#feeling brave this friday morning

[gaslightgirlsummer]

just saw the new interview with carlos, and i have to say, looking at this

this is not a good thing. this is a PROBLEM. this is a problem with ferrari not prioritising their better driver. charles was the one who was fighting for the championship, not carlos, so in what world, for what reason, should charles and carlos be treated equally? they’re clearly not.

“i don’t deserve that” but you do. that’s the thing, you do because that’s supposed to be the point of you! red bull has a lot of issues but the one thing they proved is that the primary-secondary driver system works and max’s world championships are tangible proof of that. carlos just can’t accept that his role in the team is supposed to be charles’ second and that’s why we get the godforsaken messes like silverstone. if that doesn’t change before 2023 we’re going to either have infighting or contract revisions and the title will be lost again, especially considering carlos also said he could become friends with charles in the future when they’re not “fighting for positions”. he think he’s fighting charles for positions when charles is trying to keep p2 in wdc and carlos is not even in the top 5. and he’s not even friends with charles because he sees his own, realistically superior teammate, as competition.

ferrari is an utter mess and carlos is a part of the problem

[proteuus]

I thought everything was the worst but then I had my daily sugar drink with a splash of coffee and it turns out everything actually isnt the worst. so thats good news

[denwritesandcries]

Take a Breath (and kiss me) – T.C

Pairing: tara carpenter x fem!reader

Summary: Your girlfriend Tara gets a little clingy when she realizes you haven't kissed her properly in days.

Word count: 2,0k

Content: cursing, fluff, kisses, cuddles, tara being a sad pup, college routine kicking everybody's asses, core four as a family.

Note: First time writing for Tara! Pure fluff cause I’m starting on a new job this week and needed comfort.

English is not my first language.

It's been four days straight since you last kissed Tara.

Not that she was counting, she really wasn't, but now, after an extremely long and tiring day of exams and more exams, it seemed impossible not to feel your absence next to her. The feeling of neediness and loneliness hits her hard when she realizes how long it's been since you two have been together.

Four days. Four whole days of no holding hands or playing with her hair, no hugs, no cuddles and definitely no kisses. Be it on the forehead, the cheek, the shoulders, the hands, or on the lips. Nothing. It's like the universe just decided one day 'nuh-uh, no kisses for Tara Carpenter' and boy that was unfair.

The last time you kissed her – actually kissed her – was on Monday morning, at the beginning of that hellish week, when she woke up too early with the sunlight escaping through a crack in the curtains bothering her eyes, with her whole body completely curled up on top of yours. One of the best ways to wake up, really. The same thing happened to you a short time later, because as much as Tara loves being in your arms, she also can't help but feel restless when she's awake and move a lot, but the way she lights up when you sleepy mumble a good morning to her doesn't make you able to be upset with her for that.

You gave her a slow, lazy kiss, still with that warm aura of sleep remaining.

It was the most she could enjoy of your company before you had to leave in a hurry to escape the scolding Sam would give you both for spending the night having class the next day – even though, you know, you're college students and adults – and get to your own dorm to be ready in time for your first class in the morning.

She would have braved the scolding and made you stay a little longer if she had remembered that exam season was about to start. Unfortunately, this only occurred to her when she had her first taste of it later that day.

See, that was perhaps the thing Tara hated most about her new life as a student in New York: the way the change in routine could easily overwhelm her, and how that made it even worse because you couldn't be around as much as she wanted you to.

You were a year ahead of her and your courses were different, so you didn't have any classes together and your paths barely crossed during the day, which meant the only times she got to see you were on quick runs across campus, barely having time to exclaim a 'hi baby!' before disappearing with stacks of books and notebooks in your arms.

Sure, you exchanged a lot of messages, but it wasn't the same as having a warm body next to her in bed or on the couch. You couldn't even come to the apartment after everything because she was also too tired from her own work to hangout after it.

But Friday had finally arrived and she had enough time to wallow in self-pity until everyone got home. Checking the patterned wall clock that her sister bought when they moved in, Tara realizes that it's already past five pm and the sound of the door opening is the sign that her family has started to come in. She buries her head in the pile of cushions, ignoring the throbbing pain in her temples.

“Ugh, finally." Mindy plops down next to Tara on the other side of the couch, clasping her hands above her head to stretch, “What is this? Why is there a sad, miserable gremlin on our couch?”

She hears Chad's loud laugh coming from the kitchen but can only mutter a 'fuck you' muffled by the cushions she's sunk into, feeling a tap on her calf in response.

Tara wasn't going to put up with any mockery now, not when she was so tired and sleepy and missing you. She would do the same thing she had done the last few days: take a hot shower without giving a shit to Quinn's protests about using all the water, hug Sam when she got home from work in 45 minutes, and accept the offer of a snack when her sister ask if she had already eaten, then she would go to her room, throw herself on the bed and text you goodnight, before completely blacking out until the next day, when she could finally have you all to herself for the entire weekend – and for the rest of the week too. The worst part is over, so screw it, you guys could afford to miss some classes.

“Are you just gonna lay there and give up on existence, lil dude?” Mindy starts again, interrupting the peaceful and only partly distressing silence Tara had settled into as she builds up the strength to stand up.

“Will you shut the hell up?” She bites, grabbing one of the cushions and hitting her friend in the face, “You’re not funny and my head hurt as fuck.”

“Jesus, okay, okay!” Mindy waves her arms in defeat and stands up, “I won’t say anything else then.”

"Great."

“I’m not gonna say–” She takes on a teasing tone, “–that Anika thought that a certain someone was really upset and buried in books all that time in their dorm and that it would be better if they came straight here after class to take a break, but I’m not gonna tell you that.”

"What?" Tara’s expression immediately brightened, “You’re serious? What you–"

“Well, I told my girlfriend to bring your girlfriend. But it's okay, I'm not gonna say any of that.”

Mindy looked extremely smug but Tara chose to spare her another hit in the face for the sake of the information she just received. She lights up and jumps off the couch in a flash, rushing to shower and get ready now that she has a good reason. She hears Chad shouting from the kitchen:

“Girl, I thought you were tired!”

“Right?” Mindy laughs, “Wednesday’s at that age when a girl has only one thing on her mind, Chad.”

This makes her stop: “I don’t look like her!”

She slams the door shut when she hears their laughter increase in response.

If someone asked Tara if it was true that she sat on the side of the sofa closest to the door so she could see the exact moment you arrived, she would vehemently deny it – even though that's exactly what she did – and she would also deny that she deflated a little when the first person to arrive after the twins was Sam with a pizza box in one hand and covering a big yawn with the other.

You and Anika only arrive almost half an hour after Sam, finding Tara already watching you with doe eyes. Your haggard face immediately breaks into a smile, lines of fatigue crinkling in the corners of your eyes.

“There you are, dear,” you cross the room towards her and Tara leans in, even before you touch her, practically purring at the soft kiss you leave on her forehead, “I missed you.”

She melts when you wrap your arms around her, burying her head in your chest, but that's it. A kiss on the forehead and a hug and then you're pulling away again because you and Anika have brought more food that should be placed on the kitchen counter.

It only took this small moment of you going back and forth for everything to come back to Tara with full force. You didn't kiss her.

It's stupid, it's irrational, but her eyes fill with tears even though she can clearly see you from behind, unpacking the groceries and talking to your friends there.

Tara tried to just sit and wait for you to come back as soon as you were done, but patience was never her thing.

“Hm?” You hum when you feel a tug on your hodie's sleeve, looking back to find Tara with a tearful, frustrated expression.

“I had a really long day,” she begins, not quite sure how to ask for what she wants, eyes focused on the floor, “Will you come stay with me?”

Your heart races and your voice immediately softens: “Of course, sweetheart.”

Tara wastes no time in dragging you to her room by your wrist and you can't even react to the warning look Sam throws you over her shoulder.

She perches on your lap the second you sit down on the bed, sighing in relief as she buries her face in your shoulder.

You rest your chin on her head, “Did somethin’ happen?”

“I’m gonna quit college." She moans in defeat against your neck.

You huff a giggle into her hair, “Same, baby.”

Tara pulls away just enough to look at you and the pure love and tenderness in your eyes is more than enough to make the tears come back.

“What? What is it?" You straighten up, worried, tightening your arms around her.

“You haven’t kissed me in four days.”

She blurts out, voice cracking and strangled and you stop.

“Four days?”

Tara nods, “Except for the one on the forehead, you haven’t really kissed me in four days and like, several hours.”

“Oh.”

“Oh?” She frowned. Shit, now she was getting mad at you, “Oh?”

You rush to take her mind off it, pressing a kiss to her lips in which she immediately melts with a soundly sigh of relief.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” you murmur between small pecks distributed on her lips, “I was so caught up in everything that I didn’t even notice.”

Tara still seemed a little upset by your response, but you kissed her again, bringing a hand to her jaw to deepen, feeling your girlfriend's arms entwined around your neck.

When you pull apart this time, you're both out of breath and Tara's face is covered in a soft red glow. You gently draw patterns with your fingers on her hips and lean in, leaving a kiss on her warm cheek.

“I’m sorry, Tar,” you echo, looking deep in her eyes “I’ve missed you so much. How can I make it up to you?”

She pretends to think for a moment, averting her eyes to hide the shiver that runs through her body.

“It's been four days,” she huffs with more annoyance than she actually feels, “I'm a girl who has abandonment issues, you know, it's your obligation to kiss me every day from now on.”

“Noted,” you smile.

“But…” She starts with a mischievous smile, “You could also make me feel better by watching The Babadook with me.”

“No, no, Tara!” You whine, “The noises of that movie freak me out!”

“Oh, I know,” your girlfriend says, blinking innocently, “But I want to do something with you, it's been so long since we watched something together alone and I love you so much.”

"I love you too." You respond instantly.

It only takes a look at those doe eyes and you lose the battle immediately and Tara looks victorious. She knows the power she has over you, the adorable little shit.

She leaves your lap just enough time to pick up the laptop on the table and returns to her place, you pull her back and lie down on the pillows, dragging her against your chest, pulling a blanket from the corner of the bed to cover you both.

“Tests are over,” you say, burying your face in her neck as the movie scene darkens, “The next few weeks are ours now. Just ours.”

Tara giggles when you startle again, sinking further against your body, smelling the hodie you were wearing, the one she got you for your birthday.

“Ours,” she says, “I like how that sounds.”

Tara tries to stay awake as long as possible, even after you fall asleep with your face buried in her neck. She's almost asleep when Sam quietly opens the door, a plate of pizza in hand and an eyebrow raised. The silent question of ‘can she stay the night please?’ is just a formality.

There's no way you're getting out of her league anytime soon.

[totallynotashieldagent]

falling for jason todd happens slowly and then all at once

it starts with lazy pre-patrol Friday evenings. he knows you don't have work in the morning so he stays for a snack before heading out.

it turns into "hey wanna watch a movie?" which turns into "I'm ordering food for us" and then you're lying on the couch at other ends but your feet are in his lap as top gun plays on the TV and he doesn't even realize he's doing it but he's rubbing the tension out of your heels.

it turns into "oh my office has a workshop for first aid happening" and you take it because you figure you should know how to patch him up after the bad nights

that turns into him showing up on a Tuesday night, which NEVER happens but he's on edge and he's anxious and he doesn't know what else to do and he just needs a hug and you do it.

you hold him until he stops shaking and he falls asleep on you like a weighted blanket.

maybe in hindsight, that is where it all started. waking up in a mess of limbs and untangling yourself, pushing him off until he falls on the ground and you laugh before leaving to get ready for work and... he doesn't leave. he's there when you come back in the evening because he just- he doesn't have an answer except, he didn't want to go.

you shrug and say you don't mind and you continue with your evening errands and chores and he orders food and during it all you realize how... domestic this all is.

it's a wednesday evening and he knows gotham is waiting for him but tonight...just tonight, he wasn't something calm, something normal.

the air is thick but neither of you address it. and he leaves eventually with unsaid words and confusion hanging in his mind.

the routine of friday night hangouts continue but every touch is more.. electric and neither of you say anything because you really do think that it's just in YOUR mind and the other doesn't feel that way at all.

it goes on for weeks and weeks until the tension gets so bad that you're snapping at each other for even breathing too loud but still you're in the same space because you can't handle the thought of being a part

it goes on for an embarrassing long time because even though the love is requited, you're both just fucking idiots

it goes on until a bad patrol night and he shows up with a bunch of knives sticking out of his back and instead of going to a safehouse or alfred, he's here. with you. and your hands are shaking because this surgery level shit and you took a BASIC aid workshop. you're crying silently as you do your best to fix him even with the Lazarus healing kicking in and you keep whispering to yourself "not yet not yet not like this not like this not before I can say-"

and everything just ...freezes

"Before what?" He rasps, his breath laboured and hard

"It's nothing-" You whisper and continue to bandage him

so he twists his back and looks at you, asking again.

"Before what?" His eyes are glowing green as his wounds are slowly starting to heal under your fingertips. "Please-" He strains. "Before what?"

"Before I can be brave enough-" You swallow, your shaking hands pressed against the bandage of his back

"Brave enough for...?" He whispers, his eyes darting across your face, memorizing every feature. Your eyes, your Cupid's bow, your parted lips-

"For this-" You finally take a leap and press your lips to his.

