#because of that I’m not going to edit this one

[lokissweater]

a million more novembers

{mlb!megumi fushiguro x f!reader}

summary: its you and megumi’s cute little two year anniversary! a car picnic at a stargazing hotspot in the city— snacks, drinks, your loving baseball man, and gifts galore? yes please!

warnings: MDNI. afab!reader, cursing, FLUUUUFFF GALOOREEEE AWWWUUHHH!!, sexual themes, mostly sfw except for like one steamy part ;), boobie sucking, grinding, soft loving megumi OFCCC, sliight angst but really nothing, all characters are aged up, mentions of reader having ‘pink cheeks’ is only to amplify and over-exaggerate feelings of embarrassment, shyness, and everything in between, and not to be taken literally! this is a work of fiction, and you can imagine many things for yourself :)

word count: 8.8k

authors note: ANNIVERSARY SPEECCCIIAAALLL I AM CRRRYYIINNNGGG!!! i hope you guys enjoy this little side fun mini chapter of sir gumi and reader’s anniversary day, and their endeavors with yuji and readers best friend :333 wanted to give you guys an extra mlb!megumi chapter in celebration of their LUUUUVVV !!! MWAAAHHHHH I LOOOVEE YOUUUU !!! TAKE CAAAREEEE !!! <3333333

i highly advise you to read the other parts of this series or else you won’t be able to understand some of the storyline and references :( you can find my mlb!megumi fushiguro masterlist here!

if you could, you’d fake pass out at this very moment so that way you’d be excused by your professor and get the fuck out of your afternoon lecture right this instant.

but you couldn’t, because attendance was mandatory and you’d lose points upon missing out… and you had an exam next week— which is something you normally just grumbled about and dealt with seeing as it was just a part of being in college, except right now? it was criminal to even think about an upcoming exam like this.

because it was you and megumi’s two year anniversary.

and the only thing you wanted to do was be there with him for the entire day… but because of your classes and megumi having abnormal back to back practices again due to the upcoming world series, you both agreed that you’d drive over to the stadium after your afternoon class and leave together for your little date after he was done.

but even though megumi had practice, you wanted to be at the stadium so fucking badly— watching him pitch and swing and just do what he does best one of your absolute favorite hobbies, the way he plays never getting old and actually illegal to even think that something like that could be a possibility.

you shrunk down in your seat, arms crossed as your professor went over topics about something and guidelines about whatever, you usually paying more attention to the material if it was any regular day but wanting to strangle yourself because the education system was preventing you from being with your man.

your phone lit up suddenly with a notification, you smiling softly to yourself upon realizing who it was and sitting up, grabbing your phone to unlock it.

(gumi <3): how’s class baby

you quickly typed back a response.

(you): do you think if i pretend to pass out right now my professor will excuse me and i can just leave

(gumi <3): lol

(gumi <3): you only have thirty minutes left though right?

(you): okay but gumi what does that have to do with me wanting to pretend to pass out so i can go see you faster

(you): and make fan edits of you while i wait 

(you): I— I MEAN—

(gumi <3): omg

(gumi <3): you’ve made enough of those

(gumi <3): no more

you quietly scoffed in your seat, thumbs rapidly typing away.

(you): gumi i can’t believe you’re not supportive of my extra curricular activities rn

(you): after EVERYTHING i’ve done for you

(you): after all the times i’ve sucked your dick

(you): and i thought you liked my edits :(

megumi took a minute to respond before your phone buzzed again.

(gumi <3): LOL

(gumi <3): i do baby i’m kidding

(gumi <3): and don’t put that image in my head rn

(you): oh??????

(you): and why not???? ;))

(you): boner alert perhaps??? ;))

(you): maybe today during our cute little date you can take me to pound town in the back seat of your car and make me cum and cry all over your dick gumi!!

you shrunk further down in your seat and snickered quietly, funnily shielding your phone to prevent anyone else seated around you in your lecture from seeing the absurd messages on your phone.

(gumi <3): jesus fucking christ

(gumi <3): why are you doing this

(you): because i loooveee youuuu <33

(you): and i can’t wait to seee youuuu <333

(you): maybe i should go to the bathroom rn and send you a boobie pic :P

(gumi <3): please

(gumi <3): fuck wait my breaks over i have to go

(gumi <3): fuck

you mushed a hand over your mouth to prevent yourself from laughing out loud, typing a response.

(you): BAAAAHAHAHAH

(you): OMG IM SO SORRY GUMI

(you): HAVE A GOOD REST OF YOUR PRACTICE OKAY ILL SEE YOU IN A BIT! <3

(gumi <3): do you think if i pretend to pass out coach will excuse me

(you): NO GUMI 

(you): GOOOO

(you): GO PLAY GO PLAY

(gumi <3): god

(gumi <3): fine

(gumi <3): i love you pretty baby i’ll see you 

(gumi <3): and pay attention

(you): i love you too gumiiii !!! <333

(you): NO PROMISES BYE !!!

(you): SMOOOCCCHHHH

you breathed out softly through your nose and set your phone back down, one leg crossing over the other as you impatiently waited and practically glared at the powerpoint slides in front of you, your ankle bouncing and mind drifting off again— double checking over the list of things you and megumi needed for your date instead repeatedly in case you forgot something.

since your anniversary couldn’t be an all day thing, the two of you planned a cute little car picnic date at a star gazing hotspot out in the hills of the city, a place megumi had actually been to before in his childhood with gojo and his sister, and one he said he remembered to be nice and quiet with a good view of the stars, similar to how they looked like when you all went on that trip in the mountains a few months ago with his dad, yuji, and your best friend— the fact only making you overly ecstatic, since megumi suggesting something like that without a little gruff and huff was always a special rare sight to see.

and the only things megumi literally allowed you to bring were the fuzzy blankets and pillows and such, him forbidding you from buying absolutely anything else like snacks, drinks, and the food, saying that he had it and it was okay— simply only chuckling and lightly flicking your forehead when you grumbled and fought with him over it in the hopes that he would let you take care of at least half of the things.

he did not.

“alright i think i’ll stop here for today and let you guys go a little earl—”

you shot up from your desk and shoved your books in your bag, not even letting your professor finish before you were already up and speed walking out of the lecture hall and down your building, thanking the gods above for the thousandth time that megumi’s stadium was only a fifteen minute drive from your campus, and therefore made it so much easier for you to drive on over without difficulties and pretty much whenever the fuck wanted… which was all of the time.

just as you plopped in the drivers seat and chucked your bag to the passengers side, an apparent buzzing vibrated through the right back pocket of your skirt as you reached in to pull it out, your best friend’s name flashing at the top.

“hellooo!” you answered, swinging the door shut and turning on the ignition, the heater unit blasting through the vents and warming up the spiking chilly temperature in your car.

“hi babe!” your best friend greeted. “how far away are you?”

“i just got out of class! i should be there in about ten if i go over the speed limiiit.” you grinned, putting your phone on speaker and setting it down on your lap, backing out of your parking space.

“SHE SAID TEN MINUTES GOING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT MEGU— what?! i can’t— i can’t hear you idiot you’re across the fucking field!—”

you laughed loudly as you drove out of your campus parking lot, zooming down the street and going the usual route to his stadium.

“oh my— megumi ordered and yelled at me to call you to see how far you were babe.” she sighed. “when is this man ever gonna treat me fairly this is ridiculous— WHAT?! TELL HER WHAT?!—”

“i’m about eight minutes away now!” you laughed. “tell him that please i’m almost there—”

“WAIT SHE SAID SHE’S EIGHT MINUTES AWA— oh my god okay megumi says not to go over the speed limit and to park next to him in the players parking lot.”

“tell him i said watching him play baseball is more important than the law i don’t give a—”

“SHE SAID WATCHING YOU PLAY BASEBALL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE LAW— oh he’s coming. save yourself and hang up y/n he’s coming— YUJI GET HIM HE’S GONNA TAKE MY PHONE— ARGH STOP!—”

“—go over the speed limit and see what happens.”

a different deeper voice muttered over the line, partially out of breath and one you instantly recognized to be megumi’s as you giggled.

“gumi the speed limit is a social construct and if i don’t get to watch you play for the last thirty minutes of practice i’m gonna gauge my eyeballs out.”

“baseball’s also a social construct.” he deadpanned. “and you watch me play all of the time baby don’t speed you drive like a fucking street racer sometimes.”

“but isn’t it cool and sexy that i do? eehh?” you quipped in a silly way. “and i don’t care how many times i’ve seen you play gumi… i still need to be admitted into a mental facility each time it’s embarrassing.”

he chuckled softly.

“you almost here?”

“yeah! i’m just pulling into the stadium i’m going over to your structure right now.”

“okay.” he spoke. “park next to me please.”

“—megumi i told her that already—”

“can you not eavesdrop—”

“—if it has to do with y/n fuck no—”

“—okay!” you sputtered while shifting your gear to park and turning off the ignition, cutting their bickering off. “i’m here gumi i’m gonna walk to the stadium now.”

“alright i’ll see you baby.” 

“i’ll see you!—”

“your phone time’s revoked asswipe give me my device right now—”

“—can you mind your fucking business for two seconds—”

“NO!—”

you winced and hung up the phone, shaking your head amusedly as you grabbed your keys and stepped out of the car before locking it, walking your way over across the parking structure and to the entrance of the stadium, maneuvering through various hallways and corners like muscle memory and politely saying hello to some of the team’s staff that you recognized as you walked.

you passed through the main hall— megumi’s giant glorious handsome portrait still displayed proudly against the wall amongst his other teammates, prestigious awards and trophies in glass frames and casings littering the room from practically top to bottom as you happily moved through the hall, passing by the same bench that you first unknowingly and officially met megumi in while you were embarrassingly crying your eyes out over him— a treasured memory that you swoon over every now and then at the way he kindly gave you his sunglasses to hide your big fat tears.

you hoped that megumi’s management never replaced that freaking bench, as you wanted to put a plaque on it in commemoration of you and your emo man, knowing that if they ever did you’d be at those stadium doors first thing in the morning to grab and take it home with you to keep.

upon opening the doors to the stadium, you continued on down the steps as you looked on ahead and squinted your eyes, distant hollers and the clanking of bats echoing through the otherwise peaceful atmosphere, several players out on the field practicing and pitching but none being megumi as you reached the bottom and went inside the bullpen, expecting to see your best friend sitting there and possibly still fighting with your boyfriend, but faltering instead.

because megumi was sat there on the bench by himself with his baseball cap on… waiting for you, a bouquet of pretty pink tulips in his arms as he looked straight over the field with an emotionless gaze, his head snapping to you once he heard you coming in and standing up, his face gradually warming.

pink tulips were your favorite.

“gumi…” you spoke softly, astonished and mushy inside as you grabbed the bouquet from him, it neatly tucked in brown paper wrap and pretty pink tule with a little matching bow around the stems to tie it off, the paper crinkling in your arms.

“hi.”

“oh my— these are gorgeous baby thank you!” you gushed, your cheeks hot and you absolutely beaming as you swung your unoccupied arm around his neck and brought him in, pecking his slightly sweaty cheek repeatedly as he huffed out a breathy laugh and pulled you to him.

“you’re welcome.” he murmured, cheek lightly resting against the side of your head as you smiled.

“you really didn’t have to gumi you bought basically everything for today…” you spoke softly, bringing your head back a bit to look at him.

he shrugged.

“so.”

you scoffed. “so? you don’t let me do anything and i feel oppressed.”

he snorted, playfully rolling his eyes and kissing your forehead. 

dramatic.

“it’s fine baby.”

“okay but it’s not.” you grumbled lowly, and the corners of his lips quirked up, taking a tiny step back as he released you and lifted a hand, gently pinching your cheek.

“you look really pretty.”

your pout slid into a cheeky smile, a cute blush rising to your cheeks.

“thank you gumi!” you readjusted the bouquet in your arms and shyly looked away, his direct dark blue eyes on you still nerve wracking even after two years. 

“h— how come you’re not on the field?”

“oh.” megumi’s gaze shifted to his playing teammates. “i wanted to give you the tulips before going back out.”

your eyes softened, chest clenching as you stood up on your tippy toes and gave him a little kiss.

“you’re so nice…” you murmured. 

“i—”

“fushiguro i need you back on the field!”

megumi huffed and rolled his eyes at his coach interrupting his time with you, hands reluctantly dropping from your waist as he took a step back.

“m’sorry baby...” he sighed tiredly, lifting his cap up from his spiky hair and adjusting it back on. “practice is almost over i promise.”

you frantically shook your head. “no gumi it’s okay don’t apologize! go please though i don’t want you to get in trouble.”

he nodded, quickly pecking your cheek before stepping out of the bullpen and back out on the field, turning his body slightly just as he reached the home plate and raising a hand to you as a little goodbye, shifting his attention to his coach and the rest of his teammates once he saw you give him one back.

you walked over to the benches then and sat, your eyes happily watching the mock game unfold as you settled your pretty bouquet carefully over your lap.

“please tell me you guys are done it’s fucking cold up here in the stands—”

your head shot to the side and you instantly smiled, your best friend popping her head in from the bullpen entrance and shivering.

“heyyy! oh my god yes come come—” you scooched over and patted the spot next to you, her trodding over and plopping down.

“let me seeeee!” she squealed and nudged your shoulder with hers, gesturing to your tulips as you lit up and turned the bouquet in her direction, her jaw dropping.

“i hate him but he’s good.” she muttered, shaking her head as you laughed and lightly hit her arm. 

megumi ran through a few bases, passing by the bullpen and stopping at a base closest to it with remnants of brown dirt puffing and swirling through the air, him looking over his shoulder at you briefly before turning back to the game.

“he does so much for me that i feel like a big fat loser that does mediocre for him.” you spoke worriedly, and your girl friend looked at you bewilderedly.

“are you kidding? y/n you being with him is enough jesus that man is an ogre—”

you flicked her forehead and she cackled, pushing your hand away.

“i’m sorry! i’m sorry i’m joking… kind of…whatever— babe you literally do so much let him dote on you like this… that man loves you.”

you pursed your lips to suppress a giddy smile.

“plus after the pain and torture we both went through with your high school boyfriend christ—”

“oh my god don’t remind me.” you mumbled, shifting your attention back to the field. “he sucked so bad.”

she laughed. “and it took you forever to realize that he was a loser y/n… you gave him too much and he gave you absolutely nothing.”

you solemnly nodded, the feeling of miserable regret filling your body.

“granted i think megumi’s also a loser.” she continued, and you playfully glared. “but! he’s a different kind of loser. he’s good for you babe… and you’re super good for him.”

you grinned brightly at her, set your bouquet to the side, and threw your arms around her shoulders, bringing her in a tight hug as she laughed loudly and held you back with just as much love.

“have fun on your anniversary date tonight!” your girl friend exclaimed. “you guys are still going to that stargazing spot right?”

“mhm!” you nodded. “we’re going up in his car and setting up the backseat once we get there.”

“are you guys getting freaky too back there?—”

your head snapped ahead to find yuji leaning against the gate of the bullpen on the other side, your eyes wide and mortified as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestingly.

“h—huh?—”

“eehhh?” your best friend matched her boyfriends expression, her eyes twinkling and mischievous. “valid question yu! what are you wearing under your outfit let me see—”

you yelped as your best friend pulled and tugged at the collar of your chunky knitted sweater, basically shoving her head through to see what you had on and you pushing on her shoulders to try and get her away.

“stop you sicko!—”

“y/n why the fuck don’t you have a lingerie set under here—”

“oh my god shut your mouth right now—”

megumi curiously turned his head over to the commotion by the bullpen, jaw dropping and eyes growing big in absolute dumb struck horror as he watched your best friend basically trying to strip your sweater off of you, and yuji just standing there and watching like a fucking pervert—

“itadori!” he barked, and yuji jumped a whopping fifteen feet in the air, swiveling around to face him.

“oh hey man!— WHAT THE FU—”

megumi hurled a literal baseball at him and yuji dove out of the way, the ball hitting against the gate of the bullpen as you and your best friend jumped at the slamming noise.

“the fuck are you guys doing?!” megumi yelled, arms out in emphasis as he quickly strode over with pinched brows.

he looked to you as soon as he properly reached the bullpen, the collar of your sweater stretched out over an exposed shoulder with your black bra literally peeking out, your pretty eyes wide and downright alarmed as your best friend still had an iron tugging grip on your sweater.

megumi’s gaze hardened, switching to your girl friend.

“get off.”

he looked to yuji, his legs wobbling in fear as he used the gaps of the bullpen gate to lift himself up from the dirt.

“close your fucking eyes—”

“yes sir fushiguro sir!—”

“what?!” your best friend exclaimed. “megumi if you guys are gonna fuck in the backseat she needs to be looking scrumptious—”

his face paled and his cheeks turned a vibrant pink simultaneously.

“why are you guys always like this?” he muttered exasperatedly, stepping inside the bullpen now and pushing her off of you, your girl friend scoffing as megumi pulled your collar back over your shoulder and fixed your sweater for you, your lips clamped shut as you tried your best to refrain yourself from laughing.

“oh my bad. thought the perv in you would thank my services—”

“why the hell would i thank you for stripping my girlfriend in front of the entire fucking team—”

“—y/n i literally think i have a lingerie set in my car i’ll give it to you it’s new i just bought it to show yuji—”

you gasped. 

“wait really?! what color? i wanted to wear one but i didn’t want to show up to class with it—”

megumi’s eyes bulged and shot to you, mouth opening and closing like an idiot.

“i think it’s red but i’m pretty sure your tits are bigger than mine lemme see—”

your best friend yanked your collar again and you screamed as megumi grabbed you and pulled you up against his chest, shielding you away from your lunatic girl friend as she cackled and pointed at megumi.

“megumi’s getting a boonneeerrrr!—”

his eyes frantically switched between her and yuji— his hands still tightly clasped over his eyes.

“what kind of sick fucks are you both?!”

you giggled uncontrollably over his appalled menacing face, your laughter muffling up against his uniform.

“us?!” your best friend yelled. “don’t get me started on you! i saw that text you sent y/n last week asking to send a video of her fi—”

“oh god babe don’t finish that sentence also can i open my eyes now you guys—”

“itadori! fushiguro! huddle up!”

yuji timidly seperated his fingers and looked at the group, hands dropping and a wide smile spreading once he realized you weren’t half naked anymore.

“off we go fushiguro!” he quipped, turning and the dirt crackling beneath his cleats as he walked. “boss man wants us—”

“i heard him.” megumi grumbled, arms loosening from their hold around you as they slid and fell at his sides, his face just plain out annoyed and over it, and you smiled sweetly at him.

“it’s okay!” you poked his cheek. “i’ll wait for you here while you guys finish up? or do you want me to go inside the locker rooms already?”

“go to the locker rooms baby.” he mumbled. “it’s cold.”

you nodded, and he placed a hand on your head with the tiniest smile, heading out of the bullpen after and jogging up to the rest of his teammates for regrouping and final announcements.

your best friend swung a heavy arm around your shoulders and you both made your way to the exit just as you grabbed your bouquet again, walking up the steps of the stands and down a few corridors and pathways until you reached the echoey hallway, the teams locker room coming into view as you pushed the heavy door open and went in.

“do you still want my lingerie set?” your girl friend asked, fixing her hair in front of one of the big mirrors. “we could still try and see if it fits but your boobs are huge compared to mine—”

you laughed and waved her off. “it’s okay babe! thank you though… i don’t think we’re gonna do anything like that out in the open and in the middle of nowhere…”

she shrugged, sending you a little smirk through the mirror. “megumi’s a weirdo. so i think you in fact will.”

you shot her a funny glare and walked to your boyfriends locker while placing your pretty bouquet down on the bench— turning the little knob around and hitting the numbers that made up his locker combination, the metal clinking open and you opening it to organize his clothes and equipment like you usually did.

you dragged his heavy duffel bag out and unzipped it, rummaging around a little to find the clothes that he had packed for your date today— spotting his thick black crewneck and gray cargo pants as you took them out and folded them neatly on the bench in front of you, setting the rest of the things he needed to the side and perking up once you heard distant chattering and banter, several players starting to pile in as you shot a few polite smiles, stepping over the bench and plopping down to wait for megumi.

“i said no.”

“pleeeaaasee!” yuji begged, the two of them emerging from the entryway as you lit up at the sight of your grumpy man, his agitated eyes to the floor as he trudged over. “i thought we were best friends fushiguro. brothers if you will—”

“no.”

“pleaaaseee!—”

“what does he want?” you laughed softly, megumi’s eyes coming up and moving to his tidily folded clothes that you had set for him on the bench, his gaze softening.

“nothing bab—”

“wrestle!” yuji wailed, dramatically leaning his entire weight on your best friend in a hug as she dumbfoundedly reciprocated, patting his back. “i wanted to see who’s strongest…”

“babe go change you’re sweaty—”

“not until fushiguro wrestles with me—”

“no.”

“whyyy?!”

you giggled loudly, hand over your mouth as megumi sent you a small close lipped smile and stepped over the bench to his locker, taking off his baseball cap and hanging it inside.

“because it’s stupid.” he mumbled, and yuji scoffed.

“wrestling is the ultimate sport for strategy, discipline and character how could any of that be stupid—”

“yu change i wanna go homeee!” your best friend whined, trying to pry him off of her. “i’ll wrestle with you.”

yuji sprung up and grinned. “will you actually?! i won’t go easy babe i can’t play favorites—”

“yes now move—”

“if i win can you suck my di—”

megumi flung his deodorant at yuji’s head and rolled his eyes as he cried out and pouted, the little container clattering against the ground.

“gumi!” you gasped. “be nice please.”

he sighed softly through his nose, unbuttoning his jersey as he begrudgingly and briefly looked over his shoulder.

“sorry.”

“oh wait what was that?” you girl friend spoke up. “i think you need to speak up a little megumi! can’t hear you.”

“i said sorry.” he spat, and she smiled, satisfied.

“you’re forgiven! thanks!”

megumi grumbled as he shook his jersey off and long sleeve underneath with it, his little chain with his promise ring dangling out around his collar, and you shamelessly and obviously drooling over his bare toned frame then as he sorted through his clothes and got his things ready for the shower— the locker room emptying out now and only one or two players remaining besides the lot of you.

you extended a hand out, wanting megumi to give you his jersey and long sleeve as he shifted his attention to you.

“what baby.”

“i’ll put it in the laundry bin for you!” you spoke sweetly. “so you can go shower.”

his heart squeezed as he shook his head. “s’okay. just wait for me.”

“gumi the laundry room’s just down the hall.” you laughed, taking his uniform from him. “i’ll be quick.”

he pursed his lips, feeling like you’ve already done more than enough for him and him just dicking around and playing ball for hours this entire time, wanting to get your date started so he could spend time with you and give you the things he wanted to give you, and not be around idiot insane people anymore (yuji and your best friend).

“sit down please.” he mumbled.

your jaw dropped.

“i’m being oppressed again—”

“we’ll see you guys tomorrow!” your girl friend smiled, coming over and giving you a hug as yuji went to put a hand on megumi’s shoulder. “have fun on your date! and happy anniversaryyy!”

“thank youuuu!” you responded kindly, hugging her back and swaying funnily, letting her go after and looking to her boyfriend. “drive safe yuji okay?”

“will do!” he smiled brightly, wrapping a friendly arm around your shoulders and pulling you in. “have fun you guys. and don’t get mauled by bears.”

you snorted, the both of you pulling back and waving at each other with final goodbyes before they turned and began walking to the exit, now the only ones left in the locker rooms being you and megumi. 

“text me if you have sex in the back y/n!”

“oh my god!—” you miserably dropped your head in your hands as your girl friends vulgar sentence literally echoed throughout the hallway outside, anyone within a one inch radius able to hear it as megumi laughed quietly, the doors to the locker room officially closing.

“your best friend is clinically insane.”

you giggled, nudging him away playfully and him catching your wrist just as you did so, tugging you in and wrapping his arms around your shoulders.

“no she’s not.” you smiled cutely, your little cheek pressed up against the warm skin of his chest as he looked at you. “she’s honest. and lovely.”

“and deluded.”

“gumi!”

“sorry.”

he craned his neck down and kissed you, every tense muscle in his body giving away and slowly oozing into a state of peace as your soft lips moved with his, megumi finally having you to himself for the night so he could properly get your anniversary going.

he pulled away and patted your head.

“m’gonna shower really quick baby.”

“okay!” you smiled. “can i sit by the shower with you? heh.”

he chuckled and nodded, interlocking his fingers with yours and pulling you towards the shower room— a spacious and modern area with individual stalls and little plushy sofas across from them, megumi leading you to one as you sat down and took his fresh pair of clothes from him to set on your lap.

“remember when i fucked you in here.”

“gumi!” you gasped as your face grew red. “okay but which time because my favorite time was two weeks ago when you bent me over th—”

he laughed, the boyish sound bouncing off the tile walls as he shook his head with a little faint blush to his cheeks, fingers coming down to unbutton his pants and your hands flying to cover over your eyes, him pausing and looking at you quizzically.

“what.”

“i’m giving you privacy gumi. something you wouldn’t know about in regards to me.”

he scoffed.

“kay fine. i’ll stop asking—”

“no!” you yelled, hands clasping together like a prayer. “don’t finish that sentence i don’t wanna know i don’t need to know whatever it is continue doing it—”

megumi rolled his eyes with a smile, taking off the rest of his clothes and you squeaking as you covered your line of sight again, the sound of the shower running with the door closing an indicator to you that the coast was clear for you to look, hands coming down as they settled over megumi’s clean clothes.

and he literally took less than five minutes to shower… or maybe it was because your little endless chattering made the time go by faster or the fact that you always took close to an hour, but he was out of there with a towel around his delicious waist before you could even realize and on the way out to change into his outfit.

megumi straight from the shower was always an interesting sight to see, for the usual spikes in his jet black hair were nonexistent for the time being as his hair just laid flat, and he almost looked like an entirely different man as you stood on the other side of the bench behind him while he sat tying his shoe laces, you drying his hair with a small white hand towel.

“i’m really excited for tonight gumi!” you cheesed. “oh! and i brought my laptop too incase you wanted to watch a movieeee.”

he straightened up from his hunched over position and stood, turning around to kiss your head in gratitude before taking the towel from you and drying off the last bit of his hair.

“sounds good baby.” he grabbed his duffel bag and swung it over his shoulder, keys hooked from one of his belt loops on his pants as he offered his hand out to you on the way out of the locker room, you happily taking it and interlacing your fingers in the hallway, the both of you walking on to leave the stadium with your bouquet in your arm, making a quick pit stop at the laundry room first to toss his uniform and towels in one of the various hampers, leaving and going through the main hall hand in hand after with the building basically vacant now— not a single player, staff, or management member around as you moved your way down corridors to the exit, entering the parking garage.

megumi grabbed his keys and clicked a button upon reaching the players parking lot area, his shiny black car beeping and flickering its lights and him opening the door to the backseat to throw his stuff in, you catching a glimpse of the piles of grocery bags filled with chips, snacks, pastries and such as you smiled, unlocking your own vehicle and opening your trunk as megumi did his.

he swiftly stepped in and grabbed your blankets and a few pillows, transferring them over to his car and you setting your bouquet down in the back, throwing in a few other things.

