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yestrday · 7 months ago

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: ̗̀➛ ALL OR NOTHING. yan! aventurine / gn! reader

it's a nice feeling to finally be on the winning side, feigning fairness when all the winning cards are in his hand. but it's not like you can fault him for cheating. after all, you who has nothing chose to challenge him, the one who will gain everything.

( overarching theme of sl4very, anim4l cruelty, anim4l death, bl00d, graphic description of violence, hinted obsessive behavior, im unoriginal and stole kafkas spirit whisper for reader ) + 7.5k words

"It's just a bet," he suggests, as if this gamble won't cost you your everything. "Juuust a bet. Exactly what are you so scared of?"

He sits laid back in his plush velvet chair, twirling a cocktail as he enjoys the finest luxuries in life. He is clad head to toe in the finest clothing, dressed like a peacock waiting to impress. You, on the other hand, feel more like the peahen— dreadfully drab in your rags and no choice but to watch as the peacock flaunts his feathers. You are knelt on the ground, but your eyes show no submission.

"I'm not crazy, gambler," you bite. "I know the IPC. They are full of shit. And you, Aventurine." Your eyes set on him with hatred. "You're the smelliest of the lot."

Aventurine, the gem of lies and luck, sighs dramatically. "Pup, you know I don't like it when you're so vulgar, y'know? I'm giving you a chance at freedom, so you ought to at least treat me at least a little bit nicer. I'm not the one who shackled you, so I don't understand what the aggression is all about."

"You're the reason why I'm here in the first place!"

"No, Jade was." He presses a finger to your lip and you'd bite it if it weren't for the annoying bind you were under. "Jade came across you and thought you and your talent would make for a nice gift. You were a gift and I'm just the receiver. So don't go barking up the wrong tree, pup."

"So." He leans back into his couch and shoots you a sly grin. "Up for round one?"

You are lost.

The meaning of Paths and their symbolisms are lost on you. You don't care for Aeons— no one on your home planet was. You were busy diving in dumpsters for a scrape of food, tricking your 'friends' into sacrificing themselves for you, and killing whatever was left of your humanity just to make it to another day. You walk on no Path but yours.

You don't even know which way you're going. So you are lost.

You think Aventurine is lost too.

He has every detail of his facade practiced. His gait is relaxed enough to not be intimidating, but not sloppy enough to be called out as bad posture. He talks in a smooth voice that eases fools and makes enemies wary, his smile is charming to sway the opponent into another gamble, his hair is fixed to frame his pretty face, and he chooses words that cannot be turned into loopholes. He is Aventurine. But he is not himself.

He does not care for the Preservation, but he rejects the Elation. He is on his own Path too, but he knows the destination he must reach— his 'End'. In that way, he is different from you, because you know not your journey or your ending. Still, he is just as lost as you.

But he makes a darn good show of not seeming that way. Right now, you watch as he throws the dice on the table, and the whole table watches with bated breath as they turn. A six and one— he lost the bet to the other's six and five. They cackle gleefully as they collect their earnings from Aventurine. They have chips upon chips on their side of the table while Aventurine's winnings are cut in half.

"I think I'll call it a day, pretty boy," the gambler cackles, greedily eyeing his earnings and possibly dreaming about the cash he's made tonight. "Even a gambler knows when to call quits, right?"

Aventurine pouts. "Aww, so soon? C'mon, the night's only begun! Who knows, play another round and you might just end up with more money than you have right now~"

The man laughs again, obviously not fooled by his pity act. "Boy, I'm not as addicted as you are. I know when to stop instead of letting you bleed me out dry." But Aventurine isn't fazed; rather, he snaps his fingers and you lower your head as you step to his side.

"Well, we can't have that, can we? [Y. Name], be a dear and persuade this gentleman into another round with me."

A glow of your eyes. Then you fix the man with an eerie gaze as you say, bright and clear, "Hey, you: Play another round with my master."

As if in a daze, the man's eyes cloud over and sit right back. Another round later Aventurine wins all his losses back and more, leaving the other gambler's side naked and bare of chips. The man is barely out of his stupor when he realizes what just happened— that he's fallen for a trick and now he's ended up with no money to even cover his lodgings— but you and Aventurine have sauntered out of the casino doors by the time he's begun cussing you out.

"Ha! That was fun." Aventurine shrugs off his jacket now that you're in the car and raises an empty champagne glass to you. "You're a good partner, [Y. Name]. Honestly, that Spirit Whisper of yours is such a nice trick. Just like that Stellaron Hunter, right?"

"... Kafka?"

"Yes, her. Enigmatic woman, isn't she? A bit ironic how those with such a powerful ability ended up as slaves. Her as Destiny's, and you as... mine." He gives your collar a little tug and you growl in warning, but you inch closer to him anyway. "So. Gambling. You up for that round?"

You scoff and grin at him with all teeth and no mirth. "You really think that a Cornerstone would bet on their slave's freedom?" Aventurine's own grin grows wider. "C'mon. Even Pteruges-V has better lies than you."

"Ah, right, your homeworld. No wonder you're so brazen all the time, even to your superiors. I forget that fear is a foreign concept to you people. Still," he raises your chin with a finger. "If you're so fearless, why not bet on a gamble? It's not like you're scared."

"There may be fools from my planet that you can trick with that taunt, peacock, but I'm not one of them. I'm fearless, not stupid. And with the way you're so eager to involve me in this bet, I'm beginning to suspect that you need this more than I do." You push him away. "So, no, master, I won't indulge you. I'll bide my time and look for an escape. Just like I've always had."

"And what?" He looks at you from behind his sunglasses. "Will you kill me to gain that freedom?"

You flash him a sharp grin, now amused. "Of course you'd think that, master."

The smile on his face is wiped clean. You really are a brazen thing, you.

Jade has always mentioned how soft Aventurine is on you. A dog of your attitude should merit a little more disciplinary action and even the good Doctor has told him this once or twice after seeing your arrogance despite the collar around your neck. "Your dog bites more than it deserves," Ratio scoffed while you made an action of biting him behind Aventurine. He frowned in displeasure. "You ought to make it learn a lesson or two."

"Now, now, doctor," Aventurine had laughed. "Not everyone shares the same sadistic tendencies as you." An image of you collared and shaking on your knees flashes through his mind, and he finds himself gulping. Ratio looks at him like he doesn't believe him.

It's not like he hasn't thought of it, of chaining you to the wall and starving you so that you learn that your attitude has its consequences. You shouldn't bite the hand that feeds you, not when he's been so good to you. But that... that was exactly the line of thought his old master had. That wicked man who put a brand on him and sullied his hands with his wretched man... he couldn't risk turning into a monster like... that.

Aventurine is weak. Unable to let go of past sentiments and memories, he makes it up with his grand display of bravado and high-stakes gambles. He gambles even as he spoils you, laughing at your audacity and even rewarding you for it sometimes, not knowing whether you'll leave him or if you'll stay with him. It is a gamble indeed, but you were worth every risk.

"What do you think of me, [Y. Name]?" The cityscape beyond the window is glowing with Pier Point's nightlife, and his suite provides him a good view of the world beneath him. He glances back at you, stirring his coffee for him. "Your dear master Aventurine. What do you think of me?"

"Annoying, stupid, a fool, an addict, and pathetic." You don't hesitate to badmouth your master. "You lie too well, you think that luck of yours will never run out, and you try to be someone that you can't."

"And who is that someone?"

Your eyes flash. "Someone strong. Someone confident. Someone who isn't afraid to admit his weaknesses and hope that things get better."

"I didn't peg you for an optimist, dear pet."

"Hmph. That's not optimism. I may not know what exactly fear is, but I know that what is holding you back isn't it. You do not fear things, gambler. You stake it all and bet on something so intangible as luck. That can't be fear."

"Then what is it?"

The stare you give him sets his heart off, looking straight into his eyes and giving a grin so devilish and knowing like that facade of his never mattered in the first place.

"You're a coward. A plain, old coward. Nothing more, nothing less."

That conversation had always popped up in his head in the most inconvenient of moments, especially when he was about to get some sleep. His heart beat faster every time he recalled that knowing gaze of yours, invading where he didn't want the world to see and baring his soul right before your very eyes. His facade doesn't work on you.

He could care less. You were the one person he didn't want it to work on, though he'd never admit that out loud.

This meeting with the other Ten Cornerstones could not interest him any less, and it seemed to be that way for the others too. Jade is saying something on behalf of Diamond, again, and everyone is busy doing their own thing. Only Topaz seems to be the one paying at least some attention, and even then she gets distracted by Numby from time to time. Aventurine glances at the clock.

He wonders how his pup is faring while he's away. Ecstatic, perhaps.

"— All evidence leads to an underground network that is scattered among numerous planets, though thankfully all of them are within the same galaxy. I'll be forwarding an email to you all with a detailed report on each of these. Just know that most of us will be likely deported to these countries to break up the—" In the middle of Jade's tiresome monologue, the security alarms start to blare and two officers slam through the doors with looks of urgency. One of them scans the room until his eyes land on Aventurine, and they quickly approach him.

"Sir!" They say, desperate and alarmed. "Your do— I mean, slave! They've– They've escaped!"

Surprise streaks across the faces of the Ten Cornerstones, even Aventurine's. He collects himself when he catches Jade's knowing smile and chuckles to himself.

"Well, I guess this is the master's consequence for not disciplining their pet."

Did he really think you were fucking stupid? Taking on a bet for your freedom... what a bunch of bullshit. He can proclaim about how much he loves a fair gamble, but you know that's only reserved for the people around the table. You are his slave, the one he demeaningly calls 'pet'— you don't have the chance to make your own dealings.

"Halt! In the name of Qlipoth, you better stop while we're giving you a chance." These IPC henchmen were slowpokes, the lot of them. You weave in and between salary workers, crashing trolleys full of wares and coffees and hopping between levels just to shake them off their tracks. By golly, they might be incompetent but Aeons damned they were nothing but persistent.

"Ha, the Devil Hunters were more annoying than them," you mutter to yourself, skidding around the corner only to come face-to-face with two IPC henchmen. They raise their polearms to strike, but with a chilling grin stretched across your face, you say: "Hey, you: Jump."

You don't look back to see whether they made the seven-floor drop.

This reminds you of the nights you spent back in Pteruges-V: making fools out of the prissy rich, jumping across buildings to shake of the Hunters, and using whatever you had to make things go your way. Not everyone had Spirit Whisper, but those who had made good use of it and you sure as hell wouldn't miss a single chance to use it.

Your mind runs with plans as you continue to run away. Maybe you'll find a nice ship to stow away on, hopefully, one that leads to a nice planet that isn't so stuffy and rigid. Maybe like Homberto-σ, out of sight from the IPC and where everyone minded their own business.

