#but yesterday i had s chance to sleep some more

[thecherrygod]

H

[adragonprinceswhore]

Rumours

Aemond Targaryen x (Ex)Wife

Chapter II: Go Your Own Way 🎼 Masterlist

Summary: Aemond's written another song about your separation, and it becomes clear to you that he'll do anything to make you suffer.

Warnings: 18+, AFAB reader, she/her pronouns, angst, toxic relationship dynamic, depictions of anxiety, smut, oral (f receiving), facesitting, phone sex, description of naughty videos

Word count: 3600 A/N: Thank you so much lovely Justine for looking this over for me @theoneeyedprince ♡

‘DRAGONSTONE: VIBRANT START OF TOUR FOR DRAGON DREAMERS’

Eyes glued to the screen of your phone, you absentmindedly sip your cup of tea, newly awake and curled up on a puffy armchair in your hotel room. 

Life on the road proves to be draining. You still feel exhausted from having to fly from Dragonstone to your current location, Gulltown, right after the show, currently operating on merely 4 hours of sleep. 

You had told yourself that you wouldn’t check reviews from your opening night before you felt ready to deal with all possible speculations of your and Aemond’s divorce. 

You know that the concert had been fantastic, the audience demanded two encores and you left the venue with a sore throat and an unquenchable thirst for more. There’s nothing as exhilarating as the high you feel after a live show. 

Still, you couldn’t fight the urge to google reviews, curiosity getting the best of you. 

‘Tensions were high as Dragon Dreamers entered the nearly full venue on Dragonstone last night. Kicking off with a song from their new album, The Chain, devoted fans are quick to speculate whether guitarist Aemond Targaryen wrote it to-’

You can’t bring yourself to continue, knowing that whatever they’d written would only leave you feeling melancholic. You need all the energy you can muster, which means torturing yourself reading about your divorce isn’t a good idea.

As you’re about to put your phone down, it lights up with Helaena’s name. 

“Are you okay, love? We’ve been waiting for 10 minutes”, she asks, voice sounding a bit strained. 

A meek “What?” is all you manage to get out. You were supposed to meet up in an hour, not now.

“The press? We’ve got 5 interviews lined up and need to leave now. Didn’t Tyland tell you about the change in schedule?”

No. 

And you have a feeling that it isn’t Tyland who’ll be delighted when you show up smelling of sweat from yesterday's gig, with your hair in tangles and face fatigued. 

“Sorry, Hel. I’ll be there as soon as I can, give me five minutes”

No shower. 

No hair. 

No makeup. 

Great. 

In haste, you throw on a pair of jeans, a burgundy top and messily apply some blush and mascara, hoping it’ll distract from the bags under your eyes. You throw one last glance at your reflection before heading down. 

You look exactly like you feel,

Shit. 

You try your best to not let your cheery facade crack, smiling brightly at the journalists as they ask you about yesterday’s show and the ongoing tour. 

No one dares to ask about your personal lives, something you find yourself feeling immensely grateful for. 

Three interviews down, two to go.  

You throw a quick glance at Aemond. You’d been careful to sit on his blind side so you wouldn’t have to feel the searing sensation of him staring you down. Observing him in secret still burns though.  

You know he won’t move quickly enough for you to get caught. After the accident that left him blind in one eye, he always moved slowly. His blind eye has a tendency to lag slightly, not always looking in the same direction as his seeing eye. Self-conscious and afraid of being awarded the epithet ‘lazy eye’ on top of ‘one eye’, he’s trained his body to always move slowly, giving his blind eye a chance to keep up.

The next interviewer enters the small room you’ve been assigned, donning a wide smile as she makes her way to the chair in front of the two sofas where you and your bandmates are seated. 

After quickly introducing herself and the magazine she works for, Harrentown Underground, she jumps straight to the questions, asking you how yesterday’s gig felt and what fans should expect from the upcoming tour.

As she talks, her gaze is trained on Aemond, nodding and smiling brightly when he answers. 

Her eyes narrow slightly as she purses her lips together, visibly tensing up as she asks,

“Has the recent, um, changes in your personal life aided your creative process?”

The tension in the room grows as Aemond stays silent despite the journalist looking solely at him. You’d asked management to let the journalists know that you wouldn’t be taking any questions about your personal lives. She either doesn’t know or doesn’t care; you can’t make out which it is. 

Aemond finally breaks the silence,

“Yes. I guess so” 

“Many fans online suspect the new song you performed yesterday is about your failed marriage, is that correct?”, she continues, completely ignoring you and the other band members as she looks up from her notepad, meeting Aemond’s eye.

He’s completely still as he regards her, taking time to answer so that the awkward atmosphere of the room lingers.

“It is”, he finally admits, catching you by surprise. He’d always been so reserved; never wanting to let the public in on his private life. 

The journalist gives Aemond a sympathetic look, nodding as she replies,

“Heartache really fuels the creative process, is that it?”

Aemond lets out a detached hum, 

“I’m not one to go back on my promises. I value loyalty. The song is about when promises are broken”

Helaena has started to pick at her nail beds next to you. On your other side you feel Jace straighten up, eyes cast down to inspect the floor with newfound interest. 

Nobody wants to say anything; nobody wants to continue this conversation. Except for the journalist, who nods in understanding as she scribbles on her notepad.

“It must be hard, being left by your partner”, she says, throwing a brief, disapproving look your way, “Have you had time to process it all?”

She is clearly not interested in speaking to anyone else in the band. She regards Aemond as if they are the only two in the room. It feels so belittling, being talked about like you’re not even present. 

“Hmm. Betrayal takes time to recover from”, he replies curtly, sounding cold and harsh. 

You feel your throat close up, eyesight going blurry as you take in his words. 

Betrayal? 

You try to the best of your ability to not let any tears escape down your cheeks, tilting your head slightly backwards as you take a deep, quiet breath. 

You will not cause a scene. 

You will not give him the satisfaction of knowing that his words got to you. 

You will not give him what he wants. 

As soon as the journalist from Harrentown Underground leaves and Tyland tells you to take a break, you make your way to the bathroom in quick steps. 

You rush inside a booth, quickly locking the door before you fall down on the toilet seat, hand over your mouth in an attempt to muffle your wailing as you begin to cry heavily, sobs ripping through your body in angry waves, and tears pouring down your cheeks.

He’s such a fucking prick. 

He’s such a fucking prick.

He knows exactly what buttons to push to upset you. He also knows exactly how to do it in front of others, without them knowing of the quiet war being fought between the two of you. If that journalist knew the full story of what led to your divorce, would she still pity poor Aemond? 

You cry hard, trying to release some of the frustration built up inside. After a couple of minutes, the tears start to lessen and you roll out some toilet paper, patting it over your soaked face before throwing it in the toilet. 

You exit the booth and move to stand in front of the mirror. 

Seeing your reflection makes you feel worse. Your hair is frizzy from the way you tossed in bed, your mascara has run down your cheeks in black streaks, and your eyes are puffy and red. 

You sigh in surrender, pulling out a concealer from your purse and patting some under your eye to hide the smudged blackness and swollen skin.

If strength was measured by resilience, you’d be a warrior. You wouldn’t let Aemond’s attempts at hurting you hinder you. He’d already controlled your life when you were married. He wasn’t going to continue to restrict you now.

The last interview is with a journalist from King’s Landing Weekly, and you remember meeting him last year when you’d just released your first album. 

He’s a true music nerd, always asking insightful questions about your inspirations, what you want to convey, how you went about the recording process. 

“How has recording been this time around?”, the journalist asks, oblivious to the fact that you’d spent most time alone in the studio, recording your parts separately. 

“It’s been interesting. Production has taken longer than we anticipated, but we’ve got some real bangers we’re eager to share with our fans”, Jace answers with a smile, going on to reveal that you’ll perform some of the new songs during your tour. 

You think back to when you recorded your first album, spending almost every waking hour in the studio with your bandmates. 

Well, mostly with Aemond. 

The nostalgic past when you were madly in love. It seems so distant now. 

On your knees, you hover over Aemond’s face. His nose repeatedly brushes against your clit as his tongue moves in and out of you. He’s lying on his back on the dirty floor of the studio, his arms locked around your thighs, and his hands grip your hips tightly.

You’re so close to breaking. So close. 

Hands resting on your thighs to keep yourself upright, you let your hips rock in tandem with Aemond’s tongue as it fucks you. And when your orgasm crashes over you, one hand moves to his hair, grabbing it harshly as you moan his name. 

Unabashedly, you cry out in pleasure before stilling. Breathing heavily, your mind feels delightfully empty in the bliss-filled aftermath of your peak. 

As you move to get up, Aemond’s grip on your hips tighten, focing you to stay put as he continues his assault on your cunt. You moan, half in pleasure, half in pain, from how his nose brushes against your over sensitive clit, sending jolts of stinging delight through your body. 

“Aem, I can’t-”, you weakly protest as he brings his tongue up to your clit, gently swiping over it. 

His voice is muffled underneath you as he replies, “Yes you can” 

His hands push your hips to forcefully rock your body against his face once more, and you feel the stinging between your legs morph into fierce pleasure, consuming your senses. 

You had tried to keep yourself up slightly to not place all your weight on Aemond’s face, but you slowly lose control over your body and slump down against his face as a second orgasm approaches. 

Satisfied at your defeat, Aemond moves one hand down to your entrance and pushes two fingers inside at once, stretching your slippery hole. You gasp, and when his fingers find your g-spot, you moan without inhibition. 

“Fu-, k-”, you sigh, voice strained. 

Your hands hold on to the edge of the desk in front of you, head thrown back. Aemond’s fingers continue to move in and out of you in calculated strokes as his tongue determinedly massages your clit, and when he closes his lips around your bundle of nerves and suck, you come for the second time; the edge of your vision going black from the intensity.

Your body jerks uncontrollably as you gasp and sigh and moan. 

After your body’s stopped twitching, Aemond’s face pokes out from beneath you, covered in your slick. You’re still breathing heavily, trying to regain your posture and stand, but he tugs you down to the ground and places you in his arms.

“Go on, pretty girl. Clean me up”, he whispers into your ear. You oblige with a smile, kissing away all the remnants of your arousal on his face, revelling in the taste of you on his skin. 

You wish your mind wouldn’t go there whenever you think about the last time you were in the studio together. You wish it wouldn’t drift to the happy memories. 

They hurt the most. 

Leaving someone you still love is so much harder than leaving someone you don’t. You have to continually remind yourself of what a toxic husband he could be. Of how unfair, and controlling, and dangerous he could be. 

In fact, you didn’t really need to remind yourself; Aemond was fully capable of acting horrible on his own. 

As the journalist from King’s Landing Weekly wraps up the last interview of the day, he stands and thanks you all for your time. 

He stretches out his hand and offers each member a handshake. When he reaches you, he holds onto your hand as he gleefully states, “I truly hope we get to hear one of your new songs soon. The emotions you put into song-making is truly something else”

You smile back at him and squeeze his hand, assuring him that you’ll perform a new song soon.

Behind you, Aemond clears his throat a bit too loudly for it to seem unintentional. He stands up, prompting the reporter to move to shake Jace’s hand next to you before leaving. 

All you can think about is getting back to your hotel room, take a long-overdue shower, and a much-needed nap. 

You make your way out of the conference room, but before you can leave, a large hand gently tugs at your shoulder, stopping you. 

You turn around to face Aemond, who gives your form a once-over, 

“Are you doing okay? You look a bit, hm, disoriented” 

If he is trying to sound caring he’s failing miserably. His tone is condescending, nearly mocking. 

“I’m fine”, you reply, jaw shut tight and annoyance tinting your voice “No one told me about the sudden change in schedule”

You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?

He nods curtly, “Alright. I’d like to perform a new song tonight, you did back-ups on it in recording; ‘Go your own way’. Would that be okay with you?”

The forced, nice pretence he’s trying to uphold doesn’t fool you for a second, you can hear how he’s holding himself back as he speaks. 

“Of course”, you reply shortly. 

Why is he asking for permission? 

You turn and move towards the door, eager to retreat to your room. Aemond stays put behind you, voice a little more urgent than before as he adds, 

“My girlfriend will come to tonight's gig, if you don’t mind?”

You sigh as you turn the handle of the door, 

“Why would I mind?”

You do mind. 

It feels so wrong to see Alys sit on Aemond’s lap backstage as he whispers something in her ear. It almost feels perverse, seeing your husband with someone else. Like they’re committing a sin. 

Still, you say nothing. Instead, you stubbornly refuse to look their way, focusing on helping Helaena with her eyeshadow at the other end of the room. 

You can’t help but ponder their dynamic. 

Is he as possessive of her as he had been over you? 

Is he as insatiable?

Like the time he demanded you record when you touch yourself, instructing you to place your phone on your stomach so he could hear just how wet you were as your fingers slip inside and you moan his name. 

That was back when he was still working for his grandfather’s company, and he’d occasionally go away on business trips. He’d call you around midnight every night. 

“What would you do if I were there?” 

You hear him breathe heavily. His voice is strained and the distant sounds of him stroking his cock echo in the background. 

“I’d climb on your lap and beg you to fuck me. Beg you to let me ride you”. 

Aemond groans. 

“And then?”

“I’d beg you to suck on my tits as I bounce up, ah-, and down”

You’re so close, forcefully letting your fingers push at your g-spot while the palm of your hand presses at your clit. You know he’s close too by the sounds of his breath hitching and the way he’s swearing under his breath, mumbling “I can’t wait to sink my cock into you”

Or the videos he had on his phone of you. God, did he keep those? You know his favourite had been the one where you’re seen kneeling in front of him, tongue sticking out of your mouth as he coats your face with his cum, asking you who you belong to, who’s little slut you are. 

“Only yours, Aemond. Always yours”

You shiver at the memory. Hopefully Alys had gone through his phone and deleted any and all trace of you. 

You do some vocal warm-ups with Helaena, restless nerves bubbling inside you as you wait backstage to soon enter the stage. 

Wiping some sweat from your palms onto the jeans you’re wearing, you internally remind yourself of the fact that you’d done an incredible show yesterday, and today would be just as good. 

You know that your band will deliver. You always do. Even Erryk, being a new addition, has proven to be a great drummer and teamplayer, possessing both the stamina and skills needed to thrive in Dragon Dreamers. 

You hear the crowd chanting, mood just as elevated as it had been the day before on Dragonstone. As you go over the set list for the night, Aemond suggests you start with ‘The Chain’, like you did yesterday, and end with his new song, ‘Go your own way’. 

Although you’d recorded backups for the song, you hadn’t listened to the entirety of it in the studio. 

Somewhere inside, you know that the song is about you. About the divorce. You remember singing, 

‘You can go your own way’

‘You can call it another lonely day’ 

Anxiety grows within you as you think of having to listen to the entire song. You’d put it off in the studio, never feeling mentally prepared to hear Aemond’s thoughts on how you’ve ‘wronged’ him. 

And now you’ll have to hear it for the first time in public. In front of an audience. 

You can do this.

Just breathe. In. Hold three seconds. Out. Hold three seconds. 

Your breathing is laboured, body vibrating from the excitement of performing. This truly is where you thrive; where you feel your best. 

Where you can contribute something to the world. 

Make people happy. 

You look down at the fans beaming up at you, howling in excitement as they demand another song. 

“Here’s a new song from our upcoming album”, Aemond starts, the crowd cheering louder. 

This is it. The anxiety you’d felt about hearing Aemond’s new song still buzzes within you, but you won’t let that hinder you from giving this song your all as well. You won’t let him intimidate you. 

The song is fast-paced, and Aemond’s fingers quickly pluck the strings of his guitar as he starts to sing, 

‘Loving you isn’t the right thing to do’

‘How can I ever change things that I feel?’

‘If I could, baby, I’d give you my world’

‘How can I when you won’t take it from me?’

He was so intent on playing the victim it was almost laughable. Ignoring his own wrong-doings; his part in your separation. He was suffering; left to bleed out from the knife you’d stabbed in his back. 

Fuck that. 

He’d driven you away with his obsessive behaviour and anger issues. But that was not the story he wanted to tell. 

‘You can go your own way’

‘Go your own way’

‘You can call it another lonely day’

‘Another lonely day’ 

As he sings his solo lines, Aemond stares you down. 

His seeing eye bores into you with a fire you’d hardly seen before. It’s a stark contrast from his damaged eye; the white mist covering it making it appear calm, almost gentle.

He’s found a way to yell at you in public, berating you for leaving him in front of the entire world, without causing a scene. That’s why he’d been so set on appearing civil with you around others. He wants to break you. 

‘Open up, everything’s waiting for you’

Just like yesterday, he sounds uncharacteristically passionate as he sings, much angrier than usual. He basically spits the words at you; ‘go your own way’, ‘everything’s waiting for you’

You can’t keep eye contact with him for long, his gaze too scorching. 

Why is he suddenly so intimidating? 

You try to remind yourself of the fact that you were married mere months ago. 

You know him. He’s still Aemond. Your Aemond.

Or is he? The man staring at you on stage feels far removed from the person you married two years ago. 

As Aemond starts to play his guitar solo, he leaves his microphone, furious eye never leaving you as he approaches you; more akin to a predator than a man. 

You hear the crowd cheer. 

He doesn’t have to look at his guitar as his skillful fingers effortlessly play the climatic guitar solo. He’s treating his instrument like he’s angry at it, harshly plucking at the strings in the most violent manner. He comes up to stand right by you, between you and the audience. You’re forced to face him. To meet his eye. 

The crowd cheers louder and louder. 

His expression is stoic, eye unblinking as he assaults the strings of his guitar. 

Never looking down. 

Only at you.

Thank you for reading!

[cameronspecial]

I saw you were looking for some angst ideas lmao

So rafe and reader are together. Loves her more than life but his addiction gets in the way of that. One night they have a fuming argument and she doesn’t talk to him for a few days. He then makes a plan for them to talk about it somewhere private at nighttime, but when she shows up he’s not there. She waits for him for a while then she gets attacked by the rafes dealers because he owes them money and she was the next bet. Rafe finds her and he’s freaking out but she won’t let him near her and she blames him. You can choose how this ending goes or if you even want to write this but this has been on my mind

You Deserve Better

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x Reader

Warnings: Drug Use, Swearing, Stabbing, Blood, and Death

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 2.1K

Masterlist

The centre of Rafe’s life wasn’t always the white powder that tumbled around the little Ziploc bag that lined his pockets. His centre is supposed to snort or wheeze a little whenever she laughs, refusing to use her inhaler because she doesn’t want to embarrass him. It will stay up past her bedtime because she is in a flow with her work. His sun crosses her eyeballs whenever he presses a kiss on her nose because she knows it would make him chuckle. Y/N Y/L/N used to be his rock and now, all because of an accident, she isn’t anymore. That is something not a lot of people know. They assume his addiction started because he was a bored rich kid who had the money to spare. However, in reality, it began with a torn ACL. One wrong shift of his leg and his football career was over. At first, the oxycodone was only to manage the pain from the ACL surgery. He had the hope that he could recover the way he needed to get back on the field, but then the news came that he wasn’t progressing the way his doctor wanted… That was when the problem started, suddenly the drug he was taking to help ease his physical pain became the one to take away his mental pain too. The pain of not being able to play football. The pain of missing out. The pain of not knowing where his life was going.

