#clothing storage boxes with lids

[satorusugurugurl]

JJK Men: Finding Your Toys

Characters: Geto Suguru, Gojo Satoru, Nanami Kento, FAB!Reader

Word Count: 4,952

Warnings: Sex toys! Dirty talk, squirting, smut, videotaping, degrading, holy heck, it’s spicy

A/N: This had me feeling things; I loved writing this. Each one of these hit differently, in the best ways. 😏

MDNI!!!

Geto Suguru:

“Suguru!” You called out from the kitchen, standing on a stepstool dusting the tops of your cabinets. “Can you do me a favor, please?”

Popping his head into the kitchen, Suguru stared at the curve of your ass peeking out from your shorts. “Anything for you.” He watched you stand higher, ass bouncing just a bit.

“Could you grab me the spring decorations? I put them on the bed.”

“On it.”

Ah, spring cleaning. A single day of the year, you deep cleaned your shared apartment. You were donating clothes and books, pretty much decluttering. Then you cleaned everything: floorboards, vents, every crevice. You always felt better after it was done. Plus, with Suguru helping you, you did it in half the time. All that was left was to put up the windchime and new throw pillows.

Then you both could relax.

Suguru was looking forward to a long shower and takeout food. Maybe if you weren’t too tired, he could have you for dessert. Before anything like that remotely happened, he needed to finish the task at hand. The bag was right where you told him it would be. Yanking it off, Suguru turned only to hear something hit the floor.

“Shit.” He cursed, watching your water bottle roll under the bed. Bending down, Suguru reached for the runaway water, only to feel the corner of an extended storage bin. With a tug, Suguru pulled the mysterious box out, his eyes widening as he stared at the transparent container.

Sex toys galore were inside. Glass dildos, clits suckers, vibrators, regular dildos. The sight nearly rocked Suguru's back as he opened the lid, glancing at the cleaned and organized toys. His cock throbbed painfully as he picked it up, putting it on the bed.

So this was what you got off with when he was on a mission. He hummed, picking up a vibrator and turning it over before grabbing a glass toy. It was long and had a large orb on the end. A g-spot toy. Did you use these to make yourself squirt? Have you squirted without him?

The first time Suguru made you squirt was when you both first started fooling around. His mouth was on your clit, fingers hammering against that spot until you screamed, soaking the sheets and his face. You freaked out at first, profusely apologizing. But your words were silent as Geto went feral, wanting to see you squirt again.

He didn't stop until you were nearly fucked out of your mind. All you could say was: “D-Didn't know I could squirt!”

“Suguru!” Your voice called out from the kitchen. “Did you find the bag?”

“Oooh, I found something alright.”

His tone had you turning your head towards his voice. “Oh? Was it the fairy lights? I thought I forgot to grab that bag at the store.” Your boyfriend hummed.

“I mean, a few of these light up.”

Okay, the man was definitely up to something. You finished up what you were doing before treading down the hall. As you turned the corner into the room, you froze like a deer in the headlights. Your toy bin was out, and Suguru was eagerly digging through it, a smug smile on his face.

“Ah!!” Bolting across the floor, you snatched the toys away, throwing them back inside before reaching for the lid.

Suguru chuckled, grabbing the lid from you and tossing it. “Oh no, you don't! We're not putting this away.” With your plan foiled, you held your arms out to block his view.

“No! It's embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing?” Looking at your boyfriend, your cheeks flushed as he pulled his sweats down an inch. He's showing you the bulge in his boxers. “It's fucking hot.”

The humiliation slowly began to fade, a fire replacing it. “Really?”

Suguru nodded while digging in the bin. “Yeah, I like seeing the stuff you get off with.” He pulled out your g-spot dildos and vibrator. “Trying to make yourself squirt?” The knowing smirk on his face left you a blushing mess as you glanced away, nodding in response. “Did you do it?” This time, you shook your head.

“I don't think I'm doing it right.”

You felt Suguru behind you before you heard him. “Oh? Maybe you should show me~?”

One heavy make-out session later, you sighed softly as you slowly thrust the glass toy in and out of your dripping pussy. Suguru was on his stomach between your legs, watching you like a hawk. The glass toy rubbed against the sweet spot inside of you perfectly. The sensation was almost too overwhelming.

“C-Can’t.” Your legs clenched together in an attempt to ease the throbbing.

“Yes, you can.” Hands grabbed your thighs, forcing them open. “Stop closing your legs; I can't see.”

With an almost pained whine, you kept thrusting the toy in and out of your cunt. It was tight, so tight, your walls were hugging the toy, making it difficult for you to thrust it in and out. You were getting so fed up with this. Glaring down between your legs, you chewed on your bottom lip. Every time you tried to make yourself squirt, this happened. You'd get tired and annoyed before tossing the toy to the side with an irritated growl.

Suguru was focusing less on your dripping sex and more on your face. You were frustrated, focusing too much on the task at hand. You were never going to cum like that. So he gently wrapped his hand around yours, helping you with the pacing of the thrusts. The warmth of his hand and the subtle change of pace had you tilting your head back.

“You need to relax,” Suguru whispered, pressing hot kisses against your thigh. “You’re too tense. Stop focusing so much on the mechanics of it and more on the sensation.”

Letting out a trembling exhale, you relaxed, focusing more on how the toy slid in and out of you. Frustrated groans turned into low whimpering as Suguru sucked at your skin. Fuck, this felt so good, like when Suguru would finger you. The familiar coil tightened in your abdomen. The same tightening you usually felt when you would squirt.

“Ah, ah fuck.” You arched your back off the bed, pussy throbbing around the toy. “Fuuuuck, Suguru~!”

“Yeah, feel good?” He asked, still gripping the toy. “you’re getting the hang of it. It would help if you did a little of this—” he bit his lip in concentration, curving it up more. When he did that, you saw the entire universe. A scream escaped you as the toy rubbed perfectly over your g-spot. “there it is; you just gotta curve it a bit.”

“Holy fuck! Holy fuck!” Your legs began trembling as they began to shut.

Suguru sat up, growling as he shifted his body, preventing your legs from closing completely. “I thought I told you to fuckin’ stop doing that.” All you did was whine in response. “Ah~ too fucked out of your mind to even notice? God, you're so fuckin’ cute.” The hand he had on top of yours set a fast pace. “You're almost there, don't stop~ good girl~ good fuckin girl~!” the sweet praises had you speeding your hand up, making your boyfriend chuckle in surprise. “Oh, Y/N, you want me to praise you more~? You get off on that?” When you whimpered, he cooed. “My pretty princess is doing such a good job fucking her pussy. Are you going to cum? Gonna cum for me, princess?” Your boyfriend's freehand began rubbing your clit.

“Y-Yes! Fuck ohhh fuck!” Tears formed in your eyes as Suguru grinned, letting go of your hand. Watching as you sped up, not needing his direction anymore. “I-I’m gonna, gonna cum!”

“That's it, squirt for me. Make a mess, princess. Ooh!” Suguru scoffed, sitting back as you convulsed, squirting all over the bed and him. His hand rubbed your clit, extending your orgasm, making you squirt even more. “Fuck~! Look at you, making a mess, you nasty slut.”

Suguru made sure to watch you. The way your body slowly came down, hips against the mattress as your eyes fluttered shut. The subtle way your hips jerked, trying to evade his hand, which was now drawing gentle circles around your clit.

You were so damn beautiful.

Hungry, starved eyes bore into yours, his chest heaving as you pulled the toy out. “S-Sugu?” Your timid voice didn't seem to break his trance. “Baby? You okay?” Instead of responding, Suguru answered by grabbing your hips and flipping you so your face was in your pillow. “Mmmph!”

“You did okay,” his voice was dark, gravely, “I'd give you a five out of ten.” All you could do was listen, tensing up when you felt the tip of the glass toy prodding your entrance. “But I think you need a demonstration.” You couldn't even respond as the toy was shoved back inside of you deeper than you could have managed on your own. “Maybe, just maybe, if you cum hard enough, I’ll fuck you.”

Gojo Satoru:

The smell of freshly baked cookies wafted from the oven as you pulled the hot tray out. The viral cinnamon roll cookies smelt as good as they looked. While placing the cookies on the cooling rack, you heard footsteps hurrying down the hall. Seemed as though Satoru’s nose was as keen as ever.

“Am I the best girlfriend ever or what?” You tossed the oven mitts on the counter with a fist pump. “Not only do I bake, but I suck co—” Turning on your heel, you were about to wink at your boyfriend, only to find him towering over you.

His face was flushed, and his smile was as wide as could be as he smirked. “When the hell did you get this?” Gojo dangled your pink, blue-tooth bullet vibrator in front of your face.

“Satoru!!!” You reached for the toy, only to have him yank it out of reach. “Give it back!!” Satoru shook his head, holding the toy above his head, making it impossible for you to reach it now. “Toruuu!!!”

Satoru was as excited as a child at Christmas. He was practically vibrating (not from the toy) with horny energy. What a fucking find! All you asked was for him to grab the blanket from the closet! When he pulled it out, the box to his new friend fell.

“The box said I can control it with an app?! An app on my phone?! Oh my god, this is great!” He promptly held the box with his other hand, reading its functions. “Long distance play, waterproof, and it syncs to music and sound?!” His white brows furrowed in disbelief as his grin widened. “Y/N, why didn't you tell me?!”

“Because it sucks.”

All of the excitement on Gojo’s face vanished. “Sucks? What do you mean it sucks?!” His cerulean eyes darted from the toy in his hand before focusing on you. The pout he was sporting was almost impressive.

“It sucks, Satoru.” Pushing past him, you headed for the couch. “I tried syncing it to my playlist. It didn’t get me all hot and bothered. I even tried using the sound function. The app syncs to the sounds of porn videos, or any sound in general, but they just.” You shrugged a shoulder, plopping down on the couch. “They were so phony that the vibrations were so weak. I hated it so much that I didn’t see the point in telling you about it.”

Something about what you had said had Gojo blinking in silence. “You synced it up to some random porn video online?”

“Yes, Toru, and like I just told you, it sucked.”

“Right, but you watched two rando’s do it?” Something in the tone of his voice triggered your sixth sense. The danger was approaching, and it was in the form of your very horny boyfriend.

“Y-Yeah?” What should have been a statement was more of a question as Satoru dangled the toy on his index finger with an almost sadistic smirk. “What are you getting at with this?”

”Ah, you see, dear Y/N, my sweet perverted girlfriend.”

”Hey!”

Gojo crouched, twirling the vibrator around his finger like his house keys. “The problem isn’t the toy.” His pink tongue darted out, wetting his bottom lip. “It’s the content you’re viewing. You need something more—personal.”

”Ah! Ah! Fuuuck! Fuck!”

The toy deep inside of you buzzed at an intense speed. “Holy shit!” You cried out, your hand squeezed Satoru’s cock tight.

“Take my fucking cock.” Satoru’s voice from your television was sultry while the Satoru beside you wheezed out a laugh.

“Fuck, easy baby, you’ll break my dick.” Peeling your eyes away from the television screen, you tilted your head back against the couch, your Y/E/C eyes focusing on Satoru’s throbbing cock. “See, I told you it was the content and not the toy.”

He was right about that. When he suggested you put on the porno’s the two of you made together, you didn’t have high hopes. But holy fuck were you wrong. Your moans, Satoru’s dirty words, god it god it got you going, along the vibrator was buzzing like mad inside of you. Firmly pressing against your g-spot, teasing it as you watched Gojo fuck you into the mattress.

Satoru decided to join you for ‘research,’ wanting to see for himself that the toy sucked, as you said it did. Little did he know that you were going to start stroking him as you both watched yourselves on the screen. He rocked his head back as your thumb rubbed gently circled over his slit.

“Y/N fuck, playing with my pre like that.” his hand slid over, rubbing circles over your clit that had you jolting. “You're so pretty when you're feeling good. Such a good girl~”

His voice next to you was a sharp contrast to the Gojo on the television. He had the camera turned to his face. He was sweaty, biting his lip as he slapped your ass hard in the video. “You're such a nasty girl~! God fuck, grinding up against me on the dance floor, telling me you were soaking wet in the car.” Another sharp slap had both of you in the video and on the couch whining. “My dirty fucking slut, couldn't wait to get dicked down, could ya’?” The vibrator buzzed louder, your toes curling as you watched the screen. Slapping skin, whines, and guttural moans had your vibrator buzzing like a beehive.

“Hey, look at me~” Turning to look at Satoru was so hard from how hard you were jerking. “You're so beautiful~ do you like your toy now? You love it?” Please say you do, please, please, please. Satoru begged in his mind as you jerked his cock harder. If you liked it, it would make phone sex a million times better.

“Toru, Toru, yes, feels good~ love it~!” Fuck you were close. Your moans were beginning to meld in with your moans from the video. Louder, desperate, and ducking porn worthy. “Toru wanna cum, wanna cum with y-you!” Satoru gritted his teeth, eyes darting to his cock, that you were jerking off like a crazed woman.

“Yeah, ah, pretty girl, I’m close~ cum with me, okay? Be a good girl and cum~” The Satoru on the television snarled as he came, while your

Satoru whimpered, thrusting into your clenched hand until ropes of hot sticky cum painted your hard and his clenching ab’s. “Cumming, of fuck yes, I’m cummin’!” He cried out in time with his television persona.

It was the combination of the vibrations, Satoru’s fast circles over your clit, and watching yourselves cum that had you gushing around your new favorite toy. You screamed, eyes rolling back into your head. You came all over the couch. Fuck when was the last time you came that hard? It was probably when you and Satoru made the video you were viewing.

“So,” Satoru asked between pants, “does the t-toy still suck?”

You didn't answer his question. You instead grabbed your phone with shaking hands, typing on the screen. Satoru was about to ask what you were doing when a little chime went off. You tossed your phone to the side before gently pulling the toy out of you.

“Aw, done already?” Satoru’s cocky voice cut off as you straddled his hips. “Y-Y/N?” You cupped his face, turning it to the side, allowing you to kiss down his neck. “Fuuuck baby.”

“Mm,” Kiss after kiss trailed down his neck, “no, I love it~ I love it so much I just bought you the matching fleshlight.”

Satoru’s large hands gripped your hips, massaging them. “Oh really?” He gasped out as you sucked and bit the crook of his neck, marking his ivory skin. “A-Are you gonna make me watch the same video when it gets here?”

“Oooh, no.” Satoru watched as you grabbed his phone, propping it against the lamp beside him. “We're making a new video,” Satoru whines louder, wincing as you bite him harder. “Oooh, good boy~ Toru~ be extra loud for us~ that way, the vibrations are super strong.”

Nanami Kento:

The second the elevator door opened, Nanmi bolted out, running towards your shared apartment. He was nearly breathless from all of the running he had done in an attempt to get home as fast as he possibly could. Fuck, if only he could teleport like Gojo, maybe his heart wouldn’t be pounding inside of his ears in fear and panic.

He had been meeting with Yaga at the school when his phone went off, alerting him of your text. You were constantly sending messages throughout the day. Asking how he was doing, what he would like for dinner, or if he needed anything while you were out shopping. He did not feel like he deserved to have someone like you in his life.

His blood ran cold when he read the screen, his heart dropping into the pit of his stomach.

Y/N: I need your help; please come home ASAP!

The second those words processed through his mind, he was moving. Telling Yaga there was an emergency and he needed to hurry home. Every single terrible thought rushed through his mind at once. Was there a cursed spirit chasing you? Did one of the students get hurt? Were you hurt? He needed answers to the questions that were on a constant loop in his mind.

“Y/N!?” Nanami yelled out as he entered the apartment, slamming the door behind him. “Y/N?!” No traces of cursed energy, a sign of intrusion, or blood was in sight.

”I-I’m in the bedroom, Kento.” Immediately, Nanami knew something was off with your voice. It was far too timid.

When he walked into the room, he expected to find something terrible awaiting him. Much to his relief, you were laying in bed, a blanket covering your lower body propped up against your pillows. That’s how he had left you this morning and countless other times. Either you received some bad news from your family, or there was something his observant eyes were missing.

”What happened? Are you okay? What’s the emergency?”

Your face twisted from unreadable to one to a pained one as you shifted slightly. Anyone else would have missed it, but Nanami knew everything about you. He moved so fast you gasped as he crawled on the bed, looking you over for injuries.

“What's going on?” the stern tone of his voice made this ten times more embarrassing.

You brought your hands to your face, rubbing them gently as you tried to find your words. “I-I uhm—” Peeking through your fingers, you found Nanami staring at you with that serious look. “It, uhm, it's stuck.” Could this day get any worse? God fuck, this was mortifying.

“Stuck? What's stuck, Y/N?”

“M-My toy.”

“Toy?”

Not wanting to get into the details of your activities, you sighed, slowly pulling the blanket off. Laying on the bed beside you was a bottle of lube, and as you spread your legs, Nanami hissed at the sight. A toy, one he had never seen before, was lodged inside of you. It was thick; it made your poor pussy throbbed and twitched around it. Your wet slick glistened around it.

Nanami sighed, looking away from you, trying to keep some composure. Fuck you looked so hot, but a twinge of insecurity hit him in the chest. Nanami loved using your toys on you. He didn’t see them as competition; they were more like allies. He’d do anything, use anything to make you feel good. You both were very good at communicating your needs and wants with each other. If you were horny, all you needed to do was ask him.

Even if you wanted to masturbate, he had no issue with that at all! He encouraged it. Nanami Kento was not one of those men who saw you pleasuring yourself as a hit to his ego. He bought you a lot of the toys you shared. Kento wanted you to be satisfied and happy. That’s all his heart desired.

But something about this stung. It wasn’t because he was hurt that you didn't ask for help. You were not required to tell him if you were horny or needed help. Nor was it the fact that you were getting off on your own. What it was was the fact you were in pain. You had hurt yourself. That’s what stung me the most.

“Kento?” The stoic look on his face said everything without the use of words. “Baby, look, I just, I—!”

Kento said nothing as he stood up, walking to the dresser. He shrugged out of his suit jacket; his suspenders stretched as he took his watch off before rolling the sleeves of his blue dress shirt up to his elbows. Nanami, not saying anything was more stressful than him yelling at you. The room was too tense; it was thick and suffocating as Nanami turned around, getting on the bed.

His hands slowly slid up your thighs, spreading them apart. “Let’s get this out of you.” He nearly whispered before glancing into your Y/E/C eyes. “Ready?” You nodded, giving him the approval to proceed. His hands gently grabbed the base of the toy, tugging it.

“O-Ow.” You winced, watching him closely.

Nanami clenched his jaw at your pained whine. “Did you not use enough lube?” Gently, he twisted the toy before pushing it back into you.

“Ah~!” A loud moan escaped you, hands covering your eyes. “N-No, I d-don’t fuck, ah fuck, c-could you maybe not push it back in?”

A blonde eyebrow cocked at your request. “Do you want this stuck inside forever?”

“No. I’m sorry; I’ll shut up. Fuck this is embarrassing.”

“Mm.” Nanami sat up on his knees, looking over you. “Keep your legs open.” You pouted, doing as he said, while he twisted the toy inside of you, watching your reactions closely. You withered under him, pleasure starting to replace the pain. “You should have known better, or you could have warmed yourself up a little more.” He chastised, twisting and pulling at the snug toy again.

Your hands gripped the sheets, fisting the fabric. “N-Nanami, please don’t scold me.” You whimpered, cheeks flushing under his gaze. “J-Just ah, fuck, take it out.” From the mixture of embarrassment and lust, your voice had a tone; one Nanami didn’t care for.

He clenched his jaw tight. “It’s not coming out because you pushed it too far in! So now I have to work it out!”

You whined louder; this was not the way you thought this would play out. You bought this toy for both of you. “Oh my god! Just fuckin yank it out! This is so fucking embarrassing! I wanna die right now.” You laid your elbow over your eye, hiding your teary gaze from him.

“I’m your boyfriend. Why is this embarrassing?!” It wasn’t often that Nanami snapped at you, but your attitude was getting under his skin.

“Because!! I ruined the surprise!!” You removed your arm, showing him your teary gaze. Nanami’s eyes went wide. “T-This is the custom toy we made. It was delivered this morning, and I freaked seeing how big it was. I wanted to see if it would fit because I didn’t want to ruin tonight. But I ended up ruining it anyway.”

Honey-brown eyes darted towards the toy. Kenton wasn’t able to tell from the base. But upon further inspection, he recognized the custom marble coloring of blue and yellow the two of you picked out when you designed it. The one that he had all added ridges and bumps, especially for your pleasure. You were doing a test drive for him. All for him.

“Y/N, love,” he smiled softly, “you didn’t need to do this. You wouldn’t have messed anything up. We could have taken it slow. Just because it got here didn’t mean I would want to use it. I would've helped ease you into it. Besides, you didn’t ruin anything.”

You were wiping at blubbering tears, only managing to smile and nod in agreement. It was so relieving to know you didn’t ruin the experience. Things would be perfect if this toy weren’t stuck inside of your pussy.

Nanami leaned down, pressing his lips against yours, kissing you deeply. “Mm Y/N~” Feeling his lips against you had you moaning as you kissed him back. Nanami pulled back, his cock throbbing in his pants. “Alright, let’s get this toy out of you. But I need you to put in some effort.” You hummed, nodding eagerly.

“Okay, how can I help?”

“Be good,” Nanami commanded before fucking the toy into you.

You threw your head back, turning it from side to side as the custom ridges and bumps hit your g-spot perfectly, just how Nanami had designed it. Your toes curled, thighs shaking as you gasped out cries of pleasure. Nanami smirked, listening to the squelching sounds of your pussy.

“Fuck, you like that? Your pretty cunt sounds like she loves it~.”

“Ah, fuck, yes!! Nnngh!” You gripped your pillow, staring at him through your lashes. “B-But I want you more~! Please, I want to feel you.”

“Yeah, you do?” His voice was full of faux curiosity. “But Y/N, you were bad.” His eyes were dark as he twisted the toy he fucked in in and out of you. “You got yourself into a situation, didn’t you? One that you had to call me to come fix.”

Your eyes were wide, pupils dilated, fixed on him. Fucking hell, he looked so fucking hot. Eyes dark, eyes focused on the toy he customized for you. You needed him inside of you. You needed him to be the one rearranging your guts. Slowly, you slid your foot over, rubbing your foot over the hard bulge straining in his dress pants. The contact had him hunching over, jaw-dropping as he groaned.

“Please, Ken~ I need you. I need you so bad.”

He was breathing heavily, glaring down at you. “Fine.” He yanked the toy out, chuckling at the gasp you let out as the giant toy popped out of your cunt. “Do you need me?” His hands quickly moved, undoing his belt before tugging them down as he slotted between your thighs.

“Yes Kento, I need yo—oooh!!!” Nanami’s cock slammed into you before you finished your plea.

“You feel so fucking good.” Kento tilted his head back, hips slamming into you at a pace that had you seeing stars. The veins in his neck popped out as he gritted his teeth. “Holy fuck, your cunt is so wet! You were feeling it, weren't you?”

You weren’t going to last. You were already so close. Nanami wasn’t doing any better himself. His cock throbbed deep inside of you as he set a brutal pace. Slamming in and out, fucking you as deep as he could. The tip of his cock slammed against your cervix. It was a painful pleasure that had your mouth dropping in an ‘O’ shape. God, you might die. This was too good.

Nanami grabbed your face, jerking your head to look at him. “You look at me when you cum, you fucking hear me?” His mouth was on yours, tongue sliding against yours, capturing every whine and moan you made as his cock slammed into every sweet spot.

As much as you wanted to close your eyes, you obeyed Nanami’s instructions. Y/E/C on his as you screamed into his mouth. You came, squirting, whining, and crying. Nanami pulled back, face flushed as he growled like a fucking incubus. Feeding off of you, your orgasm, every part of you. Feeling you cum, seeing that fucked out expression plastered across your flushed face. It had Nanami cumming so hard. His balls clenched as he emptied his seed inside of you, painting your walls.

“Fuuuck, Y/N, fuuuck.” His hips slowed, his hands gently massaging your hips as he laid down with you. His arms wrapped around you, spooning you close. “I love you, god, you’re perfect.”

Breathing heavily, you giggled, relaxing in his arms. “I-I love you too.” You lazily smiled as you ran your fingers over his forearms, tracing shapes. “Thanks for saving me, Kento.”

His chest vibrated with a rich chuckle, lips grazing your neck. “Anything for you my love.” His lips pressed against your cheek, and you knew he meant every word.

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[oneforthemunny]

star girl |dom!eddie munson x sub!reader|

prompt: eddie doesn't decorate. you gift him a small tree to try and get him into the christmas spirit. he decides he'll decorate it, with his own personal decorations. thank you @wheels-of-despair for this iconic idea

apart of the twelve days of christmas with dom!eddie series that you can read here!

contains: smut minors dni 18+. dom/sub themes. dirty photos. oral fem receiving. male masturbation (eddie jacks off). cum play-ish???? taking nudes and dirty pictures lol (on a polaroid).

“You know,” You purr, pushing up on your forearms, the worn comforter slipping over your naked frame. 

