#but this series was so beautiful and devastating at the same time

[athenanfaymont]

🔥 The Superbat Slow Burn: A Love Story Decades in the Making 🦇❤️🦸‍♂️

The relationship between Superman and Batman is one of the most fascinating and emotionally charged dynamics in comic book history. From their early interactions to their most recent team-ups, their bond has evolved into something deeply layered—what some might call the ultimate slow burn romance.

💥 The Early Days: From Allies to Something More

📖 First major team-ups: “World’s Finest Comics” (1940s - 1986)

Back in the Golden Age of Comics, Superman and Batman were just two heroes who happened to exist in the same universe. Their team-ups in "World’s Finest Comics" started as fun, lighthearted adventures, but as DC storytelling matured, so did their relationship. Over the years, their trust in each other grew, laying the foundation for the bond we see today.

⚡ Opposites Attract: Tension in "The Dark Knight Returns"

📖 Key moment: “The Dark Knight Returns” (1986) by Frank Miller

If the World’s Finest era was their “getting to know each other” phase, The Dark Knight Returns was their first big fight™. Frank Miller redefined their dynamic by pushing them to ideological extremes—Bruce as the rogue vigilante, Clark as the government’s golden boy. But despite the brutal showdown, there was still an understanding beneath the conflict. It was never about hatred, but about two men who refused to let go of their beliefs… and of each other.

🖤 Trust, Understanding, and... Inner Monologues?

📖 Best Superbat character studies: “Superman/Batman” (2003-2011)

The "Superman/Batman" series gave us one of the best insights into their relationship, told through their own internal monologues. And guess what? They think about each other A LOT.

"Superman/Batman #1-6: Public Enemies" → Peak we against the world energy. These two face off against the entire world (literally) because they trust each other above everything else.

"Superman/Batman #26" → A heartbreaking issue featuring multiple guest writers, dedicated to Sam Loeb (Jeph Loeb’s late son). The way Bruce and Clark understand each other in this one? Devastating. Beautiful. Unmatched.

💫 A Bond That Defies Time

Through every crisis, betrayal, and universe reset, Bruce and Clark’s connection has only gotten stronger. They challenge each other, they fight, they save each other (sometimes literally, sometimes emotionally). Their relationship is built on contrasts—light and dark, hope and cynicism, steel and shadows.

Superman and Batman may not call it love, but… we all know better. 😉

[Dan Mora]

[bestintheparsec]

I just finished watching A Small Light and I am unwell

[sissyisawitch]

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Relationship: Ominis Gaunt x You

Summary: Even though the two of you are not on good terms after a certain event, you and Ominis decide to go and explore Salazar Slytherin's Scriptorium in order to help Sebastian. But you know what they say, danger helps to reconcile… but also to bring out the truth. Alternative : My take on the Scriptorium incident.

Word Count: ~5.5k

Author's Note: Hi! It's been a while... I haven't had much time for myself lately, so I've put writing aside. But summer's here, so I took the opportunity to finish this draft that I've had for far too long. And what better way to come back than with some Ominis fluff? Enjoy!🌞

Warnings: Major spoilers for the "In the Shadow of the Study" quest

“I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say ‘I love you.’”

You felt a wrench in your heart as you read those few words written by Shakespeare. It was astonishing how a few drops of ink on the page of a book, a simple garland of lines and curls drawn in different directions, could trigger disproportionate reactions. Did everyone else feel the same way, or was it just that you were too sensitive?

Or perhaps it was simply that these damn love stories reminded you that you had not had the right to your own, that the boy to whom you had offered your heart had given it back to you completely mutilated?

Another wrench in your heart.

‘It’s simple and concise for a declaration of love… but at least she had the right to one, and one that had the merit of being clear and direct to boot’, you could not help thinking as you reread your book.

Time had passed, but you still felt it all. The disappointment, the humiliation, the resentment that came with the sensation of having had your feelings played with, the hatred you felt towards yourself for having let yourself be fooled, not to mention the torrents of tears you had shed. But the most devastating feeling was undoubtedly the despair you felt when you remembered that you had absolutely ruined everything with one of the most important people in your life.

Ominis… Sweet, caring, beautiful Ominis… Your best and closest friend. And to think that three little words of love spoken a couple of weeks ago – the same ones you had just read – had been enough to destroy the strong bond between you two.

Once again, it was astonishing how a series of letters, a succession of various sounds, could trigger such a disproportionate reaction and write over months of shared moments of laughter, of little attentions to one another.

“So!”

You abruptly lifted your head from your book – which you were only skimming through – after Sebastian abruptly dropped down next to you on the sofa in the common room.

“Still moping around?”

“Nah, I’m in tip-top form, can’t you see?” You deadpanned, your voice brimming with irony.

“My, my. No need for the attitude.” Sebastian smirked at your feisty character.

Sebastian had got used pretty quickly to this new dynamic. He would have breakfast with you because you were both late risers. During the day, he would sit next to either you or Ominis depending on the class, making sure to maintain an equity. For example, he would sit with you in Defence Against the Dark Arts because he loved duelling you, and he would sit with Ominis in Potions so that he could help him. As for the evening, he would have dinner with Ominis, and then come back to see you once the blond had gone to bed.

In fact, without even exchanging a single word, you and Ominis had concocted a shared custody schedule of your best friend.

Sebastian continued, entirely oblivious to your reveries, “Anyway, I’ve got something to take your mind off things!”

You could not hold back the sigh that left your lips, “Another brilliant idea of yours, I presume?”

“And your presumptions couldn’t be more right.”

Sebastian proudly explained his latest discovery, that Salazar Slytherin had a secret Scriptorium here at Hogwarts. He was evidently determined to explore it, insisting that it might hold answers as to how to heal Anne.

So far, it seemed to be just another of Sebastian’s plans…

“…The only problem is that only a Gaunt knows where the entrance is… So we have to ask Ominis.”

You raised a dubious eyebrow at him, “This… is your brilliant idea to take my mind off things?”

“Oh, come on! It’s important to me! And if you don’t want to do it for me, then do it for Anne! You can tolerate his presence for a few minutes, can’t you?”

As you looked down and pinched the bridge of your nose, another sigh escaped you. It was becoming an unfortunate habit when you were around Sebastian.

You sighed once more, this time in capitulation, “Okay… I’m in.”

When a beaming smile started to tug at the corners of his lips, you immediately interrupted him with a menacing finger pointed at his chest.

“But! You do the talking. The less I talk to him, the better I feel.”

“Deal.” He replied with a mysterious glint in his gaze. “Come on, let’s get this over with. I’ll lead you to him.”

“What? Now?” You exclaimed with wide eyes. It had to be said that you had no desire to go, and that postponing the fateful moment until as late as possible sounded fabulous at the moment.

“Of course, now! Do you really want to do this in broad daylight and get busted by the teachers?”

“When you put it like that… Let’s go.” Without wasting another second, you got up from the sofa with a newfound determination that you had not suspected, but which Sebastian always knew how to awaken using the right words.

After climbing the spiral staircase leading out of the common room, Sebastian led you – if not dragged you – through various corridors of the castle which you were not used to venturing into, and which were very rarely frequented.

If you were reluctantly following, the boy accompanying you was as cheerful as could be. You could tell by the way he moved with haste, his steps almost bouncing. He looked like a young child who had just had one of his whims indulged (and, in a way, he had).

Sebastian suddenly stopped in his tracks and nodded his head towards Ominis who was standing on the other end of the corridor, “Go on, go convince him.”

You turned sharply towards him, giving him a disapproving look, “You said you’d do the talking!”

“Exactly, the talking, which I already did, and it didn’t work. So now, you go do the convincing.”

“Sneaky bastard.” You muttered under your breath, sending him one last murderous glare.

As you approached the mysterious blond, you could not help but analyse him from head to toe. His silky hair was as well-brushed as ever, giving him his typical elegance. He was leaning against a wall, the features of his face impassive, making you wonder what could be going on in that impenetrable, but undoubtedly fascinating, mind of his. Merlin, everything about him was so adorable…

Fuck. You could not go on thinking like that. You had to move on from him, even if it was going to take a colossal effort.

But… that did not mean you had to stop watching him categorically. No, you could continue to observe banal things about him, like the way he suddenly took a deep breath before his shoulders relaxed, while you were only a few steps away from him.

Before you could announce your presence, Ominis called your name.

“U-Um yes, hi… How… How did you know it was me?” You stammered awkwardly, still mentally unprepared to start a conversation with Ominis.

“Your perfume. I’ve got used to it. I could recognise it in a million.” He declared easily, as if it were the most banal thing to say to someone you had recently rejected.

“Oh…”

Upon hearing your long and awkward silence, his serene and composed appearance was quickly overwritten with his own discomfort, “Listen, about last time… I wanted you to know that I sincerely apologise. I should not have avoided you for so long and–”

“Let’s not talk about this, alright?” You cut him short, physically pained just by the memory of your last conversation. “I just want to forget this ever happened… Besides, that’s not what I came to talk to you about.”

“I’m listening.”

It did not take long to convince him to reveal the location of Salazar Slytherin’s secret room, just a few minutes at the most. After all, you knew Ominis like the back of your hand, so it was child’s play to find the words he needed to hear.

But that didn’t mean you kept talking to him afterwards.

Once you entered the Scriptorium, you did not utter a single word. Your demeanour, which had been warm and understanding a few minutes earlier, was now nowhere to be seen. Seeing you acting so silent, cold and detached, Ominis must certainly have thought you were unrecognisable. If that was the case, he did not show it. On the contrary, he was always trying to get as close to you as possible, all the while scratching the back of his neck, or running a hand through his hair nervously, as if he wanted to start a conversation but did not dare. For some reason that eluded you, he also insisted that you stay behind him whenever you entered a new room.

The only thing you knew for sure was that he was desperate to reweave the invisible string between the two of you that had been the source of your formerly close friendship. But there was a problem… it was still too early and too painful for you to mend it on your end.

So you simply solved the various challenges you came across, and eventually silently handed the letters you found from Noctua to Ominis, so that he could read them for himself with his wand (admittedly, you wanted to avoid him, but you still had enough compassion left to give him what was left of his late aunt). Meanwhile, you let Sebastian do the talking to lighten the mood (he had kept his promise after all). Everything was going well so far.

That is… until you entered a new room, and the stone door slammed shut behind you three, producing a loud crash that bounced off the walls.

“Merlin!” You cried out in fear.

“Yeah, I think we’re locked in.” Sebastian agreed nonchalantly.

“No! Merlin!” You repeated in panic but, this time, pointing at something on the ground with a trembling finger.

Sebastian looked down, and quietly gasped before holding his breath. Never in a million years would you have imagined that you would stumble across bones, and therefore be confronted with the fact that someone had died right in this very spot.

It was only then that you realised that the three of you were potentially next in line, that there was a possibility you might never get out of this room. At this morbid realisation, you froze entirely. You were unable to move, to think, to speak. It was impossible for you to react. It was as if, in a panic, your body had already accepted its fate and was getting used to the fact that, soon, it would no longer respond to anything.

The silence in the room lasted a second too long, and Ominis too began to panic, “Well, what is it?”

“…A skeleton.” Sebastian said coldly, although the grimace on his face betrayed him and showed that he too was in turmoil. “And Noctua’s last journal entry. She mentions being trapped here – blocked by an Unforgivable Curse.”

Because of the shock, you had not even registered that you had the remains of Ominis’s aunt in front of you.

For fear that your words would be clumsy and worsen the despair Ominis must be feeling, you decided it was better to remain silent and act instead.

Slowly but surely, you approached him. While he had his back turned to you, you wrapped your arms around his slim figure and hugged him from behind. It was not a gesture you would normally have made towards Ominis after what had happened between you two. But in view of the gloomy circumstances in which you found yourselves, you had found the strength to put your resentment aside.

And it had to be said that, underneath your unaffected exterior, you still had a huge soft spot for this boy. Letting him go through this ordeal on his own would simply have broken your own heart, as well as his.

“Ominis…” His name rolled off your tongue by itself.

You felt him stiffen at your touch, and you took in a sharp breath. In your eyes, it was just another rejection. He obviously did not want you by his side, both literally and figuratively. So, in an attempt to protect your fragile little heart, which had mistakenly let its guard down, you decided to let Ominis go.

But he stopped you.

“No. Stay.” He said firmly, though his voice sounded obviously shaken.

He held you back against him by grabbing your hand. He squeezed it, then pressed it against his chest with his own, just above his heart. His heartbeat echoed in your palm. You could feel it speeding up, matching the rhythm of yours, as if they were connected.

In response, you surrendered to the embrace by resting your head between his shoulder blades. However, once again, your touch had the effect of a painful electric shock on him, and he abruptly pulled away from you. This was just another example of how exhausting Ominis could be. He had always acted like this with you: one moment he was giving you hope that he was returning your feelings, and the next he was pushing you away.

Ominis moved away from you to get closer to Sebastian, shouting in a distraught manner, “This – is where she died. This is where we’ll die. I shouldn’t have listened to either of you!”

“Ominis, I’m truly sorry about your aunt. But I know what to do. It’s going to be difficult.” Sebastian replied in a calm, composed voice that contrasted radically with that of his friend.

Sebastian subsequently proceeded to explain his plan, that the Cruciatus Curse – the incantation for which was written on the floor – was to be used to open the next room. Knowing that Ominis categorically refused to be associated with the Dark Arts, and that you were unwilling to learn any of the Unforgivable curses, Sebastian’s last remaining option was to cast Crucio on you.

Ominis stared at him, speechless and dumbfounded, as if he had just uttered the most grotesque of abominations, “Are you out of your mind? Do you even realise what you’re saying? You want to torture your friend? Our friend!”

Sebastian raised his voice to match Ominis’s, “And you, can you think for two seconds? It’s either I hurt her temporarily, or I let her die in that shithole! And us with her! There’s no need to think about it, it’s a no-brainer!”

“And I’m telling you it’s out of the question! I won’t let you hurt her!”

“So what, then? We wait for you to come up with some wonderful solution where no Unforgivable Curse is involved? You know very well there’s no such thing! It’s Salazar Slytherin we’re talking about, you should have expected it.”

Sebastian paused, making the atmosphere even heavier. His tone had subsided, but you knew all too well that it did not mean that his anger had subsided along with it. Quite the contrary.

“You know something? For a guy who likes to control everything to the point of dictating other people’s choices, I think you’re being awfully passive right now.”

Though unseeing, Ominis’s eyes glared at Sebastian, looking daggers at him, “What exactly are you insinuating?”

“That you’re a control freak who’s got no balls.”

“Boys, stop it.” You tried to calm things down as you heard their voices escalate and their words sharpen.

But Ominis ignored you blatantly, to the point where you wondered if he had even heard you, “Oh, really? Do you want me to tell you what I think of you?”

‘‘Just you try!”

“You’ve become a complete nutter ever since Anne has been–”

“ENOUGH!”

Your outburst seemed to be just what was needed to put an end to the two boys’ cockfight. They both turned brusquely towards you, their eyes wide open. It had to be said that seeing you angry was already a rare event, so to see you furious with them was even more staggering.

“Enough.” You repeated firmly, sweeping your eyes over the two boys to make sure you had fully regained control of the situation. “Sebastian, shut up. You’ve gone too far. And you, Ominis, I don’t need you making decisions for me. It’s not your job to defend me.”

You gave Ominis a black look. It was foolish because he could not see it, but something told you that, somehow, he could still feel it. Especially with the double entendre in your words, which implicitly referred to how Ominis had rejected you, as well as all the bitterness you retained from it. It was petty, but you could not help yourself.

You then turned to the other boy, looking determined, “Do it, Sebastian. I’m ready.”

The brown-haired boy nodded and positioned himself in front of you. He raised his wand in your direction and concentrated.

“Crucio!”

A bolt of red light came out from the tip of Sebastian’s wand, and hit you square in the chest, right in the heart.

“NO!” You heard Ominis’s voice protest.

Was it really Ominis though? Maybe you had just dreamt it. You could not be sure, for every single one of your senses was overstimulated by an electric shock running through your body, and causing you to collapse to the ground on all fours. It was brutal but manageable, you thought.

Little did you know, that was only the preamble. The worst was yet to come.

Rapidly, every muscle in your body contracted, including those in your chest and throat, preventing you from breathing. The spell slowly left you suffocating, while the pain took care of absorbing what little energy remained in your body. It was as if a billion needles were sticking into every inch of your skin, sinking deeper and deeper with the aim of piercing your soul and finishing you off.

It seemed to you like this hell lasted for an entire hour, even though you were confident Sebastian would never let you endure this kind of torture for more than a couple of seconds.

And then it stopped. Though the remnants of the curse remained.

You had suspected that such a cruel curse was not going to leave you alone so easily. Still, you were not prepared for how agonising it felt.

Your ears ringing. Your vision fogged with black spots. Your anarchic breathing. Your body crumpling to the ground, inert. And all of this because of the lack of oxygen. All your senses were rendered nonfunctional, leading you to believe that you would remain in this state for the rest of your life.

“Are you alright?” Sebastian asked you with genuine concern in his voice, to which you nodded silently, your strength gradually returning.

Of course, Ominis was unable to see you, and began to get upset, thinking that you were still unresponding, “Of course not, Sebastian! Do you really think anyone can be alright after receiving the Cruciatus Curse?”

You wanted more than ever to say something to shut Ominis up. Or was it to reassure him? Probably a combination of both. Either way, the reality remained the same: you were still too weak to utter a single word. Your vocal cords were still paralysed from the agonised screams you had let out.

Thankfully, the door opening put an early stop to the boys’ bickering.

“It worked!” Sebastian exclaimed and immediately entered the room to explore it, leaving you alone with Ominis.

Ominis had no idea what to say to ease your pain. Unfortunately, he had already endured the Cruciatus Curse himself – and at the hands of his family to boot – so he knew how you might feel. However, no one had ever comforted him, so he had no idea what words would be likely to soothe you.

But if there was one thing his beloved Aunt Noctua used to tell him, it was that words come from the mind, and gestures from the heart. And it was always better to speak from the heart.

So Ominis let his heart guide him.

He knelt down beside you, and helped you to lie on your back, so that you would be more comfortable. But to your surprise, he did not stop there. He made you rest your head on his thighs, then stroked your hair with a hesitant hand. It was only after a moment that he spoke again.

“Can I be of any help?” He whispered, as if afraid of disturbing your repose while you were recuperating.

“H-Help–” Your weak voice got caught. You had to cough a couple of times before you could start again. “Help me stand up, will you?”

“You should take your time and lie down for a while. You just went through a lot–”

“I’ll survive.” You cut Ominis off abruptly, in a clearer but above all more irritated voice. You had had more than enough of his constant mood swings towards you, where one moment he could not be more doting on you, and the next he was acting as if he had never met you.

Ominis remained silent. You did not get the impression that he was hesitating over his next words, but rather that he was taking the time to digest how you had harshly refused his advice.

“…If you say so.”

“You know, I’m tougher than you think.” You kept the same cold, distant tone.

While he kept the same nonchalant and stoic tone, “I know.”

“Good.”

An awkward silence settled in, where you could do nothing but contemplate the ruins of your friendship. Where once stood a fortress of shared complicity and happiness, now remained only the vestiges of two acquaintances who were unwilling to rebuild what they had once known in the past.

To put an end to this heart-wrenching moment, you headed for the next room, without adding a word. Ominis followed suit, guided by his wand which pulsed red light at its tip.

“Guys? Care to lend me a hand, or do I have to explore this room all alone?” Sebastian called out without ceasing to rummage through Salazar Slytherin’s belongings.

You were about to answer when you suddenly saw Ominis stride resolutely in front of you. The frown on his face was unmistakable, as were his tense features.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve asking us for help! Not only did you just cast the Cruciatus Curse on your friend, but you didn’t even have the presence of mind to ask me if I was all right after finding my aunt’s bones!”

Ominis’s anger only seemed to have the effect of amusing Sebastian, “I thought it was stupid to ask someone if they were okay when it’s obvious they’re not.”

“It’s a question of common sense, Sebastian! If you had any, you would have realised that it would be best for you to lie low for a while and fend for yourself.”

“Excuse me for not being perfect. Not everyone can be a saint like you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Sebastian.” Ominis visibly cringed upon hearing his friend’s words.