Don’t get him wrong, Y/N was by his side the whole time, except a person can’t be everything to someone else and he needed a therapist. He just wasn’t ready to admit that. It was only when he stopped being prescribed oxycodone that he turned to cocaine to fill the mental hole the prescription used to be for.

———

Rafe’s blown pupils are hidden by his eyelids as he lies back on the couch. Y/N is still out with her friends, so he isn’t sleeping. Not when she is not at home. The front door opening and closing makes him jerk forward. His eyelids are just a sliver because the light from the ceiling is too bright for him. Her footsteps approach the living room and the large sigh she lets out makes her arrival known. “You didn’t do the dishes,” she states, her hand resting on her jut-out hip. “And the hole in the hallway is still there.” Yesterday, Rafe, in a high state, accidentally made a hole in the wall when trying to put up a picture frame for her. He promised her before she left for work this morning that he would get what he needed to fix it this morning and in the afternoon, he would fix it. However, before he could get himself to the store, he saw a post from one of his old football teammates, who went pro and he spiralled. 

He doesn’t mean to roll his eyes, yet it happens and this causes her to let out another huff. “I didn’t get a chance to go to the store,” he grumbles like he didn’t care. He really did though. He wanted to be able to do something that simple for the girl who meant everything to him, except his mind seemed to disagree with his heart. It is easier to pretend it doesn’t bother him. Her eyes narrow in on the residue of powder on their coffee table, “Let me guess, you got your nose caught up in some business. Rafe, you promised me you wouldn’t do that shit at home.” He can’t keep looking at the way tears start to appear because he knows how worried she gets when he does drugs, always scared he might overdose. He looks anywhere but at her. “Don’t get on my ass about this again Y/N. You don’t know what I am dealing with,” he argues.

“I don’t and that’s the problem. You need to talk to someone about how you are feeling because you are going to put yourself in an early grave if you keep doing what you are doing now.”

“Seriously, we are going to argue about this again because I didn’t do the dishes or fix a little hole in the wall.”

“No, we are going to argue about it because you aren’t the man I fell in love with anymore and I don’t think if I can do this anymore. I want to be by your side to help you get better but if you don’t want to, then I don’t know if I can be here forever.”

Her words hit his ears at the same intensity as they would if he were sitting next to an airplane engine. They had arguments about his sobriety so many times before, yet those fights always had the underlying understanding that she would be there to help him. She never once mentioned the possibility of her leaving him because she truly did want to help him find his sobriety. His mouth falls open to talk. No words come out. How can he possibly swear that he wants to get better when he isn’t at the self-realization point in his journey? She takes the silence as an admittance that getting clean isn’t on his mind. “I need some time apart. I’m going to sleep at Deliah’s place tonight,” she informs, turning to leave. He doesn’t stop her; he wants to give her the space she needs in hopes that she realizes she can hold on for a little bit longer. The only word he can respond with is “Okay”, right before she closes the door behind her. 

———

She hasn’t answered any of his texts and calls. Her night of taking some space turned into a week and it is driving him crazy. Her non-existence return may have to do with his unwillingness to agree to go to a therapist. After the thousandth attempt at calling her, she finally answers the call. “Normally, when a person doesn’t pick up the call, it means they don’t want to talk to you.” He lets out an internal sigh, “I know, I just need to talk to you. Please, can we meet at our spot, Sunshine?” She could never resist the usage of his nickname for her. “Okay, meet me there in an hour,” she agrees. The call drops right after her response and he gives himself a small smile. Not only does he get to see her again, he gets to try to get her back. 

———

By the time she realizes she is being followed, she is alone under the bleachers, where she and Rafe used to spend their time in high school. It was where they found themselves when they didn’t feel like going to class or they needed to get away from the chaos after his team won a game. It was the place she fell in love with him in because even before they were dating when they were just friends, it was their spot. She spins around at the sound of grass being pressed down by a set of feet, ready to scold him for being late. It isn’t Rafe as she expected; instead, an average-height man with a dangerous air that scares her. The gleam behind his eyes tells her the bald man is up to no good, which is confirmed when he pulls out the hunting knife from his hoodie pocket. She steps back in an attempt to get away from him, but her back hits against a metal beam. The man rushes toward her and presses the sharp edge against the soft skin of her neck. “Your boy owes me money and since he is taking too long to get it back to me, I thought I would hold onto something precious to him until I get what I want,” the man explains with a wicked grin. She refuses to show him fear and looks him dead in the eyes, “Rafe’s dealer is Barry so I have no idea what you are talking about.” “He stopped going to Barry because Barry started getting on his case about how much he is using,” the male growled, not enjoying the bite to her bark. She chuckles like a maniac, “When Rafe comes, he is going to beat your ass.” “Shut up, Bitch.” Angered by his words, her knees find their target between his legs. 

He lets out a howl and doubles over in pain. She uses this as her opportunity to attempt an escape, trying to run past him. Unfortunately, he reaches out to stop her and this results in the blade driving into her abdomen. A gasp passes her lips, causing the dealer to look in her direction. “Shit.” His eyes bloom open and immediately begins to pull it out. “No. Don’t pu-,” she warns, except it is too late. The weapon is already out and he is running toward the exit. She hunches forward and stumbles back against the beam, pressing her hand to her stomach to keep from bleeding out, feeling as though she has been punched. Calling 911 seems to be the logical answer; however, when she goes for her phone, she finds it broken on the floor. She thinks about going to her car and is stopped by the feeling of even more blood gushing out of the wound as she tries to push off the beam. It doesn’t hurt as much as she thought it would. 

“Sunshine,” rings through her ears. Her dizziness makes it difficult to focus on the speaker, yet she knows who it is based on the nickname. She slides down the beam because her legs lose all their strength. Rafe rushes to her side and kneels beside her. “Shit, Sunshine. It’s going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay. I’m going to call the police. They are going to fix everything,” his voice breaks as his hand joins hers to stop the flow of his blood. She can hear him relaying the information to the dispatcher, but her body is telling her something Rafe isn’t going to be ready to hear. He places his phone on the floor so both of his hands can press on her abdomen. “They’re coming, Sunshine, just hold on. I promise. I’ll be here the whole time.” Her handshakes as she raises to his cheek, staining it with her blood. Her tears water at the edge of her bottom eyelid, “I don’t think I’m going to make it.” His head shakes vigorously. “Don’t say tha-.” She cuts him off, “Can you please just listen to me?” He nods to let her continue. “It was your dealer. I’m not telling you this to make you feel bad. Just to make sure he gets arrested. But I need you to know that you are more than just your addiction and football. I know you don’t think so, but you are and if you just realize that, then you will see the man that I fell in love with.” “I don’t deserve that though. Look at all the shit I put you through. You deserve more than a druggie as a boyfriend,” he cries, holding her hand against his skin.

She smiles up at him, “You deserve more too. You deserve to be truly happy. You deserve to try to find a new purpose in life. I want that for you.” “How can I find all of that if you are gone?” he questions. Her breathing begins to become laboured, “You’ll find yourself and once you grieve, you’ll find someone who can help heal your broken heart. That’s how.”

“I don’t want anyone else. I just want you. Please, don’t go. Will you please stay if I promise to get sober?” 

“I will be with you every step of the way.”

The words tear his heart in two. He knows what it means. She truly doesn’t think she is coming out of this alive. “I want you to see me get better though. Please. Just hang on a little longer.” His tears cloud his vision. When he doesn’t hear a response, he wipes his eyes to get a closer look at her. The world goes dark at the sight of her glassy eyes only reflecting back his face with no recognition or life behind them. The rise and fall of her chest have stopped. The universe decides to answer his calls for help at a cruel moment as he hears the siren finally approach. There is no use in their hurry if the person who needs saving is the one to do it because Rafe isn’t going to let her last words die with her. He is going to get better, not only for her but for him too. He deserves more than a life of chasing his pain away with drugs and he is determined to achieve that.

Taglist: @winterrrnight @loves0phelia @thelomlisrafecameron @wickedlovely121 @thepatriarchykeychain @drewsmusee @starkowswife @maybankslover @forstarkey @loving-and-dreaming @magicalyoura

[dxncingwithastrxnger]

a heart that's mine completely (Obey Me!)

A/N: Day 4 done! Later than yesterday but I'm just glad I got it done cause I'm tired, lmao. Funnily enough, my brain kept insisting on making this one longer and if I wasn't on the verge of falling asleep, I probably would've made this longer. But alas, sleep is calling me, so I must hurry up and get this posted. Happy reading!

Pairing(s): Satan x MC

Prompt(s): 4. Satan

Summary: MC invites Satan to bake cookies with them and Satan's love for them grows even more.

Tag(s): Fluffy, suggestive/implied nsfw at the end!

Word Count: 656

Song Inspiration: Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson

Not beta'd, all mistakes are my own.

~*~

[Series Masterlist]

[Read on AO3]

[Author Masterlist]

~*~

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31]

~*~

“You want…me to bake Christmas cookies with you?” Blonde hair shifts as the Avatar of Wrath tilts his head to the side in confusion, just like a puppy, ironically. “Why not ask Beel, or Barbatos, or Luke, or Simeon?” His words aren’t meant to be harsh or negative in any way. He’s genuinely wondering why he was chosen for this particular activity. Out of everyone, he’s not some baker or chef or foodie the way those other four are. So…why?

The human standing in front of him just shakes their head with a chuckle. “Because it’s one of my favorite Christmas activities and I wanted to share that with you. I figured it could be a chance for you to try something new and a chance for me to share a piece of myself with you.”

His eyes widen slightly before he smiles, his cheeks turning pink. “Heh. Well, when you put it that way, there’s no way that I can say no, now is there?”

MC beams at him in reply, embracing him tightly. “Good! I already have all the stuff we need gathered, so we just have to start putting it all together now!” And with that, the demon is dragged into the nearby kitchen, where many ingredients are already out and waiting to be put to use, just like they said.

Satan looked at everything before turning to the other. “Are these all from the human world?” He questions curiously.

They nod at him. “Yep! I wanted to make some traditional holiday cookies from the human world, if that was okay?”

The blonde demon reaches over and brushes the back of his hand down the side of their face. “I’d love to. Please, teach me.” He gestures to everything in front of them. “I’ll hang on to every word you speak.”

It was MC’s turn to blush now, shaking their head at him. “Well, we better get to it, then.”

A few hours later, they had multiple dozens of both sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies, either cooling on racks or being actively decorated by both of them. Or, mostly just one of them, considering Satan couldn’t keep his eyes off of the human dancing around the kitchen and using a bag of icing as a microphone as they sang along to the human world Christmas carols filling the room.

They seemed so…free. And he found it absolutely mesmerizing. Do they really not know how enchanting they are? Who can focus on anything else when they’re here looking like that?

Satan thought he had been doing pretty well at attempting to focus on the task at hand, actually getting quite a few cookies done himself, but it seems his thoughts have caught up to him, as now he’s been caught red-handed, MC’s eyes locking with his as they turn back to their decorating station, a pretty blush lighting up their cheeks, which in turn causes the same reaction on his face. Well, too late to hide it now, he supposes.

Before he even realizes his feet are moving, he’s rounding the corner of the island and walking up to them, cradling their face and pulling them into a loving kiss. MC returns his kiss immediately, wrapping their arms around his neck. Satan sighs happily into the kiss, wrapping both arms around them and pulling them close. It’s MC who chooses to deepen the kiss and he’s all happy to oblige, feeling a sudden need to have them as close to him as possible. To feel all of them against him. And because of this rising need within him, all it takes is a playful nip to his bottom lip and he’s lost. He gathers his human up in his arms, their legs wrapping around him automatically, and quickly carries them out of the kitchen, heading straight for his room, the cookies long forgotten. No one will see either of them until the next day.

~*~

A/N: Satan, my love, please come romance me <3 Thank you all for reading!! See you for tomorrow's story!!

~*~

Taglist:

@dutifullyuniversallykingdom

@om-adventcalendar

Please let me know if you'd like to be added to the taglist!!

[astrophileous]

Love Bugs (Pt. 04)

Pairing: Derek Mogran x Female Reader

Synopsis: You and Derek Morgan have an arrangement. At work, your relationship is strictly business. Under the sheets, it's all about pleasure. Nothing more, nothing less. Until, of course, your feelings start to get involved. Your situation is complicated enough without the unexpexted predicament that suddenly befalls upon you. But with a maniac serial killer on the loose, will you ever get the chance to make everything right?

Warning(s): kidnapping, stalker/psychopathic behaviors, reader is being held captive, curse words (? - idk if there are any in this part but just in case), violent use of knife, tell me if I miss anything xx

Word Count: 1900-ish

Tag(s): @camilaheroine

Author's Note: I KNOW it seems like the chapters are getting shorter and shorter but I promise you it's because these last two ones are essentially mood-setters for the next big, prominent parts in the series. Sooo hang in there and I promise you'll get some juicy stuff on the new part on Thursday ;) meanwhile, don't forget to LIKE+COMMENT+REBLOG to fuel me into making more chapters (especially if you reblog or comment 💞)

Love Bugs Masterlist / Criminal Minds Masterlist

Last night, Derek was finally able to sleep for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

He had lost count of the many nights he spent tossing and turning, reaching for his phone with the intention of calling your number just to fling the device across the room before his thumb could press the call button. He would trick himself into thinking that whatever he needed to say could wait until the next day at work, only to be tongue-tied any time both of your paths would cross.

Derek Morgan had always been a courageous man. He had even proven that he would gladly give his life to hold the hand of someone sitting on top of a bomb if it meant that person wouldn't leave this world alone.

But when it came to you, Derek was an utterly, foolishly, shameful piece of coward.

"Good morning, everyone." Hotch's greeting broke Derek out of his stupor. "Let's start the day, shall we?"

"(Y/N) isn't here yet," Emily spoke up from beside him. At the mention of your name, Derek's ears instantly perked up. "Should I call her?"

Hotch stared at the empty chair where you were supposed to sit, seemingly deep in his thoughts before answering, "It's alright, I'll catch her up later myself. Shall we begin?"

The first to present their findings were JJ and Emily.

"We found something interesting while talking to the second victim's roommate yesterday," JJ began. "Apparently, the victim had been seeing some guy for the past few weeks before she disappeared."

"Why wasn't this information in our files?" Hotch frowned.

"Because our victim only disclosed this once to one of her friends at school that we didn't get to interview the first time around," Emily answered. "The roommate only just found out after they bumped into each other a couple of weeks ago."

"That's good. It's definitely a start. Gather everything you know about the date and send the information to Garcia. Maybe she can give us a list of potential suspects from there," Hotch ordered.

"Already done." JJ nodded.

"Okay, next. Reid, did you--"

"Sir?"

The sound from the doorway interrupted Hotch before he could even begin to voice his question out loud. Every head in that room turned towards Penelope standing in the doorway, a panic-stricken expression decorating her usually cheery face.

"What's up, Garcia?" Hotch questioned.

"Another package just arrived, sir," she informed nervously. "It's our UnSub."

Hotch abruptly got up from his seat. "Did you get a chance to take a look at the video yet?"

"I-It's not a video tape, sir."

"What is it, Garcia?" Rossi asked.

"It's a flashdrive." She cleared her throat. "I, uh, did a routine check to make sure that it didn't contain any viruses. Not like it matters. I probably could still access the files if he had used the common accessible viruses in the market. Thankfully, though, there wasn't a single virus in it. Which, of course, made my job a whole lot easier--"

"Garcia," Hotch warned.

"Yes? Right, right. I'm sorry, sir. What I meant to say is that the flashdrive didn't have any kinds of virus." Garcia started playing with her fingers, a physical tell which Derek knew could only mean that she was feeling anxious. "But I think you guys should see this."

Everyone scrambled from their seats to follow Garcia out of the conference room. In the middle of the bullpen, a large projector had been set up, its large screen covering the vast area of one of the walls.

"Garcia," Hotch called in confusion. "You said that it wasn't a video tape."

"It's not, sir," Garcia choked out. Her glasses-rimmed eyes taking in the sight of the hunched figure on the screen, seated on a chair in what looked like an abandoned building similar to the one they found in the first video. "This is streaming live."

"What?" Emily muttered in shock.

"This is right now?" Hotch asked, to which Garcia answered with a series of rapid nods.

"He's finally chosen his next victim," Reid commented under his breath.

"Wait, look. She's waking up," JJ pointed out.

Every pair of eyes in the room watched as the figure started to stir. When she finally lifted her head, the entire universe seemed to stand still.

Somewhere in the room, Derek heard somebody gasp.

"No."

Derek shook his head in denial. His eyes blinking rapidly to clear the fog that had started to gather in his vision. For a second there, Derek had hoped that maybe he was just seeing things. Maybe the guilt he had continuously hoarded over the past few weeks had at last caught up to him, playing cruel tricks to his mind that made him believe he was seeing things that weren't real.

When he managed to open his eyes again, Derek realized that the scene in front of him was not the product of his overly heinous imagination.

Because the figure being tied down on the chair in that video was, in fact, you.

"That's... That's not--"

"That's (Y/N)," Reid uttered in disbelief, finishing the sentence that Derek couldn't get out due to the strangled air in his throat.

Derek's legs gave out underneath him. Before he could fall helplessly to the ground, the desk behind him caught most of his body weight, ensuring that he would stay standing despite the paralysis that had begun attacking his entire limbs.

His worst nightmare had just come true.

And Derek, for the first time in his life, finally knew what a pure, unadulterated terror felt like.

The insufferable pain was the first thing you registered when you opened your eyes.

Chronic migraines were a condition that had always run in your family. Your mother had them when she was alive. You started having them when you were in high school. At their worst, the migraines you had to endure were unbearable. They became insanely painful at times that you didn't even have the capacity to get out of bed.

But this headache was definitely worse. So much worse.

You blinked your eyes once, twice, three times in an attempt to clear the white threads in your vision. When your eyes had refocused enough for you to see without feeling like you were about to topple over, you began to take in your surroundings.

The room was humid and dark. The small ventilations to your right told you that the sun was already up, meaning that you were passed out all night long. With a few hours had passed since you were last conscious to the moment you woke up, there was no way to estimate the exact location to which your captor had taken you.

As your eyes swept over the large expanse of moldy dark concrete, they caught sight of a device being mounted on the wall.

A camera.

He was watching you.

The dread was quick to sink in your stomach. The camera meant that your captor had been watching your every move. And if he truly had, it was only a matter of time before he would pay a visit after learning that you had regained your consciousness.

As if he had been rummaging through your mind himself, you heard the sound of a metal door opening barely a few minutes later.

