#especially when it was clear how much she liked the other scarf

[romerona]

The Cook and the Teacher!

Headcanons of Carmen (Carmy) Berzatto x Abbot Teacher Femreader! Sunshinereader!

Let's pretend The Bear and Abbot Elementary are in the same city.

Their relationship is the perfect mix of Carmy’s high-energy, fast-paced work life and the reader’s vibrant but nurturing personality. She helps him slow down and appreciate the quieter, simpler moments, while he brings her a sense of excitement and adventure she didn’t know she needed.

Carmy finds her colorful, warm presence a soothing contrast to the often gray and chaotic atmosphere of his kitchen.

In one of these rare moments, Carmy is cooking in his own kitchen, reader loves to help out. She’ll chop vegetables or stir sauces while teasing him about his intense focus. He secretly loves these moments.

Occasionally, she’ll attempt to make him breakfast—simple pancakes or eggs—and Carmy will quietly fix little things without her noticing. He never wants her to feel like she isn’t good enough in the kitchen.

The reader knows how much pressure Carmy puts on himself, so she makes it her mission to leave little notes for him to find, saying things like, “You’re enough, with or without a Michelin star.”

The reader knows how to calm Carmy when he’s spiraling, either with a warm hug or by distracting him with a ridiculous story from her day.

Carmy helps her through her own stressful days by listening attentively and offering practical advice—or, if that fails, making her a delicious meal that instantly brightens her mood.

Their relationship is full of lighthearted teasing. She loves poking fun at how serious he can be, calling him “Chef” in a mock-stern voice while dramatically bowing. He’ll roll his eyes but can’t help the small smile that sneaks onto his face.

Carmy is fiercely protective of her, especially after seeing how draining her job can be at times. If someone crosses a line, whether it’s a rude parent, a random person or an ex, he’s the first to step in.

Similarly, the reader is protective of Carmy’s emotional well-being. She’s not afraid to tell him to take a day off or call out the staff (including Richie) if they’re piling too much on his plate.

Carmy admires her ability to manage a classroom of kids with humor and grace. He’s constantly amazed by how much energy and love she pours into her work. He often tells her, “I don’t know how you do it.”

The reader admires Carmy’s dedication and talent, even if she worries about how hard he pushes himself. She’ll often remind him that his worth isn’t tied to his achievements.

Carmy isn’t big on grand romantic gestures, but he shows his love through thoughtful actions—making her coffee just the way she likes it, fixing her scarf before she leaves the apartment, or cooking her favorite comfort food after a long day.

Reader, on the other hand, loves leaving little surprises for him—like a new knife roll she found on sale or a framed photo of the two of them that she sneaks into his office.

The staff at The Bear adore the reader, and they tease Carmy relentlessly about how soft he gets around her. Richie especially teases Carmy about how “whipped” he is, though it’s clear he’s just happy his cousin has someone who makes him smile.

When Carmy visits Abbott, the professors give the reader knowing looks, nudging her about “her handsome chef.” Janine even asks if Carmy can give a cooking demo for the kids someday, and while Carmy is shy and somewhat reluctant about it, he agrees because it makes reader happy.

Their late-night talks are a cornerstone of their relationship. After a long day, they’ll sit on the couch, and talk about their respective days, childhood memories, or Carmy’s culinary dreams, these moments become the heart of their relationship.

They’re perfectly comfortable doing their own things in the same room—Carmy scribbling recipe ideas while the reader grades papers or works on the next class projects. Silent yet intimate moments.

Carmy struggles to open up fully about his past, especially his guilt over Mikey’s death and the pressure he feels as a chef. The reader often has to gently coax him to share, which can lead to frustration on both sides.

The reader’s naturally sunny disposition occasionally clashes with Carmy’s more grounded (and sometimes pessimistic) outlook. While she tries to see the silver lining, Carmy sometimes feels like she’s dismissing his concerns, even if unintentionally.

Both have hectic schedules—Carmy’s long hours at The Bear and the reader’s commitment to Abbott. They often struggle to find quality time together, sometimes going days with only fleeting interactions.

Carmy’s obsession with perfection often spills into his personal life, making it hard for him to disengage from work. The reader sometimes feels like she has to compete for his attention, especially during busy weeks at the restaurant.

When they argue, Carmy tends to shut down, while the reader tries to resolve things immediately. This mismatch in conflict styles can make their fights drag on longer than necessary.

However, they’ve learned to meet in the middle—Carmy working on staying present in discussions, and reader giving him space when he needs it.

Carmy sometimes struggles with feelings of inadequacy, wondering why someone as bright and compassionate as reader is with him. He fears that his flaws—his temper, his workaholism, and his messy past.

Sometimes, Carmy doesn’t realize he’s shutting the reader out until she points it out, leading to heartfelt apologies.

Thanks to her gentle encouragement, Carmy is learning to open up more. She’s teaching him that it’s okay to lean on someone else for support.

meeting

[bainksan]

Monkey D. Luffy Relationship Headcannons ❦

Luffy is oblivious if that isn't obvious.

He doesn't know anything about relationships

He wasn't trying to start a relationship with anyone, his goal is to be king of the pirates.

But that doesn't stop you're relationship from starting

He didn't know he'd like you so much

When he first invited you to the crew he thought you were tough and strong enough to hold your own weight, unlike his other crewmates which he assumed would at times rely on his strength

It was only when on a certain night he noticed you by yourself

It was around two in the morning and the rest of the crew was asleep in there rooms, aside from Zoro who had agreed to keep watch

Like he did most nights, he planned on sneaking into the fridge and eating all the contents before Sanji would wake up.

However, he was distracted by a loud slam on the dock.

When he went to go check it out he noticed you, sweaty and tired, dressed in lounge gear.

Both of your hands were swollen and bloody and several different kinds of gym equipment were scattered next to you

"Heyyyy (n/n)...what're ya doing up?" His playful voice startled you and you looked to you're right to find your captain standing nearly inches away from you're face.

You dropped the hand grip that was previously in your hands and gave him your full attention

He was dressed in his same old red tank top but he wore pants that had resembled sweats instead of his usual jean shorts.

"Ahh..i was just working out. Nothing to worry about captain." Your sincere expression eased him and he wasn't as wary as he initially was.

"You don't need to always call me captaiiinnnn. Also its pretty early for training. Donch'a think?"

You gave him a soft smile and slowly sat yourself down, your back resting on the railings of the ship

You looked so at peace, so tranquil

Luffy may not have been the brightest but it didn't take a genius to know you were attractive

Especially when you had big soft eyes and it looked like all of your facial features lined up perfectly on your face

"I really want to help out the crew cap-..Luffy. Everyone is so strong, so determined. I really want to earn my place here. I need to be strong for you and the crew."

And at that moment you stopped being just another crewmate to him.

You understood him.

You understood how much pressure he had with being strong and you noticed it so you took it upon yourself to get stronger for him.

That moment helped your relationship bloom to what it was now.

You both silently agreed that you wouldn't make it known to the crew that you were dating, or even interested in each other. There were small signs though.

Robin seemed to be the only one who noticed the change.

She noticed it once at dinner.

Normally Luffy would scarf down whatever was in his field of vision, but he didn't. He left a small portion of his bread to the side of his plate.

And when everyone was absorbed in more conversation he grinned at you and placed it on your plate.

Robin decided to keep this small moment to herself and not mention it to the crew, even Nami.

Even when you both don't make it clear your in a relationship he still looks out for you.

He invites you to join in on the games that he and Ussop would play.

And on rare occasions he'll peck your lips quickly before anyone of the crew can notice.

You love when its colder out because Luffy will use his rubber abilities to wrap his arms around you tightly.

You wouldn't change it for the world.

[legendofzoodles]

Four: Try explaining your fight with Ganon or whatever evil was wrecking your kingdom, but without context.

Wind: Old-ass wizard kicks around some minors while the only other adult is a shapeshifting boat-man who prioritised claiming some triangles. Beat that. 

Four: I’m sorry, what?

Wind: That’s how Grandma saw it. But I get it, he did take a few pot shots at me and especially Tetra.

Time: [remembering when Ganondorf, chasing after Zelda on horseback, stopped his pursuit solely to blast a 9 year old in the face and monologue]

Time: Sounds like him.

---

Wild: Appointed knight finally fulfills his mission after waiting 100 years to reload his save.

The Chain: What?

Time: That sucks, I only waited seven. 

The Chain: What?!

---

Twilight: Local ranch-hand stops a nightmare induced apocalypse alongside an imp who’s a princess and a hermit, who’s also a princess.  

Time: [clears his throat]

Twilight: After screaming at the moon vocal coaching from a ghost stalking the entire journey, who wasn’t a princess. 

---

Sky: Local daydreamer wakes up, fights god, and wins. 

Wild: I mean...did you though?

Legend: Yeah, jury’s still out on that one.

---

Hyrule: Mute kid brutalises pigman after assembling wish granting triangles, and saves the princess. He does it again years later.

Wild: You were silent back then?

Hyrule: Well, I couldn’t speak because I didn’t know the language. After saving the first Zelda she asked members of the nobility teach me- and how to read and write.

Twilight: Did you bite them when they tried to scold you for getting an answer wrong?

Hyrule: You did that too?!

---

Warriors: Pairs of powerful fighters from across the ages band together to defeat creepy time sorceress, then conquer red-maned wizard. 

Legend: Ugh, the power of friendship. Really?

Warriors: Comradery, actually. 

Legend: [mimicking his tone] Cringe, actually. 

---

Legend: Which one?

Four: Choose your favourite.

Legend: [thinks for a moment] A scarf wearing hooded hobo breaks into my house on several occasions and stages a coup to save two worlds. 

Four: What...were you doing?

