#both there just to stir shit up after not even coming to the wedding

[dulcewrites]

I wasn’t planning of having the gang (Aegon aemomd myrah Alicent + all the people they bring) go to the stormlands on this tour. BUT

Now that I think about it… it’s kind of the perfect place for some drama. Otto in Aemond’s ear about being ‘smart’ about who he eventually marries. Though Aegon sits the throne pretty comfortably, his reign is still new. These tours are basically press runs from him. I could see otto still wanting to secure formidable allies through marriage if possible.

I’m just imagining Aemond maybe considering the Floris thing bc this is type of girl he “should” be with. Won’t get his feelings hurt with a safe choice. We probably get some Myrah insecurities about her house and her status compared to Floris. Also not to show my hand too soon but since we didn’t the iconic moment of maris goading Aemond into essentially killing Lucerys. We need her unintentionally goading him into being truthful about his feeling about myrah. Plus I think her and myrah would be fun together

[huh-1260]

I'm looking at Train Crash AU and thinking.

Man what if I injured Wars more for more bandages because I pretty sure I didn't give him enough for his severed arm

So what about an angsty reunion with an Adult Wind with Wars?

:)

The few whumps I have aren't angsty enough for my soul

so imagine you grow up after going away from your found family across time and you don't get to meet your brother again, but a younger version of him that doesn't know who you are and you get to watch him fall apart and you don't get to see how he became the big brother you knew him as. Also your father figure is now a brat. This is how Wind feels, because the moment he saw the portal that the shadow used seven years later. He's was excited to see his brothers again, to see Wars again. But no, it seems that fate fucking hates him, because while his other brothers come out perfectly well, with some differences in time passing for others; Legend: two years, Twilight: nine years, Time a month, Four: 5 years, Sky: 1 year, Wild: 6 months post TOTK, Hyrule: 5 years. Wars doesn't come through the portal at all. So while everyone accidentally calls him the captain (he never really saw how the others said he looked like the captain, plus he's in a different timeline he can't be related to him) and so during Sky's wedding, just right before Sky and Sun are about to kiss, a portal opens from the ceiling, and someone falls through on the ground, splattering onto the floor:

_____________

There's blood everywhere, people are screaming, and with the crowd of people running out on the building. Theres something else that came out of the portal as the person. A fading blue blob thing that screams in gibberish looking at the person and Sun. Sky doesn't have his sword on him. Fuck, fuck fuck fuck- this is what he gets for standing in the back waiting for- Oh fuck that either way he could have came! The person that landed on the floor, is dragging their legs to the blob, with their only other arm that's there and stabs it. The thing screams as it fades to ash. The person drops to the floor, but Twilight catches him before he could hit the ground (again). He doesn't get to hear the mysterious person but he could recognize that voice from anywhere, no matter how weak or scratchy it would be.

"Sorry everyone."

That was Wars, as Hyrule was rushing over to heal him.

_________

Okay that ain't angst enough for me so for a more proper "reunion", like a few weeks, no one let's Wind see Wars because they still treat him like the child he was even though he's as old as the others during the adventure across time! So he tries to sneak into Wars temporary room, while Wars tries to escape his room because he's gone stir crazy and yes Time he's fine! Just because he's gone through another war and lost a few important parts doesn't mean he needs coding! He has to make sure everyone is safe! So they bump into each other for the first time since they really last saw each other. (But that doesn't explain why Wind is crying- SHUT UP AND LET ME COOK) So they chat for a bit, like in a joking manner and Wars slips out that "Hey, another war happen and there was still some people across still stuck there." And Wind is mad that Wars just drops this kind of bomb, because why didn't he let the others come help him. So they end up arguing a bit and:

_________

"Why do you keep ignoring that we could have helped! I could have helped!" He yelled.

"If I dragged you there YOU could have died and Artemis wouldnt exist. I WOULDN'T EXSIST!" Wars yelled back.

__________

Now you see the angst?

So oof on both sides, Wars is internal bashing himself on the head, Wind is panicking because he becomes a dad, he's actually related to Wars- OH MY FUCKING SEA BOAT I MARRY TETRA?! And meanwhile Time is standing in the corner with surprise Pikachu face because oh shit Wars is from the timeline he technically abandoned. And like the fucking legend he came back when they needed him most

So that's uh what I have for now again.

[sugar-omi]

tags : NSFW, all readers, multiple choice dialogue, mean dom cove, cove is STILL horny 20 years later, quickie, bickering (you're picking on cove sm, you're so tired of his shit💀), no wedding dlc spoilers <3, i think thats everything...

synopsis : to celebrate being married for 20 actual years, you and cove have a party with your close family and friends on a boat. but cove has a more private celebration in mind before the party.

you're having a party to celebrate your 20th wedding anniversary, a much anticipated event since you're celebrating on a boat this time. it wasn't a small price to pay, but you'll survive.

besides, in comparison, it's nothing to the 30+ years you've spent at cove's side.

somehow, you two haven't had enough of each other. if anything, cove is even more obsessed with you. which would explain why he's pulling you into the cabin and giving you those damn bedroom eyes.

"what- *kiss* are you- *kiss* doing?" you gasp, fishing cove's shirt when he grinds his hips into yours.

cove kisses down your neck, taking advantage of your half buttoned shirt. / summer dress.

you push against his shoulders, although there isn't any force to it since you aren't trying to push him away like it seems. "don't leave marks, our family is coming soon..."

cove stops himself from sucking any marks into you, pulling away to look you in the eyes. he puts your foreheads together, holding your face in his hands.

you huff, slipping your hands into his back pockets. "you're still a horndog even after all these years."

cove laughs, smiling that damn smile. it's a bit full with smugness and definitely flirty but it just makes the fire in your stomach stir.

"indulge me?" cove purrs. fuck he knows what he's doing. "and why should i?" you smirk, acting as if you weren't compelled to indulge in your desires.

cove shrugs, "i don't know. it's our anniversary?"

you laugh and roll your eyes, "whatever, there's no time to listen to your pitch." you pull cove into a feverish kiss, palming him over his shorts.

you move down to his neck, pulling his shirt collar to bite his shoulder enough just to tease him. cove huffs, grumbling about something.

"these shorts are ugly." you bicker, as if you aren't undoing his belt and throwing it somewhere to the side. cove laughs, "khaki shorts are in!"

you roll your eyes, biting your lip to keep a laugh or any smart comment from coming out when cove slaps a hand over his mouth to muffle a loud moan when you dip your hand into his boxers, giving his cock a tight squeeze and pumping to get him fully hard.

"god, you're such a dad." you tug down his bottoms enough to pull his dick out, making quick work of pulling your bottoms down / lifting up your skirt around your waist.

cove doesn't say anything else. instead, he materializes a lube packet and condom from his wallet, and you have to keep from howling in laughter.

you go to say something about how you're gonna absolutely clown him after this, but cove slips his slick digits into your hole easily, and this time it's your turn to stifle the loud moan threatening to burst from the base of your throat.

"y-you..." you growl, licking your lips and trying to resist pushing your hips back on his digits.

"me?" cove mocks, lining himself up with your entrance when he deems you sufficiently prepped and kissing your cheek.

you pant, "just.. just move, asshole." you hang your head, gripping the table as cove's cock drags against your sensitive insides.

cove lifts your torso up so your back is against his chest. he tilts your head to kiss you, trying to stifle both of your moans as he starts fucking into you.

its not a wild pace compared to as when you were younger, your bodies are a bit stiff in some places.

something that naturally comes with age and having a child to take care of.

something that naturally comes with age and having children to take care of.

something that naturally comes with age.

you break apart when cove's tip hits your prostate / cervix, a sharp gasp escaping your wet lips. "cove-!" you breathe out his name, covering your mouth with your hand.

even though you can't fuck until sunrise, you have to admit you and cove still fuck like dogs sometimes.

"harder.." you pant, bracing yourself so you can meet cove's thrusts, the sound of your skin smacking together barely, uselessly, dulled by cove's shirt hanging down. "or- ahh. are you too old?" you gasp, mumbling curses under your breath when cove picks up the pace.

cove rolls his eyes, not that you can see, but you can practically feel it. "43 isn't old." you can hear the smirk in cove's voice, and to vote back your clench around his dick, grinning when he groans and curses.

"really? then why can't you stay up past 11, huh old man?" you bicker.

maybe you're picking on him too much, but you've known each other for years and if anything the snide comments always make cove fuck you harder, deeper.

cove wraps his arm around your body and grips your hip, keeping you pressing against him, the strength of his hand holding you down makes you squirm.

cove tugs on your earlobe with his teeth, growling lowly into your ear. "can't you focus on taking my dick?" you pinch your lips closed, your muffled mix of a moan and a whimper making cove laugh.

you glance at the clock on the wall, gasping out. "h-hurry up and come... before someone sh-shows up- oh fuck!- early!"

cove mumbles, reaching between your legs to tug your sensitive cock / rub circles around your sensitive clit.

you whimper, grabbing cove's wrist. "i'm," you swallow. "i'm gonna cum!"

cove mumbles into your shoulder, "that's it, so good for me.."

cove's thrusts lose rhythm and become shallow, grinding his tip against the sensitive spots buried deep in your poor insides. his hips stutter as you finish together, burying his face in your neck and pressing wet, open mouthed kisses against your neck.

you pant, your breathing synced.

once your senses come back to you, the sound of the waves sloshing around the boat, you push cove off you.

"geez.." you fret, fixing your clothes and turning to the mirror besides you to fix your appearance. you huff, seeing how fucked out you look.

cove slides up behind you, wrapping you in his arms, having the nerves to look sheepish.

you smack your lips, turning around to fix his hair. "don't act shy now."

cove laughs and smiles. you stop rearranging strands of hair to admire his face, your hands falling to his shoulders.

now that you're older, the crows feet by his eyes and the surprise strand of gray hair look pretty on him.

"what? do i look that bad?" cove laughs, looking over your head at his reflection.

"no.. age just looks pretty on you." you whisper, tender and full of love.

cove looks down, a blush on his cheeks.

"i love you."

"i love you too." you indulge cove in stealing a kiss from you, letting him take 2 more for the road before you push him away and usher him towards the deck.

"now get outta here and make sure the boat isn't floating away, and go get the cooler out the trunk! i thought you brought it in here already like i asked?!"

yeah, there's a lot more years of quickies, tender compliments, and bickering ahead of you.

[theunbearableweightofpedropascal]

The Debreifing

Just a fun continuation of Best Friend's Brother

A/N: An excerpt of how the guys find out since BFB was well received. (I do use washcloths but for the sake of this fic, that's forgotten)

Warnings: (slight smut, might be terrible idk)

Word Count: 1.6K

The sound of your creaky shower head turning on breaks you from your haze. After breakfast, Will bent you over the counter until you came for him twice and all the energy replenished during your sleep left your body again. Even thinking about it now made your heart race. He carried you back and cleaned you up before heading to the bathroom. 

A familiar vibration fills your bed and begin looking for your phone. You find it at the edge of your bed and waste no time answering the person you’ve been waiting to call. 

��Ben-” Your whisper is bulldozed by Benny’s voice on the other end. 

“Are you the reason the wedding is called off?” Before you can answer he continues. “Melody’s been spam-calling us since last night when Will didn’t come home. And you know what’s funny? Both of your locations seem to imply that you’re in the same place.” 

“Are you done?” Although Will probably couldn’t hear you you still kept your voice low. 

“The floor is yours, and apparently Will is too.” You decide not to comment on the last part of the sentence. 

“Give me thirty minutes and I’ll tell you at your place.” You figure this is a better conversation in person.

“But-” Benny tries to interject but you end the call and slide out of your bed.

The fog in the bathroom doesn’t cover Will’s naked back, making it easy for you to ogle. He lathers himself with your rose-shaped bar soap next to the showerhead. Your hands glide around his front to help him rub it in. 

He turns to face you with suds rolling down his body. “All the cancellations have to be done in person and I gotta grab some of my shit before she burns it. Otherwise, I'd stay with you all day.” 

“It’s not like you need clothes.” Your low voice stirs his cock and he’s smart enough to run right back around.

“If you keep that up we won’t be getting anything done today.” He needs to tie up all his loose ends before completely indulging in you. 

“You started it.” You tilt your head up towards his ear while your hands dip lower.

Will keeps himself in shape and you run your soapy hands appreciatively over his v-line. The feeling of your soft hands sent his dick straight up. 

“When you walk around like this what else am I supposed to do Will?” That whiney voice gives him flashbacks to the car and he’s a goner. 

“You do whatever you want Buttercup.” With his permission your hands clasp around his shaft. Your hands glide like butter as you stroke him. 

Nothing feels better than your pert nipples pressing into his back. Nothing feels better than being with you. The way your hand strokes his tip over and over effectively distracts him until he feels your other hand cup his balls. Will’s mouth opens and he braces his hands against the wall. Your poor rose soap is forgotten on the floor. 

You bite your bottom lip at the swift pace his chest moves. He’s close. His hips jerk in that familiar pattern and you keep your pace the same. When his balls clench in your hand a low groan fills the shower. You glance around to see his seed hitting your tile in spurts. 

While Will finds his way to a steady breathing pattern, you pick up your soap and begin lathering your body. Now you’re gonna be late to Benny’s. Carefully you wash the soap off your body and keep your hair dry. 

“Not so fast,” His hands trail down your body before pulling you flush against him. 

“Uh uh,” As much as it pains you, you slide his hands off and turn. “I have to get to your brother’s.”

“Am I seeing you later?” Will lets the water beat against his back as he peers down at you. 

“If you’re not drained by the end of the day.” You cast an excited smile at him.

“I think I’m drained right now.” His double meaning isn’t lost on you. 

“Perv,” You mumble on your way out. 

You hear the slap slightly before you feel the burn on your butt cheek. Will stands at the showerhead facing your dropped jaw. He smirks down at you and you’re reminded of the hungry look he was giving you in the car last night. Quickly you head out of the bathroom to avoid another detour. 

……..............

“So you’re saying Buttercup and Ironhead slept together and he canceled the wedding because of her?” Frankie seems to be the last one to fully grasp the situation. 

Santiago knew the moment they were all helping you move in. The man practically put the whole place together for you. 

“Are we really gonna act like it’s a shock though? You saw how he grew out his facial hair because she liked it.” Pope thinks for a second and continues on his rant. “And he’s never liked any of her boyfriends, especially Greg.”

“And Greg was basically perfect for her.” Benny chimes in.

“Now that you mention it last night he wouldn’t stop looking at her when they came back from the bar.” Frankie thinks back to how Will was eyeballing you. 

“You noticed that too?” Benjamin excitedly leans forward to pick up a chocolate sprinkle donut. 

“And then when he insisted he had to take her home.” Santiago laughs while thinking of Will trying to get you alone. 

“Nearly had his hand on her ass when they left too.” After Frankie’s remark a lull settles over the once rambunctious group. 

They had no idea what happened after that until Melody called them for Will’s location. Even then they figured he was taking a much-needed break. However, when they woke this morning to find the wedding canceled a group call was made. 

Frankly, everyone was shocked at how suddenly it happened, not that it did. At least until Ben pointed out Will being at your place. Then he dropped the call and left the group scrambling for answers. 

“How much longer until she gets here?” Santi gets anxious waiting for your arrival.

“I don’t know she said thirty minutes.” Despite the chocolate donut in his hand he’s frowning.

……………………

On the way to Benny’s, you see that you’re seventeen minutes off schedule but luckily he hasn’t blown up your phone. You barely have time to think about that as you reach his door. Your hand has barely formed a fist when the door is yanked open by the youngest Miller. A mischievous smile was permanently placed on his face.

“Took you long enough,” He chastises you but your gossip will more than make up for it. 

“Shut up, it’s not like I planned this.” Benny glances at you in suspicion as none of you walk to his living room. 

Only the living room wasn’t empty like you expected. Frankie and Santiago are perched on a two-seater picking through donuts on the coffee table. One look at Benny and you know he’s behind it since he simply shrugs his shoulders. 

“We may have had a conference call after Will hung up.” Your best friend has the nerve to look sheepish. 

“I mean we’re gonna find out anyway Hermosa.” Frankie folds his hands in his lap, patiently waiting for your storytime. 

“What happened at the bar?” Benny wastes no time digging for answers.

“He asked me what I thought about Melody since I didn’t say anything at the table.” You dive in because you’ve been dying to share anyway. 

“And?” Santi leans into his sofa waiting for your answer. 

“And I called her a bitch in the nicest way possible, then I came back to the table.” Your admission is met with different expressions of cheer. 

“Mhm so that’s why he was staring you down like that, go on.” Frankie nods his head and waits for you. 

“When we got back to the table I figured I overstepped so I tried to shut up. Then he insisted on taking me home so when we were outside he corners me to tell him more. I said it really shouldn’t matter because it’s not like I’m coming from an objective place.” You pause to pick up a blueberry donut. “So he asked me what place would it be coming from and after some prying, I told him I wanted him to dump her.” 

“No.” Benny almost can’t believe you’d say any of this but his brother could put you under his spell.

“Mhm,” You take the first bite of your donut, chewing quickly before turning to Frankie and Santiago. “So he started asking me if that’s ‘all I wanted him to do’ and I said no. Finally, he drops it and takes us to the truck. The silence made me paranoid so I started saying I was ‘sorry’ for saying anything. And he’s like I'm not mad at you, it’s one thing for the guys to say it but it’s different with me.” 

You forget you’re talking to the guys until they are shocked by what you said. 

“What’s the difference?” Francisco looks close to a kicked puppy but you steer him back to the topic. 

“But he said it’s different with me, that is what’s important.” You giggle remembering Will’s charming words from last night. “Anyways, I figured he already knew how I felt so I told him. Will almost crashed the truck, he had to pull over. Then he starts yelling at me for not telling him and the next thing I know we’re making out in his truck.” 

“I thought he had to change a tire when you were on that road.” Benny sounds scandalized when he places the final piece together. 

“They were there that long?” Frankie scrunches his face at what the two of you got up to. 

“Damn Buttercup I didn’t think you had it in ya.” Santiago is amused that all it took to end that engagement was you. 

You nod since your mouth is full of the blueberry donut you’ve been holding. 

“Where’s Will now?” Santi figures he must be out too.

“Doing all the wedding cancellations.” With the blueberry donut finished you look at what’s left in the box. 

“What exactly did you do on that road?” Laughter ripples through the room at Benny's genuine concern.

[romanoffsbish]

Mom, Dad, I’m…

Wanda Maximoff x R

Blackhill ; Bishova ; Stony ; BuckySam

Happy Pride Angels, 🌈❤️

Warnings: Attempts at Humor. Heteros.

"Detka, can you go get some tomatoes from the garden? Steve already ate all of the freaking salsa," Wanda grumbled dramatically, falling into your arms as you were mid conversation with Natasha and Maria about their work.

"He probably intended to bottom tonight," Natasha remarks with a shit stirring grin, you cackled in solidarity, but the both of you stopped when your wives stood shoulder to shoulder with a menacing tilt to their heads.

——

"Welp, those tomatoes aren't gonna pick themselves," you noted before running off, you avoided looking back, afraid to see Natasha's stony glare as you abandoned her with them.

Every man for themselves a mantra you live by, well, only when it comes to angry spouses. As an Avenger you were as selfless as the rest, but now you got to be more selfish in retirement.

Natasha, unfortunately, was your victim.

When you entered the massive greenhouse you took a second to admire your wives handiwork. The brunette had a knack for gardening, a green thumb if you will. The greenhouse was her go to place to find her zen after a day of dealing with you, Billy, Tommy, and Ella.

The witch loved you all, her beautiful family, but some days the lot of you made her feel a tad bit homicidal. On those days she gardened.

It wasn't hard to find the tomatoes, they were ripe and ready on a set of entangled vines. But before you could bring it to her, you were too enamored by the conversation your kids were having in their little cove behind the garden.

"I can't do it," Tommy groaned. "Yeah they just won't understand," Morgan Stark agreed with him, and you leaned in to hopefully garner more context for their troubled minds.

"At least Uncle Tony is bi," Raina Belova countered, "He'll be more understanding."

"Have you met our dad?" Anthony, the only Jr present, said in an incredulous manner. "He even claims Fido is gay, he's totally unhinged."

You had to put a hand over your mouth, the amusement you were experiencing was unreal.

"Couldn't be us," Elena teased, "I'm gay as hell, and Bryce here is both queer and nonbinary."

Oh goodness... Never in your days did you expect your kids to keep secrets from you, but for it to be such a silly one it honestly made you want to interrupt the conversation at hand.

To remind them that no matter what, you'd all continue to love them, but it was too funny.

"Mama is going to be mad," Celeste Belova added, "She always said being gay is the way."

"I thought she was ace?" Billy inquired. "She is, but that doesn't make her any less gay."

After the conversation moved on to who they were crushing on you snuck back to the party. The overall consensus being that every last one of your collective brood, besides your youngest, Ella, who was only five, and Natasha and Maria's powerful duo, said they're straight.

"Where have you been?" You ignored your wife, handing her the basket of ingredients while calling all of your friends to the dining room. Tony whined, "What is so important?"

