#but something that stood out to me is that these pictures are framed and displayed.

[cloudbends]

More coherent thoughts about today's pokemon horizons episode in the tags

[elryuse]

ANTHEM pt.5

MULTIPLE FEMALE IDOLS X MALE READER

Tags : Harem, Sedcution, Kissing, Public Sex, Multiple Female Love Interest

Words : 4, 197 Words

For The Other Parts Of My ANTHEM Series, Please Kindly Check Over Here

The morning sun filtered through the blinds of Y/n’s room, casting soft stripes of light across his face. He groaned softly, stretching his arms above his head as he woke up to another day in the whirlwind that was ANTHEM. The events of the previous night with Yujin still lingered in his mind, the memory of her laughter under the shower spray fresh and vivid. But before he could dwell on it too long, his phone buzzed on the nightstand.

He reached for it, squinting at the screen. A text from Chaewon lit up the display:

“Oppa, good morning! Are you free today? I need your help with something…please don’t say no~ 🥺”

Y/n sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. Chaewon had been acting… different lately. She’d always been cheeky and playful, but recently, she’d been leaning into him more during practice, finding excuses to touch his arm or steal glances at him when she thought he wasn’t looking. He couldn’t deny there was something magnetic about her—her sharp wit, the way her eyes sparkled when she teased him, the way she seemed to know exactly how to get under his skin. But after everything with Karina, Wonyoung, and Yujin, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for… whatever this was.

Still, he typed out a reply: “Sure, what do you need?”

Her response came almost instantly: “I’ll pick you up in 30 minutes. Wear something casual but not too casual. Oh, and bring your mask!”

Thirty minutes later, Y/n stood outside their dorm building, dressed in a simple hoodie and jeans, his mask already in place. A black SUV pulled up, and Chaewon leaned out the window, grinning mischievously. “Get in, oppa!”

As soon as he slid into the passenger seat, Chaewon handed him a pair of sunglasses. “Here, put these on too. We can’t have anyone recognizing us, right?”

“Where are we even going?” Y/n asked, adjusting the glasses on his face.

“It’s a surprise,” she said, her voice sing-song as she pulled away from the curb. “Relax, oppa. Don’t be so serious all the time.”

They drove in comfortable silence for a while, Chaewon occasionally humming along to the radio. Y/n couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly stylish she looked, even in her paparazzi-proof outfit of an oversized sweater, leggings, and sneakers. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, with a few strands framing her face. She caught him looking and smirked. “See something you like?”

“Just wondering why you’re being so secretive,” he deflected, though his cheeks warmed under her teasing gaze.

Finally, they arrived at their destination: a small, brightly lit arcade tucked away in a quieter part of the city. The neon lights flashed against the windows, inviting them inside. Chaewon practically bounced out of the car, grabbing his hand as soon as he stepped out. “Come on, let’s go!”

Inside, the arcade was bustling with energy—the sounds of blaring game music, the clatter of tokens dropping into machines, and the excited shouts of players filled the air. Chaewon led him straight to the photobooth in the corner, its curtains slightly tattered but still colorful. “Let’s take some pictures!” she declared, already digging out a few coins.

“Chaewon, seriously?” Y/n laughed, shaking his head. “You dragged me all the way here for this?”

“Yes, seriously,” she replied, tugging him inside the booth. The space was tight, their bodies pressed together as she closed the curtain behind them. The screen flickered to life, displaying a countdown for the first photo.

Chaewon turned to him, her expression suddenly softer, more serious than he’d ever seen it. “Oppa,” she began, her voice low and quiet, “do you really not know why I wanted to come here with you?”

Y/n blinked, caught off guard by the shift in her tone. “Uh… because you like arcades?”

She rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile playing on her lips. “No, dummy. Because I wanted to spend time alone with you. Just you and me.”

Before he could respond, the photobooth’s camera snapped the first picture. Chaewon quickly leaned in closer, her fingers brushing against his arm as she tilted her head toward him. The second flash went off. Y/n’s heart began to race, his breath hitching as she looked up at him through her lashes. “Chaewon…”

“Shh,” she whispered, her hand sliding up to cup his cheek. “Stop thinking so much, oppa. Just… feel.”

And then she kissed him.

It started soft, tentative—just the briefest brush of her lips against his. But when Y/n didn’t pull away, Chaewon deepened the kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pressed closer. The world outside the photobooth faded away, leaving only the two of them and the sound of their mingled breaths. Y/n’s hands found her waist, pulling her tightly against him as he responded with equal fervor.

The camera flashed again, capturing the moment as Chaewon broke the kiss just long enough to whisper, “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

Y/n stared at her, dazed, his mind struggling to catch up with what was happening. “Chaewon, I—”

The camera flashed one final time, freezing the image of her grinning triumphantly before she pulled him back into another kiss. This time, it was fiercer, hungrier, her nails digging lightly into his shoulders as she poured every ounce of her pent-up feelings into it. Y/n groaned against her mouth, his hands slipping under her sweater to trace the curve of her spine.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their faces flushed. Chaewon rested her forehead against his, her voice barely audible over the hum of the arcade outside. “So… did you like my surprise?”

Y/n chuckled, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “Yeah, I liked it. A lot.”

“Good,” she said, her grin widening. “Because there’s more where that came from.”

Chaewon’s lips lingered close to his, her breath warm against his skin as she whispered, “So… what do you think about us? About this?” Her eyes searched his, a mix of playfulness and vulnerability flickering in their depths.

Y/n hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding. The air between them felt electric, charged with something unspoken but undeniable. He could still feel the ghost of her touch under his sweater, the warmth of her body pressed against his. “I think…” he started, voice low, “it’s complicated. You know that, right? With everything going on in the group…”

She tilted her head, her fingers trailing lightly down his arm until they interlaced with his. “Complicated doesn’t mean impossible,” she murmured, her tone soft but firm. “And I don’t care about complications if it means getting to have this. To have you.” There was a weight to her words, a sincerity that made Y/n’s chest tighten.

He swallowed hard, his mind racing. Karina’s confession, Wonyoung’s teasing, Yujin’s boldness—now Chaewon was laying her feelings bare. It felt like the walls were closing in, the web of emotions growing more entangled by the day. But with Chaewon staring at him like that, her lips slightly parted and her cheeks flushed from the intensity of their kiss, it was hard to focus on anything else.

“Chaewon,” he said quietly, squeezing her hand. “You know this isn’t just about us. The group… we can’t risk—”

She interrupted him with a shake of her head, her hair brushing against his cheek. “Stop thinking so much,” she said, her voice firm but tender. “For once, just let yourself feel. We’ve been dancing around this for weeks—maybe longer. Don’t you think it’s time we stopped pretending?”

Her words hit him like a punch to the gut. She was right, wasn’t she? Every stolen glance, every lingering touch, every playful tease—they had all been building toward this. And now, with her standing so close, her body pressed against his, it was impossible to deny the pull between them.

“Okay,” he breathed, his voice barely audible. “What do you want, Chaewon?”

A slow smile spread across her face, her eyes gleaming with something mischievous. “I want you to stop overthinking and kiss me again,” she said, her tone light but laced with desire.

Before he could respond, she leaned in, capturing his lips with hers. This kiss was different from the ones before—slower, deeper, more deliberate. Her hands slid up his chest, curling around the back of his neck as she pulled him closer. Y/n’s hands instinctively found her waist, gripping her tightly as he deepened the kiss, his tongue brushing against hers.

The world outside the photobooth faded away, leaving only the two of them and the heat building between them. When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other.

“That’s what I want,” Chaewon whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “I want us to explore this. To see where it could go. I don’t care about the others right now. I just�� I care about you.”

Y/n’s heart clenched at her words. He wanted to say something—anything—to reassure her, to tell her he felt the same way. But before he could, she stepped back slightly, her hands sliding down to grip his.

“But I need you to be honest with me,” she continued, her gaze steady. “If this is too much, if you’re not ready… I’ll understand. But don’t keep me hanging, Y/n. Don’t make me guess.”

He squeezed her hands, his mind racing. How could he explain the whirlwind of emotions he was feeling? The guilt, the desire, the fear of what this could mean for the group—and for them?

“It’s not that simple,” he admitted, his voice rough. “You know that. With Karina, Wonyoung, Yujin… it’s not just about us. It’s about how this affects everyone.”

Chaewon nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “I know,” she said softly. “And I’m not asking you to choose. I’m just asking you to give us a chance. To see where this could go. Isn’t that worth it?”

Y/n’s chest tightened at her words. She was giving him an out, a way to step back if he needed to. But as he looked into her eyes, he realized he didn’t want to. He wanted this. He wanted her.

“Yeah,” he said finally, his voice firm. “It’s worth it.”

A brilliant smile spread across Chaewon’s face, her eyes lighting up with joy. “Good,” she said, her voice full of relief. “Because I wasn’t planning on taking no for an answer.”

Y/n chuckled, pulling her closer. “You really are something else, you know that?”

She grinned, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. “You have no idea,” she teased, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. “Now, are you going to kiss me again, or do I have to take charge?”

His answer was to lean down and capture her lips once more, pouring every ounce of his pent-up emotions into the kiss. Chaewon responded eagerly, her hands sliding up his shoulders to tangle in his hair. The world outside the photobooth disappeared, leaving only the two of them and the fire burning between them.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their faces flushed. Chaewon rested her forehead against his, her breath coming in shallow gasps. “We should probably get out of here before someone catches us,” she murmured, though there was no urgency in her voice.

Y/n laughed softly, his hands still resting on her hips. “Probably. But I’m not ready to let you go yet.”

She smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Who said anything about letting go?” she said, leaning in to whisper in his ear. “Meet me in my room tonight. We can continue this… privately.”

His heart skipped a beat at her words, his grip tightening on her waist. “Are you sure?”

She pulled back slightly, her gaze locking with his. “I’ve never been more sure of anything,” she said, her voice steady. “But only if you are.”

Y/n hesitated for a moment, the weight of her words settling over him. This wasn’t just about a fleeting moment of passion—this was a decision that could change everything. But as he looked into her eyes, he knew there was no turning back.

“I’m sure,” he said, his voice firm.

Chaewon’s smile widened, and she pressed one last, lingering kiss to his lips before stepping back. “Good,” she said, her voice full of promise. “Tonight, then. Don’t keep me waiting.”

The hallway was dimly lit, the faint hum of fluorescent lights casting long shadows as Chaewon led Y/n by the hand. Her fingers were warm and firm around his, pulling him closer with every step. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor, but neither of them spoke—words felt unnecessary now. The tension between them had been building all day, a slow burn that had finally reached its breaking point.

When they reached her room, Chaewon turned to face him, her eyes dark with desire. She didn’t hesitate, pressing herself against him, her lips capturing his in a hungry kiss. Y/n groaned into her mouth, his hands instinctively finding her waist as he pulled her closer. The taste of her was intoxicating, sweet and sharp like cherry cola, and he couldn’t get enough.

Chaewon broke the kiss just long enough to whisper, “I’ve been waiting for this all night,” before dragging him inside and shutting the door behind them. The room was bathed in soft amber light, the curtains drawn tight, creating an intimate cocoon. Without warning, she pushed him backward until his legs hit the edge of the bed, and he fell onto it, bouncing slightly.

She stood over him, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she let out a low, breathy laugh. “You’re so eager,” she teased, her voice dripping with mischief. And then, with deliberate slowness, she began to undress.

First came her jacket, slipping off her shoulders like liquid silk. Then her top, revealing a lace bralette that clung to her curves in all the right places. Y/n’s breath hitched as he watched her, his body already responding to her every move. But she wasn’t done yet. Her fingers hooked into the waistband of her skirt, and with a slow, teasing tug, she let it fall to the floor, leaving her in nothing but her lingerie.

Y/n couldn’t help but stare, taking in every inch of her. Chaewon was beautiful—stunning, really—but there was something about the way she carried herself, the confidence radiating from her, that made her irresistible. She stepped closer, straddling him on the bed, her hands resting on his chest.

“Do you like what you see?” she purred, her voice low and husky.

Y/n nodded, swallowing hard. “More than you know.”

Her lips curved into a sultry smile, and she leaned down, her breath hot against his ear as she whispered, “Then don’t hold back.”

That was all the invitation he needed. In one swift motion, he flipped her onto her back, pinning her beneath him. The surprise in her eyes only fueled his hunger, and he kissed her deeply, his hands roaming her body as if trying to memorize every curve. She moaned into his mouth, her nails digging into his shoulders as she arched against him.

Their clothes disappeared in a flurry of movement, discarded carelessly on the floor. When Y/n finally entered her, Chaewon let out a gasp, her head falling back against the pillows as her body shuddered in response. He moved slowly at first, savoring the way she felt beneath him, the way her breathing quickened with every thrust.

But Chaewon wasn’t content to let him set the pace. Her hips bucked against his, urging him to go faster, harder, and he obliged, his own control slipping as the heat between them grew unbearable. Her moans grew louder, more desperate, filling the room with a symphony of pleasure.

“Y/n—” she gasped, her voice breaking as her nails raked down his back. “Don’t stop... please...”

He didn’t. Instead, he shifted his angle slightly, hitting a spot that made her cry out in ecstasy. Her eyes rolled back, her mouth falling open in an agegao expression that sent a jolt of primal satisfaction through him. She was completely lost in the moment, consumed by the intensity of their connection.

As her body tightened around him, signaling her climax, Y/n felt his own release building. With one final, powerful thrust, he spilled into her, their shared cries mingling in the air. For a moment, they stayed like that, their bodies pressed together, hearts racing in tandem.

When he finally pulled back, Chaewon looked up at him, her eyes glassy and unfocused, a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. “Wow,” she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. “You weren’t kidding when you said you were sure.”

Y/n chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Neither were you.”

She laughed softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. “Guess we’re both full of surprises.”

Before he could respond, she propped herself up on one elbow, her gaze locking with his. There was something unspoken in her eyes, a question or maybe a promise, but before either of them could explore it further, the sound of voices outside the door made them freeze.

Both pairs of eyes darted toward the door, wide with panic. The last thing they needed was someone walking in on them like this. Chaewon quickly grabbed a pillow, covering herself as Y/n scrambled to find his boxers.

But before they could fully recover, the doorknob began to turn.

“Shit,” Chaewon hissed under her breath, her heart pounding. “What do we do?”

Y/n’s mind raced, but before he could come up with a plan, the door creaked open, revealing...

Chaewon’s eyes widened in panic as the door creaked open. Without hesitation, she grabbed Y/n by the arm and yanked him under the covers with her, pulling the blanket up to their chins just as the soft glow of the hallway light spilled into the room.

“Stay quiet,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, her lips brushing against his ear. Her breath was warm, sending a shiver down his spine despite the heat pooling between them.

The sound of footsteps followed, slow and deliberate, as whoever had entered lingered near the doorway. Y/n’s heart hammered against his chest, each beat echoing loudly in his ears. He could feel Chaewon’s body pressed tightly against his, her legs tangled with his own, her skin still flushed from their earlier passion. The thin fabric of the blanket did little to hide the warmth radiating between them, but neither dared to move.

“Chaewon?” came a familiar voice—Winter. She sounded tentative, like she wasn’t sure if she should be there. “Are you awake?”

Y/n froze, his eyes locking with Chaewon’s. Her expression was a mix of amusement and mischief, her lips curling into a sly smile despite the situation. She placed a finger over her own lips, silently urging him to stay still, then turned her head slightly toward the door.

“Uh… yeah,” Chaewon called back, her voice surprisingly steady. “What’s up? I was just about to sleep.”

There was a pause, and Y/n could practically hear Winter’s hesitation. His mind raced, trying to figure out how they were going to get out of this without raising suspicion. But Chaewon seemed unfazed, her fingers tracing light patterns on his chest beneath the blanket, her touch both soothing and electrifying.

“I… couldn’t sleep,” Winter admitted finally, her voice softer now. “I thought maybe we could talk or something.”

Chaewon bit her lip, her hand stilling for a moment before she sighed softly. “Sorry, Unnie. I’m really tired tonight. Maybe tomorrow?”

Another pause. Y/n could almost picture Winter standing there, her arms crossed, her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of the situation. He prayed she wouldn’t come closer, wouldn’t notice the faint rise and fall of the blankets or the way Chaewon’s breathing hitched ever so slightly when her fingers brushed against his stomach.

“Alright,” Winter said finally, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced. “Sleep well, then.”

The footsteps retreated, and the door clicked shut, plunging the room back into semi-darkness. For a moment, neither of them moved, listening intently for any sign that Winter might change her mind and return. When it became clear she was gone, Chaewon let out a low laugh, her body relaxing against his.

“That was close,” she murmured, her lips curving into a grin. Her hand resumed its exploration, trailing lower now, and Y/n sucked in a sharp breath. “Too close.”

“You’re insane,” Y/n replied, his voice hushed but laced with disbelief. He could feel the tension coiling in his gut again, threatening to unravel as her fingers danced dangerously close to where he wanted her most. “What if she had seen us?”

Chaewon tilted her head, her gaze locking with his. “She didn’t,” she said simply, as if that settled everything. “And besides…” She leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his neck, her words hot against his skin. “Wouldn’t that have been exciting?”

Y/n groaned softly, his hands instinctively finding her waist and pulling her closer. “You’re impossible,” he murmured, though he couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips. “What if someone else comes in?”

“Then we’ll be quiet this time,” Chaewon replied, her tone teasing but her eyes filled with desire. She shifted slightly, straddling him beneath the blanket, her weight pressing deliciously against him. “Unless you want me to stop?”

He didn’t answer—he couldn’t. Instead, his hands slid up her back, pulling her down into a searing kiss. Their lips met with a hunger that sent sparks shooting through him, her tongue parting his as she deepened the kiss. Her hips rolled against his, the friction drawing a low groan from his throat.

“Quiet,” she reminded him, her breath hitching as she rocked against him again. Her movements were slow, deliberate, designed to drive him mad. And it was working. Every brush of her skin against his sent waves of pleasure crashing through him, every gasp and sigh from her lips only fueling his need.

Her hands roamed freely now, exploring every inch of him she could reach. She kissed along his jaw, his neck, her teeth grazing his skin in a way that made him shudder. When her lips found his ear, she whispered, “You’re mine tonight,” and the possessiveness in her voice sent a jolt of arousal straight to his core.

Y/n’s hands gripped her thighs, his fingers digging into her soft skin as he held her in place. “Chaewon…” he breathed, his voice strained with need. “We can’t—”

“Shh,” she interrupted, silencing him with another kiss. Her hips moved again, grinding against him in a rhythm that left no room for argument. “Don’t think. Just feel.”

And he did. Every touch, every movement, every whisper of her name against his skin blurred together into a haze of pleasure. The world outside the blanket ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them, lost in each other.

But just as the tension reached its peak, the sound of voices outside the door shattered the moment. Y/n tensed, his eyes darting toward the door as muffled laughter drifted in from the hallway. Chaewon froze above him, her breath coming in shallow puffs as she listened.

“Quick,” she whispered, sliding off him and pulling the blanket up higher. “Underneath me.”

Y/n didn’t argue, shifting so that she was lying on top of him, her body shielding his from view. The door handle turned again, and this time, multiple voices filtered into the room.

“Chaewon? Are you still awake?” It was Karina this time, her tone light and playful.

“We brought snacks!” added Winter, her voice cheerful now.

Chaewon propped herself up on one elbow, doing her best to look sleepy and disheveled. “Can’t you guys leave me alone for one night?” she complained, though her voice lacked any real annoyance.

Karina chuckled, stepping further into the room. “Come on, don’t be such a loner. We haven’t hung out properly in ages.”

Y/n held his breath, praying they wouldn’t notice the slight indent in the mattress where he lay hidden beneath Chaewon. Her hand found his beneath the blanket, squeezing gently in reassurance.

“Fine,” Chaewon sighed dramatically, sinking back down onto Y/n in a way that made him grit his teeth. “But if you wake me up again, I’m kicking you all out.”

The girls laughed, their voices fading as they began to chatter among themselves. Y/n could feel Chaewon’s body shaking slightly with suppressed laughter, her face buried in his shoulder to muffle the sound.

“You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” he muttered, his lips brushing against her ear.

Chaewon grinned against his skin. “Maybe a little.” She shifted slightly, her knee brushing against him in a way that made him bite back a groan. “But don’t worry… I’ll make it up to you later.”

Y/n had no doubt she would. But for now, all he could do was lie there, his heart pounding as he waited for the girls to leave—and for Chaewon to make good on her promise…

[johnbrand]

Right Kind of People

Dalton and Eli ambled into the locker room, exhausted after their workout. They had been coming to the gym for a few weeks, so while they could feel they were making progress, they could not yet see it. The couple had made a pact to start exercising more seriously before their wedding, hoping to have the best bodies possible by picture time.

“Hey, has this mirror always been here?” Dalton asked, pointing to the subject in question. It was a full floor-to-ceiling mirror, nothing extraordinary about it beside its size. 

“I read something in the monthly email,” Eli replied, rubbing some water on his face before coming over. “They're trying to class up the place to ‘lure’ in the right kind of people.”

Dalton scoffed, posing obnoxiously. “I bet the people they’re 'luring' for are some more obnoxious hetero gym-bros.” At about average height and a little pudgy, Dalton’s flexing appeared silly and foreign to his body.

Eli laughed at the joke, twisting his cap around to add to his fiancé's bit. “I’d need a sweet flow to grow out underneath this hat and then we’d be set.” Eli was the shorter and skinnier of the two, but otherwise there was not that much difference between them. They looked pretty similar, and dressed alike too. Even now they wore matching baggy tanks and shorts that went just past the knees.

“Yeah, we’d need like uh…some more poses too,” Dalton attempted to add, occupied by his reflection in the mirror.

“Sure,” Eli chuckled. “That way we could flex for our narcissistic selves even longer, right?”

Eli paused for a confirmation, but received nothing. He glanced at Dalton, noticing he was still flexing.

“Dalton?”

It took Dalton a moment to break from his haze, although not entirely. He was still making eye contact with himself when he replied: “...what? Oh, sorry bro.”

“Bro?” Eli questioned, now a little confused. Scanning over his partner, he began to feel even more uneasy. Were Dalton’s arms always so…carved? They appeared huge. And those legs too, the peaks and valleys of muscles appeared to be inching up the shorts. It was almost like Dalton was growing taller before his very eyes, the bottoms now barely reaching past half the upper leg.

“You gonna stop checking me out, dude?” Dalton grumbled, his voice a little deeper.

“Huh?”

“Look at yourself, bro,” Dalton nodded his head forward, insisting for Eli to flex in the mirror as well. Having no reason not to, Eli followed Dalton’s instruction. He made eye contact with his small body, which next to Dalton appeared like a baby brother rather than a boyfriend. Speaking of Dalton, Eli could have sworn he had buzzed his hair less than a week ago. Now however it had fluffed out in the front like one of those douchey TikTokker cuts.

“Bro, stop pissing around and check your own gains,” Dalton grunted, his baritone now aggressive. Eli complied, and to his surprise, found he was looking a little more built too. His calves were looking meatier, filling out into diamonds with carpets of hair dusting them. They appeared longer too, but that may have been because he was wearing some slutty short-shorts. Nothing too faggy, but just enough to grab the right kind of attention.

Eli blinked, trying to process where that slur had come from. But for some reason, it just felt…right? Like, correct. Like how his smoking abs displayed underneath his tight pecs. Or how his structured frame stood just a little taller than Dalton, both of them over six feet. Or the curve of his bis and tris always visible, even when not flexed.

Although when they were, you could get a real good whiff of his pits. Eli snook a sniff…yeah, real manly funk with just a hint of Old Spice. Once he pulled his nose away from his pit, he was able to check out his sick flow and how it perfectly curled out beneath his backwards cap.

