ones—”

“That’s literally what you just said.” Niragi’s voice was like he was trying to find a way to ruin this for you.

“No, not baby ones.” you corrected quickly, turning to him fully now, completely unafraid of the way the barrel of his gun lazily moved with you. “Mini ponies. Like, the little tiny guys that are just small but aren’t actual babies.”

Niragi tilted his head, considering. Then shrugged. “So what?”

“So, do you think we can find them now?”

He raised a brow. “In Tokyo?”

“Well, now that animals are coming back.” you reasoned, tilting your head. “There’s been deer. Birds. I saw a dog the other day.”

“Congratulations.” Niragi said dryly.

You ignored him, already carried away in your own thoughts. “I mean, they’re out there somewhere, right? Someone probably had them as pets before, and now they could just be running around.”

Niragi smirked. “Yeah. Feral mini ponies. That’s exactly what we need.”

You gasped. “That would be adorable.”

He laughed at your enthusiasm. But you were already going on, lost in the idea, moving your hands as you spoke.

“Just imagine it.” you pressed, stepping closer, almost walking backward now to face him. “Tiny little guys, galloping around the city. Doing whatever they want. No rules.”

“You trying to be poetic?”

“I just think they’re cute.”

“They’re useless.”

“But cute.”

“Completely fucking worthless.”

“But you wouldn’t shoot one.”

Niragi paused. For a moment, it looked like he might try to argue—might grin in your face and say of course I would, might try to pull that same cruelty he always did, might test you just to see if you would still look at him like that.

But he didn’t. Instead, he let his gun drop back to his side, looking you over with something unreadable before scoffing under his breath. “Tch. You’re so fucking weird.”

You smiled, satisfied. “So no shooting mini ponies?”

“Didn’t fucking say that.”

You spun on your heel. “You think mini ponies are a dumb topic?”

“I think you’re dumb for thinking they’d survive here.” Chishiya said.

“But they could.”

“They wouldn’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“They’re prey animals.”

“I could be a prey animal.”

Niragi choked on a laugh. “Oh, bullshit.”

You shrugged, feigning innocence. “I mean, technically—”

“You’re the most annoying prey animal I’ve ever met.”

You grinned. “Then I’d survive, wouldn’t I?”

Niragi let out another laugh, grinning, looking like he was lost in his own little world again.

For the first time in hours, you didn’t feel so heavy. You liked talking to them. They cheered you up. Didn’t they ruin your mood first point?

BANG.

The sound cracked through the air, shattering the relative quiet of the empty streets. Birds scattered from the tops of abandoned buildings, a few loose signs rattled against rusted poles, and the echoes stretched for blocks.

And Niragi just laughed.

He swung the gun around in his hand, spinning it lazily with his fingers before firing off another round into the sky.

BANG.

“God, I fucking love this thing!”

You flinched at the volume—not from fear, just from how loud it was—but kept walking, barely reacting beyond that. You weren’t stupid. Niragi would point his gun at you, sure, would wave it in your face like a toy, but he wouldn’t shoot. Not you.

Chishiya, on the other hand, did react. Not much, just a small sigh from where he walked a few steps behind you, his hands still tucked in his pockets, but it was pointed—long suffering and unimpressed.

Niragi smirked at him. “What? You scared, doc?”

“Only of losing my hearing.” Chishiya muttered.

Niragi snorted, but he didn’t actually care about Chishiya’s complaints. No, he was more interested in himself. In you. The way you had been quiet—unnaturally, eerily quiet—since leaving, and now? Now, you were talking again. Moving again.

And he liked that.

Even Chishiya had noticed.

You weren’t sulking anymore. Instead, you had been talking—rambling, you, moving your hands as you spoke, eyes bright with some dumb topic about mini ponies and feral animals and whether or not they could be out here somewhere. It was stupid—so stupid—but it was you.

And whether they would admit it or not, they liked it better this way.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re one of those horse girls.” Niragi poked his cheek with his tongue.

You let out a dramatic gasp, placing a hand over your chest. “How dare you?”

“So that’s a yes?”

“No!” You huffed. “I just like animals. And they’re cute.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Niragi waved a hand, still walking ahead. “Next you’ll be talking about how you wanna rescue all the stray dogs or some shit.”

Your eyes widened. “That’s actually such a good idea.”

“Fuck me.”

Chishiya let out the faintest huff beside you, the smallest smirk tugging at his lips. You turned to him immediately, your attention snapping over, catching onto it so fast.

“Oh, so you do find me funny.” you teased, eyes narrowing playfully.

Chishiya didn’t dignify that with an answer.

You grinned anyway. “You do!”

He hummed. “I think you say dumb things in an entertaining way.”

“That’s an insult.”

He shrugged.

Niragi snorted again, and you turned back to him.

“Okay, but seriously.” you continued. “If we found a stray dog, you wouldn’t just leave it there, right?”

“Wouldn’t be my fucking problem.”

You gave him a look. “Niragi.”

“What?” He grinned. “You want me to build a fucking animal shelter out here?”

“I mean—”

“Do I look like some charity?”

“Niragi.”

“Do I have ‘fucking saint’ tattooed on my face?”

“Niragi—”

“Do I—”

“Niragi!”

He shot you a look. A fucking sassy one at that.

You huffed again. “You wouldn’t leave a dog if it came up to you.”

“Oh?” He tilted his head. “And how the fuck do you know that?”

“Because you like things that follow you around.”

Silence.

Niragi’s fingers tightened around his gun for a fraction of a second before relaxing again. Chishiya, beside you, let his gaze flick over to the interaction, silent, but watching. Thinking.

You knew Niragi liked attention. Knew he liked being the center of things, liked knowing people wanted him, needed him, were following him—not just physically, but emotionally. He liked control, liked the pull, liked knowing that the only warmth he’d ever been given was from you.

