#bill is unamused but he deserves it

[miscellaneous--bones]

Best friends <3

[steddieas-shegoes]

Part 2 to this post

When gay marriage became legal, everyone expected Steve and Eddie to run to the courthouse and get it done.

They’d waited long enough.

But they were watching the news on a hospital room television instead of their home, keeping Wayne company while he received his last chemo treatment.

It had been a really rough six months, Eddie taking the brunt of caring for Wayne so Steve could work and pay the bills for all of them. But they wanted to.

Wayne had done so much for both of them, he deserved to be taken care of now.

The doctors had said he was getting to an age where the chemo would most likely only extend his life by a few years at most, that the cancer growing in his body would only be stopped temporarily by this drug that made him weaker than any cancer could.

At first, he didn’t want it. He told them both it wasn’t worth putting his body through it at his age, but Eddie convinced him through tears that he wasn’t ready to let him go yet.

And Wayne always did have a soft spot for Eddie’s tears.

Every other Friday, Wayne was brought to the hospital by Eddie, sometimes accompanied by Steve if his day off lined up right, hooked up to an IV of fluids and a harsh chemo mix, and kept for observation for 8 hours to ensure it didn’t cause any major issues on his frailer than he’d like to admit body.

The last treatment hadn’t gone well. Wayne ended up having low oxygen levels and high blood pressure, so they kept him overnight. Overnight turned into 3 nights, four days, which is sort of like a cruise to the Bahamas if you take out the fact they were in a hospital in Indiana.

Steve was holding Eddie’s hand as they all watched the tv, their silver wedding bands from a decade ago resting on their ring fingers.

It didn’t have to be legal to mean something to them.

Wayne had been much livelier over the last 24 hours, his blood pressure back at a normal for him level, though his oxygen level still fluctuated between too low and normal.

“Would ya look at that? They did it.”

Steve looked over at where he was sitting up in bed, smiling at the tv.

“They did.”

Eddie was wiping a tear from his cheek.

“Took them long enough.”

Everyone in the room huffed out an unamused laugh.

It did take way too long.

“Steve.”

Steve looked back over to Wayne and noticed he was looking tired again, like the news was the only reason he’d been forcing himself to be awake.

“You remember that bet?”

They’d made a lot of bets over the years, usually during March Madness. Wayne purposely bet against Steve because it was an easy win, even though they liked the same teams and often had similar brackets.

So no, he didn’t really remember whatever bet he was talking about now.

“Oh come on. I’m the old one here. You’re supposed to have great memory.”

“I’ve had like, eight concussions. My memory is like a goldfish.”

Eddie snorted next to him and nodded in agreement. Just this morning Eddie had to remind him that it was trash day despite it being the same day every week for the last 17 years they’d lived in their house.

“You owe me $5.”

“I’d remember that.”

“Eddie asked for you.”

Steve and Eddie looked at each other with concern. Was Wayne having a stroke? Was he slowly losing lucidity? He’d never shown any signs of memory problems, but sometimes being in the hospital had a lot of negative effects.

“When Eddie woke up in ‘86. I told you he’d ask for ya first and he did. Never collected on the bet because you two were too much.”

Steve suddenly remembered everything from that day, tears pooling in his eyes at how all of this started.

If he hadn’t stayed to hold Eddie’s hand then, would he be holding it now? Would they be husbands in every way but legally?

Steve looked at Eddie with a smile.

Then he turned to Wayne and smirked.

“Bet you $5 I propose right now.”

Wayne smirked back at him.

“Bet you won’t.”

Steve gave him the look that said ‘just watch me’ and stood up, dropping to one knee slowly.

“Eddie Munson. We already wear rings. We’ve lived together as husbands for so long, I can’t even believe we aren’t actually married. But I want to be. I want to fill out the stupid paperwork at the courthouse and maybe plan a little wedding with our kids and family. I want to have a honeymoon and be young and in love even though we aren’t young anymore. I want to be yours in every way starting right now. How does that sound?”

Eddie was crying. He was always more emotional than Steve, he just hid it better. Usually.

“You wanna be mine?”

“I’m already yours. I just want us to have everything.”

“Then I wanna be yours.”

“Good.”

Eddie leaned forward and kissed him, more passionately than they usually ever did in public or around Wayne. It was a special occasion, though, what choice did they really have?

After a minute, Steve pulled away and looked over to Wayne.

“Sorry about your $5.”

“I’m not.”

Wayne had never been more pleased to not be able to collect on a bet.

[i-am-distressed]

Noritoshi would absolutely love to spoil y/n when they go shopping together. He's the head of a famous clan, he has money to spend and he wants y/n to know that. He'd definitely pay for everything despite y/ns objections

I don't think he even realizes when he does it- to him he's just doing something nice for the person he cares most about in this world, but to Y/n-

"Noritoshi I am banning you from spending any more money on me today! You've spent so much, let me pay for something!"

"What? I haven't spent that much.."

Cue an unamused look from Y/n as she lifts the two large bags she's holding. Noritoshi just shrugs (and takes the bags out of her hands) and keeps walking.

"It was mostly all on sale."

"That was only 2 items! Those bags are full Noritoshi D:<"

"So? You deserve it. Is it so bad I spoil the one I care most for in this world? I didn't think so. Now, let's have lunch, where do you want to eat?"

"...are you gonna let me split the bill with you?"

"Maybe."

Is what he says, but she knows he's going to slip his card to the waiter before she notices, and when she does notice, he's going to shrug his shoulders and give her the softest smile. "Maybe next time dearest."

[sweetbillwriting]

This Is Bad, Billy

The Finale Part

Characters: AU Bill Skarsgård, here called Billy. He's inspired by real life Bill but also the character Clark Olofsson in the Netflix series Clark.

Setting: This story is set in the 60s New York.

Warnings: 18+, historical preferences, mental health problems, mental illness, abuse, racism, drugs, mentions about sex, mentions about rape. All opinions is the characters' own and not mine.

Note: This is the finale part! Thank you for reading, liking and reblogging 💖

I walked in farther into the room to look at the lacy thing laying next to Billy's pillow and it really was a pair of panties. I stood and stared at them until he came up next to me. 

"Is it something?" He asked, wondering and searching my eyes. I made an unamused sound and looked at him with a headshake. 

"Is that a pair of panties?" I asked and pointed to the garment. Bill looked towards the bed then took a pair of fast steps towards the bed, laughed and put the panties in his back pocket. 

"You're unbelievable! You have been free for like a couple of hours!" 

Bill gave me a confused look and an exaggerated shoulder shrug. 

"That has nothing to do with it!" 

"Yes it has! I’m really starting to wonder what kind of person you are! And if I want to help you!" I said upset. I thought that would make him shut up but Billy looked just even more provoked. 

"So what? You don't want to help me because I slept with someone? What did you expect? That you and I would become an item as soon as we met?" 

"No! Or… You don't even remember me so that wouldn't happen!" 

Bill shook his head with a smile even if he didn't think it was funny then he dragged both of his hands through his slicked back hair. 

"It doesn't matter! Come on! We haven't seen each other for like seven years! You're married and I am engaged!" 

I stared at him but had a hard time understanding what he was saying. He sighed and dragged a pinky through his eyebrow while looking down at the floor. 

"Engaged?" I asked with a small voice and sat down on Landon's bed that was behind me. Billy sat down next to me but he couldn't stop himself from smiling. 

"Yeah and now there is really a chance for me to marry her. Before it had just felt like I was holding her back but… You can make it possible for us to live as wife and husband." 

He looked at me with pleading eyes and then carefully laid his hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it away fast and stood up with an irritated groan. 

"Why would I help you with that?! You have lied to me this whole time!" 

He looked confused and leaned forward with one hand on his knee. He was dressed in a well worn white tank top and the dark blue pants from the institution. I was so angry at him but he made it hard for me to not look at him inappropriately. 

"I haven't lied? Or not about that. I just don't talk about myself like that. I'm sorry, but I don't need to talk with you about such things. I'm so grateful that you want to help me but you're not a part of my life." 

His words were hurtful and I wanted to object but nothing of what he said was untrue. He hadn't shared anything with me, not when we were younger and not now. 

"And I shouldn't need to ask this… But aren't you married?" 

I made a frustrated sound and stomped my feet like a toddler and then walked out from his hotel room. Like I would help a guy like him. 

I walked around the hotel a while to calm down. If I came back to Daniel all upset he would have wondered what had happened and would probably even figure it was something with Billy again. He didn't deserve that. We had decided to go back to Spain and leave this mess behind and I owed him to just stay on that path now, without letting Billy affect me. 

I took a deep breath before walking into the hotel room but felt the air I exhale get stuck in my nose when I heard Landon's voice from the room. He was lying on his back in the unmade bed while Daniel sat in an armchair in front of him. It was obvious Landon was the one who spoke while my husband was the listener. 

"So yeah, like my life has also sucked without him you know? I just want to be around him even if I get in his shadow. But he's my best friend." 

My husband gave me a quick look but then looked back at Landon again when he continued to talk. 

"And now he is all grown up. A fiancee? I didn't even think he had it in him to have a friend with benefits type of deal. He has always been a free soul. Like me. But he is fucking engaged now and maybe he can help me get grounded too?" Landon looked at me when he stopped talking and gave me a weird looking smile I couldn't interpret. 

"So what's his plan now?" Daniel asked and sat up in the arm chair. It was like my presence had made him get an idea and he looked at me with bright eyes. He probably just saw the engagement as something good, even if it didn't matter now when we would go. 

"If he’s freed, he will marry her. Have like five kids, I think. And become a teacher. He hopes to be able to teach in literature and drama." 

Daniel nodded with a smile while I just waited on them to be done so we could take a cab to the airport. I didn't even want to be at the hotel anymore. 

"Honey, you heard? Such a beautiful plan. Almost like ours. You must help him," Daniel said and stood up so he could walk up to me. Even if I had thought it would be over now I wasn't surprised Daniel thought I should help Billy, now when he wasn't his competition anymore. Daniel was a great man and he would always stand on the less fortunates's side. They were qualities that I loved in him, values I also tried to live by so the most natural thing was to help Billy but there was too much that made it hard. At that moment it was mostly the thought of seeing Billy with another woman that stopped me but what gave me most anxiety was meeting my dad. 

Landon looked at my face that had become pale and I looked back at him. If he hadn't now learned to read me he would have begun to beg me to do it but now we looked at each other and we knew that I would do it even if everything in me screamed not to. But it was the right thing, I would never be able to live with myself knowing I had once again left Billy in an institution and even if I didn't know him, I knew he didn't deserve that. 

××× 

I had pictured the hearing would be in a big courtroom where I could sit in the back avoiding my father but the room where Billy's freedom was discussed wasn't bigger than mine and Daniel's living room in Spain. It was three rows of chairs behind two tables where Billy and Tom Thomas sat by the left one while the prosecutor sat by the other. In front of them sat the judge, a white little man in thick rimmed glasses. I looked at him while walking up to the stand. I had seen that my father was sitting behind the prosecutor and I would do everything in my power to not look at him. 

"Good morning Ms. Woods, good morning," said Tom Thomas in his normal energetic way and I gave him a nod and a small smile as an answer. 

"In 1961 you worked as a candy striper, it's not common candy stripers work in the psychiatric ward so how did you find a position there?" He asked and I looked towards Billy who sat leaned back in his chair. He had a black suit on and played with his tie. 

"I was late so the doctor in charge gave me that job as a punishment but I liked it so I think I talked with the head nurse there," I said and pretended to not remember how I had lied to be able to be close to Billy. 

"When did you meet Bill Skarsgård there?"

"I think it was the second time I was there." 

The judge sighed. 

"Thomas, can you maybe come to the important things? This isn't a trial." 

Tom Thomas looked a bit embarrassed. He probably wanted this to be something bigger where he could be the lawyer in the spotlight. 

"Ms. Woods, can you tell us about your relationship with Mr. Skarsgård. Did you have a sexual relationship with him?" 

I turned in my chair in discomfort and it was then I also forgot to not look to my right because just when I was about to answer I saw my dad's face. He looked at me with dark eyes. He was older and thinner and didn't look the way I remembered him but his eyes were the same but now even harsher, forcing me to stay quiet. 

"Ms. Woods?" Said Tom a bit worried and tried to make me look at him. I looked at Billy instead. He also looked worried and picked at the cuticle on his thumb. 

"Yes. Yes," I just said as an answer and nodded. 

"Was it under consent?" 

I nodded without letting Billy go with my eyes. 

"I'm sorry but you must answer verbally." 

I gave Tom a quick look then I continued to watch Billy again. He looked at me, with big boyish eyes and I made a mental sigh. 

"Yes. I wanted to have sex with him." 

The judge cleared his throat in discomfort and Tom gave me an alarming look. He had said I should act like a woman with class, but never as a victim. To say out loud that I wanted to have sex with Billy was probably not so classy. 

"Why do you think your father said to the police Skarsgård had raped you?" 

"Objection, speculative," the prosecutor said and Tom gave the man an annoyed look.

"I’ll rephrase it, did you give any reasons for your father to believe Skarsgård raped you?" 

I licked my lips and looked down in my lap. I could feel my dad's eyes on me, like a sharp knife cutting in the side of my neck. 

"I let Billy climb in through the window to my bedroom during the night and my parents caught us. But I said to my dad that I wanted to be with Billy intimately. I said it loud and clear." I said the word just as loud and clear then and looked towards the judge. The judge looked back at me, in my eyes, from left to right with a serious expression. I was cleaned up and pretty. My wedding ring adorned my finger and in the third row seat sat my husband as support. I looked like a classy woman, a classy woman that one time had been a stupid in love teenager. 

I heard my dad clear his throat. Me and the judge had looked at each other a long time and probably knew everyone else in the room what I knew. The judge had seen me, he had listened to me. 

××× 

I stood on the stairs to the courthouse when two long arms wrapped around me from behind. They were thick with muscles and the chest so broad it swallowed me up. I gave Daniel a look who stood in front of me, smiling in discomfort but when I felt Billy's cheek against mine I couldn't stop myself from shutting my eyes and smiling. 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," he said against my cheek and lifted me up from the ground. I giggled and snuggled in even closer to him before he sat me down again. Before he had come out I had just stood heavy with anxiety, listening to Daniel's sweet talk about our future in Spain but Billy had made that anxiety die just from a simple hug. I looked at him with a smile while he shook Daniel's hand and also thanked him and then he breathed out in relief. 

"We're going back to the hotel, mom will be there soon," I said and Billy nodded feverishly. 

"I want to meet her. Is it okay if I meet her before she testifies?" 

I shrugged my shoulders but then looked behind me, a bit of commotion made me stop. It was just Samuel and his family coming out from the doors, applauding and cheering for Billy. Billy turned around, laughed and made a bow. Samuel looked at him with a fatherly look and gave him a hard hug. Billy continued to hug the rest of the family. I didn't think so much of it, I even started to make myself ready to go when I saw that he didn't just hug the last person but also kissed her. She was beautiful but also so similar to Samuel. Billy kissed her again, much more intimate and the rest of the family shouted and cheered. 

"Soon I can marry you. I will give you the biggest, most expensive wedding New York has seen!" 

The girl laughed and threw herself around his shoulders. I just stood and stared at them. A moment ago his body had been pushed against mine, killing all my anxiety. Now I had anxiety again and it got even worse when my father came out from the courthouse with another man in a suit. He looked at Samuel's big family and Billy celebrating before they had even got the verdict. I could see in his expression what he thought and he made it even obvious when he spit right in front of their feet. He was an awful man and I would never ever want to be even remotely alike him. 

××× 

I could feel my mother's nerves when we walked into the courtroom. I looked at her while she looked around nervously. Maybe it had been better if she met Billy before the witness stand but I hadn't felt like meeting him. There were too many emotions surrounding his engagement and I needed time to be able to accept that he would soon be a married man. 

"Where, where is he?" Asked my mother with a hard grip around her handbag's handles. Just because I was thinking about Billy I thought she met him and gave him a fast look where he sat in the front with Tom. He tried to say hello to us but I turned to my mother when I realized that she was talking about my father. 

"I don't know, but it will be okay. Me and Daniel will take care of you. And there's guards everywhere." 

She nodded worriedly and took off her hat when she saw the judge come out. In the corner of my eye I could see Tom and Billy come toward us and I took a deep breath. I really just wanted to be a good human, a good person, prove I was nothing like my dad and accept Billy's engagement and be nice and calm with him. 

"Mrs. Woods?" Asked Billy with a small smile. It felt like it would have been more natural if Tom was the one addressing her but Billy was the charming one of them. My mom looked at him up and down and then took a deep breath. I wondered if she still had negative thoughts about him. 

"Mr. Skarsgård," she said and shook his hand formally. 

"It's really nice to meet you and I'm so grateful for you doing this." 

She just gave him a nod with her lips pursed. She was nervous but she was also shy and being in a new environment probably made her uncomfortable. 

"I'm Tom Thomas, Mr. Skarsgård's lawyer. I hope you know this will go fine and I don't have many questions for you and I don't think the prosecutor has either," said Tom and shook her hand harshly, not at all in that soft gentle way Billy had. I looked at Billy and he gave me a nervous smile. Of course he was also nervous, this was the final day of the hearing. Tomorrow he could be a free man or be forced back to the institution. Before I had time to smile back he had turned to my mother and taken her hand in his carefully. She looked up at him with big eyes and swallowed hard. 

"Your… Mr. Woods isn't here, so you can be calm." 

I furrowed my brows and looked between Billy and Tom. 

"Where is he?" 

Billy didn't let go of my mother's eyes and talked just to her calmly. 

"He has run away. If I win this trial they will arrest him for what he has done to me and he chose to run before they could take him." 

I looked at Billy and my mom, she had laid her other hand over Billy's forearm and hugged it hard. 

"I will give all the help you need. Okay?" He said lowly to her and she nodded with tears in her eyes. 

"I just feel so guilty…" she said with a low voice and looked down at their hands. 

"Don't. This is Mr. Woods' wrongdoing and it can't be easy to live with a man like him."

My mother nodded and let her tears fall. Tom gave her a tissue from his briefcase and she took it but she continued to just look at Billy. 

××× 

Blue, red, white. The flags stared at me while we waited. They wanted to tell me about this country's pride and how justice would be skipped in these halls. I really hope they were right. Mom, me and Daniel stood in a corner outside of the courtroom to hear Billy's verdict. My mom didn't feel like she had any right to be in there, on Billy's side so we stood in the hallway and waited. I had rather wanted to be there but Billy's whole family was there, Samuel's family. I understood now why Billy called him dad. He actually was his father, his father in law. 

The door opened by Billy himself and I knew what verdict he had got with the big smile on his lips. It was what we all had expected but no one was sure and my father had succeeded in manipulating the truth before.

"I'm free!" Screamed Billy a bit too loud for being in a big empty hallway but no one tried to kill his joy where he stood with his arms in the air. Everyone just laughed with him, everyone around him celebrated. I wanted to throw myself round his neck and kiss him, claim him now when he was free but I knew better. He had a fiance that had waited for him, who had promised him faithfulness even if he was locked up. I watched him lift her up in his arms and spin her around and they laughed together. I smiled because even if I wanted him I was happy seeing him so in love. 

"Is that his girlfriend?" Asked my mother carefully. Billy's fiance was probably not the woman my mother expected a man white as snow to be together with. 

"It's his fiancee," I answered shortly with a smile. I met Daniel's eyes and he smiled too and took my hand in his. 

××× 

Billy succeeded in getting us all a big table at a fancy restaurant. It was obvious people around us didn't appreciate our company's loud ways and some were my father's type and looked at Samuel and his family with annoyance just because of their skin color. I was afraid my mother would act the same but became happily surprised when I saw her talk with Samuel's wife. 

