#but since it feels quieter in here i'll admit it.

[the-canine-king]

this is my new favourite bit

she needs to get out of my head and get a job. i hate her

[propertyofwicked]

SCANDALOUS - OP

summary - in which oscar discovers what type of books his girlfriend is actually reading

warnings: 18+ allusions to smut, but mostly fluff

this is my first oscar piece and i am considering a part 2! lemme know what you think! <3 (also sorry for disappearing my life has been all over the place)

masterlist the playlist

as they arrived at the silverstone track, oscar and y/n could feel the palpable anticipation in the air. navigating through the crowds was something y/n could only compare to her idea of personal hell. people everywhere, sporting the bright colours of different teams, people approaching the two of them, holding out hats and phones for oscar to sign. if this was friday, y/n hated to think what the rest of the weekend would be like - hopefully she could arrive later than oscar and avoid the hustle and bustle.

"are you going to be okay here?" oscar asked softly, concern evident in his eyes, as he led the two of them into mclaren hospitality. he wasn’t blind, if anything he could read her emotions better than he could read his own - he knew she was overwhelmed, but not quite at breaking point.

"yeah, i've got my book and headphones,” y/n replied, patting her bag quickly, “i'll find a quiet spot,” she added with a nod, giving him a reassuring smile.

“i’ll see you in a bit, yeah?” he asked her again, holding her wrists softly in his hands.

“i’ll be here,” she replied, still smiling as she stepped up onto her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his lips.

y/n watched as oscar left, before turning on her heel and trying to find a cosy corner, tucked away from the commotion where she could read her book in peace. and as she sat with her back to the wall, she couldn’t help but feel grateful that no one could walk behind her and glimpse at what she was reading. her flushed cheeks may slightly give it away to anyone who recognised the book, but as she flipped through the pages she was met with nothing but pure, indulgent smut. it was a guilty pleasure that she seldom admitted to enjoying, and whilst she was more than content with oscar, she was too shy to admit she’d want him to do more than half of the acts she reads about.

maybe next time, she should bring a murder mystery book with her, instead of reading 82 pages of unforgiving sex scenes that are described in such detail that she could almost imagine how oscar would recreate it beautifully - yeah, maybe not the right thing to be reading at your boyfriend’s place of work.

“hi,” a voice interrupted, causing y/n to jump quickly as she looked up to see one of the hospitality staff stood in front of her, “i was just wondering if we would be able to steal this chair? i can find you somewhere else to sit - it’s just a guest would like to sit here.”

“of course,” y/n replied, smiling up at the nervous girl before moving to shove everything back into her bag, “i probably should go on a walk anyways.”

“thank you so much, and sorry for making you move - the guest is a sponsor, so they expect us to move heaven and earth to accommodate them,” the employee added with a grin.

“i understand,” y/n replied, laughing lightly as she stood, “your hair is so beautiful by the way.”

“thank you,” the girl smiled, blushing at the compliment.

oscar had been engrossed with his team, discussing strategy and making adjustments for the practice session, when he realised it had been several hours since he’d seen his girlfriend. and once the practice session had finally ended, with a full team debrief, he made it his mission to find her.

"have you seen y/n around?" oscar inquired casually, glancing over at lando who had walked into hospitality with him.

"yeah, she was sitting in the corner over there," lando chuckled, gesturing towards the quieter section of the hospitality area, “….but she’s not there anymore,” he added, trailing off as he noticed the empty chair.

"thanks mate, glad you’ve still got those keen observational skills," oscar replied sarcastically, “don’t know what i’d do without you around.”

“hey! i was just telling you where i last saw her!” lando defended, holding his hands up, ”she’s probably in a quiet corner somewhere, reading that book. she’s probably the only person that didn’t notice i’d even walked in earlier ‘cos she was nose deep in it.”

“sounds about right,” oscar hummed, pulling his phone out to shoot her a quick where are you text.

sure enough, oscar found y/n in a quieter corner, still engrossed in her book. he approached her quietly and gently tapped her shoulder. y/n looked up, removing her headphones and quickly closing the pages before smiling warmly at him.

"hey there, lost track of time?" oscar asked, sitting down beside her, pulling his legs up to his chest as his back leant on the wall.

y/n nodded, "yeah, i guess i did. how was practice?"

"pretty good," oscar replied, "we made some solid improvements. what about you? what are you reading?"

y/n hesitated for a moment, a flicker of defensiveness crossing her expression. "oh, it's just a book. nothing special."

oscar raised an eyebrow, sensing her reluctance to share. "come on, it can't be that bad. is it some secret spy novel or something?"

y/n chuckled nervously. "no, nothing like that. just... personal. i'll tell you about it later, maybe."

"alright, fair enough," he replied, "ready to head back to the hotel?"

y/n sighed with relief. "yes please.”

“that bored, huh?” he asked as he stood, extending his arms to help pull her from the floor.

“not bored, just-”

“overwhelmed? hungry? eager to see me after a shower?”

“always.”

“good to know,” he added, draping his arm around her shoulders and pressing a kiss to her forehead, "you know, you're quite the mystery sometimes," he teased gently as they began to walk to the car.

"keeps things interesting, doesn't it?" y/n smirked, “no fun in being predictable.”

they arrived at the hotel room, and as they settled in, the atmosphere relaxed. y/n flopped down on the bed, and oscar joined her, laying his entire body on top of hers, her hands moving to stroke along his back softly.

"so, how's the book?" oscar asked again, with a playful glint in his eye.

y/n rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't suppress a smile. "it's good. maybe i'll let you read it someday."

"wow, such a privilege!" oscar feigned shock, “but how would i ever repay you for such an offer.”

"don't push your luck, piastri,” she replied, her arms grabbing his sides in attempt to push him off. he laughed, rolling to the side to lay next to her.

"alright, alright. i won't push. but seriously, thanks for coming with me today. it means a lot."

y/n's expression softened. "of course. i wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

oscar leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "i'm lucky to have you, you know that?"

y/n's eyes sparkled with affection. "i think we're both pretty lucky."

“i’d be even luckier if you let me read that book of yours,” he grinned.

"you're ridiculous.”

"only for you," he replied with a grin, his arm reaching across her waist for his fingers to draw circles into the skin of her stomach. his head dipped, trailing kissed along her clothed shoulder, until he was resting on his arm, hovering over her slightly, his lips finding their way to the skin of her neck.

“please,” he whispered, kissing along her jaw.

“fine,” y/n replied with a loud huff, pushing herself up from the bed to retrieve the book from her bag. oscar remained on the bed, resting on his side and using his arm to hold his head up as his eyes followed her across the room.

she launched the book at him, watching as it landed just shy of his stomach.

“come and join me,” he beckoned, shuffling himself up the bed, book in hand.

“i’d rather stand here, actually.”

“ok weirdo.”

the room fell to a silence as oscar opened the book, choosing to open at a page in the middle.

“why is this all highlighte- oh. OH. oh wow,” he spoke aloud, grimacing slightly in between raising his eyebrows at the literature, “this is - is that even possible? how has he got her leg up there?”

“you can stop now,” y/n begged, climbing on the bed and stretching over in attempt to snatch the book from his hands.

“no, i don’t think i will,” he teased, raising the book above his head, though at an angle where he could still read it, “ ‘…..he said, grabbing my other leg and placing them both behind his head’ - this girl is flexible jesus.”

“oscar piastri you give me that book right now.”

“ok! ok!” he said defensively, “….on one condition.”

“…what?” y/n responded cautiously, noticing the way he smirked at her.

“you tell me, is this something you wanna try?” he asked, “the things in this book? is that what you want?”

“minus the kidnapping part….maybe?” she replied, fiddling with her fingers.

“maybe, huh?” he teased, placing the book to his side before grabbing her waist to pull her into him. y/n straddled his lap, though desperately tried to look anywhere but his face, desperate to hide the flush of her cheeks, only worsened by looking in his eyes.

“honestly, i just wanna know if im that flexible,” she replied with a laugh, still playing anxiously with her fingers whilst trying to fight against her own awkwardness.

“i know you can get at least one leg up there,” oscar joked, fingers tickling at her sides playfully, “although, you’re not very good at twister.”

“we have played twister ONCE. and i was drunk. you cannot hold that against me.”

“drunk or not, your foot was still dangerously close to going up my ass.”

“and yet no assholes were harmed.”

“speaking of.. does this book mention anyth-”

“if you think you are putting ANYTHING up there you are very much mistaken mr piastri,” y/n argued, holding his jaw in her hands to make her point clear.

“mr piastri? i prefer da-”

“NOPE! LA LA LA,” she interrupted, quickly covering her ears before he finished his sentence.

“im kidding, im kidding,” he laughed out breathlessly, holding on to her hips as his body shook with laughter, “so about this flexibility thing.”

“let me stretch first,” she told him, kissing his lips softly. y/n moved to climb off him, only half serious about stretching, but his hands stayed put on her waist, pulling her back into him. he kissed her again, a hand traveling up her body to rest on her jaw and he deepened the kiss, his tongue swiping her bottom lip briefly.

“no need, i know a good way to get you warmed up,” he told her cheekily, his lips returning to her neck once more, teeth nipping at the sensitive skin below her ear.

“oh really?” she replied, her eyebrows raising at the suggestion, “please, go on. tell me more.”

[cheeseceli]

Mornings with SKZ

Pairing: Ot8!Skz × Gn!reader (individually)

Genre: fluff, headcanons

Request: Ot8 skz and their s/o mornings together

Warnings: mentions of food, skinship, established relationship

A/n: posting this as a reminder I still exist 😭 | Daily click

Bang Chan

First three times you shared a bed with him freaked you out because Why'd you always wake up alone??

He'd already be starting his day

Showering, making breakfast, even working already depending on the day

But he'd always be as silent as possible so to not wake you up

Once you inevitably do, he stops whatever he was doing so he can say hello to you

Good morning hug 🙂‍↕️

"Hi babe, did I wake you up? Sorry, I'll be quieter next time. Come here"

Lee Know

You'd wake up with the smell of something delicious being made

Best breakfast ever!!

And he'd keep cooking after he feels you hugging him from behind

Asks you if you slept well 😔

Of course you slept well, how could you not with his three cats sleeping with you?

They'd only wake up later on though

It gives you two time to spend together before the day actually starts

"I'm almost done cooking it, you can go sit if you want."

Changbin

Please be someone who likes mornings

I see him as such an early bird for some reason

A very energetic one for all that is worth

So he'd love it if you wanted to be active since the early morning

Going out for breakfast, jogging a little bit, maybe just walking around the town

He loves to start his day with you, no matter what you're doing

"The day is so beautiful already! Do you want to go out? We can go to that cafe you like."

Hyunjin

He'd probably wake up before you, but he's not getting out of bed until you do

He's on the lazy morning racha, what can I say

But he's there, laying with you and cuddling you, sweetening your dreams a little bit more

It's a little bit funny cause he's waiting for you to wake up but he's not doing anything to entertain himself

Not even using his phone

Maybe he's still a bit dreamy and is just savouring this peaceful moment

Brightest smile ever when you open up your eyes

"Hello, love. Did you sleep well?"

Han

There's no such thing as morning with him

Bro is ready to wake up only after eleven am

And please don't be an early bird because he needs to be with him

Yes, he will be asleep, but he also wants to be with you

He's such a cuddler

Even if you woke up, I'm not sure you'd be able to get away from his hold

"C'mon, baby. Just five more minutes."

Felix

Breakfast in bed!!!

I cannot imagine a morning that is more him than that

He's so gentle when waking you up as well

Softly calling out your name and maybe even kissing your forehead

It would be like 8/9 am when he'd wake you up

So that gives you two quite a time to spend together

"Wake up, angel. I made some food for you."

Seungmin

It doesn't always happen, but whenever it's possible, he loves to watch the sunrise with you

Even if you're so sleepy you barely register the scene

It's kinda magical

He won't admit it though

Mornings with him are low-key quiet, you both still a little bit sleeping

It's also when he's the most vulnerable

"Come here" he asks with open arms, just waiting for your touch.

I.N

He's the second part of the lazy morning racha

He loves doing absolutely nothing with you

Just laying in bed or on the couch and catching up with your favourite drama energises him so much

He especially lives to this on his days off

It's rare to be able to do nothing for a while, so he won't lose an opportunity to do so

"Oh, there's a new episode of the drama we were watching last week. Wanna see it?

Masterlist | you'll probably like: first relationships

Reminder this is just fiction!! I'm not trying to portray real life and you shouldn't believe that this is how the members actually are. This is just for the vibe and the delulu!

Taglist (open!): @yuyubeans @dandelions-143 @sleepyleeji @jinnie-ret @sheraayasherrecs @rockstarkkami @urlocalmultigroupfan @aeinzzzketchup

Dividers by @cafekitsune | images 1, 2 and 3

[rootedinrevisions]

Cowboys & Angles

SUMMARY: After years of playful flirting and a deep-rooted friendship, you and Tyler Owens find yourselves crossing the line between friends and lovers when he returns home for the fall. What starts as a fun, teasing night at the local bar quickly turns into something more when Tyler finally takes his shot. But as feelings are laid bare, both of you must confront what this means for your relationship—because for Tyler, you've always been more than just a friend, and he’s ready to prove it if you let him.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: When I first decided to do Kinktober, I was planning on doing a bunch of drabbles (my goal is for them to be at or under 1k words). But kind of like with yesterday's, as I was writing this one it kind of just took off and I kept going and now here we are at over 5k words! So I think Kinktober is probably going to be a mix of both shorter drabbles and longer fics! I will also be mixing up characters/fandoms so Kinktober will have a mix of my Glen Powell characters as well as some WWE/Wrestling, and I may be introducing a few new characters I haven't written for yet too!

PROMPT: "I'm already dying to take you right now. Don't tempt me."

KINK: Cowboy Hat / Cowboy Hat Rule

WARNINGS: Teasing. 18+ SMUT. (P in V Sex.)

WORD COUNT: 5.6k

TAG LIST: @omgbrianab I @shanimallina87 I @fanficmom94 I @smoothdogsgirl I @djs8891 @saucy-sassy-sparkly  I  @alipap3  I  @dudinhastuff I  @lunatygerqueen  I  @hookslove1592

If you would like to be added to my Tag List please feel free to comment, send an ask, or send a DM and I'll be happy to get you added!

The bar was quieter than usual for a Saturday night. The usual hum of conversation was replaced by a few scattered groups of locals enjoying their drinks in the dim, amber glow of the overhead lights. You leaned on the counter, wiping down a glass as the front door swung open with a faint creak. The familiar sound made your heart jump before you even saw who it was.

Tyler Owens.

He strode in with that easy confidence, his tall frame filling the doorway for a second before he glanced around the room, spotting you instantly. A slow grin spread across his face, and he tipped his cream-colored Stetson in your direction before making his way toward the bar. You hadn’t seen him in months, not since he’d been off chasing storms across the country, but it felt like no time had passed at all.

“Well, if it isn’t Tyler Owens, the Tornado Wrangler himself,” you teased as he reached the bar.

“Back in town for a little while. Thought I’d drop by and see what kind of trouble you’ve been getting into.” His voice was smooth, that southern drawl rolling off his tongue like honey, and you couldn’t help but smile.

Amber, the other bartender, had been subtly hinting that she could use the extra tips if you wanted to take the rest of the night off for the last half hour. The bar wasn’t too busy, so you figured now was as good a time as any to give her the extra tips and catch up with Tyler. Setting the glass down, you unhooked your apron.

“Amber, you’re up. I’m clocking out,” you called over your shoulder. She practically beamed at you in response, already moving to take over.

Sliding onto the stool next to Tyler, you felt a familiar warmth wash over you—not from the two drinks you had in front of you, but from the easy energy that always existed between the two of you. You’d known Tyler since high school, and while your friendship had always teetered on the edge of something more, nothing had ever come of it. Flirting was just part of your dynamic.

“So, you’re back home, huh? Storm season finally winding down?” you asked, taking a sip of your drink.

“Yeah, things are quietin’ down. I thought I’d stick around town for a bit. Y appreciate the peace and quiet without me stirring things up?” He teased, nudging your shoulder with his.

“Oh, sure. It’s been so peaceful without you around,” you replied with a playful eye roll, though the truth was you’d missed him more than you wanted to admit.

After another round of drinks, your inhibitions softened but far from impaired, you reached out and plucked the Stetson right off Tyler’s head. The hat had always been his signature look, and you couldn’t resist the urge to mess with him a little. You placed it on your own head, adjusting it with a smirk.

He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You know there’s a rule about wearin’ a cowboy’s hat, don’t you?” His voice was low, but there was something underlying it now, a challenge.

You feigned innocence, leaning in slightly. “Oh? And what rule might that be?”

His eyes darkened ever so slightly, his gaze flicking to your lips for just a second before he leaned back in his chair, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip. 

“Never mind,” he said, his voice huskier now, “you wouldn’t be interested.”

But you couldn’t resist pushing him just a little further. You leaned in closer, your voice dropping to a whisper only he could hear. “Oh, I know the rule, Tyler. I just wanted to see what you’d do about it.”

There it was—the shift. His expression hardened ever so slightly, but that teasing smirk was still there, hanging on the edge of something more. He didn’t say anything, just gave you that look, the one that always sent a spark straight through you.

Without breaking eye contact, you stood and made your way toward the corner of the bar where the old mechanical bull sat. It hadn’t been used much recently, but it was still in working order. Tyler’s eyes followed you, curiosity piqued. You glanced over your shoulder, the Stetson still perched on your head as you grinned mischievously.

“Start her up,” you called to one of the other employees, hopping onto the mechanical bull. You adjusted your seat, settling in comfortably as the machine started to hum to life.

Tyler's gaze was locked on you now, his arms folded across his chest, leaning back in his chair as if to say, Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.

The bull started slow, rocking gently, but you handled it like a pro. With each buck, your eyes stayed locked on Tyler’s, never wavering. You could see the way his jaw tightened slightly, how his hands gripped the beer bottle in his hands every so tightly as the intensity of the ride increased. His hat sat firmly on your head, and you couldn’t help but grin as you imagined the thoughts running through his mind.