And he liked seeing you give it to him.

Even now, as he scoffed and turned away, throwing another bullet into the sky with a BANG, you knew.

You were talking again. Social again.

And both of them noticed.

“WOOOOOOOH!”

BANG.

A bullet ricocheted off a rusted streetlight, causing a high-pitched ping! to ring through the air. Niragi swung his gun again, pointing it up, down, around, at buildings, at the sky, at nothing at all, until he finally turned and aimed it straight at Chishiya’s head.

Chishiya didn’t even blink.

“Pull it.” he said, voice flat.

Niragi’s grinned like he actually might.

“Niragi.” you called out.

He turned to you instead, gun swinging midair before finally lowering it again. “What?”

“You’re loud.”

“Yeah?” He snorted, spreading his arms out. “That’s the fucking point!”

And then he screamed again, this time straight into the sky, voice stretching for blocks, breaking through the quiet that had settled after all the gunfire.

Chishiya exhaled, suffering. “You’re going to get us killed before we even make it back.”

Niragi just laughed.

You only watched. Watched as he moved through the streets like something untamed, something feral—a creature of chaos that had never learned how to be human, had never wanted to be, at least convinced himself of that. Watched how he spun his gun in his fingers, how he knew that Chishiya wouldn’t flinch when he pointed it at him, how he knew that you’d tell him to put it down, but he still did it anyway.

Watched how Chishiya never once stopped walking, hands in his pockets, gaze flicking over you both like he was waiting for the moment this all spiraled into something he could predict. Something he could understand.

You watched them.

And they watched you.

You had been quiet. You had been sad. But they had fixed that, hadn’t they?

Or—no. That wasn’t the right word.

They had redirected it.

Pulled you from one thing into another, had moved you, placed you back into motion so you couldn’t sit and mourn. And wasn’t that what Niragi did best? Push and push and push so no one had time to think, so you were only following, so you never stopped? And wasn’t that what Chishiya did too? Let people move the way they thought they wanted, but keep them within reach, let them settle into something, let them believe—

But you weren’t stupid.

And the truth was?

You liked it.

You liked them.

You had already been following them before you even realized you were walking. Had already decided that, even though your chest ached looking back at the home you had built, it would ache more if you let them leave without you.

You didn’t want to be left behind.

And maybe—just maybe—neither did they.

❤︎︎ @lizntstoptalking @cherryheairt @fiction-fantasy-folks @monkey4lifer @psychicyouthfox @so-dramatic1 @mypsychoticlove @unhinged-sorcerer @rattymess @mocchii-writes @adanfore @scarlet703 @fluentgoddess @maxinehufflepuffprincess @onyxmango @bluerthanvelvet444 @risingofjupiter @enhasrii @potato-vagina

[chocostrwberry]

I was thinking it be cool if Marinette was extremely lucky-

Like it’s a part of her character. She even introduces herself as “I’m Marinette, and I would say I’m a pretty lucky girl!”

Marinette being the type of person who would tell you stuff like “Oh I was worried about eating out today but then I found a 50 dollar bill so everything worked out!” Or “Apparently the road to school was blocked off, but I got there just in time for it to clear out so I wasn’t late to school!”

She finds a lil white dog at the park one day, spends some time looking for the owner out of kindness, and the owner turns out to be an old woman. BUT that old woman is extremely wealthy and a few months later turns out she had decided to sponsor Marinette’s education in her will so she can go to the most private school in Paris

Because she stands up for Juleka, Marinette starts dating Luka, and it turns out he’s one of Jagged Stone’s children so he put her on an album cover as a present AND free publicity for her designs.

Adrien, a TOP MODEL falls in love with her because she returns his mother’s necklace instead of destroying it, basically establishing the love of her life and a secure future if she likes him back.

Nino saying “This is Marinette’s world and we’re all just living in it” as a joke-

But when she gets the Ladybug miraculous, her life starts to fall apart. It’s kinda ironic, that the miraculous of luck happened to make her life worse off, but that might just be a silly side effect of being the holder? Like fate has it where it’s attracted to lucky people, but then it neutralizes it?

And so throughout the show, there are moments where like “everything turned out okay in the end”, but mostly it’s just one super slide of her civilian life going downhill. She still has moments where good things happen to her seemingly out of nowhere, but I’d like to think now they don’t last as long as she’s use to. They’re more fleeting, if that makes sense, because something always happens that ruins it.

Chloe invites her to her birthday party because they’re finally not enemies anymore, but then takes the blame for ruining it

Dates chat noir, her idol and crush, but he breaks up with her and gets akumatized

So you see her going from this happy-go-lucky girl who’s just like “Hee hee, oh well!” to a paranoid and anxious “I have to be careful, something bad is going to happen soon.”

[ahsxual]

William Afton x Fem!Reader who is his stepdaughter, Y/N being a person that dresses very feminine and a lot of short skirts and dresses. Y/N would have a boyfriend that she learns had cheated on her with her best friend and she goes to her mom and stepdad house for comfort from her mom before quickly, realizing her mom was not home and it’s instead gets cheered up by her stepdaddy 😏

Daddy's Comfort

Genre: Smut & Angst

Warnings: minors dni +18, sad reader, Soft!Dom!William x Sub!Reader, cunnilingus, fingering, Perv!William, married!William, nipple play, praising, William calls reader a slut twice, cheating, age gap (reader is +18), daddy kink, almost getting caught

Word Count: 2,2k

Tagging: @aliceblxck @wolfman-moony

Warm tears streamed down your face the moment you discovered that your boyfriend was cheating on you. And to make things worse, it was with your own bestfriend, the girl you were supposed to trust the most. But oh, how wrong were you. You never saw the bad side of people, because you didn't believe that people could be so cruel and untrustworthy. Whenever you felt down, you would go to your best friend's house to cry on her shoulder, but now that wasn't an available option, leaving you alone with your broken heart and no one to talk to about your pain.