His presence reeked of atrocity. The sound of his heavy footsteps echoed to the background sound of malice, promising all things devilish to anyone who ever caught a wind of it. You watched him appear from the darkness. All black attire--complete with a black ski mask--to cover his true identity. But even with nearly his whole face hidden, the cruel promise in his eyes alone was enough to make you shiver in place.

"Good morning, Agent (Y/L/N). You were asleep a lot longer than I thought you'd be."

You unconsciously tugged at the restrains that bound you to the chair.

"I saw your message for me, Agent. Did you like my gift?"

"The video tape. That was you?"

His eyes crinkled in the corner as if he was elated at the idea of you receiving the so-called gift he had prepared.

"You liked it?" he almost purred. "I knew you would. I knew you were different from the others. I saw you up there and I just knew that you were the one I was looking for."

"Of course. Thank you so much for such a special gift."

You knew the profile had stated that the UnSub loved attention, meaning that he also seeked validation and compliance from his victims. Trying to fight him would only result in catastrophe. Especially after considering that the video tape he sent showed apparent signs of unpredictable devolving from his organized self. He was intelligent enough to know if you ever tried to trick him, so your best bet at that moment was to play along with his fantasy and hoped that it would give you additional time to figure out a more elaborated plan of action.

"You already know my name, but I still don't know yours. What should I call you?"

The UnSub pondered your curiosity in the silence. "You don't remember me?"

His question baffled you.

His reaction implied that you must have crossed paths with him, somewhere, somehow, during the weeks that had passed since the press conference.

That knowledge alone had dread stirring higher in your gut.

"I'm sorry." You quickly tried to rectify the situation. "It's dark in here, and you're wearing that mask. A-and my head, it's throbbing really bad. Kinda makes it difficult to see or recognize anything. Or anyone."

Thankfully, he seemed to find your excuse acceptable. "You can call me Darling."

"Darling?" You hid the instant repulsion in your voice at the nickname. "Is that really your name?"

Booming laughter filled the room, chilling your bones and activating every fight or flight response in your body. The mirth in his eyes caused you to feel as if you had just delivered the biggest joke of the century by asking him that last question.

"No, it's not my real name," he let out after seemingly pleased by your accidental jab in humor. "Darling is what we are to each other. You'll be my Darling and I'll be yours. Forever."

Forever.

You ignored how that one single word ignited a massive turbulence in your bloodstream.

"Is that why you took all of those women?" you asked cautiously. "You were looking for your Darling?"

"Yes. But let's not worry about that anymore. I've got you, now." He stalked over to you then, taking your chin between his fingers and forcing you to stare into his eyes. "None of the others are as worthy as you, Darling. We are going to have so much fun together."

You inwardly cringed while imagining what exactly the type of "fun" he might have meant.

"I have a surprise waiting for us to commemorate our first day together," he suddenly told you.

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

He reached around his back before pulling out a dagger that he began to twirl in his hand. The sharp point of its metallic blade blinded you as your captor moved around your tied up body, stalking at every angle as if you were a prey he wanted to shred to pieces.

Eventually, his steps halted behind the chair you were tied to, rooting you in place with one hand on your shoulder while the other pressed the tip of the dagger to your jaw.

"Smile at the camera, Darling," he whispered behind your ear. "We have an audience."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your team is watching," he informed between his dark snickers. "Let's make sure the show is worth their time, shall we?"

[suratan-zir]

I wanted to say that I see all your messages. Thank you. I don't deserve your condolences, even though it hurts like hell. S. had a husband and a mother, they were her only family, her world, and causing them pain was her only regret in the event of her death.

I'm putting my useless feelings and ramblings under the cut

Some of you knew her as Mathilda from her old blog, though it wasn't her real name nor her callsign. I will call her S.

Yesterday morning, on one of the military telegram channels I follow, I read that the russians went on the offensive on the part of the front where S. was. Infantry with tank support. S. went on duty just two days pryor, so I knew she's there, in the thick of things.

I immediately texted her asking if she's alive. She didn't answer because she wasn't. I saw that my message went through (meaning there is an internet connection), but there was no repsonse… So even though it shouldn't have been a surprise, I still can't believe it. Not even a month ago, she was sitting on this same couch eating pizza. She looked out of this window as I showed her the view of the Dnipro river. If I had known that the last hug she gave me would be the last hug from her...

S. was so tiny and strong at the same time. She was so proud of the muscles she had gained during her time at the front.

S. told me that my chances of being killed by a missile are extremely low, because it would need to hit exactly the roof. "Even if it lands right next to your house, you'll survive," she said. Yet she monitored air raids in my town and was still worried anyway. She, being in literal hell on earth, worried about me. That's the kind of person she was.

The whole motherfucking country of russia isn't worth a single hair on her head. Good russians, bad russians, average russians, I hope they all rot in the hell of their own making.

I promised her to be more angry than sad. I lied. I'm neither. I only feel pain and that's it. I'm crying, drinking, trying to sleep and crying some more. To think that she was going through it regularly, messaging me only short "X. died today, he was my roommate", "he chopped wood for me", "he was such a nice guy, only 23 years old". She was losing friends almost every day and managed to stay sane.

I haven't lost people to death before. Only elderly relatives, in their 90s. This is a brand new kind of pain. It gives you a perspective…

I know that her death wasn't in vain. She saved so many people during these two years. But I don't care. I'm not like her. If I could turn back time and prevent her from coming to Ukraine, I would. But it was her choice, the one she was proud of.

I want the last ten years to be a twisted elaborate nightmare. I can't…

[nevernonline]

✧.* grow as we go; svt smau.

entry #20 lost and found.

synopsis: over the past ten years you’ve fallen in love many times. one day someone happens to stumble across your journal sitting out on your nightstand and started posting your entries online. after all of your secrets are leaked it’s clear things would ever be the same again.

𐦍 paring: svt members x afab! reader.

𐦍 feat: non-idol! svt

𐦍 genre/s: reader is super angsty low-key, fluffy, sexual themes.

𐦍 content: swearing, bullying, crazy ex’s, mentions of sexual relations, some drinking& mary jane 🍃

word count: 3.3k (texts under the passage <3)

masterlist ▸ 019 anywhere you go. ▸ 021 we're so back.

Minghao wasn’t sure his tactic to get y/n alone was going to work, but it was his only sure chance to try. All night up in his hotel room he thought of different things to say to her, questions that had been brewing in his mind for the past two weeks since her failure of a birthday party and her somewhat of a disappearance. 

Wonwoo was still sleeping in the bed adjacent to his, he knew he’d have to be up early to get a chance to watch Joshua exit y/n’s home so he woke up before the sun and tiptoed into the bathroom trying not to wake his friend who might try to talk him out of his plan. 

The bathroom light woke his tired body up even more. Was it silly to even try to look good for her? What if Wonwoo was telling the truth? Y/n maybe really did ask to not see them and only trusted her true feelings with his friend over him. 

Something about Wonwoo even sticking his neck out so Minghao could go talk to her in private was enough of a clue that he was lying to her. 

Minghao grabbed the keys from Wonwoo’s car, temporarily abandoning his four friends at the motel. After all, he knew they would understand. He drove down the clean old streets of y/n's hometown and smiled, imagining her when she was younger walking around, grabbing ice cream, doing her school shopping, someday maybe he’d get the chance to experience it with her, but today wasn’t that day. 

Pulling up to the corner, behind another black car he checked the time on his phone and waited nearly a block away from her big front door until he saw Joshua pull out of her driveway. 

After sitting in the car for what felt like a decade, Minghao caught a glimpse of Josh running around the side of the house to his car and starting the engine. For some reason he didn’t pull out of the driveway immediately which made the pit in Hao’s stomach fall deeper. Was he waiting for y/n? Was his plan going to fail him? 

But, the universe worked in his favor as Joshua pulled out of the driveway all by his lonesome and headed the opposite way down the block. When his car was finally out of sight, Minghao stepped outside into the fresh air and walked up the front walkway to her house. 

Unsure if he should knock or ring the doorbell to insure she heard that someone was waiting on the front porch, he saw y/n through the large glass window and stared for a moment at the back of her head. 

Taking a deep breath in he decided on a light knock, waiting patiently for her to come answer the door. 

“Josh, Seriously you have a key why are you kno-” 

As the door split open to reveal the girl he hadn’t seen in too long, she gasped and stood to look at him with a blank face. 

“Oh.” 

“That’s all you can say?” 

“I’m not really sure what to say, why are you here?” 

“I didn’t believe anything Wonwoo had told me yesterday, can we talk?” 

“Uh, yeah. Come in.” 

Minghao stepped through the door into y/n’s world and followed her through the house to the kitchen. 

“Want any coffee, matcha, water, alcohol?” 

 “Waters good.” 

Grabbing two glasses one for water and one for a glass of wine y/n felt like she so desperately needed to ease her stress, she sat down across from him at the table. Her eyes puffy, her face dull and dry, almost like she hadn’t been sleeping and probably crying. 

“So?” 

“Well first of all, it’s good to see you. I don’t really know how to start off asking you anything, but I guess I really need to know why you lied about writing the letter?” 

“Oh. Well I didn-” 

“Y/n come on. We both know you didn’t write it. I can read Wonwoo like a book, he was insisting a little too much that you didn’t want to see us. I won’t entertain it for even a second.” 

“Damn, Wonwoo. Well, the night of the party after Mingyu left his office to go and help Minnie, uh, Mimi came in after the lights went out and she threatened me. She gave me the letter to sign and told me to block you guys and go somewhere else.” 

“Threatened you how?” 

“Just that if she didn’t force me out, she would never get what she wanted.” 

“Which is?” 

“She didn’t say. She just handed me car keys and a zip drive.” 

“Did you look to see what was on it?” 

“No. I don’t care.” 

“But, it could be something good.” 

“It might be and it also might be nothing, but I want to be done with her. I want no stress. I was so happy before she came back into my life again and for a moment I thought she really wanted to move passed whatever fucking issue she has with me and be friends. I really just don't understand the issue.” 

“She’s jealous.” 

“But, why? She’s successful, her parents have money, she’s not unfortunate looking at all. She has nothing to be jealous of me for.” 

“Joshua? Mingyu? Minnie? The list goes on and on, she never could make friends who liked her more than they liked you.” 

“They did like her. I thought once she got with Joshua it was over the first time, then all hell broke loose. It’s like whenever she’s around everything in my life that was starting to be good goes to shit.” 

“You have to stop letting her get away with it.” 

“I just don’t want to deal with it anymore, Hao I’m so fucking tired.” 

“You have to deal with it. I know it’s eating away at you, but if you let it continue, you let her take over your life. I know you would never forgive yourself for that. Plus, you have some dumbass friends helping you and one smart one. Seokmin, Jun, Vernon, and Wonwoo need you, your the glue. They’ve been so sad thinking you just left for no reason other than you didn’t want to see them anymore.” 

“And you?” 

“Yeah. Of course. Why do you think I'm here convincing you to come back and be with us? I’d even offer to get on my hands and knees and beg but I don’t want it to come to that.” 

“I mean you could.” 

Minghao laughed at y/n’s small bit of sarcasm coming back to her, when he heard someone opening the front door, thinking it was Joshua he got up to leave when y/n stopped him and got up herself. 

“Dad? Where do you think you’re going, I said if you need something to let me know.” 

“Ah, honey. Just wanted to sit in the sun for a few minutes, and didn't want to bother you and your friend.” 

y/n looked over at Minghao, putting her finger up to gesture one minute, wrapped her arm around her fathers and led him towards the back of their house. 

Minghao just smiled back, watching her walk away out the patio door, helping her dad with his cane as she opened the door up and sat him in a chair under the sun. 

Before she came back in he studied how well she took care of him, placing a pillow behind his back slowly and comfortably, pointing at a tree to show him a bird, and a gesture which made Minghao think she was asking him a question. 

When she came back in she headed straight to the fridge and grabbed three cans of beer, walking back to Minghao cuddling with her dog on her childhood couch. 

“Come on.” 

“What?” 

“You’re going to have a beer with my dad, come on. His request. Bring Lucy with you.” 

She smiled gesturing to her small dog sitting on Minghaos lap, he gracefully picked her up, getting nervous to meet the man y/n had amazing things to tell him before. 

“Don’t be scared, kiddo. I don’t bite.” 

“Nice to meet you sir, I’ve heard a lot about you.” 

Minghao opened a can of beer, placing it in the older man’s slightly shaking fingers, making sure he had his grip just right before opening the two following cans. 

“So, you’re the boy my daughter told me about huh? The artist.” 

“Talking to your dad about me, y/n? Wow.” 

“Na, once or twice.” 

“She doesn’t shut up about you, you might out rank Seokmin.” 

“Dad no-“ 

“No, let the gentleman talk, y/n. I want to hear it.” 

Y/n just shook her head, sitting back in her chair, blushing slightly. 

“Nothing but good things of course, I kept begging her to bring you over. But, she never did. Keep bringing that Joshua instead. He was never my favorite kid, nice, but a little bit of a follower.” 

“Well I'm glad she finally let us meet even though she didn’t have much of a choice.” 

“Me too. I heard you used to be a little bit of an artist yourself, in the kitchen.” 

“Oh, definitely. Those were my glory days, now all I have to show for it is a little bit of a messed up leg and some grease burns, but the memories of it is all that matters. My restaurant is going well even without me, maybe it hurts my pride slightly as a perfectionist, but my wife knows her way around a kitchen better than me at this point.” 

“Ah, so y/n’s mom took over for you when you left?” 

“She always was in the kitchen with me, sous chef, that’s how we met. Many, many years ago. I was pretty new in the restaurant industry, we met at a cooking class. Been going strong ever since.” 

Minghao smiled watching y/n hear her father relive his life with such pride. He knew how much her parents meant to her, but now he understood why she loved to be loved, it was what she was used to, what she needed. He was the same. 

“A shame I didn’t get to meet her then.” 

“Well, she’ll be home-“ y/n’s father looked down at his watch, “An hour probably, you can stay for dinner if you like. Maybe y/n can show you how we are in the kitchen.” 

“I don’t think he can stay, dad. His friends are waiting for him at the hotel.” 

“Nonsense, call them a car, I’ll give you money.” 

“But-“ 

“Y/n, no. I insist. I have lots to talk to my new friend Minghao about. Get them here.” 

Minghao pulled his phone out, texting Wonwoo to get ready to come over to your house with the rest of the guys. Saying sorry he took so long to let him know how it was going. 

“Alright, sir. I let them know and called them over.” 

“Sir? I’m far too young for that, call me Wynn.” 

Y/n stood up from the table, excusing herself to go and take a shower, giving a slight look to her dad, almost begging for him not to embarrass her before waltzing inside followed by her small curly haired dog. 

Minghao sat and listened to many stories about her parents' lives, everything that went down with y/n before he had met her, he almost felt her father let him in even further to her life than she had on her own. 

A woman Minghao had assumed was y/n’s mom, considering her good looks and similar bone structure walked onto the patio, beaming a smile at her husband and coming over to kiss his cheek, took one look at Minghao and he already knew she was aware of who he was. Which was a confident point to him, y/n really did talk to her parents about him. Maybe he’d probe her later about the types of things she may have said. 

“Who’s this striking young man, honey? Where’d you find him?” 

“Well, he came over pleading to me to buy some candy for his fundraiser, and figured I’d give him some beers in exchange for candy.” 

“Ah, smart.” 

Y/n’s mom came over to Minghao as he stood out of his chair to greet her with a hand outstretched as she pulled on it and gave him a big hug. 

“I’m only kidding, I know who you are. I’m sure my husband told you our silly daughter doesn’t shut up about you.” 

“Good things?” 

“Oh, of course. Don’t tell her I told you this but, I think she may have a bit of a crush. I see why.” 

Minghao blushed, still holding onto her moms hand. 

“She must have forgotten to tell me how beautiful you are, I see where she gets it from.” 

“Oh, wow. A charmer. I love that. You’re staying for dinner?” 

“Yes, if that’s okay.” 

“I insist, if my husband hasn’t already. What would you like?” 

“Y/n actually made me that chicken recipe of yours… if it’s not too hard.” 

“Oh, she definitely likes you. Not hard at all.” 

“Honey, y/n has some more friends coming. How many did you say, Minghao?” 

“Four more. If that’s okay?” 

“The more the merrier. I’ll go get started. Where is that girl anyway?” 

“Shower.” 

“Okay, don’t hesitate to make yourself at home. I’ll go get started, gentlemen.” 

Y/n sat on the floor of her shower, letting the hot water rush down her skin. Wanting to feel it burning into her as she contemplated how dumb she’s been. 

She felt awful for letting her friends think she didn’t like them, that she was doing horrible things to make them hate the girl who was actually doing them to her. 

Was she excited to see her friends? Of course. But, she knew it came with a bunch of unanswered questions they couldn’t get to until later considering she never told her parents the new chapter in the Mimi saga, they already hated her for the past, but they would hate her more for this recent fuck up. 

She was looking down at her wrinkling hands as the door opened to the bathroom, a cold rush of air hitting her skin under the warm water. 

“Honey? Everything okay?” 

“Oh. Hi, mom. I’m good, just shaving.” 

“Alright, sweetie. When you’re finished would you mind helping me in the kitchen? If not, that's alright.” 

“Of course. I’ll be down in a second.” 

“Alright.” 

Seconds after her mom shut the door, y/n shut the hot water off, basking in her last moments of solitude and got ready to head back downstairs. 

As she was walking around the corner of the staircase, she heard a familiar voice at the door, Seokmin. 

Her best friend. The one person she felt the most guilty not talking to. 

Her mom was basically yelling with joy seeing him and Jun walk into her house again, as well as greeting two more new faces with her infectious cheerful nature. 

She told her to grab the cooler of drinks from the kitchen and head outside to meet her husband and Minghao. 

Y/n wasn’t sure how to make her entrance. 

As she reached the kitchen, her mom just gave her a small smile as she was cutting into the various fresh veggies from her garden, nodding her head to the door, forcing her to go greet them. 

She took a deep breath in, taking a sip of her moms wine sitting on her marble countertop and headed outside. 

“Y/n!!” 

All four of her friends greeted her loudly, the two of them who’ve known her the longest nearly having tears welling up in their eyes. 

“Hi. You guys look so nice? I’m in pajamas. What the hell.” 

“Go change, come on. We were telling your dad we’re having a small birthday party for you tonight.” 

“Jun, you don’t have to-“ 

“Shut up, yes we do. Now go. Minghao help her, she will need it.” 

“Guys no.” 

“Go, go, go.” 

“But my mom-“ 

“Honey, mom will be fine. Go on.” 

“Okay.” 

Y/n let Minghao back up the same staircase she had just come down, he took in the walls full of family photos and young pictures of y/n as she led him to the pastel blue colored walls of her childhood room. Full of posters and moments of her life. 

“The closet is slim pickings here and don’t mind the bedsheets, butterflies were super cool okay.” 

“Butterflies are still cool.” 

“Sorry we didn’t get to finish talking before and for my parents, they love company.” 

“No. They’re amazing. I see where you get it from.” 

“Shut up.” 

