#but she didn't personally care about it - she just knew they did

[missadangel]

MAKE HIM DISLIKE LOVE YOU

Harry Castillo x Reader (The Materialist)

Chapter 2: Cinderella

series masterlist

Chapter Summary: You didn't expect things to turn out this way when you agreed to go on a second date with Harry. You can’t deny your feelings for him, but now you have a tough choice to make. His great personality makes every moment feel like a fairytale, but deep down, you know it has to end eventually. Warnings: 18+ (smut, MDNI) kinda romantic comedy stuff, fluffy, angst, lying, soft and caring Harry Castillo, wealth, expensive gifts, drinks, money, cars, language, sexual tension, piv sex, kissing, slow burn, power imbalance Chapter Word Count: 7k, oops (next chapter will be intense one) authors note: I'm so glad you all showed so much love and interest in this story! Thanks a ton, everyone!

In the morning—just like every other morning—you put on your housekeeper's uniform and got yourself ready for the day. Looking at yourself in the mirror, you let out a sigh. The fancy dress you wore last night was tossed over the chair behind you, a total contrast to the outfit you had on now. You smiled at your reflection, thinking about how nice it was to wear something elegant, even if it was just for a little while. But then, reality hit you, and you sighed again, remembering what had happened the night before.

Your phone buzzed as you pulled your hair back to put it in a bun. But before you could grab your phone, there was a knock on the door. One of the other housekeeper girls peeked in and gave you a look. You could tell right away that Melanie had sent her.

“She wants to see you,” she said with a nervous grin.

“Of course she does,” you muttered, walking over to your bedside table to get your phone. Before stepping out, you unlocked it to check the latest message. You usually kept in touch with your cousin Zoe, who lived in a small apartment in Brooklyn. She was the only one who reached out from time to time. It had been months since you last saw her, and it had been three years since you saw your parents, who lived in the countryside of Atlanta. However, that was okay; you and your dad had never really gotten along after your mom passed away. 

But the message wasn’t from Zoe; it came from a random number. You opened the notification and saw:

“Morning, kitty. Starting my day by hoping yours goes well.” 

It took a second for it to click who it was. 

Harry. 

Seriously? “Kitty?” He was something else, alright.

Just then, you heard Melanie’s voice squeaking out your name—like always. You weren’t in the mood to deal with Harry's message anyway, so you stuck your phone in your pocket and left the room.

Harry held his phone in one hand while sipping his morning coffee in his penthouse apartment, which offered a glorious view of New York. He was so eager for your message that he hadn’t even noticed his personal assistant, Oliver, had arrived.

“Earth to Harry,” Oliver said, snapping his fingers to get his attention.

Harry looked up, set his cup down on the counter, and leaned back in his chair. “Hey, Ollie.”

“Is there a problem? Is it bad news from the market?” Oliver asked.

Harry took a sip of his coffee and shook his head. “Never mind.”

"Looks like you haven't had time to settle in yet, huh?" Oliver commented, glancing around the flat. "Some cleaning staff from the company will be here this afternoon. I've also arranged for you to see Hudson before lunch, as you requested."

“Great, thanks,” Harry muttered, still focused on his phone, a frown on his face.

“Oh, by the way, the matchmaker called me. She wants to know how last night’s date went.”

Harry checked his watch, clearly disinterested. “Nineteen minutes. She must’ve seen my message but still hasn’t replied.”

“What did you even say? Harry Castillo waiting for a text back from a girl? Someone pinch me,” Oliver mocked, widening his eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes. 

“Was your date really that amazing? You weren’t so hyped about it before you left.”

He knew Oliver was right. This was only his second date since coming back from France, and he was starting to feel a bit desperate.

“So I guess miracles do happen,” Harry said with a grin.

Oliver folded his arms and leaned against the counter, looking bewildered. “Are you serious? You didn’t even like that girl’s résumé. You said, if I remember correctly, ‘It seems like a waste of time, but I’ll give it a shot.’”

“Even great Harry Castillo can be wrong sometimes,” Harry replied, grinning as he took another sip of his coffee.

“Wow, that’s definitely not like you, man. What did she do to you?”

Harry smiled. “I don’t know, but whatever she did, I want her to do more.”

“You’ll see her again, then. Should I cancel the other dates, or do you still want to give them a shot?” he asked.

Harry stood up, took his jacket off the chair, and put it on. “Cancel them all. In fact, I want you to clear my schedule for the next three days.”

Oliver knew what that meant. It was the same way Harry had acted the last time he had a crush on someone—clearing his entire schedule for a few days for that special girl. But, in the end, she wasn't the one. He just hoped this wouldn’t end the same way this time; he didn’t want to see him heartbroken again.

"He wants to go on a second date?" Melanie's voice echoed through the room—no, the entire mansion.

"For the fifth time, I'm answering your question. Yes, he does," you said with a grunt.

She stared at you. "Oh wow, look at her. She can joke too!"

"It wasn't a joke, but whatever," you replied, crossing your arms.

"Stop it and tell me how to get out of this," she barked.

"Should I tell you? It wasn't even my plan."

"My plan was solid until you messed it up," Melanie complained as she paced around the room.

"Is it my fault the guy likes me? I told you, this was a risky game from the start."

Melanie stopped and squinted at you. "Do you like him or something? Maybe you were flirting with him."

You laughed hysterically. "Flirting? Believe me, what I did was far from flirting."

Melanie took a moment to think before starting to pace again. "Ugh! Why then? Is it because of my name? Yeah, gotta be. He’s smart; he knows my dad is a big deal. Maybe he’s just after a marriage of convenience."

For some reason, that sounded ridiculous to you. If Harry was like that, he would have married another businessman's daughter a long time ago. He wasn’t the type to be rejected, both for financial reasons and due to his personality. He was a wonderful person. Wait a minute—why were you suddenly thinking that? Did you really hold feelings for him? No, that couldn’t be right. Besides, you needed to focus on solving the problem at hand. But then you suddenly recalled the moment he kissed you; the way his lips brushed against yours, the warmth of his hand on your skin—it was an unforgettable feeling and—

"Aren't you listening to me?" Melanie's squeal pulled you back to reality. 

You felt the blood rush to your cheeks and took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about how to get out of this," you lied. 

"There’s only one way out, and we have to do it fast, or this is going to get out of hand. Dad will be leaving for Europe this afternoon and will be away for a few days. We need to sort this out while he's gone."

That was good news, but you were still uncertain about when Harry would take you on a second date. You hoped it would be this week. Melanie picked up her phone and dialed someone. "Nate, I need you to do something for me. Meet me tonight."

Nate. 

He was Melanie's friend who always cleaned up after her, another guy with a wealthy father. Nate's father was a media mogul, and thanks to him, Melanie's dad, Jack, had managed to keep his daughter's many scandals away from the paparazzi and out of the press—that's how powerful Nate's father was. However, you really didn't like Nate. He was a wild card, the type who would hit on anything that moved. You definitely didn't want to meet him.

Fortunately, Melanie was meeting him at the club tonight, as she often did. Before she left, she warned you to find out when Harry was taking you on your next date.

You might have thought that Jack leaving the mansion would give you a sigh of relief, but his wife was even harder to deal with. She was hardly ever around, typically ignoring her daughter, yet they shared a strange closeness. They seemed more like friends than mother and daughter. Melanie had adopted all her mother’s habits. However, what her mother wanted from you was different.

“Shouldn't you be the one convincing Melanie to meet that guy? Do you have any idea who Harry Castillo is? Ugh, who am I talking to? Of course, you don't. I would love for him to be my son-in-law; it would be so good for our family. Just imagine the look on those snooty society women’s faces when they find out he’s marrying Melanie!"

She went on and on. You had to nod in response to her accusatory speeches; if you said anything negative or, heaven forbid, argued with her, she would start insulting you. Yes, this woman seemed to be aware of everything her daughter did, yet she never found fault with her. You were always the one to blame. Normally, she wouldn’t have engaged in such a long conversation with you, and you were usually thankful for that, but it seemed she was taking advantage of her husband’s absence to be bossy. It stung your pride, and in moments like those, all you wanted was to quit and leave without looking back. But you endured it patiently, surprising even yourself. Over time, you developed a method to pretend you had imaginary headphones in your ears, listening to your favorite music while this woman scolded you. Yeah, there was definitely something wrong with you.

When you finally got to your room, hoping for some peace, you undid your hair bun, letting your hair fall over your shoulders, and lay down on your bed. You took your phone out of your pocket and unlocked it. Another text was sent from Harry’s number at 5:09 PM.

"Gosh, Melanie, so you do like to talk.”

You could almost hear his voice in your head as you read the message and grinned to yourself. But then you decided to call him—not because you missed his voice -of course you did- but because you thought it wasn’t fair to leave him hanging. You needed to find out when he was planning to ask you out again.

It rang a few times, and Harry answered. "The person you're calling is unavailable at the moment, perhaps because you didn't answer his morning message." he sounded mocking and a little offended.

You couldn’t help but giggle and decided to keep it fun. “Should I just hang up then—”

“No, no, no! Please don’t hang up,” he quickly replied, his tone softening. You giggled again and heard him let out a sigh. “I heard your beautiful laugh, so I’m not upset anymore.”

You didn’t respond, but you were smiling. “Well, I didn’t reply because you called me ‘kitty.’ It sounded like you were talking to your cat.”

"That's what I was doing, kitty." He laughed.

“Seriously? Still?” you groaned playfully. “I have a name,” you said, wishing he actually knew your real name.

“But you looked just like a kitten when you were devouring that dessert, licking your lips and fingers.”

Ugh, did he really have to remind you of that? 

“And I can’t forget the way your sweet tongue touched mine.”

You swallowed, and you knew he could probably hear it on the other end of the line.

“Anyway, get ready Wednesday morning; I’ll come pick you up,” he said after a pause.

“Oh, wow. Thanks for the heads-up, Mr. Castillo.”

You heard him chuckle. “Did that sound a little bossy to you?”

“A little,” you admitted, smirking, feeling like he was right there with you instead of on the phone.

“Alright, let me give it another shot,” he said, clearing his throat. “Miss. Johnson, I was thinking of coming to pick you up Wednesday morning if you're free.” His sarcasm was so endearing, you couldn’t help but crack up.

“I know, fail on my part, right? What can I say? I don’t usually talk like that.” You were still laughing, and Harry was smiling along, enjoying your laughter. “If you’re going to laugh like that, then I should talk like this all the time.”

But then your smile faded; every time he complimented you, it hit you with guilt and embarrassment. The reason you met him, your whole situation, was a reminder that knocked you hard each time.

“Anyway, it’s probably time for you to sleep. Be a good girl and get to bed early.”

“Oh, are you gonna give me candy too, mister?” you teased back.

“I can give you all the candy in the world, just say the word, sweet girl.” His tone felt really sincere, and something inside you believed he could actually do it. 

Why was your heart racing all of a sudden?

"Good night, Melanie," he said, and another truth came to the surface that hit you like a slap in the face.

You just mumbled as you hung up the phone, "Good night Harry.”

You lay in bed for a while, phone in hand. This was not a time for dreaming or getting excited. This was not your life; you weren’t Melanie, the rich girl with a millionaire father living in luxury. When Harry discovered the truth, you knew you would be worthless in his eyes. You couldn't blame him; you wanted this and had to face the consequences. You only wished you hadn’t fallen in love with him; otherwise, you knew you would be the one hurt the most at the end of this story. 

You had never been in love before. In fact, you always thought love was something exaggerated. The relationship between your mom and dad was based on respect and loyalty—always had been. Years ago, before starting this job, you had ended a toxic relationship and moved to New York. You felt free and happy to have escaped it. You promised yourself that when you came to New York, you would shed your southern accent, improve yourself, find a proper job, and start saving money to fulfill your dreams. You were determined not to let any man into your life for a while, but you never anticipated things would unfold like this.

Rolling over in bed, you buried your face in the pillow and moaned. Why did it have to be here and not at some other rich family’s place on the Upper East Side? Just then, something happened to justify your misery: your phone rang. You instinctively knew that only one thing could call you at this hour—trouble. Melanie was out again, and you knew she was in trouble before you even answered the phone.

“Melanie?” you said.

“It’s Nate. Babe, I need you to get over here ASAP. Melanie’s totally wasted, and we had a fight. You’ve gotta pick her up and take her home.”

Babe? 

Of course, it was Nate. You sighed and pressed the phone to your forehead. “Fine, I’m on my way,” you grumbled through clenched teeth.

This was nothing new; you’d picked her up from clubs, rescued her after fights, and kept her out of the paparazzi’s sight. You’d gotten pretty good at all of it.

You quickly opened your wardrobe to change, slipping on some jeans and a blouse, fixing your hair, and leaving your room while muttering and swearing under your breath.

When the driver brought you to the club, you felt a wave of nervousness upon seeing the paparazzi gathered at the entrance. Fortunately, you were accustomed to entering through the back door of such venues, where security was stationed, and you had often seen many famous faces. The driver was familiar with the routine, so you told him to wait with the engine running while you stepped out of the car. After explaining the situation to security, you headed inside. The moment you entered, the volume of the music surged, making it difficult to hear your own voice.

As soon as you spotted Nate, you made your way over to him, pushing a few people aside in the process. You noticed Melanie was barely conscious, her head bobbing from side to side. Nate was struggling to hold her up, so you slipped under her other arm to help.

“Why'd you let her drink so much?” you whispered, trying to keep Melanie steady.

Nate shot you a confused look. “Seriously, babe? Don't act like you don't know her.”

“Whatever, the car's waiting outside,” you said through gritted teeth.

“Okay, let’s get this wasted girl out of here,” he replied.

You both managed to get outside, but your heart nearly stopped when you spotted Harry across the street by his car.

“Crap, let’s turn around,” you said, quickly pulling Melanie to the other side of the street.

“What the hell is going on?” Nate asked, annoyed.

“Harry's here,” you explained.

He glanced over and swore. “What’s he doing here?”

“Hell if I know,” you muttered.

A moment later, a guy and a girl stepped out of the same door you had come through and walked over to Harry. The girl looked just as drunk as Melanie, and to your shock, she wrapped her arms around Harry’s neck.

What the hell?

Harry said something to her, helped her into his car, and then hopped in beside her. The guy must’ve been his driver; he got in the front, started the car, and they sped off.

Nate snickered. “Looks like Harry Castillo’s on the prowl. Nice. I envy him.”

You shot him a glare. Just then, Melanie threw her head back, moaned, and violently vomited on Nate. 

Nate screamed in disgust, “Damn it, Mel! Ugh, that's disgusting!”

“Good riddance,” you said with a chuckle, wrapping your other arm around Melanie's waist while you ignored Nate’s curses as you led her to the car.

You woke up feeling a bit down. You’d stayed up way too late the night before dealing with Melanie, and seeing Harry with another woman was really bothering you. It kinda sucked, but shouldn’t you feel relieved? After all, things weren’t serious between you two. Harry was a good-looking guy, and of course, there would always be women around—that was just how it went. But how could he tell you to hit the sack early and then go out to a nightclub? It didn’t seem fair. 

But who were you to judge him, right? Maybe you should’ve just taken it as a sign to end things for good after that second date. That way, you wouldn’t have felt so sympathetic toward him, and you could have ended it decisively. Yeah, you definitely should’ve done that.

You got out of bed, put on your uniform, and styled your hair. Just as you were putting your shoes on, your phone buzzed with a message. Like yesterday, it was from Harry:  

“Wish I could be holding you this morning.” 

You sighed, whispering to yourself, “Oh, I bet you held someone else last night, didn’t you, Harry?”

You tucked the phone into your pocket, but another message arrived:

“Are you missing me? Yes or yes.”  

You couldn’t help but smile and decided to tease him back.  

“You know there are letters N and O in the alphabet.”  

A few minutes later, came his reply:  

“I’ll erase them from today.”  

How could he flirt with you while he was with another woman? Could there have been a misunderstanding? 

When you heard your name called, you stuffed your phone back into your pocket and headed out. After giving Melanie's mom the scoop on last night, you jumped into your usual tasks. You were called to help the cook in the kitchen. This happened a lot; Danilo, the Italian chef, was an amateur, but he knew his way around food.

"I'm telling you, girl, you should quit this job and start that bakery of yours. You have natural talent," he said as you sat at the counter, enjoying the sesame bread you had just baked.  

"Soon, Danilo, very soon," you replied with a smile.  