Finally, the bull jerked sharply, and you were thrown off, landing on your feet in a flurry of laughter and adrenaline. Without missing a beat, you sauntered back over to where Tyler sat, your steps light and confident.

“So,” you teased, pulling his hat off your head and spinning it around on your finger, “what was that rule again?”

Tyler’s eyes were darker now, his gaze intense as he reached out, plucking the hat from your hand and setting it back on his own head. He stood up slowly, towering over you, his voice a low growl as he leaned in, lips close to your ear.

“I’m already dyin’ to take you right now,” he whispered, his breath hot against your skin. “Don’t tempt me.”

Your heart raced at his words, your playful bravado wavering for a split second as the tension between you thickened. But you couldn’t help yourself—you were never one to back down from a challenge. You met his gaze head-on, your lips curving into a daring smile.

“Well,” you whispered back, voice full of teasing confidence, “maybe I’m countin’ on that.”

The playful tension hung thick in the air, the space between you and Tyler charged with unspoken desire. His hat back on his head, Tyler’s eyes lingered on yours, darker than before, filled with something new—something inevitable. He stepped closer, and before you could say anything, his hand gently cupped the side of your face, his thumb brushing softly against your cheek.

“You’ve been teasing me all night,” he murmured, his voice low and rough.

Before you could respond, his lips were on yours, the kiss firm yet unhurried, like he’d been waiting for this moment for longer than either of you cared to admit. Your body responded instinctively, leaning into him, one hand gripping the edge of his flannel shirt as the heat of the kiss spread through you. The years of playful back-and-forth, of near-misses and flirtatious glances, melted away into this one moment of pure, electric connection.

Around you, the few regulars left in the bar had noticed. A couple of whistles and cheers rang out, a playful acknowledgment of what everyone in your small town had suspected for years. But their noise faded into the background as you ignored them completely, lost in the feel of Tyler’s lips on yours.

He pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his thumb still gently stroking your cheek. “You good?” he asked, his voice a husky whisper, eyes searching yours for confirmation.

You nodded, breathless but smiling. “More than good.”

He gave you that signature grin, the one that always made your heart skip a beat. Without another word, he grabbed your hand, pulling you toward the door. The cool night air hit you as you stepped outside, the warmth of the bar replaced by the crisp breeze of the fall evening. Tyler didn’t let go of your hand as he led you to his truck, parked just out front, the red Dodge pickup outfitted in storm-chasing gear that you’d ridden in countless times before. But this time felt different.

Tyler opened the passenger door, turning to you with an extended hand to help you up. His touch was gentle, but there was a quiet intensity in the way he guided you into the seat. Once you were settled, he made his way around the front of the truck, climbing into the driver’s side and turning the engine over with a low rumble.

As he shifted the truck into gear, he glanced over at you, his lips curving into a smirk. “So, where to? Your place, or mine?”

You didn’t hesitate. “Yours.”

The smirk deepened into a grin. “Good choice.”

With that, he pulled out onto Main Street, the quiet stretch of road that ran through the heart of your small town. The familiar sights blurred past as the truck rumbled westward, toward the outskirts where Tyler’s place sat nestled among the trees. You leaned back in the seat, the thrill of the night coursing through you, heart racing as anticipation built with every passing mile.

The silence between you wasn’t uncomfortable—if anything, it only made the air more electric. Tyler’s hand rested on the gearshift, his knuckles brushing yours every so often, the simple contact sending a rush of warmth through you. You glanced over at him, taking in the sharp lines of his jaw, the way his focus stayed steady on the road, but there was an undeniable tension in his posture, like he was holding himself back.

The drive out to Tyler’s place was familiar but felt brand new in the charged atmosphere. Every turn in the road, every familiar landmark, passed by in a blur until finally, the gravel road leading up to his house came into view. The soft crunch of tires on gravel filled the quiet as he slowed the truck, pulling up beside the small, rustic house you’d been to more times than you could count.

But tonight, everything felt different. Tonight, it felt like everything had been leading to this moment.

Tyler parked the truck and turned off the engine, the silence of the night settling in around you as he turned to face you. That smirk was back, but now, there was a fire behind it, his gaze locked on yours as if daring you to make the next move.

Without a word, he opened his door and came around to your side, opening it for you and offering his hand once again. You took it, heart pounding as you stepped down from the truck, feeling the solid ground beneath your feet but still floating on the rush of what was about to happen.

As the door closed behind you, Tyler tugged you gently toward him, his arms wrapping around your waist as he pulled you close. His lips found yours again, this time slower, softer, like he was savoring the moment. You melted into him, your hands sliding up his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath your palms.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, both of you breathing hard in the stillness of the night. His voice was rough, barely more than a whisper, as he asked, “You ready?”

You nodded, your fingers tightening in the fabric of his flannel, your voice soft but steady. “Yeah, I’m ready.”

Tyler’s lips brushed against yours one last time before he pulled back, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes. You barely had a moment to wonder what he was up to before his hands slid down to your waist, fingers gripping with a possessive but playful strength. 

With a quick, effortless motion, he hoisted you up and over his shoulder as if you weighed nothing. A squeal of surprise escaped your lips as you suddenly found yourself looking at the world upside down, your hands instinctively grabbing onto the back of his flannel to steady yourself. 

“Tyler!” you protested, half-laughing, half-scolding as you kicked your feet, trying to wriggle free. “You’re going to fall if you keep carrying me like this!”

His deep chuckle rumbled through his chest, vibrating against your body as he tightened his hold on you. “You think I can’t handle it?” he teased, his voice laced with humor as he started up the stairs toward his bedroom, his stride steady and sure. “I’ve carried heavier stuff than you during storm season, sweetheart. You’re light work.”

You squirmed again, the sensation of being tossed over his shoulder making you feel both thrilled and embarrassed, but the grin on your face was impossible to hide. “You’re gonna regret it if you drop me!” you warned, trying to sound serious but failing miserably as laughter bubbled up from your chest.

“I’m not dropping you,” he assured, his tone dripping with confidence. “But keep squirming, and I might just have to remind you who’s in charge here.” Tyler just laughed, one arm hooked securely around your legs while his free hand swatted playfully at your ass.

You rolled your eyes, even though he couldn’t see it. “Oh, please, Tyler. You think you’re so—”

Before you could finish the sentence, he gave your ass another playful smack, the sound echoing off the walls as he continued up the stairs. This one was a little harder than the first. 

“That’s for doubting me,” he quipped, his voice teasingly low, the heat between the two of you rising again despite the lighthearted moment.

You huffed, still trying to act indignant despite the butterflies swarming in your stomach. “Alright, alright! Just get me upstairs in one piece, cowboy.”

He chuckled again, finally reaching the top of the stairs and carrying you effortlessly down the hallway toward his bedroom. The door creaked as he pushed it open with his foot, the room bathed in the soft, dim light of a single lamp in the corner. 

Tyler walked straight to the bed, carefully lowering you down onto the mattress as if he were laying down something precious. Your heart was still racing, your skin flushed from the thrill of it all. You looked up at him, catching your breath as he stood there, grinning like the devil himself. 

“You okay?” he asked, his voice softer now, though the playful glint never left his eyes.

You smiled back, your heart still pounding, but now for a different reason entirely. “Yeah,” you said, your voice quieter, more breathless. “I’m okay.”

Tyler leaned down, brushing a strand of hair out of your face, his touch lingering against your skin for just a moment before he gave you a wink. “Good. Because I’m not done with you yet.”

The playful spark in Tyler’s eyes softened as he leaned over you, his hands resting gently on either side of your body, caging you in without making you feel trapped. His gaze locked onto yours, searching for any sign of hesitation, but all he found was anticipation. 

Slowly, he lowered his head, brushing his lips against yours in a kiss that started soft but deepened with every passing second, the heat between you building once again.

His hands, large and warm, began a slow exploration. He started at your hips, his fingers tracing the curves of your waist before moving up to your sides, sending a shiver through your body. His hands stopped when they reached the bottom of your shirt.

He pulled away from the kiss for just a moment, his eyes meeting yours, a silent question lingering there. You knew what he was asking without him needing to say it. You nodded, giving him your permission with a soft smile.

Tyler’s lips twitched up in a small, relieved grin as his fingers grabbed the hem of your shirt, tugging it up gently. You lifted your arms to help him, your heartbeat racing as the fabric slid off and hit the floor. The cool air of the room brushed against your exposed skin, but it was nothing compared to the heat coming from Tyler’s body as he leaned back down, his hands now roaming over your bare skin, igniting every nerve he touched.

Your hands moved up to his chest, and with trembling fingers, you started to undo the buttons of his shirt. As you worked your way down, Tyler’s mouth found the delicate skin of your neck, pressing soft, teasing kisses along your throat. His lips were warm and gentle, but when he bit down lightly, your breath hitched, a small, involuntary sound escaping your lips.

That sound—small but full of need—seemed to drive Tyler wild. His grip on you tightened slightly, his lips continuing their assault on your neck, alternating between gentle kisses and playful bites. Each time his teeth grazed your skin, you couldn’t stop the soft moans that spilled from your mouth, your body arching slightly into him. 

His name escaped your lips in a breathless whisper, barely audible but enough to make him pause for just a second, his breath hot against your skin as he groaned softly.

“You keep making sounds like that, and I’m not gonna be able to control myself,” he murmured against your neck, his voice rough with need. 

His hands slid down your sides again, fingertips skimming the waistband of your jeans, but he paused, giving you time to stop him if you wanted to. When you didn’t, he met your eyes again, waiting for your nod before his fingers deftly began undoing the button and zipper, tugging the denim down over your hips.

You took a deep breath, your fingers still fumbling with the last few buttons of his shirt, finally getting it open enough to slide it off his shoulders. The moment his shirt hit the floor, your hands were on him, running over the hard planes of his chest, feeling the heat of his skin beneath your palms. Tyler groaned again, his hands continuing their exploration, mapping every inch of your body as if it were the first time.

His mouth was on your neck again, trailing lower now, pressing open-mouthed kisses to your collarbone and further down. Every touch, every kiss, sent a wave of electricity through you, building a tension in your core that made it hard to think straight. The intimacy between you felt more intense now, the playful teasing giving way to something deeper, something that made your heart race and your breath come faster.

Tyler pulled back just enough to look at you, his hands resting on your hips again. “You okay?” he asked, his voice low, concern flickering in his eyes despite the heat between you.

You nodded, your voice caught in your throat for a second before you managed to breathe out a soft, “Yeah... more than okay.”

His lips curved into that familiar grin, but there was something different in it now—something softer. He leaned back down, capturing your lips in another kiss, this one filled with a tenderness that made your chest tighten. 

As his hands continued their journey over your skin, you could feel the shift between you, the playfulness melting away into something intimate, something more raw and real.

Tyler’s lips were on yours again, soft but hungry, as his hands roamed over your skin, pulling you closer, deepening the intensity between you. There was a new urgency in the way he touched you, the last of your clothes falling away, leaving nothing between you but heat and desire. When you finally pulled back to look at him, you noticed that familiar glint of mischief in his eyes, tempered by something softer, almost reverent, as he took in the sight of you.

“Your turn,” you whispered, your voice shaky but steady enough to tug at the waistband of his jeans.

Tyler grinned, the playfulness returning for just a moment as he sat back, undoing the button and zipper with quick, fluid motions. You watched as he kicked off his boots and jeans, your eyes following the movements of his hands as he finally tugged off his boxers, leaving him completely bare before you. You couldn’t help but admire the way he moved—every flex of muscle, every shift in his body.

You moved toward him, but Tyler caught you by the waist before you could get too far, flipping the two of you gently so that he was the one lying on the bed beneath you. His grin was still there, but it softened as his hands rested on your hips, pulling you down on top of him.

"Now that’s a view," he murmured, his voice low and rough with desire. He traced slow, deliberate circles on your skin as you straddled him, feeling the warmth of his body beneath you, your bare skin pressed against his.

For a moment, you just hovered there, the tension between you thick and electric. But then Tyler’s hand slid up your spine, his touch gentle yet firm, grounding you in the moment. 

“Before we go any further...” he murmured, his voice low but serious. His eyes met yours, searching. “We need to talk.”

You nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. The chemistry between you was undeniable, but that didn’t mean you were going to be reckless. 

"I’m clean," you said softly, feeling a little breathless as you admitted it. "I’ve been tested."

"Me too," Tyler replied, his voice steady but filled with the same tension that ran through your body. “But...” He gave you a sheepish grin as he reached out, fumbling in the drawer of his nightstand for a moment. His fingers finally closed around what he was looking for, and he pulled out a small foil packet, holding it up between the two of you with a little chuckle. “Just in case.”

You smiled at his awkward fumbling, appreciating the way he was handling this—respectful, but still maintaining that easy, familiar chemistry you had with him. 

“Good thinking,” you teased, watching as he ripped the packet open, his movements still a little clumsy in his eagerness. He rolled the condom onto himself, his eyes never leaving yours. His breath was heavy, and you could feel the tension building again, stronger now that you’d both cleared the air. 

You reached for his Stetson, which had somehow ended up on the bed, and with a grin, you placed it on your head, the brim casting a shadow over your eyes. Tyler’s gaze darkened as he watched you, his lips parting slightly as if he was about to say something, but no words came out.

Slowly, you positioned yourself over him, your legs straddling his hips. His hands came to rest on your thighs, his fingers squeezing lightly as you sank down onto him, a gasp escaping your lips at the sensation. The Stetson tilted slightly on your head, but you didn’t care. All that mattered at that moment was the connection between you and Tyler—the heat, the closeness, the way his hands gripped your hips like you were the only thing keeping him anchored to the earth.

Tyler let out a groan, his grip tightening as you adjusted to him, your body leaning forward slightly, pressing your chest against his as you both took a moment to breathe. His hand slid up your back again, this time tracing your spine with slow, deliberate strokes that sent shivers through your body. He tilted his head up, brushing his lips against yours in a kiss that was slow as if he had all the time in the world to savor this moment.

"God, you look so damn good," he whispered against your lips, his voice rough, filled with that raw desire you’d only ever seen glimpses of before.

You smiled, breathless, your forehead resting against his. “Wearing your hat and nothing else?” you teased, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Mmhm.” Tyler’s hands slid back down to your hips, guiding you as you began to move slowly against him. “You have no idea what you do to me...”

Tyler’s breath hitched as you settled against him, your bodies moving in sync, slow and deliberate, as if the two of you were savoring every second. His hands never left your skin, sliding from your hips to your waist, then down your thighs, like he couldn’t get enough of the feel of you. Each movement sent a shiver up your spine, your body reacting to the way his fingers traced small circles, grounding you in the moment.

The slow rhythm between you grew more intense with every passing second, but Tyler kept his focus on you, his eyes locked on yours, the smirk on his face softened by the emotion behind it. He shifted slightly beneath you, a groan slipping from his lips as he tightened his grip on your hips, guiding you in your movements but still giving you control.

Your breath came in shallow gasps as the sensation built, but you didn’t rush. There was something almost sweet about the way you moved together, like you both understood that this wasn’t just about the physical connection. It was something deeper, something that had been simmering for years between flirty glances, teasing remarks, and late-night conversations.

Tyler leaned up, capturing your lips in another kiss—this one softer, more tender, as if he was trying to tell you something without words. His fingers threaded through your hair, gently tugging, tilting your head back just enough to expose your neck. He pressed his lips to your throat, kissing his way up the sensitive skin there, and you couldn’t help the small sounds that escaped your lips, your body responding to every little touch.

You felt his grip on your hips tighten again, pulling you closer, your bodies moving together with more urgency now. The feeling between you was electric, your heart pounding in your chest as his kisses grew more desperate, more hungry. But even in the midst of it, Tyler’s touch remained careful, measured, as if he was constantly checking to make sure you were okay.

You didn’t mean for it to happen but your orgasm hit you faster than you expected. You felt your walls squeezing around him as your thighs started to shake. You let out several moans into Tylers mouth as he bucked his hips up to work you through it.

When you finally broke away from his mouth, breathless, Tyler leaned his forehead against yours, his hands resting on your lower back, holding you close. His eyes searched yours, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence between you—just the sound of your breathing and the steady beat of your hearts.

“You okay?” he murmured, his voice rough but filled with concern as he brushed a strand of hair away from your face, his thumb grazing your cheek.

You nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. “More than okay,” you whispered back, your fingers tracing the line of his jaw.

He exhaled, a relieved grin spreading across his face. “Good.” His hands slipped down to your waist again, his grip firm but gentle. “Because I’m not sure I can handle you looking like that in my hat and not lose my damn mind.”

You chuckled softly, leaning down to kiss him again, feeling the way his body responded to the smallest touch. The teasing from earlier was still there, but it was mingled with something else now—a deep sense of care and affection that had always been beneath the surface.

As the tension built between you again, Tyler’s movements became more urgent, more deliberate, and his grip on you tightened in response. His groans were low and quiet, but the sound of them sent a surge of heat through your body, making you move faster, more eagerly, craving every reaction you could pull from him.

Tyler’s hands roamed your back, sliding up your spine and then down again, before settling on your hips once more, guiding you, helping you keep the rhythm even when it became harder to focus as your second orgasm crept closer. His mouth found your neck again, biting down gently in a way that made you gasp, your body arching into him as the sensation overwhelmed you.

Every touch, every kiss felt electric, like the two of you had been waiting for this moment for years. And as the intensity reached its peak, you couldn’t help but feel the emotion behind it all—the unspoken bond you shared, the connection that had always been there, simmering just beneath the surface of your friendship.

Finally, as the tension broke and the two of you found your release together, Tyler pulled you close, wrapping his arms around you as you collapsed against him. His body was warm and solid beneath you, his heartbeat strong and steady as you both came down from the high of the moment. He held you there, his hands still tracing gentle patterns on your skin, like he was memorizing the feel of you.

