#but how long are we gonna have to watch him overtake the rest of the field every race weekend?

[silentreigns]

If I was Checo I wouldn't have re-signed and retired with some of my dignity intact last season. Like the lashings he's getting now are worse than last year! You can avoid social media all you want but there's no way he doesn't know about how people are talking about him. He's been in f1 long enough to know what he would need in order to be more competitive

[arkhammaid]

— ˚₊‧⁺˖THE LIGHTNING ON TRACK | THE PRE-SEASON TESTING

fandom. formula one & mcu

about. it's pre-season testing time!

content warnings. smau & written parts, written in 3rd person & lowercase, not edited & proofread

word count. 1.1k

notes. we're dipping into the season, slowly but surely... this took me some time to finish, i literally didn't know what to write for testing ://

"we are here in bahrain, pre-season testing for all teams in 2025, welcome everyone!" croft greets the whole world, as live footage is shown across the devices. the camera spans over the whole track, to each individual paddock until stopping at the final one, in blinding white.

"the season is starting with a bang, for the first time in formula one, we will see a stark owned team on the track! in white and chrome they are, an iconic design and everyone is eager to see what the stark manufactured cars can do!"

"how right you are, david! welcome, i'm will buxton and i have someone of interest with me here. right here, in front of the stark racing garage- y/n stark, number 95, one of the drivers for stark racing. so, y/n, tell me, how are you feeling? are you ready for the first time in the car?"

"hello will, thank you for having me. well, it's not quite the first time in the car, we had a testing back in miami at the end of january, but it's something different to be officially here now. but i'm feeling confident- we have our data, the predicted numbers and we think we'll be able to achieve them."

"so, no major upgrades or changes planned?" y/n shakes her head with a grin.

"do you really think i'm going to answer that question? ask me again, when we're done." will laughs at that, nodding his head in understanding.

"understandable, but i will hold you onto that! gonna knock on the garage doors three days later." y/n laughs again, head thrown back. "but, y/n, how does it feel to be on the paddock? have you met the rest of the drivers yet? made any new friendships?"

"well..."

"can you turn that off?", carlos gruffly asks his teammate, who just waves his hand at him as answer. with a groan, he stares at the tv, showing the first driver interview of the day, y/n stark. her voice washes over him, empty answers of being excited to properly meet everyone and maybe even bond with a few drivers.

"i don't know why you're so obsessed, perceval." charles immediatly splutters, waving his hands to deny the accusation.

"i'm not! but it's so interesting! tony stark is literally here, aren't you at least a bit excited? arthur said that y/n is like him!"

"what, arrogant? self-centered?"

"carlos! stop being so negative! i meant like- a genius! someone who raced with her back in f3 is friends with arthur, i forgot his name, but apparently y/n constantly does calculations while she drives. that's why she's so good overtaking." carlos just sighs and leaves charles to whatever he's doing right now. he has no interest in this circus.

— ˚₊‧⁺˖ 🏎️ ˖⁺‧₊˚—

kevin watches the interviews from the sideline, completely satisfied with how everyone is hounding y/n and leaving him in peace. of course he had his fair amount of questions and interviews, but much less than his teammate.

it has been a whirlwind, ever since he joined the team. strange, for a while, everything seeming so futuristic, but now his glasses feel like a another part of his race suit he's putting on every day.

the team has been welcoming, open to his input, but it's very clear to him that y/n is their star driver and he's the support. and he's alright with it. of course, winning a championship would mean everything, but he knows he's not going to continue this forever. especially not when he has a kid, he's missing so much... something he dislikes, because family means everything to him.

this is why his contract is only for two years. if he wishes to continue and his results at the end of the season are steady, tony promised him a seat as long he wishes for. he is incredibly thankful for this offer, fully knowing that this kind of support doesn't exist in formula one.

"ready to go?", he asks, after y/n's press officer ushers her out of the mob called journalists.

"so ready to go", she grins. but they're not alone, the netflix camera's immediately surround them and capture their walk to the garage. people part from them, staring openly at the drivers. one of the most iconic footage later shown in the drive to survive documentary.

— ˚₊‧⁺˖ 🏎️ ˖⁺‧₊˚—

"so, here he goes, kevin magnussen for stark racing, leaving his side of the garage. the car is looking incredible, i really like the color!", comments crofty and the other men immediately begin to chatter as well. throwing in rumors and hearsay about the team, they expertly fill the silence of kevin doing his first lap on the track.

"last to leave the garage and on the track, all eyes are on stark racing- oh and there he goes, picking up the speed!"

"his tyres seem to have warmed up- woah! look at the smoothness! kevin seems to be home in his car, his struggles from the last season are nowhere to be seen", adds jenson, while the cameras continue to follow the white car with the number 20.

"and there he goes! on medium tyres, setting the third fastest lap already, this looks definitely promising." will shares his own thoughts, reminding the viewers that there is definitely a possibility of stark racing going at least one or two seconds faster.

"by the looks of it, the stark racing team seems to be satisfied- honestly can't tell much, the glasses are hiding too much", jokes another man and all of them laugh. "bloody starks, am i right?"

— ˚₊‧⁺˖ 🏎️ ˖⁺‧₊˚—

the testing days are filled with endless laps and data, followed by long hours of debrief. they've already proven that they're fast, slotting themselves on the upper half of the grid, sticking close to the more experienced teams.

speculations are thrown around, is stark racing sandbagging? of course they must be, while others think that this is the best they can do. neither of the drivers or the team principal lose a word on it, instead they repeat always the same statements.

"we delivered what we predicted."

"we tested our theories, confirmed or debunked them, so the past three days have been very productive."

"we're exactly there where we want to be and we know our next steps."

empty words and yet the journalists pounce on them as if they're the next headlines. the whole world watches with eagerness as stark racing finishes up their debut in formula one and they impatiently await the first race of the season.

taglist. @lilypadlover , @adorablezhui , @peqch-pie , @keyz-writes , @obsidianjewel , @aimixx , @themercyverse , @lem-hhn , @akiraquote , @kiiyoooo , @nichmeddar , @nothingfuninthislife , @minkyungseokie , @fionaschicken , @lyrasconstellation , @spideybv28 , @keii134 , @starssfall , @tpwkstiles, @fangirl-dot-com , @nichmeddar , @lady-laura-speaks , @nikfigueiredo , @hinamesgigantica , @brakingboundaries , @almostjollypizza , @yoremins , @raizelchrysanderoctavius , @celesteblack08 , @watermelon-sugars-things , @lighttsoutlewis , @radiantdanvers , @vellicora, @sterredem , @hiireadstuff , @jolixtreesunn , @mypage-myfandoms , @nelly187 @greeneyesandsunshine , @fulla02 , @welovediaaxx , @whyamireadingthis , @67-angelofthelordme-67 , @blueberry64857959 , @winchesterwife27 , @six-call , @skywalker1dream , @mellowarcadefun , @cherry-piee , @peterholland04 , @motorsportloverf1 , @renarots , @msbyjackal , @woozarts , @leclucklerc , @yl90

crossed off tags mean i can't tag you!

DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE SERIES TAGLIST? please leave a comment on this post or send a non anonymous ask!

ARKHAM MAID 2024

[the-offside-rule]

Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - The Archer

Requested: no

Swift Series

Warnings: none

Oscar stood in the paddock, his eyes glued to the screen showing the live feed of the F2 race. His girlfriend, Y/n, was in pole position, and he could feel his heart pounding with anticipation and pride. The roar of engines filled the air as the race began, and Oscar's eyes never left the screen. Y/n's car surged forward, maintaining her lead through the first few laps. Oscar watched her skillfully navigate the corners, overtaking with precision and grace. He couldn't help but smile, his pride swelling with every turn she mastered. Unfortunately, due to a slow pitstop and the virtual safety car ending early as Y/n went into the pitlane, she lost her first place by quite a few places and found herself down in 4th instead. "Come on." He muttered under his breath, gripping the edge of the pit wall. As the laps counted down, Y/n continued to hold her position, skillfully navigating her way back to the front of the pack.

Lap after lap, Y/n gained positions, her driving flawless. As the final lap approached, the tension was palpable. Oscar's heart raced with the cars on the track. 5 corners to go, under half a second between her and Paul Aron in fromt of her...then 4 corners.....3....2....Finally, on the last corner, she got him, passing him on the outside and soaring towards the chequered flag. When Y/n crossed the finish line in first place, the crowd erupted in cheers, and Oscar's grin widened.

"She did it!" He shouted, jumping up and down. Her team turned to him, hugging and congratulating him and in turn, Oscar done the same. Without wasting a moment, he joined the team in sprinting to parc fermé. As Oscar reached the P1 board, Y/n climbed out of her car, her face beaming with joy and relief but covered by her helmet. The moment she saw Oscar, she ran to him. They collided in a jubilant hug, Oscar scooping her until into his arms as Y/n wrapped hers around his neck, lifting her off the ground. "You were amazing!" Oscar exclaimed, his voice filled with pride. He set her down but didn’t let go, his hands resting on her shoulders as he looked into her eyes. "I don't think I could watch you do a race like that again." He lifted her visor and placed a kiss onto the hard, dirty surface of her head gear.

Y/n laughed, tears of joy glistening in her eyes. "You have to go do this later, no pressure, Oscar." She smiled, taking off her helmet finally and looking to her boyfriend in pure adoration. He cupped her cheeks in his hands, now being able to kiss her lips. He pulled away, his face scrunching. "What." She asked. "You need chapstick." Y/n slapped his chest playfully. "I'm kidding, but not really." He winked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "How about a photo of the happy couple?" One of the McLaren photographers offered. They shared a look. "Come on, honey. Pose for the camera." As Y/n's hand rested on Oscar's chest, he placed a kiss onto her temple. She could feel his smile on her skin as the cameras capturing the tender moment between the two drivers. "Beautiful." The photographer smiled. "Not to be a buzz kill but Oscar, you need to head soon, mate." Oscar sighed. "You won't stay for the podium?" She questioned, wiping the sweat from her forehead and placing her cap onto her head. "I'm gonna try stay as long as I can, but you know J can't be late to another team briefing. I'll be fined again."

"Well, it was my fault you were late to the briefing last time. I wouldn't want you to be late again." She grinned, remembering a few weeks before where her and Oscar were both late to their briefings when they spent a little too long in the shower that morning. "You sure I can go?" He asked. "I can try stay a little-"

"Bo, I insist. You go get ready so we can both celebrate this later." His heart skipped a beat at her words. "How'd I get so lucky?" They shared another kiss before Oscar bid her farewell and Y/n turned her attention to the post race interviews and fellow podium place holders.

---

Y/n watched on from the back of the McLaren garage. She didn't know how she still had finger nails left since she had been nibbling mervously on them from the start when Oscar lost positions for having a slow start. Since then, the race only seemed to get worse. Midway through the race, while battling for position with Sainz, their cars had made contact with one another, sending him into a spin whilst Sainz went on to race with little to no damage. He crashed into the barriers, his car coming to a sudden, jarring stop. Y/n's eyes went wide, and she froze. She was sure she had flatlined at this stage. Oscar didn't really crash very often, so this was a very scarce feeling she had.

The safety team was quick to respond, and Oscar climbed out of his car, shaken but unharmed. Disappointment washed over him as he made his way towards the Aston Martin parked nearby. His dreams of at least finishing with points today now crumbled. Y/n breathed a sigh of relief as the commentator announced he was fine. She took off her headphones promptly and made her wag towards the medical centre, eager to see her boyfriend as soon as possible. Y/n leaned against the wall as the medical car pulled up. "Oscar?" She called as the door opened. Her boyfriend held his arm, letting out an agitated sigh. "Are you alright?" She asked, walking towards him. "Yeah, just a bit sore. I'm alright, darling." He smiled, reassuring her that everything was alright. "Do you reckon it's broken?" Oscar shook his head. "Nah, wouldn't say so. You should go back and watch the race. The team is gonna be happy, Lando is set to win."

"How about I'll catch up with you in the hospitality?" Oscar smiled. "That's sounds perfect. Give me a kiss before I head in." Y/n leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'll see you later." She whispered. "Course you will. I'll be quick." He watched as she walked off, every so often looking back, until Oscar disappeared into the medical centre.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Oscar sighed as he opened the door to his driver room. He looked around at the familiar setting. He looked at the family photos up on his wall, the Aussie flag pinned up, his exercise bands sprawled out over his physio table. He clenched his eyes shut, leaning on the edge of the bench, his head in his hands. The door creaked open, and he looked up to see Y/n standing there, concern etched on her face. She crossed the room quickly, kneeling in front of him. "Hi." She said softly, placing a hand on his knee. "How did it go?" He sat up trying to make himself look less defeated than he was, though the frustration and disappointment were clear in his eyes. "I've sprained my wrist, but it should be fine by the time the summer break is over." He smiled. Y/n looked between his eyes. "And are you okay?" He thought for a moment. "Yeah, just -" Oscar paused before groaning and hiding in his hands again. "It's just not the way I wanted it to go. You got your win, and now you're not gonna celebrate because I messed up my race." Y/n wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a comforting embrace. "That's not- Oscar, I don't celebrate my wins. I literally get on a plane and come back home to you." She laughed, rubbing his back. "You're having a bad day, sk we can have today be bad, and we will celebrate with breakfast tomorrow morning in Monaco."

"Sounds nice." Oscar sighed, leaning into her embrace. "I just wanted to do well today." She pulled away from the hug, cupping his face in her hands. "And you did. You have been perfect all season, and this is just one race. You've had bad days before, and you've always come back fighting. Today was my turn to win, and at the next race week, it'll be yours again." He managed a small smile, her words easing the sting of disappointment. "Thank you, darling. I needed that." She kissed the tip of his nose, her touch feeling calming and comforting, exactly what he needed at that moment. "How about you finish your interviews and get out of here. We'll get a Maccies at the airport." He arched a brow. "Since when do you say Maccies?" He chuckled. "I don't know, I just started saying it a while ago." He shook his head. "Yeah, all thanks to me." Oscar pulled her close, holding onto her as if she were his lifeline. "I love you." He whispered, his eyes filled with adoration and warmth. "I love you too, baby."

[stevesgother]

Strange - S.H

Pairing - Steve Harrington x Fem!Reader

WC - 2.1k

Contains - angst, hurt/comfort, swearing, alcohol consumption, mentions of addiction, mentions of childhood trauma, exes to lovers, second chance romance

AN - Part 2 of 'Little Red Lighthouse' ! for the sake of not having to use “y/n” bc i hate it, reader goes by Lizzy. Use your imagination idk

'Isn't it strange/how people can change/from strangers to friends/friends into lovers/and strangers again.' - 'Strange' by Celeste

There was a biting chill to the air as you sat shoulder to shoulder on a rock overlooking the lake with your best friend. The shadow from the towering lighthouse did nothing to help your lack of warmth, but the heat radiating off Steve’s body beside you almost made up for it. In his hands he held a worn piece of notebook paper adorned with his signature scratchy handwriting, slightly crumpled from hours of reading and rereading; frustration bleeding between the inky blue lines.

“I don’t even know why I'm bothering with this shit,” he sighs, “dad thinks college is a waste of time anyway,” he gives the paper one last squeeze in his fist before chucking it into the water.

“Steve!--” you practically shriek, “what’d you do that for?!”

“Cause’ Liz, we both know I’m not getting accepted anywhere worth going to,” he says with finality, like he’s already made up his mind despite it only being January, “and you’re gonna go somewhere fancy schmancy like Feinburg while I rot here,”

“Well certainly with that attitude you will,” he shoots you a deadpan look from where his head is propped in his hands. “Stop worrying about what your parents want, Steve. What do you want?”

