#female rader

[tarjapearce]

Iridiscent

PirateAU! Miguel x Mermaid! Reader

Thanks to @sarapaprikas-blog for the idea ❤️✨. Been loving to experience with different AU'S lately ✨. Hope you like!

Warnings: Mild angst and historical figure mentions, implied mysticism ~

Prologue ✨

Pt. 2

As far as history was told, the sea had been the biggest grave in the world. Countless men, nations and civilizations perished under the might of the ever infinite sea. Not many dared to venture, after all, the stories of countless ships sunk under behemoth waves reached through all dry land known.

But that didn't stop the greatest empires to expand and colonize newly discovered lands thanks to years of observation. Many thought of the sea a living being, a being that could be tamed or at least controlled enough to small civilizations to be born in lands people only dreamed of.

However, as the sea earned it's title of a living creature, the mysticism around it grew. Many believed the sea was a she, and bringing a woman on board only made her jealous. A common belief among outcasts and pirates. Something that was debunked as the golden age of piracy advanced.

But even so, the word spread around was that the sea favored female pirates better than men. Lagertha, Mary Read, Anne Bonnie, Zheng Shi, Grace O'Malley, to name a few of the most iconic pirates that against all, conquered, navigated, commanded and plundered at their contempt.

Many believed that they had done a pact with the devil himself, but others strongly believed that there were creatures below that left no trace once the women settled for a target. Mermaids.

Creatures often described as the beauty of death itself embodied. Beautiful women luring men to their inevitable deaths. Something, that some men longed for, and feared by others. The rumor was that if you caught a mermaid alive, the creature was bound to grant you a wish.

But for Miguel, they were nothing but myths and lies. A once young and naive self had ventured in the sea to find one, so he could cure his daughter once the land medics had abandoned all hope. And so he did, once his little girl had closed her twinkling innocent eyes, full of dreams, forever.

He was a changed man after that. He didn't allow his men to talk about such nonsensical things in his ship, Reina Gabriela, and poor of the man that was caught red handed. Reason had gotten him where he was, a feared outlaw among the Spaniards and English folk alike. Not by his overall intimidating looks, but the ruthless and cunning of his attacks.

The Red Eyed Demon, they called him.

------

Miguel had settled the route towards an island that promised a proper restock of his resources. He would let his men unwind, he'd probably spend the night away with a well prepared courtesan. The type of woman that knew how to entertain him beyond the physical ways, once they were on land.

By sunset, he would be landing. The island itself wasn't a problem, the inhabitants of it were. At least for him, full of highly superstitious people, that were always showering him in foul smelling concoctions, lung itching fumes and heavy charms of protection to "cleanse the spirit of anything that could drag you and your ship down".

Isla del Sol, or Sunny Island as many called it, was like a secret hideway-paradise for Pirates that stopped by to rest. Opposite from what the Spaniards and English believed, the Island was run under the command of a council of five.

A retired English commander that did better as a pirate than a law enforcer named Edward, A Spaniard pirate well versed in the arts of administration named Xavier, A jamaican man which eloquence only rivaled the Queen's erudites themselves named Toussaint, An asian woman trained in the arts of killing and weaponry named Sheng Hyun, and a white haired chaman whose wisdom was often seeked by the rest.

So far the island had worked and thrived under their command. They had even asked Miguel to join them, because of his strategic and cunning mind. But of course, he refused. A man like him wasn't easily bound to bureaucratics, even though, ironically he had strict rules in his ship.

His men were loyal, after all, Miguel took proper care of his crew. Well fed, healthy, well armed, and now, well rested. Reina Gabriela approached the docks and soon the men worked. Some put the extended sails away, others put the weaponry in their place, others cleaned and so on. Everyone had a role aboard, and Miguel made sure for them to accomplish it.

He threw a small pouch of gold to a nearby man to watch over his ship as he was out. The island felt like another city, but difference was, that inside land there were no guards, no laws that didn't benefit them. And if anyone caused a ruckus, Sheng Hyun was sent to deal with it, personally.

His men scattered around, except for the quarter master, the cook, weaponry master, Navy Engineer and doctor. They discussed briefly the upgrades for the ship, new dishes to the menu, and new places to get weapons, medicines and sturdier woods from. He dismissed them once everyone had their list, then he was alone.

His feet took him nearby the merchants as they exposed their goods to everyone passing by. Guards uniforms, royal weapons and wax seals perfect for an unsuspecting ruse, medicines, a new type of powder that was a bit more waterproof, Chinese explosives, sedating darts, portraits of naked royal women, some gemstones, and of course, luck charms and talismans.

He scoffed as his eyes rolled at the various trinkets. He had to admit that whoever came with these ideas had found a gold mine that relied in people's blind faith, probably would shake their hand if he ever knew who it was. One trinket stood out from the rest.

It was an iridescent pearl, a quarter size of his palm, along some black and pearly scales protuding ontop. There was no chain around it to be worn, the merchant noticed him staring at the trinket and smiled.

"Good if y'wanna catch a mermaid. They love shiny things."

Miguel looked at him with an eyebrow quirked and a skeptical look.

"You seem confident enough to sell these... crafts."

"Ah, another nonbeliever. Tis'fine mate. I've dealt with so many like you before. Mostly of the non believing part roots from something denied to you in the past. Am'i'rite?"

Miguel's jaw clenched softly at the boldness of the man. He looked like the typical merchant with shady business on the side.

"Leave this man alone, Joseph." The chaman of the council spoke behind Miguel as she took the pearl in her old, wrinkled hands.

"Come" He motioned Miguel to follow. Despite being a highly spiritual woman, the council's chaman did not pressure him into believing, but rather spoke to him sometimes in riddles. Riddles that he grew tired of eventually. He followed.

"A surprise to find you watching these sort of trinkets, Miguel."

"Hard to not when they get stranger and colorful each time I come here."

The elder lady hooked her arm on his as she supported on Miguel, that secured her as he walked next to her.

"I'd be grateful if you wouldn't speak about anything mystic tonight."

"Wasn't my intention, boy. But I must say, you've got quite the eye for these things. It's a real pearl, if you wish to sell it."

Miguel kept walking, being led by the chaman.

"Or I could gift it to a mermaid" Miguel chuckled and the lady looked at him with curious eyes.

"Well, to do such thing, you'd have to find one first."

"I won't, cause they're not real."

The chaman smiled smugly at him.

"What would you do if your homeland got infested with rotting bodies, blood and so many other unpleasant things continuously?"

"I'd look for a new home." he humored, but the lady only nodded in approval.

"And what kind of home you'd look for?"

"One that wasn't near the cities or civilization. Probably a secret manantial or even a virgin island"

The lady smiled

"Congratulations, Miguel. You now have the first lead into finding a mermaid."

"You can't expect me to believe such things."

"No lo espero, pero sé que tu curiosidad por dichas criaturas ha aumentado. ¿Qué es lo deseas tener?" (I don't, but I know for sure that your curiosity for such creatures have peaked your interest. What is it you long for?)

Miguel looked down at the lady, wistfully and she rubbed his arm comfortingly. Like a grandma would.

"My dear. Mystical creatures can only do so much, Miguel. Sadly, bringing back the dead isn't something they can do."

"No sabes de lo que hablas. No me conoces" (You don't know what you are talking about. You don't know me)

He seethed the last words as his grip abandoned the lady. His body tensed when the chaman reached out again to take his large hand.

"Loss is part of our lives, Miguel" Her wrinkled hands put the pearl in his hand, hers covered his warmly, pushing the trinket further in his hands, "And we all move on eventually. Life is full of wonders, and who knows, maybe what you find ahead in your path is exactly what you need"

He nearly growled as another riddle was added to the list.

"Te dije que te dejaras de-" (Thought I told you to quit the-)

His mouth gaped slightly, the lady was gone. He was left alone with the pearl in his hand, "Acertijos..." (Riddles...) he sighed and stared at the pearl, to then tuck it back on his pocket.

What was he longed for?

[fisshbones]

Who would the obey me characters main in overwatch?

Summary: what rank would they be and who would they main? (Head canons)

Characters: (Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan, Satan, simeon, thirteen.) Gn!reader (Only referred to as you) cw: just cursing i think.

a/n: Firt time writing for obey me. Also I have only started playing both of these games again after like a 1-3 year break so inaccuracies may have occurred 😬

Lucifer - Reinhardt + Sigma

- rank ~ Master

- He does not find video games appealing at all. But for you he’s willing to give it a try. He learns pretty fast, and after a while in his very little free time he ranks up to Master.

- For some reason he can’t manage to get to grandmaster or higher, and it HURTS his pride so much 😭

- He’s a Reinhardt main, a true classic. But he frequently also plays Sigma! The tank role is his favorite. It’s the most important role in his eyes, so it makes sense that he takes control and shields the team.

- Is pretty good callouts wise, slightly toxic if you go against the plan though. 💀

Mammon - Baptiste

- rank ~ Gold

- I KNOW Baptiste is a support but Mammon DOES NOT use him as one. Maybe that’s why he’s hard stuck gold (and the fact that he rarely gets a kill) 💀 The only person he’s supporting is himself (and maybe you too if you praise him a lil)

-Gives terrible callouts too, that is if he even joins voice chat 😒

- He’s spent days trying to get to at least diamond but he just can’t. Levi makes fun of him hardcore for it too. Please reassure him that it’s okay for him to be in gold ☹️

Leviathan - Dva + Genji

- rank ~ GM/top 500

- I could see him rank 1 but I can’t decide for what role. 🧐

- Levi is a flex role. He prefers tank or dps, but he has no issues with playing support either. If you give him puppy dog eyes he’ll be your pocket Mercy.

- He is the only Genji main in 2024 history to get a team wipe with dragon blade 💀 He also really likes Dva because she’s fun and a gamer like him 🥹

- SO GOOD WITH CALLOUTS A LITERAL PRO

- does Overwatch League take applications from hell?

- He isn’t too toxic but if anyone is toxic towards you he’ll be as mean as possible. Also challenges assholes in 1v1s and makes you a spectator. Just so you can watch him kick their ass 😎

Satan - Kiriko + Brigitte

- rank ~ platinum

- Satan could easily be higher if he really wanted to but he doesn’t really care.

- Cat girls enough said. Okayyyyy I know Kiriko ultimate is a kitsune but close enough.

- You’re probably sitting here like “vee brig isn’t a cat girl though?” Yes you’re technically right but she has a cat and that’s all that matters.

- Satan is a toxic brigitte/kiriko main, how iconic of him 🤩

- He’s good with callouts, but his account has been suspended multiple times for roasting the hell outta his “incompetent” teammates.

Simeon - Mercy

- rank ~ bronze

- This man is TERRIBLE with technology. Did you really expect him to be anything higher than the lowest rank?

- Yes he mains Mercy cause she’s a “guardian angel.” Also because as an angel he believes it is his duty to protect you. He is 100% your pocket mercy, even if you’re also a support.

- Callouts? What are callouts? Someone help this man. Even if you’re giving out the best callouts it doesn’t matter because he will still die. He does NOT understand a single thing you’ve said. Poor guy 😭

Thirteen - Ashe + Widowmaker

- rank ~ diamond

- Why those characters you may be asking? Because they serve cunt and so does Thirteen. It only makes sense for her to play the baddest bitches in the whole game 🥰

- She did not intend to get so high rank wise, she barely even plays the game 😭

- If you’re a Mercy main she expects you to pocket her. What about your other teammates? Nah don’t worry she’s got head shots for days. Your Ana can handle the rest of the team.

- She really doesn’t gaf about rank, she prefers quick play honestly. Her being a reaper takes up a lot of time so quick play is better for her time wise.

- She does pretty good callouts, sometimes she’ll make a passive aggressive remark to one of her teammates. But nothing too toxic.

Likes and reblogs appreciated! <3

[jagawriterr]

Alfa

Pairing: Peter Hale (werewolf form) x fem! reader Word count: 707 Warnings: unprotected sex, fur, blood, dirty sex, fear and Peter, who is the sexiest werewolf in the world. 18+ MDNI! A/N: I managed to mobilize and finish one of my fanfics. I'm proud of myself, and hope you like it. Masterlist

He was still there. He wandered through the trees like a ghost. It penetrated your skin like smoke that floated lightly in the air. You felt the shiver, the panic and the adrenaline pumping through you. How did you feel so different? Breathless, you ran as hard as you could, barefoot, in a nightgown and your hair flowing. You hid behind a tree, laying down on the wet ground to take at least a few calm breaths.

You could smell his scent in the air. You felt him gently step on the ground full of growing moss and scattered pine needles. The wind tore through your body so that you felt goosebumps. You were damn cold, but you lost your sweater somewhere along the way. You had absolutely no idea where you were. You hoped it would be over soon.

The panic slowly subsided. You were fine with your breath. The pulse calmed down.

You screamed in horror as you saw his body leaning out from behind the tree. He was huge, and his eyes had been fixed on you ever since he found you. He could smell you, taste your sweat, licking your cheek gently.

He brushed your hair out of your face with his paw and looked at you again. And you saw him. Peter's piercing gaze, as calm and caring as ever. Despite what he had become, he still knew who he was. You smiled at him, snuggling into his thick, gray fur.

Tears streamed down your cheeks again, and his paws wrapped around your frail, shivering body. You snuggled even more into his body.

The terror subsided as you felt his calm breath and heartbeat, calm as never before. You made him humble. The bare survival instinct was gone for good. Calmly, you laid down with him on the ground, ruffling his thick, gray fur on the back and neck. He rested his head on your shoulder, closing his blue eyes.

The intimacy of the situation made you feel aroused and wanting him to touch you before the fire passed. Before he was still in this form. You've never done it with him like this. He resisted it, but the desire for it clouded his rational thinking so much that he pounced on your frail body.

He flipped you onto your stomach, wanting to do it as quickly as possible. Instincts so primal awoke in him that he could no longer control them. Your nightgown fell down your back as he yanked your hips up. You felt him in your mind. His breathing quickened again, his skin numb from the cold, dirty with pine needles, leaves and brown earth.

He entered you quickly. You felt it shove all the way into you, penetrate you deep into your core, where all the tension, the essence of passion and desire, accumulated. His cock was moving inside you so fast you couldn't take your breath away. Your hands were on the ground, bruised and bloody and full of shreds of leaves. The scratches on your hands made you alternate between pleasure and pain as you rubbed your wounds against the dirty earth. Salty sweat poured from your bodies.

He rested his head on your back, taking the material of your pajamas into his mouth. You felt his hips moving faster and faster. Your moans turned him on even more. He wanted to be all inside you, his hands gripped your hips, deepening the hip thrusts as the walls of your pussy pressed hard against his cock, wanting to feel him even more inside of you. You felt yourself reluctantly reaching the edge of the abyss and slowly falling down with him. The twitching of his body, the spasms of his muscles, his hard cock inside you, it all made you unable to resist the temptation to cum with min. To feel his cum flooding you from the inside out. As it falls over your body, panting hot air against your sweaty back.

He licks the sweat down your spine. You turn onto your back to look at him, but he's already in a different form. You stare into those still-blue eyes, and you can't get enough of them. He is your Alpha. He is your everything.

[n0tamused]

Jiyaaaan request coming your way~

While training his soldiers, one of them accidentally calls him 'Dad'. This leads to the reader teasing them but Jiyan teases back by calling them 'Mom' (or the gender neutral for it?)

(Was reading tv tropes and Jiyan had the 'A Father to his Men' tropes in his character tab lol)

A/n: Anon this request was so sweet, thank you sm for sending it in! Jiyan the father of an army fr.. I do hope I executed it well. Enjoy!

Content: Jiyan x F!Reader, fluff and playful stuff, nothing more

The morning sun had long since shifted its axis towards the center of the sky, blazing down through cotton clouds that sailed the azure skies. Below them, in the open fields, west of the main base cacophony sounded, consisting of commands, groans and other sounds of effort as the Midnight Ranger performed their training. And today Jiyan had come to overlook the session himself, although it wouldn’t be the first time. He was often so preoccupied with tasks at the front lines that he didn’t have the time to be leading drills too frequently, but when he did get the chance to do so he would take it. While it wasn’t a full reprieve from the battle, it was still a stark contrast to the grotesque and twisted fates he’d see daily on the battlefield.

Jiyan was noticeably more disheveled by the end, hair messy and hanging in strands and clinging to his sweaty forehead, hands on his hips as his voice rose to meet all ears present. You have just been passing by, helping carry supplies that just came in, and loading old and empty boxes back to be refilled in the city. For once there was no rush that would make your legs ache or your lungs hurt, allowing you all the precious time to bask in the views, the soft chatter and, of course, your dear lover.

The sun caught his figure and formed a golden aura around him, his skin glistening, and you couldn’t help but take a seat at one of many big boxes at the side of the training grounds after you had finished your task. In passing you caught a few looks, and a few smiles of the soldiers you knew from before. They looked much  more lively, despite the rigorous training they just went through. It made your heart warm seeing them in better spirits, wishing nothing more than to see them prevail and be happy. And just as you had recognized a bunch of familiar faces did Jiyan conclude his small speech, about to dismiss everyone with advice of rest hanging on every word. He had spotted you from the start, when you were going by with supplies in arms and soon he’d have a chance to speak to you too, he thought.

“General Jiyan! General Jiyan, a word or two- if I may?” 

It was a voice of one of the new recruits, Jiyan noted as he gazed at the face of the youth, a boy of twenty or so years by the looks of it, and eyes full of curiosity and admiration. He had come up to Jiyan just as he had turned towards you, prompting him to stay rooted in his spot a little longer. A few more young rangers came up behind the recruit, sharing the same curiosity but also being aware of whatever the recruit had on his mind.

“Yes? Is there something you need?” Jiyan questioned, looking at the young man. From his peripheral vision he spotted you moving down from the boxes and joining his side, staying quiet after a short word of greeting towards his Rangers, but your presence felt like a cool breeze under this sun, and he appreciated it all the more.

“I just wanted to say how great today’s training session was, we learned so much more than we did with our drill sergeant” he praised, smiling up at Jiyan all the while, “And I just wanted to ask whether or not you’ll be leading our training session tomorrow as well? Or any other day that is, we would really benefit from your teaching. I mean, you've seen it all for yourself at the front lines!"

The other few with him nodded along, prompting a small smile of pride to form on your face from seeing their fascination with Jiyan. To them he was everything they aspired to be - strong, enduring, tough but not lacking kindness or knowledge. There were times where they were scared to approach him, not knowing how he’d react to their questions, but from observing his interactions with others they warmed up to the idea and plucked all their courage. 

A polite smile curled up on Jiyan’s face as he regarded the youth with gentle golden eyes. His presence as the drill sergeant today wasn’t due to his availability, but a simple coincidence and necessity to fill the shoes of their drill sergeant that had been injured due to Tacet Discords, and Jiyan just happened to be able to be there. “Ah, you have my thanks, rangers. If a replacement for your drill sergeant does not arrive tomorrow and I am not required to be at the front lines, then I will be leading your training tomorrow as well” he told them, which pleased them greatly to hear.  “Although I’m sure Sargent Jin’xi has much more to teach you, something much more important for your sound development in this profession. You cannot take his method lightly. He has seen everything I have, as well. His knowledge is as valuable to your growth, and even more so than mine. You need the good foundation he can give you” He was aware of how confusing or hard it could be to listen to Jin’xi, as the sergeant had quite the eye for details and slow progress in lessons due to his meticulous nature - but that also made him all the better for his station. He was observant and could pluck out bad behavior and mistakes like weeds, and that is better to be done here, than in the middle of battle.

“We know, general, but sergeant Jin’xi is just so hard on us.. sometimes it really seems like he has no limit” one of the women standing behind voiced, earning a look from Jiyan that spoke of his understanding but also his disagreement with the subtle message they were trying to send - please, replace sergeant Jin’xi, or, save us.

“Yeah! One time I accidentally mixed up the weapons in the storage room and he had me do everything on my own again, saying how such mistakes can’t happen on the front lines, how it all means life or death” the first young man said, brushing his fingers through his hair and sighing. “I understand it, but we just got here..” he added and looked at his comrades. 

What was supposed to be a short chit-chat turned swiftly into a gossip galore about Jin’xi. Had Jiyan been any different from the man he was currently, he would’ve scolded them, taken offense at how they spoke about his colleague, but he was in their shoes once, always on edge around the higher ups, and he wished not to bring that same unease to them. He didn’t fail to remind them to not speak like this in front of everyone, and to respect sergeant Jin’xi when he does eventually return, and they gave him their word.

The first young man that approached looked at Jiyan after their discussion, both hands on his hips and looking more relaxed. “We won’t forget that, I promise on my last name! Still, we appreciate your kindness, and one more thing dad- I MEAN- GENERAL!” His entire face crumbled into a look of terror, and all eyes of the group shot to him, looks of surprise and amusement appearing before several of them erupted into laughter after taking a wary glance at Jiyan - who was not offended.

“General Jiyan! Oh god- I apologize, general, I don’t know where that came from-” he stammered, shaking his head and his hands, face flushed from sheer embarrassment. More choked words tumbled out of his mouth, desperate to excuse himself and forget about this. 

Jiyan can’t help but chuckle, the corners of his lips twitching in a failed attempt to hold back his smile. “At ease, recruit. You have not done any crime” he nods at the other, his eyes softening and not showing any sign that he’s about to dish out some punishment - that’d be ridiculous. 

You can’t help but crack a laugh too, covering your lips with your hand as to stifle the sound, but your mirth was evident in your eyes. “Have I missed a chapter? I didn’t know you had kids, general Jiyan” you teased, earning a few shocked but heavily amused looks from the group. Giggles erupted once more, all stifled as they waited for Jiyan to respond to the quip.

Jiyan turns his head to look at you, his eyes boring into yours and questioning your intentions - you can read the thoughts going through your head and your smile only widens in a silent call to a challenge of wits. He didn’t expect you to say something like that, but he could only huff, hiding his amusement under an abrupt guise of confusion.

“Kids?.. Why, I had hoped you’d recognize your own kids, Miss (L/N)” he shot back instantly, making your jaw drop at his rebuttal, a gasp flying past your mouth. “General” you said, accusations plenty heard in your tone as the atmosphere melted into one of jest and play.

Many eyes flickered between you and him, taking in the easy way you conversed with one another.

“Yes? What’s the surprise for? The recruits look up to you too, if you fail to notice. You can confirm with them right now” he is shifting the spotlight to you, and the recruits are quick to jump in too. “It is right, miss. Personally I haven’t been around you for long, no longer than I interacted with the General, but you two are alike, you treat us new ones with a firm but kind hand” a young woman said, smiling at you, and you feel your heart climb into your throat. 

“Can we really be surprised, they’re always together too-” "Aren't they married?" Whispering is heard amidst the group, and Jiyan looks amidst the faces to catch the one that said that but fails to do so, or refuses to weed out the individuals, and his eyes go back to you to catch your response. It’d be a lie to say your relationship with him was a secret, everyone knew there was something deeper between the two of you, something you didn’t show in public due to the war and status, but it was undeniably there. Still, hearing it loud and clear like this was like a splash of cold water. Despite their chatter, the group remained respectful, sweet in their musings.

“Ah, quiet, I do not want to hear it. This is about you, General”

“Ah, don’t run from it now. You’re the one that started this” he commented, rolling his eyes as he folded his arms over his chest. “Anyway, you’re all dismissed. I have a word with.. mother over here. Off you all go. I will see you all in the morning for another training drill. Get some rest” he speaks to the group, gazing upon their faces, only to see how they looked at him with some sort of childhood wonder, and that’s when he realized he must be flushed too. A sheepish smile bloomed on his face. 

“Alright! Awesome-” “Yes, sir!"

“Have a good day, General! And you too, Miss!” 

He watched them leave, bidding them all farewell, and when he turned to face you again he saw you pinching the bridge of your nose, hiding away the biggest smile of the day, the apples of your cheeks redder than before. The Midnight Rangers were undeniably close in connection, having spent so many nights and days huddled together for warmth or laughs or protection, and this small exchange only warmed Jiyan’s heart, to witness how positively they felt around him - and you. 

“Didn’t think we’d become parents so soon. Have we gotten that old already?” Jiyan commented, tone softer in a way he only addressed you when you were alone, and there was no one near the training grounds to hear you.

“Oh, shut up, Jiyan-” you playfully snapped, biting your lip as you looked up at him, stifling a giggle. “You are unbelievable!”

“Hm? Did you expect me to stay quiet today or ignore your quips?” he smiled bigger and you have to admire the little dimples in his cheeks as the smile reaches his eyes, making them squint at you softly.

“I don’t know what I expected, but your response was certainly the last thing I expected” you replied and shook your head, as if that would shake off the redness tinting your skin, imitating him now by crossing your arms. The two of you were looking at each other, wordlessly admiring your red faces while throwing these little quips at one another. 

“Ah.. you’ll get used to it, dearest wife”

Ⓒ n0tamused. Do not repost, translate, edit, and/or copy any of my works. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.

[donutz]

Sebastian Solace accidently meeting reader

Sebastian was looking for items resulted in seeing you

— Sebastian actually doesn't do that, he just comes across them and uses it for sales

Warnings: Non human reader; Reader is 11'4, taller than Sebastian!!; Reader has a small tail, that's hidden under there clothes; Reader isn't naked, you have clothes on yay!!; You have 4 extra eyes from being mixed with a spider; Bad words, again

Here's a body reference I drew, with a mouse!! ^_^ It's not that good but i tried my best ,^^ the tiny text says spider

“Ugh, these doors are so small”.. You thought.