Legend: [sighing] All the hard work. 

~~~

Thanks for reading! 

Masterlist

9th place in the LU character design ranking

Character analysis posts:

Hero of the Sky, Hero of Time, Hero of Twilight, Hero of the Wild, Hero of Warriors

Parkour team - LU drabble

How each member of the chain laughs - LU headcanon

I didn't know what to do for Time since I've already made the speedrunning puberty joke and I don't know much about Four's adventures.

[amostimprobabledream]

Bleach Characters Who Are Into Choking

Loosen your grip before I choke~ (Warning for some mild dubcon in the last one.)

Yumichika Ayasegawa

This may be surprising, but Yumichika finds something terribly aesthetic about choking. The eroticism of it, the glassy sheen in your eyes, the way his delicate hands look wrapped around your neck…

Unlike other examples on this list, there's no danger of passing out or Yumichika getting overexcited and forgetting his own strength. He's a passionate lover but he doesn't like to cause too much pain or discomfort, even if you're enthusiastically egging him on - a little neck squeezing is mostly all you're going to get.

He likes being choked too, he makes sure to do it prettily, throwing his head back to present the graceful arch of his throat to you, gasping thetrically and making a show of himself. Plus if you bruise him up, it gives him an excellent excuse to wear one of his many cute scarves! <3

Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone - Grimmjow is rough, aggressive and dominant and that's only refocused and enchanced in the bedroom. He doesn't think kinks are something that needs to be hidden or danced around - if he feels like squeezing that pretty little neck, he'll do it. It's actually one of his go-to moves he likes to do, so you can expect choking to be a regular occurrence unless you make it crystal clear to him it's off the table.

He fucking loves it, loves the fluttering of your pulse against his fingers, the little gasps, the way your body writhes helplessly beneath him…

It sends his predator instincts into overdrive. He normally has excellent control over his strength but he really has to remind himself not to put too much pressure on your delicate little windpipe. He likes to tease you with it too - like a cat will bat around a mouse and then watch it while it's stunned, he'll pin you down by the neck and tighten and loosen his grip over and over, watching you splutter for air whenever he gives you a reprieve.

Cirucci Sanderwicci

Just look at her, you know this girl is into BDSM and kinks that fall under that umbrella. She differs a little in how she likes to choke you though - she puts that whip of her to good use. Especially if you're bigger than her, she doesn't want to worry about her smaller hands not being up to the job. Also she likely just got her nails done!

She's got very good command of her whip and using it like a leash just feeds into her ego. Seeing any marks on your throat afterwards gives her an extra arousal boost and you might notice her fidgeting in place as she observes you.

Though she's got a sadistic streak a mile wide, Cirucci is also up for being dominated. She won't ask that you choke her, but if you surprise her with it then she'll gasp and arch her back. It's a little difficult for her to let her guard down and be submissive but once she does it's quite a rush. She looks good with a hand around her neck too, her lips parted as she struggles for breath. Don't go easy on her or she'll get offended you think she can't take it.

Gin Ichimaru

Of course this bastard-coated bastard likes to choke you out. Those long fingers of his practically beg to grip your neck - they fit so naturally well you'd think he was created with that very intention in mind. He likes to take his time with it too, slowly increasing the pressure over time until you've got black spots dancing in your vision.

He likes to bring you just to the edge of unconsciousness before he equally slowly relinquishes his grip, likes watching the lucidity return to your eyes like you're waking up from a dream. His favourite move is choking you just as you're about to come, watching you gasp in his hold as your orgasm crashes into you as you adjust to the lack of oxygen. When he first did it you thought you were going to implode.

Don't bother trying to cover up the marks on your neck either - Gin takes pride in the proof of the act. If you're wearing a scarf he'll kiss your neck and tug it off while you're distracted, or lick away concealer. He's such a shit.

Kenpachi Zaraki

Kenpachi's whole hand can wrap around the entirety of your neck, it's inevitable that he can't resist giving a little squeeze. He prefers to do it in little sharp bursts - prolonged choking can get a little boring, since holding you still with just his hand is child's play. Instead he'll simply press down without telling you when, and for a brief second it's like all the air has vanished, before it's abruptly back again. He especially likes to do this when you're riding him.

He knows how strong he is, though, so he's slightly more inclined to be careful. Snapping your neck mid-fuck would be a bit of a buzzkill. He'll massage your throat afterwards with his long, powerful fingers.

If you want to choke him, he'll laugh at you and tell you to go ahead! You have to wrap two hands around his throat and act like you're throttling him to get your money back for him to feel much of anything. He loves it, the look of concentration on your face, the feel of your nails digging into his skin. He'll egg you on, too. "Yeah? You wanna choke me out? That the best you got, baby?"

Nnoitra Gilga

You are a brave, possibly stupid, soul if you want the praying mantis to choke you. Nnoitra's hands are just as spindly as the rest of him, but he's got some freakish strength that belies his frame. He will slam you against the wall and crush your windpipe until you black out.

Another one who does it instinctively and he'll laugh at you if you beg him to stop or slow down. He doesn't really do gentle, so he doesn't know why you think this would be any different. He especially likes fucking you while you're semi or outright unconscious - you waking up to his cock rutting in and out of you gives him a thrill, like even oblivion won't spare you from his lust.

Likes to trace his fingerprints on your neck and smirks at your bloodshot eyes. Choking him back is very difficult to do with his hierro, but you could still repay the favour by trying to smother him while he's sleeping. He'll make you pay, but it will be worth it. Hollow Ichigo

Now, Ichigo doesn't really go in for choking. He prefers to be sweet to you during the nasty, even if he will get rougher as he gets more excited, so he'd be very hesitant to choke you.

But THIS motherfucker right here? He LOVES it. Lives for it. He could get himself off solely by pinning you down by the throat and watching your hands scrabbling at him, eyes widening and your feet kicking. He loves it. Loves making you so helpless and cute beneath your king~

He likes to press the pad of his thumb against a certain dip in your throat, leaving a little circular bruise right in the centre where it's hard to cover up. He loves the thought of you washing your face and catching a glimpse of it in the mirror, knowing it's a seal, a promise of a repeat performance.

[pascalispimp]

Through the Ashes

Pairing: Joel miller x reader

Summary: In a world ravaged by loss and survival, Joel Miller has long believed that love is a luxury he can no longer afford. Haunted by his past and driven by the need to protect those he cares about, his heart is as guarded as the walls around the small community of Jackson. But when Birdie, a former Firefly with a mysterious connection to Ellie, arrives in Jackson, Joel’s world is turned upside down.

Warnings for series: some angst with happy ending. Mutual pining. Eventual smut. Unspecified age gap. Takes places after TLOU season 1. Not canon to game ending. Joel will get his happy ending. Jealous!Joel. Protective!Joel. Canon typical violence.

Word count: 3k

** Masterlist **

Hi guys, this is my first fic in a very long time so please be kind. I’m posting the first chapter and if you guy’s enjoy it, let me know and I’ll post more. Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts on it!! Character doesn’t have a name but everyone calls her Birdie because of the Mockingbird tattoo on her arm.

Chapter 1- The First Meeting

The snow fell steadily outside the cabin, the wind howling through the gaps in the wooden walls. Joel was in the middle of cleaning his rifle, the rhythmic scrape of the brush against the metal barrel soothing in its familiarity. Jackson was quiet today—too quiet, for Joel’s taste—but then again, it was the dead of winter. The few settlers who ventured out for patrols returned with little to report, just the bitter cold biting at their heels.

A knock at the door broke his concentration, sharp and unexpected. Joel frowned, setting the rifle down carefully on the table. Not many people came to his cabin unannounced, especially in weather like this.

“Who is it?” Joel called out, his voice rough, as he crossed the small room to the door.

“It’s me, Tommy,” came the muffled reply from the other side.

Joel unlocked the door and pulled it open, the cold air rushing in as he did. Tommy stood on the porch, bundled up in his thick coat, but it wasn’t Tommy who drew Joel’s attention. It was the woman standing next to him.

“Joel, I’d like you to meet someone,” Tommy said, stepping aside slightly. “This is” Tommy said, your name escaping his lips. “But I call her Birdie”

Her name struck a chord in Joel’s memory, and he realized why as soon as he looked into her eyes. Those eyes—so familiar, so much like Ellie’s, but older, more weathered by the world.

She stepped forward, pulling the scarf away from her face. Her features were sharp, angular, with a stubborn chin and eyes that had seen too much. Her long hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame her face. There was something fierce about her, a hardness that reminded Joel of the survivors he’d met on the road, but there was also a sadness that softened her.

Joel repeated her name, his voice carefully neutral.

“She’s Ellie’s aunt,” Tommy said, glancing between them. “Her mom’s younger sister.”

Birdie gave a small, curt nod. “I’ve been looking for her—for years. Since Boston.”

Joel’s mind raced, trying to piece together what he knew of Anna, Ellie’s mother, and what she might have told him about family. But there had been little to go on. Anna had been a Firefly, just like Birdie apparently was—or had been.

“You’re a Firefly,” Joel said, the words coming out like an accusation.

Birdie’s expression tightened, her eyes narrowing slightly. “I was. Not anymore. That was… a long time ago.”

Tommy cleared his throat, sensing the tension between them. “Birdie’s been on the road for a while. Just got back here yesterday, actually after travelling back to Boston”

Joel nodded slowly, though his eyes never left Birdie’s. He could see the exhaustion in her, the weight of whatever she had endured in her search for Ellie. There was a moment of silence, heavy with unspoken questions. Why now? Why here?

“Ellie doesn’t know yet,” Birdie said quietly, as if reading his mind. “I haven’t figured out how to tell her. I needed to see her first… to make sure she’s okay.”

“She’s fine,” Joel said, a bit too quickly, the protective edge in his voice undeniable. “She doesn’t need—”

“I’m not here to take her from you,” Birdie interrupted, her tone sharp, but not unkind. “I’m here because she’s all I have left.”

The words hung in the air between them, and Joel found himself softening, just slightly. He knew what it was like to lose everything, to have only one thing left in the world to hold onto. It was a pain that twisted and festered, driving people to do impossible things.

Tommy shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two. “Well, I’ll let you two talk. I need to check on Maria. Birdie, your place should be ready for you whenever you’re ready. Hasn’t been touched since you left.”

“Thank you, Tommy,” Birdie said, her eyes flicking to him before returning to Joel. “I appreciate it.”

Tommy gave them both a nod and then stepped off the porch, disappearing into the falling snow, leaving Joel and Birdie alone.

Joel stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. “You might as well get out of the cold.”

Birdie hesitated for just a moment before stepping inside. The warmth of the cabin hit her, and she could feel the chill starting to seep out of her bones. She unwound the scarf from her neck and shrugged off her coat, hanging it on the rack by the door. As she did, Joel couldn’t help but notice how thin she looked, how worn.

“Sit,” Joel said gruffly, motioning to the chair by the fire. “I’ll get you something warm.”

Birdie moved toward the chair, her eyes taking in the cabin as she did—a small, simple space, but well-kept, with everything in its place. She sat down slowly, the firelight casting flickering shadows across her face.

Joel busied himself with the kettle, filling it with water and setting it over the fire. His hands worked automatically, but his mind was racing. This woman—Ellie’s aunt—what was her angle? What did she want?

“I’m not here to make things difficult,” Birdie said suddenly, as if sensing his doubts. “I know what you did for Ellie. Tommy told me… some of it.”

Joel turned, his expression guarded. “You don’t know the half of it.”

“Maybe not,” Birdie admitted. “But I know enough to be grateful. Ellie’s lucky to have you.”

Joel said nothing, his eyes searching her face for any sign of deception. But all he saw was sincerity, mixed with a weariness that matched his own. She wasn’t here to cause trouble; she was here because she had nowhere else to go.

The kettle began to whistle, and Joel turned back to pour the water into two mugs. He handed one to Birdie, who accepted it with a nod of thanks.

“So,” Joel said, settling into the chair opposite her, “what’s your plan?”

Birdie took a sip of the tea, the warmth spreading through her chest. She looked at him, her gaze steady. “I don’t have one. I just want to be a part of Ellie’s life, if she’ll have me. And if you’ll let me.”

Joel studied her for a long moment, the fire crackling between them. Finally, he nodded, a silent truce forming between them.

“We’ll see,” he said, his voice low. “But know this—if you hurt her, if you bring any trouble here…”

“I won’t,” Birdie cut him off, her voice firm. “I swear it.”

Another silence fell between them, this one less heavy, more accepting. They were two people with jagged pasts, brought together by the same person they loved more than anything in this broken world.

And though neither of them could have known it then, that moment—born of mutual understanding and a shared need for connection—was the first step toward something neither of them had dared to hope for.

Something like love.

—-

The mid-afternoon sun bathed Jackson in a soft, golden light as Ellie stood on the porch of Joel’s cabin, her hands shoved deep into the pockets of her jacket. She glanced over at Joel, who was leaning against the wooden railing, his expression unreadable. He had been unusually quiet that day, and Ellie could sense the tension rolling off him in waves. Something was up, and it was putting her on edge.

“So… what’s this all about?” Ellie asked, her voice filled with cautious curiosity. She wasn’t used to Joel acting so cagey, and it made her uneasy.