"You guys will not believe what I just heard..."

Wanda rolled her eyes as you spun your tale, she chopped up the tomatoes, jalapeños and onions as you enamored the group of friends.

"Thank God we're safe," Maria teased, turning to her wife with a genuinely relieved smile. "Right? Can you imagine having to attend two straight weddings? And pretend to like it?"

"Oh jeez," you gasped, "I didn't think of that."

Wanda tossed the ingredients into a bowl as the lot of you bantered back and forth, her patience already running thin with you all.

"Y/N, this joke isn't funny." Yelena shook her head in defiance when you reminded her that this wasn't a joke. "You don't know what you are talking about. Must be hearing loss..."

Kate put a hand on her wife's shoulder, "It's true Lena, they've both told me already."

"You traitor!" Yelena ripped her arm away as if the raven haired woman had burned her skin.

You now worried that you'd inspired divorces.

"No," Tony gasped, shaking his head in fear as the unexpected reality set in. "You're lying, you have to be. No son of mine is straight!"

"Honey," Steve called out for him, "It'll be okay, we always knew it would be a possibility."

"It most certainly is not okay," he grimaced, then in a flash he was outside, calling for your children to gather around the hibachi station.

"Where's the fire pops?" Morgan jests, but quickly zips her lips as she sees her dad looking as if he was on the verge of a breakdown.

"Tell me Y/N's lying," he pleads, "That you're not straight, my fragile ticker can't take this."

"Tony!" Steve shrieked, "Don't use an old ailment to guilt the kids into being gay..."

"Stay out of this babe!" He growled, "As far as I am concerned they're gay. Y/N's a liar."

"Am not!" You gasped, "They're all heteros."

"Not us!" Bryce interjected. "We're queer."

"That's our precious babies," Natasha coo'd, arms opened wide for her kids to run into, and the both of their teens instantly ran at her.

Bucky and Sam had entered your backyard just as the revelation took place. You all watched as they took three steps back, baby carrier in hand as they looked to your kids as if they were all diseased. "We're just being cautious."

You snorted softly, "We understand fellas."

Wanda glared at you, but you remained unfazed for now. Too busy finding the dramatics entertaining to see the horror. Wanda saw it though, she looked out to see all of the kids wearing terrified expressions. She was about to console them, but then a fight broke out beside you, and you had to laugh.

"This is all your fault Kate Belova!" Yelena shrieked, "It was all of that organic mac and cheese you fed them when I was on missions!"

"Mac and cheese being healthy doesn't make a child straight," Kate shrieked back, hands running down her face as she realized her plans for a peaceful barbecue ended with this.

"If it had been orange they might have been more connected to the rainbow Kate!" Yelena went on, "It's like our gay power source."

"Well, with Wanda's garden the kids eat the entire rainbow and look at them, straight."

Yelena found your assistance unwelcome, "Keep out of this Y/N Maximoff. Your kids aren't all old enough to say yet, you still have a chance! Mine are all done... Stupid preteens"

"Well, that's not exactly true," you reasoned, "None of you have been to college yet, that's when you'll really know if you're gay or not."

Natasha, Yelena and Tony all nodded, they found your reasoning the most logical. It was a lot easier than accepting they're all straight.

"Okay, that's enough!" Wanda interjected, her tone terrifying, "Look at what you're doing to them. They can't help it if they're straight."

"I wanna be gay like mama," Ella murmured, clearly she just wanted to fit in with the crowd, and therefore you praised her, "Smart girl."

Wanda entered your mind with a warning, she smirked as you lifted Ella onto your hip, then you fell into unexpected silence by her side.

"Haha, you're like so whipped, "Yelena cackled.

Wanda glared at her. "You don't scare me wiggly woo, my kids being straight is enough."

"Yelena," Kate sighed, "Knock it off, and try telling the girls that you love them."

"Of course I love them," she rushed out angrily, "That's not even a question, they're moy deti."

(My babies)

Celeste and Raina ran into the blondes side, their tears of relief soaked into her shirt, and made her see they were genuinely scared this would lose them her love. "Shh, mama loves you always, even if you make dumb choices."

Tony and Steve were in a standoff of sorts, the billionaire sipped on his margarita slowly as they appeared to be having a conversation with only their eyes. Tony rolled his, but after a moment of incoherent grumbling he nodded. Morgan and Tony Jr. approached their dads after being called forward, Steve embraced them first, and wholly. Tony gave them both side hugs, and whispered that he just needed time to cope, but he loved them regardless.

Then you heard him brush by with his son, begging him to take it back, only to find out his son was in a long term relationship with a girl. That study buddy of his was so much more...

Like father, like son you suppose.

You looked out to see your boys stood side by side, Billy gripped Tommy's hand for dear life. Wanda was about to call them over, but you beat her to it as guilt overwhelmed your heart. The boys scurried over, and Wanda sent you an adoring smile as you kissed the both of their heads, and hugged them tight. "I love you," falling from all of your lips in succession.

After everyone had time to process the news, the vibe returned to one of relaxation. Wanda set up the grill for Sam, and the master chef himself began to put on a show for everyone.

Once the plates were served you all moved to the fire pit, where you talked about all you'd missed in each other's life while the younger kids sat in front of the projector playing Up.

Then, as the sun officially fell, everyone began to clear out. Saying their goodbyes at the front door, where you hugged each kid, an apology of sorts on your lip for the drama you stirred. Each one forgave you, some even thanked you for finally getting the conversation over with.

When everyone was officially gone you moved back outside to clean up. Tommy helped you, while Billy helped clean the kitchen so that Wanda could focus on Ella's bath, and bedtime.

It was an entire hours worth of work, you were beyond exhausted as you fell into the mattress. You nearly passed out without your wife, but soon enough Wanda slipped into the bed. She wore a thoughtful expression, weighing out whether to disturb you or not, but she soon reasoned you'd appreciate her words, "Detka..."

"Yes baby?" You rolled onto your side, using your elbow to prop yourself up so you could look down at her. She looked to you with a warm smile, then she was yawning, "Don't worry." She paused to pull you into her arms before whispering in your ear: "Billy was not being honest. We do indeed have a gay son."

You laughed so hard tears streamed down your face and pooled in the crook of your equally as amused wife's neck. That was the last thing you expected to hear from her, if anything you had anticipated a continuation of her scolding.

"I'll scold you more tomorrow," she teased, "But for now, we should get some sleep."

——

1,844 Words

[averagewriter-inthedark]

SFW Alphabet—Donny Donowitz | IB headcanon

Link to my IB masterlist

Requested 📨 yes/no (rules for requests)

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Affection is Donny’s weakness. Whether it be giving or receiving he is always wanting to touch you in some way. This could be his arm around your shoulders while Aldo is debriefing the squad, your head on his shoulder by the campfire, or light kisses to the forehead before a stressful situation.

B = Best Friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Being friends with Donny is basically signing up for chaos. He’s the type who would suggest doing stupid shit and you have to follow in order to ensure he doesn’t kill himself doing it. Laughing to the point of ab cramps is the best way to describe moments with Donny as your bestie.

The friendship started before you two shipped off to France. You were probably the squad’s nurse or high ranking next to him and Aldo that you guys interacted more than with the Basterds. The friendship sorta naturally happened to the point it’s hard to even put a date on when it started.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Physical touch is the mans love language so of course he likes to cuddle. Holding you in his arms with the radio playing while you two doze in and out of sleep is the best feeling in the world. “Doll,” he’ll make grabby hands at you, “c’mere let me hold ya.” He’s the big spoon obviously, but also he likes when he’s laying on his back and you’re curled into his side.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Hell yeah Donny wants to settle down—the literal dream for him is to own a home with you in a nice area where you two get to grow old together. You two would likely run the barber shop or another business and be the couple who give back to the community.

Donny, surprisingly, is a descent cook. Really he specializes in certain dishes that are family recipes. And best believe he can stir up some smacking pasta. You never have to worry about a messy home or kitchen because the Army embedded it into his brain that orderliness and cleanliness is essential…..except on Sundays. That’s y’all’s break day.

E = Ending (if they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

He’d rather scalp himself than end things with you. If anyone is gonna break hearts, Donny will sacrifice his own to prevent you from experiencing it.

F = Fiancé(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Being a bachelor was honestly what Donny expected he’d be all his life. Yeah he dated and had flings but never did it occur to him he’d want to settle down and build a future with someone. When you came along it was like he had an awakening. Immediately he saw the house with a yard full of animals, kids running around the premises and a ring on his finger. After you two got engaged Donny wasn’t quick to rush a wedding especially since you two had just returned to the states. He wanted to work as much as he could to give you the wedding of your dreams.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Despite being a giant beefy man that he is, Donny is very gentle. His touch is like feathers and always carefully handled as to not hurt you. Anytime you’re sad or distress his approach with you is cautious. Asking questions like, “Do you need to talk or want to be alone?” Whatever you decide he’ll respect even if it means walking away to give you space.

H = Hugs (do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

Are you kidding this man lives and breathes for hugs. He gives the best hugs of the Basterd (Wicki coming a close second) so you take any chance you can to hug him. Donny won’t even hesitate when you ask for one or he’ll simply bring you into an embrace he notices you’re under distress.

I = I love you (how fast do they say the L-word?)

Considering he realized he loved you in the middle of a legit war, Donny probably said it quick. And by quick I mean right when it hit him like a truck. You two had been best friends by that point to he was worried to an extent it would crumble before his eyes. But to his utter surprise you said, “Oh, Donny, are you blind? I’ve been waiting for you to say something forever! I love you too, you rascal.”

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Okay so while he hardly gets jealous when the Basterds or his friends playfully flirt with you, he WILL become a different person when someone he hates tries to swoon you. Of course he’s confident in y’all’s relationship and knows you’d never betray him, he just fucking hates when an asshole attempts to get your attention. “Jealous again, baby?” “NO……maybe.”

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Kisses with Donny are best described as ‘cheeky’. He’ll send you a smirk with eyes reading, ‘Imma kiss you right now,’ before smacking his lips against yours or your cheek before running away. You can’t help but giggle when he does because it’s so adorable and always puts a smile on your face. Your lips and jaw are his favorite places to kiss, however, when he’s feeling frisky Donny will trail his mouth down your neck and collarbones. For him, the Sargent loves to be kissed on the lips as well. He’ll never admit it but Donny is a sucker for when you kiss his chest.

L = Little ones (how are they around children?)

Donny is amazing with children. It’s one of the things you love about him. Even if you two do not plan to have children he loves to spend time with nieces/nephews and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the type to teach the kids in your neighborhood how to play baseball. He’d also offer discount and free haircuts to the children and teens who cannot afford one. If you do have/adopt kids, then expect Donny to be the best father ever. Always attending their school functions and sport games (most likely baseball) and taking your kids to the zoo, museum, Red Sox games, etc. He is their #1 supporter and will do whatever possible to make them happy.

M = Morning (how are mornings spent with them?)

During the war y’all’s mornings started bright and early at the ass crack of dawn. Donny would be the first one up considering he was in charge of getting the Basterds into formation, but he’d make sure to give you a kiss on the head as a good morning before leaving. When there is the rare chance of staying in an inn or motel then he’s all over you with cuddles and waking you up with kisses.

Back home in the states Donny is the type who will put the coffee on the pot as soon as he wakes up to get you a coffee before your eyes open. Then if he has time he’ll run to the cafe by the corner of your street to get your favorite breakfast. “Is that what I think it is?” “Only the best for my baby this fine Sunday morning.”

N = Night (how are nights spent with them?)

I can see Donny as a night owl. Really it was a result of the late nights overseas where he had to keep watch of the camp. The habit carried over when he returned home in which he would stay up listening to the radio or reading a book. You’d have to force him to come to bed—-often making him a warm cup of milk or run a bath. But once his head hit the pillow mans is out like a light and holding you to his chest.

[quietlyimplode]

The language of flowers and silent things

Whumptober 2023: day 4 - shock

Warnings: action based blood/explosion

Word Count: 1.7k (gif not mine)

Summary: Clint and Natasha’s first mission after the events of New York.

A/N: Sometimes things are exactly as they appear to be. (Also be kind to fic writers pls, know we read each and very comment on reblogs <3)

.

2012

NEW YORK

“He’s better,” Natasha defends, protectively.

“I’m just saying that hiding in vents to spy on your friends is not a good thing,” Bruce tells her.

“He’s not spying, this is a weird situation. We’re here because it’s mandated. We just didn’t know for how long.”

Natasha moves out of the kitchen, wanting to find Clint.

“Just think about it?” Bruce calls after her.

Six months they’ve been here and she knows they’re both stir crazy. Probably all of them are.

Bruce is preparing to go back to Calcutta, and who knows where Thor left to.

She knows Bruce just wants the best for Clint, and she does too; but weekly therapy is enough.

They don’t need more.

He’s no longer catatonic, he’s eating, joking and talking about his feelings.

Isn’t that all she can ask of him?

He’s never had to deal with mind control or someone being in his brain.

The tower is more empty now, though Tony maintains they’re welcome for as long as they want.

She wonders what Steve is going to do.

Her phone rings and she glances at the caller, seeing Maria, she picks it up.

“Yeah?”

Reprieve comes in the strangest of ways.

“We have a mission for you,” she opens.

“Australia.”

Natasha’s heart leaps a little and she smiles to herself.

“Send the packet,” she says, “we can leave whenever.”

Maria pauses.

“How’s he doing?”

Natasha finds her way into the elevator, choosing Clint’s floor as an email comes through.

“Got it,” she tells her, “he’s better, he’s ready for this I think.”

Maria is quiet.

“I’m glad; we’ve missed you both.”

Natasha nods.

“Nothing like a mission to Australia to recalibrate.”

“I’ll get Fury to spring for business class, the 18 hour trip is shit,” Maria laughs.

Natasha is thankful, she hates traveling economy class on long haul trips.

“Hey, maybe whilst you’re there you can do some wedding prep,” Maria goads.

Natasha laughs and hangs up on her friend.

It’s been a running joke since the mission in Kashmir, one that since the events in New York, she’d not heard.

Finding Clint reading, she throws her phone at him with the open packet showing.

“Australia?!”

His glee is contagious as she smiles.

Today is a good day.

Natasha feels a bit of lightness in her world, and it feels strange given the last six months.

She can’t remember the last day like it. Maybe before the aliens came.

“Business class?!”

He laughs again.

“What a lowball mission, they must be feeling sorry for us.”

She takes her phone back, and lays down next to him.

“Maria said we should do some wedding prep,” she laughs with him.

His face turns serious, and she wonders if she’s ruined the mood.

“What if we do?”

She breaks into a smile.

“Yeah okay.”

He nods, looks at the packet again.

“We’re going to Queensland anyway. Nothing happens there.”

Natasha nods, lays down next to him and closes her eyes.

“Bruce is leaving tomorrow too,” she murmurs.

“Tony is going to be lonely,” Clint considers.

“Yeah.”

She does feel sorry for the billionaire, who seems to have grown accustomed to having people in his world, to suddenly have none.

“Maybe we should get everyone together and eat tonight,” he proposes, “I think maybe after Australia we could go back to the apartment.”

It’s a big step, not being around people, not feeling the need to have safety measures in place. She doesn’t think she would have even considered it a month ago, but the more she thinks about it, the more it feels right.

“Yeah I think that sounds like a good idea.”

.

Tony spares no expense in providing for his friends.

It’s kind. Natasha isn’t used to the abundance, even after all this time.

“There’s no way we will eat all this,” she tells him, passing him the food.

Pepper, Steve and Bruce sit on one side and it’s the three of them on the other.

Sitting between Clint and Tony, it’s like sitting between her brother and her lover. Or what she imagines that might be like.

She’s going to have to ask Clint what it was like growing up with a brother. She imagines dangerous in a fun way.

Steve tells a story that makes her laugh; and she goads him with a fossil joke, Clint chimes in with another story and the night passes quickly.

Too quickly, it feels and she wants to stay in this happy moment, this good day.

It surely can’t last.

.

Australia is hot.

It’s a different heat to the United States, and she can almost feel the infrared heat engulf her as she steps off the plane.

“Shit,” Clint exclaims.

She stares at him and he shuts up.

He’s to play her bodyguard, and his outburst is out of character. It’s not like him.

It’s like he’s forgotten what he needs to do to be a spy.

She frowns, worried.

This is a low ball mission, but it doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t take it seriously.

Let your guard down and you become an easy target, even if the mission is just surveillance.

He takes her bags in apology and she fakes the persona she’s been given.

Rich people rarely give eye contact to anyone.

She leaves her glasses on and continues on her way through customs. It takes longer than she expects and she internally groans at the lines.

Externally, she complains out-loud. Everyone avoids eye contact.

Australians are a strange bunch, unlike Americans they seem to both simultaneously helpful and not, no one going out of their way to explain things or to point the clueless in the right direction.

The car that picks them up and drives them to the house is black and the driver nondescript.

It’s only when they’re alone in the two story house overlooking the beach that she breaks character and flops on the bed.

“I forget how well you do a rich bitch,” he says offensively.

She smiles.

“Get me a drink, won’t you?”

He laughs and busies himself with making a late lunch.

They have three hours before night, before they start the stakeout and all he’s eaten is plane food.

.

Two hours in the car and he’s so bored he starts throwing popcorn into his mouth.

Then.

The generator blows.

“Nat?”

“Yeah I saw it.”

They move out of the car, trying to get a better look.

“Maybe it’s a coincidence,” he mutters.

She rolls her eyes.

“I don’t think so.”

Natasha moves quickly, scouting the house to see what’s happening inside, their line of sight now gone in the darkness.

“Nat, wait,” he urges, “what if it’s a trap?”

The money launder is clearly on alert.

Two sets of armed guards leave the door and Natasha watches as they fan out. She sneaks past them and Clint swears as she looks back.

Natasha moves into the house.

Two shots ring out, and Clint ducks, swearing softly under his breath.

There’s someone else there and he can’t see them.

Scrambling up and onto the tall fence, he moves across the tallest tree and climbs up it.

There’s a team of two, dressed in black with large night vision goggles that make them look like frogs.

He taps on his ear piece.

“There’s two, on your left, try and take the mark alive if you can,” he orders.

“The two are coming through the kitchen, he’s moving out the up the stairs.”

Ideally alive, with his ties to hydra and the ten rings, he has valuable information they can use.

Natasha gives the signal she’s seen and chases him up the stairs.

Clint holds the two unknowns lined up in his sight.

He sees one set a charge and the other place two more.

“Fuck, Nat, they’re setting it to blow,” he growls, too far away, too high up to get to her before they detonate.

He drops down anyway, yelling.

“Nat, it’s a trap, they’re rigging it to blow, get out,” he says urgently.

He chases after the retreating spooks, and catches one, gun trained on them.

The frog like character shakes it’s head and holds up the detonator.

“No,” he exclaims, and holds his gun up.

They shake their head, and then press the button.

Hot flames engulf the building, throwing both of them back.

He tackles the body to the ground, ripping off the mask, and punching down hard.

Blonde hair and a frown greet him under the balaclava.

Wild eyes turn to him, “better go save Natasha,” a Russian accent growls.

Shock hits him.

How do they know Natasha?

Russian.

Black widow?

His heart sinks as the realization that Natasha is in a burning building.

“Just like Dreykov’s daughter,” she says scathingly, “left alone to die in a burning building with a bad man.”

Clint lets her go and runs.

She’s going to be okay, she has to be.

The explosion wasn’t big enough to total the building, parts still standing as he coughs in the heat, shielding his face.

He hears sirens wailing, and he knows he needs to find her.

“Natasha!” he calls, going in.

“Nat?!”

He calls her name over and over until he reaches the crumbling stairs. Covering his mouth, hoping that nothing else explodes, he climbs them.

Finding a bathroom, he opens the door only to find Natasha behind it.

“Bathtub,” she coughs.

“Stayed in.”

He hands her the cloth he was using to cover her mouth and helps her down the stairs.

“Mr. Nought?”

Natasha shakes her head.

“Couldn’t get to him. Dead, I think.”

They exit the house, Natasha limping and Clint guiding her out.

He wants to check her over, to see if she’s actually okay, but the sirens draw closer and they need to leave.

“I think the safe house is compromised,” he says driving away, heading straight for the airfield.

“We probably need to swap cars too.”

Natasha groans and holds her head, and Clint glances at her.

“What is it?”

“Nothing, just go, find a car,” she tells him.

There’s blood but he can’t tell in her black cat suit.

“Who was that?” she asks, looking back.

He doesn’t want to say the words but as he speaks them, the more he’s convinced he’s correct.

“Nat, I think it was Yelena.”

.

[tgmsunmontue]

Take more chances, dance more dances 2/2

~12k EXPLICIT Hangster AU Meet!Cute with Jake as the best man at Natasha and Javy's wedding and Bradley is the instructor teaching them how to dance... (Side Mav/Cyclone (and vaguest hints of Javy/Nat/Bob if you're looking))

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

                They didn’t exchange numbers, there was no need to when there’s already been an email with Bradley’s number right there on the bottom. He enters it into his phone and adds a couple of eggplant emojis because he’s nothing if not honest with himself about what he’s entering the number into his phone for. He doesn’t send a message though, he entered his own number into the sign-up sheet when he did the health and safety forms. Bradley can also contact him if he wants.