Drabble Master List.

[cozage]

Hii!! Can you write some headcanon about how they are with their s/o after 20 or 30 years passed? Or in their old age. Ace Law and Zoro please.(Please include Ace. You know what i mean right? 🥺) With a female reader. Thank you ❤️

A/N:Forgive any typos please :) Characters: gn reader x Ace, Law, Zoro Cw: None :) Total word count: 1k

Years Passed

Ace

After Whitebeard passed, Ace was one of the top contenders to lead the pirate crew, but ultimately the Whitebeard Pirates disbanded. It didn’t feel right without Pops. The two of you sailed around with a smaller ship for a few years before retiring to your favorite island.

That being said, you all still take trips to other islands or sail for a while to celebrate special occasions. 

While you all don’t go out drinking nearly as much as you used to, you’re still regulars at the local tavern. On Friday nights they like to play music, and you trade stories with the new “kids” who are brave enough to take on the Grand Line.

He still brings you breakfast in bed every Saturday morning, complete with fresh-cut flowers. Breakfast is never the same; he always seems to know just what you're in the mood for.

You all ended up having kids. Ace wanted one hundred, but you cut him off after three. 

He still likes to bring home a stray kid he found on the side of the street every now and then, and you never minded having the extra rooms filled for as long as they needed to stay. Some stayed for only a few days, some stayed for years. You loved them all the same.

Just about every night, the two of you make it a priority to sit out and watch the sunset. The moments together are truly what makes life feel worth living

Even after all these years, he sticks up for you and loves you without shame. He’s never afraid to show you off or plant a kiss on your lips when he thinks someone else is eyeing you. He loves to brag about you and all of the light you’ve given him over the years to just about anyone who will listen. 

Law

It took Law a long time to find a place worth settling down in. You all finally decided on Zou.

It made sense. He was a wandering spirit, Zou was a wandering civilization. He could still move about while being in one place. Plus, you always had a feeling he would have a harder time parting with Bepo than he ever let on. 

He ended up working as a doctor for the minks (no surprise there) and found that his favorite part of the day was when he got to help kids feel better. 

Your moment of peace and tranquility, even after all these years, is the morning cup of coffee you all share. You never get tired of that simple moment between the two of you, and you cherish it with your whole heart. 

Every Friday, Bepo’s family comes over for dinner. The kids typically put on some silly play or performance or rope you all into games they want to play, and you all will stay awake far longer than you ever care to admit. 

You always complain about how exhausted you are on Saturdays, and Law promises “We’ll kick them out earlier next week”, but you never do. You would never want to limit your time with Bepo and his family anyway, the complaining is more to get out of any chores you may have promised to do. 

Law loves in the quietest of ways. He prefers to stay in and curl up on the couch, or he’ll bring you a book to read in bed alongside him. But he never goes to sleep without kissing you first. 

Zoro

Zoro still groans when you get out of bed. He almost always pulls you back in with a “five more minutes” mumble. You had begun accounting for this delay years ago, but it still makes your heart flutter when he pulls you back in and wraps his arms around you so that you can’t escape. 

He runs his own dojo now, that operates solely off of donations (and the load of gold you all have from your pirating days). Kids can come to practice, or they can live and work there too. It’s a very satisfying occupation for both of you. 

Funnily enough, Zoro found a strange love for cooking. Well, grilling. He loves to grill. You used to joke about it being a necessary qualification to be a dad, but now he just tries to grill everything. Dinner is almost always covered, but you never know what new thing he’s going to try (and yes, he does have a really corny apron like “#1 Grillmaster” or something).

He likes to stay in most of the time nowadays. If you go out, it’s usually to a small place that is more family-style than bars. 

However, he likes to go to a bar with you sometimes and pretend that you all don’t know each other. He’ll spend the whole night flirting with you and finally end the night with “So, you coming home with me or what?”. He ALWAYS has new pickup lines or witty things to say to you. 

Zoro prefers to keep you to himself. He guards you fiercely and will defend you to death if someone even considers looking at you wrong. The first thing he teaches at the dojo is that you deserve respect above anyone else, and disrespect to you will mean immediate dismissal from the program. He can’t stand to see anything that might cause you pain.

[yourgentlegirlfriend]

hi :3

this shit is absolutely not proof read sorry

Leon being so attentive when you first start working at the station. The throbbing in his pants almost painful when he watches as somebody walks into the building and you lean over in those slacks, pushing your glasses up as you ask the person to sign their name on the bottom of a document.

Does he ever talk to you? Of course not. You were an angel though, your voice so sweet when you let out a “Goodmorning” everytime he walks through the wide double doors. He was to scared to talk to you because what is he suppose to say? He would stutter surely. Or maybe even accident check you out right in front of you- his last intention is to make you uncomfortable.

How long is it suppose to last though? Watching you glance at him, suddenly going on your break at the same time as him?

Well you couldn’t help yourself. It was rare to see such a young, handsome cop. Rookie or not he definitely had your attention. So you made a plan, but It was failing miserably and he never even glanced at you.

-

It’s pouring rain on friday night, of course It is. Every taxi seems to ignore you, tears of frustration building in your eyes as you wave at another and the water splashes up from the blacktop onto your skirt.

Leon walks out of the station, pulling his hoodie over his head to see you literally soaked and desperately waving down a taxi. It was a rough day for you according to the talk around the office, you spilled all of the coffee for the meeting all over the paperwork in the office room and got the lecture of a lifetime.

Leon walked over to you, clearing his throat as he pointed to his car.

“Let me drive you home, I’m sure you don’t live far.”

The first time hearing his voice and it made your throat feel stuck. Your head nodding as you followed Leon over to his car down the street. What a gentleman, he pulls open the door for you, waiting for your shivering form to slip inside before he shuts the door and gets in himself.

Immediately when starting the car he flips the heater on, looking over at you as he reaches in the backseat and hands you a spare jacket.

“You must be freezing. You didnt see the clouds when you went outside this morning?”

Leon chuckled which made you smile, you needed kindness especially today. The car ride home was Leon just listening to you ramble on and on about how favoritism runs the front office and how you wish you were brave like him to go into the field. You could’ve talked forever but of course you point to your small house, tucking your wet hair behind your ears as you look at Leon, reaching for your purse to pay him of course.

Leon shoves your hand away and shakes his head as he unbuckles his seatbelt, he jumps out of his car and runs to your side opening the door for you. You can’t help but blush when he holds his jacket above your head on the way to the door. Thankfully you were so cold and red he definitely didn’t notice. When you get to the door you dig in your bag for your keys, your shaking hands pushing the small key into the handle before you shook the door open, you looked up at Leon and walked inside insisting he came in.

“If you won’t let me pay you, at least let me make you some hot cocoa.”

Leon didn’t mind the wait. You basically begged him to let you make him hot cocoa but you had to shower first. Not even ten minutes passed and you’re walking into your kitchen where he sat at the kitchen table, a slight smile on his face when he sees the slippers you’re wearing, the cute silk pajamas that he so badly just wanted to rub his fingers over.

“Thank you so much, plus you shouldn’t drive home anyways look at It out there.”

You were right but of course you were. It was pouring, the wind knocking the bushes against your window and now lightning striking against the dark sky. Leon just nodded in agreement as you placed one of the cups in front of him. Steam rising to the top as you mixed it for him once more before sitting down across from him.

It was awkward at first, then Leon started to talk about some of things he’s seen on patrol and you’re suddenly cracking up. Both of your mugs empty and your fingers playing with the fabric on his arm as you start to talk about just how stressed you are. It’s obvious in your face, the frustration starting to make you upset as you rub your fingers into your temple.

Leon frowns slightly, his hand by instinct coming up to push the hair from your face. He doesn’t know what happened but he mumbled a quiet.

“Let me help you.”

Extremely bold of him and he was sure you were gonna kick him into the pouring rain. But suddenly he had you laid on the couch, your pajamas on the floor and your legs spread open by his hand while his other hand is three digits deep inside of you. He could tell you needed this so badly, the way your walls squeezed around his fingers. He could watch your face for hours if he was able to, your eyes closed like you’re concentrating on something as he pushes his fingers up in a curling motion, the pads of his fingers brushing against that special spot inside you.

His eyes are hazy when he repositioned himself, laying on his stomach and pushing your legs up as his tongue sloppily laps at your clit, your legs resting against his strong shoulders as his hands slide down to your thighs, massaging them as he looks up at you continuing to lap at your folds as his fingers continue to push in and out of you.

He notices your slight shaking, the quiet whines leaving you as you push at his hands and he can feel the way you flutter around his fingers.

“L-leon-“

Is all you can manage to get out before he’s lapping faster, his face pushing further into you. his fingers slowing down to a softer rhythm as he feels you gush around his fingers, shushing you quietly as you cry out his name, your breath heavy as he pulls himself back up, his lips pressing against yours.

Leon pulls himself away, being careful when he pulls his fingers out of you, kissing the side of your face as he does so.

“It’s okay, nobody at the station has to know.”

Leon smirks as he kisses the side of your mouth and pulls you up to lay against his chest.

[harmonictechnicality]

It’s 1998 and Steve Harrington is waiting in line at a local department store’s Black Friday sale. The new gameboy color was just released a few days earlier - he figures it’ll be the perfect Christmas gift for all of his little dweebie friends.

Eddie Munson is standing directly behind Steve in line. He’s waiting to buy a new guitar amp - been saving his tip money for months and still can’t afford one at full price; he desperately needs any discount he can get.

After about the first hour of waiting, Steve notices Eddie mumbling to himself. Counting, then re-counting the money in his wallet. Steve Harrington has never re-counted money in his life. Never had to worry about not having enough. Especially not like this guy.

They spark up a conversation in the third hour of waiting. Steve compliments Eddie’s industrial bar piercing in his left ear. Eddie compliments Steve’s beaded hemp bracelet. Steve explains that his best friend made it for him after their first summer apart from one another.

By the final hour, they’re both tipsy. Eddie brought a thermos of spiked hot chocolate and offers to share it with Steve. Both of them tell stories about their worst hangovers and reminisce about their most memorable Christmas mornings as kids. They’re both buzzing and giggling at the stupidest shit. Buzzing so much that they don’t even comment on the fact that they’re huddled close together under the wool blanket that Steve supplied. Thighs touching. Arms overlapping.

Steve has finally worked up the courage to loop his pinky finger around Eddie’s when the line begins to move. He’s more than a little disappointed, but they both gather their things and enter the store.

Luckily, Steve is able to snag enough gameboys for his entire crew of nerdlings. As he gets in line, he watches Eddie studying the price on the amp he has been saving for. He re-counts his cash once more, before hanging his head and walking away without his item.

Not wasting a goddamn second, Steve jumps out of line and grabs the amp box off the shelf. Eddie looks back at him, shaking his head.

“Hey man, you don’t have to do that.” Eddie pleads with him.

But Steve has never had to worry about not having enough. Not even once.

“I know I don’t have to.” Steve shrugs, lugging all of his items to the checkout counter. “But it’s the season of giving, or whatever hallmark shit they say.”

Eddie protests a few more times, but Steve is adamant on doing this. It feels right.

As they walk out of the store, Eddie digs in his back pocket, pulling out a wrinkled neon flyer.

“You should come see my band next Friday.” Eddie hands the paper to Steve, then motions to the amp. “You know, to see this beauty in action.”

Steve nods. “Yeah, okay. I’ll be there.”

The sun is starting to rise as they both load up their cars. Steve is about to turn the key in the ignition when he acts on his impulses. He runs up to Eddie, who is closing the trunk of his van.

“Here.” Steve grabs Eddie’s wrist and pulls out a black ink pen. He scribbles his phone number there, only legible enough for Eddie to read it.

“Just in case you want to see me before next Friday.”

Steve walks away before he can see Eddie’s reaction, good or bad. He’s brave, but not that brave.

“Hey, Steve!” Eddie calls back.

“Yeah?” Steve takes a deep breath, then turns around. Can’t avoid his reaction now.

"Thank you for this." Eddie winks. "All of this."

He waves his wrist, the one with Steve's phone number sprawled all over it.

"Anytime." Steve answers back. He heads back to his car full of gifts. Smiling the whole ride home.

Eddie calls Steve that Sunday night and they spend their evening just like they had on Black Friday: talking until the sun comes up.