One of the girls walked into the kitchen. “Danilo, Mrs. Johnson says her eggs are too greasy. She’s watching her calories and wants them cooked low fat again.” 

Danilo sighed and muttered something in his native language. “Maybe you can take me with you when you open that bakery restaurant? Please?” he suggested, looking at you.  

You nodded, “With pleasure, chef.” You gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder and helped him prepare the eggs. 

After you took a tray to the mother and daughter having breakfast outside, your phone buzzed again. Just as you came back inside and picked it up, you heard the elevator ding downstairs. One of the housekeepers was taking a big black box with a red ribbon from a delivery guy—it was probably another delivery for Melanie or her mom, like always. But then you checked your phone and saw Harry’s message:  

“Can’t wait to see it on you.”  

You paused for a moment, then turned around and stopped the housekeeper. 

“Let me see it for a minute,” you said, examining the box. It was labeled Ralph Lauren, and a card was pinned under the ribbon. You gasped as you read the carefully written words on the card: 

For my kitty. 

“I'll take this,” you said, reaching for the box. 

The girl shrugged and handed it to you. She was accustomed to this kind of situation, but what she didn’t know was that this box had been sent to you. You felt a thrill of excitement as you walked to your room, cradling the box in your arms. There had to be an elegant dress inside. 

“Hey, stop right there!” 

That was Melanie. You did what she said and turned around, feeling a bit annoyed. Her eyes went wide when she saw the box. 

“Where do you think you’re taking that? Bring it here!” 

“It’s from Mr. Castillo; he must have sent it for the date tomorrow,” you mumbled. 

Ignoring your tone, Melanie quickly tugged at the ribbon and opened the box. 

“Oh my God! This is from the new season! It's part of the special collection! It was in the fashion show in Paris just a few weeks ago!” She pulled out the stunning black dress and held it up. “This is amazing! I have to try it on right now!” 

“But he sent it for me,” you said, frowning. 

“So?” 

“It would be rude not to wear the dress meant for me.” 

“That’s exactly what we’re looking for, silly, let it be,” she said, zipping the dress up and slipping it on. “Oh, the fabric feels incredible.” 

You couldn’t remember a time when her words or actions had hurt you this much. You swallowed hard, trying to keep all the nasty things you wanted to say to her. “So what am I supposed to wear? The great Melanie needs to wear something elegant, right?” 

She narrowed her eyes at you, looking slightly annoyed. The dress was a little loose on her. You definitely had a fuller figure than she did, and you knew you’d look way better in that dress. Maybe that was why she seemed upset. 

“I’ll let you borrow one of the Pradas I got for my birthday last month,” she said before heading over to show her mom the dress. You just stared at her, and then your gaze dropped to the card in your hand, reading again the words that Harry wrote for you. 

For my kitty. 

Wednesday morning rolled around, and you were feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The dress Melanie had given you after swiping yours wasn’t as bad as the other one he sent, but it wasn’t great either. It was strapless, a bit tight, and super long, making it tricky to walk comfortably—you could totally see why Melanie had tossed it aside. After getting yourself ready, you checked your bag and saw a text from Harry: 

"I’m outside. Don’t keep me waiting too long, beautiful."

Your heart began to race, and you could practically hear it thumping in your ears. Before you left the house, Melanie handed you a fancy jacket and reminded you, "When you get back, make sure to get rid of him for good." Her words echoed in your mind as you stepped out of the lift. This time, it would definitely be over—but not in the way she intended. You needed to act mature and honest, like a responsible woman. Regardless of what happened, you had to keep your guard up and not let your emotions show.

When you walked out the door, you froze. Harry was leaning against his car, holding a bouquet of pink roses. The moment he saw you, a huge smile lit up his face. When he spotted you, a huge smile spread across his handsome face. So much for not letting your guard down. All the resolutions you had made moments ago felt fragile, carried away by a light breeze.

As you approached him, you felt those promises fading one by one. Your heart raced to the point that it overshadowed your thoughts. When you reached him, his smile widened, and he leaned in to kiss you on the cheek. "Hi, beautiful," he said, handing you the flowers. You smiled and accepted them. 

“Thanks, that’s really sweet,” you replied, enjoying their scent.

Harry paused for a moment, checking you out. His expression changed a bit. “You know, you look fantastic just the way you are, but I have to ask—did you not like the dress I sent you?”

There it was—the question you had been expecting. It was tough to lie when you had so much on your mind. You wanted to say everything to him, everything, but you just couldn't, and you hated that.

“Harry, the dress was really pretty, and I liked it a lot, but I’m so clumsy. I spilled coffee on it, and I'm really sorry.” You looked down, feeling embarrassed.

Harry frowned when he saw the look on your face and grabbed your hand. With his other hand, he opened the car door for you. 

“Get in, kitty; we’ll grab you a new one,” he said, helping you in and shutting the door behind you. He quickly walked around to the driver’s seat, buckled up, and started the engine. 

“Honestly, you don’t need to do that,” you said as you put your seatbelt on. 

“The most important thing you should know about me, sweet girl,” he said, grinning as he began to drive, “is that I always follow through with what I promise.” He winked at you, pressing the gas pedal and speeding down the road. 

“So where are you taking me?” you asked. 

“I’d rather hear your guesses,” he replied with a grin. 

“Considering how fancy the dress was, it has to be the nicest brunch spot in New York,” you guessed. 

He chuckled. “Nope, wrong answer, sweetheart. Want to try again?” 

“Sure, but I want a hint.” 

“Not without a price. Come a little closer.” 

When the car came to a stop at a red light, you leaned in. He leaned over and kissed you on the cheek, right where you felt yourself blush. 

“Now, what’s your guess?” he asked. 

You thought for a moment. When you think of what rich people usually do for dates, a fancy restaurant comes to mind, but you had another idea. 

“Are you taking me out on your private yacht or something for breakfast?” 

He laughed. “Oh, close, but you’re off again.” 

You made a face and pouted. “Fine, I’m out of guesses.” 

“I see you gave up pretty quick.” 

“That’s not true! I just didn’t want to ruin your fun by getting it right,” you teased. 

He raised his eyebrows sarcastically, smirking as he laughed. You shrugged and shot him a cool smile. 

“Anyway, we’re almost there,” he said, looking pretty pleased with himself.

A moment later, your jaw dropped as you realized where you were. "Harry, wait, this is the airport. Why are we here?" 

He just kept grinning and drove away from the area with regular flights. Soon, he stopped the car in front of a private jet. A couple of attendants came over and opened the doors for you both. 

“Mr. Castillo, welcome! Everything’s ready for your flight, sir,” one of them said, then turned to you. “Welcome, Miss Johnson. This way, please.” 

Suddenly, you felt really nervous looking at that private jet. This was something you never saw coming. Harry walked over, putting his hand on your waist. “Come on, let’s not waste time. We’ve got dinner in Paris to get to.” 

You stared at him wide-eyed. “Did you say Paris? I didn’t even bring my passport, and I’m not sure if I'm ready for that.” 

He chuckled as he pulled you toward the plane. “Don’t worry, just trust me.” 

As you stepped towards the jet, you recognized the guy from the other night—you thought he was Harry’s driver. He smiled at you. “Miss Johnson.” 

Harry wrapped his arm around you as you climbed the airstairs and stepped into the jet. You looked around, completely in awe. You had been on a jet before, but that was just to meet Melanie when she came back from abroad. You’d never actually flown in one like this. This jet looked way more luxurious, with seats for ten or fifteen people that looked super comfy. Harry sat you in the window seat and took the one next to you. Once the door closed, the pilot reminded everyone to fasten their seatbelts, and Harry helped you with yours. 

“Feeling nervous?” he asked. 

“Not really,” you lied. It wasn’t the flying that made you nervous; you had been on scheduled planes countless times. It was just that you had never left the States before. But you couldn’t let him know that. 

The jet soon took off, and breakfast was served. It was like a meal from the fanciest restaurant. 

“Dinner, you mentioned earlier. Is it because we’ll be arriving in the evening?”

Harry glanced at his watch. “Yep. The flight’s about seven hours, and Paris is five hours ahead of New York, so we’ll get there just in time for dinner.” He smiled at you. “But enjoy your breakfast now. Try this,” he said, handing you a piece of lemon-flavored poppy seed muffin. You recognized it from Danilo and realized it was just as good. 

With seven hours to kill, you had plenty of time to chat. You also met Oliver, who turned out to be Harry’s assistant. He was nice and friendly, but to you, he was just another guy you had to keep secrets from. 

Even though you were excited to visit one of the cities you’d always wanted to see, the whole situation felt a bit sour. You were scared—scared of getting too caught up in everything and of things possibly getting out of control. The deeper your relationship with Harry got, the harder it would be for either of you to break things off, especially for you. 

You didn’t realize you had dozed off in your thoughts. You were awakened by the pilot’s gentle announcement, and when you looked up, Harry was staring at you. Was he actually watching you sleep?

"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty. We've arrived."

You quickly turned your head and looked down at the magical city below, shining in all its splendor. Then you looked at Harry. “We really are in Paris,” you said cheerfully.

“Yes, we are,” he replied with a smile.

As the jet touched down on the runway, you jolted slightly. When it came to a complete stop, Harry unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up, followed by Oliver, who came to stand beside him.

“Dinner's ready; they're waiting for you,” Oliver informed him.

"Good," Harry replied, holding out his hand to you. "Come on, gorgeous."

You smiled a little and took his hand as you both stepped out into the stunning city.

“How hungry are you now?” Harry asked as the car drove you through the streets of Paris.

“Hmm, a little. Why?”

“Firstly, I promised you a dress, and I have to fulfill that promise.”

You looked at him. “You're not one to give up easily, are you?”

Harry grinned. “You're starting to get to know me; that’s good. But I still don’t really know you, and I don’t like that. We should fix that, don’t you think?”

You sighed and turned your head to look out over the city. As much as you wanted to, how were you going to share your story with him?

The car pulled up to a street full of famous brand-name shops. Harry got out first, and then you followed. The shop that was supposed to be closed at this hour had opened up just for you. Honestly, you should have stopped being surprised by everything when you were with Harry.

Two assistants came over to help and took you to the ladies' department, bringing you a bunch of dresses to try on. You picked out a couple and modeled them one after the other in the fitting room, showing them off to Harry. After a bit, you started to complain about how tired you were of putting them on and taking them off. Harry suggested you just keep the one you were wearing since he liked it best.

“The black one is awesome,” he said. “But honestly, they all look great on you, so I’m getting them all,” he told the shop assistant. 

“Wait, all of them? But—”

Harry put a finger to his lips and gave you a playful smile, silencing you in a way that surprised you. How could he be so incredible? 

Oliver tossed the bags into the trunk, Harry glanced at your shoes. “We would’ve looked for shoes and bags too, but it’s getting late.” 

“Oh, please, I’m so tired,” you whined. 

“Alright, we’ll look tomorrow. Let’s go,” he said, opening the car door for you.

“Man, I really respect models,” you said as you hopped into the car. “They must be wiped out after those fashion shows.”  

“You’d make a great model; you know,” Harry replied.

“I’ll pass,” you sighed.

"That’s a total bummer for the fashion world," he joked, making you giggle.

The restaurant where Harry brought you for dinner was a breathtaking oasis, with the Eiffel Tower standing proudly before you like a sentinel of romance, shimmering under the glow of the city lights. A soft, warm breeze danced around you, carrying with it the sweet notes of a gentle melody that intertwined with the clinking of fine glassware. The table was adorned with exquisite dishes and velvety wine, while a charming gentleman sat across from you, creating an enchanting atmosphere that felt plucked straight from a fairy tale. In that moment, you felt like a princess swept away by magic, but deep down you were aware that when the clock struck midnight, the spell would be broken, and you would return to being Cinderella. Embracing the fleeting beauty of the evening, you allowed yourself to savor every second.

After the meal, you strolled hand in hand to the Eiffel Tower, embarking on an adventure that lovers had cherished for centuries. As you climbed higher, the city below unfolded like a magnificent tapestry, alive and vibrant, each twinkling light telling a story of its own. You couldn’t help but gaze in wonder at the breathtaking view, and Harry, equally entranced, seemed to find the beauty in you as well. Every gentle touch of his hand against yours sent a thrill through you, and whenever you noticed his intense gaze, you instinctively looked away, each moment thick with unspoken words. You sensed he was waiting for your decision, yet uncertainty clung to your heart.

"Have you made up your mind yet?” Harry asked as he surveyed the expansive cityscape laid out before you.

You turned to face him, your heart racing as you searched for the right words. The weight of the moment pressed down on you, intertwining your thoughts and emotions.

"There's something you haven't told me, isn't there?”

You met his gaze again. "What will you do if my answer is no?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Harry offered a troubled smile and sighed deeply. "I’ll be hurt for sure, but you know me—I won’t give up easily. Still, I'm desperately hoping you won’t reject me," he replied, his voice trembling. Your heart ached as you looked into his eyes. For a moment, you simply stared at each other; time seemed to slow, and the city below blurred into the background.

“So what's the matter? Is there something you've heard about me that's holding you back? What happened in the past is really in the past. I'm not that foolish playboy anymore.”

Now that he had brought it up, it was time to confront what was bothering you inside. “Is that so? I bet you never go to nightclubs either.”

He frowned at the tone in your voice for a moment. 

“You were at he club the other night with a woman—only a few minutes after you told me to go to bed early.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Wait a minute, I never even set foot in that club... Besides,  she was an old friend, not what you think. Now tell me, what were you doing there after you said goodnight to me? After you promised me you’d go to bed early?”

Oh, you were in trouble.

It was a complete misunderstanding, and you wanted to kick yourself. “I didn’t promise anything...” you responded evasively.

He pinched your chin and forced you to look straight at him. "So you've been a bad girl? I should punish you." He said in a husky voice, his fingers tangled in your hair, going for your neck, drawing you close and kissing you.

The kiss was passionate, irresistible, overwhelming; you were about to lose yourself in his hot breath but were able to stop yourself somehow. He noticed your lips remained still, and instinctively, he paused, pulling back just enough to create a breath of space between you. “There you go again,” he said, his voice deep. “You're holding yourself back, but I can see it in your eyes—you want me too.” 

You turned your head, feeling the warmth of tears pooling at the corners of your eyes, your heart racing as the battle within you intensified. 

“Don’t even try to convince me you don’t want this. What we have is real, special.”

"You are right," you said after a moment of silence. "There’s something I didn’t tell you, and it’s really tough to say. Once I open up, how you respond will really shape what comes next, and I’ve got to admit, that makes me a little nervous, Harry.”

He thought about it for a second, and then he gave you a teasing look. "Did you, like, kill someone and bury them in your backyard or something?"

You stared at him in disbelief but couldn't help smiling; he always knew how to make you laugh. After you both shared a chuckle, you took a deep breath, trying to find the right words.

Harry took your hand and looked you in the eyes. "Look, whatever it is you're hiding doesn’t really matter."

"But—" 

"No, really. When I said you were different, it may sound a bit cheesy, but I truly mean it. I really don’t want to lose you, and I know you feel the same way. So why don’t we just enjoy these next three days together? We can talk about everything when we get back to New York. And if you really did kill someone, I can arrange for a good lawyer for you.” He chuckled, and you covered your face with your hand, suppressing your smile.

“For now, just let it all out." He gently brushed your cheek with his knuckles. "All I want is to see you smile.”

You huffed, “Alright if that’s how you want to do it.”

“Yes. Now give me that cute smile of yours.”

You smiled at him, and he returned it with a bright smile. “Perfect. Now let’s head to the hotel; you must be exhausted.” He wrapped his arm around you, pulling you close.  

“Okay, thank you,” you whispered, looking at him. “For everything.”  

He drew you in even tighter, brushing his lips gently against the crown of your head. The intoxicating aroma of his perfume enveloped you, weaving an invisible bond between you. The warmth of his skin radiated against your cheek, a comforting heat that seeped through the soft fabric of his shirt, like a hidden treasure waiting to be uncovered.

After Oliver dropped you off at the hotel, he helped you with the check-in before finally answering his phone, which had been ringing for ages. “Go for Oliver."

“Can I talk to Mr. Castillo? It's urgent!”

Oliver glanced at you as you two headed for the elevator. “He's kinda busy right now,” he said. “Honestly, it seems like he might’ve finally found what he’s been looking for,” he added with a smirk, admiring the two of you from afar. “We won’t be needing your services anymore.”