                He can wait a couple of days.

                Maybe.

…             …             …

                “What are you drinking?” Jake asks, taking a sip from the side.

                “It’s a mojito…”

                Huh. That’s the smell of the body wash Bradley uses. Just the scent has his dick stirring in his pants and he can’t believe he’s somehow developed a Pavlovian response to a scent combo from one time.

…             …             …

                It’s been niggling at the back of his head, what Natasha Trace had said, about wanting to bring their wedding forward. Jake talking about needing a grateful to be alive connection and he wonders. There is a lot that Mav can’t and won’t tell him, but he’d kind of hoped the days of him nearly dying while flying were over. Apparently not. He’s already dealt with too much in the last two months; the phone call about Mav being missing and Ice’s funeral. And now there’s a third thing. Of course there is. These things always come in fucking threes, even if Mav is clearly alive and well.

                He needs to talk to Mav.

                He has nothing in his schedule until after lunch, the morning meant to be for personal practice and yoga and choreography for the students he’s coaching at competition level. None of that is important though, he needs to reassure himself that Mav is in fact alive and well and he pulls up out front of his house twenty minutes later.

                “Bradley, hey buddy. Wasn’t expecting to see you today.”

                “I know. I just needed to see you though. See that you’re alive.”

                Mav’s eyes go sharp at that, and Bradley knows, knows they have both had nightmares about his dad dying. His own nightmares morphed into Mav dying. And he’s lost his mom and Ice to cancer. He has Mav and Aunty Sarah and Uncle Slider and their kids but…

                “You almost died on your last mission huh?”

                “What? How did you – Why do you think that?”

                “Call it an educated guess, which you just confirmed. What the fuck Mav… I’ve already had to deal with one phone call telling me that you were fucking missing and then find out you almost died on a different mission? When you told me you were going to start taking it easy this isn’t what I envisioned!”

                “I’m retiring.”

                The quick statement pulls him up and stops his internal rant.

                “What?”

                “Two ejections… almost dying more than once. Losing Ice. I think those days are all behind me.”

                “Two ejections! You won’t be cleared to fly again anyway. Holy shit. You’re like a fucking cat. It’s a wonder your skeleton isn’t rattling itself out of your body… fucking hell…”

                “Yeah well. It’s a little harder to get moving in the morning now.”

                “Yeah, I bet. You should start doing yoga with me.”

                “Well, I’ll have time. What with the whole retiring thing…”

                “I’ve heard those words before,” he says, still skeptical.

                “I mean them this time…”

                Bradley hums, takes in the somber expression on Mav’s face and realizes he might actually be serious.

                “Okay… well. I’ve got plenty of stuff you can help with.”

                “I haven’t suddenly gotten better at dancing.”

                “I wasn’t asking you to dance. Pretty sure you can fix my aircon unit though…”

                “Yeah, I can take a look at it.”

…             …             …

                The next time the four of them walk into the dance studio he has a better idea of what to expect. Has been anticipating it since he left Bradley’s apartment on Monday night. What he doesn’t expect is the freezing Arctic temperature. It’s not that hot outside. They’re going to need to go and get jackets.

                “Hey guys, sorry about the temperature. We had someone look at the aircon, and they got it working but broke the thermostat so it’s either stuck on cooling or heating and we have no control over anything in between. I’ll turn it off now,” Cheryl says, and she’s wearing a puffer jacket and walking toward the control panel. She’s also wearing dance attire, a short sparkly dress, probably fairly revealing on top which has lead to the puffer jacket. Definitely not what she’d been wearing on Monday and he wonders what class is happening later that warrants her wearing it. Wonders what Bradley might be wearing. He spies him coming through the door then, and unfortunately it’s simply black pants and t-shirt, although Jake has to admit he does make it look good.

                “Hey guys, good to see you again,” he greets, gives Jake a slow smile which makes him feel warm. Yeah. “Have you guys practiced your steps?”

                They have, one night with probably too much alcohol involved for it to be beneficial, but they’re not difficult steps. Bradley takes them through them, corrects them a little but is pretty complimentary on the whole.

                “So we’re going to partner up tonight. Nat, you and Javy obviously. Bob, you’ll dance with Cheryl. Jake… you’re with me.”

                Of course there are eye rolls, smirks and snorts but Jake doesn’t fucking care. He’s not ashamed that he’s had sex with Bradley, and clearly Bradley isn’t ashamed, just gives Jake a wink that tells him he’s maybe remembering their night together.

                Dancing with Bradley feels like foreplay, his body reacting without his permission and Bradley seems to know it too. Asshole. His hands brush over Jake just a little longer than necessary, his eyes falling to Jake’s lips and god he wants. He’s definitely supporting a half-chub, knows Bradley knows it, with all the times he’s brushed up against Jake for no reason, because the waltz doesn’t fucking call for body contact like that. He knows that much. As Bradley pauses, walks them through the steps, the corner-turns, Jake lets his mind wander. Bradley’s apartment is upstairs, scene of the crime as it were, and neither of them have messaged, but there’s interest there. He didn’t think he’d feel this horny after getting such a good lay on Monday, but apparently his body knows when he’s onto a good thing.

                “You got another class after this?” Jake asks as they turn into and out of a corner, and he can’t remember the steps exactly, but Bradley is very easy to lead.

                “Sure do.”

                “Want me to come back around finishing time?”

                “Or we could go upstairs and use my thirty-minute break far more creatively than I would otherwise.”

                “Yeah?”

                “Oh yeah…”

                He somehow manages the rest of the lesson without getting fully erect or dry-humping Bradley while dancing. He hopes Javy and Nat appreciate how much restraint he’s showing. Of course it doesn’t stop them sending him knowing looks when he says he’ll see them later, flicks them a one-fingered salute and heads toward the door he knows leads to Bradley’s apartment. Can hear Bradley coming up the stairs behind him, his hand reaching around to push open the door to his apartment, guiding Jake in with his body.

                Bradley doesn’t waste any time, drops to his knees and is deftly working Jake’s belt and jeans open, tugging them down, mouth already letting out puffs of warm air on Jake’s exposed skin.

                “Jesus fuck…”

                “We’re on a time crunch, don’t even think of holding back okay?”

                He doesn’t bother answering, just nods, because holding back wasn’t an option considering how he’s been half-hard for the last hour, far harder now with Bradley’s mouth brushing along the sensitive skin of his cock. Then there’s the tear of foil and a condom being rolled down and his cock is encased in tight hot heat as Bradley’s mouth follows the roll of latex down.

                “Fuck…”

                Bradley just hums, the gentle vibration magnifying as it travels through Jake’s body until he’s also vibrating with pleasure. He’s at Bradley’s mercy, his fingers stroking at Jake’s balls, mouth sucking hard, with distinct purpose and he lets himself just sink into the sensations. Enjoy the confident movements of a man who knows and wants to bring about pleasure as fast as fucking possible. He jerks as Bradley swallows around him, the heat and pressure ramping up for the briefest of moments before it’s back to rapid sucking. He’s not getting the opportunity to settle into any rhythm and he can appreciate the commitment Bradley clearly has to getting this over and done with as quickly as possible.

                He doesn’t let himself feel embarrassed by how quickly he comes, hopes Bradley takes it as a compliment that Jake is as clearly as goal focused as he is and he whines and reaches for Bradley, wants to return the favor rather desperately.

                “Uh uh. I’m going to save this for later… if you’re going to be here later. You can stay. If you want. Have a nap or shower and then we can have round two when I’m finished.”

                “Sounds perfect, I’ll wait here,” Jake says, letting himself slump against the wall so his legs will have less to worry about regarding balance and keeping him upright.

                “Help yourself to the food in the fridge and freezer.”

                “Wait, what are you going to eat?”

                “I’m going to slam back a protein shake and a banana, brush my teeth and hope like hell Cheryl hasn’t already blabbed about what I’ve been up to. I’ll see you later.”

                He gives Jake a quick kiss, his smirk clearly amused as Jake just stands there, dazed, his cock still out and wrapped, jeans around his knees and likely looking as blown away as he feels. He realizes quickly, once Bradley’s clearly gone. That he’s pretty much trapped, either he walks through the dance studio to exit the building, or he just stays where he is.

                Round two it is then.

                Easiest decision ever.

…             …             …

                “So how did you get into dancing anyway?” Jake asks him, looking thoroughly wrecked and Bradley approves of the look.

                He’d come up from his class, really needing a shower, to find Jake already in said shower, stretching himself open. It had taken a matter of minutes of Jake’s hands and mouth on him for him to be hard, enough time to feel suitably rinsed off and then they’d been back in bed. And now Jake is making conversation as opposed to running for the door and he approves of that too.

                “Ha. It’s… Well. I was an idiot and took my step-dad’s bike, crashed it and almost killed myself. I had a lot of rehab. A lot. Swimming and dancing were the ones which made me feel like I could get back to enjoying life again. And it turned out that dancing and music were just something that came easy to me.”

                “A natural huh?”

                “I guess. My mom was a dancer.”

                “Dancers do have a lot going for them…”

                Bradley snorts in amusement, because that’s not the worst pick-up line he’s heard, but it’s close. Jake doesn’t need to use pick-up lines though, he’s already in Bradley’s bed.

…             …             …

                It carries on like that for a couple of weeks, Jake simply hanging around after his lesson, them falling into bed after Bradley’s class. They end up hooking up three, four or even five times a week, always after Bradley is finished with his classes. It’s been a long time since he’s had so much sex, so regular. It’s super convenient and Bradley finds he also enjoys Jake’s company, when he deigns to stay a little longer. He doesn’t mind the whole getting sex on the regular, but is a little surprised when he enters the dance hall and sees Jake loitering near the water cooler.

                “Hey. Didn’t expect to see you today.”

                “Javy and Phoenix are doing cake tasting. Which seems a little weird considering his favorite is strawberry-vanilla and hers is chocolate. Just… I don’t understand weddings.”

                “You and me both, although I’m glad they often feature a first dance. Keeps me busy.”

                “And are you? Busy that is?”

                “Well, I actually have a community class today. It’s a free dance lesson and anyone can come along. I get a lot of kids. You don’t have to hang around.”

                “And if I want to?”

                “Well, I won’t stop you.”

                The room fills with dozens of people, most of them kids but none younger than about six or seven actually come onto the dance floor part of the room. There’s plenty of parents sitting on this side, keeping the younger kids entertained. He usually does two circles of dancers, one inner and one outer but he glances over at Jake and remembers their first meeting.

                “In honor of my friend Jake here I thought we’d do a little line dancing today, which is his specialty. Him and I will show you a demonstration and then we’ll see what we can teach you okay?”

…             …             …

                Jake laughs and shakes his head, because he hasn’t done line dancing properly in years, but he did do it for many many years, is still dragged out every time he goes home and he remembers everything; his parents wouldn’t let his forget this big a part of their family tradition and time together. Easy as breathing. Just not something he usually broadcasts, but he’s going to enjoy this.

                “Four wall dance to a thirty-two count? No hooks, no bridges? Right?”

                That gets Bradley attention and Jake smirks at the flash of arousal he sees in Bradley’s eyes. He was right, dancing does turn him on. Jake is prepared to rock his world if he’s going to think making Jake do a little line dancing is going to make him uncomfortable. He’s got tone on this type of dancing if nothing else.

                “You’ve been holding out on me Lieutenant…”

                “I haven’t been holding out at all.”

                Bradley throws his head back and laughs, delighted and Jake grins, pleased with himself.

                “Okay everyone, we’re going to let Jake show us his fancy foot work, I’m going to try and keep up with him, and then we’ll show you something you can all learn. Sound good?”

                There’s a little cheer, and this is obviously the format that Bradley uses every time and Jake shakes out his shoulders and rolls his neck, loosening up, wondering what music Bradley is going to put on, trusts him to know what will make a more interesting demo anyway. When the first words announce Good time he barks out a laugh. Of course. He gestures to the empty space beside him, quirks his eyebrow at Bradley expectantly. Bradley steps in, accepts the challenge Jake is laying down and fuck this is fun.

                He counts in and kicks off, seeing Bradley following out of the corner of his eye, and as he steps, kicks and toe struts his way through the first quarter-turn. He says the moves, broadcasting what he’s about to do give Bradley a chance to keep up and he does; grinning the whole time and Jake had forgotten how much fun this is. He adds more complexity as soon as Bradley seems to have got it, changing from wall to wall although he keeps the primary steps the same, knows Bradley might try and teach this and wants to give him a chance of it making it look a little similar. The song is only five minutes long, comes to an end far sooner than he’d like, is enjoying dancing like this with Bradley and he’s enjoying it too if the look he’s giving Jake is anything to go by. He’d thought he’d seen all of Bradley’s bedroom eyes after three weeks but this is a new one.

                “Holy shit, you can dance. Fuck you’re hot when you move like that… no wonder you’ve picked up the waltz so easily.”

                “You think so huh?”

                “God yes. You able to stay? Want you to fuck me.”

                Jake doesn’t know if he’s ever going to quite get used to Bradley just blatantly stating what he wants, no coy games or making him guess.

                “Yeah, okay. We can do that.”

                “Good. Now I have to get through the rest of this session with a semi, so thanks for that.”

                “You’re welcome darlin’, anytime…”

                “Promises promises,” Bradley says, walking backwards away from Jake but his grin is lascivious and he is indeed noticeably half-hard in his pants.

…             …             …

                He’s ready to kill him. He’s somehow fixed and re-broken the AC. Decided the water cooler needed upgrading, which has resulted in them now having to hire a replacement until a proper repair man comes. Bradley’s car needed an oil change, which had gone smoothly, but then he’d decided to tune it, and of course it’s now in pieces. He’s lucky he can walk pretty much everywhere he needs to go.

                “Mav, seriously, what is up with you? You need to find something to do which isn’t breaking everything of mine that you touch. Please.”

                “I’m bored.”

                “Yeah, no shit. Surely there’s someone else you can annoy.”

                The expression on Mav’s face breaks his heart and fuck, he realizes it’s usually Ice that Maverick annoyed and he reaches for him, hugs him, feels guilty that he hadn’t realized earlier.

                “I miss him too. Have you thought about going and helping Sarah with her grandkids though? Would that help?”

                “Maybe. They make me feel old.”

                “Mav… “

                “Don’t say it.”

                Bradley huffs, gives Mav a quick squeeze and steps away, ignores the quick swipe Mav takes at his eyes.

                “You want to come to the wedding with me? They’ve given me a plus-one.”

                “You mean Javy and Natasha’s wedding?”

                “Yeah. Is there another wedding coming up that I should know about?”

                “No… but I’m not going as your plus one. Take Hondo. Even Beau would be a better option than me…” Oh. There’s an idea. “Actually, you want to do something truly scary Mav? Ask Beau to be your plus-one to the wedding.”

                “Cyclone isn’t interested in me like that.”

                “What, so he might say no? Is the great Maverick Mitchell a little scared of rejection?” Bradley goads, because he learnt from Ice that one of the best ways to get Mav to do something was tell him he either couldn’t, or he’d somehow fail if he did. And Bradley has a pretty good hunch that Beau won’t say no.

…             …             …

                “Uh, so I know it’s really late notice, but I was wondering if you’d come to the wedding as my date…”

                Bradley laughs and shakes his head, looks up then and realizes Jake has taken that the wrong way, expression shuttering to cool indifference and he doesn’t want that. He presses himself against Jake, nibbles on his ear and kisses along his jaw and enjoys the fine scrape of stubble against his lip.

                “I actually already got asked to be someone’s plus one to the wedding. Just this morning in fact…” Bradley says, rolling his hips against the swell of Jake’s ass. “And I turned them down. Was sort of hoping for a better offer…”

                “Oh?” Jake asks, and he sounds curious and Bradley pulls back so he can see his grin.

                “Yeah… and yes. I’d like to go with you.”

                “Glad to hear it…”

…             …             …

                Bradley is happy with how they look, their last practice before the actual wedding day in three days and they’re gliding across the floor beautifully. Natasha and Javy seem relaxed and happy, their respective sisters here for this final lesson and Jake and Bob look equally good although he misses dancing with Jake himself. He’s a little surprised when they switch partners, Bob suddenly switching to dance with Javy, who has clearly been learning how to both lead and be lead. Jake takes Natasha and the sisters pair off, one of them also taking the lead and he feels a little in the dark about the whole thing but he’s not disappointed. He could have helped if he’d known this was something they wanted.

                He chances a quick glance at Jake, who’s just looking softly pleased with the whole thing and he wonders if it was a bit more spur of the moment. There’s learning to do something with no intention of ever showing anyone, and then doing this. It’s not like it’s their actual wedding reception, however he’s starting to get an inkling that maybe it would be fine if it was. They switch partners again, this time Bob with Natasha and Jake with Javy. Jake is now being lead and he feels a flash of what he thinks is annoyance and he’s not sure what he’s annoyed about exactly. Then Jake is peeling off and grinning at him.

                “You wanna take me for a spin?”

                “You know I do…” Bradley says, and then he’s leading Jake across the floor in a waltz, and Jake’s not as practiced as he is when he’s leading, but it’s still passable and Bradley realizes that he’d maybe been jealous rather than annoyed. Huh.

                “I don’t have a class tonight. There’s a two-week break. Was wondering if you maybe wanted to go and get dinner?”

                “You mean you eat proper food? Not just protein shakes?”

                “Shut up, my main meal is lunch because I have more time to cook during the day. You want to go and eat or not?”

                “Think I can be persuaded.”

…             …             …

                Natasha and Javy manage to get him alone, asking him if he’d like to attend their wedding and he laughs, says he’s already coming and wonders briefly why Jake hasn’t told them he’s got Bradley coming as his date. Both sets of eyebrows go up when he tells them and he’s not sure how to take it.

…             …             …

                He didn’t know if they were going to be wearing their dress uniforms or suits, but clearly they’ve gone with suits and Jake looks drop dead gorgeous. He looks good normally, but in a form-fitting suit he is stunning. Everyone else looks good too, all of them unfairly good looking really, but it’s Jake that holds his attention and he realizes then that maybe he’s starting to fall a little in love. That wasn’t his plan, and he feels a little disconcerted, because Jake will be leaving. Will forget him and just move on to better and brighter things, far away from Bradley. He needs to be realistic and prepare for that eventuality.

                The wedding ceremony is late in the day on a Thursday, held in a small chapel not far from the base and he’s had to get a ride from Beau and Mav, which is amusing (for many reasons, not least Beau insisting on driving) however also annoying, seeing as his car is still not functional; or in one piece. The ceremony is quick but sincere, he likes the fact that both Javy and Natasha have a best-man and a bridesmaid each, clearly not holding to any particular traditions or societal expectations. There’s about fifty people in attendance, and having spent so much time with the wedding party over the last four weeks he actually feels like he knows them quite well, although Bob is wearing a ring on his ring finger and he would swear he never wore one before.

                Natasha and Javy almost run up the aisle in their delight, their best men following behind them and Jake winks at him as he goes past, he rolls his eyes but can’t resist smiling. The bride and groom’s sister follow much more sedately, looking bemused at the whoops of congratulations happening from excitable family and friends. There are photos outside, Bradley stands off to the side with Mav and Beau, although Mav gets called up to have photos with the bride and groom, and then Beau is called up as well. He’s glad he just gets called up for a large group photo and then he expects the wedding party to disappear for more photos but instead they’re all heading to the restaurant of a hotel for dinner and he finds himself back in the backseat of Beau’s car again.

…             …             …

                The function room is nicely set out, a sliding divider-wall making the room smaller and more intimate. There’s a decently sized dance floor to one side, decorations and flowers and this feels far more traditionally wedding-like and he suspects it’s the hotels doing rather than personal preference on behalf of either Natasha or Javy. He leaves Mav and Beau as soon as he can, grabs a glass of champagne and walks in any direction that is away from them, stilted conversation and all. It’s weird hearing them try to be polite to each other.

                “I forgot you said that Mav was a family friend…” Jake says, coming up beside him and Bradley opens his mouth and then shuts it again. Looks across to Mav who is still awkwardly talking with Beau who looks either amused or terrified, Bradley’s not actually sure.

                “Uh… Yeah. I mean… he is. But… didn’t he tell you?”

                “Tell me what?” Jake asks, also looking towards Mav, eyebrow quirking upwards as he takes in the fact he’s almost touching Beau with his hand, clearly uncertain, which is an odd look on him. They’ve been dancing around each other for fucking years, and not literally dancing, if it had been actual dancing they would have fucked by now. He knows Beau has been unable to do or say anything with the differences in rank, but now that Mav is officially retired he’s hopeful that maybe they’ll both come to their collective senses. “Did they come together?”

                “Yeah, with me in the backseat. This is their first date. Mav is like my dad.”

                “What?”

                “Uh… which part?”

                “You came with them… and this is their first – wait. Maverick is your dad?”

                “No. My dad was his RIO. Mav is my godfather, though he pretty much raised me after my dad died. I can’t believe you didn’t know. Shit. Sorry. I seriously thought he would have mentioned it. I would have mentioned it if I had thought you didn’t know.”

