#but those things end up taking like 5-8k words

[astra-aeterna]

ok. i'm starting a few new fics and i want input from readers.

[randxmthxughts]

Unrequited - Chapter 5 / finale - Tsu'tey x Omatikaya!Reader

chapter 3 | chapter 4

wc: 8k

a/n: can't believe this is the eeeend!!! i'm so excited to finally post this and see what you think. it's been a journey and i hope you enjoyed it just as much as i did! replies and asks are greatly appreciated

unrequited masterlist | general masterlist

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Tsu’tey thought he made the right decision to let you go, after all, he knew from the very beginning that it wouldn’t work out. As the Olo’eyktan, his responsibility was to prioritize his people, so it was only fair that he stopped getting distracted by his desires and focused on his duty. Yet, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he made a mistake. That maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance to start over and he had turned it down.

He didn't realize the toll that your last conversation had taken on you, leaving you completely shattered. He had disappeared for weeks on end, leading a search party to investigate the outskirts of the forest after the battle with sky people. It was a long time coming, but it still seemed too well planned to you. 

Tsu’tey also didn’t know about the number of nights you spent crying in your bed, or the way your soulless eyes were searching for him in every person during communal gatherings, despite knowing that you wouldn’t find him there. He didn’t know that Takuk, who had stayed back at the Home Tree, attempted to court you in a rather awkward manner, which was obvious to everyone. With Tsu’tey’s absence, and Takuk’s clear interest in you, people had begun to whisper and speculate that it was never serious between you and the chief. Takuk was an honest man, and Tsu’tey was too good to be true anyway, they’d say.

And it hurt. It hurt too much because there was a shift in the air. You didn’t push Takuk away, having no energy to fight back the swirling rumors. You stopped showing up to your lessons with Mo’at, despite following through with the ultimatum she gave you that night. Technically, Tsu'tey had broken things off, and you were a free woman once again, so you could resume your lessons, but what was the point? Becoming a tsakarem to lead alongside a man who didn’t want you?

You drew another long sigh, as you sat weaving a basket. Not that you needed one but the loss of appetite and the absence of healing lessons left you with little to do, and so you occupied your hands with a mindless task. Takuk sat beside you, absentmindedly polishing his weapons, his voice a constant chatter that barely registered in your mind. Most of your time with him was spent like this, with you barely reciprocating his advances, hoping that Takuk would eventually grow bored of you and stop his affection. And if he didn’t, maybe you’d finally break down and accept the idea of being loved by somebody else. 

“May I speak with you?” Neytiri casted a shadow over you, blocking the sunlight.

You paused for a moment to nod to Takuk, silently asking for privacy. Neytiri’s gaze bore into you, searching for a hint of your state. As soon as Takuk left, she sat in front of you, taking the unfinished basket out of your hands and putting it aside. You shivered, the absence of distraction made the thoughts come rushing back.

“Why do you torture yourself like this?” Neytiri’s voice was firm, almost like she was angry with you, “You look drained.”

You couldn't help but feel resentment at her words. Of course, you weren't like your usual self. You had lost sleep over the only person you loved, and it was unrequited.

"I'm fine," you replied curtly, avoiding her eyes. It wasn’t like you didn’t hear those words from her before.

“I am not blind. You need to snap out of it and let your mind rest,” she stated, taking in your appearance once again. You felt exposed under her gaze, seeing right through your fragile facade.

“I’m doing my best,” you shook your head, a painful lump growing in your throat, “Doing what everyone thinks is right.”

“I want you to do what you think is right,” she pointed at your heart.

You shook your head, wishing for her to stop. Neytiri sighed with disappointment at your stubbornness. She has been pushing you around for weeks now, trying to get you back to your lessons. She was convinced that Mo’at was right and that you were a good fit for becoming a tsakarem, so abandoning that opportunity and letting Takuk linger around you seemed like a waste of time to her. Whether you would end up with Tsu’tey or not, Neytiri believed you deserved to be recognized for your efforts and talent.

“The Great Mother blessed you with a gift, how can you refuse it?” she spoke softer this time, trying another approach.

You winced at her words, standing up quickly to gather your things. There was some commotion in the distance, and you spotted a group of warriors returning to the clan, just in time for the communal dinner. Neytiri noticed where your gaze had landed and gasped when she spotted Tsu'tey. But before she could react, you had already stormed off.

Tears were now threatening to spill out, as you realized he returned. The prospect of seeing him was on your mind every day since he left, yet you were too afraid to face him.

“Y/N, wait,” Neytiri yelled, chasing after you, “We’re not finished.”

You ran into your hut, not even bothering to check if she was still following you. The items in your hands slipped out and fell to the ground as you pathetically tried to wipe away the tears that were streaming uncontrollably down your cheeks.

“Eywa will guide you two to each other,” Neytiri’s voice cut like a knife through your chest, causing you to let out a painful whimper at her words.

“It’s out of her power to make him love me.”

Neytiri stood by the entrance, feeling a little guilty for pushing you. If she had known that Tsu’tey would be back by now, she wouldn't have tested you today. The call for the communal dinner rang loudly through the Home Tree, alongside cheerful whistling, indicating that the search party would be celebrated that evening.

“He is just scared to admit it,” she added, her voice low.

"I can't keep holding on to something that's not there.”

You shrugged, feeling frustrated with her persistence. You were unaware of the talk Neytiri had with Tsu’tey and how heavily it weighed on her mind. She was the only one who understood how deeply he was wounded by the pain of losing Silwanin. How he couldn’t bring himself to open up to you because he was afraid of losing another person he loved, and that the responsibility of being a chief was clouding his judgment. Neytiri was convinced that you’d be able to heal his wounds, but she struggled to show it to you.

“Alright,” she sighed, defeated, “Let’s go and eat.”

“You go, I have lost my appetite.” 

Neytiri hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, before nodding and leaving your hut. It was pointless to argue, so she made a mental note to bring you food afterwards. Her face scrunched up in irritation when she saw Tsu’tey standing outside, wearing a regretful expression that suggested he had heard your conversation, or at least the last part of it.

“Well?” she quirked her eyebrow at him, waiting for him to go and talk to you.

But as she stared at him in anticipation, Tsu’tey seemed to change his mind. He shook his head and walked away, leaving Neytiri disappointed. It was clear that he was torn between his feelings, and she didn't know what to do to help him.

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The physical distance Tsu’tey had to put between you two during the past weeks caused him a constant headache. It felt like Eywa was playing a cruel game on him, as night after night, you appeared in his dreams. He would awaken in a cold sweat, the memory of you convincing him to beg you to return to him, once he was back at the village. But then the next night, as soon as he was determined to win you back, the image of Silwanin would infiltrate his dreams, and guilt would consume him.

Y/N. Silwanin. He hadn't visited Silwanin for a long time, fearful that seeing her would awaken the longing he had buried deep inside and revive all the pain. But as he pondered on his dreams, Tsu’tey realized that Eywa was sending him a sign - a solution. 

When Tsu’tey brought out his kuru to the glowing Mother Tree, for the first time in years, he felt like he was on the right path. He knew that Silwanin would be waiting for him, but he was still scared to face her. He had so much to say, so much to ask, but he didn't know how to start.

Closing his eyes, Tsu'tey focused on his connection with Eywa and felt a gentle breeze surround him, wrapping him in a familiar warmth. A pair of hands, soft and comforting, encircled him in a loving embrace.

"Tsu'tey, my love, I've missed you," a voice whispered into his ear.

As he opened his eyes, Tsu'tey found Silwanin standing before him, smiling brightly. She was just as beautiful as he remembered, and for a moment, he forgot that she was gone. He held her tightly.

“I missed you too, yawne,” he whispered back, his voice choked with grief. When her fingertips traced his face, he had to close his eyes to stop the tears from flowing.

“I’ve been waiting for you to visit me for a long time now. I thought you forgot about me,” she pulled away.

"I'm sorry," he said with disappointment, shaking his head. "I was too scared to come."

“Why were you scared?” she questioned, with an unknowing look, but Tsu’tey hesitated to respond, “Is it about me?”

“You’re not… not here,” he revealed.

“I am not?”

Tsu'tey felt a lump form in his throat as he recounted the painful events that led to her passing. Silwanin listened patiently with a peaceful expression, as if everything started to finally make sense to her.

“I see,” she whispered, reaching up to wipe away his tears. “I wish you didn’t have to go through that alone, my love.”

Tsu'tey shook his head, unable to speak, overwhelmed by the emotions that flooded his heart. He was pulled him into a tender embrace, which made him weep like a child. For the first time in forever, it seemed like a weight was being lifted off Tsu’tey’s chest. 

“Tell me about your life now,” Silwanin placed a hand on his cheek, eager to learn, “You’re the Olo’eyktan. Neytiri is a good mate to you, yes?”

“Neytiri is a good mate to Toruk Makto.”

“The Toruk Makto?” Silwanin widened her eyes. From Tsu’tey’s brief story, she recognized the dreamwalker, “But what about you?”

“I’m not mated with anyone.”

Silwanin pressed her lips together, seeming displeased with his answer. It hurt her to know that Tsu’tey wasn't moving on with his life and was torturing himself. He watched her expression change, and gulped down nervously, before confessing.

“There is someone… but I don’t know if I can be with her. Ever be with anyone.”

“Is she good to you?” Silwanin’s ears perked up in curiosity, 

“She is,” he nodded with a sigh, “But I cannot make her happy..”

“Tsu’tey, of course you can,” she argued, “You are only torturing yourself if you’re pushing her away.”

“But what about you?”

“Stop worrying about me. I only wish for you to be happy, and if she can ease your worries and make you feel at peace, then who am I to stop you?”

Tsu’tey’s lip trembled at her words. Just like he remembered, Silwanin was understanding and kind, always looking out for him. And as always, she knew better than him what was right. He nodded slowly.

“It’s time to move on, Tsu’tey,” she smiled softly, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on his forehead.

“You’re right,” he whispered, “I will always love you.”

“I know.”

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Tsu’tey returned back to the Home Tree, eager to find you and tell you he was a fool. His heart raced when he spotted your silhouette disappear into the thick greenery of the forest, but before he could follow after you, a pair of hands pressed against his chest, stopping him in his tracks. Tsu’tey let out a low growl of annoyance upon realizing that it was Jake standing in his way.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry, brother? Haven’t seen you in weeks, and you’re already disappearing somewhere,” Jake teased, enjoying the sight of the Olo’eyktan becoming increasingly irritated.

“I have to find someone,” he mumbled, trying to walk away, but Jake was quick to block his path.

“Is that someone Y/N?” 

“It is none of your business,” Tsu’tey spat out.

Jake stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied Tsu’tey with an observant gaze. Tsu’tey felt his patience ran out, eager to end the conversation and follow after you, before you’d disappear. Then he realized.

“Why did you say Y/N?” 

“Because Neytiri told me,” Jake responded, his tone suddenly turning more protective, “I didn’t believe it at first, but if it is true, you should be more considerate of Y/N’s feelings.”

Who was Jake Sully to get protective over you? To add on, who was he to protect you from Tsu’tey? As if he could ever hurt you. Tsu’tey stiffened at the thought.

“Neytiri shouldn’t have told you, it is none of your concern.”

“I think I get a little say in this, since Neytiri told you she was pregnant before she told me,” Jake answered. He waited for Tsu’tey to protest, but it seemed like the point was strong enough to keep him quiet, “Anyway, like I said, if you’re going to keep playing with Y/N, you should stop now.”

“Who said I was playing with her?” the Olo’eyktan suddenly felt defensive. Was it truly the way he was seen? Inconsiderate?

“It seems like it, she is a mess,” Jake continued, “Look, I don’t know her well, and I have no idea what went on between you two but it clearly affected her. Y/N is not well, Tsu’tey… Neytiri has been watching her every day since you left because she is concerned for her. So you either fix it, or you let Y/N move on, alright?”

“No, I will fix it,” Tsu’tey nodded with determination.

“Okay,” Jake stepped out of his path, “Okay, go fix it.”

Tsu’tey nodded again, his mind already focused on finding you, his feet carrying him through the bushes where he saw you disappear. He felt agonized, knowing that he hurt you so much it was obvious even to a skxawng like Jake. Tsu’tey didn’t even feel angry for getting scolded by him, because he had no one else to blame but himself.

His senses sharpened as he scanned the area for any sign of you. It didn't take him long to pick up your scent and follow your trail. As he walked, he felt a growing urgency to apologize to you, to tell you that he regretted his words. He didn't know if he could make things right, but he needed to try.

It felt like hours had passed when Tsu'tey finally caught sight of you up ahead, sitting on a fallen log and watching the river. You often came to this spot to wash off after meeting up with him, and as you sat there, your mind couldn't help but wander back to him. With your back turned, you didn't notice Tsu'tey lingering in the back, though you felt a presence nearby. It felt like your mind was playing tricks on you, but before you could turn to look, Takuk caught your attention.

Tsu’tey watched his trainee make his way over to you with a snarl. He felt a surge of jealousy and frustration at Takuk giving you a flower and you accepting it. He had been gone only for a few weeks, and Takuk already made a move? Were you only polite to accept the flower, or was it something more? Remaining hidden, Tsu’tey watched as you and Takuk talked. He could see Takuk's longing gaze but couldn't see your reaction, making him uneasy as he stared at your back. 

Shifting on his feet, Tsu’tey was caught off guard when Takuk suddenly turned his face and spotted him. The Olo’eyktan cleared his throat, now forced to step into the open. His heart clenched when you turned around to face him, your eyes tracing his features.

The formalities were exchanged quickly, though Tsu’tey couldn’t keep his eyes off you. He hadn’t seen you in so long, it seemed like there was something different about you. His eyes roamed over your face again and again, and he felt like he was deprived of you, wanting to memorize every small line and engrave it into his mind. Tsu’tey wasn’t sure what exactly changed but he noticed the shift in your gaze - your usual adoration was no longer evident in your eyes, making room for anger? You seemed almost irritated to be in his presence.

“Takuk, may I ask you for a favor?” Tsu’tey spoke, forcing himself to tear his gaze away from you and focus on his trainee.

“Sure, what is it, chief?” Takuk responded eagerly, completely oblivious to the way you watched the Olo’eyktan.

“I want you to gather a meeting with the search party and the rest of the warriors. Make sure everyone is updated on what happened in the last weeks, so everyone’s informed. I will join you a little later and tell you of our next plans,” Tsu’tey ordered. Takuk nodded in confirmation.

Sending Takuk away meant that Tsu’tey would be alone with you, and that scared you. You didn't want to fall apart in front of him once more, not after finally coming to terms with the fact that it was over.

As his past trainee and a trusted warrior, Takuk often received small and big orders from the Olo’eyktan. And Tsu’tey did not lie; he was indeed planning on a meeting with the rest of his warriors to begin the work. But once again, it was clear to you that Tsu’tey's timing and orders were as intentional as a trained hunter hitting a bullseye.

“Y/N,” he spoke softly, your ears lowering instantly at the tone, though your mind was telling you to be angry, “I missed you.”

“No,” you shook your head firmly, “You don’t get to say that if you don’t mean it.”

“I do mean it,” Tsu’tey insisted, taking a step towards you, but you backed away from him, your heart hardened, “I’m sorry for the way I left things off.”

Unbelievable. After everything he had put you through, he had the audacity to show up like this and tell you he missed you? It was too late. The damage was done.

"You're sorry?" you scoffed, "Is that all?”

"No, I regret my words,” his eyes searched yours for a sign of forgiveness, “But I’ve changed. I am not that man anymore who couldn’t give you what you deserved. I’m not scared anymore.”

"It's too late for that, Tsu'tey," your voice was shaky, "I don’t want somebody who doesn’t want me… not anymore. I’ve learned my lesson. I moved on.”

Tsu'tey took another step towards you, but you held up a hand to stop him. 

"Please, just go.”

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Tsu’tey never knew the true weight of jealousy until you. It was always easier with Silwanin. He was intimidating to begin with and the whole clan knew about his love for her, so nobody dared to even think about courting the chief’s oldest daughter. But having given Takuk a permission to court you himself and seeing you continue to spend time with that man, while ignoring Tsu’tey’s every attempt to talk to you, made him furious. As the Olo’eyktan, Tsu’tey felt corrupted to use his position to get back at Takuk. He became ruthless during the training at the camp, pointing out Takuk's mistakes in front of his own students. He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't help his anger. 

Tsu’tey was also so desperate for your attention that he even forced himself to ask Neytiri for help. She scoffed at his request to seat you with him during the communal dinner but agreed to help anyway. Though, as she led you by the hand and you neared the circle, it was clear what she was trying to do. You pulled out of her grasp and sat down on the other side to avoid being near him. Reluctantly, Neytiri had to follow and sit down next to you, shooting an apologetic look to Tsu’tey. His heart sank once more at the failed attempt, and Jake had to reassure him with a nudge.

“Why won’t you speak with him?” Neytiri whispered, as you blatantly ignored Tsu’tey’s eyes piercing through you.

“I don’t want to have to do anything with him,” you replied harshly, occupying yourself with your food.

“He is truly sorry for the way he behaved,” she continued, trying to get it through you but you were too stubborn to listen.

The pain of being left by Tsu’tey was incomparable to anything you had ever experienced before. It cut so deep into your soul that you hardly recognized yourself anymore. You lost your appetite, with it, some weight, and the usual spark in your eyes. Mentally, you closed off and fortified your walls, to stop letting yourself hope. You refused to put yourself in a position where you were chasing after someone who didn't want you again. If Tsu’tey regretted his harshness towards you, then so be it. Your desire was to hold onto what little dignity remained, and if you let him close, it would have been completely gone.

“You’re wasting time,” Neytiri continued, “I have never seen him so desperate for anyone’s attention before.”

A big lump started to form in your throat: Neytiri always knew how to push your buttons. Your heart still swelled with the love for Tsu’tey but your mind was telling you to stay angry, not let him in. For once, you were listening to your mind instead of blindly following your heart. Not everything you love is good for you.

“Try some of this,” Tsu’tey’s voice rang loudly in your ears, your eyes quickly following his movements.

He crouched down in front of you, offering you a meat wrap in his open palm. All eyes seemed to be drawn to the chief kneeling in front of a regular clan member and sharing his food. It was a highly respected but rare gesture, usually perceived as a big compliment, or as a sign of courting? Your eyes darted between his hand stretched out towards you and his face wearing an expression of anticipation. You were acutely aware of the attention you were getting, and the more you stared at him, the more embarrassed you felt.

What was he trying to gain from you with a public gesture? Make you comply because of his title and give in? Did he think it would change things in private? You felt anger boiling up inside of you, as you announced as loud as you could.

“I am grateful for the gesture, Olo’eyktan Tsu’tey, but I feel ill, so I must refuse it. Now if you’ll excuse me,” you stood up, not giving him a chance to respond.

Tsu’tey, like the rest of the clan, stared after you, as you walked away, clutching at your stomach as if you were in pain. He had to swallow his pride once more and return to his spot. Tsu’tey listened quietly to everything that Jake was then telling him, about the ways humans courted each other, how he shouldn’t have put you into such a position, and it made him lose his appetite. Was the thought of him so disgusting to you? 

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

You continued to turn a cold shoulder on Tsu’tey, whether he showed up at your home to talk and you would walk out on him, or he approached you when you were with others, occupied with anything else but him. Days and nights passed, but you just didn't understand what he wanted from you.

So you found yourself wandering deeper and deeper into the rainforest regularly, trying to lose yourself in the lush greenery. Your thoughts were consumed with the mistakes you had made, and you tried to convince yourself that Tsu’tey's intentions to apologize no longer mattered. You were fed up with feeling sad over him, and anger had taken its place, though you still yearned for his touch each night before you slept.

You were completely lost in your thoughts, when a low growl shattered through the quiet of the forest. A palulukan sprang in front of you, hissing furiously. Panic surged through you as you forced yourself to back away as slow as you could, though it was pointless. You were defenseless; running from a hungry palulukan was like playing into the dangerous game of a trapped helpless prey. 

Just as you thought it was the end of your life, the palulukan slowly lowered its head to your height. A glimmer of recognition flickered in your mind as you took a deep breath. Was it possible that it recognized you? The palulukan cautiously took a few steps towards you, its growls softening as if it decided against attacking you. 

“Y/N, stay back!” Tsu’tey yelled, leaping between you and the animal, arrow already aimed.

"No, don't shoot!" you cried out desperately, "It's her! The one we saved."

The animal jumped back with a low hiss, sniffing around Tsu’tey as it began to recognize the man who saved her. Tsu’tey glanced back at you, and as you nodded to confirm your words, he slowly lowered his weapon. But he remained in front of you protectively anyway.

“She grew twice her size,” he commented with an observing eye, a hint of pride evident in his voice.

The palulukan caught and recognized your scent, seeming to relax and slowly retreating, flicking its powerful tail in a sign of trust. You marveled at the sight, watching the animal leave and disappear into the dense flora. A breathy chuckle escaped from your mouth, and you stepped out from behind Tsu’tey to bid a farewell to the palulukan. Like a sign from Eywa… you could feel her presence. It wasn't a coincidence. 

“What are you doing here? This is not a safe place to be,” Tsu’tey quickly snapped back to reality, addressing you harsher than he usually would.

“I can be wherever I want to be,” you put a distance between you.

"I don't want any member of my clan wandering this far alone and unarmed. Especially not you," he gestured to the empty space where your bow and arrow should have been. You fought the embarrassed blush - it was your slip up.

“I don’t need a babysitter. So stop following me around.”

“Not unless you talk to me,” he persisted.

You were growing irritated once again, crossing your arms on your chest. Arguing was wearing you down, sucking out all of the remaining energy. 

“Then you talk, I have nothing to say to you.”

“I’m sorry,” he began, and you couldn’t help but scoff at the words, “I truly am. I was a fool to hurt you, to push you away. I was scared because I thought I couldn’t give you what you deserved.”

“I don’t know what you want for me, Tsu’tey. Forgiveness? Do you want me to take the apology and move on?” you questioned with a harsh tone, “Because I am trying to do what you wanted me to. I don’t protest Takuk’s courting, I stay away from you and I’m trying to move on no matter how much -”

“I see you,” he interrupted, stepping closer to you.

“You see me,” you repeated confusedly, but your tail wagged aimlessly, betraying the small pang of excitement. Did he really mean it?

“I do, I see you,” he nodded, lowering himself to the ground in front of you, “Please, give me a chance.”

Your eyes widened at the sight of Tsu’tey kneeling, his hands wrapped gently around your ankles. You stared down at him, observing the way his face etched with true regret and something else? Like there was an admiration for you.

“What are you doing, Tsu’tey?” you swallowed hard.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for everything," he spoke desperately, his grip tightened as he looked up at you with pleading eyes, "I tried to push my feelings for you away, but they were too strong to fight. I can't bear the thought of you being with anyone else but me… I’m in love with you, Y/N.”

"Love?" Your eyes darted back and forth between his, trying to find any hint of lying, but all you saw was sincerity.

“Yes, I have fallen for you completely. My mind and body belong to you… my heart belongs to you now,” he whispered, as his hands reached for yours.

Tsu’tey, the man who had once claimed he could never love you, was now on his knees pleading with you to give him a chance. His eyes were glistening with tears, and you unintentionally mirrored him, feeling your own starting to roll down your cheeks.

All this time, you had thought he wanted your forgiveness for his harshness, but what he really wanted was to be with you. His heart belonged to you? You squeezed your eyes shut, hoping to wake up from what felt like another one of your nightly dreams. But it was real. Tsu’tey had confessed his love for you, and it was entirely real.

“Can you find it in your heart to take pity on a foolish, cowardly man like me? Do you think you could ever love me back?” he looked up at you with so much hope. Tsu’tey refused to back down now, when he had it all out in the open. 

“Tsu’tey,” you let out, freeing your hand from his grasp. He would have died on the spot sensing rejection if you hadn’t brought your hand to cup his cheek tenderly. “I have loved you since we were kids, you know that, don’t you?”

“Truly?” he whispered, leaning his face into your touch, “Even after everything I did?”

“Always, no matter what happens, I could never stop loving you,” you confessed, lowering yourself to kneel in front of him.

Tsu’tey searched your eyes for any sign of doubt, his mind struggling to keep up with your words. But the way you looked at him was unmistakable; he had seen that loving, eager gaze before. He leaned in, his lips brushing against yours, tasting his own tears mixed with yours. You shivered at the feeling that was so different, yet so pleasant. He loved you. Tsu’tey loved you! 

Infectious warmth was spreading through you, and it felt like you were dreaming. You placed your hand on his chest, feeling the racing of his heart beneath your palm. Tsu’tey took your hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently.

“Tsaheylu,” he whispered, his eyes locking onto yours.

You’d be his, he’d be yours. He was scared that you’d push him away, but as you reached out to bring out your kuru, an abiding affection filled him from head to toe. He rushed to bring out his forward too, and as you were close to connecting, you couldn’t help but whisper.

“I see you,” you said, meeting Tsu’tey’s gaze.

“I see you,” he replied, a smile spreading across his face.

Your kurus connected, forming a tsaheylu, and you leaned forward and kissed him again, feeling the power of it coursing through your body. It was like the two halves were becoming one, and you could feel everything Tsu’tey felt. All of the doubts and fears were slipping away now that you had proof he was telling the truth, he loved you, and his mind and body were consumed by the thoughts of you. Tsu’tey felt your love too, everything you ever told him and did for him was with the intention of loving him… being hopelessly devoted to him. He could sense the way your heart raced and synced with the beat of his own.

As Tsu’tey continued to kiss you with an almost feverish intensity, it caused a rush of warmth to spread through your body. His kisses were gentle yet urgent, as if he was afraid you would disappear if he didn't show you enough affection. You couldn't help but hold him tight, wanting to feel his warmth and closeness after being apart for so long.

You ran your fingers through his braided hair, marveling at how much you missed the feeling. The way his lips moved across your cheek, your forehead, your jawline - leaving hot traces on your skin. His fingers tracing the curves of your body. Him exploring you like he was discovering you for the first time.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Tsu’tey was desperate to show you his regret, how he truly felt miserable for hurting you. He was forgetting that you could feel it too, as he committed to absorbing every little sound you made, his lips moving over your folds, long digits stretching you out simultaneously. He was overwhelming, and you couldn’t help but squeeze him with your thighs, letting out a loud whimper when he sucked on your clit.

“Tsu’tey, please,” you whispered, your limbs starting to tremble at the tension in your core, “I need to feel you.”

He hummed against you, sending pleasant vibrations to your sensitive button. It was difficult to hold himself back but Tsu’tey wanted to pour out all of his love to you in the moment, to show how much he prioritized your happiness. You, you, you. It’s all you could hear in his thoughts, how he ignored the painful tension in his own body before sending a wave of pleasure through yours. You throbbed around his digits, fingers falling to his hair as you pulled his mouth away from you. He gazed into your half-lidded eyes, pupils dilating at the sight of you melting underneath him. At the feeling of your pleasure spreading through you and flowing with a taintest wave back to his own head.

He then rocked into you gently, slowly, savoring the moment. And you didn’t mind. You missed having him nestled in between your hips, angling himself in a way to pleasure you, to reach that spot inside you that made your eyes roll to the back of your head. He groaned, the tsaheylu intensifying every feeling in every nerve of his body. You kissed him again and again, becoming one with Tsu’tey, letting all of the pain slip away and make place for love.

The idea of his pleasure only heightened yours, and you could feel the knot tightening within you as the pressure built up. Tsu’tey picked up his pace, whispering your name and confessing his love, but you couldn’t hear him. As your bodies intertwined, the thoughts seemed to vanish into thin air. You came, squeezing him so desperately, he was forced to follow right after you. Your moans vanished and disappeared into the back of his throat.

He had been so lost before, so broken and shattered, but with you by his side, everything seemed to fall into place. Your touch was like a balm to his wounded soul, healing the scars of the past. And the way you looked at him - with such tenderness - made him feel like he was the only person in the world.

Tsu’tey pulled away slightly, hovering over you with an observant gaze. You couldn’t help but smile hazily at the feeling of him still inside you, reaching to cup his cheek. He knew it. You were completely his for the rest of your life. How could he ever think you were a distraction when you were his cure all along? All of the self-loathing and hatred he felt seemed so unimportant when he had someone like you love him. 

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

You couldn’t get enough of each other, and it’s been weeks since Tsu’tey and you became mates. Yet, no matter how much time you spent together, you always rushed to him at the end of your day. It was mostly with you in his arms, spending restless nights of passion, and conversations about the future, as you went to sleep. It was one of those nights when you laid on his chest, in a peaceful quiet, when Tsu’tey broke it.

"I've been thinking about something," he said softly, tracing circles on your back.

"Mhm, what is it?" you asked, looking up at him with a curious smile.

Oh, how he loved your smile! It was all he yearned for now that he got a taste of seeing you so happy. With him! Tsu’tey still couldn’t believe that he could make you smile and laugh so much, your cheeks hurt. All it took him was to admit his love, and your heart was healing alongside his, quickly, beating loyally for the other’s. He leaned in to kiss you softly, something he did often mid-conversations because he couldn’t keep it in anymore. Now that it was out in the open and you were mated, Tsu’tey quickly learned to stop worrying about everybody else but you. So if he wanted to hold you during communal dinners, he’d do just that, completely oblivious to your ashamed flushed face.

“I had this dream last night… And many nights before that too.”

"What was it about?" you raised an eyebrow in surprise. He rarely shared his dreams with you, because he found it to be pointless.

"It was about us," a smile spread across his face, quickly mirroring on your own, "I saw a big family. I also felt Eywa’s presence in it."

You felt your heart skip a beat at the mention of having a family, the idea of one with a man of your dreams was unsettling, overflowing. You have been in love with him for so long, it was still hard to believe he was yours sometimes. So having Tsu’tey dream about having a family with you made you emotional. Noticing your intense thinking, Tsu’tey wrapped his arms around you, and pulled you close. He had learnt his lesson, there would be nothing more unspoken left in between you. He did not wish to hurt you again.