[gh0stswh0re]

just thinking about free use with cod guys, and how they'd treat u like a cum dumpster while also spoiling u rotten 24/7. f! reader, this deserves a real fic but i'm kinda lazy at the moment (having a tummy ache but i'm being very brave about it 😼😼 /j)

simon fucking ur brains out - holding your wrists above ur head in a tight grip and ur legs closed around his waist. absolutely no harmony in how his hips lose the steady rhythm as his pounding gets quicker, grows more primal as if all he cares about is chasing after his own pleasure, and how his kisses get rougher and his hand lets go off ur wrists - a faint bruise already appearing in the shadow of his fingers - just so he can grope at ur breasts, fingertips pinching the sensitive nubs. and then soap walks in, unbothered like it's ur normal monday-to friday activity - only when u moan, loud and shameless, begging simon to allow u to cum (whatever it took - pleas of "please, sir, 'been so good" to shallow promises of how you're gonna suck his dick first thing in the morning), johnny's eyes shot up to u, carefully watching u as pure ecstasy drowns out ur senses, and u feel bare and naked and so fucking sore. he'd simply walk over to the couch, his palm groping the bulge in his pants as he sits down. simon continues with lazy, slow thrusts - he has a habit of fucking u through his climax, up until the both of u feel his dick growing limp inside ur fluttering cunt.

sucking könig's dick (you'd do it under the table - the sight of u hidden from all the other men, only the wet noises of ur mouth betraying ur sinful activities - but since the man's like 6'10 his legs don't rlly comfortably fit under the table), his hand gently petting ur head, as he drowns in u praise - thanking u for being such a good girl slut, taking him all in - deep in ur throat - despite the struggle being obvious as tears fall down from the corners of ur eyes, snot running down ur chin as u nearly sob. apart from that, all the other men in the room seem to ignore u - occasionally readjusting the tight fabric of their pants, smirking as they listen to ur pathetic whimpers.

after a while, after every guy's been sucked dry, they get bored of their tiring discussions of the ten new ways of making things go kaboom - and they all start paying their full fucking attention to u. laying u down the wooden table, watching u hiss as the cold surface hits the hot skin of ur back. and for a moment, the whole room goes silent, as they all admire ur fully naked body - ur chest rising with every breath (filled with pure anticipation), the hickeys and bruises down ur ribcage slowly fading, the bitemark on ur hip being price's handiwork (and fuck, he's damn proud of it, too) and how ur pretty little cunt glistens with the wetness of ur arousal - u are utterly perfect, but that doesn't protect u from them ruining u - physically, mentally, spiritually cuz there's no way u are seeing the gates of heaven after tonight; too many sins committed, far too many stutters of lord's name in vain. gaz would be the first one to touch u, slowly gliding his hands up and down ur sides, quietly hushing u "i know, doll, i know" bringing his hand down ur tummy, ghosting over ur cunt "-'s gonna be alright". a minute or two pass by, and he already has two fingers inside u, hitting that spot inside u perfectly before he's given the clear orders - "flip her around, on her belly" price muffled under his breath, groaning as he sees a perfect view of ur perfect ass. "small circles, she loves those" ghost jumps in, his dick already in his hand, his thumb swirling around the leaky tip.

alejandro eating u out fucking u with his tongue, his needy mouth swallowing ur arousal as his fingers pump in and out of ur clenching cunt. ur hand entangled in his hair, as soap forces two fingers inside ur mouth - slapping ur cheek lightly each time the pressure becomes too much and u can't help but bite down on his digits.

thigh riding with ghost - sitting down on his lap, and him noticing u growing impatient, restlessly switching positions and unintentionally bumping ur ass back onto him. one hand grips ur hip, his knuckles turning white, as he flexes the thigh muscles, encouraging u to move. he'd watch u picking up a higher speed, and u could have sworn ur wetness already leaked through ur panties, soaking the fabric on his clothed thigh. feeling his erection borderlining on pain, he'd place both hands on u, stopping ur movement altogether - "off, now" ordering u to sink down to ur knees and to hump his boots - like a bitch in heat. he'd be genuinely scared of bumping his hand against his dick, of cumming right then and there - just the sight of u grabbing at his leg for the smallest bit of support, while quietly begging him is enough to make him fold.

stealing hoodies but make it 5x or 6x lol. no complaints from any of the guys, except simon who playfully pulls on the strings, teasing u. könig just sighs the moment he sees how his large shirts hang off ur small frame.

nothing but utter respect and adoration for their princess, their queen - rarely anyone ever dares direspecting u. but if that creepy drunk guy at the back of the bar grabs ur ass as u walk by him ... he's a dead man, long time goner, before the morning sets.

[tinycozycomfort]

moon, a hole of light

pairing: qz!joel miller x f!reader

day one of @pascalisbaby and i's joeltober: dacryphilia -> read her day one here

summary: It makes you feel like a toy, like some misused stuffed animal with loose seams and fur that’s been rubbed to the weft. Your use brings him comfort, his comfort brings you hurt.

warnings/tags: dacryphilia, unprotected piv, substance abuse (joel), age gap (joel is 46 [~10 yrs post outbreak]), reader is not), yearning, dom/sub dynamics, smidge of underwear play, pet names (honey, sweetheart, etc), joel is mean

word count: 2.4k

rating: explicit! 18+ only, mdni

a/n: i'm trying so hard to shorten things so forgive me as i navigate this learning curve.

main masterlist

A lot of life is weeping. 

In joy. In sorrow. In fury so poignant it makes you wilt. Your body furls in the collapse—u-shaped shoulders that guard your insides, the lock of hard elbows into thigh. 

It stings to feel so little, so vulnerable—to let anyone see how ugly emotion’s face can be—yet you let it happen, knowing that this is the only thing that separates you from the rest of them; they’ve spilled out all they had, hollow in the center after nearly a decade of ‘justified action’. 

So you cry, and you sob, and you don’t care for their uncomfortable shifting and curled lips. Tess gives her best in the way of comfort, not letting a scoff slip as much when she can help it. Tommy will at least leave the room. 

But Joel—Joel will watch. Joel will encourage.

He’s taken the liberty of cycling himself through every shape your hurt takes, the tears pouring over for all of his near-misses and his inability to care for you how he’s meant to. You see the way he grins to find that you cry when you’re happy to see him the same way you do when he insists he should leave. 

Part of you thinks he likes it—pushing you to react and then having something to show for it. You think he especially likes when it causes you pain. You cry longer in those moments, working though fits of frustration while he kneels at your feet and watches your face sprout tears like light rain. 

He pets you through it—even when he’d been the one to kick you down in the first place—to tell you you were good for sticking around, for being brave enough to have faith in him. 

He enjoys having something to come back to, and wounding you is no obstacle in the pursuit of feeling needed. 

It makes you feel like a toy, like some mis-used stuffed animal with loose seams and fur that’s been rubbed to the weft. Your use brings him comfort, his comfort brings you hurt.

You know he’s gearing up for another slip-away with the swift shift to kindness; Friday night he caresses you, soothes the ache of something not yet felt, to ease his exit. All pretty words and the affection he so desperately wants to hide, whispered promises of how much better he can be, how he can give you everything you deserve.

Come Saturday morning, you’re discarded. 

He’s gone again on another outing, one he persuaded Tommy into joining—if the silence is any indication—even though he needs nothing; that in itself makes you even more sure it has everything to do with wanting. The burn, the desire, is something you see so clearly in the glaze he gets on later nights, the crinkle of soft plastic that trickles out through the open bathroom door. He swears it’s nothing—even to Tess, when she’s around—that he’s not on anything. He throws any excuse he can muster; it’s the wounds and the healing and the aging that make him stumble even in the lit apartment.

Everyone knows what’s actually going on, why the trips outside the QZ are becoming more frequent. It doesn’t get lost on you all the times Tommy complains of Joel disappearing to meet more than one mysterious, unarranged contact who asked for privacy—who wanted Joel alone. 

Whatever it is he’s buying keeps him numb, so Tommy lets it slide, and Tess is apathetic towards Joel for reasons you aren’t too willing to know about. You’ve only tagged along so recently, so maybe they pity you, or they feel better about throwing Joel onto someone else—to ruin another thing if only to feel better about having been ruined. 

You cry through the weekend in long streams, worried for him, until the hot tears pool and curl the cotton of your t-shirt—forever wet. You stay laid out on the bumpy sofa cushions for hours before your back feels just as knotted and you have to relocate to the bed, only rising again to shower and half-eat and sulk, until you’re too weak to keep track of the seconds.

When he swings in on Monday night, boots knocking as he raises them up on the rack by the door, you’re at the tail-end of another bout, cheeks damp and chest catching where it’s pinned by your shirt against the bed. 

Joel walks into the room like he’s done nothing wrong. He walks in alone. 

“Where’s Tommy?” you ask, but he ignores you.

Instead, he comes to you with tattered hands, fresh bruises and torn skin, and tugs you up by the creases under your shoulders so you’re seated, kneeling by the bed to level himself with the picture he’s come to love. 

“Oh, sweetheart,” he coos, words slow, “What are all those tears for? Me?” 

You huff out a few shaky breaths to steady yourself, “Where’s Tommy?”

He sighs, long and hard and uneven, “He left. Why the fuck does it matter?” 

He peers up so you’re forced to face him and you can see it now, the film of wet that clouds his eyes, sticky lashes and deep creases of exhaustion purpling the skin where they brush. 

“Why did he leave? Because you’re high? It’s too late for him to be out there.”

You already know he didn’t hear anything past the accusation, brought to a boil at the mention of another one of his failures. He gathers up the soft flesh of your cheek in his hand, the blunt curve of his nails digging in to find teeth through the skin. He grips tight to let you know of his anger—that he could easily wring the life out of you like water. 

“You’re getting real brave for someone who sits and waits for me like a dog.” 

Fire prickles in the tips of your fingers, stretches across the top of your chest in humiliation. You can hear the weight of his words even through his gentle slur, like he means it, twisting away as best you can to speak, “Is that really what you think this is?”

He’s laughing before you even get it all out, the corner of his lips perked up on one side, “No one forced you to, and I certainly don’t remember asking.”

You shove at him then, with force, your hands bending back enough to pinch when he doesn’t budge. He leans into you instead, a challenge. 

There’s barely time to choose before he does for you, gathering up your wrists in one hand, the one around your jaw tightening. 

So close now, you get a better look at him—his hair stuck to his forehead, cheeks flushed red but with paler lips. His eyes are round, pupils cartoonish and wide. He’s still so pretty, even when dulled by the sheen of his high. 

He heaves onto you, shy of livid, and you start to feel like you’re suffocating under his stifling heat, billowing out from where he’s damp with sweat under his denim shirt. The pills work fast, and for longer than they should, so you can tell he’d spent the peak of his high elsewhere, but he’s on a jagged edge of almost coherent.

You slide your thighs together at the whole of him, so strong and honest and invested in you—negative or not—something you usually find him being incapable of. He sees it.  

“Oh, but you do it because you like it, don’t you? Couldn’t wait ‘til I came back. Little thing just needs some attention, hm?”

“Joel, I’m serious. Are you high right now? Where’s your brother?”

Joel wedges a thigh up under the crease of your knee, uses the grip he has on your body as leverage to move you further up the bed, climbing up with you pushing himself into the cradle of your body on the way.

“Please. You don’t give a fuck about Tommy,” he snaps, releasing and depositing you so he can make work of your shorts and the buckle holding himself back, “He’s not going to bother us, if that’s what you’re asking.” 

You whine as he releases himself, can’t help how you grow wet between your legs, heart throbbing in your throat. He’s not wrong, as mean as he is how he puts it—-you’d die for him if it meant he’d look at you. If you could have him to yourself.

His cock swings free as he shoves his jeans down only enough to be out of the way, not bothering to remove your thin strip of underwear once your bottoms are tugged off. He’s hard for you, another flattery that sends shivers down your spine, the feeling of arousal flashing along your whole body—fingers folding and ankle rolling. You’re excited for him, and this display of joy doesn’t please him as much. 

“I didn’t say it was a good thing. You’re pathetic,” he sucks his teeth, hooking a finger in the cotton across your seam, peeling it away from where it's slicked down, knuckle dipping in the place you’re pooling, “But it’s cute. You’re still young enough to have hope.”

He strings the gusset up and away, presses his length against your cunt before replacing it, trapping himself.

“It’s okay that you love me, sweetheart. Don’t be embarrassed. Hang onto that. It might work out for you some day.” 

“But not with you,” you whisper, half an offense and half an admission of awareness—he doesn’t love you, hasn’t and can’t and won’t, but you’re willing to take what you can get.

“Cry about it.” 

Joel grinds his cock against the wet slip of your cunt in short, tight motions to better catch against you, soaking himself. He presses three fingers against the base of it like a vacuum, holding himself between the two of you, the scalloped edge of your underwear twisting when they roll over his skin. The hard of him on your clit makes you gasp, and his mouth hangs open in a soundless laugh. 

And you are crying, sooner than you thought, barely registering it until you feel it falling into the cup of your collarbone, a steady stream that barely burns brighter than the flare in your core. 

“You really should be more careful with that little heart of yours. Gonna hurt yourself.” He slides his hand further up his cock to the tip, releasing the pressure and guiding himself to your center. Joel slides himself in to the hilt, leaning down on one forearm to hold himself up. 

With his unoccupied hand, he brushes the flesh of your cheek, following its path with kisses—the warning is a genuine one, followed by no punchline or remark, the first time tonight where he’s actually tried to resonate with the predicament he’s put you both in. Earnest. 

The give and take of him, flowing freely between unrelenting harshness and the soft comfort of his reassurance should be nauseating, but it shines a beam of light behind your eyes when you close them, white-hot and blinding. You’re sobbing enough to wonder how you haven’t stopped; you can feel your own wetness when he rubs down your chest with his mouth, gathered up from his mapping of your face. 

