#dude just has arm tattoos and a cute smile!

[artaxlivs]

This is ridiculous.

Eddie has important stuff To Do. He's a busy rockstar with a never ending list of stuff his manager and agent keep reminding him that he needs to get done while he's not on tour.

But. His house is being remodeled. And one of the carpenters or handymen or journey...men? journey people? whatever. One of the dudes in a tool belt. Well - he's hot as all hell and Eddie can't seem to find a single fuck to mark off that To Do list.

Every day this man shows up in jeans that hug his ass, a tool belt slung low to one side and this pristine white polo shirt with a logo over his left pec. The other people - people not men because there are actually three women in the mix, all with arms that could crush Eddie, and if he was into chicks, he'd be looking respectfully - are all in various dark colored shirts with a similar logo on the back or in the same spot on the chest.

But White Polo is the only white polo. White Polo must be in charge. He does seem to give a lot of orders. He's got big sexy hair and a strong voice. The first time Eddie was close enough to hear him talk, he had some feelings about that strong voice giving orders. The kind of feelings he explored later that night in his own bed. Alone.

It's not a mean voice though, not aggressive. Rather, it's the kind of voice that steadies you in a storm, that you can rely on. The kind of voice that probably sounds gravelly and sleep mussed on a Saturday morning. The kind you want to wake up to. The voice that Eddie wants to wake up to.

And it's not just the voice and the looks. It's the competency, too. Earlier this morning, White Polo was helping the crew put some kind of wood frame up. He hammered something in and then twirled the hammer and stuffed it in the tool belt all without looking. That was going directly to Eddie's spank bank. Maybe he could find other things for them to remodel so White Polo never has to leave.

"Mr. Munson?"

Eddie startles, almost dropping his Garfield coffee mug. There's a lot of noise in the house and he was sort of doing one of the things on his list. Writing a song in his head. It was definitely not about a man in a tool belt. Nor was it about anyone getting nailed.

Jesus Christ.

Clearing his throat, Eddie turns to White Polo, "It's just Eddie."

"Well, Just Eddie, I'm Steve." His voice is soft, strong though, with that little bit of gravel. It's not Eddie's fault at all that he's imagining him whispering in Eddie's ear when they're both sleep warm and too comfortable to get out of bed. "Looks like we'll be done here in another two days."

"Oh." He says dejectedly, not meaning to have such an honest reaction but he can't help himself. He's wasted three days just glancing at White Polo - Steve - from afar. Now Eddie's on a time limit. Two days isn't nearly enough time. Would it be inappropriate to invite him to dinner? Or to stay? Ask him for --"Coffee?"

Steve smiles and it's kind of small, like it's a secret smile, just for Eddie. Brushing his hair back over his ear, Steve says, "I shouldn't but...your coffee smells kinda great so...sure."

Grinning, Eddie tells him that he gets the beans from this little mom and pop shop that brews their own beans. The band discovered them on tour years ago and he still gets his beans shipped from them every few months. He's babbling but he can't seem to stop himself, telling Steve about different roasts and his fancy machine that cost more than his first van back when he was sixteen and living in a trailer park.

Leaning against the counter, Steve listens patiently, watching Eddie with hazel eyes and that little smile. He's got these cute moles that Eddie wants to kiss. Broad shoulders he wants to feel pressed up against the backs of his knees.

Shit. He almost spills the coffee when his face suddenly heats up at that.

"Everything okay?" There's concern in Steve's voice and he reaches out to steady Eddie's arm. His callused fingers brush Eddie's arm just over his bat tattoo and...oh.

It's like nothing he's ever imagined. So much more than all the stories. It's the biggest, brightest, most intense thing Eddie's ever felt. Just a brush of fingertips and the spots light up with gold. Three brushes across the bats' wings and a fourth smaller one off to the side. Eddie can feel the tingling on the underside of his forearm where Steve's thumb must have brushed as well.

Surging forward, Eddie cups Steve's cheek, leaving a bright gold palm print on his jaw, a thumb smear up by the cheek bone, bits of gold in the shapes of fingers curling along the side of his throat, and one little dab on the lobe of Steve's ear. Their lips are pressed together before Steve's fully reacted to the soul bond but that's okay. They don't have two days, they've got forever.

A few years later, when Corroded Coffin wins album of the year at the Grammys, Gareth takes the mic away from Eddie as he's doing all the polite thank yous to managers and agents etc - and he thanks Steve, telling the world, "If Steve had never been a hot guy in a tool belt, Eddie would never have written Golden Bats, Hammer of Love or, Eddie's favorite," Gareth says, grinning and leaning really close to the mic like it's a secret, 'cause it kind of is, "Ride the White Polo."

My Masterlist

While there are other gold touch soulmate mark fics, I've only ever read them in @kangofu-cb's Gold on Your Fingertips in the Winterhawk fandom and it will always be both one of my favorite soulmate fics and one of my favorite Clint Barton fics.

[mariclerc]

Biker love (pt.2) | cl16

Summary: an unexpected encounter with a biker ends up in the best way.

Warnings: fluff, biker boy/tattooed Charles and shy reader.

Part 1

You and Charles have been together for a while now and it has been the most incredible months of your life, he is a super attentive and very cute boy. You love spending a lot of time with him and going out to discover new things on the weekends or sometimes you just stay home and it's even a thousand times better, lately he has been very vocal about introducing you to his friends because, in his words: "because you're someone so special in my life, you deserve to meet my crew." And honestly you're a little nervous about meeting his friends, because you're afraid they'll judge you by your looks.

So now you find yourself next to him in a crowded bar, which is a hive of activity, the air thick with the sound of laughter, music, and clinking glasses. You and Charles navigate your way through the crowd, Charles' arm wrapped protectively around your waist.

“Okay princess, here we are!” he says and he stops in front of a group of people gathered around a table, their laughter momentarily cut off as they turn to look at the couple. “Hey guys, this is y/n. Y/n, this is Liam, Ben, Mia, and Alex.” he says towards you and his friends.

You offer a shy wave towards them, your cheeks turning a delicate pink. The group exchanges surprised glances... Liam, a tall, tattooed guy with a piercing gaze, is the first one to speak.

“No way Charlie! You’re dating her?” Liam says with surprise in his voice.

You feel a blush creeping up your neck. Ben, a shorter, more laid-back guy with a friendly smile, breaks the awkward silence.

“Dude, no offense, but she’s... a little different.” Ben says raising his eyebrows.

Mia, a stylishly dressed woman with sharp features, nods in agreement. “Yeah, it's not what we expected.”

Your heart sinks a little, but Charlie squeezes your hand reassuringly. “I know, I know. But she’s amazing! Don’t judge a book by its cover guys.”

Alex, the quietest of the group, speaks up. “Hey, it's cool... I mean, we’re just surprised Charlie, that's all.”

You sighed and offered a grateful smile. “It’s nice to meet you all!” you giggled softly.

The group exchanges glances, a silent conversation taking place between them... Then, Liam, the most outspoken of the group, breaks the ice.

“Okay, fine... You’re cute! And you seem nice.” he smiles showing the piercing in his gum.

You relax slightly, you're relieved that they're not completely hostile.

Charles' smiles widely. “See? I told you!” He turns to you and gives you a reassuring smile. You lean into him, feeling safe and loved.

As the night progresses, you start to loosen up. You find yourself engaging in conversations with the group, discovering shared interests and laughing at their jokes. The initial awkwardness fades away, replaced by a sense of belonging.

The night wears on, and the atmosphere in the bar becomes increasingly lively. The music pumps louder, and people dance and mingle freely. You were initially hesitant, but you find yourself drawn into the energy of the crowd.

Charles' smiles towards you. “Come on, let's dance baby.” He extends a hand towards you, his eyes sparkling with amusement. With a nervous laugh, you take his hand and allows yourself to be pulled onto the dance floor.

As you two move to the rhythm of the music, you feel a surge of adrenaline... The worries and insecurities you had earlier seem to melt away. You're lost in the moment, enjoying the freedom of movement and the closeness of Charles.

You giggle. “I can't believe I'm actually doing this!” you laugh, breathless.

He giggled too. “You're so so amazing baby!”

He dips you, and you both laugh. The crowd around you two cheers, their approval adding to the exhilarating atmosphere.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group are watching you two with amused smiles.

“I can't believe she's actually having fun!” Mia says watching you guys dance.

Liam nods. “Yeah, she's growing on me.”

Ben smiles. “Charlie's got good taste.”

As the night draws to a close, the group decides to head to a nearby diner for some late-night food. You find yourself a little exhausted but exhilarated, you lean against Charlie, your head resting on his shoulder.

He looks at you. “Are you tired baby?”

You shake your head. “Nope, just a tiny little bit, but it was so much fun!” you giggled again.

You smile up at him, your eyes sparkling with happiness, Charles returns your smile, squeezing your hand.

As the group of friends walk towards the diner, the city lights twinkling around them, you feel a sense of belonging you haven't expected, because you're surrounded by people who care about Charles, and you're starting to feel like one of them.

***

The diner is dimly lit, a comforting contrast to the vibrant energy of the bar. The group settles into a booth, their laughter and chatter filling the quiet space. You still buzzing from the night's excitement, are seated next to Charlie.

“So, how's my little bookworm holding up, huh?” he asks softly at you.

You grin, your eyes sparkling with amusement. “I'm still trying to catch my breath. That was so insane!”

The group laughs in agreement.

“I can't believe you actually danced, y/n. That was so cool!” Mia says.

You blushed. “Well, Charlie dragged me onto the dance floor.”

“Hey! I thought you were having fun amour.” he says softly. (love)

“I was! It was just... unexpected, but good.” you giggled.

The conversation flows easily, filled with laughter and shared stories. You find yourself opening up to the group, revealing sides of yourself that you rarely show up. You discover a shared love of old movies with Liam, a passion for cooking with Mia, and a surprising connection with Ben over your mutual love of comic books and languages —because he speaks a little bit of Spanish.

As the night deepens, the conversation turns more serious, the group shares their hopes, dreams, and fears, creating a bond of trust and understanding.

Charles clear his throat. “I'm so glad you guys got to meet y/n. She's amazing!”

The group nods in agreement. “Yeah mate, she's cool.” Liam says.

“Thank you so much guys, I had a great time tonight!” you say while smiling.

As the diner starts to empty, the group reluctantly begins to say their goodbyes. You exchange numbers with Mia and you promised her to watch the movie she recommended.

As you walk out into the cool night air, Charlie wraps his arm around your shoulders.

“That was fun, huh?” Charles' asked you softly.

You nodded. “It was the best! I can't believe how nice everyone was with me.” you smiled.

Charles' chuckled. “Well, baby, they're my people, and now, they're your people too, okay?”

You lean into him, feeling a wave of happiness wash over you. As the two of you walk hand-in-hand towards his motorcycle, you know that your life has just taken a wonderful turn.

“Ready for a ride, my sunshine?” Charles asks as he hands you your helmet.

You nodded, a sense of contentment washing over you. As you climbed onto the back of the motorcycle, you wrapped your arms around him, pulling him close. The familiar warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of the engine provide a comforting cocoon.

The city lights blur into a kaleidoscope of colors as Charlie accelerates, the wind whips through your hair, and you close your eyes, letting the sensation of speed carry you away.

You sighed. “This is so relaxing.”

“I'm so glad you like it baby.” he laughs.

You two ride in silence for a while, the only sound the gentle hum of the engine. The city gradually fades into the distance, replaced by the quiet suburban streets.

Finally, you arrive at Charles' apartment building, well, now it's your place too. As you dismount, you stretched a little bit, yawning softly.

“Are you tired now, love?” he asked you softly.

You nodded. “Yep, but just a little. It was a long night... But a fun one!” you smiled shyly.

He smiles as he ruffles your hair. “Come on baby girl, let's get inside. I'll make you some hot chocolate and we can snuggle together on the couch!” he giggles softly.

Then he takes your hand and leads you inside, the apartment is warm and inviting, the soft glow of the lights creating a cozy atmosphere. You feel at home next to him and it is an indescribable and very beautiful feeling at the same time.

charles_leclerc

liked by ynusername, benslife, therealliamm and others

charles_leclerc my pretty and cutie girl 🫧💗🩰

tagged ynusername

see comments

itsmiabby i still don't believe you have such a sweet side🧍🏻‍♀️

charles_leclerc mia, shut up 💀 you're embarrassing meeee

alex_albon man but it's true, we never thought you'd be a simp 🤭🤭

itsmiabby yea, alex it's SO right cha

leclerc_pascale comme tu es précieux! (how precious you are)

liked by creator

ynusername oh my my my 🥹🥹 i love you so so much baby boy 🤍🤍

charles_leclerc i love you too pretty princess 💗💗

ynusername you're so precious bby, I'm so in love with you 🥹🤍

charles_leclerc i know darling, i'm so madly in love with you too baby girlll💗🤍

ynusername

liked by yourbff, lilymhe, alex_albon and others

ynusername i like vroom vrooms boys🏍️❤️

tagged charles_leclerc

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yourbff OH GOD THIS IS SERIOUS 👀👀

ynusername heheh🤭🤭 yeah i'm so so so hooked 👉🏻👈🏻

benslife la señorita de Charlie 🫶🏻🫶🏻 (charlie's little miss)

ynusername heheh yup, that's meee benny!! 🥺🤍

lilymhe you? messing with bikers? this is new!

ynusername i knowww girl 🤭😋 but it's so much fun once you try it!!

lilymhe okay now I'm curious 🫣🫣

ynusername you should get one‼️‼️

itsmiabby it was a pleasure meeting you, darling 💗💗 you take good care of our boy

ynusername aww, thank you mia!! i do my best, hehe 👉🏻👈🏻🥺

therealliamm you're adorable girl, charlie's so damn lucky 😉😉

charles_leclerc i like bookish and cute girls 😉💗💗

ynusername oh god babyy i know you dooo 🫶🏻🫶🏻

charles_leclerc hehe, i love you honey bee🤍🤍 you're so sweet and cute 🥰

ynusername you're sweet too!! so cute and such a softie 🥺👉🏻👈🏻

iMessage

[peachyjeonss]

SUNKISSIN’ | J.JK

© peachyjeonss 2023. Do not repost and modify unless permitted to  

Pairing: Tattoo artist!Jungkook x Lifeguard!Reader    

Genre: strangers to enemies, enemies to lovers, Smut

Warnings: Reader has a belly piercing, mentions of getting high, Jk and reader have nose piercings, size kink, slight daddy kink, Jk is pretty dominant even when it’s not sexual, unprotected sex (wrap before you tap pls), readers kind of a bitch at first, Jk is also kind of a dick at first, clueless reader at times, Jk gets jealous, jk eats her out, reader gets jk off, ass slapping, reader gets bent over the kitchen counter, reader’s kind of a spoiled brat, brat-taming, choking, tummy bulge, praise, degradation, cum eating, brat tamer jk, dirty talk, slight exhibition, Jk is kind of an aggressive person (not in a toxic way obv), 

Rating: M

Synopsis: Summer has begun and so has your job as a lifeguard at the Stillwells Country Club  — Which means; sunny weather, blue pools and cute bathing suits! You’re looking forward to it; just another normal summer working with friends, but your summer takes a turn when you see his sweet eyes and intimidating stature at the staff car wash.

A/N: This is my first posttt, here’s the teaser!

His sunglasses lean on the tip of his nose as he looks up at the sky, breathing out.

“This is the most relaxed I’ve seen you in a minute.” Yoongi laughs, sitting next to him as he lathers sunscreen on his pale arms.

“Yeah, surprisingly work hasn’t come to my mind yet.” Jungkook admits, letting out a breathless chuckle as he kicks his feet in the water.

Yoongi hums, “Me neither, and I’m not even a sun person.”

“That’s what the rich life does to you, I guess.” Nari giggles, swimming to them.

Taehyung follows suit, pushing his falling sunglasses back up his nose. “Yeah, I’m about to order a pina-colada just ‘cause.”

“Don’t abuse the free membership either.” Jungkook warns, looking back down at his friend. “It was nice of her to do this for us.”

“Yeah, Aya’s always been pretty sweet.” Taehyung agrees, “She has her spoiled moments though, can't take the rich out of the girl completely.”

Nari smiles, “She’s better than me, I wouldn’t even interact with you peasants if I had country club money.”

“Yeah, that’s why you’re not rich.” Yoongi teases, “You’d be horrible.”

“I suppose.” Nari shrugs, looking around before her mouth falls into an O, “This resort even has good-looking lifeguards...”

Jungkook cocks a brow at her, last time he remembers the lifeguard was some scrawny dude with a permanent scowl. Looking up, Jungkook sits up quickly, pushing his sunglasses over his head at the familiar figure he sees switching seats with the old lifeguard. 

“Isn’t that the girl you checked out the other day?” Yoongi asks, his eyes raking over your body shamelessly, making Jungkook shove him gently.

“Yeah, it is.” Jungkook smirks, watching as you offer some kids a cute smile, telling them to watch their step as they run. Even in the basic red swimsuit the lifeguards were required to wear you still somehow managed to look like sin. “She’s friends with Aya, right?”

“Yeah, they're actually really close.” Taehyung says in a forgetful manner, too preoccupied in doggy paddling around his friends. “Been friends since middle school.”

“Shit, so they're like sisters then.” Nari corrects, “Middle school to college is cool, they saw each other get out of the awkward stage.”

“If she even had one.” Jungkook laughs, still eyeing you.

“They say the prettiest girls have the most awkward phases.” Nari shrugs, “I mean, look at me, gorgeous and my awkward stage was horrendous.”

“Yeah, sure.” Yoongi laughs, wincing when Nari pinches his leg.

♡ If you like this story, comment under here to be on the taglist for when it comes out!

♡ If you want to be on the permanent taglist (for every story} send me an ask!

Have a good day! ♡

[ssparksflyy]

ours ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

pairing: leo valdez x gn!reader summary: finally going home to see leo after a long day at work ♡ warning(s): tiny swears but like youll be fine word count: 938 a/n: ive had this idea for soso long nd im glad to finally write it :)) also requests r open so send em in ! this is set after the war :D GO LISTEN TO OURS BY TAY

you sighed as you leaned back into your cheap office chair, looking over at the clock on your desk. 4:55. a whine escaped your lips as you realized you had to sit at this godforsaken desk for another five minutes.

"damn, love-struck fool can't even wait another five minutes to see their loverboy?" your coworker asked, turning around in her chair.

"whatever, melody" you said, turning your head in her direction.

she chuckled and paused, "you know, you could do so much better than him."

you turned around in your chair to face her, glaring.

"im just saying, are you really sure he's the one? i mean, he's scrawny, roughed up, and really not that cute." she said, staring at a picture of you and leo you had on your desk, one you'd taken together at a county fair.

'oh but if he were white you'd be fawning all over him' you thought.

"and those tattoos, i mean, he does realize those are permanent, right? like come on, doodle bob on your wrist? i swear, there's childish and then there's your boyfriend."

you were seriously biting your tongue now. you were so tired of people judging leo and your relationship, as if they would even try to get to know him. and you loved his doodle bob tattoo!!

"you sound like my dad, dude" you said, no emotion in your voice.

"well maybe he has i point, i mean personally, i wouldn't really approve if my kid was dating someone-"

you left before she could finish her sentence. your time was no longer hers, it was five p.m. your time belonged to leo now.

⊹₊🔥⋆｡°✩

you dropped your bag onto the floor, placed your keys on their hook and slipped off your shoes the second you walked into your apartment.

"leo? where are you?" you called out, dragging your feet.

"in the kitchen!" he shouted, and you headed over.

you walked into the kitchen to see leo making dinner, a smile spreading onto your face as you realized he was making (favorite food).

"hey! how was work today?" he asked, looking up at you with his classic leo valdez smile.

"absolutely horrible, i hated every second" you said, walking over to him and slinging your arms around his waist as you nuzzled your head into his neck, "i missed you."

he chuckled, stopping what he was doing and turning around, pulling you into his chest and giving you a hug.

"really? well what made it so horrible?" he asked, placing a kiss on top of your head.

you groaned and removed your head from his neck to look at him, "well the awkward elevator ride is always a horrible start to the day, you'd think people would learn about something called deodorant by now. then once i got to my desk, my boss called me into her office and asked me to go through some files that needed to be sorted, i didn't mind but you know, boorriinnggg. uh, and then i went back to my desk for the rest of the day and then like just as i was about to leave, melody started bitching again."

he furrowed his eyebrows, "again? gods what was she criticizing this time?"

you looked down, "you."

"me?? what have i ever done to this woman? i don't even know her!" he said, "please tell me you punched her."

"leo, you know if i didn't need this job she would've been in the hospital on life support by now" you said, raising your head and placing a kiss on his cheek.

he laughed, "well don't worry to much about her, she's just jealous. you know people just love throwing rocks at things that shine."

"oh my god when did you become a poet?" you said, pretending to be shocked.

"i heard it in a taylor swift song, okay?" he said, blushing and looking down.

you laughed as you pulled him in close once again.

⊹₊🔥⋆｡°✩

that night, you ate real good. you had loved (favorite food) before leo had made it for you, but ever since the time he made some for one of your dates, you were yet to find somebody who made it better than he did. he always claimed his version was better because his was made with undying love and affection, which always made you giggle.

after dinner, you settled down on the couch, cuddling and watching a movie. around midway, you stopped paying attention to the movie and started paying attention to leo. you seriously didn't know what you'd done to deserve someone like him. he treated you so well, and loved you in a way nobody else could. you didn't get how people like melody couldn't see that. if anything, you were a little glad they couldn't. that meant that you'd get your perfect repair boy all to yourself. you were the one who would get his toothy smiles, the ones where you were able to see the gap between his teeth that you loved so much. you were the one who would get his homemade meals whenever you came home from work. you were the one who would get to try and figure out the riddles he'd recite. you were the one who got moments like this, moments you wouldn't trade anything in the world for.

leo looked down, noticing that you were staring.

"something wrong?" he asked.

you shook your head, "i just love you so much, leo."

he smiled, "i love you too, (y/n)."

you no longer cared about what other people thought of your relationship. this love was yours, not theirs.

a/n two: tysm for reading!! js somethin short i wanted to get out :)) i fr wasnt able to listen to ours without thinking of this and i was just like ugh i need 2 write this so.. here we are! hope u enjoyed and have a good day/night !!

peace from manhattan,

percy jackson ♡

[lowkeyrobin]

headcannons where quackity's s/o has tattoos? could also be nsfw, if you're comfortable with it :))

I don't write NSFW but I can definitely do the tattoo part! thanks for requesting!! I don't think I've actually posted a quackity focused thing yet which is surprising to me bc I have like 3 drafts for him LMAO

QUACKITY ; tattooed lover

summary ; you have tattoos and your boyfriend is head over heels

warnings ; language; talk of needles / pain of tattoos, use of quackitys real name (lmk if I should change it!)

word count ; 670

genre ; fluff

masterlist

In general, he'll act normal about all your tattoos and whatnot, but inside every time he sees your arms (especially if you have sleeves or some sick ones around your wrists that trail up your arm even a bit) he'll just get a little red in the cheeks. He absolutely loves all your ink. He thinks it's so sick, but he's not committed enough to get any, and he doesn't think he has the pain tolerance.

he went with you to get a new tattoo on your shoulder/upper arm area

he learned you'd be there for like 5 hours and he groaned like a shitty iPad kid and took his phone out while he threatened to call Philza

once he saw the tattoo gun... oh lord it was over

literally whisper shouted at you while the artist got up to get gloves

"that's what you're getting jabbed with??? why are we here again???"

genuinely can't look

once he hears the buzzing he turns his music on and he's staring down while he sits on the couch across from you

"Alex, look!" you smile, "I'm fine"

"how do I know you're not a clone?"

"Holy shit. dude it's the quackityhq duck, that's why I brought you along"

"WAIT WHAT?"

it's not a big tattoo whatsoever, but it's a reminder that he's always with you, how you've grown together and how that's always going to be an era of your content you'd never forget about

literally gets emotional about it

"You didn't have-"

"I wanted to, for the millionth time"

he genuinely didn't know tattoos were so expensive, once you leave he questions why it was 450 dollars and you explain to him how tattoo artist income works

He's not the one to want to peel off the second skin or pop the ink bubbles or even touch the tattoo until the skin goes back to normal. He's just kinda freaked out for some reason, it's just one of those things and it honestly makes sense.

He takes some dedicated time to sniff all the lotions and numbing creams and comment on each and every one, though. All while you're trying to do some aftercare on it and shit, and you just watch.