"I love you, Y/N. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and raise a family.”

"I would love that," you said, your voice barely above a whisper. He grinned.

"Then it's settled," he pressed a kiss to your forehead. 

You snuggled closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body against yours. As you drifted off to sleep, you felt grateful to Eywa for the man lying next to you.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

THE END

But wait, I have a bonus thingy (I didn’t know where to include it so):

Despite you slowly getting used to the idea of being the Olo’eyktan’s mate and getting more involved in his duties, you cannot seem to get back to yours. It is difficult to face Mo’at again, to take up healing, which you were so sure was your calling. Did you truly deserve to be a Tsahik? What if you were not talented enough? This killed Tsu’tey, as he would have preferred nobody else but you to become the clan’s healer.

He spent days trying to talk to you about it, having already announced his news of finding a mate to Mo’at. She wasn’t surprised to hear it, knowing that her hunch was always right, but you refusing to follow your tsakarem path upset her. Tsu’tey was determined to change that. When he saw his words were typically swayed by you into a different topic, he would send people to talk to you. It began with Jake and Neytiri, some of your healer friends, eventually he even asked Mo’at to scold you for your stubbornness, so you avoided her the best you could.

His plan outgrew itself when random clan members would come into your hut injured and ask for help, but sensing that it was his orders, you would send them away to seek help from Tsahik. 

To say that getting injured was unintentional would be a lie; the idea of rushing to you for help seemed like a solution to Tsu’tey. After all, you would treat your mate if he was hurt, right? It was a stupid plan and you’d probably get mad at him for being careless, maybe not talk to him for a day, but if it could spark that interest again, why not take the risk? He learned from Jake Sully that all is fair in love and war.

When Tsu’tey stumbled into your hut with a loud groan, your eyes immediately spotted traces of red all over his thigh. You rushed to him to help him sit, scanning for other injuries, your heart racing with worry.

“Tsu’tey, what happened?” you questioned him.

“Jumped into the bushes from my ikran and scraped my leg, but I’m alright,” he groaned.

“You have blood,” you pointed out, “I’ll get Tsahik.”

“No, yawne,” he put his hand over your thigh to stop you from getting up, “I want you to help me.”

“It's better for Tsahik to do it. I don’t know how,” you shook your head, the two of you knowing well it was a lie. You were perfectly capable of cleaning him up in a matter of minutes.

“Y/N,” he said softer this time, hand coming up to cup your cheek, “Please would you help your mate?”

You stopped the protest, the red painted on his thigh seeming to reason with you. Then nodded with a small sigh before getting up to gather some supplies from your stash. Tsu’tey couldn’t help a satisfied smile that creeped onto his lips, as he watched you work. His wound wasn’t as bad as it looked, he cut skin which caused the bleeding, but it wasn’t deep enough to bother him. 

You worked quickly, feeling the way his eyes lingered on you, reminding you of the time when he first came in with a broken arm into the Tsahik’s hut. You looked up at Tsu’tey to find a glimmer in his eyes with a wicked smirk he was desperately trying to hide.

“This looked worse than it actually is,” you noted, finishing up, “Why are you smiling?”

“No reason,” Tsu’tey shrugged, “Just happy to see you back in your element.”

“I am not back in my element,” you huffed, putting the supplies aside and shifting in your seat to face him, “Why would you even jump off your ikran without landing first?”

“I don’t know, just wanted to jump,” Tsu’tey said but his growing smirk was raising your suspicions. 

“Do you think that I’d believe an Olo’eyktan would go off jumping his ikran mid-flying, as if he was a fresh warrior?” you questioned with an angry flare in your voice, “I can see right through you, Tsu’tey. This was careless… stupid of you.”

“But yawne, admit it, it felt good to treat me, right?” Tsu’tey ignored your scolding, hand reaching out to pull you to his chest.

You were genuinely upset with him for going the extra mile for you, but you couldn’t help it when he was so sweet. His arms wrapped around your middle, burying his face in the back of your head with a satisfied hum. 

“Tsu’tey, it is not funny,” you tried to continue with anger, but it came out too low, “You shouldn’t injure yourself like that for me.”

“I just want to see you do what you like to do. Is it so bad to wish you used your talents?”

“I don’t have talent for healing -”

“I don’t like it when you lie to me,” he interrupted.

You fell quiet. He was being sweet the past week, trying everything to get you back into healing.

“Fine, I’ll give it another chance…” you trailed off, and it took a moment for him to turn you around with a joyous laughter and kiss you with all the gratitude he felt.

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Oh, and bonus canons to resolve some of the plots:

Takuk found out about you being mated with Tsu’tey soon after, being one of the first. 

he came to ask you to spend time with him when saw Tsu’tey come out of your hut

later that day he felt the change not only in your mood but also in your scent, and it all clicked in his head

being respectful of his Olo’eyktan and having doubts from the beginning that there was some truth to the rumors, Takuk didn’t take it to his heart

his whole life he looked up to Tsu’tey and he was happy to see the man beaming with love

you and Tsu’tey both felt bad for leaving things unanswered but eventually it passed

there was no more tension Tsu’tey felt between himself and Takuk

Neytiri threw the fact that you’re together into Jake’s face almost every day

every time they saw you two, Jake got ready to receive that satisfied smirk from Neytiri

of course, it was her who found out about you mating with Tsu’tey

the second they saw each other on the next day after your mating, they exchanged a knowing look

he thought it’d be fair to tell Neytiri first for everything she did for him

you quickly slipped into your usual self, even happier than you were before Tsu’tey and it didn’t go unnoticed

while it was a bit sudden to them, the clan mostly reacted well when they saw Tsu’tey hold your hand

eventually everyone realized that happy Tsu’tey = happy clan, so no one dared to even think anything negative

you and Tsu’tey began to make your own place, in the meantime, he would come and spend time at your hut

he’d sometimes finish up his chores for the day earlier to come and fetch you from Mo’at

she was not eager to let you go but she couldn’t say no when she saw your smile whenever Tsu’tey walked in

and though you had your doubts at first, after the tsaheylu, trusting Tsu’tey was the easiest thing you had to do

after feeling what he felt for you and hearing him reassure you every night, you felt like the most important person to him

which you are

Tsu’tey was grateful for finding you, after losing everything else

as lessons went by, it was only logical that Mo’at announced you to be the new tsakarem

connecting with Eywa became one of your favorite things, as you were not ashamed of what you had or didn’t have anymore

your connection grew stronger and often you got signs from her, one of the perks of being the future Tsahik

the love between you and Tsu'tey also grew stronger with each passing day, and you felt like you've finally found your purpose

Jake always said something about you falling for Tsu’tey first, but him falling for you harder

you’re not sure what it really meant but he assured you it was a good thing back on earth, !!!romantic!!!

of course, Tsu’tey and you started discussing having kids (like a few weeks in) but decided to hold on to it for a little bit longer, so that you could focus on each other and your new duties

but it didn’t take too long until you gave in…

︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

taglist (since this is the last chapter, if you guys want to be moved to my regular taglist please let me know): @mechformers @xx-mayday-martyr-xx @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed @fanboyluvr @live-laugh-neteyam @cawi00 @sovereignsylvia @wifey0209 @jakescumdump @vxncxntt @avatarbyamara @vviviivvivivivvivivivi @aracelikara @brooklynscherry-z @teyums @bestwlwmonster @totesnothere04 @n7cje @suntizme @weasleytwinwheezes @neteyamslovrr @crustskullz @vane28282 @youngbananamilkshake @elissanatok @perplexing-vex @zoetrope1997 @yeosxxx @kurogxrix @sakura-onesan @saltedcoffeescotch @daeneeryss @silententhusiastdreamer @omnifanfic @skyofnight @stargirlrchive @doromoni @anxietydrogz @marsbars09 @deliciousdilfmentality @theunfortunateplace @tinystarfishgalaxy @mayonaise-mmm @marsbars09 @faerienotfound @ohshititsfenharel @meowiemari @ttkttt @arsonfrogger @isabel-ffl-xoxo

[wildemaven]

Sweet Creature: Chapter Nine

Pairing: Dieter Bravo x F!Reader

WC: 8k

Warnings: 18+ Blog; Fluff, a kiss of angst, talk of past relationship and break up, pregnancy scare, mopey Poppy, nervousness and anxiety, brief mentions of sobriety, smut, self doubt, public speaking, reader has the nickname Poppy- zero physical description, to dumb dumbs in love

A/N: This is a doozy of a chapter, there was so much to pack in for these two. I can’t believe we’re nearing the end, I had definite moments of sadness as I was wrapping up this chapter but also found so inspiration to help tie up the story for these two! You can listen to Dieter & Poppy’s Playlist Here. Also a big thank you to @gnpwdrnwhiskey for constantly listening and helping me through this one, I definitely needed it on this chapter.

Series Masterlist / Playlist / Main Masterlist

Previous/ Epilogue

It had taken a few months for Dieter to tangle himself into your life. 

Inching his way into your mind, settling deep within your bones and eventually finding shelter in the most sacred of places— your heart. 

It took only a matter of a few short days for him to imprint himself into your home, pieces of him lingering in your space, even long after he had left. 

But you can’t seem to pull yourself from the confines of your bed, each morning since his departure, you study the hollowed out spot where his worn body claimed as his, still having yet to find the energy to make it or wash the sheets clean of the hours of intensity and conversations ingrained into the plush pillow-top. 

Your fingers run over the creases of the pillow, remembering how you would trace the same lines etched across his face in the early mornings, the usual scrunch between his brows smooth and relaxed, the faintest of snores escaping his parted lips— memorizing his angelic dreamy state. 

A soft thread catches the path your finger continues to take. A silky strand of hair, no longer a part of him, now woven in through the fibers of your cotton pillowcase— proof he was here and existed in this space with you, with those unruly thick curls tousled with ardency, sweat and sleep— your fingers still managing to work through the wildness. 

*

-Saturday Morning-

“What was your last serious relationship like?” Dieter asks, laying on his side with an arm bent, head propped on his hand, your bed sheet draped over his naked lower half. 

His free hand mapping out the plains of your exposed skin, the morning sun filters through your bedroom window, providing a soft muted light as his fingers continue to unearth new details of your body he has yet to see in daylight. 

“Oof! Hitting me with the serious stuff first thing in the morning.” The rasp of sleep still coating your throat, your body turned in close towards him with one arm tucked between your pillow and resting head, your free hand mesmerized by the texture of his skin— connecting invisible lines between each freckle painted across his neck and chest. 

“Question for a question then. But you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.” 

“No, it’s fine. It’s— just a lot for some people to hear. Kind of just keep it to myself, less questions and ‘how come’ once they find out.” 

“Hey, I won’t judge you, for anything you tell me— ever.”

Dieter watches the way your eyes flit about for a few seconds, his hand stopping to rest on your naked hip with a gentle squeeze, a reassuring gesture of sincerity in his words. 

“Frankie was my high school sweetheart, we started dating our senior year. We were together— gosh…. 5, almost 6 years.” You let out a sigh, all the memories of your previous relationship flooding back to you, having been locked away for so long. 

“After high school, when we realized things were getting serious, we decided to figure out what we wanted moving forward. We were on the same page with everything for the most part, no real deal breakers. We would get married after college, buy a house— a seemingly cookie cutter life together.”

“I’m not following— sounds like the perfect life to me.” Confusion settles across his forehead, brows drawn together as he studies your face. 

“Except, I couldn’t give him the one thing he wanted— kids.” You notice the way his face drops when you say it, knowing his first thought is exactly what everyone else usually assumes when you tell them.

“I guess I should rephrase that— I didn’t want, don’t want kids. It was something we established too, both on board with living a childless life. We agreed we would be the best Aunt and Uncle for our friend’s kids.”

Dieter nods at your admission, the hand on your hip starting to leave feather-like strokes the length of your side, goosebumps scattering across your warm skin. 

“It wasn’t until we were well into our relationship that things changed. We had a bit of a pregnancy scare, we were both very careful too, so it was a bit of a shock when it happened. I was angry with myself— how could I let it happen? What did I do wrong? All the things running through my head the minute I saw those pink lines, wondering how we were going to afford a baby on our combined income, all while trying to get through finishing college— I spiraled pretty hard for a good week. But, through some routine testing, we discovered it was a false-positive— I was so fucking relieved!” 

Your fingers still over the hollow of his neck, taking a deep breath, not really sure how Dieter is taking everything you’re saying. 

“In the midst of my inner turmoil over the thought of being pregnant, I hadn’t really checked in with Frankie to see where his head was at, I had just assumed he was riding the same boat as me.”

“He changed his mind?” He asks. 

“Yeah— or it was what he had always wanted, he just didn’t realize it until that week, when it was almost a possibility.”

“So you broke up?”

“We stayed together for another year afterwards, thinking we could work through it. But I couldn’t keep that from him, it would have eaten me alive being the reason he wasn’t 100% happy. We decided it was best if we split.” You can’t help the smile that starts to develop, Dieter’s receptive demeanor made this whole moment feel a little less heavier than you thought it would be. 

“I ended up running into Frankie a few years ago. We caught up and I learned he ended up joining the army, Special Forces I think, met his wife while saving her from some bar creep, always the chivalrous one—  and they have two little girls. I like to think we both ended up where we were supposed to be.”

There’s a prick of something that ricochets across his chest— the pairing of unaltered reverence and adoration. You just want the best for others, and it shows even in how not that long ago how you went to battle for Diem out of pure love, wanting the best for her and Wren— he respects you so much now looking back on it. 

Dieter leans over and places a few soft kisses to your lips, the last one lingering a little longer before pulling away to rest his forehead on yours. 

“Thank you, for sharing that with me.” He murmurs against your lips. 

“Of course. My question now— What about you? Do you want kids?” You ask. 

Dieter gently pushes you to your back, settling himself between your legs, peering down at you with a soft smile.

“I’ll only ever be Uncle Dude— never had the desire to be a dad.” 

His head dips down to your still bare chest, the few kitten-like licks before he takes your nipple into his mouth, scorching and persistent, causing your back to arch up into him, eyes fluttering closed and mouth wide as you emit a breathless whine. 

A few intense sucking motions before he gives your breast an experimental bite, his eyes observing the way your body writhes at the juxtaposition of sensations before releasing it with a pop, blowing a stream of cold air across your wet skin and watching the way your nipple instantly tightens. 

He crawls up your body, one arm resting next to your head as the other snakes down between your bodies taking hold of his now hardened cock, a few quick strokes before he’s notching the head at your now dripping entrance. 

“Doesn’t mean I don’t like partaking in the act.” His words punctuated by him fully sheathing himself into your cunt.

“Oh fuck! Dieter—“ Your laugh quickly exchanged for a heady moan. 

Your bodies meld together in a heated indulgence. The slippery grip of dewy skin as your bodies work in a synergistic fashion, calculated snapping of hips take you both to a climactic level of bliss. 

*

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

The vibration of your phone against your nightstand draws you back from the reliving of your weekend with Dieter, interrupting the playlist streaming through the phone speaker. 

You grab your phone to check who the message is from…

Mom ❤️: Hey Sweetheart! Let me know when you’re heading over. Going to sit by the pool for a bit until then. This place is beautiful, I might not ever leave! Talk to you soon!

The music promptly picks back up again with its uptempo beat, you connect your phone to your speakers in the living room, the words floating brightly in the background as you will yourself out of bed. 

In route to a much needed cup of coffee, you pull on the fuzzy warm jacket that seems to have established itself as an essential element in your daily life, dropping your phone in its cavernous pocket before bringing the fleecy fabric to your face for a brief moment. It’s a cognitive experience, the inhalation of the still drenched in his signature Dieter-musk, making your insides gooey and flustered. 

‘Ooh, I lose control, can't seem to get enough, uh-huh

When I wake from dreaming, tell me is it really love?’

You chuckle into your cup as you take that first sip, the words a flawless depiction, and complete coincidence of every morning this week. 

A quick text back to your mom to fill her in on the day’s plans. 

Poppy: Hi Mom! Had a bit of a slow morning, but I’m up and moving now! Going to shower and get ready. I thought we could go to this new sandwich shop that just opened. I've been wanting to try it. I’ll text you when I’m on my way to the hotel. Love you

Your mom had gotten in late last night, still having not seen her yet. Diem was so kind to put her up in the Capri for the weekend, your mom insisting she didn’t want to intrude and give you space. 

It was her first time visiting since you had moved, but not her first time to Ojai. She had visited on numerous occasions in her travels before having you, it was usually a brief stop for a few hours to grab a quick bite and then off to her next stop. 

As a child, you would spend hours browsing through her endless collection of photo albums, dreaming up your own stories about visiting her favorite places— grainy Kodak Portra 160 was her film of choice, the color grading and light leaks adding to the cinematized scenes. There was something alluring about Ojai, always spending a little extra time with those images, it had become your ‘one day I am going to move there’ place. So, when you had started actually considering moving, your mind instantly went to Ojai— it was a no-brainer this was the place you were meant to set your roots in. 

A slow sip of the ambered liquid trickles down your throat, its atomic structure hitting every nerve as it slowly expands in your veins, giving you the ample amount of energy to keep you from crawling right back in bed. 

A thrumming piano tune dances across the room, instantaneously reliving the moment you coerced Dieter to add it to your growing playlist, selfishly you hope the familiar high falsetto voice evokes the same memory for Dieter as it does for you when he shuffles through the songs. 

Just a small town girl

Livin' in a lonely world

She took the midnight train going anywhere

Just a city boy

Born and raised in South Detroit

He took the midnight train going anywhere

*

-Sunday Afternoon-

“Add. The. Song. Dieter!” A purely joking dramatic version of yourself pleads with him, you sense the song isn’t a front-runner for Dieter, but you’re enjoying the banter it’s causing. 

The popular chorus continues roaring through the living room where you’ve both been camped out for the last hour, switching off listening to music on bith your record player and Dieter’s Spotify account.

It felt silly when you suggested you both should create a compilation of songs that you could listen to and think of the other person— complete cheeseball move. It was reminiscent of junior high when you would download songs off shady sites and then burn the perfect cd mix for your crush, labeling it— I really like you but I’m not good with words, so here’s some songs instead— the cover art hand drawn sharpie doodles and emo quotes that could bring a 15 year old girl in love to tears. Being it was modern times, Dieter opted for a playlist of top favorite songs between the two of you, dubbing it ‘Dieter’s & Poppy’s Mix Tape.’

He wants to engrain this scene in his mind forever, your naked form cloaked in his beloved brown jacket, dancing around your living room, belting the lyrics in the most out of tune way. 

“Streetlights, people!— Dieter, please! You said our favorite songs— this would be a favorite of mine! Add the damn song!!” 

“This— This is your favorite song? It’s like the most overplayed karaoke song in the history of music” His cocked eyebrow as he holds his phone with the Spotify app open in his lap, finding it hard to hold off his growing smirk and not surprised in the least that it’s a top pick for you. 

“I’ll have you know, I am the reigning Karaoke Queen, west of the Mississippi River— you're in the presence of royalty, Babe. Don't stop believin' Hold on to that feelin'!” Grabbing another slice of cold pizza from the half eaten box on the coffee table, you continue twirling about on your tippy toes, maintaining your off-key singing between bites. 

“Something tells me your full of shit. Fine— It’s added. But I’m adding ‘You Need to Calm Down’ for tax.”

“I need to do what?” Your twirling ceases, the bottom of his jacket swaying about as you watch the way he stares down at his phone, fingers pecking at the screen. 

“No— it’s a song. According to Wren, “it’s a Taylor Swift masterpiece!’” His air quotes and deadpan expression almost take you out. 

“Never would have pegged you as a Swiftie, but I love it.”

“Well, it’s all she wants to listen to on the drive to school. I can’t help it if i know every word to almost every song.”

The next song plays through, Dieter continues to watch you from his spot on the couch, loving the carefree manner in which you move, your infectious smile on display as you sing along to a song you definitely do not know a single word to, eyes closed and arms stretched out letting the chorus fully envelop your mind— this whole moment solidifying his love for you. 

He brings his phone up and snaps a few pictures, each image progressively blurrier as he tries to capture you dancing, his last attempt is more or less successful, the timing just right and the result an accurate depiction of how he wants look back on this time together— a flash of your beaming smile that causes your eyes to crinkle at the edges and your audacious desire to be completely yourself in front of him is a picture worth taking. 

“Are you taking a picture of me?” Breathless and smiling. 

“Guilty. I need something to remember this day while I’m away.”

“Okay, but take a better one then.” 

Grabbing his sunglasses off the table to situate them on your face, your bare leg crossed over and kicked out to the side in an ameture Radio City Rockette fashion, middle fingers erect while your hands cover your now exposed breasts, a one-sided nose scrunch and curled lip with some semblance of a smile, all while the remaining slice of your pizza dangles from your mouth. 

“Beautiful, just like the other ones.” His chest vibrates at the sight of you, he pats his thighs motioning for you to come over to where he’s seated. “Alright Karaoke Queen, get your sexy little Believin’ ass over here!” 

Tossing your crust back into the pizza box, you skip-hop over to him, your knees sinking into the cushions of the couch as you straddle his boxer clad lap. His hands sliding under where his Jacket is splayed open, his warm touch glides over your thighs. 

“Let me see— the others, please.” You ask timidly, not sure what ‘others’ entails, pulling his sunglasses off and tossing them to the side. 

His thumb swipes and presses across his phone screen, then hands you an open folder of images, tiny intimate squares fill the screen. You click on the most recent ones of you here in your home, laughing at how ridiculous you think you look, glancing up to see Dieter’s head tilted to the side and his gaze fixed on you. Refocusing on his phone, you start swiping, so many images of times you had spent together, except you're the main focus of each photo, very much unaware of your photo being taken. 

There was the afternoon spent baking cupcakes for no reason other than they sounded delicious. Flour covering the surface of the counter, while you and Wren laugh at something completely unrelated to the making of said cupcakes— equal amounts of flour coating both your hands and faces. 

There’s the backyard dinner Diem had invited you over for. You were seated across from where Dieter and Diem were sitting, listening intently to something she was saying. The sun warm against your back as it had started its descent, your elbow propped on the table and chin resting on your hand, your attention focused on every aspect of the conversation. 

The first evening Dieter and Wren had attended your art class together, a few of you talking about something art related and then a couple of you actually painting and drawing— your face naturally lighting up at you sharing art with others. 

Each swipe revealed another image, so many of you smiling while looking off at whatever had your attention, full body laughs shared with someone out of frame, deep in thought or absorbed into something you were reading or looking at on your phone. 

Seeing your life candidly curated in a digital collection of photos has so many emotions whirling through your mind, love being the most prominent one. 

Your breath hitches when you scroll to the last image in the folder.

You're at the front of your classroom, a stack of papers tucked against your chest as your smile beams out to your class. You note your outfit isn’t your usual uniform, you're wearing your favorite band tee, jeans and sneakers— it’s the morning you were late and Dieter stepped in to help you out, bringing a sense of ease to your disarray of a morning. 

“I think that was one of the moments I knew.” Dieter’s smoky voice cuts into the air, pointing at the image you’ve been studying a little longer than the others.

“Knew what?” Looking up from the phone to see his chestnut eyes twinkling with adoration, his hands gently rubbing against your hips. 

“Knew that I needed you in my life, however that was.” 

“There were others?”

“Your art class was another.”

There’s a beat of silence between you, the start of the next song picking up its pace. 

“Do you ever imagine what it would be like if we would have met each other sooner than we did?” Something you’ve thought about at times, wishing you had more time with him, maybe if you had met sooner. Your fingers trace along the ridge of his collarbone as you wait for his answer. 

“No— you would have definitely deserved better than who I was back then. You would have hated the thought of being in the same room as me.” 

He wouldn’t have been anything close to who he is now, grateful you were never fully subjected to the asshole he used to be. 

Your hand settles on his bare chest, right where his heart is beating fiercely.

“I deserve you now though. And I definitely want to be in every room you walk into.” 

‘Tears stream down your face

I promise you I will learn from my mistakes

Tears stream down your face, and I

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones And I will try to fix you’

Your lips meet his in an unhurried embrace, Dieter pulling your lower body closer to his, his fingers digging into the meat of your backside when your hips start to gradually begin to grind against him, his cock hardening with each brush of your wet cunt. 

His hands create their own intimate paths over your body, one traveling up the length of your spine, the other moving to the underside of your breast, cupping the supple weight of it in his palm. A swipe of his thumb over your sensitive nipple has you gasping into his mouth, the catalyst for your silent plea for more— and he hears it loud and clear. 

His hands. His mouth. His cock— all working in perfect, articulate motions. Until you’re succumbing to the culmination of purposeful exertion and precise execution. 

The last 48 hours were spent with Dieter's departure looming in the background of your minds, not allowing yourselves to stew on the impending heartache that was to come the moment you said your goodbyes. 

Between the hours of relaxed conversations and alleviating desirous needs, you both managed to get through the weekend with a strong sense of optimism about the future. A shared commitment to each other, with endless promises of check-ins whenever possible and working out a plan to see each other once Dieter had his schedule set, it was enough to keep the sadness at bay— it gave you something to look forward to. 

The afternoon slowly began to bleed into your final evening together, tangled limbs and intimate memories treated with exactness, fueling hushed whispers of ‘I love yous’ embedding themselves into every single part of your soul. 

*

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK 

You hadn’t been expecting anyone, the rapid knock on your front door was a complete surprise. 

After confirming your name with the sweet delivery lady, she hands off the beautiful dried floral arrangement, mentioning a card was tucked into the center, wishing you a great rest of your day before driving away. 

You had never seen anything like it before, an incredible assortment of dried flowers, stems and oversized leaves arranged meticulously in a ceramic vase. 

Placing the flowers on the kitchen counter, you pull the small card from it, reading the small written note:

Poppy, I’m so proud of you! You’re so talented and I can’t wait to hear how tonight goes. Love you, Dieter

You smile at his thoughtfulness, missing him so much and needing to hear his voice desperately. 

Pulling your phone from the coat pocket, you dial his number and hope there’s a chance you catch him at a good time. 

“Hello.” There’s warmth in the way his voice cracks through the phone. 

“Hi. I just got the flowers— they’re absolutely beautiful, Dieter. Thank you!” 

“I can’t take full credit. Nessa, my assistant, said you might like them, something about them lasting forever. Anyways, she set up the order while I was in a meeting.” 

“Well, I’ll have to thank her at some point then.” There’s some static carrying through the line as you continue your conversation.

“How are you feeling about today?” 

“Good. Just finally pulled myself out of bed. Going to get dressed, then have lunch with my mom before I get ready for tonight. I miss you, Dieter.” 

There’s a brief moment where it sounds like the call cuts out, looking at the screen you see it’s still counting up the call minutes, still connected. 

“I— you too. ‘Ant wait— it goes….”

“Dieter?…Hello? Babe, your phone keeps cutting out.”

*Call Dropped* 

The connection was lost, conversation cut short, staring at a now black phone screen. 

Poppy💐: Your service must be shitty or something, couldn’t hear most of what you were saying. Call me when you can. Love you 💜

You attach a photo of the flowers along with your message. Knowing if he was in a bad service area, you wouldn’t be getting an immediate response, so you take that as your cue to get yourself ready. 

Poppy: Getting dressed! Should be leaving here in 20 minutes. See you in a bit mom! 😘 

*

Your mom’s presence was exactly what you needed today. Seeing her sitting across from you now makes you feel less overwhelmed by the fact that your boyfriend isn’t here and you’re hours away from sharing this passion project of yours, something so intimate and personal, with a room full of art loving strangers.

But even in her presence, you still find your mind wandering— Dieter being the central character of your deviating thoughts— even things outside your home, the smallest of details, reminding you of him in some way. 

Bart’s across the street, a favorite spot for both of you, especially after the talk you both shared coming to an understanding and moving forward together with a new perspective on each other.

Someone walking by, where your mom and you are sitting together on the restaurant patio, was carrying a merchant bag from a store you had bought Dieter’s birthday present. There was a gold colored velvet button up shirt cover in a large geometric print that you had seen while out shopping with Diem one weekend, she had made the offhand comment that it was totally something Dieter would wear and when you had found out a few days later that Dieter’s birthday was the following weekend, you immediately went back to buy it for him. 

You had also thrown in a pair of tiny Frozen charms, Elsa for Wren and Olaf for Dieter, for the Crocs you had seen him wear around Diem’s house on movie nights, in the chance he hated the shirt you knew he was a sucker for kitschy gifts— by the way he wears the shirt regularly, it’s fair to assume he likes it. 

You even think of him in the most laughable ways too, like when a car similar to his drives by the restaurant, you of course immediately think of him— you find yourself to be a lost cause at this point. 

“I’m so sorry, Sweetheart, I’m sure Dieter would love to be here if he could. Aside from him leaving, how was the rest of the week after he left?” 

“Hmm?” 

“I asked how’s your week been? We haven’t talked much since last week.” 

“Oh my gosh, Mom! I’m so sorry— I’m literally the worst person to be around right now, I’m sure. I’ve been so in my head lately, I can’t even think straight.” You cover your face as you apologize for being lackluster company to her, realizing you’ve spent most of lunch off in La-La-Land. 

“My week was good though. With summer break starting last week, I spent most of this wrapping up last minute grading and finishing up paperwork. Monday and Tuesday I went to clean up my classroom, just mainly clearing out old projects and lesson plans from the past year. Which then left me the rest of the week to get my canvases prepared and hung up over at Reverie, where the art opening is tonight.”

“Sounds like it’s kept your mind off of Dieter not being able to be there tonight.” She gives you a sympathetic look, and it makes you feel so appreciative that she flew out to be here for you. 