Joel’s knee digs into your side as he hikes you up on his hip, eliminating even the air between your bodies, sweat-soaked and glued together. He’s pushing himself into a place you’ve often found unconsidered, that spongy spot at the back that marks the beginning of your womb. The very center of you, he’s reached, and you start to move in an act of self-preservation, unsure whether you want him to continue forward or exit. You’re mumbling something about Joel, yes-too much-don’t stop-wait-please don’t stop and when he leans back he’s beaming at you, the point of his canines shining in the dim light of the room. 

He looks dangerous, like the man you’ve seen hobbling and flighty and inebriated—only ever close to anger—was just the very surface. This is the man that hunted men—that sought conquest and destroyed lives. He’s done the same to you, you realize, and now your being is nestled within the palm of his hand, pliable and willing and fully at his disposal. 

You keen for him, thin and high in the channel of your throat, and he pinches your face, sealing his mouth over yours to swallow it. He’s breathing hard into you, the movement of his hips growing shaky, rhythm breaking down a half-step so that you're just swaying against the bed under his weight in little jolts. 

“Joel, please. I want to make you come.”

“Keep crying for me just like that and I will. Can you do that?” 

You’re so close, the anticipation feeling like warm sand sliding under your fingertips. Joel wrestles a hand into the side of your hip where it’s tightly pressed to his, finding your clit with the pad of his thumb. Your babbling continues, Yes, I promise, I promise, and Joel nods, relenting. 

He presses hard against the nub, and shoves himself in that much further, and you start to come undone beneath him, the waves of pleasure coursing through to the ends of your limbs.

He’s still moving above you, talking over you—good girl, good girl—removing his hand so as to not overstimulate you before bringing it up to brush his knuckles over the hinge of your jaw, so careful even as he hammers into you, “So sad, honey. Poor thing.” 

You’re still caught up in your own rambling, but you tip your head yes and he picks up his pace again, chasing his own end, “Say it for me. Can’t do it unless you say.” His voice is a little warbled, and you can tell he’s crumbling. 

“Please. Come inside me, Joel.”

Joel grunts, the noise catching in his mouth like a hiccup, overtaken with the pleasure of your permission. The heat of him spreading inside your body has your legs shaking and cunt pulsing in response.

You fight to catch your breath, running a hand over your face to snap back into focus.

He falls over to lay on his side, still connected to you, dragging you over with him. He hides his face in the fold of your neck, knocking his forehead into your throat. 

“Really sweet of you to wait, honey,” he breathes, sliding out of you with a long drag, a thread of wet spooling out in his wake, “Now get the fuck out.”

[ashleyfilm]

Seeing Clearly - Chapter 9. The Bison

Hi Everyone! Happy Friday! Enjoy a little bit of Jealous Joel today :)

Chapter Warnings: cursing, angst, alcohol consumption, negative talk about body image (not by Joel) - Minors - DNI

Characters: Jackson!Joel Miller x F!OC Plus Size Reader

Chapter Summary: A night at the Tipsy Bison brings you closer to Joel and his family. 2.3K

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7 Ch 8

Chapter 9. The Tipsy Bison

You have your first patrol with Joel in the morning. It’s weird, feeling excited and nervous at the same time. You want to feel like you’re contributing but it’s scary beyond the walls and you didn’t realize how much you’ve started to familiarize with the comfort that Jackson brings. On the other hand, you feel similarly conflicting feelings about seeing your patrol partner. Joel Fucking Miller. He’s under your skin. He’s made you feel safe, made you feel alive, but he's also pulled the rug out from under you, abandoned you, and hurt you. And after last night when he came to your room, open and honest, you let him right back in. He’s so infuriating. He’s funny and warm and fucking sexy and then he’s cold, mean, detached. It’s like fucking whiplash.

As you wrestle with all these thoughts inside the dining hall, Maria notices you. “Ash, hey, you okay? She asks softly, not wanting to startle you. You meet her gaze and realize everything you’d been thinking is written all over your face. God, why am I like this? “Hi Maria, I’m fine, just nervous about patrol. Not to say that I’m not up for it, it’s fine just a little anxious that’s all.” You say this all very quickly, not wanting her to think you’re weak. Maria puts her hand on your shoulder lightly, its oddly so comforting in this moment. She’s really got that motherly instinct watching her other hand rub her belly. “Hey, listen, it’s fine to be nervous, I get nervous every time Tommy goes out. It’s incredibly brave of you to volunteer to go out there, especially so soon after arriving here. How about we go for a drink at the Bison, I’ll be your DD and make sure you get home safe,” she laughs. “Sure, that sounds good, Maria, thanks.” You smile at her, finishing up your food and clearing your table before walking with her across the street to the Bison.

Maria and You have been talking for the better part of an hour now and you’ve learned so much about her. That she used to be a District Attorney, okay – go off, that she’s been in Jackson since its beginning, and even that she lost her son in all the madness of the end of the world. You can’t believe how open and blunt she is, she doesn’t mince words, she’s tough but still loving, and she’s an instant friend, you know that now. The two of you are cackling when Tommy and Joel walk in together. Tommy with a million-watt smile starts laughing as he walks up to the two of you. “Ladies, what’s got you all in stiches’ this evenin’. You know, my wife shouldn’t be drinking right now,” he says to you, smirking. Maria trying to contain her laughter, “Honey, it’s not my fault, Ash is just that funny.” Tommy gives her a kiss and responds, “Well, I’m happy to see you two hit it off so well, right, Joel?” Joel, who is standing awkwardly and looking around the bar huffs, “Yeah, sure.” Maria says, “Well, come on, join us!”

Joel and Tommy, both join you at the table for four Tommy next to Maria and Joel next to you, as Joel speaks quietly to you, “We’ve got patrol in the morning, I don’t want to be dealing with your hangover tomorrow,” eyeing the whiskey in your glass. You scoff as you push your glasses up nose, “Oh be quiet, Dad, it’s my second glass in over an hour, I’ll be fine.” Tommy and Maria share a knowing look and try to contain their laughter as Joel glares at them. “Fine, but don’t complain to me when you’ve got a headache tomorrow.” You roll your eyes dramatically, down the rest of your drink and stand up, “I’m off to get another drink anyone want anything?” Joel stares at you and you stare at him. Tommy finally speaks up, “I’ll go with you.” Still staring at Joel like you’re daring him to say something, you begin to walk off toward the bar with Tommy in tow.

As you wait for your drinks Tommy clears his throat, great here it comes, “Listen, Ash, I know Joel can be a bit uptight,” at this you laugh through a scoff. He continues, “Look, I know he’s a lot, but he means well.” “Does he?” you start to speak but Tommy stops you, “All I’m asking is that you give him a break. It’s obvious he cares about you.” At this your eyes flick to Tommy’s in shock, he tries his best to contain the upturn of his lip. “When I told him about you volunteerin’ for patrol, he lost his shit, and not because you can’t handle yourself, we all know better than that. He was worried. I know he’s got a shit way of showin’ it, but you mean somethin’ to him. And if you give him time, I promise he’ll come around.” You nod, looking away to find Joel, but while Maria is chatting with a woman passing by the table, Joel is starring fucking daggers at someone. You follow his gaze to find, ugh, no, Brad or wait, Ryan. And Ryan, is looking right at you smiling with his table full of bro buddies.

Thankfully your drinks arrive then, and you grab them and walk back to the table. Trying to ignore Ryan and his pals as you walk past. Sitting down with your drink and Joel’s matching one you ask Joel, “Who popped your balloon?” He looks at you, confused and Tommy laughs. You’re smirking at Joel and his eyes betray him, like they always do and soften as he shakes his head, “It’s nothin’,” smiling slightly. He goes to sip his whiskey, and you watch his mouth, god his lips are beautiful. Pouty, soft, perfect. You can remember how they felt on you. Your mouth parts as you watch him, totally entranced. Then you realize Maria is talking to you. You look over at her and Tommy who are looking at you with sly little smiles, and you know you’re caught. Joel, thankfully oblivious, asks the two of them, “What is going on, why are ya’ll acting so fuckin’ weird?” You swallow and before anyone can say anything, Ryan comes over to the table with a stupid grin on his dumb face. His friends pretending not to watch whatever is about to go down.

“Ash, hey, Tommy, Maria,” he nods to both then looks at Joel, “uh, Joel.” Tommy and Maria nod back at Ryan but they look at you and Joel, noticing how you look unimpressed, and Joel looks like he might take Ryan’s head off. Tommy stiffens, bracing for impact. Ryan turns back to you, putting his hand on the table near you and leaning in, he says, “It’s good to see you, you look great,” eyes grazing up and down your form. Joel then puts his arm around the back or your chair. You notice it and look back at him but he’s looking right at Ryan. “Look, I was wondering if you’d want to get a drink with me sometime.” He looks back at his friends with a grin as if he’s got this in the bag. You start to speak, and Joel finally looks at you, seems like he’s holding his breath, you look back at Ryan. “That’s really nice of you but I’m not really interested right now. But thank you.” Ryan and Joel’s eyes both go wide but Ryan looks shocked, and Joel looks pleased. You hear a chuckle from Ryan’s table of dudes, but they’ve all looked away at this point. Ryan puts on a fake smile, but his eyes look filled with anger. “No problem, sweetheart, you have a good night.” His hand grips the table hard and then let’s go to walk back to his table, punching one of his friends in the arm that laughed at him and mumbles something to the group.

You look back to the table and Tommy and Maria are grinning at you. “What?” you say looking at them. But Joel speaks up first, “Nothin’, don’t mind them. You two,” scowling at Tommy and Maria, “mind your business.” Tommy and Maria exchange a look and small smiles as they go back to talking about something to do with the town council. And you look at Joel, a small smile on your lips, thankful that he took the attention away from you. He waits till Tommy and Maria aren’t paying attention, he looks to you and gives you a subtle wink, bringing his drink back to his lips. Your stomach flips and you hope you don’t look too flustered. For the rest of the evening, Joel never takes his arm off the back of your chair.

At the end of that third drink, you decide it’s time to go home. This being one of the nicest nights you’ve had since you arrived, spending time with your most favorite people and actually seeing Joel smile and laugh in between his eyerolls and sighs. You trot off to the bathroom before leaving and as you walk back, you catch Ryan scowling at you. It appears he’s had a bit too much to drink at this point. Loudly he speaks to his table saying, “I didn’t want the fat bitch anyway, was just curious what it would feel like, don’t even know how she keeps that weight on.” A couple of the friends at his table laugh, two others look uncomfortable, one man, a few years older than the rest, smacks Ryan on the shoulder, admonishing his behavior. Then you look around, stopped in your tracks and realize that everyone is looking at you, at your body. And you know that almost everyone heard what that asshole had to say. It’s not his words that hurt, it’s the attention they bring to you, the questioning looks from everyone else that make tears prick at your eyes.

Joel is already walking over to you, Tommy, close behind. Joel touches your arm and speaks lowly, “You good?” You nod, eyelids fluttering to try and keep your tears at bay. He looks up at Ryan, but you whisper to him, quiet but firm, “Joel, don’t. It’s not worth it.” Joel exhales out his nose, clearly fuming. But he nods and starts to walk you out the door, not before giving Tommy a look, silently asking him to handle it with Ryan. Maria comes up to your side linking her fingers with yours, Joel still has a steady arm around your shoulder. You turn your head into Maria’s shoulder as your tears start to fall. Maria says, “I got it from here Joel.” He looks like he might protest but he lets you go. Watching as Maria walks you toward your apartment.

By the time you get home, Maria makes you some sleepy time tea, insisting on talking a bit more before leaving you on your own. You’ve had this conversation before, with others. You’ve exhausted this topic over the course of your life, Before and After. But now, with Maria’s deep and beautiful eyes, your new friend, looking at you, you know she’s genuinely there for you. So, you start explaining how ever since puberty you’ve always been a larger person. Bigger than most of your friends. Plush, fat, curvy, plus size, however you want to put it. Men pointing it out to you, women much smaller than you telling you they admire you. Losing a tiny bit of weight and having a girlfriend call you skinny. You haven’t been “skinny” since you were fucking 10 years old. And now, at the end of the world, where people are starving, and you have to move your body to survive, you still have extra weight. It became something that kept people from trusting you. Thinking you stole food, or you didn’t do your part. You thought Jackson might be different. But tonight, all those feelings come back. And even though you love your body, and had lovers over the years, men and women, who showed you how much they liked your body and the effect it had on them, you still feel inadequate or that people may find you unattractive. You’re not proud that those thoughts still get to you, but they do.

When you feel you’ve gotten it all out, you take your glasses off and put your head down on the table next to your cup of tea and start laughing. Maria puts a hand on your head in it a comforting pet. And you raise back up. “Well, now you know this about me. It’s funny, I’ve survived over 20 years of a zombie apocalypse and I’m still fucking struggling with body image issues. Jesus.” Maria smiles at you now. A soft, sweet smile. She knows there’s nothing to say. There never is. This is a reality for you, and you just need to talk it out with someone you trust, and damn you really do trust Maria. She leaves you with a hug by the door and you assuring her, you’ll be fine to do patrol tomorrow, “Getting out might actually be good for me.” You finally go to bed that night thinking of Joel, the wink, his arm on your chair, that he seems to detest Ryan even more than you do. It makes you smile, and you can’t help but hope Joel doesn’t see you the same way Ryan does. You know Joel would never behave like Ryan but it’s a fact that people have their preferences. And maybe that’s why Joel pushed you away in the first place. Fuck. Well, now you’re not nervous for patrol, you just want to get through the fucking day.