"this one smells like buttercream icing"

"yeah?"

"ew, this one smells like badboyhalo's ass!"

"why would you even know that? 😁"

If you have any tats without color, Alex will gladly color them in with washable markers like you're a walking coloring book. He'll literally call for you and ask you if he can color on you again, it's cute, really.

"y/n/n, can I color your tattoos again?"

"aren't you streaming?"

"so?"

"yeah, fine"

he has a whole gallon sized ziploc bag filled with Crayola washable markers

like he goes from playing on the qsmp and hanging out with some people to coloring all over you while said people watch 😭

you wave to his friends like "Hello, I am his walking therapy coloring book"

he's like a little kid. You just look over at him like, "Holy shit I could love you forever wtf"

Sometimes, he'll just draw you new tattoos (with washable markers dw) cause he gets bored and wants to doodle on you. Most of the time it ends up being stick figures and dicks but it's okay, it's his way of showing affection.

He'll genuinely think of song that remind him of each of your tattoos. Somehow, some way, he does. He has a whole playlist titled 'Y/n's tattoos', and he rarely listens to it, but he thinks it's fun to think of a new song when you get another tattoo.

Although he is a little concerned because what's gonna happen when you're old and wrinkly? How do the tattoos last? Do they become old and wrinkly like the tattooed grandmas meme? Because if so, he'll rip on you til the end of time.

"well I have a long time before I look like a tattooed elderly person, but okay"

"So you will? Oh my fucking God! BAHAHAHA"

[outofmydepthatapublicbeach]

hiii can u write julien x reader where julien has a crush on reader? like maybe reader is maybe a singer at the grammys and catches juliens eye

pls pls and thank u

jj chats: hiii!! i love this idea so so much and i am so happy i got to write it!!! i decided to do some headcannons and a bit of a blurb! but its mostly tailored to this specific scenario so if anyone wants a more general julien with a crush headcannons i can totally write that! just lmk!! also tysm for the request dear ilysm <333

warnings: RPF, no use of y/n, julien is very awkward!!!

feedback is encouraged and i'd love to get some just please be kind!!!

So lets say that Julien is aware of who you are, she knows your music, but never knew your face. She was crazy excited about you performing at the grammys.

She’s at the table when your name gets announced along with the 2 tracks you are playing and she immediately recognizes them.

She gets all giddy because she’s never seen you before and is excited for your set.

You play a mash up of two ballads where your vocals are incredible, your standing center stage. (I’m kind of picturing it to look like Olivia Rodgrigo’s set at the grammys)

Whatever outfit you’re wearing is a beautiful mix of emerald green and gold. Your dress/suit/whatever you are wearing has a very flowy vibe to it.

Anyway Julien sees you as the spotlight shines on you and her heart stops. You were more beautiful than she had ever thought. 

Then you open your mouth to sing and it's like a kaleidoscope of butterflies was released in her stomach.

Phoebe notices her awestruck state and whispers to Lucy.

Yk they made a plan to make sure you met that night.

When your performance ends you smile towards the crowd of brilliant musicians, lyricists and producers. The room erupts in cheers and applause, your head gets a little light as you take everything in. Everything that you’ve worked for has come to this, and you’ve finally made it, singing in a room full of all your biggest idols.

When the stage darkens, a crew member meets you and takes you back to a dressing room, helping you get back into your original grammy outfit. As you walk back to your seat you spot a woman with platinum blond hair in a white suit standing near your table, seemingly waiting for someone.

As you approach her you get a better look at who she was. Exclaiming “Phoebe!! I’m so glad to see you!” You pull her into a hug.

Pulling away, Phoebe replies “Hey dude! It’s been so long!”

“Way too long! Oh congrats on you and the boys wins tonight! I’m so happy for y’all!” You smile, then noticing the other two that make up Boygenius approach, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker. Lucy introduces herself and Julien, Julien stands squashed between Lucy and Phoebe. She smiles at you shyly, a light pink flushes her face. 

“Your performance was out of this world, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you sing like that! Isn’t that right Julien?” Phoebe asks, nudging her bandmate with her elbow.

Julien sputters a little bit before replying “Your voice is so pretty.” Once the words leave her mouth her eyes widen a bit, as if she can’t believe she just said that. Phoebe and Lucy share a look before Phoebe moves to squeeze your upper arm.

“Me and Luce are gonna go mingle, have fun kids,” She turns away from you but you can almost swear you saw her wink at Julien before walking away. 

“I don’t think I’ve never formally introduced myself, I’m-”

“I know you,” Julien cuts you off, horror fills her face at her ill choice of words, “I mean I don’t know-know you, but I know of you! I like you! Fuck I mean I like your music, its really good! And your voice is amazing. It's so pretty! I’m rambling aren’t I?” The tattooed woman sighs, her face flushing again, this time a much brighter red.

“Yes, yes you are. But it's okay Julien, it's cute.” You giggle, reaching towards your purse to pull out your phone, pulling up messages. “Can I have your number, I’d love to talk to you longer but I gotta go visit someone before we have to be back in out seats. Maybe we could get coffee sometime and talk?” You hand the phone to Julien, gently placing it in her open palms.

“Really?” she waits for you to nod before putting her number in, hands shaking as she types.  “Thank you! And best of luck to you tonight! Hopefully I’ll see you around.” Julien says. You smile and grab Julien’s hand, squeezing it lightly. Once you let go she's off towards her table again. 

I could totally see Julien being so nervous around you that she types in her number wrong. So wehn you get home and call her and some random 39 year old guy from Alabama replies you are taken a little off guard.

But it's all fixed when you text Phoebe explaining the situation. 

Phoebe def made fun of Julien for that all the time now.

[5st4rde]

⭐️CL16 “Belle nuit”

Charles Leclerc x oc reader!

Summary: You went on a vacation trip with a close friend to Monaco and while you were there, you had a bit too much fun.

Tag: fluff, oral sex, head top, vanilla sex, edging, rough sex, fucking your brains out, 18+ content.

Vroom…

Just a bunch of small weird-looking cars zooming down the track with watchers getting hyped up, this screams out rich and expensive but who are you to judge when this didn’t come out of your pocket.

Harry managed to get you both VIP tickets that included sitting in the lounge with champagne and meals being served to you which was your favorite part but most of was for him to meet the drivers after the race but mainly because he has a friend that happens to be one of the drivers so he came out to support like the good pal he is plus who who are you to pass up a free way to ticket to Monaco, not this bitch.

You palmed your chest when the lounge area ran wild- Harry leaping out of his chair in pure joy as he applauded and hollered, dabbing the others that were also in the lounge area, from this you assumed someone won from how lively the crowd had gotten. You remained muted then applauded quietly with a small smile, you chugged your champagne down and soon each driver who finished the race stood on the podium. Hmm, all of them were cute.

One in a fully red suit with a Ferrari logo who you guessed came in first coming in second was a caramel-skinned man with locs and a nose piercing- damn he was fine. you didn’t pay much attention to the dude in the orange suit but those two gentlemen caught your eyes.

“That’s Lewis, the friend who I came to support” Harry says pointing at the caramel skinned man, sounding so proud of his friend's victory. You smiled and drowned the remaining last champagne down as you focused on the two good-looking men, Harry led you two downstairs to where all of the drivers would be located after the race.

A few were being questioned and so and so. Harry would stop by every driver he sees congratulating them on their race then follow up on a 20-minute chit-chat talking about sports blah blah blah and there’s you who hardly knows anything about the sport, you only came because you were promised parties and yachts.

“Harry, sorry to bug you but when we-”

Before you could finish your sentence, you were cut short when a male voice called out Harry's name. You sigh annoyingly but straighten your posture when you see who it is- Lewis is the name, you approach you two with a wide smile revealing his gap.

“What a heck of a race out there, mate” Harry dabs him up.

You took the moment to fully study his features, he was slightly tall not the least to Harry. He was tattooed down from head to toe and you have to admit it was the sexiest thing ever, his locs were tied in a back ponytail. He was dressed in a baggy t-shirt with the Mercedes logo printed on it, stylish jeans, and a pair of sneakers. It was then that you realized you were gawking a bit too much once he darted his brown eyes onto you. You were about to extend your hands out to greet yourself but...

“Sorry hun, not doing autographs at the moment” Lewis says.

You lift a brow with your arms folded, and you grimace at the thought of you being desperate for a simple autograph from a man you hardly knew. He practically disregarded whatever you were going to say then returned back to your friend Harry.

“Excuse me?” You asked feeling a bit offended. You shot Harry a hard glare gesturing for him to get his boy before your mouth made a scene and you’re pretty sure Harry had seen that side of you before.

“U-Uhm Lewis, this was the friend I was telling you about who I brought along” Harry was quick to say, Lewis eyed you up and down with a speck of attitude on his face as a light chuckle escaped from his mouth. You deepened your brows even more with your arms crossed not believing what you were seeing.

“So what, you too good to have manners now” You remarked with a scoff, he furrowed his brows at the statement as he stepped closer attempting to look intimidating. He doesn’t know where you're from for him to be pulling that kind of stunt, he’d get shot up real quick.

“Says the little lady that came here with a bitchy ass attitude… Harry, you should know better to bring someone-”

“Listen here you big melon forehead, I hardly know you unless God himself or my momma is saying shit about me so I suggest you tone that shit down or-” You spat before you were getting ready to end your sentence.

“My Goodness! what’s all of the ruckus about” A deep voice spoke, all of the anger that was building in your muscles suddenly vanished when a man a lot taller than Harry and Mr Melon came into the picture with a lingering smirk on his face. He wore a white button shirt with the Mercedes logo on it, his sleeves were rolled up allowing you to get a glimpse of his arm, and can’t forget how perfectly that top hugged his biceps.

“Lewis, what are you still standing here for, go on now”

Lewis grunts storming off while penetrating a deep glare at you as he walks off, a moment of pause before the three of you all burst out a tear of laughter. He looks like a toddler who just threw a tantrum from someone telling him no. Harry did his bickering before he politely introduced me to the man- hmm, let alone how incredibly charming he is from head to toe.

“Hi, I’m Mel” You greeted with a smile.

“I’m Toto Wolff but you can just call me Toto, doll” He took your hand and slowly turned it around to lay a peck as he set a glare on you. You lightly blushed at the nickname he had already given you, he winked and smiled so widely causing you to return a smile.

"Nice meeting you, Mel. I hope to see you two at the party tonight, no?" He says, directing at Harry “I’ll be looking forward to seeing you” He smirks, walking backward as his eyes lock in with yours feeling chills coursing down your spine. He winks then proceeds to make his exit leaving the two of you alone, you sense the skeptical stare shooting your way from Harry. You shrugged it off and mouthed ‘what’ as you both took your leave.

•

You were in your hotel room getting ready for tonight, Harry knew a few people to assure us of a luxurious hotel room that included a wide balcony view of the beach side with a nice jacuzzi. The bathroom was massive with a larger mirror that was practically the size of your room back home and a slide-in door shower. You glared at yourself in the mirror admiring how well the dress hugged every crack and bone of your shape. It'll have people in a chokehold at the way you look right now.

“Mel are you-” Harry nearly choked on his words as he walked in, he took a moment to gaze at the dress. You fluffed out the curls of your hair, relishing how good your hairstylist melted down your edges… scalp where.

“I'm ready” You assured, grabbing your phone. Harry was still eyeing you, he's seen you dressed up before but he couldn't figure out when was the last you were ever dressed up big like this. Usually, you'd just throw on a simple shirt and jeans with your hair in jumbo braids be done with. College really took a poll on you. You hurriedly slipped on your lace-up heels and you looked majestic, after you were done, he led you two into the elevator.

"The chauffeur is here" He declares, tapping on his Apple watch.

You slightly widened your eyes at the fact he said you two were going to be escorted by a chauffeur. Now that's a move, you thought. Harry offered his arm and you grinned up at him when you happily interlocked yours with his. On your way out, you two were receiving episodes of glares from all around the lobby curious as to who were two were. Nonetheless, it was more of a compliment knowing the both of you looked damn good tonight. You both settled in real quick once you got in and immediately drove off and just a few minutes you arrived. You furrowed your brows and shot Harry a glare when you noticed how incredibly long the line was.

Harry lent a hand to help you out, adjusting your dress a bit before you two walked up to the bouncer. Harry had gone up to speak with the man and in just a blink of an eye, you were already in. The music was so loud, that you could feel it vibrating in your chest, and could hardly get through this hungry crowd but Harry made sure to hold your hand just so he didn't lose you. It wasn’t until you released a heavy scoff followed by an eye roll melon head came into your view dabbing up Harry. His whole expression died down as soon as he darted his eyes to you, seizing you up and down with a look of disgrace.

“I see you brought little miss fiesty” He remarks.

“Harry, control your little pest” You spat, growing agitated at the sight of him, and the longer he was in your presence the more you just want to rip those damn locs out from his scalp. Harry notices your expression and pulls you aside turning his back towards him, melon head assures Harry where he was going to be if he ever wants to find him.

“I’m really sorry about him, do you want a drink?”

“You know what, go enjoy yourself with your friends, I’ll be okay” You said to him, your eyes never leaving the mysterious man who had already dominated the eye contact with a smirk on his face from across the room. At first, Harry was uncertain whether or not it was a good idea to leave you by yourself but you assured him that you'll be okay. He pecks your forehead and then you watched him fly upstairs to his friend with a wide smile spreading across his face. You walked over to the bar and sat on the stool, you were startled when someone breathed fan over your ears.

“My, you have such beauty on you”

You followed the direction of the voice and locked in with a pair of blue eyes. He had to bend down to level with you which indicates he was a lot taller than you. Your brain functioned a bit later when you recognized the fellow man, he was on the podium and my my my, you had to admit he was breathtaking up close. He's miraculously charming.

“Why did your boyfriend leave you alone, he should know men tend to thirst for pretty women like you”

“Boyfriend? I don’t have a boyfriend but I appreciate the compliment” You chuckled with a smile suddenly feeling hot from the intense eye contact he had on you, licking his lips in the process as he raked them up and down on your dress.

“So am I lucky enough to buy the beautiful woman a drink? ” He asks, smiling softly exposing his dimples.

You nodded and he whistled for the bartender's attention to start on his order, you scanned around the dance floor and noticed how hyped everyone seemed to be. You may have recognized a few faces of the drivers with their wags as they’re spotted in VIP lounges upstairs, a bit surprised he isn’t with him.

You hadn't realized he was already gawking at you with a smile on his face, his doe eyes peered into yours the moment you looked back at him.

“Do you have a name I can call you apart from beautiful?” He asks, earning a chuckle from you. You politely grab the drink and thank him.

“Mel, what about you, handsome?” You asked softly, taking a sip of the drink.

“Charles, so now that I got the beautiful lady a drink and her name, would she at least come dance with me?” He asks, you chugged your drink down immediately and he quirks his brows up slightly taken back from the sight of this, quite impressive while at it. He tugs your hand and leads you both to the center of the floor.

Get Low by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz starts playing.

A bottle of adrenaline sparked in your bones the minute you heard the first few beats, you instantly start grinding your hip on him while his hands slowly travels down to cup your ass. He bit his lips at how majestic and soft your cheeks felt in his hand, he never had anything like this before. You smirked at this when he began to caress it, he then spins you around leaving your ass directly on his crotch.

You let him dominate your body all night and here you are worrying if he knew how to dance or not but it seemed to you he got a little bit of spice in him from the way he was moving. In one swift motion, you were facing him, and oh, those eyes made you melt even more. You lost track of the amount of times he rubbed on your ass but he loved every second of it. His hand gently laced around your neck slowly leaning in to crash his lips on yours, tasting the sweet but bitter alcohol around your lips. You were driving him crazy. He parted his mouth allowing you to invite your tongue as you started dominating the kiss not knowing you woke up a beast inside of him.

No woman he's kissed before ever felt so delicate and passionate as you.

You pulled away and had to slap the senses back into your head that you two were making out in the middle of the floor. To him, he couldn't care less but the fact kissing you was enough to light the ignition inside of him said otherwise. He licks his swollen lips as he gazes down at you with droopy low eyes, the red light flashing on him giving him that luscious look- almost as if he wanted to ravage you.

"You want to hit back at my place?" You ask, showering pecks all over his neck. The small gesture made him shudder instantly. He nodded his head and you pulled his wrist through the crowd making one final stop before you. guys leave.

“Harry!” You tried to call out, Harry's ears flicked when he heard your voice and quickly came to rush over to your side. His cheeks were beet red from the amount of alcohol he consumed but it was good to know he's still sober to be aware of his surroundings. His eyes widened when noted that Charles flushed his body against yours.

"I see you met my dear friend" Harry says to Charles, the two laugh and dab each other.

"You hadn’t told me how gorgeous your friend is, Harry" Charles smiles directing his gaze at you, returning a smile back at him. Your eyes glowered around the area but paused for a while when it landed on melon head who was already looking in your way with a menacing glare.

“Careful Leclerc, this one might bite” He makes a slick comment, sipping out of his bottle.

“You sound pathetic as hell” I shot back with an eye roll. He chuckles amusingly with a smirk on his face.

“I sound pathetic… that dress looks more pathetic maybe because it’s on you” His voice spiked with frustration, might’ve hit a nerve in that spot, it was kind of funny if you really looked at it that way.

“So does that big melon head of yours” You countered.

He abruptly stood up tossing the bottle somewhere with a deep frown on his face and here you were being bold and big when you nearly forgot how tall he was but you took that back as soon as Charles stepped in between scooting you behind him, his hand never leaving your waist and you must admit, you can feel your panties dampening from how hot he looks.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you, mate” Charles warned in a deep voice you never knew sounded more attractive.

“Lewis… let’s air this outside but not in here” Harry pulled his arm back. Lewis's brows deepened as he formed a fist nearly piping a vein, you could radiate a very serious rage coming out of him from that hard glare he was shooting your way as Charles made sure he wouldn’t dare pull a stunt.

“Tell your girl to not tempt me because I tend to get reckless with my mouth, let this be a final warning, shit won't be sweet” His tone was light than before, and you felt a small breeze brush past you when he stormed off sensing an incredible rush of anger coming from him.

“I apologize for-”

“No worries, I’m quite used to his attitude anyways” He brushed it off releasing a breathless laugh with Harry. Harry averted his gaze from you, checking to see if you were alright like the overprotective brother he had always been.

“Don’t think just because you’re a driver doesn’t mean you get to harm her, I’m armed…” He harshly warned with his words being slurred. You do hope Lewis keeps on a watch for this man but he’s such a jerk and so uptight you can’t even say not one word without him mean mugging.

“Harry, you’re harassing the man already. I’ll be fine, just please ease up on the drinking and be careful” You said, removing the bottle from his hand but thankfully his other friend came to his side reassuring you he’d keep a good eye on him. You graciously thanked him with a wide smile and rushed out of the club with Charles trailing behind closely.

-------

Once the room card is inserted, the small pad flashes green allowing the door to fly open with him trailing behind you. He just couldn’t wait any further to crash his soft lips onto yours, he was more than ready to have you tonight. Your legs levitated from the ground wrapping themselves around him as you have no clue where he was taking the both of you. You felt a soft cushion against your back leaving him on top, your kisses deepened passionately with the intrusion of yall tongues, and boy was your cunt throbbing already, when he moves to another spot, it sent electric shocks all over your body wanting him more.

He cups your right breast then starts sensually sucking and biting on certain parts of your neck, your eyes shut feeling every satisfaction aching in your bone. You grew anticipated when he suddenly stopped but then you realized he was hovering over you when you opened your eyes to meet his bright blue doe eyes- he was yearning for you just as much you are for him, his hair was fluff out from the tugging you did, his face flushing pink and his lips swollen and red from the sucking you've been doing.

“You are absolutely gorgeous” He whispers in that accent you so loved. He pulls down your strap to expose your breast, feeling the cold breeze fan on your nipples. He darts his eyes down at your exposed boobs licking his lips as he relishes in the sight of them beautifully sitting on your chest. Nothing makes your cunt cries out more than a man that truly takes his time to admire you. You push him aside to stand in front of him removing the remains of your dress, you sashay his hips towards him throwing your leg over as you sit on him.

“Putain de merde”

“You can do whatever you want with me tonight, I’m all yours” You said, leaving wet kisses all over his ear as your hands began to travel, you had no idea why he still had on clothes so you lent a hand to remove his clothes for him only leaving him in his boxers where a tent was visible. His face flushed a redder shade embarrassed that he was already hard rock solid. You grinned lightly when the little jumper sprung out of his boxers, your mouth was watery as you took the time to stare at it. It was a pretty pink color with precum decorating the tip like little balls of pearls.

“It hurts… real bad” He whimpers. A jumpstart to quake the ground down there.

Your hands can hardly wrap around his jumper which requires the use of two hands. His eyes were shut urging for you to take him in already, he was more than yearning for your pretty lips to wrap around the throbbing jumper. You started showering it with kisses all while stroking slowly and his facial expression became your favorite part. Playing with his jumper and watching as he got excited quirked up your adrenaline, you decided to stop playing tricks with him and took him whole in your head as you bopped your head continuously twirling your tongue in the process. His moans were music to your ears that you hit replay all day, it’s so soft yet sweet which urged you to touch yourself as you fasten up the pace.

“M-Mel… Putain d'enfer ” He choked out, his lips parted open as his head leaned all the way back.

He sings in your ears with his alluring moans and just as you expect he explodes in your mouth, not that it bothers you but it was so warm against your tongue. You pulled away and looked up at him with his mess all over your face as his juice dripped down on my tits. Despite looking like a total mess, he wraps his hand around your neck and pulls you into a kiss as he leads you onto his lap where you feel his tip tempting your core. His hands wander their way in between my thigh and you melted the moment his cold fingers start caressing my clit you urged to grind my hips let alone a moan that escaped from your mouth as he paced faster.

Before you could even run away, he switched position leaving you underneath as he continued flickering your most sensitive part. you were moaning like a mess careless to whoever could’ve heard you, your arms were pinned above your head rather harshly. You gasped and scrunched your face when he pushed another finger in, his thumb rubbing on your clit sensually. You leaned your head back feeling that sweet sensation coursing all over your vein once he found that spot.

“Look at me, mon amour”

His voice was like bittersweet milk in your ears.

“Vous avez un goût délicieux”

You knew it was a bad idea to look into his alluring eyes, he leans down inserting his tongue into your mouth. He pulls away trailing kisses down until he gets in between your thighs, tracing wet kisses along your ankle and you could’ve felt his warm breath fanning against your opening that was itching to be raw fucked. You felt your heart skip through the bottom depths of your ass from the lingering stare he had on you combined with the pecks he planted on your ankles, he grabbed your legs and placed them on his shoulders where you could see a glimpse of his biceps flexing.

You arched your back when you felt his wet tongue against your folds, if you knew one thing about him, he wouldn’t miss a show to watch his effect on you. Every lick he does fires up the engine in you and he loves the sound that comes out of you, a tear sheds down your cheeks as you can't hold the pressure that's growing in your cunt. He restrained your legs from moving, and you couldn’t do anything but squirm underneath him as he practically made out with your desperate wet lips that were aching to be touched. Just the sight of his head moving practically making out with your pussy did it all for you as you arrived at your peak.

You rolled your eyes and pulled his hair even tighter due to the fact he was still devouring your aching cunt even though you had come to your peak which made you squirm underneath, your moans were becoming louder and louder as he dived deep into your core. Your breathing was hyperventilated with your lips parted, you could hear the sound of him slurping every droplet of your juice as you were coming to your second release.

He pulls away and you couldn't help but smile from the sight of the connected strip of your juice on his lips as well the mess all over his face from you squirting. He makes his way back up to you and then holds your face before he kisses you slowly and delicately, slightly taken back from how good you tasted off his tongue but then you interrupt the kiss with a moan when he suddenly enters you sparking up the flame down your spine, he started with slow strokes as he was allowing you to adjust to him. You can't lie, it did sting a bit considering the fact you hadn't done anything in a while now. He nuzzled his head into the crook of your neck as one hand held your waist down in place and the other one pinned both of your wrists above your head rolling his hips into yours.

"C'mon baby, you got to let me go" His voice strained.

You felt a fireball glazing over you after each thrust he made, in one blink of an eye, you were flipped over laying flat on your stomach. His voice, his intoxicating scent, his touch- all were driving you insane. He knew how to fuck you good, he loves seeing that face you make whenever he hits that sweet spot of yours, you gripped the fabric of the carpet holding on to your dear life as he relentlessly stroked your desperate pussy.

"Fuckkkk..." You cried out.