"So you worked as a candy striper when you met?" I asked Billy's fiancee, Shirlee. She sat opposite of me in a green tweed dress over a white blouse. 

"No, no. I wasn't that young. I was a caretaker but it wasn't for a long time, they stopped having female caretakers." She gave Billy a look who sat next to her and he smirked a bit. 

"But now you're a teacher?" I said with a bright smile to mask my jealousy. 

"Yes! And it's so fulfilling, I've even succeeded to put that idea into Billy's head, he would be an amazing teacher." 

We continued to talk about easy subjects and she was impressed by my model career. I didn't mention Billy had been a big reason why I had succeeded but I looked at him with a small thankful smile while talking. Shirlee didn't seem to notice and would maybe not see it as a big thing either, Billy gave her so much attention and closeness. I couldn't stop myself from feeling a need to show off that me and Daniel also were in love so I played with his hand in mine and dragged my fingers over his neck. When I did that it felt like Billy looked at us but if he did he had turned away so fast I didn't succeed to get it confirmed. 

It was a good night, everyone in Samuel's family was so nice and everyone wanted to celebrate Billy's freedom, even my mom drank a bit too much but by 9 pm Daniel thought it was time to go back to the hotel. I had given up on Billy and with that I also tried to embrace my role as Daniel's wife so I let him decide and together with my mom we walked to the hotel. 

My mom looked around when we walked. Her eyes were big and she wore a small smile the whole time. She had never been to New York but seemed to really like what she was seeing. 

"Can't we just get a drink in the hotel bar? I just… Want to look at people. They dress so nice and look so fancy," she said with a giggle. I had never seen my mom like that and I giggled too. Daniel looked tired at us and rubbed his eyes. 

"I'm going to bed…" he just said and then steered his steps to the elevators. My mom did the same but looked at me with a smile. 

"I have a nicer dress in my room I want to change to," she said with a playful smile and I smiled encouragingly. 

I followed her to her room while Daniel went to our room and I sat down on the bed while she changed and fixed her makeup. She was different in New York. Or without dad. 

"Billy is so sweet. I can understand why you fell so hard for him," she said while putting on some new blue eyeshadow. 

A smiled a little but I felt more saddened by talking about him.

"And he's so tall!" She said with a giggle.

"Yeah…" I cleared my throat. 

"What do you think about Daniel, you know my husband?" 

My mom looked at me through the mirror and smiled a bit. 

"He's sweet too." 

I nodded but smirked sarcastically. 

"But not like Billy?" 

My mother didn't seem to understand what I felt and she smirked back.

"Well, Billy has another charisma and�� He has those Hollywood good looks. But Daniel is a sweet guy." 

I wanted to say something snide but she was right and there was also a knock on the door just then so instead of giving my mom an oversensitive comment I opened the door. 

It was Billy. He stood with his hands deep in the front of his suit pants while the white shirt sat sloppy on him, untucked with too many buttons open. His hair was still pushed back but some strains had pushed their way out and laid down in his face. He looked criminally handsome. 

"Oh, hey. I was actually here to talk to your mother?" He said with an amused smile and looked me up and down. 

I gave him a strange look but he looked at something behind me and waved. 

"Mrs. Woods, is it okay if I come in?" He asked with a charming smile and stretched. 

She smiled warmly at him and looked at herself in the mirror in her powder box. 

"Of course, what do you want this late?" 

Billy took some steps into the hotel room without looking at me. 

"Well I was afraid you would go tomorrow without me being able to say goodbye. I want to give you my contact details so you can call me if you need any help." He took up a folded piece of paper from his pants pockets and stretched it out for her. 

"Oh… But Billy, you don't need to help me? I owed you help." She opened the note and read the numbers. I looked at them and felt a bit left out, I didn't really have anything to do with this. 

"It doesn't matter. You helped me and for that I want to help you, if you need it." 

My mom smiled warmly and stretched out her hand towards Billy but to her surprise he dragged her into a hug. She laughed a little, almost embarrassed and Billy gave her a big smile. I started to wonder if I should leave them alone when he turned to me. 

"What happened to all your porcelain dolls?" He asked with a playful smile. I looked at him confused and gave my mom a fast look. 

"I don't know…" I was on my way to ask my mother when a question to Billy showed up in my head instead. 

"Do you remember them?" 

Billy laughed a little and sat down next to me on the bed. 

"I actually laid at night and thought about what you had said when you testified and suddenly it "clicked". First you were just one of… my many female friends but when I got some information the pieces fell into place." 

I looked at him with big eyes while he looked back at me with a boyish smile. He looked just like he did during our nights together. Just a bit older and much sexier. I almost didn't notice my mom slip out from the room to give us some privacy. 

"You were so young and sweet. I wanted you so much but felt bad someone like me would be your first…" 

He took my hand in his and I moved closer to him. 

"No. Don't feel like that. I wanted you… I wanted you so bad…" 

×××

Seven Months Later 

He wore a black suit again but this one looked nicer. The one he had at the hearing was also nice but it was a bit out of style. This looked more in line with 1968s fashion, more daring. I smiled at seeing him from afar and took a sip from my glass. Billy looked back at me with a smirk while he talked with some people he worked with and with Landon by his side.  They laughed together but he still gave me a look. 

When he gave the men his full attention again I looked around in the restaurant. It was decorated with pink and red roses to fit a wedding. It was a fine restaurant but Billy had money to pay for it. I sighed a little to myself and corrected my dress that sat a bit too tight. 

"You must entertain everyone," I said with a big smile when Billy came up to me along with Shirlee. His bride. She wore a short white lace dress with long sleeves and looked beautiful but also a bit sexy, such a girl Billy should have. 

Billy made an amused sound and shook my hand and then Daniel's that stood behind me. 

"You look lovely," said Daniel to Shirlee when he shook her hand. 

"Thank you! And so do you," she turned to me and looked at me the way everyone looked at me for the moment, then down to my belly that was big and round. 

I smiled at her and gave Billy a fast look before looking at Daniel with a smile. He laid an arm around me and pulled me closer to his body.

"What month are you in?" She asked and once again I gave Billy a fast look who looked at me with big eyes while playing with his glass between his fingers. 

"I'm seven months pregnant," I said and smiled a little nervously. Shirlee just nodded brightly. 

"Congratulations," said Billy and turned to Daniel. "A baby! Great job man," he said with a smirk and Daniel laughed a little. 

"Can I…?" Billy lifted his hand to show he wanted to touch my belly and I nodded a little with a hammering heart. He laid a big warm hand over my yellow dress and I watched him drag it over my belly. When I looked at his face he just gave me a sweet smile. 

"Bill, it's almost time for us to go," said Shirlee and pulled lightly in his arm. Billy let me go and took her hand in his. 

"Thank you for coming all the way from Spain," said Shirlee to us while starting to walk towards her parents. 

"Take care," said Billy with a nod and looked at me with an unreadable face and then down to my belly. 

×

[wandurrlust]

hating you

pairing : akaashi keiji x reader

genre : academic rivals to lovers (?)

words : 1.2k

a/n : if you've read this before, it's cuz i'd posted it before but then took it down...my bestfriend forced me to made me repost it :)

Akaashi Keiji loves hating you.

He loves the subtle frown that takes over your otherwise smooth skin as the teacher dismisses your answer and permits him to speak over you.

He loves the way your eyes narrow down to slits as they rake over the unbelievably large crowd that has somehow gathered around the school's volleyball team - effectively causing you to push past numerous people just because you want to use the washroom that is on the other side of the hallway.

He loves being the first and probably the only one to notice the scowl that sits on your lips as the entire gymnasium howls with joy because Fukurodani has scored against the opponent team thanks to an excellent setter dump.

He loves being the cause of your sour mood because you'd come second in class - only next to him.

He loves the exasperated sigh that finds its way past your lips as you're told that this assignment has to be done in groups of two and the person sitting next to you just happens to be Akaashi himself.

He loves the way you roll your eyes as he slams some bills on the top of the wooden table of your favorite snack bar because the library was exceptionally crowded today and you simply needed to get this project done before Tuesday.

He loves the defeated groan you emit as you throw your head between your palms because you practically got nothing done in the past four hours but he had somehow managed to complete the entirety of his share of the damned assignment.

He loves how you discreetly flip him off with your middle finger because he chose to occupy the seat next to yours. On a fucking Monday when he knows you're bound to be late. You loathe Mondays.

He loves the shade of crimson that paints your face and makes it glow abnormally under the cafeteria lights as you almost spit out your lunch when you finally process what Bokuto has asked you: Are you and Akaashi a thing now? I barely ever see him anymore unless we're at practice.

He loves how you're forced to thank him for dropping you off at your front door because you chose to ignore the weather forecast and didn't carry an umbrella with you today and much to your luck, its pouring like hell.

He loves how you both suddenly have a group of mutual friends and you're all paying a visit to the ice cream parlor that stands a few meters away from the school campus 'cause you all deserve some time to unwind after that hell of a week of midterms all of you had to go through.

He loves the unintended giggle you let out as he cracks a super lame and admittedly cheesy joke that even has a few of your classmates booing.

He loves the sceptical look on your face as he finds himself holding the glass door ajar - for you to pass by before whispering, "This isn't very comfortable for my arms, hurry up."

He loves how the both of you are vaguely growing close.

He loves the faint whispers that surround the two of you as you bump your shoulder accidentally against his while the both of are walking beside eachother and are heading to class - together.

He loves the soft smile you shoot his way while you drop all your stuff on the glistening surface of the library table that has him seated on the opposite side.

He loves the faint tint of pink that suits itself upon your skin as you bid eachother goodbye.

He loves the butterflies that flutter around his ribcage as he tells himself that he'll be seeing you again tomorrow.

He loves how you randomly show up at practice one day and congratulate the team on their recent victory over Nekoma whilst urging them to call it a day as you had promised to treat him to onigiris if they managed to win.

He loves the unamused groan that rings through the class upon hearing your decision to team up with him for the upcoming debate competition because 'it simply isn't fair if two of the smartest people of the class team up together'.

He loves how you try to mask up the tiny gleam of disappointment that settles itself upon your eyes with a broad smile that doesn't quite reach your eyes upon realising that he introduced you to his parents as just a friend from school who was there to get some stuff done.

He loves how you let his arm wrap around your shoulder and pull you into a little side hug the second his bedroom door shuts itself with an ungodly creak - a gesture that quite literally translates to 'I don't know where we stand but you're definitely more than just a friend from school'.

He loves how you don't hesitate to counterattack his point with your own despite the fact that you're both a part of the same team when you finally start studying after bickering for what seems like eternities.

He loves how you rake your fingers through his soft hair and hum in response when he asks if he needs to get it trimmed as his head rests on top of his desk - worn out from the sheer hard work the both of you had indulged yourselves in since the past couple hours.

He loves it when your eyes snap up to meet his cerulean ones when your geography teacher calls out for him in class - for it isn't exactly his strongest subject.

He loves seeing you throw your head back with laughter as a response to something Konoha has said - unaware that the lad was doing a fair job of entertaining you as he let some of Keiji's embarrassing stories accidentally slip past his mouth - glad that you're getting along with the rest of the team.

He loves the cheery thumbs up you shoot his way as he scores a point against his teammates in a three on three match, shrieking at him to do it again.

He loves it when you assure and reassure Bokuto that you'll be there for the sleepover that Bokuto's hosting at his place this Saturday, cringing upon encountering the loud cheer that Bokuto lets out upon hearing your answer.

He loves the dainty shade of pink that dusts your cheeks as he steals a glance at Bokuto's messy kitchen just to see what exactly Kaori, Yukie and you are upto - his own skin mimicking the flimsy shade of crimson upon realising that the girls were wiggling their eyebrows as you loudly pondered over what would be an okay thing to gift him as a present for his birthday.

He loves how you scoot a little closer to him on the couch as a jump-scare in the horror movie causes you to flinch by the slightest.

He loves tight embrace of your arms around his torso when you're informed by your teacher that the one who came first in the class this time wasn't Keiji but you. But you quickly retract yourself because you realise the awkwardness and irony of the situation - you had afterall studied relentlessly for this test with Akaashi.

Akaashi Keiji simply loves hating you.

[kazuhasbunny]

*slides in a $10 bill for the food* I'd like a sadistic childe punishing his sub with organism denial after they were being a brat and instead, having them please him instead until his sub grows extremely needy and begs to be fucked relentlessly. By the way, this can be a full fic or a drabble, your choice, love ❤ /p /pos !! (p.s I adore your work)

��� hope you learnt your lesson .

pairings : tartaglia/childe x fem!reader

warnings : light bondage (hands tied up) , orgasm denial , overstimulation , spanking , light choking , facefucking , degradation , name calling , praising kink , breeding . lmk if i missed out anything !

so true anon !! getting punished by childe for being a whiny brat .. ok i'll do more then LOL also tysm anon ! love u dearly <3

— undercut nsfw !

"bad bad little girl .. you've been awfully naughty today.."

his voice rings in your ears , your hands were tied up to the bedpost , legs spread wide open for him to fully take in your view , his fingers drenched in your juices as it slowly slides in and out of you , the desire building up needing more of him but this was merely just a punishment .

"i-i'm sorry chi-sir .. i-i didn't mean too i s-swear it's just-"

SMACK! a hard slap on your thigh , making you whimper and shut your eyes over the stinging yet pleasurable pain . your mind was clouded with the feel of his fingers in you , it felt so good .

you were so close . so damn close to that sweet release of yours until he brought his fingers out and smacks your drenched cunt with said hand . all you could let out was a pathetic whimper as the man above you laughs at your invulnerable state , oh how adorable you look all tied up , fully submitted to him

"bad girls don't get to come . they don't even deserve the slightest of release , you get that?" you couldn't bring yourself up to look at him in the eyes , but he can't just leave you like this- what did you even do to unleash this monster infront of you ?? "sir.. p-please let me cum .. i-i'm so sorry i swear i'll be a good--"

SMACK! and another one from him . you should really learn how to keep that pretty mouth shut before he does that for you . which is what he's intending to do right now . hard cock , long and veiny , dripping with precum infront of your face . an unamused face plastered on him as he unties the cloth on your wrists setting it free and a sudden thrust into your mouth makes you choke on him

"ah ah , be a good one and take all of me in you" a rough grip on your hair , tilting your head to stare up at his beautiful features as a smirk settles on his face "and i might even just let you go this time by letting you cum on this fat cock of mine . you'd want that , don't you ?" you could only give him a nod , face so puffed up and red from all the crying , truly a sight to behold

his hips start moving slowly , making sure to let your mouth relax from the sudden intrusion . teary eyes shut itself as tears run down your face , a sadistic look on childe's face as he grips your hair harder , his other hand on your neck , a light and gentle grip on it feeling the outline of his cock everytime he thrusts into you

"such a fucking slut . my slut . so good for me"

his pace starts to increase , fast and merciless making you choke on air everytime , a pleasurable sound for him . deep growls came out from the man above you , drenching yourself more than ever . sometimes you think that you could even cum even from his voice itself .

his thrusts went on until the he was about to cum , quickly pulling himself of you with a loud pop leaving your mouth , a trail of saliva connected to the tip . he lets out a low laugh and carress your tear stained cheek

"my my .. you've been such a good girl today~ i think you deserve your reward now ? hm?~" he swear he saw stars shining in your eyes , looking up to him nodding furiously so eager to please him and to be relished with the sweet feeling of release . reminded him of a cute little puppy with a treat dangling off it's owner's hand , quite similar to your situation but for your orgasm instead

"aw how adorable you are~ get down on all your fours now girlie , master's gonna give you the best release of a lifetime~" you obeyed him like the obedient little puppy you are , a wide smile on your face so excited to get filled up properly-- not only that , he's gonna let you cum ! once you're on all fours you purposely raise your ass higher , shaking it too impatient and just wanna get this over with

"hey now , good girls stay still . you're a good girl aren't you?"

you stayed still not wanting to make him mad again . his hands gripped on your cheeks , spreading them apart watching your cunt clench on literally nothing , humiliation spread onto your whole body and he laughs at this making you whine and push yourself onto him which results with a harsh spank "keep this up and i'll fucking take back your need to cum bitch . so stay down or you're not getting anything"

his tone changed so fast .. it made you scared so you just fully listened to him this time . you never really intended to make him angry but when he does , you're in for a whole ride . your thoughts wandered of for a minute till you feel your walls stretch around him , so tight around him emitting a groan from him

"hmm .. already prepped you so well just now yet you're still so tight ? i trained you so well~" a harsh thrust made you wail into the pillow , gripping tight onto it "s-so good. .. c-childee~ m-m--oore!~ p-please sir.." he hugs you from behind arms wrapped around your tummy , eyes lidded with lust as he goes down and whispers

"i love you so much .. are you gonna cum on me, hm ? my little pet wants to cum so bad doesn't she~"

a jolt of pleasure waves through you when he rubs his fingers over your clit , so fast- it was too much-- your knees buckled underneath him falling limp into the bed as you came around him hard , clenching his cock tears spilling out from you crying into the pillow now a babbling mess yet he still fucks into you , overstimulating your whole body

"nn-ngah! n-no more-- childe please ! t-too mu-ahn-m-much!~ c-can't mnn n-no~" a sudden bite on your neck , laughs rumbling through his chest vibrating your back . his face buried in your neck coming up to your ear "didn't you say you wanted this ? aw.. little girl can't take too much cock in her? too bad .. because this pussy of mine is for me to use however i want"

sharp thrusts , fast pace . you can't handle it as you came onto his cock again , clenching onto him "hah~ another one ? you're so sensitive" his fingers rub onto your clit again , your screams were muffled- he was being too much you can't help but squirm and thrash underneath him, wanting him to get off of you .

displeased by your actions , he flips you over onto your back , legs hoisted up to your chest fucking into you hard in a mating press position . his cock hits you way deeper like this , smirk so wide on his face eyes , sweat dripping from his face . all you could do was hold onto his arm , gripping it tightly . so helpless underneath him . poor you , all you asked for is a single orgasm but you ended up getting more than what you hoped for

"there there , don't cry .. shh .. gonna make sure to fill you up so good .. my puppy did so well for me ! yes she did~ gonna treat her well with my cum nghh~" his breathing ragged , few more hard thrusts and his hips stilled into you , filling you up to the brim . the sensation of being filled up so much made you cum around him again , fully limp against the bed . your eyelids were heavy , slowly into unconsciousness

"asleep already ? hm.. too bad .. well.." he took a spare cloth and drenched it in water , cleaning you up making sure to clean every part of you if he can . childe will surely make it up to you in the morning , begging you to forgive him for being too rough making him laugh at the image in his head . once he's done cleaning you up he settles down beside you , eyes locked onto your sleeping ones a soft smile on his face , his eyes faltering away drifting to deep slumber with you .

[tlexx]

Peach (Danny x Reader)

Summary: Fate led you to Danny, but you can't help but drag your feet when it comes to a relationship. Angst

Warnings: Intrusive thoughts, low sef-esteem, talk of toxic ex

Therapy is expensive, writing fanfic is free. I hurt myself with this one.