You had to crouch through them, every. Single. Time. Why not bust out of a window? You looked at the wide glass to your left, thinking. Yeah why not.

Jumping through it, you realized that those were really weak windows. They might as well have been just the wall if they were really that weak! You would think that they were tempered at least.

You swim and swim, occasionally stopping to peer into the rooms. Sometimes you’d even knock on the windows to look at the squiddles. The other monsters never appeared, but those ones did.

After passing through many walls and windows, you look into another room. Seeing a tall humanoid like creature just sliding through.

Wait what.

You do a double take, not expecting another one to look like you.

Slightly swaying your legs, you move towards the glass. Putting your hands on it. You can only see the backside of him, looking him up and down. Just out of interest and curiosity.

He stops searching through the drawers and turns to his side, not seeing you. He moves to the next room, and you move right with him. It seems like he’s looking for items.

He looks at the window anddd.. Flinches back, with his palm facing you right in front of his chest. You hear his mumbled yell through the glass.

You wave.

As if you didn’t just startle him.

Smiling really wide, just no teeth showing, your small tail wagging.

You hear him curse. Uhm.. You move to the side and break the window with your fist,

“Oops” You say after putting your head through the hole.

Turning your head, you were going to say hello, but he was gone! You break through the window using your whole body, and fix it up with your… Powers!

“Come back”! You shout, crawling through the doors, each time you did, you saw him.

“GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME”!!

That wasn’t a very good first meeting, but it happened again. You saw him again. And again. And again. You know the drill by now yeah?

By the fourth time, he wasn’t phased.

Sigh, “Are you trying to get on my nerves or something”?

“How? I just want to see you”!

His face scrunches in confusion, “What”.

“I said I just wanted to see you! You’re only making yourself more mad with that temper of yours”.

His face fell monotone, ignoring you as he slithered through the doors.

You followed right behind him, or next to him. He didn’t want you behind him just in case you decided to do something dirty.

You observe him everytime he searches through the drawers, checks under them, and looks through the lockers.

While he was searching through a drawer, you asked a question.

“Why do you search for the items ‘n stuff”?

He closes the drawer, standing up. He turns around to face you.

“Why are you still here with me”?

“You didn’t answer my question”.

“You didn’t answer mine”.

You giggle, “You’re funny, Sebastian”.

He looks surprised that you even know his name, clenching his fists he yells out—

“HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME”?!

Now it’s your turn to look surprised. 

“From a certain shark”.

He scowls, ‘Dang it Eyefestation’.

“Anywho now that I answered yours, you answer mine”.

“You still didn’t answer my other question”.

“Then let’s take turns”.

You two stared at each other. Each stares having different meaning.

One with danger, confusion, and a small chance of fear.

The other with interest and sincerity.

One not being able to tell if it’s a mask.

The other being able to tell that One is scared.

“... Fine. It’s for my shop that I hold for the other players. Now what about you? Why are you still here with me”?

“Well it’s because I find you quite interesting really. I haven’t seen any other creature—”

‘Creature’?

“— Like you. You seem kinda on edge and I want to get to know you. Personally, I think you have a very kind heart”.

‘Kind heart? What the hell are you even saying’..

Your smile stays on your face, not once lingering. Your left hand gently grips your right wrist while both arms are behind your back. You sway side to side.

“Is your question answered Sebastian”?

“Don’t call me that”.

“Then what should I call you”?

“... Solace. Call me Solace”.

“Oh that’s a nice name. It kind of matches with your icy nature”.

Ughh. He verbally groaned. He slithered over to the next door, going through it, with you of course, following behind him.

Going through a few more doors, you ask—

“Can I see your shop”?

“Yeah fine, whatever. There’s no point since you probably don’t have any data anyways”.

“You use data as a currency? For what”?

“You ask—... Nevermind, yeah, I do. It’s so I could blackmail Urbanshade”.

He halfway turns his head to look at you, stopping.

“You’re not going to use that against me, a- are you”?

‘Shit’.

Your smile falters, realizing that he’s serious. And afraid.

“Of course not! I don’t even know what that is anyways”. You smile.

His mouth slightly opens, surprised.

“You- You’re not one of their experiments”?

“No! I was born like this! My parents were the experiments, but then I escaped”.

Sebastian didn’t say anything. How could you say that so— so happily?! A- And right in front of him too! You two just met h- how could—... How could you trust him so EASILY?!

After a bit of silence, you moved on.

“Anywayss!! I wanna see your shop! Show me”!

You walk ahead, leaving Sebastian standing there by himself baffled. Before he shakes his head and continues to move.

Eventually you two find his shop and you chill.

You see his documents on the table and question him, asking who’s documents are those. He tells you that they’re his.

“Can I buy em”?

“You got 1000 data��?

“I got my backstory”!

“... Sorry, data’s the only currency”.

“Oh man :(”

I read all of this and this seems like a quick read :(

[loving-barnes]

LOGAN HOWLETT - NEED

A/N: CHAPTER TEN is here! I'm sorry it took me so long. I just had a lot on my plate. Enjoy!

Pairing: Logan Howlett x mutant female reader

Warning: I have decided to not give any warnings. Please remember this story is 18+.

Summary: Things move forward between Logan and Y/N.

Please, do not read if you are under 18. This story is suitable for mature audience. MINORS DNI!

Words: 4300+

Important note: Again, Logan is a tall MF, because they fucked up in the movies. Also, Hugh Jackman!Wolverine. This is set in AU.

A TOUCH OF HOPE MASTERLIST | Chapter Nine

LOGAN HOWLETT - NEED

Jean stood next to a hospital bed, looking down at unconscious Y/N. She had a chart in her hands, checking the data she collected the past three days. Three days - that’s how long Y/N was out of the present. 

Logan didn’t want to leave her side once they removed the collar from his neck. The wounds immediately healed, and he became a new person. Jean managed to send Logan away. He insisted on staying by Y/N’s side until she’d open her eyes. Luckily, Jean persuaded him quickly. Even Storm wanted to remain by her side all the time. The friendship between her and Y/N blossomed fast. 

When Storm arrived with the rest of the team, she was horrified when she found Logan wounded and weak next to an unconscious body. There was a slight fear Logan wouldn’t be able to heal from the wounds. When Hank and Jean freed Logan from the collar, the healing happened quickly. No one would tell he was fighting for his life hours ago. 

Jean enjoyed the silence in the medical room. The only thing she heard was the beeping sound of a heart monitor. 

The door to the room opened. Charles wheeled in, followed by Hank, Logan and Storm. Before anyone could ask anything, Jean gave them an answer. “No change. She’s stable, well, but still out.” 

Charles was the first to approach the bed. His hands caressed Y/N’s exposed forearm, where he kept staring at the lightly radiating skin. It was fascinating. Charles didn’t have an exact answer for that. All they knew was that it had to do something with her mutation. 

“You said it happened before?” The question was for Logan. 

“Yes. It was the day we saved the boy and came back here. I noticed her eyes glowing.” 

Charles thought about it. “Mutations can evolve. It is one thing you get to master your powers and manipulate them. In some cases, more abilities can be developed. I think this could be the case. Y/N’s mutation is evolving. I believe ner powers will rise to the surface very soon.” 

“So, what? You will test her like a lab rat,” Logan scoffed, not fond of the idea. “Hadn’t she had enough of that?” 

“I’m not saying we will test on her. That will only happen if she’d want to,” Charles said. “We have to wait until she awakes. It can be minutes, hours, or even days. Her mind is locked. I can’t get inside, no matter how much I try.”

“You said she created a force field around the whole school,” Storm looked at Logan. “Her energy got drained to the last bit. No wonder she’s been out for three days now. She’s never done anything like that before. She could have died.” 

Jean approached the woman on the bed. She grabbed her hand, scanning the skin. “Why has this been happening for three days?” 

“I forgot to mention one thing,” Logan cleared his throat. He crossed his arms over his chest. It got everyone’s attention. “The leader of the Trask unit that came to school was Y/N’s mother.” 

“What?” they all said in unison. All eyes were on him.

Logan nodded. “After the accident with Y/N’s sister, her mother joined Trask Industries. She wanted revenge for her lost child. Turns out, she became a respected, high-ranked person there.” 

There was silence. The information about Y/N’s mother was shocking. “That is a plot twist,” Storm commented. 

“Y/N didn’t know about it, just to clarify,” Logan added strictly. 

“She had her eyes on me since I escaped the lab in Salem,” said Y/N’s voice from the bed. 

They all turned to the voice. Logan was the first by her side, staring at her face. Her eyes were open a crack. She was getting used to the light. Y/N blinked a few times before her eyes moved to look at Logan. He saw that her irises were glowing like the colours of the force field - silvery and blue. When she blinked again a few times, they turned back to normal. 

“JJ was a trap,” she continued. “It gave away my location.  Because of me, the children were in danger. Everything that happened was my fault.” 

“No,” Storm walked to her from the other side. She grabbed Y/N’s hand. “You couldn’t know that would happen. All you wanted was to save the boy. And you did it. How could you know it was a trap? Also, you protected the whole school. The building is standing still because of you.” 

A yawn escaped Y/N’s lips. “Is everyone okay?” 

“Yes,” Jean nodded. She had a gentle smile on her face. “They are all back in school. Colossus took them away just in time. The building is standing, and it is all thanks to you.” 

“Good,” Y/N closed her eyes. “I’m glad no one got hurt.” 

Charles opened his mouth, ready to ask a question. Quickly, he shut it, dismissing what he wanted to ask. “We’ll talk later. Rest,” he suggested. 

As they walked away, Y/N opened her eyes and found Logan staring at her. His face was filled with worry. She winked at him. It was a sign to stay. Everyone left while he remained by her bed. The door closed. They were officially alone. 

Slowly, she pushed her body up until she was sitting. She stretched her arms. Logan got closer to the bed. Her eyes traced over his body. She realised he wore a simple black T-shirt that perfectly showed his muscles. Her mouth opened, almost dropping down on her lap. Damn. There was an urge to touch his stomach, to feel the abs underneath her touch. She clenched the bedsheet tightly.

“How are you feeling?” Logan’s voice brought her back to reality. 

Y/N gulped. “Tired,” she replied. “It might be because I’ve been out for… how long?” 

“Three days.” 

“That long? Shit,” she shook her head in disbelief. Y/N moved her body. She sat at the edge of the bed, legs hanging in the air. “How are you? What did I miss?” 

“A stamp of approval from Scott,” Logan laughed when he said that. “And I’m fine.”

Y/N’s mouth dropped. “Wow, I was expecting everything but that. Wait ‘til he hears about my mother being a part of Trask Industries. He will hate my guts once again. If not more.” 

Logan’s eyes took in every detail of Y/N’s face. She had an amused smile on her face. Her eyes were shining with her natural colour. Her hair was all messy and tangled. And yet, she was the perfect thing he ever saw. Logan couldn’t believe he was able to kiss her that night. That dammed night when they were attacked. 

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Y/N noticed it. She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself for what was about to come. She could feel it in the air. It got thicker and heavier with lust and something beautiful. She didn’t have the time to whisper his name. Logan’s lips found hers in a feverish kiss. One hand grabbed her by the neck to pull her body as close to his as possible. He had to lean down to reach for her lips. 

Y/N’s left hand was feeling the hard abs on his abdomen. The other hand pressed against his cheek. She could feel the beard scratching the skin of her palm. How come he was so hot with that mutton chops beard? He could pull it off.

Logan broke the kiss. He sighed, annoyed. Y/N raised a brow. It was a silent question. She wanted to know why he stopped. “You’ll have a visitor in a few seconds.” 

“Ah,” she chuckled. Y/N found it amusing. Logan was visibly unhappy someone had to interrupt them again. On the other hand, she admired his advanced hearing. No one needed to know something was happening between them. It was too soon to show. The first thing they needed to do was to talk about it and define what this thing was between them.

As he stepped back, the door opened. Kitty walked in with Jerome by her side. Y/N’s eyes lit up when she saw him. “Hi, JJ!” A smile spread across her face. 

“He wanted to see you,” Kitty said when they approached the bed. “He heard us when we talked in the hallway. I hope that’s okay.”

“Of course it is,” Y/N nodded quickly. Her eyes trailed to Logan. He had his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at the child. Y/N wanted to laugh at him. It was funny he was jealous of a kid. When JJ sat on the bed next to her, she patted his head.

“Are you feeling okay?” JJ asked her. “I’ve heard what happened. Everyone knows what happened. You saved the school!” 

Y/N blinked a few times. She didn’t know what to say to that. “Yeah, she did,” Logan stepped in. “She got to warn us before the attackers came.”

“That’s badass,” Jerome said excitedly. “How did you know about it? Do you have a new mutation? My friends asked about you,” he kept talking fast. “You are like a celebrity among the students. You are a hero,” he explained. 

“Oh,” Y/N was not pleased with that information. She didn’t want to be a hero. “There are better heroes out there. Look at Professor Xavier or Storm, Kitty… they are the real heroes here. I just did what was necessary.”

“I wish I could see it,” JJ sighed, upset that he wasn’t there. Colossus took him and the children to a safe place before the soldiers marched in. 

“I’m glad you managed to get to a safe place with Colossus,” Y/N dishevelled his hair. 

“How are you feeling, Y/N?” Kitty used the silence to ask her. 

“Tired,” she gave her the same answer as she had said to Logan. “Thanks for bringing JJ here. At least I know he’s well,” and she pressed a gentle kiss on top of the boy’s head. He slowly became the little brother she never had.

When Kitty took Jerome away, Logan was relieved to be alone with Y/N again. This time, he sat next to her on the bed. His hand found the back of her neck. He started to massage it. Y/N’s eyes closed. She almost purred. A moan escaped her mouth. Logan’s eyes widened at that sound, and he grinned. “That was a pretty sound. You should make more.” 

She glared at him. “Dirty mind.” 

When he stopped, he leaned closer. “Let me take you back to your room,” he whispered. He kept breathing in Y/N’s scent.

“Again, dirty mind,” she chuckled. 

Logan pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. “You are the one with a dirty mind. I didn’t mean it like that, princess.” 

Y/N watched as he got closer, wanting to kiss her again. She pressed an index finger to his lips, stopping him. “I need to do one more thing before we leave,” she said, staring into his eyes. She reached for one of his hands and brushed her fingers against his knuckles. “Scratch me with your claws.” 

Logan raised his brows, pushing away a little. “What?” 

“Please, do it,” she begged. “I need you to scratch me with them. You’ll see why.” 

“No,” he shook his head and pulled away from her. His eyes focused on the floor, frowning. “I’m not going to hurt you.” 

Y/N rolled her eyes. “You will not hurt me, I promise you. I need to see something. Either you will scratch me with a claw, or I will find a knife and do it myself.” 

He growled like a wolf. When Logan clenched a fist, one of the claws slowly came out under his skin. He then turned his body to her. Y/N prepared her forearm. Before he could change his mind, Logan cut into her skin, making her bleed. A second later, the wound lit up like the colours of her forcefield and started closing in front of their eyes. 

“Shit,” she mumbled. “I didn’t know I could do that. That’s new.” 

“Damn,” Logan sighed. “That explains why we didn’t find any bullet wounds on your body. There was blood but no gashes. You can heal.” 

“I can heal,” she nodded. Y/N buried her face into her hands, sighing loudly. “Holy shit, I can heal. That might explain why I could remain alive all these years in the labs. I know it happened when they attacked us. I remember being shot. I remember the pain. When I looked a few seconds later, the wound wasn’t there. I just needed to be sure that it wasn’t a hallucination.” 

Logan grabbed one of her hands and pressed a soft kiss on top of it. It was a sweet, loving gesture. “Come on, princess. I’ll take you to your room.” 

“Aw, such a gentleman,” she patted his beard-covered cheek playfully. “I should get wounded more. You’ll treat me like a princess every second of my life,” she teased. 

“Very funny.”

They left the lowest level underground. Logan kept her close to him but didn’t touch her. They kept some distance between them in case someone decided to appear out of nowhere. He kept an eye on her in case she would show any sign of weakness. 

The atmosphere changed when they arrived at the main level. The students were walking around the hallways, chatting. None of them were holding books. It meant only one thing - it was already afternoon. 

One by one, they turned their attention to Logan and Y/N. When they found their teachers walking down the hallway, they stopped talking. The attention was now on them. Fingers were being pointed at them, as well as whispers spreading around. 

“That’s her,” someone said. 

“She saved the school.” 

“They protected us.” 

“She teaches English.” 

“I want to be as cool as them.” 

“Miss Y/L/N can make forcefields.”

All Y/N could hear in her mind was freak, weirdo, murderer. You killed her! You killed my baby!

Y/N closed her eyes and stopped walking. The attention was unpleasant. Logan noticed her face. His hand found Y/N’s lower back. It was a gentle gesture. He pressed his fingers lightly against her. Logan kept watching her face. He could see how her breath quickened. “You okay?” he asked. 

Y/N gave him one gentle nod. When she opened her eyes, they started to travel around the place. They captured every single child that was staring at her. Their looks were different. The thoughts that were screaming inside her mind eased. They were barely whispers. Before, she’d feel like the biggest weirdo on the entire planet. Now, the feeling was different. She didn’t want to run away from it. Y/N was aware that she and Logan protected the whole school. 

Y/N continued to walk through the crowd of students. She headed to the stairs with Logan close behind. No one asked a thing. No one wanted to talk to her. Y/N appreciated it all. 

“The kids look up to ya,” Logan said when they climbed all the stairs to the third floor. They stopped in front of Y/N’s room. “They always do when someone becomes a hero,” he made a face. 

“I’m no hero,” she shrugged. It made her feel uncomfortable. “I only did what was necessary.” 

Logan sighed. “You sure you’ll be fine?” 

She leaned against the closed door and smiled. “Yes, I will. Thank you, my knight in shining armour. I shall give you flowers for your bravery,” she bowed to him a little, laughing. 

“Text me if you need me, and I’ll come to you, princess,” he winked at her.

Y/N walked into her room. She closed the door, sighing. Logan left without a kiss. Why was she so upset about it? Rolling her eyes, Y/N walked to the bathroom. She needed to shower the last three unconscious days and a fight where she came face to face with her mother.

. . .

It was ten in the evening. The whole school was silent. The students were in their rooms, already asleep. During school days, they all had to be in their dorms before nine. 

Y/N was inside her room the whole time. After a long hot shower, she changed into fresh clothes. She then fell asleep on her bed for a few hours. Her body was tired. It called for a nap. Now, she was sitting on the bed, finishing a French braid. Y/N could smell the coconut shampoo on her body. Her mind kept wandering to Logan, her mother and back. 

How is it that when something nice was happening, a shit from the past had to appear at the exact moment? Shaking her head, she tied the end of the braid with a rubber band. 

There was a knock on the door. Before Y/N could open her mouth, the door slowly opened. Logan walked in, frowning. When he noticed her sitting on the bed, his face softened.

“What’s with the face?” she asked, grinning. 

He closed the door behind him and approached the bed. “I was worried, okay?” 

Y/N kneeled on the bed, laughing. “Aw, that is so sweet. The big bad Wolverine was worried about me.” Her eyes watched as he took a seat next to her. “I’m sorry for giving you wrinkles. I fell asleep after the shower.” 

Logan huffed, nodding. And then, in a mere second, Logan grabbed her into his arms. One held her by the waist while the other was behind her neck. Their lips connected in a sloppy, passionate kiss. At this point, Y/N wasn’t even surprised by his sudden action. All she could do was think about him - his lips, his touch. Their tongues pressed together, mouths sliding hungrily. They got lost in their passion. 

“I was worried about you,” said Logan when their lips disconnected. “I was going crazy watching you unconscious on that damn bed,” he admitted. “I’d be really pissed if something happened to you.”

Her finger gently stroked the bridge of his nose. “When I saw you with that collar, powerless, I knew I had to do anything to protect you. You became a simple mortal human being. It wasn’t nice to see you all wounded and defeated. I was worried that…”

Logan’s brows raised. “What?” he asked softly. 

“We wouldn’t be able to start whatever it is between us,” she looked away. 

Logan sat on the bed and brought her onto his lap. His hands held her by the hips, gripping them tightly. Y/N wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts to his chest. “Oh, princess,” he sighed, staring into her eyes. They travelled to her lips. “Good thing we survived. We can now continue where we left off.”

Y/N felt the thrill rushing through her body. However, her face heated up. Suddenly, she was shy. Logan saw it all. One of his hands rested on her cheeks. “Don’t go shy on me now, sweetheart,” he chuckled. 

Y/N playfully rolled her eyes. “Well, the last time I had something with a guy was over five years ago,” she made a face. 

“We don’t have to…”

“But I want to,” she stopped him by pressing a finger to his lips. “I want to, Logan. I-” Her eyes scanned his green ones. There was something on her lips she wanted to say. It was too soon to confess. Y/N knew what she felt for him, but she didn’t allow herself to say it out loud. After she swallowed the truthful words, she said, “I want you.” 

The air changed in the room. With a gentle touch, Logan traced the curves of her body, feeling the tremble of excitement beneath his fingertips. As their lips met in a tender kiss, they both felt the rush of passion surge through them, melting away any lingering doubts or inhibitions. 

The first pieces of clothing were gone in mere seconds. Logan took off Y/N’s T-shirt, showing her exposed chest to his eyes. He licked his lips as his eyes observed her beautiful breasts. When Y/N took off Logan’s white tank top, her nails lightly scratched his chest, enjoying the feeling of him under her fingertips. Slowly, they undressed each other, savouring the unveiling of skin, each moment building the intensity of their connection.

Y/N expected that, at some point, Logan would become rougher and impatient. She was surprised when he took his time and didn’t rush things. His touches were gentle and loving as if she were a fragile doll that would break under his touch. 

“You smell so good, princess,” he growled. His mouth wrapped around her hardened nipple and sucked on it. He was rewarded with a moan. He sucked on it, circled it with a tongue. When he let it with a pop, Logan looked at her, grinning. “Next time, I will fuck ya like the naughty girl I know you are.” 

“Logan,” she whispered his name. 

He continued to lavish attention on her breasts. His mouth moved from one nipple to the other, alternating between bites and licks that sent shivers down her spine. He loved how she responded to his attention – it only fueled his passion further. 

The moans kept escaping Y/N’s lips after every touch, every stroke and lick. The sound of her moans and gasps filled the air, making Logan’s dick throb painfully.

He grabbed her by the waist and laid her down on the bed. He positioned himself between her legs. “What a beautiful view,” he commented, eyeing her naked upper body. 

Her hands reached for the big belt he wore. Y/N unfastened it, unbuttoned the jeans and pulled down the zipper. She realised he wasn’t wearing any underwear. Y/N’s brows raised up, and she grinned at him. She was met with his semi-hard length begging to be taken out of the jeans.“You like going commando?” 

“I was in a hurry,” he said, grinning. 

Y/N took him out, stroking him slowly from tip to base. She felt him twitch under her touch. He had a nice dick - perfect length, veiny, and he trimmed his pubic hair around his penis and balls.  She heard him moan and curse under his nose. 

“Fuck, baby girl,” his eyes rolled into the back of his head when she squeezed him harder. He stopped her movements.  Logan took her hand off his throbbing member. He brought the hand to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles. “I want to be inside of you.” 

Logan took off his jeans while his eyes remained on Y/N’s movements. He followed her hands - how they reached for the hem of her shorts. She took off the fabric with panties, and she exposed her pussy for his eyes to see. “Fuck,” he growled. 

Once they were both naked, Logan positioned himself at the entrance of her wet pussy, looking down at her face with a mix of determination and desire burning in his eyes. He ran his thumb along her clit, making her squirm. 

One last kiss before he positioned himself at her entrance and slowly pushed in. He watched Y/N’s reaction carefully, seeing the way her face contorted into a mixture of pleasure and anticipation. “Shit,” he cursed. “So tight.” 

He started to move slowly, allowing their bodies to become one. Logan didn’t want to hurt her. His eyes were locked with hers with every move he made. He wanted to take his time, to savour every moment of being inside her, feeling her surround him completely.

“Fuck,” she gasped. “Faster, Logan. Please.” 

Hearing her pleas, Logan's feral instincts kicked in, and he responded by increasing the pace of his thrusts, driving into her tight pussy with forceful strokes. He watched her breasts bounce with every snap of his hips. “You are so fucking pretty like this,” he praised her. 

Another loud moan escaped Y/N’s lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed him closer to her body, pressing her lips against his in a feverish kiss. It was sloppy and dirty, all tongue and teeth. One of his hands sneaked between their bodies. His thumb found her clit, and he started to toy with it. 

Her walls clenched around his length. “Ah, fuck!” she gasped. “I’m so close.” 

“Good, baby girl,” he said hoarsely. “Don’t hold up and come for me, pretty girl.” 

He heard her cry out and felt her body tense as she approached climax. Logan increased the tempo of his movements even further, driving himself into her. He watched as Y/N reached her peak. Her eyes closed, walled gripped his cock tightly as waves of pleasure ran through her body. 

Logan’s release followed a few seconds later. At the last moment, he pulled out and spilt his seed over her lower belly, grunting. “Ah, fuck, fuck,” he cursed. 

Logan’s chest heaved with each laboured breath. The scent of sex and sweat filled the air around them as they lay there, spent and satisfied. Y/N turned her head to look at him. She watched as he breathed heavily. A smile appeared on her lips. 

“Damn,” she whispered. 

He turned his head, catching her eyes. Logan grinned at her. “That’s it?” he teased. 

