#but. yeah. from what i managed to catch of the quick flashes i really do think it’s something that suits last stage more than abs

[gurokiitty]

Hiii! I read your Jimmy fanfic and I absolutely love it so so so much.

I was really curious as to if you could do a babysitter! jimmy x reader, where reader is Curly���s younger sibling and, despite them being of age, Curly is adamant on them being babysat (just in case because he’s a caring brother ☺️) and Jimmy comes to babysit the reader. They order pizza, put on a Christmas movie and get cosy under a blanket. Jimmy starts to get handsy under the blanket and it ends with the Reader sucking Jimmy off on the living room couch.

Thought a sort of Christmassy fanfic would be good this time of year :3

Lots of love, 🌺 ~🫶🫶

a/n : i'm giggling n kicking my feet, anon <33 i love this idea! thank you for your request :3 AND HAPPY HOLIDAYSSS

DON'T TELL

{ babysitter! jimmy x f! reader ]

word count : 1594

warnings/tags : DUBCON, legal age-gap, pre-tulpar, reader is curly's adopted sister, implied incest, groping, rough n messy throatfucking.

You didn't know what you expected, but it wasn’t him. When you opened the door, he was there—leaning lazily against the frame, all wiry angles and slouching indifference.

Jimmy, you’d assumed, though the man standing on your porch was a far cry from the image you’d pieced together in your mind. The stories your brother told painted him as someone reliable—maybe even admirable, in Curly’s own begrudging way.

But the real Jimmy looked like he’d been scraped off the bottom of a gas station parking lot. His leather jacket was cracked and scuffed, so fatigued it shone in patches. His hair was slicked back, greasy enough to catch the dim porch light like an oil spill. His jaw was shadowed with dark stubble, and his eyes—so dark they almost swallowed the whites—flicked over you with a quick, cutting assessment.

“Curly’s sister?” he asked finally, the cigarette smouldering between his fingers leaving a faint trail of smoke that curled in the frosty air.

You nodded, though something uneasy had stirred in your chest. “Yeah,” you managed, your voice thinner than you wanted. “That’s me.”

You stepped aside, pulling the door open wider, the words spilling out of your mouth before you could think better of it. “Come in.”

“Little old for a babysitter, don’t you think?” he drawled, stepping over the threshold as the faint scent of sweat and smoke trailed after him.

He was right—you weren’t a kid, and yet here you were, playing host to someone Curly had insisted on sending to keep an eye on you. It felt absurd, letting this wolfish man into your home just because your brother trusted him. And yet, you did, because trust in your brother was second nature.

Now, the two of you sit on the couch, the glow of the television casting flickering shadows across the room. The Christmas movie you’d picked plays in the background, all twinkling lights and syrupy holiday cheer, but your focus has drifted elsewhere.

It had started innocently enough—Jimmy stretched out at one end of the couch, you curled at the other, a safe distance between you. But slowly, inexorably, he’s crept closer, his presence consuming more and more of the space around you like mould festering, proliferating, spreading to places that were once unspoiled. His knee brushes against yours, then lingers. The blanket you’d wrapped around yourself is now shared, his hand tugging it over his lap as though it had been his all along.

You barely register the movie anymore—some forgettable scene flashing on the screen, colours bleeding into each other without meaning. The warmth of his body radiates through the layers of fabric between you, but it’s his hand that holds your attention. It rests lightly against your thigh beneath the blanket, his fingers splayed just enough to make your breath waver. He doesn’t look at you—his eyes remain fixed on the screen, disinterested, as though his touch is incidental, meaningless.

But it’s not meaningless—not when it shifts higher, grazing the sensitive skin of your inner thigh.

You should say something, do something, but you sit frozen, your breath shallow, your hands clutching the blanket as though it could shield you. His fingers inch upward, a silent threat to claim the space between your thighs.

“Ever been touched like this before?” he murmurs, his raspy voice cutting through the music on-screen. He finally turns to look at you, his lips stretching into something that resembles a smile, though it doesn’t reach his eyes.

You swallow hard, your voice barely audible. “My brother—” The words tumble out, an incoherent plea. "He'd be so angry... I don't..."

Jimmy's eyes narrow, his fingers digging a bit harder into your soft flesh like a warning. "Then don't tell him."

Before you can respond, he leans in, his lips capturing yours with a force that steals your breath. The kiss is all tobacco and heat, and it leaves your head spinning. Your hands hover uselessly in the space between you, caught between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

Somewhere in the back of your mind, your brother's voice echoes—a reminder, a warning—but it’s drowned out by the way Jimmy’s free hand drifts higher, his palm pressing against your chest through the thin fabric of your shirt.

Your body betrays you, your hips shifting, grinding subtly against the palm he’s pressed between your legs as the blanket falls to the floor. The friction sends a jolt of sensation through you, and you squeeze your eyes shut, shame and desire warring. Curly would hate you if he knew, you think desperately. He’d never forgive you. But even that thought isn’t enough to make you pull away.

When Jimmy finally releases you, there’s a faint trail of saliva connecting your lips, glistening like honey. He grips the back of your head, his fingers tangling roughly in your hair, as his other hand fumbles hastily with his belt. The metallic jingle is sharp, invasive, and your stomach knots as he pushes his jeans down just enough to free himself.

“You worked me up,” he mutters, his voice rough, cracking slightly at the edges like something about to snap. "Now you’ve gotta finish the job." His hand tightens, and he pushes your head down toward his lap—toward his hardening cock.

The world narrows to the feel of his hand gripping the back of your head and the press of his fingers biting into your scalp. His scent curls inside you like a living thing, nauseating and strangely intoxicating. The fabric of his jeans is rough against your cheek as you shift, your lips parting hesitantly over his leaky head.

Salty precum stains your tongue before you can think to resist—his palm driving you down his length. Your warm, wet mouth envelops him, his girth stretching your lips as he invades your throat. He worms his way deeper, making you cough and sputter around him, your trembling fingers seeking the edge of the couch for support.

He’s unrelenting, pushing you down until your nose grazes the coarse hair at the base. Your lungs burn as you struggle to keep up, the pace frantic and uncaring, and you can feel spit beginning to drip from the corners of your mouth, pooling in a glossy mess between you. Your body shudders, muscles straining against the force, but he only growls low in his throat, moving you like a doll in his hands.

His fingers knot tighter, and he begins to guide you up and down, each motion sharper than the last. For a moment, your resistance slackens entirely, your head moving in time with the jerking motions of his hips.

His pelvis lifts slightly, an unspoken command, and you obey, your movements automatic, practiced. You can feel your cheeks hollow with effort as you take him deeper still, your lips brushing against his base with each downward stroke.

The slick sounds meld with the movie playing, obscene and rhythmic, each bob of your head sending a fresh wave of spit down your chin. You swirl your tongue around him with precision, tracing patterns you know by rote, and he groans above you, his fingers tightening as he presses you down further, deeper. His chest rises and falls heavily, his breaths jagged, and you can feel the heat of his shaft pulse against your tongue.

"F-Fuck, where’d you learn to suck cock like this, huh?" Jimmy pants, his hips stuttering as your motions turn quicker, more deliberate.

The words lodge in your chest, clawing at your ribs. Your stomach churns, and for a moment, you falter. Your brother's name blooms in your thoughts unbidden, sharp and sour like bile rising in your throat. It’s there, screaming inside your head, his voice intertwined with the memory of his hands—guiding, demanding, teaching.

Jimmy’s grip on you tightens as if sensing your hesitation, dragging you back to the present—to the bitter saltiness coating your tongue and the searing stretch of your throat. “Hey,” he growls, "I didn't tell you to stop."

Your body responds before your mind catches up, your head dipping again, lips sealing around him with renewed vigour. You move faster now, your tongue fanning over the underside of his cock, pulling needy sounds from him that vibrate in your ears. Your hands find his thighs, nails digging into denim as you try to steady yourself, spittle and mucus bubbling from your nose and mouth, trailing in sticky threads down your jaw.

He holds you there, his breathing ragged as he thrusts shallowly into your throat. You can feel his thighs tense, quivering beneath your fingers as the muscles in his stomach coil tight like a spring. He throws his head back, a steady groan escaping him as his release surges down your constricting throat in thick, pulsing streams.

It floods your mouth, hot and acrid, and you gag as it forces its way through. You tap desperately against his leg, your glassy eyes fluttering open in a silent plea. Finally, he lets you go, and you lurch back, coughing violently as you drag in a breath that burns all the way down. Strings of milky white trail from your lips, and some of it escapes your nostrils to trickle in sticky rivulets down your chin.

Your tangled hair clings to the dampness of your face as you sputter, choking out thick globs of spit and cum. Jimmy leans back against the couch, his breath still heavy, and watches you with a smug curl to his lips. "Shit—if I knew you were such a little slut, I would've babysat more often."

[deus-ex-mona]

o k but. these quick dialogue flashes are definitely more suited for last stage than a.b.s., right?

[daisynik7]

cw: established relationship, explicit sexual content, smut - cunnilingus

Author's Note: Barely proofread, completely horny. Enjoy. Divider credit to @/cafekitsune.

When Nanami comes out of the bedroom for breakfast, he notices you’re already set up at your work desk, expression serious as you face the monitor. 

“You have a meeting right now?” he asks, giving you a quick peck on the cheek. 

You relax a bit from his loving smooch. “Yeah. I don’t even need to be in this. My boss just said to hop on and listen in. Said it’s a learning opportunity.” You make air quotations with your fingers at those last two words, rolling your eyes. 

He hums, massaging your shoulders, which are stiff and tense with stress. “I’m sorry.” His thumbs work out a knot; he always knows how to put you at ease at times like this. 

You lean back, tipping your chin up to catch his gaze, smiling. “Thank you, honey. I’m just…annoyed.” Glancing back at the screen, you sit up straight, muttering, “Oh no, it’s starting.” With a click of your mouse, you’re in. A few of the attendees are already chatting, so you keep yourself on mute, not bothering to greet them. 

Instead of heading into the kitchen for his morning cup of coffee, Nanami remains behind you, bowing down to whisper, “Do you want a distraction?” His mouth grazes your ear, his hands gliding up and down your arms. 

Although you’re on mute, you mouth a silent, “What?” to him.

His voice gets lower, sultry. “I’m hungry. And I’m craving my favorite treat right now.” He nuzzles his nose to yours, flashing that lazy smile of his you love so much. “I’ll be quick.” Too much. 

“Kento, are you serious?” The rational part of you knows this is crazy, especially while you’re actively attending a meeting. However, the horny part of you, which seems to supersede everything else, wants your husband’s distraction so badly. The temptation to do something you shouldn’t be doing is too alluring to resist. And besides, you’re virtually non-existent in the conversation happening in front of you. Might as well do something else productive.

He nods, pressing his lips to yours in a soft kiss, just enough to tease a moan out of you. “Baby,” you whine. “We shouldn’t.”

And the two of you know what that really means.

Soon, he’s under the desk, sliding your pajamas bottoms off one leg at a time while you pretend to pay attention to whatever nonsense your coworkers are discussing. Your panties are already wet and Nanami takes his time peeling them off you, biting his lip at the way it glistens with your arousal. 

He wasn’t lying when he said he was hungry. In fact, he’s starving. He proves that with how voraciously he eats you out, your legs open wide for him to spread his tongue all over you. His grip is firm on your knees, keeping you split apart, licking and sucking on your clit, coaxing every drop of cum out of you. You can go the entire meeting with his face buried in your wet cunt, his drool mixing in with your slick. 

Suddenly, and to your absolute horror, your name gets called by your manager. “Any questions?”

You try to shove Nanami away, but he’s relentless, latching onto you tighter, sucking on your clit harder, louder. You squeeze his cheeks tightly with your thighs, practically smothering him, but it doesn’t do anything except make him hum, the vibrations only adding to the divine sensation. 

Before this long pause gets any more awkward, you swallow all the saliva pooling in your mouth and unmute yourself. “I’m good, thanks!” you blurt out, muting yourself once more as you let out a drawn-out moan, coming for the fifth time on your husband’s tongue.

The meeting is dismissed shortly after. You shut your laptop closed, scolding your husband, who’s now kissing the plush of your thighs, chin and nose shiny with your cum, a wickedly charming smile on his lips. “Thought you said you wouldn’t have to say anything,” he teases, trying to feign innocence. 

You run your fingers through his hair, tugging on the strands gently. “Thought you said you’d make it quick.”

He comes up from beneath the table, meeting your face with his. “You know nothing is ever quick with me, sweetheart.” Then, he kisses you, pulling you close to him, cock stiff against you, leading you into the bedroom.  

[unabashegirl]

Love Island (one shot) – sneak peek

Harry’s arrival on Love Island stirs Y/N’s feelings, sparking tension with her partner, Tom, and the rest of the ladies, as she’s drawn to Harry’s charm and intrigue.

Author's note: Hello everyone! Here is the concept of the new one shot that has been posted on my Patreon. I hope you enjoy the sneak peek. Let me know what you think!

The italics is the narrator just like in LOVE ISLAND!

check out my patreon (starting at $2) and get full access to the rest of the chapters, various one shots and much more :)

Tom’s lips tightened, and he gave a small nod. “Fair enough. I can’t stop you from seeing where things go. I mean, you’re right—it is early days. Just… give me a heads-up if you start to feel like it’s going somewhere else, yeah?”

“Of course,” she assured him, offering him a warm smile. “I’ll always be honest with you, Tom. That’s a promise.”

He smiled, though it looked a bit forced, then let out a sigh, looking back towards the villa. “Right then. Just have to up my game a bit, won’t I?”

Y/N chuckled, nudging him. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. Just keep being you.”

But will that be enough, Tom? With Harry’s arrival in the villa, we might just see if Tom can hold his own—or if his steady confidence starts to crack.

After Tom walked off, Y/N settled back into her lounger, taking a slow sip of her coffee. The warmth of the morning sun was comforting, and she let herself enjoy the peace, though her mind kept drifting to Harry.

Across the patio, Harry was surrounded by a small group of girls, each one caught up in his easy charm. There was Georgia, always the first to get a word in; her dark hair bounced as she laughed at one of his jokes, flashing him a look that said she was more than intrigued. Beside her was Chloe, who toyed with her braid as she angled closer, her gaze fixed on him, and Lila, who had barely left his side since his arrival. They all hung on his every word, their laughter blending with his deep chuckles.

Y/N watched him, noticing the way he seemed effortlessly at ease, making each of the girls feel like they were the only ones there. He was charming, no doubt, and that little smirk of his told her he knew exactly what he was doing. There was something magnetic about him; he was the kind of person you couldn’t help but notice.

Then, as if sensing her gaze, Harry’s eyes lifted, meeting hers across the patio. The moment their eyes connected, a playful glint flickered in his. His smile softened, turning into that cheeky grin she was beginning to recognize. He said something to the girls that made them all laugh again, and then, with a quick apology, excused himself from the group.

Y/N’s heart gave a little jump as she saw him walking towards her, the confidence in his stride obvious as he crossed the patio. When he reached her, he didn’t sit right away. Instead, he leaned forward, his arms resting on the back of her lounger, his face close enough that she could catch the faint scent of the sea on his skin.

“Morning,” he said, his voice smooth, that smirk never leaving his lips. “Didn’t expect to catch you staring.”

Y/N let out a soft laugh, raising an eyebrow. “Staring? I was just observing… thought I’d get a better sense of what all the fuss is about.”

He chuckled, settling himself on the edge of her lounger without breaking eye contact. “Ah, so you were curious, then. Good to know I’ve got your attention, even if just a little.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she replied, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. “I was just checking to see if you were actually as charming as you think you are.”

He tilted his head, feigning contemplation. “And? What’s the verdict, then?”

She shrugged, pretending to consider it. “I think it’s too early to tell. But I’ll let you know if you manage to impress me.”

Harry leaned back, grinning. “Challenge accepted. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t come over here to see if I could learn a bit more about you too.”

“Oh, really?” she teased, crossing her arms as she watched him. “So, the big mystery man’s got questions?”

“Maybe one or two.” His gaze softened, the playful edge giving way to a hint of sincerity. “Like, what exactly is a girl like you looking for in here?”

She held his gaze, considering her answer for a moment. “Honestly, someone genuine,” she said, her tone earnest. “It’s easy to get caught up in all the surface stuff, but I’m hoping to find something real. Something that lasts.”