You never liked to vent to your mother about your heartbreaks, feeling embarrassed to be vulnerable in front of her. Your stepfather William Afton, on the other hand, always gave you advice about how boys your age only wanted to play with naive girls and take advantage of their fragile hearts, which was why he was so strict about you having affairs or boyfriends. Right now, as you were heading home to get some comfort from your parents, since there was no one else who would listen to you, you realized how William was absolutely right.

You were hoping that your parents would be home at that moment, comforting you with the right words and the reassuring physical touch that you so desperately needed. However, when you opened the door, you noticed that only your new parental figure was home.

"Hi sweetie! How was your day?" William immediately noticed you weren't well the moment he looked at you. Your red face and puffy eyes weren't fooling anyone, especially your stepfather who was such a intelligent and perceptive man, and who apparently knew you too well.

He was sitting on the couch watching a criminal documentary to which you didn't pay much attention, as your mind was occupied with other thoughts. He was already in his pajamas, so he must have gotten home some time ago. He got up quickly the moment you didn't answer him and instead you just cried on the spot, as his tall figure approached you carefully so as not to elicit any negative reaction from you.

"Hey hey come here, honey. It's alright, daddy's got you now, baby." he reassured you in a soft tone, as he hugged you against his strong frame. You instinctively returned his gesture, the feeling of hugging your stepdad being much better and needed than you expected.

"Do you want to talk about it?" you nodded, allowing him to carry you over the couch and sit you on his lap, while he rubbed your back and grabbed your exposed thigh to hold you closer. You hadn't realized the effect you had on him because you were wearing a short, pink dress with a bow that hung just below your cleavage.

"You were right, William... guys are all the same. M-my boyf-, I mean, ex-boyfriend cheated on me... with my bestfriend! How could they do this to me??" you started crying harder now that you had verbalize what had been haunting you since that morning, but you still felt much better for being able to talk about it with your stepfather. Suddenly, you felt William's hand squeeze your thigh harder, but you ignored that feeling for the moment. He remained silent for a moment before he spoke again.

"Sweetheart, boys your age don't know how to value a woman... Daddy tried to warn you, but you didn't listen. You need to find a real man who can take care of you and who won't break that soft heart of yours. You're too beautiful and young to cry over some idiot, and that's why I don't want you dating anyone. Do you understand me now, honey?" his voice was slightly deeper than before, but once again you let it pass. After listening to his "dad speech" about boys, you just nodded and leaned your head on his neck as you hugged him, looking for some kind of safety and warm physical touch.

"I'm sorry, daddy... I didn't mean to upset you. You were absolutely right... boys my age are real assholes." you stayed on his lap for a while, as he softly stroked your back and legs and kissed your head several times. As time passed, you noticed that his breathing changed its rhythm to a faster one.

"And there's one more thing..."

"What is it, daddy?" you asked innocently, having no idea what he was going to say next.

"You shouldn't... dress like that around men. You know how pretty girls are an easy target for men to take advantage of. You can... drive them crazy and make them do things that they can't... control. Do you understand what I'm trying to say, sweetie?" it was only then that you felt something getting hard under your ass, his thin pajama pants making it obvious that he was getting turned on by your outfit and vulnerable state. You blushed heavily at this and began to tremble a bit from embarrassment and nervousness.

"I'm sorry daddy, I didn't mean to..." you were left speechless, as you had no idea what to say or how to face this awkward situation.

"Do you want daddy to make you feel good?" he asked bluntly, his tone indicating that his intentions were far from innocent.

You didn't know how to react, but what you did know was that you desperately needed him inside you. You stared deeply into his eyes, trying to figure out if his intentions were the same as yours, and as soon as you realized this was confirmed, you simply nodded and spread your legs wide. His pupils were extremely dilated and his stare at your lips was becoming unbearable, while a small smirk appeared on his face.

"My babygirl is so good to me... I promise that daddy will take care of his sweet girl and make her forget about everything that upset her. Do you want that, bunny?" his hand was now dangerously close to where you needed him the most, as you felt your white cotton panties already soaked by his simple touch and voice.

"Yes daddy, please... I need you." you moaned softly, and that was enough to drive him crazy.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked cautiously, yet you could see he was getting desperate and impatient to touch you in such an intimate way. The moment you said yes, his thin lips glued to yours in a hungry, passionate kiss, a kiss you'd never experienced before. You could have sworn it was the best feeling you'd ever felt, until he rubbed his long, skilled finger against your clothed pussy and smeared your cum juices all over your already ruined panties.

"Oh fuck... is this all for me, baby? You're so, so wet... it'll make everything so much easier, you'll see." and that's when you felt him pull your panties aside to insert his middle finger inside your cunt.

You immediately moaned loudly as he curled his finger inside you, hitting your g-stop over and over again, so sweetly. He went from fingering you to drawing circles around your clit as you he kissed you slowly, his tongue dominating its territory inside your mouth. After a couple of minutes, you felt yourself getting closer and closer to your first orgasm, before he added a second finger inside you. Just as you were about to cum, he started fucking you faster and harder with his fingers, before bitting your neck and sucking on a purple hickey, making you reach your limit much more intensely. While you recovered, he never stopped kissing your neck and face, making you feel like the most special girl in the world.

"My sweet girl is so beautiful when she cums... What a beautiful sight to behold every day, every second... if only it was possible..." he whispered lovingly as he played with your lower lip. You wanted to please him too, so you took his thumb into your mouth and started sucking on it the best you could while gazing into his eyes.

