#didn't get a speaking part this time sorry about that izzy | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

fairysluna · 2 years ago

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NOT THE BEST IDEA — Modern!AU | Part 3

MASTERLIST | Part 1 ; Part 2 ; Part 3 ; Part 4

Pairing: Cregan Stark x Fem!Reader x Aemond Targaryen.

Summary: the aftermath of the fight is making you feel like your old self again. Cregan noticed something is wrong and decides to do something to cheer you up, however things don't go as planned as an unwanted guest arrives.

Tags/TW: angst, smut (p in v, kinda public sex bc they are in open space) and fluff, mentions of panic attacks, emotional instability and emotional attachment, manipulation, aegon being oblivious but cute.

Author's Note: not gonna lie, I did struggle writing this part bc my mind wasn't working lmao, but I hope you like this either way. big credits to the anons who sent their ideas !! I didn't proof read it so, sorry if there's mistakes

Word Count: 6.4k

Tag List: @immyowndefender @bellameshipper @mysticgothicgirl @aemondswifeisme @issshhh @serrhaewin @loglady00 @melsunshine @izzy-the-ginger @champomiel @iiamthehybrid @ghostheartbeat

Feedback, shares and comments are always welcome!!

Cregan hissed when he felt the little piece of cotton brushing against the cut on his cheekbone. You tried your best to clean the wound, getting rid of the dried blood while your mind was so lost in your thoughts that you barely heard him complaining about the slight pain he felt with each touch.

Your mind was now a mess, and it was quite hard to hide that aspect from Cregan, who was carefully looking at your lost eyes, knowing that you were drowning in your own thoughts and knowing that you were replaying the prior scene over and over again. It was quite impossible for him to wonder whether your feelings towards him have changed now that you saw Aemond after a long time, his own insecurities and your reactions towards the situation made him doubt himself.

He tried not to think about it, but you were so quiet, so lost in the memories that once tormented you. Cregan tried to give you space for you to talk first and whenever you felt comfortable enough to do it, but the anxiety was eating him alive, taking the best of him. After a while, the silence was starting to bother him, it managed to feel too loud inside his head.

Once he finally decided to speak, his voice came out as dubious and insecure, a bit lower than he expected, "How are you feeling?"

His question seemed to have woken you up from the trance you were in, because your lost stare suddenly moved away from his wound to reach his eyes. You looked down at him with a small, tiny smile that flickered and trembled, showing your restlessness quite clearly.

"I should be the one asking that," you joked, trying to make you feel like yourself again, and not as a wandering body with a lost mind.

However, your words did not seem to amuse Cregan, who remained serious as he spoke again,

"I'm talking about Aemond," he added. Your hands stopped their movements and your whole body went still. The tension in your shoulders was visible to the man in front of you, who immediately noticed the nervousness in your body language. "What are you feeling about Aemond now?" He asked again.

"I'm feeling nothing, Cregan," you replied, without hesitation.

"It didn't seem like nothing a few seconds ago," he accused you, using an odd tone that you have never heard in him before, which made you feel uneasy, "were you thinking about him?"

You scoffed, "what? you're telling me you're jealous now?"

"He was staring at you the whole time!" He exclaimed, pointing it out as if it was obvious, "eating you with his eyes like a creep."

"That's nonsense," you scoffed, shaking your head.

"Nonsense?" he repeated, offended.

"Whatever happened between Aemond and me is in the past, I can assure you that," you tried to go back to what you were doing, but Cregan leaned back as a sign that the conversation was not over yet. You pressed your lips, starting to lose your patience, "he has a girlfriend, Cregan."

"Well, if he has a girlfriend I guess he was willing to cheat on her with you," he spoke mockingly, almost in a bitter tone, "he told me that with just a few minutes alone with you he will have you eating from the palm of his hand again."

The shock came over your body as you took a step back. Your eyes widened as your brows furrowed with confusion and bewilderment; you blinked a couple times, slowly shaking your head.

"What are you talking about?" you questioned incredulously.

"I told him to stop looking at you, to stop being so obsessed and creepy... and he beat me up because of it."

"We're talking about the man that a year ago made me have a mental breakdown because he did not love me back," you raised your voice, trying to convince him… and yourself, "why would he fight you over me when he was very clear when he told me he did not love me anymore?"

"He's jealous, y/n."

"It's been almost two years, Cregan," you sighed, "I'm sure Aemond has no feelings for me anymore."

"But do you have feelings for him?"

You scoffed, rolling your eyes, "now you're being stupid."

"Answer the question."

"Are you serious?" you asked surprised.

"Yes, I am serious," he stood up, and immediately you looked up at his face, "do you still have feelings for him?"

"Of course I don't!" You said loudly, as if raising your voice would make the words carve into his brain.

He took a small pause, as if he was thinking whether to say the next question or to just stay silent. The first option seemed to have won.

"Do you love me?"

His words made you tilt your head, as if he was asking something so obviously stupid that it didn't even need an answer. You saw how he regretted asking that in the same instant his words left his mouth; he blushed. You left the cotton and the pomade on the nightstand and cupped his face between your hands. You caressed his cheeks while you directly stared at his beautiful brown eyes, you stood on your tiptoes trying to reach his lips and leave a soft kiss on them. Cregan sighed, closing his eyes and burying his face on your neck.

"I love you." you whispered, stroking his hair as his arms wrapped around your waist. "Aemond is my past now, I promise you that."

"I know, I'm sorry. I was stupid," he muttered against you, holding you close, "I love you too."

You sighed, stroking his thick brown hair as he caressed your waist. You could feel the insecurity in his voice which made you feel guilty, thinking that there might have been some reaction that had given him the impression of you still having feelings for Aemond. And that wasn't the truth at all.

Right?

As you have told your boyfriend, Aemond was now long forgotten. However, it was a bit shocking for you to learn all the things that he had said to Cregan, and the reason why their fight started in the first place. You have thought everything had begun because of their past, thinking that Cregan may have said something that might upset him.

Aemond was a very patient person. He was collected and calm, always trying to avoid big problems. That's why it was a big surprise for everyone, including you, seeing him act so… feral. It was uncommon for him to react in that way. Perhaps he had troubles with his girlfriend and that caused him to be in a bad mood. Perhaps seeing Cregan after many years had affected him somehow. There must've been an explanation for his sudden and violent behavior, but him having feelings for you was not an option you would believe to be true.

Later that night, while Cregan was peacefully sleeping between your arms with his head on your chest and your hand on his hair, you started to do what you tried to avoid; you thought about Aemond. The questions and doubts in your mind resulted in a sleepless night in which you spent the darkest hours staring at the ceiling, hearing your boyfriend's calm breathing and soft snoring.

You did not understand it. When you saw him you were certain that you felt nothing for him, not even a small tinkle on your gut, but why are you still awake thinking about him now?

It was two in the morning when your phone started to vibrate. You frowned, curious to know who is calling you at this hour, and you stretched your arm to reach for it before the noise could wake up Cregan. You saw it was an unknown number, which you would usually ignore, but now you felt the need to pick up. So you did.

"Hello?" you answer in a whisper.

In the other line you could hear an uneven breathing that was a bit creepy, perhaps it was a sign that told you to hang up the phone, but you didn't. Instead, you eyed Cregan who was still soundly sleeping between your arms, you sighed.

"Hello?" you repeated, a bit louder this time.

No one answered again. You were about to hang up when you finally heard something. Although you wish you hadn't heard it at all.

"I miss you, y/n."

And then, the call ended. You froze, almost throwing your phone across the room due to the panic you felt. Your breathing became faster, and your heart was beating so fast you thought it would explode. You saw your phone, now showing a picture of you and Helaena in fourth grade as the hour showed up on the screen.

3.42 am.

You moved again, placing your phone back on the nightstand with a quick movement that managed to wake up Cregan. He blinked a couple times, yawning as he stretched his body, and looked at you with worry in his eyes.

"Are you okay, love?" his raspy voice reached your ears as a soft touch. It brought some peace to your endless turmoil.

You slightly nodded, trying to remain calm even though you were visibly shaking. Luckily for you, Cregan was too sleepy to notice it.

"Yes, I'm- I'm fine…" you whispered, "I just had a bad dream."

Gods, how you wish it was just that; a bad dream.

"Come here," he muttered, slowly shifting his position until he wrapped his arms around your frame, holding you close to his body, "I'm here, okay? Wake me up if you have another nightmare."

You rested your head on his chest, feeling his warmth surrounding your shaky body. He kissed your forehead before whispering a small 'I love yous' and falling asleep once again. It took you some time to close your eyes, still hearing that voice that you knew too well. Those four words that made you want to fade into the air.

Your body curled up against Cregan, hugging him tightly, trying to hold him close to you as if that would be enough to erase Aemond's voice from your mind; but it wasn't. The only thing on your mind were curses directed to that silver haired man that once ruined your life, and who seems eager to keep messing with you.

The next few days were a blur in your mind. Aemond once again managed to keep you away almost every night as your mind was so confused to the extent that you barely have been able to be intimate with Cregan.

Of course he would never pressure you to do anything, but you knew him, and you were able to see the disappointment whenever he would kiss your neck and you would stop him, coming up with some excuse that might not be completely convincing.

He thought you needed a break from everything, you were working too hard, and he knew this whole situation with Aemond had put you in a complicated situation that had brought a lot of stress in your life. That's why he spoke to Helaena and they both started to plan a surprise visit to the lake house of Helaena's parents over the weekend.

At first it would be only you and him, but Aegon was around when they planned this little vacation, and he insisted he wanted to go too. Cregan did not have the heart to deny him, and so he also invited Helaena. That's how a romantic escape turned into an excuse to drink.

When Cregan gave you the news you couldn't help but feel so bad; he has been trying to make you feel better while your mind was still being invaded by Aemond and that call. You accepted it without hesitation, feeling too guilty to even try and think about rejecting the idea.

Friday came and Cregan, Helaena and you were in his car, driving towards the destination. Aegon had left on Thursday night in his own car. The trip was fun enough to make you think about something else, Cregan's hand was caressing your thigh during the whole ride, squeezing it every now and then as you cheerfully spoke and laughed with Helaena. He would glance at you, glad to see you laugh and look better. Your smile gave him the sign that he was doing the right thing, that this was an excellent idea.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the Lake House. Cregan parked his car beside Aegon's and the three of you started to take your backpacks to the inside of the enormous house. Helaena called for Aegon, and you heard footsteps going down the stairs. All of you turned, expecting to see the eldest brother of Helaena, but it wasn’t him.

It was Aemond.

You and Cregan stood still in your places as the smug grin on Aemond’s face appeared, leaving a sour taste in your mouth. Your heart stopped for a second, your breathing became heavier and your mind felt dizzy and blurry. Seeing him, standing there in the middle of the stairs, in this house which once was the biggest witness of the love and desire you used to hold for each other; you felt as if you were about to faint.

Helaena immediately looked at your direction, looking paler than she usually is. Her hands covering her ears as a sign of distress, her eyes were wide and full of surprise. You felt Cregan’s hand grabbing your waist tightly, as if he was trying to keep you by his side as Aemond started to speak

"It's been a while since we haven't reunited in this house," he pointed out, "now, we bought some things to make pizza for lunch, who's hungry?"

A dead silence was present in the room. His boldness was so shamelessly showing that you could not simply believe this was actually happening. His mere presence was enough to make you feel the urge to cry, no out of sadness but out of rage. You hated him for what he was doing to you, you were raging; your face almost turning red.

The silence was interrupted when Aegon walked down the stairs wearing his swimsuit and his face white with sunscreen. He was smiling widely, happy to see you all but oblivious of the tension that was currently in the room.

"You finally are here!" he happily said up, hugging you first. Cregan barely let you go of his grip, keeping you close, "I brought Aemond too, I thought we should do this like the old times, remember?"

"Aegon…" Helaena whispered, shaking her head as a sign that told him that something was not right.

Aegon frowned, "why those serious faces? Did you two fight on the way here?" Those words seemed to have amused Aemond, who shamelessly smiled widely, "come on guys, don't be such a bummer, we need to leave our differences aside to cheer this pretty lady up!" He grabbed your hand and kissed it gently.

For the first time, Cregan acted jealous towards Aegon, pulling you closer to him in a subtle movement that only you noticed.

"Helaena, y/n, why don't you chop the vegetables while we prepare the dough for the-"

"Excuse me, I'll go to the room first," you interrupted him, walking towards the stairs and bravely walking past Aemond.

Your perfume left a trail that he breathed in, closing his eyes and enjoying your scent; so delicious, sweet, showing the innocence you once had when you first started your relationship with him. He took a deep breath and smiled slightly. Cregan soon followed you, and he purposely pushed Aemond's shoulder with his when he walked by his side.

Once you entered the room, you started to breath fast and unsteady, you tried to collect yourself before you had a panic attack that would certainly ruin everything. You were pacing back and forth around the room that was designated to you by Alicent the first time you came to the house when you were ten.

So many memories were flooding you, especially once you saw the bed, which was the same bed where Aemond took your virginity. You wanted to cry, to escape, everywhere you looked in that house was a memory of your disastrous relationship with him, you really wished to run away. Jumping out of the widow was not the best idea, and going back to the entrance either. You started crying once you felt the thick and comforting arms of your sweet boyfriend wrapping you as you looked out of the window.

He started to kiss your temple, holding you close as you silently wept.

"I'm so sorry, my love…" he whispered, "If I had known he was going to be here I wouldn't have brought you here."

You turned around, only to bury your face on his chest. He was quick to stroke your hair, swinging you softly from one side to another, soothing you and making you feel somehow safe.

"I won't let him get close to you, I swear it,” he promised you, “if I see him putting one hand in your body I'm going to break his bones." he cupped your face, wiping your tears with his thumbs as he kissed your forehead, "you're safe with me, you know that, right?"

You hiccuped, nodding.

"And you know I love you so, so much, right?" You sobbed.

Cregan smiled, his soft haze staring down at you with devotion and genuine love, "of course, my love… and I love you too."

He brushed his nose against yours, still caressing your wet cheeks when the door was open suddenly. Helaena walked in with her face filled with regret and angst. Your gaze softened and you slowly pulled away from Cregan.

"I'm so sorry, guys…" Helaena whined, "I didn't know he was coming, when I called Aegon this morning he didn't say anything, I'm truly sorry, Cregan… I'm sorry-"

"No need to apologize, Hel," he told her, "it's not your fault. It's Aegon's," he muttered, obviously pissed.

"No," you quickly said, "he doesn't know what happened between me and Aemond… no one knows, just you and Helaena."

"Well, what do we do now?" The blonde girl asked, "should we stay here?"

Cregan shrugged, "it's y/n’s decision. We can ignore him for the weekend or we can grab our stuff and just leave."

You looked at Helaena,

"What do you think?" you asked her.

"Do what you think it's best for you, no one will be mad at you for it."

Your pride took the best of you. Your logic was simple; if you leave now, it would mean that Aemond had managed to intimidate you, which was obviously his purpose. It would mean that his mission of ruining your romantic escapade with Cregan was successful.You would not give him the pleasure of it. The power of screwing and messing with you again.

Your decision was simple; you just shook your head.

“We’re staying.”

A few hours later, when you had already eaten a delicious pizza made by Aegon, you decided to go and spend some time in the pool. Aegon was sunbathing, with a bottle of beer on his hand; Helaena was sitting at the border of the pool, with her legs on the water, and Aemond was reading some book while he laid on the pool chairs.

You and Cregan came out of the house grabbing hands and laughing. Aemond rolled his eyes trying to focus on his reading, but your chuckles were too loud to ignore.

You sat on the chair that was further from Aemond, Cregan sat in front of you and his huge back was on display for you. You smiled slightly once you saw some scratches on it, and you couldn’t help but blush as you grabbed the sunscreen and started to spread a layer of it on Cregan’s back.

Aemond was looking at your direction with a bitter look that no one seemed to notice, not even you.

Your hands were rubbing on Cregan’s back so delicately that it made him hum on many occasions. You would occasionally lean forward just to leave soft kisses on his soft skin.

“The sunscreen burns,” he said between breathy chuckles.

“You have a lot of scratches on your back,” you replied, with a tone that came out as worried. You were not able to see his face, but you know there was a wide smirk on it.

He leaned back a little, enough to get closer to you, “don’t act so innocent, love, you know very well why they are there.”

Aemond was able to hear those words, and he just stood up from his chair, walking inside the house. You looked at him, following his steps until he disappeared from your sight. You rolled your eyes as you kept covering your boyfriend’s back with soft caresses and small kisses.

Aemond’s torment continued as you both kept giving each other public displays of attention. It never stopped, it seemed to him that you were doing all of this on purpose. His ego made him think that you were doing this to make him jealous.

You spent the day hanging from Cregan's arms, kissing him and hugging him at each opportunity you have. It was not something unusual between you two; Cregan knew how touch deprived you were in your past relationship, especially because Aemond never gave you any kind of affection when you were in public, just small hugs and soft pats on your back.

Cregan wanted to show you how loved you were by him, which is why he always makes sure to give you all the things that Aemond never provided you. And he wasn't going to lie; he loved how annoyed Aemond would look whenever he wraps his arms around you. Cregan knew you were his now, and he loved to show how happy you were to the man that once had made you miserable.

Now the night arrived, you were around a small bonfire in the backyard. Cregan was talking with Aegon while you were braiding Helaena's hair. Aemond was nowhere to be seen, but you preferred it that way.

In some part of the evening you walked back inside the house, towards the kitchen. You were looking for ice in the fridge when you felt a presence behind your back. At first you thought it was Cregan, but when you sensed that familiar scent, you realized it was actually Aemond.

You turned around almost instantly, and the rage you felt this morning came back to your body.

"What are you doing here?" you asked, moving away from him.

"This is my kitchen," he shrugged.

You tilted your head, "No, why are you here?"

"Aegon invited me."

"Stop this, Aemond, I'm serious," you spoke harshly.

"I don't know what you mean, love," he put extra emphasis in that last word.

It made you shrink in your own place, and a weird sensation was installed in your gut. You did not like the way he said that, you immediately knew he had double intentions, and that only made you even more scared.

Aemond used to have a lot of power over you, the idea of him regaining that power made you feel frightened.

"The call at 2 am?" You reminded him, "Your sudden appearance here? You're telling me it was all a coincidence?"

He looked down at you, smirking as he remained silent for a few seconds while he looked around the kitchen.

"Do you remember this kitchen?" He asked, completely ignoring your prior words, "Because I remember it… I remember how soft your skin felt, the way I had to kiss you because you were being so loud, remember?" With each word he stepped closer and closer to you, making you feel small, and weak. "It was right here… in this counter."

Your cheeks flushed with his words, and you forced yourself to look away.

"Whatever you're trying to do, stop it right now, Aemond."

"I made you mine in almost every room of this house," he said softly, lifting his hand to touch your cheek. You just froze and your bottom lip started to shake, "including that bed where your boyfriend will sleep so soundly tonight."

"Stop bothering me, stop bothering us, please," you weakly said, at the verge of tears.

"That call… Why did you answer it in the first place?"

"It- it was an unknown number," you replied with a shaky voice.

Aemond's smirk became wider as he heard your words, "I've known you for years, my sweet y/n… you never pick up calls from unknown numbers," he chuckled softly, his thumb caressing your quivering lip, "you knew it was me, didn't you?"

You grabbed his hand, pushing it away from you. He hummed in disappointment.

"Stop it," you begged, "you're being mean."

"Mean?"

"You told me to move on, you broke up with me, why are you doing this?" you sighed, wiping the tears that started to fall down your rosy cheeks, "do you- dou you think I'm your fucking dog? That I'm going to run to your side every time you whistle? Fuck you, Aemond," you spat.

He cupped your face, forcing you to stare at his face. A sob escaped from your lips, your heart aching and beating so fast that you thought it would explode.