He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Right. Thought I’d take a risk, try something new.” His voice softened, a touch of vulnerability creeping in. “Been a while since I let anyone in.”

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. She felt a spark, a warmth that hadn’t been there before, and she knew he felt it too.

“Alright then, Harry the risk-taker,” she said, breaking the silence with a playful smile. “Let’s see if you’re as good as you say.”

Harry’s cheeky grin returned, the playfulness back in his eyes. “Oh, you’ve got no idea what I’m capable of, Y/N.”

Looks like Y/N’s little morning coffee break has turned into something a bit more steamy than she bargained for. With Tom on edge and Harry moving in, she may have her hands full. So, who’s in it for the long haul? Stay tuned.

[bigwishes]

Transformation Swap

a quick trade with @transformation4life

It had been a while since you had managed to get yourself to the gym and even longer since you were able to go for a dedicated strength training session. You walk into the gym and are instantly greeted by the trainer at the front desk.

"hey man long time no see!"

You become a bit flustered as exactly what you dreaded would happen came to pass, he recognised you and recognised you had taken a few weeks off.

"haha yeah, I've been really busy and don't really have time" You awkwardly stumble over your words as you try not to get distracted by the trainers arms filling out his shirt.

A moment passes and you realise the trainer was staring at you with one raised eye brow and it suddenly hits you that he had asked you a question that you didn't hear.

"eer, yeah! haha" you smile and laugh nervously trying to play it off like you understood what he was saying.

"great!" the trainer quickly ducked under the desk and came back up a moment later with a shiny golden key card, "that should help you get in the gym at night"

You take the card from his hand and let out a small sigh of relief that it was just a night access card and you hadn't accidentally agreed to some weight lifting classes. Looking at the card it was a bright gold with the black silhouette of a bodybuilder doing a double bicep pose. On the back was a back code and nothing else. Nothing too out of the ordinary.

You thank the trainer and make your way to the scan in terminal, as you pull out your regular white scan card the trainer quickly calls out to you to scan your new card so he can set it up for access. Fumbling your bag in your hands you swap the cards back and scan your way in with the new card. The terminal light flashed green and you walked through the steel gate. As you left the lobby area your body began to feel warm, like someone had put the heating on in the gym.

walking over to the bag rack you take your hoodie off and put your bag away as go off to start your workout. Working out your body begins to feel warmer and warmer, with each rep your muscles feel more and more exhausted and pumped up with blood, your skin feels tight and rubs against your clothes. You didn't think about it much at first but as you continued to workout you felt uncomfortable as your clothes got tighter and tighter. Your biceps felt like they were about to split through your shirt and then you saw yourself in the mirror.

At first you didn't even know it was you, your clothes now skin tight and muscles huge. You took a moment to flex your bicep when it split straight through your sleeve.

"ah fuck"

leaning across yourself with your other arm to check how bad the tear was you heard a much louder tearing noise and felt the fabric split across your back, if you weren't careful you'd bust out of your clothes in the middle of the gym.

Making your way to the gym lost and found you find a 6XL tank top and shorts, no way it will fit you but its better than what you are currently wearing and you just need something to get out of here and get back to your car.

Slipping on the loose clothing your muscles feel tighter and tighter by the second. At one point you were sure the skin around your biceps was about to split open. Moving started to feel like a chore as it began to feel like something was weighing you down, like you were trying to pull a car that had been piled onto your back.

As you make your way back out into the weights room you hear yourself taking deep heavy breaths, it takes a few seconds to fully inflate your lungs and the clothes begin to feel tight again. You stop and lean against a bench to catch your breath, looking up you see yourself in the mirror....could it really be you...

"fuck...how'd I get so....big" you struggle to say between gasps of air trying to catch your breath.

Almost automatically you began posing , you could feel your muscle wasn't done expanding as the tightness continued to get worse in your body. You moan as you flex trying to ignore the ever stretching discomfort as your body expanded even more. You could hear the fibres in the tank top barely holding together and you tried to take it off. You looked stupid desperately trying to lift the tank top up and off your body as your huge muscles collided and the fabric got stuck on your pecs. Finally you were able to slip it off and you stood in the mirror panting, your chest heaving up and down filling with oxygen making your frame impressively wider for a few seconds with each breath.

A wave of pain washed over you as you felt blood desperately try to get into your muscles to support their colossal size. Veins appeared all over your body visibly pumping, they then began to appear on your forehead and temples, you grimaced in pain rubbing your temples trying to ease the headache but it was starting to become hard to think...

You looked at yourself in the mirror you were big, you came here....to get big....yes, big and get big....big...get big....

You took a few steps forward to the dumbbell rack, already panting again from the amount of effort it was to move your massive frame. You picked up the largest dumbbells you could see as the numbers didn't make sense and you began lifting.

As you curled you felt the pleasure of your muscles pumping with size, as you panted to keep your breath your fat tongue fell out of your mouth slightly without you even noticing....be big....get big....big...big....big....big...

the only word you could make out in your mind

and the gym claims another gold member....

[p0orbaby]

A Girl Consumed by Fire

summary: or the five times alexia kisses you in private and the one time she doesn’t care who sees anymore

warnings: a little suggestive at points but you’ll live, injury

a/n: yeah i know this trope has been rinsed to death. but do i care? absolutely bloody not

word count: 3.3k

-

Things between you and Alexia had always been, charged, so to speak.

Even on your first day you felt it. There was a static in the air when you were greeted at the gates. The corridors of Joan Gamper buzzed with, something.

You chalked it down to excitement. Why wouldn’t you? Your first day at a shiny new club with the prospect of winning lots of shiny trophies with the best players in the world. To not be excited would be offensive.

But it was when you saw her up close and personal for the first time that you understood what was going on. All she did was walk out of a meeting room, but the world seemed to pause in its tracks just for her. Her presence was suffocating in the best way, her stare intense as her eyes met yours briefly before she smiled and continued down the hall.

And that was that. Love at first sight you ask? Of course not..!

1.

The band snaps 26 days into your contract.

You’re both sweaty and tired and alone.

Like after all sessions, the changing room is filled with the lingering scent of hard work and the faint hum of the overhead lights. You’re bent over, hands on your knees, catching your breath as the other players filter out, chattering about their plans for the evening, you think. You haven’t quite grasped the language yet.

Alexia on the other hand had stayed behind to work on a few extra drills, just like you had.

Perhaps it was subconscious on your part, staying later than you needed to. But the only plans you tended to have after work included either going home or walking off the lust that had bubbled through your chest whenever she kicked a ball.

You now know the footprint of Barcelona extremely well.

“Good work today,” she says, her voice low and a little husky from running around for three hours.

“Thanks, you too,” you reply, flashing her a tired smile as you straighten up and peel off your shirt, revealing your sports bra underneath. The cool air feels refreshing against your damp skin.

Spain is so fucking hot.

Then, like a game of chess, she makes her move.

She takes a step closer to you. A timid one at first as she scans the room to make sure the two of you are truly alone. There’s a tension in the air, a palpable electricity that seems to crackle between you as she locks her eyes with yours.

You’re not sure who moves next, but suddenly she’s right in front of you, standing tall and strong and oh so pretty above you. She reaches out, her fingers brushing against your arm, sending a lightning bolt of electricity dancing across your skin. Her touch is soft, almost hesitant, but there’s a boldness behind it that almost makes your knees buckle.

Before you can fully process what’s happening, Alexia leans in, her breath warm and quick against your skin. Then, she closes the gap, capturing your mouth in a quick, feather light kiss. It’s sudden and unexpected, and for a moment, you’re too stunned to react. Her lips are soft, tasting faintly of salt and the raspberry electrolyte drink she chungs between sets.

She pulls back just as quickly, her green eyes wide, searching yours for a reaction. There’s a mischievous smile tugging at her features, a rosiness in her cheeks that wasn’t there before.

“Eso es lo que pasa cuando te desnudas delante de mí,” she says, and you think she’s teasing you by the playful lilt on her voice. Or it’s just her beautiful Spanish accent. You really can’t tell.

For a moment, you’re speechless, your heart practically pounding out of your chest. The changing room feels both too small and impossibly vast at the same time, the air thick with the beginning of something you're too scared to think about in fear of it shattering in your hands.

You finally manage to find your voice, though the words come out sticky.“I-, I have no idea what you just said”

Alexia chuckles softly, the sound sending another shiver down your spine. She steps back, giving you one last lingering look before she turns to head for the showers. “See you tomorrow,” she calls over her shoulder, her voice echoing slightly in the empty room.

You’re left standing there, your mind in the clouds, replaying the moment over and over again. The kiss was cursory, but it’s burned into your memory. You touch your lips, still feeling the warmth of hers, and a smile creeps onto your face.

2.

Phone, jacket, headphones, backpack.

All present and-, wait. Where’s your backpack?

“Where the fuck has that gone then?” You mutter to yourself as you check under your seat. The seat in front. Your overhead. And under your seat again to make sure you’ve not gone crazy.

As you suspected, you hadn’t. It isn’t there. This is really not the time.

“Todo bien?” Comes a very familiar, very sudden voice from the front of the bus however long later.

It startles you, enough that you end up banging your head on the underside of a table.

“Hi, Ale” you say between wincing and rubbing the bruise forming on the back of your skull, “everything’s fine”

“You are on the bus, no?”

You sigh, shaking your head as you peer out from your crouching position. “I can’t find my bag. I must’ve shoved it under the seat, but it’s not here”

She abandons her own bag before striding your way and drops down beside you. “I help you to look” she says with a smile so warm it could melt the ice caps in an afternoon.

The bus is quiet now with the two of you silent and occupied with the task at hand. Though it’s a type of quiet you’re comfortable with. One that doesn’t need to be filled with small talk or waffle or the awkward cleaning of throats.

You’re about to give up until finally Alexia spots your bag wedged between a seat and the wall.

“Lo encontré,” she says, pulling it out and holding it straight out in front of her. Frowning as she notices how covered in dust it now is.

You briefly wonder if she will be having words with the bus maintenance staff.

Regardless, relief floods through you as you take the bag from her. “I’m going to kill those fucking kids”. She looks at you with her eyebrows raised and that smirk she saves for when she pretends she's not listening to you and Mapi arguing. “I mean, thank you Ale”

“No te estreses. Tus espinilleras de la suerte están a salvo”

“I know I know. I’m trying” you reply, bashful that she knows about your scabby old kit and your weird little traditions.

She grabs your chin then, her large hand lifting your head so you can look at her. “Esfuérzate más” she commands before she ducks her head and attaches her lips to yours.

It’s quicker than before, if at all possible. But the intent behind it so much different. Like a balm healing your wounds rather than a stoker provoking a flame.

“¿Mejor?” She asks when she fully retreats.

“Better” you repeat because you are. You so are.

3.

You feel like you’re having an affair. It has the factors of one, at least.

Whispered calls when at your respective international camps, stolen glances during meetings, and now, these secretive moments together. It’s early in the morning at the gym, the sun just beginning to rise, its soft glow painting itself over the equipment.

You’re both here early to avoid the rush, but also to steal a few moments alone. The air is filled with the faint buzz of the HVAC system, the occasional clink of weights, and your own rapid heartbeat. Alexia finishes her set and looks over at you, her eyes filled with an unspoken yet very obvious question.

You nod subtly, understanding her without words. She approaches you, and without preamble, takes your hand and leads you to a secluded corner of the gym, hidden from view by the array of machines and weights.

She turns to you, her eyes scanning your face, searching for any hesitation. Finding none, she steps closer, her lips finding yours in a kiss that’s urgent and full of quashed emotion. Rife with the risk and thrill of being caught.

“He estado pensando en ti toda la noche,” she admits between kisses, and you whimper into her mouth.

You had your first official date the evening before. A dimly lit Asian restaurant in a quiet corner of the city. Lingering touches under the table. Her nose running against the angles of your jaw as she holds back her urges on the pavement outside.

You had been thinking about her all night too.

Her hands move to your waist, pulling you closer, and you respond in kind, your arms wrapping around her shoulders. The gym’s early morning quiet makes the moment feel even more intimate, as if the world outside has ceased to exist.

“I can’t get enough of you,” you breathe out, breaking the kiss for a moment to look into her eyes. They’re almost black, hungry, impatient to get what she wants. And you’re happy to give it to her.

“Pues no lo hagas” she replies, her voice raw and filled with desire. She kisses you again, deeper this time, her hands roaming over the expanse of your back. Sweat be damned as her fingers breach the hem of your top to trace over tacky skin.

You groan into her mouth, feeling her touch ignite a raging fire inside you. Her hands slide up, pulling you even closer, the kiss growing more desperate. Her breath is hot against your skin as her lips move down your jaw, then your neck.

“Alexia,” you gasp, your hands gripping her tighter, nails leaving crescent moons in her skin as they dig into her shoulders. She looks up at you from under her lashes, her eyes filled with the same aching need you feel.

But just as you’re about to give yourselves to each other completely, a noise from the entrance makes you both jump. You pull apart, breathless and wide-eyed, turning to see one of the training staff walking in, clearly shocked to find people in here so early.

“Uh, no esperaba a nadie aquí todavía”, he stammers, looking between the two of you suspiciously.

“Sólo estábamos... entrenando un poco más...,” Alexia says quickly, shakily, as she tries to regain some semblance of composure.

“Right,” you add, trying to steady your own breathing and smooth the creases Alexia has created on your clothes. “Early bird and all that”

Rafael nods slowly, still looking very slightly puzzled. Your English idioms flying straight over his head. “Bueno, entonces iré a prepararme. Disculpadme”

As he walks away, you and Alexia share a look, adrenaline still thrumming painfully through you. You’re transported back to your teenage years, hiding things from your parents. Giggling about all things relationships with your friends at the dinner table at lunch.

“¿Más tarde?,” she asks, fiddling with the bottom of your shirt.

“Definitely,” you reply, giving her a kiss on her lust bitten cheek before you both return to your routines. Always making sure there was blonde hair in your periphery.

4.

The trip had been a welcome break from the relentless pace of the season. The team had earned a couple days respite, and the serene coastal town of Cadaqués provided the perfect escape. Now, you find yourself on the balcony of the hotel room, the ocean waves crashing softly in the distance. The evening air is cool, carrying the salty scent of the sea.

You’re both sitting side by side, the balcony’s small table cluttered with the remains of your dinner. Alexia’s hand is resting on the armrest of your chair, her fingers just grazing yours.

“I can’t believe how peaceful it is here,” you say, breaking the comfortable silence. Leaning your head back to bask in the remainder of the sun.

Alexia turns to you, a soft smile on her lips. A smile saved just for you, you’ve learnt. Well you and her precious trophies, but that’s by the by. “Sí, lo sé. Es bueno... respirar”

You nod in agreement, your eyes drifting out to the horizon where the sky is painted in hues of pink and orange. Mesmerised by the boats rocking on the water. You wonder if Ale would ever be up to sailing one herself.

The conversation flows easily enough, touching on everything from the match preparations to the local cuisine. It’s comfortable, natural, the kind of exchange that happens between two people who know each other well.

“Voy a tomar una copa,” Alexia says after a while, standing up and stretching. “¿Quieres algo?”

“Surprise me,” you reply.

As she heads inside, she pauses to lean down and press a quick, tender kiss to your waiting lips. It’s effortless, an instinctive expression of affection that has become part of your routine. Woven into the fabric of your relationship, never to be unpicked.

“Volveré,” she says with a smile before disappearing into the room.

You sit back, a content smile on your face, listening to the sounds of the evening. It’s moments like these, simple and unforced, that make everything feel as though this is exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Alexia returns a few minutes later with a can of coke for you and a water for herself. She hands you the can and sits back down, her shoulder brushing against yours.

5.

Cotidie morimur, we die every day. It’s dramatic but today it has shown to be true.

Alexia scoffed when you recited it to her, but you have a right to be frustrated. And frustrated you’ll be for however long your body takes to heal.

You’re sidelined for weeks, maybe longer, and the reality of it all hits you hard. The doctors have diagnosed it as a torn Semimembranosus. Otherwise known as a really fucking bad hamstring strain. And the limitations on your movement are a constant reminder that you can no longer do for what you are paid.

Alexia has been by your side through it all, a constant steadfast presence of comfort and support. Now, she’s helping you in the bathroom, her bathroom, her movements careful and tender as she assists you into the shower. The water is warm, cascading over your skin, but it does little to soothe the ache in your heart.