“I am speechless. Isn’t that enough?” Y/N winked at him. She rolled to her side, snuggling her naked body to his. Her fingers absentmindedly started to stroke his chest, brushing through some of the hairs. 

Logan managed to capture her lips in a gentle kiss. “How are you feeling?” 

Her eyes locked with his. “Happy,” she replied simply. 

“How about one more round?” he suggested.

Y/N smacked his chest playfully. “Insatiable man.” 

He grabbed her hand and led it down his body to his hard length. Y/N wrapped her fingers around his cock. “What can I say. I can’t get enough of you.” 

She giggled. “Cheezy. Fine, one more round.” 

“This time, you will ride me, pretty girl.” 

[httpsserene]

𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐟𝟏 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥

𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝟴: 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 | 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

📖𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: if lando achieved a podium at silverstone, you promised you’d give him anything he wants. he thinks about it the whole race weekend, and when the two of you are celebrating his second-place finish, he tells you that he wants to take care of you. you’re disbelieving–he takes care of you every waking hour. lando, on the other hand, said that with his chest. and he’ll prove it to you. 📖𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 18+ only. explicit. not beta read. service top lando. shy/self-conscious!reader. mention of multiple orgasms. mention of vaginal sex. face-riding/sitting. lando is a munch & simp. 📖𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: 1k words. 📖𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:  lando norris x fem!black!reader 📖𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: drabble. 📖𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸: lotus flower bomb • wale ft. miguel

𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲: different type of smut? idk testing out the vibes with this one—yes, this man has one goal this fic and it’s all about you. which i guess is why it edges more into general worship? and not exclusively pussy worship. made myself mad writing this because no man like this exists, me thinks. have fun shawty mamas :)

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cross-posted on my ao3, htppsss

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lando pulls your body completely against his, chest to chest as you straddle his lap. he tenderly holds the nape of your neck, using his large hand to coax your head backwards. he leans forward to kiss you but pauses at the last second, and smiles at your body language. as soon as his hand gently tangled into your hair, your eyes fluttered shut and your lips pursed in anticipation for a kiss. instead of pressing your lips together like expected, lando kisses you softly on the forehead. you open your eyes halfway in question, and lando beats you to speaking.

“let me,” lando murmurs, his warm eyes gazing at you lovingly, “you said you’d give me anything i want—so, let me take it.”

he watches the astonished look in your eyes fade into a bashful avoidance of eye contact. he pets at your scalp gently, charmed at how you still shy away when you deem his devotion too intense. lando doesn’t understand why you don’t believe that he actually wants to take care of you, why he wants to love you thoroughly. his brain sings in satisfaction every time he makes you satisfied. you’re his soulmate; you’ve become each other’s rock, he’s not sure if he’d manage to withstand the extreme pressure of his life without you. so, of course when you offer yourself to him in exchange for his home race podium finish, he’s going to take advantage of that—and provide you with pleasure, solely. 

lando allows you to hide, but continues to press sweet kisses around your face. he drags his lips from your forehead, to your cheeks, to your brow bone, to your eyelids, to your nose, reveling in the heat that rises to your brown skin at his attention. he kisses you properly when he feels the tension coiled within your muscles dissipate. the slick sound of your lips meeting rings in the brit’s ears, and he moans into your mouth when he feels your manicured nails dig into his shoulders. lando captures your bottom lip between his teeth and nips teasingly; he wants your lips even plumper than they already are, he wants them to swell from his passionate onslaught. when his tongue sneaks past the seam of your lips as they part around a moan, his kisses deepen. his free hand cups your ass and drags you closer to him—there should be no space between your bodies. he’s become lost under the weight of his own kisses and swallows down every keening moan, whimper, and whine that you breathe into his mouth. he wouldn’t mind if this is as far as he took it tonight, sharing kisses like these quiets his urge to move along. you, however, care little for lando’s content; you begin to circle your hips down onto him in tight, almost unnoticeable grinds. he breaks the kiss to sigh shakily, and fulfills the question he knows you’re not going to vocalize.

“pretty girl,” lando hums at the sight of your already disheveled appearance, you look fucked out. “hmm, you want more, love? yeah, you do—c’mere and ride my face, pretty.” lando chuckles at the way you freeze at his request, and how you choke on your own breath. you’ve been bare on top of him the whole time and unconsciously started searching for more friction from his boxer-clad erection, and you clam up at the idea of grinding on his tongue—like he’s never eaten you out before.

lando doesn’t allow you any time to protest and shrugs off the shirt he’s wearing, tossing it to some random spot on the floor. he relaxes back, lying flat and rests both of his hands on your hips. he watches how your pupils blow, irises shrinking away at your arousal—he’s not going to interrupt you, and gives you ample time to bask in the sight of his toned torso. a handful of seconds pass before your eyes flick upwards to meet his own, and he sees how you automatically hide away from his stare. there’s no need to attempt to hide from him, he knows your intricacies forward and back. lando dismisses your behavior, and bodily lifts you to hover over his mouth. 

he pretends to miss your scandalized cry of his name at the sudden manhandling, and sucks marks into your inner thigh, slowly moving closer and closer to your core. lando presses a final kiss where your navel meets your cunt, and pauses to stare up at you, waiting for your permission. for the first time tonight, you hold eye-contact with him and softly whisper for him to continue, and lando smiles tenderly at the first hint of confidence that leaks into your tone.

building a strong neck is good for his day job, but lando especially appreciates his strengthened neck for this activity alone—he can feast on you without a single complaint concerning cramping or exhaustion. he messily brandishes his tongue through your lips, his moan of delight at your taste vibrating through your most sensitive area. his tongue forms tight circles and flicks against your clit, and he pauses randomly to slurp lewdly against your entrance to make sure he’s not missing any of your essence. lando whimpers depravedly when he feels your hips start to press down on his mouth, rocking against his tongue to direct him where you want—and his eyes flutter shut in pleasure. 

lando will make you come once like this and the resulting dopamine spike will cause your shyness to evaporate. you’ll start riding his face like he wants you to, leading to another orgasm. his goatee will be soaked with your arousal and lando will not care. then, he’ll make you cum once more from his fingers alone—you’ve always had a thing for his hands—and depending on how sensitive you are, lando might make you spray your release all over the fresh bed sheets. he’ll allow himself to fuck you slowly to another orgasm, that coasts over your body smoothly. and when he deems that he’s satisfied his desire of taking care of you, he’s going to paint your thighs white with his release. of course, his pleasure comes second to yours. he has the whole night to worship you, and he doesn’t see his devotion for you faltering any time soon.

taglist: @lorarri @soph1644 @jaydensluv @fanboyluvr @nissaimmortal @redgonerogue @hollie911 @saintwrld@buendiabebeta@butterfly-lover@lana-d3l-rey@dylan1721 @spicybagel14 @dhhdhsiavdhaj@miahgonzalez16@jjaekin @dkbj14 @f1lover55 @f1lov3r @mindless-rock@biancathecool@barnestatic@sweetpiccolo-blog@my-ylenia @zaynzierulez@reblog-princess-blog @lovingaphroditesworld @katekipshidze @darleneslane @inloveallthetime

© httpsserene 2023

[starryevermore]

i will go to secret gardens in my mind ✧ tamlin

angst city™ library | send in a request (consult request faqs first)

pairing: tamlin x archeron!fem!reader

summary: you have always been a wallflower, but to tamlin, you are the finest rose in the garden. 

word count: 7,676

warnings?: angst with a happy ending, unrequited feelings, pining, multi pov, plot twist perchance??, not proofread 

PART TWO

The Spring Court had been rebuilt. What would have been a joyous occasion under any other circumstances, for perhaps any other court, left your family scowling as they looked over the invitation that landed on Rhysand’s desk this morning. An invitation to all courts—to come to Spring and celebrate the burgeoning court. No one, it seemed, wanted to go. It was understandable, of course. After everything that Spring’s High Lord, Tamlin, had put Feyre through—had put your entire family through—it almost felt like walking into a trap. But call you naïve, or perhaps a tad too optimistic for your own good, but you wanted to believe that Tamlin might have truly turned over a new leaf. Sometimes, it took someone losing everything to learn the value of all that they hold dear. No one wanted to go, it seemed, except for you.

Well, and Lucien, but he often fought in Tamlin’s corner. “Tamlin is a far cry from what you remember him as,” he said. “What he did to Feyre was horrible, but he’s trying to make amends. Isn’t the point of the Night Court to offer second chances?”

“We don’t owe that worm a second chance,” Nesta snarled, her eyes narrowing at Lucien. 

“It might be good for Feyre to close this chapter of her life,” Lucien continued. 

Rhysand rolled his eyes. “Because you care so much about Feyre’s wellbeing. Remind me, what were you doing while she wasted away in that manor?”

“All I’m saying is, you should consider hearing him out. We all were troubled after Under the Mountain. His actions were, are, shameful, but that doesn’t mean he cannot regret what he did.”

You noticed the tension in Feyre’s shoulders and reached out, placing your hand on top of hers. “You don’t have to go. I just thought it might be fun. We haven’t just gone out in so long.”

Rhysand’s narrowed gaze turned on you. “Then we can go to Rita’s, or take a walk down the Sidra. Hell, I’m sure if we asked Tarquin, we could have a nice trip down to Summer if you’re wanting to go somewhere warm. We don’t have to go all the way to the damned Spring Court for fun.”

A sigh escaped your lips. You rose from your seat, turned to leave. “Forget I said anything.”

Feyre looked up at you. She said your name, standing to follow after you. “If you want to go—”

You waved her off. “It’s alright. I didn’t want to go that bad. I only thought it would be fun, but Rhys is right. We can do something else instead.”

She said your name again, but you ignored her. You understood why she of all people would be apprehensive of going to Spring. Trust and believe, you understood. Tamlin was hardly the most wonderful person in Prythian in your eyes. He let Feyre waste away, he sold you, Nesta, and Elain out to Hybern in a vain attempt to get Feyre back…At every turn, it seemed like he was dead set on humiliating her. But when it was all said and done, he still gave up a kernel of his power to bring back Rhysand. “Be happy, Feyre,” he’d said. It was nothing groundbreaking, it was not even close to an apology for all he’d done, but it seemed like a step in the right direction. 

As you retreated to your room, you didn’t have to look to know you were being followed. Ever since Elain had accepted the mating bond with Lucien, Azriel always trailed so close behind you, he was like a second shadow. When you reached your room, you left the door open, allowing him to slip inside. The door clicked shut behind him. 

You took a seat in the bay window, looking out over the city of Velaris. “Whatever you have to say, I don’t want to hear it.”

The cushion sank underneath Azriel’s weight. You moved over, avoiding your knees knocking into his. “I just want to know what’s going on in your mind.”

“Does it matter? Rhysand has made his decision clear.”

“Of course it matters. It matters to me.”

It should’ve tugged at your heartstrings to hear him say those words. But all you were reminded of was how Azriel pined after Elain for so long, and for Mor for centuries before that. You were all too aware that you were just the latest object of his affection. “I don’t know. I just…It feels like something is calling for me to go there. Something trying to tug me along until I finally cross over Spring’s border.”

When you spared Azriel a glance, you noted the way his jaw clenched and unclenched. “You should tell Rhys that. He might be more amenable.”

“Rhysand is hardly amenable to anything that isn’t already in his favor.” You shrugged. “It’s not as if I’m Elain, with some vision about why we need to go to Spring. I just…I don’t know. I have a feeling it’s somewhere I should be.”

Azriel looked you over. Perhaps he was trying to ascertain if you’ve lost your mind. And maybe you had. You could hardly explain the feeling, deep in your chest, that pulled you towards the Spring Court. The feeling only intensified when you learned of the invitation to come to Spring’s celebration. “I’ll talk to Rhys for you. He’s been wanting to forge alliances with the other courts. If he’s able to extend a hand to Spring, other courts might be willing to work with him.”

You shrugged again. “Do as you please.”

He reached for your hand. You allowed him to take it. At least you found a modicum of comfort in the gentle squeeze. Azriel’s mouth opened—to say what, you weren’t sure, for a knock sounded against your door. It opened shortly after, Feyre slipping inside. Her eyes fell to your joined hands. The corner of her mouth quirked upwards. You pulled away. One of his shadows trailed after you.

“We’re going to Spring,” she said, smiling. But it didn’t reach her eyes. 

You stood up, crossing the room in a few strides, then took Feyre’s hands. “We don’t have to if it’ll cause you pain. I don’t mean to dredge up those terrible memories.”

“I am High Lady. I can set aside those feelings for one night, if it might end in an alliance that will benefit my people. Besides, Lucien might be right. It might do me some good to speak with Tamlin under better circumstances.”

“Are you sure?”

She offered you a smile. “I’m sure.” She squeezed your hands. “You haven’t asked for much since you’ve come here. The least I can do is give you this.”

You shook your head. “No, Feyre, you’ve already gave up so much for our family—”

“Hush. If I didn’t want to do it, you know I wouldn’t.”

“Fine. But the second you’re uncomfortable, we all leave, okay?”

Feyre nodded. “Okay.”

Rhysand was certainly giving you the cold shoulder since Feyre insisted that you all go to the Spring Court, but you could hardly find it in yourself to care. Not when you finally got to trade in the darkness of Night for the blossoming life of Spring. You couldn’t wait to finally leave Night’s borders. You couldn’t quite remember the last time you had the opportunity to leave, save for the war with Hybern. Other than that, though, you had bounced between Rhysand’s many homes, going to whichever place made you least likely to pick a fight with the High Lord. These days, that was primarily the House of Wind, since he had given it to Cassian and Nesta. That, of course, left you with even fewer chances to go out. If you didn’t have an Illyrian to fly you down, you would have to brave the 10,000 stairs. And you were no Valkyrie—you were sure you wouldn’t even make it down a few dozen before throwing in the towel. Of course, you were certain that Azriel would be more than pleased to be at your beck and call. 

After all, he sat on your bed now, watching as you rifled through your dresses, trying to pick something out to wear. 

“You look beautiful in anything,” he said. “Why are you putting so much effort into this?” A hidden question was on the tip of his tongue—Were you trying to impress someone? Perhaps him?

“My mother always said, when you go outside, you look your best because you never know what will happen.”

Azriel stood up, crossing over to your wardrobe. A scarred hand wrapped around yours, stopping you from flicking through the dresses. His voice was husky as he asked, “And what do you think will happen?” 

Your face grew warm. Even if you knew that he was only pursuing you because you were an Archeron, for a male to be so close to you…Well, it was easy to get you flustered. Stuck between Nesta’s vivaciousness and Elain’s sweetness, it was easy for you to fade into the background. When your family was better off, everyone flocked to Elain. After your family became rich again, Elain garnered so many men’s attention. Even Feyre, when your family was its lowest, found herself with someone, if just for the pursuit of pleasure. But you…You were a wallflower through and through. 

“Anything. Nothing,” you said. 

Your breath stilled as Azriel pulled a dress from your wardrobe. It was a beautiful blue tulle dress. Silver stars littered its entire body. There was a tasteful slit up one side. Somewhere in your chest of drawers, you knew there was a matching pair of long, sheer gloves. You had gotten it for Starfall, but found yourself tucking it away in favor of a simpler gown. It, however, wasn’t lost on you that its color complemented Azriel’s cobalt siphons well. 

“You should wear this,” he said. “In case something does happen.”

You found yourself nodding. 

A soft smile crossed his face. It took everything in you to not look away, lest you give him the wrong idea. You may have been a wallflower, but you were not a demure female. “I’ll let you get ready then.”

You nodded again. 

Azriel placed the dress in your hands. You expected him to leave, but he lingered still. His hand grasped yours, pulling it up to meet his lips. He made eye contact with you the entire time, hazel eyes twinkling, before he pulled away. 

When he was finally gone, a sigh escaped your lips. A part of you, you recognized, should have been delighted at Azriel’s attention. He was an attractive male. He had so many qualities that you admired—protective, loyal, kind. But anytime you looked at him, you were reminded of his past history with females. How he pined after Mor for centuries. How he fixated on Elain. In both cases, each made it clear in their own ways that it would never go further. And here you were, certain that you were sending clear signals that you were uninterested, and yet…There he remained. Where was Rhysand, telling him to leave you be? Could you only be left alone if you had a mate?

Perhaps it would be easier, you mused as you changed into the dress, if this tug in your chest was for Azriel. That, by going to Spring, something would happen that would make the bond snap for him. At least if he was your mate, you could convince him to get a home of your own, far away from the busybodies occupying the Inner Circle. At least you would finally feel free enough to breathe on your own. 

You spared a glance in the mirror, satisfied with your hair and makeup, before leaving your room. It shouldn’t have surprised you to see Azriel waiting on the other side of the door, shadows swirling around him. His face brightened as he saw you. An arm was extended toward you. You took it. 

“Beautiful, just as I expected.” Azriel smiled at you. “Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

All eyes were on the Inner Circle as you entered the manor, but you were too busy looking at everything else. Spring was…Mother, it was more beautiful than anything you had ever seen before. Not even Elain’s gardens held a candle to the beauty housed here. It was difficult to imagine how a Court so ethereal could have been in ruins just months before. It was easier, though, to see how Feyre could fall in love with this land. 

It was even easier, you mused, to fall in love with Spring’s High Lord as he stepped into the Inner Circle’s path. It was the first time you really got a good look at him. When you were taken, you hadn’t dared look at your captors. And when you came out of the Cauldron, you cried so hard you couldn’t see. But the male before you now…Wow. 

“Welcome,” he said, extending a hand to Rhysand. As Rhysand shook it, he turned to Feyre. “Thank you all for coming. I cannot imagine it was an easy decision to make.”

Feyre tilted her head in your direction. “Thank Lucien and my sister. It was their convincing arguments that brought us here.”

Tamlin’s emerald eyes fell to you. Something in your chest tugged harder, but you couldn’t dwell on it as Azriel took a subtle step in front of you. A charming smile passed across the High Lord’s lips. “Well, thank you, too,” he said. “And if I may, I must offer the utmost apologies for everything that transpired the last time our paths crossed. There is no excuse for my actions.”

You tried not to flinch at the mention of the Cauldron. The memory of being submerged as a human, reemerging as a fae…How everything was so different, too intense. It was, perhaps, the darkest part of your life thus far. You prayed it was never so dark again. “It wasn’t all bad,” you found yourself saying. “At least now I can live a long life with my sisters.”

“That is a generous way to think about it,” Tamlin said. He took a step toward you, a hand outstretched. His eyes flicked to Azriel as a growl escaped the Spymaster. Still, he reached for your hand. When you slipped it into his, he lifted it toward his mouth, pressing a kiss to your knuckles. Something, something akin to joy, swirled inside of you. A tendril of a shadow pulled your hand from Tamlin’s. “Would you be so kind as to share a dance with me?”

“I—” The Inner Circle tensed around you, though you caught Lucien rolling his eyes at their antics. A dance didn’t seem so horrible, but you hated the way Feyre looked so uncomfortable at the prospect. You wished you were a daemati and could see what she was thinking. “Perhaps later. I should like to spend some time mingling.”

Tamlin seemed disappointed, but he still smiled as he said, “Of course. Have fun.”

He nodded at Feyre and Rhysand before disappearing into the crowd. 

“It was like he disappeared the moment he laid eyes on Y/N,” Mor remarked, plucking a glass from a passing waiter’s tray. 

“Don’t,” Feyre warned. She looked at you, her eyes wide with worry. “Don’t fall for his charms. Dance with him if you so wish. But…I don’t know how much I believed him to have changed.” 

“I won’t. I haven’t forgotten what he’s done to you. It will take more than charming smiles and offers for dances to win me over,” you said, turning away from her. Your heart clenched at her distrust. Well, perhaps it wasn’t distrust. To be here, to be in Spring again, must have been extraordinarily difficult for her. But you were her sister. You knew her struggles, her pain, better than most. You weren’t going to throw all that away because Tamlin was kind to you. You weren’t that sort of female. 

A scarred hand caught your wrist before you could slip away into the crowd, perhaps find a nice corner to hide in and people watch. “Would you? Like to dance?” Azriel asked. 

“I see Kallias and Viviane. I would like to say hello.”

You could feel the Inner Circle’s eyes on you as you disappeared into the throng of fae. Though you were no daemati, you could practically hear their collective thoughts: You would be better off with Azriel. But what did they know about you?

Coming here was a mistake. You’d decided so hours ago as you could see various members of the Inner Circle keeping tabs on you from the corner of your eye. Despite hardly making a move from the corner you resided in, save for trips to the refreshment table or conversations with the few friends you had made from other courts, they still hovered. You wondered if it was under Rhysand’s orders, or perhaps Feyre’s. To make sure you didn’t slip away to dance with Tamlin, become the next pretty thing trapped in his gilded cage. 

You sucked your tongue against your teeth as you watched Azriel approach you from across the room, Nesta and Cassian slipping off onto the dance floor. The changing of the guards. Your eyes rolled. Of everyone, Azriel’s presence was the worst. While the others would linger, he would stay by your side, trying to coax conversations out of you or pull you over for a dance. It might have been sweet if you weren’t all too aware that it was a vain effort to keep you from Tamlin. And unlike the others, who would have been merely following orders from the High Lady and Lord, Azriel had his own ulterior motives. 

When you lost sight of Azriel, dancing couples blocking each other’s view of the other, you took the opportunity to slide out a nearby door and into the hall. They would be furious to learn you left—especially when it was because of you that they were even here. But you couldn’t handle the hovering any longer. 

The music from the ballroom soon faded into the background as you walked down the hall, searching for some sanctuary. There were groups of fae lingering around the hallway, but none paid you any mind. It was refreshing, if you were being honest. They had no idea who you were, who your sisters were, of what they had done to save Prythian (or doom this court). You smiled at one couple, wrapped up in each other’s arms, blissfully unaware of all that happened around them. 

You spied an open door and slipped inside. It was far smaller than the ballroom, but still grand. Paintings hung along the walls—a few you recognized to be in Feyre’s style. The thing that caught your eye, though, was the handsome piano in the middle of the room. A smile tugged at your lips. It had been so long since you’d had a chance to play. During your family’s dark years, you of course didn’t have access to any instruments, much less one so expensive. When you arrived in Velaris, straight out of the Cauldron, you had clung to the instrument, letting all of your pain flow out of you until there was nothing left. These days, though, you had strayed away.

You took a seat at the bench and ran your fingers along the ivory keys. You tested a few notes to see if it was still in key, but you didn’t make it very far. 

“Do you play?”

Tamlin stood in the doorframe, watching you curiously. Panic settled in your chest. If the Inner Circle, if Feyre, found out that you were alone with Spring’s High Lord, you knew they would be less than pleased. But that tug in your chest—it pulled harder than it ever had before, and that brought you an odd sort of comfort. 

“Yes.”

“May I hear you play something?”

You eyed him, trying to ascertain if this was some trick. As much as you wanted to believe your family was being overdramatic, you did wonder if they knew something you didn’t. When you sensed no ill motives, you gave a nod. 

As you pressed down on the keys, it felt like everything melted away around you. There was no inter-court politics to be wary of. No Shadowsingers following close on your heels. No sisters whose heart would surely break if she knew you were letting him in. Just you and the music that flowed out. 

“That was beautiful,” he said as the final note rang through the room. He took a few steps closer to you. Tamlin extended a hand. “I wish, though, that I could still hear it while we danced. If you would like to, that is.”

You stared at his outstretched hand. 

“Just say the word if you don’t wish to. I know you didn’t dance out there, but I thought, perhaps, without all those eagle eyes watching you—”

You took his hand. “I’m not the best dancer.”

“That’s alright. Neither am I.”

Tamlin was a right liar, he was. As he spun you around the room, you clumsily just missing his feet, you knew he was a liar. But the awkward dance made you laugh, harder than you had in a long time. The tug in your chest pulled more than it ever had before. 

“If this is you at your worst, I would hate to see how skilled you would be after a few lessons,” you teased. 

“We could take lessons together,” Tamlin suggested. The thought made your smile grow, though you weren’t entirely sure why. “Maybe after tonight, your High Lord will let you visit more often.”

“Perhaps—” you began to say. 

“That will never happen.”

Shadows swirled around you, tugging you out of Tamlin’s arms. You gasped, a chill running down your spine. Large wings kept Tamlin out of your view. When you tried to look around Azriel, his hands came to rest on your hips, holding you in place. 

“Did he do something to you?” Azriel asked. 

“What? No!”

“You just disappeared. Everyone’s in a panic. Feyre looked ready to kill, Nesta ready to hide the body. We didn’t know what happened to you. We didn’t know if you were hurt or—” He glanced over his shoulder, eyes narrowing at Tamlin. “—or worse.”

“I’m fine! I’m not some damsel in distress—”

“Of course not. But you have to understand—”

“No! You have to understand that you are not my knight in shining armor, Azriel! I am not so stupid to just waltz headfirst into danger. If I ever found myself in such a position, I would have screamed or called out for Rhysand and prayed he was listening. I do not need saving, especially not—” You caught Tamlin’s eye over Azriel’s shoulder. Something snapped into place, a golden thread tying you to him. “—especially not with my mate.”

Azriel’s eyes flashed. Hurt, maybe? Or anger? “He can’t be—”

“He is. He is the reason I felt the calling to come to Spring, Az. He’s my mate, and you have to respect that.”

Behind you, you heard a flurry of footsteps as the room quickly filled. Your eyes squeezed shut. Fuck. Was it not enough to have to deal with Azriel? Did everyone else have to come, too? 

Feyre’s voice rang through the room. “Y/N, come here, please.”

“I should be allowed to make the choice to come, shouldn’t I? Isn’t that what the Night Court is all about?” You looked at her, a solitary tear dropping down your face. “What? Are choices not allowed when it goes against your wishes?”