“You’re not getting it—our system has been hacked. I have been trying to contact you. He needs to know about this. The woman he’s with isn’t Melanie Johnson.”

Oliver’s face shifted immediately, and he froze. “Wait, what? Are you serious?”  

"I wish I were kidding! I'm not sure how it happened, and we're still figuring it out. If he can contact me ASAP, I can fill him in on all the details. Please reach out as soon as you can."

“Tell me everything first. I’ll let him know.” He said, starting to listen to what the matchmaking agency person was saying.

Thanks for reading! I really appreciate your comments, likes, and reblogs. I'd love to hear what you think about the chapter!

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[invincibledc]

ᝰ.ᐟ𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄 𝐌𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍?

────୨ৎ────

𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐍 (𝐎𝐂) 𝐗 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐒𝐈𝐒!𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑

── .✦ Summary: obsessed clown boy versus girl boss who walks him like a dog? Wait, is that the female Robin?

── .✦ Genre: crack fic(?) idk but I wrote this

── .✦ Info: this OC is an OC I’m written for my own amusement. He’s the son of Harley Quinn and joker. Full name, Jacklyn Oswald Quinn. Jack and reader are in their mid teens, 15-17. Jack is considered canonically handsome. Reader is the twin sister of Damian Wayne.

── .✦ Word count: 1,039

Being a duo, especially another Robin with your twin brother. You were patrolling Gotham in the east, sighing as you looked over the busy streets. It’s boring, but this is what you do now for a living since your mother dropped you and Damian here to meet your father.

Leaning back with a sigh, your vision was soon taken over by gloved hands. “Guess who~,” a deep raspy voice said into your ear.

Shivers ran down your spine, you pulled the hands from you, twisting the arms of the person and forcing them onto their back.

Eyes narrowed, you see the boy joker. Son of Joker and Harley Quinn. “Jack.” “Birdy~” he purrs as he pulls his arms forward. You couldn’t help but yelp, leaning forward. You were soon on the ground as well of the roof of this building.

“Isn’t it nice to just, relax with me puddin'?” Jack says gently, wrapping his arms around your waist. You stared at the boy who gave you soft puppy eyes. You.. hated him. Is what you repeat in your head despite your fingers combing through his dyed hair.

Jack knew you couldn’t resist him, and he couldn’t be with you. “Is the big bat patrolling, or did you come out to see me, sweetheart.” You hum, facing the night sky that has cloudy skies.

“The whole gang is patrolling. And if they see me cuddling up with the son of the most crazed man ever. This might not end well.” You pull your hands from his hair, Jack has already relaxed against you. He frowned at the absence of your fingers through his hair.

“Well, fuck 'em. Keep spoiling me with all your attention birdy.” Couldn’t help but laugh, you rolled your eyes as you moved from Jack. Sitting up til you fully stand.

“I love to entertain you clown boy, but I got things to do.” You said lastly before jumping off the roof. Jack grins, looking over the roof to not see you anymore.

“Damn, she’s good.”

✦

It was another night, you were defeating some goons. A tall goon came behind you, grabbing you in their big arms. Grumbling, you gritted your teeth. “Got you, you little bitch!” The male exclaims as if his favorite football team won.

But as you go to release your arms, a king card hits the goon’s left arm. The card was sharp, apparently so sharp as the male’s arm started to bleed.

“Agh!” The goon lets you go, just to try and take the card out. But you didn’t give him as much chance as you did a spinning roundhouse kick to his face. The man was then knocked out, you picked up the card that had impaled the male’s arm.

“I think that belongs to me, babe.” Feeling arms wrapped around your waist. His heavy hands gripped your hips. You jolted, turning to face Jack who had a soft grin. “You could’ve at least told me you were fighting bad guys. Then I would’ve protected what’s mine.”

Your face felt heated up as he gave your hips another squeeze. “Get off me you clown!” flaying your arms around, Jack had gotten elbowed by you. But he didn't care, he loved it.

You could have easily stabbed him, pinned him down, hurt him, or maybe even arrested him.

But you haven't.

And he loves it.

“Calm down puddin`, let me take care of you.” effortlessly, he lifts over your shoulder. Eyes widen, shocked, you look at Jack’s back, and at the knocked-out man.

“Wait! I need to tie that guy up, so Officer Gordon can get him.” pointing to the slight bleeding man. Jack sighed annoyed, his eyes relaxed and narrowed. There's one thing he hated about you, which is your empathy. He loves it, but damn was it annoying.

“Why should we, he’s just gonna try and mug someone again.” soon Jack felt a smack at his head.

“Do it now.” your voice lowered with authority. “Yes ma’am,” Jack said lastly, complying to you. He never denies his girl, if there’s one thing his mom taught him, was to always give your hardest to get what you want. And it's you.

✦

Jason and Damian hate the boy joker, mostly Jason. Jason wants to strangle Jack. Jack could try and hide, taking off his painted face and looking normally like an average boy. His blonde hair and blue eyes stared into yours as you looked completely over him.

The ‘normal’ looking boy had equipped a rose, smiling as Jason was behind you. Glaring at Jack like a protective and angry older brother.

“Get lost kid,” Jason says pointing out more. “And If I see you close to the manor, I'm shooting you.” “Jason?!” you blurted shocked at how Jason said that. Jack rolled his eyes, “whatever old man.” Jason raised a brow. “Old man?” Jack gave you the rose simply, walking off as he waved at you.

Jason slammed the door, taking the rose from you. “Of course, you get a villain’s son to fall in love with you. I can't believe this.” you chased after Jason as he ripped the flower up. “You are Bruce’s kid.” the tanned male with scars all over his body said lastly.

Scoffing, you kicked the back of his knees, having him fall onto his face. “Shut the hell up, don't try and say that shit to my face when you’re single and miserable.” you walked past his fallen body before he got up and grabbed your ankle. Leading you to scream. “AHH!! Let go!!” you screamed for the whole manor to hear.

Damian came rushing down with a katana, “Sister! I'm here, what's the problem?” “Jason’s the problem!” you exclaimed, trying to pull your leg from Jason’s tight grip. “This little shit is dating the Joker’s son!” he shouted.

“No I'm not!” you shouted at Jason with a shocked expression, your heart racing, you turned towards your twin brother who dropped his katana in shock. His jaw was wide open before he grabbed his sword and walked past you and Jason.

“Where are you doing?” you questioned Damian who went to the front door.

“I'm out to get the head of a clown.”

“DAMIAN NO!”

[en-trashy]

Little love

Heeseung takes care of his baby alone, after some struggle his wife needs time away and he takes charge of everything.

Tw: slight suggestive almost nothing, fluff daddy Heeseung pure comfort in my opinion

6k words

It was never easy, it started without planning anything, back then Heeseung only felt how she drifted away from him, how she stopped answering or wanting to see him he waited until he couldn't take it anymore going to her apartment waiting in the rain for her to open she was coming back from the convenience store down the street when she saw him soaking wet and with an apologetic face, she quickly put her umbrella over both of them.

-I’m sorry- she looks at him confused not understanding why he was saying this- I'm sorry, I know I'm sometimes don't know when I fucked up, that I work until late night when you need me but I swear that I love you and nothing is more important to me than you're

-Hee I'm not angry with you- Heeseung always apologized for things that he even sometimes didn't knew made her upset, always wanting for her to feel loved and appreciated- let's go inside you're gonna catch cold, you left clothes here from last time

He just smiles following her letting her prepare a warm bath for both, undressing himself before help her do the same and getting both inside, his gentle hands started to caress her body, he was smiling giving kisses on her neck and shoulders so happy that she wasn't angry with him, but that relief lasted only a few minutes when she started to cry, he was petrified.

-did I hurt you? Sweetie, what's wrong?- her sobbing broke his heart and he thought only in the worst, what if someone harassed her, hurt her, what if it was him? He could never forget himself- I think I'm pregnant- Heeseung’s hands stopped completely shocked by the news, but then extreme happiness rushed all over his body.

-i'm gonna be a dad, we should definitely move together now for our baby- Heeseung back hugged her spilling some water kissing her neck with more passion- maybe we need a bigger space so he or her can grow happily and have their own room- he was blinded by the happiness that he almost didn't noticed how she cried more- what's wrong? You don't want the baby?- he felt a pinch of pain on his heart thinking about that possible escenario where she have an abortion, he could never push her to do something against her desires and even if he really wants this baby he won't pressure her to feel the same as him.

-you're not angry?

-why would I be? You want me to be angry?

-i I don't know… your career your dreams… I ruined things I should have take better care to avoid this- she cried harder scared of the future

-no, don't ever say that- he manhandled her to make her straddle him cupping her face and looking straight into her eyes- listen this and listen well… nothing in this world is more important to me than you, you're my dream, I can change career, job, house, the car, I can replace anything in this world but you, there's not a single person in the entire universe that can replace you, I don't love anyone else you're my true love I want you for the rest of my days- she was pouting looking at him Hee kissed her softly- and to be fair probably it's my fault that you're pregnant because I can't never have enough of you- he squeeze her butt shamelessly, pulling her closer to his body, feeling her naked breast on his chest making her squeak surprised

-stop now… this is serious I need you to think with your head not with your little friend

-we both know is anything but little- he wriggle his eyebrows

-you're impossible- she finally let out a sincere laugh, but soon enough her brows knit with worry- are you sure you want this baby?

- I want what you want princess, if you wanna keep the baby I'll be more than happy to be a dad, but if you don't I'll take you to a clinic- Heeseung kiss her forehead taking the body wash to help her clean her skin- since the first day we started to date I told you I was your slave that didn't change

- I don't know what I want yet

- we can figure it out together- Heeseung finished bathing both of them taking her out.

In the bedroom he started to dry her, playfully he started to touch an kiss her naked body until they ended up making love, he was so enchanted by her, reassuring her that everything will be alright, and she did believe that, how can it be wrong when everything feels safe inside his arms? The morning after that Heeseung woke up early to make breakfast for her putting extra effort to the best his cooking skills allowed him to, by the time she woke up the apartment smells like pancakes she could hear him cursing putting only a long t-shirt to cover herself, in the kitchen he was struggling flipping things in the pan making her laugh, seeing her genuine smile made him happy himself.

-good morning baby mama- he kissed her passionately

-good morning baby daddy- Heeseung blush hearing her- I just suspect that I'm pregnant the test is still on my purse ready to be done just that I'm afraid

-you want to do it together- she just nods and Heeseung takes her hand following her to the bathroom, waiting for her outside until he heard the gasp, he opened the door and found the pregnancy test with the two lines confirming his new dream come true- oh fuck we need to buy a crib a house, diapers, I'm gonna schedule an appointment for the doctor- Heeseung takes her face on his hands kissing her so passionately

- are we sure? I mean… you really want a baby?

-did you notice that I almost go out to yell everyone on the street that I'm gonna be a dad? - he said playfully and she let the worries go for now, he dropped to his knees pulling her close to him giving kisses on her belly- hi honey, it's your daddy, I found today that you're here and I can't wait to meet you, I love you, I love you so much you can't even imagine, please grow healthy mommy and I will wait for you

That melted her heart, hearing his usually carefree boyfriend to be so soft for a human being they both created, she felt safe and for the first time in the last couple days she didn't feel afraid of the future, Heeseung was there and will be for the rest of her life, she didn't have to worry.

The following months were a rollercoaster of emotions, Heeseung change completely his dream of being a singer, he left his group and was now dedicated to be a producer and songwriter for the same company, he move out of the dorms to buy a small house were they moved together, the appointments to the doctor, how she left her job as a barista when her bump was so prominent she couldn't do anything and had no other option but to take a break until the baby was born, the remodeling of the house the build up of the baby's room the small wedding they had, along with Heeseung's needy persona she didn't have a break, everything was pure happiness with small episodes of sadness, worries, emotional meltdowns, morning sickness, sore feet and back pain, but overall a constant feeling of safety, she felt it on her chest that warm every time Heeseung did something for the baby and her; then the actual labor, Heeseung cried for half an hour holding their new born, a beautiful baby boy, it was the most perfect human being Hee has ever seen.

-we made him- his tears didn't seem to stop while he carried the fragile body on his chest- can you believe that we did the most perfect little being

-don't cry Hee, he's gonna think you don't want him- she said extending her arm to wipe his tears, tearing herself seeing the scene in front of her

-never in life… daddy is so happy to finally be able to hold you my little Junghee

Things were smooth for as long as Heeseung had the paternity leave, when he have to be back at work she started to crumble down, little by little she started to feel bad about this whole thing, she didn't feel capable of taking care of herself much less another human, slowly her capacity to take care of them deteriorated, Heeseung was working extra hours because of a comeback of his ex members he was on recordings until late night sometimes coming home to find her crying while carrying their sleeping baby, he noticed how the dark circles under her eyes where prominent and noticeable, how her voice was strained of the constant crying, he knew it wasn't alright, trying to find another way to actually manage his work and family life. It was when Junghee turned 3 months old that he arrived around five in the afternoon only to find his wife curled up in a ball in bed

-sweetheart I'm home now, where's the baby- he looks around the room only seeing her, his thoughts always searching for the worst escenario

-I don't know, I can't anymore- he felt his body run cold, desperate to find his baby, but in that moment Junghee cried on his crib he ran to the baby's room quickly took him on his arms, bouncing him to pacify him, he quickly noticed the state of his son, he sighed preparing the bath for his baby cleaning him and removing his dirty diaper, he peaks at the room seeing his wife crying.

He started simple, bathing his son, changing his clothes and giving him a bottle until Junghee fell asleep he put his baby back in bed to go attend his wife, he prepared the tub for her too, making sure it's the way she likes it, back in the room he gently took her on his arms undressing her.

-let’s go sweetheart you're gonna take a bath and we'll go to the doctor

Y/n was unresponsive, letting him do anything to her crying some more feeling the lovin hands of Heeseung helping her to wash her hair, it's been days since the last time she did it, when he took her out Heeseung made sure to wrap her in the softest towel, combing her hair and dressing her up like a doll, he even put on her skincare and she couldn't help but to feel disgusted with herself, since Junghee was born she haven't take care of herself. Heeseung got her ready the diaper bag for them to go out, taking his son on his arms and his wife's hand to go to the car, he secured their baby on his chair in the back seat and also secured y/n on the passenger seat, he drives singing softly for both of them smiling at them until he parked outside the doctor, he made an emergency appointment knowing it wasn't normal the way she feels, he knows that motherhood is hard but not the point she's reaching now.

Doctor Min was a really kind and patience human, that's why he liked him and trusted him to take care of both his treasures, the doctor first examineded Junghee prescribing an ointment for the diaper rash he develop due the lack of constant changing, then y/n when she started to explain what she felt Heeseung feels his world crumbling down too, how he couldn't notice? Was that horrible as a husband and dad that he failed to notice?

-I truly love Junghee I'll never do something to hurt him on purpose…just that I can't…I don't know… I'm not ready… I'm a bad mom don't wanna be one- and she broke down there crying her soul in the doctor's office- I feel like he hates me because he knows I'm the worst can't even take care of myself much less him

The doctor listened and gave her a tissue to wipe her nose, Heeseung was bouncing Junghee to not wake him holding her hand to reassure her, he gave the prescription in bold letters on top it reads “postpartum depression” he indicated for her to take a break from taking care of the baby and pills to regulate her hormones and help her get through this, Hee stopped at the pharmacy on the way to their home buying what she needs, also stopping at her favorite place to have dinner, when Junghee woke up in the restaurant and started to complain her eyes immediately teared, Heeseung was fast and took a baby bottle from the bag feeding him.

-is okay princess see?, he just was hungry… you must be too choose whatever you like- he leans to kiss her temple

She let him love her and take care of both, even if she felt that pinch of guilty leaving all the responsibility on him, she ordered and took a few bites of her food, Heeseung started to hand feed her while eating himself and holding Junghee, smiling brightly and making silly conversation about something that happened on his work, even making her laugh a little.

-I think it would be beneficial for you to go on a break… your cousin Youngseo lives in Jeju and you haven't saw her in years, maybe you can go for a few days to clear your mind and your heart- he proposed still smiling

-but what about you? you don't wanna come?

-I have to work darling, also some alone time will help for your mental health

-Youngseo doesn't know how to take care of babies how am I going to make it alone if you stay here?- she started to panic but he hold her hand

-Junghee will stay with me, I'll take care of him

-but your work you have… you can't… I have to take care of my baby- he cups her cheek making her look at him

-princess you need to rest, what's happening to you is not something easy… I'll sort myself and work, besides I'm sure the members will be so happy to help me while I'm at the company… I haven't been fair with you I promised you that will be together to solve everything but I haven't been around that much… I can take care of my little boy while you take care of that beautiful brain of yours- he pulled her to kiss her lips softly

-what did I do to have you? To even deserve you?