“Let me help,” Alexia says softly, her voice breaking the silence. She speaks in English because she knows you’re far too overwhelmed to translate what she is saying. She is too good for you.

You nod, too exhausted, too emotional to speak. She takes the soap and gently lathers it over your shoulders, her movements light and careful around your sore muscles. You can’t hold back the tears anymore, and they join forces with the water running down your face.

“I know it is hard,” she murmurs, her voice thick with easy empathy as she washes your back. “But you will get through this. We will get through this”

You sniffle, trying to keep the sobs at bay, but you fail miserably. Your throat closes the more you try to push the tears back to where they came from. “I feel so useless”

She turns you gently to face her, her eyes searching yours through the water droplets clinging to her own lashes. “You are not useless. You are strong. This… this is just a moment. It will pass”

The sincerity in her eyes is your undoing. The tears come harder now, and Alexia pulls you into a careful embrace, mindful of your half broken body. She presses a soft kiss to your forehead, then your cheek, her lips warm and reassuring as you stand there trembling in her arms.

“Estoy aquí,” she whispers against your skin. “I am here”

Her words are an outstretched hand, grounding you as you let the emotions run their course. She continues to help you wash, her touch gentle and comforting as she cleanses you. When the sobs finally subside, she leans in and kisses you softly, her lips tender against yours.

She is apologising through her actions as though she is to blame.

You cling to her, the kiss a salve to your wounded spirit. It’s a promise, a reminder that you’re not alone in this. As the water continues to fall around you, Alexia stands tall, strong, steady. Making up for the slouch in your shoulders and the bump in your road.

“Thank you,” you whisper into her collarbones when the kiss ends, your voice unstable as if it does not trust itself to do its job.

She smiles, brushing a damp strand of hair from your face. “Always, mi amor. We will get through this together”

1.

D Day.

Your first game back after the injury. You feel like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The atmosphere in the stadium is electric as always, and you can feel the energy of the crowd pulsing through you as you step out of the tunnel. Every cheer, every chant feels like a victory in itself.

The game has already been secured, your team leading with a comfortable three goal cushion coming up to the final ten minutes of the game.

The subs board goes up when the ball goes out of play. Aitana’s number for yours. Your cue. Your heart leaps out of your chest when you step up to the touchline.

As discussed the weeks leading up to this moment, Jona thought it best to ease you back in, giving you the last few minutes to get a feel for the field again. It’s a calculated move, a chance for you to shake off the rust without any pressure.

And you didn't. You had fun. You felt fresh and new and ready to take on the world.

As the final whistle blows, signaling the end of the match, a wave of relief and triumph washes over you.

You’ve made it. You’re back.

The cheers of the fans fill the air, but nothing compares to the sight of Alexia running towards you, her face flushed and sweaty and happy. She reaches you, and before you can say anything, she pulls you into a tight hold.

“Estoy tan orgullosa de ti,” she whispers fiercely, her voice so full of pride it makes tears prick at the corners of your eyes.

Happy tears this time though. You don’t think you’ve got any sad ones left.

“Thank you,” you manage to reply, the words barely escaping your lips before her mouth is on yours.

The kiss is spontaneous, a crude outpouring of emotion that catches you off guard. It’s fierce, passionate, and utterly uninhibited. For a moment, the world around you fades away. There’s only Alexia, her lips on yours, her hands gripping at your shirt like she never wants to let you go.

Somewhere in the distance you hear the flurry of chears and gasps from the crowd, but neither of you pay it any mind. This moment is yours, a testament to everything you’ve endured and overcome together. When you finally pull back, her eyes are shining with her own unshed tears.

“Te quiero,” she says, her voice steady despite the tumultuous fire coursing through her. The shake of her hands. How she tiredly leans into you. You are Icarus and she is the sun.

“I love you too,” you reply, feeling a warmth spread through your chest. Your pain finally thawed.

Your teammates swarm around you both, their hails and congratulations mirroring those coming from the sea of Blaugrana in the stands. Mapi claps you on the back, grinning like a cat who has just got the cream. “¡Vaya beso! Now that’s how you make a comeback”

You laugh, the sound bubbling up from deep inside you, unable to be contained. The team forms a circle around you, and for a moment, you stand at the center of it all with Alexia by your side, feeling more loved and supported than you ever have before.

[superblysubpar]

<- part one | part three -> | series masterlist

chapter summary: The week of the bet begins with a bang.

the song: Bodybag by chloe moriondo

also for your listening pleasure: Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran / The Girl is Mine by Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney / I Can't Go For That by Daryl Hall & John Oates

4,024 words | please see masterlist for gen warnings / underage alcohol consumption & mentions / slut shaming from idiot/asshole teens | my blog is 18+

A house on Cornwallis Street - the past

The beat from the drums in the Duran Duran song playing throbbed, the speakers physically pulsing as you passed them. Your heels stuck to the kitchen tiles as you entered the room that had been your sanctuary for the past hour. Once the beer had been moved to the living room and the chip bowls thoroughly destroyed, the sticky vodka bottles and punch that looked like something died in it weren’t visited as frequently as they had been at the start of the night. 

So it was there, forearms pressed to the edge of the sink as you lifted a foot and rolled your ankle, then the next, with a soft and maybe too sensual sigh of relief, that Steve Harrington finally caught you alone. 

“New shoes?”

You spun, forgetting the teeny tiny sticks beneath your heels didn’t really care for quick movements or aiding in the process of balancing. 

He caught your forearm, fingers curled around your wrist as you settled. Like he was reminded he wasn’t supposed to like you, he dropped it, fingers running through the darkening hair he was keeping longer now instead as you lied. 

“No.”

Steve squinted at you, taking a sip out of red cup, mumbling into the plastic with a snort, “Sure.”

Your arms crossed, now acutely aware of the fact that the entire outfit you’d been in all night was much more revealing than anything you’d worn around him before. Eyes focused on the denim cut off a little too high on your thighs and the sliver of skin between the top of the mini skirt and your borrowed pink top as you accused, “What are you doing here?”

Steve took a step closer, white Adidas kicking a forgotten red solo cup as he did. 

“Funny,” he clicked his tongue to the roof of his mouth, “Was just about to ask you the same thing.”

As you glanced up, you couldn’t help but notice the dark blue of his polo was starting to get tight around his shoulders and biceps.

Couldn’t help but look at his eyes that were unwavering in their gaze on you. Which all only made your skin hot, made you need to look away and pretend you were looking for something on the counter littered in trash. 

“Where else would I be, Harrington?” 

Steve was right behind you as he hummed, “Anywhere else. Literally, anywhere but a house party.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You spun with the biting accusation, the little black heels now your arch nemesis as they wobbled beneath unsteady ankles again. Steve caught your waist that time, bodies closer together as you fell back against the counter. 

He didn’t let go, his finger resting just above the denim, right against your skin. 

“It means,” he swallowed, exhaling a shaky breath as he leaned in and explained, voice taking on a tone that seemed like he was quoting something. Or someone. “That I thought you were better than stale beer and shitty conversation with idiots.”

A flash of an argument with your friend Robin in the hallway ghosted across your memory, making your lips part, but only a small noise escaped them. 

The movement and sound had Steve’s eyes glancing down, his adams apple bobbing. It had him squeeze at your hip involuntarily, had you wondering if it was possible for skin to spontaneously catch on fire. 

“I love beer,” you finally managed to sputter out while wondering if he always had those two freckles on his cheek and if he did, why could you suddenly not look away from them as they lifted with his smirk. 

“Yeah?” He offered his cup out to you, “Have at it, honey.”

Maybe it was the challenge in his eyes. Or that word, honey, that made you do it - made you aware of how close you were to the boy you’d always hated and how he wasn’t the one you came with. 

You took the cup and kept eye contact as the rim met your lips, kept it while the bitter liquid washed over your tongue. You kept it still, as you wondered if it was the color of his eyes or the alcohol that had your stomach warm and fizzing with something abnormal. 

“For the record,” you whispered after your fingers swiped at your lips, “I do hate shitty conversation with idiots. I came in here for a drink for my boyfriend.”

Steve blinked, like he hadn’t heard anything you’d said since you took the cup from him and that wonderful pride swelled in your chest with the thought that you’d successfully gotten the ball back to your side of the court. 

You cocked your head and blinked innocent eyes up at him, “Brenden Peterson? Junior? I think you’re on the basketball team with him…or well…” you winced, “You’re on the bench of the team he plays for…”

Steve’s hand dropped from your waist as boisterous calls came from the other room, shouting about spin the bottle. Tina’s voice carried over the music that dulled to something quieter, Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney singing about loving the same girl. Your name called in her shrill squeal, asking if you were playing. 

“Absolutely!” You yelled, still too close to Steve, “I love spin the bottle!”

You were sure it was the beer on your tongue that made the words slip over it, then out of cherry glossed lips so easily. 

Not the way Steve Harrington was looking at you. That had nothing to do with it. 

Nothing at all. 

Steve finally made a noise, scoffing as you shimmied out from his spot keeping you against the counter, wandering closer to the rowdy boys cheering at your agreeability to the suggested game. 

His jaw pulsed as you sipped out of the solo cup and made eye contact with him over the rim. He hated that something deep in his biology or wherever it came from had him suddenly panicked he’d pop a boner when your tongue darted out to catch amber liquid and foam from a pouted bottom lip. 

He hated that he followed you into that room. 

That he sat across from you in that circle. 

He hated what happened next. 

You were looking around the room, eyebrows furrowed together as a girl named Carol patted the carpet next to her and told you to sit. Brendan wasn’t in the room and as you looked around the circle, you caught Steve looking right at you with a challenge in his eyes not unsimilar to the one you just had in the kitchen. 

So you leaned forward and yelled, “Me first!” 

The circle ooh’ed, Steve looked anywhere but your chest as you crawled to the center and your fingers spun the green bottle. 

You were settled on your knees, blinking down at the slowing bottle and silently screaming for it to keep spinning, keep spinning, keep…

Carol yelled out an “Oh La La!” and boys snickered as the green bottle finally stopped right between Steve Harrington and Tommy H. 

“I-I just spin again, right?” You went to do so, panicking as Tina laughed from somewhere on your right. 

“Nope! Gotta kiss both boys!” 

“But I-“

“Oh, come on!” Carol moaned, snickering, “It’s just a kiss! Or two!”

You hesitated, hating the way Tommy grinned at you and Steve continued to stare at the carpet. 

“Wait,” someone in the circle laughed, “You’ve kissed a guy before, right?”

Another person whispered, “Dude, that’s Brendan’s latest conquest. The one who…in the back of his…”

Your vision got a little blurry, the room suddenly too warm.

“Come on, I don’t bite,” Tommy shrugged, lifting his eyebrows up and smirking. “Unless you want me to.”

Steve’s fingers clenched into fists on his knees, he finally looked up at you and whispered, “You don’t have to-“

His words were cut off as you grabbed Tommy’s collar and pulled him towards you. Lips colliding in a kiss that made the circle cheer, wet lips and tongue and you pulled away with a gasp. Grabbing at Steve who looked shocked but his hand landed on your waist as your noses bumped. 

You took a deep breath, your eyelids started to flutter closed when you heard, “What do we have here?”

Brendan stood to the side of the circle, a tilted head of mussed blond hair. He laughed as he gestured to the circle, “Wow, you really will just do whatever guys ask you to, huh?”

Looking around the circle, everyone snickered into drinks or looked at you then Brendan, waiting for more of the show. 

“I-“

“You what?” Brendan interrupted, eliciting more laughs and your eyes started to burn, cheeks too hot when Brendan nodded at Steve and scoffed,

“Enjoy my sloppy seconds.”

A tear rolled down your cheek and when Tommy started to laugh, “Oh no, she’s cry-“

Steve elbowed him and whispered your name.

You shoved at him and stood, ready to bolt, when you saw the girl standing just behind Brendan with the purple mark blossoming on her neck.

Your jaw clenched as you took a step, then another, Brendan too focused on laughing at you with his buddies to care until he was doused in beer. 

The music stopped, the circle fell silent, and Brendan blinked through foam, swiping at his eyes as he growled, “What the fu-“

“Enjoy continuing to fail freshman level biology, getting kicked off the basketball team, and going absolutely fucking nowhere in your life, Brendan.”

You threw the crumpled red solo cup at his face as you tried to leave the room with some ounce of grace on the stupid heels you couldn’t wait to never see again. 

The slam of the front door behind you rattled the framed photos inside as much as the sob in your lungs did to your breath. Your fingers pressed to your lips as you blinked back the hot tears that wanted to pour out of you. 

“Hey,” a quiet voice from your left called, “You okay?”

A boy was leaning on his elbows in the grass, curly brown hair that was a little too long catching in the breeze, a lit cigarette dangling between his lips. He looked familiar, like you’d seen him in the back of the band room or somewhere in the first few months at Hawkins High. 

He looked you over and shook his head with a grimace, “Yeah, no, that’s not an okay face.”

“I’m fi-fine,” you managed to hiccup out. 

“Well, fine,” he groaned like a person much older than the boy he was as he stood, “I’m Eddie. Nice to meet you.”

A laugh left you, despite the tears still trailing down your cheeks. You swiped at them and told him your actual name. 

Eddie nodded and twisted the toe of a black boot into the cigarette now on the ground. “Still nice to meet you, but far less cool and interesting of a name than ‘Fine’ if you ask me.”

“It was nice to meet you too, Eddie,” you waved a little, hugged your arms around yourself and started down the driveway, only stopping to kick off your black heels and leave them in the grass. As you began again, now barefoot, his voice carried on the early autumn breeze. 

“Hey, Fine!” 

He grinned when you turned, and he held up his hands in surrender as he spoke. “Tell me to fuck off, but whatever just happened inside is not worth your time or energy, but you know what is?”

You sighed, and waved your hand towards him, “I suppose you’re gonna tell me yourself?”

He beamed and held a hand to his chest covered in some sort of skull and snake design, “Well, that probably remains to be seen. I do have a whole presentation on the value of having a Munson for a friend, but, nah, I was gonna say cherry pie.”

That laugh left you again, and Eddie only smiled wider at the sound, a dimple poking out on his cheek. 

You looked at him, then the house behind him, then down at the heels in the grass. 

“Can we stop and get me new shoes?”

“Can we…?” Eddie looked at you incredulously, “Sweetheart, I wouldn’t think of bringing you to get cherry pie without sneakers on your feet.”

He waved to a van a few cars down the street, bowing, “Your chariot awaits, ma’lady.”

By the time Steve got outside, bruised and bloody knuckles hung limply at his sides as he watched a van round the corner of his street, then disappear. 

A house on Cornwallis Street - the present

His fingers press the top of the alarm clock at precisely five fifty-nine am on Monday morning, the red glow of clock telling him he’s up too early yet again. 

He doesn’t drive Robin to school anymore, he doesn’t have to be at work till nine thirty, but he’s kind of used to his routine now.

And it’s not like he was sleeping anyways. 

His old Hawkins High swim team t-shirt slips over his head as he sighs, hands rubbing and slapping at his cheeks as he thinks about how he hasn’t really slept all weekend. He’s lacing his sneakers up as he thinks about how he definitely didn’t sleep on Friday. 

Not after he let you inside, and you smiled at him like that. After he yelled about how this wasn’t a fair bet and how Eddie upped the stakes to three hundred dollars then, the ‘arch nemesis’ clause as he put it. 

He holds his ankle in the driveway, pulling his leg up and stretching it, then the other, glaring at the red sign on the front lawn in the hazy morning sun beginning to rise. He starts down the sidewalk, but sees the house on the corner and decides that after an entire weekend of revisiting memory lane, he doesn’t need to physically go down the literal lane of his past mistakes and regrets. 

His feet thump on the ground in time with the Duran Duran song playing in his walkman. 

Family Video - the present

Daryl Hall and John Oates voices abruptly stop when you slam the stop button on your walkman due to the sight in front of you. 

Your feet straddle the baby blue bike, docs pressed to the pavement as you glare at the maroon car idling in the parking lot. 

He has his head leaned back against the head rest, eyes closed. His arms are crossed over the green vest while Tears for Fears plays out the open window quietly. 

Pulling your headphones down around your neck, you slam your hand on the hood of his car and Steve jumps in his seat, blinking profusely and swiping at his eyes before he glares at you.