“Please,” she repeated, her hand reaching out for you. 

Tamlin stepped around Azriel, stood by your side. “I would not hurt her, Feyre. I have given you every reason to distrust me, to hate me, but I wouldn’t do anything to her.”

Feyre closed the distance between the two of you, Rhysand hot on her heels. She snarled at Tamlin, “I have every reason to not believe a word that comes out of your mouth.”

“I understand—”

Her finger jabbed at his chest. “Don’t. Don’t you dare give me any honeyed words or false promises about how Y/N—my sister—being your mate changes things. A skunk still stinks even when it hasn’t sprayed.”

“Feyre, please, can’t we just talk this through—” you tried. This was going horribly wrong. You hadn’t imagined any of this would happen just by following the tugging in your chest. A mate, you might have suspected. But all of this—

Her head snapped toward you. Her eyes glazed over as Rhysand spoke into her mind. When they cleared, she spoke with the authority of a High Lady but with none of the love of a sister.“You said we could leave if I became uncomfortable. I would like to leave,” Feyre said. “Rhys, please, get her out of here.”

Rhysand’s hands were on you, winnowing you away, before you could even dare to make your protests. But you didn’t miss the pain in Tamlin’s beautiful emerald eyes. 

Feyre had made a terrible mistake. Since that horrible, awful ball, you were moved into the River House so she and Rhys could keep an eye on you. While you might not have been able to leave the House of Wind without an Illyrian to fly you down or otherwise brave the 10,000 steps, that didn’t mean that you wouldn’t try to go. At least here, they could make sure you remained in place. Anyone who wished to see you, save for Spring’s Cauldron damned High Lord, could. They just needed to make are that something horrible wouldn’t happen. 

But you hadn’t left your room in weeks. They would send food up to you, but would find only small bites taken out of it when they came for the next meal. You had said scarcely a single word. The only time you would move from your bed was to take a bath, where you would sit for hours still. Once, Feyre had gone to check on you, to make sure that you hadn’t hurt yourself, and found you staring at the bubbled water, unblinking. You hadn’t even realized she was there.

The only person you seemed to respond to was Azriel. He would go to your room, crawl in your bed, and play with your hair. Sometimes, Feyre would linger in the doorway, watching you and him. Azriel would talk to you, try and convince you to leave your room. You would only cry.

And now, Feyre paced the length of Rhys’s office, chewing on the corner of a fingernail. Rhys sat at his desk, his face leaned against his palm. 

“I don’t know what to do,” she said. “I don’t know how to make this better. She, she’s wasting away in there.”

Rhys let out a sigh. “There is an obvious solution to the problem, though not the preferred one.”

Feyre spun on her heel, narrowing her eyes at her mate. “You know perfectly well that I can’t just let her be with Tamlin. It would be safer sending her into a viper’s den.”

He rose and crossed the room, took her hands in his own. “You don’t mean that. You and Tamlin were not right for each other, especially after everything that happened Under the Mountain. You no longer wanted the same things as him. Was his actions wrongful? Of course. He could have tried to help you, but you also pushed him away. It was doomed from the start.”

“And I should let her go into a doomed relationship with him?” Feyre poked her finger at Rhys’s chest. “She is too good for that. She deserves a better mate.”

“I agree. But the Mother found reason to bind their souls together. You once thought I was something straight out of a nightmare, but look how far we’ve come.”

“I recall you hating Tamlin for everything he did to me.”

“And I do. I still do.” A sigh escaped Rhys’s lips. “But I also look at Y/N and remember having to leave you behind in Spring. I remember collapsing in Mor’s arms, begging for just a chance with you. I was a shell of myself then. I worry that if we keep them apart, we’ll lose her either way.”

Feyre turned away. She looked toward the door. For a flicker of a moment, she wished she could go back to that horrible cottage, when she was still a human. Even if survival was a struggle at best, she didn’t have to worry about your sweet soul being taken advantage of. 

“Send a letter to Tamlin,” she finally said. “Tell him he is welcome to come here. If Y/N so wishes to leave with him, she may. But make clear, if a single hair on her head is harmed, if we receive a single word that she is being treated as anything less than what she deserves, it will constitute an act of war.” 

Tamlin stared up at the River House. He had moved faster than he had ever moved before when the invitation to come to the Night Court was extended. So fast, he realized with a glance at his feet, he forgot to put on shoes before winnowing away. He hoped you wouldn’t mind. Ever since Rhysand had winnowed you out from under his nose, he had been a mess. If Tamlin thought losing Feyre was him at his lowest, it paled in comparison to losing you. Worse yet, he had the previous experience to know he couldn’t give into his desperate impulses and expect everything to go smoothly. No, he had to tread carefully. 

Still, he found himself sending you letters over the last few weeks. Tamlin never received a response, but he never expected one. He wasn’t sure how well you were being surveilled, if the Inner Circle were taking active steps to keep you from contacting him. But he hoped his words brought you some modicum of comfort. 

The door swung open before he had a chance to knock. Rhysand looked him over. “You didn’t have time to at least make yourself presentable?”

“I thought if I took too much time, the invitation would be rescinded.”

Rhysand’s brow raised. “I wasn’t aware you could have such intelligent thoughts. You know, since you had sided with Hybern so readily in the beginning.”

Tamlin bit back a snarl. It would not end well to pick a fight with Night’s High Lord. He knew good and well he was out-powered, and he was sure that Feyre’s threat should also extend to any threat her own mate faced. Instead, he said as diplomatically as he could manage, “It was a terrible mistake, but one I would make again if it would give me a chance to live a long life with my mate, should she so have me.”

Feyre appeared, pushing Rhysand out of the doorway. She, too, scrutinized his appearance, nose wrinkling at the sight of him, but at least had the courtesy to say nothing about it. “You came quickly.”

Somewhere in the distance, Tamlin could hear Cassian chortle and mutter something about “that’s what she said.” 

“I did not know how long this invitation of hospitality might remain open.” Tamlin searched Feyre’s eyes, searching for a sign of your wellbeing. “Is she alright?”

Tamlin watched as Feyre swallowed, her hands subtly shaking. She had always cared deeply about her sisters, perhaps you more than Nesta or Elain. Where Nesta could hold her own and Elain was sweet enough to charm any potential suitor, she worried that you were too quiet for your own good. Too willing to slip into the shadows and be forgotten. 

“She has hardly eaten since that night. We…We have fixed dinner. We thought she might be more amenable if you brought a plate to her room?”

“Of course, of course,” Tamlin said. Feyre moved out of the threshold, motioning for him to step inside. He did. “Has she…?”

“She hasn’t said a word. She just sits and stares. I thought females were able to suppress the bond. I don’t understand why she is so afflicted.”

Tamlin suppressed an eye roll. He had to play nice, at least until he could see you again. Until he could find out if you wished to be his mate. “You took her choice away, Feyre,” he bit out, weighing his words carefully. “Anyone would be heartbroken by such a betrayal. Wouldn’t you agree?” 

Rhysand snarled, but Tamlin ignored him. He maintained eye contract with Feyre until she looked away, gesturing to the dining room. “Take a plate to her room. Just up the stairs, third door on the right.”

He gave a curt nod and did as directed. Every step weighed him down. Tamlin was grateful, at least, for the plate in his hand, to distract him from the sinking feeling in his chest. Neither you nor him had closed off the bond. Tamlin felt every bit of your anguish and he had done everything he could to send comfort down the bond. Every day, he prayed to the Mother that it helped you. Now, as he stood on the other side of your door, he wasn’t sure it did.

The door was ever so slightly ajar. Tamlin pushed it open. The sight nearly made him fall to his knees. You were laying in bed, back to him, staring out the large window overlooking the gardens. If it wasn’t for a subtle rise and fall of your chest, he might have thought you dead. Tamlin stepped inside, walking around your bed, until he faced you. He set the plate on your nightstand and knelt in front of you. 

“Have my dreams begun to torment me, too?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. 

“No,” Tamlin whispered back. He reached out, cupping your face in his hand. His thumb run over the swell of your cheek. “I am here. I am real. Feyre allowed me to come.”

“I cannot even trust my subconscious now,” you said. You rolled over onto your back and stared up at the ceiling. Your comforter moved with you, revealing the papers you kept clutched against your chest. Your eyes fell shut. 

Tamlin sat on the edge of your bed. He reached over and brushed your hair from your face. “Open your eyes, please. I am here. Feyre had Rhysand send me a letter, inviting me here. I can show you if you like?”

An eye opened. “I doubt you could. Everyone knows that written word in dreams hardly makes sense.”

He pulled the letter tucked away in his pocket. Carefully unfolding it, he pressed it into your hands. Your other eye opened. Slowly, you sat up, dropping the other letters—his letters—from your grip. Your eyes scanned over the page, once, twice, three times. Slowly, you looked up, as if seeing him for the first time. 

“You’re here?”

“I am.”

“Feyre allowed it?”

“She did.”

Your hand moved to your mouth. You chewed on your thumbnail. “She would hate me if I left.”

“She would not. And, even if she did, that is her burden to bear. Feyre cannot keep you sheltered here anymore than I could her.” Tamlin grabbed the plate and held it out to you. “Could you eat first, before we talk about this? Please?”

You stared at the plate for a long, silent more. Tamlin nearly thought you hadn’t heard him. He was ready to ask again, the words on the tip of his tongue, when you looked up at him. “Could we go to the gardens to eat?” 

“Of course.” 

Tamlin extended a hand to you. You slipped yours into his grasp. Joy soured through him. He bit back his smile as he helped you to your feet. His hands were quick to move to your waist, steadying you as you swayed. How long had you been laying there, in that bed? Had you even left it? A part of him, a territorial part he worked hard to keep at bay, had half a mind to scold Feyre for waiting this long. He, of course, would be a hypocrite if he did. But you also deserved someone in your corner. 

Slowly, the two of you moved out of your room and down the stairs. At the creak in the wooden steps, all conversation in the dining room ceased. There was a scrape of a chair. Feyre appeared in the doorway as you reached the bottom step. You didn’t make eye contact with your sister as you turned for the exit. 

“Y/N wished to eat in the gardens,” Tamlin said and followed after you. He did not wait for Feyre’s response. 

You stared at Tamlin, chewing on the bread that Elain had made. He made no protest when you plopped yourself on the dirt path. He only sat across from you and watched as you slowly ate your food. It nearly made you sick, if you were honest. You hadn’t experienced this level of hunger since you were human. You remembered when Feyre would bring food home, how you would have to eat slowly so you wouldn’t vomit it all up. There was something about such extreme hunger that it almost felt like food couldn’t save you from the gnawing pain. 

“I still do not quite believe you’re really here,” you said. 

“I can promise you, I am.” Tamlin reached for your hand, and you allowed him to take it. His thumb stroked over your knuckles. “I have missed you. If I wasn’t concerned that an unprompted arrival would have waged a war no court could surely handle, I would have come sooner.”

“It was not right what they did…” You trailed off. 

Tamlin’s emerald green eyes twinkled with curiosity. “But?” he prompted. 

“I am not sure I can find it in my heart to leave them,” you said. His face dropped. His hand started to pull away, but you tightened your grip. “Feyre and Nesta are still here. While Feyre may have given the order to take me away, she is my sister. She sacrificed so much for our family. I feel like I would be throwing it all back in her face to go to Spring with you. At least when Elain left, she was going with Lucien to Day. People she could trust, you know. I worry that if I leave with you, she would never see me again.”

He straightened. “I would never keep you from your sister. Any of them. I have done little to prove such, but I have learned from my mistakes with Feyre. I have grown, am still growing, from them.”

“Not because of you,” you corrected. “You know how she feels about you. Even if I extend an invitation to her, she still may never come. And she may never extend one back. I could never forgive myself if I damaged our relationship so.”

Tamlin’s eyes searched yours. For what, you couldn’t be certain. 

“If she does so, she would be the one to damage the relationship. I have hurt her greatly, I understand. But, if she chooses to plant herself between you and I, that is her choice to make and her consequences to bear.” He reached over, cradling your face in his hand. “You are a grown female. If this is a mistake of its own, then it is your mistake to make. She cannot keep you here any better than I tried to keep her in Spring.”

You looked away. You pushed the plate away and began to rise. Tamlin followed after you. As you began to walk down the path, he trailed after you. He kept a distance between you, far enough that he wasn’t on your heels but close enough that he could be at your side in a few long strides. 

In your heart, you knew he was right. But you couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal, no matter how hard you tried. After everything Feyre has done, after all she has suffered, staying with her was the least you could do. Yet, why would you sacrifice your happiness for hers when she was so quick to rip it from you without even listening to what you had to say? You could not yet forget  the cold look in her eyes as she ordered Rhysand to winnow you away. She was not your sister then. She was anything but. 

“Come to Spring,” Tamlin said from behind you. You paused in your step. You did not turn, but you listened. “It does not have to be permanent. Come to Spring, see if this is worth it. If you decide that it is not, then I will not stop you from returning here. I will respect whatever choice you make, but I would appreciate it if you could give us a fair shot. That is all I ask of you, I swear it.”

You turned. You looked past Tamlin at the River House. You were certain that Feyre and Rhysand were trying to listen in on the conversation. You were sure they were waiting for your answer. But, you couldn’t find it in yourself to care what they thought. After all, they hadn’t cared to ask if you even wanted Tamlin as a mate. 

“One chance,” you said. “One chance, and if I decide to that I would rather a relationship with Feyre, you must not follow.”

“I promise, whatever you decide in the end, I shall respect it.”

Feyre watched as you gripped Tamlin’s arm, an apologetic smile on your lips. She had a million things she wished to say to you—a hundred warnings, a few hundred thousand promises to have her door open to you if you ever want to come back, and an acceptance to the offer to visit Spring in a month’s time. Instead of saying any of those things, she mouthed a goodbye while Tamlin winnowed you away. 

Rhys’s hand fell to her shoulders, steadying her as she swayed on her feet. Somewhere in the distance, she could see Nesta and Cassian hovering. Elain and Lucien busied themselves with clearing the dishes. 

“She’ll be alright,” Rhys said. “He is not so stupid as to make the same mistakes again.”

Feyre hummed. “Is this where you say it's different with mates?”

Rhys rolled his eyes. “I’ve seen too many awful mated couples to say that with any ounce of sincerity. But, I will say, he does seem different with her.”

“And if he isn’t,” Nesta said, stepping toward her, “he will pay tenfold for any pain he causes her.”

Feyre nearly laughed as she watched Cassian nod enthusiastically to Nesta’s threat as he bounced Nyx on his hip. She could only hope that you knew how protected you were—that you had the entirety of the Night Court to support you should trouble ever make its way to you. But any laughter she had, any words she wanted to say, died in her throat as shadows flooded the River House. 

Azriel. 

Shit. Rhys had sent him off on a mission a few days prior. Azriel had been reluctant to go—one of the few times she was certain that Azriel would fight her mate to the death on an issue. But it was Feyre’s promise to keep you safe in the River House that gave him leave to go. She had forgotten that when she had the letter sent to Tamlin, when she bid you goodbye. You were gone now and, worse, you hadn’t said goodbye to him. 

“Where. Is. She.”

Feyre turned, looking at Azriel’s towering form darkening the doorway. His wings were flared out behind him, beating furiously as his shadows continued to search the home for any sign of you.

“She has gone to Spring, with Tamlin.”

Azriel growled. His nostrils flared. The shadows began to swirl around Feyre. Rhys took a step in front of her, ready to block any attack sent her way. Would Azriel attack her? Why would he be so upset about not being able to say goodbye to you? She knew he pined after you, but she thought it was like Mor and Elain. Something one-sided. Had she missed something? 

“It was her choice, brother,” Rhys said. “We are welcome to visit her whenever we so please. If you would like, we can go now, just so you may have a chance to talk to her.”

“If I go to Spring, I’m bringing her straight here. This is where she belongs. Not with that swine of a High Lord.”

“She has every right to choose to be with her mate—”

“No!” Azriel snapped. “I am her mate!”

It felt like time froze. Everyone stared at the Shadowsinger. Even Elain and Lucien came out from the kitchen, concern about his antics. Feyre blinked. No, that couldn’t be. Tamlin was your mate. You had felt the bond with him, and he you. 

“Triads are a thing of legend,” Rhys said slowly. “They haven’t existed in millennia…Cauldron, no one has ever been sure they were ever truly real. You aren’t suggesting…”

“All I know is that the bond snapped when I found her crying after Nyx’s birth, so certain she’d lose her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew in one fell swoop that all three of you surviving overwhelmed her. It snapped as I held her, trying to reassure her that all was right. That no one would hurt her or her family.” Azriel took a step toward them, glowering. “You have sent my mate into a lion’s den. Lesser males have killed for lesser slights.”

“Azriel, I’m sorry. I didn’t know—” Feyre tried. 

But he was already gone—wings rustling against the wind as he flew away. To where, she couldn’t say for certain. 

PART TWO

[reaper2187]

Ningguang x female reader

In the bustling harbor of Liyue, where the aroma of spices mingled with the scent of the sea, Ningguang stood at the highest point of the Jade Chamber, gazing out at the horizon. Her elegant figure was silhouetted against the setting sun, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Liyue's prosperity and safety. Yet, amidst the responsibilities and concerns, there was one thought that lingered more persistently than the rest: Y/N.

Y/N, a traveler who had captured the heart of the Tianquan herself. Intelligent, courageous, and kind, Y/N had become an integral part of Ningguang's life, both personally and in her work to maintain Liyue's stability. The two had met during one of Y/N's adventures, and what had started as a chance encounter blossomed into a profound connection.

Ningguang sighed softly, her usually stern and composed expression softening as she thought of Y/N. She turned away from the window, her robes rustling as she made her way to the chamber's grand staircase. As if on cue, a gentle knock echoed through the chamber.

"Come in," Ningguang called, her voice steady and welcoming.

The grand doors swung open to reveal Y/N, her eyes lighting up as they met Ningguang's. She stepped inside, the flickering candlelight casting a warm glow on her features.

"Ningguang," Y/N greeted, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

Ningguang's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "Y/N. It's always a pleasure to see you. Come, sit with me."

They walked together to a plush seating area adorned with luxurious cushions and a low table set with fine tea. Ningguang poured a cup for Y/N, her movements graceful and practiced.

"How was your day?" Ningguang asked, handing the cup to Y/N.

Y/N took a sip, savoring the rich flavor before responding. "Busy, but fulfilling. I helped some merchants resolve a dispute at the market and assisted the Adventurers' Guild with a particularly troublesome commission."

Ningguang nodded, her eyes never leaving Y/N's face. "You always manage to bring order wherever you go. It's one of the many things I admire about you."

Y/N blushed at the compliment, her heart swelling with affection. "Thank you, Ningguang. That means a lot coming from you."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. Ningguang reached out, her hand gently covering Y/N's.

"Y/N," she began, her voice softer now, "I've been thinking a lot about us lately. About what you mean to me."

Y/N's breath caught in her throat. She looked into Ningguang's eyes, seeing a rare vulnerability there. "Ningguang… I feel the same way. You've become so important to me. More than I ever imagined possible."

Ningguang's grip tightened slightly, her thumb brushing over Y/N's knuckles. "I want you to know that whatever happens, you have a place here. With me. In the Jade Chamber, in Liyue… in my heart."

Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes as she leaned in, her forehead resting against Ningguang's. "And you have a place in mine. Always."

Ningguang closed her eyes, savoring the closeness, the intimacy of the moment. "I've always been cautious with my heart, Y/N. But with you, it feels right. It feels like home."

Y/N smiled through her tears, her free hand coming up to caress Ningguang's cheek. "You've given me a home too, Ningguang. In more ways than one."

They stayed like that for a while, basking in each other's presence, the world outside forgotten. Eventually, they pulled apart, though their hands remained intertwined.

"Stay with me tonight," Ningguang whispered, her eyes pleading. "Let's forget about the rest of the world, just for a while."

Y/N nodded, her heart pounding with love and anticipation. "I'd love nothing more."

They spent the evening together, sharing stories and laughter, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment. As the night deepened, they found solace in each other's arms, the weight of their responsibilities and the world's demands fading away.

In the quiet intimacy of the Jade Chamber, surrounded by the soft glow of lanterns and the gentle hum of the night, Ningguang and Y/N found a sanctuary in each other. Their love, forged in the fires of adventure and adversity, was a beacon of hope and joy, a testament to the power of connection in a world that often seemed overwhelming.

As they drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's embrace, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. For in each other, they had found not just a partner, but a kindred spirit, a love that transcended the ordinary and touched the very essence of their souls.

And so, under the watchful gaze of the stars and the serene calm of the Jade Chamber, Ningguang and Y/N dreamed of a future filled with love, adventure, and the unbreakable bond they had forged.

[geekynerfherder]

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Paul Rader.

[usindistress]

THE BIG ASS LIST OF CONSERVATIVE SEXUAL VIOLENCE

NAME, POSITION, CRIME Aaron Bruns , Fox News , Possession of CP Alan David Berlin , Congressional Aide , 15 YO Boy Andrew Buhr , Committeeman , 13 YO Boy Armando Tebano , County Council , 14 YO Girl Audrey Grabarkiewicz , SBC Preschool Teacher , Sex parties for Middle Schoolers Bernard Preynat , Catholic Priest , Molestation Beverly Russell , Conservative Activist , Step-Daughter Bill O'Reilly , Fox News , Sexual Harassment Bob Packwood , Senator , Sexual Harassment Bobby Stumbo , Party Leadership , 5 YO Boy Brent Parker , State Legislator , Solicitation (Male) Brent Schepp , County Candidate , 14 YO Girl Carey Lee Cramer , Campaign Consultant , 9 YO Step-Daughter Charles Fishburne Rhodes IIII , SBC Teacher & Coach , Soliciting 12 YO Girl Craig J. Spence , Lobbyist , Solicitation (Male) Cristián Precht Bañados , Catholic Priest , Molestation Dan Crane , Congressman , Teenage Girl David Swartz , County Commissioner , 11 YO Girls David Vitter , Congressman , Solicitation (Female) Dennis Fred Rutledge , SBC Minister , Child under 11 Dennis L. Rader , Zoning Supervisor , 11 YO Girl + Murder Don Sherwood , Congressman , Domestic Abuse Donald Chrisler Batson , SBC Minister , 2 Underage Girls

[tarjapearce]

Quite The Unexpected (Pt. 14)

WARNING: MENTIONS OF NIGHTMARES, PRIVACY INVASION, JORDI, EMOTIONAL DISCOMFORT, MILD FLUFF, MILD SEXUAL TENSION.

You had just returned from your half shift and he was on his room, resting. Then half hour later Aiden had awakened and you started the transfusion process.

"Ready?"

He nodded softly as you introduced the needle in his vein to start the transfusion, earning a small hiss as the metallic and sharp needle penetrated his tissue and vein.

You smiled in contempt at his words and prepared the blood bag and the IVs.

"How do you feel?"

"Well rested."

"That's good to hear. You do look better, even your skin tone has improved a lot."

The new blood began to join and he closed his eyes, as if boring of the process.

"I'll go make dinner."

He just nodded as you left.

Aiden had spent mostly of his time sleeping and taking in pills you left for the recovery process. His overall mood seemed to improve, which also worked for you. It was soon a harmonious routine. You both woke up, each took a shower, changed, you left his meals and meds prepared, and you went to work. He kept resting, took pills and rested some more until you came.

His body felt marvelous the more he listened to it. Aiden was sure his recovery was slow, but effective.

Nostrils were filled by a delicious aroma, and his stomach grumbled in protest. You now had gotten him used to eat three times a day, which has surely gained him a bit more of gut. But if he came to think, when was the last time he actually felt this good and healthy?

His phone remained silent mostly of the day, T-Bone called to give him some more information about Antoyev, and then Jordi to report that he had executed one of the politicians after he took a bit of his, 'free time' to expose them. Media exploded with the information.

He heard the soft whirring of the laundry machine being turned on, and then put to work. Then, there was some more tinkering of pots and pans, to finally hear some vacuuming and then, you taking a bath. The white noise sent him straight to sleep once more.

It wasn't until your quiet footsteps woke him up, as you checked for the nearly empty blood bag. How long had it been? Minutes? Hours? His eyes darted towards the hour on the phone and to his surprise, almost two hours had passed.

He mumbled in between yawns. Sleeping felt good. Too good, but The Fox had rested enough through the day.

"Let me know if a couple of hours later you feel feverish or with a rash."

"Alright."

"How was your day?" His lips voiced as you sat on the edge of the bed, with a messy bun on top of your head and comfortable clothes instead of your uniform. His lips curving at your direction. 

"Hectic, but alright. We had a lot to do today, some new patients arrived, and I stitched up some more people."

You stretched and yawned.

"Man, I feel so stiff and tired. Probably slept in the wrong position"

He chuckled and looked up at the blood bag, it was an inch away to finish up the transfusion.

Your eyes met his, and then you looked away, unsure if it was alright to ask.

"Why does it take so long?"

"Well, we don't want the blood to be unsafe or contaminated. So, we make sure to have it running at a very specifical speed. Uhm... have you..."

You nodded and looked at the bag, a couple of more minutes and you could go to eat.

"Hm?"

"Have you eh... been having nightmares?"

"Not really. I spend most of my day sleeping. Maybe I'm too tired to dream."

"Maybe. Yeah."

He just nodded as you prepared the table. For some reason it felt odd. It was his turn to be unusually quiet.

"What's for dinner?"