"Can I suck your cock, daddy? Please, I want to pleasure you too." you were too eager to see what was under those pajamas, the hardness of it already promising that he could destroy you if he wanted to. He chuckled softly at you while shaking his head.

"Not now, sweetie. Daddy needs to taste his favorite girl first. You're the one who's had a bad day, right? So I'm going to pleasure you until you can't take it anymore... You can suck daddy's cock later, ok? I promise you'll see, feel and taste every bit of my cock sooner or later... I'll make sure of that. But right now, it's all about you, bunny." you smiled at his gentleness, and only wished you could have more time alone with him, since your mother would be home soon. Now you understood why your mother married this man after saying several times that she would never marry again.

William grabbed you in bridal style and took you to your room, where you would feel more comfortable and remember it every time you went there or slept. You were giggling in joy in his arms, his pecks on your lips made you feel hysterical butterflies flying around in your stomach. When you reached your bedroom, he gently placed you on your bed before undressing you. Your nipples hardened not only because of how cold it was in the room, but also with desire.

"Would you look at this... my bunny has such a perfect pussy. I can't wait to fuck you so good, princess. You're gonna love daddy's cock inside you. But for now... I'm gonna show you how a real man eats his pretty girl's pussy." his tongue trailed slowly through your wet folds, before leaving soft kisses on your clit. It was driving you insane and you desperately needed to beg him for more.

"Daddy, please... I need more please!" on another occasion William would continue to tease you, but your time was limited and he needed to make you cum again. He began to eat you out more eagerly, until you screamed his name over and over again. His skilled tongue never stopped pleasuring you, his beard and chin all covered in your juices, before you came again on his mouth.

"Just one more time and I'll let you go, baby... Come one, make daddy proud and cum all over my face." he demanded, before pinching your nipples harder.

His tongue didn't stop sucking on your clit, before it entered your empty hole until it reached the sweet spot inside of you. His beard scratched your tights and the slight pain only increased the pleasure you were feeling. A few minutes later, he grabbed your trembling legs and forced them over your chest with one of his strong arms, while his free hand fingered your pussy at a fast pace as he sucked on your clit. That was enough to make you moan loudly from pleasure as you came in his mouth and fingers, your cum dripping from your stepdad's chin as he stood up and looked at you.

It was only then that you heard some keys trying to open the front door of your house and you both immediately exchanged a knowing look. William wiped his chin with his sleeve, before leaning down to kiss your lips. However, you couldn't let him go just yet.

You knew that your mom's routine was to go to the bathroom before greeting her family, so when William was ready to leave your bedroom, you grabbed his arm to turn him towards you. He frowned at you, not believing that you were willing to risk getting caught, before you pulled his pants down and freed his cock.

"Honey, what are you do-" you didn't let him finish his sentence, as you put his long, thick dick inside your mouth and started sucking him off as if your life depended on it. "Oh fuck, you needy little slut... you just can't resist daddy's cock, can you? You're so desperate that you're willing to get caught sucking off your mother's husband. Bad, bad girl..."

And that's all he said, before forcefully grabbing your hair and fucking your throat harder than you thought, which made you choke around him as spit dribbled down your chin onto your exposed nipples. Your mother had already left the bathroom by then, so you had to be quick. You held William's hips firmly and helped him fuck deeper into your mouth, which helped him finish faster inside you. You swallowed every drop of his cum, before showing your tongue to prove that you were a good girl for him by swallowing everything he gave you.

"I had to thank you for making me feel better, daddy. I wanted you to feel good and proud of me too..." you smiled shyly, while blushing and bitting your lip seductively.

"Oh, you little whore... my baby is always surprising me for the better. Next time, I won't be so gentle with you. And this is not a warning... it's a goddam promise." he said with a satisfied grin, before leaving your room with a wink in your way that held a million promises.

[heretical-cogitations]

Calgar’s week off (gone wrong) (gone sexual) part 1?

Part 2 Part 3

Dom!Calgar x afab!reader

Word count: ~ 3740

AN: almost finished the first dark imperium book and almost jumped into the pages to give Calgar a hug because holy fuck bro is insecure and thinks HE is a failure I can’t be doing with that, holy fuck.

Once again everything got out of hand, set out to write a short drabble…. so sorry this got a big long winded. Thinking about adding a part 2...

You’re both very much in love but also really horny in this, you’re all over each other in every way from sappy to sexual.

Warnings: MDNI 18+, oral f! receiving, good girl said twice and lady is used once, praise, degradation, public sex, manhandling, hair pulling, dom/sub dynamics, squirting, teasing, piv sex, kinda mirror sex.

Please let me know if I have missed anything!!

He had been relieved of his duties by Lord Guilliman, a sign of his ongoing failures since the plague wars. He remembered the look on his gene fathers face, his exasperation clear as Calgar tried to argue against his dismissal. Except that’s not really what happened, Guilliman had sympathised with the tired chapter master, suggesting signing him off for a break to recuperate, and so was rightly shocked when Calgar protested so staunchly.

Guilliman’s suggestion soon turned into an order for Calgar to take a mandated leave.  “This is not a punishment, Calgar, but a holiday. I expect you will treat it as such; it is not often I allow this type of leave, and I will not have it taken for granted.” His voice authoritative and tired, at that Calgar kneeled thanking his gene sire, feeling a stinging sense of shame as he left.

Since his thoughts swirled with the repeating mantra of failure, his Primarch wanted him as far away as possible, to remove him from making matters worse. Calgar ran his hand over his face and paced the length of the suite he had been very kindly booked into by his gene sire. Lost in self-deprecating thoughts, he didn’t pay attention to the light rapping of knuckles on the room’s doors.

“Lord Calgar?” That sweet voice snapped him out of his thoughts, the one true kindness from his Primarch was letting him bring you.