He slips out a deep groan mixing in with your moans as he loved the sight of his shaft combining with your juice, he knew you had arrived at your release but of course that didn't stop him from working you out. He grabbed a hold of your neck bringing you up until your back was flushed against his toned chest. Two of his fingers began to rub your clit while he sensually pounded into you at an incredible pace and the other hand fondled one of your breasts, he sucked and toyed with your neck leaving your brain fucked. The lovely music of y'all skin slapping and you singing in his ears was just the sweetest thing.

He held your face making you look into his, the sight of the lustful frown on his sweaty face made you even drunker around his cock. He lingered the eye contact as he rammed vigorously inside of you, he halted in between his thrusts making sure you felt how violently he was to your G-spot. Your toes bent and curled as your body quivered hinting you were coming to your peak, he beats your pussy rather slow and hard as you made a mess on his wet glaze shaft. You were struggling with your words and he was enjoying every last of it, amused at how weak and fragile you looked underneath him.

He trembled but he didn't pull out as you felt his warm juice released inside you, just the view of his sweaty pack and stringy hair that was sticking against his forehead was beating you up surely as for him your body covered in his release was a bonus look on you. He fixes his eyes on you acknowledging your beautiful sculpture as the moonlight peeks through the blinds shining on you, he looks at you like you're the finest jewel he laid his hands upon. Tracing curves and lines of every part of your body, you became shy from the intense gaze he had on you.

“Tu es belle ma jolie fille”

It sounded so vanilla and sweet, that you hardly could've kept your eyes open as you slowly drifted off to sleep. He carries you in a bridal style over to the bed gently bringing the sheets over your sore body, he joins you and soon rests his eyes, nuzzling his arms around you. You squirmed a bit until you were comfortably underneath him and you both slept throughout the entire night with his arms wrapped around you til the next morning.

[klausinamarink]

Love Over Box Labels

rating: G | cw: none | tags: modern au, no Upside Down, the romanticism of workings at warehouses | wc: 987

written for @steddieholidaydrabbles | Dec 4: Meet Cute at Work

—

When his dad had threatened Steve into working at a warehouse instead of being the good CEO’s son, Steve had laughed at his face and said, “Go ahead! Maybe I’ll like it better than your stupid neopet position!”

It’s been two years since that conversation. And Steve’s still working at the warehouse. Though it’s not the same one his dad plunked him in. He’s since transferred to another place for a full time position. And Steve loves it.

Maybe ‘love’ is too strong a word to use. Steve definitely doesn’t love waking up at five-thirty in the morning every weekday, requiring espresso to prevent falling asleep on his feet within the first few hours, and the muscle strain from all the heavy lifting.

But warehouse work is surprisingly mundane and much better than Steve expects. He chats with his coworkers, the music choices aren’t bad, and the days can pass within a blink through the repetition of box folding and forklifting shipments.

There’s one guy that keeps catching Steve’s attention though.

As one of the new contract workers who came in last week, the new guy - Eddie, according to his ID badge - has long curly black hair tied up in a bun, black fitted clothes with different band tees, and a few tattoos on his bare arms. His brown eyes were dearly expressive, a bit helpful since he was also one of the few employees still wearing a mask. (an automatic sign of a decent person in Steve’s mental checklist)

As a team leader trains Eddie on the basic operations of their taping machines at the other line, Steve keeps sneaking glances at him as he steers a pump truck of packages into the shipping area. Eddie’s eyes are narrowed with concentration, nodding along at Deb’s words, probably unaware of his surroundings at the moment.

Steve gives out a quiet sigh. Then he mentally slaps himself. Jeez, this is a new low bar of pathetic-ness for him. Crushing on a new coworker who either doesn’t know he exists or has noticed Steve and thinks he’s a creep.

He should probably just be normal and try talking to Eddie during lunch. Problem is that Eddie is working on another line which has a different break time than Steve’s line. So unless the leaders rotate the employee’s positions to other lines next Monday, then Eddie’s going to be far from Steve’s reach.

Steve shakes his head, focusing back to his work. Whatever. It’s just a stupid crush. He’s gonna get over it because he and Eddie are never going to talk anyways.

—

“Steve, can you let Eddie help you with those labels?”

Steve blinks at Karen, caught off-guard by her sudden appearance with Eddie right next to her. He only manages to answer coherently, “Oh, sure!”

“That’s lovely!” Karen smiles at him, patting Eddie on the arm as she leaves. And then it’s the two of them at this table with stacks of boxes and rolls of labeled stickers.

“So…” Steve starts. “You're new here, right?” He kicks himself in the shin because what the hell, Steve?

Eddie just gives a jerky nod. “Yeah, first season.” He says, clipped. His eyes flick down to the labels questioningly. “How do I..?”

“Oh, this is like, super easy stuff, dude.” Steve says, hoping he doesn’t sound too eager on showing off the beauty of box labeling. “You just take this white label, place it here right above the numbers, take this..” He continues his demonstration to Eddie, who’s once again narrow-eyed with concentration. Steve nearly flutters when he notices how close enough he is that he can see the pinched furrow of Eddie’s eyebrows and a faint speckle of freckles below his eyes.

Be still, my bisexual heart. Steve demands as he looks away just before Eddie’s eyes - they’re so round, oh god - catches his. “You got it?”

Eddie nods, “Easy enough.”

“Cool.”

Unfortunately, that’s just all they say to each other as they work in tangent on the labels. Steve wants to talk to Eddie again. Bring something up like-

“Nice tattoos, by the way.”

Lord, please smite me from this earth and send me to Amazon.

“Thanks, man.” When Steve looks at him, Eddie’s eyes are crinkled up. “They’re super old, though. Got them when I was a rebellious junior student. Been thinking about getting new ones over it.”

“I mean, if you wanna change them or whatever, that’s totally up to you! Just saying that the bats look wicked.”

Eddie quirks an eyebrow. “You like the bats?”

“Yeah! They’re, uh, your favorite animals?”

“In a way.”

Pretty soon, they both fall into an easy conversation, discussing bits of their respective upbringings and what they’d done before coming here. They only pause to collect new boxes and bring the finished ones to the packers. When lunch break is called, Steve’s relieved that Eddie now has the same schedule, allowing them to talk more.

It creates a delightful feeling in Steve’s chest.

—

“I really learned a lot,” Eddie says as they walk out the building together at the end of the shift, “I don’t think I could survive today without you.”

“Really?”

Eddie takes off his mask. Steve’s heart flips sideways at the sight of the other man’s eye-crinkling smile. “Yeah. Now I know how to label boxes like my life depends on it.”

Steve bursts out a good-hearted laugh, “Well, if you want more advice, I can give you my number.”

Eddie stares at him for a beat before smiling wider, “I wouldn’t mind that.”

[rapha3liii]

Abigail, Emily & Haley! (part 1 of my bachelorette art!)

these are just my personal headcanons, mostly in line with my fic! the surnames are just ones I chose myself because I think these gals deserve a little more character :) Image descriptions and in-image text/captions are provided below!

Leah, Penny and Maru are next! (will get to the dudes eventually)

Abigail Mercer:

20 years old attending online university for Anthropology

tall compared to most villagers, even taller than her parents!

nose and bridge piercing done in Zuzu city

hearts drawn on with eyeliner

tattoo of thorned rose

Sam's old denim jacket, she cut the sleeves off with craft scissors

Amethyst gem-set sword commissioned from Marlon, her parents still haven't found it...

Silver bangle gifted from her mother

belly button piercing done by Emily in Sebastians basement, she definitely didn't get an infection from it-

sword tattoo inspired by the first sword she held

usually accompanied by her fathers retired leather satchel, holding her flute case and cool rocks she finds

her fishnets are the only thing shes ever bought from Joja Online and her dad is still mad about it

second hand doc-martins because her parents refused to spend that much on shoes (I don't blame em...)

Emily Larson

26 years old and the towns resident tailor

always wearing contacts!

average height

has helix, ear lobe and vertical eyebrow piercings

Always changing her hairstyle and colour, but blue seems to stick for longer than most!

She regularly attends ren-faires all over the republic

made this miniature cape for Zuzu ren-faire and hasn't stopped wearing it since...

hoop earrings and favourite lipstick given to her by her girlfriend, Sandy!

Wears lots of rings

obsessed with lantern sleeves!

always has her Nazar pendant on!

Acrylic nails are done by her younger sister, Haley!

exclusively wears gold jewellery

hand tailored dress and shirt

shoes are bought from a vintage clothes boutique in Grampleton

always wears her favourite ruffled petticoat under skirts

Haley Larson

18 years old and newly graduated from highschool, now a freelance photographer

shorter (and cuter!) than most

always wearing baby blue eyeshadow

shell necklace gifted to her by Alex, her best friend

cute face mole!

always wearing her grandma's bracelet

always using extra blush and face shimmer!

flowery blouse made by her sister, Emily

loves wearing mini-skirts, shorts and low-waist jeans!

regularly posts her landscape photography to her blog, and even won a local competition once!

her fav pleated skirt

loves swimming and paddleboarding in the sea by the beach!

despite graduating top of her class, she has little interest in academia - but loves art

really wants an ankle tattoo of a sea-shell!

cute strap heels she stole from her sisters wardrobe (Emily still hasn't realised yet)

[Image 1 ID: A digital drawing of Abigail from Stardew Valley holding a sword. She's smiling, with dark lipstick and purple eyeshadow, and has small hearts drawn on her cheeks in eyeliner. She has a bridge, nose and belly button piercing and blue eyes. She's wearing a sleeveless denim vest, with a black tank top underneath and black denim shorts with purple fishnets underneath. She has a tattoo of a rose on her upper right arm and another of a sword on her inner left calf. She has pointed black nails and two bangles on her right wrist. She has black platform boots and has a freckles all over her body. Her hair is a vibrant purple in waves reaching her lower back. In the upper left corner is her in-game sprite by 'ConcernedApe' and the artist's signature 'Rapha3liii' is in the lower right corner. /.End ID]

[Image 2 ID: A digital drawing of Emily from Stardew Valley pinching her dress in both hands in a bowing like gesture. The left side of her head is shaved while the right has straight, blue shoulder length hair. She has purple eyeshadow, pink lipstick and brown eyes. She also has gold helix piercings, a gold vertical eyebrow piercing and golden hoops in her lobes. She is smirking and looking to the right. She is wearing a layered red dress with a long pleated skirt. It has a white ruffled petticoat underneath. Under her red dress is a pink shirt with lantern style sleeves. She has a corset on over the dress with golden buttons and a miniature cape in dark red clasped to her shoulders. Two necklaces are hanging from under her shirt collar, one golden chain and the other a pendent of a 'Nazar'. She has long sharp purple acrylic nails and multiple rings on both of her hands. She is wearing dark red heels with button clasped straps. In the upper left corner is her in-game sprite by 'ConcernedApe' and the artist's signature 'Rapha3liii' is in the lower right corner. /.End ID]

[Image 3 ID: A digital drawing of Haley from Stardew Valley standing casually, smiling, with a tuft of her hair inbetween her fingers in one hand and blue eyes. She has golden blonde hair in waves just reaching her upper back. She has locks of hair over both of her shoulders. She has light blue eyeshadow and bright pink blush and lipstick, she also has a mole on her face just above her lips to the right. She is wearing a low crop blue blouse with short sleeves and a white lined flower pattern on it. She has pink nails and is wearing a necklace of a blue sea-shell with a golden chain and a bracelet with a golden chain and heart pendent. Her left arm is holding her hair while her right arm is crossed over her chest and resting on her other arm. She is wearing a pink pleated mini-skirt and blue heels with small straps around her ankles. In the upper left corner is her in-game sprite by 'ConcernedApe' and the artist's signature 'Rapha3liii' is in the lower right corner. /.End ID]

[Image 4 ID: A digital drawing with the three previously described characters all standing in a line. The order is Abigail to the left, Emily in the middle and Haley to the right. Each character has their in-game character sprite by 'ConcernedApe' on the upper left to them. The artist's signature 'Rapha3liii' is overlayed in three different places on the drawing. /. End ID]

This my first time ever writing image descriptions so please tell me how I did! I read some other blogs and advice prior to writing my own but I understand its likely I got some things wrong! Please let me know if I've formatted or written something in a way that makes the descriptions innacessible! Thankyou

[catgrassplantdad]

Let’s talk twink Mickey and s11 Ian

me as my pupils dilate, mouth goes dry, vision goes a little blurry, brain starts vibrating inside my skull: uh hey yeah sure we can talk about twink mickey and s11 ian

i'm just spitballing here but maybe we can like, talk about beefy s11 ian seeing twink mickey in a bar with his hair combed back and his cute undercut? and his pouty lips and delicate features and tight little body and his swagger? and just wanting to throw him around a little. do we maybe talk about how ian wants to see how his hands envelop mickey's smaller, tattooed hands, how they fit around his waist, how they cover the back of his head? how they wrap around his pale, gorgeous neck, maybe? if he's into it? he wants to see how easy it is to haul him up and hold him. he wants to see how good he takes it. despite everything he seems to be trying to exude, he's fucking pretty. and ian wants to see just how pretty he looks under him.

and we can maybe talk about how receptive mickey is when this tall, beautiful man approaches him, how his stomach flips when he realizes how far he has to tilt his head back to make eye contact when he stands close? how dorky he sounds when he flirts with him, but how confident and sexy he sounds when they get close and he leans in to whisper to him? how it makes his hair stand on end and gives him goosebumps when his voice drops? oh, he wants to fucking climb this dude. big arms, big eyes, big hands. beautiful smile. sweet demeanor. yeah, he's down. he'd be crazy not to be. so he gives as good as he gets, cocky and seductive and ian's fucking delighted. fucking thrilled.

wanna maybe talk about how they roll with this immediate attraction and chemistry, and ian takes mickey home and gets to throw him around just like he wanted? and mickey does look so pretty under him? and ian can fit his hands around him so easily? and mickey's lost in it, obsessed with how big this dude is, in all ways? how fulfilling it is? how perfectly they seem to fit together?

[limi-pie]

Like a butterfly part 3

A/N: HI GUYS!🤠 IT’S BEEN A WHILE. ANYWAYS, finally chapter three is here!

So sorry it took so long, I hope you still have a lot patience for this fanfiction🙏🏽

I’m starting to get some ideas for the plot and the chapters, but in all honesty I was also on a small vacation, and another thing is: I’ve been working my ass off. Right now, I’m just really in need of some money because I’m fucking tired of this broke ass bitch (me) and this dumb ass inflation making me bad, sad and MAD🤬

We’re not going to discuss or talk about the constant

mood swings I had while writing this bitch while on my period, OKAY?👹😪🗿🥵💀💔💫

Anyways‼️ as always thank you for bearing with me. And thank you for liking, commenting, and reblogging my shit🌺

I very much appreciate every single one of you💞

🦋< Previous part – Next part >

Pairing: Nakamoto Yuta x Female! Reader

Contains: Non-idol! AU, Tattoo artist! Yuta, Librarian! Reader, Bruises, Comedy, Drama, Friends to lovers, Flirting, Nudity, PDA, Photography, Romance, Teasing

Warnings: Abusive toxic relationship, alcohol, bad language, cigarettes, cursing, drinking, fighting, friendship, friends with benefits, lots of JEALOUSY‼️ mixed feelings, smoking, violence; Yuta punching a few fuckbois cause Y/N’s being sorta sexually harassed, also him beating a random dude up... it’s not that bad though :T, violence.

Wordcount: 10,4 K (rip💀)

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Disclaimer: The reader I’ve created in this fanfiction is a woman of East Asian descent and she has certain features and looks a certain way. The reason for this is that I wanted some more East Asian representation in Kpop fanfics! Some of these relationships between said persons are only meant to be considered fictional, in no way do I ship them in real life. They’re just there to add dynamic to the plot. (Also, because my multi fan ass just wants to have fun.) Please keep in mind that the way I’ve described the idols in this story is in no way real or representative of how they behave in real life, this is just based on my imagination.

Also in this fanfiction, some said persons are involved in an abusive, unhealthy and manipulative relationship. Please keep in mind that this is all fanmade and fiction. I don’t encourage this kind of terrible relationship and if you are in one, please seek help. Never put yourself second to anyone; remember that you’re loved. 💚

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“Want to dance with me?” Yuta said, holding his hand out to you. You looked up and smiled, “Yes, I would love to,” you took hold of his hand and walked back to your friends.

Everyone looked at you two dancing happily. You smiled brightly as Yuta spun you around, and you giggled. The DJ suddenly changed the music and played the song “You Make Me Feel…” by Cobra Starship ft. Sabi. You hummed to the song, looking at Yuta as he did the same, “la, na-na-na-na~” The two of you began dancing and laughing.

And finally, you had fun at this party.

Suddenly Chaeyoung and Somi walked over, joining you in dancing, “where are the others?” Yuta asked, “Jungkook and Johnny are outside smoking,” Somi explained. “The two of you seemed to have a lot of fun,” Chaeyoung giggled, “of course we are, I mean it’s been a while since we last attended a party,” you chuckled when Yuta was looking at you and smiling. (Chaeng’s outfit)

Somi elbowed Chaeyoung’s arm and giggled at the way Yuta was obviously admiring you. “What’s so funny, Chaeng?” You asked, tilting your head in curiosity, “oh nothing! It’s just… you and Osaka Prince look so good together,” she winked as Yuta smirked, “almost like a cute couple~” Somi added, giggling with her. You blushed at the idea of you and Yuta being a couple, you were nothing alike or similar. “Yo what’s up, guys?” Mark asked, resting his elbow on Yuta’s shoulder.

“Oh, nothing much, Marcus, just pointing out how much these two look like a couple,” Chaeyoung added playfully, “Chaeng, we’re not a couple…!” You protested stubbornly as everyone chuckled. “Omg, I just noticed! Mark, you got an eyebrow piercing now!” She patted Somi’s shoulder and giggled, “yeah, you look so cool now, Markie!” She added, “thank you, Yuta-Hyung did it for me,” he chuckled and smiled.

“Let’s go and get something to drink, I wanna dance some more!” Somi said, waving her arms up as Chaeyoung nodded. You looked at her as she smiled, “a Margarita or Pina Colada, right Unnie?” You nodded a slight smile on your face, “thanks Chaeng,” Mark spoke, “just grab a beer for me and Scotch Whiskey for Yuta-Hyung. Thanks, Chae, and Somi.”

“So did you and Yuta-Hyung recently start dating?” Mark asked as your mouth dropped slightly, “oh no, Mark. You got it all wrong, me and Yuta-san aren’t dating, Bryce’s my boyfriend…” You explained as Yuta put his hands into his pockets, his jaw clenching in slight jealousy, “so that means you’re still seeing Miyawaki, huh?” You looked at him as you heard her name.

Miyawaki…?

Yuta rubbed the back of his head, “I’m actually planning on,” he moved closer to you, “–breaking it off with her.” He locked eyes with you. “I’m done with fixing things that can’t be fixed.” Johnny and Jungkook walked towards you, “where are Chae and Somi?” Jungkook asked, rolling up his sleeve.

“–Here with your drinks!~” Somi smiled, holding three drinks in her arms, “ah thank you, Somi,” you smiled, taking your Pina Colada and drinking a little. “Do you guys wanna grab something to eat after this?” Chaeyoung asked, looking at us all. “That’d be awesome! What should we eat, Chae?” Somi asked, drinking her blueberry Soju, “hmm, I don’t know, maybe we can order some pizza or fried chicken?”

You had to use the restroom but there’s still a lot left from your delicious Pina Colada. You walked over to Yuta, “Yuta-san, can you please hold my drink? I’m going to use the bathroom,” you asked politely as he nodded and held your drink. “No worries, just take your time,” he gave you a reassuring smile as you went to the bathroom.

You finished using the bathroom stall as you washed your hands while checking yourself in the mirror. And finally, you fixed your hair a little and left.

You went to the dancefloor to look around, in the hopes of finding your friends but you couldn’t spot or see any of them.

Strange… They were here just a few minutes ago…

You walked around a bit before finally deciding to lean against the wall, crossing your arms and checking your phone when someone was approaching you.

“–Saw you earlier on the dancefloor, you were quite wild,” a random guy said, staring at you up and down inappropriately as you started to feel uncomfortable by his presence, “say why don’t we have fun at my place tonight?” You looked down and shook your head.

“No thanks. I have a boyfriend…” You managed to voice out clearly although your voice was full of uncertainty. “Boyfriend?” He looked over at his friends before scoffing. “You seem quite lonely and single to me, the name’s Seth,” he pinned his arm against the wall forcing you to look at him as he began to speak, “why don't we have some right now?” He chuckled, playing with your top as he slowly lowered its strap. “Stop it…” You said sheepishly as Seth chuckled when somebody poked him on the shoulder as he turned around.

“–What the fuck?!” He groaned when Yuta punched him in the face, he walked closer to you as Seth looked at him. “Yuta…” he wrapped an arm around you as he held you close, your head meeting his chest, “are you okay, Y/N?” You nodded as he glared at the group of guys around you. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” Seth rose and spat, “do you know them, Y/N?” You shook your head, and hugged his arm, “I don’t know them, Yuta,” you said, looking into Yuta’s warm eyes.

“I suggest you fuckers leave her alone.” Yuta demanded, “huh?” Seth scoffed as Yuta cleared his throat, “you were making her feel uncomfortable, so apologize to her now.” He repeated, “who do you think you are?” Seth scoffed, staring at him. “Me? I’m her fucking boyfriend, you bastard.” Yuta scoffed, patting your back as you looked at him, he gave you an understanding nod. “Your girlfriend’s dressed like a slut, I thought she came to this party to have sex with a bunch of guys,” Seth scoffed, staring at your chest as you pulled your pink top a little in an attempt to cover up, you looked down feeling ashamed of your body. (Y/N’s outfit but she’s short black miniskirt instead or you can choose your own outfit.)

Why did you dress out of your comfort zone? You feel so ashamed of your body…

You felt his hand move away from your back as Yuta walked over and punched them, you were taken back. “Yuta-san!” You yelled, “scumbags like you should watch the bullshit that’s coming out of your mouth,” he took hold of Seth’s shirt before punching him again, “my girlfriend can wear whatever the fuck she wants to, after all, I can fight,” Yuta scoffed as he walked over to you. “Are you okay–?” You asked when he hugged you close, “I’m okay, let’s get back to the others,” he reassured, wrapping an arm around you as you walked outside to the others.

“There you two are, what happened?” Chaeyoung asked, walking away from Jungkook’s back hug as she returned your Pina Colada. “Sorry, Chaeng, we ran into a bit of trouble…” You bowed shyly, taking hold of your drink. “Trouble…? What happened, Unnie?” She asked in concern, “a group of assholes were harassing Y/N and saying nasty things to her, so I stepped in and pretended to be her boyfriend. Until they finally left her alone,” Yuta explained, taking a sip of his Whiskey as you simply nodded.

“Wah, thank goodness handsome Osaka Prince saved you there, Y/N-Unnie!” Chaeyoung teased as Somi giggled, “yeah, thank you Yuta-san,” you added, smiling at him. “Alright, let’s go and get some food, I’m starving like crazy,” Mark chuckled, putting his arms behind his head, “oh my god, me too, Marcus,” Somi laughed, “good thing, Yuta was there. There can be some real assholes at this nightclub,” Johnny added, smoking and exhaling.

Yuta wrapped an arm around you, and whispered something into your ear, “ehh?” You said, looking into his eyes, your foreheads practically touching, “can I have a taste of your Pina Colada?” You nodded, before taking a small sip and handing it to him. He took a big gulp and licked his lips, “mhm, it’s really delicious,” he smirked as you felt a bit shy about his flirtatious behavior.

“Do you wanna try mine, Y/N?” He lifted his glass filled with the golden liquid, your eyes looked in a slight curiosity, “is it strong…?” You asked, holding the glass, “maybe a little, but I can water it down a little with a kiss~” Yuta whispered, lifting your chin and you could clearly tell he was a bit tipsy. “Stop teasing me, Yuta-san…” You pouted, feeling his thumb on your bottom lips. You took a big sip as you covered your mouth, “mmh…! It’s super strong…” You whined as he chuckled, “sorry, you’re so cute. You’ve never tried a Scotch Whiskey before?” You shook your head, “not really… I always drink Soju or Margarita…” You confessed as he leaned in.

His fingers were on your chin, the thumb gently caressing your bottom lips. “Should I water it down with my kiss now?~” Your eyes widened by his reply, “stop playing with me Yuta,” you said, entirely flustered by him.