But it only made Sebastian’s smirk grow wider, “For once, you’re right. I’m being ridiculous. You’re far from being a saint, because if we’d listened to you, we’d be rotting in the previous room, and we’d be letting Anne die too, since you’ve also given up on the idea of curing her, just like everybody else.”

“Don’t start that again. You know perfectly well I haven’t given up on her, or else I wouldn’t be here having this nonsensical conversation with you.”

Sebastian’s arrogant smile fell, “Oh, stop it, Ominis! We both know you’re not here for Anne, but you’re too shitscared to admit it to yourself. Which goes to show, even when you’re already blind, you can still be blinded by fear.”

“SHUT UP!” Ominis roared in a deeply enraged way that you had never heard before, to the point where it made you recoil. “You’ve gone too far this time, Sebastian!”

Still frightened by the turn this argument was taking, you decided to intervene, “Guys, please don’t start fighting again. We’re all on edge and–”

“Come. We’re leaving.” Ominis announced sternly, holding out his hand for you to take.

“W-What?” You stammered, bewildered.

“You heard me. Are you coming, or not?”

You had never heard Ominis give you or anyone else an order in this way. Confused as to where this excess of chauvinism was coming from, your instinct advised you to go with the flow. You took his hand – not without shooting Sebastian an apologetic glance – and let the blond boy guide you out of the Scriptorium.

Except that once outside, he continued to drag you through the corridors, towards what you recognised as the direction of the common room. Holding your hand so tightly to the point where it was almost painful, he walked ahead of you at a run.

“Ominis, not so fast.” You requested, but your plea fell on deaf ears.

“How dare he speak to me like that, and insinuate things he has no knowledge of? After everything I’ve done for him! He truly deserves to be left alone; it would surely teach him a valuable lesson. Although… if he was left unsupervised, I’m afraid he’d do even more stupid things. I don’t know what more I can do to get him to listen to reason– What am I saying? It’s not my duty to keep an eye on him. He should just fend for himself for a change!” The blond Slytherin kept rambling, spiralling out of control.

At this stage, nothing and nobody could stop him from getting worked up over Sebastian. He was so consumed with his anger that he was completely oblivious to your distress at walking, your legs still suffering from the aftermath of the Cruciatus Curse. You found it hard to keep up with his rapid pace without tripping over your own feet.

“Ominis–”

What was bound to happen did happen. Your legs gave out, and you found yourself on the cold, hard stone floor, which was undoubtedly going to leave several bruises on your skin. A blush of embarrassment crept up on your cheeks. The only good thing was that the sound of your fall had startled Ominis, who stopped and turned towards you.

He came dangerously close to you, “Pardon me if this is improper, but I can’t let you go on like this.”

Next thing you knew, you were off the ground, lifted by Ominis’s strong and protective arms. He held you securely against his chest, and with a newfound reflex, you wrapped your arms around his neck.

Your blush intensified, but this time it was because of your racing heart. You were speechless, taken aback, and mind going blank at the realisation that one of your dreams – to be in Ominis’s arms – was coming true, but not in the right circumstances.

“I’m sorry. I was too worked up to notice you were having trouble walking. I should have paid more attention to you.” He apologised as he resumed his walk.

Once in the common room, you thought he was going to put you down at the bottom of the stairs leading to the girls’ dormitories, so that you could go and rest, but instead he went and settled himself on one of the leather sofas opposite the fireplace, the exact same one where you had been sulking a couple of hours earlier. He sat down, cradling you in his lap, while his arms tightened around you a little more, as if he feared you might suddenly decide to break free of his embrace.

Assuming you were going to stay in that position for a while, you rested your head on his chest. You could hear his heartbeat pounding in his ribcage. Your best guess was that he was still on edge after what had happened with Sebastian.

Trying to soothe him, you murmured, “Don’t be too hard on Sebastian… He’s only ready to do anything to help his sister.”

Ominis let out a long, fed-up sigh, before replying, “And can’t you see that this is precisely the problem? He’ll do anything – even hurt you – and I can’t let him.”

“He hasn’t hurt me, Ominis.”

A frown was beginning to form between his brows again, “Oh really? Because receiving Crucio was a pleasure cruise for you?”

“He had no choice.”

“We always have a choice. This time it was Crucio, but what will it be next time? How do I know he won’t cross the point of no return?” Ominis raised his voice. He got so carried away with his anger that he failed to notice that he had started stroking your thigh with his thumb.

“He told me he would never hurt me.” You answered in an unwaveringly serene tone.

“And yet he already did. He’s a hypocrite.” He snarled. “Actions speak louder than words.”

You quirked an eyebrow, “Does this apply to you as well?”

“What do you mean?”

“Here you are, caressing my thighs after carrying me in your arms, and yet you still claim to see me as nothing more than a friend.”

Caught in the act, Ominis’s hand froze, as did the rest of his body; he even seemed to be holding his breath. He pressed his lips into a thin line, as if trying to seal them shut, for fear they would say something that would put his life on the line.

“Come on, Ominis. Now’s the time to tell me what you really think, don’t you think?” You said, giving him the last little push he needed to confess everything.

“…All right. I lied. Of course I have feelings for you… How could I not? You’re so considerate and graceful… But those feelings come with fear. Fear that you’ll be disappointed in me, that you’ll realise I’m nowhere near good enough for you, that you could find a thousand men better than me. But what I’m most afraid of is being with you. Because believe me, darling, if one day I have the honour of tasting your lips and your caresses, I know that I’ll never be able to live without you ever again.”

For the umpteenth time that evening, Ominis blew your mind in ways you had never imagined. And the worst part – or rather the best part, given the circumstances – was that he had no intention of stopping there. He had so many feelings in his heart that begged to be verbalised and brought to light.

“You made me want to get up in the morning again, if only to hear your voice for a split second. Before I realised it, you hadn’t just become more than a friend, you’d become my reason to live.”

With infinite delicacy, Ominis took your dainty hand in his, feeling the warmth of your skin against his. Slowly, as if to prolong this magical moment, he brought your hand to his lips and placed a light kiss on it, full of tenderness and respect.

“You are both my greatest desire and my greatest fear. Don’t you see how illogical this is? You’ve made me lose control, and I happily let you. I hope this is proof enough of how enamoured I am of you.”

Although you had regained your composure and your vocabulary, you still kept quiet, but this time it was on purpose. You had a very specific idea in the back of your mind.

“I’m begging you, love, say something.” Ominis’s trembling voice implored.

You replied, without the slightest hint of what you were thinking in your tone, “Actions speak louder than words, Ominis. Your words, not mine.”

Ominis did not need to be told twice, although he did take his time to make sure he did things the right way. His hand, which was still resting on your thigh, was trembling from the torrent of emotions running through him. With his fingertips, that same hand skimmed the contours of your body, and moved up to cup your cheek, sending shivers down your spine at the same time. You closed your eyes to savour the contact and understand a little better what the boy in front of you was feeling.

With his thumb, he sought out your lips, before tracing them to fully appreciate their voluptuousness. He felt the smile that had just appeared on your lips. Encouraged by this sign, Ominis leant towards you, his heart beating wildly. As he drew closer, your breaths mingled.

At last, your lips met, timidly at first, then with a passion that had been held back for far too long. This kiss was a moment suspended in time. The world seemed to stop around you, giving way to the magic of that perfect moment.

And suddenly, all the Shakespearean love stories you had ever read seemed derisory. Mere words of love were not enough, were no longer enough, now that you had tasted the unctuous proof of love from the handsome, touching blond boy who electrified your skin with the slightest touch.

Who needed a trite, dull ‘I love you’, when you had the loving touch of Ominis?

[ikeuluvr]

Can I Have This Dance? || Park Jongseong

synopsis - long distance sucks. especially when your boyfriend can't be with you to be your date to your very last high school dance. good thing bf!jay has a few tricks up his sleeve.

non-idol!jay x fem!reader / established long distance relationship - angst + fluff / warnings - none! / word count ~1.7k

part of ikeuluvr's song series ᵔᴗᵔ — works inspired by songs! requests are open for other songs + anything else you would like to see from me <3

masterlist join my taglist

Jay stares longingly into his phone screen, a soft smile pursed on his lips as he watches you show off your final look for the school dance over FaceTime, “You look absolutely beautiful honey,” he hums, his eyes raking over the entire screen to take in all of you, “I’m so sorry I can’t be there to be your super sexy date.”

You let out that adorable laugh that Jay loves so much, making his heart flutter as you walk to your bed and sit on the edge. Your endeared smile falters a little bit, turning into a sadder one as your eyes glance away from your phone screen, “Don’t apologize, Jay, it’s not like it’s your fault. Besides, you’ll be here next week, so there’s no reason to be sad.”

Jay has always hated the way you act like being long-distance isn’t killing you even though he knows it is. Your positive outlook on life is the greatest thing he admires about you, but he also wishes you’d let your walls down and tell him what you’re really feeling. You both know it hasn’t been easy since he moved across the country 8 months ago for his mom’s job, going from seeing each other every day to every few months. It was even worse knowing it was right before the beginning of your Senior year, forcing you to miss out on all the major “lasts” of high school together.

“Hey…” Jay starts to say softly, “Look at me, sweetie.” Your head tilts to face your phone screen again, meeting Jay’s apologetic eyes through the electronic barrier. “You know you don’t have to pretend like you’re not upset, right? You can tell me if you’re sad, Y/N.”

A soft sigh falls from your lips knowing he’s right; hell, he’s always right. You can see the look in his eyes that you know so well—the gentle, pleading look that makes you both guilty and adored at the same time, “I know, I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to feel bad, and honestly, pretending that it is okay is helping me not create a puddle of tears right now,” you huff as you fiddle with the frill of your dress.

An immediate frown forms on Jay’s lips, his heart clenching at the mere thought of you crying, “Oh honey, don’t cry! Your makeup is way too perfect to ruin right now,” he chuckles, a soft smile overtaking his face to try and get you to smile too. With success, your frown turns upward slightly, the tears threatening to fall sucking back in, “There’s my girl…” Jay cheeses, “Don’t let that frown turn upside down again tonight, you hear me? You’re going to have the best time with your friends, take the most jaw-dropping photos that I’ll drool over later, and party the night away. Just make sure to save a dance for me, yeah?”

You nod with the same sad smile painted on your face as you stare at your boyfriend through the screen. Right on time, the doorbell rings downstairs meaning that your friends have arrived to pick you up, “Shoot, I have to go, love.”

“No worries, baby. Have so much fun tonight, okay? Send me lots of pictures,” Jay tells you, a gentle smile on his lips to hide that he’s also devastated that he can’t be with you right now, “Love you, sweetie.”

“Love you too. Talk to you later,” you blow a kiss at the screen to which Jay catches on his end with a soft laugh. You both hang up, the new silence of the bedroom deafening. With a heavy heart, you grab your heels and purse before heading downstairs to meet your friends.

୨♡୧

The music blasting in the gymnasium is almost overwhelming as you sit at the table you and your friends claimed in the corner. The bass booms in your chest and your ears ring as each song plays; the stench of teenage sweat and pre-gamed alcohol fills your nose with every passing second. The night had been hard enough with you being the only member of your group without a date, having to take pictures alone, and now watching everyone slow dance while their eyes glimmer with love. You tried hard to at least pretend like you were having fun by keeping a smile on your face just as Jay asked you to during your call that evening, but as the night progressed, it was becoming impossible.

The final straw of the night snuck up on you as you watched your friend get dragged onto the dance floor by her boyfriend, leaving you entirely alone at the table. A choked sigh caught in your throat as you felt your eyes turn glossy thinking about how Jay should be sitting next to you right now—how Jay should have his arms around your waist as you cling to him on the dance floor—how Jay should be laughing as you embarrass him with your obscene dance skills—how Jay should be taking cringy photos with you in front of the ugly backdrop—how Jay should be here.

A single tear escapes your eye and rolls down your cheek as you sniffle softly, this supposed “magical night” turning into what will become a miserable memory. As you wipe away the lonely tear with your hand, a gentle tap on the edge of your shoulder makes your body flinch in place.

“No thanks, I’m really not in the mood to dance right now,” you say through a sniffle to whoever is behind you.

“Wow, babe. Even with me?”

Your head raises, the tears and sniffles coming to an immediate halt as you hear the voice of the person hovering over you. As you slowly turn around in your chair, your entire body falls numb and your brain scrambles to figure out if you’re hallucinating this moment. It’s like time stops once you see him towering over you with a bright smile plastered onto his face, a plastic box with a corsage matching the color of your dress in his hands.

“Jay?” you question almost in a whisper, entirely in disbelief that your boyfriend is standing before you in the flesh.

“Who else would it be, love?” he laughs, his shoulders rising and falling as he does. Without another beat, your body catapults out of the seat to attach to his, your head falling into the crook of his neck, exactly where it’s supposed to be. His arms instinctively find their home around your waist as he pulls you impossibly closer to him and lays a feather-like kiss on your neck.

Jay feels the wetness of your tears on his skin, making him shiver slightly before he pulls away just enough to see your face. His hands move from your hips to cup your cheeks as he wipes your tears with the pads of his thumbs with a soft laugh, “Hey… hey, hey, hey don’t cry, pretty girl. Your mascara’s already running, baby.”

“Why- are you- how are you- here?” you ask in between gasps for air, making Jay laugh a little bit harder as he holds your face in his hands like you’re the most precious thing in the world.

He shrugs with a sly smile, “Let’s just say I booked my flight for a week too early.”

You let out a half-exasperated laugh as you take a step back to wipe your tears with the sides of your hands, “God, you’re so freaking insane.”

“Only insane for you, my love.” Jay coos and leans in to leave a kiss on your forehead, letting his lips linger on your skin for a brief moment.

Your eyes roll at his retort, a smile finally making its way onto your lips as the waves of shock start to leave your body. Jay chuckles as he watches you come back down to Earth, his hand raising to brush a few strands of hair out of your face.

“Is that for me?” you ask him, glancing down at the corsage in his hand.

“Oh yeah!” he exclaims, seemingly to have forgotten about it already. Jay pops the box open carefully and pulls out the corsage while you raise your right hand to let him put it on you. He pulls the elastic and gently slides it over your wrist, “There we go. Do you like it?”

You nod frantically, your eyes still glazed over from the earlier tears with a stupid happy smile on your face. Jay caresses your cheek gently as you admire the corsage on your wrist, moving his thumb to wipe away the last remnants of mascara from under your eye before speaking again, “Now… I asked you to save a dance for me, didn’t I?” he asks as he holds his hand out for you to take, “Can I have this dance?”

Without another thought, your hand is in his as he guides you to the dance floor, his hands grasping onto your waist and your arms wrapping around his neck as the song starts to play. The two of you sway to the rhythm like one entity, a comfortable silence falling in between you while you savor the feeling of being able to touch one another again. Jay pulls you closer tenderly until your bodies are pressed together with not a sliver left between you. He plants a delicate kiss on the tip of your nose making you giggle.

“I wish you never have to leave again,” you suddenly say somberly, causing Jay’s heart to drop.

He sighs with a sad smile, nodding in agreement, “I know, me too, love,” he whispers, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear so he can see your face, “But even a thousand miles can’t keep us apart, cause my heart is wherever you are, my sweet girl.”

Your eyes gloss over again as you take in his words, your heart overflowing with love and adoration, “I love you,” you tell him faintly as the two of you continue to move to the song blaring around you.

Jay pulls you even closer, letting your head rest against his shoulder, allowing him to kiss the top of your head and mumble into your hair, “I love you more, Y/N.”

@jellyluv4eva @wonnieluv

[moonlight-starlight-lady01]

How...how are you alive?

Kenji sato x Fem! [Different demention] Reader.

☆♡☆♡☆

SUMMARY:Ken had a lover named Y/n, but she had passed away. He was devastated from that. Then 2 years later his mother was declared dead. So he took the opportunity to move to japan and restart his career in his home country. But then something strange happened. There was a exact copy of his lover in his living room. Except she wasnt his y/n. She was different.....from a different demention.

[A/n:Im gonna try and make this into like a series i guess lol]

(Warning: sexual tension, angst, confusion, crying, my cutie ken sad basically the whole story. Y/n has brown eyes & brown hair[ya know bc shes from a different demention]<tell me if i missed any>)

Pt1, pt2, pt3, pt4, pt5.

♡♡♡♡

It was different. Sad. Not like what he had thought his life would feel like. Y/n had died 2 years ago because of cancer. He remembers her blue eyes sparkling like the ocean when the sun began to rise from the night sky. Her blonde hair swaying in the wind perfectly all fluffy and soft. Her plumped lips smiling showing her pearly white teeth. Her dress would be thigh length and sway in the wind so majestically. Her sweet voice would say the most beautiful things when she spoke. But then....her eyes became dried cracked wholes in her head. Her hair began to fall out and become like straw. Her smile started to turn into a signature line. Her voice started to sound ruff and hard. But one thing never changed. How much she loved Kenji. Everytime she saw him walk into her hospital room with the signature red roses and smiling happy to see her fiancé. But then it all ended with that one last beep on the monitor. After that he didnt want to find love ever again. It hurt to much. The sound of her laughter when they would cuddle and tickle each other. Or when they would wake up with each other in bed and stay there all day. It wouldn't be the same.

Then 2 years after that his mom was declared dead. Something snapped in him. He moved to japan to restart his career and forget about everything that wanted to make him cry all day.

So now he was on his way to play basbell. The Giants. Fight as Ultra man. And restart. But how he had asked to please make the pain stop to anything that could have the power to. Anything.

.

.

.

That was until he woke up to a crashing in his living room and a female screaming.

He had grabbed his baseball bat and tip toed to the sound. It was a girl. A women. She turned around and looked at him scared.

.

.

.

It was Y/n.

But it wasn't her exactly....She has brown hair and brown eyes. Probably taller than her and more plump in some areas...*ahem*.

"(Y/n?)"

She looked even more confused. "Uh, yes" she said uncertain. "Who are you and why the fuck am i here?"

He was in shock. Why was there someone that looked like his y/n but so so different. Plus his y/n never cussed. The only bad word he ever heard her say was crap. And she said fuck like shes used to saying it.

"W-Wait, you dont know me?" Kenji asked confused. He waited for her answer. ".....nooo?"

Fuck. What the fuck. How is this possible.

But, after some time. He learned that Y/n was 22 and was living in California. She worked at a cafe and book store to make ends meat. She was the complete opposite to what y/n was like. She didn't even have the same color at all like her. Brown hair, brown eyes, playful/sassy attitude and less innocent.

"Well, can you help me get to my home demention because like ya know, im not suppose to be in this one?"

Damn. She's right. She has to go home sometime. He looks at her thinking.

"Plus, everytime you look at me your litterely burning holes into my ass and tits"

Yep she definitely not his Y/n. How will this go now. His life is already a mess to began with...

♡♡♡♡

[autisticadult]

Right where you left me

Warnings: literally non, slip zero nada!

A/n: I got inspiration from this from @nmikaelsonimagines and their Taylor swift series <3 I got hella hyped about this and have been working on this for a hot minute ;) enjoyyy

‘Friends break up, friends get married

Strangers get born, strangers get buried

Trends change, rumors fly through new skies

But I'm right where you left me

Matches burn after the other

Pages turn and stick to each other

Wages earned and lessons learned

But I, I'm right where you left me’

‘Help I’m still at the restaurant’

The café had changed over the years. New owners had come and gone, repainting the walls and replacing the furniture, but the small corner table by the window remained. It was a quiet little space, tucked away from the world, where time seemed to bend and stretch, where moments froze and refused to move forward.

‘Still sitting in the corner I haunt’

Y/n sat there now, as she had for years, her fingers absently circling the rim of an empty wine glass. The dim, golden glow of the candlelight flickered against her skin, illuminating the shadows beneath her eyes. She didn’t notice the way the waitress hesitated when refilling her glass, the way other patrons glanced her way before looking quickly back at their plates.

‘Cross legged in the dim light’

She was a part of the place now, a relic of the past, as if she belonged to the chipped paint on the walls or the faint jazz that drifted through the air.

