#god the tone of that second post is so full of hope

[arashi-no-saxlphone]

hi! i think i saw your post just now (i cant find it anymore so idk), something along the lines of how it sucks that you lost your old gg analysis posts when the old acc got nuked. it reminded me that i still have screenshots of 2 of your posts so here you go? i thought it might be worth sending them to you if you still care about them and haven't recovered these already

https://imgur. com/a/A4u7aKQ sorry for sending it from anon im a shy lurker lol

WOW that is extremely flattering and kind, thank you! I was planing to see if I could track down some of them and repost them but I haven't really gotten around to doing it.

Also yay that first one is literally the post that started it all LOL I still remember the tags on that one with people talking about how much they love Axl... some of the folks who sent those tags are actually beloved mutuals of mine now. Second one is just. Yeah. Gear does that you.

I'm so touched you saved these posts and thankful you sent them to me anon, thanks so much! They brought back good memories. I'll stick em below for anyone who wants to see em:

[fushiguhoes]

“ i bet i can take u in a fight “

tw: smut, p in v, unprotected sxx, pet names (dummy, mama, baby), f! reader, and ummmm i think that might be it !

you were suddenly snapped out of your daze with a few playful pats to your face, now subconsciously waking up to a now smirking toji. he gazed down at you with a glint of confidence in his eyes.

“c’mon, mama… you told me- oh fuck- you told me y’can take it…” his husky voice alone made your walls clench hard against his thick length.

“ugh— stop squeezing me like that-“ he groaned quietly through his gritted teeth, and all you could focus on was that tone in his words. god, you could basically cum from it now. you knew he didn’t mean his words though, he would’ve been pulled out. but no, his dick was still stuffed full inside of you.

“toj’… i didn’t mean— i ain’t mean it…” you moaned out desperately, placing your trembling hand against his abdomen like it was gonna stop him from hammering his cock into your squelching hole. your eyes rolled back as you tried to explain, somehow getting hiccups in the process.

“oh? “you ain’t mean it”? you didn’t mean to text- shit- text me an hour ago?” he cooed at you with a tilt in his head and a mocking tone, stopping his hips for a second just to grab his phone, multitasking as he stretched your cunt out and scrolled through his text messages to your pretty lil’ contact.

“read it, dummy.” he mumbled as he shoved his phone in your face, making you squint at the light in your face as you tried to focus on the words in front of you and not the dick that was splitting you apart. your shaky little hands grabbed at his phone, fingertips grazing against his rough knuckles as your eyes slowly but surely read the words on the cracked up screen.

5:30pm - weirdo (gf): i bet i can take you

5:31pm - weirdo (gf): not in a fight btw 😈

5:36pm - toji: Huh?

you felt like a fool as you read your own messages from toji’s phone, letting your head as you realized he knew what you meant by it and wasn’t just confused, he was playing dumb. a groan that slowly turned to a moan left your pretty lips as you felt his tip bump up against a gummy part of your walls, your nails digging into the satin sheets below you and toji.

“nngh— right there— toji, keepgoingkeepgoing—“ you blabbered over and over again, toes curling and back arching off the bed when you looked at him and saw that familiar smug smirk on his face. he tossed his phone somewhere and grabbed both your hips, absolutely demolishing your insides with his fat tip as he smiled, taking in the view of you reaching your climax. so stunning, he thought.

next thing you know you’re creaming all over his dick, a long and satisfied moan leaving your lips as your body trembled. he quietly hummed as he just admired you, all dumb and tired just from his dick. you tried to slide off his dick but was quickly stopped by his large scarred hands on your waist, slamming you back down onto his length. your eyes widened, jaw dropped, and pussy throbbed, a silent moan leaving your lips before you tried to concentrate on his words.

“tch. you thought we were done? unt unt, baby, we still got ‘bout five more rounds. buckle up, ‘cause you’re gonna take allllll of what ‘m gonna give ya.”

a/n: first post/first time writing, i hope whoeva sees this enjoys it :3

[uglypastels]

Logan x reader where the reader is scott's younger sister and they're in a secret relationship because she's younger/obviously doesn't want her brother to know. Maybe Scott tries to set her up with someone else or she gets hurt on a mission or something because she got too cocky and everything comes to the surfaces. Sorry I know that's now very descriptive🙈

no don't be sorry this was perfect, if not giving me too much to word with lol. this is so great I wasn't really sure how to incorporate all the elements, but I hope what I managed to do was still good. I certainly had a lot of fun writing it lol. also, apologies if there are some dumb mistakes/errors. i am so sleep deprived but just really wanted to post this before going to bed.

warning: Smut 18+ only. MDNI. no condom [wrap it before you tap it pls]. p in v. fingering. swearing. degradation ["slut" is used]. accidentally almost public stuff. quickie. sub/dom dynamic. un/intentional cockblocking.

~ X-Men Requests Open ~ Masterlist ~

‘Oh my god,’ you moaned out as Logan pressed you against the wall of the small janitor’s closet. It was too cliché to even think about it. And who would have ever expected the Academy to have a janitor’s closet? If you thought about it, it was almost as if the universe wanted you to take this opportunity and hook up with him in the little cubby.

The second you saw him that morning in his loose-fitted long-sleeve and those boot-cut jeans, the only thing you could think about for the rest of the day was how much you needed him. You had managed to survive past noon, and then you had to go and stumble into the garage and catch him working on his motorbike.

His long-sleeve was discarded to reveal the white, now slightly dirty, tank top. His arms were toned and tanned. You watched him just long enough for him to notice your presence, then to grab the towel hanging from his back pocket and wipe his hands clean. 

‘C’mere, Princess,’ he called you over with two fingers, and you almost felt like you had gained the ability to float so quickly had you made your way over to him. Next thing you know, he had picked you up, his hands firmly on your ass, yours in his hair, and your lips colliding in a passionate crash of a kiss. 

‘Fuck, I missed this,’ you moaned out in a desperate moment to catch a breath with your chest already heaving. ‘Missed you.’ You kissed the corner of his mouth, getting the most satisfaction at how a smile formed in the spot where your lips touched him. Neither of you could help yourselves. The urges you felt were nearly animalistic, but when you were around him, you also felt like you were up in the clouds, feeling light as a feather and giddy like an idiot. The need for him was coursing through your veins. 

‘Mmm, I know, sugar,’ his voice came deep from his throat in a growl full of yearning. ‘Gonna let me have my way with you, yeah?’

All you could respond with was a desperate moan. So caught up in the delicious feeling of his body against yours, that you nearly missed the beeping announcement of the garage doors opening. You would have gone on unaware of anything going on around you if it wasn’t for Logan pulling away and setting you back on the ground. It was like a switch flipped on inside your brain, and just in time, as the doors opened and a car drove up as you took your precautionary steps away from Logan, who had gone back to working on his bike. 

The car halted in its designated parking spot, and you weren’t surprised to find your older brother, Scott, stepping out of it. Only he would have such perfectly unfortunate timing.

‘Hi Scott,’ you tried to sound chipper about bumping into him, and absolutely not like he had just interrupted a much-needed make-out session with your boyfriend that he knew nothing about. How you had managed to keep it a secret for all these months, you had no idea. 

‘Hey,’ he smiled politely you way, as he had already made his way to the exit. As always, you couldn’t see his eyes through the red glasses he wore, and yet you could tell exactly where he was looking at with that judgemental look of his. But Logan didn’t pay him any attention, which might have even been the bigger insult than if he had quipped something your brother’s way. You knew he wanted to, though, but you also knew that he didn’t want to insult your brother right in front of you. 

You waited for Scott to walk out of the room, but to your surprise, your brother turned around to you. ‘Are you coming?’

‘She was about to.’ You heard Logan mumble under his breath as he… You weren’t sure what exactly he was doing with that bike with the screwdriver. You never understood much of mechanics.

‘Uhm, yeah,’ you responded, ‘I uhh– I just wanted to ask Logan something. I’ll just be a moment.’

‘No, I’ll see you later, bub,’ Logan caught you off guard. ‘This might still take a while and I don’t want to keep you waiting.’

‘Oh, ok.’ You pushed the disappointment off your face before you started walking to the exit where Scott stood, still none the wiser. As soon as you walked into the corridor, you made up an excuse to go the other way and walked as fast as you could without making it necessarily suspicious if he had glanced your way.

The hours that followed went by painfully slow. You kept your eye out for Logan, but he was nowhere to be seen all afternoon. Dinner had come and gone, and you were returning to your room, already having made your peace with the fact that today was simply one of those days where fate kept you apart.

And exactly at that moment, Logan turned the corner.

‘Where the hell were you all day?’ you questioned, annoyed, but no matter how angry you pretended to be, the grin on your face at the sight of your boyfriend was quite clear in meaning.

‘I did have stuff to finish on my bike.’ He took a few large strides your way, ‘and then some kids needed help with something.’

‘Aww, that’s sweet.’ You leaned into him, your chin on his chest, as you looked up into his eyes.

‘Don’t act too surprised, Princess.’ His arms immediately wove themselves around your waist, and you slowly leaned for a kiss. It was risky to do this in an open hallway where anyone could walk in, but in the moment, you couldn’t care less. You just wanted to feel him, all over you. The desperation for it grew with each second and was ready to explode. 

That was all in theory, of course, since as soon as you heard any threat, the risk-taking daredevil part of you immediately hid, and you were looking for an escape route. It was two pairs of footsteps this time that echoed through the hallways. You cursed under your breath. 

Just your luck to be standing next to a door. Trying its limits again, you pulled down at the door handle and sighed with relief as it opened. You quickly slipped inside, pulling Logan in behind you by the hand. He closed the door back behind him just in time as the footsteps, which you now recognised to be Scott and Jean’s, along with their voices, moved across the spot where you had just been standing.

‘Are they—’ but your question never was finished, as your lips were caught in a haste kiss. It was pitch black in the tiny room, but you heard Logan pull the lightbulb cord. The next thing you know, the faint yellow light illuminated what you now recognised to be the janitor’s cubby. A closet large enough to fit a large shelfcase filled with cleaning products, buckets, and towels. But Logan needed no time to orientate himself. He was already all over you. One hand pinning your leg up against his upper thigh, leading you against the wall. 

‘Oh my god,’ you moaned out as you felt the pressure and structure of the room against your shoulders, Logan’s chest against yours. His hand stroke up and down your leg, squeezing at the soft flesh of your ass.

‘Wanna be my good little girl?’ Logan growled into your ear.

‘Yes,’ you whined, desperate for more than just his kiss. ‘Fuck, yes.’

‘Want me to fuck your tight little pussy, sugar? Just like you’ve been begging me for? What you say, you little slut?’ At the sound of his words, all of yours simply escaped you and so you could only respond in a series of moans and whines. All sounds that brought Logan immense joy and arousal. ‘Yeah, thought so.’ It had been a very conscious choice you had made that morning by wearing a skirt. Not that you had expected to end the day in this closet, but you were sure it would end somewhere in Logan’s grip. And so you were fully prepared. 

His fingers smoothed over your panties, pressing over your slit, feeling the material get soaked through just that one simple touch. But it wasn’t enough. For either you or him. He kept toying with you for a few more minutes, never crossing the material barrier of your underwear, long strokes up and down, pushing in closer, almost as if nothing was there to separate you. 

‘Please,’ you cried out, ‘baby, please. I need–’

‘What do you need, sweetheart? C’mon, use your words?’ God, you hated when he got so cocky. You could never take much of his teasing. Then again, you weren’t in here to exactly last long. 

‘Need your fingers. Please.’ 

‘Good girl,’ he kissed your forehead, snapped the band of your underwear to make you whine so prettily as he loved, and pulled the panties down your legs. 

Another filthy moan left you as his fingers slowly filled you up. The expletives rolled off your tongue in the rhythm of his thrusts. He kept a steady pace, and one that left you shaking against him. So much so that soon enough, he had to hold you up by the arm, pinning you down even harder. One leg propped up high for even easier access to his favourite part of you. 

‘Such a good slut, taking anything I give you, anywhere I want you.’ His voice could practically get you over the edge alone, and he knew that well enough on his own, and so he kept talking. ‘Can’t wait to get my hard cock in you, Princess. Gonna fill you up so good. Fuck. Just you wait—’

‘No, please,’ you cried out.

‘What’s that? My girl can’t wait a few more minutes for her cock?’ He kissed your neck so ferociously it was more like his teeth grazing over the sensitive skin, and the sensation left shivers down your whole body. He raised his mouth up to directly speak against your ear.