                “No… just the whole family friend thing.”

                “Well, that’s not wrong either, it’s just not quite the whole picture. Anyway, Mav has been bored out of his mind since he retired. He took my car and it’s now in fucking pieces at his hangar, leaving me without a car. And those two have been… antagonistic toward each other, for years, and I was pretty sure it was unresolved sexual tension and watching them now, I know it was.”

                “That explains some things.”

                “Does it?”

                “Yeah. Pretty sure if Admiral Simpson said the sky was blue Mav would somehow disagree just to annoy him…”

                “Oh yeah. Mav annoys the people he loves. It’s a thing with him. Beau doesn’t know what’s going to hit him.”

                “Can I just say hearing you call Admiral Simpson by his first name will never not be weird.”

                “Well, before he died I used to call the COMPACFLT Uncle Ice, or Uncle Tom, so let that rock your world.”

                Jake looks suitably weirded out and Bradley grins, takes a sip of his drink.

                “How many Admirals do you know?”

                “More than any civilian should probably. Maybe ten?”

                “Definitely too many.”

                They get through the dinner, speeches which are thankfully short, then he’s watching the first dance, feeling proud as Javy and Natasha glide beautifully across the floor. After their first circuit around the dance floor the rest of the wedding party joins them. Another circuit and then it’s an open invitation and just like they’d done at their last practice, Natasha and Bob dance together while the sisters pair up and Jake and Javy navigate around the floor. He lets them do one lap and then he moves, aiming for Jake with purpose, cutting in smoothly, gets a slap on the back from Javy.

                “Having fun?”

                “Think it’s one of the nicest weddings I’ve been to,” Bradley admits, and he realizes that Jake has been leading him to the edge of the dance floor and he’s a little disappointed. He enjoys dancing, especially with Jake; although the column Jake is now leaning against does offer some potential possibilities that immediately flood his mind.

                “Thanks for agreeing to come with me.”

                “I’m sure we can come together later too…”

                “Way to lower the tone… real classy.”

                “We just waltzed around the room, that was classy enough,” Bradley says, because if he can’t dance with Jake then he’ll take up his other favorite activity, turning him on. He shifts slightly, looks around and then moves his hand across the front of Jake’s pants, a casual movement to any onlooker, but definitely not casual for Jake, the quick firm press of Bradley’s hand on his cock making him look a little scandalized and Bradley can’t help but laugh.

                “You wanna try me pretty boy?” Bradley asks, knowing Jake likes pushing boundaries as much as Bradley enjoys laying them down.

                “Yeah, but time and place. Best friend’s wedding… probably not the place? Or the time?”

                “They’re all paying attention to the bride and groom. Trust me. You’ve got all my attention.” Jake shifts and Bradley is pretty sure he’s getting turned on. Good. “You’ve always got my attention.”

                Jake doesn’t say anything, but there’s a little hitch to his breathing, enough to tell him that Jake’s definitely getting hard. He’s had weeks of learning his body and reactions in bed, so the only thing different now is the fact they’re fully dressed and surrounded by people.

                “Forgot to say, you look absolutely fucking gorgeous.”

                He turns his body slightly, pretending to want to look out over the dance floor, but the jut of his thigh and hip brush against Jake’s groin with intent and he hides a pleased grin as he hears Jake moan.

                “You planning on keeping me on edge all night?”

                “Honey, this isn’t anywhere near an edge, this is just me teasing you… I think I’ll go and dance for a bit, let you collect yourself.”

…             …             …

                He watches as Bradley goes to cut-in, this time it’s Javy’s sister, the accomplished dancer and she moves fluidly with Bradley, definitely looking good and it doesn’t help his burgeoning erection at all. The man can move and he fucking knows it, showing off when he knows Jake is watching.

                “So, Bradley huh?”

                He freezes, blood running cold. And yeah. That’ll do it. Maverick.

                “Uh, what was that Mav?”

                “Bradley. You’re the one he’s here with. He refused point blank to consider coming as my plus one.”

                “Think your plus-one is happy you asked him…” Jake says, seeing Admiral Simpson dancing with Phoenix. He looks at Mav and then notes the blush, just the barest hint of pink and he wouldn’t have caught it except for the fact that he’d also shifted and ducked his head, looking fucking bashful of all things and Jake wonders just how much dating experience this man has.

                But then he realizes that Bradley got asked by Mav to be his plus-one, not some other person like he’d thought, but his father figure and something inside him relaxes, just a little. He could have asked, but he’s not used to asking for what he wants and he’d desperately wanted to know. And now he does. He somehow manages to make small talk with Mav until Admiral Simpson comes over and invites Mav to dance with him. He’s quickly rejoined by Bradley, who is watching Mav and Admiral Simpson with a slightly horrified expression.

                “What? What’s wrong?”

                “Mav cannot dance at all.”

                “I don’t think Admiral Simpson cares…” Jake states as he watches the two of them just sway and watch each other while trying to look like they’re not watching each other. He’s pretty sure he’s blushing from the secondhand embarrassment.

                “You know I was thinking, I wouldn’t mind edging you, working you up until you’re so desperate to come you cry for me… Think you’d look very pretty like that.”

                Jake remembers Bradley saying a similar thing their first night together and he’s never been with someone with that level of patience. Or the patience to put up with him whining about wanting to come. He feels that Bradley would likely gag him to stop him whining and the little sound that escapes him at just the thought is quiet, but Bradley definitely catches it, head turning immediately, eyebrow quirking up and smile slow as he realizes that Jake is apparently very much into the idea.

                “Mmm. Shame we can’t really explore that right now. This is not the time or place. And we can’t leave before the bride and groom.”

                “I can go and tell them to leave?”

                Bradley laughs, angles his head to kiss at his neck just above his collar and he can’t believe that this is just Bradley being playful. Fuck.

                “Won’t hurt you to practice some patience. Think you’ll need it.”

…             …             …

                He dances with everyone who seems like they want to dance, meets grandparents and parents, friends, and colleagues and tries to ensure everyone has a good time. Every time he sees Jake alone he takes him for a dance, makes sure the music suits either the waltz they know, or is something close to what Jake can confidently dance to. He finds the music, controlled by a guy called Mikey, and asks him to queue up Good Time, quickly lets Natasha, Javy and Bob know he’s going to organize a line dance, and they’re all enthusiastic. He drags Jake into the center front to help lead and then he has nearly everyone present dancing, tapping and stepping to the music; laughter when they get it wrong but he feels high on the enjoyment of everyone around him.

                Between each couple of dances with others he returns to Jake, runs his hand down his arm, kisses his neck or cheek softly, leaves him talking with whichever guest he’s trying to hold a conversation with before he goes back to dancing, confident that Jake is getting more and more wound up. The idea of taking him apart and watching him unwind all in one go has his own arousal simmering away lowly.

                Finally Natasha and Javy are walking around and saying goodbye to everyone. There’s no bouquet toss or garter thing, instead the bouquet is handed to Natasha’s grandmother very carefully, who pats her cheek and then gives her a shooing gesture with her free hand. She clearly doesn’t need to be told twice, grinning and waving at everyone as she tugs Javy with her. He guesses that most people have work tomorrow, it’s not even midnight, as now that they’ve left there’s only a small group of people who seem to be discussing staying, while the grandparents are definitely heading out.

                “I have a room upstairs,” Jake says, his voice barely above a whisper and Bradley turns, wraps an arm around him and pulls him close, angles their bodies so Jake is rubbing against his side and he can definitely feel a half-firm cock in his pants. Yeah, he wants to leave now.

                “Perfect. Let’s go…” Bradley says, and he spies Mav talking to someone, his pinky finger adorably hooked around Beau’s like he’s afraid of letting him go. Seeing as Mav is busy he aims his comments at Beau. “I’ll find my own way home. You have a good night Admiral.”

                Beau looks quietly pleased while Mav looks flushed and Bradley doesn’t want to wonder about why. Instead, want to focus on Jake and getting him to a state where he can barely remember his own name. He follows Jake through the lobby to the elevators, holds him and discreetly palms him through his pants, angles his body to stop prying eyes and puts his mouth to Jake’s ear.

                “You look so fucking hot in this suit. Seems a shame to take it off…”

                “You should see me in my uniform…”

                “Meh. Uniforms don’t do anything for me,” Bradley admits. “At least not military ones. Grew up seeing too many of them. This though? Trying to decide whether I want to fuck you in it or not…”

…             …             …

                Jake can barely breathe, unable to take deep breaths with how tight his entire body is feeling. Bradley’s words aren’t helping, and he forces his brain to connect words into comprehensible sentences. Walks stiffly down the hall to his hotel room, Bradley’s hand under his jacket but burning hot through the fabric of his shirt. He pushes open the door and steps inside.

                “I want to say not, simply because of how much it cost me, but also, that’s what dry cleaning is for right? And I kind of like the idea of thinking about you fucking me in it every time I wear it in the future.”

                That seems to sell it for Bradley, his hands not hesitating in pulling Jake’s shirt out from his pants with one hand, other hand on his belt, mouth on Jake’s and he sways into him, presses his body against Jake’s and god, he’ll never grow tired of the way Bradley moves against him and he leans against the wall for support.

                “Wanna fuck you like this,” Bradley says, his voice pitched low in Jake’s ear and his skin prickles at the level of intensity in his voice.

                “You can.”

                “I know.”

                Bradley strips quickly, clearly wants to be naked while he has Jake fully clothed, shirt untucked, belt undone but that’s all that’s happened. Bradley is moving around with purpose, grabbing a couple of towels, getting Jake’s directions for lube and condoms. He’s standing there, fully clothed, and getting harder in his pants at just the thought of Bradley fucking him. He never used to be this fucking easy. Then Bradley is back, gloriously naked in front of him, his cock bouncing around with growing interest, hands running all over Jake’s body, slipping over his shoulders and taking his suit jacket off. Part of him wants to leave it on, an extra layer of protection maybe for how exposed he’s feeling right now.

                “How about we at least remove the jacket, don’t want you to overheat… another time though, air-conditioned room, definitely want to explore that.”

                Like realizing that Mav was the other person who had asked Bradley to the wedding, hearing Bradley talk about times in the future where they’re still fucking makes his stomach twist with pleasure and relief maybe. Then he’s being shuffled toward the bed, falling onto it, bouncing a little and then Bradley’s pressing him down, naked skin fucking everywhere and he kisses him, lips sliding and he can feel Bradley’s erection pressing against his, separated by only two layers of fabric and he jerks up, wanting more friction.

                Without his permission or say-so Bradley’s leaning back, kneeling above him, shifting to be carefully positioned above his knees, hand rubbing with firm intent over his cock, fingers nimbly undoing the button and clasp of his pants, lowering the fly carefully. Then Bradley’s tugging his pants and underwear together, under the curve of his ass before carefully maneuvering the front over his erection. He leans down and licks a stripe up Jake’s cock, sucks at the head far too briefly to be anything but a tease and he groans.

                “You good?” Bradley asks, and his tone is lower than Jake’s ever heard it, raspy and fuck he sounds good.

                “You know it…”

                Bradley hums then, gives his cock another too-quick suck but then he’s moving away, rolling Jake onto his side, bringing his legs up into a curl and he runs a finger over the crease between his ass cheeks. Then Bradley is tugging his tie undone, looping it through one of his shirt cuffs, then the other, and it’s not quite a front hog-tie but both his wrists are now at the mercy of Bradley. He could easily flick the cufflinks out, get free, but he won’t. He wants to see where Bradley’s going to take this, is desperate to see where Bradley might take this.

                To his disappointment the tie is released, but not removed from where it’s looped; he hears the snap of the lid and then there’s the press and wipe of too much lube around his hole and he doesn’t want to whine about the amount of lube, but he also totally does. He keeps quiet though. He also wants to complain about the amount of time it’s taking, but he’s learnt to trust Bradley, trust that he has a plan and it’s never let him down yet.

                “So hard for you already…”

                Oh.

                He hears the now familiar tear of foil and more lube, and they’re going to make an absolute mess of the bed, but he doesn’t care in the slightest. Then Bradley’s reaching for the tie again, pulling it into a loop in his hands and then leans down to kiss at the hinge of his jaw, catches his lips in a kiss. The way Bradley has him doesn’t make it easy, his thighs are together, unable to be spread with his pants around his thighs, his shirt cuffs and tie keeping his wrists clamped firmly to the bed under Bradley’s left hand. His right-hand palms over his ass, the only part of him that’s naked and exposed, a finger brushing down the length of his ass crack again before focusing a few strokes just on his hole.

                “This okay Jake?”

                He groans, thrusts back on the finger stroking over his hole in a too-soft stroke.

                “Need words Jake…”

                “Yes. Fuck. Yes. I’ll tell you if I don’t like something.”

                “That’s all I needed to know…”

                Then he feels the slide of a finger into him, and it doesn’t get as deep as he’s used to, Bradley’s knuckles pressing into the flesh of his ass and he wants to spread his legs, wants Bradley deeper. But he can’t, too constricted, all he can do is press back, let Bradley do his whole maddeningly slow thing where he completely ignores whatever it is Jake says and instead listens to his body, somehow able to read it fluently. He’s got one of his knees behind Jake’s knees, and he’s pressing Jake down into the bed with his body and god it feels good.

                “Oh god… fuck you’re tight,” Bradley says, sliding two fingers in, and he can feel Bradley’s teeth pressing down on his bicep through the fabric of his shirt and he wonders if he will get the shirt cleaned after all. Maybe keep it as a souvenir to remind him of this. Of Bradley. All he can do is jerk minutely, barely a flex of muscle and he wants to touch his cock, can’t, and he feels increasingly desperate. Bradley’s fingers are moving non-stop, tugging at his rim, knuckles pressing and massaging at the tight muscles, and he squeezes his eyes shut, gasps at the press of three fingers.

                “Going to mess you up…”

                “Yeah, yeah… come on. Please.”

         ��      Jake can’t believe how hard he is. He’s never had sex while wearing a suit, but he’s also never been fucked while being quite this restrained and he wants to know whether it’s one or the other, or the combination. Or is it just a Bradley thing? He’d briefly thought it would be little bit awkward,  with Bradley only having one hand to try and hold Jake open and guide his cock. But there’s lube and apparently Bradley’s cock has a homing beacon in it, because the press of Bradley’s cock into him is slow and sure.

                “You’re so fucking good…”

                Jake makes a sound he can’t even begin to describe, the love-child between a whine and moan, hopes Bradley realizes it’s a good sound, because his tongue feels thick in his mouth, unable to form proper words, his breath stuttering in and out. He’s been turned on for hours, getting more and more desperate for this with every little touch Bradley had given him. And Bradley had known what he was doing, the entire time. His eyes had been dark with arousal as he held Jake in his arms as they danced, running his fingers over the back of Jake’s hand, placing soft kisses on the side of Jake’s jaw. Every single look and touch a promise for later.

                “Fuck Jake… how are you so fucking perfect. God.”

                Bradley’s thrusting, quick quick sloooow, pushingin fast and relentless, but dragging out slowly, his breathing shifting to shuddery exhales as he clearly lets himself feel Jake’s body around him. Pushing back in quickly before repeating the slow drag out. Over and over and over. Quick quick sloooow. He desperately wants to touch his cock now, is shifting against nothing in the vain hope he might get some friction, something, anything. He can see the head, dark against the unintentional framing of his white shirt, can feel dampness where his own precum has been caught on the fabric.

                “Yeah, your cock looks so good against your shirt. So pretty…” Bradley says, his voice rough in Jake’s ear as he continues to move, kissing at Jake’s ear, jaw, lips; all while thrusting. Quick quick sloooow. “You’re close…” Jake blinks. Is he? His body and brain don’t feel attached right now and he realizes that yeah, he is. Bradley now knows his body that well. “Come on Jake, come on my cock. Nothing but my cock.”

                That punches the breath out of him and he comes, hard, his body straining to release everything, all his muscles seeming to flex and then immediately relax simultaneously and he shudders, shakes and then he feels Bradley shaking above him, his groans sounding beautifully broken and he was true to his word. Jake is definitely messed up, his shirt and stomach now damp and sticky, the tie stretched and twisted in Bradley’s hands. Then he has both of Bradley’s hands on him, tie and wrists released, instead it seems like Bradley wants to touch every inch of him and he lets him.

…             …             …

                Jake stands there and it’s the first time Bradley has seen him in uniform, knows he must no longer be on leave and his stomach falls. It’s been a couple of days since they’ve seen each other and yeah, this is definitely not sexy in the slightest.

                “Guess you’re on a plane or boat out of here soon huh?”

                “Yeah, two days. Just. I’ll be gone for five months.”

                “Guess I’ll be seeing you then. You get to visit all your other people in all the other ports…”

                “And if I only want one person. And one port…?” Jake asks and Bradley blinks.

                “You asking me to go steady?” Bradley teases, although the intent of his question is dead serious. “When you’re about to leave me for five months?”

                “Yep. Guess I am. Taking a leaf out of your book and stating what I want. Clearly. No room for misinterpretation.”

                “I approve. Always in favor of being upfront with what you want.”

                “And what do you want?”

                “Right now? To take my new long-distance boyfriend to bed. In five months? To be there when he steps off his plane or boat when he comes home to me…”

                “And take him to bed then too I hope.”

                “Of course.”

[evita-shelby]

The Locket

Jack Nelson x Eva Smith, reincarnating soulmates au ft Two Souls Bound for Hell, National Anthem, What Happens in Vegas and They didn’t know we were seeds

Tag list: @justrainandcoffee @emotionalcadaver @call-sign-shark @peakyswritings @zablife @thegreatdragonfruta

1847

Once he made the decision to return home, marry his Aoife and start over in America, the corporal visits the peddler who is known to sell jewelry stolen from both the living and dead alike.

He had saved enough to settle any debts his family would have, have a small but proper wedding and leave for America before the English hang him for his desertion.

Martin had been careful with his coin even after his promotion to Corporal and after a small gift by Hannah, he had decided he could spare some for a trinket to give to his soon-to-be bride.

He sees it amongst the pendants, an old locket somewhat dirty and scratched with a human heart surrounded by flowers carved into it. Gold, or dipped into it by the way its quality can’t be hidden by the lack of care.

The peddler had said its previous owner had received it from her husband and wore it until the day she died mere minutes after him. The old woman was apprehensive to sell it for it could bring ill luck to its wearer.

My Aoife will find the story romantic, she believes in fate and magic, he had said in response while still offering his coin and the old woman gave him the chain for free muttering some sort of blessing just in case.

Martin O’Feeney keeps it in his coat pocket and waits for the right moment. He had despaired when he heard she had married, rejoiced to know she had been widowed and felt the stirrings of hope in his dead heart when they wed that night.

She wears only that when they celebrate their wedding night up in the loft of the barn, the stolen treasure bounces against her chest as she rides him as if it was always meant for her.

The locket holds a lock of auburn hair from Roisin and baby Michael’s dark curl tied with a string and rests on the swell of Aoife’s breast come hell or high water. It is the one thing of value they still own those first harsh years in America where poverty is bad but not as terrible as it had been in Ireland.

They live well once things become steady for them to have a third, Hannah, and own their own home where Aoife runs her medicine shop. She wears it always even when they grow old and gray.

The only time he ever sees Aoife remove it is when he is on his deathbed and watches her leave it on their dresser to join him and leave this world together.

The year is 1892 and somewhere in a dingy tenement block in Boston, Martin O’Feeney is reborn as John, son of Rosemary Nelson wife of Roisin’s eldest son, Edmund.

1926

Jack knows his woman has a thing for the magic and old things.

The locket had belonged to an Irish Midwife who had come to America with her husband who she loved so much she died the same night as him. They had three children going by the three locks of hair inside it.

The woman dabbled in magic, the shopkeeper had whispered, no one has been able to buy it without being cursed with bad luck because the old bat hadn’t wanted her daughter to sell it.

And because Eva knows magic and curses, Jack Nelson pays double of what the old man had said it cost. He’s got money to burn and knows whatever curses it has aren’t strong enough to hurt his woman.

She burns the locks of hair, hair as dark as hers and one lock as red as his mother’s had been, and lets the wind spread its ashes as part of the removing the curse. The name of the previous owner was also Eva, well, Aoife, or so his wife had learned as she did her magical shit to break the curse on the locket.

He had a great grandmother called that; his dad’s witch grandmother come to think of it. His grandmother had been named Roisin like the owner of the ginger lock of hair too.

“Rather romantic, don’t you think? A gift from her husband whom she loved so much she couldn’t live without it or him.” Evie murmurs against his chest later that night.

“Would you love me like that, Evie?” he asks having grown fearful of losing her to their mistress, Gloria, or worse, death.

“I already love you like that, Jack.” The witch laughed softly as she reassures him of the strength of her love for him. She’ll end things with Gloria, they’ll have the baby Jack’s dreading to have, and she’ll even eschew heaven to follow him into hell.

The witch loves that locket to death, will wear it at home and whenever she can pair it with her clothing on outings. Wears it on their anniversary, their kid’s birthdays, their weddings and when they cheat death fate had in store for them.