It had been years since he’d left. The memory of him lingered like the ghost of perfume in a room long abandoned. Klaus Mikaelson, with his wolfish grin and sharp, knowing eyes, had once sat across from her in this very spot. His presence had been a storm—unpredictable, devastating, and intoxicating. Y/n had thought she could weather it, thought she could hold onto him. But he had walked away.

‘They say what a sad sight’

“I can’t stay, love,” he had said, his voice low and full of something she couldn’t name. Regret? Fear? He hadn’t waited for her to argue. His lips had pressed softly to her forehead, and then he was gone, leaving her to gather the shards of herself in the wake of his absence.

The years stretched out like a slow, mournful song. She had tried to leave, but the pull of the café, of this corner, was too strong. Every creak of the chair, every flicker of the candle reminded her of him. And so she stayed, frozen in the moment he had left her.

I swear you could hear a hair pin drop Right when I felt the moment stop

Klaus lingered in the shadows across the street, the vibrant hum of New Orleans swirling around him. The city was alive tonight, as it always was, the music and chatter spilling out from the bars and winding through the cobblestone streets. But Klaus heard none of it.

His focus was on her.

She sat in the café window, framed by soft golden light. Even after all this time, she still came here, to the same corner table where they had shared quiet moments and dangerous confessions. Klaus wondered if she ever considered leaving—if she had ever tried to escape the weight of the memories he had left her with. But she was still here.

‘Glass shattered on the white cloth’

Her fingers rested against the rim of a half-empty glass, tracing slow, absent circles as if the motion was all that tethered her to the present. Y/n’s hair fell in loose waves around her face, and her eyes—those eyes that had once seen through every piece of armor he wore—stared at the table, lost in thought.

Y/n was beautiful. Devastatingly so. But there was something different about her now, something heavier. The spark that had once lit her up from within seemed dulled, as though time and pain had worn it down. He had done that to her.

‘Everybody moved on’

The thought twisted in his chest, a familiar ache clawing at him. He had told himself he left to protect her, to save her from the darkness that always followed him. He had convinced himself that walking away was the most selfless thing he could do.

But now, watching y/n, he wasn’t so sure.

Klaus had spent decades trying to forget her. He had thrown himself into wars, alliances, and distractions, anything to drown out the echo of her laughter, the way she had once looked at him like he was more than the monster he knew himself to be. But no matter how far he ran, her ghost followed.

Every street that reminded him of her. Every quiet moment when his thoughts betrayed him. And now, this—the sight of her sitting in that same café, frozen in the life he had left behind.

He told himself he shouldn’t be here, that he should turn around and disappear before she noticed him.

But he couldn’t move.

Instead, he stood rooted to the spot, watching her like she was something fragile and sacred. The café’s soft light flickered against her skin, casting faint shadows under her eyes. She didn’t look up when the door chimed, didn’t glance at the strangers who passed her by. It was as if she was waiting—waiting for something or someone who would never come. For him.

‘I stayed there’

The realization hit like a knife, sharp and unforgiving. He had left because he wanted her to have a chance at happiness, a life free of his chaos. But instead, he had left her frozen, caught in a moment that refused to fade.

He thought about going in. The idea flickered in his mind, reckless and foolish. What would he say if he did? What could he possibly offer her now, after all this time?

His hand hovered by his side, the weight of indecision pressing down on him. The bell above the door jingled as another patron entered, and her head lifted slightly. For a fleeting second, hope flashed in her eyes before it dissolved into quiet resignation.

It was as though she had trained herself not to expect anything anymore.

Klaus clenched his fists, his nails biting into his palms. He wanted to step forward, to take that hope and make it real, to tell her he had never stopped thinking of her. But he stayed where he was, hidden in the shadows, because that was where he belonged.

She had always been the light to his darkness, and he had no right to dim her further.

Finally, he turned away, his chest tight and his heart heavier than it had been in years.

As he tried to walk into the night, he tried telling himself that leaving her alone was the right thing to do.

But he couldn’t ignore the hollow truth gnawing at him.

She was still there, right where he had left her.

And so was he. Stuck watching her from the shadows.

Dust collected on my pinned-up hair

They expected me to find somewhere

She didn’t notice him at first. How could she? The café was always full of strangers coming and going, the bell over the door ringing endlessly like a cruel reminder of the passage of time. She had learned to stop looking up, to stop letting herself hope.

But tonight, something shifted.

The air seemed heavier, charged with an energy she hadn’t felt in years. It pressed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. Her fingers froze against the rim of her glass, and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if her heart was playing tricks on her again.

‘Some perspective, but I sat and stared’

Across the street, Klaus watched her from the shadows, his heart twisting at the sight of her. She looked the same and yet completely different. Her beauty remained, but the spark—the one that had drawn him to her in the first place—had dimmed, dulled by something he knew was his fault. She was a portrait of stillness, her eyes fixed on nothing, her body rooted in place as though the world outside this café no longer existed for her.

And perhaps it didn’t.

The years hadn’t been kind to her, though they hadn’t been cruel either. They had simply… passed. Slowly, painfully, as if every moment since he’d left was an eternity stretched too thin.

‘Right where you left me You left me no, oh, you left me no’

She glanced at the window, catching her own reflection in the glass. She hated the sight of herself here, night after night, trapped in the same chair, the same routine. People whispered about her now—about the woman who never left, whose fingers traced invisible patterns on her glass like she was drawing memories only she could see.

But they didn’t know. They didn’t know about him.

They didn’t know about Klaus Mikaelson, the man who had once sat across from her in this very spot, his presence larger than life, his voice curling around her like smoke. They didn’t know about his sharp blue eyes that seemed to see right through her, or the way he had kissed her like she was the only thing tethering him to the world.

And they didn’t know about the way he had walked away, shattering her in a single moment.

She hated him, She loved him. She hated herself for still loving him. The confusing emotions too much for her to bare.

‘You left me no choice but to stay here forever’

Klaus felt her pain like it was his own. He wanted to tell himself he didn’t, that the years had hardened him too much for something as human as guilt to seep in. But watching her now, he knew he had never truly stopped feeling anything for her.

He hadn’t planned to come back. He had stayed away because he thought it was what she needed. A life without him, without the chaos and destruction he always brought. But now he wondered if he had simply been selfish, too much of a coward to stay and face the consequences of loving her.

He thought she would move on. He thought she would leave this city, this table, this life. But she hadn’t. She had stayed.

And so had he, in his own way.

‘Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen? Time went on for everybody else, she won't know it’

The bell above the door chimed again, and she almost didn’t look up. She had trained herself not to, had told herself it was never him, it would never be him. But tonight, her heart betrayed her, and her gaze lifted, flickering toward the entrance.

Her breath caught.

She thought she saw a figure outside, lingering just beyond the glow of the streetlights. Her pulse quickened, her fingers tightening against her glass. But the shadow didn’t move, and she blinked, her heart sinking as reason crept back in.

It wasn’t him. Of course it wasn’t.

She turned her attention back to the table, staring at the flickering candle, the ache in her chest settling back into its familiar place.

‘Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion? Break-ups happen every day, you don't have to lose it She's still 23 inside her fantasy And you're sitting in front of me’

Klaus had seen her glance up.

For a moment, their eyes almost met, though the distance and the window between them kept her from truly seeing him. His heart clenched at the fleeting hope that had flickered across her face, only to be extinguished a moment later.

He should leave. He knew he should.

But his feet remained rooted to the pavement, his eyes locked on her silhouette. He wondered what she would say if he walked through that door. If he sat down at the table across from her and apologized for every year, every moment he had stolen from her.

But then he saw the pain in her posture, the weariness in her movements, and he knew he didn’t have the right.

‘At the restaurant, when I was still the one you want. Cross-legged in the dim light, everything was just right’

She sat there for another hour, though she didn’t know why. The candle burned low, the patrons around her dwindling as the night wore on. The street outside grew quieter, the sounds of New Orleans retreating into the distance.

When she finally rose to leave, she didn’t glance at the window again. She didn’t let herself look for shadows or ghosts. She walked out into the night, her coat pulled tight around her, her head bowed against the chill. Stopping in the doorway to stop and take in the night sky for a moment.

Klaus didn’t mean to move, but his feet carried him forward before his mind could catch up. The bell above the café door jingled faintly behind him, and for a moment, he thought he might stop. Turn around. Let her go.

But he couldn’t.

She was already stepping out onto the street, her coat pulled tightly around her, her face half-hidden by the loose waves of her hair. The cold air made her shiver, and something about the sight of her, so small and fragile in the vastness of the city, made his chest tighten.

‘I'm sure that you got a wife out there Kids and Christmas, but I'm unaware, Cause I'm right where’

“Wait, y/n!” he called softly.

She froze mid-step, her breath catching at the sound of his voice. For a moment, she wondered if she had imagined it. If it was just another cruel trick her mind had conjured, like so many times before. But then she turned.

And there he was.

Klaus stood just a few feet away, his sharp blue eyes locked on hers. The streetlight above cast a pale glow over his face, softening the edges of his usually imposing presence. But his expression was raw—vulnerable in a way she had never seen before.

‘‘I cause no harm, mind my business’

Y/n’s heart stuttered. “Klaus,” she whispered, his name barely audible, as though saying it too loudly might shatter the fragile moment.

He stepped closer, his hands slipping into his pockets as if to stop himself from reaching for her. “I… I didn’t mean to—” He paused, shaking his head. “No. That’s a lie. I came here to see you.”

The words hit her like a blow, and for a moment, all she could do was stare at him. The years apart had changed nothing. He looked the same, his presence as overwhelming as ever. And yet, there was something in his eyes now—hesitation, regret.

‘If our love died young, I can't bear witness And it's been so long’

“You left,” she said, her voice trembling. “You left me.”

Klaus flinched, the accusation cutting through him. “I thought it was the right thing to do. For you.”

“For me?” Her laugh was sharp, bitter. “Do you have any idea what it’s been like? Sitting here, day after day, waiting for someone who was never coming back?”

“I never stopped thinking about you,” he said quickly, his voice low but steady. “Not for a moment.”

Her eyes burned, but she refused to let herself cry. Not here. Not in front of him. “Thinking about me doesn’t change anything, Klaus. You still left. You made that choice.”

“I did.” He took another step toward her, his voice softening. “And it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I thought… I thought it was what you needed. A life without me. Without the chaos I bring.”

‘But if you ever think you got it wrong I'm right where you left me’

She shook her head, her breath hitching. “You don’t get to decide what I need.”

“I know.” His voice broke slightly, and for a moment, she saw the cracks beneath his usual bravado. “I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But I couldn’t stay away. Not anymore.”

The street was quiet around them, the world narrowing down to just the two of them. She stared at him, searching his face for something—an answer, a sign, a reason to believe him.

“I don’t know if I can forgive you,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Klaus nodded, his jaw tightening. “I’m not asking for that. I’m only asking for a chance to try.”

The air between them was heavy, charged with years of unspoken words and lingering pain. She didn’t respond, didn’t move. But her silence wasn’t a no.

And for Klaus, that was enough—for now.

[flyingwargle]

fics that changed my life in 2024

the movie sucked me back into the hq fandom and with that, fanfic. i read an obscene amount this year (as evidenced by my monthly recs, haha) and some of them have permanently changed my brain chemistry. here's my shoutout to these fics.

note: some fics are rated e!

general

With a little water (and a little bit of sunlight) t. 25.5k. 19/19. onigiri miya catches on fire and atsumu helps osamu in the aftermath. i revisit this from time to time for the brotherly bond, friendships, prose, and imagery. this fic proves that nothing is stronger than family.

sakuatsu

particularities t. 5.7k. everything about this fic is hilarious - the prose, premise, realization, confession - everything. the interaction with osamu lives rent-free in my head.

Watching You for Love t. 6.6k. the prose brings me to my knees. the imagery is vivid and incredibly connected to sakusa, and his pining for atsumu is so subtly displayed and beautiful.

Hall Pass t. 6.8k. i still don't know what a hall pass but i do know this fic is funny and one of my comfort fics. everyone needs to read saeko kissing atsumu. you're doing yourself a favor.

point of view t. 27.9k. 3/3. one of my first fics i read with insecure atsumu and sakusa wanting nothing more than to love him. i hold onto any fic that portrays mental health tightly because of the different ways it's portrayed, and this fic showed atsumu's insecure side vividly.

frankenstein's monster t. 83.6k. 10/10. one of skts' treasures that focuses on ocd. i love fics like these because of how writers are able to use their experiences to write deeply personal stories by knocking characters to their lowest and persevering through it.

easy to love t. 145.5k. 40/40. i love everything about this, from the prose, character development, slowburn romance, and side relationships. this fic made me like suna and sunaosa (they were portrayed so well) and pushed me deeper into skts. the confession scene is my favorite, of course.

terminal curiosity e. is there anything i need to say about this series that others haven't said already? it honestly changed my brain chemistry, like many others, and it's my comfort read, like many others (my poison is laid bare). honestly one of skts' best treasures.

sunaosa

a type of hunger m. 9.1k. this fic influenced how i view suna's character, with his desire and envy, self-doubt and struggle with identifying his relationship with osamu. it resonates deeply with how i want to write folded promises, which is why it sticks with me.

somewhere to lay the flowers t. 25.6k. trans suna is an icon we don't deserve. i love the mystery, the characters, the plot and conflict, and the web of interconnectedness between everyone involved.

iwaoi

Lost in Translation t. 9.6k. this fic is untagged but the summary gives you everything that you need to know. loved this for the humor and amazing ocs. it's one of my favorites for being a fun read.

we'll walk the mile and change it (if we can) t. 49.2k. 7/7. a devastating fic where oikawa undergoes a procedure to forget about ushijima and kageyama but forgets about iwa in the process. amazing prose, climax, and resolution.

bokuaka

in the same room, at the same time t. 22.1k. i read this in one sitting and did not regret any second of it. first: bokuaka proposal. second: it's just so tender and fluffy?? loved the setup and aftermath. it continues to live rent free in my mind.

truth is such a violent force t. 41k. 8/8. such delicate yet impactful writing on painful themes. i love how supportive fukurodani is to akaashi and the eventual getting together.

other pairings

Common side effects m. 89.9k. 16/16. kuroken. this captures the monotony and depression of adulthood so well, and delves into different kinds of relationships in a poignant way. beautiful character development and eventual getting together.

[lurkingshan]

What are your favorite examples of deep unbridled yearning in a bl? I think my is I told the sunset about you the way they used the coconut smell to showcase one the leads feelings for the other was so unique and sensual. He starts out hating coconut and how it smells but slowly as he falls in love he becomes obsessed with it since it's the other MLs unique scent and he uses it on everything, so we get a scene of him inhaling a paper written by the MLs coconut pen and then another one just devouring a coconut like it's the best thing in earth. I don't think I have ever seen such a depiction of attraction/love/lust that's so different but also visceral and beautiful and it really stuck with me. It's very different but it's one of the rare romance things that I'll never forget akin to the hand flex from pride and prejudice.

So you want to talk about yearning.

*Lan Wangji has entered the chat*

There’s a lot of good yearning in the romance genre, and plenty of bls feature it. The example you gave from ITSAY is definitely one of the standouts in terms of how visceral it felt. I will never forget Teh shoving his whole face into that coconut, or all the super charged scenes where he and Oh-aew stare at and touch each other and keep testing boundaries until they break.

There are definitely other expressions of yearning that stick out for me for one reason or another, and not all in this same tone.

The Untamed

Let’s get this out of the way upfront, because no one can step to this man on yearning. He adopted a whole child and named him after his yearning for his lost love. What I love about the presentation of Lan Wangji's particular flavor of yearning is how steady and matter of fact it is. He is always yearning for Wei Wuxian and it's just a part of who he is, whether his love is alive or dead. And while I love that Teh is such a big mess of emotions, I also like this more understated flavor of yearning where nothing is ever said out loud but Lan Wangji's feelings are clear in how he chooses to live his life. He's the poster boy for "actions speak louder than words."

Eternal Yesterday

I'm not sure if you've seen this one, but it's one of the most poignant and devastating depictions of yearning I have ever seen. Mitsuru yearned for Koichi so hard that he kept his body alive for precious extra days and his memory alive forever. Brb gonna go cry.

Utsukushii Kare 2

This is probably one of the more unique expressions of the emotion (on brand for this series), since this sequel season has Kiyoi yearning for the man who is already his boyfriend to love him for real instead of idolizing and holding him from a distance. It's one of my favorite explorations of how lonely we can feel even while in a relationship.

I Cannot Reach You

This show wins for best visual effects to convey yearning, with a beautiful bokeh effect taking over the screen in moments when the characters were extra in their feelings over each other.

Unknown

Wei Yuan's yearning was more of the desperate and hopeless variety, especially in his teens years when he knew his feelings for his adoptive older brother were impossible. I liked that his feelings were expressed via caretaking; he didn't think he could have the relationship he really wanted with Wei Qian, so he made it his mission to take care of him and help shoulder his burdens instead.

I Feel You Linger in the Air

This story stands out in my memory for its dedication to anticipatory yearning. That is, knowing a separation is coming against your will and yearning desperately for the person who is still in front of you. Yai and Jom did not want to let each other go despite knowing they could not stay together, and that yearning was so strong it ultimately connected them through time.

Theory of Love

And on the comedic end of the spectrum, I absolutely cannot end this list without giving a shoutout to one of the funniest manifestations of yearning that has ever graced my screen. Every time his feelings for Khai got overwhelming, Third ran to the bathroom for a Sadness Shower, and if the water wasn't working he was happy to improvise (and now I am cackling).

[evansbuck-ley]

god, i have my fathers eyes

rating: mature

word count: 4.2k

pairing: bucktommy

part 1 of my henryverse series

Tommy had always loved kids. He loved their curiosity about life, their ability to find joy in the small things, the beauty of their innocence before they were corrupted by adulthood. It was admirable. But he was terrified about the possibility of becoming a father. Terrified at the slight possibility that he would turn into the man that raised him, someone so spiteful and vile.

His parents had him when they were barely 18 years old and were on the verge of graduating high school. His mother, Rosalyn Marie Kinard, had been the most beautiful and kindest girl in school. She was the top of her class and was on the road to go to college to study to be a doctor.

She found out she was pregnant with Tommy the same day she was accepted into Harvard. She had been devastated of course, there was no way she could go to college and become a mom at the same time. And if you had asked 18 year old Rosalyn, she would have told you that her life ended that day.

If you asked Rosalyn now, she would tell you that it was the day her life began. When she held her baby boy for the first time she knew that this was what she was made for, that she was put on this earth to love and protect this little boy.

His father, on the other hand, did not feel the same way. In fact, he resented Tommy even before he was born.

read the rest here

[majusialikesfastcars]

SHAMELESS

Carlos Sainz x Norris!reader

Summary: you knew that you shouldn't fall for your brother's best friend, but there's no going back.

⚠️Tw: smut

!English is not my first language, so please bare with me🙏🙏!

(carlos' version)⁵⁵

Series masterlist

🥀

🥀

"So many mornings I woke up confused,

In my dreams, I do anything I want to you,

My emotions are naked, they're taking me out of my mind,

Right now I'm shameless,

Screamin' my lungs out for ya"

🥀

Love is a complex emotion. People aren't able to control the feeling of utter devotion for another person. It is also not possible to choose your beloved, the person you are going to give every part of your soul, mind and heart. The heart that wants what it wants.

You always tried to stay away from your brother's friends cycle. They were simply too much for you. Not your cup of tea.

That was until you met Carlos.

Lando as oblivious as he is, never noticed the heart eyes you were sending to the spanish driver. But Carlos? Oh, he knew straight away, sending you his famous smirk. Your heart suddenly started beating faster, when he walked up to you, his cologne mesmerizing you even more. He introduced himself, took your hand in his and brought it to his lips, leaving invisible marks that were about to stay with you forever. Then simply walked away to talk to your brother, leaving you in a mess of feelings, that shouldn't even appear, but in the same time it felt wrong for them to vanish.

Carlos Sainz was like a forbidden fruit, but you wouldn't be yourself if you at least didn't get a taste of it, even if it meant being condemned to your personal hell.

🥀

The two years, that Carlos spend in McLaren consisted of needy glances and tension, you were so adamant to break. But you never acted out on your feelings and Carlos didn't seem devastated by that, so you let it be. Then he signed contract with Ferrari. And that was it. You didn't see him much after that and eventually you focused on your own life, old feelings long forgotten.