"I miss you, y/n," he muttered, leaning closer to your face. His tight grip makes it impossible to escape from his touch, "I want you back- I will have you back."

You pouted as your vision became blurry with tears, you shook your head, you needed to get out of the situation, but your body wasn't able to move.

"Stop this… please," you begged.

Aemond let go of your face, and kissed your forehead. A touch that felt so cold and odd, which left you with an overwhelming and indescribable feeling in your gut.

"You look so pretty when you beg me, my love."

He left the kitchen, and then you could breathe properly once again. You leaned over the counter, taking deep breaths until you could feel your heartbeats returning to their normal speed. Your body was still shaking, but at least you finally stopped crying.

Staying here with Aemond around was a terrible idea. You regret your decision, and now you wished you could turn back time to leave this goddamn house as soon as you found out he was here too. But it was too late.

"Here you are…" you heard a soft voice. You lifted your face and Cregan's eyes softened with the sight of you, "I thought you were in the bathroom."

He walked towards you, and cupped your face with a gentle touch, so different from Aemond's. You felt relieved when he did that, feeling his comforting embrace giving the peace you were craving for.

Cregan kissed you, so softly, so delicately. His hands caressing your skin with such devotion that made you melt in his arms.

While Aemond always made a mess out of you, Cregan was the one who always brought calmness to you. You loved him so much.

"Are you okay, baby?" he asked you with that sweet tone of his that you so deeply adored.

You couldn't bring yourself to lie to him, "Not really…" you whispered, putting your hands on his chest, "can we go somewhere else? Just the two of us?"

"Of course…" he replied without hesitation, "we can go to the lake, does that sound nice?"

You nodded, "it sounds perfect."

He kissed you one last time before grabbing your hand, leading you towards the door. A part of you felt guilty because you were leaving without letting Helaena know, but she will know you're safe. She knows you're with Cregan.

He lit up the flashlight of his phone and illuminated the dark path in front of you both. You were guiding him throughout the trees and bushes, until the moonlight pointed at your final destination. The lake looked even more gorgeous at night, as the moon was reflected on the calm waters. The sound of crickets and owls was the only thing you were able to hear; it was so peaceful and quiet, you both loved it.

You felt the calmness of your surroundings, the view, the sound of the place and Cregan's presence and embrace was enough to make you relax. Your body was no longer tense, and your jaw was unclenched. You took a big, deep breath, and you smiled at your sweet and loving boyfriend.

He smiled back,

"Better?" he spoke softly.

"Way better."

He held you in his arms, resting his chin on the top of your head. You looked at the calm water and the urge to submerge your body in it was very tempting. Cregan seemed to have read your mind, for he started to get rid of his shirt, and then he unbuckled his pants.

You couldn't help but chuckle, "what are you doing?"

"Let's go for a swim… I know you want to," he said as he got rid of his jeans.

You bit your lip, "I didn't bring my swimsuit."

"You don't need one," he winked at you, before pulling down his underwear along with his pants.

"Oh, Gods…"

You felt the blush running to your cheeks as you saw him standing in front of you fully naked, you haven't been able to stop drooling over him. You covered your face for a couple minutes before looking around, just to make sure you were truly alone, and then you imitated his action.

After a few seconds, your clothes were folded in the grass right next to Cregan's, and he was holding your hand as he guided you towards the lake.

A small chuckle left your lips as you felt the cold water touching your feet. It gave you chills, the water was freezing cold, which made you shake and giggle.

When he saw you struggling, he let out a small breathy laugh. In a quick and sudden movement, he grabbed your thighs, lifting you up and forcing you to wrap your arms around his shoulders and your legs around his waist. You sweetly smiled at him as you pressed your chest against his and hid your face on the crook of his neck.

Your warmth being so close to him was enough to arouse him. It's been days since the last time he touched you, and he was already starting to feel the absence of your lustful touch against his body. However, he tried to brush away the desire, because he didn't want you to pressure you. He would just wait.

Once the water reached your upper body, you laughed softly. Cregan was still holding you tight, hugging your waist as he kissed your shoulder. You were trembling due to the cold water.

"It's so cold, I'm freezing," you said as you shivered, still pressing yourself into his wide chest.

"It's okay, I'll keep you warm," he murmured, stroking your lower back.

You leaned back as he wrapped his big hands around your waist, swinging your body from one side to another. Your legs were still attached to his hips as your arms spreaded in the water. Cregan's eyes were fixed on your shape; the way you looked so peaceful with your eyes closed and under the dim moonlight, the way your hair was floating making you look ethereal and surreal.

His curious eyes wandered around your body, now looking at your neck, your collarbones -which still have those little maroon marks that he left behind-, and your pebbled nipples. The low temperature was causing you shivers in your body, and the way your body reacted was a clear proof of it.

Your eyes opened once you heard a sharp breath coming from him, and you found his dark eyes staring back at you with desire. You sit back up, placing your hands on his shoulders as you teased him by brushing your nose against his. After tortuous days, you finally felt the need to have him again. To feel his touch, so delicate and careful.

After feeling Aemond's roughness, you needed Cregan's gentleness.

Next thing you knew, your lips were pressed against his kissing him slowly and softly. He did not waste the time, and soon he was kissing you back, swirling his tongue against you as he sighed. You hummed in response, cupping his face as he tightened the grip on your waist. Everything felt so calm, there were only you two, the sound of your wet and slow kiss joined the sounds of the nocturnal nature around you.

Your hips started to move against his hardening length, and his hands soon reached your rear in order to control your movements as you rubbed yourself against him, stealing a loud moan from his lips. This action only made him more desperate for you, and he deepened the kiss as a proof of his neediness for your touch. He was devouring your lips as a starved man while his groans and your moans would be silenced by each other's mouths. He couldn't get enough of your sweet taste.

His hands left your arse to reach your breasts, fondling the soft skin and nipping your pebbled nipples.

"I've missed your body so fucking much…" he confessed between the kiss, "I need you so bad."

His last words came out as a slight whine that made you hum. Your fingers soon find their way to his thick brown hair, tangling your digits between his soft locks and pulling it softly as he leaned his head back. Your lips attacked his neck with wet kisses, and his hands squeezed your breasts making you whimper.

"They won't come near," you told him, your voice already showing how much you desired him, "No one will see, no one will hear."

"Go on," he growled, searching for your lips to kiss you again, "tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you," his hands went back to your arse, pressing you against his hardened length. You moaned against his lips, "come on, baby, say it."

You quickly succumbed to his words,

"Fuck me, please…" you begged in a sigh.

That was enough for Cregan to lift your body and align himself with your tight entrance. You were both so desperate for each other that you didn't even take the time to adjust to his big size as you would usually do. Your hips started to move against his hard thrusts while the water surrounding your bodies splashed and moved.

"Oh, fuck, baby, you feel so fucking good," he groaned, feeling your tight walls squeezing him so nicely, "so good for me… that's it."

His low and deep voice praising you had you moaning loudly, forcing you to close your eyes as he filled you so well. Cregan's face was buried on your neck, as he gripped your hips controlling your movements while you rode him, going up and down on his shaft. He was so deep inside you, touching every sweet spot that would make you shake and drool. Suddenly the coldness of the water was nothing compared to the heat of your lustful bodies begging for each other.

"Mhm…" you whimpered, "it feels so good, so, so good."

Cregan sighed, hearing your whiny voice made him twitch inside of you.

"Yeah?" he said in a teasing way while a subtle side smile was decorating his beautiful face.

"Yes… so good."

He trapped your lips in an erotic wet kiss that was far from being soft now. His tongue clicked against yours while he was touching every single part of your body. You both were so lost in the pleasure, in the feeling your bodies would experience while rubbing against each other.

You both were so blinded by the lust of the moment that none of you noticed a pair of eyes watching. Eyes that were filled with wrath, jealousy and contempt.

Aemond looked away, unable to keep watching that tortuous scene. He leaned his back against a tree as he looked at the dark night sky, his stare blurred with hatred. He was hearing you, your moans, whines and dirty words were too loud for him to ignore. They made him furious, blinded with rage.

He was the one that used to provoke you to make those sweet sounds, the one that had you shaking and squirming under his harsh touch. The only one who knew your body so perfectly, and the only one who could provide you with what you need without you even asking for it.

Under his resentful eyes, Cregan was just a distraction; a plaything you use to entertain yourself in your path back to him. At the end of the day, you will always belong to him.

At that moment, Aemond decided that he had to get rid of Cregan. He could not bear the idea of another man taking what he claimed first; your body, especially when that man was Cregan fucking Stark, the one who always took everything from him. Now he added you to the list, and Aemond will not allow it.

He had to get him out of his way.

Aemond left almost immediately, not wanting to hear this profanity any longer. He walked away from the lake, clenching his fists and his jaw as his scheming started.

Meanwhile, you were just coming down from your orgasm when you heard some leaves crackling in the distance. You quickly moved your head, looking around searching for the source of the sound.

"What is it?" Cregsn asked with his raspy voice.

"I heard something," you said, looking back at his face.

"It was probably just the wind, love…" he tried to play down the situation, soothing you with his comforting voice, "would you like to go back to the house?"

You looked around one more time before turning your head back at him. You shook your head before pecking his lips.

"No, let's stay here a little longer."

Cregan kissed you again, and before you noticed, he started to move his hips again, making you moan with surprise and blurring your mind.

"Gods…" you chuckled, "you're insatiable, aren't you?"

He grunted, smirking as he pushed deeper, "You're too fucking irresistible, baby."

As he started to thrust against you, you looked around one last time, just to be sure. You tried to focus on the pleasure that your boyfriend was giving you, but you couldn't help being creeped out; you could've sworn you saw a shadow moving between the trees, but that was probably just your mind playing tricks with you…

Right?

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run-me-through-but-not-like-that · 2 years ago

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Had this idea for a few weeks now. Steddyhands x reader where reader wants affection but struggles asking for it. They go to Stede cause he'll probably be the most able to help. He does and he gets Ed and Izzy on board to help with giving and asking for affection when wanted. Izzy struggles a bit more cause it's izzy.

Accepting Affection:

Quiet mornings with your partners were always something you enjoyed, probably your favourite part of the day. When the four of you are still in your own little bubble, the outside world not yet penetrating it.

Izzy was always the first to leave, to get to work. Such a diligent first mate. Ed and Stede would give him a kiss, he would grumble but of course he would accept them with no real protest, and Izzy would leave for the morning.

You and Edward were usually next to leave, occasionally being joined by Stede depending on his plans for the day.

The two of them would share a kiss, one that usually got a little carried away before one of them broke it up. Stede would cup the side of your neck, bidding you farewell as is you weren't going to be working on the same ship all day. Ed would chuckle at the dramatics before throwing an arm around your shoulders and dragged you out of the shared cabin.

And as Edward left you to your own devices with a small full body squeeze, you would force down a sigh.

A part of you wondered why you didn't get the kisses but you knew why. You had never been good when it came to affection, always craving it never knowing how to ask for it, only partially being able to even show it.

It had resulted in you cringing away from affection during the early stages of your relationship, so of course they avoided laying it on too thick with you. They were only being thoughtful, but God it hurt sometimes, filling you with longing.

As always, you spent most of the day dwelling on those interactions, seeing how easy they made it look. How Stede and Edward could just reach out for each other like it was breathing. Izzy initiated it less, other than standing too close to be considered completely platonic, but always melted into his captains when they pulled him close.

It was after lunch that you finally started to build the courage to do anything about it. It was time to talk to them about it, it had been for a while, but you never managed it. The thought of sitting the three of them down to tell them, it felt like too much. The risk of them all asking questions, would they be angry about it, about you not telling them sooner. You had never been able to do it.

Maybe just speaking to one of them first would help, surely...surely then you would be able to get it out.

As if the universe was giving you the opportunity, you sae Stede heading into the captain's cabin alone. Surely, Stede would understand. He would listen, talking it through was his motto after all.

You paced outside the cabin door for a couple of minutes before finally letting yourself.

"Ah, hello, Darling," Stede greeted you brightly. Sometimes it hurt to even look at him, he was like looking at the sun. Blond hair and bright eyes, practically shining at you. Making you feel welcome, loved, wanted.

"Uh, hey...can I talk to you about something?" you asked, shifting beside the closed door, radiating nervous energy.

Stede's smile faded for a moment, concern showing in his eyes, before he rallied it back. "Of course, should I round up Ed and Izzy?"

"No," you answered too firmly. You let out a breath, closing your eyes for a moment to collect yourself. "Sorry, I just...this is already kinda difficult, don't think I could do it with even more eyes on me," you explained, meeting his gaze, hoping he could see how difficult this might be for you."Oh...alright, sit down them," Stede "Tea?"

"Oh...alright, sit down them," Stede nodded, his own anxiousness increasing. There was clearly something serious that you wanted to talk about, something that was bothering you and putting you on edge. He hoped he could handle it, though he couldn't yet fathom why you wouldn't want the others here s well. "Tea?" he asked.

"Yeah, okay," you nodded.

Stede busied himself, buying you both time to process and plan, with making the tea. Once he had two cups filled, he placed them down on the coffee table and joined you on the couch. Just close enough that your knees touched. You cursed yourself when you instinctively flinched away from it, only to push back against his knee like you were trying to send him a message. This is okay, sorry I keep messing up.

"Is everything alright, Dear?" Stede asked, taking his cup and holding it in his lap. Something to do with his hands.

"Nothing is wrong, I just...well...I don't really know how to put it," you sighed, picking at your nails, your tea going untouched.

"Take your time, I'm listening," Stede assured you but you could tell he was anxious. Your anxiety rubbing off on him.

"Well...okay, I guess I should just say it," you took a breath, steeling yourself. "Iwouldlikesomemoreaffection, I think."

Stede stared. Blinked once, then twice. He sipped from his tea before placing it down again. "Alright, just saying it is a good idea but perhaps a little slower, I didn't quite catch it," he advised, giving you a small smile, when he couldn't translate your hurried confession.

You took another breath, nodding. This really shouldn't be so difficult, asking for some affection, children do it. You felt ridiculous, couldn't believe this was such a hard thing to do. Well, that was the problem, it wasn't a hard thing to do. It should be easy, the way they made it seem. You could do this. You were going to do this. Right now.

"I think...I think I would like it if we could, maybe...share more affection," you admitted, now picking at a loose thread on your sleeve.

Stede's eyes instantly widened at your words, reaching out to take hold of your restless hands. "Oh, Darling, oh I'm so sorry. I didn't realise-"

"Stede, hold on," you cut him off, squeezing his hands in the hopes of reassuring him a little. "Sorry, I didn't mean just you. I meant all of us, y'know?" you didn't mean to upset him or make him feel guilty...

"Have we not been showing you the affection you need?" Stede asked, sounding saddened at the thought.

"I don't know," you sighed, looking down at where he held your hands, thumbs brushing over your knuckles. "I'm not very good with it. Like, asking for it or showing it, but I see the way the three of you interact sometimes and I just feel...I want that," you hadn't thought about how to voice your desires, you just tried to be as honest as you could. You hoped it was enough.

"Sweetheart, you only have to ask," he hoped you knew that, he thought that you did. Had they led you to believe otherwise?

"I know and sometimes I try but I always chicken out. I don't know why it seems to scary to...to want something," your voice was small, sounding as guilty as he had.

Stede nodded. This wasn't anyone's fault, nobody had done wrong. You all had your own things to overcome, your own hang ups, and you would work through it together when you were ready. God knows, Stede had plenty of his own. Thankfully, it appeared that you were ready now.

"It is scary to want things, at least it can be. For so long, I didn't think I was allowed to want anything. But I wanted to sail out to sea, to put together a crew, I wanted to live authentically and fall in love. Then I met you and Ed and Izzy, and I couldn't be happier," Stede confessed, shifting a little closer and holding your hands in his lap. "It's alright to want things, and the three of us only ever want to give you what you want," he promised.

"I love you, all of you," you had told them that plenty of times. It had taken you some time and a small amount of panic to be able to say those words, to open yourself up to them like that. They had accepted you with open arms, of course, had made it feel important but easy. Nothing to be scared of. "I'm sorry I'm not better at showing it."

"Don't you dare apologise about that, we know you love us, and we love you dearly. We'll show you all the affection you want, Love. And never feel like you can't ask for it," Stede soothed, releasing one of your hands to cup your cheek, stroking his thumb under your eye, feeling the moisture collecting on your bottom lash.

You could only smile. He was so sweet. You couldn't believe you were afraid of this.

"Izzy struggles with the same thing, I'm sure I don't need to tell you that, but he's so obvious about what he wants. You can see it all over his face. He might grumble whenever I kiss his cheek but he always leans into it. I guess you've just been a little better at hiding it, I didn't realise..." Stede continued, pushing hair out of your face before cupping your jaw.

"Do you think...maybe..." you whispered, leaning into his touch, tightening your grip on his hand slightly.

"Come here, Sweetheart," Stede smiled adoringly, giving your hand a small tug.

You shuffled closer to him on the couch, letting him wrap his arms around you. You giggled and put up mild protests as he scattered kisses over your face.

Eventually Stede ceased his onslaught, pulling you closer to cuddle into his side as he settled back against the couch. And he just held you.

"This is nice," you hummed, smiling as Stede stroked up and down your side.

"You can have it any time you want, from any of us," Stede reminded you, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "Now, drink your tea. It's soothing."

You laughed fondly but agreed, letting him hold you against his chest as you drank your tea.

"Alright, Gents, we have something important to discuss," Stede clapped his hands together, having gathered two of his partners in their cabin. Edward and Izzy sat on on the couch while Stede stood in front of them both, a smile on his face to put them at ease but his shoulders squared in a way that told them something was going on.

"Shouldn't Y/n be here if it's important?" Izzy asked with a frown.

"Yeah, are they coming?" Edward asked, looking around like you might just materialised in the room, or perhaps you had been hiding somewhere.

"Uh, well, no. You see, it's them that we need to talk about," Stede's smile faltered slightly.

"What happened?" Edward's full attention was on him once again, his own frown forming.

"Are they alright?" Izzy didn't frown, instead his gaze hardened. Always preparing for the worst, always readying to protect himself.

"Yes, they're fine. Sorry, I didn't mean to worry either of you," Stede quickly tried to ease their worries.

"Just get to the point, mate. Making us nervous here," Edward gave a weak laugh, shifting in his seat.

Stede nodded, putting it as simply and bluntly as he could. "I believe they want more affection from us."

"You believe?" Izzy squinted at him.

"They told me," Stede corrected himself.

"Just you?" Edward frowned, a flash of something behind his eyes. Hurt, sadness, reluctant understanding.

"They know they should have come to all three of us but they confessed they they struggle asking for the things they want, especially affection," Stede explained.

It seemed to relax Edward a little bit, but Izzy seemed to relax more. Which was an interesting change of personalities.

"I get that," Izzy nodded thoughtfully. If anyone understood difficulties when it came to love and affection, it was him. He used to find it difficult to tell Edward that he wanted soft things, found it easier to confess those desires to Stede just because of their whole Blackbeard history. Izzy and Edward got to see sides to each other they forgot even existed, got to be reintroduced, to provide the things that the other needed with pleasure. Izzy was sure you had your own reasons.

"Do we not show them enough affection? They never like...initiate it, assumed they weren't a big fan," Edward glanced off slightly to the side, recalling a bunch of different interactions with you, trying to see where he went wrong.

"Probably related to the 'struggling to ask for it' issue," Stede pointed out and Edward nodded in understanding, perhaps there was nobody to blame, not even himself. "Anyway, I think a bit more physical affection would help them feel more secure in the relationship and satisfy their needs a little more."

"Well, that's not a problem!" Edward grinned. He was going to fix this, was going to make it right!

"I figured the two of you would agree," Stede smiled fondly, knowing you were about to be drowned in affection. The three of them could be pretty committed when it came to a good fuckery.