"I made some zucchini noodles with chicken and corn on the cob as a side dish."

"Sounds good."

"I'll go set the table. The transfusion is almost done."

Maybe he's not used to rest a lot. 

Once the table was set, you went back to check in and the blood had run out. You removed the needle and put a small band aid on his pierced skin, then you helped him to stand up and with the walking support, to get to the table. You poured some anti-bacterial gel and served him the food.

You sat across Aiden and started your meal. Silence was on both ends, until he put the fork and knife down and seized you.

"What's wrong?" You wiped out the sauce off your lips with a napkin, "Don't like it?" Your eyebrow cocked at him but he shook his head.

"It's not that. It's good."

"Ok. What is it then?"

"I think I should take my recovery at my place."

"Excuse me." You stood and picked up your plate and saved the contents for later. Anxiety always gave you nausea, but this time you downed it with a gulp of lemonade.

"Oh." You stared at him and shrugged.

"I... I understand. I mean, if that's what you want, ok. But, you gotta make sure to be able to walk properly first." You focused on your food, he resumed his eating but for some reason, appetite left you.

"You, ok?" He looked at your paling form and you just nodded.

You sighed and sat once more, looking at your hands.

"I'm not hungry anymore, that's all."

"Was it because of what I said?"

"No, no. I mean, you can't stay forever either. Wait. That came out wrong. Just... fuck."

"Relax." He chuckled and patted the seat across where you had been sitting.

"I told you that I don't know. It just happens. Anxiety hits hard and out of nowhere."

"I didn't mean to-"

"Why you're so stressed?"

"Can it be that Erik is coming soon?"

"Maybe. But not really. I told you, he won't mind. In fact, he'd help if I asked him to."

"Ah, C'mon. He's not bad. In fact, he's... the goodest and most normal guy I've met."

"I don't want him helping me."

You chuckled.

"It's precisely for that I don't trust him. Too much of a perfect guy that ends up hiding something pretty fucked up."

"Oohh... I see where this is going. Alright, let's talk about Erik. What are your concerns?"

He chuckled and shook his head

"I have a hunch about him."

"Are you sure that is not paranoia?"

"Im sure it's not that. Ever felt that someone seems quite nice but deep down your alarms are flaring up because you know he hides something dark?"

"Thanks. And... if I'm honest? I share that sentiment. For some reason, I do feel like something bad is gonna happen to me, I don't know if it's the constant anxiety, or the news that always report someone dead or a new missing woman that has my mind on edge. But at the same time, I tell myself that I can't live in fear. I used to, when I was... Olivia Brownsten," The name left a bad taste in your mouth.

"Actually, yeah. That happened with you."

"Did it? How come?"

"Yup. That night you came with Clara at my house, my alarms were flaring up. But... it's normal to fear the unknown. You fear something might happen to me?"

"Yes."

"But she is gone. (Name) Lille is the one that got another chance. And I'm making the best out of it while I can."

You sighed and his eyes stared into yours.

"Nothing bad is gonna happen to you, I'll make sure of it."

"Thanks but, I don't want anything bad to happen to you too either, you know?"

"I was mad, yes. Hurt, and more, but... I was always worried about you. Worried that your death would come out in the news, or that some random dude would take you out because he wanted revenge or something."

His Adam’s apple bobbed at your words and he looked at his hands.

"But I understand that if someone doesn't put a stop to all of this, worse things can happen, not only to me but to a lot of women. I mean, look at how much damage you took by just hanging around these people. And I'm also worried that... you take so little regard for your life. What I mean to say is that, be careful."

"I will." He nodded softly and then sighed.

"I'm investigating Erik."

"You were and you'd keep doing it anyways, but it's nice to know. Let me know if you ever find out something shady. Not because he is a good guy means I'll be closed off to warnings."

"Oh... well, you mentioned it before so, thanks for the heads up."

"So that’s a yes?"

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Yeah. Uhm... there is something I've been meaning to ask you, but I don't know if I'd be overstepping again."

"What is it?"

"Yeah. You're heavy as fuck by the way, but that's not what I want to talk about. Uh, after I controlled the bleeding, you woke up while I was at work, then you attempted to escape and were on the guest room's hallway, and well... you started crying and you had mentioned that you saw... eh... Lena."

"Well... okay. Eh... the day after you bled out in the bathroom and I put you on the bed-"

"You put me on the bed? Alone?"

His eyes widened slightly at your confession but they softened at the memory, that even though his mind was fuzzy, his brain had decided to keep that remembrance he had.

"And... I panicked cause, I thought you were having a shock episode because of the blood loss or that you were... raving because an infection and fever. Or that it was some sort of rare side effect of the analgesics I gave you."

"Is it ok for me to ask what did you see? I mean, you looked... shook to the core. And, again, if it's too much to talk about, it's fine. We'll find a better way to approach things."

"I did see her."

"Oh..." you nodded and fiddled with your hands, nervously.

For some reason he had a tremendous urge to just take your hand and squeeze it, because his mind had taken over, and of course he would speak and he'd need an anchor. He needed to. But instead, he secured his own hands together after pushing the plate with the half-eaten dinner away.

"She basically told me that I needed to apologize, and be a better uncle. But I'll take my guess and say she was telling me it wasn't my time yet and I needed to do better. As a person."

You heaved and took his hand softly. Something that he also remembered was you, telling him that you'd promise to listen later, your thumbs cleaning his tears away and the warm and reassuring touch of your hands on his. Just like now.

It overwhelmed him.

He retrieved his hand and you shrunk your hands to yourself. Getting the hint.

"I'm sorry." You shook your head and braced yourself. "I shouldn't have asked."

"It's fine. It feels like, less of that weight is crushing me now."

"I don't know how things happened but... I'm sure it was not your fault. And before you blame yourself, hear me out."

It was his turn to rub his face and look at you, readying himself for another speech.

"How were you supposed to know that, what happened that day, would unfold for you? You had no idea. And we all wished that for every time that we fuck up, big time, we'd could go back in time to prevent it from happening again." Your hands seemed to slowly reach out for him again.

"I mean, if I could prevent Clara's death, I would. But... I know it's not possible, and even though grieving feels like forever, it's better to feel it all. And what I am meaning by this is that you should allow yourself to feel in order to let it all go."

"I'm tired of feeling. Anything. It's exhausting." His voice felt equally tired as he spoken his hands unmoving.

"I'm acquainted with the feeling. You know? When we fought and you left for months? At the beginning it was hard, I spent my days blaming myself for how things unfolded, I didn't want to get out of my bed. And I overworked myself to not think and feel. But I was hurting myself in the process."

So, this is what Lilly meant back then.

"And when my body told me to stop, I allowed myself to just... let it all out. And just then, I was able to move on. I know it seems easy, but as you can see, Clara still somehow affects me. And I'm sure your niece's memories still haunt you as well."

His jaw clenched at how simple you had put things to him, and how easily you had seen through him. He hated it. 

"You are trying so hard to get rid of that feeling but you haven't realized that you must deal with it in order to move on. And it's alright if you take your time to figure it out, but the more you avoid it, the harder it'll be for you to let go. None of us like to let go, but we have to. And, if you ever need help at that, tell me."

He swallowed thickly and you smiled softly, your fingers less than inches away from touching his hand.

There was a sudden pang of pain in your chest and you nodded, retrieving your hand completely. It felt like a quiet "mind your business" from him.

"If you can't sleep because of it, tell me as well."

"I'm ok. Just... enough on this topic."

You nodded and picked up his plate. Of course, you understood how it affected him, but by his demeanor, the best you could think of is to leave him be. Besides, his phone had already caught all of his attention.

"Right. Ok. Uhm, call me if you need help. Though, I think at this point you can walk by yourself?"

" I wouldn't mind a little help with standing up."

You helped him to stand and let him to walk towards the couch, you then helped him to clean the stitches. Your phone rang and you excused yourself.

"You'll go to your room or you'll be on the Livingroom?"

"Livingroom."

"Alright.

He had noticed that every time you picked up the phone, your mood improved for the better. This time was different. By the tone of your voice, he knew something was up. Aiden waited for you to get in your bedroom to speak, and then he hacked in the call.

You chuckled and smiled to yourself.

"Hey, mon amour."

"Ooh, that's a new one."

Erik sighed and spoke "Yeah, long story short, my stay here extends indefinitely."

"Well, it's time to just... start the more serious pet names, right?"

"I thought we were already doing so? But its fine. Uhm, something came up and well, Uh-"

"It's something going on?"

"Oh..." Aiden could sense the gloominess taking over you again.

"I promise to do my absolute best in making it shorter and get back as soon as I can, ok?"

"Ok. I mean, don't worry about it. It's your job, and if they need you there, then, I'll have to wait, we'll have time to catch up."

Aiden's eyes narrowed so ever softly at your words, his finger hovered above the hung-up button, but he kept on listening.

"I don't want to wait."

"Me neither, but... we can't do much about it."

"I'll still call you every day, though"

"I know. I mean... I miss you. A lot."

"I miss you too. It feels weird."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, it's my first time out of town and being in a relationship. It's torture."

"You tell me." You chuckled sadly. "I really miss those bear hugs you give me whenever you stay overnight."

"Try going out more with Julia and Rita. Don't isolate yourself." 

"Ahh, I wish but our shifts are busier than ever. And I'm trying to not do that anymore. Therapist orders."

"That's good. I'm sure you have more friends to hang out. Just try new places, maybe?"

"Ah, you'd be surprised to know that I don't have much friends actually. And the ones I might have... well, they have their own matters to attend to and... It's obvious they don't want me snooping around too much. Sometimes I feel like... I'm way too overbearing and maybe annoying."

"You're not annoying."

"Hmph. I don't know. People might say that, but their body language says otherwise. People think I don't notice but I do. And so far, I think keeping my opinion and emotional support to myself, seems the right choice. Unless I am asked to."

"Ok. Uhm, there must be someone that could hang out with you. I don't want us depending on each other either, y'know?"

"That was oddly specific."

"Oh, heh. I was just thinking out loud. Sorry."

"He's in recovery. And well, we're not exactly friends per say, we just seem to be in a beneficial relationship. At least that's what I perceive on his end."

"Hey, don't worry, ok? I mean, there might be one, but-"

"But what? I'm sure they won't mind going out for a bit of time."

Aiden's breath hitched as his heart skipped a beat upon you subtly mentioning him. But more important, how you had expressed your true concerns about what he had been thinking. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"And so are you, yet you go out. And you're interesting. And I don't wanna sound like... a jealous one but, what benefits are you talking about?"

"Oh... wait. Recovery? What happened to him?"

"He was mugged and stabbed. Nearly dies. He's fine now, though. But still, uhm, I don't think considering him for such things is a good idea. Going out for coffees and stuff are not his type of thing, he rather be doing something more interesting than that. He's quite... reserved."

"He's a tough bone. But, don't you worry, it's fine. I can do all of that on my own, maybe I can even find a new hobby! And well, I am a nurse and he is injured. I provide care and recovery. I mean, I've been checking out his recovery since I'm the nearest medical person he knows, that sort of benefit."

"So, you've been taking care of him?"

"Yeah. But apparently, he wants to do things on his own from now on. So... can't do much about it if someone doesn't want your help anymore right?"

"Sounds like that guy that made you cry last time. Anyways, I promise you to have a lovely date once I get back to you. I miss kissing you and just, having you in my arms."

"But he's injured."

"If there is something I've learned from him is that it's better to let him do things his way. It's way easier to deal with him when he is willing to do something."

Your heart fluttered and you snickered.

"Same. But, mon dieu, you're so... cheesy."

"And I also miss those cold ass dismissals."

"Sorry. Sorry. I'm still getting used to the love bombing here."

"I'm just teasing. I know you adore me."

"Oui. J'adore vous*." Your tone mellow, it sent a shudder down on Aiden's spine.

There was a bashful laugh on your behalf

Erik groaned and you laughed.

"You have no idea the power you have over me whenever you speak French."

"Oh, stop it..."

"The only thing that can top that off is when you moan it."

"Erik! Stop." Your cheeks flared up in embarrassment.

"I don't know what you're saying, but when you do that, breathlessly, holy fuck."

"Alriiight, alright. Oh my god. You're such a horn ball."

Aiden rolled his eyes at the comment.

"I seriously can't wait to return. You better be on your days off."

"You're embarrassing me so bad right now."

"Hehe, see? None can do that. But moi."

"Alright, this horn ball must leave his beloved to sleep. I shall contact you tomorrow, my lady."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. And your French is terrible."

"I adore you so much, thanks for being mine."

"I wouldn't want it any other way." You mumbled and smiled, then a yawn came through.

"And I shall be delighted to hear from you-"

The call suddenly ended before you could say something else. But you were glad enough to have talked with Erik. Sighing you laid on bed, your appetite had been long gone, and fatigue started to take a hold of you.

Despite it, you stood up to go and drink some water.

Aiden was on the living room, staring at his phone, as usual. You were about to approach him but stopped yourself.

Mood swings?

"Don't forget to drink your pills. And clean up your-"

"It's done." His tone dry.

"I'm sorry. For earlier. I shouldn't have overstepped again. I know I did but, I'm truly-"

"A-Alright. I will go to bed so; I trust you that you'll be fine on your own? You can-"

"Call you. I know. Just go rest." His fingers scrolled down his phone.

"It's fine. I just wanna be alone for tonight, that's all."

Blue eyes met green ones, the only difference was his were void of emotion, yet yours, were once more filled in with sadness and rejection. You looked away with a nod and took the water with you.

"Goodnight."

You mumbled and went back to your room. It felt like an empty fortress, but your bed felt heavenly.

----

The following morning you did your usual routine, and left everything prepared for him before leaving for work.

He had gone to bed on his own which meant good news. He was improving, meaning your cares had resulted effective despite the short time he was under your care.

Soon he'll have more strength and do things on his own.

Your mind wandered over what happened last night.

I had heard that elder men had mood swings, but Aiden is kind of a short fused guy it seems.

Your day was uneventful as ever.

----

"How is it going?" T-Bone spoke unamused.

"Not so bad. I'm getting bored here. The phone is not enough to actually do something productive."

"Why don't you ask (Name) to bring you some basic equipment?"

"No."

"You fought again?"

"Not really. I'm just starting to feel uncomfortable in her home."

"Oh? Why's that?"

Upon nothing but silence, T-Bone sighed.

"She has her own life settled up. Don't wanna disrupt that."

"And how your presence actually disrupt that?"

"Well, did you talk to her about it?"

"Yeah, and she said it was fine. But I had to walk properly first if I want to get out. And... well, it seems I can be the whole month here. Mr. Dudnik is out for work and his stay was extended. Indefinitely."

T-Bone snorted and laughed

"Wait, you hacked her call?"

"I had to. She seemed off."

"Anything useful?"

"Not really. Just the man being horny on main for her."

"On main? What does that even mean?"

"Never mind that. Something I read online."

"You can do that yeah. But you need equipment."

"You like memes in your free time? Trolling teenagers in social media?"

"It's not as fun as I thought originally. But I need to work. I have to find something on Antoyev. Any clue that can lead me to him."

Aiden sighed and rubbed his face.

"I know. Can't you send-?"

"Nope. My contacts are all busy at the moment. What about your other employee?"

"I don't want to wait."

"I doubt he is even in Wisconsin at the moment. And I don't want to risk (Name) into touching or seeing things she shouldn't., plus I don't trust him that much."

"Then you'll have to wait."

Erik's words resonated in his mind. He sighed and sunk deeper in the couch.

"How is your progress doing?"

"I have a bit more mobility, which is a good improvement."

"Are you able to walk on your own?"

"Standing up, yeah. But walking upright, not so much. And tonight, I have a therapy session."

"I see. Call me if anything then. Gotta go, gotta try some new prototypes on Blume's database."

And once more he was alone with his thoughts. However, there was a thing that had caught his attention. He went through his phone and tapped into the security cameras installed in your home to actually see what had happened that night.

"Be careful."

"Sure do. See ya."

He saw the footage of himself staggering and going straight to the bathroom, he fast forwarded the video and that's where he saw you, scared and cautious. He then saw you taking a broom. The camera didn't cover that much but he could hear you panicking.

He fast forwarded it again and it showed you pulling him out the bathroom, stopping to catch air and hauling him again. Your uniform completely stained by his own blood.

She's strong.

He chuckled and then watched some more, you going around, cleaning and receiving packages, eating, you going to his room again with the packages and then finally collapsing on the couch.

His fist clenched softly and he finally exhaled.

You gotta try better, Pearce.

There was no news on anything so far, and resting was out of the list. He sat up carefully and began doing small exercises. Soft stretches and movements he did. When he took a look in the mirror, he could notice a few white hairs poking out on his beard and hair.

Sometimes Aiden felt old, his body ached from time to time.

Still got it.

Nimble phalanges roamed his injury on his almost naked body, and as the doctor had said, the scarring would be minimum. It felt like another scar for his permanently wearable collection.

Dressing up took a bit of time, but eventually he managed to wear long-sleeved t-shirt and sweatpants. As his hands ran through his hair, he could actually take a moment or two to feel the softness in his hair and then he looked at himself.

Some lines were loitering his face, mostly around his eyes, mouth and hands. Fine lines that counted experiences and stories, some he would love to bury them forever, others, he'd be more than happy to just forget them. The closest thing he had to happy memories was whenever Jackson, Lena and himself went fishing and just spending quality time together.

A part of him yearned to live all of those experiences again, but his rational part, which was often on, knew it was not possible. People either would come for his closest ones just to give him a warning again, or worst.

He would forever treasure them, and then you again popped in his mind.

You were whisking the batter to then pour it on a loaf pan. You two were baking, sharing some beers and then, Clara came.

The more he shared and stayed with you, the riskier it felt for him. Risky for many reasons. Someone could actually find out who were you, or where you were located, someone could either capture you or worse.

He sighed. He was tired of thinking, escaping and dodging bullets. But he was also tired of the corrupt doing their business without any regards for how bad they fucked everyone around them, despite him being a criminal on his own. He could think of thousands of ways to put an end to them, but what would be the point of it?

Everyone was expendable, Ilya would be replaced with someone as twice as sadistic as him, Mihail, Alek and even Antoyev. They were all expendables, replaceable and just pawns in the game. Maybe there was someone else that controlled everyone above, but he doubted there was anyone else even higher than Antoyev.

At least not in the country, but going international waters just to catch him in unfamiliar territory, would be a suicidal mission. Even he knew when to not be that reckless.

Thinking consumed mostly of his time, and just returned back to himself when you entered the door. There was a few key tinkering before your bedroom's door was closed.

----

You had return from your shift and the place was eerily quiet. Frowning, you went to the fridge and saw the food you had prepared there, untouched. Sighing you then went to your bedroom to change.

Seems like he left.

You no longer removed the clothes in the laundry machine area, not ever since Aiden started to stay. It had just been three days ever since he was shot. Four soon, once the clock hit 00.

You ordered food since there was none to share your home cooked meals.

Wouldn't be surprised if he thought this wasn't a good idea, but ok.

There was a knocking on your door, and for a minute you woke up, startled.

The urge to check his room only increased, but you stayed on your room, with the underwear and a blanket on top of you. Hopefully the delivery guy would actually wake you up.

----

"The fuck..." you mumbled and put on the nearest sweater and sweatpants you found to open the door still half sleep, however, once you turned the doorknob you saw Aiden, on his walking support, looking at you, a mild concerned expression in his eyes.

You stretched and went to see on the box, to find a bag full of cold food.

"I had to receive the food. You good?"

"Uh... yeah. I thought you had been gone already."

You walked past him and put the food to preheat in the microwave.

"I was kind of busy with my own thoughts."

"Hm."

"Thanks for receiving it."

"You won't be cooking tonight?"

"No. I don't feel like cooking. And it's obvious you don't eat much so..." There was a hint of anger, but it dissipated almost immediately. "You can order food if you want to."

Green eyes bore on you for a couple of seconds, your demeanor seemed serious, a bit startled, yet, overall indifferent. Once again, it felt odd. And quite annoying.

"Sorry. I truly forgot about it. And since I am not thinking anymore, I could actually make a good use of it right now. Feeling hungry." 

"Sure."

He went silent for a moment and stared at you. Studying your body language. Your whole body screamed defensive.

"Are you angry?"

"No. Why?"

"You are acting different."

"Me? I am not. Besides, ever since yesterday you wanted to be alone. So, I am respecting your wishes." You ate, although viciously, a forkful of pasta.

"Why don't we just pretend none of this happened?"

"No. I want to talk it through. I don't want any more resentment on both ends over the stupidest things."

"Alright."

"Everything is fine. It's... weird to have getting used to your dynamics."

"What's going on like... Is there anything you want to talk about? You don't like it here? Or what?"

"It's not that."

"Then what is it? I don't like the feeling that I am doing something wrong and you're not telling me."

"You mean, acting normal?" You rubbed your temple in exhasperation.

"Look, if you wanna go home, go. I think you're starting to do things your way anyways. So, if you wanna go, then do it, just make sure someone gets your stitches out properly."

His green eyes met your blue ones once more. Yours were trying to hide a lot of things. Sadness specially. He was tired of you looking at him like he was always causing you pain. He didn't want to be looked like that anymore.

You ate and washed your hands. The Fox's eyes remained on you. Unsure of what to do next. You had been pretty clear on what was going on with your behavior. You were probably tired, but an idea came to his mind. Maybe he could try to ease things before they escalated quickly.

"I might be old but I can do it myself."

"Ok."

Good.

"Tonight's physical therapy, right?"

"Eh... can we do it tomorrow? Wait. No, never mind that. Let's do it. Let's do not interrupt your recovery."

"What we will be doing?"

"Stretching, bending and we'll see from that."

"I was doing some stretching today."

"Oh? And did you feel any pain or anything?"

"Not really. Small pulls from inside."

"Ah, well, that's pretty normal. But it's good to know." You nodded.

The both went to the living room and he removed his shirt. The muscles of his back expanding and contracting at the action, it mesmerized you. He was broad and his body was well worked, despite being injured. You could notice a bit of a growing gut on his pale abdomen. A bit of freckles on his shoulders and arms.

"So, shall we begin?"

"Yeah. Please remove your shirt. That way I can see how your muscles work and react towards the physical activity"

You gulped, yet involuntarily at the sight, but work came to your mind. The scars around his torso, arms and chest dissipated any anger, and rather curiosity took its place.

"Alright, hands up and then to the side, slowly."

He followed the instructions and you paid attention to the stitches. You kept on guiding him on a small routine, you removed his walking support just to find out he could walk, although slow without it. You couldn't help but notice the small hair path that started below the waist band of his sweatpants.

"Okay, try touching your knees and then toes." He managed to reach his knees but when it came to the toes, he grunted in pain.

You on the other side instructed him to take a shower, and once he was clean and changed, he sat down and soon you got your mentholated ointment.

"Easy. Do it more slowly, and carefully"

And so he did, and repeated for a couple of minutes, then you got to do some other exercises. Your body was close to his as you taught him how to move it, your chest came in close contact with his back as you helped to raise his hands. He could feel your warmth irradiating off your flushed body, especially your nipples.

His back full of scars in some places, was displayed naked before you.

"What's that for?"

"To relax your muscles, and for you to not wake up stiff tomorrow."

"Well, I'm proud to say that my time wasn't wasted in the nursing school. My patients and you are the living proof of it."

"You're doing great. At this point, you can be ready to go sooner than expected."

"That's good news."

His features softened at your words. His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden feeling of your hands working through his hands, then the arms. Your warmth felt like soothing balm to his broken body, his eyes couldn't help but wander, although shyly to your breast. Your nipples poked out from the sweater you had on.

"I don't know if this is your muscular tissue or if you're just tensing even more with this."

"Not bad for an old man, huh?" He cleared his throat.

"You're so cocky. And you're not old. I mean, not that old." The cold shoulder you gave him before had slowly melted into a more casual and relaxed talk.

"I'll take my guess and say don't like older guys?"

"All the opposite actually. Never felt attracted to younger ones, and even though maturity is not always related to age, you guys know more about life. And I like to learn. Plus, I dated a forty-year-old dude once when I was like... twenty-five." 

Your hands worked their way to his neck and finally on his back. He exhaled in contempt.

"Yeah. I mean, even though I am not closed off to older men, ever since that experience I learned to stick with people around my age. Then Mason came."

"What happened?"

"I didn't know he was already married, until! I attended his wife on the hospital once."

"Jesus..." you sniggered at his reaction. Your own moodswing vanishing completely.

You both chuckled.

"What's your type of man?"

"Ah?" You stopped for a second to ponder, then you resumed your work with your hands. His breath hitched.

"Well, personality wise he must be smart, kind, compassionate and understanding. Someone who knows about a bit of everything so we can share knowledge. Attentive, caring, chill. Bust most importantly, that loves communication as much as I do and that he's independent and someone that look after himself."

"I don't know. Eh... personality wise or physically?"

"Both." He almost moaned as you worked through a kink on his left shoulder.

"Sounds like what a hopelessly romantic person would say."

"Cooking too?"

"Haha. Nah., I mean, sure that would be a great addition. If he can, great, if not, it'll be more fun since it's just another excuse to spend more quality time together."

"Well, I am a sucker for romance. But I also understand that romance is not for everyone. And it's fine, I mean, as long as you show that person that they can rely on you, that they're safe with you and you show it through actions, it’s all that matters. Sure, hearing your partner say lovely things to you also do the trick, but it's worthless if you don't reflect that through actions."

You moved on the other shoulder.

"You won't believe me if I'd tell you I don't know More like, I haven’t thought about it actually."