“Can I ask an innocent question?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Is this the room that, you know.” 

“Mimi filmed me in? Yes.” 

“Oh, sorry.” 

“Don’t worry. So, my closet is obviously here. Overflowing. Uh, yeah, have at it, Hao.” 

“Also can I just say right here right now, your dad is fucking cool.” 

“Really? He’s not embarrassing you?” 

“No. He’s fun.” 

Y/n just laughed, sitting crossed legged on the edge of her twin sized bed. Waving him along to do his work. 

“What about… maybe this?” 

Minghao pulled out a long sleeved black dress, something y/n only bought to have in case the boy she thought she would love forever asked her on a date. It’s never been worn even though it’s been in her closet for years. She almost hesitated and said no, but the butterflies in her stomach watching Minghao pull it from the closet changed her mind. 

“Okay.” 

She got up and grabbed it from his hands, staring at it admirably as he watched her eyes light up. 

“Cover your eyes, please.” 

“Sorry. Okay.” 

Minghao didn’t even question her, he took his hands over his eyes as he closed them and listened to the signs as she was getting undressed. He never looked, even though he’s seen her less than clothed before. 

She tapped his forehead to let him know she was done, giggling as he jumped a little not knowing their proximity. 

He opened his eyes, staring at her. Unaware his jaw had dropped to the floor as he looked at her up and down, pulling his hands from his face and running them down the sleeves covering her arms. 

“Wow. That’s so..” 

“So? Bad? Good? What?” 

“Beautiful, yeah good obviously. It’s nice. Why have you never worn it?” 

“Oh, I was saving it for something special.” 

“Ah.” 

Minghaos hands still rested on her arms, staring into her eyes. Feeling the urge to kiss her, but didn’t know how to move. 

She just looked back at him, smiling, almost wondering why he wasn’t making a move, before a knock came onto her latched door. 

“Guys? Dinners are almost ready, come on.” 

They broke apart at the knock, leaving the lingering tension in the air around them. 

“Have we really been up here that long? Your dad will hate me.” 

“No, they know I would never do any funny business. Probably just assumed we were busy talking or something.” 

“Okay? Good.” 

“Can we finish this later?” 

“Y/n are you flirting with me?” 

“I think so?” 

“Good enough for me.” 

As they ate dinner, drank, and laughed y/n realized what she had been missing. 

Her friends, no matter the situation, were always here for her. 

The decorations, the flowers, the small cake they had picked up on their way over was all an effort to prove to her they would always have her back. 

When they all finally snuggled up into bed, her last thought was she would do anything to have it back, without all the complications. 

note: hi, omg? I have been so busy, but like literally am finally able to be here and post my last (2?/3?) chapters of this wild ride. sorry it took me like... forever?? but pls enjoy. I missed u, sorry it's sort of short also?and chaotic? yes. am I just apologizing.. uh, yes, but ok anyway, lolol? also my friend surprised me w/ txt tickets for my upcoming b-day so uh... cunty. ily ily. (also did not edit excuse me ok lol, bye)

taglist:@sun-daddy-yoriichi@hipsdofangirl@kissesfrmwonwoo@minhui896@wonwooz1@porridgesblog@jasssy051@soonyoungblr@saucegirlreads@musingsofananxiouspotato@young-adult-summer@punkhazardlaw@bibs-world@the-swageyama-tobiyolo@wonuulvr@woozixo@k-drama-adict@90s-belladonna@blaycke@dnylwoo@to-mi-yo, @nonononranghaee @bee-the-loser @mxnhoeuwu

[lalune9x]

SCTIR Translation - Chapter 470: Letter (1)

If Yoohyun were a regular college student, he'd be at the age for things like this. They do say college students go out drinking a lot, don’t they?

Chapter translation under the cut.

---

Chapter 470: Letter (1)

My head throbbed. I thought about activating Poison Resistance but decided to let it be. Who knew when I'd have the chance to experience a hangover again? It would be hard to drink as much as I did last night. Besides, I wanted to linger in this dazed state a bit longer.

'... How embarrassing.'

I hugged a large pillow and buried my face in it. Even with my head still foggy, the events of yesterday replayed vividly in my mind. From start to finish, there wasn't a single thing that didn't make me cringe.

'Was I already drunk by the time I was at the lounge?'

I might've been. I had finished a full glass of wine, after all. And last night… um. I'd planned to only drink enough to get a little tipsy, because I'd been afraid of saying nonsense. But the wine had been surprisingly good, and the subtle buzz had felt pleasant.

'There's nothing wrong with liking someone, is there?'

I had apparently kept saying that over and over. Along with things like, 'What's so bad about it? It's better than hating someone, right?' Ughhh, why were my memories so vivid? Yoohyun kept agreeing with everything I said, Myungwoo fussed over me telling me to eat snacks while drinking, and Noah told me, "I like you too, Yoojin-ssi"... Even Yerim tried to sneak in with Gyeol at some point, but I had chased them out immediately.

Then Yoohyun had said I seemed too drunk and helped me to the bedroom. And then… I vaguely remembered saying there was some wine left and suggesting that we finish it off. At the very end, I'd felt unsatisfied and decided to turn off Poison Resistance to feel more drunk, which must have been why I had blacked out.

Hopefully I hadn't said anything weird. Just in case, I quickly checked my keyword registration list. 'Han Yoohyun'—his name was still there. Okay, everything seemed fine.

'…I should drink in moderation from now on.'

I struggled to lift my head and saw my little brother sleeping next to me. He had taken off his jacket, but his tie was only loosely undone. For some reason, the sight made me feel strangely happy. If Yoohyun were a regular college student, he'd be at the age for things like this. They do say college students go out drinking a lot, don't they?

I would be telling him things like, 'What'd you drink so much for? But at least you made it home,' then helping him wash up and putting him to bed. Although last night, I'd gotten drunk with him too… Still, I thought Yoohyun had only been slightly tipsy. Had he drunk more after I blacked out? …Surely I hadn't pushed him to drink more, right?

I activated Poison Resistance and sat up. Maybe it was because the type of alcohol last night had been special, but I could still feel a faint hint of a hangover lingering.

'…Now that my head's clearing up, I feel even more embarrassed.'

How ridiculous must I have looked? An F-rank shouting at an S-rank—no, at the strongest human—saying I'd help him whether he liked it or not, and that I'd drag him back if he tried to run.

Shit, how was I supposed to face Sung Hyunje now? Or Hyuna-ssi, or Director Song… ughhh.

But still, I didn't actually regret it. Even if I went back to that moment now, I would say the same things. Though maybe I'd act a bit more composed.

'Yeah, it's what I want to do. So what?'

Pushing others to live well could also be a selfish act, if it wasn't something they agreed with. And there was no guarantee that everything would work out. But Sung Hyunje had told me to act selfishly first, so it didn't matter, right? I was just giving him what he asked for, so he had no right to complain. Regardless of what else he'd tell me or how things would turn out!

Suddenly, I remembered Sung Hyunje's past comment about people being able to act after establishing a firm foundation, or whatever he'd said. That had also happened at a hotel, though not this one. I certainly hadn't had much faith in myself back then.

What I had faith in... was what my brother had given me. Skills that were mine but that I couldn't truly call mine. Things I had obtained with those skills.

'The me without those things…'

I had liked Chloe not only because I was a fan of her broadcasts, but because she acknowledged effort regardless of rank. She had treated even the information that an F-rank obtained from clearing a dungeon as useful. Setting aside comparisons with others, just looking at myself as an F-rank hunter, I'd had pretty decent skills too. I'd sold quite a few tips to Do Hamin at a good price. Since my environment had been harsh, I had needed to work harder both physically and mentally, which naturally made me accumulate more experience than others.

So I thought that if I met Hunter Chloe and talked with her, she might recognize my worth... Ah, looking back now, it was a bit embarrassing. But it was with that mindset that I had even applied to appear on her show before.

'But the first thing she said was that she disliked the current me.'

Maybe her opinion would change if she knew the full story, but even without that…

'It's not a bad thing.'

It had shocked me at first, but now I felt kind of glad. That someone had expressed criticism of the post-regression Han Yoojin. The current me was admittedly better. If you asked a hundred people, every single one of them would agree that the current Han Yoojin was better. But the past me—the me who'd had nothing—had also worked hard.

'The me in the other world is probably living well too.'

Even without a single special skill. And, though that version of me wasn't F-rank anymore, still being low-ranked at best.

So maybe even just the 'I' that had nothing was worth trusting a little. I shouldn't let myself waver every time Sung Hyunje acted up. …Though not wavering would be difficult. But at least I was sure of what I wanted to do.

Even if Sung Hyunje really ended up leaving.

'…It still pisses me off.'

He was the one who had erased the label for me in his contacts and handed the phone to me. Accepting the title of partner and saying he would wait for me even if I was still lacking. Hey, it hasn't even been a year yet! Forget a year—it hasn't even been six months! It had been August 30th then and it was only November now! Even financial performance was usually assessed quarterly, and he couldn't even wait three months?! If you count the altered time flow in dungeons, we might be at the three-month mark by now, but still!

I really should have grabbed him by the collar properly. Though I probably would've ended up looking like I was clinging and hanging off him.

"…Hyung?"

As I was hitting the innocent pillow, Yoohyun opened his eyes.

"It's nothing. You can sleep more," I said.

My little brother groggily sat up and loosened his tie completely, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"...It's unpleasant," he said.

"What, the hangover? Yeah, I guess it's your first one."

The alcohol strong enough to affect S-ranks had only just come out, and back in the dungeon, there hadn't been many opportunities to drink comfortably.

"It doesn't feel good, huh?" I said.

"I don't mean now," Yoohyun replied. "But last night, even though I wasn't that drunk, I felt like I wasn't fully in control."

"Hmm? But it doesn't seem like anything went wrong? Nothing got broken."

The alcohol wasn't that strong yet, so of course the S-rank Yoohyun, and even I when I had my Poison Resistance active, had only gotten tipsy at best.

"It'd be fine if I was on my own, but I could have hurt you, hyung."

"Hey, I've got Grace, remember? If you're that worried, I'll make sure to keep Grace active whenever we drink together."

"Also, I didn't like feeling like I was under the influence of a mental skill. Even if the effect wasn't that strong, I'm not going to drink anymore."

"Really? I was kind of hoping we could have a drink together sometimes."

"Only with you, hyung, only at home. Somewhere where it's definitely safe." Yoohyun frowned slightly, looking utterly against the idea of drinking anywhere else. "What about you, hyung? Are you feeling okay?"

"Me? Yeah, I actually kinda feel better." I pushed through my embarrassment and continued, "I know I probably said this yesterday, but I still think it's fine to like whatever or whomever you want. No matter how it turns out."

Because liking people and things brought joy and could even bring comfort. It was a positive feeling, in any case. Of course, you could also struggle because of it. I had. But even then, I didn't think I would regret any of it. Even if I were to lose it all once more, if I went back, I'd still end up liking them all again.[1]

I mean Sung Hyunje, too… He wasn't bad… well... he had put me through some crazy situations. Still, there'd been fun times too. That one time it had been delicious, yeah. That other time it had also been tasty. That one restaurant had suited my palate well. Naturally, Myungwoo's cooking was the best, but he fussed too much about my health. Though it really was amazing that healthy food could still taste that good.

"Of course, I shouldn't go falling head over heels and giving up my heart on a silver platter," I said. "But I'm going to do what I like."[2]

It wasn't a big change, but how should I put it? I guess I would focus more on prioritizing myself.

At my words, Yoohyun's expression became gloomier. "I understand, hyung. She's a foreigner, anyway."

"…What?"

"Park Yerim said that since she's a high-rank hunter and busy with work, she probably won't be able to visit Korea often anyway. Since I clear dungeons a lot too, a few days a month would probably be fine."

"Hey no, listen," I tried to cut in.

"But you can't ever be alone with her. Always take Peace with you. And write up a contract—"

"I told you I got rejected!" 

What the hell was this kid talking about?

"And besides, she doesn't like me!" I added.

"There's no way a high-rank hunter would dislike you, hyung. You didn't do anything wrong, and it was your first time meeting her."

The Irreverent had also said that high-rank hunters tended to like people like me.

"Not everyone's going to like me," I replied. "And Chloe is connected to Park Hayul."

Yoohyun's mouth immediately snapped shut. I felt the atmosphere shift suddenly as his mood grew dangerous, so I quickly tried to intervene.

"She's already gone into hiding! I've already informed Director Song."

"... When did you find out?" he asked.

"Not long after we met her, I had some suspicions—hey, wait a second!"

Yoohyun grabbed me and pushed me face down onto the bed. Hey, what the hell!

"Look, there wasn't any dang—ow! Hey!"

"I thought the Sesung Guildmaster and Breaker Guildmaster were just going to spectate."

"Yoohy—ouch!" I yelped. That hurt!

"Hyung, because you said other people shouldn't interfere with your confession, I held back." 

Yoohyun pressed down hard on my shoulders. It hurt so much that I couldn't hold back a pained cry. We were in the best room, so it was really spacious and the soundproofing should be good. But it seemed it wasn't good enough to block screams, because the door suddenly burst open.

"Yoojin-ah?"

"Yoojin-ssi!"

"It's just a simple massage," Yoohyun said casually. "I learned from a professional, so don't worry."

When did you learn that? Please don't tell me your teacher was Elder Chaos.

"Still, he looks like he's in a lot of pain," Noah-ssi commented with concern.

Yoohyun firmly replied, "Hyung did something dangerous again."

"Ah…"

"It's good for him," Myungwoo decided. "Yoojin-ah, you'll explain later, right?"

Myungwoo turned to leave, and Noah-ssi, though still looking a bit sorry, followed and closed the door behind him.

"No, ack! Aaaagh, Yoohyun, ow! Softer—!"

My goodness, you're killing your hyung, you rascal! It hurt so much I could cry, but at the same time, it did feel oddly refreshing. My brother looked down at me disapprovingly as I went completely limp.

"Ugh, it was just a suspicion, and I was cautious," I said. "Actually, I thought it'd be hard to find out for sure, so I was just going to probe a bit and tell you guys right away. But Chloe spilled everything before I could do that."

She'd said she had no intention of hiding it, but originally she probably planned to tell me and then leave right away. Maybe she would have written a letter and handed it to me at the airport just before departing. Saying something like, "Read this after I'm gone." Either way, it had been necessary to try to get some kind of confirmation. Thanks to that, we at least had a chance to catch her.

"Sung Hyunje figured it out before I even said anything, and Hyuna-ssi was there at the time too. You and Yerim would've been a bit obvious about it if you'd known. That's why I handled things that way, but it wasn't like I was intentionally keeping it from you."

"I understand. Maybe I should take acting lessons," Yoohyun said.

"You don't need to go that far… though it might be helpful."

It could be useful for social situations. Yoohyun's position was such that he had no need to perform in front of others, but it could be used in other ways. Like that time I got arrested. Though that hadn't seemed like acting.

I staggered out of bed, washed up, and went to the living room. Yerim had been staying in another room with Gyeol, but it seemed they had come over after hearing the news. Room service had also arrived in the meantime, and was set out on the table.

"I genuinely did like her. Even before the regression." 

I gave them a brief explanation about Chloe. That I had liked her a lot, so my confession hadn't entirely been a lie.

"She did feel bad about using me," I added.

I relayed what Chloe said, leaving out the parts related to Sung Hyunje. As for Sung Hyunje... I'd have to meet him again and figure out his real intentions. Maybe ask for his help in catching Chloe. I wasn't sure if he would agree, but if he refused… I'd have to catch Sung Hyunje somehow, too.

"What's with her? It's kidnapping, plain and simple. Ajussi suffered so much!" Yerim grumbled in displeasure. "If she felt bad, she shouldn't have rejected you, either!"

"Well, personal and professional matters are different."

"Yoojin, you're not still hesitating, are you?" Myungwoo said, frowning slightly. "At the end of the day, she still hurt you. Just delivering that letter makes her a definite accomplice."

"That's right. Plus, the fact that she's connected to Huang Lin makes me uneasy," Noah-ssi seconded Myungwoo's words. 

That was true. I pulled out the letter Huang Lin had sent from my inventory. I opened the envelope and...

"…It's in Chinese."

Did this jerk assume I'd naturally be able to read Chinese just because I was Korean? Come on, King Sejong invented Hangul to replace Chinese centuries ago. And this guy was still boldly writing to me in Chinese? Even the guy's letters were annoying.

"Should I call a translator? Anyone here know Chinese?"

I hesitated to call someone to help because of security concerns. Maybe I should ask Dr Hao Yuan?

"You could probably get the gist of it with a translation app," Yerim suggested, pulling out her phone.

"But I'd have to enter the characters manually, right?"

"Most apps can recognize writing on paper."

"Really?"

"Spread the letter out on the table," Yerim said.

I knew translation apps existed, but I didn't realize phones could even translate letters like this. Yerim held her phone over the letter, and soon, a translation appeared, though it was a bit clumsy.

---

Footnotes:

[1] This part reads awkwardly because in Korean the words Yoojin uses don't really distinguish between "things" and "people", whereas in English there's no good way to refer to both. I didn't want to simply gloss it as "people" (even though that's the most natural meaning here) because I think Yoojin does mean it in a general sense and because he's also indirectly giving advice to Yoohyun, who he knows doesn't distinguish between people and things when it comes to affection.

[2] "giving up one's heart on a silver platter" = 간도 쓸개도 다 빼주는 건 (lit. giving up one's liver and gallbladder). The Korean idiom means giving up everything for another, but unlike the romantic English expression I used, the Korean one can also be used in a platonic context and has more of a connotation of being overly self-sacrificing and willing to let yourself be taken advantage of.

[theloveoffootball10]

sᴛɪᴄᴋᴡɪᴛᴜ : ғ ɪ ᴠ ᴇ

m a s t e r l i s t

ғ ɪ ᴠ ᴇ

Hearing a voice I wake up realising it's still pitch black outside, Lando is fast asleep then I hear it again. He has got to be joking. The man talks in his sleep. Rolling my eyes I make myself comfortable in Lando's arms trying to get a few more hours sleep.

Eventually waking up to the sound of my alarm a few hours later my race day nerves kick in. No matter how many races I watch I still get nervous for my dad. I want the absolute best for him and I know just how incredible it is for him to still be driving the way he is.

"Morning Lu"

"Morning. You Lando Norris are the worst person to sleep next to probably ever" I say with a laugh. I'm not going to be angry, it's hardly his fault.

"Oh god what was it? Snoring or talking in my sleep?"

"Talking this time. Should I dread the day it's snoring?"

"Maybe. Max tells me off when we've slept in the same room" Lando laughs hiding his face in my neck.

"How are you feeling about today?"

"I feel positive but until I'm at the track I try not to think too much about it. It's quite a long day until I have to be ready to get into the car" I know from being at races over the years how much it can feel like it drags waiting for a race to start and that's me being there as a spectator.

"I get that. At least you got that release last night" biting my lip I look up at Lando.