You were tightening up the rigging, a task you fairly enjoyed for its receptiveness, when somebody latched themselves to your back. Long arms slipped around your waist as a chest pressed against your back, the familiar feeling of hair tickling your neck.

"Working hard?" Edward asked, comfortably tucking his chin against your shoulder, watching your hands work.

"I, uh...yeah, just finishing this," you could feel your face heating up as you stumbled over your words.

It was still, truly. The four of you had been together for a while now, you had cuddled with each other them plenty of times, been far more intimate than this. But having Edward hold you so openly on the deck, just in front of the crew, like it was easy, making it feel so easy and natural, it was different. You found yourself smiling widely.

"This okay?" he asked, pecking a quick kiss to your jaw before settling back to continue watching you work.

"Yeah, this is good," you didn't even try to supress your grin as you lent back into his embrace.

You continued to fiddle with the rigging, rope slipping from your hands whenever Edward would start to sway or his beard would tickle your neck. You started to feel like he was doing it on purpose, pressing fingers into your side or blowing against your ear to purposely prolong your task.

"Fucking hell, aren't you supposed to be giving Buttons the new course?" Izzy asked, stomping his way across the deck towards the two of you.

"Oh shit, yeah. Got a little busy," Edward laughed, pressing his cheek to your shoulder as he looked at Izzy. Always so serious, always thinking about work, bless him.

"Well, can you tell him something or we're just going to be sailing around in circles all day...again," Izzy sighed.

"On it, Iz," Ed gave you a full body squeeze before releasing you.

"Thanks, captain," Izzy nodded.

Edward winked at the two of you before striding off, up to the helm. You couldn't help but laugh as you got back to work, always endeared by the way Edward commanded attention.

"He's a pain in the arse, but he's our pain in the arse," Izzy mused, his voice nothing but fond. You laughed your agreement. Each of your partners had their oddities, and you loved each and every one of them.

Izzy stepped closer, looking at your handiwork. It was good, of course, he had already taught you how to perfect a rigging. "Don't worry about rushing this, I'll save your lunch for you," Izzy assured you. It wouldn't take you long at all to finish it, Edward having provided only minimal distraction. "How about we, uh...we eat together," he suggested, almost shyly, as if the two of you didn't eat lunch together nearly every day.

"Yeah, I'd like that," you agreed, giving him an amused smile.

"I'll save you a seat," Izzy promised before rocking back and forth on his feet.

When you looked at him quizzically, confused by the anxious movement, you could see that he was blushing. Before you could question him, he quickly kissed your cheek, blushing even deeper before scurrying off. Izzy could be absolutely adorable and at least you could rest assured that you weren't alone in your struggles.

However, his behaviour did tell you one thing. Stede has definitely told them about your conversation.

Just like you did every evening, you went to your shared cabin to join your partners for dinner.

"Sweetheart!" Stede beamed as you stepped through the door, closing it behind you. "Wonderful, would you help me set the table? Ed is just in the bathroom and you know how Izzy is," he adjusted the distance between the plate and wine glasses once and then twice before deciding they were correct.

"Yep, just passed him shouting at the Swede about how to properly oil the cannons," you told him. Stede sighed but there was a fond smile on his face anyway. You understood that mix between exasperation and fondness.

You got straight to work helping Stede lay the table, flushing whenever he would pass by you and steal a kiss. If he was going for a desensitising approach, it was working.

"Imbeciles!" Izzy barged in, a rant ready on his tongue. "Couldn't find their own asses!"

You bit back a smile, it not being your attention to further wind him up. "Iz, if you want the Swede to oil the cannons, you have to ask Olu to oversee it. He knows what he is doing, and the Swede is kinda scared of you, hun," you told him sympathetically.

Izzy sighed, sounding tired, and dragged a hand over his face.

"Relax, Dear," Stede approached him with a soft smile. "I'm sure they have everything handled, just come and enjoy dinner with us," he soothed his hands down Izzy's arms and the shorter man visibly relaxed before nodding. He wasn't up on deck being First Mate Hands right now, he was in his quarters with his partners, just Izzy.

Just on time, Edward came out of the washroom. "Hey, everyone is here!" he grinned, only faltering slightly when he saw the look on Izzy's face. "Iz, who pissed in your rum?" he questioned.

"The Swede," you answered for him, only a little amused. Edward laughed, finding the humour in it, it's not like the crew would actually do anything serious. And when the Swede was involved, it was usually a rant about incompetence that followed.

"Yes, my suffering is hilarious," Izzy rolled his eyes but there was no real annoyance in his voice.

"Lighten up, mate," Edward chuckled, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, "come and try Roach's new concoction. He promises it's good."

Izzy grumbled but allowed himself to be led to the table and pushed down into his seat.

"If the Swede has done it wrong, I'll help you clean up the mess after dinner," you promised.

"Fine." It was enough to put a smile on Izzy's face.

"See, problem solved," Stede smiled brightly as the rest of you joined Izzy at the table, taking your seats.

Everybody began to tuck into their food but before you could even pick up your cutlery, Ed had taken hold of your dominant hand. Innocently holding it and toying with your fingers as he ate.

You smiled at where your palms touched, at the casual show of affection. Still, it wasn't exactly practical.

"Ed?"

"Yeah?" he looked at you with a smile, all warm brown eyes and adoration.

"This is really nice and everything, but...I'd like to be able to eat," you gave his hand a gentle shake.

"Oh," Edward frowned down at your interlocked hands, laughing when he realised the problem. "Sorry, babe," he apologised, releasing your hand after giving your knuckles a little kiss.

You were thankful that he didn't comment on the way your face heated up. Stede, on the other hand, was grinning shamelessly, proud of you all but knowing better than to voice that.

After dinner was finished, Stede cleared the plates and served dessert, placing a serving in front of each of you. You smiled gratefully as he placed the little plate down in front of you.

As he began to pull away back, you felt the need to do something. To show your appreciation. Not just for the dessert, of course, but for everything he did.

"Uh, Stede?" you cleared your throat before you could talk yourself out of it. Stede paused, looking at you expectantly but patiently. You reached up, taking hold of his lacy cravat, and pulled him down slightly. Once he was at the right level, you planted a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you."

"No problem, Sweetheart," Stede smiled before placing his own plate down and returning to his seat. There was more he wanted to say but he held his tongue. He was just so proud of you for initiating like that but he didn't want to embarrass you by saying anything.

You sat up on the crows nest, feeling the wind against your face, one of your favourite pass times. Normally your free time was spent with one of your partners but even the four of you appreciated alone time every now and again, and this was how you liked to spend yours. It was refreshing.

Izzy didn't say a word as he climbed up to meet you, just have you a questioning look. You nodded and he sat down with you, shoulder to shoulder.

"Use to sit up here with Ed, when we were deckhands," Izzy told you without prompting, "we'd drink whatever we could get our hands on, talking about the future, how we'd rule the seas. The crows nest of Hornigold's ship, that's where the legend of Blackbeard was born."

The thought of the two men, young and ambitious, bright eyed and full of dreams, it put a smile on your face. "Now, a young Ed and Iz with ambitions of becoming the most fearsome pirates on the seven seas...I would have liked to see that."

"Nah, you wouldn't. Ed never sat still and I was a little shit," Izzy warned you, and you believed him wholeheartedly. You could just picture it. Could picture how you would have loved him just as much then as you did now.

"So not much has changed then?" you teased.

Izzy laughed, knocking his shoulder against yours. "I had a reputation for biting," he added.

"Of fucking course you did," you blurted out a laugh. Oh yeah, you could see that too. An Izzy Hands in his twenties, snarling and baring his teeth like a rabid dog. He may not bite as much anymore but he certainly did bark.

You laughter faded out into the quiet night, the two of you comfortable in the silence.

"You're a lot braver than me, y'know," Izzy said quietly, you almost didn't hear him over the pleasant breeze.

"What makes you say that?" you looked to him with a small frown, watching his side profile. Izzy got like this sometimes, oddly open and vulnerable. Of course, the three of you always encouraged it when it happens.

"You talked to Stede, told him what you needed. I could never do that. Ed had to tie me down while Stede interrogated me, needing to know if I even really liked him," Izzy told you and you smiled at the image, you would have quite liked to have seen that. "I could've never just gone to him like you did," he admitted.

"Were you mad...that I didn't speak to you and Ed?" you asked. It was something that had been bothering you. You knew that Stede had obviously told them and they hadn't shown you any animosity about it, but you worried that you might have hurt them, that they would feel as if you went behind their back.

"No. We understood, we've been there before, y'know. Me and Ed couldn't stay mad at each other for it and we couldn't be mad at you. Stede just has...something about him, doesn't he?" Izzy assured you. Of course he and Edward had wondered why you would speak to Stede alone at first but Stede's explanation had been enough for him to understand, to understand intimately.

"Yeah, he does," you agreed, smiling fondly about the strange man.

"We, uh...we all really...we love you," Izzy told you, like he needed you to believe it. Like you could some how doubt it for even a moment.

"I know, Iz," you took his hand in yours, "I love you too."

The two of you fell into a comfortable silence again, fingers laced together. "This isn't too difficult," you mused to yourself.

"It gets easier," Izzy promised you.

"You three make it easier."

"Sap."

You chuckled, laying your head against his shoulder. Izzy smiled, kissing the crown of your head before resting his head on top of yours.

The two of you were a right pair, two idiots who don't know how to allow themselves affection, dating two of the most affectionate idiots in the Caribbean.

Popping the little bubble the two of you created, two heads popped up into the crows nest. "Room for two more?" Stede asked. Beside him, Ed smiled, under no delusions that the two of you wouldn't let them join you.

"Barely," Izzy scoffed, the two of you were already pressed shoulder to shoulder with little room on either side of you.

"Tight fit," you hummed before smiling at the two heads, "but think we can make it work."

"Damn right, we can," Edward grinned before clambering over the two of you. Earning a grunt from you when one of his joints poked you in the ribs, and a muttered warning about his knee from Izzy.

Eventually Edward sat himself down by your side. Stede decided against crawling over your bodies, sitting himself on the other side of Izzy.

The four of you melded together with ease, you and Izzy leaning against each other with Izzy show how propped up against Stede's chest. Edward was wrapped around you, an arm around Izzy and his hand in Stede's. Stede's other arm was wrapped around Izzy, his hand in your hair. It was a squeeze but, as always, the four of you made it work.

"Beautiful night," Stede comment, Izzy rolling his eyes fondly at the blonde's need to fill silence.

"It's perfect," you whispered in agreement, snuggling further into the huddle.

#israel hands x reader #izzy hands x reader #stede bonnet x reader #edward teach x reader #steddyhands #steddy hands #steddyhands x reader #ofmd x reader #ofmd #our flag means death

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ofmdsalt · 4 months ago

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Do you think the fandom will come back, even somewhat, over time? You mentioned taking a break and coming back and while I personally don't think I will nor will other fans who have been harassed and hurt, maybe new people discovering the show in a couple of years will have a different/healthier take on fandom. Basically do you think time will fill the canyon and/or future fans will be able to make this fandom into something less toxic? Or the writing of S2 especially was egregious enough so the legacy of the show is basically fucked and never stood a chance?

hey anon! i'm sorry to hear about your experience within the fandom. it sucks that a place that is supposed to be fund and creative can turn into such a high school cafeteria, complete with all the bullying and clique behaviour.

i cannot speak for everyone's experience within this fandom, those who remain and continue to seek ways to curate a space for themselves and those who had to leave because it was no longer a positive space for them to be in.

i think it's unfortunate that such a positive show has to happen in one of the most turbulent and unsustainable eras of television. streaming culture and binge watching ruin the longevity of TV shows, and modern fan culture is too obsessed with consumption. OFMD came out during a time when a lot of things are in flux

new people joining the fandom will certainly bring new perspectives and have less baggage than the current bunch of fans, and i honestly wish the best to those who join to create new things.

the idea of the Canyon has done irreparable damage and harm to this fandom. it's become a convenient scapegoat, a label to slap someone with that you don't agree with.

didn't get into a zine? well one of the mods is a Canyonite.

someone writes Izzy as sympathetic or neutral in a Gentlebeard fic? well the writer is clearly a Canyonite.

in these instances, it becomes a conspiracy. it becomes a valid excuse to very weird about someone online. and this goes for both sides of this conflict: Gentlebeardies and the Canyon. i just think it's more weighted against the Canyon because, well, their ship won despite the fact that there was never any contest because it was always assured that Ed&Stede would come out on top. the fact that other people complain about other ships like Stizzy, Edizzy, and Steddyhands (always about these three which really tells you what this group is more focused on)

my final thoughts on this is that both sides have created their own block lists, but the Gentlebeardies side is less willing to admit that they are in their own canyon. the only way to really end this is to stop talking negatively about Izzy. stop doing ship war shit. there is so much more joy people get out of fandom if they curate it into a positive, uplifting experience rather than falling into this clique high school behaviour

as for people's reactions to s2, i think what will happen is something similar to BBC Sherlock s4. that season was written poorly and as fans came back to reflect on their experience with the show to realize it had always been written poorly. s1 of OFMD is still solid TV and there are parts of s2 that are good, and fans will do what they have always done. take the parts that are good and build off of them, take the parts that are bad and transform them into something good. or continue to engage in AUs and make something new. that is the positive transformative experience of fandom. but with the uncertain future OFMD, if it will ever get picked up for something new, means that some fans will look back on it and realize that s2 was a let down.

the legacy of OFMD has already made its mark, but the toxicity and the entire Save OFMD campaign will leave a bitter, sour taste in some fans mouths, and that will be part of the fandom's legacy until the bitter end. the abandoned fics with final chapters that layout harassment people faced and why they can no longer continue.

i don't blame the fans who've left. i only wish it could've been on their terms rather than feeling like they were forced out

#ofmd #ofmd critical #ofmd fandom critical #the izcourse

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bubblepopsims · 1 year ago

Note

After a couple of days not answering the chat Evan picked up the phone. "Amore, would you mind taking pictures of me for our group chat? " Evan was aware that Courtney wasn't feeling her best and didn't want to appear in any picture. "I feel like it's my time to shine".

"Hey babes! You all look so stunning! You should see yourself through my eyes to understand how truly beautiful you are. Not as much as my love, sorry, but you are all close enough." Evan planted a light kiss on Courts cheek and resumed typing. "@Maddi I bet you would love to put a finger in between those beautiful, round, firm, hairy butt cheeks. I would, Courts would. You should do more than that 🤭 Courts is happy with the results of the work out too, let it be known that I have to carry her to the gym almost every time. I am starting to think that she just likes being carried around by me. Last time Hermes tried to pick her up and she wasn't very happy about it. Here come the first pic"

"@Maddi don't worry about the undies, I got you! Courts will be sending something for you too, I know you will enjoy it probably not as much as Rafa though. He better be nice to you or me and Courts will teach you a few useful tricks. @Asuka I am glad to be a prop for my grumpy better half. I love her and she can do whatever she wants with me. That is why today I am sacrificing myself and sending you this photo shoot. Courts did suggest the poses though. She is enjoying this. And yes, that bending over got some nice side effects 🍑 Courts is asking me to ask you @Asuka @Emillie about those shoes, she likes them a lot. She was going to make a joke about watching us go at it only if you let us watch you but she is afraid that you would say yes and hold her accountable 🤣"

"Don't ask about the onion pillow please. @Emillie slapping for Asuka and biting for you. Actually Courts is very good at biting while I excel in the slapping asses department 😎"

"@Juju @Izzy I hope you had some fun times, I bet Izzy want crazy seeing you like that on the bed. What a sight!"

Evan laughed, he wasn't done with Rafa just yet. " My very straight friend Rafa, you need to let loose a bit more, it would do you and Maddi good. I swear you would enjoy it 😜"

"And here is Courts favorite pic. We love you babes!"

M: "Oooo Sugar butt look! Evan decided to go all out!!" Maddi shifted upright in the backseat of the car, letting Rafael get a better look at her phone while she scrolled through the pictures of a radiating sex appeal Evan.

R: "You know part of me wanted to say this was just him being an attention whore.. but the fact Courtney is behind that camera.. he is pretty much eye fucking her."

Maddi laughed and nudged him "Oh so what I like to do mmmm?"

R: "Precisely. just with you, it has an effect on me. with Evan i just want to send him to... what did you call it? Horny jail?"

Maddie MadPie: "GUYS... RAFA JUST SAID HORNY JAIL XD! he saw the pictures and said Evan is eye fucking Courtney through the camera and -

Rafa took her phone and immediately read the messages that Evan had put in the chat "Give me this." Maddi yelped when the phone was taken from her and frowned only seeing how fast his fingers were going.

Maddie Madpie: "This is Rafael. First of all, you horny bastard, don't put that in Madalyn's head about putting anything in my ass. Second, what sacrifice are you making...? you love showing off is nothing new. Don't fool these people. especially my woman."

he sent the message and got out of the car helping Maddi out.

Maddie Madpie: "Welp... that went differently... but @ Evan. I want to put both of your asses on pillows for Courtney and I. alsoooo sorrryyyy i made you take the blame for my hidden fantasies. BUT please do send those undies hehe. also, give Courts... i am going to call her Smokey Quarts, that I hope she feels better T-T i already miss her face... Can I send a care package?? I want to convince Rafa to take a trip to see you guys !! Speaking of the man.."

Maddie Madpie: "We are the best-looking couple here besides the bride and groom of course... maybe ;) but we can clean up nicely."

Emillie is online.

Emillie: "Brooooooooooo I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS! FIRST WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH THE ONION OVER YOUR JUNK??? SECOND is that a fucking tentacle dildo on your nightstand??? THIRD what kinky freaky shit are you guys into? I can't even look at the sexy slab of man because I am distracted by that damn toy on the nightstand XD Great fucking ass though @ Evan I want to play music on it. including we would hold both of you accountable. be careful what you ask for. Asuka and I are all about having some harmless fun now."

Maddie Madpie reacted with a laughing emoji to Emilie's post.

Maddie Madpie: "Rafa was saying that they had that "lamp" for as long as he knew them... there as to be a story behind it. also @ Emille Evan said not to ask about the onion. XD"

Emillie: @ Maddie Madpie: "You think I listen?????? do you even know me??"

Asuka Lovely is online.

Asuka lovely: "WOOOOAHHHHHHHH! well, I am staring at @ Evan... Em covered my other questions because..... damn I mean now I get it, Courtney... I really really get it... Jesus.... fuck me eyes... and everything also that ass.... Courtney, I am disrespectfully staring at your man's goods. sorry not sorry about it. @ Maddie Madpie, you guys look fucking amazing by the way let me get that out of the way before I got back to Evan. you guys look stunning. wow.. how did Rafa keep his hands off you?"

Asuka lovely: "Also Em is now making a song about the Tentacle dildo... we took a mini trip upstate to the snowy mountains. staying in this cute asian inspired hotel which is really cute. :3 Sorry I look like shit, I haven't changed for the evening yet. @ Courtney i will send you the link to the shoes so we can be the holy trio :)"

Maddie Madpie: "HEYYY I WANT THEM TOO ONLY IF THEY COME IN PINK Though! Somehow this photo is giving me music video vibes... @ Asuka"

A good hour passed.

Maddie Madpie: "Guys..... Rafa is so hot... I'm sorry.. I know blah blah gushy girlfriend mode... but just look at him... and look how he LOOKED AT ME! mmmmpft one of these days I am accidentally going to have this man's children... not even kidding. @ Evan i told him what you said about loosing up... and he literally gave me the most sexiest straightest face ever... and said He is loose just not for you."

Asuka Lovely: "LMFAO MADDI! YOU CAN'T ACCIDENTALLY HAVE THIS MAN'S CHILDREN. XD BUT I will admit... if I was in your shoes or even Courtney's shoes... I'd definitely consider taking the RISK every time... especially now finding out @ Evan and @ Courtney. are professional biters and ass slappers.. it's a done deal for Emillie and I."