“Yeah bro, this pump was insane!” Dalton guffawed. “The chicks are gonna love us.”

Eli’s head was momentarily pulled away from self-adoration. Why was Dalton thinking about hooking up with girls? Weren’t they…bros…? Yeah, they were best bros. And the thought of sucking on a girl's juicy tits right now made his big ole dick hard. Eli smirked to himself, growing hard while continuing to flex in the mirror. He could go for some pussy right now. Pussy was just meant for his cock…

After a notable amount of time still displaying themselves for themselves, the newly-minted straight douchebags left the gym. They had hookups ready before they even made it back to their cars.

Although it was a mirror, Dalton and Eli would have never known it was only one-way. Behind the glass was a massive television displaying hypnotic tracks and visuals 24/7. One only needed to gaze in the mirror for a few moments before becoming captured. And unfortunately for the former gay couple, Dalton had got it right; the gym was trying to lure in their perfect market: obnoxious hetero gym-bros.

[starkitxxz]

I wrote this at 1am

Nightly visit☁

!!non-consensual touching, implied SOMNOPHILIA!!

The starry night sky wrapped the whole place like a blanket, small white dots appeared as the moon glowed in the midst of the void. Street lights flickered every minute, the warm light bulb it had given out. But it was enough to guide Sol Brugmansia to your lovely abode.

Every step he took, it was silent. Emptiness filled him – but he longed to see you. His heart ached, he yearned to have a minute of your time. A minute of your smile on your face because of him.

Or perhaps your lingering touch, brushing against his bandaged hand

He recognized everything about you, including where you place your furniture in your home. He hated seeing that slug in a photo frame. He wished it was him, beside you, in that printed paper.

He wished to be with you, to hold you and know you're his. He could not bear the thought of you being with Crowe. Ugh, the mere mention of his name makes him ill.

What does he have that Sol doesn’t?

He stood in front of his soulmate’s door, a silver key in his palm – inserted into the keyhole. And he knew, You fail to ignore such necessities missing from your ID.

Upon entering, his heart skipped a beat.

"Fuck, you’re so beautiful…"

He muttered under his breath. The glimmering moonlight highlighted your face. Displaying your beauty in front of the beast before you.

Sol approached you, his reddish orange orbs focused on you. He never fully focused on anything but you. You are on his walls. His phone gallery. His mind. Everything possible.

He lifted your arm and dropped it, a chuckle escaped his mouth. A heavy sleeper you are.

Or maybe you took something that made you so sleepy

He better thank Hyugo for this

A grin appeared on his face, it’s funny how easy you trusted him. How easy it took you to take it. So naive, Sol preferred it that way.

The last thing he wanted for you to find out was how awfully obsessed he is.

Heck, the word obsessed isn’t enough to describe what he is

He kneeled beside the bed frame, tucking a strand behind your ear. Taking in your pretty, sleeping face that he adores so much.

Gazing at your lips, he wanted it to meet his – so you will be his, like what he envisioned to happen.

He nuzzled on your neck, taking a whiff of your scent. You smell so fucking good. Like a dangerously addictive drug. It drove him nuts.

He began to nibble and bite a spot on your neck, earning a whimper from you. It sent shivers down his spine, as a mark started to form.

"Oh darling, you have no idea what you’re doing to me," He whispered, sucking the mark. A mark that will surely be visible on your neck, to the eyes of many – especially him, knowing he created that mark.

Another whimper escaped your lips. His breath hitched, kissing the small hickey he created.

"You’re so ticklish, pumpkin – even the sounds you make, it makes me want to fuck you"

Not long after that, he places his thumb on your bottom lip. Caressing it. He craved to kiss you so badly – to feel your lips, to know you’re his.

After all, YOU belong to him.

You’re his soulmate, his beloved, his maiden by the name of Annabel Lee

He pressed his lips against yours, warmth surrounded him. Claiming you as his, not Crowe. He was dying for this, he desired to be with you alone in this room – kissing you.

"I love you so much…"

He mumbled as he leaned back. Looking at you like a valuable possession – too valuable and pretty to be shared with. Admiring your perfect features, ignoring your flaws. To him, you don’t have flaws.

You’re everything he could love about you

Staring at the figure before him, he smiled and took a picture of you. Adding it to his phone album full of photos of you.

He stood up and walked to the door, giving you one last look. Holding his phone in his hand. He hoped that it would be your hand that only he would hold soon.

"See you tomorrow, pumpkin," He said, before twisting the door knob.

And with that, he left.

[cosyvelvetorchid]

Tommy’s dad comes to visit unexpectedly. Unsurprisingly he is still an asshole. Your choice of abuse poor Tommy will have to endure. Buck walks in on the abuse and defends Tommy. Buck comforts Tommy.

Tommy/ Buck Angsty/ fluffy

This was a really meaty one to get into and I loved writing it. Thank you. 🩶

***

TW: Homophobic language // themes of abuse in the form of emotional abuse and descriptions of trauma as a result of former abuse (no actual descriptions of physical abuse)

———

Tommy was busy in the kitchen prepping dinner whilst waiting for Buck to come home from work. The thought of his Evan coming home to him still made him giddy 8 months into their relationship. He still had trouble believing that this was his life - that he got have this. Got to have happiness and contentment with someone as beautiful as Evan.

He’d spend the majority of his life hiding who he was, never imaging living a life where he would get to be who he wanted. And even when he grew up and he finally found the courage to come out and forge some semblance of life on his own terms, he thought it was too late to actually find someone special enough to want to spend his life with.

Then he met Evan.

6 weeks in they shared i love you’s. 5 months and Evan was moving in. Now, 8 months after first laying eyes on Evan in the middle of the harbour station hangar and there was a ring box hidden in a box of old photographs in the garage. He just needed to figure out the perfect way to do it.

The doorbell chimed and Tommy wiped his hands on a dish towel before making his way to the front door. He opened it and his heart and stomach dropped a thousand feet.

He hadn’t seen the man for almost 8 years; hoped he wouldn’t ever see him again. The man was greyer around the temples than he had been the last time he saw him, maybe a few more wrinkles to his face but otherwise there was no difference. Certainly not in the feeling the man conjured in Tommys stomach. The same twisted, nauseating fear that Tommy was all to well acquainted with.

“What are you doing here?” He asked. He tried to sound firm but he couldn’t hide the shakiness in his voice.

“That’s no way to speak to your father, Thomas.” He said in the same deep gruff voice Tommy had spent years trying to forget. He wanted to tell him to leave; to slam the door in his face. But his father’s eyes firmly staring into his own, still, after all this time, had a hold on him. A hold he thought he’d broken free from after his mother’s funeral 8 years ago.

“Are you going to invite me in?” It wasn’t a question and Tommy knew it. As though forced by an invisible entity Tommy stepped aside and let his father into his home.

He closed the door behind them, not failing to notice his hands, palms already beading with sweat, were shaking. His adrenaline was soaring as he watched his father walk slowly down the hall; his eyes scanning his surroundings. Everything his father’s eyes touched somehow now felt dirtier.

“You got anything to drink?” The old man asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“Beer.” Tommy answered from behind. He walked to the fridge and removed a bottle, handing it to his father. The man scoffed when he saw the label.

“IPA. Figures” he said. “Can’t even drink like man.”

Tommy looked down at the ground. He was desperate to say something to his father. He’d gone over in his head a thousand times all of the things he wanted to say to him but never had the courage too. He always believed that one day he would be able to say something. But his father showing up at his door out of the blue threw him off.

Thomas senior walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, continuing to look around. He stopped in front of the fireplace looking at the picture frames stood on top of the mantel.

The whole mantel was filled with photographs. Evan had insisted, when he’d moved in and found a box of photographs in the hall closet, that they should be displayed. He’d said that they - Tommys photographs and his own - told their story, and that they should be proudly displayed.

They chose their favourites to put up. Tommy chose a picture of him and his armies buddies stood in front of a helicopter, one of his mother and himself when he was 10 in front of their Christmas tree, his maternal grandparents on their 40th wedding anniversary, and one of him and Sal in their dress blues the day they both graduated from their LAFD training.

Buck had chosen a picture of him and Maddie when they were kids, another of the two of them on Maddie and Chims wedding day, one of him holding a 6 week old Jee-Yun, another of Evan, Eddie and Christopher with the skateboard that they’d built for him, and a group shot of the 118.

In the centre of all of them, pride of place, was a photograph of Evan and Tommy, wearing medals around their neck and proud smiles on their faces.

Tommy saw his father looking at it and a part of him was tempted to grab it and hide it away; to not expose their happiness in the picture to his father’s derision.

“And who do we have here?” Senior said lifting up the picture of the two of them. Tommy felt a rare moment of confidence in front of his father and took the photo from his hands, placing it gently back to where it belonged.

“My partner.”

“Partner.” His father repeated, his disgust at the term evident. “Does he have a name?”

Tommy didn’t want to give it. He didn’t want the name that he spoke like a prayer to be heard by his father’s ears. If the world was just, the two would never be connected. His father and Evan wouldnt be associated in any way shape or form. Even in such a small way as his father knowing Evan’s precious name.

“I asked you a question, boy.” He turned quickly as he said it, so quickly that his movements triggered in Tommy a deep, long forgotten reaction and he flinched. It didn’t go unnoticed and his father laughed.

“Pathetic.” He said. Tommy did his best to swallow away the bile that was rising up from his stomach.

“Why are you here, dad?”

“I have some business in the city and I’m not paying the ridiculous fucking prices for hotels around here so I’ll be staying with you.”

Tommy’s stomach, along with what felt like every other organ, twisted painfully. He didn’t want to be within a thousand miles of his father and there was no way he wanted Evan in the same universe as him, let alone letting him stay in Evan’s home.

“We-we don’t have room.” He told him.

“What do you mean “we”?”

“Ev-my partner and I.” He answered nervously. Thomas senior’s face changed into something that Tommy recognised from his past. It was a mixture of disgust and anger. Tommys heart raced as he prepared for the inevitable verbal assault he was going to endure. His father had frequently used his fists to inform his son on exactly how he felt about his ‘perversions’, and there was a time where that response was the worst he had to endure.

But the older Tommy got the more the beatings became more preferable to the onslaught of violent rhetoric his father would spit at him. He would rather deal with black eyes than have to hear how disgusted his own father was at his existence. The worst his dad would ever make him feel was when he would be screaming at him that God made a mistake when they made him - that he was defective; unlovable. A failure of a man. Words that even today, when he was happier than he’d ever been, still had him doubting his worthiness of good things sometimes.

“I’ve got to hand it to you, Thomas. Your dedication to this.. lifestyle is.. admirable. If only you had such dedication for normal things you could have made something of your life.”

Tommy was desperately trying to muster up the strength to fight back against his dads words but the simple act of that man standing in front of him, spitting out his disgust at his son, made Tommy feel like he was 10 years old again - too afraid to talk back out of fear of the consequence.

“I thought that enlisting in the army would toughen you up; turn you into a real man. I almost felt proud of you when you told your mother and I. I thought finally, this pansy-boy of mine was going to grow up.” Tommys eyes stared at the floor, not having the inner strength to withstand the look on his father’s face as he spoke.

“Imagine my disappointment when I found out that you had been discharged. Couldn’t even hack it for long, could you?”

Tears pricked at his eyes. Even after all this time his father still had control over his emotions. Still knew exactly which buttons to press to cut him down.

He stepped forward into Tommys space who in turn stepped back two steps and his back it the wall.

“I asked you a question!” His father yelled stepping towards him. Tommys instinctively raised hands to protect his face.

“Babe? What’s going on? I heard yelling.” Evan appeared in the doorway to the living room. Tommy felt a mixture of fear and sadness that Evan ever had to be in the presence of his father, and also relief that he was here.

“Babe?” Thomas senior repeated, his repugnance dripping from the word. He looked at the photograph of the two of them, then back to Evan. “I’m guessing you’re the.. partner.” Revulsion painted on his face as he looked Evan up and down.

“Excuse me?” Evan said, a hint of irritation on his tongue. “Tommy, what’s going on? Who is he?”

Tommy opened his mouth but his throat was tight and dry and no words could escape. His eyes dropped from Evan back to the floor in shame.

Shame that he couldn’t speak. Shame that Evan had to be near his father. Shame that even at the ripe old adult age of 42 that the man could still make him feel like he was 5 years old again.

“Thomas Kinard.” He said. “Senior.”

Evans posture straightened and his jaw tightened. Tommy had told him about his father and the abuse he put his son through. It was taking everything in Evans will power to not beat the piece of shit within an inch of his life for what he had done to Tommy.

“What are you doing here?” He asked through gritted teeth.

“Visiting my son.” He said.

“Why?”

“That’s none of your concern or business.” Senior told him.

“When you’re standing in my living room it is.” Evan argued.

“Thomas, tell your bitch here to leave us alone.”

“What did you just call me?!” Evan tried to step forward towards the man but Tommy grabbed onto his shirt. Evan turned his head to Tommy who silently shook his head.

“It’s okay.” He tried to convince Evan. But there was nothing about his words, tone or body language that could remotely convince anybody that it was okay.

“No, it isn’t, Tommy. This is our home and he is not welcome here.” He looked back at Tommys father. “You need to leave.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are talking to?!” He stepped towards Evan. Tommys breathing was getting heavier as his heart was pounding harder and harder in his chest. This was getting out of hand. He was terrified Evan was going to get hurt.

“A coward.” Evan said plainly.

“What did you call me?!”

“What kind of a father beats his own kid?” He asked the man. Rhetorical question but Thomas senior couldn’t resist answering it nonetheless.

“A father who understands what it means to be a real man. Clearly I failed at teaching son that, giving this, quite frankly, disgusting life he leads.”

Evan looked at Tommy to see him standing frozen on the spot, staring at the ground with silent tears running down his cheeks. He looked.. small. His heart broke at the sight. Anger shot through his body and he turned back to Tommys father.

“He is a real man. A real man who, every day, goes out there and saves people’s lives. A real man who despite having to endure a childhood filed with violence and abuse at the hands of a pathetic, homophobic bastard like you, still turned out to be strong, kind, decent, loyal and selfless. A real man who would, and has, put his own life on the line for the people he cares about. You can think what you like about him, but you do not get to speak about him like that in front of me.”

Tommy looked up at Evan in awe. Nobody had ever stood up to his father like that. Not his mother or any of their family, or his teachers who couldn’t have missed the obvious bruises dotted around his little body.

Evan could have just told his dad to leave and be done with it but he didn’t - he stood face to face with him and listed off reasons he thought Tommy wasn’t the man his father told him he always was.

Evan didn’t see flaws in him. He didn’t see someone pathetic, someone not worthy of love or happiness. He saw him as a man who saves lives. A good man. A man worthy of giving his heart too. He saw Tommy as the man Tommy never thought himself to be. Maybe he was wrong about himself. Maybe he was strong enough..

His father stared at Evan for a moment before looking back to his son.

“Are you going to let this fairy talk to me this way?!”

The slur was enough. Tommy took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Please leave.” He said, his voice not quite on the stepping stone of confidence.

“What did you say?” His father asked, his lips pulled tight. Tommy took another deep breath and felt his confidence rise a small amount.

“Leave.” He said a little more firmly. Thomas senior took a step back and laughed in surprise.

“Well, would you look at that! Turned out you have some balls hidden in there after all.” He rubbed his hand along the greying stubble caressing his jaw and stepped forward again. “Shame I’m going to have to teach you a lesson.”

His arm pulled back then his fist surged forward. But before Tommy could react Evan shot across in front of him and the man’s fist made contact with his face. Evan fell to the floor with a grunt.

Something shifted inside of Tommy seeing his father assault Evan. Suddenly, all the pain and fear and trauma from a lifetime of suffering at the hands of his father was overtaken by something new.

Tommy didn’t see red; only felt his blood— white hot and searing, and coursing through every vein in his body. Without even thinking about it he surged forward, grabbing his father by the scruff of his shirt and shoving him backwards, pinning him to the wall.

It was so quick that Thomas senior didn’t even realise what was already happening until it already had. His confidence suddenly non existent, he didn’t fight back. For the first time in Tommys life he saw fear in his own father’s eyes.

“You don’t ever get to lay your hands on him, do you hear me? That man there is the most beautiful soul I have ever met, and though I may not have had the courage to stand up against you for all the things you’ve done to me, make no mistake there there is nothing i wouldn’t do to defend the love of my life. I would go to war with God himself for him.” His eyes bore into his father’s who was staring right back at him, his own blue eyes swimming in fear.

“Now.. I’m going to let go in a second, and when I do you’re going to stand up straight and walk out of our home. And just so we’re clear— if I ever see you again, not only is he going to press charges for assault, but I am going press charges for every single time you laid a hand on me as a kid. And don’t you ever think for a second that I’m bluffing, because I’m not. Do you understand?”

Senior just looked at him not saying a word. Tommy couldn’t tell whether that was due to him being a stubborn bastard or because he was genuinely scared of Tommy. Probably a bit of both Tommy thought.

Not getting a response Tommy shoved his dad into the wall harder. “I said.. do you.. understand?”

His father nodded after a second. Tommy held onto his shirt for a few more seconds before tentatively removing his father from his grasp.

The man grabbed his shirt and adjusted it back into place then his eyes flicked between Evan and Tommy for a moment. He slowly walked out of the living room and Tommy followed him down the hall to make sure he actually left the house.

The second the door slammed shut he immediately went to Evan who was standing holding his cheek.

“Baby, are you okay? I’m so sorry.” Tears were welling up again in his eyes as he inspected Evans cheek gently. There didn’t seem to be any real damage, just some redness coming up.

“I’m fine, Tommy. I’m more worried about you.” He put his hands on the side of Tommys face. His deep and worried earnest eyes looking at him was enough for his adrenaline to drop and break the dam open. Tommy’s face crumpled as all the emotion from the encounter with his dad fell out of him in the form of cries.

“I got you, I got you.” Evan put his arm around him and guided him to the sofa sitting them both down. He sat back and pulled Tommy into him, his face resting in the space between Evan’s head a shoulder. His arms tightly held on to Evan as his body vibrated with each cry.

Evan gently rubbed his hand up and down Tommys back, allowing him get everything out. After a while Tommy’s cries slowed down and eventually stopped. They stayed there for a little while as Evan continued to run his fingertips along Tommys back.

“Your shirt is wet.” Tommy eventually said sitting up and noticing the wet patch caused by his tears.

“Don’t worry about that, babe. How are you feeling? That was pretty fucking rough what just happened.” He slid the hand that was on his back up to his head and gently ran his hands through Tommys curls. It was something that he would do in bed at night sometimes when Tommy had had a rough shift.

“I’m.. honestly I.. you know the worst part about seeing him? It was that you saw me.. you saw that part of me that I never wanted you to see.”

“What do you mean?” Evan asked.

“Scared. Ashamed.. pathetic.”

“No. No..” Evan turned to face him, lifting his face gently with his hand. “Tommy look at me. There is not a single part of you that I don’t love, and I don’t ever want you to feel like you can’t show every part of yourself, even the parts that you don’t like. I love you. All of you. You are my whole world. There is nothing that you can show me about you that would make me judge you or look down at you or love you any less. You never have to worry about me going anywhere for showing me those darker parts of you. You are the most incredible man I have ever met and there hasn’t been a single day since we met that I haven’t looked at you in awe. Like you said - you’re the love of my life. You’re it for me, Tommy.” He punctuated his words with a few soft kisses to Tommy’s lips.

Tommy just stared at Evan for a few moments. He had no doubt Evan loved him, but to hear him say so in such a beautiful way melted every part of him. He felt in that moment that there nothing that he couldn’t go up against in the future when he had Evan by his side.

“I wish I could make you fully understand just how much I love you.” He rested his forehead against Evans.

“You already do every time you look at me.”

He knew immediately that the time was right to retrieve the ring from the box in garage

[scribblue]

"Expectations" A Naturaldisaster* Fic

[*Poly ship with Jay, Cole, Geo, and Nya.]

Jay struggles with self-identity and relationships after losing his memories in the merge, and some familiar faces have been trying to help him through it... but it's an unfamiliar one that finally gets through to him. 3,437 words | Rated T, some suggestive themes/references | Angst and Comfort

Read below, or on ao3!

✧《✩》✧

The boy in the photograph almost looked like him.

Closely cropped hair modeled the same ginger hue as his current mop of curls, and a youthful face bore traces of freckles not yet matured under the sun. The boy was hemmed in on both sides by faces Jay only partly recognized– younger versions of the people that claimed to know him before the Merge. Cole stood on his right, Nya his left, squeezing in tight with arms threaded through his elbows. Their bright smiles and casual displays of affection almost made all those outlandish stories about his past feel plausible. Almost.

The longer he stared at the photograph, the deeper his unease grew. It was like peering into an alternate timeline, or some washed-up magician's crystal ball; everything felt frustratingly familiar and terribly wrong at the same time, like a word lingering at the tip of his tongue and never finding its way past his lips. Here was a moment in time preserved in a frame, yet all of his memories were nothing but static. This memory didn't belong to him anymore. He couldn't be sure it ever did.

"You and Cole were real close."

The gravelled voice jolted him out of his thoughts. Jay turned towards it, mildly relieved to see the one person that didn't claim a long, complicated history with him. Geo lingered in the threshold to the bedroom, leaning against the doorframe. 

Jay frowned. "So I've heard."

Geo countered his frown with a soft smile. He shut the door quietly behind him, though there was little need for privacy; Cole was watching the little gremlins with Bonzle over at the Monastery, allowing Jay and Geo an evening alone at the junkyard. Not that Jay would have objected to Cole's involvement, of course, except perhaps in this very conversation. "He told me a lot about you," Geo said. "About the two of you. You and Nya, too."

Jay rolled his eyes and gave an irritated huff, making sure to amp up the theatrics. "Oh, great. And here I was thinking I'd finally met someone who doesn't have all these expectations of me." 

"Expectations?"

"Everyone thinks they know me better than I know me, but they don't," Jay said, letting the bitterness drip from each word like Venomari spit. "They all try to tell me how I felt, what I liked, and how I acted, as if it makes any difference now." He set the picture frame down on the dresser with a pointed clank, his gaze still fixed on it. His old self smiled back naively. "That version of me doesn't exist anymore."

He hadn't realized Geo moved closer until he felt a hand on his upper arm, gently refocusing his attention to a faint, saddened smile. "But he did exist once, didn't he?" 

Something twinged in his chest, a pang of everything he'd tried so hard to suppress; he put on a good show of not caring about his supposed past, but here he was longing for his companion's words to be true. Heat rose to his cheeks and yearning flared into annoyance, brightening Jay's red eyes in a flash. He jerked his arm away. "I don't know! How should I know? I have no memories of anything before the Merge."

"I know," Geo said gently. He gestured to the photograph with a nod of his head. "But they do. Cole and Nya knew you intimately– whether you believe that or not, that's their truth. It's natural they want to share that with you, Jay. Even if things are different now."

Jay crossed his arms and turned away, taking a few steps towards the bed. It was neatly made in anticipation for his arrival, a third pillow living between the usual two. He glared at it with practiced indifference. "I'm not the person they all think I am."

"Maybe...maybe not. But you are someone they want to know, aren't you?" 

"Only because they think I'm their ex."

Geo crossed the space between them with light-footed steps, as though approaching too quickly would scare him away like a bird rustled from the bushes. He placed a hand on his back and leaned forward to catch a glimpse of his face, which Jay angled away to avoid his probing eyes. "You're not my ex."

