#but aside from that the only doors that lock can be opened easy from both sides

[saym0-0]

just had a weird realisation that its probably weird to a lot of people that doors in my house dont have locks

[verstappenverse]

What We Never Said

Pairing: Max Verstappen x Reader

Summary: Max Verstappen, your best friend, has always been a constant in your life. But when jealousy surfaces over a recent date, it stirs emotions he hadn’t quite confronted. Is there more between you two than just friendship?

1.9k words / Masterlist

Max had always been good at keeping his cool. On the track where everything is measured in tenths of a second and a moment’s hesitation can cost everything, keeping a level head was what set him apart from the others. But lately away from the track something had been gnawing at him, disrupting his usually unshakeable focus.

It wasn’t new this feeling it had been there for a long time, simmering quietly beneath the surface. Max knew that. He was painfully aware of it in every shared glance, every late-night conversation, and in the way your laugh could instantly pull him out of his darkest moods. For years you’d both kept things easy, uncomplicated, two best friends never crossing the invisible line that tethered you close but never too close.

At least that’s how it was supposed to be.

It wasn’t until a few nights ago when he overheard a casual comment at a party that Max realised how fragile that balance really was.

“I didn’t know you’d gone on a date,” your friend had said her voice light and teasing.

Max wasn’t eavesdropping intentionally he had been halfway through a conversation with another driver when the words hit him like a punch to the gut. He barely registered what was being said to him after that. His attention had been locked on you, watching the subtle shift in your posture as you casually replied.

“Yeah,” you said, like it was nothing. “We went for dinner and drinks, it was really nice...he was nice.”

Max’s hand had tightened around his drink. Nice. The word grated against Max’s nerves. The conversation around him faded into white noise as his mind fixated on what you hadn’t said, on what you’d kept from him. A date? You’d gone on a date? Since when did you go on dates without mentioning it to him? It felt like the ground beneath him had shifted, like something fundamental had changed, though he couldn’t quite explain why.

For the rest of the evening Max stayed quiet his usual easy-going demeanour replaced by something darker, something more brooding. You didn’t seem to notice or if you did, you didn’t bring it up. But every time he looked at you all he could think about was someone else sitting across from you, someone else making you laugh, someone else getting to know the parts of you that Max had always believed were his to cherish.

-------------------

He thought about it more than he should have over the following days, a slow burn of frustration and confusion twisting in his chest. It wasn’t that he had a claim over you but there had always been something unspoken between the two of you, and hearing about you with someone else, someone who wasn’t him, made it feel like everything was slipping through his fingers.

Max found himself at your door days later, heart racing in a way that had nothing to do with the adrenaline of racing. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say only that the unresolved tension between you needed addressing.

The door opened and there you were, smiling like always, the kind that usually made his stomach flip, but today it only made him more tense. “Hey you,” you greeted stepping aside to let him in.

He walked in without hesitation, but his usual ease was nowhere to be found. He hadn’t been able to shake the image of you with someone else. Max had tried to push it down, to convince himself that it was none of his business. You were your own person, free to do whatever – or whomever – you wanted. But the truth was, it did bother him. A lot more than he cared to admit.

He dropped onto your couch more tense than he’d been in weeks. You sat down next to him, your brow furrowing as you picked up on his mood. Max was many things, but unreadable was not one of them. He wore his emotions on his sleeve and right now you could sense the storm brewing behind his usually calm exterior. His jaw was clenched, and you could see the tension radiating off of him in waves.

“What’s up with you?” you asked, tone light but probing. “You seem… off.”

He wanted to shrug it off, say it was nothing, but the words wouldn’t come. He couldn’t pretend anymore, not with you.

Instead he turned toward you, his blue eyes sharp “Why didn’t you tell me you went on a date?”

Your expression shifted subtly, surprise, then confusion trying to place his tone, “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

A beat of silence passed, Max could hear the faint hum of the city outside your apartment window, but inside, the air felt thick weighted with something unsaid.

“I overheard you the other night,” he continued, his voice rougher than he intended.

You blinked, processing his words. “You overheard?”

Max nodded, watching you closely waiting for some kind of explanation that would ease the knot in his chest. But you just sat there, not defensive, not guilty, just calm.

You hadn’t kept it from him on purpose. In fact you didn’t even think it was that big of a deal. The date had been fine, nice, but nothing extraordinary, certainly not enough to warrant telling Max about it right away.

“It wasn’t anything serious,” you said after a long pause. “Just dinner. I didn’t think it was worth mentioning.”

Max exhaled sharply running a hand through his hair. “And if it had been serious?”

Now you were even more confused. Your eyes met his then, a flicker of something passed between you. “Why does it matter?”

That was the question, wasn’t it? Why did it matter? He wasn’t your boyfriend. Hell, he wasn’t even sure what he was anymore, except confused. Maybe a little scared. The kind of fear that sinks deep, the kind that makes you realise you’ve been taking something for granted.

“Because it does,” he muttered quietly, his voice tight.

You leaned back slightly, studying him. There was something different about the way you looked at him now, more attuned to whatever was hanging between you. You’d always known that Max was protective of you, but this? This was something else entirely.

“You’ve never cared before,” you said, your voice quieter now, like you were piecing together a puzzle neither of you had fully acknowledged.

Max hesitated then sighed. “Maybe I should’ve.”

The words were out before he could stop them, and they hung in the air, heavier than anything he’d ever admitted to you before.

You didn’t respond right away. The silence stretched, uncomfortable in a way that it never had been between the two of you. And then, after what felt like an eternity you leaned forward resting your elbows on your knees hands clasped in front of you.

“Is that what this is all about? Me going on a date and not telling you?” You paused, your eyes searching his face,“Or is it something else?”

He didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. Because of course it was something else. It had always been something else. He just hadn’t let himself admit it not until now, not until the idea of you with someone else had thrown everything into sharp, painful focus, and maybe that wasn't fair but he didn't know how he could go back now.

Max stood, pacing the length of your living room his mind racing. “I don’t know,” he finally muttered, though it was a lie. He did know. He just wasn’t sure how to say it, cross the line you’d both been skirting around, to take years of friendship and lay it bare without ruining everything.

“Max,” you said softly, your voice pulling him out of his thoughts. “Look at me.” You needed to hear him say it. You needed to know if what you felt for him was mutual or if you were reading too much into this.

He stopped pacing but didn’t turn around right away. His fists clenched at his sides, and for the first time in a long time, Max felt completely out of control. It wasn’t like driving where every move was calculated, where he could read the car, the track, the competition with precision. This was messier, rawer, and there was no strategy for it.

Finally, he turned to face you his blue eyes meeting yours. There was no running from it anymore, no pretending that what he felt for you was anything less than what it really was.

“I didn’t like it,” he said quietly, the admission catching in his throat. “Hearing you talk about him… I hated it.”

You didn’t look away but your eyes softened, your expression still guarded.

“Why?” you asked, though your tone told him you already knew the answer.

Max let out a shaky breath. “Because… I’ve always wanted it to be me.”

The confession hung in the air, and for the first time with you Max felt truly exposed, vulnerable. The invisible line between you two, the one he’d always danced around, was gone.

All the emotions you’d been burying for so long, all the feelings you’d tried to convince yourself weren’t there, came rushing to the surface.

You walked toward him slowly, and for a moment, Max wasn’t sure what you were going to say, but when you reached him you didn’t say anything. Instead you just looked at him, really looked at him, like you were seeing him in a way you hadn’t before.

“I’ve always wanted it to be you, too,” you whispered, the words so soft he almost missed them.

“I didn’t want to ruin things between us,” Max continued, “I didn’t want to lose you. But hearing about you with someone else… it made me realise that maybe I’ve already lost you and I didn’t even know it.”

You took a step closer to him your heart pounding in your chest. “You haven’t lost me."

His heart clenched, and before he could stop himself, he reached out, gently cupping your face with his hand. Your skin was warm beneath his palm and for the first time in days the tension in his chest eased slightly.

You didn’t pull away, you stepped closer eyes never leaving his. It was as if all the years of unspoken tension between you had finally come to a head, and neither of you could ignore it anymore.

He leaned in, slowly, cautiously, giving you every chance to pull away. But you didn’t. And when his lips finally met yours it was like everything he hadn’t been able to say, everything he’d been holding back for years, poured into that kiss.

It wasn’t hurried or desperate. It was slow, deliberate, a moment stretched out between two people who had spent too long pretending they didn’t want this. Max’s arms wrapped around you as the kiss deepened, but still, there was a softness to it a tenderness that spoke of the years of friendship, of trust.

When the kiss broke, you both stood there inches apart breathing in the moment. Max's hand lingered on your cheek his thumb brushing lightly against your skin.

“You know,” you whispered, smiling against his lips teasing, “this is probably something you should’ve told me ages ago.”

Max let out a soft laugh, his forehead resting against yours. “Yeah, well” he said, his voice low and teasing back, “I guess this means I can stop pretending I’m okay with you dating other people now," you laughed softly as he smirked "but I wasn’t too worried, everything’s about timing isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” you murmured, your lips brushing his. “I guess you got it right.”

"Finally," he whispered with a grin, before pulling you into another kiss.

[melodic-haze]

HIIIII, I NEED MORE SUB ARLECCHINO CONTENT PLEASE I'M BEGGING YOU 😭😭

☆ — DEMO TRACK: sub!Arlecchino x dom!Reader pt. 3

☆ — TYPE: NSFW

☆ — CONTENT WARNINGS: Dacryphilia, squirting, other than that it's soft sex 🤷‍♀️

☆ — NOTES: THANK YOUBFOR GIVING ME ANOTHER REASON TO WRITE HER LOLLLLL

☆ — PARTS: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (you are here)

Saur I've raved on about ROUGH sex Arlecchino but yk what's special? Soft sex with Arlecchino

This woman's been through HELL in her life. Even if she was already "cold and unfeeling", she describes herself, there's only so much a person like that can take before she reaches a breaking point. Really, she definitely already has, the poor girl

She's shut herself off from anyone that isn't in her inner circle, and even THEN they still find it hard to get her to open up

But like. They're not you so 😜

I feel like as much as she is all for it rough, she's actually much more hesitant to recieve a gentler touch. Kindness and love in any form is smth she isn't used to—aside from her children, the one figure that supplied her with that is dead with her past. Being with you was already enough of a stretch, now you want to show her how much you care for her? It's.. scary, like a sudden blackout as a child

Reassure her that it'll all be okay, please. Tell her that you'll take care of her properly and that she can let go of the walls she's built around herself this whole time to defend herself. Give her an easy out if she genuinely isn't ready for such a different form of an emotionally-charge exchange. When she's ready, she'll give you a wordless nod before tugging at your clothes

You take it slow with her by hugging her at first, letting her settle down like you're lulling a scared, hurt predator back into safety. Your hands slowly and carefully wander around her body as your lips press soft kisses on pale skin, with the exposed areas increasing as you take your time in taking her clothes off

She reciprocates in action, though her hands often still on your skin, lightly squeezing you as if there's a chance that you might fade away and this has been nothing but a delusion of hers. Take one of her hands in yours and press a kiss on her palm as you reassure her that you are right here and you aren't leaving her and that you are going to show her how much you love her to the point where she doesn't even know what to do w herself :(

As you take your time undressing each other, you lead her to the bed and sit her down on the edge by kissing her and pushing her down, and you feel her hum as she tries to settle her breathing. She lets you take the lead, not just because she gives you all the power over her behind closed doors but because she's in unfamiliar territory—hell, even when I said she needs it HARD to actually feel it, just the soft, caring gestures you're making is enough to make her shiver in need for you

Neither of you knew just how much of an effect it would have on her, but it's VERY clear when it's as it somehow her sensitivity had gone up quite a few levels from the way she's practically whimpering at you whenever you praise her for being so good for you.....that you're going to take such good care of her.......that you won't ever leave her alone..........

You kiss every inch of her body, leaving marks here and there against gorgeous pale skin. You mark her up from top to bottom, switching back and forth between branding her as safely yours and kissing her dumb and drinking her in. You practically sing praises and words of reassurance to this broken example of a person, telling her that you're going to give her so much pleasure and so much care that she wouldn't know what to do with herself.

By the time you finally press your fingers and rub on where the Harbinger needed you most? She's so utterly wet despite the lack of impact and roughness to your minstrations. And when you finally sink your fingers in within her, as if locking the both of you together, you hear a sob that leads you to look up in worry, thinking you've done something wrong.

..But if you did, then she could easily push you away, right?

When you finally see her face, her glossy eyes, her tears that slowly run down from her perfect face, you find your answer with that beautiful feeling of arousal rising within you at the sight.

She isn't mad at you, you hadn't done anything wrong. If anything, she's begging you to move within her.

"Please," she says as her blackened hands reach down to grab yours in an effort to insert you even deeper, her hips grinding on your palm, "I need you, I..."

She needs you.

Needing someone isn't an easy thing for the 'cold and unfeeling Father' to admit, and yet here she was.

And who were you, to refuse your lover's needs?

It's a tender exchange, one that's entirely new to your relationship. At first glance at her in a normal setting, perhaps even at a time before you two were together, and you wouldn't even think that she'd be crying underneath you at how good you make her feel, sobbing out heavy proclamations of love and clinging to you as you take your time in bringing her to her pleasure

Usually the pain you would inflict on her would've dulled out any other external pain she would've been experiencing—emotional pain, pain from the curse she bears—and yet for some reason it's as if you were guarding her from all of it, nullifying the effects they have on her and protecting her in your hold despite the obvious power gap between you

It takes her a while to cum. Not because it's hard for her to do so (it may actually be the easiest it's ever felt), but because not only does she want to savour this feeling of being taken care of for once, she's also waiting for your command. And when you do, it's as if a dam broke within her

She cums so fucking hard you wouldn't even have thought that you were going at it softly, though really maybe this was what she needed the entire time. And it probably didn't help that you dragged this on for such a long time too. All that pent-up release finally gets let out and she practically screams at the overwhelming feeling, with you helping her ride her high

Her legs shake, her thighs are involuntarily bucking up and she glitches violently for a brief moment that you can't help but feel slightly worried (you laugh about it later, much to her expense) but then you feel something warm squirt out of her. You look down and see it as she goes to claw the sheets—you couldn't help but smile.......and maybe indulge yourself a little

Your hand speeds up its minstrations, even as she comes down, and she look at you with slightly wide eyes as she basically starts up all over again. You just want one more from her, surely your pretty baby can do that, right? All for you?

Doesn't take long for her to squirt again, the corners of your eyes creasing with undisguised wonder and unfiltered love for her as she cums herself silly until no energy is left in her body. Hell, with the show she practically put out, it's not a surprise when you realise that you came with her

As you two settle down and you both lie on the bed, all wet and sweaty (though you can't bring yourself to care right now, why you have Arlecchino breathing heavily beside you), she wants so badly to return the favour. But you tell her that her enjoying the moment was all you needed. You both just lay there wordlessly after, perhaps even tangling your limbs together and kissing each other tenderly and showing how much you love each other

Arlecchino is a powerful woman in the end, much more powerful than you despite the reversed dynamic you have with each other, so it doesn't take long before she regains her stamina. She tells you to stay there (though you don't really have the energy to get up anyway) before she goes off to run the bath and bring back a glass of water for you. She treats you less like a cold and unfeeling woman and more of a warm and caring lover, utterly devoted to you, as she brings you to the tub and places you in front of her to clean you up and service you in any way, shape or form you want

It's really funny when it's you who fucked her silly and yet YOU'RE the one getting pampered, but she wouldn't have it any other way

And when you finally get out and get ready to sleep? When she hugs you, clings to you in your rest, you know full well that she has never been more devoted, more reassured, more loved than when she's with you

She's not alone and unloved anymore. You've made sure of that.

[rroseselavyyy]

vespertine - myg

pairing: yoongi x female reader

warnings: smut

As soon as you locked eyes with his, he slammed you against the door before you could even greet him. He didn't need to talk about how stressful his day had been because he knew you could see right through him from the moment he walked into your apartment.

You whimpered like a wounded deer as he pressed his body against yours and kissed you with his mouth open as if he wanted to steal the air from your lungs. He lifted you off the floor by wrapping your legs around his waist.

You didn't say a word to each other as he carried you up to your room. You unbuttoned his shirt as he climbed the stairs. His breath caught in his throat as you drew your face closer to the nape of his neck, giving love bites to his sensitive flesh.

He tasted like the pomegranate seeds you willingly ate to exchange your freedom for his kingdom of darkness.

You fell onto the bed with him on top of you. You were both panting heavily when you finally locked your eyes with his. He was more than emboldened to make you shy under his heated gaze as your crimson-red cheeks made you look even more beautiful.

He could never be more in love with you. Your mere presence was enough to enthrall Yoongi.

"You're so beautiful, angel." After removing his clothes, he took his place between your legs, trapping his frame between them on either side of him. He took a moment to brush your hair away from your face with his slender fingers. His free hand landed on your knee to spread your legs further apart. You closed your legs around his hand, inviting him to follow it to your most private parts. "You're beautiful too, daddy."

You whimpered as he pulled your panties aside and stretched your pussy with his middle and index fingers, your slickness making it easy for him to slide inside your walls. "Fuck- baby, you're dripping. Is it all for me?"

"Yes, daddy." You breathed through your nose as his thumb stroked your clit in a way that made your vision blur when the pleasure was too consuming for you to think straight. “It’s all for you.”

Though he had only asked the question to tease you, your sweet declaration sent shivers down his spine. You were like a delicate flower in his garden, he wanted to corrupt you until he had you all to himself.

“Do you think you're ready for my cock, angel?”

Your manicured fingers scratched his neck as you nodded feverishly. He slipped his fingers out of you and a whimper escaped your lips as if you missed the feel of his fingers filling you. 

He teased you with the tip of his cock as you let out a sob as if you couldn't wait any longer. You felt like you were about to lose your mind as he sank into you inch by inch.

His lips felt soft against your skin as his kisses traced a path down your throat to your breasts. He sucked on your nipples through your sheer floral bra as if tasting the sweetest honey. He whispered sweet nothings in your ear about how good you were to him as he made you see stars under his weight.

He picked up a pace that made loud thumps as he fucked you into the mattress, causing the bed to hit the wall. His raven hair fell into his eyes and sweat dripped from his forehead. He left kisses on your cheek as loud moans came from your mouth.

His thrusts became more brutal and his animalistic grunts echoed in your ears. You felt tears streaming down your face as you murmured to his lips how much you loved him. He finished inside your heavenly walls as your pussy gripped his cock tightly. His warm cum filled you to the brim, triggering your orgasm right after him.

He didn't pull out, but instead he lay down on top of you and rested his head on the valley of your breasts. His hands were on either side of you, caressing your skin in a soothing way.

"Yoongi, you can tell me what happened." He sighed as you played with his damp hair. "Your dad's giving me a hard time at work."

"Do you want me to talk to him?" You pulled his hair slightly so he could look at your face. He looked intently into your eyes before kissing your worries away. There was a look of amusement on his face as he pulled away from the kiss that you had shared with him.

"Don't worry about me, angel. I think it would be enough to give him a heart attack if I told him that I take my frustrations out on her daughter's pussy every time he makes me mad."

--

[chiisana666]

walk him like a dog!

synopsis: some perverts need a serious reality check.

warnings: NSFW, MDNI, 18+ sub!perv!sanji x mean!dom!fem reader, big dick sanji, non-con voyeurism, dub con, sanji is a nasty perv fr, slapping but he likes it, blackmail?, footjob, mention of zoro x reader, sanji w/ a tongue piercing, cunnilingus, semi-public, choking, edging?, ruined orgasm, unprotected p in v, cum swapping, more stuff that I missed

wc: 3334

notes: image sourced from pinterest, credits for dividers here. not beta-read so apologies for any mistakes, I wrote this all in one sitting and was blushing like a slut the whole time. i wanna step on the stupid cook, he is so baby girl <3

There you are before him, dripping wet and pissed as hell.

He hadn’t meant for you to catch him - he didn’t even know how he ended up in there, honestly! But you knew better than to trust whatever bullshit alibi the cook spewed when you caught him poking around in the women’s changing room.