For what felt like forever trying to shake your followers off, you finally came to a stop when you realized that only the sound of your footsteps could be heard in this labyrinth of hallways and corridors. Finally having shaken them off, you sigh as you climb up the stairs to the rooftop. 'Just jump down and sneak off to the nearest hiding place you can find.' You tug at your collar and scowl. 'When I escape, not even this collar will matter anymore. Not when I'm somewhere they won't reach me.'

You've escaped so many life-or-death situations before. Escaping slavery is no different.

"Slave [Y.Name], subordinate of Cornerstone Aventurine, you are surrounded!" A voice blares through a megaphone the moment you step onto the roof deck. You hiss as multiple glaring lights settle on you, shielding your face from them and the helicopters' onslaught of wind. "Surrender now before we are forced to take extreme measures."

Through the gaps of your fingers, you can barely make out the men in black pointing their guns at your head, the red hot of the laser making you a point-blank target. You click your tongue. Those bastards tricked you into thinking you were safe. Fuck. You couldn't even be mad. This was all on you.

"Oh, little pup. I guess I really should have listened to them when they told me to discipline you." Aventurine's seedy voice sighs behind you, smirking as he nonchalantly strides up to you. "Did you really have to do all this instead of taking the bet? Do you really hate the thought of playing with me, hm?"

"Fuck off."

"No can do, little one, you know how much I'm obsessed with you, right?" He chuckles, catching your chin between his thumb and index and forcing you to look into his eyes. Those Sigonian eyes are covered by the cloudy purple of his glasses, but even you can tell just how much he's enjoying this mess you've put yourself in. "You know I don't have a need for your skill. I could easily persuade anyone without trying, but I still let you stick around. Pup, I can't just back away from you when you know how much I want you."

You smile darkly. "That's cuz you're a sicko who likes tugging on the chain instead of being in it."

Those pretty eyes of his darken for a moment, embittered by the snarky comment at his past, before his hands trail down to your collar, hooking it with a finger and pulling on it. "Dear, while I usually have the patience for your tirades, I'd rather not do it today. You've humiliated me enough in front of the entire Corporation. So—" Pulling once again on your collar, he starts to lead you to the door. "— Let us depart without much hassle, okay?"

Humiliation sears your nerves like a hot metal, a warning growl eliciting from your mouth as he continues to tug you away from the rooftop. Close, you were so fucking close. Here you are breathing in the fresh night wind, a jump away from freedom, but then these IPC idiots all had you fooled. You don't care how many bullets will embed themselves into your skin, all you just needed to do was get away from this grip Aventurine has on you.

You grab the wrist pulling on you, yanking him towards you. His eyes widen before narrowing again, as if not believing that you still had the energy to fight like you don't have red laser points on your forehead. "[Y. Na—"

"Hey, you: S—"

You couldn't even get another syllable out. Your collar beats a few pulses before it starts squeezing your neck, crushing your windpipes and forcing you down on your knees as you choke on your blood. It sears hot around your neck and you collapse writhing on the ground as you sob and gurgle on your screams and congealed blood.

'WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY ME—' You can only curse and scream inside your head as you painfully thrash on the cement. '— A BILLION BASTARDS IN THE WORLD AND IT HAD TO BE FUCKING ME.'

Darkness is pushing in on you and the pain is making it too hard to go on, but you've always been a fighter. Even if you think that your squirming is pathetic and futile to the onlookers, you continue to tug and pull on the collar like you have a chance. Your ears are ringing and your eyes are too fucking blurry to see with, but the fight doesn't die down.

Aventurine places a soft palm on your hair. Even through the tears stinging your eyes, you can barely make out the faint expression on his face. Damned fucking bastard, damned Signonian, hypocrite and the fucking devil—!

He even has the audacity to look sad for you, as the light slips away from your eyes.

The first round is simple. Play a round of poker with him.

Aventurine hums delightedly as he shuffles the cards with clean and practised movements, looking right at home at the dealer's table he has sitting in his suite. You blankly look at the cards, not even an inch of a reaction from your side. He chuckles as he deals your cards.

"C'mon, look alive, dear." It's almost like he genuinely wants you to cheer up. "Look, I even poured out alcohol for you. It's not everyday that you get to taste Pier Point's most exquisite wine!"

You continue to stare blankly. You haven't given up yet, of course not, but... you can barely bring yourself to move.

When Aventurine is done dealing all the cards, he leans back on his chair and studies his opponent, just like he always has in the past. If you were acting normally, this would have been an easy win. After all, you always wore your heart on your sleeve and abhorred being told to control your emotions. You acted the way you felt— you curse when you anger, you boast when you're feeling smug, and you press your lips together and blush as he praises you for another job well done.

But now. Well. Bandaids cover the seared marks on your neck as well as your head after you've slammed it against the pavement during your delirious fit on the rooftop. Your arms are littered with purples and blues, the aftermath of a disciplinary session that went on throughout the night. Despite the abuse that Aventurine has (rightfully, in his mind) dealt to you, he had made sure to tend to you afterwards.

Settling your head on his lap, combing through the strands as he placed an icepack on your bruises. He hummed you an old children's rhyme from his home planet as you lay limp across the couch. You could barely move, mind unable to process the pain and despair of having an inch of freedom being ripped away from you. He had wiped away the tear that would fall from your eyes.

You couldn't feel comforted at all.

"This will be the first round out of four. Today, we'll make this a bit simple. Five quick rounds of Indian poker. If you're confident that your card is higher than mine, you can bet as much as you like. Not confident? Fold, and that won't count as a round. Loser has the lower card." He raises his glasses to his hair and smiles at you. "Understood?"

"Understood," you grunt. "I'm not a fuckin' idiot."

Aventurine only smirks. It irritates you, but you don't have much fire in you to snap at him.

The room is silent save for the clinking of chips against each other. The two of you cast a chip to the middle of the table. You raise your card to your forehead.

You cast two more chips. Aventurine casts three. You stare at the printed picture on his card and throw in another chip. He throws in another five. You frown.

"Fold."

"Ah~ You should've been more confident in yourself!" Aventurine chuckles as he begins to shuffle the deck to deal another round. You scowl at the Ace of Clubs in your hand, mocking you at your relinquished defeat. "Is a little intimidation all that's needed to make you submit? You weren't this docile before."

"Shut the fuck up and let's play again." He decides to stifle his laugh for the sake of your nerves.

"Raise." Your win, six of hearts to three of spades.

"Raise." Your win, queen of spades to jack of hearts.

"Fold." Could've been Aventurine's, ace of spades to king of spades.

"Raise." Aventurine's win, eight of clubs to six of hearts.

"Fold." Could've been yours, queen of hearts to 10 of clubs.

"Raise." Aventurine's win, nine of clubs to seven of spades.

Aventurine's practiced hands thumb through the cards as he begins to rearrange them again. His glass wine is almost empty, while yours is untouched. The man knows that you don't drink, so why would he...?

"Last round before one of us wins," Aventurine's voice lilts as he throws you your card. "How about we make it exciting? No one is allowed to fold this round." You frown at him but don't say anything. You cast another chip to the table, and he follows suit.

He has a 10 of spades pressed to his forehead, and your fingers dig deep into your skin.

'Oh please, there's other cards higher than a 10.' You remind yourself, but you gulp down your dry throat as your vision zeroes into his card. 'Jack, Queen, King, Ace. Anything. Please.' Aventurine notices your hurried breathing and smiles knowingly. You gulp whatever cowardice is rising in your throat and throw another chip.

"Raise." Fuck it. If this is the last round, then let's just ball.

He cocks his head, finding the motion unnecessary in this last round. But he sighs with a smile and plays along, casting his chips into the fray, "Then I'll raise too."

"This is the last round," you say, more so to remind yourself.

"Yep." He leans forward on the table and the fluorescent lights cast a shadow over those alluring eyes. "Nervous?"

'How could you say that? How could you taunt me like that? When you were just like me?'

You strengthen your resolve and glare up at him, the fire lighting back up in those blank eyes. "I hope you go to hell."

You throw your card to the middle, with the rest of the chips.

Jack of Clubs.

Aventurine cocks his head at you, smiling as usual.

"Congratulations, pet."

One would expect that Pier Point was the peak embodiment of wealth and luxury, being the base of the Interastral Peace Corporation. But the brightly something shone the darker its shadows.

Aventurine just so happened to like those shadows, even shrugging off those fancy clothes of his just so that he could find solace in those sleazy bars and play rounds of poker with dead-eyed salarymen and recently fired hopefuls.

The surroundings didn't fare any better. Amongst the dying neon lights, Pier Point's worst neighborhoods featured a just as nasty environment. Drunkards lying beside dumpsters with shattered beer bottles around them, cats hissing at each other in a fight for survival, and abandoned children peeking at them around the corner as they lay in wait for an opening.

Aventurine has shedded his elaborate peacock coat in favor of a simple white button-down and slacks. Despite the simplicity, he still looked out of place amongst the rags, though it made people think of him as a fearless idiot rather than run away at the sight of the IPC's elite.

"Mmm, that robin is indeed very plump," the blonde idiot remarks out of nowhere. "Quite out of place for this kind of area."

You pay him very little attention, mindlessly kicking the broken half of a bottle with your heel. It bumps into a smelly bastard who shoots you an irritated look, but quickly cowers when you return it tenfold. "Maybe it's been feeding on the leftovers of you prissy IPC folk," you spat, taking a look at the fat robin for yourself.

He takes no notice of the slight towards his kind and instead cocks his head at the cat slinking around the corner. "Well. Its health has attracted a rather unwelcome predator." He turns to you, with a mischievous smile. "How about we make this round two? Who will die first, the cat or the robin?"

Seriously? You were betting your freedom on something as stupid as this? You consider the cat— snarling, insipid thing, balding and thin as a stick— then the robin, tweeting fearfully at its perch on the graffitied wall. "Am betting on the cat. Could eat the fat thing while you go on another gamble."

He laughs, sliding on his shades as he walks into the seedy bar. "Then I have no choice but to bet on the poor robin. Let's have some fun before we see the results of our bet."

The cat is lying on the ground, heaving its last few breaths. Its yellow eyes are barely peeking out from its eyelids, probably delirious and starving in its last moments. You poke it slightly with your foot.

It meows pitifully. You instantly feel bad.

It might just be the ugliest thing you've laid your eyes on, but even the ugliest creatures deserve some sort of companionship in their last moments. It hisses weakly when you draw your hand close, but it can't do anything but relent as you stroke its hairless head. It purrs a bit, ragged and breathy, but the heaving of its ribbed chest slows as it relaxes.

"Don't do that," you murmur. "Just... just be quiet. It's okay."