Joel sighed, pushing himself off the railing and turning to face her. “There’s someone I want you to meet,” he said slowly, his eyes searching hers for a reaction. “Someone from your past.”

Ellie frowned, confused. She had already met everyone in Jackson who might have known her from before. Who could Joel be talking about? But before she could ask, the cabin door creaked open, and a woman stepped out onto the porch.

Ellie’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of the woman standing before her. She was tall, with her hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, and her eyes—her eyes were so familiar. Ellie couldn’t place why at first, but something about them tugged at the edges of her memory.

“Ellie,” Joel said, his voice gentle but firm, “this is Birdie. She’s your mom’s younger sister.”

Ellie’s heart skipped a beat as the realization hit her. *My aunt.* She had never known her mother’s family—Joel had only told her bits and pieces about Anna, but never anything about anyone else. The idea that she had an aunt, someone who had been out there looking for her, was overwhelming.

Birdie took a tentative step forward, her eyes filled with emotion. “Ellie,” she said softly, her voice trembling just slightly. “I’ve been looking for you for so long.”

Ellie stiffened, the mix of emotions swirling inside her too complicated to untangle. Part of her wanted to run, to push this stranger away, to keep her distance as she had learned to do with everyone except Joel. But another part of her—a part she hadn’t let herself feel in a long time—wanted to reach out, to grab hold of this connection to her mother that she had thought she’d lost forever.

“I… I don’t remember you,” Ellie admitted, her voice shaky, her eyes darting to Joel for reassurance.

She smiled sadly, a soft, understanding look in her eyes. “You were just a baby the last time I saw you,” she said. “We were separated in Boston when the Fireflies took you after Anna, after she passed. I tried to find you, but by the time I got back… you were gone.”

Ellie swallowed hard, trying to process the flood of information. She had always wondered about her past, about the people she had lost, but she had never expected this—never expected to have someone from that past suddenly standing in front of her, claiming to have been searching for her all these years.

“I know this is a lot,” Birdie continued, her voice soft and patient. “And I don’t expect you to remember me, but I brought something that might help.”

She reached into the bag slung over her shoulder and pulled out a small, worn photo album. It was old, the edges frayed, but it had clearly been well cared for. Birdie opened it carefully, flipping through the pages until she found what she was looking for. She held it out to Ellie, her hands trembling slightly.

Ellie hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Joel again. He nodded encouragingly, though she could see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands clenched into fists at his sides. It wasn’t like Joel to be so tense around new people—especially not someone he had invited into their lives. But there was something in his eyes that told her this was important, that this was something she needed to do.

Ellie took the album from her, her fingers brushing against the worn leather cover. She looked down at the picture on the page, her breath catching in her throat. It was a photograph of a woman holding a small child—a baby with big, curious eyes and a tuft of dark hair. The woman was smiling, a bright, loving smile, and Ellie felt a pang of recognition deep in her chest.

“That’s you, and me. Not long before you were taken.” She said softly, pointing to the baby in the picture. “And that’s your mom, not long before you were born.”

Ellie’s fingers traced the edges of the photograph, her heart pounding. She had seen pictures of her mother before, but never like this—never with her. There was something so achingly familiar about the woman in the picture, something that made Ellie’s chest tighten with emotion.

“I… I remember this,” Ellie whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I remember you holding me like this.”

Birdie smiled, tears welling up in her eyes. “You were so small, but you were already so strong. Just like your mom.”

Ellie’s throat tightened as she looked at the other photos in the album—pictures of her as a baby, pictures of her mother and Birdie together, smiling and laughing, snapshots of a life she had lost and never thought she’d find again. The memories were faint, like trying to grasp at wisps of smoke, but they were there, and as she looked at each picture, they became clearer, more vivid.

Joel watched them from the side, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions. He was happy for Ellie—truly, he was. Seeing her reconnect with a piece of her past, a piece of her mother, was something he had always wished for her. But at the same time, a pang of jealousy twisted in his gut, mingling with the protectiveness that had always been there, simmering just below the surface.

Birdie was Ellie’s blood, a living connection to her mother, and Joel knew that was something he could never be. He had tried his best to fill the role of father, of protector, but deep down, there was a fear—a fear that now that Ellie had someone else, someone from her past, she might need him less. The thought terrified him more than he could admit.

As Ellie continued to flip through the album, her eyes bright with a mix of wonder and sadness, Joel forced himself to push the jealousy aside, focusing instead on the way her face lit up with each new memory that surfaced. This was a good thing. He had to remind himself of that. She was here for Ellie, and that was what mattered.

“I can’t believe you kept these,” Ellie said, her voice trembling as she looked up at her, tears brimming in her eyes.

Birdie smiled, her own eyes wet. “I kept them for you. I knew that one day, I’d find you, and I wanted you to have something to remember her by.”

Ellie bit her lip, a tear slipping down her cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

Birdie reached out, hesitating for just a moment before gently placing her hand on Ellie’s shoulder. “I’m so glad I found you, Ellie. I’ve missed you so much.”

Ellie looked up at her, the walls she had built around herself slowly crumbling. She could see the truth in her eyes—the love, the longing, the pain of having been separated for so long. It was the same pain Ellie had carried with her for years, the same sense of loss that had haunted her. But now, for the first time, it felt like that loss was being filled, piece by piece.

“I’ve missed you too,” Ellie admitted, her voice small, but filled with a deep, raw honesty. “Even if I didn’t remember, I missed you.”

Birdie’s face broke into a tearful smile, and she pulled Ellie into a gentle hug, holding her close as if she was afraid to let go. Ellie stiffened for a moment, unaccustomed to the sudden show of affection, but then she relaxed into the embrace, allowing herself to feel the warmth of it, the connection she had been missing for so long.

Joel watched them, his chest tight with a mix of emotions. He was happy—so damn happy—to see Ellie finding this connection, but the pang of jealousy was still there, sharp and insistent. He knew it was irrational, knew that Ellie’s love for her didn’t diminish what they had, but it was hard to shake the fear that had taken root in his heart.

Ellie finally pulled back from the hug, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. She looked at Birdie, really looked at her, and for the first time, she saw the family resemblance—saw the way Birdie’s eyes mirrored her own, saw the way her smile reminded her of her mother.

“I want to know more,” Ellie said, her voice steadier now. “About her. About you.”

Birdie smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made Ellie feel like she was finally home. “I’ll tell you everything,” she promised. “Anything you want to know.”

Joel stepped forward, unable to stay on the sidelines any longer. He placed a hand on Ellie’s shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. “You two have a lot to catch up on,” he said, trying to keep his voice light, though the tension in his body betrayed him.

Ellie looked up at him, her expression softening. “You’re okay with this, right?” she asked, searching his face.

Joel nodded, forcing a smile. “Of course, kiddo. This is good. It’s what you need.”

Ellie studied him for a moment longer, sensing that something was off, but not quite able to place it. She reached up and covered his hand with hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You’re still my family, Joel. That’s never going to change.”

Joel’s heart swelled at her words, the jealousy easing just a little. He nodded, his throat too tight to speak, and gave her a small, grateful smile.

Birdie watched the exchange, understanding the depth of the bond between Joel and Ellie. She knew that Joel was protective of Ellie, that he had been her rock through everything, and she didn’t want to come between them. But she also knew that this was something Ellie needed, something that would help her heal.

“Joel,” She said gently, “thank you. For everything you’ve done for her. I can see how much she means to you.”

Joel met her gaze, and for a moment, there was an unspoken understanding between them—an acknowledgment of the roles they both played in Ellie’s life. Joel nodded, the tension in his chest easing just a bit more.

“She means everything to me,” Joel said quietly, his voice full of emotion.

Birdie smiled, her eyes soft with gratitude. “And now, she’s got both of us,” she said, her voice filled with hope.

Ellie looked between them, a small, tentative smile tugging at her lips. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had a real family—one that stretched back to her past and carried her into the future. And as she stood there, between Joel and Birdie, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she could finally start to heal.

[rudnitskaia]

White Chrysanths for the Swallow

Rocky was waiting for her at the table at the Little Daisy, but this time he was especially eager. Even Ivy had stopped teasing him about the way he lighted up and hummed to himself as he waited for Mau to show up at the door of the café, and just smiled, refilling his coffee whenever it ran out. He almost daydreamed of handing Maura two tickets to tomorrow's musical: of her eyes sparkling, of her taking his hand and telling him he was the best in the world.

But time passed, and Mau wasn't coming.

In those few hours, Rocky had replayed the fantasy in his head hundreds of times, changing the lines and the scenery. At first, imaginary Maura was beaming with happiness, calling him affectionate names, melting in his arms like all those heroines on the stage of a musical theater in the arms of their beloved ones, but every time the fantasy became darker and darker. More disturbing. Mau no longer rejoiced, no longer smiled. Her bright lively figure was becoming more and more dim, and she more often sighed, frowned, did not accept the gift. She asked him to return the tickets, scolded him for wasting his money carelessly, told him some news, one worse than the other, and finally said she didn’t want to see him again. Never again.

It was getting unbearable to sit still, and Rocky abruptly moved away from the table, threw on his coat, and headed for the exit. Maybe a walk would clear his head a little…

“Miss Pepper, I have a very urgent task to attend to. If she shows up on the doorstep, don't let her out of here on any pretext. Lock the doors, board up the windows, show her every fashion magazine you can find, but don't let her leave here until I get back. I'm counting on your wit and exceptional charm.”

The way he looked intently into Ivy's eyes before he left looked almost threatening. He wasn't even aware of the desperation hiding behind that look. But Ivy saw it.

“Don't worry, I'm an expert at this,” she winked at him encouragingly.

The cold air blew across Rocky's face, and he shivered, pulling his scarf over his nose, the same funny skewed scarf Mau had knitted for him last Christmas. Sometimes, like now, Rocky thought he could still smell on it the very same scent of coffee and pastries that wafted from the Venza family's eatery. It didn't help distract him, though. Quite the opposite. After walking a few blocks in an attempt to escape his doubts, he spotted a small flower shop — Rocky's imagination immediately conjured up a lovely picture of Maura cradling a fresh spring bouquet on this cold, cloudy evening and he didn't notice himself stepping over the store’s doorstep. The frail old woman behind the counter put aside the newspaper and immediately chirped, offering him different flowers, and finally convinced him to take a few white chrysanthemums. She tied the flowers with a delicate pink ribbon and also wrapped them tightly in the newspaper she had read before.

“They mustn't be overfrozen. Or they won't last long,” she explained sternly.

Rocky walked back much more briskly. He was warmed by the thought that now he would be able to give Mau not one surprise, but two. Hiding the bouquet from a gust of cold wind, Rocky lowered his gaze to it and pressed the flowers closer to himself… when suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the headline of one of the newspaper articles.

“Shootout at the small Italian eatery Casa di Rondine shocked the residents… a bloody showdown in the neighborhood… occurred on the night… police identified the bodies of two…”

Rocky couldn't remember how he reached the familiar alleyway. How he threw the bouquet to the ground, swung over the barrier tape, and rushed to the entrance — a gaping hole instead of a small blue door. Shards of glass littered the floor, the formerly cozy, cramped hall was a real mess, the furniture was riddled with gunshots. Even the old tabletop radio was now on the floor, shattered to pieces.

“Stop right there!” a panting policeman grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. “What the hell are you doing breaking into a crime scene?”

“I… uh…” in his panic Rocky couldn't think straight, but nonetheless he blurted out: “I'm from a newspaper. Wanted to visit the crime scene myself.”

“A lousy reporter you are, then. Your buddies sniffed everything around here a long time ago.”

“I was just hired today and immediately assigned to this very intriguing case. So…”

“There's nothing intriguing about it. This Bianchi guy…”

“Who?”

“The renter, Augusto Bianchi, if that's his real name at all, apparently had a huge debt to pay someone. And for that, he got pinned down. There was a scuffle in the night, at least four assailants. The two guys we found here have a couple priors, but they're not in a condition to tell us who hired them. The amount of such cold cases we have…” the man hummed and passed his hand above his head. “We've already explained it all to your fellow scribblers this morning. And I highly doubt the landlord would want to tell the same story tenth times over to another newspaper weasel. The only thing he's interested in right now is getting money from the insurance company.”

“And the girl?”

“What girl?”

“The waitress. Who worked here. What about her?”