Sanji had been present when you announced your intention to unwind in an Onsen not too far from where the Thousand Sunny was docked, inviting Nami and Robin to join. Much to both your and Sanji’s disappointment, both declined, opting to turn in for the evening in preparation for setting sail the next morning. But it did not matter, you would enjoy a quiet evening soak and perhaps a nice sake after regardless.

The kindly old woman behind the reception counter of the inn was overjoyed to have a customer, and you were delighted to find the hot spring empty, all for yourself. Once behind the red curtain concealing the woman’s dressing room, you strip away your sun-bleached top and tight shorts, undergarments following suit. You neatly fold the articles and put them into one of the numerous empty baskets on the shelf, placing your shoes aside. Wrapping yourself in a fluffy white towel that the old lady had given you, you entered the bathing area, sliding the door shut behind you. Hanging your towel on a nearby hook, you gingerly dip a toe in the water, before slipping fully in. The steamy water welcomes your aching muscles, tenderly loosening the knots tethered across your neck and shoulders. You sigh pleasantly and relax against the rock behind you, eyelids drooping shut as you sink further.

Unbeknownst that steps away lurks an all-too-familiar face. It had been easy enough for Sanji to slip away after you, claiming he too yearned for a soak. Really, he thought it was a nice idea and meant to enjoy some relaxation himself. But the obvious lack of customers and the late hour were all too tempting, and Sanji easily slipped through the red curtains rather than the blue.

He was just going to take a quick look, and then go to the men’s side. He peeks inside the only occupied basket and goes red in the face as he is greeted by your cotton panties neatly placed on top. Just once and then he’ll leave. Sanji presses his nose against the crotch and inhales deeply. It was intoxicating. His left-hand gropes at his hardening cock through his black pants, and one turned into two, and two turned into three.

Sanji’s gaze steadily lingers towards the sliding doors to the spring, he can hear you faintly humming a familiar tune. Perhaps he can just take a quick glance, and then he swears he will leave. He creeps towards the doors, your panties still clutched in his right hand. Using the greatest care, he inches it open, just enough to reveal a sliver of the scene it obscured. There you are - just a slice but enough to send Sanji reeling - leaning against a large rock, your locks messily done up to keep them dry, the swell of your breasts peeking above the water line, all while the hum of your sweet voice flitters through the air.

His eyes roll back as he raises your underwear to his face again, sliding his hand beneath his pants and giving his dick a firm squeeze. He wants to burn the image of you into his mind, eyes peeping open occasionally to ensure all the details are correct. His left hand fists at his stiff member as he imagines what more lay beneath the water’s edge. Sanji groans lowly while he pictures how your pretty panties snuggly grip your ass, or the heavenly sight of it slapping against his thighs while he drills into you from behind. He swore he could hear the sweet chirps that would fall from your supple lips, begging him for more, harder.

Sanji was close, just a little more and then he could cum and leave, and you would be none the wiser. He moans again, a little less mindful that you were mere feet away. He tugs at his cock, feeling his balls tightening just as he is about to-

BOOM!

Sanji topples backward, his tailbone smacking against the wooden floorboards while his hands fly behind to catch himself. He snaps out of his daze on impact and meets you with a shocked expression.

While enthralled in the depths of his disgusting, perverted mind, Sanji had failed to notice that you had left the springs and toweled off. It was during this that you heard a quiet groan, so faint you almost missed it. Initially fearing someone, perhaps the old woman, maybe hurt, you wrapped yourself up and hurried towards the doors. But then, you halted right before them, noticing the tiniest crack between the door and the frame. Through this, you caught the smallest glimpse of blonde hair and immediately slammed the door open.

So now, there you are, dripping wet and pissed as hell. Your towel is clutched against your nude body, hair now freed from its’ confines. Your jaw clenches tightly, and Sanji swears he can see the steam blowing out of your ears.

“Why you-! You vile little- you, you!” Words cannot express the admonishment you feel in this moment as you take in the cook: his belt hangs unbuckled, button and fly open to expose his hard dick pressing against his boxers, begging to be freed. His face is flushed, blonde hair damp from steam and sweat. And your crumpled panties lie next to him, evident drool marks littering them.

You growl and lunge at him, your hand tangling with his locks and yanking him into the bathing area, before slamming the door shut behind him.

“What is wrong with you!” You shriek, letting go of his hair and flailing your arms around. Sanji falls to his knees and peers up at you, bottom lip slightly quivering. He wasn’t sure if he should be turned on or fear for his life. Likely the latter, but he was more so feeling the former.

“I cannot believe that you would- argh!” You reel back, right hand striking his left cheek with a loud smack! Sanji’s head jerks to the side as he falls forward onto his hands, a loud, shameless moan echoing around you. His cheek tingles and burns as blood rushes back to his cock, reminding him of the orgasm you had stolen from him moments prior. You stare at him for a moment, shocked at his unconventional reaction. Then, you squat to his level, and, using the same hand you just struck him with, you grab at his hair again and force his face up to meet yours.

“You disgust me, Sanji,” you spit, noticing the ill-defined outline of your palm and fingers on his cheek. You might want to fuck him up, but if he is going to behave this way, you might as well enjoy yourself too, “Perverts like you are good for nothing, right?” You give another yank, sending shockwaves through his scalp and down to his cock.

“Right?” You ask again, more aggressively due to his lack of response. His eyes clench shut, afraid he may cum the second he meets yours, “Look at me when I speak to you, mutt.” Your hand moves to grip his face, fingers digging into his cheeks, forcing his lower jaw to hang open. The tip of his pink tongue pokes out as he gazes at you, half-lidded, while your head moves closer to his.

“Yeth!” he lisps through puckered lips, wincing at the crushing force bruising against his tender cheek, dick twitched in his pants. You smirk at his pure patheticness, humming contently in response.

“That’s what I fucking thought.” You stand up abruptly, pulling him back onto his knees by his jaw, which continues to prove just how much he enjoyed this. Sanji could easily free himself from your grasp if he wanted to, and yet he lies limp while you drag him around like a ragdoll.

With one foot planted firmly into the stone ground, your other traces up his thigh to his covered cock. You press the ball into his shaft, eliciting a guttural moan from Sanji’s chest, gurgling on the spit that had accumulated in his mouth as a result of the grip on his jaw. Running your toes up and down his length, you sigh, hand moving to regain his locks once more. You massage the crown of his skull soothingly, tilting his head upwards while you lean over him.

“Why shouldn’t I just tell everyone,” You purr in his ear, biting at the lobe, “the cook is a nasty pervert that peeps on girls. Imagine what the crew would say?” Sanji’s eyes shot open, what would he do if everyone found out about this incident? They knew he could be obsessive, but this was entirely different than just fawning over pretty women. Surely, they will kick him off the ship, drop him on some island in the Grand Line, and never turn back. Or worse, perhaps he will be thrown overboard to whatever creature lurks beneath the waves.

You sense his fear and giggle, placing a wet kiss on his jaw, “Guess you’ll have to convince me to keep my mouth shut.” Your toes curl under the waistline of his boxers, tugging at it so it slaps against his hip bone with a thwack! Sanji leans into the kisses you sloppily pepper along his cheek before a firm pull at his neck alerts him.

“Off,” you demand, fingers wrapped around his black tie. Stepping back, you watch as Sanji’s trembling hands undo his tie and unfasten the buttons of his blue-stripped dress shirt, discarding both to the side. He looks back at you, eyes pleading for your touch once more. You stare at him like he is stupid and scoff, “Everything, mutt!”

Sanji makes quick work of the rest of his clothing, kicking off his shoes and yanking down his pants and boxers in one motion, thumbs peeling off his socks last. He sits back on his forearms, fully nude, dick standing proudly against his lower abdomen. You feel your mouth salivate and thighs clench together at the glorious state of him. No matter how much you want to despise Sanji, you can never deny how beautiful he was, and even more so his dick was. The mushroom head is flushed red, angry, and leaking globs of precum. He is larger than you had expected, seeing as most perverts sported little cocks to juxtapose their massive egos.

But no, Sanji impresses you in both length and girth, possibly rivaling Zoro’s dick which had fucked you stupid on more than one drunken occasion. And his hefty balls that hang between his spread thighs are the cherry on top.

You leisurely untuck your towel and let it slip down your body, exposing your lusciousness to Sanji. He sighs, cock bouncing.

“Well?” you ask, arms crossing and eyebrow quirking, beckoning him to make the next move. He crawls toward you and rests on his haunches, thick hands grabbing at your calf while he leans down to kiss at your ankle. The fine hairs of his mustache tickle with each smooch, and the scruff of his beard drags behind them. Sanji puckers moist, messy kisses up your calf and across your thigh, creeping past your perfect cunt while his hands caress your hips and ass. He licks and suckles marks across your pelvis, pulling you into his body, your hands reaching down to steady yourself on his shoulders.

His striking eyes bear up into yours as he grabs your right leg, hooking it over his left shoulder and pulling your cunt to his face. Sanji flattens his tongue against your damp core, and you jump at a cool metallic feeling on your clit. He licks a languid strip up towards your mound, flicking slowly, obviously showing off the barbell pierced through his fat tongue.

Sanji devours you, switching between fucking your sopping hole with the thick pink tip of his tongue and tickling over your clit with his piercing. The firm grip he has on your waist and thigh is all that is keeping you up, entranced in the methodical rhythm of grinding your hips on his face, one of your hands stroking through his golden locks.

Sanji can feel his dick twitching and throbbing at your sultry gyrations, desperately wanting to feel your sweet cunt milking it. He groans into your cunt at the thought, vibrating your clit.

“F-fuck San-ji,” you keel over him, pressing his face impossibly closer to you. You can feel a familiar pressure thumping deep within your abdomen, a slow ascension beginning. You so badly want to cum all over his stupid face, but you cannot erase the image of his gorgeous cock from your thoughts. Much to your own dismay, you push his head away from your core, dropping your shaking leg and pushing at his shoulders. Sanji gets the hint and lays back across the stone floor, shivering at the coolness despite the billowing warmth of the hot spring steps away.

You drop to kneel above his hips, dripping cunt hovering inches above his thick, weepy cock. You trace your hands across his broad chest, pinching at his nipples and scratching at his pectorals with your nails, before finally taking purchase at his throat. You give a gentle squeeze and his hands, which now rest on your hips, offer one in return. You giggle at the somewhat cute exchange, leaning down to meet his lips with yours. The kiss was gentle, lulling you into forgetting how this exchange even began. His tongue dances with yours, sweeping around your mouth, piercing clicking against the back of your teeth.

You drop your hips to grind your wetness up and down his length, soaking his cock and balls with your sweet juices. Sanji bucks his hips up into yours in response, exchanging moans through kisses. The pudgy tip prods at your hole, hooking at your clit – although this alone was heavenly, you can feel your patience growing thinner with each thrust.

Breaking free from his lips, you left one hand wrapped around his neck, keeping yourself propped up, while the other reached behind you. You position his tip at your entrance, inching yourself downward on his cock, slowly split yourself open. He fills you up almost too perfectly, head massaging your spongy walls as you begin to fuck your tight pussy up and down his length.

Sanji’s eyes clenched shut; he knew he wasn’t going to last long, and it was taking everything in him not to stuff you full of his creamy seed right there. His grip on your hips tightened, alerting you to his nearing peak. You snapped your hips against his harder, ass slapping against his heavy balls while his tip prodded aggressively within you. Your greedy cunt sucks his cock in, clinging like a vise. Sanji’s breaths become shorter and more exasperated, eyes rolling back as he feels his balls tighten with the grip you had on his neck. He was so close, so so close-

And then you stopped, completely halting the movement of your hips within a second.

“Nooo!-“ Sanji whines, but is cut off with a harsh smack to the left side of his face with the backside of your hand.

“Shut up.” You command sternly, a harsh contrast to the sweetness of your earlier kisses, “Why the fuck would I let you come before me? Are you that fucking stupid, mutt?” Your degrading words send a shudder down his spine.

“You’ll be lucky if I let you come at all,” you chuckle at the flash of fear that ran through his eyes, mimicking his earlier panic. Leaning back, you release his neck and rest your hand on his thigh behind you. Your other reaches down to grasp the base of his cock in an ‘o’ shape, acting as a make-shift cock ring.

You grind your cunt down onto his pelvis, his groomed pubic hairs tickling at your clit while his dick kneads your walls. You sigh in contentment as you resume your bouncing, your juices making it easier to accommodate his thick length.

Sanji can already feel his high creeping in again, stomach tightening while he thrusts his hips up into you to the best of his ability. But the tight grip you had on the base of his cock inhibits him from toppling over the edge. He wants to cry, tears pricking the corners of his eyes as he starts to babble at you.

“Pl-please baby- fuck- please let me c-cum inside of you,” He sobs pathetically, drool dribbling from the corner of his swollen lips. His wet eyes peek open to meet yours, hoping to find a shred of mercy but only to be met with malice. You grin wickedly at him as you slam yourself down on his thick cock, abusing your own cunt.

“Wanna fill me up, hmm? Tch- as if,” you jeer, purposefully clenching your walls around his aching dick. Another sob wracks his body as Sanji tenses, trying desperately to loosen your hold just enough for him to cum. But, if anything, you tighten it impossibly more, bouncing on him faster and faster, “You should be grateful I even let you stick it in my pussy.”

You throw your head back, feeling your core tighten and your legs begin to give out. Your own peak was right there, and you barrel towards it like a mad woman. Your bounces become sloppy, turning into messy thrusts as your climax hits. Your toes curl as bliss encapsulates your mind, your essence flooding your walls and coating his length. The clenching of your pussy around his length as you ride out your high is unbearable, and tears stream down Sanji’s cheeks while you selfishly abuse his poor dick.

The roll of your hips becomes more controlled and rhythmic as you come down, rolling your head and shoulders as you ground yourself back into reality. The tight hold you have on the base of Sanji’s cock does not let up once, leaving him dangling by a thread while you revel in your release.

You give him a look of pity, offering a warm smile as you tenderly slide up and down his dick. His breathing is still heavy, tears still flowing.

“Alright, alright,” You give in half-heartedly, slipping him out of your sore, sopping cunt.

“Wait, no!-“

“Cum,” you interrupt, releasing your grip and delivering a harsh flick to his puffy tip. Sanji screams as spurts of hot cum coat his stomach, hips thrusting violently in search of anything to fuck him through his orgasm. He tries to reach a palm to fist his cock, but your hands snatch his wrists and prevent any relief they could have brought.

It takes several moments for Sanji’s incessant whimpering and bucking to subside, leaving thick globs of seed painted across his abdomen. You scoop some of his cum up with two fingers, bringing them to your mouth to suck them clean, moaning at the taste. He is salty and slightly musky, likely from the copious amounts of cigarettes he smokes. But there is a delicate saccharine taste that lingers on your tastebuds. You swish the cum around with some saliva, leaning down to capture Sanji’s pouty lips in yours, spitting the mixture into his mouth. He swallows without even having to be asked.

Your bare chest relaxes against his, skin sticking together, while you gingerly nip and suckle on his lips, arms caging his head and fingers playing with his hair. You lay with him for many moments, relishing in the brief intimacy.

“Chérie…” Sanji groans wantonly, but you hush him before he can continue.

“I think we can work out an arrangement, cook. In exchange for me keeping your nasty secret.”

[rxmqnova]

Hay:)

Can you write something like Natasha and Reader in high school. Nat having her reputation of course and her friends, which is really important to her while reader is more of the outcast and "an easy target" for Nats friends. Nat does laugh along of course for the sake of her reputation. But the second they're alone Nat gets all submissive almost begging for her girlfriends/readers attention and touch. It's just how they work.

Are you done yet?

NO ONE'S POV Opening her locker to take her books for the next lesson, Y/N doesn't notice the group making her way over to her.

"Well, well, well. Look who's that" Tony's annoying voice rings through the girl's ears, making her roll her eyes and just ignore them.

And it works for a few seconds until her locker gets shut right in front of her face by the youngest and newest memeber of that group, Peter.

Y/N glares at the younger boy, turning around to walk away but locking her eyes with none other than Natasha, her girlfriend.

It's been over a year since the two started dating, yet they still haven't told anyone. While Natasha's the 'popular' one, Y/N is the 'outcast' and those two groups just don't mix, that's the rule.

But it still happened when the two were assigned for a project together last year. They spent a lot of time working on it together and Natasha realized that Y/N is actually a really sweet girl.

Though Natasha still wants to keep her 'reputation', so they haven't told anyone and the group keeps making Y/N's life a living hell. And even though Y/N sees Natasha's point, it just annoys her. Luckily, it's only for the next few months and then they'll be both out of that school.

A pair of strong arms stops the girl from walking away. Turning around she finds another group member… Steve.

"Alright, let's get this over with" She sighs out. "What is it today? Is there anything wrong with my hair? My clothes? My make-up?" She raises an eyebrow, having enough of this. Every single day it's the same and Y/N is so done with it.

"Everything! You look like a clown!" Peter blurts out, desperately trying to fit in.

"Nice. Thanks. Is that all? Can I go?" Y/N questions annoyed.

"No" Tony says, making the girl let out another sigh. Suddenly he just takes Y/N's books, throwing them on the ground on which the entire group laughs, including Natasha who doesn't think that's funny but just laughs along anyway.

"Idiots" Y/N sighs, kneeling down to pick up her books once the group is gone.

———

"Hey" Natasha smiles softly at her girlfriend who only just opened the door for her, standing at the porch of Y/N's house. "Are you okay after this morning?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Your friends are just a bunch of idiots. Come in" Y/N brushes it off, stepping aside, so Natasha could come in.

"I'm sorry they're acting like that to you" Natasha sighs, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend and pulling her in for a warm hug.

"It's fine, Nat. Really. I'm used to it. I would have been much happier if you said something, but I know how much you care about your reputation. I'm currently finishing writing my essay, I'll just finish it real quick and get right back to you" Y/N smiles, leading the redhead upstairs to her bedroom.

"How about a movie?" Natasha suggests. She absolutely loves cuddling with her girlfriend, so watching a movie is definitely a great opportunity to get some cuddles.

"Sounds good. You can choose one while I finish the essay" Y/N smiles, pecking Natasha's lips with a kiss before walking over to her desk and sitting down while Natasha takes a seat on bed.

It takes only a few minutes until Natasha has the movie chosen and even switched on the TV. Now she's just sitting on her girlfriend's bed, watching as Y/N's typing some words to her computer.

"Are you nearly done?" Natasha asks impatiently, making her girlfriend chuckle.

"Nearly, just need to write the ending" Y/N shoots her girlfriend a quick smile before turning around and getting back to writing.

Natasha only hums in response, deciding to check up what's new on Instagram while waiting. And once again it doesn't last long.

She sighs, standing up and walking over to her girlfriend, wrapping arms around her and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Are you done yet?"

"Gosh, you're like a child" Y/N lets out a chuckle, pressing a kiss to Natasha's hand. "You asked me like 3 minutes ago"

Making Natasha sigh, Y/N gets back to writing once again, though the way Natasha's impatiently waiting and scanning the screen of her laptop is kinda distracting.

"Natty, can you just wait on the bed for me? You're distracting me a bit. I need to concentrate" Y/N says as nicely as possible, receiving a whine from her girlfriend.

"Can't you just finish it later? I want to cuddle with you" Natasha says with a sigh, pulling her girlfriend up.

"It's due tomorrow, Nat. I really need to finish it. I promise it won't take more than 10 minutes" Y/N sighs, gently pushing Natasha to sit on her bed before going back to her previous seat.

"You're so mean" Natasha sighs once again, a pout on her face on which Y/N can't help but laugh a little.

Natasha's growing impatience just doesn't allow her to wait. She asks the same question 'Are you done yet?' nearly every 2 minutes until Y/N finally finishes.

"Finally, can I get my cuddles now?" Natasha questions, her eyebrow raising which makes Y/N chuckle.

"Now you can get as many cuddles as you want"

----------------------

Natasha Romanoff masterlist

Masterlist

[daycourtofficial]

Bad Idea

Summary: feeling a bit neglected by your mate, you decide to try to make him jealous by dancing with another male. Very little plot, mostly just smut ngl.

Warnings: Azriel is a mean dom, so uh literally.. spanking, cockwarming, degradation, light choking.