The quiet steps of leather shoes stop beside you, and Aventurine watches on in silence as you comfort the dying thing. His gaze moves from the cat to the robin, still perched on top of the wall with his fat little chest and beady eyes. It hasn't moved from its position at all, just... staring and staring.

"So—"

"I know," you murmur, focus still on the poor thing. "I know, okay?"

The fat robin chirps again, tittering with its mocking chirp, before it flies away into the sky.

Your cat closes its eyes shut, and its skinny chest finally slows to a stop.

Aventurine stays with you for a while as you find a nice spot of earth to bury it.

No matter how much you want to believe your preconceived image of the blonde gambler— irresponsible, materialistic, money-wasting— you can't just make up lies about him in your head when all of his missions end on a win for him. Right now, he's heading for another mission in a galaxy far away again. And like always, he's dragged you along whether you like it or not.

"Come on, you like sightseeing other planets!" He laughs on the space warp going there. "Makes your blood pumping, scouting out the possible planets you can run away to."

"If I can run away," you grumble, not wanting to acknowledge him as you stare out the window and into the starry expanse of galaxies and space. This sight has always unnerved you— a reminder of how small and insignificant you are. How small and insignificant this collar hand on your life.

"It's not like you to be such a downer," he huffs. He pats the empty seat beside him. "Come, come. Drink with me. Ah, but no alcohol though. Don't want you trying to bite my entourage as soon as we get off." He's referring to the time that you had two sips of the lightest alcohol the ship had in stock before you absolutely wasted and decided that running away to the next planet was a good idea.

You grunt but sit on the floor next to his feet. He doesn't dare to correct you but only regards you with amusement before handing you a glass of sparkling water. You've always had this weird insistence of maintaining your master-slave status quo, despite abhorring your status as a slave. You followed his commands to the tee no matter how dangerous but refused to budge whenever he insisted on treating you like an equal.

"Don't get me wrong," you had snapped at him angrily one time. "As long as I'm in this stupid collar, I am not your fucking equal. So don't go around treatin' me like one, got it?!"

"You got the briefing, right? I'll be dismantling an underground operation on our next planet, so I'll be making good use of your Spirit Whisper." You sip your drink and make no reaction. "I'm sure you have no complaints about that, right?"

"Like I have a fuckin' choice."

He laughs into his cocktail. "Right. How could I forget?" Your eyes narrow into slits when he threads his thin fingers through your hair, but you don't make any move to remove them. "Unfortunately, this isn't an operation that I can just charm and gamble my way through, so you'll be doing a lot of heavy lifting. But so long as I have you, my dearest pet, I'm sure we'll be done before we know it."

You fight the urge to give into his tender touch, massaging your scalp as he combs your strands, though your eyelids are drooping now. He chuckles fondly when you rest your chin on the sofa, right next to his thigh. Adorable, how easily you succumb to the smallest of physical affection.

"Just take a nap," he hums. "We'll be there before you know it."

Aventurine's lavish outfit is a stark contrast against the nitty and gritty environment of the gambling den the two of you are staking out right now. Some of the men leer at him when he passes by, their faces painted by sweat and malice, and the promiscuous women bat their eyes at him with painted-on sweet smiles. No one bats an eye at the collared servant trailing behind him.

You try not to wince as you accidentally make eye contact with another slave, them kneeling on the ground with only rags to cover them and you have the luxury to look away as you grip the sleeves of your ironed button-down. You decide to just fix your eyes on Aventurine's back for the rest of the journey.

The next room you enter— less room to be honest, and more... coliseum-y— features a fighting ring where the crowd cheers on two dogs circling each other under the fluorescent spotlights. The other one, bigger and scarred, is baring his teeth while bearing a deep red gash across his body. The smaller one is shivering but giving the same energy back, snarling in intimidation while also sporting a noticeable limp. Despite the darkness of the room, you don't miss the way Aventurine's face contorts into disgust as he looks at the fight and surveys the crowd of spectators.

"Disgusting," he murmurs. You don't say anything back, though you doubt he could hear you amidst all this cheering. You used to bet on dogs too, back in the day. It was quick and easy money, and you had better things to worry about than the fate of some mutt.

While you're focused on the pathetic dog show in front of you, he steps to your side and nudges you with his elbow. "Willing to bet?" He asks, eyes focused on the show. "As our third round."

"From the look on your face, I thought you hated this kind of thing."

"I do, but I'm not putting money in the pot like the rest of them. This is strictly between you and me with no money involved." He turns his gaze to you. "So, what about it?"

You study the dogs. They've been circling each other for a while now, and the crowd's been growing more and more agitated by the lack of fighting. You think of the dogs you've bet on before, how the smaller ones had just an equal chance of success at winning as the bigger ones. Unconsciously, you tug at your collar. It matches perfectly with the stupid dogs down below.

"Bet," you huff. "I'm taking the smaller one."

You don't know why. It'd make sense to just bet on the bigger and badder, but maybe it's that ferocity in his eyes even if it's overshadowed by the growling menace that has you feeling for it. It's stupid, you know, betting your freedom on a hunch and emotions. But...

If it could have a chance at winning... then why can't you?

...

... Are you destined to die, just like it?

... Are you destined to die as a slave for another IPC slave?

... Will your death be just as morbid and pathetic as the mongrel, his innards spilling onto the pavement while the winner is pulled away by the collar, with no prize but another day of freedom?

This is round three out of four. You've only won one so far.

The very next round could kill you. Could completely sign away your freedom.

Shit shit shit shit shit. Why'd you have to go feeling sorry for the stupid shit? Why'd you have to empathize with its futile fight? Why'd you have to go see yourself in it? Now you could very much share its fate, dying pathetically serving for people who never cared about you in the first place.

Shit shit shit shit shit. The pressure of the bet has always been at the back of your mind, niggling at your brain. But now you can feel its heavy weight squeezing around your heart, in perfect rhythm with the phantom choking of your collar. If you don't win the next, you could very much—

Something light touches your shoulder and you lurch back like you had been stricken there. It disgusts and scares you, sending both repulsion and fear through your body like maggots wriggling into your system.

With a faltering outstretched palm, Aventurine's eyes widen behind his glasses. He sees something on your face, enough to make him bite down whatever cocky shit he has to say, and turns his back towards you.

"Let's go," he says, just barely audible above the crowd. "We still have a mission to complete.

"This is some silly joke of yours, isn't it?" Aventurine maintains his cool facade, but even then there is disgust in his tone as he speaks to Jade. "Giving a slave to another... you must think this is hilarious."

"Amusing, maybe, but this little one is too precious to let loose in the wild." Jade strokes your head, and while you curse in warning, you don't move to attack. "A user of Spirit Whisper, a rarity even among those in Pteruges-V. Don't you think it'd be better if they served the Amber Lord rather than going back to their pretty crimes?"

"Then give them to someone else." Aventurine turns his back on you and Jade. "Since when did I need help closing a deal?"

"Well, I just thought that you were lonely."

"And you think gifting me a slave of all things would help me?"

"Oh, just give them a chance. I'm sure you'll like this one. Look." Jade raises your chin with a finger, lifting your bruised face to the light. You shoot her a glare, plotting murder in your head, but you don't try to fight back. You might have tried once, probably, and learned your lesson. "Don't you love the fire in their eyes, even after being collared and brutally beaten?"

It is sick. It is sick how Jade can just easily muse about your past abuse to his face. To him. It is sick how the IPC thinks that Aventurine would even be happy about this... gift, let alone accept it.

"I appreciate the... thought." Jade smiles at the barely held back distaste in his voice. "But I'd really rather not."

"Oh, I see..." Jade hums, tilting her head to scrutinize you. "But no one else will accept you since you're too feisty for their liking. So I guess..."

"We'll just have to kill you."

Your face pales. Aventurine has never been quick to turn around.

"Fine. I'll accept," he says with gritted teeth and narrowed eyes. "I'll accept your gift, so just..." He sighs, massaging his temples and waving Jade off. "Go away and let us be."

"Is this some sort of savior complex you have going on?" Despite being a slave, you haven't really learned how to hold that spiteful tongue of yours. Half of the fault lies with Aventurine, seeing how he's never bothered to scold you for it. He looks away from the reports in his hand and smiles at you.

"Oh, whatever do you mean, my dear pup?" Your bitter scowl is pushed down even further at his sweet tone and you scoff.

"I mean," you say, gesturing all around you. "You never scold me, you give me good food, you do all these nice things for me. You don't beat and lash at me like others do. Are you feeling sorry? As one slave to another?"

"Personally, I've never heard of a slave complain about treating this well."

"It's weird." You frown. "It's weird and creepy. All these niceties yet I can tell that you don't even mean half of 'em. Your heart isn't in it. You're just doing it for the sake of being nice. So I don't get it." You cross your arms and lean on the couch, deep in thought. "If you don't even mean it, why even bother?"

Aventurine hums, studying your silent and pondering figure before returning to his papers. You don't follow up your complaints with anything else, and the two of you are left to stew in the silence.

... Why even bother indeed?

"Last round and you only have one win, pup." His sickly sweet voice croons, tapping his perfect nails on the table as he watches your expression. "Are you excited?"

Normally you'd bite back, but today you thickly swallow. The looming sense of doom continues to hammer into the back of your skull, spiking your nerves with every beat and shaking your senses. You can barely feel your fingers. You can barely feel except for the fear coiling around your heart.

"... Yes." You can't even barely say a syllable.

Through the rushing blood of your ears, you can barely make out the sound of your master rummaging through something. Something metallic clicks into place and he slides it to the center of the table. You will yourself to look up—

A shiny revolver lies on the table.

A surprised cry elicits from your mouth and you jolt back. The sight of a weapon is enough to startle your poor nerves now and even more so the expectant look glinting in Aventurine's eyes. He smirks and leans forward.

"How about I make an offer you can't refuse?" Not that you were in a position to do so. "Since this is the fourth round, how about we go all in?"

"Russian Roulette. Whoever wins stays alive—"

—And the other lays dead in a puddle of their own blood.

It goes unsaid, but the moment you locked eyes with Aventurine, it was clear that the both of you were thinking of the same thing. You could ponder upon why the Aventurine would stake his own life over something so trivial as your freedom, but you aren't thinking anymore. All you want is your freedom. All you want is to get away.

You don't think further as you wrap your fingers around the handle of the gun and press it to your temple. You pull the trigger. Only a clean click follows, the chamber changing cases. You slide the gun over to him.

He calmly picks it up and slots it to his temple too. "Why are you so desperate to get away from me, pup?" He cocks his head. "I would give you everything you ask for, should you just ask. I treat you with care and as a friend. Is being with me so bad you'd put your life on the line for your freedom?"

He pulls the trigger. Nothing happens. He slides it over to you.

"Even if you go back to your old life, what would be the point? You'll go back to stealing whatever you can off nobles, treating your fellow street rats like fools and pawns before dashing off to your next victim. Would that give you happiness? Fulfillment? Is that the life you prefer instead of being next to me?"