Eddie’s eyes lingered momentarily on your chest, half-lidded blinks through the smoky, hazy air, one arm behind his head to prop himself up while he smoked the joint. A soft grunt rumbling out of his chest, offering you the burning joint between his fingers. 

You shook your head, holding the comforter to your chest, sitting back on your knees. “I think,” You twisted your lips gently, looking around the familiar room of the trailer- the same as it always was through every season. “That a little teeny tiny tree in here would really make the place festive.” 

Eddie huffed, eyes rolling into his head in annoyance. He felt blindly for the ashtray on his bedside, bumming the joint and flicking it into the pile for later. “No. How many times do I gotta say it?” He muttered. “You got every other room in the house.” 

“It won’t be a lot.” You countered, eyes rounding sweetly towards him. “I swear, just a tree. Please? Let me just put up a tree. A small one, like this big.” You held your hands up, motioning at the smallness of the tree- one you may have already bought. That may be in your trunk. 

“Why does it matter?” Eddie huffed in annoyance. 

“Because I want it.” You pouted, bottom lip puckered in just the right way to have him flushing. “And you love me, and want me to have what I want.”

Eddie scoffed, shaking his head, but you didn’t miss the blush rising up on his chest. “Right. If it’s what you want, then you should get it, right?” He snided sarcastically. 

You ignored it, hand slipping off your chest, letting the comforter slide with it, down the slopes of your breasts. Eddie’s eyes followed, like clockwork, as the blanket fell further and further. “You can decorate it however you want.” You thrummed seductively, low and gravelly, lashes batting his way. “I’ll help you if you want.” The blanket fell, sliding down your sternum, nipples hardening at the cool air of the room. 

Eddie blinked, eyes going vacant, mindless with your tits sitting in front of him. You weren’t playing fair, you knew exactly what you were doing. Eddie had half a mind to tell you that, maybe bust out the clamps and use them on you for trying to manipulate him this way. 

Instead, he let you ride him, boobs bouncing with every gallop of your hips, his hands grabbing and squeezing them, hard enough to have you squealing. 

The next day, the tiny tree had taken up residence on his dresser. Pushed to a corner, one he begrudgingly cleared, bare and smushed from storage. Eddie glared at it while he smoked, the way it mocked him just sitting there. A reminder of the most wonderful time of the year, or whatever the fuck it was. 

“I have extra ornaments, if you want to decorate it with them.” You had offered, but Eddie refused. He wouldn’t decorate it, not unless he got a really good idea- unless he could decorate it his way. 

The idea came when he was jacking off. 

Palming himself on the couch, watching MTV, Eddie’s cock was twitching, creeping to life with arousal with every twirl Paula Abdul gave on the screen. He was glad you weren’t here, you’d smack him and scream at him for staring. Eddie paused for a moment, pulling his hand out of his pants and walking to his bedroom, snagging the bottle of Jergens out of the bathroom.

“Where the fuck did I- ah!” Eddie grinned, pushing through his clothes hanging in the closet for his Rebok shoe box, old and torn at the corners but it held his prized possessions. “There you are.” Eddie muttered, flipping the cardboard lid open easily. 

Inside, dozens of polaroids scattered inside, all of you. You tied up, cum shots of your face or your ass or your pussy, all the things you’d tried- clamps, plugs, paddle marks, wax, the gag. Eddie laid them out carefully, his own little collection of naughty photos all for him. 

Eddie crawled the length of the bed, reaching for his favorite, a teary eyed photo of you on your knees, tongue out for Eddie’s cock, a faint peek of your red ass sticking out behind you.

Sweatpants shimmied off his waist, kicked with his boxers to the far side of the room, Eddie propped himself against the headboard, hand wrapped around his length, stroking himself slowly. 

He could remember the day he took the photo, after a concert at the Hideout. You had worn a leather corset, teased Eddie all day with it until he couldn’t take it any longer. He’d gotten you home, really played with you until you were sobbing, begging him to fuck you. 

His hand jerked his length faster and faster, a low groan caught in his throat, head tipping back. He could hear you, hear your whiny, little voice begging him to fuck you. “Please, I’ll be so good. So good, Eddie, please. I need it. Need you.” 

“Fuck, I know you will.” Eddie groaned into the quiet of the room, a straggled whimper creeping out. He tried to imagine it was you making him feel this good, not his own hand. He had never missed you more. 

Eddie knew his own orgasm was close, belly tightening with that feverish heat coursing through his body, his hand pumping himself faster and faster. A half lidded gaze cast on the photo of you, memories playing behind his eyes like his favorite film, hips jerking, small grunts and whines of pleasure until he was spilling over himself. 

Eddie’s chest heaved, hot and clammy, his release on his hand, some spilled on the base of himself. Vision blurred lightly, focusing gently back to normal from that post-orgasm haze. His eyes landed on it. The tree, perched right in front of him, bristling him with annoyance, killing his post-bliss euphoric feeling. 

A tattooed hand snatched his underwear, discarded on the floor, wiping himself off half-heartedly. He made sure to put his soiled underwear in the hamper- knowing you’d huff at him if he didn’t- snatching his sweatpants back off the ground. The Polaroid of you slightly creased in the corner from his grasp, he opened the box, setting it neatly inside until an idea crashed over him. 

The idea. 

Call it post-orgasm clarity, Eddie would call it genius, but his lips curled, a positively smug grin that felt like The Grinch’s snarly smile from the cartoon. 

Eddie grabbed the box, lying it out on the kitchen table, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips while he worked. Hot glue gun dripping onto the already scratched wood, tiny ornament hooks, and ribbons. Eddie knew exactly how he wanted to decorate. 

“What is this?” 

Eddie smirked, the quip in your tone, a ghosting of a scoff; he knew you saw it. His creation. 

“What, baby?” Eddie hummed coyly, slipping into the bedroom behind you. You stood in front of the dresser, carefully looking at each of the ‘ornaments’ he added to the tree, your face flushing with each one you saw. 

You turned, a brow furrowed at him, nodding towards the tree. “Oh, I decorated.” Eddie said simply, a tiny shrug of his shoulders. “Thought that was what you wanted.” 

“You decorated.” You blinked. “With… these?” Your fingers brushed over one of the Polaroids that captured your legs spread, cunt dripping with his release onto the sheets below you. 

“Yeah, why not?” Eddie shrugged so nonchalantly cool it made you shiver. His arms circled your waist, nose nuzzling into the soft skin of your flushed cheek. “You said I could decorate it however I want, and if it’s gotta be in my room, I want it covered with my favorite things.” He muttered against your skin, pressing a soft kiss against it. 

“Hm,” You hum, leaning into his touch. His groin rubbed against your ass, sporting a semi that had you snorting lightly. “Well, as long as you like it, I like it. Very festive, baby.” 

“Yeah, I thought so.” Eddie purred, lips ghosting over your cheek, sliding down to your jaw. “Need one more though. Somethin’ special for the star.” 

“Oh?” You squeaked, a shuddering breath caught in your throat. Eddie’s lips kissed down your jawline, teeth grazing over the spot under your ear that had your knees buckling. 

“Mm-hmm, want it to be a good one.” Eddie rasped, hands sliding down your hips, up your tummy towards your breasts. “Think we can take one? One good one for the star?” 

Your eyes fluttered open, whining behind closed lips. Eddie’s hands squeezing your boobs through your shirt, lips pressing sloppy kisses down your neck. You found the camera on the dresser easily, propped on the edge and ready for use. 

“What kinda picture?” You pressed, hips wiggling back against his groin, head tilting for better access, his lips trailing down your neck. 

Eddie’s hand grip at the small of your waist, walking you back towards the bed. Hands fumbling over each other, brushing touches and shoving of your clothes, tearing them off the other until they were a pile beneath you. 

“How do you want me?” You asked, a raspy whisper that had Eddie’s cock lurching, tip leaking with his own excitement. Your hand grabbing at his arms, his shoulders, his back, pulling him closer and closer to you 

“Get on all fours for me, baby.” Eddie growled, a sharp squeeze to your ass that had you squealing, scrambling to the disheveled bed, crawling until you were in a table top position. 

Eddie grinned, swiping the camera off the bed, checking the film. “Look back at me. Yeah, fuuuck yes, baby just like that.” He groaned, holding the camera to his eye, looking at you through the tiny hole. Your chin hooked over your shoulder, ass high in the air, arched and presented so he could see every single inch of you. 

The flash stunned you, blinking even though you were expecting it. “That’s the star?” You asked, brow lifted in question. “Thought you’d want something better than that.” 

“Oh, that’s not the star.” Eddie smirked, shaking the Polaroid. “This one’s just for me, sweetheart. You just look pretty. Wanted it all for myself.” 

You blush, heat spreading from the tip of your ears, to the tingling euphoric rush in your toes. “Ed,” You huffed. “Please, can you- can you hurry up?” 

Eddie’s brow raised, challenging- warning. “I said please,” You pout, that nasally pinch to your tone reserved just for him at times like this. His weakness. 

“I heard you.” Eddie rolled his eyes, tossing the camera beside him, grabbing you by the small of your waist, yanking you back towards him. “Stick that ass out f’me. You know how I want you.” A sharp smack to your ass had you squealing, Eddie’s jaw flexing at the sound, silencing the groan that threatened to spill from his throat. 

Your back arched, sinking your lower half down so your ass raised higher, cheek pressed to the mattress. Eddie stroked himself, eyes trained on your puffy lips. “You ready for me?” Eddie rasped, calloused hands gripping the fatty flesh of your ass, spreading your open wide. 

“Mmhmm,” You squirmed, hands gripping the sheets, arching further and further. 

Eddie’s right hand left your ass, fingers swiping over your sopping folds. The gasp you gave was music to his ears, a heavenly sound, light and airy- it made his heart race, cheeks flushed with rushing excited heat. It wasn’t what you expected, not in this position anyways. 

“You excited, hm?” Eddie grinned, voice rising to that taunting tone that had you clenching around his fingers pumping slowly in and out of you. “You like the idea of me takin’ photos of you like this, don’t you? Dirty girl.” 

“Yeah,” You breathed lightly, eyes pinching closed in pleasure. “That feels good, Ed.” 

“Does it?” Eddie hummed, pulling his fingers out slowly. You raised, a breathy whine of protest filling the room, Eddie’s hand on your spine pressing you down before you could continue. 

His hand found his shaft again, sinking to his knees on the mattress behind you, spreading your arousal easily over his length, tongue sliding over his bottom lip then it was on you. Tongue flattening, licking a long strip from the very top of your cunt, gliding through your folds, stopping to circle over your sopping hole. 

You gasped, a sharp breath of a grunt, hips bucking out of place at the feeling. You were expecting Eddie’s cock, for him to rail you, pin your arms to the small of your back and fuck you into the mattress. 

Eddie’s nose traced over your drenched entrance, lips curling and suckling around your clit, his free hand jacking himself. His hand would brush over your skin with every hard stroke, leaving you shuddering in its wake. 

“Ed,” You panted, face pressed into the mattress to try and keep your pathetic whines and cries in. “Please, whatever you’re doing just- ohmyfuckin’god- don’t stop.” 

Eddie groaned, vibrations sending shock waves straight to your core, hips rocking back towards his face as best as you could in the awkwardly bent position, folded in two practically so he could devour you. He stroked himself harder, faster with every whimper and whine that fell from your lips. 

He knew that you were close, the way your toes curled, hips jolting with every hollowed cheek suckle of his lips on your clit. He could feel his own high coming, slowing his strokes to time his release. Eddie wanted you to cum first- wanted that dazed, glassy eyed tinge in your eyes, when you looked positively picture perfect. 

And he got his money shot. That tree topping, perfect picture, better than what he could have imagined. Your cheeks glowing, teary eyes rounded, looking up perfectly at him with your tongue out, collecting every drop of his release while Eddie grunted out babbling praises that left you flushing with heat. 

“That’s the one.” Eddie grinned, chest still shining with a sheen of sweat, a pink flush down his tattooed torso. He flicked the Polaroid in his hand a few more times, grinning proudly at the photo, his own masterpiece. 

“That’s it?” You hummed, head rushing with that post-orgasm gooey feeling that had your heart swelling, cheek pressed to Eddie’s pillow. It smelled like him- citrusy Gain detergent, faint spicy cologne that was muted in the second hand transfer to the cotton, and his tea tree shampoo. You pressed your face further into the cotton, hands sneaking under the pillow, peeking out at Eddie from your place on the bed. 

“This is the one, babe.” Eddie nodded, rummaging through the small box of ornaments for what he was looking for, a cheap, plastic star. “This is a star worthy photo.” 

“I’m glad you like it.” You giggle. “Glad I could make your vision come true.” 

Eddie smirked, adjusting the star so it sat perched on top of the tree, the Polaroid taped to it. He stepped back, hands on his hips, admiring his own handiwork. You sitting back on your thighs, love drunk look in your eyes, tongue out showing off his release proudly, a tiny sliver of his tip in the bottom corner of the shot. 

His picture perfect star. The only thing he wanted on top of his tree. 

[swanlakebaby]

— caught ! | pjm

prompt: caught backstage with jimin.

⸝⸝ pairing: idol!jimin x fem!reader

⸝⸝ warnings: smut, sneaking around, humiliation kink, soft jimin, fluff

⸝⸝ word count: 1k

⸝⸝ note: n/a

nsfw, 18+, minors dni

-

you stand by the stage , watching as the crowd goes wild at the presence of the seven men. they say their last goodbyes to their fans before running off stage to staff , in which hands them water and wipes off their sweat from intense choreo and bright stage lights. you catch a glimpse of jimin before one of the staff members motions him into another room to change out of his stage clothes.

after a few minutes of waiting , the surrounding area is empty , like as though everyone suddenly packed up and left without you. reaching to grab your phone to call jimin , you feel a pair of warm sweaty hands playfully smack your shoulders , followed with a giggle. hiding a smile , you turn to face jimin. he looks tired , but happy to see you and glad you came to his last tour stop.

“did you miss me?” he said teasingly. “you can say i did. did you have fun?” you lean in and give him a small peck on the lips , before he can answer. he chuckles softly , “of course i did , but now i’m happy to return back to my regular schedules and sleep in my own bed.”

“what about me?” you wrap your arms around him , his body feels warm and sweaty. “considering the fact we’ve been hooking up ever since you got here , i’m not really missing out on the love department.” jimin laughs , pulling you closer. “when we get back to the hotel , i’ll show you how happy i am to see you.” you nuzzle your face into his neck. “why should we wait? nobody is around.” jimin says with a wink. scoffing , you say , “oh please , we cant do that kind of stuff here. even if nobody is around , there’s still cameras.”

ignoring you , he begins to slip his hands under the back of your shirt , rubbing your back slowly. he fiddles with his fingers , wrapping them around your bra strap , slowly undoing the clippings of your bra. you look at him in disbelief as he looks down at you , a more serious look on his face. biting your lip , you feel the air getting thicker as the sexual tension rises. “follow me.” jimin said , grabbing your hand and walking down the backstage hallway. excited , you hold onto his hand tighter. he leads you to an empty storage room filled with old microphones and stage equipment. luckily , there was a small table inside of this room with nothing on it besides a singular box.

jimin closes the door behind you and immediately begins to undress himself. following his lead until you’re both completely naked , the weight of the situation finally sets in. “we can’t do this here.” you say doubtfully , shaking your head. “why’s that?” jimin says , seemingly not worried as he begins to stroke himself. “what if someone sees?”

“then let them watch. now come here.” jimin grabs onto your wrist , pulling you down to your knees. you look up at him with innocent eyes , only turning him on even more. he grabs his cock and places his tip on your tongue , making you look up at him in the process.

you begin to suck him off , he looks down at you with half lidded eyes of pleasure. he forces your head to move down deeper on his cock , taking more of him in your mouth until you’re almost gagging. he continues to play this game until your eyes get watery. he motions for you to stand up , so you do. you sit on the table and spread open your legs , beginning to play with yourself as he watches , stroking himself. slick wet sounds come out of your vagina as you become even more aroused and wet.

seemingly impatient , jimin walks over to you and rubs your clit with the tip of his cock. with sudden force , he thrusts into you. you let out a surprised moan and gripped onto his arm as he begins to pound inside of you. the table begins to squeak as he picks up his pace. slowing down , this allows you to place your hands behind you , propping yourself up.

your legs begin to feel weak and shaky, but jimin holds them still and wide. “keep them open for me.” he says in a serious tone. doing so , he continues to pound you making you feel short of breath and tired. he wraps his arms around you , putting more of his inches inside you. you feel yourself about to finish when suddenly the door to the storage room opens.

one of the staff members stands there shocked as you have your legs around jimin. jimin whips his head and stands there in shock. immediately , the staff member begins to apologize profusely , closing the door in a stammer. jimin turns around beginning to laugh.

“oh god! this is so embarrassing!” you say. “why are you laughing?!?” “oh come on , it’s funny. they probably heard us from down the hall.” jimin says throwing his head back in laughter.

“are you serious? we should stop i think.” your face feels hot as jimin continues to laugh about the situation. you place your hand on jimin’s chest , pushing him away from you , forcing his cock out of you. in an embarrassed panic , you begin putting your clothes back on. jimin stands there , watching you. “can we leave now?”

“of course , but you’ll find this funny one day.” jimin says , putting his boxers back on. rolling your eyes , you wait for jimin to finish putting his clothes back on before opening the door slowly and peeking your head out. the coast seems clear enough so you walk out into the hallway , grabbing jimin’s wrist with you.

walking down the hallway , the staff member walks passed , their face red with shame. they say nothing as they walk past in a hurry. jimin hides a smile and tries not to laugh as he holds the exit doors open for you. your face feels hot and you want nothing more than for this situation to be over.

written by swanlakebaby™

[notthecutesttrash]

Grey (Pt. 2)

Warnings: Verbal + physical bullying, angst, language

Word count: 5.9k

PART 1, PART 3

In the morning you're about to run out before you see a little note next to a sweetly wrapped bento box on the kitchen table. It read, "I hope he likes it (: - Love mom."

God, that is so embarrassing.

But If your lies truly made her that happy, then fine, you didn't have the heart to stop it. You're just going to have to suck it up and wipe food out of your hair later.  

Atsumu gazes longingly at you the moment you tread in carefully. He's even more smug looking then usual, if that's even possible. Worse is remembering that he's going to be coming by your house after practice. The nervousness spreads at the thought. You hope it runs late, or maybe he'd change his mind and decide it was weird. 

Or maybe he could just ditch you and leave you with all the work. That idea didn't seem so bad anymore. 

Why didn't you say Saturday or even yesterday? You had more than enough time. 

The bell rings signaling a break. You grab your lunch and sigh.

The group of girls pass and Kiyoko sends you a grave scowl as if threatening what she'd do to you if you didn't follow. You stand up and exit the classroom, tailing behind them.

With a serious expression Atsumu observes their movements until you all leave.

Kiyoko leads you to one of the bottom floors no one goes to and signals a motion with her head. "Storage closet, now." You open the door for them, head lowered to the ground. 

How pathetic. You're practically giving them an invitation to bully you.

You're slammed into the wall causing a topple of brooms and mops to fall at your side. Kiyoko holds you by your collar, and you still have your lunchbox clutched hopelessly in your hands. One of the other girls pulls it from you. There's a laugh when they share a gaze at the wrap. 

"How cute. Your mom gave this to you?" One of them remarks, and you hesitate when the lid snaps open. 

"Must've been. It looks disgusting." 

Your back lifts then is slammed again, your head bouncing and hitting hard against the wall. Your knees collapse beneath you and an instantaneous sting is felt on your cheek after being slapped. Kiyoko's foot slams into your side and you hiss at the pain. 

Just like that, your mom's sweetly cooked meal meant for your nonexistent crush pours over your head.

"And to think your poor mom is wasting her time cooking for you, what a waste." 

The noodles are squashed into a mush at your scalp, mixing into your strands. Another kick hits your knee hard and you instinctively clutch it with a groan. A laugh erupts, and the empty box is slammed to the side. The door opens and they speak one last phrase to you that has you flinching. 

"Just go die already."

Kiyoko scoffs when you say nothing, and the door closes. 

A numbness swallows you whole. 

You cried all your tears already, it wasn't anything new. The handle of one of the brooms falls into your lap, and a slop of spaghetti falls onto your shoulder. You glimpse up at the flickering ceiling light. 

You'd usually take a few minutes to mull over the state of your life before you'd eventually get up, dust off your skirt, and go to the bathroom. 

Cleaning the mashed noodles from your hair was as rough as cleaning out bits of wet rice grains. One by one, you pick it out, all while being forced to stare at your reflection. You hate how you look, and you wish you didn't have to see your pitiful face every time you went through this process. 

Cold water pools into your hands and you splash it against your face. Wiping the sweat and grime off your skin was probably the only refreshing feeling that came of this, even if it was still pathetic. Your stomach growls. 

"Yeah, I know.." You mutter to yourself, grabbing your bento to rewrap the cloth just as it was. All pretty and nice so your mom would never know how mistreated it was. Slapping your cheeks, you forcefully bring yourself to reality before going to class. 

Your hand presses against your cheek, memorizing the glass window next to you. The trees are swaying, and it hurts a little that nothing in you even cared anymore.  

"Why does she always smell like food every day?" A whisper is heard behind you. You sigh. 

Thank god it was Friday. Even if 2 days at home didn't change anything from this reality, it was the only small escape you had.

Lazily waving, you greet your coach and the captain before starting practice. Lucy is the only one nice enough to grin at your arrival. You put your knee braces on and warm up. Your body is sore but you're still determined to stay on the team. This is the last hope you have to prove everyone wrong, you don't plan to mess it up now. 

You take your position in the back and try to remember what Atsumu taught you. Knees bent at this angle, arms showing the front more, hands positioned like this, and you got it. When the whistle sounds you glue your vision to the volleyball. It flies over the net and you sidestep towards its direction. 

Holding onto your breath, your arm touches the ball and sends it flying into the air. Lucy gasps and woo's, “Nice receive (Y/n!)" It takes you a moment to remember the game is still in play, but you're smiling happily. Miyu sets the ball and Angie spikes flawlessly against the blockers. A gleam sparkles in your eye. 

"Don't get all excited, it was just one receive." Angie huffs, turning to you. You nod and get into position again. Lucy is serving, and hers are always difficult. Still, you don't back down, and you achieve your focus on the direction of the ball. It appears it's going to hit the side. Quickly it swerves towards you instead and you manage to bump it. Angie is blocked by two on the right, the left is covered by 1, and the center is in the back. Miyu jumps and eyes the left which makes the center switch direction. 

With a thud, the ball falls to the ground. The whistle blows, pointing to your side, and the other groans. 

"Seriously, a dump shot!?"

"I'll say, you even had me fooled." Lucy giggles, stepping to the next rotation. 

Serve after serving you're effortlessly receiving the ball, and the excitement in your legs keeps up with the action. The adrenaline was making your heart stammer. You jump high to receive. Another spike is slammed your way and you dive, hitting the ball only with your wrist to send it shortly in the air. "Sorry! Cover!" 

Miyu runs to your side and smacks it with her palm to send it up. It’s a little high, but Angie manages to spike it from the back, scoring a point. You throw your hands up in the air, wooing. Angie shoots you a small glare, annoyed, but not as harsh as the other days, and Miyu has a barely noticeable tug at her lips. The coach crosses his arms, seeming pleased. 

You finally are back into your game. You aren't going to be the black sheep any longer. 

Arms receiving a hard spike, the ball returns to the other side and Lucy spikes with all her might through the hands of 3 blockers for a perfect line shot. You run just in time and you attempt to receive it but it hits your side and bounces off. Combined with the kick Kiyoko sent you, it hurt a little more than you would've liked. A hiss escapes. Of course, just in time for Lucy to serve as well. 

The volleyball is set in the air, and Lucy jumps to smack it down. It’s so fast your arms miss by a second and it flies past you. They score a point, and you breathe deep and concentrate. Lucy repeats the action, but you're there just in time for the ball. As you receive it, the force pushes you back and you hear a crack in your foot as it bends to the side. Groaning in pain, you clutch it desperately and the coach calls for a timeout. 

"Are you okay (Y/n)?" A few teammates ask and you nod forcefully, pushing yourself to stand only to fall again. Lucy holds onto your hands to help you up and the pressure on your ankle cries out. 

The coach has you sit on the bench. "It's just a sprain, no worry. Sit out for today." 

There's a deep frown on your face. Fear and disappointment cascade on you. You're definitely going to be kicked off now. 

The coach turns to you while you're lost in thought, wrapping your foot. A mind deep down a rabbit hole. 

"You did well today." His tone is firm, but you know he means it. Surprised, you fixate on him and he's staring at the game ahead. A blush dusts your cheeks and you continue wrapping the sprain, a happiness blooming in your chest. 

When practice ends you timidly apologize to Lucy who is walking your way. She pats your shoulder, "You did good today, don't worry. By Monday you'll be brand new again." You nod, blushing at the compliment.

"Thanks." 