“oh gumi!” 

“hm?”

you opened your drivers side door and reached in, megumi peering around from his open trunk to look at you.

“i got us a little lunchbox cake!” you pulled out a small white cake carrier and showed him. “and a number two candle too so we can light it!”

“oh nice baby.” he calmly smiled, reaching into the pocket of his cargo pants and pulling out his wallet.

you blinked.

“what are you doing?”

he gave you a confused look, opening the folds and taking out a few twenty dollar bills.

“for the cake.”

“what?!” you frantically shook your head. “no i got this for us—”

he scoffed, extending his arm out to you regardless with a pile of bills in hand that was way over the initial cost of the little cake, your jaw running slack.

“oh absolutely not sir i’m not taking that—”

“take it.”

“nope!”

“y/n.”

“nuh uh.”

megumi sighed and retracted his hand. “i’m putting it in your purse—”

“if you put it in my purse i swear to god i’m never letting you see me naked ever again—”

he froze and narrowed his eyes at you, you standing there with a shit eating grin as you tilted your head.

“just get in the car.” he grumbled, slamming his trunk shut and doing the same with yours, you cheering in your head and lighting up over your win as you opened his passenger side door and got in, completely unaware of megumi choosing to take his chances and shove the bills in your purse anyways.

the car ride there was a whopping one hour, seeing as the stargazing hotspot was in the middle of the bustling city where megumi’s apartment was around, your boyfriend making frequent stops at various food places to pick up the food he had ordered for the picnic, and you still fighting with him over the fact that he should let you pay at least half, him just laughing at your huffs and puffs until he simmered you down to a mere grumble with a kiss to your cheek.

“i don’t care how many times i’ve done it there isn’t a limit.” 

megumi backed in reverse once he found a good spot for you both on the hill, looking behind through his rear view window with a hand on the back of your headrest.

“but you have to let me pay sometimes gumi.” you sighed softly. “i feel like im freeloading off of your millions and doing fucking nothing.”

he gave you a bewildered look.

“first of all.” he shifted his gear into park. “you do everything so don’t give me that. second of all—”

he unlocked the car and you both got out, the trunk latching open on its own as you walked over.

“you’re not supposed to pay baby.” he stared at you sincerely, a little crease in between his brows. “ever. i don’t care.”

he unhooked the backseats and pushed them down, the trunk now extending even wider and leaving plenty of space for the two of you to set up your picnic, your shoes off and down below next to the car.

“i just—” you struggled, shaking out the blankets and splaying them out. “i worry that it’ll bother you eventually…”

“it won’t.” he responded firmly, yet still gentle. “did your ex-boyfriend make you feel bad about it? is that why?”

you froze.

“no…”

he looked over his shoulder just as he set a pillow down, dark blue eyes staring you down.

“wow i’m so hungry right now gumi are you—”

“i heard what your best friend said during practice about him.” he set a few more pillows down. “she talks like a linebacker.”

you laughed, grabbing the box of fairy lights you had brought and pulling them out, untangling them by sections.

megumi never really asked too in detail about your ex, just because he knew he’d get bitter and bothered by the thought of it, and the only things he really knew was that he was a moron who said you were a blabbermouth and didn’t treat you right at all, your three and a half year relationship with him in high school one megumi wished he could erase entirely.

but now with the way you squirmed and stared off into space in avoidance over this particular topic… he was curious.

just how bad was he?

“did he pay for your dates or did you.”

you fiddled with a little fairy light bulb.

“well— he did… but then we started splitting it… and then i started paying…”

megumi shook his head, reaching for the grocery bags and taking out the snacks he’d bought.

“why.”

you finished untangling the cord and reached up, looping the lights around through the grab handles of the car.

“i don’t really know…” you mumbled. “but i felt bad because he always did initially pay… so i was just giving back. but then—”

you looped it through the last handle and grabbed the battery box.

“i remember one time he asked me if we could split the bill on our anniversary dinner.”

megumi stopped.

“and then every time he did pay for me he would say side joking comments like— ‘are you gonna pay this time? are you gonna take care of the bill? since i bought you dinner are you gonna buy me this?’ blah blah—”

megumi was looking directly at you at this point, eyebrows furrowed and with slightly parted lips as he slowly set up the food and listened.

“and i don’t mess around when it comes to things like money.” you finished off screwing the battery box after putting a fresh pair in, switching the small lever and the fairly lights twinkling to life. “i appreciated so much every time he did pay so i just felt like i was— i don’t know i just felt guilty. his side comments made me feel a little awkward…”

you scooched over and sat back on your ankles next to megumi, helping him with the groceries.

“i remember one time too for valentine’s day, we had gone out to eat dinner and he paid with his usual side comment… but when we got back to his place i had given him his gift and he hadn’t gotten anything for me at all.”

“huh?” he spoke up. “did he give you flowers at least?”

you shook your head, a little sad look on your face.

“he told me my gift was dinner… which again i did really appreciate that he paid. and he never really got me flowers either unless it was for special occasions like anniversaries… so once a year?”

megumi was in complete and utter disbelief.

how in the ever living fuck were you ever with a guy like that for so long? a girl like you whom he literally worshipped the shit out of the ground you walked on, the thought of you being so incredibly sweet and doting and selfless for some dumb fuck who just took advantage of your kindness again aggravating megumi, him chucking the pastries he bought out of the bags one by one bitterly and you blinking at him.

“what a fucking idiot.”

you giggled, nodding in agreement as you both finished setting up, you crawling and sitting down by the mountain of fluffy pillows as you extended an arm out for him.

“that’s why i just get nervous gumi…” you spoke softly, pulling him to lay down next to you as you looked at the beading stars through his open sun roof, the view and landscape of the sparkling city below insane as megumi slid an am around your shoulders, nudging you to lay on his chest. “i don’t wanna end up bothering you or upsetting you about it and repeating the cycle so—”

“oh god baby no…” he looked at you, squeezing your shoulder. “you realize all of that was because he’s a loser right.”

“yeah to an extent—”

“no not to an extent.” megumi cut you off. “i know for a fact he never did anything for you… and for him to do shit like that on top of it is crazy.”

you slid a slow arm across his torso and held him tighter.

“i do what i do because i love you… and because you deserve it. and because i’m supposed to.”

you smiled big, your heart hammering in your chest as you slung your leg across his lap and straddled him then, megumi’s hands instantly coming to settle on your waist as you gave him a cute wicked look.

“i’m tired of talking about him, but you know what else you’re supposed to do?”

the side of his lip curled.

“what pretty baby.”

“make out with me.”

he laughed, a shiny smile on his face as he reached a hand up and brushed your hair over your shoulder, cupping your face after and bringing you down to his level.

“if you tell me you love me.”

you giggled.

“i love you gumi.”

megumi brought you in then and kissed you, light little smacks and wet lips parting and moving as your noses brushed against each other’s delicately, his thumb running gently over your cheek as you readjusted and leaned in, deepening the kiss and megumi parting his lips wider as a result to drink more of you down.

your hips subconsciously rutted downward, him taking a sharp breath in through his nose as he responded and lifted his crotch up, meeting with yours and grinding sensually with every steamy exchange of your soft plush lips on his, both of his hands quickly going down to grab your smooth thighs and knead them.

megumi suddenly slid a fast hand up your chunky sweater to cup your tit, you squeaking and trying to pull your lips off of his so you could speak, but him only chasing after your mouth and trapping you in.

“wait what if— mmph!—” 

“hm?” 

he forced your hips down again and you both moaned at the stimulation.

“what if someone walks by there’s a— fuck— there’s a few cars not too far—”

“don’t care.”

“gumi!—”

he yanked your bra cup down and your tit spilled out, his head diving in under your sweater and popping your nipple in his mouth, both of your hips still grinding and rocking against each others as you dazedly tried to look around for any passing people.

you tried to pull off and megumi yanked your other bra cup down, jerking you roughly to him as your weight gave out underneath you and you basically fell on him, his face fully submerged and stuffed in your puffy tits that he nearly lost it and came in his pants.

lewd slobbering sounds filled the car as he sucked and laid his tongue flat all over your boobs, your shuttering gasps and whines making his dick rock fucking solid in his pants as he continued to make out with your chest, relishing in the feeling of your panties running up and down his crotch and your pretty little skirt exposing your ass.

“baby i’m flashing the city please—”

“m’gonna stick my dick in.”

“no!” you whined, your clit pulsing with every rut from his hips. “when we get home when we get home please it’ll be so obvious we’re having sex if we do—”

he bit the fat of your tit and you yelped.

“it’s our anniversary.”

“i— i know gumi but there’s people!—”

he groaned and let your tits go with a pop, head falling back on the pillows as he looked at you with a dead look— knowing you were completely and absolutely right but refusing to believe it because he was fucking horny, the only conscious brain cell that he had left telling him to just wait and that he’d actually cum in his pants if he kept going.

a tiny smirk spread across his face.

“thought you texted me that i could take you to pound town in the backseat of my car.” 

you blushed, totally forgetting you did that.

“y—yes but—”

“and that you were gonna send me a picture of your tits.”

“i—”

“you lying to me baby?”

“no!” you sputtered. “no gumi we’re still gonna have sex just not here!”

he laughed loudly and nodded, pinching your cheek as he fixed your bra and pulled your sweater down, sitting up a bit.

“i’m kidding s’okay.” he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. “m’taking pictures of you when we get to my apartment though.”

“huh?!” you exclaimed, your face buzzing with embarrassment but need at the same time. “what— what kind—”

he poked your side. 

“naked.”

your jaw dropped.

“legs spread with—”

“okay i get it i get it!—”

you slapped your hands over his mouth and muffled the rest of his sentence, desperate to get him to stop.

“i have your gift i have your gift open your gift!—”

megumi rolled his eyes and licked his slimy tongue on your palms, you snatching your hands away and giggling as you wiped them on his sweater.

“i told you not to get me anything.”

“too bad!” you grinned, pecking his cheek before swinging yourself off of his lap and reaching into the passengers seat. “close your eyes!”

he sighed softly, a small smile on his face as he complied, hearing slight tissue paper rustlings and things moving before he felt you next to him again.

“okay open!”

his long lashes lifted, eyes growing soft at the ginormous basket you made him— his favorite candies and chips neatly propped up inside with a little baseball teddy bear that had ‘cool baseball man’ embroidered across its jersey, a framed silly picture of the two of you from one of the nights you slept over at his place, various volumes of his current favorite manga wrapped in black tissue paper along with a lego race car set, and a separate shoe box next to the basket— a brand new pair of baseball cleats that he had been specifically eyeing and needing to buy, and knowing that it was ridiculously expensive too as his bulging eyes shot up to your giddy ones.

“baby—” his words got caught in his throat, shaking his head. “baby thank you but you didn’t have to get anything seriously—”

“the fuck.” you snorted. “yes i did! do you likeeee?”

you pushed the shoe box towards him.

“did i get the right ones? these are the cleats you’ve been wanting right?”

he nodded dumbly. “y—yeah but they’re expensive i don’t want you spending this much.”

“gumi money is a social construct.” you smiled. “but my love for you isn’t… it’s bible! happy anniversary!”

megumi looked down and slowly took the little grizzly bear out of the basket, everything you gave him absolutely perfect and filled with the things he loved, but the custom bear with the nickname you always called him— the same one he adored ever since you first said it, somehow pulling at his heart strings more than anything else.

“i love you.” he mumbled. “thank you.”

you beamed, leaning over and pecking his lips.

“because you do everything for me gumi.” you spoke. “i can’t thank you enough for the things you do for me… and i love you.”

a cute pink blush rose to his cheeks as his gaze stayed locked on the bear, feeling his throat closing up from how much you were affecting him at the moment.

he sent you a smile.

“can i give you mine?”

you stopped.

“what? i thought the pretty tulips were my gift?”

he snorted, giving you a look.

“no you dummy.” 

he reached under one of the seats, pulling gift bag after gift bag after gift bag from somewhere as he placed them all in a line in front of you, a shocked look on your face as you looked at the amount of tissue paper and packaging that was in your line of sight.

“holy shit.” you flashed him a growing dazzling smile. “are you— for me? actually?”

he nodded.

“guummiii!!” you flung your arms around his neck and pulled him in a tight hug, rubbing your cheek on his head side to side in a silly way before you let go and sat back on your ankles again, him chuckling at your excitement.

“i don’t even—” your eyes darted around. “i don’t even know which one—”

one by one you unraveled each wrapping and tore open each bag, your lap filling up with things that you fucking loved as you tried not to cry between opening each gift— pretty intricate coquette bottled perfumes that you liked to collect everywhere as you knew they were also a pretty penny (so him complaining about his cleats was dumb), cute mary jane pumps and makeup you needed as well as new that you’d been wanting, silver and gold sparkling jewelry that resided in small boxes and wrapped in pretty pink bows, sweaters and cute tops and just fucking everything as you ended up a crying snotting mess at the end of it anyways, him laughing at you.

because each item were things that you needed, things that you knew he couldn’t have possibly known unless he was truly paying attention to the things you were saying and the things you were looking at… this moment proving that he most definitely was.

and a crazy wicked amount too— because some of the items in front of you were even things you had merely mentioned once and done with, accompanied by others that you babbled on about whenever you could.

“gumi we can have sex right now let’s have sex i don’t care—”

he laughed for the millionth time and shot his hands out, literally trying to pull you off of him as you lunged and leaned your entire weight on him, practically fighting him by the end of it as you giggled and tried to get in his pants.

“you’re harassing me.” he mumbled, and you scoffed.

“like you don’t do this to me everyday of my living life— eek!”

megumi bit your cheek and you pushed on his chest to get him away, him not budging as his nibbling travelled down to your neck as you gasped for air laughing at how much that was tickling you, and him knowing that was what usually set you off into a giggle fit, your stomach aching and him dodging your hits and swings, but both of your hearts full from a days worth of complete and utter unconditional love.

and neither of you would have it any other way as you shared the food and pastries you bought, stuffing your faces full of chocolates and mochi specifically as you both had insane sweet tooth’s and weren’t ashamed of it, chatted on about future plans and your excitement for megumi and the upcoming world series, and you elated for the holiday season too that was fast approaching, your little mind already thinking of gifts and plans and decisions because your boyfriend’s birthday was coming up as well.

and you wanted to do everything you possibly could to make it special.

for he made you feel that everyday.

especially now in this moment, the little heart shaped lunchbox cake you bought with ‘happy 2nd anniversary’ in cursive still looking fucking delicious even after you and megumi had just downed an entire pack of brownies, megumi lightning up the number two candle as you pushed it in the cake, and the both of you sweetly pecking lips as you held up the cake in between the two of you and him snapping a picture with his phone— candid and lovely and everything you’d both ever wanted in your lives rightfully yours right then and there.

happiness. love. 

and your hearts were swelling with everything you had built for the past two years, and swelling in anticipation for the hopes and curiosity of what else the two of you would continue to build… something you only hoped would last forever and ever and that you got to count and spend even more anniversaries with megumi from this point forward.

with nothing less, nothing extra, and just like this.

for a million more november’s to come.

taglist!! <33 (THANK YOU THANK YOU!):

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[atlabeth]

unadulterated loathing (pt 1)

pairing: fiyero tigelaar x fem reader

summary: you are forced to partner up with fiyero on a history project. things don’t go as you imagine.

a/n: wicked was really good, i love jonathan bailey, and we're coming up on finals season which means im writing about how stressed i am. also halfway through this i realized reader is lowkey paris geller coded lmao. this got away from me so im splitting it into 2 parts, i had a lot of fun writing it so enjoy! also im high posting this so if there's any editing issues im sorry lol!!

wc: 5.5k

warning(s): reader is stressed to the max constantly. she is kinda mean to fiyero but he's into it so it's okay. mostly fluff

Your fingers were beginning to cramp. 

You should have been used to this by now with Doctor Dillamond. You’d been in his class for a few months now, and you graded essays for him often. He often had a propensity for verbosity, but this lecture had been an especially hefty one in preparation for your midterm projects.

He would be announcing partners before the end of class—much to your dismay, for you worked far better on your own than with others holding you down—and you figured you would want to have as much of a head start as possible. 

Great Oz, how you hoped you would be paired with one of your friends. Coralie and Ezura were your only contenders for top of the class—Elphaba had potential as well, not because of the magic she couldn’t control but because of the brain she very well could—and anyone else would frankly slow you down. Doing a large research paper with someone who didn’t care as much as you did would be a drag you didn’t care to go through. 

Midterms were only the most important thing, for they set the track towards finals and affirmed your skill with your assignments, and your first midterm was potentially the most important thing for, when completed successfully, set you on the correct track altogether. 

You tried not to think about it too much (though you failed almost immediately), for you were sure Doctor Dillamond would honor all the work you’d done for him by putting you with a suitable partner. 

“I see some of you are getting restless, so I will cut class short today.” Your eyes snapped up from your paper to see the professor smiling, and you could hear sighs of relief around the room. “I’m sure you’re all eager to know your partners for the midterm paper.” 

The sighs of relief turned to groans, and you had to agree. Assigned partners should have been considered archaic at this point in time. 

Doctor Dillamond trotted back to the projector and, with a bit of difficulty, replaced the image with a piece of paper. Everybody in the class was paired off in groups of two—you immediately started searching for your name, squinting slightly to see despite your spot in the front, and the furrow between your brows deepened when you realized you couldn’t find it. 

You searched instead for your hopeful options. Coralie was with Mayara, Ezura was with Nicholas, Elphaba was with Galinda—of course. You let out a slight huff of annoyance, not just at your disappointment but at the continued lack of your name. 

Perhaps he’d merely forgotten. You didn’t know how Dillamond could have forgotten you, seeing as you were only his best student and literal TA, but things happened. Your anxieties only grew as you heard the beginnings of whispers throughout the room as your classmates saw their pairings, either excited or dismal. 

“Class is dismissed,” Doctor Dillamond said. The room began bustling as students gathered their things, already talking with their friends or searching out their project partner—you heard Galinda squeal and saw her grab Elphaba’s hands out of your peripherals. You could only worry your lip between your teeth as you swept everything in your bag, hardly waiting a second before rushing up to Dillamond’s desk. 

“You didn’t call my name, professor,” you said, managing a smile as you tried to act like it wasn’t killing you. How could he have not called your name? Was there something wrong? Great Oz— had you been somehow moved out of the class? Was your work not exemplary enough? Your assistance not assisting enough? “I don’t have a partner.” 

His mouth opened, but you only found yourself continuing, the words practically tumbling out of you.  

“Of course, if you intended for me to be on my own then I am perfectly alright with that!” Your smile widened as your fingertips dangled over his desk. “I— I prefer it, in fact, so if that is it then there is really no issue at all—”

“Mr. Tigelaar!” he interrupted, and your head turned on instinct to see the eponymous boy arm in arm with Galinda (who was arm in arm with Elphaba) just in front of the door. “I hope you are not about to leave.”

Fiyero flashed a look at his companions before offering one of those easy smiles he seemed to always have up his sleeve. “You dismissed the class. I believe I am part of your class, am I not?”

“You are,” he said, “but you were not assigned a partner. Surely you wouldn’t be trying to get out of the project.”

Your free hand clenched as the threads started to connect. Doctor Dillamond wouldn’t do this to you. Would he?

That easy smile remained on his lips as he turned to Galinda and whispered something in her ear. She giggled and pecked him on the cheek before she walked out, pulling Elphaba behind her, and Fiyero sauntered over. 

“Of course I’m not trying to get out of it,” he said. “Whyever would you think so?”

“Your attempt at a quick exit before you could be assigned a partner,” the professor said. “But it is no matter, for your partner is right here.”

You blinked. He would do this to you.

Why would he do this to you?

“Well, pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand. “Fiyero Tigelaar.”

You ignored him, for you couldn’t look away from Doctor Dillamond. Would it be mad for you to strangle a Goat?

“Professor,” you said, trying to keep your voice steady, “why?”

“Mr. Tigelaar’s grades in my class have not been satisfactory, as I’m sure he is aware.” Dillamond moved away from his desk, prodding the chalkboard with his head to move it out of the way. “I care about all my students, even if they seem not to care for my course. I believe a partnership for the two of you would be beneficial.”

Your jaw clenched. “So you’re forcing me to tutor him because he hasn’t got a brain.”

Fiyero chuckled. “Ouch.”

“Not tutoring, just working on your midterm together,” he said. “And if you end up teaching him a few things along the way, then we would all be better off, wouldn’t we?” 

“Professor, with all due respect, this is ridiculous!” you exclaimed. “Why should I have to risk my grade, my midterm, my standing altogether at Shiz just to help him?” 

“Should you perform the way that is typical of you, there should be no issues.” Doctor Dillamond gave you that professorly look and your teeth grinded against each other. How dare he try to take the moral high ground. “Now, the two of you better hurry off. You haven’t got forever to work on this project.” 

“Professor,” you whispered, determined to not let up, “why are you punishing me like this?”

“I’m not punishing you, my dear.”

“Fiyero couldn’t care less about any of this,” you insisted. “I’m going to fail my midterm and it will be all his fault!”

“If you believe he can make you fail, then you haven’t got as much faith in yourself as I believed.” Doctor Dillamond looked at you. “Trust me—and yourself—that this will all work out.”

You stared back—it was rather difficult to have a staring contest with a Goat. “I don’t suppose I can change your mind on this?”

“You’d be correct.”

You huffed and glanced away. “Fine. But expect those test scores to take an extra day.”

He let out a bleaty sort of laugh while you walked away. You considered it a credit to yourself that you held back the childish tantrum you wanted to throw as you moved back over to your desk to gather the rest of your things. You shoved your books into your bag with a bit more anger than necessary, and you heard footsteps behind you. You glanced over to see Fiyero sidled up beside you, leaning against the desk next to yours. 

“Surely you won’t be this irritated at me the entirety of our project.” He still had that unbothered smile on his lips, and it made you want to hit him. “It might make this a much more miserable partnership.”

You let out a mirthless laugh as you shouldered your bag. “Don’t act like this pains you. You’re just going to ride my coattails the entire time.” 

“You know, I hadn’t even thought of that,” Fiyero mused. “But now that you bring it up, I just may have to.” 

“For the love of Oz,” you muttered to yourself before mustering the strength to look up at him. “I have a myriad of things I need to do today. Why don’t you go bother your girlfriend for the rest of the day, and then you can meet me at the library first thing tomorrow morning so we can discuss all of this.” 

He shrugged. “Sounds alright to me.” 

“Good,” you said. “Because I meant every word I said back there. I will not have you ruining all my progress thus far because of your absolute refusal to think.” 

“It looks as if you could take a page out of my book,” Fiyero said. “You seem awfully stressed.” 

Your lips tightened into a mirthless smile. “I’m stressed because of you, Fiyero, and we have hardly even interacted. I dread to think of my mental state after a week of working together. Now, good day. I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

You swept past him and walked out of Doctor Dillamond’s classroom. You felt his eyes on you until you turned the corner, and you had to resist the urge to look back. 

Oh, how you loathed group projects. 

-

The rest of your day was far more demanderating than it should have been, and you blamed Fiyero for it. You swore the clock went by half as quick and your lectures twice as long—it didn’t help that you were so distracted in chemistry that you nearly burned your eyebrows off from a potion gone wrong. 

You’d practically thrown yourself onto your bed when you got back to your dorm, and you didn’t get up until your roommate got back and demanded to know what had gotten into you. She didn’t exactly give you the response you wanted. 

“The prince is your partner?” Coralie sighed dreamily. “Oh, you are so lucky.” 

“Lucky is not the way I’d put it,” you mumbled, words muffled by the sheets. You finally tore yourself up off your bed and picked your nightgown up from atop your dresser. You went behind your folding sheet and began to change. “And I didn’t know you had eyes for Fiyero.” 

“I hardly have eyes for him,” she said wryly. “I just have eyes—anyone can see that he’s attractive.” 

“It doesn’t matter how attractive he is if he makes me fail this midterm,” you said. You straightened your nightgown then folded your school uniform while you walked back into the open, passing a glance at your roommate as you placed it on your desk. You then settled on your bed with a huff. “I just don’t understand why Doctor Dillamond is punishing me like this. It makes me reconsider all those late nights spent grading papers for him.” 

Coralie shrugged. “You’re one of his best students, Fiyero is probably one of his worst. I bet Doctor Dillamond figured you would be happy to take him on, what with how happily you take on everything else he throws at you.” 

You grumbled as you laid back against your pillows. “I just don’t know if I can take him on. Fiyero seems to care more about flirting with every student at this school than any actual material.” 

She gave you a mischievous smile. “Maybe he’ll turn the full force of his affections on you in return for your studiousness. Oh, how that would be a sight to see.” 

“Don’t even put that idea into the air, Cora,” you scoffed. “Besides, he’s clearly involved with Galinda. Even if I was interested, which I’m not—” you emphasized with a pointed look at her— “that isn’t something I want to touch.” 

“Well, you can’t deny that he’s dreamy,” she said. “He just showed up at Shiz and people started falling left and right. It’s more impressive that you haven’t.” 

“Because I’m here for one reason,” you said. “His whole… thing doesn’t fit into any of it.” 

“I know,” Coralie mused as she fell back onto her pillows. “You’ve told me your whole plan ten times over. I just think you should also try to enjoy your life instead of bulldozing your way through it.” 

You rolled your eyes with a smile. “I’m enjoying my life just fine, thank you.” 

Interestingly enough, Fiyero was going through something similar a myriad of rooms away. 

He laid on Galinda’s bed, his head in her lap as she trailed her fingers through his hair. She’d been going on about something for the last couple of minutes, but he hadn’t really been able to focus on any of it. 

“Dearest, did you not hear what I said?” 

Fiyero blinked at the sound of Galinda’s voice. He hadn’t indeed. 

“I’m sorry, beloved.” He absentmindedly reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze once he found it. “I was thinking.” 

Elphaba laughed from across the room. She sat on her bed with a book in her lap. “That’s a first for you.” 

“It is,” Galinda said, though with much more concern laced in her voice. Her hand moved from his hair to his forehead. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Just fine,” he assured. “What was it you were saying?” 

“Just lamenting on how awful it is that we’ve been separated for this project,” she sighed. “I’m sure I could persuade Doctor Dillamond to put us in a group of three.”

“You can’t even get him to pronounce your name correctly,” Elphaba said wryly. “How could you get him to do this?” 

“Well,” Galinda huffed, “maybe you could do it. He appears to like you more than me.” 

“I’m sure that really hurts,” she said. 

Galinda placed her hand on her chest. “It does!” 

“It’s fine,” Fiyero interrupted. “I’m alright with my partner. She’s nice.” 

“Nice?” Elphaba scoffed. “I heard her lecturing you the whole time we were out in the hallway.” 

“She’s passionate,” he decided. “Besides, I don’t really care. I haven’t thought about it since she left.” 