Inspired by Peach by Kevin Abstract

The night you met Danny was a rough one. It was the most simple way you could put it. The break up you were going through at the time made getting up every morning harder than it should have been. You would wake up feeling like there were three weighted blankets holding you down to your bed. Your ex was toxic, but you couldn’t deny you were in love with him. The man bounced from job to job, never really keeping anything steady causing you to pay the majority of his bills as well. He would keep putting you down and put you through unnecessary stress by not coming home and refusing to communicate the simplest of things. And just when you had your bags packed and were ready to leave, he would come home with some flowers and a half baked apology. Manipulation, you were prone to it. He had you wrapped around his finger two fold and used it to his advantage every day. The final straw was the cheating. You could forgive him once, then twice, even three times maybe, but when he slept with one of your friends you couldn’t take it anymore. You spent three hours screaming at him the night you found out, he never fought back, just sat with an unamused stare. It was the first sign he really didn’t care about the relationship he started with you. Embarrassingly enough, he ended up calling the relationship off. He told you he didn’t want to put up with your emotions any longer, you weren’t worth it, basically unloveable, and then left. That is kind of how everyone treated you, as a conditional relationship. Use you up until there was basically nothing else there. That intrusive thought was rooted into every failed relationship you’ve had. You didn’t deserve a healthy relationship, because you were, well, you.

It took a lot, but you refrained from contacting him. You wanted to, you wanted to call him and ask him to come back. Beg him to forgive your emotions and take you back. Luckily the no contact rule helped, because when he texted you that night you just deleted the message. But alas, now you are sitting on a bar stool ordering your third pickle back shot. Tequila was the easiest medicine to make you forget about the text and him altogether.

Drunk goggles scanned the room as landed on four rowdy boys in the corner. You knew they must be attractive in a sober state, because right now they all had this heavenly glow to them. One in particular caught your eye. A tall dark brunette that had his curls tied up in a bun on top of his head. His strong nose led a curve to his thin lips that were tilted up in a half-smile. He was watching the one with shorter curly hair, gesturing wildly around as he spoke. This man felt warm. Comfort was radiating off of him, he reminded you of the feeling of taking a sip of coffee on a chilled winter morning. Soothing and exactly what you needed in the moment.

You almost stopped yourself from doing it. You knew that this was a bad choice and it was evident that the boy in front of you was better than any of the men you’ve ever had before. So, you took a few extra shots before leading the warm boy out of the bar and back to his apartment. He gave you his name an hour before, it never fell out of your lips so it was lost in your drunken haze. Danny reminded you of his name the couple of times you asked, it was weird to you that he never seemed offended by it. He thought you were charming in your drunken state, it was refreshing that you weren’t trying too hard to impress him. Your candid indifference to the situation made him want to succeed in getting to know you more. He would ask questions regarding the most minor details of your life, wanting a sliver of information to get to know who you are.

The morning after you woke up in his bed, he wasn’t there. He left a note on his dark wood bedside table that he would be back with coffee soon. This man who you have known for less than a day was already being more attentive to you than any of your exes. Guilt was an excurtitating feeling to experience when hungover. It added to the sour feeling in your stomach and made the sharp pain in your forehead a little more unbearable. You shouldn’t be using someone like him. He was a gentleman, someone that was worth more than a one night stand. But, you didn’t deserve him. Danny was too good for you. He would be good to you, and that went against everything that you were ever told you deserve. So, you decided you needed to be gone before he got back. Seeing his charming face would make you want to stay. Staying to get to know Danny is something that he shouldn’t have to be put through.

The bathroom is humid and sticky with mist after you sneak a shower. You were playing a dangerous game, subconsciously hoping there would be a slight chance you would run into Danny before you made your great escape. You tried your hardest to not think about if Danny would be hurt or not by you leaving, knowing already that was something that would break your heart. But, it’s best for him to be a little upset now than disappointed with the person he would grow to know. The mirror is coated heavily in condensed water droplets so much so that you can’t even see your own reflection. You knew you must have looked a mess though. Mascara would be pooled under your eyes accentuating the dark circles formed with the help of tequila. Your hair went unbrushed last night and your arms were far too heavy to rake one through now. Staring into the fog you get an idea. Let fate take charge. If Danny and you were to continue to keep talking he would be back in time to see it. If not, the only thing Danny would see when he looked in the mirror would be himself. With your shaking finger you wrote your phone number in the mist on the mirror.

That was six months ago. Danny explained that the numbers were nearly faded when he got home that day, but he quickly snapped a photo with his phone before they could. He went unsure of the last digit,it had a weird squiggle to it, so he had to call his best friend Sam for a second opinion. The wind was knocked out of you when Danny called later that night, light chuckles filled the empty airways when you answered. All he said was; “that was cute.” To your liking things were kept simple with Danny. He never asked you questions, never pried, let you control where the relationship went. So, the relationship went nowhere. Strictly friends with benefits, no strings attached, and no way for you to disappoint him in the long run. There had been countless times where Danny asked you on a date but you always refused telling him that is not how things would work between you. He never got mad or upset in any way, just smiled and rolled his eyes. He knew that you would cave eventually, he was just waiting for you to learn to love yourself before you would let him love you.

Now, you were sitting on a metal park bench outside of Danny’s apartment waiting for him to come home for the day. The fat raindrops that were smacking down on you absorbed your tears before sliding off your chin. Your jeans gained five pounds on the trek over here and your shirt stuck tightly to your bra. You looked as defeated as the morning you left Danny’s bathroom. You know those days where you wake up and your whole world just seems bleak. Your skin is dry, your hair is extra frizzy, your clothes look awkward on you, and even after watching an hour of your favorite tv show, nothing can make you smile. The thoughts in your head hurled insult after insult at you. They snidely explained that even though you fell head over heels for Danny, he would never care for you back. All of his actions disputed these claims, but until he explicitly said the words you couldn’t believe them to be true. You were irrational, because if he didn’t care for you he wouldn’t continuously chase you to the end of earth trying to pull you back off of the cliff of your own self loathing.

Every morning you would wake up to a text message of an affirmation Danny wanted you to say. He would wait for you and work through all of your struggles with you because he knows you are worth it. You could never see it but you made Danny’s life have a little more sunshine. He looked forward to the times you let loose and showed him your true self. Like the time he woke up to you making pancakes in nothing but one of his shirts. You were swaying your hips back and forth slowly, listening to something on your headphones. You didn’t want to wake him up until you were able to serve him the pancakes in his bed. There were only a few moments when you dropped your wall and let others see you for who you truly are. But, those moments started to become more frequent. The more time you spent with Danny, the less amount of time you had to barricade yourself from the world. When he snuggled up behind you grabbing your hips in the process, he inhaled the sweet smell of your peach scent shampoo. It was his favorite smell in the world, it sparked the production of dopamine. Danny wouldn’t admit it to you yet, he had a fear of you running away, but he was madly falling in love with you.

As soon as he saw you slouched over intently staring at the wet concrete, he knew you weren’t okay. Danny wanted nothing more than to go inside to get out of the rain. He was exhausted from the session earlier and had just planned on crawling into bed after a shower. But, it was evident he was needed. He swore to himself that he would hold you up until you had the confidence to stand tall on your own. Danny didn’t say anything as he sat down next to you. He had the hood of his rain jacket up, but he positioned himself on the bench so he could see you out of the corner of his eye.

“Hey.” It almost made you laugh at how nonchalant he was. Danny was the most level headed man you’ve ever met and it kept you grounded when you had hard days like these. Your face was swollen and your lips were chapped from anxiously biting at them. When you looked Danny in his eye his heart almost stopped beating. You looked broken. The redness of your eyes caused them to look dull and on the verge of becoming lifeless. There was so much sorrow written on your face but it was muted by the beauty that Danny drank in. Nothing could make Danny feel the way you did, even though you haven’t given yourself to him completely yet. Cars driving through puddles was the only sound that was filling the void between you two. He didn’t want to pry and you didn't want to admit what you did.

It was a moment of weakness, charged by the inadequacies you felt about yourself. Exes have a way of coming back exactly when you were 98% healed. He texted you late to come over and the red wine you drank earlier in the night encouraged you to partake in the bad decision. Throughout the day you went back and forth on telling Danny. There really wasn’t a need right? He wasn’t your boyfriend so you didn’t have any commitment to him. However, he was your best friend and you two rarely kept any sort of secret from one another. Verbally admitting your truth was out of the question. The words would dissolve in your mouth and bring a sting to your throat when you would try and tell him. So, you opted to just hand Danny your phone with the text from your ex displayed across the screen.

Danny read it, grip strengthening on your phone when he realized exactly what this meant. He couldn’t help the frustration that turned sourly into anger. The feeling he hated so deeply bubbled in his stomach. Honestly, how could you do this? Not even to him. How could you do this yourself? You kept putting yourself in harm's way when he was begging you to allow him to keep you safe. “Why?”

“I don’t know Danny. He just-“

“No. Why are you so mean to yourself?” This took you aback. He has never raised his voice at you before today. You knew some of the decisions you’ve made were not in your best interest, but until now you didn’t really notice the pattern. There was no way to respond to Danny’s question and it was easy to presume he wasn’t really looking for an answer. You click your tongue against your teeth as you rise to your feet. You thought best for you to just go home and leave Danny out of this. The goosebumps on your skin subsided as embarrassing heat was thrashed through your body. You weren’t exactly mad at Danny, but you wanted to run from this conversation. There was no reason to have it in your eyes. You were just going to be around for as long as Danny stayed single. He would move on with his life without you and you wanted him to. You wanted him to have the fairytale romance that he surely deserved. He was built to have a princess as he was so clearly Prince Charming.

Your outstretched hand waiting for Danny to give back your phone. Danny sarcastically laughed at your tapping foot before relaxing his shoulders. He was refusing your request by sliding your phone in the front of his black rain jacket. “Sit down, Y/N” an unnatural sternness laced his voice as he told you what to do. This was so out of the ordinary you couldn’t help but follow his demands. “You need to stop this-“

“I’m not-“

“Shut up.” You placed your hands in your lap like a scorned school child and kept your focus on them. Looking Danny in the eyes right now would be the reason you fell apart completely. “You need to stop thinking you don’t deserve to be happy. You deserve the whole goddamn world and I’ve been wanting to give it to you for so fucking long. I’ll be anything you want me to be if you let me. I’ll be your bodyguard, your safe place, your everything. Y/N, you’re an amazing person but you don’t let yourself realize that.” Not giving Danny any attention became frustrating for him. He needed you to look at him, to see that he was being sincere in everything he said. Danny aggressively ripped himself from the park bench and kneeled in front of you. It forced you to look at him. He was on his knees literally begging for you to let him in.

The tears that you swallowed when Danny first sat down rushed from your eyes once again. It was hard seeing Danny be so vulnerable with you because it made you realize that there was no need to keep hiding from him. He wanted all of you, even the parts you hated the most about yourself.

“Danny, I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“You could never disappoint me. You are everything I’ve ever wanted. I’m here to help. I want to show you everything there is to love about yourself. Everything I see. Everything that has kept me tied to you for the last six months. Don’t you think that if you weren’t enough or wasn’t what I wanted I would have left by no?” Danny’s voice gradually rose as he spoke. All the things he has been wanting to say for the last half a year came spilling out at him like a river on a windy day. He just prayed that you were really hearing what he was saying. That you could read between the lines of speech.

Your hair was a wet stringy mess, but the scent of peach was still lacing the air around Danny. It was time to stop beating around the bush. He couldn’t take not having you to himself anymore. Just as much as you needed him, he needed you. You two were tied together by an unspoken bond that grew due to the sleepless nights you spent with each other. You trusted Danny more than anyone in the world and even though you hadn’t completely given yourself to him, he has gotten more than anyone before. You couldn’t keep fighting the inevitable.

With the rain falling all around you and the street lamps being your only source of light, you look at Danny. You really look at Danny. You see the man who would bring you out of this prolonged period of sadness and show you all the allure of the world. All the allure of yourself. “Danny, I love you.”

“Fucking finally,” was all he said as he leaned forward to capture your lips in a kiss.

[bubbleteaimagines]

age gap

tony stark oneshot

tony x you

swearing, large age gap

in this day and age it shouldn’t have been that big of a deal.

but it was.

y/n l/n and tony stark became trending worldwide, every gossip magazine and newspaper out for whatever information they could get about your relationship.

the relationship by the way, that had a 28 year age gap.

you were 20 and tony was turning 48, though it seemed neither of you cared as much as the world did.

you thought it was perfectly normal, seeing as your parents were years apart and tony simply didn’t give a damn.

‘screw the tabloids’ he always said, but sometimes it wasn’t that easy.

at home, you were able to relax with the idea of your age gap as it was just the two of you being y/n and tony.

but out in public, it was an entirely different deal.

whispers, stares, pictures. you name it and people did it, not even caring or respecting your private time with tony when you went out.

you didn’t expect for it to bother you as much as it did. you thought that maybe with tony by your side you could block out the whispers and the hateful stares but it was nearly impossible as it happened almost everywhere you went.

even if you went grocery shopping for god’s sake, someone still had something negative to say.

of course, tony defended you as much as he could. he tried to shield you from the hateful words and articles but sometimes he wasn’t enough.

sometimes, it did get to you and soon you realized you didn’t know how much more you could take.

you loved tony, but after being constantly called a gold digger and his sugar baby, you began to doubt yourself, and your relationship.

were you really as manipulative as the papers said? were you really just with tony for his money?

of course not. deep down you knew that with or without money you loved tony stark. and he loved you, but it didn’t help that he also loved to spoil you and he was paying almost all of your college tuition.

even though you insisted he didn’t, he did anyways. he reassured you after countless protest that that was just something he did; he took care of everyone he loved.

eventually you were forced to settle with the idea. but it never stopped the running thoughts in your head.

am i really that bad as everyone says?

it was during a christmas party that tony was holding that you finally snapped.

tony had gone all out; getting the most expensive decorations and inviting all of the richest people he knew.

and of course, since it was tony, he also got the best alcohol money could buy, and unfortunately you weren’t allowed to drink a single drop.

all night, you had stood awkwardly by tony’s side in your pretty red dress, holding a cup full of water and laughing uncomfortably as you were forced to listen to drunk rich people tell unamusing stories.

by now, the music was blasting, night had fallen, and you were pretty sure you were only one not drunk at the party, minus tony and steve.

the elegant cup that you pretended to drink from held nothing expect for water and it was only another painful reminder that you were probably the youngest one at the party.

out of respect, tony decided he wasn’t going to drink either but that did nothing to ease you. If anything, you wished that he had been drinking so that he wouldn’t remember the embarrassing conversation you were having with some of the housewives he invited.

“so, y/n, tell me,” a woman name martha kalnins gushed as she sat on one of tony’s luxurious couches, obviously drunk from one of the many glasses of wine she had had. “Is Tony really as amazing in bed as everyone says he is?”

a round of laugher from the other housewives around you made you shift uncomfortably, thankful the dark room didn’t show the frown radiating off of you.

“uh… i uh,” you sounded like a child, struggling to answer her question and you laughed uncomfortably as to not show how disturbed you really were. you shared a look with tony.

“i mean … h-he’s great at everything, honestly. it’s tony stark we’re talking about,” you answered unsurely, and tony squeezed your thigh as the women laughed again.

“oh, i guess you’re right,” martha slurred and took another drink. “that tony is a catch. hell, if i had been twenty years younger like you i would’ve snatched him up, too. with that tight little body of yours it’s no wonder he’s so eager to pay your bills.”

another round of laughter and you could feel tony beginning to tense up beside you. now, it was your turn to squeeze his leg and you turned back to the women with a tight smile.

“oh, tony doesn’t pay my bills,” you tried to assure them but they waved it off.

“oh nonsense. why else would you be with a man that’s almost 50?” another woman asked you and you threw her a sharp glare.

you were starting to heat up, not appreciating their little jabs at your relationship.

“why am i with him?” you pulled out your cold tone and scoffed at her. “i don’t know— maybe because i love him?” you said a little angrily.

how dare they insinuate anything else than the truth: you loved tony and you didn’t give a damn about his age.

the woman snorted. “yeah. that’s what i told myself when i first met howie,” she threw a glance to an older man in the corner. “sure does make the sex a lot easier when you think you love them.”

you couldn’t stop your blood from boiling.

“how dare you!”

in an instant, you were up and out of your seat, the woman’s smile long gone as you angrily got in her face.

“y/n!” tony tried to stop you but you were sick of it. you were sick of it all; the jokes, the jabs, the little comments that nobody had any business making on your relationship.

you were done.

“how dare you talk about my relationship like that when you know nothing about us!” you fumed and suddenly you had everyone’s attention.

“who are you come into our house and as our guest disrespect us? you don’t know a thing about tony and i. not a single damn thing. you don’t know about all of the late nights we have, all of the laughs we share and all of the movies we watch. you don’t know about all the things we have in common besides sex and you damn well don’t know anything about me! you don’t, because if you did then you’d know i’m not with him for the money, or the fame, or whatever else you think is associated with tony stark. i’m not here for any of that. i’m here for him, so why don’t you get your head out of your ass and realize that just because you spread your legs for money, that doesn’t mean the rest of us do!”

by the time you finished you were panting and everyone was in complete shock. it was silent, and the woman in front of you looked as if she didn’t know what the hell to do.

no one did as you stood with your chest moving heavily, your well deserved rant coming off of your consciousness.

you huffed.

“well then. seeing as i’m only 20, i guess it’s past my bedtime,” you rolled your eyes and looked at the clock, noticing it was 1AM.

“i’ll see you all … whenever. goodnight.”

you did a dramatic turn and then proceeded to exit tony stark style. leaving a big commotion behind you and no doubt people that would spread your words everywhere the next morning.

that would be another problem you would have to worry about, but right now you focused on just sleeping the entire night away.

sighing, you changed out of your dress into some shorts and swiftly got under the covers.

you closed your eyes, and you tried to let sleep come to you but it was almost impossible as you were painfully aware the spot next to you was empty.

tony hadn’t come to bed yet and it was like your body refused to let you rest until he did.

sighing again, you peeled your eyes open again and decided to stare up at the blank ceiling, waiting for tony to come to bed.

when he finally did, it was around 3AM in the morning but even the dark you could see his shit-eating grin.

“well, that was quite the performance tonight, miss l/n,” tony teased almost immediately and you groaned.

“sorry if i ruined your party,” you apologized to tony and buried your face in a pillow. “i just got so mad that people kept insinuating i was only with you for that that i just … i just snapped.” you explained.

tony was still grinning and you felt the bed dip as he gently slid in beside you.

“don’t worry about it. i’d say that was more entertaining than mrs. mccoy getting so drunk she admitted she was cheating with garden boy,” tony laughed and you snorted.

“great. i was the biggest scandal of the night,” you sighed.

“biggest one of the century, actually. how long do you think it’s gonna take for people to start talking about it?”

“i’d say it’ll make an appearance in the morning. some magazine talking about how tony stark’s sugar baby finally blew her fuse,” you yawned and tony chuckled.

“yeah well, at lease i don’t have to worry about if it’s true now.”

“worry if what’s true?”

“that you love me,” he said quietly.

you peered up at him in the dark.

“tony? what? of course i love you,” you frowned. you felt the pillow shift as tony shook his head.

“no, yeah, i know,” he said. “but now i don’t have to worry about if it’s tony stark you’re attracted to, or iron man.”

“clearly i wouldn’t be attracted to a piece of metal, tony,” you both rolled your eyes simultaneously.

“yeah, no shit,” tony sighed. “but i mean like— i don’t have to worry about which personality you’re attracted to. now i know for sure that it’s me that you want, and not just my name. or my fortune.”

“well, technically both are still up from grabs,” you smirked in the dark. “haven’t signed a pre-nup yet.”

“oh but you definitely will now,” tony scoffed, but there was humor behind both of your words.

you both found comfort in knowing that you only wanted each other, and not for the reasons everyone else thought.

you weren’t with tony for the money. and he wasn’t with you for the sex.

you both genuinely and honestly loved each other, and now you knew that no ridiculous tabloid or paper was ever gonna make you doubt that again.