“Right now I want to get off this boulder. It’s fuckin’ freezing out here,” the end of his sentence is muffled by his cupped hands around his mouth, huffing into them in an attempt to bring some warmth back into his numbing fingertips.

“I’m perfect, actually.” you feign self-assuredness just to tease him. He knows you’re cold too, the tip of your nose is bright red and frozen to the touch, giving you away.

“Oh, are you?”

“Yeah” you chirp, “I am,”

“Oh, okay,” just then he slides what could've been an icicle but really was just a frigid hand up your shirt and presses it firmly to the small of your balmy back, earning a squeal from you.

“Asshole!” you shove him away playfully and he removes his hand, deciding for once, to spare you. 

You spend the rest of the night bundled under layers of quilts, watching movies your mother rented from Family Video that afternoon as snow falls from the pale sky in big, fat flakes. At some point during the second film, you feel yourself curl into his lap where he’s seated on your sofa, fighting and losing a battle with sleep. Just before slumber overtakes you, you note the feeling of his hand tracing soothing circles over your spine. The arm that isn’t holding you against his torso snakes around to tuck a few strands of hair behind your ear, selfishly so he can steal an unobstructed view of your peaceful expression.

He almost enjoys being with you more when you’re sleeping. Not because he doesn’t adore listening to your winding tangents or your infectious laughter, but because you can’t see him unabashedly staring at you when your eyes have drifted shut like they are now. It’s as if the world has stopped spinning on its axis and time has halted just for him. His own personal sleeping beauty. You looked like the rest of his life.

Memories have a mortifying way of appearing gold in hindsight; nostalgia like a knife that’s gutted him, leaving him emptier than he was before. Now, whenever the air gets older, Steve is reminded of how your presence used to feel.

–

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

Stepping into his orbit for the first time in all these years, the love you still have for him beats inside your chest like a second heart. You long to reach out and touch him, to weave your fingers through the hair at the back of his head and nuzzle your face into the tender skin of his neck, to cry how sorry you are and ask “How could you let me leave you?’--

“You look well,” the low register of his voice shakes you from your spiral and you remember with a sharp pang of guilt just how long it's been since you heard him speak. You feel like he’s taller now than when you left, even though he hit his last growth spurt during the last summer you spent together. A soft dusting of hair that wasn’t there before graces his upper lip. That cheeky, boyish charm you always loved had suddenly morphed into something more gruff. It made your stomach churn.

“Thanks, I don’t–” you cut yourself off with a soft shake of your head, “Thanks, Steve. You do too,”

He gives a meek shrug as he glances down at himself. There was simultaneously so much and yet nothing at all to say, and the silence was suffocating.

“How long are you in town for?” he asks, hoping the answer is indefinitely but knowing it won’t be.

“For a week, then I have to go back to the city,” you struggle to ignore the subtle disappointment that flashes across his features. “I was offered an internship in graphic design. It starts next month.” You say with a tight lipped smile. You wished you wanted that, but now that you were home, all you wanted was to stand under Steve’s gaze like a bug under a magnifying glass.

“That’s wonderful, Lizzy. I’m really happy for you.” Of course he was happy for you. If this was what you wanted, Steve was thrilled for you. But in all the 15 years you’d been inseparable, he’d never once seen you take an interest in graphic design. Maybe it was because your father was an architect. Your mother, an artist. To not follow in their footsteps, Steve knew, would make you feel like you failed them. It doesn’t change the way he can see your expression faltering when you utter even a word about your future career.

“You– what about you? Are you working for your dad?” 

“No, actually, I took over for Hopper. At the station.”

This time, Steve’s blessed with your real smile. A genuine one. You never wanted the alternative for Steve. Being constantly surrounded by corporate goons, taking over the family business just to be miserable and burnt out in less than a decade. The boy never could make up his mind about what it was that he really wanted to do, but he knew it wasn’t that. The trouble was, Steve only ever felt like he belonged somewhere when he was anywhere with you.

A gentle hand to his bicep sends him reeling, and it’s all he can do not grab you by your shoulders and pull you into his chest with as much force as he can muster. But the moment is gone as soon as it arrives, and you’re being whisked away by some other friend who’s vying for your attention. Absently he wonders if he left, would people miss him the way they seemed to have missed you? He supposes it’s best not to dwell.

–

When you arrive home later, the house is empty with a note from your parents stuck to the fridge claiming they’re out tonight. You’re grateful for the reprieve from socialization as you pad your way upstairs and down the hall towards your childhood bedroom.

It looks almost identical to when you left it, with the exception of a spare unrecognizable object here or there. Things your parents must have picked up for you at some point with the hopes of being able to give it to you the next time you visited home, but never could. Your mother had made your bed neatly, adorned with all the stuffed animals and bedding from your youth. Everywhere you turned, there were mementos of your lifelong friendship with Steve. Greyscale photo booth pictures, old movie stubs and the dried remnants of the corsage he gave you for prom. It was a memorial; a cemetery of your life together.

When you finally managed to lie down, all you did was toss and turn until the analog clock tick tick ticking on your wall informed you it was one A.M. In your sleep deprived haze you absentmindedly sat up and reached for the baby blue corded phone resting on your nightstand. It was only when you brought the phone to your ear and heard the droning dial tone that you realized what you were doing, and set the phone back in its cradle. Your fingers ached to press the digits to the only number you knew by heart: Steve Harrington.

–

You weren’t sure why your mom kept renewing her Cosmopolitan subscription for you, since you hardly took interest in the issues, but she did nonetheless. Tonight, struggling to find something more productive to do, your curiosity got the better of you as you mindlessly flipped through the pages with freshly manicured nails. It was a Friday, and the prospect of sleeping in tomorrow delighted you. You were in no hurry to get to bed. 

Just then you heard the shrill ringing of the new phone your parents got you to keep in your bedroom for your birthday. You knew it had to be at least twelve o’clock in the morning. Only one person would be calling you at this hour.

“Hello?”

“Hey, can I– can I come over?” Steve's voice was hushed and trembling. Muffled yelling could be heard in the background over his unsteady breathing.

“Steve? Yeah, ‘course, I'll unlock my window,” you pause, “everything okay?”

“Yeah just– I’ll be there in ten,” and with that you heard the receiver click back into its place on the wall.

Magazine having been discarded on the floor next to your bed, you sat at your desk, knee bouncing rapidly as you waited for Steve to climb through your window like he had dozens of times before. At sixteen, you’d be caught dead having a boy in your room at this hour, even if it was just Steve.

You hear a soft tap tap tap on the glass, signifying his arrival. In a rush, you hurry over to your window to help him in. When he regains his balance with both feet on your carpeted floor, you’re finally able to get a good look at him. He’s bleary eyed and his nose is chapped raw, like he’d been rubbing at it continuously for hours. 

“Hey,” you say softly with a gentle hand to his forearm, “What’s wrong? Did something happen?” You feel guilty pressing him on the matter immediately, but you can count on one hand the amount of times you've seen Steve genuinely distressed. Last Halloween when Nancy Wheeler had proclaimed that he and their whole relationship was ‘bullshit’ had been the last time.

“Mom and dad were fighting. I guess– I guess he found these pills she’s been taking? I don’t know,” he looks dejected as he fidgets with the hem of his sweater, “Jus’ couldn’t listen to it anymore.”

Your eyes round into saucers when you looked to him, concern gracing your features. It was always something with the Harringtons. If they weren’t screaming at each other, they were screaming at Steve. Catherine had substance abuse issues, John was violent. Broken dishes and holes punched in drywall were becoming the norm. All Steve wanted was a way out; an escape. You gave that to him. Always.

Without another word, you propped yourself up on your tiny twin bed and motioned with open arms for him to come lie with you. He accepted the invitation instantly, sinking down into the mattress with you. His head rested on your chest, just above your rapidly beating heart. A heart that beat for him alone. You silently prayed he knew that.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence and softly petting his hair, you felt two distinct drops of tears land on the silky satin of your pajama shirt. You attempted not to make a scene, with the knowledge of how difficult it was for him to be vulnerable. Instead, you simply continued your ministrations on the back of his head and held him a little tighter.

“It’s okay, Stevie,” you whispered against the crown of his head, “You’re safe now. We’re gonna get out of here someday, y'know? I promise.”

He nodded bleakly in acknowledgment against your sternum as his tears fell a little quicker and a little harder. “Okay,” he whimpered. The sound nearly tore you in two.

You’d never intended on breaking that promise. Not really.

–

Against your better judgement, you reached for your phone a second time and dialed his number for the first time in five years. You hoped he didn’t get a new landline.

His voice was gravely and thick with grogginess when he picked up after six torturous rings, “Hello?”

“Meet me tomorrow. DiBella’s. Ten o’clock.”

You slammed the phone back into the receiver before you had time to regret it.

taglist: @sheisjoeschateau, @ohwauwdoritos

divider credit to @/strangergraphics

[my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction]

So the way you write Shimmer!Kane makes my brain melt. I love the way you see him and the way you describe him is so beautiful. Please accept my admiration and compliments and ignore the rest of this if your requests are closed.

I would love to see a part two of the nesting fic you wrote. What sort of instincts drive him? Is he's eager to please reader and/or chasing his own carnal pleasure? Is he soft, rough, sensual? How long does he try to keep going? Is he an aftercare type of being?

Ahh, thank you so much <3 I hope this is worth the wait!

Shimmer!Kane x afab!Reader • Rating: 18+ pals Masterlist• ao3• want to be tagged1041? | request info • buy me a coffee? • ask-travaganza masterlist •

Nesting Fic Here

Warnings: Oral sex, p in v sex, Kane has a bit of a breeding and pleasure kink, multiple orgasms, not beta read, please let me know if I have missed a warning!

Word Count: 1041

“You’re going to come, aren’t you?” Kane’s voice is still so calm, so even and deliberate despite how he rocks and rolls his hips against yours. 

“Kane,” You bite your lip, your hands on his biceps, simultaneously trying to push him away and pull him closer at the same time. “I, I think… we shouldn’t…”

He watches you with interest as he continues to rub his clothed erection against you. You try to stop your legs from shaking, how they squeeze desperately around his waist. 

“This isn’t a good idea.” You manage to stammer out, despite every fibre of you being screaming at you that this was, in fact, a very good idea. 

“Why?” He asks simply, keeping up the hypnotising rhythm. 

“Because… because…” Your back arches, your toes curling as the heady pleasure begins to overtake you completely. “Fuck.” 

Kane leans down to mouth at your neck, he groans as you shiver and shake. 

You gasp out his name as you come, practically sobbing as he nips softly at your skin. The second you start to relax he sits up and begins to undress you, his fingers greedily run over every inch of skin he exposes to the air. 

“Kane,” You say softly. 

“You like me,” he replies, his voice just as soft. He pulls off his top, throwing the material to the side before he pulls your trousers down your legs. “I like you.” He shrugs like he was explaining a very simple premise. “You touch yourself and think about me.” 

You freeze, embarrassment burning into your skin, but Kane doesn’t even pause, acting like what he said wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

“How-”

He dips his head down, kneeling on the floor and burying his head between your thighs. 

You cry out as his hot, wet tongue swipes through your folds and Kane moans, his fingers kneading the inside of your legs rhythmically. 

He laps slowly, his dark eyes watching your every moment. 

You squirm, arching closer to him and grabbing hold of the pillows surrounding you. He swirls his tongue around your clit to reward you, sighing happily when fresh wetness hits his mouth. 

He hums against you, carefully studying your every reaction and adjusting his movements accordingly. 

He likes how your back arches when he scrapes the edge of his teeth softly over your clit, likes when you wriggle and whine when he pulls back a fraction. His favourite is when he sucks your bundle of nerves between his lips. The sharp cry you let out is music to his ears. So he keeps sucking and sucking, rhythmically relaxing before drawing you back inside his warm eager mouth. 

“Kane, wait,” You gasp, pleasure wrapping tight around your lower stomach and dissolving any resemblance of resolve you had. “You’re, you’re gonna make me come again, I-”

He doesn’t let up, but looks at you with those large dark eyes. It’s almost as if you can hear him for a moment, whispering in your ear. “Of course I am.”

You come hard, your orgasm pulled from your muscles with an expert efficacy. You tense, shaking, toes curling before you collapse back onto the pillows.

Kane groans happily, dragging his tongue through your fresh cum before he begins to lightly suck on your clit once more. 

You whine, biting your lip and shivering from the overstimulation. But it’s already starting to twist into a syrupy bliss. His movements slow and gentle, lightly coaxing you back into the rapid build of pleasure. 

He shakes his head slightly when you look down at him once more, like he can tell what you’re about to say next, that you’re about to tell him you can’t come again. 

It continues like this, Kane constantly pushing you further and further into bliss, giving you the smallest reprieve when you finally come before he goes straight back to work. Seemingly determined to exhaust you to the point of madness.

As you come again, you cry out, your voice hoarse from use. Your skin is hot and sweaty, his hands massage the tension in your legs as you recover and shake and oh so slowly he pulls back, removing his mouth from you. 

Your slick and his spit have soaked the lower half of his face, dripping down his neck and chest. His eyes are wild as he looks at you, eagerly standing stripping. 

Your muscles ache, your energy long since sapped to the point of near exhaustion. You still manage to lean up every so slightly, “Kane?”

“Orgasms are good for you,” he mutters, kicking off his trousers and pulling his aching cock free. It’s red and swollen, the head shining with precum. “They help.”

“Help?” You question. 

He nods and spits onto his cock smearing his saliva up and down his length before kneeling between your legs. “I’ll be gentle.” He whispers softly, watching your face for any sign of hesitation as he presses the tip at your entrance. He smiles ever so slightly when he finds none. “They help,” he continues as he starts to gently ease inside. 

You bite your lip, laying back down as his body slides over yours and stretches you wide. You can practically feel the beating of his heart along his long, thick cock. You’re so wet he just glides in despite the size, reshaping you to take him perfectly. 

He moans softly, his eyelids fluttering as he presses closer, eager to feel all of you squeeze around him. 

Your body moves under its own will, your hips tilting to urge him further, deeper. The head of his cock brushes wonderfully along your walls, pulls at your nerves and you want to sob as pleasure rolls through you yet again.

“They help you take me…” He murmurs happily, shaking his hips slightly to push himself in the last few inches. “And they help it to stick.”

You’re nearly too far gone, too blissed out and cock dumb to understand the words he’s saying. “Stick?”

“Hmm,” he lays his palm onto your stomach lightly as he bottoms out, feeling his cock through your body. “Help you to stay nice and full of me.” He mutters, his mouth open a fraction as he begins to fuck you in earnest. 

Thank you for reading!

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[ywpd-translations]

Ride 789: Inheriting wishes

Pag 1

3: Yes, I got it! The last one!!

4: Bon apet...

5: What, Kabu, are you eating trash now?

Guaa- the worst person saw me!!

Th- that's not it, this it- uhm....

Pag 2

1: Have mine

3: Nom nom nom, so good!

You worked a lot for the sprint

Good job following on this climbing while resting and resupplying

5: Imaizumi-san is treating a kouhai kindly!!

Hotshot is rewardina kohai!?

I....

Ho....

What is it, I feel a weird atmosphere

Pag 3

1: I received my orders from Onoda-san!!

2: Climb and pull the team

3: Climbing at a fixed pace as much as possible, while watching the condition of tiredness of everyone's pace, synchronizing our breaths

Pag 4

1: It's the least damaging way to climb!!

The pack is coming!

It's Sohoku!

Pag 5

2: Danchiku... this is a good pace

He's good at watching everyone and matching his performance to them

3: You really are his polar opposite

Ah, person who gave me food

4: Rokudai, watch closely

Ye-yessir, teh!!