“What are you doing here?” You accuse, fingers gripping your handlebars.

Steve rolls his eyes then his window up. He yanks his keys from the ignition, the sudden loss of the vehicles noises making the cicadas and frogs in the pond across the street louder. 

He gets out and squints at you as he slams the door. 

“Cute helmet.”

You quickly snap it off, cheeks warming as you shove your bike lock into a wheel and glare at him from your new crouched position. 

“Again,” you snap the lock closed, “Why are you here?”

Steve sighs, leaning against the storefront’s window. “We open at ten, do we not?”

“We,” you laughed, sticking your key into the front door with the shake of your head, “Don’t do anything. You work in the afternoon all week. With Robin. I’m alone in the mornings until we-“

“Find a replacement for Tracy. Yeah,” Steve bites the inside of his cheek, pointing his finger like he’s just remembered something, “Keith said something about that. But, well, I volunteered for extra shifts, to help out while we’re short staffed for summer.”

You pull the key from the lock and narrow your eyes. “You what?”

Steve smiles at you, freckles on his cheek lifting as he shows off perfect teeth. “What can I say, I’m just a nice guy.”

You actually yell out a, “Ha!” with your head thrown back as you open the front door, not caring to hold it open for him. 

“You…you…” you stomp towards the back room as you search for the right words, “Slimy, sneaky…”

“Sexy?” Steve provides, following you.

“No.” You spin with the word, not expecting him to be so close behind you.

He stops just as abruptly as you, face mere centimeters from yours, both of you having the cover of the slow to buzz on overhead lights to steal breaths and find your composure once more. 

Steve sighs, walking past you towards the wall where time cards are kept. “Listen, if it’s actually that terrible to work with me, I can call Keith again. But I really would appreciate the extra shifts.”

You hang your helmet on a hook and push your own card into the machine, skepticism evident in your voice as you ask, “You need the extra shifts?”

Steve faces your profile, and you feel his gaze lingering on your cheek as he whispers, “Well, yeah. I’m about to be out three hundred dollars in a week.”

Turning to face him, you finally take in his appearance. The sincere look in his eyes is almost overshadowed by the circles under them, the frown of his pink lips almost forgotten due to the stubble surrounding them that’s not normally there. 

Your silence seems to mean something to him though, because the frown becomes a smirk, and his head tilts as he asks, “Or am I not?”

“Not what?” 

His smirk becomes a full smile, “Not gonna be out three hundred bucks. See something you like, babe?”

And just like that, it’s gone. 

Your eyes roll as your shoulder bumps his on the way to the coffee pot.

“In your dreams, Harrington.”

He watches you press start on the coffee, sitting on top of the break rooms table with crossed arms over a plain blue t-shirt. 

“Bet you’d like that.”

You fiddle with the cream you’ve pulled out of the fridge, the clipboard of tasks Keith left for the week. “What’s that supposed to mean?” You ask, keeping your tone bored, willing the minutes of this day to go by faster. 

Steve’s voice is quieter, and closer to you as he says, “If I dreamt about you.”

Spinning at his words, cream canister in one hand, coffee mug in the other almost colliding with his chest. You blink at him as he continues, “Bet you’d like it even more if I told you what we did in those dreams.”

Your back hits the counter, not realizing Steve took a step closer as he spoke and there was nowhere for you to avoid how good he smelled or how what he was saying was making you sure there was something wrong with your stomach. Nowhere to avoid the eyes that look at you unashamed, and you could swear dare to seem hopeful. 

Until he’s grinning, like he knows exactly what he’s doing. 

And doesn’t he?

Steve taps the counter behind you twice with two of his fingers and hums. 

“On second thought, maybe you should take my afternoon shifts. Looks like I’m not the one who’s gonna be needing the extra cash after all.”

He leaves, whistling a song you can’t quite place, but it itches at your skin, demanding to be felt like the burn of his words left on your cheeks. 

You shake your head, and fix your coffee. This is not happening. Despite Robin and Eddie vouching for the new and improved Harrington, you will never, ever, believe it. 

You will never let him win. 

Especially after the first morning shift with him. 

When the store opens at ten, there are three cars in the lot already, families stocking up on weekly rentals. Kids are in and out, shouting about candy and horror movie marathons. Steve and you are both behind the counter for most of the shift dealing with returns and large purchases, arms bumping too many times to count. It’s when his hands land on your hips as you threaten to topple over with the stack of tapes you were desperate to get out on the shelves in the lull, that you both notice you’re finally alone again for the first time in four hours. 

Steve’s breath hits your neck, making you even warmer with a murmured, “You’re welcome,” when you gasp out a thanks. He drops his hands quickly and squints up at the ceiling, then out the front doors. 

The sky has turned darker, gray and gloomy, and you wouldn’t be surprised if a typical summer thunderstorm was rolling in. 

Steve leans against the counter, the back of his hand swiping through his hair as the other fiddles with the TV remote. He turns off The Breakfast Club, switching to a cable station. You keep your back to him as he’s surely staring at the news anchor’s chest that most men in Hawkins want to suffocate in, until he mutters, “Knew it.”

“That Lucy Lebrock’s boobs were fake?” You mumble, stacking tapes.

Steve snorts out a laugh and then he gasps, standing up straighter, “Holy shit. Are they really?”

“Honestly, Harrington, look at them.” You spin and gesture to the TV and whisper, “Oh, fuck.”

“I know,” Steve nods, biting the inside of his lip as he glances out the store windows again. 

Lucy points to a map showing a massive storm inching closer to Hawkins, red banner announcing a tornado watch for surrounding areas. 

Steve and you continue to watch, leaning against the counter next to each other in silence as Lucy tells everyone about tornado safety. 

“I cannot believe they’re not real. You’re right. I really am an idiot.” Steve’s whisper finally breaks the silence. 

You snort, covering your mouth with your hand, hiding your laugh but your eyes sparkle when he looks at you. 

And then a loud clap of thunder booms overhead, like the universe itself is warning you of what’s happening, of the danger just around the corner. 

Then the power goes out. 

It all happens quickly after that, and yet, each moment lingers, like it’s making sure you’re committing it all to memory. 

There’s a moment where you grab Steve’s arm and he grabs your hip. 

One where you both jump a part, shouting sorry too loud.

There’s another, that threatens to steal your breath when Steve holds his vest over your head as you squint through rain streaming down your face as you lock the front door, the ‘Sorry we’re closed’ sign swinging behind the glass erratically as you inhale cedar and mint.

Then one, that grabs something inside of your chest and squeezes, when you start towards your bike and Steve slips his fingers between yours and tugs, shouting over the rain, “Don’t be stupid!”

There’s several filled with the splashes of your feet in puddles as he tugs you towards the BMW’s passenger side, unlocking it and racing around the hood himself. 

One that’s silent, save for rain pelting the metal roof, and both of your heavy breaths fogging up the glass. 

Then the sirens start going off, Steve’s fingers shake as he starts the car, swiping water from his eyes with the other. 

“My…my apartment. It’s on the other side of…”

Steve shakes his head, backing out carefully as the wipers work faster than what seems possible, and yet they do nothing to aid in his ability to see out the windshield. 

“Honey, you’re crazy if you think I’m taking you anywhere other than my house that has a full basement and an emergency storm kit Robin made me make with her last summer.”

Honey. 

The word lingers, swooshed away with the sound of the wipers and the Duran Duran song that scratches the itch that lingered all morning spilling out of the car’s speakers. It disappears with the spin of tires on the wet pavement as they take you to Cornwallis Street. 

Tag List - thanks for your endless patience and excitement for this and sorry for the delay in posting today 💛

@ash5monster01 @madaboutjoe @foreverinwanderlust @the-fairy-anon @scarletwitchgf

@curlsincriminology @siriuslysmoking @redbarn1995 @starry--sarah @starksbabie

@taccobelle @angst-lasagna @blckburd @crownofdecit @torntaltos

@sanniegirl1214 @yourmommilf

[pretzel-box]

Hi, I hope you're having a wonderful day!! I love your fanfics sm and I wanted to request GN!reader's reaction to Sebastian introducing Painter for the first time to them after a near-death experience caused by them? It can be angsty or not, entirely your choice! :D

Tags: GN! reader, slight comedy

Words: 1,2k

“How long do we have to walk?” your voice piped up after passing a few rooms with Sebastian at your side, which seemed annoyed at the constant question.

“Like I said before…the past 5 times…in the past 10 minutes…It's DOWN THE HALL.” The annoyed tone in his voice was barely something that bothered you, you just secretly believed that Sebastian is a bit short tempered.

The two of you decided to do a quick trip, escaping the boring shop duties and fleeing into the familiar walls of the blackside. At first you thought that it's another of the frequent scavenging runs, looking for stuff to trade against assets but you could only raise an eyebrow at Sebastian who passed a perfectly fine medkid. Meanwhile you stood there, holding your fourth lantern, while the other three were hanging around your arm.

“What the hell are you doing? Trying to become a damn flash beacon yourself or what?”

—

“Maybe,” you shot back, adjusting the many lanterns hanging off your arm with a familiar smirk. “Ever think about how handy it’d be to have some extra light around here? Unlike some people, I like to be prepared.”

Sebastian rolled his eyes at your half-joking comment, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, barely visible. “Yeah, sure. Because carrying a whole damn lighthouse with you is being prepared.”

You just shrugged, grinning as you fell back in step beside him, his file didn't lie, he is quick despite his appearance. “Hey, you never know when you’ll need a little extra illumination. Or, you know, when you’ll need to blind someone annoying.”

“Oh, is that what you’re planning? Using those lanterns to blind me?” he snorted, glancing sideways at you before giving your head a gentle hit on the back. “Good luck with that.”

“You think I won’t?” you teased, nudging him back with your shoulder as you walked. “I could be dangerous, you know. A real threat.”

Sebastian chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah, really dangerous. I’m shaking in my coat.”

You couldn’t help but laugh at the sarcasm in his voice, the easy banter between the two of you. For all your differences, there was something oddly comforting about the back-and-forth, the way you could trade jabs without any real malice. Still, you couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. This wasn’t the usual scavenging run, and Sebastian seemed oddly focused, his eyes darting ahead down the dimly lit hall. And aside from that Sebastian once hit you for passing by a perfectly fine medkit once, and now he's the one walking half-blind through the building.

“So, what’s really going on, Seb?” you asked, trying to catch his eye. “This doesn’t feel like one of our usual trips.”

Sebastian hesitated, his steps faltering for just a moment before he forced himself to keep moving. He seems to think about his word choice before speaking up. “I told you, we’re just… going to meet someone.”

You raised an eyebrow, your curiosity piqued at the mention. “Meet someone? Out here? You know, if you’re trying to sell me to some creepy scientist or something, just give me a heads-up, alright?”

Sebastian snorted again, a genuine laugh escaping his lips this time. “Trust me, no one’s buying your smart mouth.”

“Oh, ouch,” you feigned offense, clutching a hand to your chest dramatically. “You wound me, Sebastian. You really do.”

He just squinted his eyes at your dramatic words but you could see the amused glint in them. “Look, just… trust me, okay? It’s not far now.”

“Uh-huh,” you said skeptically, but you followed him anyway. You trusted him after being stuck with him for so long. You two managed to reach a comfortable level with each other. Few more steps and Sebastian suddenly stopped, causing you to almost bump into his large form and stepping on his tail.

“We’re here,” he announced, gesturing toward an unmarked metal door. You eyed it warily, then glanced at him.

“Seriously? This is where you wanted to go?”

Sebastian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he swiped a shimmering keycard through a reader on the metallic door, and with a loud beep, the door slid open with ease. The room beyond was dimly lit, the soft hum of machinery filling the air. You could see a few lights flickering in the darkness, and a strange chill ran down your spine.

“Alright, come on in,” Sebastian said, stepping inside and motioning for you to follow.

You hesitated for a moment, but then curiosity got the better of you. You stepped into the room, glancing around cautiously. “So… who are we meeting exactly?”

Sebastian took a deep breath, clearly bracing himself for your reaction. “This… is P.AI.nter,” he said, gesturing toward one of the screens where a digital face slowly appeared, composed of pixelated lines and shifting colors. The computer itself was behind some iron-fence, keeping you from actually reaching him.

“Hello” the face said in a surprisingly smooth, almost friendly voice. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Your jaw dropped, and you took an involuntary step back, nearly tripping over one of the lanterns dangling from your arm. “Wait a minute,” you said, your eyes narrowing. “Isn’t this the AI that almost got me killed?!”

Sebastian winced, realizing it might be possible and that he's probably at fault too, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah… about that. P.AI.nter can be a bit overwhelming.”

“A little overwhelming?!” you repeated incredulously, staring at him with wide eyes, your stare made him uncomfortable. “It locked me in a room with a giant, homicidal shark! On what planet is that ‘a little overwhelming?”

Painter’s digital face flickered slightly, and you could swear it looked… embarrassed? “I apologize for the misunderstanding,” it said. “I was merely following Sebastian's protocol. I didn’t intend for you to come to any harm.”

“Oh, well, that makes it all better, doesn’t it?” you snapped, crossing your arms over your chest. “I nearly got my brain fried off, but hey, it was just following protocol.”

Sebastian cleared his throat. “Maybe someone shouldn't flash sharks with flash beacons and then insist on a stare battle.” He mumbles under his breath before trying to intervene. “Look, I get that you’re upset, but Painter’s actually really helpful. And, you know… it wanted to apologize.”

You stared at him for a moment, then back at the screen. “Fine,” you said finally, though you still didn’t look convinced. “Apology accepted… I guess. But if you try to kill me again, I’m taking a sledgehammer to this entire room. Got it?”

Painter’s face flickered again, and it smiled. “Understood. I will make every effort to ensure your safety in the future.”

Sebastian let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding, a relieved smile spreading across his face. “See? No harm, no foul. Now, why don’t we all just… start over, yeah?”

You shot him a look, but then a reluctant smile tugged at your lips. “Yeah, okay. But you owe me for this, Seb. Big time. Especially since it seems like it was your fault in the first place.”

He grinned, looking far too pleased with himself. “Deal.”

The three of you spend some time, first P.AI.nter made you uncomfortable since the memories of his little navipath tricks are unsettling you. But the more you got to know him, the more you felt at ease. He seems genuinely nice and interested in you, probably aiming to befriend you.

As you turned to leave, you could hear Painter’s voice behind you, sounding almost… amused. “I look forward to working with you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” you muttered, but you couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped your lips as you and Sebastian walked back down the hall, the tension finally beginning to ease.

[paiges-1vur]

welcome to the party… as always enjoy loves <3 (pt. 2/4)

Friday 9:32 pm

It’s not long before the door opens up revealing a smiling girl. This must be Azzi, Rileys friend.

“Hi ry!” the girl says in a high pitched voice, “I haven’t seen you in so long we need to catch up.”

I see Riley smile and give her a quick hug before introducing me. I flash a quick nervous smile and tell her it was nice to finally meet her.

As we walk inside we meet 3 other girls. Then it hits me. Fuck. How could i be so stupid? I forgot Azzi was on the women’s basketball team. I walk in and try to suppress my anxiety as i face her 3 teammates.

Right as soon as i look to Riley for some stability, i notice her and Azzi have gone off somewhere else, probably to catch up.

The three girls are all occupied on their own, but one of them comes up to me as soon as she sees im uncomfortable.

“Hi your Ana, Rileys friend right! My names Nika and its really nice to meet you.” How could i be scared of this girl who sounded so sweet? I decided to pull myself together and try to have fun tonight.

“Yeah, im her roommate, and its really nice to meet you too!” I reply with a smile as she sips on her drink.

“And may i just say damn girl! you look so hot tonight!” Nika hypes me up and i do a little 360 giggling. As im spinning i see one of the other girls in the corner of my eye. The only girl i knew here. Paige Bueckers. “You know what lets do shots!” Nika is obviously feeling the same energy i am and i love it.

She calls the other girls over and quickly introduces me to kk who i love just as much as Nika. Paige stays quiet and Nika doesn’t say anything about her. She pours 4 shots and i say “Fuck it. Pour me 2” I hope I dont learn to regret this because being 5”1 and 120 pounds doesnt mix well with taking shots.

We all knock them back and i reach for my second one taking it down as quick as the first before making a quick face.

I look up to my right and see Paige looking down at me. Her eyes scan up and down my body as she bites her lip. I blush and look away, and in the corner of my eye i can see her smirking.