His children never die like the visons of death that plague them since childhood claimed they would. Jack could now say his children had ended the curse that plagued his father’s bloodline as he and Eva ready themselves for bed one last time.

They know their time is up, a strange feeling they’ve had for some time now. Jack is ninety-nine and Eva ninety-five when they leave the locket on the nightstand and are found dead by their nurse the following morning.

It is 1992, in a hospital in Boston Jack Nelson is born to Rose Nelson ---of no relation to the infamous Nelson Family--- and Eva Smith is born in an ambulance outside the Sistine Chapel to Isabel Riley.

2019

Asking Eva to be his fake girlfriend was the best decision he ever made.

He loves her, he’s sure of it.

She looks beautiful in anything. The locket he gave her for Christmas two years ago does not look out of place even in the cheap wedding minidress she rented for their elopement.

He loves her, there’s no doubt about it.

Another Jack and Eva who will have their picture in that locket.

The faded photograph he’d taken out of it when he bought it said Jack and Eva 1919 on the back. 100 years ago, they had gotten married and put their picture in the locket and now in 2019 it witnesses another Jack and Eva getting together.

“The shop lady said every owner who had it lived happy ever after with their husbands, says it brings good luck to its owners.” He tells her when he stops her from taking it off as they fuck in the pink car as husband and wife.

“I’d like to live in love with you for the rest of my life.” His girl said tearing off his shirt not giving a shit that the buttons had come off.

And they do, through seemingly infinite horrors and joys, the Nelsons live through all of it as in love as they were when they got married just as they promised in the back seat of their car.

They are on a road trip to Las Vegas the moment it becomes safe to revive their anniversary tradition when Eva loses the locket outside a gas station in Colorado. While both are disappointed in their loss, the young couple knows they’ll still love each other forever even without it.

“Maybe a different Jack and Eva will find it and continue the tradition.” Jack says as they give up their search for it and resume their drive.

And they do.

The locket is said to be several thousand years old, something that had survived and been cared for by those who love ancient shit.

It is a pretty thing, a human heart with flowers carved on the front and the letters J and E on scrawled on the back.

Jack had paid full price for it and couldn’t wait to see Eva’s face when she opened his gift for her. His wedding gift to his wife and mother to his baby boy.

“They say it brings good luck to new couples.” The curator says and dismisses it as nonsense. No one believes in romance and magic anymore, at least outside the Capitol.

But Eva does, has a deck of cards she says tell you the future and thinks fate was what brought them together.

“Maybe it will.” Jack thanks the guy anyways and prepares for his secret wedding.

Eva looks stunning with it, says it was meant for them going by the letters on the back.

It holds a picture of Laurie in her arms with his wrapped around hers, you couldn’t tell it was his arms and would give them plausible deniability should anyone ask. She wears it always, at home and at the Capitol.

Takes it with her as her token when she is called into the arena once more and keeps on wearing it even if it goes against the dress codes of District 13.

“It will only come off when we’re dead, mi amor,” she promises as they affix a new photograph once the rebellion ends, and the Hunger Games become a part of history never to be repeated.

“I’ll hold you to it, Mrs. Nelson.” Jack kissed her temple as they hold their newborn daughters, Isabel and Atia.

[egcdeath]

LISTEN!! The implications of you bringing up the tomshiv open marriage at the wedding convo in combination with the patrick art kenstewy-esque relationship are making me go crazy!! Like especially if there’s shared history among all THREE of you? The misery and hidden hurt and uncertainty and communication difficulty you would both be experiencing early on in marriage especially since art’s always hanging around you both stirring shit up (even if it’s not on purpose sometimes) because he’s also in contention for the top spot would be even worse than it was for tom and shiv.

Also continuing with the tomshiv storylines imagine the s4 hidden pregnancy angst?? especially because at that point you’re all closed off from each other and you’re in this weird mildly toxic love hate marriage after you’ve admitted all the real truths you feel about your relationship and the sadness to each other (like s2 finale sad beach convo) and you’re on opposite sides in so many ways at that point but still find your way back to each other for all these charged moments and emotional conversations because nobody truly gets you or sees you or stimulates you like he does and vice versa. And you love him and you love the status that being with him gives you and you’ve tried to make your marriage work even with both your hangups and hidden agendas but you both want more. you’re making your own power moves and alliances without and even against him like tom did and if it all ends the way succession did?? will it kind of kill patrick inside in the way that it did shiv?

OR if it’s like kendall and rava the angst of feeling alone in your marriage and everything always ending up being about him even if he doesn’t mean to make it that way all the time especially if you’ve got kids that he kind of forgets about sometimes… his daddy issues and addictive controlling personality taking over your relationship and the screaming matches and the messy “please still love me back we are not breaking up” hookups if you try to leave him would be so soul destroying. Self-destructive pathetic repressed failson (ex?)husband patrick is such a concept wow imagine it unfolding kinda like s1 kendallrava except you don’t ever really divorce and he really doesn’t want to because you’re still his wife and he needs that in his life

Oh my god this au is killing me there’s SO much to think about

anon you just ate SO HARD by combining the tomshiv open relationship scene with a dynamic where art is like stewy and has kinda been a roadblock in their relationship before. i mean i can’t even believe it. the dynamic of patrick and art vying for the same position AND after you is just so delicious to me i can’t even believe it. the ensuing angst and failmarriage would be tooooo good.

also loveee ur second paragraph. shiv pregnancy storyline was very tragic for me to watch for so many reasons so i just KNOW it would be devastating to write. i love ur point about all of the tension and how they’d just come together for these very emotional and charged moments bc that is just soo patrick. like obviously it’s also tomshiv but who’s doing a SUPER charged conversation like patrick zweig? like i can’t think of any better character to be arguing with and mid argument you call his earlobes thick and chewy like barnacle meat. or playing bitey with patrick?? bye.

anyway… i’ll just leave this here.

also your kendall/rava dynamic thoughts are way too good. like loving patrick and wanting to support him and being genuinely worried about him but he just keeps spiraling and getting worse to try to get his father’s approval (that he’s obviously never going to get) and he’s starting to kinda continue the patterns by being a bit of a deadbeat to your kids and you really really do care about him. but there’s no way your relationship can continue the way it’s currently going and you know that it’ll be best for your kids (and for you too tbh) if you get divorced and split from him but you also know that he’ll spiral even worse without you by his side so you’re conflicted! and you do end up staying because you love him even though you kinda feel more and more unhappy by the day (can someone say FAILMARRIAGE!!!) and your marriage kinda is deteriorating but you both refuse to acknowledge it even though there are the screaming matches and the frantic “please love me” hookups when patrick starts thinking that you’re going to leave him.

let me just say i was initially more of a fan of the the tomshiv dynamic but after hearing your thoughts and thinking a bit…… im not so sure.

i mean. look at the material.

[livelovesimallways]

"Prayed Up....." 🎵

(Previous)

(Previous following Dana's story)

Moses and I finally arrived home a couple of days ago after an amazing honeymoon. We spent nearly three months traveling, relaxing and enjoying the best parts of what make us...us. After taking some time for ourselves, letting our friends and family know we were back became top priority. While I reached out on my end, Moses was reluctant to do the same. He says he wants to, "protect his peace", which leads me to believe something serious is going on. Although I fully understand where he is coming from, avoiding things never helps. I just hope that, "protecting his peace", doesn't make a situation worse or leave people in the dark.

Later on that day.....

"So hold on...Let me get this straight...Sean was messing around with that Julia chick outside of Dana's rules? Deanna found out and told her?"

"Basically..."

"Damn...I wonder why she didn't tell me? It seemed like everything was going well. She even sent me their finished wedding plan." *sounding confused*

"Maybe it is for her. She probably feels like what's done is done. Shit, my moms used to get like that whenever my father got caught."

"Humph...I remember having those days myself. You're probably right. Now I feel terrible. Dana isn't the type to come crying about her problems either. She'll tell you, but won't get emotional about it. She keeps a lot bottled up."

"Yeah she's a good ass person too. She don't deserve that shit." *looks down then shakes his head*

"So was this why you were avoiding calls?"

"I mean it's part of it. Sean's been like my brother since high school, but him still doing dumb shit just ain't sittin right with me. I thought he was makin progress but, that ain't the case. I don't know if I want to be around all that. Too much potential to have me in some shit."

"In some shit like?...."

"Being put on the spot to cover, or getting questioned over something he did."

"But that only happened once right?" *narrows her eyes*

"You really want me to answer that? Shit, we both know not to ask questions we really don't want the answers to. You're gonna feel obligated to tell her and neither one of us is trying to stir up past things. She knows what kind of dude she has. Obviously we want better for her, but she's sticking beside him. There's no need to dig."

*sighs* "Fine...I'll leave it alone. What's done in the dark always comes to light anyway, so..." *her phone starts ringing, cutting her off* "Oh look, it's Nica, another person you've been avoiding. I'll put it on speaker."

A Few Days Later.......

"I'm just not understanding why you won't tell your sister you're pregnant? Like, I know it's not ideal, but you're in a good place. You're starting your career at that tech giant and you can stay here as long as you want. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Trust me, I've seen worse. The train wreck that is my father is a great example, and he's a multi-millionaire. You have a village: your sister, me and my family. You just have to embrace it. "

"Look...Mimi I get you're trying to help, but please leave it alone. That's not why..." *get choked up*

"Then what is it? I'm here for you, seriously..."

*whispers* "Fuck...."

"Damn...Umm...I didn't mean to upset you. You don't have to..."

"No, I do. Just please don't judge until you hear everything. The reason why I'm scared to tell her is because it's Sean's baby..." *tells her their entire history*

"Whew...That's a lot." *pauses for a few seconds* "Sleeping with your sister's man is foul as fuck, Dee. I get the whole college and first love thing before they met, but she's the one with him now...Has been for the past what, six years? And now a baby? You have to tell her before she marries this man."

"I know...I will..."

"This is crazy but, as much as I want to rant, I feel bad for you. He's manipulated this entire situation since you were eighteen. He was twenty-four and he knew to take advantage of your naivety. Now he says he loves you? He's full of shit and is using that as a way to keep you quiet and around." *pauses in thought* "Shit!..."

"What's wrong?"

"Remember a few days ago you were throwing up a lot?"

"Yeah?..."

"Well, I got scared and called Nica for advice. She had a rough first trimester so I figured she could help. I told her it was for you."

"Do you think she told anyone?" *extra concerned*

"I mean, it's possible, but that was a few days ago. I feel like if your sister knew she would've been knocking on the door. I'm gonna call Nica and check. But regardless, Dana's gonna find out sooner or later. You can't hide a baby bump and Sean's family has some strong genes. When the baby comes out looking like him..."

"Girl!...I get it. Can you please just call your sister for me? I'll figure it out from there."

To Be Continued......

Next

[xoxobuckybarnes]

Love Is All Around Us

A Stucky Four Weddings and A Funeral AU by xoxobuckybarnes

Summary: Steve and Bucky are best friends. Always have been. Always will be. Around them, all their friends are falling in love, getting married, having children, living their best lives. Steve and Bucky are dancing around their feelings for each other. With wedding after wedding to attend, it might finally be time for Steve and Bucky to finally address their feelings for each other...

Chapter 1: Tony & Pepper

Saturday June 10, 2023

An incessant ringing wakes Steve from the deep, blissful sleep he was in. His head is pounding and when he attempts to open his eyes, he’s blinded by the bright light pouring in from the open window. He squeezes his eyes shut, hastily patting around in search of his phone. When he finally finds it, he opens his eyes just enough to see the answer button, sliding it without even checking who’s calling him.

“Hello?” Steve mumbles, closing his eyes and throwing an arm over his head to block the light.

“Steve! Dude! Where are you?” Sam yells.

“Huh?” Steve’s too tired, and too hungover to be dealing with Sam yelling at him right now. He burrows into the bed, pulling the covers up further over himself.

“Do you know what time it is?” Sam asks.

Steve groans. “Too early.” All he wants is to just fall back asleep, wake up when his hangover has passed.

“We’re all up in Tony’s suite. Where are you guys?”

“Shit!” Steve sits up a little too quickly, his head spinning. Carefully, he turns to look at the alarm clock on the nightstand. Squinting his eyes to help him see better, he sees that it’s almost 10:15; he was supposed to be up in Tony’s suite 15 minutes ago. “I’ll be up in a bit.”

“Yeah, okay,” Sam replies.

Hanging up the call, Steve drops the phone down on the mattress. He rests his elbows on his legs and lowers his head into his hands, fighting the urge to fall back asleep.

Faintly, he tries to recall his dream. He can’t remember who else was in it, or where they were, or even what they were doing, but there’s this warmth in his chest that tells him he was happy. He takes a moment, focusing on that feeling, trying to recall whatever image he can from the dream, hoping to figure out what it was that made him feel happy in a way that he so rarely feels when awake. Nothing comes though, and eventually he gives up.

Steve pushes himself out of the bed, grabbing a pillow as he does so, throwing it at the lump in the other bed. “Buck! Wake up, we’re late!” Bucky just groans. Ignoring it, Steve makes his way to the bathroom to get ready. He’s grateful that, even in his inebriated state last night, he had the brilliant idea to shower, leaving him one less thing to do this morning.

When he emerges from the bathroom, not even ten minutes later, Bucky’s still sleeping. Steve sits down on the edge of the bed, strokes Bucky’s back, quietly calls his best friend’s name. When Bucky starts to stir, Steve calls his name a little louder.

“Five more minutes,” Bucky moans.

Steve chuckles, sliding his hand up to Bucky’s head, ruffling his hair. “We don’t have five more minutes. We’re already extremely late.”

Bucky groans again, but he at least makes a start on getting up, rolling from his stomach to his back. Lazily, Bucky holds his hand out and Steve grabs it, pulling Bucky up into a sitting position. Bucky keeps moving forward, until his head is resting on Steve’ shoulder. Steve huffs out a laugh as he soothingly rubs Bucky’s back. “Too much to drink last night?” he asks, already knowing the answer.

“Ugh,” Bucky whines. “No more tequila.”

Steve wraps his other hand around Bucky’s waist, holding his best friend close. “Hey, no one told you to make that bet with Clint.”

Bucky slides both his hands around Steve’s waist, shifting closer, pushing his nose into Steve’s neck. “Hey! I’m pretty good at darts. I always beat you. I thought I could win.”

Steve snorts. “I suck at darts. Beating me is no accomplishment. Clint, on the other hand, has unbeatable aim. You know that. Everyone knows that.”

Bucky sighs. His warm breath tickles Steve’s neck. “Steve,” he whines. “I couldn’t let him win. I hate losing.”

“You lost three in a row, Buck.”

“Third time’s a charm?”

“Apparently not,” Steve replies.

Bucky responds by pinching Steve’s side.

“Hey! Hey, hey, hey!” Steve squeals, trying to maneuver out of Bucky’s reach. He shimmies to get away from Bucky’s pinching fingers, but Bucky grasps tightly on Steve’s waist, pulls him back into his chest, pinches him again. In retaliation, Steve starts tickling Bucky, knowing his friend well enough to know his most ticklish spots.

Bucky giggles, squirming under Steve’s fingers. “Stop! Stop! Stop!” he cries through laughter.

Steve concedes, holds his hands up in surrender. He’s staring right at Bucky’s face as he watches his friend settle down. He’s staring so intently at the way Bucky’s chewing on his lower lip, that he misses Bucky lowering his hand to pinch Steve again. “No fair!”

Bucky laughs. “Okay, okay. I’m done.”

“Good.”

Bucky groans, resting his head back down on Steve’s shoulder. “Ugh. My head hurts.”

“You need some hair of the dog,” Steve suggests. He pats Bucky’s hip. “C’mon, go get ready so we can head up to Tony’s.”

Gently, Bucky removes himself out of Steve’s embrace and climbs out of bed, flicking Steve’s ear as he walks past. Steve throws another pillow at Bucky, just missing as Bucky shuffles into the bathroom.

Steve changes into his suit and waits for Bucky to finish getting ready in the bathroom, scrolling through twitter on his phone while he waits. After ten minutes, Steve calls out to Bucky, reminding him that they’re already late. The only sound that comes from the bathroom though, is the rushing of water from the faucet. Steve goes back to his phone, rolling his eyes. For as long as he’s known Bucky, he’s known that Bucky takes his looks very seriously, perhaps a little too seriously, often taking way too long to get ready. Steve’s just grateful that he works from home so that he’s not fighting with his roommate for the bathroom in the morning.

It’s another ten minutes before Bucky finally emerges from the bathroom. Steve glances up briefly from his phone, then does a double take. Bucky looks good, really good; the twenty minutes in the bathroom was certainly worth it. His fluffy brown hair is flowing into soft curls. He’s freshly shaved, and even from where Steve’s sitting on the bed, he picks up a faint scent of Bucky’s cologne. Bucky’s already changed, wearing a classic gray suit with a crisp white shirt underneath and a gray tie. His grandfather’s black watch, the one he saves for special occasions, is on his wrist, completing the look.  

“Steve!”

“Huh?” Steve hadn’t even noticed that Bucky was talking to him, so entranced by Bucky’s appearance. He shakes his head and focuses on Bucky, glad that his friend is gathering up his phone and wallet from the dresser, not looking at Steve, unable to see him turning red.

Continue Reading on AO3

[siremasterlawrence]

House Of L : The Wedding Party

I am fully attending my best friends wedding is far from the greatest enjoyment of it all so once I arrive to the event I glide up the stair case in a beautiful blue tux and go to his side offering my hand.

He smiles taking his hand in mine grabbing his tightly as the energy surges in to the air swooping through the room my power goes through him and he begins to shake a bit freezing.

His legs are becoming a bit like jelly shaking from under him as he goes tumbling falling toward to the ground on his knees so he cannot move and only can stare at him in disbelief.

I smirk a bit smiling so brightly waving my hand again in front of his eyes as his face erupts back to reality waking up for love and I continue to close the doors for the rooms.

I go door by door flipping the switch as all four doors enclose around us as I turn off the lights and placing one candle in the middle of the room and quickly lit it up as the room brightens up.

Feeling so powerful I begin to undo pieces of clothing one after another letting them drop to the floor standing half naked in birthday suit and stood right in front of him as all he could do is stare.

“What a stud? You are so helpless”

“What…are…you…doing?””

“This may be your wedding day “

“I must go…leave”

“Oh come on! We are friends “

“Help me!”

“Zip it”

“after tonight “

“PLEASE “

“You will be all mine”

“Turn your face “

“Your mind is a radio”

“I am twisting the knob”

“You are reaching my frequency “

“Your mind shifts”

“Swirls “

“We are now one”

His best friend who has taken the role of his best man taking my hand in his I pull him to the side slowly he looks totally confused at what the out come of his feelings overtaking him.

Moves in to the same room closing the door behind him the aroma filling the room as it rises to his nose hitting all of the senses as it hits a high note sending his body in to what I call overdrive.

There is a wonderful carnival music playing in the background growing stronger than he could ever manage with every note hitting his ears causing him to freeze on command and cock stir.

His cock consumes the blood blowing up in huge veins capturing the underwear in full growth, instructing him to slowly take off his clothes one at a time and then demand him to listen to me.

Clapping my hands loudly as the sound love to erupt through the room wall to wall as it bounces forward to me just four leaving him in shambles to his core he drops to his ass on the steps of the room.

Mindlessly he can’t believe why he was even at this stupid wedding do to the fact they do not need to happen, they both should serve Lawrence because he is right to own, love, control and serve forever.

“Buddy! Pal thanks “

“Why don’t you too join me?”

“With pleasure”

“On my knees “

“Wow!”

“What boi?”

“Feels so good”

“I love you “

“I love you more “

“Fuck this shit”

“I am not getting married “

“Good bro! It’s sickening”

“I want to throw up”

“Can’t believe I even asked “

“Let alone got this far”

“Which of you is the night?”

“We both are”

“What the fuck ?”

“Get off him”

“Why should I be?”

“He is getting married “

“Fuck no!”

“WHAT?”

“Get over it bro”

“You do”

“Man! Fuck off”

“We love him”

“You can’t…”

“We can’t what “

“What about Mariah?”

“Ass tist”

“Ugly”

“Hell no! That’s my sister “

“Who are you?”

“A friend “

“He is my guest “

“I had enough “

“You have no stake in this “

“Bois put the two then in place “

The two other man hold the knights together holding them but the arms in the back with force pinning them and closes surrounding him with arms wrapping them tight I walk back lifting the roses from the suit jacket pocket.

Blowing the roses peddles in to the air as it dives in to his nose causing him in to a panic of convulsions till their brain turns off completely and he is a two mindless robot I drones.

The end

[alarrytale]

“Harry really isn't bothering to spend much time with Louis. He's been in London for well over a month now.”