5: What Danchiku is doing now is the correct way to “pull”

Yessir, teh

You also

6: got your orders, didn't you?

Pag 6

1: From Onoda!!

2: Mountain King and Manami are overtaking the other climbers who had come out!!

Are they going to the lead like that!?

They-

Pag 7

2: What, how, they're so fast....!!

3: Amazing!

So fast!

They're running at an incomprehensible speed

This is a race between the Inter High's

Pag 8

1: two times finalists!?

2: Sakamichi-kun!!

Manami-kun!!

Pag 9

1: It's true, Mountain King and Manami are racing

Yeah, they're fighting seriously

For this year's mountain prize....

2: You seem to be in good condition!!

Yeah!! Manami-kun!!

3: the first day's mountain is gonna be the most amazing!!

4: There's a lot of people in the audience too

Yeah

A huge crowd, the summer air, and the blue sky

Pag 10

1: I wonder if Toudou-san and Makishima-san also felt the wind like this, on Hakone's mountain two years ago!!

2: The sky is blue!!

There's a lot of people in the audience too!!

4: I'm having so much fun chasing after it it feels like I'm in a daze

Pag 11

1: Even though my body is tired and my muscles are exhausted, it feels like my heart is saying “let's go until our limit” and pushing my blood!!

5: Yeah!!

I think Makishima-san and Toudou-san definitely felt like this!!

Pag 12

1: Shooo

Just get ahead of him by a few millimeters

My heart is pounding

Jinpachi!!

Maki-chan!!

2: About the race between them that day, I heard other people saying:

3: “It was fierce”

“It was a race of their souls”

“I saw a battle of the limits of climbers”

Pag 13

1: But looking at their backs, it looked fun

3: Back then we could only imagine it

4: But now, like this

Running against you, who shares the same feeling

Pag 14

1: It's like we can “experience”it!!

3: Yeah!!

Pag 15

2: I didn't think the mountain on the first day was so freeing, that it would make my heart feel so clear

3: It's strange

4: The thing I longed for from the bottom of my heart... my strong wish....

5: even if I couldn't fulfill it at the time

Pag 16

1: it still came true in another form!!

Pag 17

1: You're right!!

Pag 18

1: Mountain King and Manami accelerated again!!

4: The orders!!

Pag 19

1: It's time, go

Switch with Danchiku

2: Pull the team, Rokudai!!

Yessir, teh!!

I received them from

2: Back-gate slope-senpai....

Pag 20

1: My “orders”!!

2: Rokudai-kun

Yessir, teh

3: Please pull the team on the mountain while switching with Danchiku-kun

Yessir, teh!!

4: My first orders.....!!

I'l ldo it with all my strength

Actually

5: I wanted to say “please climb the mountain together with me”

8: Huh!? Together!? The mountain!?

9: When I was in first year, I didn't see the race between Makishima-san and Toudou-san

10: …. so

Onoda....!!

For Rokudai-kun

Pag 21

1: I wanted him to see the race between me and Manami-kun as a first year climber

2: Onoda-kun

3: But it'a not as easy as taking him along to race together

4: If I don't refine my thoughts I'll never catch up with Manami-kun as he is now!!

6: That's why I have another order for you, Rokudai-kun

Another one...!!

7: Look up at the mountain

Send your heart out to the road before you

Pag 22

1: Imagine it with everything you have!! Our

2: our fight to our limits!!

Their fight!!

Pag 23

3: Back-gate slope-senpai!!

Then... on your first year... or your second year- when you'll have a rival....

4: A ri-rival!? Me!?

5: Hakogaku caught up!!

Pag 24

4: Remember about today, please

5: Ah... the guy who came on Minegayama with Manami-san...

Is this guy really the manager....!?

[nickeverdeen]

Across the Miles | Peter Parker x fem!reader

Pairings: Peter Parker x fem!reader

Type of fic: Romance, Long-Distance, Fluff

Warnings: None

Summary: While Peter’s in Germany you two call at night for a small talk

Tag List: @callsignwidow

———————

Peter Parker lay on the bed in his Berlin hotel room, the dull hum of the city outside barely audible through the thick walls. The room was dimly lit by a single lamp, but the screen of his phone shone brightly as he stared at it, a wide grin on his face.

On the other side of the call, miles away back in Queens, you were lying in your bed, wrapped up in your blankets, a tired but happy smile mirroring Peter’s.

“I can’t believe you’re in Germany,” you said, your voice soft and slightly sleepy. “It’s so weird to think about.”

“I know,” Peter replied, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and exhaustion. “It still feels kinda surreal. I mean, I’m here with Mr. Stark and… it’s just crazy.”

You chuckled, feeling a little warmth in your chest as you watched Peter’s face light up. He was trying so hard to sound casual, but you knew how much this meant to him. “You deserve it, Peter. You’ve been doing such a good job back home—saving people, keeping the city safe. You’re gonna do great out there, too.”

Peter’s grin softened into something more tender as he looked at you. “Thanks. I just… I miss you, though. It’s weird not having you around.”

You nodded, feeling a pang of the same longing. “I miss you, too. But hey, it’s just a few days, right? And then you’ll be back, and we can hang out like normal.”

Peter was about to respond when a loud knock sounded on his door, followed by Happy Hogan’s voice. “Parker! Wrap it up, you need to get some sleep.”

Peter groaned, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Just a minute, Happy!” he called back, clearly not ready to end the call.

You giggled, covering your mouth with your hand. “You should probably listen to him, Pete.”

Peter shook his head, stubborn as ever. “Nah, I’m good. I’d rather talk to you.”

You smiled, touched by his words. “Okay, but you need to get some rest. You have important superhero stuff to do tomorrow.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Peter mumbled, leaning back against the headboard, still not making any move to hang up. “I’m not tired yet.”

You stifled a yawn, starting to feel the day catching up to you. “Sure you’re not,” you teased gently.

Peter watched you with fond eyes as your eyelids began to droop. “You should get some sleep,” he said softly, his voice filled with affection.

“I will… in a minute,” you replied, but your words were slurring slightly as sleep began to overtake you.

Peter stayed quiet for a moment, just watching you, his heart swelling with affection. He couldn’t help but feel grateful for moments like this, even if they were separated by thousands of miles. You were still here, still with him.

Eventually, your breathing evened out, and Peter realized you had fallen asleep. He couldn’t help but smile at how peaceful you looked.

“Goodnight,” he whispered, not wanting to wake you. With a heavy but content sigh, he carefully ended the call, placing his phone on the nightstand.

He lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling for a moment, the reality of his situation sinking in. He was in Germany, about to do something incredible, but all he could think about was how much he wished you were here with him.

As sleep finally began to claim him, Peter’s last thoughts were of you, and how soon enough, he’d be back home—back to where you were, where he belonged.

And with that comforting thought, Peter drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the day he’d see you again.

[granolawriting]

How abt one where Joel misses the reader sm soo he comes to meet her very late at night they both drink leading to smut cause ofc 😭😏 and maybe in the middle joel makes a vid of them but he didn’t remember it cause he was drunk and later after a week or soo he discovers it idk something like that 😫

pairing: NSFW!reader x no breakout!Joel

Summary: Joel brings over liquor and a smile, a situation synonymous for whats to become of every few months of your life filled with drunken sex and family dinners with him. And as you hear the infamous knock upon your door once more, you fall for his southern charm once more.

Content warning: dom!Joel, drunken sex, doggystyle, video without permisson, rough fucking, porn with a little plot, cumming inside, praise, pet names (sweetheart, darling, doll), "good girl", long haired joel because I say so!!!, age gap (obviously..)

word count: 2.8k

A/N: thank you for this request!!! my first Joel req.. of many I hope hehe. I have a special place in my heart for drunk Joel, probably for reasons I shouldent. But I digress, very fun to write :)) I hope you enjoy!

The clacking of your keyboard brings noise to an otherwise quiet evening within your home, finishing up work on your computer was the only thing that troubled your mind at what the clock shone as 12 into the night. 

A ring of your doorbell catches you off focus for a moment. There was no means for a package to arrive or even people for that matter. It was far too late for any reasonable person to be out and especially at your door. Fear overtakes you for just a moment before curiosity outweighs it and the sudden urge to stay where you are is replaced by the insatiable one to see what lies on the other side of the door. 

You check the phone that had been charging at a port out of your line of sight to be greeted by absolutely nothing, zero clue into what the meaning of this visit could entail. 

The creak of the door upon your hands opening its knob do you watch as it reveals a certain Joel upon the other side of the door. Facing him as he faces you, a selfish smile coating his face as he grips within his hand some nondescript black plastic bag. 

Looking upon Joel did you notice the clothes, and general demeanor he held. With salt and pepper hair grown out slightly, traces of product line it's ends as they clump together to create some semblance of unity as they fall upon his face, the gruff lines and wear of an older man are what you find beneath the strands of hair-- a grin complimented by a short and kempt beard. The clothing upon his body was all worn, but good quality. Red plaid complimenting his undershirt as a worn brown leather jacket works as his outer jacket. Dark levis that signified one of his better-dressed pants, as the stains of work grow more apparent upon the lighter colors he chooses for jeans. His belt was fashioned to fit the precise mold of his body with the crease of the belt hole he uses every morning having considerably more wear than the rest of the belt. 

“Hey sweetheart.” 

A compelling southern drawl complimenting a sly smile was almost enough for you to entertain this interaction with outright positivity. 

“Joel, what are you doing at my place this late. Don't you have work in the morning?”

“Got the day off. But I'm flattered yer lookin out for me darlin. Came by just to say hi, that such a crime?” 

He lets himself into your home as the sloshing of the bag he held within his fingers becomes more curious. 

“You at least gonna tell me what's in the bag? Or is that also none of my business.” 

You cross your arms in an attempt at anger, though fall short as he sees right through you, as he always has been able to. 

Two bottles clash with the top of your wooden table providing a clink to follow what he says; 

“Thought we could share a drink, you and I. like old times ‘member?” 

Memories of the ‘old times’ flood your memories as blurs of sloppy kisses and drunken love fill your mind, the reminders of all the times you and he have had together, and all the times you have not had together. The relationship between you and him was special to say the least. He was no boyfriend, but he was definitely not just some kind of fuck buddy. Or was he? There had been times you took care of Sarah, taken her to games, but there had also been times when there was no communication for weeks on end. It all depended on if you guys just showed up at one another's door. All oftentimes ignited by a simple drink, would it grow into flame of passion that extinguished within the coming months to be done once more after well enough time away. 

It was very toxic, sure. But for someone like Joel, part of you was compelled to believe you could just deal. You didn't mind it.

“Well if the drinks are free, I can't say no. and free delivery, now that's something special.” 

You teased with him a moment, as it wasn't discernable what kind of night it was going to be yet. Some nights you and Joel stayed up until the early morning talking about life, the way you two felt about the world and so on. Other times, the early mornings greeted you with a lot less of a profound means for staying awake. 

“You know that's my specialty.” 

He stands to grab glasses from your cabinet, the muscle memory he holds of knowing exactly where they are making a swift shift from shelf to table as he proceeds to pour you a glass. 

… 

The night grows dark as the two of you grow to run out of things to catch up on. Learning about Sarah's most recent academic achievement, or what sport she's picked to do for this spring. He tells you about the things going on at his work, trying to dumb it down but never quite making it understandable regardless. You tell him how your work goes, trying to not mention any school you may still engage in as a means to not remind him how old he is or how the gap in your age could be equally compared to that of the entire rule of certain kings throughout history. 

You grasp at things to say near the end of your last story. Realizing nothing already said can follow up, leading to a lapse of silence to overtake you two as liquor fills your system looked within his dark eyes as they stare back at you. 

“Know what, fuck it.” 

Joel mutters before pushing all casualty and simple conversation out the window as the tension building up inside of him grew too hard to bear. It seemed as if he was just looking, praying for a quiet moment so he had the means to pounce on you. He didn't properly care about any work you had due, as he watched the pink of your lips as they moved with the sound of your voice, the hair upon your head falling into your face and watching sloppy fingers push it behind your ears. The way your chest poured out of the top you wore and above all else, the look within your eyes that yearned and pleaded for the exact same thing. 

He almost jumped on you, the passion deep within his heart that sunk to his legs as he brought himself from the seated table to your left sounds of wood clashing against wood and a disruption in all the items upon the table you two sat at he brought himself closer to you in one move. He knocks you off your own chair in the process, as the two of you fall onto the floor in a fit of passion as his lips interlock with mine. 

“You don't know how fuckin badly I’ve been missin this darlin”

Is muttered as he lay above you, his arms now holding your wrists to the floor as he looks you up and down. He goes into your neck, licking it up and down as his sloppy movements and tongue coat your whole neck with the sensitive kisses bites of his drunken fervor. His hand releases from the right side of your wrist as it traces down your body, his knee propped up against the left side of you he stables himself to feel your body with his hand. Groping your chest desperately as you feel calloused hands trail under your shirt and across your waist. Sloppy grabbing at every part of your naked body as he moves from your neck to your lips once more. Forcing his tongue down your throat as every move he makes is made with unparalleled desperation. 

He lets up for a moment, breath heavy and sweat coating his face as the clothes he wears begin to heat him up. Realizing that you watch him straddled on top of you as he removes his jacket, followed by the unbuttoning of his flannel to reveal the muscle he held underneath. You watched as his chest went up and down to match the sound of his breath as he looked upon you. 

Part of you grows desperate as well, as your now free hands trail to the only part of him that still stays dressed, his pants. Moving fingers to trace the creases and lines of his jeans, slowly going closer to the growing bulge in his pants. Playfully toying with it, getting just close enough to it but never exactly where he’d want you to. 

You watch as every move you make brings him even more tense, small groans are to escape him as you move a single finger over his bulge and you watch as he throws his hands on the sides of the floor next to you. your faces now an inch apart he whispers within your ear;

“Nows not the time to be playin with me sweeheart. Theres no reason I wouldn't turn you right around and fuck you myself now is there?” 

You stay silent for a moment, but he grabs your jaw and asks again. 

“Is there, darlin’?” 

You shake your head no, unable to muster up a word as your arousal turns you into silent awe at the sight of him. Though with his suggestion you allow yourself to thereafter be moved by his hands onto your stomach, leaving your back completely vulnerable to him. You hear what is the clink of his belt as he struggles to get it off in desperation and with the drop of it across the room thereafter. You hear the zipper of his pants signify their drop as well, watching his phone fall to the side of you in the process. 

He removes your shorts and underwear at the same time to reveal just your ass below him as he straddles your lower legs. Feeling as his hands toy with your ass, moving it and smacking it as he wished. 

Though without much more time wasted, you hear a spit into his hand that undoubtedly coated his cock, as you felt his heat meet yours as he teased it between your folds for a moment before entering you. 

He enters you with a long groan, as he goes in and out of you with no pace and little regard for going slow. The first few thrusts are slow and intentional, but he grows much more sloppy with no time. 

He leans his body to curve on top of yours as you lay on the floor with your knees only to prop up an easier means for him to enter you. He begins to bite your ear, groans and whispering into your ear praise and curse words;

“Fuck hnm, darlin’ you’re so fuckin tight for me. Oh my god ya feel so good fer me. You’re my good girl takin it like you should.” 

His drawl comes out even more when he's drunk, he humps you as you feel his breath hitch and grow uneven on the side of your neck. Though he centers himself once more, this time using only one hand to hold you as to hold you still as he fucks into you. His forearm crossed above your chest, feeling the muscle of his bicep on the side of your arm and the thickness of his forearm grip you as he moves in and out of you. 

“Do you like that huh? Tha way I'm fuckin ya? Arent you my good fuckin girl?” 