“If I’m being honest, it really hasn’t. I just selfishly keep wishing he didn’t have leave so I could have more time with him. And then I hate myself for even thinking that, because I’m so happy and proud of him— he deserves this, I just miss him so much. We’ve tried to talk and FaceTime when we can, but his schedule right now has been busy, so I just sit and wait for him to call most evenings. God, I sound ridiculous!” A slight crack to your voice as you’re overcome with emotion, it’s sadness and happiness all wrapped up in a perfect little box sitting in your chest, lifting your chin up as you fight back the tears that threaten to break. 

“Oh, honey.” She passes you a few clean napkins, noticing the few tears that managed to escape. “Maybe give him a call in a bit, I’m sure hearing his voice will help you feel better.”

“Yeah, I’ll give him a call when I get home. Thanks mom. I’m so glad you’re here! Let’s talk about something else, bring the mood back up. How’s retirement going?” Changing the subject to hopefully suppress your mopey demeanor, dabbing your wet cheeks lightly. 

“Oh, it’s great! I’ve actually been thinking about doing some traveling now that I have all this time.” 

“I love that for you mom. You should go, see the world— you deserve it.” 

She shared about the places she had already started planning to visit— in and around Canada, parts of Europe, then several areas of South America. You greedily wished she didn’t want to go, feeling a steady wave of emotions rock through you at the thought of her being gone for so long. But, you know how much traveling means to her, it’s pure joy watching the way she can’t stop smiling as she shows you landmark places she’ll be visiting— a true testament to chase after the things you love. 

*

Doubt. 

Fear. 

Trepidation. 

A war of anxieties. Ruthless, belligerent intruders, battling for control and power. Your mind slowly forfeits, white flag in waiting, ready to surrender yourself to the helm of your own enemies. 

Even with the excitement surrounding tonight, you hadn’t really mastered the art of calming intrusive thoughts and apprehension once they began to build their way into your consciousness.

There’s the brief moment where you consider getting back into your car and driving home— rid yourself of the stress and anxiety that is overcoming you at the thought of being the center of attention tonight— albeit your art the main focus, but with that will come talking about yourself and it has you ready to bail. 

But, you had put so much time and effort into this collection, executing and curating an intimate journey of discovery in the form of detailed lines and brush strokes that make up a whole series of paintings you are incredibly proud of. 

Breathe. 

In. 

Out. 

Dieter comes to mind, the words he shared with you before he left: 

“You were made for this, it’s who you are and it’s what you know— don’t let you be the reason you stop chasing what you deserve. I believe in everything you do, you should too.” 

His words wash over you, each one forging a path for you to conquer your reluctance to seek out something that you have always dreamed of doing. 

You pull out your phone to shoot Dieter a quick text before heading into the gallery. 

Poppy💐: Hi! I miss you and wish you were here ❤. Hope you had a great day. I’ll have Diem take pictures to send you later. Call me when you can. Love you xo

Remembering back to when  Dieter had shared something he does when his anxiety starts to surface, deciding to take a minute to borrow his technique to help ground your thoughts. 

You see the vibrant lights from the front windows of Reverie Studio, the way the moon is peeking out from behind the building making its way through the sky, the streak of lights from headlights of passing cars, blurred bodies of people milling around the streets unbothered by you rooted in the center of the sidewalk, the time stamped over an image of you and Dieter as the lock screen on your phone. 

You feel the weight of your phone leaving your hand as you drop it in your purse, the flowy dress that you picked out with Diem a few weeks ago specifically for this evening, a folded piece of paper with notes for the small speech you were going to give, a good luck charm in the form of Dieter’s 1 year chip clutched tightly into your hand. 

You hear the muted chatter of the early birds spilling from the open door of the gallery, the mingling musical instruments in the local park showering concert goers with an original melodic song, an indistinguishable mix of hello’s and goodbye’s wrapped around gossip filled phone conversations. 

You smell the sweet-vanilla-waffle confections of the little ice cream shop that stays open late during the summer, a hint of a smokey musk dusting the air reminding you of the woody spicy that’s so distinctly Dieter. 

You taste the delicate flavors of a savory future, one that has a palatable balance of sweetness and verve— something so delectable that you don’t think you’ll be able to stop reveling in its richness. 

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

Your immediate thought is it’s Dieter, pulling out your phone to see it’s instead Diem. 

Diem: Are you going to stand out there all night?? Get your ass in here!

She’s standing in the window with Wren on her hip, both of them waving at you. 

Feeling a somewhat renewed sense of confidence, you wait for a break in the passing cars and jog across the street to join the crowd already forming inside. 

You’re completely taken aback once you’re through the front door, not by the overwhelming number of people who showed up to view your work, but by how the room is filled with a plethora of vases overflowing with poppies. 

The edges of the room, table tops, display pedestals all covered in a sea of pinks, oranges and pale yellow flowers. 

“So glad you could show up!” Diem and Wren wrap you in a joint hug, a warm greeting with a touch of her special sarcasm. 

“Where did all these flowers come from? They weren’t here yesterday when I stopped in to do some final touches.”

“A certain someone might have wanted to surprise you with something special.”

There’s an immediate pang in your chest, his thoughtfulness and his way of showing support by filling the studio space with your favorite flowers, you have to actively fight off the urge to cry tears of happiness. 

You snap a few photos, focusing on the ones that sit below where your canvases are hung on the fabricated display walls. 

You can’t contain the smile plastered across your face, seeing your work being admired by those in attendance, getting a chance to catch up with friends and fellow artists and having your mom close by listening to her talk up your talent with complete strangers— all still while wishing Dieter were here bask in the excitement with you. 

“If I could have everyone’s attention please.” The owners ask, the room’s noise quickly reduced to a curbed level. “We thank everyone for coming to show their support for this wonderful event. We’ll have her share more about it with you and then we’d like to say a few words afterwards.” 

Applause breaches the silence as you’re beckoned to the center of the room, your paper of scribbled notes in one hand and Dieter’s chip in the other, making your way to the front of the mass of people. 

You introduce yourself as you take in all the faces, some familiar and some new, Diem and your mom in a side embrace with Wren to the front of them, each person enthralled and eager to hear you share more about you and the art behind you. 

“Art has always been a part of me, in so many different ways. Growing up I would tear apart my mom’s magazines to make collages of pretty pictures, sorry mom.” Glancing down at your paper as a wave of soft laughter filters around, it elicits a surge of excitement and sureness blooms somewhere deep in your soul, deciding to for-go reading anything you had written and just share from the heart. 

“And then I got my first sketchbook, that thing never left my side. Always with me at school, trips to the grocery store and even on days when my mom worked late, I’d sit in the corner of her classroom and just draw— creating little scenes from memory. I filled the pages rather quickly too, pages were barely hanging on with the amount of wear and tear I had put it through. Before I knew it, I had amassed a collection of sketchbooks and canvases over the years. Art has always been a part of who I am and I think it always will be.”

Everyone seemed so fascinated by everything you’re sharing. Explaining the story behind your collection— starting as a literal dream and slowly becoming a now etched on canvas reality. 

Even the collaborative piece with Dieter is hung among the others, you went the extra step to add his name onto the little artist placard:

Artists: Dieter & Poppy

Title: ‘Sweet Creature’

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

$: (Not For Sale)

“Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to be here tonight, I appreciate it so very much, I’ll be around the rest of the evening to chat more or answer any questions. And thank you to Reviere Studio, you’ve become like a second home to me. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to share my love for the arts with the many who attended my classes in this very space, but also to be the last art showing truly means so much to me. I will miss you all.”

Another round of applause and cheers fill the open space. You feel like it went pretty well for how nervous you were earlier in the evening, not really sure why you were doubting yourself to begin with. 

The crowd slowly starts to disperse as you start to weave to where Diem, your mom and Wren are standing, getting stopped for hugs and hellos from former class attendees, congratulatory remarks for complete strangers too— you’re even shocked when Betty and Marilyn stop to share their well wishes with you. 

“I’m so proud of you sweetheart, it’s all so amazing!” Your mom wraps you in praises and a tight hug. 

“Thank you mom, I’m so happy you could be here!”

“I’m happy to be here too!” Wren’s excitement is barely containable as she bounces off the floor. 

“I’m so happy you’re here too Wren!” You tell her as you bend down to give her a hug as well. 

Standing back to your full height, you turn to Diem and just wrap your arms around her shoulders and hold her close, she returns the same energy. 

“Thank you so much for everything, you are literally the best friend I could have ever asked for. I love you so much Diem!” 

“God dammit, Poppy! I didn’t wear any waterproof mascara because I wasn’t planning on crying tonight! I love you too!” She pulls away and starts fanning her face, drying up the tears that had started to fill her eyes. 

“Excuse me! We have a quick, exciting announcement to make before the evening continues with drinks and appetizers.” The sweet owner Susi’s voice boomed out to the guests. 

*

Dieter doesn’t like lying, not in general at least and especially not to you— open and honest is how he continues to move forward with his life. 

But this doesn’t feel like a lie, in a sense. A secret. A surprise. 

Taking this role meant sacrificing his time away and that terrified him, especially being his first project to jump back into. 

After a call with his agent on the drive back to LA Monday morning and a check in with his sponsor,  Dieter requested a meeting with the movie’s higher ups. 

That meeting didn’t happen until a few days later, but when he found out filming would be held in and around LA, Dieter learned his request for weekends to travel back to Ojai was successful. 

That gave him less than 24 hours to get flowers ordered to be delivered to the gallery, let Diem in on his plan to ensure everything was in motion, all while you had no idea what was happening. 

Dieter settles in the back of the crowd, tucked out of sight, finding it difficult to keep his eyes off you as you stand up there. 

Watching you share about your life and how art has always been a big part of it, the two of you so similar in many ways makes him feel a deeper connection to you. 

He recognizes the paper you’ve started crumpled into your hand, worn and creased from the repetitive folding and unfolding, scarred by the cross-hatching over abandoned words or shelved sentences, bullet points of importance to add substance to your speech. He likes the version you who was pacing around her living room Sunday morning, paper in one hand and pen in the other, reciting each line with a fluctuating ambivalent tone, stopping intermittently at the coffee table to rework a line or add something he had suggested. But he loves this version of you standing before him right now, no hesitation in your words, speaking with certainty and feeling— you were more than prepared. 

The way you wear your confidence stirs something inside of him— trying his best to keep a low profile, because all he wants to do is scoop you up and kiss you breathless, to tell you over and over, how perfect and amazing he thinks you are.

He notices the light catching something you’re intently smoothing your fingers over, tracing repeatedly over every word— It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it— engraved on his 1 year chip, a habit he’s welcomed into his daily routine. You had refused to take it from him when he offered it, not wanting him to be without it longer than necessary, but he had vowed to take it back the moment you were reunited. Placing it in your palm, hinting at the streak of luck it had brought him over the past year, ensuring that it would do the same for you— but he knew you wouldn’t need any.

He wants more of this— more time with you. To feel immersed back into this normal paced life and experience the joys that you feel regularly. 

He has to shuffle himself around a bit when the crowd starts to move about, still trying to not be seen, watching you celebrate post speech with your mom, Diem and Wren— eagerly wanting to do the same. 

The gallery owner’s announcement signals the beginning of something exciting. 

He just hopes you’re as ecstatic about what’s about to be revealed as he is. 

*

Susi takes a moment for everyone to quiet down and focus their attention on her before continuing her speech. 

“Earlier this year, we had made the difficult decision to close our doors— deciding it was time to seek out a new chapter with new adventures and close this chapter on Reverie Studio.”

You’re sandwiched between Diem and your mom, hands intertwined as your head rests on Diem’s shoulder, somber as Susi’s heartfelt words about the studio’s closing. 

“But we have some exciting news to share with you all. The gallery and studio are now under new ownership and will continue to stay open. It will be under a new name, but will still retain what Reverie had previously been known for— classes, art openings, studio space. And while we’re sad to hand it over, we’re excited to see it continue to serve the community.”

The delighted commotion pours out into the streets, catching the attention of passersby’s curiosity. 

“So, we welcome you to the new home of Les Coquelicots Studio. The new owner is somewhere here in the audience too.” Heads begin to turn, seeking out where this mysterious owner is, when Susi points towards the back of the room and waves. “Ah, there he is. Please be sure to make him feel welcome and thank him before you leave. Thank you all again for coming and have a wonderful rest of the night.”

Music begins to brim over the conversations that start to pick up, guests dispersing to fill their small plates with finger foods and refilling of drinks, ambling about observing your artwork and surrounding art pieces. 

But you're too focused on the fact that you had no idea that the space wasn’t closing, as you continue turning about scanning the room for the new owner. 

Everything stills. 

No sound. 

No horde of people. 

Just him. 

Dieter Bravo. 

All Dieter-like too, leaning against the back wall, hands secure in his pockets, the slightest tick of his jaw punctuating his dimple. 

Your brain is actively working to re-hardwire your body to function properly, but you’re motionless. Speechless. 

He’s here, propelling himself forward and making his way to you, even as he stands before you, it doesn’t feel real. 

“Surprise.” His voice nearly takes you out, it hasn’t been that long since you had last spoken, but you’ve missed its gravely tone so much. 

“What are you doing here? I thought— I don’t know what I thought because I can’t think straight at the moment. How are you here?” Dizzy with total surprise and confusion. 

He leans in, laughing at your flustered smile, hands slinking their way to your face, his touch charged with fervor as his thumbs sweep over the apples of your cheeks. 

“Came to see my girl.” He smiles softly, his words a breath away from where you want him most. 

You close the distance between you, his lips fitting perfectly against yours, unbothered by the room full of people around you. You knew you would never get that same feeling or experience like with your first kiss, but this is second best and you welcome it fully. 

Before the kiss has a chance to turn into something more than what is appropriate for the setting, you pull away, resting your forehead on his, breathless and happy. 

“It’s you isn’t it— You bought this place?” The answer is clear as you look into his warm eyes. 

“I did.”

“Les Coquelicots? Monet’s painting?” 

“Poppies.” 

This is it. Your forever. With him. Always. 

“I know how much this place means to you, think of it as a thank you— for giving me a chance, for believing in me.” 

“You didn’t have to buy me an art gallery as a thank you, dinner would have been fine.” Your fingers catching the rampant tears streaming down your cheeks, emitting a breathy laugh. 

“We can go to dinner after this then.” His words mumbled in a kiss against your forehead. 

“You still didn’t answer my question— How are you here? What about your movie?” 

“When I found out we would be shooting locally in LA, I told them I had one request— that I was able to go home every weekend if I wasn’t needed on set.” 

“But your home is already there?”

“I’m selling my home in West Hollywood— my realtor is getting it ready to be listed next week, hopefully moved out by the end of the month. So I can move home.” 

It goes without saying that you know what he means, but you want to hear him say it out loud.

“Do you mean here? You’ll be moving here?” 

He nods his head in response.

“What if this place gets too boring for a big movie star like yourself?” Biting your lip with a hint of a smile. 

“Poppy— wherever I go, you bring me home.” 

The kiss is short, but full of a warmth you crave when he’s in your presence, your arms linking around his neck as he pulls flush against, white knuckle grip on your hips— the two you lost in each other as the work around you carries on. 

“Hmm— so, you’re gonna move in with Diem permanently?” 

“Nah, I’ll find some place eventually.” He winks, no real rush to move in together, but he sees it as an option at some point in the future. 

“Well, if you’re over living with your sister, I have a comfortable couch with your name all over it.” You snort at your offer. 

“Poppy, I’m not sleeping on your fucking couch.”

“Suit yourself then.” You mirror his wink before pulling him in for another string of small pecks. 

“I love you, Dieter.”

“I love you too, Poppy”

Next

[ironstrange1991]

Forbidden (Part 5)

Pairing: Doctor!Strange x Fem!Reader

Synopsis: Stark throws a party to celebrate the mission's return and Y/n decides it's time to tell Stephen the truth.

Word Count: 8k

Warnings: Descriptions of one single sexual act (almost nothing)

A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long to post this chapter, but I always have the feeling that when it comes to this series I'm writing more for myself than anyone else. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. The ending is a bit silly, but I couldn't help it and I actually found it funny.

SERIES MASTERLIST

"Take Romanoff to the medical wing" Stark ordered as soon as they set foot in the Tower "Bruce, go with her. Let me know if there are any changes".

Bruce accompanied Barton and Steve who were carrying Romanoff on a makeshift stretcher. They disappeared into the elevator.

"Is she going to be okay?" Stark asked turning around and facing Stephen. Stephen nodded "The injuries are serious, but as far as I could examine there was no neurological damage. With proper care she should be fine, but I doubt she'll be back to work anytime soon."

Tony sighed heavily putting a hand to his face and then looked around "For a moment I thought I would never come home."

Thor patted him on the shoulder "Good job, Stark."

"If you'll excuse me I'm going to take a shower and sleep for three nights straight" Sam said waving to Stephen "See you around, Doctor."

Stephen just shook his head. He was supposed to go back to the Sanctum, but he was still standing there waiting to see you. During all that unbearable mission he could only think of you. How he wanted to come home and see you smiling at him.

"If it's not to much to ask, Doctor, I need to get back to New Asgard." Thor said and then turned to Stark, "Keep me posted on Romanoff's recovery."

"So you have a computer now?" Stephen asked wryly.

Thor smirked "Better than that, I have a phone in my house."

Stephen rolled his eyes "Yeah, right. Super modern." He moved his fingers opening a portal "Have a nice day."

Thor walked through the portal and then looked back, "Don't forget to invite me to the party, Stark."

Tony nodded and the portal closed. He patted Stephen on the chest "You did really well there, you know, with all that magic. It was quite useful."

Stephen rolled his eyes "You didn't do too badly either."

Tony grinned "See, I said we make a good team. The mechanic and the magician" Tony said pretending to write in the air.

"We both know we're neither of those things." Stephen answered dryly and Tony glared at him and was ready to respond with something intelligent when Y/n turned the corner and ran towards them. Stephen's heart sped up when her eyes focused on him and for a millisecond he thought she would hug him, but then she hugged Stark who squeezed her in his arms lifting her off the ground.

Stephen swallowed thickly. There was something in his chest that he wasn't quite sure what it was, but it wasn't pleasant.

"You're here" Your voice sounded choked with the tears you were trying to hold back, but tears were streaming down your face as you cupped Stark's face turning it to one side and then the other "Are you okay? Tell me you're okay! " You grabbed his arms and kept looking to check for injuries.

"I'm fine, darling." And then you broke down in a desperate cry and Tony went back to hug you now stroking your hair and shushing you "I'm sorry, I tried to communicate with you..."

Jealousy. Stephen was feeling jealous. For some reason he wondered if for a moment you had missed him, or if you had worried that he might get hurt too, but you only had eyes for Stark and it was unreasonable to bother with that, but he was bothered.

He cleared his throat to remind you he was still there and then spoke in a voice more husky than he'd expected, "Well, I need to go back to the Sanctum. Call me for updates on Romanoff, Stark."

You stepped away from Stark wiping the tears with your hands "Doctor Strange... I'm sorry, I... Are you okay? America was so worried! She called me every day asking about you."

Stephen smiled. Apparently next to Stark he was Doctor Strange to you and not just Stephen. Interesting. "I'm fine. Thanks for keeping an eye on her while I was gone."

You nodded "I didn't really do much. She stayed most of the time at Kamar Taj. Wong was keeping her almost like a prisoner." You gave him a shy smile which made his heart jump in his chest. Stephen chuckled "Poor thing. Anyway, I need to go now."

You nodded and then frowned "Where's Nat?" It was Stark who replied "She got hurt… badly."

Stephen saw the horror in your face. "Where is she?"

"She's with Banner in the medical wing, there's a whole team of doctors taking care of her and besides, the doctor here said she's going to be fine, so it's bad, but no need to worry."

You exhaled heavily and then addressed him "Did you examine her?"

Stephen nodded "As far as I could with the few resources I had. She will be fine now."

You nodded "It was good to see you Doctor Strange." Stephen shook his head and opened a portal to the Sanctum.

"I'll keep you posted, Doctor." Stark said.

"Good." Stephen replied crossing the portal.

"You're coming to the party, aren't you?"

You glared at Tony "Party?"

Tony nodded "A victory like that deserves to be celebrated with a big party."

You looked at Stephen anxiously for his answer and he gave you his best smirk. "I wouldn't miss a Stark party." And just as he knew you would, you blushed and gave him that open smile he was dying to see again.

...

Natasha had two surgeries that afternoon. One to stop the internal bleeding in her abdomen and one to place two titanium screws in her knee. The doctors ran tests to check that everything was fine with her head, but just like Stephen said, everything was fine. When she finally went to one of the rooms in the Tower's medical wing you made a point of staying by her side until she woke up which didn't happen until 2am.

"Fuck...that hurts." It was the first thing she said. You got up immediately. She glared at you then smiled "Good to see you, Crazy."

You smiled back "Welcome back."

"Uh hm. Water... I need water."

You helped her drink from the cup and then gently hugged her "I missed you, Nat. Then you came back and scared me to death. Two surgeries!"

She gave a small laugh and then groaned in pain "You know I'm dramatic. Why go through one surgery when I can go through two. Besides, guys love it when women are in danger. I bet Bruce was here all day ."

You chuckled "You're right. He barely left your side."

She smiled "See, I'm always right."

You sat down on the bed next to her "Tony said things were really bad out there."

You watched Nat's face darken with some traumatizing memory and you rushed to say "We don't need to talk about this if you don't want to. There's so much I want to talk to you about."

She stared at you for a long moment and then smirked "Tell me it's not about Doctor Strange."

You looked at her slightly offended "Of course not. Do you really think I spent these three weeks thinking about him?"

She sighed "It is about Doctor Strange. Okay, spit it out. I hope there's something new this time, because honestly, it's getting pathetic, Y/n"

You looked at her slightly offended, but decided to let it go "He said he likes me."

Her eyes widened and you continued "And he took me to lunch the day you left for the mission."

Nat opened her mouth to speak a few times and then closed it again.

"I know you think he's too old for me, but I don't care, Nat."

"What about Tony? He cares."

You did not answer.

She sighed "Look, Strange is a nice guy. A bit arrogant, but he's a nice guy and if you like him I'll support you. But, Y/n, proceed with caution, please. Remember, he is more than twice your age, maybe you two want different things from each other and I don't want you to get hurt and I won't answer for my actions if that happens."

You nodded holding her hand "You're like the sister I never had, you know that, don't you?"

She nodded "I will always support you no matter what you do. Just don't kill anyone."

"Why not? You're the person I would call and ask for help to hide the body."

Nat giggled and then grimaced placing her hand on her abdomen. "Fuck, Y/n, I can't laugh right now, it hurts."

"Sorry" You squeezed her hand "Just... support me on this Nat. I really like him."

She sighed "Trust me, I know."

You stayed there with Nat four hours. You couldn't leave her alone. You talked about anything and everything that had nothing to do with the mission. Apparently, whatever had happened, it wasn't something Natasha wanted to think about.

It the sun was rising when you were interrupted by a knock on the door and Yelena came in "Hey, Y/n. I came to see if Nat... Hi, you're awake finally."

She approached and you took the opportunity to say goodbye "Well, I will leave you with Yelena, Nat. Need to try to get some sleep."

She smiled. “See you.”

"How are you feeling?" You heard Yelena ask before leaving and closing the door behind you.

...

HOW IS ROMANOFF?

You stared at the phone's screen for a minute trying to make your mind understand that the message was really from Stephen. It had been two weeks since they had returned from the mission and Natasha was progressing very well although she had to use crutches which she was hating.

You finally managed to type an answer that was actually another question.

MAY I KNOW HOW YOU GOT MY NUMBER?

You bit your bottom lip waiting for him to respond.

I KIDNAPPED AMERICA'S PHONE AND MEMORIZED IT.

You couldn't tell exactly what expressions you were making as you stared at your phone, but something about your face caught Natasha and Yelena's attention. The three of you were in the lounge on the Tower's hosting floor talking and basically killing time as you watched Tony and Pepper argue over who to invite to the party Tony was keen to throw even though Nat was still recovering.

He went back to typing.

SO, HOW IS SHE?

You typed a quick reply trying to hide your excitement as Tony and Pepper approached.

SHE'S FINE, SHE'S RIGHT HERE IN FRONT OF ME, ACTUALLY.

"Romanoff looks great, look at her!" You heard Tony saying and Pepper replied "I think we should wait another week or two."

Tony crossed his arms "It's a victory party, if we wait too long we'll be off on another mission."

Nat tsked "Speak for yourself, I'm off the radar for new missions for the next three months at least."

I MISS YOU.

You smiled from ear to ear feeling your face heat up.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN INVITE ME TO DINNER ANYTIME.

"Y/n, I'm talking to you. I need your help here!" You heard Tony saying and reluctantly looked up from your phone.

"Yeah, of course. You're right" You mumbled turning your attention to Stephen's answer.

YES I KNOW. WOULD YOU LIKE THAT?

You were about to answer when Tony stopped in front of you "May I know who you are talking to? Who is more important than me?"

Nat and Yelena started to giggle and Tony glared at both of them and then you "Is there something going on that I don't know about?"

Pepper stared at you for a long moment and then changed the subject "Okay Tony you want to have the party let's have the party. Is that okay, Nat?"

Nat shook her head "Are you really going to make me wear a dress with this horrible thing on my leg?"

Tony chuckled "You look great either way Romanoff, plus I'm sure Bruce doesn't mind."

You weren't paying enough attention to know what Nat replied. Your face was hot and you were still processing Stephen's messages. Was he really flirting with you?

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?"

You waited for his answer that came right away.

YOUR GODFATHER PROMISED ME A PARTY. I WAS WAITING TO SEE YOU THERE.

You turned your attention to Tony "So when's the party?"

He stared at Pepper waiting for an answer.

Pepper sighed "If I can organize everything it will be this Saturday."

You couldn't  contain the wide smile that took over your face.

LOOKS LIKE I'LL SEE YOU SATURDAY THEN.

He quickly typed a reply.

EXCELLENT. I HAVE TO GO NOW, SWEETHEART. DUTY IS CALLING.

The pet name. That pet name never failed to draw a breath out of you.

SEE YOU, DOCTOR

You closed your cell phone screen and threw it on the couch next to you. Tony and Pepper had walked away still working out the details of the party and Nat and Yelena were staring at you curiously.

"So..." Nat finally asked.

You grinned "I need to buy a dress. A really, really gorgeous dress."

Yelena smiled “I think I can help you with that."

...

You were standing there looking in the mirror and wondering if the dress you chose wasn't a little too much. It was a strapless red dress with a heart cutout at the neckline. It was short and flared with a black bow cinching the waist. That dress combined with your hair tied in a ponytail, a diamond necklace and your tattoos seemed too much.

You sighed hearing the cell phone vibrate and walked away from the mirror. Anyway, now it was too late to choose another dress.

You read the message on your cell phone, it was from America.

WE ARE LATE. WE HAVE JUST ARRIVED FROM KAMAR TAJ AND STEPHEN LOOKS LIKE HE IS GETTING READY FOR A WEDDING. BUT WE WILL BE THERE SOON.

You smiled from ear to ear. You couldn't wait to see him. You responded with a smiley emoji and then nodded to yourself as if trying to encourage yourself and then went downstairs.

The hall was full, the music was loud. There were people there that you had no idea who they were. Some must have been Stark Industries shareholders, others were probably magazine columnists, journalists, in short, everyone Tony liked to invite to stay on the covers of magazines.

You walked between the tables getting too many stares which made you question again if you hadn't gone too far with the choice of your dress. Fortunately, you bumped into Thor, the first known face, who hugged you tight, taking all your worries out of your head.

"Hey, it's good to see you. You look beautiful!"

You smiled looking up to actually look at his face "You too"

He grabbed you by the wrist and pulled you towards the table where he was sitting with Steve, Sam and Bruce. "This girl..." Thor said pointing at you and the three of them  stared at you "She would be a queen in Asgard."

You stared blankly at Thor and then he took a sip from his cup and went back to saying "Singing is important to the Asgardians."

Sam nodded "Will you sing for us tonight Y/n?"

You shook your head "Not really."

Bruce disagreed "Tony rented a karaoke machine, he intends to get everyone singing tonight."

You chuckled "I'm going to love to hear you boys singing."

Steve chuckled shyly and then took a good look at you "Looking really pretty Y/n, expecting someone?"

You felt your face get hot. Was it that obvious?

"Are your friends from the band coming? Mike, that's the guy's name, right?" Sam asked "He seems to like you."

You shook your head feeling the air leave your lungs slowly. "I didn't actually invite them. No work tonight, just fun."

"And what kind of fun are we talking about?" Sharon asked approaching with Maria Hill right behind her. The two had apparently only left to fetch their drinks from the bar. Sharon sat next to Steve and you watched as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Such an intimate gesture in front of everyone. You wondered if it would ever be possible for you and Stephen to have that kind of intimacy. That is, of course, if he was really interested. You couldn’t really tell.

"So what were you talking about?" Maria asked sipping her drink and you shrugged "Thor was complimenting my singing skills"

"She's amazing" Thor said again and Hill agreed "Your show at the last party was amazing, Y/n. I'm addicted to your songs." Hill completed.

"I'm following you on Spotify" Sharon said "And I want to go to one of your shows. Steve knows that, I'm trying to convince him to take me."

Steve chuckled "Loud music and night clubs aren't really my style, but we'll definitely go."

You grinned "Well, let's set a date then."

...

You were extremely bored and couldn't stop looking at the time on your cell phone display.

You were sitting at the table with Pepper, Tony, Rhodes, Happy and Fury listening to them talk about the mission and about a new mission that Fury wanted Tony and Steve to lead, this one apparently would be on Russian territory and Fury was really disappointed because Natasha would not be able to go with them.

You kept scanning the room with your eyes looking for Stephen and Pepper seemed to sense your uneasiness because she couldn't take her eyes off you.

You had been surprised to see Fury at Tony's party, he never attended social events, but then you understood. He was there on a mission of his own, ready to deliver new work to those he considered to be the leaders of the Avengers.