[plant-flwrs]

ruined parties // older brother draco (implied fred weasley)

masterlist!

a/n: i didn't know how to label this without it looking like an incest fic and I just want everyone to know it is most definitely not an incest fic and I don't know how to make it look better why is this my life

i just saw this in my inbox unreasonably late and I loved it sm so I wrote this little overprotective big brother draco fic :) I wanted to thank @gaycatlord-stuff for the message and the meme because I loved it sm and it rly got the juices in my sahara desert brain flowing.

summary: Draco is a relentlessly overprotective brother who ruins all romantic opportunities for you.

(2k)

-----

Sometimes, you wondered how different your life would be as a muggle. You wondered if your wealthy parents would have shoved you off to a nanny rather than house-elves; if you would have gone to a muggle boarding school and studied classic literature for an actual class and not just for fun, which Draco loved to remind you was one of the weirder things about you; if you would have learned to do laundry and wash the dishes and comb your hair without the brush levitating with a flick of your wand.

You wondered, most of all, how Draco would manage to beat up all the boys who showed interest in you as you grew up.

Draco went through his phases of the ways in which he would 'protect' you. He had really enjoyed the bat-bogey hex for a while in your first year. In second year and most of third year, he went with the safe option of the jelly-legs jinx. By fourth year he had matured to more advanced methods of transfiguration. He had managed to turn Michael Corner into a raccoon for at least a whole day when Michael had offered to carry your bag for you in the hall.

Fifth year was bad. He had been taken in by Snape, who offered him a number of tips and tricks in the world of dark magic. You insisted Draco didn't need dark magic, and he insisted that you mind your own business.

Draco was irritable and nearly unbearable by sixth year. He hovered over you like a vulture, sending glares to anyone who even looked at you. Your friends started calling him Bloody Mary because he was always haunting over your shoulder. You knew it was because your parents were putting a lot of pressure on him and his crush on Harry Potter was becoming inhumanely large, but still. It was annoying.

It was even more annoying when Draco seemed to have met a suitable match in Fred Weasley.

You had a bit of a liking for muggle things. The school year was your only chance to inhabit this hobby, with your father removing all your muggle posters from your room the second you left for the train. You took Muggle Studies and begged Dumbledore not to tell your parents. You had mostly muggle-born or half-blood friends, which you also told your parents nothing about. Draco found this all the more reason to 'protect' you.

"You ought to dye your hair," you gritted out, sulking over your breakfast and resisting the urge to kick Draco's shin under the table.

Draco didn't respond, shoveling beans into his mouth with an unamused look.

"Seriously," you continued. "Your hair doesn't match your energy. Black would be very striking. You and your boyfriend would be matching."

Draco kicked your shin under the table, making you regret not taking your chance earlier. Harry was a sore spot for Draco, but Draco had just done a wandless spell on Ernest Macmillan before he could ask you to Hogsmeade, and he deserved it.

"What are you reading?" He grunted, offering an unspoken truce he knew you would take.

You shielded the cover, "Killing your brother 101. Enlightening."

"How far into it are you?"

"Almost done. I'd prepare yourself if I were you."

Draco hummed, unfazed by your murderous threats.

"You finish the notes for Charms?" you shut your book, stealing a piece of cantaloupe from Draco's plate.

"Yes," Draco looked at you eating the stolen fruit unapprovingly, pulling some sort of older brother superiority with just one look at you. Infuriating.

"What's the time?" You abandoned the Charms notes, no longer willing to admit you didn't do them.

"Just past 7," Draco pushed his plate away from him, standing and straightening his tie.

"See you at dinner," you began putting your things away and Draco mumbled a goodbye, setting off for his own classes. You were just shoveling the last of the beans he left on his plate into your mouth when a foreign group of bodies were across from you in your peripheral.

You lifted your head, hunched over the beans and still chewing, to see Fred, George, and Lee.

You squinted, chewing slowly and leaning back as to avoid any sort of tripwire for a prank.

"Malfoy," Fred said pleasantly, which was not how people usually said your last name.

"Big brother leave you by your lonesome?" Lee added, also not taking the cruel tone most would when talking about your brother.

This was odd.

"What do you want?" you swallowed your food, eyeing them suspiciously.

"I thought she was meant to be the better of them," George stage-whispered to Lee.

"We are here to formally invite you to a party we are hosting," Fred continued, unperturbed.

Lee and George watched you, waiting for your reaction.

"Alright," you agreed and stood, joining your friends in the hall to walk to class.

"That was easier than I expected," Lee said cheerfully, visibly relieved now that he was not in your presence.

"I told you," Fred puffed his chest out confidently and place his hands on the table as he stood, "Without Draco around, she's perfect."

-

The party was in full swing and Draco was drunk. With one guess, you would have to assume it had something to do with the way Harry kept offering to top off his glass, his hand hovering on the small of Draco's back as they talked into each other's ears.

Drunk Draco was a luxury you were not often afforded. Drunk Draco meant living a life of your own, doing things without his watchful eye.

So you also got drunk. Your friends used the term 'waisted' the next morning, but we will say 'drunk' for maturity purposes. And drunk you got!

Fred was always suspiciously close to you, and suspiciously nice once you thought harder on it. You tried not to leave any drink unguarded while he hovered and stayed with friends as often as possible.

You eventually found yourself on a large leather couch in the center of the room. Ron was next to you, stoned out of his mind, and digging around in the pocket of his flannel for more rolling papers. On the other side of you, Luna's head rolled around her neck, falling onto your shoulder and the couch and finally landing on Ginny's lap when she passed out. You watched Ginny stroke her hair, occasionally tracing a line down her nose. Sighing, you accepted the blunt when Ron finally passed it your way.

You were passing it back, sufficiently stoned out of your gourd, when it was plucked from your hands. You thought you had dropped it, jolting back and looking around frantically until you saw those awful, bony, white fingers dangling the now soggy blunt in front of your face.

"C'mon!" Ron groaned, face twisting through the stages of grief as he saw his ruined creation.

"Pot?" Draco said as if he were 40 and with a mortgage.

"Pot," you replied as if you were 17 and at a party.

One of you had an accurate hold on reality. The other held a soggy blunt.

Ron took the soggy blunt and attempted to salvage it, sinking down to his knees to work on the coffee table in front of you. Draco took his seat and set his drink on the table to his side. He didn't drink from it, presumably because of a blunt that had been swimming in it for a moment.

"I thought you were with Harry," you said slowly, torn between wanting to hurt Draco if something had gone badly with Harry and actually wanting to know why he wasn't still with him.

"Yeah, he went up to bed," Draco answered, not sounding pitiful and mournful like he had a habit of sounding after interacting with Harry.

"He didn't take you with him?" you slurred, leaning into Draco's strong and seemingly sober shoulder.

"Shut up," he chuckled, wrapping an arm around your side and hauling you off the couch. You reached into his pocket, finding some loose bills you knew would be there, and slipped them to Ron as compensation before you left.

You felt accomplished, drunk and high, leaving a party after a fun time. It was also a highlight to have given Ron Weasley Draco's drug money.

-

As per usual, you didn't have a date for Hogsmeade. Your friends were all in Madam Puddifoot's with their dates, gazing over the table at each other like lovesick puppies. Draco currently had you in a headlock while he rubbed his knuckles into the top of your head.

You shoved your heal into his foot, making him release you.

You both returned to your drinks with slightly labored breaths and scowls.

Draco was upset because Harry wasn't at Hogsmeade and you were upset because you were in Hogsmeade with Draco. You would have fallen at his knees and begged him to release you from the chains of this sibling dynamic if he weren't the one buying lunch today.

You ate, still scowling, and walked around scowling, and returned to Hogwarts scowling. You hugged each other, scowling, before bed and went to your respective dorms.

-

It was hot and there was no wind. Really, absolutely no wind. The water on the black lake was eerily reflective and the trees were unmoving.

You were walking with some friends, charmed fans moving around you as they blew cold air in your faces. You were returning from Hogsmeade with ice cream, very happy from the outing without Draco.

Regretfully, Draco did not seem to be as happy.

Stepping into the courtyard, you felt a drop of your ice cream land on your hand, sticky and cold and messy, and at the same time, you saw Draco hurl himself at Fred Weasley.

Fred sprawled across the courtyard, landing on some poorly transfigured pillows that you guessed were the product of George's wandless magic. His head was cushioned from what would have been a nasty hit on the stone. He squirmed under Draco, long arms and legs flailing against the steady weight Draco was putting on him.

You watched Lee and George leaning against a wall, presumably letting Fred fight this battle on his own.

You decided to do something similar.

You watched as Fred wrangled himself free, both boys tripping over the pillows until George vanished them. In the free space, they circled each other with their hands raised. It was funny to see two pure-blood wizards fighting so viciously without a hint of magic.

Draco took a step forward with his left foot, tricking Fred out to lunge at him from the right. He had Fred's leg and then Fred was on the ground again, grunting in pain. Draco flipped him and pinned him, knee resting on Fred's back and hands holding his arms together. Deciding Draco had enough fun, you walked over.

"Fight Club?" you offered, quirking an eyebrow.

"Did you go to Hogsmeade?" Draco ignored you, panting slightly. Up close you saw he had a nasty bruise on his cheekbone and some blood coming from his nose. Fred must have gotten a few hits in.

"Yeah," you licked your ice cream, "bloody scorching out."

"Hm," Draco hummed, adjusting his grip on Fred's arm and causing Fred to yelp in pain.

"How are you?" you asked politely.

"Alright. You?"

"Alright."

Draco nodded.

"So, what's this about?"

"He said he was going to prank you," Draco said, shrugging and adjusting Fred's arm again on purpose.

You gasped in faux shock, crouching down to look at Fred.

"A prank?" you asked him, smirking.

"No!" Fred yelped when he tried to move his arms.

You looked to Draco, whose eyebrows were furrowed. "I heard you! You said you were going to take her out!"

"Draco."

"Draco!" Fred yelped, finally getting his arms loose and crawling from underneath Draco's grasp.

"Oh my fucking god."

"Merlin," Fred mumbled, looking at your face and then Draco's guilty expression.

"Oh," Draco said simply, head tilting as he added up the moment's events in his head.

"Oh my fucking god," you repeated.

Draco got his feet under him.

"Oh my fucking god!" you hurled your ice cream cone at his back, hitting him hard as he ran. You chased him, narrowly avoiding the trail of melted strawberry ice cream he was leaving through the halls.

[ycurkxng-a]

Not A Very Secret Identity After All.

Characters: (Spiderverse) Dean King, Tide Turner

No cw/tws

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Tic, tok, tic, tok, tic, tok-

God, that thing could never just shut up for 5 seconds, could it?

Usually Tide didn't mind the small clock in the kitchen, but now that it was the only audio in the apartment as he flipped through the bills that had been piling up, it drove him insane. He just wanted a moment to relax without having to worry about any of this, and-

Knocking on the door made him look over, he sighed softly and stood up. He wasn't going to complain about people coming to him for help, there was a reason he did this in the first place.

Tide made his way over to the door and pulled it open, only to be met with a familiar sight.

Dean had been planning on coming back here for a while, but everytime he attempted to he was just pulled away as King Spider to fight something, stop someone, etcetera etcetera. He was beaten down and tired, but he needed to get this done. In one hand he had two $20 bills and a crumpled up $10.

The guy had to deal with Dean when he was breaking down, covered in blood. He deserved some form of compensation at the very least, well. That's what Dean believed.

"Hey, uhh.. Derick?"

"Dean."

"I knew that."

Dean let out a soft chuckle, looking down at the ground for a moment before meeting Tides gaze again. "Listen, I never got the chance to properly thank you for helping me. So I just-" As Dean raised up his hand, Tide caught sight of the cash. He immediately grabbed onto his wrist to keep it down, causing a confused look to come onto Dean's features.

"Wasn't a transaction, man. Keep the money." Tide told him, pushing his hand back against his chest. "I... Are you sure?" Dean questioned, attempting to hold out the money again only for his hand to be pushed back a second time. "Certain."

There was silence between the two as Dean stood there, looking at the money in his hand. He slowly stuffed it back into his pocket and continued to look at the ground, unsure what to do. So Tide spoke out, "How's the whole King Spider deal going?"

"..excuse me?"

Dean looked up at the other once more, brows furrowing slightly. Not in anger, but in confusion. "You heard me man, how's that thing going? You've been runnin' around the city like craz-" Tide let out a yelp as Dean charged inside, both hands gripped onto his shirt and pushed him back.

Unfortunately for him, Dean had pushed a little harder than he expected to and ended up sending Tide over the couch and onto the ground. Dean turned his head and kicked the door shut before turning back to the other male, who was now scrambling backwards and reaching under the table for.. a baseball bat?

He wanted to laugh in the moment, but refrained as Tide stood up. He gripped the handle tightly, but he felt even more panic as Dean only stared back at him, completely unamused by this. He knew it wouldn't do much, but he wasn't exactly thinking clearly at the moment.

Dean walked further into the apartment and around the couch, Tide readied his swing as the other male got closer. And when he got in the radius of his bat- he swung with his eyes shut tight, horrible stance, but he swung.. and completely missed.

Well, he only missed because Dean had ducked under the swing. Tides eyes opened just in time to see the fist swinging directly into his cheek, the impact made his entire body turn as he was practically thrown back from the force of Dean's hit. As he was pushed back he lost grip of the bat, and it clattered to the ground.

Tide slammed against the wall with a grunt and slid down it, the bat he had only used twice before this now at Dean's boots. He looked up at Dean just to see him staring at the blunt weapon, with his right boot- he slightly kicked it back to Tide, the handle hitting the wall. "Wanna try that again, tough guy?" He mocked, now glaring at Tide.

"Wait- just wait.."

"Why should I?" Dean growled, getting down on one knee and grabbing onto Tides shirt collar. "You know who I am, why should I believe that you won't just go and tell everyone who I am for a few extra bucks?" While he knew in his heart of hearts that Tide would never do that, he just needed to strike some fear into him. Just to make sure.

"Come on man, if I wanted some money.. don't you think I would've snitched on all the criminals that have been in here?" Tide sputtered out, attempting to back away further from Dean. But, that was very clearly impossible.

The fear Tide felt was unmatched as Dean leaned in closer and closer to him, his stare remaining cold and penetrating. Tides hairs stood on end as he turned his head and closed his eyes, unsure of what was going to happen next.

"..fine."

Dean let go of Tides shirt and stood back up, and suddenly Tide felt as if he could finally breathe again. He looked back to Dean, expecting some kind of offer to help him up- but there was nothing. Dean simply stepped back with his arms crossed and stared, watching closely as Tide got off the floor.

"How'd you figure out I was King Spider?" Dean questioned, stepping forward again and trapping Tide in his spot against the wall. "I mean.. it was pretty obvious." He chuckled nervously, it faded quickly as he felt Dean's stare once more. "Alright, well.. you told me you had punched a guys fucking kidney out, and you webbed some bystander.. so, when I saw King Spider running around hitting people that hard, and webbing people..."

He didn't need to say anymore, Dean stepped back and sighed heavily. He was disappointed with himself more than anything, why didn't he think of that? Of course, anyone would put two and two together there! Damnit.

"Okay.. okay. Let's get this clear though, alright?" Dean began, pointing a finger at Tide. "If I find out my identity is out there and that people know who I am.. I'm gonna come back here, and I'm gonna break every bone in your goddamn body. After I do that, I'm gonna take this wrist of mine here, I'm gonna put it up to your mouth- and I'm going to fill your goddamn lungs with webs."

That threat was horrifying, and based on what Dean had just done less than a minute ago? He probably wasn't exaggerating. "Okay, I get it.. no one will know except the two of us." Tide agreed, nodding quickly.

"Then we understand one another," Dean nodded. "-good. In that case, I'm gonna go." He said, going back around the couch and to the door. He twisted the knob and pulled it open, just as he began to step out- he stopped. "One last thing."

"Yeah?"

Dean reached into his pocket and took out the cash, throwing it onto the couch before stepping out fully and slamming the door. Leaving Tide there with the cash he had previously denied.

"..motherfucker."

[kisskeiji]

Poolside. (The afterparty)

Lost & Found.

WARNINGS: language, implied sex, alcohol consumption, Kuroo (yes), not proofread.

this is an extra chapter!

You did end up ditching the party with Atsumu, he followed you to your room and spent the night with you. You woke up the next morning with your head on his chest and his arms wrapped around you, despite the missing clothing items on both of your bodies, Atsumu was warm and you could hear him snore softly. You propped yourself on your elbow and tried to wake him up.

“Tsumu, we’re going to be late, wake up.” He stirred awake and groaned as he stretched his limbs.

“I don’t want to go.” He said closing his eyes again.

“I know but we have to, it’s getting late and you need to go to your room to get changed.” You ran your fingers through his hair pushing it back to see his face. He groaned again, turning his back to you. “Come on, big baby, get up.” You got him to stand up after a few minutes, but he made sure to complain, and whine and groan loudly to let you know that he didn’t want to go. You went to the bathroom to start your morning routine as he got dressed and fixed his hair, you came out of the bathroom pat drying your face with a white towel.

“Let’s go to the shopping district later, I want to walk around the city before we go back home.” Atsumu said as he tied his shoes.

“I can’t, my train leaves at four.” He chuckled at your answer.

“You are not riding the train back home by yourself.” He said confidently. “Your boyfriend is coming with you.” You smiled at him and walked closer with your arms crossed. “Let’s change your tickets and we can take the 6:00 p.m ride.” He continued.

“And Suna?” You asked.

“He can come with us, he is a shopping addict he is not going to say no.” Atsumu got up and stood in front of you. “Come on, I want to get you a Christmas gift.” He tried to convince you by wiggling his brows.

“You already gave me a Christmas gift, ‘Tsumu.” You rolled your eyes and hugged his waist.

“You deserve two.” He leaned for a kiss but you stopped him.

“Go shower and brush your teeth and I’ll kiss you.” You said pulling apart.

“You always do this!” He complained. You walked him to the door and held it open. “I’ll see you in an hour.” He looked at you with puppy eyes. With a hand on his shoulder, you forced him to lean down once again and kissed his cheek.

“So needy.” You sighed.

“Only for you.” He gave you a cheeky smile and started walking backwards to the elevator and sending you kisses, you made him turn back to see where he was walking and the door in front of yours opened.

“Would you look at that? A-list athlete Miya Atsumu walking out of his publicist room first thing in the morning, you don’t see that every day.” Kuroo teased.

“You were eavesdropping?” You asked unamused.

“Couldn’t help myself.” He stretched his back like an old man when you realized that wasn’t his room.

“That’s Hideko’s room.” He nodded. “Why are you coming out of her room?”

“Think very hard.” He narrowed his eyes and laughed at your disgusted expression.

“You fucked my boss? Out of all the people in that party, you decided to hook up with my boss?” You whispered in distress as he smirked, throwing his head back. “You are unbelievable.”

“Come on, it was a great night, we had drinks, hooked up with hot people. Don’t tell me you didn’t have fun.” He leaned against the door frame.

“No, sir. You, hooked up with my boss, I spent the night with my boyfriend.” You said with arms crossed, mimicking his position.

“About time you got a boyfriend.” He joked. “Well, I’ll see you at the poolside, Hideko is bringing me as her plus one, and I can’t say no to free food.” He closed the door and threw his coat over his shoulder.

“You talk as if you weren’t a supervisor at the association.” You deadpanned and he shrugged, after that he left without another word and his damned smirk plastered on his face. ‘Annoying.’ You thought.

You tried to put together something that looked at least decent to meet the team owners, the goal was to look casual without freezing to death and to not make a mess with your luggage since you were leaving that same day. Taking a last look in the mirror with pursed lips you huffed, team reunions were always nerve-wracking, Hideko always tried to keep you away from them but today it was inevitable. You took the elevator to the lobby and looked for the salon where the afterparty was being held.