‘So fucking desperate. Wish you could see yourself now. Just know you’d do anything for me, wouldn’t you?’ He punctuated the question with one final deep thrust of his large fingers. ‘You gonna cum? No, no, no. Not yet. You’re gonna let me have my fun first, isn’t that right?’

‘Yes.’ was all you managed to say. Then his lips clashed with yours in another of your sloppy kisses. Your hands found themselves in his hair for the second time that day, and you already felt yourself falling into bliss, and that was all without even the feeling of his length finally pushing deep in you. If only you could scream the pleasure you felt. But for now, in the closet, you would make due by digging your nails into his shoulder. That, in turn, only got Logan more riled up as his thrust grew in pace. He hit all your right spots evenly, hard and deep. If he kept going like that, and you were sure he would, you didn’t know just how much longer you would last.

‘Fuck, I’m gonna–’ your voice was breathy and out of focus, as all that was on your mind was him inside you. 

‘Yeah, c’mon, sweetheart, come for me. Come all over my cock.’ he growled the words with the same intensity and desperation for release you felt.

You were so close. Just ready to burst. Moment away when—

When suddenly, a knock on the other side of the door halted the both of you. In a sudden moment, everything washed away with the power of a tsunami. Leaving nothing behind but emptiness.

Someone cleared their throat. Someone who you could already recognise from that simple gesture. 

‘Alright, it’s past curfew, lovebirds, knock it out.’ You could hear in your brother’s voice just how uncomfortable he was by catching two, what he assumed to be students, clearly hooking up. Your guess was that the room had not been as soundproof as you imagined a cubby to be. Or you were that much louder. 

You looked up at Logan, who had already started zipping up his jeans. There was another firm knock on the door.

Well, if Scott had already felt embarrassed, you were about to make it ten times worse.

the end.

thank you for reading 💗

if you enjoyed the fic, please consider reblogging and leaving a comment. or send a message via my inbox. requests are also more than welcome. 💗

[hyunsvngs]

𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐫𝐲 - kim seungmin x gn!afab reader (side lee minho x gn!afab reader)

wc: 6.6k

cw: very mean dom seungmin, like seriously very mean, mc being a whore, sex with no strings (again), SMUT MDNI.

synopsis: following the events of your almost-orgy, you can’t stop thinking about a certain someone and the way he behaved in bed.

a/n: y’all asked and i delivered! jk this was happening regardless. I HOPE YOU LOVE IT! here is part six of hot bitch summer, our frat skz au. smut warnings under the cut!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

sw: creampie, dom seungmin, sub reader, a LOT OF DIRTY TALK, one (1) face slap, spanking (mc rec), fingering, grinding, multiple orgasms!, seungmin cums in mc’s mouth, seungmin is VERY MEAN, safeword negotiations (it’s never used), lovely soft aftercare and a friendship blooming tho <3

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Minho’s hips smacked against your ass as he fucked into you, that large vein on his thick length doing wonders against your fluttering walls. You’d lost count of how many times you’d already cum around him, something he’d probably tease you about later - but you could care less when he had you in this position, tummy pressed flat against his mattress and his cock bullying into your hole with zero restraint. 

You wanted more, though. You wanted it rougher, harder, deeper.

“Min, please, harder! Be rough with me, please, I can take it-”

You were cut off when an arm wrapped around your neck, yanking you back so your chest pressed flush against his toned stomach. You could feel his milky skin against yours, soft but dewy with sweat from the exertion of fucking you deep like this. Your own back wasn’t faring too well, the dew on your skin making you slide around against him. 

“Be rough with you? This isn’t rough enough, slut?” Minho murmured into your ear, his teeth nipping your earlobe. You shook your head rapidly, hands going to grip around Minho’s forearm while he fucked into you without abandon. You were gonna cum like this, you realised - for the umpteenth time around him.

“No, ‘s good, just- I’m gonna cum, I need rough, please?” You managed to stammer out, eyes fluttering shut at the sensation of his heavy balls slapping against you. Minho let out a small, mirthless chuckle, as if he was going to shake his head in disbelief.

“You want it so bad, why don’t you go to Seungmin and be his little painslut?” Oh. My. God. With those words and an expertly positioned thrust to your g-spot, you fell apart around Minho, whining and babbling incoherently. You could feel your wetness flood his cock once again, and Minho groaned. His hands moved to your hips to hold you tightly against him, shooting ropes of hot cum into your core.

Later on, when you were cleaned up and thoroughly fucked, you laid on Minho’s chest with him scrolling through social media on his phone. You watched him like Felix’s newest post before commenting something about how he looked like a baby chick, before he continued scrolling absentmindedly. His thumb paused on the screen when he came to Seungmin’s post.

You blinked hazily at the screen. Okay, it had been on your mind, admittedly - the way Seungmin had behaved during the time you all had fun. It was a week ago at that point. Maybe it had been invading your dreams at night. It had clearly been invading your sex with Minho. He also looked really, really good in the picture, which just didn’t help at all. It looked like he was at an event of some sort - perhaps one of Hyunjin’s art exhibits - and he was in a plain black blazer, shirtless underneath, with a chain around his neck. He just looked expensive. It had you thinking of all the ways he could ruin you. Would he deny you in bed, or would he make you cum over and over-

Minho’s head had turned to look directly at you, and he was laughing. Unashamed, loud, full body laughs that really gave away just how humiliating you looked in that second. “You know, if you just promised him you’d be good, he’d fuck you.”

“Shut up!” You huffed, burying your face in the fabric of Minho’s tee. Then, you thought about it. That’s all you had to do? Be good? Not be a brat? Yeah, you could do that. You looked up at him, one eye exposed. “For real? He would?”

Your voice was slightly muffled in his clothing, but Minho nodded anyway, still with a stupid smile on his face.

You took that advice to heart. The next day, after yet another sleepover with Minho that ended up in you getting fucked into the mattress, you walked down the hallway to Seungmin’s room and knocked on the door rapidly. Just ask. Just say you’ll be good for him, and-

He swung open the door quickly, glasses perched on his nose. He was shirtless, in just plaid pyjama bottoms. Planes of lightly tanned skin clung to just a slight ghost of abdominal muscles beneath, taking over your entire vision. Oh God. He wanted you to die. He actually wanted you to die.

“Um, so,” You began. You chuckled nervously, ringing your fingers together. Staring at your feet, you blushed crimson. You could do this. Just say it. “So. After last time, y’know, I’ve kind of been thinking. Maybe… would you wanna? Y’know. Fuck. I’ll be good for you, I won’t be a brat. Haha, Minho told me to say that bit, so-”

“Nope.” The door slammed in your face, and you were left blinking at the wood in front of you. Oh. Right. Okay. You had been well and truly humiliated - you were cursing Minho internally for giving you this dumb idea - but you decided not to let it take over your senses.

It was alright - you could get away with only fucking seven of them. Life goes on.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Except, life didn’t fucking go on. Less than a week after you’d been rejected by Seungmin, the air conditioning in your dorm house was well and truly shot. You were pacing around the kitchen for five minutes dumbly in just a sports bra and shorts before you realised you could actually call someone about it. You could get someone out to fix it - I mean, surely they still had people working over the summer on campus to fix these kinds of things, right?

A quick phone call informed you that no, they don’t. It would take a week minimum for someone to come out and fix your air conditioning, and even with every single window open, your body was still covered in a thin sheen of sweat that made your hair way more greasy than normal. You’d tried cold showers. They just made you heat up way quicker when you got out. You’d even tried buying one of those expensive fans, but it just blew hot air around the place and made you want to jump off of a cliff. Why exactly had you decided to stay on campus over the summer again?

The boys were going home for a week tomorrow, too, which not only put a stop to your hot bitch summer plans temporarily but also left you without friends. Why is life so hard?

You sighed, throwing yourself down to lounge on your sofa. The leather stuck to your skin uncomfortably. You wanted death. Craved it, even. You picked up your phone with a lot of hesitation before clicking on your texts.

[9:31am] You: min. i need a favour 

Definitely sounded more suggestive than you’d intended, but that’s okay. Before you could ponder on what he was going to reply, his contact image flashed on your phone notifying you that he was calling you. You swiped to accept, putting him on speaker. Your body would simply go into oversensitivity if you put the phone to your ear. 

“Hey, Y/N. What’s up?” Minho sounded concerned. You sighed deeply. 

“My air conditioning is broken. Like, dead. I was going to ask if any of you knew how to fix it?” 

Minho groaned on the other end. “Sorry, baby, no. Felix’s knowledge stops at computers, unfortunately. Can no one come to fix it?”

You wanted to die. It was so fucking hot. Minho’s voice wasn’t exactly making it better, to be honest. “Nope. It’d take a whole week apparently, because of it being the summer and the air conditioning systems being like, I don’t know. I stopped listening.”

“Of course you did,” Minho hummed. There was a beat of silence before you heard a little ‘aha’ come from his mouth. “Stay here for the week. No one will be here, so you’d have the house to yourself.”

A whole frat house to yourself? Damn. It would definitely be a lot less claustrophobic than the house you were currently in. Their house was huge, after all. You could get a lot done. Not that you had a lot to do, but… it would be nice. Their air conditioning also actually worked, so that’s a bonus. “Oh. Sure. Okay. Shall I pack my stuff and come now, or…?”

“Mm, maybe not, baby. We’ve all got to get up early tomorrow to leave, and I’ll just end up fucking you into the mattress if you come now,” Minho mused. You could hear the slight amusement in his voice, knowing the effect the words would have on you. You groaned despairingly, kicking your feet around on the couch. “I’ll leave the key in the dead plant outside. Come tomorrow morning.”

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

The key was in the dead plant outside of the house. You wondered briefly why they even had a potted plant, a house full of eight men who could barely take care of themselves, let alone a plant. You remembered the time Jeongin briefly had a goldfish in the first year of university. It hadn’t gone well, and you’d all had to hold a very dramatic funeral three weeks later. Jeongin sang in the funeral through his tears.

Stuffing the key in the lock, you swung open the front door and slammed it shut behind you. Silence. Honestly, the frat house had never been so silent before. Jisung was always screaming. Changbin was also always screaming. Chan had headaches all the time. It was never silent. 

Still, you moved upstairs with your duffle bag and just dumped it on Minho’s bed. The air conditioning was sweet, a harsh breeze against your skin. You already felt cool, relaxed. The house was really so big too, you could have so many pets living here. 

When you made your way back downstairs, you were in search of a nice, cold lemonade. You knew there was some in the fridge since you’d put it in there yourself, and you were hellbent on getting it. As you passed the living room, you stopped dead in your tracks.

There was someone sitting on the sofa. Your heart picked up speed, eyes widening. No one was meant to be here. Everyone was away. Which meant… oh my God, someone had broken in. You were alone. It was like that horror movie you’d watched with Jisung where you’d both ended up crying. 

You blinked, squinting to look further into the room. The figure’s back was facing you, dark hair clipped back on his head and his fingers clicking away at a laptop. Okay, if he was going to kill you, he wouldn’t have a laptop. You leaned in subconsciously, barely making out the clips in his hair, until Pochacco was staring you dead in the face. His stupid cute face was printed onto the clips. 

Seungmin.

You’re safe. Wait, no, you’re totally not. Why is he here? You walked into the room, pointing at him straight in his face. Seungmin looked up at you, eyes wide and owlish. His hands had paused on the keyboard of his laptop. He literally had a sheet mask on his face. 

“What are you doing here?” You hissed. “You literally gave me a heart attack, Seungmin. I almost died.”

Seungmin scoffed, eyebrows furrowing. “I… live here, Y/N. I thought you knew that.”

You rolled your eyes, hands now on your hips. “Well yeah. I knew that. That’s the exact sofa where we-“ you blanched. The exact sofa where you got fucked senseless by Felix while Seungmin commanded you around. “Nevermind.”

A smile played on Seungmin’s full lips, and he shook his head, turning his attention back to his laptop. “I’m guessing Minho didn’t tell you I’d be here.”

No. No, he fucking didn’t. “Is it obvious?”

“You literally just said you almost had a heart attack seeing me,” He was still typing furiously, before he nodded towards the space next to him. “Come and sit. I don’t bite.”

Wish you would. You moved towards the sofa, hesitating before just deciding to sit on it with enough distance between you two. “So, uh… whatcha doing?” 

Seungmin raised an eyebrow beneath the thin sheet mask. He didn’t respond, only turning the laptop to face you on his lap. There, in black and white, was the Hall of Fame blog except… there was a new post being written. About who, you had no clue. Some random. More importantly, Seungmin was making a new post there, which meant it was him. All of your suspicions had been confirmed.