After a while you could see that Pepper was uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation, but you weren’t paying attention to what they were saying because your eyes were fixed on the entrance of the hall, waiting to see Stephen who at that time should have already arrived. Deep down you feared that something had happened and he wouldn't come anymore.

"I thought Ms. Y/l/n would eventually become an Avenger as well, but it looks like she chose a more glamorous side of life." Fury said trying to get your attention.

You smiled at the old man "Unfortunately I don't have super powers, Director Fury, and I'm also too clumsy to fight like Nat or Agent Hill. If you saw me working out you'd be embarrassed"

He let out a rare chuckle, "Well, I'm sure you'd do well in one of your godfather's suits. Mrs. Potts wears hers on special occasions."

Pepper shook her head as she sipped from her cup, "It was a one time thing, Fury, and I swear I won't do it again."

"There is a prototype armor for Y/n, I'm still working on it." Tony said proudly.

You chuckled "I've already told Tony he doesn't have to bother because I'm not going to use it. I prefer my books and my music. Someone need to be ordinary in this family."

Tony shook his head "There's nothing ordinary about you darling, you're amazing" He put his arm around your shoulders and placed a small kiss on your cheek and only then did he really seem to look at you "That boy Mike, he's coming by tonight?"

You shook your head, feeling your face heat up when you realized that he made an association between your dress and a possible love interest.

"I didn't invite the band." You admitted.

"Why didn't you invite them? Mike seems like a nice kid, I think he likes you."

You were about to answer when you saw Stephen and America entering the hall and suddenly the words disappeared from your mind.

America looked beautiful in a cute pink dress, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, but your attention was riveted on the sorcerer dressed in one of the many Armani suits he owned.

"Y/n?" Tony was still waiting for your answer and you had to reluctantly look away from Stephen.

"Tony, Mike and I have nothing to do with each other."

"You needed to see the answer she gave the boy when he asked her out." Happy told laughing and you stared at him, glaring daggers.

"He's too young. And too stupid." You defended yourself.

"He must be what? 25 years old? Not that much younger." Rhodes said, deciding to intrude on the conversation. That was actually the problem with practically being raised in that Tower, all the Avengers felt that they were somehow responsible for you and therefore couldn’t mind their own business."

"I think I like older men." You said feeling a little brave, your eyes went back to looking for Stephen in the hall finding him standing next to Steve's table talking and as he rarely did laughing.

"You're too young to say something like that." Tony said scolding you "Besides, Mike is older than you, he likes the same things you like..."

You sighed in frustration "You forgot I just mentioned he's stupid."

"Y/n, you're exaggerating. The boy is hardworking. He studies, works in the band..."

"Tony, it's never going to happen, okay? Can we change the subject now?" You said looking back at Stephen from a distance and feeling Pepper's eyes fixed on you. When you dared to look at her, she was looking in the same direction as you, brow furrowed with concern, but you couldn't care less and as soon as you watched Stephen heading alone to the bar you stood up "If you'll excuse me."

...

Stephen scanned the crowded room with his eyes looking for you as soon as he and America set foot there. It didn't take long for him to see you sitting at the table with Stark, Rhodes, Pepper, Happy and director Fury. Stark had an arm around your shoulder.

"Tony's parties are always so amazing." America said envisioned with all the extravagance that Stephen was already used to, but which for her was incredible.

"Are we calling him Tony yet?" He asked staring at her with an arched eyebrow.

She just stuck her tongue out at him.

"Hey Doctor, come over here." Came Thor's booming voice.

The two walked to a table further away on the left side of the room where Rogers, Carter, Wilson, Hill, Thor and Banner were.

"Nice to see you, doctor" Steve greeted him.

"How is Romanoff?" He asked and it was Banner who answered. "She's much better." Stephen couldn't help but notice the tone of relief in the man's voice. If it wasn't clear to Natasha, it was clear enough to everybody else that Bruce was in love with her.

"She's not too happy about the idea of ​​using crutches, but she should be down soon." Sharon Carter completed.

"What about you, little girl, how is life in a new universe?" Hill asked and America grinned.

"It's great. I like it here, all the differences are fascinating and Kamar Taj is so cool. It would be even cooler if Wong and Stephen weren't so bossy."

Everyone at the table laughed and Stephen confined himself to a smile, his eyes back on the table where you were. God, you were beautiful. Actually beautiful was an understatement. You wore a red dress that he couldn't see well from that distance, but your hair was tied back in a ponytail which was different from what Stephen was used to. He loved your air, but this way it was possible to see more of your beautiful face...

"Strange...?"

Stephen turned his attention to Steve who had asked a question to which Stephen paid no attention. "I'm sorry, can you say that again?"

America had sat down next to Maria Hill and the two had engaged in a conversation about how in one of the universes she had visited, people were made of ink.

"I asked how it feels to take a trip to another universe."

Stephen chuckled dryly "Not a good experience."

"He threw up." America said and Thor laughed exaggeratedly. "You humans are so fragile."

Stephen shook his head "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get something to drink."

He walked towards the bar and asked for a shot of whiskey which he drank in one gulp and asked for another right after.

There was an internal struggle in Stephen ever since he had lunch with you before the mission. He was trying to convince himself that he shouldn't continue this flirtation, that it would inevitably lead to trouble once Stark realized what was happening. But on the other hand, he was tempted to take it further and find out how far you would go.

He downed his whiskey in one gulp and asked for a third. Double, no ice.

That afternoon you had challenged him by asking if he was aware that despite being Tony Stark's goddaughter, you were a legal adult and he was very much aware of that, he just didn't know what to do with it, how to proceed.

He wanted you, that was as clear to him as day, but the consequences seemed too grave.

He was too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice that you had approached.

"You look lonely. Need some company, doctor?"

He smiled and turned to look at you and his heart skiped a beat. Holy fuck, you looked beyond beautiful, you looked indecently sexy in that red dress. It was definitely too short in Stephen's eyes. He caught himself wondering how Stark let you walk around dressed like that.

The color suited you, not to mention it highlighted your tattoos. Stephen never liked tattoos, but on you he did. There were so many. Spread across your arms, your legs. One he was particularly fond of was a chest piece. A bluebird trapped in a cage trying to escape. He wondered if that was how you saw yourself.

"Stephen... you're staring." You said and then addressed the bartender. "A martini for me, please. And another whiskey for the doctor."

"I'm sorry... I got distracted by all this" He said gesturing to you. You blushed looking down at your dress.

"Is it too much? I thought you might like it." You said accepting the drink and taking a long gulp.

"Your whiskey, sir." Stephen accepted and turned his attention to you.

"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant. It was meant to be a compliment. You look beautiful, Y/n."

You smiled charmingly at him. "I got it right then. It's hard to know what you like, Stephen."

He had to convince himself that he heard you right. You were really saying that you dressed like that for him. If that didn't answer his doubts about your true intentions, he couldn't say what would.

"Red suits you. It highlights your eyes, your hair and your tattoos."

You shook your head vehemently "I thought so. You look very handsome too, Stephen. As much as I love to see you in your robes, I have to say, you look much better in Armani. Almost irresistible."

He chuckled taking a long drink of his whiskey and feeling the alcohol starting to kick in.

"I didn't get a chance to say how happy I am that you're okay. I was so worried." You said looking away from him. Somehow you could flirt with him naturally, but you couldn't look him in the eye and tell him you liked him enough to be concerned when he went on a mission.

"I thought about you, Y/n, the whole time I was there." He admitted. "I knew I needed to go back because I needed to see you again. It was all I could think about."

You smiled, your cheeks turning pink. "You say these things, but you still haven't asked me out to dinner."

He smirked finishing his whiskey and too impatiently, filled the glass with a wave of his fingers. He looked around subtly "Is this what you want?"

"Well, Doctor, I'm more interested at the moment in knowing what you want. You are a mystery to me."

He touched your hand that was on  the top of the counter "Would it be too obvious if we left here and went somewhere quieter?"

You looked at him in surprise, but nodded in agreement "Not if I go first."

He nodded as he watched you walk away. God, that dress was doing things to him. He drank the rest of the whiskey, put the glass on the counter and walked out after you. He should have thought that in fact it was pretty obvious to anyone who could eventually be paying attention to the two of you, but he couldn't care less at that point. Maybe it was the alcohol that had made him so reckless.

You took the elevator and went up to the tower's hosting floor. Tony Stark could be irritating, but Stephen couldn't deny that he was extremely generous. There lived most of the Avengers who made the team their family. Those who didn't live there, lived in the compound in the country side of the city.

Stephen watched you turn on the lights and flop down on the huge sofa in the center of the room.

"Much better, don't you think?" You asked kicking off the extremely high heels you were wearing and putting your feet up on the sofa, making yourself comfortable. You could still hear the music coming from the lower floor.

"Yes. I used to like parties, but that was a long time ago." He said putting both hands in his pockets. He continued to stand, resisting the urge to sit down next to you.

"But you've been coming to Tony's parties a lot recently, for someone who doesn't like parties it's a little contradictory."

He smirked knowing full well what you were suggesting. He knew you wanted to hear him say it. He walked slowly towards the black grand piano that stood beside the panoramic window. The view of the city lights from that height was truly breathtaking. "You know damn well why I've been coming to your godfather’s parties." He said sitting down on the stool in front of the piano.

"I don't know anything, Stephen. And I'm getting tired of not knowing."

He nodded opening the lid and touching the piano keys gently. "I used to play the piano before the accident. I could still play if I wanted to, but I don't see much truth in having to use magic to do anything at all."

Stephen could hide it from himself all he wanted, but he could never really come to terms with the damage of his hands and how it completely changed his life. He was still ashamed of the scars, for that reason he used to keep his hands in his pockets when he was around you. And also because he could control himself better that way when all he wanted was to touch you.

"I would love to hear you play. What would you play for me?" You rested your cheek adorably on your hand watching him as if he were the most important thing in the world to you and Stephen felt his heart racing in his chest.

"Love is blindness" He replied without putting much thought into it. Maybe it was because he had been listening to that song on repeat for a few days now because it made him think of you.

"Jack White's song?" You asked sounding surprised. He shook his head closing the piano again and getting up "U2's song. Bono wrote it in 1990 and it was released in 1991 on the Achtung Baby album. Jack White covered it at the request of The Edge in 2011".

You looked surprised "I didn't know that. I always thought it was Jack White’s song."

"There's a lot you don't know, apparently." He said teasing you. He sat down on the sofa, careful to keep a safe distance, but as soon as he sat down, you crawled closer to him.

"I love knowing about these things and you seem to like U2."

He smiled "A lot. You don't like them?"

You grimaced "Not much. But to be fair, I never stopped to listen to their music. Only One, With or Without you and Beautiful Day."

Stephen rolled his eyes exaggeratedly "You have no idea what you're missing." He reached out to touch your hand that laid lazily on your thigh. "Promise me you'll listen carefully and then tell me what you think."

"Recommend me a song, then. It can't be Love is blindness because I already know that one."

Stephen smirked "Let's stick to the same album at least. I want you to listen to Ultraviolet and think of me while you do it, because I think of you when I'm listening to it."

You bit your lower lip "Anything for you, doctor."

...

You turned your hand over and Stephen laced his fingers through yours. You were surprised by his boldness, but you were totally determined to play along to see how far he would go. More than that, maybe you'd give him a little push. You had promised MJ and yourself that this would be the night you finally told him how you felt. The timing couldn't be more perfect.

Suddenly the air seemed thicker, your heart was pounding and you could hear it pounding in your ears.

"Stephen..."

He threatened to pull his hand away from yours, but you wrapped your other hand above his to keep it there.

"There's something I need to tell you. It's been a long time, I should have said it already."

He stared at you with those blue eyes waiting for what you had to say and the words just seemed to slip out of your head. Everything you had rehearsed tirelessly in front of the mirror while wearing that ridiculous dress just disappeared.

"Y/n..."

You shushed him "Please, let me talk. You can do whatever you want after, you can laugh, you can walk away, but first let me say it."

"Why would I laugh?"

You bit the inside of your cheek.

"Stephen I'm in love with you. If I haven't made it too obvious yet, I'm saying it now. I was always in love with you, even before the blip. I was too young to understand how problematic that was and then you disappeared for five years, but I never stopped thinking about you. The day you came back was the happiest of my life and I promised myself that having you around would be enough, but it's not enough."

You sighed heavily "I'm tired of this fruitless flirting, I want more than this and I think you want it too. It's not possible that I got it all wrong, I'm not that stupid..."

"You didn't get it wrong" He comfirmed.

You exhaled heavily only then realizing you were holding your breath. You kept your head down because you couldn't look at him. Your cheeks were on fire.

He touched your face, cupping your cheek and making you look at him.

"I thought I made it clear that I have feelings for you the night I saved you at the night club, young lady."

You shook your head negatively. "You said you liked me, then the other day you said you liked me as a friend..."

"I already explained myself about that. America and Wong were there and I was scared, Y/n." He tried to reason. "Do you understand how complicated this is? I'm more than twice your age and your godfather is the fucking Tony Stark."

You shook your head "I know, but I don't care. I'm an adult, I can make my own choices, Stephen."

He stroked your cheek with his thumb. "I know. That's why I'm here."

That was going better than you thought. Wasn't? At least he hadn't laughed, and it didn't look like he was going to walk away.

"So?" You asked impatiently.

He sighed taking one of your hands that held his and brought it to his lips. He kissed your hand lingeringly and then placed it on his face and leaned towards it closing his eyes for a second and sighing. You could have sworn you would melt right there, it was obscenely sweet.

"I have an idea or two, but I want to hear you say it first." He said staring at you with a cocky smile in his face.

You pulled your hand away and hugged your knees "I just said so."

"Say it again. If I'm going to pick this fight with all the Avengers, I want to make sure I heard what you said correctly."

You bit your bottom lip and sighed heavily turning around and dragging yourself impossibly close to him. Then you held both of his hands and looked into his eyes "I'm in love with you Doctor Strange. I always have been." You rolled your eyes "Is it good now? Was it dramatic enough?"

He gave a small giggle "Dramatic? Yes. But not quite enough yet." He brought his hand to the back of your neck and pulled you close until your lips were brushing against each other.

"I've wanted to do this for so long, sweetheart." He whispered and then he kissed you. Just a touch of lips. Soft and sweet. He pulled away analyzing your reaction. "Now is enough." he whispered.

But you weren't sure if that was enough. Not when you've waited so long for this. "No. Do it again, but like you mean it this time."

He gave you a cocky smile and then went back to kiss you and as soon as you parted your lips for him, his tongue entered your mouth dominating yours, deepening the kiss that had the sinful taste of whiskey. You moaned softly surrendering to the kiss and wrapped your arms around his shoulders. His hand went down to your back pulling you closer to him, your breasts brushing his chest and you felt like your whole body was on fire. Everything seemed like a dream, one of your many fantasies of before going to sleep.

...

It was certain that Stephen had completely lost his judgment. Little did he realize that you were literally in the living room of the Avengers Tower and that anyone could walk in there and catch you kissing. At that moment anything other than you didn't seem to matter to him.

He'd waited for this for so long, convinced it would never happen, yet here you were and Stephen could feel his body responding to you and manifesting itself in a prominent erection that the suit pants he was wearing could do little to disguise.

You were the one who broke the kiss first to breathe, but Stephen wasn't ready to take his lips off you. He ran them down your chin and down your neck. You smelled so good. Whatever perfume you were wearing, it was Stephen's favorite scent now. He felt your hand gripping his hair, the other going down his chest and if he hadn't drunk a little too much maybe he would have noticed how quickly your first kiss was becoming too heated, but in the drunken state he was in, all he could think of was that he wanted you.

He wanted to know the way you tasted, the noises you would make when he finally took you. How you would moan his name while he was going down on you.

He bit lightly on your earlobe and watched as your skin prickled at the touch of his goatee.

"Stephen..."

God, the sound of his name coming out of your mouth was extremely arousing. He was so hard. It suddenly seemed like a good idea for him to show you what you were doing to him. He grabbed your hand from his chest and brought it down to his hip as he took your lips again in a hungry kiss. But as soon as he had you touching his bulge, you flinched and pushed him away slightly, breaking the kiss and clearing your throat looking extremely uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry..." You got up going to the small bar in the far corner of the room. Stephen watched you prepare a glass of martini. He shook his head trying to get his thoughts straight. He knew your first kiss had turned out to be more heated than he'd expected, but he was confused by your reaction.

He got up and walked over to the bar "Did I do something you didn't like?" He asked holding your hand and making you look at him.

You shook your head negatively. "It's okay. It just seemed a little too much for one night. I'm sorry, I'm being silly." You took a long drink of your martini.

Stephen sighed "No need to apologize. I... I went a little too far. It's just that you have this effect on me and I've wanted this for so long."

You smiled, but your cheeks were bright red, as if somehow what he was saying was  completely absurd. Maybe if his brain hadn't been enveloped in a cloud of alcohol, or if all the blood in his head hadn't gone down to his cock, he would have understood.

Before you could respond, you were interrupted by the sound of the elevator and Thor and America came out. "The girl was worried because the doctor had disappeared" Thor informed smiling and although Stephen was scared by the possibility of him understanding what was happening, it was soon clear that the Asgardian had not noticed anything, America on the other hand stared at Stephen and then at you and gave him a wink.

"Well, I'll leave you to him then." Thor said turning around and America followed him.

"On second thought, I just needed to know he was okay, we can get back to the party now."

The two took the elevator back and Stephen chuckled. "How is it possible that a 14 year old girl can outsmart an Asgardian god?"

You allowed yourself a small giggle "Thor is a sweetheart, but intelligence is not his forte." You took your glass and went back to sit on the sofa and Stephen watched you for a moment, still unsure.

"Sit with me, Stephen. I'm sorry I spoiled the mood."

He approached and sat next to you.

"You didn't. I overdid it and scared you."

You smiled shyly "I wouldn't exactly say I was scared. Surprised would be more accurate. And you don't need to apologize."

He touched your face "You're so beautiful. I don't know how I could contain myself for so long when all I wanted was to have you in my arms."

You placed your hand over his. "What now? What do we do now?"

He sighed thinking for a second. "What do you want to do?"

"Right now? I just want to be here with you, but I know we've been here long enough for everyone to notice we have disappeared. Not to mention Thor will tell everyone who asks that he saw us here, so we should probably head downstairs. But that's not what I'm talking about."

He sighed "Maybe... maybe we should keep this just between us for a while until I figure out the best time to talk to Stark..."

You bit your bottom lip, but you didn't say anything. And he knew that didn't please you.

"What is it?"

"It's just..." You held his hand in yours playing with his fingers and Stephen couldn't help but notice how small your hands were compared to his. That thought made his cock throb inside his pants and he mentally scolded himself.

"I don't want to hide it. I want to hold your hand, I want to cuddle with you in the living room. I want what everyone else has."

He smirked, finding it all too sweet, but maintained his stance as he suggested, "I know. We might get there eventually, sweetheart, but I'm talking about self-preservation here. I need to think of a way to convince Stark that this isn't wrong, which I'm sure will be very difficult. Plus, you know it's not just Tony. All the Avengers adore you and I'm going to get in trouble with all of them."

You sighed "Not all of them." You said it softly and Stephen didn't know if you really wanted him to hear it. "Nat knows. Yelena too."

Stephen exhaled heavily "Who else?"

"Peter and MJ."

"What exactly do they know?"

You looked at him shyly "That I'm in love with you and that I think you like me too. They approve."

Stephen snorted incredulously "I find it hard to believe Romanoff would approve this, sweetheart."

"She does. She told me. She just asked me to proceed with caution, but she said she would support me. Yelena is super cool about that too and Peter and MJ are on our side."

Stephen smiled sighing "America knows it all. She insisted I tell you how I felt. As you can imagine, she approves it, but I'm afraid the approval of three teenagers isn't enough to convince your godfather."

You chuckled "Peter and MJ are not teenagers anymore, and Nat and Yelena will be on our side too."

He smirked taking one of your hands and kissing it gently and then pulling you to his lips, but this time he tried to contain himself. He kissed you deeply, passionately, but made a Herculean effort to keep his hands to himself. However,  your fingers entwined in his hair and with that you managed to pull a moan from the bottom of his throat.

"Now, that's not very smart."

Stephen pulled away from you instinctively when he heard Romanoff's voice. When he turned towards the direction the voice was coming from he saw her standing next to the elevator. Yelena beside her helping her walk.

"You realize that anyone can show up at any moment, right?" Yelena asked.

"Especially Tony" Natasha completed.

You started to giggle and Stephen stared at you in disbelief. "She's right, Y/n"

"Yeah, I usually am. I suggest you two head down to the party before anyone notices you're gone."

That said, the two entered the elevator and Natasha shoot him an angry look.

"Are you sure she's on our side?" Stephen asked chuckling nervously.

You grabbed him by the tie "Yes she is. Now give me one more kiss before we go, magic man."

And he obeyed. There was nothing he wanted more than to kiss you. Well, maybe there were a thing or two.

...

The night became considerably more tolerable now that you and Stephen had sorted things out. Well, not everything, but at least you could tell there was something between you and not just that flirting you could never be sure if it was real or something in your head. It was safe to say that you spent the rest of the evening wrapped in a kind of cloud of enthusiasm and there were, however ridiculous that definition was, butterflies in your stomach every time you and Stephen exchanged glances, some not so discreetly.

When most of the people had gone and only your friends were left, Tony did the favor of turning on the damn karaoke machine making everyone laugh every time someone was challenged to sing a song. However you couldn't complain, you were enjoying the show.

"Hey, Doctor, your turn" Wilson shouted after finishing a painful version of Streets of Philadelphia. You glared at Stephen who shook his head vehemently "No, thanks."

Sam looked around "Who's coming now? Come on guys, I just humiliated myself here, I'll feel better if you guys do the same."

"I've already humiliated myself enough" Pepper answered. She just finished singing It's all coming back to me now."

Stephen looked at you smiling. You were sitting at a table next to Nat and Yelena. To your surprise, he pointed at you "Why don't you make Y/n sing for us." He suggested and Wilson denied "No, come on. She won't help, she will only humiliate me even more."

You shook your head "I'm off today. Only you guys sing."

Tony climbed on the small stage taking the microphone from Sam's hand "The doctor is right. Come here, darling, show those scumbags how it's done."

Everyone started to press you and you threw an angry look at Stephen who was laughing. You got up going towards the stage "What shall I sing?"

Tony faced the small audience of Avengers "What do you guys think? Do we choose for her or let her choose?"

"Choose for her" Hill said.

"Let her choose" Stephen said staring at you "I'm curious to know what she will choose."

"You choose it, baby. Friday can find any song you want."

You stared at him blankly for a moment "Did you hack the karaoke machine?"

"What's the fun in only having 50 songs to choose from?" He asked defending himself and handing the microphone in your hand. He came down on stage and sat next to Pepper.

You thought for a second "Friday, play Cherry by Lana Del Rey."

Reblog please! Leave a comment if you liked it. Interact! I will love to read all of your comments and opinions. It inspires me to keep writing ;)

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[ace-of-zaun]

The Wrong Place at the Wrong Time: Pt. 7

Silco x f!reader - 8k words - SFW

cw: fluff, soft silco, jealous/possessive silco, kissing, tiny bit of angst, suggestive themes, innuendos, self doubt, the author is an idiot

a/n: how has it been eight months? What the heck have i been doing for eight months??? i genuinely thought it’d been like four months since i last updated this fic, i am so sorry. To make up for it, please take a very indulgent, fluffy chapter featuring a whole lotta kissing with our favourite rat man ♡

PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 8

It’s just shy of a week later when you find yourself in Silco’s office, sitting beside the man himself, resisting the urge to play a cheeky game of footsie with him as your legs share the space beneath his desk.

Neither one of you have labelled whatever this new development in your relationship is, but given that you spend a considerable amount of time kissing each other until you’re both breathless, you’re not in any particular rush to hurry things along. 

You’re just happy that you can finally taste those luscious lips on a daily basis. 

Having just finished a tear-jerkingly boring meeting with a client who had droned on and on in the most monotone voice you’ve ever had the displeasure of hearing, you’re more than happy to escort him out of the office. 

Silco saunters after you, following your tense form as you all but shove the client out the door, ensuring you keep your tried-and-tested ‘customer service smile’ plastered across your face.

Whilst you might want to wring the client’s neck for torturing you with boredom, it would probably be bad for business if you actually did… Then again, you’re pretty sure Silco wouldn’t mind. In fact, if he was as bored as he seemed for the whole meeting, you think he might even endorse it. 

What’s the point of being king anyway if you’re not going to make it illegal to bore you to death?

The door is finally shut with a resounding click and you’re given approximately three seconds to turn back to face the stained glass window, before you’re being pushed up against the door, Silco’s lips moulding to yours instantly.

You’re startled for a very brief moment, but you soon find yourself sighing into the kiss, instinctively winding your arms up and around his neck until you can gently tug at the ends of his slicked-back hair with each movement of his lips. 

At this point, you think you might be addicted to the way Silco kisses you like he’s trying to devour you. Every single time. Without fail.

His fingertips deftly move from your hair down to your waist, roaming your body as if he can’t decide his favourite way to hold you. 

Far too soon (although, some might argue not soon enough by the way you’re starting to feel dizzy from rapidly running out of breath), Silco reluctantly pulls himself from your lips, resting his forehead against yours.

His good eye flutters shut whilst the corrupted one is trained on where his arm is snaked around your waist, holding your body firmly against his. It’s like he’s utterly drunk on you, breathless from your scent. 

“I wish we could do this forever,” you whisper happily, using your thumbs to lightly trace circles on the delicate skin behind his ear. 

Silco smiles for a brief moment before he dips his head down to give you another quick peck on the lips. He stays close to your lips, almost as if they’re magnetised. 

“As do I, my darling,” he murmurs, his other hand coming up to rest on your hip bone. “Unfortunately I must attend to an incident at one of the docks. Would you mind taking care of this afternoon’s meeting for me?”

Immediately, you tense up at the mention of going to a meeting alone, a flood of anxiety rushing through your body.  

“Um, actually, I can’t,” you say nervously, your eyes dropping down to your shoes.

Silco lifts his head and pulls back slightly. You can feel him looking down at you with a confused frown.

“You can’t?” he repeats. 

“Nope. Sorry, I’m super busy,” you emphasise, looking absolutely anywhere but his face.

You know that if you even glance at those beautiful eyes for just one sliver of a second, you’ll crumble. 

“Busy with what?” he probes, undoubtedly giving you The Look, as his voice drops to a concerned rumble. 

You employ the classic hide-and-seek technique and refuse to meet his gaze. You can’t see me if I can’t see you.

“I’ve got to see a man about a dog!” you blurt out in response, your panicked mind spitting out a ridiculous phrase instead of an actual reason.

“I beg your pardon?” Silco asks incredulously. 

“Yep. And now that I think about it, I’m starting to feel a bit sick, so actually I might have to go lie down for a bit. You know, before I go see the man about the dog,” you ramble, your brain switching off in the face of panic. 

Then, you subtly attempt to wiggle out of his hold, planning to flee into the streets of Zaun in the hopes that you’ll somehow end up at a pet shop, (the idea of getting a dog incredibly appealing at this particular moment in time), but find it a difficult task given how Silco is currently pressing you into the door, hips pressed solidly against yours. 

He gently grasps your chin between his fingers and pulls you into meeting his gaze. His eyes search your face intently. Then, only a few moments later, he appears to have found something because suddenly he is taking your hand in his and wordlessly leading you over to the couch.

You allow yourself to be herded over to the plush seat and resign yourself to your fate when he sits you down and moulds you into his side. 

A large hand soothingly runs up and down your waist. You melt into him, pulling your legs up so your knees rest on his thighs. 

“Why are you trying to avoid this meeting?” he asks, his voice low and soft. 

Of course, your first instinct is to lie. But you’d promised to tell him the truth about your worries all that time ago on the pier and you weren’t in the business of going back on your word. 

You sigh heavily and begin to fiddle with one of the buttons on his waistcoat. 

“I’ve just… I’ve been really nervous about going to meetings again,” you admit, fidgeting to hide your embarrassment. “I mean, this is twice now a client has tried to kill me and, I don’t know… I’m just worried one day they’ll succeed.”

Part of you feels ridiculous. 

He’s a crime lord, for Janna’s sake. He runs a cut-throat, criminal enterprise - what were you expecting; sunshine and roses? 

Silco is clearly upset by your confession given the way he sighs and holds you tighter, his arms wrapping protectively around your frame.

“Oh sweetheart,” he mumbles into your hair. “I should have prepared you better.”

It sends a pang ringing through your chest. You didn’t mean to make him feel bad. 

“It’s fine, Sil. Honestly,” you insist, wrapping your own arms around his waist. 

Silco pulls back from the hug and looks down at you, his brow furrowed. 

“It’s not fine, darling. You have every right to feel worried.”

One hand lets go of you to snake up your body until he’s holding your cheek, thumb tracing your cheekbone in a gentle caress. 

“I promise I will keep you safe," he tells you, and you completely believe him. “And I will see to it that I personally train you in the basics of defence." 

You throw your arms around him again, squeezing him tightly as you press your face into his chest, inhaling his scent. 

“Okay,” you nod against his chest. 

Honestly, some training sounds like a great idea. You’re not quite sure how you’ve gotten this far in living in Zaun without knowing at least some basic defence moves. Your tactic so far has just been to, you know… run.

Which had honestly worked a treat right up until the point you were hit on the back of the head with a shovel and tied to a chair…

But, then again look how that turned out. Working with and kissing the cutest crime lord in the whole of Zaun? What more could a girl ask for?

Well, now that you’re asking, maybe a-

Zaun’s-Cutest-Crime-Lord breaks your train of thought before it can run away from you entirely. 

“I won’t force you to go to this afternoon’s meeting; Sevika can cover for you.”

“No, no, I can do it,” you say, sitting up to look at him once more. 

He appears unsure, his eyes narrowing slightly as if it’ll help him suss out any lies. 