Chaeyoung snickered, elbowing Jungkook at the sight of you two trying each others’ drinks. “Yuta-Hyung has really fallen hard for Unnie, heh,” he chuckled, “of course, I mean she’s pretty and the best!” She added, hugging his arm.

We left the nightclub and started walking around in Hongdae…

“Let’s just order Korean fried chicken or fast food,” Somi suggested, scrolling through her phone in the search for restaurants. “Yeah, what are you guys in the mood for?” Johnny asked, walking in front of the group, “I’m down for anything honestly,” Mark said, putting his arms behind his head as he looked at us.

You didn’t see Bryce for the rest of that night, but you felt that it was better this way. He was probably getting high or taking drugs anyways.

“Should we go for fried chicken? I’ve really been craving it,” you said, looking at everyone with a smile, “alright, Y/N-Unnie. Let’s do that,” Chaeyoung nodded and giggled. You walked towards the subway and headed downstairs.

“Should we eat at the restaurant or just at our apartment?” You asked, looking at them, “hmm, it’s up to you guys, I don’t care. What do you guys think?” Chaeyoung answered looking at the guys, “I guess since it’s quite late, let’s just get takeaway,” Mark suggested.

“Alright, boys you go order the fried chicken while we’ll get some drinks and snacks,” Somi ordered, locking arms with you, “deal,” Johnny gave a thumbs up.

You, Chaeyoung, and Somi walked inside the 7/11, looking for drinks and snacks for the rest of the night. “Should we buy more of the standard Soju or the fruit-flavored ones?” Somi asked, holding the basket, “hmm, Johnny and Yuta prefer the standard ones,” Chaeyoung responded as you placed two bags of Kkokkal Corn Snack and chocolate almond LOTTE Pepero sticks. “Oh my god, I missed drinking these,” you giggled, opening the refrigerator and picking 4 bottles of Mogu-Mogu, “wow~ Unnie you must really love the litchi-flavored ones,” Chaeyoung chuckled, placing 3 bottles of strawberry Ramune into the basket.

“Alright, I think we got everything we need,” Somi said, placing 2 bags of Nongshim Honey Twist Snack and a few bottles of banana milk into the basket, “maybe some orange juice for breakfast,” you added, getting your wallet out ready to pay. “Got it,” Chaeyoung said, placing the things onto the checkout counter belt.

The three of you went home, then Somi and you got two mattresses onto the floor in the living room. “Right, good thing your apartment’s so big that we can have sleepovers like this,” she chuckled as Chaeyoung had a cheeky smile. “You and Jungkook better not wake us up when everyone goes to sleep,” she scoffed sassily as you giggled a bit.

“–Yah Jeon Somi!” Chaeyoung yelled as the door opened and the guys were also there.

“Hope you’ve ordered the spicy, sweet, and sour version that I love,” Chaeyoung folded her arms, winking at Jungkook, “of course, we got both since we didn’t know which one you prefer,” he added and placed the plastic bag on the table. “What drinks did you buy?” Mark asked, looking through the plastic bags, “lots of Mogu-Mogu, Soju, banana milk, Ramune,” Somi replied, packing the snacks out.

You gathered on the floor in a circle around the food, “can you pass me the pickled radish, Chaeng?” You said, eating your crispy and crunchy piece of chicken wing, “of course, here Unnie,” Chaeyoung passed over the bowl, “wah, it’s so good, forgot how much I love fried chicken,” Somi hummed, “so good,”  Mark nodded. “It’s super delicious, good choice Y/N,” Yuta said, smiling at you. Johnny nodded, eating sweet and spicy chicken, “agreed, we should leave all the food decisions to your roomie, Chae,” he chuckled.

“Of course, not only is Unnie a big foodie - she’s also an excellent cook!” Chaeyoung added, “you guys make me so flustered,” you fanned yourself shyly, being complimented like this was a bit too much.

“Never knew that your roomie is such a cutie, ahaha,” Mark chuckled as you looked over at him. “Woah, woah. I guess Mark got a crush on Y/N-Unnie!” Somi cheered, drinking her blueberry Soju when Chaeyoung decided to speak up. “I already told you guys that Unnie’s–”

“–Back off Y/N, Mark, I saw her first,” Yuta sneered in jealousy as everyone looked at him, “I knew it - so you two are dating!” Mark said tipsy, “we aren’t!” You protested, you didn’t want to mention his name tonight so that’s all you said. You rested your clenched hand under the table, visibly frustrated that Bryce wasn’t even here beside you tonight. He noticed you were upset, he moved closer and placed his hand on top of yours when you looked up slightly.

Yuta gave you a comforting look as you nodded slightly, you let him hold your hand as it reassured and warmed you. Thank you, Yuta… You smiled with your eyes as he smiled.

“Now that we finished eating should we play karaoke or truth or dare?” Johnny suggested, “how about like karaoke and then only play K-pop songs?” Somi added.

Suddenly Yuta’s phone rang as he let go of your hand to answer. “Hey, Nakamoto-kun, do you wanna meet up tonight?” You heard what seemed to be a Japanese-speaking woman’s voice from his phone, “–I wanna make it up to you this time…” She told him on the phone as he sighed, getting up. “–Listen, I thought we already made things clear between us,” he went outside just to speak with her.

That must be Miwayaki-san…

“Woah, who’s that Osaka-Prince’s chatting with?” Somi elbowed Chaeyoung, “it’s Miwayaki Sakura, his former fwb,” she whispered to her as you felt your heart ache. “Yeah, I don’t know what has been going between them,” Johnny added as Mark noticed your rather depressing energy, “yo guys, let’s talk about something else.”

“–Right!” Chaeyoung clapped, “Unnie, which song should we play?” she smiled, looking at you. “I don’t know,” you said in a monotone voice and got up. “I’ll just need to use the bathroom,” you excused yourself.

You wish that the girl’s name didn’t bother you as much as it sadly did.

“I think Y/N’s bothered by Miyawaki,” Mark mumbled, drinking his Soju, “yeah, let’s not mention it, she also fought with Bryce earlier,” Somi added, eating her honey twist chips.

You tried dialing Bryce’s number but he didn’t answer at all. “The person you’re trying to reach - is unavailable–” You sighed in frustration, looking at yourself in the mirror as small tears started to fall on your cheeks.

Mark looked at which song he should choose for karaoke. “Omg, Mark you should totally do “Rap God” by Eminem!” Somi laughed loudly and pointed at him, “yah, Somi, you’re too loud! I don’t want my neighbors to complain about me!” Chaeyoung elbowed her, “the only ones who are loud are you and Jungkook in your bed–” before Somi spoke another word, she got smacked by a pillow.

“Oh my god, you two sure are drunk and feisty,” Johnny chuckled and Jungkook finished his original Soju. “Hey, Babe shuffle the playlist for Mark-ah,” Chaeyoung snickered, “oh God, it’s “Tell Me” by Wonder Girls…” Mark let out a small laugh, “good luck, Mark,” Somi giggled, drinking her blueberry Soju as Chaeyoung handed him a hairbrush. “Go perform, Minhyung.”

You got out of the bathroom after fixing yourself. It seemed like everyone was super drunk or sober. You sat on the mattress by the couch before texting Bryce.

Bryce (my boyfriend)

You: “Sorry, for earlier…”

You: “Can we talk in the morning?”

“Ah, is that “Tell Me” by Wonder Girls?” You said and stood up eagerly, “it’s my favorite song! You said, dancing as Somi applauded. “Go Unnie! Go Unnie!” Chaeyoung cheered as Johnny started filming you and Mark performing.

“Tell me, tell me, tell tell tell tell tell tell me~” you and Mark sang while smiling, “omg here comes the dance break!” You exclaimed eagerly and began dancing while Chaeyoung and Somi clapped repeatedly. “Omg, Unnie’s so good at dancing!” Jungkook chuckled while filming as Johnny laughed, taking pictures of you with Chaeng’s Polaroid camera. “Omg here comes the rapping, are you ready Mark-ah!” Chaeyoung exclaimed, holding Jungkook’s hand. Mark rapped, “Hit me one-time baby dashi hanbeon, okay banggeumhan geon aljiman tto hanbeon!” he finished rapping flawlessly as Johnny laughed, “holy shit dude, you killed it!”

“Next song, Chaeng!” Somi pointed at the TV screen, “coming up, shuffle… Let’s go!” She said as the song started playing. “MIROTIC” by TVXQ was the next song when the three guys stood up in seriousness, “jogeum dacheodo neon gwaenchana Oh~” Johnny sang as Jungkook held the hairbrush. “Neon nareul weonhae, neon naege ppajeo, neon naege micheo, heeonal su eopseo~” they all sang, “I got youuu under my skin,” Jungkook harmonized. “You guys are so amazing!” You exclaimed, filming them as they continued singing.

“Okay, I dare you, girls, to do a song together!” Mark chuckled, shuffling Chaeyoung’s playlist. “Miniskirt” by AOA started playing as Somi hit Chaeng softly, cackling like crazy, “oh my God, no way,” you said, covering your mouth, “come on, ladies. You can’t back down now,” Mark teased as Johnny nodded, handing you the hairbrush.

You sighed, getting ready to perform. “Hey hey hey AOA, hey hey hey! Brave Sound. Drop it!” Chaeng sang, performing just like Shin Jimin, “nal baraboneun siseoni~ neoneun yejeon gatjiga anheun geol~” Somi laid down on the floor like Shin Hyejeong. “Woo! Go, Jeon Somi!” Mark cheered as Jungkook, crossed his arms trying not to die of laughter. Johnny chuckled, filming this to his Instagram story. “Jjarbeun chimareul ipgo~ naega gireul georeumyeon modu nareul chyeodabwa,” Somi sang as you soon joined, covering Park Choah’s part when Yuta opened the door to see you lift your black skirt as the guys whistled, “jjarbeun chimareul ipgo~ geunde wae hapil neoman nal mollajuneunde.” You sang, wiggling your ass with Chaeng and Somi when he watched you closely.

“–I see that I missed quite a lot while I was gone, huh?” Yuta scoffed, looking at Johnny as he nodded. You continued, performing and trying not to look in his direction. “Didn’t know Y/N could pull off sexy concepts like this one, she’s full of surprises,” he said, smirking.

“この女…” (This woman…) “nan jeomjeom jichyeoga,” Chaeng sang, grabbing the chair as Somi did the same, “nal baraboneun geu nunbitmajeodo,” she said. “Wae geuri chagaunji moreugesseo,” you sighed, clearly feeling the song’s lyrics. “Ije byeonhal geoya oh oh!” You sang, performing with the ladies around the chairs you’ve gathered.

Yuta smirked, watching you have fun and clearly distracting yourself from your previously hurt feelings. “Let me perform the next song with Y/N,” he said as everyone was stunned to speak, “fine,” you crossed your arms as he poked his cheek with his tongue, standing there with his hands in his pockets. “Now” by Trouble Maker started playing, that iconic melody made you recognize the choreography immediately. “Omg, Chaeng, they’re going to perform “Now!” Somi wheezed, finally finishing her blueberry Soju, “I think it was Yuta-Hyung’s idea from the start,” Jungkook whispered to Chaeng as she smirked, “Yah, Unnie! Don’t lose to Osaka-Prince!”

“I won’t, just give me a second, Chaeng,” You said, walking inside your bedroom to remove your black mesh shirt, “are you ready?” You asked, folding your arms as you were left in your skirt, black stockings, and that hot pink top. “I was born ready, Y/N-Princess,” Yuta chuckled, smiling as he held his hand out to you. “Ooh ooh ooh ooh tell me now now now,” he sang, standing close to you, “ooh ooh ooh ooh tell me now now now,” you said, looking into his eyes. They were filled with sadness, you began singing and performing Hyuna’s part. Everyone was amused and focused on you two performing so professionally. “You’re still recording this,” Mark whispered to Johnny as he nodded, watching you.

“Uri gachi inneun i mirosoge” Yuta sang to you, “gidael su inneungeon neoppuniya” you sang expressively, stroking his shoulder and forearm as you touched his hand. “Nungama naege angyeo,” you both sang, looking at each other deeply. “Naeireun tto eobseunikka,” you both sang full of emotions as you danced elegantly, he held your hand and spun you.

Yuta spun you back into his arms, making you look into his eyes as you suddenly felt your heartbeat race. The two of you danced elegantly during the dance break of the song. “Woo! You two were incredible!” Chaeyoung yelled, finishing Jungkook’s original flavored Soju.

“FANTASTIC BABY” by BIGBANG, started playing as Jungkook stood up, “woo this is a banger!” he grabbed the hairbrush from Mark and began to sing along. “Nananana nananana, wow fantastic baby!” Mark and Johnny hyped him up as you clapped while laughing. “Dance I wanna dan dan dan dan,” Chaeyoung sang along, dancing with him, “dance wow fantastic, Chaeng,” Jungkook chuckled as she danced wildly.

Yuta sat down next to you as you pressed your lips together, “what’s wrong?” you hugged your knees, “nothing…” you mumbled, trying not to think of the way Bryce ignored you. “It’s that asshole - isn’t it?” He glared as you looked away, “I’m so pathetic…” You sighed, looking down as he took hold of your hand, “you’re not. He’s the one losing such a gorgeous woman,” he said before kissing your hand as you blushed red.

“Boom shakalaka, boom shakalaka, boom shakalaka!” Somi clapped her hands before filming them while laughing, “you guys are so crazy, ahaha!”

After an hour or two everyone fell asleep, Johnny was completely wasted on the couch while Somi and Mark were next to each other on the mattress. “Good night, sleepyheads,” you giggled, covering them with a blanket and a pillow underneath their heads.

“Mhm, night’ Unnie,” Chaeng yawned, walking into her room with Jungkook, “night you two,” you whispered, walking to the bathroom to brush your teeth. You checked your phone one last to see that Bryce didn’t even read your texts. You sighed, starting your night skincare routine. You finished and headed out when the door to the apartment opened.

“Ah, Yuta-san, you went outside?” You asked, standing in front of him as he took his shoes off, “yeah, I was just outside smoking,” Yuta explained as he looked at you.

“Were you worried about me?” He added, scratching the back of his head. “A little, I was wondering why you weren’t sleeping with them,” you hummed as he looked at your face in the dim moonlight’s glow.

“Everyone’s still sleeping…”

“But you’re awake.” Yuta reached his hand and stroked the back of your hair gently. The gesture made you feel soft as you looked at him with a small smile.

“I had to use the bathroom and then I heard someone by the door,” you replied, rubbing your arm as Yuta nodded. The awkward silence between you was heavy. But somehow you couldn’t stop looking at each other.

“–We should probably sleep too, it’s almost 4 AM,” he rolled his neck back and walked to the living room. It was dark but Somi and Mark were sleeping next to each other on the big pull-out mattress. It was as if they were almost cuddling. Johnny slept on the couch, his feet hanging by the end of it.

“Damn, these two crashed the big mattress,” Yuta whispered and chuckled, “guess I’ll sleep on the floor,” he sighed, grabbing the blanket and sitting on the cold wooden floor. “If you want to, you can sleep in my room. I have a couch too,” you suggested as he took your offer.

“You sure that you don’t mind me sleeping in your room?” Yuta asked, sitting on your couch, “it’s fine, I don’t mind. Besides the floor’s too cold to sleep on,” you insisted and handed him a warm blanket and a pillow. “Thank you,” he said, lying down and pulling the blanket. “Goodnight, Yuta,” you said, turning off your lamp, “sweet dreams, Y/N,” he whispered and closed his eyes.

Never would’ve thought that I would be sleeping in Miyoshi Y/N’s bedroom, huh…

The next morning… “Yah Suh, you’re leaving so early? I haven’t even made breakfast yet,” Chaeyoung mumbled, crossing her arms, “sorry Chae, I gotta open the studio at noon,” Johnny chuckled, rubbing the back of his blonde hair. “Besides that, I also need to go home and change into an outfit that doesn’t reek of cigarettes and alcohol,” he chuckled.

“You guys can drop by at lunchtime if you wanna bother us,” he waved and left, “see ya, later,” Jungkook chuckled and waved. “Where is Yuta-Hyung? Did he go home already?” Mark asked, rubbing his morning hair, “yeah, I didn’t see him sleep here with us,” Somi added, putting her hair in a messy bun.

“Yuta’s sleeping in Noona’s room,” Jungkook smiled before sipping his banana milk, “–what? No way you’re lying,” Chaeyoung exclaimed as Somi giggled, “–I guess it’s a possibility, heh,” Mark rubbed his chin and chuckled.

You were still sleeping, you were pretty exhausted from yesterday’s partying and dancing. Yuta was already awake, he woke a while ago but he didn’t want to disturb your sleep. “Such a pretty woman,” he mumbled, caressing your cheek as he moved the strands of hair away from your eyelids. The mixed feelings from yesterday between your lovers somehow brought you two closer.

Sleeping beauty… Yuta thought, admiring your face in the dim sunlight. He leaned in and whispered into your ear, “hurry up and break up with that asshole, I’m getting impatient.”

You slowly opened your eyes as you saw Yuta’s face, you pursed your lips, “mmh, Yuta-san?” you murmured still half asleep, “おはよう, Y/N-姫,” (good morning, Y/N-Princess,) he chuckled, gently caressing your cheek.

“おはよう…” (Morning…) You responded awkwardly, he was really close and you tried desperately not to look into those dangerous eyes.

“Did you sleep well?” Yuta asked, pinching your cheek and letting go, “mhm, I slept okay, what about you?” You nodded, looking at him. “I slept wonderfully in your bedroom,” he smirked when the door opened as Chaeng peeked her head in, “ah mornin’ lovebirds~ breakfast is ready~” she snickered, “what’s so funny, Chaeng?” you got out of bed as he helped you, “oh nothing~ must be nice to sleep in her bed, huh Osaka-Prince?” She bit her lips as he chuckled, “–that’s not what happened, Chaeng!” You blushed red at the thought of it.

Your phone rang as you answered,  “もし-もし,” (hello,) you put on your watch, “ah, could you watch Ayaka while I’m out doing some urgent errands?” She asked as you were about to head out for work, “sure thing aunt Asami, what time do you pick her up?”

“Maybe late in the evening, I’ve so much to take care of,” she added as you nodded, “that’s okay, you can drop her off at the library at 1:30 PM. Ayaka-chan can have fun reading books in the children’s reading room or playing in the kids’ space downstairs,” you added, putting on your high heels as you headed out.

You sat down and placed your books and notebook on the table. You started to memorize a few kanjis, aunt Asami would always test you whenever she was visiting. She would always praise you for working so hard and you didn’t want to disappoint her.

“Yo Y/N,” Yuta cooed, leaning against the bookshelf as he stood across from you, “Yuta-san, what are you doing here?” You asked, adjusting your glasses and looking at him.

“Paying you a little visit, Princess,” he chuckled, walking over to pinch your cheek, “well, I’m too busy for your little visit,” you replied, looking at the kanji. “Ah, I see. You’re learning kanji, huh?” He looked at the piece of paper as you nodded. “I thought re-learning Japanese was hard but memorizing kanjis is even worse!” You groaned, resting your head on the table. “Then get a Japanese boyfriend, that’ll make it easier,” Yuta smirked, patting your head as you pouted, “not funny, besides I already have a boyfriend,” you protested.

“So where do you want to eat lunch, Aya-chan?” You asked, looking at Ayaka’s drawing, “I don’t know, maybe something Japanese,” she mumbled, coloring her turtle. “Okay, what about some udon noodles?” You asked eagerly as she nodded, “yay! I would love that, Onee-san,” she hugged your arm and giggled.

“Onee-san, is Nakamoto-kun your boyfriend?” Ayaka asked as you waved your hands rapidly, “no, no, Aya-chan. Yuta and I are just friends,” you smiled, “Bryce’s my boyfriend, remember?” You looked at her as she shook her head, crossing her arms as Yuta chuckled, “do you want me to be Onee-chan’s boyfriend?” He teased, poking his cheek cutely.

Ayaka nodded immediately, “mmh! Nakamoto-kun’s much more fun and handsome than Bryce!” She confessed as you dropped your jaw. Yuta hugged her and chuckled, “I guess this little Miss knows the truth, I like her.” You crossed your arms, you knew these two together could be up to nothing good.

“–Onii-san, do you want to eat lunch with us?” Ayaka asked all of a sudden.

You were rather surprised to hear her ask such a question. Since Ayaka’s usually not fond of new people but she has somehow taken a liking to Yuta.

“Aya-chan… I think Nakamoto-san’s busy–”

“–時間があります.” (–I have time.) Yuta replied, putting his hand up as Aya smiled happily.

“Besides I would love to eat lunch with you,” Yuta had a sly smile while looking at you. “Yay! Onii-san is going to eat lunch with us!” She chanted happily and jumped eagerly. “I’ll pay for the lunch - so what do you want to eat?” He asked, holding her hand as she smiled brightly, “I want to eat Sukiyaki, Onii-san!” She exclaimed as you sighed. “Ms. Irene I’m off,” you said as Irene smiled and waved, “what a strange couple, heh-heh.” She giggled seeing the three of you off.

You walked inside the restaurant “NEGI” in Gangnam-gu. “A table for three please,” Yuta walked up to the counter, “ah yes sir, please follow me,” the waiter said.

“So Onii-san, how long have you stayed here in Korea?” Ayaka asked in curiosity, looking at him. “Mhm, I’ve stayed here quite a while now. I believe for almost 6 years I’ve stayed here,” Yuta nodded and smiled, “wow, that’s so long, Onii-san! Do you ever miss Japan?” She asked, waiting for his reply.

Yuta stirred the thinly sliced well-marbled beef as it began sizzling. “Of course I do, I get homesick quite often, I miss my mother’s cooking. But thanks to Miyoshi-san, I don’t feel so lonely anymore,” he confessed with a soft smile as you looked away for a split second. The pot was boiling as he served her a bowl with the udon noodles.

“Onii-san, do you like Onee-san?” Ayaka looked at him deeply as she chewed on a piece of maitake mushroom. “Yes. I like her a lot,” Yuta conveyed, glancing at you with a small scoff as he ate a piece of beef. You could feel your cheeks burn up by how flustered you were. “Aw, sorry Onii-san! Onee-san already has a boyfriend~” she teased, slurping on the udon noodles. “I know. It’s such a shame, Onee-san’s a very pretty woman,” he rested his cheek in his palm, winking at you. “You’re such a naughty girl, Aya-chan,” you chewed on the tasty shiraki noodles, looking at her. “Hehe!~” Ayaka giggled, sipping the soup base. “Ayaka-san just enjoys teasing Y/N-Onee~” Yuta chuckled, drinking his Ramune. “Here, since you love them so much,” you added extra enoki and shiitake mushrooms to her bowl.

“きのこが好きですね?” (You like mushrooms, don’t you?)

“はい! そうですおにさん!” (Yes! That’s right Onii-san!)

You smiled at them, eating some shiitake mushrooms and a piece of broiled tofu, “how long are you staying in Korea, Aya-chan?” Yuta chewed on the meat as she looked at him, “me and Mommy are staying here for 2 weeks, hehe,” Aya smiled sweetly as she ate some chrysanthemum greens, “wah… You’re not staying here for too long that’s too bad,” he pouted, finishing his Ramune. “I know! I really wanted to stay longer but I have school…” She sulked, slurping the broth as she finished eating. “Maybe next time, you can stay longer… and spend more time with me and Yuta-san,” you smiled, eating a piece of burdock root.

“ごちそうさまでした、 おにさん!” Aya smiled and bowed, “hehe, you’re welcome,” Yuta chuckled as she held his hand, “yeah, thank you. It was very delicious,” you nodded and bowed softly.

“The three of you walked, hands held together as you walked to the bus stop, “oh my God, what a young couple…” a woman whispered to her boyfriend passing by us. “I guess everyone is different,” he chuckled as Yuta scoffed a bit, thinking about the fact that you were the boyfriend and father of Y/N’s child. “What’s so funny?” You raised an eyebrow as he chuckled, “oh it’s nothing…” You and Aya sat down on the bench, waiting for the bus.

“People think Onee-san and Onii-san are my parents, hehe!” Aya pointed out, kicking her feet. You blushed red, “Aya-chan that’s not funny!” you said, feeling so flustered as Yuta chuckled. “Ah, there’s our bus, Onee-san!” she said, hugging your arm.

“おにさん、 またね,”(Onii-san, see you,) she said hugging him as he smiled, “気をつけて、アヤちゃん.” (Take care, Aya-chan.) You smiled proudly, “take care, Yuta-san, okay?” You said, walking inside the bus as she waved.