Author’s note: fuck it, I want jealous Az, and dammit I’ll have jealous Az. Also I’m headcannoning that Az wears boxer briefs idk why I feel like he’d like the sleekness of them.

-

You knew it was a stupid idea. Stupid, stupid idea. You couldn’t help yourself, though. Your mate had been gone all week on a mission, his return culminating in everyone at Rita’s - dancing, drinking, having a good time.

Your mate kept talking to his brothers, hardly passing you a second glance when a male approached you at the bar. You looked to see if he’d noticed, and growing tired of his lack of attention, you decided to indulge the man at the bar. Truth be told, the man wasn’t really interested in you. You two struck up a conversation about your shoes, leading you to discussing your own mates.

Wren, he told you, was here because he loved dancing, but his mate did not. You could understand the sentiment, the same opinions being held by you and your mate. So you asked Wren to dance and made your way to the dance floor.

You danced for what felt like hours with Wren, having an incredible time. Lost in the music, through the haze of alcohol, it was easy to push aside your feelings of neglect. Every so often you’d look towards your mate, only to find him looking elsewhere. You and Wren left the dancefloor for some water, him telling you he should be on his way home. You bid each other farewell, and you realize your mate is nowhere to be found.

You stumbled home, forgoing your heels a block from Rita’s. The house is dark, not a single light on inside. You roll your eyes walking up the steps to your door, assuming Azriel was still speaking with Rhys and Cassian somewhere.

You slipped through your house, tossing your shoes on the floor as you walk up the stairs to your bedroom. You pushed open your bedroom door, closing it softly behind you. You pad through the room, reaching to unzip your top when a heavy weight presses into your back, pushing your front into the wall.

You start to scream, but a scarred hand wraps around your mouth. The force has your hands above your head with one hand, your mouth covered with the other.

“That’s no way to greet me, my love.”

Your mate’s voice eases the primal fear deep within you, but the tone of his voice causes a new fear to ripple through you.

“In fact,” he says, his whisper sending chills down your spine, “nothing you did tonight was an appropriate way to greet your mate after a week away.”

You muffle some sounds, trying to explain to him that he wasn’t even looking at you for most of the night, but he keeps his hand steady on your mouth, curling some fingers around your jaw to keep it locked in place.

His wings wrap around both of you, coccooning you from the world, as if his next words were meant only for the two of you.

“You’re mine,” he whispers, “my mate, my wife, my soul.”

He releases your hands, but the loss of contact is quickly replaced by his shadows holding your hands together.

“I’ll spend however long it takes to remind you of that fact, until you’re so fucked out you’re just left a drooling, twitching mess.”

He releases you from the wall, your weight sagging from him holding you up, but before you can fall, he holds you around the hips, dragging you to the bed. His shadows were in a frenzy around you, and he pushes you down onto the bed, your back hitting the mattress.

“I’m not the only one possessive of you,” he says, as shadows start swirling around your legs, your arms, your waist, your neck. You tried to lift yourself up, but they held you down. Azriel turned, walking to the bar cart you two kept in your room, pouring himself a glass of whiskey as his shadows held you down.

“They were so upset with you,” he says, the whiskey coming close to his lips. “They wanted me to make a big show in Rita’s about who you belong to, but I told them to wait, and I’d let them have their fun.”

Two shadows traveled up your thighs, and your eyes widen, remembering what’s underneath your skirt.

“Don’t worry,” he drawls, sitting in his leather chair to have an unobstructed view of you. A shadow swirls behind your back, unzipping your top and pulling it off of you. They do the same with your skirt, but they leave your overly optimistic crotchless panties and matching bra on. “I’ll make my way to you, eventually.”

Your mate tsks as he looks at you, his shadows holding you down so you can’t move. They start touching your entrance, their cool, airy touch leaving you needing more.

He stands a few feet away from you, his drink in his hand as he watches his shadows hold you in place to keep you from squirming. Your back arches as they snuck under your bra, pinching your nipples. He chuckles into his drink as a few shadows start circling your clit, your moans a clear indication of how good they feel against you.

His shadows found their way in your shared bed, usually assisting Azriel in touching you or holding you down. On rare occasions such as this, Azriel lets them do as they please, allowing them to lay as much claim to you as he does.

It was euphoric the way they caressed against your exposed skin, never staying still. They whirled and swirled up your legs, your arms, through your hair, around your waist, your breasts. They were enjoying this time with you.

Azriel walks over to the bed, lust coating his eyes and his scent as he asks, “had enough yet?”

You open your mouth to speak, but some shadows circle your neck, applying a light pressure so you can’t speak. Your futile attempts to respond cause him to smirk and in a flash the shadows have stopped roaming your body. Your skin warms at the loss of their cool touch, and you start to move your arms when scarred hands replace the shadows, keeping a harsh grip on your wrists.

He leans down, practically laying on top of you as he leans in and tells you, “undress me.”

Your thoughts still, that need for his skin coming back to you. You sit up immediately, reaching to unbutton his shirt, but he stops you.

“Undress me without touching my skin.”

You whine at your mate knowing exactly why you did everything that led you here. You sit up, hands shaking as you unbutton his shirt. He even turns around so you can undo the buttons underneath his wings. You can’t stop yourself from staring at them, their veins just calling out to you to stroke them, that one spot that you know drives him wild calling to you like a siren.

He chuckles at how long you’ve spent observing him, your eyes taking in every inch of his back. The toned muscles, the tattoos on his upper back, the spot where his back meets the wings.

You find yourself starting to reach out, your fingers inches from his wing when he clears his throat.

“I’m still wearing pants,” he says, in an unimpressed tone. You gasp, the trance on his wings broken as he turns around, allowing you access to his front.

Your eyes roam his torso, the tattoos on the front completing the shapes from the back. You watch his chest rise and fall as he breathes, as your eyes get caught on that line of hair that delves into his pants.

You reach a hand out to undo the laces of his pants, your hands shaking a bit as you do so. From need for him and from fear of punishment if you break another rule, you’re not sure which is influencing the shaking of your hands more.

You take a deep breath as your hands find the top of his pants, taking extra care to avoid his skin. You start pulling his pants down, receiving no help from your mate until they are around his ankles and he steps out of them.

You look at him, standing there in his black boxer briefs, practically drooling thinking about what lays underneath them. You’re gazing at his thighs, looking at the toned muscles he trains every day. He flexes a little at your gaze and you gasp at the movement.

The urge to run your hands up and down his thighs is taking over your senses, until his hand grabs your jaw, moving your gaze to look at his clothed hardened length.

His silent command gets you moving again, and you grab the waistband of his undershorts, pulling them down, taking care as it moves over his length.

His hard cock springs up, hitting his abdomen as it’s freed. You moan at the sight of it, but continue your quest to pull them all the way down. He steps out of them again, and moves to the side of you to lay down on the bed.

He lays there for a beat, his Adonis-like stature warming you from the inside. He grabs your waist, moving each of your legs to straddle him, but keeping you about a foot away from him.

He lines up his hard cock to your entrance, leaving you to hover a few inches away from him. You moan, needing him to let you slide onto him, needing him inside you.

“P-please,” you moan, practically drooling at the sight of the pre-cum spreading down him. He purrs, “My greedy little mate needs my cock, does she?”

You nod your head, but he tuts at you. “Use your words.”

You look at him, his teasing smirk telling you just how much he’s enjoying this. “Can I p-please sit on your cock, feel you inside of me?”

His smirk deepens, and he tells you to go ahead. You start sliding him into you, moaning at the way he’s stretching you. He’s still keeping you in place with his hands, and he helps you guide down onto him.

Once you feel him completely fill you up, you start to move, only to be held back. His hands keep you still, not allowing you to budge. You whine, needing to ride him, needing to fill him pumping in and out of you. He sees how desperately you need him and smiles.

“But darling, this is what you wanted, isn’t it?”

It’s too much, you need to move. His hands were pressed so hard into your hips, keeping you both in place and keeping himself as deep into you as possible. You can feel them digging into your skin, leaving perfect finger shaped bruises to be found tomorrow.

You could have been sitting there for minutes or days and you’d have no clue. Time crept on, your mate keeping you in the same spot, despite your whining and pleading.

His shadows kept busy, keeping a hold on your hands behind your back, but also by circling your nipples, pinching you. They continued swirling up your thighs, enjoying overstimulating you.

The stimulation becomes too much, with tears eventually leaking down your face, which the shadows gently caress away. Azriel finally speaks, his long silence another form of punishment. His words are usually full of praise for you, except for when you misbehave.

“Now, why am I doing this to you?” He asks, looking into your face.

“Because I was a bad girl.”

He spanks you, hard, the action startling a whimper out of you. His hand rests back on your hips, keeping you in place. “Tell me every bad thing you did tonight.”

And so you did, each action earning a swift slap on your ass.

“I left you to go to the bar by myself.”

Spank.

“I talked to another male.”

Spank.

“I danced with another male.”

Spank.

In between each confession, he held tightly to your ass, rubbing the pain in. At this rate, you’ll hardly be able to sit tomorrow without feeling the sting of this punishment.

After finally reaching the point of the night where you had greeted him with a shriek, the tears were streaming down your face, your ass covered in his hand prints.

“Now, who do you belong to?”

“You.” You tell him, tears clouding your vision. “I won’t disobey you again.”

He chuckles lowly, “oh I know you won’t.” He lifts you off of himself, a whine coming from you as he pulls you off his cock. “Now you’ve made quite a mess on me,” you look down, his thighs and cock covered in a sheen of your juices. “Clean it up.”

Hands still behind your back, you lean forward, licking his thighs, tasting yourself mixed with his sweat.

“Can you taste the desperation?”

You whine, as he holds your head down to his thighs. After successfully cleaning both of his thighs, he guides your head right in front of his cock, the tip mere inches from your mouth.

You’re staring at it, needing it inside you, watching pre-cum leak out of the tip, when he laughs at you.

“Drooling over my cock already?”

You blush, not realizing you had actually drooled over the appendage in front of you.

“Do you want a taste?” He asks, and you nod vigorously. “Stick out your tongue,” he tells you, and you immediately obey. He allows you to roam his cock with your tongue, tasting both of your juices mixed together.

“Put me in your mouth.”

You open your mouth, allowing him entry, and he immediately begins pushing in and out of you. He grabs your hair, holding you in place. You look up at him and he makes direct eye contact with you as he pushes himself as far into your mouth as he can go. He tells you, “I’m going to cum in your mouth, but you’re not allowed to swallow it. Got it?”

He pulls a little harder on your hair to tell you he’s serious. His shadows hold you in place as he fucks your mouth, until you feel him pick up the pace.

After a minute of his intense thrusting, he’s cumming in your mouth, his hot seed shooting into your throat.

“Now open.” He tells you, and when you open your mouth, he smirks at the semen in your mouth. Before you realize it, he spits in your mouth and tells you to close it.

“Now,” he tells you, his face right in front of yours, “no swallowing. I want you to be full from my cum in your mouth and your cunt, in hopes you can get it through your dumb little head that you belong to me.”

He’s pushed you onto your back and has slid back into you. An attempt at a moan comes out but is blocked by the semen in your mouth.

He chuckles, “you don’t want to know what will happen if you swallow before I tell you to.”

He starts pumping into you, filling you with his cock. He’s thrusting in and out of you, and you’re not sure you can take anymore when he moves a hand down and begins fingering you.

You close your eyes and tilt your head back in pleasure, unable to moan because of the cum in your mouth. You’re getting close, all of his attention and teasing being too much. You feel it building for both you and your mate. You know he’s close, his speed increasing drastically.

“You’re going to swallow right as I cum in you. Can you do that? Can you be a good girl for one minute?”

You nod your head yes, but the ecstasy you feel is making thoughts incredibly difficult. He wraps a hand around your throat, his thumb stroking the front of your neck.

“Swallow. Now.”

It all happens so fast. You swallow the mixture of spit and cum, the salty tang sliding down your throat. Azriel finishes inside of you, his cum filling you up triggering you to finish.

You lay there, him on top of you. Both of you are panting, unable to form thoughts or words to describe what just happened. Azriel rolls off of you, moving to your side.

He strokes your cheek and asks, “You okay?”

Your hand slowly rises to his field of vision, and you give a thumbs up. He laughs, caressing your face before getting up and getting you a rag. He comes back, helping you clean up while you’re half asleep.

“You’re hot when you’re jealous,” you tell him, falling asleep as he discards the washcloth and crawls into bed with you, wrapping you into his arms.

[bunnycatalina]

LADS SocMed AU | Minor Angst, Established Relationship, 1.5k word count

Zayne has been swamped at work and forgot to inform you that he’s been dragged into yet another meeting while you wait for him at the cafe for your anniversary lunch.

Reader/You

It’s not like you don’t understand that the esteemed chief cardiac surgeon is in high demand with the recent surge of protocol syndrome cases popping up. However as you glance at your phone yet again to see your text messages unanswered, the pitying glances from the cafe staff was starting to get on you.

The feeling of cold disappointment washing over you is a sharp contrast to the gnawing hunger that has been eating at you while you’ve waited the past 2 hours for zayne to turn up to your anniversary lunch.

Mind blank with a heavy sense of heartache you finish up your drink and get the bill to leave. Aimlessly wandering along the street it was easy for your mind to quickly spiral as you remember how he’s been too busy for you more often recently. The thought of heading back to your empty apartment hits you with a pang, quickly pushing aside the thought you find yourself heading back to your office.

- at the office -

You robotically sift through recent unassigned tasks looking for a distraction that would take you away from this. Glancing at the time, 3:30pm stares back at you and your ever quiet phone with no notifications seem to mock you. Without a second thought, you quickly select a week long task, book your train ticket and left the office.

Back home you quickly move about the apartment packing a small travel work bag while feeling absolutely empty because you refuse to allow yourself to think about zayne and feel the crushing disappointment and sadness that threatens to drown you. Locking your door you head out to the train station, carefully keeping your mind and face blank and not allowing yourself to think too hard about what and why you’re doing this.

Zayne

Sighing tiredly as he walked into his office, zayne allows himself to sag into his sofa dropping his head back to allow the tension to drain away minutely.

Rubbing at his forehead, he glanced out the window at the setting sun feeling drained from the meeting he has been pulled into regarding an important VIP patient that was warded today for suspected protocore syndrome. Feeling a mounting headache he shook his head and reached for his phone which he had left on his desk earlier. He opened up his chat with you hoping for the calm and relief that your daily ramblings brought him.

[6 text messages and 4 missed calls]

Sitting up quickly, a feeling of dread comes over him as he quickly scans through your texts. “Fuck” swearing heatedly zayne feels the growing panic as he glances out the window and at the time on the clock. 6:45pm. Quickly gathering his things zayne frantically tries to call you as he rushes out to his car.

Reader/You

Staring blankly at your phone, you watched as it buzzed and the screen lit up with a picture of you and zayne. Feeling absolutely numb as you watched it light up over and over with calls from zayne but you can’t get yourself to move and pick it up.

Sighing heavily you leaned back against a wall, you had quickly checked into a hotel upon arrival and headed out soon after to stake out the area where the disappearances have been reported. Typing out a quick “Talk later” your finger hovered over the send button. You had so much you wanted to say but now wasn’t the time. Closing your eyes you hit [send] before turning your phone off. You can deal with that later, you have wanderers to hunt.

Zayne

He had driven to the cafe you were both supposed to have met this afternoon on the off chance that you were still waiting there only to be told by the staff you had left hours ago. Frantically texting you he runs to his car to drive over to your apartment.

Ding! Zayne quickly grabs his phone from his car console while moving to park at the nearest place available. Looking at your message which was uncharacteristically short and to the point zayne sighs heavily. Weighing his options Zayne decides to head home and respect your space knowing he had messed up badly.

Reader/You

Swiping at your heated eyes you put your phone down on the counter and stepped into the shower of your hotel. Letting the hot water rush over you, you stood there trying to sort out your emotions. You can’t figure out if you were over-reacting or if your actions were justified from the build up of disappointments you’ve faced over the past few months.

Letting the water wash away your conflicted emotions, you can’t help but hope for the wanderers to show up soon. Thankfully the case you’ve rashly picked was relatively simple and today you’ve managed to scope out where the possible nest of wanderer was. You would likely be able to end this case early and head home in a few days. Hoping that the rush of the battle will act as a stress relief to work out your feelings of frustration you step out of the shower and quickly get into bed to put an end to this long and exhaustive day.

Zayne

It’s been 3 days since your last message to him and it’s funny how lonely he has felt without your usual chats to liven up his days. A year ago this would have been a normal day for him but ever since you’ve both started this relationship Zayne has come to look forward to his small interactions with you be it your random emoticons or pokes in the chat.

These few days zayne found himself glancing at his phone often between cases, hoping to see a notification from you. While this isn’t the first long mission you’ve been on, you’ve never stayed radio silence like this before and it was eating at him. Just as zayne was keeping his phone away into his pocket, it started to ring.

“Hey.” You sounded rather subdued and quiet and yet zayne couldn’t help but savour your voice which he has been missing so much. “Hi darling, are you safe?” zayne said softly with a quiet sigh of relief. “Yeah, I’m back in Linkon city. I’ve missed you.” You quietly admit, “We still have to talk about this but I’m not as upset anymore”.

“Of course. Can I cook your favourite pasta for dinner tonight at your place? I’ll grab us a bottle of wine as well.” Zayne’s usually calm voice seems to tremble a little. A small smile tugs on your lips “Sure. I’ll see you tonight zayne” you could tell he really was sorry since he was offering your favourite cheat meal which he normally nagged you over indulging too much.

That evening, zayne showed up at your doorstep with groceries, wine and a bouquet of jasmine flowers with a little snowman nestled in the middle. You couldn’t help jumping into his arms once he has placed everything down on the counter. You could feel zayne’s form stiffen before melting into a hug wrapping his arms around you tightly with a soft kiss on your head.

Picking you up lightly, he walked you both to the couch where he sat down keeping you on his lap still snug in his arms like he couldn’t bear to let go. “I am so sorry my love, I’ve been so busy with work lately but it’s not an excuse and you should have been- are, my top priority. It was my mistake to be so absorbed in my work, I promise to put in more effort for our relationship. Please give me another chance to prove to you that I can be a better lover.” Zayne warm palm cupped your face gently, tilting your face up so that you could see the sincerity that shone in those gentle hazel green eyes.

Blushing lightly you whispered, “you’re forgiven zayne but please don’t hurt my heart like that again” eyes flickering to his lips and back up again. Smiling softly he leaned down to kiss you, sealing his promise. It felt like something clicking into place, your heart felt full and whole again. In that moment you knew, that everything would be alright.

[risingsoleil]

Omg need a follow up to that linzin first kiss post season 4 at Verricks wedding 👀

Pema kicks Tenzin off the island in a fit of anger.

Tenzin goes to the only place he knows.

He's knocking at Lin's door. And Lin refuses to open it.

"Go home, Tenzin."

"I can't."

"Why not? We basically just had an affair in front of your wife."

"She kicked me out."

"Off your own island?"

"Yes."

The door opened a crack. "And you let her?! She made you too soft...Can you even get your dick up at this point?"

"Lin, please let me in! I will kick her off after tonight. But I need a place to stay at least for the night."

Lin narrows her eyes at him.

"I won't bother you at all. You won't even know I'm there," Tenzin vowed.

"Are you kidding me? I'll be able to hear you snoring even from the other side of the door!"

"Liiin, please. Just this one time."

"Go and beg for your forgiveness in front of Pema." Lin is about to slam the door, but Tenzin resists against it and pushes the door from closing.

"Please...for an old friend..."

Lin growls, looking away. She pushes the door closed, then Tenzin hears the lock clicking.

The door opens and Lin tightens her robe. "Hurry up and get your ass in here before someone sees and makes this worse."

Tenzin realizes that Lin hasn't showered yet from the evening. All she's wearing is a robe and based on the way it covered her breasts, Lin was probably naked underneath. He could feel his body boiling with an emotion all too familiar whenever he was in her presence.

"Thank you, Lin," he coughs.

"Make yourself some tea or something. I'll get the guest room ready after I shower."

"I can make it up myself."

Lin shrugged. "Fine, if you insist."

"I," a cough, "also need a shower."