-I don't know maybe being the most beautiful girl ever to lay your eyes on me even when I was a pathetic looser

-you were never pathetic

-but yes a loser… and now I look hot as a dad, don't you think little Hee?- he baby talked to their son- little Hee said yes very much- she looks at both with love on her eyes, she truly loves them just couldn't understand why she couldn't take care of her baby or herself

-i love you… just a couple days okay? And I promise I'll be fine- she leaned to kiss him

-take all the time you need, just come back to me

The next day in the afternoon he dropped her at the airport, saying their goodbyes, she was holding her baby hugging his tiny body and kissing the top of his head.

-I'm sorry I promise I love you… I'll be back to be the mommy you deserve- she gives her little son to Heeseung- please take care of him

-you offend me, you sound like I can't take care of my son- she looks at him judging her husband

-you didn't shower for three days because of a videogame I have reasons to doubt

-it was one time and before I even knew you were pregnant I changed, I'm a new man and this one is responsible of himself, his hot wife and his cute son- she giggles pulling him for a kiss

-please forgive me… I'll do things right when I come back… I love you

-you don't have to be sorry and I have nothing to forgive, I love you you're the only one that I care about… oh sorry no, the second one I care about- he looks at Junghee who is giving one of those baby smiles and babbling- he says that he loves you that he'll wait for you to be ready… now go or you gonna loose your flight

He kissed her one last time seeing her go, he hates the idea of letting her go, or be apart for longer than a work day, but he knows is the best for y/n and for Junghee, he stayed in the airport until he was sure the plane took off.

-just you and me now, I hope you trust daddy to take care of you- he got in the car securing his baby on his chair- listen you may think or be confused about why mommy left, well she wasn't at her best, but is not because she doesn't love you… in fact she loves you a lot sometimes I'm jealous because I meet her before you and I think she loves you more than me- Junghee giggle and Heeseung acted surprised- what? My own child laughing at me

He kept talking to Junghee when they arrived home, his baby was already sleeping, he took him to his crib, putting the baby monitor to start cleaning the house. How couldn't he notice the state of everything in their home? The big loads of undone laundry piling on the washing machine room, the almost empty pantry, the dirty dishes, he did everything he could accomplish before Junghee wakes up he almost finished with the laundry and vacuuming the house when the baby complained he quickly got there to hold him making him stop crying.

-oh so you like daddy's arms, well I still need to clean so you'll come with me

Heeseung searched for a video tutorial on how to use a baby carrier, to make sure Junghee will be safe while he does the housework, while his baby was in bed he was crying.

-i'm sorry, I'm doing my best okay? Just give me a second, are you hungry?- he checked twice that everything was secure before even putting Junghee on the carrier or take a step, once his baby was flushed to his chest the crying stopped- so you really like daddy's arms, do I have a little spoiled baby?- Junghee giggle and Heeseung couldn't help but to smile feeling warm all over his chest- so this is what love feels like? I felt it with your mom the first time I saw her, the same I feel with you right now- he looks at his son with deep love enchanted by him and how tiny and fragile he is, he does have the same Bambie eyes as him- so that's why your mommy tells me no to do those eyes I feel like I can do anything you ask me for

Heeseung spend solid 30 minutes just looking at his baby, caressing his soft hair and kissing his head, even hugging him and rocking him to soothe his complaining, it was until he realized about the time that he started to do the chores again hearing the babbling and baby talk even answering like if they're having a proper conversation, he was completely exhausted sitting on the couch with his baby drinking his bottle.

-my beautiful boy… are you enjoying being only with daddy? I'm enjoying very much being with you, don't let mommy hear me but I think you're the love of my life- he traced his little features with one finger, enjoying how soft his skin was looking at his Bambie eyes attentive of every move Heeseung makes

Heeseung was like an expert taking care of his little son, even if he relayed on his phone and YouTube tutorials to do things for Junghee, like washing his clothes on a separate laundry load how to apply lotion and make a baby massage to relax him and put him to sleep, he took the bassinet installing it on his room next to his bed.

-You'll be daddy's roommate until mommy comes back, to keep each other company even tho you have your own room… but I'm not used to be this lonely- he changed his onesie and rocked him to sleep before laying him down, only watching him with love eyes, Heeseung couldn't believe how eye-catching his son was.

He got himself comfortable sending y/n a message, wishing her good night and telling her how much he loves and misses her. The next morning he got up really early checking on his sleeping baby, grateful that he only woke up once hungry and for a diaper change, he showered with the baby monitor on the bathroom afraid that he might wake up and cry for being alone, as he learned yesterday he likes to be held, he got dress and even made quick breakfast and prepared a bag for the day, counting diapers and bottles when Junghee cried, but this time different more heartfelt, Hee quickly picked him up looking with worry at his son rocking him and patting his bottom, hearing his little sobs slowly changing to his regular breathing.

-what happen? Did you get scared? I'm sorry daddy didn't want to make you afraid, I was making my breakfast and yours too- his baby was cradle in his arms and he was swinging him softly he leaned to give him kisses on his hair.

Hee went to the baby's room to choose his clothes, Heeseung was so happy taking a shirt similar to one he owns looking for a matching outfit, he started to fill the baby tub to bath him, doing it with so much care making sure to hold Junghee tight enough, he never put that much of an effort to be soft with someone, he wrapped him on a towel only taping his body to dry his skin, Hee put him on the changer talking to him so he doesn't cry, once he was done he place him on the carrier to go take breakfast he gave a bottle for Junghee helping him burp after before even thinking in eat himself, he checked the time hurrying up to get on time for work.

-I didn't think that much what I'm gonna do with you, but I just know you're really well behaved you just like to be held all the time which is inconvenienti if I need to do something, but you also stay pretty well in your chair or whatever if I talk to you… guess you don't like to feel alone but I know you love daddy so much and that's why you're gonna be a good boy and behave at my office

He kissed his forehead starting to put things on his car, toys, the baby gym, the stroller everything just in case he needs something to entertain Junghee, he secured him on the car seat driving to his office, in the parking lot he found his ex members who came to say hi but we're astonished seeing his baby there too, the last time they saw Junghee was in hospital after he was born, surprised by how much he grow and overall how much he looks like Heeseung in a mini version.

-it’s definitely yours… don't miss understand I'll never put in doubt y/n but he's your copy… just much cuter- Jay said- can I hold him?- Heeseung nods giving authorization, he'll need a lot of help to take everything out from the car if he doesn't want to come up and down all those floors to the parking and to his studio.

Everyone took something to help, Jay was holding the baby careful with his head all of them went up and everything was smooth they helped put together the baby gym while Heeseung went to the cafeteria to ask for hot water to have in case his baby is hungry, when he came back he found everyone panicking giving toys to his crying son, he immediately frown.

-what did you do to my baby?

-nothing he just started cry- Sunoo said with embarrassment, Heeseung got close seeing his little son extend his tiny arms to him, he understood what happened, holding him to his chest and giving him a kiss on his hair

-you don't like your uncle's either only daddy… what am I gonna do with you?- Junghee stopped crying immediately like all those times when Hee holds him

-so he's a daddy's boy- Sunghoon looks at them with fondness

-also a mommy's boy, he just loves us way to much I like to think

-where’s y/n by the way?- Jungwon asked

-she's in Jeju, with her cousin it was a family matter and I'll be taking care of Junghee alone until she's back

The day was easy even with Junghee on the studio, his ex members went for periods of time to watch and play with the baby, even the staff, everyone was enamoured by how easy it was to be with him, how well behaved he was even when he was this tiny, by the time of his naps Heeseung improvised a bed on his sofa, putting the cushions so he can't roll and fall, he watches him sleep for sometime feeling inspired to write a song about this love he feels everytime he looks at his son, he worked on it for most of the afternoon until it was almost time to leave, Y/n called him, he answered happy to see her through the screen, she looked better, relaxed and at peace.

-hi gorgeous, how is everything going?

-hi… good I think I went to an spa today and for a walk at the beach… but- she stopped herself having this unsure feeling of share what's on her mind

-but… is okay you know you can tell me everything

-it's just I felt guilty that I'm enjoying here alone but I don't feel like this with my baby- her eyes fill out with tears

-no, don't do that to yourself… I know is not easy, but this is what you need, to relax to be alright for you and Junghee… also it's my fault too I left all the responsibility only to you- she shakes her head denying him

-you work so hard for us, I should be able to take care of him

-you work hard too… all the house work, Junghee, you… dealing with me is a lot sweetheart

-but…

-no more but… is okay to need time and space, we'll wait for you at home, besides we're also having a good time, he's a super star here at hybe, everyone come to see him do nothing just like now- he focused their little baby sleeping peacefully- I understand why they do I also just stare at him… I still can't believe we made the most perfect human

-you're not angry with me?

-no, why would I be?

-for everything I did

-what being hot? No darling that's not something to be angry for… giving me the most perfect little being? That's actually the best thing someone ever did for me… try so hard to do everything even when you weren't feeling well? That's something to admire… I'm so lucky to have you I could never be angry with you- she finally cried on the phone, but she was smiling

-i love you so much

-i love you too, keep having fun I'll see you in a couple days

The week pass, everyday with the same routine, Heeseung got so used to take care of Junghee that he couldn't imagine going to his studio without him, everyone else also was so used to see him carrying his baby that now people asked how's Junghee not him, he smiles knowing that his son stole everyone's heart with his calm demeanor and how he asked always for his dad, almost like if he wants to only be glued to Heeseung, his ex members constantly went to the studio to see his baby even taking gifts with them, from toys to baby clothes, he was spoiled there; even in the meetings Heeseung had to attend Junghee was there with his pacifier looking with Bambie eyes at everyone in the room, they made sure to not talk so harsh or yell to not upset him, everything seems to revolve around this tiny human and Heeseung feels so proud that it's his son the one everybody loves.

-what type of sorcery did your mom and I used to make you? Everyone is in love with you- he baby talked after the CEO went to check on his son, not him and the song he was producing- even my boss comes to see you and admire how cute you're

Heeseung took a break from his work to lay on the floor next to Junghee who is on his baby gym, he likes to play with him watching the new movements and sounds he makes, smiling when he babbles almost like replaying to the previous conversation. He took him on his arms and lay down with Junghee on top patting softly his back putting him to sleep, Hee did the same dozing off holding his baby and feeling complete like nothing in this world is important only this little moment, minutes later Jake arrived to see the baby but seeing the scene unfold he just snapped a pic and sent it to Heeseung with the caption I'll come back later, sweet dreams mini Hee.

When he woke up his baby was still sleeping he looks down at him kissing his head sitting carefully to not wake him, he saw the photo Jake sent putting it as his lock screen, he sent it also to y/n telling her how much he loves her, he got to work again holding Junghee in one arm cradling his body and using the other one to finish the sending of some files, he works in silence until the little complain made him look down, Junghee was slowly opening his eyes and when he focused properly first thing he saw was Heeseung smiling immediately melting complete his dad's heart.

-did you like it more to sleep with daddy?- the baby babbling came immediately- you did? You're so spoiled by daddy and you know that- the little giggle makes Heeseung smile wider- you enjoy having daddy wrap around your little finger don't you?- and like if he knew his tiny hand closed around Heeseung's finger making both giggle- yes you know and you enjoy every bit of it… guess what? mommy comes back tomorrow- the little scream of excitement melted him more- yes, she missed you so much

He video called his wife to let her see Junghee, since she haven't saw him everytime she calls he's already sleeping or playing with someone else, when she answered the strong wind of the beach and her telling them to wait makes Heeseung laugh, she went inside the cafe looking at his baby.

-hi my love- Junghee looks at the phone seeing his mom, trying to grab de screen babbling happily- you miss me? I miss you too- he babbles smiling and moving his feet excited- I wanna hold you and kiss you too… he looks so happy Hee, like he really loves me- she started to tear up

-he does loves you just like daddy does

-i miss you so much, both of you… being away only helped me to reaffirm how much you meant to me, how much I love having a family with you… that it was the right thing to keep the baby he makes me happy I was just afraid of hurting him or not being enough

-sweetheart if something I learned taking care of him is that he doesn't care he just likes to be with us, he already thinks you're the best- the happy babbling made her cry happy tears- see? He just said I love you mommy, you're the best- he focused his tiny face and just by seeing her he smiles and giggles melting her heart too

-i love you too my love, you're the most important being in my life, your dad is second

-i heard that but I'm not offended

-i talked with a psychologist here I think I wanna go to one regularly

-I’ll help you find one

-you don't think I'm overreacting right?

-you offend me again, I'll never think something like that

-you're the best that why I married you

-I though it was because of my looks and how good I'm in bed

-don't say stuff like that in front of Junghee- she blushed

-I was thinking that I wanna make another one, or just have the practice of making one- he wriggle his eyebrows

-you're like a horny teenager

-can you blame me, I haven't seen or feel my wife in days

-you still find me attractive? I saw my cousins in a bikini and she's just wow… I have tummy now and stretch marks

-yeah because you carried my baby there, you look so hot because your boobs did grew and now they're bigger… I'm imagining it and God I'm gonna have a problem in my pants- she blushed so intensely hearing how much he still desires her body, the one she sees with a lot of imperfections

-thank you

-for what? For loving my wife?- he huffs- no thank you for being this hot- she giggles like a teenager hearing her first love confess

- I love you

-I love you too sweetie… I was thinking that maybe you can go back to work at the café, maybe take a part time in the morning, I can bring Junghee here and take care while you work then you can come pick him up and I'll see you at home

-really? Can I?

-of course, you loved your job… this way we both take care of him, we both work, we have more money and weekends to go out like a family

-i'll consider it thank you… for being the best husband someone can ask for and for choosing me to be your wife and help me get through everything

-nothing to say thanks for I do it because I love you and my mini Hee

The next day he was waiting at the airport for her, with the Junghee on the carrier and he holding a sign “Heeseung's wife Junghee’s mommy” when she came down and spots them she ran to hug both of them, Heeseung holds her by the waist pulling her on his side to kiss her passionately, he didn't care who can see them or what they can think, he was so into the kiss that he only pulled apart when the babbling became little yells of excitement.

-Envious you don't want to share mommy with daddy- he laughed taking him out of the carrier so y/n can hold him

-my love how much I missed you- she kiss his head hearing his little giggle- I did missed you a lot- she hugs her tiny body crying

-don't cry he's gonna think you don't want him- he repeat the words she said when he crying when Junghee was born, wiping her tears

-never if he's the most precious thing that I have… then it's you- she smiles seeing him leaning to kiss her temple and Junghee's head

-let's go home you have to tell how your vacation went and I have to really bury my face on those titties- she gives him a smack on his shoulder, laughing

Heeseung wrapped his arm on her shoulders guiding her to their car happy to see her being herself again, to hear their baby happily reply to them and be so attached to them only, this was truly his dream come true.

Fin.

So there's baby fever in my family now, and I just couldn't help but to imagine Heeseung like this.

Also I activated my anon messages if you by any chance want to talk, thank you again little stranger for reading me.

[bl00dyfaiiry]

Save me, doctor.

-Yandere fem doctor x fem!reader

Tags and warnings: non con, fingering, character death, suicide, squirting, mommy kink, forbidden desire, no escape, yandere doctor.

BEEP

BEEP

The faint sound of the hospitals beeping grew louder as my eyes slowly opened.

The room was white and sterile, and the smell of antiseptic filled the air. My leg throbbed with a pain that was both familiar and terrifying. I tried to sit up, but the effort was futile. My body was heavy, weighing me down into the bed. A soft hand pressed against my shoulder, urging me to lie back down. "You need to rest," a calm, yet firm voice said. I turned my head to see Dr. Valerie, her brown eyes staring into mine with a mix of concern and something else.. something I couldn't quite place.

"How did this happen?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Dr. Valerie's grip tightened slightly on my shoulder before releasing. "It appears you had a fall, Y/N," she replied, her eyes never leaving mine. "You've fractured your leg. Nothing too serious, but you'll need to stay here for a while."

Her smile was reassuring, yet it didn't quite reach her eyes. There was a tension in her demeanor that made me feel uneasy. I had only met her briefly before this incident, but she seemed overly invested in my well-being. She would often visit my room, even outside her regular rounds, bringing me extra pain medication or adjusting my pillows with a tenderness that was almost too personal for a doctor-patient relationship.