"No," Jay admitted. "I'm not." That much was undeniably true. With the other two, he at least felt a nagging ache of familiarity somewhere at the back of his fuzzy mind, and had visual proof to back up their claims of previous relationships. Geo, however, was a blank slate. A different kind of mystery to unravel, with a whole different set of complications. Jay finally met his gaze, and the adoration– or perhaps infatuation– he found there was as enabling as it was overwhelming. "...I'm just something new to tinker on, aren't I? A broken man to fuse back together?"

Geo's elven ears drooped. The adoring look morphed into that of a kicked puppy, and for a moment Jay almost regretted his words, though only briefly; sick satisfaction was quick to lock its jaws around his neck. As much as Geo seemed to enjoy “fixing” him, these days Jay got his kicks by ruining everyone he touched. 

“Of course not, Jay,” Geo said. He sounded so sincere. Maybe he even was. “What would ever give you that idea?”

Jay snorted. “Please. That’s like…your whole thing, isn’t it? Turning trash into 'treasure'?” He reached over to the nightstand, picking up a mini sculpture welded together with Geo’s fusion powers. It was a figure, seemingly of Cole, frozen in a heroic pose and sculpted of scrap materials. Bits of metal, bottle caps, rusty gears and coils. He waved it at Geo with a sneering smile before tossing it at him underhand. Geo scrambled to catch it. “I’m just your newest project.”

“You are not– and be careful with that, that was an anniversary present.” Geo fussed over the figure, ensuring all of the repurposed trash was in the proper place. When he seemed satisfied, he carefully set it back on its place of honor.

“See? You care more about your things than you do me. Why do you even still make stuff with that junk? You said you could live anywhere now, you could be out there making…literally anything else, with literally anything else. Why a junkyard?" Despite a judgemental tone, his curiosity was genuine– Jay couldn't imagine why anyone would willingly live in a place like this, much less rummage through other people's trash to use as materials. 

“...I like it," Geo said, his voice so quiet Jay nearly couldn’t hear it. He averted his gaze and began worrying the tassled hem of his vest. “This place was my home when I never had one of my own, and… I don’t know. I like giving lost things a purpose. Even if I’m not lost myself anymore.”

Giving lost things a purpose. The words struck a chord somewhere inside Jay, like the ringing of the gong he still felt resonate through his bones. He pushed the feeling deep down into the yawning pit in his stomach. “Oh yeah? What’s my purpose, then, oh great Purpose-Giver?”

Geo halted his nervous fidgeting. Slowly, he raised his gaze to study Jay's face, feathered brows knitting together over probing eyes. "Your purpose?"

"Since you're the expert."

His lips pursed into a taut line, broken only by his two protruding lower teeth. “Well...what do you want your purpose to be?”

Oh great, the cryptic wise-man routine. Jay groaned, throwing his head back in exaggerated exasperation. “Nevermind. I’m sorry I asked.”

“Jay, you know I can’t answer that for you. That’s something you have to discover for yourself.” 

Though delicately spoken, his words hit like bricks. He wasn’t wrong, and Jay knew that. He hated that he knew that. He’d been struggling to establish a new purpose since leaving the Administration, since being abandoned by his master, Ras; so far, he’d come no closer to achieving that. “Yeah. Sure. Whatever.”

Geo stepped closer, extending a hesitant hand to clasp one of Jay’s. Jay stared down at it blankly. “You aren’t alone," Geo said. "If there’s any way I can help you on that journey, I, and surely Cole and Nya, would happily—”

Jay gripped Geo's hand like a vice and yanked him close. Their chests collided, and the sudden motion elicited a yelp from Geo, quickly stifled into an insistent kiss. At first he didn't return it, but slowly his lips softened to accommodate Jay's; not quite the same level of energy, but Jay had no issues picking up the slack. This was his element...at least, it was lately. An electricity unlike any he wielded in a fight. His free hand grappled at Geo’s waist, attempting to pull him even closer as though fusion could merge their bodies into one. 

He nipped at Geo’s lips, eliciting small noises in response but otherwise minimal reciprocation. Jay let go of his hand and took him by both hips, blindly maneuvering him towards the bed until he felt Geo’s calves bump against the frame. Geo pulled away from the kiss and gasped for the air he'd been passionately deprived of. “Jay…”

Jay kicked an ankle out from under Geo and allowed the two of them to fall onto the mattress, to another surprised yelp from Geo. Jay landed on top of him and wasted no time to dive back into a kiss, propping himself up with one arm and grabbing at Geo’s cropped shirt with the other. Everything in Jay's head had melted away, leaving only this. Only the moment they shared. Nothing else mattered.

Nothing else mattered.

Nothing else mattered.

Geo broke the kiss once more by turning his face away from Jay's mouth, which began to travel along Geo’s jawline and neck instead. Roving fingers teased the hem of Geo's shirt, before being abruptly grabbed and held tight. “Jay,” Geo repeated, more forcefully this time. “Can you just— hold on a second?”

Hold on? Jay pushed himself upright to the best of his ability, just enough that he could get a good look at Geo’s face; his cheeks were flushed a dark reddish-purple, but rather than the usual blissful or flustered expression, he carried a troubled air that gave Jay additional pause. “...What?”

“Jay…I…this is…” Geo fumbled his words, seeming unable to land on any. He rubbed Jay’s fingers absently with his own. “I…I don’t know if I’m in the mood…for this…right now.”

Jay felt himself deflate under the crushing weight of returning reality. “What? Why? What do you mean?” he said, unable to keep the panic out of his voice.

“I just– it's nothing you did, and it's not that I don't enjoy it, but… maybe we could just...talk, tonight?"

Jay’s pulse quickened. A litany of unsavory thoughts spiraled in his brain, a tornado of self-loathing that had long since been percolating, just waiting for an excuse to gain momentum. He’d made Geo uncomfortable. How? This was supposed to be the fix. The smooth-over, the nonverbal apology for every passive-aggressive comment that spilled from his mouth that night. How had he managed to mess this up too? “Talk? That’s— no, I’m not good at talking. Please, I’m not— this is the only thing I’m good at,” he said, the words spilling from his mouth before he could stop them. “Please, Geo, this is the only thing I’m good at. Don’t take that away from me, I—” He caught himself mid-sentence, realization sinking in at Geo’s increasingly concerned expression. “...No. I’m sorry. It’s fine, actually. I don’t even care. That’s fine. No worries, I’ll just— I’m gonna go, then.”

He started to push himself to his feet, and Geo hurried to grasp his arms, pulling him back. “Jay,” Geo said, voice as firm as his grip. “Stay. It’s alright, you don’t have to leave.”

 “Yes I do. I can’t do all this…this…talking. All these emotions. I told you, I’m not good at it. I’m not good at it like you, I don’t— all I do is make people feel bad.”

“You’re not trying to.”

"Sometimes I am. Sometimes I enjoy it, too. I’m really, really good at making people feel bad, Geo. But this…this is the one time where I feel like I can make people feel good, and…” His chest tightened along with his throat, and his eyes stung with tears that threatened to form. He heaved a dry sob, like a breath caught in reverse. “If I’m not good at that, what am I? Just some asshole with amnesia? Geo, I don’t know who the fuck I am. I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t—” The floodgates burst, sending rivers of electrified tears streaming down his cheeks in a trail of static shocks. His shoulders shuddered as another sob overtook him. “I don’t know who I am.”

“Hey, hey now, it’s alright.” Geo reached up to swipe at Jay’s tears, jumping slightly at the static that crackled on his thumb. He shook it off, wholly undeterred. “Come on. Come here.” He shuffled himself further onto the bed and laid down on the pillows, beckoning Jay to join him with wide, open arms. 

Jay sniffled, staring at him for a long moment before he finally gave in— what more did he have to lose? His dignity was already long gone. He crawled over to him and flopped into Geo’s arms, head landing on his chest. Geo completed the gesture by wrapping his arms tightly around Jay’s upper body in turn. 

As soon he sunk into the embrace, the sobs increased in intensity, and the tears poured onto Geo’s shirt. Geo only held him tighter, a granted permission that Jay had never even given himself: to cry freely.

Neither of them spoke. Jay wouldn’t even think of attempting it in that state, lest he be reduced to even more of a blubbering mess; he’d admitted plenty already, and Geo didn’t seem to mind the lack of conversation. He merely hummed a comforting tune under his breath and rubbed gentle circles into Jay’s back. It was a strange sensation, to be cared for. Jay wasn’t sure he knew what to do with it. He didn’t understand how Geo offered it so easily, like it was second nature to him. But the embrace felt…nice, Jay supposed. 

He had no idea if he’d ever cried like this before. It certainly felt like a first. Had the old him sobbed on Nya or Cole’s chest? Did he cry over every little thing, or had it only happened when he reached a breaking point? Did he feel as ashamed of his tears then as he did now? Jay had no answers for any of those questions, and wasn’t sure if he truthfully wanted them. All he knew was that, be it a first or not, he was sobbing in Geo’s arms. And in some odd, twisted way, it felt good. 

He wasn’t sure how long he cried. It ebbed and flowed like a wave, building up to a crescendo just to crash and settle once more. Eventually, though, his tear ducts began to dry up, and the tightness in his chest began to ease. Geo wordlessly stretched an arm over to the nightstand to grab a tissue, which Jay gratefully accepted— he felt like he was drowning in his own facial fluids, and was eager to regain some composure. Geo just laid there, observing while Jay aggressively wiped his face, blew his nose, and tossed the balled-up tissue onto the floor. Jay let his head fall back on Geo’s chest. His neck felt weak. And Geo was warm. “Don’t tell Cole or Nya about this,” he mumbled.

“About what? You littering tissues on my floor?” Geo said, earning a slight amused huff.

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah. I won’t. But having emotions isn’t a crime, you know. I don’t think either of them would judge you for it.”

“They should. It’s gross. I hate it. Don’t tell them.”

Geo chuckled softly, the heave of his chest shaking Jay’s head. “I won’t, I won’t.” 

“Good.” He considered leaving it at that, but a dreaded seed of guilt began nagging at the back of his tired mind. He curled his arm around Geo’s torso and sniffed. “...Thanks.”

Geo craned his neck to place a gentle kiss on the top of his head, amidst his fluffy curls. Barely did it graze his scalp, but he felt it resonate down to his very core. “Any time.”

They laid there in silence for longer than Jay could keep track of, despite his attempts to keep time by the ticking wall clock and the beating of Geo’s heart. It thump-thumped a steady rhythm, as dependable as its carrier. Slowly, the internal lullaby lured him into a deep, inescapable slumber.

✧《✩》✧

Cole

Despite having their own room in the Monastery, neither Spitz nor Fritz would be deterred from sleeping in their ‘own beds’ that night. Cole certainly couldn’t deny them that, even though he was well aware they’d be sleeping in his arms before they even arrived—and they were. Or, at least Spitz was. Fritz was determined to walk regardless of his barely open eyes, guided like a sleepwalker by Cole’s hand. 

He didn’t blame the two of them for wanting to come back. While the monastery was like a home to him, the first to take him in after striking out on his own, the Finder’s residence was his home. His, Geo’s, Bonzle’s, Spitz and Fritz’s. Maybe it was once made from necessity, a lack of freedom…but it became a choice to stay. And it was a choice he was happy to keep making.

The house was quiet and dark when they walked in. Curious, he had expected at least a couple lights, or to hear some muted conversation. Everything felt so…still. Cole shifted Spitz on his hip. “Bonzle, can you take the kids to their room? I gotta check on the love birds.”

“Can do,” Bonzle said, reaching out to take Spitz from Cole with a soft grunt of effort. Cole transferred Fritz’s hand to hers and the three adoptive siblings made their way to the younger one’s bedroom. 

Cole smiled after them, and then turned his attention to the closed door across the hall. He approached cautiously and gave a small knock. “Jay, Geo? I’m home.” Without a response, he tried the doorknob—unlocked—and opened the door as quietly as he could muster.

It was dark in the bedroom, too. As Cole peered in, a strip of soft blue light illuminated the pair sleeping on the bed above the blankets, still fully clothed. Jay was laying somewhat on top of Geo, with his head resting on his chest and one of Geo’s arms draped loosely across his back. It was as heartwarming a sight as it was surprising to see Jay cuddled up on Geo the way he used to cuddle up on Cole. The way he denied ever doing before.

Geo peeked open an eye as the light hit him, sleepy confusion giving way to a smile when he noticed his partner standing in the doorway. He beckoned for him, and Cole was quick to comply, leaning down to give Geo a peck on the lips before gingerly climbing into bed. He moved slow and deliberately so as not to wake sleeping beauty, managing to position himself in a spooning position against Jay’s back with his head on the pillow next to Geo. He stacked his arm on top of the one that currently cradled Jay, enveloping him in a dual hug. 

Jay shifted and let out a muffled groan, and Cole froze, unsure if Jay would appreciate or allow the intrusion. It wasn’t long before he got his answer by way of Jay’s hand fumbling into theirs, weakly grasping at their wrists and pulling them tighter around his body. He stretched his legs, shimmied his shoulders, and let out a long, drawn-out sigh—content, or perhaps resigned— before settling back into sleep between the two of them.

Tension released from Cole’s shoulders, and he sighed happily in turn. Whether or not Jay would acknowledge this night ever again, much less allow it to be more than a fluke, Cole would appreciate every moment while he had it, this glimpse of his old jay resurfacing.

I know you’re in there, Jay, was the last thought that crossed Cole’s mind as rest began to claim him. And we’re right here.

[penvisions]

zest {chapter 3}

Pairing: Chef! Joel Miller x Professor! Reader (formally known as Bartender! Reader)

Summary: Your time away with Joel starts now and he makes you feel all kinds of things.

Word Count: 3.4k

Warnings: canon typical violence (fleeting), canon typical language, canon typical angst, rude people, offensive behavior, body shaming, fat shaming, reader gets shoved one (1) time, reader defends herself, brief misogyny, feral joel, joel beats the crap out of someone, joel goes into protective mode, threatening words, worldview of pregnangy being a negative thing, fat shaming, body shaming, reader is canonically mid-size, illusions to smut, adult content, pet names (darling, baby, love), the term slut used affectionately, some mild spice, flirting, they're insufferable your honor. um i think those are all the major ones pls let me know if i need to add more!

REMINDER: this is a sequel series, the previous series can be found here {garnish}

A/N: hi y'all, it's been a whirlwind lately! been trying to figure out the flow of this and i think i was maybe attempting to force this chapter to be more than this and it just wasn't working + made me frustrated. but you know what? not every chapter has to be massively 3k+, it can just be what feels and flows right, so here y'all go. i hope you enjoy these two as much as i do

ao3 link || series masterlist || joel miller masterlist || ko-fi

He's been quiet since leaving the museum, something he had surprised you with a flyer for. He had picked it up in the lobby, had done some research online as he mumbled about some certain paintings, he thought you’d like that were on display, Ellie’s influence strong in his words. His desire to be a good provider and make this trip something to remember. Not that that was too hard, any time spent with Joel was good time, from easy jokes to teasing banter, soft moments as you both reveled in the life you two were leading, the life you two were creating.

Where he had let you guide him from countless exhibits to plentiful ornately framed paintings with a hand clasped around his own. He had seemed engaged enough, eyes alight as you turned to him with wide smiles and small giggles of excitement at the more interesting pieces. It had turned into a little game of 'weirdest little guy' where you each pointed to people and animals in the backgrounds and declared, 'it's you'. He had been the first to start it, by pointing out a woman dressed from head to toe in a tavern maids outfit brandishing a large knife. She had been shouting, her brow heavy and her expression heated.

You had followed his lead by pointing to a rather disgruntled lumberjack in the back of depicting a wintery landscape with a cabin. Though the man impressed in ink had been bald and rather terrified of the approaching bear.

From cats with too human faces, to frogs that looked stunned, to the most bruised or oddly shaded piece of fruit in a bunch or bowl, it had occupied you both throughout the whole building, through everything there was to see. He had brandished a newer, shinier credit card at the gift shop. allowing you the treat of stickers and a coffee mug you had cooed and awed over. But you knew it was the little onesie with colorful peach you had said was him printed on the front.

"To commemorate our first outing as a little unit." You felt so light, so free. Hormones letting you just be yourself at the moment, even if you had to stop to pee quite often. You had said so at the register, the clerk asking after your meaning behind picking it out. Your hands cradling your growing belly as you did so, delighting in the little kicks you had felt stir up as you stood in front of particular pieces. Stirring up at the combined laughter between you and Joel, so much so that you had gotten hushed from a security guard that made it even harder to cut it out. You're picturing the mirth and careful smile on his face even as he held a finger to his mouth in a motion to be quiet, chest rumbling with laughter even as he did so.

But now he was quiet beside you, as he guided the truck into a spot of a rapidly filling parking lot. He's not in a bad mood, per se, but you can sense he's quieted over something in his mind.

"Did- did you enjoy the museum?" You feel silly, like an awkward interloper that first day you had walked in for a first shift at the restaurant. Unaware of how things operated, hesitant to ask where to put your bag or where to get a clean apron from since you hadn't been able to locate yours. Like you had that morning you had woken up to him in your apartment, having slept on the couch after making sure you got home safely. The conversation that had followed, the uncertainty, the almost reproachful way you had asked him what was going on with him, with you, between you both. You feel the same slightly tense and on edge energy around him now as you did back then, when he gave you an impromptu tour of the space and then left you with paperwork to fill out.

You have no clue why perhaps it's the default to being out of town with him. Like there are parts of you he's yet to see and would caste judgement on. Though you know the worst he would do is tease you over something as benign at the way you idle on in the bathroom or fawn over street cats for far too long with a soft, silly coo or the places you tend to pick for coffee being on the extravagant side. 

He thought over his answer, guiding the truck into the parking lot of a coffee house. He had said he would turn a blind eye to whatever decaf drinks you decided to indulge in while out of town. The coffee shop you had seen online garnering your attention and he memorized the drive from the museum.

He’s getting out of the truck, rounding the hood and opening the door as he speaks.

"Not really my cup of tea, but it's yours, darlin'. Do anythin' to spend time with ya and I figured this would light you up like a christmas tree." He's smiling softly at you now, his lips looking perfectly kissable beneath his thick moustache and trimmed facial hair. Face shifting from introspective to present, returning to you and feeding off your nervousness in a way you knew he hoped would settle it.

"I do ramble a lot about stuff from my studies, huh." You can't help the feeling of adoration that floods heat in your face, almost like you've got a schoolgirl crush on the man beside you, despite the ring on your finger and the bump of your belly. His hands are warm on you as they help to steady your movements out of the passenger seat, the tall cab a little daunting and the worry of falling in the forefront of your mind. You were being so cautious, words of failed pregnancies your step mother had cited for the deterioration of your parents relationship.

"Yeah, but I listen to every word even if I don't understand it all." He's brushing those delectable lips against the apple of your cheek. "Listen to ya ramable all day, even if it's about nothin'."

"You're smart too, Joel." Insistent words that are swept away with a brush of his hand over your shoulder. But you can see the way his ears tinge pink at the tops, he's smitten at the idea of you thinking so, even if he doesn't himself.

"Not the same way you are, darlin'. Got math and science smarts, practical. You got the artsy smarts, fun and entertaining. Same as Ellie."

"You and Sarah, me and Ellie. We all balance each other out." You lean up into his space, determined for him to hear the good things you have to say about him. He's a good man, just a little rough around the edges. And he was yours.

"We do, don't we. Perfect little family, all for you." He meets you halfway, pressing his lips to yours and stirring butterflies in your ribcage. "You complete us, sabrosa. Been waitin' for you my entire life."

"I've been searching for you my entire life, I just didn't know it, Mr. Miller." His eyes are hooded as he takes in the sight of you so close, pressed to him and held tight by his arms around your waist, your own around his shoulders.

"Glad to have been found, Mrs. Miller." Another kiss, little whimpers telling him exactly how you feel about the confession, the truth of his words that he had tumbled over in his mind every day you were apart. You were his and you were back in his life where you belonged.

It's a little loud, the establishment crowded around the lunch hour. But it's the comforting scent of roasting coffee and the lingering scent of Joel’s cologne on the front of his shirt as he holds you to his chest with his hands around your ribs. Sighing, you look over the menu wanting for each and every interesting flavor combination. But you know you get one today, that’s what you’d limited yourself too because decaf was only so much better than regular espresso. There was no true way to roast out every last bit of caffeine even if the doctor had also agreed a few indulges throughout the pregnancy wouldn’t cause any harm.

“What’re you gonna get?” Joel’s fingers tap lightly at your stomach, the little kicks still going and endlessly entertaining him. Small taps elicited responses more times than not, something you were sure you would never tire of. The feeling of the small being growing inside of you, already so enamored with Joel softening something deep inside of you.

“I think maybe one of macadamia combination ones. Sounds yummy.”

“You know what else sounds…yummy?” His nose is a distraction as it brushes along the back of your head, almost near your ear as he leans closer to it and rumbles his taunting words.

“Joel Miller, if you do anything that prevents me from enjoying my coffee, I swear-“

“Relax, darlin’.” He nips at the top of your ear, causing you to snort at the tickling sensation. “Not gonna come between you and your coffee. Just lettin’ you know where my mind is at.”

“Slut.” You smirk to yourself as he freezes momentarily, allowing you to step out of his hold and toward the counter. You order the macadamia and white chocolate latte, hot and decaf. When asked if that was all for the order, you turn to find Joel closing the gap of a few feet with a smirk of his own.

“I’ll take a blended mocha chip, medium please.” You catch his eyes as he glances at you out of the corner of his own. “Gonna get you back for that, pretty girl.”

“What?” It’s kinda true.” A tongue is stuck out and his eyes dilate every so slightly as he presses the same shiny black credit card to the reader. Never once breaking the contact.

“Then what do you call someone who nearly had me pulling over because she couldn’t keep her mouth to herself on a four hour drive?” He questions lowly as he steps away from the register, wallet going back into the butt pocket of his pants.

“Your fiancé.” You smile sweetly at him, an eyebrow raised in a silent challenge. His chuckle is a low vibration against your shoulder as he shuffles you toward the pickup end of the counter. He’s filthy, but so are you. There’s no denying it, even in jest. That part of your relationship had gotten off to a rocky start but once it had kicked off, damn if that wasn’t something you two were committed to no matter what. The physical attraction so strong, the desire for each other never waning, it’s what started this in the first place and you wouldn’t have it any other way.

“You’re too right, perfect match.” Lips curled up in matching smile, you wonder if his heart skips beats and his stomach flips just like yours. Later you find out exactly what you to do him, when he grunts it into your ear as he fills you from behind.

It happens when you’re waiting at the end of the counter for pick up, Joel having run off to the restroom.

“Move your fat ass, tryin’ to get up to the drinks.” You’re shoved harshly with an elbow before the words even register. Your balance sways and your hair tousles to cover your face as you try to reach a hand out to catch yourself on the counter top, but your nails don’t gain any purchase. You collapse hard on the floor. Your palms sting as you try to prevent from landing flat, worry taking over as you do your best to avoid any pressure or damage to your middle. The guy is grumbling as he watches, the remnants of his coffee sloshed around the ceramic and splashed onto his crips white dress shirt.

“Sabrosa!”

Before you could even blink, Joel is right there helping you back up to your feet, a comforting hand on your stomach and on your shoulder as he looks you over. His full lips are a thin line, the muscle in his jaw jumping as he grinds his teeth, but you know it isn’t aimed at you. At your small nod and tight-lipped smile, his hands fall from you and your turn with your arm crooked back. The crack of your fist on the guy’s jaw breaks the jovial atmosphere and everything goes silent as he falls hard on his ass. The ceramic shatters and the remnants of his latte fly into the air.

“Fuckin’ bitch!”

“You assault my girl and didn’t expect anything to happen?” Joel demands angrily as he partially shields you with his own body, unsure if the man will retaliate. He’d gladly let you get in a hit, but you know he’d be damned if someone laid a hand on you. You’d seen it firsthand before, more than once. You’re your own person, as you’ve proven time and time again. Something he rather enjoyed about you, something you hoped he would continue to find endearing. Even as your attitude flared sometimes.