"Sh... Shut up." You sound drained, but he presses on.

"You can have it all, in the price of a collar. Does it not sound good enough to you?"

'Why... Why of all people is he...'

"Do you really hate being owned by me?"

"Why are you..." You choke on your words, grip around the handle trembling. "Why are you saying those things?"

Aventurine has never seen you cry. Not once. Not even when he had to punish you for running away. You could be weak and beaten, but you never willingly cried. But now...

He raises a hand to cover his smile.

"I thought... I thought you of all people would understand." Tears drop to your lap and your hand lowers the gun from your temple. "The pain, the humiliation of being a slave, of being owned. It doesn't matter how nice you are to me. I just want to be free. Shouldn't that be enough?"

Silence overtakes the room as Aventurine takes in the unfamiliar sight before him. Here you were, his greatest treasure, the most vulnerable than you ever were. Sobbing and weeping with a gun in hand, the pressure of the bet finally getting to you.

He moves. "... So this is it? For your pride?"

You wince, looking at him in betrayal. "You... I thought you of all people would at least understand..." You stay silent, the words forming on your tongue but too afraid to sound them out. Then your expression twists into anger, then resolute determination, before you wipe away your tears and glare at him like you always did. "I was wrong. You're scum. Just like the rest of 'em."

The moment the head of the gun points at his head, the collar clamps down and chokes you till your throat cracks and bleeds. The current of electricity crackling your nerves is just as painful and torturous as last time, but you grit your bloodied teeth and press the gun further.

Aventurine looks dazed, staring up into your bloodied face. If you weren't in such agonizing pain you would have laughed at how stupid he looks.

"[Y. Name]..."

"I hope you go to hell," you hiss through the bloody pain. "And I hope that when I get there, I'll never have to fucking see you again."

You pull the trigger to that beautiful face of his, but nothing happens once again. Fuck. It falls to the ground as the pain overwhelms you and you finally stagger. It lays among the specks of blood on the carpet, along with its empty... case...

Your eyes flick to Aventurine, still caught off guard and staring at you with wide eyes. Hesitantly, he reaches out to your convulsing body and cradles your head. "[Y. Name]..." He says, still sounding dazed. "Why would you..."

"Fuckin'... coward..." You grit out. "I was right... from the very start..."

Aventurine watches as you succumb to the pain and collapse in his arms. Despite being unconscious, the collar continues to shock and choke you, and more and more blood spouts from the side of your mouth and into the carpet. He tries to wipe it, despite it continuing like a fountain, before giving up and stroking your hair as the pain continues to intrude on you in your sleep.

"I know," he whispers, pressing a kiss to your eyelid. "You know it as well as me." He presses a kiss onto the other.

"You were never a bet I was willing to wager."

#yandere honkai star rail #yandere aventurine #yandere hsr #honkai star rail #honkai star rail x reader #hsr aventurine #yandere x reader #yester.writes

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aengelren · 6 months ago

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wait what is this😭is there a markiplier pandemic going on i feel like i’m being toyed with

what’s your guy’s favorite youtuber and tiktoker?

#guys don’t do this to me you should know how paranoid i am😭 i feel like im being brain washed is thus a political agenda because now i #i refuse #a friend in high school tried tellinf me i waa schizophrenic because i’m paranoid i’m not even kidding #i blame criminal minds and my tv show addiction as a child #supernatural..criminal minds..mindhunter(older but yeah) and generally true crime #OMG SHANE DAWSON CONSIPIRACIES YALL DONT EVEN WANT TO KNOW #i was in 6th grade explaining to my friends that jb is a reptile and girlies wouldn’t get it!😭🙏😂#obviously i don’t think thus way now. im making fun of myself+ there is nothing wrong with schizophrenia i just don’t have it #talks

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vampirenicotine · 3 months ago

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analyzing the lyrics for “long face” feat. lestat de lioncourt and realizing it’s a louis diss track (with love) is making me more unhinged by the second.

so we open with the gorgeous oooh oooh wah ahhh hypnotizing portion of this song that will stay in your head and where samuel thyne reid is also showing off his *cough* vocal talent.

next….

“why the long face? my pretty baby” — cause you know louis is a sad girlie but also so fucking beautiful and irresistible to lestat when they met he couldn’t possibly understand what louis would be sad about but also… he’s ready to comfort him ALWAYS.

“i got long fangs come appraise me” —lestat is talking about how he’s a vampire so come asess my value and also … fangs could be a metaphor for his pink pony so!

“bring your long stakes that doesn’t phase me” — lestat is saying you can talk shit about me louis and drive a stake through my heart but i still love you teehe.

“i’m an actor in my make up” — he’s saying i can play games too, louis.

“i’ll get fatter when we break up” —so he’s acknowledging the confidence issues he had over the 77 year break up and the break ups before which…. i don’t have the words to speak on otherwise i’ll die.

“why does it matter who i take up?” —he’s saying why does it matter who i sleep with in regardless to antoinette and it’s like love you king… but you’re crazy.

NEXT!

“another face, another year, another place, another tear, pick up the pace, rack up the fears, now we’re having fun.” — this is a little love letter to his cult (us) telling us to get amplified bitch it’s only the beginning

the instrumental break/oohing and ahhing just so immaculate tough cookie alex & larry really did that!

“i’m piano and you’re forte.” — so this lyric right here is what drove me feral because it has so many possible meanings and a few naughty innuendos. what im going to land on however is the fact that lestat is saying im piano because he can be used in whatever way louis wants to use him and he’s saying louis you’re forte (which means my strength) so he’s like idc what you say about me because you hold me together 🥹

“you’re allegro, i’m andante.” —THIS RIGHT HERE HAD ME ON MY KNEES. this is exposing their sex life in the best way because lestat is saying oh i’m your black tar heroin? ok noted and lemme match that because you’re allegro (which means energetic, fast, super active, loud) so basically he says i know you’re addicted to me because i was there. you’re wild in bed and you’re a screamer. he then says he’s andante (slow) because he likes to take his time and worship louis and really make love to him. BYE.

“we’re boléro, prostitué.” —and then he’s like just because i said we go slow sometimes first and foremost we’re freaks. we’re nasty and we’re unspeakable and well… thank you so much for those visuals queen de lioncourt.

“another taste, another year, another place, another tear, another chase, another sneer, without a trace, you disappear, pick up the pace, pack up the gear, gimme some face, a souvenir, here come the gays, here comes the fear, now we’re having fun.” — these bars are what’s going to give miss lioncourt her first grammy nominations because she is summarizing her relationship with louis and hopes for the future.

he’s also telling louis he’s giving him exactly what he wants. he’s chasing him. he knows louis is gonna sneer at him and be annoyed but come anyway. he’s saying you ghosted me after our reunion but im going on tour and you WILL be my rockstar girlfriend. you’ll kiss me (or the pink pony) before my shows as good luck. he’s saying we’re gonna be gay and proud, we’ll take over the world, cause the vampire apocalypse, scare bitches, and have fun. we own the night.

and finally for the song to end with lestat losing himself and moaning into the mic (coming, smirks) as he thinks about his chaotic plan to get louis back well… it’s just music to my ears. and i will listen to it again. and again. and again. and again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating for you lestat

signed,

your loving groupie.

#lou lou it’s so bad for you #can’t believe i just wrote meta over a fictional song PLEASE #time well spent #lestat de lioncourt #sam reid #louis de pointe du lac #jacob anderson #the vampire lestat #loustat #interview with the vampire #txt post

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rucow · 9 months ago

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some placements im soft for<3

♐ sagittarius sun: my everlasting obsession. the most magnetic people ive ever met. they're insanely beautiful and enigmatic, they fascinate me. i have no sag placements myself, so idk why im so in love with this sign, but to me they're ethereal and regal in a way. they give me a heartthrob. i adore their facial features and their personality, i love their blunt honesty. these people are majestic and special to me. also very silly.

♏ scorpio mercury: this placement could tell me to jump off a bridge and i probably would. their words and tone can have full control over other people, they have so much power in their voice! even if they speak very quietly, the impact of their words is immense. singers and performers with this placement are impeccable at delivering the most raw emotion to their audience. every time they speak, i feel like i can see and feel their soul. which makes sense, because their mercury is conjunct my moon. i feel compelled to listen to these people. they put me under a spell anytime they speak (or sing). also, i love it when they go detective mode trying to solve a ~mystery~

🌠 mercury-neptune conjunctions: ethereal, mesmerising, haunting. i noticed that a lot of singers i listen to have this placement, and you can really feel it. ive always had dreams (and nightmares) about songs written and sung by people with this placement, they're absolutely haunting in such an addictive way. they're out of this world. beautifully poetic people.

♎ libra moon: some of the sweetest people ive ever met. they're so soft and sensitive, even if they don't seem like it. somewhat of a role model to me, i looked up to them so much only to find out im a libra moon myself in sidereal astrology. i have an urge to protect these people and reassure them that their feelings are valid. they have the most beautiful smiles.

♊ gemini moon: maybe it's because my own moon is in the 3rd house, but i find these people very relatable. the amount of hate and misunderstanding ive seen them receive is plain cruel. i think these are some of the most genuine people, and i appreciate it when they speak their mind. silly factor off the charts

♑ capricorn placements (any): i haven't gotten to know you too well yet, but you're always like a breath of fresh air. im intrigued by you! i feel i have so much to learn from you.

♏ scorpio sun: the kindest most understanding people ive ever met. sure, there's been a few bad apples here and there, but so many scorpios ive met have helped me heal, even if indirectly. they've had a huge huge impact on me and im always thankful for that.

♐ sagittarius mars: i adore these people's energy. my mars is in aries but at the 9° degree (a sagittarius degree), and i feel like being around these people is so fun. very very playful people with an outstanding positive energy, they are silliness personified and i love that about them.