Lin's eye twitched.

"You are so damn insufferable...." she groaned. "Do you even have anything to wear other than that?"

"Uh, no."

"Fuck's sake, airhead..."

Tenzin rolled his eyes. "Look Lin, just go shower. It's been a long night."

"Damn right." Lin walked into her bedroom. "Don't break anything."

"I won't."

-----------------

Before Lin started her shower, she actually had a set of clean clothes for another man. She set that aside for him and an extra towel.

Lin walked out of the shower, a towel wrapped around her body and Tenzin had to control his urges. She tossed him the clothes and towel.

"Go shower," she commanded.

If she moved the towel a few inches up...then he'd be able to catch a glimpse of her...

Tenzin accepts what she offers and walks into the bathroom. On his way, he dries all the drops of water on the floor so Lin won't slip.

Lin hears the water running and sees steam hovering beneath the door. She's too lazy for long sleeves. She'll just wear a silk nightgown. Easy to put on and take off.

Knock. KNock. Knock.

"Uggggh. Who the fuck is it now?"

Lin stomped her foot down and frowned.

"Damn it, I wonder why she's here." Lin slipped on her robe and stormed to the door. She ran her fingers through her damp hair and opened the door. "Good evening,"

The shorter woman sniffled, eyes red and slightly puffy. "Is Tenzin here?"

"You should be sleeping now, Pema."

"You're not," the acolyte shot back. "Is Tenzin with you?"

Lin weighed her options mentally. "He dropped by for a while."

"How dare you."

"Look, Pema. I didn't mean for that to happen. We both got caught up in the memories, and.... I wouldn't try to hurt you. I know what that feels like. I'm sorry."

Pema's face softened a bit. "Do you know where he might be then?"

"He--"

A completely wet and drenched Tenzin walks by, a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Lin, something is wrong with the..." He freezes as he looks at his wife.

Pema's nostrils flare and she points an accusatory finger at Lin and Tenzin.

"You-you...!"

"Pema, this is not what it looks like," Tenzin tries to explain.

"Stay with your childhood whore! I don't want anything to do with you!"

Lin and Tenzin don't put too much effort into following the woman. It's late, she's not in the right state of mind, and someone might get hurt.

[pearlywritings]

Soft kisses for unwerving hearts

synopsis: Even the stoic men can melt and show they care. All they need is a loved one and a good portion of loving kisses.

pairing: Capitano, Pierro x fem!reader (seperately)

tw: fluff, comfort, established relationship

word count: 2.1k+ words

a/n: soft kisses for these two men were suggested by a lovely anon💛

Capitano

“Commander, Lord Il Capitano has arrived and awaits you in your personal quarters.”

“Good. Have his soldiers been taken care of?”

“Yes, My Lady. They were stationed in barracks on level 2.”

“Wonderful. Treat them just as any of our fellow warriors. If anyone acts against the set rules - you know how to deal with them.”

“Of course.”

“Then dismissed.”

Just as the heavy doors slide closed behind the leaving figure of your second-in-command, you sigh and put the pen aside. The never-ending blizzard outside must’ve taken a lot of strength from your superior’s subordinates - the Harbinger can pride himself in his army, the strongest one of all, but even they feel the toll of the torturing cold and winds ruling in the furthest of the Snezhnayan borders.

You stand and grab your fur-lined cape - while the base’s structure is to be admired (the work of art of both Dottore and Sandrone after all), and the interior never is deprived of warmth, the shortest way to your quarters is by an outside bridge - not many would dare and cross it.

Pure white obscures your vision and howling of the winds is almost deafening - but you’ve been long but used to it. In the wall of snow you easily make out your surroundings. The sharpness of your hearing is more than enough to detect if there is anything out of order. But today it’s so calm, almost serene, and your own heart fills with tranquility and comfort. It feels like it’s been years - and sometimes it is.

Another thick metal door slides open and close, and you pat your collar and hood, swiping off the stubborn snow. Two Pyro Skirmishers greet you with a respectful bow, and you shortly nod, passing by and further down the corridor, right to the doors of your rooms.

The Captain is already standing when you step inside. Tall, broad and looming, he only abandoned his own overcoat, body still clad in heavy pitch-black armor. The void of his helmet is staring at you, unmoving and unpredictable, but you only feel a keen sense of familiarity just from his presence alone.

He waits until the doors are closed and locked, meaning no eavesdropping, no interruption. He waits until you shrug your cape off and place it next to his, and you know he is not taking his eyes off of you. He waits until you walk closer, when there are only three steps left between your bodies, and only then reaches his arm to you. Big hand in a clawed glove is turned so the palm faces up, and you do not reject his offer.

You are leading him further into the rooms, holding his hand tightly, and his grip on yours is just as firm. Neither of you has spoken anything yet, but somehow already understood so much. That’s what it appears to be like - being married.

The sofa deeps significantly when the man lowers himself on it. You do not follow him, instead you step between his legs and instantly, but so gently put your palms right on the sides of his helmet, as if cupping his cheeks.

“May I?” You know you do not have to ask, but something about it is indescribably special. Capitano nods. Despite common opinion, the headpiece is easy to lift and slide off of his head. Just as it leaves its place your hands are enveloped in a tender hold of much bigger ones, prying the helmet from them and putting it to the side.

You are stricken. Precious dark gems of his piercing eyes stare right at you, and your toughened heart cracks under the spell of them. Capitano never understood why you were so enamored with his eyes, but if letting you see them would put this adoring gentle expression on your face, he’d be an idiot to not give you such an opportunity.

“I missed you,” your admission tugs on his heart and the stoic man takes a deep breath, suddenly having a hard time keeping his feelings at bay.

“And I missed you,” his voice, oh his voice... Only hearing it makes you realize how much you missed its rich thickness, its low rumbling, its nerve-wrecking gruffness.

You missed him.

Your husband welcomes you in his arms when you lean close, wrapping your arms around his neck, forging your lips together. His are chapped, and yours are no better, but in this very moment the kiss you share is so so soft. His hold on you is strong, yet delicate, thumbs pressing in your ribs, barely scraping you with its sharp ends. With content hums you relax, letting go of your ever-present mask of a fierce protector of Snezhnaya border, baring the person you are to your beloved - his wife.

When the air becomes too little to keep pressing one kiss after another on each other’s mouths, you draw your faces back, but not too far. Capitano trails his kisses down the side of your jaw, and you peck the bridge of his crooked nose, right over the scar crossing his whole face. It feels a little surreal.

“Could’ve given me some notice about your arrival,” you murmur, rubbing your nose against his cheek, tightening the grip around his shoulders.

“Wanted to surprise you,” the low hum comforts you, and you chuckle, kissing under his scarred eye.

“Aren’t you here with an inspection though?”

“I am,” he confirms and, gripping your hips, drags you into his lap. “But I know you have everything under control. You do not need a warning,” he nudges your chin, and you tilt your head back, letting him leave a kiss on the small open patch of skin on your neck.

“Mhm… Given your troops are tired, we’ll start tomorrow?”

“That is correct.”

“You’ll stay the night then?”

Your eyes meet again, and you swear you see the corners of his mouth lifting in the smallest smile.

“I will. Every single one.”

Pierro

Servants bow to you, bound by respect, as you roam the halls of the huge mansion the second person in Snezhnaya is residing in, yet never having called it home. You nod in response a little absent-mindedly, quickly forgetting about these small interaction, as your mind is preoccupied with other matters. Fingers fidget with an intricately forged bracelet on your wrist, seeking comfort in the physical bond you and your husband share. How many days has it been? Eight. Eight days since he’s moved back from the Palace and eight nights of barely witnessing him by your side in bed.

Now, it’s not his absence that worries you - when you live for centuries, you start perceiving time quite differently, and Pierro makes sure to show that you, his beloved, is never forgotten. No, that’s not the case. What you are concerned about is his tendency to overwork himself to literal exhaustion, and as far as you could see with your own eyes, that is exactly the case. Yes, he shares meals with you. Yes, he comes to bed for an hour or two. Yes, he doesn’t deny your presence, when you come to his office and take over some of the papers to lighten his burden. However, there is never an actual break in his schedule, and this fact doesn’t let you rest properly. Should you-

“Oop-!”

You almost trip over the rolled carpet. What the..?

Snapping out of your thoughts, you look around the empty corridor. This one looks familiar… Ah, right! You already passed it, around half an hour ago, you think? Two burly male servants even warned you about the delivery of new carpets you had ordered to replace the old ones.

You deeply sigh - this is really serious, if you do not even notice what is happening around you, thinking only of your husband’s condition. Something needs to be done.

The Jester doesn’t even lift his head when three knocks bounce off of the external side of his study’s door.

“Come in.”

He’d call himself incompetent, if he couldn’t even make out the steps of the companion that chose to share an eternity with him. Without looking up your figure is clear before his sight, and he keeps writing as you are walking in and closing the door behind. He still doesn’t face you anyhow when you end up directly by his desk, observing the mountains of work placed there. It lessened significantly, compared to the first time you saw it, but is still worth a whole week of staying glued to the table. Your worries resurface.

“Beloved?” The gentle call of your voice affects him - it’s subtle, hidden in a tiny twitch of his hand, yet it’s enough to tell you his attention shifted. You decide to proceed.

“It came to my attention that you’ve really been overworking yourself. It concerns me.”

The man sighs. He is aware, and he is far from being fond of the dejected frown on your face, that he is sure you are wearing right now. Were you any of his colleagues he’d just dismiss you, but you are his partner and he sincerely values your sentiments. There are ways to delicately lead you away from this, but he knows you will not budge this time.

So he decides to listen.

Your heart swells when he puts his quill down and straightens in his chair, rolling his shoulders and leaning his back into it. Finally his visible eye is on you, and the dark circle on his pale skin, surrounded by the silver of his hair, is too apparent.

“What do you suggest?”

Even his voice is hoarse, indicating he hasn’t interacted with anyone for quite some time. On you though it has a slightly different effect - suddenly you have a nagging urge to kiss his throat. Maybe you can. Maybe you will.

“A break. Just an hour-” he narrows his eyes at you, which makes you scoff. “Fine, half of an hour. With me. We don’t even need to go anywhere. Just you without touching any work, not even thinking about it. You must understand that going on like this you’ll never get rid of your heachaches,” you try to reason with him, and by the way his gaze shifts, focusing on his clasped hands in thought, you know it’s not in vain. He is considering your proposition.

“Oh, and when I said half of an hour, I meant every day,” star-marked pupil darts back at you, but you hold your ground, staring right back at him. Your proposal hangs in the air, and somehow, your husband has no desire to fight against it. Pierro isn’t sure what was the thing that convinced him - your determination written all over your person or the real wearing out he started to experience, which became obvious after you voiced it out of concern, but he decides to entertain your idea.

“Alright,” the smile that appears on your face plucks at a hidden string of his heart, and with a quiet groan the Khaenri’ahn-born gets on his feet.

You sweep him to the armchair (which you quickly moved to the fireplace) and make him sit there, comfortably perching on the armrest yourself. His eyes are closed as your deft fingers are dancing across his features. You do not take his mask off, not this time, not when you have only half of an hour, but you make sure to glide the fingertips over its cold surface.

Pierro doesn’t pinpoint the moment when you start kissing him. At first it’s subtle - just your lips ghosting over his heavy eyelid, down his cheek and the corner of his mouth. Then you switch to pecking - his chin, his cheekbone, his brow, his forehead, leaning in his personal space more and more to reach higher… He finds it endearing and soothing, consoling even. 

And finally you place a proper kiss. It lingers on his lips far longer than any other before, and just as you are ready to break this spell, he reaches forward and reciprocates, taking a hold of your hand, letting the flames play on the metal of your wedding bracelets. Very soon the work is moved to the back of his mind, focus completely stolen by your lips and gentle kisses, and it doesn’t seem like you plan to stop until the time is up.

If his breaks are going to be spent like this - in your embrace, in your affection, he doesn’t mind it becoming a constant part of his daily routine.

[ssaaaronmontgomery]

Sooo i saw those promts and immediately fell in loveee. Just imagine a heated argument between hotch and reader with “why do you even care?” and “because i care about you, okay!?” Like inagineee the feelings😩😩

Caring

Warnings: Angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, mentions of sweet Jack bug, Aaron feeling bad :/, some pining?, nothing past friendship though, happy ending!, I think that's all!

Word count: 2k

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x gn!bau!reader

A/n: Ohhhhh yes!! Yes yes!! I wrote this about Aaron feeling like he's not there for Jack enough as he grows up so I hope that's fine! I'm not really sure I made it angsty but more hurt/comfort maybe? I hope you like it 🫶.

Forever tags: @greg-montgomery @boredelle @hotchsdoormat @ssahotchnerr @criminalskies @beardedhotchh @hotchnerbau @ssamorganhotchner @mrs-ssa-hotch @canuck-eh @luvehotch @callm3c0nfus3d @ivyflowers13

Hotch: @14buddy22 @pastanoodles11 @htchnr

Let me know if you want to be added to my tags🫶.

Aaron has a tendency to keep everything locked inside. Everyone knows it. You wish he would talk to you, or at least talk to someone, but to your knowledge he never really has.

You know he's not okay. The entire team knows it. You don't know what exactly is eating at him so badly but you know there's something going on whether it's his home life or his work life. The last few days he has come into the office only to shut himself in and not talk to anyone unless he really had to. When he did talk he kept the conversations as short as possible.

Rossi tried to talk to him but Aaron shut him out just the same. You decided you would try. You had always been closer with Hotch when it came to understanding each other whether words were spoken or not. It was always easy to tell when the other wasn't alright. Not that he ever talked to you when he wasn't, but you always let him know he could if he wanted or needed to. You would pat his shoulder or squeeze his hand. Once you even hugged him and he was tense during it but still welcomed the embrace and managed to relax into it slightly.

You planned it out a little. You would stay late, or at least until everyone else left aside from Hotch of course, and then you would go to him. You would try to console him and help him through whatever was going on inside that head of his.

Once everyone has gone home for the night you make your way to Hotch's office and knock which, as always, is met with a 'come in' that is muffled by the closed door.

You open the door and step in then close it behind yourself. He immediately looks up from the papers on his desk and meets your eyes. He wasn't really working. You don't know exactly how you knew but you just knew. It almost looked like he had been crying before you came in, but you couldn't be sure about that. It was darker in the office than he normally kept it. He looks a little...lost. He just looks sad or like he's carrying something inside that he doesn't know how to deal with.

"How can I help you, y/l/n?" His voice is cold as it usually is.

You walk closer and sit down in the chair across from him. You don't hesitate. You want to know what seems to be tearing him up inside. So you ask him.

"Hotch, what's going on? What's wrong?" Your voice is soft but you're direct about this.

"Nothing is wrong, y/n. I'm fine. Everything is fine." It's empty. The words are empty. He doesn't mean them. You always know when he doesn't really mean what he says and he knows it. Why he still chooses to do it, to lie, you're not entirely sure because you both know it is pointless to lie to the other.

"Hotch, you're shutting everyone out and shutting yourself in. You've been short with everyone, even Penelope and you almost never get upset with her. You are staying even later than you normally do, which definitely says something because sometimes it already seems like you never leave. You yelled at Derek and Emily for joking around like they always do, you never yell at them you just tell them to focus but it is always calm and stern. This time you yelled. You couldn't be more obvious about this, Aaron." You always use his first name when it's something personal and between the two of you. You both use each other's first names when you're trying to get a point across. Neither of you are sure about when that started.

"Y/n, I'm fine. Really. I just have a lot of extra work to do right now. That's all." Once again, he's lying. Every word right there was a lie.

"Aaron, come on. Stop lying to me."

"Stop profiling me."

"Why won't you let me help you?"

"I don't need your help." That hurt you for some reason you're not sure of right now. You brush it off for now.

"What is going on? Aaron, you're not okay and we know it. You need to talk to us, to someone. Let me help you, please. I want to be here for you."

"Why do you even care?" He shoots back harshly.

"Because I care about you, okay?!"

All of these words were rushed between you both and hardly thought out before being said. You just yelled at him and that was the last thing you meant to do. He yelled first, but he's hurting and you understand that. You're excusing him raising his voice but you are internally scolding yourself for raising yours. All you want is to help him. You divert your eyes from him and look down.

"I care about you, Aaron. I'm sorry I yelled." It's a whisper.

When you look back up at him, his gaze is soft and gentle. "It's okay. I shouldn't have yelled either. You're just trying to help and...I'm being stubborn." You chuckle at that. "That's nothing new, Aaron." He smiles a little at you. You were known to joke about his stubborn and cold attitude around the BAU from time to time, he knows it but he doesn't mind.

"Aaron, please? Talk to me? I do care about you and I just want to help you or at least do what I can to try." Your voice is no longer a whisper but it's still soft and more on the quiet side. Aaron sighs and rubs his eyes a little. "It's about Jack." That immediately raises alarms in your mind and you're more concerned now.

"What's wrong? Is he okay?" Aaron can see the worry etched into your face and he understands that maybe he shouldn't have started with that.

"Jack is fine. It's more about...I feel like I'm not a good father to him." Another sigh escapes Hotch and he is now holding his head in his hands. You think you can understand why he would be thinking this. He is away very often, but you know he's still an amazing father. You've been around them both enough to know that.

"Aaron, why? You're a wonderful father. You love him so much and he knows you do. We all know you do. You do everything you can for him. I'm sure he knows that." He looks back up at you and he seems defeated. He still looks sad and lost with himself.

"But I'm hardly ever home with him. I'm not around as much as I want to be. I want to be able to help him figure life out as he grows up. I've missed important things in his life. I don't want him to grow up feeling like he had an absent father." You think you see tears in Aaron's eyes, something you've seen a few times during a few cases. It breaks your heart to see such a good man feeling like such a terrible dad.

"I think Jack understands. You've explained it to him, that the job takes you to many places. And he won't see you as a failed father. He sees you as his hero, Aaron. He looks at you like a real-life superhero. He understands that your job helps save people and even though he's just a seven year old boy, he supports it. He loves being able to talk about how awesome his dad is for saving people all the time." You offer Aaron a smile but he doesn't return it.

"How do you know all of this? He's never said all of that to me. Once he said I was a hero on Halloween, but not everything else."

"The playdates I've been over for and the dinners at Rossi's where the BAU kids were invited. Aaron, Jack loves you so much and he looks up to you." He smiles at that. Jack loves you too and often asks for you to come over to watch Spider-Man or to play with his action figures with him. He's a wonderful kid to be around.

"That's...that's really nice to know. It does help. But it doesn't change that I still feel like I'm missing out on more than is acceptable." He frowns again and looks down at his desk. You think for a moment and an idea comes to mind.

"I know it's hard to have a home life with the job we have and I also know that for you it's hard to get everything done in a reasonable amount of time because you have more to do. So I want you to let me help you a little more. A couple nights a week when we don't have any cases and I've finished my work for the day, I can stay a bit later and help you finish enough work to be able to go home to Jack before he's already asleep. How does that sound?" Your tone and expression are so kind and hopeful. You hope he takes you up on your offer, but you wouldn't be surprised if he didn't.

Aaron stays quiet for a moment and you can tell his mind is letting loads of throughts fly through it. Probably about how he shouldn't take advantage of you offering this or maybe how he thinks it's unfair to you. He wants to say yes but another part of him clearly wants to decline because helping him with some of the extra work he has isn't part of your job.

After about a minute of him considering what you've said he finally speaks. "Y/n, are you sure? It's not your responsibility. You really don't have to do this. I'm sure I could find a way to do this without taking up your time." "Aaron, I don't have anyone or anything to go home to at night aside from my bed and my TV. I'd rather stay a little later and help you go home to see Jack." He finally cracks a small smile and takes another moment to think before ultimately nodding.

"Okay. But only a couple nights. I don't want to take you away from your time to relax." You nod in return before responding. "I think we'll all be able to relax as long as the boss man isn't snapping at people or shutting himself in all the time anymore." His smile widens when you call him 'boss man'. He's always thought the nickname was a little funny but he wouldn't tell anyone that. "Don't worry. I won't be yelling at anyone as much, I'm sure."