Comfortable silence falls, and you're just about finished wrapping your foot. All the girls left already, and you test your steps carefully, lightly applying pressure to your foot. It didn't hurt as bad with the cover which was good enough for you to walk home. You start humming happily while packing your things, completely lost in the clouds. 

"Ready to go?" 

The sound makes you squeak in fear. Your hand presses to your stammering pulse, and you see Atsumu smirking at your surprise. 

You already forgot that was today, and you nervously shift your tone.

"Oh.. yeah.." 

He waits for you to be a step in front of him so you can lead. God, why did you choose this option again? Yeah, maybe the girls would've been at the library, but they wouldn't do anything if he was there. You made the wrong choice. Ugh.

The walk is painfully awkward. it's silent, and feeling him at your side alone makes you incredibly nervous. He's pretty big and muscular for a normal volleyball player. 

You perk to the sound of leaves swaying in the wind. Softly smiling, your hands grip your bag. You did something good today, the coach said so himself.  This gives you the courage to speak. But.. mainly because the silence was becoming unbearable and you'd rather small talk at this point. 

"How was.. your practice?" You shyly ask, and he appears a little surprised at the question. He snickers, and you pout. You knew it was a stupid question.

"Good." 

Great keeping the conversation going (Y/n). It felt more unpleasant than before now. 

He has that usual smirk, but his face looks relaxed. He takes his turn to speak. 

"Heard you been receiving good now." 

How fast does word get out? Sheesh. It must've been from one of the girls who hated you.

You scoff. "Let me guess, Miyu talks to you. Angie maybe?" 

"No. Lucy. She seemed happy for you." Your face switches to shock. "I'm surprised honestly. Expected you to get kicked off the team. But I guess with my advice you made it hm?" He's annoyingly arrogant, but you're so caught up in the thought of Lucy being genuinely happy for you, her speaking to others about it, that you can't even notice. Your skin turns pink and warm. 

"Yes, thank you."

He stops in place, and you're still walking, trapped in a daze. 

"Hey." His harsh tone is enough to fearfully draw you out. You rotate to him, scared. Is this the time when he remembers who you are and bullies you? 

Unexpectedly he pulls you close and his fingers graze your damp hair. You flinch at the contact, nervous, blushing at the closeness. He wanders beneath the layers as if searching for something. You're nervous, but you ease at the softness. You don't know what he was doing, or why, but it felt quite nice. 

He swiftly pulls away and you blink up at his index and thumb that holds a piece of smushed-up spaghetti. You go blank, and he's staring at it the same.

He opens his mouth to speak. "Why do you have food in your hair?" 

This was just about your luck. 

"Oh look, my house is around here. My mom probably cooked dinner, I don't want to keep her waiting." Walking fast, you ignore him and keep your bag tight against you. He catches up to your speed promptly, silent, and your teeth grit against one another. You ignore him and fixate on the ground until you reach your home. 

You stop in front of the home and bite your lip when your hand hovers above the doorknob.

Now you had to worry about your mom and dad embarrassing you even more. 

You exhale a shaky breath. You just needed 1-2 hours, maybe even 3 and that was it. This would be done with, and the shame will die with you.  

"Don't look so worried. I'm pretty good with parents." Atsumu has almost a relieving confidence in his voice 

You nod and open it, instantly being greeted with a warm light. Your mother’s back is facing you, and she's at the stove, cooking. Your father wasn't home yet, he typically didn't come back till later. 

"I'm home!" 

You already know the moment that she turns around she's more than excited. Atsumu trails behind you, wearing a fake pleasant smile, and her eyes go wide.

"Miya Atsumu, a pleasure to meet you." He bows and your mother gasps. 

"Oh, my-" You send her a quick glare that says don't you dare say anything bad. When Atsumu rose you fell into a smile again, giggling awkwardly. 

"Come in dear, make yourself at home. You two must be starving." Your mother was already preparing the plates at the table.

You wave her off. "No Mom, really it's okay, we're fine." 

She huffs, "nonsense. Come Atsumu, sit." Your brows knit together, and you open to deny the second time before Atsumu interrupts you.

“Actually, Miss (L/n) I am rather hungry, may I ask what you're making?" Atsumu walks ahead while you're stuck dumbfounded at the doorway. You scowl as he cozies up to your mother, and he returns your look with a smirk. 

“I'm so glad you asked! It's one of my favorites actually." Your eye nearly twitches as he sits down, acting as if he's so intently listening to your mother ramble.

"It's rude to gawk (Y/n), sit down." She draws you out of the daze with a more serious tone. Yet you swear she's giving you the same smugness as he is.

You grumble incoherently, forcing yourself to sit down. Your mother stirs the food a little longer and then switches the heat off. Across from you, Atsumu is snickering quietly and, you're responding with a hardened glare. Once your mother turns, both of you are quick to politely beam as she sets the food on the table. You all share a pleasant thanks then begin serving yourself. 

As awkward as this was, the moment the food touches your tongue, you're buzzing in delight. Your empty stomach greatly appreciates this.

"So tell me Atsumu, did you enjoy her lunch today?" Your mom chirps in. 

You cough out, almost choking on a few grains. Your mother is smiling sweetly, completely oblivious. Here it was, this facade is going to be destroyed now. 

"Yes actually. The spaghetti was wonderful." Your eyes widen as you fixate on Atsumu. He's mimicking that kind expression to your mom. and she's reveling in the fake news. 

"You're going to catch flies if you keep gasping like that (Y/n)." She scolds you out of nowhere and he chuckles politely. You force yourself into normalcy, clearing your throat and eating, Truthfully you're greatly appreciating the lie Atsumu told.

You watch in your peripheral as he cracks a small joke that sends your mother chortling, a little too much. Although embarrassing, it was pleasant. He seems strangely at home and comfortable.

Atsumu offers to clean the dishes when dinner is finished and your mother waves him off politely. "No no, I couldn't ask you to do that. Don't fret dear, you two go upstairs and work on that project." 

He nods, his tone filled with sugar. "If you need help at all, call me."  It'd be convincing if you hadn't known how conniving he was.  

"Oh my, what a nice kid." She nearly fangirls and you cringe. Once he rotates to follow you off to your room, that smug expression returns. 

He lets out a tired sigh once the door closes, like being that fake was exhausting, and his eyes quickly turn serious. Admittedly, the thought of having him sit this close with you in your dimly lit bedroom, all alone, makes you feel.. sort of strange. You sit at your desk and take out your notebook, signaling for him to do the same

You're about to talk about the project details until you turn to see his darker expression. His tall stature or muscular build only aids in the way you shrink in comparison. 

"Want to tell me why your mom asked me that?" 

You still, mouth agape as you thought of what to say. Anything you'd say would only sound more pathetic than what he already thought of you. What could you think of that was better than your current situation? Gnawing at your bottom lip, you struggle to come up with a good answer.  An awkward minute passes and you're still silent. 

He slumps down next to you and sighs.  "Fine, don't tell me." 

You underestimated the space he took with the chair placement and his knee brushes up against your own. You pull away instantaneously, clearing your throat. His arm is nearly caressing yours and you shift uncomfortably.

“Um.. so, what part do you want to do?"  

Atsumu ignores you to stare at your little pink standing pencil holder. His view then shifts to the stuffed animals on your bed, the color of the sheets, and the pink or rainbow pens you held. He stifles a giggle, and you turn a dark shade of red.

"Didn't think the teacher’s pet would be this type." 

You shyly twirl your pencil around as you meekly ask, “What type?" 

He leans back and smirks. "Pink, rainbows, little animal prints, you know, sort of the type to fangirl and go crazy over stupid things." 

You mutter, annoyed. "Well, I’m not… I just like cute things."  

"Good." He yawns obnoxiously, and you huff.

He is clearly getting way too comfortable, way too fast. If you didn't work on this now you'd have to do this weird meetup again. You peer at him expectantly. His hands cradle his head, elbows pointed out to opposite ends of the room. "Right." He remembers casually. "The project." 

You nod. Yes, back to the topic at hand, finally. 

"I already finished my side." He smiles and you blink in shock. 

"What..?" 

"Did it after practice yesterday, you know the day you were out "sick." He emphasizes that in a knowing way. 

"Then..." You trail off, unable to find your words. 

"I wanted to see if I was right about you. I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. I expected neutral colors, not even a speck of dust, and zero decorations. I guess you're not as stuck up as I might've thought." He arrogantly speaks, and you're barely able to wrap your head around the situation. He acted like he wasn't done with his side, came over to your house, ate your food, cozied up to your mom, and entered your room, all to.. see your personality? 

You ogle at him like he has 4 heads and he laughs. "Relax, it wasn't all for that, I'm not here to stalk you. We still gotta work together, it's not like i'd just be here for you alone." That comment kind of offends you but you ignore it.

It's quiet for a moment, and you straighten your back against the seat. "So.. what do you think I am then?" 

He hums, then smirks. "You're a good girl. Sweet, and hardworking." 

That shouldn't have made you blush like it did, and you avert your attention back to your work. Don't forget this is the man who made you cry only 3 days ago. He's just here to do minimal work and bully you. 

"So.. do you want to merge our parts? Maybe you read mine, I read yours?" 

Atsumu shrugs and takes out his notebook to slap it down in front of you. You give him yours and you open up his to find multiple pages, back and front of written work. He really worked hard on this. 

He snickers at your shock. "Did you forget I have more skills than just volleyball too?" He taunts, reminding you of your previous comment. You frown.

"Sorry," you mumble. 

You read from the top, and a few sentences in you're hooked to the way he writes so eloquently. The style is neat, and for being such an arrogant jerk all the time, he paid attention.

"It's not bad." Atsumu regards yours while flipping through the pages. "But you can work on your voice a little more." 

You're visibly confused, and he further elaborates. 

"This sentence, "if he was going to be out all day, then maybe he would-" it's too much over-explaining. You're losing the point in your nervousness." That is true.

"Just write "He is going to be out for the day." You glue to his words, nodding absent-mindedly. You lean to your notebook that's positioned closer to him, your arm brushing his unknowingly. He quietly fixates on you, and you point to another sentence. 

"So.. like here, if I got rid of the "practically" or "really," then it will make the sentence more clear in this case?" You look up at him, eyes twinkling with some sort of excitement. He gazes for a little too long, and after a few seconds, he clears his throat.  

"Yes." 

You ah, but then slump. 

"I like saying really's though. I feel like it puts more emphasis on something. Like if I were to say... I love ice cream! I'll say I really love ice cream, so they really understand how much I do." Your tone is energetic in a way he's never heard, and he can't help but smile. 

"They'll know you do, just saying love is enough. Really, makes it a mouthful. Just make it simple. I love ice cream." The way you listen so intently to him has his eyes softening. You move to erase and rewrite, your lips pursing a little in concentration. 

"Does that sound better?" You point your pencil to the new sentence, and he leans down to read it. 

"Perfect." 

You giggle a little and he gleams.

You blush and nervously fidget when you realize how hyper you're being. Your tone is a little more timid now, but it's eager as you point to another sentence.  "Does this work together?" 

"Try removing the "therefore." 

Nodding, you hop back and forth between his writing and yours. His wasn't flawless, but you admitted, it was really good. He was so clear when he spoke, so to the point and confident, whilst yours was all muddled and scared.

You point at his sentence and compare it to one of yours. Erasing, you rewrite a sentence and shift the words around. You're so focused one would think he wasn't even there. 

He's smiling and it begins to be a very pleasant exchange all up until he had to go.

Yet, after the exchange on Friday, no texts were exchanged with one another. You completed the project and that was that, no more communication.

There's a strange disappointment lingering in your chest. You wanted that, so why did it actually kind of hurt? Your mom even left you another nice lunch covered by a pretty wrap with a note nearby saying "packed extra for you and Atsumu to share (:" Shaking your head, you force yourself to move on to more important matters. All you need to focus on now is avoiding the group of bullies.

The bell rings, forcing you out of your thoughts. Rotating your head, Kiyoko catches your eye, and she grins evilly. She begins to remove herself from her desk. Here we go, you sigh.

You expect any minute for her to pass your desk, but she doesn’t, and you turn around, confused. 

Kiyoko’s mouth is open in a gasp, and she’s paused, eyes glued to something moving. You follow her frantic view only to swiftly mimic it.

Atsumu was walking to you, directly to you. No, there was no way, right? That had to be wrong. He pauses a few inches from your seat, his hand holding his lunch. “Figured we’d polish our projects before tomorrow.” 

“O-Oh, yeah of course.” You pull the notebook out that you had just packed up, and as you do that, you shoot a glimpse over to Kiyoko and the girls. She glares back at you a fit of fuming jealousy that knits her brows tight together. You’re relieved sure, but the fear of what they’d do to you once the period ends and you have 0 protection sets a pang of discomfort in you. But.. at least just for today, you can eat your food and not have to return to class with wet dirty hair.

When you’re not looking, Atsumu eyes the girls and they jump, their expressions changing from scowls to fear. They swiftly turn away. 

“Here.” Atsumu places his bento on your desk, and you blink, confused. 

There’s his smug smile, but it was softer strangely. “We wouldn’t want to disappoint your mother.”  

You blush. Right.. that was true. He picks up yours in the cute cat wrap and chuckles at the pattern. Those were also now softer, and you hated to admit that it sent you the right kind of anxious butterflies. He unwraps the box and opens it, finding just enough food for 2. He is taken aback, yet eases quickly after, smiling sweetly. The sweetest you’ve ever seen, it's like you weren’t even meant to see it. 

You shyly unwrap his and before opening it you nervously look at him. Opening your mouth to speak, his hand gestures to you. “Don’t ask if I’m sure or not, just eat it.” Although his tone was firm, it wasn’t as harsh as it always was either. You nod timidly and open it. 

The smell of fried shrimp, sushi, and rice hits your nose. It was delicious looking, and after not having a good lunch for about 2 weeks, tears nearly protrude from your eyes. 

“Thank you!” You hold your hands together and grab the chopsticks greedily. You slept late again. The dread of going to school last night kept you up enough to not be able to eat a proper breakfast again, so this was heaven-sent. 

He takes a bite of your food and then pauses when he sees you scarfing up his meal like it was your last. Eventually, you catch him staring, and your face goes red. Bowing your head you shout, “Sorry!” and nonetheless, continue aggressively eating. He snickers to himself. 

A few women in the class are almost frozen, their eyes deep-set in hatred and growling.

“He refused the lunch I made for him..” One girl mutters sadly to her friend who is also sunken. 

“She’s eating his lunch.” Another girl across the class whispers. 

“The nerve of her. He probably cooked that with all his time and love, and she’s inhaling it like a monster!” You’d think tears were running down this one’s face, she was that dramatic. 

You clear your throat and place the cover onto the empty bento. The embarrassment is only now rushing to you when you realize Atsumu is only halfway done. 

“Um.. thank you.. for sharing.” 

He hums in acknowledgment while chewing on your mother’s cooking. “Tell miss (L/n) I loved it.” You blush and nod. 

“I will..” 

Kiyoko was practically twitching in a fury. She would get you back for this, whether you liked it or not. 

Usually, you take your time to pack up your things once class ends for the day. You were always the last one out, but that always gave you some peace of mind. The hallways had a few students aiming around for who knows what, and there were no noisy bells or chatterers. 

Today is a good day. Your stomach is happy, and you’re able to bring home a realistically empty lunchbox to your mother. No lies are to be created about how you shared it when you truly didn’t. Your hair is perfect, your clothes are clean, and you have a dull ache in your chest as you think of Atsumu sitting by you and eating. Why? You aren’t sure. 

But you’re humming joyfully, feet walking slowly as a smile stains your face. Your foot is healed now, so you’ll be able to play. With the advice he gave you, you’re receiving plenty too. Prancing outside, you take a turn, making your way towards the gym, now nearly skipping in delight. The trees are wavering again, and the smell of sweet grass pierces your smell pleasantly. 

You’re about to take another turn until you hear a voice that makes you stop dead in your tracks. 

“What is taking so long?”

“Are you sure she didn’t take another route? Or go home for that matter?” 

“She’ll be here, relax.” 

Your heart speeds in your throat, and your feet feel anchored to the ground. They don’t see you yet, if you run they won’t know. Just turn back now, quietly, and you’ll be free for today. Walk slowly and avoid them.  You silently rotate your legs, afraid even the dirt beneath you will make an obvious sound. 

Your eyes meet with one of the girls in your class, and you frightfully gasp. Her hands are on her waist and she’s smirking. Your shoulders are shoved hard and a yelp escapes as you fall to the ground. It’s enough for Kiyoko to see your figure, and that same devilish grin stretches ear-to-ear. Panicking, you try to scramble away only for one girl to step behind you and threaten any further movement. 

Kiyoko meets your terrified eyes, and she’s snickering, tilting her head. 

“What, you thought you wouldn’t get your treatment today because Atsumu-san sat by you?” she scoffs and you’re shaking your head desperately.

“You know he only is doing this because of the project right? Tomorrow it’ll be back to normal, he won’t care anymore, and you’ll be treated the same old again.” Kiyoko giggles, and you’re eyes are still wide in fear. 

Your shoulders are being held down by the girl behind you, and Kiyoko’s smile suddenly drops. A slap makes your chin turn from the impact, the sting burning into your cheek. 

“I thought of something fun today.” Her hands grab at something behind her, and there’s a sharp gleam as she fixates on you. She pulls out a pair of scissors and you flinch when she holds it up to your throat. She reaches around to pull your hair, angling your neck into it. You don’t dare gulp or inhale, and you’re gritting your teeth at the pain of her fingernails digging into your scalp. 

She angles her lips at your ear, whispering darkly. “I’m going to make you look more hideous than you already are. Then no one will look at you.” 

Her tight grip leaves. You breathe in relief before she grabs a fistful of your locks and opens the scissors wide.

It’s about to snap shut on your hair before she speaks again. “If you talk to him again I’ll-“

“You’ll what?”

Kiyoko’s fingers waver, and she immediately becomes as stiff as a board. Her breath hitches, and your view is blocked by her body until she moves to the side, her grip on your hair escaping. Instantaneously the pressure on your shoulders releases too. 

Atsumu is there, standing a few feet away from your forms, hands pressed to his waist. His eyes are serious and he’s not even smiling like he always is. You’re just as surprised, and you almost fall back to the ground without a stable grip on your shoulders. 

“Ah,” he hums, a fake unpleasant lightness in his voice. “I knew well this was going to happen after I disturbed your little lunch get-together.” He tilts his head to the side, the ending of his words darkening. “Didn’t I?” 

Kiyoko and the women are stammering, shaking, unsure of what to do or say. “A-Atsumu! I-I-” He motions his arm up, and his expression dulls coldly as he makes a closed fist. They mutually shut their mouths like they're being trained.

“To think you squealing pigs made me miss out on practice because of this.” His tone is low, an unquelled irritation bouncing in each syllable.  They flinch, unexpecting him to sound so harsh. He sighs, slumping his form. It’s silent for a few seconds until he looks up again, a grave darkness shifting in him.

“You disgust me. Now get out of my sight.” His words come out like a screech in the silent atmosphere, and their breaths halt in their throat. 

The one behind you instinctively dashes on her heels and sprints fast. Another near Kyoko does the same, a third following her until she is the last remaining. She stands peering at you and him, and he’s glaring as if prepared to rip her to shreds.  

A frustration boils in her face and she forces herself to throw the scissors onto the ground, making you flinch. She can’t even muster a sharp glare as she looks at you. Instead she seems frustrated, ashamed, and hesitant. Her fists ball and clench tight before evidently leaving.

You’re still stuck replaying the horrific scene, and a terrible silence erupts. Atsumu’s glower disappears, and he’s suddenly above you, holding his hand out to you. 

Pathetic… you're so pathetic. 

You smack his hand away and his eyes widen. 

“I don’t need your help.” 

You pull yourself to your feet even if it hurts, revealing your back to him.

Anger. Embarrassment. Sadness. Disappointment. When you would go home today, you’d Slam your bedroom door shut, curl into your sheets, and weep into your pillow.

But for right now, your soles remain anchored to the ground, adamant on showing him that you aren’t just going to be a baby and cry, even if tears are threatening to escape. 

You spoke as firm as can be, your voice cracking a little. “Just go away.” 

It takes a moment before you can hear him finally walking away. All you can imagine is that his uncaring smirk is back like nothing happened.

A minute or two passes, and when you’re sure he’s gone, tears stream down your cheeks. You wipe them with the end of your sleeve, sniffling helplessly.

You just want to go home. 

[starry-agere]

hihi <33 you have a rly nice account ^_^

Could you give some ideas for getting (and hiding!) gear? I really need ideas OwO

tyyyyyyy

hi! thank you :D

tips for getting gear:

look on etsy! there are lots of shops on etsy that sell pacis, sippies, teethers etc. i, personally, bought a custom sippy with my name on it that came with both a sippy cup lid and a regular tumbler lid, so it's easy to show someone the cup with tumbler lid if they ask what you bought! i will note that most plain pacis on etsy are way overpriced (usually $10-15 from my memory?). they're cheaper on rearz.ca and pacifieraddict.com, but they ship from canada so shipping can be a bit expensive.

follow agere shops on insta! there's tons of deco paci + general agere shops on there that do discreet shipping. some of my favorites include: @/chubbi_quorn, @/inkys.pacis, @/pups.paci.agere.shop, @/littlest._.creations, and @/baby.shark.binkies.

amazon! you can buy adult pacis on amazon, as well as teethers and baby toys.

check out your local target/walmart/etc! there's tons of cute teethers, toys, snacks, etc made for babies and kids there. plus, you can always order from these stores online and have stuff delivered!

note: i do not recommending buying or using pacis made for babies, as the teats are too small for an adult's mouth and extensive use can cause your teeth to move around. adult pacis were originally made by dentists (to prevent snoring) and are safe for adult mouths!

more under the cut!

tips for hiding gear:

when buying from a shop on etsy, check if they have an option to hide the paci in a stuffie! some shops will ship the paci inside of a stuffie, either with a zipper in its back or they will sew it inside.

keep gear in a bag or box inside of your clothes drawers, closet, or desk. for a long time, i had my pacis inside of a painted wooden box in a desk drawer.

you could also wrap your gear inside of a shirt and tuck it into the back of your dresser or closet

hide gear underneath your bed

get an opaque storage container and keep gear in there

you can buy fake/hallowed out books and store things in there on your shelf

tips for if someone finds your gear:

pacis:

if you're a snorer, say that it's used to prevent snoring at night

say that it helps you calm down from panic attacks

say that it helps with teeth and mouth pain

if it's a deco paci, say that you think it's pretty

teethers:

say that you use it for chewing stims

say that it helps with teeth pain

say that it helps to have something to bite when you're mad

workbooks/kids books:

say that you're collecting for when you have kids in the future

say that you like the pictures

say that they make you nostalgic

say that you like the author so you want to support them

i do want to note that if someone finding your gear would compromise your safety, it probably isn't worth it to buy any. your safety comes above all else, and you're a valid regressor whether you have gear or not!

that ended up being a lot more than i expected! i hope that helps, and you're welcome to send in an ask if you have any questions <3

[hunn1e-bunn1e]

Sanzu Haruchiyou - "Watermelon Sugar High!"

🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.

In which Bonten's number two tries a new drug that makes him feel like a kid again, but he just can't seem to get the same high he got that one time. Or; In which Sanzu Haruchiyo finds that popping pills and chasing them down with those watermelon bonbons you gave him have him feeling like he's on cloud nine, or maybe it was because you were there with him... Whoever you were... What was he talking about again?

Warnings -> Sanzu is high, the word 'druggie' is mentioned

                                                                                                   

🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉

"Mmmmmn...."

He hummed; his head lolling to the side as it rested limply against the soft, cushioned back of the booth seat he was slumped over in.

He was intoxicated from what you could tell; the dilated pupils and head empty staring at the ceiling gave it away. At first, you thought he was drunk, but even after walking past him a couple of times, you couldn't smell even a hint of alcohol.

It had been a few hours since he came in, about an hour before closing, and he didn't seem to be in any state to be able to leave. He had ordered two boxes of dorayaki but nothing else. They must've been for a party or something since he didn't make any move to open the boxes, other than to presumably check the quality.

You felt kind of bad for him since he hadn't eaten any of the dorayaki he ordered and gave him some of the extra watermelon bonbons you made earlier today. He gave you a kind of confused-offendedish type of look before staring down at the little bowl of round, pink candies for a while. You walked away before you could see him eat them.

You've finally left the storage room and you can see that the bowl you left with pink haired man is empty. The only evidence of the bonbons being there was the last one that was pinched between his fingers.

You cringed as you heard him crunching on another one that was in his mouth and walked over to his booth.

"Hello again Sir; I'm glad you like those but you shouldn't chew them, they'll damage your teeth. They're supposed to be sucked on instead."

You tell him worriedly, resting one of your hands over the one that had the sweet.

He suddenly gave you the most guilty and heartbroken look you have ever seen. His blown-out, blue eyes trailed from you to the empty bowl as tears gathered on his lower lashes.

"Are ya mad at me? M' ssshorry... I didn't mean to... they were juss ssho tasty, I couldn't resissht..."