“Come in.” He couldn’t hide the smile forming on his face as he saw you totter into the room, you had gone on a little mission to gather some information about the local area from the front desk before unpacking, the excitement radiating off you.

You had also been booked into the same room, and he wondered if Lord Guilliman knew of your relationship. Those thoughts didn’t last long, as he basked in the delightful domesticity of you unpacking around him, adding your items to your side of the room.

Throne, you are stunning, he thinks to himself pride filling him at the thought of someone as jaw dropping as you choosing to be his.

“I can feel you staring, Marny.” You smile brightly, turning to face him from the side of the bed. The nickname made his hearts stutter like he was a young man all over again.

You had bewitched him.

“You are just so exquisite, little lady.” Even your sweet laugh had an effect on him, all the weight of his thoughts lifting.

You stood walking over to him placing your hands over his, grabbing his index and middle fingers.  His hands dwarfing yours.

It reminded him of your first night together…

“I’ve finished my little scouting mission and wondered if you had any specific plans for this little holiday.” You say whilst playing with his fingers absentmindedly.

He had researched the place to no end. This little planet in the outskirts of Ultramar was known for its peaceful beauty, range of biomes and therapeutic effects on its inhabitants and visitors.

“Since, we have arrived quite late I thought dinner would be a good place to start, no?” You nod in response.

Your hand is now tracing delicate patterns on his. “Oh, how delightful.” Your chirp snaking your arms around his pressing your chest into his muscular arm.

You’re laying it on thick, he looks down eyes greeted with your breasts threatening to fall out of their confines. It had been a while since the two of you were... intimate, the war had taken him away on what felt like a never-ending mission, always absent from his chambers.

You were going to make the most of this little gift from the Lord Primarch. 

“What should I wear my lord?” A smirk graced his features, “Here, little one.” You let go of him as he walked to the shared dresser, opening a drawer and pulling a box out passing it to you.

The box contained a neatly folded pile of clothes, wrapped in a light tissue paper and tied with a bow

Removing the packaging, you looked at his present, the material looked expensive and almost iridescent, the light cascading over the folds in such a soft way.

It was stunning, you picked it up by the corners to examine it, a beautiful blue custom-made gown, with a well-hidden split to make moving easy, it just looked a bit… wet? You notice a small patch of gold near the neck, pulling the neck line closer to you, you see a set of embroidered letters, not quite sure what they are, assuming it’s the designer’s brand.

The other neatly tied part of the gift was a set of matching lingerie. The colour matching the dress perfectly, it was intricately and beautifully made, making you wonder how long this took and how much it must have cost.

You look back to Calgar. “They are beautiful Marny, thank you, but is- is this appropriate?” He laughs, “Of course it is, go try it all on.”

You do as he says gently swaddling the garments in your arms before starting towards the bathroom.

He stands in your path. “Change here.” His chapter master assertiveness making you fold instantly, blushing a vibrant red as you place the pile back down. “Could you at least turn around?”

“No.” He instead takes a seat on the large loveseat, near the billowing curtains framing the balcony, staring directly at you, you feel exposed.

“I have not seen you in such a long time, can you blame me for wanting to see every inch of you? I want to watch you put on the gift I gave you.” He says as he relaxes back into the cushions below him, before beckoning you to change closer.

You move in front of him, avoiding hid gaze as you slowly strip off your travel clothes and underwear. Arms moving to cover your intimate areas as you try to decipher how to put the intricate lingerie on.

He seems to notice your confusion. “Need some help?” You nod as your blush deepens in shade.

He stations himself behind you, arms running down the lengths of your arms before moving them away from you. “No hiding, sweetheart. I can’t help if I can’t see.” 

His hot breath on your ear sending a jolt of heat through you, he instructs you to pick up the bra first. The delicate lace looked even more fragile in his hands as he glided the straps up your arms into place, head leaning over yours as he fastened the clasp in the front.

You feel lightheaded, those brutish hands shouldn’t be so gentle and attentive, they shouldn’t have you squeezing your thighs together over something so small.

“You smell so good…” he says pressing soft kisses to your neck, you lean into the touch eyes fluttering shut, a soft sigh escaping you.

He moves to stand in front of you before kneeling down, picking up the panties, and gently guiding your legs through the holes. As he slowly pull them into place, you realise a detail you failed to notice earlier, they’re crotchless.

“Oh throne, Marneus.” You cover your face with your hands embarrassed and turned on at the prospect of going to dinner so exposed.

“You look perfect.” Hands kneading your hips before pulling you close, his nose is touching the band of the panties.

He has missed you so much, he can smell how much you want him, feeling the slightest twitch and squeeze of your plush thighs.

He is itching to keep you under him and forget everything outside of these walls until the holiday is over, but he won’t be greedy - not yet anyway.

“Don’t want to ruin dinner, so I need to make sure this works, okay?” You nod in response, you don’t even know what he is talking about, too dazed by the huge man so close to where you need him. 

He lifts one of your thighs over his shoulder latching his lips onto your clit sucking harshly over and over, tongue tracing patterns on the sensitive bud.

Your hands shoot to his hair grabbing and tugging on the cropped grey strands. “O Oh!!” You feel too sensitive, you don’t think you will last long, legs already shaking and relying on Calgar to hold you up right.

His index finger runs up and down your slit before nestling itself knuckle deep inside you, pulling almost all the way out before pushing back in.

You are whining for more, hips bucking against him, cunt squeezing down on his finger. He moans against your clit at a particularly rough tug of his hair, making you double over and see stars. “So close, Marny, please, please.”

He pulls away completely chuckling at the strangled whimper that leaves you. He stares at your crotch for a little while before letting out a pleased hum.

“Looks good.” He mutters to himself before standing up, you are bewildered, you have bene with him long enough to know he loves to tease but this felt cruel, you opened your mouth to protest but he cut you off shoving his finger into your mouth. “Clean it, little one.” You suckle lightly running your tongue over his finger, lapping up any of your slick.