"You're lucky it wasn't worse," she murmured, stroking my hair gently. "But I'll make sure you're well taken care of here."

Her visits grew more frequent, and her attentiveness grew more intense. She'd sit by my bedside, her eyes never straying from my face as she'd ask about my day, my family, my life before the accident. It was as if she was trying to fill in the gaps of what she didn't already know. I found myself telling her things I wouldn't normally share with someone I barely knew, but there was something about her that made me feel... safe. Or at least, that's what I convinced myself.

The nurses spoke in hushed whispers about her, saying she was one of the best in the hospital, but also one of the most dedicated. They said she was known for taking her patients' recovery personally, which made me feel special in a twisted way. But there was a glint in her eye that I couldn't ignore. A hunger that grew with each passing day. Her touch grew more lingering, her smiles more intimate. It was as if she was laying a trap, one that I was willingly walking into because of the pain medication that clouded my judgment.

One evening, as she was checking my cast, she paused mid-sentence, her eyes flickering down to my hand, which was resting on the bedside. "You know, I read somewhere that physical touch can help with pain relief," she said, her voice low and soothing. "Would you like me to hold your hand?"

I nodded, too tired to argue or even think about the implications of her offer. Her hand was warm and soft, her thumb gently brushing against the back of my hand. The pain in my leg seemed to lessen, if only a bit. She talked about her favorite books, her childhood pets, her aspirations to become a doctor. Her words painted a picture of a caring, dedicated individual, but there was a subtle shift in her tone, a hint of possessiveness that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

As the days turned into weeks, Dr. Valerie's care grew more personal. She would gently massage my leg, her eyes never leaving mine, her touch lingering just a bit too long. She'd ask about the people who came to visit me, and whether I liked them, if they were important to me. Her questions grew more pointed, her curiosity bordering on obsession. One day, as she was adjusting my pillows, she slipped up. "You know, it's funny how fate works," she murmured, her eyes glazed over for a moment. "If it weren't for that... little accident, we might never have met."

My heart skipped a beat as the implication of her words sunk in. "What do you mean, Dr. Valerie?" I asked, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.

Her eyes snapped back to focus on me, and she offered a small, almost apologetic smile. "Oh, just that sometimes the worst moments in our lives lead us to the people who are meant to take care of us," she said, a little too quickly. "But let's not dwell on the past. I need to check your vitals and make sure everything is okay."

The hospital had indeed grown quieter over the weeks, a fact that I had only just noticed. The nurses and other patients spoke in whispers, and the corridors echoed with a sense of emptiness that seemed to amplify Dr. Valerie's presence. It was eerie, almost as if the very walls of the building knew something that I didn't. The occasional footsteps of hospital staff outside my room were the only interruptions to the silence, and even they had become sparse.

One night, I overheard a nurse mentioning that the hospital was going to be shut down soon. Apparently, the building had been condemned due to structural issues that had been discovered. This revelation sent a chill down my spine. With each day that passed, the hospital felt more like a prison than a place of healing. The thought of being trapped here with Dr. Valerie and her increasingly erratic behavior was more than I could bear.

The quiet of the hospital was unsettling. The usual chatter of patients and beeping machines had been replaced by a heavy silence that seemed to press in on me from all sides. The few patients that remained were all on the mend, eager to leave this place behind. It was as if I was the only one who hadn't realized that the walls were closing in, that the hospital was dying along with my sense of security.

I noticed that Dr. Valerie's visits had become less professional and more personal. She would sit for hours, not just talking about medicine but sharing stories of her own, her eyes never leaving me. Her questions grew more intrusive, delving into parts of my life that even my closest friends didn't know about. It was as if she was trying to fill the void that the dwindling hospital population had left. Or maybe she was just trying to fill the emptiness within herself.

The silence of the hospital grew deafening, the creaks and groans of the old building echoing through the deserted corridors. The few nurses and patients that remained seemed to tiptoe around us, as if afraid to disturb the bubble of intensity that surrounded Dr. Valerie and me. The lack of activity outside my room only served to amplify the whispers of doubt and fear that grew louder in my mind with each passing day. Was it just the pain meds, or was there something truly wrong here?

One evening, as Dr. Valerie was updating my chart, I couldn't help but notice the way she spoke to the nurse. Her voice was firm, almost demanding, as she instructed them not to let anyone else into my room without her consent. The nurse nodded obediently, not even glancing in my direction as she scurried away. It was a subtle shift in protocol, but it didn't go unnoticed. When I questioned her about it, she waved it off as a precaution to ensure my privacy and recovery. But her eyes, they held a secret that sent a shiver down my spine.

Over the next few days, the hospital grew even quieter, the staff more scarce. Dr. Valerie was always there, her eyes never leaving me for long. Her attentiveness grew suffocating, and I began to feel like a caged bird, my wings clipped by the cast on my leg. Then, one day, the realization dawned on me—my family hadn't called or visited in what felt like forever. I tried to brush it off as the medication playing tricks on me, but the gnawing feeling remained. Something was off.

"Dr. Valerie," I asked, my voice shaking, "when was the last time my family came to visit?"

Her eyes flickered with something unreadable before she replied, "They've been busy, Y/N. They don't want to risk your recovery by bringing in any unnecessary stress or germs."

But something in her voice didn't quite match the words. It was too forced, too practiced. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was lying to me, keeping me in the dark about something important. My mind raced with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. Had she told them not to visit? Or worse, had something happened to them?

As the hospital grew quieter, so did my hope of seeing anyone else. The other patients had been discharged, and the staff had dwindled to a bare minimum. Dr. Valerie was always there, her dedication to my care unwavering. She'd bring me meals, read me books, and even help me to the bathroom, her hands never leaving my side unless absolutely necessary. It was a level of care that was both comforting and suffocating.

One day, as she was leaving my room, I caught a glimpse of something strange in her pocket—a small, folded piece of paper that she quickly tucked away when she saw me looking. Intrigued, I waited for my next opportunity to sneak a peek. When she stepped out for what she said was an important call, I reached over to her abandoned clipboard, my heart racing. The paper was there, sticking out just enough for me to pull it free.

It was a detailed schedule, not of hospital rounds, but of my life. Times of my meals, my medications, my physical therapy sessions, and the exact moments she'd come to sit with me. But what sent a chill down my spine was the note scribbled at the bottom: "Ensure no outside contact. Monitor Y/N's emotional state. No distractions." It was clear now. Dr. Valerie wasn't just a dedicated doctor. She's sick in the head.

My mind raced as I tucked the paper back into her pocket. I had to get out of here. I couldn't let her control me anymore. The pain in my leg was a constant reminder of her manipulation, her obsession. With newfound determination, I began to formulate a plan. I had to be careful; any misstep would only fuel her insanity. I needed to act normal, to not arouse her suspicion.

Each day, I pretended to get stronger, pushing through the physical therapy with a smile plastered on my face. Meanwhile, my thoughts were elsewhere, planning my escape. I studied the hospital layout, the timing of the nurse's checks, and the moments when Valerie was most preoccupied. I knew I couldn't do it alone; I had to convince someone to help me. The nurses were too scared of her, so I turned to the only person left: a janitor named Mark who had shown me kindness when no one else was around.

One night, when Valerie was unusually late for her visit, I called out to Mark. He looked surprised but quickly stepped into the room. "I need your help," I whispered urgently. "I think Dr. Valerie isn't what she seems." I showed him the schedule and the sinister note. His eyes widened in horror, but he nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll help you," he murmured. "But we need to be careful."

We plotted my escape meticulously. Mark would disable the security cameras outside my room during his next shift, and I would use the crutches to make my way to the service exit. It had to be done at night when most of the staff had gone home. The plan was risky, but the alternative was too terrifying to consider.

The day of the escape arrived, and my heart pounded in anticipation. Each time the clock ticked closer to midnight, I grew more nervous. Finally, the moment came. I slipped the crumpled piece of paper into the pocket of my hospital gown, took a deep breath, and called for Mark. He entered the room, his eyes darting around nervously before he nodded to indicate the coast was clear. With trembling hands, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and gripped the crutches, wincing as I put weight on my injured leg.

We moved swiftly through the shadowy hallways, the echo of our footsteps bouncing off the cold, empty walls. The hospital had never felt so vast and eerie. The silence was pierced only by the occasional distant hum of the air conditioning. My heart raced as we approached the service exit, and I glanced back at Mark, his face etched with determination. He had risked his job, perhaps even his life, for me, and I knew I couldn't let him down.

As we reached the door, I heard the faint sound of footsteps growing closer. Panic surged through me, and I clutched the crutches tighter. It was her—Dr. Valerie. Her eyes grew wide when she saw us, the mask of calmness slipping from her face, revealing the madness beneath. "Y/N," she called, her voice strained. "Where are you going?"

I didn't bother to answer, knowing that any words would only fuel her obsession. I pushed forward with Mark at my side, adrenaline masking the pain in my leg. We reached the exit, and he fumbled with the lock. The footsteps grew louder, and I knew she was almost upon us. "Hurry," I whispered, my voice tight with fear.

But it was too late. Dr. Valerie rounded the corner, her eyes wild and desperate. "You can't leave me," she said, her voice a mix of anger and despair. Mark stepped in front of me, his body tense. He tried to reason with her, but her eyes never left me. "Please, Dr. Valerie, just let her go," he pleaded.

Without warning, she lunged at us. The sound of her fist connecting with Mark's face was like a gunshot in the silence. He staggered back, and she pounced again, her hands clawing at his neck. His eyes bulged as he struggled to breathe, his grip on the crutches slipping away. I watched in horror as she squeezed tighter, her face a mask of rage. The crutches clattered to the floor, and the echo seemed to bounce through the corridor forever.

I tried to scream, but the sound was trapped in my throat. She was too strong, too determined. Mark's body went limp, and she dropped him to the ground, her eyes never leaving me. "You can't have her," she growled, her voice thick with malice. "You never deserved her."

Valerie's grip on my arm tightened as she dragged me back towards my room. The pain in my leg was forgotten as fear took over. I could feel her mental state unraveling, the warmth of her hand turning cold and vice-like. She was no longer the calm, caring doctor I had once trusted; she was a woman on the edge, her emotions a tumultuous storm that could sweep me away at any moment. The way she spoke, her voice rising and falling with the ferocity of a tornado, was chilling.

"You don't know how much I care for you," she whispered in my ear, her breath hot against my neck. "How much I need you to stay with me."

Her hand slid up my arm, her grip loosening slightly as she pulled me closer. I felt a shiver of revulsion, but also something else. A strange, dark thrill that I hadn't felt in a long time, a feeling that I knew was wrong but couldn't help but acknowledge. She leaned in, her eyes searching mine, and for a moment, I saw the woman she had once been—kind, gentle, caring. But the madness had taken her, and there was no going back.

Her breath was sweet, tinged with the faint scent of antiseptic. She whispered, "I know you feel it too," her voice a seductive purr. "The connection between us." Her thumb traced a line along my jaw, and despite myself, I felt a flutter in my chest. "Let me take care of you," she said, her voice dropping to a murmur. "I'll make sure you never feel pain again."

Her hand slid down to my neck, her fingers tracing the pulse point that hammered in time with my racing heart. The heat from her body was suffocating, but I couldn't pull away. It was as if she had some sort of hold on me, a power that I didn't fully understand. "You need me, Y/N," she breathed, her eyes searching mine. "And I need you."

The air grew thick with an unspoken tension as she leaned closer, her lips brushing against my cheek. The line between comfort and fear blurred, leaving me dizzy and disoriented. I felt a strange warmth spread through me, a reaction I didn't anticipate. Was this what she wanted? To control not just my body but my very thoughts and feelings? The realization was both terrifying and exhilarating.

Her hand slid from my neck to the collar of my hospital gown, her eyes dark with an intensity that was difficult to resist. Her gaze searched mine, looking for any hint of permission, any glimmer of willingness. I could feel her breath against my skin, and for a moment, I was torn between the urge to push her away and the curiosity that whispered, "What if?" Her thumb grazed my collarbone, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. The pain in my leg was a distant memory, replaced by the heat of her touch.

"Don't fight it," she murmured, her voice a sweet seduction. "Let me heal you, inside and out."

Her hand traveled lower, tracing the line of my collarbone to the hollow of my throat. My breath hitched, and I could feel the warmth of a blush spreading across my cheeks. The rational part of me screamed to resist, but the part that craved the pain to end was drawn to her touch. She leaned closer, her lips hovering just above mine. "You know you want this," she whispered, her eyes a dark pool that I was dangerously close to drowning in.

Her thumb caressed my bottom lip, and she leaned in to kiss me, her mouth pressing against mine with a desperation that sent a shockwave through my body. Her kiss was demanding, possessive, and I could feel her hunger for me in every stroke of her tongue. I tried to push her away, but my arms felt like lead, trapped by the crutches and the haze of the pain medication.

As our kiss deepened, Valerie's hand traveled down my body, her fingers dancing along my side, leaving a trail of heat wherever they touched. She pulled away briefly, her eyes searching mine for any sign of protest. When she found none, she took it as encouragement, her hand moving to the waistband of my hospital gown. She gently tugged it down, exposing my chest to the cool air of the room.

Her touch grew bolder as she cupped my breast, her thumb circling my nipple. I gasped, a mix of pain and pleasure shooting through me. The shock of the intimacy washed away the last of my fear, and I found myself responding to her touch, my body betraying the screams of my mind. Her kiss grew more insistent, and she pushed me back onto the bed, her weight pressing down on me.

Her hand slid down to my thigh, her fingers digging into the soft flesh. She whispered sweet nothings into my ear, calling me her "good girl," her "perfect patient." It was as if she had become my mother, my lover, and my captor all rolled into one. The realization was jarring, but the warmth of her hand against my skin was undeniable. The pain in my leg was forgotten, replaced by the ache between my thighs that grew with every passing second.

Her hand moved further, brushing against the fabric of my underwear. I should have felt violated, but instead, a strange warmth spread through me. Her eyes searched mine, looking for any sign of resistance, but all she found was a mix of confusion and need. My body was responding to her touch despite the horror of the situation, and it was like watching a train wreck—I couldn't look away, even though I knew it was wrong.

Valerie's voice grew softer, more tender. "You're mine," she whispered, her breath hot against my ear. "Mine to heal, mine to love, mine to keep." It was like a twisted lullaby, and my body seemed to melt under the weight of her words. Her hand slid under the fabric, her fingers finding their way to the sensitive folds of my sex. I bit my lip to stifle a moan, my mind racing with the wrongness of it all, but my body arching into her touch.

Her eyes searched my face for any sign of protest, and when she found none, she grew bolder, her fingers moving with more purpose. She stroked me slowly, almost gently, whispering sweet nothings about how much she cared for me, how she'd always be there to protect me. It was a strange, twisted form of comfort, and I found myself responding, my hips moving in time with her touch. Her thumb brushed over my clit, and a bolt of pleasure shot through me, making me gasp.

Her hand grew more insistent, her strokes more confident as she played my body like a finely tuned instrument. "Good girl," she murmured, her eyes dark with a mix of lust and something that looked eerily like love. "You're doing so well for mommy." The words sent a shiver down my spine, but the sensation was too intense to push away. She leaned down to kiss me again, her tongue delving into my mouth as her hand worked its magic. It was wrong, so wrong, but the pleasure was too intense to deny.

Her other hand slid up my thigh, pushing the fabric of my underwear aside. The coolness of her fingers against my skin was a stark contrast to the heat that was building within me. She slid a finger inside, and I couldn't hold back the moan that escaped my lips. She smirked, knowing she had me in her thrall. "You like that, don't you?" she whispered, her voice thick with satisfaction. "You're going to come for mommy, aren't you?"

I tried to shake my head, to find the strength to push her away, but my body had other ideas. It was as if I was under a spell, unable to resist the dark allure of her touch. My hips bucked against her hand, and she chuckled softly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Look at you, so eager," she murmured, her voice a sweet, twisted symphony of madness. "You need this, don't you?"

Her fingers worked me expertly, pushing me closer and closer to the edge. I felt like I was drowning, but instead of fighting for air, I was fighting for release. The orgasm built within me, a crescendo of pleasure that was laced with fear. I couldn't help the whimpers that escaped my lips as she brought me closer and closer to the brink. "That's it," she cooed, her eyes gleaming. "Come for me, baby."