“She was in the way, it was barely a little shove!”

“You steamrolled me, asshole!” You step out from behind Joel a little, anger flaring and temper coming to bat. It was bad enough you had nearly fallen completely in on yourself but to then be brushed off and told it was nothing? You weren’t about to take it with a forced, polite smile and a feeling of guilt for not having handled the situation better later on in the evening.

“She’s pregnant, you fuckin’ idiot!” Joel roars, one of his boots coming down unnervingly close to the guy’s hand as he sets it flat to try and get back up. Lips frowning part to argue, but loud footsteps of workers rushing off to grab a manager cut him off. “You could’ve hurt her or my child with your reckless behavior!”

“Joel-“ You try to pull at his forearm, urging him to calm down. The veins showing in his skin and you can’t help the drag of your eyes across the length of them. Your stomach flips, body and mind reacting to the way he’s standing tall in front of you, ready to defend. It’s making your body hum, the way he’s so willing, so quick to protect. His instincts appealing to the most base part of your brain, your own reacting to them in a way that is utterly and completely primal.

“You knocked up the fat chick and you’re upset at me? Man, you’re in need of something stronger than coffee.” He’s trying to get back up, but Joel’s closing in on him.

“You ever talk about a woman that way again and I will end you!” Joel’s shouting as he allows you to pull him back, his chest heaving and his frizzy curls in disarray. His arm is putty in your hands, thick fingers tangling with yours in a comforting move even as his attention is focused on the man still on the ground.

“I think it’s best if you pick yourself up and leave, sir.” A large man in a plain black outfit approached, his hands on his hips. You don’t bother to respond to him, instead tugging Joel with you as you begin to walk toward the door.

“C’mon Joel, let’s just go too. I want to leave.”

“There’s no need for that, you two are welcome to stay.” The guy who you assume is the manager looks up at you as he crouches down to take the still fuming and arguing man. His polite but genuine smile falls as he hoists the man up and begins to walk him to the door. “We don’t tolerate hateful behavior here, you’re banned.”

“This is bullshit!” His shirt gets ruffled, his outfit wrinkling as he’s manhandled out across the floor. You jump as a hand gently brushed your shoulder, causing you to tense your hand around Joel’s and twirl to the left. Your confusion and slight worry eases when you see it was the barista that had taken your order.

“You’re drinks are ready, love. Are you okay?” Her smile is soft, the drinks offered to you. “That was quite a fall, do you need any water or want to sit down to catch your breath?”

You shake your head slowly, not wanting to remain in the café even if things were turning around and the atmosphere had gone back to what it was when you first entered. The music is playing softly again, though you’re sure it had never gone out, never actually cut to silence anywhere except for in your awareness.

Joel only turns to face her once the offensive man is shoved out the door. Your hand leaves Joel’s to reach for the do go cups, the warmth of the freshly made drinks sinking into your palms and calming you after the tense ordeal. The barista nods to Joel, her eyes wide and roving. You feel jealously wake up inside you as she takes his form in, even with you right beside him. The signs of your devotion to each other clear, from the defense he had taken for you to the way he’s surveying the café for any other signs of trouble. She’s holding out a small bag, her face visibly flushed when his fingers graze hers to accept it.

“We’ve also refunded your transaction, sir. And included a few things from the pastry case for the trouble.” Her hands are clasped in front of her now, the apron over her front marred with dried foam from steamed milk and espresso grounds. She’s pretty, she’s skinny. You can’t help the insecurity that bubbles up, she’s young and her eyes contain the same lust for life you had when you first moved away from home. You aren’t sure if you’re jealous of her obvious attraction to your fiancé or the attraction to life she exudes. She doesn’t seem to carry any mental burdens, like you had from glancing at what lies behind her eyes. But then again, you hadn’t appeared to either while clocked in and focused on working.

“That’s mighty kind of ya, many thanks.” His left arm curls around your waist, his lips brushing your temple once again. The girl nods before turning on her heel and retreated back behind the counter. “Do you want to stay, darlin’? You were so excited to sit in and look at all the photographs on the wall.”

“I…I would like to go, please.” You look up at him, catching his eye feeling off kilter. Social battery completely drained and yearning for the privacy of your lush hotel room and a bath.

“Alright, let’s get you back to the hotel. We can take it easy until our evening reservations. How about I run us a nice, hot bubble bath, hmm?” His hand curls and guides you to stand directly in front of him, eyes searching your face. “We can soak until we’re all pruned up and I’ll even run it a little hotter for your comfort. Sound good?”

“I love you.” You surge up and press your lips to his cheek. His smile when you pull back grips around your heart and your stomach flips again, butterflies bursting to life. You do, you love him with everything you are, with everything you transformed into. His love in return the only thing that made you feel like you never had before. He was right, he had been waiting for you while you wandered and figured out what it was you wanted. You weren’t sure you had ever even explicitly voiced it or even discovered what it was beyond getting your credentials and teaching. But he had helped you to discover that what you wanted was a life with him. A simple, nurturing and real relationship with someone who saw you for exactly who you were.

You wanted to make sure he knew that as you connected your lips with his smiling ones.

“Let’s get you out of those clothes, hmm? Somethin’ tells me you got some thoughts swirling around in that pretty head of yours.” He whispers against them, breath hot and teeth teasing your bottom one for the barest of seconds, the action sending a shiver down your spine. All you can do is nod as he pivots and leads you back to the truck.

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[afyrian]

japan’s summer persimmons kita shinsuke x fem!reader (fluff) m.list | wc: 1k | synopsis: based on 'good directions' by billy currington

    the sun sits high in the sky, baring its bright rays down onto the country roads. the summer heat leaving a refracting effect, a wavy appearance to live through. some of the crops’ leaves start to wilt under the extreme heat. however, none of it seems to affect kita shinsuke. a wet rag is resting on his neck, straw hat blocking the sun from entering his eyes.

  he sits comfortably in a folding chair, boots propped up onto a low stool. the pair of jeans he wears has rips and dirt caked into each stitch, matching his shirt that needs another soak. his arm rests on the increasingly hot truck bed, hand holding the farmer's almanac for the upcoming year. 

  very rarely will kita find himself selling out of his flatbed truck. but once the season starts getting to the end of the season, he needs to get rid of some of the extras. especially his persimmons which he sells at a discount. they're slightly deformed, perfectly edible by his standards, but unlikely to be sold at traditional grocery stores. and while they sell well, the past month has been too hot for people to stop. 

  however, today seems to be his day as another car drives up. it's a beautiful car, shiny with some mud on the wheels, the license plate written out to say 'tokyo'. the windows are slightly tinted as a few magnets bedazzle the back bumper. kita tilts back his hat, setting down the almanac onto the truck. taking in a deep sigh, he stands up, resting his hands on his hips. 

  the door opens and out steps you. you have a pair of sunglasses on, protecting you from the intense glare of the sun. your arm rests on the top of your car, a pair of stylish overalls’ straps rests on your shoulders. “hey! would you by any chance know how to get to the interstate?” you bring up your free hand, raising your sunglasses to see him better.

  in this moment, kita was completely dumbfounded by you. the way you stood in the bright light, blocking some of the sun as a halo effect displays around you. it seemed as if a city angel made their way to his little bumpkin town. “the interstate? well there’s a caution light down yonder, a little country store stocked full of food,” he starts, taking a few steps towards your car, thumb moving to rest in his pocket.

  “you have got to stop in and ask for ms. yamada’s green tea. she’d love ya,” kita can’t help but feel his heart racing, a smile growing on your face, “now a left will take you to the interstate. but a right will bring you right back here to me.”

  kita was never the forward type, but knowing that you’re from out of town, that he may never see you again. he just had to take a chance. it seems to work well as you tap the top of your car, still smiling ear to ear, “really, well i’ll ask ms. yamada her opinion of you and i’ll see which way life takes me.”

  “before you ask her, just remind her who supplies her persimmons stock,” he tips his hat some, standing back as you duck into your car, rolling your eyes. 

  however, he can tell the way you do it is sarcastic, that there’s a little worm named kita who had entered your mind. he watches as you drive off with a dust cloud behind you, already holding the picture of you in his mind. the way the sunglasses framed your face, the movie star look that you held. it felt a little too good to be true, the way someone like you talked to someone like him. 

  there was something so different about you, kita being so used to the country appearances of his neighbors. but not just that, it’s the way you joined in, made a joke of your own. for him, it’s like you could be the yin to his yang. he grabs his hat, turning around to toss it into the back of his truck. quickly wondering how he could’ve missed your name.

  something so critical, your name. and yet he was so enamored by your very being that he couldn’t remember to ask for something as simple as that. when he looks back up, your car is already past the light. and he knows that his old truck could never catch up with yours, especially with that bin of persimmons resting on top.

  sitting back down in his seat, he rests his foot on his other knee, leaning his head back. a trail of sweat runs from his forehead to his neck, his mind wracking with slight embarrassment. believing you likely didn’t actually like him, that his words were just a little too forward, attitude just a little too ‘farmer’ for you. grabbing the almanac, he shakes his head slightly. 

  while bringing his hand up and rubbing his face, he looks up, taking in a deep breath. just as he’s about to open up the almanac and wish that that had never happened, he hears the roar of an engine coming from a distance. staring out at the car, kita wonders if the heat is finally getting to him, if that’s really your car. 

  as it turns into his long driveway, he can see that it’s you. the woman of his dreams, if he’s entirely honest. you stop the car near his, stepping out with a glass of what he can only believe is green tea. “i went past the caution light, found my way to ms. yamada. and, she vouches for you, and your persimmons,” you walk back to your trunk, setting your drink down.

  “figured i just had to come back and give one a taste, what do you think, mr…?”

  “kita, shinsuke. and i think they’re just about ripe for the picking, plus first few on the house for a beautiful woman,” he leans against his truck bed, a small smile tickling at his lips. 

a/n: if you want a similar vibe please check out @nectardaddy’s ‘88 ford

[angelmatthew]

hihi! I've read your guidelines <3 how about flirty banter between gunwook and reader? except the reader is more bold and flirty compared to gunwook so she gets him fumbling on his words and flustered 🤭

i'm in my christmas feels right now so i took some creative liberties with this one! i hope this is still up to your expectations anon ♡ also, this not proofread, i apologize for any mistakes!

↬gunwook x fem!reader ↬631 words ↬fluff, one shot ↬tw: none

the air carries the sweet scent of cinnamon and roasted chestnuts, a chilly breeze offset by the warmth of gunwook's hand holding yours. bundled up in a cozy beanie and knitted scarf, he looks irresistibly snug. his cheeks wearing a natural blush, and dark strands of hair delicately framing his face.

as both of you stood beneath the mesmerizing glow of colorful christmas lights, he seemed entranced by the festive atmosphere. little did he know, your fascination is directed entirely toward him.

"i know you're staring," he blurts out, catching you off guard. his attention shifts to you, and his lips curve into his signature pout-like smile.

you blink, momentarily taken aback by his remark. a playful glint sparkles in gunwook's eyes as he continues, "but, you know, i don't mind it. it's kind of nice being someone's captivating view."

you lightly hit his arm to which he responds with a chuckle but before you could retaliate, the couple standing in front of you in line for the hot chocolate stall finally got their drinks, gunwook steps forward to order for you both. he doesn't need to ask for your order, he knows it by heart already; a hot chocolate with a holiday blend sirup, topped with thick foam and cinammon.

the vendor hands you your drinks in adorable red cups adorned with a delicate snowflake pattern. your boyfriend seizes the moment, snapping a quick picture of the beverages.

"wow, that looks delicious," you comment, and gunwook nods before blowing on his hot drink to take a sip.

curiosity getting the better of you, you take a sip yourself. your eyes automatically widen, sparkling with delight, drawing a proud smile from your boyfriend.

"i told you this place is good, they have the best hot chocolate out of the whole christmas market," he emphasizes.

"this entire market is amazing, actually," you continue sipping on the beverage, your gaze shifting to the little gingerbread houses displayed on the stall in front of you. without a word, gunwook deftly relieves you of the small shopping bags you were holding with one hand.

you voice your concern sincerely, "wook, you're already carrying everything. i won't break my arm carrying lush bags." your insistence on helping is endearing, and he can't help but smile every single time. despite your persistent offer to carry the shopping bags, gunwook consistently declines. the princess treatment is a non-negotiable for him.

"seriously, the bags are not heavy at all!" you insist, attempting to take a few from his hands. however, he effortlessly raises his arms, holding them just out of your reach. a frustrated huff escapes you. unbeknownst to you, a foam mustache had formed on your upper lip while you were sipping on your hot chocolate, eliciting a warm chuckle from gunwook.

“what ?” your eyebrows furrow in concern, you know that mischievous look. you quickly look at your reflection in a nearby shop window.

your eyes meet gunwook's gaze, and he can't resist a playful tease, "I think you’ve got something your lips"

you feign innocence, batting your eyelashes. "oh, do I? maybe, you'd like to help me clean it up."

gunwook feels like he might melt on the spot like the marshmallows topping his drink, but he tries to hide it "i could lend a hand," he says, he sighs leaning in with a teasing glint in his eyes.

but you are a step ahead. with a swift, daring move, you close the distance between you and steal a quick kiss, savoring the taste of hot chocolate foam on his lips. it leaves gunwook momentarily stunned, his eyes widening in surprise.

he blinks a few times, attempting to recover from the unexpected kiss. "uh… well played," he admits, his words tumbling out in an incomprehensible mumble, his cheeks now even rosier than before. it's a rare sight, watching gunwook—usually the debate team maestro—at a loss for words, and only you seem to have that power over him.

you grin in satisfaction, holding up your cup. "i guess the foam mustache is contagious."

gunwook chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. he doesn't know how you do it; you always manage to fluster him in the most random moments, "i'll have to get used to it if it means more of those unexpected kisses."

"speaking of getting used to things, I'll take those bags back now!"

[tinyundercover]

pepper & felix

part seventeen

we've got a longgggg chapter but i've been looking forward to writing this one for a while :]

MASTERPOST word count: 6.3k

Felix’s cardigan pocket was surprisingly spacious, even with Felix’s hand cupped underneath Pepper and Basil.

They had been in here for a few minutes, ever since Felix had gotten out of his car. As much as Pepper wanted to sit on Felix’s shoulder, the borrowers couldn’t risk being seen by the other humans on the sidewalk— so Pepper and Basil had reluctantly settled into the depths of Felix’s pocket.

Whispering to each other, it was impossible for the borrowers to contain their excitement. 

“Are you sure Felix found the right place?” Basil asked, kneading her palms into her green pant leg. 

“I’m sure of it,” Pepper confirmed, heart racing. “He showed me pictures of it online. This is definitely it.”

The rhythmic sway around them subsided as Felix stopped. Both borrowers straightened up, listening intently as Felix opened a door— and overhead, a pleasant bell jingled, distantly familiar. Pepper sucked in a breath.

“This is so weird,” Basil mumbled, eyes bright. Pepper couldn’t agree more.

Unable to smother his curiosity, Pepper stood up, bracing his hands against the soft lip of Felix’s cardigan pocket. His boots wobbled on Felix’s palm, struggling to stand on the uneven surface, but he managed to stretch himself tall enough to peer outside. Next to him, Basil did the same. 

Warm lighting greeted them. The room was spacious, albeit slightly smaller than Pepper remembered, filled with little vintage tables and potted plants. A long, white, welcoming counter stretched across the room, displaying an assortment of baked goods which were too far for Pepper to see the details of. Green vines trailed over the pink walls, framing the spacious room with life. 

The bakery had changed in the last three years— the tables had been moved around, and many of the decorations were new— but Pepper recognized the warm, inviting space as if he had just lived here yesterday. Something shifted in his chest, warm and emotional.

“Oh, wow,” Basil murmured.

A young girl at the front counter greeted Felix as he walked in, and Felix waved with his free hand before moving towards the array of tables, indicating that he wasn’t intending to order anything immediately. He selected a table in the front corner, near the window, away from the other few patrons.

Felix sat down, facing away from the other humans. Pepper and Basil were pressed against his hand, impatient to be let out, but they both understood that their safety was their top priority.

Quietly Felix retrieved the two of them from his pocket. Pepper’s heart jumped as soon as his boots hit the table, incredibly self-conscious. He and Basil stood up straight, peering around at their little corner of the bakery.

Felix’s shoulders blocked them from view from the other patrons. Excitement growing, Pepper bounced on his heels, gazing up at the bookshelf beside them.

“Is this okay?” Felix asked softly. “This is the right place?”

Basil shared Pepper’s eagerness. She spun on her heels, beaming up at the cluttered walls. “This is it,” she breathed in confirmation, eyes bright. “This is definitely it.”

Felix set his forearms around them, an extra measure to shield them from view, which Pepper appreciated. He was staring at the bookshelf next to them, tucked into the corner. A memory flitted through his mind, of himself and Basil hiding behind the books in wait for a pastry crumb to fall from this exact table.

“There should be an entrance at the base of the bookshelf,” Pepper wondered, glancing at Basil, “right?”

She nodded rapidly, already inching closer to Felix’s forearm. She bounced on her heels. “Yes. Let’s go, let’s go— I need to see our old place.”

Excitement shook through Pepper’s body, a mix of anxiety and adrenaline. After ensuring Felix repeatedly that they would be fine, they raced to the edge of the table, a few inches from the wall.

“Be careful,” Felix whispered, knee bouncing underneath the table. Pepper patted the back of his hand, retrieving his hook.

“We will. We know this place inside and out.”

It only took a few seconds for Pepper and Basil to glide all the way down their respective threads, hitting the tiled floor next to the bookshelf. Between the table and the bookshelf, the borrowers were very hidden, only noticeable to Felix who was sitting right next to them.

Felix’s knee continued to rock nervously. Pepper tried not to laugh. As much as he appreciated the concern, he didn’t want Felix to forget that he was a very capable borrower.

Once their hooks were tucked into their bags, they approached the bookshelf, anticipation growing. The floor grew dustier beneath their feet, and Pepper made a mental reminder to ask Felix to smudge their tiny footsteps away.

“It’s over here, right?” Basil guessed, stepping among the rows of books. Pepper followed her through a narrow gap, wedged between two dusty novels, until they found a thin crack running up to the ceiling of the shelf. Pepper’s heart soared.

Basil giggled, shoving him towards it. “You first.”

Pepper laughed, the tension leaving his shoulders. For a moment he felt as if he was a teenager again, goofing off with Basil, and he paused before the entrance. When his sister gave him an encouraging push, he took a deep breath and wedged his way through.

The path felt like second nature to them. They whispered excitedly as they weaved through the walls, following the familiar path, listening to the cheerful music of the bakery next to them. Pepper felt as if he had never left.

“Remember when I got stuck in the display counter?” Basil brought up suddenly. “When we were kids?”

Pepper snickered at the memory. Trying to steal an entire cinnamon roll, Basil had tripped inside the display counter and accidentally shut the door behind her. Pepper, nine years old, had been appalled. “I should have just left you there.”

“I would have been fine,” Basil snorted. “I could’ve lived off of cupcakes.”

Abruptly, their path stopped at a dead end. The memories continued to resurface as Pepper noticed a thumbtack which had been pushed into the wall, at his eye level. Above it, dozens of thumbtacks spread up into the darkness.

“The rock wall!” Basil exclaimed, grabbing Pepper's arm.

Pepper’s breath left his body, suddenly intimidated by the task ahead of them. He sent Basil a nervous grin, gesturing forward. “Ladies first.”

Incredibly lady-like, Basil punched Pepper in the arm. As he winced, rubbing at the pain, she grabbed onto the first thumbtack and hoisted herself up. “Easy.”

After climbing up another few inches she suddenly paused, blinking at the palm of her hand. “Oh… this is weird.”

Pepper had just grabbed onto the first thumbtack. He glanced up. “What?”

“These aren’t very dusty,” Basil murmured. Curiously, Pepper glanced at the thumb tack in front of him. Dust coated the bottom, but the top was smooth and clean, Basil’s fresh handprint visible. 

“Another borrower, maybe?” Pepper offered. “Or mice?”

Basil frowned, grabbing onto the next thumbtack to pull herself up. “There better not be any mice in here.”

Considering the amount of holes and cracks the borrowers had left inside the walls of the bakery, it wasn’t unlikely to think that an animal could have found its way inside. If Pepper was a mouse, the smell of pastries would lure him in, too.

It took a few minutes for the pair of them to reach the top of the thumbtack wall, heavily out of practice. They both tumbled off onto a wooden platform, pausing momentarily to catch their breath.

“How did we do that every day as kids?” Basil wondered, hand over her heaving chest. Pepper laughed, gazing up at the dusty wall for a few moments. Light beamed at them through a crack in the wall, suddenly reminding Pepper where their path led. Once his heart rate had returned to normal, he approached and peered out. 

Music and warm lighting greeted them. Pepper and Basil were at the highest corner of the bakery, above the display counter. Ahead of them, a shelf protruded from the walls, stretching across the expanse of the room. The ceiling hovered mere inches above their heads.

“Where’s Felix?” Basil whispered to Pepper as they stepped off onto the counter. He blinked, searching for Felix’s table in the corner. It was empty.

“Huh.” Pepper furrowed his brow, searching the expanse of the bakery. The only humans in sight were an old couple and the girl working at the display counter directly below them. “Maybe he went for a walk.”

“Maybe he hates you,” Basil offered. Pepper rolled his eyes. 

It was strangely concerning to not be able to see Felix, but he really doubted that his soulmate would get up and leave without having a valid reason. Ignoring Basil, Pepper began his trek across the shelf.

Rows of small, white boxes covered the shelf, which Pepper knew were filled with spoons, cupcake liners, and other miscellaneous supplies. He took a deep breath, basking in the warm scent of the display counter below them.

“I can’t wait to see our room,” Pepper murmured. “I hope our stuff’s still there.”

Basil was gazing out into the bakery as they walked. She smiled. “Yeah, me too.”

Reaching the end of the shelf, Pepper led Basil into a narrow crack, back inside the walls. His anticipation grew by the minute. “It’s right down here, isn’t it?”

Basil nodded rapidly, taking the lead. She skipped through the walls, both of them chatting excitedly— until finally they found a handmade pink curtain, covering the door to their childhood home.

Pepper stiffened. He sent Basil a glance, and with a nod, she took his hand, drawing in a deep breath. With a sweep of the curtain, they stepped inside.

The emotions immediately hit Pepper like a truck. He sucked in a sharp breath, gazing up at the dusty walls, covered in pink tapestries and smiley-face stickers, all of which he could clearly remember putting up. The palm of a white glove was shoved into a corner, flattened over years of being used as Pepper and Basil’s bed. In the center of the room, a table and chair had been meticulously crafted out of cardboard and toothpicks. A thin, pink tablecloth had been draped over it.

“Oh,” Basil said softly, blinking rapidly. Pepper exhaled.

“Oh,” he said.

The nostalgia only grew as they explored the room, gazing up at years of old drawings and stickers, running their hands over the little trinkets and decorations. Pepper’s curiosity expanded as he discovered a thick brown fur coat, something he instantly recognized as mouse fur, draped over a chair. “Basil, look at this.”

“Hm?” His sister glanced up from where she was leafing through an old journal of hers. She blinked, focusing on the fur coat. “What is that?”

Pepper dug his fingers into the mouse fur, lifting it up. “I think someone has been living here,” he murmured. His mind instantly jumped to excitement that he might be able to meet another borrower— but anxiety squirmed into his thoughts. If this room now served as someone else’s home, did that mean they were trespassing?