Azzi and Riley come back into the kitchen and let us know its time to head out to the bars. We all pack into Azzi’s car which has just enough room to fit us all. As soon as we pull out Azzi says “Shit. Guys is it okay if we pick up my friend real quick she just needs a ride to the bar thats all.” We all nod in understanding because we don’t mind.

As soon as her friend walks out of her building Azzi says “Okay theres not enough room so Ana since your the smallest your going to have to sit on Paiges lap. Is that okay?”

My mouth goes dry. i somehow manage a “Yeah thats fine.” As i move over to Paiges side of the car and sit on her lap. I immediately feel her staring at me. I turn my head to look at her, and her pupils are dilated and her eyes an icy blue. I feel her staring at my top again and this time i decide to be bold.

“You like what you see?” I whispered looking at her through my eyelashes and twirling my hair in my finger, biting my lip ever so slightly.

I can see her demeanor instantly change. She grins and comes down to my ear “I would like to see what you look like under it more.” I gulp and turn my head to the window trying to hide how wet that just made me.

I cant help from getting uncomfortable on Paiges lap in my mini skirt and have to keep moving my position on her lap. All of a sudden i feel two big hands on my hips. I look up at her as she licks her lips.

“Don’t start something you cant finish.” This immediately stops me from moving until the rest of the car ride, but Paiges hands linger on my hips for the rest of the ride.

————————

We all walk into the bar quickly flashing the bouncer our ids. Nika told me that tonight was going to be really fun especially because Paige knows the owner of the bar so we can do basically whatever we want.

We all sit down at a table and Im already feeling tipsy (but thats also coming from the girl who blacked out after 5 shots once..) “Who wants to get more shots!” I half scream at the girls smiling ear to ear.

They all laugh as Paige gets up and goes to the bar to order us two rounds. We are celebrating tonight. Once she got back we immediately downed the next two rounds and i decided i wanted to dance. I grabbed Nika by the hand laughing and dragged her to the dance floor.

She was surprisingly a good dancer and we danced with each other to the music that was blasting from the speakers. I started to grind on Nika as she hyped me up. I had my back faced to her as i moved up and down her body before turning around and putting my hands on her chest laughing because people had started to cheer us on.

I look over and see Paige staring at me moving on Nika, her hold so tight on her drink it could shatter at any moment. She stares me down in jealousy, and shit was it hot.

As the night went on I talked to all the girls and they were all super nice and i wanted to get to know them.

We started talking about basketball and when i asked who’s the best everyone turned to Paige. She bragged about how good she was for about 10 minutes.

She flexed and looked at me, “These don’t just come in overnight.” Everyone at the table laughed. My jaw dropped and the Paige looked over at me and winked. I mean i knew she was jacked. She had toned arms, smooth abs, and a killer back. NOT that i had ever looked that up on youtube.

I decide to distract myself from the growing need to touch Paige.

“GUYS!” I say ten volumes louder than i should have, “Guys lets lets play truth or dare right now i want to play now.” Everybody laughs and agrees as we sip our drinks.

The game is going well until its Paiges turn to ask me.

“Ana truth or dare.” She says flashing me her signature smirk. I try not to melt under her gaze. I know shes looking at my tits, but i don’t care. I want her to.

“Dare.” I say drunkenly, ready for whatever shes about to throw my way.

She laughs, “Lets do body shots.”

“W-what” I mumble, my brain suddenly slowing everything down.

“You heard me.” She gets up from the table and walks over to the bar. I look around at the other girls at the table and they all are smiling and trying to hide their laughs. Im just about to ask what the fuck i got myself into but then i hear something coming from the speakers.

“No fucking way.” I say. Azzi is trying to hide her laughing under a napkin. Pony by Ginuine starts blasting in the bar as i see Paige whisper something into the bartenders ear with a grin on her face. The girls at the table are absolutely losing it. Suddenly the bartender speaks into a microphone.

“Everyone we have a little something special for you all tonight. We have my good friend Paige and her new friend Ana are going to do body shots so lets give them all a warm welcome!”

People are whistling and cheering, eating up this little act.

“Come on up Ana!” The bartender looks over to my table and waves me over to the bar. I get up from my seat slowly walking to the bar, as Paige offers me her hand to get on top of it. I look at her with a “what the fuck.” look and she only laughs in response.

I lie down on the bar feeling very underdressed. As the music plays I decide to let go and let myself be happy. I can’t live life always worrying about the what ifs right?

I let myself feel free and the music blasting in my ears makes me anticipate whats going to happen. The bartender pours the shot and puts it down next to my head. She then pours the line of salt across my chest, which I’m sure was per Paiges request.

“Here you go hun.” The bartender hands me the lime to put in my mouth as she flashes me a wink. “Everybody lets hear it one more time for Paige!” The crowd erupts people clapping, screaming, and whistling. I see Nika holding her phone up recording this all, but to be honest, i don’t fucking care. Im too drunk to worry about the little things.

As im ready for Paige to initiate it i see her move. She climbs up on the bar and straddles my stomach, playing into this little act. Everyone is screaming clearly eating it up. i look up at her trying not to moan at just the sight of her on top of me. Fuck i need some sort of friction.

She leans down and grabs both of my wrists, and i let her take full control. She pins them above my head and smiles before scanning over my upper body one more time and whistling to the crowd.

I close my eyes before hearing Paige by my ear whisper “Open your eyes baby. I want you to see my face when i do this to you” I flutter my big brown eyes open staring at her in awe. “Good girl.” she says before returning to the act.

She leans down putting her free hand on my upper stomach as she licks the line of salt from my exposed chest. My back arches in response to her tongue and shit it feels so good. She then grabs the shot and downs it before coming down to my face and gabbing the lime from my mouth.

Still straddling me she sits up and tilts her head back with the lime in her mouth. The bar is packed full of students all screaming and cheering. The girls over at our table are still recording and cheering for Paige and I.

Im so drunk at this point that im stumbling back to the booth, and im fully leaning on Paige in the corner of the booth, sort of behind me. The girls whistle and Nika tells me how sexy that was. I giggle and lean back into Paige more, sitting in between her legs. The girls start to talk about something else, probably basketball before i feel a big cold hand sneak up my skirt on the inside of my thigh.

——————————

[helloalycia]

𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 [𝐓𝐖𝐎] — 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑

summary: after Jackie decides to volunteer with you at your mum's fundraiser, you wonder why she's so inquisitive about your friendship with another girl.

warning/s: none.

author's note: okay so for this one i just googled a random place in new jersey for a school (if anyone happens to recognise it haha). But yeah, only a few people reading this one but still hope you like it! 🥰

one / three / masterlist / wattpad

"Raising money for better mental health services, would really appreciate you coming along!" I said as I handed out some flyers by the school entrance. "There's gonna be food and games and all sorts! Free entry!"

On the whole, a lot of students were taking the flyers. Of course, there were the few that outright ignored me or some jocks that took the piss, but overall reception was good. Besides, I was only doing my part to help my mum out, who managed this mental health charity in our town and needed me to spread the word some more about a fundraising event she was hosting next week.

As I continued to hand out flyers, Jackie happened to walk out next, amidst the huddle of students, and accepted the flyer with a grin. She stepped to the side to raise an eyebrow at me inquisitively.

"Ooh, what are you doing?" she asked, eyes scanning the flyer in her hand.

I continued to hand them out whilst speaking to her, soon realising students would just accept anything you held out to them. "Just trying to spread the word about this event at the community centre. My mum thought it would help if I handed these out at school."

She nodded, intrigued, before she looked up at me. "Nice. Are you going?"

"Yep. I got roped into helping out, but I don't mind."

At this, her smile grew. "And are you looking for volunteers?"

I studied her suspiciously. "I suppose so... why?"

She rolled her eyes like it was obvious, which I guess it was. "Because I'd love to help out, duh!"

I blinked, surprised. "Oh, well... yeah. That would be super helpful actually."

"Awesome," she said, tilting her head to flash me a smile. "Share the details tomorrow?"

"Sure thing."

Her eyes sparkled in the light, though with a hint of her usual Jackie mystery. "I'll catch you later, Y/N."

And with that, she was gone. Such a strange girl.

When the day of the event finally arrived, I was helping my mum out in the morning, making sure all the stalls were set up and the vendors had everything they needed. There was supposed to be a good turnout, considering my mum had done a lot of promotion for it, so I expected it to be busy today.

Just on time, Jackie arrived and found me talking to my mum at the front of the hall. When I spotted her, I smiled and waved her over.

"Hey, thanks for coming," I greeted, giving her a quick hug.

"Thanks for having me," she said cheerfully, before looking to my mum with a bright smile and putting out her hand. "You must be Y/N's sister!"

I internally facepalmed as my mum began to blush at Jackie's compliment. Talk about sucking up.

"Her mother," my mum corrected, shaking her hand. "You can call me Y/M/N. I take it you're Jackie?"

"Oh, how silly of me!" Jackie played into it, and I watched with a questioning smile. "You just look so young! I can see where Y/N gets her looks from. It's lovely to meet you, Y/M/N. Yes, I'm Jackie."

"Well, Jackie, thanks a lot for volunteering today," my mum said appreciatively. "We have a few others helping out too, all wearing one of these." She handed her a lanyard. "We just need some extra hands to watch over things, help out anyone who needs it. Y/N will help out if you need it."

"Sounds good to me," Jackie quipped with a nod. "The place looks great already. You really set all this up yourself?"

Again, my mum was easily swayed by Jackie's words. "I had help, but yes. Glad you like it." Then her pager vibrated and she checked it before saying, "Sorry, girls, I'm needed elsewhere. Y/N, you alright helping Jackie?"

"Uh-huh."

"Great," she said, hugging me sideways and offering Jackie a smile. "See you around, sweetie."

"And you, Y/M/N," Jackie replied with a grin, watching her walk away.

I stared at her with both disbelief and amusement, and she looked back to me with an innocent smile.

"What?"

I raised my eyebrows, trying not to laugh. "What are you doing?"

With a dead serious look in her eyes, she said, "Well, I'm not not flirting with your mum."

I furrowed my brows with a slacken jaw, and she began to laugh at my expression.

"I'm impressing your mum, idiot," she clarified, pulling on her lanyard. "Isn't it obvious?"

"I can see that, but why?" I asked, as she pulled out her compact mirror to check her makeup.

"Why not?" she retorted, winking at me playfully before returning her gaze to her mirror.

I sighed, knowing I'd never understand the way Jackie's brain worked, but also ignored the way my insides fluttered at her wink. Stupid pretty girls and their stupid faces.

After Jackie was finishing beautifying herself, I showed her around the hall and introduced her to some of the people volunteering their time, as well as the vendors and small businesses offering their services. Naturally, she got along with everyone, giving her best impression and no doubt wanting to impress my mum some more. For what reason, I wasn't sure, since there was literally nothing my mum could give her except maybe a good reference for her college application. Either way, I was both concerned and amused for her.

Slowly but surely, the public started to arrive and the hall was soon packed with residents of the community. Music was playing in all corners of the hall, everyone was taking part in some games, donating money wherever they could and buying whatever food they wanted. It was actually a lovely sight to see and I didn't mind helping out when I saw how excited my mum was about it all.

I left Jackie at intervals, the two of us helping out where ever we could, and myself taking some photos for my mum whenever I found the chance. Soon, I was at the charity's stall, assisting some of the volunteers with handing out flyers as a few of them went on their lunch break.

"Y/N, hey!"

I looked up when I heard my name, spotting the daughter of someone my mum worked with, Olivia. We were friendly whenever we saw each other at events like these, but she attended a different school in the area, so I didn't see her much.

"Hey, Liv," I greeted her with a smile when she stopped before me. "How are you?"

"I'm good," she returned my smile. "It's good to see you. It's sweet of you to help out your mum like this."

"Eh, I don't mind," I said with a shrug. "How are you liking it anyway? Been here long?"

She looked around, impressed. "It's a lot more cooler than I thought it would be. Your mum really pulled out all the stops."

"Yeah, it's called trying to appeal to the youth," I joked, making her laugh.

"It worked," she agreed, before studying my face. "You look really nice. Did you do something different with your hair?"

I touched my ponytail instinctively. "No? I guess it was shorter when I last saw you."

She nodded, eyes flickering between mine. "Yeah, I think that's it. Well, you suit it long. Looks really pretty."

Surprised at her compliment, but flattered nonetheless, I smiled with embarrassment and avoided her exceptionally good eye contact. "Thanks."

She chuckled at my reaction. "Cute."

Clearly not expecting this outright flirting today, I held out a flyer to change the subject. "You want one?"

Suppressing the urge to laugh, she accepted the flyer, her fingers brushing mine and only managing to increase the warmth on my cheeks.

"Got a ton of these at home from my mum," she pointed out, making me wince with embarrassment. "But happy to have it."

"Right. Obviously."

She laughed again and I smiled awkwardly, wondering why the hell I was being so weird. I guess it was just so unexpected, and I didn't even know Olivia was into girls. She was lovely, pretty too, but I was caught off guard.

"There you are," I heard Jackie's voice, and then she appeared very closely beside me, an unreadable expression on her face. As if realising Olivia was stood right there, she said, "Oh, hello."

Before I could introduce the two, Olivia seemed to recognise her and studied her curiously.

"Wait, I know you," she started, trying to work it out, before it hit her. "You're Jackie Taylor, captain of the Yellowjackets, right?"

I'd forgotten that the Yellowjackets had played Olivia's school's soccer team many times.

Jackie nodded, looking uncharacteristically disinterested. "Uh-huh."

Olivia, whether she chose to ignore it or didn't notice, smiled politely and looked between us. "Wow, I didn't know you were both friends."

"Well, we are," Jackie said bluntly, and I glanced sideways at her, wondering why she was suddenly so bitter. "Who are you, sorry?"

"Oh, how rude of me," Olivia said, paying no mind to her attitude. "I'm Olivia."

"Olivia is the daughter of one of my mum's colleagues," I explained to Jackie, hoping she'd lose her random irritation. "She goes to East Rutherford High."

Jackie nodded, eyes not leaving Olivia, and I began to grow uncomfortable in the awkward and unnecessary tension that had formed. 

Olivia seemed to feel the same as she smiled awkwardly and looked to me. "Well, it was nice seeing you, Y/N."

"You too," I said with an apologetic smile. "Have fun today."

She nodded uncomfortably and left, leaving a very jealous Jackie stood next to me. What she was jealous at was beyond me, considering she'd never known Olivia existed until now.

"You okay?" I asked, nudging her in the side to regain her attention.

Jackie looked back to me, losing her mood. "Huh? Oh, yeah. All fine here."

I quirked a brow, trying to read her expression, but she was very good at not letting me know what she was thinking.

"Right, well, what did you need?" I asked, deciding to just leave it. It wasn't like they'd meet again, was it?

"Oh, erm, someone at the entrance needed a hand and said only you'd know what to do," she remembered.

"Okay, I'll go check," I said, before looking around then handing her the pile of flyers in my hand. "You got this until Jerry comes back from his break?"

She accepted the flyers with ease. "Aye aye, captain."

I rolled my eyes, a ghost of a smile on my lips, before heading to the front of the hall. Jackie could be so weird sometimes.

Not long later, I was taking some photos of residents chatting with vendors and owners of different stalls, knowing my mum would want to use them for promotional material in the future.

"So, if you're taking all these photos of everybody else," Jackie's voice suddenly rang out from behind me, making me stop what I was doing, "who's taking them of the volunteers?"

I turned to look at her smug expression and said, "I got some of you earlier, darling, no need to worry."

She scoffed playfully, and strangely enough, her cheeks were growing pink. "That's not what I meant, idiot." I quirked a brow and she continued, "You're supposed to be in them too."

Realising what she meant, I shook my head. "Oh, no, it's fine, I–"

But she ignored me as she was already beginning to remove the camera strap from around my neck, her fingers brushing my skin and giving me goosebumps. "Just show me what to do and I've got this covered."

"Jackie, really, it's–"

She silenced me with a single stare and I had no choice but to let her, knowing she wouldn't give up if I didn't.

"Okay," I reluctantly agreed, before trying to think where to begin. "Erm..."

She wasn't really listening, having accepted long before that she'd get what she wanted, and was already looking around for something. Finally, she grabbed my hand and said, "Over here. I'm gonna take one with the cupcakes."