I’m always wondering how these anons know for sure that they don’t spend much time together or just try to convince others that because they both are working rn so it means there might be some problems or even they broke up because one isn’t following the other like a puppy (=Louis is on tour and so Harry should be MIA to be with him). Here’s a little timeline as I remember it:

After LOT ended he spend like 2 weeks in Italy while Louis had to finish his US tour. Then Louis has been spotted in NY airport like 2 days after his tour ended. Harry then went MIA for couple of days until his last pap photos from Italy and we don’t know when he came back to London but we knew for sure he was back that week when he fully start his ‘I’m on a break but not really, it’s stunt season!’ when he went to that theatre press event (Wed) and 2 days after (Thu, Fri) he’s been spotted stunting in centre. Louis has been still MIA but on Monday Tomlinson sisters dropped birthday party photos where Louis was so obviously when Louis has been spotted in NY airport he was about to board to fly to England. Then both of them were MIA for whole week until Louis flew to Italy because of AFHF and Harry was still MIA. And then Harry has been seen almost every day while Louis was MIA but I’m sure he was in London all the time chilling after tour and waiting for Harry to come home every day ‘cause he was working during the day…. So august was pretty much a month when they were together. Now Harry’s been MIA for few days so maybe he flew to see Louis for a day and came back, they are both rich and Louis is currently like 1-2,5 hours away from him by plane so Harry can pretty much decide to see him when he wants to/doesn’t have to work.

Plus c’mon, they have phones and FaceTime exists - they are in contant basically every single hour texting each other or doing calls in the evening but that’s a communication noone will see.

Hi,

I know. They've seen each other more in the last month than they have the rest of the year combined i reckon (i'm just guessing here). And it's going to be easy for them to see each other alot, at least until new years.

Also, thanks for the timeline! I think some might need a reminder. I suspect some of these asks are from trolls or antis who just wants to stir up shit. Or it might be a larrie who just needs a bit of reassurance. Actually looking at the timeline will help with that, so thanks again!

[elijahhudson]

bad idea, right? part 1

early summer - eli performs in LA and faye brings her new bf, only for eli to confront her about ghosting him

Eli is back in LA because of tour and goes to Carsylvia’s apartment for dinner. He brings a bottle of wine and dessert before knocking on their door.

Sylvia opens the door with an apron on and grins at him, “Hey Rockstar! Come in!”

Carson grins widely and steps back from the kitchen so he can see Eli at the door, “Welcome home!” Eli laughs, “Hey! Thanks for having me! Sylvie, you look beautiful as always.” He leans down and gives her a long kiss on the cheek. Carson sighs, “Can you at least come in before you start making moves on my fiancée!”

She laughs and shakes her head, “Oh he’s fine, Car.”

Eli chuckles and goes inside, his arm around Sylvia, “I won’t do anything that I haven’t done in the past!”

Sylvia laughs and playfully taps his chest, “We are officially off the market now.”

Eli pouts and teases, “I don’t even get a goodbye kiss?” Carson laughs, “Enough!”

She pulls away from Eli and pecks Carson’s lips, “Sorry, baby. Let me go back to check on dinner.”

Eli laughs and hugs Carson, “Good to see you, man.” Carson grins, “you too, buddy.” He takes the dessert from Eli and goes to set it down on the counter.

Sylvia stirs their dinner and glances back at them, “How’s the touring been? Happy to be home?”

Eli smiles and opens the bottle of wine, “it’s really good but definitely glad to be home.”

She nods as she pulls out three glasses for them, “I believe it.”

He smiles, “how’s being engaged?”

Sylvia smiles shyly as she pours them wine, “Amazing.”

Eli grins, “Are you guys gonna have an engagement party?”

She shrugs as she hands them both a glass, “Not sure yet. We probably should.”

Carson smiles, “it would be nice.”

Sylvia nods in agreement as she sips her wine, “I think it’d be fun to have it in LA since the wedding will definitely be in Tahoe.”

Carson grins, “I agree.”

She smiles and goes back to stir their dinner, “Have you met anyone on tour?”

Eli arches a brow, “No.. why?”

Sylvia shakes her head and laughs, “Just wondering if you’ll need a plus one.”

He rolls his eyes, “Suuuuure.”

She raises her hands innocently and laughs.

Carson grins, “As long as you’re happy, that’s all we care about.”

Sylvia nods in agreement, “Exactly.”

Eli smiles, “Awwwwww, cheesy.” Carson shrugs and chuckles, “We love you, even if we don’t have group sex with you anymore.”

She blushes and busies herself with making salad.

Eli chuckles softly, “Shut up. So what have you guys been doing lately?” Carson shrugs, “Working, making sure Sylvie doesn’t rip her hair out through getting her PhD.”

Sylvia laughs as she looks over her shoulder at them, “So close.”

Eli chuckles and bites his lip, “You guys hear from Faye at all?” Carson shrugs, “we hung out with her last weekend, but it was not a good time, her boyfriend is the fucking worst.” Eli’s eyes widen and he freezes.

She shakes her head at him, “Carson!”

Carson looks at her with his eyes wide, “What!?” He looks at Eli, “oh shit man, did you not know?” Eli slowly shakes his head.

Sylvia frowns softly and looks at him, “I thought you guys would keep in touch after seeing each other at your show. You seemed…chummy.”

Eli shrugs, “We saw each other in Boston and I’ve reached out plenty of times and got.. nothing back.” Carson raises his brows, “Boston? That was like three months ago.”

She raises her brows and hums softly, “Typical Faye. Running from everything.”

Carson frowns, “I can’t believe she ghosted you.” Eli laughs humorlessly, “Me neither.”

Sylvia sighs softly and shakes her head, “Well this guy sucks. It’s like she is punishing herself.”

Carson nods, “He really does we’re not just saying that to make you feel good. He is the fucking worst.”

She reaches over and squeezes Eli’s arm gently, “I’m sorry though.”

Eli nods and half smiles, “Thanks.”

Sylvia smiles and tilts her head to the side, “Would it make you feel better if I kissed your cheek to make Carson mad?”

Eli grins widely and quickly nods.

She laughs and leans up to kiss his cheek.

He chuckles, “thank you.” Carson playfully rolls his eyes.

Sylvia giggles and shrugs one shoulder, “I’m just using my future PhD over here.”

Carson grins, “he’s the only other man you’re allowed to do that to,”

She laughs and nods her head, “Of course. Ready to eat?”

Eli smiles and nods, “definitely,”

Sylvia moves to serve their plates.

Carson smiles, “looks amazing, baby:”

She smiles as she hands him his plate and kisses his cheek.

He smiles at her, “thank you, love.”

Sylvia nods with a smile before handing Eli his plate.

Eli grins, “thank you, Syl.”

She nods with a smile as she makes her own plate.

Carson grins as he and Eli wait for her to be served.

Sylvia sits down with them and smiles, “Well, enjoy!”

Carson grins happily as he starts to eat.

She starts to eat and hums softly, “So how long are you home?”

Eli smiles, “A whole week!”

Syl grins and shakes her head, “Wow that’s probably the longest you’ve been home in a while.”

Eli nods and grins, “it is, I love being on the road but it’ll be nice to have a small break.”

She smiles and continues to eat, “We’re excited to see you perform again.”

He grins, “It’ll be fun to have a home show.” Carson smiles, “It’ll be epic.”

Sylvia nods in agreement and laughs.

Eli grins, “I think so too.”

She sips her wine and smiles, “Can’t believe you get a free Gabe Reid show every night.”

Eli chuckles softly, “you can’t believe he gets a free Eli Hudson show every night?”

Sylvia laughs and nods her head, “Well I’d be saying the same thing to him if he was here!”

Carson chuckles, “Liar.”

She gently nudges her foot against his, “You’re supposed to be on my side!”

Eli laughs, “I appreciate his honesty.”

Sylvia wrinkles her nose at them and laughs, “You know I love your music so hush.”

He laughs, “thank you.”

She nods as she continues to eat, “Of course. We’re your biggest fans.”

Carson grins, “we are!” Eli smiles, “thanks guys. I’m glad I always have you two.”

Syl smiles with a nod, “Gonna wear my Eli Hudson #1 fan shirt.”

Eli laughs loudly. “I would love to see that!”

She grins and nods to Carson, “Buy me a shirt please?”

Carson laughs, “I’ll buy two.”

Sylvia smiles and kisses his cheek.

Eli chuckles softly and then looks at them, “you guys won’t tell Faye that I asked about her, right?”

She raises her brows and shakes her head, “No, I mean..I think she will suspect it since she knows you’re here.”

Carson chuckles sheepishly, “But I love mentioning you in front of the dickwad.”

Sylvia laughs and shakes her head, “I hope we don’t have to see him much before she dumps him.”

Eli laughs, “it’s really that bad?” Carson nods, “the dude is obsessed with himself.”

She sighs and shakes her head, “He wasn’t nice to anyone even Faye.”

Eli scowls, “And what does she like about this douche?”

Sylvia shrugs one shoulder and finishes her dinner, “I have no idea.”

Carson shakes his head, “No idea. Like.. none.”

She sighs softly and shakes her head, “Like I said, I think she is punishing herself for some reason. Maybe..” She looks over at Eli and shakes her head, “Nevermind.”

Eli raises his brows, “No, say it.”

Sylvia shrugs and sips her wine, “I don’t know, I feel like you could talk sense into her.”

His brows raise and he laughs, “I can’t talk to anyone who blows me off for weeks after two weekends in a row of non-stop sex.”

She nearly spits out her wine and widens her eyes, “Eli! What?!”

Carson’s jaw drops, “you guys hooked up!?” Eli raises his brows and laughs, “Oh, yeah. Fucked all night long in New York, flew her out to Boston, fucked all weekend long and even hooked up with two people on my tour too.”

Sylvia widens her eyes even more and shakes her head, “Well..that..makes more sense. She is absolutely scared to talk to you. I know her.”

Carson looks at him in shock, “You two had that much sex and now she’s with this guy?!” Eli shrugs, “We made future plans in person and then after she left.. poof. Wanted nothing to do with me.”

She waves her hand and sighs, “You have to force her to talk to you. Damn it, I wish I knew sooner.”

Eli shakes his head, “You can’t force Faye to do anything. I barely could get her to do aftercare.”

Sylvia frowns softly and shakes her head, “I just..I’m worried about her. Now knowing this, I don’t know it feels like she is self sabotaging.”

Eli frowns, “Why does it have to come from me?”

She shakes her head and starts to gather the plates with a half smile, “You don’t, I’ll try again. You have enough going on, don’t worry about Faye drama.”

Carson frowns a little. “I’ll do that babe.” Eli bites his lip, “if I happen to see her I’ll try.”

Sylvia shakes her head at them, “I got it. I can handle both of the messes.” She laughs softly as she nods to the couch, “You guys can go hang out.”

Eli frowns, “I can’t have fun knowing you’re upset.”

She squeezes his shoulder with her free hand, “I’m alright. I’m annoyed with Faye if anything.”

Eli gently squeezes her fingers, “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Sylvia shakes her head and frowns, “No, of course you can tell us anything. Besides she also hurt you here, she needs to grow up and face her emotions. I wish I knew so I could talk sense into her.”

Carson smiles, “she doesn’t take me seriously so I wasn’t much help.”

She kisses his cheek and laughs, “It’s okay, babe. You try.”

He laughs and he takes the plates from her, “I’m cleaning up, you loon.” He brings them to the sink to clean.

Sylvia wrinkles her nose at him playfully and taps his butt.

Carson laughs loudly and Eli chuckles, “yeah you deserve to relax. Dinner was amazing.”

She nods with a small smile, “Thank you.”

Eli grins, “no, thank you.”

Sylvia nods as she leads him to the couch, “You’re welcome.”

Carson smiles as he cleans, “I’m definitely spoiled.”

She shakes her head and laughs, “You’re a good cook too!”

He smiles at her, “thank you, baby.”

Sylvia nods with a smile, “Of course.”

Eli smiles, “I love that I have you two to come back to.”

She grins at him with a nod, “Even though we’re boring and almost married?”

He laughs, “you’re not boring, you’re home.”

Sylvia grins at him, “Awww, cheesy!”

Eli laughs sheepishly, “Definitely.”

She reaches over and pinches his cheek playfully.

Eli laughs softly. Carson chuckles, “I’m glad that we can be that for you though.”

Sylvia nods in agreement, “Me too.”

Carson smiles, “Syl, if you were to be a famous musician on tour, where would you wanna go?”

She hums and leans her head back against the couch, “Japan.”

Eli smiles, “If I go to Japan then I’m bringing you guys.”

Sylvia grins and nods her head, “That sounds amazing.”

He grins, “I’d want you there with me.”

She smiles and nods to Carson, “Where would you want to go?”

Carson smiles, “Maybe South Africa.”

Sylvia grins and nods her head, “Oooh!”

Eli smiles, “A Safari would be really cool.”

She goes to grab the wine to refill their glasses, “Where’s your favorite place you’ve played so far?”

Eli grins, “Definitely MSG but The Forum might beat it.”

Sylvia nods with a smile, “Is it cause we were there?!”

He smiles widely at her and chuckles, “Absolutely.” Carson sits beside Sylvia and puts his arm around her, “It definitely isn’t.”

She leans into Carson’s side and laughs, “Because we got engaged?”

Eli laughs softly and nods, “Yep, definitely.”

She grins and looks up at Carson, “I knew it.”

Carson shakes his head, “He will say anything to win you over.”

Sylvia laughs and shakes her head, “And aren’t you lucky your best friend and fiance get along?”

Carson laughs, “Of course. But he’s also sneaky and wants you to fall in love with him so we can be a throuple.”

She laughs and shakes her head, “No he doesn’t. Right, Eli?”

Eli chuckles, "Not technically."

Sylvia raises her brows and laughs, “What does that mean?!”

He winks at her and laughs. Carson laughs, "Told you!"

She gasps and holds up her hand to show off her ring, “I’m a taken woman!”

Eli grins and takes her hand, kissing her knuckles. "I know."

Sylvia laughs and leans her head against Carson’s shoulder, “Oh he’s charming.”

Carson dramatically sighs and laughs, "I know."

She moves her hand to cup his cheek, “And so are you.”

He leans into her touch and grins, "I love you."

Sylvia grins at him and pecks his lips, “I love you.”

Eli dramatically sighs and then grins.

She laughs and looks back at Eli, “And our forever third wheel.”

Eli opens his mouth to say something and then closes it, shaking his head with a smirk.

Sylvia raises her brows at him and laughs, “Oh god, what?”

Eli looks at Carson and he sighs, “Just say it.” Eli grins, “Syl, I still know what you taste like on my tongue so I would not call myself a third wheel.”

She gasps and playfully hits his shoulder, “Eli!”

Eli laughs loudly, “I wasn’t even as crude as I could be!” Carson shakes his head and laughs, “You might’ve gotten punched if you had.”

Sylvia wrinkles her nose as she blushes deeply, “Yeah, by me!”

Carson laughs, “That’s who I meant!” Eli grins and leans over to peck her cheek, “Sorry, Sylvia.”

She laughs and shakes her head, “I would never punch anyone, but maybe a pinch.”

Eli laughs, “I would’ve deserved it.”

Sylvia giggles and leans her head back against Carson.

Carson smiles and kisses her cheek.

She grins softly and cuddles into him, “So where to next after LA?”

Eli smiles, “Vegas.”

Sylvia raises her brows and laughs, “That sounds fun.”

He grins. “Wanna come?”

She raises her brows and looks up at Carson, “What do you think?”

Carson smiles, “If you can get the time off.”

Sylvia shrugs and nods her head, “We’ll look into it then.”

Eli smiles widely, “Hell yes!”

She laughs and raises her hands innocently, “No promises.”

Eli smiles, “a maybe is better than a no.“

Sylvia nods with a laugh, “True, true.”

Carson chuckles and kisses Sylvia’s temple.

She hums softly and squeezes his thigh gently.

Carson grins and rubs her side. Eli smiles, “Then we’ll go up to San Francisco.”

She smiles at him and nods her head, “I love San Francisco. Such a fun city.”

Eli grins, “I’m excited. I haven’t been since I was a kid.”

Sylvia grins and nods, “When do you go overseas?”

He smiles, “few more weeks, we have to hit Canada first and then after Toronto we go to London.”

She shakes her head and smiles, “I’m so excited for you.”

Carson smiles, “Me too.” Eli grins shyly, “thank you.”

Sylvia squeezes his arm gently, “We’re proud of you!”

Eli smiles at her, “You guys are the best.” Carson laughs, “we are.”

She nods with a grin, “Carson definitely is the best.”

Carson gives her a look, “Stop.”

Sylvia laughs and shakes her head, “No way.”

Eli groans, “Don’t do this.”

She looks over at him and laughs, “Whaaat?”

Carson laughs, “Don’t be jealous.” Eli laughs, “too lovey dovey.”

Sylvia grins and squeezes Carson’s hand, “Aww come on. We can’t help it. I actually hope you get all lovey dovey with someone again soon. Maybe someone European..ooh..”

Eli laughs, “If I come back with a tall Scandinavian person?”

She hums softly and shrugs one shoulder, “I would be very outnumbered in height.”

He chuckles, “Now I’m determined to find someone.”

Sylvia laughs and nods her head, “That’s the spirit.”

Carson shakes his head and laughs, “Just to make you feel little.”

She nods in agreement and smiles, “You deserve someone hot and tall and Scandinavian if that’s what you want.”

Eli smiles half heartedly, “Maybe.”

Sylvia gently nudges her foot against his, “Maybe?”

He gives her a small look, “Maybe.”

She laughs and squeezes Carson’s hand, “We just want you to be happy.”

Eli nods and smiles, “I know.”

Sylvia nods with a small hum, “Good.”

He smiles, “Let’s have some of the blueberry cheesecake I brought before I head out.” Carson laughs, “I’ll go make the plates.”

Sylvia nods and thanks Carson.

Carson goes to serve them dessert. Eli looks at Sylvia, “Try to get her to come to Vegas if you decide to come.”

She raises her brows at him and tilts her hewd slightly, “What? Who?”

Eli gives her a look, “Faye.”

Sylvia furrows her brows and shakes her head, “Eli, you don’t have to worry about it. I told you, I’ll try again. If I can’t get through to her..she’s a big girl. There’s not much more we can do if she want a shitty boyfriend.”

Eli frowns, “Just.. try to get her to come to Vegas without him if you decide to come.”

She squeezes his arm and nods her head, “If you’re sure..”

Eli nods, “I’m sure.”

Sylvia sighs softly and smiles at him, “Thank you.”

He nods and squeezes her hand. Carson comes over with three plates and forks, “here we go.”

She pulls back and takes the plate, “Thank you, babe. And thank you for the dessert, Eli.”

Eli smiles, “it’s the least I could do.”

Sylvia takes a bite and hums happily.

Carson starts to eat and nods, “Good pick.”

She nods in agreement and smiles, “I love cheesecake.”

Eli smiles, “I know what you guys like.”

Sylvia laughs with a nod, “You do!”

He laughs, “and that wasn’t an innuendo.”

She laughs as she eats more, “Thank you for refraining.”

Eli laughs and nods his head.

Sylvia giggles as she finishes her cheesecake.

Carson smiles and finishes his too, nodding his head.

She takes Carson’s plate and stacks it with her own.

Eli smiles and finishes his, holding out his plate.

Sylvia takes it and smiles as she stands to clean the plates.

He smiles, “Thank you, Sylvia.” Carson grins, “thank you, baby.”

She nods with a smile as she goes to clean in the kitchen.

Eli smiles, “I like what you guys have done with the place.”

Sylvia smiles softly with a nod, “It’s a start! It’s small.”

He smiles, “Where will you guys go next?”

She shrugs with a small smile, “Not sure yet.”

Carson smiles, “this definitely isn’t our forever home.”

Sylvia nods in agreement as she returns to the couch.

Eli smiles, “Well it’s nice for the time being.”

She cuddles into Carson’s side and smiles, “It is. I love our little home.”

Carson grins and kisses her temple, “Me too.”

Sylvia grins softly and leans into him.

Eli smiles, “Okay, let me get out of your hair.”

She laughs and shakes her head, “We’ll see you after your show?”

Eli nods and stands up, “Of course.” Carson gets up to hug him goodbye.

Sylvia hugs him after and smiles, “Can’t wait.”

Eli returns the hugs and smiles, “Me neither. Your VIP tickets will be at will call.”

She grins with a nod as she leads him to the door.

Eli smiles and says goodbye to them once more. A few days later, Eli is at the KIA Forum for his concert with Gabe and he texts the group chat with Carson and Sylvia are your seats okay?

Sylvia is in the VIP area with Carson as she sees his text, Perfect! Thank you!

Carson texts back with a laugh, I’ll be able to see Gabe Reid perfectly from here He smiles at Sylvia, “Are you more excited for this show than New York?”

She laughs at his text and nods her head, “It’s different! New York was fun because it was fun to visit but I love being home.”

Carson grins, “This will be really cool. Eli’s hometown show.”

Sylvia nods as she leans into his side. Faye walks into the VIP section with her boyfriend, Emmitt and spots Carsylvia.

Carson looks around and he tries not to show his surprise on his face, “Syl.. is that Faye?”

She furrows her brows and nods, “Oh..and her boyfriend..” Faye smiles softly as she leads him over to Carsylvia, “Hey guys!”

Carson grins and speaks between his teeth before Faye reaches them, “What is happening??” When Faye and Emmit get close enough he laughs, “Hey you two!”