“Oh!” Basil straightened up, bounding over to feel the coat as well. “That explains why there’s not a lot of dust. Maybe they’re around!”

Pepper glanced at the door nervously. “I hope they’re not mad at us for being here.”

“It was our home too,” Basil pointed out, lips twitching into a smile.

Just as Pepper opened his mouth to respond, his attention was tugged towards the door. The pink curtain ruffled, and before Pepper could think to hide, a tall figure stepped into the room. 

The unfamiliar borrower stood taller than either sibling, features sharp and defined. Her blonde hair had been pulled into a braid, while thin strands framed the fair skin of her sharp face. 

Immediately, dark eyes widened and fixed on Pepper and Basil, who were standing like deer in the headlights. “Who are you?”

“Sorry!” Pepper rushed immediately, dropping the fur coat back onto the chair. He stepped back, flushing, glancing at Basil for assistance. “Sorry, we’re just stopping by.”

“We used to live here,” Basil explained abruptly, sending Pepper a glance as if to tell him to relax. “It’s nice to meet you.”

The other borrower’s shoulders dropped, intrigue crossing her face. “Oh, really?” Dark eyes glanced between Pepper and Basil. “I’ve been wondering where the previous residents went!”

As she gestured to the room, a smile split across her face, revealing what Pepper initially thought was a fang. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was a snaggletooth. 

Both siblings relaxed at her positive response, relieved that they wouldn’t be scolded or attacked for trespassing. 

“Oh— well, that’s us,” Pepper agreed. His eyebrows raised at her sudden cheeriness, a strange juxtaposition to her intimidating demeanor. “I’m Pepper. This is Basil.”

The other borrower briskly crossed the room, holding her hand out with a grin. “Iris.”

Basil, the more extroverted sibling, immediately jumped into questions after swiftly shaking Iris’s hand. “Do you live here? How long?”

Iris let out a gravelly laugh. “Here, let’s sit.” 

She ushered the two of them towards the bed. Feeling vaguely as if they were kids again, they dropped down onto the soft surface. Pepper stretched his arms, relieved after all of their climbing through the walls.

Iris hooked her bag onto a chair, then sat cross-legged on the floor in front of them, hands planted on her knees. “I just moved in a few weeks ago,” she explained, voice bright. “It’s great. Didn’t even have to find furniture or carve out any exits in the walls— it was all here already.” She grinned, glancing between the two siblings. “I guess I should thank you guys for that, huh?” 

Pepper laughed, although his curiosity grew. Iris didn’t seem to be any younger than himself, so he wondered where she might have lived before this. “Right. I hope we aren’t intruding.”

“Oh, not at all!” Iris waved her hands, dispelling the thought. “I’ve barely moved in. It’s more your home than mine.” Suddenly worried, she peered closer. “Wait— are you moving back in?”

“No, no,” Basil clarified, amused. “We just wanted to stop back in and visit our childhood home. We won’t be long.”

Iris clasped her hands together, delighted. “Oh, that’s so sweet. Are you two twins?”

With a laugh, Pepper set on explaining how he and Basil had grown up here. Iris listened intently, and Pepper’s anxieties began to quell. As intimidating as the tall borrower had seemed at first, Iris was turning out to be incredibly hospitable.

Pepper chose to exclude Felix from his explanation. Basil didn’t mention him, either.

Just as Basil began to steer the conversation towards Iris’s interesting fur coat, a fourth voice entered Pepper’s mind, soft and familiar.

“Hey, Pepper— I’ll be a little late picking you up, so no rush, okay? Just let me know when it’s time to go.”

Confusion tugged at Pepper’s chest, but he ignored it, clasping his hands. “Okay, sounds good.”

Basil sent him a quizzical glance, but Iris didn’t seem to notice. Focusing back on the conversation, Pepper straightened up. He and Basil had much more time to explore than he had thought, and his excitement was pouring back.

“Wanna go out borrowing?” He suggested. “I know you just got back, Iris, but maybe we can show you some of our hidden passageways.”

To his relief, both borrowers lit up at the idea. “I’d love that,” Iris chirped, straightening up. “It’s been so long since I’ve gone borrowing with company!”

—

Felix chewed his lip, gaze flickering to the floor to follow Pepper and Basil’s path to the bookshelf. He always felt so uneasy to see the borrowers on the floor, even though he trusted them to keep themselves safe. 

Not wanting to draw attention to himself or the borrowers, Felix pulled out his phone, scrolling absentmindedly. When he glanced down at the bookshelf minutes later, the borrowers were nowhere to be seen. 

He exhaled, shoulders relaxing. A bit more comfortable now that the borrowers were safely in the walls, Felix gazed around the bakery, curiosity expanding.

He had to admit, it was an adorable place. The idea of Pepper and Basil growing up here, exploring the display cabinets and basking in the pleasant scent of cookies, warmed his heart. 

God, how small would they have been as children? Felix’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t imagine how cautious he would have to be picking up a borrower child. The very thought made his stomach flip.

He didn’t realize that he had been staring off into space until a knock on the window startled him. Jerking up, he blinked out through the glass.

To his surprise, Breanna stood outside, a tote bag hanging from her shoulder. A smile pulled at her lips as soon as Felix noticed her, and she gestured silently for him to come outside. Next to her, Alice stood with her hands in her jean pockets.

After a moment of hesitation and another insistent wave from Breanna, Felix pulled himself to his feet. With a quick glance at the floor to determine that the borrowers were nowhere to be found, Felix walked outside, anxiety tugging at his chest.

“Felix, hey!” Breanna immediately approached him, eyes glimmering with amusement. “Are you here by yourself?”

Felix flushed, glancing back at the bakery. “I, uh… well, I’m not—“

Breanna’s eyebrows shot up, curious. “Are you waiting for someone? Are you on a date?”

“Wha— no, why—?” Felix blinked, then shook his head. “I’m just… it doesn’t matter. What are you guys doing?”

Breanna smiled, tilting her head towards Alice. “We’re going shopping at the plaza,” she explained, “for The Little Mermaid. We need stage makeup, and some things for our costumes.”

Alice nodded, quiet. Felix hadn’t talked to her much since their fight at Ricky’s cast party, excluding their interactions during rehearsal. 

He didn’t have much to say to her. She had apologized, but until Pepper and Basil were comfortable with the idea of Felix being close friends with Alice again, he was content to avoid her.

“Hey— do you want to come with us?” Breanna suddenly suggested, glancing between her two friends. 

“I…” Felix glanced briefly back to the bakery, then at Breanna. After a moment he decided, “Sure. I need to buy stage makeup, anyway.”

He knew that the plaza was only a short walk down the street, and he had more than enough time regardless. Pepper had warned Felix that their excursion might take a couple hours, considering the size of the borrowers in comparison to the bakery. Besides, Pepper could communicate with Felix at any time if they needed to leave urgently.

Breanna lit up at his response, brown eyes warm. Alice glanced away.

Felix hadn’t told Breanna or Owen about what had happened with Alice and the borrowers. They knew that Alice had briefly met them, and that was that. Driving a knife into his friend group just seemed like too much, especially right after Alice had reluctantly apologized over the phone.

The three of them set off towards the plaza, Alice and Felix on either side of Breanna. Breanna, of course, wasn’t stupid; she was aware that Felix and Alice had gotten into an enormous fight barely a week ago, and something told Felix that he had intentionally been invited on this shopping trip in order for Breanna to attempt to repair their friendship.

Just as he expected, Breanna directed the conversation towards her two friends as soon as possible.

“You know, you guys are so cute in the musical,” Breanna chirped as they entered a small clothing shop, playing pleasant music overhead. “You have really good chemistry onstage.”

Felix and Alice both laughed at that, light and uncertain. Felix avoided her gaze by sifting through an array of button-ups. “Thanks… I feel like I’m so awkward onstage.”

“Oh, not at all.” Breanna found a pair of black heels and examined them. “I mean, I’m sure it’s easier to act all lovey dovey when it’s with your friend.” She sent a pointed look at Alice before setting the heels back.

Alice met Felix’s eyes briefly. They both hummed in response.

Minutes later, when Breanna broke away from them to ask an employee about the heels, Alice inched closer to Felix, uneasy.

“It’s been a weird week, huh?” She briefly met his gaze, voice quiet. “I, uh… I heard about Bree and Owen and that tiny girl.”

Felix nodded, hands playing with the sleeve of a gray button-up. After a moment of contemplation, he responded. “Yeah, they met.”

Alice sighed heavily. “Bree and Owen seem to really like that girl. I… I’m surprised they don’t hate me for what happened.”

“I didn’t tell them about… that,” Felix admitted quietly.

Alice’s hands paused over a button-up. “Oh,” she murmured. “Good.”

After a second of silence, she added, “Do they hate me?”

Worry tugged at Felix’s chest, and he glanced towards her, observing her tense form. He didn’t want to lie to her, but the truth didn’t seem very appealing, either. “They, uh— ah, hey, Bree.”

“They don’t have any of those heels in my size,” Breanna explained as she approached, a frown tugging at her lips. “I really liked them, too.”

After peering at Felix for a moment, Alice stepped closer to the shoe rock. “Oh— what brand are they? I can buy them online.”

“Wh— you don’t have to.”

“Shush, it’ll be part of your birthday gift,” Alice said dismissively, examining the heels.

Felix blinked, glancing towards Breanna. Her birthday was in a week, and he had nearly forgotten. It was her twenty-first, too— quite a big deal.

“Speaking of— do you have any plans for your birthday?”

Breanna shrugged at his question, seeming a little sheepish. “Ah, nothing yet. I’m not really a birthday person.”

“But you’re gonna be twenty-one,” Alice pointed out, somewhat distracted by her phone. “Soulmate era.”

Breanna let out an anxious laugh at that, covering her face. “Ugh, yeah— I’m so nervous. How do you deal with talking to someone in your brain all the time? What is it like?”

Felix and Alice shared a glance, amused.

“It’s weird— but you get used to it,” Felix offered. Alice nodded in agreement.

Suddenly reminded of his own soulmate, Felix took a minute to turn away, clasping his hands over his chest. “Hey, Pepper— I’ll be a little late picking you up, so no rush, okay? Just let me know when it’s time to go.”

After a moment, Pepper gave a quick response, and Felix dropped his hands from his chest. When he turned back to the girls, Alice was insisting that Breanna have people over for her birthday. She seemed unsure.

“Maybe just you guys and Owen,” Breanna hummed.

“Perfect— we can stay up until midnight with you, too,” Alice said brightly. “It’ll be fun.”

Breanna laughed warmly, glancing at Felix. “Alright. And tell those little guys that they can come, too.”

She was already walking away towards the makeup section before Felix even processed what she said. Briefly meeting Alice’s gaze, who looked just as baffled as he felt, Felix spoke up. “Wait, what?”

Breanna peered over her shoulder, holding her thumb and forefinger a few inches apart, approximating the size of a borrower. “You know, those guys. I mean, if it’s just the four of us, it’ll be fine, right? We all know about them.”

Felix blinked, heart jumping. “Uh— yeah, I— I guess.” Breanna nodded.

An uncomfortable expression had crossed Alice’s face. She opened her mouth as if she was about to respond, but changed her mind, silently following Breanna towards the makeup section. 

Felix released a breath. He could only imagine how Pepper and Basil would respond to this.

—

“You know, I’ve been hunting rats since I was a little kid,” Iris explained cheerfully. “It’s like second nature to me now.”

Pepper shared a glance with Basil, who currently seemed enthralled by Iris’s stories. The three of them stood behind an open jar of chocolate chips on the stainless steel counter of the kitchen. Iris had assured them that the young girl working at the front counter was the only employee currently working, which meant that the borrowers basically had free reign over the empty kitchen.

“Isn’t hunting rats dangerous?” Basil asked incredulously, tossing her hook up and catching it on the rim of the jar. Iris grinned beside her.

“Yep.”

“Do they ever, you know— attack you?”

Iris shrugged, stepping back to observe Basil climbing up the length of her thread. Pepper raised his eyebrows at Iris’s nonchalant response.

“Oh, loads of times. I’ve got more than enough scars to prove it,” she remarked brightly, tugging up her pant leg to show Pepper an array of old injuries. His brow furrowed, stepping back.

In his twenty-two years of living, he had only wrangled with rodents a handful of times. Rats in particular were the nastiest, and he couldn’t imagine purposely hunting one down to kill. Iris continued to impress him with every word.

“That is so cool,” Basil gushed. When Pepper glanced back up at her, she was leaning over the rim of the jar, chin resting dreamily on her arms.

Pepper snorted. “Dude, the human bean could come in at any minute.”

Basil rolled her eyes, straightening up. “Yeah, yeah, I’m getting to it.”

“Where are you two from, by the way?” Iris asked, observing Basil digging through the chocolate chips. “I haven’t run into you before and I’ve been exploring this area for weeks now.”

Pepper hesitated. “Ah… we live a bit further than the plaza.”

Basil hummed in agreement, amused, as she slid down the length of her thread. Three chocolate chips were tucked underneath her elbow. “Yeah, a lot further.”

Pepper took a chocolate chip from Basil, ignoring her smirk. He busied himself by wrapping it in a small sheet of plastic wrap, retrieved from his bag. 

“Must have been a long walk, then,” Iris remarked, hands on her hips. “Do you live outside?”

Basil must have noticed Pepper’s apprehension, so she quickly responded for him, giving Iris a quick rundown of their home in a “random human’s” apartment. Iris seemed content with their answer, helping Pepper to wrap the rest of the chocolate chips into plastic wrap.

“To be honest, I’m not used to living inside,” Iris admitted with a shrug, “especially not by myself. I grew up on a farm, with a community of borrowers.”

Basil let out a breath, fascinated. “A farm? Why’d you leave?”

Iris’s cheerful attitude dwindled. Her dark gaze remained low. “Ah… there was a storm. The farm caught fire, and the community was exposed.”

Pepper blinked, hands hesitating. “I’m so sorry.”

He had never been as enraptured by the outdoor lifestyle as much as Basil. The weather is what really concerned him— what exactly was a borrower supposed to do during a thunderstorm, or a snowstorm? 

Iris’s story only confirmed his worries. He had never realized that a storm could be bad enough to start a fire. 

The blonde borrower sent a small smile over at Pepper. “It’s alright.” 

With a newfound appreciation for Iris’s strong-willed attitude, Pepper straightened up, holding his hand out to her. She blinked up at him, expression soft, and took his hand in her calloused own.

“Hey, Pepper, I hope I’m not interrupting anything— can I talk to you?”

Pepper squinted as he helped Iris to her feet, struggling to separate Felix’s voice in his mind from Basil’s voice across from him. She was speaking to Iris quietly, offering a comforting hand on the shoulder of her fur coat.

With a pointed look at Basil, Pepper turned away momentarily, clasping his hands against his chest.

“What’s up?”

“Oh— hey! Is it going okay?”

Felix’s voice seemed nervous. Pepper sent a glance at the girls briefly before responding, heart warm.

“Yeah, it’s actually great. We met another borrower.”

“Oh! Good! Ah, well— I hope this isn’t gonna… well, shit.”

“…What?”

“Uh— I ran into Alice and Breanna, and we went out for a little bit, but now they want to come visit the bakery with me. I don’t really know how to tell them that I need to go alone.”

Pepper frowned. “What?”

“I… Is it okay if I tell them that you’re here? Just so they know what’s going on?”

Worry yanked at Pepper’s heart, cold and heavy. Breanna didn’t really concern him— based on what Basil had told him, Breanna seemed to be relatively harmless. 

Alice, however, was not.

Pepper hesitated, hands hovering over his chest. Alice had briefly apologized over the phone a week ago, but that meant virtually nothing to him. The idea of Alice knowing his location made his stomach churn.

However, Felix didn’t exactly have another option than to explain the situation to the human girls. Why else would he possibly need to enter this bakery strictly alone?

Pepper chewed his lip, hesitating. “I, uh… let me talk to Basil. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

Dropping his hands away from his chest, Pepper exhaled. Iris had noticed him with his hands clasped over his chest, and her eyebrows were raised, expectantly observing his tense form. 

After scooping up a chocolate chip wrapped in plastic wrap, he gestured towards the wall behind them. “Let’s get back inside. I have something I need to talk to you guys about.”

—

Felix felt incredibly uncomfortable to be loitering in the gravelly lot behind the bakery, but he knew that this was the most logical way to pick up the borrowers.

He was worried that if he entered the bakery for a second time only to sit in the corner, he might draw suspicion to himself. Pepper had suggested telepathically that Felix could meet them outside, behind the bakery, with the assurance that the borrowers could find a path there. 

Felix shifted on his feet, listening to Breanna and Alice’s quiet conversation. Fortunately, there weren’t any other humans around— only a few garbage cans and parked cars surrounded them. He hoped that Pepper and Basil wouldn’t be too uncomfortable with the girls around.

Alice seemed just as uneasy with this as Felix felt. She chewed her lip, arms crossed, glancing continuously at the gravel below her feet. 

Once Pepper had given Felix the go-ahead, Felix had halfheartedly explained the situation to Breanna and Alice, to the best of his ability. Breanna had been intrigued.

“I’ve been thinking about them all week,” she had admitted. “Can we go with you to see them? I just want to say hi.”

Now, wracked with anxiety, Felix waited behind the bakery with Breanna and Alice.

His heart lurched when Pepper’s voice filtered through his mind, stating that the borrowers were on their way. He hoped that they weren’t nervous about meeting so many humans at once.

On instinct Felix stepped back when a small figure appeared at the base of the bakery, weaving his way through a bundle of weeds. With a crane of the neck, Pepper waved.

Suddenly fascinated, Felix’s gaze danced over the wall of the bakery, but there was no entrance in sight. It felt strange, to think about how obscured his perspective was by his own humanity. Humans were so oblivious to borrowers that he wouldn’t have guessed there was an entrance only a few feet away from him.

Pepper hovered near the weeds, peering up at Felix. His wary glance at the girls did not go unnoticed, and Felix knelt down, ignoring Breanna’s curious gasp.

“Hey,” he said gently, hoping Pepper could sense the apologetic look on his face. Pepper smiled, a little sheepish. His gray gaze continually danced around, instinctually wary.

Basil emerged from the wall as well, pressing close to Pepper. It was a relief for Felix to see them both completely unharmed— as much as he trusted them to keep themselves safe, he knew just how dangerous it could be for them to explore a bakery during the daytime.

He opened his mouth to speak, but he stiffened as a third borrower stepped into view.

She was slightly taller than either Pepper or Basil, her small figure buried under a thick fur coat (which only led to even more questions from Felix). Dark, inquisitive eyes peered up at him, and he suddenly felt incredibly self-conscious. The last thing he had expected was to meet another borrower.

A presence appeared at Felix’s side, and he glanced over, observing Breanna as she carefully knelt down. Her gaze was wide and fascinated, and although she was clearly struggling not to coo at their size, she remained polite. “Hello,” she greeted softly. “I’m Breanna. I just wanted to meet you.”

Pepper raised his eyebrows, gaze flashing briefly to Alice, somewhere behind Felix. His voice only wobbled slightly when he responded, “I’m Pepper. This is Basil.” Basil gave a little wave as well, silent. 

The new borrower, shockingly enough, stepped forward with her hand outstretched. “I’m Iris,” she remarked, posture stiff and wary. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Pepper and Basil both sent Iris a bewildered look, and Felix resisted the urge to laugh. He watched wonderingly as Breanna tentatively reached forward, lightly tapping her fingertip into Iris’s tiny palm. The blonde borrower remained stiff and rigid until Breanna withdrew her hand.

The other two borrowers continued to stare at Iris, floored, and Felix smiled to himself. Breanna appeared to be just as startled as he felt, staring curiously down at her finger. 

Felix quickly introduced himself to Iris, who waved up at him, seeming to have had her fill of shaking human hands. When the three borrowers’ gazes shifted behind Felix, expectant, he glanced over his shoulder.

Alice was standing several feet away, arms crossed uncomfortably. When she met Felix’s gaze she turned away, pale. Silence stretched between the six of them.

—

Pepper’s astonishment for the situation only grew in the following minutes.

Iris had been surprisingly understanding of the situation when the borrower siblings had explained it to her. In fact, after learning that Felix was Pepper’s soulmate, she had been intrigued enough that she wanted to go meet him herself. 

Pepper had been expecting her to linger near the exit and observe Felix from the shadows, so when she had confidently greeted both him and Breanna with only an ounce of hesitation, Pepper had been startled. Iris became more unpredictable by the minute.

“She’s the strangest borrower I’ve ever met,” Pepper murmured to Basil, watching as Iris stiffly shook Breanna’s fingertip.

“She’s awesome,” Basil responded brightly. “I want to be her best friend.”

Pepper laughed. When he finally noticed that Breanna and Iris were both watching Alice, no doubt expecting her to introduce herself as well, he hesitated. He had nearly forgotten that Alice was even here, and when he caught sight of her towering form further away, his stomach churned.

“Is she shy or something?” Iris muttered, and Pepper took that at his cue to draw the attention away from Alice.

“We should probably get out of here, huh?” He suggested nervously, rocking on his heels. The sun felt pleasant on his skin, but he didn’t want to be outside any longer than he had to be— especially now that his thoughts were filled with vicious rats and thunderstorms and being shoved into glass jars.

Felix nodded, seeming relieved. He seemed just as uncomfortable with this situation as Pepper felt. “Yeah, ah– it was nice to meet you, Iris,” he spoke quietly, addressing the blonde borrower beside them. His fingers twitched over where they rested in his lap, unsure. “Maybe we’ll see you around sometime.”

“Thanks.” Iris grinned, faltering only slightly when Felix shifted, a microscopic movement only distinguishable to the borrowers. After a quick farewell to Breanna, Iris addressed Pepper and Basil.

“Come back anytime,” she offered cheerfully, sweeping the both of them into a steely hug. “It was great to spend some time with you.”

Basil nodded, agreeing so enthusiastically that Pepper almost laughed. After a warm farewell, Iris stepped back towards the bundle of weeds. With a fanged smile and a wave, Iris weaved her way into the plant, vanishing in a matter of seconds.

“I’m in love with her,” Basil said dreamily. Pepper snorted in amusement, turning back towards Felix. He certainly didn’t share the same crush that Basil did, but he wouldn’t be disappointed if he were to run into Iris again.

“Alright, we’re ready,” he confirmed.

Breanna watched with rapt attention as Felix lowered his hand to the ground, allowing the pair of borrowers to delicately step on. She looked as if she wanted to reach out as well, but held back, clearly remembering how terrified Basil had been even to be in the presence of humans. Pepper appreciated her restraint immensely.

Next to him, Basil watched Alice with narrowed eyes. Even once Felix had stood up, the borrowers cupped carefully in his palms, Alice refused to address either of them. 

“Do you think she… feels bad?” Basil muttered in his ear. Her white knuckles dug onto her knee, dark gaze refusing to leave Alice, now that they were closer to her.

Pepper watched in fascination as Alice avoided their gazes, listening quietly to Felix and Breanna’s soft conversation. “Seems like it,” he admitted, aghast.

Right on cue, Alice spoke up, shifting on her feet. “Well, we should probably go.” Breanna sent her a curious glance, then turned back to Felix, opening her mouth to speak.

“Wait.” With a sudden burst of confidence, Basil straightened up, gaze locked on Alice.

Pepper stiffened under Alice’s blue gaze, snapping his head towards his sister. Basil was pale, seeming shocked by her own words, but she didn’t waver.

With a steely frown, Basil pointed at the dark-haired girl. “Don’t– don’t leave yet. I think it’s time for us to have a talk.”

-----------

Iris belongs to @paperlicense687 !!! thank you sm for designing such a cool character!! she was so fun to write and a really hope i did her justice :)

i am sad to say this but we are nearing the end of pepper & felix </3 only a few more chapters left aaaaah

likes comments and reblogs are always always appreciated !!