We stopped before a cupcake stand and she motioned towards it.

"Pretend you're serving someone," she said, when I stared at her with confusion.

I stifled a laugh. "Or I could actually serve someone?"

She considered it before hiding a smile, and she looked really pretty doing it. "That works too."

Laughing properly, I sorted out the settings on my camera before letting her take a few photos of me serving some people. It was weird, since I was never the subject of a photo, especially when it was Jackie Taylor perceiving me on the other side of the camera. But after a few takes, Jackie approached me and removed the camera from her neck.

"All done?" I asked, secretly hoping the answer was yes, but she shook her head.

"We've gotta have one together," she said like it was obvious, and before I could protest, she was already stopping a passer-by, asking them if they could take it.

"Jackie–"

She shushed me before smiling with amusement and wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "Smile for the nice lady, Y/N."

I swallowed hard, unable to think straight when I smelt her floral perfume lingering in the air. Did she always smell this nice?

"Say cheese!" the lady who was taking the photo said.

Snapping back into reality, I rested my hand on Jackie's waist before smiling. The lady took a few, which probably featured variations of my same awkward smile and Jackie's picture-perfect one. Finally, Jackie let go of me to thank the lady, and I could suddenly breathe again, trying not to overthink that whole encounter. Again, just stupid pretty girls and their stupid pretty perfumes.

"You better show me those," Jackie said with a chuckle, handing me back my camera.

I exhaled, smiling a little. "I will."

Not long after I ate a quick lunch, Y/BF/N dropped by with her parents to show their support. After they did their round of the hall, Y/BF/N found me again, laughing.

"What?" I asked, wondering what she found so funny.

"Nothing. It's just– Jackie's really laying it on thick with you, huh?"

At this, I raised my brows in agreement. "Right? You've noticed it too? I'm not imagining it?!"

"Definitely not," she said between laughter. "Pretty sure she's becoming obsessed with you. I've seen her find you like a million times. And I'm pretty sure she keeps buttering your mum up."

Glad I wasn't going crazy, I nodded in agreement.

"What did you do? She's either planning to murder you or marry you."

"Hilarious," I said, unamused, and she kept laughing.

"As long as she's not fighting for my place as your bestie, she can do what she wants," she said with a grin, before hugging me. "Look, I gotta go. I have babysitting and my parents are having a date night."

"It's all good, thanks for stopping by anyway," I said with a smile. "Tell your mum and dad thanks too. See you later, Y/BF/N."

As she walked away, I thought about what she said, and was unable to let it leave my head as the day went on. She's either planning to murder you or marry you. Clearly the first option was out of the question, but Jackie couldn't like me, could she? She was straight, as far as I knew, and I was certain this was just an unlikely friendship. Right?

Quite literally when I thought the day couldn't get any stranger, the rest of the Yellowjackets team decided to show up, finding both Jackie and I at the front counter. I was surprised, whereas Jackie greeted them all with a hug.

"This looks sick," Van said as she looked around. "Oh my god, is that a bouncy house?!"

"It's for the kids, but–"

Before I could finish, she was already legging it to the other side of the hall, making Taissa groan but follow after her.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, before correcting, "I mean, I'm glad to see you all, but I don't think the flyers at school worked that well."

Shauna chuckled and nodded to the blonde beside me. "Jackie invited us."

"More people means more money for charity, right?" Jackie said when I looked to her.

"I– yeah," I answered, not really having a retort. It was very kind of her.

The Yellowjackets stayed for a little while, actually earning a lot of attention since many people from school and their parents recognised the award-winning soccer team. It worked in our favour, as we seemed to be getting a lot more money with everyone being encouraged by them to spend more. I couldn't exactly tell you why, but I knew we had Jackie to thank.

When the event finally ended and everybody left, the hall was a mess and I was already dreading cleaning up, but at least my mum looked ecstatic as she approached Jackie and I.

"You girls did great work today," she said to us both with a bright smile. "And Jackie, thank you for inviting your soccer team! I don't know why I forgot that you were the captain. Explains so much!"

"Of course, happy to help," Jackie returned with a grin.

"I don't want to keep you any longer," my mum told her. "Thanks again for volunteering."

"It was really fun," Jackie said, and she didn't seem to be lying or exaggerating.

"Looks good on your college application too," my mum added knowingly, making Jackie chuckle.

"I didn't do it for that," she said earnestly, glancing at me.  "Thanks though. And I don't mind staying, honestly."

"It's all good, Jackie, really," I said to her, not wanting her to feel obliged. "It's a lot to clean."

"Won't be if there's more of us," she retorted, and I was seriously questioning why she was being so helpful and kind. Not that she usually wasn't, but why to me?

"Okay, well, I guess you girls can start with cleaning the tables once the vendors are packed up," my mum said, pleased. "Thanks again."

So, as my mum went to collect all the money together and some of the other volunteers were brushing up the rubbish, Jackie and I got to wiping down all the tables and binning anything that wasn't needed.

"Today was really fun," Jackie said as we worked.

"I heard," I said in a teasing voice, referencing what she said to my mum not long ago.

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "No, I mean it. I had a good time today."

"You gave up your weekend for it, so I'm glad," I said jokingly, but it made her laugh nonetheless, and it made me smile.

We were halfway done with cleaning up, working in a comfortable silence, until she spoke up again.

"That girl earlier. Do you like her?"

I raised my eyebrows as I glanced up at her, but she wasn't looking at me, instead focusing on throwing some rubbish in the bag in her hand.

"Olivia?" I asked, though I knew it was her.

Jackie nodded, and as I tried to think of an answer, she continued in a knowing voice, "She was flirting, you know."

"What?"

"The girl, Olivia," she said with a clenched jaw, still refusing to meet my eyes. "It was textbook flirting. The playing with her hair, blinking a lot. She likes you."

"I didn't even realise," I admitted, and she began to laugh, surprising me yet again. I swear I couldn't keep up.

"God, you're oblivious," she noticed, finally looking at me.

"It seems so."

She stared at me, eyes boring into mine, smile hidden.

"No, I don't like her," I answered her initial question.

She tilted her head curiously. "Why? She not pretty?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "What?"

She kept on going though. "Not your type?"

Despite how amusing it was to witness this side of Jackie, I played along. "She's pretty, yes, but my type? I don't know. But I don't like her like that."

She pursed her lips. "Hmm." As her attention returned to her cleaning, I thought the conversation would end there, but then she asked, "So, what is your type?"

A chuckle was begging to escape my lips. "Why does it matter?"

She shrugged, not very amused, and mumbled, "Just tryna make conversation..."

I was very curious now, eyes taking in her suddenly shy demeanour, as if a switch had just been flipped. A smile fell on my lips as I cleared my throat, wiping the table again.

"Someone who's got a pretty smile," I answered honestly. "Kind eyes."

She hummed nonchalantly.

"I don't know," I said after a moment, shrugging. "I'm hoping I'll just know when I meet someone who's 'my type'."

She nodded, kneeling down to tie the rubbish bag.

"Why? What's your type, Miss Taylor?"

She looked up in thought, biting her lip, and I forced myself to look away when I caught myself staring.

"I thought it was Jeff, but now I'm not so sure either," she said truthfully, making me snort with amusement.

"Yeah, maybe not," I agreed, before stacking the chairs.

"I guess someone who's easy to talk to," she thought aloud, before jokingly adding, "Like you."

My cheeks began to heat up at the compliment and I grew unusually flustered at the insinuation, and then she began to get flustered too, attempting to backtrack.

"Well, I mean, obviously not you," she said, stumbling a little bit, "but you know."

I nodded, smiling with embarrassment as I looked the other way. How did we even end up talking about this?

After Jackie and I cleaned up all we could, my mum insisted we leave and thanked us for our help. And knowing Jackie, I knew she didn't have a ride home, so naturally, I was it.

As I was driving, I noticed her using the visor mirror to put lipgloss on. I pursed my lips, containing my smile, before asking, "So, do you not wanna get your license ever?"

"I have it," she said with a shrug, before popping her lips satisfactorily in the mirror.

I glanced at her with a quirked brow. "Surely you can afford a car?"

"Sure, but I was born to be a passenger princess," she said, and I started to laugh at how serious she was. "Besides," she added, "I like the ride, don't you?"

"What, the ride with me?" I teased, and she nodded like it was obvious, so I just had to play along. "Sure, it's the best part of the day. I always look forward to driving Jackie home from places."

She grinned. "Knew it."

I stifled my smile with great difficulty, but she was already laughing, unable to play the part for much longer. And as I glanced at her between driving, her laughter brightening up the space instantly and making my heart flutter, I wondered if maybe girls with pretty laughs were my type.

The next morning at school, I was getting some books out my locker when I felt someone bump me from the side. It was Jackie in all her glory, wearing her varsity jacket and leaning against the lockers with a smile on her face.

"Good morning," she said cheerily.

"Morning," I said, closing my locker and facing her. "How're you feeling? Tired from yesterday?"

"Surprisingly, no," she answered. "But I was thinking about how much money your mum raised. D'you know yet?"

"Not yet," I said, touched she actually cared. "My mum's still counting everything. I'll let you know when."

"Oh, awesome," she said with a smile. "And the photos? When will they be done? Don't think I've forgotten."

I gave her a knowing look. "I'll be developing them today. Should be done after school."

"I've got soccer practice after school, so maybe I can see them after," she suggested hopefully. "When will you be done?"

"About an hour? Maybe a little longer?"

The bell rang, interrupting our conversation, and she straightened up before saying, "Cool. You alright to meet me at the locker room five thirty-ish?"

"Yeah, sounds good," I confirmed, and she flashed me a smile before heading to class.

My day went by as usual and then I went straight to photography class after school to finish developing my rolls of film. It was my favourite part of shooting, aside from the actual shooting, because I finally got to see how all the photos turned out.

This time, there were some I was pretty proud of and I knew my mum would love for her promotional stuff. I then got to the ones Jackie took and smiled to myself, reminding myself to compliment her on how she had the makings of a photographer. After these, I reached the ones of Jackie and I together, remembering how frozen I became from the mere scent of her perfume.

Jackie Taylor was never somebody I'd thought of like that before. Sure, I'd seen her around and chatted with her enough to determine she was lovely, pretty and quite the catch, but I'd never personally felt anything towards her that was romantic. But ever since we'd been hanging out more lately, I was growing confused.

And yesterday, the way she was acting? All weird and jealous? I was sure she was flirting, but she was always flirty with everyone.

But Y/BF/N had noticed too, so I wasn't going crazy. But why? She liked guys. But maybe she liked me too?

I groaned, moving onto the next photos, glad it wasn't another one of Jackie. She was infiltrating my thoughts and it was making me feel all weird inside. The last thing I wanted was to fall for Jackie Taylor. I was sure it would destroy me.

Once I finally had all the photographs done, it had just hit half five and I went straight to the girls' locker room to meet the captain herself. Only, when I got there, nobody was there and I figured practice had ran over, so I waited a little longer.

A few minutes later, I heard voices from down the hall and stood up as the team were chatting, heading for the locker room.

"Oh, hey, Y/N!" Lottie greeted when she saw me, before pointing over her shoulder. "Jackie's coming."

"Thanks," I said with a smile.

The girls greeted me as they walked past, entering the locker room, then Jackie was the last one to run by, red-faced, dishevelled and sweaty.

"Sorry," she breathed out. "Practice ran over and I had to help coach with something and–"

"Hey, relax," I said with a chuckle, cutting her off. "It's fine."

"Give me ten minutes?" she asked hopefully. "I just need to shower."

"Sure," I agreed, and she sighed with relief. "You're going home with Shauna, right? My car is in the lot. I can meet you there?"

She nodded, relaxing. "Yeah. Thanks, Y/N."

I waved as she went into the locker room before going straight to my car in the parking lot, getting comfy because a ten minute shower for Jackie definitely meant longer. And I was proven correct when twenty minutes later, as I was reading my book to pass time, she suddenly knocked on the driver's seat window, startling me.

"Sorry!" she said, her voice muffled on the other side of the glass.

"It's okay," I said, sitting up and stepping out the car. And then I looked at her and tried not to get distracted by how beautiful she looked because she wasn't wearing makeup and I'd never seen her without it before. Clearing my throat, I said, "How was practice?"

"Good, thanks," she breathed out with a smile, before nodding encouragingly. "So? The pictures?"

I swallowed hard, jumping into action. "Right, the pictures! One sec."

Reaching into my car, I grabbed my bag and pulled the photos out in a folder, giving her the spares I'd printed for her. She looked through them with a soft smile, the ones of her and I and also the ones she'd taken herself, and I found myself distracted by the constellation of freckles dusting her nose.

"These are great, I'm not so bad," she joked, before looking up and bringing me back to reality. "I love the ones of us. Can I keep these?"

I nodded. "Yeah, of course. Those are for you. You did good."

Her eyes sparkled excitedly. "It was a great day. I'd love to help out with something like it again if I can."

"I'll let you know if anything comes up," I promised.

She nodded with satisfaction before glancing at the photos again. "Thanks. I should go now. Shauna's waiting."

I hummed as she turned to leave, not planning to say anything, but the words kind of slipped out. "Hey, Jackie?"

She paused, glancing at me. "Yeah?"

My eyes moved from the freckles on her nose to the patient smile on her lips, then landed on her bright hazel eyes, looking green in the sunlight. "You look pretty without makeup."

Taken aback, she blinked before smiling nervously. That cute pink blush tinged her cheeks and she nodded quickly. "Er, thanks."

I began to smile as she left, surprised but also a little pleased with myself that I could have that effect on her.

[zoeykallus]

Ello Zoey!! 👋

Sorry if this is too much or not,

Can I request some HCs of the bad batch’s fem! s/o being clumsy. They always see y/n trip, and sometimes catch her by the back of her shirt, to make sure she doesn’t fall.

Aloha!

Sounds kinda cute, let me give it a try 😁

The Bad Batch x Fem!Reader HCs - Clumsy

Fluff/Fun

________

Ko-Fi (If you feel like giving me some coffee)

________

>Master List<

________

Hunter

His senses, his perception, are always alert and very attentive around you. Actually, you are not that long together yet, but nevertheless, you can no longer count on your fingers how many times he has already saved you from injuries and greater damage. Be it tripping at an inopportune moment, dropping dangerous objects or accidentally leaning against unsafe/dangerous objects. Of course, he can't be around you 24/7, so he frequently tends to minor wounds you accidentally inflict on yourself, like cuts while cooking, or minor burns and bruises. Hunter, meanwhile, has developed yet another sense, another antenna, that is solely concerned with you. Whenever he's near you, his neural pathways buzz as soon as you trip, falter, or drop something, and he's on the spot in a flash. Luckily for you, he likes to do that and even if he sighs more often or breathes a sigh of relief when he can prevent the worst from happening, he'll never complain. "I got you, darling"

Echo

He sighs as he grabs you in the back of your jacket and pulls you back, keeping you from falling off the ramp. "Sometimes you scare me Love, one of these days you're going to fall when I'm not around and crack your skull or something," he says grumbling. You smile crookedly and say, "I'm trying not to do that." "So far you're not doing very well," Echo says, kissing your cheek. Tending to minor cuts, bruises and the like on you are already routine for Echo, as is the quick grab to keep you from falling. His reflexes and senses can't keep up with Hunter, but he's not too far off either. In any case, around him, it's extremely rare for anything to happen to you, despite your clumsiness. He is constantly worried and expresses it, but at the same time he is tireless in protecting you, sometimes even from yourself.

Wrecker

You are lying on the floor. Somehow you tripped over something, maybe even your own feet, hit your head and went down unconscious. "Hey, sweetie, you okay?" You open your eyes and look up into Wrecker's face, which hovers over you with concern. The next moment, you're carefully picked up by two strong hands and set down on one of the bunks. You blink and say, "Yeah, I think so, fell and hit my head". Wrecker raises his eyebrows. "Again? Now that's what I'm starting to worry about," Wrecker says as he carefully examines your head. He finds a bump, but no open wound. "Maybe Tech or Echo should do a scan, just in case," he says seriously. Wrecker always keeps an eye on you when you're around him, and his strong hand keeps providing protection and safety, but you keep managing to accidentally hurt yourself. "I have a headache," you say softly, rubbing the bump gently. Wrecker kisses your forehead and says, "I'm not surprised, but don't worry, sweetie, we'll take care of it." Wrecker is very patient and a total softie when it comes to you.