♒ aquarius venus: i didn't care much for this placement at first, seeing as it's my own, but looking through works written by aquarius venus artists has hit something deep inside of me. there's something sad about your heart being in this saturnian, fixed sign. it's like a prison. you fully commit to people once you think you've found "the one", and break-ups can be brutal for you. you don't show it on the outside, but your suffering shows in your art, and im sorry i didn't see it sooner. your understanding of the world is very real and fascinating, and you're such a devoted friend. ive grown to understand and appreciate this placement a lot more than i did before.

though i only talk about a few specific placements here, every sign is special in their own way. ily all, take care of yourselves 💖

#astro observations #astrology observations #sagittarius sun #scorpio mercury #mercury conjunct neptune #neptune conjunct mercury #sagittarius mars #gemini moon #aquarius venus #libra moon #scorpio sun

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thepepsislvt · 10 months ago

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nobody asked for this but im gonna give you my top 5 baby girls and their pros and cons

in order even bc im insane

this also turned out to be more of a drabbles so yall still getting fed

number 5: Sanji

Pros:

literally such a sweetheart

traumatized just like me

always coming with the best insults

best cuddles cant tell me im wrong

so fucking kind <3

supports my nic addiction

also doesnt smoke around you if you dont like it

Cons:

probably wouldnt even look at me until i show him my tits (im a trans guy)

probably smokes a pack a day

thinks he can out smoke me when im literally a feind for nic

on the off chance he gets in a relationship with me he still would flirt with other women and i have abandonment issues

Number 4: Ace

Pros:

Also very much a sweetheart

hes silly and knows how to always make you laugh

personal heater for the winter

will let you trace his freckles

best kisses ong

make cute little shapes with his flames

Cons:

probably wont let you wear his hat

will fake punch you like a brother

too damn sexy

also way too hot during the summer like do not cuddle me i will not go to sleep in the heat

Number 3: Bartolomeo

Pros:

his hair is green meaning hes gotta be a walking green flag

will let you wear his clothes

especially his jacket

wants to kiss you every chance he can

fanboys over anything

hypes you up for anything you want to do

Cons:

doesnt clean his piercings so you have to force him

doesnt understand personal space

Number 2: Rosinante

Pros:

another man that will let you wear his clothes

theyre gonna be huge since hes 9 foot 7

big friendly giant

when he trips bc hes clumsy he requires your kisses to feel better

will pick you up and carry you around if you let him

lets you help him with his makeup

always makes time for you no matter what hes doing

smile brighter than my future

Cons:

Number 1: Izou

Pros:

bro is damn gorgeous

will ask your opinion on everything when shopping for makeup

will even do your makeup if you want him to

self care king

even when youre not feeling it he will at least help you do the most basic things

very patient with only you

big on protecting you

smooches your forehead or temple a ton

has you help with his nightly routine

Cons:

has you ALWAYS help with his nightly routine

“oh im too tired can you do it yourself tonight?”

“Thats too damn bad my hair needs to shine brighter than the sun”

always looks more stunning than you (when is it my turn buddy >:( )

doing his makeup last over an hour

(this one is personal but i wanna cosplay him so bad but hes so feminine im scared i might get mad dysphoria)

thats all :)

#x reader #one piece x reader #one piece #bartolomeo #bartolomeo the cannibal #bartolomeo x reader #portgas ace x reader #portgas d ace #black leg sanji #sanji #not a vinsmoke sanji #sanji x reader #donquixote rosinante #rosinante corazon x reader #rosinante x reader #corazon x reader #izou one piece #izou x reader

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rosemariiaa · 2 months ago

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~Lines We Drew~

part: 4

pairing- Paige x Azzi

a/n: im done procrastinating , sorry for the long wait don’t be angry yk ily, next part will be longer!💌

themes: fluff, teasing,drinking

Enjoy!!!

Paige groaned, waking up to a quiet apartment. The sunlight peeked through her curtains, way too bright for this early in the morning. Rubbing her eyes, she slid out of bed, her legs heavy as she padded toward the bathroom. But as she cracked her door open, she froze.

Azzi was already awake. She was curled up on the couch, oversized Georgetown shirt falling slightly off her shoulder, her pink glasses perched on her nose as she typed on her laptop. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun, but somehow, it looked like she’d spent hours perfecting it. Paige blinked, forgetting what she was supposed to be doing as she leaned against the doorframe, just… watching her.

God, how was someone allowed to look that good so early?

Azzi glanced up and caught Paige staring. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. “You’re up early,” she teased, her voice soft but playful. “Enjoying the view or something?”

Paige almost choked. “Wha—no!” Her cheeks burned as she scrambled for an excuse. “I… I was just… bathroom!” She pointed awkwardly toward the bathroom door, clearly flustered. Azzi let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “Right. Sure, Bueckers.”

Paige darted into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her with a groan. She pressed her forehead against the cool surface of the mirror, trying to collect herself. “Get it together,” she muttered under her breath, but the smile creeping onto her face gave her away.

When Paige finally came out of the bathroom, Azzi was still there, but now, her eyes flicked up again, a mischievous look in them that made Paige’s stomach flip.

“Back for more?” Azzi teased, biting her lip.

Paige rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. “Maybe. Got something to show off?” She leaned on the counter, trying not to make it obvious how close they were standing. Azzi shrugged, leaning back and letting her eyes wander just a little. “Maybe I do.” Her voice dropped, and Paige felt her throat go dry. The room suddenly felt too small, the air too thick.

Paige let out a nervous laugh, shaking her head. “Okay, okay, stop.” She ran a hand through her hair. “I won’t survive breakfast if you keep this up.”

———-

I watched Paige retreat to the kitchen, trying not to laugh out loud. It’s honestly too easy to get under her skin. Seeing her blush like that? Kind of addictive, not gonna lie.

I stretched out on the couch, adjusting my glasses and pretending to focus back on my laptop. But, honestly, my mind kept drifting to her. That look she gave me earlier… softer than usual, almost like she was letting her guard down for a second. Not that she’d admit it.

“Can’t believe she’s still so easy to fluster,” I muttered under my breath, smirking at the thought. But there was something else going on here, something I didn’t expect. The teasing between us—it felt comfortable, natural. Like we’d been doing this forever. It’s not like we’re best friends or anything, well atleast not anymore.., but there’s a rhythm to it.

The real question is… why do I like it so much? Why do I care about her reaction? It’s just Paige, right?

————

The team slowly trickled back into Paige’s apartment. It was their day off, a chance to unwind before the big game against Villanova. Caroline was already in the kitchen with Paige, rummaging through the fridge, trying to decide on breakfast.

“I’m thinking pancakes,” Caroline said, glancing over her shoulder. Paige was at the stove, absently flipping a pancake while her mind wandered back to Azzi. The conversation from earlier still played in her head, like a loop she couldn’t turn off.

Just as Paige started getting into the flow of breakfast, Azzi walked in. The tension hit instantly. Paige noticed Azzi before she even spoke—there was just something about her presence that made the room feel different. Azzi walked over to the counter, carrying a bowl of cereal. “Mind if I crash the breakfast party?” she asked, her voice light but teasing.

Caroline, catching onto the shift in the air, grinned. “Sure, join the chaos.”

Azzi slipped into the kitchen beside Paige, and despite the casual vibe, the air between them felt charged. Too close. Paige reached for a spoon at the same time Azzi did, their fingers brushing together.

Azzi raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Careful, Bueckers. You might burn something.”

Paige rolled her eyes, trying to hide the heat crawling up her neck. “Please. You’re the one eating cereal for breakfast. Not exactly a pro move.” Azzi laughed quietly, leaning a little closer. “Cereal’s a classic. You just wish you could be as cool as me.”

“Sure, whatever you say,” Paige shot back, but her voice was softer than usual, the tension thick in the air between them.

Just then, Nika barged into the kitchen, breaking the moment. “Yo! Are we eating today or next week? Come on, I’m starving!”

Paige quickly pulled her hand away, her heart still racing as she turned her attention back to the stove. Azzi stepped back too, her smirk lingering as she headed back to the couch.

———-

Azzi’s POV

After breakfast and too many tiktok’s , we all gathered in the living room, lounging around on the couches. The conversation had drifted from stupid jokes to more random topics when KK suddenly leaned forward, her eyes lighting up like she had the best idea.

“You know what we should do tonight?” she said, her voice dripping with mischief per usual. “What’s that?” Aubrey asked, already sounding suspicious.

KK shot a grin at Caroline before looking at the rest of us. “Truth or drink.”

A chorus of groans and laughs filled the room. Caroline clapped her hands together, immediately on board. “Ooh, it’s been a minute since we did that!” Aubrey sighed dramatically. “Here we go. This is how secrets come out.”

“Exactly!” KK smirked. “Perfect game for a night like this.”

I shifted uncomfortably, my mind already racing at the thought. Truth or drink could get really intense, especially with this group. The idea of Paige and I being in the same room, having to answer personal questions, made my stomach flip. “Are we seriously doing this?” “Of course we are,” KK said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Caroline leaned in closer to me, her smile mischievous. “This could be very interesting.” I rolled my eyes, trying to shake off the unease. “I swear, you guys are gonna get someone in trouble.” Nika, who had been quietly observing, nodded her head in agreement. “I’m in. This could be good.”

Paige, lounging casually on the other side of the room, gave a small shrug, but her eyes gleamed with amusement. “Sounds fun.” Ice grinned, rubbing her hands together. “Alright, we’re doing this. Let’s get the drinks.”

Nika, Paige, and Ice quickly stood up, already making plans to head out and grab some liquor for the game. “We’ll be back in a bit,” Nika called over her shoulder as they made their way out the door.

As soon as the door closed behind them, Caroline turned to me with a grin. “Sooo… about earlier.”

I narrowed my eyes, knowing exactly where this was going. “Don’t even start.”

KK laughed, pointing a finger at me. “Oh, come on! The closeness between you and P? The spoons? That was definitely something, can’t deny it .”

I could feel my cheeks heating up. “It was nothing. You guys are just making it weird.”

Aubrey joined in, her voice full of amusement. “Sure, it was nothing. Totally normal to stand that close and brush hands twice.” Caroline nudged me, her teasing relentless. “You were all flustered. Admit it.”

I bit my lip, trying to stay calm, but I could feel the warmth creeping up my neck. “Okay, yeah, maybe it was… a little awkward.”

The girls burst out laughing, and Caroline shook her head. “A little? You were practically red, Azzi.” I crossed my arms, trying to act unfazed. “Whatever. Let’s just wait for the girl to come back and get this game over with.”

Before I could even try to explain away the moment in the kitchen, the front door swung open, and in walked Nika, Paige, and Ice. Nika came in first, waving a bottle of tequila like it was some kind of trophy. “Alright, ladies! Time to get this party started,” she said, dropping the bottle onto the table.

Ice followed behind with a mischievous grin, carrying a couple more bottles of vodka and whiskey, while Paige sauntered in last, a little smirk on her face. She held up a few shot glasses, clinking them together like she was setting the mood for something wild. My heart did a weird flip when our eyes met, but I quickly looked away.

“Hope you’re ready for some real fun,” Ice teased, setting everything down. “Truth or drink is about to get serious.” “Yeah, right,” Caroline shot back. “Azzi’s already squirming over here.” KK snorted, leaning over to nudge me. “She’s just scared we’re gonna find out something juicy.”

I tried to play it cool, leaning back in my seat. “Please, I’m not scared of you guys.”

But the way Caroline and KK exchanged looks, I knew I was in for it. “We’ll see about that,” Caroline said with a wink, which only made me more flustered.