It was a secluded area on the first floor with a terrace next to the pool, ambiance music and the clinking of cups and silverware could be heard from the entrance, waiters walked all over the area with trays of cocktails and appetizers. You recognized a few faces from your higher-ups and people you’ve never seen before, naturally, you greeted everyone and started small talks with some of them, coach Foster was the first one to intervene and save you from more awkward conversations with possible sponsors.

“Y/N, Imai was asking for you just now! Why don’t you go look for her?” He lied, giving you the opportunity to excuse yourself with a promise to talk later with them. You saw Akaashi talking with Inunaki and Atsumu next to the snack bar. You were not sure why it looked like it was a cocktail party rather than brunch. You avoided everyone else while making your way to them. You placed your hand on Atsumu’s lower back and he turned to see you.

“Hey.” He said. “Long time no see.” You hooked your arms on his and pushed him lightly with your hip making him laugh as he kissed your temple.

“Am I missing something here?” Hideko asked as she sat next to Inunaki with a mimosa in one hand.

“We know you two are close and grossly in love but this is a bit too much.” Inunaki took a sip of his own mimosa and Hideko hummed in agreement. Akaashi was quiet, he just stared at you knowing what was about to come once Bokuto came back.

“When?” He asked you, smiling brightly at him for being the only one who took a hint. ‘Last night.’ You answered simply; Inunaki’s jaw dropped and Hideko almost screamed of excitement.

“Wait, before or after midnight?” She asked abruptly and you heard Inunaki curse under his breath.

“Like five minutes before midnight.” Atsumu recalled raising his brow. Hideko clapped once and closed her eyes doing a little celebration dance.

“Pay up, fucker!” She exclaimed holding her hand open, Inunaki shot Atsumu an angry glare and took his wallet out of his pocket claiming it wasn’t fair and that he could’ve waited five minutes more to ask you out. “Where are Bokuto and Thomas? They are not gonna like this one.”

“What are you talking about, Imai?” Thomas and Bokuto were standing right behind you, he looked at your hand on Atsumu’s bicep and then back to Hideko who was still dancing in victory and counting the money Inunaki gave her. “You have to be kidding me!”

“You decided to man up now? Really?” Bokuto walked past you glaring at Atsumu to place a stack of bills on Hideko’s hand and then Akaashi’s. Atsumu and you were so confused, they all had a bet?

“Hold up, Keiji, you too?” You asked in disbelief and he smirked.

“I had faith in Miya-san.” He excused himself nonchalantly as Thomas paid him. “If anything, we were your good luck charm.”

“I can believe it from Hideko, but you Keiji-kun?” Atsumu shook his hand in disapproval. You were not mad at all, but you expected something like this from Suna and Osamu rather than your coworkers.

“Hideko-san, where’s your plus one?” You decided to tease her a little as payback. She stopped laughing and looked like she wanted to strangle you, now she couldn't escape Inunaki’s reckless jokes about her ‘getting some’.

“How do you know I have a plus one?” She placed her money on her bag angrily.

“I saw him walking out of your room this morning.” Her eyes widened and you continued. “Tall, black and horribly styled hair, and I think he works for the association.”

“Please don’t tell me it’s Kuroo!” Bokuto started laughing at Hideko’s face, you didn't say anything just started laughing along with Bokuto.

“You two know him?” Hideko asked.

“He is our friend.” Akaashi clarified because you were too busy trying to catch your breath.

“Bokuto I’ll give your money back if you don’t mention this ever again.” Hideko bribed but Bokuto shook his head.

“Nah, you can keep it, this is ten times better than money.” Bokuto started laughing again.

“You are lucky I like your work.” She glared daggers at you as you closed your mouth with a fake zipper still grinning and completely satisfied with your actions. “Well, I have to go. I don't like you guys anymore. Don’t drink too much and don’t be rude to anyone.” After Hideko left, your other friends also went to wander around the room talking to other people and you were alone with Atsumu.

“See? What could've happened if you were left alone with that friend of yours last night?” He passed you a cup of sparkling water as he spoke.

“Oh, don't worry I don't make the same mistake twice.” You said confidently drinking from your cup and he nodded. It took him a second to look at you with eyes wide open in horror.

“What do you mean twice?” You almost choked on your drink at his question.

Oh shit...

(a/n: extra chapter yay! i had this idea the other day while i arranged my notes, im planning on adding more of this extra chapters and making them more light hearted so i don't kill yall with the following chapters lmao, im currently working on the next one and i've been doing a lot of research to create a time line that is easy to understand and write and sticking as much as i can to how national teams work, i was really frustrated trying to organize everything but my brain is working again, finally. i'll see you soon,,,, or not :) )

masterlist

TAGLIST (closed): @aonenthusiast @wiseeggspickleslime​ @koushisun​ @airheadpillar​ @sunflwrsandprettyskies​ @bbkiyoomi​ @daphnxy​ @shephard17895​ @avatarkyoshithewarrior​ @for-rebloggery​ @vv-bee999-vv @fi16ns @asdfghjkl7things @glassykaashi @strawhatshepard @hawkssnugget @msby-kei @toobsessedsstuff @a-moon-fairy @cuteissei @ramblingsofagoofyperson @pinoyrella @kiyoomisimp

[babyybitchhhwrites]

Shikaku x Reader 18+

Title: Bound 

Words: 6110

Rating:  Explicit/R-18+

Warnings: Cheating,extramarital affairs, older man/younger woman, boss/employee relationship, light bondage, oral sex, office sex

Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/25721392

♥♥♥♥

Shikaku was halfway through the door with a neat stack of papers under his arm and a steaming mug in hand when he looked up and saw you sitting on his desk. He gave the faintest jolt of surprise, catching himself just a moment too late to stop the impulse altogether. The quiet splatter of coffee hitting the hardwood floor resounded off the walls, making you smile, and he pinned you with an unamused scowl in response. 

“Should I even ask what you’re doing here at this hour?” He grumped. 

You made a show of crossing your legs, one over the other with your knee propped skyward. His gaze didn’t so much as falter when it caused the hem of your skirt to ride higher up the plush swell of your thigh and you couldn’t help thinking that was very gentlemanly of him. 

“I’m sure it will please you to know I’m here for a very good reason.” You quipped, watching him maneuver around the spill. “Unless of course you don’t want to hear my report while it's still fresh in my mind.” 

“Still fresh, huh?” Humming distractedly, Shikaku crossed the room to stand in front of the desk where he methodically started depositing his items onto the smooth oak surface. Coffee first, in the exact same spot he always put it as evidenced by the barely noticeable water stain circles he discreetly covered up with the mug, and then his paperwork which he took the time to casually straighten before stepping around to the other side. 

It was as if you weren’t even sitting there, looking for all the world like a queen on her stately throne, and you twisted to peer over your shoulder when he stooped to pull out some napkins from a bottom drawer. He gave off the impression of a man comfortably alone when he shuffled back the way he’d just come to clean the mess you’d (inadvertently) caused which might have otherwise perturbed you but in this case, it didn’t. Not when he was the one pointedly acting like you didn’t even exist.

Taking the opportunity, you appreciatively studied Shikaku’s trim figure as he knelt to mop up the coffee before it could seep in and make the wood permanently sticky. He didn’t look like much of a threat at first glance but, to be fair, none of the Nara really did. It was no doubt a hard lesson many enemy nin have had to come to terms with in their final moments alive and you couldn’t say you envied them very much. This was the one person you’d never want to find yourself facing off against on the battlefield. 

Even someone as infamously horrible as Orochimaru was preferable to the Jounin commander. That shadow binding technique of his was bad enough on its own but, taking into consideration all the mind games he could torture you with before finally delivering the killiing blow, there was no way you’d ever willingly go up against him. Such hubris would have been the very definition of a fool's errand.  

He stood then, not quite snapping you out of your thoughtful haze all the way, and you numbly watched as he walked over to deposit the soggy napkins into a trash bin in the corner. Tracing his steps back to the door again, he pulled it shut and reached for the lock. Your brows quirked up at the click of the bolt echoing through the room. 

“If you’d wanted to give a fresh report,” Shikaku intoned, turning to face you again. “I think you would have swung by my office when you first returned from the mission. Not hours later.” 

You offered him a sheepish little grin, valiantly fighting down the swelling butterflies in your stomach. “You knew when I got back?” 

“There isn’t much in this village that escapes my notice. I’d suggest keeping that in mind.” 

The note of warning in his gruff voice did not fly under your radar but any bite it may have held seemed to dampen when you caught the roguish curve of his mouth. He was merely teasing you in his own peculiar way. It didn’t exactly seem light and playful unless you were intimately familiar with the man and you imagined not many people ever got to see this side of him - and if they did, his intentions were always undoubtedly misconstrued. Everyone seemed to be under the impression that Shikaku was a no nonsense hard ass but you knew better. 

Uncrossing your legs in favor of swinging them over the side of the desk, you cocked your head to one side when he moved to step across the room again. “So you didn’t ask the other Jounin to keep an eye on me then? Consider me hurt, commander.” 

He snorted a good natured laugh. “If I did ask them to keep tabs on you, it wouldn’t be for the reason you’re thinking. Nice try, though.”

You turned to watch your boss lower himself into the chair behind the desk, curiosity piqued. “What other reason could there possibly be, Shikaku-taicho?”

A sharp brow quirked in your direction at that question. “Do you want an alphabetized list or should I give it to you in ascending order? You’re trouble, sweetheart. You know that.”

Excited heat crept across your face before you could stop it. “You like it though.” 

“There are a lot of things in this world that I like,” Shikaku sighed, dropping his gaze to the topmost sheet of paper in the stack. “But I can’t say trouble is one of them.”

“Liar.” 

Dark, pinpoint eyes slowly lifted to meet your gaze. He regarded you for a long, contemplative moment before dropping the expenditure form he’d picked up back to the top of the pile. Reclining into the chair with a quiet creak, he brought his hands together and laced long, elegant fingers over his stomach. You held your breath and squeezed your thighs together in anticipation, waiting for the pin to drop. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a woman call me that before. Least of all one who’s half my age and working directly under me.” 

Pussy fluttering at the unmistakable suggestion, you drew a steadying breath. “I’d like to be under you right now.” 

A low chuckle rumbled up from deep within his chest. “What did I just tell you? Trouble.” 

“Is that permission to proceed?” 

Shikaku glanced at the stack of paperwork again and slowly shook his head. “As tempting as that is …” 

Pausing, he turned his head and sent a casually appraising look over the meat of your thighs. The plump swell of your ass perched on the edge of his desk. The fact he didn’t even try to conceal his interest made goosebumps erupt across your body and you attentively sat up a little straighter, showing him that he had your full attention. 

“As tempting as you are in that tight little skirt, which I’m sure you didn’t put on just to pay me a visit, I have a lot of work to finish up here. I do have to get home at some point, you know.” 

A tinge of jealousy flashed through you, smothering your arousal by some margin. “Is your wife expecting you?” 

He nodded almost imperceptibly. “I promised I’d help with Shikamaru tonight. He’s got an ear infection and if you thought he was whiny with a clean bill of health, you’d want to tear your own hair out now. The kid hasn’t stopped crying since yesterday morning.” 

“Poor baby.” You cooed, faintly smiling at the thought of the pouty little boy that looked so much like his father. He had the same sharp features and smooth jaw structure that Shikaku did but Yoshino’s big, doe-like eyes. You wondered, not for the first time, what he would’ve looked like with yours. “I hope he makes a speedy recovery. You deserve to relax when you’re at home.” 

Shikaku laughed, very softly. “I’m sure you’d rather have me relaxing with you.” 

“I can’t deny that.” You admitted, sliding down off the desk to stand on your feet. “But it is what it is. You’ve got your obligations and I’ve got mine. Nothing we can do about it now.” 

“And what obligations do you have?” He chortled. 

You spun around to face him, allowing a sly smirk to play at your lips as you rounded the corner of the desk. “I’ve got plenty and I’ll have you know they’re all very important.”

“Would you care to humor me with an example then?” 

Leaning down, you gripped the stiff armrest and used it as leverage to swivel him around to face you. Shikaku permitted it, unsurprisingly. He looked more curious than anything else and when you placed your palms on his bent knees, his expression shifted towards wry amusement. 

“If you’re trying to persuade me into giving you what you want, it’s not going to work. I made a promise.” 

“I know.” You murmured, trying to pretend like the ache in your chest was imagined and not real. There was nothing you wouldn’t give the man sitting before you though, even if it meant ignoring your own feelings, and you slowly lowered yourself to kneel on the floor between his legs. “All I want is to help you however I can, Shikaku. You can still do your paperwork while I do this, can’t you?” 

You could clearly see the war waging behind his eyes. It wasn’t hard to miss. He was sifting through an assortment of conflicting emotions, torn between his commitment to an arranged marriage you suspected he’d never wanted in the first place and what his heart yearned for. There was a family at home waiting for him; a toddler he’d give his own life for in a heartbeat and a wife he’d do the same for because duty demanded it. And then there was you. Right in front of him, ready and waiting. Willing to give him whatever he might ask of you without expecting anything in return except some of his time. 

It wasn’t exactly fair to him, making him choose like this. But it wasn’t fair to you either. Maybe you should have never gotten involved with a married man like Shikaku in the first place but it was much too late for that now. You were just as aware of that as he was. 

The moment his resolve weakened and crumbled flashed across his ruggedly handsome face like a neon sign, as clear as day, and you knew you’d won. Maybe not the war, but this battle at least was yours. 

Licking your lips, you reached up to fumble with the front of his pants. Button first, zipper second. It’s slow descending zrrrt made molten heat pool in your gut, and you squirmed in eager excitement when he shifted in the chair to help you slide them along with his underwear a quarter of the way down his hips. They were lean and trim; tantalizingly firm under your palm when you reached up to brace one hand on the smooth expanse of skin while the other pushed at the bulk of his Jounin vest to bunch it around his middle. 

Shikaku’s cock twitched in the open air and stirred. Your mouth watered at the sight of it, just a shade darker than the rest of his warm complexion and so torturously inviting it took everything you had not to swallow him down your throat right then and there. But you weren’t keen on rushing this, not when it meant prolonging your time together just that much more. Instead, you leaned forward to nuzzle the stiffening length and take a deep, savory breath of his scent. Clean and musky with a faint curling note of salty sweat that made your pussy ache for him. 

“Little minx.” 

Roving your attention up, you peered into his expression. The ready arousal you saw staring back at you prompted a smile to curl your lips even as you rubbed your cheek against his growing erection like a cat marking its territory. Shikaku was unlike any other man you’d ever known. Those sharp features and jagged scars, the perpetually grumpy draw of his brows, the well groomed beard and frown lines. He was unfairly good looking in any setting no matter how mundane, but he was exceptionally attractive like this when he allowed himself to relax and give in to pleasure. The uncontested aura of authority that seemed to permeate the air around him only became more pronounced when you were kneeling at his feet like this, igniting a deep seated need in your subconscious to submit to him. There was no question who was really in charge here. 

“You like it.” You said again, pressing a brief kiss to the shaft. 

Shikaku reached down and buried one of his hands in your hair. “Yes, I do.” 

Humming faintly when he curled his fingers against your scalp, you slipped your tongue out to take a tentative kitten lick at the thick vein on the underside. The silky smooth texture of him coupled with the faintest bitter tang went straight to your pussy and you let out a soft sigh. Shikaku relaxed further into the chair, tipping his head back to rest against the backrest. His fingers stayed locked where they were but he didn’t try to tug you into action while you took your time peppering the length of his cock in fleeting butterfly kisses, pausing here or there to mouth at him. He also didn’t make a move to turn his attention back to the paperwork laid out before him though and you considered that another small victory. The longer he focused on you, the longer you’d get to stay with him. 

You licked your lips and nuzzled into the wiry thatch of hair at the base of his groin, inhaling another deep whiff of Shikaku’s masculine scent. It was dizzyingly erotic to you, the very smell of him igniting flames deep within the pit of your gut. You couldn’t get enough of him. The need to taste every inch of the commander's flesh was as overpowering as it was urgent, your breath coming a little faster as you pecked your way down to his balls. 

Pubic fuzz gave way to yet more impossibly soft skin and you just barely caught the quiet exhale he issued when you flicked the left teste with your tongue. Lifting your eyes, you looked past the now straining erection jutting proudly up at the ceiling and higher still until you could lock eyes with him. Shikaku was watching you with a silent sort of anticipation that made your heart flutter. He was so handsome. 

“I love your cock.” You murmured against his ball sack. 

“Do you now?”

Smiling, you lifted your hand to wrap your fingers around the hard girth, lightly clasping and stroking him in taunting slow motion. He didn’t seem to mind and merely readjusted his grip on your hair. Still just holding on to you. A silent reminder that he could all too easily take the reins if he felt so inclined. It was heady and intoxicating, just like the smell of him. You idly wondered if Yoshino was even aware how lucky she was to have him before quickly smothering the thought. This was not the time to dwell on such an unpleasant topic and, suppressing a disconcerted shudder, you opened your lips wide to suck the right teste into your mouth. 

A low hiss filtered through the room, cut short. 

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you …” He said quietly. 

You spent a prolonged moment massaging the weight of his ball with your tongue, rolling it back and forth and suckling at the globular flesh. Shikaku was a mouthful and when you pulled off him a moment later with an accompanying dull pop, a glistening string of spittle followed. The wrinkled flesh shone wetly in the overhead light as you sat back on your haunches to look up at him. Still slowly pumping his cock. Mouth flushed and clinging to the cobwebs connecting you to his body. Eyes shining in lust and coy adoration alike. 

“You could fuck me.”

Shikaku took one look at you and promptly groaned. “Get up.” 

You blinked. “What?”

“Up.” He said again, gesturing you to your feet. 

Confusion settled in but you acquiesced. He reached forward and hooked his hands under your armpits as you rose, barely giving you enough time to steady yourself before hauling you up to stand. Shikaku followed, his pants rustling softly when they shifted further down his bare thighs. His hold tightened and lifted, plopping you down on the edge of his desk without a word of explanation. 

You started to get the picture when he gathered up his neat stack of papers and deposited them into his now vacant chair though. Smiling slyly, you licked your lips and watched Shikaku pluck the coffee mug from the desk, turning to deposit it somewhere else. His office was the very definition of minimalist though so he had to settle with placing it on the floor near the wall where it would be out of the way.

He turned back to you and shuffled close again, his hard cock bouncing with each step. “Lie down.” He rumbled, stooping to shove his pants and underwear down to his ankles.

“Oooh, what are you going to do to me, commander?” You purred and obediently drew your legs up. With a twist of your butt, you reclined back on top of the desk and stretched your arms above your head in a coquettish display that you hoped he’d find too tantalizing to resist. 

To your delight, Shikaku allowed himself a brief moment to appreciatively drag his gaze across your body. You didn’t miss that he paused on your chest and again on the swell of your thighs. And then, so abruptly it actually caught you off guard, he smirked. 

An icy chill ran through you but before you could even think to question him, he lifted his hands and brought them together at chest level. The signs he weaved went by in a blur and you just barely recognized them for what they were seconds before serpentine like shadows erupted out from under the desk. One wrapped itself around your wrists and effectively bound them together while two more latched onto your ankles and pulled. You yelped in surprise, instinctively struggling against the ironlike shackles, but you were altogether helpless to stop it as they stretched you out spread eagle on the desk. Your face burned with something not entirely dissatisfied when you realized what he was doing.

“S - Shikaku-taicho!” 

“There, don’t you look pretty like that?” He said lightly, clearly pleased as he dropped the hand signs used to invoke the frightening jutsu. The shadows stayed though, a testament to his mastery of the clans formidable technique, and you sucked in a sharp breath when he reached out to brush your cheek with the backs of his knuckles. 