Until today.

Carlos was sitting on the couch, probably drinking some expensive drink, while club music played from the speakers, giving people the opportunity to show off their dance moves. He was watching you, the beautiful and confident woman, who had never left his thoughts since their first meeting. The black, tight-fitting dress hugged your body, showing off all your curves. The makeup enhanced your already breathtaking beauty. He wasn't surprised at all, that so many people were following you with dreamy eyes. He himself couldn't stop staring at you. You were a fucking perfection for him.

You were dancing with some guy, who was practically undressing you just by looking at you, and his hands were wandering too much for his liking. He scoffed, clearly unsatisfied. Everyone could see how much he wanted to be in his place and he really thanked God, that Lando wasn't anywhere nearby, because even he would have noticed the way he was looking at you, his best friend's sister. Jealousy was burning his body. But he did nothing for one and only reason. You were looking directly in his eyes, effectively grounding his body in a place he was. It was as if you were giving him a taste of what he could have on a daily basis. You were playing with him, and he wasn't going to leave it like that.

After a while, when one of the many popular songs stopped playing, the man wanted to keep you by his side, moving his hands to your hips. The glass from which the Spaniard was drinking his alcohol almost broke at the sight. He should be the one in his place. You brought your lips up, but when the guy was about to kiss you, you smiled lazily, whispered something into the man's ear and moved away to a safe distance. Leaving the horny guy in a stupor, you moved towards Carlos.

You stopped between his legs, looking at him with the same look that always made him want to bend you across the table, completely forgetting about Lando. This time was no different.

"Why are you sitting here alone?" Those were the first words that came out of your mouth. Your voice was like a beautiful melody to his ears. "Shouldn't you have a circle of girls around you?"

"I don't think it would satisfy me in any way."

"Have habits changed?" you asked, running your nails down his neck.

"Oh, maybe I worded it wrong. It wouldn't satisfy me because none of them are you."

You giggled at his words, plopping down on the couch next to him. Carlos almost choked on his saliva when he felt a gentle touch on his lower abdomen, just above the zipper of his pants. You slightly turned his head towards you, getting even closer.

"Oh, yeah?" you smirked, watching his reactions to your touch. "What happened to 'I would't do it to Lando'?"

"He isn't here, is he?" Carlos asked, placing his palm on your exposed thigh.

You licked your lips, enjoying the way his raspy voice and big hand made you feel. He chuckled when you closed your eyes, letting him move his hand higher, almost touching the end of your dress. Oh, how he wanted to already get you out of it. You nearly moaned when you felt the feather touch of his digits on your laced panties. He didn't stop there. His fingers slowly, even painfully, made their way to your core. It was like he was punishing you for years of your teasing. And you loved it. The sound that escaped from your throat, when he pressed the tip of his finger on your clit, suddenly made you aware of the very public surroundings. But people didn't pay you attention, too invested in their own world. But Carlos noticed, how you observed if someone was watching. Of course he did. He pushed a finger inside you.

"Letting me touch you like that in public?" he chuckled, feeling how you clenched at his words. "Such a needy girl."

He pushed another finger in, moving them slowly and you swore you could feel your insides burning. It felt so good you wanted to cry, because you knew he wouldn't grant you release so soon. His name rolled off your tongue easily, followed by a moan. Your nails were leaving marks on his arm from how hard you squeezed it. Carlos loved it.

"Carlos, please, I —" you couldn't even form a sentence, the feeling of his fingers deep inside had you mumbling incoherent words.

"Tell me what you want, niña bonita."

That. Fucking. Bastard.

He was teasing you and you were well aware, that you would have to beg for it to end.

"Carlos —"

"Words."

"Please, faster" you managed to utter. "Please, Carlos, I beg you —"

Words stuck in your throat, when he started thrusting his fingers faster and harder. You couldn't stop moaning, when you felt your release coming closer. His other hand found a way to your throat, squeezing it gently and forcing you to look directly at him. His lips caught yours in a delicate kiss, that turned out into a messy make out session in seconds.

🥀

Your back hit the door of his hotel room, when you finally stumbled out of the elevator, still caught up in a hungry kiss. You completely messed up his hair from constant grabbing. His hands roamed on your body and it felt heavenly. He finally managed to get his keys and gently pushed you inside, not breaking the kiss for a moment. He wasted no time and you were left only in your laced panties in a couple of seconds. But he was still fully dressed and you didn't like it. So you got to work quickly. His button up shirt ended on the floor, missing a few buttons. He pushed you on the bed, getting on top of you immediately. His lips fell on your neck and you were certain that the marks wouldn't fade within few days. He took your breasts in his hands, brushing your nipples with his thumbs. But you wanted more. When you tried to move your hips against the visible bulge in his pants, he pinned you down, earning a needy whine from you.

"So eager for me to fuck you." he slapped your thigh, your legs opening instantly. "Pathetic."

You were soaking wet at his words. Your panties were quickly discarded and you could tell, that you wouldn't be able to use them anymore. He grabbed your thighs, spitting at your core.

"Let me get a taste of you first, hermosa."

His head dipped down between your legs, bringing sounds out of you, that you didn't know you were capable of making. His tongue worked wonders. He was eating you like a starved man. You couldn't count how many times you came until stopped. He looked at you, completely fucked out of your mind and you could almost see how lust appeared in his eyes again.

🥀

yourusername's instagram

landonorris stop ignoring me, I see you respond to others

yourusername miami I love you

liked by yourbffusername, carlossainz55 & others

Comments:

yourbffusername u sure u talking about miami?? 🤔

yourusername 🤫

landonorris y/n.

landonorris pick up the phone

landonorris stop ignoring me, i see you respond to others

carlossainz55 🤩

user1 are going to ignore lando's meltdown??

user2 lando omg 😭😭

user3 carlos hiding in the comments 🤔

🥀

Carlos Sainz is the winner of Australian Gran Prix.

Two weeks after his surgery, he won another race. He really knew how to make a comeback.

Tears of pride started gathering in your eyes, when he once again arrived at podium's highest step, soaking in glory. He looked ethereal, divine even. He was in his element and your heart grew at the scene playing above you. He was proving what he was capable of, glowing in Ferrari red in spite of Lewis not finishing the race. Maybe his replacement wasn't worth dropping him at all? He really belonged here. But despite all this, during the play of spanish national anthem, he still looked for you in a crowd of people cheering for him. Because your appreciation and support mattered to him more than the rest. And he found you. Standing there in the middle of Ferrari's mechanics, in his team merch with his name spread across your back and lovestruck expression on your face. You didn't care about the cameras catching your longing stare. You didn't even care about your brother facing the reality, that his best friend had fallen for his little sister. He was the only one in your mind.

When he finally walked away from the podium, soaking in champagne with the biggest smile adoring his face, your heart started to beat faster, exactly the same way, like when you saw him for the first time. He almost run to you, crashing you in a hug, unaware of Lando's stare shooting daggers at him.

🥀

Author's note: thank you for reading!!!

[naomikozura]

Playing With Fire: Chapter 6

Jason Todd (Red Hood) x Fem!Reader (Criminal)

Trope: Enemies to Lovers, Forbidden Romance

Warnings: strong language, mentions of guns, drinking (all overage), tiny tiny tiny angst (if you squint), stealing/heist, illegal coding (meh barely a warning), not too many this chapter but lmk if I missed any!

WC: 10K

Summary: In the heart-pounding midst of a daring heist, you encounter him for the first time behind the mask. As partners in crime, the stakes are high—this job could reshape your future. But amidst the adrenaline and danger, a connection sparks, complicating everything. Will you emerge unscathed by consequences, or will you find yourself entangled in a precarious dance where risk and intimacy intertwine, forcing you to confront the true meaning of loyalty?

Series Masterlist

Chapter 5 || Chapter 7

The night was filled with people from all backgrounds, business owners, CFOs, CEOs, COOs, jewelry heiresses, stock brokers, even those who dabbled in international trade and shipments of luxury goods were in the room. Every person with any sense of power on the money side of Gotham was present tonight. You were wearing a gorgeous golden dress with fabric that hung around your chest and drooped over your shoulder, covering the gunshot wound that you’d received a week ago. The dress complimented your skin and hugged your figure perfectly. Every curve of your body hugged by the fabric, showing off your form in a delicate yet seductive and classy way. You had your necklace under the wrap around neckline, but wore the matching green earrings adorning and balancing the outfit. It was simple and perfect for the occasion. You had your hair up in a slick back ponytail, the length hanging perfectly, giving you a soft glowy look versus your dark seductive alter ego. You wanted to be seen as the charming, beautiful, supportive partner that worked with Calvi himself. 

Your heart was beating in your chest, pounding like a wild animal trying to escape from its cage. After weeks of preparations, the night was finally here. Ambushing and infiltrating Sionis’s business to make him crumble from the inside out. You hadn’t spoken to Red in a few days, his plan perfectly laid and seemed fool proof. One of the calls was ceased communication. It was the only way to ensure the plan would work in the end. You couldn’t be in ties with him since he had his own role to play which he had started before asking for your help. Befriend and gain the trust of Calvi’s business partner, Marcos. A powerhouse in Gotham’s elite. Working in foreign exchange, luxury goods, and security, he was almost as devastating as Calvi himself. Only he was more egotistical and cocky than Calvi was. He didn’t have the same charm or the same sense of formality. He was new money rich, everything spiraling and taking off after he created his security platform, Python. 

You finished applying your lipstick, fixing your hair and grabbing your designer clutch off the sink. You needed to play the part of being the daughter of a wealthy businessman, trying to cover your tracks so no one could wonder how easily you had access to Calvi and ended up on his arm this night of the Gala honoring him. Calvi already knew your background as you were able to create a false one that lined up perfectly with the daughter of a businessman who’d disappeared and gone off grid. The family kept it a secret so as to not be caught in a scandal, so you stepped in as the replacement and since you were a beautiful, young woman with interest in luxury goods, everything checked out. No loopholes, no openings. 

~~~

It was all selfish. It was personal. It was for your freedom. That’s what you kept telling yourself when you paced in the outskirts of the city, waiting for Red at the secluded location he’d embedded into the file for future meetings. 

Could you actually manage to pull something like this off? Was it all a ploy or did he truly believe this could work? 

“Y/n”, you turned at the sound of his voice. 

“Red”, you breathed, your shoulders tense. 

“You came.”, his voice had a hint of humor in it, but serious quickly took over as his body stopped only a foot away from you, his proximity sending you over the edge. He had a deep musk to him, a woodsy scent that filled your nostrils and made your veins flood with a sensation you couldn’t quite place. 

“How serious are you?” your voice was a whisper, but the intent was loud. You weren’t here to play games. You needed answers. 

“I’m dead serious about this, sweetheart.”, he replied. “I take you overlooked everything.”

“What interest do you have in the Blue Moon of Josephine that you need to steal it from the museum that Black Mask has under his protection?”

“It’s a hefty hit and a hefty payout. I thought you’d be the first to jump all over this.”

“It’s a suicide mission!”, you raised your voice slightly, your eyes slightly widening as you held back your confused frustration. 

“It’s your ticket out of here. It’s my ticket to a direct hit at that son of a bitch and getting closer to completing my work.”

Your eyebrows furrowed as you looked at him, your eyes glossy with emotion you couldn’t quite place. Was it anger, frustration, false hope, or a sense of trust that you knew you shouldn’t be placing in him in the first place? 

“You always seem focused on escaping this shit city, and now I’m giving you the chance and you’re doubting it.”

“I don’t want false hope.”, you clenched your teeth. 

“The evidence was all in that drive. You can see for yourself it isn’t false anything.”, he replied as stared at you intently, his focus on you as he waited for your answer. His silence made the air around the both of you fill with tension, there was more to it than he led on. You took a step back, not noticing how his close proximity had affected you. You needed to focus. 

“If you’re serious, if you truly believe we can pull this off…” Red noticed how you were overthinking the situation, his voice ringing out again. 

“I won’t force you to do something you’re not confident in doing.” 

You let yourself sit in the silence, his body still radiating heat and his hand on your chin to meet his eyes. You basked in his presence for a moment, snapping yourself out of the trance and looking at him intently. 

“No.”, you breathed. “I’m in.”

~~~

“Ready, my dear?”, Calvi stretched an arm towards you as you wrapped your hands around him and walked elegantly next to him. He was tall, around 6’5, even taller than Red. You were wearing heels so your height would be closer to meet his eye line, but you were still far shorter than the both of them. 

“Are we meeting any of your partners tonight?”, you asked softly, your eyes examining his face, his demeanor very relaxed and laid back. 

“A few, but only one catches my attention tonight. He has a new development and I want to be the first to have it.”, he mentioned nonchalantly.

“You look stunning tonight. I don’t know how you get more beautiful every time I see you, Vivian”, his breath smelled like mint, his natural scent overwhelming with overpriced cologne. It was almost too much for your senses, giving you a slight headache. 

“You clean up nice yourself, Cal. You sure you’re not holding back on me?”, you smiled as your words left in a flirty tone.

The two of you walked through the halls, taking in the cases full of jewelry spanning from rings, necklaces, crowns, bracelets, everything worth tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Everything here was priceless. But you weren’t here for scraps. 

You moved around, looking at the well dressed statues that were clothed in beautiful custom gowns that were hand crafted by the best designers in the city. You admired them deeply and loved the complex colors and the reflection of the light making the diamonds, emeralds, rubies, pearls, all the jewels illuminate beautifully. 

Calvi followed behind but remained close at your side, allowing you to take your time as you moved through the entrance halls and into the main room, the music and the chatter of people filled the atmosphere. There wasn’t a single inch of the room that didn’t have a person standing in it. Servers, musicians, security, attendees, everyone was here. 

It was almost as impressive as the Wayne Galas. 

Almost. 

It was a grand hall full of beautiful, timeless decorations, the curtains reaching the roof and the chandeliers hanging around the room as the music played in a lively tune that allowed people to have drinks and mingle with one another. The attendance list was full of the rich, powerful people of Gotham, all having their own born right to be here. Many of the names on Red’s drive were old money, generations of wealth passed down through each new member. Others were self-made businessmen and women, they had gone from middle class citizens to the highest ranking in the city, making them more respected by those who kept a watchful eye on them. 

Calvi motioned towards the small bar area, walking over with you in hand as he ordered a glass of his favorite whiskey while you ordered your wine. You leaned into Calvi, reeling him in as he placed a hand on your waist, turning towards him as you smiled and lifted a hand to your face, brushing a small piece of hair back. How easy it was to have men wrapped around your finger and at your command. 

“Is that Calvi Calbera?”, you turned to be met with the very man you were anticipating the whole night. Marcos Maroni. The unknown son of Sal Maroni. Except here, no one knew he was a Maroni. He did well hiding his background from everyone in this scene. Only you and Red knew who he was, who he really was. 

“Marcos Morona”, Calvi walked up to him, shaking his hand and patting him on the back, laughing as they greeted each other. 

“Excuse me, forgive my rudeness, but who is this lovely lady?”, Marcos turned to you, his charming smile hiding the intrigue in his eyes not missing the way they darkened as they skimmed your body quickly. You would’ve missed it if you weren’t so good at reading men and their mannerisms. You stood from your seat, stretching your hand out towards him as he took your delicate hand in his broad, rough one. “Vivian Lancaster”, you said softly, batting your eyelashes at him, letting him notice your obvious observation of his movements. It would inflate his ego, just like every other man in Gotham who took a liking to you. You knew you were beautiful, you knew men gravitated towards you. It made your line of work easy, especially when it came to getting intel you needed from these men. Just like Calvi. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”, he smirked at you before he kissed your hand and turned back to Calvi. “I heard you were looking for me. Wanting to take a look at my new software?”

Calvi let out a chuckle, taking a sip of his whiskey before setting it back on the bar. “I heard it’s better than Python. I want to see it and be the first to bid on getting the system for my trades.”

“You flatter me, Calvi. It is a good system, I worked with a programmer who is beyond my time and my years. I didn’t realize Bludhaven produced such intelligent people who worked in system informatics and security programming.”

“You can never underestimate people. Especially when you came from the same background”, Calvi mentioned calmly. The false life Marcos had made for himself was filled with the lie that he was completely self-made. A nobody that came from a small town in New Jersey and grew his skills and his company from the ground up. Yeah, right. 

“That’s why we have to take risks when it comes to new minds.”, Marcos rambled for a few more moments, a part of you anxious of when your partner would show up. He hadn’t made his appearance yet, you wondered if he was actually planning on coming or if all of this was just to get you away from him for another night. He had been cutting communication off for the past week so it would make sense if that was his reasoning.

“There you are.”, you looked up from your glass, you had zoned out and didn’t realize until Marcos snapped you back to their conversation. “Calvi, Vivian. I want to introduce you to one of my partners. His intelligence and deduction skills are far beyond anything I could ever imagine trying to find outside of Gotham.”

You looked behind Marcos, your heart stopped in your chest. Out of everything you expected tonight, from the risk of getting caught to the possibility of leaving empty handed, you could have never expected this. 

“Calvi, Vivian. This is Jason Todd. My partner in building my new security software and convincing me to take a risk on my programmer from Bludhaven. Not to mention the son of our beloved Bruce Wayne.”

Your lips parted from the shock. You were left speechless. He had dark hair that was slicked back neatly, exposing his face and making his jaw appear more sharp and defined than it already was. He was wearing a dark suit and a dark burgundy tie that made it obvious who he was to you. Only to you. His eyes were a deep, dark green that pulled you into a trance. His lips pulled into a charming smile, his eyes focused on your appearance as you noticed that same emotion in his eyes that you knew was in your own. Your face remained neutral, but you knew your eyes gave you away the second he looked at you. He was devastating, handsome, his eyes gentle and full of emotion as they took you in, your heart pounding in your chest while trying to remain calm. 

You felt time stop, everything around you had disappeared and the two of you stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. His eyes bore into yours, holding an unwavering amount of attention, skimming down your frame and drinking in every inch of your body. He dressed in a suit that fit him perfectly, made him look muscular, toned, and perfect. You’d wondered what he’d look like under it all, what it would feel like against yours, the heat rising in your body as the darkness in his eyes swirled into something more. Something you couldn’t quite place. You noticed the way his hand flexed slightly but quickly relaxed. You held his gaze for what seemed like forever until his smooth, clear voice pulled you out of your trance.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jason Todd”, he stretched out his hand, letting him take yours and kissing the back of it. “What a lovely woman you have with you tonight Calvi.” Jason spoke, never taking his gaze off of you. You hadn’t broken eye contact since he waltzed in. 

“Vivian Lancaster. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”, you said, taking your hand back after noticing how he rubbed the back of your hand with his thumb. 

You felt your skin ignite on fire, his green eyes holding you gaze as a small smile tugged at his lips.

“She is beautiful. We’ve been working together for some time. Who knows what the future holds for us, right my dear?”, Calvi spoke as he looked at you, your eyes still under siege by Jason’s green ones. How did you go this long, never seeing his face, his eyes… he..

“Right.”, you snapped out of Jason’s stare when Calvi wrapped an arm around your waist, almost like staking his claim. You looked at his face, no emotion showing in his eyes and his jaw was relaxed. So why was he being weird?

“Calvi, let’s catch up in the meeting room before they start the auction. I’m sure Jason can keep Vivian company for a short while.”, Marcos said as he and Calvi said another snide joke under their breath and walked away.

You watched as they left before meeting Jason’s gaze again, your heart absolutely betraying you in your chest. He looked at the ground, his smile spreading across his face as he met your gaze again. He cocked his head, pointing towards the balcony that was on the other side of the room and you followed him outside, stepping into the fresh, cool air leaving your skin feeling relaxed as the soft breeze hit your warm skin.

“You clean up nice”, you said, trying to keep yourself from stuttering. You needed to focus on why you were here, not on how devastating the man in front of you looked. 

“I’d say the same to you. This dress really suits you.”, his voice was deep, suave, flirtatious, and it drove you absolutely insane. This was the first time you were seeing him like this, the first time you were on mutual grounds and he had this hold over you that you couldn’t shake. 

“So, Jason Todd.”, you said as you looked at him, that charming smirk playing at his lips again. “Son of Bruce Wayne, I thought this was supposed to keep a low profile.”, 

“It’s my real name.”, your eyebrows raised slightly, your head turning to look at him as he looked down at the garden, one hand on the railing. 