Asuka lovely: "Emillie has that look in her eyes. mmmpft i might get pregnant tonight XD But anyway, we are going out ! hope court court feels better, take good care of her @ Evan also helping her sweat out the sickly is always appreciated! we love you guys! "

Maddie Madpie: "We also love you guys, gotta go seduce Rafa to the dance floor again ;3 wish me luck!!!!"

#ts4 #group chat shannaigans #Tentacle La*dildo*mp #Two gals just enjoying their pixel cuties friends #the tribe #Maddi and Rafa #Emillie and Asuka #Juju and Izzi ae off banging

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huffley · 3 months ago

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(Warning: opinion)

Since the hype has died down, I want to speak my truth.

OFMD Season 2 was absolutely horrible.

I fell inlove with season 1, rewatched it multiple times actually. The show, the cast, the fandom, the fanworks; everything was perfect! I was in heaven and season 2 was all I could think about. When season 2 dropped I immediately watched it along with the hype. I really REALLY tried to enjoy it along with other fans but I just really couldn't get into it. I watched the entirety of season 2 thinking there was going to be 10 episodes and that there will be a season 3, so I kept convincing myself that "it's going to get better later" but there is no later! The season ended in episode 6 with an (in my opinion) unsatisfying ending.

In less serious notes:

1. Stede's twink death, dilf birth (except it had a misscarige)

completely changed him. I get that they are trying to make him a "sexy muscle dilf" or whatever but some characters are better of as not. His frilliness is apart of his personality, thats the thing he was known for and the thing that he stood on despite being relentlessly bullied for it ever since he was a child. Thats what makes him "The Gentleman Pirate", what makes him stood out and met blackbeard. I'm sorry but for him to give up on that part of him TO ME is NOT chatacter growth. And after all that effort I just cant help but cringe SO BADD everytime he does it😭😭 (RIP: Stede's season 1 hair and wardrobe, you will be missed)

2. The plot Itself

I know that budget cuts and stuff made it very hard for the show to fit everything in one season, that's why the pacing is so fast. But the plot just pales in comparison of season 1's. It's literally just fanfic tropes (now dont get me wrong, fan fictions are my oxygen but as source materials???). It felt like it was written by a 14 year old. Source materials can be as fun as fanfictons but then again, it just pales in comparison of season 1's plot complexity.

3. The ending

Stede gave up his life to become a pirate and then just...retire?? I don't think he even sailed for more than a year? I swear to god they talked about retiring like once in season one. They talked about sailing to china toghether for heaven's sake?!! I get why Blackbeard wants to retire but Stede? He was FINALLY starting to become better pirate captain thanks to Izzy, and then they just...hung it up? I think this is connected to the budget cut thing instead of intentional. I asume that the writers know that the show won't get the green light for a third season so they made that ending to avoid cliff hangers. But even so, it was a very last minute change and it shows

I feel alone with this opinion, I feel like such a hater but I can't pretend to like something that I don't. Season one was an absolute godsent of a season. Absolute perfection, beautiful plot, and cinematography. But my resentment towards season 2 puts me off of the whole fandom itself. I really want to pretend it didn't exist which is kinda dramatic but i want to keep the reputation of OFMD inside my head nice an pristine and the thought of season 2 ruins the ilussion for me. Omg I feel like I'm overreacting in this take but I need to know that I'm not alone.

#our flag means death #ofmd season 2 #ofmd #hot takes #again this is my opinion and you are entitled to your own #please dont feel the need to change your opinion because of mine #and please dont flame me

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gnrbitch · 1 year ago

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Grunge Days Pt.1 - Man in the box

Introduction!

Warnings: None!

If you haven’t read book one, click here

————

1990

"Next up Alice in chains with Man in the box!" The boys watched Ricky Rachtman announce on the television, just as the music video began.

"Who the fuck are these guys" Axl said as he watched the beginning of the music video, a long haired man on the bass.

Duff shrugged, "Who knows, must be some new-" He said, his words getting caught in his throat as the TV screen cut to the bands guitarist.

Mouth dropped open, he turned to look at his redheaded friend, who's eyebrows were raised as he continued to look at the TV.

Izzy was the first to speak, "Is that your sister?" He asked.

Duff looked at him, shock still written on his face "I fucken think so"

Axl let out a chuckle, "No fucken way". He was glad he decided to show up at Slash's place, because this was a fucken shock.

Speaking of the curly head, he said there with his eyes wide opened, watching the girl who's life he partially fucked up on the screen.

He didn't even wanna look at Duff, which was hard since half way through the video, he felt Duffs eyes burning onto the side of his face.

His eyes tried to stay on the TV, but the music video eventually ended, and now the only thing on the screen was those shitty comercials. He diverted his eyes to Izzy, who was also looking at him.

Slash shot him a 'Please help me, say something that'll make Duff forget I almost fucked his sister' look. And to his relief, Izzy spoke up.

"What'da think about that Duff"

"I think my brain might explode" Duff spoke, he was already drunk so this was just mind boggling to him.

"That was Alice in Chains! And hey, we have half of them here today" Ricky charismaticly said.

The boys heads all quickly looked at the TV screen, silently watching.

"We have Mr Layne Staley, and the Ms... Y/n" He said, as the camera cut to them.

The gnr boys didn't really need the confirmation to if it was or wasn't Y/n. Buttttt at the same time, they still needed it.

"So Y/n, is it true you were born without a last name?" Ricky looked at the girl

"Oh no that's not true, I think i lost it up Laynes ass" Y/n replied, smile on her face as Layne covered his mouth as he tried not to laugh out loud.

Ricky let out a laugh, "Right. Okay so, how does it feel knowing your albums heading to number one?"

Number one? Duff thought, what had he been doing that he hasn’t heard of this fucken band till now?

"It's beautiful Ricky, I think i might cry" Layne said as he jokingly made his voice crack, pretending to wipe away a tear.

Duff watched as his sister and her bandmate, Layne joked around the whole time and didn't answer one question seriously. He smiled to himself as he watched his sister laughing through the screen.

"Okay well, one more thing to everyone watching at home, Alice in Chains are in LA! Get your tickets for their show tonight at the Troubadour! Call now!" Ricky said, the camera cutting to Layne and Y/n.

"Get your tickets, posers" Y/n said to the camera, her face stern, smiling after her sentence. Then the show ended.

The boys sat in silence until Duff spoke up, "So who's coming with me tonight."

————

PART ONE!!! I know it’s a short sorry!!! But there’ll be more to come, I promise!

Till next time, xxxgnrbitch

Tagged: @alysais2cool @hoodiesandicedcoffee

#slash #axl rose #duff mckagan #guns n' roses #izzy stradlin #guns n roses fanfic #slash gnr #slashfanfic #guns n roses imagine #slash fanfiction #gnr imagine #gnr fic #slash fic #slashgnrfic #duff gnr #gnr fanfiction #gnr x reader #guns n' roses fic #guns n’ roses fic

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zozo-333 · 1 year ago

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Maybe I should just write some fic of this(mostly will be WT prompt with no context)

But right now it just more scenarios, everyone is chaotic neutral here

Alien AU, please read my previous posts for context. This contains Heatherra, Alecody and Gwortney

(Some have problems, some don't, and some created them)

Chris: So, how's you guys doing these years?

Owen: Pretty good

Geoff: Not too bad, I guess

Gwen: meh

Courtney: I hate everything

Harold: This place's microbe system almost killed me, but I survived and learned lots of things

Tyler: I still don't know how to properly operate this body

Lindsay: My life's nice, but I always say the wrong things

Noah: I hope no one else here is in the family of ten. If you do, I'm sorry

Heather: I'm high and mighty but have identity issues and don't know how to explain my problem to therapist

Izzy: I'm a wanted criminal!

Everyone:

Izzy: Oh don't worry, that have nothing to do with our identity, all I did just blew up a building

(Not literally)

Chris: What's up, Ezekiel!

Ezekiel: uh *look up* cloud, bird, sun, moon, and our hom——

Chris: Ok I need you to shut up, now

(BUSTED)

Tyler: What's the big deal of jumping into the sea? Not like it'll hurt us

DJ: My escape pod crashed on sea, that's a horrible experience and I would rather not be reminded that

Courtney: Don't want to get eaten by shark

Beth: Too much injured will bust my disguise

Noah: Speaking of injured. Chris, all the challenge are safe in human standards right?

Chris: …theoretically?

Cody: …Have you test these challenges with humans?

Chris: Yes

Cody: Did they survived?

Chris: …You know, maybe I should check on that

Noah: Yeah we're so going to be bust

(Girl wasn't even trying to hide)

Heather: Izzy, you can't transform in front of other people! Our 'gun' will run out of power!

Leshawna: And how did you change back so fast? It always took me like hour to do that!

Izzy: Oh, because I didn't make internal organs, well, not all of them were missing, but most of them are

Izzy: Just watch! *Detach her arm and revealed it's shallow inside*

Camera man appear in the wrong time: MONSTER! *get knocked down*

Trent: So why did you turn into a bear and scared us?

Izzy: Cause it's fun! Also I can eat people faster

All gophers: IZZY!

Izzy: What, I'm hungry, and you know what happened when we get hungry

(energy is energy 4, also they all win the boat trip)

Chef: You boys just fine eating this?

Duncan: What's the matter? *Eating the 'meatballs'*

Brigette: This is my first time eating animal corpse…

Heather: *stamp Brigette's feet*

Brigette: I mean meat! This is my first time eat meat!

Chef: Okay…here's the pizza with grass hopper, spicy jellyfish and——

Geoff: Just give that to us, we're hungry

Owen: *come out from kitchen* Hey look! Worms with human body part(he mean hair)…maybe I shouldn't exciting about the last part

Gwen: Did normal people eat this? Whatever *eat pizza*

Chef:

Chef: Are you guys good?

(Travel to unknown place is dangerous)

Intern: Ok, due to *insert very complicated lawsuits*, we're going to check all your belongings before we landed in Egypt

Duncan: *knifes and lighters*

Gwen: *baseball bat*

Intern: Sorry you can't bring that

Izzy: *explosive*

Intern: Not surprised

Heather: *croquet mallet x3*

Cody: *a mace*

Courtney: *a very large gavel cause why not*

Intern: Why?

Harold: *three nunchaku, bunch of throwing stars, a very realistic fake katana, nerf gun, water gun and some other stuff*

Intern:

Harold: Always prepare when invaded the unknown land

(Apple game gone…right? from the exclusive clip but Heatherra)

Sierra: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H *stem broken* Ok that's a tough one, but I'll eventually get a C

Heather: *sitting next to a pile of cores* Are you going to eat that?

Sierra: Wow Heather, I don't know you like apple so much

Heather: I'm just low on energy, and Cody ate all the candy *attempted to break the stem but struggling*

Heather: Ugh! *stem snapped* I can't believe it took me 19 time to break this

Sierra: Wait——

(interrogation gone wrong, Alecody)

Alejandro: I knew there's something wrong and you'll not fool me

Cody: Umm…

Alejandro: Silent treatment is no use, I'll find a way to make you talk

Cody: Hey we don't have to do this, buddy. Or did you prefer pal? bestie? brother?

Cody: *panicking* …babe?

Alejandro:

Cody:

Cody: Oh Whatever *mind control ready*

(Gwortney telepathy 2)

Gwen: Oh Courtney, you always there when I needed, I want to stay with you

Courtney: You know, I feel just the same…

Gwen: But we can't shown that now, so maybe after the show

Sierra: They've been holding hands and staring silently at each other for fifteen minutes now, is everything okay?

(London)

Noah: He's like a eel dipping in grease…

Owen: Sounds delicious!

Noah: And slippery, so don't let your guard down, one wrong step and he'll found out

Owen: Okie dokie! Little buddy

Tyler: Uh guys? I think you stretching me too much

Owen: Wow you look like mozzarella cheese!

Noah: *facepalm*

#td alien au #total drama #they all very weird #I have too many thought of this #td heatherra #td alecody #td gwourtney

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girlbossblackbeard · 2 years ago

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They're not going to do a deeper character study on Izzy because (you stupid shit) it's not his show. Izzy as a character is not important. Izzy's role is, but the actual character is not. Why take away screen time from the storylines they already have painstakingly set up to... what? Give Izzy backstory? Backstory that has nothing to do with the plot? He's not that sort of character, sweetie. This show is about Stede and Ed and, to a lesser extent, Jim. Not Izzy. He's not getting redeemed. He's not getting an arc other than being a nasty, horrible little man there to make Ed miserable and serve as an obstacle. But keep hoping the racist abuser gets more screen time. Says a lot about you.

aww bud i'm so sorry, I didn't realize you'd never heard of side characters before :( they're actually a really cool and useful element when it comes to writing an ensemble comedy show! you see, you have your main characters (Ed and Stede, really great job on nailing that bit of tricky trivia!) and then you have these things called "side characters" that act as part of the ensemble (an ensemble is a group of characters that are not the main characters but work together to help further the plot/character growth) and in order to enrich the world-building of the show, sometimes writers will create something called a "backstory" for these side characters (the backstory is the life that character has lived prior to the events of the film/tv series taking place).

usually the backstory is revealed bit by bit for these characters (like Spanish Jackie, Lucius, and Frenchie), unless you get an episode dedicated to exploring that side character's backstory (like Jim in ep 7, who IS a side character currently, textually speaking). and like, weirdly enough, there are these things called "plots" which get divided up into "A Plot" "B Plot" and "C Plot" (it could get to D plot and beyond but luckily this isn't an ep of supernatural so we're safe from that tomfoolery) but the "A Plot" is reserved for the main characters typically, while the "B Plot" and "C Plot" are reserved for the side characters - this is where we usually get the little glimpses into the backstories of the side characters, like Frenchie and Olu's pyramid scheme B Plot in ep 5 or the "room people" C Plot in ep 8.

But not all elements of someone's backstory have to be relevant to the plot (I can see why you'd get confused here, it's kind of a complicated concept). Sometimes, writers like to make side characters that aren't just 2-dimensional, boring doormats that the main characters project onto whenever it benefits them. Sometimes the writers like to create a backstory that explains (but doesn't necessarily justify) the way a character acts in the show, especially if that character is the foil to the main protagonist and is purposefully written to be a rotten little rat man! i know it's going to seem really strange but a LOT of people who consume fictional media wonder about why/how an antagonist *became* the antagonist in the first place. it's what makes the story all the more compelling! ("compelling" means something that is very interesting and engaging that keeps the observer's attention easily)

anyway I hope this was helpful! I love teaching people about the basic structure of story telling :)

#ofmd #if you need more information about how character writing works just let me know!

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lunarbun87 · 1 year ago

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Ofmd season 2 Finale rant (BIG Spoilers and big feelings)

I don't think I'd go so far to damn the writing of the show or even be mad at the writers. I understand there were some budget cuts and it's understandable that things didn't feel right/felt rushed because of that. But emotionally, to me (who is a mentality ill softy), Izzy's death hit so so so bad. I identified so closely with this character and the direction they were going with him seemed to invite viewers to get attached (which may have been the point but that's kinda cheap). As this season went on, I was thrilled to see that stupid asshole be happy! The idea that even if you're a nightmare, even if you've been a bad friend or partner, you can change, you may not 'deserve' love and care but there will still be those who will love and care for you, and it's your responsibility to rise to the occasion and be a better man for them, for your family, for your community, for your crew, that everyone can find self-love and acceptance for being their true self. I was so invested in this narrative that the final episode hit me out of nowhere hard. Izzy dies, telling his closest friend to let him die, that Ed doesn't need him, he's sorry for all he did, etc. I get that this is good for Ed's character development but in that moment, it hit like a suicide note to me, like dead ass things I've thought or said during a really suicidal moment (and it especially hits that way because of everything he's lived through, and all the near death experiences everyone has survived, it's like he chose to die). And everyone is just staring at him, no reactions, Ed is upset but honestly kinda calm for someone losing his very long term friend. Like I understand they had a really challenging and toxic relationship, but like that's a man who was devoted to you for a long time, a man whose taking the full responsibility for his part in things and has been growing, a man who you literally disabled but is still apologizing to you on his deathbed!!! Just the underwhelming reaction from every character hit so fucking bad, like a real 'no one will mourn you' or 'so anyway' moment. And then everyone is happy, there's a wedding, Ed and Stede get their Inn, celebration all around. The juxtaposition of these two scenes almost feels like we're celebrating Izzy's death, which felt super icky as someone who thought he was really bonding with the crew, it felt like he was still unloved, uncared for, still an outcast. I mean maybe I'm just a crazy little Izzy stan but I was really thinking they were gonna maybe give him a love interest or maybe when he sees that Ed is no longer Blackbeard, he realizes he needs to find himself, that he should live his life in devotion to himself instead of a capitan. Idk, I just felt there were so many ways you could take his character, but now I just feel so very bleak and pessimistic about it all. Like (and I know this is my silly haha bpd hell brain speaking) seeing no one deeply mourn for a character you see yourself in and everyone just move on really triggered me, like more than I expected, it felt like I was seeing validation for all my worst thoughts. I know this wasn't the writers intention, I don't blame them for this interpretation, but it just sat so poorly. Cause if this is how they're going to do him, if everyone is just gonna shrug and move on, then maybe Izzy's mistrust and defenses were valid, Izzy thought no one cared about him and it felt like (in death) that was true. It throws into question all the healing, if he still dies focused on Ed, and convinced no one needs him. Thank you for listening to my emotional take 🤙 Again no hate to the creators or people who loved the finale, this is just how it hit me.

#ofmd #izzy hands #ofmd spoilers #ofmd season 2 #ofmd season finale #edward teach #I like the rest of the episode tho #Izzy's speach was really great #stede and eds reunion was great #I just didn't expect to be kicked in the balls like that #suicide mention #bpd mention #i know I took this a little too personally #but that's my comfort character man!#it's hard to create that distance suddenly #I'll be better tomorrow probably #might delete later when I'm feeling better #the fnaf movie better not throw me any curve balls like this!

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three--rings · 1 year ago

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I see why one would say this, and I think David Jenkins' framing of it in that interview did no favors, but I actually kinda disagree. (Disclaimer you're obviously entitled to your opinion, I get why it can be interpreted that way...)

I actually really, really love the death scene, partly because it brings Izzy's arc full circle.

It's only at this moment that he and Ed can really finally communicate openly and honestly and fully. When Izzy can say "I'm sorry I encouraged your darkness even when I saw it was hurting you." Which is fucking IMPORTANT.

And yes it's about Ed but it's also about Izzy. About his motivations. He says "we were blackbeard, together, and I couldn't let go of that. I needed it." It speaks SO MUCH to his character AND his growth that he's aware of this and able to finally say it.

Yes he absolves Ed of his guilt and tells him to move on and be loved, but that also is part of Izzy's growth. IDK I think it's very beautiful.

Also extremely Tragic. And I like tragedy but I think people are reacting so strongly because they didn't want Tragedy in their queer romcom.

Personally, I think they could have done that entire death scene as-is, where they can only be truly honest with each other when they are out of time, and then Izzy could have just gotten better and not died and that would be in tone with the show. Real emotional pathos and also tragedy averted.

(Then Izzy goes on with the crew and Ed and Stede still do the inn thing until they give up. That's what my version looks like.)

I realized the biggest issue with Izzy's death: it was part of Ed's character arc, not Izzy's. It's not like Izzy redeemed himself in some heroic way, not that he needed to. It wasn't a culmination of his arc. He just died to...absolve Ed of his guilt, give him permission to be Ed instead of Blackbeard, and add some cheap drama.

#ofmd #ofmd s2 #ofmd s2 spoilers #ofmd meta #izzy fucking hands #izzy hands #my meta #working through my feelings on this...