"You might want to apologise to Reid for when you went off on him about his physics magic the other day. I think you hurt his feelings." He chuckles and it's such a sweet sound to hear. "Yeah, I do feel bad about that. He really is starting to get some distance on those. He almost hit Strauss with one so I think that's why I yelled." You snort a little. "Would that have really been bad if he had hit her with one?" Aaron grins at you. "No, I think it really would've made everyone's day actually. Erin would have come down on me for it but I guess now that I think about it, it would have been worth it to see her expression and confusion about physics magic." Both of you laugh a little at the thought.

The deal you made started and you stayed later to help Hotch finish the extra work he had left to do. That night you were also invited to have dinner at the Hotchner house and you're pretty sure it was the best meal you had ever had. Filled with laughter and smiles. It was something that made your heart flutter. You're happy to help Aaron, especially when you know it means he and Jack both get to be much happier.

[melodic-haze]

haii!! I really like ur arle fic ^_^ could you write smth for sub yelan? can be a thirst :)

☆ — SONG TITLE: Safe and sound

☆ — PAIRING: sub!Yelan x dom!Reader

☆ — TYPE: Hurt with comfort, fluff, NSFW

☆ — CONTENT WARNINGS: MIGHT be ooc bc by GOD do I barely remember things now, gn but she calls you "doll" so there's that, praise kink, body worship, soft sex :3, fingering to cunnilingus pipeline, does it count as semi-public if you have sex in the bedroom interior thing of the pharmacy, silly banter bc I think sex is silly❗️❗️❗️

☆ — NOTES: HIII YAYYY THANK YOU 🫶🫶🫶 I absolutely can anon❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️ I need Yelan in my life so baaaad. Also do they even have actual hospitals in Liyue cuz Bubu Pharmacy's.....a pharmacy 😓 idc pretend they have patient rooms

☆ — WORD COUNT: 3,875 wtf

You told yourself that you knew what you were getting into, when you began your relationship with Yelan.

She's a busy woman—when your girlfriend technically doesn't exist for the sake of keeping her job as the personal intelligence officer for the Tianquan, you didn't really have a choice but to accept that things would be.. inconvenient for both you and your relationship.

You knew there would be risks. You knew that in order to make this work, the both of you had to reconcile with the fact that neither of you are completely safe from the possible consequences that came from her working in the more definitely-not-legal clandescine side of peacekeeping. One wrong move and she, the hunter, could get hunted.. and you could easily be used as bait.

You both knew that, and neither of you took it lightly. Obviously not; one stupid mistake and whatever cover she had on would be uprooted and someone would get hurt. But it's easy to admit that with how proficient your lover is with her work, the danger seems oh so far away...

Which makes the falling action hit all the more harder, because hope is a painfully fragile thing.

You're a storyteller at the Heyu Tea House, much like Liu Su is. Perhaps you could've worked at Yanshang, considering your very intimate connection with its owner, but such closeness risked turning you into an accessory people could exploit to reach their target. Those who've witnessed you consider you a talent—you had a way of weaving words together at a second's notice, your voice the only element needed to transport the public's focus and imagination to another world.

Yelan had admired that silver-tongued quality of yours.. or, as she had joked about more than once, your delightful skill with your mouth. The joke aside, it was something that you two had in common, except you told tales of the brave and the bold with freedom and joyous passion while she told tales of ever-shifting identities to keep herself hidden as she did her job.

..But no tales of glory could ever reassure you when a messenger brought news of Yelan's state, no tales of security could keep you above the ocean of overwhelming dread.

You had to rush over to Bubu Pharmacy, not caring that you were leaving work and all the tea house's patrons behknd when you had just been told that she was in critical condition. What kind of state is she in? How did it happen?

By the time you get there, you were almost ready to burst into the interior before Herbalist Gui steps in the way, "Wait, wait. Who--"

"Where.." you heaved, having just ran basically from one end of the Harbor to another, "where is she? Yelan? Inside, yes? I have to--"

"Slow down."

"But she's in critical--"

"Assuming you're the one I've been told to wait for, she was in critical condition. She's recovering, at the moment.. though Dr. Baizhu himself was tasked to brief you about it inside."

The feeling of relief was small and momentary but comforting, "Then can I see her? Please?"

He nodded before opening the door himself, "Just don't rush in like you were about to."

With a hum of affirmation, you stepped inside, eyes darting around to find your lover before eventually locking onto a certain bedridden figure in hushed conversation, along with Dr. Baizhu.. and Lady Ningguang.

Sure, it would've done you some good to act relatively composed in the Qixing's presence, but it's not like that was the time for it.

So instead you quickly walk over with urgency, the other two weren't much of a priority to you right now, "Yelan!"

She pauses before turning her head and smiles as she sees you approach, opening her arms to you, "Y/N, sweetheart, there you are..."

You move to quickly embrace her, burying your face in the crook of her neck. Her familiar scent and her comforting warmth overtaking your senses and reassuring you that she is fine and she is NOT dying and--

You feel her wince before trying her best to cover it up, unintentionally prompting you to let go. You look at her with worry once again before you see her try to smile, though it looks more like a grimace to you.

"I'll be fine, you don't need to treat me like I'm made of glass." She then winks at you, as if she wasn't at all injured, "You know I like it rough, doll."

You couldn't help but roll your eyes with a huff despite the situation, "Your possible death bed isn't really the place to be joking like this..."

She shrugged, "On the contrary, I think this is the perfect time. I'm not dead yet, though."

"You could've been."

"You, indeed, could've been."

Both of you turned to look at the two briefly forgotten figures in the room, said two sporting small smiles befitting of their own nature. The doctor's snake, Changsheng, looks to the side as if disinterested but you see that there's some sort of pleasant glint on her eyes.

Baizhu starts off slow, as if speaking to a spooked deer, probably for your sake, "Unfortunately, Yelan's life was almost taken due to a mix of a poison build-up and bleeding out too much. We've.. had to keep her here in secret for a while in order to keep watch of her state. At least," he let out a light chuckle, "until she managed to stay conscious for longer than five minutes."

"It was a lot of trouble, you know." The albino snake hissed out, "Really had to keep an eye on her 24/7 in case she suddenly curled up and died more than she looked instead of just taking a nap."

"Now, my case wasn't that dire--"

"Barbaric as it is, I'll bite you and fill you with poison again if you say otherwise, human--"

"Before your pet snake threatens my agent's life a week after she almost died, might I suggest we hurry this along? I'm sure Y/N would like to be alone with your patient instead of witnessing this little farce of yours." Despite her words, Ningguang's lips had easily curled into a small smirk, her eyebrows slightly raised and her tone amused.

"Come now, you heard the Tianquan; no need to threaten the patient, Changsheng," Baizhu sighed as he softly nudged her head away with a knuckle. "The sooner we brief her other half over here, the sooner you can go, okay?"

The snake companion offered no other form of acknowledgement beyond a little huff before resting her head on Baizhu's shoulder.

"So..." You start, "You're telling me that she's been here for.. a week."

Ningguang nods.

"And nobody went to tell me."

The Tianquan let out a small sigh before lifting a hand to idly summon a few of her small gem constructs and swirling it around, "After thinking it through, we weren't necessarily left with a choice. She was in dire need of immediate help, everything else came after."

'Necessary' this, 'thinking' that, it was getting a bit infuriating, "If it was so bad then why send her in such a dangerous mission in the first place?!"

"It wasn't supposed to be."

You all turned to look at Yelan, who had been silently watching you on her bed, and you just now notice the slender hand that gently tugged down on your arm.

She then turns to the others with a smile, "I'll take the rest of the explanation. With my service, I think I'm at least owed some time alone with this sweetheart I'm holding onto right now."

Ningguang nods as Baizhu stands up, the both of them moving to leave. However, you hear the doctor call out as he closes the door, smug amusement practically radiating off his voice, "Don't exhaust her too much now!"

The door closes, leaving you two alone, and you couldn't help but cringe at the Doctor's remark as Yelan laughed. That moment only lasted for a few moments, however, before worry and dread came back to make itself known to you.

"I'm still mad, you know."

"I know, doll."

"And worried."

"Mhm."

"If you knew then why wasn't I told that you've been here this whole time?" You ducked your head as your hands sought to hold onto yoour lover's own, "You could've died nearby and I wouldn't have known until it was too late."

Her hands reciprocated your gesture, giving you a light squeeze, "Don't hate me."

"What for?"

"I was the one who told them not to say anything until I was all better."

"..But why?"

"It was something I arranged with Ningguang a while ago about you; if I'm ever in a really bad state, it should be kept secret until I either recover or.. well, you know."

"That's not telling me why."

"I was getting to that, sweetheart," she chuckled as she lifted one of your hands to press a small kiss on the back of it, "it's to protect you. I'm not risking my life to risk yours even more.. and I didn't want you getting worried or getting false hope in case I didn't get through. I wanted to come back to you injury-free."

You took pause, considering her words. You knew she was right, getting all wound up about something that would or wouldn't have come would've been.. stressful. And in doing so, there's a chance that you might be identified and used against her. It might be extreme, but it pays to be careful when your girlfriend's basically a spy.

"You still had me worried, though."

"Haha, yeah, I'm sorry."

"I almost knocked some poor patron's tea onto his lap from rushing out to see you and yet all you do is laugh it off."

Yelan snorted, "Really?"

"Yes? I don't have time to be careful when you could've been dead! What even happened?"

"I took a gamble on the whole thing and it ended up backfiring, that's all."

"..And I'm guessing that's all you'll tell me?"

"Until I get the all-clear, yes. Sorry, love."

"That's fine. It's.. the same old. I just wish you were more careful."

"Mm. I said I'm sorry, didn't I?"

You look up at her to reply but you stop in your tracks as you see the way she's looking at you.

Her eyes, coloured a dazzling aquamarine, looked at you with such love and care. Coupled up with that easy, relaxed smile, it reminds you of why you're willing to put up with.. all this for the love of your life.

Your words are taken from you and you couldn't care less, not when she lets go of your hands and wraps them around your neck.

"I missed you," she says, and you can't help but melt.

"I missed you too. So much."

"Then can I..?"

Your eyes crinkled at the request, easily falling back into the dynamic you have with her, "We're not done talking about this. And you're not meant to be exhausted."

"I almost died, can't a woman get a reward for surviving a bad roll?"

"You could, but that's not how you ask."

Her voice turns airy yet raspy at your reminder, her tone simultaneously taunting and begging, "Please?"

"..Alright, fine then. Come here." And that's all you say before you both lean in, her arms slowly tugging you down on the bed with her as you follow through the movement.

Soon enough, you're on top of her as slow, gentle kisses progressed and increased in intensity, her hands wandering and grasping onto you as if you were her one lifeline, the reason why she lived. And perhaps you are, with the way she cherishes you and lets you do whatever you wish to her, both in body and soul. Your touch, in contrast to her uncoordinated movements, is gentle and unhurried as you make sure to be careful of possibly hurting the woman underneath you.

The both of you make relatively quick work in removing the clothes you have on, with more effort on your part due to your insistence in letting her lean back so that she doesn't accidentally strain herself. You almost regret it when you see the state of her body—the bruises are fading away faster than it probably would've, were it not for Baizhu's help, but the cuts...

"Even with the doctor's healing, they don't look too good, do they?" You hear Yelan muse, her ever so confident tone slightly tinged with a touch of self-consciousness, "You don't need to look at them, doll. I wouldn't--"

"No, they're.. beautiful."

She snorts again, an unsure smirk on her lips and a light pink dusting her cheeks, "Usually I'd agree, but those are recent gashes you're looking at."

"And?" You raised an eyebrow, "They may look a bit.. gnarly but you survived all of this. How can I not think they're beautiful? How can I not think you're beautiful?"

She doesn't say anything back, though you hear her exhale shakily before she pulls you back into another brief kiss. You don't stay there long, however, as you slowly make your way down: gently biting and licking her neck, playing and sucking onto her nipples with great care, kissing every scar and bruise and wound she's received in great reverence to the one you love, caressing every inch of her body...

Underneath you, Yelan squirms in pleasure and anticipation, her breathing deep and her skin flushed as you take your time in worshipping every single inch of her body. Her hips rock up in an effort to grind her clit up on your thigh. She was desperate—of all the places you decided to caress, you've yet to touch the one place she needed you the most after the whole time you've been apart. You knew this, and yet you kept going.

Yelan knew how to handle hard and rough, but she was lost when it came to soft and gentle.

"Please, babe," she practically moaned out, "Aren't you-- ah.. taking longer than... than usual..?"

You pressed a kiss on a closed wound as you grazed a nipple with your thumb, "Am I? I didn't realise you timed me whenever I had you at my mercy."

Her breath hitched at the movement, "No, just.. instinct... How long are you--"

"But I haven't shown how much I love every single inch of you yet."

"I think I'd get the message if y-- ohfuck... if you got to the main event."

You sported a mock pout, your words failing to hide your teasing intent that just wants to have her squirming for you, at least for a little while, "I haven't seen you in a good while, can't you let me savour you?"

You see her gulp, her eyes half-lidded before one of her hands move to comb her hair out of the way, "You have.. you have all of me, no matter what."

..That was enough, especially after finding out that you almost lost her.

Your hand grazed her skin as it travelled down to her core, your fingers lightly swabbing the slit to get a feel of the wetness accumulating in the apex of her thighs. "You're so wet... Maybe I should treat you like a fragile little princess more often, hm?" You couldn't help the remark as you rubbed circles on her clit and gave her what she wanted, especially when she lets out such a delicious whine.

"I need.. inside... Come on, now, sweetheart, I--"

"You were doing so well..." Your minstrations slowed down, earning another whine from who was supposed to be a mature woman, "What's the magic word, hm? We've gone through this."

She doesn't hesitate, "Please put.. put your fingers in me, I've needed you for s-so-- oh my fucking-- mmnf!"

You made quick work in finding someone's discarded panties—yours or hers, you couldn't care less right now—and using it as a makeshift gag to silence your lover when you finally sink your fingers into her wet, hot pussy. "I don't know if you remember since apparently you've been here the entire time, but we're not home right now. So I suggest you try your best to stay quiet."

"That is," you continue with a raised eyebrow, keeping your hand still inside her and practically relishing in her pleading gaze, "you can keep quiet, right? I wouldn't want us to be a disturbance so if you can't, then..."

You make a point to remove your fingers at an agonising pace, its presence leaving just as soon as it came, but her hand reaches out in an effort to keep you inside. You see her shaking her head 'no', though she doesn't let out a sound.

"Good girl," and you plunge your fingers in once again as some sort of makeshift punctuation to your brief praise, to which you could feel her hips buck sharply into your hand in response.

Your lips and your unoccupied hand wandered around her body, as if making sure that she was there with you and actually alive instead of whatever worrying condition she was in. And really, if it weren't for some lucky stroke of luck, she wouldn't even be here in your arms right now.

You knew the risks of being with her but that didn't mean you liked it—the thought of losing your lover was...

"..Mm?"

You looked at her and you see a questioning yet knowingly sympathetic look in her eyes, and that's when you realise that you had unconsciously stopped moving entirely.

She moves her hand, though it isn't to remove the makeshift gag in her mouth. Rather, she moves it to softly brush her knuckles on your cheek, reassuring you of her present existence without words.

..You needed her just as much as she needed you.

With a pleasant hum, you kissed her again before moving your head down and leaving a trail of kisses in your wake. You stop at her glistening core, wet with slick and anticipating your next move from the way it squeezes down on your unmoving digits, before you descend further and give her clit a slow, tentative lick. The effect is immediate—you hear her let out a muffled gasp as her hands dart to the back of your head.

Her reactions have always been a delight to witness because of how it was always such a gamble to you; was she going to try holding it in or was she going to be so expressive that you have to keep her still? Was she going to be a good girl and follow every little thing you say or was she going to be a brat and defy you until you've broken her in? But this time it's delightful in a different way—your entire exchange is so utterly intimate and caring and reassuring for the both of you.

And the effect on her is also delightful too. Putting her hands on your head and alternating between gripping it tight and massaging your scalp as you consumed her entire being, murmuring sweetly broken-apart words of her love for you as she tries to quiet down for you, pulling you closer by wrapping her legs around your head and never letting you go while her body twitches and reacts at your every minstration... For once, she doesn't know what to do, simply laying there as a helpless pile of need and desire that's being wound up tight with care until she possibly can't anymore.

When your fingers curl up into that one specific spot as you sucked on her clit just the right way, you feel her finally snap and let go before you hear it.

It happens in such a mesmerising sequence; her breath hitches once more as her body locks in place for a mere second before she bucks her hips and shakes uncontrollably. Her hands claw on your scalp and her thighs squeeze you tighter, practically closing up any space to breathe and yet you don't care—you happily continue on with your movements and help your lover ride through her much-needed orgasm. Then that's when you hear her garbled screams, the makeshift gag in her mouth definitely not enough to contain the sound, mixed with "I love you"s and scrambled words of gratitude as she rides out her high.

It takes a while, but eventually she settles down. Yelan's grip on you softens up and you are given room to move off her and finally breathe (not as if you were complaining, in the first place). So you extract yourself from her lower body, though not without cleaning her slick up with careful licks as you slowly took your fingers out as to not overstimulate her further. You licked your own fingers clean right after with a little wink at her and you see her roll her eyes with a smile as she takes the panties out her mouth and puts them aside, the expression complimented with a blushing tint on her cheeks.

You kiss all the way back up her body until you reach her lips, and a hand goes up to cup your cheek as you share this tender moment together between you. And when your lips break apart, your body doesn't follow—instead, you lie beside her with both your limbs tangled up together and never letting go. You would have lied down on her but you didn't want to put pressure on her still-recovering body.

Neither of you speak for a little while, satisfied with simply hearing the sounds of each other's breathing. Of her breathing, an indication that she's alive and with you at this present moment. It's so easy to just.. close your eyes and fall into a comfortable slumber with your partner right here with you.

But eventually, Yelan manages to form her words, "I missed that."

You raised an eyebrow, "What, the sex?"

"Well, yes. You're a natural, sweetheart. But no, I meant being with you."

"..Me too."

...

"There is.. one more thing I want to do."

"And what's that?"

And she turns to look at you with that dazzling sea of aquamarine blanketed with a warm, loving gaze, "Rest. With you."

The smile that stretches your lips isn't enough, could never be enough, to express the happy warmth that blossomed within you, "We can do that."

You don't do it immediately; you've had to briefly extract yourself to put your own clothes back on and help Yelan with hers (despite her insistence that she can do it herself) because the least you two can do is look somewhat presentable in case someone comes in. But when you finish up and you come back to bed with her, it doesn't take all that long for peaceful exhaustion to overtake you.

The last thing you see is Yelan's live, blissful expression of happiness, something one wouldn't expect from someone in her line of work and yet there it was.

And it's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen.

(And when you wake, you see her snoring lightly with her lips slightly apart.

And you wouldn't want to trade this—her—for anything.)

[flyingwargle]

whumptober day 29: fatigue / burnout

kenma is barely out of the bedroom after wrestling kuroo into bed when a phone goes off. he freezes, his foot across the threshold, the other against the door. the blankets shuffle behind him, limbs moving across the bed. a hand sneaks out from under the covers toward the nightstand.

faster than their cats when food is ready, kenma zooms back inside and snatches the phone, turning his back as weak fingers scrape against his back. he answers the call. “hello?”

“hello, is kuroo-san there? i need to talk to him.”

he glances down at his partner. kuroo’s glare is weak, dark circles under his eyes, barely able to lift his head off the pillow without trembling from exertion. “no,” kenma says. “kuro is dead.”

a beat. “what?”

“kitten, what are you–“

“kuro will be dead for the rest of the week,” kenma continues. “please don’t contact him until monday. have a good day.” he hangs up without another word, puts the phone on do not disturb. to add insult to injury, he slips it into his pocket, then reaches over to wrestle kuroo back in bed. “sleep. i don’t want to see you until dinner.”