“Your real name? Seems believable enough.”

“It is. Jason Peter Todd.”, he looked at you, meeting your gaze again. 

“Do you really want me to take that seriously? Do you really think I am that gullible?”

“I know you’re not.”, he spoke again. “And, I really am the son of Bruce Wayne.”

You stared at him. The silence growing and the tension slowly getting thicker. You couldn’t believe him. He was pulling a prank on you. There’s no way he’s… 

“Why do I feel like you’re lying to me?” “When have I ever lied to you?”, he was right. Over the course of the past few months, he never lied about anything he was doing. He wouldn’t tell you complete thoughts, sometimes keep small tidbits of information from you, but lying? He never did that. 

“You’re Bruce Wayne’s son?”, you asked again, almost as if asking for confirmation of the truth once again. 

“Yes.”, at this point, he was full on facing you, his hands in his pockets as he stood tall over you. His eyes bore into your soul, almost like he was breaking apart every one of your walls and getting under your skin, making you burn in your dress.

“Does he know… that you..”

“No. He doesn’t even know I’m back in Gotham.”, he answered. 

Back in Gotham? Does that mean he left at one point? Where did he go? How long was he gone? Why did he leave?

“I see.”, you were at a loss for words. You felt like there was something about his background that just… left you wrecked. Why did you feel betrayed? Because he was a rich kid with a father who had all to Gotham in the palm of his hand? Did you feel deceived, did you believe he was just another vigilante fighting to make ends meet and he had no other choice but to enter this life like you had? Or was he just rebelling against his father?

You felt an ember of anger growing in your chest. You couldn’t look at him, couldn’t stand next to him. You just felt like you received the worst confession in your life. Jason Todd, son of Bruce Wayne, was the one trying to take out Black Mask’s business to take a shot at his money and make him miserable. A rich pretty boy was trying to take out one of Gotham’s most ruthless mob bosses in the city. He could get away with killing all those people because Bruce Wayne would convince the world it wasn’t his son, there was no proof either. He wasn’t known as Jason Todd, no one knew it was him. He was just Red Hood. The annoyance grew in your chest as you remained silent and lost in thought. 

Did you even have the right to get mad at him? He’d helped you so many times, could’ve killed you throughout the past few months. He hadn’t shown anyone else within the city any form of sympathy or second guessed killing them, so why you? More importantly, why were you so bothered by the truth of who he was? 

He owed you nothing. 

You forced yourself back to the reality of the situation: get the job done.

“We can head back to my apartment once we’re done, just to get out of sight from the guards around here.”, you murmured, your eyes scanning the room in practiced scrutiny. Your focus on examining each attendee before arriving was paying off, but there were still internal updates that could have happened in the span of the past three days leading up to the Gala. Your eyes turned back towards Jason, his eyes looked at you in a soft glance, his focus on your words and actions as you scanned the room. He hummed lightly before creating distance between the two of you, your slicked hair showing off your features in a delicate manner that left him soaking in the sight for a second longer before turning away. 

“If the blueprints are accurate and they didn’t move any of the jewels around, they should be located by the main entrance where the guests came in and every one can see them.”, his response was practical, focusing perfectly on the very reason both of you were here tonight. 

Your mind raced through all the details, recalling every base of your plan down to the nitty gritty. You had calculated everything, trying to remember the blueprints exactly. Your memory was borderline photographic when it came to jobs like these. “We can leave at different times before the speeches and auction. We hack into the security system and set the cameras on loop, reprogram the sensors on the cases but we’ll only have around 10 or 15 minutes to get what we need and get out before the sensors turn back on.”

“What if we move the cameras into a blind spot that's only a few inches to the left of the main hallway?"

Your surprise was evident. "How do you know there’s a blind spot?"

"Hacking into the camera system a week ago helped a lot. I took it upon myself to cover the bases for a plan B in case we needed it."

You couldn't deny his resourcefulness, but the revelation of his background left you on edge. His clear, confident voice contrasted with the dissonance you felt in your bones. Your perception of him shifted, your judgment clouded by this deal with him and the payout at the end of this suicide mission. 

“Let’s finish what we came here for.”, his deep voice rang out. Deep, smooth, not hidden behind distortion. He was clear, articulate, and it irritated you knowing his background. It’s like your entire opinion of him just… shifted. You moved around him, slipping back into the main room and finding your way through the hallways, leaving him alone while you carried out your part of the plan. 

Back in the main room, Jason felt a tug in his gut, watching you with his deep green eyes, never leaving your form as you walked through the crowded room. He swirled his drink before throwing back the amber liquid, the burn offering him a momentary distraction from the irritation growing in the pit of his stomach. He watched as a group of men swept their gazes towards you, his hand tightening around the glass as he buried the annoyance under focus. If there was one thing he despised more than Galas, it was the people. He hated the social scene more than anything, everyone in this room included with the exception of you. 

He’d noticed how quickly your body language changed at the mention of who he was, it left him with a strange sensation wondering if you’d really gotten upset at his identity. Your sudden change in attitude made him question if his true self would change your perception of him, if it would change your alliance and the results of the job. His jaw clenched as he snapped back to focus. Regardless of how much he wanted to contemplate his actions or breakdown your reaction, he had a job to do.

He slowly moved through the room, his body tall in confidence as he noticed some of the women staring at him, blushing as they whispered between one another. He couldn’t help but feel strange, he’d always been hidden in his brother's shadow, women never particularly liked him but now that he’s older he can’t help but notice how the attention has changed. It was a complete contrast to his past, used to be overlooked and now everyone noticed him. He couldn't care less about it though, he didn’t care about anything here except for a particular woman who just walked out on him. 

He exited into the hall, walking past several people and groups of businessmen, giving them a slight nod in greeting before continuing through the corridors. He had turned down a particular hall, one he remembered from his intel and the blueprints he’d downloaded for this very night. It was the main server room, he could get to any of the cameras and completely shut them down to make the night easier on both of you. He couldn’t plant the chips there yet, he needed to touch base with you first. 

He turned into the main hall, scanning through different bodies of people until he saw you in front of a painting in all your glory. He hadn’t admitted it out loud but the pang in his chest at how you were dressed tonight left him on edge. 

“Van Gogh.”, he spoke out as he walked up beside you.

“Yeah..”, you replied softly, your attention briefly on the painting before looking down in contemplation. 

After you’d left the main room, you walked through the halls with other groups and couples, seemingly talking harmlessly but then you took in every piece of information and camera angle to the best of your ability. You stopped to admire one piece in particular, a kick to the gut but when Jason placed a hand on the small of your back, you looked at him. To anyone else the gesture would have been discreet and simple, but between the two of you it carried weight - a silent form of comfort. All you couldn’t place if it was due to his reveal, or just the stress of tonight, but you knew he’d intended the subtle gesture as a comforting touch. 

He turned to look at you, his eyes softening before flicking down to your parted lips, your lipstick beautifully painted as he took into account every detail of your presence. His jaw clenched before he removed his hand, turning back to the wall and you turned your head, not letting the heat show on your face due to his touch. 

“It’s a beautiful painting.”, you looked up at him, turning and continuing down the hall. Jason had lingered behind a moment longer, his chest filling with a rush of emotion before following behind you. Now wasn’t the time to dig up hidden meanings and make sense of them.

Not now. 

There was only half an hour before the auction started off, even less time than that before speeches and dinner started. You and Jason needed to be quick, needed to plant the chips, hack into the security system, and return before anyone caught on to your antics. You nodded at him, silently giving him an unspoken confirmation to complete your individual tasks before rendezvousing back to the main hall.

You had carefully taken in every inch of the building, watching and taking note of everything that came into proximity. You had to get to the server room and set up the security system to a no detectable loop, ensuring the system couldn’t be traced back to anyone just long enough to get what you needed and leave. You navigated the halls in focus, quickly scanning through while keeping complete composure and even nodding at a few people who walked past you to lighten suspicion. 

You quickly hurried through the hallways until you backtracked, heading down a hallway that was more dim than the rest and noticing the nameplate next to the door. You stood a few feet away to stay out of sight of the camera, trying to have as little mess to clean up as possible as you examined the door silently. You played through every possibility in your head within seconds, trying to find the best route of action to move forward with. 

You were able to find an opening just a few inches from a camera, a minute blind spot but it was all you needed to succeed. You had been keeping tabs on the security system long enough to see the actual entrance to the security room was blocked off. It gave you the perfect in to pick the lock, place the chip, set pre recorded footage, and delete any footage that showed your and Jason's entrance into the event and anything that could put you as suspects. You needed 10 minutes to pull the whole thing off. 

You knelt down to the handle, inserting the pin you can tucked into your hair, and began to work on the lock. It was a simple thing even for being placed in an event like this. After a few seconds, the subtle clicks gave away the opening of the lock, turning the handle and pushing the door open.

It was empty.

That eliminated one concern you had. If someone was in here you’d have to get your hands dirty. 

You closed the door, walked over to the desk and pulled the chair back to sit in it. You overlooked everything quickly, taking in every angle of the event being monitored in high definition. You could see the main room, the hallways, the club rooms, the library, the fountain where the art and jewels were displayed, even see the entrance to the gala as well as the outside cameras. Everything was here all in 30 tiny screens. You smirked at yourself. 

They really knew how to cover bases when they needed to. No doubt they did an in depth review of every inch of the location to ensure tighter security. 

You quickly typed in a virus code, connecting your chip to the server and watching the file download. You glanced at the camera that pointed into the hall next to the room you were in. Still empty. A good sign but it also left you on edge. You needed to hurry. 

You watched the file download, turning green in completion as you quickly added it to the server and set the programming to start with the looped footage in 15 minutes. You needed to hurry and program your chip to delete footage from the past hour, coding it into the system as fast as possible. 

You froze at the sound of the handle of the door turning, your heart pounding in your chest as you quickly finished the code. At least if you were caught they wouldn’t be able to trace this back to you. You removed your chip and shoved it into the inside of your dress, replacing the pin into your hair as you moved away from the computers. 

The turning of the handle made you freeze, not wanting to take out the gun you had strapped to your thigh. You pressed your back against the wall, holding your breath as the door opened with a soft creaking before watching someone walk inside. A tall muscular figure walked into the room, probably a guard, you quickly rushed him from behind, feeling the turn of his body as the both of you slammed on the ground. 

“If you wanted to get on top of me, all you had to do was ask, sweetheart.”, your eyes snapped up to him, your body completely flush with his as his hands laid perfectly on your curves. You felt a heat rise into your face, the flexing of his fingers on your waist making you burn hotter. 

You pushed yourself off of him, fixing your dress and glaring at him. “You’re insufferable.”, you muttered as he smirked at you. 

“I planted my chips. We have 15 minutes.”, he rolled his eyes, ignoring your momentary frustration. “We need to move.”

He gestured for you to follow as both of you slipped into the hall and navigated through the ornate corridors of the building, blending seamlessly among the guests. You couldn't deny the rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins; working with Jason was like walking on a knife's edge—exciting, unpredictable, and dangerous.

You both moved through the corridor, trying to make your way back to the main room in time to make your rounds before moving into the final stages of your plan. You’d haven't thought about Marcos and Calvi, knowing they’d probably be preoccupied in the sitting room doing their usual sketchy business. You didn’t see them on the cameras during your search earlier, but yet again, the probability of a secret room with no surveillance wasn’t too far off from what would be considered a possibility. Besides, it was better if Calvi stayed out of the way, especially when it would make things far more exhausting having to manage him and this operation. 

You tried to focus, your head swirling with a hundred different thoughts but if you lost even a minute detail, the whole operation would go to shit. Jason seemed a lot more focused, maybe the years of practice or just being gifted with that skill. Either way, it made him a good partner in all things criminal, even if you wouldn’t admit it out loud. 

Slipping back to the main room, everyone seemed to be within the grand walls of the ballroom, either socializing or in the middle of the open floor. You and Jason both slipped through the crowd, trying to make it back where Calvi and Marcos had left you before the harmonizing of orchestra instruments caused you to come to a sudden halt. 

Shit.

You could not get caught in this right now, it would set your entire plan back. You grit your teeth before turning to find confirmation in Jason to get out of this situation but your irritation grew when you looked over at him. You watched him extend a hand towards you, your eyes widened slightly in shock as you hesitated to touch his palm.

He could not be serious right now.

His eyes urged you forward, showing the seriousness in reminding you of the role you had to play tonight despite the reminders it gave you of your past. You couldn’t raise suspicion. 

You slowly grabbed his hand, letting him lead you onto the dance floor as the orchestra played a simple waltz. You felt him get into perfect position, your body moving in sync with his. It felt like he was almost trained to attend events like these, he truly did commit to the part but then again he was the son of Bruce Wayne. You were sure he had more experience with Galas than you did.

You recalled the moments you spent living with The Family, forced into a position of learning how to waltz and dance in order to better fit into the mold of their image. You didn’t mind it too much but you found it redundant, tiresome, tedious. 

Jason’s body moved in sync with the orchestra music, his movement smooth and in pace. You could barely keep up with him as he twirled you around before bringing you back in, your chests meeting each other as you sucked in a silent breath. You felt his breath slightly on your lips, your eyes meeting his as your faces hovered only inches from each other. You held his gaze as you saw an underlying burning in his eyes, they were dark and hazy almost like he was a man starved. You breathed, your lips parting as your eyes flickered down, focused on everything that had to do with him and nothing with the reason why you were here. 

You felt paused in time, like only you and him existed in this moment. Everything faded into nothing as the orchestra continued to play the waltz as it blurred into the background. You watched as his head tilted a millimeter, barely but enough to notice at the proximity you were at. His eyes flicked to your lips for a split second only to meet your eyes again. His body heat burned your skin, your pulse skyrocketing into a pounding sensation and slightly praying he couldn’t feel or hear it. His face was too close, his lips just a breath away from touching yours, everything in him burning at the proximity. 

The clapping from tonight's attendees broke you out of your trance, forcing you out of the moment you shared with Jason and snapping you into reality. You blinked, stepping back as he removed his body from yours only to give the traditional bow and walk away. You watched as he headed to the bar, your eyes looking around at everyone going back to their conversations and ignoring the people on the dance floor. 

What was that?

You felt a pang of emotion in your chest, your irritation brewing as you walked over to the bar where you watched him order another drink and down it in one go. You stood next to him, your heels helping you meet his eyeline as you tugged his arm back and forcing the green eyed man to look at you. 

“What was that?”, you whispered in a sharp tone, only loud enough for him to hear you. 

His hooded eyes looked at yours, he looked exhausted or maybe just drunk but you couldn’t bring yourself to care at that moment. Whatever was going on with him internally he needed to figure out outside of this mission before he ruined everything. Your eyes narrowed at him as a half-assed smirk appeared on his lips. 

“I’m keeping appearances, wasn’t that the plan?”, he said lazily, his demeanor completely changing. This wasn’t his usual act, so why was he putting it on?

“You’re going to blow our cover.”, your spit through clenched teeth. “You’re going to ruin everything.”

“I think we both know that’s not the reason you’re upset, sweetheart.”, he retaliated. 

“That wasn’t keeping appearances, Red!”, you whisper yelled at him, the burning in your eyes growing stronger as he stood upright. 

“Maybe not.”, he shrugged, his voice carrying a hint of something you couldn’t quite place. His eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion. 

You took a step closer, your voice a low murmur laden with urgency and frustration. "We have a job to do. This isn't about personal feelings or playing games."

“Yes, Ma’am”, he did a mocking salute before looking over your shoulder. “Let’s just get this over with.” 

Why did he become an asshole all of a sudden? You were about to spit something back at him before you felt a hand on your waist. 

“Vivian, Jason. Apologies for being gone so long, I hope the two of you were able to keep each other company?”, Calvi looked at you with deep eyes, his smile forced but he didn’t need to know you could tell. 

“Everything has been pretty calm here. I think they may start the dinner soon.”, you smiled at him as you felt the dark stare coming from Jason. 

“Then, let’s get to our tables shall we? Jason, I believe you and Marcos are with us tonight.”

“Let’s find our seats then.”, he pulled out a fake charming smile as he followed behind the both of you. The atmosphere crackled with unspoken tension, the weight of your shared moment just a few minutes ago hung between the two of you. You couldn’t deny whatever pull Jason had on you, but you needed to shove the thoughts away. Outside of this job, he was still a name on your list of targets. 

Calvi pulled out your seat once you’d reached the other room where the dinner would proceed. Several other guests were already sitting at their tables as they surrounded the main stage, waiting for the speaker to come up for the night and proceed into the auction. Your heart pounded in your chest as you looked at the clock on the wall. You had less than five minutes to find an opening or you would lose your only advantage. 

“Calvi, I need to step out for a moment. I'm just going to head to the washroom”, you asked trying to sound as calm as possible. 

“I'll accompany you, I have a call I need to make.”, Jason’s voice rang out, Calvi nodding slightly as he looked towards Jason. “I can walk with you."

“Thank you, Jason.”, you forced. “I’ll be back before they even start with the first round of appetizers and the opening speech.”, you placed a soft kiss on Calvi’s cheek, trying to keep up the appearance of his adorned partner. 

You followed behind Jason closely, his shoulders tense as he parted in the opposite direction once you exited the dining hall, leaving as you went into the women's restroom. You pushed the door open, opening the final stall and locking it behind you. You quickly removed the hidden compartment behind the wall. To anyone else it looked like the normal wall in the restroom, but you had managed to sneak your undercover clothing into the empty space behind it. You quickly removed your dress, pulling it off gently as you changed into the simple kitchen staff clothing. Black pants, black button up, non slip shoes and tying your hair into a bun. You had opted for makeup that was easy to put on and take off, quickly taking off parts of the eye shadow before letting yourself look more natural. The same with your hair as it only remained in a slicked back ponytail, making it easy to twist into a bun. You quickly put on the tie and the hat you had that the kitchen staff wore in order to hide your face. 

You quickly zipped your dress into a seal proof bag and shoved it into the wall along with your heels, fixing it before looking down at your watch. You had less than 2 minutes before you needed to look for the diamond, 8 minutes to find the case and retrieve it, all while keeping a low profile. 

You pushed through the door of the restroom and walked confidently through the halls, your eyes taking in the different cases being showcased around you with all the different jewels. Some of them remained in cases, but according to your plan book, it would be on display tonight for the auction. 

You paced through the halls, seeing dressed in all black Jason walk up next to you, his attire matching the security guards uniform as his words dropped into your ears. “We need to move quickly.”, he breathed as his eyes glanced over at the other servers moving through the halls carrying trays. 

You hummed in agreement, your focus sharp as you fell into step with him before breaking apart once again. He went towards the east wing and you to the west, both wings holding different jewels but only one holding the one you needed. 

45 seconds until the outage. 

You moved through the halls quickly. Your eyes skimming every jewel showcased on the mannequins that were also dressed in beautiful gowns and wore other expensive jewels. 

30 seconds. 

Jason paced the east wing, his eyes taking in every case, keeping a close watch on the cameras and making himself look as normal as possible. Being dressed in security clothing and observing the rooms would cease suspicion. It was the perfect cover. 

15 seconds. 

You felt your heart pound as you looked at the last of the people head into the dining hall. 

10 seconds. 

Jason felt a tug in his gut as he heard the announcer start speaking in the other room, signaling his opening in a few seconds. 

5 seconds.

You could hear the announcer in the other room, then complete silence before you heard the scream of one of the guests. The power had gone completely out and you watched the camera intently as the red light signaling its recording flickered off. You felt yourself go into overdrive, your body quickly searching through the mannequins as your watch gave you the alarm that you only had 8 minutes before the cameras and the security locks on the cases turned back on. 

Adrenaline surged through you as the darkness acted as your cover, the loss of power would only give you so much time. You knew each second counted, quickly moving as you scanned each mannequin with precision, your senses heightened due to the lack of light. The echo of distant voices carried down the hall, the subtle sound of rushed footsteps heightening your awareness. Your heart pounded in your chest every time there was a noise down the hall, but you couldn’t let your anxiety get to you if you were going to pull this off. You needed to focus on this and only this. You only hoped that if you couldn’t find the diamond here, Jason had it already. 