"Don't go there Lucía. Considering I only met you on Friday little Lando thinks a hell of a lot about you"

"Don't ever refer to your dick as little Lando ever again" I say unable to hold back my laugh "he's far from little"

"You're the biggest tease I've ever known. I'm going for a long cold shower"

"Same rules apply, do well in the race and who knows what will happen tonight" I shout as Lando closes the bathroom door.

esmelucia 📍 Silverstone

Like daniellemitch, landonorris and 16,306 others

esmelucia it's raaaaace day! LFG Papá 🏎️

View all 56 comments

livdavies ooh she looking sexy!

↪️ livdavies ps Vamos adopted Papá!

↪️ esmelucia ur the favourite child

user1 we see you Lando 👀

↪️ user2 assuming because her dad races on the same track they know each other 🙄

Arriving at the track I make my way to Aston Martin, seeing Lando sitting outside of the McLaren lounge I bite my lip. The Silverstone sun is shining on him perfectly, once again his race suit is low on his hips and his cap sitting backwards. I can't go up to him the way I want to but I do send a quick wink his way that I know he sees.

Seeing Chelsea sat a a table I grab a quick breakfast and join her. I know she's going to want a full run down of what has happened with Lando since yesterday and I'm looking forward to telling her. It's nice to have a girl around the paddock when I'm here and she's someone I can trust wholeheartedly.

"So how was last night? I'm guessing by the grin on a certain boys face today you had a good night"

"It was so good. I've never had sex like I do with him. The Silverstone Slut in me is having a good weekend with him but I'm worried Chels" I say taking a drink of my tea "I've only spent 2 nights with him and he's got a hold on me. I don't know what I'll do when I'm not spending nights with him"

"You've got feelings for him I can tell or you will at some point because you wouldn't be worried about not being with him"

"Don't be daft Chels I've spent two nights with him and that's mainly been sex. Okay we've had conversations but I wouldn't say feelings"

"Give it time. I say a few months time you two will be in a relationship. Are you seeing him tonight?" Chelsea asks knowing I normally go back to my dad's for a day or two after a race with him.

"I'm not sure. I'd like to but there's a chance he could be busy or with his family. I know his mum and dad are coming to watch the race"

"Ooh meeting the family already. Suppose he already knows your dad so you're already one step ahead"

"Stop it!" Laughing with Chelsea I know there's not a chance I can meet Lando's mum and dad. I have to consider that he's a formula one driver, he's in a different country every week, there's nothing stopping him sleeping with a different girl every weekend. I'm not naive to think I'm the only one he's sleeping with.

"In all seriousness Lucía, give him a chance. I see him week in week out he's a good person" seeing my dad heading towards us I don't respond even though I have questions. My dad doesn't need to hear about my extra curricular activities.

Finding my place in my dad's garage I put my headset on and get comfortable. I feel like this will be a long race, the great British weather is showing up for the occasion and has given nearly every season so far this weekend. I've heard talk around the paddock there could be rain throughout the race which will make for an interesting watch strategy wise.

As the formation lap ends I'm gutted for Pierre, no driver ever wants to have to retire before the race even starts but all of the British drivers get a good start, until Lando loses a place to Max and Alex makes contact with my dad. Thankfully there's no substantial damage and my dad's race isn't affected. The last thing I want is for my dad to end a race angry through no fault of his own. Just as it does every year, Silverstone is delivering and providing an exciting race. As Lando makes a move and overtakes Lewis on the straight I can barely keep the smile off my face seeing Lando leading his home race.

"Why does every race you come to end up being one of the most exciting races of the season?" Chelsea asks barely taking her eyes off the screen.

"I must be a good luck charm" Watching the race I know my dad is still in the points which I'm happy about but my full attention is on the front of the grid, despite being a different team there's an audible gasp as George is told to retire the car. As a Brit I'm gutted there won't be a full British podium at their home race. That would've been like a fairytale.  In the closing stages of the race I feel like I'm holding my breath, Max has just passed Lando pushing him back into third place and he's slowly gaining on Lewis. Having known Lewis as long as I have I want to see him get his long awaited next podium and as the chequered flag waves he gets his 9th Silverstone win and his first win in over 2 years, I feel a sense of relief for him. I've never doubted him, just like I will always believe my dad will get another win.

"Your dad will be happy with that given some of the recent races. At least I know my job is going to be easy post race. Will I see you at the closing party tonight?"

"You absolutely will. I did think about driving home to get ready but I have a dress in my car that I ordered for this weekend" walking back to the hospitality with Chelsea I feel my phone vibrate in my hand, I see Lando's name on the screen, but decide not to answer straight away until I see the look Chelsea is giving me.

"If that's Lando answer him. If I know anything about these men from being here every week, the first people they send messages to are the one's who mean something to them. I'll see you tonight" watching as Chelsea walk away I take my phone out of my pocket and open instagram. Lando has just came P3 in his home race and he wants to see me.

[vibratingskull]

Fake dating

I took @al-astakbar​‘s idea and run with it.

Thrawnxf!reader

Resume : Alone on an strange planet with a little chiss girl you walk desesperatly trying to reach coordinates given by a beacon. Here you are saved by Grand Admiral Thrawn’s crew and he proposes you an incongruous solution to your problem...

You hold her hand, never letting her go. You advance on the precarious terrain, stepping over trunks and gullies. The tall grass is as tall as her and she can’t see far away in the forest. 

“Keep going… walking farther…” You try to communicate. She looks at you with round eyes, like you’re asking the impossible. She sighs with a tear rolling down her cheek. You sit her down and take off her shoe.

It is not pleasant to see.

And without a bacta pack you’re afraid amputation awaits that little girl. But she didn’t complain once, walking straight without slowing you down, she’s far more resistant than you were at her age, she’s impressive.

“Show me beacon, please.” you try to articulate. This little girl, Moarorou, if you understood well, doesn't speak a word of basic and you don’t speak a word of her language. So you opted for your very poor Sy Bisty, the only language that sparkled a reaction in her. She hands you her weird necklace, it’s still beeping, still giving you the same coordinates she translated for you earlier, you only know that you're approaching them.

This is your only certitude.

You don’t even know if you could reach it in time, or ever. Too many parameters out of your control.

Your gaze lowers down on her foot again. The poor thing got stabbed by a metal tube in the foot and it got infected due to the grease and rust. You tried to wash and bandage the wound as well as you could, but without proper medical equipment, a miracle is all you can hope for. Right now you wish you could give her a painkiller, an anti-inflammatory medication, anything…

She pulls on her collar on wince, gasping for air. 

Those shock collars…

You take hers in your hands and try to find some slack to break it off, but once again to no avail, you look at her and shake your head with a sorry expression. If you're once again at range of your captors you're done for. You feel yours constricting your throat. The symbol of your enslavement… 

You wipe her tears with your thumb and smile at her, trying to give her the hope and courage you’ve long lost, putting your forehead against hers you caress the back of her neck in a soothing manner.

You palp the rifle at your hips and pass your arms under her.

“I carry you.” you explain standing up “Hold on.” She encircles your neck with her emaciated arms and lays her head  on your shoulder. You walk with her in your arms for hours, in the stifling air despite the shadow provided by the enormous trees. You only stop to permit her to ease her pain in a fresh stream of water and eat some berries off a bush. The cold water seems to be efficient but as soon she takes her feet off the water the pain comes back as grave and powerful. 

“Destination… help…” You promise every time, but the walk is so long and your chances so thin.

At night you hold her as she cries in pain and fear. You’ve never seen her species before, she must be so far away from her home… So you squeeze her, chant her some old melodies your mum sang when you had a nightmare, doing your best to not get wet by the rain, your rifle never far away. When she finally sleeps it’s you who can’t, reviving the crash with such precision… The panic, the horror, the screams. You see the Hutts, your captors, you see your chains, and all those nights parked in the slave cell; pressed against the other slaves, shuddering and cold.

And now you’re lost on this forest planet, blindly following an alien antiquity to find your way.

You wake up to the hot air, even more oppressive than yesterday, but without any sun. You examine her wounds. The flesh all around started to darken and the bad odor indicates you the necrosis started. She’s sweating and is really hot, taken by a fever.

If you don’t find civilization in the next 48h you’re afraid even amputation might not be able to save her.

Once again you carry her, on your back this time and walk straight ahead, crushed by the heat. She sleeps and talks at the same time, in complete delirium, you don’t understand a word as she’s talking in her strange language but imagining with ease that she calls her mom. 

You seem to hear some sort of… humming. 

You press your steps, hope rising in your chest. Is it the ship here to save you?

When you arrive at an open clearing you stop dead on your tracks.

You understand now why there isn’t any sun : An ISD of the Empire is floating just above you, finally free of the foliage that hid them until now.

Your stomach drops, escaping the Hutts to end in the empire’s hands is not an improvement. You gulp as you see a corvette slowly going down towards you, menacingly.

You stay on your toes ready to sprint off at any sign of danger. Strangely, only one woman exits the small ship, in the green uniform of those monsters that she seems to wear with pride. You take a step back as she continues towards you with assurance. When you decide she’s close enough you draw your rifle.

“Stop right there!” You shout.

She stops and gauges you up and down in silence, like she’s measuring her chances. But to your surprise she holds her hands high and visible. You think you see some commotion behind her in the dark of the ship, but you can’t say for sure

“Why are you here?!”

“Hello madam, I am commander Karyn Faro of the ISD Chimaera, I-”

“Why are you here!?” You shout back again, the temptation to shoot her between her eyes is so tempting, but that would for sure be your sign your own death warrant.

“Calm down madam, I am here to help.” She tries.

“Help? No. Your kind doesn’t help, it never does!” You start panicking, counting your options.

“We do. Often.” She tilts her head on the side. “We are here to help the child.” You feel Moarorou’s head resting on your shoulder moving a bit. The denominated Karyn takes a step towards you “Listen, we are here because of a distress signal. Let us help you.” Your gun starts to tremble in your hand but you don’t lower your arm “We can give you food and shelter, we can heal that poor child. The Grand Admiral Thrawn asked that no harm be given to you.”

“I don’t know that Thrawn!” You warn. “What value can I give to the words of an Imperial anyway?!”

“The highest value.” She’s almost on you. “The Grand Admiral is a man of honor. You can trust him…” With the tip of her fingers she traces the canon of your weapon. You search in her eyes any trace of humanity, she doesn’t seem to lie. “Do it for the child.” 

Slowly she invites you to lower the gun, and very gently take it out of your hands. 

“O…Ok…” You mumble, at the end of yourself.

She nods and spins on herself in a swift movement. With a snap of her finger she calls two all black stormtroopers that head towards you with their gun pointed at your chest. You’re tempted to run away but you know they shot in your back, therefore Moarorou’s back to stop you. The first one comes and just grabs Moarorou off your shoulder, tearing her from you. When you hear a weak whine of pain you immediately see red and ready to jump at their jugular. You throw yourself at them but you're stopped by a prodigious smack of the second’s knee in your stomach. You fall down, panting for air, they force you on your belly and handcuff you unceremoniously. You’re dragged to the shuttle and thrown into a seat.

“Hey!” You protest.You frantically search around you to find Moarorou. You find her on a stretcher with two droids busying themself around her. You rise up to go to her but you’re shoved back down right away.

“She needs me.” You plead to the black stormtrooper. They remain silent but threaten to hit you with their rifle butt. You turn back to Moarorou in despair as you hear here faintly calling your name.

“Here, Moarorou. Am here.” You answer, praying it comforts her.

“Don’t worry, our meddroids are the most competent across the galaxy.” Karyn Faro calmly enounces. “Now remain calm and everything will go smoothly. We are going.”

As she finishes her sentences you feel the shuttle take off. You gulp. In what mess did you end up? Your stomach is turning acidic by the minute and the closer you get of that gigantic ship the worse you feel.

__________________________________________

Then everything went so quickly.

Someone grabbed your arm without any care, stripped you of your old ripped dress and throwed you in a shower where you’ve been clinically cleaned with water blasts attacking your delicate and wounded skin. Then someone scrubbed all your body and hair thoroughly with a very efficient chemical product with alcohol lingering scents. You scream and protest, in pain, but the people in combination are deaf to your cries. Once cleaned you are asked to put on those pajamas for the hospital's patients and Karyn Faro guides you through the ISD, your arm in hand. You have no idea where you are going, your questions remain unanswered. She just lets out a stern “You’ll soon see.” 

You end up before a large door guarded by two stormtroopers, they salute her and open it, you end up in some sort of short corridor with two doors, one on your left from which you hear some grunts and metal impacts, but she pushes you towards the one in front of you. She looks at you up and down, pulls on your t-shirt to flatten it and pushes any strand of hair out of your face. 

“Alright, be polite and you should avoid the cell.”

“Wha-”

She pushes you inside and the door slams back shut. You drum against the cold metal.

“Wait! Don’t leave me alone! Please” But she’s far gone. You slowly turn to see where you are. It looks like an office of some sort with art decorating its walls. Behind an impressive desk, taking center stage are two statues of a lizard of some sort, holding a world in their claws. You consider the seat in front of the desk, wondering if you had the right to sit. Surely not. You must be in a high officer’s office, a low person like you surely remains standing.

A shudder spreads across your spine as you hear the door shuffling behind your back.

You feel a presence behind you.

Something cold and merciless. Something imposing…

You dare not move nor make a sound, not even turning to greet the person. You feel them move more than you hear them walking.

“Sit.” Say a calm voice.

You obey, eyes low.

They walk around the desk to sit in front of you.

You dig your nails in the fabric of the pajamas, greeting your teeth.

They remain silent but you can feel their burning gaze on you, gauging you, judging you.

After a full minute, no words were exchanged.

You hold your breath.

“Are you going to remain like this? Are you not going to look me in the eyes?” He asks softly. Too softly for someone with such a presence, it’s hiding something…

Looking at him in the eyes? You don’t know if you would dare. The last time you looked up to someone higher than you you earned 30 whiplash. You’ve learned your lesson. Your collar is still strangling you…

“Look me in the eyes.” He says. You don’t move an inch, too terrified. “It is an order.” The tone calls for no resistance.

So you obey.

Reluctantly you raise your head, and slowly you open your eyes.

And air gets caught in your throat.

This man…

Moarorou!

They are the same.

Detached from all of this, he observes you behind folded hands.

“Is it not better? Speaking eye to eye…” You gulp, knowing better than to speak your mind. Or speaking at all… “Relax, you are not in any immediate danger.” He assures taking a datapad in his hand. “I am Grand Admiral Thrawn. I only need you to answer me some questions.”

You observe his red eyes, piercing with intelligence. You feel like they could read you like a holobook. So he’s the Grand Admiral? An alien? You observe his stature, tall with prominent muscles he’s surely a warrior. Your eyes linger at his large hand, terrified at the idea that they could go for your throat in the immediate future…

“Are you mute?”

Your gaze crosses his once again and you lightly shake your head.

“Then answer me.” he hits you sternly. “What is your name?”

You answer with a small voice.

“Louder.” He says, eyes on his datapad.

You repeat.

“Good. Where do you come from?”

“I… We come from a crashed ship.”

“Owner?”

“My master’s name is Nattai Gleula.”

“No. The ship owner.”

“Oh…” you feel embarrassed now “The Hutts.”

“How did you encounter that little girl?”

“She was brought to the Palace one day. I don’t know much, we don’t speak the same language…”

“I figured you did not. Do you know for what works they purchased her?” This time he looks at you, and you would rather he did not because his gaze is terrifying. You always find Moarorou’s eyes pretty but from an adult warrior they are just terrifying…

“Huh… For cleaning and cooking. That’s what most children of her age do.”

“Did they ever take her to a ship?”

“No?” What a strange question “I mean, I never saw them do that…”

He nods pensively.

“What were the reasons for your trip?”

“Family reunion. They always travel with their court of slaves.”

“Do you know who could have something against your master?”

Your eyes widen, who couldn’t would be easier.

“Huh… He’s a crime syndicate so..”

“Excuses. Let me reformulate : Do you know who could have attacked you that day?”

“Attacked? I thought the ship just malfunctioned?”

“I think not. I think you ended up in an ambush set by an enemy. So?”

You think, but no one comes to mind. They all want your master dead and they all failed until now. Or maybe not, you didn’t stay behind to ensure the safety of your master, you took your chance and runned.

“I don’t know, I’m sorry sir.”

“It is okay, I already have an idea. Describe me the crash in more detail.”

You gulp.

“I was performing for my master when I felt the ship tremble. It was terrifying. Then it brusquely tilted on one side and everyone fell against the wall. I think I hit my head because I lost consciousness. I woke up with flames all around me, I used them to melt my chains. I tried to find an exit and ended up in the slave quarters, that’s when i heard Moarorou’s cries : her cell comrade was already dead and she got something metallic through her foot, locking her on the ground. I had to tear it up from her foot. There was so much blood… I managed to more or less cauterize the wound and we runned to the escape pod. I knew we couldn’t join space with them from the ground but they could project us far enough to escape. So we launch them and almost killed ourself when we landed. Since then we walked through the forest following her beacon’s indications and… then you found us.”

You remember the necklace, too weird and of poor metal to be worth anything, was in fact your life saver. For now….

He nods.

“Yes. This beacon comes from our people and is distributed to the likes of her.”

“The likes of her?” You dare ask.

“Children, of course.” He smiles.

“Oh… okay…”

You're disappointed. For what need a species would give a beacon to all of its children?

“And since when were you in that forest?”

You count mentally.

“A week, sir.”

“Hmmm.” He holds his chin and contemplates you. “I find myself in a precarious situation, miss.” 

That’s when he’s gonna tell you he can’t keep you like that, that he’s gonna imprison you and sell you back on the black market, unless you prove yourself to be nice and docile and earn some moment of liberty against some favors. If only you could secure Moarorou’s place at the medbay.

He rises from his seat and turns towards the statues, hands folded behind his back.

“You see, we are very few of my race in those parts of the galaxy. And the apparition of a child is not a good auspices in my humble opinion. If I am right, we are going ahead with some serious problems.”

You look at the back of his head, mouth agape. Some problems? What is he talking about? 

“Do you care for the girl?” He turns towards you, looking down at you from his height.

Why would it count? Why should your opinion count? Why does he care? You look at his eyes, searching for malice or a trap. 

But his gaze is clear.

“I… Yes.” You nods firmly. “Yes, I do.” 

“Good. Then I will ask you for your help. We must protect the child, at all cost, and send her back home as quickly as possible. But we must protect her identity.”

You blink, you’re not sure you’re following everything. And it’s been a while since someone “asked” you anything.

“Hum… Alright. And how should we do that, Sir?”

“I ponder this question since I have been made aware of your existence. I expected to only find a child, not two people. I have a plan, but I would understand if you refused.”

Flashes of Moarorou’s calling desperately for you appear in your mind.

“I want to know!” You exclaim. “I want to protect Moarorou!”

“Moarorou is her name?”

“Yes, I think…”

“We will know soon. We will find her once her operations at the medbay are over.”