Tech

He is engrossed in his Holopad, eagerly calculating a few things to follow up on one of his hunches, when he hears a small noise, accompanied by a surprised little exclamation, followed by a slightly louder rumble. He blinks. Lowers the holopad and finally sighs softly. "My love?" He hears your voice from the hallway, "Um, yeah, over here. Could you maybe help me out for a second?" Tech hastily puts the holopad aside, stands up and walks into the hallway. His eyes widen in surprise when he sees that you've managed to stumble into the utility closet and got tangled up in Hunter's fishing gear. Tech says dryly, "My dear, you really do have a special talent." You sigh, "Don't joke around now please honey, just help me instead". Tech shakes his head but comes closer and starts untangling you from fishing line and other items and finally pulls you out of the chamber. "I really can't let you out of my sight," he says gently and at the same time reprovingly. You shrug your shoulders and reply meekly, "I'm really not doing this on purpose, Tech." "It's okay," he says with a smile, kissing your cheek, fishing a plastic bait out of your hair, and adding, "I'm just glad you're usually lucky enough to avoid major injury."

Crosshair

He hears a clang, then a rumble. "Let me guess, you're home again, honey?" he asks dryly without looking up. You say just as dryly, "No, I'm a burglar". With a sigh, Crosshair gets up from his chair and walks into the kitchen. You've managed to knock over a vase and an end table, tearing your pantyhose in the process. "A pretty talentless burglar," he says, grabbing your arm and pulling you back to your feet, "Did you hurt yourself?" You shake your head and sigh. "No, I don't think so." Crosshair crouches down and looks at your leg, just a run in the tights, no scrapes in the skin underneath. He stands back up, kisses your cheek, maneuvers you around the debris, and finally picks up the pieces. Crosshair usually counters your clumsiness in his own way with jokes and sarcasm, but always watches out for you, and takes care of your wounds and the property damage you cause. He grumbles now and then, but he is much more patient and caring than he sometimes pretends to be.

@rintheemolion

@andyoufollowyourheart @clone-whore-99

@brynhildrmimi @kaliel2310

@misogirl828 @tech-deck

@meshla-madalene

@chxpsi

@thebahdbitch

@nahoney22 @ladykatakuri

@darkangel4121

@ttzamara

@arctrooper69

@padawancat97

@agenteliix

@allsystemsblue

@palliateclaw

@either-madness-or-brilliance

@ortizshinkaroff

@andy-solo1

@hunterssecretrecipe

@heyitsaloy

@greaser-wolf

@extrahotpixels

@hated-by-me

@hunterxcrosshair

@malicemercy

@bebopsworld

@echos-girlfriend

@cpnt616

@dangraccoon

@jediknightjana

@pb-jellybeans

@antishadow2021

@sleepycreativewriter

@projectdreamwalker

@1vlouds

[thewulf]

Cowboy || Jake "Hangman" Seresin

Summary: Request - I was managing a gala and the theme was diamond and denim- so old rich people pretending to be cowboys with gaudy bling. And they hired a line dance teacher, and when I tell you this man had such Jake Seresin vibes!!!

A/N: Stop I had such a good time writing this one!! Sorry it took almost a month to get out but I hope you enjoy!!

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Y/N

Word Count: 2.5k +

“You’ve gotta stop stressing Y/N. It looks beautiful in here. It’s going to go well.” Your longtime friend and new coworker Michelle grabbed your arm as you frantically looked around the venue for God knows what now.

You let out a breath, “I know. It just has to go well. My promotion is kind of riding on the success of tonight. We need to bag this client going forward.” You let your anxiety out in front of her. You needed to impress the bosses tonight. You knew if you did they’d finally make you a manager. A position you’d been vying for.

“Relax, you’ll be just fine. You know what you’re doing. They picked you to run the show for good reason.” She squeezed your arm before dropping it, “Call me if you need anything. Try and enjoy the party.”

You laughed, “Impossible. But thank you Michelle. Couldn’t do this without you.” You walked off outside helping the florists set up the garden tables where dinner would be served.

“Excuse me.” A thicker than normal southern accent brought your attention away from the table you were placing the final touches on.

When you turned you weren’t expecting that to be there right in front of you. Handsome was an understatement. The man before you was drop dead fucking gorgeous. Not a single thing wrong with him. Who knew you had such an affinity towards literal cowboys.

“Yeah?” You asked trying your hardest to play it as cool as possible.

“Could you tell me where the,” He paused looking down at his phone, “main hall is? I’m here to teach the line dancing.”

You smiled wanting to tease him just a bit. Something told you he could handle it, “You don’t say?”

He pulled his cowboy hat off bowing a bit towards you, “Miss. My name’s Jake. Jake Seresin.”

Oh, this was just too good. Handsome as hell and a gentleman to boot? Your heart was beginning to beat faster and faster. You needed to answer him soon or things could get awkward, “Y/N. Nice to meet you Jake.” You left your last name out on purpose, “I’m the event coordinator. You stopped the right person.” Giving him a warm smile, you beckoned him to follow you with a wave from your hands.

“Isn’t it my lucky day.” He shot you a wink testing the water a little bit. He too found you painstakingly beautiful. And that smile sent his heart into a frenzy, just like yours. You were too caught up in your own head to notice any tells from him though.

“Mine too.” You opened the door for him to follow you through. Thankful for the small distraction not leaving your brain floundering. You weren’t usually one to flirt back but something was telling you to.

“You been doing this for a while?” Jake asked you interrupting you from your frenzied thoughts.

You nodded letting him catch up to your quick pace, “A few years now. I really like it. How about you?”

He laughed, “I do this in my spare time, when I’m off between deployments. I’m usually a pilot for the Navy.”

You grinned. Handsome as hell. Gentleman and he had an incredible job? He didn’t seem quite real. Taught line dancing for fun? It’s like you manifested him right then and there, “Aren’t pilots supposed to be in the Air Force?” You just had to tease him. You had a brother in the military and knew how sensitive they were to the mixing of the milarites.

A brief flash of shock crossed his face before he spotted you trying to hide the laughter behind your hand. A jokester you seemed to be. Somebody who liked to press the boundaries. Jake was used to being the one doing that. Not having that done to him. Not that he didn’t mind, it was almost too fun, “You got all the jokes there don’t you darlin’?” He smirked deciding to press your own boundaries right on back. He knew how his words affected women. How one look could get them second guessing their own actions. Jake was a pro, he knew exactly what he was doing.

Thank goodness you were wearing foundation, or the blush would’ve given you away all too easily. You were enjoying the simple flirty back and forth between the near stranger who pulled you towards him with such ease, “You haven’t even seen the half of it Jake.” Flashing him a sly smirk you opened the door towards the event halls ballroom where the activity was set up for the group. Surprisingly this event always seemed to be the hit of the corporate party year in and year out. You had a sneaking suspicion jake would be an incredible teacher and make the activity all that much better. He was so charismatic.

“Thank you.” He tipped his hat once more as you held the door open for him, “I like the sound of that.” He took in the room before him, “So, this is it?”

You nodded a small smile gracing your lips, not being able to hide it if you tried, “All yours cowboy.”

He laughed flashing you that gorgeous smile at the same time, “Careful now, I might fall in love with you if you keep talking to me like that sweetheart.” He took a small step towards you closing the small distance between the two of you. The tension in the air was so thick you thought you could swim through it. Your damn brain left you at quite literally a loss for words.

“Not that I’m not enjoying my time.” You knew you were rambling, were you even making any sense, “But I need to check on a few things. Are you all good for the 5 o’clock start?” You asked not daring to take a step away feeling the heat radiating off his body. He was so damn close you were sure he could hear your rapid-fire heartbeat.

“That’s a shame.” He removed his hat fully this time to get a good look at your face up close. He’d never seen someone quite like you. Beautiful. Clearly intelligent and driven. A mouth of a literal angel. Somebody he knew could challenge him but pull it back when needed. He just knew you were good. You were special. The universe put you in his path for his reason. He had to be sure to stop you before the end of the night. Ask you out or give you his number. Whatever you wanted, “Will I have the pleasure of teaching you Miss Y/N?” He asked once his eyes had fully scanned your face.

Shaking your head quickly you missed the quick flash of sadness in his eyes, “Oh, no. Not even you can perform miracles Jake. But I’ll make sure to stop in after you get started.”

He laughed shaking his head right back at you, “Maybe one day you’ll let me try.” He wanted to plant the seed in your head. Let you simmer on that thought for the remainder of the day before he got to talk to you again, “But until then. I look forward to seeing you again, Y/N.” He flashed you another gorgeous grin before turning away. Taking that tension right away with him as he walked to the front of the room to get ready for the group.

You let out the breath you were holding once you walked out the doors of the hall. You let you mind wander back to him and let yourself go on autopilot as you continued to get ready. Only Michelle breaking you from your mind got you out of that disassociated state.

“Are you alright?”

You nodded quickly, “Absolutely. More than alright.”

“Hmm?” She looked you over curiously as you finished perfecting the napkin at the dining tables.

“The line dancing instructor is a total flirt.” You didn’t tell much more before her normally bored expression turned into something much more devious. She’d always tried to get involved in your love life. This might be the opening she’d been waiting to pounce on.

“Is he cute?” She questioned, clearly very interested.

You nodded bashfully, “Terribly handsome.” You admitted not being that afraid to hide it. She’d surely go and check for herself at some point. No purpose in lying, she had eyes that could see herself.

“I’ll be back.” She smirked making a beeline towards the inside.

“No! Michelle.” You laughed pulling her arm to stop her, “Go in while the class is in session or something.”

She shook you off with ease, “I’m a worker. It’ll be easy. Give me five minutes.” She grinned. You let her go knowing once she had it set in her mind she’d be doing it no matter what.

She was gone for longer. No doubt getting caught in conversation with the friendly man. When she got back she had a sneaky little grin on her face, “Oh, he’s down bad for you Y/N.” She giggled.

You shook your head not really believing her because how could he? You were you and he was that. It just seemed incompatible, “Shush, he is not.”

“Then explain to me why he just played 20 questions with me about you?” She crossed her arms over her chest waiting for an explanation. You had none. Because why would he? You’d be lying if you said it didn’t bring a smile to your face.

Her smirk only grew wider in your silence, “Please just go see him later. I’ve got a good feeling about it. Please?”

You nodded quickly, “I was already planning on it.”

“Good.” She squealed with glee going back to the kitchen to finish the prep she left behind to talk to you.

You leaned against the door watching the group of people learn how to line dance from Jake. He was a natural. Flirty with the older women. Confident with young kids. Kind to the embarrassed teens. Bro’s with the boys. He could do it all. Who knew this was how you day was going to go?

Walking around the back you caught Jakes eye. Giving him a quick wave, you stopped to watch. Smiling as the joy from the group reverberated off the walls, no doubt thanks to Jake.

Not five seconds later you heard him speak, “Alright, try it for yourselves. I’ll be around helping.” And then he was making his way right towards you.

“You made it.” He spoke the second he stopped in front of you.

A quick nod brought your eyes right to his, “I did. I made a promise, didn’t I?”

You’d do anything to see him smile like he did right there, “You sure did. I’m glad you kept it.”

“Wouldn’t miss a chance at this.” You grinned referring to the class and to him. A double entendre per say.

He held out a hand, “Take another one then. Chance that is.” He winked sending a shiver right down your spine. You hoped he miss the goosebumps that rolled right down your arm. Should you? It’d only be a moment. It’s not like the client would mind.

Deciding to go for it you gently placed your hand in his, “Alright cowboy. But you have to lead. I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, and I don’t think there’s a bone in me that has an ounce of rhythm.” You let your insecurities flow out after seeing him dance so effortlessly before you moments ago.

He nodded pulling you, softly, right behind him, “Sure thing darlin’. Nothing to be nervous over. They’re all in their own little world anyway. It’s just you and me.” He tried reassuring you once he found a spot off to the side, careful of your reluctance to go towards the front.

“That doesn’t make me feel any better.” You admitted, sure the makeup you’d applied twelve hours earlier was long gone by all the sweating you’d done throughout the day setting the event up. The blush he made you feel was surely evident at this point.

He laughed grabbing at both your hands setting you up for whatever dance he was planning on leading you in, “I won’t let you fail. Trust me on that.” All you could do was nod up at him as you listened to him. It felt deeper, like it meant something more.

Smiling the entire time, you listened to both him and the music as you fumbled your way through the partnered line dance. You apologized and giggled every time you stepped on his foot or bumped into his side. He took it in stride smiling back at you. Bumping you back. Lifting you up so you wouldn’t trample your feet.

You were having pure, unadulterated fun with the nearly complete stranger who made you feel oddly comfortable. You clicked with him the moment you laid eyes on him and now the rest felt like destiny. For being as reluctant as you were you were surprised how disappointed you were when the music ended, and Jake dropped your hand. You shouldn’t have wanted him to hold it like he just was but here you were, pathetic.

“You’re a natural.” He smiled admiring you from the small distance he’d placed between the two of you.

You snorted out a laugh, “And you cowboy, are a liar.”

He shook his head taking the cowboy hat off now, “Embellisher of the truth. My momma would be awfully disappointed if she heard you call me a liar.” The smirk that crossed his face should’ve been illegal, it had your knees shaking for dear life.

You laughed it off though, nodding in agreement, “Sure, we’ll go with that. Embellisher of the truth.” A genuine smile came to your face as you conversed easily with him. It felt so natural. Incredibly different than anything you were used to.

He looked around a tad disappointed himself, “I hate to cut this short gorgeous, but I am being paid and people need some help.” Placing the cowboy hat on you he took a step back with a lopsided grin on his face, “Keep that. Maybe a little too big for you but it’s yours.”

“How do I look?” You stuck your leg out holding onto the hat with the other, posing a bit for him.

He shook his head knowing he needed to see you again, “More stunning than words can describe. You were meant for a cowboy hat.” He reached out giving your hand a squeeze, “Tell me when I can take you out on a real date Y/N?”

“You want to? Take me on a date?” You weren’t sure if you’d heard him right. All signs pointed towards they did but you needed to confirm. What a whirlwind of a day you were having.

“I’d be honored.” He grinned waiting for your response.

“How’s Friday night sound?” You asked sounding far too eager. But that same smile from earlier didn’t let you get too embarrassed.

“Friday sounds amazing. I’ll pick you up?” He asked sounding a tad more timid than he had moments prior.

“It’s a date cowboy.”

He smirked giving your hand one last squeeze before walking away, “it’s a date darlin’.”

Permanent Taglist (Message me or comment below if you want to be added!): @loving-and-dreaming @kmc1989 @memeorydotcom @matisse556 @buckylov3r @taygrls @ah-blossom @mayhemmanaged @hardballoonlove

[niki-phoria]

hello! can i requested either txt or enhypen x older male s/o. maybe during vlive , they accidentally expose their relationship with reader? tysm!

⋆｡°✩ txt accidentally revealing your relationship

includes: implication/mentions of being outed, tried my best not to make these all the same

a/n: thank you for requesting !! i hope you like it :))

male reader (he/him pronouns)

requests open !! read my rules first

⋆｡°✩ soobin

(word count 165)

soobin hums along to the music playing from beomgyu’s phone in the background as his eyes scan through the flurry of comments on the side of the screen. beside him, beomgyu chuckles at a particular comment that flashes by. 

“soobin-oppa, is your shirt made out of boyfriend material?” he reads.

soobin laughs along with him, reaching over to see the reactions from other moas. “i can’t believe moa like you so much,” beomgyu teases.

“you don’t think i’m boyfriend material?” soobin chuckles. 

“because you aren’t.”

“y/n-hyung would disagree with you.” soobin freezes as soon as the words leave his mouth. he gasps, bringing a hand up to cover the blush slowly spreading across his face. beomgyu’s head whips around to face him immediately. they stare at each other with wide eyes for a few seconds in a shocked silence. 

beomgyu laughs as he turns back to face the camera, frantically shaking his head. “y/n-hyung is our friend.”

“yeah,” soobin nods. “he’s a friend.”

⋆｡°✩ yeonjun

(word count 188)

yeonjun absentmindedly rubs his thumb against his bottom lip as his eyes scan through the comments on the side of his phone screen. he sways along to the rhythm until a particular comment catches his eye. 

“how’s y/n?”