Time blurred as you felt the pressure slowly start to build as you felt the reality sink in. Where was it?! 

You looked at your watch, only having 4 minutes to retrieve what you needed, get back to the restroom and change, find Jason, and return to the dining hall before security inevitably took everyone to evacuate the building. The adrenaline and pounding of your heart only increased as you watched the time go down, Jason still not having sent the signal to your receiver that he had found it on his end. 

In the east wing, Jason felt himself struggling to keep his composure. He knew you only had mere minutes before the both of you would have to return empty handed or with the diamond in hand. He contemplated just taking a different diamond out of its place, but none of them would hold the same weight as Josephine would towards making a direct hit at Black Mask. Jason looked at his watch, not having received a signal from you yet. Would all of this have been for nothing?

His watch told him he only had 2 minutes left. His jaw clenched, the plan was to be back in the main room by the time 1 minute hit, he had to leave and get changed now if he was going to erase suspicion. 

Dammit.

He turned, rushing back to the restroom and quickly changing, shoving the clothes back into the hidden compartment behind the wall as he fixed his suit and swept his hair back in his neat, yet messy style he had when he had arrived at the event for the night. He walked out of the restroom, fixing his cuffs and trying to wipe the sweat from his forehead as he navigated carefully back into the main room, the sound of chatter and mild chaos breaking out as the announcer called for everyone to follow the guards leading them to exit the building. 

The hum of electricity signaled the return of power, followed by the faint buzz of security systems coming back online. Jason’s eyes moved through the crowd as he blended in, trying to find any sign of you within the sea of bodies. Everyone walked around him, the security yelling before Jason felt a hand grab him. 

“Jason!”, Marcos’ voice rang out. “C’mon. We have to go.”

“What happened?”, his voice deep in confusion although he wasn’t naïve to the situation. 

“Security breach. They’re evacuating everyone.”, Marcos said, annoyed as Jason followed next to him, his eyes still skimming through the crowd. 

Where were you?

“They don’t want to be at risk for a possible hit. Apparently there have been too many raids around the city targeting the luxury businesses in Upper Gotham.”, Marcos continued. 

Jason really couldn’t care at the moment, but he followed behind everyone as they made their way down the stairs and through the security checkpoint. The security were patting down each person, ensuring they didn’t carry anything from the inside out. It made Jason’s heart pump as he watched Marcos get patted down, him following closely behind as he continued to skim through the attendees getting checked by the line of guards. 

The guard rushed him forward after being checked, fixing his cuffs Jason looked over at Marcos as he called for his car. “Do you need a ride?”, Marcos asked silently. 

“No. I have my own car, thanks though.”, Why was he on edge? He was sure you’d gotten out, maybe you were already back at the rendezvous point. You both agreed to meet there in case anything fell through. His jaw tightened as he grew deeper in thought, waving mindlessly as Marcos left in his car and he walked through the streets until he reached his hidden motorcycle in the back alleys of the city. 

He placed the black helmet over his head, kicking up the motorcycle stand as he revved the engine to life, the screeching of tires sounding out as he drove through the city pushing his top speed. His unease gnawed at him as his mind raced through each second he spent on the road. He forced himself to remember you were smart, resourceful, and were probably the best to get out of a tough situation. Yet, the weight of uncertainty hung around him like a 500 pound weight.

His anticipation made him tighten his grip on the handles as he sped through the city streets, weaving through traffic with his timely precision he’d honed throughout the years. The wind enveloped him in a blanket, doing little to ease the anxiety growing in his bones. Every turn, every stoplight, it all heightened his sense of urgency. He needed to be sure you made it back safe, that you were in your apartment and didn’t get caught. 

As he pulled into the neighborhood, his focus intensified. He chose the familiar route he’d taken hundreds of times before, trying to find the fastest way to your apartment. He kicked down the stand on his bike as he left it in the alley, rushing up the stairs to your top floor apartment, his heart pumping faster no thanks to the stairs and the rush making him not even think about using the elevator. Each step, each floor, each second made his heart beat inside of him, he felt his anxiety creeping into his veins. 

He jumped the last few steps, using his long legs to hurry up the stairs two steps at a time as he finally reached the floor you lived on. He knocked with a rush, the seconds elongating into excruciating seconds as he paced. He knocked again, the sound echoing through the night, his pulse pounding in his ears as he waited. 

Did Calvi take her back to his estate?

Did she get caught looking for the diamond? 

Did she get lost?

Just as he was about to turn and knock again, the door swung open, there you stood in your golden dress, your hair done as perfectly as it was when you arrived for the event tonight and your makeup still flawless. Your eyes were wide as you stared at him, the silence hanging in the air as he stared at you with shock in his eyes, 

Relief flooded through him, overwhelming any lingering anxiety. "Y/n," he breathed, his voice rough with emotion.

“Jason.”, you breathed as you watched his eyes flicker into a calmness, almost like relief. “You didn’t use the window.” you said amused. 

Jason ran a hand through his hair as he let out an airy laugh. “Figured this was more suitable for the occasion.”

You moved to the side, letting him enter the apartment as you closed the door behind you and locking it silently. You felt your heart calm from the anxiety you felt at not being able to find him during the final moments of the Gala. You had gotten lost and when Calvi found you, he rushed you out the exit and brought you home in his private car. When you arrived the only thing you worried about was if Jason was able to remember your plan to meet back at your apartment if anything had gone wrong, hoping he’d eventually show. 

“I couldn’t find you after the power came back on.”, he muttered as he leaned on the kitchen table. “I didn’t find it.”

You met his gaze, letting the silence hover between the both of you as you let out a small laugh. Jason looked at you with confused eyes, his lips twitching as you laughed even harder. Were you laughing because the entire mission was a failure? Did you also fail in retrieving the diamond?

He watched you intently as you lifted the fabric to your dress, his hand twitching as it gripped the table. You showed off the part of your leg that held your gun, a small pouch attached to it. You carefully detached the small bag, your leg still on full display as Jason’s eyes lingered on your body, a flicker of lust burning inside of him as he forced himself to focus. 

He watched as you opened the small velvet bag slowly, placing the 12 carat diamond ring on a silk cloth on the counter. The deep blue color radiating a kind of beauty you couldn’t recreate in a lab, it was definitely one of a kind. You walked over to the small cabinet you had against the wall, taking out a kit used by high end jewelers to decipher the worth and validity of diamonds like this one. He watched you intently, wondering why you could pull out a diamond loupe unless you suspected it was fake. 

Though, he knew it was a good idea to do so. 

He watched as you held the diamond carefully, examining it in the light and under the loupe to look at every detail and intricate curve within the jewel. You tried to work carefully, using your knowledge to properly decipher the validity of the diamond or if everything tonight had been for nothing. Your hands moved gently as you used the different tools in your kit to check every aspect of the diamond to leave no doubt that it was real. 

The air between the two of you crackled with anticipation, the weight of your accomplishment hanging heavy in the room. Jason’s gaze flickered to you briefly, a smile hanging on his lips as he stood impressed by your resourcefulness and grace under pressure. 

It was a 50/50 chance that the diamond was actually real, especially since it wasn’t uncommon for high profile events to use fakes in order to not take the risk of something getting stolen, the insurance would surely cost them a fortune.

$48.6 million was a lot of money.

You left him on edge, wondering why your silence had prolonged as he watched you.

It had been 15 minutes. 

Was it a fake?

You pulled back, your shoulders slumping as you placed the diamond gently on the silk rag, a shuddered breath leaving your lips. He stood upright, his heart pounding at your body language. You slowly turned your head, meeting his gaze. 

"Congratulations, Jason," you praised softly, your words carrying a mix of admiration and pride. "You're officially a millionaire.”. You pushed your baby hairs back, trying to let yourself calm down from the high as you turned towards him. “Oh my god, Jas-”

Jason's response was immediate and primal. In one swift motion, he closed the distance between you, pressing your back against the kitchen counter. His hand slid possessively around the back of your neck, fingers tangling in your hair as he slammed his lips on yours in a passionate kiss. His other arm wrapped firmly around your waist, pulling you flush against him, your body freezing at the sudden contact. Your heart pounded in your chest, your head spinning as he moved his lips against yours in a powerful and hungry way. His hold tightened as you moved your lips against his, breathing in his natural musk. 

His hold on you became desperate, possessive, his muscular arms wrapping around you to make your frame push against his even more. His lips moved in a dominant manner, biting your bottom lip as he let himself lose all form of self control. Your hands found their way to Jason's shoulders, fingers tangling in his tuxedo jacket as you responded to his kiss with equal fervor. His toned body flexing under your fingers almost like it burned him but it left him wanting more of you. 

The world outside faded away as you stood locked in a dance of desire and danger, your hearts beating in sync with the rush of adrenaline that still coursed through you. The kiss deepened, a testament to the electric connection that had sparked between the two of you amidst the chaos and danger of your mission. He couldn’t get enough of you, his mouth finally pulling away so the two of you could catch your breath. You opened your eyes slightly, looking at his hooded ones as his eyes flickered to your swollen lips. 

Was it the adrenaline? 

Was it the high? 

Was it him? 

Was it everything around you that led you to this moment?

“Jason…”, you whispered against his mouth as you tried to catch your breath. 

You couldn’t even catch your breath before his mouth devoured yours again, pressing his body against yours and pushing you against the wall behind you. His body hunched over slightly due to the height difference but his dominance was overwhelming, pushing you into overdrive. Your hands tangled in his hair, his lips leaving your mouth and kissing down the side of your neck. Your body shook from the pleasure, your nails digging into his arm as his hand reached your lower back and pulled you against him again. His teeth bit the curve of your neck slightly, licking the sensitive area as a soft moan released from your lips. 

In that stolen moment, as you kissed amidst the quiet of your apartment, everything else melted away—the heist, the risks, the uncertainty of your future. There was only the heat of the connection, the electricity that crackled between you, and the undeniable truth that you both had crossed a line you couldn't un-cross.

As you finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, You looked up at Jason with wide eyes, your heart racing in sync with his. Jason rested his forehead against yours, your eyes locked in a silent exchange that spoke volumes of unspoken promises and newfound intimacy.

“Jay…”, his name slipped from your lips in a desperate tone, your body betraying you by reacting to the final swipe he did on your skin, nipping on your neck before pulling back. 

“Y/n….”

Jason rested his forehead against yours, his voice husky as he murmured, "We did it."

You smiled, your fingers tracing lightly along Jason's suit. "Yeah, we did," you whispered, your lips swollen and missing his as you spoke.

In that moment, as you stayed in his hold and met his gaze in silence, you felt in your bones the truth of your relationship with him. Despite the anger, the hatred, the stupid hits at one another, Jason wasn’t the threat you believed him to be. The tension that had grown between the two of you, the moments of uncertainty where doubt had threatened to cloud your judgment, the anger that had been placed inside of you by Sionis, it all disappeared when you met his gaze.

You felt a familiarity in him, despite your denial, you couldn’t push it away. Not when there had been so many times he had helped you, taken you out of harm's way, and refused to make any hits that would result in serious harm. 

You’d believed for months that he was irritating, a nuisance, the bane of your existence and yet… here you were completely wrapped up in him.

The cold realization sank into your bones…

What have you done?

AN:

Hey guys!

I want to thank you guys for being so patient with me and the release of this chapter. Uni has been picking up and being between summer classes and fulltime at work, sometimes my posting has to get delayed! So i really appreciate the grace in this!

This series is hitting its mid way point, so there will be more picking up of everything pretty soon!

Also I have a few drafts of a JJK fanfic that I made, one with SukunaxReader and one with GetoxReader that I will be posting either while I write this series or after. I still haven’t decided yet!

Please continue to leave feedback and comments! I love reading them esp the personal messages i’ve received from many of you!

See you next week! xx.

[wanderlust-in-my-soul]

Currently Watching - October

aka The Masterlist

Because I love a good little list - in alphabetical order! 😊

Regularly updated during the month, latest update 29.10.2024

A little link to my favorite bl-tropes-collection 💙

gif-requests are open, but you'll need to have some patience🌼

Here you can find all of my gifs.

At the end you can have a look at what we can expect in October with a MDL link and a link for a trailer (if avaible).

This is guaranteed to contain spoilers!

1. Bad Guy My Boss 🇹🇭 (6/12)

I must admit, I have no clue what I am watching here. What is their problem? Why can't they just talk to each other? What is their past relationship? And why is the bad boss so mean? Why is he always angry? What are those dreams? And do I think bad boss is attractive? I don't know. Every time he doesn't speak, doesn't really act and just sits there and looks at something without anger in his face, I think that is such a beautiful young man. Every time he acts as the boss and talks or stares angry into the void, I think there is something off. Questions. I have questions... One thing from this week's episode I can say is, James looks like a good kisser. He puts effort in those scenes. Wish he had a more comfortable partner...

2. Every You, Every Me 🇹🇭 (4/8)

I am so in love with this series. It tingles all the right spots of the romantic parts of my brain. The concept is so great. Every week we can see those two fall in love with each other. I love seeing people fall in love with each other. And we don't have to wait for weeks for them to admit their feelings. This weeks (and with that last weeks, too) story was a weaker one for me. I knew he was going to die, so the emotional impact was not really there for me. But we got a really beautiful love scene, which was nice. And I hope next week's episode is a little bit lighter.

3. Jack & Joker: U steal my heart! 🇹🇭 (8/12)

I loooove this series so much! We finally get some comfort! But don't get yourself fooled! This episode is heartbreaking! Jack is drifting more and more towards the dark side while he still tries to help everyone, but himself. He willingly offers himself to the devil just so everyone else around him is safe. And Joke... his dad... out of personal reasons this scene hit really hard! It made me sob uncontrollably. But in the end they played the truth game and grandma won and those two were finally cuddling! They are finally back on the same page! I love them. And I love the grandma. She is their biggest fan and I am hers!

4. Kidnap 🇹🇭 (8/12)

I don't know what this episode was. It was so messy. It felt so incoherent and rushed. Like a filler episode to provide that people keep watching, because we finally got some sexy time. I am honest, that wasn't the greatest sexy time. But they are back together and happy. We are on episode 8, so there are four more episodes for drama. Next week some jealousy and I guess with end of episode 10/episode 11 shit will hit the fan. So I am not that mad we got this honeymoon phase now. But it felt really off.

5. Let Free The Curse Of Taekwondo 🇰🇷 (4/8)

I am devastated... This show knows how to hurt me. Our boys got like five minutes peace and happiness until everything went to shit. And they are so happy together and it looks so good on them! And I know want to know what happend in the past twelve years! And I want them to talk and to find closure. At this point I wouldn't mind them not getting back together, but just give each other peace and closure! Until then I am living in this scene!

6. Word of Honor 🇨🇳 (20/36)

Do you still believe I'll come back to this one? It is a really good series, but I can't motivate myself to dive into it right now 🙈

Finished in October

Series

I Saw You In My Dream 🇹🇭

This series was cute. It was just a slice of their lifes with a bit of a fantasy element to it. I really liked the relationships. Not just the main couple, but the friendship and the family bond. All were nice and lovely. The dreams were an interesting element to build the series around. I liked the idea. But mostly, I really enjoyed our main couple. They were friends and so their relationship based on that. It was a very healthy relationship and the series just showed them as a fresh couple, who couldn't keep their hands from each other. That was refreshing. The acting was not the best, but it was okay for me. I give it a 8 out of 10.

First Note of Love 🇹🇼

I don't know. I never really got a feeling for this series. There was no real chemistry between the mains. It felt more like brothers to me. That is my personal feeling. The story was okay, but not that special to me. The acting was good. So for me this is a series I won't come back to in the future, but I think people might really like it, because it is cute and quiet. Just a 6 out of 10 for me.

Love In The Big City 🇰🇷

I really needed some time to think about this series. It is not a bl series. It is a queer drama about queer people living queer lifes. We accompany Ko Yeong while he stumble through life and affairs. We witness his happy times, his heartbreaks and his darkest times. His friend group is so splendid and I love and miss them. They are there when he needs them the most and that is so important for me. It is a very realistic story, told in a beautiful, cautious way, acted with so much talent and passion. As a consumer of a bunch of different queer media, I have seen almost every ending in history of queer drama. This one is not a sad one. It is a hopeful one. Our beloved Ko Yeong finally understood what he wants, what his heart wishes for. He is still heartbroken, but he seeks love and in the future there is hope he will find this love again. He started a new chapter of his life and is only at the beginning of his self-love-journey. There is so much more to come for him. This series really touched me deeply and I can't stop thinking about it. A clear and strong 10 out of 10 for me.

Movie

As Long as We Both Shall Live 🇯🇵

I loved this one. I didn't understand what exactly was going on in the end, but the story and the romance was so good. A little bit of Cinderella in there and I love a good old fairy tale. And this really felt like one. The love between them was so pure and it developed so naturally. And the magic system was interesting, but I really wish we had more insight in what was going on. Or I am just not capable of getting it... A really strong 9 out 10 for me.

Short Film

Dropped in October

Uncle Unknown 🇹🇼 (3/12)

Yeah... no. This is juts bad. I won't keep watching this. I don't want to give this series any more of my time. I watched low budget productions and I am really fine with most of them, because there is a story that wants to be told. But this here is just a mess. I have no clue what is going on or who these people are and at this point I really don't care anymore. So, yeah, dropped...

Looking forward to in October

Heartstopper - Trailer (Oct 3rd)

Fourever You - Trailer (Oct 3rd)

Uncle Unknown - Trailer (Oct 4th)

Every You, Every Me - Trailer (Oct 6th)

Eccentric Romance - Trailer (Oct 10th)

High School Frenemy - Trailer (Oct 14th)

Taming The Bad Guy (Oct 15th)

Let Free the Curse of Taekwondo - Trailer (Oct 17th)

Pluto - Trailer (Oct 19th)

Love in the Big City - Trailer (Oct 21st)

See Your Love - Trailer (Oct 23rd)

See You (Oct 25th)

Blue Canvas of Youthful Days - Trailer (Oct 26th)

Perfect 10 Liners - Trailer (Oct 27th)

Stealing from my CEO - Trailer

[kattricia]

Hey so nobody asked, but here are my favorite Jayvik fics

Liminal by the_wolves (M) – reading this story felt like standing in the eye of a storm– chaotic, overwhelming, and yet somehow achingly still. it follows Jayce and Viktor as they navigate a fractured timeline, where love and regret intertwine, and second chances are as fragile as they are beautiful. every word is a brushstroke, painting a world so vivid and heavy with emotion; so beautifully crafted it hurts. the way it weaves longing, love and time is nothing short of breathtaking. devastating and yet laced with hope, the story doesn't just tell itself- it reaches into you, presses against every raw nerve, and refuses to leave. it demands you to feel everything: the yearning, the regret, the quiet moments of connection as Jayce and Viktor struggle to mend not just what was broken between them, but within themselves. this isn't a story you simply read, it's one you live through; leaving you utterly undone. i spent days crying over this story, haunted by the beauty of it all. if you're ready to feel everything all at once, read it.

Coming Home (But Not to You) & Someplace New by queercatfan (E) – Coming Home (But Not to You) and its epilogue, Someplace New, are two halves of the same story, balancing like an equation finally solved. one is the long, slow process of unraveling; the other is what comes after–the quiet answer to a question neither of them was brave enough to ask. coming home is a bittersweet journey that lingers long after the last word. it's a story in distance–the kind that forms between people who once stood too close, the kind that lingers in the spaces between what was said and what was meant. Jayce and Viktor–former lab partners, best friends, and now something unrecognizable, are drawn back into each other's orbit after years spent apart. their reunion is not an embrace but an uneasy negotiation, each step measured, each word careful, the kind meant to hold back rather than reveal. the past is everywhere, in the laboratory they once shared, in the invention that tore them apart, in the silence that stretches too long before someone fills it with something safer than the truth. this is a slow-burn masterpiece, laced with biting humor, quiet vulnerability, and deeply human exploration of ambition, healing, and the spark of something that refuses to fade. it's a portrayal of love and pain, of distance and closeness, that feels achingly human. if coming home is a story about navigating the wreckage, then someplace new is the quiet decision to stay, to make something out of what was left. it is soft in the way things can only be once they have been broken and put back together. it does not ask what could have been, only what is. it is a story told in the hush of morning light, in the press of familiar hands, in the kind of intimacy that does not announce itself but simply exists. it is indulgence, not in excess, but in the simple act of having survived long enough to reach for something more. it is waking up to a life that feels different and realizing, quietly, that you would not trade it for the one you lost.

basophobia series by jasspurr (E) – oh gods, these fics. reading spinning and perihelion feels like stepping into a whirlwind of raw emotion and quiet devastation, where every word hums with tension and every glance carries the weight of an unsaid confession. they don't just invite you in- they consume you, pulling you into a world where longing is a language all its own, and love is as fragile as it is inevitable. spinning is the spark– a charged and intimate exploration of the fragile connection between Jayce and Viktor, set in the aftermath of Progress Day; their unspoken feelings simmering beneath every touch and every moment of closeness. Into Perihelion is the burn– a slow, searing unraveling of the fragile bond hinted at in spinning. trapped in a cycle of denial, Jayce and Viktors relationship becomes increasingly strained under the weight of their ambitions, their unresolved feelings and the chaos brewing in Piltover. a story of walls built too high, a dance between yearning to hold on and the fear of falling too far. these fics will leave you heart-sore and yearning for more. if you're ready to become completely undone, don't hesitate.