“I… I fucking knew it, Kim Seungmin,” You whispered. Seungmin smiled, turning the laptop back to him. “Is that- is that why you’ve stayed here?! To work on… this?! Seungmin, it’s really bad, y’know. You write about people’s lives on that page.”

“Hey,” Seungmin admonished. “I do not. Well, okay, I do. I always use initials, though. No one knows it’s for sure about anyone.”

That was fair, you supposed. You shrugged. Seungmin started to slowly peel the face mask away from his skin, revealing his facial features to you. It dropped to the wooden floor messily before you spoke again, with a question this time. “Can I help?” 

Seungmin shrugged. “I’m currently writing a piece about how this girl has no girl code and kissed her friend’s boyfriend at a frat party the other night. Got sent in anonymously - I presume it was sent by the friend. You know anything about that?”

You thought hard. If it was what you thought it was, then yeah, you did. Jisung had mentioned something about it when you saw him last. “I think it was that girl… Teri, is it? She did kiss her friend’s boyfriend.”

Seungmin nodded, amused. You’d gotten into his good books at least. He started to tap away on his laptop, and you sidled up closer to watch him. He didn’t seem to mind, turning the laptop back slightly towards you so you could see.

He did have a way with words, and never gave away too much, but it made you think.

“Hey, Seungmin?” Seungmin perked up, making a little hum as acknowledgement. “Why have you never written anything about me? I mean, this hot bitch summer thing has surely got to be something you’d write about.”

Seungmin’s fingers paused again. He turned to you with an almost horrified expression on his face. “It’s a gossip column. I only write about stuff that’s wrong. Morally wrong things that people have done, and even then I give them dignity by keeping it relatively anonymous. How is what you’re doing wrong?” 

You stayed quiet, staring at him blankly. 

“Listen, Y/N,” He sighed, shutting his laptop. “I think what you’re doing is fucking awesome. Power to the pussy. You wanna know why I won’t fuck you?”

You nodded, arms wrapped around your legs where you sat. “I thought it was because you didn’t want to.”

Seungmin let out a small laugh, fingers moving to brush your hair behind your ear. The air conditioning’s high setting was blowing your hair everywhere, and he took a second to smooth the locks down. “Believe me, I want to. I just don’t think you could handle it.” 

“I definitely could,” you blurted. Then, you didn’t stop blurting. “Handle it, I mean. I could. Totally. I got a taste for it the other week and honestly? It’s kind of been plaguing my mind. Like, I kind of need it, Seungmin. I need to know. I’m so fucking curious, and-“

“This is the first problem,” Seungmin’s hand fell. He slipped the clips out of his hair, throwing him onto the floor where he’d dropped the face mask. “You don’t stop fucking talking. Have you ever thought of being quiet for more than five seconds?”

You shook your head, smiling teasingly. “I can’t say I have, no.”

Seungmin rolled his eyes. He placed his laptop on the floor alongside his discarded items, off to the side of the sofa. “Are you really that curious?”

“So curious.”

“Get on the floor in front of me. On your knees,” Seungmin spoke, his voice suddenly monotone and strict. You were quick to follow his demands. Minho had told you to be good for him, after all. You sunk onto the floor on your knees, feeling the wood biting into your kneecaps. Looking up at Seungmin expectantly, he scoffed. “Don’t fucking look at me.”

Oh. Your eyes immediately dropped to the floor, feeling a telltale wetness pool in your core. 

“Listen. Don’t talk,” Seungmin began. His hands were placed calmly on his legs, over another pair of those fucking plaid pyjama bottoms. At least he was wearing a shirt this time. Not for long, hopefully. “I’m going to give you a taster. I’m not going to take it easy on you. If you don’t like it, we walk away, move on and never comment on it again. If you like it, we will continue. How does that sound?”

You nodded.

“So dumb. You can talk now, obviously. I asked you a question.” 

“Yeah, Seungmin. It sounds good,” You mumbled, still staring at the floor. Seungmin leaned forward, pulling your head back sharply by your hair. You fluttered your eyes shut, unwilling to look at him until he’d given you permission. You would be good. Minho had told you to be. 

“Ready?” Seungmin asked. You hummed, and that seemed to be enough for him, because in one flurry of movement he’d raised one large hand and it was colliding against your cheek sharply. You could feel the skin already smarting, and you’d let out a loud, obnoxious moan at the pain. You wanted more - no, you needed more. 

“Oh. My God,” you huffed out, chest heaving. You heard Seungmin chuckle condescendingly above you. 

“You fucking liked that, didn’t you?” 

He dropped your hair, leaning back. You nodded again at his words, rather eagerly, biting your lip. “Seungmin, oh my God. Please fuck me. Please?”

“Hmm. Sure, why not? I’ll play with you for a bit,” He mused. You could hear movement again, your eyes still shut. “Open your eyes. You can come to my bedroom with me.” 

Immediately, your eyes opened, and you were scrambling to your feet. Seungmin had already started to walk out of the room and towards the large staircase leading to the bedrooms, and you had to pick up your pace to follow him. You knew where his room was. It was the same door you’d been rejected at - but now, you knew the reason for your rejection, and he knew you could handle it. You couldn’t fucking wait, almost vibrating with excitement. 

Seungmin sat at the edge of his bed, legs spread. To avert your eyes from trying to stare at his dick, your eyes flitted around the room. It was neat. Pristine. Not one thing was out of place, including the white sheets. Even the blankets were tucked in the corner like a bed in a hotel. It made sense - you could remember Jisung and Seungmin being roommates before they joined the frat, and Seungmin always had something to say to Jisung regarding the state of the room. 

Seungmin was a man who liked control. You could see that, most definitely, and it showed outside of sex too. It made you excited.

“I’m going to ask you again. Are you sure?” Seungmin spoke up. You finally looked at him, taking in his appearance. His face was still slightly dewy from the face mask and his plump lips were parted as he looked at you, eyes soft. The plaid pyjama bottoms encased his long legs, making him look way taller than he actually was, but the oversized t-shirt made him look like the soft boy you actually knew. Well, the soft boy you were getting to know. What better way to get to know him than to fall into bed with him? 

“I’m sure, Seungmin,” You breathed out. You felt like you were getting a bit too excited, maybe. “I’ll… I’ll tell you if it’s too much.”

“I’m afraid that’s not what I’m looking for, Y/N. I want it to be too much. Come and sit on my lap,” You obeyed, scurrying over to straddle those long legs. His hands immediately went to your hips, drawing soothing circles over your hip bones. “If it’s too much, I want you to say ‘red’. Can you do that for me?”

“I can do that,” You were speaking in a whisper again. Seungmin nodded, seemingly pleased.

Then, he was lurching forward, hand on the back of your head and bringing you in for a searing kiss. Those plump lips felt as good as they looked, slamming against you in a haze of vanilla chapstick and dominance. You immediately keened into the kiss, hands going up into his hair to try and get more of his lips against yours. Seungmin grabbed your hands instinctively, returning them to your lap. 

“I’m not going to spank you for that, but one more disobedience, and I will,” He mumbled against your lips. You nodded, waiting patiently for him to kiss you again. He delivered - tongue immediately pressing into your mouth in a heated kiss instead. You let your lips work in harmony with his, a simple kiss turning into a heavy makeout session. It didn’t last long enough, though - he was quickly pulling away with a few more pecks to your lips. “Bend over my lap.”

Huh? “But- you said you weren’t going to-?”

“I’m not going to spank that pretty ass. Dumb sluts don’t ask questions,” Seungmin scoffed. “Be a good little bitch and bend over my lap. I’m not asking again.”

Oh God. You immediately scrambled to lay your tummy over his legs, and he was quick to yank your joggers down. You’d realised it had been getting close to laundry day, and so all you had left really were your skimpy thongs that were to be hand washed delicately. 

“So you can follow orders, huh? Shocking,” Seungmin spat, one hand rubbing over your asscheek. With a quick move, he was pulling your ass apart. His other hand pressed your head down into the bed firmly. “Tell me again. How long have you wanted this? How long have you wanted to be treated like a fucktoy by me?”

You squirmed, sighing. “Since- since that night. With the others. Haven’t stopped thinking about it, Seungmin.”

Seungmin hummed, slender fingers pulling your thong down and revealing your pussy to him. You knew your folds were wet, slick and ready for him to fill you with something - his tongue, his fingers, his dick. You didn’t care at that point. 

“Makes sense. This pussy’s fucking wet, didn’t need any convincing,” His lithe digits slid through your folds, teasing your hole over and over but not quite pushing in. You just had to keep repeating the same thing in your head - be good, be good, be fucking good. 

You couldn’t hold back the shifting of your hips, however, trying to push back to gain more friction.

“Stop squirming,” Seungmin sighed. You nodded into the sheets, willing your hips to stop moving. On a particularly well timed brush against your hole though, your hips shifted again, a sigh falling from your own lips. Seungmin’s hand raised and came down against the flesh of your ass with a harsh smack, the skin rippling with the force. You gasped, head raising from the sheets. “I said to stop fucking squirming. Are you stupid or did you just choose not to listen?” 

You blinked, willing the haze to leave your eyes as you tried to focus on the scene. “I’m s-sorry. Sorry Seungmin.” 

With another quick move, Seungmin was flinging the fabric wrapped around your ankles off the rest of your legs and pulling you back upright into his lap. You were confused, wondering why he hadn’t fingered you, before he was looking into your eyes with a firm grip on your chin. It was a soft look on his face, a wordless question - are you doing okay? You smiled softly in response, and he looked to be holding back his own smile. 

Dropping his grip on you, he leaned back, leisurely resting on his hands. “You want to get off? Go on. You can grind on my lap. You lost the pleasure of having my fingers in you when you disobeyed me.”

“On- on your lap?” You asked, eyes looking down at the bulge encased in plaid fabric. He wasn’t quite hard, maybe half hard at a push. Seungmin didn’t answer your question, simply raising an eyebrow.

You hesitantly ground your clit down against Seungmin’s bulge. It was surprisingly pleasurable, perhaps too pleasurable - you were already holding back noises at the feeling of it against your swollen bud. You could feel the wetness starting to accumulate on Seungmin’s trousers, and you whined, leaning back with your hands splayed on his knees to get a better angle. 

“Feeling good?” Seungmin asked. The t-shirt you were wearing was almost covering you completely, but Seungmin was quick to yank that off, too, giving him a better look. “Shit, look at that pussy. I’m going to toy with you until you fucking break.”

“Yeah, yeah,” You blurted, hips quickening on his lap. “Yeah, break me- make me, make me good, yeah?” 

“Make you a good little bitch, huh?” Seungmin replied. He raised an eyebrow, looking down at the wet patch forming on top of him. “You are a filthy little thing, aren’t you? Look at you getting off on being treated like this.”

Your eyes went down to his lap, widening at the way the fabric was wet with your juices. It only made you grind harder, hands moving up to grip his shoulders tightly. He allowed this, clearly, his own body moving upright for his hands to grab your hips. 

“Oh, that look in your eyes. So out of it, fucked dumb and you haven’t even gotten my cock inside you,” Seungmin was laughing. He was laughing at you, degrading you, humiliating you - and it only made your pussy flush wetter. One hand came up to stroke hair out of your face, and it landed on your cheek, cupping it almost softly compared to the way he was speaking. “Are you gonna cum?”

You moaned loudly. You were going to cum, the feeling of impending bliss crawling up your spine and pushing you closer to the edge. “Yeah, yeah, I-“

“Aw, you’re gonna cum?” He cooed, a false sound of sympathy. His hand immediately went to your hair, yanking your head back once again and making you squeal. “Too bad. I decide when you cum and how you cum. You’re not cumming yet. Okay?”

It was a rhetorical question. It had to be, because you couldn’t form words at this point. Instead, your hips slowed down, staring into Seungmin’s round eyes. He screwed up his face in disappointment, using his free hand to move your hips again. 

“Don’t you fucking slow down. You keep going.”

Oh God, you were going to die. You whined obediently anyway, picking up your pace again. The feeling of being close returned almost immediately, accelerated by his hand in your hair and his filthy words. 

“Beg. Beg for me to allow you to fucking cum.” 

“Please, please Seungmin- I can’t hold it, I can’t-“

“You can, and you fucking will,” Seungmin retorted instantly. That cocky smirk was on his lips again. “Not good enough. Beg.”

“Please! Please, please, I’ll be so good for you, I promise. I’ll be- I’ll be your good little slut, yeah? Yeah? Can I cum? Please?” You were babbling again, eyes fluttering shut and your thighs clenching around his hips. It was taking every nerve in your body to try not to cum before he told you that you were allowed. You had to be good. 