“Considering how much blood there is, they're probably both either in a ditch, scattered in pieces, or feeding fishes somewhere at the bottom of the Mississippi… both father and daughter, if you meant her,” boredly remarked the other officer, who had quietly approached them, lighting a cigarette. “There's nothing for you to do here, boy. Henry's right — there's absolutely nothing of interest in this case. People might have chattered about it in the morning, but the very next day they'll forget all about it. Go home, don't add to our workload. And quit the paper that sent you here. If your editor doesn't realize that news like this must be broken in the heat of the moment, believe me, their business will burn out faster than a short match.”

Rocky tried to get anything else out of them, at least a little bit, to look in the kitchen of the eatery, to slip upstairs to Mau’s and Augusto's apartment, but the policemen were adamant. On unsteady legs he made it to the nearest bench and collapsed on it, staring blankly into the dark November sky. He could have screamed, could have destroyed everything around him on a single painful impulse, but the emptiness that engulfed him was far more frightening.

His silence was more frightening.

Years would pass. Would flow, as before, from night to night. The world won’t notice his loss. The world won't notice any loss at all. In the place of his beloved swallow house, other birds will build a nest. Freckle and Ivy will eventually stop opening that wound with their questions. And one day, perhaps, he will stop gazing into the crowd, hoping to find among the unfamiliar faces the features dear to his heart, and stop flinching when he hears someone say amore mio. He knows how it happens — it was not the first time. All he has to do is smile and everything will work out. It'll wear off, getting back to the way it was. One day.

But the bouquet of chrysanths will still remain rotting on the cold ground.

[schhhwa]

Homicidal Liu and Jeff The Killer (Woods brothers platonic)

tw: angst, description of past violence, memories.

author's notes: I still hold the opinion that Jeff is a lone killer and he wouldn't become one of the proxies at gunpoint. But I love the Woods brothers too much, so I'm willing to betray my principles for the sake of this story.

Jeff hates that he's here, that he's among the same lunatics that his younger brother is. He hates hearing his voice, he hates feeling his presence, he hates that he survived.

It would have been easier for him to accept that Liu died after his younger brother brutally murdered him, gutted his organs and mutilated his body. It's easier to live with that, because based on that, Jeff can conclude that he's a monster. A bastard who doesn't need family, friends, or an environment, who copes with his ego and endless love of bloodshed. He didn't give a damn about how much it hurt, how his victims squirmed, how they begged him to stop while their faces bled from the pressure and distorted into a grimace of horror at the very sight of Jeff. After all, he didn't even cry when he plunged a blood-soaked knife into his own older brother's flesh for the umpteenth time. He was feeding off of how frantically Liu was trying to defend himself.

But now Jeff has to put up with being human. That it's typical for him to feel sorry, that he's typical to feel uncontrollable, overwhelming pain and despair. His own ego is bursting at the seams at the thought that he is sorry that seeing Liu like this is unbearable. Especially to see how he forgives Jeff, how he tries to get in touch, unobtrusively, carefully, as if Liu was the killer and Jeff was the victim.

Jeff would climb into his own skull, crushing the bone with his own hands, reach into the convolutions with his fingers and pull out the part that responds to regret. He dug into the very core so that he would never feel burdensome fucking guilt again. She makes he sick, she makes he sick. All these years he thought he was a monster, a psychopath. That's true, but is it typical for all of this to feel like you care?

Jeff stumbles into the mansion with a characteristic bang of the door hitting the wall. It was unusual for him to be quiet within these walls. Hedidn't t care who wants to sleep there. He's fucked up, he urgently needs to bury his nose in the pillow without even bothering to undress. It's winter now, and everyone gets sick, and falls into bed, so he wouldn't even think about waking someone up when they're knocked out like babies, but that's if he didn't care.

Clearing his throat, he trudges down the hallway when he notices the flickering firelight from the hall. Gears begin to work in his head despite his fatigue. At such a time, only a few creatures are awake: BEN, but he never stays alone in the mansion, it is typical for him to go to the cyberworld during his vacation; Sally, however, the static is not heard — she has trouble sleeping and sometimes Slenderman stays with her in his arms by the fireplace until the baby falls asleep.

Jeff took a few steps forward, peering into the hall, at first concluding that the fireplace had simply been forgotten to put out, but he notices that the firewood is fresh. At the same moment, he gets an electric shock that makes the hair on his neck stand on end - there's a folded striped scarf on the couch. Jeff hurries to escape, manages to take a few wide hurried steps away from the hall, as a painfully familiar voice is heard behind him, calling his name. Liu looks at his back with a kind of despair. Jeff can feel it.

Why the hell couldn't that bastard sleep-

«Just look at me».

Jeff doesn't even turn around. He stands there rooted to the spot, staring at one point and nervously clutching the handle of a knife in the pocket of his hoodie. He doesn't want to look at the scarred face, doesn't want to remember how his knife so easily split open his older brother's face. In any other setting, Jeff would have considered these scars beautiful just because they're shaped like a smile. The teeth are clenched until they crack somewhere in the skull. Finally Jeff responds with a negative shake of his head. He doesn't hear when Liu gets closer, despite Jeff's enhanced hearing.

«Jeffrey».

«Not today, okay? I'm fucked up, you know where you can find me»

«I'm tired of you avoiding me, too». Jeff makes a hoarse grunt, like it's something he never wanted to hear.

«I wouldn't have had to if you hadn't come here». He raises his voice, glancing over his shoulder at Liu. His heart skips a beat and he immediately turns away. Jeff knew that this conversation would take place, he knew that he would be alone with his brother, and he knew that he would delay this moment to the last drop. Jeff takes a step back, tries to turn away, when Liu walks around him and wraps his arms around his shoulders, almost escapes from the grip and, like a child, rests his chin on his chest just not to look just not to look just not to look-

Liu's arms are wrapped tightly around his body anyway, pressing his face against his lifeless black hair. Jeff's arms fell limply to either side of his body as he stared glassy-eyed through something. He was afraid to hug Liu back. It's scary that this body will incinerate at his touch or crack like a fragile relic. But he was tired, exhausted. He allowed himself to press his forehead slightly against his brother's shoulder, exhaling humbly.

«Aren't you scared?» Jeff asked in a low voice, hoping deep down for a "no" answer, even though he told himself it was absurd.

«I'm scared. It's scary that nothing alive moves in me anymore from someone else's pain, it's scary that we.. strangers».

It was on the tip of his tongue to say, «I'm afraid of what you've become». He's really scared at the thought of his little brother becoming this. Irreparably insane. Liu will never admit to himself that he still feels the same fear that night when he sees Jeff out of the corner of his eye in the corridors of the mansion.

But they're close. They're both scared and they're both in pain.

[storiesbyjes2g]

3.200 Elders

Desiree has a loose tooth, so we had a little bit of drama this morning. Sophia was excited about it and told Desi about the tooth fairy. She suggested wiggling the tooth to get it out while I suggested just letting it fall out naturally. Quite honestly, I think we just confused the girl and low-key scared her. In the end, she decided to let it be. The older she gets, the more I learn about Sophia's childhood, and I'm beginning to understand she was raised believing in all the fantastical childhood beings like the tooth fairy and the flower bunny. The only reason I even believe in Father Winter is because I've met him. My parents didn't do that stuff, and Less and I were always pretty logical, anyway. Raising Desi with Sophia will be very interesting, I see.

I love living next door to my family. We don't hang out as much as I thought we would, but it's cool to run into them or see them outside my window. This morning, I went to get the mail and saw Breanna playing hopscotch. She ran over and gave me a big hug. Within seconds, my shadow Desiree came outside just as an older, male voice called from behind me.

"Hey there, young fella."

It was Justin.

"Who are all these pretty little girls?" he asked.

"This one is my niece, and this one is my daughter. This is my friend, Mr. Walker."

"Mr. Walker," he said with disdain. "Come on, now. I might be your elder, but it's not like that."

He turns his attention back to the girls.

"You young ladies can call me Justin."

"Mister Justin," I add.

"Fine," he said.

"Come on inside."

"Nice to meet you, girls."

Justin is our first non-family guest, so I thought he could officially inaugurate the living room with me, but he headed for the kitchen when he noticed Sophia.

"Morning," he said to her. "Love the new house. I don't know how you managed to make it even cozier than the last one."

"Awww, thanks, Justin. Hey, we just had breakfast. You want some oatmeal?"

"I never turn down food."

He scarfed down that bowl like it was his first meal in a week. That man really knows how to enjoy a meal, heh. I thought to ask if he wanted seconds, but he'd probably eat us out of house and home. He rubbed his belly for a bit, and I wondered how often he gets home-cooked meals. I don't really know if he has skills in the kitchen. Finally, after thoroughly enjoying the free meal, he shared the reason for his visit. His sister—his last living relative—had died. I know he'd been anticipating it for a while, but living through it is a different experience that I know all too well. Not better than him, though. I couldn't imagine being the last Murillo on earth. Like, how do you even process that?

I expressed my condolences and told him I'm here for whatever he needed. I hated the circumstance, but it was kind of nice to repay his kindness in a twisted way. All in all, he said he was okay. Some days hit harder than others, and today he felt especially alone. I told him he had an open invitation at our house.

He said he needed to get going, so we went back outside. Lex had joined the girls, and Justin joked about the kids multiplying. He laughed heartily when I told him there was one more.

"Oh, that's right," he said. "I forgot your sister had triplets. What's your name, son?"

"I'm Lex!"

"Hello there, Lex. I'm Justin."

I cleared my throat.

"Mister Justin," he added. "Your uncle is a good friend of mine. Y'all be nice to him, you hear?"

"Yes, Mr. Justin," the kids said together.

"That's what I like to hear. Next time I come, I'll bring you something sweet."

The kids cheered.

"You have a beautiful family, young buck," he said.

"Thank you. They really are a blessing."

"Ain't that the truth. Sometimes, I wish I would have settled down, but I know it wouldn't suit me. Anyway, thanks for tolerating me today. I really needed the company."

"Man, please. Get outta here with that. You're one of my good friends, too. I told you...you're welcome anytime."

"I appreciate that."

[eiirisworkshop]

Title: Never Have I the Hell Ever Rated: M Length: ~ 1k Summary: The hotel residents play a game of Never Have I Ever. Nonsense ensues. This is set in the same continuity as A Gentlemen’s Agreement in the Small Hours but can be read standalone. Also available to read on Ao3, where Alastor's dialogue has a fun font effect!

Convincing Charlie they should play Never Have I Ever was remarkably easy.  All it took was the words “honesty,” “vulnerability,” and “bonding activity” and she was on board.  Vaggie had taken some more persuading—especially when it came to the drinking game aspect—but some puppydog eyes from Charlie had brought her around.

So all the the residents of the hotel had wound up arrayed around the lobby sofas, the coffee table in the midst of them cluttered with bottles and pitchers of various beverages, both alcoholic and not, along with glasses of different sorts in varying degrees of emptiness.

“Okayokayokay,” NIffty bounced excitedly in her seat, “never have I ever…” she took a dramatically deep breath, “had sex with a woman.”

Everyone reached for their drinks except for Alastor, who placidly swirled the ice in his sweet tea.

“Angel, hang on.” Charlie held up a hand to stay him in the midst of refilling his shot glass, took a gulp of her own drink, and set it down.  “You’ve been drinking kind of a lot, and—”

“Yeah, cuz youse all keep goin’ with sexual shit!” Angel tossed a hand up exasperatedly.  He was sitting on the floor with one leg stretched out under the table.  “I’ve done all of it, so I drink.  That’s how the game works.”

“Maybe we should tack a ‘for reasons other than work’ onto the end of anything sexual?” Vaggie suggested.

Angel shrugged and carried on with pouring himself a shot.  “Might make a difference, but not much.  Not on this one anyway.”  He knocked the shot back.

“I was under the impression you were a, uh,” Pentious took a beat to find the right phrase, “flaming homosssexual?”

“Yeah, I thought you were, like, gay gay,” Niffty agreed, trying to put a half-full bottle of gin in the trashbag she was minding, only for Husk to pluck it back out of her hands.

“Sure,” Angel shrugged, “but me an’ Cherri’ve fucked cuz we were bored.”  He looked around  at the bemused looks he was getting.  “Have none of you ever fucked somebody you weren’t actually into just for the fun of it?”

Husk shrugged.  Most everyone else shook their heads.  Alastor sipped his tea. 

“Wild.”  Angel leaned back against the front of the couch behind him and pulled Husk’s tail down over his shoulder to drape like a scarf.  “Charlie, take your turn and quit worryin’ about me.”

“Right, um.”  Charlie tapped her fingers against her chin.  “Never have I ever, uhhh, eaten people?”

Alastor traded his tea for the sazerac sitting on the end table next to him.

Angel raised a finger with a question.

“Like, as food,” Charlie clarified.

“Do bugs count as people?” Nifty asked.

Alastor grinned into his drink. “Could the bugs talk?”

“Some of them!” Nifty said brightly.

“Then yes.”

“Okay!”  Giggling, she downed the drink Angel had made her the previous round, which had approximately two drops of chambord in it and no other booze.

Vaggie pointedly did not look at either Niffty or Alastor and cleared her throat.  “Anyway…never have I ever died.”

Everyone else but Charlie drank.

“That’s just low,” Husk said, rescuing a different half-full bottle from Niffty.  “Niff—you gotta wait til the bottle is empty, okay?”

“Okay!”

“Is it my turn?” Pentious asked.