He demands a response, to a pleading and moaning mess in your reply as you utter out the words;

“Yes, yes I'm you’re good girl. Please, don't stop please” 

“I could never stop when you feel this fuckin good. God I'm,” 

He falls into grunts as he tries to keep his body straight as he fucks into you with even more desperation as you can feel him growing close by just the feeling of him inside of you. And before you know it you feel a final groan escape him that follows hot fluid shoot deep inside of you as he rides out his full orgasm feeling you contract on top of him, your body desperate to keep in every drop. 

Falling onto the floor, he lays beside you in a sweating, breathless mess as you lay there the same. For a moment you and him look at one another and smile, before you both get up once more to clean each other off, and go in for a shower before you two share a bed for the night. God knows how late it even is now. 

---

“Hey doll, ya know where I left my phone?” 

A voice wakes you up, one of a fully dressed Joel who apparently, is about to leave. 

“Aw, not staying for breakfast?” 

You tease, letting yourself get up a bit and stretching to orient yourself to the morning. 

“Would love to, but Sarah's gotta short day at school today. Hows about ya come over fer dinner tonight? Our treat.”

He shines you an old smile, and your heart melts the same way it's done every time past. 

“Then it's a date. Last I saw, your phone was on the floor in my living room.” 

Pointing him to that direction, he exclaims to have found it, and to follow you hear and opening and shutting of a door to signify that once more, you are alone. Beginning your morning routine you spend some time moving things around mentally, seeing what to do with the day since you now have plans in the evening.

---

Joel stops his car within his driveway, checking the time he realizes he’s much earlier than he expected himself to be. He has around 3 hours to kill before a little girl will be waiting for his beat-up car to take her home early, the best day to ever befall a girl or so it seemed to her. Walking within his home he drops keys into an empty bowl, kicking off heavy boots so the creaking within his home subsides to a much lighter and more sparse sound than that of heavy boots clanking on the soft wooden floors. He sits upon the green couch in his living room, turning on the tv he devises to text you something as a means to make up for the abrupt departure the night before. Though as he opens his phone, it opens to the photo gallery where a new video seems to have been added. 

Oh my god. 

He clicks on it with hesitant hands, and as he does his mind is brought back to a night he failed to properly remember. 

“Do you like that huh? Tha way i'm fuckin ya? Arent you my good fuckin girl?” 

“Yes, yes i'm you’re good girl. Please, don't stop please” 

He feels himself grow at the sight of what's on his phone. 

A video, of last night? 

He never remember taking something like this. Let alone ever saving it. But as he watched as he came inside of you, hearing your begs and pleas for his cock it aroused him in a way he couldn't suppress. As the video ended he lay dumbfounded for a moment. Curious about what to do with such a video. But as he looks at the replay button upon his phone the only thing that fuels him is unquenchable lust. 

Unbuckling his belt once more, he unzips his pants to reveal his hard member once more. Sitting upon that couch does he replay the video. Slowly touching himself at the sight of your body. Watching the way your ass moved on his cock, the way your waist looked curved to get the most pleasure out of his cock. He watched the way you bounced on and off him, the way your body looked gripped by his arm and the desperation that coated your voice as every thrust inside of you elicited a scream or a moan. 

He was obsessed, entranced with watching over and over again as he made you cum, as he came inside of you. And as the pace of his hand around his cock grew faster, it was before he knew it that he finished with closed eyes and a heavy groan once more. 

After cleaning himself up and changing, he looks at the video on his phone once more. Curious of what to do with it. He thinks for a moment, but as a smile creeps upon his face he knows exactly what to do with it. 

“Wanted ta’ let you know I just had a little fun with this. You look fuckin’ amazing darlin’. Might hafta do this more often.” 

*video attached* 

[peachhcs]

okay i would love to explore more of grace and sammy’s relationship!! i feel like her life is pretty testosterone filled so i’m sure samy always appreciated grace’s advice and support <3

HAHA “pretty testosterone filled” is soo funny but soo real poor girl didn’t know anything else but being around boys which is why she really loved having grace there in the summers and holidays :)

i feel like i don’t talk about their relationship as much so i’m glad someone brings it up!! she’s very big sister core, even to quinn and jack even though she was younger than them she still acted like an older sister to them which was always funny.

but yes!!! she definitely goes to grace for boy advice, talking about her first time ever with a guy when she was 16, advice about will, advice about college, etc. etc. (p.s. i’m going back to school soon 😔 so that’s why i’ve been posting so much and grinding these requests out bc i know i’m gonna be super busy when i start college again)

au masterlist

“so how’s that one guy..what’s his name? tyler?” grace asked the younger girl when it was just the two of them in the kitchen one morning because the boys went golfing.

samy flushed, “he’s good.”

“you’re blushing. it must be good,” the blonde teased when she saw samy’s pink cheeks. the brunette quickly brushed the comment off and shrugged.

“he’s nice and i like hanging out with him,” the girl said briefly.

“you guys have been hanging out a lot this summer..” grace wiggled her eyebrows to imply something that made the youngest hughes’ cheeks flush even more as she quickly hid her face.

“we just watch movies,” the girl mumbled.

“yeah, watch movies. i’ve definitely heard that one before,” grace couldn’t help but laugh because she’s used that so many times on her mom when she left to hang out with a boy.

“okay, we just make out and..sometimes we take our shirts off..and then sometimes he takes his pants off..ALL consensual of course,” samy’s blush burned to her ears talking about this in the open space of her kitchen where her parents could walk in at any second. grace quickly poked her arm though.

“okay, i see you. you’re getting in there,” grace grinned.

“ew, stop. do not say that to me,” the brunette cringed.

“okay, sorry, sorry. do you think you’ll take it to the next step?” grace genuinely wondered and samy shrugged. “i mean, i dunno.. maybe? i think we want to? i’ve just never..like..done that before,” the younger girl’s face burned again.

“that’s okay. the first time never has to be perfect. you just go with what you’re comfortable with and let the rest just kind of play out, you know?”

“what if hurts? or what if i bleed though?” the girl cringed again and ducked her head around looking for any indication that her mom was near.

“it’s relatively normal for it to hurt the first time, but once you get going the pleasure will kind of overtake the pain. if it keeps hurting though, don’t force yourself to keep going. bleeding is also normal too,” grace wasn’t a huge expert, but she knew a thing or two and hoped what she was telling samy was helpful.

“what was your first time like?” the younger girl’s couldn’t help but ask. she’d never ask her brothers any of this stuff, so she felt like having grace was her only chance to ask and asking her mom was just way out of the question.

“i was seventeen, so around your age. it was with that guy i was with, remember griffin?” samy nodded. “we were in his basement and we started making out and then we both were ready so..we just did it? it didn’t last that long, but we both enjoyed it,” grace explained.

“woah, griffin was your first time? i remember him. he was cool,” samy thought back to three years ago when griffin would be at thanksgiving and christmas.

“yeah, he was cool.”

“why’d you guys break up again?”

“we were just heading in different directions i guess and didn’t wanna hold each other back,” the older blonde shrugged some.

“would you ever think about..getting back together with him?” amicable breakups were always so hard sometimes.

“uh..i don’t know. i haven’t really talked to him awhile. plus, we’re talking about you, not me,” grace flushed and spun the conversation back to samy.

“i’m just scared i might regret having sex with him, but i really like him,” samy’s head fell into her hand and she sighed.

“well, don’t do anything that you aren’t 100% sure about. maybe just let things happen and if it starts happening and you don’t like it, you can always say no.”

“right, yeah. i guess that makes sense,” the brunette mumbled and grace reached forward to squeeze her arm.

“you’re so grown up, wow. i wish you were still six,” that made both girls laugh.

—

as soon as samy hung up the phone with her brothers, she immediately called grace hoping the older girl wasn’t busy. it rang almost four times before the call connected, “hey?”

“hey, gracie. sorry, am i bothering you?” samy worried she caught the older girl at a bad time based on the outside noise she could hear through the call.

“no, no. what’s up?” the background noise faded and samy guessed she was stepping somewhere more quieter.

“i just..i need some advice,” the brunette bit her lip as she toyed with the ends of her shirt.

“okay, what’s up?”

samy took in a deep breath before laying out everything she just did with her brothers a minute ago about how much of a hard time she was having with deciding on where to go to college and who’d she possibly disappoint if she picked one school over the other. grace listened silently until samy was finished and blew out a long sigh.

“wow,” grace said first.

“yeah, wow.”

“well, what do you want, sam?”

“that’s the problem, i don’t know,” the brunette groaned, falling back onto her bed.

“have you weighed pros and cons?” grace wondered.

“i’ve done about everything under the sun and i still can’t make a decision. going to mich would keep me close to home, but going to boston would give me a new perspective i don’t see a lot, you know? plus, i’d be with will and all of them.”

“well, you know my brother is gonna support you whenever you go. he wants you to be happy, samy. i know your brothers want the same and so do your parents. what do the soccer programs look like?” the youngest hughes blushed hearing grace tell her how happy will would be for her no matter what.

“they’re both really great. i mean, great as in i love the team atmosphere and the coaches. the programs could be worked on,” the brunette shrugged.

“i think you should go where your heart leads you. you’d have a lot of support wherever you choose because of my parents in boston and your parents in michigan,” grace said softly and samy rubbed a frustrated hand over her face.

“i know it’s a given how you chose, but can you tell me besides your family legacy what made you choose boston?”

“i guess..i just really liked the values boston college had. i loved how the campus looked and even though it is a fairly big school, i still felt a very strong community within it and i just knew i could picture myself here for four more years even though i literally grew up here,” the older blonde laughed a bit. “i guess you just gotta pick the place that feels like home to you.”

“what if both feel like home to me for different reasons?” samy admitted, rolling to her side to look out the window.

“what are the reasons?”

“well michigan obviously because of my brothers and my family’s tie to here. i’ve always loved the school whenever i watched quinn and luke play in the yost. for some reason i could always picture myself in the student section when i was older cheering the team on. but with boston..it just holds such a nostalgia to me since we only visited to see you and will. i love the city and well..will would be there and i guess..technically..will is my home in some ways?” samy cringed a bit hearing that come out of her mouth because she never would’ve thought in a million years she’d say that about the blonde.

“well, isn’t someone feeling sappy,” grace teased.

“shut up. i still find him annoying as hell,” that made both of the girls laugh.

“speaking of my brother..how are you guys?” grace changed the subject for a moment figuring samy would wanna get her mind off of college decisions for a bit.

good thing the older girl couldn’t see samy’s face because the brunette blushed hard.

“we’re..fine. i guess. i don’t know,” things were feeling really complicated between her and will recently and samy didn’t exactly know how to feel about it. “kevin and i are still together if that’s what you’re asking.”

“samy.”

“i know, i know i need to talk to him, but…i just can’t. i don’t know grace. the idea of liking will as something more than a friend..it’s crazy. i’ve only known him as another annoying brother,” grace knew all about samy and will’s drunk little kisses they shared in the past year and the confusion the youngest hughes has been having about her feelings towards the boy.

she was hoping being with kevin would help her forget thinking about kissing will in the bathroom when they were drunk, but it was actually doing really little.

“i just feel like this is gonna end badly for all of you. kevin will be hurt, you’ll be hurt, will be hurt.”

“i just don’t even know how one would even bring that up? hey sorry, i’m kind of leading you on because i’ve been kissing my best friend but only when we’re drunk and we never talk about it after and i act like it doesn’t happen, so i started dating you to forget about it? yeah, sounds real great.”

“well, don’t say it like that, but..i just don’t want you getting hurt, samy,” grace said.

“plus, i don’t even know if will even likes me like that. he probably doesn’t because liking your best friend is crazy,” samy went on and grace stayed silent which made the younger girl’s ears perk up. “do you know something?”

“no, i don’t. even if i did, i wouldn’t do my brother that dirty. i’m just saying, sam. it’s an awkward conversation, but it saves a lot of hurt in the end.”

“i know. i’ll..work on it.”

“on a different note, i am really surprised how close you and will have gotten in the past year. i remember when you guys used to hate one another,” the older smith giggled.

“we still kind of do,” samy snickered.

“either way, i’m glad you guys have worked out your differences and are close. it’s good he has someone being so far away from home,” her words made both of them smile.

“well, he’s become my rock so i don’t think our friendship will go away anytime soon,” the brunette grinned. “which is why i’m having a hard time choosing schools because what do i do when i’ve spend two years seeing will every single day to not seeing him for months on end?”

“yeah..i don’t really know honestly, sam. do what your heart wants on the inside. the first place that comes to your mind whenever you’re thinking about this,” grace said and images of michigan flashed in samy’s mind which quickly seemed to be her answer.

—

“god, i can’t believe you guys are going to college already,” grace was in town to help samy and will pack their things up for college. while will was out, the older blonde drove to ann arbor to see the brunette and catch up before school started.

“me neither. i didn’t think i’d be this sad about it honestly,” samy laughed while labeling her bins.

“you guys grew up way too fast for my liking, but i’m really proud of you guys. you’re gonna do really great at mich,” the blonde smiled.

“i’m really excited. we already have a groupchat for soccer and all the girls are so excited to welcome us freshmen in.”

“that’s really sweet. you’re gonna flourish, i just know it and i’ll be watching like i always do,” grace’s words were sentimental and it was taking a lot in samy to not burst out into tears these past few days as she said her goodbyes and packed her room away.

“how’s will’s packing doing? he was making progress when i saw him two days ago,” the brunette giggled.

“he’s getting a lot done with my help and mom’s. you know, he keeps talking about you, like, every conversation i swear he brings you up,” the younger hughes’ cheeks burned hearing that. it still felt so foreign to her to have this side of her will’s relationship unlocked and hearing him talk about her like that from other people.

“how surprised were you when you found out?” samy wondered while grace took a breather for a second by sitting on samy’s bed.

“surprised, but i did kind of see it coming. plus, i knew he had crazy feelings for you,” the blonde laughed.

“yeah, i’ve heard. i guess ryan and gabe’s teasing really was true.”

“it was also really obvious to everyone but you guys. we all basically knew,” that made samy flush even more. “but i’m really happy for you guys. i’ve never seen will so smiley and happy about someone before.”

“it sucks that we’re only getting together at the end of summer basically. i’m gonna really miss him,” samy admitted with a small frown.

“i know it sucks, but i think long distance will be good for you guys because you can grow into yourselves outside of your relationship you know? be your own person. plus, you guys already know everything about one another so you’ve already made it over the hardest part,” the oldest smith sibling hummed.

“i guess so. i just wish we had a little more time together. feels like i just got him and now i’m losing him for months on end.”

“knowing will, he’ll beg you to fly out,” that made them laugh.

“it’s so cliche, you know? childhood best friends fall in love with one another later on. we really hit that one on the head,” samy giggled.

“i don’t think it’s cliche. i think it’s cute. i always feel like the relationships that were friendships first always work out the best because you already know everything about one another, you know?”

“yeah like how he always pooped his pants when we were like five,” the girls laughed again.

“it will fly by, i promise.”

samy thought of will out with some of his friends right now. he wondered what they were doing and how she was gonna see him later tonight when she drove back with grace after packing some more.

to no one’s surprise, will was also thinking of samy. anytime he looked at his phone, he saw the lockscreen of the two of them together and the blonde always grinned seeing her there.

[kat-is-laem-oa]

Chapter 1: PanDEMONium

(Next Chapter)

Mornings always proved challenging, and the comfort of his bed only made the negative feelings about his situation stronger. No amount of sunshine could brighten his mood in recent years, nor could the fluff of his blanket as the light disappeared and his room darkened once more. No extreme or mixture within gave him a sense of comfort.

His oldest friend, Raphael, made it a point to include him despite their opposing heritage. The far-too-old Shadowhunter befriending the vampiric member of Hotel DuMort would be humorous to their kin. The two species couldn’t get along despite their similar situations—being hunted for their blood.