He pulls out his finger, giving you a quick chaste kiss. “Good girl.”

He picks up the dress helping you into it, you’re so pliable, in a daze from what just happened. “There all done.”

He guides you over to the mirror, light grip on your jaw making you take in how your figure perfectly fills out the dress. Every detail placed perfectly, the sheer panels teasing at your curves, bra preserving your modesty. “You are a beauty, aren’t you?” You nod absent mindedly.

“Thank you, it’s lovely…” …but all I can think about is being railed beyond comprehension by you.  

You try to get the message across by pressing your arse against him. Feeling him grind back cock half hard, you whisper. “We could always skip dinner… I’ve missed you so much.” You lean your head back against his broad, strong chest.

“No, little one, we are going. Put your shoes on.” He states bluntly, leaving you as the only figure reflected by the mirror. You huff but get ready, you won’t let him tease you like this without fighting back.

He held the door open for you “After you, little one.” You thank him slipping out of the room.

Calgar as ‘chivalrous’ as ever offered his arm to you, you take up his offer resting a hand on his forearm.

He guides you through the wide, clean marble hallways, you fell into a comfortable silence. Your eyes tracing the patterns of the intricate mosaics that decorated the floor, trying to distract yourself from the aching need you felt.

Moving in the dress is becoming more and more uncomfortable, you can feel your arousal slipping down your thighs, thanks to the chapter master’s other lovely gift.

Arriving at the restaurant that had caught his eye during his research, Calgar leads you in. You are seated at a table with a small couch on one side, the almost setting sun, reflecting off the teal sea on the other. Sat next to each other, arms press side to side as you were both caught in the view’s snare.

“I always forget there are such beauties in this universe.” Calgar said wistfully.

You tear your gaze from the scenery to look up at him, he was definitely one of those beauties you thought. Taking in his strong features highlighted by the golden light. The relative calm takes focus away from the sticky situation,you find yourself in.

Calgar looks around surveying the restaurant. The cover is good, but he still needs to be careful.

He looks to you smiling softly, arm wrapping around your waist, finding a home on your thigh. “Everything okay Marny?” Nickname slipping out before you could stop yourself.

“Of course, just a little distracted, my sweet.” He responds voice a low hum, hand roaming up high on your thigh.

He opens his mouth to speak again but is interrupted by a waiter asking for your drinks order.

You allow Calgar to order, you haven’t even looked at the menu, too distracted by the space marine squashed up next to you.

You notice how the waiters gaze is stuck to you, eyes wandering over the peaks and troughs of your body. Responding to Calgar as he ordered but attention clearly set on you.  “You are very pretty, the lord angel is lucky to have someone, as beautiful as you by his side.” So earnest in his approach you couldn’t be mad at the poor lad, you smiled softly thanking him for the compliment sweetly.

“I am not interested in your opinion of her, boy.” Both you are the waiter gaped at him for a moment before the young man began profusely apologising “I meant no offense to you m-my lord!”. Swiftly making his escape after.

You couldn’t hold the laughter bubbling up. “That was mean, Lord Calgar.” your voice teasing, face turning back to the chapter master. He clearly wasn’t sharing in the levity of the moment, jaw set tight, you try lightning the mood, rubbing his toned thigh with one of your hands, leaning your head against him.

He regrets turning down your offer to stay in the room now, He wasn’t used to feeling jealous, but the waiter’s shameless ogling made his blood boil and your sickly sweet response didn’t do anything to calm the flames the interaction had sparked.

His hand squeeze possessively at your thigh in a futile attempt to ground himself.

The waiter returned a vintage red wine from the looks of it. Placing down the bottle and cooler gently, then the wine glasses.

He was nervously babbling on about the wine, where it’s from, its taste profile, blah blah blah.

You were too busy staring off out into the bay thinking how to best go about further riling up the now moody astartes.

Once both glasses were filled the you both thank the waiter before he took his leave apologising again.

Picking up your glasses you clink them together in cheers before taking a small sip of the wine.

Wow, you take another larger sip, enjoying the strong flavour that overwhelmed your mouth.

“It’s a good vintage, isn’t it?” Calgar mused, his smile such a welcome sight.

“Mhmm its lovely, very good choice, my lord.” The hand on his thigh squeezing his taut muscles. The pure shock on his face, is highly amusing. He stares at you frozen until his hand slips under the slit of your dress.

“Two can play this game, you little minx.” It’s your turn to stare shocked at him as his hand inches further and further up your thigh. That uncomfortable wetness between your thighs, the main focus of your thoughts again.

You let out a small squeak when his fingers slide between your slit. “You’re soaked, little one. You like all that attention he was giving you? “

“M Marny, not here.” You lightly push at his arm. “Oh why not? You’re the one draping yourself all over me, trying your best to get me to bed you before you are even fully unpacked.”  His fingers drawing tight controlled circles on your clit. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you sweetheart?” Two fingers slipping into your tight heat, thumb continuing the assault on your clit.

You look up at him, soft mewls escaping your lips, the hand on his thigh snaking into his robes to return the favour. “What happened to ‘Marny not here’, princess?”

You bury your head into his bicep fingers ghosting over his length before you grab it properly giving it slow, languid strokes. Nails lightly scratching the sensitive head of his cock, using the beading precum as lube, you stroke a little faster, other hands joining to cup his balls, before giving them a slight squeeze.

His breath stutters, fully erect cock hard to hide under his robes.

He pinches your clit in response, rolling the sensitive bud between his thumb and index fingers.

You let out a sharp gasp, knee shooting up smashing against the underside of the table sending the contents of your wine glass flying over you.

“Did you do that on purpose?”