“Where are you going?” Chaeyoung mumbled, stretching out, “I want to get healthier, so I’m heading to the fitness center,” you said enthusiastically as she smiled, “okay, have fun, Unnie,” she waved, snuggling in her bed as you left.

You went inside the women’s changing room, “it’s really clean in here, I’m rather surprised,” you mumbled to yourself as you headed out. You scanned the area, stationary bicycles, dumbbell sets, treadmills, powerlifting equipment, bench presses, lat pulldown machines, and many more.

You felt a bit anxious, wearing some loose jogging pants, an open hoodie, and a sports bra. But everyone was rather focused on themselves to even look at you, everyone was working hard to reach their goals and it filled you with motivation.

Which one should you try? Or you could go and look for an instructor.

You felt a hand on your shoulder as you turned around, “–Y/N, good to see you here,” Johnny chuckled, “ah hi, Johnny are you also working out here?” He nodded, “yeah, I’m here with Yuta, we arrived here 30 minutes ago.”

So he’s here too, huh…

“Good morning, Yuta-san,” you greeted him as he was lifting a dumbbell. When Yuta heard your voice he looked up to meet your eyes, “what a lovely surprise to see you here, Y/N-san,” he smiled, looking at you.

“Wasn’t expecting to see the two of you here, it’s my first day,” you said, tying your hair into a ponytail. “Oh, so you want to start working out, or are you here for the yoga classes?” Johnny asked, “here to stay fit and healthier!” You smiled as Yuta nodded, “I can show you around if you’d like,” you nodded, “thank you, I’d love that.”

“I wanna see how the treadmills work,” you said as Yuta nodded, following you. “Step on it, here you adjust the speed,” he pointed, adjusting the speed as you began to walk at a slow pace. “Do you want to go faster?” You nodded, “yes, please. I want to run!” He chuckled and increased the speed as you began to run fast, “woah! This feels great!” You smiled brightly as Yuta smiled.

“These are dumbbells, some of them are heavy while some of them weigh less,” Yuta explained, lifting one as he was flexing his arm. “You’re so strong, Yuta,” you said, watching him as he chuckled, “I’ve been training for a while now, heh. Although I've been wondering Chae already has a fitness membership, how come you haven’t joined her earlier?” He asked, looking at you.

It’s true, you’ve always listened to Bryce’s words. One sad memory you recalled was him telling you not to get a fitness membership because he feared that guys might harass you while working out. Especially if you wore leggings and a sports bra, you didn’t mention this to Chaeng.

“I wasn’t quite sure of myself, but thinking again. I finally want to do the things I want to do. So here I am,” you confessed, hands on your hips as you had your head up high. “That’s my girl,” Yuta chuckled proudly, patting you on the shoulder in support. “Welcome to fitness, Y/N,” Johnny smiled, wrapping an arm around you as you smiled, “thank you two.”

Not listening to Bryce was so unlike you, in a way you felt free and so relieved. Finally doing things on your own… You were delighted with that decision to follow your heart.

The three of you were jump roping for 10 minutes, you were sweating but it felt good. You felt energized and so fresh. “Woah! This is amazing, I feel so good!” You said, smiling as Johnny smiled, “you’re doing incredible, keep up the good work, Y/N,” he added.

About 45 minutes had passed as you were done for today’s workout. “Thanks a lot for today, Johnny and Yuta-san,” you smiled, loosing your ponytail as you let your straight light brown hair down. “No problem, Y/N,” Yuta smiled and reached for your shoulder, “well done, I’ll see you next time?” You nodded, “if you want to, you can have my number and text me anytime you want to work out. We can do it together.” He said, looking at you as Johnny chuckled, “really, won’t I bother you?” You asked, holding your phone as he grabbed it, “not at all, now we can be gym buddies,” he smiled. “Yeah, you can also have my number in case Yuta bothers you too much,” Johnny chuckled and added his number to your phone.

You smiled and nodded, “thank you two, so what are your plans for now?” You all slowly walked towards the changing room, “we’ll grab some breakfast and get back to the studio, what about you?” Yuta drank from his water bottle, “yeah, I’m heading to work too,” you smiled, patting your hair down.

“If you want, you can stop by the studio later for lunch. We plan on ordering some boba,” Yuta said, wiping the sweat off his hair as you nodded, “I would love to, I’m off work at 2:00 PM, I’ll text you once I’m there,” you smiled.

You went inside the women’s changing room and began to shower, that morning workout energized you for work. You exited the subway station and walked inside the library, “hello Ms. Irene,” you waved as she adjusted her glasses, “hi Ms. Miyoshi, you seem a lot fresher today,” she smiled, writing down new arrivals of books. “Oh well, I just started working out in the morning. It really does something to you,” you explained.

“So what do you want me to start on, Ms. Irene?” You adjusted your glasses as Irene held a notebook, “I need you to do some computer work, so bookings, meetings, events, author signing, and orders.” She told you, with a small smile, “I’ll go around and clean the shelves and adjust books.” You began using the computer in the office, planning events and reservations for newly arrived books. You were multitasking and doing your work faster than usual.

“Ah Ms. Irene, I’m done,” you bowed as she came down from the ladder, “ah already? That was quick,” she folded her arms. “This is what happens when you work out,” you giggled, “alright, alright you can go on lunch break, Ms. Miyoshi,” she nodded.

“Ah, Ms. Irene, do you want me to get something for you?” Irene hummed, “if you can get me a cappuccino from 7-11, I would appreciate that,” you nodded, “okay, will do. See you later, Ms. Irene.” You waved and left to get her drink, you got yourself an iced caramel latte.

“Ah where’s Yuta-san?” You asked, looking around the room, “ah he’s inside the private room, you can just go inside,” Johnny smiled as Ten looked over at him, “dude.”

You shrugged your shoulders and walked inside, “ah Yuta-san, are you in here–?” You mumbled, walking inside as he was in the middle of a tattoo session on a gorgeous blonde hair woman, she was only wearing a bra and a pair of skinny jeans. Yuta was finishing the final details of the tattoo on her hip bone.

“–Ah Y/N, how long have you been standing there?” He asked, turning around as the woman sat up, “omg Oppa, that looks so great, I love it!” She hugged him closely when she got eye contact with you. “Who’s that girl, Oppa?” She asked, wrapping her arms around his neck in a flirty manner.

“–I’m so sorry for bothering you!” You worded manically and bowed your head, heading out in sheer embarrassment.

How embarrassing to be walking in on Yuta and his lover… You sighed, leaning your head against the door. “–Did you enjoy the nice surprise?” Johnny teased you, “not funny, Johnny!” You pouted and crossed your arms, “next time please warn me if Yuta-san’s lover is here…” You mumbled, staring at the ground flusteredly.

“Yuta’s lover? That is just one of his beloved customers,” Ten explained, “beloved customers…?” You repeated, “yeah, Yuta’s quite popular with our female clients and he tends to do a lot of private sessions with them since most of them prefer him over us.” Johnny explained briefly.

“Private sessions…? Do you mean that Yuta and the clients–” Your mind went crazy and wild with those exaggerated what-ifs scenarios.

“–Private sessions are just tattoos done on either private body parts or just when our client doesn’t want to be seen by someone while being tattooed,” Yuta replied, standing behind you. “Where’s your special client then?” You asked, looking at him.

“Right here~” The lady said, wrapping an arm around Yuta as she practically pressed her breasts against his arm. “Yuta-Oppa, who’s this girlie?” Her accent sounded different like she was from the USA. She looked at you up and down, her arms and thighs were filled with several tattoos. “Mindy, this is Y/N,” he smiled, “Y/N, Mindy,” looking at you obviously being slightly jealous by her presence. “I’ll just clean the room, Ten please file her payment,” Yuta said, closing the door as she stood in front of you.

“Y/N?” Mindy cooed, walking up and staring at you intensely. “Yes…?” You mumbled, rubbing your arm, “are you a foreigner too?” She asked eagerly. “Ah, no. I was born and raised here in Korea,” you answered.

“Ahh, I see~ you’re so pretty! I, myself am from Las Vegas in the USA!~” Mindy giggled, “anyways, ready to pay Ms. Mindy?” Ten sighed, waiting at the cashier. “Right, right, I’m sooorry~ Ten Lee~” She walked over to swipe her credit card, “yah, don’t I get any discount today Mr. Lee?” She scoffed, tapping her long pedicure nails on the counter. “No, not this time, Missy,” Johnny added, scoffing sassily.

“Bye-bye guys~” Mindy waved as she left the studio. “Finally she’s gone, that girl’s voice drives me crazy,” Ten shook his head, “Yuta-Oppa~” Johnny laughed while imitating her nasal sassy voice. “Isn’t Mindy your beloved customer?” You asked, sitting on the couch, “she’s mostly here because of Yuta, she knows places that have lower prices for tattoos. But insists on going here each time in hopes to see him.” Ten chuckled.

Yuta has many admirers… He’s probably a player. You crossed your arms in tiny frustration. “So should we get some boba?” Yuta peeked his head at the door, “all done cleaning the mess in the room?” Johnny asked as he nodded, rolling his neck, “that darn girl made me work in such an uncomfortable position,” he hissed, rubbing the back of his neck.

“You should get a massage,” Ten nodded, “maybe Y/N call help with that,” Johnny chuckled and winked, “what?” You said cluelessly, “I would love that,” Yuta smiled, sitting on the couch with both his arms on the side.

“Great, we’ll get boba tea and you two watch the studio,” Ten waved, “wait a second…” you mumbled, “you want a Matcha milk tea with strawberry nata de coco, and for Y/N…” Johnny hummed, “I’ll take a Jasmine milk tea with tapioca pearls and no ice, thanks.” You smiled, checking your phone.

“The cultural event is in a few days…” You mumbled as you saw Yuta doing some weird exercises against the wall. “Oi, what are you doing?” You asked, staring at him, “my back really hurts from earlier…” he replied, rubbing his neck.

“Then… let me massage you.” You suggested as he smiled, “thank you,” Yuta smiled as he lay flat on the couch. “Yah, how am I going to massage you when you’re lying like that?” You poked his back, “you can just sit on top of me,” he smirked and chuckled.

“ちがいます!” (That’s not right!) You crossed your arms, “then what do you think we should do?” You sat on the couch as Yuta sat down on the floor in front of you. “The floor’s too cold…” He pouted as you pushed a pillow to his lap, “here, sit on it.” He sat on it and rolled his neck.

“Ready…?” You mumbled, “I’m ready,” Yuta nodded, closing his eyes as you began to massage his shoulders as he hummed. “Do you want me to be rougher?” You asked, nudging your thumbs in circles on his shoulder blades. “Mhm~ wah… that feels wonderful,” he hummed as you rubbed your elbow in circles on them.

“This is what you get for messing with my girlfriend, you punk,” Hisashi scoffed, punching Yuta in the stomach as he coughed. “Then learn to fucking take care of her, asshole,” he spat before punching him in the face.

You were sleeping on the couch when all of a sudden your phone was buzzing. “Mmh… Hello, who’s this…?” You asked, answering it as you heard a familiar voice, “Y/N… Please help me–” Yuta panted into the phone as someone was beating him up, your eyes widened as you checked the location and ran.

Yuta… You idiot… Just what are you doing…!?

“Stop it! Please stop it!” You begged, pulling the guy away from Yuta as he was on the ground, bruises all over his face. “–Who are you?” He asked, scoffing and staring at you, “–that’s not important, why are you hurting Yuta-san!?” You yelled as he clenched his fist about to hit you when Yuta pulled him by the ankle, “stop it, Hisashi… She has nothing to do with this,” he coughed, “don't hurt her…” you flinched at the sight of his hurt body on the ground.

“–Learn to not fuck around with someone else’s girlfriend, punk-ass,” Hisashi scoffed before walking away when he stood in front of you, “–and you. Don’t get involved with this guy if you don’t want to end up like him, girlie.” He warned you as you stood there speechless.

“Yuta…” You whimpered, tears slowly falling from your eyes, “I’m sorry for… dragging you into this…” You shook your head, taking hold of his hand, “don’t say that…! Just please be okay, you idiot!” You voiced as he sat up, you looked into his eyes before hugging him close.

“You idiot… Why did you put yourself in danger like that!?” You demanded as Yuta chuckled, “I’m sorry, but thank you… for saving me,” he spoke, patting your hair.

You two sat on the floor in front of the couch. “Oww, oww,” Yuta grunted. You treated his wounds on the face and hands, “this is your fault for being a bad boy!” You scolded him, putting bandages on the knuckles. “Mhm, but you like bad boys,” he added cockingly, “I like smart bad boys, not stupid ones.” You scoffed sassily, crossing your arms when he took off his shirt.

“I can be like that too,” Yuta smirked, flexing his abs as you pursed your lips slowly reaching out for them when he took you by the wrist. “Mmh…” You blushed red, feeling the touch of his strong abs, your eyes wandered over to his butterfly tattoo, “that asshole punched me here too,” he scoffed, standing as you looked at him deeply. “Let’s treat it then,” you said, patting the bruises on his abdomen as he hissed. Looking at you from his point of view gave him the absolute wrong thoughts, and he threw his head back.

You placed an ice pack on his abdomen as you looked up, fluttering your eyes, “does this feel better?” Yuta licked his lips before cupping your cheek and scoffing heavily, “much better, Princess,” he smirked as you got up.

“What’s with that smirk?” You folded your arms, sitting on the couch, “nothing I just didn’t know you were so good,” you looked at him, “–good at treating wounds.” He chuckled. “Well, I’m used to it, Bryce always gets into stupid fights…” You said as he glanced at your pink lips, “do you want something to drink?” he nodded, “can I have some hot green tea?”

“Thank you for saving me earlier…” Yuta bowed, drinking his tea, “why did he beat you up?” You asked, hugging your knees, “it’s a long story, I uh… his girlfriend and I used to sleep together.” He rubbed the back of his neck as your heart sank, “we didn’t fuck but we had something,” he explained as you held onto your knees in frustration. “But I ended it. We were not meant to be together. We used each other and didn’t respect each other’s lives. And we hurt ourselves,” Yuta confessed, sighing heavily.

“That girl he was referring to is Miyawaki Sakura, right?” You said, feeling hurt and jealous as he held your hand, “that’s true but I ended it all with her a few days ago, I don’t care about her most slightly anymore,” he looked into your eyes.

You don’t want to believe those lies even if Yuta was being honest…

“Please believe me,” Yuta begged, you closed your eyes, “I don’t, I don’t know why… my heart hurts so much when I heard her name…” you confessed, tears falling from your eyes, “even though I’m with Bryce… it hurts… to see you in so many bruises and pain because of her,” you cried as he pulled you into his chest, “I’m so sorry, I’m really an asshole.”

Does seeing my bruises bring you so much pain…? Those pretty eyes filled with tears because of the fucked up things I do… Y/N, you’re really a woman who needs attention. I feel bad…

You blushed red, pulling back as he looked into your eyes deeply.

Looking at this man, Nakamoto Yuta… He reminds you of Bryce but the complete opposite of him… Yuta protected you from guys that would harass you and even comforted you when everyone else was drunk…

You fluttered your eyes as he wiped the tears away before kissing your forehead. “But thank you, Y/N.” You blushed red, looking down before thinking about your relationship with Bryce.

If I couldn’t get away… would you become mine?

Yuta lay on the couch, sleeping heavily. 20 minutes went by as you made some Nongshim Soon Veggie ramen noodles, “careful it’s hot,” you said as Yuta sat up, “thank you for letting me stay here,” he slurped the delicious noodles and bit a piece of the soft-boiled egg. “Is it good?” You giggled as he licked his lips and nodded.

“What do you want to do?” You asked, eating your Nongshim Shin Ramen noodles, “I don’t know,” Yuta replied, finishing his bowl as he looked at your lips. “Want to watch anime?” He smirked.

“Wah, this anime is kinda relatable…” you hummed, drinking litchi-flavored Mogu-Mogu, “that’s what I told you,” Yuta scoffed, sipping some juice from your bottle. “I usually only watch romance and slice-of-life animes, this anime is surprisingly good,” you nodded as he chuckled. “You should watch season 2 after you finish season 1,” he smiled, leaning a bit closer to you and resting his arm behind your neck. You just finished watching episode 1 of Noragami, you continued watching a few more episodes as you slowly fell asleep.

Your head was resting on Yuta’s shoulder as he chuckled, “fell asleep already? Heh, I guess I did put you through a lot of trouble today…” he mumbled, feeling bad about earlier, “I’m sorry.” He whispered into your ear as you hummed in your sleep. He carried you in his arms, walking you to your bedroom.

It’s a good thing, you’re not so heavy, Princess. Yuta thought, smiling as he placed you on your bed and covered you with the blanket. “Mmh…” You mumbled tiredly as he glanced at you, “sweet dreams, Princess,” he whispered before leaving your room. He lay on the couch as he fell asleep too.

After an hour you woke up and looked around, “oh? How did I end up here…?” you hummed before walking to the living room to see Yuta sleeping heavily on the couch. You walked over and tugged him with a warm blanket before admiring his cute face.

Yuta’s sleeping, I bet he’s exhausted from earlier… You moved some of his black hair away from his eyes, caressing his cold but soft cheek.

“Don’t pretend to be a bad boy,” you whispered before kissing his cheek softly, “おやすみ、ユタ.” (Good night, Yuta.) You whispered, patting his hair.

“Unnie, I’ll be away for a few days in Busan looking for inspiration to my art project, I’ll be back soon.”

Chaeng🍓 (My strawBae)

Chaeyoung: “Take care of yourself & don’t skip any meals”

Chaeyoung: ”Call me if need anything💖”

“A lot of people are here - it’s so nice!” Irene giggled, fixing her Hanbok. “So we’ll start with the Chinese Lunar New Year at 5:45 PM, next is the Korean autumn festival at 6:15 PM, and lastly the Japanese tea ceremony at 6:45 featuring a special guest…” you hummed, checking the event list. “Right, could you please hang these flyers around the area?” She said, handing you a stack of them.

You climbed the ladder, to add some origami on top of the bookshelves as time went by. “Alright, good evening ladies and gentlemen,” Irene held the microphone and spoke. “We warmly welcome you all to the National Library of Korea’s cultural event, I’m your host, Ms. Bae,” she added and bowed as the crowd applauded. “We’ll start the Chinese Lunar New Year in 5 minutes, please go and look around in the meantime.”

You were in the wardrobe putting on a red Cheongsam, “ah, Ms. Park, should I have my hair done in Chinese space buns or just a simple bun?” You looked at your reflection as she chewed on bubblegum, “Y/N-Unnie, you can call me Sooyoung, no need to be so formal,” Sooyoung giggled, brushing your long silky light brown hair. “You’re so pretty with your hair down, Unnie~”

“Thank you, Sooyoung-ah,” you smiled as she started to style your hair, “have you gotten yourself a new boyfriend now?” She asked, “ah no. It’s still Bryce,” you answered as she sighed heavily, “yah, Unnie you’re too pretty for a loser like him,” Sooyoung clicked her tongue.

“I didn’t know this dress would be tight and this short.” You turned around, checking yourself in the mirror, “no, you look just fine, Unnie~” Sooyoung added, patting your back. “Thanks, Sooyoung-ah.”

“晚上好大家,” (Good evening everyone,) You spoke into your earpiece, smiling softly. “Yah. Sooyoung, you need to put this on Tik Tok live,” Irene murmured to her, “okay, okay Eomma,” she scoffed and started to film before giggling. “Today’s event is about the Chinese Lunar Year, we’ll start introducing the traditional clothes.” You said, walking and pulling the curtain to reveal other women wearing the Hanfu and Cheongsam. “This is Hanfu, which literally translates to ‘Han Chinese’s attire’ and consists of a robe, jacket, and a skirt.” You explained as the model turned around to showcase the Hanfu.

“–That woman in the red dress is unbelievably hot,” one guy mumbled, “she has beautiful long legs,” a girl added. “–She looks foreign, I bet she’s not Korean,” a couple whispered.

Heh, it seems like Y/N’s a real crowd-pleaser.

Yuta chuckled, fixing his clothes. I won’t get beaten by you either, Princess. “Are you ready for your event, Mr. Nakamoto?” Irene asked and looked at him, checking the list.

“And now to the Cheongsam which means ‘long garment’. Also known as Qipao, they can be sleeveless like this red one I’m wearing. But they can also be long and have different shapes of the neckline.” You added, opening your fan and walking onto the stage. “Now to finish off, please enjoy some tea and some delicious mooncakes,” you smiled, bowing your head.

“谢谢大家,” (Thanks everyone,) you walked off the stage as Irene smiled, “well done, you were shining up there Miyoshi,” you nodded, “thank you, Ms. Irene.”

You sat down by the table when you noticed one of Chaeng’s familiar friends in the distance, “Annyeong Y/N-Unnie,” two women greeted and sat with you, “Dahyun-ah and Tzuyu-ya, long time no see!” You exclaimed and smiled. “What brings you two here?” You asked, serving them Oolong tea and a plate with mooncakes, “Chaeng really wanted to be here for you but couldn’t - so we came here instead of her,” Tzuyu smiled as Dahyun nodded, taking a bite of the mooncake.

“Aw that’s so sweet of you two, I hope that you enjoy the event so far,” you bowed, smiling softly. “The Cheongsam you’re wearing is so gorgeous,” Tzuyu said, smoothing the red silk fabric as Dahyun took a picture of you with her camera, “thanks Tzuyu-ah, it’s such an honor to wear this attire.” Ms. Irene began speaking again, “and now for our final event is the Japanese tea ceremony and our special guest Mr. Nakamoto!” Yuta walked on the stage, bowing while wearing a beautiful black Kimono.

“こんにちは、みんなさん,” (Hello everyone,) he smiled and waved, a woman wearing an orange Kimono as she began pouring tea into the cups.

What’s Nakamoto Yuta even doing here…?

“Wow, he’s super handsome,” Tzuyu whispered to Dahyun as she agreed. “Don’t you think so, Y/N-ah?” She elbowed you as you were slightly annoyed, “he’s alright, I guess…” You mumbled in frustration.

“Alright please give a round of applause for Ms. Yabuki’s Kimono showcase and Nakamoto’s Kanji reading,” Irene smiled as the crowd applauded and cheered. “If you’d like, Mr. Nakamoto will do free henna tattoos on table number 26,” she added and pointed.

“Ms. Irene you never told me about this special guest…” You whispered to her, taking a quick glance at Yuta, “well, to be fair Nakamoto insisted it to be a surprise since he knew you after all,” she chuckled, sipping her white wine glass. “You should head over to Mr. Nakamoto and get a henna tattoo, Y/Nssi,” she giggled.

“You look incredibly pretty tonight, Princess,” Yuta cooed, drawing a black henna flower on your forearm, “why are you here?” You asked all confused and flustered by his cool and collected presence, “I was the special guest for the Japanese event, remember?” He chuckled, looking at you deeply.

“これは好きですか?” (You like this?) You looked at him and then at the tattoo, it resembled your favorite flower, “mmh it’s so beautiful, it’s a ‘Forget-me-not’ right?” You smiled as he nodded before whispering into your ear, “but do you know the Japanese meaning behind the flower?” He smiled as you blushed red when he leaned closer. “I– don’t…” You mumbled shyly as he took a bite of a mooncake. “I’ll tell you later, Princess.”

You leaned against a bookshelf. “I’m here because I want to know how you feel,” Yuta mumbled, looking at you as you fluttered your eyes. “I don’t know what kind of person you truly are,” you replied as he pinned his arm next to your face. “I can be whatever person you need me to be,” he smirked, caressing your cheek as you felt your heartbeat race. “What time are you off?” He whispered, “7:00 PM,” you replied, blushing red.

“Sweet, I’ll wait for you.” Yuta chuckled, walking off, “wait! You don’t have to,” you insisted, pulling his sleeve. “It’s rather dangerous this late at night, besides I can drive you home,” he smiled. “Just stay here, let me just get changed,” you said to him as he nodded, you turned around to release your hair from the tight buns and walked to the changing room.

You finished changing as you were wearing a knee-length beige skirt and a white shirt underneath your black coat, “should we go, Princess?” Yuta smirked, fixing his black leather jacket and holding his hand out to you. “Thank you, Yuta-san,” you mumbled, taking his hand as you went down, exiting the library.

“Where are we going…?” You asked, sitting on the back of his motorcycle as he gave you a helmet and stood in front of you, “to my place, Princess~” Yuta whispered into your ear as your eyes widened, he started the engine and drove off quickly.

🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢

A/N’s note: The Cheongsam Y/N’s wearing is shorter (around knee length but I couldn’t find any pictures) Thank you so much for supporting and reading my fanfics, hope you don’t mind the many languages and pictures ehehe. ^^"

– Author L. out

< Previous part – Next part >

🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢🦋✨🐢

[dis-nightmare-continues]

dropped the flyer to the gig today. first show I've booked in a while. My ego pokes through so of course I'm embarrassed. its social media so of course im ashamed. Need to find my phone and take out my trash but theres a hiphop artist filming a music video on the first floor. I need to breath. I got this oroboros tattood yesterday for everything i can't control. the dagger for protection. if this process accelerates me towards facing my demons then i face them head on with confidence. Pathetic silence haunts me, and so much else. i've been saying lately, "I feel like if I hide my ego in my art that I'm doing the 'viewer' a disservice." Like, ego is the fuel and art is the fire. Of course I'm ashamed of my ego. I pump my fist last night as the band plays and all I can think is how it looks like I'm jerking them off. They're up there with their guitars. A man i knew in the past but have since forgotten who has face tattoos and gauged piercings wraps his arms around me and tackles me to the ground. The two grown men in leather wrestle on the bar floor. My tattoo is my main point of focus, like I'm protecting an injury. My second point of focus is my ego. I can't help myself from laughing and smiling, feeling helpless with his arms wrapped around me. I always look ridiculous when i fall down and have to get back up in a mosh pit. People always try to help me up but its easier for me to get back up myself because of my size. They always try though, doesn't matter where the show is. They want to lift me back up when I fall, but they rarely can. it's easier if you just let me get back up myself.

i say to Hannah, outside smoking cigarettes. "I guess the real reason i was drawn to the punk scene as a kid was because the boys got to dance and dress up. I always loved dancing."

"It's so cute. We all want to ecstatic. I know these people wanna dance."

She gives me a tincture of lemon balm. From then on in the night I kept asking her to give it to friends of mine who I thought could use it. Rob was sick, so he got some. Jimi Imij is on another plane of existence so we gave him some too. Soon after he caught his beard on fire out on the patio. I honestly can't imagine why.

"Attention." Hannah suggests

"Unless he really feels strongly about, like, shocking people. Like he sees some value in creating vaguely unsafe or unsettling situations."

I go on to tell Hannah that Jimi's old bandmate is a full on bhuddist now. Lives in a temple and meditates more than not. She goes on to tell me about an online exchange she has with that dude from choking victim who started the mental health program and did that travel zine. He was hyped on her herbs and gardening posts. she looks really really happy when she tells me.

[ihopeyoubothstaysafefromharm]

this plague kept me @ home since sunday and i just went out to run some errands all crispy and sniffly and wrapped up like a shameful marshmallow but the universe has just been throwing cute boys into every situation like some cruel horny version of das glasperlenspiel like even physically AT the craft store, after the barrage of dreamy smiling bakers and the twinky pouty real estate agent and that one entire window full of sleepy michelin star chefs just chilling with their arms out (chef arms!!!), i finally thought i was safe and then bam the dude working the register at the craft store was tiny, blond and covered down to the knuckles in delicate lacework tattoos man why me

[viviakaqueenofrainbows]

Me, getting a tattoo touch up by the cute tattoo artist that I've been stalking over IG for a few weeks, overly excited and giggling bc he's so cute

He: *says my name* u can follow me to that chair

Me (dammit, he gets my name right, like omg, attractive af): okk, hiii (me = overenthusiastic af)

He: *stares at my arm super close bc he has to see what needs a touch up, I can literally feel his breath*

Me: *holds my breath*

He: they are all very clean. Technically, no need for a touch up

Me: oh *but I wanna stalk him just a lil bit longer* idk, the dude at the front told me that this one needs a touch up?

He: yeah, yeah OK this makes sense, I can do some tattooing here

Me: *hopelessly stalking him when he is just doing his work. Staring at his eyelashes bc I'm such a cliché*

He: *looks up*: it's ok, right? Doesn't hurt too much?

Me *blushing furiously bc it's already hot in the studio*: uh-huu

Me: *asking him whether he taught himself and me showing him my artworks bc my tatts are based on them*

He: ohh nicee

Me: hihi thank you! *my brain: he's just saying it to be nice*

Me: yeah I'm kinda obsessed with koalas *as he was touching up my koala*

He *smiling*: yeah my mum too

Me: hihi *internal screaming bc omg, whaat*

He: well, finished!

Me: thank you!

He: you are very welcome! *puts band aid on my arm which causes the koala nose to bleed*

Me: *being the weirdo that I am, starts to laugh and giggle*

He: *laughs, probably thinking that I'm super weird*

[thebisexualmandalorian]

The Odd Character Questionnaire Questions for Jake and Leo?

Thank you!!!

Jake:

What is the character’s go-to drink order? He likes something brightly colored and sugary. He's a hummingbird with a drinking problem.

What is their grooming routine? So Jake is very invested in grooming. He doesn't go big on skincare really, but he does like nice, thorough showers as often as he can get them, because being out in the field means being really gross for way longer than is comfortable.

What was their most expensive purchase/where does their disposable income go? Video games. This boy went wild the day he could afford his first Gameboy, and that's stuck with him through the years. He likes party games. Also, a lot of food. He eats a terrifying amount to stay in the shape he does.

Do they have any scars or tattoos? He has a kudzu tattoo, because "I'm annoying and hard to kill," and then his Infantry division insignia. As far as scars, he has a lot of them, but most of them are hidden under his clothes. He's always the first one into the fray when trouble shows up, and he wears that on his skin. The most prominent one is the large slash over his cheek from a formerly-Umbrella scientist who decided to fight back when the team breached the lab, and Jake caught a scalpel across the face. It left him with a wicked scar and a pemanently crooked smile.

What was the last time they cried, and under what circumstances? Probably sitting under his kitchen table having a panic attack after coming home from a bad mission. He's good at keeping it together in front of others, but as soon as he's alone, that facade cracks apart quickly.

Are they an oldest, middle, youngest or only child? He's an only child, both for his biological parents and his moms, though he grew up with a revolving door of people staying with them - runaways, kids who got kicked out for one reason or another, people down on their luck, his moms were part of a network of queer support and they always had an open door for people in need.

Describe the shoes they’re wearing. If he's not in boots or going for a run, then he's in Converse. He lives in Converse and it drives Chris crazy because he doesn't understand how they're comfortable. They do look cute on him though.

Describe the place where they sleep. He nests. He has a bed, but it's barely visible under the frankly ridiculous number of pillows and blankets piled on it. He sleeps on top of half of them, with the rest piled on him. Nobody knows how he doesn't suffocate under it all, but he loves it. Nothing matches either, it's just all things that catch his eye while he's out.

What is their favorite holiday? Memorial Day. The whole gang gets together if they're not working, and they have a picnic. Jake loves Rebecca's cocktail mixing. His least favorite holiday is the Fourth of July. He's not really patriotic, and the fireworks are a nightmare.

What objects do they always carry around with them? Jake. Jake, look at me. Look at me, dude. Why do you need that many knives on a daily basis. That is an unnecessary amount of knives for you to be carrying.

Leo:

What is the character’s go-to drink order? Like Jake, he loves sweet cocktails, but especially if they have a kick like a mule. This is especially tragic because he's such a lightweight.

What is their grooming routine? Leo is doing better than Gladio, he doesn't used three-in-one shampoo/conditioner/body wash, but that's such a low bar. He showers and shaves and is out the door in less than half an hour.

What was their most expensive purchase/where does their disposable income go? Food. He has a weakness for diner food.

Do they have any scars or tattoos? He has a scar on the inside of his right arm from a bow string snapping, and one on his chest from an accident with Aurora's magic when they were children.

What was the last time they cried, and under what circumstances? When Prompto fell off the train and was lost. That scared him more than anything in the world, after already dealing with the fall of Insomnia. 

Are they an oldest, middle, youngest or only child? He's the oldest. He was always responsible for Aurora growing up, with Cor busy running the Crownsguard, and he took that responsibility extremely seriously.

Describe the shoes they’re wearing. Always boots. It's a comfort for him at this point.

Describe the place where they sleep. He's pretty basic. A flat surface is really all he needs, but in Lestallum and then Insomnia after the Long Night, he really does enjoy a nice soft bed with both his husbands in it.

What is their favorite holiday? Founder's Day. It's a lot of chaos, but it's a lot of fun on the occasions he isn't working in the Citadel.

What objects do they always carry around with them? A leather hair clip from Celia, a knife, and his cell phone.

[useless-bi-otch]

Cookies'n Cream - Chapter 15

Last chapter / MasterList / art by @aneenasevla

Chapter 15 - Home Run

"... Okay, I couldn't see the whole tattoo, and I couldn't get a closer look either because it'd look like I was ogling her, and another slip on my part is the last thing I need right now, so I couldn't get too many details. But I remember that one of ‘em looked like this right... here!," Okubo lifts the napkin where he had been drawing with a pen, showing it to his friends with an anxious expression. "Can you recognize it?"

Rihito, Himuro and Kaneda lean back in their seats, their brows furrowed as they study the doodle, Himuro taking the opportunity to down a swig of sake. It is then that Rihito looks up, looking completely lost.

“Why the hell does she have a cabbage tattooed on her left thigh?”

“That's not a cabbage, dammit!," Okubo shrieks indignantly while banging his fists on the pub's table, where the four of them were drinking and stuffing themselves with snacks, enjoying the lazy Sunday night. "It's a fucking flower! Have you never seen a flower in your life?"

"One that looks like a cabbage? 'Course not! Holy shit, Okubo, it's a good thing you can make a living fighting, because if you went to work as a technical draftsman, you'd starve."

"Fuck you, Rihito! And you two?," He turns to Himuro and Kaneda, raising the napkin again. "Do you know any flowers like that? Could you tell me their name?"

Himuro and Kaneda look at the napkin again, then exchange a brief glance. The corners of Kaneda's mouth twitch a little.

"Well, unless cabbages have officially moved out of the vegetable category and into the flower category-"

"Stop messing with me, damn it!  I'm a martial artist, not a graphic designer!," Okubo gestures in frustration, to which Rihito and Himuro smirk. Kaneda just smiles sympathetically.

"Sorry, Okubo, but there's no way for us to know what you're talking about with an example like that. There are thousands of species of flowers, you know..."

"Not to mention that it's hard to believe what you're saying. You can't expect me to believe that cute, demure girl has a huge tattoo on her thigh," Rihito shrugs. "She doesn't have the mannerisms of a Yakuza informant or anything like that..."

"You're stereotyping, Rihito. Some of my girlfriends have tattoos, and you'd never guess just by looking at them," Himuro comments, "What's so unbelievable about Miss Uta having one too?"

"Didn't you hear how Okubo described said tattoo, Himuro? He said it's huge, taking up almost the entire side of her thigh. What woman would risk her job and her social and love life by doing something like that?," Rihito argues, turning to Okubo next. "Are you sure it wasn't some big birthmark or something?"

"Oh, you're right, Rihito, it must've been a birthmark. A huge one, in pastel tones and in the shape of pretty little flowers. Miss Uta is a genetic miracle," Okubo rolls his eyes. "Of course I'm sure, man! She tried to hide it from me and everything, thinking I'd judge her, that I'd think she was a 'delinquent'," He underlines the word by forming quotation marks with his fingers. "Yeah, as if. I didn't stare only because I didn't want her to think I'm a pervert."

“I thought you said you'd try to act more like yourself, Okubo."

"Shut up, Himuro!"

"Oh really? So be more specific, feed your pals' imagination, dude," Lihito encourages, opening a sharp smile. "Describe these flowers for us."

"Well, I recognized two of the species, which are daisies and gerberas. I'm still pissed at myself for not thinking about daisies right away, now it seems such a no-brainer!," He crosses his arms. "I also recognized the gerberas because my mother had a vase of them at home."

"Got it. And how was the third one you didn't recognize? The cabbage flower."

"I told you it wasn't a fucking cabbage!," Okubo throws at Rihito a piece of the steak they ordered as an accompaniment to the sake. He deftly catches it with his mouth in mid-air, laughing as he chews, to which Himuro and Kaneda applaud him, also laughing, and Okubo snorts. "Asshole. Anyway, it was actually a cluster of several smaller flowers, elongated, and it looked a bit like a corn cob..."

"Holy shit, how did you make something that looks like a corn cob look like a fucking cabbage?," Himuro makes a face. "It takes a special kind of talent to be that bad at drawing... and stop wasting food!," He scolds when Okubo also throws a piece of steak at him.

"Come on, stop it. Anyway, a cluster of flowers that resembles a corn cob, you say...?," Kaneda looks inside his clothes, pulling out his phone. "There are some that come to mind, but it's better to research to be sure."

"Thanks, Kaneda!," Okubo puts his hands together in front of his face and lowers his head in a little bow. "I've been searching since yesterday, but all the results for 'flower that looks like a corn cob' don't look anything like what I saw on her tattoo.

"And yet you say you didn't stare for too long," Rihito laughs, also pulling his phone out of his sweatshirt pocket. "But I don't blame you, man. I just keep imagining her soaked clothes, glued to that nice, curvy body, her tattooed leg all wet..."

"Ooh, boy, it was a blessed sight indeed, ehehe...," Okubo opens an idiotic smile, both exchanging giggles, ignoring the unimpressed looks Himuro and Kaneda were throwing at them.

"Aren't you going to ask them to show the girl some respect?," The former asks, to which the latter shakes his head.

"I've already gathered that they do, in their own stupid way. Asking for more than that is like asking for water to stop being wet."

Himuro laughs, picking up his phone on the table. 

"Alright. I feel very generous today, so I'll also help with the research."

"Me too! Ever since Egghead took an interest in Miss Uta, our hangouts have become a little merry, gay ride. And if you can't defeat 'em...," Rihito jokes while connecting to the pub's wi-fi. Okubo sniffs hard, lower lip quivering.

"Holy shit, guys, you're the fucking best...! I swear I'll make it up to you somehow..."

"Then pay for the steak, this stuff will cost an arm and a leg even with us splitting the bill."

“Hunf…okay, fair enough. But it'll only be this once!," Okubo warns with a grim face. "Don't ever think that I'll become your sugar daddy or whatever..."

"Considering how much you spent on florists this past week, you've already filled that spot in Miss Uta's life... there you go, Okubo," Himuro shows him his phone screen," I found these cornflowers. Is this it?"

"No. But dammit, they really look like a cob...," He comments, staring at the screen, while Rihito raises his phone too.

“I found these ginger flowers. Pink, delicate and sissy, just the way women like it."

"Yeah, but that's not it either. Damn, this is harder than I thought...," Okubo laments, to which the other three look at each other.

"Man, just go to the date with only the daisies and the gerberas," Lihito suggests." It's more than enough, and two out of three is still a high score."

“With a mindset like that, the mystery of how you got enough high marks to get into Teito remains unresolved,” Himuro comments, to which Kaneda laughs and Okubo shakes his head.

"It wouldn't work, dude, at least not in my current situation. This is gonna be more than just a date. It's a chance I'll never get again," He explains, his voice intense, even a little anguished. "I've already done too much wrong by her and made her think I don't care enough. I want to prove otherwise, to show that I care way too much, and what better way to show that than by bringing her all the flowers she likes? I don't know, I just want to show that, for me, she's worth the effort..."

He scratches the back of his head, blushing a little, too embarrassed to face his friends. He waits for the laughs, the sneering comments that used to accompany his outbursts. But what he hears is a chorus of exasperated grunts. And as he looks up in surprise, he watches them feverishly typing on their phones.

"I swear to God, that date better go without a hitch," Rihito snorts, and Himuro nods.

"Ditto. You'll owe us a big one, Egghead."

"Holy shit, guys...!," Okubo babbles, his chin trembling a little, to which Kaneda raises a finger to him, still typing with his other hand.

“Don't make any more promises of compensation, Okubo, or you'll owe us for the next five years. Anyway, I found these lavenders."

"Nah, it's not that..."

"Catmint?"

"Nope."

"Delphinium?"

"Very similar, but no."

"And those gladioli?"

"YES!!!," Okubo yells excitedly, making half of the pub jump, while leaning over the table and taking the phone from Kaneda's hands. "That's it! Holy shit, even the colours are just like what I saw on her tattoo!"

"Fucking finally!," Rihito groans while Himuro and he drop their phones on the table and sink into their chairs. "Seriously, why did Miss Uta have to like such specific flowers? What happened to the good ol' roses? Women these days are getting harder and harder to please..."

“All this difficulty is karma. Okubo is doing penance and he dragged us with him," Himuro takes a sip of sake. "But well, there it is. You now know the basics about her. The rest you'll discover during this date."

“And you won't be able to count on our help this time. Try not to have another anxiety attack, please," Kaneda asks, and Okubo shakes his head vehemently.

"I won't, I promise! Now I feel much more confident," ​​He guarantees, typing the word 'gladiolus' in the Google search bar on his own phone while returning Kaneda's. "She warned me that this would be my last chance, guys. If I screw it up..."

"You fucking won't! We'll make sure of that," Rihito slaps him on the shoulder, pointing to his nose in a warning. "If you show up at Dai-Uchu-Sakaba on Saturday, we'll kick you out of there while beating the shit outta you. Got it?"

"Ahaha, got it! Seriously, guys, send me all the good vibes you have," Okubo asks, taking a long sip of sake to calm down. "Nothing can ruin my date with Miss Uta, nothing!"

"Leave it to us, man! May the gods shine their light up your head and guide you in your endeavor to win this girl back," Lihito raises his arms up as if he were praying. "But make sure they don't shine it up too much, because a reflection in that bowlingball head can cause a plane crash."

They laugh out loud as Rihito dodges the punch Okubo tries to land on his shoulder. But even he was smiling. It was good that his friends were wishing him all the luck in the world, because honestly, he was going to need it...

* * *

At six-forty on the Saturday of the following week, Tomori was waiting, arms crossed and feet a little restless with anxiety, in front of Akihabara Station, where she and Okubo had arranged to meet via text message. It was still twenty minutes to seven o'clock, so you couldn't say he was late. And yet, she couldn't help but feel anxious and wonder if this second chance was even worth it.

For that second date, she decided to avoid repeating the overproduction made for the first. No spending money on hairdressing and waxing, because Akane would question her sanity and her self-esteem if she showed up at the beauty salon where she worked and gave the same explanations. She washed and brushed her hair herself, put on light makeup, and chose an outfit that consisted of a lilac sleeveless blouse with a round neck and a white flower-print skirt. The black platform sandals made her feel taller and a little more confident, which she needed. She didn't want to go too far, after all, she was going to that date without any expectations, for the sake of her own emotions.

If Okubo was even five minutes late, she would catch the next train and leave. It was one of the reasons she'd chosen the station as a meeting point, in addition to being a well-lit, busy place with police officers standing by in case she felt too uncomfortable. It seemed too pessimistic to be already expecting another fiasco, but Tomori felt that this was the only way to protect her heart from another disappointment. Even her friends had agreed with her line of thinking.

"If it was up to me, you wouldn't even have accepted a second date, but since it's your decision...," Kanami had told her with a sigh, the day before, when Tomori decided to take advantage of her lunch break to inform her and Hiro of her decision. "Your idea of ​​going expecting nothing is great. If he doesn't show up, or shows up acting like an idiot, turn around and take the first train away from Akihabara. Don't wait for apologies and explanations."

"Yes! And call us if you need to," Hiro added. "In the worst case scenario, Kana here is going to give that gorilla another beating. You won't be helpless if it's up to us, sweetheart."

"Exactly. And from there, we can all go eat something," The baker nodded. "It won't be a wasted night, not even if that idiot isn't able to keep his promise."

"Thanks, guys…," Tomori nodded, her friends' loyalty towards her decreasing her anxiety considerably and making her smile. "He's shown himself to be a better person these last few weeks, willing to fix his mistakes, but I don't want to give the benefit of doubt just for it to hurt me again."

"That's called common sense, girl. I wish other bitches used their heads more, instead of letting their hearts and their need for a dick speak louder..."

"Keep it down, Hiro!," Kanami hissed, her index finger over her lips. "But yeah, he's right. We'll both be on standby in case things go awry again. Send a message, whatever the case."

"I will. Whether this works out or not, I'll keep you posted.” Tomori nodded, and Hiro suddenly grinned.

"I've got an idea! Why don't you inform us of the results through codes? Like in those movies where they say 'the eagle landed' to signal that the president of the United States got off the plane or something like that..."

"Hiro, this isn't a half-assed action movie..."

"If the date goes well, you send us a text message with the words 'The gorilla came down from the Empire State', and if it goes wrong, you send us 'the gorilla was shot down by the fighter jets’!”

"These codes are too long and specific! The goal is for them to be short and impactful!"

"And that's coming from someone who says she doesn't like half-assed action movies. Kanny, you hypocrite..."

Tomori just chuckled, a hand over her mouth as she shook her head.

"Okay, we're all set then. I'll go to Akihabara Station with no expectations. But if everything ends up working out..."

“Then give that giant ape the crushing leglock I know is your specialty. Make him beg for mercy!"

"Whatever happened to not letting the urge for a dick speak louder than one's head? Who's the hypocrite now?!"

Tomori laughed at that time. Now, the memory still made her laugh, which was just as well because her nervousness was building, ignoring her initial promises that she wouldn't expect anything from this second date, in an attempt not to be disappointed again. She trully was one hell of an idiot...

She sighs, crossing her arms in an attempt to relieve some of that unpleasant tightness in her chest. Jeez, how could she blame herself? It was almost impossible not to create involuntary expectations when Okubo had given her every reason to think that this second attempt could be different. All those interactions and relaxed conversations, the laughter, the flowers, the confessions... and also that trip to the market, which put so many things in perspective.

She checks her phone again. Fifty minutes past six. She looks around, but doesn't see the tall, broad, bald figure approaching among the passers-by coming in and out of the station. She shifts her weight from one foot to the other, pressing her mouth into a tight line. He still had ten minutes. There was still time.

"Yeah, I'm definitely not as cunning as Karin, Yuzuriha, and Yuki accused me of being..."

She was still a little angry with those three and would definitely think of a way to get even. But the most prominent memories of that late afternoon were those involving Okubo. The way he came to her defense, watched her throw temper tantrums and didn't deem her too unlady-like, how he saw her tattoo and didn't judge her...

“You wouldn't even be able to hide the tattoo for long if you were going to sleep with him, dumbass.”

She chuckles at her own stupidity. It was ironic to think that she was able to open up to him more and get to know him better just after being disappointed by seeing his worst side. And now, he had the same experience, with the roles reversed. But without the disappointment part, which was a relief.

She remembers wondering, weeks ago, if he could like the Tomori who wasn't as cheerful, as sweet, as bouncy as the one he knew. She now wanted the answer to that question more than ever. She wanted to have it that day, while they both finally had the date they were supposed to have that other Saturday.

If he could accept her bad side, maybe she could accept his bad side too...

She checks her phone again. Fifty-six minutes past six. And no sign of him. Holy crap...

“I won't be disappointed, I won't. I wasn't expecting anything, afterall...”

Easier said than done, apparently. At least she already had plans in case he didn't show up. She had her credit cards with her, even though she had stipulated that he would pay. She could call Kanami and Hiro, and they could go to karaoke or something...

She looks at her cell phone one last time. Fifty-eight past six. Her stomach plummets, turning cold. She bites her bottom lip, looking over her shoulder at the entrance to Akihabara Station. Her eyes stung a little, and she hated herself for it.

"Maybe Kanny and Hiro will feel sorry for me enough to buy me a beer...", She thinks as she turns on her heels, starting to make her way back to the interior of the station...

"Miss Uta!"

Her heart skips a beat as the scream reaches her ears, the voice all too familiar to her. She turns, panting low, eyes wide and still burning.

She could see Okubo's head above those of the other passersby, his arm raised high as he waved frantically. He tries to squeeze through the mass of people, pushing some to the side, which with his size meant an accident just waiting to happen.

"Excuse me, I'm comin' through...! Excuse me, ma'am, someone's waiting for me over there... I'm sorry, sir, I didn't want to step on your foot! Jeez..." And he finally stops in front of her, panting a little, his face flushed. She couldn't tell if it was because of the rush or his excitement, etched in his expression lines, in the gleam in his gray eyes.

"Sorry I kept you waiting! I kind of had to go around town looking for something, but I've sorted it out and I'm here now," He announces while straightening his back, taking a deep breath. He was a little sweaty, his Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes cap a little askew on his head. But his clothes were clean and, at least from this distance, they smelled good.