“That’s not fair …” You whined, trying in vain to arch up off the desk. 

He cocked a taunting brow. “It’s not? But you look so good like this, sweetheart.” With a simple twist of his wrist, Shikaku’s thumb found your lips and you readily opened your mouth. The calloused digit slipped past your teeth, finding your tongue and tenderly caressing the flat of it with light circles. “Perfectly ripe and all mine for the taking. I thought you’d be happy about this. Aren’t you getting what you wanted?” 

You responded with an enthusiastic suck on his thumb, undulating your tongue to bathe the rough pad of his finger in attention. The corner of his mouth hitched in amusement, a fond glint in his dark eyes. 

“Spoiled.” Shikaku murmured, drawing his gaze lower.

He set his sights on your top first and, with a few tugs, the material came loose for him. You moaned softly around the finger in your mouth, trying to tuck your chin down to see what he was doing but it was no use. The shadows had you pulled so taut that there was no wriggle room to work with and all you could do was lie there, feeling the cool air lap at exposed skin and listening to the quiet rustle of fabric. 

Taking his time, Shikaku traced the lacy cups of your bra and teased over your nipples. He was doing it on purpose and you groaned when they started to pebble and peak under the stimulation. Your breath came even quicker some moments later when he finally zeroed in on the front clasp you’d hoped would come in handy but you honestly hadn’t expected that wish to come to fruition quite this way. He’d never used his jutsu on you before.

“Very nice choice for tonight.” 

Flicking the little latch open, he reverentially pushed the cups aside and you trembled when your nipples instantly puckered in the open room. You shifted, trying once again to free yourself of the shadows hold, but it was no use. They were as solid as flesh and bone, and ten times stronger than any normal man. You were completely at his mercy like this and you keened around the thumb in your mouth when he lightly took one of the stiff nubs between his fingers. 

Carefully tweaking it to the point of the near discomfort, Shikaku only switched to the other once you started to whimper at the friction. He repeated the process and then switched back to the first. Over and over again until you were twisting in high strung agony. Your pussy was soaked and you could hardly think straight anymore but he seemed content to gag you with his finger for the foreseeable future. The spit pooling in the back of your throat threatened to choke you and you forcibly swallowed, reveling in the low sound of approval he issued in response. 

You squirmed when he released your straining nipple, bracing for him to attack the other in similar fashion, only to go ramrod stiff when he reached further down instead. Breath catching, you wiggled your hips and strained against the jutsu, wanting to jut your cunt up to meet him halfway. Shikaku merely smoothed the rough palm of his hand down your thigh though, pausing to squeeze the doughy soft flesh before sliding back up. His hand slipped under your skirt now, fingertips dancing along the hem of your panties to make your pussy clamp down on nothing in sporadic pulses. 

“Pleese …”

“Hm?” Turning his face towards yours, Shikaku fixed you with an infuriatingly innocent look. “What do you need, sweetheart? Tell me.”

Screwing your eyes shut, you bucked into his hand with a softly keening moan. He laughed in response, the sound so breathy and dark that it had you clenching all over again. A soft whimper bubbled to life in your throat and you tossed your head against the desk, trying not to think about how close he was to touching your sopping wet pussy. You couldn’t take much more of this. 

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”

You opened your eyes just enough to pin him with a flat look. 

Another deep, masculine chuckle rumbled out of him and, keeping his attention on your face, Shikaku curled his fingers inward to tease the apex of your slit. The fleetingly brief contact had you going ramrod stiff with a subdued jolt. Your lashes fluttered and you groaned around his finger, twitching when he pushed directly on that sensitive pleasure button to rub it teasingly slow. White hot static lit up throughout your lower body, making your pussy flutter eagerly at the friction. It was so easy to lose yourself under Shikaku’s ever watchful eye, especially since he seemed to know your body like the back of his own hand. Every erogenous zone, every embarrassingly receptive pressure point, what speed and amount of force he needed to exert. He had it all mapped out and there was nothing you could do to stop the steadily building pressure even if you’d wanted to. 

“Nngha …!”

“There.” He said in such a hushed tone you almost missed it. “How does that feel?”

You offered a halted nod of your head, basking in the sensation. 

“Good. Now finish what you started.” 

The thumb in your mouth pulled, hooking into the inside of your cheek, and you obediently turned your head under Shikaku’s guidance. He shuffled a little closer then, leaving his arm stretched down the length of your body so he could continue massaging your slick cunt while he nudged his cock towards your mouth. You swallowed hard at the sharp bolt of arousal that shot through you as you struggled to crane your neck around and catch the head of him between your lips. The salty bitterness of precum overwhelmed your tongue in an instant and you groaned, eyes rolling in carnal bliss. 

“Good girl … just like that.” 

Closing your eyes, you twisted your upper body so you could take more of him into your mouth. It was a crowded fit with his thumb still hooked in your cheek, not to mention an uncomfortable stretch for your neck, but you were hardly in any position to complain. He was absolutely right. You were getting exactly what you’d wanted and you couldn’t have been any happier about that.

Your pussy clenched eagerly as you bobbed your head forward and pulled him in as deep as you could. A soft whine clawed at your throat when you realized you could only make it about half of the way down his shaft before the shadows binding your arms halted your progress. There wasn’t enough leverage for you to lean in and swallow him straight down to the base like you wanted but something about having to work for it lit up a competitive spark within your chest. If Shikaku wanted to test you in this fashion then so be it. You would certainly make every attempt to rise to the occasion, at least. 

“Nngh …” He groaned quietly when you sealed your lips around him and noisily slurped. “Your mouth feels so good, baby. You like sucking on my cock, don’t you?” 

Awkwardly nodding, you strained to take another inch or so and it was almost enough to have him tickling your tonsils. You swallowed hard, hips twitching under the steady ministrations of his fingers as you lifted your tongue to lav the underside of him in attention. Tracing the thick vein upward, you swirled it around the glans and prodded his slit. More bitter pre cum oozed out, rewarding you for your efforts, and you moaned at the taste of him. That alone could send you into a wild frenzy, like an animal mindlessly desperate for release, but his cursed shadows hadn’t let up at all. Shikaku was a formidable opponent indeed.

“Look at me, sweetheart. Let me see those pretty eyes.”

Obediently, you slid your gaze up to meet his and a fresh wave of arousal washed over you. With his brows drawn in concentration and his lips parted on a quiet exhale, the Jounin commander was the very definition of testosterone fueled desire. Not only did he enjoy playing this game but he wanted you. Not any of the other shinobi working under his command nor any of the civilian women. Not the wife he had waiting for him at home. No one else. Just you. 

Sucking in a sharp breath through your nose, you arched on top of the desk fervently enough to make your spine pop. It served its purpose though and you weakly canted your pelvis against his hand, as much as the unforgiving shadows would allow. Shikaku grunted softly in response and pushed down on your clit a little harder, rubbing you a little faster. The sharp friction had the muscles in your thighs jumping as you squirmed, struggling to keep your eyes open and locked on his face. Every nerve ending in your body was starting to vibrate with the building pressure in your loins, promising the inevitable absolution of release. You were getting close. 

He seemed to realize it at the same time you did though and his fingers retreated, much to your groaning disappointment. Shikaku gave the inside of your cheek a chiding tug to keep you focused on the task at hand and you shuddered when he unceremoniously flipped your skirt up. You issued a wet, faltering groan as the rough pads of his fingers danced across your lower belly before slipping into the band of your underwear. Digits curling, seeking, he dipped his pointer finger between the meat of your labia and reached further back to prod your entrance with a satisfied growl.

“So wet for me … do you like being on the receiving end of my technique that much, sweetheart? Hm?”

You flexed your limbs and moaned in response, feeling the slick trail of saliva oozing from the corner of your mouth to pool under your cheek. It was rapidly cooling in the air and a tremor raced through you when he smeared the sticky arousal gushing from your entrance up to your clit. Using it as a surprisingly effective lubricant, Shikaku started grinding tight circles around the sensitive nub with just enough force to leave you shaking like a leaf under his attention. Your breath caught and you went ramrod stiff, uselessly trying to brace yourself against the staggering pressure. His attack on your body was a concerted and precise one though and you finally had no choice but to toss your head back and suck in a much needed lungful of air. 

“Aahh - aaahhhnn! Sh - Shika -”

The thumb in your mouth abruptly retreated so he could put the flat of his palm on the back of your head and push you down onto his cock again with an accompanying gurgle on your part. “I didn’t say you could stop, did I?” He rumbled in a voice noticeably thicker than usual. 

Toes flexing, you forced your jaw to relax when he pushed his hips forward and Shikaku’s hard length surged towards the back of your throat. The spit running down the side of your face became thicker, bubbling out around him while he paused long enough to find a satisfying rhythm on your clit before pulling back. His first real thrust into your mouth was slow and borderline sensual, almost as if he were making love to you, but the pace quickly picked up. In and out, in and out until he was well and truly fucking into you, the obscene gargling sounds coming from the depths of your salivating mouth ringing loud in the otherwise silent room.

It was all you could do just to keep breathing through your nose as you reeled under the intense onslaught of stimulation. Your pussy throbbed in warning and you keened, eyes rolling into the back of your head. The calloused pads of his fingers were as delightful as they were torturous on your petal soft inner folds and it didn’t take long at all for the friction to become unbearable. You were going to cum. The pressure was reaching the tipping point and the heavy weight of his hand on your skull, the driving force of his cock jabbing towards your constricting throat only heightened the tingling shockwaves of ecstasy. You were going to cum and Shikaku knew that. 

“Let it go, baby.” He gritted out. “Keep my cock in your mouth and cum.”

You tensed at his command, straining so hard against the shadows on your wrists and ankles that your muscles started to ache in protest. It was much too late though and you shattered with a strangled shriek, screwing your eyes shut as you tried to pull back. He kept you right where you were though, his palm pressed flush against your head and his fingers rubbing your spasming cunt in quick, jerky swipes. You jolted on top of the desk, letting the crashing waves of euphoria swallow you up, and unabashedly wailed around the cock thrusting into your mouth. 

“Shit. That’s it. Keep cumming. You want to swallow my load, don’t you?”

The breathy lilt to Shikaku’s rough voice added onto the palpable memory of him shooting thick ropes down your throat made you shudder so violently that your first orgasm bled seamlessly into another. It hit you like a sack of bricks, threatening to bowl you right over as you twisted and writhed as much as his jutsu would permit. High strung tears pricked your lash line, every muscle in your body singing in rapture when he refused to let up the grinding pressure on your clit. He was milking the pleasure out of you the way only he was capable of and you let out a muffled, wordless cry of distress as his hips began to stutter. 

“Here it comes, baby. Get ready.” He seethed through gritted teeth, clutching the back of your head so tight his hand started to shake. 

A few more faltering thrusts was all it took for him to tip over the edge and his cock jerked against your tongue with the first splurt of salty, bitter semen. It hit the roof of your mouth, making you jolt, and a second and then a third pooled at the back of your throat, threatening to choke you. The final bit of creamy discharge oozed out of his pulsing cock to mix with the goopy mess coating your palette and you groaned, basking in the heady flavor of him. It was enough to damn near send you into another fit of convulsions. 

Heaving a satisfied sigh, Shikaku carefully withdrew his flagging cock and lifted the hand from between your legs to gently tilt your chin up at him. “Open.” He huffed, absently caressing the side of your face with his long fingers. 

You obeyed, sticking your tongue out for good measure to show him the white clumps sitting hot and heavy in your mouth. He smiled, very softly, and pushed up on your jaw. 

“Good girl. Now swallow.”

Pulling your swollen lips in a pout, you made a playful show of tilting your head back and choking it all down. You could feel the moment it hit your stomach, an intimate flutter sparking inside your chest. It was hard not to imagine it a little lower, deep in your womb where it could take root and grow into another child. Another Nara. 

That was a dangerous train of thought though and you kept silent when he let up on the chakra feeding into the shadows so that they dissipated, slinking back under the desk where they belonged. Gingerly bringing your arms down to stretch them out, you cautiously peered up at him. Shikaku was watching you with a concealed look of consideration and then, to your surprise, he reached out to softly take your wrist in his hand. 

“Did I hurt you?” 

“No.” You said truthfully, trying not to smile. “You know you didn’t.” 

The corner of his mouth hitched in amusement as he rolled his thumb over the bone to work out the ache he knew you were feeling. “It never hurts to ask though. I don’t think I’d be able to forgive myself if I caused you any harm, even unintentionally.” Bringing your hand up to his face, Shikaku pressed a brief kiss to your palm. “I’m sorry but I need to head home now, sweetheart.” 

“But your paperwork -”

“I’ll take it with me.” He said with a lax shrug as he helped you sit up on the desk. “I probably won’t be getting much sleep anyway. Shikamaru can help me with it while he’s up half the night fussing.” 

You frowned, a tinge of regret putting a damper on your comfortable afterglow as you looked down at your lap. The thought that you were being selfish earlier despite your claim to the contrary flashed through your mind and then camped there, almost making you wish you’d just left it alone. But then Shikaku brought both hands up and cradled your cheeks between his palms so he could lift your attention back to his smiling face. 

“Don’t look so putout. I don’t mind. Really.” Leaning close, he pressed his mouth to your forehead in an affectionate, lingering gesture. “I’ll make it up to you though. How does lunch tomorrow sound?”

Suppressing an excited, tittering giggle, you pinned him with a pleased grin. “Sounds like a date, commander. I can’t wait.” 

“Neither can I.”

[goldenlaquer]

How about an s/o who has the fruits basket curse(the one where u turn into one of the zodiac when hugged by the opposite gender) for kamui, gintoki, and okita

THIS I LOVE. 

These will be more of reaction headcanons of the men finding out about the curse. Also, I took creative liberty on assigning different animals for each guy, just for funsies. 

Gintama Headcanons:

Kamui:

It makes him whine, ya know? He’s got the touchy-touchy thing going on when it comes to you, so when you refuse the cuddles and the much needed skinship, Kamui’s going to throw a tantrum. He wants the real hugs, not the awful, awkward lemme-put-an-arm-around-your-shoulders-and-squeeze ‘hugs’. He wants to be able to glomp you whenever he sees you, not have to eat dirt and concrete whenever you hurriedly side-step to get away from his questing arms. 

The one time that you look away from diligently watching him (because you know just how mischievous he can be), the one time your back is turned away from him, Kamui strikes, lunging forwards to throw his arms around you, cheek gleefully turned to plant against the space between your shoulder blades, just the way he’s always wanted--

poof

Kamui blinks twice. Instead of you, he’s holding something small, soft, and furry--

A bunny. 

Turning your quivering body this way and that way, to make sure that what he’s holding is actually real, his surprise rapidly melts into cooing (for all his childish ways, Kamui is quick on the uptake): so smol, so cute, so adorable. Your pink trembling nose. The floppy ears. The wiggling cotton-like tail. All of Kamui’s strength is held back as he carefully holds you.

Here you are, panicking that Kamui has found out your close-guarded secret, and he’s just gushing over the transformation? Typical. 

But the delight is cut short. Whenever he touches you, you transform into a bunny? That means he can’t feel the smooth touch of your skin? Can’t tangle his limb with yours? Can’t tightly embrace you as a human? No thanks, as cute as you are as a bunny, he would like a refund for that right now. 

When you revert back, Kamui’s immediately on the question train, except it isn’t about the circumstances of your curse, it’s on how to break it. 

While his opponent may not be something he can just punch away, you betcha he’s tearing a path through the galaxies to find a cure or something to that like, utilizing his captain status for something other than fighting for once.

The sooner that he can touch you, the human you, the better. 

Okita Sougo:

If there’s a character in Gintama you wouldn’t ever want finding out about your curse, it would probably be Okita. As if he didn’t need another reason to give you hell. That shithead sadist.

But even if you keep mum on the matter, that guy’s got killer instincts, both metaphorically and literally; he definitely knows that something’s up with you; the dogs constantly trailing behind you whenever you guys go out. The abnormal way you avoid absolutely any male contact, which includes him (a factor that kinda really irks him, especially when you practically dive out of the way before he can play any physical pranks on you).

Not to mention, your insanely good sense of smell, which Okita has, of course, snidely joked about. But what he didn’t know was how close to the mark he was. (”Oh my, just like a dog,” Your shoulders stiffen and you nervously glance at Okita, who stares at your reaction closely. “Are you going to bark at a squirrel or pee on a tree next?”)

So many clues, but the damning part is that he doesn’t know how to piece them together into a plausible conclusion. Though, Okita doesn’t really pressure you into telling him, maybe some loaded questions here and there, but never outright telling you to confess-- his pride dictates that he should figure it out himself. 

Everything clicks together when you fall sick. 

Okita comes to visit, not because he’s worried about you or anything, it’s just that he likes to kick people when they’re down, so he’s come to gloat, and the rice porridge in his hands is definitely not for you, but for him to gleefully eat in front of you--

Okita slides open your door, just in time to see your passed out body on the couch transform into a dog. 

huh. 

When you wake up, fever broken and body back to normal, all you see is a mysterious takeout box with cold porridge next to your couch and nothing else. 

He doesn’t tell you that he knows. You’ll have to figure that out yourself. Maybe it’s because he wants to mess around with you a bit more, or it’s because he knows the great lengths you go to try and conceal the fact from everyone, practically vibrating with the fear of rejection, and it would be pretty annoying if you got all freaky-scared on him now that he knows.

Still, the asshole in him can’t help to slip in the ‘poochie’ nickname, every now and then (read: every time) 

Sakata Gintoki: 

Short story: Gintoki falls on you. Then, bada bing, bada-boom-- shit happens. 

Long story: It was a job request, a simple roof repair, and Gintoki had instructed you to hold down the ladder (”Hold it down, you hear? I’ll send the hospital bills to you if I fall!”). But unfortunately, by the sheer will of goldenlaquer’s writing, a ladder rung gives out and Gintoki plummets down below, right on top of an unsuspecting you. 

Also, because of anime/manga logic, there are no concussions or any other serious injuries. Just a bunch of scrapes and a cat. 

A goddamn cat. 

Now, Gintoki ain’t a praying man, but he sure hopes to the gods, Jesus Christ, and Buddha that he did just not squish his absolutely human girlfriend into a cat, because, haha, that would be utterly preposterous--

“Get off me,” the cat grunts, its voice sounding remarkably just like your voice. 

“You’re kidding,” Gintoki says, staring down at you. You stare back at him, slitted eyes (the same color as your eyes) unamused. 

It all comes nicely together when you revert back, entirely naked. Gintoki leers a bit at the exposed skin before remembering that he wants answers to this madness!

It was something you’ve had ever since you were born, you explain, and had kept secret because most people don’t take kindly to things that are different. The curse is activated every time someone male hugs or bumps into you, or when you’re under stress. You feel really nervous, this is the first time you have told someone else your biggest secret.

Gintoki’s face is stoic as he listens to you, appearing to be the most serious he has ever been. That is, until:

“I see. So, what you’re saying is, every time I want some pussy, all I have to do is hug you--”

Claw him. Rip his perm off. He deserves it. 

[cross-poison]

Slumber Parties --- Harley Quinn/Reader One Shot

Words: 1k || Warnings: alcohol, mentions of cheating, breakups, language

a/n: wanted to mix things up a bit while I’m waiting for AGITP inspiration to come back to me. This can definitely be read as platonic, if you prefer.

Her hand clapped you hard on the back, causing you to grunt into your shot glass of brightly-colored liquor. Although it initially was not a gentle gesture, she moved her hand up from the middle of your back to squeeze your shoulder and rub in a semi-soothing circle near the hem of your shirt. “You can do better than her anyways,” said your companion, head lolling to the side through her partially drunken state.