“Mm. Okay. Cum for me, c’mon,” You instantly arched your back, fingers digging in even tighter on those nice, broad shoulders. You moaned loudly as you came, eyes watering with tears at the intensity of it. He’d be lucky if he didn’t have to throw those pyjama trousers out, to be honest. You could feel your pussy flooding the cotton.

Once you came down from your high, Seungmin’s hand relaxed in your hair. You were sufficiently sated, but you had to see it through. Shifting around on his lap, you noticed something out of the ordinary.

You just had one of the strongest orgasms of your life and he wasn’t even hard.

“Um, Seungmin. You’re… not hard?”

Seungmin laughed again, a condescending chime to your ears. “Why the fuck would I get hard over a slut like you in my lap?” 

Oh. It was very hard to ignore the incessant throbbing in your pussy returning from that one comment. Your eyes widened, giving you away, and Seungmin licked his lips. 

Not hard, though? Maybe you had to be a little bratty to get your way. “What if I showed you my pussy, Seungmin? You wanna see? ‘S wet for you.”

“For me?” Seungmin raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure just being present in this house gets that slutty cunt wet. Lay on your back.”

Damn. He always had to one up you, always putting you in your place. You loved every second of it. You moved off of his lap, laying on your back and staring at him expectantly. He stood up, shucking his t-shirt off and folding it up as if he had all the time in the world - because of course he did. His body was exposed to you again, and you took your time ogling him. Slender figure, but lightly toned. Very nice. He pulled off his pyjama trousers, again folding those too, and when he turned to face the bed, you saw it.

Big. Long. It was similar to Hyunjin’s. Nice and long, but not an abundance of girth, not like Changbin’s. It wasn’t fully hard yet, but what it was looking like was very promising.

“Stop eyeing up my cock,” Your eyes immediately darted up, finding a teasing, amused expression on Seungmin’s face. He was quick to make his way onto the bed, and you gazed up at him needily. Before you could even speak, his hands had flipped you over so you were on your stomach. “All fours.”

Obediently, you shifted to rest on your hands and knees. It was hard, arching like that and feeling your wet pussy leak down your thigh in need. 

“Beg for it. Beg for me to fuck you,” Seungmin’s fingers swiped through your folds again, and a wet noise filling the room displayed that he was jerking his cock to full mast using your pussy as lubrication. You moaned, turning your head to watch. His hand quickly shoved your head back in the pillows. “I said fucking beg.”

“Oh God, please, Seungmin,” You whined, muffled by the pillows. “Please. I need it, I need to fuck you. I’ve been good, haven’t I?”

“Hmm, you have been good. But have you earned it? Do you think you’ve earned it?” More rustling of fabric was heard and then Seungmin’s cockhead was pressing at your core. You gasped, trying to push your hips back onto him. His hand came down on your ass in a loud smacking noise. You could feel the skin turning red with the pressure. 

You almost fell over with the impact, clutching onto the sheets desperately. “Please! Please. I promise I’ll be good, I promise-“

“Listen to you, begging like the pathetic little bitch you are. That pussy’s so wet for me,” Seungmin swiped the tip of his length through your folds. The sensation made you whine, but you fought to not push back. With a small hum of approval, he was pushing in all at once - bottoming out instantly. He gave you no time to adjust, thrusting into you at a fast, precise pace. Of course he’d know how to fuck. It just made perfect sense. 

“Oh-! Oh, ‘s deep,” You writhed, feeling his cock hit your g-spot. More. More. Fucking more. “It’s so deep, Seungmin, I-“

“God, shut the fuck up. Listen to your pussy, the sounds it’s making for me. Listen to how much your pussy wants my cock,” Seungmin yanked your head up again, a large hand covering your mouth. His other hand rested on your ass, pulling you back onto his cock with every thrust. True to his word, when he covered your mouth, you could hear the wet slapping sounds of your tight hole hitting his balls. “Minho was right. That pussy does feel nice and tight on my cock.”

You squealed at the mention of your lover, toes curling into the sheets. It was muffled by Seungmin’s hand, and he shoved two fingers into your mouth upon hearing the noise. Sucking on them dutifully, you let out another quieted noise when his other hand smacked onto your ass roughly. His thrusts didn’t slow down, cock bullying into your hole and pushing you steadily into your climax.

“Should I send a video to Minho? Should I show him how much of a good slut you can be when you’ve been broken in?” He halted his pace, grinding softly against you. You could feel the brush of hair against your asscheeks and you whined, pushing your hips back. 

You shook your head rapidly, garbled words coming out. “N-No! No, Seungmin, just- harder, please, hnngg, need it harder-“

“Harder? You’re not in the position to make commands. So fucking dumb,” Seungmin yanked his fingers out of your mouth and pushed down on your back roughly. When you flailed, trying to catch yourself, he grabbed both of your wrists and pinned them behind your back. The slow pace continued, just grinding against you rather than fucking you senseless like you wanted. “Maybe I still have to break you in. Do you need to be shown how to fucking behave?” 

“I’m good, ‘m good, promise- I promise, Seungie, ‘m good,” You mumbled out, eyes hazy from where they’d been pressed against the pillow. Seungmin laughed at your use of his nickname before he completely pulled his cock out of your pussy. You whined, hating the loss of fullness, but then his hand was dropping from your ass and filling you up with two long digits.

“I’m going to make you cum like this,” He murmured, eyes focused on where your hole was leaking out around his fingers. His fingertips expertly crooked down to meet your g-spot, frantic rubbing bringing your high right to the precipice, as if he’d never stopped fucking you. Your legs were shaking, trying so hard not to squirm. Seungmin dropped your wrists, smiling when he saw you kept them where he’d put them. His hand smacked another large handprint into the flesh of your ass. “Feeling good, slut?”

“Aah… ‘s good..” 

“Fucking hell, maybe I have broken you,” A scoff was heard ringing around the room, making you feel so used, humiliated and plain fucking horny. Seungmin used two fingers on his free hand to rub precise circles around your clit, using the wetness of your pussy to make the slide slick on your swollen bud. You were done for. Your pussy clenched tightly around his fingers when you came, whines and broken noises flooding out of your mouth.

With a swift move, Seungmin was shoving long slick covered fingers around your throat and his cock back into your pussy. It made you gasp, eyes fluttering shut and your hips softly rocking as he picked up his fast pace again.

“‘S too much, Seungie,” you whined, shaking your head. Seungmin yanked your head back to face him where his chest was pressed against your back, raising an eyebrow at your expression. “I can’t-“

“You can’t? You know your safeword. If it’s too much, you say it,” Seungmin reminded you. Of course you knew your safeword. Red. You hadn’t forgotten it. You just would probably die if he stopped. When you didn’t reply, simply letting out another audible moan, Seungmin smirked and let your head drop again. “Fucking bitch. You want it to be too much, don’t you?”

You squealed when he grabbed your hips with both hands, pulling you back against every thrust. Your hands stayed obediently behind your back, gasps and loud moans flooding past your open mouth. Your jaw was perpetually dropped as he fucked your slick back into you, your toes curling in ecstasy. 

All too quick, Seungmin’s pace faltered, and his head dropped to in between your shoulders. His hair tickled your skin as he sighed deeply, uneven thrusts continuing inside of you. “I’m gonna cum. Pussy’s too fucking wet. Fuck, you’re such a good little slut for me, huh?”

“Yeah, yeah! Good- ah- slut for you, Seungmin. Cum inside me, please? N-Need it!”

“Need it inside you? Or do you want to taste it, whore? Wanna taste my cum?”

“Fuck, yeah, taste-“

Seungmin was pulling out with a swift movement, yanking your hair so you were sitting upright facing him. You stuck your tongue out obediently before you allowed your eyes to open, gazing up at him. 

God, he was a pretty fucking picture. Lightly tanned skin covered in a dew of sweat just like your own, large hand pumping a just as large cock right in front of your face. As soon as you locked eyes with him, Seungmin groaned, his head falling back as cum started to paint your tongue white. You moaned, curling your tongue around the cockhead to catch all of the substance.

“You are fucking gorgeous,” Seungmin huffed, deep groans still racking his chest as he came all over your tongue. You wanted to smile, but you suckled on his cockhead approvingly instead. 

Immediately, once Seungmin had finished painting your tongue with his cum, he was pulling out of your mouth and pushing you softly to lay down. You let out a confused noise, but he was already up and grabbing some baby wipes and a bottle of water from his drawer. You laid there, mind still hazy while Seungmin wiped you down with baby wipes. 

“Does anything hurt?” He questioned, rubbing soft fingertips over your thighs. It should’ve felt awkward, just lying there naked, but your mind was too fuzzy to care. 

“No, ‘m okay, just a little sensitive,” You mumbled, enjoying the feeling of soft sheets against your burning skin. Seungmin nodded, tossing the baby wipes on the floor carelessly before sidling up next to you. He slung one arm around your tummy, pulling you over so that you were laying on his chest. 

“Are you okay?” You nodded. Seungmin hummed, running his fingers through your hair. “You did really good for me, y’know that? Took it so well.”

You made a small noise of affirmation before Seungmin was grabbing the forgotten bottle of water, pressing the rim to your lips. Obediently, you glugged back half of the bottle in one go before falling back onto his chest. 

After blinking the haze out of your eyes a few times, you finally felt human again. “Seungmin, you fuck like an animal.”

Seungmin burst out laughing, drinking some of the water himself between giggles. “I did warn you!”

You laughed yourself, slapping his arm softly. Seungmin was still giggling, soft vibrations of his chest making your head shake on top of him. 

“Was it worth it?”

You blinked. “Stupid question. So fucking worth it. 10/10, would do it again.”

“You still have one to go, y’know. You can’t be coming back to me for more, Chan will get jealous and wonder when it’s his turn.”

One? You perked up your head, looking into Seungmin’s puppy eyes. “I’ve got two to go, not one. Chan and Jeongin.”

Seungmin raised an eyebrow. “You can’t fuck Jeongin.”

You scoffed. “Why not?”

“He’s a virgin, Y/N.”

Oh, now that was interesting.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

taglist: @moasworld @hopefulrascalstatesmantoad @queenofthegardengnomes @boomfrogg @hoeinthehouse @msaddictions @sunnyhonie @hizliyuruyen @jyu037 @jouoy @drhsthl @seungincore @jellylver @veedoesntknaur @meloncremesoda @k-poplv @livieloo914 @fekixfmp @fawnpeaks @minnielvr @imastraykidsfan @hanjisung2023 @hoelynecujoh @kyrviu @sxgeofprohets @everydreams-penumbra @chaneomma @kkissreol @phtogravi @secretjj @princelingperfect @personawthai @dirah-h @straykids5star @luvhyux @chuuswifereal @stg110 @cookiesandmilfx @number1seungminstan @skzswife @starsandrqindrops @poody1608 @cutiespaghetti @hwa-0403 @i8rsie @kpopsstuffs @everyonehatesshani @han8ul @velentine143 @vixensss @cuddlehye @sheeshhhhfelixsworld @angeldhd @comicnerd557 @leeknowfz @imwithurmother @hrtsformin @maknae00 @teaholic @ficrecnctskz @tasteskz-sworld @ilychee08 @thehomotron8000 @romynochill @freckleboilix @yunhorights @marrivmel @realrintaro @leoisanot8-wh0re @jazzyluuv @telesvng @jihanlovic

[wildestdreamsblog]

Might as well be drunk in love: 2 of 2 (sneakpeak)

Pairing: OT7 x Reader (CEO AU)

Summary: In which your friend thought it would be funny to give you a love potion, and in which seven CEOs accidentally drank it.

Warnings: Love Potion, Yandere behavior, Obsessiveness, Possessiveness, Manipulative behavior, Violence, Mention of death, Disability, If you’re not 18+ please, PLEASE, do not interact. Be mindful of the warnings. Let me know if I miss anything.

A/N: This is only a sneakpeak of day 2. I'm not yet done writing the second chapter but I feel bad bcos of how long it's taking me...so here it is! Sneakpeak of day 1. Also, the entire chapter will be posted here when I'm done and satisfied with it :> Enjoy po

Part 1, Full day 1

“No one told me that we have an adorable new housemate.”

The six sleepy men sitting around the dining table looked up as soon as Park Jimin walked entered the room, in his arms was a fluffy cat that was actively hissing at him. He cooed down at it, softly stroking the thick fur with his hand that was now sporting claw marks.