He whimpers as he lays his forehead on the cold booth table; bright pink lochs sprawling about the polished cherry wood.

You never knew a grown man could act so adorably before now. But that's beside the point; you've gone and made him cry! He looks so broken up about this too! You have to make him stop crying; it's breaking your heart!

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not mad at you, Sir. I'm just worried for your health, that's all. How about I get you some more candy and call someone to take you home? Is that okay?"

You ask him sweetly as you gently rub and pat his back to try and console him.

He lifts his head about an inch or two of the tabletop and turns his tearful, half-lidded gaze toward you. He sniffles a bit and brings a hand up to wipe away his tears.

"Yessh pleasse... wanna go hooome"

He slurs as his hands fumble with his clothes in search of his phone.

You leave him to find it as you go back into the storage room to grab him his promised candies; this time in a small takeaway container instead of a bowl.

Coming back with his sweets, you're greeted by two other people standing at his booth talking with him. You walk over to him and put the takeaway container on the table in front of him. The two purple-haired men look over to you in what looks like confusion but you only acknowledge them with a nod.

"I've got your bonbons, Sir. Do you know these two gentlemen? Are they here to take you home? If not I can call you a ride or take you home myself."

You ask him cautiously; eyeing the two men standing next to you every so often with suspicious looks.

"Don' worry! I know 'em from work; you don' hafta do more stuff f'me..... Ah! Wait! I never asked yer name! 'm Sanzu by the way!"

He stands up and turns to you with a wide, dazzling smile as he introduces himself just as childishly as he'd been acting all this time.

One of the two purple-haired men, the one with a jellyfish-looking hairdo, kissed their teeth at him; sending an annoyed glare his way.

"Don't just give your name to random people, you druggie idiot!"

They gripped; pinching the bridge of their nose.

The other man gives you an apologetic smile as they lead both the long-haired man and Sanzu to the exit. You can still see Sanzu energetically waving over his shoulder though, looking like he's trying to fight his way back to you.

"Bye-bye! Thank ya fer the candy!"

🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉•♡•🍉

I have a headcannon that Sanzu is just a big ol' sweet baby boy when he's high on certain drugs. You can't tell me otherwise; you'll have to pry this reality from my cold dead hands. Anyway, this is a product of that headcannon because I needed to write about my hubby today.

— Benny 🐰

🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.•°•.🐇.

Wanna see similar content? Check out my Masterlist!

[ransprang]

Hello! Can I ask for an Edward Elric x FMAB uniform kink? Thanks so much!

Kinktober 2023

Edward Elric - Uniform Kink

“Why did we decide to help the Colonel with cleaning up his storage again?’ Ed complained loudly, as he lifted a box of old memorabilia from the dusty attic floor.

“It’s the least we could do for our ex-fuhrer.” you admonished. “You don’t want him to throw his back out, fumbling with the boxes here, do you?”

Ed grumbled some more, but continued to clear away the space. 

You knelt to pick up the box labelled ‘To throw’. The lid was slightly open and you peered in to find the old Amestris uniform. You pulled out the shirt and exclaimed, “Mein Gott, was ist das?” 

Ed looked over at you and grimaced, “That’s just the old man’s stinky uniform. Throw it out,” he replied before going back to packing.

Devious thoughts went through your brain, and you secretly shoved it into your bag when he wasn’t looking.

Later that evening, when the two of you had returned home, Ed was lounging on the sofa and you were feeling bored. You got up to get ready for bed. 

As you stood in front of the bedroom mirror, you couldn't help but glance at the uniform you had swiped from the attic. It hung there innocently, the military insignia catching the dim light of the room. A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of your lips as she contemplated her next move.

With a mixture of curiosity and excitement, you decided to try the uniform on just for fun. After all, how often did one get the chance to dress up like a high-ranking military officer? You carefully slipped out of her own clothes and into the uniform, buttoning it up and adjusting it as best as you could. It was a bit baggy on you, but it felt surprisingly comfortable.

You admired herself in the mirror, striking a few poses and imagining what it must have been like to be part of the military. You couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence and power as you looked at your reflection.

Just as you were about to take off the uniform and put on your pajamas, the bedroom door swung open, and in walked Ed, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in shock as he took in the sight of you in the uniform.

For a split second, something strange happened in Ed's mind. He thought he saw Roy Mustang, his old military officer, standing before him. His sleep-addled brain couldn't process it properly, and he blinked in disbelief. Then, reality crashed back in, and he realized that it was you dressed in the uniform.

Ed's expression quickly shifted from surprise to a mixture of confusion and mild disgust. "What the hell are you doing, Y/n?" he asked, his voice tinged with annoyance.

You, not one to back down, decided to take advantage of the situation. You approached Ed with a playful grin and a seductive tone in her voice. "Well, Ed," you purred, "I thought it might be fun to play dress-up tonight. Don't you find a woman in uniform... appealing?"

Ed's cheeks flushed bright red, and he stammered, "Y/n, this is ridiculous. Take that off right now!"

But you were undeterred. You stepped closer, running a finger along the collar of the uniform. "Come on, Ed," you whispered, "I've always had this fantasy of being with a man in uniform. Please, just this once?"

Ed's resistance wavered as he looked into your pleading eyes. He grumbled under his breath, "You're crazy, you know that?" But against his better judgment, he found himself reluctantly agreeing. "Fine, but just for a moment, okay?"

You practically squealed with delight as she helped Ed into the baggy uniform. It was a comical sight, given that Ed was significantly shorter than the original owner of the uniform. You both burst into laughter as they struggled to get it to fit him properly.

You grinned, feeling victorious. "I knew you'd come around, Colonel Ed." You playfully saluted him.

Stepping closer to you he holds your chin with one hand, "I still think you have been a naughty girl though Liebe. His eyes drop to your lips as he closes his eyes and leans in. You close the gap and your lips meet. His hand goes to your waist pulling you in closer. Your hands lie on his uniform garbed chest feeling the old cotton fabric and the muscles underneath them.

As your tongues fight for dominance one of his clothed hands venture down to your panties. Pulling them to the side he swipes your pussy with a finger, "Wow already wet? Didn't know you liked men in uniforms that badly love." He pushes you onto the bed, "My obedient girl is going to let me do whatever I want to her right." He says more so as a statement than as a question. You've never seen this dominant side of Ed. Your lips stay shut with only moans escaping and your legs pressing together to feel some relief from the aching.

"Tsk tsk", Edward now on top of you pulls your legs apart, "I'm the one in charge. Don't do things unless I tell you to. Got it?" You nod meekly making Ed laugh a bit. Just a few moments ago you were so sensual and seductive, now the uniform has turned you into such a shy little thing for him to ravage.

While maintaining eye contact with you, he brings up one of his hands and takes off his glove in a mostly smooth fashion. He inserts a finger into your eager hole and pumps it in and out. The other hand works its way under your shirt to massage your breasts. Seeing how easily he fit a finger in, he added 2 more stretching you out a bit and making you moan. He goes faster and faster.

As your moans fill the room he starts groaning as well. "Good girl. Taking my fingers so well. I didn't know you were so easy baby. Bit of a slut for a man who can do anything to you hmmm". He felt your pussy pulse from his dirty words.

The hand on your breast soon moved to his belt, unbuckling it and he quickly let his cock come out. Fully erect, it stood there waiting to enter you. Ed sees you practically salivating for it, "Not just yet. I want you to cum on my fingers. Can you do that for me?"

"Y-yes Colonel" you squeak out. The knot builds as Ed fingers you and the other hand plays with your clit. And soon enough you cum feeling a wave of pleasure. You pant and groan coming down from your high.

"Now now soldier, we aren't done yet tonight."

Your colonel,

admins sar & san

[ohtobeleah]

Boundaries // Bradley Bradshaw

Summary: A call comes in on your day off about a hostage situation. Dragging your husband Bradley and his best friend Hangman into an active crime scene, the situation could not have turned out any worse.

Warnings: NCIS x TopGun Cross over. Bradley Bradshaw x F!reader. Gun violence. Shooting.

Word Count: 8k

Author Note: Holy shit we made it bois!! Here’s another instalment of to the NCIS Bradley Bradshaw series. If you haven’t read anything to do this this series—where have you been? The Masterlist is linked here for you and a special shout out to @belowtheharddeck300 for concepting with me the other day and inspiring this whole fic. Please also don’t forget about Minimal Losses which is another series intertwined with this! But for Jake Seresin. xx

“Are you enjoying that?” DiNozzo hissed from his seat in the back of your car, peering over into the front as he eyed off Bradley who'd been obnoxiously sipping on his green smoothie the entire car trip. 

“Oh, you mean my smoothie?” Rooster had been waiting for someone, anyone to bring it up. “Funny you should mention it because I really feel like it's missing something.” Inspecting the cup as if he didn't know what it was that was missing. He knew, oh boy did he know, and he was pissed. 

“He’s just upset because I finished his protein powder last night–” You were currently in the middle of moving boxes out of your townhouse into a storage facility. The process of moving across the country wasn't as easy as you originally thought it would be. But you knew it would all be worth it.

“You put it on your ice cream!” Bradley countered, oh he’d been waiting for this argument to kickstart. You could see it through the rear view mirror, the perplexed look of amusement Jake was giving you as he sat quietly in the back of your car. 

“Yeah and you left a tub of it at my house?” Your thought process had been this, surely Bradley had another tub of protein at his house in California. Whatever food or clothing or hygiene products he left behind whenever he came to stay with you in D.C, became fair game once he was gone. That was the unspoken rule you both had. It was hard being married and living separately, hence why you were in the process of a transfer out to California. To be closer to home. Your home. Bradley Bradshaw. “I didn't think you’d mind?” 

“I wrote my name on the lid!?” Bradley had slightly turned in his seat to face you a little more. He was seething. His smoothie tasted weird without the vanilla protein powder he always used. He thought he could trust his own wife to keep his things safe. Turns out you were just as bad as the rest of the people he chose to willingly surround himself with on a day to day basis. All vultures to some extent. 

“Who writes their name on things they then leave at their wife's house?” Your tone had changed, more annoyance than comic relief now shining through. That's what had drawn Jake Seresin into the conversation. He’d been trying not to get too heavily involved in whatever quarrel was going on in the front seat. 

“Do you still write your name on your underwear?” Jake finally intervened in the argument that was slightly getting out of hand. He came to Washington with Rooster to help him clear out the townhouse you'd been living in since well, since you first moved out of home really. It was a pretty big task, but Jake was just grateful to have a full week off work. 

“Only to mark my territory–” 

“Poor choice of words there Bradshaw.” DiNozzo snarled at the thought. Shaking the imagery of roosters tighty whities out of his head. You chuckled softly as you stopped at a red light. Sighing because you didn't really want to continue the conversation but in a desperate attempt to preserve your personal beliefs on the matter, you ventured on strong headed.

“The bottom line is you're just really bad with personal boundaries.”

“Oh!” Bradley exclaimed to the heavens above as DiNozzo and Jake burst into laughter they couldn't control. Sending the two men who sat with a box between them a look they'd never forget. 

“Is something funny?” 

“You two? Having a discussion about boundaries?” DiNozzo mocked as you sat back with a groan. His lumbar had been acting up. You liked to tease him about the fact his hair was going grey and his bones were probably in early stages of osteoporosis. “Isn't that a little ironic?” 

“Mind explaining that?” Rooster smirked as he sipped his protein-less smoothie so obnoxiously you were about five seconds away from throwing the damn thing out the window.

“Most people bring their work lives home, you two bring your home lives to work.” Jake added as he backed diNozzo up. “Boundaries get blurry.” 

“Uh, no–Rooster and I keep our work lives and our personal lives incredibly separate– you didn't even know me until like two years ago.” It had been a code you both lived and breathed by. For the longest time Bradley Bradshaw kept his private life with you just that, separate. And you did the same, never mixing work with pleasure until it just seemed to melt. “I have a rule about that.” 

“Really?” DiNozzo challenged your theory, your hypothesis was about to be diminished into nothing. 

“Yeah–”

“What about that little display of affection the other day over on Lincoln at the stop light?” Crap, he had you with that one– remembering the way Roosters hands seemed to glide up your shirt as you kissed him with nothing but a centre console stopping you from jumping his bones right then and there. 

“Ha!--” Rooster cheeks had turned a nice shade of crimson red. Flushed with embarrassment. “I didn't know you guys were behind us.” For the past couple of months, Rooster had been registered with the Naval Criminal Investigative service as a liaison officer for the Fighter weapons school, also known as TopGun. There had been some odd going on with the newest class currently going through. Rooster was just happy to give whatever intel he’d managed to gather over to the right people. That particular car trip you'd both been on the clock. 

“And what about the fight about who gets the side of the bed closest to the bathroom?” Jake added as he yawned with a gaped mouth. He was used to thin walls from when he used to bunk in the dorms but it seemed as though the walls at your home were ten times thinner. Or maybe he just wasn't all that interested in hearing his best friend moan like a needy bitch for his wife. “Oh!” Jake snapped his fingers. “Or Rooster here telling us how Gibbs likes to hang dry her underwear in the living room?”

“Okay, one it’s Bradshaw to you and two you hang-dry your underwear too!” Although you’d been married for six months now– everyone was still getting used to calling you Agent Bradshaw or even just Bradshaw. To Hangman, you’d always be a Gibbs. His Gibbs. 

“Yeah, in the bathroom where things are supposed to hang dry.” Rooster couldn't help but to laugh after he held your gaze. He was just waiting for the slightest smirk to creep across your beautiful smug face. The second he saw it, that ever present glint of love in your eyes, he knew he was off the hook. “I hang them over the rail! I don't display them like a taxidermist pinning moths to a dart board like you do!” 

“And there it is, boundaries obliterated.” DiNozzo clapped, “More stuff I can never unhear.” 

It had been your phone ringing through your bluetooth that interrupted the eyeroll of the century as you drove. Rooster saw the caller ID showing and immediately pressed answer on your behalf, not wanting you to be distracted for even a second. 

“Hey Mcgee what's going on?” You greeted him with a soft smile you knew he wouldn't see but he would indeed hear in your voice. Both hands still on the wheel of your Sante Fe. The back was completely stacked with boxes, after a quick drop off, the four of you were going out for a small lunch break. 

“Hey Gibbs I just–” 

“It's Bradshaw Mc-know-it-all”!” Tony shouted, any chance he got to mess with his partner he took it no hesitation. 

“Right sorry, anyway, Uh listen I know you guys aren't working today but Gibbs and I just got a call about a hostage situation going down at Benny's  cafe’” Mcgee explained through the phone. He must have already been on the scene because all four of you could hear sirens in the background. “It's all hands on deck gang.” 

“We leave you unattended for one day and look what happens.” Tony quipped again as he stretched his arms above his head as high as he could. “Be there in twenty, we’ll drop the kids to daycare and be round as soo–” 

“Uh, yeah no.” Mcgee sighed as the slap he’d just copped to the back of the head echoed through your car. “Uh Gibbs says come now.” There was no time to drop Bradley and Jake back home. “Bring the kids.” 

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~

The entire block had been evacuated as you ducked under cautionary tape strung up by on duty police officers. Flashing them your credentials, as you did so. It had gotten easier over time to wave people off–shrugging past with nothing but a soft “NCIS–” slipping past your lips. 

“Uh guys?” Rooster shouted after you and DiNozzo as you kept walking, the police officers had stopped the two off duty naval aviators at the tape. Sighing as you held the bridge of your nose, you gesture at the cops to let your husband and Hangman through. 

“They’re with us—“

“Ma’am this is an active crime scene.” One of the officers felt the need to remind you as you stared him down. Bradley placed his hand on your shoulder, shaking his head with pressed lips, scooting you along before you had a chance to shove your badge down the clearly just graduated beat cops throat.

“He’s not worth it.”

“Well I would’ve paid good money to see it.” Hangman smirked as he caught up. “So this is what a crime scene looks like?”

“Yeah, come on probie I’ll show you the ropes.” Tony teased as he roughed his hand on top of Jake's head, messing up his hair before making his way over to where your father stood with McGee. Taking in your surroundings as you followed DiNozzo over—your strides were smaller these days. Since becoming a married woman you were less and less inclined to be putting yourself in the line of fire if it could be helped. You’re ‘when’ still hopefully in the far distant future. 

“Do I get a badge?” Hangman smirked as he followed curiously. DiNozzo just side eyed him in response. “Damn, was kinda banking on a badge here—“ 

“You can have a vest? If that’ll shut you up.” 

“What have we got boss?” Bradley swore every time he saw Leroy Jethroy Gibbs he wore the same expression. Unimpressed and unimused. He was grateful though to see a glimpse of reassurance that his presence was justified. “I'm in the middle of moving across the country here, you concoct a whole ass hostage situation to keep me occupied or something?” As you crossed your arms across your chest and stood back a little, you were the spitting image of your father. 

“Because I’d go to these lengths to keep you around?” Gibbs cracks. “No—no, it seems the universe is telling you that your job here isn’t quite finished.” Rooster just admired from a distance as you worked. He noticed just how invested Jake was getting, it brought a temporary smirk to Roosters face. Until the feeling diminished into nothing at the explanation of what exactly was happening. 

“Able Seaman Theodore ‘Bomber’ Brown.” Mcgee started, fixing his own NCIS vest over his chest. Gearing up as DiNozzo handed one to Rooster. Gesturing for him to put it on before he put it on for him. For protection. A part of procedure. “For reason still unknown the guys walked in and has taken fourteen people hostage, only thing we might be able to see triggered the outburst would be the fact he was dishonourably discharged about three weeks ago, his attending officers said he was showing signs of mania, histeria–all claims Brown denys.” 

“Doesn’t seem too outlandish now, does it?” Tony replied with a huff. “You don't just randomly take fourteen people hostage for no apparent reason– gotta be something triggering the guy.” 

“Did you say Theodore Brown?” You knew your expression was one of concern as Bradley and Jake turned to listen to you more intently. Both wearing NCIS issued bullet proof vests. “I think I went to high school with him, yeah–his mother was a diagnosed schizophrenic.” You remembered the poor kid as clear a day, he didn't have all that much growing up but he had a decent smile and a heart of gold. “I remember him being heavily tormented by some stupid kids in the grade above us because of it.” 

“That would certainly explain something like this–” DiNozzo sassed. You shot him a look of disapproval. His accusing eyes staring directly back at you. 

“I wasn't insinuating anything, I'm just saying there's a high percentage of something like that being passed down through genetics. If it's underlying or even just undiagnosed he might be confused about what's going on.” 

“Since when are you an expert in behavioural analysis?” You could barely hear the question Tony had asked over the sirens and loud as all hell fire brigade horns rolling onto the scene. “I say we send her in for mediation if she already knows the guy.” Like a little light bulb moment when off inside your head, you raised a brow Tony’s way as he spoke– perhaps he was onto something? Maybe it would be the best idea for you to go in if Theodore was the Theodore you had known in high school? 

“I'm not an excerpt and I could be way off here, but if we’re already going off nothing, maybe DiNozzo has a valid point?” Shrugging your shoulders, you looked around all the men who stood around you. Two of which were quick to shut down the idea immediately. 

“No!” Jake frowned as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. “As if you'd send the only women here into the line of direct fire are you kidding?” He didn't mean any malicious intent, you knew that. And you hadn’t taken the comment to heart because it was Jake. He cared enough about the people around him to want to protect them himself. In a situation like this though? He found himself rendered useless. 

“Not a chance–” Bradley shook his head, his lips pressed together in a thin line as his fist balled briefly by his side. “Nope, not happening.” Bradley however, knew he didn't have a say. He’d been around this bloke enough times to know the second someone held you no you wanted to do it ten times more. Even if it was out of spite. “You don't know what this guys even capable of?” The only thing that filled the heavy silence that lingered in the atmosphere around you were the sounds of obnoxious sirens. Looking up at your husband with so much love and admiration, you took his hand in yours. 

“I think you sometimes forget what I'm capable of too–” Bradley knew he was out of line. He knew better than anyone not to step between you and your job. He remembered how the whole Bob situation at the Hard Deck had gone down, but he couldn't help it, you were his wife. The woman he loved and was in love with. His best friend. The hopefully future mother of his children. He had his justified reasons to stand between you and something dangerous. If he didn’t? Who the fuck was going to? “Roos– todays not my when baby, I'll be fine.'' He knew you couldn't really promise that, with reluctance and a tight grip on your hand–squeezing three consecutive times, Rooster nodded in response. “We’ll stop by United Sports Nutrition on the way back and get you some more protein.” 

“What, just so you can eat it all?” Bradley beamed as you chuckled softly. Resolving in his arms as you hugged him. Wrapping your arms around his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around your waist. Looking around your shoulder Jake saw the look of utter turmoil in his best friend's eyes. He’d never be able to handle this, your job title made his day job look like a hobby. “I love you so much.” 

“I love you, so much more.” It was a moment you both treasured amongst chaos. Pulling away as you fixed yourself up and nodded to your dad. “Okay, where do you want me?” 

***~***~***~***~***~***~

“Earpiece fit snug?” Gibbs asked softly as he fixed his own. Pressing it further into his ear before fixing his NCIS issued cap. Never one for an overt display of emotion, Gibbs settled for a one sided smirk, tipping your chin up as he looked you over—a younger version of himself. “You keep your wits about yourself.” 

“Always boss, always.” It was a gentle kiss to your forehead that had you closing your eyes and taking in the moment before you exhaled your nerves. Shaking your hands out before smoothing over your bullet proof vest. Hidden snuggly under your sweatshirt you had stolen from Bradley’s forever growing collection—this one? His favourite Phillies jumper. “If Bradley—“ You didn’t even need to ask, finish your sentence or explain anything. Gibbs already knew. Cutting you off with a hushed groan. 

“I got him, you just focus on getting those people out of that building.” Everyone was situated around it in the gazebo style monitoring station. They were all huddled around radio equipment that had been set up in order to monitor you while you were inside the cafe.”

“No matter what happens you keep them clear, you’ll know if I need backup.'' It was always a weird feeling talking to your father like he was your boss. Well he was your boss but you get the point I'm trying to make. Keeping conversation light and away from what you really wanted to say was always the general consensus of your talks before any major take down or subsequent hostage situation or kidnapping. You always said things like ‘I'll be fine, don't worry, piece of cake.’ When in reality all you wanted to say was ‘Make sure I go home to my husband in one piece because if I don't he’ll never forgive me for being too reckless.’ Like father like daughter though right? 

The two of you slowly but surely closed in on where DiNozzo sat babysitting your husband and Jake. Sitting between the two aviators who both looked far beyond their comfort zone. “Now I’m expecting Brown to be incredibly hostile at first so whatever you do, unless there’s a clear indication from me—don’t intervene, under any circumstances.” 

“What would a clear indication be?” Rooster asked as he squinted up at you, the gazebo doing little to keep the sun out of his golden brown eyes. 

“Hail of bullets a good enough indication?” Rooster could tell you were starting to compartmentalise, it was something you did to ensure rational thinking. You didn't like when emotions played a major part in your critical thinking process when you were on the job. Splitting your personality in half always seemed to be an easy way to process the idea of inevitable fate. Not if, but when. You and Bradley had discussed the when’s of life a million times, today you were sure it was not a when. Bradley however? Well he had a fear so primal lingering in the back of his mind that today would be the day he could taste it in the back of his throat. Undeniable heartache. But he wouldn't admit that, no. He couldn't. Not when you were gearing up to save lives and put the greater good before your own self. That would be a disservice to your own stability. “I know what i'm doing Rooster–” 

“I stopped questioning your judgement a long time ago sweetheart, doesn't mean I don't worry.” Bradley cooed as he stood from his chair, headphone hanging around his neck because there was no way he wasn't going to listen to every second. Reaching out to draw you in by your slightly flushed cheeks. His palms pressed softly against you as he brought his lips against your ever so lovingly–Like it could very well be the last kiss he ever got the share with you. “Go be a badass–” 

“When have you ever known me not to be one?” It was a simple answer, but a reaffirming one. You had always been a fierce woman, strong and independent. “United Sports Nutrition, my treat.” Changing the subject as you slipped through Bradleys fingertips. Nodding in response to what you'd promised him, Bradley committed to memory what it felt like to hold your face between his hands. Jake stood from his seat to keep his best friend grounded in reality, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. 

“I dunno how you do it man, if I were in your shoes I never would have let her do this.” Bradleys eyes never left you as you finally turned your back on him, being escorted by two general duties officers closer to where the cafe was. Tears threatened to spill as he held himself together with what felt like scotch tape and PVA glue. Forever his girl, always his badass. 

“I don't do it–” Bradley replied just barely under a whisper. It killed him a little bit more each time you worked a high profile case or put yourself in the line of fire more than was deemed completely necessary. He knew you knew what you were doing–but it didn't change the fact the bottom line was inevitably when. When would he get the house call that told him you weren't coming back? “Kills me every day man. But what good would it do holding her back?” 