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brick1458 · 7 months ago

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Chapter 11 one sick stallion

Sunny's pov

I hummed softly to myself. skating down the large hill which connected the Crystal Brighthouse to the rest of Maretime Bay. Today was her day off from the Smoothie Shop, so it gave her some time to relax in Maretime Bay, or at least that was her plan. Izzy had stayed at home, getting into more of her Uni-Cycling shenanigans as to be expected. Zipp had left the Brighthouse early to have her own fun with her flight, and Pipp- well Sunny had no clue where Pipp was. Chances were she might be at Mane Melody, but if she recalled correctly, today was Pipp's day off as well, meaning Jazz and Rocky would run the shop in her place. Ah oh well, it wasn't much trouble to Sunny anyways. She bladed her way off towards Mane Street and right up to the Sheriff's Office.

"Oh Hitch~" Sunny called out to the Sheriff, attempting to push open the door before slamming right into it. "Ow!" She recoiled a bit, holding her skate-covered hoof to her mane. She looked a bit puzzled, this time pushing on the door without moving, but the door wouldn't budge. "That's… strange?" She tried to peek through the blinds before yelping as the blinds opened slightly, followed by lime-green eyes peeking through them! Sunny exchanged glances with the eyes, a bit startled before the voice spoke from behind the door.

Pipp's pov

"OH! Sunny, thank goodness you're here!" The voice spoken was familiar. Sunny was still unaware who was speaking to her, but before she had the chance to even guess the door would open up for a second, followed by a hoof suddenly grabbing, and yanking her inside, followed by the door closing again and locking.

Sunny

"Huh? What's going on?!" Sunny asked a bit in shock, looking around before spotting Pipp, looking particularly panicked. "Wha? Pipp? What're you-" Sunny was cut off as Pipp quickly interrupted her.

Pipp

"Sunny, please, I need your help!" Pipp pleaded with the Earth Pony, bowing on the ground. Sunny was baffled, to say the least. She looked down at Pipp in confusion. "It's Hitch! He's sick…" Pipp explained softly. Sunny's eyes widened, now beginning to understand the severity of the situation already.

Sunny

"No…"

Pipp

"Yes!"

Sunny

"Oh jeez, quick, call Zipp and tell her to grab Izzy, we're gonna need them for this!" Sunny exclaimed, shaking the smaller Pegasus. Pipp wasted no time, quickly tapping away at her phone, calling her elder sister.

few minutes would pass by before sudden knocking would be heard at the door. Pipp opened the door and allowed Zipp and Izzy to enter. Zipp seemed to be a bit worried, though she was admittedly handling this much better than Sunny and Pipp. Izzy seemed to be as carefree as always, it was clear she had no clue why Hitch being sick was such a big deal in the first place. Either way, the situation was a bit severe.

"Ok girls." Sunny spoke up, walking over to behind Hitch's desk. "We've got a huge problem. According to Pipp, Hitch has come down with a cold. He's been bedridden since this morning, and he's too weak to even leave his house!" Sunny recapped the other ponies. Zipp frowned, whereas Izzy looked a bit confused. "Had that been it, it wouldn't be such a big deal but… Since Hitch plays a HUGE part in Maretime Bay! He's the Sheriff after all! Not to mention ever since he lost Sprout as a Deputy he's had to increase his workload, not only that but now he has to take care of Sparky too! Now that I think about it, I don't even think I remember Hitch being sick before… ever! So we're going to have to help pitch in, sorry to ruin your plans today girls…" Sunny sighed, finally getting her small tangent out of the way.

Of course, Sunny had to use her off day as well, so she wasn't totally exempt from this. Izzy didn't exactly work but she did have a big art project she wanted to work on, guess she was going to have to postpone it for now. Zipp was thankfully on the other end of the spectrum, it meant she had an excuse to ignore her mother's foolish requests for a day, besides, she kind of wanted to try being a Sheriff, it was always something on her bucket list of things to do in life. Pipp hadn't had any plans today, she was just coming to check on Hitch when she found out.

"Looks like we'll have to split up for now. Zipp and I will act as part-time sheriffs for now. I've had some experience being Hitch's Deputy from time to time when Sprout was away, so I've got some advantage in this case. Zipp'll be a great Sheriff in Hitch's place too given her detective skills and such! Together we can totally make up for Hitch being gone!" Sunny explained, followed by a "YES" under Zipp's breath. "Izzy, can you take care of Sparky? You've got tons of energy, besides, handling a baby shouldn't be too big of an issue for you either!~"

"Yes Ma'am!~ We're gonna have so much fun together!" Izzy saluted Sunny, already thinking up a fun list of things to do with Sparky.

"And that leaves you, Pipp, do you think you can stay with Hitch and nurse him back to health?" Sunny asked the smaller Pegasus.

"H-Huh?! W-Wait why me?! W-Wouldn't you be better suited for that anyways?!" Pipp retorted, seeming very defensive about being made to look after the Sheriff. "I-I mean… I just don't want to get sick, that's all." She huffed, although Zipp would stare at the smaller pony with a sneer.

"I'm sorry Pipp, but you're the only one I could trust on this! I could do that but I'm also the one who knows the ins and outs of being a Sheriff, and Zipp being with me would make this much easier too. And as for Izzy… well she probably wouldn't be the best help for a sick sheriff if you catch my drift… Sorry, Izzy."

"I get it, it's fine~" Izzy giggled, waving her hooves.

"Uhm… I guess that's our only choice. Alright… Ok, I guess I can watch over the Sheriff until he gets better. But if I get sick you're all going to have to look after me, got it?!" Pipp huffed, crossing her hooves. Sunny smiled, trotting over and nodding.

"Of course Pipp~ Now let's move out girls! I and Zipp will go off and scout Maretime Bay. Izzy, follow Pipp to Hitch's house, you should take Sparky back home to the Brighthouse too, the last thing we need is the chance of another pony getting sick or Sparky for that matter, we don't even know if he can get sick or not, but best not to risk it either!" Sunny explained before walking over towards the door. "Ready girls?" Sunny was met with an enthusiastic nod from Zipp, and Izzy bounced up and down in place, Pipp still looking a bit frazzled. Sunny nodded and opened the door. "Let's go Ponies!" She called, trotting out of the door, Zipp quickly flying after her. This left Pipp and Izzy to go to Hitch's house.

Izzy trotted outside, ready to head out, now just waiting on Pipp to lead the way, given she didn't know where Hitch lived herself. "C'mon Pipp, we're wasting daylight! Besides, I want to teach Sparky the art of finger painting~" Izzy spoke cheerfully. Pipp sighed and flew over in response. She proceeded to lead Izzy off towards the stallion's home, biting her lip as she flew over, not particularly looking forward to her soon-to-be encounter with the sheriff, though the reason as for why was unclear.

It took a few minutes before they made it to the house but once they made it, Izzy energetically knocked on the door. "Oh Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch!" She called out to him behind the door, looking through the keyhole in an attempt to look for the stallion or Sparky. She was unable to spot either of them. Pipp tilts her head before gently pushing the door, opening it up easily. It wasn't locked. They were met with the living room of the home, it was neatly kept, which made some sense given Hitch was always a bit of a perfectionist. There were a few bookshelves with books lined alphabetically, the house was generally clean as well. Soon enough they could hear some coughing coming off towards a hallway. "Oop, sounds like a sickly stallion alright~" Izzy responded cheerily before trotting in towards Hitch's room with a soft smile.

Pipp was still nervous, slowly following behind Izzy. Soon enough the two made it to Hitch's room, opening the door to see their sick friend. Hitch was standing by his bed, trying to get ready for the day… a very late start to the day. He looked dazed, wobbling a bit in place as he tried to walk towards the door.

"Whoa-whoa Hitchster, no getting out of bed for you!" Izzy smiled, using her Unicorn magic to place Hitch back in bed.

"Huh? Hngh… Izzy? What… when did you…" Hitch's words were spread out, and he didn't have any energy to argue against the Unicorn, being placed into bed a bit submissively.

"There we are~ Nice and cozy! Now if you don't mind me, I'm gonna take Sparky far far away from you before you get him sick. And your good ol' friend Pipp is going to take care of you while I'm out!~ Have fun you two!" Izzy exclaimed before trotting off to find Sparky's room. When she did find the Dragon's room it was themed like a nursery! There was a playpen, an assortment of small, presumably toddler-safe toys, and even a few nanny cams placed around the room at multiple angles. Of course, there was a crib in the corner of the room, where Sparky was wide awake, standing inside and looking at Izzy curiously. "Hey, little buddy! C'mon, let's take you to the Brighthouse and have some fun!" Izzy declared, which caused a smile on Sparky as if they understood word for word what Izzy said. After a couple more minutes Izzy was out of the home, with the baby essentials and all.

Pipp was left alone with Hitch in his room, staring down a weak Sheriff, Hitch weakly staring back up at Pipp.

Pipp gulped, slowly trotting up towards Hitch's bed, looking over him curiously as she did. Hitch was motionless, the only movements he made were the slow rise and fall of his body as he took in breaths and exhaled. "Jeez, you really are out of the swing of things huh…" Pipp sighed, pulling out her phone shortly after and quickly tapping away. "How… to… deal… with… colds." The Pegasus spoke softly, pausing between words as she typed them in on her phone. She turned away from Hitch as she began pacing around the stallion's room, now scrolling the canternet for a possible answer to this dilemma. Hitch exhaled sharply, watching Pipp pace around his bedroom. Hitch would normally attempt to reassure the smaller pony, but the cold affected his better judgment. Instead, he made an attempt to slowly climb out of bed, his hooves wobbling ever so slightly as he adjusted to his weight on them. Pipp hadn't even noticed Hitch climb out of bed, instead paying attention to her phone. "Hot Soup… ugh… Ice packs… hngh… Rest? Right. Ok, it says to check your temperature. So I have to feel your forehead. Alright, Hitch I-" Pipp paused, cutting herself off as she turned to face the bed, and unfortunately for her, the stallion was out of sight! "WHAAAAAT?!"

Hitch wobbled over towards the door, grabbing his belt with his badge on it and lazily tossing it around his shoulder as he attempted to leave through the front door. Pipp squealed, running out of Hitch's room in a panic, looking around the house before hearing the creaking noise of the front door opening to the house. Pipp's eyes shot open as she rushed to the door, just in time to see Hitch stumbling out. She gasped, chasing after the stallion. Hitch wasn't able to get a few feet off his porch before the Pegasus flew in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. "Hngh… Pipp, I need to get to work, I'm already so far- ah…" Hitch looked as if he was about to sneeze, reeling his head back slightly. Pipp squeaked in response, throwing her wings in front of herself in defense. Hitch bit his tongue, fighting off the urge to sneeze as he took a deep breath. After a few seconds more he continued where he left off as if nothing happened. "Behind…"

Pipp

"I'm sorry Hitch but you can't go!" Pipp sighed, now pushing against the stallion's front. Now with their size difference, she had to stand up a bit on her hind legs just to reach his chest, and even then, normally Hitch wouldn't budge so easily. Hitch was strong, it was practically part of the job, and Pipp was admittedly, probably the weakest pony in their group of friends. Even still, however, with the condition that Hitch was in, he stumbled backward, too weak to protest Pipp's pushing power. Hitch looked a bit puzzled at this, but also a bit tired too, he couldn't really process how Pipp had gotten so strong, even if she looked exactly the same as she always did, and not how he had gotten weaker as a result of his cold. Pipp was almost as surprised as he was, expecting her actions not to work, but she managed. After a couple more seconds of pushing, Pipp managed to get the duo back inside before shutting the door behind her. "Don't worry Hitch, Sunny and Zipp are taking over while you're here! Besides, you won't be able to catch up to any of your work like this…" Pipp sighed, sitting down for a moment as she had to catch her breath.

Hitch grumbled a bit. He was a bit stubborn when it came to his work, but if Sunny and Zipp were going to handle his job for him, and Izzy was going to take care of Sparky in his place, it did mean he could relax, even if for a little bit. Still, it didn't sit well with him to make the girls cover for him because he got sick all of a sudden. "I'm… sorry…" Hitch sighed, slowly pulling his belt off, albeit a bit sheepishly. Looks like he had no choice but to stay at home now.

Pipp breathed a sigh of relief, happy the stallion was finally settling down. She stood back up before walking over. "C'mon, let's get you to your room big guy." Pipp smiled softly. Hitch nodded, slowly beginning to walk towards his room, Pipp leading the way. He watched as the adorably pink pony trotted along. Though… He was feeling worse. Hitch groaned a bit, issuing a curious look by Pipp. Pipp looked back at him just in time. Hitch groaned, his front legs beginning to give out on him as he suddenly fell forward. Pipp squeaked, quickly rushing to catch him, and she succeeded, catching the stallion before he fell- but now the problem was she wasn't strong enough to keep his body up. "G-Gah! H-Hitch I- WHOA!" Pipp squeaked once again as she fell under the weight of the stallion. Somehow she wound up just underneath him. Hitch's eyes were closed, the stallion barely able to keep himself awake. Pipp's face turned blood red, spreading to the tips of her ears. "G-Gah! H-Hitch, g-get up! Get off of me!"

"Pipp…" Hitch muttered softly, before doing the exact opposite, instead nuzzling against Pipp. Pipp was somehow growing redder in the process. She squealed out, her wings standing erect by her sides. Hitch had a small smile on his face as he relaxed more against her, but soon enough he opened his eyes again. Hitch slowly looked down, spotting a beat red Pipp beneath him. She looked as if she was about to explode! "Hngh… Sorry… Pipp." Hitch didn't seem to realize just exactly what he had done, instead slowly pulling himself up, finally giving Pipp some room to breathe. Pipp was quick to pull herself up right after, turning away from Hitch immediately as she did her best to recollect herself, panting heavily, almost hyperventilating. Meanwhile, Hitch continued onto his room as if nothing happened.

A minute later Hitch was tucked into bed, no longer giving Pipp any trouble for the moment. Pipp sighed, her face slowly returning to its prior pink color, though even then she couldn't stop thinking about what happened. Her heart was practically about to beat out of her chest at this rate. Hitch stared up at the ceiling, doing his best to rest despite his better judgment. Pipp took this opportunity to finally feel his head. She placed her hoof against his head for a moment, it was really warm. "Really warm… ok… Hold on Hitch, I'll be right back." Pipp told the sheriff before trotting out of his room, now walking to his kitchen. She looked around, finding a sealable bag. She walked over to his freezer and thankfully he had some ice cubes in one of those cute rubber trays with a bunch of faces instead of cubes. Either way, they worked, she dumped the entire tray into the bag, found a couple of napkins, and wrapped them around the bag before rushing back off to the Sheriff's bedroom. Once she finally got back she saw Hitch, finally asleep. His face was red, probably a result of his cold. Pipp blushed lightly, slowly walking over and gently planting the bag on top of his head. "Phew… get some rest Sheriff…" Pipp sighed, using this moment of peace and quiet to finally look around a bit.

The Sheriff's room was fairly standard. Next to his bed was a nightstand, on it were two photo frames, one with Hitch, Sprout, and Sunny, they looked much younger, probably before they all met. The other frame had the entire group, Hitch, Sunny, Izzy, Zipp, and herself. They were all posed in front of the Crystal Brighthouse, this was the day it was finally finished. Pipp sighed happily, looking at the photo, and taking it off the nightstand. It was such a fond memory of theirs, she couldn't help but believe that was months ago. It only felt like it happened a few days ago at most.

Of course, the original plan was for all five of them to move in together but things didn't really go according to plan, did they? Maybe five ponies sharing a single room might've been a bit much, even so. She could still remember why Hitch said he wouldn't join them in the Brighthouse, he wanted to stay close to town and his office. It's not like the commute to the office from the Brighthouse was terrible, Sunny does it every day for her Smoothie Truck after all. Of course, Sunny, even if she was the one who pushed the idea the most, also understood there was a reason for it. Simply put: it probably would be pretty awkward to share a room with four mares when you're a stallion. When it came down to it, it made sense, even if they were able to get Hitch his own room it probably would still be awkward living with them all. Besides he still regularly visits, so it wasn't a total loss, even so, Pipp couldn't help but feel a bit sad that Hitch wouldn't join them. But hey, nothing's saying things couldn't change in the future! Pipp nodded, placing the photo back down. Looking around a bit more, Pipp didn't see anything else that was too noteworthy, so she decided to leave the stallion for now. She walked over to the door and turned off the lights, letting Hitch rest while she informed the others of the current situation.

Pipp tapped away on her phone, informing Sunny and Zipp that Hitch was resting in bed, she'd text Izzy but the Unicorn didn't have a phone of her own. She trotted towards the kitchen, now she just had to learn how to cook. She wanted to make some soup for the sickly stallion but she hadn't cooked a thing a day in her life. In fact, the only one in her family who knew how to cook or bake was Zipp! She called culinary a second science or whatever. Regardless she really did make some nice meals. Pipp stared at her phone for a couple of seconds, staring at the recipe for some hay and noodle soup- though… "GAH! This is way too complicated! Forget this, I know who to call!"

At the same time, Zipp was scouting around the town from above, but for the most part things were going swimmingly. Maybe Sunny was just overexaggerating about the whole Sheriff Hitch being an instrumental part, things were going so easy for her she should just become the new Sheriff! Zipp flew down to the ground and looked around, nothing to report, and so she trotted back towards Sunny. Sunny was doing the same, looking for any problems, be it magic or general business, but nope, it was a calm day out for certain! Zipp shrugged, ready to take off again before her phone began vibrating. "Eh?" Zipp grabbed her phone, flipping it open to see Pipp calling her. "Pipp? Did something happen?" Zipp asked herself before answering the call. "Hey Pipp, what's up?"

"Oh hey Zipp, do you remember how you'd make some hay and noodle soup for me whenever I got sick back at the palace?"

"Wha? Of course, I do, it's the only thing you'd actually eat whenever you got sick- which now that I think about it makes me think you weren't as sick as you said you were half the time you wanted me to make it for you." Zipp snickered softly at the thought that Pipp lied to Zipp just for some soup.

"Well- maybe once or twice…~" Pipp giggled. "But actually, I was thinking you could make some for Hitch? I wanted to make some myself but-"

"Don't you dare! Last time you almost burned down the kitchen when you tried to make something!"

"IT WAS ONLY ONE TIME!"

"And it'll be your last time too! I'm not letting you burn down Hitch's kitchen, a gesture of goodwill or not. I'll make some soup, it'll probably take a while though. I'll have to make it at the Brighthouse since that's where all of my stuff is. Soooooo… thirty to forty-five minutes, tops?" Zipp responded, staring at the Brighthouse in the distance.

"Sounds good. Oh, and make me some too, please?~ You know how I like it, extra noodles, oh, and a little bit of edible gold!"

"You realize you're not really tasting the gold right? It's the least reactive metal? It barely tastes like-"

"Edible gold please!~" Pipp retorted, speaking in her regal tone.

Zipp rolled her eyes, nodding in response, "fine! Just try not to eat Hitch's portion too.~ Me and Sunny'll be there to deliver it, so make sure Hitchie boy is well rested!" Zipp smirked before a quick exchange of goodbyes, followed by Zipp hanging up. She walked over to Sunny, letting the Earth Pony know that she planned on making some food before the two went off to the Brighthouse.

For the next 30 minutes it was utter bliss. The clock hit 3, and Pipp was browsing her phone as she normally did. However, she was beginning to think to check on the sheriff, though part of her was hesitant. She didn't want to barge in on him, not that she needed to check in on him every thirty minutes anyways. Besides, Zipp and Sunny should be here soon anyways, so no need to rush. She brushed off her responsibilities to make sure Hitch was alright, instead going back to checking her phone… except when she suddenly heard the sound of running water. "Huh?" Pipp looked up from her phone. She was just sitting on a couch in Hitch's living room when she heard the sound of water running. She looked around for a second, not sure where it was coming from. "What on Equestria is-" Pipp froze in terror for a moment, dropping her phone on the couch, "Hitch!" Pipp shot up, quickly rushing towards the Sheriff's room and throwing the door open, he wasn't in bed! The ice pack had almost completely melted and it was on his nightstand. "But that means… EEP!" Pipp backtracked, flying over to the sheriff's bathroom, the door is left slightly ajar. Pipp felt her face turn red as she placed her hoof on the door. She was about to just open it before realizing Hitch was probably ready to take a shower now! But what if something happens?! Like if he slips and falls in the shower and needs help? Or if he accidentally drops his mane dryer in the bathwater and electrocutes himself! Or if he uhh… if he… WELL WHATEVER HE DOES she had to make sure he was ok. "SORRY HITCH!" Pipp ran in, eyes closed just in case. She waited a couple of seconds but no response. She gulped, slowly opening one of her eyes to look.