“We’re already so close!” he announced with softness in his voice despite the repetitive kicks brought by the furry creature in his arm.

“I don’t think you are liked very much…” Jungkook quietly commented, his doe eyes went even larger at the bleeding scratches on his skin. As if sensing an opportunity to escape, the cat suddenly wriggled free from Jimin's arms and darted across the room, landing squarely in Hoseok's lap.

“Hi, my son! Did you have a good night’s sleep?” he asked affectionately, reaching down to stroke the cat's fur.

“Hyung has a secret son!” Jungkook whispered to Taehyung in a scandalous manner, clutching his nonexistent pearls. Taehyung, who looked like he lived and fought through three wars from his exhausted form and his sluggish movement only nodded at Jungkook.

“Whose cat is that? Is that yours, J-hope?” Jin asked, pointing at the cat with his mug. He didn’t know that they now had a furry housemate. Additionally, he didn’t know that he was a cat person.

Namjoon just smirked at his brothers, “That’s not his.”

“My God, I am so tired,” Jimin sat next to Taehyung, his muscles aching with exhaustion. With a heavy sigh, he leaned his whole weight on his friend, seeking some semblance of comfort in their shared weariness.

"Everything hurts," Taehyung moaned, mirroring Jimin's sentiment. He glanced over at Namjoon, pleading silently for a solution. "We need her. Hyung, please. Do something," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation.

Jungkook finally put down his spoon with a loud thud, standing up to look at them one by one. “Okay, I cannot be the only one curious about whose cat that is!” he pointed at the cat who only meowed back at him before shifting his finger to his hyung who was silently eating with a smile on his face. “And you, why do you look so good this morning, hyung, while the four of us look like we are 3 hours away from passing away?” he asked Yoongi, his doe eyes demanding answers from the chaotic bunch that only turned more chaotic as the morning wore on.

Yoongi, taking a leisurely sip of his coffee, raised an eyebrow at Jungkook's question. His lips curled into a smirk, revealing a hint of amusement. "Well, Kookie, some of us are just naturally blessed with good genes," he quipped, his tone teasing.

“Excuse me?! Are you saying that I am not blessed with good genes?! Me?! The world wide handsome?! Now, you’re just outright lying!”

“Hyuuuuung, do something! I think I’m dying!” Taehyung shouted amidst the noise.

“Stop screaming you’re scaring my son!” Hoseok shot back all while covering the cat’s little ears.

“Whose cat is that even?!” Jungkook asked again in disbelief, the vein in his throat protruding from annoyance and curiosity.

“Oh my God, Taehyung! I already did something, okay?!” Namjoon finally raised his voice for him to hear.

“Ahhhhhhh, my head hurts and she’s the only cure! I have to go to her!” Jimin whined sadly, attempting to leave his chair slowly.

“In that state?!” Jin shouted at Jimin and Taehyung, already feeling the stress causing havoc on his otherwise beautiful face.

But Taehyung and Jimin were already halfway out of their chair, clutching their heads dramatically. "I can't take this anymore! I need her!" he wailed, his eyes darting around the room with desperation only to find you by some miracle.

“Little one…” he called, his voice small as though he couldn’t believe that you were truly there. It was like their pain manifested you, and heavens, it was worth it. He’d willingly go through this pain if it meant seeing you and having you here where you belonged.

With them.

“Good morning, has anyone seen my cat?”

Your voice, despite it being low, was sufficient to stop the bickering among the CEOs. How they heard you amidst their own noise, you didn’t know. One thing was for certain, though. They were attuned to you like lovesick men did. Their eyes were on you with varying emotions. Jungkook was surprised, to say the least. Taehyung and Jimin, on the other hand, were relieved. Yoongi's smirk widened into a grin, his eyes sparkling with delight at the sight of you. Seokjin stared at you in disbelief, as if trying to comprehend how you managed to appear amidst the chaos. Namjoon and Hoseok exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions reflecting a sense of contentment and joy. The pair looked like they secured an extremely important deal and even won the lottery at the same day.

You didn’t see Taehyung moved but you certainly felt how his heavy body fell against yours. You certainly heard his sigh of relief even as he swayed on his feet.

And when you touched his hand to support him, that was when he fell.

[wtfsteveharrington]

take the upper hand | carmen berzatto x reader

push the reset button we're becomin' something new

description: carmen berzatto is stubborn and anxious and doesn't always know how to express himself. your best friend drags you to a party that carmen knows you'll be at and he shows up to make amends and thank god he does because he saves you from dealing with some drunk asshole.

content warnings: angsty!! drinking/party scene, shitty drunk guy w/ a shitty guy mentality!!, reader gets hit on with one night stand suggestion tones, carmen's ready to swing, mentions of anxiety and jealousy. mentions of reader drinking. kissing, mentions of intimacy related scratches, some light smut references.

author notes: my first time posting something that isn't just smut!! also something that no one but me has read!! normally i always get a proof read, not today. but this idea has been rattling around in my ole noggin' for a minute now so here we are. reminder!! you are responsible for your own media consumption!! if this won't be your jam then there's tons of other fics in the sea (: ily thank you!

even if it's handcuffed i'm leavin' here with you

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

The last place you wanted to be tonight was some house party in Wicker Park. With Pitbull, of all artists, playing so loud in the basement that the floor upstairs was still vibrating. Everything was sticky and stinky and you did not wanna be here.

But your best friend was hooked on this guy from her gym. 

It didn’t help that Carmy recognized his name from high school and mumbled out some remark about, “Oh yeah, no Dave’s a pretty solid guy.” She was convinced it was a sign that they were meant to be. Not to mention she found his mom’s Facebook and a post from two years ago that included his birth time. The whole train ride over you listened to how compatible the two of them were and how much she loved that he was a Scorpio rising. 

She had begged you to come to this God forsaken party and help put in a good word for her. Something had her convinced that if you mentioned just how well you were getting to know Carmen to this Dave guy that he would hold your opinion of her in higher regards.

And sure, maybe there was a part of you that hoped Carmen would be here even while the two of you were feuding. He knew it was coming up but couldn’t promise he’d be off in time - Something you got quite used to. It normally didn’t bother you that he had so many late nights at the resturant but when it rains, it pours and now you’re stuck sitting next to the sink littered cups filled with what can only be best described as some sort of horrific finance bro jungle juice. A mix of 1942 and fresh pressed juice. 

Your nose wrinkles up at the smell but you’re quickly refocused at the booming sounds of Ethan Callaghan stumbling through the back door. Another man Carmy knew from high school but didn’t like as much. Something about always being too in-your-face. Though you were pretty sure he was close with the guy your best friend was currently hooking up with in some random bedroom down the hall. 

The second his eyes land on you there’s a lopsided smile being thrown your way as he tries to fluff his hair and stand up as straight as possible. He’s stumbling into the kitchen with a full drink in hand, droning on and on about how he was ‘just so jealous’ that your friend went into that bedroom earlier. How nice it must be to not end the night alone. No pleasantries at all, just right into the whole lonely and horny act that was grossing you out. 

No one particularly knew you and Carmy were together yet - He wasn’t the type who wanted to label right away and potentially mess things up and you weren’t the type to out your dating status to random drunken men either. Besides, you weren’t so sure that ‘I have a boyfriend’ would put an end to this pitiful man’s sob story. 

As if, on queue and manifested right out of thin air, Carmen rounds the corner and takes a second to soak in the sight in front of him. You’re sitting there with your eyes trained on the water bottle in your hands. Ethan’s yapping away about how pretty you are and how big his apartment is. An excellent view in Streeterville that you’d love to see with the best brunch place in town two blocks away blah, blah, blah. Your shoulders are hunched over, body leaning away from Ethan as he stands at the window watching his reflecting in the window above the sink. 

“Hey - Been looking for you.”

Carmen.

Your head whips around to the sight of his voice instantly. There’s a pang in your chest at the sight of him standing in front of you after you two had been apart for these last few days. He looked tired. Wearing a sweater he knows you love because he wants to look nice for you. God you wanted to run over and crash yourself against his chest. Screw the petty fight. Instead you’re stuck giving him a very pointed look, hoping he takes the hint to save you. 

He’d be lying if there wasn’t a split second where Carmen feared you were actually going to go home with this loser until he saw the panic and annoyance written across your face. Ethan’s laughing at the sight of him. “Hey, Dude. Think we’re all good here, yeah?” Oh he hates this dick. 

There’s a thick level of tension in the room as Carmen squares up his shoulders and steps further into the room. His eyes are trained on Ethan who clearly wasn’t expecting much of a fight out of Carmy. He stops when he’s standing between your knees, putting himself between the two of you. Something about the way he instantly turned possessive turned up a feeling deep in your stomach no matter how annoyed you still were. 

“Pretty sure someone out back was looking for you, Dude. It doesn’t seem like anyone in here wants you around. Now either you’re too fucking dense to realize it or you don’t care that you’re not wanted, but I’m here to let you know. So I suggest running out back and getting the fuck out of our hair.” 

Ethan’s clearly entertained while looking between the two of you, a playful glint in his eye. You’re silently begging him to walk away and find yourself bringing a hand up to put on the small of Carmen’s back. While you’ve never seen him actually fight, you’ve seen many scraps between him and Richie. Heard stories of him growing up and heard the Bachelor party story. 

You’re fine not having your own fight stories to tell. 

T-Pain is now blasting in the background and the contrast of people laughing and singing downstairs versus the situation you’ve found yourself in is making your head spin. The whole time your best friend is clueless and wrapped up in Mr. Scorpio Rising. She owes you big time. Like you’ve secured friend of the year already and she needs to throw a parade in your honor after going through this.

Ethan’s finally putting his hands up in the air, that shit eating grin still plastered across his features. “My bad, my bad. Didn’t know you were already claimed.” Claimed. Gross. Your fingers press into Carmy’s back, a silent plea to beg him not to escalate this even more. He’s laughing at the sight of the two of you before snagging a half finished bottle of vodka off the counter and backing up towards the back door. 

Carmen steps out from between your legs and follows Ethan to ensure he leaves. Shoulders pushed back, chest puffed out. You’d find the sight entertaining if you still weren’t so on edge. Carmen Berzatto, your protector. 

And sure, he’s probably just making this asshole someone else’s problem for the night but he doesn’t care. The main priority is getting you away from him and getting you safe. 

You catch the sight of his curls out of the corner of your eye when Carmen returns and instantly steel your spine. The shift in the air now that Ethan is gone was thick. He was a distraction from the distance between you two but now you’re preparing yourself for another argument when really you had no energy left to give it. There was a small worry that he’d think you gave Ethan any inclination that you were interested. Even though you two had been tense, there was never anyone else but you but him. Even if you’re too stubborn to drop that information just yet.

Carmen’s quiet. His heavy boots against the floor make your heart beat faster. Everyone had scattered out of the kitchen when he walked Ethan out of there but not before giving you two a nervous glance as they went. Some probably disappointed there wasn’t a fight if we’re being honest.

“Hey.” 

You don’t dignify him with a response. Crossing your arms over your chest and taking a sudden interest in the magnets that littered this guy’s fridge. Toying with the idea of putting the ‘Area 51 is for Lovers!’ magnet in your pocket. You figured you deserved something for going through this hell of a night. 

He stops himself once he’s reached your side, the silence awkward and thick in the air. Carmy’s hand is on your knee now, his touch not as firm as you’re used to. The whiplash of emotions once again not helping either of you know just quite where you stand. 

“M’still mad at you.” 

He winces but he knew it was coming. 

The two of you wallow in silence. Carmy’s just about to finally speak but someone stumbles in on the hunt for vodka, takes one look at the annoyance on your boyfriend’s face, before quickly muttering they’ll find it somewhere else. 

And you still won’t look at him. 

He’s grabbing at your waist now, pulling you from the counter and against his chest. You wanna protest but there’s still a buzz going through your body that makes it hard to think quick enough to push back. Plus God does he feel warm and smell so good.

Carmy’s walking backwards towards the fridge, waiting until his back is flush against it to slide down. Bringing down those magnets you wouldn’t stop staring at, family photos, whatever was in his way came with the two of you. He’s tugging you until you’re straddling his waist while he brings his knees up to support you. Grabbing a hold of your face, finally making you look at him and fuck he looks like shit close up. Dark circles, hair a little messier than he’d normally allow, a bit of fear deep in his eyes. 

“You gotta tell me how to fix this.” It’s all unfamiliar territory for him. There wasn’t exactly a good example set for him growing up to say the least. 