Taglist: @somedayheaven @guelyury @elegantduckturtle @indiegirlunited @cheekychaos28 @ghostofzion @harriedandharassed @missladym1981 @littlemisspascal

[ginger-fitzgeralld]

A transgender woman who sued a women-only social media app for alleged gender discrimination has been awarded $10,000 plus costs after a judge found she had been indirectly discriminated against in a landmark decision that tested the meaning and scope of the Sex Discrimination Act.

Roxanne Tickle, a transgender woman from regional New South Wales, sued the women-only social media platform Giggle for Girls and its CEO, Sall Grover, claiming she was unlawfully barred from using the app in 2021 after the firm and Grover said she was a man.

On Friday morning, federal court justice Robert Bromwich said the respondents considered “sex” to mean the unchangeable sex of a person at birth.

“These arguments failed because the view propounded by the respondents conflicted with a long history of cases decided by courts going back over 30 years. Those … cases established that on its ordinary meaning sex is changeable,” he said.

Onboarding to the app required the user to upload a selfie verified as female by KairosAI gender detection software and then by Grover. Tickle was barred after initially being allowed to join the platform – which was shut down in August 2022.

The judge said the evidence did not establish Tickle was excluded from Giggle directly “by reason of her gender identity although it remains possible that this was the real but unproven reason”.  Rather, the indirect discrimination case succeeded because Tickle was excluded from the use of the social media app “because she did not look sufficiently female”.

Bromwich disagreed with Grover and Giggle’s arguments about the constitutionality of the protections for gender identity in the Act – in line with the position of the sex discrimination commissioner.

Tickle had sought damages and aggravated damages amounting to $200,000, claiming that persistent misgendering by Grover resulted in constant anxiety and occasional suicidal thoughts.

In his written decision, Bromwich drew attention to the behaviour of Grover, including laughing at a caricature of Tickle during the trial.

“[Grover’s] explanation, that it was funny in the context of the courtroom, was obviously disingenuous. It was offensive and belittling and had no legitimate place in the respondents prosecuting their case.”

Tickle said Friday’s decision showed transgender people could stand up for themselves.

“I’m pleased by the outcome of my case and I hope it is healing for trans and gender diverse people. The ruling shows that all women are protected from discrimination,” she said outside court.

“I brought my case to show trans people that you can be brave and you can stand up for yourself. I can now get on with the rest of my life and have a coffee down the road with my friends, play hockey with my team and put this horribleness behind me.”

Changes to the Sex Discrimination Act in 2013 made it unlawful under federal law to discriminate against a person on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

It is the first time alleged gender identity discrimination has been heard by Australia’s federal court and goes to the heart of how gender identity – and being a woman - is interpreted. The outcome is likely to have wide-reaching implications for male and female spaces and activities and is being watched around the world.

Over the course of a three-day hearing in April, the court heard that Tickle had lived as a woman since 2017, had a female birth certificate and gender affirmation surgery and “feels in her mind that psychologically she is a woman”.

Tickle’s barrister Georgina Costello KC said that “Ms Tickle is a woman” but that “the respondents flatly deny that fact”.

Giggle and Grover’s team asserted that the case must focus on biological sex.

“Sex is discriminatory, it always has been and always will be … biological sex must prevail,” barrister Bridie Nolan said.

Grover told the court that she would not address Tickle as “Ms” and that, even if a transgender woman presented as female, had gender affirmation surgery, lived as a female and held female identity documents, Grover would still see her as a “biological male”.

The court heard that Grover started the app, intended as an “online refuge”, after receiving trauma therapy for social media abuse while living in the US.

The Australian Human Rights Commission acted as a friend of the court. Barrister Zelie Heger told the court that sex was no longer defined in the Sex Discrimination Act but that “importantly the Act recognises that a person’s sex is not limited to [being a man or a woman]”.

The case has been closely followed by both women’s and trans rights supporters, with Bromwich admitting “this was never going to be an easy case for anybody”.

Tickle received support from the Grata Fund, while a crowdfunding campaign set up to cover Giggle for Girls’ legal costs raised over $520,000.

Ignoring the tone of the article because I haven’t found a non-biased one yet, I’m so fucking over this shit. I’m disappointed in our court systems and what this precedent will mean for the rights of girls and women across the country.

[guzhufuren]

i have no idea how to function like a normal sane human being with all the qls that are airing at the same time

on wednesdays i get messy lesbians who will have lots and lots of angst in My Marvellous Dream Is You

on thursday mornings i get Boys Be Brave either being the epitome of insanity or punching me in the gut with feelings

on thursday evenings i get beautiful poly throuple in Deep Night making my heart beat million times per second

on fridays i have best friends to lovers living together which is the most effective formula to devastate a queer person, thanks Living With Him. and then 23.5 is healing my past teen sapphic self and overwhelming me with cuteness

on saturdays i have Wandee Goodday being the coolest most fun and sexy gay show in the whole world consuming my entire being. but then i have gays being messy and attacking me with feelings again in My Stand In

on sundays i get the most precious kind boys making me laugh and cry in Only Boo

so like i have zero idea how i can keep up with ql industry rising in quality and quantity i doubt i'm making it out alive even with this current selection

[peachhcs]

seven minutes in heaven | the wonder years

hughes!sister x will smith au (samy + will)

the one where samy and will do something that friends would definitely 100% do (never) — taken place at the end of samy’s junior year of hs

1.2k words

i’m having a small writers block trying to write requests so i produced this trying to get out of it and i think it’s actually so hilarious because samy 100% believes friends would do this and it’s the way they never talk about it ever again

au masterlist

APRIL 2022

in reality, the idea was slightly stupid and were they all too old for the game? yes. did drew and ryan insist anyway? yes. samy's friends were all for it, so the group sat themselves in a circle going around playing the simple game of truth or dare.

aram and a few others really wanted to meet samy's friends and samy's friends really wanted to meet her "hot guy friends" (their words), so the brunette decided to host a friday get together on a night the boys didn't have a game nor saturday morning practice—what a blessing, truly. someone threw in the childhood truth or dare game and no one really objected.

“marcie, go. truth or dare,” drew’s lips turned into a smirk while the girl flushed.

“truth.”

“who’d you kiss in this room?” a few hoots came from the group worsening marcie’s flush into a red blush.

her eyes flicked across the group scattered around the living room while everyone waited in slight anticipation for her answer—the boys especially. her lips curved at the corners before finally pausing on gabe.

“perreault,” the girl bravely and confidently answered.

the guys were immediately on gabe’s back where he covered his face probably hiding his blush. samy and her other friends grinned in marcie’s direction knowing how much she’s talked about the dark-haired boy at any chance she got.

“okay, okay. my turn,” the girl’s eyes scanned the group again, her soft smile turning into a smirk.

when her gaze landed on samy the brunette immediately knew she was in for trouble. her friends knew everything, things the guys didn’t even know and they never held mercy when they did these types of things.

“samantha hughes,” marcie pulled out the full government name.

“oh great. dare, i guess,” she knew either was bad coming from marcie, so she picked dare hoping it’d be something stupid for once.

for a second, marcie’s eyes met her other friends’ lingering gazes. the others shared an exchange no one but them understood until marcie’s gaze flicked back to samy looking incredibly mischievous.

“i dare you to play seven minutes in heaven with william smith.”

a beat of silence passed through the group until the guys broke out in more hollers grabbing ahold of will’s shoulders. samy’s face paled as she took in her friend’s words.

“really mar?” the brunette mumbled.

“what? you don’t like him so it shouldn’t be a big deal,” the girl shrugged simply.

samy’s friends were also extreme shippers of the two. they never believed it when either of them said there were no feelings, so they liked to poke fun in an attempt to prove that there were feelings.

knowing they weren’t getting out of this one, will followed samy to bathroom. the girl leaned herself against the wall while will stood across from her against the bathroom sink. once the door shut, the two shared a heartfelt laugh.

“they’re never gonna give it up, i swear,” the brunette shook her head.

“how did it even start?” will shared her sentiments.

“marcie and lila have always been like that. the guys poked fun at us as soon as they met me,” samy giggled thinking back to last august.

“they’re the most annoying people ever,” the boy shook his head.

“tell me about it. i can’t believe there’s another whole year of that.”

the two grinned before settling into another comfortable silence. they could hear their friends snickering from the living room most likely talking about them. listening to them laugh made something almost snap in the girl’s head.

she knew they’d never shut up about it. what if they gave them something to shut up about? the teasing never bothered either of them too hard, but boy, would samy love to quiet them and prove that her and will would always be friends no matter what.

“you know what? let’s just do it. let’s just kiss,” samy suddenly said catching will off guard,

“what?”

“they’re never gonna shut up so what if we just kiss and prove to them that we can do this and have it not even mean a thing. like what if we die tomorrow and we spent our last night being cowards in the bathroom because of our friends?” samy rambled maybe because of nerves or maybe because of something else.

“you wanna kiss me?” will asked just to make sure he was hearing things right. he adam’s apple bombed violently when he swallowed.

“yes?” she said it almost unsurely.

“it won’t mean anything?” the blonde raised his eyebrow.

“no, no. just to shut them up, you know. friends kiss each other all the time anyway,” the youngest hughes rambled again.

will was already licking his lips as his gaze zeroed in on samy’s lips and everything in the next minute happened way too quickly. one or both of them closed the space and their lips were on each other a second later like it was natural. neither of them could imagine this ever happening in all the years they’ve been friends, yet here they were making out in samy’s childhood home that will also grew up in on breaks, long weekends, and summers.

the blonde quickly shifted his hands down to samy’s hips wanting to pull her closer—getting lost in the moment. their breaths mixed together along with saliva and wet-swollen lips. the scene was such a stark contrast to their friendship and something deep within them never wanted the moment to stop.

three knocks on the door quickly broke the two apart like they just got caught. nearly five feet formed between them as the realization of what just occurred started setting in. the only sound was their slight pants trying to regain the breath they lost.

“yeah, they’re definitely gonna shut up,” samy nodded approvingly while straightening herself out.

will didn’t say much still reeling in the fact he just made out with his best friend. the blush on his cheeks and the lip gloss stained across his lips was definitely only going to prove their friends’ points.

they walked back into the living room with every single eye on them trying to figure out if anything happened. gabe knew right away when he saw his friend’s slightly disheveled state.

“oh my god. you guys actually kissed,” he mumbled earning a gasp from almost everyone in the room.

“you’re lying!” marcie exclaimed and shot her gaze towards samy.

“like it meant anything. now you guys can shut up about will and i all the time because we’re just friends,” samy argued her case that definitely didn’t believe anyone.

“you’re telling me you just kissed will and it means nothing to either of you?” ryan asked in disbelief.

“yup,” the girl nodded.

“mhm,” will mumbled quietly.

no one said anything because what was there to say after that? will’s sudden quietness and lingering blush told them all they needed to know that maybe it did mean something to one of them at least.

“my turn now. ryan, truth or dare.”

samy and will didn’t talk about it ever again nor did any of their friends, except the teasing hardly died down and will actually didn’t stop thinking about that kiss for the entire rest of the summer.

[biscutlovingbitch]

Your so cold.(Pt.1)

Eddie X Reader

Word count:2633, Got a little carried away 🙃.

Warnings: 18+ Language, Somewhat fluff, Forced proximity, Heavy petting, Teasing. (Smut in pt.2)

It was a Friday night and you had had plans to go over to your friend Steve's house for movie night, it had become a tradition since freshman year. You Steve, Robin, Nancy, Jonathan and of course Eddie Munson. Now you didn't really have a problem with him its just he was a little too "wild" for your liking. He always seemed to get you in trouble by doing something stupid then when you would try to bring it up to him the next day he'd say that it wasn't his fault and ignore you, or somehow make it your fault. But since this was Steve's house and not your own you weren't going to be that upset if something happens because then it wouldn't be on you.

As you started to get ready it was already almost 5:00 and you had promised Steve that you would be there at exactly 5:30, not only was he a few blocks away from your house but you also didn't own a car and would have to walk there and it was starting to rain, your only choice was to walk. Now you could have called Eddie but you didn't feel like having him come here with his rusty old van and blowing your eardrums out with his loud music, not that you didn't like his music but you preferred other genres more. As you looked for the umbrella you swore you had put in the holder by the front door the clock was ticking down minute by minute. After a few minutes of searching you decided that you could just brave the rain, and the cold.