For a long moment, neither of you moved, the room filled with nothing but the sound of your breathing as you lay in the quiet intimacy of the aftermath. Tyler shifted slightly, his hand sliding up to brush through your hair again, his lips pressing a soft kiss to your temple.

“You okay?” he asked again, his voice soft and filled with that familiar concern.

You nodded against him, your body still tingling from the intensity of what had just happened. “Yeah... more than okay,” you murmured, echoing your earlier words.

Tyler chuckled quietly, his arms tightening around you as he pulled you closer. “Good,” he said, his voice warm and filled with affection. “That’s all I ever want... to take care of you.” His fingers trailed along your back in slow, soothing strokes as he held you there, the warmth of his body surrounding you like a cocoon of safety and comfort.

The warmth of Tyler’s body still enveloped you as you lay there, your head resting on his chest, his hand gently running through your hair. The room was quiet now, just the soft sounds of your breathing mixing with the faint creak of the old house settling around you. For a while, neither of you spoke, the weight of what had just happened hanging in the air. You could feel Tyler’s steady heartbeat beneath your cheek, and it grounded you, but there was something else—a nagging thought that you couldn’t quite shake.

You shifted slightly, lifting your head to look at him. “Tyler...” you began, your voice soft, but tinged with uncertainty.

He looked down at you, his brows furrowing just a little, concern immediately flashing in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”

You bit your lip, hesitating for a moment before speaking. “What... what does this mean for us?” you asked, the vulnerability in your voice surprising even you. “I mean, is this... was this just a one-time thing?”

Tyler’s expression softened instantly, and he reached up, cupping your cheek in his hand, his thumb gently brushing over your skin. 

“A one-time thing?” he repeated, his voice almost incredulous. “Are you kidding?”

You averted your gaze, feeling a little silly for even asking, but Tyler didn’t let you look away. He gently guided your chin back toward him, making sure your eyes met his.

“I’ve been in love with you since we were teenagers,” he said, his voice low but steady, like it was the most natural thing in the world to admit. “I just... I didn’t think I had a shot in hell with someone like you.”

Your heart skipped a beat, his words sinking in slowly. “Someone like me?” you echoed, a small laugh escaping your lips despite the serious turn of the conversation. “Tyler, you make it sound like I’m some kind of angel.”

He chuckled softly, his thumb still brushing along your cheek. “Well, that’s what you are to me,” he said with a grin. “An angel. I mean, come on... a guy like me? A cowboy who’s been out chasing storms and kicking up dust for most of his life?” His eyes sparkled with humor, but there was something deeper behind them—something genuine. “I didn’t think I deserved a shot with someone as good as you.”

You couldn’t help but smile, your heart swelling at his words. “Cowboys and angels...” you teased, the playfulness returning to your voice. “Seems like a pretty good combination to me.”

Tyler laughed, the sound warm and rich, and he pulled you closer, his arms wrapping around you like he never wanted to let go. “Yeah,” he murmured, pressing his lips to your forehead. “Turns out, they go real well together.”

For a moment, you both lay there in the quiet, the weight of his confession settling over you. It felt like everything had shifted between you, but in the best possible way. The years of friendship, the playful flirting, the unspoken connection—it had all led to this, to a moment that felt as natural as it was surprising.

You smiled up at him, the worry that had been gnawing at you now completely gone. “So... we’re doing this?” you asked softly, your hand resting over his heart.

Tyler grinned, his eyes full of warmth as he leaned in, kissing you tenderly. “Yeah,” he whispered against your lips. “We’re doing this.”

And with that, the uncertainty melted away, replaced by the deep, undeniable certainty that this was where you were meant to be—wrapped up in the arms of the man who had loved you all along, even when you hadn’t realized it. The cowboy and his angel, right where they belonged.

[meadowfics]

delicious meal

kang sae-byeok x smallbusinessowner!reader

waiter!kang dae-ho as well ;)

another part in my "small business owner" series for sae-byeok

warnings: one spicy pg-13 moment but that's it.

this is a rare moment of nerves for sae-byeok.

she keeps adjusting her jacket sleeves, shifting in her seat slightly as she takes in the lavish decor of the restaurant.

the dim lighting, the crystal chandeliers, the waitstaff in neatly pressed uniforms..it all feels foreign to her.

it is foreign to her.

you notice the way her fingers twitch on the edge of the table, and without a word, you slide your hand over hers, squeezing lightly.

"are you nervous?"

you tease softly, your voice laced with warmth.

sae-byeok scoffs, rolling her eyes, but the slight pink dusting her cheeks betrays her.

"no,"

she lies.

"why would i be nervous? i'm just… not used to places like this."

sae's eyes flicker around the restaurant, catching glimpses of other diners in elegant outfits, sipping wine with an ease she doesn’t feel.

before you can respond, your waiter approaches, placing utensils neatly in front of both of you.

he’s young, maybe around your age, with neatly styled dark hair and a welcoming smile.

"hello, my name is kang dae-ho, but please just call me dae,"

he says smoothly.

"i'll be taking care of you guys tonight. can i get you started with any drinks?"

you glance at sae-byeok, giving her the opportunity to order first, but she just nods toward you.

"good evening, dae. i’ll have a lemonade,"

you say, smiling.

"just water for me,"

sae-byeok adds quickly, her voice quieter than usual.

dae nods, scribbling on his notepad.

"great choice. i’ll be right back with those."

as soon as he walks away, you lean in slightly.

"you could’ve gotten something else, you know. you don’t have to just get water."

sae-byeok shrugs, adjusting her leather jacket sleeve again.

"it’s fine. you know i don’t really care about drinks like that."

dae-ho returns quickly, setting down your lemonade and her water.

"ready to order?"

"yes. tonight I'll just have the bibimbap,"

you say, and without missing a beat, sae-byeok says,

"same."

dae-ho grins.

"twins, huh?"

he jokes, but sae-byeok just snorts.

when he walks away, you smirk.

"so, a copycat, huh?"

sae-byeok giggles softly, shaking her head.

"excuse me? i put you onto bibimbap. remember?"

"you did,"

you admit,

"but you didn't have to copy my order."

you tease.

in fact, you love how similar you and sae are.

"why change what works?"

she shrugs, leaning back in her chair, looking a little more relaxed now.

you love moments like this..

moments when her guard is down, when she’s just sae-byeok, not the girl who’s always had to fight for everything.

you take a sip of your lemonade, watching her as she absentmindedly runs a finger along the rim of her glass.

after a beat, you ask,

"so… any updates on your mom?"

sae-byeok glances up, hesitating for only a second before nodding.

"yeah. the broker found her. she’s going to cross the chinese border soon."

you sit up a little, taking in the weight of her words.

"really? that’s good, right?"

"it is,"

she says, though there’s something in her tone that tells you she’s trying not to get her hopes up too much.

"once she gets closer to the thailand border, i’ll figure out a way to meet her and bring her over here."

you nod slowly, letting her lead the conversation.

"that’s huge, sae. i know how much this means to you."

she exhales, staring at her water for a moment before looking back at you.

"it’s been six months, you know."

"since…?"

you tilt your head, teasing.

"since we got together,"

she mutters, rolling her eyes.

you grin.

"you keeping track now?"

"shut up,"

she mumbles, but there’s no real bite behind it.

you reach for her hand again, this time letting your thumb trace over her knuckles.

"i’m really happy with you," you say simply.

she looks down at your hands, quiet for a moment before murmuring,

"i know. I am too with you."

you don’t push for anything more...you never do.

you’ve already told her you love her, and though she hasn’t said it back, you feel it in the way she looks at you.

in the way she saved up for this dinner, in the way she always makes sure you get home safe after a long shift.

the fact that she is taking you to this fancy place, and paying for it, shows that sae is someone who would rather tell you her love through her actions.

sae-byeok pulls her hand away, only to reach for her water and take a sip before clearing her throat.

"i still feel bad, you know. about… taking your money that day."

you shake your head immediately.

"you don’t have to. you were trying to help cheol. if anything, i was going to spend that money on you anyway."

you smirk, aware of your gift-giving love language.

sae-byeok gives you a flat look.

"that’s not how that works."

"it is for me,"

you argue lightly.

"you know i love buying you things."

sae-byeok sighs but can’t fight the small smile tugging at her lips.

"yeah, i know."

you smile back, squeezing her hand again before letting go when you see dae-ho approaching with your food.

he approaches your table.. carefully placing the bowls of bibimbap in front of you and sae-byeok.

the aroma immediately fills the space between you, making your stomach grumble slightly.

"everything look good?"

dae-ho asks, glancing between the two of you with an easy smile.

"yeah, it looks great,"

you say, already reaching for your chopsticks.

"it’s good,"

sae-byeok adds, inspecting her dish before nodding in approval.

dae-ho grins at the both of you before stepping back.

"perfect. enjoy your meal."

with that, he walks off to check on another table.

just as you’re about to dig in, sae-byeok suddenly lets out a quiet laugh, shaking her head slightly.

you blink, confused.

"what’s so funny?"

she smirks, leaning in just a little.

"i think someone has a crush on you."

you furrow your brows, tilting your head.

"what?"

sae-byeok subtly nods her head toward dae-ho, who is now assisting another table.

the korean's eyes gleam with mischief, watching for your reaction.

you roll your eyes playfully, shaking your head.

"sae, he's just doing his job."

"he better be,"

she replies with a smirk, her tone low and possessive, which sends a wave of warmth to your cheeks.

oh, sae-byeok can be so possessive in the best way.

"sae-byeok,"

you say, a teasing lilt in your voice as you smirk at her.

"you know i am only yours."

sae's expression shifts slightly, something deeper, something smug yet sincere showing in her dark eyes.

"yeah?"

she murmurs, the tension in her voice sending a small shiver down your spine.

"yeah,"

you confirm, rubbing her calf with your foot under the table.

sae-byeok smirks while taking a bite of her food, clearly pleased, and it encourages you to finally start eating as well.

the conversation flows effortlessly after that.

sae-byeok is attentive, constantly checking to make sure you think the food is perfect, even though she knows you’d never complain.

all she wants is for this night to go smoothly, for it to be something you remember.

when dae-ho comes back, you’re about to shake your head and refuse dessert, but sae-byeok insists, her voice firm yet gentle.

"we're getting bingsu."

you give her a look, amused.

"oh, we are?"

"yes,"

she says simply.

dae-ho watches as you gently grab sae-byeok’s hand across the table, rubbing her knuckles in a way that speaks volumes.

you don’t even notice his expression shift slightly as realization settles in

he now understands that you and sae-byeok are together.

he doesn’t mind, not at all. he never had a crush on you...he was just doing his job.

however he’s accepting in a society who could look at your relationship as taboo.

he offers a small, genuine smile before nodding.

"i’ll be right back with that,"

dae-ho says before walking away.

when he returns, he sets down one dish with two spoons, the shaved ice dessert looking absolutely perfect.

"enjoy,"

dae-ho says with a polite nod.

"thanks,"

sae-byeok replies, grabbing her spoon first.

you both try the bingsu, the cold, sweet flavor hitting your tongue in the best way possible.

you widen your eyes, looking at sae-byeok, who already has a similar reaction.

"oh my god,"

you say.

"this is the best bingsu i’ve ever had."

sae-byeok nods, already taking another bite.

"yeah. this was a good choice."

after finishing, sae-byeok reaches for the check before you can even think about grabbing it.

"wait, are you sure?"

you ask, watching her carefully.

"yes,"

she insists, her voice leaving no room for argument.

the bill is a little high for her standards, but she saved for this.

she planned for this.

she wants to do this for you.

after she pays, the two of you step outside into the cool night air.

the breeze feels nice against your skin, and as you walk, sae-byeok stays close beside you.

she glances at you, taking in the sight of your dark olive green sweater, your brown maxi-length skirt.

oh, she is so in love with you.

before you can take another step, she gently grabs your waist, pulling you into a soft embrace.

you instinctively wrap your arms around her shoulders, inhaling the familiar scent of her vanilla perfume.

she looks into your eyes, and for once, there is no hesitation.

"do you know how much i love you?"

sae-byeok asks, her voice quiet but firm, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

your lips curl into a small smile before you tease,

"how much do you love me?"

sae-byeok doesn’t answer with words.

instead, she leans in, pressing her lips against yours in a slow, lingering kiss.

when she finally pulls away, she breathes,

"i love you so much, y/n."

your heart swells at the words you've waited to hear, but deep down, you've known it all along.

more of the small business owner series coming soon

full masterlist here

[rinsthighsweat]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for doing my request, it's so damn good!!! I'll be really looking forward to the taller characters part if you really do it, tall men are my weakness. Love you, you're incredible. 🥹

Awww thank you so much, sweetheart, love you tooooo! I want to make you happy so here is the second part! If you want another scenario or any other characters you can tell me! Hope you like it.

You're taller and stronger than them (p.2)

Kaiser, Ness, Rin, Shidou and Barou | masterlist

۶ৎ Michael Kaiser

Kaiser’s confidence doesn’t falter one bit in this dynamic, if anything, he loves the attention it brings.

He’s the type to subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) brag about how his s/o is bigger and stronger than everyone else.

Loves the way you tower over him. It makes him feel like he has a personal protector, though he’ll never admit it outright.

He teases you often, poking fun at the height difference and how easily you can lift him. “Think you could carry me to the fridge? I’m too tired to get up.”

Despite his teasing, he secretly adores moments where your strength is on full display, like opening jars with ease or carrying heavy things for him.

Michael will casually wrap his arms around your waist, leaning into you like he owns the world. His smirk softens when he says, “You know, I might be flashy, but you’re the one who really steals the spotlight.”

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

۶ৎ Alexis Ness

Ness is initially a bit self-conscious about the dynamic. He worries about looking “small” next to you, but that fades quickly.

He admires your physique and height, seeing it as a testament to your hard work and determination.

Loves when you tower over him protectively. He feels safe with you, like nothing in the world could hurt him.

Ness is the type to make subtle adjustments to his lifestyle to complement your strength, like asking for your help with workouts or even modifying his training routines.

He blushes furiously when you do things like pick him up effortlessly or jokingly flex around him. “You’re showing off again” he says, though he can’t stop smiling.

On quiet nights, he leans into your chest with a content sigh, whispering, “You’re the strongest person I know, but I love the way you always hold me so gently.”

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

۶ৎ Rin Itoshi

Rin is a bit conflicted at first, especially since he’s used to being the serious, intimidating one in the room.

He doesn’t show it outwardly, but he admires your strength and height, finding it comforting in a way he doesn’t fully understand.

Over time, he becomes incredibly proud of you. He’s not one to vocalize it, but his small actions, like training harder to “keep up”, reveal his feelings.

He’ll occasionally comment on your height with a dry tone, “Can’t you stop growing? You’re making me look short.” But deep down, he loves the way you make him feel grounded.

Rin finds solace in your presence during tough times. When he leans into you after a grueling day, his walls crumble. “Don’t let go,” he whispers softly, his voice vulnerable.

Seeing you dominate in any physical activity ignites something competitive in him. He’ll challenge you, but secretly hopes you’ll win every time.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

۶ৎ Shidou Ryusei

Shidou absolutely lives for the dynamic. He finds your height and strength incredibly attractive and doesn’t shy away from saying it.

Constantly challenges you to arm wrestling matches, only to fake a dramatic defeat when you inevitably win. “Damn, you’re really something, huh?”

He’ll flirt shamelessly, throwing out wild compliments about your physique that leave you half-laughing, half-rolling your eyes.

Loves how easily you can overpower him, whether it’s playfully pinning him down or carrying him off when he’s being too chaotic.

Shidou’s energy matches your presence, he’ll loudly declare to anyone who listens, “Yeah, that’s my s/o. You jealous or what?”

In quieter moments, he’s surprisingly tender. Resting his head on your shoulder, he murmurs, “You’re like a fortress, y’know? Makes me feel like nothing can touch me.”

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

۶ৎ Barou Shoei

Barou initially struggles with the dynamic. He’s used to being the dominant presence, and your height and strength throw him off.

However, he quickly grows to respect and admire you even more because of it. He sees you as someone who’s earned your place beside him.

Loves the way you handle challenges with ease, even if he won’t admit it directly. “Hmph. Don’t get cocky just because you’re taller,” he says with a smirk, but the admiration in his tone is clear.

Barou secretly loves when you take care of things for him, like carrying heavy groceries or blocking crowds with your presence.

On rare occasions, when he’s feeling particularly vulnerable, he’ll let himself lean into you for support. It’s his silent way of trusting you completely.

“You’re strong,” he mutters one day, his voice low and sincere. “Stronger than anyone I’ve ever met.”

© 2025 rinsthighsweat — do not repost, copy, translate, modify, etc my work on any platform !

[communicationthroughlyrics]

I Work Too Hard, Can You Fuckin' Pay Me?

Part 7 - Y/N moved to escape some of thier looming troubles from Westview, to the place that their best friend said would make a difference. New job, new digs, will Y/N make a change for the better, or leave another city with their tail between their legs?

TW: Angst, Intersex reader, reader has some... not so great coping habits, sexual tension

Word Count: 2.3K

Read Pt. 1 HERE Read Pt. 2 HERE Read Pt. 3 HERE Read Pt. 4 HERE Read Pt. 5 HERE Read Pt. 6 HERE

You Say You Want Me, But You Know I'm Not What You Need

Pietro's words weighed heavy on you throughout your work week as you buried yourself in your latest projects. Every time you thought about Wanda, which was more than you cared to admit, the conversation with her brother- and your best friend echoed in your mind. It was like he had peeled back the layers of your defenses and seen right through to the fear that was holding you back. You knew he was right, that you couldn't live your life in fear, but the thought of hurting her was paralyzing.

Friday evening finally rolled around, and with it, the promise of the weekend. You decided to visit the local bar, hoping the noise and the company of strangers would help distract you from your tumultuous thoughts. As you sipped your beer, you watched the crowd, their laughter, and chatter creating a wall of white noise that you wished could drown out the voice in your head. A voice that had been echoing in the depths of your mind since that night you had shared with her.