"Sounds quite simple."

"It is. But people like to complicate themselves. It's in the small things you know? People often mistakes love for spending a whole lot of money on someone, when some partners just want that special someone to be there to listen to us whenever we have a bad day, or just feel happy to have us around. Someone that values our independency yet makes us feel included in their lives. But enough on me. What's your type of woman?"

You snickered and shook your head

You laughed as your hands slid down his spine, and he couldn't help but groan. Your cheeks flushed so ever slightly at the sound.

"I do believe you. Romance is neither your forte."

"Is there anything here that is my forte?"

"Romance is something I cannot afford to have. Too dangerous. And... do I even look like a romantic?

"You have good hands."

"I try my best. But c'mon, there must be something that spikes your interest in someone." Your hands roamed carefully on his lower back.

"It's understandable. And no, you're intimidating actually."

"But if there is something I like in a woman, is honesty. Someone who isn't afraid to speak her mind."

"So, you like opinionated women?"

"I guess. Yeah."

"A girl who can share a beer and keep it easy. Don't like the shallow ones."

"I'm not that picky either. I mean, I dated a scrawny forty-year-old man, a ripped MMA fighter and now a dadbod man. I'm more of personality type."

"I think none likes shallow people."

"And physically? Don't know. Curves and soft skin sound great, and so does fit and lean muscled ones. But I don't have a specific type. You women are quite different. You?"

"I guess I am too. I mean, confident women are attractive."

"Don't forget crazy chicks."

"I'm not into crazed ones actually."

"And what's crazy for you?"

"Unpredictable, unreasonable and way too spontaneous for my likings."

"At all." You pinched the skin behnd his shoulders and he hissed, almost enjoying it. " The only thing I could learn from her is to have a bit more confidence in myself. Nothing else."

"Ahh. Okay. That sounds like Lilly."

"Jealous?" He smirked and you swatted his head softly.

"Alrighty, we're done. You can go to rest now."

"You seem confident."

"Well, fake it till you make it, I guess." Your mouth awkwardly smiled.

"How... did you and Erik started dating?" You pulled your hair in a bun and sighed.

"Alright, then let's get comfortable." You sat on the couch with your legs stretched, he followed.

"It's a funny, awkward, weird and kind of long story."

"I've got time." You just smiled softly at each other.

"I was on vacation on January, so I went to check out how my old house selling process was doing. In the meantime, I visited Clara's grave, started raining and I went to a cafeteria"

You laughed at the memory; Aiden just watched you. A subtle and discreet endearing expression on his face upon listening at you.

"Cliché."

"I know. Shut up. So, I ordered a strawberry cake. I love them by the way and a drink. I was on my laptop just checking that the money was transferred, then I started to eat. The glazed strawberry fell off my mouth and that’s when I saw Erik. Mocking me for such thing. He then approached, got himself a slice of cake and we chatted until the staff told us that the cafe was about to close."

No.

"Then, he tried to ask for my number, I told him I wasn't looking for anything. But I had the brilliant idea to get his. Never wrote him."

"You never did?"

"No. I actually forgot about it. For three months."

"Are you sure that you don't have early Alzheimer?"

"Ha ha. Funny. I don't know how I passed my nursing final test to be honest. But yeah, three months passed and I saw him again at the hospital. Had an anemic episode and he got better."

"Meaning you nursed him back to health."

"Yeah, I mean, I don't wanna brag, but he only asked for me at the hospital. Even Julia and Rita thought it was odd. But, yeah, we then went for dinner and things just... happened, I guess."

"He asked you to date him?"

"Now that I think about it, no. Not officially."

"In my times, you did so."

"You asked your past girlfriends to date you?"

"My, the one that stays with you will have to be extremely patient."

"Isn't the common thing to do that?"

"Well, look at you, being all formal and stuff." You giggled then spoke again.

"I never pondered about having a wife or a normal life to be honest."

"What if you stopped being the Vigilante? I know you can't... but if the Vigilante wasn't here, just Aiden Pearce. You, as a man, you would take the chance?"

"I would."

Your eyes stared wide at him and you smiled kindly.

"Then, I do hope you can find that someone. We all deserve a chance at love or a normal life."

"What about you?"

"What about me, what?"

"What are your plans with Erik?"

"I don't know, I mean, we talked a few times about moving in together, but so far we're just enjoying each other. No kids, none of that."

His throat felt dry and the sudden pang of pain he felt upon watching you talking to Erik on the phone, returned.

"Yet."

"Hey, we have talked about kids and such, and we had agreed that is not for us. He likes travelling, I like travelling. So yeah. My luck in love sucks, but I feel for some reason I hit the jackpot with him."

For some reason, your heart felt heavy upon his words. You stood up and left to answer the phone.

"Well, good luck with it."

"Thank you." Your phone buzzed and he just nodded without looking at you.

"He's calling. Go get it."

"O-Okay. Goodnight." You stared at him as he pretended to focus on his stitches.

He just remained there, watching your empty spot. He then left to bed.

He accommodated in his cold side of the bed after leaving the window ajar. Calloused hands rubbed against his face, as if feeling exhausted with the talk you just had alone. He went off to sleep.

-----

"I have a favor to ask you."

"Oh? What is it?" You stopped eating your breakfast to pay attention.

"Since, it's your free day, I was wondering, if... Could you get me some things from my place? I really need them."

"O-Oh... uhm. Sure. I... I can do that." You nodded in surprise.

"What do you need?"

"A laptop, some drives on my bed and meds that are in the fridge."

Your cheeks darkened in red and you looked at him with wide eyes.

"Okay. Let me finish and I will get them for you."

"I trust you."

"What?"

"N-Nothing. Just realizing the implications of such words."

"That I trust you?"

"Yeah. You, Mr. Trust issues, confiding your dear equipment with me."

"Don't make me regret it."

"That sounds awfully like a threat."

"It's not. Just a heads up." He smirked.

You swallowed thickly as he kept on talking.

"Any specific instructions as how to proceed?"

"Just don't touch anything. There are explosives stored somewhere."

"You could either cause a blackout or an explosion. So, if you see a box next to the bed, do not, under any circumstances do not kick it."

He snickered upon your reaction and you groaned in annoyance.

"T-That's the explosives?"

"Yeah. Plus, some grenades"

"Can... Is there another person available?"

"I swear you're like a child sometimes!"

"You're quite gullible."

"It's not funny!"

"I like seeing you all riled up."

"W-what..." you shut your mouth as your cheeks felt warming up again.

"That sounded so wrong"

"Alright. In all seriousness, the only thing you're strictly forbidden to touch is the wired monitor. What's in there you cannot see it. And I mean it." His serious gaze boring into yours.

A chill went down your spine as you swallowed. That phrase with his voice remained engraved in your brain.

"Okay. Anything else?"

"Don't touch the guns around the place."

"Just laptop, drives on bed and medicines on the fridge."

"Correct. Good girl."

"What?" He smirked knowingly and you pursed your lips.

"Stop playing games you won't handle later." You poked his side hard enough for him to be squeamish. He just chuckled and let you finish your breakfast.

"I'm quite competitive." Your cheeks flared up and you stood up, avoiding any further embarrassment.

"A-Anyways, I'll be going now."

You finished the breakfast and soon went to his place. There was a slight odor of old wood as you entered his apartment. The only noises coming from it were the traffic outside and the whirring of the machines wired among each other.

The place felt cold, void of anything that could portray any sort of personality.

It suits him. I guess.

Your eyes darted through the things scattered around. The kitchen was clean, the only noise from it being the soft drip drops of the sink's faucet. The fridge hummed back to life, and you fetched up the only medicine jar inside. The smell of pizza tickling your nose as a couple of boxes filled in the empty spots of the fridge.

It was a multivitamin jar. You put it inside your tote bag. The next thing you fetched was the laptop, it was next the wired monitor he had strictly told you to not touch. You retrieved the laptop as if you were disarming a bomb, avoiding any sort of contact with it. Then you went to the bedroom.

The bed was loitered with electronic pieces, some wires and motherboards. Everything was in place, except the sheets. The small furnace that had his clothes seemed untouched. Some of the leather jackets had a thin layer of dust on top of them due the lack of usage.

The whole place seemed dusty from the lack of use. You fetched two hardrives from the bed and put them inside the bag. The place felt abandoned, and for some reason, the atmosphere felt heavy, as if absorbing any sort of lively energy.

You took the items and left the place secured, just as Aiden had instructed you.

Your shoulder collided with an Asian’s man in a gray suit with a red dress shirt.

"Sorry."

"No problem." He gave you a small smile as he continued his way.

The door was knocked and The Fox made his way to open it. His face fell completely upon seeing Jordi in the other side of the door.

You returned home.

-----

"Honey, I’m home." He gave a low whistle as he invited himself inside, making a show of an entrance and ignoring a very pissed off Aiden. He inhaled in the aroma of lavender.

"Isn't that obvious? Paying you and your girlfriend a visit."

"Man... That girlie surely knows how to pick places. Look at this! So fancy."

"What are you doing here, Jordi?"

Aiden's anger boiled up as he started to rummage through your photos and found the one you were kissing Erik.

"And she is cheating on you! Damn."

"How did you find this place?" the low growl in his voice madeJordi to glance his way.

"Let's just say this pretty girl here is so oblivious to her surroundings that ignored my tailing on her. So that. Ta dah!"

"I'm just fucking with you, relax. I was going to deliver this" he pushed the file on Aiden's chest a bit forcefully, making him to almost lose balance "-to you personally back in your place. But to my surprise, there is a lovely woman, smelling like peaches and flowers coming out of your apartment with some of your belongings. Of course, I had to follow her. And it led me here."

"You can't be here, Jordi."

"Relax, is not like I'm targeting her. Yet." Jordi laughed when Aiden glared at him, he half limped as he walked towards him.

Aiden's eyes turned darker in anger and Jordi rolled out his eyes.

"Will hunt my ass down? Yeah, yeah. I've heard that before. Besides, I doubt you can do something in that condition. Luckily for both of you I got to go and follow this man." He said as he pointed at Erik in the picture.

"I could be a great detective, ya know?"

"Jordi."

"Yes, dear?"

"You cannot, tell anyone about this place. And I mean it. This is not even because of me. If something happens to (Name) I swear, I -"

"She's cute by the way. Bet she was scared to go in, but she did it well. Quite softspoken, petite and-"

"If something happens to her, you'll regret it, Chin." Aiden almost growled, he was cautious around him. If something he had learned from experience was to never trust Jordi. The fixer could either help him out or help to fuck him around. Jordi just smirked, irking The Fox was his favorite thing to do when he wasn't killing for money.

"Anyways, that’s nasty. What happened?" Mr. Chin spoke as he pointed to Aiden's stitches, however the hacker's silence prevented him from pressing his luck even further. "Alright, since I am not welcome here in this love triangle nest, I shall get going. Get better. I need you in some fixers gig soon."

He walked himself out your home and left The Fox to his own anger. He started to plan once more. You were at work, and probably wouldn't return in a few more hours and of course you'd remain ignorant on your own home trespassing.

Just in case.

----------

I know this chapter seemed kinda slow, but can't have romance if there is no romance to develop hehe. Anyways, hope you have liked it!

[anki-of-beleriand]

Bad Liar ch.8

Summary: Life is about lessons, and Wanda has been learning some harsh facts that had define her life and taken her to a place in which she was given a second chance. Then, all of a sudden, she meets you, and she realizes why it's easier to lie to yourself than to accpet what's right in front of her.

Pairing: Wanda Maximoff/ Female!reader - America/Kate - Mentions of past Vision/Wanda - past Natasha/Reader - Some Female!Reader/Carol Danvers

Warnings: Slow burn - slightly Enemies to friends to lovers - Mentions of abusive relationships - Toxic relationships - angst - drama - mentions of abuse - idiots in love - homophobia - more tags as the story progress.

Author's note: Here is a new chapter and Reader and Wanda are getting closer, Reader puts an end to her confusion and the past is at Rader's doorstep.

As always, English is no my mother tongue, so please forgive the grammar, spelling and funny mistakes!

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 - Chapter 14 - Chapter 15 - Chapter 16 - Chapter 17 - Chapter 18

Chapter 8

Breaking the past

The sun had a way to sneak inside her room, the light rays of light projecting hues of colour with a welcoming warmth that soothed her to sleep again. The memories of childhood days spent in bed, trying to sleep in before being taken away from the comfort of her bed and made to be an avid participant in the house chores. Wanda fluttered her eyes open to see the time gleaming from the digital clock in her bedside table. 

9 am. 

She smiled knowing the twins must be asleep as well, Saturdays had become one her favourite days of the week. It was a time in which she could spend time with her children, she was able to read and to paint, to do all the things she had denied herself for too long. But that particular morning, her smile was brighter, and the fluttering butterflies at the pit of her stomach were a memory of your words the night before. 

I was hoping you would come to my place and we could have lunch together. 

Wanda felt a tug on her heart, she closed her eyes for a brief moment only to see your smile from the night before. She never imagined that spending time with you would result in her having so much time, or in you being a complete child while taking the kids with you to form a team during the game. She had seen a part of you that had melted away her heart and her resolution. Wanda turned to her back glancing at the ceiling with her heart speeding at the memory of the kiss you placed on her cheek. 

But before she could delve even more in the memory, before she allowed the sweet, tortuous tingling in her body to travel down to her crotch, there was a knock on her door. Wanda sat almost right away, her eyes going big with anticipation, she spoke before she could stop herself with a voice heavy with sleep and confusion. 

“Who is it?” Wanda winced, rolling her eyes at her own stupidity. She tried to stand up before the door was opened but it was late. 

There standing by the door were the twins, they were holding one white rose in their hands and some superhero mugs with big smiles, behind them you were carrying a tray filled with eggs, bread, coffee and orange juice. 

The world came to a halt. 

Wanda observed the scene trembling like a leaf. Her breath caught on her throat, her eyes going from her children to you then back to them. She opened her mouth and closed it again, but there was nothing she could say without breaking up and giving into panic and tears. 

“Hey, sorry, they called America, but she stayed over at Loki’s place and America called me and… Well, you were asleep, and they were hungry, and I thought that you may need the sleep and…”

The twins snickered entering the room slowly, the both of them offered the white rose to Wanda who took them with trembling hands. The look in her eyes cut off you babbling, and you regretted doing what you just did. You had overstepped quite foolishly, assuming whatever had happened last night was an open invitation to… to be a freaking stalker or something equally awful. 

“Mommy, Y/N made pancakes like dinosaurs!”

“And we played, and helped her, and she let us pick the flowers!”

“Mommy, Y/N told us that we could watch the whole Jurassic Park movie on her TV, can we go?”

“You like the pretty flowers, Mommy?”

Wanda was bombarded by two hyperactive twins waiting patiently to Wanda 

You kicked yourself for just barging in the other woman's home without even asking, for thinking that perhaps this was okay. You and Wanda were not friends. Or, were you? 

Your trail of thoughts was cut short by a warm hand on yours. Wanda offered a trembling smile, she opened her mouth and then closed it again. 

“I… I…”Wanda snorted, shaking her head. “You didn't have to do this.”

You tilted your head holding onto the tray, it was true you didn't have to do it. You did it because you wanted to, because you hadn't stopped thinking about Wanda. Because you woke up thinking you could have kissed her the night before. 

“I just… I'm shocked, I've never had breakfast in bed.” She said, trying to ease out the uncomfortable silence in the room. 

“Never?” You asked incredulously, Wanda shook her head and just as you were to say something else Billy came forward speaking loudly. 

“Daddy said mommies didn't deserve breakfast and they should be serving us.” Billy made up a face sulking a little. “But Balder told us that his dad serves breakfast to his mommy… Because he loves her…”

Tommy placed his hand on his chin, pursing his lips while glancing up at where you were standing frozen in place after such a revelation. 

“Do you love mommy?” Tommy finally asked, and it was his question what broke the uncomfortable tension in the room.

Your face turned in a mask of reds and disbelief, while Wanda was just as mortified as you. The twins, blissfully ignorant of what they had just done, went back to crawl inside Wanda's bed and turned the TV on. 

Wanda was afraid to lift her gaze and discover disgust in your face, perhaps to find you looking at her as if Vision had been right all along. You don't deserve to eat, dear, last night I wasn't satisfied as I should be and you have to make it up to me today. 

You cleared your throat stepping closer with a grin in place. Your eyes gleamed warmly, tilting your head to catch those green irises in yours. 

“Well, boys, mommies deserve breakfast in bed every single day of the week.” You declared casually. “You guys love your mommy, right?”

Wanda's heart shrank with emotion when the twins exclaimed a loud yes, you were now dangerously close to her. 

“Then, it is obvious that she needs her breakfast.” You cleared your throat once more and this time around Wanda did look up to see you before her. “Let me make sure you have your first warm breakfast in bed, Wands.”

For a brief moment, you and Wanda stared into one another's eyes without any need to break into explanations. You were not asking for them, and Wanda was too afraid to say something and scared you away. The young woman fixed her position in bed, and you soon placed the trail on her lap. You offered a quick smile nodding to the twins and the tray. 

“Now, Wands, you go ahead and eat while you watch some cartoons with the children.”

“Cartoons?” Wanda asked amusedly, whatever nervousness she was experimenting with was diminished by your comment. The twins nodded watching as you surf the channels looking for some good cartoons. 

“Yes, Saturday mornings are mornings of cartoons and sleeping in until you can't take bed anymore.” You winked at her, and Wanda melted at the sight. 

She was foolish not to think that this was nothing more than a friendly gesture, and Wanda knew later on she would need to provide explanations about the comments made by Billy. But at the moment she could give in the moment, enjoyed the warm meal and the familiarity of the scene. 

Soon you found something Billy and Tommy asked for and the room filled with the sound of paw patrol. You smirked at Wanda who winced lightly while Tommy and Billy were hooked from the start. 

“And, what are you supposed to do now?” Wanda asked teasingly, you stood there for a moment putting the rose you had in your back pocket out and placing it on the tray. “Are you going to stay with us?”

Wanda tried to make it sound casual, as if she was just teasing you. But the air left her lungs when you leaned in, your eyes locked on hers, twinkling with an emotion that made Wanda's heart jump in her throat and her core tremble with longing. 

“Now you enjoy and later on I will wait for you at my place for lunch.”

“Stay.” Wanda said before she could stop herself, she opened her eyes, lowering her gaze. “I mean… You're here now, so you could have breakfast and…”

You chuckled winking at her, “perhaps at another time. Right now I have to run some errands and I want to make sure Billy and Tommy are okay before you wake up.”

“Thank you.” Wanda mumbled, you waved away her words walking backwards with a grin adorning your features. 

“Don't mention it, it was my pleasure. See you later, Wands.”

You almost crashed against the threshold, cursing lowly while hearing the snort of amusement from Wanda. Blushing lightly you shook your head and exited the room before you could do or say something that would put you in the spotlight. 

Wanda was left with her children, the food was warm and her stomach grumbled reminding her that she had been angry when waking up. 

“Okay, guys, I need you to tell me why you call America again.” Wanda finally asked, turning to Billy first then to Tommy. 

The twins took their attention away from the TV looking at Wanda. 

“She is cool, Mommy.” Billy said as if that was the best argument in the world. 

“I know she is, Billy, but she probably was asleep at home and she has things to do.” Wanda tried to reason with them, it was not the first time they had done this and Wanda was starting to think this could be bothering you and America at some point. 

“I like America and Y/N.” Tommy said, leaning closer to Wanda. “They make mommy smile.”

Billy nodded in agreement, “mommy, you like them too?”

Wanda flushed at the question, she pressed her lips together and decided to stuff her mouth with pancakes instead of answering that particular question. She let her thoughts run rampant, her body tingling with anticipation for the lunch time to be there already. 

__________________

Laughter filled the room, reverberating deep inside her soul at the sight before her.

Billy and Tommy were on the floor, holding onto their stomachs while laughter erupted from them with a young woman poking at them while a grown adult kept on making noises while the voice on the phone demanded seriousness. Wanda sat on the dark blue chair in the corner, she was closer to the fireplace and the window, the rain falling freely right outside the house. If anyone had asked her a couple of months ago the changes she had experimented in her life, she would have thought them crazy. Wanda had never considered herself strong, or even extraordinary, and quite frankly she never thought she would make it out of Vision’s grasp; when the time came for her to make decisions, it came as a surprised just how strong she really was. How ready she was to start fighting for who she was, and what she wanted.

Leaning back against the cushioned back of the chair, Wanda chuckled at the sight of Billy and Tommy enjoying themselves without a care in the world. Her green eyes flickered briefly from Billy and Tommy to America, the young woman was grinning like mad while putting the mobile away before turning the TV on, her soothing voice and clear wording made it impossible for the twins to ignore her. Wanda had seen the growing affection between her children and their babysitter, how that young woman had come over their lives and help the twins out of their scary shell.

For a moment, Wanda kept her eyes on a single spot between the twins and America. She was fighting over with her thoughts, the fluttering in her heart made her tingled until fluttering butterflies awoke at the pit of her stomach. Without any excuses to keep her eyes away from you, she let her green stare to fall upon your relaxed form on the floor.

You were resting your back against the sofa, one leg on the floor and the other bend slightly towards your chest. Your face was a mask of pure relaxation, there was a soft trace of flush on your cheeks and those eyes were completely soft and warmth as they focused on the children. Not for a single moment had you shown any disgust or exasperation against the twins, you were not even bored after answer a million questions and then telling them stories about yours and America’s younger days. 

Wanda held her hands closer to her chest, her heart twisted inside her chest making her experiment a spark of longing. Wanda longed for this to be her life, and just for that brief moment, Wanda could pretend this was her life. With Billy, Tommy, with America and with…with you.

But just as this thought sneaked inside her mind, she shook it away with panic rising inside her mind. It was impossible! She was not attracted to women, and she most certainly was not attracted to you! She couldn’t! She shouldn’t! And thus, she would bury those emotions and forget all about them. With time, Wanda knew she would realize this was just her way of developing friendships. Right? 

“Woah, earth to Wanda? Earth to Wanda!!” 

You were waving your hand in front of her face, the young woman shook her head blushing profusely with you just a few inches away from her grinning amusedly. Wanda could tell everyone had her attention on her, and she just hoped she had not been staring at you in an obvious way.

“I thought you want to either hit me or kiss me for the way you were looking at me.” You teased shaking your head in triumph when Wanda winced mortified.

“I wanted to hit you…” She stated through gritted teeth, you chuckled leaning back.

“Keep telling yourself that, Princess.” You winked at the young woman, before tilting your head back. 

Billy, Tommy, and America were now seated on the sofa watching a movie, and while the rain was still falling right outside your windows, it was no late than four in the afternoon. 

“I was asking you, if you want to start working on the preparations for the festival.” You lowered your gaze furrowing your brows. “We can use the studio and leave them here watching a movie.”

Still shaken by your early comment, Wanda tried to regain her wits before facing you again.

“Yes, I think we could go and work a little, there are a lot of things I would like to ask you about, and perhaps get to know a little better.” Wanda was about to stand up when you stretched out your hand, offering a support for her to take and stand up.

It took her a moment of hesitation before she came into contact with your hand. It felt warm against hers, and your fingertips were soft under her calloused palm. You offered a half smile, Wanda tried to smile back but it came as a grimace making her wince at her lack of decor to actually return such a simple gesture. Wanda thought you would let go as soon as she had stood up, but instead you took her hand in yours guiding her through the living room down the dinning room to the hall leading a to a single white door.

“My dad built his mancave in the basement.” You started explaining while going down the stairs with Wanda following close behind. “It became the studio for everyone in the house since he was incapable of being alone for far too long. He started bringing my toys and my things as well as some of America’s or even mom’s stuff.”

“This place is huge.” Wanda couldn’t help but admire the room, it had been well-adapted and there was no humidity or coldness sneaking inside the place. 

It had a single desk in the far corner, with a lamp and a laptop. There were a couple of inflatable chairs, a sofa bed, and a couple of futons; on the wall there was a TV and Wanda could see three different gamer consoles with the respective controls. This really had become more than a studio and more like a game room inside the house, and whenever America and her friends were up for a sleepover this was the place they stayed in

You were standing at the bottom of the stairs, scratching the back of your neck waiting for Wanda to say something. The young woman walked around the place, her eyes following the different patterns, the furniture, and then to the pictures decorating one of the walls. In there she could see the pictures of your younger self with your parents, some of you and your friends, and then America and her friends. Wanda softened slightly, her eyes falling into one picture that had a baby America clinging to you, behind the both of you were your parents smiling happily at the picture. For all your bravado, and rudeness, these were the glimpses of the real you that Wanda found endearing; she turned around to see you fidgeting near the stairs, as if you had been waiting her approval. 

There was a single moment in which she found herself looking directly into your eyes. You were trying to hold yourself in a casual manner, trying always to look as compose and in control as you presented yourself most of the time. But right now, you were just nervous and Wanda couldn’t help but think you were looking cute, and apart of her was hoping perhaps, this sudden nervous trait of yours was because of her.

“This is a game room, you know that, right?” Wanda finally exclaimed, her lips curling slightly. “And it looks like the playground of a 15-year-old teen.”

You crunched up your nose lifting your finger, “now look here, this is a pretty decent game room, and it fits the needs of a couple of orphans that wanted to make this a good place to play.”

Wanda chuckled making her way to the laptop, you followed her soon after sitting down on your favourite chair while putting your mobile out. 