As you where walking to Steve's you realized that you had totally forgot to put on a bra earlier and you where wearing a white shirt on top of that, you thought your day couldn't get any worse then you herd it. The familiar sound of screeching tires and a loud stereo from down the road behind you, you tried not to look but he did. "Hey there princes, whatcha doin' out here in the rain?" he said slowing down to talk to you as you kept walking. Covering your chest by crossing your arms you turned to him to talk "Oh you know dont have a ride so i just figured id walk to Steve's" you say laughing a little bit. "You know you could have called me, I would have picked you up in a heartbeat" he says smiling at you with that devilish grin he wore so proudly. "Oh i just figured you had a Hellfire meeting today so i didn't want to bother you" You say obviously lying to him. "But you know that we dont have hellfire meetings on Friday" dropping his smile and squinting his eyes at you. Oh fuck how where you going to get your ass out of this one. "Well I just figured you would have had a campaign or something to do" you said hoping that he wouldn't catch on. "No i did not, but dont you still have the schedule from when you where in hellfire?".

Yes its no surprise that when you where dating Billy Hargrove that he had told you about a drug dealer by the name of Eddie the freak Munson. He had taken you along with him on one of his runs and that was the first time you ever met Eddie, since then you two along with your other friends you have practically been inseparable. After you had broken up with Billy you had seen that there was a new or at least you thought new club at the school called Hellfire. When you got there it was filled with your usual geeks, weirdos and losers but one had stood out among the rest, Eddie. He wasn't like the other people there, the others had good grades and smarts and his was well... questionable. After that first meeting that you went to he started taking you home after school and picking you up in the mornings, you dont know what had changed but one day he didn't show up and you just figured that he was done with you. since then you only really see him at the little party's that your friends throw, and sometimes a casual friendly wave in the hallways but your not as close as you once where.

"Well i'm here now right, you should hop in you seem... cold" he said looking at you, you where visibly shivering and teeth chattering as you spoke. You thought about saying no because you didn't want to make things weird but then if you didn't then you would probably catch hypothermia so you decided getting in was the best option. As you got in you had uncrossed your arms to pull yourself inside, forgetting about your outfit malfunction. Eddie had seen your chest through your shirt as he looked a you getting in and something changed inside of him. He wasn't the smiling Eddie that had just offered you a ride, no he wasn't even looking at you and he was barley even talking to you when you tried to make conversation, why?

The drive to Steve's was silent, Eddie had turned down the music when he stopped to talk to you then jut never turned it up again. You looked out the window and sighed, he noticed and looked over at you. Seeing that you where still shivering. "I uh have a shirt in the back if you want to wear it. its kinda old and ive worn it before but it might be warmer" he said still looking over at you. "Are you sure? I mean i'm fine in this" you said teeth chattering and still shivering. "Yeah sure you are princess" he said scoffing and looking back at the road. "okay okay where is it?" you said climbing into the back, you had a skirt on and you ass was practically in his face when he looked in his rear view mirror. "well they dont call it a rear view mirror for nothing" he mumbled "its next to that pile of blankets on the floor" he said noticing a tightening in his jeans as he adjusted them a little to be more comfortable.

You wiggled your ass while looking for the shirt unaware of what you where doing to Eddie "where-Oh wait i found it!" you said picking up the shirt and looking at it. It was an old iron maiden tee-shirt, black unlike the one you had on, it matched your skirt perfectly. As you went to take off your shirt and change you had forgotten you had no bra on, so you did what any reasonable person would do .You put it on over your soaking wet tee-shirt and tried to take off your skin tight white turtleneck under the other tee-shirt. It went horribly, meanwhile Eddie had parked at Steve's house already and noticed that you where... struggling so he decided to offer you some help.

"Hey princess need some help?" he said as he crawled in next to you. "No i got it!" you said even though you defiantly did not have it. Your turtleneck had shrunk in the washer to begin with so it was already tight and now you had to take it off under another tee-shirt without accidentally flashing your best friend. "No you dont, just hold still let me help you" he said as he reached out to tug on the bottom of the iron maiden tee-shirt. As you where still trying to take off the sleeves you felt him grab your left sleeve and start pulling it. Afterwards he helped you with your right sleeve and then the hard part. You had done your hair and make up so nicely and didn't want to ruin it so you held your hands in front of your face as he pulled the neck up and over your head. "Sorry about your hair" he said trying to help smooth it down for you. "Its okay" You said smiling at him "Thank you".

As you walked up to Steve's front door he came out. "Jesus i was wondering where you guys have been, been waiting for you guys for like 20 minutes!". "Well were here now aren't we?" you said stomping into the house with a pissy tone. "Shes not happy that i messed up her hair" Eddie mumbled to Steve. "Oh messed up her hair now?" Steve said with a grin and wiggling his eyebrows at Eddie. "Not like that man come on" Eddie scoffed as he moved past Steve to follow you. Meanwhile you where in the kitchen with Nancy and Robin, talking about Nancy getting married. "Alright so now that everyone is here we can start the movie" Steve said grabbing the popcorn and drinks. "So what movie did you pick out for us this time big boy?" you said as you plopped yourself right in between him and Robin. "Risky Business" He said smirking over at you, god was it going to be a long night.

Eddie had sat down right next to Steve, Nancy and Johnathan had shared the love seat. Everything was going fine till the sex scene came on. You felt Steve's hand creep on your thigh but when you turned to look at him his eyes where glued to the TV, but Eddie's weren't. He was staring right back at you with heavy lids and his tongue licking his bottom lip. "Oh fuck were out of popcorn" Steve said "Ill make some more, you just stay right there" You said getting up and grabbing the bowl out of Steve's lap. As you walked to the kitchen you thought you herd someone behind you but when you looked back no one was there. Oh well you thought to yourself but as you rounded the corner Eddie was standing right there.

"How did you get in front of me?" you questioned him. "Oh you know i'm a ninja" he said jokingly. "Yeah right, you a ninja? Next to Robbin your the clumsiest person i know" you said as you put the popcorn bag in the microwave. You turned and leaned on the counter and stared at Eddie. "Why aren't you out there watching the movie with everyone else?" You said looking a bit confused. "Eh its not my favorite, plus ive already seen it so you know" he said leaning on the kitchen island across from you. "Yeah I dont know i mean i like it, plus tom cruise is hot" You say getting the popcorn out of the microwave and putting it into the bowl. "Oh yeah and why is that?" he says looking at you. "Because he has nice hair and nice hair turns me on" You said this time getting closer to his face then leaving.

When you returned to the living room Steve had moved closer to Robin so now there was only space next to him where Eddie was sitting. As you sat down Eddie had squeezed himself in right next to you, man spreading. You couldn't help but look down at his legs, you saw a bulge. You had herd stories about how big he was but you didn't realize that it was true. You forgot that you where staring then Eddie had caught on. "See something you like there princess?" he said whispering into your ear. you quickly looked up but it was already too late he knew. You tried to turn away but his hand came up to your jaw forcing you to look at him, you whimpered but only loud enough for him to hear. He bit his lip and looking into his dark pools of eyes you stared. but then you felt Steve's hand on your thigh again breaking your little staring contest with Eddie.

You looked over at Steve but this time he was looking back at you. He bit his lip a little then started to drag his hand up further, but just as you thought it couldn't get any better you felt another hand. It was Eddie's ,now you where stuck with both of your best friends hands on your thighs. Not waning to make things awkward you got up to use the bathroom. You stayed in there until you herd the ending credits come on. When you walked out Nancy and Johnathan where passed out and Robin was nodding off next to Steve. "Alright its time for bed i guess" Steve said as no body but Robbin said anything in response. "Hey do you have any shorts i can barrow this isn't very comfy to wear to bed" You said asking Steve. "Uh yeah up in my closet theirs some old gym shorts you can barrow" He said laying out blankets for everyone.

Steve was a nice friend he always had been, Ever since he sat next to you in biology class you two just clicked. You didn't like Tommy and Carol though, they where assholes to you always making fun of your hair or outfits or what ever else they could find. Your relationship with him wasn't always like this though, not until last spring when you and Steve had hooked up after prom because both of your dates ditched you. After that it got well...Weird, you started hanging out in groups because with the two of you it was just awkward. After school you'd make out with Billy in his car at lovers lake but never dared to go further than just over the clothes. You liked Billy but not that much, You had never slept with anyone until Steve so obviously you have a bit of a soft spot for him.

As you put on Steve's shorts and headed back downstairs you start to think about Eddie and how much you two have done together too. Never as much as you and Steve but you've shared a drunken kiss once or twice. As you got back to the living room you saw everyone lying on the floor and couches, trying to figure out where you should sleep you felt a hand on your shoulder. It was Eddie "You can sleep with me if you want, Ill keep you warm" He said smiling a little bit. "Okay" You said getting on your knees to lay down, You two where behind the couch which you thought was a bit odd but you didn't care too much.

As he laid down next to you, you covered yourself up with the blanket because you where cold, it was big enough for the two of you but only if you where extremely close. As you started to scoot backwards you noticed that Eddie had turned towards you and you where now rubbing against his very prominent hard on. You kept trying to get warm by rubbing up against him but you just ended up making your situation worse. He grabbed your hip with one hand to try and make you stay still but you where still trying to move. "Are you trying to kill me here?" He whispered into your ear as his breath hitched in his throat. "What no, why would i do that?" you said trying to change the subject. "You know why, You've been torturing me all day princess dont act like you dont know what your doing to me." He said almost sounding in pain. "I dont know what your talking about" you said trying to act innocent. "Oh really you dont know? I'm talking about this" He said as he started to grind into you. "All of this just because you where cold" He said as he stopped grinding. This was going to be one long night.

Part 2 coming soon!

[pedrostylez]

Something Else- pt. 2

pairing: Frankie Morales x fem!reader

chapter summary: Waking up hungover is one thing, but trying to explain what didn’t happen to your friend is another. You handle it about as well as you can, shutting down and running away. Frankie is sweet about the whole thing, and you don't know how to handle that either.

rating: 18+ (no minors please)

word count: 5.7k

warnings etc: Frankie w/o a daughter, triple frontier movie plot has happened but is not mentioned as of yet, eventual explicit smut (not this chapter but it will build), fluff, pet names, friendships, jealousy, competition, drinking, some heavy petting....dry humping, makeout session, praise... 2nd person pov, no use of y/n

A/N: Happy Frankie Friday! I hope you're ready for part 2 of Something Else...some things heat up and there's a bit of a cliffhang at the end, so don't hate me. Let me know what you think!

Taglist: @meveispunk, @jitterbugs927, @sullyosully @3sriracha @alltheseperfectimperfections @nandan11

It is unbearably bright past your eyelids, making you see fireworks of different colors once you are conscious enough to be aware of it. You’re surrounded by the smell of fresh sheets, some detergent you aren’t familiar with. A deodorant that smells of sandalwood and citrus, and the faint smell of…sausage? 

You blink your eyes open, looking at the unfamiliar ceiling for a moment before looking down at the comforter you are clutching. Dark green, with small cream-colored leaves scattered in no particular pattern. You turn your head towards the window where the blinds are open and notice a bookshelf in the corner, a chair with a pile of clothes on it unfolded, and not much else in the room. 

Turning your head in any direction is painful-it hurts behind your eyes with this hollow feeling, making you blink a few times to try and get rid of the dryness. There's some shuffling beyond the closed door, pots, and pans of some kind, mumbling that is indiscernible. You briefly remember last night, realizing that it must be Frankie behind the door and that this is his bedroom. 

He tucked you in. 

You take a deep breath before braving the floor, cold under your bare feet, and turn the knob as quietly as possible. It feels silly to stick your head out into the hallway to look and see where Frankie might be, but you do it anyway with the intention of beelining it for the bathroom. You have no idea what you look like, and the idea of saying “good morning” with makeup smeared all over your face, makes you want to crawl in a hole and die. 

You step into the hallway on the balls of your feet and into the bathroom, shutting that door behind you quickly and turning on the light. “Oh…wow.” You can’t help but say out loud, seeing the eye makeup you had put on is completely smoked out under your eyes, resembling that of a raccoon. 

Scanning Frankie’s sink top for something to wash your face with, you settle on the Dove foaming soap. You think back to the last guy’s house you stayed at that didn’t have any soap, and shiver slightly before running the water to get it warm. 

Frankie tilted his head at the sound of water running, looking towards the hallway briefly and noticing that the bedroom door was open. He smiled to himself, turning the sausage patty over in the pan before finishing scrambling the eggs. Based on how many drinks you had the night before, he hoped that you wouldn’t mind him cooking breakfast for the both of you. 

When you finally appeared, sheepishly standing on the tiled floor, he had to hold back the full smile that wanted to appear. Your face was flushed, pieces of hair around your face damp with water, and his shirt hanging loosely around your collarbone. “Mornin’. I made enough to share.” He said quietly, watching you scan the room and brighten at the Advil bottle with a glass of water that he had set out for you. 

“I’m not ruining your morning, am I?” You asked, helping yourself to a couple pills and tossing them back quickly. 

He shook his head. “Not at all. Figured some grease might help that headache you have.” He smiles at you, he can’t help it, and serves you a plate of scrambled eggs and sausage. “There’s orange juice in the fridge, if you want some of that.”

You nod, draining the rest of your water cup and sliding over to the fridge quickly. Frankie grabs two forks, handing you one once you’ve poured yourself a glass of orange juice and he waits for you to take the first bite. He’s nervous again, tapping his fingers against the counter and taking a sip of some juice. “Pope texted me this morning; said that Anna is with him so your key is across town still.”