“Alright.” You nod, reassured. “So… How do we proceed, sir?”

If you ever thought you would partner up with an imperial. But to protect little Moarorou you would do anything.

“We should pretend to be family. If I pass myself as her father, nobody should question her existence and search for her past. I would need you to pass for her caring mother.”

“But… That would make me your…”

“My wife. Exactly.”

You could burst out laughing if you were not that shocked. 

You?!

Pretending to marry an Imperial?!

A God-Damn Imperial?!

A slave trader ?

No!

“Wha-? Sir, you cannot be serious!?”

“I am completely serious. It is a necessary wrong to protect her.”

“But… Why would she need protection in the first place? She’s just a child!” 

“She is more than just a child. She is a key.”

“What is she?”

“That I can not tell you.”

“Then I think I cannot help you...”

“Then know you are condemning her.” He shakes his head with a sorry expression.

“What do you mean?”

“Only with this comedy I can fully protect her to the full extent of my capacities. The other option is keeping her locked and hidden from the world, but that is not a life for a child. She should be able to learn, to live freely, and I do not think you might want to inflict that on her.”

“No. I don’t, I…” You lose your words.

“Then consider my proposition. Think about it for a night, and give me your answer tomorrow.” He proposes.

Your head is spinning. Too many things to think about. 

“Come.” He proposes. “Let us see her. She must yearn for your presence.”

He looks into your eyes, and you can only see intelligence and an inalterable resolution.

“Yes…” You murmur “Let’s go.”

[crownedghostprince]

"Please, rest your eyes with me.."

Loki x Stressed!Reader

Fandom: Marvel

(Y/N) had been working very long hours after being given a co-worker's workload for the week on top of her own work. Presentations, emails to important clients and sponsors, meetings, reports and all of that again, but for her sick co-worker. It's been a couple of days. No sleep, small and nutritious meals, and too many phone calls. Loki grew concerned with his lover and decided to make sure they finally rested for the night.

Requests: Closed. Requested: no.

Warning(s): Overly sweet. Pure fluff, no smut. There's a bathing together scene, but it's fluff. I repeat: fluff <3

Note: Reader is a woman :)

Word Count: 1,509

[Third Person Perspective]

(I couldn't find a source for this on Pinterest. But his expression is fantastic <3)

The sound of tapping and clicking was Loki's usual ambiance for the past couple of days now. Well, to be more specific, it was the sound of keyboard typing. His beautiful girlfriend had been working hard with no sleep and terrible take-out meals for a couple of days and Loki had been too busy to fully realize until now. The hard-work his significant other was putting in had simply been background ambiance as he darted back and forth between rooms trying to help Stark organize another party whilst Stark was actively fighting with Rogers.

So Loki being the newest Avenger was forced to run back and forth, helping the two to plan the party without a huge argument. This also meant that Loki had to keep the peace, write lists of different things both 'manchilds' wanted at the party, do some decoration planning with Natasha and keep his promise to Thor by spending an afternoon in town together. The past two days had been hectic, but Loki managed to survive - albeit very tiredly. Now he finally had a chance to settle down and enjoy a nice rest day. Except...he couldn't relax.

He had hoped his lover would take a few ten minute breaks here and there. Maybe take a break whilst eating. Perhaps not take her phone to the bathroom to continue working. Not only to have a small minute break, but for hygienic reasons as well. Loki made a mental note to carefully wipe over her phone later. Sadly, (Y/N) continued to work hard at her laptop, typing up presentations and then jumping to answer emails and then jumping back to the presentation. Yesterday, Stark said she had done a very long report on the many benefits of a small coffee shop that connects to the office.

Something as ridiculous as that seemed unbelievable to Loki. But considering how some midguardians loved their useless work and fancy little reports, he eventually believed Stark wasn't lying. To Loki it was simple: if a major corporation wanted a tiny, cheap, coffee shop? Then they would just build it with their vast amounts of money and make that quick profit. But according to Stark those mortals loved making sponsors pay for it instead. Millionaires that kept the business from using their own money on literally anything.

Millionaires that needed to be persuaded into putting a couple thousand dollars into a small project by fancy looking graphs, reports and who knows what else. Gosh, just sitting there thinking about all that had given him a headache. He checked the time and decided that 10:00pm was far too late for (Y/N) to be working. Loki stood up, stretched his aching arms a bit and headed straight to the kitchen. If his darling angel wasn't going to finish work and rest on her own, he would make her.

Loki made two very sweet, hot cups of tea, grabbed an advil and sat in front of (Y/N). "Here you go, my love. You've been working for so many hours you missed dinner tonight." He spoke softly.

"Oh, wow. The time sure went by fast." (Y/N) sighed out, stretching her arms a bit and accepting the much needed cup of tea. "Thank-you, Loki. This is delicious." She smiled and visibly relaxed from the soothing sweetness.

"I'm delighted to hear that. I was going to play some music and enjoy a nice bath. Would you please join me? I dearly miss your company." Loki did his best to sound suave and inviting in hopes (Y/N) would accept rather than work more. He just needed to get her away from the laptop for some rest for at least one night. At her current rate, she'd just faint from exhaustion and run herself into the ground and Loki wanted desperately to avoid that.

"Oh, Loki. You know I would love to join you, but I've got so much work right now...I don't know if I can afford to spend time away from these slides." She strained her eyes to look back at the blaring screen. She didn't even have a blue light filter on...or dark mode...she could be so silly sometimes. But Loki smiled fondly.

"Just for a few minutes, darling? Please? For me?" He tucked some strands of hair out of her face and met her gaze with a pout she couldn't say 'no' to.

"Oh...alright, you and your adorable face..." She sighed in defeat, "Just let me fix this up and save this and I'll join you." She returned to the screen one more time and Loki watched the clock with a mental timer of five minutes. He moved quickly and got the bath ready with warm water, a sleepy scented candle, he changed the bathroom light to a soft orange and grabbed the softest cloth he could find in the bathroom. Finally, he turned on (Y/N)'s favourite, calm songs and played them on low from a speaker in the bathroom.

Next, he went to her room and pulled out her most comfortable t-shirt and pants, grabbing her towel as well and then headed back to the bathroom after grabbing his own things. He returned after five minutes of setting up the bath and tapped her on the shoulder. "It's been five minutes, please finish that last graph and save, darling. The bath is ready and warm."

"Oh, already? Alright, I'll finish this and save." She promised. She worked on the graph for another minute and once it was finished Loki quickly intervened before she could move onto another unfinished graph. He gently placed his hand over hers, gaining back her attention, and he slowly dragged the cursor to the save icon before minimizing the screen.

"Come, darling. Let's get you into some nice clean clothes that will hopefully be more comfortable than your work attire." (Y/N) stared up at him before slowly registering what he said and finally looking down at her clothing. She had completely forgotten she was even in her work clothes still. She simply nodded and followed Loki to the bathroom for what she thought would be a quick bath and then back to work. But Loki had other plans: making sure she slept.

His plan went exactly as he had expected. The soft, orange light would help her brain wind down from the constant blue light that definitely disrupted her brain's sleeping pattern. The soft music she would play to fall asleep with, the sweet tea settling in her stomach, the warm bath water and the sweet scented candle. He made sure to scrub the soap in gently and take his time.

She leaned back against him and sighed against his chest, feeling sore from sitting hunched over, but overall she was relaxed. Her eyes grew heavy and harder to keep open until they slowly drifted shut. Loki carefully carried her out of the water and wrapped her up in her fluffy towel whilst he drained the bath water and made sure to tidy everything up. She was still awake, desperately fighting sleep so she could get back to work. But her body wouldn't cooperate. She was exhausted.

Loki finished drying her and helped her dress. He brushed her hair back into a neat plait and made sure she brushed her teeth. He washed up as well and then lead her to the bedroom for a good night's rest. At this point, she was too tired to fight back. But she still attempted. "No....Loki..." She whined. "I have to get back to work now..." She groaned.

"Please, rest your eyes with me..." Loki hushed her stubbornness. "...Just for a few minutes, love. For me?"

"Fine...like...five minutes.." She groaned and stumbled into bed, almost falling asleep immediately.

"Thank-you, love. I've missed your company." Loki laid down beside her and pulled the covers up, turning on some rainy ambiance and pulling her into a cuddle - spooning her with an arm draped across her waist.

Hearing a soft groan and sigh, he smiled and kissed the top of her head. His plan was successful and he felt very proud of his lover for being such a hard-worker. He also felt very proud of himself for remembering how to help a mortal unwind after a long day. The orange light and soft music was all Stark's advice when Loki had first started dating (Y/N). Apparently midguardians brains worked slightly differently to Asgardians, and needed help to slow down to sleep.

Once soft snores and little bits of strange sleep talk drifted from his lover, he knew she was fast asleep. He finally allowed himself to sleep for the night as well. "Goodnight, love." He whispered, half asleep. "I love you."

"...Love you...too..." She spoke back - still dead asleep. Talking in one's sleep was still an interesting phenomenon to Loki, but he'll have to ask about that at some other time. For now, he was quite content to just cuddle his lover and drift off into sweet dreams.

[wordyneonlights]

Strawberry Flavoured Love

Ahahahahah heyyy. I did a rewrite of season 4 episode 5 kind of. purely based on @golden-redhead 's post about five getting a thank you and a genuine hug from his siblings. Sorry if you hate this though, I've never written for tua before!

6 years five months and one day.

Five turned over to see Lila sleeping a smile playing on her lips. This past month, that had been the only time he'd seen her smile. When she was dreaming.

It had been a sort of strange adjustment for her, he supposed. Being stuck so long never sat too well for Lila whether it was as a suburban mom or in this subway hellscape.

Five had adjusted remarkably well to their predicament... Lila had adjusted better than most. He could imagine being down here with someone like Diego who would have broken dowm months if not years ago.

Out of all his siblings, he figured Klaus would be the most enjoyable to spend this time with, him or Viktor.

That being said, Lila had proven to be more than mediocre company. He'd even go as far as to say, she was an almost pleasant person to be around.

She hadn't said a word about his reaction to seeing Dolores after all these years. His outburst had surprised even himself.

She'd just hugged him, wiped his tears and made rat stew. They hadn't talked about it since. He was sure he had to do something to thank her, something to show his appreciation and it found him in the form of a strawberry farm.

"I've got something to show you," he told her once she had woken up

"I'm guessing it's not a portal back home,"

"It's a shower and a bed to sleep in,"

She frowned slightly before eyeing five, "You're not giving up are you? Because I'd hate to do this whole thing on my own,"

Five rolled his eyes, "I'm giving you a chance to shower, trust me you need it." Lila eyed him before shrugging, "Ok then,"

It was about an hour later when they found themselves situated, behind the strawberry plants picking and occasionally eating in silence.

"Grace loves strawberries," Lila whispered softly and five's heart hurt for her. He'd spent more of his life away from his family than with them but he understood how she felt. Helpless but driven, tired but still willing to keep moving.

He turned back to his own strawberry plot, "We'll just have to pack some to take with us," he replied simply, pushing some of his pile to the side and placing them in a makeshift bag before turning to face her, "We're going to be back soon, you will see your family again," he said and she laughed wryly

"You said that yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that,"

"And I'll keep saying it until we get back,"

Lila sighed, and Five shifted on his feet. He suddenly wished that Diego was here. They were going through their troubles but Five sort of applauded his older brother.

They had had an awful blueprint for relationships, and that was putting it lightly. It was surprising but admirable that Diego was able to have a family like that; weirdly, Five was kind of proud of his brother.

"About Diego," he started and Lila frowned before her expression melted into something more wistful. "He's... my brother,"

Lila rolled her eyes, "Oh really?"

"In the sense that he's annoying and rushes into stuff and he can be brash, but he's a good guy,"

"I don’t know Five. It's great being able to see my parents again, being able to know my family? That's something I never even dreamed was possible. And I love my kids ok, I love my kids but marriage? That's- "

"Marriage only works as long as you’re willing to make it work,"

"Yes but-"

"Are you willing to make it work?"

Lila paused, looking down at the strawberries for a while before responding "Yes I am,"

"And so is Diego,"

Lila scoffed a small smile playing on her lips and Five smiled inwardly. He felt strangely accomplished.

"When'd you get so wise about marriage? Huh old man?" She joked elbowing him

"I guess Dolores taught me a few things," Five responded, sorting more strawberries.

"That she did."

-

6 years 5 months and 2 days

There was something beautiful about finally cracking a code. He'd personally never been involved in the world of drugs but Five supposed that this would be what a hit felt like.

Out of this fucking world.

He stumbled over to Lila shaking her, "I've got it!" He said, "I've cracked it we can go home!"

Her eyes opened and she blinked at him blearily, "What?" She muttered

"We're going home," Five responded placing a hand on her shoulder, "You're going to see your kids again"

"Am I dreaming- ow!" She asked before glaring at Five who had punched her hard enough to let her know that this was real.

"C'mon, we don't have much time left,"

"We never have much time left," she muttered getting up.

The walk back was full of tension, on Five's part he wasn't that worried. For his siblings, this had been a couple of hours. Lila however was fretting.

"Do you think they'll remember me? My kids, my family, Diego..."

"It's only been a couple of hours for them remember? They probably think you went out or something, d'you have the strawberries?"

She nodded, wiping her palms on her trousers before walking up to her door.

She was about to put her key in the lock before the door opened revealing Diego.

"Where've you been? I missed you!" He exclaimed and both Lila and Five's eyes widened. Did he somehow know something?

He embraced Lila who was fighting back tears, burying her face in Diego's shoulder.

"I missed you too,"

Five walked inside not trying to get in the middle of their moment. Walking into the living room he caught sight of the rest of his siblings. He hesitated, thinking about the subway. It was probably something he should tell them about.

"You alright Five you look kinda pale," he heard Luther ask

"Doesn't he always look kind of pale?" He heard Allison whisper

"This is a more... haunted pale than his usual pallour," Klaus chimed in

"Guys..."

"Five!" He heard, turning around to see Diego, he was about to say something when Lila noticed Grace and immediately ran to her.

"Mommy, you're squeezing me too tight!" The girl exclaimed to which Lila hugged her even tighter before loosening the hold, "Where are the twins?"

"Kitchen, come on!" Grace responded tugging on her mothers hand.

Five watched the scene unfold a small smile on his face reaching for the strawberries before he felt a hand on his back.

"Lila told me everything, I just... I want to say thank you,"

Five turned to face his brother, nodding but before he could speak, Diego had bent and wrapped his arms around him. "And thank you for everything else you've done. For us I mean, thank you for saving us, thank you for choosing us. We do love you Five, I hope you know that."

Five was (to say the least) shocked. The last time he had hugged any of his siblings was... could he even remember? Not any time in the last six years... or the six years before that.

He reciprocated the hug anyway although he still felt awkward

"You're family," he said, "I'll always choose you,"

Diego just hugged him tighter in response, staying that way for about a minute before pulling apart. Five barely had a moment to breathe before Klaus pulled him into another hug.

"If Diego gets a five hug, I get a five hug," he said simply to which he got a small smile in response

"Well now I feel left out," Luther complained standing up, and looking at Five who rolled his eyes in response before sighing and opening his arms.

Luther, as he would later admit to himself, was probably the best hugger out of all his siblings.

"Alright," he said turning to face the rest of his siblings, "Are we done?"

Allison and Viktor eyed each other before looking at Five. Viktor got up first awkwardly surveying five before wrapping his arms around him.

"Guess that was about as awkward for you as it was for me," he said pulling away

"I've been through worse things," Five mused to which Viktor laughed

"I guess we all have,"

"Well?" Five said facing Allison, "I've got about one left in me,"

"A five hug is the best type of hug," Klaus commented giving Allison a look

"Plus we've all done it, you don't want to feel left out," Luther quipped

Allison sighed before getting up and walking towards five. She bent down and hugged him gingerly.

"I am sorry for everything," she whispered, Five nodded in response and she pulled back.

"Now that everyone's done, Lila and I have something to tell you."

It was strange how six years five months and two days could be condensed into five minutes and about a half bowl of strawberries. Five almost smiled and the strangeness of it.

"It seems like you're always finding your way back to us," Luther mused as the weight of his and Lila's revelation eased slightly.

"I guess it's a good thing, that way we stop the world from ending," Allison said

"Ending huh," Viktor muttered

"Either way, you always end up saving us," Luther finished, "I'm not sure we've ever thanked you for that,"

"Well, staying alive is thanks enough," Five responded

"No, no, the big guy's right," Klaus chimed, "Our thanking should be oratory, expressive. You've saved our lives so many times now,"

"And you spent like forty years in the apocalypse," Viktor said

"Plus six years in the subway with Lila,"

"I think what we're trying to say is thank you," Diego finished

"Merci merci Five-a-rino, I suppose we owe are lives to you," Klaus added.

"Thank you Five," Luther said, squeezing his shoulder.

"Can't promise I won't fuck it up again but thank you," Allison echoed

"If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been able to get closure with dad so... yeah thank you," Viktor mused giving Five a half smile.

Five himself wasn't really sure what to think about the whole situation. Appreciation was always welcome, but for his siblings to all be in agreement and sincere... that touched his heart somewhat.

"You're welcome," he replied. The statement felt perfunctory in the wake of the others' vulnerability so he cleared his throat and tried again.

"I mean, all this is... I would do it over again. You all aggravate me to no end but at the end of the day there's really nothing that means more to me than you all,"

There wasn't much to say to that, but there was an agreement that nothing more really needed to be said. For once, the siblings were at peace and Five was ... well he was happy.

He wasn't sure what would come next, if there would even be a next but he knew that sitting here he felt more ok than he had in years.

And really, what more could an old man want?

[noroi1000]

"Have you ever thought about children ?" huh 🌚 that was a lil freaky of you gojo but honestly i feel like reader doesn't necessarily dislike kids ( except the bratty n disrespectful ones ) and she wouldn't mind having them either even tho she's not very enthusiastic about having kids but author-chan we deserve a smut continuation of this you can't just leave us or gojo being needy af hanging like that 🥺

I don't love him, but I want to be with him 4

A/n: I wrote this yesterday, but I want to go sleep, sorry. Don't be angry if you wait for this long.

Words: over 2k

Warnings: smut (masturbation, sex toys, porn watching, breeding)

"Have you ever thought about children?"

Yes…

You started thinking about it…

He is your husband after all…

Even if the baby might be the result of love or chance, you thought about it.

So the fact that you will have children will not be a coincidence.

Because you already thought about it…

And it is also not possible that your children, if you ever have them, will be the result of your love.

You don't love him…

You're happy with him, but you don't love him…

Even if he said he fell in love with you…

You still have the feeling that one day your happiness with him may end…

So all you thought about was that if you had a family with him, maybe your happiness would last a lot longer.

If he asked about children, maybe you have a chance that when you have a child with him, you can smile a lot longer.

You don't want him to replace you. That's why you're desperate not to be lonely. You liked him and life with him. And even though it's the mafia, you liked his behavior which is more childish…

If you had had a child with him, you would have had him as your husband for much longer…

As you walked down the sidewalk with your small shopping bag, you looked around.