Four days ago Carmen watched as the barista at some coffee shop you wanted to go to flirted with you. That shit already annoyed him, but he tried to bite his tongue. Then your latte came out with a heart in the foam and you kept explaining that’s just how they all come out but he was jealous and possessive and didn’t know how to communicate that so instead the two of you fought in the car for an hour. It was so stupid and he’s been kicking himself in the ass ever since. 

The past four days you refused to talk to him and had done a good job at dodging the situation. Normally you two fight, you fuck, and then you pretend everything’s okay. The cycle was getting old and wearing you down.

Until now. 

You give a heavy sigh, reaching out to toy with the bottom hem of his shirt. Carmy really did look like it had been going through it so you’re throwing him a small bone. “Maybe not making me sit on a sticky floor would be a good start.” He’s muttering out this small laugh, thankful to hear anything coming out of your mouth let alone a joke, the sound vibrating against your fingertips and you hate how much it fills your heart. 

He waits for the rest. The other shoe to fall. Every ounce of laughter is gone when you finally collect yourself enough for - “Do you think we’re good together, Carmen?” You can feel him stiffen under you, his hands gripping at your waist because he needs something to give him some stability. 

A beat goes by. “I think you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Another beat, this time it’s Carmy who refuses to look at you. Eyes downcast and trained on your lap. “But I’m not sure I’m good for you.” You weren’t expecting that. 

Once again silence falls between the two of you, still toying with the hem of his shirt before you lean in to bury your face in the crook of his neck. Taking a deep breath that’s filled with his cologne, faint smoke, and just Carmen that you’ve grown to crave. “You just gotta learn to trust me, Carmen. Outta everyone in this world, I’m the main one who never wants to hurt you. Especially for some barista with a fuckin’ comb over.” 

You hoped he would laugh again, but the sound never comes. Instead you feel his arms go tight around your body, his knees coming up a bit more which makes you fully lean into his chest. He’s clinging to you, wishing so badly he knew what to say (or could let himself) say what he knows he needs to. Instead he’s just pressing a kiss ​​to your head, sighing into your hair. 

“I wanna be better for you. Just don’t know how.” 

The two of you cling to each other and fight to get as close as possible. The distance apart these past four days has left the both of you physically aching for one another. It’s been hours, days of a tense heart and checking phones for texts neither of you knew how to send. You press a kiss against his neck, leaning back just enough to grab his face in your hands and stroke your thumbs over his cheeks. 

“It’s scary for me too, y’know? This, us. You’re not alone in being scared but lashing out at me isn’t gonna solve anything. I’m not going anywhere, Carmy.” You take the first step in mending the relationship by leaning in to press a gentle kiss to his lips. There’s a hand coming up to cup the back of your neck, holding you in place as if he’s still scared you’re going to change your mind and run off before he can realize it’s happening. 

He’s letting you take the lead and only deepening the kiss once he feels your hands slide under his shirt. Fingers trailing along the toned skin while Carmey licks your bottom lip. Your hands glide around his back where you’re able to trace over healing scratches left on the skin from your last night together. 

Your lips part and you take the lead once again, letting your tongue slide along his and giving a low moan into his mouth as you taste him. There’s the lingering taste of cigarettes mixed with black coffee and Carmen. Once again indescribable and simply him. His grip on you tightens up in response and you know if you’re not careful then you’ll end up disheveled and tangled up in the backseat of his car or bent over one of the sinks in a disgusting bathroom. Both options you refuse to pick over getting home and letting him properly make this up to you. 

Dragging your nails along the healing marks, Carmen starts to lose track of his kissing. His grip on your neck tightening a bit more, hips rocking up towards you against his better judgement. The motion’s getting needy and sloppy and you have to pull away much to both of your disappointment. 

Shaking your head and bringing your hands up to rest flush against his warm chest. “You’re not gonna fuck me on this nasty floor. I deserve better than this.” Which, of course you do. He just gets carried up when he’s wrapped up in you. He’s nodding in agreement but can’t stop himself from licking his own lips to chase the sensation of you.

He’s looking over your features, his heart picking up pace even more than he thought was possible anymore. “Think you’re meant to be my forever, y’know? Sometimes I look at you and it scares the shit out of me because I look ahead and-... It’s you. Kids sitting at a table in the restaurants doing homework. A honeymoon overseas where I get to drag you around different pasty shops and restaurants and we’ll find random art in flea markets to hang when we get home. Take photos that end up framed. It’s you. Always.” 

Now how are you supposed to be mad when he’s this open and honest. Unpacking a future you had thought only you considered so far. You hope this behavior sticks. It’s not easy for either of you, but it’s worth fighting through the learning curve. “Kids, huh? Multiple? They’ll be your harshest critics, Carmy. I dunno if you can handle their reviews quite yet.” He’s chuckling, shaking his head with a lazy smile. “No, not yet. But one day.” The promise of more between you finally putting an end to this discussion for now. You make a mental note to remember this moment when the two of you bicker in the future - No matter what there’s always more on the road ahead of you. 

Which makes you smile too. Wrapping your arms around his neck. “One day.” You reward him with one more kiss, knowing that’s all the two of you can risk before you end up sprawled out on this floor. 

Carmy’s desperate to keep the lightened mood. He’s giving it a moment for both of you to calm back down from kissing before playfully scrunching up his face. “God you taste like shitty tequila.” It works. You’re laughing and swatting your hand against his chest, feeling a bit lighter than you did when you walked into this place. “Carmen Berzatto be nice to me!” 

He’s beaming at you now. Bright, happy. 

It’s a stark difference from the funk you’d both been stuck in since this fight started. The sight makes your heart swell and you bring a hand up to push some curls back off of his forehead. Leaning in to press a kiss against the tip of his nose. 

“Lemme take you home, yeah? Get you some food on the way? Gotta make sure someone so pretty doesn’t wake up with a hangover.” He loves taking care of you in anyway you'll let him.

You nod and carefully start to shuffle off of his lap. Getting yourself to your feet before reaching down to help tug Carmen up to his feet. You catch as he adjusts himself in his pants, a flush blooming along his cheeks and down his neck. Stepping back in until you’re chest to chest with him, you press a line of kisses along his jaw. Rough stubble going away once you find his lips yet again. You hum against his mouth, bringing your hand up to cup his cheek. “You gotta shave in the morning, Carmy.” He’s nodding instantly, reaching his hand down into his pocket to fish out the car keys. 

There’s a notification lighting up your phone - Perfect timing. A simple “Gonna spend the night ;)” text from your best friend. You can’t help but to grin and roll your eyes, turning the phone around so Carmen can see the notification too. He’s laughing while sliding a hand into your back pocket and starting to lead the two of you out of the kitchen. 

“Yeah, remind me to tell Dave that his friend fuckin’ sucks.” 

[watermelonlovershigh]

"Y/n, I really want a baby!" /blurb/

AN: i started writing this the same day Gemma announced she had a baby but you know me, i'm a slow writer and proofreader. so sorry it took me a few days to have it finished and posted. hope you enjoy and make sure to leave your feedback. xoxo

This story contains: talks of wanting a baby, heavy persuasion, small smut scene, breeding kink maybe?

{ husbandrry - soft!harry - uncle!harry - current harry era }

word count- 1,484

After the pregnancy announcement of Harry's older sister Gemma, Harry has become sick with the case of baby fever and tries to convince you over and over to start having children now rather then later.

Ever since Harry has become an uncle to his sister Gemma's new little baby girl, he's had massive baby fever. And it's not like you're opposed to having a baby with Harry. Of course you want a baby with your husband of a year, boyfriend of nearly eight years. But your original plan was to wait for another year or two and that's what you were hoping to stick to. But Harry is mighty convincing.

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

Gemma had invited you and Harry over to her little house back in Holmes Chapel that she shares with her long time boyfriend, Michal. Harry's been finished touring for about a month now so you had a bunch of free time to make the drive up there. When you arrived, you got the sense something was up. There was this sneakiness in the air that you couldn't ignore.

But that all ended after your dinner, as you sat on Gemma's nice plush couch, when she looks to you and then to Harry before blurting out, "We're having a baby."

Harry's eyes nearly bug out his head and he shouts, "What! Oh My God!!" He stood up from his spot on the couch as Gemma shook her head yes and walked over towards her, giving his big sister a big, warm hug. You allowed the brother - sister duo to have a moment before also standing up.

Once Gemma parted from the hug she had with her baby brother, because Harry never breaks hugs first, she reaches out to embrace you in a hug. "Oh My God, congratulations. To you both. I'm so excited for you guys."

Gemma whispers a, "Thank you." in your left ear before stepping back again.

After giving Michal a quick hug as well, Harry questions, "Wait, does Mum know?" His face is still in complete shock.

Gemma nods and responds, "Yeah, she was the second person I told. First being Michal of course. "

You each sit down again and continue the conversation, "I bet Anne sobbed when you told her."

Giggling, Gemma replies, "Oh yes. She first shouted in surprise, quite like Harry did, then cried. It was adorable and sweet."

----

Later that night on your drive back home to London, you look over to the driver's seat and notice Harry has tears in his eyes. You can only see that in the dark because the street lights are reflecting off his shiny eyes. Quietly, you coo, "Harry, what's wrong? Why are your eyes all watery?"

He turns his head to look at you quickly before watching the road again, then answering, "S'just, m'so happy for Gemma. M'gonna be an uncle. But then it got me thinkin', one day m'gonna be a dad and m'gonna get to hold our small baby and care for it and love on it. They get to call me dad. Y/n, I really want a baby." After saying that last sentence, Harry lets a full blown sob come out. One that you debate whether or not to have him pull over because you don't want him to crash the car.

"Oh baby," you say in a gentle tone, reaching over the center console to run your hand soothingly up and down his arm, "it's okay. You're gonna be the best uncle to your niece or nephew and the best dad to our kids one day."

"But what if I don't want to wait for one day? What if I want kids now? Y/n, can we start tryin' for a baby?"

You giggle at his eagerness and respond, "We said another year or two, remember. But I'll consider bringing the wait time lower. Just let me have time to think on it.

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

A couple weeks have gone by since Harry found out he was gonna be an uncle and his baby fever has yet to go away. You haven't gave him an answer on whether or not you want to start trying right now and Harry hasn't brought it back up either. He didn't want to bother or pressure you with answering such a big question. But, he has been bringing more persuasive hints your way.

For instance, the other day you were walking in the park and Harry spotted a little girl running up into her daddy's arms. Harry gets your attention at the sight and whispers, "Can you imagine, our little girl or boy runnin' into my arms? Where they know they'll be safe and loved. Of course your arms too but them feelin' love from their daddy is somethin' extra special."

And the imagine of that does get your ovaries tingling, you can't lie. Just picturing your child running into Harry's arms after a day at school, or after getting a little scrape on the knee, or when someone was being rude to them on the playground. Knowing their daddy will love and keep them safe. Ugh, maybe you do want a baby now.

Another time Harry has shown his baby fever recently is in bed. Right now you're on birth control so you still get to have raw sex and Harry takes advantage of that. Whispering in your ear while making love, "Gonna put a baby inside of you. Fill you up with my cum and give you all the babies in the world."

You breathed out while holding his body closer to yours, "You know I'm..... I'm on birth control, right?"

"Don't remind me. Let me just pretend, alright." Harry mutters while thrusting in to you with love and care. Obviously he knows you're on birth control and he'd never interfere with your medication knowing it's something you requested to be on for the time being. But that doesn't mean he can't pretend he's knocking you up.

And it's something Harry does, not just that time but several times following. Really every time you have sex after Gemma's pregnancy announcement where he got baby fever.

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

What the final straw was to make you want kids now rather than wait until later was when Harry's niece was born and you saw Harry interact with her for the first time. A day after Gemma had given birth, she allowed you and Harry to come visit. Anne had visited first, obviously since she's the mum and grandma, but next it was you two.

When you walked into the hospital room filled with pink balloons and flowers, you saw Gemma propped up in bed with her baby cuddled to her chest. Michal sitting next to the bed in a chair. Gemma waves you both over and asks Michal to grab the baby from her arms and hand her to one of you. (you and harry washed your hands before entering the hospital room) He offers the baby to you first but you shake your head no and say, "Let Harry hold her first."

Michal hands over his baby girl to Harry and it's like some kind of instinct comes forth with how natural he makes it look holding a day old baby. Looking down at the small baby in his arms, Harry coos shakily, clear emotions in his voice, "Oh My God, Gemma, she's beautiful. So small and delicate."