***~***~***~***~***~***~

As you approached the front door of the small corner store cafe, you held in a deep breath–it almost felt like if you exhaled too fast your heart was going to fall out of your ass. You weren't a stranger to dangerous situations, but this time it felt different. There was an added layer of intensity to this particular situation. One part being you knew the suspect from highschool. The other part? Well, it wasn't every day your husband got to see you doing what you did best–being a menace to society only with a legal title that gave you a right to carry a weapon. 

A small christmas like bell rang throughout the building as you slowly but surely opened the door. Stepping in cautiously, you met eyes with Theodore ‘Bomber’ Brown. You greeted him with a warm smile, trying to keep your own nerves under wrap as he held the gun directly at you. Your hands came up slowly beside your head as you took small almost undetected steps. The door slamming shut with a thud behind you. 

The game had begun. 

“Hi Theo.” 

“What are you doing here Y/n?” He almost looked as confused as you were pretending to be. Shrugging as you continued walking closer to where he stood, you took a headcount of people cowering and hiding their children. 

“Oh you know, I was just in the area and thought I'd stop in for a coffee.” Bradley had never rolled his eyes harder at you. For a brief moment he questioned if he could even listen to you, ripping the headphones off as he squinted his eyes shut and held the bridge of his nose warding off a headache. 

“What's she doing? Is she being serious?” Jake questioned DiNozzo who stood trying to get a visitual through the cracks in the blinds of the cafe Theo had made his hostages shut. 

“She's doing what she does best–” Gibbs responded with a smirk evident on his face. “She's getting the job done.” Rooster felt as if he had no other choice but to pull himself together and put the damn headphones back on. If something were to happen and he missed it? He’d never forgive himself. 

“You want a coffee Theo?” You asked as you slowly lowered your hands, stepping behind the counter. “I used to work at this coffee shop down the street while I was in college, still make a pretty mean cappuccino if you ask me.” 

“What are you some kinda cop?” Theo hissed, it almost felt like venom against your skin as he whizzed around the counter. Pressing the end of his gun against your back, just between your shoulder blades. “Because if are–” 

“I'm not a cop.” Sometimes a sharp tongue could cut deep. “But if you feel the need to affirm your suspicions you can always pat me down.” It was probably the biggest bluff you had ever held. Of course you were wearing a vest, you didn't actually have a death wish. But if Theo were to pat you down? He’d feel it instantly. “Or you can just have a coffee with me and we can talk about what's got you so upset to the point where you think hurting these people will fix the issue?” 

“You really just wanna talk? No bull?” Theo removed the gun from where it had been pressed between your shoulder blades. Watching curiously as you started to tamper a puck of coffee from the machine. 

“I just wanna talk, but before we do–I reckon it would be really kind of you to let some of these people go?” Silence had never been so deafening before as you stood face to face with an active terrorist. “I'll stay as long as you wanna talk for, but come on Theo–there's children in here.” 

“I keep them all.” Theo growled as you reached down to grab a carton of milk from out of the bar fridge. Shaking your head in disappointment. 

“The Theo I know would never have harmed a soul, you cried when Lala Bigbe decided she was gonna be an underground Molly Grub fighter and was pinning them against one another on the oval at–” The jug of milk went crashing to the ground as you felt the back of Theos gun connect with your cheek. He’d pistol whipped you. Knocking you to the ground in shock before you could finish your sentence. 

“Jesus fucking Christ–” Rooster hissed as he stood up, Gibbs was quick to shove him back down into his seat by his shoulders. “Gibbs she–” 

“Knows what she's doing, Son–give her time.” Bradley didn't hear the word son enough in his life, and it was a word that always truly impacted him. Sitting with his father in law's hands on his shoulders—he wanted so badly to trust the process. “She’ll tell us when she needs us.” 

“I'll give him that one for free, maybe she’ll try another angle now.” Tony tried to lighten the situation, noticing just how badly Rooster was holding it together. Maybe it was the wrong call bringing the fighter pilots along after all.

“I am not in the mood to play childish games.” Theo spat as he leaned in and over you, watching as you backed yourself into the corner. Covering your cheek. “You wanna talk, we’ll talk, but it'll be on my terms, about what I wanna talk about—” 

“That's perfect, great plan of attack.” You quipped. Standing to your feet again as you went back to making your coffee. Fetching a new carton of milk from the bar fridge. “What’s on your mind?” Theo didn’t respond as quickly as you’d hoped. He looked around the cafe, taking in how everybody looked at you like some saving grace. 

“I'm not crazy–” He mumbled as you steamed your milk. “I’m just—I wanted someone, anyone to hear 

me.” Theo sounded as sincere as they come. A plea for help, crying out for someone to pull him out of whatever train wreck his life had become.

“Well considering I never asked if you were, it's awfully sad that you feel like you need to state that as a matter of fact.” You and Theo used to be quite close in high school—you’d eat lunch together more often than not, you’d stand by his locker most mornings because your presence alone would deter Frank Jackson and his bunch of goons from stuffing Theo into his locker. He was your science partner from what you could remember and he even helped you a time or two with some physics homework—but looking at him now? There was something behind his eyes that told you he was sick. “I don’t think you’re crazy—“

As if those five words broke down a barrier, Theo sauntered over to the front door. Deciding that your open mind was a good enough reason to let a few people out as a show of good faith. You scratch his back he’ll scratch yours.

“You three, go—NOW!” Theo shouted as he fired a single round into the ceiling as the three people he’d told to run ran for their lives with their hands above their head. At the sound of gunfire you ducked behind the counter, holding your earpiece. 

“I’m good, he fired into the roof.” You mumbled just above a whisper, hoping Bradley had been one of the people who were listening in intently. He had been. At the sound of gunfire he jumped out of his seat, instantly panicking because what if you’d been shot? “I’m good—“ 

“Copy, standing by with backup.” McGee responded loud and clear in your ear as you peaked out from behind the counter. Catching a glimpse of what Theo might have been experiencing as you watched his gaze linger into a void as he mumbled something under his breath, almost as if he was shrugging someone off. 

“I thought my commanding officer would be here this morning.” Theo explained as he made his way to you. His head hung lower as he almost gave off an ora of remorse. “I just wanted to talk, explain that I’m not crazy—I, I panicked when someone spotted my gun.” It was irrational behaviour, but you couldn’t help but to understand how Theo thought he was justified. Sipping your coffee casually as you kept Theo occupied and distracted enough so that two other hostages could slip out the front door. One had been clever enough to take the Christmas bell with him. 

“Why do you have a gun if you were looking for your commanding officer Theo?” Your question must have made Theo feel a little caged. His defences coming back online as he closed the space between you. His eyes full of rage, anger bubbling to the surface. 

“Because he had me dishonourably discharged, he ruined my life! It's only fair I ruin his no?” 

“She’s losing him–” Gibbs groaned as he clicked at Tony. “Get ready to go.” Bradley and Jake continued listening as you tried to take control of the situation again. “I'm pulling the plug.” At the mere mention of the plug being plugged being pulled, you spoke back to Theo in a way you hoped your team would understand. 

“I got it–” You paused briefly so that your team understood you were talking to them. “I mean I get it, I do, if someone had me fired from the only job I ever really enjoyed I'd be upset too.” you weren't sure when your hands had started to shake but they were. 

“What do you do now?” Theo asked. You couldn't keep up with his very wiry personality changes. The Theo you spoke at this very second was not the same version of Theo who had shot a single round through the roof not a few minutes prior. 

“Im a florist–” It had been a blatant lie, but a quick and believable one. Brandley scoffed to himself in amusement, his mother had been a florist. “Maybe you can come see the shop once this is all over huh?”

“Oh I dont think I'm getting out of here.” Theo softened his gaze. “Can't you hear the sirens?”

“They just wanna make sure these people get out unharmed Theo that's all, I reckon if you walked out with me, they'd lower whatever weapons they have and would let you explain why you felt the need to do this.” It was your way of telling everyone to lower their weapons and stand down if Theo were to come willingly. You knew your dad was smart enough to decipher that. “Doesn't that sound like the best way to get justice?” 

“Y/n, what's in your ear?” Fuck. You froze as Theo reached his hand out, turning your head away–Theo got a good look at the earpiece that was in your ear, delivering your entire conversation to whatever authorities were outside. “You fucking bitch you set me up.” 

“No no, I didn't Theo listen to me!” You were in the eye of the storm now. Rooster shot up from his seat yet again as his heart beat so hard against his chest he felt like it might burst through his sternum. 

“Gibbs, get her out of there–” Jake had never heard his friend and colleague sound so panicked before. “NOW!” Holding the headphones against his ears as people rushed towards the building, Bradley’s stomached dropped when he heard the crackling noise of static. You weren't there anymore. “FUCK! Y/n–!!” Bradley Bradhsaw had never moved so quickly in his goddamn life before. But Jake Seresin? He’d never had to hold back a pleading husband before. Jumping up and after Rooster, bear hugging the six foot wide shouldered blonde as he struggled against him. 

“You can't go in there Bradshaw–” 

“She's my wife!” Jake had to clench his jaw as he struggled with Rooster, holding him back as shots rang out and hostages bolted from the front door, DiNozzo and Mcgee quick on the draw as they entered soon after with their guns drawn. 

“But right now? She's a Federal Agent.” 

“Jake I swear to fucking god if you don’t let me go right now you’ll be dead before you hit the ground, DO YOU HEAR ME?!!” Bradley shouted as he continued to struggle with Hangman who wasn't letting go for nothing. Holding back Rooster as people rushed the cafe. His eyes were trained on the front door, just waiting for you to appear. 

But you never did.  

***~***~***~***~***~***~

“No no, I didn't Theo listen to me!” You were in the eye of the storm now. He’d ripped your earpiece from your ear, crushing it in his palm before shoving you backwards into one of the dining tables. 

“You are a cop!” 

“I'm not!” You pleaded, your hands coming up to protect yourself. “I'm not a cop, you just never asked if I was a federal agent, that's what I am, but I swear to you it doesn't change anything!” You tried to reason with Theo as his hand came down to around your throat. “I don't think you’re crazy!” 

“I don’t fucking believe you!” That's the moment you knew you’d lost him, deciding against your better judgement before anyone else got hurt to rush him. Clawing at his hand before tackingling him around the waist back into the counter. 

“RUN!!” You shouted. “Everybody out! Now, now, now!!!” Struggling with Theo as you tried to disarm him. He’d managed to gain the upper hand and throw you down onto the ground, pinning you down only for you to flip the cards and straddling him for a brief moment as you searched for his gun. “Theo, I promise, I can help you–” He wasn't listening. Scrapping around on the floor for dominance and his weapon. 

You didn't even hear the gunshots. 

You just felt the two jolts of pain rush through you. You held your breath and counted to ten. You felt the earth move before your heart burst again. For this was your when, You’d drowned and dreamt this moment. So overdue, you felt like you owed them. The hands of time. Swept away, you were stolen as you fell to your side. Cupping your lower abdomen as blood stained your hands. 

***~***~***~***~***~***~

Bradley was by your side within seconds after first responders had brought you out, already working to fit you with oxygen and stop your bleeding. A paramedic sat straddling your legs as she applied pressure over your stomach as the gurney you laid on was wheeled up into the ambulance. 

“Rooster–” You mumbled softly from under the oxygen mask, you couldn't train your eyes on him. Everything was blurry. But you knew he was there. “Bradley–”

“Im here, hey–I got you baby, I’m here.” The way Bradley held your hand broke Jake's heart as he stood back and watched with Tony and Tim. They were all as stunned as each other. Gibbs? He was still inside the cafe. As your boss he hated that he’d let the situation escalate to a point beyond saving. As your father? He was proud you’d managed to get every single person out of the cafe–his only wish was that you'd been one of them too. 

“I'm okay–” You tried to promise your husband as he followed you up into the ambulance, there was no way in hell he wasn't going with you. “I'll be fine.” 

“Oh I wouldn't doubt it baby, you did so good.” Rooster knew this wasn't good just by the looks that gave no ground for hope that paramedics shared between themselves as they worked around him. “But you gotta keep fighting yeah? Don't you give up on me now, today wasn't supposed to be your when.” You just shook your head softly in response as your hand slipped from your husbands. “Y/n? Hey, baby you open your eyes for me okay?” It took everything you had, but you did what you were told. Bradley beamed as he blinded away tears that fell freely down his cheeks. “There she is, hi beautiful.” 

“Hi–” You mumbled back before all the bells and whistles rang out through the back of the ambulance. 

“Okay we’re losing her.” one of the paramedics announced as she pushed Bradley aside. “Sir, we need all the space to work on your wife, please step aside.” Bradley did as he was told, he stood in the corner and watched as paramedics worked to save your life. His bottom lip quivered a little as he started to lose control. 

“Don't you dare take her dad, I need her here, with me.” 

***~***~***~***~***~***~

Leroy Jethro Gibbs hated hospitals as much as the next guy. It had been a few hours since you had been brought into emergency for emergency life saving surgery. Jake sat beside a clearly not alright Braldey. His hands were still covered in your blood. At least his shirt was black so if there was any on him? It was at least discrete. 

“Bradshaw, Your father in laws here.” Jake didn't think for a moment that Bradley would jump to his feet and rush at Gibbs. But that's exactly what he did. Leaving Jake Seresin in the dust completely dumbfounded. “Dude?” This was not how his annual leave would have gone.

“You son of a bitch!” Bradley spat. “Where the fuck have you been!?” Calmly and every so collected Gibbs raised a single brow at his son in law. He understood what it was like to lose his wife, so he accepted Roosters' anger. 

“I was with Brown, making sure he was in custody.” Gibbs handed the obviously distressed husband the coffee he’d ordered him before stepping around where Bradley stood to hand Jake the same. “He’s with Tony and Tim now–charged they’re charging him with attempted murder of a Federal officer first and formost, everything else will be left up to whatever the phyc deems–”

“You should have been with your daughter!” Rooster interrupted with a hiss laced with venom as Gibbs turned back to face where Rooster stood seething in anguish and heartbreak. “She needed you–” 

“Who she needed, was right with her.” Gibbs said calmly as he pressed his index finger into Roosters chest. “And you don't get to diminish her ability because it's hard to accept the fact things went wrong, she's a good agent–she knew what she was walking into, you accept the risk–” 

FUCK THE RISK!!” Bradley shouted with enough gusto to catch the attention of the entire waiting room. “She’s everything I have! I can't lose her.” 

“Since when is this about you Bradshaw?” Gibbs questioned as calmly as ever. “Are you the one on the operating table right now or is it your wife and my daughter?” It was a hard truth Bradley had to hear and accept. “You don't get to not be a solid foundation for her to lean on when she comes out of this, just like she doesn't get a choice to not make it through this.” For a split second, Rooster saw Gibbs clench his jaw tight, holding his emotions back as per normal. But for a moment? He saw it in his father in law's eyes. The guilt he felt for being the one who signed off on such a suicide mission. 

“Uh, Bradshaw?” An attending was coming through the double doors in her scrubs, looking for Bradley. “Bradley Bradshaw?” 

“Yeah? Over here.” Jake answered as he stood from the seat he felt like he’d been glued to watching the most daytime emmy scene play out before him. 

“I have an update on your wife.” Bradley couldn't breathe as he nodded in response, swallowing the lump in his throat as he sat down. Theattending did the same beside him. Removing her scrub cap. “Do you want the good news or the bad news first?” 

“There's good news?” Bradley let out a sigh of relief as the attending just smirked his way. She’d seen far too many husbands with chewed up nails beds to not know what Bradley was feeling right now. “That first, please.”

“She’s stable, for now–Doctor Daz is just finishing up now and we’ll let you know when you can come see her.” The attending Bradley didn't quite catch the name of paused briefly before continuing on. “However, unfortunately because of the specific type of bullet that your wife was hit with, it did leave a pretty big mess and she’s lost an ovary.” Rooster wasn't the best person when it comes to female anatomy. He carried a few tampons and liners around but that was about it. From the look on his face the attending knew he cared, he just didn't really know what she was saying. “Sir, your wife may find it a little harder to conceive if you were ever planning on having a family. Not by much, only around the thirty for forty percent mark but it's still something to be aware of.” 

“But she's alive?” Bradley didn't care about what he did not have right now, all he cared about was that you were still earth side, his dad had heard his prayers. “She’s gonna be Okay?” 

“She very much should be.”

***~***~***~***~***~***~

The steady rhythm of your heart rate monitor was the first thing that you heard as you came to after surgery. The next thing? It was the gentle snores that escaped an exhausted Bradley Bradshaw as he sat beside your bed. His head in your lap as he snored away. Completely oblivious to the fact you had come to. Oxygen flowed through the little tube connecting up around your ears into your nose as your head felt heavy against the pillow that proped you up. 

“Too much adventure for you huh Roos?” You smiled softly as you carded your fingertips gently through his sun kissed hair. Disturbing the clearly mentally and physically exhausted aviator who held your whole heart in the palm of his hand. “Hi–” 

“You don’t know how good it is to hear your voice.” Rooster groaned as he came to, sitting up with a yawn. “Never again.” 

“Bradley, I’m okay–” 

“Yeah no this isn't the first time you've been shot on but it's gonna be the last.” You didn't want to start an argument right now, but you couldn't help but give Rooster the normal level or attitude you normally would. 

“Okay Lieutenant Bradshaw, say that again when you aren't literally flying fighter jets for a living.” You had rendered Bradley speechless as you eyed him down with an all knowing smirk. “Yeah, think before you talk shit.” 

In comfortable silence Braldey held your hand and read your chart as you went in and out of a light sleep. He wondered when the most appropriate time would be to bring up the whole ovary thing would be. Perhaps it would be less of a hit coming from him, or maybe it would be less confusing to hear someone explain it who actually knew what they were talking about. Regardless, Braldey stayed by your side all night, watching as you slept, keeping you company when you were awake. 

“Hey Roos?” You mumbled as you lulled your head to the side. Yoru eyes were barely open as you caught his attention. 

“You okay? Do you need anything?” 

“You believe in life after death right?” He wasn't all that sold on the idea, but he liked to keep an open mind purely because of his parents and the way his mother would always say his dad was watching over them. 

“Depends on the circumstances I guess? Why, what's on your mind?” 

“I think I met your dad for a moment there, unless it was just a very vivid surgery dream.” Bradley believed wholeheartedly that if you had really seen his dad then he owed him everything he had for sending you back to him. 

“Did you say hi for me?” Rooster smiled as he rubbed his thumb across your hand as you nodded. 

“I did Roo, I did.” You cooed just barely above a whisper. Letting your eyes rest as you chuckled softly to yourself. “Do you think this obliterated our blurry line between work and home life?” Bradley Bradshaw knew he’d met his match with you all those years ago. But looking at you now? He honestly couldn’t imagine a life without you. He wasn't prepared for a when. You’d just have to settle for a never from now on. 

“Yeah, oh yeah big time.”

***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~***~

Tags: @auroraboreallisfine @tigerfan24 @atarmychick007 @rosee-sensuelle @unhingedhousehold @belowtheharddeck300 @daisyhollyxox @luckyladycreator2 @86laura11 @justanothermagicalsara @taytaylala12 @rhirhikingston

[louloulemons-posts]

Oil At The Coffee Shop V

Eddie X Fem!Reader

Summary : Someone new comes to work at the shop and you see Eddie again.

Word Count : 2.7k

Warnings : Not proofread, no use of Y/N, petnames, sad eddie, wayne comforts him, cuteness, fluff, more eddie x reader in this part.

Fic Masterlist

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

“Oh uh Hi,” you spoke awkwardly, trying not to stare. “Hi,” he grunted, taking a one step back, then fully retreating to his room. “I uh, I think that’s my cue to leave,” you said to Wayne.

“I hate to admit it, but I think you’re right Honey. Thank you for stopping by and for the treats.”

“Thank you for the tea, it was nice seeing you again Mr Mun-,” he gave you a raised brow, “Wayne.”

“You too Honey, I’ll be sure to stop by the shop soon.” You hummed, bidding the man goodnight and went back to your car, only then noticing Eddies van around the back of the trailer.

Well you had tried to make things better, but could only feel like you’d just made them a whole lot worse.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

His body was screaming, his head was too. He ripped the towel off his body, running to his draws to find clothes. Throwing on a pair of sweatpants he paused in front of the mirror.

They were everywhere. Thick pale marks coated his skin, from his neck to his legs. Completely covered, they hadn’t faded in the last year. He let out a sob.

Falling to the floor he felt arms wrap around him, “It’s okay, Wayne’s got you. Ain’t nobody gonna hurt you again, I got you son, I got you,” the man spoke into his curls.

He didn’t know why he was crying. Maybe because she’d seen his ugliness and her face hadn’t changed. There was no malice. No disgust. Just surprise at him being there.

He’d been so cruel. So horrible. Shouted at her. Hurt her feelings. She just wanted to be kind and he pushed her away. Did that make him a monster too?

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Sunday rolled around, the last sunlight of Summer dancing through the windows. Robin had been right, Steve called her this morning inviting her to a barbecue on Tuesday night. Which she happily accepted.

Opening another box, she emptied out more take away coffee cups and lids, taking the back stock to the storage room. The bell on the door rang, “Sorry we’re closed,” you said, walking to the main shop floor.

You smiled at who you came across, “Max! What are you doing here, it’s your day off!” you playfully scolded. “I have someone I want you to meet, this is El. She’s a friend of mine and is looking for a job.”

“Nice to meet you Honey,” you introduced yourself to the curly haired girl with dark ways. “Wait El? Your Hopper and Joyce’s daughter?” She nodded, a small smile on her face. “It’s nice to finally meet you, so do you have any experience?”

“Uh not really, but I’m a quick learner.”

“She’s a good baker, maybe she could help more with the pastries and cakes. Her and Joyce make the best banana bread,” Max told you.

You noticed how the redhead had decided to wear her glasses today - she wasn’t lying when she said her body needed to rest.

“Well if you’re not busy tomorrow, you’re more than welcome to have a trial morning. Me and Max can show you the ropes.”

“I would really like that.”

“Great I’ll see you both at 8am, now go and enjoy the rest of your day,” you ushered them out of the store, hushing Max when she said she’d stay and help with unloading and restocking.

You had to bake a lot today, things that needed to cool over night and be finished tomorrow. Along with changing up the Weekly Special menu, adding your aunts famous Pecan Pie with Maple Ice-cream.

Tying your hair up, you put on your apron and washed your hands. Preparing to bake cakes, and cookies along with many different fruity turnovers (mainly cherry).

Along with that you made some sandwich fillings, like pesto and put some meets into cook. It was a busy, warm and productive day. You knew Callie would be proud, you knew Scotty and the rest of your family would be too.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

When your alarm went off at 6:30 you whined, not wanting to leave the soft comfort of your bed. Pulling yourself up you headed straight to the bathroom, washing your face, and brushing your teeth.

Sliding on a tighter pair of dark slacks, you tucked in your long sleeved white top, rolling the sleeves to your elbows. Tying your hair up and putting on your work shoes.

Taking a punnet of cherries out of the fridge, you headed down to the shop. Switching on the lights, you headed to the kitchen. The ovens were on straight away and you began finishing off what you began the day before.

Shortly after a knock came at the front door, heading it you were greeted by Max and El. “Morning ladies.”

“Morning,” El spoke in a sing song tone.

“Hm,” Max grunted, you’d learnt she didn’t enjoy an early rise.

You also noticed how she wore her glasses again. “Okay, so Max if you could make a start on getting the chairs down and starting up the coffee machine. I’m going to explain to El and show her the basics.”

The red head nodded, yawning into her hand and walked over to the chairs and tables. “Follow me,” you smiled at El. “So here is the kitchen, Max said you’re good at baking so you may become familiar with it very soon.

“People tend to have fruit and warm drinks in the mornings, so savoury you don’t have to worry about until the afternoon. Where I really need you is the counter - helping Max with taking orders and drinks.”

You picked up a finished tray of cookies, and heading back to the front. “You’ll be shadowing Max for today, mainly writing orders and helping her out with coffees and other hot drinks. I’ll show you how to do the cash too.”

After giving the girl a quick run down of what she had to do she smiled. “I think I can do that,” she spoke, her tone very gentle.

“Good, it’ll be great to have you. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I’m just going to finish up in the back, so you can help Max carry on setting up.”

She nodded and walked to her friend, who was labelling cakes. The pair fell into easy conversation, it was nice to see, the only ‘girlfriend’ you’d had was Diane, but she was an in-law, so you didn’t know if it counted.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

Monday and Tuesday went around quickly, El did amazing on her training and started full time later on in the week. She wasn’t lying when she said she was a quick learner.

Her and Max worked great together too, you were a bit scared that they’d stand and chat all day, but they were hard workers. You were now headed to Steve’s for his barbecue.

He had said you’d meet his friends again along with some others. Max and El would be there, along with Lucas. You were looking forward to it, but could only assume that Eddie would be there - your stomach turned at the thought.

You understood why he panicked you really did, his scars weren’t anything to be ashamed off. You knew that, they’re healed wounds, but maybe Eddie was still healing from what caused them.

Pulling up to Steve’s you saw Jonathan’s car, along with Steve’s and Vickies. Eddies van nowhere to be seen. Heading to the door you knocked a few times.