“I’ll be alright,” you reassure him. “I just need to channel my inner you and stare at them menacingly until they spontaneously combust.”

You even give him a demonstration to further ease his concern. 

Silco rolls his eyes dramatically, but his fingers betray his true feelings because they begin to trace worried little patterns on your knee. 

Your heart aches for how caring this man can be (if, and only if, you’re an ex-kitchen-utensil-salesperson or a sweet little girl with blue hair and a morbid fascination with weapons). 

Completely unbidden, a cheeky little idea pops into your head and you find yourself purposefully putting on a serious face. 

“But now that I’m thinking about it… I guess there is one more thing that you could do, you know, to help me feel better about the meeting,” you say in a small voice, goading him into turning to face you fully. 

“Anything, my dove,” he answers solemnly, his brows furrowed in concentration. 

You climb into his lap and weave your fingers through the dark strands of his hair.

“This.”

Your lips crash into his for the umpteenth time this morning. 

And boy, does it make you feel better about your meeting. 

-

Surprisingly, the meeting goes better than expected, with no obvious hitches and definitely no murder attempts (from either party). Maybe your newfound meeting success is due to you finally perfecting Silco’s trademark death stare after practising it in the mirror for a whole two minutes. 

Or maybe it’s because you’d had your best buddy Sevika standing just over your shoulder the entire time. And whilst her style may be different from your lovable rat man’s, there’s no doubt that Sevika can be intimidating. 

Perhaps you should be learning from her instead of Silco… 

Is it all in the dangerous glare?

Or is it all in the cloak?

You make a mental note to ask her the next time you spot her in the bar. 

Before you know it, the week has flown by, and you’re almost back into the groove of things. Sure, meetings still make your stomach feel like it’s on the world’s longest rollercoaster. But you’re definitely gaining a bit more confidence with each one. 

Just before leaving for today’s meeting, you’d kissed Silco at his desk, biting down a smile when he leant forward slightly in his chair in an attempt to chase your lips when you pulled away. 

It had almost felt… domestic. Like you’re an old, married couple (without the constant bickering, of course). But you’re none of those things. You’re definitely not married, not really an official couple, and even though Silco might be an old codger, you’re not going to be the one to tell him. 

And you don’t want to potentially ruin things by asking him to put a label on your relationship if he isn’t comfortable with that. 

Besides, you know right now you need to focus on your work, not the intricacies of your relationship status. 

When discussing the newest client with Silco, you had learned that he was a businessman named Isaac and that he was looking to become another distributor of Shimmer. And your job was to find out exactly what he wanted out of this deal, so you could begin to draw up a contract that benefited both parties.

Isaac had requested a specific address for you to meet which Silco had recognised as a café along the Promenade, one he’d visited before with Jinx. And since neither your partner-in-crime or your best buddy could join you on this outing (both being called to deal with another ‘meeting’), you immediately felt better that you’d be in a public place rather than a shady warehouse or dock. 

Even better, the Promenade’s closer to the bridge, which meant you were less likely to run into any questionable individuals or people who might wrongfully mistake your identity, knock you out, and tie you to a chair. 

Of course, you’re beyond nervous about going to your first meeting alone since the knife incident. But you’ll have guards with you and plenty of witnesses in a busy café on the off-chance that anything does go wrong.

But when you finally arrive at the pre-arranged address, you’re surprised to find a large building that is clearly undergoing renovation, instead of a bustling café. The sign has been removed and the large windows are covered with big cloth sheets, likely protecting them from the fresh coat of paint on the walls surrounding them.

Before you can question whether your driver has gotten lost, you spot a finely dressed gentleman outside the building, looking down at his pocket watch, one hand leaning on an intricately designed cane. 

He’s definitely older than Silco, given that his hair is more salt than pepper. And there’s a sharp look about him. Like he’s constantly evaluating and making mental calculations on how he can use any and every piece of information to benefit him. 

With the carriage parked further down the street, you approach the man with your guards trailing behind you, studying him as much as you can to gather any clues about him. It never hurts to have a little profile on exactly who you’re going to be dealing with. 

“Isaac?” you say, when you get close enough for him to hear. 

The man turns to look at you, his eyes trailing up and down your frame like he’s drinking in every single detail. Truthfully, it’s a bit unnerving. Like he can see into your mind. 

(You hope he can’t. It’s filled with Silco’s thighs, pizza wheels, and the constant question of who would win in a fight between a bear and a shark.) 

“You’re the delegate sent by Silco?” he responds with one eyebrow raised, his voice smooth and low.

By now, you’re used to people being surprised that you work for Silco. You still don’t really give off that scary crime lord vibe that he seems to exude so effortlessly. 

You look down at yourself and then back up at him, smiling just a touch too brightly.

“Yep! Last time I checked.”

Isaac gazes at you in amusement until you tell him your name and hold your hand out for him to shake. 

Instead, he smirks and takes your hand, only to bend down to kiss your knuckles.

“Enchanted,” he says. The low, smooth tone coils around you, making you shudder slightly. 

Honestly, it makes you feel a little bit gross considering you don’t know him, but you reason that he’s probably just doing it to raise his margin of profit. Besides, it’s better to play along and get on his good side, if only for the sake of the deal.

Plus, it sure as hell beats people trying to stab you in lieu of a proper greeting. 

“Likewise,” you respond. 

“I hope you don’t mind if my fan club quickly checks you for any weapons,” you tell him, gesturing to the three guards standing by you. “We’ve had some trouble in the past.”

“Of course,” Isaac responds, with a graceful nod of his head.

And while the guards search him, you suddenly realise that the building before you is definitely not open to the public. If you go inside with this man, you’ll have no witnesses like you were hoping. But you do have three massive bodyguards, which ought to be enough.

Right?

Once the guards give Isaac the all clear, you glance up at the building in front of you. 

“I was under the impression we would be meeting at a cafe,” you say, trying to keep your tone even to hide your nerves. “My-”

You catch yourself, unsure of how you were going to complete that sentence. 

Your what, exactly? 

Boss? Boyfriend? 

Man-you-annoy-on-a-daily-basis-until-he-kisses-you-just-to-get-you-to-shut-up?

(Only 2/3 of those are correct and you categorically refuse to acknowledge which one is untrue.)

“Silco told me he’s visited before,” you settle on. 

“Ah, yes. I believe the previous owners used the space for that purpose,” Isaac replies, following your gaze. 

That catches you by surprise. 

“Oh, you own the building now?”

“And the one next door,” he says with a look that borders on smug. “I’m in the process of joining the two spaces to create a luxury lounge bar for exclusive clientele.”

Now, that is not what you were expecting. A luxury lounge bar sounds far too fancy for Zaun. An establishment much more suited to the residents of Piltover. 

Your astonishment must be evident in your expression because Isaac chuckles, low and full of mischief. 

“Would you care for a quick tour before we begin?” he asks, holding out his arm for you to take.

You glance up at his inviting expression and decide that you wouldn’t mind a quick tour, if only because you’re damn curious how a street café is going to be transformed into a high class lounge bar. 

A polite smile crosses your face.

“Sounds lovely, lead the way.”

True to his word, Isaac had given you a brief tour of the newly joined building, showing you the main bar lounge as well as the myriad little side rooms that you can just picture housing rustic leather sofas and antique fireplaces. 

Isaac had continued his flirty demeanour throughout, offering you an exclusive, black card membership when the bar’s ready to open, drinks on the house every time you visit - the lot. 

Of course you’d humbly refused it all, but you kept playing along, allowing him to lead you from room to room with your guards silently following after you, sizing up each room and Isaac’s every action. 

Now, sitting in the main lounge at a table that is half booth seating, half chairs, (no prizes for guessing where you’d chosen to sit), you begin to discuss the arrangements of a contract. 

Isaac tells you that he’s looking to sell high grade Shimmer in his bar, all the while making slightly passive aggressive and insulting comments about night clubs, including, but not limited to, the very one you call home. 

You’re just about to ask him about the number of clientele he’s expecting to handle each week when a commotion at the door causes you to look across the room, only to find yourself looking at a very familiar face, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. 

You struggle not to grin at the sight of him, and though his own face remains passive, you can spot the slight changes in his body language that reveals how pleased he is to see you again.

Gods, is this boy obsessed with you or what? Mans follows you about like a lost puppy. 

“I hope you’re treating my negotiator well,” Silco says, his voice a rumble that makes your stomach do flips no matter how many times you hear it. “She’s a very valuable…asset.”

A glare is shot his way for having the nerve to call you an asset, but Silco ignores it. No matter, you’ll get him back for it later. 

Luckily, Isaac appears to be unperturbed by the intrusion. 

“I can assure you, she’s been treated like royalty,” he says, a little hint of… something in his voice. You can’t quite tell. 

Silco joins you at the table, sliding in beside you on the plush booth seat, making sure your thigh rests flush alongside his.

Assuming he finished his meeting much more quickly than expected and wanted to make sure your own meeting was going well, you continue discussing the contract with Isaac as you had been before.

And Isaac continues to make casual flirty comments, which you laugh along with to maintain the banter and rapport you’d already build up over the course of the meeting. You don’t mean anything by it, but sometimes a bit of flattery is beneficial in this business.

So you laugh at Isaac’s jokes and you smile at every over-the-top compliment.

In fact, you barely even notice the man beside you (who has been uncharacteristically quiet since crashing the meeting), until you make the mistake of leaning across the table to casually touch Isaac’s arm.

All of a sudden, Silco’s hand grips your thigh under the table, not too tight for it to hurt, but tight enough for you to snap your head to look at him in shock. 

But he doesn’t even glance at you, his piercing eyes glued onto Isaac. 

You immediately worry you’ve done something wrong and you’re about to ask his input on the deal when Silco speaks, his voice far more steady than you were expecting given his intense demeanour. 

“I apologise for the interruption, but I require a moment alone with my negotiator.”

Isaac appears just as surprised as you are, but he recovers quickly and clears his throat. 

“Of course. You’re more than welcome to talk in the room next door, if you wish.”

He gestures to a door that you remember leads to a little side room. 

Silco nods and quickly slides out of the seat to stand. You follow him, sending a quick, apologetic smile to Isaac in an attempt to hide your concern. 

Once you’re standing, Silco turns to acknowledge the man still seated at the table. 

“Do excuse us,” he says courteously. 

Isaac nods and with that, you’re being gently herded to the door, your anxiety increasing with each step.

Did you say something wrong?

You enter the sparse room, going to stand by one of the tables that is covered in a dust sheet. 

Silco shuts the door behind you (waving off the guards who try to follow) and you worry that he’s upset with the way the deal is going, even though from your perspective, it had been going quite well until Silco had interrupted. 

You turn to face him with a worried frown. 

“Are you not happy with the terms?” you ask him gravely. “I know we didn’t really-”

Silco crosses the room in a few, long strides and grabs you by the waist, picking you up so he can seat you atop the nearest table.

You gasp in surprise and Silco’s lips collide with yours. 

He kisses you with a searing amount of passion, standing between your legs until there’s barely any space between your bodies. His hands switch from running through your hair to grasping at your waist and when his teeth nip at your bottom lip, you cry out, allowing him to slip his tongue into your mouth.

You match his movements eagerly, if not a little bit bewilderedly. 

When he finally pulls back for breath, the both of you stare at one another, panting.

“What was that for?” you say breathlessly, your chest heaving against his. 

“You’re mine,” he responds in a low rumble that shoots heat straight through you. 

He begins to trail wet kisses across your neck and you struggle to think straight with your heart pounding.

What does he mean? Of course you’re his, why is he-

It suddenly dawns on you the reason for this sudden bout of possessiveness.

He’s jealous. 

You place your hands on his chest, trying to stop him for a moment. 

“Wait. Do you think I’m flirting with this guy?”

“You are flirting with him,” Silco all but growls, his hands landing on your lower back where he jerks you forward on the table until you’re flush with him. 

“To get a good deal!” you protest. “I’m just preten-” 

A sloppy kiss on your neck makes you jump when his teeth sink into your skin, surely leaving an obvious bruise. 

“Silco!” you cry out, trying to keep your volume as quiet as possible. 

“Pretend or not,” he grumbles against your neck. “I don’t share.” 

You breath catches and Silco leans away from you just enough to look you in the eyes, a delicious hint of lust betraying his intense expression. 

“I want you to be mine and mine alone.”

Your eyes widen when your distracted brain finally catches his meaning. 

“You- you want to be with me? In a relationship?” you ask in a daze. 

Part of you feels silly for asking but you need to be sure. 

“Yes.” he replies emphatically, returning to his previous ministrations of kissing along your collarbone. “If it were up to me, you’d never leave my side again.”

You think your heart might have just filled up and popped like a balloon. 

He wants you to be his girlfriend. 

Those pesky feelings are bubbling away inside you, almost to the point of being overwhelmed, so you resort to your tried and true method of coping.

Being a shitlord. 

You gasp dramatically, tightening your grip on the strap at the back of his waistcoat, reaching up under his coat. Then, you let your voice drop to a hushed, conspiratorial whisper. 

“Does this mean what I think it means?”

Silco slowly leans back and narrows his eyes at you in suspicion. 

“Dare I even ask what you think it means?” he inquires sceptically. 

“Are you asking me to… be more than just your kitchen utensil salesperson?”

The change in emotion is rapid and entirely theatrical. Silco rolls his eyes and sighs heavily, his whole body joining in the motion. 

“I think I’ve changed my mind,” he comments flippantly. 

Despite your grin, you grip onto him even tighter and wrap your legs around him like a koala. 

“Nuh-uh, mister, no takesie backsies,” you say, smushing your face into his chest. 

Silco’s head drops back to look at the ceiling, his hands falling to his sides in mock exasperation. 

“Dear Janna, I fear I’ve made a grave mistake-” he begins. 

“Oh?” you interrupt loudly. “Well, in that case, I think my new friend Isaac is more than up for a little bit of lip service.”

You let go of him and start to shuffle away from him so you can climb down from the table, but Silco immediately grabs onto you again and pulls you back against him, effectively trapping you in. 

“Not on my watch,” he grunts in your ear, the delicious rumble going straight from his chest into yours. 

Truth be told, you’re not entirely sure who initiates the next kiss, but before you know it, Silco has his hands in your hair again and is surely bruising your lips with how hard he kisses you. 

Eventually, (reluctantly), you manage to convince him you need to finish the meeting, but with the promise that you can continue your endeavours the very minute you get home. Silco only agrees after you seal the deal with another quick kiss. 

Finally straightening each other up until you’re more presentable, and with a lot of reassurance from Silco that no-one will be able to tell that you’ve basically spent the past five minutes snogging each other, you return back to the main lounge where Isaac is patiently waiting. 

Isaac makes no mention of your extended ‘chat’ and you get right back into the meeting, this time with a much happier kingpin by your side. 

It’s incredibly difficult not to show how giddy you are for the rest of the meeting. And it definitely doesn’t help that Silco decides to deliberately stroke up and down your thigh the whole time.

But you finish the meeting, promise Isaac you will send him a draft contract to review, and just about refrain from skipping out the door to the carriage where home and Silco’s gorgeous lips await you. 

-

Once you’d finally arrived back home, your plans had been slightly waylaid by the fact that Jinx wanted to spend the rest of the evening with you both, which meant you’d had to postpone any plans made in Isaac’s bar. 

Of course, you’d enjoyed the evening, as you always enjoyed spending time with Jinx and Silco. But you were also secretly pleased when Jinx had finally dropped to sleep in her bed after reading her no less than nine stories from her storybook.

The child had far too much energy. 

On the way back to Silco’s office, you had quickly stopped by your bedroom, brushing your teeth and getting changed into your pyjamas so you could relax after such an exhausting day. 

By the time you’d reached his office, Silco was already lounging on the sofa, his waistcoat and tie gone, looking just as tired as you felt. 

But neither of you had wanted the evening to end just yet, so you’d climbed onto his lap and kissed him so gently, he couldn’t help but let out a content little sigh. 

The two of you had quietly talked, with Silco’s long fingers softly carding through your hair until you’d found yourself falling asleep against him. Somewhere in the haze between sleep and awake, Silco had murmured that you should sleep in his bed, mumbling something about not wanting you to wake yourself up by walking back to your own bedroom.

You’d sleepily agreed, allowing him to gather you up in his arms and carry you to his bedroom (pointedly ignoring the fact that if he was going to carry you anyway, he could have just carried you down the hall to your own bedroom…)

But you much preferred the alternative. 

Silco had laid you down on the soft sheets of his bed, disappearing for a few minutes to get himself washed and changed, and reappearing just as quickly to join you under the covers. 

In the darkness of the room, Silco holding you in his arms like you were the most precious person in the whole world, you’d kissed slowly and deeply, like two lovers discovering each other for the first time. 

Relying only on the feel of Silco’s lips and the quiet sighs brushing your cheek, you’d kissed him until you felt your body pulling you under, down into the murky depths of sleep. 

He must have been able to tell that you were fighting it, because soon enough, he’d rested his forehead against yours, breaths intermingling in the tiny space between your lips, and whispered into the darkness of the room. 

“Sleep, my lovely. I’ll still be here when you wake up.”

For the first time in your life, you fell asleep with a tiny smile on your face, wrapped in the arms of a man you adored with your whole heart.

It was the best sleep you’d ever had.

But now, as low streaks of light begin to pour through the windows, you feel your body awakening, a slight ache in your limbs from your extended rest. 

You blink yourself properly awake and soon become aware of the position you’re in. Silco is pressed with his chest against your back, a strong forearm slung around your waist, holding your body close to his. 

Your legs are tangled together and you can feel each warm exhale of his breath on the back of your neck, tickling the fine hairs on your nape. 

Still asleep. 

Carefully turning in his hold until you’re facing each other, you admire how beautiful Silco looks when he’s asleep, all the tension that usually lines his face completely melted away. 

If only he could be this relaxed all the time. It suits him. 

You lean forward and delicately kiss his cheek, causing him to sigh and hold you even tighter. 

Gods, you could honestly stay here forever. 

Eventually, the bathroom calls, and you manage to pry yourself from his arms without waking him, completing your morning ritual in the little ensuite and even finding a spare toothbrush in the cupboards to freshen your mouth.

When you return to his bedroom, your feet padding softly against the wooden floorboards, you find him flat out on his back, snoring lightly with his mouth hanging open.

You grin and resist the urge to fetch a camera, instead picking the slightly less evil option of snooping around his bedroom.

Predictably, the furniture is dark and woodsy. And everything is neat enough. But not too neat that it doesn’t look lived in. 

But the one thing that immediately draws your eye is the little writing desk placed in front of a tiny, stained glass window that looks out on the streets of Zaun. 

You approach the desk quietly, your eyes ticking over the myriad little trinkets that are dotted over the surface.

Of course, there’s some notebooks, and fountain pens, and bottles of ink. But there’s also a few little boxes filled with their own treasures. 

One contains a pair of reading glasses that almost make you squeal on the spot. (You are definitely forcing him to wear these at some point.)

Another houses lots of little curios that you’re certain will all have a story attached to them if you were to ask. Some pretty shells, a broken little toy, a stamped coin you don’t recognise. 

But when your eyes land on the smallest trinket box, you don’t even look inside because you’re completely distracted by the items that lay beside it.

A pizza wheel and a set of measuring spoons. 

Your heart nearly bursts in happiness when you recognise them as the ones you’d sold to him from your stall all that time ago.

He hadn’t thrown them away like you’d thought when you couldn’t find them in the kitchen. He’d kept them in his bedroom. With the rest of the items he treasures.

Clutching your hands to your chest to stop yourself from breaking out into song, you look up, and as if you thought your heart couldn’t be anymore full, you spot the portrait of him that you’d painted in the Topside art studio resting against the sil of the window.

Your hands drop at the same time your expression does when your eyes jump from the kitchen utensils to the painting in repeated succession…

He has a shrine to you in his bedroom. 

He has a shrine to you… in his bedroom!!! 

Your hands slap over your mouth in giddy joy and you giggle as silently as you can, dropping down onto the little seat in front of the writing desk, not caring for one second that they’re still your mortal enemies. 

You carefully pick up a notebook, checking that the pages are easy to rip out and won’t ruin the notebook if you do. Turning to a fresh page, you grab a pen and begin to write a silly little limerick about you and Silco, the words coming to you surprisingly easy as you write. 

there once was a kitchen utensil seller, 

who fell in love with a silly, old fella- 

The moment you read back the words on the page you freeze in horror.

You’ve just written down that you’ve fallen in love with Silco… in one of his own notebooks. 

Your heart begins to race as you descend into panic. 

Fuck. 

Fuck!

What are you going to do? He can’t see this! 

This can’t be the way he finds out how you feel about him. What if he doesn’t feel like that yet? What if it’s too early?

Shit. Are you in love with him? You’ve only just officially started dating. Literally, yesterday. 

Your mind becomes a whirl of spiralling thoughts and in your panic, you look down at the notebook and start to make a plan that, almost concerningly, resembles a murder cover-up. 

First and foremost, you need to get rid of the evidence. Then you need to get an alibi. Then-

Before you can even think about running to your bedroom to hide the notebook - Sod’s law - you nearly jump out of your seat when a gravelly, morning voice speaks from behind you. 

“Whilst I treasure waking up to this view, sweetheart, I must admit,” Silco’s voice somehow drops even lower, almost tantalisingly so. “I’d much prefer for you to come back to bed.”

You freeze for a second, resisting the urge to snap the notebook shut in fear of looking too suspicious, and take a moment to clear your face before turning to look at him over your shoulder.

The smile that pulls your lips is automatic as you observe him lying in bed, propped up on one elbow as he gazes at you hungrily, his dark hair all tousled and his lips dry.  

Gods, he’s honestly never looked better. 

You bite your lip and Silco smirks, a devilish little thing, as he crooks one finger to summon you back to bed. 

But you can’t go back to bed, you have to cover up your crime before he can notice what you’ve done. 

So you decide to grill him on his obsession with you. 

“But if I come back to bed, how am I supposed to admire your shrine to me?” you ask in a way that you hope sounds innocent (but in all honesty doesn’t at all), vaguely gesturing to the kitchen utensils and painting behind you. 

Silco heaves a dramatic, heavy sigh like you’re the most exhausting person ever. 

“Of course you think it’s a shrine,” he grumbles under his breath. 

He throws back the covers and starts to get out of bed, and now you do slam the notebook shut as your eyes widen. Luckily, Silco takes no notice and saunters into the bathroom, leaving the door open as he disappears through it.

You jump at the opportunity to grab the notebook and shove it behind his dresser, along with the pen you used and all his pencils, because in your paranoia, you assume he knows how to dust for fingerprints and will no doubt use the pencil trick if you just rip the page from the notebook.

By the time he returns, you’re sitting back down at the desk, mindlessly spinning the blade of the pizza wheel, trying to look like a picture of perfect innocence and not like you’d just stolen half of the stationery from his writing desk. 

Silco glances over at you in surprise when he finds you in the same place he left you (and pointedly, not back in bed) and strides over to you with purpose.

You look up at him with wide eyes until he reaches your side. He carefully plucks the pizza wheel from your hands so you won’t hurt yourself on the blade, and suddenly picks you up, throwing you over his shoulder with ease.

You squeal in surprise and start to wiggle on his shoulder as he carries you across the room and over to the bed. 

“Help! I’m being kidnapped by the Eye of Zaun!” you jokingly cry out. 

Silco gently chucks you onto the bed and you wriggle away from him until your head hits the pillows, unable to hold back a smile the entire time. 

He crawls onto the bed after you and cages you in with his arms, leaning down to whisper in your ear once he hovers atop you. 

“Now be a good girl and behave.”

His lips descend on yours and you easily melt into the kiss, wrapping your arms up and around his shoulders, pulling him even closer to you. 

When both of your lungs are burning from the lack of air, Silco regretfully pulls back and rests his head in the crook of your neck. Your hands run up and down his spine for a few blissful moments until you finally break the peace. 

“Sil, we need to get up for work.”

“No we don’t,” he instantly mumbles back, lips resting against your neck with every word. 

You smile up at the ceiling before gently pulling on the back of his loose shirt. 

“We do.”

Silco ignores you completely, lifting his head to place a series of kisses along your neck. You drop your shoulders and relax into it completely, up until the moment that you feel him start to suck a bruise into your skin. 

“Oi!” you say, weaving your hands into his hair to pull him away from you. “Stop it, you’re going to get me in trouble with my boss.”

At this, Silco leans back up until he’s hovering over your lips, his eyes full of mischief. 

“Oh, darling, I’m afraid you’re already in deep trouble with him.”

You can’t help grinning at him as he dips down to kiss you again, making you even more late for work. 

-

It’s early evening when Silco lets out a deep, heady groan, the sound reverberating around the tall, empty space above his office. 

“Yes, right there, darling,” he says, his timbre making it sound like he’s experiencing nirvana. 

So, you concentrate on that place and bite back a grin when he stifles another, whinier moan. 

Currently, Silco is lying flat out on the floor, his face smushed into the rug as you try to get the knots out of his old, decrepit body with a back massage. 

Honestly, how many times have you warned him that hunching over his desk all day and night will give him terrible back pain? You think you’ve lost count at this point. 

Still, you’re kind enough to help out your little himbo even when he doesn’t follow your advice. 

“Why can’t you get a chiropractor to do this?” you ask, straddling his back as you try your best to ease some of his pain, rubbing your hands into the space just below his shoulders. 

“Because you are far less expensive,” he mumbles gruffly into the rug. 

You smack his clothed arm and glare down at the back of his head. 

“Wrong answer.” 

“Because you’re the only person I want touching me, darling,” Silco tries again, this time in a much sweeter voice.

He’s probably realising that it might not be such a good idea to offend the person currently trying to help him. 

“That’s what I thought you said,” you say, digging into his back a little bit harder.

You continue to massage his back, following his directions of which areas to focus on, all the time wondering why the richest man in Zaun doesn’t just hire an actual professional, instead of getting you to give him a massage.

Is it just because he’s a stubborn old man? Or does he actually not trust anybody else to touch him like this?

Now that you know more of Silco’s past, you wouldn’t be surprised if he has difficulties with touch. But apart from that first time you’d tried to hold his hand in the warehouse, he’s never seemed reluctant to touch you.

Maybe he-

In the middle of your internal debate, two things happen at once. 

First, you clearly hit a sweet spot in your massage because Silco groans in pure relief. Loudly. 

And second, Sevika walks in through the office door completely unannounced. 

There’s a millisecond of a pause before she scoffs. 

“Fucking hell. Can’t you two do that somewhere else?”

Your head pops up over the desk in surprise, only to find her grimacing, looking up at the ceiling in disgust. 

Your eyebrows burrow in confusion, wondering why Silco’s office would be an inappropriate place for a back massage when you suddenly realise what she thinks is happening. 

“Wait, no! We weren’t doing that!” you call across the room in horror. “I was just giving him a massage!”

“Gross, I don’t wanna hear the details, just lock the door next time,” she groans, sounding like she wishes she was anywhere else but here. 

Immediately your eyes widen as you realise your accidental double entendre. 

“Wait, I didn’t mean-”

But she’s gone before you can finish your sentence, the door slamming behind her.

You sit for a moment in shell shock before glancing back down at Silco, who has turned his head sideways to look at you, his face resting on the backs of his hands. 

“You don’t think she’s gonna tell people that we were… you know…” you trail off, making a vague, indecipherable gesture with one hand. 

“Sevika’s not one to gossip,” Silco reassures you. 

You inhale and exhale, pushing yourself up so you can go and lock the door, not wanting any more interruptions. 

By the time you’ve made your way back to the desk, Silco is already sitting in his chair, facing towards you in a clear invitation to sit in his lap.

You don’t.

Instead, you plonk yourself down on the edge of the desk, facing towards the window, and bite your lip, painfully aware of Silco staring at you from the corner of your eye. 

He waits a few more moments before rolling his chair closer to you and taking your hands in his. 

“If you’re truly worried about it, I can speak to Sevika for you,” he says gently, trying to catch your gaze. 

“No, it’s not that, it’s just…” you finally meet his eyes, worry painting your expression. “I have a feeling you don’t want to tell anyone.”

He sighs quietly and of course, you hate making him upset, but it’s something that needs to be addressed. 

“For your safety, my dove,” he says pleadingly. 

“I know,” you agree fervently. “I understand, Silco.”

It makes complete sense that he doesn’t want anyone to know. Anyone known to be close to the Eye of Zaun is much more likely to become a target than someone who just works for him.

But it still hurts. 

You want to tell everyone. The whole world!

You want to tell your old boss at the stall down in the market.

You want to tell the old lady you used to live next door to.

Hell, you even want to tell the man who served you at the coffee shop everyday for three years, and every single day called you by the wrong name, until the day he visited your stall and saw your name badge, forcing you to find a new place to get your drinks from…

Then again, maybe not him. 

“I just wish I could show you off. Have my own little stall in the market,” you tell Silco, nervously playing with his hands. “Maybe you could have a kissing booth… except I’m the only one who gets to kiss you,” you add with a frown, eyes snapping up to make sure he knows how serious you are.

Silco chuckles and his lips pull into a mischievous smirk. 

“Do you think I’d get many customers?”

You stare at him hard. 

He would. 

“I’ve changed my mind,” you say, pulling on his hands so he rolls forward in his chair, closer and closer to you. “I’m going to keep you locked up in this office forever. These lips are mine.”

Your fingers raise to slowly trace his lips, forcing Silco’s own hands up since they’re still entwined with yours. You watch in fascination as his eyes darken until he suddenly pulls you downwards, landing heavily in his lap. 

He lets go of your hands and manoeuvres your body until you’re straddling him, his lips resting on the shell of your ear. 

“The rest is yours, too.”

You gasp as a shudder rolls down your spine, allowing him to grab your waist as your own fingers slide into his hair, bringing your lips together in a heated kiss.

You’re just starting to feel flushed at the promiscuous position and the heat flooding through your body when a loud bang echoes from behind you.