“Let’s get this started then!” Nika poured out the first round of shots, setting them in front of everyone. “Azzi, you’re up first. Truth or drink?”

I paused, knowing whatever I chose was going to put me in a tough spot. “Truth,” I answered, maybe a little too confidently. KK wasted no time, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Alright, Azzi. Have you ever had a… steamy dream about anyone you know, recently?”

My heart skipped a beat. What kind of question is that?

The room went silent, and I felt all eyes on me. My throat tightened, and I could feel my cheeks burning. I tried to play it off, looking anywhere but at Paige, who was watching me like she was waiting for something.

“I plead the fifth,” I muttered quickly, reaching for my shot and throwing it back in one go. The alcohol burned on the way down, but it was nothing compared to the heat crawling up my neck.

The girls burst into laughter, Caroline nearly falling off the couch. “Wow, that was fast!” “Now we know you’re hiding something,” Ice teased, and even Aubrey, who was usually quieter, was giggling at my expense.

Paige, on the other hand, just smirked. “Interesting choice, Azzi.” I shot her a look, trying not to give anything away, but the way she was looking at me made it hard to focus.

The game continued, moving through some fun but uncomfortable questions, like when Ice admitted to making out with someone in the closet during a team event, or when Nika confessed to sending a nasty text to the wrong person while drunk . By the time the bottle swung back around to me, I had managed to mostly stay under the radar—until Paige leaned forward, her gaze fixed on me.

“Alright, Azzi. Truth or drink?” Paige’s voice was low, calm, but there was something playful about the way she said it. I already knew whatever was coming wouldn’t be easy.

“Truth,” I answered, despite the knot forming in my stomach.

Paige’s lips curved into that sly smile of hers. “If you had to kiss someone in this room tonight… who would it be?”

The air practically crackled with tension. Everyone’s eyes were on me again, but this time, it felt more intense. Of course, she would ask that. I blinked, my mouth going dry. I could feel my heart pounding, and it wasn’t just from the alcohol. I could either say something that would make this situation ten times worse, or I could chicken out and take another shot.

Without thinking, I grabbed the glass and downed it in one swift motion. The girls broke out in a mix of laughter and teasing groans.

“Come on, Azzi!” Caroline whined. “That’s a cop-out!” KK raised her eyebrows. “So someone in here’s got you twisted, huh?”

I just shook my head, my cheeks burning as I avoided Paige’s eyes. I could feel her staring, though, the weight of it making it hard to breathe. I was not about to let them drag me into whatever they were trying to start, not tonight.

———-

Paige’s POV

Azzi couldn’t even look at me after that.

Her quick little shot answer had the room buzzing, but all I could think about was how she refused to answer me directly. She could’ve picked anyone… but she didn’t.

I leaned back, trying to keep my cool, even though the teasing from the other girls was only getting louder. Nika was giving Ice some grief about her last answer, and Aubrey had retreated into the kitchen to grab snacks, but my focus stayed on Azzi.

She was sitting on the other side of the room, her cheeks still pink, trying to laugh along with everyone else. She looked so different from the Azzi I knew years go. The Azzi I knew on the court—more vulnerable, more… open. And it was throwing me off. I could feel this weird pull between us, something I couldn’t quite explain. But I didn’t hate it.

“You alright over there, Bueckers?” Ice asked, breaking me out of my thoughts. “You’ve been real quiet.” I shrugged, reaching for my drink. “Just enjoying the show.”

Ice laughed, rolling her eyes. “Whatever you say. You’re next, by the way.”

I smirked, setting down my glass. “Bring it on.”

Nika leaned forward, rubbing her hands together like she was about to deliver the final blow. “Alright, Paige. Truth or drink?”

“Truth.” No hesitation.

“Fine,” Nika grinned. “Who’s the last person you thought about kissing?”

The girls gasped, and I felt my stomach flip. I knew this game was supposed to be fun, but Nika’s question hit a little too close to home. My mind immediately went to Azzi—our moment in the kitchen, her teasing smile, the way she brushed me off when I was staring at her.

I bit the inside of my cheek, knowing I had to answer. “I’m not taking the shot,” I said, giving her a look that said don’t push it.

Nika raised her hands in surrender. “Alright, fair enough.”

Azzi shifted in her seat, and for a split second, our eyes met. There it was again—that unspoken thing between us, the tension, the heat. I couldn’t shake it, even if I wanted to.

———-

Azzi’s POV

I was lounging on the couch, sipping my drink and trying to keep my mind from wandering too much—especially not to Paige. But it was hard, especially with the way she’d been looking at me lately. Things felt… different. I wasn’t sure what had changed, but I knew something had.

Aubrey, who had been sitting next to me most of the night, nudged me gently. “So… you and P?”

I blinked, caught completely off guard. “What about me and Paige?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but I could feel a slight blush creeping up my neck. She had to be messing with me, right?

Aubrey gave me a little side-eye, clearly amused. “C’mon, Azzi. Don’t play dumb. You two have been all…” She waved her hand, gesturing vaguely between me and Paige. “Weird lately.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to laugh it off, but my heart was racing. “You’re seeing things, Aubrey. There’s nothing going on. Paige is just… being Paige.” “Uh-huh.” Aubrey wasn’t buying it, not even for a second. “So you didn’t feel anything when you two were practically on top of each other in the kitchen earlier?”

I groaned internally. Of course she’d bring that up. I mean, of course I felt something. How could I not? My skin still buzzed from where her fingers brushed mine. But I wasn’t about to admit that, especially not with Paige lurking around. I glanced her way, and yup, there she was, acting like she was stretching or something, but clearly trying to overhear what we were talking about.

“I’m serious,” I muttered, keeping my voice low so Paige wouldn’t hear. “She’s just messing with me. Probably trying to get in my head before the game or something.” Aubrey just smiled knowingly. “Right… Or maybe she’s trying to get into something else,” she said with a wink, making me choke on my drink.

I shot her a look, but before I could come up with a comeback, Paige wandered over, not even trying to hide the fact that she was listening. “What are you two whispering about over here?” she asked, sounding way too casual for someone who was clearly dying to know.

“Nothing that concerns you, Bueckers,” Aubrey said, leaning back with a smirk. I could feel Paige’s eyes on me, like she was waiting for me to say something, but I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction.

Instead, I just shrugged and kept my eyes on my drink. “Yeah, nothing important,” I muttered, trying to act like I wasn’t flustered. But my heart was pounding, and I could still feel Paige’s stare on me as she reluctantly turned and walked away. Aubrey shot me another look and whispered, “Told you.”

“Shut up,” I muttered, but I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.

After Paige walked away, Aubrey didn’t waste a second. “Okay, seriously, what’s going on between you two? You’re acting all weird around each other.”

I bit my lip, trying not to look too obvious. “I don’t know, Aubs. It’s complicated. I don’t even think Paige knows what’s going on, and honestly, I’m trying not to overthink it.”

Aubrey looked like she was about to say something else, but then she noticed Paige not-so-subtly standing near the door, trying to act like she wasn’t listening. Aubrey smirked and raised her voice a little, just loud enough for Paige to hear.

“Well, whatever it is, you’re both terrible at hiding it.”

I shot Aubrey a look. “Not helping.”

She shrugged, grinning. “Just saying.”

Paige, still hovering by the door, shot us a glance, like she was debating whether to come over again or not. But then Nika yelled for her from the kitchen, and she finally gave up and walked away, leaving me and Aubrey alone again. “So,” Aubrey said, lowering her voice again. “You gonna tell me how you really feel about her, or are you gonna keep pretending like you’re not totally into her?”

I groaned, sinking deeper into the couch. “I don’t even know, Aubrey. She’s just… she’s Paige. She’s annoying and competitive and always trying to one-up me. And…”

“And?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “And sometimes I can’t stop thinking about her.”

Aubrey’s smirk widened. “There it is.”

“Shut up,” I muttered, but I was smiling. Because deep down, even if I didn’t want to admit it, she was right.

#pazzi #azzi fudd #paige bueckers #pazzi fics #rosie’s roses<3

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lovelookspretty · 3 months ago

Text

not so bad

college!rafe cameron x reader au

— in which rafe and y/n absolutely despise each other in public but crush in secret. rafe is failing his humanities class & is assigned y/n as his tutor . . . maybe all it took for this relationship to form was just a bit of forced proximity and some time.

warning(s): ward cameron, slightly sexual joke between y/n and rafe

authors note: sorry for the late update again !! was rearranging my entire room for hrs n then passed tf out ( literally moved my entire pc set up + my dresser + cleaned out a bunch of stuff to make room for my vanity that im ordering im so excited )

okay oops its been like 4 days since my last update but its okay !! this was basically a filler but y/n still got to meet with rafes family + spend time with him

you’re tracing the outline of your textbook as you’re replaying the memories in your head. the café, the walk, the bench, the kiss. you blush at the thought over and over again every time you bring yourself back to it.

he smelled so good; he always does. but he tastes even better. you can still remember how his hands explored your body during the kiss, gently and carefully groping you. and his lips felt so rough against yours, with the same amount of desire that you had when you brought him back in for more.

he’s all that’s been on your mind since it happened last night. it’s embarrassing really, you just feel like a little kid who’s just had their first kiss all over again. but it wasn’t your first—first in a while maybe. but this one was also different.

if you had to be honest, if you saw him again since everything, you would go for another one. anything to feel him on you again. it’s like he’s a drug that you’re addicted to. that you can’t escape. that you don’t want to escape.

the only thing you don’t realize in the frenzy of all your thoughts is . . .

“y/n,” your professor calls out to you, knocking you out of your train of thought. you sit up in your seat and lock eyes with the man who sends you a polite smile, before he’s going back to his lesson.

. . . the world keeps spinning.

just days later, you’re snacking on cereal as you watch some youtube video. you don’t know the channel but they’re just funny as fuck. you need something to entertain you with all the free time you have that day.

aria is reading and working out at the same time behind you. ideally that sounds great, but she’s working out in the way that has her constantly moving around and changing position, making it impossible to read at all.

you don’t know why she’s still doing this. you told her it was a bad idea an hour ago but she’s persistent.

“—two, three, four—” you hear her count behind you. taking a break to just witness all that is aria, you turn around in your chair to watch her.

her hair is frizzy, sweat coating her forehead and if you look closer, her everywhere too. she’s trying her best to hold a book in front of her face to read it, but it’s obvious that she’s struggling. she’s watching a video on the workout, working out, and reading.

“baby i think you need to just focus on one,” you say as you face forward in your chair, clicking out of the youtube video to find a new one.

aria doesn’t miss a beat. she’s still moving through her toe touches. “actually,” she huffs, “studies show that multitasking—like combining physical activity with cognitive tasks—can enhance neural plasticity. it’s all about training the brain to adapt and process more efficiently under stress.”

you turn back around to look at her, and you see that she finally stops to breathe for a second. “besides, if i can master this, just think about how productive i’ll be.”