Harley Quinn was a lot of things. She was loud and spontaneous, and smarter than people gave her credit for, but she was not, by any means, a woman who half-assed things. After getting out of a long relationship with a girl who, despite your chemistry and her stellar good looks, didn’t deserve the title of “girlfriend” in the long run, you’d been taking the hit pretty hard. 

You hated to admit the way your heart clenched every time you remembered the sight of her on top of some tattoo’d up, motorcycle lover of a man on the couch you two had bought together, but it hadn’t been the first time she’d broken your heart in such a manner. 

Turns out, Harley had been a solid shoulder to cry on, having recently gotten out of her terrible relationship with the clown she’d spent so many years chasing after. As far as you could tell, she’d really taken it in stride, so it was no surprise she was the first one in your friend group you turned to to ask for a place to stay for a few weeks until you were back on your feet.

She’d mostly ignored you the first few times she heard you crying from her tiny guest bedroom, but the third time was enough to push her over the edge. That’s when she barged in and suggested the two of you go out and get absolutely hammered at the local bar. That’s exactly what you did.

Three drinks in, and you were crying into your elbow while your flashy friend went on and on about how your ex didn’t know who she’s messing with, and how you deserve more than someone who’s going to waste your time like that, so on and so forth. 

By now you’d lost count of the number of drinks you’d accepted from the bartender, and by now you were no longer shedding tears of sorrow, and instead tears of laughter as Harley tried (and failed) to bribe the bartender for another round in exchange for a manicure. He looked thoroughly unamused, and you apologetically fished out a few dollar bills to finish off the night at the bar with one more round for the two of you.

“I’m tellin’ ya, babe,” Harley slurred, scooping her shot glass off the table and clinking it against yours, “Bein’ single may just be the best thing that’s ever happened to ya! Ya getta chance to discover the real you, and ain’t that really the only thing that matters? Plus, come here on a good night,” she leaned dangerously far back on her barstool so she could gesture vaguely around at the other nearby patrons, “And you get a tonna free drinks. Everyone’s bein’ awful cheap here tonight.”

With a wink in your direction, she downed her shot. As you followed her lead, you heard her exhale loudly and stretch her arms above her head.  “Well, that’s about all I got on me for tonight. Whaddya say we call it a night early and head back to my place? We can make popcorn and watch some cheesy movie to cheer ya up!”

“Yeah, Har, sounds great,” you replied, easing yourself off the stool and trying to steady yourself so you didn’t crash to the floor and cause a scene.

Harley looped an arm around your waist to keep you upright, snickering softly. “You’re gonna have one hell of a hangover tomorrow, toots… bucha know what? So’m I, so I guess we’ll do that togetha too.”

By some miracle, you both made it back to her apartment with little to no trouble, besides an occasional stumble and getting lost once when Harley drunkenly pulled you down the wrong street. Once you were both in the door, Harley all but collapsed on the couch in the middle of the room, groaning and shoving her face into one of the cushions. You followed suit quickly after, tipping your head back to catch your breath.

After a moment, you heard her familiar drawl from beside you. “I know I promised ya popcorn,” Harley said, “But I don’t think my legs are cooperatin’ anymore tonight.”

You laughed and ran a hand through your hair, moving it out of your face. “Mine either. Don’t worry.”

You heard a faint shuffling from beside you, and before you could respond, Harley was laying her head across your lap, blinking up at you with blue eyes and a drunken smile. “I mean it tomorrow though. S’ gonna be the best fuckin’ popcorn you eva had, too. And whateva movie ya want. What’s your favorite? Y’like movies, right?”

“Yeah, I like movies, Har,” you chuckled, affectionately patting her on the head. 

“Me too,” she slurred, turning her face against your stomach, “I like ‘em too. We’ll watch some damn good movies,” with that, she lifted her arm and lifted her pinkie, “I swear it. Pinkie swear.”

You blinked and tried to move your arm to capture her pinkie with yours to seal the deal. You missed a few times, but as soon as you locked fingers, you could already hear her snoring.

Yeah.

Breakups are hard. Breakups suck. But not just anyone can boast they got to spend the night getting over their ex with Harleen Quinzel. Not everyone can boast they got to share a couch with her, either. Or that she promised them a day of movies and popcorn together, enjoying each other’s company.

That was something that distinctly belonged to you. 

And goddammit, you felt a piece of your heart soften in favor of Harley Quinn that night.

---

Ao3 Link : HERE

[possibly-starker]

CherryDust. [Starker]

Murray smiles, greeting the audience, “Thank you! Thank you, you’re really too kind,” he says, taking his seat in the iconic velvet chair.

“Today we have the honor of having Peter Parker and the Cherrybombers on today’s show!” Murray beams as the crowd goes wild, whooping and cheering, Murray winks at the camera as he begins again, “Please, put your hands together, for what I think might be the most influential band of this generation!”

The sideline band plays the Murray Franklin jingle as Peter Parker and the Cherrybombers emerge from backstage, blowing kisses and throwing up peace signs. The crowd eats it up, losing their minds over the boys. Murray gives them all sort of half-hugs as they take their seats.

Finally the crowd dies down a bit. “Boys!” Murray greets, “It’s been so long since we’ve had you on the show,” Murray starts, exaggerating his motions, “Last time we had you on you all were about 16, right?”

Peter smiles politely, “Actually, Steve was 17.” Murray nods, “Yes, of course, and although we’re so happy to have you on the show, and of course we all love you, we have to talk about the recent drama going on between you and a rival band- ElectricDust.”

The crowd boos at the name, once thought of as few boys skipping supper with their family and refusing to go to church, now associated with drugs and statism, sex before marriage and cuss words.

Peter giggles, “They’re not much of a problem, Murray. They’re just a bunch of little boys thinking that if they behave badly enough, they’ll get somewhere.”

“They’re mongrels.” T’challa laughs. The audience laughs along with him. Murray chuckles, “Yes, but what are your thoughts on their new song ‘Rotten Cherry’? People are speculating it’s about your band, Peter.”

Peter fakes a smile, “I don’t think I’ve heard it, Murray.” He turns to his band-mates, “Have you guys heard it?” They all collectively shake their heads, murmuring ‘no’.

Murray nods, “Personally, I don’t think that Stark guy could carry a tune even if it was in a bucket!” Everybody in the studio laughs again.

“Tony tries too hard to be hardcore, he ends up looking like an idiot.” Peter sneers, “He’s a child.” The crowd makes noises of agreement.

Peter fakes a smile when Murray leans over and touches his thigh, “You know, they’re degenerates, Peter.” Murray says, almost lovingly. Steve looks like he wants to say something, like he wants to stick up for his band-mate. “I know, Murray.” Peter says, shifting away a bit.

Murray looks at Peter longingly, before turning to the camera, “We’re going to take a short break, and afterwards Peter Parker and the Cherrybombers will play their new hit single- Dewdrop Daisy!”

The cameraman gives Murray a thumbs up, and the beeping light on the camera turns off.

“Why don’t you meet me in my dressing room, Peter?” Murray says, standing up and adjusting his tie.

Peter feels sick to his stomach

“Okay.” He says sweetly.

-

The mosh pit smells like weed and sex, and Tony adores it. ElectricDust had a full house, not one ticket left over. Tony cards his hand through sweaty hair, “I hope you motherfuckers are having a good night!” he yells into the mic. The crowd screams back something obscene and Tony grins.

“If you want to fuck our bassist, scream at the top of your lungs!” Tony laughs, the crowd erupts in a loud roar, and Bucky, ElectricDust’s bassist, blushes.

The crowd dies down, and Tony speaks smoothly into the mic as he adjusts his guitar strap, “This next one was written for a nice piece of ass and his cronies,” the crowd ‘ooo’s and Tony can’t help the smirk forming on his lips, “‘Rotten Cherry’ is dedicated to my very good friend, who I know inside and out- Peter Parker!”

The crowd chants Pe-ter Par-ker over and over, and Tony hopes this preformance is somehow seen by the small brunette.

He feels like a god among men.

-

“You’re fueling the flames by talking about them.” Natasha scolds, leaning against he desk as the boys sit in her office. “You’re supposed to be a good christian pop/rock band- calling people ‘mongrels’ isn’t what you guys are supposed to do.” she glares at T’challa.

“ElectricDust is a problem, I, as your manger am supposed to deal with, is that understood?” The boys look at their suede shoes and mutter statements of agreement.

“Good.” Natasha says, placing her hands on her hips. She goes behind her desk and digs in a cabinet, retrieving a sleek styled red velvet envelope, “I’ve accepted an invitation to a little something I think you all might like.” she smiles, handing Peter the envelope.

Peter holds it carefully, looking up at Natasha with wide, confused eyes. “Go on and open it, we haven’t got all day.” She says in a motherly tone. The boys all gather around Peter as he opens the envelope cautiously, as if he was scared of what was inside.

He pulls out a dazzling blue card, very official looking.

‘PETER PARKER AND THE CHERRYBOMBERS HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR ‘BAND OF 1981’ ALONG WITH THEIR SONG, ‘DEWDROP DAISY’.

PLEASE REPORT TO ASGARD, U.S.A. FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY.

LOKI LAUFEYSON, PRESIDENT OF OPALITE RECORDS.’

It says, in a swirly gold font. Peter keeps re-reading it, eyes shifting like crazy, looking for a sign that this is a fake or a joke. Steve’s breath hitches and Beck lets out a whoop of laughter, high-diving T’challa.

Peter finally looks up at Natasha again, who’s smiling softly. “Is this real?” Peter asks, out of breath. Natasha nods, “As real as they come.”

Opalite Records.

Opalite Records.

Who cares? It’s only the most exclusive record brand in the world, It was only the award ceramony that turned David Bowie and Bob Dylan down- no big deal.

Peter began to hyperventilate.

-

“Dude!” Quill yelled, grinning ear-to-ear as he entered the band’s trailer, holding up a velvet envelope.

Tony looked up from his guitar, “What do you want?” Quill slapped the envelope on the coffee-table in the middle of the trailer, looking quite proud of himself. “Open that shit up, Stark.”

Tony rolled his eyes, but leaned forward and picked up the envelope nonetheless, “If this is another bill for your porno-mags, Quill, so help me god-” he stopped mid-sentence after pulling out the card inside the envelope, face controrting.

‘ELECTRICDUST HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR ‘BAND OF 1981’ ALONG WITH THEIR ALBUM, ‘MAN OF IRON’.

PLEASE REPORT TO ASGARD, U.S.A. FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY.

LOKI LAUFEYSON, PRESIDENT OF OPALITE RECORDS.’

Quill beams as Tony looks over the letter, “And you said I was a shit manager.” Tony leans back into his chair, “You are.” Quill completely deflates, walking over and snatching the card out of Tony’s hand, huffing, “Do you know how many strings I had to pull to get you considered for the ceremony?”

Tony tries to look stern, but Quill looks like he’s going to bitch all day if Tony doesn’t cave in, “Fine, fine, whatever man, thanks, you did well.” Tony sighs. Quill smiles again, “Finally, I’m getting the recognition I deserve.” Tony snorts but doesn’t reply.

Quill clasps his hands together, “I’m gonna grab a beer, they opened a bar just down the street- wanna come?”

Tony shakes his head, “Grab me a pack of Marlboros while you’re out.”

-

“Looking sharp, Parker.” Steve smiles, leaning against the dressing room doorframe. Peter grins, fixing his cuffs in the mirror, “You really think so? It’s not too much?”

Steve shrugs, “It’s nice. Very you.” Peter shoots Steve a playful glare, “Is that supposed to be a compliment, Rogers?”

“You overthink things, Peter. You look fine.” Steve sighs, crossing his arms. Peter scoffs, “Fine is for church, I need to look better than fine; we’re going to the awards ceremony to top all award ceremonies, Steve. It’s going to be televised.”

Steve lets out a soft laugh, “You’re so different from the Peter Parker I knew in highschool.” Peter looks confused, “That’s a good thing, isn’t it? I was a nobody in highschool.”

“You were my friend. Just because you didn’t have people fawning over you left and right doesn’t mean you were a nobody. You liked Star Wars and turning your homework in early.” Steve looks slightly offended, and Peter gives him an unamused stare, “As much as I love you, Steve, being your nerdy little highschool friend in the middle of NowheresVille, Wisconsin doesn’t get you invited to the Opalite Records ceremony.”

Steve’s offended look blends into a sad one, “We started this band out of your uncle’s garage. It was for fun. This isn’t fun, anymore Peter. It’s not fun when it’s all you think about.” he says softly, walking out of the room.

Peter doesn’t realize that Steve’s gone until it’s time to leave.

-

“Baby, listen to me,” Tony says over the phone, “I know I cheated on you, but I’m a changed man, just come to this shindig with me for a few hours.”

Pepper sighs over the phone, “You know, I would, Tony, but I just can’t be bothered right now. Goodbye, love.”

click

Tony curses under his breath as he flips through a few more pages in his notebook, settling on a one night stand he had met last week. He dials her number.

“Hi, you’ve reached Wanda Maximoff-”

“Wanda!” Tony smiles, remembering her name, “Listen, babe, how’d you like to go on a little date with me tonig-”

“-I’m not here right now, but you’re welcome to leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!” the recorded message chirps and Tony’s face falls, he slams the phone down on its hook.

He groans. He’s called just about every girl he’s ever interacted with, and not one wanted to accompany Tony to the awards ceremony.

“Woah,” Scott, ElectricDust’s keyboard player, says, entering the trailer’s makeshift livingroom, “Someone’s havin’ a bad day.”

“Wanna go on a date with me, Scott?” Tony says with a strained laugh. Scott fans himself, “On a date? With you? How could I possibly say no?” Tony buries his face in his hands, obviously stressed. “Yeah, that’s pretty much what I figured.”

“Have you tried, you know, actually being nice to your dates?” Scott says, grabbing a canned beer from the minifridge. “I heard that works wonders.” Tony narrows his eyes, “What do you mean? I’m always nice to my dates!”

Scott raises his brow, opening the can, “Really? You made me drive that blonde girl home yesterday because she didn’t want to so much as look at you.”

Tony stays quiet. Point taken.

Scott takes a few sips of his beer before belching, “Hope you find somebody, Tones. You got about,” he checks his wristwatch, “6 hours before we gotta leave.”

Tony groans again and then continues to flip through his notebook.

-

The theater is gorgeous, a large crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and painted angels on every wall- Peter feels almost inferior in a place like this.

“Darlings!” Loki announces from across the room, striding over to Peter and his bandmates, “You all look absolutely ravishing.” he smiles. “So glad you could make it!”

Peter nods dumbly, blushing. “Thanks so much for inviting us, Mr. Laufeyson, it's a real honor.” Steve steps in, firmly taking Loki’s hand in his and shaking it. “Yes, well, the media would absolutely die if you all weren't invited- there's champagne and wine being served at the lounge if you want any.” Loki quickly says, before sashaying away.

Peter’s practically glowing as he turns to face his bandmates, “I think that went really well.” he grins.

-

“Jesus, Scott, could you be any worse of a driver?” Bucky sneers, holding onto the door handle as Scott swerves. “You’re lucky I'm not making you take the Metro, tin-man.”

The car is cramped and hot, making it difficult for Tony to snort a nice clean line. “We’re 30 minutes late,” Bucky says, almost annoyed, “Step on it.”

Scott turns around to face the brunette, running through a red light, “You know, you're a real bitch, Buck.” Tony sighs, finally getting a good half of the powder up his nose, “Eyes on the road, Scotty.” he mumbles, sinking back into the leather seat.

Scott says something under his breath, but turns back around and continues to drive.

-

Peter chokes on his sparkling water when he sees a very certain group of people get pass security.

What's worse is the fact that they're completely ignoring the dress code, showing up in denim jeans and t-shirts. Peter thinks he's going to puke.

Tony feels ecstatic when he spots that tuft of curly chocolate hair in the crowd, excusing himself from his bandmates as he pushes through the sea of Hollywood's elite.

“Parker!” he yells, and Peter tries to pretend he didn't hear it, turning away and taking another sip of his sparkling water.

“Don't be that way, princess!” Tony grins, finally catching up to the small thing, ”I just wanna talk to you.” Peter doesn't respond, which just makes Tony more restless, ”Parker, c’mon, baby! Let's catch up, preferably in the back of Scott’s car, but whatever works for you.”

Peter gives in, reluctantly, looking around to make sure nobody important is looking before speaking, “What the hell are you doing here? Did you come here just to ruin my night?” Peter hisses. Tony laughs, which just puts Peter more at unease, “Don’t flatter yourself, sweetheart, me and my boys were invited.”

“Unlikely.” Peter scoffs. “Invited to clean the floors more like it.”

Tony looks more annoyed now than anything, “My boys have worked just as hard as yours to be here, Parker.” Peter huffs, “You’re kidding. You don’t actually think you deserve to be here, right?” Peter let’s out a breathy laugh at the idea. “You’re nobodies, Stark,” he begins, poking at Tony’s chest, “You make music for losers, for outcasts. You’re only here because you gained popularity by dissing my band.”

Peter smiles up at Tony and walks away, leaving Tony alone with his battered ego.

-

Peter and Tony avoid each other for the rest of the night, despite their bandmates mingling and laughing with eachother, enjoying tiny cheese platters and white wine.

Peter’s too stubborn to make amends.

Tony just wants to give him space.

Finally, at around 12, the lights dim down and everyone is ushered into the seating area. Loki walks on stage, holding several envelopes in his hands.

“Thank you all for coming,” he says, sweetly, into the mic, “It means a lot to my record label that you took time out of your busy lives to visit little ole’ me.” the crowd giggles at that, Peter included.

“Now, without further ado- I give you the 22nd annual Opalite Records awards ceremony!” the crowd cheers and claps, buzzing with excitement.

Peter crosses his fingers, and Tony wishes they had something stronger than champagne.

-

After a grueling 2 hours of watching other bands and solo artists receive awards, Loki finally announces that he has the final and most important award of the evening.

“Everyone in this room is awfully talented,” Loki says, smiling softly, “But these people are just... better. Don’t take it too harshly, now.” he opens the card, slowly and teasingly, Peter thinks he’s going to pass out from the anticipation. Tony’s on his fifth glass of red wine, and he’s showing now signs of stopping.

“And the winner for band of 1981 is...”

Peter’s palms are sweaty, and he’s on the edge of his seat.

“My, what a surprise, it’s ElectricDust!”

Peter’s world comes crashing down around him, he glances over to where Tony and his goons are getting up, stumbling over their own feet.

It’s not fair.

It’s not fair.

“Woah, hey Peter, are you oka-” Steve begins, trying to comfort his friend, but Peter jolts up, interrupting him.

“I’m... going for a walk.” he declares, voice breaking.

Tony watches as Peter quickly makes a bolt for the exit. He taps Scott on the shoulder, “I’ll be right back.” he mumbles.

Scott’s eyebrows furrow, “Dude, it’s speech time! You gotta go up ther-”

“Make up something!” Tony grins, already making his way towards the exit as well, “Thank my mom for me!”

-

Peter sits on the cold, concrete steps outside of the theatre, hot tears streaming down his face. He had worked so hard, and it didn’t even matter.

“Is this seat taken?” a familiar voice softly speaks from behind Peter.

“Did you come here to rub it in?” Peter sniffles, pulling his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. Tony takes a seat next to Peter, “No. I came here because I care.”

Peter laughs, rolling his eyes, “Am I supposed to believe that?”

Tony shrugs, “Believe what you want, Peter. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

They sit in silence for a while.

“Thank you.” Peter says softly, not daring to look up at Tony. “What you’re doing it’s- you’re a good guy.” he says, shyly.

Tony smiles, “I don’t give a shit about the award, or being even nominated, in all honesty, that Loki guy gives me the creeps.”