You scream and nearly headbutt Silco, who is forced to grip onto you tightly to stop you from toppling off the chair.

Whipping your head around, you’re met with the sight of Jinx, standing right in the middle of Silco’s desk like she’s just dropped down from the ceiling. 

Since when did she start doing that?!

“I knew it!” she yells excitedly, her face lit up as she points at the two of you. “I knew you were secretly doing the kissing thing!”

Both you and Silco groan in tandem, and you can’t help but slump forward to rest your head on his shoulder, exhausted from Jinx’s grand entrance. 

Well, so much for keeping it a secret.

PART 8

a/n: y’all better believe the next chapter will include silco-training-reader-how-to-defend-herself shenanigans 😈 

-

Taglist: @htmlbitxh @pinkrose1422 @jennithejester @wondermia69 @redskull199987 @paradoxdraggon @ariaud @ruthdied

[phanfictioncatalogue]

5k-10k Words (9) Masterlist

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight

10x10, a hundred images of loving you | 9k | (ao3) - silentOrator

Summary: Dan and Phil at Christmas through the years.

A Dance With Death | 8k | - botanistlester

Summary: Dan is the God of Death, who helps people to the Underworld when they pass. One day, he randomly pops up at a masquerade ball for Prince Philip's coming of age ceremony. He doesn't know why he is there, but it's hard to focus on his job when the prince asks him to dance.

As He Comes, So I Come | 8k | (ao3) - cloej88

Summary: Dan and Phil have just returned from Chicago, where they finally sorted themselves out. They’ve slept a full ten hours under their own roof, and now they have an uninterrupted afternoon to rediscover one another’s bodies.

The companion piece to As He Goes, So I Go, in which they have proper reunion sex after they haven’t fucked for ~a year. It's basically just smut. I would apologize for the title, but the opportunity was just too good to pass up.

As the World Caves In | 7k | (ao3) - cosmic_angel_writes

Summary: Dan and Phil vs The Zombie Apocalypse

All I Want for Christmas is You. | 5k | (ao3) - scifi (orphan_account)

Summary: it’s almost christmas and all it takes is a cup of mulled wine for dan to realise he has been in love with phil all along

All Signs Point to Us | 6k | (ao3) - RyRyCaptain

Summary: When the queen and king gives birth to Daniel, they soon learn that their son is deaf. In order to let Dan express his opinions to those who haven't learned sign language, they find him a translator who happens to be the son of the King’s advisor, Phil. Soon enough, Phil starts to realize thAt he fallen in love with the younger boy.

Babylon | 6k | (ao3) - ottertrashpalace

Summary: Just a little story about two boys realizing that they can make their own rules, and even if it's hard, they are worth it.

backstage, baby | 5k | (ao3) - baroquen

Summary: Dan's a theatre kid doing his first show at university, Phil does theatre tech, and they fall in love backstage.

Bear | 5k | (ao3) - Mysticallykai

Summary: As a child, Dan was easily frightened and needed comfort; that was when his Nana first gave him his Pooh Bear plush, as something that could keep him safe. Over the years, the plush became his absolute comfort, even into adulthood. When Phil comes into the picture, he makes Dan even more comfortable; through the good times and bad.

Boys on Fire | 5k | (ao3) - transdimensional_void

Summary: Dan is visiting Phil for the second time ever and a little Buffy viewing session turns into sexy times.

Buffy Movie Nights are Life Changing | 5k | (ao3) - angelbats

Summary: Things get steamy between Dan and Phil during their nighttime Buffy streaming session in 2010; featuring a confident yet bashful Phil and a shy Dan who learns how to drive Phil crazy.

Coffee by Chappell Roan | 9k | (ao3) - danswideslit

Summary: someone on tumblr mentioned needing a dnp fic with the narrative from coffee and I felt inspired because I love that song a whole lot

Dad Wars | 9k | (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Or, 5 times Dan and Phil fought over one dramatic school year, and one final battle that would change them forever. Probably.

Daydreams | 10k | - placingglaciers

Summary: Nothing like a Christmas-in-July party can’t fix for two shy office crushes!

Don’t be scared | 5k | (ao3) - danisnot3131

Summary: Before agreeing to go on Tour for Interactive Introvers, Dan is hit with the realization that he’s been in love with Phil for years.

Don't Blame Me | 9k | (ao3) - ForeverJustAnEmoKidAtHeart

Summary: When Phil gets a new job at the Tops Only Bar, he's just looking to make ends meet over the holiday period. He doesn't expect how he'll feel about one of the performers or how hard that'll make his job.

Electronics and the Phil’s that break them | 9k | (ao3) - Fictropes

Summary: The first time’s an accident, a proper accident— a Phil forgot how to hold his cup and now he’s watching his coffee seep into his keyboard type accident.

Experience is key | 7k | (ao3) - ottertrashpalace

Summary: On a fateful late-night walk, Dan happens across two oddly familiar young men in the park.

Help Taking it Off | 5k | (ao3) - cats_with_no_tails

Summary: I don’t know if Dan helped Phil pick out the phlonde-launch outfit, but I certainly imagine he helped take it off.

—

Set the day of Phil’s blonde hair announcement - Dan comes home to him in that cunty little midriff and wants to devour him.

Hotel del Luna | 8k | (ao3) - writingfunstories

Summary: A mysterious hotel for ghosts. What can go wrong?

(i'll give you) anything, anything | 5k | (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: It’s just something he’s never really thought about all that much, because it just became one of the things they do over the years. He’ll offer Dan bites of his food most of the time, really, and it does always make something spark a little in his chest when Dan lets him feed him, but it’s– it’s a normal thing, normal couples do it all the time, and he and Dan are. Well. Not normal by any stretch, really, but that’s hardly the point.

(Maybe Phil likes feeding Dan more than he should. Maybe he always has.)

i’m electric, a romantic cliché (me and you were meant to be in love) | 6k | (ao3) - nardfx

Summary: “i really don’t know if i can do this.”

“you can do this.”

“okay, but what happens when everyone’s eyes are on me and they all know all of my secrets?”

or

dan and phil go to prom

In this moment, you are everything | 9k | - wavydanrises

Summary: Dan was just wasting time on the Internet when he stumbled upon a post that might mean a change of plans for the holidays, for the better.

just a little bit closer | 5k | (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Dan and Phil have a deep conversation, leading to them trying something new together.

(Set during the week Dan spent up north at Phil's house in December 2009.)

Lester87 | 10k | - placingglaciers

Summary: In which Dan works as a part-time online fashion stylist to pay for university and he’s determined to get to the bottom as to why his favorite client continually needs first-date outfits.

names of collision in the dark | 7k | (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: Of enemy kingdoms, Prince Dan and Prince Phil meet one fateful night, leading to a surprising friendship that evolves into something more. As the looming threat of a major battle grows stronger, both princes grapple with their roles and the burdens of leadership, all while their growing bond forces them to confront their own kingdoms’ expectations and the possibility of peace in the chaos.

(aka the dan and phil royal au fic they wrote for the gaming channel but taken seriously)

"oh great, now im a furry" | 5k | (ao3) - cloej88

Summary: This is a fic about Dan getting off on his giant teddy bear… Yeah. But it’s also a fic about trust and connection and vulnerability!

so I will share this room with you | 5k | (ao3) - jonsaremembers

Summary: Phil hadn't meant to end up here.

an exploration of the aftermath of meeting your soulmate when you're still so impossibly young

some of the most normal pictures | 5k | (ao3) - natigail

Summary: Phil took many photos of Dan. It was second nature. To capture this life that they shared and this man that he got to share it with. Each moment precious, captured when Dan was his most relaxed and at ease. And they're completely normal. Of course.

SPI: A Dan and Phil Paranormal Investigator AU | 5k | (ao3) - trancelover99

Summary: So I made a TikTok where Dan and Phil were Paranormal Investigators, and I decided to make an AU based on it. (my TikTok is @nothoughts_onlytrance if you wanna check it out!)

the angel in the marble | 6k | (ao3) - ivylakes

Summary: “Can I just say,” Dan says, pulling away to look at Phil. His hand has drifted from Phil’s jaw to his hair again, because of course it has. “I took a risk with the angel thing. I didn’t think you’d like it that much.”

Or, Phil dyes his hair blonde, Dan calls him angel, and neither of them can get any work done.

the only way to make it to ohio | 7k | (ao3) - buskingalbatross

Summary: A coincidental concoction of events catalyzes a series of abnormal dreams for Phil Lester.

[squireofgeekdom]

haven't done a writing update in a minute, outside of doing wip memes, so --

meet in the middle, chapter 26, the very last chapter -- I think I last counted this at 35 scenes, now I'm counting it at 33, with three of those scenes not having been placed in the outline, i'm pretty sure i've shuffled and consolidated some things, also i may just be off in my counting, who the fuck even knows what i'm doing. Anyway, 7 of those are almost entirely complete, 13 are partially done with 4 of those being more than half done, and 13 are not started.

damn. usually breaking it down like that helps me realize i'm further along than i thought but uhhhhh this really just reminds me how much further i've got. and it's been over a year. trust me, no one is more frustrated at how long this is taking or wants this fic to be done more than i do. cheerleading is. welcome if you want to. That said, all told, writing and outlining and notes and all, the draft is already 8k/30 pages, so it's not nothin, and I do really love some of the scenes I'm finally getting to writing/finishing, and I feel like I've got a bit of momentum. Just gotta keep coming back. 2024 guys, 2024. (knock on wood)

Other things I'm working on - you think a year and change is a while, the Believe AU series hasn't been updated in two+ years cause whoops, that did in fact grow a plot and an ending and it took a hot minute to figure that out. There are four fics left, and the very last one is with my first reader! (thanks M!)

Things that I've started more recently include two Lucius & Fayeth fics, for High Rollers Aerois, inspired by my relisten through (which I've almost finished up!) The first is actually Fayeth & Aridan centric, tentatively titled 'for I cannot turn yet', structured around three scenes, one of which is done, one of which is partially done, and one of which is still notes

The second Lucius & Fayeth fic is tentatively titled 'many rings', which has four scenes mostly/partially written, and then a big ending montage and set piece I still need to break down

As for more things I've been working on for a long ass time - I started 'we both are' shortly after watching the kenobi series, so well over a year now - it's a reva & obi-wan centric fic, to absolutely no one's surprise. I've been making some progress on it recently, it's got 3 scenes pretty much complete, 8 scenes partially finished with 4 of those more than halfway done, and 5 scenes not started.

Plus, a bonus - if you've heard me mention Somnolence or #somnolence fic fuel, that's my post-canon Insomniac Spider-Man 2 fic concept, that's currently just 3k/9pages of notes and bits of writing, but hey, it has a title and a summary - it, in fact, weirdly had a title and a summary before i managed to put a single word of it on page. if you like the weird mindscape/dreamscape kind of stuff i've done in a fair few of my fics, it's going to have lots of that, and if you looked at the spider man 2 symbiote/symbiote hive mind stuff and thought 'this could be weirder and hornier', it should be up your alley XD

anyway, writing! it's a thing i do sometimes.

[purplecatghostposts]

ROTTMNT FIC RECS PART ONE

I’ve been wanting to give Fic Recs for a while and then realized I could just do that anytime I wanted, plus I think Fic Rec Lists should be more of a thing because I’m always excited when I find them so without further ado, some fics I really liked that I think more people should read!

This Year We Lost Our Dear Brother Leonardo (Series) By Catatonicatnap- Don’t let the title fool you, it’s Post-Movie Hurt/Comfort and FULL of scenes that had me wheezing! Two one shots so far and 8k words in total for the series! Everyone is written so well and it feels like it could be a scene from the show/movie! I think about this one constantly tbh, I read it pretty soon after watching the movie and it was EXACTLY what I was looking for!

Donatello x2 By SpectrumWriting- Donnie accidentally splits himself into Two Donnies while experimenting: One who is terrifyingly pragmatic, and the other who’s highly and openly empathetic. Shenanigans ensue. Ongoing, 5 chapters so far, and 12k words in total! Hasn’t been revisited in a while but don’t let that stop you, it’s a fantastic read and I love the dynamics!

What’s Left Of A Candle Without It’s Ends By Catatonicatnap- Yes, another one by the same author, it’s good stuff, okay? Post-Season 2 Finale, Mikey gets artistic burnout because all of his work in the old lair has been destroyed. Leo helps. Some really good Mikey angst that I honestly felt. Could not imagine losing all my work over the years so honestly seeing Mikey get his happy ending was twice as satisfying! Completed with two chapters and 3k words in total!

How To Spruce Up Your Lair In 10 Easy Steps! By BigDamnHer0- A Post-Movie Healing One Shot in which the family takes up house renovating as a coping mechanism and, as the title suggests, spruces up their lair! I love the style it’s written so much, it’s honestly fantastic. All of the turtles get a chance in the spotlight and it’s just a great fic overall. 7k words and completed!

Carapace By SkeletalConstellations- I just binged this whole fic throughout yesterday and today and it was a wild ride that I now want everyone to go on! Donnie gets badly hurt and transfers his consciousness into a robot body he designed for himself. It brings up some complications and revealed secrets in the process. Ongoing, 16 chapters as of now, and 40k words in total! I’m very excited to see where this fic goes!

For What It’s Worth, It Was Worth All The While By Taizi- Another fantastic Post-Movie Hurt/Comfort fic that I think about constantly! There’s so many things about this fic that I love, especially regarding what happened immediately after they got Leo back, and honestly I think everyone should read it if they haven’t already. It’s so sweet! 2k words and two chapters in total!

Decompress By Tenka- More Post-Movie Hurt/Comfort because I really can’t get enough of it. This one follows Leo during the first day after preventing the apocalypse and it’s so GOOD! The dynamic are wonderful, a few scenes cracked me up, and I’ve reread it a few times since I first found it and it’s fantastic every time! It’s a one shot with 13k words in total!

Andddd that’s all I’m gonna do for now! Definitely gonna make more, both for ROTTMNT and other fandoms! Thought about making a Spoiler-Free Fic list for those still watching through ROTTMNT so probably gonna make that at some point? I’ll figure it all out later!

Hope y’all enjoy these fics, again, they’re all FANTASTIC so give them some love! If you got any fic recs that I didn’t include, feel free to add on or comment or send me an ask— whatever you feel like honestly, just nothing weird!

[indigosabyss]

Writeathon Roundup Week 4

The second-last week! I was planning on working through my backlog of personal projects from here, but I recently got contacted by a bunch of different people asking for comms <33333 so I changed tracks to focus on those instead.

Luckily, I finished up Being Polite Is A Crime Now? and The 37 Century Conspiracy before the rush of orders, so they're complete.

Here's the overall summary:

Words Written: 19,614 Total Words of Fanfic: 930,209

Next week will be the last week of daily streams, after which I will do a biweekly schedule (with one day committed to crossovers and the other to standalones) so come by on Twitch if you want!

Start Time for 8 to 14 July: 12 PM GMT+5 (2 AM EST or 12 AM PST)

as always, under the cut are the fics I worked on this week.

Commissions | Patreon | Ko-fi

Commissions:

Playing A Mean Game [T, 18k+]

Three months ago, Monica Rambeau sealed up the Incursion, with her on the other side. Tired of waiting, Kamala gathered up the Quantum Bands and brute forced her way through the Noor to get to her side. Except she gets deposited in a world that's almost exactly like the sixties of her own world. With the addition of a group of people she definitely would have remembered. Erik was just trying to stop Schmidt from getting his hands on another kid like him. He didn't take into account that he would have to keep an eye on her after that.

It's Not An Odyssey If You Don't Know Where You're Going [T, 5k+]

From a very young age, Stede Bonnet had displayed rather uncanny abilities. It started with the relentless harassment he had faced from his peers, whose rough shoves resulted in many skinned knees and purpling bruises. All of which disappeared in less than minutes. Of course, as a child, it never occurred to him that this was unusual. The glowing was more of a concern. On the oceans, he was free of judgement for his proclivities. But there was still plenty to be feared about the ichor that ran through his veins. So he kept quiet. Until he met another like him. Blackbeard, Edward Teach, and - few people knew this - son of Charybdis. Yes, like the sea monster.

Untitled Marvel Comm

not giving much details about this project. just know i've written 3k for it at this point.

Untitled Percy Jackson v Triton Comm

more info will be given upon its release, like the one above.

Funny I Should Meet You Here [N/A, 5k+]

Ryuusui met Senku when they were kids in elementary school. But after Ryuusui changed schools, they grew apart, their paths never to cross again. Until the Petrification Wave came, and thirty seven hundred years passed. Leading to Senku arriving at the land where the Nanami Academy used to stand. Two friends reunite. And buried feelings bloom into something new.

Personal Projects:

Being Polite Is A Crime Now? [T, 8k+]

There were plenty of peculiar children who passed through the halls of the Konohan Orphanage. Minato had often been told that he was one such peculiar child, with his prodigious talent and excessive shyness. Even if he was, Minato was certain there was no one stranger than the kid a few years younger than him. Incredibly adept at melting into the background, good with knives in every way that didn't involve killing, and stubbornly set on manners and propriety that could not have been taught to them, Suz- Francois was always different. No one could have predicted how different, until they deserted. And left havoc in their wake, just for doing that job.

"I Will Always..." [G, 8.5k]

Byakuya hadn't exactly planned on becoming a father. He felt more like he owed it to the memory of his friend to take Senku in. But Senku was an incredible kid. Clever and enthusiastic and resourceful and yet still needing a guiding hand to stop him from doing things that would probably end with him getting killed. And between stargazing and bleach, microscopes and marker ink, model rocket launches and actual astronaut training, Byakuya really started to believe that he could do this. Then the green light. Of course he was out of harm's way, safe in the ISS. But Senku- Well, there was always hope. He would always hope.

[ftb-dafanfiction]

Happy New Year and Update

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2023 is filled with blessings for you and your families. This year, I am also hoping to add a handful more chapters to From the Beyond, but I think we all know how making plans and finding time for hobbies can work out, right? :P

In any case, the next chapter is finally going into its official "sketch” stages, and with that, I wanted to give you all an idea of what that’s like for a fic this size.

With 74 chapters and counting and over 640,000 words, make no mistake about it, managing FtB at this point is work. Hard work and intensive planning. This is one reason why it takes so long between chapter releases (in addition to my fear of burning myself out again).

Before starting a new chapter, I reread and edit/proofread the previous one one more time to get back in the “zone”. One thing I have a huge concern about is maintaining a consistent tone throughout the fic, especially since it has spanned 5 years of work so far; a person’s style can change a lot in that time, and the last thing I want is for the first chapter and the last chapter to sound like two different people wrote it.

Reviewing notes is a must. I have nearly the entire fic already planned out as far as rough plot points go, with a detailed outline in a separate document. As a matter of fact, FtB is slated to come to an end at approximately the same "place” storywise as the canonical Inquisition main quest. Two sequels have also been tentatively planned, one that spans the timeline of The Descent and Jaws of Hakkon, and another that covers Trespasser and the epilogue. I haven’t done much detail work with either storyline, however, as the events of Dreadwolf and what lore I learn in that game may impact how those sequels go.

That brings me to another big task - keeping the timeline straight. I have another document, an Excel spreadsheet, that charts out the contents of each chapter in the story separately, including a rough summary, which major characters appear, key plot events that can’t be forgotten, an estimated day-month-year-season span, and of course, any romance plot points. I’ve even made notes for any unique characterization elements that have been revealed (IE: Tamsyn’s hatred of clowns and her inability to swim). Further charts keep track of major and minor characters and their ages, as well as whether or not they’ve been eliminated from the storyline.

After reviewing all of these notes and making even more notes to follow in the WIP chapter, then I can finally start writing. Each chapter averages 8k-10k words to cover everything required.

As you can see, this is a lot to keep straight in a person’s head, and with so much information that can’t be forgotten, it can feel more than a little overwhelming, sometimes. Fortunately, there are fewer chapters to go than have already been written... relatively speaking, the story is fairly close to the end; after all, only the Arbor Wilds and the events afterwards are left to cover in the canonical timeline.

Knowing that is one thing. Getting there, though, is quite another.

In any case, it’s not something I’m planning on giving up on. However, because of the amount of work required and the time and headspace I need to accomplish it, I can’t give any estimations for when a chapter might be released. The best I can give you is “I’m working on it”. Which I am. :D

If you’ve gotten this far, thanks for reading, both this and FtB itself. No matter how difficult it may be to accomplish, I sincerely can’t wait to share the rest of Tamsyn’s story with you.

~ Auri

[themculibrary]

Fics Including Cassie Lang Masterlist

5 things Cassie Lang learned about Morgan Potts-Stark while babysitting. (ao3) - KingoftheUzbeks G, 1k

Summary: ...and one thing Morgan learned.

Beckoning from Beyond the Mirror (ao3) - ParanoidInPink G, 29k

Summary: It's Halloween night. Cassie Lang is getting ready for the evening when she's met with an apparition and tragedy strikes. She is the first of many to fall into a fatal, comatose-like state that doctors can't explain. Scott is desperate and turns to the only man he knows who could possibly cure the supernatural scourge. Little did he know of the adversary he'd soon have to face.

Cassie & Peter Being Buds (ao3) - whumphoarder G, 8k

Summary: The adventures of Peter babysitting 10-year-old Cassie Lang.

Cassie Lang and the Super Serum Best Friend Squad (ao3) - forzandopod, reena_jenkins steve/bucky T, 2k

Summary: So the thing is, when your dad can shrink to the size of an atom, and you have a dog sized ant as a family pet, and also your dad was on house arrest for 2 years because he tried to help his friends plus he saved the whole world and now is officially a superhero and Avenger, is that it's kinda hard to relate to other kids your age.

Or, Cassie Lang and the adventures of having two over a hundred year old super soldiers as best friends.

Cassie Lang: Matchmaker (ao3) - f_romanoff_13 scott/hope G, 3k

Summary: Cassie Lang was six years old when she notices her Dad has fallen in love...

Or, five times Cassie Lang played matchmaker. And one time Scott asked for her help.

Children, Bikes and Rainbows (ao3) - SilverMyfanwy G, 2k

Summary: In which Peter babysits Clint's kids and Cassie and ends up in fairy wings, Steve teaches him how to ride a motorbike and Nat takes him to Pride.

Every Inch, Every Scar (ao3) - ChangeTheCircumstances maggie/jimmy M, 52k

Summary: Trying to provide for is daughter, Scott Lang attempts to look for alternative forms of employment but with no college degree, a criminal record, and his longest running job being that of a prostitute, he's not getting anywhere. However, by pure chance, a new client soon changes his life and chances of being the father Cassie deserves.

Complications of course arise as Scott soon learns what his new connections mean for him and even those he loves.

How to Save Your Soon to Be Boyfriend and His Daughter From Scary Monsters (ao3) - DreamersEclipse scott/sam G, 3k

Summary: (Alternatively: How Your Daughter Incidentally Calls the Guy You’ve Been Pining For and He Shows Up)

During a weekend with her dad, Cassie and Scott watch a scary movie. She steals his phone and calls the one hero Avernger guy her dad is always going on about that could surely save them from the malicious shadows under the bed. Sam of course thinks they’re in real danger…so not awkward for Scott at all when he does show up in full gear.

let's stay together (ao3) - bevioletskies scott/hope, hank/janet T, 3k

Summary: For all his missteps and mishaps, Scott has been on pretty good terms with the Pym-Van Dyne family lately. That is, until Cassie started calling Hank "Grandpa".

Out Of The Sky, Into The Flow (ao3) - Dorasolo scott/hope M, 13k

Summary: Scott is about to promise Cassie the world, but Hope is still shaking her head and Luis is mouthing no, and with this A+ parenting team in his pocket, he chews his words thoughtfully instead.

Or, the Ant-Fam is having some post-Snap growing pains.

sometimes it can weigh a ton (ao3) - CallicoKitten scott/hope N/R, 2k

Summary: Anyway, the point is: Hope is awful with kids. Always has been, always will be and she's apparently picked the worst time ever to drop in on her not-boyfriend at his brand new Avenger-approved apartment.

-

in which hope ends up babysitting cassie and turns out to not be all that terrible at it

So you're thinking of defying the government (ao3) - defcontwo, Dorasolo scott/hope G, 6k

Summary: “Are you here because I sexually harassed you in 2012?" Cassie is friends with Captain America, Hope can do literally anything except cook, and Scott just wants to make sure everyone has enough enchiladas to eat.

Or: the one where Steve visits Cassie in San Francisco & shenanigans ensue.

The Heart of a Young Avenger (ao3) - revenger1223 scott/hope G, 4k

Summary: Cassie had grown up the child of divorced parents, and after spending years loving geniuses, she was confident she could put what she knew to the test. With the loss of Iron Man, Black Widow, and Captain America, Cassie realized the world needed others willing to take up the responsibilities they left behind. She was the daughter of Ant-Man, the as-good-as step-daughter of the Wasp, and the honorary grand-daughter of the pair that originally held the mantels.

Or, Cassie Lang is ready to step into the superhero role and she knows just the people she needs to get the job done, even if she has to trick them into it.

The Prince's Bride (ao3) - phoenix_173 darcy/johnny T, 18k

Summary: “Daddy, tell me a story!”

“Hmmm… A story, you say? A story? I know! I’ll tell you my favorite story.”

“Does it have action in it?”

“Of course, pumpkin. It’s packed full of action. Adventure. Pirates. Giants. Princes. Bad Men. Good Men. True love. Hate. Revenge. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Sword fights. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Miracles.”

“Oh, Daddy. Just get on with it already!”

“Alright, alright!,” Scott grins down at Cassie. “Chapter One. The Bride.”

uncle sammy (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor G, 1k

Summary: “I asked you to babysit one time and now my child keeps asking when you will spend time with them again” AU

+ an innocent comment from a waitress kind of reveals a secret crush Scott has on Sam.

[kellycataclysm]

Saw this and thought it would be a fun way to warm up for a little writing this afternoon. Join in if you feel like it!

1. How many works do you have on AO3? 23, which includes 1 collab.

2. What's your total AO3 word count? 258,208, due to go up by about 8k in a day or two.

3. What fandoms do you write for? Only Stardew Valley and I started in September 2023. The hyperfixation is real, plus I feel if I squeezed anything else into my overly distracted brain I'd forget something important, like how to drive or something.

4. Top 5 fics by kudos: The Words We Never Say, Whispered Dreams of Stardust, Ask Me Anything, Walk of Shame, and Always in My Dreams.

5. Do you respond to comments? Gosh, yes! It means so much that people not only read my work but are kind enough to comment, so I am absolutely going to reply to every single lovely comment offered.

6. What's the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending? I haven't written anything with an angsty ending, yet. My long fic started in a very angsty place. I am about to work on my very first Harvey x Farmer fic, a story without my oc Lyra, and that one will have an angsty ending.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? Everything I write has a happy ending, so it's hard to say, especially since I am still two chapters away from completing my first long fic and it will likely be that! I'm currently finishing up the last chapter to my current fic, Echoes of Autumn and that will have a very lovely ending. Perhaps my favourite happy ending is Ask Me Anything. It is so warm and hopeful.

8. Do you get hate on fics? I haven't. I really hope I don't.

9. Do you write smut? ALL. THE. TIME.

10. Craziest crossover? I haven't done a cross-over but the collab I contributed to, while purely SDV was kinda wild, and so much fun to be part of.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen? I don't think so. I hope not.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated? No.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before? I have collaborated on a fic that is currently on A03, something for a very small zine, and have plans for my next collab with a good friend. It's lots of fun!

14. All time favourite ship? Gosh I'm not sure I could narrow it down really. I love the idea of Gus and Marnie, they're just so wholesome. Plus, Shane and Haley just work for me.

15. What's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I haven't met a wip I haven't finished yet. Even though I tend to get distracted by new ideas, I always try to come back to them. I even have my work listed in order of priority on my Discord server. Of course, the muse takes you on various journeys but I try really hard to finish everything.

16. What are your writing strengths? Maybe establishing the scene? Atmosphere, emotion, that kind of thing. Maybe dialogue? I'm not sure. It's hard to pick your own strengths, especially when it's hard to feel confident in what you write.

17. What are your writing weaknesses? Probably a lack of confidence. I second guess myself quite a lot and the old brain weasels can take hold very quickly. Also, honestly just wish I could swallow a thesaurus and knew more words.

18. Thoughts on dialogue in another language? I haven't done it, doubt I could. Also, I can't say I've actually read a fic where it has been used, other than the occasional term of endearment or something of that sort.

19. Favourite fic you've written? Honestly, I really love Ask Me Anything. That fic bubbled away in my mind for six months before I wrote it. Then the muse took me in an unexpected direction and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. While I am sure I will be super proud of finally finishing my long fic when I get those last two chapters done, I really poured my soul into AMA and I think it is probably the best thing I've ever written.

20. What's something you want to write someday? The promised and often teased Harvey's Birthday fic. Also, looking forward to completing development of the story for my next oc Daisy. Her fic will come in 2025 when I finish Lyra and Harvey's story.