Here at the End of All Things by queercatfan (M) – here at the end of all things is not just a story; it is the wreckage left behind. it is what remains after the choice has been made, after the world has been rewritten in a language of ruin. Viktor stands alone in the silence of his own making, burdened by the weight of a future that was meant to be salvation but instead became the end. time and dimension blur as he retraces the past, revisiting timelines, desperate for a version where he chose differently. somewhere, another Viktor walks a different path. somewhere, Jayce lived. but not here. here, in this timeline, viktor has turned his greatest creation into a monument to his greatest mistake. Jayce is stone–a relic of something Viktor cannot bring himself to let go of. this is not a tragedy in the way most tragedies are told. there is no sharp descent, no singular moment of downfall. the worst has already happened. the grief remains. not fresh, not new, but something older, settled into the bones of the world, inescapable. and yet, the question lingers–if love was not enough to save the world, could it still be enough to save him? the prose is restrained but unrelenting, devastating in its precision. it does not beg to be mourned. it simply is–like ruins left to the mercy of time, like a garden growing at the edge of oblivion, like Viktor kneeling before the ghost of what he destroyed, whispering prayers to stone. it records loss in sharp, unflinching detail, neither comforting nor concealing. this is not a story about redemption. it is not a story about forgiveness. but a story about what remains, even after everything is lost.

not a lot, just forever by bunnypoem (E) – not a lot, just forever is a story about momentum, about the things that set themselves into motion and refuse to stop. it is an equation, a theorem, a system in motion. a collision and consequence, two minds pulling against each other, arguing over principles of physics and philosophy, never once acknowledging that the subject of study is them. it spans years. academia and ambition, lectures and late nights, the slow accumulation of shared history–Viktor and Jayce, always in the same rooms, always circling the same truths, neither willing to name it first. arguments in seminar halls that sounds like love, words that mean more than they should, love confessions that sounds like philosophy. a rivalry that is not a rivalry, a friendship that is not just friendship. it is restraint, until it isn't. distance, until the distance becomes unbearable. it is Viktor, carefully curating the weight of his words, holding his breath behind sentiment that refuses to name itself. it is Jayce, too bright, too present, disrupting the delicate arrangement of Viktor's world until there is no choice but to acknowledge that he is there. that he has always been there. and when it does break–when the careful distance is breached–it is not done carelessly. theory made flesh, the structure of knowing someone so deeply that they might as well be written into you. the prose does not ask to be adored. it does not demand anything. it simply exists, precise and intentional, not sentimental but reverent. it does not indulge in feeling–it records it, acknowledges it as fact. it is not a love story, except for the fact that it is. not a lot, just forever.

[stardustrebels]

More of You- Chapter 2

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem!reader

WC: 1k

Rating: 18+ for eventual smut, MDNI

Series Masterlist | Blog Masterlist Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Summary: After a devastating betrayal and loss, you left everything behind on the East Coast and promised yourself a fresh start in Austin, Texas. Independence as your new mantra, you vow never to let anyone too close again. Then you meet Joel Miller- a man whose warmth and Southern charm makes it hard to stick to your resolve. As your feelings deepen, you’re forced to confront your past- and question if letting someone in again is worth the risk. 

Tags: No outbreak!AU. Coffee shop meet-cute with a slow-ish burn. Sickly sweet fluff with eventual smut. I wanted to write something that gave me the warm fuzzies, and I am kicking my feet and giggling while I write this. Joel Miller just deserves a good life, you know? Joel and reader have a teeny tiny age gap- Joel is 42, reader is mid 30s. Sarah is 19. No use of Y/N, minimal descriptions of reader. She has hair long enough to tie back and she wears skirts and dresses. A/N: If you're reading this, hello! I'm so glad you're here :) As before, not really proofread, but we move. If I overthink it, it'll never get posted. Enjoy!

He was already there when you arrived the next day- you spotted him as soon as you entered the coffee shop, settled into the same corner seat by the window; his broad shoulders hunched slightly as he leaned over his worn paperback, just as he had the day before. You blinked to make sure he wasn’t a figment of your imagination- the early morning sunlight streaming through the window illuminated the streaks of silver in his hair, making them glint like beautiful threads of polished steel. He was wearing a denim shirt today and a pair of reading glasses were perched low on his nose, the frames slightly crooked, as though they had been carelessly shoved in to a pocket one too many times. 

You tried not to look too obvious as you stole glances at him. He didn’t seem to notice you- or maybe he was just too polite to let on that he had. You ordered and made your way to your usual table, glancing down as you passed. On the table in front of him sat a black coffee, the steam curling lazily in to the air. A single biscotti lay untouched on the saucer beside the cup, as if it had been ordered out of politeness rather than any real intention to eat it. He shifted slightly in his seat as you brushed past him tilting the book to the side as though the movement had broken his concentration. 

As you sat down and set up your laptop as normal, you couldn’t help but muse over him. He didn’t seem like the kind of man who frequented coffee shops for the atmosphere. The black coffee, no cream or sugar, suggested a practicality rather than indulgence, but maybe that was an unfair stereotype based on how he looked. You found yourself wondering if he always drank his coffee black. It suited him- at least you thought so. Did he come here as often as you did and you’d just never noticed him before, or was this just a coincidence? The barista arriving to your table with your coffee pulled you from your thoughts. You thanked her with a smile. As your gaze drifted back down to the table from where she had stood, you braved a glance at him again. Your eyes darted to his hands watching transfixed as he lifted the cup to his lips, the way his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. You swallowed too, eyes lingering on the base of his throat, just above the first button of his shirt. Your eyes flicked back up to his face; his expression was calm, though every so often his brows would furrow and his lips would press together in concentration. You couldn’t tear your eyes away from him. Every movement was mesmerising. 

A thought crossed your mind, as it had the day prior. I could just say hello. Introduce myself. Ask him what he’s reading. 

It wasn’t such a wild idea. People struck up conversations in coffee shops all the time. He seemed approachable, he had smiled at you yesterday. Maybe he wouldn’t mind the interruption. Maybe he’d even welcome it. 

You bit your lip, heart beating a little faster at the thought. At the idea of effortless, casual conversation with him. You might even get to see what a full smile on his face looked like as you chatted. Your fingers twitched with indecision. Then he looked up at you. 

You froze, your breath catching in your throat, your fingers stilled awkwardly above your keyboard. His brown eyes, framed by laughter lines under his black-rimmed glasses, crinkled as he smiled at you. It wasn’t much, just a faint lift of the corner of his mouth, but it was enough to make your heart thump hard in your chest. You felt the heat rising in your cheeks as you realised that you’d been caught looking at him. Again. You tried to look casual, tapping your fingers awkwardly against your keyboard, typing nonsense on to your screen. 

The moment lingered, and so did his smile. Maybe he’s waiting for you to say something, a bold part of your brain suggested. Or maybe he’s being polite at the weirdo who won’t stop staring at him, another, less helpful, part of your brain offered. You swallowed hard, the argument bouncing around inside your head. It’s now or never. Just ask about his book, or say hi. Or- anything!

Taking a steadying breath, you started to push back your chair, steeling yourself to cross to his table before you could talk yourself out of it. But before you could stand, his phone buzzed  and lit up on the table. 

He glanced down at the screen, expression shifting immediately. The faint softness of his smile vanished, replaced by a small frown as he picked up the phone. He answered with a clipped, “Miller.”

His voice was deep, rich, and carried an authoritative air that sent shivers down your spine. You quickly dropped your gaze back to your laptop, feigning sudden interest in the jumble of words you smashed on to the document earlier in your attempt to play it cool. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him listening intently, his free hand running over the back of his neck as he nodded at whatever was being said on the other end of the line. 

“Yeah, okay. I’ll be there soon,” he said, his tone curt but calm. He ended the call and set his phone down, rubbing his temple for a moment before finishing the last of his coffee in a single gulp. You snuck another glance as he stood, his denim shirt lifting as he slung a bag over his shoulder, revealing the tiniest sliver of tanned skin. You gulped and watched as he carried the cup, saucer and uneaten biscotti back to the counter, just as he had the day before,  murmuring a quick thanks to the barista. Then, without a backward glance he strode out of the coffee shop, his boots thudding softly against the floor. 

You stared after him and felt a pang of disappointment. So much for now or never. 

Next Chapter

[chibicharlie95]

Random Late Evening Thoughts

Olrox and Mizrak

Spoilers for Castlevania Nocturn S2

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Soooo I think I may start doing some media analysis and thoughts here so please bare with me as I manage my thoughts and rambles.

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So I really love Castlevania as a series both the OG and the sequel series in Nocturn. The series has a tendency to address really hard-hitting topics in a way that is approachable, but doesn't skimp out on the beautiful animation or action sequences, and it is just a top-tier show for me personally.

That said Castlevania nocturne has a specific reoccurring theme throughout as IT addresses morality and the impacts of immortality on that morality.

In season 2 it really focuses on a lot of the religious aspects of this concept happening within a time period of intensive discourse and strife about those very same things. In season 2 there is a large focus on characters who are facing a crisis of morality.

You have one character who as their life is revealed is shown to be a true faithful to their deity, who gets lost in their feelings of obligation and personal loss, that they lose sight of the mission their deity had imparted to them. Another character faces the difficult task of dealing with personal devastation and how that impacts their relationships with every single character that they interact with be that positively or negatively. This character is one who from the beginning of the series seems to embody everything that is good and righteous and innocent, so seeing the show take that same innocence and just utterly devastate it to the point that that character faces an intensive moral crisis was just a super interesting plot point.

Which all of this is to say, bringing myself to the actual point of this ramble, I think my favorite character in this second season and as far as my personal relatability is probably Mizrak. My reason for this is actually really really simple, I am a person who grew up within a highly religious atmosphere, and so I'm able to relate to a lot of his understandings and struggles within himself and with the situations that he is inevitably faced with. He is a character who is embodying the sense of moral uprightness or like Christian uprightness, or at least the perception of that from the view of the Christian person. Mizrak sees the corruption and that which can be perceived as evil throughout the story, but he feels as though it is his duty to his faith to uphold this so-called mission from who he believes to be a higher powered servant of God. And throughout the show we watch a deterioration of that trust in not only his faith community, but in himself, his fellow man, and eventually his God.

A big character point for him is his sexuality, which is again something that I really understand and relate to coming from a highly conservative religious environment. The second season hammers home in a very delicate way the fear that he has balancing his desire or love with his overwhelming sense of personal conviction. On the one hand he is supposed to represent this all for God very faithful, almost militant aspect of Christianity, but on the same token his so called "sins" are very human in nature. In the first season we watch him struggle with feelings of lust and an initial trepidation with his faith community, and the second season we see that completely fall apart.

By the halfway point of the second season Mizrak understands at least in his mind that he is in love with a vampire, but even more than that he's in love with a man. Which is something that from his conservative militant Christian upbringing, would be something so against god, against the natural order of things, against everything that he believes he stands for, that it messes with his head. And we witness him do everything he can to avoid thinking about it, to try to run away from his truth, and even to fearfully accept it.

At the second season's end, I found his story to be incredibly poignant and sad. Because on the one hand you have him facing this terrible battle, and being stricken down, only to be saved by his friends and the love of his life. But he is very clearly dying, and so there is an option put to him that he can either die or can continue on as a vampire. The problem that we see and that isn't solved in the last few minutes of the show, is the fallout of that decision. I say fallout, because Mizrak though he admits he is terrified of death, because he knows that he is a sinner according to his understanding of God and sin - and he understands that as a result of the choices that he's made and the love that he feels, that he is probably going to go to hell. He freely admits that fear, but he never asks for Olrox to change him verbally. And until the offering of an alternate end is given, he seems to be ready to accept that fear of death.

There is an argument to be made that he kind of just lets him do it, but the final scenes again have a multitude of interpretations. One could read his expression and body language as very angry, because the choice was taken from him. But on the same token you could read it as him just being a new vampire and having a craving for blood. We're not really given enough to make a final judgment call on that. But as someone who has only in the last several years started to deconstruct the very deeply rooted things I was taught, I'm leaning towards him being very angry. Because while he is terribly afraid of death, there is an assurity that he has in that death that his God exists, and that he lived his life serving that God in a way that he believed was just. By becoming a vampire, which is the antithesis of everything that he has been raised to believe in, he is being met with a very confronting set of options about the realities in the world. Mizrak is a person who sees the things that happen around him, and still tries to adhere to a singular idea of how the universe works. So when that is all called into question because of not only his heart, situation with the other characters, and lastly his untimely end, he is faced with a rather alarming dilemma. Either everything I know is correct and I die in agony, or everything I know is false and there is an anger there in having spent so long and so much of himself, including his life, in believing and practicing that.

I don't think we're going to get another season of the show, because unfortunately ratings are just not high enough for the series, but I really wish that they would and address the other character situations, and really let us see the ultimate impact of this whole situation with these two characters. Because there is something incredibly sad about their love. Not that it could not end well, but their entire relationship has been based on one of mistrust, and in transforming Mizrak, Olrox despite his love, has put a very steep barrier between them.

It's just going to show that the kindest gestures, the most heartfelt feelings that we have, can be incredibly detrimental to other people if they are not presented at the right time and the right place. Do I think that they will ultimately end up together even if the series is not ever completed, I think so. At least with a hopeful mind they would, that they would be able to overcome everything that they have faced, and the trials and mistrust that has formed their relationship - that perhaps with time they would overcome those things and maybe lose each other only to find each other at the right place at the right time again.

But also there's a very compelling narrative of hate growing between the two of them due to this misplaced idea of love when it was the wrong time and given in the wrong way. And as Castlevania leans more towards dark than hope, there is something to be said that this would likely be the narrative path they would choose.

But I'm going to sit in my corner and ship them all I want. LOL

That was my 30 minute rant using talk to text. So if there are typos, errors, or sentences that don't make sense please forgive them.

[hotgirlbedtimescenarios]

The Story of Us

Back to December (pt.3)

Pairing: Javier Peña x f!reader

Summary: When a ghost from your past reappears, will the memories he brings with him ignite old feelings you tried so hard to forget? Have you moved on, or will you be swept back into his orbit? You have a choice to make between the past and present, and either way, someone is bound to get hurt.

Words: 5.4k+

Warnings: 18+ adult content, sad, angsty, heartfelt, smut, guilt, alcohol use

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Seven years after Javier Peña broke your heart and disappeared, he waltzes back into your life.

You and your long-time boyfriend Ben are attending a friend's wedding.  The ceremony is short and sweet, with only an intimate gathering of close friends and family.

The reception, though, is open to hundreds of guests. It’s everything you’d expect from a Columbian night of dancing and drinking under the stars in the outdoor venue with a band, dancefloor, and warm glow of string lights strung across the space.

You’ve met many people here several times before, having been with Ben for so long now. 6 years into the relationship, you’ve nearly fully integrated into each other's lives. It was slow initially, but you inevitably had to let him in.

Now, your friends adore him, and his family loves you. The running joke of the night was that whether you caught the bouquet toss tonight or not, you were sure to be the next couple to get married.

The comments and jokes come more frequently now that you’ve been together for so long. All innocent, but you must admit that it grates on you and makes you feel guilty.

Ben would have proposed to you years ago if it weren’t for your hesitance. He’s been patient with you for so long, but now it feels like time is ticking, and the pressure is building. It’s coming sometime soon; you can feel it.

It’s not that you don’t love him, but the idea of marriage has always left you feeling uneasy, a knot of uncertainty that refuses to unravel.

The night air is heavy with the scent of flowers and the lively rhythm of music, swirling around the wedding reception like a seductive dance. You slip away from the crowd as women huddle for the bouquet toss, feeling the weight of unspoken expectations pressing down on you.

As you approach the open bar, searching for something to quiet your nerves, a figure catches your eye—a familiar broad silhouette that stirs long-dormant feelings within you.

There he is, Javier Penñ, standing with a confidence that hadn't dulled over the years, the Javier who had swept you off your feet years ago, only to vanish without a trace.

His button-up shirt pulls against his thick, broad shoulders, partially unbuttoned against his sun-kissed skin, revealing a glimpse of his chest. Your heart races, and you feel a sudden surge of adrenaline, a mix of longing and apprehension.

Out of his peripheral vision, he must see you come to an abrupt halt, so you stand frozen in shock as he turns to look at you.

Recognition flashes across Javier’s face, freezing him in place as it did you.

For a moment, time stops as your gazes lock, the air thickening with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

You both stand and stare, holding breaths, counting heartbeats, frozen in time as everyone else moves around you, unaware of how the world just shifted beneath your feet.

You take each other in for the first time in 7 years.

He’s older now, and something about him is darker, but his essence is the same as you’ve always remembered. Javier’s smoldering brown eyes, sharp jaw, and broad frame are magnetizing.

Something about him captures your attention, making it impossible not to get wrapped up in the sway of his hips as he walks or the smooth tenor of his voice. Even his arms add to the picture of devasting beauty, the same ones he used to throw around your waist and pull you in close for a kiss that sent zaps of electricity through your veins

Behind you, in stark contrast to the silence still yawning between you, the crowd erupts into cheers as a lucky bridesmaid catches the bouquet toss; it sends you reeling back into reality, to the present.

Heart racing out of your chest, you don’t retreat. Instead, you force yourself to maintain composure, approach the bar as you had planned, and, with a shaky voice, ask the bartender for another glass of wine.

The tension between you is palpable, buzzing in the air, all-consuming, drowning out the thump of the music behind you. He stands just out of reach; the heat from his body and the smell of his cologne begin to bleed into your senses.

Both of you linger, unsure what to say or do until he finally breaks the seven years of silence.

His voice cuts through the buzz of the party, "It's been a long time."

Hesitantly, you turn to face him, slowly gathering the strength of your voice. "Yes, it has," you reply softly, unsure where this unexpected reunion will lead.

“How have you been?” he asks, voice thick like the words can barely make their way up his throat. It's like he’s unsure if he even has the right to ask.

As the past seven years of your life flash behind your eyes, you stare at him, lips slightly parted but at a loss for words.

Javier's presence is a reminder of a past you had tried so hard to bury, yet his proximity ignites a spark you hadn't realized still exists.

His voice that once lulled you to sleep and sparked something molten within your veins now makes you dizzy. It's too much to bear. With it comes the onslaught of memories you’d worked so hard to bury deep and lock away.

But the moment you lock eyes, the damn bursts, and memories come flooding back to you. The day you met. It was the first of many summer days that bled into steamy summer nights together.

In a fleeting moment of weakness, your mind drifted back to that first encounter with Javier—the undeniable chemistry, the promises whispered under the cover of night, and the reckless abandon with which you had allowed yourself to fall for him.

Then, the days, weeks, and months after he left when you tried piecing yourself together.

You thought you'd forgotten so many things about him. But you were lying to yourself, a last line of deference. You’d never forget; it was impossible to.

As you begin formulating an answer, Ben appears beside you, his arm slipping around your waist. It feels so incredibly wrong now in the presence of Javier. You don’t miss how it makes a muscle flicker in his jaw.