That was a complete lie. In truth, Fiyero hadn’t been able to stop thinking about you since you left. Very strange for someone who preferred to go through life with less thinking and more doing. 

He honestly didn’t know why his mind was so occupied with you. 

He’d always been aware of you, obviously—all your professors adored you, your name was always brought up when talking about top of the class, and he was sure you held the record for most time spent in the library at once—but he didn’t know anything about you other than your academic record. And for someone with such strong opinions, especially about him, Fiyero found himself with the strange need to know more. 

He would be at the library tomorrow. Maybe not on time, but certainly there. 

Fiyero would make this the beginning of a beautiful partnership, one way or another.

-

True to your word, you were in the library bright and early after a quick stop at the dining hall. You went through the effort of gathering everything you thought you would need—a myriad of textbooks and encyclopedias, your well-weathered notebook and another one for Fiyero because you doubted he had one, and enough writing material for the two of you.

You sighed. You had to do so much just to even the ground between your groups and the others. Coralie was always so prepared whenever you worked together. 

Fiyero, to your surprise, was only ten minutes late. You already had your head buried in a book when he said your name and scared you witless. 

Your eyes widened as they darted up to look at him, and he chuckled. 

“Sorry. You were in the zone.”

“I just wasn’t expecting you,” you said. “You’re late.”

“Hardly.” Fiyero took the seat across from you, his eyes sweeping over everything you had on the table. “You’ve got quite a collection.”

“I doubt you know your way around the library,” you said. 

“I know my way around a lot of things.” 

You leveled your gaze at him. Leave it to Fiyero to make everything an innuendo. “And is a library one of them?”

“I’m sure I could make it one.”

“If you bothered to think at all.”

“Darling, you know I’d never,” he said with a smile. “Now, what are we doing here?”

“Do you really not know what our midterm is?” you marveled. 

“I have more important things to worry about,” he said. 

You scoffed and shook your head. Ridiculous— it was ridiculous that you had to put up with this. Maybe Doctor Dillamond really did hate you.

“Our assignment is an extensively researched ten page paper on any great Ozian,” you said. “Anyone who has contributed to our society in a relevant way and made our lives better for it.”

“A ten page paper?” Fiyero frowned. “That seems a bit much.”

“Between the two of us, it’s just five pages each, and we’ve got two weeks to get it done,” you said. “I’ve written five pages in a few hours of inspiration.”

“Your life truly sounds thrilling,” Fiyero said. “We could do the Wizard.”

“Half the class is going to do the wizard,” you scoffed. 

“Because he’s a great man,” he said. “There’s no shame in it.”

“There is absolutely shame in copying half the class,” you said as you pushed over a sheet of paper to him. “Now, I’ve already got a list going. Look it over; see if there’s anyone you like or anyone worthwhile you want to add.”

You looked back down at your encyclopedia, opened to your personal favorite choice, and continued scribbling down basic notes. You glanced up a few moments later to see Fiyero’s gaze hadn’t wavered from you. 

You frowned. “Is there a problem?”

“You’re awfully prepared,” he said instead. 

“I figured you wouldn’t be,” you responded.

Fiyero’s lips quirked in a smile. “Then I believe that means you deserve to choose our subject.”

Your frown deepened. “Really?”

“Are you always this suspicious of everyone?”

“Just you.”

“Then consider this an olive branch,” he said. He slid the paper back over. “Who’s your top choice?”

“…Ilara Mayfair,” you finally said as you pointed at her on the top of your list. “She was a historical linguist, responsible for half of what we know about Ozian languages and how they connect and differ. She’s…” you cleared your throat and shrugged, trying to make it sound like it wasn’t a big deal, “she’s kind of my hero.”

“Your hero?” Fiyero’s eyebrows rose. “Is that what you want to do?” 

“…It’s always been my dream,” you admitted. “I grew up helping around my parents’ bookstore and her mark was on nearly everything. I really admire it. I want to make that sort of difference in the world.”

“How noble,” he remarked. What surprised you was how genuine he sounded. “It’s impressive how much of your life you have planned out already. All Galinda knows is that she’s majoring in sorcery—she hasn’t really got anything else worked out.”

“What are you majoring in?” you asked.

“Undecided,” Fiyero said. “I was kicked out of my last school before I could declare, so I figure there’s not really a point in doing it here.”

“Not really a surprise,” you said. 

“Really?”

“On your first day, you snuck off campus with half of Shiz to go dance at Ozdust,” you said. “That’s not exactly a good first impression.” 

“I’d argue the opposite,” he said. Fiyero tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he focused on you for a moment. His gaze made you uncomfortably aware of yourself. “I don’t recall seeing you there.” 

“That’s because I wasn’t there.” You looked back down at your encyclopedia to avoid his eyes. “I had more important things to do.” 

He frowned. “Do you ever take a day off?” 

“Of course,” you said. “There isn’t any class on the weekends.” 

“I mean with this,” he said, gesturing at all the books around you. “It doesn’t seem like you allow yourself a single moment of respite. When you’re not in class, you’re studying. When you’re not studying, you’re doing work. When you’re not doing any of it, you’re probably dreaming of your future assignments.” 

You felt your skin heat. Surely you weren’t that transparent. 

“...I don’t dream of them,” you defended. “Not— not always.” 

He laughed and shook his head. “You’re ridiculous. Do you know that?” 

You frowned. “How am I ridiculous? You’re incapable of taking a single thing seriously.” 

“And you’re incapable of not taking everything seriously,” Fiyero said. “It can’t be good for your health.” 

“I plan to get out of here a year early,” you said, looking back at your books. “I can’t slack off like you do if I want that plan to come to fruition.” 

“Oh, I’ve gotten out of every school I’ve been in a year early,” Fiyero said. “Sometimes two or three— Oz, sometimes I don’t even make it through the first semester.” 

Your eyes snapped back up to him, widened in instinctual panic. “What?” 

He burst out laughing, and it grinded every one of your gears. “Oh, I wish you could see the look on your face! It’s priceless— truly priceless!” 

“You’ve been kicked out of every school you’ve been to and you think it’s a joke?” 

Still laughing, he shrugged. “It is. Nothing bad has happened, and I’m still having the time of my life wherever I go.” 

You just shook your head as you stared at him, eyes still wide. “Are you always like this?”

“Utterly charming?” 

“Entirely insufferable.”

You didn’t understand how he laughed. Everything rolled right off him, like oil off a duck’s back, no matter how many times you insulted him. 

“You know, there are other things to life than your studies,” he said.

“Not while I’m here, there isn’t,” you said. “It’s the whole point of university.” 

“The point of university is to have fun,” he said. “You’ve seen how this place has perked up since I’ve gotten here, haven’t you?” 

“Not really, no,” you said. “I’ve been more focused on other things.” 

“Like?” 

“Like my studies.” 

“It’s like I’m talking to a broken record,” he marveled. “Have you ever had fun in your life?” His eyes widened comically. “Do you even know what the concept of fun is?” 

“Ha ha,” you said dryly. 

He tilted his head. “Do you?” 

You frowned. “Of course I do.” 

“Okay, then.” Fiyero leaned back in his chair. “Tell me about yourself.”

Your frown deepened. “We aren’t doing a research paper on me.”

“We’re working together on this,” he said. “Is it a crime to want to know my partner?”

A muscle worked in your jaw as you stared at him. He stared back, entirely unaffected. 

“If I humor you, will you actually work with me through this?”

Fiyero held up his hand. “Prince’s honor.”

Finally, you broke. You folded your arms with a short sigh then glanced away. “Fine. I’m from a tiny village in Gillikin that you’ve probably never heard of. I’m here on scholarship with the plan to graduate, become a historian, and make a name for myself.” You looked back at him. “Is that good enough for you?”

“It’s excellent,” Fiyero said with a smile. “Dare I say I’ve learned more about you in one short day than I have in the entirety of my time at Shiz?”

You gave him a fake smile as you tapped your book. “Open your textbook. We have a lot to catch up on.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You’re not going to ask about me?”

“I mean this with all due respect—what could there possibly be to know about you?” You raised an eyebrow as you counted off on your fingers. “You’re from the Vinkus, you’re a prince, and you’ve never read a book a day in your life.” 

“Oh, that’s not true,” he chastised. “I’ve read at least one—I just choose not to.” 

“Well, how about we make that two?” You reached across the table and opened his book for him. “Unless that prince’s honor isn’t worth a thing.” 

“Oh, it’s worth everything,” Fiyero said. 

You raised your eyebrows expectantly. “Then prove it.” 

“Very well,” he nodded. “I believe I can be serious for the next… fifteen minutes.” 

“You won’t even get through a chapter,” you said. “Thirty.” 

Fiyero frowned. “You set awfully high expectations.” 

“Why do you think Doctor Dillamond forced me to help you?” you asked. 

“Because you’re oh so nice and charitable?”

That got a genuine laugh out of you. If you’d been looking closer, you would have seen Fiyero’s smile grow, his eyes soften. 

“Of course. Now, go to the glossary, find Ilara, and start writing. I know practically everything about her already, so you need to catch up.”

“I don’t have—”

You held out your extra notebook and fountain pen and cocked your head. “Don’t have what?”

Fiyero chuckled as he took them from you. “You’re prepared for everything, aren’t you?”

“Always,” you said with a satisfied smile. “Now get reading, my prince.”

He pressed his hand to his chest and bowed his head. “At once, my lady.”

-

You looked at the clock on the wall. Fiyero should have been here by now. 

Granted, he was ten minutes late to your first meeting, but that was before he’d changed your expectations ever so slightly. Almost an hour had passed, and there was still no sign. 

Of course, it wasn’t as if it hindered your progress. You kind of always expected him to fall short—if he showed at all, that was a credit to him—so you already had half the outline done. But a small part of you that you’d never admit to might have actually been looking forward to his presence. 

You enjoyed the bout of verbal sparring he engaged you in. A lot of your classmates thought you were mean, and it never bothered you. Like you told Fiyero, you were here for one reason and one only, and the amount of people that liked you at university didn’t influence that at all. Your professors liked you and your grades were perfect—that was all. 

But you couldn’t lie and say it wasn’t… nice. For Fiyero to take everything you said in stride, with a smile and a retort of equal measure.

It was nice. But that was all. 

You were jarred out of your thoughts by someone calling your name. You looked up to see Fiyero sauntering over, bearing his usual smile and not much else.

“This is a library,” you said once he got closer. “You aren’t supposed to shout.”

He took the seat across from you. “I’d hardly call that shouting.”

“You aren’t meant to be loud,” you decided. “Why are you so late?”

Fiyero shrugged. “I lost track of time?”

“You know, we are partners,” you emphasized your last word, “so it would be helpful if you could try to put in the same amount of effort as me.”

“That seems impossible.” He gestured at your notebook with his head, your current page already nearly full. “You’ve got me beat on nearly everything.”

“It’s not that difficult,” you intoned. “I mean, just do some research outside of class.”

He stared at you expectantly, and you rolled your eyes. “I don’t know what I expect with you, honestly.”

“Exactly what you see, darling. Now,” Fiyero's gaze drifted over to the window, then looked back at you as he stood up, “what do you say we put a hold on things and enjoy this beautiful day?” 

Your brows furrowed. “What, you mean do our research outside?” 

“Is your work truly all you think about?” he asked in exasperation. “I mean leave the books and your notes and your stress here, and take a stroll around campus.” 

“I’ve had my entire life planned out since I was ten years old,” you said. “Of course it is. I am not going to have some— some—”

“Some what?” Fiyero interrupted. He still looked remarkably unaffected by your outburst, that sideways smile of his infuriatingly charming. 

“Some ridiculous, pompous, self-absorbed, lazy Winkie prince ruin it!” you exclaimed. 

“Lazy,” he mused. “That’s a new one.” 

“Of course you’re lazy! Why would we take a break when we have a project to do?” 

Fiyero looked at you like you were crazy— no, like he was worried about you. He shook his head. “You really do have a one track mind.” 

“When we’re in midterm season, yes, I d— what are you doing?”

Fiyero had started stacking all of the books you had on the table away from you, then he grabbed your notebook and your pen out of your hand.

“You need a break,” he said. 

“I don’t need a break, and give that back—”

You reached for your materials but only just grazed his hand before he pulled them back and set them on top of the pile. “When was the last time you saw the sun?” 

You scoffed. “I see the sun all the time.” 

“Not from a window in the library or your dorm.” 

You bit your tongue. Fiyero smiled and held out his hand. 

“You need a break.” 

You stared at his hand. He gave you a cloying look. 

“It’s not a good sign that you’re this against self-care,” he said wryly. 

You sighed and reluctantly placed your hand in his. “Fine.”

Fiyero grinned and he pulled you close. You yelped at the unexpected speed and you tumbled into his chest. Fiyero’s hand dropped to your waist, and for a moment all you could do was stare at him, wide eyed. 

“Shall we?” he murmured. 

You jolted away from him once you came back into yourself, your skin burning where he’d touched you. 

“We shall,” you said, a bit too forcefully as you started walking a bit too fast. 

Fiyero chuckled. He matched your pace easily, soon coming up beside you. “You’re already that excited?”

“Oh, shut up,” you bit out. “You’ve already gotten what you want. No need for more.”

He feigned naivety. “What would I possibly be doing?”

You shook your head with a huff. “I’m not entertaining that with a response.”

Fiyero simply hummed. You glanced over at him, still staying even with you, and then you let out another huff as you stopped. He didn’t miss a beat, pausing at the same time as you, then met your flustered expression with a smile. 

“Yes?”

“You’re the one that wanted to do this,” you said, gesturing in front of you with a hand. “So lead the way.”

“Gladly,” he said. “I’m very good at taking the lead.”

Fiyero started walking and, though you had half a mind to take the opportunity and dart back to the library, you found yourself following him. 

Cora’s words spun around your head as you and Fiyero walked together, about him turning the full force of his flirting on you in return for you being such a stickler for your midterm. 

That was the embarrassing thing; you didn’t even think this was half of it, and he already had you blushing—and for what? It was as if you’d never even talked to a boy before. 

You’d had plenty of experience back home. Village boys coming into your parents’ store to flirt at you, leaving notes in your desk in class, offering to walk you home at night—plenty of experience. 

It didn’t matter that you denied them all and never went anywhere because you had a one track mind even then, and that Fiyero had done what no one else had and gotten you take a break simply because he asked nicely—

You sucked in a sharp breath as Fiyero’s arm suddenly pressed against your chest, stopping you in place. Your head snapped up to look at him, mouth already open with questions loaded, but he gestured with his head before you could ask any of them. 

You’d nearly barreled right down the stairs from being lost in your head, without care nor consideration for actually taking the steps. 

“Mind the gap, darling,” he said. “Wouldn’t want you damaging that brain of yours.”

“…Thank you,” you said once you’d regained the ability to speak words again. “One of us ought to have one.”

Fiyero laughed as he took his arm away. “Certainly.” He used it to gesture down the stairs. “Ladies first—unless you’re unsure of your ability to conquer them.”

“I’ll be just fine, Fiyero.” You started the descent, Fiyero right behind you, and you let out another short sigh. 

There had to be something wrong with you. That was the only explanation for why you were acting this way.

Maybe you really did need to start getting more sleep. 

[samgirl98]

Biblically Accurate Boyfriend

Written for @silverblueglitter, I hope this is what you were looking for!

Something was going on with Jason. He was happier.

Now, usually, this would be good news, but the family had no idea what had caused such a drastic change in what seemed overnight. From what they could tell, Jason hadn’t had a pit episode in weeks and was voluntarily around the family without getting angry at them. Jason was cooking and bringing side dishes to family dinners. Just that day, he had let Dick hug him and didn’t try to punch his older brother! He doubted it was the few college courses Jason decided to take. No way school would make anyone that happy. Even a nerd like Jason.

It scared them a little. After all, when would the other shoe drop?

After the third week in a row that Jason had shown up for Sunday family dinner, Dick decided he had to ask, screw the consequences.

“So, Jason, what brought about this change?”

Dick tensed, prepared to have his head ripped off (he hoped metaphorically). The opposite happened. Jason laughed. Laughed!

“I have a boyfriend,” he said cheerfully, taking a bite of the pie he brought, “He’s my Angel. He’s so awesome!”

Before Dick could prompt Jason even more with questions, his younger brother continued to talk excitedly about ‘Angel.’

“I met Angel as Red Hood while a cult had kidnapped him. They were trying to summon some death deity right there in the middle of Crime Alley, the fucking idiots. I stopped them, obviously, but let me tell you, instead of being scared or angry, he was joking around and sassing the cult leader. It was so funny! Anyway, after I rescued him, he looked familiar, and I remembered why. He was in one of my Gen Ed courses.”

Bruce filed away the cult leader tidbit, not wanting to stop his son from giving out more information. He hated magic, and a cult had been trying to summon something. He’d have to investigate. If only his second oldest wrote mission reports but refused to do so, leaving Bruce in the dark about what Jason faced in Crime Alley. Bruce made a mental note and tuned back in to what Jason was saying about his boyfriend.

“The next time I saw him, I wanted to make sure he was fine and that the shock hadn’t worn off. You know, he’s not from Gotham, so I imagined he wasn’t used to rogue attacks.”

Everyone nodded but said nothing. They didn’t want to risk Jason shutting up, especially since he was volunteering information without prompting.

“To my surprise, he was chipper and didn’t seem traumatized about what happened. Hell, when I introduced myself to him as Jason, he joked how he was a native Gothamite now because he had been kidnapped.”

“Anyway, one thing led to another, and then we were friends. A few days later, he asked me for a date at a library. My God, that thing was so well-stocked! It even had books that I had never heard or seen. There were first-edition books and books that famous authors hadn’t published to the public. I didn’t even know such a library could exist. It was awesome,” he finished dreamily. There were stars in his eyes.

Dick smiled softly at his brother’s happiness.

“So, does this Angel have a last name,” Tim asked.

Jason glared at Tim, making everyone at the table tense.

“Don’t you dare! Angel doesn’t need a bunch of paranoid vigilante detectives looking into him. Angel isn’t even his real name, and until I feel I can trust you guys not to chase him away, I’m not giving any personal information or bringing him around.”

“That’s fine, Little Wing, just as long as you feel safe and happy,” Dick quickly intervened when he saw Bruce open his mouth to say something. Dick glared at their father and subtly shook his head at him. He knew how Bruce was, and Dick didn’t want Bruce’s paranoia ruining things with Jason.

Bruce frowned but took Dick’s silent advice. Jason glared at them the whole time.

“I’m glad, Jay lad. When you feel comfortable, bring him around. I, we, would love to meet him.”

“Yes, I would love to see who this Angel is and what is wrong with him. Who would like to date Todd purposely?”

Jason turned his glare at his younger brother, but it lacked malice. “Watch it, Demon Brat.”

“Tt, imbecile.”

And so, life continued.

Jason mellowed out more and more while still visiting and talking to the family without any angry barbs. He worked more with them as Red Hood and was less violent with most criminals. Jason would go to the cave after missions to get checked over and eat some of Alfred’s snacks without complaint. He joked around with them and trained. He even let the family enter his territory in Crime Alley in costume.

Still, everyone in the family was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Jason still hadn’t introduced them to Angel, even though it had been three months since they found out, and it was driving Bruce and Tim insane. They only knew that Angel was obsessed with space and studying to be an astrophysicist. Oh, and apparently, he had access to an incredible library.

Dick didn’t know how much longer he could hold them back from investigating every one of Jason’s classmates.

“Jason can take care of himself, Bruce. Let him come to us, and don’t fuck this up for him.”

“But,” he started.

“No ‘buts’. Trust your son.”

“Fine,” he turned around and returned to typing in the Batcomputer. Bruce was brooding. Hmm, Dick would have to talk to Alfred to get help.

One night, while it was a quiet night at patrol, Jason was telling Dick a story about Angel.

“You should’ve seen how angry he was! All this because he argued with the professor that Pluto should be a planet. He was so passionate that he even called the people who had decided to take Pluto out as ‘an insult to the ones who study the sky.’ Speaking of, did you know that the ones who decided were the International Astronomical Union? And honestly, with how Angel describes them, I’m more inclined to believe they are idiots.”

Dick smiled at his brother’s obvious happiness, “Is that so? I’m so happy for you, Hood. Speaking of, when do we get to meet him? I don’t know how long I can keep Tim and Bruce off your back.”

Jason sighed.

“Yeah, I guess it’s time, isn’t it? I already prepared Angel as much as I could about our crazy family. I just wanted to keep him for myself a while longer, I guess.”

Silence reigned for a while.

“I’ll take him on our next Sunday dinner if he says yes.”

Dick smiled, “I’ll let Bruce and the family know so you don’t have to.”

“Thanks.”

Of course, that’s when the other shoe dropped. The night before they were supposed to meet Angel, a supernatural force had invaded Gotham. It was an all-hands-on-deck situation. Batman had even contacted the Justice League and tried communicating with John Constantine. Nightwing had called in a favor to both Zatanna and Raven. Even Red Hood seemed to be trying to get a hold of someone.

“Sorry, Bats,” Constantine’s voice came through the coms. “Whatever you’re fighting is causing a magical force field around Gotham. Zatanna and I are trying to break through it, but it’s slow going. Raven is keeping the lesser demons it’s summoning off our backs while we try to break through. It might take us at least fifteen.”

“Hn, just get here as soon as you can.”

Batman threw a few batarangs made of nth metal at the giant mass of shadows, and Superman used his laser eyes. Wonder Woman threw her lasso around one of the creature’s arms, and Green Lantern used a net construct. It didn’t even slow it down.

The Martian Manhunter used a psychic attack to finally slow the creature down. Nightwing was finally able to catch his breath. He looked around them and saw the destruction the creature had left in its wake.

Thankfully, Red Robin and Robin were taking care of crowd control, so no civilians were left in harm’s way.

Suddenly, the creature got angry at Batman and swept its arms, sending Batman flying. Thankfully, Superman caught him before he hit the wall, but Nightwing still flinched. That had to have hurt. Out of nowhere, Red Hood came at the creature with flaming swords.

Where had he even gotten them?

Nightwing watched as Jason’s swords cleaved through the creature’s shadowy arm. The limb fell to the floor before disappearing. Just as Nightwing was about to celebrate, the thing grew the arm again.

Fuck.

The fight continued, and they were getting desperate. Jason was the only one who could even slightly damage the creature, and he was tiring. Constantine and Zatanna were still, more or less, ten minutes away. Superman and Wonder Woman were slowing the creature down, but even they were flagging. Martian Manhunter was out for the count after the creature used its psychic attack to bring him down.

They were so fucked.

Suddenly, the air got frigid, and there was a heavy pressure. The hair on Nightwing’s body stood up. Superman looked around while Wonder Woman tensed even more. Even the creature paused.

What showed up next made Dick want to scratch his eyes out. He couldn’t even describe it. All he saw were hundreds of eyes with eight ice-blue wings. The shadow creature yelled out in fear before being evaporated. Fuck, fuck, fuck! How would they defeat the eldritch abomination if it could take out the shadow creature without effort? Hell, Dick could even look straight at it. He was keeping watch with the peripheral of his vision, and he was sure so was everyone else.

“DON’T BE AFRAID! I WAS CALLED TO BE OF HELP.”

Called? For Help? Were Constantine and Zatanna here? Was this creature their doing?

Dick looked around but didn’t see either of them.

“Angel,” a familiar voice yelled out. Jason was climbing over debris while looking right at the creature. Dick felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. Around him, he saw his family having the same realization as him. Dick felt like fainting. This was Angel. This biblically accurate creature was Jason’s boyfriend.

“Did—did your heart just skip in fear?” Superman asked Batman, incredulous. He looked at every member of their family and said, “All of your hearts…what is going on here?”

Dick was about to ask Jason the same question when the creature started to shapeshift. It was getting smaller and smaller until, finally, a fae-like creature with blue skin and white hair stood in its place. It had on a cheeky smile.

It flew over to Jason, and then there was a flash of light. In the fae’s creature place was a regular guy with black hair and blue eyes. He was scrawny and had on a red t-shirt with jeans. He was in Jason’s arms.

Jason turned to look at them.

“Guys, this isn’t how I wanted to do it, but this is my boyfriend.”

He turned away from his boyfriend to see that his dad, the Batman, was on the floor. He had fainted. The Justice League was trying to bring Batman to, while Constantine and Zatanna looked at Jason as if he was crazy. Raven was looking at Dick, trying to get directions from him.

“What the hell is that?” Constantine asked, calling magic to his hands. Even Zatanna was on guard. Raven sighed. This isn’t what she was called for.

Batman suddenly came back to and scowled at Jason.

“Hood, you have some explaining to do.”

Jason sighed, seeming put out. Dick started laughing hysterically. His baby brother was put out because they were concerned about the interdimensional eldritch being.

“See, this why I didn’t want you to meet them yet, Angel. They’re annoying for no good reason.

“It’s all cool. Are we still up for dinner tonight?”

“Yep,” the Angel kissed Jason on the cheek and disappeared. Oh, Dick was going to faint, too. How nice, he thought as everything went black.