You nod once, taking a bite of the eggs and contemplating. “Where does he live?” You ask, looking up at Frankie. “I’ll grab a taxi to his place and be out of your hair.”

Frankie furrows his brow at you, shaking his head. “There’s no need for that, I’ll drive you over.”

Your face starts to flush red, taking another quick bite. “I don’t want to impose–”

“You’re not.” Frankie corrects quickly, laughing quietly under his breath. “I can’t let you handle the wrath of Pope and Anna on your own.” You go to say more before he stops you again. “I’m supposed to pick up Pope anyways, so it's not an inconvenience, cariño.”

Frankie watches you nod again, smiling down at your plate before finishing off the sausage. His eyes flick down to your hand that rests easily on the counter, and he wants to grab it-to hold it in his to give you a reassuring squeeze. “You’re…” You trail off, looking back up at him. You bite your lip and Frankie is just about to lose his patience, wanting to reach up and pull your lip from your teeth and bite on it himself. “You’re one of the nicest people I’ve come across in a while, Frankie.”

Frankie can feel his heart deflate a little at that. Sure, he wanted to be nice and polite, but he wanted to kiss you. He covers it with a small smile. “I don’t know if that’s sad or depressing.” He laughs, watching you flutter your lashes down to your cheek before pushing away the plate. He can’t stop himself when he reaches forward and wraps his fingers around yours. He hears your gasp and doesn’t know if he should backtrack or not. “Has everyone else…not been nice?”

You’re frozen under his gaze, the only indication that you heard him is your eyes on his and that your fingers are squeezing his right back. You blink quickly, scrunching your forehead and releasing a quick breath. “No, I guess not.”

Frankie steps closer to you and pulls your hand up to his lips, planting a gentle kiss on your knuckles. He swears you shiver at the contact. “You deserve that. People being…nice to you.” He says quietly, squeezing your hand once more before dropping it and grabbing your plate to put in the sink as a distraction from the way you’re looking at him. 

The short version is that you want to jump Frankie’s bones, but don’t think you can. 

The long version is that once Frankie grabbed your plate after planting his lips to your hand and looking at you like you hung the moon, you stood there and stared at his back for a few seconds before turning around to find where you had folded your clothes. 

As nonchalantly as possible you had mumbled that you were going to change and beelined it for the bathroom another time, phone in hand as you started to take off the sweatpants he had let you borrow. You look at your string of texts from Anna while running the sink again, groaning internally.

11:43 pm: I can’t believe you went home with Frankie!

1:24 am: Santi says that Frankie will treat you real nice, I have to know all the details later!

2:11 am: Oh god I have your key-in case you’re freaking out just let me know I’ll come get you

10:37am: Babe for real, how big is he? Did I pick the wrong friend?

You cringed at the last message, suddenly not wanting to share a single detail of just how polite and helpful and nice Frankie had been. You hadn’t even slept with him, had no claim over him, but didn’t want to let Anna have a single instance of thinking otherwise. You didn’t want to talk to her about Frankie even if you guys had done something. Not that you were opposed at all–

“Hey, uh. Pope just called.” Frankie said just outside the door. You turn off the sink, eyes wide as you button your jeans and debate if you should keep his shirt on or change back into the one that you wore the night before. You wonder which would look worse for a walk of shame… “Said that he’s getting ready for our plans. Are you…I’m not trying to rush you–”

“No, that's fine!” You say quickly, swinging open the door and trying to smooth out your hair. “Is it um…is it okay if I? If I wear this?” You ask, pulling on his shirt still covering you. “The top I wore last night is really uncomfortable–”

“Of course, sweetheart.” Frankie sighs, a happy smile gracing his face. 

You shift between your feet, pushing your hair behind your ear. “I just need my shoes and we can leave.”

Frankie nods, motioning towards the door where you must have left them. “Let’s go deal with them making fun of us then.”

Frankie can see that you’re nervous. Your ability to shake your leg up and down in quick succession while in his truck while also having a totally normal conversation with him about your friend Anna makes him wonder how you’re able to think about multiple things at the same time. There’s no way that you’re not able to think about two things at once unless you’re nervous about talking to him in general. 

You’re only about halfway to Santiago’s place when Frankie’s hand comes down gently on your knee to stop you. “What are you thinking?” He questions, glancing at you before back at the road. 

You sigh heavily before bringing your hands together. “Nothing just–Anna is going to be…Well, she–” You cut yourself off and lean your forehead into the window. “Anna tried setting us up and it’s going to be difficult to get her off my back about whether or not we…you know.”

Frankie nods, furrowing his brow before coming to a stop at the red light. He turns his attention to you, seeing that you haven’t removed his hand. “Will she not accept no as the answer?” He digs, watching you turn to him with your own furrowed brow. He wants to reach forward and smooth the worry away, not understanding what you’re concerned about. 

“She will, she just…” You trail off, your leg beginning to shake again under his hand. He holds it tighter, trying to reassure you. “It doesn’t matter.” You concede, looking back forward when the light changes to green. 

Frankie doesn’t push, keeping his hand on your knee as he continues forward to Pope’s apartment. He’s acutely aware of your wringing hands and how you try to stop yourself multiple times, moving on to picking at the skin on your thumb. 

He sighs heavily as he pulls up to Pope’s building, cutting the engine and giving you a final squeeze. “We don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to,” Frankie suggests, watching your eyes flick between his. “I don’t know what Anna’s deal is but if you don’t want to tell her then you shouldn’t have to.”

You nod slowly, sighing out of your nose and laying your hand on top of his. His heart rate picks up at the feeling of your skin. “You’re right.”

He can see you relax, and he immediately vows to not tell Pope a single thing. 

Frankie trails behind you closely, guiding you to Santiago’s door with a light hand on the small of your back. You feel jittery, hoping that Anna won’t say anything too obnoxious in front of Frankie, asking if you guys “fucked until the sun came up” or some other line you’ve heard from her before. 

You hope she doesn’t ask if he’s single. 

Santi meets you at the door, swinging it wide and scanning his eyes over the shirt you’re wearing and then behind you to Frankie with a smirk of knowing. “Morning, love birds.” He mumbles, moving out of the way to let you in before smacking Frankie on the back. 

Anna is sitting on the couch, her eyes wide as she spots you, squealing out in delight before running for you. “Did you get laid?” You cringe as she wraps her arms around you, jumping up and down like you both were equally excited. 

When you don’t answer, hearing Santiago and Frankie talk quietly behind you, Anna pulls away and examines your face. She breaks out into another smile before giving you a shake. “Oh yeah, you did! We are so going to talk about this later.”

You turn back around, watching Santi bump Frankie again with a quiet “Nothing? You’re going to say nothing?” before meeting eyes with Frankie. He’s stoic, calm, and observing Anna with you and it makes you blush. “You guys really aren’t going to divulge anything?” Santi says louder, looking up to you and back to Frankie. 

“We gotta get going, man,” Frankie says, motioning to the door. “Engine is still running.”

You know it's a lie, but you’re relieved that Frankie is cutting it short. You can avoid Anna on your own, complain that you have a headache, and go back to your apartment, wallowing in your inability to keep a guy interested in you as Anna takes them all away. “I’ll wash your shirt and give it back to you.” You say quietly, pulling out your phone and barely holding it out in his direction. 

Frankie is quick to step forward, close to you as he types in his number and calls himself, hanging up after the first ring. “Call me whenever cariño.” He says quietly, placing the phone back in your hand and wrapping his fingers around your wrist. He pulls you forward subtly, leaning down to brush his lips against your cheek. When he pulls away and locks eyes with you, you are almost able to drown out the sound of Anna’s squeal, wincing when it comes to your ears. 

When Frankie and Santi leave, you are then bombarded with the questions you knew were coming. 

“How was it? Was he nice to you? He better have been.”

“How big is he? He looks like he is hiding more down there than most!”

“He seems so sweet, you want to trade him with Santi for a couple spins?”

“Anna, I don’t want to talk about this.” You finally say, breathing out heavily and shaking your head at her. She looks confused, pouring a glass of lemonade at the fridge when you have finally cut her off. “It shouldn’t matter what Frankie and I did, and I don’t want to talk about it with you.”

Anna pauses for a moment, setting the glass down. “Babe, what’s going on?” She questions. “Was he horrible?”

“No!” You exclaim, frustrated with yourself. You can’t tell her that she’s the issue. “I just…I want to keep it private. For now. Okay?” You gasp out, running your hands through your hair for a moment. “I got to go, alright? Thank you for holding my key. I’ll text you.”

“Babe, you would tell me if something was wrong, right? Has he done something? Or me?” Anna questions, crossing her arms defensively. 

You nod, sliding your shoes on and rushing for the door. “It’s not you, Ann, it’s me. I’m, I’m all flustered and I need to just…I need to take a second. Everything is fine.” You say quietly, opening the front door and not waiting for a response before heading down the sidewalk in your apartment's direction. You pull out your phone and go to the phone number that was added moments ago to your recent calls, texting Frankie. 

Thank you. 

Frankie looks at your text once he’s arrived at the hangar, smiling to himself before putting his phone back in his pocket. When he looks up to Santi, his eyes are on him already. “You’re really not going to tell me how she is?” He groans, bumping Frankie’s shoulder as he passes him. 

“Not your concern, Pope,” Frankie mumbles, strapping his harness on a bit tighter around his flight suit. 

“Leave Frankie alone, man.” Benny chips in, turning to Frankie with a kind smile. “She’s pretty cool, isn’t she?”

Frankie slides his aviators onto his nose and up his face, giving a quick nod. “She’s…different.” He says quietly while Benny pats his back. 

Frankie is able to ignore the rest of the group quickly as he gets into the helicopter, sitting in the pilot seat, and getting to work on the practice run. He’s able to completely clear his mind, not worry about how Pope was grilling him in the ride over here, or how Pope couldn’t stop talking about how amazing Anna was…

No, Frankie was able to clear his mind and reexamine your reaction when Anna came up to you. How you stood still, stiff as a board, and ignored her questions. How you winced when she said you would be talking about it later with her. How Anna’s eyes seemed to lock on Frankie’s chest and trail down…

Frankie wasn’t sure if he really saw that or if he imagined it. But, it was enough to make him crowd you when you said you would wash his shirt, that you would return it. How you relaxed against him when he brushed his lips against your cheek–how that soothed you instead of winding you up more. 

And for you to text him after you clearly had escaped Anna’s questions, had gone home even. How you thought about him enough to thank him, for just not saying anything. Up in the air, moving the helicopter around the course with his team, his friends behind him along for the ride, he could swear that he would be in love with you by the end of the day if he thought too much about you. 

After a couple days, you find yourself still in a slump of avoiding Anna. It wasn’t the first time that you had gone days without texting her-she was typically in her own world and wouldn’t bother you. But this time around, she was a bit more persistent, leaving voicemails. 

“Hey babe! Let me know when you get a chance and maybe we can have movie night? Santi said that Frankie wouldn’t tell him anything either-you guys have a pact or something? Kinda hot. Anyways, let me know if you want to go out again!”

“You doing okay? What happened the other day when I asked about Frankie? He wasn’t mean to you was he? I’ll go over there right now if that’s the case. Anyways…text me.”

“Hey, call me back when you get a second, honey. I want to make sure you’re good, and Santi has seen Frankie and he hasn’t mentioned you. Let me know.”

I’m working all this weekend-sorry. We can chat when I have a few days off.

It wasn’t a total lie. You had worked the next day, an evening shift at the cafe, going through the motions of the closing shift and bringing home a large iced coffee for you to drink the next day while you created a cocoon on your couch. The living room blinds were pulled, the room dark with the flashing on the TV the only thing lighting up the room. 

Frankie’s shirt was folded on the chair by the door, waiting for you to get the courage to message him. You looked down at your phone, pulling up his contact and pressing “call” before thinking much more about it. 

It rang twice before he picked up. “Why, hello hermosa.” He said quietly, a small smile appearing on your lips at the sound of his voice. 

“H-hey. Hi.” You squeak out, clearing your throat for a moment before letting it be quiet. “I uh, I have your shirt washed.”

It was silent on the other end and you could feel the panic coursing through your veins for a moment before he spoke. “Can I come pick it up?” He questioned, sounds in the background of other people, men, making noises of encouragement before Frankie stepped far enough away to not hear them anymore. 

“Yeah, you can. I work tomorrow if you wanted to stop by–”

“Can I now?” Frankie asks quickly, cutting you off before saying. “I was hoping to see you, actually.”

You look down at what you’re wearing, cringing at the thought of any man, nice or not, seeing you with your hair barely brushed, pajamas from the day before still on… ”I’m not really presentable.” You say quietly, standing to go to the bathroom and find a hairbrush, maybe to brush your teeth. 

“I don’t want to push you.” Frankie states, and you swear you can hear him pacing. “I just wanted to talk about…well, Anna has asked me if you’re okay.” He sighs, and you can imagine he is rubbing his forehead. “I don’t know what to tell her, but she’s convinced I should know and–”

“You know where I live, Frankie.” You sigh, rolling your eyes at the thought of Anna asking him if you were okay. You had texted her. “Stop by when you’re done entertaining your friends?” You ask, stepping into your bedroom to find a clean pair of pants. 