And it happened everything that often happens in movies or books…

You turned your head to see a baby shop…

Out of curiosity, you went inside.

Maybe you can convince yourself of this…

You saw a few people inside.

Pregnant woman with a man browsing strollers and cots.

And also another couple, but already with a pram who are looking at baby clothes.

You went in there with no baby either in the stroller or inside you.

You've seen those tiny clothes and stuff. It looked lovely.

Maybe a baby would be a good idea after all…

You don't have to worry about whether you can live. Satoru runs a powerful mafia. His money is so much that you could have it all.

You will also get support from Him… All you would have to do is go to bed with him (even though you do it anyway, sometimes more and sometimes less).

In order for you to have a child, all you have to do is get pregnant.

And you don't have to worry about anything.

Looking at the things in the store for a while, you left and headed home. Ijichi took you where you wanted.

You wanted to talk to Satoru…

You want to have a child to make your happiness last much longer…

You adjusted your skirt as you got out of the black car. Standing on the sidewalk in the square in front of the house, you thanked him and went home.

You didn't have to open the heavy front door with a key, which means Satoru is home.

Maybe he had some house meeting or something.

He would often come home early if he had such matters.

Maybe now too?

Especially since you know he had to go somewhere today. You don't know exactly where, but it was probably important anyway.

Most likely something related to your father and brother's company.

You silently walked into the kitchen, which is connected by a walkway to the dining room, and placed your bag on the kitchen island.

You wanted to surprise Satoru, and you bought something for him.

You couldn't get crepe to take it to the car and not get anything dirty, so you bought him a custard pie.

Your husband will eat anything.

At the sight of what looks delicious, he always drools.

You put a plastic box on the counter, and thought any noise would lure it in. At least that's what you hoped.

But he didn't show up.

And since there was no one in the living room, maybe he had gone to sleep?

Or takes a shower.

You walked quietly to your bedroom.

He wasn't there.

The bed was made.

That was weird…

Since he wasn't at the fridge or in the living room, his ass should be in the bedroom and sleeping.

Yeah… Your husband is like a cat…

The last place he could have visited was the bathroom.

Or he went down to the basement where like everyone who's rich there's a pool table…

Even if he doesn't play often, he will go there with Suguru sometimes. When they're bored.

Since they don't go to clubs, he's become a homebody.

So Geto began to be glad that he didn't have to follow him and watch women running around them…

They are both homeowners.

You shuffled your house flip flops to the bathroom.

You listened, and you didn't hear the water running from the shower.

And also when you grabbed the handle, the door was open.

You knocked briefly. You hoped he'd answer, if he's there…

He might as well be sitting on the toilet…

No response.

So maybe he wasn't there.

You pushed the door open and stepped inside, looking around the large bathroom.

Her eyes widened at what you saw in the shower.

You walked closer and opened the glass door, which steamed slightly. Even though there was no hot water coming from the ceiling. There was no water at all.

It was steaming from his breath.

Eyes directed forward, slightly narrowed. As he stared at a small black screen that could be attached to the wall with suction cups.

Wireless headphones in his ears.

Mouth open, sweat running down his face. Wet white hair, combed back.

Even if you were standing there, he didn't notice you. He continued what he was doing.

You looked at the screen on the glass pane.

He was watching porn while masturbating…

And not just any porn…

This is something that any rich man who is a pervert and has nothing to do with money would do.

This is a recording from your bedroom when he fucked you…

Didn't even know there were cameras…

The image was close, and you wondered how much professional cameras that would record in such high resolution must have cost. Still close.

He was really bored and set up cameras in the house to have porn videos of you guys fucking.

You noticed another video was playing.

Wondering how much he has…

You heard him moan as he closed his eyes.

You looked at his sweaty body.

His right hand clenched into a fist while his left was placed on the toy between his legs.

His thumb clicked some button on it as he moaned again.

Who would have thought your husband would watch porn and put his cock in a toy that spins around his length and sucks him.

You don't mind him because he's literally watching you fuck.

Looking at this scene in front of you, here you felt yourself starting to get wet.

Hearing his next moans, you saw his back arch slightly and his muscles begin to tremble slightly.

You knew he was coming soon.

Your eyes widened as you heard him say your name.

You walked over to him and suddenly pulled one earphone out of his ear.

He opened his eyes and looked in your direction.

His eyes widened as he turned off the toy quickly, but for me to cover his hard cock with something, he left it inside.

He was panting with a slight blush, and his thigh muscles sometimes quivered as he began to speak.

"(y/n-n)… W-what are you doing here? How long have you been home?" He asked.

"I just got back. I was looking for you. I didn't expect that when I enter the bathroom, I will see a toy sucking your dick. Am I supposed to be jelaous?" You asked ironically.

"…" he turned his head.

He was a bit ashamed.

But the thought of you catching him turned him on a bit…

"I can't see that as a bad thing since you're watching porn with us…" you muttered crossing your arms over your chest.

You tried to ignore the feeling of wetness between your legs.

"How many of these videos do you have?"

"… well…Enough to spend a lot of time masturbating…" he laughed.

"Do you record all our sex?"

"Nope… I set up the cam two weeks ago…" The smile remained on his face. "I'm sorry… But I really want to cum…"

"Are those my panties?" You asked pointing to the underwear lying on the floor next to his leg…

"Yup."

Suddenly you saw his thumb pressing a button on the toy, and the center began to slowly swirl around its shaft.

"I wanted to shoot it with cum…" he laughed biting his lip. "Don't be angry okay? I would never betray you… And if you like to watch me masturbate… Haah… I won't stop my wife from doing it…"

You took off your slippers and stepped into the shower, reaching for your underwear.

You took it away, making him grunt that sounded like he was asking "why?".

Suddenly you grabbed a toy on his cock and clicked the same button as him. Turning off the toy.

He let out a dissatisfied moan, but only because he wanted to come already. You could have done it. He's frustrated, but he's not pissed at you for it.

"(y/n)… I want to cum…" he purred looking at you with puppy eyes. For you to just turn on the toy and let him come.

It was more of a joke because he won't beg. Even though he wants to cum, he thought there was a chance that you would find him cute and let the toy milk his cock.

Contrary to his plan, you pulled his hard, throbbing cock from inside and put the toy on the bench next to you.

(Hell yeah, he has a comfy bench in the shower where he can sit with those long legs)

He looked at you questioningly, and suddenly you took your panties off, sitting on his lap.

You grabbed its base, directing the quivering tip into your hole.

The moisture that covered his entire length through lube and your wetness allowed him to slide inside with a wet sound.

You pulled it out for a moment to adjust yourself, and collapsed on top of it again, biting your lip as it filled you.

You sat fully on top of him and rocked your hips a few times.

"Fuck yeah… Your pussy is so much better than any toy…" he cursed as he pushed his hips towards yours, as his sensitive cock was surrounded by hot, soft walls that sucked him in.

You jumped on top of him a few times with little grunts as your hand began to massage his balls.

Until suddenly you felt the heat melting inside of you.

"Aaaaaah…." he moaned long, keeping your hips on him. "Yeah… I'll buy you a pill, okay?"

He closed his eyes, feeling his cum swim around his cock between your tight walls.

"You don't have to."

"Huh?"

He looked at you questioningly.

"You don't have to buy me pills. What happens, it will happens…"

"So you want to be pregnant?"

"I can be… I wouldn't mind… To finally have a child with you…" You turned your head to the side.

"Fine~." he grunted happily, and suddenly pulled you off his cock.

As you stood next to him, you grabbed your panties that were lying next to you.

And he suddenly grabbed your skirt and pulled it down, completely off your legs.

He also grabbed your top clothes and underwear, and within minutes you were standing in front of him, naked.

You were pulled onto his lap, this time with your back to his chest.

"Wha-?"

"It may not be long, but I can fuck you. If I can pack my sperm inside you, I want to do it at least one more time." He said pressing his tip into you again. You know he's about to be fully hard again. "Also, this week's video of me fucking my cum in your pussy started."

He turned off his headphones and put it down, turning up the volume.

The first thing you heard was moans.

You looked at the screen blushing to see the full picture of your body with your pussy covered in cum from top to bottom.

So that's why he put the blindfold on you at that moment…

So you don't see him walking around with a cam…

As you watched as the camera lowered to direct the footage between your legs, you felt his entire length twitch inside you.

You saw on the screen how his tip enters your filled hole and starts fucking you.

There were grunts and moans throughout the bathroom, as well as the sound of wet skin slapping against skin, in the recording.

It wasn't long before the live sounds joined in as his hips began to hit you fast.

His fingers found their way to your clitoris, and you felt your fluids drain out of you, soaking your entire ass.

Your thighs trembled as he tightened on his post-orgasmic length. As your body trembled against him, he began to fill you with cum again.

Until suddenly he grabbed his base, and he pulled himself out of you.

He lifted your hips quickly, and using his cum on your skin, pushed the tip into your ass, allowing himself to listen to your surprised moans. Especially when your ass was filled with hot liquid that spread over every inch of your insides.

Rubbing the tip of it against your thigh, he headed inside you, preventing his seed from getting out of your vagina.

When he panted on his chest, you don't focus on the screen in front of you.

You focused more on his hand that was placed on your lower abdomen as he spoke.

"My baby will be here soon ~."

[toppersjeep]

Chapter 4- All For Love Charles Leclerc

Masterlist

Elena’s POV

Today was race day and I qualified yesterday at P2. Of course Max was P1 , Char had gotten P3. I finally felt like I had a real chance of winning a race. And in my hometown of all places. I knew I could do it.

But just has I thought everything was fine things took a turn for the worse. I saw that the hospital was calling me. So I stepped outside the Mercedes paddock and stood in between the buildings.

In my gut I felt like something was wrong. But I wanted to ignore it. I answered the phone.

(E- Elena N-Nurse)

N: Hi Elena this is Joys nurse I’m sorry to call you right now. I know she mentioned last night it’s race day for you.

E: yeah it is race day. is everything okay? is she complaining about the tv again.

N: Elena.. I hate making these phone calls I don’t know how to say this to you

E: please don’t say it… I’m begging you.. I.. can’t

N: Elena I’m so sorry she passed away this morning.. we believe it was in her sleep she wasn’t in any pain.. I’m really sorry

E: ummm… thank you for calling.. I.. just

N: we can talk through other details about everything when your free im really sorry Elena.. I wish I had different news for you

E: yeah we can chat tomorrow or something.. I gotta go…

____

I hung up the phone and sat on the ground for a second. Netflix was there filming.

“No cameras please not right now” I said. They walked away to film something else. I just sat there in shock and in tears. Nothing felt real in this moment. I just wanted someone to pinch me. Maybe I was in a dream and she was alive and healthy.

“Elena are you hiding from Netflix again” Daniel said. I didn’t say anything I just looked at him. “Elena I was kidding” Daniel said sitting across from me. “Dan…” I said crying. “…is she” he said I nodded. He then pulled me into a hug. And I just broke down immediately.

“I’m here” he said. I just cried into his shirt. “I didn’t get to say goodbye” I said as my voice was breaking. “I know” he said tearing up too. He just held me there for a little while. I heard some more footsteps come by. “What’s going on” Charles said. “Her Mom passed away this morning” Daniel said.

“Oh Elena” Charles said I ran over and hugged him. Something just told me to. I always felt at home with him. And safe. He wrapped his arms around around me. “I’m sorry” he said kissing my head. “El I gotta head to my paddock but please if you need me” Daniel said.

“Yeah she’ll come to you” Charles said. “Can we go inside” I said softly. Charles walked me into the Mercedes paddock and we went into my little room. I sat on my little bed. “Do you want anything” Charles said. “Just you right now nobody else” I said.

Later..

Toto said I could be out if I wanted. But I knew my Mom would want me to do this race no matter what happened. This one would be for her.

So I sat in my car and got ready for the race.

“Radio check radio check” bono said. “Radios all good” I said. “Elena let’s have an easy race and make this count” he said. “Oh I’m gonna win this race” I said. “Be careful out there you know how Max gets” bono said. “I know” I said looking over at the Red Bull car in front of me.

Everyone got off the track. I waited for the lights to go out. My heart was racing. This was it. I needed to win this race and nothing else mattered to me.

The lights finally went out and we began racing. Max was ahead. But I began to get close to him.

A little while later. We were on lap 48 only two more left. Then all the sudden in front of me Max spun out and went off. I was able to move around the damage and get into P1. Charles went up into P2.

“Alright Elena P1 keep pushing one more lap we are now on Lap 49” bono said. “Oh my god” I said. “Deep breaths keep pushing” bono said. “Update me on Charles pace please” I said driving around the corners.

“Charles is 7 seconds behind you so keep pushing.. but he keeps dropping back” Bono said. “Alright thank you” I said. “You’ve got this race el make it count” Bono said.

It was finally the last stretch of the race. And I saw the checked flag and crossed the finish line. For the first time in my career I won in my hometown.

“Tell me I got it” I said crying. “P1 ELENA YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRI” Bono said yelling. “I did it.. I can’t believe it” I said waving to the stands. “We are so proud of you” Toto said. “I couldn’t have been out here today without you guys” I said.

“We are family Elena we love you so much” Bono said. “I love you guys too this one was for mum” I said stopped the car in the first place spot. Charles got second and Lewis was third. I got out of the car. I then bent down by the tire and just put a hand on it crying.

“We did it Mom just like I told you I could” I said to myself. It was then time for podium. They called me out first. I was given my trophy. I held it up super high as everyone cheered. I set the trophy down and grabbed the champagne as Charles and Lewis sprayed me with there bottles.

I sprayed mine on Charles then drank some of it. Afterwards I hugged Charles. In that moment it was all I wanted.

“I’m so proud of you my love” he whispered in my ear. “So proud” he said kissing my cheek. “I did it” I said. “She’d be so proud” he said cupping my cheeks. “I hope so” I said. He then hugged me again. “I love you so much you deserve this” he said.

After the race….

I went back to my hotel room. That I was sharing with Addie.

“My champ I’m so proud of you” Addie said. “Thanks Addie” I said. “You okay” Addie said. “I’m just gonna step out for a minute maybe go to the pool” I said. “Alright have fun im gonna FaceTime Pato” she said with a smile.

I went down to the pool. Just to calm my mind down. I jumped in the pool and swam over to the edge when I heard a familiar voice.

“You can’t sleep” Charles said swimming over to me. “No I kinda can’t turn off my brain tonight you” I said. “I couldn’t sleep either” Charles said. “What’s on your mind” I said swimming backwards as he followed me. “You” he said.

“Why me good old sad Elena” I said. “I just wanted to make sure your okay” Charles said. “Char honestly I just wanted a distraction” I said. “Remember when we were younger and we’d have a diving challenge” Charles said. “Off the rocks in Monaco” I said. “And my dad and your mom yelled at us for hours afterwards” Charles said.

“My mom was so mad I snuck out until she realized I was with you” I said. “Really” Charles said. “You were her favorite Charles” I said. “Yeah” he said getting closer to me. “She’d always say that…

“That we belong together” he said. “How’d you know that” I said. He brushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “Because maybe” he said leaning in to kiss me. I let him kiss me. I then circled my arms around his neck. And he wrapped his around my waist.

He kept kissing me. Maybe I shouldn’t because my emotions were all over. But I wanted it and I wanted him.

“Ummm this is a pool by the way” Max said. “Shit sorry mate” Charles said breaking the kiss. “I gotta go” I said pushing Charles away from me and getting out. I grabbed my towel and t shirt and walked away from the pool area. “Elena … Elena” Charles said running after me.

“No.. Charles just no” I said. “Stop” he said grabbing my hand. “I can’t do this right now” I said. “Elena stop running away from this” Charles said. “From what Charles” I said. “I have feelings for you” he said I stopped walking. “Don’t do that to yourself” I said.

“Elena I can’t hide it anymore from you” he said cupping my cheek. “Charles don’t” I said tearing up. “You can’t lie and say you don’t feel anything” Charles said. “I know you feel this too” he said. And he was right. But I couldn’t do this not now.

“Charles I can’t” I said walking into the elevator he followed me. “Elena I broke up with her because I.. want you nobody else” Charles said. I turned away from him. But he then hugged me from behind.

“I don’t care about anything else Elena all I’ve ever wanted was you” he said whispering in my ear. I teared up. “It’s always been you ever since the day I gave you that necklace” he said running his fingers on the necklace.

It was a necklace with two little hearts. A gold and a silver one. Charles had given me it as a birthday present when I turned 16. He even had a matching bracelet. That he always wears.

“Elena… there’s nobody else I’d rather love than you” he said kissing my cheek. I turned my head to look at his beautiful blue eyes. Those eyes make you think you are looking into an ocean. Or even the sky. Just do beautiful and calming.

But this time when I looked into those eyes , I saw something different in them. He had stopped looking at me as a friend. He now looked at me like I was the only person that mattered in this world. He was in love with me.

Charles LeClerc my best friend was in love with me.

“Say something” he said. “Charles I” I said. He then kissed me again. “Please.. don’t shut me out..” Charles said. “I need time” I said. “I’ve waited 12 years for you” Charles said. “All I’m asking is for you to give me time” I said.

“Elena I can wait for you forever” Charles said. We then got off on our floor. “I’ll see you tomorrow” I said. “Yeah goodnight” Charles said walking away. But I ran after him. I then quickly kissed him. “Goodnight” I said. He smiled. I tried to walk away but he grabbed my hand pulling me into a kiss.

Every time he kissed me I felt like I was floating on a cloud. Like his kiss made everything disappear and all that mattered was him.

“Now you can go to bed love” Charles said walking into his hotel room. I stood there for a couple second before going back into my room. I went back in and stood up against the door.

“Your back what’s the smile for” Addie said. “Charles … kissed me” I said. “Holy shit” Addie said. “It was so magical” I said going to lay on my bed. “Spill” Addie said.

“God his eyes..oh my god.. and when he kissed me” I said. “Elena this is amazing” Addie said. “I felt like I was floating god maybe I” I said. “You love him” Pato said from Addie’s phone. “Babe shhh” Addie said. “She totally does” Pato said.

“Oh my god shut up” I said. “The kiss was so magical Addie oh my god” Pato said I laughed. “God lord pato stop” Addie said. “What did I do” Pato said on the phone.

I then got into bed after changing into pajamas. Addie stayed on the phone with pato for a while. But my mind was still on Charles. And that kiss. And all the words he said to me.

[c3rnunnos]

Watched Transformers One yesterday with some friends. Had a really good time. Thoughts under the cut WITH SPOILERS. There are a ton of those in here. Please don't click the read more if you haven't watched the movie. I will not be held responsible if you click and then get mad.