Dc x Dp prompt #1: Angel

I'd like to preface this by saying I'm incorporating tropes I've seen in other posts.

~~~

Jason has been a lot happier recently. His Pit Rage has been getting less and less frequent, he's cooking and coming over to the manor a lot more, and he even let Dick hug him last week without threatening bodily harm!

The rest of the batfam, while happy for him, are curious about the change. So one night at dinner they ask him what's up with him and why he's so happy recently. Surprisingly, instead of taking it the wrong way and getting mad Jason is eager to share.

Apparently, Jason has a boyfriend now. Yay!

He goes on and on about this civilian he met after stoping a cult who was trying to summon a deity and how he is this nerdy college kid who really likes space and how their civilian identies shared the same Gen Ed course so he made an effort to become friends. Turns out that nerdy space guy had caused the initial improvement in mood and his offer to go on a date to an incredibly diverse and well-stocked library had been the cherry on top.

The only thing is that Jason didn't want them stalking the guy and refered to him around the family exclusively as "Angel". Everyone thinks that's just a cute pet name he gave the guy as a way to both reference and distract the civilian from the cult ritual he was probably rescued from. Little do they know that it's actually because "Angel" was not a victim of the cult ritual but the summonee, that appeared in the form of a biblically accurate angel.

One day some supernatural entity decideds to attack Gotham and everyone is calling whoever they can think of for back-up. Batman calls Constantine, Nightwing calls Zatana, Red Robin and Robin are contacting the Justice League, and even Red Hood seems to call someone.

The situation is getting desperate. The JL is here but at most the can just slow the supernatural being down. Constantine and Zatana are still 20 minutes out and things are looking bad when another Eldritch Being spawns and seems to take down the threat in one move.

Everyone stands stunned as the being turns to them and in a booming voice exclaims "DON'T BE AFRAID. I WAS CALLED TO HELP". They all go through several emotions upon hearing those words. Where did this being come from? Is this a biblically accurate angel? Who called it here to help? Was it Zatana or maybe Constantine? Are they here yet? Upon looking around it is found that Zatana and Constantine are not here yet and the heroes get ready to engage this being carefully when a voice calls out

"Angel!"

Everyone whips their heads around to see Jason climbing over debris towards the Eldritch Being in front of them. The Batfam feels faint with a creeping realization and Superman swears he heard Batman's heart skip a beat for a second. Before anyone can ask Jason what he's doing the being shapeshifts into the much smaller form of a young fae-like creature with pointed ears, fangs, stark white hair, and vibrant green eyes floating in the air. He flys over to Jason before a flash of bright light leaves a young man deep black hair and frosty blue eyes in Jason's arms.

Jason turns to introduce his boyfriend to his family and the League only to find that Batman has fainted, a panicking JL, and a gobsmacked Zatana and Constantine have who've arrived in time to see the transformation. As Zatana and Constantine begin to freak out and prepare defensive magic Batman comes to and levels a scowl at Jason.

"Hood, I think you have some explaining to do."

[buck-star]

Love and protection | B.B

>> He’s going through thick and thin with you, supporting you and helping you to rise. He’s supposed to protect you, but he makes it his task to love you, as well and who are you to complain about it when you can find happiness and love with him. <<

Pairing: Bodyguard!Bucky Barnes x Singer!Fem!Reader

Wordcount: 5.303 Words

Warnings: best friends to lovers, toxic ex-relationship, cheating, angst, fluff, petnames [babydoll]

Authors Note: The fanfiction is based on the song “jar of hearts”. I want to thank @mercurial-chuckles for helping me to come up with the idea and supporting me. Divider made by me.

Events: Build-A-Bucky-Bingo [Round One | August | Musician AU], Fandom-Free Bingo: Frosty Edition [O2 | Bodyguard AU | @fandom-free-bingo]

Masterlist | Bucky Barnes Masterlist

“I know I can’t take one more step towards you, ‘cause all that’s waiting is regret,” you sang, your voice shaking slightly. You looked around the bar. It was time to let go of the man you used to love, time to finally let him know that you moved on and that he couldn’t keep you trapped in his manipulative words and promises.

John sat next to you, his hand caressing your thigh softly. His eyes were pleading as he looked deep into your eyes. He tried to excuse everything with his softness, tried to excuse the way he looked at the woman with him just being nice and a gentleman. “You should know, baby. I’m a gentleman; I had to help her with her bags.”

“I don’t mind that. I just don’t like the way you looked at her, and especially not the way you touched her,” you mumbled, shaking your head slightly. John touched not just her groceries; he also touched her lower back — a bit too low when it came to your opinion. “You literally undressed her with your eyes. Your hand was almost on her ass, that’s not— I’m not jealous when you help. But I’m annoyed when you do that.”

“I’m sorry, please forgive me,” he said, running his hand higher. You tensed when his fingers brushed over your belly. You hated that he had such an effect on you — and even more that he knew exactly about it. “You know, I just can’t help myself. I shouldn’t have touched her like that or looked at her like that—“

“And you shouldn’t have left me with the heavy bags in the middle of the parking lots to help her,” you interrupted John. He nodded, his expression still pleasing, while his hand brushed back to stroke your thigh. “That wasn’t as gentlemanly as you try to explain to me.”

“I know, and I’m sorry about that. But I only want you; there is no one else. I don’t love her, and so you shouldn’t think about it, okay? I love you, okay?” He asked, using his free hand to grasp your chin softly and turn your face toward him.

Only when you nodded did he smile at you and lean in to press his lips against yours. It didn’t feel the same way it did months ago — the first time you kissed or the times you kissed when you started dating him. Right now, it was more like another empty promise you tried to believe because you hoped that he really meant it.

After all, you fell in love with him. It may have been a while since that, but there must have been something you said to him that made you fall for him. So you tried to convince yourself that this part of him has to be still there, deep down in the man you lived in an apartment with and slept in a bed with.

“Okay,” you mumbled and turned your face away from him. John grinned at you before he let go of you and got up from the bed. He turned around when he was halfway through the room. He had that shitty grin on his face, the glistening in his eyes that should have told you that John was going to break your heart, but you tried to oversee it. Because he loved you, didn’t he?

“Pizza? I order some, and then we can spend the evening watching some movies and cuddling?” He asked in such a sweet tone that it made your heart beat a bit faster. He held his hand out for you, and for a moment it just felt like John was being the one you fell in love with. You nodded and giggled as you grasped his hand, letting him pull you up and against him. “Knew I could make you happy with that, baby.”

“Don’t you know I’m not your ghost anymore. You lost the love I loved the most,” you continued to sing. The song held everything you never said out loud to John, everything you felt, everything that broke within you as you had to realize that he wasn’t who he made you believe he was.

One evening when you were just heading out of the bar with your bodyguard — Bucky Barnes — after a performance. He had his big hand on the small of your back, leading you through the crowd and making sure that no one was touching or attacking you.

When you reached the car, he opened the door for you, and you smiled at him before sitting in the backseat and making space for him to get into the car next to you. Bucky and you have grown best friends since he was hired to protect you. Your bond was pretty strong, and you were lucky to have such a good bodyguard but also best friend by your side.

Bucky got into the car as well, shutting the door and telling the driver to bring you back home. While he did that, you looked through your bag to find your phone, wanting to send John a message that the evening was amazing and that you would be home soon. But as you unlocked your phone and saw the message, your jaw dropped and your eyes watered.

Your best friend, who leaned back and looked at you narrowed his eyes. His body tensed immediately, and you were gritting your teeth. He assumed that John did anything, except him and Bucky; you didn't have many people else who could cause tears in your eyes that fast. His voice was soft and filled with concern as he tried to figure out what brought you close to crying. “Babydoll, what's wrong?”

Without a word, you turned your face as well as your phone toward Bucky. His ocean blue eyes flickered from your teary ones toward your phone. He read the message, his body tensing further, and a low growl left his throat as he stared at your phone with an angry expression.

“D-Did he… He’s cheating, isn't he?” You mumbled, and a single tear rolled down your cheek. You swallowed thickly, watching Bucky intensely; he was obviously fighting with himself — should he tell you the truth or tell you that it may have been an accident that John didn't mean it like the message said.

He lifted his hand, brought it to your cheek, and wiped the trail of the tear softly with the rough pad of his thumb away. You inhaled deeply, Bucky scent filling your nostrils as you leaned further into him until your head rested on his muscular shoulder. “I don't know. Babydoll, I'm sorry. It definitely looks like that, but we don't accuse him before we know, okay?”

Sometimes you wanted to laugh about Bucky's way to try and solve conflicts or how he always tried to not assume something you weren’t one hundred percent sure of. But at the same time, you knew that he was right. John obviously wrote you the message that said, ‘Hey, babe. Wanna come over alone tonight!’ But maybe — just maybe it could have been a misunderstanding.

“Wanna sleep at mine tonight, babydoll?” Bucky asked as he wrapped his strong arms around your small frame. You nodded, your face still hiding in his shoulder. Your heart was aching, broken, but at the same time you didn't feel as bad as you thought you would. They warned you that John was a playboy, that he would cheat at some point, and they weren't wrong. But you know that you would never fall too deep because you had your bodyguard — your best friend — who held you before that would happen.

Bucky told the driver to drive to him before you reached your house, where you would have seen the car that didn't belong to you or John. The car that was still familiar to you because it belonged to John's assistant. “He doesn't deserve you, and once he finds out you deserve better, he will regret leaving you in the dirt like that, precious girl.”

“I learned to live half alive, and now you want me one more time.” A few tears fell down your cheeks. Not because it was hurting you but because you finally were able to let go — to finally feel the relief to let go of the man you thought loved you.

The day after you found out about John cheating on you, you were back at his house — also your house. You didn't have much stuff you wanted to pick up from there but a few important things before you would move in with Bucky. He always told you, if you need somewhere to sleep, you can come to him, and after last night he offered to move in with him. He wanted to come with you to pick up your stuff, but since you asked him to get something for dinner, he told you to pick you up in half an hour to drive home.

“Baby, where were you? I was worried,” John said as you walked into the house. He was still sleepy, in just his sweatpants. You had to swallow down the lump in your throat while you blinked away the tears in your eyes. He could have worn a shirt at least to cover the scratches on his shoulders and the hickeys all over his chest.

“Next time, take care that she doesn’t leave such trails,” you mumbled, nodding toward him. John looked at his body, cursing under his breath while he tried to come up with a good explanation for all of it.

“Listen, I'm sorry, I was stressed and—” John said, trying to sound as convincing as possible. The two of you knew it wasn't the first time he was cheating on you; it wasn't the first time he ‘was stressed’. You shook your head, smiling softly through the pain of everything you went through because of him — the lies, the doubts, the feeling to never be enough, to everything he did while you tried to be perfect for him. “I'm sorry, we can talk, and I will change; you know I can change if you want me to.”

A soft chuckle left your lips; it wasn't funny, not at all. But you just couldn't help yourself when he said that. “You don't have to change; I never wanted you to change, and I still don't want it. I wanted you, not a person you pretend to be because you can't keep your dick in your pants.” You explained, a tear rolling down your cheek. Saying that out loud was not as easy as all the talks you had with yourself in your mind. “Was it me? What is that that made you cheat on me? I just… I just want to understand. Because the times you told me you love me and that we are a team, it was all a lie, wasn't it? Would you love me… Would we were a team, then you wouldn't even have thought about cheating; you could have talked to me. So what was it that wasn't enough for you?”

“I said I was stressed!” John said loudly, making you flinch. He groaned, annoyed. “Don't fucking flinch, or I will give you a real reason. I said I would change for you, so get your shit together and stop acting like the victim here. I'm sorry, I was stressed. Now calm down and stop this little tantrum of yours.”

More tears rolled down your cheeks. In your good times with John, you liked to forget about this side of him, the dark and threatening one. He showed you this side the first time you had a really big argument and you said you would sleep at a friend's house. You ended up in the bedroom you shared with him with a locked door until you were begging him to forgive you.

“I'm breaking up, John. This is not a tantrum or anything. I break up because you cheated on me,” you said quietly, trying to push past him to get your back. His laugh was dark and low as he grabbed your arm and pulled you back to stand in front of him. “Let go, please.”

“So you can run away? Do you think anyone wants you more than I do? They only like you because you can sing and your pussy is good enough for a night, but more than that, you're nothing. They are all just nice to get you into their bed; if they got you there, they throw you away, and you will crawl back to me, slut.” John smirked, lifting his hand to wrap it around your throat.

You closed your eyes; your breath was shaking. But to your surprise, his hand never settled around your neck. When you slowly opened your eyes again, you saw Bucky standing behind John, his big hand tightly wrapped around John's arm and holding it away from him. Bucky pulled John away from you, standing between the two of you to offer some distance and comfort for you.

“Babydoll, you good? Take it slow and get your stuff; can you do it?” Bucky asked softly. You nodded, smiling softly, before you wiped the tears off of your face and made your way to get all the stuff you needed. You heard Bucky discussing with John, and even though Bucky knew you could handle yourself, you were happy he decided to come in to check on you.

“Who do you think you are? Runnin’ ‘round leaving scars, collecting your jar of hearts. Tearing love apart.” Your voice was steadier with every word you sang. The pain and the tears that you wasted for John were finally the past. Your eyes roamed through the room to the bar, where you knew to find the man who didn't mind collecting every little piece of your heart but even put it back together in the most wonderful way you could ever imagine — someone who showed you what real love meant.

“He's the past now, babydoll,” Bucky mumbled as he held you tightly pressed against his chest. The two of you were lying on the couch, watching one of these cheesy romantic movies after the other.

After Bucky helped you with John and your stuff to finally break free from that manipulative man, he brought you both home. Wrapping you in a blanket and offering you all the ice cream, snacks, and cuddles you could ask for.

Only when the tears rolled down your cheeks, wetting his shirt, he knew it was okay to talk about John again. Bucky could read you like a book, knowing that you would be stuck in your thoughts as long as you needed, and once you were ready to talk, you would either do it or let him know in any way. Crying in this case.

As much as he hated to see you stuck in your thoughts or crying, he knew it was your way to get through stuff, to get over the situation with John. Bucky knew everything that happened between you and John; he was more than your bodyguard; he was your best friend, your safe place.

“You were and will never be the problem. He doesn't know how to treat a girl, his girl,” Bucky assured you, his calloused hand moving up and down your back while you tugged yourself further into his side. You inhaled Bucky's scent deeply — sandalwood, vanilla, and just him. “You're enough. He lost the most precious thing he had; it's his loss, not yours. babydoll.”

“But why cheating? He could have broken up, or whatever, but he cheated." You mumbled into Bucky's muscular chest, feeling the urge to sink your teeth into his meaty chest. Bucky was well trained, his shirts tight enough to expose everything that was hidden underneath, unless he was working, then he wore a hoodie that covered his thick muscles.

When you thought further about it, he always wore stuff that hid his figure, only showing as much as needed. While others would walk around, showing off their well-trained bodies, he only did it when he was home or around you in hotels or backstage. You even saw him multiple times without a shirt, drooling over his massive muscles and the way his skin was softly glistening from the water of the shower he had before.

“It’s not that I love him anymore, but the pain he caused... why cheating?” You asked once again, turning your head so your mouth was just above the swell of Bucky's chest. Before you could hold back, you confessed your thoughts to Bucky. “I really want to bite into your chest; it’s so perfect, I always wanted to try it.”

Bucky chuckled softly, causing his chest to vibrate slightly against you. “First of all, cheating is a way for some men to compare things. He knew he wasn’t as perfect as you, so he cheated with someone less worthy than you. Or maybe he did it just because he’s a dick, maybe both. But breaking up means losing you, so he couldn't just do it. He wanted you by his side, but he wanted more. Not because you weren't enough, but some idiotic men need a fuck with a younger woman to feel younger themselves.” Bucky explained, his thick fingers moving from your back to comb through your hair. He turns his head, a soft smile across his lips as he kisses your forehead softly. “Maybe you should bite into it then; try if it's as good as you think it is.

“You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul. So don't come back for me. Who do you think you are?” A soft smile creeped onto your lips as you looked over the crowd toward your boyfriend, who smirked at you. Bucky was the person who was the proudest of you; he knew what you went through; he was by your side every step from the time you met. Bucky couldn't be happier to call himself your boyfriend now, knowing that he was the reason for the beautiful sparkle in your eyes and the cute smile on your face — a smile that always lit up his world.

“Bucky?” You mumbled quietly as you walked into the kitchen. Bucky was standing with his back toward you. He only wore a pair of sweatpants, revealing his thick back with a few red stripes and hickeys. “He wrote a message.”

The brown-haired pushed the pan away, turning around with widened eyes as he watched you intensely. You hold up your phone, the messages John sends all over the screen, and you walk another step closer toward Bucky. He instinctively reached out, wrapping one of his thick arms around you to pull you against his chest.

"Dickhead doesn't know when it's enough, does he?” He muttered, taking your phone from your hand and looking over the messages John sent you. Bucky really hoped that John would let it be, that he would let you be happy, but John had other plans, trying to get you back with manipulation and in every way that he knew would hurt you.

John: You know damn well that I love you, so stop your little tantrum and move your fucking ass home.

John: Going out with Barnes now, huh? Do you think he wants more than your fucking cunt?

John: Once he gets your pussy, you will crawl home to me. And I tell you that now, you better think about a way to apologize, or I will fuck all those bitches you're so jealous about in front of you.

John: Better think about dating Barnes; no one will love you. I'm the only one, and you know that, to get your shit together and come home, bitch.

Bucky looks at you, his expression soft, and he leans down to press a soft kiss to your forehead. “You know he only wants to manipulate you. I love you; I really do.” Bucky presses another kiss to your forehead, his warm, plump lips lingering against your soft skin. “I love you more than anything, babydoll.”

“I love you, too, Buck.” You giggled softly, wrapping your hand around Bucky's wrist and moving a bit away from him so he could look at your phone again. You scroll down, revealing a message you send to John. “I responded to his messages; I just wanted to show you.”

You: You can call it a tantrum all you want; you can tell all your friends about it. Like you always did, no one of them cares about the truth anyway. You're pathetic, cheating on someone who was willing to give you everything. But I don't care about it anymore; I don't care about anything we had. It was an experience we had; it doesn't matter if it was good or not because now it's the past. And it's good the way it is, because the bitch won't come back to someone who treats her that poorly. You showed me you can wet your dick everywhere, so continue doing it.

You: Plus, you’re the one crawling back to me here. Trying to manipulate me like you did way too long already. Would he only want me for sex? He would have had more than one opportunity to do so. But Bucky isn’t like you. He doesn't jump on the next best girl, and also not on me. He knows how to spend time without needing any sexual activities. You may think he only wants one thing, but I know him better.

Bucky looked from your phone toward you, a wide grin across his handsome face. He nods slowly, causing a strand of his brown hair to fall into his face. You reached up with one of your hands, brushing the strand behind his head before you kissed the tip of his nose.

“I don't care what he calls me; I don't care what he says. I know you're by my side like you always were,” you mumbled with a soft smile. Bucky placed your phone on the counter next to the two of you, wrapping both of his arms around your waist to pull you even closer against his broad chest.

“Like I always will,” Bucky said, his lips pressing softly against yours. “I'm proud of you; that prick can fuck all the girls he wants. But he can't have my babydoll.”

“I hear you're asking all around if I am anywhere to be found. But I have grown too strong to ever fall back in your arms.” The song continues, and you feel the excitement inside of you growing. It was the last song you dedicated to him. You know you found your happiness in the man, who sits with a proud smile and light eyes at the bar, watching you intensely.

“He's looking for you, babydoll.” Bucky mumbled, pulling you closer toward him so he could shield you from John. It was just after one of your performances, and you hadn't seen John in the crowd, but the moment you wanted to get back to the car to drive home with Buck, your boyfriend spotted him. “He even asked the staff about your performance.”

You nodded, looking around. Bucky pulled his hoodie over his head without thinking, earning a lot of glances and even a few gasps from the women around you as he revealed his trained body to everyone. Even though he wore a thin sweater, it was like a second skin and didn't leave much to the imagination.

“Now they are all staring at you,” you chuckled, running your hand over Bucky's shoulder to his chest. He shrugged, smirking as he held the hoodie above you. It was warm and smelled like Bucky, and for a moment you felt like it was just the two of you. “Smelling good.”

“Not as good as it will smell when you wear it a bit. Now let's get out of here; they can stare at one another; this body here belongs to you, just like my heart. I only have eyes for you, so there is no need for them to stare at me like they could have me, because they can't,” Bucky explained, his voice low but soft as he leaned even closer. He put the hood over your head and wrapped an arm tightly around your waist. “Damn, you look fucking amying in my hoodies; you should war them more often.”

“So you can complain that you can't focus on working when everything smells like me?” You asked quietly so no one would hear the two of you. Bucky laughed softly. You had a point; he said that once.

“It smells like you anyway. So, forget what I said; you’re adorable in my clothes. Show everything that you belong to me.” Bucky led you out of the little club, toward the car. The two of you were pretty sure no one was following you because, with Bucky’s hoodie, you weren't as visible as yourself. And Bucky was known to wear clothes that covered more of his body than those tight second skin stuff.

But when you reached the car, a familiar voice came from next to you. A cold shiver ran down your spine, and you pushed yourself further into Bucky's side. “Was looking for you just to see you with your little bodyguard, huh?”

You slowly turned around, Bucky's arm still tight around you. You were face-to-face with John, who smirked at you. And you wanted to punch his face so hard, but you didn’t, not wanting to get any trouble. Even though you were pretty sure everyone would understand and support your decision to mark his face with a pretty print of your hand.

“You should stop tracking me; stalking isn't nice. We broke up, and my little bodyguard is actually pretty big and strong, so you better watch your dirty mouth,” you grumble, earning a soft laugh from Bucky, whose eyes were focused on you.

He always knew what you were capable of, but he never thought you would face John like that after all he did. But you did, and he couldn't be more proud of you. Bucky felt only happiness and love when he watched you. Even though he knew he was a part of making you stronger than you were because of his support and his unconditional love, he fell even harder in love with you.

John gasped, not knowing what to say. You never dared to talk back to him like that and slowly noticed that he messed up. That he lost what he should have loved, but you found someone who gave you what you were always looking for and what you deserved. It didn't mean he would give up to get you back, but he knew it wasn't as easy as he thought.

“Once he's bored of you, you will come back to me,” he muttered under his breath, turning to walk away. He muttered some more, but you didn't understand what and you also didn't care. You knew Bucky wouldn’t get bored because he wasn't John. Bucky was different, sweet and loving, taking care and helping you to raise instead of pushing you down.

“It took so long just to feel alright. Remember how to put back the light in my eyes. I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed.” You continued to sing, your eyes roaming further through the crowd until they settled back on Bucky.

“Can’t you just forgive me?” John asked; he found out where your next performance was and booked a ticket under another name to get close to you.

Unfortunately, Bucky was busy getting the car parked. The two of you were sure that John wouldn’t dare to be seen there because he wouldn’t be allowed to get inside if they read his name on a ticket.

But with another name on it, he was allowed to get into the club. And now he was standing backstage with you, his hands pushed into the doorframe to block your way.

“I said I’m sorry. I love you,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “You really think you found someone better than me? He’s your bodyguard, but he can’t offer you what I can.”

“Right, he can’t. Because he can offer me so much more. He loves me the way I am, and he helps me to reach my goals, to grow, and to achieve what I would like to. He’s so much more than just my bodyguard,” you explained. John shook his head once more. “I hope you find someone who will show you the love he shows me. Because then you will understand.”

John groaned frustrated; he pushed himself backwards and away from you. He didn’t know what to say; he wanted to curse or insult, but he knew it wouldn’t help. John wanted to beg, to tell you he would be better, but the way your eyes lit up when you talked about Bucky. He never saw them glistening like that when you were with him. It was Bucky who made you happy, who brought back the love and joy after John ruined it.

“What are you doing here?” Bucky asked from behind John. His voice was low, and he sounded slightly mad. You noticed his tensed muscles, smiling softly to assure him that everything was fine.

“I wanted to go right now,” John mumbled before pushing past the bodyguard. Bucky looked after him only when he was out of his sight. Bucky turned to you and grinned at you.

“Thought he could get you back? When does he understand that you’re mine?” Bucky said, walking closer and you backwards until your back was pressed against the wall, and he caged you between him and the wall. His arms on both sides of your waist as he pressed himself against you and kissed you softly. “All mine, my precious babydoll.”

“Cause you broke all your promises, and now you’re back.” Your eyes move once again over the crowd, and a familiar face appears in the back of the club. You swallow thickly. “You don't get to get me back.”

You didn’t feel anything for that man anymore; he was just like a memory of your past. Someone you used to know, someone who used to love — but also someone who hurt you and betrayed you.

You thanked the people for listening, and before you could walk off the stage, you saw someone storming toward you. Your lips curled up into a smile as you turned around and looked directly into the ocean blue eyes of your boyfriend.

“Fuck, I’m so proud of you. You showed them all, babydoll,” he mumbled, pressing his lips against yours. The kiss was soft, his plump lips moving softly, and you felt all the warmth he’s always causing once again erupting inside of you.

The crowd cheered and screamed, but for you, there was just Bucky. The world shut up; it was only you and him. His hands were holding you by your waist, pulling you closer into him.

“Thank you, I love you, my everything, my Bucky,” you mumbled against his lips. He smirked, kissing his way over your nose to your forehead and back down until he reached your lips again.

“I love you, too, my precious babydoll,” he said loud enough for the people in the club to hear. He claimed you in front of everyone, and he loved it. Bucky then lowered his head to your ear. “Now, let’s get somewhere private, because I need to kiss you so much more. I need to kiss you so badly, babydoll.”

Taglist: @pono-pura-vida @sergeantbarnessdoll @rogersbarber @kimmie113080 @sebastianstanisahotmf

[mariacallous]