TAGLIST: @smallsday @compact-katrina @satethesatelite @taters169 @entomolog-t @gtzel @gt-newbie @da3dm @clumsiergiantess @vee-normous @fee-hunter @torakan @mabelisthebatman @andithewhumper @mothsintherain @violetlight @heroofthe13thday @phoenix-on-the-run @houseboatmac @dav8530

[tmwcs]

₵Ⱨ₳₱₮ɆⱤ ₮ⱧⱤɆɆ

Whoo hoo lets goooo!

Warnings: stalking, breaking entry, kidnapping, mentions of murder and torture, bullying, harassment, tormenting, indications/implications of rape, detaining, cursing, subtle groping, main character touches themself....i think that's it. let me know if i missed something.

T̞͍̼ͤ͝H̼͍̻ͤ̑͒͌̕ͅE̛͖̼ͫ ̧̝̞̪̯͙̄̈́̆O̩̻̟̥ͯ́͘T͉͕̫̪̬̺̯̽̊̈́̀H̵̥̥̙͔͍̥̳̼̓ͬE̡̞̝̰̒̑͌̎R͈͈̻͈͋̃̕ͅṢ͎̟͓͈̱̖̰͋͠I͉̪̪ͬͧ͜D̥̩̩̼̪͓̗̦ͦ͡Ě̶̟͔̗͆͌

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

“Yeah, I’ll get a large Americano.”

“Will that be all for you?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s the name for the order?”

“Heeseung.”

Unfamiliar with the cultural sense behind his name, the barista displayed a slight look of confusion, while blushing at how handsome he looked as he swiped his card. “He-…..Hee….how do you spell it?” she asks.

“Here.” Taking the cup and the marker out of her hands, all in a rather sudden manner and startling the poor girl, Heeseung took the cap off with his teeth, gently gripping it in place between the two rows of his pearly whites as he drafted his own name on the transparent cup, before issuing it back to the barista. Taking it gently, she blushes even more than before as she looks up and notices that the cap was still in the grip of his teeth, yet his eyes were fiercely wide and somewhat eerie. She became speechless and merely nodded.

“I…um…..we’ll have that ready for you shortly.”

Opening his eyes wider for just a second, he turns his face to the side and spits the cap out harshly as it lands out on the floor. “Great.” He scoffs as he walks over to the side and leans back against the wall of the waiting area.

Standing with his arms crossed, he stretches his neck out as he gleams down from beneath his black baseball cap. With a white tee and a pair of straight jeans, the man’s frame could be made out just slightly as his muscle definition peered through the material of his shirt, yet it was loose enough to remain subtle in its display of his body. He was tall and looked incredibly intimidating. With only the hue of purple in his hair, peeking out from below his baseball cap, no one else dared to look long enough at the man’s face, for the moment he tilted his head back and showed off his shiny beaded eyes, there was an instant chill issued along with his frightening glare.

(Pls ignore the mic. This picture was too fitting bc…well…arms. That’s why.)

“Stop it, please!”

Turning his head over, he witnesses a pair of brute college boys, along with a woman who seemed to be of the same age, all harshly grabbing and pushing a frail girl inside the café.

“Please I told you….I don’t have money.”

“Bullshit.” The female spatted. “Now, you know our favorite drinks, so get in line and get us our drinks.” 

“But…I’m not lying. I hadn’t gotten paid yet, and you took the last of my money…..please. I’ll buy you lunch and coffee as soon as I get paid.”

“Noooo…you can order the drinks, and if you’re really broke then you can stall up the line and maybe make a scene, to distract everyone, so we can go to the counter and take the mobile orders waiting for pickup.”

“Please don’t….I can’t……”

Grabbing the girl by her arm, the much dominant female drags her inside the ladies restroom. The two brutes make their way over to a seated area as they wait.

A few moments went by, and the pair emerged out, only this time, Heeseung noted a change in the submissive female’s hair.

With the short and neat bob cut that she had adorned, with her bangs trimmed right above her brow, he gained a vantage point of the view firsthand, all thanks to his height. There, the poor girl stood with the very top of her head displaying a most unflattering hair style. The top layer of her hair nearly all gone, burnt off, with only an inch length that spiked right up towards the ceiling from lacking length and flexibility.

Flickering a lighter repeatedly and blowing over the top of it, the dominant woman slyly walks over to meet with her two friends, smirking as she takes pride in her work. Heeseung continued to watch, and glared as the three sat at the table, all watching the poor girl as she stood with that atrocious look. With tears streaming down her face, she merely took in her breaths as she stood, trying to gain composure and abide by the trio's demand.

He hated those types of people……the weak…the ones that allowed themselves to be pushed around, never doing anything to strengthen themselves. How annoying. The only thing he hated more than those types, were the spoiled, the sullied, the rich and the greedy, the ones that looked down on the weak and the useless and abused their families influence.....like the three at the table. In fact, he hated them so much......he enjoyed using his toys on them whenever he found himself triggered.

Grabbing his phone, he initiates a conversation with someone…..

Inserting the phone back in his pocket, he turns back to look at the victim, who remained standing a few feet away from the entrance, quietly and faintly sobbing.

“For crying out loud…just get out. The door is like…right there, girl.”

Mentally irked at how the girl remained frozen still, he drafted up the energy to set aside his annoyance and was prepared to confront her on his own and force her to leave, saving her the harassment by the ruffians who clearly made a habit of tormenting her. When all of a sudden…..

"Welcome to *name of your favorite cafe*." the baristas all greet as the young woman enters through the door.

Walking in to the setting, you donned a pair of black leggings with a black low crop, long sleeve to top to match, along with a green baseball cap that kept all your hair bundled up. Entering, you noted the frail stature of the girl before you, yet it hadn’t been apparent that she was upset until you went to walk pass, trying to make your way in the line. Once you were side by side with the younger and much shorter girl, you glanced over and paused in your steps, noting the streams down her cheeks. Taking a closer look, you saw the terrible cut she had on the top of her head, as if her locks were mauled off by an animal. As you observed the top of her head, you smelled the faint scent of burnt hair around her presence.

Overhearing the impudent laughter coming from a table that was across the other side of the café, you looked back at the girl and grew heavy lidded at the sight, unaware that your actions were being watched the entire time, as you had caught the eye of a very intrigued male standing off to the side, a few feet up ahead.

He observed quietly, watching as walked up with grace in every foot step. Your figure was so delicate and divine in the tight athletic wear you donned on, yet your face and hair remained hidden much like his, due to your hat. Yet the moment he saw you look down at the sobbing girl, his eyes widened, and his mouth slightly gasped open at the sight that took place when you reached up and gently took off your cap.

Your long hair falls gracefully and dresses the curves and shape of your breasts, your face was both foreign and enchanting, you were the most amazing thing he's ever seen. You gazed at the line up ahead, not even noticing the tall handsome stranger that was gawking at you off to the side; the moment he had cleared vision of your eyes, he was done, he was sold. He was beyond intrigued. He didn’t know what was happening, but there was something growing inside him that never was there, it was a sensation that instilled a craving in his gut.....he wanted to see more.

Despite all the pretty’s he’s had, where so many women who threw themselves at his feet, none have ever caused this stir of echoing emotions that was eating him alive. Each girl he's ever had, all desperate for just an ounce of his attention, would get but one night of pleasure, and experience the cruelty of his selfish nature as he never bothered to call or message any of them back. To him, they were just pretty little things for him to use, nothing more. He never once developed anything beyond the requirements of his sexual and physical needs, and yet here you are....defying the laws of his physics and mentality……so different….so very different.

You took your cap and gently placed it on the girls head, never minding what she may have felt about in concerns to hygiene, yet it would seem that the abhorred haircut was something that took precedence over the matter of feelings, so you went ahead and gently placed it on top of her head and watched as she turned to look up at you, taking in the soft smile you issued back at her.

With a grateful countenance, the girl began to cry once more as she felt overwhelmed by your kind gesture, in which you nodded softly.

“Care to have coffee with me?” You asked the girl.

Nodding rather enthusiastically, she poked her tiny hands through the overbearingly long sleeves of her oversized cardigan sweater dress and reached for your arm. You took her in and wrapped your arm around her shoulder as you held onto your phone and wallet in the other. Walking up to the line side by side, you issued a stern look over to the ruffians that preserved the table, noting the look of irritation in their faces. Despite their abhorrence of the matter, they remained distant and eventually found that you weren’t going to leave the girl’s side, and end up taking their leave.

“Do you need me to walk you home? Bus station? Or maybe to the train?” you asked.

The girl sipped on her coffee drink and began to converse with you, all the while as you two remained seated. Not once did you notice a pair of eyes had remained glued to you, along with an infatuated smirk.

After waiting at the bus station for the girl’s ride to arrive, you bid her farewell and best of luck before heading home, never knowing of the tall, dark and handsome man that inconspicuously followed you.

He remained distant and unnoticed but kept traces on you as you took your turns, crossed streets, and even went into a boutique for just a moment to pick up some hosiery for the young girl. As it turns out, during your conversation with her, you found out that she was attending the same  college you had graduated from a few years ago, recalling as she told you that she had just started her first year. The idea of a first-year student being bullied broke your heart, so you figured it would be nice to get her a small gift and stop over at the college to pay her a visit, and check up on her.

“She says she likes to wear skirts and dresses a lot, so maybe I’ll get her some assorted stockings. That might cheer her up, oh and another hat, just until her hair grows back.”

Thinking of the girl, you grabbed and paid for the items, before heading back on route to your apartment. Entering the main lobby of the residential building, you stopped over where the mailboxes were located. Placing in your key, you opened the small latch door and reached into the small square opening in the wall that had displayed your apartment number, located on the tenth floor. Peering in as he enters the lobby, Heeseung places his phone next to his ear, giving off the image that he was engaged in a phone call, all the while he sets his sights on your mailbox from afar, never once breaking his gaze from it. It was hard, since he desperately wanted to continue to watch you, yet it was crucial for him to remain staring at your mailbox, just up until you closed and locked it, before making your way over to the elevators.

Maintaining the stare, he walks over to the corner, eyes never leaving the small square. As he breached closer, the placard could be made out at close sight, it contained your apartment number, your first and middle initial, followed by your last name.

1004 First initial. Middle initials. Last name.

Shifting his sights over to the elevators, he walks over and dings in for the next carriage to take him up to the tenth floor.

Arriving on the top level, he walks through the narrow corridor, one side of it displaying tall windows to view the neighboring buildings and open sky. Following the unit numbers of each door that was distanced out from each other rather sparingly, he reaches the end of the hall and there, the last unit remained, apartment number 1004.

Sensing that you were just beginning your day, given that the time was early in the morning, he walks up to your door and notes the structure and design. It was so simplistic and lacked any sense of safety protocol in its feature, how could someone as wondrous as you be so careless to live in a place without exaggerated safety measures?

……..

Within the hour, you showered, got dressed, and munched on an English muffin along with your morning cup of coffee before grabbing your phone and wallet, heading off to work. With your light raincoat swooped over your arm, you gracefully walked over and dinged in for an elevator to bring you down to the floor level, unaware of the male that was lurking from around the corner, waiting for you to leave your apartment.

He waited for a solid twenty minutes, to ensure that you weren’t going to come back in. After noting the time, he breaches your door once more and reaches up to the top to grab hold of a thin strip of aluminum that he had slid in previously, all while you had been in the shower. Sliding it all the way to the inner corner, he bent to hook it over the top ledge of the top of the frame, so that it would remain in place. Based off his experience, gathered from his years of stalking many victims in the past, he knew, that out of human nature, you would never look up and discover the tool as you locked your door. At the most, a person may set their gaze at eye level as they enter or exit, but statistic will show that hardly anyone will ever tilt their head and look up since their eyes naturally are drawn to the knob as they lock or unlock a door.

Unhooking the aluminum strip from the ledge, he slides the piece as it remains in between the door panel and the frame, sliding it all the way down to the locking mechanism above the knob. From there, a simple turn of his wrist and bending the strip at an angle was all it took for the bolt to click over to the opposite side, unlocking it.

Entering, he noted the smell of lavender and orchid blossoms that filled the air. It was so pleasant and airy, so very fragrant. It was as if he was basking in the foreign fields of orchids and lavender in full bloom. Noting your chic and girlish furnishings, he smirked as he walked past your media stand, admiring the soft beige sectional that adorned your living room. Looking over to the TV, he saw some framed photos of family and friends, some of which had contained you posing with them, in which he would pick up and take a closer look.

“Damn she’s gorgeous…..”

He remained quiet until he cleared the apartment of any other inhabitants; roommates or family that may have been living with you, yet much to his delight, there were none. He then took the opportunity to go inside your bedroom, where your bed was nicely made. Sitting on the edge of your queen size bed, he leans into one of the pillows and takes a whiff of the scent, it had smelled just like your hair. It was of roses and chamomile, something that he never knew he would appreciate so much until now.

Standing up, he walks over to your vanity and notes your perfume bottle on display. Taking it, he releases the cap, and sprays it over his wrist to analyze the ingredients that made up the fragrance. It was a subtle scent, yet fresh with a hint of spring florals and just a tinge of fruity sweetness to it. It was heaven to him. Looking around, he opens up a few of the top drawers and finds exactly what he was looking for, your lingerie.

Noting the amount of lace in your collection, he smirks.

“Huh…..she likes lace….my kinda girl.”

Scouting through, he really wasn’t trying to get a pair of your panties, although the temptation was strong. Instead, what he was looking for was something that wasn’t obviously an undergarment, but something that he could always carry around and pull out of his pocket with ease….something like….

“Hmm….this will work.”

Grabbing on to a pair of lace gloves, he takes the right one and drenches it with your perfume, airing it out as he waves it around for a moment before he shoves it in his back pocket. Closing your drawer delicately, he looks over towards your master closet, and takes a peek inside. He flips the light switch on and smiles at the beautiful display of dresses, both flirty and sophisticated, while also admiring the neat display of folded jeans and tee shirts in the open cabinets decorating the wall. It would so appear, that you had a taste of casual chic fashion, yet had invested in sophisticated and elegant attire for work.

Flipping through all the hangers, his fingertips drag against each fabric, allowing him to take in the sensation of what you wear daily. God…..he wondered how you would look wearing something with frills and lace, or cashmere, or this one, a dress made of satin. Your body was literally the peak of ideal femininity, there was no doubt in his mind that whatever it is you put on, you would look stunning in it.

Walking deeper inside the closet, he notes a framed piece that was set on top of the cabinets, leaned up against the wall instead of being hanged up. It was your college degree, from the same college he was attending.

“Wow….she’s older than I am?”

Despite being in his last year of college, Heeseung was intrigued and grew even more fascinated about you. The fact that you were older, though you looked of the same age as him, even younger in fact, was something that only made him grow more obsessed with wanting to see and learn more about you. He continued his exploration and looked for any indicators of a boyfriend, or perhaps a fiancé. To his surprise, there were none.

“Beautiful girl like her….single? That’s just…..that’s insane…but I’m not complaining.”

Aside from seeing no signs of a partner, he was also delighted to see that you didn’t seem to be actively engaged in sex either, there were no forms of birth control nor were there any prophylactics. To be sure, he searched….thoroughly.

“So she’s a good girl then? Or maybe….she’s one of those ball-busting career types? Either way, I dig it.”

The thought of you preserving your body, how tight your womanhood must be from being untouched for God only knows how long, it greatly.......stimulated him.

After he had his fill in exploring your apartment, he exits and discards the aluminum strip. Taking out your glove, he sniffs it before entering the elevator. From that day forth, Heeseung had eventually found out where you worked, where you did your grocery shopping and found out that the café was your favorite spot every morning after working out, precisely at around 7 am. In between his classes, he managed to go out to ‘check’ on you as you made your way around to various spots for lunch or maybe did some quick shopping and run errands. No matter what time of the day it was, he made sure to see you at least once, making sure you were okay, that you were happy and not in distressed.

“There you are baby…..you seem like you’re having a good day today.”

“Hmm….why do you look a bit ticked off? Who pissed you off today? Fuck I wish I knew….I’d make them regret it…….please smile…smile for me baby.”

“Awww….my girl likes pastries….what are those? Macaroons? You like macaroons baby girl?......When you’re mine, I’ll give you the world and whatever you want. How does that sound?”

With all his mental thoughts on you and the constant check-ups, he fell harder and harder, it was unreal to him. He wanted to know and see more….he wanted to hear more….he wanted more.

His approach was well thought out and planned. You didn’t have to know what he had done in the past…even though he hadn’t dipped into his habits since the day he saw you in the cafe, yet the fact remained that he had a closet full of skeletons that he wasn’t necessarily ashamed of, for all those times it brought him relief and was a reprieve for him. But he didn’t want to scare you…he didn’t want you to know about what he did for obvious reasons. All that mattered now was for you to get to know him….as the man who was falling in love with you, despite you being unaware of his existence.

After weeks of stalking and admiring you from a distance, he figured today would be perfect to put his acting skills to the test and “accidently” bump into you, all in the effort to start up a conversation. From there, he would use his charm and tenacity to get by and push through any barriers you would set up, all so he could get in and make you his. He had everything mapped out in a systematic approach…..but he never got the chance to put it to use.

Watching as you were grabbing coffee during your lunch hour at your favorite cafe, Heeseung remained in his car, ready to step out and put his plan to action, yet took a few minutes to enjoy himself as he nonchalantly rubbed his bulge. Staring at the way you moved, the way you smiled, laughed, walked and admired each building as you made your way inside the coffee shop, you looked far too wondrous for him to not touch himself. Gently rubbing his fingers up and down, he took a series of gulps as he became hot and bothered, faintly panting as he leaned into his seat and watched you delicately swing the door open and entered in the building.

“Oh God…..my fucking girl…just…..who are you?....What are you? Where do you come from? What place exists…that makes someone like you?”

Finding his breath stolen by just the sight of you, Heeseung's mind begins to drift off and he wondered how you must feel with him inside you. How your skin must feel pressed against his, and how you must taste like.

"I bet she tastes like candy.....fuck girl....the things you're doing to me....I just wanna...."

*Ding*

Suddenly, his eye catches on to something that snapped him out of his dazed state of passion. There was something.....someone that taking an interest....with you.

"Who the fuck.....?"

Straightening his posture, Heeseung became overly alert as he witnessed the man's head trailing right after you as you walked in, placing no situational awareness in his setting as he stared at you....hard. Nearby, was female who noted your stops and also followed you closely, while occasionally sending a nod to the large man that seemed to be craving you just as much as Heeseung was. It was evident by the way he stroked his chin and gasped his mouth open, while occasionally rubbing his crotch under the table nearby, licking his lips in the process.

"Mother fucker....."

Cursing himself, Heeseung quickly sends a new text to a friend, one who would be able to help him out in this situation. With his focus on the male perpetrator that was eyeing you down, Heeseung spared no effort in taking his sights off him, leaving the female open and unsighted......but not for long.

……..

Setting his gaze back at the man that eluded manners, ones that Heeseung could easily identify…..the behavior display of stalking and tracking, methods that he himself had used to follow you home the first day. However, unlike Heeseung, the large man was sloppy in his technique. He was following too close and wasn’t at all inconspicuous, instead, he was openly staring, walking behind in short distance, and made no effort to distract his intent by any means. It was as if the man was starving for you to the point where he couldn’t control himself. Had he been watching you the whole time? If so…..how did Heeseung not notice? Was he too enamored by you that he grew complacent of your surroundings?

He watched as you walked back into the building of your place of work. For hours, the man stood off into a nearby alley, lurking in the shadows, occasionally dipping into the cafe and sending out messages. No doubt the recipient was that female accomplice of his. Remaining in his car on the other side of the road across the building, Heeseung watched the man like a hawk, clenching his. If only the man wasn't in a public setting, Heeseung would have followed him back to his residence and took care of him before you would even leave work.

"Asshole......fucking leave her alone....I swear if you touch her...."

Widening his eyes and glaring at the man from afar, Heeseung bit down on his lip, puncturing skin.

Finally, after a long night and putting in some overtime, you walked out with your coat and purse in hand, obviously exhausted from the long day. The sun was beginning to set and the street was remote and nearly empty, with only a couple passing by making their way towards the opposite direction.

Walking on the lone street, with the darkness of the night casting in and the streetlights barely turning on, you minded your own when the sound of a female voice reaches out for you.

“Excuse me, miss?”

Turning around to face the female whose voice was in question; you barely got a response out when a sudden cast of solid darkness clouded your vision.

Eyes widening and his heart getting heavier by each second, Heeseung watched as the man cast an empty sandbag over your head and dragged you away to a nearby car. Muffling your screams and taking advantage of your blinded state, he overpowers your quick and panicked movements as you kicked, screamed, and reached above and over your head, banging his face with a closed fist. You put up a good fight, and for a moment, Heeseung watched and a spark of hope ignited in his heart as he jolted forward in his seat, watching as you laid a good solid hit right on the man's nose.

"Yes baby, just like that.....come on baby....hit him again!"

Yet in the end, the man was far too large and managed to restrain your wrist with a single hand as he fully detained you by injecting your neck with a drug that placed you into a deep state of unconsciousness. All the while, the female accomplice walks away with a smug flare.

"I'll fucking kill you.....both of you."

He could have confronted and taken you away right then and there, if only had it not been the presence of patrol units that came the very moment the kidnapper had tucked you into the backseat of his car, appearing harmless as he gets into the driver seat. With the female accomplice nearby til the very end, appearing to be armed with a hidden weapon in her coat pocket, Heeseung had no choice but to wait out for the perfect moment to strike. As much as he hated seeing you handled in such a way, he knew….that in just a little bit, not only would he take out the pent up anger and rage that formulated after witnessing the display of your kidnapping, but you’ll be able to see that it was him that saved you.

“Alright…fucking piece of shit. Let’s go.”

Trailing the man’s car, Heeseung follows and remained every so vigilant in being undetected.

Arriving at the final destination, Heeseung watches as the man’s car turns into a long and narrowed dirt path, straying off into a massive amount of acreage land. Following behind, Heeseung observed as the man parks in front of an old house, with a pair of windows set on ground level, indicating there was a basement. No doubt in Heeseung's mind, just from his own experience with murder and violence, he knew that the kidnapper would have a set up already stationed inside. Carefully observing as the man took your unconsciously limp body inside in such a haste manner, Heeseung felt his body fueling with chaos and a thirst for blood and torn limbs....he was triggered. His veins no longer pumped blood, it was gasoline....fuel.....fuel to burn the fire within his soul to do the very things onto others that not even the worst criminal could ever think of.

Watching the man's movements, Heeseung’s grip tightened over the steering wheel as he rested his chin in the other, a few seconds, he started to tap his fingers along the lining of the wheel before he got out of his car and walked over to his trunk. Opening it, he takes out a crowbar, one of the very many tools he carried…used for breaking entry or….to instill torturous pain on supple flesh. Walking up to the house, he remained stealth and continued to go unnoticed as he peeked in each window. Just as he suspected, while he investigated the basement, he watched as the man brought you in and tied you to a metal prep table, the same ones frequently used in cafeterias.

The moment the man left the room, Heeseung used the crowbar and pry’s one of the windows open, it was a smaller and slim, rectangular sized window, half the size of the standard measurements. Yet he effortlessly slid in, placing all those years of athletic training and dance practice to good use. Gently closing the window upon entry, he scouts the area, ensuring that it was still clear and no sound of movement could be heard on the other side of the door.

Setting his vision on you, he makes his way over to the table and there, for the first time, he got to admire you up close and personal. He got to feel your breathe brush against his nose as he leans in to take a closer look.