Hitch was sitting down in the tub, laying back with a soft smile. He breathed a small sigh as water slowly filled up the tub. Looks like he just wanted to take a relaxing bath is all! Pipp let out a sharp exhale, breathing a sigh of relief herself before stomping off towards the tub. "Jeez Hitch, don't scare me like that- WHOA!" Pipp yelped as she suddenly tripped, stepping on a small rubber duck, presumably one of Sparky's toys. She squealed, landing right in the tub, which seemed to wake Hitch right up from his calmed state.

Hitch perked up a bit, looking at the other end of the tub, spotting a pink posterior in the air, with the pony's head and upper half under the water. "Uhm… Pipp..?"

Pipp turned herself around, pulling her top half out of the water and now sitting in the tub as she quickly tried to fix her now soaking wet mane. "Ack, nooo my mane! I just had it styled!" The princess whined. Hitch tilt his head, not seeming to mind Pipp's presence, no instead he couldn't help but chuckle a little bit at Pipp's dilemma. "Huh..?" Pipp looked over to Hitch, spotting him in the act of laughing at her. "What's so funny Sheriff?! My mane took for… forever… to…" The realization suddenly began to sink in. She looked down at the tub, her face suddenly going dark red as she realized she was sharing a bath with Hitch! She was frozen, she wanted to jump out of the tub and run far far away but she was too shocked to move, her brain having an internal meltdown.

"Are you alright? Your face is red… Shoot… I hope I didn't get you sick as well, I'm sorry…" Hitch was apologetic, looking down shamefully.

"Wha? Nonono! I'm not sick I'm just I-" Pipp couldn't find the words, her wings even began standing out once again. "I- mmph… I'm just fine! S-Sorry I'm hehe… I'm all good, not sick at all…!" Pipp declared, hoping the cheer up the stallion, still beat red. "The water is just a bit warm is all, that's it, ehehe…"

Hitch gave her a curious look before smiling in response, "that's a relief… Thanks for taking care of me Pipp. I really appreciate it~" Hitch smiled brightly over at Pipp. Pipp's eyes dilated as she looked back, putting her hooves to her mouth as she tried to process why being thanked like this was so exhilarating to her. She gulped, looking away and then back to the stallion.

"O-Of course Hitch, what a-are friends for..?" Pipp responded sheepishly.

"Heh… Fair enough…~ I feel much better than I did before, even still, once I get some food in me I'm hitting the hay until tomorrow, then I can make up for lost time…~" Hitch declared softly. He was still weak, his throat was a bit sore, and his voice was much quieter because of that. Psychically he was a bit feeble still but he was able to walk around just fine, which was how he was able to enter the bathroom so easily. Mentally, however, he was still lacking behind. For starters he didn't seem to mind at all that Pipp was literally inches away from him while he bathed, he also didn't remember how he nuzzled up and turned Pipp as red as a tomato just before he went to sleep. Nope, he just remembered attempting to leave before Pipp pushed him back inside.

Pipp breathed a soft sigh, looking at her now-soaked mane. At Least now would be as good a time as any to get her mane cleaned up, she could brush it later. She looked around before spotting a bottle of shampoo on the bathtub wall. "Huh…" She grabbed the bottle before her eyes widened at the sight, "what?! Hitch you use the most expensive mane shampoo I've ever seen! I don't even see this kind of stuff at Mane Melody!" Pipp cried out, looking back and forth between Hitch and the bottle.

Hitch rubbed his nose for a second, "well duh, I treat my mane as if it were my own child! It deserves only the best products!" Hitch declared, before sinking into the tub a little more. Pipp giggled lightly at the sight before looking between herself and her bottle. She paused for a minute as she looked at Hitch.

"Do you mind if I… Uhm, use this… on you?" She asked curiously, hiding part of her face behind the bottle.

"Huh? You want to wash my mane..?" Hitch asked a bit curiously.

"Well, you never let me wash your mane at Mane Melody! B-Besides, I want to try this shampoo out… if it's what makes your mane so soft I'll have to take some for myself!" Pipp replied a bit giddily.

Hitch paused for a moment before slowly moving closer to Pipp on the other side of the tub. At first, the Pegasus began growing red again, squeaking for a second. But soon Hitch turned around, showing his back to her and sinking deeper into the tub for a second. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt~" Pipp squealed a bit in response before soon grabbing some shampoo and lathering it into his mane. She licked her lips as she began to wash away at his mane, scrubbing lightly and letting the white foamy bubbles of the shampoo fill the tub as she gently got to work on him. Hitch hummed softly as she did so, leaning into her hooves a bit as she did.

This went on for a couple of seconds, however soon enough Pipp began to listen intently to what Hitch was humming to himself. It only took her a couple of seconds before she realized just exactly what he was humming to himself. "Wait… Isn't that… my song?" She asked the stallion curiously, just as she began washing the shampoo out from his hair.

Hitch nodded in response, "yeah. I love your music~" Hitch stated nonchalantly. Pipp on the other hand was losing her mind, resisting the urge to squeal like a school-filly. She blushed just as much as before though. Soon enough she stopped as she finished.

"All done, Hitch…~"

Hitch took this moment to tilt his head back, now looking right up at Pipp as she looked down at him. "Do I look good?"

"When don't you- Erm… Yeah, you look great!~" Pipp giggled sheepishly.

"Hehe, your face is all red again…~" Hitch responded sheepishly himself. Pipp was about to retort but before she could, he continued, "it makes you look so cute…~" Pipp was silenced, she was at a loss for words. She was about to lose it, her soul was fighting to leave her body as the heat the Pegasus felt from those words alone would make the bathtub boil. Hitch thought nothing of it, smiling up at her with that same dopey face. Pipp gulped, looking down at him.

"Y… You idiot!" She huffed, blushing madly as she leaned down towards him. Hitch watched this happen, blushing a bit himself as her face got closer to his.

"Are you…" He asked for a second but shut up, slowly leaning forward himself.

"WHOA! No way!" Shouted a sudden voice from the door, causing Pipp to squeal loudly as she shot up, breaking up what would've been the final nail in the coffin before she died of blood rushing to her head thanks to all the blushing. Hitch flinched himself, slowly pulling his head up too, but instead to look over at the door. Standing there was Sunny, Izzy and Zipp.

Sunny was at a loss for words. She was just as red as Pipp was, her pupils dilated and a hoof up to her face. Her luminescent wings were out at the moment and boy were they shot out, fully erect to her sides. Izzy was looking on cluelessly, on her head was Sparky who was gently playing with her hair. Meanwhile, Zipp was blushing lightly too, but more so out of shock. She was resisting the urge to laugh up a storm at the sight of Pipp and Hitch bathing together, and breaking up what would've been their first kiss! She giggled lightly to herself. "Sorry to interrupt this beautiful scene… But we brought some soup for you two, now come get it before it gets cold- oh, and we'll let you get dried up~ Maybe remember to close the door, next time fellas?~" Zipp responded slyly before walking off back towards the kitchen. Izzy giggled and followed behind nonchalantly. Sunny on the other hand was stuck staring at the two, still beat red, unable to move until Zipp came back and pushed her along back to the kitchen.

Pipp was silent, her entire life felt like it was crumbling down at the moment. Hitch was slowly climbing out of the tub as if nothing happened. If he was at 100% brain power, he would've been as equally embarrassed as Pipp, but as it stood now he was hungry for some soup. He climbed out of the tub, falling over onto the ground as he did, but recovered soon after grabbing a towel to dry off and making his way towards the kitchen for some soup. Pipp was left in the bath, slumped down as she had to recollect herself. Her eyes slowly returned to normal size as she held her cheeks in her hooves. "S-Sweet Celestia I almost… k-kissed him…"

After about five more minutes of sitting in the bathtub almost lifeless, Pipp finally decided to pull herself out, using a towel hung up on a shelf as she dried her mane and body. Her face was still beat red in color as she tried to calm herself down. She knew she had to cool off before she went to eat with the others, but she was contemplating flying out of a window and pretending like this day never happened. She was already so embarrassed by getting caught with Hitch that not much else mattered to her right now. The more she thought about it the worse it got as she quickly dried herself off. The sooner she got out the better it would be for her. So after a minute or so of drying herself off, she slowly walked out towards the living room where the other ponies surely awaited her. Still, the thought of even staying in the same room as them was nerve-wracking on its own. Now, Izzy was a different story, but Zipp and Sunny? After what just happened? She'd die of embarrassment. Even still, it was too late to turn back, so she slowly made her way to meet up with the others.

When Pipp finally made it to the living room, the group was all settled together. Izzy was laying down on the floor, playing with Sparky, while Sunny, Zipp, and Hitch all sat down at the table, Hitch with a bowl of soup, which the stallion joyously slurped up. Pipp gulped, slowly making her way to the table, sitting adjacent to Zipp and Hitch, as well as opposite ends from Sunny. "H-Hey fillies, we-welcome… hehe~" Pipp trailed off, unable to look anyone in the eyes. Hitch was too preoccupied with his soup to really notice Pipp at the moment. His tail idly swished to and fro behind him as the warm soup filled him with a calming feeling. Zipp was sitting with a smug grin as she looked over between the three, she was having a hard time not bursting into laughter, but she held it in for the sake of making Pipp and Sunny more comfortable. Sunny, like Pipp, was avoiding eye contact with the other. She still sported a light blush from the shock of earlier and was far too embarrassed to speak up. In fact, the table was silent for the most part, with the four all not wanting to say a word.

However, soon enough Zipp was the one to break the tension. "So Pipp~" She spoke coyly. Pipp's ear flicked as she nervously looked up at her elder sister. "What's wrong Pipp? You've barely touched your soup~ If you don't take any, I'll just give it to Hitchie~ He seems to love my cooking just as much as you do!" Zipp snickered, pointing over towards the stallion on the other end of the table, who continued to mindlessly slurp up his soup.

"N-Nono, it's fine heh, I'll eat! Look, see?" Pipp took this moment to fill her mouth with noodles from Zipp's soup. With a rather loud slurp, once again breaking the awkward silence, she downed a good portion of noodles in one go. "H-Haha! Yum tasty!" She looked away sheepishly.

"Ooh, Zipp you've got to make me some famous soup too!" Called Izzy from the living room. "By the sound of that slurp it sounds really tasty~"

Zipp smirked again, "why thank you, Izzy, ~" She turned back to face Pipp, her eyes narrowing over at the pink Pegasi, before looking back to Hitch. "So Pipp… I hate to ask, but what exactly were you doing with the Sheriff in his bath… together?~" Zipp asked Pipp smugly, resting her hooves on the table as she leaned forward. Pipp luckily had her mouth empty- otherwise, she'd spit up a good amount of soup right at Sunny.

Sunny looked away from her nervously, but she also leaned in a bit, showing her interest in the situation all the same. Pipp gulped, rolling her eyes as she looked around the room to avoid eye contact with the others. "Oh well uhm… You see it's really erm… simple really, so…" Pipp trailed once again. "Hitch went into the shower and uhh… I just wanted to make sure he was alright! So I went in, but I tripped and uh, fell in the tub."

"Pfft, is that right now?" Zipp cut into the middle of the story, entering her disbelief for the story off the bat.

"YES! T-That's h-how it started! And uhh, then I washed his mane and we leaned in… to… hug."

Zipp sneered, "with your faces?"

"YEP! That's it, just a friendly hug between friends!" Pipp laughed, clearly hiding something behind that laugh of hers. Even so, Zipp saw right through that. Sunny was still looking on a bit nervously.

Zipp looked between Pipp and Sunny. There was some tension there, the tension that really wasn't there before by the looks of it. She furred a brow before shaking her head. "Well, alright, if that's what it was, then I guess it isn't such a big deal!" Zipp declared, sitting up. She had the feeling that if this lasted any longer things would begin heading south. Besides, she put Pipp on hot coals long enough, but sweet Celestia would she hold this over Pipp forever if she wanted to. Zipp stood up and walked over to Pipp, nudging her lightly. "You're doing great sis, remember to put the Sheriff to bed after you're both done eating." Zipp informed her before looking toward Sunny and Izzy. "C'mon girls, let's leave them to their devices, we don't want to catch a cold too after all~"

"Aww, we just got here!" Izzy retorted before smirking as she collected Sparky, letting the baby dragon ride on her back once again. "Though if getting a cold means some famous Zipp soup then no promises!~" Izzy spoke giddily, trotting outside with Sparky in toe. Meanwhile, Sunny and Zipp stayed a bit longer.

Sunny, who hadn't said a word up to this point since she got here, stood up from her seat. "Well… I guess that's all it is. But Pipp… can we talk a bit tomorrow?" Sunny asked the Pegasus at the other end of the table. Pipp gulped but nodded a yes. Sunny smiled softly before trotting towards the door, leaving Zipp as the last one to say goodbye.

Zipp smiled before trotting to the door, though before she left she looked back to Hitch and Pipp. "Heh, you owe me one. I won't tell mom about your little crush on the sheriff now that I know it's all but confirmed at this point~ Though do me a favor: Don't try and kiss him again while he's sick, got it?"

Pipp giggled a bit nervously, knowing nothing was going to get past Zipp. She shook her head. "S-Sure thing, ehehe…" Zipp snickered before leaving, closing the door behind her.

Once again, Hitch and Pipp were left alone, once and for all. Hitch was a bit dazed. He had just finished his bowl of soup and was getting a bit drowsy. Looks like the sheriff was ready for his nap. Hitch yawned a bit loudly as he stretched his hooves. "Mmph… That was really nice. Thanks, Zipp~" Hitch complimented the chef, though not realizing that she had left, showing off just how dazed this cold was making the poor stallion. Pipp breathed a small sigh before slowly standing up and nudging the sheriff off his chair.

"C'mon Hitch, let's get you to bed." Pipp responded softly, her blush dying down a lot since then. Hitch complied, slowly climbing out of his chair and making his way down the hallway to his room. Pipp used this time to recollect her phone, which she had left sitting on the couch after she rushed to the bathroom earlier. She escorted Hitch the rest of the way to the stallion's bedroom, where she turned on the lights and led him to the bed. "Alright, you should stay in bed for the rest of the day. When you wake up you'll feel so much better! Just like how I feel after some beauty sleep~" Pipp hummed.

Hitch smiled, finally climbing into bed, the warm sweet sweet bed. He felt like he could pass out almost instantly. He laid down on his side, however, didn't tuck himself in. Pipp noticed this, looking at his covers she slowly climbed onto the bed, beginning to drape the covers over the stallion. "All nice and cozy, right HiIIITCH!" Pipp suddenly shouted as she was suddenly pulled down. She was pulled into laying down right next to the sheriff, who wrapped his hooves around the smaller pony and held her close. All that progress that had gone to lessening her blush and making her more comfortable had gone down the drain as Pipp went red, her wings shooting out to her sides. Pipp shivered, feeling the stallion's soft fur and warm body pressed up against her was better than any blanket by a long shot. Not to mention the way he held her, made her see stars. She took a couple of seconds to process just what happened exactly before squealing as she attempted to force herself away from the stallion. She pulled away, however, contrary to before, Hitch was just as strong as he always was, keeping Pipp locked in place. "H-Hngh! H-Hitch! Let go of me!" Pipp demanded, trying again and failing at pulling away. She huffed, looking up to the stallion's face, however, he was fast asleep! "W-What?! How can you be this strong when you're passed out?!"

"Pipp…" Hitch mumbled softly in his sleep, and the hold he had on her slowly tightened, pulling her closer, Pipp's head being pulled right up against his chest. Pipp whimpered softly. She was losing the will to pull away, and quickly! She didn't want to spend all night hugging the stallion, yet with each passing second, she lost more and more of the will to pull away from her capture

"Mmph…" Pipp huffed, attempting one last time to pull away from Hitch but failing, resulting in her giving up entirely. "UGH! Fine, you win you stupid big stallion." Pipp huffed, accepting she was probably going to have to stay there for a while. Even still, she wasn't really that mad either. She sighed, at least being able to reach for her phone in the state she was in, tucking her wings back in she held her phone out. She paused for a moment, checking the time before blushing as an idea came to mind. Slowly she held the phone out as far as she could, using the camera app on her phone and aiming directly at her and Hitch. She snapped a photo, smiling as she did.

"I guess I got one good thing out of this…~" Pipp sighed, placing her phone down. She looked back up at Hitch before nuzzling deeper into his chest. She was a bit tired herself, so she might as well take up the opportunity to catch some Z's as well. She wrapped a hoof around Hitch, followed by a wing to act as a little makeshift blanket as she dozed off before eventually falling asleep with the biggest smile on her face.

A few hours later, Pipp would wake up, yawning lightly. Pipp stretched out, grumbling softly to herself as she woke up from that morning slog. She slowly looked around, pausing as she remembered where she was. "Oh right… I'm in Hitch's room. Which means…" She nuzzled back into the chest of Hitch, still hugging the stallion lightly as she did, breathing a soft exhale.

"Uhm… Pipp? Are you awake now?"

Pipp's eyes shot back open as she looked up. Hitch was looking back down at her, blushing himself. Pipp's face went red as her eyes went wide. She squeaked, before quickly pulling herself away from the stallion, nearly falling off the bed. "H-HITCH! I'm so sorry! I-I didn't know you were awake!"

Hitch watched her pull away, giving him time to finally sit upright. "Hngh, ahhh~" Hitch stretched out before flinching as Pipp apologized. "O-Oh! Don't worry! I woke up like… five minutes ago, b-but I didn't want to move and accidentally wake you up… You were smiling so brightly it made-"

"H-HAHA! OH WELL PFFFT, that's fine, you could've just woken me up ehehe!" Pipp waved her hooves defensively before flinching, turning back to Hitch, "wait, does that mean you feel better?"

Hitch nodded, "oh yeah, I feel great! Sheesh, I felt like I was gonna flop any second yesterday, but now I feel as strong as an ox! Though the more I think about it, I can't remember much from yesterday either. I remember waking up really late… then wanting to leave but you stopped me. Then I think I took a bath… and you washed my mane… and then Zipp brought some soup! But after that, I don't remember anything else. I must've fallen asleep right after huh?"

"Oh? OH! Yeah, yeah you passed right out, ehehe… So you don't remember anything else, right?" Pipp asked, pressing her hooves together a bit nervously.

"Not really… Why do you ask..?" Asked the stallion curiously as he climbed out of bed.

"Hah, n-no reason, no reason at all! Well then, if you're feeling all great, then I guess my work here is done!" Pipp declared, breathing a sigh of relief as she picked her phone up.

"Well, I still want to know why I was… well... Why we were sleeping together..?" Hitch asked Pipp, blushing heavily as he looked over at her. Pipp was turned around but she hadn't had the courage to turn to face him, blushing heavily herself.

"Uhm… Well, you see… When you fell asleep you- A…A…" Pipp paused, stopping in the middle of her sentence as she dropped her phone and tilt her head up. Hitch looked over confusedly before realizing what was happening. Pipp suddenly let out a loud sneeze, loud, yet still adorable, sneeze. Pipp groaned, wiping her nose for a moment before the realization hit. "Oh noooooooo…" She groaned.