Not long after the November election, new members of Congress gather for a couple of weeks of orientation. Consistent with that tradition, Sarah McBride, a Delaware Democrat, made the short trip from Wilmington to D.C. to meet with her fellow first-termers. At a hotel in the capital, she learned about the lottery for office space, how to assemble a staff, and the intricacies of the legislative process. As the first transgender member of Congress in history, she also experienced an orientation in naked aggression. Within days of her arrival, Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, introduced a resolution that would restrict access to all “single-sex facilities” on Capitol Hill to those of the “corresponding biological sex.” In other words, Mace sought a bathroom bill—and made clear that she “absolutely” intended it as a reaction to McBride.

“I’m not going to stand for a man, you know, someone with a penis, in the women’s locker room,” Mace, who had claimed to be “pro-transgender rights” as recently as last year, said of her new proposal. She also added an odd, pseudo-feminist twist: “It’s offensive that a man in a skirt thinks that he’s my equal.” Mace found support among Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, who, according to Politico, told colleagues that she would fight McBride were the two of them ever to meet in a women’s bathroom on the Hill.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among those who leapt to McBride’s defense, calling the bill “disgusting.” McBride, for her part, refused to take the bait, saying that she would “follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”

McBride was born in Wilmington; her father was a lawyer and her mother a high-school guidance counselor. At American University, she was active in Democratic politics and worked on Beau Biden’s campaign for Delaware attorney general. In her senior year, she served as student-body president, and ended her term by publishing a moving coming-out article for the Eagle, the A.U. paper, called “The Real Me.”

McBride had been hesitant to acknowledge her trans identity, she explained, because that might prevent her from pursuing a career in politics. “I wrestled with the idea that my dream and my identity seemed mutually exclusive; I had to pick,” she wrote. In the end, she realized that she would have to embrace both: “My life was passing me by, and I was done wasting it as someone I wasn’t.”

In 2020, McBride was elected to the Delaware State Senate. And this November she was elected to the United States House. At the start of our conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity, she seemed determined to keep her cool, despite the insult she had just suffered. “I think in many ways I got a fuller orientation this week, where I actually got to see not just the nuts and bolts of Congress,” she said drily, “but also some of the performance of Congress, too.”

Well, let’s talk about that. Nancy Mace, one of your colleagues now, immediately came forward and decided that this would be a good time, a perfect time, to introduce a bathroom bill, all directed at you. How did you take this piece of what can only be called aggression?

I always knew that there would be some members of the Republican caucus who would seek to use my service representing the greatest state in the Union in Congress as an opportunity for them to distract from the fact that they have absolutely no real policy solutions for the issues that actually plague this country. And, in some cases, to grab headlines themselves. I was not surprised that there was an effort to politicize an issue that no one truly cares about—what bathroom I use. I did think that it might wait until January. It happened a little earlier than I anticipated. I was still getting lost in the tunnels of the Capitol when we got the news that this was coming.

What was your first reaction to it?

“Here we go.” Throughout the campaign, I really focussed my campaign on my record in the Delaware General Assembly: of passing paid leave, expanding access to health care, and the kitchen-table issues that I know keep voters across Delaware up at night that I will be working on in Congress, like lowering the cost of housing, health care, and child care. But, as I got questions about the added responsibilities that sometimes come with being a first, the first thing I would always say is that I know that the only way I can do right by any community I’m a part of is to quite simply be the best member of Congress for Delaware that I can be, to be an effective member working on all of the issues that matter.

When I was watching this play out on television, reading about it, in the past week or two, I looked up how the first Black member of Congress was received, Hiram Revels. This is in the nineteenth century. He was treated with a great deal more respect than you were. I understand your desire to be poised about this, and straightforward, and to move the issues to the issues you ran on. But I wonder what your emotional reaction was to what you could only have taken as an enormous gesture of deep disrespect.

Look, I’m human, and it never feels good to be used as an opportunity to get headlines. It never feels good to have people talk about deeply personal things. I think I knew what I was signing up for, though; I know what the Republican Party in this country, in Congress, has become.

Which is what?

A party that is more interested in performance art and being professional provocateurs than being serious legislators and a serious governing party. I think they have come to the conclusion that they are able to get enough votes if they occasionally throw red meat to folks, because that red meat might satiate what is an authentic crisis of hope that I think people across this country face right now.

I think we have to be crystal clear in calling them out on what they are doing, and pull the curtain back to really dull the effect that these manufactured culture wars have on the American voter. Some people do receive this red meat, and it resonates with them—it makes them feel better, but it doesn’t actually address the real pain in their lives. And I think we should be calling that out and obviously modelling an approach to governing that genuinely solves the real problems that people are facing that create a level of insecurity and fear that allows for culture wars to satiate at least something instantaneously.

But I truly believe that if we solve problems, if we are serious, people respond. I’ve seen that in Delaware as we have passed paid leave, raised the minimum wage. Voters here in Delaware are sort of bucking this national trend. We’ve expanded our majorities both in 2022 and 2024 in the Delaware General Assembly, I believe, as a byproduct of a record of results that voters are responding to, and a message focussed on kitchen-table issues and economic issues. And it’s allowed us to not only expand our majorities but to break through the culture wars that the Republican Party has pursued. Because we’re in Delaware, in the Philadelphia media market—we are getting those anti-trans Trump ads pumped into our state like we were in Pennsylvania. And yet, despite that, running on a message of paid leave, higher minimum wage, union protections, a trans candidate not only won here in Delaware but actually outperformed every major Democrat running for major office in Delaware statewide.

And yet the notorious ads that ended with “Kamala Harris is for they/them, President Trump is for you”—ads that were oriented around anti-trans sentiment—not only did they occur, they worked. Certainly, they worked in the interpretation of not only the Republicans but the press at large. They ran them over and over again and poured millions of dollars into them.

So, first off, I think there are two things. One, this country is still entering into a conversation about trans people. This country still is at a Trans 101 spot. And one of the things I think Democrats have to be more mindful of is that leaders should always be out in front of public opinion, but, in order to foster change in public opinion, we’ve got to be within arm’s distance of the public so that we can pull them along with us. If we get too out ahead of it, we lose our grip and we’re unable to pull the public with us.

Is that what’s responsible for your calm in talking about this? I remember very well that Barack Obama, when he was running for State Senate in Illinois, got a questionnaire, and one of the questions was “Are you for gay marriage?” He didn’t say yes. Now, everything I know about Barack Obama tells me that, at that time, a clear “no” was not his real sentiment, but that he didn’t want to get too far out ahead, for political reasons. He clearly changed later on. Is that part of your calculus in the way you talk about this? Because Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez answered Nancy Mace in much more vitriolic terms.

I think there is a space for diversity of messengers and a diversity of message. I would never presume what was in Barack Obama’s heart and mind on the issue of marriage equality. Many people authentically evolved. What we do know is that, as the movement for marriage equality moved forward, the most effective messengers for marriage were not same-sex couples, were not parents of same-sex couples or kids of same-sex couples. The most effective messengers for marriage equality were those who evolved. And they were effective because they gave a permission structure to people who had not yet gotten there that it was O.K. to be uncomfortable, it was O.K. to be on the other side of the issue. You weren’t a bad person; you weren’t wrong.

My motto has always been: I’ll extend grace so long as people demonstrate growth. But that is a two-way street. And I think that we are shooting ourselves in the foot, as people who believe in progress, when we create no incentive for people to grow, because they perceive that they will be permanently guilty for having been wrong. We create no space for them to grow by extending no grace for them to actually walk there. I think one of the reasons why we see people pushed into their respective corners is because you say something that’s deemed problematic, and you are immediately hounded by one side and immediately embraced by the other side. Human nature is to—when faced with that degree of extreme binary reactions—go to the people who are validating you instantaneously. We unintentionally actually push people further and further into their own corners and into their negative opinion by responding with a degree of condemnation and vitriol that creates no incentive and space for them to grow.

But I actually want to say something on those ads, because you did say the key sentence in that ad. It wasn’t the surgery point, it wasn’t the undocumented-immigrant point, it wasn’t the trans point, it was the concept in that line that Kamala Harris, according to the ad, was for a small group of people, and Donald Trump was there for “you.” The lesson of this moment, of this last week, is that we should be flipping that script. Because that’s the authentic thing—Kamala Harris was for everyone. And Democrats are for everyone. And every single time Republicans focus in on a small vulnerable group of people, not only are they trying to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions—not only are they trying to employ the politics of misdirection, to move your attention away from the fact that in that same moment they’re trying to pick the pocket of American workers, undermine union protections, and fleece seniors by privatizing Medicare through the back door—but every bit of time and energy that is diverted to attack trans people, that diverts the attention of the federal government away toward attacking trans people, is time and energy that is not being spent on you. It’s time and attention that’s not being spent on raising your wages or improving your benefits or lowering the cost of living. These attacks have costs. Republicans are focussed on attacking a small group of people, and we are here to actually address the issues that you care about.

You’ve now had a week with your new colleagues, and I wonder what kind of support, or the opposite, you felt in your orientation sessions after Nancy Mace made the statement she did.

I have been overwhelmed and heartened by the love and the support of my Democratic colleagues. It was stunning. I got to Washington, and I’m at orientation. I’m grateful that I had a week before all of this started, because I had a week to just marvel at the fact that I was there. I had a week to marvel at the fact that I am serving in a body that Abraham Lincoln served in. One of the first nights we were there, we gathered in Statuary Hall, which is the Old Hall of the House, which is where Abraham Lincoln served. And then, after we gathered there, we walked onto the floor of the United States House of Representatives, where they moved in 1857, just before the Civil War broke out. And we sat in the chairs and I thought, This is the space where the Thirteenth Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment were passed. This is the space where women got the right to vote. This is the space, these are the chairs. This is the job of the people who voted to pass the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. And you feel this awesome responsibility, not just to deliver on the tangible policies for the constituents you serve in that moment, but you also feel that deep responsibility as you realize that you are one of a little more than five hundred people who have the responsibility to be stewards of a democracy—of the longest ongoing democracy in the world. That is an awe-inspiring responsibility.

I’m really grateful that I had that opportunity. But what was made that much more meaningful was that in that second week, as all of this noise happened—as I continued to be focussed on the actual work that I was there to do—the love and the support that came in from my Democratic colleagues really reinforced what I had already been hearing, which is that that caucus is a family.

And what about the Republican side? Did you get any support from there?

Yes. Look, there was a lot unsaid, but there was kindness and clear intentionality to say, “Welcome to Congress. It’s wonderful to serve with you.” That was quite a contrast to some of the other behavior we saw that week.

People actually coming up to you from the Republican side and embracing you in one way or another?

Yes. Staff and members.

The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, released a statement that said all single-sex facilities are for people of that “biological” sex. You responded to this on X, formerly Twitter (it’s interesting that you’re still on Twitter!), by calling this a distraction and saying that you’ll follow the rules as outlined by Johnson. But what do you say to people in the trans community who think you didn’t go far enough?

I understand that, at a moment where you are scared, you want to see someone fight. I understand that when you are a first, there are a lot of people who never dreamed that something like this would be possible, who are living on that journey with you. And so they feel very deeply the experience of discrimination. They feel very viscerally the experience of disrespect. I think what I would say is, This was not done to bar me from restrooms. This was done to invite me to take the bait and to fight. I am maintaining my power by turning the other cheek and doing what I promised Delawareans I would do, which is to focus on the job in front of me. Yes, when that calls for me to defend my L.G.B.T.Q. constituents, I will do that; when it calls on me to defend workers in my state, I will do that; when it calls on me to defend retirees in my state, I will do that. But I should not be the issue.

You must have anticipated, if not this, then something like it. And of course you are a first, a historical first. Do you face a lot of threats?

I think one of the problems in our politics right now is the level of toxicity has resulted in far too many people seeking to solve political disputes not at the ballot box but through violence. I am certainly not alone in Congress in having to think through that. I think it’s very early. There have been moments throughout my life where I have had to be cognizant. I’ve never had a job where I have not received death threats. Literally, I have never had a job—even when I was in my first, junior-level position.

How do you handle them?

Well, fortunately, we’ve got great law enforcement here in Delaware that I have worked with over the course of this campaign and throughout my time in the State Senate. Look, one of the things that I grappled with when I decided to run for this position is the risk that comes with being a first at this level. Even though I didn’t run to be a first, there’s obviously risk that comes with it. And there was a moment where I almost didn’t do it. Because of the fear.

Tell me about that. Was it a specific incident or just a generalized fear?

There were some rumors about what some far-right-wing groups might try to do, should I run.

When did this come up?

This was before I announced. There was a lot of speculation about me running.

So what within you allowed you to make the leap and declare yourself a candidate for Congress?

A couple of things. First off, I think that we delude ourselves into thinking that people don’t take these types of steps without fear. People aren’t fearless. Bravery only comes into play when you face those fears, when you pursue something despite the fears. I really do believe that we are at an inflection point where we need a politics of grace in this country if we are going to have any chance at not only restoring our capacity to have a national dialogue, which is fundamentally necessary in a democracy, but actually making government work better. I genuinely felt like I had something to contribute in that respect. I think I know how to get things done. I know how to legislate.

But you’re going to have to embody grace—and there’s every sign that you already do—but with a President who says, publicly, something like this: “Your kid goes to school and a few days later comes home with an operation.” That’s the President of the United States, come January 20th. How do you combat that, and all that’s behind it, and embody grace?

I think a couple of things, and I think this extends beyond Donald Trump. So I’m going to step back a little bit. I think Democrats struggle with extending one of our basic principles—which is that no one is their worst act, no one is their worst belief—to people on the other side of the political divide. I’m not talking about Donald Trump right now. I’m talking about Republicans. The question here is not how do I demonstrate grace in the face of Donald Trump; it’s how do I demonstrate grace in a world where people that I work with—where even people that I represent—hold positions and beliefs about who I am that are personally hurtful, potentially.

I think all of us need to do a better job of seeing the humanity of people on the other side of the aisle. Because I think what happens in this country right now is: The left says to the right, “What do you know about pain, white straight man? My pain is real, as an L.G.B.T.Q. person.” And the right says to the left, “What do you know about pain, college-educated, cosmopolitan élite? My pain is real, in a post-industrial community ravaged by the opioid crisis.” And I know that, when I am upset, the worst thing that someone can say to me, even if it is said with the best of intentions, is “It’s not as bad as you think.” Any therapist will tell you that the first step to healing is to have your pain seen and validated. And I think all of us have to do a better job of recognizing that people don’t have to be right in our mind for what they’re facing to be wrong. And people don’t have to be right in our minds for us to try to right that wrong. That comes down to sort of a core recognition that every single person is more than just one thing about them. And every single person is more than even beliefs that might personally hurt many other people. And the other thing I’ll say on that is to a similar point: early on in my career, I went viral for something.

Do you remember what it was?

Ironically enough, I was an advocate. It was a selfie in a bathroom in North Carolina that I was technically barred from being in.

I see.

The vitriol that came back to me as a twentysomething-year-old was so dehumanizing and so cruel and so mean. It was the closest in my life that I have ever been to suicide becoming a rational thought. I wasn’t suicidal, but it was the first moment where I just went, I want to end this miserable experience.

What was coming at you?

I mean just the level of online bullying and harassment. It was amazing to me that people—person after person—telling me to kill myself could actually hurt me. But it was an onslaught. And, again, I was twenty-five. I was new to all this, and I thought, Maybe I don’t have skin thick enough for this. I sort of went on a journey to understand the psychology of trolling and bullying. I think it was a “This American Life” podcast by a writer who talks a lot about her own weight and grapples with her own body image in a really public and vulnerable way, talking about the experience that she had writing about that hurt and getting outreach from one of her worst bullies and trolls online—someone who had created a Twitter account as her deceased father to troll her from—who opened up to her about what was motivating him. And, listening to that conversation, it really helped me internalize a truth that has allowed me to find balance and grace in the face of hatred or cruelty. And that was: Everyone deals with an insecurity. Everyone deals with something that society has told them that they should be ashamed of or that they should hide. And the thing about me is that I have taken that insecurity, that thing that society has said you should be ashamed of and you should keep quiet—and I’ve not only accepted it but I walk forward from a place of pride in it. Bullies see that. They see that individual agency and conquering my own fears and insecurities, and they’re jealous of that. That has allowed me to find compassion for folks who respond to me in sometimes the way that they do, to recognize that I hope, too, they can find the power to overcome whatever pain is plaguing them.

And so much so that when Nancy Mace made the comments that she did, and put forward the bill that she did—are you able to see it in those terms and not receive the attacks with the same despair that you did when you were in your twenties?

Yes. Yes.

That’s an enormous transformation.

I won’t say that it doesn’t hurt, but, yes, I am not distracted in the same way that I was.

“Distracted” is a small word for it. I mean, what you felt in your twenties must’ve been a lot worse than “distracted,” no?

Yeah. I am able to contextualize it and not feel the pain as much. Again, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t hurt, but I am able to work through it.

How? That’s a very hard thing. Is it therapy? Is it maturation? Is it living in your skin ten years longer? What is it?

I think the last two: I think it’s maturation, and I think it’s just finding a confidence in myself that allows me not to internalize. I really do seek to find compassion for the people who are acting out, who say the things that they do, because that does help me. That does help me to try to see and understand where a person is coming from, even if the action itself explicitly or implicitly is not well-intentioned, even if it’s being done for cynical purposes—to try to understand that there’s still a person behind that and maybe there’s something in their life that has pushed them to engage in the way that they’re engaging.

In a certain number of weeks, you’re not only going to have to hear about Nancy Mace, you’re going to have to work with her. And you talk a lot about “working across the aisle,” which is a phrase that we hear from politicians all the time. This takes on new levels of meaning—“working across the aisle with Nancy Mace.” Can you do it?

Well, I look forward to working with colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle who are serious about the work that they’re doing. Who have disagreements with me, perhaps profound disagreements with me, but who are serious about getting things done.

For the first time in our conversation, I sense you’re reluctant to answer the question directly. With all respect.

I will work with anyone who’s willing to work with me. And I don’t know this individual member of Congress—I had barely heard of her before this. I will never say that anyone is beyond redemption.

I want to zoom out a bit now and talk about your own unique path to politics and congress. Your late husband, Andrew Cray, was an L.G.B.T.Q.+ health advocate and attorney. What kind of work did he focus on, and what of his legacy can be seen in your own political career and direction?

Andy was the kindest, smartest, and—this is very important for me in a partner—the goofiest person that I had ever met. Just a really good and decent person.

How did you meet?

We bumped into each other at a White House Pride reception during the fourth year of the Obama Administration, 2012. After that, he reached back out to me on social media, on Facebook, and he said that he thought we’d get along “swimmingly.” I thought, Who the hell in their twenties says the word “swimmingly”? But clearly someone I want to spend some time with. So we went out on a date, and I fell in love pretty quickly.

Was he already sick?

No. He was an attorney, as you mentioned, working on health policy, and he was actually working on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. He was a brilliant mind, but also—and I think this goes back to our conversation about grace—he was so principled. I remember we had a debate once where he won me over—where we had a debate about whether it was appropriate to out anti-L.G.B.T.Q. politicians who were in the closet themselves. I was of the mind that their hypocrisy called on us to out them. And he was of the mind that the principle that we are fighting for—that everyone should be able to live their life fully and freely, be able to live their sexual orientation and gender identity, the way they see fit and the way they need to—if that is not an unbreakable first principle, then what is? And principles only matter when you have seemingly altruistic reasons to violate them. He was someone of just immense grace, principled grace.

He got sick about a year into our relationship. He developed a sore on his tongue and went in thinking it was just a benign growth. He had a little minor surgery to remove the benign growth, which was aborted in the middle of the procedure as they realized perhaps that it was something more. About a week later, he was diagnosed with oral cancer. It was a shock to both of us. I mean, we were both young invincibles, something that he had written about as he worked on the A.C.A., right? We never would’ve imagined that cancer would enter our lives in our mid-twenties, but we knew from the very start how lucky we were. He knew in particular, given his work, how lucky he was to have health insurance. And we were both very lucky to have flexibility with our jobs that allowed Andy to get care: a twelve-hour surgery that left him having to relearn how to talk, how to eat, how to breathe. I was lucky to be there by his side to care for him, to suction his tracheostomy tube, to tend to his wounds, to hold his hand through the absolute fear.

And then eventually, when his cancer turned out to be terminal, to be there by his side, to marry him, and to walk him to his passing, which happened a couple of days after we were fortunate enough to get married in our building. My brother, who’s a radiation oncologist, said to me, “I’ve seen a lot of people pass away from cancer. And one thing you should try to take stock of over the weeks ahead, as Andy’s health deteriorates, is that you are going to bear witness to acts of amazing grace that will fill your life.” And truly that grace and those miracles were everywhere. I think it has fundamentally shifted my perspective on the world and my ability to see that grace, to see beauty and tragedy, and to recognize that hope, as an emotion, only makes sense in the face of hardship.

In other words, you’re thinking about him all the time through this?

Yes. Yes.

And what does that do for you?

It makes me feel less alone in navigating this. It makes me feel more confident in what I’m doing and how I’m trying to go about this. There’s certainly things that I wish I could talk to him about and get his perspective on, but I try to take the lessons from our couple of years together and try to draw those lessons into action in this moment.

We began our conversation with you talking about how moved you were to be in the halls of Congress for the first time as a soon-to-be member, and seeing and sensing all that had happened in progressive terms, in liberatory terms, over time and in previous centuries. My guess is that this is not going to characterize the next two years for you in Congress. The Democratic Party, in large measure, will be fighting a rear-guard action against all kinds of initiatives by a Trump Presidency in a Republican Congress. How do you anticipate the coming next two years? What kind of role will the Democrats and you play? What will be your day-to-day life, do you think?

Well, there’s no question that we’ve got our work cut out for us. There’s no question that we’re going to have to push back on a lot of damaging and dangerous policies.

But, look, I think the biggest challenge for us is not that we understand that there’s a fight. And we will do the work. The challenge is going to be to summon the hope necessary to see that fight through. I think that one of the challenges that we have in this country right now, particularly for Democrats, is that, really since the nineteen-sixties, it has felt like if we simply work for it, if we vote for it, if we volunteer, if we share our stories, if we lift our voices, that we can then inevitably bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. And we felt that, I think particularly, in 2008 and when we elected Barack Obama, and then A.C.A. passed, and marriage equality became a law of the land. It just felt like there was this sort of unfolding sense of great progress.

It feels different right now. It doesn’t feel like, if we simply work for it and fight for it, that change will come, that things will work out. We can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. But the other thing that I thought about, as I sat in that chair on the floor of the House, was about not only the elected officials that served there but all of the advocates and activists and citizens who lived through those different chapters in our country’s history. We have to recognize that that sense of inevitability with hard work that we felt twenty years ago, thirty years ago—that’s the exception in our country’s history. Every single previous generation of Americans has been called to conquer odds much greater than the ones that we’re facing right now. And they had every reason to believe that change would not come. They could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Enslaved people in the eighteen-fifties had no reason to believe that an Emancipation Proclamation was on the horizon. Unemployed workers during the early days of the Great Depression had never heard of a New Deal. Patrons at the Stonewall Inn never knew of a country where they could live openly and authentically as themselves. And yet they persevered. They summoned their hope, they found that light, and ultimately they changed the world.

The narrative you describe is very, how do I put it—Obamian? It reminds me of Obama’s speech in Selma, the last one he gave there as President, about a kind of parade of American heroic advance. And when I talk to a lot of younger people in my office, in my life, in my family, they don’t all share the sense of determined hope that you do. There’s a good deal of depression—if not giving up, then a kind of sense that these are going to be very dark times to come. And with all the emergencies surrounding us, at home and abroad, and environmentally, it’s very hard to muster hope. As a politician, as a member of Congress, what do you tell them?