As you were lost in thought, the door of the bar swung open, and Wanda walked in, looking radiant despite the sadness that still lingered in her eyes. You felt your heart drop as she scanned the room, and when she saw you, she paused, her gaze lingering for a moment before she turned away. You knew you couldn't avoid her forever. You downed the rest of your drink and approached her, your steps feeling heavier with each inch that brought you closer.

"Hey," you said softly, trying to keep your voice from cracking. She turned to face you, her eyes wary but open. "Can we talk?"

Wanda nodded, and you led her to a quieter corner of the bar, the neon lights casting a soft glow on her features. You took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Pietro came to talk to me," you began, watching the way her expression tightened. "He's worried about you."

Wanda looked down at her drink, her fingers playing with the condensation on the glass. "I know," she murmured. "I've been avoiding him too." You tried to ignore the pang in your chest, feeling like you had caused this. She was avoiding you, which made sense. But she was also avoiding her brother.

"Wanda," you started, "I need to tell you something." She met your gaze, her eyes searching for something you weren't sure you could provide. "I've been thinking about that night. And what happened between us." She nodded slightly, her expression unreadable. "I'm sorry I pushed you away. I'm just...scared."

She looked up, the sadness in her eyes shimmering with a hint of anger. "Scared of what, Y/N?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

You took a deep, shaky breath, trying to find the right words. "Scared of losing you," you admitted. "Scared of hurting you. Scared of not being enough." You looked down at the table, finding the rough texture suddenly interesting. "My last relationship, it…it was a mess. And it isn't fair to you," you took a deep breath, feeling her hands slide into your nervous ones. "I don't want it to feel like I am taking my issues out on you."

Wanda's grip tightened, giving you a gentle squeeze. "Y/N, I'm not just anyone," she said, her voice firm. "I know you're going through stuff, but so am I. And I know we can work through it together." She paused, her thumb tracing small circles on the back of your hand. "But if you don't want to, if you think we can't, then I'll respect that."

You swallowed hard, looking into her eyes and seeing the hurt you had caused. "It's not that," you said, your voice cracking. "It's just that I've hurt so many people before. And I don't know if I can handle it if I hurt you too."

Wanda leaned in closer, her voice soft but firm. "But what if we don't let fear dictate our future? What if we take a chance, and maybe, just maybe, it's the best thing for both of us? We can also help each other, Y/N."

You felt your resolve wavering, the warmth of her touch and the sincerity in her words reaching deep within you. "I want that," you whispered, "but I'm so scared."

"So am I," she started, gripping your hands tighter to help reassure you. "Your reputation proceeds you, Y/N. Pietro definitely told me a lot about you before you moved here." She took a deep breath, looking into your eyes. "But I've seen a different side of you. One that is kind, caring, and...scared." She gave a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm taking a risk, too, you know. I've never felt this way before."

Her confession hit you like a ton of bricks, and suddenly, the bar didn't seem so crowded anymore. It was just you and Wanda, in your own little bubble. "Wanda," you whispered, leaning closer to her, "I can't explain what it is. There is this pull, I just want to be around you. I think about you constantly."

Wanda's smile was faint but genuine. "Then why are we fighting it?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.

You took a deep breath, feeling your chest tighten. "Because I don't know if I can give you what you need," you confessed. "I don't know if I can be the person you deserve."

"Let me decide that, Y/N." Wanda's voice was steady, her eyes unwavering. "You can't live your life assuming the worst."

You searched her eyes, looking for any sign of doubt or hesitation. But all you found was a determination that mirrored your own. "I know," you began, leaning back into the booth you were seated in. "I can't help but think the worst. I've been told, over and over that I am the worst. I don't want to find out what will happen if you were to think that too."

Wanda reached out and placed a hand on your cheek, her touch tender and reassuring. "Y/N, I'm not everyone else. I know you better than you think, and I know that you're trying."

You couldn't deny the warmth that spread through you at her touch, or the way your heart skipped a beat when she said she knew you. You leaned into her hand, feeling the tension in your shoulders ease slightly. "But what if I'm not good enough?" you murmured, your voice filled with doubt.

Wanda leaned closer, her thumb brushing gently against your cheekbone. "I wouldn't have kissed you in the first place if you weren't, Y/N. You're more than enough," she said, her eyes searching yours. "And if you ever doubt that, I'll be here to remind you."

The bar was a blur around you, the noise fading away as you focused on her. You felt the weight of your decision lighten slightly, the fear of losing her still there but tempered by the hope of what could be. You took a deep breath and nodded. "Promise?"

Wanda leaned in, her breath warm against your cheek. "I promise," she whispered, and with that, she kissed you. It was soft and gentle, a stark contrast to the passion of that night under the stars. But it was filled with something else—something deeper, something more profound. It was a promise of understanding and support, of patience and growth.

Your eyes fluttered closed as you kissed her back, feeling the tension in your body melt away. The world around you disappeared, leaving only the two of you in the quiet corner of the bar. The kiss grew more urgent, as you slid your way around the corner booth so your hands could find their way to her waist, pulling her closer. It felt right like you were finally letting go of the fear that had been holding you back.

She pulled away, resting her forehead against yours. "That night," you began, looking into her darkened gaze. "It took everything in me to not walk back over and just kiss you."

Wanda's eyes searched yours, the unspoken words hanging in the air between you. "What stopped you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"My own crippling fear?" you let out a soft chuckle, feeling the warmth of her breath on your skin. "I didn't want to mess up what we had," you admitted. "And I didn't know if I was ready to deal with the fallout."

Wanda leaned back, her eyes searching yours. "But you are now?" she asked, hopeful.

You took a deep breath, the warmth of her body pressing against yours. "I don't think I ever will be," you said, feeling a newfound sense of determination. "But, I'm ready to try."

Wanda's eyes searched yours, a spark of hope igniting in them. "Okay," she said softly. "Let's take this one step at a time." she winked, "But maybe don't run away from me anymore, yeah?"

You couldn't help but laugh, feeling a weight lift from your shoulders. "Deal," you said, smiling. The rest of the night was a blur of laughter and stolen glances, a tentative dance of flirty banter and comforting touches. It was like the universe had taken a deep breath and finally allowed you to move forward.

"Dance?" she asked, standing as the floor began to get more crowded.

You nodded, feeling a rush of excitement. You had seen how she danced before, and the thought of dancing with her had your heart racing. You slid out of the booth, taking her hand in yours and leading her to the dance floor. The music was loud, but it didn't matter. You wrapped your arms around her waist, and she placed her hands on your shoulders, looking into your eyes as you began to move together. It was as if the world had stopped turning, and the only thing that mattered was the way she felt in your arms.

The rhythm of the music was infectious, and before you knew it, you were lost in the moment, your bodies moving in sync. You could feel the chemistry between you, the same spark that had been there the night of your first kiss. But this time, it didn't feel forbidden or wrong. It felt right. As you spun her around, her back now to your front. You leaned down and whispered into her ear. "I'm sorry for pushing you away, for being such a coward."

Wanda leaned back into you, her hands resting on your chest. "You're not a coward," she murmured. "You're just scared."

You pulled her closer, her back pressing against you. "I don't want to be scared anymore," you confessed. "I want to be with you." She ran her hands up your neck, carding through your hair and raking her nails on your scalp. The feeling sent goosebumps across your body.

Wanda leaned her head back against your shoulder, looking up at you. "Then let's not be," she whispered, and you felt the final piece of your wall crumble. The bar's lights flickered and danced in her eyes, casting an otherworldly glow. You bent down and kissed her again, the music swelling around you like a crescendo. It was a kiss that spoke of all the unspoken words, of the fears you had both been holding onto.

You both continued swaying to the music, your bodies fitting together perfectly as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The bar patrons around you melted away, leaving only the pulsing beat and the sound of each other's breaths. Wanda's hand snaked around your neck, her touch sending a warm jolt through your body, and you tightened your hold around her waist. You felt alive, more alive than you had in a long time. She turned around in your grasp, pressing herself up against you.

The music changed, the tempo slowing down, and you two matched it, moving in a sensual rhythm that had your heart racing. Wanda's eyes searched yours, and you knew she could see the conflict within you, the fear and hope battling it out. But she didn't push, she didn't ask for more than you could give. She just danced with you, her body a silent reassurance that you weren't alone.

The night grew later, the crowd thinner, and you found yourselves leaning against the bar, talking about everything and nothing at the same time. Her laughter was music to your ears, and the way she leaned into you made your heart swell with something you hadn't allowed yourself to feel in a long time—happiness.

"Want to get out of here?" Wanda's question was barely audible over the music, but you heard the hope in her voice.

You nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over you. "Yeah," you said, taking a step back to let her lead the way. As you followed her through the crowded bar, you couldn't help but feel like you were being reborn. The night air was cool against your skin as you stepped outside, and you took a deep breath, feeling it fill your lungs with a newfound sense of freedom.

"I guess I'll see you at home?" you asked, knowing you both brought your own cars. Wanda nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, unless you want to come over?" The question hung in the air, filled with a tentative hope that had your heart skipping a beat.

"Sure," you laughed. "I'll be over once I change out of this," you motioned towards your work attire, wiggling your eyebrows.

"Actually," she started, biting her lip as she pulled you into her with your disheveled tie. "I was hoping I could help with that..." The look in her eyes was hopeful, tinged with lust. "Unless you want to wait, that is."

You felt your heart thud in your chest, the warmth of her body making your head swim with desire. "No," you murmured, your voice thick with want. "I don't want to wait. I think we've done enough of that.”

[sodapopwrites]

a ballad of flame and shadow part seven

pairings - lucien vanserra x rhysands sister!reader, azriel x rhysand's sister!reader.

summary - she sees lucien once more, during his hunt for feyre, and finally let's herself reunite with azriel, but it all comes to a stop at yet another blow to the family.

word count - 2.2k

a/n - man. not my favorite chapter i'll admit. but i do like the next one alot. also when i started this i really was not going to write lucien like that. i was going to give their relationship more like umph...but my heart lies with azriel...so what's done is done. i also just...my little babies with communication issues thats what they all are...like someone has to contrast rhys who never shuts the fuck up.

read the rest of the series here!

She hated the Illyrian training camps. Couldn’t stomach the thought of them. She accompanied the group and stayed for introductions, but left with Rhysand and Feyre to train. 

Even that was unbearble to her. The feelings both Feyre and Rhysand refused to talk about sent her eyes rolling. But what was harder for her was Rhysand’s retelling of their history. When he started to tell Feyre of the reason, the true reason, for their tension with Tamlin…She just couldn’t stomach it. She didn’t want to relive the violence. The pain of having family ripped away from her. 

She departed and let herself wander through the woods. Feyre watched her go and looked towards Rhysand for explanation, 

“She’s okay. She just..She’ll still come with us tomorrow. She just needs time.” 

────────────── ⋆✩⋆ ──────────────

The next day she pushed deeper into the woods. Ignoring the cold that was biting her uncovered skin. Ignoring the branches snagging on her clothes and her hair. Ignoring the group that was trailing behind her. She felt like something was wrong. 

It hit her then. The smell of him. Crisp like the first temperature fall of autumn. Burning like flickering embers. She was on high alert. Looking through the trees for any sight of that wave of auburn hair she knew all too well. She tried to send message to the others. Of the approaching threat. But nothing seemed to get through. If Rhys had heard her silent warning he sent no response back. 

Her name floated towards her, on a wind approaching her back. She turned to see who had snuck up on her. 

Lucien. 

Tall as ever. Draped in warm brown leathers of spring court. Hunting weapons at his side. She studied him. Not daring to speak. Seeing him for the first time since that Calanmai all those years ago. Since their argument. Since her small betrayal. No, not a betrayal. Azriel was not a betrayal. It was more than that. 

They stared at eachother. Unmoving. Neither daring to speak. She wasn’t who he was looking for. But he should have known. He should have known that she would be with them. He should have figured that Rhys would send her to accompany Feyre. Keep it in the family, that’s what they always did. He should have known. 

He repeated her name. Once more. Slowly. Softly. As if she was an animal he didn’t want to spook. He took a feeble step towards her. 

She looked good. Tired and weary. But just as beautiful as she had been the day she left him. 

She did a quick and not so subtle survey of his unmasked face. She’d almost let herself forget just how stunning he was. But for all his sharp featured beauty, she found herself craving the sight of something else. Of someone else. Someone darker and quieter. It was like looking at Lucien alone was a crime against her feelings. 

He had a million things he knew he should say to her. He knew he should apologize for the harsh words he’d flung at her. For the blame he’d levied against her all those years. But he just couldn’t. He’d spent their time away from each other going over every single scrap of memory he had of her. Remembering how she’d only come to him when it was clear she was trying to escape something else. How she’d leave immediately after. How she’d offer him small smiles and always always keep a part of herself tucked away from him. Like she was unwilling to let him love her. Like it would mean going against everything she stood for. 

Centuries of contempt. On either side of their families. And he thought they could ignore that for so long. But looking at her now. Wearing Illyrian leathers, a small silver necklace around her neck with a jewel that looked all too familiar to him, a picture of Night Court royalty. A picture of everything that Tamlin stood against, that he stood against. 

“What are you doing here?” 

Her words were a sharp knife of something accusatory. He didn't bother lying.

“Feyre has to come back. Tamlin…he-” 

“I don’t care. I don’t care what he’s feeling.” 

He sighed. On opposite ends of an old feud once more. 

“You don’t have to make this difficult. That bargain….she has to come back. It’s been months.” 

She let out a small laugh, “What makes you think she’d want to? After everything he did?” 

He took another step closer to her. Trying to tug on whatever tied them together still. 

“He made a mistake, you of all people should be able to understand that?” 

She narrowed her eyes at him, “What is that supposed to mean Lucien?” 

They were inches apart now. 

“I remember someone, who in her rage, tore down entire armies, alone, during the war.” 

Her eyes sparked with anger at the sheer mention of who she had been during the war. Who she had been forced to be to protect her family. Her voice was seething as she responded, 

“You know nothing Lucien Vanserra.” 

He winced. She never failed to bring about his family name whenever she pulled her walls up. An easy way to drive him away. An easy way to rip any morsel of peace from a moment. Even if she was right. Even if he hadn’t been around to fight in the first war. He heard stories, from Tamlin mostly, about her anger. Her power. That brought soldiers to their knees in defeat, to wait for their death. It was another way for Tamlin to try and dissuade him from having anything to do with her. He continued steadily,

“I remember someone who after the war, withdrew into herself so severely her brother thought she’d never return fully. I remember someone who came to me, to do her job, and instead let me try and piece her back together.” 

He shouldn’t have said it. Shouldn’t have given himself that much credit. Shouldn’t have brought up the way she let herself boil in her own thoughts when she didn’t know what else to do. Shouldn’t have pointed out the inherent darkness that simmered in her. 

She started to turn away. Done with the conversation. Not wanting to give him any more ammunition. He called after her, 

“Loyalty over all else huh?” 

He let the question slip out with a hint of completely humourless laughter. She whipped back around, her response dripping with a biting venom. 

“Over what? Whatever was between you and me? What did you think that was exactly?” 

He winced, “Something more than this.” 

He motioned between them. At the space between them. As if it perfectly represented the anger and the pain that flowed between them. As if those couple feet of distance represented their years long entanglement so easily broken. 

“More than what? A pretty distraction?” 

He let her statement wash over him. 

“I’ve always had the bad habit of letting myself get distracted by beautiful things” 

There had always been some truth to it. Was that all she was? A distraction? From what he thought the night court held. From those she held close to her, that he could never bring himself to trust. He thought that she was an exception, from the rest of them, from Rhysand’s inner circle. But she never had been. He had tried not to think of what exactly he was distracting her from.

“Is that what I was to you?” 

The way she had used him to forget the shadows she craved. The way she had sought out his blazing heat and warm light to burn away any shadowy blue itch that raced its way through her very bloodstream. The way it was always so easy to let herself fall into the teasing tone of his voice, the vibrant beauty of him. So much easier than working up the nerve accept what her soul tugged her towards. 

“I don’t know. I don’t what you were. What you ARE.” 

That much was true. The male she looked at now. Pleading and blinded by loyalty to his friend. Refusing to acknowledge what was really happening. Letting himself be led to believe things about Feyre and her family that were so blaringly false. Letting Tamlin’s whispers, poison his very being. Poison the good that she once saw in him. How she hoped it was still there. Simmering under the surface, under the fear. His shoulders slumped. He looked at her begging, 

“Please” 

He knew he shouldn’t say it. Shouldn’t weaponize their past against her. Not after everything that has happened between them in the years past. The silence and the resentment. The way it had pushed her to someone else. But he couldn’t help himself. He couldn’t go back to Spring court with nothing. 

“If you have..if you had..any care for me…at all..Tell me where she is.”

She bristled with indignance. Hurt etched through her every feature. 

“That’s low Lucien…Even for you.” 

She heard a rustle in the trees behind her. Whipping around to see Feyre. Rhysand and the others nowhere in sight. Where the hell are they? Kicking rocks or something? She thought to herself as she stared horrified at the girl who had stumbled across them. 

Feyre’s eyes flickered between the two standing in front of her. She took in Lucien’s pleading expression, Rhysand’s sister turning to look at her. 

“No” 

It was all the raven haired fae in front of her could say before Feyre’s training crashed over her. She pulled an arrow tight against her bow’s drawstring and uttered one thing to Rhysand’s sister, 

“Get Rhys.” 

Before turning towards Lucien, her eyes steeling into something cold and angry. 

────────────── ⋆✩⋆ ──────────────

She winnowed directly to Rhysand’s side, grabbing his arm. Her eyes searching her brothers face, she was out of breath, trying to figure out exactly what to tell him. 

“Lucien.” 

Was all she said. Rhysand’s eyes flashed before he grabbed her and they raced through the woods, back to his mate. Praying she would still be there by the time they found her. 