Hitch snickered lightly, "I'll call the girls and let them know, don't worry." Hitch sighed before leaving the bedroom, leaving the princess to flop over in defeat.

END

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sodalitefully · 5 years ago

Text

Cliches, Part 3

As promised, Steven’s annual holiday party! More of the reptile store/bakery AU, Sluff with just a hint of Izzal, lots of fluff and drunken shenanigans.

(Cliches part one, two, check out my masterlist for more!)

🎄🌟🎄🌟🎄🌟🎄

11:30AM, The Friday Before Christmas:

There was always a lull in customers between the breakfast and lunch rushes, but instead of taking a well-deserved break, Duff was used to finding ways to keep himself busy, starting by wiping down the few tables he managed to fit inside his tiny store. Damp rag in hand, he paused at one of the tables to check on the napkin dispenser and of course it was that moment, bent over to reach the dispenser by the wall, his ass in the air and his back to the door, when the bell over the entrance jingled. He spun around at the sound, whacking a table leg with his shin, and instinctively braced himself against the chair behind him when he saw Slash standing in the doorway.

Slash had… a presence, you could say, an aura about him that always seemed to hit Duff like a freight train. It must be the hair and the bulky black leathers, Duff decided, making Slash seem bigger than he really is and absorbing all the light in a room so that Duff’s eyes were always drawn straight to him. Sunglasses hid his eyes (did he really need them just to cross the street to Duff’s bakery?) and his lips were pressed together, but they softened into a tiny smile when he looked at Duff.

“Slash! Hi!” Duff squeaked, then cleared his throat and hoped he wasn't visibly blushing as he scrambled back to safety behind the cash register. Slash followed right behind him, stopping in front of the register with his fingers resting on the edge of the counter. Duff couldn’t stand watching his own reflection in Slash’s glasses, so his eyes wandered as he continued.

“Uh, what can I do for you?” he stammered, staring down at Slash’s silver rings.

“Mm, I just thought I’d drop by and check that you're still planning to come to Steven's Christmas party tonight."

“Oh! Yeah, of course. I am. Uh, I’m looking forward to it."

“Good.” Slash shuffled his feet, a gesture that would have seemed more nervous if not for the pleased little smirk on his lips. “I’ll see you there, then.” Slash took a step back as if to leave, then paused and leaned back in.

“Duff?” The baker froze in mortification when Slash pointed a finger up at the red and green elf hat that Duff completely forgot he was wearing. “Bring that."

*****

6:00PM, Steven Should Really Be Decorating The Bar Right Now:

“Nah, I’m not going to go as hard this year."

Steven snorted in disbelief.

“Yeah right, Slash. Like how last year you said you were gonna take it easy but you ended up jumping off the roof? Or the year before, when you had a flight to catch the next morning but you still challenged Axl to a drinking contest, and then as soon as you beat him you turned around and challenged Izzy?"

Slash grimaced. Steven always tended bar for the first couple hours of the party and was therefore the last one to get drunk, which meant that he had dirt on everybody. Slash resisted the urge to argue that the roof was only seven feet high, and he’d landed on his feet without even spraining anything – it was nothing Steven hadn’t heard before.

“No, seriously…” Slash lowered his voice a little and leaned across the bar, even though absolutely nobody was listening in on their conversation. “…I really don’t want to embarrass myself in front of Duff. It’s his first party with us, you know? He hasn’t seen me drunk off my ass yet and I don’t want to, well, scare him off."

Steven nodded sympathetically, but mentally he was weighing the odds. It was true that Duff was a timid sort, and Steven knew all about Slash’s massive crush on his neighbor. But he also knew that Slash had been going steady with Jack Daniels for way longer than he’s been hung up on Duff. Could Slash make it through a holiday party without getting wasted? Not a fuckin’ chance.

*****

9:30PM, Time (And Liquor) Makes Fools Of Us All:

Duff stepped foot in the building all of two seconds ago and already Slash was latched onto his arm and dragging him to the bar.

“Stevie, Duff’s here!” The party officially started at nine, but Duff suspected that Slash may have gotten a head start on the bottle of whiskey clenched in his fist, if his uncharacteristically cheery demeanor was anything to go by.

“Pick your poison, buddy,” Steven invited with a knowing smirk.

“Uh, I don’t know, something with vodka…?” Duff was very preoccupied by the warm leather of Slash’s sleeve pressing against his side and the barest brush of his frizzy hair against Duff’s neck, but Steven sure got his attention when he slid an unopened bottle of Smirnoff across the bar.

*****

10:30PM, Santa’s Helpers Are Bringing Down The Neighborhood’s Property Value:

Every year, Axl and Izzy responded to their invitation with humming and hawing, as if they just might not be able to make it to the party this time, and every year (fashionably late, of course), Axl strutted into the bar like he owned it and Izzy slunk in behind him like a party crasher trying not to get caught.

Axl was more than ready to get his hands on a stiff drink, but the scene in front of him stopped him in his tracks: Slash and Duff, wearing an antler headband and an elf hat (respectively), equipped with window markers that Axl could only assume Steven had provided, were well on their way to turning the front window into a mural of lewd and filthy and sometimes festive doodles. When they finished, it would surely be a masterpiece to rival the Sistine Chapel, or maybe an issue of Hustler.

“Jesus Christ.”

It was only 10:30, did they really have to get such an early start on the shenanigans? Duff blushed red at Axl’s resigned exasperation, but it didn’t stop him from completing a crude drawing of a dick. The tiny bells on Slash’s headband jingled as he just laughed and added nipples to an (actually quite impressive) portrait of a shirtless woman. Fucking hell. At least they weren’t breaking anything… Yet.

*****

12:00PM, Good Fucking Luck Getting A Turn At The Karaoke Machine:

"Oh, Nikita, you will never know, never know anything about my home. I'll never know how good it feels to hold you... Nikita, I need you so."

As he sang the last words of the song, Axl spotted Izzy slipping away from the karaoke stage, ducking his head to hide the pink flush on his cheeks as he hurried back to the bar. Axl just smirked; Izzy always got embarrassed when Axl serenaded him in public, but he’d be back for more soon enough. Axl thought about following him, thought about getting Izzy even more flustered then dragging him to the restroom for a little fun like they did last year… But there’d be time for that later. For now, Axl wasn’t about to give up his reign as the undisputed Karaoke King.

Duff was sitting at the edge of a booth next to the karaoke machine, absentmindedly sucking on a cigarette and watching Axl pace the tiny stage like a caged animal ready to snap at anyone who tries to stick their hand through the bars, when Slash snuck up behind him with three beers balanced precariously in his hands.

“Watch this,” Slash stage whispered conspiringly as he handed one beer to Duff and then slid the second over to Axl. “Taking requests tonight, Ax?"

Axl sipped his drink and quirked his eyebrow at Slash. “Maybe."

“Well, Duff says he wants to hear some Nazareth."

“I said what?” Duff spluttered, narrowly avoiding choking on his beer, but Slash just elbowed him in the ribs.

“Shut up dude, it’s about to get good!"

Axl rolled his eyes at Slash’s bullshit but he jabbed a song into the karaoke machine and twisted the dial on the speaker.

“Gonna need some volume on this one…"

As the intro to a familiar song started to play, Slash wrapped an arm around Duff’s shoulders in apology. Duff leaned into the touch, and any remaining indignation he might have felt vanished as soon as Axl opened his mouth and started to scream.

“You’re a heart-breaking soul shaker, I’ve been told about you…"

“Shit, Axl can fuckin’ sing!” Duff whisper-shouted into Slash’s hair. Slash laughed, a sound that Duff had been graced with more times in this one night than all the rest of their acquaintance. He leaned up to put his lips by Duff’s ear.

“I dare you to request All I Want For Christmas Is You next!"

*****

1:00PM, O Tannenbaum:

“Hey, what are you guys doing to my – OH. Oh my god!”

A patch of branches on Steven’s Christmas tree was stripped bare of it’s dressings, but Steven couldn’t bring himself to stay angry about the vandalism when he saw how the decorations had been repurposed.

Slash sat cross-legged in front of the tree, very patiently doing his best to keep any drunken swaying to a minimum as Duff carefully wound a popcorn garland around his shoulders like a feather boa. Slash’s hair was sprinkled in gold tinsel, a pair of glass baubles dangled from his hoop earrings, and at least a half dozen more glass and paper ornaments were lovingly nestled in his voluminous curls.

Steven sprinted for the camera.

*****

3:00AM, Come Here Often?:

Slash couldn’t actually remember where he and Duff were trying to get, but it was clear that Duff was having a hard time getting there without swaying and stumbling. Duff was leaning heavily on Slash’s shoulder to stay upright – even though Slash wasn’t doing much better himself.

“Oof!” Duff tripped on something (likely as not his own feet) and tumbled to the side, where he was fortunate enough to land on a sticky leather couch instead of falling all the way to the floor. His arm was still wrapped around Slash’s shoulders, which meant that Slash was also yanked off his feet and dragged by the neck onto the couch where he landed gracelessly on top of Duff.

“Shit, sorry –“ Duff wheezed, sounding like he might have had the breath knocked out of him.

“S’fine, fine… You ok sweetheart?” Slash’s pet-name filter had disengaged completely a couple hours ago.

“Yeah, lemme just… hold on…”

Getting up from the couch seemed like too tall an order, but after some squirming and fumbling they managed a more comfortable position: Duff lay on his back with his knees hooked over the armrest and his hair splayed around his head like a wreath on the cracked seat cushion. Slash was draped on top of him, his forearms on either side of Duff’s head and his thigh conspicuously dipping between Duff’s legs.

Duff suddenly felt a lot more sober as he stared straight up at Slash’s dark eyes. Slash’s hair fell like a curtain around their faces, and the slivers of light that pierced the veil left a gleam in Slash’s eyes that Duff couldn’t quite read. He was nervous as hell, but for once he relished the feeling, that intoxicating cocktail of terror, anticipation, and arousal.

“Duff?” Slash’s fingertips wove into Duff’s hair, the gentlest touch but still enough to hold Duff’s head in place, not that he ever wanted to move.

“Yeah?” Duff was surprised by the thickness of the want in his voice, a low, heavy tone that resonated in the small space between them.

One moment Duff could feel Slash’s warm breath on his cheeks, the next he could feel his hot lips, then his tongue when Duff’s mouth fell open, in surprise or invitation he didn’t know or care.

Duff couldn’t say how long they lay tangled together, Slash’s body pinning him down, his hands buried in Slash’s curls, gasping for air when Slash finally broke their heated first kiss. They each caught their breath and stared at each other’s wet lips, neither sure what to say except:

“Again."

❄️❄️❄️

Steven has a secret box with a secret compartment full of embarrassing pictures of his friends at the Christmas party!

Axl’s karaoke songs are Nikita by Elton John, Hair Of The Dog by Nazareth (also on The Spaghetti Incident) and All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey.

Also, I’d like to formally request a drawing of Slash with ornaments in his hair. (Edit: here!!)

#it's fucking 2:30 in the morning so I really hope I'm still happy with this in the morning #sluff #slash #saul hudson #duff mckagan #steven adler #axl rose #izzy stradlin #didn't get a speaking part this time sorry about that izzy #gnr #guns n roses #this isn't actually that festive go figure #alright imma go to bed #sodafics

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run-me-through-but-not-like-that · 2 years ago

Note

Hello! I was wondering if you could do a fluffy little fic about Izzy being low-key scared of PDA in front of the crew. Cause “pirates don’t show affection”. Reader probably feels a bit hurt and whatnot. But he eventually warms up to the idea. 😎

Izzy Hands Warming up to the idea of PDA:

You knew how Izzy could be when you first started your relationship, and during whatever the two of you had going on before that. You had always respected it, it had been what encouraged to begin letting his walls down around you.

Izzy had always been a little tense when it came to touch, at least touch that wasn't aggressive in someway. You had seen him flinch under it before but, mostly, he just avoided it all together.

So, you knew how much it meant when he sought your touch out, when he let you near without batting an eye. How he would melt into your touch rather than tense up under it.

Physical affection in general had been slowly built up between you both until it felt as natural as breathing. As necessary.

However, there had been one aspect you hadn't considered. That Izzy's reaction to touch could have something to do with the audience that was around. You just hadn't thought about it much, the crew of the Revenge being pretty open with their affection. Sometimes you forget that Izzy has wildly different experiences when it comes to pirating.

It stung. That first time you kissed his cheek while on deck and he stepped away, like he was startled. You hadn't even thought about it, you do stuff like that with him all the time.

He had seen the hurt in your expression. He had later explained that he wasn't a fan of affection in public.

"Oh...well, that's alright. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," you assured him, nothing but understanding. Yes, the reaction had hurt you but public displays of affection just were for everyone.

"You didn't. It's fine. We're just pirates and pirates don't do that shit."

"Shit?"

"I didn't mean it like that..."

"I doesn't make you weak or a 'bad pirate' to accept some affection."

After that, you did your best to respect his wishes. But Izzy made it difficult. The way he would stand so close when he simply didn't need too, the way his hand would brush against yours but flinch away when you tried to hold it, the way he looked at you with all that longing.

Why couldn't he just let himself have what he wanted?!

So, it continued on like that.

Occasionally you would forget his rule and press a kiss to his cheek, causing him to startle, you always apologised and he always said it was fine. Always wished you would do it again, always pushed the thought down. When you placed a hand against his arm, he would melt into it before tensing and leaning away again.

You knew it wasn't anything to do with you or his feelings towards you. But it hurt.

For the most part, you hid your disappointment, reminded yourself that this was just the way things were. It wouldn't have bothered you so much, if it wasn't so obvious that Izzy wanted to too. He was denying both of you.

You hid your disappointment until you just couldn't. Until you let it slip.

The crew were on shore leave, excited to get to the nearest pub. You had talked Izzy into joining them for a drink before going off to do your own thing.

As the crew walked through the new town, they spoke and laughed and pushed at each other playfully. Lucius and Pete had their arms linked together, speaking quietly to each other. Frenchie would jump in excitement, lightly hitting and clutching at Wee John's arm as he explained something that he was clearly passionate about.

The atmosphere was light and joyful. It was a good day, the crew was happy, and you let it get the best of you.

So, when you felt Izzy's bare knuckles brush against yours, you smiled at him. He gave you a small smile in return, the two of you walking at the back of the group.

When you turned your gaze forward again, you felt his fingertips brush against yours. You let your hopes build. You laced your fingers through his.

But his fingers didn't curl around yours. No, instead, Izzy slipped his hand out of your light hold and cleared his throat.

And there it was.

You couldn't hold back your small sigh. Izzy heard it and his chest panged with guilt.

You didn't look back at him but he was watching you now with a small frown. He didn't know what was wrong with him. He wanted to hold your hand but he couldn't.

Izzy was a pirate, had been practically all his live. Pirates didn't have friends. Pirates didn't have love. They couldn't love. They certainly didn't hold hands and hug and kiss each other's cheeks. Even if it was nice, because it was nice, Pirates just don't fucking do that.

But when Izzy looked around at the crew.

How Lucius and Black Pete linked arms and lent into each other as they strolled along.

How Frenchie pulled Wee John along, the two laughing and chattering about nonsense.

How even Jim hooked their little finger around Oluwande's.

These weren't pirates, not good ones anyway, not the type he was used too. Even Blackbeard now held his boyfriend's hand like it was nothing but right.

So, if they could do it, if these were the new conditions he would be living under. Why shouldn't he be able to do it? He was just...adapting, right.

Sure, he might receiving a little teasing because he's Izzy, but they wouldn't actually care. And you would be there, right by his side, where he wanted you. And you would be smiling, adoring. Lovely as always.

Izzy looked back at you, you still hadn't looked at him. Your brow slightly furrowed as you thought to yourself. He wanted to kiss the furrow away.

This time, it was you who startled slightly when you felt fingertips brushing against yours again. You relaxed instantly, having just been broken away whatever you were thinking about, looking at Izzy curiously.

The smile he gave you was tight but, cut him some slack, he was trying something new here.

He laced his fingers through yours just like you had done earlier, his fingers curling up to actually hold your hand. You responded innately, holding his in return.

"Are you sure?" you asked, hopeful but concerned. "You don't have too," of course you were worried about him, you always wanted to make him comfortable, were always so patient with him. Perhaps too patient for your own good.

Izzy didn't kiss the space between your eyebrows but he did kiss your temple, light and quick but there.

Just like he had imagined, you smiled at him bright. You shifted a little closer into his side as you both continued to follow the crew through the streets.

Izzy realised that he wasn't going to get shot for holding your hand, for allowing himself these little moments. It was nice.

Pirates don't get nice. But maybe he could.

#izzy hands x reader #israel hands x reader #izzy hands #ofmd izzy #ofmd #our flag means death

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glitterdustcyclops · 6 months ago

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fuck it i'm bored at work again, here's what i've got so far

Okay. So. I officially had a problem. Well, honestly, I had a bunch, but this one was a very particular problem, and I had no fucking clue what to do about it. It wasn't exactly something you could just google. At least not without ending up on some kind of FBI watchlist, anyway. Because the thing was, somehow, somewhere along the way, the whole “dressing up in a corset and lace panties to let Ethan spank me” thing had kind of turned into scrolling through accounts that posted about lolita fashion and quietly liking what I found.

I think, when I tried to figure out where it all went wrong, that it was probably, definitely, June's fault.

All those OOTD selfies she was always posting, that I dutifully liked because obviously I did, I was a supportive…err, boyfriend, I guess. And then The Algorithm had gotten its hooks in me, and my suggested posts had slowly morphed into a tidal wave of pink and frills. And you know what was the worst part about it? I didn't even think it was a sex thing this time. Late at night, when I was sleepy and therefore vulnerable, I had to admit to myself that actually, I kind of just liked the way the clothes themselves looked. And that maybe, I would want to wear them too.

In public.

Eep.

See, the idea of wearing a full-on lacy maid fantasy for Ethan to fuck me in felt, if not exactly normal, then at least understandable. All that delicious dirtyhotshame of making myself all girly and cute to let my hot beefy dom ruin it—that was practically elementary school kink. But this. This secret, shameful yearning to be…pretty just because I wanted to. I mean, that was basically asking to be hate crimed, wasn't it?

And as much as I was working on that whole “speaking honestly about my desires so my partners can have hot nasty kinky sex with me about them” thing, this still felt like a bridge too far. I mean, how did you even go about having a conversation like that?

Hey June, will you dress me up like a pretty little dolly for non-sexual reasons this time? And, I don't know, maybe also take pictures?

Gah. No. That sounded even more perverted. The whole thing was just fucking impossible. Which meant, of course, that I chose to repress it entirely instead. Because that had worked out so well for me before.

And maybe it would have, until that fateful day, when I so happened to have the entire weekend off and June had texted me to come over to Izzy's place because both her and Ethan were out of town for the weekend, and June was “bored as fuck.” It took me about two seconds, once she answered the door herself and let me in, leading me up to her office, to realize that I had been bamboozled. Tricked. Deceived by this wicked woman and her shenanigans.

“Uh, June,” I said, taking in the lace-covered carnage of her office. It looked like a bomb had gone off at a baby doll factory.

June at least had the decency to look briefly guilty. “Right. So, I may have forgotten to tell you that I totally have a lolita meetup going on today. And I'm having trouble deciding what to wear. Haha, whoops!”

I felt my eyes narrow at her. Didn't buy that one for a second.

“So you invited me over to watch you get dressed up to go hang out with other people?” And I extremely did not like the note of bitter jealousy in my voice then, but I figured she probably deserved it.

She deflated. “Right, I'm sorry, I'm a huge asshole. I can skip the meetup and we'll spend the day together like I promised.”

And then June got that look in her eye suddenly, the one I'd learn to associate with further shenanigans, and I tensed.

“Or. Well…”

“Well?”

“I mean, you could come with me?”

Yup. There it was.

“C-come with you?” I tried for nonchalance even as I felt my heart speeding up. “Uh. Why?”