“Oh fuck……” he slightly gasped out. He couldn’t believe his eyes, you were far more enchanting up close, especially since he took note that you didn’t have a face plastered with makeup, you had been walking around this entire time with a fresh and youthful face. Leaning in, he gently nuzzles his nose against your ear, not at all concerned about the culprit that brought you to this horrid place, since Heeseung knew, he could take him with his bare hands alone. He could take on anyone if it meant keeping you safe.....and happy.

Shoving his nose in the nook of your neck, he takes a deep inhale of your scent. You smelled just like your perfume, the one he sprayed on your glove and took with him everywhere he went. Standing back and upright, he releases a deep breath as he gently caresses your face. A soft smile, faintly appears as he strokes your cheek, brushes your hair, and rubs your lips with his thumb.

"Just what am I going to do with you? Hmm?.....My beeeeautiful girl......my pretty pretty girl....my sweet girl. You just have a knack for catching stares.....even from bad guys like me and the idiot that brought you here.....don't you? ......Its not your fault though.....you were born so precious.....you don't deserve to be here....you deserved to be loved...to be taken care of....to be spoiled.....I'll show you what that's like after I take care of him, how does that sound?"

…….

Twenty or thirty minutes later, you finally woke up. In a panicked state, you looked around and saw that the room was coated with cement flooring, and was stark empty as it lacked any furnishings, aside from the metal table you were on, and a couple of tall metal tool cabinets. Your breathing was steady, you had done right to remain composed as you tried to figure your way out of this mess........but it all escalated the moment your kidnapper walked in.

Hiding behind one of the tall metal cabinets that was a few feet off to the side from the table, Heeseung listened in on everything the man said to you, which further heightened his rage.

“Go ahead you piece of shit….keep talking…keeeeeeep….fucking…talking.”

Noting your breathing increasing to a panicked state, he peeked over around the edge of the cabinet to look at you. The hopeless expression on our face combined with the deep heaves of your chest and your delicate beauty tainted by the fear of the man before you, it all had shattered Heeseung’s heart to pieces.

“I know baby…I know……don’t worry. I’m not going to let him do anything to you. Trust me....I know him better than he knows himself."

…..

“Oh….I love that look of fear in your face….its the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen…God…you’re perfect aren’t you? And…oh.....keep breathing like that….it makes your breasts look so nice as they rise up. I can't wait to add them to my collection, they'll be my number one."

Hearing the man speak to you in such a manner caused Heeseung to ball his hand into a fist once again. Gripping so tight, his fingernails dug into the flesh of his palm, slightly breaking skin as the residue of thin blood laid dormant under each finger nail.

“Mother fucker….I’m going to tear your face to pieces.”

Watching as the man scattered around, eventually settling on a reciprocating saw tool, Heeseung watches as the man taunts you, further aggravating his rage.

"Oh you piece of fucking shit...don't you dare..."

"Maybe…since I have a tourniquet here, why don’t I just take a piece off your kneecap…that way it’s not taking too much….I need to preserve you for as long as I can so I can enjoy you….savor the moments. I’ll take off a piece…. stop the bleeding and wait for you to calm down and then we can continue…..how does that sound?”

Flipping on the switch, the man held the tool in a steady grip as he placed his other hand over your stomach, preparing to cut into you.

"Hold still, this will hurt only for a little bit....you'll go into shock and well....you wont really feel much until I cut something else off." The man states while displaying an enthusiastic smile. "I can't tell you how much I've been waiting for this moment.....y/n...."

"That right?....."

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

The sound of the motorized tool filled the air, yet it was not accompanied by screams of pain or a torturous laugh. You opened your eyes and saw that someone.....was inside the basement......someone other than you and the man who took you.

Heeseung truly did save you, not only from death, but from things that were far worse than death itself. However, the manner of how he did so was….terrifying.

“Well now….what should I take off first, hmm?” Heeseung remarked, mimicking the man's words used earlier to you, only Heeseung's tone was far more eerie and dreadful.

At that moment, what you saw Heeseung did to that man was the most gruesome display of heroism that you’ve ever witnessed. If you could even call it heroism....considering the turnaround wasn't entirely in your favor. When all was said and done, you watched as he came closer to you, hands coated in blood with blotches of it decorating his neck and chin.

He touched you. He caressed you. He whispered into your ear….it was sickening…yet words and tone was sweet and loving, which on the contrary, it only made you more terrified of him. Just what was his deal? You couldn’t make any sense out of his behavior, because as far as you were concerned, the man was a lunatic, yet the way he acted towards you.....it was sadistically romantic and compassionate.

When the words he coaxed and whispered out of his mouth, you realized.......you were saved by an evil man....by another evil man….

“Let me fuck you.”

Twisting and turning around, you screamed and panicked. “Get away from me! Don’t…don’t! Please don’t!” you managed to turn your body over onto your stomach, gaining full sight of the rope that bound your wrists together. With your chest plastered to the table, you desperately tried to untie your restraints, when suddenly you felt the weight of his body softly pressing against you, completely blanketing you from behind.

“Stop! Get…get off!” you turned your face away to the side as you felt him lean in and nuzzle his nose against your hair. Extending his hands forward, he reaches up and grabs on to your wrists, still tied by the rope. Pushing his weight on you, he caused you to become unstable with your movements, leaving you no slack to move. He remains nuzzled against your neck, breathing deeply, releasing the hot vapors of each exhale onto your ear.

“Calm….down….you need to calm down beautiful.”

Breathing deeply, hysterically sobbing, you somehow found yourself calming at the way he issued his words. His tone was calm yet demanding and firm. Somehow, it gave you a sense that he wasn’t going to hurt you…at least not in the same manner as your kidnapper.....but still…..

“I’m going to take you home……we’ll get you cleaned up, and maybe….talk….for a bit? Hmm?” Pushing the hair away from your face, he places a tender kiss on your cheek. Your breathing began to escalate once more as you felt yourself hyperventilating and the sobbing picking back up.

“Hey-heeeey…..calm……down…..you gotta stay calm baby. I really don’t wanna have to knock you out....especially after you just came back to consciousness.”

Upon hearing his subtle threat, you did your best to compose yourself, and seemingly you had succeeded, despite him continuously burrowing his face against your skin, placing soft and tender kisses onto your jawline, your cheek, and onto your neck. He even spoke out, murmuring as his lips remained in contact with your skin, sending out a myriad of tingles and uncontrollable euphoric jolts that found their way to your core, much to your dismay and disliking, yet you found yourself losing the fight against human nature and lost control of your body. What with him displaying the acts of soft tenderness….saving you from torture and death….and showering you with loving words, how could your body possibly physically abstract from his affection? Mentally you remained resisting, yet even that....was starting to break. Feeling desperate, you figured you would try and reach through to him by appealing to the soft and sensitive side he was displaying….

“Please…..please…….please don’t……if all of what you're saying....is real....then please……let me go…..just let me go home….” You softly spoke out in between each sobbing gasp. You did your best to keep yourself calm.

With a suckling kiss on your neck, the squeezing sound of his pursed lips pulling and sucking on to your skin as he gently pulls away bounces off the stark white walls. “You wanna go home baby?”

Nodding frantically, you started to sob harder but did your best to hold it all in, barely. Jutting out each word between your gasping cries, you responded with “Yes……yes! ….Yes…..I want to go home…..please….please just let me go home…..” the last bit of your words died down to an angelic tone of softness as you hung your head low.

“Okay…..come on baby….let’s go home.”

Shaking your head, your gasping sobs escalated for the last time as you found yourself in a verbal trap. “No! No stop! Let go! Don’t! don’t! doooooon’t…….” taking you, dragging you by the waist while you still remained bound by the ropes, he took you. Your screams echoed thought the halls as he led you out of the house and into his car, where he took you…..’home’.

Authors note: oooooh snap!

Taglist: @nshmrarki , @lprww , @baekxo07 , @m7omo @nikstrange @heeshees @moonmoongi @heesitation @heeseung-min @addictedtohobi

[jayzioxx]

p.s, the moon was always beautiful

scaramouche x reader

ao3, masterlist

chapter 2;Old acquaintances and new friends

"Do you have any more doubts?" [Name] inquired and Diluc shook his head. [name] ended the tutoring session for the day, feeling a bit of pride swelling up in her chest. Teaching was one of the things [name] enjoyed the most, and seeing an eager mind thirsty for knowledge made her feel like she had a role in the world, like she wasn't insignificant anymore. It was the only thing she could wholeheartedly focus on no matter what problems she had.

As she walked away from the library and the boy who was engrossed in his textbooks even after his tutoring session, she felt her steps getting heavier and heavier by the minute. Almost as if someone had placed a huge weight on her feet, pulling her into the ground and letting the world swallow her whole. Ever since her eyes met his, she's felt a familiar but distant unrest in her heart. 

"I can't let this bother me; I doubt he even remembers me." She tried to tell herself, but the heart, much to the world's dismay, does what it pleases. At the moment, the only thing [name]'s heart wished to do was cry out loud. 

Silently, [name] walked to her house. Passing the countless stores, parks and age-old structures in the city, the tranquility of the slightly bustling area brought something akin to peace to her. An old monument of the city's founder which dated back to centuries ago stood in the middle of the city. "The heavenly principals" was inscribed at the statue's feet in ancient text, but no one really understood why, and no one questioned it either.

She usually didn't bother herself with the slightly ominous construction, but just this once, as she stood beneath the giant marble woman, she felt insignificant and useless. Like a speck of dust, being blown around by the winds of time. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time, and she knew she shouldn't dwell on it either, so she shook away those thoughts and kept walking. 

The walk home wasn't too long, but for some reason it felt tiring and unending. After opening the door to her house, [name] felt slightly better when she saw her living room. The place was kept neat and tidy, and the walls and racks were decorated with things that brought her joy. Name retired to her bedroom which had framed photos of Albedo's art, portraits from her graduation and a few pictures she had taken with Xiao and Ganyu hung on the walls. The warmth from those days seeping from the printed paper was nice. Maybe if she stared for long enough, she might completely calm down and ascend to a plane of spiritual power. 

She was lying to herself. She had been for years, but she never questioned it. Saying "I'm fine." and thinking "It's okay." when it wasn't was a habit of hers, and it always worked, but the face of that boy- no, that man made her feel weak for the first time in years. Her house didn't bring her joy, walking didn't bring her joy, thinking about her college days didn't bring her joy, and it frustrated her. Still, years of working with indecisive and impulsive children had brought her one thing. Rationality. Moping around and spiraling wasn't productive, and it won't bring her any peace either, so she resolved to just plan assignments and practical experiments and head to bed.

Work was never too tiring, and it seemed not even that guy could change that. [name] felt happier because at least she had that, but the turbulent emotions she felt hadn't vanished either. 

"What's the point." She thought to herself, unknowingly starting to drift off to a land of unease again.

As if on cue, the ringing of her phone snapped her out of her daze. The contact name displayed on her screen making her feel a bit guilty as well.

"Are you alright?" Xiao's voice sounded from the other side of the line, with what seemed to be concern laced within his stoic tone. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" [name] responded, but that only made the man on the other side frustrated.

"You seemed off back at work. You sure you're fine? If you're not just call in sick tomorrow and I'll mark attendance for your class." He spoke. He was always kind, [name] appreciated that about him. Still, he constantly seemed to feel offended when she said that, so she stopped mentioning it, but that didn't change the fact that she felt grateful for him. 

"I told you I'm fine." [name] insisted but the other person didn't even half believe her and sighed. 

"Fine- maybe I'm just a tiny bit not okay..." she admitted. "I just didn't expect I'd see him again."

Xiao listened patiently, waiting for her to say something- or really just anything. Seeing as the silence would continue to prevail, Xiao finally said what he was trying to convey. "If you want to talk, just talk to me. I can't offer words of comfort, but I'll at least listen." Hearing his words, for the first time since seeing that man again, [name] felt reassured.

"Yeah... Thanks." 

The next morning, [name] met Ganyu on her way to school, who also noticed her discomfort from the day before and inquired as well. "If something's wrong you can ask me for anything." Ganyu said in her usual sweet tone, not prodding any further. 

Scaramouche sat on a bench right outside the main building. He didn't feel like going into the teachers’ lounge, nor did he feel like eating lunch. A few students were laughing and chatting as they walked but quickly went silent when they saw him. "Her class," he noticed. 

The eccentric ginger boy said nothing, and the chatty blue haired one didn't speak a word until they were out of his sight. It should have felt unfair, yet he didn't seem to think so. After all, Scaramouche was used to the invisible barrier set around him. Scaramouche gazed at whatever was in front of him. He didn't care. Until the painstakingly long recess ended and the bell rung, he stayed out of the world he didn't belong to. The fearsome and cold mathematics teacher all the students feared.

Scaramouche snapped himself out of his daze and stood up, brushing down any imperfections on his clothes and standing properly like a dignified man should. And Mr. Raiden walked back into the main building towards his next class. 

Senior students were much easier to teach than first years. They already learnt how to learn and focused on focusing, all he had to do was present to them the knowledge they had yet to know. He wasn't a man to take pleasure in much anymore, yet peaceful lessons were one of the few things he did enjoy. Especially with the young Ragnvindr boy who seemed wholly focused on his studies. Absentmindedly he opened the door to the classroom and bumped into another teacher. 

"Sorry." He said at the exact same time as the other. He looked away, and anywhere but her face. She said something and went out past his right. "I'll leave then." Or something like that but he couldn't really hear well. 

"[Name]- Miss [name] you dropped something." But she'd already gone running. Never mind she came running back.

"Here."

He handed the little printed photo of [name] and some boy, and she grabbed it, thanked him and left. He looked younger in the picture. But that doesn't concern him. The boy looked too young for her. Neither does that. Either way Mr. Raiden still had a class to teach.

[Name] walked a bit slower, not wanting to drop anything else.

"He's calmer."  She thought.

"And a bit more considerate."

"I think he still remembers."

Not like it mattered anymore though. 

As [name] entered the class she overheard some of the students gossipping. 

"....looked a little lonely though I kinda felt bad for him." 

"Who are you guys talking about?" [Name] inquired and for a moment the group fell silent like a litter of kittens caught trying to tip a jar. Ajax Childe was the one to break the silence as usual. 

"We passed Mr.Raiden during lunch right outside the main building. He was just sitting on a bench and staring at cars across the road it was pretty weird. Feel bad for whoever puts up with him on the daily-" [Name] lightly tapped his head with a book and stopped his rambling. Childe pouted with a face that almost screamed 'what did I do?1'

"Don't talk ill about your teachers." [Name] said and began the lesson.

Throughout the period what she overheard Sucrose say never left her mind. 

"He looked a little lonely."

a/n; me and my grade school level writing *giggles*(derogatory) not proof read anyone who wants to proof read reach out to me on the latest chap of the ao3 version ill respond when i have a chap almost ready...

[strawberry-lemonade-kisses]

Missing You (18+)

Warnings - Filthy smut, MINORS DNI OR I TAKE KNEECAPS, sex, slight body worship, Obanai calls reader mommy once, swearing

“There he is! Welcome home to the Number one florist in Japan!” Confetti flew out of the small popper you had set off, your daughter laughing wildly from where she was strapped to your chest. You cheered some more as your husband actually stepped through the front door, setting his suitcase and backpack down as he looked at the array of streamers and balloons taped to the wall. You even managed to hang a banner that said #1 Florist with a bunch of flowers painted on it. He smiled, pocketing his face mask as he approached you, encasing you in his arms. 

“Thank you babe, and you as well Kami.” You smiled, bouncing your baby and leaning in for a kiss, plus a few more. Kami babbled as Obanai crouched so he was face level with her.  “Did you do all of this?” She gurgled in response to his question. He groaned as he stood to his full height again, bones cracking back into place as he stood. You gave him a once over, making sure he wasn’t injured in the 5 hours since you last contacted him. His hair was pulled out of his face, wrapped in a low ponytail, a few black strands framing his face. Exhaustion laced his features, the stress from the competition and the time spent on his feet, lifting, and organizing extravagant displays had no doubt taken a strain on his body. 

“Are you hungry? I can make you something real quick” You asked, watching him move.

“No, I’m alright, just tired. Really glad to finally be home, seemed like the longest week of my life” You chuckled at his dramatics. You would have never pictured this would be the man you ended up marrying. When you first met Obanai he was shut off, quiet, and reserved as he glared across the convention center. You were younger then, fresh out of college and teaching your very first class. He was still interning and still wary of people after years of home-schooling and familial abuse. Years later though, he was a completely different man. Affectionate and caring, he was vocal about his needs and even better at asking for help. You had helped each other grow so much that it was exciting every time you woke up next to him in the mornings.

“I’m going to put Kami to bed and then If you want we can relax in bed? You can tell me about your trip” He nodded, leaving a kiss on Kami’s forehead as he walked by with his luggage.

“You know I never pictured Sanemi would agree to help you and your team. We’ll have to invite him over for dinner and drinks as a thank you” You noted, shutting the bedroom door behind you. Obanai emerged from the en suite bathroom, a towel wrapped snuggly against his lithe frame, his years of hard work evident in the way he carried himself, muscles pulled taunt around his body. 

“Don’t worry, I paid him along with the rest of the team with the winnings, they’ll be fine. Even though I did promise him a beer.” He didn’t bother with clothes, immediately retreating to the bed, tossing the towel somewhere behind him as he crawled into the blankets, tucking himself in with a yawn. You chuckled, shaking your head as you picked it up, discarding it into the laundry basket. You peeled off your pants, leaving you in a t-shirt and your panties for bed. Obanai’s arms were open as you tucked yourself into bed, inviting you into his embrace for the night. 

“I missed you. Both of my girls. But especially you” His words even simple ones still managed to get your stomach all bubbled up, a cheesy grin overtaking your face as you rested your head on his chest, listening to the soft thump of his heart. 

“I missed you too, you chose to start a shop to ease the burden of you being gone for research and now you're leaving for shop purposes. I’ll have to quit my job and become a roadie with you now. We can live in an RV” Obanai laughed, the rumbles from his chest shaking your head, making you look up at him.

“We don’t need to do all that. It’s once a year, and this title will be really good for business. Then I can hire more people and spend more time here with you two” You nodded, placing a kiss on the skin under your head. 

“I’m glad your home though, my number 1 man”  He laughed, hand coming up to cup the back of your head.

“I’m glad as well my love, getting to hold you again. I missed you” You hummed, leaning up to kiss him. His mouth was enthusiastic against your own, tongue quickly sliding over the seam of your lips, begging for entrance. The kiss grew heated quickly, your hands finding purchase on his shoulders, pulling him closer. You moved, swinging a leg over his hips so you straddled him causing You to gasp into the kiss feeling his cock bump into your clit, the friction lighting up your senses. Obanai continued to devour your mouth, hands squeezing at the fat of your thighs, slowly inching towards your panties. 

“Missed you” He murmured into your skin, trailing kisses along your jaw. “Missed all of you” he sucked at the skin on your neck, teeth grazing the flesh, leaving goosebumps in its wake. You couldn’t stop your hips from grinding against his, the only thing separating him from you was a thin pair of lace underwear, not enough to stop you from feeling every vein on his cock, every inch sliding against your steadily dampening core. His hands wandered under your shirt, sliding the fabric off you before reconnecting his lips to the skin on your chest. “So pretty, always so perfect. You make such a beautiful mommy, all full." He licked at

 Your nipple, teasing it and bringing it to a peak before wrapping his lips around it. You moaned, nails scratching at his scalp.

“Baby, please. I want you” Your pleas fell on deaf ears as he worshipped your chest, pinching at one tit as his mouth serviced the other. He switched sides, leaving both breasts covered in his saliva, sensitive and covered in quite a few hickies. 

“Think we should have another, fill you back up” He looked up at you as he palmed your tits, a wicked smirk forming on his face. 

“Oba, please” you breathed, grinding against him with more urgency, every ounce of your body thrumming with pleasure but still begging for more. You lifted your hips, taking control as he watched on. Impatient as you were you opted for just moving your panties to the side, not wasting time before grabbing Obanai’s cock and lining him up at your entrance. He kneaded the fat of your ass as you sank down on his length, a hiss sounding from him as he watched his cock disappear into you. You both moaned as he bottomed out in you. Leaning forward you captured his lips in another rushed kiss, teeth bumping as your tongues moved against each other, exploring like it was the first time. He swallowed each of your moans eagerly as you bounced on his lap, not letting an inch of space come between the two of you. The drag of his cock was enough to make you delirious after just a few thrusts, breaking from his mouth you let out a salacious moan, encouraging him to buck up into you, meeting your own bounces with his thrusts. 

“Fuck baby, just like that” He whined, sitting back against the headboard so he could watch you fully. Tits bouncing with each thrust and head thrown back in pleasure. Between your pussy gripping him like a vice and the view on his lap he was closer to cumming than he would have liked. His hand found your clit, fingers rubbing harsh circles on the bud. You jolted in surprise, hands flying to grip his shoulders as you cried out. It had been a long week for the both of you, so much time apart from each other, not able to feel the other. Every curve, every dip. This time each touch felt like another first, fingertips leaving sparks of pleasure in their wake. If you weren’t so impatient you would have taken more time with each other, maybe even done some foreplay. But that could wait for later. Now you just wanted to be connected, to feel the other. 

“Obanai, I’m close” You gasped. The stimulation becoming almost too much far too quickly. 

“yeah? Come on baby” Obanai encouraged, rutting up into you. The noises coming from between the two of you were pure sin the slick slapping of your hips meeting each other, coupled with the heated gasps and moans tumbling from both of your lips as you both chased towards your orgasm. Your toes curled, hips meeting each of Obanais thrusts with great force as the waves of ecstasy rolled over you. Obanai continued the movement of his hips, feet planted on the bed as he neared his own climax, voice cracking into a whine as he muttered praises. “so fucking good baby, yeah, always so good for me, fuck I missed you, this tight little pussy, fuck yeah” The words were slurred as he slowed down, hips stuttering as he came, spilling himself into you. Pulling you into another kiss Obanai groaned, leaning back into the headboard and pulling you with him so you rested on his chest. Obanai peppered small kisses on the top of your head, hand drawing patterns on your back as you caught your breath.

“Is it cheesy to say welcome home now?” You broke the silence with a laugh, moving so you could look up at your husband.

“No, but I’m glad to be home.”

[crazyunsexycool]

My little love

Mother’s Day celebration

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Word count: 2.3k

Warnings: fluff that is it!

Series Masterlist

A/N: if you can’t tell by now I’m horrible with with writing one shots round holidays and such but fortunately writing for our favorite family comes easy. In the U.S today is Mother’s Day so I wanted to do something to celebrate. Happy Mother’s Day to anyone that follows me or might come across this one shot!

“Wake up mama.” A little voice starts to pull you from your sleep. “No seeping mama.” You hear in a sing-song tone then you feel a kiss on your cheek.

Little hands put pressure on your chest as kisses continue to rain down on your face. You try to keep from smiling as the door opens.

“Baby is she awake?” Henry whispered.

“No wake up, bubba.” Lottie complains to her brother who promptly gets up on the bed. He starts to play with your hair the same way you do when you’re waking him up.

“Maybe we should tickle her instead.”

“Tic-kle?” Lottie tried to sound it out.

“Yeah tickle, like this.”

By the sound of Charlotte’s giggling you know Henry was giving her a demonstration. This was the perfect time to join in.

“Did someone say tickle?”

Both of them jumped at the sound of your voice and started laughing before you grabbed them and flipped over on the bed. They both squirmed and laughed as they tried but failed to get away from you. It quickly turned into a pile of hugs and kisses.

“I missed you mama.” Henry says once you’ve all settled. You had been on a mission for the past three days and when you came back they were already sleeping.

“Yeah, missed you mama.”

“Well I missed both of you very much.”