By the time they got back to the stream, back to where Feyre was surrounded, all she saw was Lucien lunge for the sleeve of Feyre’s jacket. Feyre turning into smoke and ash and night and reappear behind Lucien’s sentinels. Rhysand now standing at Feyre’s side. 

She hung back, partly because she was no longer needed, and partly because she couldn’t bear to let herself fall into Lucien’s sight line again. She let herself draw nearer, slowly, as they started to speak. Lucien still begging her to come home.

“And I suppose the Night Court is so much better?” 

His eyes fell to hers once more. Looking past Feyre at the female he once thought he could love. 

Feyre’s voice was low and quiet. Vicious as the wings weighing between her shoulder blades, “When you spend so long trapped in darkness, Lucien, you find that the darkness begins to stare back.” 

────────────── ⋆✩⋆ ──────────────

She went with her brother and Feyre to a small inn and tried to pretend she didn’t notice them go upstairs together. She wasn’t able to sleep a wink all night, instead she paced around the street outside. Debating whether or not she could stomach staying. She could not. She went back home the next morning without a word to Rhys and Feyre, deciding to give the pair some space. Deciding that she needed space herself. From the entire situation. From the clearing in the woods where she had seen Lucien. Spoken to him after all those years, with nothing but sharp and low insults whipped between them. 

When she returned to the townhouse, dusk had fallen, all she wanted to do was crash into her bed and sleep. But when she stepped into her room, she found Azriel waiting for her. Like he knew. Like he felt the turmoil raging in her from wherever he was. She stopped dead in her tracks and looked at him. A storm of emotion waged war behind his eyes. His shadows lay heavy throughout the room. 

When you spend so long trapped in darkness you find that the darkness begins to stare back. 

Her only salvation during Amarantha’s reign. Her only comfort in her years of morose silence. Whether it was physical or just the presence of him. Her only comfort, like he knew her darkness well, like he was forged from it, and he alone knew the way out. The way towards starry skies. 

“I-”

She stopped before she could say it. Like it got lodged in her throat. 

“I know” Was all he said as he pulled her body flush against his, and kissed her for the first time in years. 

────────────── ⋆✩⋆ ──────────────

When she awoke the next morning he wasn’t next to her. The bed beside her was cold and she frowned and slowly made herself stand and dress. Disappointment washing over her in frigid waves at his absence. She trailed downstairs, wondering how exactly she was going to face him when she returned to the camp. 

He was waiting for her downstairs. Pacing in front of the door, as if he had been waiting for hours, too afraid to wake her, but too anxious to sleep himself. 

“Rhys is hurt.” 

His statement sent a sharp arrow of anxiety through her chest. Everything from the night before faded away. The warmth of him. The unspoken promise of it. That golden thread that she had almost been ready to let herself acknowledge curling back around her ribs. Tight and unmovable. 

There never seemed to be time for them.

taglist:

@littlepippilongstocking @lilah-asteria @negomi123 @wrecklesssly

[enquire]

Kindle

Well here we have it. One last design to complete the class. Rounding things off with Kakeru.

Notes this time:

Kindle is a kirin and bull hybrid. He doesn't have a cutie mark because of this.

I originally was going to make him a bull, but I couldn't resist giving him some kirin traits-it fits his courtroom persona too well! So he does have the ability to produce flames, if only a little. It's localized mainly to his horns and eyes. His hooves probably get a bit hot as well, but not enough to set fires or cause damage.

He has a little bit of plating on his back in little bursts.

I tried to get as many flame motifs in here as I could haha

Ramblings below the cut

A Canterlot courtroom isn't exactly the place you'd expect to see somepony like Kindle. But despite the countless uppercrust unicorns he's surprised, he's still made a name for himself as a lawyer.

His spirit is matched by his fire, and he's made it his goal in life to defend those who need it most. Because of this, he's gained a lot of nicknames in legal circles. Such as the "Blazing Bull" (or "Raging Bull" by his less gracious opponents)

However, despite him having managed to make several connections while working in Canterlot, such as the stern Saber Frost, or the insightful Stardust siblings, it's not a place he'd call home.

For outside of the courtroom, Kindle struggles to keep and hold friendships and communicate with others. The fast pace of the city, and the often shallow or elitist nature of some of its residents, doesn't mesh well with Kindle's nature, or his being a fairly nervous country-pony whenever he's not practicing law.

After all, Kindle's heart lies in his hometown. The place he grew up, and where his family, including his younger sister, live. It's for them that he became a lawyer in the first place, even if it takes him far away more frequently than he'd like.

He's met many ponies in the course of his travels, but only two have ever really stayed by his side beyond the friends and family back home. Mourning Dove, and Mercy Suture. Both of whom had similar experiences, traveling all over Equestria for their talents while always keeping home in mind.

The quieter, calmer pace of their conversations made it simpler for Kindle to be himself without worry. And the three of them are regular penpals, who often meet up to see each other across their travels. Whenever Kindle finds himself in a new town, he always looks for local gems to grab a bite with his friends. Donut shops and diners are his favorites.

Whew. The set is finally complete... Somehow, Kakeru seems like a perfect final pony here. If you're curious, Midori would also be a cow-kirin hybrid.

I've made 18 of these designs so far. Though they're definitely imperfect, especially some of the earlier ones, I've had a great time working on this silly little project. It's been really good just making art for the fun, and getting better at not worrying about how good the pieces are or how niche it is haha.

I'm definitely not done with this AU of course! Now that I have names and designs down for everyone, there's definitely some more things I'd like to draw, and moments I'd like to visit for this. What can I say? I've liked ponies ever since I was little, and got drawn right back in this past year.

Maybe if I'm feeling really brave I'll share some written stuff? It's a bit intimidating going from what I usually post to something as silly and niche as an mlp crossover AU though I have to admit haha.

I think this is enough rambling for now, but I'll be back. If you're reading this, thanks for sticking around. Especially if you're one of the few whose been following me going through all these haha.

With that, I'm signing off!

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 50 (Life in Brindleton Bay)

cw: pet death, trying to explain loss to a two-year-old

Though born and raised in electric San Myshuno, Conrad immediately took to the quieter pace in coastal Brindleton Bay. He spent time with Gord at the dog park across the square, running the obstacle course to prepare him to impress their new captain at Brindleton PD.

As soon as Conrad moved in, Heather said she'd take Gord to be neutered. "I kept meaning to schedule the surgery, but with my work and the recovery time, I just didn't," he admitted sheepishly. Heather smiled.

"You live with a vet now. We'll both make sure he's better in no time. If we're splitting bills, that makes us a team, I think. Officially."

Conrad smiled, pulling her in for a kiss. "We are a team."

As a friendly and happy pup, Gord endured the cone of shame until his stiches healed. But they had only lived in Brindleton Bay a few days when Grim came calling for Heather's elder cat, King Tut.

Heather grieved his loss for weeks. He'd lived over two decades, so Tut's death wasn’t unexpected, but he’d been her companion since she was a child. And though she had her own grief to navigate, she had to help her son come to terms with loss for the first time.

Ash loved spending time with the family cats while Heather worked on her mobile app or studied her vet charts, but now his four-legged friend was gone. "Where Tut go, mommy?"

She knelt down to talk to him at eye level. "Tut lived a really long time, long before you were even born, and he was really old. When kitties get old enough, they go to a really special place with other kitties, but this place is only for them."

"We won't see him?" He sniffled, and Heather pulled him in for a comforting hug.

"We have to say goodbye to him here so he can make his journey to the special place. But it's okay because he'll be happy. Just as happy as he was when he got to be here with us."

Conrad buried Tut in the yard under a tall hemlock tree. His ghost could rest peacefully in the shade, and Heather and Ash could mourn whenever they needed.

And Tut could visit whenever he missed them, too!

Despite the sad start to their life together in Brindleton Bay, Conrad and Heather looked forward to the future. He watched over Ash when she worked long hours at the clinic, and they settled into a new routine as a trio with two cats and a dog.

One morning at the clinic, Everett's dad Bob Pancakes brought in Majora, one of his cats, and Heather learned he and his second wife, Annette, were considering retirement.

"I want to spend more time with my grandsons," he said with a gentle smile, and Heather listened intently while she worked. "Jett looks nothing like Spencer, but he loves her just the same. It's Spencer I worry about. She loves those boys, but I think she feels like something's missing. She can twist herself in knots with stress. My Eliza was like that, so it didn't surprise me when Everett fell in love with her, but I worry she needs adventure my homebody son just isn't built for, and the boys are so young."

Heather soothed Majora on the exam table. "Can I do anything to help?" She didn't want to intrude on their family, remembering her personal rule to keep her distance unless Everett or Spencer asked her themselves. "I don't know if I should get involved."

Bob laughed. "I'm not asking you to act like her therapist, but maybe you could spend some time with her. Plan a trip. The Kim-Lewis' and I will help Everett with the boys."

"I'll talk to her." She changed the subject to Bob's other kids before she cured Majora's lava nose with organic disinfectant spray. The poor kitty sneezed but recovered quickly and she sent them on their way, returning to the lobby to greet her next patient.

It wasn't like she didn't need a vacation, but life was far too busy these days for travel. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: Pet aging is probably too long but two decades isn't unheard of! Cats really don't get in the way unless I have infants, so I don't mind having them around this long, and honestly the longer the cats live the easier it is to meet the Gen 2 challenge to always own at least two cats. Dogs don't live as long, so at least that's accurate in my preferred settings!

[n3ptoonz]

'Undercover'

Pairing: Li Mei/Umgadi!Reader

Fandom: Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)

Warnings/tags: Smut; Explicit, angst if you blink, SCISSOR ME TIMBERS, female reader, undercover mission mentioned, forbidden love trope(?), technically re-profession of love, light breast play, may be some continuity errors

dt: @victorianeumanstrophywife i heard your cry and now i provide (bars) mwah mwah (user name so real)

Word count: 1.4k

You were utterly devastated the day Li Mei was discharged from the Umgadi. Neither of you would call whatever it is you had a "relationship." Not because it wasn't, but because it couldn't be. The Umgadi are sworn to piety from infancy. Those lingering stares, light feathery touches during training, all of it was kept hush-hush. You had no choice. But when she had to leave for good, it nearly broke you.

You held Li Mei in such high regard outside of her being the head of the Umgadi, and she to you outside of your excellent skillset as a higher ranked Umgadi. The whole thing was just beautiful. The only glaring issues were you could never be together and if you were it would be tried as treason.

One would think that because you were not around each other anymore it made things easier, oh to the contrary. Besides the fact that you both have mastered the stone cold soldier image, it was harder than being around each other and not being able to do anything about it.

To the Elder Gods above who must have thought it humorous to pair you two together for a longer mission outside of Edenia, what was the reason? For however long Li Mei had been appointed head of the Sun Do, you two never thought you would be able to already rarely meet outside the darkest of nights ever again. This is absurd to say the least. This had to be a test, right? Surely someone has informed a higher up about you two...No, otherwise you probably would not be standing here breathing, in front of Empress Sindel, receiving orders and details about the mission. The task was not simple, but it can be done, and she specifically requested you both because of your history working together and skills that best work for this type of mission.

-

There was a two bedroom small stakeout place already set up since this was going to last a few days, but you've never so awkward a day in your life. You dreamt of days like this: the day you would be able to be around each other in during the hours of the day freely, seldom judgement. Now here you both stood like statues. Li Mei nearly unable to look you in the eyes and you're just standing there.

"I'll take the left bed." Li Mei said as she cleared her throat to fill the silence. You nod and place your equipment on the right bed. The both of you were tasked with gathering information about conspiracy against the royal house, being provided civilian clothes to fit in. Li Mei was already undressing herself after laying her clothes out, so when you turned around you were met with her bare back before she readjusted her bra. You really couldn't help but to stare at the way her muscles rippled along with her movements while actively trying not to let your gaze travel straight to her ass.

"I can feel your eyes on me." she said with a small chuckle before putting just her pants on, leaving her in just her undershirt when she turned to face you. "I know it's been a while-"

"I miss you," you said, "Every day."

"I know," Li Mei replied in a quieter tone, taking both your hands into hers, "It was already one thing to be kicked out of the Umgadi. I still have not gotten used to not being able to see you every day. Even after all these years." she admitted. She looked down at your worn, yet somehow still soft hands and rubbed them with her thumb before pulling you into a hug.

"We may not be lovers officially...but perhaps one day." she mumbled. The faint smell of lavender in her hair took over your senses, causing you to hug her even tighter.

-

One long evening of almost getting caught multiple times later, you end up back at the hotel nearly out of breath. At some point you had to start running in case of recognition by voice or face and neither of you wanted to take that chance. There was some pretty useful information collected around some of the bars you visited together and separate. You subconsciously threw your jacket and shirt off onto your bed to feel the long awaited cool air pumping in the room, meanwhile you didn't catch the way Li Mei's breath hitched at the sight of the long scar across your back.

After getting out of her own head she asks, "Where did this come from?" while walking up behind you and gently placing her palm where the scar was. You looked over your shoulder with a puzzled expression before remembering almost instantly what had happened.

"Freak accident on a mission." you said while trying to sound casual about it. Before she even said anything you could tell she wasn't convinced in the slightest, but what came to your surprise was she decided against asking again and instead coming to her knees.

"Li Mei?" you questioned, feeling her hands grip your hips so you couldn't immediately turn to her. She left light, slow kisses along your well healed scar, making her way up your spine--smiling to herself when you shudder.

"Li Mei." you whisper this time. You shut your eyes and didn't even attempt to protest; anyone who was able to get Li Mei to act like this wouldn't dare either. Funny thing is, you are the only one who can.

Li Mei takes responsibility very, very seriously. Especially after what happened. But there's just something about the woman who stands before her that nips away at that part of her soul in the hottest way possible. She'd drop everything right now just to stay like this for the rest of her life.

She left a few kisses on your neck as her mindlessly let her hands roam your half naked body. Seeing you in a simple bra and casual pants were enough for her to even forget what you were here for in the first place. She reached up and turned your head to face her, soon having your body do the same. You couldn't look away no matter how hard you tried. Everything you went through played in the blink of an eye and right before her lips made contact with yours, you placed your hands on hers and sighed.

"We can't." you said quietly and gently moved them from your jaw. "We can't." you repeated, this time it sounded like you were trying to convince yourself more than her. "If we do this now-"

"Then we would be getting it out of the way."

"But," you breathlessly tried to retort, "We can't..." your eyes drop to her lips, "We..." you mutter one last time before closing the distance --which was barely there to begin with. Your lips meeting hers was that of a searing hot feeling of passion and longing. You fiddled with each other's clothes until you both were completely bare, still caught up in this kiss you so desperately needed for so long.

Once you were laid out on your bed her fingers made their way to your folds, drawing a genuine grin against your lips.

"You missed me that much, hm?" she said as you playfully rolled your eyes and quickly repositioned yourself so that she was now on her back and your leg was hooked around one of hers. Looking up at you with slight surprise, she smiled again.

"I did too." she mused and pulled you in for a longer kiss, softly humming when you started rubbing against her. This was not new for either one of you, so you knew exactly what got her to tick. She fucking loved when you played with your tits; it was like a neuron activation. The bed creaking held no candle to the breathy moans and wet sounds of your lips gliding effortlessly against hers. The more she watched you watch her play with her self solely to the visual of your fingers rolling your nipple between them, she was about ready to let the whole town know who she loved.

It didn't take long until she painted your upper thighs and lower torso with her own cum and you soon did the same. You still rode out your highs like your life depended on it, breath getting heavier and legs getting more tired by the second. Before you allowed yourself to collapse, you practically jumped into her arms to kiss her again.

"I'm so...in love with you..." you murmured in between kisses and rolling onto your back with her on top of you and settling between your thighs and whispering against your cheek.

"Not more than me loving you."

[siriuslysatorusimping]

*Preview* Untitled (Gojo Satoru oneshot)

Hi. This Goinko idea kinda hit me a while ago, and I've been having a lot of fun with it. I don't know when I'll finish it, but I thought it'd be fun to share a little snippet since I've been enjoying it so much 😬 It's very fluffy. The finished version will have a lil bit of angst. I'd really, really love to know your thoughts if you have any!

Kiko's Masterlist

"This—us. What are we doing? We never talk. We get home and eat in almost silence and then sit and watch TV until we go to bed. Are you happy? Do you want to be in this relationship? Because sometimes, I feel like we’re only still here because we’re both afraid of being alone.”

Pursing her lips, Rinko fought the dread that began to bloom in her chest as soon as he started speaking. Was she happy? She’d never even thought about whether she was happy. But she did want to be with him.

“We used to talk all the time, too,” he continued. “Send each other stupid things we saw during the day– don’t.” Satoru’s eyes narrowed when she slowly began to sink into the cushions beneath her. “I know where your head is going, don’t. This has nothing to do with you being enough, Rinko. Don’t do that.”

“Do you– is this you telling me you wanna break up, then?” she asked quietly, her throat closing. She should have worked harder. Been better. She’d gotten too comfortable and now she’d lost him. “Do- you want me to go?”

She supposed she could go stay with Shoko for a bit if he wanted her to leave right away–

He scooted closer, gently tugging her towards him until she sat on his lap.

“No,” he stated firmly, his hands settling on her waist. “I don’t wanna break up. I don’t want you to go anywhere. I just miss you, baby. I miss talking to you and hearing about your day. I miss cuddling while we watch TV. This is on both of us, ya know. We’ve both been so caught up in everything else that we forgot why we’re even together in the first place.”

Bumping his forehead with hers, he gave her a soft smile.

“You’re my best friend—just don’t tell Suguru I said that—but what we’re doing right now isn’t working. I just– I wanna fall in love with you all over again. There are some days I don’t even think we like each other.”