You cannot tell me that the reasons for hopelessness now are greater than the reasons for hopelessness of an enslaved person. You cannot tell me that the reasons for hopelessness now are greater than the insecurity and the fear of workers in the midst of the Great Depression, and a country that very easily could have fallen into totalitarianism and fascism, as many liberal democracies around the world were falling into that, in the early thirties.

Hope is not always an organic emotion. Sometimes we have to consciously find it and consciously summon it. And, yes, there are big challenges right now. Maybe those challenges are insurmountable. Maybe we will be, because of social media, incapable of restoring our capacity to have a national dialogue. Maybe because of the culture that we live in right now, we will no longer be able to have conversations across disagreement. Maybe because of unchecked wealth and corporate power, we won’t be able to conquer climate change. The list goes on. Maybe. But we would be the first generation of Americans to give up on this country, and we would be the first generation of Americans who were unable to find the path forward. And I just don’t believe that we are. And I certainly believe that we don’t have to be.

[hrrtshape]

✶ REASONS TO BE EXCITED FOR YOUR FAME DESIRED REALITY — DIVA VERS.

⋆ ৎ PEOPLE WILL MAKE SUBLIMINALS OF YOU : not you listening to "be more like [YOUR NAME]" affirmations on loop while sipping a dior latte in your penthouse. YOU are the blueprint.

⋆ ৎ YOU WILL BE THE PINTEREST GIRL™ : every “dream life” board? covered in photos of you strolling through new york, holding a birkin bag, and giving main character energy.

⋆ ৎ YOUR FAN EDITS WILL END LIVES (IN A GOOD WAY) : every corner of tiktok and instagram will have dramatic black-and-white edits of you set to beyonce's diva (yes.).

⋆ ৎ FRONT ROW AT FASHION WEEK : no more dreaming about chanel or hermès—you’ll be the one closing the show. anna wintour? nervous.

⋆ ৎ THE WORLD WILL TRY TO DECODE YOUR AURA : reddit threads like “why is [YOUR NAME] so effortlessly magical??” or “what’s their secret??” (hint: it’s because you’re THAT GIRL.)

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL MAKE “PRIVACY” FASHIONABLE : everyone will want to know about your mysterious relationship (but all they’ll get are blurry paparazzi photos and an occasional “liked” post). private but not secret, baby.

⋆ ৎ LEGENDARY PHOTOSHOOTS : a spread in vogue where you’re posing in a STUNNING editorial or lounging on a vintage chaise? ICONIC. the internet might as well just shut down for weeks.

⋆ ৎ IMAGINE THE HATERS’ TEARS : their group chats will be LIT with jealousy because you’re glowing, thriving, and LIVING. (they’ll hate-listen to your album and still cry over track 8.)

⋆ ৎ GLOBAL ICON : millions of people will wear their eyeliner like you, talk like you, buy your perfume, and start journaling because you said it was healing. you’re the moment.

⋆ ৎ FAN THEORIES GALORE : every cryptic Instagram caption? a headline. every time you walk past someone? a tiktok trend. the power you hold is unmatched.

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL SET TRENDS BY BREATHING : wore a red sweater once? suddenly every high street shop is selling red sweaters.dDecided to go minimal makeup one day? natural beauty is IN.

⋆ ৎ YOUR LIFE WILL BE THE DAYDREAM : somewhere, a teenage girl (like you now!) will stare out her window, imagining being as incredible as you are. you’re someone’s entire pinterest board, playlist, AND raison d’être.

⋆ ৎ THE UNDENIABLE FACT THAT YOU DESERVE IT ALL : fame, love, beauty, artistry—it’s not just a dream, it’s your RIGHT. you’re the main character of the universe. because...why not?

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL TURN FAN CULTURE INTO A RELIGION : forget fans—they’ll be worshippers. people will LITERALLY wake up at 3 a.m. to join twitter spaces dissecting the colour of your nail polish at cannes. the church of [YOUR NAME]™ is in session.

⋆ ৎ EVERY STREET YOU WALK DOWN IS A RED CARPET : paparazzi? stans? CEOs crying because you’re glowing too hard? you’ll need sunglasses just to shield the world from your aura.

⋆ ৎ THE WORLD WILL STOP FOR YOUR ALBUM DROPS : beyoncé said, “release at midnight.” you’ll say, “i’ll drop it when I’m in the mood.” AND PEOPLE WILL STILL STAY AWAKE FOR IT. that level of influence.

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL BE A BILLBOARD...IN EVERY COUNTRY : tokyo? london? paris? every city will have your face smouldering down from the tallest building.

⋆ ৎ FAN EDITS THAT SHAKE THE INTERNET : "i just saw a fan edit of [YOUR NAME] on tiktok and now i can’t breathe.” you’ll be the reason people cry in their car at 2 a.m.

⋆ ৎ EVERYTHING YOU TOUCH TURNS ICONIC : sat on a random park bench? a historic landmark the next day. ate a croissant at a café? the croissant girl aesthetic trending on twitter. check it out!!!!!!!

⋆ ৎ PEOPLE WILL LITERALLY BEG FOR YOUR ATTENTION : brands will send you PR boxes stuffed with diamonds. the president (well, maybe not) will DM you asking to collab. and the answer might just be a casual, “lol, maybe.”

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL RUIN PEOPLE IN THE BEST WAY : imagine someone seeing you for the first time and needing three therapy sessions to recover from your beauty. you’re THAT stunning.

⋆ ৎ AWARD SHOWS WILL BECOME YOUR PLAYGROUND : walk in late, steal the spotlight, leave early. everyone else? irrelevant. who’s the main event? YOU.

⋆ ৎ EVERY INTERVIEWER WILL BE IN SHAMBLES : you know that one video of an interviewing a girl and she's just smiling and he's STUTTERING??? that's you.

⋆ ৎ THE MUSIC INDUSTRY’S MUSE : let’s get this straight: you’ll date the hottest musicians for, like, a WEEK (tops) and then casually ghost them. next thing you know, they’re dropping an entire heartbreak album dedicated to YOU. think rumours, but every song screams, “i will never recover from [YOUR NAME].”

⋆ ৎ CINEMA WILL BOW TO YOU : that avant-garde film director? the one who never writes romance? oh, suddenly he’s inspired, and his next arthouse masterpiece is basically a love letter to your existence. critics call it life-changing.

⋆ ৎ YOUR EXES WILL COMPETE FOR YOUR ATTENTION : not your billionaire ex-boyfriend AND your rockstar ex-girlfriend both showing up to your movie premiere, trying to outdo each other with their outfits and tragic longing stares. (you let them sweat.)

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL BE AN “UNOBTAINABLE STANDARD" : tiktokers everywhere will cry, “how can I be as mysterious and effortlessly iconic as [YOUR NAME]?!” spoiler: they can’t. no one can.

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL MAKE CELEBRITY GOSSIP FUN AGAIN :

⋆ “[YOUR NAME] SEEN LEAVING SECRET LONDON SPEAKEASY WITH OSCAR-WINNING ACTOR.” ⋆ “WHO IS THE MYSTERY DESIGNER BEHIND [YOUR NAME]’S GALA LOOK?” ⋆ “FANS SPOT [YOUR NAME] ON A LUXURY YACHT WITH THE PRESIDENT'S SON!”

⋆ ৎ BRANDS WILL BEG FOR YOU : “face of chanel,” “hermès ambassador,” “star of the gucci campaign”—no, no, no, no, you’re ALL of it. you don’t just set trends; you ARE the trend.

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL INVENT NEW STANDARDS OF ICONICNESS : dating you will become its own genre of fame. the world will invent new terms like “[YOUR NAME]-core” or “[YOUR NAME] Effect” to describe anyone trying to emulate your energy.

⋆ ৎ STAN TWITTER DARLING : imagine how easy it would be stan you. how eaaaasy it would be to defend you when an incel's like "oh, well, bla bla bla bla" and your fans would be like "[YOUR NAME] outsold" "[YOUR NAME] oscar/grammy winner,"

⋆ ৎ IMAGINE YOUR POWER MOVES : casually leaving a gala after being the star of the night, just because you felt like getting midnight fries. dropping a surprise single with no promo, and it STILL debuts at #1. turning down roles because “they’re not deep enough.”

⋆ ৎ PEOPLE WILL LIE ABOUT MEETING YOU : “oh yeah, i had brunch with [YOUR NAME] once.” LIES. ellen, YOU LIAR.

⋆ ৎ THE WORLD WILL WORSHIP YOUR MYSTERY : one candid photo of you walking your dog will launch conspiracy theories. (is the dog symbolic? is it her co-star’s? is the LEASH CUSTOM HERMÈS???)

⋆ ৎ YOU’LL BE THE FINAL BOSS OF FAME : the moment when all these legendary a-listers are constantly spotted at your concerts, crying while singing along to your lyrics? girl, you win.

you’re not just shifting realities. you’re shifting CULTURE.

[crankinit]

Def interesting. I think when Jayce tells Mel “I couldn’t have done it without you,” is especially relevant because this moment has those famous Viktor and Mel parallels AND it’s right before Jayce and Mel have sex and their relationship transforms from friends to something more.

While what Jayce says does ring true for Mel, I’ve always felt like it would’ve better have applied for Viktor because he literally wouldn’t have been able to accomplish all that he has without him. On top of that, Mel and Jayce’s scene goes crazy with parallels because:

- it takes place at night (like Viktor and Jayce’s scene when Viktor talks him off the ledge)

-Mel and Jayce are on a balcony overlooking the city; similarly, Jayce and Viktor have a view of the city through the blasted wall that served as an open air window

-Jayce and Mel share something really personal about themselves i.e. Jayce and his family history + his dream and Mel about how her family only ever destroys. Again, a lot like how Jayce shared his personal experience about magic being beautiful with Viktor and Viktor sharing a bit about his own personal history

-Mel clues Jayce about where she’d like all this to go by brushing his hand. Similarly, but not exactly, Viktor invites Jayce to take his hexstone bracelet back and Jayce accepts

-One smaller detail: Jayce was wearing the bracelet while he had sex with Mel

So I’m not saying that Jayce was thinking about Viktor the entire time he was with Mel, but I’m also not saying he wasn’t lol So, given our new context, it’s VERY interesting how these scenes mirror each other.

Update/edit: just want to add that I don’t rly like where this interpretation leaves Mel because it leaves her as a device to advance the romantic angle of Jayvik’s relationship. However, I do think this is due, in part, to just how muddled Jayce’s sexuality is presented in the show because it seems like the writers had their own intentions and the artists had their own objectives.

I hate whoever said "since Mel's theoretically and literally a mirror then it was about Viktor all along" because now gay Jayce won't leave my mind

[unboundprompts]

hurt/comfort but they're both subborn? Like teasing stubborn and more stricter stubborn,,, /nf!! I'd prefer if the teasing one was the one having a breakdown but just have fun w it man!!! Go wild!!!

Hurt/Comfort (Teasing x Stubborn)

-> feel free to edit and adjust pronouns as you see fit.

He was slumped against the wall, arms crossed as he forced a casual smirk, even though his eyes were red-rimmed and tired. "Look at you, all serious. What, worried about me?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.

She huffed, crossing her own arms and stepping closer. "You’re not fooling me," she said, her voice steady but soft. "You look like you’re about to collapse."

"I’m fine," he insisted, but his voice cracked, betraying him. She just shook her head, closing the distance, and slid her arms around him without asking. For a moment, he went stiff, still holding onto his forced smile. But eventually, with a shuddered breath, he let his weight fall into her, the smirk fading.

---

"I don’t need a lecture," she muttered, forcing a chuckle that sounded hollow even to her own ears. "I’m fine."

"Fine? Sure, because people who are ‘fine’ definitely laugh to cover up that they’re hurting," they countered, their tone as steady as hers was evasive.

She raised her chin, a hint of defiance in her eyes. "Maybe I’m just good at hiding it, then."

"Not from me." They reached out, tugging her close, and even as she tried to keep up the pretense, her resolve cracked. Slowly, she let her head fall to their shoulder, clinging to them as their arms wrapped around her in silence.

---

He let out a weak laugh, rubbing at his eyes. "I can take care of myself, you know."

"Clearly," she replied dryly, though there was warmth in her gaze. "You’re really doing a great job."

His mouth quirked up, a forced attempt at humor. "Oh, come on, am I that bad off?"

"You are," she said, her tone softening. She reached for his hand, and this time, he didn’t pull away. "And if you’re so set on acting like you don’t need help, fine—just let me sit here with you, okay?" He finally gave in, squeezing her hand tightly, his teasing fading as he leaned into her support.

---

"Really, you’re fussing for nothing," they said, their voice tense but trying to sound lighthearted. "I’m just having an off day."

"An off day? You look like you haven’t slept in a week," he replied, his voice gentle but firm.

They chuckled, waving him off. "Guess you’re just seeing things."

"Right. And I suppose the fact that you’re about to fall over is all in my head, too?" He stepped closer, holding out his arms, and after a long moment, they sighed, letting him pull them into an embrace. They tried to laugh it off, but their voice wavered, and he just held them tighter, refusing to let them brush it away this time.

[munsonsmixtapes]

hellooo would you do a smut or fluff of eddie being jealous of our celebrity crush😭😭 thank youuu love you your work btww💖

Aww thank you so much! I hope it’s okay that I do modern!eddie!

“Pedro Pascal?” Eddie asks as he takes your phone from your hand, a TikTok edit of the actor already up on it. He doesn’t get the appeal if he’s being honest. Okay, maybe he gets it but he’s not going to be happy about it. It’s taking your attention away from him, after all, and Eddie is nothing but jealous when it comes to you and other men.

You’re both lying in bed while a TV show plays in the background. Eddie wanted to watch TikToks with you and was caught off guard by the inappropriate song choice and the way the clips were edited. You’re allowed to have crushes so he doesn’t know why he’s so upset by it. Or maybe he does.

“Yes, Eddie, is that a problem?” You ask, quirking an eyebrow. At this point, you’re just messing with him. If you’re being honest, you love to rile him up a little because you love the side of him that it brings out. The possessive side because it’s where he’s not afraid to show you how much he loves you in the bedroom.

“No, I mean-I just-“ he stutters, trying to collect his thoughts.

“Yes?” You ask, clearly amused and he just glares at you. “C’mon, Ed, it’s just a crush, and it’s on someone who’s completely unattainable. And besides,” you push some hair behind his ear and press a kiss to his cheek. “You’re the one I want, Eddie.”

“So if you had to choose between me and Pedro,” he pauses as your lips move down to his neck. “You’d choose me?”

“No question,” you respond against his skin and he grins even though you can’t see it.

“I don’t know, I think I need some more convincing,” he says and you know he doesn’t and is just trying to get what he wants. Lucky for him, you’re feeling generous.

“Fine,” you tell him as you climb on top of him, your lips capturing his once again.

“Good,” he replies, flipping you over so that your back is flat against the mattress. “Because I’m going to show you such a good time that you’re going to completely forget his name by the time I’m done with you.” He goes in for another kiss before absolutely living up to his promise, making you feel so good that you completely forget all about Pedro and the edit. That is, until you go back into your liked videos, of course.

[winchesterwild78]

An Unexpected Friendship- Epilogue 

Master List

Characters: Jensen Ackles x Reader, Reader’s daughter, Jensen’s children

Warnings/Trigger Warnings: Fluff, angst, past pregnancy issues, some language, mention of child death, fluff, 

A/N: This is a short story written in collaboration with @cheekygirl2309.

SURPRISE! This chapter is the Epilogue so many of you messaged and asked for. We hope you enjoy. 

No disrespect to Jensen or his family. This is a work of fiction and does not depict real life. Written and edited fast-please overlook any errors. 

Minors DNI 18+

The six of us boarded  the plane to our destination. Jensen and I decided we wanted to take our family with us on our honeymoon, because the marriage, this partnership was about them too. 

The kids were excited and talked about all the things they wanted to do. Jensen and I were watching them and listening to them make plans. 

Jensen held my hand almost the whole flight. Occasionally leaning over to place a kiss on my lips. A few fans had approached  us in the airport. Jensen was kind to them, taking pictures and signing autographs. 

One of the fans asked to take a picture with the kids too, and Jensen politely declined. That goodness  they were understanding. 

A middle aged woman approached  us and chatted with Jensen for a few minutes. She talked about his time on the soap opera and how she’d followed his career. 

She congratulated  us on the marriage and asked if we planned  to add to our family. I gasped softly. Jensen and I had never discussed children. He already had three and I had one. Jensen, being so sweet, gently touched her arm and smiled. “You never know. I wouldn’t be opposed  to it.” Then he turned to me and winked. 

When we arrived at the private cabana we were staying at, the kids started running around and exploring the place. Jensen helped carry our bags. He placed them in the rooms and told the kids to change into their swimsuits. Giggles filled the house as the kids went to their rooms and changed. 

Our cabana had a private pool, and private beach access. I stood at our sliding glass door in our room and looked out at the ocean. The view was breathtaking. 

As I was standing there, Jensen came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. “What are you thinking about sweetheart?” I put my hands up and touched his arms, “Us, and the future.” 

Jensen turned me to look at him, “What about us?” I bit my lip nervously, “Did you mean what you said about the possibility of having a baby?” He cupped my face, “Darlin’ with you, I’d have as many as you wanted.” I smiled, “Well, I’d be fine with one more. We already have four.” I giggled. 

He picked me up and laid me on the bed, hovering over me, “Wanna practice now?” Jensen kissed my lips and down my throat. “Jensen Ross, our children are waiting to go swimming. Do you want them busting in here with you on top of me?” “I locked the door.” Jensen chuckled. 

“Later baby, let’s take them swimming, and I promise, later I’m all yours. We can take advantage of the “kids night out” program.” He kissed me again, “Deal, but seeing you in your swimsuit is going to kill me, sweetheart.” I leaned up, my lips close to his, “Same”.

The six of us went swimming and had so much fun together. I got out before the kids and Jensen did, so I took advantage of taking pictures of them all playing together. One of my favorite things to witness was Jensen being a dad. He was an amazing dad, and the kids loved him so much. Even though he works away for long periods of time, when he’s home, he’s all in and present with them.

Their giggles filled the air and Jensen would glance at me and smile. The stolen glances between him and I always made my heart flutter. 

The two weeks we were there were incredible. Jensen and I took full advantage of any alone time we could get. The kids enjoyed going to the “kids night out” activities, while Jensen and I enjoyed intimate dinners under the stars. 

The night before we left Jensen and I got into an argument. “Babe, why did Eric call you 15 times while we were out today?” Jensen turned and looked at me. “He’s just trying to confirm some things with me.” “So that took 15 phone calls on our honeymoon?!” “Sweetheart, we had some things we had to finalize for the upcoming project.”

I stopped what I was doing and turned to look at my husband, “What upcoming project?” His eyes went wide, “Well it hasn’t been announced yet, so I’m not really supposed to talk about it.” I scoffed, “Jensen, I’m your wife, surely you can discuss it with me. It affects our lives.” He sighed and ran his hands down his face, “I um, promised to do a show he’s working on. I’m going to be the lead.” 

My mouth hung open in shock, “Jensen, how long have you known about this project?” Jensen stared at me. “Jensen, how long?!” “About 6 months.” “6 months?! You decided to do a project that would take you away from us for months, without even talking to me. What about wanting to have a baby?!” 

Jensen crossed the room and reached for me, “Y/N, I do want to have a baby with you, but this project is important to me.” I pulled my arm away from him, “Obviously more important than me and our children. I can’t believe you would make a decision without even talking to me. You know I’d support you in whatever you do, but I’m being blindsided. When are you supposed to leave?” 

Jensen looked at me and took a deep breath. He knew I wasn’t going to like his answer, “Tuesday.” He said softly. 

“Tuesday? As in 3 days from today?” Tears stung my eyes. He nodded yes. “So when were you going to tell me? Tuesday morning when you leave for the airport, or tomorrow on our flight home?” “I don’t know.” 

The tears that filled my eyes started to fall. I felt so hurt and betrayed. He purposely kept this from me. “You do what you need to do, Jensen. I’m going to get some air.” I grabbed my sweater and walked outside towards the beach. 

Sitting in the sand under the moonlight, I cried. I didn’t hear Jensen coming up behind me. When he heard me crying he stopped. Not knowing if he should give me space or come up and beg for forgiveness. 

He decided I still needed some space. So he walked back to the cabana. 

I sat on the beach, crying and listening to the sounds of the waves for almost two hours. By the time I got back to the cabana the lights were off, except our bedroom. The kids were asleep and everything was packed. 

I walked into our shared room to find Jensen sitting on the bed. I couldn’t even look at him. I grabbed my clothes and went into the bathroom to shower. I half expected him to come in there like he always did, but he didn’t. 

Stepping out of the shower I got dressed, brushed my hair and teeth and went back into the room. Jensen had changed for bed. No shirt and his gray sweatpants. Even though I was mad at him, seeing him like that just turned me on. When I walked in the room he stood up, grabbed his pillow and started to leave the room. “I’ll um, sleep on the couch. You can have the bed sweetheart.” 

I stood in stunned silence. I didn’t want him to leave, but the hurt prevented me from saying so. He walked out and gently closed the door. 

I crawled in bed and cried. I needed my husband. I laid in the bed, unable to go to sleep. My heart couldn’t bear the silence, the tension. I took a deep breath, got up and went to the living room. 

I whispered softly, “Jens?” I saw his head lift up, “Yeah, sweetheart?” I walked over to him, “Babe, please come to bed. I don’t want to spend the last night of our honeymoon alone in our bed. I love you, I’m just hurt you kept something so big from me. Please, Jensen.” 

Jensen stood up, and pulled me flush to him. “Darlin’ I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have made a decision about a new project without talking to you. I know it’s not an excuse, but I’ve gotten so used to making these decisions without a partner, it slipped my mind. Then the wedding stuff and I never talked to you about it. Baby I swear I didn’t do it on purpose. I’ll call Eric tomorrow and tell him we have to push filming back.”

“Jensen Ross, you will do no such thing. You made a commitment to him and the crew. I know you, you honor your commitments. I am not going to be the reason you disappoint anyone.” 

“Baby, you and the kids are all that matter to me. Projects come and go. There will be others.” I placed my hand on his face, cupping his cheeks softly in my hands, “Jens, we will be okay. You will fly out Tuesday, kick that project’s ass and come home to me and our children. I know your career is important to you too. You can have both, a loving, supportive, family and your acting career. Then when you get home we can work on our own little project.”

Jensen placed a soft kiss on my lips, “Why don’t we start right now?” I nodded, took his hand and led him back to our room. We made love, taking our time, exploring each other’s bodies, committing every inch to memory. 

By the time we got home we had already told the kids Jensen was leaving to film with Uncle Eric. The kids were bummed Jensen was leaving, but they understood. Jensen promised to come home or we would fly to him when we could. Jensen and I made a promise to each other and the kids to not go longer than two weeks without seeing each other in person. 

Tuesday morning after we got the kids off to school, I drove Jensen to the airport. We walked inside hand in hand. Some fans noticed us and of course Jensen took pictures, and signed some autographs. They congratulated  us on the wedding and asked how the kids were. One little girl handed me a bracelet she made for Jazzy. It had her name on it. “Oh sweetie, this is beautiful. I’ll make sure to give it to her today. Thank you.” She smiled and nodded. 

After they left, Jensen took my hand and we walked towards security. I couldn’t go beyond that point, so we had to say our goodbyes there. I tried to keep the tears at bay, but they filled my eyes. As a few fell, Jensen wiped them away with his thumb. He pulled me close to his chest. I inhaled deeply, smelling his cologne and feeling his warmth. “I love you sweetheart. I promise no more than two weeks and I’m back in your arms.” “I know Jens. I’m just going to miss you.” “Me too, sweetheart. Me too.” He tilted my chin up and kissed me deeply. My knees were weak and my hands tangled in his hair. His hands found my hair and he pulled me deeper into the kiss. 

We kissed until our lungs screamed for air. When we finally pulled away he cupped my face and I leaned into his touch. “I love you, beautiful.” “I love you too, Jensen. Be safe.” He nodded, kissed my forehead and went towards security. I stood there and watched. As he finished and started walking towards the gate he turned around and waved. I waved, and watched him until he disappeared. I drove home in silence.

* Time Jump October*

It was a chilly morning in October. I got the kids off to school and was getting things ready for Jensen to come home. The past few months had been hard, but we made it work. Anytime the kids had a long break I would pack the five of us up and head to Jensen. If he had a filming break he’d come to us. We made it work, but it was hard. 

Jensen was coming home today. They had a 3 week long break before post production started. He would be home for 3 weeks and then gone until right before Thanksgiving. I had planned  to spend as much time as I could wrapped in his arms. All the time apart wasn’t conducive to having a baby. We tried, but so far nothing. I was worried I might have trouble getting pregnant. It took awhile to get pregnant with Jazmyne, so I was starting to get worried. I figured with Jensen at home, he and I could sit down and talk about my worries. 

Later that afternoon Jensen was home and so were the kids. I cooked dinner while the kids played and Jensen unpacked. Standing at the stove I felt two strong arms wrap around me. I leaned back, “Hello husband.” He pulled me tighter to him, “Hello wife.” I turned around, facing him and kissed him. “I missed this so much, Jens.” “Me too darlin’.”

After family movie night and the kids were in bed I wanted to sit and talk to Jensen about my concerns. “Jens, I want to talk to you about something that’s been bothering me.” Jensen took my hand and sat with me on our bed, “Sure baby, I’m here.” I took a deep breath, “I had trouble getting pregnant with Jazzy. We tried, went to the doctors, tracked my ovulation, everything. It took years to get pregnant. I know we haven’t used protection since we got married, and I’m not pregnant. I’m worried we might have trouble getting pregnant, if I even can. I don’t know what to do, and I don’t want you to be upset if we can’t have a baby of our own.” 

Jensen looked at me, his green eyes so full of love, “Y/N, I love you more than anything. If we have a baby together that’s great, if not, that’s fine too. We have four incredible kids sleeping in the other rooms right now. Since I’m home for a while, let’s try. If by this time next month you’re not pregnant, then we will both go get checked by a doctor. I think we should just take the pressure off ourselves and just enjoy each other.” 

“Are you sure, Jens?” He cupped my face, “Absolutely. I personally think we’re going to have a lot of fun trying to get you pregnant. In fact, why don’t we start now?” 

He grabbed me and laid me back, causing me to giggle. 

For the next few weeks we just enjoyed each other’s company. We had sex, made love on almost every surface in the house. Jensen couldn’t keep his hands off of me. 

By the time Jensen had to leave for post production and wrapping up filming our connection had grown deeper. I was going to miss his touch, especially at night, but Jensen was going to be home in a few short weeks. This goodbye wasn’t as hard as the last one.

Thanksgiving was coming up next week, so I was running errands and getting food so we could host dinner. Jensen was due home in a few days, but I wanted to make sure all of the shopping was done so he didn’t need to worry. 

While I was out shopping with Nichole I got really dizzy. “Honey, did you eat anything this morning? I shook my head, “No, I wasn’t feeling the best and I needed to get the kids to school.” “Okay, let’s get us something to eat.”

We walked into a local diner and sat down. I ordered water and a breakfast platter with eggs, toast and bacon. Nichole ordered a burger and fries. When the food came a wave of nausea hit me hard, sending me to the bathroom. 

I came back a few minutes later, pale and sweating. “Sweetie, are you okay?” Nichole asked concerned. I shook my head, “I think I have the stomach bug the kids just got over. I need to go home. I feel awful.” 

I went home and crawled into bed. Gen offered to pick the kids up and Jared was going to pick up Jensen from the airport when he got home. Nichole came by and helped with the kids while I focused on getting better. 

The next few days were horrible. Between the headache, body ache and vomiting I honestly didn’t know how I was going to make it. Then Jensen came home. I had already warned him I was sick, so he was willing to stay in the guest room so he didn’t get sick. 

When he got home he crept into the bedroom, “Sweetheart, I’m home. How ya feeling?” I pulled the blanket over my head, “Like crap. I feel like crap and look just as bad. Please don’t look at me.” 

Jensen chuckled, “Oh come on sweetheart, “in sickness and health”, remember? Come on, let me see that beautiful face.” “No, I’m hideous.” I felt the bed dip down as Jensen sat. He lightly tugged on the blanket. I let it drop. 

“There she is. Hey beautiful.” His green eyes full of love as a smile stretched across his face. “Hi Jens.” “Honey, you’ve been sick for a lot longer than the kids were. Maybe we should see if the doctor can give you something to at least help you keep things down. I don’t want you to end up in the hospital.” I nodded.

“It’s settled, I’m gonna call the doctor. I’ll see if Nichole or Gen can watch the kids so I can take you.” 

A few hours later Jensen and I were sitting in a room at the doctor’s office. I laid on the table, Jensen stood next to me holding my hand. Dr. Johnson came in, “Y/N, Jensen, so nice to see you two. I see you’re not feeling too good, Y/N.” 

“Yeah, all the kids had a stomach bug, now I’ve got it and I can’t stop throwing up. I can barely keep water down.” “Well that’s not good. Let’s see what we can do. Maybe get you some antinausea meds and get your strength up.” 

“Oh when was the first day of your last period? I don’t see it on your chart.” “Um, Jens, it’s in my phone.” Jensen pulled out my phone, “I’m seeing October 12th.” Doctor Johnson wrote it down, “Okay, so we’re going to run some tests, is there even the slightest possibility you might be pregnant?” 