“Yes,” Vaggie said, running her fingers through her bangs frustratedly.  “You go after me every round.”

“Letsssee here….” Pentious considered.  “Never have I ever worn high-heeled shoes.”

Everyone else drank.  Angel did a double take at Husk.  “Wait—when?”

Husk sighed.  “I didn’t manage to kick it before disco happened,” he grumbled.  “Got talked into some fashion choices I don’t care to repeat.”

“I can be very persuasive,” Angel purred, chin propped on the interlaced fingers of two hands.

Husk fwapped him lightly in the face with the end of his tail.  “Take your turn, you lech.”

Angel snickered, batting Husk’s tail away.  “Never have I ever owned anyone else’s soul.”

With a roll of his eyes, Husk took a drink.  Alastor finished off his sazerac and plucked the absinthe from the jumble on the table to fix himself another one. Husk topped off his own drink with the dregs of a bottle, which he then handed to Niffty who stuffed it into her trash bag with a delighted giggle. 

Husk settled back against the arm of the couch. “Never have I ever,” he hummed then shrugged, “kept my hair long enough to tie back.”

All of the women drank.

Pentious noted, “I don’t even have hair.”

Angel frowned, experimentally pulled his fringe into a topknot, sighed, and stole a sip of Husk’s drink. 

“You have your own!” Husk chided, stealing his glass back. 

“Alastor,” Charlie said slowly, “I think your hair is long enough to tie up—it’s not much shorter than Niffty’s.”

Alastor cocked his head curiously.  “I’ve never tried it.”

“If you let me have a go, I’ll let you torture me later,” Angel offered.

“Angel!” Charlie, Vaggie, and Husk all exclaimed at once—aghast, stern, and irritated respectively.

“What?”  Angel gestured vaguely.  “I wanna see, and it’s not like he’s gonna let anybody touch his hair if he doesn’t get somethin’ out’f it.”

“I would not,” Alastor confirmed.

“Besides, it’s cool,” Angel shot Husk in particular a look.  “I’m into that shit.”  He turned back to Alastor.  “So, whatcha say, red?”

Alastor considered, tapping his fingers on his glass, then shrugged.  “Sounds like a good deal to me.”

“No, nope.” Angel shook his head.  “Not a deal—I’m still not that stupid, deerheart.”

Alastor’s grin widened with genuine mirth.  “I had to try.”

“Yeah, yeah.”  Angel pulled himself to his feet, arms crossed and hands on his hips.  “But we agree, yeah?  I get to try an’ tie your hair up; later you get to tie me up.  Same rules as last time.”

“Last time?” Charlie asked, and was ignored.

“We agree,” Alastor said seriously.  

“Great.”  Angel skirted his way around the table.  “Anybody got hair ties?””

Alastor conjured a palm full.  

“That is convenient as shit,” Angel said appreciatively.  He snagged a couple, stepped around to the back of Alastor’s chair, and set about finger combing Alastor’s hair into a pair of tiny, spunky little pigtails.  “There we have it, your hair is long enough.”

“Oh no, he’s cute,” Charlie squeaked under her breath as Alastor dutifully sipped his drink and Angel draped himself over the opposite end of Husk’s sofa.

Alastor set his cup down with a solid thunk of glass on wood that made the ice in his half-abandoned tea shift and clink.  “Never have I ever voluntarily had sex for any reason.”

The rest of the residents reached for their drinks with eye rolls, groans, giggles, and a single, “Oh, fuck you.”

Alastor chuckled and picked up his tea.  “No thank you.”

[fanficshiddles]

The Redbridge Hunts, Chapter 8

Loki smirked to himself as he put on his coat to head to work, he ran his hand along the soft, dark pink scarf and he couldn’t resist burying his face into it, inhaling deeply before hanging it back up by the door.

He knew stealing Claire’s scarf had been wrong, but he just couldn’t resist. She clearly didn’t remember about it, since she never asked after it when she got her jacket on Friday night, so he thought there’d be no harm just holding onto it for now, plus he hoped it would help him adjust to her scent so he could control himself better around her.

When he got to the school, he skipped going to the teacher’s lounge that morning and went straight to his classroom to get ready for the week ahead, since he had a flask of hot tea in his bag. He found Claire in class already prepping, surprising yet delighting him.

‘Good morning, Claire. Great minds think alike.’ He smiled widely at her.

‘Morning, Loki. They sure do. How was your weekend?’ She asked with a bright smile.

‘Fine, thanks for asking, and yours?’

‘Very lazy. I need to get a hobby.’ Claire laughed.

Loki chuckled. ‘When you work hard during the week you're absolutely allowed to have lazy weekends.’

‘I like that excuse.’ She laughed. ‘How’s Bat doing?’

‘She’s great. She misses you already though, said your lap is very comfortable.’ Loki grinned at her.

‘You should bring her in with you, I bet the students would love her.’

‘Oh god no, she would never want to leave getting all the attention here. Plus, I’d never get the students to focus on their work.’

‘Never mind the students, you’d never get your assistant to focus.’ Claire teased, she then went to her bag and pulled out a smaller clear bag. ‘Here’s the trousers you lent me, plus your gloves. I forgot they were in my jacket pocket.’ She said sheepishly.

‘Ah, I did wonder where I’d put them.’ Loki smiled as he took the bag from her and opened it up.

‘I washed both, since the gloves were damp.’ Claire said quickly.

As Loki reached in and pulled out his gloves, not only could he smell lavender freshness on the gloves… he could also smell her.

Loki stiffened up straight away, eyes wide as saucers. He swiftly turned away from her and cleared his throat.

‘I’ll just go put these in my car, so I don’t forget them. After all, I’d lose my head if it wasn’t screwed on.’ Loki said quickly and darted out the door.

Loki didn’t even register David or Michael greeting him as he raced down the corridor, passing them by in a blur. When he reached the English classroom, he ducked inside and slammed the door shut.

‘Well, good morning to you too.’ Jessica frowned in confusion as Loki pulled his leather gloves out of the bag and shoved them into her face.

‘Do you smell that?!’

Jessica’s eyes widened and her nostrils flared instantly before Loki had even finished his sentence.

‘Of course I do!’ Her voice deepened a little, so Loki quickly pulled the gloves away from her and stashed them back in the bag as he narrowed his eyes at her.

‘Why would she do that?!’ He screeched.

Jessica put her hand over her mouth to try and stifle a laugh, especially noting Loki’s predicament in the trouser department… ‘Well… like you are right now, she was obviously aroused and had your gloves at hand to help her issue.’

Loki pulled his suit jacket further down to try and cover himself. ‘Yes, I get that part, thanks. Why would she do that though? It’s like she knows and is doing it to torture me intentionally.’ He growled.

‘I said she liked you the other night, maybe she really really likes you. And maybe has a leather glove kink.’ Jessica shrugged.

‘That’s a thing?’ Loki raised an eyebrow.

‘Oh yeah. Everything’s a thing nowadays. Plus, maybe she could smell you on them and it maybe turned her on too much. She certainly tried to erase the smell, that’s a lot of lavender wash.’ Jessica laughed.

‘Yes, but smells linger a long time for us, no matter how many washes. No human would be able to smell her scent on this.’

‘No shit Sherlock.’ Jessica stated. ‘I’ve been a vampire longer than you, remember. I don’t need to be told how our senses work.’

Loki rolled his eyes. ‘Anyway, so you’re saying you think she likes me too?’

‘I’d say so.’ Jessica nodded. ‘Even if she does just have a leather glove fetish, I doubt she would’ve used them to masturbate if she didn’t think of you in that kind of way.’

Loki’s entire face went red as he suddenly felt very overheated at the realisation sinking in that Claire had actually masturbated using his gloves.

‘What do I do now?’ Loki whined.

‘Well, definitely don’t pounce on her when you go back to the class room, if you can help yourself. Just play it cool, carry on as normal. See how things go, court her, woo her. Just don’t go straight for the jugular.’ Jessica said calmly.

Loki ran a hand through his hair. ‘You’re right. I don’t want to spook her. I still need to adjust to being around her and her smell, if anything happened too soon, I might not be able to control myself properly.’

‘Exactly. That’s the last thing you want to be doing.’ Jessica smiled sympathetically at him.

Loki took a few deep breaths then headed for the door. ‘Thanks, Jessica.’

‘No problem. Though you might need to sort that out before returning to her.’ Jessica’s eyes dropped to his crotch again.

Loki grumbled and shuffled awkwardly out of the room, leaving Jessica laughing. He went out to his car and put the bag in the boot. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took big deep breaths, he really had to try and calm down before returning to the classroom, especially now that students were beginning to make their way in.

‘Think disgusting thoughts, think disgusting thoughts.’ He mumbled to himself as he headed back inside, finally calming down enough to be presentable.

When he got back to his class, most of the students were already in. He panicked for a split second as he hadn’t prepared, but Claire had sorted everything for him so the class could start.

‘Thanks, darling.’ He whispered to her.

‘Is everything ok?’ Claire whispered back.

‘Everything is perfect.’ Loki grinned.

-

The following morning when Loki walked into the teacher’s lounge, the vampire teachers were the only ones there, but they all stopped talking as soon as Loki entered. All of them stared at him with smirks on their faces.

He raised an eyebrow and squinted at everyone. ‘What? Do I have something on my face?’ He wiped at the side of his mouth, thinking he maybe had some jam splattered on his face after breakfast.

‘Jessica was just telling us about your… issue, yesterday.’ Hannibal smirked.

Loki’s face dropped, he scowled at Jessica as he folded his arms over his chest. ‘Oh, she was, was she?’

‘Sorry, Loki. I had to tell them. It’s exciting, isn’t it? That your soulmate seems to like you too.’ Jessica said innocently.

Loki huffed and stomped across the room to get his tea.

‘The only problem with her having a leather glove kink, is that a lot of vampires tend to wear them.’ Matt hummed.

David smirked and opened his mouth to say something but Loki cut him off. ‘Don’t even think about it.’ He growled in warning, knowing it would be something lewd about his soulmate.

‘Have you heard? It seems there’s been a few young vampires trying their luck over the weekend, feeding off humans in broad daylight, not killing them but not giving them the endorphins either. The police think they’re crazy, think the two puncture marks on their necks are self-inflicted.’ Severus informed everyone.

‘I haven’t heard that on the news?’ Loki frowned.

‘Me neither, nor on social media.’ David said.

‘I have… sources. They’re really putting all of us at risk, if news gets out further than the city, we will be swamped with hunters after all of us again.’ Severus said worriedly.

‘I’m surprised the hunters have taken such a back seat, we used to have them constantly swarming around us. Though there’s not been any in the last year or so, just a small rise around this time of year after the traditional hunt, which is expected.’ Hannibal commented.

‘Perhaps, someone is looking out for us good vampires.’ Severus shrugged.

‘What do you mean good vampires?’ Matt asked.

‘All I’m saying is, since we’ve not been hassled by hunters as much, perhaps the hunters are now the hunted.’

David turned to look at Severus with an accusing eyebrow up. ‘Do you always have to be so bloody mysterious?’

‘Always.’ Severus confirmed seriously with a very slight smirk.

Loki shook his head, he knew there was no point trying to get more information out of Severus, if he wanted to share, he would. If not, then there would be absolutely no hope.

That afternoon when classes were over, Loki stayed behind to mark some work. Claire had offered to help, but he declined, saying she’d helped more than enough that day and deserved to go home and enjoy her evening. Which was true, she had taken over the lesson for a bit here and there, while Loki observed. She seemed to be a natural at teaching.

When he finished marking, he began making his way down the corridor, he stopped dead when he spotted Chris outside with two students. Loki recognised the students, they were twins, male and female, had been in Loki’s class last year and they turned sixteen just a couple of months ago. Though most importantly, they were vampires.

Loki stayed still and watched the interaction, the window was closed so he couldn’t make out what they were saying, but it didn’t look good.

Chris looked to be talking very animatedly to them, then he put his hands on their shoulders and looked to be reassuring them over something. The students looked at one another nervously, then nodded at Chris, who grinned widely and patted them both on the shoulder.

The students turned into bats and took off into the darkening sky. Chris watched them fly away, then he turned slowly and looked directly at Loki, a wicked grin spread across his face before he levitated up and onto the top of the school, out of Loki’s sight.

Loki snarled as he punched the wall, his fist went right through it with ease as if it had just been made of paper. He hissed a little, then stormed off down the corridor.

He knew that Chris had just been showing off at the end there, with his levitating. Only the original vampires could levitate, quite a distance and height too. Loki normally didn’t care, since turning into a bat to fly around was good enough for him, though it did irritate him when Chris flaunted his powers in public, there could still be human pupils around that could easily spot him.

When Loki got outside, he looked up to the roof but couldn’t see any sign of Chris. He wasn’t sure where the students were heading off to, either.

Chris often preyed upon vampire students once they were of age, to coax them into feeding from humans directly, to try and teach them the wrong ways to do so, that it was the more traditional way to do it his way, it was more fun. Chris would get them involved in the yearly hunts to get their adrenaline and natural instincts pumping hard, making out it was a right of passage into adulthood to hunt their first human and suck them dry.

Loki had a really bad feeling in his stomach as he made his way to his car.

Neither he nor Chris had noticed that a cloaked figure watched them from the tall building next to the school, crouched down and armed with a crossbow.

[razorblade180]

“Courting”

Charlotte:Miss Furina!!! I have a very important question to ask, off the record of course.

Furina:A question? I don’t see why not.

Charlotte:Are you being courted by world renowned traveler, Aether!?

Furina:*red* C-Courted!? I wouldn’t exactly say-

The journalist whips out a polaroid photo of Furina with a warm smile on her face as she sits across from Aether during a late candle lit dinner.

Furina:Oh my god this came out so well. You can even see the- how did you have this!? Where were you!?

Charlotte:I was posed as a waitress!

Furina:….

Charlotte:…For a job! Not for you. Heavens no. By the way, I wouldn’t eat there again. Back to the topic at hand, good for you.! It’s a cute look. Your smile is brighter.