“You made it!” Steve said, as he opened the door and gave you a huge hug. “You knew I was coming!” you laughed, allowing him to lead you inside. “Everyone’s out back, I’ll introduce you.”

The garden was full of new faces and familiar ones. Jonathan waved at you, coming over to greet you. “Hey,” he smiled, giving you a hug. “How’s it going?”

“Good how are you settling in?”

“I’ve jumped right into it so it’s great.”

A voice shouted your name, “Hey Robin.”

She came to you, her fingers linked with Vickies. “I wanted to formally introduce you to my wonderful girlfriend, Vickie.”

“Yeah introduce her before you get over the limit of tipsy,” Steve teased.

“Shut up Dingus,” she said, pinching the boys side. “It’s nice to meet you properly,” you said.

“You too, sorry we couldn’t last time. Bambi legs and all,” she motioned to Robin, which made you chuckled. “Hey Steve who’s this?” a curly haired teen asked.

Steve introduced you, “This is Dustin.”

“Nice to meet you,” you said.

“You’re the one everyone’s been talking about!” he exclaimed.

“Dude don’t make her uncomfortable,” Steve nudged him.

“Sorry,” he said, before turning to his friends and shouting, “Guys come here and meet her!” You face flushed slightly, but you calmed when you saw the familiar faces of Max, El and Lucas.

“Hi guys,” you waved to them. They all greeted you back. There were two more boys with them, one slightly familiar and another you were unsure of. “This is Mike,” El said.

Ah Nancy’s brother. “It’s nice to meet you Mike.”

“And you.”

“And this is my Will,” Jonathan spoke from beside you. “Oh my gosh, no way!” you exclaimed. “You’ve gotten so big!”

“It’s been a while,” he laughed shyly.

“Now all the introductions are done, would you like a beer?” he asked.

“Just the one,” you smiled. “I’m just going to say hi to Nancy and Argyle,I’ll come see you guys in a bit,” you said to the younger teens.

“How’s it going guys.” You say down next to Argyle, smiling at the pair. “Babe! It’s so good to see you again,” the boy gave you a smile, his eyes slightly red. “You too,” you smiled and the thoroughly relaxed boy.

“It’s nice to see you,” Nancy spoke.

“You too, oh my gosh I read your article yesterday. It was so interesting!” You had discovered that Nancy was a journalist for the local newspaper.

Jonathan often took the photos that would appear above her pieces, on the side of his own job. Steve plonked himself besides you, handing you a beer and resting his head on your shoulder.

“How’s Scott?” he asked.

“Good.”

“The kids?”

“Good.”

“Missing them?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” you sighed. Letting your head rest on his own.

“They’ll have to come and visit soon, they could all stay here. I have enough room,” he motioned to the large house. “I’ll tell him next time we talk.”

Steve went to continue talking when you heard more greetings being exchanged. “Munson! My man you made it!” Steve smiled, greeting the boy, you’d been so nervous to see.

Dressed in an old band tee, some jeans, a leather jacket. Your stomach flipped but in a very different way that you didn’t understand. You jumped when someone whispered in your ear, “Did you manage to make up?” Max.

“Well I spoke to Wayne. I need to talk to Eddie,” you told her quietly. She nodded and walked away from you, wrapping her arms around the taller boy. “Hey Red,” he smiled, like actually smiled.

He had deep smile lines near his mouth, dimples that sat perfectly on his cheeks, and slight crinkles by his eyes that you knew would result in crows feet as he got older.

It was beautiful.

Sharing greetings with everyone else, he spoke to you, “Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

“How are you?”

“I’m doing good, you?”

“Good.” You nodded and he hummed. It was awkwardly silent.

“Well let’s start grilling,” Steve broke the tension. “I’ll come help,” you said, walking to the house with the boy. “What the hell was that?” he asked, raising his brow.

“What was what?”

“You and Eddie in the garden. What the hell?”

“It was nothing.” You began putting peppers, onions and tomatoes on skewers to make kebabs.

“Oh my god you like him!” You dropped a piece of pepper. “N-no I don’t!”

“Okay you think he’s cute at least and don’t even deny it I saw how goo-goo eyed you went when he was with Max.”

“Oh my god shush.”

“It’s true then.”

“This conversations done, go start the fire you shit head.”

“Okay okay, but we’re talking about this again.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever you say.”

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

You were all sat around together, some people on the ground and others on loungers, all happily munching away on delicious food.

“So you’re running the cafe?” Dustin spoke to you. “Yeah, along with Max and now El.”

Everyone smiled at that, proud of the pair of them. “How come you moved here?” he asked, taking a bite out of his food.

“Oh uh,” you began to speak.

“You don’t have to answer that,” Steve said, giving Dustin a stern look. “No it’s okay, I inherited the shop when my Aunt Callie passed, but I could only move recently.”

“Steve said you used to be a decorator.”

“I did. I decorated the whole store with his help.”

“In one week?”

“Mhm.”

“And now two of our friends work with you?”

“They do.”

“Do we get friend discounts?”

“If I say yes will you stop making me feel like I’m being interrogated by Hop?”

“Sure.”

“Then yes, you can have a friend discount.”

“Wicked.” You chuckled at the boy, he had nerve you’d give him that.

Everyone laughed at the interaction between the pair of you and the evening went on. Helping Steve clear up plates and wrap up leftovers you hear and squeal and a splash followed by, “LUCAS!”

“You coming in?” Steve asked, motioning to the water. “Probably not, might just roll up my jeans and dip my feet.”

“Fair enough,” he shrugged, taking a swig of his beer.

You did just that, sliding off your shoes and socks. Rolling up your jeans a few times, you laughed at the younger kids, currently playing chicken in the water. Max on Lucas’ shoulders and Will on Mikes.

Robin and Vickie were lounging away, smiling at one another. Argyle taking a drag of a cigarette that clearly wasn’t just a cigarette. Dustin and Steve stood in the water chatting. El held onto the side, talking to her big brother and his girlfriend.

Everyone seemed so content.

“Hi,” A voice came from behind you. Turning you head you spoke, “Hi.” It was Eddie, he began to get down next to you. “I um … I was just wondering if we could talk?”

“Yeah of course.”

Meeting the ground next to you, he sat with his knees up to his chest. “Before you say anything, I just want to say I’m sorry,” you said quickly, before he got a word out.

“Y-you’re sorry? What on earth for?”

“Well I didn’t mean to offended you, and then I was rude and then I was just at your home.”

“Sweetheart I was a dick to you. I snapped at you just because I felt insecure. You’ve been nothing, but kind and I’ve taken advantage of that. I can only apologise.”

“You have nothing to apologi-“

“Yes I do, and the trailer. I’m sorry I ran away. I just wasn’t expecting you to get there and um … my scars aren’t the nicest thing to see.”

“There’s nothing wrong with them. They’re pretty fucking cool actually. I noticed your tattoos too. How many do you have?” He seemed taken aback by your reply, “Oh uh, I’ve lost count now, when I remember I’ll let you know.”

“I’m thinking of getting one, right here,” you motioned to a space on your upper forearm. “Oh yeah, what would you get?”

“I’m looking for inspiration.”

“It’s where my first one is,” he said.

“Really?” He nodded, pulling his arm out of his jacket. His shirt was long sleeved so he rolled it up slightly so you could see. It was a demonic looking puppet with a hand controlling it.

“Wow that’s so cool,” you said, gently tracing the line work. You could feel the bumps and dips of scaring as you did so. His breath hitched and you met his gaze. Deep chocolate eyes. “Sorry,” you whispered.

“What does it mean?”

“I don’t know. Just thought it was really fucking metal.” You huffed a laugh at that, “It is, fucking metal.”

“Hey Sweetheart?” He said, rolling down his sleeve and tugging his jacket back on.

“Hm?”

“Do you think we could start over?” he asks. You smiled, introducing yourself to him. “I’m Eddie,” he grinned.

~ / / / * \ \ \ ~

A/N: 👀👀👀

Thank you so much for reading 🤍

taglist : @corrodedseraphine @flawiette @witchwolflea @emxxblog @plk-18 @vintagehellfire

let me know if you want to be added 🤍

[rayslittlekitten]

Rich Girl Mood

“Toff Girl” (aka “Damsel” Universe) Masterlist

A/N: I started writing this a long while ago but have been sitting on it because I was still trying to figure out the end game (I still am) but I'm a little closer and I think however this series ends, this chapter I think is still solid for what it is so I finally finished it. This I think gives more insight of the reader character than her relationship with Ray. Title and chapter inspired by "Rich Girl Mood" by Dounia and Kehlani (YT link below)

Rating: T

Word Count:  3,294

Pairing: Raymond Smith x F!reader

Plot: Another year, another birthday party.

Contains: angst, recreational drug use, hurt, jealousy, light mentions of D/s relationship, collars, cursing

After your cryfest in your car, you cleaned yourself up and went in to see your parents briefly and sort of lied about a missing pair of shoes. You then feigned looking in your old bedroom which has become a bit of a storage closet for you. You also act surprised when they hand you the gift box Ray mentioned. You told them you would send Mickey and Ray a thank you card.

You're now back at your flat staring at the big Tiffany blue box while stuffing your face with your favorite pastries from Astrid's Cafe and Bakery. You put the mostly eaten slice of cake down and pull the shiny black ribbon loose. Of course it feels so soft. Ray probably spent a good quid on the ribbon alone. You wouldn't be surprised if it was made of actual silk. Only he would do something so extra.

You take a deep breath and finally lift the lid. This asshole even took the time to wrap your things in tissue paper? You roll your eyes and huff. You grab the small cream-colored envelope sitting on top of the neatly and carefully folded white delicate sheets. You flip the envelope open and pull the card out.

Hi love,

I hope this letter finds you well. I figured you'd eventually want your things back, especially your shoes. I know they were one of your favorites. I even took the time to polish them for you since last time you had scuffed them. There are some things in here that I also thought you should have as I have no more use for them.

Take care,

Ray

You gently tear open the tissue paper and as expected, you find your heels looking shiny as new. You see what else is inside the box and find a few things like your toothbrush, toiletries and some clothing, neatly folded and stacked in true Ray fashion. You know he had your clothes washed, dry cleaned and pressed as well, including the outfits he picked out for you. You look through them and choke up a little seeing your collars carefully placed between the perfectly folded clothing. They're all there, including his favorite, the one with a little bell on it. You tilt your head curiously when you find a small velvet box. The rock in your belly is creeping back in. You stare at it for a moment before reaching for it. You nervously grip the box between your fingers as you take your time flipping the lid open. You let out the breath you'd been holding when you don't see a ring, but instead you feel your heart breaking all over again seeing your day collar. The same one you ripped off your neck and threw at him.

Your eyes blur up for the millionth time today and you swipe your fingers over them. In the corner of your eye, you notice another envelope sticking out from under the clothes. You reach for it and pull it out. Flipping it around, you notice it's completely unmarked. You open it and pull out two business class plane tickets to Greece. Confused, you look in the envelope again and find a folded piece of paper. You pull it out and open it up.

I had planned to whisk you away for a week for your birthday, but I can't use these anymore so I thought maybe you can. Enjoy your birthday, my love.

-Ray

This isn't fair. This isn't fucking fair. Not fair to you, not fair to Ray. You don't know how much more your heart can take.

***

Over the next few weeks, you go on a date or two with Fred just to get out of your flat. You've been sulking and comfort eating and sniffing Ray's cardigan long enough. The dates were fun, but if you're honest with yourself, while Fred is a really nice guy, he just doesn't do it for you romantically. You had to be upfront with him as you didn't want to string him along. He deserved to know the truth, but thankfully he took it with ease and understood. You did invite him to your birthday party though and you know someone who would actually pair real well with him. You usually don't play matchmaker, but you think you've got this one in the bag.

Speaking of birthday parties, you just wanted something small but your parents insisted on throwing something for their only child. They do this every year, but you let them because you know it's really just an excuse for them to throw a fancy party to show off to their fancy friends. You know after the first hour or two of greeting people you either don't know, don't remember or haven't seen since you were a wee child, you're going to disappear into the garden shed to get sloshed on expensive liquor and smoke the best weed in all of England with your closest friends like you did when you all were younger. Growing up around so much money, you've always hated the posh snobby kids who thought they were too good for anyone, but you have a small group who were never like that and you always stayed close to them. Everyone else at the party can fuck off and freeload on the booze and food.

You do a once over glance in the mirror to check your makeup and hair. Your hand touches your bare neck and after a moment, you get up from your vanity chair and slip on your heels and smooth out your sickeningly expensive dress. It clings on to your every curve and dip. That’ll sure get some lookers. You still feel like something is missing though.

"Darling, are you ready? Guests are waiting!"

"I'll be right out, mummy!" you shout back.

You quickly go through your overnight bag and pull out a box. You open it up and look at the jewelry for a moment before putting it on, then take one final look in the mirror and you're satisfied with what you see. It doesn’t hold meaning anymore, although it’s sentimental to you, but it has always comforted you, feeling it snug around your neck. It was like your security blanket. It made you feel safe because whenever you wore it, you always knew Ray was close by.

Ray dominating you wasn’t just some kink. It wasn’t just about being in control, or rather giving it up. Being his sub meant he would love you and protect you deeply. It was a shared bond. He brought you pleasure in so many ways and made you forget when you had a bad day, but most importantly, he made sure nothing can hurt you. You completely allowed your heart, body and soul to be delicately encased by his own design.

You take a deep breath and polish off the whiskey you've been nursing while getting ready before putting your face on for the crowd. 

When you reach the bottom of the long grand staircase, you’re greeted by your parents and some people you don’t recognize. You plaster on a smile and shake their hands, thanking them for coming. As you walk off to go greet more people, you grab a flute of champagne and down it, placing it back as quickly as you snatched it up when a server walks by with a tray. You’re reminded why you hate these big parties.

You almost spit your champagne out when you spot Mickey and Ros. The nerve. Of course your parents invited them. You know Mickey only does anything if he’s getting something out of it so while it appears he gives a shit about your birthday and respecting your parents’ cordial invitation, he’s probably rubbing elbows with people who can be potential partners. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already negotiating and sealing deals while he’s here. You now wonder if Ray is somewhere around this giant house.

You walk over to the Pearsons to greet them with the least fake smile you can manage to put on.

“Hi, Mickey.”

“Hello, there. The woman of the hour!” Michael turns to you with a smile. “You’ve met my wife Ros, right?”

“Yes, pleasure to see you again.” You and Ros greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. She might be the only one in his posse you actually don’t mind. Her and Bunny. That gentle giant.

"Thank you both so much for coming!" You try to stretch out your smile but your facial muscles can only go so far.

"Happy birthday, love,” Ros smiles.

Although, you know Rosalind is probably on the up and up on what goes on in Mickey's world, including what happened with you and Ray. There is no way tea didn't get spilled on her.

"Thank you," you slightly bow your head. “How are you doing? Business is going well I assume?”

“Ah, let’s not talk about business. We’re here as guests, not salesmen. How are you doing?” Mickey returns the attention to you.

“No business? What a surprise,” you try to jab subtly. “I’m doing well, thank you.”

“Sweetheart! There’s someone I want you to meet,” your mother suddenly comes out of nowhere.

“Excuse me,” you tell the Pearsons. "I hope you both enjoy yourselves.”

They nod at you before being whisked away by your mother.

***

After being introduced to a bunch of random people including some suitors, you sneak off into a secret side room to get a breather. You used to hide here a lot when you were younger when you wanted to isolate yourself when everything felt too overwhelming.  Especially from these parties. It always felt so performative when you just wanted to be a kid and play with your friends, but you were expected to be prim and proper, until you were old enough to realize you didn’t have to do any of this. You still remember those long boring etiquette classes and sometimes still use the wrong utensil on purpose as an act of rebellion. 

You feel around your body and realize you left your joint and lighter in your bedroom. Letting out a heavy sigh, you savor another moment of silence before marching back out into the wild. As you make your way to your bedroom, you round the corner and smack right into a hard chest.

“Oh my gosh, I am SO…” You look up at the man and your voice dies.

"Kitten…” Ray gasps quietly to himself when he sees your day collar sitting against your neck.

You can't get away from this man now, can you? Ironically, it feels like you're actually seeing him more often than you did when you were together. Like muscle memory, you plaster your cookie cutter smile on your face and greet Ray and the woman standing next to him.

"Hi, Raymond." You mentally kick yourself for overdoing your enthusiasm.

"H-hi."

You never thought there'd be a day you'd make Ray all flustered and stumble over his words. Mr. Calm and Controlled, my arse.

"Didn't expect to see you here tonight, but thank you for coming," you say, still with your painful smile on your face. You’re pretty sure it’s going to be permanent by the end of the night.

"Uh, just here for Michael," Ray quickly comments and nods. "Um, this is–”

“I know dear ol’ Rebecca.” Both you and Rebecca greet each other with air kisses on each side of your faces. “How are you? Haven’t seen you in quite some time,” you tell her.

“I’m doing very well. My company nearly doubled its revenue last month so I can’t complain,” she beams.

“You mean your father’s company?” you clarify.

“Yes, but he made me the president of the company a few months ago so it’s really mine too,” she explains. “He’s retiring soon so I’ll be CEO any day now. Anyways, how are you? I don’t really see you around much,” she shakes her head.

“Oh, I’m just always so busy,” you reply. Avoiding the lot of you. “I was actually thinking about taking a little trip to Mykonos next week. An unexpected birthday present.”

“I hear it’s fabulous this time of year,” Rebecca says. “And the men there are gorgeous.”

“Really?” you ask curiously. “I should probably go then.” You quickly glance over at Ray to see his reaction, seeing him shift uncomfortably.

You spot Fred in your peripheral vision and instantly grab his arm, pulling him in close to you.

“Freddy, love. You remember Raymond, right?” you ask him. You look back at Ray and can see his jaw ticking.

“Oh, hey! Good to see you again, mate!” Fred puts his hand out and Ray reluctantly takes it and as soon as he does, Fred pulls him in for a hug. Ray grimaces and lightly pats Fred on the shoulder. There is some actual genuine joy behind your smile now. 

“Freddy, darling! It’s been ages!” Rebecca exclaims.

After Freddy pulls away, he greets Rebecca.

“Bloody hell, Becca! When did you get so tall?” 

While they hug and catch up, you and Ray stare daggers at each other.

“Wait, are you two dating–” Freddy starts but you interrupt him.

“Um, Freddy,” you loop your arm around his again. “I think I’m ready for…” you vaguely gesture your head, nodding in a general direction towards the garden.

“Oh! Sure, yeah. I’ll meet you there after I stop by the loo,” Freddy says. “It was nice seeing you both again. Excuse me,” he says to Ray and Rebecca before walking off.

“Well, hope you’re both enjoying the party,” you say, clapping your hands together. “Excuse me. I have something I need to do.”

You walk off, not even bothering looking back as you make your way to your bedroom.

***

“Oh my gosh, Sophie, you have to tell that story about that time we pulled that prank on Lit’le Henry. Remember Henry?” you laugh, after taking a puff and passing it to Fred. 

“I don’t think Antonia here has heard about this story.” You wink at Fred. You introduced Antonia to Fred and they seemed to be hitting it off really well.

“‘Enry was a lit’le shite. It wasn’t a prank. It was revenge,” Sophie starts.

Sophie proceeds to tell the story about how a mutual friend kept getting bullied by Henry so the group of you teamed up to exact revenge on him. It was originally Fred’s idea but in the end he also took the fall for all of you. However, Henry never dared to bully anyone ever again.

“And I’d do it again,” he boasts.

You were finally able to sneak off with your friends to go hide in the shed to have a party for yourselves. No pretending, no masks, no manners. Just laughs. For those few hours, you were able to actually enjoy your birthday. You can’t remember the last time you had this much fun or laughed this hard. 

“Oh, fuck. I must have dropped my stash when I went to the toilet,” you say when you realize you can’t find the spare joints you rolled up. “I’ll be back. I’ll also get another bot’le of wine.”

“Love, it’s your birfday. Get one of the servants to fetch it for ya,” someone jumps in.

“They work for my parents, not me. Besides, I can use some fresh air,” you chuckle before bursting out of the shed.

As you cut through the long garden to make your way back into the house, you notice Ray pacing back and forth off to the side of the house while talking on the phone.

“Yes, boss. I understand.”

When he hangs up, he looks up and sees you cautiously walking trying to avoid being seen. You nearly twist your ankle as you tiptoe around and miss a step but Ray quickly catches you instinctively. So much for trying to dodge him.

“Are you alright?” Ray asks, looking into your eyes.

You stare back for a few moments, breathless. It might be the weed and alcohol but you want nothing more than to wrap your arms around him and let him hold you and never let go, but your daydreaming gets interrupted.

“Oh my! Looks like someone’s had a bit to drink tonight. You always know how to throw a party,” Rebecca comments as she walks over. “Ray, I’ll be back in a few. Need to powder my nose,” she winks before walking off inside the house. 

You quickly remove yourself from Ray’s grip and straighten yourself out.

“Are you alright?” Ray repeats.

“I’m fine,” you reply and start heading towards the house.

“Wait!” Ray takes a step in front of you, stopping you in your tracks.

“What is it, Ray?” You ask, now annoyed.

“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, Rebecca and I are not together. She’s just here with her parents and it’s my job to keep her entertained while her parents and Michael have an informal meeting,” Ray tells you.

“Ray, it’s really none of my business,” you shrug. "But I'm not surprised that's part of your job. I just hope she doesn't take it too hard when you're done with her and tell her to fuck off." You then try to maneuver around him but he side steps you.

“I know it’s none of your business but it’s important to me that you know. I don’t want you to think I’m trying to hurt you in any way because that’s the absolute last thing I want,” Ray shakes his head, ignoring your snide comment. “I don’t want to be at this boring party as much as I know you don’t either.”

“OH!” Your eyebrows shoot up to your almost perfectly coiffed hairline. “I’m so sorry my party isn’t dramatic enough for you.” You cross your arms under your breasts which are now accentuated by your arm placement.

Ray’s eyes begin to twitch as he realizes what he had said.

“No, that’s… that’s not what I meant—“

“No cunt to punch in the face. No damsel for you to save,” you say as you raise your arms above your head and wave them around.

“Can you please lower your voice? I was genuinely concerned for you. That cunt put his hands on you!” Ray snarls.

“It’s my fucking party so I’ll be as loud as I want!”

Ray looks around nervously to make sure they don’t draw any attention.

“You just can’t go around punching every bloke who puts his hands on me! You’re not my boyfriend anymore!” You push right past him with all your might and shoulder check him out of your way.

“Well, your actual boyfriend should have, but he left you all alone in a crowded pub full of drunk men!” Ray growls. “That would have never happened with me. I would have protected you!” 

You stop in your tracks and twirl around.

“Oh, please! You weren’t protecting me. You just don’t like seeing someone else’s hands on me!” You walk up to him and poke your finger into his chest. “Why do you even care so much? You’re the one who broke up with me.”

“I still care about what happens to you,” Ray adjusts his glasses. “Kitten…”

You start shaking your head.

“Just because I can’t love you the way I want to, the way we want to, it doesn’t mean I automatically stop caring for you.” Ray’s face and voice softens.

“No!” You growl into his face. You grunt out of frustration and rip your necklace off for the second time and throw it at him. “I don’t give a shit what you do with that. Just don’t give it back to me.” You spin around and stomp away towards the house.

[desertdollranch]

Hello! I have a dilemma and am wondering if you or your followers might have any tips. I’m entering a phase of my life where I don’t have space to display my AG dolls or their clothes, but am not prepared to part with them. Do you have any advice regarding the best storage solutions for keeping a collection in good condition (without paying a fortune)?

If it helps, there are 11 of them, with the oldest being about 16 years old. I sadly don’t have any of their original boxes, though I do have some for clothes/accessories.

Thank you so much, and happy holidays to you and your dolls!

Hi! I do indeed have a solution for you. I recommend buying a few large plastic storage totes with lids and storing your dolls in those. Here's an example of what they look like.

Here's where to buy them online from Home Depot. They're a little over $12 apiece, but you can also find them at Walmart and Target for a few bucks cheaper.

The reasons why I recommend these:

They are airtight and watertight, so they're protected from dust, mold, and humidity

The tightly sealed lids protect against rodents and bugs

Hard plastic top, bottom, and sides mean the totes cannot be easily crushed by boxes stacked on top

Clear plastic helps you easily identify the contents; if you opt for an opaque container, you can put a label on it

Portable and easy to carry around

If this is the option you choose, then I recommend storing the dolls unclothed in order to avoid dye transfer from their clothes to their vinyl skin, which can happen with long exposure to dyed fabric. This is especially risky if they're stored in a humid location. If that's the case, I recommend storing an open container of baking soda (cover it with a paper towel and secure with a rubber band), or silica gel pellets, in the plastic tote. That will suck up any moisture in the air and direct it away from your dolls.

Use another separate tote to store doll clothes. If you have even a small amount of wool clothing, definitely store a moth deterrent with the clothes. Strong-smelling herbs like lavender, rosemary, and cloves will keep moths and other insects away, as will cedar chips.