“Why would I do that on purpose?! Shit! It’s all over the dress.” You hastily grab your napkin to dab at the wine seeping into the fabric.

He helps hands pressing the napkin over your chest. “Come on.” He says tugging you up by your arm.

You notice people staring at you, face hung low and flushed trying to avoid their gazes as he trudged with you in tow to one of the restaurants bathrooms ushering you inside before following in and locking the door.

Before you have a second to process anything he is on you crowding you against the sink, hands roughly tugging off the stained dress. “What a waste, you just couldn’t behave could you?” He spits out.

You dig your nails into his arm. “It wouldn’t have happened if you could keep your hands to yourself, you dirty old man.” You bite back, wanting to anger him more.

He hoists you up onto the lip of the sink slotting himself between your thighs. “Need to that rotten attitude, don’t we?” His words laced with venom.

It’s exhilarating, your panties doing nothing to hide how much you’re enjoying this treatment.

Holding you in place with one hand, he uses the other to trace soft patterns on your inner thighs, then he slaps your cunt. Rough palm digging in and grinding against your clit. You jolt biting your lip to repress the squeal that wanted to escape,

“Naughty girl, getting off on being scolded.” His tongue laps over your neck and chest, cleaning any of the wine that seeped through the material of the dress, teeth scraping and biting as he went.

His fingers pinching your nipples through the pretty lace of the bra intermittently, making you let out pitched moans, it hurt so good. “You will know your place.” You wrap your legs around his waist, trying to pull him closer.

He pulls away instead, flipping you around so you’re facing the mirror, hands braced against the sink. He kicks the inside of your leg, spreading you wider before thrusting the tip of his length into your walls.

You push your hips back, gasped moans leaving you each time you manage to take him deeper. He watches you for a while, as you fuck yourself back onto half of his length.

Sweet moans of how full you feel turn to bratty remarks demanding him to fuck you properly.

At that he rags you up by your hair pressing your face to the bathroom mirror. “Look at how desperately fucked out you look from half an astartes cock, no one else could make you feel like this could they?”

“N-no.” You squeal.

“That’s right, who makes you feel this good? Who fucks every little bit of sense out of your stupid cunt?” Cock still no deeper, moving slowly with purposeful strokes.

 “Y-you do chapter mmm-master.” His hand let’s go of your hair before pulling out.

You let out a debauched whine and buck your hips back trying to entice him back.

He leans down picking up your ruined panties shoving them into your mouth. “Be a good whore and stay quiet. Can’t have the entire restaurant hearing how much of a slut you are for your chapter masters cock.” With his words he hilts himself back into your plush heat.

Your legs quiver before giving out, the cold porcelain of the sink digging harshly into your hips.

Muffled whines and moans escaping you. “Listen to the sound of that sloppy hole, always so greedy, isn’t it? Fuck, I’ve missed this pretty little cunt.”

His thrusts somehow harder and faster than before. He pulls your back into a deep arch by grabbing your chin, forcing you to look at your reflection.

Throne, you looked ruined, tears streaming down your face, cheeks a blotchy red, drool mingling with your tears along the edge of your jaw. You could barely keep your eyes focused, it felt too good.

A hot, heavy pressure was building deep in your abdomen.

“Tight little hole was just made for me, wasn’t it? Can feel how close you are. F- feels good squeezing around me. Ask nicely I might let you cum.”

He hooks his finger into your mouth ripping the panties out. “Please, please, please, fuck! I’m so close, I’m so sorry, I’ll be a good girl, please, le-let me cuuummm.” You keep rambling out pleading whines for him to give you release, you’re so close, right on the edge.

He leans forward weight bearing down on you slightly, his cock pressing even deeper into you with each bruising thrust, grunting in your ear, sending you over the edge before he even has the chance to respond.

The orgasm racks through you violently mind wiped blank, as white hot pleasure robs you of your vision for a moment, legs spasming before giving out as you squirt over his length and balls, you slump forward, twitching from the aftershock. “I I’m sorry M Marny.”

His thrusts not faltering one bit hands holding you up as he fucks you through that earth shattering orgasm. “Don’t think you won’t be punished for that little stunt, whore.” You whimper at his words. You feel so overstimulated, it hurts, you attempt to twist yourself, you want the comfort of your lord.

Calgar notices but he won’t give you what you want after you disobeyed him so blatantly. He pulls out, guiding you onto your knees, you shuffle closer hands roaming up and down his muscular thighs.

“Open wide, darling.” He grunts out, you oblige as he strokes himself to orgasm, ropes of hot thick cum splashing across your chest stark against the colour of your bra.

More lands on your face and in your mouth. You stick your tongue out in attempt to catch more, holding your mouth open to show him before swallowing it all down.

He slaps his cock against your cum covered cheek. “Mm, what do you say?” 

“Thank you, lord Calgar.” He groans at your words hand still lazily stroking his cock.

“Good, but we’re not done yet, little one.”

[xxcallmemaryxx]

hi!!! i love your works<3

could you maybe write vessel x reader first date?

A sappy first date with the big guy. He’s a bit nervous. But so are you.

Vessel x GN reader.

Under the cut ~ <3

It’s a nice place. It’s quiet, the lights are dim, the booths are made in such a way that it’s like you’re on a whole other planet when you sit in them. Which normally, would be phenomenal. Having such a level of privacy while enjoying your dinner, it’s perfect. But this time it feels like a curse. Like the world is working against you. Because sat across from you is Vessel. He’s in a freshly ironed button up, a dark blue that looks almost black under these lights. His hair is combed back out of his face and he looks at you like you hung the stars. It’s awful.

It’s your first date.

And he’s doing absolutely everything right.

The problem is, every time your eyes meet you’ve half a mind to tell him you love him.