The view in front of you was the best sight you think you've ever seen. Your husband holding his baby niece for the first time. And now all you can picture is you in that hospital bed, looking over at Harry but instead of his niece, he's holding your baby. The one you created together with the love you made. Maybe even doing some skin to skin contact.

----

On your drive back home from the hospital, you blurt out, "Harry, I want a baby. Like right now." Harry nearly crashes the vehical. He has to actually pull over so he can make sure he heard you correctly.

"Y/n, what'd you say?"

"You heard me correctly, H. I want a baby right now. Not in a year or two. Seeing you with your niece today did something to me. Made my ovaries flutter and this big desire to see you holding our baby. A baby we made together." you explain softly.

Not thinking twice, Harry surges forward and crashes his lips to your. One hand cradles your face while the other settles on your thigh over the center console. Then breaking away to catch his breath, Harry smiles wide and speaks, "Yeah, you wanna make a baby together? When we get home m'gonna stuff you full of m'cum and get you so fuckin' pregnant."

His words turn you on beyond belief. And though you took your birth control this morning, you know tomorrow you're flushing the rest down the toilet. Harry knows the likelihood of getting you pregnant tonight is unlikely because you took your birth control today, but that isn't going to stop him from fucking you until his seed eventually sticks. Whether that takes days, months, or years.

(PLEASE REBLOG BECAUSE WRITING IS NOT EASY AND IT'S FREE SO JUST DO IT)

(no more tags are allowed because i've hit my number limit. sorry : ( )

tag list: @one-sweet-gubler // @harryscherrysugar // @hsfanficsrecss // @lollypopsx // @harrycanyonmoonn // @itfeelslikemytherapisthatesme // @damnasstyles  // @mrsstylesharry // @softmullet  // @meetmyblondemuffins  // @thegirlnextdoorssister // @stanleystyles  // @haarrrys // @michellekstyles  // @skyangel57   // @the-gardener-31 // @lhharrylilpumpkin // @yousunshine-youtemptress // @clairestylessss  // @kissmyaxe140  // @goldenmelonsugar-hi // @kaitieskidmore97 // @florencepughily  // @alienorknight //@dancearoundthelivingroom  // @swiftmendeshoran

 // @luv-flor7777  // @alohastyles-x // @tenaciousperfectionunknown  // @sleutherclaw // @siredtohybrid // @whoscamila // @a-strange-familiar  // @golden-elodie // @mrspeacem1nusone //  @goldenkhae // @lntwithhrry  // @shadowygladiatorlight  // @manifestrry  //@mendesblurb // @sunshinemoonsposts  // @depersonalizationsucks // @academiaghost // @zendayassimp // @reveriehs // @vsnnstuff // @dancinsunflowerkiwi // @quinnsgrapejuice // @walkingintheheartbreaksatellite // @justlemmeholdyou // @hsonlyangelxo // @luvonstyles // @howdey

______________

My Masterlist Masterpost

[miaoua3]

The WAY I RAN TO THIS AFTER I SAW your post about open request.

So here I go [ okay not not write if not comfortable] Mingyu "bestfriend/girlfriend going FERAL over mingyu tones abs calvin kelvin. She ruts in heat and ask mingyu if she could cum on his abs pls 😭😭

Can add some more plot accordingly I would love that. Thanks, I love love love to read your blogs!!

heya! of course i can, just one minor worry i have about this request.

you said “rut in heat” and idk if it’s my inner 13 year old who is thinking this, but it makes me wonder if you want me to write this as an omega verse?😭 if so, i have to disappoint- i do not like things like that (except the like bonded soulmate aspect of it ig but the sex details are just too much for me😭) so i will just write this as…normal verse?😭 idk anyway i hope that’s okay with you and that you aren’t too disappointed by it if it was what you asked for.

anyway, hope you enjoy this regardless!

Help Me Out, Buddy

Pairing: mingyu x f!reader

Genre: smut (MDNI), f!masturbation, oral (f! receiving), grinding, down bad reader, down bad mingy, friends to….something more?

Description: mingyu does a photoshoot for calvin klein. shirtless. it makes you salivate. and do more than salivate. so of course mingyu had to walk in on you doing the said thing.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

so here’s the thing-you were aware just how hot and sexy and indescribably perfect your best friend was. and sure, you may or may not have a crush on him, but you were sure you would never act on it or do anything stupid.

until.

a few weeks before it happened, you remember mingyu mentioning about some photoshoot or something, but did he really expect you to remember it? that man had photoshoots every two days, and so naturally of course you would forget him mentioning yet another one to you.

that is, until you saw the results.

mingyu. shirtless. a lot. and having his abs zoomed into.

and his abs. may god help you for you were about to sin for what you were about to do.

seeing how he was moving in the video, how his abs were flexing while he was raising his arms- and then the zoom in on his abs and crotch? it was enough to make you feel your panties dampen.

as you were rewatching the video again and again, you unconsciously started to slowly move your hips in a circular motion against your mattress, until you full on started to grind onto the duvet beneath you.

so here’s another thing- masturbating to the thought of your best friend is generally wrong. even more so when your best friend is someone like kim mingyu.

but after giving it all but 5 seconds of thought, you found yourself saying “fuck it” before reaching down to pull your shorts and panties down, before laying down on your bed, your fingers immediately finding your clit.

as you were watching the video for the nth time, you find your imagination running absolutely wild- mingyu between your legs, lapping on your juices, mingyu above you, fucking you so hard that you forget your name, mingyu beneath you, your knees on both side of his hips, sitting on his hard but still clothed cock while he’s fingering you, his long fingers hitting all the right spots until you squirt all over his abs.

so, here’s yet another thing.

mingyu has the keys to your apartment.

and he loves to unexpectedly drop by.

which seems to be happening right now- as you were now full on fingering yourself, your fingers trying to reach that sweet spot of your while moaning like crazy, your other hand completely abandoning your phone where the video was still playing, instead opting to cover your face in embarrassment due to moaning the name of your best friend.

which just walked through the door of your room, dropping the bag full of groceries down on the floor, his eyes glued to your heat where your fingers were playing with yourself.

the sound of bag dropping to the floor made you immediately snap your head to that direction, immediately trying to find the blanket to cover up yourself with, all while trying to sit up.

angrily (but more so embarrassingly), you yell at him “were you never taught to knock before entering a room!? what the hell!”, but mingyu just continues to stare at you with opened mouth and wide eyes.

feeling your face burn under his gaze, you cover your mouth with tour hand and look away, trying to find an excuse to explain what he just witnessed. it wouldn’t be as bad if you weren’t moaning his name just as he walked in through the door.

you hear him slowly approaching the bed, before he drops down to his knees on the floor in front of you, his huge and warm hands going to grab the edge of the blanket wrapped around your lower half.

you instinctively grab it too, pulling it closer to your body.

that is, before you look down at his eyes.

almost entire black, pupils blown with desire, desperately looking up at you before he speaks.

“please, let me have just one taste-just one taste and i-i- just one taste, please let me taste you, please, please-“.

and who were you to ever deny kim mingyu anything?

pulling him by the collar of his shirt, you pull him up before you smash your lips in one single hasty and messy kiss, before breaking it apart to pull down the blanket.

mingyu, ever the eager individual, doesn’t even have the time to process your kiss before he is dropping back down between your legs, kind of harshly grabbing your thighs to pull them on his shirt, making you fall down completely on your bad.

and then his lips are on you.

he’s sucking on your clit harshly and enthusiastically, before his tongue makes the switch to your hole, poking and prodding at it, sticking it in before swirling it around, before doing it all again.

to say that this got you moaning his name again is a total understatement.

but because you were already close to your high due to you playing with yourself, you felt your high creeping up on you faster than you would’ve wanted.

that’s why you find yourself grabbing him by his hair and harshly pulling him up, his mouth dropping while something between a moan and a gasp escapes his mouth.

and, i mean, you did promise him one taste, right?

you pull him for another quick kiss before you say against his lips “i want to cum all over your abs, lay down.”

mingyu, eager to just have you on him, does as you say, but not before taking off his shirt.

climbing over him, you find yourself in the position you were just imagining yourself in, the sight making you feel a little bit of your wetness slide down your inner thigh.

just as you reach to take his pants off, you suddenly remember something.

you have no condoms on you.

seeing the change in your face, mingyu asks you kind of breathlessly as well as worried “what is it? what’s wrong?”.

kind of pissed at yourself for not being able to predict future, you answer him “i don’t have any condoms here…so we won’t be able to…yknow…” you mumble the last part.

he immediately shoots back, not wanting to stop this any time soon, condoms be damned “we don’t have to have sex, yknow, there’s other things we can do that will still feel just as good as sex would”.

curiously, you ask him “like what?”

not answering you with any words, mingyu proceeds to unbutton his jeans before pulling them as well as his boxers down just enough for his cock to be freed.

and his cock? god, it had you salivating at the mere thought of having it inside of you. big, thick and veiny, it was resting against his stomach, almost reaching his belly button.

the sight of his cock resting against the tan skin of his abs, goosebumps raising on them either due to cold or something else, was enough to make you want to drop to your knees and have yourself choke on his dick.

breaking you out of your daydream, mingyu takes hold of your hips and move them a little bit backwards. confused, you look at him questionably.

looking at his dark eyes, his face serious, he answers “rub your pussy on my dick”.

heart jumping at the depth of his voice, you immediately lower yourself slowly down until his dick slides between your pussy lips.

the first contact makes you both gasp, your head being thrown back while his nails dig into the skin of your hips.

slowly, you start rolling your hips, his dick sliding up and down between the lips, his tip catching on your clit each time you slide down his cock.

his moans hit your ears, making you want to roll your hips even faster, just to make more of those beautiful sounds spill out of his mouth.

mingyu looks like he doesn’t know where to look at, jumping from your face to your hips suffocating his dick between his abs and your pussy. he finds himself suddenly babbling nonsense, just spilling out of him “fuck, you’re so wet, is enough to make me cum-jesus, if you roll your hips like that one time i really will be cumming in record time, stop it-“ he pauses halfway through to moan that important info.

but you seem to ignore his warnings, rolling your hips even faster, his thick cock sliding between your pussy lips, so wet and slippery that you have to press yourself down extra hard to feel the pressure against your clit.

and because of your earlier escapades, you feel your orgasm hit you so hard, it had you falling forward onto him.

seeing that he’s almost there too, you continue to move your hips at an animalistic pace, overstimulating your clit with the amount of pressure you’re putting on it.

and then mingyu is throwing his head back, a long and beautiful moan coming from the depth of his chest, his nails clawing at the skin of your hips so hard that you were sure it will leave scars for a few days.

the overstimulation, his beautiful face as he was cumming, as well as the constant pressure to your bundle of pleasure.

all of it paired together was enough for you to reach a new level of satisfaction.

because in one moment, you are watching mingyu’s beautiful face in pleasure as he reached his high.

and in the next, you feel a weird tingling sensation in your core.

right as you squirt all over your best friend’s abs, abdomen and dick.

mingyu watches in surprise as you soak his lower half and sheets, your face set in such a beautiful frown he gets the urge to watch it every day if possible.

as you both breathe rapidly, trying to regain your breaths, you just look each other in the eyes, your hands still resting on his chest while his slowly rub your hips.

yeah, friendship ruined, for sure.

(and you couldn’t be more thankful for it.)

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

that’s it! hope you enjoyed it!🫶

[urfavlarry]

—You’re the kind of person they write rock songs about

—modern!au Viktor x fem!reader warning. not proof read, might be OOC, swearing

part one || part two || part three

‼️A/N. if anyone wants to be added to the taglist for this fic, let me know!! ‼️

‘I need someome to show me the things

in life that I can’t find.’

With a loud thud, Powder burst into the room, stumbling over her own feet and nearly causing your morning coffee to spill all over your art project—a project due in just under a week. "Powder! Jesus—slow down!" you exclaimed, letting out a frustrated groan as you steadied your coffee mug. Taking a long sip to steady your nerves, you swiveled in your desk chair to face her, one brow raised in curiosity. "So, what’s got you in such a rush?"

Powder was practically vibrating with excitement, her energy contagious enough to turn your initial annoyance into amusement. "You know that café with the whole vintage, 80s vibe you’ve been dying to visit?" she began, her tone filled with anticipation. Immediately, your ears perked up, and your confusion began to shift into hope. “Yeah, what about it? They’re always booked solid. Did something happen?” Instead of answering, she squealed with delight and shoved her phone in front of your face. On the screen was a reservation confirmation—a table for eight at 12 o’clock.

Your eyes widened as you did a double take. “No way.” Checking the time, you saw you had exactly an hour and fifteen minutes to get ready. Without hesitation, you pulled Powder into a quick hug and kissed her forehead before running off to prepare.