“I like you just fine,” she defended, gnawing on her bottom lip. “I love you–”

“Be honest with me, Rinko,” he cut her off. “Sometimes you can’t stand me. I know there are things about me that annoy the hell outta you, right?” Her shrug made him roll his eyes. “Fine, baby, I’ll start. You never throw your empty shampoo bottles away, and the shower looks like you’re trying to build a damn fort–”

“Sometimes the way you breathe pisses me off,” she finally blurted out, watching Satoru’s eyes widen before he started snickering. “Wait, fuck, that’s not–”

“Well, damn, baby,” he teased, his laughter shaking through her as he gasped for air. “I’m so sorry my need for oxygen gets to you–”

“That’s not what I meant!” she huffed. “I meant that sometimes you breathe really loud and it just– sometimes it just gets on my nerves. Why are you laughing?”

“Because you’re funny,” he replied easily, resting his forehead against hers. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he continued to chuckle. “D’you feel better now that you got all that off your chest?”

Rinko looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.

“I– a bit,” she admitted reluctantly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have–”

“It’s better for us to talk about this shit instead of just keeping it all in and constantly being annoyed with each other.” He pressed a light kiss to her cheek. “Now we can work on a few things together, yeah? You can start throwing your shampoo bottles away, and I can start trying to breathe quieter-”

She groaned, letting her head fall back before trying to scramble off his lap. His hands held tight, a teasing grin on his lips as she struggled.

“Baby,” Satoru whispered loudly in her ear, shaking her awake. “Rinko-chan, wake up!”

Rinko groaned, trying to swat him away.

“Lemme sleep,” she mumbled, snuggling further under the blankets. “Satoru–”

“I’ll drag you outta this bed, baby. You know I will.”

Her eyes snapped open to glare at him sleepily. She did know. She also knew that the prison time for murder might be worth considering if he didn’t let her sleep.

“Come outside with me,” he implored, throwing the covers away and pulling her to her feet. He shoved a beanie on her head and held her jacket out. “You gotta see this!”

“Really?” she grumbled, her lips pulling into a grumpy frown. “Satoru, we’ve seen snow before–”

“Come on, baby, humor me? Let’s play in the snow.”

“In the middle of the night–?”

She spluttered as a cold, wet blob slammed into the side of her head. Squawking, she blinked at him almost stupidly as he gave her his damned boyish grin.

“You’re joking,” she deadpanned, her eyes narrowing when she saw him holding another snowball. “Satoru, I’m warning you–”

It smacked her in the face before she could finish.

“What are you gonna do about it, baby?” he taunted, stepping back. His grin grew when she bent over, grabbed a handful of snow, and lobbed it at him.

-

AN: Thoughts? What do you guys think?

[honeydixonn]

Back to Friends, Myung Gi

ten, fire

4263 words

The harsh glare of the pink and yellow stairwell burned into Nari's eyes, the garish contrast a brutal reminder of the world she was trapped in. She blinked hard, trying to will away the dizziness clawing at her, but it was no use.

Her heart pounded wildly, every beat echoing the screams she couldn't unhear. The events of the last game-Mingle-played in endless loops in her mind. The laughter, the cries, the bodies. Two hundred and fifty-five players had started, and now only one hundred remained. She could feel the weight of those lives pressing down on her chest, suffocating her.

She stumbled, her balance wavering as if the floor itself was conspiring against her. Panic welled in her throat, but before she could fall, Myung-Gi's strong hands steadied her. He hadn't let her stray more than a few inches from his side since the game ended, his presence like a shield between her and the horrors around them.

"Nari..." Myung-Gi began, but his voice faltered. He glanced at her pale, tear-streaked face, the way her body trembled even as she tried to hold herself upright. Words hovered on the edge of his lips, but they felt useless. How could he possibly soothe the chaos raging inside her?

"I'm fine," she said quickly, her voice tight and brittle. She forced herself to meet his gaze, though her bloodshot eyes betrayed her. "You don't have to hover like this. I'm okay, really."

"You're not," he said quietly, his hand still on hers.

"I am." Her voice cracked. "I have to be. I just-" Nari's shoulders sagged, her body weighed down by a despair she couldn't name. "I just have to toughen up. I'm too weak."

"No." Myung-Gi's grip tightened, his tone sharper than he intended. "You're not weak. You're scared. That's not the same thing."

Her lips quivered as she shook her head. "I am weak. I've barely made it this far. And it's okay to admit that, but... it's not okay to stay weak. Not here. Not now."

His jaw clenched, his heart aching as he watched her shrink into herself. He hated how the games tore at her, how they threatened to break her spirit piece by piece. He hated that he could do so little to stop it.

The dormitory came into view, its cold, gray walls a stark contrast to the chaos of the stairwell. The other players shuffled inside like ghosts, their faces hollow and bodies battered from the brutal pace of the game.

Nari glanced at the room and then back at Myung-Gi. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "If they vote to continue, and the next game is solo... I don't know if I'll make it."

The confession hit him like a punch to the gut. Myung-Gi swallowed hard, his throat dry. "You'll make it," he said, though he wasn't sure if he believed it himself. What he did believe was that he'd do whatever it took to keep her safe. Even if it meant sacrificing himself.

He wanted to tell her that, to promise her that she wouldn't have to face any of this alone. But the words stayed lodged in his throat, the truth too heavy to say out loud. So instead, he held her gaze and squeezed her hand, as if the pressure alone could transfer his strength to her.

"Whatever happens," he said, his voice steady and low, "we face it together."

She nodded, but the fear in her eyes was unmistakable. The vote loomed like a specter over them, a grim reminder that in this game, no one could afford to trust the promise of togetherness.

The two lagged behind the rest of the group as they neared the hidden area behind the bunks, their new meeting spot. Nari's steps were slower than usual, her shoulders hunched under the invisible weight of the day.

Myung-Gi noticed immediately, his gaze softening as he gently tugged her arm, guiding her to a quieter corner away from prying eyes.

"Nari, wait," he said, his voice low but insistent. She stopped, looking up at him with tired eyes. He took both of her hands in his, his thumbs brushing lightly over her knuckles. "Jagi, I promise I'll protect you. No matter what happens. You hear me?"

The term of endearment, one he hadn't dared to use often in this place, made her chest tighten. Her lips trembled into a small, fleeting smile-one that didn't quite reach her eyes but still managed to warm his heart.

"Just... don't die," she whispered.

He paused, his heart aching at the quiet desperation in her words. She pulled one of her hands free and held up her pinky, a small, childlike gesture that felt so out of place in the nightmare they were living.

"Pinky promise, dumbass," she said, her voice cracking with an attempt at lightness.

His brows lifted in mock surprise, and he placed a hand on his chest as if wounded. "You wound me. Only so you won't belittle me anymore."

A ghost of a laugh escaped her as he hooked his pinky around hers. Their thumbs pressed together, forming a small, imperfect heart. It was something they used to do back home-back when life was simple, and promises didn't feel like lifelines. One after the other, they pressed their lips to the joined thumbs, sealing the vow as they always had.

"There," she said softly, her voice barely audible. "Now you can't die, or you'll break the promise."

Myung-Gi's smile was gentle but sad, and for a moment, he let himself forget the world around them. He leaned in, pressing a featherlight kiss to her cheek. His lips lingered there, warm against her cold skin, before he pulled back just enough to look at her.

For a heartbeat, he simply admired her-the faint curve of her lips, the way her lashes fluttered against her cheeks, the quiet strength she didn't even know she had. He burned the image into his mind, terrified it might be the last time he'd get to see her like this.

Across the room, perched on the bunks, Thanos, Nam-Gyu, and Player 125 Min-Su watched the scene unfold with thinly veiled curiosity.

"What's going on over there?" Thanos muttered, his brow furrowed as he squinted at the pair.

Nam-Gyu smirked, leaning back with his arms crossed. "Looks like they're actually a thing."

Thanos scoffed, his lips twisting in a mix of jealousy and disdain. "That bastard's way too lucky. She's way too good for him." His gaze lingered on Nari, his expression souring further. "She deserves someone who can show her off, not... that."

Nam-Gyu rolled his eyes but said nothing, his attention already drifting back to the tension simmering in the room.

Meanwhile, Myung-Gi and Nari rejoined their group, her hand still clutched tightly in his. She glanced at him, her heart skipping when she caught the way he looked at her-like she was the only thing keeping him tethered to the world.

And for him, she was.

The group huddled under the staircase, their whispers drowned by the sound of footsteps and murmurs echoing throughout the cavernous room. Myung-Gi stood close to Nari, his eyes darting to every shadow that moved, his hand brushing against hers as if silently promising he wouldn't let her slip away.

Jung-Bae came running toward them, his face pale and damp with sweat. "Gi-Hun," he panted, his voice low but urgent. "There are 55 people who voted to continue."

Gi-Hun's jaw tightened. "Are you sure?"

Jung-Bae nodded, wiping his brow. "I counted them twice."

Before Gi-Hun could respond, Dae-Ho pointed a finger at the blue patch on Jung-Bae's chest, a glaring mark of his survival. "And you? Did you include yourself in that count?"

Jung-Bae froze, glancing down at his patch as if noticing it for the first time. He looked back at Gi-Hun, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's 56."

The tension in the air grew palpable. Myung-Gi dragged a hand down his face, frustration flickering in his expression. "That means we have 44. We're outnumbered by twelve."

Dae-Ho leaned against a bunk, his fingers tugging nervously at the zipper on his jacket. "It's not an impossible gap, but it's not small either."

Nari exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with the weight of her thoughts. She moved instinctively closer to Myung-Gi and Young-Il, her shoulders brushing against theirs as if seeking some semblance of comfort. Young-Il noticed and offered her a small, reassuring smile, patting her gently on the back.

"We might lose the vote again," she murmured, her voice trembling with the fear she tried so hard to suppress.

Young-Il shook his head, trying to infuse some hope into the group. "It may seem like a big difference, but it's not insurmountable. If six of them change their minds, it'll be a tie. If seven change their minds, we win."

Dae-Ho chewed on his lip nervously. "But those who voted to leave might change their minds too. If they flip, we're screwed."

The eldest man in the group, who had remained quiet until now, spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "They won't flip easily. The ones who pressed X wanted to quit when the prize was smaller. Now that it's grown, they'll feel even more justified in leaving. They won't risk their lives for this blood money."

Jung-Bae stepped forward, his eyes darting to Gi-Hun, then to the rest of the group. "I won't betray you again," he said, his voice steady but filled with guilt. "I'll press X for the sake of all our lives."

Myung-Gi nodded, his hand brushing against Nari's. "That means we only need five more to change their minds. With six more, we win."

Gi-Hun's gaze scanned the room, his brow furrowed in frustration. "Then let's go over there and convince them. We can talk some sense into them."

Young-Il's hand shot out, gripping Gi-Hun's arm to stop him. "No," he said firmly. "That's too risky. Most of them want to continue the game. If we make a move, they'll see us as a threat. They won't just sit back and watch-they'll react."

Gi-Hun's voice rose, his frustration spilling over. "So what, we just stand here and pray they change their minds? What if we lose again? What then? March hand in hand to another slaughterhouse?"

Young-Il stepped closer, his tone unwavering. "If we provoke them now, we might end up in a fight before we even get to the vote. Is that what you want, Gi-Hun? If we fight, we need a plan, not a desperate act."

The men exchanged tense glances, the air thick with unspoken fears. Jung-Bae broke the silence, his voice trembling but resolute. "Look, Gi-Hun... I'm terrified of playing another game. I know there are more people like me. We just have to find them."

Dae-Ho straightened his jacket, his movements stiff with nerves. "He's right. I think most of us feel the same way."

Nari chimed in, her voice soft but insistent. "There are other women here besides me. They're scared too. I can see it in their faces."

Myung-Gi's gaze met Gi-Hun's, his expression almost pleading. "If it's just a handful of people, we've got a real shot. The prize is now over 300 million per player. That's enough to make even the boldest hesitate. We can make them see it's not worth the risk."

Nari frowned, her mind turning over the possibilities. "It's Thanos' group," she said grimly. "Player 100 and his followers. They want to keep playing, and they're scaring people into voting O. They're the real problem."

As if summoned by her words, the sharp buzz of the doors echoed through the room. The triangle guards marched in, followed by the square manager, their presence an instant reminder of the stakes.

"Congratulations to all of you for making it through the third game," the manager announced, his voice cold and clinical. He clicked a remote, and the sight of money raining into the massive glass piggy bank drew the room's attention.

The prize flashed on the screen: 35,600,000,000 won.

The players exchanged nervous glances, some unamused by the display, others looking longingly at the money. The guards moved swiftly, setting up the voting podium as the lights dimmed. One by one, the players were lined up, their fates hanging in the balance.

Nari felt Myung-Gi's hand slip into hers, his grip firm and grounding. "No matter what happens," he whispered, his voice a lifeline, "we're going to survive this."

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. Somewhere in the chaos of fear and despair, hope flickered faintly.

The vote would proceed in reverse order of player numbers. The manager's voice sliced through the silence with a clinical precision, his words cold and detached. "Player 456, please cast your vote."

All eyes locked onto Gi-Hun as he stood frozen for a moment, the weight of the room pressing down on him like a suffocating fog.

He took a step forward, his footsteps ringing out sharply against the polished floor. The sterile, fluorescent light above flickered faintly, casting his shadow long and distorted.

The manager's voice echoed again, smooth but laced with an unmistakable warning. "To ensure fair and democratic voting, we will not tolerate any disruptions from this point onward. Please bear that in mind."

It was a calculated statement, Nari realized, her nails digging into her palms. It wasn't about fairness-it never was. It was about control, about keeping the game alive for the sick amusement of those behind the glass. If anyone, especially Gi-Hun or Young-Il, tried to defy them, there would be consequences.

Gi-Hun reached the podium, his face a mask of quiet resolve. He didn't hesitate, his hand slamming the red button with a force that sent a resounding buzz through the room. The sound hung in the air like a judge's gavel, final and absolute.

The room collectively held its breath as the vote was displayed on the screen behind him, the red X flashing like a warning. One by one, the players moved forward.

Most shuffled with robotic obedience, their choices unchanging. Their faces were pale, drawn tight with fear, resignation, or, in some cases, indifference.

Then, Jung-Bae stepped up. His expression was a storm-rage, determination, and something almost feral. He didn't just change his vote; he tore off the blue patch from his chest with a sharp rip, the sound startling in the tense silence.

His movements were deliberate as he pressed the red button and affixed the red patch to his uniform. The air seemed to shift as murmurs rippled through the players.

Dae-Ho followed next, his hulking frame parting the crowd like a ship cutting through water. He moved with purpose, his steps heavy but sure.

Reaching the podium, he slammed his hand on the red button without a moment's hesitation. He stepped to the side where those who wanted to leave gathered, his back straight and his gaze fixed forward. He didn't spare the screen a glance.

Then came Player 380-a young woman Nari had noticed before but had never spoken to. Her presence was a rare comfort, a reminder that not everyone here was a towering, overbearing figure. She moved with quiet resolve, flipping her O to an X. For the first time in what felt like hours, Nari felt a flicker of warmth in her chest.

"We only need five more," someone whispered, the words barely audible.

The room tightened, the air thick with anticipation.

When Myung-Gi's name was called, the tension snapped like a taut wire. His jaw clenched as he shot a venomous glare toward Nam-Gyu, who was leering openly at Nari. The younger man puckered his lips mockingly, his expression dripping with arrogance.

Disgust twisted Nari's features, her lips curling as she mimed winding up her hand before flipping him off with exaggerated flair.

Her mock-innocent expression as she dropped her middle finger sent a ripple of suppressed laughter through the nearby players. Nam-Gyu's face twisted in shock and indignation, but Myung-Gi barely suppressed a smirk.

"She's like fire-so hot, baby," Thanos whispered conspiratorially to Min-Su, his drugged-up grin spreading wide across his face. Myung-Gi shook his head, snapping himself back to focus. He approached the podium and pressed the red button with a swift motion, stepping away without looking back.

Thanos was soon next. His movements were erratic, a strange mix of enthusiasm and intoxication. He hopped and skipped to the podium like a child at play, drawing confused stares and a few stifled laughs from the O's.

Turning on his heel, he raised his arms above his head in an exaggerated circle. "Circle! Let's go!" he crowed, shaking his hips in time with his words.

The line moved steadily, the tally on the screen creeping closer to a decision. The room's energy shifted with each vote, the collective hope rising and falling like a tide.

Near the hundreds, a woman hesitated. Her hands trembled as she reached for the red button, her decision visibly weighing on her. When she pressed it, the buzz seemed louder than before.

"Four more," Dae-Ho muttered under his breath, gripping Jung-Bae's arm like a lifeline. "Four more."

Nari turned to Young-Il, tugging at his sleeve until he leaned down. "I'm pretty sure Yong-Sik and Hyun-Ju will change their votes too," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Across the room, Nam-Gyu loomed over Min-Su, his voice harsh as he barked instructions. His frustration was palpable, his sharp gaze darting toward Nari, who quickly turned away.

When Min-Su's name was called, he hesitated briefly before stepping forward. With shaking hands, he pressed the red button, peeling off his blue patch and replacing it with red.

Nam-Gyu's face darkened as his own name was called. His jaw clenched, and his tongue flicked against his cheek, a visible display of his barely contained anger.

His eyes burned holes into Min-Su's back as he approached the podium. His fist slammed onto the blue button, his disdain unmistakable as he stalked away.

Finally, Hyun-Ju's name was called. Her shoulders rose and fell as she took a deep breath, steadying herself. With trembling fingers, she pressed the red button.

The buzz seemed to echo longer this time, the sound reverberating through the room as she tore the blue patch from her chest and replaced it with red.

The room crackled with unspoken tension, every player's decision like a piece of kindling feeding an already raging fire. Nari's heart pounded in her chest, each beat a countdown to an inevitable climax.

Jung-Bae nearly jumped in excitement as he leaned onto Gi-Hun, "Two more! Two more!" There was only one player a head of Nari but she frowned as they decided to vote blue.