Sylvia shakes her head at Carson before smiling at them. Faye grins softly and gives Sylvia a hug, “Hey! Fancy seeing you here.”

Carson chuckles, “Surprised you haven’t done anything in this venue to get you put on the banned list.”

Emmit gives them both a nod and unimpressed smile, “Why do you say that about her?” Faye laughs and shakes her head, “It’s a joke.”

He blinks at Emmit, “Cause Faye likes to have fun.”

Faye nods with a shy smile and motions to the stage, “Exactly. E knows that, that’s why he insisted we come to the show tonight.”

Carson arches a brow, “You a big fan of Eli Hudson… E?”

He shrugs one shoulder and puts his arm around Faye, “Can’t say I’ve heard much of his music. It’s a little too…expected for me. I admire Gabe Reid’s writing and instrumentals but even he has sold out.”

Carson narrows his eyes at Emmit, “Sorry, how can music be expected if you haven’t heard much of it?”

Emmit shrugs one shoulder and hums softly, “I mean there’s real musicians, writers, poets, writing about the meaning of life, man. Not just crying about a female.” Faye tries not to flinch before she puts her hand on his chest with a fake laugh, “Anyways..we just wanted to have a fun night out and I knew we would see our friends.”

Carson grits his teeth, “Eli’s songs are more than about women.” He gives Faye a look and then looks at Sylvia, “I’m gonna go get us drinks. Faye, want anything?”

Faye bites her lower lip with a small nod, “Please..whatever Sylvia is having.” Sylvia smiles at him and nods, “Rose, please. Thank you, babe.”

Carson nods his head and kisses her softly before going to the bar.

Sylvia smiles and looks at Faye, “So how have you been lately? We haven’t seen you too much and only got to talk a little last time we saw you.” Faye laughs and shrugs, “I’ve been good, you know..busy as always!” Emmit rolls his eyes and laughs, “Just working at that bar.”

Carson orders the drinks and goes to text Sylvia but accidentally texts the group chat with Eli, I cannot believe she brought that fucking douchebag

Sylvia gives him a tight smile and shakes her head, “That’s a great bar though. You always look like you are having so much fun.” Faye glances at her boyfriend then back to Sylvia with a nod and shrug, “Yeah, may be time to hang up my hat soon. Might try something new, I don’t know.”

Eli checks his phone and his eyes widen as he reads it before texting Jade to confirm.

Sylvia furrows her brows at her and nods her head, “I wanna hear more about that. Speaking of, I kind of was wondering if you may be up for a girl trip next weekend?” Faye raises her brows and smiles, “I’d love that! Where to?” Syl laughs and hums softly, “I was actually thinking Vegas, it’s not too bad of a drive!” Emmit tuned out from their conversation until he heard Vegas and scoffed softly, “Faye won’t wanna go to basic ass Vegas.”

Carson comes back with the drinks and hands the girls their rosés, and he keeps quiet but glares at Emmit. When Eli gets Jade’s response he tosses his phone away and goes to get ready to go on stage.

Sylvia thanks Carson and leans into him as she frowns, “Pleaasee? You’re the only person I’d wanna go to Vegas with.” Faye raises her brows as she looks between all them and smiles, “Text me tomorrow, I think I can swing it.”

Carson puts his arm around Sylvia and kisses her temple before drinking from his glass.

She grins widely at Faye and nods her head as she wraps her arm around Carson, “Perfect.” Faye nods as she looks over at the stage with a nervous glance.

The house lights go down and the crowd starts cheering loudly. Eli comes out with his guitar and starts his opening song.

Faye swallows thickly as the lights go down and she chugs half her drink.

Carson sings along and sways to the music. Eli looks towards the VIP area as he sings.

Sylvia cheers for him and dances with Carson as she sings along. Faye grips her drink tighter as Emmit looks around impressed and bored.

Eli keeps singing and then finishes his song. “How we doing, LA?” The crowd goes crazy and Carson cheers too. Eli laughs, “It’s good to be home.”

Sylvia pulls out her phone to record him and widens her eyes at the text messsge. She turns to whisper yell into his ear, “Did you mean to text Eli about Faye?”

Carson looks at her, “What do you mean? I texted you!” Eli grins, “I’ve got four of my favorite people in the VIP area right now, so make sure they look like they’re having a good time.” Carson counts himself, Sylvia, and Jade then looks at Faye.

Sylvia looks back at Eli then follows Carson’s gaze to Faye. Faye finishes her drink and nods to the bar, “I’m gonna get another. Want anything?”

Carson raises his brows and shakes his head. Eli grins widely and goes into his next song.

Emmit nods his head, “I’ll have tequila on the rocks, thanks love.” Faye nods and heads to the bar. Sylvia turns back to Carson and shows him her phone.

Carson’s eyes widen, “That explains the four.”

Sylvia nods as she glances up at Eli then back to her fiance, “I hope he’s okay..”

He looks at the stage, “Me too.” Eli keeps playing and focuses on his performance.

Faye comes back and hands Emmit his drink blindly as she sips her wine and watches Eli.

Eli finishes his second song and then talks into the mic, “This is a new one that only felt right to play here. This is You Don’t Go to Parties.” He starts to play it and then starts the first verse.

She raises her brows and crosses her arms over her chest as she listens. Sylvia glances at her to see her reactions.

Carson glances at Faye too as Eli moves on to the chorus.

Emmit leans over to whisper in her ear but Faye doesn’t hear him or pay attention.

Eli looks directly at the VIP section as he continues the song.

Faye sips her drink as she shifts away from Emmit slightly as he narrows his eyes at her then the stage.

Eli keeps his gaze on the VIP section has he finishes the song.

Sylvia cheers loudly and claps for him. Faye puts her drink down as she claps.

Carson grins and cheers for Eli. Eli smiles sheepishly and nods in thanks. He plays a few more songs, including Wildflower, before finishing with Youngblood.

Emmit eventually goes to sit down near the bar and drink as Faye continues to watch with Carsylvia.

Eli and his band do their final bows before leaving the stage. Carson keeps cheering for Eli and laughs happily, “Wow, one of his best!”

Faye nods in agreement with a small smile. Sylvia grins as she leans into Carson, “Amazing!”

Eli doesn’t even think about it, he passes off his guitar and immediately heads to the VIP section. Carson grins, “I really liked the new one.”

Emmit returns to them and grabs her butt, slurring a little, “Sorry I had to sit down down, I was tired from working on my piece all day.” Faye nods and sips her drink, “It’s okay.”

Carson scowls when Emmit comes back over and when he puts his hand on Faye, “Maybe you should sit til Gabe comes on then.” Eli comes out and the few fans that see him wave and he waves back with a smile. He walks into the VIP area and looks for Faye.

He raises his brows at Carson and laughs, “I’m good, man. You guys should come to my next exhibit. Faye has been helping me, it’s going to be unbelievable.”

Eli spots them and takes a deep breath before walking over. He squeezes Carson and Sylvia’s shoulders before standing right in front of Faye and staring down at her with hurt in his eyes. He pauses a moment and goes, “Glad you’re alive.”

Faye widens her eyes slightly before biting her lower lip, “Great show, Eli.” Sylvia raises her brows at Eli before she grins as she gives him a side hug, “You did amazing!”

Eli returns the side hug and kisses the top of Sylvia’s head before letting go of her and nearly growling, “‘Great show, Eli.’”

Faye frowns softly and shakes her head. Emmit holds his free hand and gives him a smirk, “I’m Emmit, Faye’s boyfriend.” She looks away and fights a sigh.

Eli glances at him, “Hey.” He shakes his hand quickly and then looks at Faye. Carson frowns and puts his hand on his shoulder, “Come on, man. Let’s get you a celebratory drink.”

Sylvia nods in agreement as she pulls back from them, “Good idea!” Faye sips her drink and shifts away from Emmit slightly.

Eli frowns and nods, going with him to the bar.

Sylvia reaches over to squeeze Faye’s arm and smiles, “Bathroom?” Faye nods quickly and pulls away from him, “We’ll be right back.”

Carson orders Eli a double and Eli scowls down at the bar.

The girls go to the bathroom and Sylvia looks over at her, “You okay?” Faye sighs and shakes her head, “No, I didn’t want to come and ruin his night but he insisted.”

Eli takes his drink and sees the girls walking away. He starts to follow them despite Carson trying to stop him.

Sylvia puts her hand on her shoulder and frowns, “That’s not the Faye I know. That lets someone let alone a guy dictate what you do.” Faye waves her hand around and shakes her head, “It’s not like that.”

Eli goes into the bathroom and Carson runs in after him, “come on lets just go back go the bar!” Eli shakes his head and he goes up to Faye, “Why?”

Faye widens her eyes slightly as she sees the guys come in, “Eli..what are you..why what?”

Eli frowns deeply, “why? Why did you stop talking to me? Why did you not want to talk to me for three whole months? Why did you get a boyfriend? Why are you here at my concert with him?

She looks at their friends then back at him, “Can we talk alone?”

Carson holds his hand out for Sylvia.

Sylvia bites her lower lip as she looks between them and takes his hand, “Don’t kill each other. I love you both.”

Eli gives her a slight nod.

Sylvia follows Carson out of the bathroom and Faye reaches over to lock the door, “I wasn’t planning on coming tonight because I know this is an important show but he insisted and I was going to leave before you could see me. How did you even know I was here?”

Eli narrows his eyes at her, “you are in the VIP section of my show full of people who actually care about me and haven’t decided I wasn’t worth even a text back, of course I was gonna find out!”

She sighs and shakes her head at him, “I do care about you. I didn’t..I really didn’t want to bring him.”

He blinks back tears, “Why, just tell me why…”

Faye feels her own eyes well up as she put her hand out to touch him but stops and pulls her hand back, “I didn’t..know how to feel and I shut myself down from it. And I’m sorry.”

Eli watches her hand and frowns, “I let you in. And I thought we were friends again and you fucking ran.”

She sighs and shakes her head, “I’m sorry..I really am. At first I was just giving us space and then..I don’t know then I met Emmit and he was a distraction. I shouldn’t have ignored you, I know that but I couldn’t..”

He shakes his head as he fights back his tears, “What are you doing with this art bro douche bag, Faye?”

Faye frowns and shakes her head at him, “It’s not like that Eli, he’s not that bad and it’s just casual.”

Eli motions to the door, “your best friends hate him! And you brought him here, you brought him here.”

She narrows her eyes at him and crosses her arms, “This conversation isn’t about him. You don’t know anything about him and neither do they!”

He frowns, “This isn’t about him, this is about you! You and what you’re doing, you’re running and hiding cause you’re scared and this guy is just another wall you’ve put up because you know he’s not what you want so he’ll never get too close. So you’re gonna let him treat you like shit because you think it’s what you deserve when it’s not!”

Faye rolls her eyes and shakes her head, “Yes I shut myself out and maybe I was running but that has nothing to do with Emmit. He is…” She strains slightly, “Nice enough. Besides my ignoring you has nothing to do with it so leave him out of it.”

Eli narrows his eyes at her, “Nice enough!? Faye, that is bull shit! I treated you better during two weekends of just sex than your entire relationship and you know it. And if he has nothing to do with it, even though you’re the one who said you met him and he was a distraction, then why? Give me one good reason as to why!”

She shakes her head and takes a step away from him, “I am not having this conversation about him. It’s none of your goddamn business. If you have a problem with me, I accept that but he is my choice. Maybe I want to be with an asshole, maybe because I’m an asshole. Ever thought about that? Maybe I’m not this good person you want me to be! I’m gonna hurt you, I’m gonna be a bitch, that’s me, baby.”

Eli glares at her and steps into her bubble, sinking his fingers into the back of her hair, “fine! Then don’t take the fucking coward’s way out. Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want me, that you haven’t thought about me once these three months, and you don’t wish it was me inside you every time he fucks you.”

Faye gasps softly and looks up at him with wide eyes, “Eli..” Her lip trembles slightly and she shakes her head, “You know I can’t say that..please.”

Eli leans down and kisses her deeply, holding her to him.

She moves her hands to his cheeks and kisses him back with a soft moan.

His fingers tighten in her hair as he kisses her desperately.

Faye whimpers as she returns the kiss with the same desperation before pulling back quickly and pushing him gently, “We can’t..”

Eli leans his forehead against hers and whispers, “Then say you don’t want me..”

She feels her eyes well up again and she whispers back, “I can’t, you know I can’t. Please..stop having this hold on me.”

He frowns and pecks her lips, “I want you, you know that I want you.. stop pushing me away..”

Faye lets a few tears fall and quickly wipes them away, “You deserve more than this. That’s why, that’s why I’ve ignored you. I shouldn’t have let New York then Boston happen to begin with.”

Eli shakes his head and kisses her lightly again, “You don’t mean that..”

She returns the kiss and frowns, “Why do you let me treat you like this?”

He strokes her cheek with his thumb and he frowns, “Because I know you.. and I want you just as you are..”

Faye closes her eyes as she lets a few more tears drop, “I can’t. We can’t. We’ll get hurt again. You know I’m right.”

Eli wipes her tears away and he speaks softly to her. “Faye.. having you go no contact with me hurt more than anything else could.. I’m here, I’m right fucking here.. don’t do this..”

She moves her hands to his cheeks, “I’m sorry I did that.”

He frowns, “Don’t push me away.. I’m right here..”

Faye sniffs softly and strokes his cheekbones, “What about him?”

Eli clenches his jaw, “What about him?”

She nods to the door, “He’s out there, waiting for me. What am I supposed to do right now?”

He frowns and takes a step back from her.

Faye pulls him back by his shirt and shakes her head, “No, come back.”

Eli leans down and kisses her deeply.

She returns the kiss and slides her hands onto the back of his head.

He wraps his arms around her and holds her to him, lifting her up slightly.

Faye grips his hair as she kisses him deeply.

His hands move to her thighs and he picks her up, wrapping her legs around him.

She tugs on his hair and whimpers into the kiss before pulling back, “Eli..where are you staying?”

Eli carries her over to the sink, “My house.”

Faye slides her hands down his chest, “Can I meet you there?”

He nods his head and kisses her deeply.

She makes a soft sound and returns the kiss.

Eli rubs her thighs as he kisses her desperately again.

Faye whimpers against his lips and presses herself against him.

He kisses her harder and holds her tight.

She tugs on his lower lip as she pulls back and slides her nails over his chest with a soft laugh, “Give me your phone.”

Eli nods and holds his phone out to her.

Faye pulls out her phone and shares her location before handing it back to him

He watches her, “Should I be worried about your safety at all?”

She shakes her head and laughs softly, “No, but I can’t hide if I’m giving you my location.”

Eli laughs and kisses her neck heatedly.

Faye tilts her head to the side and makes a soft sound.

He skims his nose over her jaw before kissing along it.

She moves her hand to his cheek and sighs softly, “We should go..”

Eli groans and leans into her touch, “Now?” He squeezes her thighs and brushes his thumbs over the inside of them.

Faye makes a soft sound and nods her head, “They are all going to be wondering what we are doing..”

He nips at her ear and repeats the motion, “So let them..”

She whimpers and leans her head back, “Eli Hudson..”

Eli kisses to her lips and kisses her heatedly, toying with the waistband of her bottoms.

Faye moans into the kiss and lifts her hips to his.

He tugs down her bottoms quickly and then her panties.

She drags her nails over his chest and breaks the kiss to moan.

His hand moves to her center and he rubs her slowly.

Faye whimpers and tugs on his hair, “Eli..”

Eli heatedly kisses her neck and teases her clit.

She gasps and leans her head back, “Nobody touches me like you..”

He groans and kisses to her jaw, “You always get so wet for me, Faye..”

Faye tilts her head to the side, “Always..”

Eli tugs down his pants with one hand and keeps rubbing at her clit.

She slides her hand down over his pants and whimpers, “Fuck..I missed you.”

He groans, “I missed you so much..”

Faye grips his length and leans her forehead against his.

Eli groans and rubs her clit eagerly.

She moans and rubs his tip through his boxers.

He moans and nips at her bottom lip, “Faye..”

Faye smirks up at him and squeezes his length, “Fuck me, baby..”

Eli groans and tugs his boxers down. He presses his forehead to hers and sets his tip at her entrance before thrusting into her hard.

She cries out and grips his arms, “Eli..”

He moans loudly and presses his nose to her temple, “Fuck.. now I’m home..” He starts to thrust his hips hard.

Faye moans loudly as she drags her nails down his back.

Eli groans her name and picks up his pace slightly.

She cries out and grips the back of his neck as she tries to match his pace.

He moans louder and starts to move in and out of her roughly.

Faye moves her hips with his as she moans his name louder.

Eli groans and moves his fingers against her clit as fast as his hips are moving.

She arches her back into him as she feels her body tense up.

His abdomen tightens and he groans loudly.

Faye grips his hair as she cries out and hits her climax.

Eli shouts her name as he hits his climax and releases inside of her.

She moans and drops her head against his shoulder, “Eli…”

He moans and leans his head into the crook of her neck.

Faye slides her nails over his hair as she pants softly.

Eli catches his breath as he holds onto her.

She whimpers softly and grips his back, “I’m so sorry..”

He shakes his head and leans back to kiss her softly.

Faye slips her hand on his cheek and returns the kiss.

Eli returns the kiss and hums softly.

She pulls back and strokes his cheek, “Let’s go.”

He nods and slowly pulls out of her.

Faye whimpers and slips off the sink to fix her pants.

Eli fixes his bottoms and kisses her neck.

She smiles and tilts her head to the side, “Eli Hudson..”

He grins and hugs her tight.

Faye laughs and wraps her arms around his middle.

Eli grins and kisses the top of her head.

She smiles and nuzzles her nose against his chest, “I gotta go do this..”

He nods his head, “Okay, baby..”

Faye kisses his chest before pulling back from him.

Eli smiles and unlocks the door. Carson and Sylvia are still out in the hall since they were standing guard and telling everyone the bathroom was out of order.

Faye blushes as she sees them standing there, “Hey..”

Carson grins at them knowingly, “Hey.” Eli smiles and nods, “Let’s head back. Don’t wanna miss Gabe.”

Sylvia raises her brows at them and squeezes Faye’s arm. Faye gives her a small nod and starts back towards the VIP.

Eli puts his arm around Carson’s shoulder and once they’re back in VIP they go back to the bar.

Faye sighs as she approaches Emmit who is hammered in the VIP area. He stumbles over to her and smirks, “Where the hell did you go?!” His arm goes around her and brings her close.

Eli keeps watch over Faye as he sips his drink.

She raises her brows at him and gently taps his chest to push him back slightly, “Maybe we should go. I think you’ve had one too many.” Emmit laughs loudly and shakes his head, “I’m fiinnneee! I thought I might get to meet Gabe Reid and show him my art, dude. I think he’d really be into it.”

Eli tells Carson to go get security just in case and Carson nods before heading off.

Faye shakes her head and sighs, “Well, you’ve had too much tequila, you’ll be falling all over him, you’re too wasted.” Emmit narrows his eyes at her and lets go of her, “I’m not fucking wasted! Fuck you, Faye, you always are jealous of my work sorry some of us aspire to be more than a flirty waitress!”

Eli hears him raise his voice and goes over, “Do not yell at her.”

Emmit raises his eyebrows at Eli, “Oh and don’t get me started on this guy..the whole reason we are here is because you and your friends are clearly obsessed with him and want his clout.” He slips back into his normal voice, “You, my dude, did a fucking number on this nutcase.” Faye narrows her eyes at him, “What the fuck?”

Eli steps in front Emmit and speaks low to him, “And I’m about to do a number on you if you don’t get the fuck out of here. You don’t talk to Faye like that, you don’t talk about her like that. You pathetic, untalented, pretentious, little man.”

Emmit laughs bitterly and pulls out his phone, “I get it. She wanted to come to get you back. Whatever, I’ll just call up my other girl. At least she’s less of a slut.”

He smirks, “Oh no, we’re all devastated, you’re gonna go make some other girl miserable and forced to fake orgasms.” Security moves closer to where they are.

Faye rolls her eyes at him and crosses her arms, “Just go before you are forced out.” Emmit looks over his shoulder at security and starts to text on his phone, “Fuck all of you.”

Eli gets airdropped a video from Jade of Emmit yelling at Faye, “and the internet is gonna love this footage of you demeaning your girlfriend. Well, ex-girlfriend now.”

Faye raises her brows and smirks softly, “Don’t ever call me again.” Emmit looks at the video and turns to storm off.

Eli turns and looks at Faye and grins.

She laughs softly and shakes her head, “Well..that was easier than I expected..”

He chuckles and whispers in her ear, “And I didn’t even have to mention that my cum is still inside of you right now.”

Faye widens her eyes at him and gasps, “Thank you for not saying that considering there was cameras rolling.”

Eli laughs, “I didn’t know at the time! We have Jade thank for that.”

She puts her hand on his cheek and smiles softly, “Thank you.”

He smiles and nods, “I would’ve punched him.”

Faye strokes his cheekbone and hums, “I know.”

Eli leans into her touch, “He should’ve never talked to you like that.”