“kenma–“

“no. don’t make me lock you in.”

kuroo flops back down in defeat, closing his eyes. kenma adjusts the blankets around him and steps back, listens for his breathing to deepen. when he’s satisfied, he turns to exit, a hand on the doorknob when a quiet mumble rises from the darkness. “sorry, kitten.” kenma doesn’t respond, simply closes the door behind him.

there are two cats waiting for him outside, purin and grey. he crouches to stroke them both. “sorry, you can’t go in there. kuro needs all the rest he can.” he stands, heading for the stairs, but only purin follows him. grey sits in front of the closed door, tail resting over his paws.

kenma falls onto his gaming chair and moves his mouse. the system wakes from inactivity, greeted by the work left open across his three monitors. the left shows his video editing program; the center has discord and the slew of unread messages; and the right is empty, usually covered by streaming ops, but shows his wallpaper, a selfie of him and kuroo after adopting purin and grey from the cat café.

how quickly happiness can deteriorate. kenma types a quick message to post onto his socials and server, fingers flying across his keyboard.

hi, pudding heads,

sorry for missing last night’s stream. my partner collapsed and i was in the hospital with him. once he’s feeling better, i’ll return to regular schedule. thank you for your concern, and i’ll be back soon.

reactions pour in, but kenma minimizes the window and opens his calendar to see what else needs to be rescheduled. if he’s locking kuroo at home until he’s rested, the least he can do is put work aside and care for him.

once he’s cleared the rest of his week and weekend, kenma enters the kitchen. purin jumps onto the counter to watch him pull vegetables from the fridge, gathering ingredients to make stew, an easy dish that he can make from memory. grey comes by midway, as his pot comes to a boil, and he pets him with the back of his hand. “is kuro okay?” he murmurs. grey blinks at him, jumping from the counter to leave the kitchen, head turned toward him. kenma fears the worst.

upstairs, the bedroom light is on. kenma doesn’t knock, simply pushes the door open to find kuroo kneeling in front of the closet, jackets and sweaters piled around him, as he paws through their clothes to reach the handful of bags stacked in a box. “tetsurou.”

he freezes. kenma approaches, stands behind him with his arms folded across his chest. “your workbag is downstairs, same with your laptop, phone, and planner. you’re supposed to rest.”

“kitten, you don’t understand.” kuroo’s voice is hoarse from sleep. “i can’t just not work. it’s the middle of the season, my team is–“

“your team worked you to the point of collapse. they didn’t stick around to make sure you woke up afterwards, just left you in the infirmary. i don’t think they would’ve checked on you if the janitor didn’t see you throwing up. if they can’t survive without you, they don’t deserve you.”

kuroo doesn’t respond. his shoulders slump, swaying slightly. kenma catches him, gently lowers his head onto his lap, runs his fingers through his tangled hair. “sorry,” kuroo whispers.

“don’t. you’ve always worked hard, much harder than you should. i love that about you, but not to the point that it destroys you.” kenma bows his head, presses a feather light kiss on his forehead. “you’ve made it, kuro. no one is going to take this away from you. rest, and when you’ve recovered, you’re going to have a long talk to your boss about healthy workloads and boundaries.”

“yeah. i will.” kuroo closes his eyes. “i think…i think i need more sleep. sorry.”

“not on the floor. can you stand?”

slowly, they rise and take the few steps back to the bed. kenma tucks him in again, sweeps hair out of his eyes, turns to leave. a weak hand grasps his wrist, and kenma glances over his shoulder at kuroo, who has a weak smile on his face. “i love you.”

“i know.” who else would pick him up from work, half-carry him to the taxi to the hospital, and stay overnight with him until he was well enough to leave? “i love you, too.”

kenma returns to the kitchen, turning the stove back on to restart the stew. the cats are curled on the table, neither of them moving when he pets them both, eyes filling with tears. god. he was too busy streaming to notice how overworked his partner was, never stopped to wonder if he ate when he left kenma a portion of food every day. i’m terrible at this.

he wipes his tears with his shirt sleeve, straightens to turn back to the stove. not only will kuroo have to talk to his boss, but they’ll have to talk as well, about healthy workloads and boundaries. i won’t let him down, kenma vows. i’ll care for him, just as he’s cared for me.

the stew is the first step. spending time with him is the second. they’ll figure out the third together.

--

inspiration: this tweet from incorrect kuroken <3

[moonlightsmasquerade]

Monsters in Mayweather: The Fool's Errand

CW: Mild Body Horror, Blood

Detective Ruby Phillips and Officer Theron Howell head to a disturbance call where the two stumble into something they never should have.

“911 what is your emergency?”

“I was passing by the old church, the uh, the one on Black Oak Hill, and I heard strange noises coming from inside of it.”

“Do you see anyone?”

“No. I only hear something, it sounds like someone talking really loudly, I’ve… also heard a noise that sounded like screaming coming from there. I think there’s something going on.”

“Alright, we’ll send someone down to go look at it.”

…

The police department building was nearly empty, most had gone home, save for a few officers, one was Detective Ruby Phillips, who was doing her usual reading and looking over emails.

“Howell, disturbance call for the church on Black Oak, go take a look.” She heard another officer speak to Theron Howell, his head shot up from the files he was reading, a stray piece of red hair fell over his face when he did.

“On it.” He replied, standing up and putting his things away before grabbing his coat 

“I’ll come too.” Ruby stood up, the other officer nodded and she followed Theron as he started walking to the front.

“It’s just a disturbance call, you don’t have to come,” he said. “I can go alone.”

“It's fine, Joanna’s with my mom. I don't mind sparing a few hours, besides it's better for you to have some kind of backup, I can drive us too.” she replied, picking up her own coat and walking with him to the car, he handed her the keys and the two headed in. Once Theron got the GPS set up, Ruby started the car and began the long drive to the abandoned church. They sat in near silence, save for the radio's low volume and occasional crackles. 

“Something’s bugging you… isn’t it?” Theron asked. Ruby cursed in her head how easy it was for him to tell.

“Do you remember last year? The incident with the man and his son who went camping?” She asked, receiving a “Mhm.” and a nod from Theron.

“It was near that church, and that's not the only case surrounding it either, there've been several missing persons, and all of them went missing in the same area.” Ruby said, “And all of the cases are cold.” Her shoulders were tense for a moment, before she relaxed again. “I just want to see if there's anything there, maybe I’ll find some type of answer.”

“Right, makes sense.” He replied, looking out at the dark stretch of road, passing by thick forest.

“It’s still a bit odd though for anyone to be there, it's been abandoned for god knows how long. Who on earth would try to go there now?”  he said, “I’m just hoping it's nothing serious, like, maybe people are just pulling a terrible prank there.” He continued, then he heard a small snicker from Ruby.

“Could just be some dumb kids performing a seance or a group of ‘ghost hunters’ screaming over a random noise.” Ruby joked, Theron gave a small laugh to her response. 

She parked the car in front of the old place, a massive stone structure atop a small hill, surrounded by a graveyard next to the main road within the dense forest. it seemed out of place in a small town like Mayweather. The two stepped towards it, a strange symbol had been painted on the front doors, it gave Ruby a slight shiver looking at it. 

There was a lock and chain on the door, they were unbelievably rusty, and snapped with ease as Theron cut it with bolt cutters. Both felt another shiver when the chain snapped and fell from the handles. He pushed against the heavy front door. It creaked loudly as he opened it. It let out a gust of cold wind, Ruby pulled her jacket tighter. She got an uneasy feeling, like they shouldn’t be there. She pushed that aside, they had a job to do, even if it was nothing they had to check for anyone there.

 The air in the place was freezing as the two entered. Running their flashlights along the huge room, they saw pews leading up to an altar, well, the remains of an altar. Now it was a rotting pile of wood. stained glass windows running along the sides, everything was covered in thick amounts of dust and it smelled like mildew and rotting wood. Theron cleared his throat and called out,

“Hello? Anyone there?” 

No sound returned except the echoes of Theron's words. The two continued to walk through only the sound of their footsteps rang through the church.

He ran his flashlight across the pews to the front, staring at the stained glass at the front just above the altar’s spot, it looked like a saint in the visage of the glass. Theron felt a deep discomfort looking at it, the eyes of the glass almost seemed to be looking right at him. The smile it had seemed a little too big. He looked away from it, no need to freak himself out over a stupid stained glass window. 

Ruby stopped Theron. 

“Do you hear that?” she whispered. She walked briskly towards the front, past the rows which formerly held a choir and up the small set of steps leading to the front. 

“What? Ruby!” He quietly exclaimed, and quickly followed behind as she stopped where the altar once was. Ruby tapped her foot against the floorboards, causing a hollow creak as opposed to the solid wood they had just been walking on.

“What the hell?” Theron breathed out as Ruby yanked at the boards, they lifted into a trapdoor, revealing a passage under the church.

“Listen.” Ruby said, the two listening closely to the passage, the cold, musty air down below brushing over them. Theron’s eyes widened, he heard a quiet sound, it sounded like shuffling, a person moving, or dragging something. She moved to go down before Theron stopped her.

“Wait, I-I don’t like this,” he looked back to her, “This place is giving me the creeps, something's not right, it-it feels like…” his words faltered, before he could say It feels like a trap, the two suddenly heard something, it sounded like a person crying out.

“I have to go check, what if someones hurt? I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't try to make sure.” she responded, he furrowed his brow but nodded in agreement with her words.

“Right, You’re right. I’ll stay up here and keep an eye out then,” Theron said, “Shout if you need help ok?” Ruby held up a thumbs up before descending down the passage. She turned on her light, shining it across the room.

A crypt

Ruby’s face twisted at the overwhelming smell of mildew and rot. She stepped carefully forward, flashing the light down the many halls. She knew some churches had crypts in their basements, but she hadn’t expected one down here, much less one this big. She continued, listening for the shuffling and following the direction that it seemed to be coming from. Her flashlight shone on the concrete floor, her stomach twisted slightly, there were dark stains splattered across the floor. The shuffling sound had stopped, and she heard another, a groan.

“Hello?” she called out. The voice let out another groan. 

"Hello? It's okay, I'm a police officer, I'm here to help."

Shuffling again, the sound was coming closer, a figure turned the corner of the crypt hallway. Ruby dropped her light, gasping and turning on her heel.

The person was dead, their skin was practically gray and falling off their bones and its milky eyes had looked directly into Ruby. She sprinted towards the passage, without her flashlight it was the only light in the dark. She could hear the sound of more shuffling, more dead groans echoing. Ruby had to get out.

…

“THERON!”

SLAM

Theron jumped, turning quickly to find the door shut.

“RUBY!” He immediately grabbed at the edges and started pulling, but it wasn’t budging. He kept pulling, the jagged edge of the wood door digging into his fingers as he did. He could hear her shout and bang against it, Theron tried to muster every ounce of strength he had to get the door open.

Until Theron felt the back of his jacket being pulled, yanking him back and throwing him from the trapdoor. He fell down the short staircase, he felt dazed and tried to stumble back up. As he did he looked up, seeing the figure that grabbed him. His eyes widened when he realized it wasn’t a person. It snarled at him as he started to back away slowly. The face was stretched like a muzzle, with sharp teeth. It looked like an animal imitating a human, its yellow bloodshot eyes burned into Theron as he stepped back. It suddenly charged towards him, swinging its clawed hands. He jumped back, attempting to dodge but the monster still managed to graze him, slicing two small gashes on his cheek. He cried out from the stinging pain. He didn’t want to leave Ruby, but this thing was standing between him and the door trapping her, and it already took a swing at him. Theron took a quick glance to the church doors, they were still open, he took a running start towards it.

Only for it to immediately slam in his face

“NO!” he shook at it, pulling at the doors, but much like the door holding Ruby this wasn’t budging. He saw the monster start running towards him, so he abandoned the door idea and ran around the pews. He had one idea to get out, and he hoped it would work.

The glass of the side window shattered as Theron jumped through it, hitting the gravel outside. He tried to stand up just as fast as he fell, gravel and glass scraped his hands and knees as he ran. Fumbling for his radio, he tried to call for Ruby.

“Ruby! I’m in trouble but don’t worry, I’m-I’m gonna get help ok, I’m going to come back for you!” He let out breathlessly, he continued to run, hearing the sound of something running behind him.

…

Ruby could hear his voice crackle through as she ran down the crypt. She abandoned the door, standing there she could end up killed. She’d seen zombie movies, she knew regardless of what was fact or fiction literal corpses coming to life and chasing her couldn’t end well. The zombie was also fast, faster than she expected. She hid in one of the hallways, an indent in the wall was enough cover for her to stop and try to get her heart to stop racing. Ruby ran over her options, flashlight was gone, it wasn’t too dark to see but she’d be in trouble if she got lost, worst case scenario she could use her gun, and Theron was preoccupied so he couldn’t help, by how frantic he sounded on the radio something was going on up there as well. 

Ruby had to get out of there, she wasn’t going to leave her daughter without a mother.

She took a deep breath and drew her gun out, slowly walking out and keeping as quiet as she could, gun raised. The zombies seemed to be gathered at the base of the ladder, waiting for her. It was risky, but there was a possibility she could distract them. Ruby aimed her gun down the corridor, and fired. The sound echoed down, the horde shuffling towards the noise. She waited and watched as they got further and further away. Ruby sprinted towards the ladder, she reached towards it.

She didn’t know one had stayed behind.

It grabbed her, pulling her back and a sharp pain shot through her shoulder. Ruby yelled, thrashing in an attempt to get it to let go. She opted for slamming the corpse against one of the crypt walls in a desperate attempt to get it to let go. It released her, tearing at the skin of her shoulder as she made a mad dash for the ladder, scrambling up as she heard the rest of them coming back towards her. She shoved the door open, and ran, running past the pews and through the church doors, both now wide open. Running towards the car, Ruby stumbled and fell forward.

She took deep heavy breaths as the exhaustion was settling in and the adrenaline was going down. This caused the pain in her shoulder to shoot through her body more, Ruby tried to push herself back up, but her strength was sapped from her.

“Theron!” She called out, exhausted. The pain was getting more intense, in not just her arm, but her head, her chest, her legs. It was getting to be too much, her arms could barely hold up her body, Ruby collapsed, lying on the ground. Tears ran down her face, this was it, she was going to die and she would never see Joanna ever again.

“Help!” She called out, her voice cracked, “Help! Please…” Her vision became spotty and Ruby lost consciousness.

…

“10-18! An officer is down and there is an immediate threat, we need backup now!” Theron practically yelled into his radio, the thing was still chasing him, he could hear its footsteps behind him as he sprinted down the hill towards the graveyard behind the church. It lunged, catching a clawed hand against Theron’s leg, he stumbled, falling forward and rolling down the hill slightly. He tried to get up, seeing the gash in his leg and wincing. Theron grabbed at his radio again,

“Backup, We need backup, please we need help-”

Its teeth bit down into his arm, Theron screamed. The beast held firm, and he scrambled for the gun at his waist. Once it was out of the holster he fired the gun towards the monster, it let go. He fired again at the monster before pulling himself up, ignoring the screaming pain in the wounds on his arm and leg. He just needed safety, running behind a mausoleum and taking a moment to breathe. Theron could hear whimpers coming from the monster as well as his own haggard breaths. 

He looked back towards the church, the entrance was open again. Ruby might have gotten out, Theron looked towards the sound of the monster, it hadn’t moved. He sprinted back up the hill, the gash in his leg making him stumble slightly. Ignore the pain, focus on getting back there, back to Ruby, to safety. Theron ran towards the open doors, shouting Ruby’s name before freezing. Theron saw something on the ground, a figure in front of the church. He stumbled closer to see it was Ruby lying there, unmoving.

“Ruby!” he shouted, running towards his fallen friend and kneeling down to her. There was a massive wound on her shoulder, soaking her shirt in blood. He shook her, no response.

“No…” he choked, “No, no, no. Please you… you can’t…” Theron hiccuped, unable to keep himself from sobbing, first he was attacked, running for his life for god knows how long, he was exhausted and in pain, and now Ruby was…

He stopped when he heard a small groan and saw Ruby stir slightly. She lifted her head, 

“Theron?” she said weakly.

“Oh god,” he sighed with relief, tears ran down his cheeks, stinging the gashes. She was alive.

“Take my hand, I’ve got you.” Theron started to pull her up, ignoring the burning pain in his arm and leg as he hoisted her up to lean on him, her eyes fell on his wound.

“You… You’re bleeding.” she said.

“I’m fine, don’t focus on me, just focus on staying awake ok?” He wrapped her arm around his shoulder and held onto her waist, moving slowly and carefully. Theron could hear the sounds of sirens, an ambulance and another police car driving up to where they were.

Now they show up. Theron thought, he moved towards the paramedics, 

“Help! She’s hurt!” Theron called out, letting a paramedic take Ruby from him. An officer tried to talk to him, but he felt his own vision getting spotty. Another paramedic caught him as he fell and blacked out.

…

Both were taken to the hospital, it was all a blur at that point, Ruby remembered waking up intermittently, being driven in the ambulance with an unconscious and bleeding Theron, waking up to her wounds freshly patched, her mother bringing her daughter Joanna seeing her, and her other friend Dallas Langley coming into the hospital to see her, being allowed to see Theron, and speaking to a fellow officer about what to put down for a report, they took a tape in to record and transcript everything. When it seemed like the dust settled she and Theron came back to the station, only to be asked to see the police chief individually, Theron going first.

Ruby watched through the window of Police Chief Holmwood’s office. She couldn’t hear a word, but she didn’t like seeing Theron’s eyes widened, before he looked like he was protesting, and the chief stopped him as his head hung low, nodding to something and signing his report. He exited, and just looked sadly towards Ruby. She watched him go, and she was told to go in to sign off on the report.

“So I just have to sign and go right?” she said.

“About that,” Holmwood started, “I’ve overheard the audio you and Mr. Howell gave and for the official reports we’ve had to include changes.”

“Changes? To an official report? Sir I don’t think-”

“The reports are public Ms. Phillips, and frankly the stories sound unbelievable, so for the public record, you were both attacked by a burglar-” The chief interrupted.

"What? This is ridiculous! I know what I saw! I wasn't attacked by some random burglar it was a group of the undead-"

"And we need to be taken seriously Ms. Phillips, we cannot put a fantasy in a police report, Mr. Howell has already agreed to a new version of the report for his side and if you want to keep your position as Detective I suggest the same for you." Holmwood responded.

Ruby wanted to continue protesting, but this was a battle she was going to lose, and she hated that. So she signed the paper, left the room and slammed the door. She exited the station. When she did Ruby saw Theron was also sitting outside, smoking a cigarette. He took a look at her furious expression.

“You okay?” he asked, 

“No, No! I’m not okay! They’ve put bullshit in that report and expect me to be okay with it! Lying about what was there. I know what I saw!” Ruby’s eyebrows furrowed and she crossed her arms, huffing in disdain.

“I know what I saw.” she repeated in a quieter tone, sounding slightly defeated, Theron still didn’t respond, and she looked at him, he stared straight ahead. Her eyes fell on the two scars on his face for a moment. Her face turned to an expression of concern.

“Theron?”

“I know you’re mad about the report but, god would you even believe what happened to us?” He said his voice quiet, Ruby let out a sigh. The two sat in silence for a long time, both wanted to ask the other about details, but neither really wanted to pry.

"Do you… feel okay?" Theron asked suddenly, breaking the quiet.

"I mean… I guess, as okay you can feel nearly dying, are you?”

“I dunno… I’ve got… a weird feeling. It’s probably nothing, I think the shock is still getting to me.” Theron said. 

“I guess I do to, I…” she paused, mulling over what to say, “What attacked you wasn’t human… was it.” she asked

“No… definitely not, and… you-”

“No I don’t… think it was”

More silence.

“I’m only asking because I want to make sure I’m not crazy or making up something in my head to cope or something.” Ruby said.

“Yeah, I think if you weren’t there I would have convinced myself it was something normal like a random attacker or something” Theron took his cigarette box out and offered one to Ruby, she shook her head. The two sat in uncomfortable silence yet again.

“Are you good to drive yet?” She asked, attempting to change the topic.

“No, I called Dallas to get me.” He responded

“I’ll join you two then, beats taking the bus.” 

Another beat of silence. Ruby scooted slightly closer to him.

“You know, if you need anything you can call me.” Ruby said, giving him a smile, Theron nodded, “Of course, and if you call I’ll be there too.” he replied.  

Both of them felt pits in their stomachs, a feeling of dread that neither could shake off, and both pushed the feeling aside, hopeful things would turn out fine.