And just like that, I did. The world around us shattered into a million pieces as I climaxed under her touch, my body arching off the bed. She watched me with a hungry expression, her eyes never leaving mine as I rode out the waves of pleasure. When it was over, she pulled her hand away, her eyes never leaving mine. She leaned down and kissed me softly, her tongue tracing the seam of my lips. "Mine," she murmured, her voice a possessive growl that sent a thrill through me.

But then, just as quickly as it had come, the pleasure was replaced by horror. I saw the madness in her eyes, the reality of what was happening crashing down around me. "You can't have me," I whispered, pushing her away with all the strength I could muster. "Please, stop."

Valerie's expression twisted into something unrecognizable, a mix of anger and despair. "You don't understand," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You're mine. I can't lose you."

Her grip on my arm tightened as she leaned closer, her eyes searching mine. But instead of finding the love and devotion she craved, she saw only fear and horror. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and for a moment, I almost felt pity for her. But then she did something that would change everything.

With a sudden jerk, she pulled a scalpel from her pocket. The cold metal glinted under the harsh hospital lights, and I realized that she had been holding onto it the entire time. "You're mine," she repeated, her voice a desperate whisper. "Always mine."

Panic surged through me as I tried to scramble away, but my legs, weak from disuse, wouldn't cooperate. Her grip was like iron, keeping me in place. She brought the scalpel to her own neck, her eyes never leaving mine. "You don't understand," she said, her voice thick with unshed tears. "If I can't have you, no one can."

The world moved in slow motion as she pressed the blade to her skin. I could see the tremor in her hand, the doubt in her eyes. "Valerie, no," I whispered, my voice barely audible. But she didn't listen. She was lost in her own delusions, her mind consumed by the madness that had been festering for so long.

With one swift motion, she drew the scalpel across her neck, the sound of tearing flesh echoing through the room. I screamed, my eyes wide with horror as blood spurted from the gaping wound. Her eyes never left mine, a look of pained acceptance crossing her features as she crumpled to the floor. Time seemed to stand still as the crimson pool grew around her, the smell of copper thick in the air.

The sound of pounding footsteps grew louder, and suddenly, the door burst open. Cops flooded the room, their eyes wide with shock at the sight before them. They rushed to Valerie, but it was too late. They looked to me, and I could see the questions in their eyes, but all I could do was shake my head, tears streaming down my face. I couldn't tell them the truth, not like this. Not now.

They secured the area, checking for any other threats, but there were none. It was just me, the lifeless body of Dr. Valerie, and the weight of what had just happened. The room spun as they helped me off the bed, the pain in my leg forgotten in the face of the horror. The crutches lay discarded on the floor, a symbol of the escape I had so desperately sought.

The cops led me through the hospital, their expressions a mix of shock and concern. The quietness was now pierced by the sirens outside, a stark reminder of the reality that was crashing down around me. Mark lay unconscious in the hallway, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for involving him. But he had chosen to stand up to Valerie, to help me. He was a hero, even if he didn't make it out unscathed.

As we reached the exit, the cool night air hit me like a slap in the face. The world outside was alive, oblivious to the horror that had unfolded within the hospital walls. The cops helped me into the back of an ambulance, their gentle touches a stark contrast to Valerie's possessive grip. I watched as they tried to revive Mark, their faces grim as they worked.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder with every second that passed. The hospital had become a crime scene, a place of nightmares rather than healing. I could see the flashing lights through the window, a chaotic dance of blue and red that painted the night sky. My heart raced, not just from the adrenaline of the escape, but from the fear of what was to come. Would they believe me? Would they understand the depths of Valerie's obsession?

The cops ushered me into the ambulance, their faces a blur of concern and confusion. They asked me questions, but I could only murmur responses, my mind reeling from the events of the night. The doors slammed shut, and we sped away from the hospital, leaving the horror behind. The cold night air was a stark contrast to the stifling warmth of the hospital, and it brought with it a sense of relief and a newfound hope for freedom.

As the sirens grew faint in the distance, the reality of what had happened began to settle over me like a heavy blanket. Valerie was gone, but the memory of her touch lingered on my skin, a ghostly reminder of the twisted love she had claimed. I watched the hospital shrink in the rearview mirror, feeling a mix of grief and relief. She had taken her own life rather than let me go, a final act of desperation that cemented her madness in my mind.

As the ambulance pulled away, I watched the hospital grow smaller and smaller in the distance, the sirens a mournful wail that seemed to carry the weight of the world. I was safe, but the cost had been too high. Mark was still back there, fighting for his life because of me, and Valerie... Valerie was gone, lost to the madness she couldn't control. The thought of her lying in a pool of her own blood was almost too much to bear, but I knew it was what she had wanted. She had chosen this path, and there was no turning back.

The cops had asked me questions, but I had given them only the bare minimum. I couldn't bring myself to tell them everything, not yet. The words felt like bile in my throat, a confession that would only serve to tarnish her memory further. They had found the note, the one that had started it all, the one that had led to this twisted dance of obsession and fear. It was a confession of her love, a declaration of her madness, and now it was evidence of a crime. But what crime had she really committed? The act of loving too much? The desperation that had driven her to this?

The news reports were already rolling in, a constant barrage of speculation and half-truths. They talked of Dr. Valerie, the dedicated doctor who had taken her own life in the abandoned hospital. They spoke of her as a tragic figure, a woman who had been pushed to the brink by the weight of the world. They didn't mention me, the girl she had tried to keep, the girl who had ultimately been the catalyst for her downfall. It was a small mercy, but it didn't change the fact that she was gone.

Days passed in a blur of pain and medication as I lay in my own bed, surrounded by the warmth and safety of my family. The TV in the corner of the room was a constant reminder of the world outside, the news playing on a loop. Dr. Valerie's face, twisted in agony, haunted the screens. The reporters painted her as a tragic hero, a doctor who had lost her mind trying to save her patients. They talked of her dedication, her kindness, and her gentle touch. But they didn't know the truth, the darkness that had lurked behind her smile.

My mother held my hand, her eyes filled with worry and love as she watched me struggle to come to terms with what had happened. She didn't know the extent of Valerie's obsession, the lengths she had gone to keep me within her grasp. I couldn't bring myself to tell her, not yet. The words felt heavy, a burden I wasn't ready to share. Instead, I listened as they spoke of the hospital's closure and the subsequent investigation. The whispers of foul play had been silenced by the narrative of a doctor who had simply snapped under pressure.

The news reports painted Valerie as a martyr, a tragic hero who had given her all to her patients and lost herself in the process. They talked of her tireless work ethic, her dedication to her craft, and the lives she had saved. The public had latched onto the story, weaving it into a tapestry of sorrow and loss that didn't quite fit the reality of her madness. In their eyes, she was a saint who had made a terrible mistake, not the monster that had held me captive and tried to take my innocence.

[clarissaweasley-10]

This was in regards to Alisa sneaking Avery out of the hospital. I'm honestly exhausted with the lack of understanding that comes with Libby relationship with Drake . Libby was in an abusive relationship but when Libby was actually in a place where Drake couldn't get to her she didn't have any contact with him . Same with her father when she confronted him and she found out the truth that he was manipulating her to get to Averys money she not only cut him off from her life but also changed her appearance so that she could be seen as more "respectful" .

The villainsing of Libby is actually insane . Libby was still the person who took care of and kept Avery alive for so many years . Thea and Rebecca purposefully endanger Avery but they aren't hated because have become used to blaming victims for being stuck in abusive /manipulative situations while disregarding the nasty actions of the privileged

Libby actively fought for Avery and it's exhausting when people point out her mistakes . Do people choose to forget how much Libby gave up when she chose to live in Hawthorne house. She was holed up in there because she was convinced that her look would be too damaging for Averys image

I know this is long but it's getting frightening on how many times I'm seeing the victims of horrible relationships be blamed and made out to be the villain because they want to defend someone else who is in a much more privileged situation

EXACTLYYY!!! OMG I AGREE WITH EVERY WORD RIGHT THERE. Like Libby is SUCH an underrated character, she deserves SO MUCH more. We dont talk about Libby's trauma enough, firstly, theres the matter with both her parents. It is canon that Libby's mom was mentally abusive and didnt give a care for her child, and her father-well he deserves no special introduction. It is also heavily implied that Libby only received love at Hannah's and then her mom took that away from her as well. I have said this before, but victims of parental abuse are more likely to end up or continue in an abusive relationship cuz thats what they are used to. They were made to believe that they are worthless and are horrible people, when in reality the problem lies in the parents. Considering her upbringing and all that she's gone through, Libby could have ended up being a bad character who hated the world, BUT SHE DIDNT. Although she was never provided with any, Libby refused to believe that the world was devoid of love. Rather than being a sociopath, she started to give others the love that she never received. When Hannah died, Libby had zero obligation to take Avery in, as she wasnt exactly financially secure either- but she knew what would happen to her little sister if she was left with R*ck and decided to step in, even when she could've done nothing. IF THIS ISN'T A PROOF OF HOW AMAZING LIBBY IS THEN I DONT KNOW WHAT IS. She was ready to give up everything for Avery, and she did give up everything for Avery. No one even acknowledges the fact that Libby literally gave up her life to be with Avery- like hello?? She was at a new place where she stuck out like an alien in the midst of weird people (and cowboys 😉😉) without knowing what was going to happen next, continuously manipulated by her parents and bf aand being disrespected by someone she doesnt even know. I'm not an Alisa hater, but l can never justify or forgive her for the things she said to Libby (might make another post on it.) But did you hear Libby complain about it even once? no right. why? because even then her top priority was Avery. justlookathowselflessthiswomanishowcanyouhateheryoucows.

Tbh l wish we had more bonding scenes between Avery and Libby, cuz they're the ultimate power sisters in my opinion, and honestly, l loved the bits we got of just them being themselves... AND LIBBYNASH IS JUST MWUAHHHH. Nash is literally the most perfectest perfect man for Libby, because after all that she's gone through, she deserves a man who treats her like the goddess she is and worships the ground she stands on. And Nash too deserves someone to make him feel like he's enough and deserves love too. THEY ARE THE BEST AHHHHHH!!!!

[fuck-customers]

🌱

Had the worse work day at this job. I couldn't even force myself to stay the last half an hour before close because I had been forcing myself to stay on the up and up since before lunch (12pm for me). I even took breaks away from the commotion to try to calm myself down but that only helped for a few minutes before somethin else happened that brought me right back to the 'I'm literally so close to loosing my shit on the next person who mildly annoys me that my stomach hurts'.

It's been a months long dog pile but Friday and Saturday really just lit the metaphorical shit on fire with gas. I feel like I've been gettin the shit end of the stick for months now, prob since before November-any problem or error comes back to me either to fix it or it's somehow 'my fault' in the first place. Friday was the whole label debacle, my money manger told my other 2 coworkers who completely failed to tell me that info, which the lady making the labels gets miffed with me but I atleast knew that wasn't aimed *at* me cause we were both really frustrated with the label thing. But then MM calls the shop cell (we don't have walkie talkies), I answer it cause I'm usually at the register and she tells me that she told my other 2 coworkers who were supposed to tell me the info, so now she's frustrated, I'm mad, the lady labels is miffed, no one's happy, my other 2 coworkers are ignorant. When MM was talking to me it sounded like she was chewing me out, which I didn't take well cause it wasn't my fault that NEITHER FUCKIN COWORKER told me the info, so now I'm mad at my coworkers for not telling me, which in turn makes the label lady miffed, ect...

Later I told the LL that MM chewed me out for my coworkers not telling me I had to send her, LL, a list of names and quantity, not just a set number of generic lables to print which what I was originally told. Which I guess LL told MM, cause later MM texts me that she wasn't trying to be mean to me and that she didn't want me to think she was coming down on me. Even thou it really felt like that in the moment.

Then today, Saturday, a guy asks for help for trees and shrubs and stuff. I don't know the details about that kinda stuff, like quantity, care, what we carry esp for trees, so I try to call 2 guys in the garden to come up and help him out. Which my other manager, my supervisor, has said to do, call one of the guys up to the front to help a customer. Neither answer their phone, so I tell him no one's answering so your best bet is to find a guy already out there. Apparently that wasn't the right thing to do. He does go back there thou, maybe like 10mins later he briskly walks back leaving, we ask if he found anyone, he says somethin like 'no one who was interested to help', and he's already gone, nothing I could do to make him turn back. I ask the owner to tell the one guy who didn't answer to get his phone cause he has a history of not gettin his phone and letting it die. I also tell her about the guy who left, to which she says 'why didn't I walk him back there to find someone'. Like. I'm not a sales associate. Why should I have to walk 5 acres of land to find 1 out of 2 guys to do their damn job. And if I don't find one then what? I can only bs my way for so long. No I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to plants but idk what trees we have and I can't drive him next door on the golf cart to show him either. Besides the gact that I probably dont have permission to do that, idk how to drive a golf cart. From then on out it's like anythin that can go wrong with somethin or just somethin annoying did go wrong. Customers complaining, managers complaining, coworkers avoiding doing work. The thing that finally broke me was when the LL called and said that the same guy who's phone is always conveniently dead (my words not hers) had tagged off her plants for her client and he just tagged them off for my client. Her client hadn't payed for them yet thou and she said he can explain to him that he waited too long and lost the sale, but like, it still fucked me over. I told the phone dead guy who immediately gets mad at me saying why I told her. I didn't tell her shit! I told her 160 tibuchina were tagged off for an install, which is standard protocal to text in the delivery group chat of what is going to be delivered+installed. He says he saw the tag and tagged his, not hers, but he continues to go on and on and at one point goes 'do you think I'm blind?' I KNOW YOU ARE. He is literally colour blind!! For all I know he could have easily missed the green+blue striped tag in the leaves! I didn't snap at him thou and had to walk away, but I still couldn't calm down which led to the whole crying sobbing and leaving early.

I talked to the owner a bit before leaving cause I texted her I was leaving, which I maybe shouldn't have done, I should have just not told anyone and they can figure it out when they see me punched out early and not being around the last half an hour to close, but I figured I would be courteous and give her a heads up if no one else. I didn't bother letting my coworkers know that I was leaving. Fuck them. She ended up seeing me as I was walking to the front end to get my work bag from the register area, we talked a bit but it doesn't feel like anythin really came from it. She said she would talk to the other girls too but my supervisor has had TWO meetings about the same shit, and they clearly don't care. They're gonna do whatever they want cause I'm the one who carries the front end while they go off in lala land not having to do the little they do up front.

I don't even want to go into work tomorrow even thou I said I would. I'm not looking forward to it. I'm not looking forward to interacting with my coworkers who can't help, avoid doing work and can't tell me shit, or the MM who I'm sure the supervisor has told that I was crying in her office, or the phone dead guy who kept getting mad at me all Saturday cause I threw him under the bus finally about not having his damn phone charged for work even thou it's been a months long problem with him. Thou he won't be at work Sunday so atleast there's that. I still have to make sure he didn't tag LL plants thou.

TL;DR Worse work day of this job ever, I feel like shit, I cried alot, I get in trouble for shit that isn't my fault and the straw finally broke the camels back Saturday. I don't want to go into work Sunday and if I didn't have bills I wouldn't. Wish me luck I guess.

Posted by admin Rodney

[leon-stupid-kennedy]

Clarification: I'm not saying that Leon disliked Krauser. I'm not saying that Leon believed Krauser was a bad person. I'm not saying that Leon actually completely forgot Krauser existed.

I think my title also may have been a tad bit misleading. Because I think Leon did care about Krauser to an extent during the mission. He cared in a professional capacity. Krauser is Leon's team that's backing him up on a very important mission, so Leon isn't nasty to him and is concerned when Krauser's injured, because Krauser's wellbeing has a direct effect on the outcome of Leon's mission.

My point is that, to me, the game indicates that Leon was less emotionally attached to Krauser than other people he knew previously.

Yes, in OG RE4 Leon was surprised to see Krauser. He's upset. He thinks Krauser was a good man and is surprised he's working for Saddler. Again, he's upset by that development. I am aware of that because I have played RE4, not just Darkside Chronicles. That simply does not contradict my post. I believe Leon just didn't think about Krauser after OJ, he just never crossed his mind. Krauser is going to feel more significant to the audience than to Leon, because we don't get to see every mission Leon's ever been on. We don't know how many partners Leon has had. To Leon, Krauser wasn't significant, just another partner.