“Well, just. I don't know. It might be fun? You're very cute and I wanna show you off to all my friends. Plus you could maybe even dress up, you know, if you wanted. Like, everyone would absolutely lose their minds about it if you did.”

“Dress up?” My voice had gone worryingly high at the end of that, but June was gracious enough to pretend she hadn't noticed.

“Yeah! Only if you felt comfortable doing it, of course. I just. I think you would be really fuckin cute dressed up in lolita.”

There was something about the vulnerable note in her voice right then. Her expression was doing its best to project careful neutrality, but the spark of hope in her eyes was unmistakable. And she had always known, hadn't she? From the first time I'd met her, she'd look at me with those deep brown eyes that saw right through me, into the deepest, darkest parts of me. Even if I hadn't even known they were there at the time.

In a weird way, it made me feel safe. Safe enough to finally say what I'd been keeping from her, and Ethan and Izzy, for weeks now.

“I mean, uh. This—it’s silly, but. Uh. Nobody will laugh at me, right?”

“Oh my gosh, no, of course not babe! My lolita group is super LGBTQ positive. You know if they weren't I wouldn't keep hanging out with them. Trust me, the girls will be obsessed with you.”

I wasn't actually sure if that would be better than bigotry, but I felt my resolve weakening. Why not, right? Wasn't that the first lesson she'd taught me? What's the worst that could happen?

Well, the asshole part of my brain piped up instantly, your fucking roommates could find out and then you'd have to kill yourself. Okay, that was pretty extreme. And unlikely. So I took another breath—for courage—and faced all that bright shiny hope in June's gorgeous eyes and I managed a nod.

“Fuck it, yeah. Okay. I w-want to. June, dress me up please.”

“Yay!” she practically squealed, clapping her hands together before pulling me into a ridiculous, lung-popping, bone-crushing, strangely comforting hug.

“Thank you for agreeing, Chris. I'm so glad. You'll totally love it, I promise!”

And with that, June was off like a shot. Before I could say anything else she had her phone out, and to my utter horror, she was calling someone else with it.

“June, wait, what—”

“Shh!” she shushed me. And then, to whoever was on the other end of the line, she said, “Oh my god, heyy Deedee, are you on the way? Good. Okay. No, yeah, I need like, a massive favor from you…”

There was a lot of giggling and breathlessly exchanged plans, and the next thing I knew, approximately five feet and two inches of ruffles and silver-blond hair were tumbling into the parlor of June and Izzy's swank little Art Deco mansion, looking hilariously out of place amongst all the exquisite white marble and elegant, modern furnishings.

“I think I brought some good stuff,” the pile was saying, and it turned out to be another woman. At least, I assumed it was a woman, but whoever this person was, they were presenting rather androgynously, with a tomboy body and a ratty band tee. Their hair was shaved down shorter than mine on the sides and several tattoos and piercings were visible all over their face and arms.

“You must be Chris, huh? I'm Dylan.”

Well. That wasn't much of a clue either, was it? I was still completely useless when it came to navigating the whole pronouns thing, but I figured I'd go with she until someone corrected me.

“Nice, uh, nice to meet you.”

“June said to bring blue, I can see why. It'll compliment your eyes. They're very pretty, by the way,” Dylan continued, with a wicked, calculating glint in her eyes that for a moment reminded me of Izzy. Honestly, the two of them could have almost been related, which was an…uncomfortable thing to think.

“Oh. Uh. Thank you,” I mumbled, already feeling like an idiot. Again.

Dylan cast a scrutinizing glance over me from head-to-toe while I just stood there in front of her, shuffling awkwardly like a nervous kid on stage. I couldn't help but wonder if what she found met her standards.

“Hmm,” was all she said, taking the pile of lace and ruffles and heading up the stairs back to June's disaster of an office without needing to be given directions. I stumbled off after her.

“Hey girly!” June called to her brightly once Dylan opened the door. The both of them were utterly unbothered, apparently, that June had already stripped out of her pjs, with one of her infinite number of pink silk robes thrown casually over her bare shoulders, and little else besides.

“Thank you so much for doing this, by the way. I knew you'd be just about the right size for him.”

“No problem. You like hella owe me though.” Dylan laughed, setting her pile down on the sofa, to join its pink-hued brethren strewn about the room.

“Naturally,” June winked at her. “Now Chris, let's get down to business!”

“Well, first things first, you gotta take all that off,” Dylan replied, without looking up from where she was starting to sort through Ruffle Mountain 2: Electric Boogaloo.

“I—”

“Oh, you don’t have to get completely naked, honesty,” June smirked at me. Evil. “Just don’t to your boxers, I think. Oh and ehre, you should borrow an undershirt too.”

She handed me a white tanktop, which I thought might have been one of Izzy’s, but it looked to be roughly the right size. Holding it made me blush, again, like the fucking idiot I was.

“Bathroom’s that way.”

“Thanks.”

So, still not quite sure exactly how I’d ended up in this situation, I took the shirt and stumbled into the adjoining bathroom to change. I was actually grateful for the privacy for a second. I could hear June and Dylan thorugh the door, giggling again, obviously gossipping about something Me, I assumed. And for a minute I just stood there, staring at myself in the mirror and trying to calm down. It was ridiculous to be freaking out right now. It was just clothes. My eye caught on the tanktop bunched in my hands on the counter, and I imagined Izzy. With her safe, looming presence that one time she had me try on a corset. The way she had looked at me, like I was something fascinating. An objectifying an experience, but in a weirdly comforting way. It had helped.

Before we faced the eventual heat death of the universe I forced myself out of the bathroom, with my arms crossed defensively over my clingy tanktop-clad chest, shivering a bit. I felt incredibly exposed all of a sudden. And not even in a sexy way. But June gave me a reassuring smile, before she made a show of comically leering at me, and that weirdly helped too. Dylan barely paid attention to me at all, too busy pulling out random pieces and scrutinizing them with a museum curator’s intensity, before shaking her head and flinging them back down again.

“Okay, so,” June began, her voice taking on a College Professor Lecturing tone. “Lolita One Oh One babes: layers are a must, of course. Normally you’d wear bloomers or shorts or something underneath your skirts, but since you’ve got your boxers I think that’ll work fine. We’ll pick out tights or socks once we’ve decided on your dress. For you first time I recommend a JSK, that’s the easiest to coordinate with, and you’ll want a blouse underneath it…”

I felt my eyes starting to glaze over, and the woman kept going on and on and on, while Dylan piped up to add unhelpful commentary and occassionally hold up some piece or other to me, before shaker her head and starting again. Who knew dressing up like a Victorian dolly on crack would be so fucking complicated?

“Wait!” June interrupted herself, flinging out a hand towards Dylan. “Stop. That. That one.”

Dylan was holding an interchangably ruffly garment, in a shade of pale powder blue, with a print on it that looked like something pulled from childhood storybook illustrations that the easter bunny puked all over. Ridiculous and excessive and hyper feminine and I felt such a powerful sensation of yearning for it that I paradoxically wanted to say no immediately. Like. I couldn’t just let myself have something like that, right?

But you know what, actually—fuck that. Neither June or Dylan seemed to think there was anything weird or wrong or shameful with me wearing a pretty lolita dress. In fact, they were both giving me encouraging, hopeful smiles. Like they were…excited for me or something.

“Hm, yeah. You’re right. What d’ya think Chris?” Dylan asked me.

“I-I don’t know…”

“Well why don’t you try it on, and then we can decide, yeah?”

Instead of having me shuffled back off to the bathroom so I could get dressed and panic in private, June guided me to stand in front of the floor-length mirror. Which you know, was probably the smarter descision, because I had no fucking clue what I was doing. Thus began the complicated ordeal of enscoscing me in a frankly ridiculous number of layers of ruffles and lace. There were petticoats involved. Plural. And when it was all said and done, there I stood, in blouse and jumperskirt (which was really just a dress without sleeves) and tights, feeling—well. Silly, and embarrassed, but. Something else too. I couldn’t help but remember the last time I’d been in a position like this, standing in front of a mirror while June played dress up with me, and heat settled on my cheeks. Of course, this time it was different. No less mortifying, sure, but it lacked that air of sizzling eroticism, when it was Izzy and June teasing me and touching me while they put a corset on me.

I squirmed uncomfortably under the extremely thorough gazes of June and Dylan.

“Ta-da!” June cried with a triumphant flourish.

“Damn, he looks pretty fuckin’ adorable,” Dylan said, with an approving smile.

The attention made me want to hide my face in my hands, but that would’ve been stupid and obvious.

“Oh, doesn’t he?” June replied, with obvious pride in her voice.

And fuck, that was even worse. Or maybe better. Or something.

Gah. Complicated, it was all complicated. I didn’t know what to do with my hands as I posed for their approval, and my stomach was a goddamn riot of bubbling nerves. And yet, there was a part of me that undeniably enjoyed this. That pride in June, the praise. Being pretty, and that being an okay thing for me to be. I mean, the thought of going out in public like this was a kind of overwhelming I didn’t think I was brave enough to really face, but in the safety of this private room it was…nice. Until my asshole brain started piping up again, that I looked like a fucking idiot and everyone would laugh at me—but before I could properly panic about that, Dylan made a noise, suddenly looking down at her phone.

“Oh shit, June, look at the time. We’re totally gonna be late.”

June just shrugged, utterly unhurried. “Here, you go get ready, I’ll help Chris with the finishing touches.”

“Yeah, okay. But don’t take too long, you know how Mari flips if people aren’t there on time.”

With that cryptic warning, Dylan excavated another dress from the lace carnage and hurried off to the bathroom, while June turned to look back at me. Appraising. I wondered if this is what the statues at a museum felt like.

“So. Babe,” she started, with careful softness in her voice. “Check in. How are we feeling about this?”

Oh right, of course. Even if this wasn’t a Scene™️ she was still gonna make me talk about my feelings. In a way, I did appreciate how careful she was about this. How careful Ethan and Izzy were too, about me and making sure I wasn’t being pressured into things I didn’t really want to do. Even if it was still really fucking difficult to actually talk about it, out loud, with my mouth.

“Umm,” I said, before I lost steam and trailed off. My attention was caught on the mirror again. I still couldn’t decide if I absolutely hated the way I looked right now, or if I really really enjoyed it, and which one would be worse. And other people will see me like this! My brain unhelpfully chimed in. But June and Dylan had gone to so much trouble in getting me dressed up. Wouldn’t I be a total jerk to falke out on them now? When we were already late, apparently.

“We’ve got plenty of time, if you need to change back into your other clothes,” June said. Because she always knew what I was thinking, didn’t she?

“I—” I took a quick breath. “No. I uh, uh. It’s—I like it.”

“Alright,” she told me, easy, and then gifted me with a soft kiss to my cheek. “As long as you feel beautiful, darling.”

Of course my asshole brain replied instantly with boys aren’t supposed to feel beautiful you fucking faggot, but it was getting a little bit easier to tell that voice to go fuck itself. Still, I felt the blush grow brighter, and I could only manage a stilted nod in return.

“Now. How are we feeling accessories-wise, hon?” June was back in lecture mode. “You can wear a wig, but that’s less of a strict requirement these days. And your curls are so gorgeous anyway. I mean, sometimes it’s fun to match the color of your hair to your outfit, but you know, it’s totes up to you.”

Wearing a wig was definitely approaching way too much territory. Plus, it sounded itchy.

“N-uh. Maybe not. Not this time.”

“Okay! Do you wanna wear a hairbow though? I think I have the matching one for that print, or maybe we could do a pink, or a cream, to pull in the accent colors? Hmm, c’mere.”

She beckoned me over towards the vanity on the opposite side of the room, under the window, which was covered in cosmetics and trinkets and a giant glittery pink tacklebox that opened to reveal an entire treasure trove of bows and ribbons and other sparkly kawaii bullshit. I was immediately overwhelmed in that “little kid looking through his mom’s jewelry box” kind of way—an experience that I certainly had no personal experience with, nuh-uh, nope, no way—and I felt the longing back in my eyes as I looked at all the stuff in there.

“Here, dig thorugh that, let me know if anything catches your fancy. I gotta get dressed too, unfortunately Mari frowns on people showing up to her lolita meets half naked.”

With a shameless giggle and a wink June shrugged off her robe and starting getting dressed. I tried very hard not to stare at her like a total creep—getting hard in someone else’s borrowed dress definitely would’ve felt super wrong—so instead I focused my attention on the horde of sparkles. There was. Gosh, a lot of crap. And I didn’t know, really, what to do with any of it, and that made me anxious again. Ridiculous, getting scared about a box of bows. But there was just something infinitely more terrifying about being the one to choose. It was way fucking easier when it was Dylan and June, or even June and Izzy, determining what they’d put me in.

Submissive, the asshole voice sneered at me.

After a few more seconds of pointless waffling I plunged in, and came up with a creamy-white bow on a headband. It was made of silk, with long, long tails and lace trim that had a really intricate heart pattern, and little dangling golden and pearl bits, along with a heart-shaped charm right in the center. Before I could psych myself out about it I turned to get June’s approval, and the smile she rewarded with gently obliterated my insides with heat. Like the full-force of the sun aimed at me.

“Yeah, that’s perfect babe. Let me know if you have any questions, or need any help.”

Eventually Dylan came out of the bathroom, and I was a bit startled for a moment, by her complete transformation. She was dressed in shades of pink and yellow, with a high-waisted skirt in an equally ridiculous print, this time pancake themed. She hadn’t bothered with a wig either, instead proudly showing off that dramatic edgy punk pixie cut of hers, all her tattoos and piercings proudly on display. She looked so different like this—and you wouldn’t have thought the combination of girly, frilly clothing and punk-rock hair would work, but it totally did.

June, of course, chose head-to-toe baby pink. And she did wear a wig, all cotton-candy fluff and bouncy curls, almost as big as her skirt. Seeing her like that, once she was fully dressed—it was less of a dramatic transformation than Dylan’s was, but there was still something just…different about this version of June. Lolita clothing was, ironically, a lot more modest than her normal outfits. All her curves were covered, and yet, there was nothing really demure about her like this either. It was an over-the-top kind of femininity, to the point ot almost seemed weaponized. Exaggerated to the point of absurdity; tooth-rottingly sweet.

In a way there was something almost punk-rock about it, I realized. A frily pink middle finger. Which, I guess it made sense why Dylan seemed to enjoy it as much as June did.

Dylan entertained herself taking pictures of the lace carnage strewn about while June applied her makeup with admirable efficiency. And even better, she didn’t say anything when I turned down her offer to apply some to me as well. Another flash of memory then: June and I in Izzy’s ridiculously luxurious bathroom, her hand craddling my jaw gently-but-securely as she applied bright red lipstick to my lips with intense concentration. So that Ethan could—right. None of that, not now. When she was finished her beautifying process, June stood towering over both me and Dylan in her pastel pink platform heels, festooned in ribbons and bows and sparkly heart earrings and glitter, and I just felt this absurd rush of affection for her. The way she could light up a room even dressed in something rridiculous. How she was so totally and completely, defiantly, herself, no matter what. Sometimes I wished I could take some of that infectious, sparkling confidence of hers and bottle it up for myself. Maybe that way I could be even half as self-assured as she was, instead of the stumbling nervous wreck I really was.

“Come on bitches,” June giggled, “we’re taking a selfie.”

We took a selife.

And then, after a few last-minute adjustments to rings and wigs, we finally piled into June’s car to head out to this Lolita Meetup. Just getting inside the vehicle was already a bigger ordeal than I initially would have imagined—each of us had enough poof to take up two seats on our own. But we managed.

“So, w-where are we going?” I asked, staring out the passenger side window and trying to calm myself down. It was just Dylan and June in the car, but I still felt inexplicably looked at. Explosed. Flayed almost. I focused my attention on breathing, on grounding myself in the feel of the car seat underneath my hands, the comforting pressure of the tanktop, close against my skin. That had been a brilliant idea, it was kind of like the corset. Or maybe a rope harness. A security blanket, of a kind.

Wow. That was definitely the most perverted thing I’d ever thought, and I felt the heat back in my face.

“There’s this totally adorably little B&B Mari’s mom manages,” June was explaining, “and they have a tea parlor too. She lets us have the big room in the back, for banquets and stuff, and after tea we usually go hang out at the park nearby. But we can totes leave before then, if you aren’t feeling it, kay?”

I nodded.

June “hmmed” thoughtfully, and then continued, “If you need to leave at any time, for any reason, you can say so. Just say red. Or…hmm. What’s a less inocuous safeword?”

“Pineapple?” Dylan piped up from the back, with a snarky laugh. I blushed impossibly brighter while June giggled merrily.

“Ha! Sure, that work for you sweetie?”

“P-pineapple. Okay.”

Dylan and June kept up a stream of idle chitchat as we drove on and I counted my breaths. Traffic being what it was on Saturday afternoon I wasn’t even sure if we would ever make it to this place, but it wasn’t before long we were pulling up to a charming Victorian-esque mini mansion, with a lush front garden bursting with blooming roses and a wooden sing that read “Arabella’s Place” in elegant cursive. Inside it was full-on grandma floral as far as the eye could see while tasteful classical music emenated gently from somewhere, and I could see a few scattered couples sitting at tables in the tea parlor, dressed in their Sunday best enjoying their tea.

“Hello, welcome in—oh,” said the hostess by the front entrane to the parlor. She was dressed in a pretty yellow sundress with a crisp white pinafore on top, and her placid Customer Service smile morphed into one of honest recognition as we approached. “The rest of the girls are in the back.”

“Thank you, Rylee,” June told her, sweetly, before gesturing for me and Dylan to follow.

I felt eyes on us as we walked through the parlor, and I forced myself not to wish I could just melt into the floorboards.

Separate from the open space of the parlor there was a second private room closed off by an intricately patterened glass-windowed folding door. The banquet hall or whatever it was, and it turned out to be full of a large table covered in a crisp white cloth and a full tea service, surrounded by an entire spectrum of feminine-shaped folks wearing similar styles of dresses to my little party. We had offically Arrived. And I didn’t spontaneously combut into flames of gay panic and shame, so that was probably a good sign. For a moment I just stood there, taking in the décor, the probably excessive amount of lace doilies covering every available surface, and the people.

Apparently, there were a lot of ways one could be a lolita. Several of them wore outfits in the same pastel shades as June, Dylan, and I, but there were others in darker, more gothic-looking styles, along with red tartans and rich navy blue and dusty floral vintage prints that matches the wallpaper around us. There was even someone not wearing a dress at all, instead they looked like an anime vampire boy-prince all in black and red, with fake fangs poking out of their painted blood-red smile, sitting next to a woman in a matching dress covered in bats, wearing a blood-red bob wig.

And every single one of them was staring at us—at me, lively conversation trailing off into awkard silence as I shuffled in awkwardly behind June.

“Hey guys!” she called, rushing in as brazenly as ever. “So sorry we’re late, but we brought a newbie! Everyone, this is Chris, my partner. Be nice to him because it’s his first time wearing lolita, okay?”

There were a few waves and murmured greetings and I very bravely did not turn around and bolt from the room.

“You look super cute!” someone shouted—one of the people residing in the dusty-florals segment of the lolita spectrum. Her smile seemed genuine, not mocking, but it still made me blush even more. Because of course it did.

“Uh. T-thanks.”

And then another woman, in what I thought looked like the lolita version of a sailor’s uniform, stood up and took charge. “It’s nice to meet you Chris, come in. We should do introductions. I’m Mari, she/her pronouns.”

Ah. The infamous Mari.

so i spent all of yesterday working on a very indulgent scene where one of my ocs, june, gently & lovingly encourages her new partner, chris, a repressed as hell bisexual femboy, to dress up in lolita to go with her to a meetup and it was a fucking fantastic time

#my stuff #oc talk #writing in chris's perspective is super fun because he is an absolute disaster #love that boy

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