As Ben engages in polite conversation with Javier, you find yourself drowning in memories that surged forward like a tidal wave. Images flashed before your eyes—lazy days spent exploring each other's worlds, stolen moments under the stars, and the pain of his sudden departure.

The crushing weight of just how much you miss him slaps you in the face.

You had tried to move on, to build a life with Ben, who has been patient and loving through it all. Yet, seeing Javier now stirred a longing you thought had faded with time. The guilt gnaws at you.

You blink back tears, overwhelmed by the flood of emotions that threaten to consume you—suffocating and threatening to unravel the carefully constructed life you have built with Ben.

But as you stand there, caught between the past and the present, you realize that Javier's reappearance has reignited a yearning that had never truly gone away—a yearning for closure, for answers. For something else, you aren’t ready to admit to yourself yet.

This time, it's you who runs away, leaving Ben watching after you, confused, and Javier’s eyes following you knowingly as you escape the party.

---

That night, after you convinced Ben to drive you home, you lay in bed next to him, struggling to explain that the reason for your reaction was that Javier was the man who broke you. The one who’s haunted you, who left you shattered for Ben to struggle to put back together all these years.

Long after Ben falls asleep beside you, you lay awake grappling with a choice that could redefine everything—between the stability and comfort that Ben offered and the unpredictable allure of a past that refused to be forgotten.

---

You can't stop thinking about Javier. Over the next several weeks and months, you have sporadic run-ins with him, always short-lived, interrupted by others, and not the appropriate time or place to have the long-awaited discussion of your history together.

It turns out that even though Javier completed his work on the Escobar case, his superiors coerced him into leading the campaign against the Cali Cartel.

To sweeten the deal, they offered him a home in the neighborhood you still live in after all these years, except now Ben's belongings have found a place in your drawers and across your counters like Javier’s used to.

It explains how he seems to reappear from thin air, now always showing up at the café around the corner where you go for coffee or running into him at neighborhood gatherings.

The neighborhood welcomes him graciously, hailing him as a hero. The tight-knit community makes it impossible to avoid him.

Weeks pass with Javier weaving in and out of your life like a ghost from the past, his presence a constant reminder of what once was and what could have been.

And though you know a future with Javier died long ago, the reminder of the caliber of relationship that you two had opens your eyes to how you’ve settled for Ben.

The guilt weighs heavily on you, a silent burden that keeps you awake at night, pulling you further from Ben despite his unwavering patience.

As you distance yourself from Ben, keeping him at arm's length just as you had before, the relationship gets thrown off-kilter. Your friends notice the change in you, and their glances fill with concern and thinly veiled disapproval whenever Javier is near, despite your insistence that nothing was left between you.

Disaster strikes when, unexpectedly, Ben proposes—a last-ditch effort to secure a future together that seems to be slipping away. The moment is surreal, the ring sparkling in the daylight, the hopeful anticipation in Ben's eyes stark against your inner turmoil.

It is a public display of affection at the backyard BBQ he’s thrown for you and invited the whole damn neighborhood to, even Javier. He proposes in front of friends and strangers alike, something he should’ve known you'd hate.

But he does it anyway as if he hopes the pressure of doing it publicly will pressure you into saying yes. Laying his claim on you in front of the man he is terrified will steal you away from him.

The crowd goes quiet when they see you lean down to Ben on his knee, arms outstretched, and pleading quietly with him to talk with you inside for more privacy.

His face immediately drops, and he knows before you even say anything that his plans for a future have been destroyed.

You pull him inside from the staring eyes and try your best to explain yourself, but of course, it ends poorly. He accuses you of stringing him along, using him to stave off loneliness but never genuinely giving him a chance. You try to argue, but deep down, you know it's true and hate that you’ve hurt him.

Ben storms away quickly after hurling insults your way, leaving you feeling like a monster as the party guests rapidly leave the premises, eager to escape the awkward disaster it turned out to be.

Your closest friend stays to comfort you, though she’s at a loss for words, not understanding your choice. Just as she’s wiping away the tear-smudged mascara from under your eyes, there's a knock at the front door, and she leaves you.

---

Javier witnessed it all from a distance, the scene unfolding before him like a cruel twist of fate. He didn't linger to see your response, his retreat a testament to the wounds that still haunted him. But before he could escape the backyard, cheers of excitement turned into hushed whispers of confusion.

He paused and hated himself for the relief he felt when he saw you ushering Ben inside to turn him down. He felt sick to his stomach when your eyes flickered over to meet his own so quickly he thought he might have imagined it.

Now, he waits for the crowd to disappear and almost leaves himself before seeking you out. The curiosity wins over; he has to know what happened. He has to make sure you’re okay.

He knocks at your door and nearly flinches when your friend opens it; the look of pure hatred and vitriol she gives can rival any sicario he’s ever been face to face with.

“What are you doing here?” she asks angrily.

“I uh,” Javier pauses, swallowing thickly, “I just wanted to make sure she’s alright.”

“Of course she not alright, not thanks to y—”

Her insult gets cut off when you peek around the corner, curious as to who was still poking around after the terrible turn of events.

“Jenna, it's okay,” you say, though your voice is scratchy and your eyes puffy from crying. “You can go, I’ll be fine.”

Though not entirely convinced she should leave you alone with Javier, Jenna finally retreats.

You wave Javier inside, and he follows you to the kitchen, where you make a glass of water and sip it to soothe your scratchy throat while leaning against the counter.

Javier keeps his distance, unsure how you feel about him being here. Almost positive he’s the last person you'd want to see, he nearly decides to walk away, but he finds the courage to stay.

“I don’t know if I'm allowed to ask this, but are you okay?”

“That’s rich coming from you.” You huff out a sarcastic, angry laugh, “I know it doesn’t look like it,” you gesture to your red, puffy eyes and tear-streaked cheeks, “but I’ll be alright.”

Although he deserves it, the words still sting. He stands silent, not knowing what to do next, fighting the urge to come, hold you, and wipe the tears away. But you mistake the look in his eyes for pity, which makes you angry.

You confess bitterly, “How shitty of a person does it make me that I turned down someone who loved me, who’s only ever been good to me. Ben is patient and kind, and he's done everything right from the start; we could have had a good life.”

“Then why…?” Javier can't keep himself from asking; curiosity is eating at him. He knows what he wants to hear, that somehow, somewhere, there might still be a kernel of hope for him. Yet, at the same time, if it were his fault, he’d hate himself for causing you this pain a second time.

“I said no,” you confess softly, “because I know what it feels like to love someone deeply and unconditionally. I know what it feels like to have my soul burn for someone to -” you cut yourself off, hoping Javier doesn’t pick up on the parallel with your long-ago relationship, but you know he does.

You didn't need to explain. At that moment, the truth lay bare between you—a truth buried beneath layers of hurt and longing. All these years, all these moments of bitterness and resentment, were merely a mask for the love that had never truly faded.

“I’m sorry.” he begins apologizing, saying he’ll leave you alone, but you cut him off.

“It’s not about you,” you bark, “I'm the asshole who couldn’t find a way to love him, not the way he deserved anyways. And the worst part is, now that it's over, I feel relieved not to be trapped in a relationship that made me hate myself more and more each day.”

Javier's expression softens, his own walls crumbling in the face of your raw honesty.

“Back then,” he weighs his response carefully, “I did what I had to do just like you’ve done. Try not to be too hard on yourself.” He begs, “please.”

 His response provides you with no more details about his disappearance than there were seven years ago.

“I tried to hate you for a long time,” you reveal, capturing his full attention. His eyes snap up to find yours, but you avoid his gaze, only looking at the ground.

“And I think I did for a while, but it's only because I still loved you even after the way you made me feel. But if I still hate you now, more than I ever have, what does that mean?”

If love and hate are two sides of the same coin, is hate just a defense mechanism against the vulnerability of unrequited love?

The day's emotions finally begin to take their toll on you; what's done is done, and now you want to rest. “I think I need to be alone now,” you whisper, eyes closed, sighing heavily.

Javier takes that as his signal to leave; if he says goodbye, you don’t hear him, only his heavy footsteps and the soft click of the door closing behind him.

Once again, you’ve found yourself completely and utterly alone.

---

Almost two weeks later.

Javier lounges on the couch in his living room, tiredly scrolling through TV channels and nursing a glass of whiskey, trying to distract himself from the thoughts of the woman down the street. It is unbearable, knowing you are so close but unable to have you.

Thunder rumbles in the sky; the tropical storm Maria has finally arrived. Citizens have been warned by local news to stay off the roads and charge batteries before the storm's arrival.

Bad weather doesn’t bother Javi; it never has, but ingrained in his memories, the urge to hold you through the storms and murmur sweet assurances into your ears to calm your fears comes hurdling back.

The last time he saw you was the disaster of your birthday party. Yet another day, he ruined for you, destroying your relationship with Ben and stealing the joy out of the proposal. The same day, you told him you hated him but hinted that you still loved him, too.

 And again, he ran. You’d confessed to him his biggest fear and greatest wish all in the same breath. He didn’t know what to do.

Javier gets more agitated as the storm rages on, wind speed picking up, rain blowing sideways against his house.

Lighting cracks out, arching through the stormy night sky and ravaging a power line. The sound hurts his ears, and then his house is plunged into darkness as the power goes out.

---

The rain pelts him as he races through the street to you. He can’t stay home, knowing how terrified you must be, alone. He’ll check on you, make sure you are okay, and then come back home, he convinces himself.

---

You hear a knock on your door, distracting you from your frantic search for candles and matches now that the power has gone out. The first knock was barely audible against the howling wind and barrage of rain, but now the knocks are growing louder and more frantic.

A voice cuts through the storm, calling your name. “It's Javi; open the door,” he shouts.

Using your small flashlight for guidance, you scramble to the door and throw it open to see Javier standing there, drenched in the rain, with a frantic look.

He ushers you back inside, fighting against the wind to shut the door behind him as he enters your home.

“What the hell are you doing going outside?” you ask incredulously. “It's dangerous!”

He ignores your question, chest heaving from the run down the street. He stands in front of you in the darkness, only partially lit by the tiny flashlight in your hand.

Cold rain drips off him, splattering onto the floor as a hand works through his wet hair, pushing it back from his face.

“Power went out,” he states, “thought you might be scared.”

Something in your chest cracks --he remembers. The times he spent curled up with you in sheets, rubbing smooth circles against your skin, attempting to keep the fear at bay. The first time it happened, you were embarrassed.

You always had been; the fear of storms seemed so juvenile, but you still couldn’t shake the feeling of uncontrollable disaster that flooded your body when storms blew in. But once Javi saw your shaking hands and moisture in your eyes, he held you and calmed you through that first storm and each one that followed.

 Until he’d left you.

A pop of lightning flashes in the sky, causing you to flinch, proving his concern is valid.

Javier reaches for you, a rain-wet hand finding your shoulder, brushing calming strokes against your skin with his thumb.

“It’s okay, Cariño,” he assures you, “I'm here.”

You walk to the kitchen together to gather candles to keep the darkness at bay, but the matchbox you find is empty.

“There may be more matches in my bedside table; I have a candle I like to light in there most nights,” you tell him, then flinch again when the boom of thunder shakes your house.

“I’ll get it; go sit back down,” he says, ushering you back to the couch and tucking your blankets around you.

You offer him the flashlight to help him find his way, but he refuses.

“Keep it,” he says, “I remember how to find it.”

He could find his way in the dark because even though it's been years, he remembers the outline of your home. A place that used to feel like home to him as well.

You sit on the couch, waiting for him to return when you hear a thump in the dark.

“Shit,” Javier curses from your bedroom down the hallway, “you must’ve rearranged your furniture,” he calls.

You chuckle as he shuffles around your room in the darkness, trying not to run into another piece of furniture.

After a moment, he returns, holding a lit candle as a guiding light. He walks around your space, quietly lighting and setting candles strategically, bathing your home in the dim glow of flickering candlelight.

Finally, he meets you on the couch and lights the last candle on the coffee table, bathing the two of you in its warm light. The candlelight glints against something small in the palm of his hand, the small chrome lighter he holds in his palm.

Your breath catches.

Javier found his old lighter, with his initials engraved on the back. The one you refused to get rid of, choosing instead to stuff it into the back of your drawer as a sad keepsake of your times together.

“You kept it?” he whispers, his brown eyes swimming with emotion, illuminated by the spark of candlelight reflecting in his pupils.

“I kept it,” you whisper back. You pause momentarily, then continue, finally finding the courage to ask. If years of regret from not chasing after him have taught you anything, it's that if you have the chance, you must speak now.

Voice trembling, you add, “Why did you throw it all away? Everything we had together?”

Javier swallows the lump of emotion building in his throat.

Maybe this is wishful thinking and mindless dreaming, or perhaps this is his chance to right the wrong from so many years ago. The one that’s haunted him all his life.

If you still harbor an ounce of love for him underneath all the hate, maybe, just maybe, he has a chance.

The steady beat of rain, the rumble of thunder, and howls of wind blanket the world outside. But in your quiet home, for only you to hear, he flays himself open for you. Finally.

You sit silently, watching and listening as Javier explains everything. How violent the battle against Escobar had gotten, how he had been tailed by sicarios back to your home and was terrified that you’d become something for them to exploit. After all, they’d strung up Steve’s cat to send a message; what would they do to a woman so fiercely loved?

You sit in stunned silence, tears streaming down your face.

“I didn’t want to,” he continues, pain lacing every word. “But I had to. The thought of something happening to you because I was selfish enough to drag you into my life was unbearable. I’d never forgive myself.”

Before you can interrupt, he continues, “And then I left, and you didn’t come after me. You so easily believed me a monster, capable of stringing you along from the beginning and cold enough to leave you without explanation. I knew then that I mustn’t have shown you the love you deserved anyway. So, I walked away, convinced I was doing the right thing and that you'd be better off without me.” His voice breaks around those last few words.

“Javi, I had no idea what to think; I didn’t even have time to think. You were standing in front of me, telling me how you didn’t want me in your life. That there was no place for me there, all while keeping a stone-cold face, and you expected me to know it was a lie? To know that you loved me when we hadn’t even said the words to each other yet?”

“I thought you knew,” he pleads emotionally. “I’m so sorry; you have to believe me when I say I struggled every single day after that. I drove by this house for months after, wishing I could walk back inside and tell you how I truly felt.”

He takes a deep breath, steadying his voice, then says, “But I can’t bring myself to fully regret it because I know it kept you safe.”

You understand, finally, after so many years of guessing and wondering, but white-hot anger begins to boil within you.

“You took away my right to choose!” you say, anger building, “If you had talked to me about the situation, I would’ve told you that I was with you no matter what. I was all in; I would’ve weathered the storm with you. But you took away my choice.”

“I had to,” he disputes sadly, “It was hard enough to leave you already. If you had called my name that day and asked me to stay even just one time, my resolve would’ve crumbled, and I’d have crawled back to you.”

Then, with a voice laden with the weight of long-held emotions, he finally confesses, “I wanted you so badly then, and selfishly, even after everything, I still do. I love you, and I never stopped.”

“I loved you too,” the words come rushing out; nothing could stop them now, “always.”

At that moment, the bowstring of yearning that had been pulled taught snaps, sending you hurdling towards each other once again. Colliding.

Amidst the rumble of thunder and rain pelting against the roof of your home, after seven long years of being apart, your lips crash together.

Soft at first, then hungrily, you melt into each other, your hands grasping into his rain-soaked hair and his hands kneading against the sides of your waist.

The taste of his lips both foreign and familiar, like something you’ve had a million times and something you’re just now experiencing for the first time.

You break apart, gasping for breath, your body thrumming with heat and anticipation. He whispers, voice quivering, “If somehow, you can give me another chance at loving you, I will never, ever leave you again. I swear.”

All you can do is nod your head, yes, as tears spill down your cheeks.

His large hands cup the sides of your jaw, caressing you with the gentle swipe of his thumbs, and pull you into another kiss, sealing your fate forever.  

Javier is holding everything he’s ever wanted in the palms of his hands. He can't stop something like the sound of a whimper from escaping the back of his throat as his lips intertwine with yours, and the salt of your tears mix with his as you find each other again in the darkness.

---

The two of you become a tangle of limbs on the couch, stripping away his wet shirt and your dry one. Between hungry kisses, you nearly slip off the couch and opt to consume each other on your living room floor instead.

Javier caresses your body, one arm around your waist and the other supporting your neck as he gently lays you back against the nest of blankets and pillows on the floor. He hovers above you, gaze raking over your body with insatiable desire, eyes swirling with devotion and love.

Tentatively, his hand almost shaking, his fingertips ghost the waistband of your pants, silently asking for your permission to take them off. With a nod, you allow it, then shuffle your legs to help him remove them.

Above you, he adjusts, peeling the rest of his clothes away, leaving him exposed to you entirely.

Javier's body glows in the candlelight, sculpting his muscle-toned body in shadows and casts wavering shadows against your own. Your eyes drink in the sight of him, broad and strong, devastatingly beautiful, just as you remembered him.

His large cock bobs between his legs, igniting a hot pool of desire between your own. Slowly, he lowers himself to crawl back over you, leaning in to kiss your neck, tickling the skin there with his mustache and licking white hot stripes against your pulse point with his tongue.

A feeble sound escapes you, coaxing a needy growl from him in return.

The storm raging outside of your home is now long forgotten.

Your hips buck up into his, chasing friction to soothe the throbbing there and rub against the column of his shaft.

Javier kisses a trail back up to your lips, then pulls back to look into your eyes, “You want this, Cariño?”

“Please,” you whimper against his lips.

And who is he to deny you when you beg so sweetly?

He plants one elbow on the sheets to steady himself and uses the other hand to rub a featherlight trail down your body, starting at the swell of your breast, down the side of your torso, and finding its way to your soaked core. It leaves a trail of goosebumps in its wake.

He rubs circles against your bundle of nerves, eliciting another moan from you, the sensation already incredible. It lures more liquid arousal out of you, already plenty wet from the anticipation of this long-awaited reunion of bodies.

Javier feels the same; his cock already throbbing and dripping with precum at the sight of you laid bare before him like an angel offering herself up to him.

He strokes the base of himself, one, twice, then runs his length through your folds, slicking himself. Then, he lowers the tip of himself into you and slowly plunges inside.

Inch by inch, he thrusts into you, his heavy breath mixing with your own as you pant and moan into each other between kisses. He bottoms out, resting inside of you, letting you adjust to his size and savoring the warmth of you around him.

“Goddamn,” he moans, “I never want to live without this again.”

“Then don’t,” you challenge.

Finally, he begins to thrust in and out, lighting every single nerve of yours ablaze with flames of arousal and ecstasy. Your body molds to his, each of you savoring the touch of the person you once had given up hope of ever having in your life again.

Being in his arms fills you with a million things you never thought you'd feel again. It feels like coming home.

Years of longing and yearning are finally being fulfilled, and now, it allows for the pleasure to build hard and fast. It sweeps over you, both of you getting lost in its clutches, climax coming soon for both of you.

“Where do you want me?” he gasps, his voice raw and ragged.

“Here,” you say, wrapping your legs around the back of him for emphasis. “Don’t stop, please.”

He obeys, thrusts coming quicker, jolting you underneath him, and with the brush of his fingers against your clit once again, you fall apart around him. Your body tenses, and then each muscle explodes into pleasure, releasing through every fiber of your being.

Your walls pulse around him, tipping Javier past his breaking point right along with you. He groans, spilling himself into you, clutching you tightly against him as if he wants to meld into one, and pumps into you, riding out both your orgasm and his own.

After a moment, he pulls out and collapses beside you on the heaping pile of blankets and pillows you made a mess of. Both breathless, the two of you lie blissfully beside each other, chests heaving, before he pulls you by the waist flush against him.

“I love you,” he purrs into the crook of your neck, “forever.”

“I love you too, forever.”

The two of you lie there wrapped up in each other, savoring the moment, until sleep finds you, and you fall asleep in the arms of the man who sets your soul ablaze.

And everything feels just as it should be; the world feels right, as your souls once again intertwine as they were always meant to be.

Hello lovelies, this story has felt so therapeutic to me for some reason, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it. It's a bit different from my usual style, so please let me know what you think.

Anyway, an epilogue will be coming soon to wrap up this story with a nice little bow. See you soon :)