“You have to get up, we have a surprise for you.” Henry said as he got out of bed. Lottie followed his lead.

“Uppies mama. We habe suwpwise.”

“You do?” You ask as you get out of bed. “Why am I getting a surprise?”

Henry turned to you with a confused look on his face. “Because it’s Mother’s Day. Daddy said we get to celebrate having the best mama ever today.”

His words caught you so off guard. Of course you knew it was Mother’s Day but you didn’t think you’d be part of the celebration.

“You think that I’m the best mom?”

“Of course, mama.” He says as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Why are you sad?”

A few stray tears rolled down your cheeks.

“I’m not sad, my sweet boy. These are happy tears.”

“So do you want to see the surprise?”

You nod and let him take your hand while Lottie led you to the living room. Bucky was there waiting for the three of you. The first surprise was a collage of pictures hung on the wall, all individually framed and arranged perfectly. They ranged from the day of the petting zoo up until your stay in Wakanda.

“When did you hang all of these up?”

“While you were sleeping.” Bucky said, sounding very proud of himself. You hugged him and then the kids.

“It’s perfect, I love it.”

“There’s more mama.” Henry speaks up from the couch where he and Lottie are now sitting. They’re each holding a small canvas which they presented to you. Henry had painted some flowers while Lottie was more abstract. She was very proud to display it for you and gave you a beaming smile when you told her you loved it. On the couch next to them there is a garment bag and some gift bags and boxes.

“Go ahead and open everything.”

The garment bag held a beautiful green dress. The boxes and gift bags held some shoes, a purse, a perfume you really wanted and a beautiful pair of earrings with a matching bracelet.

“Everything is perfect. I can’t wait to wear it.”

“Good because,” as if on queue there’s a knock on the door and Wanda and Nat both saunter in. “You’re going to go get ready with the girls. We have another surprise when you’re done.” Bucky says.

“Come on momma, let us pamper you.”

You smiled and stood, heading towards the door before turning.

“Wait, where are we going?”

“Is a suwpwise mama.” Lottie answered and she waved at you. “Bye bye.”

You laughed as you let Nat and Wanda take you away to Nat’s apartment where there was a whole makeshift spa set up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

You spent about an hour with Nat and Wanda before some guests arrived. There was Sarah, invited by Sam. Laura, Clint’s wife and Pepper who just wanted to join in on the fun. She brought with her May, she was the aunt of Tony’s new intern. It was a great time between just the small group. You talked about life in between doing face masks, doing your nails, sharing lunch, drinking champagne and eating sweets.

After spending time with the group you all got dressed. It was clear that if you had a child, there was a surprise waiting for you. Only Nat, Wanda and Pepper knew what was going on. Wanda made sure you had the new dress Bucky and the kids got for you as well as all the accessories and sent you on your way.

Right outside of Nat’s apartment you were surprised to find Bucky and the kids. You smiled brightly when you realized that not only had he gotten you the dress you were wearing, he bought coordinating outfits for himself, Charlotte and Henry. They all wore some variation of green, with Lottie wearing a dress while Henry and Bucky wore a button up and jeans.

“I know how much you love matching outfits.” He said as you bounced on the balls of your feet.

“So pweety mama.”

“You’re so pretty sweet Angel, and my boys look so handsome.” You gushed.

“Ok Henry, why don’t you go ahead with Lottie and find uncle Steve.”

“Come on baby.” Henry takes Lottie’s hand and they walk down the hallway together.

Your arms wrap around Bucky’s neck and you pull him down for a quick kiss.

“Today has been amazing thanks to you.”

“Well, I have one more thing to give you.” He pulls out a long slim box from his back pocket and hands it to you. “Clint and Sam both said it’s a cheesy tradition that at least for one Mother’s Day you get something that represents the kids. I hope this isn’t too cheesy for you.”

He says as you open the box. Inside sat a delicate necklace, the circular pendant had an etching of a rose and a chrysanthemum. There were two stones hanging separately from each other, one was a pearl and the other was a topaz.

“The flowers represent their birth month and those are their birthstones.”

“I love it.” You smiled up at him. It was simple and understated. “Will you put it on for me?”

“Of course.”

You turned around and held the necklace out for him to take. He unclasped it and gently brought it around your neck. Once he was done he kissed the base of your neck. Bucky’s hands settle on your hips and he turns you to face him again. Bucky’s lips are on yours, the kiss is soft and sweet.

“Let’s go celebrate.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Just like when Tony brought in a petting zoo for Lottie, there was an area outside of the main building setup with chairs, tables, a stage with a live band and even a dance floor. The sun was just beginning to set and the perimeter was outlined by strings of soft white lights. The poles that held up the lights were decorated with the same flowers that were on the tables. The place was full of agents with their families. Bucky led you to what you assumed was the main table, reserved for the avengers and their families.

That’s where you found Steve talking with Henry while Lottie was dancing around along with the music. Steve spots you first and gets up, opening his arms to embrace you.

“Happy Mother’s Day.” He says as he pulls away. Grabbing a bouquet of your favorite flowers, Steve presents them to you. “These are for you and so is this.” It’s a gift bag. You open it to find a frame.

When you pull it out you realize it was one of his drawings that he never let you see. The drawing itself was of the four of you and you’re sure he drew it from memory because you don’t have a picture of the four of you interacting like this. You hugged him again.

“It’s beautiful, thank you Steve. I know exactly where I want to hang it up too.”

“Where is it going?”

“In my office, right across my desk so that I can look at it all the time.” Your cheeks were going to hurt from smiling so much.

The rest of the team begins to take their places. All the families together with their kids. Charlotte sat between you and Steve to your left. Bucky was at your right with Henry next to him, who was chatting away with Sam’s nephews Cass and AJ.

“If I can have everyone’s attention for just a moment. Thank you.” Tony stood on stage with the microphone in one hand and a drink in the other. “I’ll keep this short, I just wanted to wish all moms here a happy

Mother’s Day. I know it’s not easy to have this job and raise a family so for everything you do, cheers.” He raises his glass and everyone else follows suit. He gives the microphone back and walks over to the table you’re all sharing.

Dinner is served shortly after and you’re all talking amongst yourselves. Lottie giggles as she offers Steve a bite of her dinner and he makes exaggerated nomming noises. Their interaction makes you smile before your attention is brought back to Bucky, who is running his hand up and down your arm absentmindedly. You lean into him and kiss his cheek. He smiles at you and the two of you just enjoy the moment surrounded by family and friends.

As the night goes on the music gets lively and the dance floor is actually being used. There’s a tap on your shoulder and you turn to find Henry at your side.

“Would you like to dance mama?” He holds out his hand.

“I would love to.”

He walks with you to the dance floor. With both of your hands in his hands Henry begins to lead you, following the upbeat rhythm. Lottie joins both of you as soon as she realizes what’s going on. The three of you laugh as you spin and Henry dips Lottie. Once the song fades into a slower song Bucky joins you. He picks up Henry and you pick up Charlotte and the four of you huddle together as you sway from side to side.

You can’t help the smile on your face as you look at Bucky. The kids have one arm wrapped around him and one around you the best they can. Bucky leans down and pecks your lips. Charlotte copied her dad and kissed one cheek and Henry did the same.

“Wove you mama.” Lottie says as she rests her head on your shoulder.

“Oh I love you too my sweet Angel. And I love you, my sweet boy.”

“What about me?” Bucky pouts.

“I love you too, honey.”

“I love you right back, sugar.”

~~~~~~~~

The night quickly came to a close. All the moms left the party with a gift bag, courtesy of Tony of course, full of really expensive items. Charlotte and Henry were already half asleep once you got to your apartment so changing them into pajamas and putting them to bed wasn’t that difficult.

As soon as the door to your room was shut Bucky had you pinned against it. His body pressed up against yours as his lips traveled down your neck. He carried you toward the bed and laid you down. Just when Bucky was about to take the dress off there was a knock on the door.

“These little cockblockers.” Bucky mutters as he gets up. He shoots you a glare when you laugh. Bucky opens the door to find both Charlotte and Henry standing there holding on to their teddy bears. The former blinked owlishly up at her father.

“Can habe seepover dada?” Lottie asks.

“Doll you can have a sleepover with Henry, you don’t have to ask.”

“No, we want to have a sleepover with you and mama.” Henry corrects Bucky.

“Oh, bubs-“

“Come on in you two.” You cut Bucky off because you know they’ll get their way anyway so why fight it.

Bucky opens the door wider to reluctantly let them in. You scoop up Charlotte and set her down on the bed while Henry climbs up and gets comfortable. Bucky grabs some pajamas from his drawers and you do the same, both of you going to the bathroom to change.

You can see Bucky’s pouty expression through the mirror as you wash your makeup off and change. Once you’re done you stop him from walking back into the room and you bring him down so that you can kiss him one more time.

“Take them to Steve’s tomorrow morning and you come back so that we can finish what we started.” You say against his lips.

“You don’t have to ask me twice.”

In your bed the kids are already falling asleep. Bucky settles down on his side, pulling Charlotte into his chest.

Tomorrow you would get a text from Steve asking why Henry was asking what a cockblocker was. But tonight you lay down on your side so that you can look at the three of them. The love of your life and your two kids.

You had stopped thinking a long time ago that having a family was a possibility but here you are watching as they cuddle. There would be times where you would mess up, get frustrated, forget something important or make them do their chores. But you’d also wipe away tears, chase nightmares and monsters away, give extra kisses and love them unconditionally.

And if anyone were to ask them in twenty, thirty or even forty years from now, they’d still think you’re the best mama ever.

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[colorfultheoristpeace]

A fateful taste

I am a feeder. I have always been a feeder. And I have a young man at my lips who can't help but indulge. Then why are the changes also happening to me?

It all started innocently enough, with the thrill of a new friendship. Caleb, the young college student with a sunshine smile, walked into my gym as if he owned it. His enthusiasm was magnetic, and I quickly became drawn to him. I saw my chance; I was a feeder at heart, ready to mold his youthful frame into something plush and indulgent. I envisioned him as my perfect project, but I never anticipated that I would become the one on the receiving end.

In the beginning, I was still the picture of fitness, boasting a lean physique. Standing at six feet tall, I had always prided myself on my toned arms, defined abs, and a well-sculpted chest. My life as a fitness instructor kept me dedicated to workout routines and healthy eating, living up to the image of strength and control. But when the gym closed its doors and my life unraveled, everything changed. Due to down-sizing on a large scale, I suddenly found myself jobless. Caleb didn't hesitate and agreed to let me become his roommate to save money. I appreciated the opportunity to have even more control over him.

As I began spending more time with Caleb, the lines between instructor and indulger blurred. Gone were my regimented meal prep days, replaced by spontaneous pizza nights and late-night binges on greasy takeout. I encouraged Caleb to indulge guilt-free, but before I knew it, I was indulging alongside him. Each slice of pizza felt like a revelation, each dessert a sweet liberation.

In the first month of our new lifestyle, I noticed subtle changes. My belly began to round out, inching forward as my abs faded into a layer of softness. I would catch glimpses of myself in the mirror after a meal—my once-flat stomach now protruding slightly, a traitorous reminder of my new eating habits. The more I ate, the more my belly expanded, becoming a soft, doughy mound that jiggled with every movement.

Then, there was my face. My angular features slowly softened; my cheekbones, once prominent, were now framed by a gentle layer of padding. I could feel it every time I caught my reflection. My cheeks had begun to swell, forming a gentle double chin that seemed to materialize overnight. I watched in disbelief as my attractive, rugged look transformed into something rounder and softer, a face more reminiscent of comfort than control.

Caleb’s laughter became my soundtrack as my body changed; I found myself laughing alongside him in a euphoric haze. My ass, once toned and fit from years of squat routines, developed an all-new voluptuousness. The jeans that once hugged my body snugly now strained against my expanding rear, giving way to a plush cushion that felt foreign yet liberating. The fabric stretched against my increasingly plump shape, and I marveled at how I had transitioned from fitting into trendy athletic wear to seeking out comfort in sweatpants and oversized hoodies and shirts.

My legs transformed as well, losing their sharp definition. Calves that had been rock-solid began softening, and I could feel the weight of my expanding thighs rubbing against each other as I walked. The skin that once clung to muscle now displayed a gentle roundness—my legs were no longer firmly sculpted, but rather broad and inviting, each step taken with newfound softness.

Every indulgent meal seems to mark another milestone in my transformation. I felt the shift not just in my body, but within me. I saw the freedom that accompanied giving in to desire, to abandon the strict rules that had governed my life for so long. My body fattened up magnificently, a canvas painted with the richness of my new habits.

Soon, I stood before the mirror, adoring the roundness of my belly and the fullness of my face. No longer the fit instructor, but a man transformed by the embrace of gluttony—my body gradually becoming a testament to pleasure, to the life I now shared with Caleb. We were united in our feast, two bodies rejoicing in the richness of life.

Yet amid the physical changes, it was the emotional connection I forged with Caleb that anchored my spirit. In our indulgence, we found a shared happiness that went deeper than mere aesthetics. We laughed, danced around the kitchen, and celebrated our transformations together—a symphony of bliss created through every delicious bite. And as I indulged in my own fatness and newfound softness, I finally felt at home, reveling in the life of the very thing I had sought to create in others.

As the months slipped by, the bond between Caleb and I deepened, and we embraced our evolving selves. Each day spent together further intertwined our lives, our hopes, and, undeniably, our waistlines. We reveled in the pleasure of indulgence, dismissing the fleeting worries of health and fitness. For both of us, the physical ramifications of rapid weight gain morphed into a celebrated reality, a badge of honor we wore with pride.

Caleb’s transformation was nothing short of captivating. His once-smooth face blossomed into a round cherub-like visage, cheeks full and glistening with the remnants of his last indulgence. He found comfort in the way his belly pressed against his shirts, replacing slim fit clothes with loose, cozy fabrics that hugged his new curves in a way that exuded confidence and satisfaction. In the mirror, he would turn around and flex playfully, chuckling at how his thickening thighs gave him a newfound sway, a welcoming bounce that had not been there before.

For me, the changes were just as exhilarating and sometimes overwhelming. My stomach had swollen considerably, a plush bulge that sat prominently before me, soft and inviting like a pillow begging for attention. That gut stuck out proudly and I found it exhilirating, how all my clothes started to enhance the look of my obesity. The sheer pleasure of it enveloped me; each bite was a celebration of flavor that seemed to wrap around my gut like a warm hug.

Both of us began to experience the physical ramifications of our gluttonous ways in unexpected ways. Climbing the stairs became a laborious task, our breaths coming in short gasps as we reached the top. I could feel the weight of my body with each step, my thighs brushing together with a gentle friction that was both a reminder of indulgence and a source of warmth. Caleb, far from deterred, simply laughed, playfully teasing about how we could install an elevator instead.

Sitting down became a minor event; it required strategy and a certain grace that I never thought I would need. The moment I plopped into the couch beside him, there was a delightful squish as our bodies settled into the cushions, a soft reminder of how much we had both changed. We occasionally found ourselves getting up, only to catch a glimpse of our reflection in the window—two round figures side by side, red faces aglow with laughter, each kiss of light highlighting our new forms.

We started embracing our habits, giving ourselves nicknames that hinted at our journey. I whimsically dubbed myself "Chubby Chaser," and Caleb, with his irresistible charm, called himself “Slob Prince,” each title leaving us in fits of laughter. Even as we munched on snack after snack, the world outside faded into a distant hum. It became our little kingdom of indulgence, a space where we could wholly be ourselves without judgment.

The things we once enjoyed—running, hiking, and yoga—began to feel like distant memories. But even as we drifted away from those activities, we replaced them with new rituals: marathon binge-watching sessions of our favorite shows, sharing giant bowls of popcorn, and desert nights filled with decadent pastries that we devoured in blissful silence. We would linger at dessert bars, ordering plate after plate of rich, creamy sweets, our mouths watering with anticipation as the server brought out our next treat.

One evening, I caught Caleb staring at me with a mixture of admiration and mischief. “I think we should weigh ourselves,” he said coyly, his fingers are tapping on the scale with both anticipation and dread. I felt my heart race, half-excited and half-nervous. We stepped onto the scale reluctantly. The numbers whirred and clicked, finally settling on a number far higher than either of us could have imagined. We looked at each other, then burst into laughter, embracing the absurdity of it all. Yes, we had crossed a line, but did it matter? Neither of us had ever felt closer or more fulfilled.

As the year wore on, with each week marked by our love for food and each other, the world outside ceased to exist. We were two friends thriving in our own little universe, wrapped in the warmth of our indulgence. Our bodies morphed into expressions of our delight—pudgy arms thrown around one another, soft and round bellies breaking into uncontrollable fits of laughter, and the warmth of our growing figures becoming a testament to our shared experiences. In that surrender to desire, we had found a joy that neither of us could have anticipated, and with every bite, every giggle, and every moment spent together, we cherished the unshakeable bond we were forging. Together we would waddle towards our future a very changed couple.

[forthechubbies]

I Love him...and him♡// Skz! Aussie Boys Imagine 🔥☁️ Chubby Reader ♡ Warning! Me trying to write works in a aussie accent. I'm sorry in advance.

"Big nose." Bam!

"Hot head!" Wam!

"Auss..ie? Aussie. Trash?" Smack!

You were taken aback by this next one. "Binnie?" The sentence said Changbin, but you call him Binnie. "My Binnie's muscles are better than yours....and that's why I'm leaving you for Binnie?!" You gasped at the handwriting, obviously not yours. "Chan, Is this really necessary? Can't you find a different outlet to handle your anger?"

You distanced yourself, hopping off his lap, to which he whined about you leaving his thighs to freeze, and stood back to get the whole picture. "I mean, you strapped yourself to a chair and forced yourself to listen this-" While holding it, a particular word caught your eye in bold letters. C***.

Your mouth hung open. " Did you think of all these yourself? It gets quite vulgar after the first fours."

"No, The kids helped out too." He confessed, loving that silk nightgown on you. " I bought you that, lover? I haven't seen it before."

"I bet it was mainly Lee and Hannie, but I can clearly see Binnie had a take on this too. " You shook your head. "Oh, your mother bought it as a wedding gift. It's been sitting at the top of the closet since-" You cleared your throat, blushing.

"Our honeymoon night!? You have had that little number since our honeymoon night!" Effortlessly, Chan break out the restraints standing erect before you.

The clipboard coated your gasp as Chan took up your personal space; you eyed the crimson imprints staining his biceps from the harsh leather.

"Your precious Felix wrote the cunt one."His accent stuns you before his lips attack your neck-wait what!?

You shoved chan's chest away, more so, Chan moving out on his own. "That's not funny, Christopher. Yongbok would never say such a thing."

Chan rolled his eyes to high heaven once his back was turned. "Is that right, Lover?" Chan is more than aware of your bias- Felix being the main one. He isn't sure how this little schoolgirl crush began, but he oddly doesn't mind. He thinks it's cute how you defend your little Yongbok, not knowing the duality of Felix.

"Did you say something, Chan?" You asked, scrolling downstairs with a starving husband hot on your heels.

"I said I want burgahs." He exclaims, dramatically holding his hand over his tummy. " I haven't had a nice juicy burgah in years." Chan snatches you in his arms, accidentally manhandling you like his kids.

Chan didn't note anything but his carnivorous growling in his stomach. The man needs meat! He's a big boy, and big boys need to eat.

You gasped, looking up at chan, sporting a startled expression. "I'm not a toy. You can't just-" You stopped after realizing he definitely isn't listening.

You can feel it when his large hands slide up and down and that dazed look on his face confirms it.

"Go get in the car," Chan demanded, yet he still felt the need to throw you over his shoulder.

You giggled at his severe yet playful tone, gripping the back of his shirt to keep you stable. " Chan! I'm still in my nightgown! Indecent exposure, remember!?"

He froze in the door frame. "What are you doing here?"

"I got locked out, and I have nowhere else to go-" Jisung cheeses at Chan, but mainly the ass on full display for his viewing pleasure. "Hello, Mrs. Bang!" He reached up, but Chan caught his wrist.

"Hi, Jisung!" You made sure to match his energy.

"I was going to kiss the lady's hand-" He sighed.

Chan lifted both his brows. "Just making sure, Your handsy when it comes to bums, like- um...I don't know, mine."

Jisung bypassed Chan stepping straight into your home but not before standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his hyung in a slight pause.

"That's because yours is my favorite, Hyung. And no one can ever replace you." He smoothes his hand over Chan's tight blue jeans and lands a smack so hard Chan tips forward.

You wheezed, having a front seat to the whole thing, the hand you were using to cover your hand was gently stolen from you and kissed sweetly by Jisung.

Silence, Your feet graced the floor once again; Chan hummed sweetly and purred, rubbing his nose to yours before his large back overtook your vision, leaving you to tilt your head around him to see Jisung.

You saw a twinkle in his eyes when you giggled; Jisung smirked, swiping away from Chan's keep. "Mine!" He ran a good distance before rubbing it in his hyung's face.

Worse, you had no choice but to wrap your arms around his neck as he held you like the stolen princess you were.

Heated, Chan pushed a not-so-friendly smile Jisung's way in an attempt not to scare you. "Alright. Alright. Very funny. Come on now." He was calmy, strutting over with wide arms to take you back.

Jisung dodged his arms and kissed your cheek. "Mwah!" His lips curved into a cheeky grin. You could see the steam coming out of Hyung's ears. "Jealous?" He purred against your chubby cheek.

"You should stop-" You cautioned Hannie, a worried expression written on your face.

Chris's smile was long gone, tilting his head. "I'm gonna break ya fingers."

When the smile drops, Jisung releases you to get on his knees. " I was joking! Joking! I'm sorry!"

While Chris dealt with Jisung, you escaped to the kitchen-The fridge was opened..weird it was closed earlier.

You pushed the door to close it-

"Ow! What the-" Yongbok popped up, closing the door, and the distance between you two. "What are you doing up so late, Buttacup?" He brought you in by your chubby waist, loving how soft and squishy you are- but out of respect, He doesn't let his hands squeeze you even if they are aching too.

You should ask how he got into your house!?

You gasped. "Chan was hungry-" You held your breath at Felix's cologne wafting off his adam's apple; he's so close you can make out each freckle on his rosy cheeks. "He-We umm." Goodness, look at those eyes.

You kept your screams in your throat and fangirling in your head, crafting the illusion that you were utterly sane in front of your crush.

"Burgahs?" Yongbok answered his own question via a missed text message for Binnie.

Why is it so hard not to stare? You watched his brows pinch, and his thumb typed away. His outfit didn't match his smile; the rocker attire fried your already mushy lovesick brain paired with this inky black hair color, a new style to you and hands down is a winner in your poor innocent heart. Sh! Pretend for the story! His Hands are immense...and kind of pretty. Ah! Yn, you greedy pervert, You should be lucky; chan even married you, and you have the nerve to look at another man...

"It looks like your hubby is cravin..."He whipped out a blue raspberry lollipop snatching off the wrapper before popping the candy in his mouth.

"Buttacup?" The boy ogled at your cute, zoned-out expression, a slight pout to those plump lips, and oddly enough, your stare tracked to his hand.

The nickname alone powered the heat overgrowing in your round cheeks but his voice...it's..it's

"Not fair." You gasped, covering your mouth. "Excuse me, My mind was somewhere else." You apologized for zoning out; He simply smiled and repeated- "It looks like your hubby is craving..." Yongbok wiggled his phone, displaying the message on the dim screen.

The blue raspberry stained his mouth as he kept the stick between his teeth. "Are you coming along? I know Chris hates leaving you unguarded if it isn't necessary." His smile failed to reach his eyes for the "Joke." punchline.

Yongbok brushed past you taking his leave into the living room; what you didn't know was Yongbok's eyes straying far too long at your exposed back.

Tell me if you want a part two.