Furina:You just have good lighting.

Charlotte:Ha! Oh Furina…candle light is agonizing for photography.

Furina:Sounds like a hit a sore spot. Anyways, if you’re asking I assume you’re more or less aware of everything I am when it comes to Aether and romance.

Charlotte:Of course! I actually brought it up to him around our first time meeting. Had proof and everything so I can ask him “why an open relationship”

Furina:…You’re kinda scary at times.

Charlotte:If you’re not intense in my field then people try to circle around the truth. Like you were about to do until I showed the photo. You can keep that by the way. *fiddles with camera*

Furina:If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a question as well.

Charlotte:Ooo okay! I’m all ears!

Furina:You’ve known him longer, engaged with him more often, and seem interested from where I stand; yet I’m the one dat- is involved with him.

Charlotte:Do you have commitment issues?

Furina:Let me finish! What I’m getting at is why aren’t you two item. I’ve the comedically sized document about the dynamic. As it stands now…if I was close minded or acted selfishly…

Charlotte:Ah, I see. It’s interesting to see your mind at work, but unfortunately you’re overthinking things waaaay too much. This isn’t chess game or battle of wits. It would pretty low to treat others feelings like that without thought. Neither him or I would be able to stand ourselves to put a person filled with in a position where they either find new love or be forced to deal with the fact there’s someone else. Kinda defeats the point of an open relationship.

Furina:That’s…I see your point.

Charlotte:If you want Aether romantically all to yourself when it comes to Fontainian’s then by all means exercise that right. He’s still going to be one of my closest friends and partner in journalism! Though to be clear, this isn’t me conceding in any way. I do hope you enjoy my company as much as I love yours! Also… *pulls out photo*

It’s nothing particularly special. Just a really good picture of Aether in the middle of fishing without a care in the world.

Charlotte: Let’s be honest, he has a very nice face. Just ask Lyney! He thinks so too.

Furina:*red* I mean I guess it has its appeal.

Charlotte:You can keep that one too. Anyways, I gotta go before no more Aquabuses run. My latest story has gotten popular so you know…I’ll be back in the city in like three weeks? Hopefully? Eh, we’ll see.

Furina:What did you expose!?

Charlotte:It’ll be front page tomorrow! Read all about it! Bye! *runs off*

Furina thought she was pretty good at reading people, especially her audience. Right now she had no clue if the conversation just now was casual chatter, a weird bargain, or even pleasant congratulations with a side of flirting? She only knew what she’s known from the beginning. Charlotte is a really interesting, kind person who takes phenomenal photos.

Furina:…(I wonder if he knows that this photo was taken?)

xxxxx

Aether:I was fishing alone.

Furina:For the love of- how strong is that lens!? By the way…would you consider us…courting or something? *red*

Aether:

Aether: You literally made out with me a few days ago. Grabbed my scarf, and smooched my face. We spend time together consistently.

Furina:*nods slowly* You bring up a valid point.

Aether:A valid point!? *shows hickey*

Furina:Okay, several points! Wrap your scarf back up before someone sees!

Aether:Breaking news, crystal pure celebrity actually filters her murky mind.

Furina:I want my kisses back!

[nightingale2004]

Do you hate Gruvia too?

For me personally, it's a like hate thing. According to the story, it was "love at first sight," but in my opinion, it was "one-sided obsession"

Juvia literally took one look at the guy and then said "welp I'm in love immediately with this random half-naked dude I just met. I'm gonna give up this fight!" Like wtf? (Although I don't blame her tho)

I don't believe in "love at first sight," and it just looked like Juvia was toxic on soooooo many levels. This girl is paranoid to the T, doesn't trust the woman friends he has in his guild around him, is completely obsessed with him, and I feel like she doesn't know a thing about him. BTW was proven in one of the episodes where she tried to give Gray a scarf she made on the anniversary of Ur's death. I know she didn't know, and she was trying to be nice, but she should've just left him alone.

In my opinion, they're cute together, but I did not like how obsessive and delusional she was with Gray, how fast she was moving with him, and how she saw every single woman he interacted with especially Lucy as a threat.

I would've loved to see her truly take her time and get to know Gray and his relationships with the people in the guild and tone down the psycho. She can still like him and make it clear where her feelings are, but I'd rather see her other relationships with the guild members like Erza, Lucy, Wendy, Gajeel, and a few other members of fairy tail grow and have their moments of platonic friendship.

I like the ship, but I hate the dynamic. Gray and Juvia looked completely one-sided, and throughout the whole series, I was cringing so hard and was very disappointed in Juvia and her actions.

I liked the moments and the relationships she built with other people other than Gray way better than the ship itself, and I was disappointed when the creators of the show didn't show more of that and I didn't really see all that much chemistry from them but this is just my opinion and I want everyone to respect that.

Sorry, i went on a whole rant, but it is how I feel

[heart-shaped-pebble]

The Black Cat

@flufftober Prompt day 1: Lost pet meet cute

Summary: Sejanus and Coriolanus first meeting, with the help of a soft friend

Tags: fluff without plot - modern au

Note: I'm alive and actually writing?? First day of flufftober woo 🥳

Coriolanus had always found walking in the park to be extremely relaxing. It was the beginning of October, the brown leaves that had begun to fall a few days prior made a satisfying crunch under his shoes when he stepped on them, and the chill air was no bother to him as he wore the warm red scarf Tigris had knitted for him.

It had become his daily routine, every morning before his University’s classes he’d take a walk in the park and sit down on the benches for a few minutes, just enjoying the peace and quiet of the early autumn mornings. 

Daily routine which, apparently, had to be ruined by a cat. 

Coriolanus had never been the biggest fan of animals. He didn’t have a specific reason for it, he just didn’t understand all the fuss about it. If he had a penny for any time he had seen someone swoon over a puppy (especially a dog) on the street, he’d be so rich he could buy a house for him, one for Tigris and one for his Grandma’am. 

And why? Because they were “so cute and adorable!”? What was so cute about an animal who ate its own vomit?

Coriolanus had never stopped to pet a stray in the streets - didn’t people even consider all the germs they probably have? - and he wouldn’t have today either. No matter how much this black cat would rub itself against his leg, interrupting Coriolanus’ perfect morning. 

“Go away.” He said annoyed, gently shaking his leg so the cat would get off. “Find another leg to hump, stupid animal.” Coriolanus mumbled. If he had been more heartless he would have probably kicked the cat away, but he didn’t hate them that much.

Either way that cat had really seemed to be taking a liking to Coriolanus, who was starting to get tired of the situation. He sighed and got up, starting to walk away, understanding that his usually perfect routine had been interrupted for that morning, when he noticed the cat was following him.

“Are you kidding me? I said, go away! I have no food on me, and I sure as hell am not another cat you can get pregnant. Or get pregnant with.” He cringed at his own words, not believing he was actually having that argument in a public space, outside, with a fucking cat.

“Well I’d sure hope so.” Coriolanus immediately turned around to check who had spoken. He found himself in front of a curly haired boy, probably his age, staring at him amused. Coriolanus wasn’t one to get lovestruck, but he had to admit the guy was really attractive. His eyes especially, so big and brown, staring at him with a unique innocence in them. He quickly shook those thoughts away. He didn't have time for those irrelevant feelings in his life, especially now. He had to focus on University, and nothing else.

Realizing in what situation he had just been caught in he suddenly blushed and cleared his throat, trying to play it cool. “Sorry for that. This stray won’t leave me alone.” Coriolanus said, tugging his pants up to move the cat away. 

The other boy chuckled - Coriolanus decided to ignore how beautiful it sounded - and walked close to him. He knelt down and picked the cat up, which purred in his arms as the boy rubbed its belly. “She is not a stray. Her name’s Sissy, and she happens to be my cat.”

Oh.

“I’m so sorry.” Coriolanus began apologizing, which wasn’t something he usually did, but he had to get out of that embarrassing situation somehow. The cute boy just chuckled again.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for, I should be the one apologizing. This adorable troublemaker got out of the house as I opened the door.” He said, adding the last part with a baby voice, giving his cat heart eyes. If Coriolanus didn't find this guy attractive, he would have probably fled the scene long ago now. 

“I've been searching for her for over an hour now. Between you and me, I was starting to get really worried. I'm glad you found her.” The boy bit his lip nervously. “I'm Sejanus by the way. I'd offer you my hand, but I don't want Sissy to get away again.”

Despite himself Coriolanus gave him a short smile, which Sejanus reciprocated. “Coriolanus Snow.”

“Well, Coriolanus Snow, something tells me you don't really like cats.”

“Oh it's nothing personal, I'm just not an animal kinda guy.” Coriolanus said defensively. Why on earth did he feel the need to justify himself with him? “Never had a pet, and will never get one.” 

Sejanus shrugged and grinned. “Who knows, never say never.” 

Coriolanus frowned, annoyed at the way Sejanus was talking to him. Who did he think he was?

Sejanus seemed to not-so-shamelessly check him out before licking his lips and saying, “Maybe I can change your mind over dinner?”

Coriolanus scoffed amused, although he had to admit the idea of going out with Sejanus didn't seem so terrible. “So soon after meeting me? I could be a killer for all you know.” 

Sejanus shrugged and shifted the way he was holding Sissy in his arms. “So could I. But fair enough, maybe just a coffee then?” 

He really wasn't going to let it go, was he? “Alright, but I choose where.” 

Sejanus clicked his tongue and grinned. “Fine by me.” 

After quickly exchanging numbers they both parted ways, Coriolanus finally walked to class - which he was definitely late for - as he thought over the conversation again. He had never been one to date, but maybe Sejanus could change his mind on that as well?

Coriolanus caught himself smiling at the thought, against his better judgment, as the brown eyed boy wouldn't leave his mind.

[charlieg1rl]

— 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐬

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐢𝐧 𝐱 𝐥𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧, 𝐤𝐢𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐱 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐡𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 𝟏.𝟗𝐤

𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!

a year had passed since everything changed, and tonight, the four of them gathered in hyunjin’s apartment to celebrate christmas together. the warmth of the fire crackled softly in the background, and the scent of pine from the christmas tree mixed with the faint trace of cinnamon and clove in the air. the atmosphere was comfortable, intimate—just them. no one else around, just the people who mattered the most. and as the night settled into its familiar rhythm, it was time for their much-anticipated gift exchange.

the air was full of laughter, teasing, and the sound of crinkling paper as each of them unwrapped carefully chosen gifts. there was an unspoken understanding between them now—a deeper connection that came from love, growth, and the comfort of knowing they would always have each other’s backs. they were family now, no longer just friends. and tonight, as they exchanged their presents, it was clear how much they all meant to each other.

miyeon was the first to unwrap her gifts.

she eagerly unwrapped the sleek box, revealing a custom set of high-quality paint supplies—brushes, tubes of paint in every color imaginable, and a set of delicate canvas boards. each item was neatly organized, and the care that had gone into picking out each one was evident.

“i know how much you love to paint in your free time,” hyunjin said, his voice thoughtful. “i thought this might help inspire you, especially for your interior design projects. it’s all high-quality stuff to help you create whatever you imagine.”

miyeon’s eyes sparkled with gratitude as she ran her fingers over the brushes. she had always been passionate about painting, but this gift took it to the next level. it was clear that hyunjin had noticed how much she enjoyed it, and this custom set was exactly what she needed to fuel her creativity.

“hyunjin, this is amazing,” miyeon said, her voice filled with awe. “i can’t wait to start using this. thank you for putting so much thought into it.”

hyunjin grinned, clearly happy to see her so excited. “you deserve it, miyeon. i know you’ll make something incredible with it.”

the second gift came from seungmin—an elegant silk scarf in soft shades of blue and gray. miyeon held it up to the light, feeling the smooth texture against her fingers.

“i saw this and immediately thought of you,” seungmin explained with a smile. “i know how much you love scarves, and i thought this would be a good addition to your collection.”

miyeon’s eyes brightened as she wrapped it around her neck, the fabric feeling soft and comforting. “it’s gorgeous. thank you, seungmin.”

the third gift was from hyerin—a personalized leather notebook. miyeon had always admired hyerin’s journals, and when she unwrapped the soft leather cover, she couldn’t help but smile. inside, the pages were blank, waiting to be filled with whatever thoughts or sketches she might choose.

“i thought you’d appreciate a new journal to start the year off with,” hyerin said with a knowing look. “it’s for anything—your designs, your thoughts, or just to keep track of your dreams.”

miyeon’s heart warmed as she ran her fingers over the cover. “this is perfect. thank you, hyerin. i’ve been needing something like this.”

hyerin’s turn came next, and as she sat with her gifts, her eyes sparkled with anticipation. the first gift she opened came from miyeon—a beautifully crafted journal with a soft, velvet cover. the journal was deep purple, a color she had always loved, and it was filled with blank pages ready for her to pour her heart out onto them.

“i know you’ve been expressing yourself through your lyrics for a while, but i thought this might help you when you want to keep your thoughts and feelings separate from your music,” miyeon explained with a smile. “it’s for those moments when you need to write just for you.”