“We haven’t changed anything, you know?” You finally revealed, Wanda took a seat right beside you tilting her head with curiosity. “I mean, this is how dad decorated it. Sure, we added some things, and some pictures and games but…dad decorated it himself. He…he was a 15-year-old at heart.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t—” Wanda started but you stopped her waving your hand away.

“Oh, no, no, don’t worry, I just…you made me remember that discussion with mom.” You shrugged then. “I think, America and I never thought of changing this one room, the rest of the house has to go through some renewals, but this place…our last movie night was in this room. I think we never thought this place needs changing.”

It was the first time Wanda saw the vulnerability in you, the way your words tinged with sorrow and nostalgia, how your eyes held onto the glistening tears while your lips quirked upwards. You turned to Wanda, and in there she could see a strong woman that had been dealing with more chaos that she let on. Wanda hesitated for a moment before placing her warm hand on top of yours, her own features softening to offer you a single smile.

“It looks incredible, you know? I think that it really suits you and America.” 

You snorted nodding before looking away, “so, let’s get to work then, I have a couple of ideas that may work for this occasion.”

Wanda accepted the sudden change of topic with a short nod, but she didn’t miss the smile playing on your lips or the closeness you two were sharing at the moment. The young woman turned to the laptop to a word document you just opened, ready to start working. 

“So, what shall we do?”

Wanda chuckled with her cheeks warming up, she too turned to the laptop opening her mouth to start sharing the ideas that had been in her mind for a couple of days. Your fingers moving fast on the keyboard, your own ideas being brought upfront until you and her engaged in a conversation you would replay in your mind for days to come.

___________________

Time passed by so quickly, by the time you decided to look at your watch it read 9 p.m.

Rain had stopped a long time ago, and the noise from upstairs came muffled by the close door of the basement. You were laughing at some silly story Wanda had told you about her twin, and the young woman was just grinning at the sight of your own smile. While you had never doubt Wanda was smart, this was the very first time you shared a conversation with the woman; her quick wit, alongside her opinions and her own ideas let her shine with a light of her own. She was not only smart, but also funny and soon you found yourself wanting to continue with the conversation, to not let go of the fuzzy shivering of your heart just as Wanda gestured with her hands, speaking excitedly about the arrangements in the main hall of Stark’s compound.

And while you seemed completely hooked by the woman sitting in front of you, Wanda was not in a better position.

It had been far too long since she allowed herself to get closer to anyone that was not pre-approved by Vision. She had almost forgotten what it was to give her opinion and to actually share her thoughts and her knowledge in a conversation. You were not only smart but funny, and while you and her thought differently on many topics, you were always up for a negotiation and a well-thought argument that Wanda loved to retort only to see your eyebrow twitched, and then the glint of disbelief in your eyes. It had been so long since Wanda allowed herself to be this close to anyone, to actually leaned in just to get closer to another person without breaking the distance to steal a kiss.

Wanda found herself relaxing into the banter, and as the night progressed she found herself longing. What for? She was scared to even go behind the answer to such a question. And still, she hoped for you to just do something and ended with her misery and her uncertainty. Of course, as soon as these thoughts flourish in her mind, another darker one came in, and soon she found the face of Carol Danvers sneaking in just to remind Wanda you were already taken.

Her eyes flickered down to her feet, her heart tugging painfully in her chest. She felt tears pricking at her eyes, while her stomach dropped at the memory of you kissing the blond-haired woman, of that woman holding onto you in the Stark event. 

“Hey, you okay?” Your hand rested tentatively on top of hers, Wanda let her green eyes focused on the hands before she nodded curtly.

“Yes, sorry I just…” She tried to explain herself, the tears just rolling slowly making her felt like an idiot. She was about to speak when your fingertips wipe the tears away.

You were frowning deeply, Wanda found herself lost in your eyes and the honest concern she saw written in them. 

“Wands…” You started but Wanda just shook her head standing up, she put on her best smile stretching her right hand to grab yours.

“Come, I think we need a tea or something, and the kids have been far to silent for my taste…” 

Your frown deepened, but you decided to not make a comment about it. You grabbed Wanda’s hand in yours and soon you were following her close behind, her hand was warm against yours, your heart beating painfully in your chest. The first floor was in complete darkness, the only light coming from the living room that had the TV on, a movie was playing there, and on the sofa were Billy, Tommy and America, all snuggled up covered by a blanket and pillows to make it comfortable.

Wanda stopped on her tracks, her face softening at the sight.

She let go of you, stepping closer to the sofa and brushing Tommy’s hair away. The boy sighed turning slightly to snuggle closer to America, Billy was sprawled on the free space, and America had her hand wrapped protectively around to child’s knee. The whole scene was overwhelming to Wanda, the peace in her children’s face, the fact she could just let go of her worries knowing they were safe, that she was safe…

It was overwhelming.

Wanda never thought she would get to where she was at the moment, she never thought the day she met you that she would allow you to engulf her in a hug letting her sob for a moment. You stood there, making soothing circles on the young woman’s back not really knowing what to say, but making sure Wanda was following into the kitchen.

You sat Wanda down on the chair, turning towards the stove to start heating the water for the tea. The room was in complete silence, Wanda let her hand covered her face for what seemed an eternity until she gathered enough courage to start talking.

“You must think I’m weird, that I’m just this crazy person that doesn’t know how to keep her emotions in check.” Wanda blurted out glancing at the counter while wriggling her hands. “We were just having a good time, and I come and mess it up by crying and acting like an idiot.”

You stopped what you were doing, for a brief moment your back was still turned towards Wanda until you turned around facing the other woman.  Wanda never looked up, but you didn’t need her too, not yet anyway.

“I think you are amazing, Wands.” You leaned back against the sink, your hands resting on the table. “But I guess, your life has not been easy.”

Wanda snorted bitterly, her arms wrapping around herself, she had not forgotten about Billy’s comment early that morning, Wanda knew you had listened to it as if that wasn’t enough, you had also seen the scars in Tommy’s back. You had seen her at her most vulnerable, after the party thrown for the school; Wanda was afraid to look into your eyes and discover disgust in your eyes. She was afraid to actually find in those eyes understanding, and sympathy…

The world around her froze in time, a pair of fingers placed tenderly under her chin. Wanda felt the air on her lungs tangled in her throat, she trembled to her very core when her eyes found yours in a single stare. Whatever she expected to find in your glance, it was certainly not the warmth emotion filled with affection and something she could not name. You smiled at her, your hand brushing lightly on her skin before putting a strand of hair behind her ear.

“We don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to.” Your voice was soft, Wanda shivered shaking her head afraid to break the moment.

“I left my husband a couple of months ago.” She whispered placing her hand on your wrist. “He was not good to me or my children, and I just knew I have to leave before anything bad happen.”

It was not the whole truth, and Wanda felt bad at not being completely honest with you but in reality she was not ready to tell you the full story. How her life and that of the twins had been in danger, that the last time he had hit Wanda she was left to dead and taken to the hospital after Vision realized she could actually die. That he had used a cord from the television to hit Tommy on his back, and then had broken Billy’s arm. That he had threatened to kill the twins and then used Wanda like a breeding stock to keep her by his side.

Wanda was not ready to tell you, of all people, these things. 

You opened your mouth wanting to ask something, anything, but you decided there was nothing else you needed to know. It is not my story to tell. 

Natasha had said to you once, and now that you were looking into Wanda’s face, you realized, it was a story that the other woman needed to be ready to tell. You pressed your lips together, taking your hand away while stepping back a little.

“I’m sorry, Wanda.” You said the first thing that came to mind. 

Wanda broke into a bitter smile, her mirthless laughter sending shivers down your back.

“People don’t usually know what to say when I tell the story, so it’s fine.” Wanda shrugged turning her back to you. “I’m still getting use to…everything, that’s why I’ve been going to Doctor Hope, and why I ended up here.”

You didn’t need to ask anything else, it was not secret that Natasha was part of a secret group that helped people victims of violence. You had even contributed at some point with money and contacts, but it had never been your forte, your stepmother was the one involved with the group. Knowing that Wanda ended up at your doorstep because of this, because she was running and hiding stirred something deep inside your heart.

You felt the need to protect her and the twins.

“I guess it doesn’t help that I’m an asshole to you most of the time, eh?”

Your commented caught her off guard, and soon Wanda was actually laughing. You joined her sitting on the counter while leaning against your hand. Wanda put her hair away shrugging.

“You were the only one actually being you around me.” She replied. “So, I kind of appreciated you being an asshole, it helped me focus my anger against someone different than me.”

You snorted, bowing mockingly at her.

“I’m always glad to be of service, Princess.” Then, in a moment of inspiration you winked at her and added. “I can always be of some use, and continue being an ass to you, so you have someone to fight with.”

Wanda shook her head, this time around her face transformed into an expression you were far too afraid to decipher. Her eyes gleamed, and her lips broke into an easy smile.

“Even though your proposal is very tempting, I think I like you more now.” Wanda opened her eyes really big she waved her hands stuttering with a full blush on her face; you arched your brows looking at her amusedly.

“Oh, you like me now? Really?” You teased, and she stood up rather fast stepping back making her way to the kettle. 

“Oh, shut it, you know what I mean.” She tumbled over her words, with her back to you to hide away her embarrassment.

“Yes, you mean you like me, woah, Princess I didn’t know you swing that way…” Your laughter died off when the dishcloth she was using hit you in the face. “Hey!”

Wanda rolled her eyes trying to control her flustered cheeks, she mocked glare at you before spreading her arms rather exasperated.

“Can you help me with the tea, please?” She huffed when you chuckled jumping to the floor.

“Sure, Princess, anything you want.” You said winking at her, “after all, this is why you like me…”

“God, you’re impossible.” She mumbled trying to ignore her beating heart, or the grin threatening to break upon her lips.

You chuckled grinning smugly at her, nothing much was said about the topic, you didn’t press for more information and Wanda was just glad to share her story at her own pace. The silence that followed your teasing was one of pure familiarity, with you working alongside Wanda while making sure the tea was served with honey and milk. 

“Have you ever been to Kamar Taj?” Your question came out of the blue, Wanda made a face blinking a couple of times while shrugging.

“Not really…” She answered tentatively not really knowing where this question came from.

“Well, let me show you…” You fumbled with your mobile, the tip of your tongue poking through your lips as you search for the images. “And, let me tell you the story of how America and I got therapy after our parents accident.”

Wanda found herself admiring you from afar, your words held just a tinge of sadness in them, but your eyes gleamed with peace and affection as you located the pictures and started showing them to Wanda. You opened up to her, telling Wanda about Stephen and Cristine, about Tony and Pepper, and how everyone came together for you and your sister.  You were talking excitedly, your hands expanding the sights you had seen in Asia, but Wanda’s eyes had never left your face, or your expressions…She had never stopped looking at you, and if you had been paying attention, you would have noticed the deep affection gleaming in those green eyes.

__________________________________

Monday morning came with more troubles than solutions.

You hit your head on the desk, your assistant huffing in disapproval while she continued with your schedule for the rest of the morning and the afternoon. You had just come to the office after an accident in the production floor, some of the computers had malfunction, and half of the operation had stopped until IT and the facilities team to fix everything up.

The only thing holding you up, was the memory of your weekend. 

Saturday ended with Wanda staying at your home, the twins were fast asleep and it would have been rather dangerous to just carry them in the middle of a cold night to their house. They were warm, and the chilly night could make them sick, or so you reasoned with Wanda; you won the argument, and she slept with the twins on the basement, while America kept on shooting you knowing glances you didn’t even bother to acknowledge.

Then, Sunday came in and Wanda decided to repay your generosity with breakfast. 

Everything had been too damn domestic, and you had woken up on Monday morning panicking. What the hell were you doing? What were you thinking? Wanda was straight as an arrow! She had children! She was married! Sure, her husband was an asshole and no longer in the picture but she was way beyond your league!

She probably didn’t even like women or was curious about being with one! She was probably…

“Really, Y/N, if you’re not going to pay attention to me I’m not going to be here to pass you notes or messages to know what you’re supposed to be talking about.” Maria Hill crossed her arms glaring at you with such intensity you sometimes doubt who was the boss in here.

“Sorry, Maria, I’m…I’m just distracted.”

“No shit, boss.” Maria sighed stepping forward before sitting down. “Spill, I cannot do my job and you certainly can’t do yours if you keep this up, what happened?”

You sighed leaning back on your chair while glancing at the ceiling, you had been an emotional mess all weekend but it only worsened as soon as you woke up that morning and you realized you missed Wanda. Which was completely ridiculous since you had just spent the weekend with her, and it wasn’t even that extraordinary! You both had worked on the preparations for the festival, you had just spent the weekend with a friend and her children. Nothing more.

“I just had the strangest weekend ever.” You mumbled knowing Maria had her brown eyes fixed on you, more than an assistant, Maria had become in your confident whenever you felt the world on your shoulders.

It was a relief, and the woman always had the right words and the right advice for you. She was a good person, and her willingness to usually put up with you was enough to make you trust in her.

“Strangest…how?” She inquired placing her tablet on the table.

You chuckled crowing your hands on your abdomen, tilting your head you locked eyes with her.

“My neighbour, America’s teacher, we…Natasha selected us to organise the Winter Festival for the school,” you shrugged looking away, you missed the flash of recognition in Maria’s stare. “She came home and we just…I don’t know, we just talk and kinda bond…you know?”

Maria cocked a brow not missing for one second your wishful stare, or the inflections on your voice. She had heard from Natasha the strange hate/friendship relationship you had developed with your neighbour. But this was the first time she saw it in action; now Maria understood why Natasha had decided to meddle in it.

“And you bond…physically?” She asked half amused and half exasperated at your reaction.

You jumped startled, your cheeks burning red just as you started stuttering an answer.

“N-no! Of course not!” You shook your head standing up and passing left and right, “I was just…we were just…it was a friendly bond! You know? We talked about ourselves, and our lives and shit like that.”

“Charming.” Maria rolled her eyes once more, she then grabbed her tablet again clearing her throat. “Look, Y/N, I think that you have to wonder why this non-physical bonding with a neighbour you found infuriating is affecting you so much.”

You stopped your passing turning to the window, the sight before you were that of a busy city filled with people coming in and out of the streets. You could feel Maria’s eyes on you, she was waiting for your answer and you knew you needed to concentrate on the oncoming meetings; besides, she was right. Why were you so worked up about the weekend? Why were you so affected?

“I just…I’m not sure.” You dropped your shoulders turning slightly. “What else do I have for today?”

Maria pressed her lips together, she was very tempted to pressing the matter and get more answers out of you. But she had been by your side long enough to know, it would be pointless you were far too confused to actually get into a serious talk. By the time you turned to face her, Maria knew you were in full business mode and whatever had been distracting you was pushed deep inside your mind, avoiding your emotions was something you were very adept at. 

“You have lunch with Carol Danvers.” Maria smirked at your reaction; you winced placing a hand at the nape of your neck. “She actually made it official; we still had some contracting with the government and since she is the new liaison for Camp Davis you couldn’t say no.”

You nodded curtly, knowing the meeting was Carol’s way to get your attention on a topic you had been avoiding for more than a week. When did you relationship with Carol changed so much? Why did it change so much?

“And then, after that you have a business meeting with Edwin Jarvis, you know? The CEO from Vision Enterprise.” Maria furrowed her brows putting up some files. “He is looking to get some investment in AI technology and has some interesting ideas.”

You nodded absentmindedly, your mind still on Carol and Wanda.

“I think I’ve heard of him, Tony mentioned him at some point.” Maria clicked her tongue and this time around you did pay attention to her. “What is it?”

“This individual, he is also being investigated.” She replied softly, your eyes open slightly taking a seat on your chair you leaned forward.

“Go on, what is it? Should I cancel the meeting?” 

Maria pursed her lips before shaking her head.

“He is being investigate for some fraud and industrial espionage.” Maria put the file in front of you, you turned to your screen reading the file she just sent to you. “It seems this is an ongoing matter, but there is also a sealed file about his wife and his children.”

“He sounds like the kind of individual I don’t want to be relate to, Maria.” You pursed your lips reading over the investigation for tax evasion and industrial espionage, the one on his wife and children was left blank and had a seal from the federal government on top of it.

“I know; however, Tony wants you to meet with him.” 

This time around you couldn’t hide your surprised, you cocked your head to the side and then your eyes opened wide in understanding.

“Very well, what do I have to do?”

“I’m so glad that you always catch up once you have your mind out of the gutter.” Maria smirked leaning in while ignoring your sputtering protests.

_______________

The restaurant was packed.

Carol had chosen the restaurant right around the corner of your building, it was an old place filled with golden lights, and white tables with a darkened interior and sweet classical music dancing around the place. It was the home for old and new members of society, and it was the preferred place for the high ranking officers of the military when they wanted to make a good deal.

Your eyes swept the interior trying to locate the woman that was waiting for you, Carol waved at you from the far corner of the restaurant the table for two located it near the window right beside a beautiful fountain made of coloured water. The young woman wore her uniform, the signs that she had been in a formal meeting moments before meeting with you.

“Hey.” You greeted leaning in to place a kiss on her cheek, Carol smiled sweetly at you indicating the chair while calling over the waitress.

“Hey, thank you for coming.” She stated lowering her gaze for a moment before facing you again, you winced grabbing the menu and asking for something light and some water before focusing your attention on Carol.

“Why wouldn’t I?” 

“You had been avoiding me.” Carol didn’t beat around the bush, she grabbed her glass of water and took a long sip with her eyes pinning you to your spot.

You shifted your weight leaning forward, your mouth opened ready to deny her words but unable to do so. In reality, she was right, you had been avoiding her; ever since she proposed to you the trip to Eastern Europe you knew the relationship should stop but you didn’t dare to do so, and this inability to get your relationship clear with Carol had been the downfall of you affair with her.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have.” You replied lamely, Carol sighed dropping her face her voice marked with the vulnerability she felt at the moment.

“I think you know I’m in love with you.” Carol took a deep breath, her lips trembling as she spoke. “I’ve been trying so hard to make you fall for me, I…I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to this relationship, but I always thought…I really want you to come with me, Y/N, let me…let me be the one for you, just as you have become the one for me.”

The room filled with heavy air, and deafening silence.

Your heart shrank at her confession, and your hand stirred at your side wanting to reach out and grab Carol’s hand. The blond-haired woman offered a single smile, but it was quite evident to you that tears were threatening to leave her eyes.

“I’m sorry.” You mumbled passing your hand through your hair. “I was not fair to you, Carol.”

Carol snorted looking out of the window, the waitress chose that moment to bring the food and, as soon as he was gone you continued.

“I do love you, you know? I never thought of this to be jus an affair, and I…” You trailed off not knowing how to explain to Carol that you tired, you really did.

She had always been special, a friend that you could always turn to whenever things went bad or good, she had been there for you when your parents died and when Shuri broke your heart. At first you hadn’t understood why she was so unconditional until, one day while you were hating on yourself and the world she kissed you and the affair was born. It was supposed to be with not attachments, and yet Carol couldn’t help herself once she got to see a side of you she had never seen before. You wished it had been the same for you, but you always thought this relationship was nothing more than two good friends helping one another.

You had been unfair. And Carol didn’t deserve it.

“I wished I had fallen in love with you, Carol. I really do.” You finally confessed, this time around you did stretch your hand and grabbed hers in yours.

Carol lowered her stare to your hand, tempted to just pull away but giving into the comforting touch. She swallowed down her tears, her lips breaking into a bittersweet smile.

“I thought this meeting would be different, you know?” Carol let out a breath, pressing her lips tightly. “I thought perhaps…”

You lifted her hand, leaning in placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. 

“I’m still here, you know?”

Carol nodded hesitating before speaking, “so, will you go with me? Will you…give us a chance?”

You dropped your eyes, your mouth opened then close again.

“Would you stay? Would you try to give me a chance?” You asked back, and just for that brief moment Carol was tempted to say ‘yes’, but the truth was she could not stay.

Carol had worked from an early age on her dream to be part of the Airforce, to get on top of her game and surpass that boy’s club that had dominated the Airforce for far too long. She and Maria had been working hard on this, and when she was offered the position, Carol knew what she had to do. Her love for you was there, and you had been the only one that made her doubt her career choices; Carol had been ready to say no, until she talked to Maria again and was faced with her dream and her goals.

I know you love her, Carol, but are you ready to leave your dreams behind for someone, anyone? Are sure this won’t come back later on as a reproach for missed chances?

“I’ve been waiting so long for this.” Carol mumbled; you smiled nodding.

“I know, and you don’t know how proud I am. You deserve this, Carol, and you will always count with me to be there for you.” You hesitated before standing up and putting your chair closer to the blond-haired woman, Carol opened her eyes letting out a chuckled when you finally put your chair closer to her.

“What are you doing?” Carol laughed when you fixed everything so you would be closer to her, without letting go of the hand you had been holding for comfort.

“Just moving closer to you, you have always been my friend, Carol, regardless of what happened I do love you, and you are my friend, I hope you know that.”

Carol melted under your words, she returned her attention to her food before speaking again. 

“You are my friend as well, Y/N.” Carol looked back at you, “and that’s why I have to ask, are you…do you…what’s going on with Wanda, Y/N?”

“What? Why?” You leaned back, eyes opening at the sudden question. 

Carol rolled her eyes, this time around she did look rather upset.

“Well, it is quite obvious something is happening, I’m mean the last couple of times you couldn’t stop talking about her, and then when we met at the supermarket you were…weird.”

You sputtered shaking your head looking away from Carol, “no, no, nothing, I just…she is…she is the mother of the children America babysits for, nothing else.”

Carol didn’t seem convince by your words, she took a sip from her water pursing her lips.

“Are you sure? I mean you look…” Carol could see this topic was not something you were ready for, you squirmed on your chair emptying the glass of water while playing with your food. “Y/N…”

“Nothing, there is nothing, she is just a neighbour… nothing else.”

The conversation changed afterwards.

For Carol it was quite evident you didn’t want to talk about the topic, and if she was going to be honest, she didn’t want to know. Those two different times she had seen you interact with the redhead; she had seen a glint in your eyes Carol was not familiar with; it was a glance she yearned to obtain from you, but it seemed to just be for a single individual. You hadn’t even look Shuri in such a way, and this was what made Carol hesitated about the situation.  

But the time lunch was over, you and Carol had found peace in the conversation. You two found a common topic, and soon business was on the table while she asked for your opinion on the subjects that would soon dominate her life, while you asked about the oncoming meetings.

“I will miss you.” Carol said hugging you tightly, you hugged her back smiling softly while enjoying the woman in your arms.

“I’m going to miss you too, Carol.” She stepped back, but she was still close enough you could feel her warm breath on your face. “Carol…”

Your words were cut off by a pair of lips against yours, the kiss was slow tentative touch of the lips teasing you. Carol was flustered once she stepped back, she offered a smile that you returned with a shake of your head.

“Just a good-bye kiss.” She winked at you turning around and walking towards the parking lot. 

You watched her leave, a heavy heart inside your chest wondering if you made the right decision by letting go of a woman that had shown you so much love in the last couple of months. You put your hands in your pockets turning round to walk towards your building, you couldn’t keep her by your side waiting to fall in love with her, that wouldn’t be fair with her, or with you.

With a last glance to the sidewalk, you stepped back and went back to your office, a weight you didn’t know you were carrying on your back finally lifting up and leaving you lighter and open to the world of possibilities you had been trying to bury deep inside your mind, a world of possibilities that had a name of its own: Wanda Maximoff.

________________

“Oh, I didn’t know you were a woman.” The man smiled charmingly at you, his hand stretched out while he glanced around the room as if waiting for someone else to come forth into the meeting. “Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to see you are a beautiful woman, but for some reason I have always thought of Y/L/N instead of your first name.”

You forced a smile at the absurdity of his comment, he merely laughed and went to take a seat to the left side of the table. You crossed stares with Maria who shot you a cold glare as a warning to keep your cool and not to do or say anything incorrectly. 

“Right, I bet it is a common mistake.” You sat down as well leaning back on your chair while pointing with your hand the file on the table. “I’m glad I get to know you as well, Mr. Jarvis, I’ve been reading to your proposal and me and my team had a counteroffer for you.”

“Oh, a counteroffer?” Jarvis grabbed the file in his hands, he started reading while ignoring the rest of the room.

You had chosen the conference room of tenth floor for the meeting, the place was packed with only a couple of offices and some storage rooms that were the home of the material used on the production floor and the operations room. It was the most neutral ground you could find, more so after finding out how the man operated. The room was almost empty, no decorations on the walls, with a single window that was left facing the city. You let your eyes wandered to Maria who was sitting at the other end of the table, her hands busy with her tablet and her phone while she too made sure to watch the man closely.

“Everything seems to be in order but, I don’t get it.” He stated pointing to a section in the contract. “It says in here that you would only provide with money if I worked here, is that correct?”

“Yes, I prefer this kind of deals to be in a controlled environment.” You shrugged putting your hands together. “Our contracts go directly under the government, and we cannot risk losing any data because of unknown facilities.”

“My business is very secure, Mrs. Y/L/N.” Jarvis straightened up hardening his stare. 

“I don’t have any doubts about that, but you have to understand this is part of the non-negotiables, this is the most secure red in the world and what you intended to do will require such facilities to prevent espionage. I think this is a pretty sweet deal for the both of us.”

Jarvis clenched her jaw close, his cheek burning up with embarrassment at being played at like a child. His eyes drifted to the contract, not only was he being ordered to work in some unknown facilities, he would also be made to sign a non-disclosure clausule and the rights for his technology. 