You’ve known each other a while, and he’s always had that effect. But here, on your first date, when the tension between you two is burning up the room and the feelings you kept hidden for so long are pretty much sitting on the table in front of him? Yeah long story short you’re both clearly nervous as all hell and neither of you know how to approach it. Telling him you love him in a panic attempt at easing into the night probably isn’t the way to go. But this date is just so different and it feels so real, your panic stems from more than just wanting to break the ice, it’s coming from the little voice in your head that’s telling you if this date goes the way you want it to… he’s it for you.

You can only hope to the god he spends so much time worshiping that he feels somewhat the same way.

You like Vessel.

You want him to like you back.

“Look, uh… we don’t have to do this. I’d never want to push you.”

His voice, which you’re sure is proof of heaven alone, snaps you right out of your panic. Then, gives you even worse panic.

“Huh? Why?”

There’s obvious worry in your tone, you know it. He picks up on it, because of course he does.

“I just worry you’re not really present. I’d hate for this to be something you’re just trying to get through, sometimes two people just aren’t supposed to go there… you know?”

His eyes are cast down. He doesn’t want to watch you agree with him. He can’t do it. He can’t make himself watch you sigh in relief. He can’t make himself watch you realise this was indeed a mistake. He can’t make himself smile at you as you tell him you’re sorry but he’s right.

“Oh god… Vessel I’m so sorry.”

Hm. If you listen close enough… you might just be able to hear the sound of his heart shattering in his chest over the clinking of the cutlery throughout the restaurant.

“No, please it’s okay. It happens. You’re still my-“

“It’s just been a long time since I’ve been this excited about a date, got a bit lost in my own head there for a moment. I’m sorry. I’m here I promise.”

Oh fucking Christ thank Sleep one hundred times to the moon and back again. His heart thumps wildly against his ribcage, he’s almost positive you can hear it. And he doesn’t even attempt to hide the sigh of relief that escapes him and the happy smile that graces his lips.

“That is… yeah that’s a relief. I won’t lie to you.”

He huffs a nervous laugh as he fiddles with the tablecloth hanging over the side of the table between you.

“I mean, there wouldn’t have been any hard feelings of course… but I’m really happy you still want to be here.”

You’re silent for a moment while you decide whether or not what you’re about to do is a bad idea or not. But you want to show him you’re serious about this date, you want him to see you enjoying his presence. You need to snap yourself out of it and make some moves.

So you get up.

His head snaps up and he watches you slide out of the booth with a look of complete dread. He straightens up. His hands fall to his sides and his face turns beet red. His jaw opens and closes as he tries to force words out but no sounds escape him. That is until you round the table and slide in next to him.

You offer him a little smile as your side presses against his. Your knees bump together under the table and your hands brush as you situate yourself. He uses his other hand to press his face into it. His voice muffled slightly as he groans quietly into it.

“Fucking Christ… you’re going to send me into an early grave.”

You can’t help the laugh that escapes you. You purposely bump his knees with your own this time, trying to lighten the mood a little.

“I’m sorry… did I scare you?”

“Yes. Yes you did. I thought I’d ruined it all.”

He laughs a little, and he looks down at where you’re pressed up against him. His cheeks are flushed but he looks happy. His eyes sparkle and when he grins down at you, all his teeth are on full display. It’s the kind of smile that would make your cheeks hurt a little bit. The kind that’s a bit awkward and feels too big for your face.

It suits him.

“I’m sorry, Vess. I really like you, I was worried about it not working and kind of got too deep into worrying about it.”

He blinks down at you, it’s a slow blink, his cheeks are still tinted red from your close proximity and you swear for one moment it looks like he’s got hearts in his eyes.

“Don’t panic, love. It’s definitely working.”

His voice is low, it changes the mood almost immediately and all of a sudden it’s too warm in this booth. Who’s idea was it to cozy up to him like this. It feels like you’re suffocating again, he’s so overwhelming when all he’s doing is speaking to you.

He was right before, the tablecloth that hangs over the side of the table really is that interesting. You can’t stop yourself from fiddling with it, you’re starting to feel awkward again. You hear him force a deep breath into his lungs above you before his very large very beautiful hand encompasses your much smaller one, and intertwines his fingers between yours. There’s a slight tremble, you can feel it when you squeeze his hand tight enough. You’re positive doing that made it worse but it’s so endearing that you can’t even feel guilty.

Everything about Vessel is so endearing.

“Thank you for saying yes to me.”

If you weren’t sitting so close you probably wouldn’t have heard him. He gazes down at you, eyes so full of hope. It makes your throat close up and need prickle through your chest.

“Of course, Vess. You thought I would have said no to you?”

“No. I didn’t think you would…”

Cheeky fucker.

“… but I’m just so happy you said yes. I’m excited to be here, like this, with you. I’m sure it’s obvious.”

You lean up and press a soft kiss to his cheek, this causes a chain reaction, starting with his furiously blushing cheeks (yet again), then he smiles so wide he has to look at the ceiling just to calm himself down, his breathing picks up and his hand squeezes yours where he’s holding it in his lap. He looks back down at you with a smile that says a lot. It’s a wobbly smile, his chin wrinkles up and his eyes squint a little. It screams hope. Like most of his body language does tonight. But this smile is the epitome of ‘I know you know exactly how I feel about you and I know you feel the same way.’

Nerves and excitement crackle in the air between you.

“I’m excited too. For tonight. And for our next date. And the ones after that. I’m sure that’s obvious.”

He nods at you, his wobbly smile grows. Somehow, you didn’t think it could get any bigger but it does. He’s gotta cast his eyes down, he looks at your intertwined hands and nods again, at them… to himself… to you? You’re not sure, but he’s sure of whatever he’s nodding about. And that feels good.

.

.

.

<3 <3 <3

Thank you for reading.