Raphael was unique, just like his people. Eljah wished he could share the same sentiment with his own people, but he’d felt their wrath before and it was a losing game. Although, technically, he was one of a kind. He didn’t have people or true kin because he was an abomination. And abominations don’t get the luxury of friends and family.

“I’m supposed to be hiding in the shadows, not you,” Raphael sighed as he walked into the room. Candles illuminated the room and the blackout curtains prevented the deadly sunlight from getting in.

“I might as well be just as allergic as you, Rafa.”

“Hardly. Up.” Raphael lifted the plush white blanket before grasping onto Eljah’s arm. With multiple complaints and some unkind words, the small boy was upright. His hair was always messy, conscious or unconscious, to the point it became a style. Random silver strips contrasted the shadowy brown overtaking his head. Over the previous months, his hair grew longer, making him feel more feminine than he could have while growing up. If the downworld thought Shadowhunters were bad now, they could rest easy with the image of the Clave’s earlier days.

“What is the nest up to today?” The two had known each other for a long time; long enough to not shy away at the sight of skin and boxers. Eljah crossed to his dresser while Raphael spoke, jumping with the change in temperature upon contact.

“Nothing you have to worry about, even though I know you will.” Raphael laughed at the little hops Eljah made while dressing himself.

“I can’t help it. You guys are stuck with me now, so I have no choice but to care.”

Eljah slid a pair of shorts that rested low against his hips and a t-shirt that drowned him. August was his least favorite month because it was inevitably the hottest one. Manhattan sucked in the humid weather and bubbled it until a rush of cold would pop it. You either stayed in your home or flocked to an indoor business—Eljah’s goal tonight—to beat the heat.

“That is true, my mistake,” Raphael poked fun, receiving a stare from the male opposite him, “but seriously, just enjoy your night and I’ll find something for you to do this week, hm?”

“You said that last week, Santiago.”

“Damn, we are going by last names now, Winterscaar?”

“Oh, bruto gross, no. My mistake,” Eljah repeated. The two shared hushed giggles, but eventually it went silent. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but Raphael’s aura became serious; Eljah hated to watch the swirls switch from bright yellow to mushy turquoise when he went into big-brother mode.

“There’s something out there that will make you happy. I know it. Maybe it’s here in the nest or on the other side of New York. Hell, another continent. I’ll help you find it.”

“How are you gonna find it if it’s on another continent? TSA will have to mark you as combustible material before you step foot on a plane.”

“Not funny.”

“It’s a bit funny, mano…” Raphael choked back a sigh, already used to the flammability jokes.

Raphael seemed to have more to say, but a knock sounded at the door. Raphael went to check it and Eljah activated the LED lights built into all the rooms. Eljah heard basic mumbles and words of confirmation before Raphael exited, saluting to his best friend.

Eljah knew what time it was already. Every day had a clockwork aspect to them, and he’d long since adjusted to the schedule of vampires. As his day started, most ended. It made slipping into night life easier and letting himself deal with emotions in his own way: drunk and/or high.

“You don’t look 22,” the bodyguard argued. Eljah had taken the time to walk his way to the club (and pre-game smoke). He didn’t fully feel the effects, but the immediate boost in confidence after every hit had him ready to make a bold move if needed. He wanted to cave his own head in every time someone accused him of being underage.

“That seems racially motivated.” He enjoyed watching people’s faces when he threw out that card. It was a common misconception amongst those who have never met shadowhunters that they were all pale-skinned white dudes with insane amounts of tattoos. Eljah himself was technically white, but it was the minority of his genetics. His father was Puerto Rican, and he’d grown up in San Juan before integrating into the Mexico City Institute. He found New York bland compared to the colorful buildings, streets, and culture of his hometown.

The man guarding the door was not white either. “Go back home, kid.”

“Este imbécil,” rolling his amber eyes. He placed his hands upon his eyelids, allowing the energy in his bones to circulate. Within milliseconds, the silvery cover slithered over his vision and the energy connected to the bodyguard’s light and powdery one. Eljah focused on forcing a command into the other man’s consciousness.

A voice echoed, “ah, ah, ah, no need,” a veil laid itself over his magic, “it’s not nice to compel random people.”

“Do you gain anything from that?”

“Just slight amusement,” the acicalao with short, spiked hair responded, “I know every warlock in Brooklyn, but I don’t know you. Why’s that?”

“New in town.”

“Are you now? Well, then, why don’t I introduce you to a little New York nightlife, hm?”

“The only thing I need introduced to is something strong.”

“That can be arranged. Come on in.”

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆.

Too many hyperfixations, so much to do! I'm so tired of seeing no malec x reader, they'd totally be poly in another universe.

[captn-trex]

technical devotion, part fifteen: promises made

a/n: I think I'm gonna start aiming to get a chapter of this out every thursday roughly. I have everything planned out apart from how it's gonna end lmao, but rest assured, it shall be happy. I'm looking forward to you guys seeing what's in store! also, I did not realise how slow burn this would be lol, we're still a way off from first kiss territory, buuuuut... this chapter is one I've been waiting to write since the beginning ! hope you enjoy it (sorry for the long a/n)

warnings: injury & pain (not in any great detail) insecure echo :/

last chapter | next chapter | master list | join the taglist

In the weeks following Kan and Echo rekindling their friendship, Kan slowly began to get a grasp on her new role in the ranks, which was mainly because Echo was now there to support her. He was there to remind her not to let her worries overtake her, and a hand on her arm, or an encouraging smile, usually did the trick. Echo's presence calmed her in an instant, and the task of leading didn't seem as daunting with him around. Not that it was always so simple.

Kan stepped out of the command room, rubbing a hand over her face and sighing deeply. Echo was quick to notice as he exited behind her.

“Have you been sleeping?” He asked, stopping her in the corridor.

“I've been sleeping fine yeah, its just… My mind. My mind is tired” She admitted.

“What's wrong?” Echo frowned.

Kan exhaled a long breath, “I really don't know if I'm meant to lead people. It's really outside of my comfort zone even now, and it's just got my brain going into overdrive. I can't stop thinking about… What if something really bad happened under my watch? Or because of a decision I made? I don't think I could cope Echo”

Echo's expression softened the more Kan spoke, a silent admiration of her showing on his features. He placed his hands on her shoulders, something he noted that helped to ground her and gain her focus entirely.

“M'aira, you're doing a great job, and you'll continue to. Rex wouldn't choose you for this if he didn't think you could do it or handle it, and if it means anything to you, I believe in you too”

Kan let a shy smile lift the edges of her lips, “Thanks, it means a lot yeah”

Echo returned her smile, “Now, come with me, I have a small surprise for you”

“You do?” Kan looked up at him with slightly widened eyes.

“It's nothing special” He said as he took his hands away from her shoulders and began walking towards her office, “I just figured that since you seem to insist on sleeping in your office every night…”

Echo opened the door, showing his handiwork to Kan.

“…That having your bunk in here might be the way to go. That way I can stop worrying about you as well”

Kan grinned up at the clone, wrapping her arms around his waist and giving him a quick tight squeeze, “Thank you Echo, you're too kind to me”

Echo shook his head with a smile, resisting the urge to pull Kan back towards him, “Not really, if I was kind I would have tidied up in here too”

Kan looked around her office, still messy as ever. It seemed that Echo had just pushed the worst of the mess aside to make room for the bed.

“It's fine, I don't mind it like this anyway, the mess doesn't really bother me” She shrugged.

Echo huffed a small laugh, “I don't think I could cope if my office was this messy”

Kan hummed thoughtfully, her eyes darting across the mess.

“When do you leave for your mission?” Kan asked, looking back up into his honey eyes.

“We leave early tomorrow morning” Echo gave a sad smile.

“So I won't see you before you go?” Kan questioned, and Echo shook his head. Kan chewed on her bottom lip for a moment, “I wish I was going with you”

Echo could feel the words tugging at his heart, “I don't”

Kan gave him a stern look, her eyebrows drawn together.

He chuckled, “You can't get hurt if you don't go at all”

“You think I can't handle myself?” Kan asked, minorly offended but mostly confused.

“Oh I know you can, I‘m just happier knowing you're safe” Echo confessed, and he could feel his cheeks heating at the slightly vulnerable admission.

Kan just huffed, “Well it doesn't get much more safe than sitting around in the base all day”

“You'll get your chance to go into the field again, don't worry” He assured, a hand on her shoulder.

Kan smiled. Her eyes didn't meet his for a few seconds, but when they did he could tell there was a certain sadness laced within the gentle expression.

“Be safe, yeah?” She urged quietly.

Echo smiled softly, the edges of his eyes crinkling, “I will”

Without warning and much thought of her own, Kan wrapped her arms around Echo again, more tenderly this time. Echo could feel his heart beating out of his chest as he gently wrapped her in his own arms, resting his cheek on the top of her head.

In the past weeks, Kan had become more physically comfortable around Echo, and though he enjoyed it thoroughly, it was still always a little startling. Especially with a touch so gentle and tender as the hug she was currently giving him, it was hard to not be overwhelmed.

“Don't do anything stupid. Don't get yourself hurt” Kan spoke into his chest, and he was certain she could hear how furiously his heart was beating.

“I won't” He replied, hugging her tighter into his body to reassure her, “I promise”

Kan nodded along, listening intently as Rex detailed the upcoming mission. She was a little disappointed to not seem to be going on this mission, as they were going to be infiltrating the base that she had discovered through listening in on the Empire's long range comms. It was a dangerous job, they knew nothing about what this prison would be like once they were in, but that was the reason they were set on going. There were clones being imprisoned there, and they wanted to know why.

“Now, while all that is going on, me and Kan will be on a separate directive, looking to garner any information about this prison” Rex continued, and Kan's ears perked up, her posture straightening at the mention of her.

Rex hadn't discussed this with her before, but she was more than happy to do it, particularly with him.

“That's the plan as of now, but we'll have to wait until more men are back here to enact it” Rex moved away from the central holotable and crossed his arms, “I suggest getting some good rest tonight, they could be back at any time and I want to get this done as soon as possible”

Rex dismissed the clones, and Kan was immediately at his side.

“Rex, about the-”

“Sorry to spring that on you, I was hoping to speak with you earlier but your door was locked” Rex explained.

“Ah right, yeah, I was… tidying”

“Tidying?” Rex raised an eyebrow, a small smirk quirking his lips.

“Yeah, anyway, I wanted to ask you-”

Kan didn't get the chance to finish her question as the door to the command centre zipped open and her focus was drawn towards it. She did a double take, the sight she took in not registering in her mind at first.

It was Echo. He was back from his mission, but something was wrong. His form was alarmingly straight and rigid, his forearm resting against the door frame and holding him up. Each small movement sent a twitch to his face, his teeth clenched and eyes squeezed shut, nostrils flared.

Kan's heart leapt to her throat, and she rushed over to him.

“What happened?” She spoke hurriedly, paying no mind to the other clones around them who watched on.

Echo exhaled shakily, “Got… shot, in the back”

Kan tried so desperately to remain calm despite the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. She turned to look at Rex over her shoulder, hoping for some kind of support.

“We haven’t got a proper medic” He said, clearly shaken by his brother's condition.

That snapped Kan into gear, “I've got medical training, I've got it”

Kan took Echo's arm and threw it over her shoulder, pulling a pained groan from him. She quickly led him to her office, which was only just down the hall, and smacked the door panel in a frantic hurry. She set him down on the bed gently and instantly went about rooting around in the draws of her desk looking for her medkit. When she had found it, she looked up at Echo, who was trying to take off his armour, and failing as his wound cried out in pain.

“Stop, let me do it” Kan spoke instantly, standing in front of him and shooing his hands away.

Her fingers got working on the clasps, starting with his arms and working her way up, exactly as Echo did it.

“How do you know how to do this?” He asked, fighting through his pain.

“I've watched you do it enough times” Kan replied, a small shrug in her shoulders as she focused. Echo would've smirked but his chest plate dug into his wound as she took it off. “Sorry” She whispered.

“S'fine” Echo managed to hiss out as Kan climbed over the bed to sit behind him cross-legged. She tried to survey the damage, to see how bad it really was, but to no avail.

“Could you take this off?” Kan asked, her fingers playing with the hem of his blacks.

If it was possible, Echo’s body seized up even more. He nervously fidgeted his own fingers along the hem, letting out an exasperated huff. His blaster wound was sending small shocks through his body with every movement, but he was single-mindedly focused on not letting Kan take off his top.

Kan noted his discomfort immediately, and let out a sigh.

“Echo” She spoke so gently from behind him, resting a hand on his shoulder, “It's okay, please let me help you”

Echo relented with a slump of his shoulders, “Okay”

Kan helped to peel off the tight base layer, several pained noises escaping the man she was helping. As she saw the wound, she couldn't help but suck a sharp breath between her teeth. Three blaster bolts scorched into his lower back, creating a cluster of open wounds.

Echo assumed her reaction was to seeing the cybernetic attachments he had in his back. His breath was shaky as he tried to calm himself, but it only became more unstable as Kan traced around the outside of his wound.

“I told you to be safe Echo” She whispered, “You promised not to get hurt”

She sounded so solemn, and Echo couldn't find it in himself to say anything. Thankfully, she then got to work on the wound, but it wasn't without discomfort. She first administered a pain relief injection, and his breath caught in his throat as she cupped the side of his neck to do so. She warned him every time she was going to touch him, the antiseptic wipe against his wound making him flinch and grunt more than he wished, stinging even with the pain relief. She placed a bacta patch over the area when she had cleaned it appropriately, and it stung for just a second before the bacta started working it's magic.

“Does that feel better?” She asked quietly, and Echo just nodded

Kan ran her fingers along the edge of the metal apparatus that climbed up his back, causing Echo to shudder under her touch. The feeling of it was so intimate, yet so tainted by sadness and clouded by self-concious thoughts that Echo couldn't focus on the warmth of Kan's fingers against his bare back.

“You're lucky, they almost hit your spine” She spoke, sounding resoundingly serious.

Echo could only hang his head. He felt so ashamed. He had worked hard to get past this mindset, but with the woman he desired like no other sitting behind him and inspecting the damage done to his body, he couldn't help it.

Kan could understand a little of what Echo was thinking, she just hoped she was wrong. She slid from behind him and knelt in front of him on the floor, but he wouldn't look at her.

“Echo” She said as gently as she could, placing a hand on his knee, “I'm glad you're okay”

Echo looked up to her, and the emotions she saw swimming in his eyes were almost enough to bring her to tears.

“What can I say to make you feel better?” She asked in a whisper, for fear that speaking louder would cause him to break.

“There's nothing to say” He said firmly, looking down to his lap.

Kan couldn't help but reach out. She placed a hand on his face, lightly rubbing her thumb along his cheekbone.

“Please talk to me” She pleaded.

After a moment of painful silence, Echo sighed, “I don't show people my cybernetics for a reason”

“Echo it's okay-”

“But it's not” He frowned, his eyes snapping to Kan’s once more. “It's not okay. The attachments, they- they're not exactly desirable, and no one wants someone with all… this. I-” He puffed out a sad breath, the next admission feeling daunting, “It makes me feel like I'm half a man”

Kan's heart broke.

“That's not true” She said sternly, both hands now on his cheeks, forcing him to pay attention to her words, “You're every bit of a man as any other, and even more than that, you're a good man Echo. Anyone would be lucky to have you”

“Anyone?” Echo asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.

Kan wasn't really sure what he was asking. Was he asking because he just wanted confirmation that she was telling the truth? Or was it something more? She weighed her options of what to say, biting into her bottom lip with her eyebrows pinched. She couldn't just admit to her affections for him right now if that wasn't what he was after.