Only one more player stood between Nari and her turn to vote. Her stomach churned as she watched the man ahead of her, his blue patch gleaming defiantly under the harsh fluorescent lights. He moved with unshaken resolve, a stoic expression masking whatever inner turmoil he might have felt. Nari's jaw tightened, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her ill-fitting uniform.

The manager's voice cut through the air, sharp and unyielding. "Player 114."

Her breath caught, her ears perking at the sound of her number. The room seemed to tilt for a moment, the oppressive silence amplifying the pounding of her heartbeat.

Slowly, she stepped forward, each stride deliberate, as though any sudden movement might shatter her fragile composure.

As she passed Thanos, his obnoxious wolf whistle sliced through the tension, drawing a few stifled chuckles from the blue side. His eyes raked over her figure, lingering on the way the uniform clung awkwardly to her frame.

"Damn, girl," he muttered, low and coarse. "Lookin' good even in this dump."

Nari didn't react, her focus locked on the podium ahead. She could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on her as she approached the buttons. The screen loomed behind them, its numbers a constant reminder of how precariously the vote hung.

Her hand hovered for only a moment before pressing the red button firmly. The buzz that followed felt like a thunderclap in the charged room. She stared at the screen, watching the numbers shift-the gap between red and blue narrowing further. A faint ripple of relief spread through her chest.

Without a word, she turned and walked away from the podium, her chin held high despite the tremor in her legs. Myung-Gi was waiting, his arms open like a shield.

She fell into him, the tension in her shoulders melting as he pulled her close. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his breath warm against her hair.

"You did good," he murmured, his voice a quiet reassurance in the chaos.

As they moved back to the crowd and the votes continued on, the room's energy shifted. The last six players approached the podium, each step ratcheting up the tension.

Player 024 was first, his movements calm and deliberate. Without hesitation, he pressed the blue button, his face unreadable. The O-side exploded in cheers, their voices echoing in the cavernous room. Dae-Ho's fists clenched at his sides, his knuckles turning white, while Gi-Hun's glare burned with quiet fury.

"It's okay," Nari said softly, trying to temper their anger. "He voted blue last time."

But her words seemed to bounce off them, ineffective against their simmering frustration.

"Player 015," the manager called.

A wiry man stepped forward, his hands trembling so violently that he struggled to steady them. He looked like a man on the edge, his face pale, his eyes darting nervously between the buttons and the screen.

The room seemed to hold its breath as he pressed the red button. The sound was deafening in the silence, and a roar of approval erupted from the X-side.

"Let's go!" someone shouted, their voice cutting through the noise.

The tension surged as Player 009 stepped up. She was a tall woman with sharp eyes, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her gaze flicked between the buttons and the screen, her indecision palpable. After a long pause, she pressed the blue button.

The cheers from the blue side were deafening, their joy as intense as it was baffling.

"Why are they so happy to stay?" Nari muttered under her breath, her words a mixture of confusion and disdain.

Dae-Ho's glare darkened, his jaw tightening. Gi-Hun muttered something inaudible, his tone sharp with frustration.

"Player 007," the manager announced.

Yong-Sik stepped forward, his steps hesitant and his face pale. He looked like a man walking to his execution. But when he reached the podium, his choice was clear. With no hesitation, he pressed the red button.

The X-side erupted in cheers, their voices thick with the fragile hope of freedom. Nari's heart ached as she watched them-thinking they were free, thinking they could live.

Behind her, Jung-Bae's voice was low and uneasy. "Young-Il... He scares me a little."

Nari's head turned sharply, her eyes narrowing. "He's not scary," she replied firmly, though her voice was barely above a whisper. "He's just strong-minded."

The manager's voice rang out again. "Player 006."

A older woman stepped forward, her face a mixture of nervousness and excitement. She was being led by the crazed shaman who had been muttering incoherently since the votes began. Her hands moved in strange gestures, her whispers filling the air around her like a ritual.

Her steps quickened as she reached the podium, her face lighting up with an almost manic glee. She pressed the blue button with force, tearing the red patch from her chest and discarding it as if it had burned her.

The blue side erupted in cheers, their joy almost feral.

So happy to stay. So happy to die.

"Lastly," the manager called, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Player 001. Please cast your vote."

All eyes turned to Young-Il as he stepped forward. His pace was slow, deliberate, each step a measured act. The room seemed to hold its breath, the atmosphere so thick with tension that it was suffocating.

Nari's breath hitched as his gaze flickered to her for a fleeting moment. Her heart sank at what she saw-a shadow that extinguished the fragile spark of hope in her chest.

Reaching the podium, Young-Il paused. His hand hovered between the two buttons, his face unreadable. The silence stretched, the anticipation unbearable.

Behind her, Jung-Bae spoke again, his voice laced with unease. "He's terrifying," he murmured, his words barely audible.

"He's not," Nari shot back, her voice quiet but firm. "Just trust him."

Finally, Young-Il's hand fell. The red button buzzed loudly, the sound reverberating through the room like a final verdict.

When he turned, his eyes locked onto Gi-Hun. They were dark, almost cold, carrying an unspoken weight that sent a chill through the room.

[sweetmage]

A kiss goodnight for viktor and v please!!!

Hiiii! Thank you so so much for this prompt, I got a little carried away with it (tried for less than 1k words, accidentally wrote 2.4k)🤭

This fic follows the star ending as opposed to my usual tower ending canon 😊

TW: Mention if malnutrition, there is also one blood/needle mention but it's very vague and brief. There's also a few inuendos but there's nothing actually sexually that happens.

I'll drop it below the cut (and might upload to AO3 later!)

It was the ass crack of midnight and Vik was falling asleep over a pile of paperwork when a trill from his desk drawer interrupted his daze. Fumbling blindly for his phone, he almost dropped the thing but managed to get it up to his ear.

"Whaddya need?" He made no attempt to disguise his grogginess, hoping the caller would take a hint.

"Vik, hey," said the chipper voice on the other end.

"V?" That had him upright, eyes wide. "Do you know what time it is? Everything okay?"

"Thought the city never slept?"

"Wrong city and wrong shop," Vik said. "How you doin' out there in Arizona? Taking your meds? Getting enough water? Sunscreen?"

"Jesus, mom. Yeah, doin' pretty alright. Panam's been keeping me busy, but it's nice. Real nice." He sounded damn happy, if a bit exhausted. "How's the Big Bad City treatin' ya?"

"Same old same old. Can't complain."

"Miss you," V said, a little sheepishly. "Haven't had a chance to call in a while. Reception ain't exactly stellar."

"I know the feeling," Vik replied, glancing down at the papers in front of him. "Miss you too, V. I'll admit, it's certainly been quieter around here without you."

"Sure you get a helluva lot more work done without me around to distract you, though."

Vik chuckled. "Eh, ya win some ya lose some. How's the nomad life treatin' ya?"

"Safe to say I'm more of a city type of guy," V admitted. "I mean, don't get me wrong, the Aldecaldos are great, but the sand and the heat... and the fucking sand..."

"It ain't for everyone."

"Nah, 'specially not this guy. It's peaceful though. Sittin' around the fire at night, listening to everyone talk, playin' the guitar, watching the stars... kinda makes me forget why I was in such a hurry to get back there."

"Sounds like you're fitting in better than you give yourself credit for."

"Guess you could say that," he replied, a yawn escaping him. "There is something missing though. Can't quite put my finger on it..."

"Well, gimme a ring if you figure it out," Vik teased.

V scoffed, though it was light-hearted. "Already did. Wanted to hear your voice. I sleep better with you around."

"Well, I was just thinking of turning in myself. I could stay on the line if it'd help you sleep. Been a while since we had one of our late night talks."

"Mm, that'd be nice. Wouldn't want to keep you up though. You still in the same clinic? Still the old couch tucked in the corner?"

"The very same. Haven't changed a thing. Place looks exactly how you left it."

"Yeah, well, if it ain't broke..."

"And even if it is, who cares?" Vik teased, standing up to get himself situated for bed. "What's tomorrow look like for you? Busy day?"

"Sure hope so," V said, a soft chuckle punctuating his words. "You in bed yet? Alone?"

"I'm a bit too tired to be getting frisky if that's what you're hinting at, V."

"Nah, just checkin'. Did you remember to lock up?"

"Now I see how you feel when I fuss," Vik muttered, tossing his shirt aside and beginning to work on his belt one-handed.

"Not fussing. Listen."

Vik frowned, the tone in V's voice catching his attention. "V? Something up?"

V didn't respond, and for a moment, Vik wondered if the call had dropped.

"V?"

And there it was, a knock at his door.

"Hang on," Vik said, tucking the phone between his cheek and shoulder as he crossed the clinic and gazed out the peephole.

"Think you have a visitor," V said, the call ending as Vik opened the door. There he was, the little shit, phone in one hand and a duffel bag slung over the shoulder of the other.

"I don't fucking believe it," Vik laughed, drawing the man into a hug. "What are you doing here, you little punk?"

"The fuck you think I'm doin' here?" V scoffed, letting his bag fall to the floor as he wrapped both arms around Vik. "I love you, shithead. And I thought you might have an aneurysm if you couldn't give me a proper check up."

"Damn right I would. It's good to see you, V. Real good." He'd definitely dropped quite a bit of weight since they'd last met and his hair now fell around his shoulders, but he was still V, still the same man Vik had been pining after for ages.

V's hand came to cup his cheek, and he found his own hand covering it, keeping him close.

"Love you too, V. Misses you like hell."

"Ya know, kinda thought maybe you'd have found someone else while I was gone..." V muttered, unable to meet his eyes. "Someone, ya know, closer to home."

"Nah. I made it, what, thirty years on my own? Not too worried about it now. I know you're out there, somewhere in the world. That's good enough for me."

The most earnest smile crossed V's lips, softer than anything he'd given while still in Night City's clutches. "Feel the same. Can't say it ain't nice to hear it, though. Now, you just gonna stand there with that gonk look on your face, or are you gonna—"

Capturing V's lips in a kiss, Vik pulled the man into the room and kicked the door shut behind him. They stayed like that for a long moment, finally breaking apart just as Vik's need for air became overwhelming.

"Sorry, you were saying?"

"...Yeah," V replied, slightly breathless, a sweet chuckle on his lips. "Just as good as I remember. If not better." Their foreheads pressed together, both of them grinning like absolute fools.

Before V could get another word in, Vik was kissing him again, one hand cupping the back of his neck while the other trailed the length of V's spine. Without warning or hesitation, he hoisted him up with a hand under his ass and V's arms and legs wrapped around him without hesitation.

"Don't get any ideas, I'm not takin' you for a romp. You need a physical and I need some shut-eye."

"Well damn, what did I even visit for?" V huffed as he was laid down on the exam table.

"Hey now, I could put you out easy."

The stoic expression V had forced his face into crumbled easily into a grin. "C'mon, been a while since I could give ya a hard time in person."

Vik just shook his head, but his smile didn't fade as he flipped on his monitors and began gathering his tools. "Okay now, shirt off and let's have a look at you."

"Bossy," V said, but he complied all the same, peeling off his top and laying back. Just as he'd felt through his clothes, V had dropped a lot of weight, his ribs protruding more than Vik would have liked.

"That tube giving you trouble?" He asked, giving his feeding port a little poke.

"Nah, everything's workin' just fine. Not exactly easy to come by calories on the road, ya know."

"I'd say. You look malnourished. Let's get your iron and protein levels checked, along with your hydration. Anything hurting lately? Feel sick?"

"No and no."

"Good, good. We'll take a few scans, get a picture of things. Let's get a baseline reading before we start running tests. Just lay still."

V did what he was asked, eyes rolling slowly to follow Vik as he went about his business, grabbing tools and typing notes on the computer.

"Ostomy alright?" He asked, pulling on a pair of gloves.

"Mhm."

"And you takin' your meds?"

"Already asked that. Yeah, I'm on top of it. They've been helping. Still haven't figured out what to do about the whole body tryin' to eject me thing yet, but I've managed. Been good. Panam's had a real close eye on me."

"I'm glad," he said, giving V a little poke to draw a few droplets for the blood test. "She's a good kid. Always liked her."

"Yeah, me too."

Vik set the needle aside and turned his attention back to the computer, pulling up a file with a quick click. "Your scans are looking much better, actually. Brain activity's stabilizing and your neural degradation has slowed down significantly. Nutrition is really the only area we need to improve on. Once you've got that under control, I think you'll find yourself in much better shape."

"Shit, really?"

"Really. Take a look." Vik turned the screen towards him, pointing to the relevant data. "Those meds won't fix everything, but they've helped, just like you said. I'd reckon six months was the low low estimate, but the way you're going... hell, I'd say you've got a few good years ahead of you. You've got time to sort this all out."

The look on V's face was one of pure astonishment, like he couldn't quite comprehend what Vik was telling him.

"Years?"

"Years."

"Wow... Okay. Alright." He took a deep breath, eyes closed and lips pursed. "That's... that's a relief. A hell of a relief. Thought I'd be lucky to make it to the end of the month. Shit... Years... Okay. Okay." When his eyes opened again they were damp, a relieved laugh slipping past his lips.

Vik couldn't help but mirror the expression. He had to admit, he was so used to delivering bad news and death sentences to V on this table, it felt pretty good to give a little hope for once, to watch it all turn around. V had a chance. Hell, V had time.

"You've always been a resilient bastard. I'm not surprised in the slightest that you'd beat the odds. You're real good at that. Alright, you hungry? I'll mix you up something proper. Real good and balanced, get a little meat back on your bones."

"Guessin' 'no' ain't the right answer?"

"Quick learner," he said with a pat on his thigh. "Stay put. And don't touch my equipment. You break it, you pay for it."

"Jeez, Vik. That was one time."

"One time that I'm still payin' off," he called over his shoulder as he crossed the room and began mixing up a batch of formula and electrolytes then returning to him and hooking the bag to the stand and kicking the biohazard bin up to his bedside. "Here, you handle that, I'll get the pull-out ready. I'm beat."

V took the end of the tube and situated it while Vik ruffled his hair on the way past. It felt like ages since they'd shared a bed and now, out of V's line of sight, Vik couldn't fight the giddy smile that came to his face. He'd been lonely as hell the past few months, and sure, he could have taken someone home if he'd really wanted, but the fact of the matter was, he hadn't really wanted anyone else. V was just about the only person who'd managed to worm his way past his defenses, there was no other.

The couch unfolded quickly and Vik set about making the bed, turning the lights down and setting an alarm.

"Need anythin' else?" He asked from around the corner. "Towel? Pillow?"

"You?"

Vik laughed, shaking his head as he returned to the other side of the room. "That's a given. You feelin' better?"

"Much," he said with a nod, the color already beginning to return to his face. "Bout ready to crash?"

"Yeah, not gonna lie to ya, I was ready for bed before you called. Made a nice pillow out of my paperwork. I'll take a look in the morning, make sure I didn't drool on anything important."

V swung his legs over the side of the table and hopped to his feet, stretching out his arms and cracking his neck before making his way to the back of the room.

"Huh, you weren't kiddin', looks just the same," he mused while he wiggled his way out of his cut off shorts, discarding them unceremoniously at his feet then flopping down on the mattress with a long, satisfied sigh. "Reuniting with you's nice and all, but I think I missed havin' a real mattress more."

"Well ain't it just your lucky day? Got both right here." Vik stripped out of his clothes as well then slid in under the covers next to him, taking him up in his embrace, relishing the feeling of skin against skin, burying in the unbleached roots of his hair.

V was on him in an instant, limbs tangling around him, head finding a spotting amongst the light scattering of hair on his chest. They fit together so perfectly, even after all this time.

"Glad you're here," Vik whispered, lips brushing against his forehead. "Wasn't quite the same without ya."

"You know you can come see me too, right? Ain't a one way street."

"And leave the clinic unattended? I'd go broke in a week."

"Nah, we'd figure something out," V murmured, nuzzling a bit closer. "You could just... take a vacation. Come with us. See the country."

"Not the sort of thing to spring on me at 2am."

"Why? Harder to bullshit me when you're half-asleep?"

"Bingo," Vik yawned, wrapping his arms a little tighter around the other man. "Does sound nice, can't deny that. Be nice to see what else is out there. Never did get to travel much, growing up. Too poor."

"Know exactly how that feels. Get out for a bit, see the world."

"Mm, it certainly seems to have done you a bit of good."

"Would do me a lot better to have you around for a bit. We can talk about it later, yeah?"

Vik nodded against the top of his head, holding him just a bit closer. "Yeah, we'll talk."

"You're the best, you know that? Love the hell outta you, old man."

Vik leaned in to place a kiss on the top of his head, his temple, his eyes and cheeks, and finally his lips, soft and lingering.

"I love you too, V. Now get some sleep. I've got work tomorrow and you've got a full day of being in my way ahead of you."

"Can't wait," V chuckled into his lips, his breathing slowing.

"G'night, V," he said to no response but a soft snore. It was better than he could have asked for. He was here.

[iheartchv]

🌿🍒hi!! i'm here for the mistletoe ask (COD fandom pleeease 🤩🤑)

i'm an ENTP and i'm quite ambiverted and i feel that i'm just a bit quieter than the stereotypical entp character. Still, i enjoy a good debate/discussion (where i can be a smartass) and have a humour thats a little darker. i have adhd (but i have pills for it so 🤷‍♂️) and have mild depersonalisation disorder that gets kinda annoying sometimes because it feels like i can't really experience some things fully.

My aesthetic is really all over the place, but i (she/her) usually prioritise practicality over anything. I'm 160cm tall, and on the skinnier side and cannot gain much muscle no matter how hard i try 😕 and i have really dark hair and eyes.

I usually have to study, but on the side i enjoy playing shooter games and drawing/painting. Since im chinese, i looooove eating Mala hotpot and chinese soups, but i'll pretty much eat anything available as i'm always hungry.

I don't really have a preference for my partner, but i have a soft spot for more smug or brooding characters, or just big boobieos in general 🧍‍♂️🧐

// hello~ sure thing, I hope you'll like your match ^^

Your mistletoe match is...