“oh yeah, i feel your productivity all over me already,” you joke as you pretend to wipe your back and flick it off your hand, like you’re cleaning off all her ‘sweat’ that got on you.

aria smacks her tongue and rolls her eyes, continuing her workout as she flips through to the next page. you’re giggling as you face forward again, only to hear some screams down the hall.

your head snaps toward your door and you glance behind you to see if aria heard it too or if you’re actually just insane. she’s just as concerned as you are.

you get up from your chair and head straight for the door in a hurry. once opened, you peek your head out carefully before spotting a few people crowding a dorm just a few doors down.

rafe and lorenzo’s dorm.

you look closer, immediately recognizing the bunch as rafe’s dad and two sisters. huh. guess rose couldn’t make it.

rafe is just in the middle of a proper handshake and hug with his dad, a grin on his face as he laughs. you can see the backside of sarah who’s standing right next to them, waiting for her turn. wheezie is curious like usual.

she’s looking around the hall but she spots you within seconds. oh fuck.

wheezie hits sarah’s arm quietly to grab her older sister’s attention. you watch as sarah looks down at her before wheezie’s whispering something. she must be trying to not make a scene about seeing you.

sarah looks across the way and sees you, her jaw dropping. “are you kidding me?” she laughs, heading right for you and completely ditching her brother.

you glance back at aria awkwardly when sarah goes in for a hug that you can’t turn down. it’s brief, thankfully, but sarah still grabbed everyone’s attention when she saw you.

you peer over sarah’s shoulder and see ward and rafe staring directly at the two of you. there’s still a small smile on his lips as he makes eye contact, you return it politely.

“no one told me you go to school here,” sarah says, her hands on her hips as ward comes over.

“sarah honey, let’s leave y/n to her business, you don’t know if she’s busy,” he’s telling her with a light guide on her arm toward rafe’s dorm again. sarah lets out a quiet ‘oh’ as ward looks to you. “it’s really great to see you y/n.”

“it’s great to see you all too, but it’s okay, leave her,” you say about sarah, your choice of words causing sarah to smile as ward raises his hands in surrender. “i’m not busy at all, but it is really nice to see you guys.”

ward joins his son again before he’s stepping inside his room. wheezie, feeling more comfortable to hangout with her sister and you, silently decides to follow sarah.

sarah’s mouth is a little open as she’s taking the sight of you in. “it’s so crazy to see you here. i mean, what are the chances?” she says, and you know that she’s referring to the fact that both you and rafe were accepted in and committed to the same university. “and your rooms are so close . . . rafe isn’t giving you a hard time though, is he?”

oh right, they have absolutely no idea that you two don’t hate each other.

“not at all, here and there maybe, but me and rafe are actually friends now,” you tell her, and you’re not surprised when sarah is.

she takes a moment to process it. “that’s actually crazy,” she says. “given how everything was back in obx, everyone kind of assumed you guys went off to college still hating each other. what? you guys are friends now? that’s amazing!”

the two of you are laughing as she brings you in for another hug, like you’re a sister to her.

you rub her back. “it didn’t happen overnight, for sure,” you say with a chuckle, and she pulls away to let wheezie say hi to you. “but it’s actually really nice to not hate someone. hi wheezie.”

she side hugs you, and you get the immediate feeling that she’s a little uncomfortable with how much she doesn’t even really know you. you let go of her and let her stand next to sarah so she feels more comfortable again.

rafe peeks past the wall, his hand grabbing the doorframe by his chest. “sarah, wheez,” he calls out to his sisters. you can hear what sounds like ward and lorenzo talking inside, very loudly you may add. sounds like they’re getting along. “dad wants me to take you guys on a tour. come on.”

sarah looks back to you. “it was really nice seeing you y/n,” she says, then holds wheezie’s hand to walk back to rafe’s dorm.

they slip past rafe to reach their dad and meet lorenzo most likely. rafe takes a moment and leaves his dorm to head over to you.

“hey,” his voice is soft as he approaches you, and you lean against your doorframe. “you doing okay?”

you hum in response, and rafe gazes down at you with a small smile.

“we have the mall later today with enzo and lara but i have something planned for us this saturday. you think you could clear your schedule?” he asks.

you tilt your head. “i think i could make some room for you i guess.”

he grins at you before leaning down to press a kiss to your lips quickly. there’s an immediate vomit noise from behind you. both you and rafe turn back to find aria done with her workouts, and she’s closing her book and tossing it aside.

“sorry aria,” he says aloud. when you turn to face him again, rafe nods at you. “i’ll text you when.”

“okay,” you murmur, and you watch as he leaves to his room again. you swear you see wheezie’s head peeking out the first second he leaves you.

you close your door and head back to your desk.

“so what, are you guys boyfriend and girlfriend now?” aria asks. you look up at her and feel like laughing to ease any thoughts. you certainly aren’t boyfriend and girls—no labels as far as you know.

but dating?

“no,” you answer, shutting your laptop and placing it on another spot on your desk. “just some really cool . . . buddies. i don’t know. we’re not exclusive or anything. i think we wanna just take it slow.”

“you think? you guys didn’t have any talk with each other?” she asks. you silently shake your head at her. she raises her eyebrows and purses her lips. “you two would make a cute couple.”

her words give you relief that it doesn’t lead to anything bad. if anything you’re happy, but it’s not something you’ve thought about before.

you can’t hide your smile that aria teases you for, so you grab your pillow at throw it at her.

‘ come outside, waiting for you ’

you set down your phone after reading rafe’s text, and you check yourself in the mirror one more time before grabbing your purse.

you walk to the door, double checking you’re bringing the right belongings with you. “i’ll see you later,” you say as you unlock the door.

aria is grinning as she kicks her foot back and forth off the edge of her bed. “have fun,” she sings.

when you leave your dorm, rafe is slowly making his way over to yours. as soon as he heard your door open, his head snaps up and his gaze falls upon you. he sends a warm look your way.

“you ready?” he asks you.

“where’s your family?” you puzzle as you and him begin walking down the hallway.

he shrugs. “they knew i had plans today so they said they wanted to go around vista heights and explore. when we get back, they wanna meet up again for dinner though so i’m gonna be a bit busy tonight.”

you nod. “that’s cute; no problem at all.”

you get into rafe’s car with the others since lorenzo claims he’s too tired from lacrosse practice all morning. it’s fun to hangout with this specific group, you’re starting to feel like, because now that you’re in rafe’s car then you and rafe are the ones in the front with lorenzo and elara in the back.

once you’ve arrived to the mall, you join hands with elara who just seems excited to be shopping with her friends.

“where are you guys going?” you ask as elara begins tugging your sleeve so you can come with her to a chic boutique nearby.

lorenzo scratches the back of his neck and shrugs, “i don’t know but i don’t wanna go in there.”

elara groans, “who’s gonna help me and tell me what looks good on me or not?”

“y/n,” the two boys say at the same time.

elara glares before letting go of you so she can walk over to them. she grabs a handful of both of their shirts and turn around. “come on, let’s go!” she says cheerfully, and she drags the guys to follow you and elara to the the shop she’s had her eye on.

“that goes so well with your skin tone,” you say as you and elara stare at yourselves in the mirror with some new clothes on. elara is posing in her corset and skirt, then she takes a look at yours. “it feels a bit tight on me.”

“we can go for something a bit more air-y!” she tells you, and she holds a finger up to tell you to wait while she hurries to her dressing room. she disappears behind the door and grabs something off the hooks on the wall, then comes back out. “good thing that i grabbed just the thing for you when we were looking earlier.”

gee, elara comes prepared, but you aren’t surprised. she makes you take the pieces and she rushes you back into your dressing room, urging that you dress quickly so you can go to the next store.

you listen to her. after locking the door, you try on the outfit she picked out for you. it’s very . . . elara energy. it’s so cute.

“i like it, i think,” you tell her as you unlock the door and step outside. elara is beaming when she sees you. “definitely more comfortable. the material might be annoying though.”

“obviously,” elara says as she guided you to the mirror in the hallway. “beauty is . . . annoyance! but i like it! plus i think somebody likes it on you too.”

you know who she’s talking about. it’s the only obvious person.

when you look at elara, you can see that she’s looking somewhere in the mirror between you. you follow her gaze and stare into the mirror. rafe is sitting with lorenzo just feet away on a seat in the middle of the dressing room hall.

you lock eyes with the boy who’s been staring at you. lorenzo is talking his ear off—again—but it’s clear that rafe isn’t listening. his focus is on you.

“he’s been staring at you since we got out of the car, eyeing you like you’re sex itself,” elara whispers in your ear, an amused look on her face as she waltzes over to her dressing room.

when you look back at rafe, your eyes soften. a blush spreads across your cheeks as you look back at yourself.

“rafe?” you call, walking over to your dressing room. lorenzo stops talking as he and rafe listen to what you have to say. “you wanna come in and help me put on my next one?”

you’re joking, and he knows it too, but you spot the way rafe lights up yet becomes dumbfounded at the same time as he watches you disappear in the room, and you can’t help but giggle once you’re alone.

@svnsetcrve @sublimepenguinpeach-blog @lalalalala33 @darkcolorexpert @babyflockaaaa @lifeofleasaasa @ilyrafe @mkiverd @wxn-drlst @maybankslover @xxbirkindoll2 @wearemadeofstardust0 @thepopcultureaddict @mounthings @ijustwanttoreadlols @karmasloverrr @lilithblackkk @drewsdirtyslut @rafesno1bae @mfdoomdickrider @pillowprincess4him @lanascokedeal3r

#rafe #rafe cameron #rafe cameron blurb #rafe cameron fanfic #rafe cameron fanfiction #rafe cameron fic #rafe cameron imagine #rafe cameron smut #rafe cameron x you #drew #drew starkey #drew starkey concept #drew starkey x you #drew starkey fic #drew starkey blurb #drew starkey fanfic #drew starkey smut #drew starkey imagine #drew starkey fanfiction

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iknowyuu · 3 months ago

Text

enha-anti

sim jaehyun x non-idol! foreign! gender neutral! reader

↝ wc: 2.301

/⟡/ in which idol! jake and worker! reader engage in convenience store antics <3 /⟡/ content: jake calls reader gorgeous, reader speaks English, reader is not korean, jake calls reader gorgeous and stunning /⟡/

REBLOGS + COMMENTS >>>> LIKES

daily click to help palestine and other important causes!

bored. completely, entirely, utterly bored. you don't think you've ever been this bored in your life.

okay, maybe that was dramatic, but it doesn't really change your case.

it was now.. 11:14pm, and you'd been standing in the convenience store for just over five hours now. this was only your third shift, and you were already starting to regret picking up a job for the summer. the dullness of the florescent white light above you, as well as the uneventful night after night was already starting to get to you.