I looked at Jensen and he looked at me, “It’s always a possibility, but highly unlikely. He’s been gone for a few weeks.” Dr Johnson nodded, “Understood, but I need to rule it out, because some of the medicine we can give could cause harm to an unborn child.” 

About thirty minutes later I had been poked by needles, blood drawn, and went pee in a cup. I was exhausted and wanted to go home. Dr Johnson had given me a shot of antinausea medication that was safe to use during pregnancy in the event I was pregnant. I laughed, but welcomed any help. 

I had fallen asleep waiting for the results. Finally Dr Johnson came back in. “Sorry to have kept you guys waiting. There was an issue at the lab and I wanted to double check your results. So it seems you’re dehydrated, which I figured we’d see. Your iron is low, and you’re pregnant.” 

“So what should I do about the low iron? Wait, what?” Dr Johnson started chuckling, “Congratulations, Y/N, you’re pregnant.” I looked over at Jensen, he was just as stunned as I was. Tears filled our eyes, “Is she really?” Jensen asked. The doctor smiled and nodded. “So I want you to go next door and have an ultrasound done. We want to make sure the little one is doing okay, especially since you’ve been so sick. I’m also going to prescribe you some antinausea medicine to help you. Make an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as possible, and congratulations again.” He shook Jensen’s hand and mine.

I placed my hand on my belly and looked at Jensen, “We’re pregnant.” I said softly. Jensen pulled me into a hug and kissed my head, “We’re pregnant, you’re pregnant. I’m gonna be a dad again.”

A few minutes later there was a soft knock on the door. The ultrasound technician came in to take us to see the baby. My heart beat wildly in my chest as we walked down the hallway. Jensen placed his hand on the small of my back as we walked.

I climbed on the bed, and she got the machine ready. “So Mrs. Ackles, I understand we’re going to take some pictures of the baby, and check on their growth.” I nodded. “Well, I’m ready when you two are.”

I laid back and held Jensen’s hand, my eyes glued to the monitor. She placed the gel on my belly and grabbed the ultrasound wand. She moved it around, trying to find the heartbeat. I held my breath. Then I heard it, the rapid little sound filling the room. Tears spilled from my eyes. I looked over at Jensen, “That’s our baby, Jens.” “Yeah, that’s our baby.” He kissed my lips. 

The technician took some pictures and measurements. “Okay, it looks like you’re almost 7 weeks pregnant and it looks like you’re due on or around July 19th.” I gasped and Jensen chuckled. 

Before we left the appointment, I had my appointment scheduled with my OBGYN, and we had pictures of our baby. In the car I was a little quiet. “Honey, are you okay? Do you need anything?” “Yeah, Jens. I’m okay. I just can’t believe I’m pregnant, and their due date.” “Yeah, isn’t that crazy. It’s Jared’s birthday.” “Wait, what? That’s Jared’s birthday?” “Yeah, why. What were you thinking about?” “It was also Kash’s birthday.” I said softly, thinking about my little brother. 

Jensen grabbed my hand, “Oh honey, I’m so sorry. I forgot.” “It’s okay, Jens. I know I don’t talk about him that much.”

All the way home my mind drifted to my childhood. Well, early teen years. My baby brother, Kash and I were inseparable. I used to tell people he was my baby. We were almost 10 years apart. I remember coming home from school one day and my parents both being home and crying. I had no idea what was going on. I went to my room and my mom came in. She sat on my bed and told me at Kash’s appointment today the doctor told them he was sick. I didn’t understand why everyone was crying. “Why can’t you just give him medicine and make him better?” I asked. “Honey, it’s not that kind of sickness. He’s got cancer, and they can’t do anything about it. It wasn’t caught early enough.”

I still didn’t understand. I was twelve when he died. My parents and I were never the same. Now here I was pregnant, and the baby due on his birthday. 

We told Jensen’s parents, Jared, Gen, and Nichole I was pregnant. We wanted to wait to tell the kids, and of course everyone else. Jared was excited the baby was due on his birthday. 

The next few weeks Jensen and I navigated the early stages of my pregnancy. We decided we were going to announce my pregnancy around Christmas. We told the kids and they were excited. The girls wanted another girl, but Zeppy wanted a boy. “Daddy, it’s just you and me. We need another boy.” I laughed. Jensen agreed. 

The day to announce finally came. Jensen had a special stocking made and he placed it on the mantel next to all of ours. The photo taken showed Jensen’s stocking, Mine, all the kids’, then one at the end that said “Baby Ackles Coming July”. Jensen posted the phone and captioned it, “We need a bigger mantle. Baby Ackles Due in July.”

The support was overwhelming, and I loved sharing our little miracle with everyone.

*July*

My feet were swollen, it was hot. More hot than I’m sure it ever had been in Austin, and I was ready to have the baby. Jensen was home from filming because I was due soon, and he was not going to be in another country when I delivered our baby. 

Jensen’s mom came to town to help with the kids so Jensen could focus on me since I was so close to the due date and had appointments every week. I was so grateful for her. Gen and Nichole would come over to help her too. 

I woke up early with a pain in my back. I laid on my side, hoping it would help. Being this far in pregnancy it was always hard to get comfortable. I felt pressure and got out of bed to use the bathroom. 

I was washing my hands and suddenly I felt my water break. Trying not to panic or scare Jensen, I cleaned up the mess, changed and woke him up gently. “Jens, honey. I need you. Wake up baby.” He stretched and yawned, “What’s wrong baby?” “My water broke. We need to get to the hospital.”

His eyes shot open and he sat up quickly, “Your water broke?” I shook my head. He jumped out of bed, threw his clothes on and helped me down the stairs. He ran to the guestroom and woke his mom up to tell her I was in labor. 

She came downstairs, hugged me and kissed my head. “Good luck, sweetie. Call us when the baby is here.” I nodded. Jensen helped me to the car and threw the hospital bag in the back. 

He sent Jared and Nichole a text to let them know. I called the doctor to let them know we were on our way to the hospital. 

Arriving at the hospital, Jensen ran inside and returned with a nurse and a wheelchair. We got to the room, I was hooked up and soon it was time to deliver the baby. 

Jensen was pacing the room. I could tell he was nervous. The last time he was with someone giving birth he lost them. I reached for him. He walked over, I took his hand and pulled him close to me.

“Jens, everything is going to be okay. Take a breath.” He took a deep breath and let it out. Before too long it was time to deliver. Jensen was even more nervous. 

He kept asking questions about me, the baby and what to expect. The doctor was understanding and answered every question he had. 

It was time to push. Jensen held my hand, encouraging me and helping me through each contraction. Before too long, a tiny cry was heard.

Tears fell from mine and Jensen’s eyes. He kissed my forehead, “You did it baby.” The doctor put the baby on my chest and looked at Jensen, “Mr. Ackles, would you like to cut the cord?” Jensen nodded and cut the umbilical cord. 

I kissed our baby’s head, counted ten fingers and ten toes. Their eyes are the most beautiful shade of green, like Jensen’s. I was so deeply in love, just like I was the day Jazzy was born. 

Once we were cleaned up and in my room, Jensen took a picture and sent it to Jared, Nichole, and his mom. Congratulations came pouring in with each text he sent. I held our baby as Jensen kept taking pictures. 

I handed the baby to Jensen so I could take pictures of him holding them. He looked so in love. Jensen was made to be a father. 

When our family arrived later we announced to them the gender and the name we had picked. Jared, Gen, Nichole, all our babies, and Jensen’s parents were there. 

Jensen held the baby, “Y/N and I would like to introduce you all to our beautiful little boy, Kash Tristan Ackles. Born at 6:35 am July 19th. He weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 21 ½ inches long. 

Jared was beaming. Not only was the baby born on his birthday, but he also carried his middle name. He pulled Jensen in for a hug, “Thank you man, that means the world to me.” He hugged me and kissed the top of my head. 

Looking around the room I realized just how much my life has changed in the past few years. I went from total despair when Josh and my mom died, to complete bliss with my son in my arms. Surrounded by my new family. 

Jensen leaned in and kissed my lips, “I love you, Y/N. Thank you for all of this.” I kissed him, “I love you too, Jensen. Thank you for all of this.” 

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[tubadorashifts]

⤷ Shiftmas : Day 1!

(Answering for my marauders dr)

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

christmas caroling ; What are a few songs that remind you of your dr? Why?

Linger (The Cranberries)

Dreams (The Cranberries)

Moonage Daydream (David Bowie)

Bourgeoisieses (Conan Gray)

All these songs remind me so much of my friends in my dr. David Bowie because Sirius and Remus would go crazy over him and the cranberries because I seen someone say that Lily would love them and now I think of her every time I hear those songs

There She Goes (The La’s)

Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Grows) (Edison Lighthouse)

My Girl (The Temptations)

If my marauders drself were to be edited to any songs it would defo be these ones. These also remind me of the marauder girls 💗

Good Luck, Babe! (Chappell Roan)

we can’t be friends (wait for your love) (Ariana Grande)

Wish You Were Sober (Conan Gray)

Last Christmas (Wham!)

Sailor Song (Gigi Perez)

You’re Gonna Go Far (Noah Kahan)

These remind me so much of my relationship with my s/o 😭 In my dr, I’m part siren and veela (Mary sue syndrome lol) and because they’re from a pure blood family, I can see us being messy before we get together because we’re both emotionally constipated

O Children (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds)

Welcome Home (Radical Face)

Paradise (Coldplay)

Home (Dotan) as well as any other song that talks about going home lmao

The Harry Potter soundtracks

If I ever want to get motivated to shift to my marauders, I listen to any of these songs and immediately I’m picturing seeing Hogwarts for the first time in my dr

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

𝟐𝟓 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐒. ❆ ⋆⁺₊❅ .

a series of questions for the days leading up to christmas for shifters!! Some of these questions are Christmas specific and others aren’t, feel free to answer what you want and how you want, ex. moodboards, short answers, longs answers. And if you’d like, you can reblog so it reaches more shifters. Merry Christmas and Happy Shifting :) post tags are #shiftmas #shiftmas2024 tagged: @arishifter

⌗ 𝟏. christmas caroling ; What are a few songs that remind you of your dr? Why?

⌗ 𝟐. gingerbread houses ; What does your house look like in your dr? Who do you live with? What is your favorite aspect of your house?

⌗ 𝟑. eggnog ; What is some drama going on in your dr?

⌗ 𝟒. sledding ; What does a hang out with you friend group look like? Where do you go? Who is your friend group?

⌗ 𝟓. snowman ; What is your OOTD? (outfit of the day)

⌗ 𝟔. stockings ; What is your family like? What are your relationships with different members? Any extended family? Who is visiting for Christmas?

⌗ 𝟕. candy canes ; What gives you dr euphoria? (like gender euphoria but for your dr…)

⌗ 𝟖. mistletoe ; Who is your s/o? What is your dynamic and how do you spend time together? Are you two doing something special for the holiday?

⌗ 𝟗. snowflakes ; What are some headcannons you have about people in your dr?

⌗ 𝟏𝟎. icicles ; What is your occupation in your dr? Your coworkers? (Or if student, your classmates?) What is your favorite and least favorite aspect of your occupation?

⌗ 𝟏𝟏. tree skirt ; How did you find out about shifting? What was your first dr and what is your main dr now?

⌗ 𝟏𝟐. ornaments ; What are some objects you have in your dr that you don’t in your cr? Why do you have them in your dr?

⌗ 𝟏𝟑. sleigh bells ; Are there any priveleges you have in your dr that you don’t in your cr? What are they?

⌗ 𝟏𝟒. cookie cutters ; What are some smells that remind you of your dr? Why?

⌗ 𝟏𝟓. elf on the shelf ; who is your main wingman/women/person? What is your dynamic? What do you guys do when you hang out?

⌗ 𝟏𝟔. wrapping paper ; What is your favorite way to script? Why is it your favorite way?

⌗ 𝟏𝟕. gift tags ; What is your camera roll like in your dr? (photos or just describe it)

⌗ 𝟏𝟖. snowballs ; What is a silly scenario you are looking forward to in your dr?

⌗ 𝟏𝟗. mittens ; What are your hobbies in your dr? How do you usually spend your down time?

⌗ 𝟐𝟎. ice skates ; What is your ideal date in your dr? (friends or s/o)

⌗ 𝟐𝟏. coal ; What is something unpleasant you have/have to experience in your dr? Why are you not looking forward to it?

⌗ 𝟐𝟐. tinsel ; What is something fun or random you have scripted? (ex. Thundersnow is more common, you have a ring that allows you to read minds, you have good luck with thrifting, you’re good at gambling.)

⌗ 𝟐𝟑. fir tree ; What are some traditions you have in your dr but not your cr? Why?

⌗ 𝟐𝟒. hot cocoa ; put together a moodboard of your dr or you in your dr

⌗ 𝟐𝟓. christmas ; How are you spending your christmas? Who with? What might be some gifts you are giving and to who?

divider credits.

[morgana-larkin]

It's Agatha's birthday, and Reader has no idea what to get her because she has everything. So, instead, Reader just cooks Agatha’s favourite meal and they watch a movie, which ends in sweet, romantic sex

Hi anon! Thank you for the request and this is my last Agatha request. I’m still taking requests if you want to send one in! This one is short but sweet! Not edited in the slightest and I hope you like it!

Birthday Sweets

Warnings: Smut

Words: 1.2k

You stand looking at the selection of items in the store. This is the fifth store you’ve been to, hoping to find something for your girlfriend for her birthday, Agatha Harkness. What do you get a witch who already has everything? And it’s not like your girlfriend was any help. You asked her a month ago what she wanted and she just said you. Then you get an idea. You walk out of the store, go to the closest store that sells lingerie and get one that you know she’ll love on you. You then stop at the grocery store and get the ingredients for her favourite meal.

3 days later you kick Agatha out of the house for a couple hours and she looks at you amused before she obeys and leaves. She comes back exactly 2 hours later and you run to her and pull her in for a hug.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” You yell and she chuckles and then pulls you in for a kiss. “Come on.” You say when you pull back and drag her to the dinner table.

At the table, lay 2 plates of food of her favourite meal, 2 glasses and a bottle of her favourite wine, a lit candle and low lighting in the room. She looks at the display and turns to you with a warm smile.

“Hon, you didn’t have to do this.” She tells you and holds your hands.

“I wanted to, it’s your birthday.” You tell her before bringing her to the table and getting her to sit down. You then pour her some wine in her glass and then some in yours before you sit down.

You both dig into the meal you prepared while also sliding into conversation easily. After dinner you have to make her stay in her seat while you clear the table and then tell her that you can both go to the couch now.

“I thought we could watch whatever you want.” You tell her and she smiles at you as you both cuddle on the couch. She picks out a movie to watch and then you both get more comfortable on the couch and watch the movie. When the credits start rolling is when you lean into her ear. “I’m your gift.” You tell her and she looks at you and you can see her eyes turn black with lust.

“Are you now?” She asks and you nod.

“I’m even wearing something new with a little bow on it.” You say and then she surges forward and kisses you. She moves a bit and then straddles your lap while not breaking the kiss. She takes your shirt off and sees your new purple lingerie with a little bow between your boobs. She smiles at it before taking your pants off and sees your matching purple underwear.

“I see you even got it in my favourite colour.” She tells you and you wink at her. She then kisses your neck and unclips your lingerie before taking it off to reveal your boobs. “What a nice reveal, my favourite present.” She says seductively. She then wraps her hands around both boobs and goes back to kissing your neck. You then feel her remove one hand and you can tell she waved her hand and then you feel a small breeze between your legs.

“Agatha, did you just use your magic to get rid of my underwear?” You ask her with an amused smile and she nods proudly.

“They look so cute on you but they were in the way.” She tells you before waving her hand again and all of her clothes are gone.

“I love your body.” You tell her while roaming your hands up and down her body.

“Oh I know. And your body is my favourite.” She tells you and you go to touch her again but she stops you. “Since it’s my birthday and you’re my gift, doesn’t that mean I get to do anything I want to you?” She asks and you nod. “Don’t worry, I don’t feel like being rough today.” She adds. “Stick out two fingers, baby.”

You then stick out two fingers and she slides down on them and you let out a whimper while she moans. You feel how wet and tight she is and then she starts moving her hips.

“Do you like how I feel, baby?” She asks and you nod. “Touch my boobs.” She commands and you reach up with your free hand and cup one of them. You start playing with the nipple to give her more stimulation and she starts moaning like crazy. Agatha moves a bit so that your palm starts rubbing her clit and her breath hitched. You lean up so that you can wrap your mouth around her nipple and you start sucking. “Oh my god, baby! That feels so good, don’t stop.” She gasps out and you smile.

She puts her hands behind your head, in your hair to keep you where you are. You then feel her legs start shaking and you know she’s close. You switch to her other nipple and start sucking and twirling your tongue around the nipple, just like she likes. She yanks some of your hair unexpectedly before she comes with a gasp. You give her a few seconds to calm down before you pull your fingers out of her and she looks at you with a smile. You then suck on the fingers that were inside of her and you moan at her taste. She then pins you down on the couch and immediately sticks two fingers in your entrance and you gasp.

“Does that feel good baby?” She asks you and you nod. You then whimper when she goes and sucks on your neck and leaves a hickey. She trails down to your chest and takes a nipple in her mouth and does the same thing to you as you did to her. While sucking on your nipple, she places her palm on your clit and you moan out.

“Agatha.” You moan out and she brings herself face to face with you and smiles.

“Yes baby?” She asks teasingly and you wrap your arms around her neck.

“I’m so close.” You gasp out and she smiles.

“I know, baby. Come when you need to.” She says and your legs start shaking. You’re so close to your orgasm and won’t last much longer. She starts going faster and your mouth is open and then she starts kissing you. You immediately come and you moan into the kiss. She pulls out of you gently after a few seconds and wipes the hair out of your face. “Thank you for my birthday gift, it was beautiful.” She tells you and you smile at her.

“Of course, it was your birthday. And I didn’t know what else to get you.”

“Well you couldn’t have gotten me anything better, you’ll always be my favourite present, my princess.” She tells you and you blush under her.

“Happy birthday, my love.” You tell her and she kisses you.

Taglist:

@imaginesmultifandoms

@morgananyx

Let me know if you want to be added!

[chaotic-orphan]

Intoxicating Fear (XXVIII)

Part one // MASTERPOST // continued from here

Haha— this part is shit and all over the place, but it is published today!!! So there ya go🙂‍↕️ some whumpy stuff, the end is crap— yeah, idk, it will be edited at some point 🤷🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️

*~*~*~*~*

Kit really needed to pee. Like he really needed to go, but here he was, still handcuffed to the headboard of the bed, and every possible position he tried to get into to unbutton his pants didn’t work out so he was sitting on the bed like a bold child and trying not to think about how much he really needed to pee.

Because it was verging on the edge of painful.

The sun had fallen since Jude had tried to strangle him and get his revenge. Ambrose must have left a few hours ago, and Kit was hungry and tired, but not tired enough to sleep.

And fuck… he really needed the toilet.

So eventually his organs overclouded by his better judgement and he reached out for Ambrose.

Psssttt… Dickhead.

Nothing. Kit stared at the wall ahead of him and shifted his position a little on the bed.

Psssst… Omenbitch.

Still nothing. Was Ambrose ignoring him? The fucking nerve of this guy!

HEY! Kit thought louder. YOU PIECE OF SH—

WHAT?!

Kit physically recoiled at the anger and deafening reply Ambrose shot him.

Kit… Ambrose said, and Kit could picture him sighing. Sorry, what do you want?

I need to piss.

Then piss.

On the floor?

Why not?

I’m not a fucking untrained dog for one, arsehole!

Well that is debatable.

You are such a dickhead.

For fuck’s sake, Nathan boomed in Kit’s mind and Kit’s ears rang from the sheer intensity of his voice. Nathan didn’t master the same control Ambrose did. He didn’t grow up with the gift, just appropriated it. What are you two arguing about?

I need to piss, Kit said at the same time that Ambrose said, he needs to piss.

Then piss.

Kit let out a frustrated sigh and stomped his foot on the ground.

Actually… Nathan continued. Hmm, Kit, perhaps you can piss and join us for dinner. I’ll have Jude fetch you.

Wait— Kit thought but winced as an invisible hand grabbed his head and slammed it back against the wall to cut him off. Kit hissed, his brain fogging over as the heat from the impact blossomed along his skull. Fucking dickhead with his stupid fucking powers. Maybe he should find someone with the power to not be a dickhead and he would be palatable then.

Don’t resist, Kit, Ambrose said in his mind. Kit knew not to reply because Nathan would hear him, but still. What would he say to that? His muscles were stiff from being cooped up on the bed for so long, unable to leave the room. And he was fucking starving. Dinner sounded great right about now.

A few minutes later and Kit heard footsteps coming up the stairs towards his room. He sat up on the edge of the bed as much as possible, eager to stand up finally. His eyes found cruel green when the door opened. Jude smiled at him as he walked in.

Kit swallowed the riling remark on the tip of his tongue, Ambrose told him not to resist so he would be good.

“Look at you, sitting and waiting like a good puppy. Well come on, everyone’s waiting,” Jude said and Kit frowned. He pulled on his cuffs as to remind him that Kit was stuck on the bed. Jude tilted his head. “Well?”

“I—” Kit began but cut himself off. “I can’t.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Can’t,” Kit said through clenched teeth, rattling the cuffs again. Jude hummed and walked over to Kit. His green eyes lazily went over Kit’s arms locked behind his back to the bed, clearly seeing the handcuffs before he looked Kit in the eyes again, his smile sharp.

“Looks like you’re not trying hard enough,” Jude said with a shrug. Before Kit could ask if this guy was fucking mentally deficient, Jude’s hand shot out and he grabbed Kit’s cheeks, squeezing them hard until Kit couldn’t close his mouth or do anything except try and shake Jude’s hand off.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Jude said, wrenching Kit’s head up so he was staring Jude in the eyes. Kit struggled in the cuffs, metal clanging dully against wood, trying to dislodge Jude’s hand but it was all in vain. Jude’s eyes seemed to get darker and Kit froze.

“No!” Kit protested, but with his mouth half open it just sounded like oh. As in, I know what you’re about to do, kind of oh.

“Kit, I think you’re not putting any effort into following me downstairs like a good boy. So how about you get out of your cuffs,” — even before he finished Kit could feel the fog settling over his mind, his struggles seizing momentarily, — “and follow me downstairs.”

Jude let go of Kit’s face and Kit’s expression turned blank as he began to pull at the cuffs. Yanking his wrists free, trying to twist and turn and pull them out of the cuffs, hut the cuffs were on too tight, locked with no wiggle room. All his struggles earned him was pain and he cried out as he yanked and tugged and pulled.

Kit?! Ambrose asked but Kit couldn’t answer. He had to get out of the cuffs. Jude stepped back and grinned, watching as the hero struggled and writhed in pain, trying to free himself from his restraints. There was always something so beautiful about overriding someone’s self-preservation and watching them destroy themselves.

“Fuck!” Kit screamed as he felt warm blood trickle from his wrists as he yanked violently at the cuffs on the bed. “Please, please— AGH!”

“It’s not difficult, Kit. Come on now, chop chop. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

Kit ripped and tore, his shoulder slammed violently forward as he squirmed, using one foot on the floor and the other on the bed to try and pull his hands free as the stench of iron filled the room. Jude chuckled behind him, his cat-like amusement palpable as Kit changed position again.

He turned his body, his arms twisting around and he pulled with a horrific scream until a loud crack echoed around the room and Kit cried out in pain, falling to the floor. He let out a loud, pained grunt as he cradled his broken hand and brought it to his chest.

“KIT!” Ambrose screamed up the stairs, but Kit barely heard it, the world swimming in front of him as blood poured from his wrists. A hand grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and yanked him to his feet. Kit stumbled into a standing, his feet stumbling and fumbling over each other as he was pushed forward.

They stopped just before the stairs and a door was opened in front of him. All he saw was white before he was shoved in and Kit went sprawling, his hands out to catch him and he screamed.

“JUDE YOU FUCKING— I SWEAR TO GOD, NO GET OFF ME, NATE!”

“You have sixty seconds,” Jude said sweetly. “I’ll even close the door for you.”

Kit blinked, pain vignetting his vision. His blood coated the tiles with a putrid crimson, oh, he was in a bathroom. Right.

He had needed to pee…

Kit grabbed the edge of something white with his good hand and started to pull himself up, blinking away the pain, his body numbed to feeling. His teeth chattered as he looked around, searching for the toilet. Just in front of him… he would— he could make that.

Bloody handprints smeared the walls as Kit made his way over, the handcuffs still locked around his good wrist. It was an effort to unbutton his pants, but he felt so much better after peeing. Like his hand wasn’t mangled right now.

When he saw his face in the mirror over the sink he recoiled, disgusted. He wasn’t pale, he was white. White as the bathroom tiles, almost see through, his skin translucent and stretched taut over the bones in his face. His skin was breaking out in red sores and his eyes were veined with that luminous red lightning stretching like branches across his face.

He looked like a monster.

Like something from a ghost story.

He washed his good hand and glanced down at his mangled one, a heavy, warm feeling turning in his stomach that he swallowed as he grabbed his bad arm and forced it under the cold water. He cried out, biting his cheek and lips to dampen the sound but he abandoned that all together when the water hit his thumb and he cried out.

“Times up, drama queen,” Jude said, opening the door. Kit looked at him with wet eyes, a shivering, pale mess, like a cancer patient or a terminally sick man. Was he going to die with this red lightning? Was that his future? He didn’t…

All of sudden Jude was in front of him, turning off the tap and grabbing Kit by the hair, yanking him out behind him. “Fuck, ow! Let me go! Stop! Let me—”

“Go?” Jude asked, coming to a sudden stop. “Gladly.”

With a strong swing, Jude dragged Kit in front of him and then kicked Kit in the hip and Kit fell. Only he didn’t stop. His elbow hit one stairs, his head following, his feet going over his head, hitting his knee, his ankle, his bad hand and he gasped as he rolled and bounced and tumbled until he stopped and he whimpered at the bottom, coughing, trying to get some air back in his lungs.

“I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” Ambrose seethed and Kit was vaguely aware of a struggle but his brain wasn’t cooperating enough help him fill in the gaps. He wheezed as he put his good hand under him, still wet from the water and it slid across the floor and he fell again. Pathetic.

Weak.

He can’t even lift his head, god, what would Mentor think of him like this? If he saw him now? His second chance? His strong legacy? Would he turn away like he did to Ambrose? Would he throw him out and tell him to never come knocking again?

“Kit, hey,” a pair of black eyes met Kit’s, but even holding a gaze seemed too monumental a task. “It’s okay. You’re fine. I’m going to get you up, okay?”

Kit hummed in pain. Ambrose took it as assent. He hooked an arm around Kit’s waist and grabbed his bad arm at the elbow, putting Kit’s arm over his shoulder. Kit moaned wetly as his hand bounced off Ambrose’s shoulder as the villain stood the two of them up. Kit put weight on his leg and one of his ankles folded and he gasped as he crumbled, but Ambrose kept him up.

“It’s okay. Hey, it’s okay. I got you. Come on, it’s okay,” Ambrose said as he walked Kit to a chair at the dining table. “You’re fine. Come on. It’s okay.”

Kit was openly crying but he didn’t care. He was exhausted and starving and humiliated and in pain, he wanted someone to be nice to him. Even if Ambrose did torture him before, he needed, no he craved the kindness now and he would take it from anybody. His life has been too hard lately, he just wants something nice, something soft.

“There,” Ambrose said, gently depositing Kit in a chair. Kit shivered as Ambrose let go of him. Before Ambrose could step away, Kit’s good hand shot across his body and grabbed Ambrose’s sleeve. Ambrose stiffened beside him. “Hey, Kit— it’s—”

“Oskar.” Nathan said, his voice commanding, and Kit whimpered. He tightened his fingers in Ambrose’s sleeve, begging without speaking for Ambrose not to leave him. Silver eyes cut into Kit’s face. He trembled and shut his eyes, turning his head into Ambrose’s arm. “Come here, now.”

“Nate, please, he’s—”

“Do you want me to let Jude come and break you up?”

Kit tightened his grip and whimpered again. “Please,” he whispered. “Please, please, please,” he said as Ambrose took his hand and plucked it off his sleeve. “Ambrose please, don’t leave.”

“I’m not leaving, I’m just sitting over here, okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Anything else happen to me, Kit corrected silently.

Ambrose’s shoulders wound tight at that, but he continued walking past Nate to a seat at the opposite end of the table. It wasn’t a big table, but in Kit’s current state, it would take him years to cross it or reach safety. All he could do was shake in his chair like a fucking chihuahua.

Kit’s eyes slid to Nathan’s silver that were fixed on him, swirling slowly like mercury. It made Kit motion sick. “I’m guessing we don’t have to restrain you, do we?”