“hyung is great! he’s been helping me practice choreography in his free time,” yeonjun chuckles at the memory. “he says that he doesn’t know what he’s doing but he’s really a natural. 

“actually, lately he’s been showing me around busan. he’ll show up randomly whenever we both have some free time and he’ll drag me all throughout the city. i think i’ve seen more parks and museums with him than i have at any other time. i just… i love him so much.”

yeonjun freezes when he glances back up at the growing stream of comments, now filled with various different reactions from confusion to love to support. he coughs to hide his nerves before he sighs. “well, i guess you were bound to figure it out eventually,” he chuckles. “y/n-hyung is my boyfriend. he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me and… i really love him.”

⋆｡°✩ beomgyu

(word count 174)

beomgyu sways along to the rhythm of the music that plays from his phone as he continues to read through the various comments on his live. he pauses to answer miscellaneous questions every now and then before a gentle knock at the door interrupts him. “come in!” he calls. 

the door cracks open slightly as yeonjun carefully enters the room. he kneels down beside beomgyu to wave at the camera for a second. “hello!” he smiles. he adjusts the black mask covering most of his face for a second before standing back up straight. 

“where were you?”

“with y/n,” yeonjun replies. “he knows about your anniversary plans.”

beomgyu stares up at him with wide eyes for a few seconds. he glances back at the still-ongoing live broadcasting from his phone before letting out a nervous chuckle. “well, tell y/n-hyung that our plans weren’t supposed to be a surprise anyway.” he chuckles slightly at yeonjun’s apologetic smile. “and also apologize for revealing our relationship!” 

“i’m sorry!” he yells as he leaves the room. 

⋆｡°✩ taehyun

(word count 139)

“hyung,” taehyun sighs. 

you rush over to wrap your arms around him in a tight hug that he quickly reciprocates. you reach over to cup his cheek, brushing your thumb against the skin. he lets you tilt his face up just enough to pull him into a quick kiss. “are you okay?”

“i’m fine,” he whispers. “just… a little worried about what management will say. they weren’t exactly… thrilled to learn that i accidentally outed both of us.”

you furrow your eyebrows when taehyun’s gaze drops from meeting your eyes down to the floor - almost as if he’s ashamed. “hey,” you murmur. you press a quick kiss against his cheek in an attempt to reassure him. “i’ll be here for you. no matter what happens. okay?”

taehyun nods. “okay.” 

you smile, tugging him back down into yet another kiss.

⋆｡°✩ huening kai

(word count 203)

you startle slightly when a frantic knocking at your door echoes throughout your normally quiet apartment. confused, you unlatch the lock before swinging it open to reveal a very frantic kai standing before you. “hyung,” he sighs in relief. kai steps forwards, pulling you into a tight hug. 

you rub your hand against his back as he buries his face into the crook of your neck. “is everything okay?” 

“i think i messed up,” he mumbles against your skin. 

you furrow your eyebrows, coaxing him further inside. “what happened?”

kai sighs as he pulls away just enough to look at you. “i accidentally said your name when i was on live earlier…”

you hum in acknowledgement, reaching up to brush a stray strand of hair out of his eyes. “and?”

“...and i might’ve exposed our relationship in the process.”

“oh, kai,” you chuckle. a light flush spreads across his face as you cup his cheek, brushing your thumb against the skin. “it’s okay, honey,” you whisper. 

“really?”

“really.” kai melts into your touch as you pull him into a sweet kiss. “whatever happens next, we’ll handle it together, okay?”

he smiles slightly, pulling you into another. “i love you.”

“i love you too.”

[barelytolerabled]

Beneath the Surface

Derek Morgan x fem!Reader

Summary: You and Derek Morgan were constantly at each other's throats, arguing and teasing each other nonstop. But one day, everything changed when Derek kissed you in the break room, and you both felt a spark of something more

Warnings: flirting

WC: 0.6

You and Derek Morgan had always been at each other's throats. You argued constantly, and it seemed like there was nothing you could do that wouldn't set him off. It was a wonder the two of you managed to work together as well as you did.

But one day, everything changed.

You were in the break room, minding your own business, when Derek stormed in, looking like he was about to explode. He glared at you, his hands clenched into fists.

"What's your problem?" you snapped, already tired of the argument before it had even begun.

"My problem is you," he growled. "Looking at you is making me feel an insurmountable amount of rage, so I'm going to kiss you to cease that rage, got it?"

Before you could even think to protest, Derek had closed the distance between you, his mouth crashing down on yours in a fierce kiss.

You were caught off guard at first, but then you found yourself responding, your anger melting away in the heat of the moment.

When you finally broke apart, gasping for breath, you looked up at Derek, your eyes wide. "What the hell was that?"

Derek shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I don't know. But I feel better now. Do you?"

You nodded slowly, still in shock. "Yeah. Yeah, I do."

From that moment on, everything was different between you and Derek. You still argued and teased each other, but there was an undercurrent of something else, something more. It wasn't long before you found yourselves stealing kisses in between cases, unable to resist the pull between you.

One day, while you and Derek were reviewing a case file, you noticed him glaring at you from across the table. You raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of your lips.

"What's your problem now, Morgan?" you asked, your tone laced with amusement.

"You're my problem, Y/N," he retorted, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

You chuckled, leaning back in your chair. "Oh really? And what are you gonna do about it?"

Derek didn't answer, instead leaning across the table and capturing your lips in a quick, fiery kiss. You gasped in surprise, but quickly recovered, deepening the kiss.

When you pulled away, you were both breathing heavily, your eyes locked on each other. Derek grinned, his dimples appearing in his cheeks.

"That's what I'm gonna do about it," he said, his voice low and husky.

You couldn't help but smile back at him, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of what was to come between you. It seemed like everything had changed overnight, and you couldn't wait to see where this newfound attraction would take you.

However, you both tried to keep it under wraps, not wanting to make things awkward with the rest of the BAU team.

One day, during a briefing, you were standing next to Derek. He leaned in close to you and whispered something in your ear that made you roll your eyes.

"I can think of a few motives for you and me to get alone later tonight."

You felt your cheeks flush and your heart rate pick up, but you managed to keep your composure and shoot him a teasing glare.

"Is that so, Morgan?" you replied with a smirk.

"Well, we'll have to see if you can catch me first."

"What was that?" Rossi asked, eyeing the two of you suspiciously.

"Nothing," you replied quickly, trying to hide the smile that had crept onto your face.

As the meeting came to an end and everyone began to file out of the room, Derek paused by your chair and leaned in close.

"I'll be looking forward to that challenge," he murmured, his breath warm against your ear.

And with that, he sauntered out of the room, leaving you feeling both flustered and excited for what was to come.

And as much as you wanted to deny it, you couldn't help but admit that you had feelings for him - feelings that went beyond the anger and frustration that had defined your relationship for so long.

[sysakiddo]

we are SO BACK baby. is Sebchal alive?? Have I succeeded in the CPR?

ao3(with some notes), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Before lunch, Max is trying to catch up on the lost sleep in the lounge chair. Daniel is swimming with long, strong strokes that smoothly break the water’s surface and barely make any sound. When he dives up and sees Max, planes of milky skin on show, his mouth waters. Max's nose had already started to turn red, and his sunglasses were doing nothing to hide that. 

Max thinks about joining him for a split second, but last night's dream still lives at the back of his head. He breathes in the smell of chlorine, and another memory flashes, him trying to resurface, legs and arms tied, lungs on fire from the lack of oxygen. 

“Cover your tits, Max!” Charles yells across the terrace, framing his mouth with his hands so he's louder. Max doesn't even stir. 

Anne is sitting on a chair, typing away on her computer. Her phone rings and she starts chattering in quick Dutch, something Daniel doesn't even try to decipher. Max, however, sits up when she hangs up. 

“He gave you an E?” he asks, his voice scratchy. 

Anne blushes and nods once. She picks up the drink Charles has poured for her but doesn't drink it. “I guess he didn't really-” 

“Well, that's bullshit. You told me what you would write about and made some great points.” Max stands up, and the shadow from his figure stretches all the way to Daniel. 

Anne sighs and lets Max sit down on the chair next to her. “It's not that bad, Max. He did have some valid criticism-” 

“Honestly, fuck him.” His shoulders are hunched, and his lips are forming a thin line. Daniel's stomach tightens at seeing him like this. 

“I need to try harder. My classmates-” 

Max scoffs. “It's just that, you know, they are all so-” she continues, her voice wobbly now. “I feel like I need to do three times more just to be able to play with them at the sandpit.” 

It always felt stupid to Max to talk to her about the glass ceiling and feminism when he was a white man from a wealthy family. After all, the only other woman here was Pierre's girlfriend. She still hasn't introduced herself to them. 

“Maybe we should introduce her to Mlinarević.” Charles quips beside them and rolls his eyes when Max immediately scrunches his nose. 

“What about Susie?” Daniel asks from where he is leaning on his forearms in the pool. 

Anne nods. “She's nice, yeah. But she's been trying to persuade me to change my nationality for over a year now.” 

“Yeah, we have to figure out something different.” 

Daniel exits the pool, and the water swooshes in short, quick waves. “Maybe you should just drop out,” 

“Daniel!” Max hushes him and Daniel smirks, shaking his hair just beside him so the droplets fall on Max's heated skin. 

Anne just shoots him a smile and turns back to her computer. Max, however, isn't going to let him get away with it. He stands up and pushes into him just as Daniel leans over to get the towel. He falls into the pool with a loud splash, laughing as he resurfaces. 

“Maybe don't try to persuade my mentee to drop out of school, yeah?” Max says, but this time, he is smiling. 

“She's right, though,” Alex unexpectedly joins the conversation. “Poli sci students are assholes.” 

| 

Daniel and Sebastian are put on the market duty for the day. Daniel doesn't mind, thankful for some alone time with the older man.

They walk around the market in silence for a while, Sebastian looking for asparagus and Daniel for some fruits. It's buzzing with life at this time and the smell of lavender is ever-present. Sebastian is the first to speak right after Daniel manages to buy the green apples that Max likes. Daniel thinks they are too sour. “What did he say about Beijing?” 

Daniel purses his lips. “He was very humble with the word count. More of a horrified-facial expression-situation,” 

Seb smirks. “He's going to talk to Jos about it, but I know he doesn't want to go.” Daniel feels his voice tightening and he coughs a little to clear it. 

“It would be a career suicide not to go,” 

Daniel puts on his sunglasses even though the sun is not directly above them just yet. “It's going to be a career suicide for him to go.” 

Sebastian stops by the stand with the asparagus, smiling winningly. “Max is still so young. He can wait a bit.” 

“I think, listen, just between us,” Daniel says in a hushed voice. “They are trying to get him into politics - again. And for the first time, it seems like he would consider it. He thinks he's doing a great job hiding it from me.” 

Sebastian hands him the asparagus he bought and doesn't grace Daniel's gossip with an answer.

“You know something.” Daniel accuses him after he stays quiet for just a bit too long. 

The blond just shrugs, says some French pleasantries to the merchant and turns to look at him. “Sorry, Daniel, you don't have clearance for that.” 

Daniel rolls his eyes and puckers his lips in an annoyed expression. “Yeah, you can fuck right off,” He looks at Seb's tanned hands, the ring-less fingers and shifts to an offense. “Any development in the tortured lovers saga?” 

“Well, funny you should ask. Yesterday,” Sebastian says with a small smile on his lips. “I told Charles I had feelings for him.” 

Daniel whips around so fast that he gets a whiplash. “What?” he yells out and immediately hears a low grumble in French. 

Sebastian has the nerve to just nod. 

“AND?” Daniel is so loud Sebastian shushes him, rolling his eyes. 

“He said he doesn't care,” he continues only after they move on to another stand, this one with strawberries.

“What?” Daniel mouths soundlessly, shocked. 

By now, Sebastian is blushing a bit. “He said he already knew I had feelings for him-” 

Daniel makes a sound but doesn't speak in fear of spooking Sebastian into silence. 

“But-” Seb sighs, observing the strawberries with the eye of a professional. “He doesn't care because he also knows I don't want to do anything about it. Said he could see I'd not decided to do anything about it and he wasn't interested in mind games. But he told me he would always say yes if I asked.” 

“Oh my god,” Daniel whispers like the gossip he is. “This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard!” he says nonsensically, realising it's not true at all. “How do you feel about that?” 

Sebastian stops in his tracks, thinking mutely for a second. “I'm happy. Really, really happy.” 

He smiles, handing the strawberries to Daniel, who takes them, not even trying to hide his astonishment. He can't wait to have a debrief about this with Max.

[ssa-atlas-alvez]

“I can’t believe you let him do that to me”

- for your angst/hurt asks

Scapegoat (BAU x male!gay!reader)

Warnings: Homophobia, some slurs (f-slur), homophobic language, bad language overall.

PLEASE DO NOT READ IF THIS WILL UPSET YOU

"(Y/N), I want you to interview him," Hotch said, "Alone." You falter, unsure of his orders.

"Hotch, do you really think that's a good idea?" Morgan cuts in before you could, ever the big brother figure.

"It'll be fine." He's quick to dismiss any worry, whilst normally that would be enough to dissolve your anxiety, your guy was telling you otherwise.

You nod slightly, trying to ignore the anxiety, you shoot Morgan what you hope is a reassuring smile before you head into the interrogation room. The Unsub, a man named Frank Carrington, looks you up and down with a smirk. You hold back a shiver as you slide into the seat in front of him.

"You must be a real expendable team member," Frank chuckles as he leans forward.

"Yeah? What makes you say that?"

"They put a fag in with someone who they suspect killed six of 'em." Your stomach drops at the slur and your glad your hands are under the table right now, because they're shaking.

"Did you?"

"Did I what?" The man huffs.

"Did you kill those men?"

"Why? Were they your special buddies?" Frank smirks, "They give you a real good time, huh?"

"Did you kill those men?"

"I ain't telling a fairy like you," He snorts, "Get me a real man and maybe I'll talk."

"Sounds like internalised homophobia to me," You quip, "Let me guess, you got jealous that these men had the balls to be out that jealousy turned to rage because you feel like you can never admit that you're gay."

"How fucking dare you-"

"How dare I what?"

"I ain't telling a faggot like you nothing!"

Despite your anxieties, and your thoughts racing, you manage to narrow your thoughts down to just getting a confession. And so, you tilt your head, "But Frank, can't you see? We're one in the same."

The lie leaves an acidic feeling in your throat, but it's what causing his downfall.

"I killed them because they're disgusting! They're sinners and I'm cleansing the world by getting rid of them! How dare you try and tell me I'm the same as you! How fucking dare you!" He shouts, slamming his heads against the table, smirking when you jump. "And while I'm in prison, you're going to be the one I fantasise killing. And when I get out? You're the first one I'm going after."

"Yeah, okay." You dismiss, leaving the interrogation room. You walk past Rossi, JJ, and Prentiss. Morgan looks up from the file, seeing your face, his stomach drops and he catches up to you as you make your way to the bathroom.

"You okay?" He asked as you made your way over to the sink.

"Fine." You answer, turning on the tap, splashing cold water onto your face.

"What happened?"

"Don't want to talk about it." You mutter before drying you face and then hands with some paper towels.

Hotch approached you as you exited the bathroom, "(Y/N)-"

"I can't believe you let him say those things to me." The words slip out of your mouth before you can fully comprehend what you've said. You barely recognise the look of remorse that flashes through Hotch's eyes.

"(Y/N), I'm sorry-"

"You fucking stood there as he called me all those things! You did fuck all!" You shouted, not caring about the looks you were getting about the attention you were drawing to yourself.

"We had to, for the case-"

"I don't give a fuck about the case Hotch you didn't even warn me! I would have been fine if you told me the plan!" You exclaimed, "But you didn't and then just fucking watched!"

You miss the glare that Morgan shoots Hotch, instead you continue, because you've got a hell of a lot to say and right now you don't care that he's your boss. "I'm not just some fucking scapegoat for you to use for getting confessions." You snap. "Believe it or not, Hotch. I have feelings."

"(Y/N)-"

"You know what? Next someone starts throwing slurs, you fucking sit in the same room as them, see how you feel, yeah? And I'll tell you that it's fine because it's for the case. We'll see if that makes the words hurt less, yeah? Especially when someone you trust is on the other side of the mirror, someone you trusted would stop the interview if it got out of hand." You scoff, not giving him a chance to reply before leaving the room.