[harrysmimi]

Harry dates the reader's best friend and after they break up, Harry and the reader start dating!!! lmao I want to see drama 😈😈😈

And also related to this and this request. I tried my best to incorporate it all.

I hope this met your expectations as I tried my best. I'm just not the best at writing angsty angsts.

Ps. There won't be a part 2 to this. This has an open ending.

Six Weeks

Synopsis: One where YN's love with Harry but she can't seem to confess her feelings

More of my work

YN had an hour left before she got off work, so she started on lunch as she skipped on her breakfast to get her work done early.

Working from home came with it's own perks, she could work whenever unless she got her 8 hours in. At the end of the day her work was done, just had an hour before she could log out and enjoy her weekend all by herself. Today she woke up super early and started on her work so she can have a relaxing afternoon and evening. Taking a break from her freelance work which she is busy with on weekends.

Just as she was midway sauteing some onions her door bell went off. Lowering the flame to her stove she headed to get the door.

"Harry?" She was surprised to see an unexpected visitor.

"Hello love!" He exclaimed.

"Hi, come in!" She stepped aside to let him in.

"Thank you." He slipped off his shoes bythe door before he walked in, shedding his coat and hanging it up on the coat hook by the door.

"I thought you weren't going to be in town for another week." YN said, shutting the door behind her. "Do you wanna join me in the kitchen? The stove is on."

He followed her to the kitchen. "What are you making?"

"Just some rice, I'm feeling lazy today."

"I was done with my fitting and all early so came back to spend some time with Mum and dad and Gemma, before I go back on tour again." He answer her questions she asked before he got distracted.

They both talked and caught up since they last saw each other which was more than six months ago.

Harry and YN met just after One Direction announced their hiatus and he was back in London. YN was a new student, happened to be living at his mother's as a paying guest. His mum offered a few students to stay in at her's only if they're willing to abid to her rules, which many didn't but YN certainly did.

Harry was surprised how she was so only focused on what brought her to London in the first place. Her only ever leaving the house to go to college or work (though her dad really helped her out as much as he could), gave her a lot of time to spend with her land lady, Anne.

Anne and YN really got along well from the get go. Especially since Anne was fine with her using the kitchen whenever she wanted the girls spend their free time cooking up something. YN was taught few of her baking recipes whilst Anne was introduced to her guest's native cousin.

Mundane and might be boring. But they had fun.

YN ended up staying for the entirety of her degree course at Anne's, and for another six months before she found studio flat to rent and be on her own with a stable job.

YN and Harry met over at Christmas time, a couple of meetings and he got to know sbe doesn't have any idea of his work life.

YN liked to call her the most boring person to ever walk on the planet earth not no reason!

He had long jair back then, he was visiting his mum and sister as they had a fun holiday planned whilst YN didn't. She had to stay back in London and work on her assignments as the new environment and degree course was kicking her arse for good.

For most of the time YN was locked up in her room, going at her assignments and projects. Learning to be a software engineer wasn't easy. Till this day she regrets not switching her career paths.

Though it took a long time for YN and Harry to become friends, it was the best friendship either of them have had. Given the fact that both of them are so much alike yet so different. Cliché but very fucking true. YN didn't needed any friends, in fact she only made friend's with just one girl from her class and that was it, after graduation they grew apart. Where as Harry made friends everywhere he went, even though he's as shy as her and as reserved as her.

Somewhere in those moments YN grew to harbour some (or more) feelings for him. He was kind, yet he found his way to annoy her in most adorable ways.

Just when she was about to tell him about her feelings, regardless of the possibilities of infinite outcomes popping up in her head Harry told her he was seeing someone. That someone was her only friend from College, Elodie.

Yeah, that felt like a punch in the gut.

Since then Harry and Elodie have been in an on and off relationship.

YN grew over her feelings somewhere in those years, Harry released his first album, started on with his solo tour. Her dad passed away so she has to take up the responsibility as the oldest child to look after her family back home. Her mum's a house and her siblings were all little when it all happened. That gave her another reason to just get over her heart break. Though her feelings for him manages to revisit her whenever he's being himself around her. Which is all the time.

But YN's been there for Harry through it all and his highs and lows with Elodie. Especially with his lows. She listened to him rant about things he couldn't stand about his girlfriend anymore. Even when she cheated on him and he cheated on her.

YN didn't liked that. It was all against her morals but she respected him enough to not judge him.

Now him visiting her gave her vibes that he was going to complain about his girlfriend. Surprisingly he didn't. Not until he started asking about her. They had sat down for dinner after YN forced him too join her.

"How have you been?" He asked, filling up his plate, "how's your mum?"

"She's doing great. Having fun picking out guys for me to marry." She chuckled.

"Never knew you were into arranged marriages." He looked at her, eyes wide, "is it still a thing?"

"I am certainly going to have an arranged marriage, unless I find a guy my mum approves of. Which have high likelihood, I won't, given I don't social much."

"Do you have someone in mind?"

"No, not really." She shrugged, continuing to stuff her face with food. "What about you and Elodie? Thought she didn't liked you coming over to visit me."

Of fuck! She shouldn't have asked that.

"Uhh, it's complicated." He hesitated, "she broke up with me for good last week over text."

"What the fu-" YN interrupted herself in time but the sentiments traveled through, "over text? Why?"

"She thought I was cheating on her again just because Kendall came to my show in LA." He explained, "I don't think I wanna do this anymore."

YN kept to herself. They've been through it. She had tried to talk some sense into him but he doesn't like to take advices because he's a grown man.

More like a man child.

YN had a lot of shit on her plate so she didn't found it worth to talk to him about it and them ending up getting into arguments. It put a lot of strain on their own relationship with one another which YN hates so much. So she just settled on humming in acknowledgement to what he shared.

"Hmm."

"Hmm? That's all?"

"What do you want me to say?" She shrugged, "we end up arguing when I'm telling you something which you're not going to agree upon on. I don't find it worth putting out friendship through it all."

"I thought you'd atleast... Never mind." He sighed.

YN tried her best not to roll her eyes at him and have her meal in peace. She put on TV with her favourite show. All for next twenty minutes she heard Harry sighing and being gloomy, which annoyed her. For many different reasons but one reason which had priority was that he's visiting her after a long time. They can be happy for once and not talk about person she has now grown to despise.

"Harry can you not?"

"What?"

"Can you not be gloomy for once?" She decided to cut to it, "we see each other once or twice a year that's mostly when I reach out to you, or when you have problems with your girlfriend who keeps on cheating on you! I can't take this anymore! For once be a good friend you used to be." With that she picked up the empty dishes and walked in the kitchen.

"Okay, I'm sorry for wanting to confine in person I feel safe around." His voice sounded much louder.

"You do this all the time!" She raised her voice to match his too, "all you talk about is what she when you don't listen to me, so now don't even tell me a thing about her. I don't want to hear it."

"Fine I'll leave then!" He grabbed his phone.

"Please, don't be my guest!" She gestured at the door.

Harry grabbed his coat and he was out the door. Did he regret lashing out on her? Of course, he did. But was he going to go back and apologise? No, not tonight.

YN on the other hand felt awful. She had never once asked anyone to leave her house under any circumstances.

She tried her best to be friends with Elodie. Her feelings wasn't a secret from her friend, that she liked Harry. Yet her friend proceeded to go on and date him.

Was it wrong that she said nothing about it? Maybe it was.

Harry seemed happy throughout the initial stage of his relationship with his girlfriend. That she didn't wanted to ruin. But she did warned him around the first time when Elodie was first cheating on him. He didn't believe her.

Then when he found out, he came crying to her after the first breakup. Then it kept happening, over and over and over again. It made harder for her to get over her feelings for him, it gave her false hopes of her chance with him. At least she wanted to tell him how she feels and get it off her chest there. Now when she chose to not talk about it for her own sake she did not expected him to lash out like that.

......................................................................

It was official that YN was moving back home.

It has been a good three months and life has been going on the same as it has been. Her mum has finally found a good match for her (according her it was). Being brown comes with it's own perks of skipping the whole dating option.

It was good she thought. The guy her mum told her about seemed nice. Vihaan was his name. Apparently he graduated from the same college as YN in the same year with a law degree. But he's planning to move back home as well.

Perfect! - is what her mum said.

YN had managed to squeeze in a few dates with him in her busy schedule. Now it something entirely new for her and she hasn't been on any dates really.

Today though, he had asked her to go meet his parents. It's not too early for it being an arranged marriage. But YN had some stuff she had to get rid off, like some pots and pans. A few things she had borrowed from Anne which were long forgotten and buried deep somewhere in the storage.

YN also happened to find a few blazers she borrowed for Harry when she was interviewing for new job (well be forced to wear those to make a good first impression). She never got to give those back to him because he was busy when she was free and vice versa. It was a hassle. So she packed the stuff to return to Anne and make a run to her place before she headed to meet her future in-laws who were in town. She also took the blazers with her to Anne's so she return them to her son who's constantly visiting her.

"Hello darling." Anne greeted YN by the door, "what all of this?" She was surprised to look at the box in YN's hands and blazer covers.

"Just some stuff I borrowed from you ages ago." YN said, slipped her shoes off by the door before she walked in, "like the baking pans for cakes and stuff. I never got to use them by the way."

Anne chuckled, "that's alright, you didn't had to bring these back, dove. What's with the impulsive cleaning?"

"Oh no, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you." She waddled in managing to carry a big box because she couldn't find any smaller ones with her puffer jacket on. "Can I put this on the counter?"

"Yeah, I'll help you with that." Anne gave her a hand.

"I am moving back to India." YN got back to answering her question, "I might be getting married soon, don't worry I'll send you the invitation. And yeah, that's pretty much the reason for me moving back home."

"Awh, YN that's so lovely!" Anne cooed, "who's the lucky guy?"

"He's from my city but he was a student in my college, I didn't know that. His name is Vihaan, he's a lawyer." YN shared, and involuntarily blood rush creeped up to her cheeks.

"Did you mum chose him for you?" Anne was already onto making tea for both of them.

"Yeah, she did." YN nodded as she shrugged off her jacket. "Also can't wait to get out of cold already."

"Yeah? It isn't this cold in your city, is it?"

"No, not really."

"And how long have you known Vihaan?" The green eyes lady asked.

"About three months. I've grown to quite like him." YN shared, "he's sweet."

"And when are you moving back? Got to through you a little dinner." Anne enquired.

"In about six weeks. But you don't have to. In fact why don't you and Gemma and even Michal come over to mine for dinner?" YN said, "you can also meet Vihaan then!"

"Now that sounds fun, will surely come over one weekend." Anne rested the mug of tea in front of her and YN mumbled her thank you, "and what are these?"

"Oh these are blazers which Harry lend to me. Can you give these back to him for me, please?"

"Why don't you do that yourself? He's coming over to visit with his girlfriend in about..." She looked at her phone for time, "five-seven minutes."

The door bell went off.

"There he is." Anne did her little excited walk to the front door to welcome her son.

YN did not wanted to see him actually, especially after the argument that day. Plus he was back with Elodie with new pap pictures all over the internet which Anne's confirmation to hammer the nail to the rumours, it broke her heart all over again. She has been doing great without seeing him and without talking to him all together. She has been able to slowly move on.

Also her moving back home wasn't for anyone but her mum who was all alone. YN get's to still keep her job and be transferred to the branch in her city and she can still work from home.

"YN do you want to stay over for lunch, I made my roast and there is cheesecake for dessert?" Anne suggested.

"I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to pass this time. I'm going to have lunch with Vihaan and his parents." YN shared, "I'll be heading out after my tea."

"Hold on, who is Vihaan?" Elodie asked, excited for some reason considering the fact that her and YN are no longer friends, which everyone is aware of.

"My future Fiancé." YN answered.

"As in your boyfriend?"

"Nope."

"YN, you're already getting married?" Harry butted in, "you told me about this, what? Like, a month ago?"

"Three months ago, Harry." YN corrected him.

"Am I invited?" Elodie clapped her hands like an excited toddler, her dyed hay-like blonde hair moving on her shoulders. "Come with me, whilst Harry helps his mum with something he got her!" She grabbed YN's hand and dragged her to the living room.

YN somehow managed to not spill her hot tea anywhere and sat down on Anne's sofa. The kitties are lounging next tk the fire place under their little blankets. Anne has still got the blanket YN crocheted (which took her about a year to finish with her schedule) for the kittens.

"Tell me about him?" Elodie asked grabbing a throw pillow to keep on her lap, looking behind her to see Harry following his mum to her garden with a pot with got for her as a just-because present. "Hmm, now you can just stay away from my boyfriend, can't you? How fun!"

"What the- what do you even mean?" YN was taken back.

"He's always with you when he's in town. Which he rarely comes back to London. He's always vacationing or touring or filming a movie or recording yet another Album." She complained. "And when he is in London he goes straight to see you!"

"What's the matter with that? He's working. And no we don't see each other every time he's in London so don't sit there and say that."

"Why not? He cheated on me. Wasn't that girl you?" The blonde finally confessed.

Harry confessed to her that he cheated on her ages ago. But he have seemed to leave out the details of with whom. It certainly wasn't her. Hell, YN haven't even thought about even kissing him after he told her he was seeing Elodie. It wasn't like her all.

"What the fuck are you talking about? He didn't cheat on you with me!" YN has had it.

It might not seem alot but her feelings have been bottled up little by little over the last few years.

"Yeah, you always manage to come in between us." Elodie shrugged simply accusing her, "didn't you tell me you like him. No in fact you said you loved him! I'm finally confessing it to you because you're getting married soon, so I don't care!"

"Then why did you went on and date him, didn't I tell you I have feelings for him and I was going to tell him?" YN's eyes welled up with tears this time. "You were my best friend and I trusted you."

If she were a cartoon her face would have been blood red with smoke coming out of her ears. But she's a pro at keeping her anger in check.

She watched the blonde's expressions change, looking over her head her behind her. She found Harry looking right at her. Now how much did he hear?

YN decided it was better to leave now to create any drama at Anne's house.

"Anne, umm, I'm gonna go now." YN grabbed her jacket and coat. "I'll call you later this week? To plan out dinner at mine."

"Sure love." Anne nodded in agreement. She could sense the awkward and heavy vibes clouding her lovely home right now.

YN could feel her heart trying it's best to burst out of her chest raw. As her

......................................................................

YN drove to Vihaan's place and from there he was going to take her to the restaurant they were going to meet up his parents at. Now it was something YN was very hesitant about. Meeting his parents without anyone with her. Yeah it is common tradition to take your parents to see your future spouse's parents. And it was too early.

YN got bad vibes from Vihaan's mum, her future mother-in-law. He had told her he didn't wanted live alone even after they got married as he's the only son and he wished to take care of his parents, which she was fine with. It is a thing in Asia that the older son takes care of the parents, which she doesn't mind as she grew up with those practices and traditions. But his mum gave her weird vibes even though she had talked to the lady a just twice over a video call and text. That's all.

Mother-in-law's have this very bad reputation of being controlling and manipulative, which so far Vihaan's mum fit checks every category off. It started off with talking about her reconsidering her continuing her job after marriage. Be a housewife instead.

Which haven't yet to tell her mother about or else she would have handled it herself. Her mum was very supportive of her focusing on her career and she would have still wanted to focus on her career. Her own mum gave up her career when she married her dad, whilst her dad was a good husband and a father, she struggled to take care of her kids when he passed. Now that was something she didn't want for YN.

YN actually liked this guy. He checked all the bare minimum boxes for her. He was respectful, and respected her decisions so far. She was starting to like him as well. But he ignored her when she brought up his mum wanting her to quit her job by diverting the topic to something else.

Well, she haven't been strong into dating game, having been gone on just couple of dates. Never passed the second date phase with anyone she went out with. It was a very obvious red flag for her. But she's still got a time to be firm and talk about it. At least to her mum first.

She still went on with it. "What's wrong?" Vihaan asked on the drive to the restaurant. She stopped at a red light.

"It's nothing, just had a rough day." She explained. "I wanted to tell you something."

"Hmm?"

"You mum asked me to reconsider keeping my job if we were to get married." She brought up the topic which he managed to divert before.

"She did?"

"Mhmm, she did." YN nodded and started driving again once the light turned green again.

"Well, what is your decision then?"

"You know it." YN shrugged, "I just don't want your mum telling me what to do and what not to, that's all."

"What? She's going to be your mother-in-law, basically she's like your mother." He chuckled, nervousness evident in his voice.

"But she is not my mother." YN pointed out, "even my own mother never told me to consider keeping my job. Like ever!"

"I respect her for that." He nodded, "we'll talk about it later, okay?"

"Why not now? You can tell you mum to not interfere, if we are to get married. We need to talk about it now, or else I would not want to live with your parents."

"So you want me to leave my parents?"

"Well, I'm leaving my mother too. It's only fair." YN tried to keep it cool. She haven't talked this much in a long time and her jaw hurt already. She prefered texting over talking over phone calls.

She's the silent kind of person.

"She have your brother to take of her, and he is now that he's got a stable career."

"You know he just started like two months ago, he's a fresher," YN reminded him. A heavy sigh left her chest as she tried her best to be calm. Or else she was going to run iver someone or run into a pole or a building.

"I am never say you can't. My mum just asked you to reconsider it, not actually quit your job!" He started getting defensive about it, his voice going up an octave.

"Don't yell at me, I'm just trying to have a conversation. Please!" She sighed again.

She was feeling the same heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach she felt every time Harry told her he's got a girlfriend. It felt so bad, and she couldn't pin point what she was feeling. But it was something negative. But she stopped her car on a side.

"You know what? Get out, please." She said.

"What? Why?"

"I don't want to do this anymore." She announced, "go tell you mum I said I do not want to get married her boy."

"Where is this coming from, YN? I told you we can talk about it. Later. Okay?" He said, trying to talk to her like she's a toddler.

"Don't talk to me. Like that. Okay?" She mocked his tone. "Please!" She gestured to the way out of her car. And he stepped out of car as she said so.

It wasn't an over reaction, was it? She knew how it was going to be. Her in-laws are going to manipulate her into quitting her job. That's how it is. Even if they agreed to her (whish they don't het to have an opinion on) keeping her job now, they would guilt trip her into doing it anyway.

Just like her own grandparents did with her mother. Whilst her mum doesn't regret quitting her job for her kids, YN was sure she would.

Growing up her dad always made her life easy. Hell, she didn't even needed to keep a side job as she studied abroad. He even paid for her rent and other expenses along with her tuition fees the best he could, she kept a job just so she could live more comfortably and not trouble her father much more.

It was very hard on her, in every way after her dad passed. Because she had no one to rely on anymore. People looked at her with pity because she's not a fatherless child. It gets to her but she tried her best to not pay any mind to it. She's got her mum for her.

She called her mum the first thing when she got home. Luckily she didn't got her lease signed off, or sold any of her things yet like she planned on. She was going to reconsider other things now!

......................................................................

Harry was furious.

As he stood there on his place watching YN walk out of the door. She didn't even pit on her puffer she was in that hurry to leave. He knew YN wasn't the type to stay and argue, she prefers to take herself out of the situation until it's all cooled down enough to talk about it. He doubts she's even going to talk about it. Or to him at all after this.

Now he knew why YN stopped being friends with Elodie.

He felt like a biggest dickhead and dumbass to ever exist that he never saw that she liked him since the very beginning like he did.

Harry had grown to be infatuated by YN the first time he saw her. That grew into a small crush and he started liking her. Hell and heavens, there was a time where both of would text about hours and hours talking about literally nothing, sending each other funny posts to keep a conversation going. Fuck, how he missed those days!

And to hear YN say that she was going to tell him how he felt but he beat her to telling her her that he was seeing her other best friend from college. He thought she didn't like him that way.

Honestly, he was feeling lonely but his feelings grew for Elodie. He wouldn't lie there but everything died soon when she first cheated on him. He didn't know why he got back together with her.

Maybe because he found out YN was going on a date with this guy she met at work. Though it didn't work out after the second date. He felt even more awful.

God, even his mum knew about how YN felt about him. She never told him either. Well, why should she? They were both grown up adults and it was their personal matter.

If it were him in place of Elodie he wouldn't even consider going out with someone their best friend admitted to like. Well, he did went out with YN's best friend, he ain't a saint himself. But he wouldn't betray his best friend like that.