“F-f-fuck you.” Kit spat. The effort pulled a cough from his chest, he doubled over the table and gasped. He could feel the beginnings of a nosebleed trickle down his nose, warm and sticky on his face as it ran over his lips.

“Mmm, I’m terrified, little hero.” Nathan said as he turned away and walked to the other end of the table, pulling out the seat directly opposite Kit. He sat down in his chair and reached his hand out to grab Ambrose’s hand in his.

Kit glanced at Ambrose who stiffened, but allowed Nathan to lift his hand and press a possessive kiss to his knuckles. “It’s so nice to get to know your new friend, Oskar. Tell me. How did you two meet?”

Kit steadied himself and sat back in the chair, resting his head against the soft cushion. The room was swirling in front of his eyes, everything hazy and a little too bright so he closed his eyes but that didn’t help the wooziness that followed and made him feel worse.

“Work,” is all Ambrose replied. Kit opened his eyes again at the answer.

Amused mercury eyes found Kit’s. Nathan rubbed his thumb over the back of Ambrose’s knuckles. “Did you try to stop the great Omen, Kit?”

Kit didn’t answer. He just stared. A small searing ring started to echo in the back of Kit’s mind as Ambrose lurched forward and wrapped two hands around Nathan’s. The ringing stopped as Nathan turned to Ambrose, smiling a little sadly at him.

“Don’t. He won’t be able to handle anymore pain!” Ambrose said, his voice pleading.

“So?” Nathan asked, reaching his free hand up to brush Ambrose’s dark curls away from his eyes. “What do I care if he dies?”

“If you kill him, I’ll leave.” Ambrose snapped. That seemed to suck all air from the room. If Kit wasn’t lightheaded before he certainly was now. Nathan’s expression was as calm as the eye of a storm, but even here Kit could feel his cold fury at Ambrose’s ultimatum.

Nathan sat back in his chair, pulling his hand from Ambrose’s. His eyes flickered to Kit, then to Ambrose and back to Kit before he smiled. “I see. That’s how it is, is it?”

“Yes,” Ambrose snapped. “That’s how it is.”

Nathan let out a small, humourless chuckle. His eyes glinted like gunmetal as he pushed back on the table, wood scraping against wood. Ambrose stood too.

“Nate—”

“Sit down, Ambrose.”

“Wait, what’re you—” the wind was knocked from Ambrose’s lungs as he was thrown heavily into his chair. The wood bent like liquid around his arms and hardened again as Nathan started towards Kit. “Nate! Stop, wait. I’m sorry— I won’t—”

“No, Oskar, you’re right.” Nathan said. Kit clicked his fingers below the table, but all he could generate was a measly spark with the cuffs still locked around one hand. He was too weak. “I don’t want to kill the boy, do I? But that’s okay. We can rough him up as much as we like. I can give him to Jude as a toy and tell him to bring him to the brink of death over and over and over again.”

“Nathan!” Ambrose cried, grunting as he struggled to break his wooden shackles.

Nathan grabbed Kit’s broken hand and squeezed. Kit screamed, crying out as he tried to escape or push Nathan off of him. Nathan turned to Ambrose.

“Nathan, stop! Please!”

“Hush, you worry too much. Look, I can do this.”

The sound of bones breaking echoed through Kit’s skull and he roared as his body repaired itself. He could feel his body stitch itself back together artificially, the heat of his cells and blood working overtime as he writhed under Nathan’s touch.

After what felt like an eternity Nathan released him and Kit’s eyes rolled to the back of his head. He slipped from the chair, boneless, his head slapped off the wooden floor and he woke again, moaning in pain. He reached a hand up to his temple and he shivered when he realised that was his broken hand. The hand Jude forced him to rip from the cuffs.

Kit turned, his body moving like molasses, sludge-like and slow, as he turned onto his back and scrambled back from Nathan who was advancing towards him again.

“Nathan! The trauma on his body will kill him! His heart—” Ambrose stammered, struggling in hushed wooden prison. “He can’t take another healing like that in such a short amount of time.”

“Oh don’t worry, Osk.” Nathan said, smiling shark-like down at Kit. Kit’s heart stuttered in his chest as he clicked his fingers but nothing. Fucking! STUPID CUFFS! FUCK!

“Don’t come near me,” Kit yelled. “You fucking psychopath! Let us go!”

Nathan stopped advancing as Kit’s back hit something solid. He froze, his chest rising and falling erratically. He didn’t recognise the solid thing behind him was a pair of legs until knees were bending into his shoulders and he jerked away. Kit threw himself to the side on his hands and knees and pushed himself up, running towards Ambrose’s chair and pulling at the wooden beams locking his arms down.

“Kit, I’ll be fine,” Ambrose said, his voice sounded strangely gentle and pleading. “Go! Just—”

“Kiiiiiiiiiiitttt,” and Kit swayed on his feet. Ambrose turned his head and said something but the words turned to water and slipped through his fingers like a sieve, unable to catch them or decipher them.

A hand grabbed his face and turned him to look into dark green eyes and Kit snapped out of his trance, smacking Jude’s hands away and grabbing the free cuff in his fist before sending a punch straight to Jude’s jaw. Then his nose.

The maniac stumbled back, blood dripping from his face but Kit didn’t give him an inch and stepped in again, clicking his fingers with one hand while he punched Jude in the eye this time and the villain screamed as something squelched. Lightning sparked in Kit’s fist and he channeled it into the hand with the cuff and grabbed Jude with his free hand, going for the final blow.

A hand caught his fist and Kit’s eyes shot to Nathan. The veins erupting from his silver eyes were electric purple, and the electricity consumed Kit’s until Kit’s grip on Jude let up. He jerked back, yanking his arm back but Nathan just crushed his hand around Kit’s until Kit’s wrist bent under the sheer strength.

“OKAY! Okay! Fuck!” Kit screamed, folding with his arm to his knees but Nathan didn’t relent.

“Nate! Nate, please! Stop!” Ambrose cried frantically. “Please! Leave him alone!”

“Just who is this kid to you, Oskar?!” Nathan demanded, kicking Kit onto his back and stomping on his chest. “Why do you care about him so much?!”

“Because he’s— he— fuck,” Ambrose yelled, slamming his head back on the chair. “He’s…”

“He’s?”

“I don’t know!” Ambrose snapped. Kit’s eyes went to Ambrose, brows coming over his eyes. What the fuck was Ambrose talking about? “Mentor adopted him when I left, Nate.”

Nathan froze above Kit. His head snapped to Ambrose and he got off of Kit. It wasn’t like Kit could move, he could feel a telekinetic energy rippling above him like a barrier, keeping him pinned but he could turn his head to Ambrose and Nathan.

Nathan’s eyes were hard, his brows lowered slightly and pinching together in something like concern. Nathan grabbed Ambrose’s chin and forced Ambrose to look at him. “What?” Nathan demanded, breathless.

“I didn’t know,” Ambrose said. “I didn’t know it when I met Kit, but— it’s true.”

For a long, tense moment, Nathan said nothing, just stared, his eyes searching Ambrose’s face for something, anything.

“Oh Oskar,” Nathan said with a sigh, leaning down and pressing a kiss to Ambrose’s forehead. Silver eyes glanced down to Kit. “We can kill him together if you like.”

“No!” Ambrose said quickly. Kit’s heart thundered against his ears, his blood rushing through his body quickly, preparing his muscles for a fight. “No. That’s not what I want.”

“Then what is it, Osk?” Nathan asked, leaning back and cupping Ambrose’s cheeks with both of his hands, forcing Ambrose to look at him. “What is it about this fucking kid that would make you sacrifice everything for him? This isn’t you. You’re not a hero.”

“This isn’t about being a hero!” Ambrose protested.

“Isn’t it?” Nathan challenged. “You think if you can save this kid that maybe it will change how your father looks at you?”

“No.”

“You’re lying, Oskar.”

“I already took everything from him, Nate!” Ambrose snapped. Kit flinched on the ground. Everything from him? How much did Kit have to offer? Not much, if everything meant that Kit’s life was already used and ruined by Omen.

Wasn’t it?

Kit didn’t even struggle to fight the barrier holding him anymore. He was tired, he realised. Tired of fighting to try and not get hurt, to try and stop people hurting him. He didn’t want to be used as leverage against Ambrose anymore. He’d rather Ambrose just kill him.

He should have just killed him…

Kit…

Kit didn’t acknowledge Ambrose in his head. He just lay flat and stared at the ceiling. Had all his fighting been for nothing? Was he destined to die at the hands of a villain? A supervillain?

Maybe his golden years were the ones he spent with Mentor, and he already knew during that time, that even that happiness would end. He wasn’t born to be happy. He wasn’t built for happiness. Some people just weren’t. That’s okay.

Kit, if I knew… If I could take it all back…

Kit just stared at the ceiling above him. It didn’t matter. None of it… he cast his eyes down to his forearm, looking at the scars there, Ambrose’s special ownership. Like a collar on a dog, something that would be there for a long time, longer than Kit would like.

What was he if not just a chew toy for stronger people than him to use and abuse however they wanted? Make him do whatever they wanted him to? Jude… Ambrose… Nathan.

They were all the same level of strong.

God. Kit was such an idiot. He didn’t realise he was crying until a hot drop dripped onto his cheek and he flinched.

He should have never joined the Academy. He should never have let his head be filled with ideals of being a hero, a fucking Hero?! Against villains like these? He couldn’t even fight back without being slapped into last week by one of them, or forcing himself to torture himself for their sick, sadistic pleasure.

Silver eyes leaned over Kit, staring down at him with a hard look on his face. Kit stared back, blinking blankly up at the villain. He straightened and snapped his fingers with a sigh. The sound of wood creaking snapped Kit out of his spiralling thoughts and then black eyes were above him.

“Kit, hey.” Ambrose said, slapping his face lightly. Kit turned his head away.

“Just take him to a room,” Nathan said. “A proper room. I’ll lock the door once you leave, Oskar.”

“Can I—?”

“Do what you like,” Nathan said with a sigh. Kit ignored the conversation as Ambrose pulled him to his feet. Ambrose glanced over his shoulder at Nathan.

“Thank you, Nate.”

Nathan turned away. “No problem, darling.”

“Really,” Ambrose said. “Thank you.”

Kit didn’t care about whatever moment the two bastards were sharing. He just wanted to be dead, to be killed. He wanted Ambrose to just join Nathan and team up against him already, make him regret ever being born.

Fuck… he…

“Kit, please,” Ambrose whispered quietly. Kit didn’t answer. He just kept walking.

*~*~*~*~*

@beatenbruisedandbloody @404lunar1216 @whumpyworld @nameless-beanie @andithewhumper @annablogsposts @whumpasaurus101 @0eggdealer @rejectedbytheempty @sleepy-pearl @n3rv0usn0v4 @whumpatize-me-captain @sunshiline-writes @burningkittypoet @honeyed-euphrates @sacredwrath @theonewithallthefixations @blood-enthusiast t t @tippytappytyping @shinokoro @bedtimescenarios @whatwhump @acer-whumpstuff @fa1rie @jesterrinobutter @xxgalgurlxx @princess-bubble-blossom @steh-lar-uh-nuhs @dutifullykrispyland @memepsychowhowantsuperpower-blog @ehobep

[luvranton]

so the pipeline for me making this post was

thinking up the blake one —> making it —> going down a rabbit hole and editing more characters as hozier tweets —> running out of hozier tweets and not knowing which were real so it just became

redactedverse as poorly edited tweets :3

and only five because. i’m lazy. again, apologies for possible shitty interpretations or mischaracterisations because i am deathly scared of getting shit wrong and- [TRAUMA DUMPS]

listener icon creds to @/moronkyne !!

[codename-adler]

[Day 01]

@allforthegamebingo ; Angst Edition

slipping on ice - breaking bones - unable to move || “you should have never come here.”

Jean x Aaron // T

———

“You should have never come here.”

“Then you shouldn’t have let Jeremy call me.”

Aaron knew this one decision would be met with fight after fight from everyone involved, and not. First Andrew, because of course. And Aaron wasn’t even asking for the Maserati, Matt’s truck would be just fine. Matt didn’t need to know the distance he’d make with it, at least not yet. It’s not as if he was driving all the way to California. He would never do that. Of course not. Nobody’s worth that much gas…

Luckily the Trojans were playing their eponymous rivals, USC Columbia, where Aaron and Andrew would probably have gone to were it not for Exy and Coach Wymack. Aaron personally disliked thinking about it. This other version of him wandering around, who was probably free of murder and all the other dogshit that went down in just the one year.

And it looked like this season was about to be eventful as well, to say the least. Though nothing could rival the clearly toxic hatred between the two South Carolina teams, and though the Foxes had had nothing to show for a while before thoroughly humiliating the USC Gamecocks (which, why), Jean Moreau’s transfer seemed to have heightened the hate-stakes for everyone. The face-off had been brutal, and dirty. Not many players would be on Saint Nicholas’s Nice List this holiday season.

Especially not the guy who broke three of Jean’s fingers.

There was no way his move had been anything other than intentional. You don’t move your racquet backwards like that once the ball has left your opponent’s net. Yet that #26, Valdekis, has snapped the end of his stick in a wide arch behind his back, while he’d already shoved Jean against the plexiglass. His larger, heavier stick caught Jean’s fingers against the wall, continuing its arch unbothered while the fingers bent backwards far past what the human body allowed. Pop, they went.

Aaron had watched the slow-motion recap one time too many. Trying to convince the med student part of himself, as well as the backliner part, that the fingers could be fine, surely. He wasn’t even close to being convinced when Jeremy called. That’s when he knew it was no longer a matter of if, but how bad?

“He won’t let any of the nurses approach him,” Jeremy had shakily uttered through the phone instead of his usual cheery greeting.

“Not even Davis?” Aaron had responded immediately, taking it in stride. He mentally pushed away the thought of how incriminating it was that he knew the Trojans’ staff by heart, as well as how Jean felt about them, and they about him. He needed that space to go into panic over the fact that this injury was apparently not like the others Jean had suffered since his transfer.

“No one,” Jeremy repeated. His voice was so much quieter than normal. It deafened Aaron like a drum beat on his very heart nonetheless.

“You want me to come?” Aaron asked, because he would, he was already moving, he needed Jeremy to call him stupid and tell him to sit his ass down.

“Yes please,” Jeremy replied, breath shuttering, delivering Aaron’s fast pass to GO! Collect 200$!

And so Andrew fought him without a word, then Neil because, Neil, then Kevin, and the USC Columbia staff, and the Trojans’ staff, and finally Jeremy took over for him. The captain let him in the locker room, which was empty except for a giant backliner trying to make himself infinitely small. Jeremy nodded at Aaron as Dermott and Alvarez waited for him in the doorway, arms open and ready to catch the shaken striker.

Aaron approached the corner of the room, tightening his grip on the “first aid” duffel he’d put together before he left Fox Tower. His steps echoed and Jean felt them.

“I told everyone, and I’m saying it again: my hand is fine, it’s nothing, I can still play. I don’t need anything. I don’t need anything,” Jean bit out without turning around.

“If your hand’s fine after that foul play then I’m shitting rainbows right now,” Aaron spoke.

Jean whirled around, his face contorted in picture perfect affront.

“How the fuck are you here,” Jean said with venom.

“Drove here,” Aaron answered blandly, taking none of the crap Jean was trying to scare him away with.

“You are not needed here. You are not wanted. Turn back around and go away,” Jean weakly barked.

“If you’ll let Davis do his job, sure.”

Aaron thought Jean’s cold front was thing of the past between them, but apparently he could still bite at him, and it could still hurt. Aaron tried not to let it sting.

Jean remained silent. The impasse was foiled with the hum of the harsh neon lights and the pulsating pain shooting up his fingers. He could hear Aaron’s breaths too, calm but a little shallow. All of this was bad. Very bad. Aaron being here reflected how ill-adjusted Jean really was, and that would not do, not for the Trojans, not for the press, and certainly not for Lord Moriyama.

“You should never have come here,” Jean bit out.

“Then you shouldn’t have let Jeremy call me,” Aaron talked back.

Jean lifted his head at that.

“Yeah, Jean. You’re scaring the crap out of him. It’s bad. I know it’s bad. But you and I both know you’ve been worse when you landed in Palmetto. And you and I both know I’ve seen the worst when I had to take over from Abby during the nights. So why don’t you let me look at your hand, see how ‘fine’ it is, and I can help you fix it and put you back on the track. Then I’ll be on my merry way.”

Jean looked at him for a long time. Aaron stood still, letting him search for what he was looking for, hoping he’d find it. No matter the world outside, Jeremy and the Trojans, the Foxes, the fans, the press, Ichirou… Time felt frozen here. The urgency had passed and gone away. He was with Jean, now. He got to him in time. He was here, now, ready to fix him, and nothing else mattered. Aaron could wait. It was Jean’s call, now.

When Jean’s stormy eyes settled back into Aaron’s ember ones, he nodded. “Okay. You can look.”

Aaron put down his duffel on the bench.

“Can I let your team know that we’re gonna start treatment? I don’t want them busting in thinking we killed each other because it’s taking us some time,” Aaron asked Jean.

Jean nodded again, something strange in his gaze.

Aaron moved quickly to the door and slipped outside. The whole team turned to face him in sync, eyes wide and expectant. Aaron was too impressed to address this nervous crowd, so he turned to Jeremy and spoke to him only. “Jean agreed to let me treat him. It might take a while. Do whatever you have to do to be ready to leave as soon as he’s patched up, and to minimize rumours. Don’t- Don’t come in. He’ll meet you when we’re done. Jeremy? He’ll be okay, alright? I’ll do my best. But he’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”

Aaron saw Jeremy’s shoulders lose some of the enormous stress weighing down on them. That was enough. He didn’t wait for an answer and moved back inside. He was met with Jean’s eyes immediately. He’d been waiting anxiously, but patiently.

He moved swiftly, taking out all the stuff he brought from home and displaying them methodically on the bench beside Jean’s. He then straddled that bench and sat down facing Jean. He extended his own hand, open to the sky. Then he waited.

Jean slowly revealed his left hand, bringing it towards Aaron from where he’d cradled it against his side. His glove had already been removed. Aaron saw all of the damage in an instant.

It was bad. But it was okay.

Before taking Jean’s hand, Aaron spoke. Speaking was the easy part here. “You know what’s what already, this is only for me, so you can tune me out,” Aaron explained quietly. “Alright. It’s a beautiful night to save some bones. Skin’s not broken, that’s good. Members are heavily bruised and swollen, but no blood or loss of circulation. Phalanges of three middle fingers are bent out of shape, but remain connected to the palm. Also good. No need to pop ‘em back in place. A simple three-finger brace should be good to avoid further damage until proper scans in Cali.”

Jean listened. He remembered how it had been in that dark little room in Palmetto. In the beginning. He remembered how Abby trained Aaron, made him say everything he was doing and why, so she could be sure he was doing the right thing. Even when Abby stopped showing up and let Aaron do the night rounds, he would still voice what he was seeing and doing, step by step. It was those whispers that saved Jean. At first they might have been a distraction, something to focus on instead of the pain and the anxiety and the devil voice in his head, but the more he actively listened, the more Jean understood the words. He was never left in the dark about what Aaron was doing to him. Everything was always as he said, nothing more, nothing less. Every shot, pill, liquid, cream, they all came with Aaron’s quiet voice explaining the what and when and how, and why. For the first time in his life, Jean was in full possession of his medical history, minute by minute.

Aaron didn’t have a local anesthetic, but it didn’t matter. It wasn’t the pain that scared Jean. When his fingers snapped on the court, the sudden explosion of pain had been terrifying, yes, but it was the few seconds after, when he’d blacked out, that did him in. Because, for a moment, he was back under there, in the Nest. When Grayson broke his fingers. When Riko broke them too. When he was forced to break them himself.

Smalls would set them straight quickly, quietly, exasperatedly, every time, and tape the fingers together, until next time.

Davis was okay. He warned Jean every time something uncomfortable had to be done, apologizing once, then urging Jean to take care. It was unfair of Jean to compare him to either Smalls or Aaron. But he couldn’t help it. Sometimes he wished Aaron had never happened. He set the bar too high.

Often, Jean would message Aaron about one thing or another that he felt was wrong, but loathed going to the Trojans Med Center to ask for help. Aaron always answered. Unless it was something unusually serious, Aaron always placed the solution in Jean’s hands.

Go to the pharmacy and look for Claritin in the flu section, box is blue with clouds on it. Look for the non drowsy one. Take one pill every 24h. Unfortunately Cali is the kingdom of year-round allergies. Don’t worry.

Take a bowl large enough for both your feet and fill it with ice cold water. After 15 minutes of soaking, your blood should have stopped flowing to your head only and travelled back down. If that doesn’t stop the migraine, try caffeine supplements. If that doesn’t work either, you should ask Davis for a prescription. Migraines are no joke, Jean.

No, you won’t die if you accidentally took your antidepressant twice today. Just let someone else know, Davis or Jeremy or Cat, so they can be there if you start feeling unusual, but I doubt it. Just don’t take your dose tomorrow and drink a lot of water, be sure to properly feed yourself. Happens a lot, it’ll be okay.

And here he was, in the flesh. His flowing words like a lullaby for Jean.

“We’re gonna have to put that brace on, now. Do you have anything to hold for your other hand? It’s gonna feel like a bitch,” Aaron finally said to Jean.

Jean looked around, briefly held up his jersey, then shook his head. Aaron took it in stride and searched around in his duffel. He pulled out a small orange thing and placed it in Jean’s right hand. Jean looked down at it and pressed lightly with his fingers. He looked back up at Aaron, unimpressed.

“Fox stress ball,” Aaron winked at him, knowing Jean was hating it.

Then the hard part started. The taping was painful, but Jean handled it, knowing what was coming would be infinitely worse. Aaron’s calloused hands were ever so careful. When Jean focused on them, he could almost forget the ugly one they were treating.

When Aaron started to put the metal bands in place, Jean wished he’d kept his mouth guard. He feared his jaw would shatter, yet he couldn’t stop biting down. It hurt. He didn’t want to close his eyes, scared to wind up back in the past, but he didn’t want the tears to escape either. He started trembling.

“I know, I’m sorry. I know, I know,” Aaron whispered, trying to work faster.

Jean had no strength left. The stress ball was shit, and he wanted to let go, and he wanted to cry, and he wanted comfort, damn it.

All at once Jean’s control snapped. He slumped down and bit his lips. His bowed head landed on Aaron’s shoulder.

“Jean? Jean, talk to me. Jean?” Aaron said, starting to panic.

Jean only burrowed his head deeper into Aaron’s shoulder. He tried to breathe in, but a sob escaped his throat and made him choke on it as it echoed into the empty locker room.

Aaron freed one of his occupied hands to cradle Jean’s head against him. Jean’s hair was still wet from the grueling match and the following hardships. Aaron turned his face so he could talk into Jean’s ear. “I’m sorry. We’re almost done. Stay there, okay? Bite down on my shirt, you’re gonna break your teeth like that. Okay, Jean? Okay?”

Jean barely nodded against Aaron’s neck. He mouthed at Aaron’s sweater until he had enough cloth to bite down on. His nose brushed along the skin under there and suddenly Jean could smell an entire new world. He took a deep breath, filling his throat with it.

Aaron’s sweatshirt was getting wetter and wetter, and his neck felt humid too, and he could also feel Jean’s mouth, but he pushed on, working to get Jean out of this mess as soon as possible. He was sure none of his clinicals would ever be this hard.

And suddenly it was over. The brace was in place.

Aaron released the breath he was holding, his shoulders slumping, Jean’s head going down with them. He carefully held Jean’s injured hand in one of his own, freeing his other to return to Jean’s hair.

“Hey, we’re done. Hard part’s over. You made it. You’re good, Jean,” Aaron whispered into his ear, emotional somehow.

Jean released Aaron’s shirt from his mouth, but didn’t move otherwise. Aaron carded his fingers through the dark curls, letting Jean have his moment, and indulging a bit, too.

When Jean finally lifted his head away from Aaron, his eyes were dark. Aaron tried to remove his hand, but couldn’t quite manage to let go. His finger rested on the side of Jean’s face, rubbing small circles into his skin and scalp. Any minute, now, he would let go. Any minute.

Aaron squeezed one last time, preparing to untangle his hand. But before he could, Jean took a hold of his chin. His fingers, though unharmed, trembled. Jean leaned down. And down, and down, until his lips landed home, right on Aaron’s.

Aaron tightened his hold.

So did Jean.

No balm had ever soothed either of them this good. There was no medicine like this kiss.

They were tired, hungry, scared. Their lips on one another fixed all of that.

Jean sighed into the kiss, and it almost brought Aaron to tears. He couldn’t get enough. There was a hint of blood on his tongue, from Jean’s mouth, and he savoured it like it was the last drop of water on earth. Jean pushed into Aaron, wanting more, wanting it all. They separated for a second, inhaling each other, before Jean dived back in deeper. He no longer felt his broken hand. He only tasted Aaron, felt him, smelled him, consumed him.

Aaron would have let him swallow him whole. When they finally had to stop, lest they passed out, they stayed in orbit of each other, so close another collision was inevitably imminent. Jean’s thumb traced Aaron’s mouth, their foreheads resting against one another. Aaron mouthed at Jean’s finger with butterfly kisses and small flicks of his tongue. Within their bubble, Aaron quietly spoke.

“Should I go tell the good news to your team?”

Jean looked down at his bandaged hand, then up at Aaron’s lips. “Which one?” he replied, eyes glimmering.

Aaron kissed him again, unable to stop himself. He pulled away with a trembling smile.

“Any one. Any one you want.”

[betweenlands]

in honor of the new kenadian video, have the best and most finished contiguous bits of a fic i was trying to write for the @mcyt-builds-contest prison edition and never completed. personally, i think giving ken access to modded materials could only lead to good things.

previous bracket fic here if you haven't read it! image transcript under the cut! (surprise! this was arcosc all along!)

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“Why’re you so worried about this, anyway?” he finally says, because he’s pretty sure worry is the expression he’s reading on Legundo’s face.

“I have…” the King in the North says, grimacing, “a bit of prior experience with prisons, you could say. Both illager and player-made.”

Viking gets the feeling he’s touched a nerve, and nearly slaps his hand over his forehead as he belatedly remembers the first time the King in the North had mentioned some sort of dungeon built by – something about iron crocodiles, he thinks. Come to think of it, that building had come up earlier in this tournament.

“Forge, right? The Prison of the Iron Crocodiles that lost to Pandora in the first rounds?”

“That’s one of them,” the King in the North confirms. “Speaking of which, do you have any idea where Forge went after his dungeons lost the contest to this prison?”

Viking shrugs. “Nada. Maybe he just slunk off?”

“It’s not like him to vanish without any sign of reemergence,” the King in the North mutters, tapping his fingers against the table. “My version of Shadow, maybe. Forge? He should’ve caused trouble somewhere by now. Made some sort of uneasy or paranoid alliance with another person that lost the first round.”

“Come to think of it,” Viking says, “I haven’t seen that Asgaard guy anywhere after we shook hands and called it a good match. I was hoping he’d stick around for color commentary on worldbuilding or something, but maybe he just had a project to do?”

The King in the North shakes his head. “I don’t think so. I think something’s going after other people on the bracket. This other finals entrant – I know you’ve been busy on your own front, but have you seen them yet?”

“Nope,” Viking says. “And I haven’t seen the guy who looks kind of like they’d be my cousin if I was a catboy, either. Which… wait. Wait, that’s really weird! His entire thing is prisons and escape rooms, they should be at this match, he would definitely have something snarky to say about it!”

“About that,” a slightly familiar voice says. “I kinda got put in a tube.”

The catperson crouched on a chair at the far end of the room raises their hand with a wave and a wry grin. “Sorry I’m late. Train ran slow. Also the whole getting put in a tube thing.”

“You got –” Viking gestures. “Wait. First question. How did you get down here?”

Kenadian examines his clawed fingernails with one raised eyebrow. “Hopped around waystones for a bit until your hat layers loaded in on the tab screen. Composter glitched so I could look around underground. Saw a stronghold. Dug straight down. Don’t worry, I covered it back up.”

Viking unconsciously reaches up to his very unhatted head, adjusting his goggles slightly. Next to him, the King in the North seems to be in a very similar state of confusion. 

“Tab… screen?” he finally manages.

“Composter glitch?” Viking adds.

“Oh, we’re from a world that doesn’t have diegetic game mechanics, that’s just great,” Kenadian huffs. “Anyway. Aren’t you a ghost? Can’t you just chug a fire resistance potion and walk through the walls?”

“I already explained that to him,” Viking says, recovering from the brief shock of some random guy he’s only met once breaking into his secret underground headquarters base. “Phantoms can’t pass through obsidian or crying obsidian.”

“God you guys are hopeless,” Kenadian says, slapping one hand over their face. “Just make them not obsidian, then! You can literally just do that!”

“I…” Viking says, “what?”

Kenadian stands up again and tosses something onto the table with a loud clatter, crossing their arms with a smug expression.

Viking blinks down at the diamond-tipped chisel on the table with a confused expression on his face. “Why are you giving me a chisel?”

“Oh my god do I have to spell everything out for you,” Kenadian groans. “Bit blocks only carry so much internal info and most of it’s either transparency or whether or not they give off light. Just take a single voxel – oh, sorry, bit – out of any walls in your way and they stop being obsidian and start being bit blocks. It’s literally just that simple.”