Instead, she took her hands away from his face, sitting back of her heels with a shy look on her face, “Yes, anyone”

Kan stood up and grabbed the medkit, taking it back over to the desk and placing it in the draw.

“You stay here tonight, I'll take your bunk” She said, turning around to meet Echo's intense gaze once more.

“No, I'm fine, I'll-” He was interrupted by his own sharp intake of breath as he tried to stand.

Kan smiled at him knowingly and walked over, placing her hands on his shoulder to keep him rooted to the bed.

“Please, stay here” She insisted.

She found herself lost in Echo's eyes. So many emotions were flitting through them and she couldn't keep track. She absent-mindedly began rubbing her thumb along his bare collarbone, before she realised what she was doing and pulled away.

“I'll see you tomorrow” She nodded to him, leaving quickly and shutting the door behind her.

Echo let out a breath that he didn't realise he was holding and laid back on the bed. His mind was full to the brim with every thought he’d had about Kan since meeting her.

Her distinct scent enveloped him as he crawled into her bunk. He inhaled deeply, letting it take him over and overpower him, washing away his troubled thoughts, and eventually letting it lull him into a peaceful sleep.

[lizzie-boo]

Mistletoe Mania

Jonathan Byers x Reader

Ficmas Day 7

Summary: When you and your best friend Jonathan get trapped under the mistletoe tensions run high. But what happens when the mistletoe keeps popping up blurring the lines between friendship and more?

Words: 1.7k

A/N: Divider by @saradika-graphics This is posted like three days late but I will have day 8 posted today as well.

“Thanks for picking me up,” you tell your best friend Jonathan as you climb into the passenger seat of his car. 

“No problem, we were gonna drive past your house anyway,” he tells you while checking the rearview mirror to back the car out of your driveway. 

“So are you guys excited for the party?” You ask, making sure to turn around so Will would know he was included in the conversation. 

He begins to ramble on about all the things he and his friends have planned for tonight. You listen carefully chiming in at various points. From the driver’s seat Jonathan steals glances at you wondering how he got so lucky to have a best friend that treats his little brother with so much love. He feels his heartbeat speed up as he listens to you trade corny jokes with Will and your laughter fills the car. 

As you finally pull into the Wheeler’s driveway you lean over the center console and squeeze Jonathan’s arm. “Seriously, thank you so much for picking me up. I don’t know what I would do without you.” The smile you send his way has him wanting to melt into his seat. He wanted to do whatever it took to keep that smile there all the time. 

Your moment is broken as Will slams the car door and runs up to the house. Hopping out of the car the two of you follow him up the driveway to the front door where Nancy is waiting with a smirk. You shoot her a look but she ignores it instead stepping back into the house to let the two of you in. 

The second you make it through the door you’re overwhelmed with the sound of shouting. It takes a second for you to process that the shouting is being directed at the two of you. Only once you look up do you realize that you and your best friend have found yourself in a more than friendly situation. 

The green mistletoe dangles just about the front door where you’re both currently standing. Pointing at the small plant Jonathan finally gets the hint and looks up to see what all the noise is about. His cheeks turn red at the sight and you can’t help but laugh at his sheepish expression. 

“Kiss already,” Robin yells from the other room. Finally you take charge and slowly lean in to press a quick kiss to his lips. 

You pull away almost instantly as butterflies overtake your stomach. You had just kissed your best friend and it was the best kiss you ever had. And that was saying a lot because it was barely even a kiss. Just your lips ghosting against his. He clears his throat as he runs a hand through his hair and all you can imagine is running your fingers through it yourself as you explore his mouth with your own. 

“I’m gonna go grab a drink,” you announce to no one in particular as you make your way towards the Wheeler’s kitchen. Hoping that some space from the scene of the crime will calm your nerves enough to pretend that the kiss hadn’t confirmed what you had been repressing for so long. You were irrevocably in love with your best friend and there was no denying it anymore. 

Grabbing a water bottle from the refrigerator you let the cool air wash over your face. Closing the door you take one final deep breath to steady your nerves. You pick at the label on the bottle as you make your way out of the kitchen not watching where you’re walking. Which is exactly why you walk straight into Jonathan. 

He grabs your shoulders in an attempt to steady you. You give him a shy smile unsure of how to act around him anymore. “Sorry,” is all you manage to say before you’re being interrupted. 

“Looks like you’re caught under the mistletoe,” Max points out before pushing past the two of you. At the mere mention of mistletoe the rest of your group of friends come rushing in ready to witness another embarrassing moment between the two of you. 

“Come on guys kiss for real this time,” Eddie urges as he leans an arm on the top of Dustin’s head. 

This time there is no awkward staring wondering who will make the first move. Instead Jonathan leans in and presses a solid kiss to your lips. It couldn’t have lasted more than a second but it sent you spiraling. As if the world had fallen out from beneath your feet. You blink at him a few times unsure of what to do. Before you figure it out he makes his way into the kitchen leaving you standing there speechless. 

Little did you know that he was also freaking out. His best friend who he’d had a crush on for years has finally kissed him. What was he supposed to do? He couldn’t just ask you out and assume you felt the same since it was only a mistletoe kiss. For all he knew you were just going along with it because it was a tradition. He didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize you walking out of his life. Especially because he knew it would affect more than just him in the grand scheme of things. 

Lost in his thoughts he makes his way back to the living room. He takes the last open spot which happens to be on the couch next to you. He’s so lost in his thoughts that he doesn’t realize that both Eddie and Steve are sitting on the floor instead of the perfectly good spot next to you. It’s only once he hears the cheers that he snaps his attention to the room around him. Next to him your head is buried in your hands. He glances around the room confused about why you seem so embarrassed. 

Finally Will fills him in on what he’s missing, “Part three?” Will then points to the small bundle of mistletoe hanging over the section of the couch the two of you are sharing. 

Turning red again Jonathan looks around the room. “What’s with all the mistletoe?” 

“Holly really wanted to put it up everywhere, must be some weird kid thing,” Mike shrugs as he explains. 

When you finally lift your head from your hands you turn to meet his gaze. As you lean in to kiss him for the third time tonight you flip off your friends. Pressing your lips to his you can barely enjoy it knowing this had to have been a scheme by your friends since they knew about your crush. 

Before you get the chance to fully pull away Jonathan whispers, “Can we talk for a minute?” His warm breath across your face makes your stomach flip before it plummets at the sound of his question. 

You nod before standing to follow him into the dining room away from all your prying friends. He paces the length of the room running his hands through his hair. There is some quiet mumbling that you can’t quite make out. Eventually you reach out and grab his arm, stopping him from continuing his trek across the room. 

Standing directly in front of him you ask, “What did you need to talk about?” You hold his gaze willing yourself to come off as casual and not a bundle of nerves. 

He takes a deep breath before reaching out to cup your cheek. “I’ve had a crush on you for a long time and I never wanted to ruin our friendship,” he begins, suddenly unable to look you in the eyes. “I thought that if I ever said anything and you didn’t like me back then I’d lose you and  I didn’t want that. But I figure after how everything has gone tonight I should tell you and either you feel the same or you walk away from me. Which you would probably do even if I didn’t confess since I probably made it painfully obvious all night that I’m head over heels in love with you.” 

Your eyes well with tears as he finishes up his confession. The warmth of his palm against your cheek grounding you in the moment. You try to blink the tears away hoping to share your own heartfelt confession without being a sobbing mess. Instead a tear rolls down your cheek and he gently wipes it away. 

“I’ve had a crush on you forever and it wasn’t until all of this mistletoe mania tonight that I realized it wasn’t some silly high school crush I never grew out of but that I had fallen in love with you.” You hiccup as the tears fall freely now. Jonathan’s arms wrap around your waist pulling you to his chest. “It’s just I never realized that all the little things that I thought I liked about you as a friend were actually the things that were making me fall in love with you.” 

His fingers skim across your cheek once more before he cups your chin and leans in for another kiss. This time you both lean in and your mouths move together. Your hands finally find their home in his hair, giving it a light tug. 

“This is how I should’ve kissed you from the start,” he mumbles against your lips. He nips at your bottom lip and you pull his hair harder. 

“Don’t worry about the past,” you pant, “let’s just focus on right now.” You slot your lips against his again never wanting the feeling to end. 

“Save that for your own house,” Mr. Wheeler chides as he shuffles toward the kitchen. 

The two of you spring apart mumbling apologies. He waves you off and you both go rushing back to the rest of your friends. Eager to get away from the awkward tension settling in the dining room. Jonathan’s hand finds yours and as your fingers intertwine your heart swells. Taking your seats on the couch again you bury your head in his shirt to avoid the teasing of your friends. 

Only looking up when you hear Robin say, “See Nance, I told you all the mistletoe would work.” You look at both of your friends before flipping them off once more. When you hear Jonathan’s laughter next to you and remember just how well it worked out you can’t help but also blow a kiss to each of your meddling friends. 

[totally-bogus-timelady]

Make do and Mend

Fwb!Steve Harrington x Fem Reader

Chapter one : The Same Situation

Screams.

You hear the screams of your best friend. The man that you've come to love, who you'd confessed to loving straight to his face just a few days ago.

Eddie Munson was out there. His screams loud enough to be heard over the wild screeching of Demobats even from this distance. Determination overtakes both you and Dustin and eventually you both make it through the gate to the upside down, each gaining injuries as you do.

As you both finally reach Eddie you realize that you're already too late. Demobats gone, Eddie's screams have now quietened to whimpers and he lays there, small and broken on the ground.

He tells Dustin to look after the others, that it's up to him now to carry on his legacy. He says how much he loves you both and turns his head towards your tearstained face. You manage a watery smile for him as he barely gains the strength to grab your hand.

"You are so beautiful," he rasps, spluttering a little. "I wish I'd told you sooner... I... I love you."

Your words are thick with tears and sadness as you reply, "I guess we were both pretty stupid on that one huh?"

You can still hear Dustin crying next to you but all you see right now is Eddie, soaking him up for however long he has left.

You lean forward and kiss him for the second and last time. His bloodied lips struggle against yours as he tries to find the strength to reciprocate.

"I love you Eddie," You choke out. And as you pull back, you see that he's gone, his eyes staring but not seeing. You and Dustin sit with him a while longer, you still cradling the body of your best friend, the man you loved.

================================================

You gasp and wake suddenly, startled by your reoccurring dream of Eddie's last moments. You lift a hand to your cheek and feel a dampness where the tears in your dream had bled through to reality.

You reach for the glass of water on your bedside table and take a sip to steady your nerves.

It was rare in the last two months that you had a full nights sleep. Not since you had all been in the upside down and Eddie had died.

Nancy, Steve and Robin had all succeeded in killing Vecna, El had managed to close the gates, Max was in a coma and everyone in Hawkins had gone back to normal, or as normal as Hawkins could get.

And then there was you, who was also expected to go back to normal. But how could you when the one person that made everything seem better, the one person who despite being dressed so darkly made each day brighter, was no longer here.

You get up and decide to stop dwelling on your nightmares for now, though they're still there in the back of your mind.

Looking over at your bedside table you find that you have just under an hour to get ready for work at the video store.

================================================

Your car pulls up in the parking lot outside Family Video. You look down at your watch and see that there's still ten minutes before your shift starts and decide to get a well needed coffee from the café next door, picking one up for Steve and Robin too.

Five minutes of queueing and two minutes of frothing later you were entering the doors of Family video to a very grumpy looking Steve standing behind the front desk and a few loud banging noises coming from the stock room that you could only assume was Robin.

His elbow was leaning on the desk whilst his head was resting in his palm, frown plastered on his face.

"You know, I don't think you're gonna sell many copies of Top Gun looking like that," you remark as you walk up to him.

He huffs and lifts his eyes to meet yours.

When you started working here, it'd taken you a while to warm up to Steve. You got on with Robin immediately, like a house on fire. You'd had a preconceived opinion of Steve from all the stories about how much of a jerk he was in high school. But after a couple of weeks working with him and a day where Robin had called in sick, leaving you to work alone together, you'd found that he was very different to the Steve you'd heard about and was in fact, a decent guy.

"Is that coffee?" He asks hopefully.

You scoff, "Help yourself Dingus, I got you the lowest fat option available. I know how you are."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," Says Robin, finally appearing from the stock room. "That despite you working in an ice cream shop for a whole summer -meaning you get all the free ice cream you want - the only thing you would help yourself to was the bananas. You, Steve Harrington, are a health Dingus."

Steve rolls his eyes at Robins words.

"Oh! Coffee! Thanks," Says Robin, already downing too much for a steaming hot cup, hence why you requested the barista put more cold in hers.

Steve takes a swig out of his cup, still quiet but he nods his head at you in thanks.

"Well, I'm gonna go hang up my jacket. I'll be back in a sec," You head towards the back to slip your denim jacket onto your hook, a sticky label with your name on above it. Next to yours is one that says Robin and next to hers is a sticky label with Steve scratched out and Dingus written above it instead, courtesy of Robin.

You check yourself in the small, square staff mirror next to the coat hooks. You look tired as you observe your reflection, now twiddling with the pick necklace around your throat.

Wayne had given it to you, saying that after some serious thought that he was sure Eddie would've wanted you to have it. You lift it to your lips, kissing the pick quickly before leaving.

You head back onto the shopfloor, still tugging your dark green Family Video vest over your shirt.

"I swear these things get itchier each day. You know, I don't think Keith ever washes them..." You say as you clock yourself in on the computer behind Steve. He still remains silent. Just you and him behind the counter - Robin having left to help a customer pick out a movie - you move to stand beside him so you can see his face better.

He has a soft frown on his face like he's deep in thought, brow creased and his eyes wide and sad.

"You okay?" You ask him softly. He looks up suddenly and turns his head towards you, as if just realizing that you must be talking to him.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, no I'm... I'm fine," You give him a somewhat disbelieving look.

"You sure? You're kinda quiet..."

Steve opens his mouth to reply but at that moment the bell rings. a tall, beautiful, dark haired woman walks in - one of your regulars who always gets served by Steve. Her eyes light up as soon as she sees him behind the front desk and she heads over.

"Hey Steve! I was wondering if you'd be able to help me with some recommendations?" Steve barely lifts his gaze, clearly disinterested.

"What kinda movie you after?" He drawls in a bored tone.

Not quite catching onto Steve's mood, she continues in a light, hopeful and somewhat nervous voice.

"Well I was," The woman clears her throat. "I was hoping you could recommend something good for a date?"

Steve reaches into the trolley of movies waiting to be reshelved, grabs the first one at the top of the pile and hands it to her.

"Try this one."

She looks down at the copy of 'My Little Pony : The Movie' that Steve had handed her and frowns but decides to continue with what must've been a carefully constructed plan.

"The erm... The only problem is that I have no one to watch it on a date with... Any er, any ideas on how to fix that," She sets up his opportunity to suggest he go on said date with her. Her eyes are hopeful as she gazes at him.

Steve, already ringing her up at the till simply says, "You want a bag for that?"

Your mouth drops open in shock.

"Oh... No, thanks," She takes the video from his hand looking quite deflated, turns on her heel and leaves.

Steve's already standing back in his spot looking mopey when you turn to him.

"What the hell was that? She was totally asking you out on a date!"

"What?" He frowns at you again, looking confused.

"Oh my god Steve! What's up with you?"

"Look, it's nothing okay. I'm just not in the mood for flirting with random girls today. Just let it go."

He's avoiding your eyes, something that in the past you had found to be a telltale sign that he was lying to you.

"Hey," Your tone of voice softens and you put a hand on his shoulder making him look at you as you ask, "What's really going on with you? You can talk to me you know."

A look of defeat crosses his features.