All Elodie did was feed of off him. The clout, the career boost. And he didn't even saw it until his mum pointed it out to him after he told Elodie to leave. She was bug face in modeling industry all of a sudden, she was getting bigger and bigger campaigns, even big magazine covers. All because Harry did not care if she talked about him because there was nothing to hide. He didn't realise she was using him. Even after she cheated on him twice. Made a huge fuss about it, even in media about him doing the same. He wasn't petty to tell after her. He would never do that. Even to his worse enemy.

He knew what is it to be under media and public scrutiny, 24 by 7, every day of the hear.

YN was probably his only friend who wasn't the part of the entertainment industry in anyway who managed to keep him on his toes. She didn't worked for any celebrity, she didn't even bother to be friends with other of his industry friends. Even his manager. She hates him in fact.

He betrayed her. In a worse way he could only imagine. This has never happened to him.

He went into his head space of thinking about if he would have been patient enough how things would have turned out. With a mug of tea in his hands as he sat on his make shift bed of the sofa at his mum's, Skye and Dotty fast asleep on his legs over the blanket on his lower body.

All he could think about was the stupid fit Elodie threw at his mum's house, like a fucking toddler. Luckily his mum was nice enough to not kick her and him out of her house, he was embarrassed. Yeah, Anne is his mum but it was still embarassing.

"Wasn't it her?" Elodie asked, furious of Harry when he brought up her recent cheating incident.

"It was never her!" Harry exclaimed, "it was never her, now if you're done Elodie please leave. This is my mum's house."

"I know who's house this is!" She hissed at him, "she made you cheat on me because she wanted to take revenge. She told me she's in fucking love with you! But I love you as well! It's not fucking fair!"

"Then why the fuck would you go on and cheat on someone you love?" He pointed out, but he doesn't want a answer, "you on what? I don't want any answers from you, we're done and through. Don't reach out to me again, just leave please!" He walked her to the door grabbing all his stuff. Shut the door behind him taking a few minutes to relax himself there.

His mum saw everything. She didn't know he ever cheated on any of his partners. But he did. He never wanted to tell him mum, because she raised him to be a better person. But she heard everything. And there was no way his mum didn't knew, it was public affair that he had a hook up. Elodie made sure to make it a public affair. But he knew his mum chose not to believe those.

"Hey, it's alright." Anne still approached him with a hug.

"I'm sorry, I didn't wanted you to know!" His face was smooshed in her neck, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." He kept chanting as he sobbed and sobbed.

"It's alright!" Anne assured him, letting him get it all out. After he calmed down he did talked about it to his mum.

He did hooked up with this random person, he doesn't remember their name, he was drunk and high. It was after he had an yet another huge argument with Elodie. He ended up taking that person his place he shared with her when she was on a trip for her runway show.

Confessing it and getting it all out was something which put him at ease there. He had one less thing weighing on his shoulders.

His mum convinced him to stay the night, so he made the sofa his home where Anne's cats usually sleep at night. But none of them were asleep really, running around like they're in a forest. Well half them were asleep on him though, so he couldn't move much.

He remembered, YN adores Anne's cats so much! And the feeling are mutually from the felines as well. They're not as kind to him as they're being now, maybe they can sense he's sad and feeling low. With Skye and Dotty both purring loudly on him, he didn't mind the smuggles. He needed that.

He was really sad. Not because he broke up with with his girlfriend. God, no! He wasn't. He couldn't bring himself to love Elodie again after this second time she cheated on him. They were through it, talked it out, but he saw that still coming through.

He was sad because YN was there the whole time. If he had waited for some time. Only if...

He feels bad being an asshole to her that day. She was still being nice to him, made extra food because he was over just in time. They were sat in her living like usual, not having to talk much and just enjoy one another's company there. He fucked it up.

YN was probably tired of his shit that she refused to talk about it. He gets it now. She probably still feels hurt though he doesn't want to assume, she was seeing someone else now.

But that doesn't mean he can't talk it out. So he tried to reach for his phone and immediately called YN to check in on her. She seemed so hurt when she walked out. But her line was busy. He felt even more horrible.

......................................................................

It has been a month, and YN was still miserable. She just had two weeks until she could finally go home for a while.

Everything started to feel overwhelming to her. Even working from home. She ordered groceries online to not having to leave her flat. Her car was probably going to hate her. So was her body when she eventually has to leave her flat for something or the other.

But she lost it and called her mum to tell her everything. Better share it with anyone than bottle it up. She was in her bed crying her heart out talking to her mum on the call. This is something she would go to Harry to talk about. But he's the reason she's crying now. And maybe that asshole Vihaan.

She liked him. The feelings were real. Her intuitions were never wrong. Well, maybe they were wrong with Elodie but with Vihaan they were not.

Apparently there was a huge scandal made of this issue back home, she had not energy to deal with whatsoever. Typical brown people behaviour it was. All she needed to know was that the marriage was going to be a total scam for her.

"Mumma, I really don't know what to do!" She sobbed into her pillow.

"I know it's going to be hard. Why didn't you tell him that you like him? You have." Her mum tried to console YN the best she could over a phone call.

"Because he was dating my best friend. Or he is, I don't know. I don't want to get in between my best friend and her boyfriend. That's not me!"

"And she did the same to you, did you tell her that you like this guy?" Her mum pointed out.

"Hmm."

"Now, we'll keep everything aside, okay? Come to see us for a week." Her mum suggested, "it'll help clear up your mind, hmm?"

"Okay." YN agreed, sniffling, "I love you Mumma."

"Hmm. Now go to sleep." Her mum scolded her, "and I love you too."

"Mm bye." YN hung up her call and put her phone back on the night stand.

It was early morning for her mum. She felt bad for starting off her day with whining and crying and complaining. But she has been crying non-stop since midnight and it's now half past three in the morning for her. Her head was throbbing as her eyes burn from dried up tears. There is so much of crying one can do.

She didn't even know why she was crying, that was making her cry even more. Her whole body ached which just added to her misery.

Yeah, YN you're probably overreacting, just go to fucking sleep! - she scolded herself.

Just as she was about to go back to sleep, sinking deep into her fluffy blankets with her hood on, her phone started ringing. It was from Harry she noticed from the red heart emojis which were on either of his initial letter. She turned her phone to silent.

It was nine in the morning. She hadn't slept a blink. But when she finally was going to sleep, there was a knock on her door.

Contemplating she gave up just ignoring him for many reasons, he might make more noise and her neighbours would be mad, or he might sit there entire day and night, talk to her through the door because she lives in a studio flat and her bedroom is literally in her living room, he'd do anything but leave.

"Hey, YN it's me, Harry." She heard him through the door before his knuckles met the hardwood again.

Harry on the other side of the door, tried to knock on her door, hitting his knuckles again on the door.

YN somehow managed to pull herself put of her bed. All she wanted to do was be miserable on her weekend before she could continue to be miserable back home for a couple of weeks. But here Harry was, knocking her door. Wrapping her fluffy blanket around her, she went to check on the door.

"Hi," Harry sighed in relief seeing her finally. "I, I wanna talk to you, cam I come in please?"

She just stepped aside to let her in. Right away he noticed her flat was pitch dark, with the light blocking curtains still closed up. He also noticed how red, puffy and swollen her eyes her, eyelashes still wet from tears.

YN just wanted to sleep in compensation of what she missed at night. That's all.

"YN-"

"Did I left out something to return?" She was already ready to sift through her boxes which were meant to shipped back home but she never got to take of those, so now half of them shoved into her closet and piled up in a corner.

"No, no— what, what are these boxes for?" Harry stuttered seeing all the boxes. She just shrugged for his dismay. "Came over to check up on you. You alright?"

Does her puffy, red eyes, runny nose and rosy cheeks look look alright to you, Harry? He thought to himself. He also noticed a big pile of laundry eating up her laundry basket by the bathroom door. She did not liked to leave dirty clothes piled up like that, whenever he was over, her washer in the kitchen was always running with something or other. Her electricity bill was mostly from running her washer, he wondered.

"YN!" He sighed and grabbed her hand to drag her to the bed, he made her sit there and found a place for himself on the floor in front of her. "YN, I'm so, so, so sorry, my love!" He proceeded to lace his fingers through hers because she let him as she stared right back at him. "I can't tell you how sorry I am for not seeing through it all. Everyone knew, even Dotty knew and I didn't. I'm so fucking sorry!"

He was referring to the conversation he heard of YN and Elodie. His ex took advantage of everyone. It wasn't fair.

Only if, he wasn't stupid and dumb and blind and dickhead it would have all been so fucking different! Only if!

"It took me six long weeks to come and apologise. I don't want to ruin anything between us. I don't want to loose you as my bestest friend!" He sniffled, "I know I've already ruined everything but please consider giving me another chance, please!" He looked up ather with his puppy eyes brimmed up with tears threatening to escape.

YN hasn't said a word since she opened the door for him. There is no use in ruining her friendship with him. Yeah, he went on and dated the person once she called her best friend — well, it was her fault to even consider a shitty person like Elodie a best friend — but he was her only friend. She have gone through being only his friend but was it worth it?

Was it worth it? Of course there were many different factors contributing to her low time now which is making her depressed. It was winter, her seasonal dipression was already kicking in, although she wouldn't say she's depressed. She's just sad.

She wants to be sad.

No one qas letting her be sad in peace. Not her mum. Not her brother. Not her Boss. No even herself.

"I don't know what to say." Is all she said. And that made him fall in silence as well. His shoulders slumped as a puff of air sighed through his nose.

Harry didn't know how he felt, truly. He had been worse. He had just managed to pull himself back from falling into his drinking habits. He had managed to keep his hands away from his favourite vodka for a week, to clear his mind and think straight. All he did was sleep all day if he was not being asked to work.

Right, asked to work. He had no motivation to work. His head was empty.

"I'm so sorry for what she did." He broke the silence. "I'm so sorry for not listening to you."

"Hmm." She sounded, accepting his apology.

Well, it felt so good to accept an apology for what it is rather than just waving it off and giving it a label of "it's okay".

The room fell into deep silence again. An awkward one this time. Before Harry spoke again here. "So, am I invited to the wedding?"

Give him a break please. He's been suffering too!

Whilst he knew thay was probably not the right time to invite himself to her alleged wedding, he was just trying to snip the thread of awkwardness in the air which was coming to his throat.

"I'm, I'm not... getting married." She shrugged taking in a long break.

"What, what are these boxes for then? Thought you were going back..." He stopped there. He was falling straight into his typical behaviour with her, he knows he needs to earn for his apology to be truly accepted.

"Yeah. I am. I am going back." She admitted.

Well, she'll be back after her vacation is over, which is for less than a six week. But still she would be working from home back home. She just hadn't had the energy to unpack her clothes from the boxes, and her pots and pans were laying homeless all around the kitchen.

A part of her didn't wanted to tell Harry about it though. Not at least until he's all riled up in anxiousness and panicking.

Cruel. Yeah, she knew.

"What? Why?"

And like she expected he panicked, so she just shrugged.

"YN!" He sighed, "why? You said you're bever going back."

She was partially joking all the times she have told him that. YN decided to stay quiet again there.

"Okay." He nodded. "I'm really sorry. Really very sorry."

"I know."

"Okay." He nodded again, keeping his head down. "Do you want me to make you breakfast?"

"No."

"Okay." He sighed again.

"You know Harry?"

"What?" He lifted his head to look at her, found her getting comfy in her bed by the missing head board on her single bed.

"I'm so glad you came to terms with everything with Elodie and now you know why I'm no longer friends with her." She spoke, her voice was dry, nasally and hoarse from crying so much. "I've always had bad luck with friends I guess and I continue to do so. Thought you'd not be like everyone else. I was proven wrong the moment you told me you're seeing my best friend. Well, best friend back then. While all the time I have been very obvious about my own feelings towards you being more. Still, letting it go was the best thing I could do, but I'll admit it that I always felt happy each and every time you came to me and told me you're done with her. I'd gather up everything in me to finally, finally go upto you and tell you everything but I just couldn't. And it hurt so fucking much, hearing you be so freaking heartbroken pouring your heart out to me for you to just to get back with her. I'm do not want to sit here and hear another break down just for you to go and dump everything in gutter. And for you to tell me you reciprocated the same feelings for me. I can't bring myself to trust you on this."

Platonic heartbreaks hurt like a bitch if not more than a romantic break up. And YN couldn't bring herself to tell him everything just because Elodie qas once her friend. Doesn't matter they were no longer friends. It all went against her morals. And he never trusted her as a friend when she told him about his now-ex cheating on him shamelessly, without any remorse.

"I don't know if I just want to take your sorry and tell you it's okay, because it's not. To me it's not. It still hurts. I forgive you but it's not okay." She concluded her little confession. All Harry could do was sit there and process everything she said to him.

"I know. I know it's not okay, YN. I just... don't want to ruin it with you. I know I should have said that, not atleast now. But you're my best friend. My only best friend!" Now he could see his vision getting blurry with tears brimming up in his eyes, as he choked and stumbled on his words. "I swear I'll never talk about yet another break down of mine. I just don't want to loose you as a friend, YN. You're my rock!"

"Don't you think it's going be harder to stay friends after all of this?" YN asked. She felt a sting in her heart seeing his teary eyes. She barely falling for it though.

"And don't you think it's going to be better to be friends especially when we know how we feel about each other?" He counter questioned her, just to to get a dry and blunt answer from her.

"Nope." She shook her head, "I can't trust you or anyone for the matter of fact." And Harry's head dropped again as a few tears fell onto the fabric of his grey sweats on his thighs. "I need time."

"You promise we'll reconciliate?" He asked. "As only friends."

"I don't know."

"Please."

YN truly needed time to think about everything, get herself together. That's why she was going to take a break.

"I'm not going to promise anything to you, Harry. Really. I'm going back home for six weeks and we'll talk about it after—"

"Alright." He agreed in a heartbeat cutting YN midway.

"Alright."

"Can I hug you?"

"Mhmm." She agreed. Least to say he was just way too eager to hug her finally, nuzzled his face in her neck.

......................................................................

N O T E :

Hope y'all liked it, this was requested on Tumblr ages ago.

There won't e a part two to this one, hence why I left an open ending.

Ik the character of Vihaan should be explored more here but quite frankly I didn't know where to take that character so I left it there.

Please, please leave a comment about how you liked it and what you think about my writing. Reviews are great encouragement to write more. <3

Tag list:

@vrittivsanghavi @buckymydarlingangel @sweetwritingfanficfriend @theroosterswife24 @sleutherclaw @melllinaa @michellekstyles @sunshinemoonsposts @marialikescherries @japanchrry @onlyangelrain @originalsoulcollector @harrysgirl-1d

Lemme know if you want to added to the tag list

[alice-after-dark]

The Red King and the Unicorn - Homecoming

Heavily inspired by The Last Unicorn, Howl's Moving Castle, and Beauty and the Beast.

Guys wake up, @hiemaldesirae dropped epic art and I got hella inspired to write more for this AU

Vox doesn't remember falling asleep. He doesn't remember leaving the carnival and he definitely doesn't remember arriving at this lovely little house.

His sits up slowly. The room is nice and well furnished and there is a neatly folded pile of clothing resting on the end of the bed. Vox has never been human before, but the clothes are easy enough to figure out...with a little bit of trial and error.

He grips the railing to the stairs as he makes his way down. It's bad enough that he's never walked upright on two legs before, but it's only made worse by how atrophied - how weak - his body has become from being confined to that small cage for so many years. It feels inevitable when he loses his balance and starts to fall. An arm closes around his waist.

"Easy there, kid."

The manticore helps him to a seat at the table. The downstairs is simply one large room with the kitchen, dining area, and sitting room all set to different corners. It feels...cozy. The cat creature is lighting a fire on the stove and sets about grabbing food from the icebox.

"Bacon and eggs sound good to you? I don't really know what you guys eat."

"What's bacon?"

"Meat."

"Oh. That's fine. Thank you."

The manticore blinks. "So you guys really are carnivors. Thought that was just a rumor."

Vox shrugs. "Some are, some aren't. We don't need it to survive, if that's what you mean."

"Huh. Good to know."

The cat - Husk!, Vox remembers. His name is Husk! - grabs a cast iron pan and soon the house is filled with the wonderful smell of cooking food. Husk hums to himself as he cooks and Vox lets his gaze wander around the room. There's a small side door just off the kitchen and what he assumes is the front door is situated closer to the sitting room. Outside, he can hear the bustling of life. They must be in a town.

Husk opens the side door. "Hey, Niff! Give the laundry a break and come eat before it gets cold!"

He holds the door open as a young goblin girl bounces into the room, scrambling into a seat at the table with several books stacked on it. Her single eye locks onto Vox.

"Ooh! The pretty horse is awake!"

Vox blushes. "Mm not a horse..." he mumbles.

"Be gentle with the guy, Niff," Husk says, placing a plate of the promised food in front of the tiny woman. "He's had a rough time of it."

If Niffty hears him, she doesn't show it, already tearing into her eggs with gusto. Husk shakes his head but he's smiling and he puts another plate before Vox. The unicorn mumbles a soft "thank you" and the manticore returns to the stove to finish plating his own food.

When Husk covers a fourth plate and sets it aside, Niffty stops eating to frown. "Is Alastor not joining us?" she asks. She glances forlornly at the empty seat at the head of the table.

Husk shakes his head as he joins them. "Nah, sorry, Niff. The boss is out running some errands. Said he'd be back before noon though and he promised he'd cook dinner cause he knew you'd be disappointed."

The woman instantly brightens. "Yay! It's been a while since he cooked!"

Husk only nods in agreement.

Vox stares at them. To hear these two address the Red King so casually...it feels surreal. He'd been expected to join them for breakfast and now apparently he'd be cooking for them, specifically to appease the little one. It's too strange and too removed from everything Vox knows of the Red King to make any sense.

"Everything good, kid? You're looking a little lost."

Vox jolts back to attention, noting both Husk and Niffty staring at him. He flusters.

"I-fine, I'm fine." He tries to grab the pronged thing next to his plate like the other two are doing, but his grip falters and it clatters back to the table.

"Oh!"

Niffty leans across the table, her tiny hands curling his fingers around the piece of metal. "There you go!" She sits back in her own seat and shows him how to use the edge to cut into his eggs. Husk seems to have predicted his struggle as Vox notes his bacon is already cut up into smaller bites. Considering how awkward his handling of the (fork, Niffty calls it) is, it's probably best he not use a knife just yet.

Unfortunately, Vox knows all too well what those are. He resists the urge to touch the scar over his left eye as it tingles with phantom pain and remembrance. He distracts himself with his food instead.

Husk is a very good cook and once they've cleared their plates, Niffty returns to the laundry while Vox helps Husk with the dishes. When the last of them have been dried and put away, the manticore helps him to one of the couches in the sitting room before wandering away to tend to something else. Curiosity overtakes him and Vox pushes the curtain aside to stare out the window.

The streets are alive with people and carriages and chatter. Vox has never been in a town properly before. He's hung on the outskirts, watched them from afar, but he's never entered one. It was too dangerous...not that it mattered in the end.

The front door opens suddenly and Vox starts as the Red King sweeps inside, trails of shadows around his legs. He looks different again, more human than he had on the night Vox was rescued, but still distinctly...not. Confusion hits him. From his vantage point by the window, he has full view of the door. How had the Red King approached without Vox seeing him?

His thoughts are interrupted.

"Ah! You're awake!" The Red King taps the end of his staff against the floor. "Lovely! You gave us all quite the fright when you fainted like that!"

Vox remembers now. The rush of dark power. The swirling shadows. The unforgiving pressure coming at him from every angle. The Red King had used his magic to move them and Vox had fainted during the travel.

"My apologies," the abyssal being continues. "I should have expected you to be vulnerable to such things, given your captivity. No matter. We'll build up your resistance yet."

He crosses the room and takes the covered plate from the counter before settling into the one chair that had remained empty during their meal. He uncovers the food, still steaming and piping hot as though freshly pulled from the pan, and tucks in. Husk enters not long after and the two strike up a conversation as to the details of the Red King's outing. It's...startlingly domestic and Vox finds himself even futher confused. And one question plagues him more than anything.

Why am I here?