20 Questions (for fanfic writers)

Tagging @caelwynn, @basedharuhisuzumiya , @annetastic1981a, @lily-alphonse, @stardewfanficwriters, @writer-of-worlds, @purpleandgreen13 (seriously, though, no pressure) or anyone else who wants to talk about their fics :D

how many works do you have on ao3? 38

what's your total ao3 word count? 245,231 (holy crap)

what fandoms do you write for? Stardew Valley, Star Wars (well, I used to, anyway), Babysitters Club (also used to)

top five fics by kudos: 1. Forget Me Not (SDV) 2. Only Human (SW) 3. Coffee Beans, Candles, and Keyboards (SDV) 4. The Sunshine of Your Smile (SDV) 5. The Coruscant Masquerade Ball (SW) (LOL that my longfic has fewer kudos than random oneshots)

do you respond to comments? Yep! At least, I try to. Sometimes it takes me a few days to get around to it, because ADHD.

what is the fic your wrote with the angstiest ending? Black and White and Cute All Over, my June penguin fic. It turns out, while I love angst, I seem to give all my stories happy endings, for the most part?

what's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending? LOL, pretty much all of them? A Tale of Two Princes literally has a "and they lived happily ever after" situation going on.

do you get hate on fics? I haven't yet. (I don't get much interaction at all, but what I do get tends to be positive, so yay for that.) I did once get an immense amount of hate from leaving an "I liked this" comment, so uh, fair warning to SDV fic fans: the author of "Hive" is completely fucking insane.

do you write smut? I can't :/ Even when I've been like "ok I think smut needs to happen here, maybe" I can't seem to do it. Maybe someday I'll get the courage, but I feel SO awkward and cringe about anything sex-related, I just panic and fade to black every time.

craziest crossover? I haven't really written any crossovers, I'm not super into that as a theme. I did write an entire "novel" in 9th grade where I traveled to the Star Wars galaxy and went on adventures with Jaina/Jacen/Anakin, maybe that counts (I don't think that belongs on Ao3, however-- although I DO know where that notebook is)

have you ever had a fic stolen? Not to my knowledge, I'm not popular enough :D

have you ever had a fic translated? See above

have you ever co-written a fic before? Not co-written, but I've done some character beta-ing/advice for a couple of things. I advised on Ben's character in Caelwynn's Bluebell, and June's character in a TBA fic from Moe.

all-time favorite ship? That people have heard of? Sambastian and Victuuri. But my perpetual obsession is with Ben, my OC, and June from Ridgeside Village-- Ben's game is in Fall of Y9 at this point, my longest SDV save ever.

what's a wip you want to finish but doubt you ever will? I don't have any of them published, because I hate publishing things that don't have a plan to get finished-- OH WAIT I'm forgetting about my old BSC stuff from FF.net. Mary Anne and the Mother Mystery probably won't ever get finished, but maybe I'll post it to Ao3 anyway just for funsies? hahaha (edit: I just uploaded it to Ao3, but I still probably won't ever finish it)

what are your writing strengths? Dialogue and banter/teasing for sure, and I'd like to think that I'm decent with writing heartbreak/panic/difficult internal emotions, maybe?

what are your writing weaknesses? Show-don't-tell/worldbuilding, pacing, and for some reason I'm completely unable to write anything that's even remotely hot or sexy. I also suck at plot, I'm much better with oneshots or vignettes.

thoughts on dialogue in another language? Favorable as long as 1) there's a reason for it in the story, and 2) it's translated in the notes at the end.

favorite fic you've written? Have You Seen My Love?, which hilariously only has 1 kudos right now. It's a group chat with Ben's polycule, worrying about him when he goes to the mines and isn't responding to their texts or calls. It was SO fun to write and it still makes me laugh when I re-read it.

what's something you want to write someday? I want to do something for YOI, although (as I've said before) I'm intimidated because of the sheer amount of talent in that fandom already, and I want to finish the Sambastian bandfic I started that I kinda lost steam on (I ran out of plot, lol).

[forjongseong]

night night // jay (ENHYPEN)

pairing: secretary!jay x CEO!fem!reader

genre: office!au, fluff // warning: none at all // wc: ~1.2k

previous chapters:

part 1 - carmesí part 2 - mi reina part 3 - millones part 3.5 - hasta los dientes part 4 - vente conmigo part 5 - tusa part 5.5 - apaga y vámonos part 6 - versos de placer minisode part 1 - cuando nadie ve part 6.5 - yo te quiero más minisode part 2 -la niña de mis ojos part 7 - aeropuerto minisode part 3 - falling autumn

next chapters:

click here for the masterlist

summary: you had piles of documents to review and an important presentation to make for an upcoming meeting. naturally, the best solution you came up with was to invite your secretary to work with you at home.

author’s notes: minisode part 4 except this takes part within Part 1 (after Jay learned how to do his job properly, but BEFORE the two started sleeping together!) also take a shot everytime I say PART so please don't get confused!

as for part 8, stay tuned because I am 8k words in, and if all goes well and I reach 10k soon, I will then post it! are you ready for some jealousy, jealousy?

taglist: @jaylaxies @thots4hee @nyanggk @end-hyphen @jayked @yoursjaeyun

(those who have not been interacting with the series have been removed from the taglist. send in an ask if you want to stay in it.)

“Park, can you pass me the red Sharpie?”

You had your head deep in papers when you said this, but when you heard no reply, you looked up.

“Park? Oh my god.”

Your personal assistant was with you for the night to go over documents and plan the presentation for an important meeting you had in two days. However, he had fallen asleep on top of his pile of papers, his head tilted to the right and his pen still uncapped.

“You’re gonna dry my Sharpie…” You reached over the coffee table and put the cap on Jay’s pen, which, by surprise, woke him up. You quickly pulled your hand towards yourself.

Jay blinked a couple of times before yawning and then stretching, then looking at you. His eyes were met with your piercing stares.

“How long was I asleep for?”

“You tell me.”

Jay sighed and tidied up the piles of papers around him. He touched the mouse and his laptop turned back on, showing the presentation file he was working on. He looked over to your side of the table, you were already halfway done with reviewing.

“I don’t get it,” Jay’s voice croaked.

“What?” You answered while typing on your phone.

“You take pride in how you do stuff. You always finish things quickly. Speed is like… your thing. So why are you now pushing everything to the deadline and making me do half the work?”

You scribbled a note on a document and made a proud smile before looking at Jay. “You just answered your own question.”

You thought Jay’s eyes couldn’t get any smaller, but they did, squinting at you.

“I have you now, so I’m slacking off a bit.”

Jay felt a sense of injustice, but his barely offended feelings were clouded by your first few words.

I have you now.

“Gonna go make a hot drink, what do you want?” Jay stood up before you could spot his cheeks turning slightly red.

“There’s a fresh box of Vanilla Bourbon tea in the top cupboard. Boil water in my most used teapot, it’s by the sink, and the cups…”

“Are in the shelf by the fridge. I got it, Boss. It’s not my first time here.”

You chuckled. “I forgot you basically live here.”

Jay cleared his throat. “Speaking of that…”

“No, you may not actually live here, Park.”

Jay stared into your eyes, trying his best to make his eyes look bigger like that one puppy-eyed emoji he always used since you told him he looked like it. You were unfazed.

“Well, it’s worth a shot,” Jay shrugged. You shook your head as you scoffed and went back to reviewing documents. It took a while for Jay to finish preparing drinks and by the time he went back to his place, you were doodling on a blank piece of paper.

“You’re done?” Jay asked in a genuinely surprised tone.

You nodded. “I take pride in my speed, remember.”

Jay placed two mugs of tea in the middle of the coffee table. You pulled your mug towards your side. Jay sat down and blew on his tea.

“Can I finish mine tomorrow morning? I’m too unmotivated to do it now.”

You squinted your eyes. “You’re my assistant, you’re supposed to be more diligent.”

“Come on, please?” Jay had always thought of himself as a cool guy, but for some reason, in some cases, he’s willing to throw that image away and replace it with something cuter. Like what he was doing right now. You were having none of it.

“You know what,” you turned on your TV and opened YouTube. “I’ve got something that might wake us up other than this cup of tea.”

Jay watched as you typed in the search bar. “The… Fitness… Marshall?” he asked.

You came back to your spot with a wide smile and set your drink on the table. You made Jay do the same before you told him to stand up. Was it because of habit, or because he just respects you so much, Jay did as he was told.

The TV started blaring loud sounds.

“Arm to the right,” said the guy on TV.

You followed the movements. Jay just stared at the screen.

“Park, come on!”

“Left side, three times fast!”

The intro of Taki Taki played and the beat was about to drop. Jay made sure to move the coffee table a little further so the two of you have more space.

“Clean the window!” yelled the man on TV.

You calmly followed the steps while Jay burst out laughing. He was amazed at how you were totally in the zone and only made a slight smirk instead of completely losing it like he was.

“Keep on going!” you said, encouragingly.

After a rather chaotic dance workout session—with Jay knocking off a pile of papers from the table, you accidentally slapping Jay in his tiddies, and him almost faceplanting on the floor—the two of you sat down with your legs stretched out to the front.

Jay was still laughing and you were catching your breath as you stopped the YouTube playlist from autoplaying.

“I hope that woke you up,” you said, looking at Jay.

Jay shook his head trying to get rid of the sweat dripping down his face. “That was oddly intense and tiring.”

“It’s my favorite thing to do now.”

“I can see why.”

You laughed as you just remembered the funny parts a minute ago. Jay lied down on the floor and just seconds after, you came back with a clean towel that you threw on Jay’s face.

“Ow?”

“You can go shower in my bathroom. The guest bathroom is being torn apart.”

Jay grabbed the towel from his face and looked at you. “Aren’t you gonna shower first?”

You shook your head. “I didn’t sweat much and it’s gonna take longer if I go first, so you go.”

“Okay, Boss,” Jay quickly disappeared and you sat yourself down beside the pile of papers.

After an hour or so, of Jay taking a 10-minute shower and you spending almost 40 minutes, you two were back to work. At one point, Jay was the one who had to keep you awake as you mentioned that having taken a bath and being clean made you feel sleepy as opposed to feeling refreshed.

When you finally woke up from your sleep, having no idea how long you were out, you noticed that Jay completed his part and was now on the sofa, hugging your Siberian Husky plushie, seemingly deep asleep. You checked the time and went inside your bedroom before going out and placing a blanket over Jay.

You observed Jay’s peaceful face. His breath was steady and he didn’t snore at all. Strands of hair were being tucked the wrong way so you reached out to fix it very carefully, afraid of waking him up. He didn’t, though.

“Night night, Park,” you said under your breath. You turned off the lights, leaving the one in the kitchen on so that it was dark enough to sleep comfortably but bright enough to see if one wakes up.

As you closed the door to your bedroom, Jay’s eyes opened. He hugged the husky plushie tighter and shifted, also while burying himself properly under the blanket.

“Night night, Boss.”

-END-

© forjongseong 2022, all rights reserved

read the next chapter: ambulancia

[moonstrider9904]

Spike

Chapter 5 of The Hunt

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{crossposted to AO3} {join my taglist!}

Wolffe x Fem!OC, some Comet x Fem!OC

Series summary: The 104th battalion’s new medic Rose comes into the scene dazzling everyone, ready for anything life as a battalion medic will ofer to her after having spent much too long secluded in a medical station orbiting Rishi. While she forms close friendships with the troopers, she and commander Wolffe never seem to get along. As arguments between them heat up, Wolffe is challenged to make Rose fall in love with him, a game that by no means will end well for either of them.

Chapter summary: Rose and Comet have fostered their feelings for one another, but as Wolffe continues aching for her, a mission that leaves the two of them alone will turn out in disaster for Rose and Comet's relationship.

Warnings/tags: Explicit 18+. SMUT with two different troopers at two different times. Alcohol consumption, the idiots are drunk but not too drunk that they can't consent, i.e, everything is consented here. Hate fucking. Infidelity.

A/N: Ooooh yeah, the smut has arrived!!! For those of you who have read, maybe revisit this smutty smut! If it's your first time reading, enjoy ;)

YEAH RIGHT by Joji inspired this arc.

Word count: 8k

This fic is ongoing and posted to-date on AO3. Cross-posting on tumblr will be in progress over the next couple of weeks. After that, I’ll pick it up where I left off and post any new chapters on both platforms.

Anytime a shore leave extended for the wolf pack, they made sure to enjoy every second. The first three nights were all parties, mostly Rose and Comet having to take care of their drunken comrades and hearing the weirdest and funniest things they happened to say out loud due to the alcohol. It was quite the experience, but there were a few times in which Rose wished she could have a whole bottle to herself.

Whenever she was left alone with Wolffe, for instance.

She figured after saving Comet on Hoth, she and the commander would get along better—and then he tried to make a move on her in his own gruff manner. After that seemed to more or less improve, the two had made out at the lake where Rose had originally intended to take Comet—she still felt like shit about that. But despite having talked to Wolffe about it and deciding there weren’t any hard feelings between them, they still seemed to hate each other and drive the other insane.

It was a dodged bullet, Rose figured. She didn’t dare to imagine what it would be like if she chose to stay with Wolffe instead of Comet. That probably would have been over before a full rotation. Their battles, however, never ceased. Snarky comment after another, glare after growl. At one point, Rose even stuck her tongue out at the commander, certainly earning chuckles from her comrades who acknowledged her charisma, but only making Wolffe’s blood boil with more fervor.

It was obvious to Rose that Wolffe was beginning to despise her, and it always became far more notorious whenever Comet was around, as though he were warning his comrade to run away while he still could. The thought only made Rose want to barf.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Comet’s voice broke her off from her current train of thoughts.

Rose had been looking out the balcony of her room, separate from the clones’ barracks, silently admiring Theed’s landscape while fuming inside. Night had fallen not long before that, and stars were just beginning to gleam in the rich, royal blue sky, and the flickering lights of the city looked like stars on earth that could only have been brought down by the smooth breeze that kissed Rose’s skin, a lot of it exposed by the black silk tank top and panties she wore.

With a teasing smile, Rose turned around and leaned on one of the balcony’s pillars, adopting her best angle to enhance her chest and her legs as her eyes scanned Comet with playful whispers of desire, at least until she raised a brow at him when she noticed what he was wearing.

“Is that my sweater?” She asked him.

Comet chuckled and ran his hand over his chest, brushing the coral-colored yarn that made up Rose’s favorite oversized sweater, his lower half only covered by a pair of fitted black boxers. “I got cold waiting for you, fireball,” he’d gotten used to addressing her with a word for his own name.

“Sorry,” her smile was sincere and apologetic now as she took soft, barefoot paces towards the bed, her features readopting her spunk when she finally reached him. “Well, enlighten me. What was I thinking?”

Comet smirked at Rose as she sat on her bed, once again posing to purposefully make her breasts appear their best for him. His strong, calloused hands, those of a soldier, found her hips and ran up the sides of her torso and back down, the second time around underneath the thin silk blouse.

“Well, I watched you while you were out at the balcony—like I usually do, because you’re so damn hot—and I noticed your brow was furrowed and you were pinching your lower lip,” Comet said. “Which I wish you wouldn’t do, but I know you do it when you’re anxious or just thinking too much.”

Rose smiled softly at her man, heat rushing to her face at the sight of his unbelievably kind and soft smile.

“You know, I’m beginning to get why you like oversized sweaters so much,” Comet lightly tugged on the loose fabric. “They’re comfortable as fuck.”

“Yeah, well, you’re gonna have to take it off, sweetheart,” Rose chuckled. “That one’s mine.”

“You’ll have to rip it off me,” Comet smirked at her.

Rose’s laugh was rich, playful, sprinkled with a fine dash of seduction as she crawled on top of him, straddling his waist. She bent forward and rested her forearms on Comet’s chest, teeth flashing at him in a charming grin as she bit that full lower lip that Comet loved so much.

“I love that sweater too much to rip it, so here’s what’s going to happen,” Rose purred at him as her fingers danced on his chest. “I’m going to ask you nicely, and you’re going to take off my sweater.”

“An item for an item, then,” Comet replied, matching her tone. “I lose the sweater, you lose the panties.”

“Oh? Not my top?”

“I really like that top,” he bared his teeth seductively at her, his hands groping firmly at her ass. “Now take off the panties.”

Rose cooed, pleased by Comet’s sense of authority and dominance. He wasn’t the one in charge of things around the squad, but he surely had it in him to be a leader, and Rose welcomed that in the bedroom. She perched herself up on her knees and wiggled her hips softly as her fingers teased the rims of her panties, pulling them down painfully slowly. Comet’s eyes darkened at the sight of the beautiful woman in front of him, all but stripping for him. Swiftly, Rose shifted her weight to the side and she tossed the panties playfully on the ground, her gaze never leaving Comet’s for a second.

“Now take off the sweater,” Rose mimicked him with a hitch in her breath.

“Only ‘cuz you held your end of the deal,” Comet grinned, sitting up halfway to remove the sweater and toss it gently to the edge of the bed. He growled at Rose, beckoning her to come closer to him, and with her eyes scanning every line of his muscles and every scar that contrasted with his bronze skin, while his eyes remained fixed on her cleavage and the way her hair fell in graceful waves down her breasts, dangling softly as she bent over.

“Please, just kiss me,” Comet said, his eyes sparkling flames in front of her.

Without a second in between, Rose lowered herself down and crashed her lips on his, kissing him with hunger as both of their bodies ignited together. Comet ran his hands up and down her thighs, teasing the sensitive skin near her wetness but not touching her there just yet. Rose dug her fingers into his scalp and played with some of his curls, sending shivers down every inch of his skin. She rocked her hips against him, covering the black fabric of his boxers with her arousal and letting it bleed through, soaking his already throbbing length. A low growl formed in Comet’s chest, silently speaking his most sinful desires. He was so dazed that it took him a couple of seconds to come to his senses and realize Rose’s lips had left his and began their way down his neck.

She nipped at his sensitive skin, barely letting her teeth graze his warmth and she was already drawing out whimpers from him. He muttered how much he loved her, how utterly amazing she was; he thought he was only speaking to himself, but he said the words loud enough for Rose to hear, and she smirked into his skin as her kisses sailed down the middle of his chest. A string of curses in fluent Mando’a was spoken in his beautiful, deep voice as Rose softly trailed her tongue down his abdomen, perfectly marking out the comet tattoo he had on his belly that resembled the symbol on his helmet, all while her fingers delicately traced patterns on his hips and later his thighs as she got lower. Rose had barely done anything to him yet, but Comet felt his eyes wanting to roll back when he felt her breath fanning on his shaft over the fabric.

If there was anything Rose liked doing in bed, it was teasing. The tips of her fingers lightly tapped on Comet’s hipbones, approaching the rim of his boxers only to back away again. Comet grunted and looked down at her, his eyes pleading, pooled with fire; just having her there in front of his cock shot fire through his veins, and soon he was trembling under her touch.

“Please,” he choked out.

Rose chuckled, the sound sweet and seductive, his own femme fatale. “Such a nice boy you are, Comet.”

He shuddered at the mention of his name. “Rose…”

“Yes, Comet?” Rose knew exactly what she was doing to him.

“Fuck,” he whispered, his hand traveling to her hair to ball the wavy black locks into a tight fist.

The room was once again filled with Rose’s laughter, shocking Comet with how it could sound so playful and even innocent, yet so provocative, craving. But as he continued to process the delightful sound of Rose’s laughter, she finally wrapped her fingers around the hem of Comet’s boxers and pulled them down all the way, tossing them aside for them to land just beside her panties that rested on the floor.

Comet’s length stood proud, long, already dripping with precum merely caused by Rose’s kissing and teasing. She looked up at his eyes just as she inched closer to his cock, breath brushing over the tender skin. Comet’s chest heaved up and down, his hand still stroking at her hair, all while he waited for her to lick him, suck on him, do anything to him. Still in a manner of teasing, Rose grinned at him and let the very tip of her tongue lick from the base to his tip, savoring in the taste of his precum, taking in every groan and mutter let out by Comet.

She hit her own limit too. Comet looked delicious in front of her and, driven wild by his taste, she finally took in as much of Comet’s length as she could. Rose moaned softly at the feeling of his cock throbbing inside her mouth. She ran her tongue swiftly over the veins of his length, aided by her hands to massage his balls and have him writhing underneath her. He saw white, only feeling her mouth on his cock, her saliva dripping down his balls, and just when he rounded up the strength to look at her, Rose’s gaze met his and she parted from his cock, mouth parted and tongue hanging out ever so slightly to emphasize the string of saliva that still connected her to the tip of his cock.

“Kriff…” Comet muttered as he took his hand to stroke her cheek.

With lustful eyes, Rose lowered herself back on him, her red lips parted around his cock, cheeks hollowing as she sucked him raw. A long, sinful moan escaped Comet; he knew he was close. With his hand, he gently beckoned Rose to look at him again, buying him some time before he could form words again.

“Rose…” he said. “Come here, love… I want to cum inside you…”

She cooed with excitement, her mouth still stuffed with his length. She pulled out with a loud pop! as his cock was set free again, and with a large grin, Rose crawled up to Comet and lied back on the mattress, leaving for him to top her.

Comet brightly smiled at her, bewildered by the fact that he was finally sharing intimacy with Rose. He kissed her lips passionately, reveling in how soft and warm her lips felt against his, only embellished by the fruity taste of her lipstick. Comet softly massaged her breasts over the silk top she still wore, pinching her pebbled buds just enough to make her whimper.

Fuck, she was hot.

Comet kissed down her neck, sucking and nibbling at her tender skin to mark her with a prominent hickey to announce she was his. Still playing with her nibbles, leaving the hickey on her skin made Rose moan sweetly at him, her thighs clenching around his figure. He kissed along the edges of her top, along the cleavage and up the strap of her shoulder to take it between his teeth and growl playfully at her before kissing her lips again as he parted her thighs with his hands.

Rose nodded at him, grinning with a blend of love and thirst. Comet grinned back and inched himself into her tight walls, moaning at how hot and wet she was and how she squeezed around his cock. A brief explosion of pleasure burst in his chest the more he pushed himself in as he looked her in the eyes, and he pecked her lips when his tip reached her deepest corner.

Comet began with a sensual pace, always making sure to be looking at her. His hands held the sides of her head, fingers combing through strands of her hair. Rose watched as his figure swayed up and down with every rock of his hips. The fullness blew her away and drew moans from her she didn’t even know she could make. It had been a while since the last time she’d had sex with anyone, and to be doing it for the first time in a while, with Comet, it set her on fire in ways she couldn’t explain.

Heat and pressure bundled in her womb, liquid heat flowing down her body and filling every corner. Comet picked up his pace the more he felt himself getting closer. His eyes pierced into Rose’s; her hands traveled up and down his back, letting her feel every clench and release of his muscles. At last, Comet’s luscious pace had morphed into an unrelenting tempo, and the obscene sounds of skin slapping and Rose’s wetness squelching climbed above her moaning, They were both ready to release, ready to come undone in each other.

They were both moaning out each other’s names. Comet was the first one to hit the precipice, grunting and choking out Rose’s name as he lost complete control of his hips when the hot ropes of white shot inside her, his voice rendered to breathy moans just as Rose’s escalated when she hit her peak too. Her pussy gripped Comet’s cock even harder, and her body quaked with every wave of her orgasm. Comet took his thumb to lightly trace over her clit, only enhancing the pleasure and turning her moans into beautiful screams of bliss.

Comet pulled out of her just before he’d faint from overstimulation, and his body fell limp on top of hers. Despite his current physical weakness, he managed to wrap his arms around Rose and squeezer to him, lying beside her. He planted several kisses on her temple and her forehead, and as Rose caught her breath, her hands rested tenderly on his chest as she reveled in his warmth and the overall softness of his presence.

“You’re as amazing as I always dreamed you’d be,” Comet whispered.

Rose looked up at him. “You too, love.”

He smiled brightly, eyes closing gently as he drifted further into slumber. As she felt herself slipping off too, the gentle night breeze of Naboo pranced into the room and swirled around her body. Rose was sure that, as lovely as it felt, it would never feel better than lips on her skin, and with that thought she fell asleep too.

*

The sun rose over Naboo in yet another wonderful morning, with a shining blue sky, birds slinging, flowers in all their beauty and glory, sunlight reflecting of the lakes and rivers of the lovely city of Theed. Never had ordinary life seemed so beautiful to Rose, but of course, anything would so long as she held onto Comet’s hand.

So far, there were no plans for the day. No errands to run. Free as birds, Rose was ready to spend a whole day with Comet after the romantic night prior to that lovely morning. As she looked at him, she remembered the gleam in his eyes as they were molded into one, the sounds he made, the way his hands felt on her. And whenever he looked at her, he smiled widely, only fueling the flame between them. Their love was almost tangible, visible, obvious to anybody who saw it. A couple of lovers, glowing, each only belonging to the other—

“Why the fuck were you not at the barracks last night?”

Rose and Comet winced silently and turned around. While they were both dressed in civvies, commander Wolffe was fully armored, and he glared at them like they’d both just set off a bomb on a group of refugees.

“Hey, commander,” Comet chuckled. “Want me to lend you a shirt so you don’t have to wear that all day?”

“Answer the question, trooper,” Wolffe growled, not bothering to look at Rose, and trying his best not to look at their hands joined together.

Comet’s eyes quickly darted to Rose before he softly laughed again. “You want the short version or the long one?”

Rose blushed and couldn’t help a little laugh of her own. Only then did Wolffe’s gaze find her. It wasn’t like Wolffe didn’t know that Comet had spent the night wrapped in Rose’s arms, most likely after a very passionate session of loving. It only made the commander bare his teeth.

“If you must know, I was with this lovely lady right here,” Comet let go of Rose’s hand to wrap his arm around her shoulders.

“You have to report to the barracks.”

“We’re on shore leave,” Comet said as reasonably as he could. “You said yourself once we had a bit more freedom on shore leaves.”

“And I was in my official room,” Rose intervened. “Still, technically, part of our assigned barracks. Comet didn’t step a foot out of place.”

“I’m addressing my trooper,” Wolffe snarled.

“Okay, I think you can avoid talking like that to her for once,” Comet stopped him.

The two clone troopers, often on good terms, puffed at each other; the testosterone was nearly tangible as they bared their teeth to one another, Comet clearly challenging the alpha wolf.

“Stop,” Rose stepped in between them, her hands resting on Comet’s chest gently to get him to stand down, but the sight only made Wolffe feel worse, and he was getting pretty damn tired of feeling worse by seeing them together.

“You realize you don’t have the day off,” Wolffe evaded Rose and addressed Comet. “Neither of you do.”

“Excuse me?” Rose.

“Comet would know if he’d returned to the barracks,” Wolffe said.

“What about me? I don’t sleep in the same barracks, when was I supposed to know?” Rose challenged him too.

“Early in the morning, but you clearly slept in,” Wolffe dissed her. “Comet, you need to help out at the cafeteria for the refugees. Corvis took the night shift, it’s your turn. Sinker and Boost will be there to help you.”

“I assume you’re going to split us up again,” Comet caught onto Wolffe’s intentions.

“Yes,” the commander replied shamelessly. He looked at Rose, his gaze still tainted with all the bubbling anger he felt, but he sighed regretfully afterwards. “I hate to assign you on this mission because it’s far less dynamic, but the queen’s uncle is sick and he’s requested every medic on hand to be nearby.”

“So I have to go help him,” Rose’s on-duty voice came out.

“Yes, and no,” Wolffe said, his voice gruff, yet his eyes oddly displaying sincerity, shocking Rose. “He just wants you in the building. Just in case. He already has two nurses and a doctor formally looking after him, but he’s both paranoid and egotistical. He wants all available medics, that includes you.”

“So I’m just going to stand there?” Rose asked.

“If it helps, the queen protested,” Wolffe told her. “And we’ll be in a big house.”

“We?” Her lips curled in disgust.

“Because you’re part of a GAR squadron, at least one other trooper has to be there with you—”

“Send Comet with me,” Rose said, her tone final. “You go to the cafeteria.”

“Are you giving me an order?” Wolffe snarled.

“I’m offering you a kind suggestion that’ll clearly be better for everyone,” Rose replied with an arrogant smirk as her arm linked around Comet’s, right in the middle for the commander to see.

Wolffe sighed again. He hated that he had to pull rank. He hated that he had to—and he hated to admit—come between Rose and Comet. It wasn’t his plan for the day to go that way, but higher ups had given him those instructions, and he had no choice but to follow them. He wasn’t going to put his troopers’ personal relationships before their duties, and though Wolffe was glad for his vod and, detestably, for Rose, his most despicable corner was also glad they wouldn’t be together the whole day. That same corner was the same one that made him drink too much the first night at the bar and insisted he hold Rose in his arms again someday despite already having made out with her.

Yeah, not even Wolffe understood all those feelings. They disgusted him.

“Protocol calls for a commanding officer when it comes to the royal family,” Wolffe explained. “I had no control over this, and Comet cannot be the one to assist you.”

“Give him your kama, he’ll pass for you,” Rose said.

Wolffe rolled his eyes, about to snap. “Did you not hear me? It’s protocol for the royal family. Don’t make me tell you again, we’re going.”

Rose sighed in defeat. “Fine.”

She was about to kiss Comet goodbye when she remembered Wolffe was still there, and she glared at him. “You mind?”

With a grimace, Wolffe turned around. Behind him, Rose’s gaze softened when her eyes fell on Comet. He clearly wasn’t amused either, but he also softened as he looked at her and held her hands.

“See you tonight?” Rose asked.

“I’ll sneak out,” Comet smirked at her.

They smiled at each other, and Comet lowered down to kiss her softly, though it was more than obvious to Wolffe they were kissing even though his back was turned on them. He even picked up on an incredibly soft moan that escaped Rose, and his whole skin prickled with both anger and desire.

“Don’t have too much fun,” Rose whispered softly when they broke the kiss.

“Impossible,” Comet smiled. “You won’t be there. I won’t be having any fun.”

“Well, don’t tempt fate,” Rose chuckled.

“I’m not,” he said confidently, tapping her chin. “Love you.”

“Love you,” she reciprocated.

His hand brushed hers until the very last moment before he walked away, glaring subtly at Wolffe as he left. Rose was looking at the ground when Comet got out of sight and, reluctantly, her gaze finally landed on Wolffe.

She was oftentimes not too happy to see him, but at that moment, Wolffe knew how much she hated him.

“Big house, huh?” She spoke. “Is there gonna be booze?”

“Most likely,” Wolffe replied. “Though you taking any of it will be frowned upon, obviously.”

Rose feigned a smile at him. “I’ll share. Heavens know I’ll need it if I’m spending a whole day with you.”

“Rose—”

“Consider it the tax that pays for our armor,” Rose scoffed as she began walking off with a dignified sway of her hips. “Lead the way.”

Wolffe rolled his eyes, reminding himself constantly how downright infuriating that woman could be, as if it would help either of them.