"I just... I," He huffs, poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue, "I went grocery shopping before work this morning 'cause I was out of milk, then I realized I was out of eggs and laundry detergent as well so- uh, anyway. I got all my shopping and I was waiting in the checkout que and I heard this beautiful laugh that I'd recognize anywhere, so I look a few tills over and there's... Nancy and Jonathan."

Steve's eye's go big and sad again as his frown returns.

"I know its stupid and they've been together for a couple of years now but... I guess just after everything with Vecna and how we were together it just, it just really seemed like I could get her back for a while there." Steve pauses, running his hand through his hair. "I mean, I wasn't the only one that thought it. I had Dustin nagging me about it in one ear and Robin in the other, even Eddie said-"

He seems to realize his mistake a second too late and pinches his nose between his finger and thumb. You reach up and twiddle your necklace at the mention of Eddie's name, a sharp stabbing pain going right through your heart. Steve, now feeling like an idiot, looks at your fallen expression and your watery eyes.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking... Here I am whining because Nancy doesn't love me when you're going through all this."

Steve continues apologizing, his hand waving around. You grab his shoulder again, this time to stop his apologetic spiel.

"Steve, Steve, it's okay! No I- It's okay Steve!" He stops waving his hands around and finally stops apologizing. "I mean, we're both kinda in the same situation really."

Steve narrows his eyes in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Well, we're both in love with someone we can't have, we're both trying to move on and we're both hurting right now. I mean it's different but kinda the same," You lean back on the counter.

"I guess so, when you put it like that,"

"I've not had much experience in the dating world but, you have... How would you normally get over someone?"

Steve's eyebrows raise in thought and his toned arm reaches towards his neck to scratch it awkwardly.

"Well, uh... Normally... Normally I'd just have a fling," Steve clears his throat awkwardly.

"A fling?"

"Yeah, I'd go on a date with some random girl and just have some meaningless sex. You know, just get it out of my system."

Steve looks over at the sci-fi section where Robin can be heard trying to explain to her customer why Star Trek and Star Wars are not the same and that his date wont be happy if he whips out Star Trek as a substitute.

He sighs and looks back at you, who is currently eyeing him curiously.

"Honestly," He starts, "I don't wanna go on a date with anybody right now. I just got my heart broken again, by the same girl. The last thing I feel like doing is buying flowers and going on a date with some girl I don't wanna be with 'cause she's not Nancy... I don't wanna waste my time or theirs, so I don't know what to do..."

He sighs again and slumps back into what seems to be his new favorite position on the counter. You decide to join him and press your jaw into your palm, your other hand starts to play with the slinky between you on the desk.

"I know what you mean. To be honest with you I don't want to go on a date with anyone unless it's Eddie, not at the minute at least."

Steve turns his attention from your hand toying with the slinky to your face again.

"You're right, we are in the same situation."

You turn to look at him, you mimic the gentle smile lifting his his lips. Your eyebrows furrow as briefly, a thought enters your mind. You and Steve are in the same situation. Maybe you and Steve could-

Robin suddenly appears in front of you both.

"Honestly, I just spent the last thirty minutes serving that guy and he said he'll come back tomorrow... I don't wanna serve that guy tomorrow or today, couldn't he have at least wrapped it up in one visit!"

She looks between the two of you, "Have either of you done any work since I went over there or do I have to do everything?" She says grabbing hold of the trolley of tapes waiting to be reshelved. You snap out of whatever crazy thought you were about to have.

"Oh god, Robin I'm sorry, I'll do that, You go and head off on your break," You say rounding the desk and taking the trolley from her hands.

"You sure you can handle Mr Grumpy while I'm gone?" she asks cheekily.

"Ha ha," Comes as a sarcastic reply from Steve.

"He'll be fine, go enjoy your lunch."

Robin thanks you and skips happily off to eat her tuna sandwich.

"Hey, you good?" You ask Steve.

"Yeah, thanks. I'm gonna head to the stock room and do some inventory. Give me a call if we suddenly get a load of customers."

With one last huff, Steve turns and heads towards the stock room. You watch him as he goes, one thought replaying in your head.

You and Steve are in the same situation...

================================================

A/N Hope you all enjoyed! chapter 2 should be up soon if I can get my arse in gear as It's very nearly done.

I don't know how many parts this will end up being but it is linked to my Fwb!Steve oneshot as well, so give that a read if you're thirsty for more as that will be making an appearance in the fic eventually.

Thanks for reading! xx

[creators-novel]

Elsewhere, a different team had their own issues to overcome. See, when Straus, Koto, Red, and the others recovered from the initial shock of Vyz’s first attack, they soon realized that he could easily do it again whenever he saw fit. Lightverse was already making their plans, they were the epicenter of this whole mess for goodness’s sake! The least that they could do was make their own arrangements. Before getting anyone else involved, the first order of business was reestablishing contact with the other Incarnates and catching them up. To them, their story had continued as normal. It’s understandable, really. As you may recall, their tale loops back around on itself, one minor difference may not be easily detected.

            The group of blue royalty took the news about as well as one would expect. There was anger, sorrow, and grief all around. Red had to make sure Nathaniel and Kali didn’t immediately run off to enact revenge. Koto silently cradled Melanie while Amadi sat with them, numb. And, of course, Straus knew exactly how Nova and Luna were feeling as they cried in Azura’s arms, knowing their friend was lost to the dark. Unfortunately for them, there was no time to properly lament. It was time to take action to ensure their World wouldn’t be caught up in Vyz’s plans again.

            It was simple for Kali and Nathaniel. In their timeline, they were the soul rulers of the land. All they had to do was prepare a strong barricade around their castle. However, Kali did convince her brother to give at least some form of notice to the general populace. Admittedly, the people they oversaw were confused when the usually overbearing King gave out a warning of grave danger. Most assumed he’d finally gone mad from the power, delusional that some unknown force would overtake his throne. But the few that did believe him did start reinforcing their houses. At least they made some attempt at benevolence this time.

            In some ways, arrangements were easier for Amadi and Melanie. They had no kingdom to rule over, so no worries there. Frankly, they only really had one ally; and even she saw them as nothing more than twisted shadows of their former selves. So, they did what they could. They told their friend to hide in a safe place and to let them take care of the clean-up. After all, everyone knew at this point that the Stygians could bite others. No one had tested what would happen if you sunk your teeth into one of them (yet). The umbral siblings ended up settling down for a long nap. They would need the energy for whatever came next.

            Azura, Nova, and Luna had perhaps the most complicated task. They had a team back home, a team that they loved and cherished. Their little family, who they’ve watched suffer over and over and over again. They had to figure out how to tell them about Vyz; they at least owe them this explanation. They didn’t tell them what happened during the Synthis and Jupiter ordeals, how could they? Even if they did, would the nature of their story let them remember any of it? But the blue trio would remember. They remembered everything. To the Azul siblings, the self-awareness that comes with being an Incarnate is a double-edged blade.

“Sooo…how are we gonna do this??”

The three stand outside the front door to their home base: a large, colorful house that stands firm amidst a redwood forest. The light of the full moon beams down, illuminating Nova’s nervous and confused face. Luna anxiously taps her fingers together, “I think…your guess is as good as mine there…” “We tell them the truth, and that’s the end of it…”, Azura says, albeit with slight doubt in himself. “The more we stall, the less time we have to get ready. I’ll do the talking.” The girls look at each other and then nod at their brother. They face the door and open it together. Unsurprisingly, they’re all immediately caught by the rest of the group.

Arin, a young man who wields Cyan magic, jumps at the sound of the door opening. “AH-…see guys, I told you they’d be back! But SOME of you didn’t believe me…”, he slumps back in his chair and rolls his eyes, trying to regain some form of composure.

This alerts Phoenix, the Red Wanderer, and leader of the team. Even though he has a fiery passion for heroism, he often gets caught up in the organization of everything. Who’s doing what, who’s going where, etc. And judging by the stacks of paper surrounding him and how disheveled he looks, it’s pretty obvious the Azuls were out longer than he anticipated.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re back!”, that thankful cheer came from Amber, the girl of Yellow. She quickly runs to the trio and gives them each a loving hug. “We were all so worried!”, she stands on her tip-toes to kiss Azura on the cheek. “What took you so long? Are you hurt?”, she asks, softly holding his hands.

“Will you let them come in the door first? You’re letting in the cold air…” That grumpy fellow in the corner would be Zack, the bearer of Black magic. He’s still getting used to working with everyone. The constant hustle and bustle of “hero life” hasn’t been kind to him, and it shows.

The last member of the crew hops up behind the siblings. “Tell me you didn’t go on some fun adventure without us!” Victor, the Green Wanderer, is the most energetic of the bunch. He’s quick to go on performative tangents and is definitely the most expressive out of them all.

            Nova laughs apprehensively, “We’re sorry we’re home so late.” “I should hope so!”, says Phoenix, nearly tripping on a paper slip. “You and Azura had a scheduled mission earlier. Without both of you here, it completely threw everything off! Oh- and hello Luna…Wait- tsk! This is exactly my point! Is that why you were out? To wait for her? Certainly, we all could have picked her up together AFTER our shifts…!” Victor nonchalantly leans on Phoenix’s shoulder, “What he MEANT to say was that you gotta tell us what happened out there! Did you have a run-in with Mara!?” “Well, no…”, Luna starts, then looks to Nova for guidance. “It’s… a bit more than that.”, Nova continues, “We had to go talk to some friends who are…uhm…” “Not from around here!”, the duo declares in tandem.

…What in the world are they talking about?

“’ Not from around here’…? Really?”, Arin asks, unamused. “Not that I don’t believe you, but I find it hard to believe you have friends from RealWorld besides me and Amber.” Zack leaves his corner of the room and walks forward, “And if memory serves correctly, this isn’t the first time you’ve gone and disappeared with some sort of lame excuse.” “Everyone, please!”, Amber squeaks, “This doesn’t need to become a big thing!” “Oh, it won’t. So long as your ‘king’ fesses up.” Zack stares intently at Azura, “Answers. Now. What are you three hiding?”

            Amber feels Azura’s grip tighten. “Ok, everyone. Back up, and back off. Nova, can you shut the door behind you guys, please?... Azura, if this is important to you, Nova, and Luna, you’re ok to tell us about it. Whatever it is, we’ll make it a team effort and help. Right, you guys?” There’s a pause… then Phoenix sighs, “Yes, right. I’m sorry. But if whatever you’ve been up to deserves our attention, I think we deserve to hear the full truth.”

            “…’ The full truth’… Sure.” Azura takes a deep breath, looks at the girls, then looks away from everyone, and starts from the beginning.

            “The truth is that all of us, not just my sisters and I, are part of something grander. I know none of you will believe it, but we’re not just constructs of DreamWorld’s spirits, even they have a maker behind them. The makers behind all of us, our…Creators, they live in a place that exists outside here, beyond…everything. Just like us, they’re family who take care of each other and strive to protect those they love. And right now, they’re under attack. We didn’t know because the force they’re up against locked us out for a bit. It’s truly unlike anything we’ve witnessed before. And we’ve seen some…’interesting’ battles alongside them in the past… We need to help them again, now more than ever. And they’re going to need your help too.”

…

“It’s official, they’ve lost it.”, Arin says, dumbfounded.

“But he’s being honest!”, Nova defends.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re convinced or not.”, Azura continues, “They’re going to attack either way and we need to be ready. Our whole world and many others are at risk if we don’t stop this. I know it’s a lot to ask of you all, especially coming from me. But I need you to believe me…please. And if nothing happens,”, he smiles slightly and turns his gaze back to the group, “then you can call us crazy after.”

Another moment of silence.

Phoenix’s footsteps break the tension. He walks to Azura’s side and places a hand on his shoulder. “This is a lot… and I don’t know if certain about all of it yet. However, that is the most genuine you’ve been with us in quite a while. That doesn’t come without respect, cousin. Whatever this threat is, we’ll help you defend against it. You have my word.” Azura exhales and relaxes. Thank everything that was enough. Luna smiles and sighs, “Thank you…”

            “If whatever this ‘evil force’ is does appear, how will we know?”, the ever-skeptical Zack wonders. Azura explains, “Truth be told, I haven’t seen them yet. But from what our friends on the outside have said, they all use this dark…void-like energy. Furthermore, there are three levels to this group. First are the basic soldiers, basically blob creatures that can infect you with their bite. People who have been infected are the second group. Finally, there’s their master, Vyz. We’ll be very lucky if he doesn’t show up here.” “Ok, I’ll be honest… that sounds pretty rad!”, Victor states outright, “And any excuse to keep these old fighting skills sharp is fine by me!” “In that case”, says Phoenix, “everyone should go rest as soon as possible. Everyone will have the same mission tomorrow: preparing the citizens for the possible invasion without revealing too many details. And we should also hope Mara doesn’t catch wind of this… we wouldn’t want her getting any bright ideas right now.” Amber beams, “Sounds fine to me!”

            The group separates for now, going about their nighttime routines. Arin is the last one to be left in the room by himself.

“…So wait- were the RealWorld people right?! Is there a god out there or what-!?”

[hours2hours]

THE HAWKINS PARADOX: CHAPTER FOUR

Miles

Half-laying on the empty table, I continue scribbling aimlessly until my pencil pierces the paper. Drawing is one of the few things that can distract me, but not today. My thoughts downpour as strongly as the rain outside, too much to focus. The library at Matlock Collegiate is tiny compared to the city school I used to go to, meaning it’s usually filled to the brim with students studying. But this window and table are tucked behind a corner in the back. Usually the isolation helps calm me down, but the murmurs of students tell me I’d be alone regardless. 

A bolt of lightning strikes, and thoughts flash to Mateo, what his body might look like, disfigured and cold. How different would today be if I had stayed with him that night? He might be sitting here with me, working on our comic book or talking about new video game releases.

“How is that guy not in jail yet?” 

“Beats me. Just keep your distance.”

The whispers have been driving me insane. If this is what I hear when people think I’m not listening, how much has really been said?

“Can I sit here? Or are ‘ya busy sharing an intimate moment with the window?”

I drop my pencil and slide off my headphones when Joel’s hand smooths over the back of my chair. I wipe the moisture from my eyes and ask, “How’d you know I was here?”

Joel takes a seat. “‘Ya know Miles, you’re one of the most secretive people I’ve met. To know much a anythin’ about you I’ve had to observe. You always come to the library when you’re messed up, this is the most isolated spot in the building with a close window, and I know you like watching the rain.” He finishes wearing a smug grin.

“Not bad detective,” I joke. 

A flash of light, and I’m pulled back to a time when Mateo and I were kids camping with our grandparents. They were fast asleep during the storm and I was so scared, so he came into my bed and we watched for a while. When I was scared of the storm coming close, he taught me how lighting works, how to tell how far away it is. He assured me the danger was far away, and made me feel safe enough to sleep.

“Uh oh, the murderer’s planning something. Look who he’s sitting with!”

“Do people in this town gossip this fucking much? Or is it just for me?” I snap.

Joel leans in close as if to reveal a secret. “In Matlock beach, I like to look at other examples of isolation turning people into animals. Ya’know, lord of the flies and shit. In this case, people have gotten so bored they actually make up any shit they want to keep entertained.”

Chuckling slightly, I resume staring out the window. 

Joel slides his chair closer and stares into my sketchbook, head resting in his arms. “What’re you drawing?”

“Just scribbles,” I say without looking. Joel slides the book close and raises an eyebrow. He picks up the book and stares at it, a confused expression overtaking his face. “Why'd you write this?” he asks.

“Write what?” I reply, reclaiming my sketchbook. The page is still just a bunch of random scribblings. But then Joel takes s pen from the desk and begins drawing on the page, tracing over what he sees. In a way I hadn’t even noticed, the strips of pencil lead have spelled out three words, “HOURSTOHOURS”.