hyerin gently ran her fingers over the journal’s smooth surface, touched by miyeon’s thoughtfulness. “i love this, miyeon, i love you. thank you so much.”

next, hyerin unwrapped a pair of noise-canceling headphones from hyunjin. as soon as she saw the sleek design, she understood the practicality of the gift. hyunjin had remembered how often she worked late into the night, producing and mixing tracks in the studio, and how much she needed peace and quiet to focus.

“these are perfect for those late nights in the studio,” hyunjin said with a smile. “now you won’t have to worry about distractions while you’re creating.”

hyerin smiled, grateful for the thoughtfulness. “i really needed these. thank you.”

finally, from seungmin, and as hyerin unwrapped it, she couldn’t help but let out a surprised laugh. inside was a black-and-white varsity jacket, the exact one she had admired during their last shopping trip. she had paused in front of it, her fingers brushing over the fabric, but she hadn’t bought it for herself. now, here it was, a perfect fit, just like seungmin had promised it would be.

“you saw me eyeing this when we went shopping, didn’t you?” hyerin teased, looking up at seungmin with a playful grin. “how did you know i wanted it?”

seungmin chuckled softly, clearly pleased by her reaction. “i just remembered you checking it out, and i thought it would look amazing on you. plus, you deserve something nice.”

hyerin slipped the jacket on, feeling its warmth instantly. it was comfortable and stylish, and it made her feel closer to seungmin in a way she hadn’t expected. the jacket was a tangible reminder of his thoughtful nature, and it felt like a perfect fit—not just physically, but emotionally.

“thank you, seungmin,” hyerin said, her voice full of gratitude. “this is exactly what i wanted.”

but there was more. seungmin reached for the final item in the gift bag—a hoodie, one that was clearly well-worn. the soft, faded fabric and familiar scent of it made hyerin’s heart skip a beat. she had stolen this hoodie countless times before, not for any reason other than the fact that it smelled like him—comforting and familiar.

“this is... yours,” she said, holding it up. “you know i always steal it when i visit.”

seungmin smiled at her, his eyes soft with affection. “i figured you’d like it. i thought you might want your own hoodie of mine to keep.”

hyerin’s heart warmed at the sentiment. she had always felt an odd sense of comfort whenever she wore seungmin’s hoodie. it smelled like him, like home.

“i love it,” she said, pulling it over her head, and instantly feeling surrounded by the comfort of his presence. “this... this means so much to me. thank you, seungmin.”

seungmin’s expression softened, his smile tender. “you deserve it, hyerin. i’m glad you like it.”

seungmin opened his gifts next, starting with the one from miyeon. as he unwrapped it, he found a limited-edition vinyl record of one of his all-time favorite albums. his eyes widened in excitement as he held it up, realizing it was something he had been searching for but hadn’t been able to find.

“this is amazing,” seungmin said, his voice filled with disbelief. “i’ve wanted this for so long. how did you know?”

miyeon smiled. “i remember you mentioning it once, and i made sure to track it down. i’m glad you like it.”

the second gift came from hyunjin—a custom leather wallet with seungmin’s initials embossed in gold. the craftsmanship was flawless, and it was clear hyunjin had put a lot of thought into choosing something that would be both practical and stylish.

“i figured you could use an upgrade,” hyunjin said with a smirk. “and i know you appreciate good quality.”

seungmin laughed softly, already feeling the smooth texture of the leather. “this is perfect, hyunjin. thank you. i really needed a new one.”

the third gift was from hyerin—as seungmin unwrapped it, he found a vintage film camera, complete with a set of old-school film rolls. the camera was beautiful—sleek, with a classic design that spoke to seungmin’s love for photography. he had often talked about his interest in capturing moments with a film camera, but it was something he had never quite gotten around to purchasing for himself.

“since you’ve been talking about wanting to get into film photography, i thought this would be a good start,” hyerin said, a smile playing at her lips. “i know you love capturing moments, especially our own, and i thought you’d enjoy the experience of using a film camera.”

seungmin’s face lit up as he held the camera in his hands. he had always loved photography, but this vintage camera felt like a true treasure. it was more than just an object—it was a new opportunity for him to explore his creativity and capture moments in a different way.

“i’ve always wanted one of these,” seungmin said, his voice full of excitement. “thank you, hyerin. this is exactly what i needed to take my photography to the next level.”

hyerin’s smile grew wider as she watched seungmin’s reaction. “i’m glad you like it. i can’t wait to see what you capture with it.”

finally, it was hyunjin’s turn. his eyes twinkled with quiet anticipation as he opened the first gift from miyeon—he unwrapped the soft, leather-bound journal with a smile. it was simple, elegant, and had his initials embossed in gold on the cover. as he opened it, he saw that the pages were filled with high-quality paper, perfect for sketching, journaling, or writing his thoughts.

“i know you love to sketch and keep your thoughts organized,” miyeon said with a soft smile. “this journal is for those moments when you need to write or create, whether it's for your designs or just to reflect. i thought it could be a place for you to keep your ideas.”

hyunjin felt a warmth in his chest as he ran his fingers over the journal’s smooth cover. the thoughtful gesture touched him deeply. it wasn’t just a journal—it was a space where he could pour his creativity, his ideas, and his innermost thoughts.

“this is perfect,” hyunjin said, his voice filled with sincerity. “thank you, miyeon. i’ve always wanted something like this, and it means a lot that you thought of me.”

miyeon smiled, clearly pleased with his reaction. “i’m glad you like it.”

the second gift was from hyerin—a watch with a sleek, modern design. the dark silver band and simple yet elegant face of the watch immediately appealed to hyunjin’s style.

“i thought this might suit you,” hyerin said with a small smile. “it’s subtle, but it’s a piece you can wear for any occasion.”

hyunjin held the watch in his hands, admiring its simplicity. “this is exactly what i wanted. thank you, hyerin.”

the third gift was from seungmin—a limited edition vinyl of one of hyunjin’s favorite albums. hyunjin’s eyes lit up as he saw the cover—he had been wanting it for ages but could never find it.

“you really pay attention, don’t you?” hyunjin said, his voice filled with gratitude. “thank you, seungmin. i’ve been looking for this for so long.”

seungmin grinned, happy to see his friend so excited. “i’m glad you like it.”

the night continued with laughter, smiles, and the warmth of the christmas spirit filling the room. each gift was a reminder of how well they knew each other, of the bonds that had only grown stronger over time. as they sat together, surrounded by the things they had given and received, it was clear that these four—miyeon, hyunjin, hyerin, and seungmin—had built something truly special. they didn’t need anything more; they had each other, and that was enough.

tags: @estella-novella, @omgsecretsecret, @jeonginsbaee, @amarecerasus, @phannyone, @rhonnie23 @everythingboutkpop

[oreolemur]

Second Base- Gojo Fanfic

Sitting down at an Italian restaurant, you waited patiently for your blind date to show up. “I hope she picked a decent guy this time”, you sigh. Scrolling through your phone for a few minutes, the waiter comes over. “Would you like something to drink, mam?”, the guy asked. Ordering a glass of water, you scarfed down a breadstick or two as you took in the building’s surroundings. “At least she picked a good spot”.

15 minutes go by, and you begin to grow impatient. “Is this supposed to be a set up? Am I getting played right now?”. In the middle of texting your friend, you suddenly see a man standing beside you from your peripheral vision. Clearing his throat, “Sorry I’m late”, he smiled. Averting your eyes towards the man, you were jaw-dropped by how beautiful he was. “Woah…”, you whisper. Wearing a light blue button up, and black tuxedo pants, you couldn’t help but stare at his shiny blue eyes, and gorgeous white locks. 

Taking a seat in front of you, “By the end of this date, I'll have you screaming my name", the man grinned. "Just you wait". Surprised by his comment, you scoffed. “Nope”. “Oh my, someone's feisty! What's your name?”, he asked. “Y/N, and you?”. “Gojo Satoru”. Giving you a cocky grin, you furrowed your eyebrows. “What exactly did you mean by, “I’ll have you screaming my name”,?”, you questioned. “You'll see soon enough, won't you?”, Gojo replied.  “I don’t know. Will I? Maybe I’ll just ditch you right now and call it a night”. “You wouldn't dare", Satoru scoffed. A smirk spread across his face. "Besides, I've got so many surprises planned for tonight”.  Looking at him speechless, you grabbed one of the menus off the table, ready to order. 

"You do realize that there's another meaning to 'screaming someone's name'?" Satoru chuckled, leaning in and whispering in a suggestive manner. "A much more fun sense”. Rolling your eyes, you shove a bread stick into his mouth, "In your dreams". "Oh, I think you'll be changing your tune by the end of tonight" Satoru teased, his eyes roaming across the table to study you. "You're so cute when you're mad", he muttered just loud enough to make you question if it was intentional.

Ignoring him, you signal the waiter over. "I'll have the chicken Florentine". "Excellent choice", Satoru beamed with pride. "I'll have the spaghetti", he chimed in, not looking at the menu even once. Asking what the two of you would like to drink, Gojo smiled. "I'll have a glass of Merlot", he requested the waiter. Turning back to you, he smirked. The corners of his lips curled up as he watched you. "How about you?". “Red wine”, you replied. The waiter nodded and took the order. 

Gojo waited until he was out of sight before leaning over the table to whisper to you. "You know, you've got really nice skin. I wonder how soft it is...". Sticking out your hand, you let Satoru feel how soft you were. The man took your hand and ran his fingers over your skin in a teasing manner."This is incredibly soft", He whispered. "I'm sure some other parts of your body are soft too...".  “I’m sure there is”, you teased back. "Well, I intend to find out", he smirked. 

The waiter eventually returned with the drinks, setting them down on the table and leaving. As he was walking away, Gojo stood up, stretching. "Would you like to come to my place after this?", He asked, a sly look on his face. "The night isn't over yet". "After we eat...maybe", you reply back. "I can live with that", Satoru teased. As he sat back down, the waiter arrived with the meals. He waited until the guy left to speak again. "This is going to be an unforgettable night." His voice was low and husky, his eyes wandering all over your body. "Especially when we get back to my place”. Making a toast to each other, the two of you sat at the restaurant for another hour, exchanging jokes.

"Well, that was good", you exclaim, standing up. "Where to now? Your place seems nice ",  you wink at him. Satoru chuckled at your comment, standing up and offering his hand. "Let's get going then. I hope you didn't forget what you promised me”. He started to walk out of the restaurant. "I can tell that you're eager to see my private domain”. "Eager? No. I'm just ready to lay back and be treated with care"."Oh, I could do much more than just treat you with care. I can be everything you want me to be at this moment. You can forget about the real world; I want to be the center of your universe”. He turned to face you, a grin plastered on his face."So come with me. Let's go see what it's like in my world”.

Hopping into the man's car, you noticed him staring at you from the corner of your eye. "Yes?". "Just admiring the view," Satoru chuckled. He continued the drive, glancing over at you every once in a while to study your expression. The atmosphere was filled with an intense tension and Gojo seemed to be enjoying making you squirm with anticipation. After a couple minutes of this, he eventually parked the car, getting up and heading around to your side to open your door. "After you", he smiled. “Thanks”

The two of you made your way into his house, leading you upstairs. The moment you were there, it was abundantly clear what his intentions were. He gently pushed you down onto the bed, looming over you like a predator. Staring into your soul, you felt yourself become hypnotized by his shiny blue eyes. “Hurry up and kiss me”, you blush. “Impatient much?”, Satoru chuckled. Gently grabbing your face, he smashed his lips onto yours. “His lips taste so sweet”, you thought. 

While making out, the man began to unbutton his shirt. “Need help getting undressed?”, you ask, pulling away from the kiss. “Sure, why not?”. Getting off , he stood in front of you as you were sitting on the edge of his bed. “You look even more beautiful down there”, Gojo commented. Undoing his pants, you pulled them down along with his boxers. “Damn”. Staring at his pretty veiny cock, your mouth watered. “Is there a problem?”, he wondered. Shaking your head, “N-no”. Hearing you stutter a little, Satoru admired it. 

Holding his shaft, you stroked it a little. “It feels so big in my hands”. Looking up at him, you saw him blushing as he kept eye contact with you. “Why is he so pretty?”. Averting your attention on his dick, you opened your mouth, sucking his tip. “Mmph”, the man moaned. Listening to his enjoyment, you tightened your mouth around him as you slowly went down his dick. “Fuck”, he seethed. Bobbing your head, you felt him run his fingers through your scalp. Gripping your hair, he began to gently thrust into your mouth.  

Feeling his tip hit the back of your throat, you found it hard to breathe. You tapped his thighs, signaling him to stop. “What’s wrong?”, he asked. Having a line of spit come out of your mouth, you licked your lips. “You’re too big to go all in”, you complained. Rubbing your head, the man smiled. “Well that’s too bad”, he said. “But, I’m not finished yet”. Shoving you back down his cock, you held onto his waist for support. He fucked your throat, using it as his little toy, while he worked to get his orgasm. “I can’t believe he just did that”, you said to yourself. “It’s like he doesn’t even care that I can’t breathe…that’s….so…hot”. 

A few minutes later, Gojo’s thrusts became sloppy and slow as his moaning became more high pitched. Without warning he came into your mouth, filling it with his sweet warm liquid. “Oh..”, he paused. “You’re a swallower”. Making sure to get every last drop, you wiped your index finger around your mouth, collecting any cum that leaked out. “I am full of surprises after all”, you smirked, giving his cock a small peck.