And most important of all, he looked completely sober.

“So… am I too late?," He asks worriedly, shrugging his shoulders a little. Tomori runs her tongue over her parched lips and checks her phone again.

It was seven o'clock sharp.

“…No,” She shakes her head, looking up at him, the smile breaking to her lips before she can stop it. “You're right on time."

Okubo lets out a huge sigh of relief, wiping his forehead with the back of his right hand.

"Thank fuck...! I'd never have forgiven myself if I had let you down again," He puts a hand on his chest. "A mistake like that is enough for a lifetime-"

"I don't want to talk about that," Tomori interrupts him, approaching and stretching her neck so he can look into his eyes. "Not now, at least. You're on time this time. And you're sober. That's what matters."

He smiles cutely, scratching the back of his neck and kicking the station floor a little in a shyness display that she finds adorable.

"Oh, c'mon, it's the least I could do. No one deserves brownie points for not acting like a complete jerk, especially considering my track record. And it was what you deserved too. So...," He rubs his hands together. "Where do we go from here?"

"Huh… I actually didn't even think about that," She answers, a bit dazed, to which he blinks a few times.

"Really?"

"Yeah... I was so focused on the meeting point and on whether or not you'd show up that I kinda forgot to plan where the date would actually take place," She confesses, a little embarrassed. And then she gives a high-pitched laugh. "I think it'll be a surprise for me as well as for you, hahaha!"

He ends up laughing too, apparently relieved to see he wasn't alone in his embarrassment.

"It will be an adventure with no destination then? I'm in!," He smiles excitedly. "​​I've had several of those with my mates. But with a girl, let alone one like you..."

"Is it your first time then? How cute!," She cooes playfully. "I'll take that into account and try to be gentle. Do you want to hold my hand? So I can guide you better..."

He frowns for a second, looking like he's about to complain. But then he thinks better of it, his expression softening, a mischievous smile making his lips curve. And Tomori's eyes widen in astonishment when he takes her suggestion, taking her hand in his and intertwining their fingers.

"With pleasure, lady," He arches an eyebrow, almost as if challenging her, his voice low and husky. "Guide me wherever you want. I am your humble follower today."

Her first impulse was to drop his hand as if it'd scalded her. Holy shit, if people saw her walking down the street while holding Okubo Naoya's hand like they were a  couple in their honeymoon phase...!

“Wasn't that one of your fantasies? And anyway, are you really going to be too embarrassed to hold his hand when up until a few weeks ago you shaved all over just to have sex with him? Bitch, get a grip!”

She takes a deep breath, trying to control the pounding of her heart. He was clearly teasing her, and if she let go of his hand, she would be admitting defeat. And she didn't want to lose the stupid little game they'd started, not at all. And damn it, it wasn't like she wasn't enjoying it. She smiles back, squeezing his hand, secretly enjoying how big and rough and calloused it was.

"So I get to decide? Nice to know. Come on, let's explore Akihabara while hoping none of your fans recognize you and make this more awkward than it needs to be."

He chuckles, keeping up very willingly as she starts walking. To where, they still didn't know, but now that they had each other's company, the destination wasn't exactly a concern.

And as discreetly as she could, she sent a message in a group chat on her phone.

Tomolfie:

The gorilla came down from the Empire State

* * *

Okubo was finding it hard to believe his own audacity, and even more so that said audacity had been well received by the object of his affection. Tomori was at that moment pulling his hand, their fingers intertwined, her palm hot and a little slippery with sweat against his. He wouldn't judge her, though; his palm must have been just as sweaty.

Damn... they looked like a couple of lovers taking a walk. He was fully aware of the consequences of being recognized on the street at the same time as being seen with her, and the most sensible thing to do was to let go of her hand. The publicity it might generate could have negative consequences for her, and he didn't want that. But letting go of her hand was admitting defeat, and if there was one thing Okubo Naoya refused to do, it was throwing in the towel.

... And not to mention the fact that he was loving the feel of her small, soft hand next to his. He'd been fantasizing about those hands for a while now. But this time, that touch didn't evoke sexual thoughts in him. Just a warm sense of closeness, a soft joy that was all natural. And damn, she smelled good, besides being beautiful... it was even hard to pay attention to what she was saying.

"Damn, it's been a while since I walked around Akihabara like this," She comments, looking around, admiring the signs, the colorful and pulsating lights, the funny advertisements for commercial establishments. "I kinda forgot how busy it can be. And that most of the stores around here are electronics stores, hahaha..."

"Hehe, it seems like a very original place to have a date," He laughs in response. "How about we go to Yodobashi and use my famousness to get a discount on those eighty-five inch LED TVs? No one will be able to accuse us of lack of creativity in planning a date".

"Yeah, but they can charge us with extortion. A guy your size doesn't even have to use his celebrity status to get what he wants," She chimes in, and he shakes his head with a smirk.

"C'mon, lady, I'm a peaceful guy! I only punch people inside matches. And once or twice during road rages that I didn't start," He shows the screen of his phone, smiling embarrassed while exposing the crack that ran through it. "I know from experience that it's not worth it."

She makes a face. "Ouch. My condolences. But well, that's what happens when you get into road rages. According to the tabloids, this wouldn't be the first you've gotten yourself into..."

Okubo blushes a little. "Yeah, I- I kinda have a history, I won't deny it. But I never start these fights, I just end them. And the guy was an asshole, he threw my brand new phone on the floor..."

"I understood. And speaking of which, it's the first time in about ten years that I've seen someone using a V3 phone." She looks curious, "I've never seen a model like that in recent times, not even in thrift stores..."

"It was a gift from a friend," He explains, smiling with a certain pride. "It's a classic, fits well in my pockets and has all that typical cell phone charm of the 2000s. They don't make models like that anymore nowadays."

"I imagine, but it must be difficult to use it with the screen all cracked like that."

"It is, but the downside of having a predilection for the classics is that it is difficult to find assistance for them when they go out of line..."

"No problem! Let's take advantage of the fact that there are several electronics stores close by and look for a technician who will take a look," She suggests, already pulling his hand in a specific direction, but stopping when he doesn't move. She turns to him with a pout. "Hey, slacking off isn't fair! I'm not a tow truck, you know."

He laughs again. "I'm not, I swear. It's just that I don't want to waste our night chasing down a repairsman for an obsolete phone. That can wait," He puts his phone in his pocket. "I want to focus only on you today, to make up for all the hours lost that Saturday."

She blushes a little, looking to the side and pouting. "Apparently we're going to end up talking about this one way or another, aren't we? Anyway...," She shakes her free hand. "I'd rather we do this in a quieter place, preferably with food available. I'm hungry, what you you?"

"Me too! I left the SUV in a parking lot near the station, do you wanna go back so we can look for a good restaurant?," he suggests, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb. She shakes her head.

"No need to. There are some really cute maid cafes around here. The food is delicious and the service is great, although I find the desserts too sweet...," She comments, a little thoughtful, taking a few seconds to notice his astonished expression. She blinks. "What?"

"A maid cafe?," He repeats as if he wanted to make sure he heard right, to which she nods, stunned.

"Yeah. Why? Are you uncomfortable in places like this?"

"I should be the one asking you that," He gestures to her with his free hand. "There are lots of women who are uncomfortable in these places, they say that the waitresses’ uniforms are too sexualized, I don’t know…"

"Well, yeah. But what about you? You like it?," she asks, arching an eyebrow.

"Uuh...," He looks away, blushing a little. "A little? Yeah, just- just a little..."

She laughs, looking almost triumphant. "Like every straight man I know, hahaha! But seriously, I have no problem with maid cafes. They're part of my industry and the girls are just doing their job. The problem is perverts who don't know how to hold it inside their pants."

"Ahaha, yeah...," He gives a very nervous smile, and she nods solemnly.

"Yeah. And anyway...," Her smile suddenly fades, replaced by a shy expression. "I... I kinda worked on one of these."

"Wait, for real?!," He exclaims, his jaw dropping, again stopping walking and accidentally forcing her to stop too with a jolt. She makes a face at him.

"Seriously, stop it already! At this rate you'll end up practicing the shot put with me!"

"Sorry! But... a maid cafe?," He repeats the words, his eyes wide. "You?!"

"No judgments, please," She snorts. "I was only eighteen and needed money to cover my expenses after getting into college. And there was no way they could hire me as a cook without experience."

"I'm not judging, I promise!," He assures, waving a hand. "Like you said, these girls are just doing their job. But these places tend to have strict rules and restrictions..."

"What are you getting at?"

"The tattoo."

"... Oh!," She seems to understand, her blush intensifying. "Okay, fair enough. But at the time I still didn't have a tattoo. It was after earning some money that I managed to go to a good tattoo parlor. I almost got fired," She admits with an embarrassed laugh. "But I was a good employee, so the manager cut me some slack and only demanded that I hide it very well. Customers found it curious that my skirt was a little longer than the other girls’. They thought I was playing the part of the shy maid. I even started getting some extra tips, haha..."

"See? Perverts are good for something, afterall," Okubo tries to joke, and he's relieved when she laughs. He didn't want her to see in his expression how his mind was in turmoil, filling with vivid, unpuritanical images.

Tomori wearing a maid's uniform…there was something he would love to see, preferably when they were alone, if she agreed to give him that privilege. But he would keep those fantasies to himself for now. The priority was getting to know her better, and he was loving how open she was about it.

"When it comes to money they are really useful, I won't deny it. The problem was the harassment, the fear of instigating a stalker... I ended up not lasting long as a maid," She comments after managing to control her laughter. And then she frowns. "On second thought, maybe we shouldn't go to a maid cafe. These memories will sour the mood. Unless you liked the idea and want to go."

"Lady, I already told you, I'm just your humble follower today," He makes a wide gesture with his arm. "Guide me through Akihabara, leave this osakian hillbilly here fascinated with all this modernity."

"Stop that, I know that Osaka has tourist spots as cool and modern as Tokyo!," She laughs again. "And you've lived here for a while, haven't you? You must know the most interesting places well."

"Yeah, kinda. But I have never walked through them in the company of such a beautiful guide." 

"And here comes the famous silver tongue, Okubo Naoya's most striking feature outside his matches...," She jokes, and her blush now seems to steem from hapiness, if his eyes didn't deceive him. He smiles humbly.

“This time I'm just stating a fact. And I can mask a lot of things from the public, but the fact that I can't shut up for a minute is not one of them. You asked me to be myself, didn't you? Well, this is me."

"Yeah… and unbelievably, it surprised me in a positive way," She admits, and he had to stop himself from starting tap dancing there in the middle of the street and making a fool of himself. "I want to know what else is your true self. The cap, for example," She points to his head. "Do you wear it everywhere because you really like it or because it kinda became your trademark?"

"I use it to hide my bald spot."

"Oh, you liar!," She laughs out loud along with him. "I know that you shave your head 'cause you like it that way, I read it in one of your interviews.

"Yeah, I think my hair's pretty dumb, haha. But I really like my caps, especially this one," He touches the cap's brim. "You also know that I used to be a baseball player, right? I show with 'em that I'm still a fan even though my career hasn't moved forward."

"And even with the Kintetsu Buffaloes having merged with the Orix BlueWave. That's what I call fan loyalty, hahaha!"

"Yeah, once a buffalo, always a buffalo- wait, what?," He turns to her, amazed. "Do you like baseball?"

"I've never told you?," She smiles, excited. "I love baseball! My whole family loves it, it's another tradition of ours besides martial arts and karaoke."

"You're kidding! What is your team?," He asks, very excited, a sentiment that she apparently shared, considering how she grabbed his arm in excitement.

"Yomiuri! I even went to watch one of their games at the Tokyo Dome!"

"Oooh, c'mon! Yomiuri? No fair, everyone roots for them."

“Hey, c'mon, I've been rooting for them since I was akid! It's not a fad," She puffs out her cheeks. "It's better than being a Swallows fan just to annoy Giants fans."

"But the Swallows had Kaneda Masaichi!"

"Who also played for Yomiuri until the very end of the sixties! I know my baseball, man, don't try to test me," She warns, raising an index finger, and he laughs heartily.

"Okay, okay, I just wanted to make sure. I'm just happy to find out that we have even more in common. And how easy it is to talk to you..."

"Yeah...," She smiles, her eyes shining in that way that made his chest feel warm. And then her eyes widened. "And this whole conversation gave me an idea!"

"I'm all ears."

"Since we're making this a non-conventional date, I thought of a non-conventional place to eat too. Fancy a twenty-five minute walk?"

"Sure! If you get tired, just say so, and I'll carry you on my shoulders," He offers playfully, and she looks him up and down as if she's considering the proposal.

"Kinda risky. I might hit my head on a street lamp or something. But the view must certainly be spectacular."

“Just for that, I'm going to charge you for the prime seat,” he snorts, and she smirks.

"Oh yeah? And what would the price be?"

"A second date. If everything goes well with this one...," He adds the last sentence in a more timid tone. She seems to think for a while before smiling fondly.

"It's already going. Now let's go, before the place closes. I promise I won't make you spend too much."

"Oh, that's right, we agreed that I would pay. Smartypants," He opens a sharp smile. "Already wanting to take advantage of the moneyed guy's wallet, huh? No problem, I'll buy you all the dishes you want, along with a Burberry scarf to protect your neck from the place's AC..."

"Don't you dare!," She screeches in alarm. "You…! Stop laughing!," She complains while he bent over himself a little, hugging his belly. In the end, even she couldn't resist, breaking into laughter with him.

Hell, if hanging out with her was always going to be like this, Okubo would want to go on a lot more than just two dates.

* * *

"A themed restaurant?"

"Yes!," Tomori exclaims, excited, while contemplating Okubo's surprised expression when facing the establishment's lighted sign. "Very pertinent to our earlier conversation, isn't it?"

"Pertinent as all hell...," His voice drops to a low level, and Tomori had to hold back the urge to laugh, proud of herself and how her peculiar taste came in so handy. Who else would have the idea of ​​taking Ultimate Fight's heavyweight champion, who was a baseball lover, to eat in an entire restaurant focused on that theme?

... Okay, probably several people who also knew this personal taste of his, but she took the lead like a pro!

"Come on, we're not just going to stand here admiring the facade, are we? Let's go in and look for a table," She invites, and with more tranquility and confidence than earlier, she offers him her hand. "Then we can talk better while we wait for our order. I'll tell you, I miss having other people cooking for me..."

"I can imagine, haha! But I thought you'd prefer a more sober, sophisticated place...," He comments, accepting the offered hand and looking equally relaxed. Tomori shakes her head.

"I'm not dressed properly for a place like this. And when I said you were going to pay I wasn't necessarily thinking about maxing out your credit card," She smiles sheepishly. "It was a test actually..."

"Test?"

"Yeah. I wanted to see if being subpoenaed to pay the bill would make you give up on a second date," She admits, and as she said those words aloud, she felt shame burn in the pit of her stomach. That sounded so ridiculous and childish now... "I shouldn't have done that, I'm no longer a teenager to be testing the commitment of the guys I date. So no need to worry, I'll pay my own bill-"

"Ah-ah-ah! No way, ma'am," He interrupts her unceremoniously, taking the lead and opening the restaurant door. "I agreed that I'd pay, and that's exactly what I'm going to do." "But…," She hesitates, the guilt getting harder to ignore. "I don't want to be left feeling indebted to-"

“Chivalry is not a debt, lady. Even more so when I have something to prove," He declares, interrupting her again. "I promised myself that I wouldn't make you regret this night, like you regretted the other. I want you to make the most of it."

She ends up laughing a little, unconsciously raising her hand and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Damn, it was hard to insist when he spoke with such determination. Just as it was hard not to feel special for being the motivation behind all that disposition.

"Haha, fi- fine. But you deserve to enjoy it too, c'mon."

“Believe me, I'm enjoying it already.” He looks at her intensely over his shoulder before taking a few steps forward, and she lets herself be guided this time. But suddenly he stops, as she almost bumps into his broad back.

"Ow! What's the matter?"

"This conversation just now…," He turns to her again, looking worried. She blinks, confused.

"What about it?"

"... That wasn't a test either, was it?"

Tomori can't help it, letting out a loud farting sound from her mouth, briefly wondering if other diners inside the restaurant were listening, and discovering that she didn't care too much.

"Hahaha, no! But if it was, you would've passed with honors," She pats him on the back, enjoying his expression of smug glee, before the two of them cross the archway of the restaurant's front door.

The interior was more or less what they would have expected from a restaurant made specifically for baseball lovers: there were small pennants with the symbols of various teams, both national and international, hanging from the rafters in the ceiling, topping the various tables and chairs lined up in front of what appeared to be a big screen, where the games were probably shown to customers; at that moment, the screen displayed the various menu options. In the far left corner of the large space was a bar where drinks were served for lone diners who didn't want to go to the trouble of waiting for one of the tables to vacate, and beyond that, a brick wall with a display of framed photographs showing various teams, players and important and historical moments of the sport. There was even a special area where customers could take their own photos with this scenery as a background. Okubo immediately felt at ease there. Who knew there would be a space like this tucked away in the streets of Tokyo?

The restaurant, at the moment, was not very busy; it wasn't game day so it was understandable. And he honestly preferred it that way. That way Tomori and he could talk without having to raise their voices to be heard over the din of a crowded establishment. He whistled low in an approving tone.

“Wow… if the owner isn't a baseball fanatic, I'll eat my cap,” he comments, and Tomori chuckles.

"I know, right! And here you can be sure that no one will remind you of the rules of etiquette and ask you to take it off. It's been a while since I've been here, it hit me with nostalgia..."

"I can imagine. And I also can imagine how busy this place must be on game days," He nods as they approach the reception area. "Must be a hell of an experience to watch a game in the company of a bunch of other people, many of them drunk, jumping and screaming, celebrating or cursing..."

"And it is, until your father and brother lose their collective shits and start hugging half the establishment as if everyone here had that level of intimacy," She opens an exasperated smile at the memory. "But honestly, the familiar atmosphere makes this place one of my favorites! You can pop in here on game day, you won't regret it."

"Without you? I don't think so," He says without thinking. And more than quickly he tries to weasel out of it., clearing his throat and gesticulating as he adds, "I mean- I got really curious to see how you act when you're watching a Yomiuri game or something. It's kind of hard to imagine you 'losing your shit', as you put it."

She gives him a mysterious smile, her eyelids dropping a little. "By now you should've learned that you still don't know much about me, sir. The tattoo is just the tip of the iceberg."

"I know. This curiosity is one of the things that is driving me," He guarantees as the receptionist approaches them both, smiling politely.

"Good evening, and welcome to the Grand Slam Cafe! A table for how many?"

"For two, please," Okubo holds up two fingers, opening a charming smile. "And can you get one in a quieter space? My date and I don't want to be disturbed, if you know what I mean..."

"There's nothing to worry about, sir, we're not very busy today. But if that's what you prefer, then please follow me," The receptionist nods, starting to walk away. They follow her, and Tomori notices how Okubo's lower lip has stuck out in a pout.

"What's wrong?," she asks in a whisper, to which he shrugs.

"She didn't recognize me...," He whimpers, and she had to stop herself from bursting out laughing. She just patted his right arm sympathetically, and that seemed to cheer him up a bit.

Soon they were sitting at a table further away from the others, in a space with ambient lighting that was very close to the photo gallery. The receptionist leaves them alone after saying that the waiter will come to assist them soon, and Tomori soon becomes very aware of the way he is watching her, trying to be discreet and failing. It would have made her a little shy in the past, when she still had him on a pedestal. Now it was much easier to hold that gaze without being embarrassed.

“So… what are you thinking about?,” She finally asks, curiosity getting the better of her. "It looks like you wants to tell me something..."

"I kinda want to, but I still don't know how," He confesses, his voice low. "Not in a way that you won't interpret as me trying to sweeten you up with some well chosen words.

"If they are compliments, I guarantee that I won't."

"Yeah, there's that too," He laughs, a little embarrassed. "You look beautiful, and I'm not just paying lip service. It's just that I keep remembering that you looked beautiful that other Saturday too, and that I couldn't do anything but make some stupid comments..."

Tomori sighs briefly. She knew that, at one time or another, they would need to talk more calmly about what happened that other Saturday. It was something they needed to get out of the way if they wanted this to work. And yet, she really didn't know where to start, and if she even wanted to.

“Yeah… that was another thing that bummed me out that night. I really did my best to look good," She comments. "I don't crave compliments like I crave food or anything, but every woman likes to know that it was worth getting all dolled up for something."

Okubo squirms a little, tensing his shoulders and staring at the tablecloth.

"I know. And then there's the fact that once again we came to a place that you like, that brings back good memories, and I can't stop thinking about how I ruined your memories of that bistro..."

"If you screwed up this place too, then our case would be a lost one," She makes a face. "But that’s not what’s happening, and I’m happy and grateful for that."

"You can be happy, but not grateful," He interrupts her. And adds quickly at her confused expression, "I mean that you don't have to thank me for doing something that is nothing more than the bare minimum. That's me wanting to fix my mistakes. But I still keep thinking it's not enough..."

"… What do you propose then?," She asks after a few seconds of silence, a little uncertain. He then straightens his shoulders, getting serious.

"If we have a second date after this one, I want to take you to that same bistro. I want to be able to apologize properly to the staff there. And I want to try to create good memories there, together with you."

Tomori widens her eyes in surprise, also sitting up straighter in her chair.

"Wait, for real? But didn't you say that bistro brought back some rather traumatic memories?," She asks. "With those girls rejecting you in front of all the clientele and all…"

“Yeah, but it doesn't have to be that way for me either. I... I want to get over it. To stop whining and complaining about something that, after all, was my fault," He gestures a little, looking frustrated with himself. "And you don't deserve to pay for my shitty behavior either by not going to a place you like so much. I want to face this past of mine, you know. Both… both for you and for me," He blushes a little at that statement, but keeps his eyes steady on hers.

Tomori was once again speechless, but not for reasons related to nervousness. She would never have imagined that she would've been able to evoke that desire for change in him, even more so when she had done nothing but be willing to listen to him and allow him to try to get closer. Was that really enough?

She gets that same funny feeling of getting all warm inside, like she's just had a bowl full of miso soup. She sees the almost innocent sincerity brimming in his gray eyes, and in her vision, he's never looked so adorable and kissable. Not as the renowned fighter she admired, but as the cute idiot who had managed to tear down the walls she'd built around herself after that disappointment with sheer determination alone.

“How can I still resent him after that?”

"I… I'm thankful, even with you saying I don't need to be," She finds her voice again, and it sounded almost emotional. "This is very important to me. Not only you recognizing that flaw and wanting to improve, but knowing that it's not just to try to get off my blacklist, hahaha."

"Yeah, haha… I'd even apologize to those girls, if I ran into them again some day," He scratches the back of his head. "Not that I'm trying to blame others, but sometimes I think Mr. Iron Fingers has too much influence over me..."

"Mr. Iron Fingers?"

“Oh, yeah, you don't know. This is another nickname we gave Rihito."

"Damn, how many nicknames does he have anyway?"

"Enough to form several cocky, superhero wannabe identities, and none of them will give up asking for your friend's phone number anytime soon."

She lets out a sound that was half laugh, half groan. "My god, I can't believe I'm going to have to go back to my origins and protect my friend by threatening the manhood of a human golden retriever who's in a perpetual state of heat..."

"Origins?," It's his turn to repeat her words, curiosity making him lean a little on the table. Tomori feels her face heat up, but the amusement at his clear interest overcame the embarrassment at the memories.

"Oh yeah, you still don't know about this dark past of mine..."

"Share your dirt laundry with me and I'll share mine with you, and we agree to take each other's secrets to the graves. How about that?"

She laughs, already feeling a little calmer. "It's not really a secret, at least not for someone who knows me well. But since we're getting to know each other better... remember those annoying friends of mine we bumped into at the market?"

"Yeah, I do. They ruined my late afternoon with you, but in the end it ended up being for a good cause," He nods. "What about them?

“They called me that day by a name that used to be my nom de guerre back in high school. Tomolfie," She rolls her eyes a little. "Years go by, you get your shit together, go to college, get a job and become a respectable member of society, but they still won't let you forget your delinquent phase..."

"What? Delinquent?!," He squeaks in astonishment, then flinches slightly as a trio of friends three tables away turn to them with frowns. He lowers his tone, his voice now coming out in a hiss, repeating, “Delinquent? Like...bleached hair, modified uniforms, detention every other day?"