“The hell?” Joel remarks.

“Those words sound familiar.”

“They marked the place where the money was ‘sposed to be.”

“Guess it’s been in the back of my mind.”

“Must be,” Joel appears awestruck. He hesitantly places the book down as if wanting to question further, but doesn’t.

After a long pause Joel says, “... anyway, I came here ‘cause I wanted to tell ya that there’s search parties lookin’ for Mateo. Don’t think they’ve found anythin’ yet though.”

“Figured.”

“Point is they’re looking, an’ they’re gonna find ‘em.”

I don’t answer. It doesn’t make me feel much better, because I know what they’re going to find.

“This place sucks, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess,” I reply.

“We should get outta here,” Joel says with a mischievous smile.

I glance back at the page I continue to scribble, “Lunch period is over in ten minutes, we have to get to class.”

Joel scoffs, “You know that neither of us are gonna do shit today right? How can they expect you to? Let’s go,” he taps the table twice hard with an open hand before standing with his bag over his shoulder. He’s right. If I can’t draw I doubt I’ll be very productive in the classroom. I’m not exactly an advocate for skipping class, but they have to make an exception if my brother’s probably dead, right?

Joel guides me to the side exit of the school, only known by students as the smoker’s door. No one’s out in the pouring rain though, maybe the cold will act as a distraction at least.

Joel pulls out his keys and unlocks his car door in advance. “Ready to book it?”

I hold my backpack over my head and nod. Joel opens the door and we sprint through the rain. Truck in sight, Joel reaches for the handle only to step into a deep pothole, tripping on his face. I manage to tug at his hand to bring him to his feet. But he still keeps a smile while he jumps in. “Are you okay?” I say exasperated and giggling, while Joel is totally soaked and covered in mud.

“Yeah,” He heaves. “Thanks for the help.” He starts the engine. 

“Sorry for getting your car all wet,” I say.

“Oh c’mon, if I didn’t want it dirty I sure as hell wouldn’t’ve come in. This thing is a dumpster anyway.” He doesn’t buckle his seatbelt before driving off  toward the beach. His car is a bit of a wreck with green specks littering the floor and cup holders, the smell of weed still easily distinguishable.

Downtown Matlock Beach is a rectangle of run-down buildings roughly the size of two or three city blocks. There’s the arcade, an old building with outdated games and prizes, the recently renovated cafe where I work, the bank, an antique store, some restaurants, and various self-owned shops. Of them all, the only one which interests me is the comic book store. I wonder if I’ll still be able to go to that alone with how anxious these places make me. Before, Mateo would take me.

East to all the stores is a grassy area with tables and trees. There’s a stage in the middle where a lot of c-tier bands come to play in the summer for tourists.

Today, the water is a jagged sea of white-peaked waves. Normally there are fishermen on the water, some speedboats and a kiteboarder or two, but it’s barren, and not just because of the weather. No one’s really been boating or fishing at all in the past few weeks. In fact, I can recall some warnings not to go in the water at all. Other than being a tourist spot or summer home, this town relies on the lake for fish and summer activities, but those haven’t been possible with the current state of the lake. Parasites making the fish unhealthy, turning their tongues black. Crazy the mundane things you care about when you desperately need to distract yourself.

Joel drives us to a diner I’ve never even noticed before, squished between the arcade and a tackle shop. He parks out front and we run inside.

It’s old as expected. The furniture and interior design all outdated, but not in a nostalgic way. We sit down at a booth with seats made of wood that are faded and chipped all over, right next to a huge dingy window. A waitress comes by and takes our orders, but after that we’re sitting in silence while I spin the salt shaker in circles.

Joel sighs, “I get you’re worried, but they’re going to find him. I promise you.”

I sit with my fist squishing my cheek up, “That’s what I’m worried about. I'm not ready to see what they’re gonna find.” Joel touches the back of his head. “Well, what were you guys up to that night?”

“Why does it matter?”

“‘Cause I get what it’s like for someone to fuck with you, and not just ‘cause of the Toby incident. I’ve dealt with shitty circumstances before, and unlike the cops dealin’ with your case, I give a shit. Maybe I can help.”

“How do you know they dont?”

“I heard the way they talked to you. They think your pain is just another problem in their day, another case they need to solve for a paycheck.”

The waitress drops off some waters, which I swish around endlessly. “If you want to help then I don’t see the harm. We were just filming this stupid video for art class in our backyard. I didn’t see or hear anything weird, he wasn’t acting much weirder than usual that day. Although in the weeks before he had been leaving the house more often than normal. He helped out on my assignment for an hour, until Annie messaged me. I left… and then he was gone.”

Joel barely grazes his finger against mine on the table, he’s leaning forward and speaks softly. “It isn’t your fault.”

“I know, everyone tells me that. But I just can’t shake the feeling that if I were there, it might not have happened.”

“But he was acting unusual you said?”

I look away back at the pouring rain. “He was never really a normal guy, but he’s been leaving for days in the last few weeks. It wouldn’t be odd for someone his age, but Mateo usually kept to himself. When I asked him where he was going he lied to me. But he’s done stuff like that before, I dunno.”

Joel is quiet while he thinks things over. “An’ the cops checked his phone?”

“I don’t know, Dad hasn’t mentioned anything, why?”

“You said he was gonna finish the project after you left, do ya think he might’ve still been filming?”

My stomach drops like a falling elevator. “How did I not think of that? I’m such an idiot!” A fisherman eyes me when I yell, but somehow I don’t even care.

“He left the thing behind?”

“My Dad found it when he went looking for Mateo, but I seriously doubt he knew the password.” Feeling guilty, I leave a small tip on the counter before rushing out the door.

“You mean you actually know it?” Joel shouts over the rain.

“He was my brother,” I reply. “I knew everything.”

***

Joel pulls up to my home, the downpour growing denser until a soft haze covers the ground. As the car slows to a reasonable pace I hop out, and I don’t hesitate to bang my fists on the door when the handle doesn’t budge. “Dad it’s me, open up!” I call.

“He isn’t here,” Joel says.

“Dad open the door!” I cry out, slamming my fists harder. Mateo’s life could depend on that video if he really did record what caught him. There’s no guarantee that it’ll be anything but I have to try. Every second wasted is another where he’s tortured, or sold to human traffickers, or sliced open to be sold for parts. Joel turns me around when I find that the rain isn’t alone in streaking down my face. “This door is too strong to bust down. Let’s find another way in.”

But despite his calm demeanor, I still can’t seem to catch my breath. My breathing steadily grows faster just as my heartbeat. but Joel is eyeing the house up and down. “C’mon.” He gently guides me around the house, while raising his sweater above our heads as shelter. The house is so tiny, practically a trailer home, so there isn’t a lot in terms windows. On the back of the house though, there’s one right next to the back door. I slice open the tips of my fingers trying to pull the thing open, but it barely gives. Joel quickly joins in on heaving the thing, placing a foot on the house to pry it open.

Despite my objections Joel is fine with staying out in the rain while I make a mess of the floor. It doesn’t feel right entering Mateo’s room. People’s rooms are their private places, it’s not something I ever want to intrude on. But I can manage to forgive myself this one time. The phone sitting on his bed is hard to miss and has some battery power left. Just to make sure it wasn’t changed, I type into the password screen, H2H2 and it unlocks. As badly as I’d like to lock myself away in my room, I don’t need to do that this time. Just before leaving I catch sight of something on his desk: Mateo’s sketchbook. I carefully tuck it underneath my hoodie and head back outside where Joel waits.

The trip out from the house, through the rain and to the front porch is only a soaking wet blur, Joel’s voice almost surprises me. “You’re shaking,” Joel notes. I didn’t even notice how violently my hands were vibrating. The fear I haven’t felt in years shows itself with impulses I thought I’d grown past. I open the video and skim past all the school stuff to the part where I left him alone.

The camera recorded the top of our heads as we sat on the grass in our backyard. The sun was just setting while we were talking about how to finish our project, then I received a text. “Oh god, I’m sorry man. I have to go.”

Mateo just laughed softly and said, “No worries homie, we’re basically done anyway. I’ll finish it up.”

“I totally owe you. By the way, is your part of the comic almost done?”

“Five more panels to ink and it’s all yours. But if you really wanna repay me, I wouldn’t mind some help with the last few. I’d value your artistic insight.”

At this point the footage clearly shows me picking my backpack off the ground and heading out. “Awesome, I’ll probably be out late, tell dad not to freak out. See you tomorrow!”

Mateo watches me leave and when I’m out of sight, he simply sits and watches the sun setting. After five minutes or so, he stands and turns the camera to the forest.

“Hmm, sun’s going down. I think I’ll just try to get some b-roll for now. Hey uh, Miles, if you’re watching this I’m sorry but I’m totally not getting this done tonight.”

I laugh as a tear streams down my face. Then the moment it catches my eye I pause it.

“What’s wrong?” Joel asks.

“Do you see that?” I point into the dark of the forest, at the faintly visible glow peeking out of a bush, two pinholes of white light. Joel takes the phone from my hands and examines it closer. “I dunno what I’m looking at here.”

“Nevermind,” I hit play again, and the lights disappear. The only sounds are the creaking trees and Mateo’s breathing. He slowly pans the camera across the trees, and tests various angles and lighting conditions.

Then someone speaks.

It’s difficult to even notice at first, so I crank the volume and both of us inch closer to the speaker. 

“Help… please,” the voice calls. It’s voice chokes over each word as if speaking with a mouth full of water. Unmistakably masculine, but other than that it’s unrecognizable, barely audible. Mateo is on the edge of the frame now looking into the forest with his mouth agape.

“A-are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Please....”

“Hold on, I’m going to get help.” Mateo turns to run for the house, but he’s stopped in place. I gasp when two arms spring out from the dark and clasp tightly over his mouth. They aren’t visible somehow, the odd lighting of the shot makes it so the arms appear as silhouettes against his skin. Mateo stops wide-eyed before fighting against his attacker. He fumbles over their arms trying to pry them off his face, he tries to yell, but in a moment he’s dragged into the woods all while the person mutters something under their breath. It’s only a few words, but the attacker repeats them over and over while he and Mateo’s muffled screams grow fainter.

The footage is silent for a moment, until louder screams fill the air. Horrifying, pained screams. I turn the phone off, sobbing, unable to breathe. Joel only holds me tight, knowing well that no words could make this okay.

“What was the point?” I ask.

“I dunno, Miles. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was a good idea.” But all this video confirmed was my suspicions of Mateo’s violent end. 

“Maybe we’ll still find something of use on it. If not to save him, to bring you some closure. Can I see that?”

I plop the phone into Joel’s hand, he taps a few buttons and hands it back to me. He guides me back towards his car while I cling tightly to the book in my lap. The last piece of him I still have.

“What’s that?” Joel starts the engine.

“Something of his that I need to finish.”

“One day I’ll get some straight answers outta you.” He wipes the wet hair out of my face. “Now c’mon, let’s get you somewhere dry.”

[casspurrjoybell-25]

Skating on Thin Ice - Chapter 39 - Part 2

*Warning - Adult Content*

Elijah Ellis

"We don't have to go to the pool if you don't want to," Fox said as the two of us walked down the hall toward the elevator.

Joshua and Ian had already gone down with the guys.

Fox decided to take his sweet time getting ready and I had just woken up from a nap, so the other two were sick of waiting for us.

"Are you sure you want to go?" I asked him, quirking my head to the side as the doors closed us in.

He sighed, staring straight ahead at our reflections in the metal doors.

I felt my heart slowly sinking as I waited for his response.

"I just don't want them to treat me any different," he mumbled, biting down on his bottom lip.

Before I could say anything, the elevator doors opened and Fox walked out.

I followed closely behind him as he headed toward the pool, the smell of chlorine overtaking the air around us.

Shouts and splashes from the guys could be heard as we walked down the hall and into the pool area.

We were quickly greeted by the rest of the team when they saw us enter.

I followed Fox over to one of the tables where we put our stuff down, Fox pulling his shirt over his head and throwing it down on one of the chairs.

"Elijah, come play chicken," Alex shouted from the pool, splashing water and hitting Ian in the face with it.

Ian's expression soured and he wrapped an arm around Alex's neck, pulling him under the water.

"Don't drown him," Fox warned as he walked over to the pool.

"We're gonna need him tomorrow."

Ian let Alex up, earning a shove from him.

I slid into the pool after taking my shirt off, Fox following behind me.

"I don't want to play chicken," I told Alex.

I was met with a pout and a splash of water sent to my chest.

"Anyway, are we ever going to get the story about how you two got together?" Alex asked, leaning against the side of the pool while Fox was talking to Ian.

I didn't know how much Fox was willing to tell.

He was freshly out of the closet and I didn't want to upset him by spilling details he didn't want coming out.

"It's a long story," I said with a shrug, catching Fox's attention.

"What is?" Fox asked, looking between Alex and me.

"How you two got together," Alex exclaimed, gaining the attention of the guys around us.

Fox's eyes swept across the team as they awaited his response.

He sighed, looking over to me with a softened gaze.

Before he could open his mouth, a commotion from the entrance caused us to turn our heads to the group walking into the pool area.

My stomach dropped as my eyes widened when I realized who they were.

They were faces I would recognize anywhere.

My eyes locked with Landon and I instantly reached out for Fox, grabbing onto his arm and pulling him toward me.

"We have to go," I rushed out, pulling Fox toward the pool steps.

"What's going on?" he asked as he followed me.

"Is that your old team."

All I could do was nod as I rushed us over toward our things, not even bothering to dry off as I pulled my shirt over my head and grabbed my phone.

Landon watched with amusement as Fox stood close to me, glaring over at them.

"Are they the ones sending you messages?" Fox asked in a low tone, not even looking at me as he continued his stare at the group.

"We can talk about it upstairs," I said, picking his shirt up off the chair and shoving it into his chest.

"Elijah," Josuah called out as he rushed over to us.

"We're going," I told him.

As the three of us tried going for the exit, Landon and his group stopped in front of us.

Landon stood directly in front of me with a blank expression on his face.

I knew what he was capable of, he had beat me up before, getting all of his followers to join in.

He wasn't a nice guy and he wasn't afraid to hurt me.

Fox shoved me behind him and stood face to face with Landon.

Landon smirked, looking behind Fox at me.

"You got yourself a boyfriend sticking up for you now?" Landon asked in a humorous tone.

"Fuck off," Fox spat, stepping closer to him.

Landon raised his eyebrows, looking him up and down.

"Two fucking faggots on the same team," Landon hissed, narrowing his eyes at Fox.

"Fox, let's go," I begged, though I wasn't sure we'd be able to get by them without something happening.

"Call us faggots one more time," Fox seethed in a threatening tone.

By this time, the rest of our team had gotten out of the pool and made their way over to us.

Ian and Ryan got themselves to the front of the crowd beside me as if they were ready to defend Fox at any moment.

"Fucking..." Landon said, stepping closer... "Faggots..." on his last word, Landon shoved Fox backwards and caused him to bump into me.

Fox was quick to react, grabbing Landon by the throat and restraining him in a headlock.

The group behind him looked as if they were ready to fight but thought better of it.

"You really want to start a fight right now?" Fox snapped.

"There's twenty of us and six of you and you want to fight?"

Landon squirmed in Fox's grip, grabbing at his arm to try to get him to release him.

"Fox, let him go," I said and Fox almost instantly did.

I walked ahead of Fox to come directly in front of Landon's beet red face.

The redness was more from his embarrassment than from Fox holding him.

"If you have a problem with me, then you take it up with me on the ice," I seethed, my jaw clenched as he stared at me in disgust.

"But you bring him into it and we're going to have a bigger problem."