you sighed, shaking your head to clear your thoughts as you continued stocking the shelves, trying to finish out your shift. you only had two hours left, "you can do this." you told yourself.

waking you further out of your stupor, you jumped as you heard the bells on the shop ring. you lightly yelled, "welcome in!" as you hurried towards the counter to be met with two taller men- boys? you couldn't tell, they both had black masks and hats covering their faces. one had dark brown hair and big, puppy like eyes, and the other had the same shade of brown, but with blonde highlights. "thank you!" "thanks." they both bowed lightly to you as they made their way into the store.

you tried not to pay attention to their giggles and snickers, as well as their increasingly loud conversation. you felt a little bad for eavesdropping, but you really couldn't help it! they were so loud, and you had nothing but the mind-numbing kpop playlist on loop to listen to. it was cute at first, but it got boring, extremely fast.

the two eventually showed up to the counter. the first boy, the puppy-eyed one, greeted you and placed his assortment of snacks down onto the checkout counter, making light conversation with you. "hi, how are you?" you noticed how he didn't speak korean with you, and you also noticed his very strong australian accent. "im good.. and you?" you respond in english as well. "good, thank you.. closing shift, huh?" you sigh and nod. "yeah.. we know how that is." he glanced at his friend before thanking you as you gave him his bag of items. the next boy lightly bowed, setting his items down as well, "hello.." he said, and you smiled. "hi.." you scanned his items, not noticing how you involuntary scoffed at the next song that played over the speakers.

the two the boys looked at you questionably and you waved them off. "sorry, it's not you guys. i just.. can't stand this song. it's so annoying."

the speakers continued, "hanyeoreum bamui dream.. addicted to the summer nights!"

the one with cat-like eyes laughed in shock, while the other one scoffed in disbelief and humor. "are you serious?" they exchanged looks with each other, and you couldn't help but giggle, noticing that the one with the cat eyes switched to korean, asking chincha?. "yes!" you answered in the same language. "okay look, its a cute song. one would even call it cutie. but, like, hearing it every single night, several times a night.. im starting to become an anti of.. whoever these guys are."

the puppy-eyed boy burst out laughing while the other one laughed once more in shock, "you're joking, right?" puppy boy asked as you continued bagging his snacks. "you have to be joking."

"no!" you giggled with him. "it's so insufferable. okay, ill be real, i get the hype. it's a great summer song, and im sure the choreography goes hard, but like.. the one who says 'addicted to the summer nights~' in the beginning is really starting to piss me off." you joke.

the puppy eyed boy only laughs harder, watching as this friend scoffs jokingly, crossing his arms at you. puppy boy continued laughing as he paid, before finally calming down enough to squeeze some words out. "okay, fine, you don't like upper side dreamin'. then what about ou- i mean, their other songs?"

"ha, i bet they're all as annoying as this one." you shake your head, handing him the receipt.

"okay, okay, break it up you two." cat boy joked. "what's your name?" "oh, um.." you pointed to your name tag. "[name], huh?" you smiled and nodded. cat boy grabbed his bag full of snacks from you. puppy boy jokingly elbowed his friend, "oh, yeah. that makes sense. [name] is such a hater name." you burst out in laughter. "what?" the upper-side-dreamin'-defender shrugs, walking out with his mask down to stuff a lollipop in his mouth.

"don't mind him. he's just a.. very big fan of that group." he chuckles with you, and you wave him off. "im.. you can call him ikeu. and im riki. we'll see you around?" you smile and wave, wishing him goodbye as he walks out of the store.

for once, this job didn't make you wanna tear your hair out in boredom.

⋆˙⟡

the next day, you sat at the counter, sighing in boredom once again. you looked at the time on your phone, sighing again, dramatically this time as the clock just struck 12am. "one more hour." you mumbled, leaning your head on the counter.

soon enough, you began to doze off. a one minute nap turned into five, which turned into ten. you're sure your manager would've walked in and fired you on the spot if it wasn't for the boy who walked in and poked your arm, causing you to jump. "what the fuck!?" you yelped, placing your hand over your chest.

the boy laughed mischievously, holding his hands up in surrender. "chill, hater. it's just me." you scoff. "you again? where's your friend.. riki, was it?"

he looked at you in confusion. "uh- how did you know his name?"

"oh, he told me after you told me i had a hater name." you teased.

"pfft-." he laughed. "don't act like it isn't true.. and he was too tired to come." he said as he looked around the store, walking towards the ramen section. "and.. you're ikeu, right?"

his head whipped back to you. "you know me??"

"um.. what? what are you on?" you giggled. "of course i do. you were literally here yesterday."

he breathed another sigh of relief, bring his food to the counter for you to scan. "yeah. sorry, im out of it today." you hum, glancing up at him. "..you good?" he looks down at the counter, unblinking as he ponders your question. "yeah. im good." he says softly. the mood doesn't stay down for long though, as he quickly changed the subject, running a hand through his hair. "so, upper-side-dreamin-hater, have you listened to any other enhypen songs? at the very least?"

you put a finger to your chin, tapping it. "welllll.. i don't think ive really heard any other.. enhypen?" you watch as he nods. "enhypen songs. what, are they not all as corny as that one?"

you didn't really think the song was corny. you just wanted a reaction out of him, and that's what you got.

he scoffed at you throwing his head back. "it isn't corny! do you just not like kpop at all?" he says. "are you a kpop hater?"

you scrunched your eyebrows at him. "what? of course not! i wouldn't have come to korea if i was a kpop hater. it's just that this dumb job has literally the worst playlist of all time... well, it's not that bad.. it's just, it's annoying how much we play it. it's a two hour long playlist. imagine that, except on loop, throughout a five to seven hour shift, literally every night." you giggle, looking away embarrassedly as he maintains intense eye contact, his smile growing bigger with each sentence you ramble.

he shook his head at you, "well, i think you just need to be more optimistic about it," he says, grabbing his plastic bag full of ramen. you raise an eyebrow. "im serious! imagine, some people have to listen to... edm all throughout their shifts. imagine your work boosting the bass so high that your ears are ringing at the end of every night." you sigh dramatically, crossing your arms. you whine jokingly, handing him his receipt. "that doesn't helppp!" he snickers at your display, letting out a "think about it, [name]!" before he walks out of the store.

⋆˙⟡

the following day, he's there even later than the last two days, arriving thirty minutes till you close up. he smiles at you, waving before speed walking towards the premade food section. you try not to spy on him as he throws multiple containers of ramen, gimbap, fish sticks, and random snacks into his basket, all before hauling it towards the checkout.

"hi," he says, heaving just as he places the basket onto the counter. "damn. someone's hungry." you say before quickly correcting yourself. "i mean, no judgement.." you say nervously.

he chuckles at you, waving you off. "don't worry about it," he smiles, looking up at you before looking down shyly, running a hand through his hair, hoping that you don't notice his face heating up. "it's, uh, for me and my friends," his gaze follows your hands, watching you scan each item fast and with ease. "woah. you're good at that."

you giggle, thanking him before questioning him further, "oh, really? how many of you guys?" he smiles at you, pulling out his card to swipe on the machine. "there's seven, including me." you look at him in shock. "seven? that's a really big friend group." he chuckles, nodding as he enters his pin. "huh.. i never thought of us as big. well, there's two who are older than me, uh.. then there's me, then four more who are younger. our youngest was the one with me a few days ago, actually." he flashes you another one of his pretty smiles, before grabbing the bags. "okay, i gotta go, i'm already late." he chuckles, " i'll see you tomorrow?" he smiles as you nod, lifting one of his hands, the one that has two filled bags in the palm of it, waving you goodbye as he steps out of the store.

he didn't mention that him and his members were doing a mukbang live last minute, and he volunteered to be the one to pick up the food from the second nearest, but closest open convenience store just so he could see your stunning face.

⋆˙⟡

you didn't see him for the next few days. for the first two, you thought 'maybe he's busy', and that 'maybe he's too tired to come today'. the next two, you thought that you must be delusional for imagining the spark between you two. the way he looked at you, as much as you hate to admit it, pierced your heart so deeply that you couldn't escape his puppy-like eyes. not even in your dreams.

all that's to say, you're really shocked when he stumbles into the shop, leaning onto the counter, breathing as if he ran all the way here.

"i ran all the way here," that explains it.

"um.. why?" you asked, holding back a giggle. "we don't close for two hours."

"yeah..." he pants. "wait, what?" he says. you're unable to hold yourself back, bursting out in laughter. he finds the energy to chuckle with you, putting his hand on his forehead. "no way." you laugh even harder, putting your hands on your stomach. he only laughs harder along with you, leaning both his elbows onto the counter.

your laughs die down and you speak up, "where have you been?" you ask, dramatically rolling your eyes and sighing, "my shifts have been so boring.." you pout.

he laughs, crossing his arms. "boring? but you have this amazing playlist to keep you company!" he laughs again at the way your face twists in annoyance. "really though, it's just my job. it's kind of... i don't know... it's like an on-the-call job. kinda like a firefighter, or a surgeon, except im not any of those." you laugh, giggling at the way he rambles. he looks at you tenderly, trying his hardest not to blush as he looks down again, just as his phone buzzes. all of a sudden, his calm demeanor shifts to alarm.

"oh, shit, okay," he says, quickly pocketing his phone. "so, this is really random, but i'm leaving the country in like, two hours, and i won't be back for.. at least month." your jaw dropped and you neck leaned forward in shock. "what? all of a sudden?"

he nods. "yeah.. that's why i ran here. it's, uh.. for my job," he shifts in his spot, pulling out his phone and unlocking it, opening up the contacts app. "um.. i was wondering.. if i could have your number?" he looks at you, maintaining the same intense eye contact as he (almost) always had.

"oh!" you said, shocked at his sudden question. "uh, yeah. of course." you smile, looking down and grabbing his phone. you miss the way his nervous smile warps into a reassured one. you enter your contact as '[name] (enhypen-anti)'.

he laughed at his screen as he took his phone back from you, shaking his head and sending a message. "ill send you a playlist of all of enhypen's best songs. you have to listen to it before i get back." he says, sitting up from the counter. "i have to?" you ask, raising an eyebrow and giggling. "yesss! just do it, okay? you won't be disappointed." you sigh dramatically, crossing your arms. "god...." he snickers at your display, wishing you a goodbye before he walks out of the store. "i'll see you soon, okay? stay gorgeous." he says, waving goodbye.

you smile shyly at his compliment, feeling your phone buzz.

XXX-XXX-XXXX: [link attachment]

XXX-XXX-XXXX: You're gonna love this one I swear

XXX-XXX-XXXX: And if you think it's mid then I'll take you out :) win win fr

you: deal <3

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