[folomie]

Which Foldable Storage Boxes with Lids is Best for Clothes?

Unless You Have a Spacious Walk-in Closet the Size of a Bedroom, Storing Your Clothes by Season is Essential to Organizing Your Space and Running Your Day. if You Live in an Area with Four Seasons, Coming Up with a System for Your Bulky Winter Coats Will Make Life a Lot Easier.

The Folomie Clothes Storage Bags with Reinforced Handle to Store Your Off-season Clothes Will Make Browsing Your Everyday Wardrobe and Drawers Easier. with Your Closet Organized, Organized into Boxes, and Everything Stored Away, You Can Easily Access What You Need Each Season.

【large Capacity】the Clothes Organizer Comes in Two Sizes, Suitable for Most Life Occasions. You Can Choose the Size That Suits Your Storage. Spacious, Light and Easy to Pack. Hold Sheets, Comforters, Blankets, Pillows, Toys, Jackets or Other Clothing. the Bag Can Be Folded Flat when Not in Use, Taking Up No Household Space. It Will Help You Organize and Store Items and Maximize Your Space. Its Attractive Patterns Add More Beauty to Your Home Decor. Great for Storage, Moving, Shipping, Laundry and More.

【upgraded Material】the Storage Organizer is Made of High-quality Non-woven Fabric with Excellent Support, Breathable and Waterproof, High Quality, Hard to Tear Off, the Material is Breathable and Tough. Breathable Fabric Avoids Musty Smell, Can Promote Ventilation and Protect Your Storage, While Keeping Moisture and Dust Out, It Can Effectively Prevent Clothes from Getting Moldy. This Fabric is Gentle on Your Clothes, Comforters and Blankets. Suitable for Daily Use or Repeated Use in Changing Seasons. Make Your Closet More Organized and Clean.

[reinforced Handle] Considering That the Handle of the Storage Bag Will Be Raised and Lowered Frequently, the Handle is Sewn with Two Layers of Thick Fabric, Which is Double-reinforced to Double the Load-bearing Capacity. It Can Be Easily Lifted off a Shelf, Pulled out from Under a Bed or out of a Drawer. a Clear Window on the Front Helps You Locate Laundry Quickly. Just Peek Through the "window" to See if That's the Bag to Open and Save Time.

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The Folomie Foldable Linen Fabric Storage Boxes with Lids Feature Sturdy Metal Handles and Are Made of Extra-thick Premium Eco-friendly Linen Fabric That's Durable, Breathable, and Helps Prevent Mold and Mildew. Provides Durability and Rigidity for Everyday Use.

【stylish Design】our Products Are Designed in Perfect Neutral Colors to Match Most of Your Home Decor Styles. Stain-resistant and Washable when Necessary. the Cutout Handles Are Made of Metal, Preventing Them from Becoming Brittle During Use. Never Worry About Life Being a Mess Again, Our Storage Boxes Make Your Home More Beautiful and Tidy.

【sturdy Material Holds Shape】we Use Thicker and Stronger Material, Friendly Material Processed with New Technology. Our Storage Bins Are Durable in Quality and Always Keep Their Shape. Protects Against Daily Wear and Tear, Dust and Musty Odors. Easy to Handle and More Durable Than Ordinary Storage Boxes.

【multifunctional】the Storage Box Can Be Used to Store Books, Arts and Crafts Supplies, Office Supplies, Towels, Winter Clothes, Dvds and More. You Can Also Use It to Store Cosmetics, Toys, Medicines. You Can Place It Anywhere You Like. Keep Your House Clean and Tidy. Help You Free Up Space and Keep Everything Organized.

If You Need Clothes Storage Bags with Reinforced Handle or Foldable Linen Fabric Storage Boxes with Lids. Please Visit Our Website: https://www.folomie.com/

[huffle-dork]

Swap Across the CrystalVerse Chapter 17: The Bad End

Read Swapboys | Crystal’s AUs| You've reached a Bad End (Also on AO3!)

Read SITCV | SATCV Masterpost | AO3 Link

"You do look more like me wearing that," Chase comments, looking over Bro in his new clothes. "The hand-me-down look really seals it. Sorry if they don't fit. We have, uh, limited options while living in a cave. At least they're clean."

Bro laughs, "It's okay- we're pretty similar just… bigger… arms I guess."

"You can say bigger muscles- I think Chase's self esteem was already shot just by seeing them~!" Jackie grins.

"Hey! Don't be mean! It's not like… I'm showing off! It's just! What happens when you fight crime!" Bro protests.

Chase laughs. "Don't worry, I'm not too concerned about being built. I'm more of a long range guy."

Stacy pokes her head into the storage cavern where Chase, Bro, Jackie, and Sam are waiting. "Are you guys done in here?"

The two swaps look at Stacy and Bro tries to hide his blush at seeing her as he adjusts the outfit. "u-uh yeah! I think so!"

"Great." Stacy nods. "I found a group of people who are going to come along."

Someone else leans into view. They have short dark hair underneath a blue beanie and are wearing a black jacket and skirt with leggings. "Hey." They wave.

"Oh! This is Raven, they're one of those people," Stacy says. "They wanted to meet you."

"Not often you hear about people from another world." Raven grins. "Nice to meet you. I'm the magician."

"Oh! A magician! That's great!" Bro grins. "We could use any help we can get!"

'Nice to meet ya, Raven!" Jackie smiles.

"Heh." Raven smiles. "Happy to help. If you get paused in time I'm able to unfreeze you. That's why I'm coming."

"Oh awesome! That'll make this way easier!" Bro laughs.

"Stacy, are you gonna go, too?" Chase asks.

"Are you?" Stacy asks him.

"I, uh… I want to help. But I think it'll make the whole decoy thing hard."

Jackie looks at Chase and then shrugs, "If you stay with us and hidden- it should be fine! Once Bro starts using his powers it gonna be real obvious it aint you so-"

"That's true…" Chase muses. "Alright. I'll go. I'm an alright marksman, I can stay hidden from a distance."

Stacy nods. "In that case, I won't go. It's too dangerous for both of us to leave. Just in case something happens to one group."

Chase nods. "Alright. Where's Jack, by the way?"

Sam gets off the box They're sitting on and wraps Their nerve-tail around something inside. A small pen. They awkwardly write letters on the lid of the cardboard box. A-L-T.

"He's still with Alt?" Chase asks. "Huh."

Jackie frowns. "… I feel like that's been a long time."

Bro looks worried. "Do you think they're both okay?"

Chase bites his lip. "I don't think anything could've happened to Jack. You literally can't touch him, yknow? But… something could be…" He shakes his head, not wanting to say it in front of Bro and Jackie. "I-it'll probably be fine. If everyone's ready, we should start moving right away. Jackie, are you gonna come?"

"Yeah man! I can be moral support if anything. But, also like- whats the saying… better with numbers…?" Jackie frowns. "Why can't I remember how that goes-"

Bro laughs, "Please try to stay away from any place you can fall and break something, Jackie-"

"Nooo promises!" Jackie grins.

"You want a gun, then? Or a knife?" Stacy asks, pushing open the lid of a crate.

"Oh- a knife please. Imma a terrible shot." Jackie laughs.

"Alright, here you go." Stacy grabs a sheathed knife and hands it to him. "That looks the right size for you. Feel free to slash away, the corrupted don't feel pain and they don't go down easily."

"ooh- that's.. fun. Good to know." Jackie says, taking the knife.

Bro frowns, "huh… i gotta be careful then… I don't wanna like- accidentally… you know-"

"Accidentally kill them? You're that strong?" Chase asks with wide eyes.

Bro flushes, "…I dunno! mmmmaybe? I haven't tried to! I'm very against killing- but I usually try to hold back once I see someone in pain."

"Yknow, Trisha once shot Error point-blank with a shotgun and he got up again, I think you punching them really hard won't do that much," Stacy says. "Just don't aim for the heads. These are still people under all the corruption."

Bro nods to Stacy and wrings out his hands and wrists, "Okay… I can do that. I don't like aiming for the face much anyways. Broken noses aren't fun for anyone… Unless they deserve it. …Broken noses are meant for criminals not mind controlled people. There that's a new super law for me." He nods.

Jackie snorts and rolls his eyes.

Stacy laughs. "Great, good to hear."

"Let's head out, then," Chase says. "The sooner, the better. We need Bro to hang out somewhere with a lot of cameras for him to see, while the rest of us stay out of sight."

Raven nods. "I can keep up an invisibility spell for a while, but everyone will need to stick close to me, it only covers so much ground."

"Alright, good luck guys," Stacy says.

"Thanks Stacy- stay safe okay?" Bro says with a smile. Jackie gives her a two fingered salute.

“Let's go." Chase checks his gun, then leads the way out of the cave.

--------

The door to the room appears, opening up. Jack looks away from Alt and towards it, stiffening. His form is overtaken by white static until he's just the staticky outline he was when Alt first saw him. He puts a finger to his lips.

Alt jumps slightly and then curls up as Jack becomes less solid. He shakily nods.

Error walks in. He looks at Alt and grins. "We're going to take a trip. Come on. Please don't make this difficult."

As Error walks in Alt growls and bares his teeth at him like a feral animal.

"Oh, don't be like that, this is your lucky day! Though you don't think of it that way right now." Error leans down, still grinning. He's not wearing the hoodie outfit from earlier. Instead, it's some red and blue jumpsuit, torn and bloodied. "Come on." His smile drops. "If I have to drag you down there, I will."

"Go ahead and try fucker-" Alt spits. He grins as his eyes spark with energy, "You already know I'm pretty slippery."

"Because of your glitching? Is that it? Hmmm." Error hums. "You know… the Place has a way of taking you where Anti wants you to be. So, sure, you can try. You'll probably just end up where I'm taking you anyway." He flashes a sharp smile. "But if you insist." He grabs Alt by the arm and starts pulling him towards the door.

Alt yelps and then quickly tries to glitch away and out of his grip.

And yet, somehow, Error manages to hold onto him. The static swarming around his body buzzes around Alt's glitches, causing some kind of rough barrier. "Come on," Error says, adjusting his hold so he's pinning Alt's arms to his side. He doesn't sound bothered at all by the struggles as he drags Alt out into the hallway. The static form of Jack follows.

Alt cries out and tries to fight as much as he can. "H-Hey! What the fuck!! Let me go!!"

"Nope!" Error says, almost cheerfully. He continues dragging Alt down the hallway, which slopes and twists downwards. Cables start to appear on the ground, ready to trip people up, but he nimbly dodges them. "Come on, we're almost there!"

Alt feels his stomach drop and dread starts to take over him as he tries even harder to get away. "N-No! C'mon J-Jackie! You're Jackie right?! J-Just let me go man!!"

"I thought I told you before." Error's grip on Alt tightens to the point where it hurts a little. "That's not me anymore." He reaches a door made of metal and opens it up, dragging Alt inside. It's completely dark, impossible to see, but somehow Error navigates it perfectly until he manages to push Alt into a chair, forcing him to sit.

Alt cries out and squirms and kicks as much as he can. When he's forced into the chair he tries to see if he can glitch away-

"No!" Error sees him doing that and pushes him hard back, hard enough that Alt's head clunks against the back of the chair. "Don't you dare," he hisses, quickly grabbing Alt's arms and pushing them into the arms of the chair, where cuffs snap into place. He quickly does the same for his ankles, cuffing them to a bar connecting the chair legs, and then backs up. "Just wait here quietly, okay?"

Alt’s vision flashes white for a second as he head hits the seat. He then struggles and pulls at the restraints, really starting to freak out. Terrified tears gather in his eyes as he starts to heave in panic. “P-Please don’t do this! I-I don’t want to be a puppet again! Please!”

Error grins. "It's not so bad. Maybe you'll find it's different this time. Maybe you'll be happy." And then he turns and leaves the room.

Jack quickly walks into the room before Error closes the door. The room is completely dark now, but Alt can hear Jack's voice. "You're not alone, I promise," he says.

Alt is panicking hardcore, even Jack's voice doesn't calm him down. His eyes try to find any source of light in the room but there's nothing- its dark and he's scared. "J-Jack…! I.. I don't want to be corrupted…! I..! I-"

“I know, I’m sorry,” Jack murmurs. “I-I can’t stop him, a-and I’m sorry. But I can fix it. Just before you guys arrived here, I figured out how to uncorrupt people. But I-I don’t know how to stop the corruption while it’s happening. Only after the fact. And I’m so, so sorry. But I promise people are on the way to help. I promise.”

Alt feels his stomach sinking even more as he hangs his head and tries to hide his panicked tears. He… he has to try to look tough for whatever's coming… he can't show he's weak- but he's so fucking scared.

“It’s gonna be okay,” Jack says. “You’re not alone. It’s going to be—”

Then the door opens again. The lights flick on, revealing the corruption room, just like the one Surgeon showed Mag. Standing in the doorway are two familiar faces. Anti… and Magnificent himself.

“Hey, Alt,” Anti says, grinning as he closes the door.

"Hello cub~" Magnificent giggles.

Alt goes pale. "M-Magnificent…"

Magnificent laughs wildly and teleports to grab Alt's chin, tilting it back and forth. "Awww look at you, kitten! You look fucking terrible~ Scared out of your wits, are we?"

"S-Shut the fuck up!" Alt spits, trying to pull his wet face away from his grip.

Magnificent giggles and teleports back by Anti, grinning. "This is going to be so fucking easy. It's almost sad-"

"Easy would be good, this is never 'easy' in my experience," Anti says. One of the screens on the walls lights up, showing nothing but static, the speakers letting out the sound of white noise. Anti glitches over to a table and starts looking through the items there. "You should probably cover your ears, Magnificent. I don't think it'll be able to affect you so easily, but better safe than sorry. You get started while I decide how to approach this."

"Ah- Yes. I can do that." Mag snaps and puts basically magic earplugs in and then grins, slinking back over to Alt.

Alt tries to pull his head away but Mag grabs him by the hair and slams his head back, giggling. "Oh you poor beaten kitten… your mind has already been scrambled so nicely for me~! So broken and disjointed… It's like you knew to expect me!"

"Mag- f-fucking! Don't do this! You're really g-gonna let me be a puppet for someone else?" Alt tries to growl at him.

Magnificent just shakes head and laughs, "Why not? I want to see how it works~! And you're already such a good puppet for me, Alt… I think I can lend you away for a bit~" He flares up some corruption in his hands- not enough to completely block Alt's magic- but enough to make him weak. He digs his claws into his neck and spreads it there as Alt screams and tries to thrash against it. As he works a bright purple and green spiral looms behind Magnificent- soon drawing in Alt's eyes as Mag withdraws his hand.

Alt weakly lets his head fall back, panting and heaving in panic- but he's starting to do it less- the anger and fear fading from his eyes. Corrupted purple flickers in his eyes but- he tries to fight against it, weakly squirming in his restraints. "n-no… no I… i-"

Anti watches this happen, observing. It really does happen quite quickly. "I've been able to put people in trances before," he says quietly. "But they always shake it off eventually. That sort of reminds me of it." He nods at the spiral, at the way Alt's struggles are fading. "I can work with that."

The white noise in the air sounds less sharp than it did before. More… soothing, almost. Anti walks around behind Alt, carrying something. He snaps it around Alt's neck, revealing it to be a metal collar.

"Alright, Alt," he says quietly, but not kindly. "Here's how it's going to work. If you start to do something wrong, you're going to get hurt. Same thing if you say something bad. Simple enough, right? You can do that, right?"

Magnificent's eyes widen and then he giggles, "Oh… i like where this is going."

Alt snaps slightly out of trance as he feels the collar get snapped onto him. He weakly glares at Anti, eyes sparking. "L-Like i'm gonna just d-do what you say just cuz you ask me- f-fuck off!"

ZAP. Anti can't pulse with electricity the way Alt can, but he has other tools he can use. Namely, a taser, which he presses to the metal of the collar and switches on for a second. "That's a low setting, and I know you can handle electricity," Anti says. "But I promise it can get worse. And I'm not just limited to lightning." He tilts Alt's head back so he can look him in the eyes. "You don't have to fight it, though," he whispers. "You don't have to go through this." He glances back up at Magnificent and nods towards the spiral he has conjured, silently asking him to increase whatever he's doing.

Alt grits his teeth and stiffens in his chair, trying to hide his discomfort. He feels himself get tilted up and he opens his eyes enough to just glare more at Anti. "I-I'm not l-letting myself be corrupted by you…!"

Magnificent tilts his head and the magic gets brighter and hums with intensity. The pressure on the room increases. Mag grips his hand and the corruption on Alt's neck pulses and grows slightly, making purple flash in his eyes as he gasps.

Alt tries to shut his eyes, shaking his head. "No…! Nono-!"

"Why not?" Anti asks. "Remember, I've seen your memories. I know what you've thought. All these Antis out here, doing terrible things. You know that you're not any different. Didn't you try to kill your so-called friends a couple times?"

"T-Those weren't for you to see-" Alt whimpers. "I.. I'm not like that anymore- I don't want to be that anymore…! I'm not like them- I'm not-!" He squeezes his eyes shut tighter, trembling.

ZAP! Anti goes up a setting on the taser. "Don't close your eyes," he snaps.

Alt grits his teeth and bites back another scream. Alt instinctively follows Anti's order and his eyes find the spiral.

"Alright, maybe you're not like that anymore. But you remember what it was like, don't you? Didn't a part of you like being like that? Being able to do whatever the fuck you wanted?"

Alt’s shoulders almost instantly relax as the magic starts to spiral in his eyes. His head lolls back more as he breathes slowly. He leans a bit more against Anti's side, talking hollowly. "… i… i… d..did…"

"That's it kitten… relax… and listen to Anti," Magnificent sings sweetly, increasing the burning magic. "Just like that…"

"I know you did," Anti says, his voice laced with static. "But you feel so bad about it now. Guilt is a useless thing, Alt. All it does is make you feel bad. Life is so much better lived without regrets. Nothing is stopping you from casting these feelings aside and doing something that you like. Even if people say it's wrong, they don't know you. They can't know you. It's impossible to fully know someone, since you can't possibly have thought and felt and experienced everything someone else has. So, why do you care so much about what these people who can't know you think?"

"I… I don't… know…" Alt whispers, knitting his eyebrows together in confusion. "…it… it.. shouldn't… matter…" His eye twitches and he tries to shake out his head, squeezing his eyes shut again as his head pounds. "n-no it m-matters it… it has to- I… I need to- be something b-better…! I…"

ZAP! Up another setting. "Better is arbitrary," Anti hisses. "Good and bad are constructs. Right and wrong are fictional ideas." The static echoes his words. "You only want to be 'better' because others tell you that you should want that. When you strip away those voices, Alt, you know what you really want. And I can help you, like I've helped lots of people before you."

Alt lets out a short scream now, clenching his fists and arching his back. He pants, eyes rolling in his head for a second before they find the spiral again. He starts to relax even more, even through panted short breaths. The magic glows brighter in his eyes as he whispers, "…what… I want…?" He leans his head back and sighs in pain, "i… i wanna be free…"

"Then let me help you," Anti whispers. "Let me free you." He puts one hand on Alt's shoulder. For a moment, he flickers, becoming a figure of black static. Something is in his chest. Right where his heart would be. It looks a little like a heart too, in shape. But it's not. It's a knot of strings, and one of those strings slinks down his arm and into the spot where his hand is touching Alt. Then he returns to his normal look, and the string is gone from sight. But it's still there.

Alt twitches a bit and rolls his shoulder where he feels the string but very quickly relaxes. His eyes glaze over completely and his fighting stops. "…free me, Anti." He whispers, lips hardly moving.

Magnificent giggles with glee, hardly able to stop grinning.

"I will," Anti promises. "Close your eyes. When I tell you to open them again, you'll be free."

Alt's eyes easily slip shut now, his head lolling forward to hang limply over his chest.

"One…" Anti whispers. "Two…" He reaches for the collar. "Three." And he snaps it off. "Wake up, Byte."

Alt's head slowly rises and he opens his eyes. Immediately- they are different. His sclera is now green static. The purple spirals still burn in his irises but… now its like- his pupils are glitching. They don't seem to want to settle, glitching across his iris and sclera in broken bits and pieces.

Byte leans forward and looks confused before his lips curl up into an unsteady smile. He digs his nails into the arms of his chair and starts to giggle. He's dazed- still seeming kinda lost and entranced. He falls back in his chair, letting his head hit the back of it as he dazedly giggles at the ceiling.

"…fascinating…!" Magnificent breathes, his eyes sparkling.

"Everyone reacts to it differently," Anti says. "I've given up on trying to predict how they'll act after the process--but somehow this feels right." He leans back, considering for a moment. "It might not be as well-settled as corruption usually is, but that was really fast. Worth the tradeoff, if you ask me."

"I think it was only so fast because his mind is already very open to my hypnosis. And… whatever happened with you two scrambled his brain and made it very easy to manipulate." Magnificent comments, crossing his arms as he studies Byte. "Still… I haven't seen him like this…"

Anti leans forward again, undoing the cuffs on Byte's wrists and ankles. "Hello there." He smiles at him, somehow managing to look both genuine and crazed at the same time. "How do you feel, Byte?"

Byte dazedly watches as he's freed, smile only getting wider. His eyes get a bit more of that unhinged look in them. He tries to glitch up out of the chair and then falls over himself slightly, giggling madly. He finds Anti's arm and grabs onto it, digging his nails in. "F-Fantastic-" He grins. "Fucking f̵a̴n̴t̴a̵s̷t̸i̵c̷~! And… and stabby- I feel stabby." Byte laughs more and looks at Anti with those wide glitching eyes, grinning like a maniac. "Can I stab you? I w-w-wanna see you b̷͚̂l̴̢̇é̷̠e̶̓͜é̸̯d̸͕͘d̴̞̑."

"Ha! Unfortunately, I don't bleed at all, despite this whole thing." Anti indicates the neck wound. "But we can go out into the city and find someone who will." His smile widens into an excited grin. He seems unfazed by Byte grabbing his arm, even as the nails dig in. He glances at Magnificent. "Guessing that sort of comment isn't normal, then?"

"Not at all." Magnificent replies, impressed.

"Can I bite them?!" Byte says excitedly, baring his teeth in a sharp grin. "That's what my name is now, right? B̵I̷t̶e̸!̸ ̵!" He snaps his teeth together like a playful predator, giggling.

"You can," Anti assured him. "Let me just find someone suitable. This will only take one second." He turned into black static and zipped away--and then, exactly one second later, he returned. "Well… I just saw something very interesting." He looked over at Magnificent. "A puppet who snapped his strings. My Chase is out wandering around. It must be some sort of trap, I caught a couple glimpses of people nearby. They must've thought they were hiding with that magician's invisibility spell, not knowing that some cameras can see through that." And back to Byte, grinning. "We can head out right now."

"C̸h̵a̴s̵e̷!̷ I know a Chase!" Byte says excitedly. "If there's twooo Chases- can I kill one, Anti?" He giggles. As he does, he's still glitching a bit in place- his normally bright green and blue glitches now darker and corrupted. Even his magic seems corrupted as he opens his hand up and summons one of his magic knives. It buzzes and fizzles with loud static and flickers between dark green, blue, red and black.

Magnificent chuckles, "That's true… that could mean our Chase is somewhere in there too. No doubt hoping to catch us off guard."

"Or! He can come back too! Two Chases! Two puppets~!" Byte laughs, bouncing on his toes.

"Two would be nice," Anti says thoughtfully. "But if it really comes down to it, you can kill the spare--the one not from this world. As well as anyone else with him."

The spirals in Byte's eyes pulse a bit at this, as if sealing in a command and he grins. "I can kill him. It will be fun to kill him~! And the others! Anyone I can!!"

"Oh this will be quite the show~!" Magnificent laughs, "My puppets wont know what's hitting them."

Anti flashes a smile. "Lovely knives."

"Thank you Anti!" Byte beams. He throws one knife out of his hand and lets its sink into the wall- then opens back up his hand and it flies back in a similar arc. He giggles. "They're m̸a̵g̶i̷c̵~̷" He then poofs them away and glitches around the room like he just can't keep still. "Can we go?!"

"We can go right now," Anti says. "I need Voice, but we can meet him at the exit. Hmm, I should probably take Error, too, just in case." He looks at Magnificent. "Want to join? The four of us together can probably defeat them all."

"Oh, my friend, I wouldn't miss this for the world." Magnificent chuckles.

Byte glitches to a stop, his hair spiking and curling slightly as electricity courses across it and his clothes. He grins wide. "I'll follow you! I still don't know how the Place works-" He says plainly but even that sounds a bit crazy and unhinged. Maybe its that wild look in his glitching eyes. He then blinks and looks to a certain corner and then points. "And what are we gonna do with Jack? He's watching."

Magnificent looks confused, frowning at the space and not seeing anything. "…what are you talking about…?"

Anti stiffens. "He's what?" he whispers, absolute venom dripping in his voice, thick enough to burn ears.