“I’ll be there in ten, hermosa.” He says, ending the call and leaving you panicked, forcing your jeans on and a new shirt, rushing around and cleaning up the trash of candy and popcorn that you had been eating all weekend. 

The ten minutes Frankie said ended up being six, and when the knock came to your door you felt panicked and rushed and swung the door open so quickly that Frankie jumped backwards. “Sorry!” You said breathlessly, grabbing the arm of his jacket and pulling him towards you and into your apartment. “I thought I had ten minutes.” 

“Were you running?” He asks, smiling down at you as you shut the door and lean against it. His hands are on his hips, sticking the knee of his tan cargo pants out while the burnt orange windbreaker he’s wearing flares out where the zipper is undone. 

You sigh at him, rolling your eyes and standing straight. You reach down to the chair by the door and pick up his shirt. “Thank you for letting me borrow it.” You say quietly, holding it out to him. 

He gently takes it from your hands, rolling it up into a neat bundle that fits under his arm while he leans against your counter. “Are you…are you doing okay?” He asks, tilting his head and then looking up at your ceiling briefly before trying again. “I mean, are you and Anna not talking?”

You give him a brief shrug, stepping towards your living room where you still have a bunch of blankets covering the couch. You start collecting them, folding them one by one. “I just need space from her. She shouldn’t be trying to put you in the middle.” You state, throwing him a look of apology. 

“Pope grilled me about you spending the night at my house, so I assume it was just as bad for you?” He asks, looking around your living room and then at the TV. “Did I ruin movie night?”

“No you’re not disturbing movie night, I’ve been watching them all weekend.” You choose to ignore the first question, even though it isn’t really fair to Frankie. 

Frankie pauses for a moment before saying “Do you…want to watch another one?” He’s quiet as he asks, scratching the back of his neck. “Unless you’re all movie’d out.” 

You pause your folding to look at him and smile. “Don’t want to be grilled again, huh?” You tease, throwing the blanket down and sitting on your couch. 

He shrugs, sitting down a little ways from you, spreading an arm over the back of the couch in your direction. He places his shirt on the coffee table, locking eyes with you again. “It can even be something cheesy if I don’t have to go back to babysitting those guys.”

You laugh, reaching for the remote and turning the TV back on. “Do you like Heath Ledger?”

He nods, sliding his shoes off and setting them to the side of the coffee table. “He’s awesome in The Dark Knight.” 

You hum, opening up your purchased movie list on Prime, and click on something you had planned on watching later. “He’s a very versatile actor.” 

Frankie looks up at the TV and sees 10 Things I Hate About You queued up and starts chuckling. “He is.” He settles back, arm still reaching towards you as he gives you a last look. “You sure you don’t want me to go? So you can have your space?”

You look over at him, smiling once again before leaning towards him carefully. You don’t want to lean on his whole body, but closer to show you’re not being a total hermit. “I want you to stay if you want to.”

He smirks at you, eyes flicking down to your mouth briefly before his hand comes around the back of your neck gently and pulls you towards him. It's a surprise, at first, how warm his hand is and how nice it feels to have him pull you into a one-sided hug to practically lay on him as the movie begins in the background. Your face is smooshed into his upper chest, the crown of your head brushing his scruffy beard and your heart begins to race when your hand rests on his stomach. “Let’s relax, sweetheart.”

Frankie wants to kiss you. 

He had been thinking about you all weekend, throwing off his friends with their questions about you and what happened after you both escaped the bar. Pope gave his best rendition to the rest of the guys of you and Frankie entering his apartment, and how you exchanged numbers, and how you were wearing his shirt. 

And he had wanted to call you or text you again to make sure you were, in fact, okay. But he didn’t know what to do when Anna started asking him where you were when they all hung out again. How Will’s eyes peered at him in curiosity, raising his brows in a silent question.

Tonight was different-only Will and Benny were in front of him, asking him again how you were. “Why won’t you talk about her?” Will questioned. 

“It’s not your business.” Frankie groaned out again, crossing his arms when he felt his phone vibrate, picking it up as soon as he saw your name across his screen. 

He had teased you about running around your apartment, but Frankie literally had run to his car and up to your door. Will and Benny had laughed at him when he said he was ditching; It only took him four minutes to get to your door, but he took two to catch his breath. 

Now he had the courage to pull you closer to him after seeing you debate whether or not you wanted him to stay, looking so comfy and ready to take a nap, but in the back of his mind wondered what was going on with you and Anna. He had tried questioning you once, and you brushed it off, pretending he didn’t ask. 

Frankie hadn’t seen this movie but knew based on your comments it was not something he would pick out on his own. He liked the feel of you against him, the small laughs you would make, and the sighs at some of the dialogue. He kept quiet unless you asked him a question, only moving to take off his hat when he realized he still had it on. Your hand on his stomach made him hyper-aware of your movements, warm through his shirt. 

He was so hyper-aware of it that he felt it when you started to sniffle quietly before actually hearing it. There was a speech happening in the movie, and when he looked down at your eyes, they were glassy and wet with tears. “Are you alright?” He asked, startling you. 

“Oh, god yes. I can’t help it.” You laugh, pulling away from him. “It’s just so…she’s so angry at him and she is saying she can’t even help but still like him.” She sighs, looking over at him and shaking her head. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” He says roughly, reaching forward and wiping under your eyes with his thumbs. He’s pulled your face so close to his that he can’t help himself when he looks at your lips again, flushing red when you look at his own. 

You lean forward and connect your lips with his, closing your eyes and pressing yourself closer to him. Frankie groans when your hand slides up to the back of his neck, fingers curling in the hair long enough to play with. He pulls away quickly, suddenly out of breath. You start to pull away, but he holds you firm, resting his forehead against yours. 

When he does pull away, you’re still flushed, eyes wide with unsureness. The movie continues to play in the background, but Frankie can’t think beyond you in front of him, can’t hear beyond your breaths. 

Your phone vibrates on the coffee table, pulling you out of your stare down with him, snapping your eyes over. Frankie peeks at the same time and sees Anna has texted you again. You groan, pulling fully away to grab the phone. “She doesn’t really understand boundaries.”

Frankie clears his throat, doing his best to not read along the text that has been sent to you. Another inquiry of whether or not you’re okay. “Is everything okay?”

You sigh quietly, biting at your cheek before flicking your eyes over to him. “Yeah just…she’s always really nosey.” You mumble, setting your phone back down on the coffee table. “She always gets what she wants.”

Frankie doesn’t know how to interpret that and doesn’t want to pry more than you’re willing to share. “What do you want?” He asks, watching you slowly turn your head to him in confusion. “Is it easier to let it be, or is it easier to have a conversation?”

You did not react how he thought you would when you lean into him and cuddle up to his shoulder. His heart jumps when you rest your hand on his upper leg. “Sometimes I think I should tell her, but it's an older issue…and I don’t really date anymore so it’s not like she can really interfere…”

Frankie absorbs the information, lifting his arm to pull you closer. “Do whatever you think is right.” He mumbles, bringing his lips down to the top of your head and kissing you gently. 

He doesn’t expect you to lean your head up, eyes half-lidded as you look at his mouth again. “Will you kiss me again?” You say quietly, gasping as he launches his mouth towards yours, arranging you to turn into his lap. 

He wants to make you feel good. There’s nothing else in his mind as he pulls you closer, your legs apart so he can slot his hips between your legs and press his chest to yours. He’s hungry for your attention, kissing into your mouth and then down your jaw to your ear, hands wrapped around your back. He can feel you heaving, shifting himself to look down at you again and giving you a smile. “You’re gorgeous, cariño.” He can feel you giggle as he attaches his lips to your neck, leaving a small trail until he is at your ear. “We can do whatever you want.”

He hears your breathy sigh and thinks it is out of relief. He doesn’t understand what it means but loves how it feels to make you feel relaxed with him. You pull him up to reattach your lips to his, biting at his lower lip and making him groan at the slight pain. He unintentionally thrusts his hips towards you but enjoys the reward of your moan. 

He gently continues to do this, pushing his hips against yours, and feels the heat through your jeans and his cargo pants, and wonders if he should slow down. “Want to make you feel good.” He sighs out, realizing his eyes are closed, and pops them open to look down at you.

You buck your hips up to meet his, hands gripping his shoulders to where it may hurt another man, but Frankie is too focused on you and your hips and the way your shirt is riding up– “Touch me, please.”

He doesn’t have to be told twice, hands running down your sides to push your shirt up. His mouth is on you instantly, biting lightly at your belly button and up your sternum to where your bra gets in the way. He flicks his eyes up to yours to ask quick permission before moving your shirt above your chest, groaning at the sight. “Fuck hermosa, you’re going to kill me.” He says seriously, laughing when you let out a breathy one in return. 

Frankie has decided at that moment to only touch you, to have you taken care of, and to leave it at that. To have you satisfied at the minimum; maybe you would come back for him or maybe not. He’s already concerned that you’ll ghost him and disappear if you do that to what he thought was your friend–

A loud knock makes you both jump, and a quick yelp comes from your mouth. You both pause, staring at each other. Frankie is hyper-aware of you bucking your hips again–

“Babe?” Anna says just beyond the door. “You in there?”

Your eyes go wide, pushing Frankie off of you. “Fuck.” You whisper, getting him to stand up and run towards the door to look through the peephole.

“Your shirt,” Frankie whispers back, watching you twist around and down at yourself to pull it down, red-faced and embarrassed. He’s trying to hold in his laughter as you try to flatten out your hair which was clearly spread across the couch moments ago. 

“Go down the hall.” You whisper, pointing towards your bedroom, pushing him with the other hand. “Just, don’t come out.”

Frankie bites the inside of his cheek, holding back his remark about his shoes and his hat being on clear display, not wanting to argue with you about getting to snoop in your room while you deal with Anna. 

[chapinii]

Q!Fit is used to loss. He's used to meeting people he knows won't be sticking around, used to putting on a brave face when they inevitably disappear or are killed beyond the point of respawn. It's collateral damage, part of the day job. Nothing new in the toxic landscape of 2B2T. There's no time to explore any kind of feelings towards anybody else, he's learnt over time that attachments are more often than not futile. Care about something, someone, and it may well be used against you.

His time on Quesadilla island has been different, however. This time he doesn't have that threat, he shouldn't have that threat. This was supposed to be just another mission, a vacation even. Gathering player data is an easy job. The players in question, however, he never imagined himself getting so close to.

Fit never saw himself as a father, in fact, he was lucky to have made it to the age he was now. He was so sure he'd die by the sword. A mercenary, stalking in the shadows of a lava-cast wasteland, both hunter and prey, wearing a bandana around his face to shield himself from the TNT dust which never seemed to settle around him. And now he ties that same bandana around the neck of a boy, his son, an egg so fragile and yet so much like himself. Though a lump still held in his throat when he looked for too long at the boy who played so innocently in the open air, he found solace in knowing that Ramon, unlike him, would grow up surrounded by trust. Against all expectation he'd found himself in a place where (however fucked up behind the scenes it may be) community is everything, and where within it, people are allowed to just Be. He could allow this distraction, his son wouldn't affect the mission too much. His guard was finally, slowly, being let down.

And then along came this strange, slightly unhinged and wonderful man, whose wide excited eyes looked at him with so much admiration and unwavering loyalty. He wasn't used to being seen as human. He hated how easy it felt to push down the guilt of being perceived as such. This vulnerability was new to him, but after keeping so much internalised over the years, he welcomed it. The notion of love was an alien concept back there, where the desires for chaos and destruction were almost carnal in nature. This feeling towards Pac was unlike any other he'd ever felt, a soft and tender mutual understanding of one another. He knew as much about Pac as Pac did about him, and they enjoyed keeping it that way. Even as they were forced to fight against each-other, Fit had taken pride in his roommate's skill and precision in combat, and, even as that competition amped up, he knew all too well the measures that must be taken to survive, and vowed to protect him all the same. Now they were back on the island he enjoyed being the one to stand back for once, he'd admire as Pac would run on ahead with all sorts of plans for the two of them, and bask in the fofoca he would return with for their morning crew.

Of course, the bated breath that still held in his throat was yet to disperse. He'd been the one to help break Pac and Mike out of prison. He sat with Mike and reassured him when Pac was kidnapped. Through Tazercraft he'd come to understand the concept of soulmates, someone you share a bond with throughout your life, platonic or not. He'd also come to know the true meaning of 'saudades', the deep feeling of longing and melancholy that comes with missing something or someone. He didn't want to admit it was something he'd felt all throughout his life. Living on the island had prepared him and Pac for those types of situations, and God knows 2B2T had whacked the mindset into him tenfold. But it didn't make this time hurt any less. Fit had finally set a date with Pac for Friday, albeit a somewhat rearranged one. They were so caught up in everything, in each-other. Things finally seemed to have been looking up for them, and then everything was ripped apart once more. Fit resented not having kept his guard up, for letting himself slip, and not being able to protect Pac before it was too late. He was gone.

That was why taking things slow was so important, he had told Ramon. You can't rush into these things, lest you lose everything for good.

Fit is used to loss. It's all part of the day job.