She shrugs one shoulder and slides her hand down to his neck then chest, “But he did. Not many men are as nice as you.”

He frowns, “He is a dick.”

Faye nods and pulls her hand back, “I know that, I tend to attract them. Except you.”

Eli hugs her, “I can be sometimes.”

She moves her hands over his back and shakes her head, “No..definitely not.”

He laughs into her hair and squeezes her.

Faye smiles shyly and looks up at him.

Eli grins at her, “do you wanna stay for the set?”

She shrugs and slips her hand under his shirt to run her nails over his back, “It’s up to you.”

He shakes his head, “No, I wanna get out of here.”

Faye pulls back from him and nods, “What about Carson and Sylvia?”

Eli looks at Carsylvia, “Will you guys be upset if we leave?”

Sylvia shakes her head quickly and smiles, “Call me tomorrow to talk about Vegas? By the way, it’s not for a girls trip..Eli has a his next show there. Didnt want asshole to know.” Faye raises her brows and laughs, “Trickster…”

Eli chuckles softly, “Let’s go.”

She nods and gives them a wave as she follows Eli.

Eli leads her out and to where his car is waiting behind the venue.

Faye follows behind him and into the car.

Eli gets into the car and starts it up before holding his hand out to her.

She takes his hand and shakes her head with a soft laugh.

He can’t help but grin and moves his fingers between hers before starting to drive them to his house.

Faye looks down at their hands and smiles softly, “Where do you live?”

Eli smiles, “Malibu. So a bit of a drive.”

She raises her brows and smiles, “Long quite as long as USC to Laguna but close.”

He chuckles, “not even close with traffic.”

Faye smiles and leans her head back against the seat, “But it’s Malibu.”

Eli grins, “I promise it’s not that bad, at least from here.”

She squeezes his hand and nods, “I know, I know.”

He smiles and brushes his thumb over hers.

Faye watches him drive and puts their hands on her lap.

Eli glances at her and smiles, “Are you doing okay?”

She nods with a small smile, “Yeah..kind of surprised but kind of not.”

He squeezes her hand, “What do you mean?”

Faye lifts her hand and kisses the back of it, “I guess I should’ve known from the moment I stepped into the venue if you found me, I’d be in your bed tonight.”

Eli laughs shyly, “Really?”

She brushes her thumb over the back of his hand as she speaks quietly, “You know I can’t resist you. This is now the second boyfriend I’ve broken up with because of you.”

He shakes his head as he smiles, “Neither of them were good to you.”

Faye smiles and shrugs one shoulder, “I didn’t like either of them very much anyways.”

Eli squeezes her hand gently.

She leans over and kisses his shoulder gently, “Thank you for defending me.”

He nods his head, “Til the day I die.”

Faye shakes her head and smiles to herself.

Eli squeezes her hand tight.

Faye tenderly kissing the back of his hand and sighs softly.

He looks at her, “Are you hungry?”

She smiles and shrugs one shoulder, “I could eat. What do you have in mind?”

Eli smiles, “We could get In-n-Out, or I can cook for you, I actually have food.”

Faye raises her brows and smiles, “As long you don’t mind after just performing for thousands of people to make food for little old me.”

He grins, “I wanna cook for you.”

She nods with a smile, “Okay, okay. I won’t say no to that.”

Eli smiles and moves his fingers in between hers.

Faye squeezes his hand back and smiles, “So I liked the new song.”

His brows raise and he smiles, “yeah?”

She nods and hums softly, “Yeah, I mean..I like all of your music.”

Eli shrugs, “I wasn’t sure if you’d be fond of that one.”

Faye squeezes his hand gently and raises her brows, “Why not?”

He glances at her, “Cause it’s based on us.”

She nods her head and hums softly, “I know.”

Eli nods a little too and lightly squeezes her hand.

Faye smiles and looks at him, “My ego loves it if I’m honest.”

He chuckles and shakes his head, “Well that’s good at least.”

She laughs softly and shrugs one shoulder, “I guess I can also relate to the new one. I always felt like hanging with Carson & Sylvia was hanging out with your friends without you.”

Eli raises his brows, “What? They love you.”

Faye nods with small shrug, “I know but it’s different.”

He shakes his head, “Not when Sylvia thinks of you as her best friend— aside from Carson.”

She squeezes his hand and shrugs, “I know but it isn’t the same because at the end of they day they are closer with you. I mean that’s how you knew about him, isn’t it?”

Eli shrugs, “I asked about you.”

Faye hums softly with a nod, “I get it. I guess it was just different when I was third wheeling with them and it felt like you were missing.”

He lifts their hands to kiss her knuckles, “Guess what I said to Syl when she said I was their forever third wheel.” He chuckles.

She raises her brows at him and laughs, “What’s that?”

Eli chuckles, “That I still remember what she tastes like on my tongue so I wouldn’t call myself a third wheel.”

Faye gasps at him before leaning her head back to laugh, “Oh I bet she was blushing!”

Eli grins, “She definitely was.”

She giggles and shakes her head as she winks at him, “I remember too.”

He smirks, “I bet you do.”

Faye laughs and shakes her head, “I can’t say that to her though.”

Eli grins, “You could.”

She shakes her head and hums, “You’re bad.”

He chuckles, “Just sometimes.” He pulls up to the house and parks in the driveway.

Faye looks out the window and raises her brows as she lets go of his hand.

Eli gets out and goes around to open the door for her.

She smiles and thanks him as she gets out, “This is really nice.”

He smiles at her. “thank you.”

Faye gives him a shy smile as she squeezes his arm.

Eli grins and brings her inside.

She follows him and looks around the house, “How long have you lived here?”

He smiles, “Before tour, about four months.”

Faye wanders around and smiles, “It’s amazing.”

Eli smiles and goes into the kitchen, “thank you.”

She follows him and leans against the counter, “So can I help?”

He smiles, “Maybe, what are you in the mood for?”

Faye laughs and tilts her head to the side, “What can you make? I mean I haven’t had you cook for me since it was the days of grilled cheese and quesadillas.”

Eli laughs, “I can still do both of those. I can make real pasta too, pesto chicken, you name it.”

She smiles and crosses her arms with a hum, “Whatever is easiest for you. Pesto chicken sounds delicious.”

He smiles, “you got it.” He takes out what he needs from the fridge.

Faye nods and moves to wash her hands, “Let me help.”

Eli smiles, “you don’t have to.”

She nudges her hip against his, “Let me help, Elijah.”

He chuckles, “Okaaayyyy.”

Faye smiles and kisses his shoulder, “Put me to work.”

Eli smiles at her, “Mix breadcrumbs and the cheese for me?”

She nods and takes a bowl, starting to mix per his instructions.

He hums softly as he preps the chicken.

Faye finishes and watches him with a smile.

Eli grins and then coats the chicken in pesto and the mixture she made.

She leans against the counter and hums, “When did you learn to cook when you were busy becoming a rockstar?”

He laughs, “I’ve been cooking longer than that. I do have precooked noodles if you want those too.”

Faye nods with a smile, “Sounds good to me.”

Eli grins and nods, putting the chicken in the oven and taking out the pasta.

She starts to wander into the living room to snoop as he cooks.

He preps the pasta for their dinner.

Faye looks over the books on the coffee table and hums softly to herself.

Eli glances at her and grins to himself:

She grabs one of the old art books she remembered and sits down on the couch as she browses through it.

He puts together a cheese board and brings it over.

Faye raises her brows and closes the book, “A little appetizer?”

Eli chuckles and nods, “Yep.”

She puts her fingers under his chin and leans in to kiss him gently.

He grins as he returns the kiss.

Faye smiles and pulls back slightly to nip at his lower lip.

Eli smiles widely at her.

She tilts her head to the side and slides her hand down his front, “You should get more comfortable, Eli Hudson. As much as I love this outfit.”

He nods and chuckles, “okay. I’ll go change.”

Faye nods and kisses him quickly before pushing him back playfully.

Eli shakes his head and kisses her a few more times.

She smiles as she leans back and takes a few pieces of cheese to eat.

Eli goes upstairs quickly to change.

Faye eats as she stands up and opens the door to the patio, walking out with a smile.

He changes out of his concert clothes and into a tshirt and sweatpants. He comes back down and looks around for Faye before following her outside.

She hears and looks over her shoulder at him, “It’s really beautiful out here.”

Eli goes over and wraps his arms around her from behind, “Thank you.”

Faye leans her head back against his shoulder and smiles softly.

He smiles and kisses her temple.

She looks over her shoulder at him and hums, “Eli..”

His brow raise, “yes?”

Faye shakes her head and smiles softly, “I like this.”

He kisses her cheek softly, “me too.”

She grins and closes her eyes at the kiss.

Eli gently squeezes his arms around her.

Faye moves her hand to cup his cheek and hums, “You could’ve come home with a groupie, you know?”

He makes a face, “ I could have. “

She laughs and shakes her head, “This better?”

Eli nods his head, “obviously.”

Faye turns in his arms and puts her hands on his chest, “Obviously.”

He tightens his arms around her and grins, “I missed you..”

She smiles and nudges her nose against his, “I missed you.”

Eli smiles and rubs her back.

Faye leans up and nudges her nose against his with a smile.

He grins and kisses her sweetly.

Faye returns the kiss and puts her hands on his cheeks.

Eli rubs her waist as they kiss.

She strokes his cheeks and kisses him with a small smile.

He laughs happily against her lips.

Faye pulls back and grins, “Eli..”

Eli smiles at her, “Yeah?”

She nudges her nose against his and smiles, “You’re something special.”

He blushes and pecks her lips.

Faye strokes his cheek and pulls back with a smile.

Eli grins, “Let’s eat.”

She nods and slides her hands over his arms before pulling away.

He grins and brings her back inside.

Faye follows him and grabs a few pieces of cheese before following him to the kitchen.

Eli chuckles and goes to take the chicken out as the timer goes off.

She leans against the counter and smiles, “Smells amazing.”

He grins and plates the pasta and tops it with the chicken.

Faye smiles and raises her brows, “This looks professional.”

Eli chuckles, “Go sit, baby.”

She laughs with a nod, “Where should we eat?”

He smiles, “Outside. Want wine?”

Faye nods with a smile, “Sounds good. Want me to carry it?”

Eli hums, “If you don’t mind.”

She nods as she grabs the wine and two glasses before heading out to the patio.

He carries the dinner plates out.

Faye smiles softly and pours them each a glass.

Eli sets the plates down and smiles, “Thank you.”

She nods and looks at the food, “This looks amazing. Thank you!”

He grins at her, “You’re welcome.” He sets the silverware down.

Faye nudges her foot against his as she takes a bite of her food with a hum.

Eli smiles as he watches her, “what do you think?”

She nods as she chews on the food, “Wow..that’s perfect.”

He laughs shyly, “you’re sweet.”

Faye laughs and shakes her head as she eats another bite, “I don’t know about that!”

Eli shakes his head and takes a bite of his food.

She leans back in her seat as she sips her wine, “So why Malibu?”

He hums softly, “I like how it’s a little more secluded and by the ocean.”

Faye nods as she looks around with a smile, “It suits you.”

Eli smiles, “Thank you. Where are you at now?”

She hums and nods a little bit, “Not too far, I’m in Venice.”

He nods and smiles, “I feel like that makes sense too.”

Faye laughs and raises her brows, “Why’s that?”

Eli grins, “we’re beach people.”

She nods with a smile, “We are California babies.”

He chuckles and nods as he eats.

Faye hums as he eats more of her food, “How’s tour been?”

Eli hums softly, “it’s been fun.”

She smiles and raises her brows with a laugh, “Anymore fun with Lily & Shawn?”

He chuckles, “No but they’re together.”

Faye laughs as she sips her wine, “You’re a matchmaker.”

Eli chuckles, “It was kind of obvious.”

She taps her foot against his and laughs softly, “It was very obvious.”

He chuckles and nods.

Faye laughs and eats more of her dinner.

Eli smiles as he eats, “Should we talk?”

She smiles and taps her fork against her plate gently, “Probably.”

He looks at her, “So.. what is it you’re looking for?”

Faye finishes her food and bites her lower lip gently, “I don’t know.”

Eli nods his head, “That’s okay..”

She sips her wine and holds her glass close to her mouth, “I’m gonna hurt you, you know I will, right? Even if it’s unintentional.”

He frowns, “Why?”

Faye sighs and shakes her head, “Because I’m selfish and insecure and still a little too messed up to be with anyone. I mean hell look at what I just did to you, Eli. I brought my terrible boyfriend to your show after ignoring you for months. Then I basically broke up with him publicly which was the right thing to do but that’s..I’m not a great person.” She waves her hand before he can speak, “And I’m not asking you to say I’m wrong or you know I’m not like that but..I am and I don’t want to hurt you. Guys like Emmit, whatever but you? I can’t do that to you again.”

Eli frowns, “Well we don’t have to be anything serious. Cant we be friends? Cause as much as I missed the sex and your body, I really just missed having my person the most.”

She sips her wine and places it on the table with a laugh, “We can be friends but I don’t see a world where I don’t want to undress you whenever I’m near you.”

He chuckles, “Well I didn’t meant without the benefits.”

Faye hums softly with a small smile, “So..we are friends with benefits when we are together? And friends when we are apart?”

Eli nods his head, “Yeah, no pressure, no dates, our friendship comes first. But I’m always gonna want you.”

She raises her brows and shakes her head, “You can’t close yourself off to others when we are apart. That’s the rule. If you want to hook up with someone else, take someone on a date, you follow that instinct. Promise?”

He raises his brows, “And if I don’t get that instinct?”

Faye shrugs one shoulder, “Then you don’t have to do anything but promise not to close yourself off? What if someone pursues you and asks you out? You can’t say no because of me.”

Eli sighs softly, “I promise not to close myself off but I’m not gonna say it might not be because of you. Are you gonna hookup with other people?”

She hums and taps her foot against his, “I’m not going to be looking to. If it happens, it happens. I have needs and I know you are going to Europe soon.”

He chews on his lip, “Then come to Europe with me.”

Faye laughs softly and takes his plate to stack on hers, “Good one, Eli Hudson.” She shakes her head and stands, “I’ll go clean these dishes.”

Eli stands up, “I’m not joking.”

She shakes her head as she starts to the door, “You are. We are friends with benefits, that sounds like a girlfriend.”

He frowns and follows her, “We are more than friends with benefits. We’re not boyfriend and girlfriend, but don’t try to make me feel like I’m weird for wanting you with me.”

Faye leads him into the kitchen and sets the plates in the sink before turning to him, “You’re not weird but you are asking me, your ex girlfriend and now friend who clearly cannot be trusted with your emotions to not be serious but yet spend all day, every day all across the world with you. Not to mention drop everything to do that. I have work to think about.”

Eli bites his lip, “I’m gonna be in Europe with Gabe and Tatum, and they’re a couple. I’ll be alone, or I could have one of my best friends there with me.”

She crosses her arms and looks at him, “Eli..I just warned you.” She sighs and looks away from him, “I don’t think I can handle hurting you again.”

He frowns more, “Then come for a week.”

Faye looks back at him and holds her hand out, “I can do a week.”

Eli takes her hand, “Pick any week you want.”

She pulls him closer and moves her arms around his middle with a small smirk, “No, you pick. Where do you wanna fuck me most?”

He rubs her back, “London.”

Faye smiles and leans up to nudge her nose against his, “I’ll be there. You can buy me a ticket so there’s guaranteed no backing out.”

Eli grins, “I’ll take care of all of it.”

She smiles and looks into his eyes, “And it’s not serious..just friends, right?”

He smirks, “With benefits.”

Faye laughs softly with a nod, “With benefits.”

Eli smiles, “I wanna have fun with you.”

She nudges her nose against his and smiles, “Then have fun with me.”

He grins, “It’ll be nice to have you to share it with. Plus I’ve never been overseas.”

Faye rubs his lower back with a soft smile, “I can’t wait for you. You’re gonna have a blast.”

Eli smiles and kisses her nose.

She scrunches up her nose and laughs softly, “Let me clean then I want a tour of upstairs.”

He gives her a look, “I don’t want you to clean.”

Faye smiles and squeezes him gently, “But I want to.”

Eli sighs, “Fine but I’m helping.”

She pecks his lips and pulls back to start rinsing the dishes.

Eli smiles and helps her load the dishwasher.

Faye quickly finishes with the dishes and slides her hands over his back, “You look so comfy…”

He grins at her, “Wanna borrow a shirt?”

She hums and kisses his shoulder, “Yes please.”

Eli smiles, “Okay, tour time.”

Faye nods as she slips her hand into his.

He smiles and brings her upstairs, “guest rooms and bathrooms are down the hall.”

She hums and nods her head, “And the master?”

[inalandofsadclowns]

OHHHH so this nmj/qs perspective is a new one for me but I love it!

First of all, I also don't think Qin Su would find this kind of drama appealing. Her reaction at finding out about years of lies and about Rusong was not under natural conditions. "Innocent, to the extent of seeming a bit dense" yeah no, not the type to crave reputation, especially not this kind. She might go as far as to cancel the wedding herself, the Qin family taking the responsibility on themselves.

Unfortunately, canon Nie Mingjue indeed wouldn't stir shit up for himself to keep Jin Guangyao's name clean, when the latter could also just be honest and bear the consequences. He'd rather help arrange jgy's fake death first lol.

Lan Xichen is an interesting option. He wouldn't ask jgy to reveal the truth to the world of course. He empathises with his past struggles too much to ever ask him that. He can't drag his own clan into a scandal either. He would certainly not do nothing, in fact, he would be the only grown-up and hold jgs responsible – the one who should actually be cleaning up this mess, and have him call the wedding off after a series of aggressively polite and politely aggressive private discussions..

Jiang Cheng though... honestly, made me think of his partner requirements: "naturally beautiful, graceful and obedient, hard-working and thrifty, coming from a respected family, cultivation level not too high, personality not too strong, not too talkative, voice not too loud and must treat Jin Ling nicely." Sure we don't know loads about Qin Su's personality, but honestly? Might as well fit into the criteria. No let me rephrase – might as well have been written about her.

I can see how if no one can/is willing to stop jgy and qs's marriage, then especially not Jiang Cheng. Who btw prioritizes his family even at the expense of others so why would he give half a damn about saving face for jgy? What if he does it for himself and for Jin Ling though, while benefitting jgy, who is kind of pactically family now?

Now hear me out HEAR ME OUT this is very good!

Since jgy is jl's uncle, obviously qs would have a close relationship with him as well. Even before the marriage they both spend a lot of time with jl, occasionally in jc's company as well. jc notices the complementary qualities of the lady (did I mention she treats Jin Ling well? Well she does.❕❕) Given that qs is let in on the secret (as she deserves), jgy and qs are just still looking for the right way to cancel the marriage, but the two have already given each other the emotional freedom of falling in love with whomever they wish. Following one of jc's visits at Koi Tower: Qin Su points at the grumpy pathetic sexy purple man like "I want that one." And um...do you see what I'm getting at?

AND AS A BONUS

Xue Yang appears at and interrupts the wedding ceremony and just fucking kidnaps Qin Su (not revealing his identity). Qin Su's gonna be fine of course, but now she can say that it was her kidnapper who impregnated her.

It was all plannes out of course. I'm not yet sure how, but Su Minshan is in it, too. I just can't imagine jgy not involving him, that's all.

i know i’m late to the party but: thoughts on nie mingjue/qin su? not specifically “do you like/dislike it”—just in general! (including platonically or maybe an emergency marriage of convenience inconvenience)

(i think that nmj finding out that something is janky before jgy’s wedding—but not knowing not exactly what—would really throw a wrench into things, and i think there are some interesting possibilities to explore :3x )

HMMM YEAH

Nie Mingjue is absolutely someone who would act if he learned about the Qin stuff prior to the wedding-- unfortunately, his version of acting probably be along the lines of 'threaten JGY into cancelling the wedding/telling everyone, or he'll do it himself.'

i WANT the world where NMJ is the type of person to find out what's going on and have the tact and political savvy to recognize that stepping in and demanding to marry Qin Su himself is literally the only thing that could stop this wedding while not causing a life-ruining scandal for everyone. there would absolutely be a scandal, but that's why NMJ is literally the only one who could get away with doing this, because he can whether any gossip, because he doesn't care. people would gossip about JGY too, but it would presumably be sympathetic, and he can handle that. JGS would be annoyed at the embarrassment, but he hates NMJ already anyway. what's Qin Cangse supposed to do when a leader of one of the great sects demands to marry his daughter? everybody would see it as NMJ throwing his weight around and recognize that no one else really had a choice.

poor Qin Su, though-- I can't imagine anyone who falls in love with JGY/Meng Yao taking very easily to NMJ. however, he'd at least definitely explain the situation to her, and maybe she'd be the type to learn how to make the best of an arranged marriage.

it's really a perfect example of MXTX's great writing in terms of boxing characters into a corner based on their own world and personalities. one of the great sect leaders stepping in could fix this with a relative minimum of embarrassment for everyone, but LXC can't because of his sect's reputation, NMJ wouldn't because of his personality, and Jiang Cheng both could and would, but he doesn't know JGY or the Qins well enough to care.