"Aside from the bleached hair part... yeah, pretty much," She laughs, shyly, putting a hand over her mouth. "I know it's hard to believe, but I had my angry teenage phase, and the resulting fame kind of spilled over into my adult life. No one lets me forget the skipped classes, all the hours spent in detention, the fights with other girls and even the occasional boy..."

"Not even the boys could escape your wrath?"

“I kinda didn't know how to pick my battles. Like a chihuahua who thinks she's a doberman, hahaha!," She lets out a high-pitched laugh, and is relieved when he joins her. "But it shouldn't come as a surprise to you, after seeing my tattoo. And you were a delinquent yourself, from what you've told me."

"I told you, lady, I got to be the leader of a entire gang of 'em! But there weren't any chicks there, that's for sure," He puts his fingers together on the table, looking at her with a certain fascination. "I didn't even imagine such a thing. I thought you just had a well-known bad temper."

"In general, I am a very calm person. It's just that at that time I was going through a bit of a complicated phase," She explains, her gaze blurring a bit as the memories flooded in. "I was going down a bad path. If it wasn't for Akane, Kanny and Hiro, I don't know where I would be today."

"Yeah, I feel that way about my mates too," He smiles tenderly. "But wait, isn't this Akane the girl who asked for Rihito's DMs in that photo?"

"Yep! And believe me when I tell you that Rihito doesn't know what he's getting into when he asks me for her number," Her smile sharpens. "She eats men like him for breakfast."

"Believe me, that's exactly what that good-for-nothing pervert wants," Okubo laughs to himself. "But considering everything you've told me, doesn't that apply to you too? Should I be concerned?"

"Not if you don't give me reasons to worry," She winks, and then laughs. "But seriously, I grew up from that phase. But some remnants of it always appear in times of stress. I'm kinda embarrassed..."

"Don't be. Like I said, this is you, isn't it?," He extends his hand across the table, palm facing upwards in a invitation. "And you were right, I really shouldn't be surprised, now that I think about it. Ever since I saw you with the shards of a bottle in your hand, threatening those stupid kids. It was kinda surreal..."

"Heh. Good to know you weren't just interested in the cute, bouncy Tomori..."

"She's also you. And I'm happy to know that you weren't just interested in the Naoya of the fight rings and press conferences."

She considers admitting, for a second, that until a very short time ago, she didn't know there was another Okubo to be interested in. But now that she knew and was discovering how much she liked him, she decided it was irrelevant information. She holds out her hand, accepting the invitation and placing it over his hand.

"I discovered that I can admire one Naoya as much as the other, now that I know that he is a person like any other… and oh my gosh," She then widens her eyes when she realizes what she said, her face heating up a little. "Oh, I- I called you by your first name just like that..."

He didn't seem to share her embarrassment, however. He squeezes her hand a little tighter, his face lighting up.

"I'll let it slide on one condition.”

"... Which one?"

"That I can call you Tomori too."

And oh, there it was again, that warm, cozy feeling that made her feel like an invisible blanket was covering her on a cold winter's day. She laughs a little, her cheeks starting to hurt from the power of her smile.

"Haha, okay! We're Tomori and Naoya now... damn, it's going to take me a while to get used to this," She looks away a little, resting her free hand on the side of her face. "Having all this intimacy with Ultimate Fight's heavyweight champion..."

“If you keep thinking like that, you'll never get used to it. Forget about that 'heavyweight champion' stuff from now on. Just see me as 'Naoya' and that's it," He smiles. And then he adds, after seeming to think it over for a while, "Except when you're rooting for me during a match. In that case don't ever forget that, I don't want to lose my only female fan in the whole country..."

Tomori lets out a laugh mixed with a snort, which would have embarrassed her enormously, if she wasn't already so comfortable there. "Oh no, I don't believe I'm your only female fan in the whole country, it's kinda absurd to think."

"You may not be, but even if it is the case, you're certainly number one."

"Damn, we barely sat down to eat together and you already opened the gate to let the flirting out?," She jokes, trying to hide how his words made her elated, wanting to have an indiscreet burst of joy.

"It's in my nature, you're already tired of knowing," He shrugs calmly. "If we're going to be more intimate now, you're going to have to deal with it and let me boost your ego when the urge hits."

"Oh really?," She leans over the table too, turning her head a little to the side. "Well, that goes for you tool. You're going to have to deal with the side of my personality that comes out when I'm intimate enough with people."

“Other than your anger, your verbal lashings, and your sarcasm? I've witnessed all of this in recent weeks," He smiles defiantly. "What else is missing for me to be able to say that I know you well?"

Tomori stares at him for a few moments, her expression turning serious. She opens her purse and pulls out her wallet, and from it, pulls out what looks like a credit card. She looks back at him in time to see his expression go from playful to alarmed.

"I- I'm sorry, Miss Uta- I mean, Tomori! I didn't mean to offend you, I was just kidding-"

And then he falls silent, startled, when she slides the card up and down the middle of his chest, over his shirt, then touches his forehead as if pressing buttons.

"Debit or credit?," She asks. And then she bursts out laughing at his indignant expression.

“What the- oooh, come on! Are you serious?!," He screeches while she rests her arms on the table and hides her face between them, her shoulders shaking with laughter. "Damn it! You don't have the size to be making fun of a guy who's almost seven feet tall, you...! Pffft...!," And he puts his hand over his face when he also can't hold back his laughter. "Hahaha, you- you're such a clown!"

They stay there at the table, laughing like two idiots, until the waiter approaches, already with the notepad in hand.

"Good evening! We apologize for the delay, there were some mishaps in the kitchens, but everything has been resolved...," His voice drops in volume as he realizes that the couple were too busy laughing in each other's faces to notice that he was there. He puts a fist over his mouth and clears his throat, making them both jump a little, before repeating the speech. "Good evening. Sorry for the delay, there were some mishaps...

"Ahaha, no- no problem, pal," Okubo guarantees, now a little red, but still laughing. "Sorry about that, it's just that my date here is a comedian wannabe..."

"I'm no wannabe, I'm a professional and you're proving it," Tomori straightens up in her chair, wiping a tear of laughter from her left eye. "But yes, sorry about that, sir. We're ready to order now."

"Very well. Let's be brief then, I don't want to bother the cute couple more than necessary," The waiter jokes, and Tomori manages not to blush too much. The satisfaction was seeing that Okubo apparently wasn't bothered by the comment, considering how he scratched the back of his head and grinned like a fool.

They order, and when the waiter walks away, they go back to talking in a lower tone, Tomori having to do a lot of effort not to burst out laughing again when he sees the pout he's making.

"Come on, don't make that face. Didn't you want to know all the sides of me?," She turns her head a little to the side. He gives an embarrassed smile.

"Yes, I did. It's just that I was taken aback by your initial reaction. I thought I screwed up yet again..."

She smiles sympathetically, tenderly, reaching out to pat his wrist. Hell, who would have thought a few hours of heart-to-heart talk would be enough to make her so physical and comfortable in his presence.

“You don't have to walk on eggshells like that with me anymore. We are past that stage. You showed me that I don't have anything to worry about anymore and that you're not an idiot. I mean you were that day, but if you really regretted it-"

"Rarely have I regretted something more, trust me," He guarantees. And after hesitating for a few moments, he asks, almost shyly, "Does this... Does this mean I'm forgiven?"

The question surprises Tomori a little. All night long, she hadn't given much thought to things like the pending forgiveness he had been so desperately trying to get. She ponders, and when she no longer finds any traces of resentment or the desire to make him pay somehow, she concludes that she no longer needs to hear apologies.

"... I still don't know," But dammit, it was so much fun messing with him like that! She smiles ingratiatingly, hoping he gets the message. "Depends on what else this night has in store for us."

"Oh, so that's how it is, huh?," Fortunately, he seemed to be quick enough to read between those specific lines, returning the smile. "I got it, lady. Our night is not over yet. After we eat and get the check, I want to take you somewhere."

"And may I know where this is?"

"Well, I thought, since we're doing a very baseball-focused tour, why not keep going along those lines? I hope the work in the kitchen has strengthened your arms, hehe."

Tomori blinks, her eyes widening a little as she understands what he was getting at.

"Wait, so you're thinking about...?"

* * *

"Ugh! Heck, I definitely didn't come dressed for this..."

"What? Are you going to throw in the towel now? And you still call yourself a Yomiuri fan?"

"Hell no! The pitcher doesn't talk, he just pitches!," Tomori snorts as she repositions the bat over her shoulder, bending her knees a little while preparing for the next ball to come. Okubo laughs, holding out a hand covered in a baseball glove, and one of the employees at the sports center who was responsible for the batting cages  throws him a ball, smirking at the jabs the couple exchanged.

It was an unusual place to go on a date, to say the least, and not something he saw every day. But there was no complaining when the customers were Okubo Naoya and a beauty, and the fighter was known to be quite generous when it came to tips. Even more so when there was a woman he wanted to impress nearby. He had even dismissed the pitching machine for the privilege of being the one to throw balls for her to hit!

"Hahaha, alright then! Just don't try to use your clothes as an excuse for not knowing how to use a bat..."

"And who said I don't know? You should have seen me in high school!," She exclaims, spreading her legs a little to find the best position. "I only didn't join my school's baseball club because they didn't have a women's division. Yoshida Eri wants to say hi to you..."

"Tell her I said hi too, and that the Kobe 9 Cruise uniform will always be her best look. It's a joke!," He laughs loudly as she frowns. "And I don't doubt anything about the things you told me, I promise. I used to be a hitter and I can see that you have some experience. Your grip is very firm and the position of your legs is correct..."

"Oh, thank you!

"But the angle at which the bat is positioned can be improved."

"Wait, really? But I've always played like this…” She looks at the bat, confused. He smiles and takes a stance, lifting one leg for leverage.

"Better to explain in practice. Here it comes!," And he throws the ball without warning, and even if he moderated the force of the throw, it picks up speed very quickly. Tomori yells in surprise.

"Wait, I still haven't- aargh!," She swings the bat on automatic and hits the ball, returning it to Okubo. He runs backwards, raising his hand, and manages to catch it with his glove before it hits the floor. She exclaims, panting a little, "A little warning would've been nice, y'know!"

"Nah, I wanted to see a spontaneous hit from you, and also if your reflexes were good," He raises a thumb. "Not bad! You have a firm grip and good positioning of your legs when accelerating. But did you notice one thing?," He lifts the glove, showing the ball nestled in it. Tomori frowns thoughtfully.

"… The ball didn't go very far. You barely had to run to get it," She concludes, and he nods, again giving the thumbs up.

"Exactly. And that's because of the angle at which you've positioned the bat. Here, let me show you..."

He throws the ball back to the employee, who deftly catches it while watching the fighter approach his date. He positions himself right behind her, holding out his hands but stopping midway in a brief hesitation.

"Uh... can I...?"

“Sure, go ahead,” She nods, relaxing her shoulders, and he immediately places his hands on the sides of them. The employee sees how they both seem to become electrified by the contact and closeness, she blushing, he swallowing a little. Damn...

"O- Okay," Okubo manages to say after clearing his throat. "You know there are three ways to position the bat, right?"

"Yes. Perpendicular to the ground, parallel and a mixture of the two."

"Yeah. Most people prefer the middle ground of the third option, and this is the one you were using. There's nothing wrong with it per se, but I don't think this is the best position for you specifically," And before the questioning look she threw him over her shoulder, he explains, "It has everything to do with the speed of your reaction and the force you apply as you swing the bat. You're the type to hit the ball hard, as if it had talked shit about your mother or something," He jokes with a laugh. "And for those people, the best position is perpendicular to the ground. Can you tell me why?"

"Hnnn… because it's the angle that can generate the more powerful hit," She concludes after thinking again. "Because it allows more space for momentum. Did I get it right?"

"You sure as hell did, lady!," he exclaims excitedly, raising his right hand in the air, and laughs out loud when she jumps up to try to high five him while huffing. She takes revenge by hitting him in the stomach with a horizontal fist; not too hard, but enough to make him double over a little with a sound that was half laugh, half groan. She finally gives him a high five, laughing too.

“And be thankful I used my fist and not the bat.”

"Damn, you're mean…," He whimpers, but the wide smile on his face belies his statement. "​​I want to see all that aggressiveness in your next swing, okay?"

"Okay! But seriously, I'd never tried using the bat perpendicularly," She comments, returning to position herself while he goes to fetch the ball from the employee. "I’ve been told that it’s not the best angle for a woman because it requires a lot of strength..."

"And I already saw that you have said strenght in abundance. I mean, my stomach is hurting even now!," He touches his belly before positioning himself as well. "From one baseball lover to another: you have lots of potential. I've known that since that late afternoon in that alley."

She smiles, biting her lower lip a little as she looks down at her feet. Only he could turn a traumatic memory of hers into a source of pride...

"Hehe, okay… I'm ready whenever you are," She positions the bat as she spreads and plants her legs on the ground, leaving it perpendicular to the ground, as he suggested. She adjusts his grip to make sure the bat doesn't slip and fixes her eyes on the ball as he throws it in the air, then catches it. She had a feeling he would try the surprise throw tactic again, but now she felt a lot more confident.

He smiles, glancing sideways at the sports center employee, as if he's non-verbally communicating with him. And then, as she had predicted, he hurls the ball without warning, and with even more force than before. She doesn't hesitate, gritting her teeth as she pulls up with her upper torso and swings the bat, which actually whizzes as it cuts through the air and slams into the ball.

Okubo doesn't get a chance to run to catch the projectile this time. The ball flies over his head at an impressive speed, hitting the net that surrounds the cage and falling to the ground. He follows the trajectory with his jaw dropped, then opens a huge, excited smile.

"See? I knew it! That was freacking awesome!," He exclaims, raising his fists in the air and running towards her. Tomori squeals in happiness, jumping up and lifting the bat high in the air with both hands, then opening her arms to him.

"HomeRun! Hell, I've never been able to hit a ball that far before! Thank you, Naoya!"

He barely had time to register the fact that she'd called him by his first name. She wraps her arms around his torso and presses the side of her face against his chest in the tightest hug she can muster given the difference in height and width. And yet, it felt like a giant, soft, warm blanket wrapped around him, making his heart flutter. And he isn't able to contain himself, returning with a loud laugh, practically lifting her off her feet in his excitement.

"You're welcome, Tomori! I said you were gonna make it!"

Being squeezed like that by those huge arms was a little suffocating, but Tomori didn't care and wouldn't give up that feeling, dignity be damned. She squeals as she feels the ground vanishing beneath her feet, but laughs out loud afterwards.

"Hahaha, put me down, you nutjob! How are we going to switch positions with me dangerously close to air traffic?"

"Switch positions?"

"Yes! I want to pitch this time so I can see your hits firsthand!"

"Ooh, I don’t know if this cage would be able to survive my hits," He jokes, and as expected, he was unable to resist her pitying expression. "But I’ll do it with pleasure, if it makes you want to hug me like that more times, hehe."

She blinks. And then turns very red, letting go of him at once and landing on the ground with a high-pitched sound of distress that he found adorable. She hands him the bat without looking at him, embarrassed, while he just laughs at the effect he's caused.

"L- Leave me alone! Just- Just give me the glove and go get the ball while I do some warm-ups. I'll show you how good I am with my arms," And she turns her back on him, stretching, even doing some jumping jacks. He laughs again and goes to catch the ball, but the employee who was watching them had already gone ahead. He throws the ball at him.

“Here, Mr. Okubo."

"Thanks, man! And also thanks for letting us occupy one of the cages near the center's closing hours. I promise I'll make it up to you," Okubo pats him on the shoulder, and the employee smiles simply.

"No worries. We saw that you had company, so it didn't hurt to give you a hand. She's cute."

"Like all hell, man..."

"And she seems to be nice too."

"You have no idea how much…," Okubo sighs, to which the employee suppresses the urge to laugh to maintain professionalism.

"Well, I wish you luck. If I can do anything to help, just let me know. An extra five minutes in the cage next visit, maybe?"

Okubo laughs, shaking his head. "That would also mean more money for you, right? Anyway, I'd appreciate it. Any extra minute with her would be a gift, really..."

They both watch Tomori stretch, her hips gyrating as she stretches her arms, her skirts billowing. It was so good to have found someone who shared so many of his interests, even more so for baseball... that's when an idea came to his mind, making his eyes widen.

"Actually, there's something you can do for me right now!"

"And what would it be?"

"Tell me, do you have a permanent marker I can borrow?"

* * *

"Seriously, what are you hiding from me in the backseat?"

"You'll know soon enough. Now stop trying to peek, you little tattletale."

"How rude! That's no way to talk to a dying woman!," Okubo feels a hand hit him on the back as he leans into the SUV, picking up the last surprise of the date that had been hidden all this time under a coat in the back seat of the car. He then hears Tomori whimper.

"Uugh, I'm not even that old to have sore joints like that! Working tomorrow will be an ordeal..."

He laughs, closing the car door and turning to her, hiding what he was carrying in his right hand behind his back.

"No problem, I'll carry you to the door. Would you rather it be on my arms or my shoulders so you can shout to the whole neighborhood about your new skill?"

"And then I lose my balance because of the fatigue and fall straight to my death, right? No, but thanks for the offer," She laughs, opening the gate and walking inside, her platform heels clicking on the stone path that led to the front door of her house. Okubo follows, feeling lighter than he has in weeks.

Accompanying Tomori to her house made him feel a mixture of sadness that the night had come to an end and joy that everything had turned out so well. Better than he'd expected, even. This was how their first date should have been, but honestly, it wasn't worth holding on to those bitter memories anymore. They were part of the past now. The future with her, while uncertain, seemed to hold incredible things, and that was what he would focus on.

They reach the porch, the motion sensor activating and the light above them turning on, illuminating Tomori's face as she looks up at him. She was a little sweaty from the night's activities, her makeup fading, her hair falling out of order. And he could only find her more beautiful than ever.

"Thanks for today, Naoya. I had so much fun, I have no idea..."

“I'm glad to know that. The cavalry is grateful for the preference and hopes to have won the customer's loyalty," He jokes, vibrating inside when she laughs.

"With such a quality service, it’s hard not to, haha! I just want to see if, in the coming dates, the quality of service will be maintained..."

He would've given a shout of triumph, accompanied by a punch in the air, if he had been alone. He still wanted to maintain a modicum of dignity in front of her, dammit. He just scratches his nose a little, red with happiness while giving a shy laugh.

"I- I can guarantee that! With some exclusive treats to show my commitment...," He straightens his shoulders, the palms of his hands sweating and leaving the object he hid behind his back a little slippery. "I have some gifts..."

"I told you I didn't have to…," She starts to say, but he cuts her off by holding up a finger.

“I didn't have to, but I wanted to anyway. Come on, let me do this for you. It's special this time."

She sighs, looking to the side, scratching her left wrist with her right hand. And then she nods slowly.

"Okay, fine. I just hope you remembered our conversation about extravagant gifts."

“Just trust me and close those eyes, lady."

She looks at him with some wariness, but when she meets his amused look, she sees no reason to deny his request. She closes her eyes, waiting. And about two seconds later, she shudders and gasps as she feels something being fitted to the top of her head.

"What...!," She opens her eyes and puts her hands to her head, a little startled. And her eyes widened when she looked at him and realized that he wasn't wearing his cap anymore. He smiles more.

"There you go. From one baseball lover to another."

With eyes wide, Tomori removes the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes cap from her head, her jaw hanging open, the air catching a little in her throat. She turns it over in her hands, disbelieving, and sees another thing: there was a signature under the brim of the cap. His autograph, the very same one she got the day they met, at the Heavy Bakery.

“You said you wanted gifts that meant something, didn't you? It's something for you to always remember tonight," He scratches the back of his head, looking almost apprehensive now. "A souvenir… I- I know it's not a big deal, but-"

He is interrupted when she lets out a squeaky little scream, startling and nearly dropping what he was carrying behind his back. Tomori presses the cap to her chest, her eyes huge and shining, the platform heels of her sandals clicking on the floor as she practically tap dances with happiness.

"Ooooh, my god, I can't believe it!" I- I got an autographed cap from Okubo Naoya! This is an exclusive collector's item! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my gooood...!"

"S-So you liked it? Really?!," He exclaims, smiling from ear to ear in a mixture of relief and elation. "Damn, it's so good to know that, even after everything, you're still my fan..."

"I'll always be! And I loved it, even more so because you know how much I love baseball! Thank you, thank you!," She puts the cap back on her head; it was a little too big for her, the flap covering her eyes, which forces her to turn it around and damn, she looked even more adorable that way! She raises her eyes to him again, which seemed almost teary. "I'll keep it and take good care of it for the rest of my life, I won't even wash it so I don't risk erasing the autograph...!"

He laughs heartily, his free hand on his belly. "You can wash it, I used a permanent marker made for fabrics, hahaha! And I'm so glad you liked it..."

"Yes, but...! But this is your favorite cap, isn't it?," She suddenly hesitates, stopping bouncing. "The baseball cap from the team you remain loyal to, even after it has merged with another. Are you really going to give me something so valuable?"

"Look, it is speciall to me, I'll give you that," Okubo concedes with a nod. "It's one of the most valuable items in my wardrobe. And that's why I'm entrusting it to someone who knows as much about its value as I do," He smiles tenderly at her. "Take good care of it for me, okay? It's yours now."

Tomori bites her lower lip, which was trembling, hard. She sniffles, her eyes even more teary, and nods vehemently.

"I- I will! I promise to you..."

He wanted so much to wipe away her tears, but he stopped himself. He waited for her to calm down before continuing, feeling even more anxious.

"Now hold your horses 'cause it's not over yet. There's one more thing I want to give you."

“Holy crap, is there more? You want to go to jail for killing me or something?!," She shrieks, and if he had laughed louder, he probably would have woken up the whole neighborhood.

"Shit, of course not! How am I supposed to take you out in another date if you die?," He jokes, and she hears the sound of plastic cracking when he moves his hand hidden behind his back. "Okay… I hope you like this one as much as you liked the cap."

And finally he reveals what he'd been hiding from her all that time, showing her the bouquet of flowers, the daisies and gerberas and gladiolus neatly arranged inside the cellophane.

Okubo watches, with some apprehension, as the smile fades from her face. She takes a deep breath, her chest filling up, her breath catching. And finally, finally he sees that pretty face take on the countenance he had so longed to see, all the times he brought her flowers, wanting to win that silly game she imposed. The red checks, the sparkling brown eyes, her pink mouth open in a mute 'O' of someone who didn't have an adequate word in the vocabulary to express what she was feeling. She reaches out slowly, taking the bouquet from him, and holds it in one arm as she unconsciously touches the side of her left thigh, above her skirt.

The thigh where the tattoo was.

In another situation, he would've been extremely smug about his masterful win. But now, all he could feel was an almost overwhelming desire to do more amazing things like that, so he could keep seeing that expression of awestruck happiness, over and over, on her face.

"So?," He starts, his voice weak. "Did I get it right?"

She doesn't respond right away, still admiring the bouquet, inhaling slowly to smell the flowers. She looks up at him, wetting her parched lips with her tongue, making them even glossier. She approaches him, resting her hand on his chest. And she begins to stretch out on tiptoe, slowly, not taking her eyes off him for a second.

"... Yes. Yes, you did."

She didn't need to stretch further. He bent down to meet her halfway without asking permission because he knew he didn't need to. And when he finally touched her mouth with his, he found he didn't need many other things anymore. Oxygen was one of them.

He encircles her waist with one arm, while she rests her hands on his shoulders, the bouquet on her right hand hitting him in the ear, but who said he cared? Continuing to kiss her was far more important, and she seemed to think the same, licking his lips slowly, and he sent the pain in his back to hell as he bent down to kiss her back, one hand going to her hair, feeling the softness, her smell making him feel drunk, light, like his 250 pounds no longer held him to the earth. Welp, he must really be about to ascend, because his heart beating like that could only mean he was about to have a heart attack. And he would die happy if he could keep doing that to her in the afterlife, holy shit...!

Tomori touches his face with her free hand, stroking his jaw and letting out an adorable little moan as he kisses him one more time, pulling away slowly. He allows, both panting a little, staring at each other in a daze. He reaches out a hand slowly, tracing the line of her jaw with his finger, catching a strand of her hair and tucking it behind her ear, making her shiver. Fuck, he'd been wanting to do that for so long...!"

"Does…," His voice is very hoarse when he speaks, so he clears his throat a little before continuing. "Does that mean I'm forgiven now…?"

"My god, and he still asks...," She babbles in disbelief, grabbing his shirt and bringing him down again. "Just shut up and kiss me again, c'mon..."

And he had never been so happy to follow an order in his entire life.

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