Gojo stared at you with lust, he felt as if he’d found a suitable partner to fulfill his needs. “Take off your clothes and lay down”, he ordered. Doing what he wants, the man watched you get naked. “You have a beautiful body”. Spreading your legs open, he got down on his knees. “Everything is so natural, it’s exciting”. He squeezed your inner thighs, teasing his way up to your cunt. Being sensitive in that spot, you squirmed around a little. “I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet, and you’re already starting to act up”. 

Placing his hand on your pussy, he spread your lips apart, seeing your fluids drip down onto his comforter. He slowly licked your wet folds, making his way to your clit. Once there, he drew circles with his tongue, sucking your sensitive bud in and out as he repeated the pattern. “Satoru..”, you moaned, pulling his hair. Giving in to your adorable whimpers, he started to  finger you. “You’re tight, darling”, he smiled. Having him pleasure you two different ways at the same time, drove you crazy. 

You pulled his hair tighter, trying to move his head away from your clit. “I’m cumming. I’m-”. Letting out the biggest moan, tears formed in your eyes, realizing he wasn’t stopping. “I should’ve warned you that I’m into overstimulation”. Trying to move away from him, he dug his nails into your plumped thighs. “I-I can’t take it”. Reaching for a pillow, you screamed into it as you felt another orgasm come. “Mmmmm!!”. Feeling satisfied, Gojo moved away from your cunt. 

Grabbing a napkin, he wiped his face from the fluid you squirted onto him. “Now”, he smiled, walking over to you. “Let’s finish this”. Taking hold of your waist, he flipped you over on your stomach, forcing you to arch your back. He slapped your ass. “Ouch”, you whined. Laughing at you, he rubbed his cock on your pussy. “Don’t tease me like that”, you whined. 

Shushing you, he slowly thrusted his tip into you, stretching your walls little by little. “Sex shouldn’t be rushed”. Burying your face into the mattress, you tried your best to take him. He was gentle with you, knowing how tight you were. “Are you used to it yet?”, he asked. “N-no”, you whimpered. Feeling devious, he grinned. “Let’s try this”. Shoving his cock in all the way, you gasped. “Gojo!”. “There it is”, he laughed. 

Fucking you mercilessly, he slammed his hips into you hard, hitting your cervix. “Nngh”. You held onto his comforter, handling him with what little tolerance you had left. “Sa…to…ru”, you called out. “Yes?”, he grinned. Not being able to speak anymore, you tried to reach behind in an attempt to stop him. “Aht aht”, he smacked your hand away. “I’m not done”.  Changing positions, he pushed your body down, turning you on your back.

Laying there weak and vulnerable, Gojo scooted you up the bed. “Are you done now? I’m too sensitive to continue”. Crawling on top of you, he leaned into your face. “Oh really?”. Going for your neck, he kissed it gently, before marking you up with his teeth. “Ah”, you winced, placing your hand around his throat. “Squeeze it”, he blushed. “You’re into choking?”. Nodding his head, “Yes”. Putting you on top of him, he lifted you up a little to slide his cock inside you. “How did you do that so fast?!”. Grabbing your hand, he placed it on his neck. “Less talk, more fuck”. 

Proceeding to choke him, he let out a small whimper. “My god…is there anything he’s not good at!”. Grinding your hips, you went slow. “Ow, he's deeper than ever”. Trying to go a little faster, you started to feel more pleasure than pain. “Is this okay?”, you asked. “Nope”. He gripped your waist, thrusting upwards, making you scream again. “Fuck!”, you squealed.

With him taking control over you, you didn’t notice how hard you were choking him. “Almost…there”, Gojo groaned. He flipped you over again, this time being on top. “That was good, but not good enough to make me cum”, he said, gasping for air. Satoru put both of your legs over his shoulder, fucking you even harder than before. “Shit!”. His headboard banged against the wall, causing the bed to squeak.  Finishing up, you both climaxed together, moaning each other's ears. “My, my, my”, Gojo huffed. “I should buy a ring”. 

[presleyhearted]

Hello!

First of all, thank you for the amazing stories, especially yours truly! I'm a fan of your creations and looking forward to reading a new one🫶🏻

Is it okay to ask a short fic or imagine for Elvis & female reader?

Elvis and reader are in the relationship and they're planning to celebrate their 1 year anniversary soon. They both think what would be the best gifts for each other for the anniversary and they are asking their friends for help😚

There are so many gift ideas like flowers, matching jewellery, new clothes, photo albums(including photos they took when they went out for fair/amusement park idk cute ones), etc.. You can think of anything really!

Then Elvis and reader are giving gifts to each other on their anniversary day. They enjoy their gifts but most importantly they're happy being together🥺 How about this idea in a fluff, cute fics? I don't have a particular favourite era of Elvis(love all eras!) so you can choose, bestie I want your ideas💗

A Year With You.

pairing: 70s!e x female reader genre: fluff, established relationship. warnings: strong language, brief hint to sexual allusions, mentions of nightmares. An insanely happy lovey-dovey couple (aha). wc: 1.8k notes: Hi bestie! This is a long-awaited request, I apologise for that. I am too much of a perfectionist, which is not a great combination with the world of writer's block. Nonetheless, I really did want to write this. I hope that it has met your expectations!

 You consider yourself a pretty humble person, but you do pride yourself as a great gift-giver. It is always such a wondrous feeling to see the smile of glee from your friends and family, as you gift them exactly what they wanted. Even if they don’t straight up tell you what they want, or they don’t know what they want - you somehow always ace it when it comes to gift giving. Whether that be Christmas or birthdays. . . 

But now, well, you are actually stuck. The gift-giving this time round is for neither occasion, and the receiver is not family or friends. Specifically, your boyfriend. 

“My brain is empty. Nothing.” You admit, with your elbow propped up on the table of the booth as you rested your chin in your palm. 

As per usual, at least once a week, you find yourself seated across from one of your close friends - Vivian. At your usual spot for lunch, which is the local diner in your small town. You’d normally 

catch up about anything and everything going on, and the subject of conversation this time round? Seeking advice from something you normally found relatively easy. 

Vivian takes a sip from her milkshake, “Oh, I don’t think so.” 

Your furrow your eyebrows, “No, Viv, I’m serious - I can’t think of anything.” 

“Well, what about… I dunno, a really nice scarf? With his initials embroidered?” She suggests, in obvious hopes to ease your worry, but the uncertainty in her voice is far too clear. 

You give her a look. 

“What?” Vivian questions, “It is practical! and sentimental.” She shrugs, as a matter of fact. 

Bless her heart, she’s only trying to help. But you can’t find yourself agreeing with that gift idea. It is practical, but still. . . It feels so random. There has to be something else out there. 

“I can’t just give him a scarf,” You sighed as you took a bite out of the fry. 

“Why not?” 

“It feels a little random. I don’t know.” 

Vivian tilts her head and gestures dramatically at the window beside the booth, “Y/N, I hardly believe it’d be random.” As a matter of fact, the outside was blanketed by pristine white snow, as people passed by clutching tightly onto their winter attires. 

You nod, “Yes. But it doesn’t really scream ‘Happy Anniversary’!” You emphasized. 

“I want it to be practical, definitely. Yeah. But I want it to be something memorable too.” You explain, letting out a heavy sigh, as you subconsciously tap your fingers on the table. 

Vivian clicks her fingers with a smirk on her face, “Aha!” 

“What?” 

“I know just thee perfect gift.” She boasts. 

She leans over and gestures for you to lean in, as she cups her hand to whisper. 

“Winter wear is not the only thing that can keep him warm this season.” She says, a smirk prominent on her face. 

Your eyes go wide at her words, as a gasp leaves you. You feel your face grow rapidly warm, no doubt the obvious blush taking space on your cheeks. 

“Viv!” 

She calmly leaned back on her seat and shrugged casually, “What? It fits the criteria of practical and memorable.” Vivian can’t help but let out a laugh at your reaction. 

You find yourself laughing, as you shake your head, “You are terrible. Oh my goodness.” 

You manage to calm yourself down, “In all seriousness though, what in the world do I get a guy who has everything?” 

“I doubt he has everything, Y/N.” 

“Well, you know what I mean. Majority of everything ever.” 

Your lunch meet-up with Vivian comes to a close after two hours of chatting, mostly about your current predicament. Unfortunately, the lunch concluded with you still not knowing what to give him. But Vivian is quick to assure that ‘the world’s best gift giver’ won’t back down for this one. 

You hope she’s right. 

--------------------------------------

“Whatcha’ think of a pair of earrings?” Elvis asks, as he leans against the wall of the living room, the sound of the faint crackling of the fireplace in the background. 

“I’d say that’s a great gift, E.” Charlie replies, as he scribbles down notes beside the list of songs on the paper Elvis handed him. 

Elvis sighs and shakes his head, “I-well, I-I dunno man.” 

“Sorry to interrupt, E. We doing Johnny B. Goode?” Charlie asks, looking up at him and awaiting his answer. 

“Yeah, yeah. Add it in.” 

Charlie swiftly nods and goes back to reviewing the list, “Alright, go on.” He encourages, despite his eyes being trained on the sheet of paper on the carpeted floor in front of him. 

“I- well, like I said… I dunno ‘bout getting her jewelry.” 

“Does she not like it? Girls are usually all over ‘em.” Charlie shrugs, not quite understanding Elvis’ dilemma. 

Elvis crosses his arms over his chest, “She likes it.  But I-I-I feel that’s what I always get her. And ya know me, man, I hate boring shit.” He sighs, shaking his head. 

Charlie looks up at his friend, after hearing the distressed tone in his voice. It was a strange situation, for he didn’t think he could recall a time that Elvis hit a brick wall when it came to gift ideas for a girlfriend. He sure did not have trouble in his previous relationships. 

“Hmm… I know!” Charlie muses, in Elvis eagerly awaits his answer. 

“Try not to get her boring shit, then.” Charlie laughs. 

Elvis’ face relaxes and breathes a laugh, “Oh, you unhelpful fucker! Shit friend you are.” He said, throwing a cushion, which Charlie catches in time. Both are laughing. 

Charlie puts both his hands up in mock defense, “I say this with all honesty; I don’t think Y/N cares much ‘bout what you give her, E. She sees you and that girl is as happy as Goddamn sunshine and rainbows. All there is to it.” He said, voice serious as he explained to his friend that finding material perfection isn’t the core of the anniversary. That, really, you already radiate happiness whenever you are close to him. Whenever Elvis is with you. 

It’s in this that Elvis finds himself breaking out into a smile. A smile so huge that he has to adjust the sunglasses framing his face, as they slip down just a little bit. 

--------------------------------------

“Happy Anniversary, baby.” You say, kissing him on the cheek, as you hand the carefully wrapped present to him. 

You find yourself biting on your bottom lip, nervous as hell. He unravels it quite quickly and his silence certainly doesn’t put your nerves at bay. 

“A journal.” He says, a voice in wonder and surprise. His fingers dance across the leather-bound, particularly his embroidered initials. 

“Yeah. It’s um, I know it’s a little random. But, I, just see you so lost in your mind sometimes. Many times. And I, uh, I know you talk to me. But sometimes when you don’t feel like talking to anyone, not even me- just write down what you feel. It might help. It’s not healthy to have a thousand thoughts running around in your head. I, um, like I don’t know if you like it. If you don’t that’s-“ Your nervous ramblings are cut off by his hand wrapped around your waist, pushing you forward to him as his lips meet yours. 

You are taken completely off guard by the unexpected kiss, but he is who he is, as unpredictable as ever. The kiss is passionate and soft, oh so soft that you can’t help but wrap your arms around his neck. 

You break apart, in which he rests his forehead yours. 

“I love it, honey. I love it so damn much. You are so good to me, so good to me.” He says softly, eyes glassy with tears. 

Your thumb strokes his cheek, “Really?” Your heart sighs in relief. 

He nods his head, “Mm-hmm. It’s everything. You’re everything.” 

He pulls away a little and you mistake this for meaning you should pull away as well, but instead, Elvis is quick to wrap his arms around your waist. He then brings you forward more, till you are sitting in his lap with your legs on either side of him. 

“Where did ya think you were goin’ baby?” He grins, his bottom lip between his teeth. 

You find yourself chuckling at him, “Nowhere it seems.” 

“Good.”

Elvis smoothly reaches to the right side of where he’s sat, and hands you a nearly wrapped small box. You guess that it is jewelry, which wouldn’t be surprising considering the previous times Elvis bought you a gift. You know how generous he is with gifting you items of luxury, and you are grateful, but it is not something you necessarily need. Being with him is enough, in all honesty. 

You remove the wrapping, and you gasp in surprise at the contents of the box. 

“It’s a dreamcatcher.” It was a delicate dreamcatcher, a silver color, and was smaller than normal ones. You examine it further and see that there seem to be words engraved on it ‘For you, my heart. To always have good dreams only.’ E.P. 

“Whatcha’ think, honey? I-I-I know you have bad dreams sometimes, and I hate that I can’t control it. But they say a dreamcatcher helps with that. I don’t want you getting no nightmares again. Is it…is it what you-“

Tears stream down your face as you wrap your arms tightly around him, “Thank you, thank you.” You whisper, overcome with emotion. 

It’s true. You’ve been prone to getting bad dreams lately, and you’ve heard about dreamcatchers before. But you always forget to find one for yourself. 

“I’m happy you like it, Y/N.” 

You slowly pull away from him, “Of course I do. You are so so thoughtful, E. It’s just what I needed, really. “

“I love you, darlin.’.” Elvis says, looking at you in wonder as he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. 

“I love you so much.” You say as you find yourself tracing his features with your finger delicately. 

“Are you happy, baby?” Elvis asks.

“I am. I don’t care much about what gift you give me, having you here is already so much for me.” You say, truthfully with a wide smile, “Are you happy, Elvis?”

“I have the most beautiful girl with me, and her heart is so big and true. I-I’m one lucky son of a bitch.” He grins, and you laugh at this. 

You pull each other into a kiss, which turns into one of the many kisses that you would share that night. It was an anniversary that exceeded everything you could have ever hoped for. You mentally slapped yourself on why you worried so much about what to get him when really, that was never the thing that mattered most. 

@literally-just-elvis-fics