“You are asking for far too much, Mrs. Y/L/N, and I'm afraid I'm not seeing the benefits such a deal will bring to me.” Jarvis leaned forward placing his arm on the table, his hand playing with the pen. “You are not the only company interested in buying this idea, and I have to say their proposals are more seductive…”

“And yet, here you are.” You leaned back against your chair, your eyes examining the man sitting in front of you.

Maria had done a good research of him, a married man he started his business thanks to a small inheritance on his father's part and then to the money left by his father in law. He had built a solid company in the industry of technology and entertainment, nothing too extravagant but enough to make him a notorious and well-adjusted member of society in Westview and Jersey. He had tried to jump into major leagues with a risky inversion that ended up with him almost in bankruptcy. Then, all of a sudden, his business got better and now he was someone selling away his ideas to the best buyer. It was then the investigation started leading Homeland and some federal authorities to be not only after him but also after some red of business people that had dedicated their lives to steal ideas of millions of dollars from others. 

You knew you were not risking much in this deal, and quite honestly you would be more than happy if the man decided to go after another buyer, but right now your company was being targeted mainly because you were the number one in the business. Maria had assured you he would bite the bait, people thought your company while one of the most powerful in the world had lost its edge after your dad's death. They were looking for the weakest link to just get their hands in a portion of the business you dealt with. No one could imagine you had been dealing with one crisis after another with an iron fist and good advisors. 

Jarvis seemed to think that this was the opportunity he had been waiting for, he didn't seem to like the fact it was you the one he had to deal with. When he first acceded to this he was told he would deal with the old man in charge of Alchemax. He never thought he would need to deal with a young woman, but he could always start the deal before charming his way into her pants and getting something good out of this. 

“You are right, here I am.” His whole demanour changed in a second, he opened up his arms, tilting his head he sent a flirty smile your way with his eyes twinkling at you. “I never thought I will be bested at negotiations by such a beautiful and young woman such as yourself, Mrs. Y/L/N, but I can tell you I feel confident of the business we are making today.”

Jarvis grabbed the pen signing the contract with a flourish, you smiled back lifting a single eyebrow to the man who was now trying to be charming and flirty towards you. 

“This is the beginning of a great relationship between Alchemax and Vision Enterprise.” You replied standing up while offering your hand to the older man, he stood up as well taking your hand in his and placing a kiss on your knuckles. 

You never left the smile off of your face, Jarvis stood dangerously close to you towering above you while pressing you back. Maria was about to stand up but a single gesture from you stopped her. You lifted your head, your eyes going from those eyes to his lips and the smirk in the man's face was all you needed to know at the moment. 

“I recognize when I have been bested by someone as beautiful as yourself, what o you say if we go out for dinner and celebrate this new deal?” Jarvis let his thumb brushed the skin of your backhand, he winked at you before continuing. “I know just the place you may like, and perhaps…Who knows? This could be the beginning of something else.”

You giggled, shifting your weight from one foot to the other, the man holding back the victorious smile that was threatening to break on his lips. 

“Something like what, Mr. Jarvis?” You asked, lowering your voice, Jarvis this time around straightened up. 

“Something more pleasurable for the both of us…”

“Oh, but what about your wife and your children? Are they coming as well, Mr. Jarvis?”

Up until that moment, Jarvis had all but forgotten about Maria sitting at the far end of the table. His shoulders put back, the tension around his eyes heightening the wrinkles in his face, his eyes lost all flirtatious glint while he glared at the other woman. The subject of her wife was a sore one for him, and while he knew these people didn't know the truth it still made his blood boil whenever that fucking bitch was mentioned. 

The embarrassment she had made him experiment was something he would never forgive her for, and he had most of his resources dedicated to find Wanda and the twins and make sure they were brought to him before he made sure they would never leave his side. 

“Wife and children?” You clicked your tongue stepping back while taking the contract in your hands. “I would love to take your offer, Mr. Jarvis, but I do not mess with married men and, most importantly, with business partners. The facilities are ready for you and your team, and the security access has been approved, so you are free to start tomorrow if you want.”

“Now, wait a moment,” Jarvis stepped in trying to salvage the situation, his face once more red with embarrassment. “My wife and children are away with their grandmother, and I just wanted to make it clear my marriage is more a formality to a poor woman who thought getting pregnant would trap me into her delusions of love…”

You turned to the man, your face à mask of disbelief that soon changed into a blank stare. Jarvis smiled weakly at you, lowering his gaze while putting a hand on his pocket. 

“I stayed for the children.”

You were not asking for explanations, but the fact this man was ready to give them told you what type of person he was. Maria had made her way to where you were standing her brows out together while ignoring the heated glare Jarvis sent her way. 

“Please, Mr. Jarvis, no need to explain yourself.” You replied, shaking your head offering the same innocent and shy smile you had presented him a moment ago. “it is not my business, but either way, I will ask for a rain check since I already had a commitment this afternoon and was not able to accept your invitation.”

Jarvis sighed in relief putting on his charming smile once more. If he got to score something with you, perhaps he wouldn't need Wanda or the brats to get money out of them.

“Then, let me see what can be arranged for you and I to celebrate at a later date.”

“It's a date, now if you excuse me I have a meeting with the board in five minutes.”

You dropped your smile once the lift doors closed in front of you. 

“God, I will need a fucking shower after this.” You shivered in disgust, Mary snorted writing something on her tablet. 

“At least Fury is going to be happy.” She replied, shrugging. “It's a win-win situation.”

“Next time we're going to let him kiss your hand and try that creepy smile with you, okay?” You retorted crossing your arms. “The nerve of the man! To think I am straight at all!”

Maria laughed at your comment, she held onto her abdomen shaking her head before leaning back against the walls of the lift. You smiled at her lifting a single accusing finger to her. 

“Next time, I would let everyone think you are straight and that Natasha is just a really good friend.” That silenced Maria who blushed profusely, turning away from you. 

“That's not funny.” She grumbled. 

“Oh, it is if you remember how you and Natasha came to be a couple.” 

Maria winced trying to bury the memories in her mind, it wasn't so much she didn't treasure the moment she and Natasha found one another. It was just that it was also the most embarrassing time in her life and remembering That moment made her cringe from time to time. 

“Anyway, I found the man disgusting, and I considered his wife.” You commented lightly. “He really is quite the character, you could find something else about his family?”

“No, it is a closed file, so I will need special clearance to see it.” Maria waited for a moment but you shook your head. 

“No, it doesn't matter anyway, Fury is after the man for tax evasion and espionage. We don't even know what really happened with his wife.” 

“Very well.” Maria exited the lift after you, afternoon was already falling and the lights of yellow and orange decorated the sky giving way to the darkness of the night. “Miguel just finished putting the security measures on the red we gave them, and everyone is already aware of what to do.”

“Good then, let's get this one last meeting over so I can go home to my sister…”

“... And your neighbour.” Maria smirked mischievously at you, her amusement growing when your feet falter at the mention of Wanda. “Are you going to tell her you and Carol are no longer together?”. 

“Why would I do that?” You replied sharply trying to hide the blush on your face. 

“Oh you know? Because you two are friends and there may be a possibility she wants to jump your bones?”

“God you and Natasha are going to be the death of me someday!”

Maria laughed following you inside the main hall towards the conference room. Maria found it amusing how Natasha picked up on this kind of things, now that she and Hope had talked about the topic and that Maria had seen your reactions and the way you talked about Wanda she had to agree that there was something there. Whatever it was, it brought a silly smile to your lips, it made you more relax and open. Maria was certaines you were not ready to admit these changes, or even the implications of your emotions, but there was time and perhaps these moments you were sharing with Maximoff while planning the Winter Festival were the push you needed. 

There was only one thing that was worrying Maria and that was  the truth behind Jarvis and Wanda. She hated lying to you, and even more so when someone as important as Wanda was for you was involved. But Natasha had assured her this was the best way to trap the man, and to make sure Wanda and her children were protected while Jarvis faced justice for a long time. 

Y/N cannot know anything, Maria, please, she is already involved with Wanda as it is and knowing this could make her act harshly and we need to do this with care to trap the bastard. 

“Anyway, I don't even think she… Likes me that way,” there is a hint of regret in your tone, your hand hovering above the knob of the door, you licked your lips frowning deeply before turning to Maria. “Not that it matters at all or anything just… WeWe're good friends, you know? And she is straight as an arrow… So,yeah…”

There was a moment of silence, Maria narrowed her eyes at you but you put on your best smile before opening the door and entering the conference room, whatever you were thinking or even experimenting at the moment completely forgotten as you took the reins of the meeting. Maria storing away this moment, she knew she would need to have a serious talk with Natasha once she got home.

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

Next chapter: Reader and Wanda are trying to deny what had become evident to everyone, Riri played her cards well and America is at a crossroads. The twins are getting far too comfortable, and the Winter Festival preparations create a tension between you and Wanda that you didn't dare to break.

[jung-shook-iieee]

Masterlist.

18+. Female reader. Do not copy or repost my work.

DISCLAIMER: My works contains dark content, yandere, dubcon, cnc etc such themes, I also write soft themes but I'm more into dark au's! , so please do read the warnings, genre, tags before diving further into my works.

Second thing, I do not own any bts members. I just write in a form of Fiction and i would never want them to act this way in reality, I also do not encourage cnc, dubcon such heavy topics in reality. There's a line between fictional World and real world please do understand that. <;3

And lastly, it's my second account. Tumblr really sucks, I lost my first acc and I'm starting fresh again, so please do help me by indulging with my blog. 🖤

°°kim Namjoon°°

*Hot wheels

⭃➳Pairings: idol Namjoon x reader (f)

➳ genre: idol verse, relationship au.

➳ summary: teasing namjoon when he goes live could never get you in serious trouble, right?

°°Kim Seokjin°°

* Daddy issues.

⭃Pairing: seokjin x (f) reader.

⭃ (Sugar baby / sugar daddy.)

(" You’re ruining your dress and makeup pretty. ” )

°°Jeon Jungkook°°

* Mine.

⭃Pairing : mob boss jk x chef reader (f)

⭃Genre : oneshot, mafia au, yandere.

(You stumbled upon something you shouldn't have, and now jungkook needs to make sure you stay silent.)

3:15

⭃Pairing : jk x venom x reader (f)

⭃Genre : dark au! , stalking, yandere.

⭃( Jungkook and venom really likes you. )

Regrets

⭃Pairing : jk x rader (f)

⭃Genre : angst, breakup drabble.

(" So this is it then? " You nodded your head with tears filling your eyes. , It is... I never meant to hurt you y/n." He swore and his doe eyes widened when he heard you sob. But you did. You did jungkook. " You whispered. )

°°Min Yoongi°°

⭃On the low

⭃Pairing : assassin yoongi x assassin reader (f)

⭃Genre : oneshot, assassin au, smut.

⭃ Yoongi hates you, but does he?

°° Jung Hoseok °°

➳Thinkin' bout you

➳Pairings: mafia hoseok x reader (f)

➳word count : 6k ( sorry lol)

➳ genre : Cnc smut, oneshot. ( with a little plot.)

°°Park Jimin°°

⭃Darkside part two

⭃pairing : jimin x reader

⭃genre ; arrange marriage au, dark themed. ( 2/2)

⭃summary: after the demise of your father, you were forced to marry a mob boss who was a decade older than you. Jimin has always been ruthless and marrying someone like him wasn't your first choice, but living with him made you crave for his attention. For getting his attention you were repeatedly acting out until one day he decided to take the matter in his own hands.

°° Kim Taehyung°°

➳ anon req drabble.

[chubbyreaderchan]

I get the joy of rediscovering you | Bo Sinclair x Reader

Word count: 2500~

TW: hints at an abusive past for the reader and Bo, reader has neglectful parents, but it was the 80s, underaged drinking, and smoking, vaguely mentions their first time (teens), fat shaming, oh and murder, Bo isn't angry fanon Bo... at least not entirely, female rader

Bo’s evening started with a text message from Lester.

‘I got a broken-down car. You want me to bring her?’

‘Yep’

He put on his finest suit and slicked back his dark hair. He looked in the mirror and he was the model church boy. Innocent as all get out. Bo grinned at himself. He knew he was a looker and Lester tipping him off to a young lady got his blood pumping.

There was a stillness in the church, the eyes on the dead preacher always seemed to stare into his soul. He was used to it; this was a typical Wednesday evening. The heavy wooden doors to the church opened and he put on a faux angry face.

Bo froze. He wanted to attack the woman there, but he couldn't scold her, but now he blended in with the wax figures that surrounded him. He held so still.

He knew her.

Bo had to change tactics. He didn’t know if he could kill her.

He steps outside the church to find her walking off quickly, her plump body has hardly changed in the last 16 years.

"Y/N?!” he called out to her.

She turned around and the shock on her face followed by realization stirred something up in Bo.

But, in order to preserve her memory, he needed to kill her.

If she had changed from who she was all those years ago, it might just ruin him.

Her smile still had the power to make his knees jelly. Her smile which was once a bright light in his dark soul was tainted with life and age.

She didn’t deserve that.

She never did.

The first day she met him, she was so sweet to him it made his teeth hurt. It was the first year after his parents died and the first time he lived in a foster home.

Hell, it was the first time he had been to a city, let alone lived in one. He missed his brothers.

Not that he would admit it, pop would’ve called him a wimp if he'd have said something like that.

He stabbed at the sugar syrup-coated peaches on his plastic lunch tray, alone at the end of an empty table.

“Watch where you’re walking, fat bitch," a voice said.

He turned to look, seeing Y/N being berated by some blonde cheerleader type. Bo rolled his eyes at the back of the teen’s head. He wasn’t a fan of bullies. Years of sticking up for his kid brothers built a strange sense of chivalry in him in that way.

That and the pleading look you gave him stirred something in him. In a few words, you were his type on a purely physical level. Your fat rolls and the overall softness of your look was exactly what he liked. Perhaps it stemmed from his mother, avoiding all and anyone who even brought her to mind, or perhaps it was simply what he liked.

Bo and Y/N made eye contact for a moment. He grabbed his one single folder and pencil, providing her a place of refuge in the sea of ignorant teenagers.

As she sat across from him, she smiled despite how he would have handled that bitch.

“Thanks,” she said. “I’m Y/n”

Bo picked up his paper carton of chocolate milk and took a swig.

“Bo,” he replied.

He had no idea how much that would impact the course of that year.

Hell, Bo never thought he was one that deserved love. He never dated anyone after her, sure he would leave town and hook up with any dumb bitch he could find.

Even on rare occasions, if the right tourist came along, he would use them before killing them.

“Bo? Bo Sinclair?” she asked him. “I am so sorry for interrupting your service,”

She already knew his parents were dead.

“Don’t worry about it,” He smiled.

Bo realized how genuine and natural his smile was for her. He kicked himself internally.

“Just some old biddy,” he waved it off.

That was disrespectful. It was his mother’s body in there after all.

But she didn’t need to know that yet.

“But still, you cared about her enough to make it to her funeral. She had to have meant something to you, Bo,” she paused. “Then again you might’ve changed since high school,”

Y/N's look of endearment towards him was heartbreaking, but his composure was firm. His eyes scanned her body carefully. She had some bruises on her arms and something feral in him wanted to shout and demand where they came from. It was very clearly a handprint. Overall, he was still attracted to her.

She tugged her sleeves down.

Like she had forgotten something significant, she looked at him with big doe eyes. Her arms wrapped around him suddenly. The wax Bo made his presence known, but only for a moment. He hugged her back like he was created to hold her against him.

She was his first everything.

Sitting in her bedroom, their relationship had blossomed but he didn’t want to corrupt her… He was madly in love with her but he couldn’t. He snuck out of the foster home and in through her window, wine coolers, and cigarettes in hand. He smoked and drank as he rolled the dice on his turn of Monopoly which he had zero interest in.

Although she sipped from a cooler herself, she appeared unsure. The bright red drink stained her tongue, and he craved it.

Fuck it.

He remembered leaning over the board, knocking paper money all over her floor, and grabbing her mouth with his. It was a mess of teeth and tongues, but she didn’t pull away from him. She was drawn into Bo as if she also craved him.

That night was their first... everything.

They were animals together if he remembers correctly.

No one ever compared to the passion they had for each other.

Bo chalked it up to being a teenager and having nostalgia for one of the only happy memories he ever had in his life.

He gently pushed her away from him. He couldn’t fall for her again. Could he? No, he couldn’t do that. Not to her, this life would tarnish her though he had a sinking feeling someone had already tarnished her. Bo could tell by how she held herself, wrapping her arms around her middle.

"Is your car in the shop?" he asked.

Bo walked beside her. Though the town was empty he kept her on the inside of the sidewalk.

“Yeah… now, Bo I know you’ll laugh but not too hard,” she smiled at him.

“Oh yeah?”

He pulled a cigarette box from his pocket, tapping it against the surface of his palm.

"Why's that?” he lit a cigarette, offering one to her but she turned it down.

“It’s ol’ Betsy still,”

“You’re joking, that same old car we used to take to that park and--,” he smiled.

Y/N slapped his arm gently, clearly embarrassed by the memory.

“Shut up, yes, it is the same one,”

The keys rattled in his hands, unlocking his gas station. He opened the door for her and couldn’t help but watch her ass as she crossed his threshold into the demon’s nest. He raged on in his head about killing her.

He prowled around the car, watching her like a cat hunting his prey, then finally he lifted the hood of the old beater. Bo’s face contorted into a frown. She’s lucky she wasn’t killed in the death trap she called Betsy.

“Damn,” he hissed.

“Is it a problem?"

“Baby girl, you need to buy a lottery ticket,” Bo said.

The nickname that slipped from his lips was something he called her a lot. It felt right calling her that name.

“Why?”

“The son of a bitch might explode on you,” he responded. “When was the last time you had an oil change on this thing?”

“Honestly, I don’t drive it that much. I mean I don’t drive much anymore at all. The old man doesn’t like it,” she joked. “But I left a tad hastily,"

Bo bit the inside of his cheek and tried not to curse.

“Come on, lemme write out the bill and get some tools together,”

Bo had to change the subject before he jumped into his own truck on a mobile murder spree. His callused fingers began to write down exactly what needed to be done. It wasn't made-up bullshit either; he had noticed all the problems she would have with a car that was older than dirt.

“Here, sit and read it. I gotta get some shit,”

He placed a metal stool next to the glass display case.

“Okay, Bo,”

She sat and leaned against it. He pretended to grab things, rattled tools, and dropped them into a toolbox. Finally, he grabbed a heavy wrench and began to creep up behind her lifting his arm above her head in hope of giving her a clean blow.

“You know, Bo,”

He stopped.

“Seeing you today brought back so much and made me realize...- Now don’t laugh but,”

“I never got over you, Beauregard Sinclair. I think I might still be in love with you,” she finished.

Bo fell silent once again. It had been years since someone had made him this flustered. He dropped his arm down, his heart beating like the engine of an old motorbike. The tool in his hand clattered to the ground, causing her to turn in surprise.

He was so close to her that their bodies touched.

She leaned up and gently pecked a kiss on his slightly stubbled cheek. Bo tried to fight it but it happened all over again. His large hands grasped her face and he kissed her. A long but much more experienced kiss than their first. His tongue explored her mouth and his body screamed with excitement and arousal when she held onto him for dear life. The fire was still there. However, rather than the small candle he thought he had snuffed out, it was now a raging forest fire burning them both to the ground.

“I know how you feel," he said, pulling away.

“Hey, sorry. Could either of you show me how to get back onto the freeway?" A man stood at the entrance of the gas station now. He moved to act as a barrier between Y/n and the stranger. Bo grabbed his phone from his pocket. No new messages from Lester or Vincent for that matter.

A warning was sent to both of them regarding the matter.

Bo wasn’t about to kill her. No, in fact, no one was planning to kill her, but this new tourist would make a fine addition to Vincent’s collection.

“Sorry, had to warn my brother that my girl is coming to dinner,” His fake smile plastered to his face. “I’m sorry, where are you trying to go?"

The man pulled out a comically large map with red crosses and blue circles littering the page.

“Freeway,” he replied. “Though, I probably won’t leave until morning now. I can’t drive so well at night,”

Bo smiled again.

“I’ll be right back, baby. Come with me for a sec. You’re better at finding stuff than I am." He led her to the other room. He was planning to kill the man right then, but he wasn’t willing to show her this life yet.

The wrench would be too obvious now. She’d put two and two together.

“I’ll be right back, doll. I gotta make sure I know what I’m talking about,” he lied.

Bo hated lying to her. He’ll tell her someday but now is not the time. He climbed down the stairs to his torcher's chamber. He glanced at the images of the women he had tied in that room over the years. Part of him wondered what she’d look like in the chair but then he imagined her in his bed. He shook his head. Dark locks moved slightly from their jelled place and a slight curl began to come forward.

He grabbed a small knife and a map. Bo wrapped the map around the knife hiding it from any eyes. He walked back to find that Y/n was gone. Panic filled his chest but he was instantly relieved to see her chatting with the man. At that moment, his hand was on hers, and he resisted stabbing him in the head.

“You staying the night at my place?” Bo asked.

“I’d love that,” both Y/N and the man said.

Bo and Y/N give the man a strange look and glance at each other. The innocent shrug of the shoulders made Bo want to pull her into another kiss.

She was adorable, not that he’d ever admit that.

The man was in the bed of Bo’s truck. There was no way in hell, Y/N was allowed to be on the back of that truck. His arm was draped over the back of her shoulders. It was as if they hadn’t been apart for years. Hell, he wished he had gotten her when he turned 18 and run away with her years ago.

But she was here now. Willingly.

The truck stopped.

“Is this your childhood home?" she asked.

“The one,” he said with a slight bitterness.

Y/n decided not to push it further. He’d talk when he was ready… or drunk. It was either one or the other for him.

Bo got out of the truck and walked to the other side to help her out of the cabin. The man stepped off the bed and Bo could feel his eyes on his girl. Eyeing her the same way Bo did with his own prey.

He led them into his house, leaving them in the living area of the home. Bo planned to sleep on the couch, and he’d put Y/N in his bed. It was what was right by her.

It was odd caring for someone other than his brothers, but he was always the caregiver. After getting out of the foster care system he was the one to bring them back together and before that, he was the one that fed them, bathed them, taught them right from wrong, and protected them when they did do something wrong in the eyes of his parents. Though if Vincent could do wrong in his mother’s eyes, he wasn’t so sure. His thoughts clouded his mind when he heard Y/N's muffled shout.

The pillows and blankets fell to the ground in a fluffy mass. Bo raced down the steps. The tourist had his girl trapped on the couch. Bo pushed him off, hitting him in the face. The knife made its way from his pocket and rested in his fist; it pierced into the lung of the man.

He gasped.

The man collapsed to the floor and Bo kicked him. The punches and kicks flew, blood splattered and all Y/N could do was watch.

It wasn’t long before the man lay motionless on the wood floor of his living room.

Bo stood tall. A bit of pride boiled in his chest, and he remembered she was still there.

“Baby,” he called.

She was splattered with blood.

“Your hands,” she said.

Bo looked down at the cuts. She took them so gently, leading him past the body and into his own kitchen. She sat him down at the tiny kitchen table and Bo was enthralled as she rinsed a rag to clean his cuts. He could just taste domestic bliss.

She dabs his hands gently.

Bo grabbed her, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms firmly around her.

“You can’t leave,” he commanded.

“I don’t want to,” she admitted.

She brushed a bit of hair off his face and he sighed in contentment.

Y/N leaned down and pressed a bruising kiss to his lips.

[unnursvanablog]

A Virtuous Business wasn't even on my rader until earlier last week when I was browsing upcoming titles on netflix and it looked fun enough to at least get added to my list and perhaps binge watch it at some point. And perhaps I should have waited a bit longer because I was having such a fun time while watching the first two episodes that I desperately wanted more once they ended and I now have to wait a week until I get more. Forgot all about my anxiety and tiredness while watching it.

Funny how kdramas have kinda not been doing it for me for the majority of 2024 and now all of a sudden I actually have some fun titles to look forward to for a bit.

At first I got a little annoyed by the 'if you aren't having sex you are just a cold and shriveled and boring' that was told about the teacher and the sly little comment about how serious Jeong-Suk was and all that stuff that the other women was being tossed around - but I do get it because a lot (I say a lot… because some of us are ace) of women are way more sexual than the world wants them to be and they are alowed to express that, even moms (even if the world doesn't like that), and while the world seems to want to shame women for that they also expect it from them at the same time. That is the trap that these women find themselves in. Even if the 'if you aren't into that… you are boring' talk annoys me I do sympathize.

But that isn't really the point.

And what annoys me even more is useless, boring men. And boy did the drama offer quite a bit of them. But it certainly didn't halter my enjoyment of the drama, because that is sort of the point of the men in this show it seems. It's part of the plot and the frustration of these women.

I adore a story that will give some of the great kdrama moms that I so adore some added spotlight that meatier roles than they so often get (kdrama leads come and go but kdrama moms are forever) and a story that focuses on the friendship and the comradery of women in a world that wants to shame them. I think it's great. And this drama sure seems to be delivering on that with some great cast of characters and humor and heart.

It manged to make me fall in love and feel for every single one of our female protagonists and I can't wait to see how their buisniess and friendship flourishes and also just how it will give them more agency and the community that some of them desprietly need. I als hope that some of them divorce their husbands by the end of it or their marriages get's that extra push and ignite again.

The only thing that made me groan a little (beside the deadbeat husband of Jeong Suk and Geum Hui and so on) was the new police officer that is in town and that epilogue about him searching for something. I just saw a wall full of strings and picture and though 'ugh, please don't be like a murder mystery/cold case plot' because no every kdrama needs that.