But not thinking about Krauser doesn't mean Leon wouldn't be affected by seeing Krauser again in RE4. To attempt to come up with an example to illustrate my point... I have no emotional attachment to, say, my middle school social studies teacher, haven't thought about her in years until trying to pull out an example for this post just now. She wasn't significant to me. But if I saw her tomorrow, I'd still recognize her. I'd even say I'd probably feel upset and betrayed if she was now a serial killer or something. (Okay that example got a little absurd) Leon didn't know how nuts Krauser already was by the end of OJ, he thought he was just a regular dude, of course he's surprised to run into him again in The Middle Of Nowhere, Spain and upset to learn he's with the insane cult now. That's an insane situation to be in! Imagine you had a coworker you worked just a few shifts with and thought was pretty normal. Then you moved to another continent. And you run into that former coworker again and now they're in a cult. It doesn't really matter how much you cared about them, you're still going to be affected by that, because, again, insane situation!

I'm not trying to say original Metaltango isn't valid and people shouldn't ship it. I just personally think that it's a very interesting dynamic worth exploring, even without a shipping a lens, and would love to see content about it. Yes, you can come up with scenarios where it's logical to ship them in the OG OJ, I have things I personally ship that are significantly more difficult to make sense logistically than OG Metaltango, but you also don't have to ship them together to make it interesting! I just want to see more of the dynamic with Leon as Krauser's superior, whether there's shipping involved or not.

Leon truly did not care about Krauser at all originally.

I've talked about some of the differences between original and remake Operation Javier before, since then I've thought more about the ending and it's dawned on me just how little Leon cared about Krauser. (This doesn't conflict with anything in my first post, it's just an addition that didn't occur to me until more recently.) Comparing his "relationship" with Krauser to everyone else that meant something to him in DSC, it's clear that Krauser was not someone he was at all emotionally attached to. Krauser was obsessed with Leon from the start, every thought he had during that mission connected to Leon, he thought that they had some sort of weird bond and Leon was attached to him too, when that's very clearly not the case.

Looking at Memories of a Lost City… Leon quickly becomes attached to everyone. Claire's instantly his ride or die partner, he wants to help her find her brother and get out of the city. They encounter Sherry, she runs away from them. Leon is hell bent on finding and rescuing this little girl he doesn't know and saw for like 2 seconds, to the extent he kicks a damn door down when Sherry crawls through an opening too big for him to go through. (Of course Claire was also hell bent on helping Sherry too, this post is just focused on Leon.) Ada is incredibly sketchy and doesn't want Leon's help, but Leon's instantly attached and wants to follow and help her, although he does prioritize Sherry over Ada and chooses to look for Sherry instead of Ada when forced to make a decision.

And of course after making it out of Raccoon City, Leon is willing to stay behind with Sherry so that Claire is free to keep looking for her missing brother… Then ends up agreeing to be a government slave in order to keep Sherry safe. He's willing to sacrifice so much for someone he barely knows.

Moving on to Game of Oblivion, which is the strongest part of my argument and has the most direct comparisons to make to how Operation Javier ends. We learn that Leon's selflessness didn't stop at him becoming a government agent for Sherry, he also used that position to help Claire and Chris. He had never met Chris before, and yet one of his first thoughts was apparently "I now have access to resources that can help me find Chris Redfield, the missing brother of the girl I knew for a day." He is able to find Chris, only to learn he can't tell Claire because now she's missing. Naturally, he just starts trying to locate Claire next. Citing the relevant Game of Oblivion Leon narration (emphasis mine):

Once Chris disappeared from the Mansion incident he was near impossible to track down. But using my newfound position in the government, I eventually discovered his location. I would have contacted his sister, but she was a ghost herself. So I turned my search over to Claire then, and eventually learned of her confinement on Rockfort Island. I shared this information with Chris. And he asked me to arrange a rescue mission before he set off on his own to find her.

The big takeaway here is that when someone Leon cares about, either directly like Claire or even indirectly with Chris, goes missing, he does not rest. He does everything in his power to find them. (Honestly, I think he also would have put extensive effort into finding Ada again if she hadn't faked her death.)

And he did nothing when Krauser disappeared! From the cutscene The Return, the normal good ending OJ cutscene (emphasis mine):

Manuela was later taken into custody by the U.S. government. She was put under strict surveillance... But so far there have been no reports of any changes to her body. Krauser's arm never fully healed and he was forced to leave the army. Where he went, no one knows.

Why did Manuela never lose her conscience? Was it something genetic? Or was she sustained by this land that's so rich with life? The virus continues to grow. Altering its form, strengthening perpetually. until the day it can be destroyed... In our bodies... in our souls.

Krauser went missing after the mission. Just like Chris was missing, and Claire was missing. But unlike with Claire and Chris, Leon just doesn't care. At all. Doesn't care enough to try to find Krauser, despite the fact he'll chase after and track down people he barely knows. Doesn't care enough to even speculate what may have happened to Krauser. He does not care. He's far more concerned about the mysteries of Manuela's infection than he is about Krauser's fate. He knows that Manuela is alive and well, and he's still more concerned and curious about her than he is Krauser, who for all he knows could very well be dead in a ditch somewhere.

If Leon had remotely cared about Krauser, I would have expected his ending narration to have something more like "Krauser's arm never fully healed, and he was forced to leave the army. After that, he mysteriously disappeared without a trace. I used every resource at my disposal to try to find him, but came up empty handed. To this day, no one knows where he went or what happened to him." The fact he didn't say anything like that, just briefly mentioned the fact Krauser disappeared before continuing to talk about Manuela, is very telling. Operation Javier and being partnered with Leon was a pivotal moment in Krauser's life, that mission was life changing for him, he was forever changed by it. But for Leon? Operation Javier was just another mission. It wasn't special. It didn't change the trajectory of his life. Krauser wasn't special, Krauser was just another random stranger he was forced to work with for a day.

I guess I'll close this with a thought I've had regarding original vs remake OJ recently… Despite genuinely preferring the DSC RE2 retelling to RE2R and having fun with OJ, I used to think that the remake Krauser/Leon mentor/rookie-actually a strong bond that wasn't one sided thing was better than the original dynamic. Krauser was creepy and obsessed with Leon, but Leon also admired Krauser and looked up to him as his mentor. But the deeper I get into the original dynamic and analyze it, the more it grows on me… Leon actually being in a position of power over Krauser but mostly treating him like an equal, Krauser clearly thinking he's more experienced than Leon and should be in charge, the fact Krauser rearranged his entire life because of Leon and was obsessed while Leon pretty much just moved on after the mission and forgot about him, there's plenty of compelling stuff there. It's not the long-term, more two-sided mentor and student relationship the remake presents, there's not really room to insert any type of shipping, logistically speaking (at least not anything mutual– Krauser was weirdly obsessed and definitely would have been down for some sex, but 1. Leon would not be interested and 2. The fact they were only around each other for a single mission, and weren't just alone together, they had Manuela with them, they wouldn't have had an opportunity even if Leon was interested.) compared to the longer term relationship the remake presents, but that doesn't mean there's nothing there worth exploring!

[tj-crochets]

Hey y'all! I am in the mood for some new (to me) music. Do you have any recommendations for songs that make you want to dance? No limits on genre or language, but if you're sending me a link to a specific music video please give me a heads up if it has flashing lights (if possible). Thanks!

[faerietothe-otherside]

His hand wrapped around her neck before she could blink, and for only a moment, Rangi felt afraid. It was just base instinct, not only for anyone who wanted to keep breathing, but moreso for a banshee, who's entire being tried its hardest to protect the throat. Without it, a banshee could not scream. Her body grew stiff, she felt his cold skin against her own, squeezing. Not hard enough to choke her, but enough to make her vision speckle for a moment, wonder if later she'd look in the mirror and see bruises in the shape of his hand. Her hands had reflexively come up to grasp at his wrist, but within seconds, her grip grew slack and she let them drop. She didn't care if he killed her, anymore. And that wasn't a good thing. She knew that wasn't a good thing. She didn't think she cared about that, either.

His hand wrapped around her throat and her eyes rolled back into her head as another vision played in her head. Another hand against another throat. A knife. A grin. Pain, fear. It shocked her body stiff. Her vision came back slowly, he was still standing above her, telling her he knew what it felt like. No, no he thought he did. Just like Rangi would never know what it felt like to die, he could never know what it felt like to lose the person he loved most. She sputtered, grabbing her throat to rub at it, curling on her side to breathe easier.

"You still have her," was all she said to that. He still had Leyla and he would always have Leyla. Rangi had lost the only person that she'd ever loved before. She'd watched him die in her arms. She'd lost him for good and she'd never have him back.

Her arm was burning as she tried to finally sit herself up, though not willingly. She just didn't want him to touch her anymore. She didn't want to see anything else right now. Her head was pounding already, mostly due in part to the multiple visions now floating around it. And a face, a face so familiar, a face she swore she'd seen before, but couldn't place right now. She blinked it all away.

She sat up but didn't move further. Her arm was in pain and her feet were throbbing along with her head. She'd walked so far away from her house this time. Why had it led her here? "You should leave," she mumbled, seeing the agitation in him as the blood dripped down her arm, "no one wants you to eat fae blood."

"No, species is what makes me a killer, doesn't it?" he scoffed, it wasn't as if he was the only one who had taken a life here, "I'm not the one full of it." Even if he had been anything else, any other species, or even still human it wouldn't deter the fact that he inherently a bad person that did not deserve anything of what he had now, her or anyone else don't need to say it. "I know who and what I am. I don't try to hide from it." At least not anymore. There had been times where he wished to be human again, where he felt like that would be the be all and end all of the emptiness that came with being turned into but it had existed far earlier than that, his turning was a cause for change in way because somewhere along the line he had grown accustomed to it and shaped the idea he had of himself.

"At least I'll be meeting someone's expectations then," he shot back not actually caring what she had to say about this anymore. "You were born with your abilities, yes? Well, I had to die for mine. This isn't mourning, it's annoyed resignation. Fate fucked us both in different ways." He knew since he had been a child that he didn't have a long stretch of life before him, end, by either him taking matters into his own hand or having met with some incident, would cut it short, but the way it had happened could not be predicted nor expected, and when it had come down to the end, to the moment where him and death would finally meet there was a heavy feeling of not like this.

Ken rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck in hopes to rid himself of this excess anger and displeasure that began to grow as this conversation went along. He had half a mind to walk away too, leave her there to pick herself or stay - he didn't fucking care, just anything to place much needed distance between them and this whole mess but in his hesitation the slap took him entirely by surprise. Her tears didn't register. Her shouts didn't help. Head snapped around to face her, eyes glazing over with fury and without much thought his hand wrapped around her throat in a flash, "I told you to stop talking." Ken didn't know what she saw with this contact, but a vision played in his own head of him being in this situation… of him on the ground and Lucien on the other side with a hand around his throat and knife in the other repeating the same thing as he had just done. The memory faded as quick as it came, Rangi's face replaced his own, but when he looked to the hands, his own ones reflected back. That didn't faded to someone else. A shiver of disgust ran through him at the sight causing him to recoil. Lucien's grin, that hatred in his voice echoed much like his own had in this moment.

"Fuckkkk." With a shudder Ken stood up, a sharp exhale was an attempt to release his own repulsion but that didn't work as well as he had hoped, thoughts still swirled on what he had done, on what she had the guts to do.

It took a long time to register what she had said but slowly things filtered back, sounds.. words.. place.. time.. He focused on one thing at a time. "I do know what it feels like," Ken said, "Yes I still have her, but I know what it's like." Almost. He had almost lost her so many times, held her while she bled out, held her despite hearing her bones break, that sound would forever haunt him. And even now, there was an uncertainty, she was in the hospital with god what knows what illness and here he was alive and well. It didn't seem fair. Eyes found hers, tone turning gravely quiet, "I wish I could feel. Something. Anything. There's nothing other than apathy for me." Anger came and went, simmered low most of time though, existed just to keep him alive. "So cry. Feel. Don't let yourself turn into this," he pointed at himself, "There'll be no hope otherwise."

Ken walked away from not at all expecting that she actually start crying, but when the smell of blood hit him, that distance grew crucial. "Fucking brilliant." Tonight was not the night where he wanted to tempt fate and throw consequences to the wind, at least not more so than already. Seating himself on the bench, he pulled out his cigarette case pressing a stick to his lips. Wasn't that how it went? Curb one craving with another? A human vice to replace this immortal hunger was not on the same playing field but he wasn't so stupid to feed from a fae either. A couple attempts to light were made, hands still shook slightly causing grip to slip but eventually he struck and smoke filled his lungs as he breathed in deeply.

To find her still on the side of the road when he opened his eyes a few seconds later caused him to frown. "Get up. Are you going to stay there all night? Ten seconds. Or I will pull you up by the scruff. Let's not get to that stage, okay?"

[amelikos]

"Maybe they actually liked their pseudonyms, after all?"

[nobodieshero-main]

i'm actually still not quite over the fact that oveta and korahi's stories continuously overlap until they finally cross paths in that market. that they don't even say anything to each other, they just smile from their different stalls. oveta rolls her eyes bc kova is being ridiculous and korahi bites her lip so she doesn't laugh and it's so simple, so peaceful, so fucking mundane. they have no idea who the they are to each other. oveta, the girl who killed the queen that destroyed korahi's people, her family. proof that someone tried to fight for them. korahi, the very creature that oveta was almost executed for defending, the push that became a shove to build her own kingdom and write her own laws. proof that nakia failed. but for just that moment, that blip of time, they were just two girls sharing a silent joke, and everything was okay.

[ofgrenvde]

The teasing accusation about the bathroom made her blood run hotter than it already was. "Oh please, like you weren't sending me those bedroom eyes across the entire store," she countered, trying not to focus on where his hands rested. His touch was distracting in the best possible way. She really did want him all the time now, which was a problem considering their circumstances. "And no, I wouldn't actually throw you under the bus. That's not how marriage works, even secret ones." She wondered if she'd ever get used to calling him her husband, even in private. "'Top bloke of the competition?' That's what you're going with?" She couldn't help enjoying their banter almost as much as the physical contact. His cologne was doing that thing to her brain again, making it hard to remember why they needed to be careful. 

"My professional reputation is still intact, thank you very much. It's just my personal decisions that have gone off the rails." The truth was, she didn't regret a single moment—even with all the complications. When he mentioned spinning their disaster into a fairy tale, she almost believed they could pull it off somehow. "We are definitely both insane. But I'm okay with that if you are." She could hear people moving around nearby, reminding her they weren't alone. The Sanchez charity event wasn't the place for this. Too many eyes, too many people who knew them both. "We should probably stop before someone walks in," she said reluctantly. "Meet me at home later? Where we don't have to worry about getting caught?" She gave him one last kiss, slow and promising, before forcing herself to pull away. "I'll be waiting." With a deliberate wink that only he would catch, she walked toward the door, making sure he got a good view of her leaving.

She's got quite the nerve, trying to pin this on him. Though watching her maintain that innocent act whilst pressed against him like this makes his brain go properly fuzzy. "Your spotless reputation? That's rich coming from the woman who dragged me into a bathroom at the shops last week." The memory still makes his blood run hot. Proper ironic how she plays the innocent now, considering she can't keep her hands off him either. Her skin feels brilliant under his fingers, making it bloody difficult to focus on clever responses. The whole marriage certificate bit gets him right in the chest - proper romantic, that. "Going down together, eh? Quite liked the sound of that until you made it all noble." His body responds to every little shift of hers, and bloody hell, she knows exactly what she's doing to him. Every tiny movement of hers sets his skin on fire, makes his thoughts go properly sideways. She's always known just how to undo him with the smallest touch, and Christ, he loves her for it.

The PR comment nearly makes him laugh. "Best PR person in Devil's Junction? Love, you married the competition's top bloke in secret. Think that might hurt your professional credentials a touch." Though he has to admit, watching her handle both sides of this mess with such finesse only makes him want her more. The way she carries on about being smart while pressing herself closer drives him mad in the best way. His hands can't seem to stop wandering, finding new ways to make her breath catch. "Though I suppose if anyone could spin this disaster into a proper fairy tale, it'd be you." The whole situation is mental - sneaking about like teenagers, risking everything for these moments. But with her warm against him, those clever eyes locked on his, he can't bring himself to care about consequences. "Reckon we're both absolutely mad, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

[kindnessoverperfection]

wild how the more i'm working on recovery. the more i realize how fucking bad i miss her.

[smile-files]

my own characters are confusing me!!! alas!!!!

[chemicalarospec]

.