*

Not two minutes had gone by after Rose and Wolffe arrived at the mansion of the queen’s uncle and she was already thinking of ways to sneak out the trash chute—she would have gone through it were it not for the compactor. If no one was talking to them, Rose would sneak an I hate you, this is all your fault glare at the commander, and it was clear to him she no longer had any respect for him.

Apologetically, a handmaiden with big eyes walked up to her and Wolffe. Just by laying gazes on her, Rose and Wolffe knew she was the one responding to all the confused medics there against their will.

“I’m really sorry for all of this,” said the handmaiden. “He might not be as sick as he thinks he is, but the queen’s uncle sure is a bit… demented.”

“We won’t tell, don’t worry,” Rose nodded. “I take it no one’s really doing anything?”

“No,” said she. “He has his two nurses with him and they’re doing more than enough. I’d let you all go, but protocol won’t let me. Not when it’s been his strict request to keep medics on alert until he’s better.”

“We understand,” Rose replied kindly. “So… we just stay here?”

The handmaiden nodded. “It’s a big house, so the least I can tell you is to make yourself at home. Several rooms are available, perhaps you’d like to spend some of your shore leave there?” She picked up on Rose’s civilian outfit. “It’s the least and most I can do.”

Rose was clearly annoyed by the whole thing, but her gaze was soft and understanding towards the handmaiden. Seeing her that way gave Wolffe an odd sense of hope, thinking perhaps they could spend the day peacefully, for once.

“I appreciate it,” Rose said. “You have my comm frequency. It might not happen, but if you do need me, hit me up.

The handmaiden nodded and smiled. “Thanks.”

Rose nodded off and went to find her way around the opulent mansion with Wolffe following closely after her. They had to look in a couple of rooms that were already occupied before finding one that was free. Rose waltzed herself in and immediately went towards the cupboards resting on the wall, fumbling around the cabinets and grinning once she finally found the one stuffed with bottles of liquor and whiskey.

“You’re not serious,” Wolffe scowled.

“You’re still here?” Rose stood up, bottle of whiskey in her hand, and carelessly, she rid it of its cap and drank directly from it, grimacing at the way it burned down her throat. “Damn, that’s good. Here,” She threw the bottle at Wolffe. He reacted quickly enough to catch it before disaster happened; with a cold rush over his body, he looked back up to meet Rose’s gaze, cold and unamused. She knew what she was doing, the message she wanted to get across.

Rose grabbed another bottle from the cabinet and opened it too, ready to keep it to herself as she stepped out onto the balcony, leaving Wolffe alone in the room to inevitably drink as well.

The hours dragged. Rose lowkey hoped everyone else would desert the mansion if only it would mean giving her something to do. But her comm didn’t ring a single time, and the day was just too quiet. She even tried calling Comet’s comm frequency a couple times, estimating more or less when he’d have a recess or a break, but he never picked up. On top of the day being excruciatingly slow, it was lonely. It reminded her of the occasions in which she’d have free time at the space station orbiting Rishi, and she didn’t like it. She was out on a balcony, a whole city in front of her, and she still felt boxed in.

The sun was beginning to set and Rose counted the minutes before she was officially allowed to go home. The whiskey had disappeared gradually, the bottle only about a quarter full now, sending that weird tingling sensation down her body. The wind felt cold on her cheeks, prompting her to go inside. Stepping in, she found Wolffe’s figure sitting on the couch, upright and with a datapad in his hands, but his bottle of whiskey was even more drained than hers was.

Rose looked at him with eyes that were both tired and annoyed. “You’re still here.”

Wolffe mirrored her gaze. “Of course I am.”

She scoffed. “I’m going back outside.”

“Will you stop behaving like a spoiled brat already?” Wolffe set the datapad aside and walked toward her, his broad figure already towering before her.

“Oh, I’m the brat?” Rose walked slowly closer to him. “You got your way! You ruined my day!”

Wolffe growled and bared his teeth slightly at Rose, who had to admit the tingling sensation went straight down between her legs when she saw Wolffe’s expression.

She shot him a snarky grin. “You’re such a bastard, you know that?”

“How much have you been drinking?” Wolffe stole a glance at the bottle she held at her side, but let his eyes linger at the cleavage of her little black blouse, and only then did he notice the size of her breasts and how perky they looked. His gaze wondered down her green and black plaid miniskirt that teased just enough around her hips and her inner thighs, the smooth skin exposed and looking invitingly soft. He knew she was hot, but damn, was he only realizing how sexy her legs were, how sexy she was as a whole.

“Less than you, thank you for your kind concern,” Rose curtsied as a mockery. “Now leave me alone.”

But Wolffe took just one more step closer to her, enough for his breath to fan over her. She looked up at him with unchanged eyes until she smiled with spite. The two locked eyes with one another, both full of whiskey, but still clear enough to think. When Wolffe growled at her, he knew what he was doing, and so did she.

“I hate you,” she said quietly.

Wolffe felt the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end and his trousers growing chafingly tight under his codpiece. He slammed his bottle down on the nearby caf table, took her bottle, and did the same, all while his eyes pierced hers. His hand slid up her chest, easily gliding over the curve of her breasts before it reached her neck. His slender fingers wrapped around her neck, and he pressed just barely enough to lightly cut air from her, drawing a short, choked, sinful moan from her.

The commander then leaned in dangerously close to her lips and whispered, “Say that again. I fucking dare you.”

Rose smirked again, not cowering down like she expected he thought she would.

“I hate you,” she repeated through gritted teeth.

Wolffe’s fingers squeezed a tad more around her throat, enough to draw a delicious chirp from her.

“Yeah? Well, fuck you,” Wolffe growled.

Rose chuckled, looking as if she were about to spit at him, her eyes alight with spunk and with lust, and she took her own hand up to his throat and squeezed just as lightly as he was.

“Fuck me yourself, you bastard.”

Wolffe’s lips then came crashing down on hers, locking them in a kiss bursting with raw craving and fire. Their hands on each other’s throats, both were groaning and grunting as their lips continued to eat each other. Wolffe used his spare hand to throw away bits of his armor and then ran it up and down Rose’s thigh. He released her throat only for a few seconds to remove his gloves, and immediately after, his hand returned to her neck while the other one slid up her skirt and pushed her panties aside to rub her clit, too wet for her to have any defense.

Rose bit her lip and moaned as she rocked her hips against Wolffe’s fingers, while his gaze continued prying into her. She could almost see the flames in his brown eyes, but her own little whimpers distracted her from that. Liquid fire darted through her body as she began pulling on the top of Wolffe’s blacks, rid of armor, and she got the fabric off him to reveal his strong torso, the bronze skin lined with muscles and scars. Unlike other troopers, Wolffe had prominent chest hair, and Rose couldn’t find a way not to moan at the sight of the thick layer that faded down his belly into a treasure trail that led to his hardening length.

“You like me, don’t you, bunny?” Wolffe growled, a smirk tainting his lips.

“I fucking hate you,” Rose whispered, her voice contradicted by tiny whines as his fingers didn’t cease teasing her clit. “I despise you, Wolffe.”

“You’re not a fucking bundle of joy yourself,” he bared his teeth as he slipped his middle finger down her dripping entrance and kept his thumb at the sensitive little bud. “You’re insufferable… arrogant…”

“And yet, you have a cute pet name for me,” Rose innocently pouted her lips at him and prided herself in riling him up further.

“You know what a bunny is to a wolf?” His hand squeezed her throat. “A prey. You’re mine, bunny… you’re all mine...”

“You’ve wanted me from the start,” she chuckled. “That explains a lot.”

Wolffe growled. “You’re aggravating.”

“You’re repulsive,” she panted in response.

“Nauseating,” he countered.

“Odious,” Rose whimpered out, her voice then strained by a long moan just as she neared her climax at Wolffe’s skillful fingering. Her nails dug into his back, making Wolffe writhe with a hungry groan, while her gaze lingered down his chest. She threw her head back against the wall, ready to feel her orgasm take over her body, when Wolffe pulled his hand away and walked over to the couch.

Rose laughed. “Get back here and finish the job, you coward.”

“You’re going to have to hop into my den, bunny,” Wolffe emphasized as he removed his belt and threw it aside followed by the armor on his thighs, and finally, his codpiece, making his large bulge visible.

Fervor exploded in Rose’s body as she walked up to Wolffe and threw her arms around his back, wiggling out of her clothes as Wolffe pulled her shirt off from her torso and took her panties off to throw them aside, leaving her with only her skirt and her adorable black lace bra.

“Fuck,” he grunted as his hands firmly grabbed her ass, lifting her up. She hopped onto him and wrapped her legs around his torso, and he finally lowered her down on his cock and guided her body for her to bounce on his shaft at a merciless rhythm that made Rose’s eyes roll back and moans drip from her lips.

“Be quiet, bunny,” Wolffe’s tone was deceptively caring. “Other people in the mansion are going to hear what a little slut you are.”

Her laughter was rich and provocative; heat pooled in every corner of her body and made her see stars all around her. She felt herself squeeze around his cock that throbbed inside her as he continued to fuck her, his balance never wavering in his standing position. His most primal instincts shone through when he noticed a hickey on her neck and, asserting his dominance, he growled and marked her neck with another two, nibbling and sucking at her skin and drawing obscene sounds from Rose.

One of her hands combed through his curls, tugging slightly on them. Wolffe only had to keep one of his hands on her hips, and the other one ruffled through Rose’s goddess-like wavy locks as his balls kept swinging, hips striking her ass, both engulfed in steamy, raw pleasure. Not long after, her walls squeezed around his pulsating member, and Rose finally hit the peak she desperately longed for. Her moans, strained in an effort to not be loud, danced into Wolffe’s ears, pushing him over his edge too. He growled, kneaded his fingers into her meaty flesh, kept her forehead on his to look into her eyes, moaning out the word bunny as he reminded her she’d always belonged to him.

Wolffe grunted as he spilled himself inside her, his essence painting her all-too-sensitive walls. He relished in the sweet, high-pitch whines Rose let out at the sensation of being stuffed by his cum, and then, their bodies relaxed. Wolffe kept carrying Rose, his head buried in the crook of her neck. Gently, he lowered down onto the couch, sitting down with her legs swung over him, her body cradled in his strong arms as his lips trailed kisses along her neck and jawline.

He simply held her. Her scent invaded his senses, bringing him from a state of lust to one of peace. She was finally in his arms, her body against his, where she belonged, with who she belonged. Oh, she felt perfect in his grip, small and sweet, soft, safe. Wolffe backed up from her neck and his eyes sought out hers before landing on her beautiful lips, tainted red, and he leaned down hoping to feel their full form against his.

But Rose backed away. Her eyes widened in horror and she squirmed out of his grip, her chest heaving up and down as she panted, taking in the full weight of what she’d done as the ecstasy died down.

What have I done?

She scrambled around the room to find her blouse and her panties, her hands shaking in the process. Wolffe got up from the couch and pulled his clothes over him too, holding out a hand to try and steady Rose.

“Rose,” he spoke. “Rose, it’s okay.”

“No,” she panted. “No, it isn’t.”

“Rose—”

“I just willingly cheated on Comet…” her broken voice said, more to herself than to Wolffe.

The commander sighed, ignoring his own wound. “Rose.”

“Listen to me,” she said. “You and I don’t like each other. This never happened, and if it did, it was meaningless, you hear me? It meant nothing.”

Rose gathered her things and exited the room without a second thought, without looking back, without letting Wolffe say it wasn’t meaningless to him.

Naboo was veiled in the night now. Rose snuck out of the mansion, tears staining her eyes, making them sting with the cool wind. She ran down the streets back to headquarters, careful not to find anyone, and she hid behind a pillar at headquarters’ fancy lobby, rummaging around her purse for her comm.

She had to tell Comet. Hiding it from him would only make it worse. She loved him. She didn’t want to hurt him anymore, and she knew he at the very least deserved to know. Hands shaking, Rose dialed his frequency again, desperately hoping he’d pick up this time.

“Hey,” Comet’s voice answered on the other end of the comm.

“Comet?” Rose couldn’t keep her voice from shaking. “Comet, where are you? I-I need to talk to you?”

“I’m just heading back to headquarters,” Comet sounded on alert, clearly having picked up on the note of her voice. “I’ll meet you at your room, alright?”

“Yeah,” she answered and hung up. She rushed to her room, not bothering to look around corners to recognize anybody, certainly hoping not to run into Wolffe again. Her room was empty and silent, and she hurried to sit at the bed after closing the door behind her, hands pressed together as her thumbs fiddled with each other, every second feeling eternal.

Finally, Comet arrived, and with him was a look of worry and something Rose picked up on to resemble regret. It pained her that he’d be the one to feel that way. Heavens knew she was the one stained with remorse.

Comet instantly picked up on her worried expression. He closed the door behind her and went to sit next to her on the bed, taking his hands in hers.

“I’m here,” he said. “What is it?”

“Comet, I—” Rose’s voice broke, against all her pride. “I—”

“Talk to me,” Comet scanned her with worry.

Ultimately, Rose broke into tears. “I got drunk and I slept with Wolffe!”

Comet gasped, overwhelmed with sensations. Rose’s revelation, her sobs, the feeling he already carried with him before even reaching headquarters. He watched as she broke down before him, and his first instinct was to hug her close to him and rest her head on his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, Comet!”

He held her in front of him again. “Hey, hey, listen to me. Rose, listen to me.”

Sniffling, Rose looked at him.

“Was it consensual?”

“Yes,” Rose answered without a doubt. “Yes, it was, but still… It’s worse, I—I let it happen, Comet, but it meant nothing! It meant nothing, I promise you…”

She hugged him again, sobbing loudly into his chest. “I’m so sorry, Comet… I love you, you know I do. I love you and only you.”

Every word hit Comet like a dagger, but he knew he had to be there for her now. Whatever happened throughout the day didn’t matter, he had to be there to help Rose.

“I love you too,” he whispered. “Rose, look at me.”

She lifted her gaze. Her crying had quieted down, but her eyes were still puffy and stained.

“We all make mistakes,” he said, gently rubbing her cheek. “We’re not perfect. And I believe you. I know it didn’t mean anything to you.”

She sniffled. “It really didn’t. I love you, Comet.”

He smiled sadly at her. “I love you too.”

“Can you please find a way to forgive me?” She asked him, voice full of hope and resentment at once.

His heart squeezed, thinking in any case, he had no right to claim anything of her.

“I forgive you,” he said. “Even though there’s nothing much to forgive.”

“There is,” Rose strained, threatening to become a mess of tears again.

“Well then, I forgive you,” he hugged her gently. “Come here… Don’t cry, please…”

Rose tried her best to quiet herself down, still sniffling into Comet’s chest.

“Thank you,” Rose said. At the moment, she couldn’t bring herself to say much more due to her voice, but she was eternally grateful. She’d screwed up big time, which was undeniable, but Comet had a heart of gold.

And that heart of gold was the only reason Comet’s heart ached with emotions, for as Rose hugged him, her hand hovered just over the pouch in his belt where the new girl’s comm frequency rested inside.

Taglist: @zoeykallus @sageislostinspring @misogirl828 @dangerousstrawberrypie @maulslittlemeowmeow @salaminus @ladykatakuri

Join my taglist!

[lululawrence]

hello!! i was wondering if u had a werewolf tag for fics? i would search it but not sure how to use tumblr that well :)) if not do u have recs? LOVE U HAVE A NICE DAY<333

hi babes! i don't have one here... damn that's a fucking great idea. hahaha i'm HORRIBLY unorganized when it comes to tags for fics on tumblr. i mostly use ao3 for the organization of fics. so! that said, i defo DO have recs for you!

you didn't specify pairing, which makes me smile because i get to rec rare pairs in addition to larry and hope you read them hehe okay, here we go!

He Carries The Key by me (8k, NR, niall/louis) - this fic is the only one of mine i'll include, okay? promise haha but it is also one i wrote for wordplay just a week or two ago and it's werewolves and a pack fic and i just had a lot of fun. very soft. much fluff. many feels. i hope you enjoy. lol

There's Fur Everywhere by @londonfoginacup / LadyLondonderry (4k, G, Harry/Louis) - this is a 5 times fic, and it's HYSTERICAL. it feels slightly spoilery for me to even be including it on this list, but also... it's still fucking hilarious. emmu is queen of the crack fic that makes you feel all the soft and wonderful things, and she doesn't disappoint with this one.

I Hear Them Calling for You by @jaerie / jaerie (6k, E, Harry/Louis) - this fic is... not for everyone. like at all. please please please read the tags and the summary and if you don't like it or it makes you uncomfortable, then close right out of it. as for ME i loved what she explored with it, all the emotions and the story and worldbuilding of it all. i thought it was fantastic and incredibly interesting. it is A/B/O, pack fic with claiming and... yeah. it's amazing.

Campus Creatures by @kingsofeverything / kingsofeverything and @louandhazaf / YesIsAWorld (25k, E, Harry/Louis) - werewolves! vampires! fae! university! frat houses! science research positions being vied for! enemies to lovers! like... not sure what more you could ASK for, but there's also a fuck ton of humor and nudity and sexual tension and... it's just a lot of fun. can't go wrong, really. haha

From What I've Tasted of Desire by @evilovesyou / 4ureyesonly28 (72k, T, Harry/Louis) - okay so i'm including this one even though like... harry and louis aren't werewolves. but it's a twilight au, so there ARE werewolves and i'm ASSUMING you know twilight and therefore know that means you know they're pretty involved and... that's true for this fic too. ahha for real, though, i love evi's writing and this fic was one of my first introductions to it and it was a fun read, so i wanted to include it in case it had enough of the werewolf flair to entice you haha

Compete Against the Stars by @daggerandrose / amomentoflove (31k, M, Harry/Louis) - omg okay so this one is like ANGSTY AF and i FUCKING LOVE IT because it's one of those fics that you HOPE you have figured out, and you probably do, but also there's SO many twists and turns to it all that you just have NO idea how it's all gonna work out and omg are they gonna just ruin it all for themselves by being stupid and ahhhhh the tension of just FIGURING OUT HOW THEY GET IT ALL TO WORK OUT!!! and of course it does. hahaha but HOW??? this is a RIDE and in my mind feels like a longer fic than 31k in the best of ways, they did an amazing job of packing a LOT of world building and storytelling into those 31k.

the straight for your heart (wolfpack au) series by foreverkneeld and foundfamilyvevo (96k, T/G, Multiple or No pairings including Niall/Louis, Zayn/Liam, OT5, and Shawn/Niall) - This series is the ultimate hurt/comfort and healing pack fic series omg. it was recommended to me when i was in a super hard time and my anxiety was so bad i couldn't focus on anything. These short fics that all focused so much on healing and found family were exactly what i needed. so so soft, so lovely. I still haven't read them all because i'm saving them for when i need them. they're glorious.

when the air ran out and we both started running wild by darlingjustdont (48k, M, Nick/Louis) - OMG OKAY LISTEN THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVS. a tomlinshaw werewolf pack fic?! ahhhhhhhhh i was SO happy when i discovered this one. louis is alpha of the pack and things are... shaky, shall we say. there's a lot going on that he's worried about and then he meets nick and it's kind of enemies to lovers? okay, more than kind of. but omg the FEELS. SO. MANY. FEELS. but also danger and a;lsdgkhas;ldfkja just please read this and rave with me because i don't have many i can talk about this one with and i LOVE IT.

You Smell Like by mystic_believexx (185k, M, Harry/Louis) - i had no idea this fic was so long hahahaha wow ANYWAY louis is human, but he's always been close with harry and therefore basically a part of his pack. but then one day harry leaves and louis kind of accidentally becomes the pack alpha. even though he's human. but there's SO much more to it. there's just sooooo much with the friendship and the pack bond as well as the danger and trying to figure out what the hell is going on... it's just a LOT and one of those epic fics that i still think about even though i read it...a year and a half ago i guess. but it's amazing and i highly recommend it if the word count doesn't scare you away haha

Canyon Moon by @eeveelou / delsicle (41k, E, Harry/Louis) - this is a lion king au, made a/b/o werewolves! i really enjoyed this one a lot, actually, because i could absolutely see the parallels, but also the way it was adapted made it so it wasn't always obvious how it would all play out. it was a really interesting and cool world building as well.

The Truth I Can't Explain (Smoke and Mirrors) by @fallinglikethis / FallingLikeThis (9k, M, Harry/Louis) - ohhhhh this one is SO cool cause it's by tabby so she made it incredibly fun and fascinating to try to figure out. there's magic and mages and werewolves and feuds and they're basically on the eve of battle and holy cow it's just SO cool.

One Touch Is Never Enough by @kingsofeverything / kingsofeverything (4k, E, Harry/Louis) - once again lauren delivers and there's just so much i keep giggling about with this because it is SO fun. there's a lot that louis is dealing with in this fic hahaha and the way she writes it all is so funny. the poor man just wants a fucking massage! lololol it's lighthearted, humorous, and basically filled with fluff, crack, and smut. hahaha

Knot Safe For Work by @jaerie / jaerie (6k, E, Harry/Louis) - a;sldkgha;lfdkjas listen i forgot about this fic until i found it in my bookmarks for werewolves because jenna writes so many fucking amazing fics that when i think of werewolves, i think of at least two others first, but i could NOT do this rec without this fic because now that i remember it exists i am going to have to go and read it again! hahaha harry's a werewolf, louis is a wizard, there's knotting dildos and table sex and... just read it. lolol

Saving's What I Need by @jaerie / jaerie (17k, M, Harry/Louis) - writer louis is out for a drive one day and he hits a dog. THIS POOR DOG! he takes it to the vet and tries his best to take care of it... but things are not as they seem. because yeah, harry is defo not a dog. lollllll this fic was hilarious and sweet and omg there's just so much to love about it. there were so many more emotions in it than i expected. loooove!

Out of the Wild by @jaerie / jaerie (22k, E, Harry/Louis) - this fic has such fun world building, which is actually a huge strength of jenna's fics and you'll hear me rave about it with all 50 of her fics that will end up on this rec list (not really 50, but ya know lol). louis is a fairly wild and undomesticated wolf and harry's from the city and they end up as roommates during the x factor process. oh my word this fic is so fun because of all the challenges they're going through PLUS the wolf side of things and just... the way they work together and navigate it all as well as falling for each other is pure gold.

Out With The Old, In With The New by, you guessed it, @jaerie / jaerie (7k, E, Harry/Louis) - listen, just. this one is smutty as hell and it's gonna take you some places that some people will be uncomfortable with, which is totally valid and fair. please be sure to read the tags and make your decision on whether or not to read accordingly, but also know that its written in a super interesting way that is also pretty amazing if you do decide to give it a shot. lol

Instincts by @marastarfar / StarFar ( 100k so far - it's a WIP!, T, Harry/Louis) - omg listen. i LOVE mara's fics so much and when this first posted it was a one shot little thing that was FASCINATING. i loved it! and then i was happily surprised when i learned more was added to it. and then it was turned into a wip and omg i am so far behind now but i trust mara with my life because i love everything i've read by them and what i've read of this so far is INCREDIBLE so just. yeah. lollll

There's a Power in What You Do by @londonfoginacup / LadyLondonderry (7k, T, Harry/Louis) - i just read my comment i left on this one and it was just mainly me begging for time stamps because there wasn't any way for her to improve upon the perfection of this fic (nesting! softness! even a silly comment in her endnotes to perfectly cap it all!), but i still wanted to remain in the story just a bit longer and learn more about them. hahaha anyway, those time stamps aren't happening, but this fic is still complete perfection.

amaryllis by @hattalove / hattalove (147k, E, Harry/Louis) - for a long time this was thought of as THE werewolf fic. if anyone was talking about a werewolf fic, it was probably this one. is that still the case? probably. i'm not sure. ANYWAY. there's a REASON it was THE werewolf fic and that's because this is amazing. it sucks you in and you feel like you're truly a part of the action. it's filled with the vibe of found family and wanting to figure out what happened while also adjusting to your new life and just... so many feelings. so much angst. SO fantastically epic.

[theroomofreq]

Feb 2021 Fic Recs

I AM JUST REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT FANFICTION, OKAY.

I didn’t have as much time to read fanfic this month, but I still want to share the stories I fell in love with. There are so so many good fics out there, and I wish I had time for them all! Here is a list of the fanfic that I read this month and truly adore. 

A majority of my reading this month was spent on Fem!Jily fics! Which I LOVED. I whole heartedly rec every single one!! There is a collection on AO3 of all of the fics written if you are interested! This list would be AGES longer if I added all of those gems. Trust me they are SO worth it! 

Below the cut are 20 wonderful fics. Happy reading my friends!!

Romione Fics

Who He'd Miss Most by @ashotofogdensoldfirewhiskey 

T 2k // I CAN’T EXPRESS ENOUGH LOVE FOR THIS FIC.  This missing moment is just brilliant. RON is fantastic in it, written so well. The Harry & Ron BROTP gives me too many emotions. The Romione vibes are spot on. I read this three times before I could find words to leave a review. I plan to read this one again and again and again. 

A Crown of Violets by katsala

T 2k // A fem!romione story? Yes! Please! I adore the way that Ron, (who is named Ginny) is written in this story. It’s very very very good. 

Hinny Fics

The Potters and the Weasleys by @goodlifewrites 

G 82k // The latest chapter of this fic dropped while I was brushing my teeth. I immediately sat on the floor and read it, toothbrush still in my mouth. AND ITS FAB. The way this story is written is just next level. The characterization, plot, writing style? Everything is INCREDIBLE. I’m in love. 

Am I Your Lockscreen? by @narukoibito 

T 1k // The moment I got the email about this fic I stopped everything to read it. I laughed through the entire thing. Not going to lie, I’ve probably read it 5 times since it was posted. The dynamic of the characters is fantastic. Harry in this is just top notch.

Ginevra by @clarensjoy 

T 3k // I am really emotional about this story. Every scene in this story hit me hard. I desperately wanted more, but it was so so perfectly transitioned to the next scene. I love my girl Ginny and I ADORE this story. 

borrow the moonlight by @could-have-beens 

G 700 words // I talked about this fic earlier this month, but it deserves to be rec’d 100 more times. Every time I read it I am super emotional about the way Hinny’s relationship is portrayed. :’) 

out the window by @displayheartcode 

G 500 words // EVERY TIME ONE OF THESE LITTLE MASTERPIECES IS DROPPED ON ME IT LIVES IN MY HEAD FOR WEEKS. THIS ONE IS AT THE TOP OF MY BRAIN ALL THE TIME. MIGHT ABANDON ALL MY WIPS AND JUST WRITE ABOUT THIS AU NON STOP. 

He looks at her and sees the rest of his life by @fightfortherightsofhouseelves 

G 700 words// This little gem makes me so emotional about Hinny. I love the way Harry thinks about/describes/loves Ginny. It’s this really powerful little love story that turns me into an absolute sap. 

take what i took and give it back to you by fairytiger 

T 4k // One of the first stories I read after retuning to fandom last year. I’ve probably read it 7+ times. A favorite go to fic. I came back to it this month because I think about it every other week. Ginny in this story is so clearly written and characterized. OH I LOVE IT. 

trouvaille by @gryffindormischief 

G 6k // The way that Harry was written in this story stayed with me for long after I read it. It is so so so perfectly Harry that it kills me. Musician Harry? YES PLEASE!

Jily Fics

Shelf Awareness by @ghostofbambifanfiction 

M 28k // HOW COME NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS. WHY DID YOU ALL JUST LET ME STUMBLE ON THIS BY MYSELF. I can’t even begin to talk about this fic. Bookstore AU? Sold. Dorky James? Sold. Pining Lily? Sold. Oh it is so so beyond good. I know I am so so late to this party, but it’s just unreal. 

to be always kind and true by @clare-with-no-i 

G 2k // You know that moment when you read a fic by an author and then you ignore everything and consume every story they have?? Yeah, I did that after reading this fic. The characterization alone could kill me. Not to mention the writing style. FAB.

they loved. by @mppmaraudergirl

T 400words// I read this little ficlet about 7 times hoping that there would be more each time I got to the end. It always stopped in the same place and broke my heart every time. It’s soooooo gorgeous I can’t stop thinking about it. 

bisous, bisous by @clare-with-no-i 

G 1k // When you read this fic it’s like you are actually in the story. The atmosphere is so powerful. It’s just this brilliant piece of art that makes want to curl up and read it under a cozy blanket. 

The Fabulous Baker Brothers by @frustratedpoetwrites 

T 8k // This fic has me running to a bakery every time I think about it. I love the characterization in this story. OH how I love Lily in this fic, she is just wonderful. And of course, I am a huge sucker for a well written Remus. 

Summer Girl by @efkgirldetective

E 41k // I dare you to find a more lyrically written first person narrative. NOT POSSIBLE. This story is flat out gorgeous and I am very much obsessed with it. One Sunday night I found out I didn’t have to go into work the next day so I immediately started this fic and didn’t stop until I finished it at 2am. 

Earthquake Drills by @efkgirldetective 

M 132k WIP// After finishing Summer Girl at 2am, I read this story until 5:30 am. I got 4 hours of sleep and then woke up and read it more. I crave dynamic characters the way Efk wrote them in this story. It is just WOW. 

Other Fics

see where you hide by @alrightginger 

T 1k // When a George/Harriet fic is posted I RUN. I love love love fiery Fem!Harry. And I love the way that this story pans out, wonderful. Give me all the Fem!Harry. 

And We Are In Bed Together, Laughing by nevernevergirl  @yorkesteins

T 3k // The Remus/Tonks fic of my dreams. This fic is a collection of missing moments that tells their story. I fell in love with the writing style and the way that these two are written. GORGEOUS. 

 Miasma by @medric

T 5k // This story hit me so hard, it’s the type that gives you heart ache in the most beautiful way. It’s the story of Remus’ life, the two wars and who he loves. Wolfstar and Remadora. I’ll be thinking about it non-stop for the next month.