“Why’d you come here then?”

“I wanted to see you. I was hoping writing a song about you would grab your attention, but I think I like talking face-to-face better.”

Peter smiles, a gorgeous ‘I-don’t-know-I’m-smiling’ kind of smile, and Tony’s heart swells.

“I’m sorry I said all that stuff about you.” Peter finally says, gaining the courage to look Tony in the eye.

“I’ve been called worse- no hard feelings.”

Peter’s eyes light up as he giggles.

“Listen, I don’t exactly have a date for this thing,” Tony jabs a thumb at the building, “Know anybody who might wanna, I don’t know, get together? Even if it’s just for tonight.”

Peter pretends to think for a second. “I might; but he’s really hungry, so you might want to ask him after a burger. Or 5.”

Tony laughs, standing up, extending his arm so that Peter can grab it, “The night’s still young, princess.”

Peter beams, letting himself get heaved up by Tony, “We best make the most of it.”

🌻🌻🌻🌻

The absolutely beautiful moodboard was made by the fantastic @starkermoodboards !! She makes fucking stellar boards so why are you not following her.

This fic took forever to write, so appreciate it please 😔 i’m also sorry this is so long????

-Red.

[crystalessenceswrites]

You’re Enchanting--Chapter Four

Summary:  Delphine always told Elazar she would do anything to help him if he was ever in trouble, even knowing his knack for finding it. She didn’t expect to be helping him save the world after someone blows up the Conclave and tears a hole in the sky. Nor did Delphine expect to be falling for anyone, let alone a troubled, former templar, while she’s watching her best friend shape the future of their world with a green glowing hand.

Pairings: Cullen/Trevelyan & Dorian/Lavellan

Warnings: Canon typical violence, a wild Sera appears, and some small disagreements between our beloved advisors

Can be found on AO3

Notes: We’ve passed the 15,000 word mark with this chapter! Thanks for reading! Comments and feedback appreciated!

[Masterlist] [Chapter Three] [Chapter Four] [Chapter Five]

Chapter Four- Starlight

Everyone in their little party was shaken in some way or another as they departed Val Royeaux. The Chantry was denouncing Elazar as a false prophet, and the Inquisition as illegitimate by extension, the Lord Seeker was leading the templars away from the people and Grand Enchanter Fiona was not only alive but had inviting them to Redcliffe. How quickly the world could turn on its head these days.

The unease remained as they arrived at the estate described in the notes. They had made quick work of the guards on their way to the estate’s inner courtyard.

“I don’t like this,” Del whispered to El as they spotted an Orlesian masked man in the center of the courtyard.

Elazar could only shrug as they approached.

“Herald of Andraste! How much did you expend to discover me? It must have weakened the Inquisition immeasurably!”

Delphine shared a disgusted look with her elvish friend as they recognized the self-important drawl in his voice. This must have been the manor’s Lord.

“I don’t know who you are!” Elazar shouted back, obviously unamused at the development.

“You don’t fool me! I’m too important for this to be an accident. My efforts will survive in victories against you elsewhere!”

Varric didn’t even bother to hide his chuckle at the short man’s martyrdom speech.

Elazar looked ready to snap back at the man when one of the guards behind the Lord abruptly collapsed, an arrow stuck in his back. Everyone’s heads whipped towards the flash of red that was suddenly pointing their knocked bow at the Lord.

“Just say “what!”” They threatened.

The Lord was obviously dense, “what is the-”  

And just like that the Lord took an arrow to the face, collapsing to floor. So much for trying to question him.

“Eww!” Delphine studied the archer as she went about collecting her arrow from the Lord’s face. An elf with choppy blonde hair and a large grin that could rival Elazar’s. “Squishy one, but you heard me, right? “Just say ‘what.’” Rich tits always try for more than they deserve. “Blah, blah, blah! Obey me! Arrow in my face!” So, you followed the notes well enough. Glad to see you’re…” the woman looked over Elazar rather obviously, “and you’re an elf. Well. Hope you’re not too elfy. I mean, it’s all good, innit? The important thing is: you glow? You’re the Herald thingy?”

Herald thingy? Del was going to have to start calling El that.

“They say I’m the Herald of Andraste. But who are you, and what’s this about?” Elazar sounded rather diplomatic, was he spending time with Josephine without her knowing?

“No idea. I don’t know this idiot from manners. My people just said the Inquisition should look at him.”

“Your people? Elves?” At least Elazar sounded as confused as Delphine felt.

“Ha! No. People people. Name’s Sera. This is cover,” The blonde grinned, gesturing to a stack of crates, “get 'round it. For the reinforcements. Don’t worry. Someone tipped me their equipment shed. They’ve got no breeches.”

No breeches?

Their attention shot to the gates on the far end of the courtyard as more guards charged in, all missing their breeches. That was not something Del had ever wanted to see.

“Why didn’t you take their weapons?!” Varric shouted at the elven archer as they began to fend off the half-naked men.

“Because breeches!”

.

The fight did not last long when their opposition had such obvious vulnerabilities. It may have also helped that their group consisted of three mages, two archers and a Seeker. Del was not well versed in archery but Sera was skilled, taking down her fair share of the guards. Varric seemed pleased by the development as well.

As the last soldier fell, the elf’s joyous shout filled the courtyard, “right in the plums!”

After what she had seen, Del did not need any more mental images of that. She hoped that this was the last they’d be seeing of men with no breeches, not that the images weren’t already burned into her memory.

“Friends really came through with that tip. No breeches. So Herald of Andraste. You’re a strange one. I’d like to join.”

Elazar quirked an eyebrow, “all I know about you or your group is that I followed a random trail into a trap.”

“What trap?” The blonde scoffed, “you knocked, he crapped. It’s… look, it’s like this. I sent you a note to look for hidden stuff by my friends. The friends of Red Jenny. That’s me. Well, I’m one. So is a fence in Montfort, some woman in Kirkwall. There were three in Starkhaven. Brothers or something. It’s a just a name, yeah? It lets little people, “friends,” be part of something while they stick it to nobles they hate. So here, in your face, I’m Sera. “The Friends of Red Jenny” are sort of out there. I used them to help you. Plus arrows.”

That made some sense, in a very roundabout sort of way. Elazar still looked rather confused. She and Varric would have to explain it again on their trip home.

“The Inquisition is almost an army now. Can you add to it?”

Sera folded her arms, just shy of glaring at Elazar. “Here’s how it is. You “important” people are up here, shoving you cods around, “blah, blah, I’ll crush you!” “I’ll crush you.”” Sera added in some kissing noises, which Del could agree was actually fairly accurate for the squabbles she knew of back in the Free Marches. “Ahem. Then you’ve got generals and oath belchers, and sure, you have soldiers. Like the dead guys protecting that other dead guy. All those helmets, and what gave them up? Some drunk gets a key lifted because someone’s got bills. So no, I’m not a captain swordface, all marchy. But if you don’t listen down here too, you risk your breeches. Like those guards, I stole their… look, do you need people or not? I want to get everything back to normal. Like you?”

Elazar looked back to Del, his eyes wide. It was unlike El to look to her for decision making. He always went with his gut. “You’re the Herald, El.”

“All right, Sera.” Elazar looked back to the rogue, lips pressed together in a thin line, “I can use you and your friends.”

Sera’s grin split across her face, “yes! Get in good before you’re too big to like. That’ll keep your breeches where they should be.”

Del sure hoped so.

“Plus extra breeches, because I have all these… you have merchants who buy that pish, yeah? Got to be worth something. Anyway, Haven. See you there Herald. This will be grand.”

As quickly as she had appeared, Sera sauntered off, humming a tune rather loudly as she did.

“So…ready to go the Duke’s party now?” Varric looked rather smug as Cassandra stood there slack-jawed.

.

“This one is on you.” Elazar leaned over to whisper as Del as the Duke’s staff took their riding cloaks.

“They’re going to want to talk to the Herald, not me,” she hissed back. Although she was the noble-born of their odd pair, this was not close to any situation her tutors had prepared her for. They were both wearing armor and carrying their staffs for heaven’s sake!

El glared back, “I got us Red Jenny, now you get us Madame de Fer.”

She was going to throttle the elf before this incredibly long night was over.

The crier motioned them forward, prepared to announce them to the other guests. Del slipped her arm around Elazar’s as they stepped forward, trying to look somewhat formal as the Herald’s plus one.

“Lord Lavellan and Lady Trevelyan of Ostwick, representing the Inquisition.”

As El openly admired the opulence and finery around them, they were quickly approached by an Orlesian pair.

“A pleasure, ser and lady.” The lord greeted, Del bowed her head back seeing as she wasn’t wearing a dress to curtsey in. “We so rarely have a chance to meet anyone new. It is always the same crowd at these parties. So you must be a guest of Madame de Fer. Or are you here for Duke Bastien?”

“Are you here on business? I have heard the most curious tales of you. I cannot imagine half of them are true.” The woman was just as curious as her counterpart and just as blunt. They did not appear to be all that good at the Game with such straightforward questions.

A toothy grin split across Elazar’s face, “everything you’ve heard? Completely true.”

Maker’s balls Elazar was going to ruin the Inquisition before Cassandra and the others could get it off the ground.

“Better and better,” the lady cooed, “the Inquisition should attend more of these parties.”

“The Inquisition? What a load of pig shit!” Another heavily accented voice cut through the noise of the party. Del quickly spotted another lord descending the stairs to the foyer. “Washed-up sisters and crazed seekers? No one can take them seriously. Everyone knows it’s just an excuse for a bunch of political outcasts to grab power.”

Delphine would not call the Left and Right Hands of the Divine political outcasts, nor would she call Cassandra crazed to her face.

“The Inquisition is working to restore peace and order to Thedas.” Elazar was turning on what charm he could summon in their current company but Del could feel the crackling energy running around him. There was no way this was going to end well.

“Here comes the outsider, restoring peace with an army! We know what your “Inquisition” truly is. If you were a man of honor, you’d step outside and answer the charges.”

This man did realize Elazar was a mage, right? He was so sure of himself that he would challenge a mage to a duel?

Del bit back her retort as the air around them snapped with cold. The lord stilled as his torso was suddenly trapped in ice.

“My dear Marquis, how unkind of you to use such language in my house to my guests. You know such rudeness is… intolerable.”

When Delphine had first heard about Madame de Fer in the Circle she had been amazed. The woman had single-handedly turned the position of court jester into a seat of power. She was an advisor to the Empress of Orlais. Mages could only dream of holding such positions, and the power to exert change. Del had never met the Enchanter but she had imagined someone of great poise and elegance. Vivienne exceeded that image as she approached them.

“Madame Vivienne, I humbly beg your pardon!” The Marquis stuttered, frozen, literally, as the woman of the hour approached.

“You should. Whatever am I going to do with you, my dear?”

It almost sounded as if the Enchanter was enjoying this, though if Del was in her position, maybe she would be enjoying the power too.

Vivienne turned to Elazar, her perfectly shaped eyebrow quirked, “my Lord, you’re the wounded party in this unfortunate affair. What would you have me do with this foolish, foolish man?”

The crackling around El began to melt away as he eyed the Marquis. Del let go of the breath she had been holding, thankful El’s calm nature had returned.

“The Marquis doesn’t interest me. Do whatever you like with him,” he shrugged.

Vivienne tutted, “poor Marquis, issuing challenges and hurling insults like some Ferelden dog lord.” She snapped, releasing the man from her ice spell. “And all dressed up in your Aunt Solange’s doublet. Didn’t she give you that to wear to the Grand Tourney? To think, all the brave chevaliers who will be competing left for Markham this morning… and you’re still here. Were you hoping to sate your damaged pride by defeating the Herald of Andraste in a public duel? Or did you think his sword would end the shame of your failure? Run along, my dear. Do give my regards to your aunt.”

El didn’t do a very good job of hiding his snicker behind a sudden coughing fit.

“I’m delighted you could attend this little gathering I’ve so wanted to meet you.” The Enchanter’s smile was dazzling as she motioned for them to follow her further into the mansion, “allow me to introduce myself. I am Vivienne, First Enchanter of Montsimmand and Enchantress to the Imperial Court.”

Del and El both smiled back as they reached a secluded hallway overlooking the grand estate.

“Is that Marquis going to pose a problem?” Del was not an expert on Orlesian politics, but she knew that pissing off one lord or lady could cause a tidal wave of problems down the road.

“His aunt is the Vicomtess of Mont-de-Glace. Not a powerful family but well-respected…and a very devout. Alphonse will be disowned for this. It’s not the first time he’s brought his aunt disgrace, but I’m sure it will be the last. And after such a public humiliation, I expect he’ll run off to the Dales to join the Empress’s war effort. Either to make a good end or win back a modicum of self-respect.”

Maybe this would be alright for them after all. Josephine wouldn’t lose her head at least.

“But I didn’t invite you to the chateau for pleasantries.”

Those were the pleasantries?

“With Divine Justinia dead, the Chantry is in shambles. Only the Inquisition might restore sanity and order to our frightened people. As the leader of the last loyal mages of Thedas, I feel it only right that I lend my assistance to your cause.”

Delphine wished El would at least not look so dour at her proposition. Even if Elazar wanted to approach his fellow rebels for help, having the loyal mages on their side, at least in name was nothing to sneeze at.

“And you interest in the Inquisition, Madame de Fer, is it personal or professional?”

Del suppressed a groan. He had wanted her to lead this, so why was he trying to be antagonistic now?

“Aren’t you charming? It’s professional, of course.” At least Vivienne wasn’t offended.

“You say you led the last of the loyal mages. Loyal to whom?” Elazar pressed.

To reach the heights Vivienne had achieved as a Circle mage, she had beyond mastered The Game, and it showed. Not a muscle twitched. Not a speck of untoward emotion behind her eyes. If Vivienne was not pleased with Elazar’s questioning, she did not let it show.

“To the people of Thedas, of course. We have not forgotten the commandment, as some have, that magic exists to serve man. I support any effort to restore such order.”

Elazar tensed at the intentional dig. This was not going in a direction that would benefit them. Del dug her nails into El’s arm, her silent plea for him to take a breath and think about their situation.

“And what do you get from this, Madame? You would only seek out the Inquisition if it was to your benefit.”

Vivienne’s eyes sparkled beneath her ornate mask at Delphine’s question, “you’re quite right darling. I would get the same thing anyone else gets by fighting this chaos: the chance to meet my enemy, to decide my fate. I won’t wait quietly for destruction.”

Her words echoed a speech Delphine remembered vividly, one that had sent chills down her spine and sent her mind reeling at the events that would overtake their usually quiet lives. They may be on separate sides of this war but they all understood the sentiments behind one’s desire for choice.

Del nudged Elazar, causing the surprised expression to slip off his features. She knew he understood that despite their differences they needed the Enchanter’s support. “The Inquisition will be happy to have you, Lady Vivienne.”

A delicate smile grew on the poised woman’s lips, “great things are beginning, my dear. I can promise you that.”

.

Delphine finally understood why Elazar had been moving nonstop since the Conclave. It was not so much a sense of urgency but it was to keep the dread at bay. As they returned to Haven Delphine felt the sorrow and melancholy return. It had been gnawing at her since the explosion but traveling with the others seemed to keep it at arm’s length, their banter enough to occupy her mind with distractions. Haven did not seem to afford her the same luxury anymore. People were still pouring into Haven, seeking answers, or searching out their friends and families. The wails haunted Del as families learned their loved ones were not among the handful of survivors. That could have easily been her, tear-stained face cursing the Maker for allowing such a tragedy. On the nights she couldn’t sleep it almost was her.

Her sudden mood swing must have been written plainly on her face. El linked his arm with hers, his warmth and less-than-subtle calming aura spell soothing away some of the darkness that had fallen upon their arrival.

In his eternal quest to be cheery, Elazar waved to Cullen and his lieutenants as they departed the makeshift stables. The Commander nodded back in greeting his expression rather stoic as he watched them stroll into the village, Del and El still linked at the elbow.

Josephine greeted them with a restrained smile when they arrived at the chapel. “It’s good you’ve returned. We heard of your encounter.”

“You heard?”

Del wasn’t sure why Cassandra was surprised. They knew Leliana had people in Val Royeaux.

“My agents in the city sent word ahead, of course.”

Cullen strolled in behind them, brow furrowed, “it’s a shame the Templars have abandoned their sense as well as the Capital.”

“At least we know how to approach the mages and templars now.” El shrugged, though Del knew he was anything but apathetic about the situation.

“Do we?” Cassandra countered, “Lord Seeker Lucius is not the man I remember.”

Leliana nods, “true. He has taken the Order somewhere, but to do what, my reports have been…very odd.”

“We must look into it, I’m certain not everyone in the Order will support the Lord Seeker.” Cullen may no longer be a templar but he obviously still held a strong faith in the Order.

“Or the Herald could simply go meet the mages in Redcliffe, instead,” Josephine offered.

After meeting the Lord Seeker Del was more willing to work with Fiona, though Del wasn’t sure if El felt the same way. He appeared to have become rather disillusioned with the Grand Enchanter, and mage authorities in general.

“You think the mage rebellion is more united? It could be ten times worse.”

Cullen obviously hadn’t heard the Lord Seekers' opinions- she hoped that was the case, that he would be much more up in arms if he had- to believe approaching that man would lead to anything productive.

“I could at least find out what the mages want.” El shot back, obviously not fond of Cullen’s insinuations either.

“No doubt what they’ve always wanted. Support for their cause.”

“We shouldn’t discount Redcliffe, the mages might be worth the risk.” Josephine, ever the ambassador, was not one to share her opinion on the Mage-Templar war, and Del had never thought to ask.

Cassandra almost sounded disdainful, “they are powerful, ambassador, but more desperate than you realize.”

El scoffed, “so it will be dangerous. I’ve been in danger since I walked out of the Fade.”

Del looked to Elazar, wide-eyed. Did he really feel that unsafe?

“If some among the rebel mages were responsible for what happened at the Conclave…”

“The same could be said about the templars.”

It appeared the Inquisition was just as split and heated about the topic as the rest of Thedas.

“True enough.” Cullen cut in, glowering a bit at his advisors. “Right now I’m not sure we have enough influence to approach either side safety.”

Heads seemed to cool at that. There was no point fighting about who to ally with when neither would actually speak with them.

“Then the Inquisition needs agents in more places. That’s something you can help with.” Cassandra looked pointedly at Elazar, as if he had not just brought Red Jenny and Madame de Fer into the Inquisition during their trip to Val Royeaux.

Josephine nods, “in the meantime, we should consider other options.”

The group agrees and disperses, all in varied levels of frustration. This was more of what Delphine pictured when she arrived; hot tempers, gridlock, and frustration.

Leliana lingered, fiddling with her gloves. El quirked an eyebrow at the spymaster.

“There is one other matter. Several months ago the Grey Wardens of Ferelden vanished. I sent word to those in Orlais, but they have also disappeared. Ordinarily I wouldn’t even consider the idea they’re involved in all this, but the timing is…curious.”

The Grey Wardens? They were heroes, especially after all that had happened in the last blight. Delphine prayed to the Maker they weren’t all wrapped up in this too.

“That does sound odd.”

Elazar nods “I agree.”

“The others have disregarded my suspicions. But I cannot ignore it. Two days ago, my agents in the Hinterlands heard news of a Grey Warden by the name of Blackwall. If you have the opportunity please seek him out. Perhaps he can put my mind at ease.”

Delphine hated to be negative towards the idea, but she doubted that one Warden could solve the mystery around their disappearance. “And if he can’t?”

“Then there may be more going on than we thought.”

Elazar and Delphine shared a concerned look. Mages, Templars, and now the Grey Wardens. Was anything in their world right anymore?