[happy74827]

Say Yes to Heaven

[Logan Howlett x Female!Reader]

Synopsis: Sometimes all it takes is one look. One gesture. One word. One action. To remind them that not everyone sees them the same, and It's enough to send a person over the edge.

WC: 3690

Category: Fluff, First Kiss, Logan’s POV

Another Grumpy!Logan x Sunshine!Reader because it’s my comfort trope ✨🫶

『••✎••』

He never realized how much he wanted someone to care for.

It was something he didn't know he desired. A year ago, he didn't care for a single thing. He felt nothing. He was so numb. So empty.

He was an angry man. The kind of man people kept their distance from. Wade ruined that; he aggravated him so much that Logan started actually caring about his life. And for as much as he despised his fugly ass, he was internally grateful for him. He started to open up more and more.

Wade had a part in taking him out of rock bottom, as they say, but you… you aggravated him in the most endearing way possible. You were so bright, so happy, and full of life. Logan couldn't understand how someone could be like that, and he hated you for it. He thought it was so ignorant of you.

"I mean, come on, how could she be that happy all the time? It's fucking dumb. She doesn't even know me!"

That's what he said to Wade, but his roommate only laughed. He found his frustration hilarious and made fun of him constantly.

And don’t even get started on the way you spoke. Never once have you raised your voice at anyone. You always talked softly, and even if you were pissed off, you still found a way to make your words sound gentle.

The man couldn’t wrap his mind around the way you acted, you weren’t a mutant, but you damn well could have been with that forever customer service smile you wore every day.

The level of patience and understanding you held for people was insane to him, especially the amount of patience you held with him.

He was constantly telling you to fuck off, and you took no offense; you just returned that stupidly kind smile and told him that if he needed anything, you were there for him.

You had no clue what he’s done, what he's capable of, and yet you treat him with the utmost respect. And being a mutant, respect, and kindness were two things he hadn’t received in a very long time.

It made him realize things—about himself and others. He started noticing you a little more—the way you looked and the way you acted. It started out as simple confusion and disgust… the typical reactions one would have when one sees an overly happy person.

But it evolved slowly into intrigue and curiosity.

Then something else. Something he couldn't describe.

His first instinct was to push it away. To try and convince himself, he was disgusted. He did this with everything he felt, but he couldn’t keep lying to himself.

It wasn't disgust.

He couldn't name it; he wasn't ready to, but he knew it wasn’t that.

Wade had noticed the change in him, the way he looked at you, the way he started being a little less rough with the words he chose to say. He didn’t bring it up, but the shit-eating grin he gave each time Logan walked in and saw you was more than enough proof that he had picked up on it.

Of course, it only resorted to grins because the one time he opened his mouth, Logan didn’t restrain himself. He popped his claws and had to go couch shopping the next day.

Whoops.

So, with Wade keeping his mouth shut after being chewed out by Blind Al and Logan trying his best to push away the foreign feelings, it finally reached a point where he could no longer ignore them.

He didn’t understand why, of all nights, it had to be this one, but it was.

It was 3 am, and his old nightmares had come back to haunt him. He was restless, sweaty, and couldn't take another second of sleep.

It took a rinsing of the bathroom sink and a pitiful glare at his reflection for you to return his gaze.

He froze for a second.

You were wearing a large T-shirt, with a pair of shorts underneath. Your hair was messy, but it looked so soft, and your face was clear of makeup, leaving the imperfections of your skin that made you all the more beautiful.

Always wearing a smile. Always greeting him with a soft voice, sometimes a little raspy if just waking up, butnonetheless soft.

But once he rubbed his eyes and let out a tired yawn, you weren’t there anymore.

Because you were never there, you lived across the street. You were in your apartment, sleeping, with no idea that, at that moment, the man who constantly told you to fuck off realized he couldn't stop thinking about you.

The same man who would grunt, scoff, and throw away every kind gesture now realized he secretly cherished them.

He stood there for a moment, just pondering his thoughts. His eyes were still on the spot he saw you in.

His head turned to the right, seeing the digital clock that rested on the nightstand.

3:02 am.

You were asleep…. most likely asleep. You would be unhappy if he came over and woke you up, wouldn't you?

He looked back at the sink.

You could be upset, but you could also be happy. You could give him that smile. That sweet, warm smile.

It would be worth it, right? Just for that?

3:04 am

He didn’t think about it. Not even for a second. Ironically, it started raining as if to test him, but the man was determined.

He put on a jacket to cover his bare chest, threw on some random shoes, and was out the door before his mind could stop him.

3:13 am

He knocked on your apartment door. He was completely drenched from the rain. His hair was messy, his jacket sticking to his body, and his shoes were so wet that the squelching sound they made was the only thing audible.

He heard shuffling. Soft steps coming closer. He could smell your scent. It shocked him how easy it was for him to recognize it.

You unlocked the door. Your brows furrowed in confusion.

His mental image of you being in sleepwear, messy hair, no makeup, had been confirmed. You were beautiful.

You had a tired look, one of the many looks he wasn’t used to. But it was still a good look, and it still held your signature kindness.

He had a feeling it would.

You didn't look too shocked, just tired and confused.

You spoke. "Logan, is…? Are you okay?"

Your voice was even softer than usual, the raspiness it held only making it more comforting.

You were genuinely worried about him, and it hit him then that he was being an asshole. Making you wake up in the middle of the night, and for what? Just because he wanted to see you?

Just because of that, he should’ve given you a reason. An explanation.

He should've asked. He should have done so many things differently, but he didn’t.

His head was in the clouds, and all he could think about was you.

You. That was all.

But his expression gave away that he was in a daze, and your worry only grew.

"Logan? What's wrong?"

You stepped out into the hallway and reached a hand to him.

His heart jumped a bit when you did so. It was just a gesture—one simple act of compassion.

He wasn't worthy of that, but he couldn't resist. He didn't want to.

Your fingers barely brushed against his upper arm before he moved. He grabbed your wrist.

His grip wasn't hard. His hold was gentle, as he had no intentions of hurting you. You could’ve easily pulled your arm away if you wanted to, but you didn't.

His eyes locked with yours. He wasn't sure what possessed him, but it felt so right, so he followed his instincts.

He tugged at your wrist, causing your body to fall into him. Your chest pressed against his. His arms wrapped around you, one hand cupping the back of your neck, the other resting on the small of your back.

The embrace was so sudden, and he knew the situation was far from ideal, but his senses were overflowed by your presence, your scent, your softness.

His chin rested atop your head, and his eyes fluttered closed.

It wasn’t the first time he ever hugged someone, but it was the first time he hugged someone in such a way. He held onto you tightly, his grip possessive but not painful.

He was afraid to let go.

He felt your hands press against his chest. You were probably going to push him away, he thought, and he tried to prepare himself. He told himself he would let you go because it was the right thing to do, yet he didn’t need to.

You hugged him back, and he almost lost his footing.

How long had it been since he last received a hug? Since the last time, someone held him and showed him affection?

Too long.

Your hands went inside his opened jacket and held onto him. Your fingers pressed against his skin, and your soft, warm breaths caressed his neck.

He could stay like this for eternity, and he would never grow tired of it.

Your voice reached his ears.

"Logan, did something happen?"

He had been standing there for quite a while. He wasn’t aware of how long. Time seemed to freeze around you, but he didn’t mind. He wasn't one to believe in such nonsense, but when it came to you, he was ready to accept it.

Your hand rested on his arm, and he knew you were subtly prompting him to move, and so he did.

He pulled away from the hug just enough to look at you.

Your lips were turned upwards. The corners of your eyes creased.

"Logan?"

It was then that his actions registered—how utterly close the two of you were, how intimately you were holding each other. He was already warm just from genetics alone, but now he felt everything around him heat up.

"I-"

He didn't know what to say. It was like he was back in that bar, drinking away every thought. He couldn't think. There was nothing. Nothing but the feel of your body against his.

But what truly sealed the deal was when he felt your thumb gently caress his knuckles. It was a small movement, barely noticeable, but it was centered exactly on the scars his claws made.

That little movement made his brain short-circuit. His hands twitched. His grip tightened. He held onto you with his entire body as if scared to let you go.

"What happened?"

You were patient with him. The fact that he hadn’t even answered any of your concerns said enough.

But, eventually, he did find some words to respond with. It wasn’t the answer you were searching for, but it was a response.

"Why are you always being so fucking kind?"

It was such a simple question, and yet the amount of pain it carried was overwhelming. He knew you could hear every word behind it. Every word he couldn't bring himself to say.

He didn’t deserve it. He wasn’t a good man. He did horrible things, and sure… he made an attempt to make up for it. To be better, but it couldn’t have been enough, could it?

You were still here, looking at him with those soft eyes.

Why couldn't you look at him the way he deserved to be looked at? Like he was a monster.

Why did you have to look at him with those goddamn beautiful eyes?

"You deserve kindness, Logan. We all do."

And then, your voice became even softer and a little shaky. Your hands went back to massaging his knuckles. His scars.

"Just because you see yourself a certain way doesn’t mean the rest of us do. I see the good in you. Always have since we first met."

You spoke so softly, yet your words were heavy with emotion.

"I know it's not easy, but try to have a little more faith in yourself."

You didn’t deserve the harsh words he always threw at you. You didn’t deserve any of his anger. You didn't deserve him.

"Why?" He repeated his question, his voice strained, and you didn't miss the way his jaw clenched. "Why should I?"

His arms loosened their hold around you; his hands moved down your sides, and his touch feathered light. He wasn’t sure what he was doing, but he couldn’t quite let go just yet.

You paid it no mind. Only staring back into his eyes with the same kindness he was so used to, the one he had grown to treasure.

"You have a right to feel the way you do, Logan. And I can't claim to understand what you've been through. I can't begin to imagine. But you are a good man. A little rough around the edges, maybe, but you’ve shown me time and time again that you're trying."

A smile crept its way onto your face, and a soft giggle escaped past your lips.

Now, to be fair, he was used to hearing your laughter. With your… odd sense of humor, it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence. But, this would be one of the firsts to add to his collection.

The one reserved for him and him only.

Your laughter wasn’t loud, or annoying, or anything like Wade's. It was soft, sweet, and oh-so pleasant.

You were looking at him. Staring up at him with such love and warmth. You didn't even realize it, but he did.

"Besides, who wouldn't be a little grouchy waking up to that handsome face every morning?"

And, now, he was repulsed by the unwelcome vision of a certain masked man making his way into his head. He was so disgusted by the thought he didn’t bother responding. He didn't want to.

So, instead, he moved.

He had a habit of moving on his own and not thinking about it. It went from his hands going to your sides, and now, his hands reaching out to press against the door behind you.

You were pinned against the door, and the way you looked at him didn’t change. Of course, it didn't. Your eyes were always kind. They always were.

You were leaning against the door. Looking at him, waiting.

And he stared back.

He was so close, and he was tempted to pull away. To take a step back and leave. It would be the best for both of you; at least, he thinks so.

He couldn't give you anything.

He had nothing.

There was only himself. His body. His mind. His past.

His claws, too, if that counted for anything.

But, besides those, there was nothing.

He wasn’t a bad man, but he wasn't good either. Not like you were. He couldn’t possibly begin to match you, not even if he tried.

Which is why he had no intention of trying.

Yet, even as he thought that, his body moved even closer. The dog tags he had never taken off since he was given them hung loosely, dangling in front of your face.

One of your hands was on his chest, the other gripping onto the material of his shirt.

"Logan."

You spoke his name so softly. Almost a whisper, and yet, the sound of it was all his senses were focused on.

Your gaze shifted between his eyes and lips, and the hand that had been holding onto his shirt moved, reaching up to his shoulder.

The touch was light, as if hesitant, and it caused him to lean even closer.

It was so close. You were so close. You had been before, but never like this. Never in the way he wanted.

He wanted you so badly.

And you were right there. Looking at him with those eyes, with a soft, tender smile, and with an expression he didn't recognize.

He knew that was an invitation. You were always an open book, and your body language was no different.

And it wasn't the first time you did so.

There were many times when you looked at him. Your eyes trailing over his face. Your gaze went downwards, lingering before you snapped out of it and looked away.

He always saw it, always knew it was there, but he just chose to ignore it. He wasn’t in the right mind, then. He was just another broken man, struggling to get by, trying his best.

Trying to find some meaning in his life.

But, even now, he was still hesitant. Even after coming all the way here and making his intentions clear, he struggled with it.

"Are you sure?"

Because you were so much better than him.

Because he could still remember the day the two of you met. How much of an asshole he was, how rude, how angry.

It wasn’t until the seventh time you approached him that he realized that he had met someone who genuinely, wholeheartedly cared.

It wasn't until the twentieth time you approached him that he finally accepted it.

He could never forget the way you smiled and spoke to him, even though he had given you no reason to.

"Hi, Logan!"

You would say.

"Good morning!"

You would wave.

"Have a nice day, Logan."

You would nod, even though the man himself chose to ignore you. Goddamn it. You were so much better than him.

Much purer. Much more innocent.

You had a heart of gold, and a soul as white as snow. You were so good, so kind, and the thought of soiling you, of ruining your light with his darkness, it scared him.

It was the sole reason he didn't give in, even now, with you offering yourself to him.

He didn't want to ruin you.

"Yes."

No hesitation. No second thoughts.

Your eyes were so kind. So full of love, and the same emotion reflected back in his own.

But, even with the clear sign of assurance, he still felt the need to create one last line of defense.

With the hand against the door, he peeled it back enough to have your eyes catch sight of the fist it made.

In a millisecond, he unleashed his claws and slammed his fist against the door, the sharp adamantium easily slicing through the wood, causing the door to crack.

And, yet, no reaction. Not a single flinch, not a wince, not even a hitch of breath.

You weren't afraid. Not at all. Even as the claws were mere inches from your face, you weren't scared.

The corners of your mouth twitched. Upwards, and it soon bloomed into a bright smile.

He retracted his claws, and gave you another once-over, just to be sure, and you responded by lifting your hand, grasping the metal chain hanging from his neck.

Your fingers grazed against the cool metal, and your smile softened before turning into a small grin.

"For a man who states he isn’t scared of anything, you sure have a lot of defense mechanisms, Logan."

Teasing. That was a new one for you.

He liked it.

"Say it again." Now, finally, you showed a different expression. Confusion mixed with curiosity. You were wondering what he meant. "My name."

"Logan."

For you, his actions were mere seconds. You had no time to process the feeling of his breath against your lips. The feeling of his stubble tickling your skin. The feeling of his warm, dry lips pressed against yours.

But, for him, it was a slow, steady motion. He took his time. He pulled you closer, his hands moving from the door and cupping the back of your head and your waist.

The kiss was soft. Gentle. Nothing rushed.

He held you like you were fragile. Like you were made of porcelain and could break at any moment. He could, theoretically, but he would rather go through Cassandra’s entire repertoire of torture than hurt you.

He lifted you up. Your legs wrapped around his waist, and your arms around his neck, his own pulling you closer, his fingers digging into your skin.

You tasted exactly how you were. Pure. Sweet.

Like heaven.

He was sure he was leaving that of the bitter alcohol he had downed on your lips, but you didn't seem fussy about it.

Not that he could focus on anything else, anyway.

He was too distracted by the way his tongue danced with yours.

Too focused on the taste of your mouth.

Too distracted by the way your hands made themselves a home in his wet hair. They would tug every once in a while, releasing a groan he hadn’t known was there.

He was too distracted to care.

He was too lost in your scent. Wade always called him that character from that shity vampire movie due to his nose.

He always disagreed until you happened to mention the resemblance. Then, and only then, did he see the logic.

And you saw the logic here, too—the logic of how good you melted together. Experiencing it now made him question his decision to stay away.

If it was always going to be this good, this intoxicating, he should’ve done it a long time ago.

He should've taken the chance.

It would've saved the two of you a lot of frustration, and a lot of headaches.

But it didn't matter. He was here now.

And, as his foot broke into the door, mouth still latched onto yours, with him figuring his way about your apartment, he thought:

It doesn't matter.

As long as I’m here.

As long as you’re in my arms.

It doesn't matter.

Fortunately, that meant he didn’t have to wake up to that toupee-stapled face every morning, as he had so dreadfully imagined.

Unfortunately, it also meant that the next time he saw Wade, he would have to deal with him talking his ears off about what had transpired.

But, for now, he could live with that.

He was more focused on the fact on making sure you weren’t regretting your choice.

Because he sure as fuck didn’t.