Initial thoughts and some disclaimers

First of all, I watched it in Italian cause that's what I speak and that's the only language that was available in the cinema, and I have something to say about the voices. Elita's voice was pretty much perfect for her, a good match for the original, and the va was a big part of why I ended up liking her a lot. Bee's voice was very high and pitchy, but it made sense with how he moved and interacted with the world, and honestly I also tend to go really high pitched when talking about something enthusiastically so it was nice. Orion's voice was pretty good, not as deep as I was expecting it to be, but it fit rather well with the rest of the voice cast. D-16's voice... It was alright. It fit rather well in the first part of the movie, but when we got to the violent revolution part, ah... There wasn't enough of a shift to make me think "ah, yes, this is Megatron". He sounded like a guy being mad he was stuck in traffic. Though, there were certain scenes where the VA gave a brilliant performance.

Second thing, I watched it with a couple of friends, one of which only knows Transformers from my unhinged rants and one who came along to watch a movie he had no knowledge of high, and it was a fantastic experience. Friend A gave me some comments after the movie about Sentinel that I couldn't help but agree with, and Friend B locked in when watching the Iacon infrastructure and mining environments (as he is quite good at planning infrastructures, and was going insane over how weird it was). Bringing both of them with me was great, especially for certain specific scenes I'll get into later. I watched the movie while also watching for their reactions, and it was a very good time to see people I loved have fun like me - but as my attention was a bit split, I might be misremembering stuff.

Actual thoughts on the movie itself

Alright, so.

The entire thing with a working class that had their t-cogs removed was insanely interesting in my opinion. The fact that the propaganda and grueling work hours kept the masses low and entertained while bots with cogs enjoyed their races and lives was interesting. It felt like a facet of Functionism came through with that - and while the bots who could transform were (I believe) free to do whatever, the cogless were stuck working as part of a production machine for Sentinel. I loved seeing how the panem et circense wasn't enough for all of them - how Orion yet thirsted for knowledge and for a life he could live away from the mines.

Which, I enjoyed how D-16 was the one that acted as a buffer for Orion's bullshit (and I say this lovingly, I adored Orion in the movie), and how he was so... Complacent in the abuse he was undergoing. He loved Sentinel as a symbol, he was glad for his job, he didn't want to see that a society that treats people as objects to discard maybe wasn't good. He had a place to sleep, he had fuel, and he had Orion, and that was enough. Maybe that's why his speech hit different, when he got to the breaking point.

Thoughts on Orion later cause they tie into different stuff.

Elita was also very real - someone who desperately is trying to claw her way out of a horrible situation through hard work and discipline, who doesn't want to take any chances lest she falls down back into the pit she crawled out of. I liked how she was decisive and how she used her knowledge of train routes to do 9/11 on Sentinel's office. Go girl. Also I am weak for two wheelers and she was so fucking cool when she fought and transformed.

B-127. Ohhh Bee. He is my favorite ever, I have three figures of him plus the lego Bumblebee, and I love him dearly. I didn't know what to think of him when I saw the trailer, but then I saw the state he had been living in and yea, the isolation would drive someone insane to that point. I liked how he was ride or die for people he had just met. He was so lonely and needed to talk so much after forever spent in unknown levels. His excitement over being able to transform and simply help was amazing. He has knife hands! Good for him! A bit insane but good for him!

Also, as mentioned before, since I watched it in a different language everything had to be adapted, including the important speeches and the jokes. Unfortunately, there was no cool "DECEPTICONS RISE UP", and there was no cool "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT", but there was Bee exclaiming "Nice! I get to be a government employee!" which was fantastic to hear in Italian, especially with the view we tend to have of government employees. Overall, the jokes had to be rewritten or adapted carefully, but they still made me chortle more than a few times. A few even got my friends, which was great.

Now... Speaking a bit of the plot and environments... For they are tied by the narration.

The environments were... Insane??? Holy fucking shit? Cybertron was teeming with life, it was shifting and alive and colorful. The colors were bright and saturated, felt like a fever dream. The surface was a wide expanse of possibilities, the auroras were delicate dashes of color in the sunset, the rock surfaces transformed like Primus himself was quietly stirring. Cybertron is techno-organic in the way that you would define a rusted over and overgrown metal building techno-organic, and I would bet good money that the organic components of the surface were brought in by the Quintesson occupation.

Which, the Quintessons. Disgusting critters. Insects with hard carapaces, laser guns, and enough of a population to be a swarm. Their ships are the definition of megalophobia. Their relentless search for cybernetic lifeforms to shatter and take was terrifying. The moment they first appeared, the genre shifted to survival horror. And then, we learn why they're still here, through Alpha Trion's powers.

Sentinel. Sentinel Sentinel Sentinel. He's horrible. I need him carnally. He was a fake through and through, and yet he compelled me. Its difficult to find villains that are villains cause they suck nowadays, they always have to have a sad backstory. Sentinel was simply... Ambitious. Ambitious to the point of it being detrimental to himself, in the long run, and whole he created an incredible ruse and fooled an entire society for millenia, that ambition still got him killed in the end. Seeing the scene of his betrayal in the cave with Alpha Trion was amazing - watching him beg for more time with the Quintessons, hating them despite knowing he has dug his own grave was compelling. Seeing him crawl away from Megatron at the end was incredible. Seeing him die changed my brain chemistry (and look! His frame greyed out in the end! What a detail!). (Also, nice callback to Jazz's death in Transfomers 2007.)

And, D-16. Megatron. It was quite a tonal shift, to watch him rave about wanting to kill Sentinel to Orion, Elita and Bee in the cave. There was no music, only a droning sound. You could feel the rage in his words. You could see that he would go through with it, even if he had to destroy himself in the process. His shift from a cowering kissass to a mech with nothing to lose but his chains was a delight spiral into villainy. He took to the Elite Guard's way of the strong like a fish to water. He got a taste of power, and then he let himself be drowned in it - despite the efforts Orion put in trying to stay with him, trying to help.

And here we also go with the Orion thoughts. Orion himself was a favorite. He went from a bit annoying but fun and capable, someone who wanted desperately to be able to live a life that was more than the mines, that wanted his friends to be considered more than meets the eye, to someone who was almost desperately trying to keep D-16 together as everything they had worked towards spiraled out of control. The way he got more quiet (somber) and desperate as the movie went on was very, very good. Yes, he was big and bright and bold. Yes, he went back to the mines to get the help of his friends. Yes, he didn't want Dee to kill Sentinel because he didn't want him to fall to that level. Yes, I think Sentinel should've died too, but... Orion was trying to expose the mech. Public opinion would've scalped him anyways, after the stunt they managed to pull. And Megatron committed a crime a passion under the guise of revolution. He strayed from the path of revolution the moment he shot through Orion. Gosh.

When Megatron shot Orion, my god. I was jittery with excitement. My friends were horrified and stuck staring at the screen. And then, "I'm not saving you anymore", and letting him go, and just. Gosh. The betrayal was expected. It still hurt.

The fall into the center of Cybertron, the way that Megatron ended up killing Sentinel, the Matrix choosing and rebuilding Optimus, Megatron rallying the people to destroy. Optimus' return. Their fight. The banishment. This was such a bad breakup for them. God.

A couple of things I wish would've been different

I wish the runtime for the later part of the movie was longer. I would've loved for the Elite Guard (the soon to be Decepticons, really) to have had more of a role in the movie. I love Shockwave dearly, and Soundwave was quite cool, but I wish they had a more relevant part in D-16's fall towards being Megatron.

Starscream, gosh. Always trying to rule, isn't he? Bet he didn't expect a miner to be able to beat his ass. Bet he didn't expect to have his vocalizer crushed into malfunctioning. And yet, I wish he had a more relevant role. I wish we got to know the disgraced members of the Elite Guard.

I wish we got to know the miners, the Autobots, the poor unknowing slaves that Orion wanted more for. I wish Jazz got to stab someone. I am weak to murder psy op fiend Jazz.

Jazz was cute! He was really cute. I liked how he flicked his wings at the end. He was... also voiced by a youtuber I used to watch when I was 13 and that immediately made me want to commit a crime! Like I love that guy but that was NOT the voice to give the Jazzmech. They whitewashed my mans (joke)

Also, severe lack of every Autobot and Decepticon outside of group shots. But that's ok cause this is a movie that doesn't reach 2 hours and not a full series. But gosh what I wouldn't give for a full animated series in this setting.

And that's a wrap!

I've spat all my thoughts on here. Might add more later. My brain is fused. I hope I didn't make many grammar mistakes and typos. Have a good day.

[villainsview]

Chapter 10

Don't Go

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I made a mistake thinking I could work during the night, though luckily I discovered my mistake before I even had the chance to leave. I was about to check on Erick just in case, when I found him crawling across to the bathroom to suffer the wonders and horrors of the human immune system for a few hours.

I sighed, taking my jacket off and texting Tito about unexpected delays, and waited for the turmoil in the bathroom to die down a little before going in to check. Erick was sitting on the floor next to the toilet, catching his breath a bit, looking pale as a sheet, shaking and hiccuping a little.

Without saying a word, I closed the toilet lid and flushed for him. I grabbed a washcloth and ran some cool water over it to clean his face, before filling a cup with water and getting him to take a few sips.

“Small sips,” I reminded him, though he already didn’t drink a whole lot, “just sit here a bit, I’ll grab you some saltines, and then we’ll get you back to bed.”

“O-okay…” the teen replied, a little colour returning to his face already.

I headed into the kitchen, grabbing a pack of B-brand crackers I’d bought yesterday, before returning and tearing it open so Erick could nibble on one, rubbing his eyes with his free hand. I sat down on the edge of the bathtub, waiting for him to gather enough strength to drag himself back to bed.

I tucked him in with a cold compress, leaving the door open to listen for any trouble, before making myself comfortable on the living room couch. I didn’t get much sleep on it, but that allowed me to see if Erick got up much.

Fortunately he didn’t, probably finally getting some much-needed sleep after his gastro-intestinal exorcism. When it got too light to sleep, I got up, pouring myself a coffee, before preparing the kid’s next antibiotics dose. It took a few nudges to wake him up, but when he did, he was able to drink some more water before flopping down on the pillow again.

“Hungry?” I asked.

He weakly shook his head. I sighed, checking his temperature with my hand. He was still burning up quite a bit.

“When you contract a virus, your immune system tends to shut down your entire digestive system,” I explained, “it expels what’s left inside to flush out any disease particles, and then it turns off the natural urges to eat and drink.”

“That doesn’t sound…very helpful at all,” Erick murmured.

“I know, right? Who designed that nonsense?” I said, “because the shitty thing is, even though you don’t feel like it, you still gotta eat and drink some.”

“Hm…th-the saltines?”

“Saltines it is,” I said, returning to the kitchen to retrieve the package. I put it on the nightstand, reminding him to take it easy, before turning back to the door—

“Don’t go…”

I paused, looking back at the teen for a second. He didn’t seem to fully realise what he had just said, yet I found myself walking back over, grabbing a book from the drawer in the nightstand, and walking around the bed to sit down on the other half of the mattress, propping up a spare pillow in an attempt to alleviate the strain on my back.

“Don’t stare at me,” I said, “close your eyes, get some more rest. And after today, I really gotta get back to work.”

“....thank you…sir.”

I sat with him throughout the day, sneaking out to use the toilet or grab a drink while he slept. By the end of the day, his fever finally dropped a little and his appetite returned as he ate cracker after cracker, and almost emptied a whole bottle of water.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, lowering my book a little. I’d almost made it to the end.

“...little better,” Erick said, glancing at me, but keeping his eyes down, as if he was afraid to look at me. “W-why are you…”

“You asked me to stay,” I said, “it was probably the fever talking, but you slept like a log afterwards.”

“Oh…s-sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said, “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”

“R-right…is there still soup left?”

“Yeah, plenty,” I said, “go clean yourself up a bit, I’ll heat it up.”

Erick nodded, slowly getting out of bed and shuffling towards the bathroom. He left the door open, so I could see him linger outside the bathroom door for a second, head turned slightly as he was probably looking at the front door, before suddenly opening the bathroom door and heading inside.

I released a breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding, afraid he’d make a run for it. But I guess he thought I’d locked the front door. I couldn’t even remember though, so I snuck over to check, locked it, and headed into the kitchen to heat up some more soup.

While I was washing the cup he used last time, he quietly shuffled into the kitchen and sat at the table, keeping his eyes down as he waited for his soup. I filled the cup up and put it in front of him on the table, before handing him a spoon.

“I need to go out tonight,” I said, “are you going to behave?”

“...I don’t get much choice, do I?” the teen said.

“I’m locking you in the bathroom so you have access to the toilet or water if you need it,” I said, answering his question, “can I trust you to be quiet without having to tie you up and gag you?”

“Y-you mean, no screaming? Because…vomiting sounded pretty loud to me…”

“Yeah, nothing louder than that,” I said, “don’t get cocky with me.”

“Sorry, sir…”

“That’s more like it.”

I poured myself some coffee and lit a cigarette, mostly to keep myself busy while waiting for him to finish eating. He had a lot more colour on his face. Hopefully it would keep heading in the right direction.

“Do I have to take that pill again?” Erick asked, carefully scraping the last few freeze-dried, tasteless vegetables from his cup.

“Yeah, I’ll give it to you before I leave,” I said.

“Where are you going?”

“The less you know, the better. Now no more questions,” I said, getting up to get ready.

Erick went quiet again. He took his antibiotics without protest, and quietly headed into the bathroom when I nudged him in that direction. I let him take a pillow with the advice to make himself comfortable in the bathtub, before placing a chair against the bathroom door.

“And if this is even one inch out of place when I get back, you’ll have another thing coming!” I warned through the door, before grabbing a last few things and heading out.

The girl I was supposed to target lived pretty close-by, so I opted to walk instead of taking the van. That way Ethel wouldn’t be any wiser at least. If I left in the middle of the night she would come knocking the next day asking questions. She meant well, but with Erick locked in my bathroom, it was really inconvenient…

I walked over to the girl’s neighbourhood, finding her house, and finding a secluded spot to hang out, that wouldn’t draw any attention from nosy neighbours. Not that many were still awake. Most houses had either all lights off, or only the bedroom lights still burning. It was just after bedtime, which was prime-time for sneaking out according to the girl’s blog.

And sure enough. The light of their front porch flickered on, while the teen girl quietly stepped through the front door and closed it behind her, locking it and hiding the key under the mat. That way she couldn’t lose it I guess.

She then walked out of the street. I followed at a big enough distance to not be noticed, staying in darker areas in the shadows, and just outside of the street lanterns’ cones of light. About two streets down, she met up with a group of friends, and they slowly strolled towards town together. I could basically follow them through the noise they made alone, and when they mingled with a bigger crowd, it was easy for me to blend in too.

I followed her to a nightclub whose bouncer didn’t pay too much attention to the ID’s, making it easy for the underage group to get inside. I decided not to follow them inside. Instead I found a cafe across the street with a view on the club’s door, sipping coffees until at four AM I finally spotted my target again, stumbling out of the club and into the alley next to it to vomit into the dumpster.

Her friends weren’t with her it seemed, and she stumbled towards home all by her lonesome. I quickly paid for my drinks and followed from a good distance. She moved slowly, but headed straight towards home with only a small detour past a drinking fountain on a playground. When she made it home, I made a note of the time before heading back to my apartment.

When I stepped through the front door, I found Erick had kept his word and hadn’t left the bathroom. His fever had spiked a little again, but he’d fashioned a cold compress with a washcloth and cold water from the sink, and tried to get some sleep in the bathtub.

I let him out and let him sleep in my bed again so he could get some more good rest. The sooner he got well the better. It would be easier to focus on work that way.

The next couple nights I let him stay in the bathroom again, so I could go out and learn the target’s pattern. She didn’t party every night, only most of them. And when she partied, it was always with the same friends at the same club, and finally the same lonely route home.

It took about two weeks in total to figure out her pattern, and by that time Erick was doing a lot better too. He used up all the antibiotics, I could lock him in the kitchen cupboard at night with some water again, and during the day he stayed quiet and out of my way in exchange for unlimited access to tap water, the bathroom and whatever reading material I had lying around. He seemed entertained enough by sudoku puzzles from a stack of old newspapers, or he was too afraid to voice that he was bored.

“Um…”

I looked up from my laptop as he suddenly spoke up. It felt like I hadn’t heard his voice in days, that light tremble as if he was about to speak to a crowd of thousands for the first time in his life.

“What?” I asked as he hesitated.

“D-do you want something to drink, sir?”

He was standing by the kitchen counter, fumbling with the water bottle he’d been reusing all week. I looked inside my coffee cup. It had been empty for a while.

“Coffee,” I said, holding the cup out to him, “do you know how to brew a pot?”

“...no,” he admitted, though he took the cup.

“First you take the pot, flush out the last bits of coffee with some water,” I said, sitting back and fishing my pack of cigarettes from my pocket. The teen nodded, putting the cup and his bottle down and carefully washing the old coffee out of the pot.

“Then you fill the pot about halfway, I think the number next to the stripe is six?” I continued, before lighting a cigarette and taking a drag, “you pour that water in the reservoir behind the filter, the hinge of the lid is broken so you can just lift the whole thing off.”

The teen nodded, taking the lid off and looking at the top of the machine for a second before identifying the reservoir and pouring the water in.

“The old filter you can take out and throw in the trash, use two hands, or it’ll tear,” I said, “new filters are in the drawer, and I keep my coffee in the tin can next to the machine.”

“How much do I put in, sir?” Erick asked, gingerly placing the new filter in the machine.

“Was the indicator on the pot six?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Then three scoops’ll do it,” I said, “with top for a strong cup, scraped down to precision for a regular cup.”

“Okay…do you want a strong cup then?”

“No, I’ll take regular now.”

I watched how he carefully scraped the excess coffee from the spoon before putting it in the filter, and gave the last instructions after he’d closed the tin of coffee again.

“Now you close everything, make sure the pot is in the middle and flip the switch.”

He nodded, putting the lid back on and checking the pot’s position before pressing the only button at the bottom of the machine. It immediately began hissing and bubbling as it heated up the water and a moment later a stream of fresh coffee began dripping into the pot below.

“It takes about five minutes before it stops dripping and then it just keeps the plate hot until you turn it off,” I said.

“It’s so simple,” Erick commented, moving to the sink to grab his water, “at home it…pretty much just comes out of the wall, with milk and sugar mixed in if you want.”

“Well, this is how the rest of the country gets its coffee,” I said.

“He still hasn’t paid, has he?”

“...not that I’ve heard,” I said, after another drag, “don’t think too much about it. I’ll get my money, even if I have to drag you around for a year.”

“A-a year?”

“Three hundred grand is a lot of money for someone living off of simple means,” I said, “and if I have to, I’ll find ways to make you earn your keep. The coffee’s a good start.”

“But why would he wait a year?”

“That’s between you and your old man, kid,” I said, “and if the answer isn’t to your liking, just take whatever money he has left and start a life for yourself. But for now, just do as you’re told and you’ll be fine.”

He stayed quiet for a moment, letting my words sink in before turning back to the counter, watching the pot fill up slowly.

“D-do you put anything in your coffee, sir?”

“No. I drink it black.”

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