Jack has been watching everything. He'd wanted to reach out to Alt, to support him during Anti's attempts to corrupt him, to remind him that he's not alone. But then Magnificent had walked in and thrown him for a loop, and before he could recover, that spiral the magician conjured was blocking Alt's vision. He wanted to shout, to scream, but the moment the process started he froze up. It wasn't just Alt in that chair, it was Jackie, Jameson, Henrik, Marvin, Chase--all of them. All of his friends he couldn't help. All of his friends that he had watched get hurt and tortured and twisted beyond recognition and never been able to do a single thing about. The memory of helplessness locked him up, shoving him back into that mentality until it was too late.

Anti turns in the direction Alt was pointing and lunges forward.

Jack yelps, briefly flickering into view, and dives out of the way.

"Get b̵̨a̛ç̛k̕ ̸͠h͡e͟͠r̢͟ę̴̕!" Anti shouts, picking up a blade from the nearest table and throwing it.

Jack dodges it and jumps through the wall, disappearing.

Anti screeches animalistically--then glances at Magnificent and gets himself under control. "I'll… deal with him… some other time," he says through gritted teeth. "He can't be touched. He's just like a fucking ghost. Not important right now. Let's go. He's probably going to tell the group we're on the way."

Byte staggers back, fear flickering in his eyes. As Anti shouts and screeches, he curls up slightly- afraid of his rage.

Magnificent raises an eyebrow and then laughs, "Sore spot, I'm assuming?" He sees Byte cowering and grabs him by the arm and throws him forward. "No time to waste, Byte. You want your blood, don't you?"

"y…yes. Yeah I- let's go." Byte says a bit dazedly. He glances at Anti warily.

Anti takes a deep breath. He notices Byte's fear, and for a moment, regret flickers in his eyes. But it's only for a second. There are more important things to focus on. "Sore spot indeed," Anti says as he walks to the door. He opens it up and heads out. "Come on. We'd best hurry."

[karmaisakhaleesi]

🎂Bittersweet Birthday Wishes~ Neteyam Sully x reader~ oneshot 🎂

masterlist~

warnings~ none that i can think of, please lmk if i missed any!

wordcount~ 1.9k+

hi! sorry for disappearing for like, a week. school's been, a bit difficult, and today is my birthday! (feb. 25th!) ! so i've been writing this for a little bit and it's finally done! even though i'm posting it two days late.

to note! this can be read as a part of my series astronomy, or it can be read alone.

thank you so much!! i hope you enjoy this oneshot, and the next chapters for my two series should be out soon!

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You carded your hands through your closet, pushing past shirts and pants, but sigh in desperation when you can't find what you're looking for. You know you'd brought it with you. Your mother had raised an eyebrow when she saw you pack it, but you insisted you might need it.

Slipping on your shoes you walked out into the hallway and started looking for the storage closets.

As you reached your destination, you gently pulled the door open, only to be stopped when you hear a loud crash. You turn and look down the hallway, hearing frantic whispers, you shrug your shoulders and twist the door handle open.

The rumbling of the air conditioner greets you, and you quickly make your way to the back left corner of the room. You push aside boxes of various sizes and colors, and sneeze when a cloud of dust comes up after you lift the last box, revealing a rectangular cardboard box. You blow the dust off the top as you open the lid and smile, carefully carrying it out of the room.

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Kiri sits on a moss-covered log with her chin in her palm, watching her older brother pace back and forth, his hands clasped tightly against a bundle of cloth, muttering to himself when he suddenly turns to her.

"What if she doesn't like it?" he asks his ears twitching nervously, and his tapping against the ground in a frenzy.

Kiri hears Lo'ak sigh next to her before Tuk interrupts, "I think she'll love it! I did help make it!" she says crossing her arms and smiling.

Kiri stands and puts a hand on Neteyam's shoulder, "Tuk's right. She'll love it," she lets go of his shoulder and walks out into the clearing, hand in hand with Tuk.

Neteyam sighs in frustration as Lo'ak grabs his shoulders, "Kiri's right, so stop mopping and let's go! We don't want to be late," he finishes as he drags him into the clearing, the sight of the lab greeting them.

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Your fingers run along the fabric and you let out a sigh, your eyes closing, memories flooding in from when you last had it wrapped around you.

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You watch as your Mother sews the last part of your dress when she whips her head around to face you. Your hands fly up to cover your face and you giggle, "I swear I didn't see anything!"

You shout as she frowns in faux disappointment, "Well, now you've ruined the surprise!"

You feel her wrap you in a hug and then she leans back, taking your hands from your eyes, and leads you to the dress.

A gasp leaves you when you see it, the sheer glittery fabric hanging to the cloth mannequin. You gently grab the hanging sides of the dress and then let them go, "Thank you, Mom! Thank you so much!"

She pulls you into a hug and smiles against your temple, and you can feel tears of joy pricking at your eyes, waiting to be released.

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You shake your head, tears of regret and guilt now threatening to spill from your eyes as you pull out a pair of light blue heels and walk into the bathroom.

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Norm blanches as the smell of smoke reaches his nose. He quickly turns to the oven in front of him and yelps, the oven. was. on. FIRE.

He rushes to grab the fire extinguisher and carefully opens the door of the oven, the heat warming his face as he quickly puts it out, the fire alarm now blaring as he pulls the pin of the extinguisher.

"You already set it on fire?" asks Max, who is now standing just outside in the hallway, shaking his head in disapproval.

"I gave you one job, make sure you take it out at the right time while I run to the lab for one second, and yet here you are," Max says brushing past him, opening one of the fridges in the back of the kitchen.

"You're lucky I had a backup," he says as he gently sets it on the table, grabbing the frosting while Norm stares at the oven in despair.

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You flinch when you hear a knock at your door, and open it so that only your head pokes out, revealing Kiri. You look at her in confusion as she gives you a small smile.

"Hey," you pause pushing back your hair, "What are you doing here?"

She holds out her hand, and you slowly open the door, taking it.

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Neteyam watches as Max sets something small and round on the table that he vaguely recognizes when someone clearing their throat interrupts him. He turns to see Kiri walking in with you in tow. Tuk rushes over and grabs your hand pulling you to the head of the small table.

He watches as your eyes widen in surprise, and he smiles nervously when he sees a small blush creep up your face.

Norm pulls out your chair for you to sit, and you smile, tears brimming in your eyes when you look down to see a small cake covered with light pink frosting sitting in front of you. It reads, "Happy Birthday y/n!"

You look up and smile, "How did you know?" you ask as a stray tear falls down your face.

Kiri smiles, her hands behind her back, "Well, you said you missed home, so we asked Norm about Earth, and he mentioned your birthday was coming up soon," she pauses as she sets something down on the table, "so, we made all this."

You smile and quickly wipe away the hot tears falling down your cheeks as you notice one singular candle on the cake, "We didn't really have much left over," he says as he rubs the back of his neck nervously.

You smile, "No, that's okay. It's just, I never really expected something like this," you gesture to everything in front of you.

I mean, I haven't exactly had a great track record when it comes to birthdays, you think to yourself as you blow out the singular candle, another memory coming to mind. This one a bit more bittersweet than the last.

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You crane your neck to look into the small pane of glass in the room, your ears straining to listen to what the doctor is saying before the door opens.

It almost knocks you over as your Mother storms out, her face stormy, and full of anger as she turns to the man.

"I won't do it," she snaps, "And I won't let you push me into sending-" she cuts herself off when she sees you standing next to the door, your fingers nervously pulling at your braid.

She sighs before she turns back to him, "My answer is no."

The car ride home feels like an eternity before you finally make it to your driveway. Your Mother parks the car and you follow her up the steps and inside.

All you could remember from that night was the sound of the rain falling on the roof, and the wind making the house creak.

And of course, the General showing up at your door the next day, a fake smile on her lips as she handed you a stack of papers.

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You wipe away another stray tear before a hand places a small bundle of cloth in front of you. You look up to see Neteyam glancing at you nervously, his arms crossed as you gently untie it.

Tuk sits at your side when you open it, "Do you like it? I helped make it. Oh, and so did Neteyam."

You smile as you look at the hairclip, the orange and yellow feathers attached together by teal beads. You smile, "Thank you," you whisper as your hands move to put it in your hair, but a hand stops you. You look up to see Neteyam's hand gently grabbing the clip and securing it in your hair, a slight blush rising on his cheeks.

You thank him when Kiri passes you a similarly wrapped gift. You thank her and carefully open it, revealing a purple beaded necklace, with blue and teal feathers attached. She lifts it over your head and steps back smiling.

You twist your hair as Norm sighs in a mix of frustration and exhaustion, "You can leave, but only for today. And only for a couple of hours okay? There's still tests to run-"

He's cut off when you thank him and speed past him, although you assure him you'll be back before the sun sets.

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Your hands gently pat the neck of the direhorse when you see Neteyam holding his hand out to you. You cautiously accept it, and he helps you to sit in front of him.

"Don't let me fall off," you say nervously as you feel Neteyam wrapping his free arm around your waist.

Although, this shouldn't be too different from horseback riding back home. Not that I'd ever been any good at that, you think to yourself as you hear Neteyam chuckle. And the direhorse takes off.

You feel the wind rush through your hair as it gallops along. You smile as you take in the scenery rushing past you, the trees and plants a green blur.

Neteyam tightens his grip on your waist a bit more as the direhorse, whose name you now know is Payae slows to a stop, shaking its head. He quickly dismounts and you nearly fall face first in the dirt before he grabs your arm, carefully helping you to your feet.

You dust yourself off and watch as Payae begins to drink from a nearby flower. The sound of a branch snapping makes your head turn toward Neteyam. You watch as he takes a seat on a nearby log, and gestures for you to sit.

You sit next to him, the sounds of the forest filling your ears as you take in the scenery. A canopy of trees nearly blocks out the sun, a strange pattern forming shadows over the ground. You push a stray strand of hair out of your face and sigh, your eyes landing on the forest floor.

"I like your dress" Neteyam blurts out as you look over at him.

You feel a blush creeping up your face, "Thank you, my Mother made it for me. Well before..." you trail off, feeling tears prick at your eyes once more.

You feel some slip down your face and reach up to wipe them away, but feel the warmth of Neteyam's hand brushing them aside.

You frown, "Sorry, I shouldn't be crying. Today's supposed to be a good day."

Pushing away the memories of your last birthday, you turn to face him, your eyes meeting his. The more you stare you feel mesmerized by the gold flecks in his yellow eyes. You feel yourself lean forward, your eyes fluttering closed, your noses inches apart when the sound of galloping makes you jump.

You watch as a group of hexapede race past you.

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Neteyam watches as the sun slowly sets, welcoming eclipse as your head falls onto his shoulder. He pushes a strand of hair out of your face and smiles, "Kalin unil si ma Sky girl."

🎂 🎂 🎂

Kalin unil si ma Sky girl~ so, this is supposed to mean sweet dreams, but i don't know much na'vi so it might be wrong. sorry if that's the case!

thank you so much for reading, i hope you enjoyed!

please comment below if you want to be added to the taglist.

and requests for avatar and avatar the way of water are open for any character or pairing!

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The Lion and the Mouse - Part 2

Masterlist

Part 1

He is so littol! My friend had been calling him the Tiny rice boi, and he is! He's a tiny rice boi!

Content: Temporary character death, non-sexual nudity, crushed to death, mentions of past deaths, cold whump, rug burns, rehumanization, mentions of starvation

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

Kai woke in the stupid capsule, swaying from side to side. He looked down and didn’t recognize the clothing his captor was wearing. He twisted, unable to see anything through the cap, but he pressed his face to the plastic, trying to look up at who was wearing the necklace. He could only see a little, but it was enough. Vigil was wearing him. Why? What was happening? 

Vigil turned quickly into a quiet hallway and then dashed into a storage closet, gently pulling the necklace off. Kai wobbled and curled up to keep from hitting the sides too painfully, but Vigil was careful and Kai’s precaution turned out to be unwarranted. 

Kai looked up as Vigil pried off the cap, staring down at him. “Hi,” Vigil whispered.Kai was thankful for that. At this size his eardrums were delicate, and thus sensitive. Vigil gently tipped the capsule and Kai fell into the middle of his palm. Even if he laid down stretched out with his arms up he wouldn’t be as tall as Vigil’s palm. He thought of throwing himself off of Vigil’s hand and becoming smaller to escape, but he was tired and Vigil’s palm was warm. 

“Okay, okay, um, okay. This is uhhh not ideal. I’m not going to leave you here though. Just have to come up with a plan.”

Kai sat there, shocked, looking up at Vigil. Vigil’s mountain of a forehead worked as he thought. 

“I don’t think I can hear you so you’re just going to have to nod or shake your head. I’m sorry,” Vigil said, leaning back.

Kai nodded eagerly. Vigil wasn’t going to be leaving him behind? This was…. Kai couldn’t even imagine. He wrapped his arms around himself, trying not to lose it as a feeling of hope expanded in his chest. 

Vigil sighed. “Okay. Okay. So….. he’s expecting you in that box this evening. Do you know how big you’ll be by then?”

Kai nodded and got unsteadily to his feet. He tapped one of vigil’s palm lines and then stumbled to the other side and tapped another spot. 

“Okay,” Vigil said as Kai sat down, seeing spots. He was running out of energy quicker than he expected, “Got it. You’ll be easy to hide. If I roll my sleeves down there’d be a gap. I drop you, but you end up in my sleeve. I’m good at tricks so it shouldn’t be too hard, especially if.. Does he close the lid fast when he puts you in the box…. No. It’s too complicated. It won’t work if he checks the box right after I do it….”

Vigil was silent for a moment before biting his lip. “Oh, no….. Does… does your blood stay behind when you wake up?”

Kai didn’t like where this was going, but nodded anyway. “It might be better if you… maybe die again? You can get smaller right?”

Kai nodded again, curling on himself nervously. 

“We’ll say I dropped the necklace while fixing the clasp and it broke and you died. The blood on the inside of the capsule will be proof and then, um you can wait there while you’re small. I tell them what happened and then come back and stand there for a minute. You climb my shoe or something and we get out of here. Do you think you can do that?”

Kai pressed his hands to his chest. What was dying one more time? He’d be free, right? He slowly nodded.

“Okay, okay. I’m not leaving you here, Kai.”

Kai nodded again and, with that, Kai got back into the capsule and they were off. 

…………………………..

Vigil was nervous. He pre broke the clasp and stood near the front door before fidgeting with the necklace. Kai stood, hands pressed to the plastic and his tiny face hopeful. 

“Here goes,” Vigil whispered. He fidgeted with the clasp before letting it slip through his fingers. The capsule hit the floor and Vigil, making sure that this all went right, stepped forward as though he were trying to catch it, crushing it under his foot. 

He felt the snap of plastic and he stumbled back. There was blood in the capsule, and he saw what he thought could be Kai’s body and made sure the spot slipped out as he picked up the capsule. With that, he went running to explain what happened to Leshy. 

…………………………

Kai woke up and it took him several minutes to just get up. He was exhausted. He’d never been this small before and he couldn’t imagine wanting to be. Everything was huge. Just getting out of the walkway would take hours of trekking. Kai finally forced himself up. Vigil had told him to wait at the corner by the front doors and he’d stand there before leaving. Kai just hoped he’d have the energy to climb up Vigil’s shoe. 

He was beginning to doubt it as he started the walk to the wall. 

………………………….

Vigil withstood the reprimand he received from Technical, and the glares he got from Leshy. He didn’t like the way Leshy was looking at him, like he was considering planning some sort of revenge now that he didn’t have his toy. 

Vigil was extremely relieved when Technical told him to leave early, whispering to him as he led him out of the office, “Just so Leshy can calm down, you know. Take tomorrow off, too.”

So, Vigil made his way to the corner, watching the ground to be sure he wasn’t stepping on a tiny villain, and leaned against the wall, pulling out his phone to scroll for a moment while he waited for Kai to get on his shoe. He’d even tied his shoelaces so they would be loose, giving him an excuse to bend down and pick Kai up in the pretense of tying them if need be. 

As he stood there, Nautilus came down the hall and gave him a look. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

“Oh, I was just heading out,” Vigil said.

“You might want to hurry. I heard what happened and Leshy’s coming up this way.”

Panicked, Vigil said, “Yeah, I’ll be out of here then.”

“Alright, see ya. Good luck.”

Nautilus headed off and Vigil crouched down, slowly undoing the shoelace, desperately searching for Kai. He couldn’t see anything even moving on the ground. Maybe he was already on his shoe? What if Kai had gotten stepped on again? He was already so small last time, he probably wouldn’t even be visible if he got killed again. How long would it take for him to grow out, or would he be small enough that he’d get stuck in an endless kill cycle?

Vigil was dragged from his thoughts as he heard Leshy turn into the hall and he got up and left out the doors before he could be seen. Kai or no Kai, he did not want to be caught alone with Leshy right now. Besides, he’d be back, and hopefully Kai would be big enough by then to be seen. 

……………………………

When Kai woke up, it was dark in the huge hallways. He blinked confused. Had he fallen asleep? He stood up, whirling around, trying to figure out what was going on. He knew there was a clock in the hallway but there was no way he’d be able to see it without walking forever to the other side of the hallway. Still, the halls were dark which meant it was night time. The heroes would all be in bed and Vigil would be…

Not here. Kai wrapped his arms around himself, trying not to think or worry. Vigil would be back. He’d be back. He just missed his chance today, not missed his chance forever. He’d be fine. Vigil would be back and he could escape later. He still couldn’t believe that he’d dozed off and missed getting out, but the adrenaline had all faded away when he reached the wall and all he could think about was laying down for a minute. 

Kai kicked himself mentally as he tried to make a plan. He was cold, naked, about the size of a grain of rice, and was in a building where if he was caught, his torment would only continue. Heck, after the plan Vigil pulled, there was a good chance the vigilante would never be allowed back in the building. Kai might have to escape by himself. 

Kai nodded slightly. First order of business would be finding shelter. Somewhere hidden and safe, and big enough for him to grow a little. So, he took off down the hallway. After a few hours of travel, he finally came to what he was looking for. A vent. He knew that some of the vents around the place didn’t have grates on them, so he wasn’t trapping himself in here as he got bigger, and while it was nowhere near the size a normal person would need to climb it, it wouldn’t be a problem for him for at most 2 weeks if he couldn’t find much to eat. He’d be able to escape before then. He’d have to. 

So, after climbing up into the vent with the help of a discarded bottle cap he could use as a step stool, he curled up in a corner to sleep again. 

……………………………………..

Kai woke up very suddenly the next day as cold air washed over him. He shivered, the metal soon sucking the heat from his body. He stumbled to his feet and out of the vent, pressing his body to the carpet trying to get warm. 

Of course. It was summer now and the vents were pumping cool air through the base. Kai couldn’t just walk around in there when he was this small. At least, not without some protection. He’d freeze to death. It was a miracle he woke up before he did so this time. If he’d gotten any smaller he would have been at mercy to their air currents in there, maybe even floating up and becoming a part of the dust. 

Kai needed somewhere else. The vents couldn’t provide a shelter for him. If he died in his sleep he would be in serious trouble. 

After a moment of thinking, he realized he knew where he could stay. It was getting there that would be the problem. 

The laundry room. 

He bit his lip nervously. He’d only been in there once and had a very unpleasant experience in the dryer. He didn’t quite die, no, but he almost did, which was worse. 

He ignored the memory of a hammer claw to the back of his head after he didn’t die in there and started off, walking down the long halls. It wasn’t quite morning yet, it seemed as the lights were still off besides the occasional one for emergencies. The darkness stretched on and on, as did time and Kai was beginning to worry about where he would hide if someone came down the hall. He supposed he’d just have to curl up against the wall and hope no one looked at him. All he had to do was get to the laundry room. It was two hallways down from here. He could do it. 

Kai, edged on by nervous energy, started jogging down the hall, the carpet scratchy against his feet. Still, it took him an hour to get to the next turn, and he had to stop and sit down to take a breather. 

It was just as he was getting up again that the lights came on. He froze looking down the hallway, but he heard nothing. The lights must be on a timer, then. This time he took the next hall at a full sprint, trying not to think about the fact that this hall was where some of the bedrooms were. He needed to get past all of the doors before anyone got up, and he had no idea who would be up first. 

That question was answered as one door opened. Kai tried to stop, not wanting his movement to make him easy to pick out and fell to the floor hard enough that he got carpet burn all across his side as he laid facing the wall. 

The floor vibrated as someone walked down the hall, humming and yawning. It sounded like Technical. Kai tensed as the steps passed him, but Technical kept going. Kai got back to his feet, breathing hard before taking off again, his heart thumping hard as he did so. 

He finally turned into the next hall and saw the door to the laundry room, the gap under the door promising him safety. He ran faster despite the pain in his side and legs, gasping for air as he reached it, slowing down and leaning heavily against the wall for a moment, clutching at the stitch in his side, ignoring the pain of the rug burn. 

Finally, he crouched under the door, getting up on the cool tile and looking around. He decided to make for the dryer, going a bit slower now, feeling more comfortable behind the closed door. The room was pretty warm despite the tile on the floor, and as he slid under the dryer, standing up in the pocket underneath, Kai found himself comfortably warm for the first time in weeks. Still, he wouldn’t say no to the piles of dust bunnies and lint that he also found to get a bit warmer. He made quick work of building a little nest and then laying inside, more lint piled on top. He was warm, and laying in what could be somewhat labeled as a bed made him feel human again, so with that, he closed his eyes and fell asleep. 

…………………………………

Waking up in a bed was nearly as nice as falling asleep in one. Kai opened his eyes , still curled up in the fluff. The dryer had been started while he was asleep, and was running merrily above him, warming the space up to truly delightful levels.

Eventually he rolled out of the fluff and sat up. He ached from how far he’d run, his side still hurt from his carpet burn, and he was starving, but he was not so tired anymore. Apparently all of those naps really helped him out. 

He sat down again, grabbing fluff and, after some minutes of trying some things out, started matting it into something he could wear as clothing. He worked on it for hours and his fingers hurt when he was done, but he soon had a cloak of sorts. He pulled apart the fluff in the middle and pulled it on, finding a piece of string and tying it on as a belt to keep it closed. 

A bit more prepared for his day, he started scavenging. There were some buttons and other random trinkets around, but nothing much besides. Nothing he could really use. He supposed that was fine. He had shelter and clothing. At least, for now. He would need to find a new place of shelter before he got too big for this one. The top of his head brushed against the dryer, now, so he’d need to find one soon. He headed towards the back and rolled out to find a slightly larger space there. It would keep him for a day or two, he supposed, but he needed to find somewhere near a vent. That way he could travel through the base without being spotted. He’d be safe from the heat signature scanners for about a week. He knew that from past experience when he was free. He just needed to get out before then. 7 days. That was plenty of time, right?

He’d have to leave it alone for now. He was getting to a size where he might be overlooked, but it was getting risky. The halls in the base were pretty empty and he'd be easy to spot soon, so he’d have to wait until nightfall. Then he would find something to eat and drink and get into the vents. If he was going to be in the vents, though, he’d need more clothing, so he got back to work gathering lint and dust and turning it into a piece of fabric. 

When the lights went off again, Kai had simply been waiting. He made enough fabric to fit him when he was bigger and bundled it up with some useful things he found laying around before he left the safety of the dryer. He struggled to get under the door, but managed it and started trekking down the hall. He would need some food and water soon, and while he hated the idea, he realized he would have to eat off of the floor. The kitchen was usually a mess at this point, so before he went to wander in the vents, he made his way to the kitchen. 

The door had been left open and the smell coming from the room was heavenly. One of the sidekicks probably made dinner. They were both really good at cooking, mostly because the older heroes didn’t want to, so they made their lackey’s do it. 

Still, Kai found some water that had dripped out onto the floor while someone had been washing their hands and he got onto his knees, sipping it up and trying to ignore the fact that he was drinking off a kitchen floor. He imagined he was a dashing action hero drinking from an oasis instead, which helped, but made him feel rather silly when he sat back up and wiped his mouth. 

Then, he got to scavenging. He wouldn’t eat here, but he picked up food and crumbs from the floor, putting it in his bag. He couldn’t wait to be tall enough to climb the rungs on the drawers and get to some real food. That is, unless he managed to get out of here tonight. He doubted it. He was too short to do much and he’d probably have to find some string to help him get out safely anyways, so tonight was not the night. He would instead eat and probably get some more sleep. Tomorrow night would be for some serious scavenging, and the next day? Well, if he was lucky, maybe he’d be out by then. 

He gathered up the crumbs and left, quickly finding one of the vents that didn’t have a cover. He walked in, heading in deeper and turning a corner before sitting down on the cold metal and opening his bag. 

The crumbs were hard from exposure to the air, but as he bit into them, he still salivated like he was eating the tastiest morsels at a king’s feast. This was the first thing he’d eaten in months and it was absolutely everything to him. Money and fame meant nothing in comparison to the first swallows of food he’d had in his stomach for months and he couldn’t help but begin to cry. He cried over how good it tasted, he cried over the full feeling in his stomach, he cried to mourn the person he used to be, and he cried because, despite everything that happened to him, they hadn’t broken him. 

So, he ate the rest of the food with tears rolling down his face and wrapped up in his handmade blanket to sleep.

Part 3

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