Simon "Ghost" Riley 💀

I think Ghost would be your match

He has a dark sense of humor too so he'd definitely get you

Conversations and your smart ass remarks would spark something between you too

That would turn into bonding time

As he watches you play a game he gets curious about you actually shooting targets

He'd take you to a shooting range to see how well you can handle a gun

He has to admit you weren't bad for a first timer

He'll take you practicing any chance he gets

Plus it'll be a good thing to have a gun on you for protection if he isn't around, he says

❤️

You've become family to him

Well... more than that actually

But he made sure to invite you to the small Christmas party TF141 was having before going home for the night

He asked you to come with him

He kept staring at you, wanting to kiss you

Soap had noticed and was flirting with you

"Just showing you how it's done, LT"

Soap would say with a smug teasing smile to Ghost

He felt something for you

He wondered if you felt the same way about him

You did, but wasn't sure if he did

He was going to risk it tonight, because he was dying to know

When you were both alone, he tried to tell you what was in his heart

And when he couldn't get the words out he told you to close your eyes...

...and he pressed a kiss to your lips

It felt like eternity passed before he broke the long sweet kiss

If he wasn't wearing the mask, you'd know he was blushing

[goose-duck]

♡Our World♡ (Pt. 5)

Killer x Reader

~~~~~~

Killer from One Piece x reader

Killer is in our world and meets you!! :D

Pt 4 Pt 6

~~~~~~

Y/N expirencing health problems and Killer helps

~~~~~~

•Physical/mental health problems

•Self harm/Suicide talked about

•Slight NSFW but not too explicit

•Comfort!!

He'd been living with me for a few days now and it was starting to feel normal, like he was always meant to be in my life. Thinking about it makes my anxieties spike..I have no idea how long he'll he here or if there will even be a warning before he leaves. I sigh to myself, trying to find something else to think about. Killer looks over hearing my sigh and gives me a worried and confused look. I look over at him and make a small gesture indicating that I'm okay. He nods at me and returns to watching the TV. We're both in the den, he's got his elbow rested on the arm of the couch and I'm leaning against his shoulder. We're watching a cooking show, he seems to like it a lot. I'm happy he's enjoying himself here.

While watching the TV I notice my vision blurring a bit. I squint my eyes a bit then try blinking quickly, trying to make my vision come back but my eyes start watering. Lucky everything is subtle enough Killer hasn't noticed. He's seen me struggle with my health already but I try to avoid making it something he needs to worry about. I start to feel dizzy and I can't take it anymore, groaning and covering my eyes with my hands as the headache sets in. Killer looks over at me, “what's wrong?” He asks sternly, making sure he has my attention and I can lie my way out of this. “It's fine…just a headache” I whine out through my pain knowing it's not just a headache. “It's obviously not okay. What's going on? Is there anything I can do?” He asks softly, putting a hand on my thigh. “Turn the TV off.” I say while groaning, it sounds a lot more aggressive than I'd intended but it gets the point across.

Killer quickly turns the TV off, flicking the lights off too and closing the curtains quickly figuring out I'm having a migraine or something along those lines. My body relaxes a little as the room gets darker and quieter, however I still keep my hands Iver my eyes, putting pressure on the point of pain just above my left eyebrow. I'd been hit with a baseball a few years ago and my doctor refuses to take it seriously so the problem only got worse until I got a new doctor who informed me my brain was damaged and my skull had been cracked and has since healed wrong. It's miserable, the pain I get sometimes. I haven't told many people, I feel dramatic when this happens and all I can do is whine and cry and wait for it to end. I feel so pathetic.

Killer kneels in front of me putting his hands on my thighs and rubbing them a little, he whispers, “please tell me what's wrong. Is it a migraine..?” He sounds more distressed than I'd expected. I've had many people be a little concerned but ultimately move on when I brush it off but he's persistent. I let out a strained sigh, “I don't know…it's…nerve damage around there…” I weakly point just above my left eyebrow where the pain is centered at. Killer takes my shaky hands in his own to move them out of the way so he can get a better look at my forehead. He doesn't see anything, it's not a visible injury, not anymore. This seems to worry him more, it's not something he can fix easily if it's internal. He lets out an irritated sigh as he realizes there's not much he can do. “What can I do help?” He concedes, not knowing how to help me. I'll be the first to admit I'd never learned how to properly deal with this, usually opting to just suffer in silence until it goes away. I whine at him, in to much pain to really use my words anymore, pulling my hands away from his and putting pressure back on my forehead.

Killer quickly goes to stop me, understanding why I'm doing this but knowing it's not really fixing anything. He gently grabs my hands again, trying to be gentle as he pulls them away from my forehead but I put up a fight. He continues trying to be gentle but is getting annoyed with me and end up just roughly pulling my hands away from head causing me to let out a gasp. He panics a little and rubs my hands, “Are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I? Did I hurt you? Y/N?” I groan at him in slight annoyance but nod to tell him I'm fine, I just wasnt expecting him to do that. He lets out a shaky breath, relived he didn't make things worse. I sit there shaking in pain and squirming as he holds my hands on my lap. He whispers comforting words to me, occasionally kissing my hands.

Soon it's over and I calm down, breathing a bit heavily from the intense pain i was in. I feel the wetness around my eyes, I must have started crying at some point. Killer looks up at my exhausted form once I sto writhing around. He gently sets a hand on my cheek and wipes some of my tears, giving me a soft look, “you okay..?” He asks softly, still caressing my cheek. I lean into his touch and nod. He smiles at me a bit before looking down at my still shaky hands in my lap. He rubs the hand he's still holding, “Do you know what that was..?” “Some sort of nerve damage…untreated head injury…” he nods silently. 

He moves his hand up my forearm a bit, holding it gently and pressing a kiss to the inner side. I'm a little shocked and confused, “what was that for?” I question the blonde. He just kisses my forearm a few more times not saying anything. I get progressively more confused before it hits me and I freeze up a bit. “Is…is it my scars..?” I ask hesitantly. He nods, still gently pressing kisses to my arm. I awkwardly hid my face in his hand still on my cheek, my face heating up as I'm embarrassed of my past actions towards myself. I kiss the palm of his hand before using my free hand to move his hand away from my face, rubbing it softly. “I don't do it anymore…so…don't worry about it…okay..?” I whisper to him as if someone else would hear me. He stops kissing my scars for a second and gives me a look. I quickly return the look, squinting at him quizzically, “don't belive me?” I ask with a snarky tone. He rolls his eyes at me, “Y/N…I did see your thighs in the tub earlier.” He says in an obvious tone. I shut my mouth immediately rembering he'd cleaned me earlier. “Ohhh…haha….right…..” I trail off, avoiding eye contact.

He glares at me like a disappointed mother before sighing and dropping his head, “Y/N…please…” he sounds so done with me and my playing off everything as normal. I make a strange face as I realize I've been caught with my problems, “uhhhhh…I probably won't stop, I'm not gonna lie to you.” He looks up, glaring at me again before relaxing his face again, “fine, I can't force you I guess…just…don't take it too far…” he asks me nervously, giving me a desperate look. I put a hand on his head and rub it a bit, much like what he does to comfort me sometimes. “I tried it once…it was such an embarrassing failure I don't think I could dare try again..” I admit softly to him, knowing it probably won't help much but it's the truth. He looks very concerned at the idea I've tried to end my life before but he trusts that I'm not lying about being too embarrassed to ever try again. 

“Can you…uh..” he starts to ask me something before giving up, deciding it might not be worth asking. I already know what he wanted to ask, “you wanna see it…the scar from when I…uh…there's a scar…um…other arm…” I mumble out, I want him to see, I don't want to try to hide myself from him, that doesn't make this any less of a tough subject though. He turns his head to look at my other arm, holding it gently in his hand and brushing his fingers over the large scar. He does something I really should have been expecting from him by now but was still shocked by, he kisses the scar…the scar from when I'd tried to end myself…he kissed it like any other scar…like any other part of me. I feel myself tearing up again but manage to hold back from crying again. “why'd you do it..? If you're okay with telling me…” he mumbles against my scar. 

I tell him why I did it, what pushed me to the point of finding now value in life, what was the final step to me wanting to fall off the earth. He pays close attention, nodding when I'm done, “I'm happy you failed…even if it's something you're embarrassed by…if you weren't here…I suppose I wouldn't know…but…I feel like I'd know something's wrong anyway.” his words are soft and kind, I think it's a bit odd to think he'd know I'm gone even without prior knowledge of my existence but I accept the sweet words anyway, happy I'm here to be with him now. “have you ever…” I whisper, not having it in me to finish my question. Killer shakes his head, “I haven't…but…I understand kinda…I have a friend who…um..he..” Killer’s breath gets shaky as he stops talking and pushes his face into my hand. I know from my own behaviour he's holding back tears. I pet his head, running my fingers through his soft hair, “it's okay if you wanna cry…if you don't though…I understand…I'll be here either way.” I quietly say to him. He nods into my hand, letting a few tears fall before they stop soon after.

Killer sits upright, his eyes red like mine from crying. He looks at me, his eyes looking sad. It my turn to comfort him now, giving him a soft smile. “I'll be here whenever you want me, okay..? I'm here for you…just ask…” I whisper to him. He looks down, seeming thoughtful, “you always say ‘want’ never ‘need’, is there a reason for that?” he asks me, curios to my specific wording. I answer him to the best of my ability, “if I'm wanted it's a choice to have me around, to have me help you…of I'm needed it doesn't exactly mean its a choice, it means I'm the best option and when I'm no longer usefull you'll leave me…” he nods in understanding, “well then…I want you in my life…things have been better since meeting you but I would have been fine without you…so, just know, I want you here, okay?” “I know you want me with you…you'd have left if you didn't…I want you in my life too.” he smiles at my reciprocation of his feelings. I smile back at him and hug him in teh slightly awkward position we're in for a hug. He hugs me back.

As Killer pulls away he holds my face in his hands, squishing my cheeks a bit and giving me a bright smile, it may not visibly be different from the one he can't remove from his face but it feels different, it's all in his beautiful blue eyes. It's love, that look, it's something I've never seen before, but I know what it's meant to be. In that moment I'm so tempted to lean in and kiss him but I hold myself back, afraid I'm wrong. He must see it on my face, this desperation to express my feelings, yet the hesitation, the fear of getting hurt. He doesn't move to kiss me either, he knows I need to do it myself or it'll never feel right to me. 

He pulls his hands away from my face and stand up, patting me on the head and messing up my hair a little. He takes his earlier spot on yhe couch beside me and puts me in his lap. I let out a small shocked noise but relax against him. He holds me gently, a hand around my mid section and a hand on my thigh. I rest my hands on his, both on the hand on my stomach. I feel him kiss the back of my head before resting his chin on top of my head. I look up at him and stick my tongue out. He hesitates for a second before doing the same. My eyes widen as I notice a tongue piercing. He gives me a confused look before realizing what my shocked look is for. He chuckles, “like it?” my face turns red, I nod at him, “love it.” he smiles at me, squeezing my thigh and putting his head on my shoulding rather than my head. I look at him out of the corner of my eye and smile. He smiles back.

I turn the TV back on and we both sit like this for a while before I feel something on my neck. It's wet, squishy and has a metal bit…this this man licking me!? I feel my whole body heat up as I get flustered. He seems to notice I've noticed what he's doing and he chuckles against my neck making this feeling worse. I turn my head away from him knowing he'll know immediately from that stupid look on my face that I'm embarrassed. He nibbles my neck a little and I squeal. He laughs again, “look at me…” he teases. I look at him, my face giving away everything. He smirks at me, kissing my jaw before going back to watching the TV, playing innocent. I huff and poke his nose, “don't stop now, asshole..” I encourage him to continue, it felt nice, but strange, I'd never experienced this before…not in this way at least…it's nice when it's with someone you love. Love? Do I love him? Noooo…huh uh…this is..uh…fuck. I feel like I'm about to overheat as I realize my feelings fully. I'd known the feelings were there but I refused to acknowledge them…now I can't deny it…I'd just asked this man to continue is sweet assault on my neck.

He continues as I'd requested. He seems to know what he's doing, trying to find what'll make me happy. I do a lot of giggling, it's how I always react to these kinds of things, I'm not sure how else to express myself. He seems happy with the laughter coming from me as I enjoy myself. I know it's probably not the typical reaction to this, but it's how I show I'm enjoying myself. “you know, it's cute you laugh when feeling this sensation…it's so different, but it's so you..” he smiles against my neck, sticking his tongue out and running the ball of his tongue piercing against it gently. I find myself snickering at this, “I'm glad you like it haha!” I tear up a bit at the funny and pleasant feeling. 

He holds my head gently, leaning it away from him so he can get at my neck a bit better. I let him do this, giggling more. I feel him bite me a few times and suck on my neck a bit, he'll definitely leave marks but at this point I don't mind. It's him, he could leave any mark on me and I'd be okay with it. He rubs the side of my head a little with his thumb and he holds my head away from him, it's sweet. He pulls away for a second, “tell me if I'm hurting you, okay?” I nod at him, he glares, “verbal answer.” he demands. “I'll tell you if I'm not okay with something.” I answer quickly, wanting him to continue. “Good.” he then goes back to my neck and I lean into his hand holding my head.

He starts to move down to my collar bones and as he nears my chest I tap his shoulder. He stops and looks up at me. I shake my head at him, signaling not to go any further down. He nods at me, “thanks for being gentle, but you don't have to be gentle, if I'm doing something you don't like you can yell at me to stop.” I give him a small nod and he pulls my hair I bit. I yelp, “what was that for!?” I yell at him. He does it again and I tear up, “Stop!!” I yell at him again, hitting his shoulder. He stops immediately, “good. I want you to do that if I do something you don't like. Understand?” I give him a shaky nod, “I understand…” 

He sees the tears in my eyes and gently rubs my head, “sorry for that…I was just worried you might not do it… can I make it up to you?” I'm a bit shocked by the apology, not because it's him, but because people have done much worse without apology. “oh..uh…hm…” I think about how he can make it up to me that he pulled my hair like that. While I think he brushes some tears from my eyes, giving me a patient look. I put my hands on his cheeks and give him a determined look, “can I kiss you?” I ask with confidence that surprises myself. “is that how you'd like your apology?” he jokes with me. I snicker, “I'd want this anyway, but we can call it your apology.” he leans into my hold on his face a little, “I'll do something else for you after, I want this kiss as much as you.”

I get a little nervous shaking a bit…I close my eyes and sigh then open them with a more sure look on my face. I lean into him and just before I kiss him I stop. Looking him in the yes for any hint of doubt but I see none. He puts a hand on my cheek, signaling me to do what I desire. I nod and kiss him, my lips pressing against his. He kisses me back, softly. I quickly pull away, not really knowing what to do with everything i was feeling. He seems a little shocked I was so quick but let's out a small giggle and smiles at me, finding it cute, “good job.” he praises my terrible kiss. I give him a joking glare before letting go of his face and pushing my head into his chest embarrassed, “it was not!! You did great but I felt like I sucked!” he rubs my back a little, “was that your first kiss?” I shake my head, embarrassed I've done this before yet I kissed him like some kid who's just had their first kiss. He smiles at me realizing I probably kissed him like that because of the emotions behind it, like a kid having their first crush I was embarrassed and excited and overwhelmed with unfamiliar emotions. My kiss reflected every thought and feeling. Though Killer wishes the kiss could have been longer he's happy he got to kiss me how I felt was right in the moment.

I look at him with a dumb lovestruck look. He looks back at me, a loving look in his eyes, “you did great…that was perfect..” he whispers. “really..?” I mumble back, unsure if he's just being nice or if he really thinks I did well. He nods, “yeah, it was you.” My eyes widen at that, he liked it because it was me..? He follows up, “it was your emotions, that kiss, it was everything you felt in that moment.” I smile at him, “you're not disappointed?” he shakes his head, “if your kisses are always like that I'm okay with it. If your kisses change I'm okay with that too…I just want them to always be honest.” he kisses my forehead as he finishes off his sentence. I hide my face again, this time in the crook of his neck. He giggles at this action, finding it sweet that I get so flustered at his sweet words.

I see a great opertunity with this and decide to try to do what he'd done earlier. I awkwardly pick his neck which prompts him to giggle. I get even more embarrassed, “was it bad? I'm sorry-” he cuts me off, outright laughing a bit and reasuring me, “it's perfect, I just didn't expect you to do it.” he plays with my hair a bit, calming his laughing, “continue, it was great.” I feel him kiss the top of my head as I continue. Unlike my earlier laughter he’s doing his best to stifle some less family friendly sounds. I get embarrassed after a while and stop by kissing his collar bone and pulling away. I look up at his bright red face and giggle a bit, “looking good, Kill.” his face turns more red and he hides behind his hand. I laugh a bit more, “don't hide, it's cute!” I try to encourage him to look at me but he hides his ever reddening face more. I feel the heat on my face too, knowing I got him like this is a feeling I can't express. 

I lay my head on his chest and relax against him. He looks down at me and wraps his arms around me, holding me close. He seems to calm down a little as he rests his head on top of mine once again. We stay like this, cuddling on the couch, the TV playing quietly in the background. It feels nice, like this is where I'm supposed to be. Maybe that's why I screwed up so long ago…so I could be here for this…so I could learn to be alive. So I could feel love. So we could meet. I'm so happy. Killer…I want to be live…I want to be alive…please be alive with me. I smile to myself, face buried in his chest, I'm safe and I'm alive..he's alive…we're safe. This is what it's like to be loved. I'm happy he's here. I'm happy I'm here.

“Killer?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

“For?”

“Does it matter?”

“If you don't wanna tell me that's okay.”

“Thanks.”

“You're welcome.”

“I'll stop…”

“Huh? Oh..good.”

“Mhm…”

“I'm happy you decided to…I'll be here if you want help.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“I'm here for you too.”

“huh?”

“If you want my help..with..anything.”

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome, Kill.”

“Love you…Y/N.”

“Hm?”

“I love you.”

“I-...I love you too, Killer.”