As you enter the bathroom you decide to style your hair in the way you always did for special occasions. It was a routine you knew by heart, and the familiarity calmed your excitement enough to let you focus. Opening your chaotic closet, you scanned its contents and grabbed the first outfit that caught your eye. You layered it with accessories that reflected your personal style before glancing at the clock. "Forty-five minutes," you muttered, impressed with your speed. Thankfully, waking up early to shower and do your skincare routine meant you had saved yourself a lot of stress—a rare victory you silently thanked your past self for.

Powder, now pacing the dorm trying to think of what to get at the café, noticed you were ready and practically dragged you to the full-length mirror she had insisted on bringing to your shared space earlier in the semester.

"Wait! Stay still," she commanded, snapping a quick picture of the two of you. You struck a playful pose at the last second, making her giggle as she added the picture to her camera roll, no doubt planning to post it later along with the many already planned ahead photo ideas she had in mind.

Powder grinned and grabbed your hand, practically bouncing out the door as you both made your way toward what promised to be an unforgettable day.

Oh and unforgettable it was.

You arrived at the subway station and met up with everyone— except Mel and Jayce who decided they’d go by car since it was the best possible option for them as they were out earlier that morning and were just 10 minutes away from your destination.

Viktor was seated next to you while the others had run off to find a place to sit in the packed space which had been a bit uncomfortable since everyone was standing body to body and god knows how many pervs were lurking around. You absentmindedly scooted closer to Viktor, bumping into his cane which almost hit the person standing next to you before you luckily caught it. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry I wasn’t thinking straight— shit, is it damaged or anything? I’ll buy you whatever you please at that cafe, I’m sorry.” You stuttered out, earning a teasing grin from Viktor. “No harm done, but if you’re offering..” You breathe out a relieved sigh, chuckling sheepishly; “I mean I don’t mind getting you something. It could be like a thanks for listening to me and my band play.” And with that, it was settled.

When the train pulled into your stop, everyone spilled out onto the platform. Ekko stumbled dramatically, throwing his arms up as if he’d just escaped certain doom. "Oh my god fresh air!" he exclaimed, drawing laughter from the group. “Alright, let’s go," Vi said in a commanding tone. "We’ve got twenty minutes until our reservation, so move it, squirts, and Vik." She said, Powder flipping her off as a faint; “Hey! Why’d you leave Viktor out of your pathetic try at an insult?” could be heard as all of them climbed up the stairs ahead of you and the man mentioned.

The walk to the café was surprisingly quiet, save for Powder and Ekko’s chatter. Viktor’s cane tapped rhythmically against the pavement, a sound that seemed to echo in the silence. You fiddled with your sleeves absentmindedly, still replaying your earlier clumsiness in your mind. Noticing your fidgeting, Viktor broke the silence. "I heard you’ve been wanting to visit this place since the start of the semester," he said, his tone more observational than questioning. You looked at him, caught slightly off guard by his comment. "Yeah," you admitted, your voice softening. "I’ve always loved the vibe. It’d be a dream to play there, but it’s just one of those things that probably won’t happen." Viktor frowned slightly at your words. "Why not? You’ve got the talent. And, dare I say, a very charming personality. There’s no doubt you could swoon the manager over and into giving you a gig—maybe even by next week."

His confidence in you made your cheeks flush, a shy smile spreading across your face. "Viktor, you really have a way with words it’s truly admirable," you said with a laugh. "You know, you’re the kind of person they’d write rock songs about."

Before he could respond, you giggled and darted ahead to catch up with the rest of the group, who were now gathered at the café’s entrance. Viktor watched you go, a faint smile playing at his lips before he made his way over to where Jayce and Mel were waiting.

The café was a dream come to life. Warm signs flickered gently against the dark wood walls, and the faint crackle of vinyl played on an old jukebox in the corner. Every detail—from the checkered floor to the vintage records and trinkets on the shelves.. it all felt so unreal. The stained glass also added on to the whole vibe, the colourful glass reflecting the suns beautiful rays onto the floor, walls and even booths giving it that magical touch.

You couldn’t help but smile as you took it all in. Powder was already snapping pictures with her phone, Ekko leaning into the frame and striking goofy poses. Caitlyn and Vi claimed the booth’s corner seats, their hands brushing as they shared a menu. Jayce and Mel arrived shortly after, bringing the group all together.

The energy was vibrant, the table filled with overlapping conversations and laughter as everyone admired the café’s welcoming and cozy aura. Viktor took a seat beside you again, his quiet presence somehow grounding amidst all the noise.

"See?" Powder beamed, nudging your shoulder. "Worth the rush, right?" "Totally," you admitted, leaning back and savoring the moment. "This place is amazing." As everyone placed their orders, Viktor leaned slightly toward you, his voice low so only you could hear. "Do you still think playing here is just a dream?" His question caught you off guard. You looked at him, unsure of how to respond. "I mean... yeah? It’s not like places like this to just hand out gigs to random people. I doubt they’d want a rock band playing here anyway.. especially not college students.” He let your words sink in for a while before a small smile tugged at his lips. “Who knows. Sometimes you just need the right connections to make things happen.”

Before you could press him on what he meant, the food and drinks arrived, and the table erupted into excitement. Plates of waffles, milkshakes, coffee and a whole bunch of other delicious dishes were passed around, each one looking like it had stepped straight out of a retro diner ad.

Ekko was the first to dive in, immediately stealing a bite from Powder’s plate. "Hey!" she protested, smacking his hand away with a laugh. Everyone dug in and continued their conversations, you yourself indulging in a conversation with Mel and Jayce who were curious about your career choice and major which you were more then happy to talk about. They stared in awe as you explained how you met each member and how you all formed the band, Powder and Ekko later joining in and as did Caitlyn.

At some point, Viktor excused himself, disappearing for a whole 15 minutes but you decided to let it go, indulging in whatever topic your friends had brought up.

When Viktor returned, he wore an expression that was far too pleased with himself. You raised an eyebrow, but he simply shrugged and slid back into his seat, redirecting the conversation effortlessly.

The group lingered at the café for over an hour, soaking in the atmosphere and sharing stories. When it finally was time to leave, you felt a pang of reluctance but pushed it aside, grateful for the experience.

As the group made their way out, Viktor fell into step beside you. "You might want to keep your calendar clear for next weekend," he said casually, his tone light but meaningful. You frowned, confused. "Why?" "Let’s just say you’ll need it free," he replied cryptically, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

You wanted to press him for more details, but the others were already calling for you to catch up. The walk back was just as lively as before, Powder and Ekko bickering playfully while Vi and Caitlyn walked hand in hand.

All the while, Viktor’s words echoed in your mind, sparking a tiny ember of excitement you couldn’t quite extinguish.

The days that followed Viktor’s very vague message had you up and restless all night. You tried to keep yourself busy—between classes, band practice, and working on your art project, you thought you could distract yourself with but Viktor’s words lingered like a riddle you couldn’t solve.

Powder was no help either. “You’re overthinking it,” she said casually one night as you both sat in your dorm. “Am I?” you asked, strumming a chord on your guitar. “He tells me to keep my calendar clear and then refuses to explain anything. How am I not supposed to think about it?” Powder shrugged, lying back on her bed with her phone in hand. “Look, maybe it’s something cool, or maybe it’s just Viktor being, y’know, Viktor. Either way, freaking out isn’t gonna help.”

You sighed, knowing she was right, but it didn’t stop the curiosity from eating at you. Viktor was too intentional, too precise for this to be random. Whatever he had planned, it wasn’t something small.

By Wednesday, your patience had worn thin. After class, you spotted Viktor in the library, surrounded by notes and his laptop, indulged in his work. Deciding you couldn’t wait any longer, you walked over and slid into the seat across from him. He looked up, mildly surprised but not displeased. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” He smirked, knowing exactly why you were there.

“You know exactly why I’m here,” you said, folding your arms. He raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly. “Do I?” “You’ve been playing this weird game of mystery all week,” you said, exasperated. “Come on, just spill it already. What’s going on?” Viktor chuckled softly, amused by your little outburst. “You’re impatient,” he observed. “Yeah, and you’re avoiding the question,” you shot back, brows furrowed with annoyance.

Viktor’s smirk widened slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Perhaps. But where’s the fun in revealing everything so soon?” You narrowed your eyes at him, torn between frustration and curiosity. “You know, not everyone enjoys playing your shitty guessing games, Viktor.” He leaned forward, resting his hands lightly on his cane. “And yet, here you are, thoroughly invested.”

You opened your mouth to retort but stopped, realizing he was right. “Fine,” you said with a resigned sigh, leaning back in your chair. “But if this turns out to be some overhyped bullshit, I swear to god Viktor I’ll smash my guitar against your head.” You said, of course not meaning the petty threat seariously since guitars were hella expensive but you definitely were annoyed.

Viktor’s chuckle deepened, the corners of his mouth twitching in a rare, genuine smile. “Noted. But I don’t think you’ll be disappointed rockstar.”

taglist: @skullmvncher @startingtoloveyou

© URFAVLARRY

DO NOT REPOST, TRANSLATE OR COPY ANY OF MY WRITING TO OTHER PLATFORMS

I DON’T CONSENT FOR MY WRITING TO BE USED TO TRAIN AI 🚫

[ripleylove]

You rock my world.

pairing: Jey Uso x fem OC (Sharon).

genre:fluff and suggestive?

summary: As Jey and his twin brother Jimmy were eating at a Chinese restaurant,in front of them passed a beautiful girl,that Jey instantly took a liking on.

A/N: hi! posting this at almost 6 am cause seeing rhea on my screen after like three months gave me motivation so ye ALSO I couldn't sleep so I said fuck it in gonna post after weeks. hope y'all enjoy!!! <3

⋆ ˚｡⋆𔓘⭒๋࣭

The ramen shop Jey and his twin brother Jimmy were eating in was full to the brim,but,with a bit of persuasion,they managed to convince the owner to let them sit on the big window placed at the front of the traditional restaurant.

"C'mon,Jey! You promised you were gon' pay this! Why you arguing with me?" Jimmy exclaimed while making dramatic hand gestures to prove his point.

Jey sighed,and,clumsily,placed a hot dumpling in his mouth, enjoying the warm sensation it brought.

"Nah,uce,you are paying for it." Jey nonchalantly said,and Jimmy audibly gasped,making a few heads turn.

"You can't be for real! I paid the last time,so now it's your turn,uce!"

"But it was your idea to come here,why do I gotta pay!" Jey exclaimed,putting his wood chopsticks in his ramen bowl as he tragically turned to his twin brother.

As Jimmy's third plate of spring rolls arrived,Jey rolled his eyes.

"See? You wanna eat like a damn pig, you're gonna make me broke! That's what you're paying for,I ain't paying nothing." Jey said with a sassy tone to his voice,but their arguing quickly stopped. (or,at least, Jimmy's arguing.)

"Ooooo,look at that! God damn!" Jimmy muttered under his breath,and Jey couldn't help but stare at the beautiful girl passing just in front of them.

Her pitch black curly hair extended to her back, accentuating her brown and glowy skin.

Her red velvet dress flowed by its own on her perfect body,fitting like a glove on her curvy figure.

Her plump lips decorated with brown lip liner and lip gloss that was slightly lighter,and her perfectly made shimmer eyeshadow added more details to her flawless self.

Her matching stilettos completed her outfit, together with her black Birkin bag and her big gold hoop earrings.

Jey looked at her with,almost,heart eyes.

The confidence that her aura radiated, was able to captivate everybody's interest,and Jey wasn't any different.

As she was making her way to the bar where she would have to meet her best friend Karina,she turned around to make eye contact with the twins,but,especially,with Jey.

"Oh,man. She's looking at you!" Jimmy said,while teasingly nudging his younger twin's muscular shoulder.

Jey immediately acted confident,rubbing his beard with his rough fingers,while looking at the girl he deeply desired.

"That girl is mine." Jey said,standing up from his seat at the window,his twin mirroring his actions.

As he was standing,she was still looking at him,and as she saw him starting to approach,she smirked and started walking away.

Jey didn't hesitate to run out of the restaurant,but,as him and Jimmy were finally out,they couldn't manage to find her.

"That's it,man! This is how I lose the prettiest girl I've ever seen!" Jey whined,and looked at his brother with a look of defeat.

But,after some seconds,the girl came back to their sights,and she was just some meters away.

"She's so pretty." Jey whispered,as he watched her passing in front of him, probably heading to a bar close by.

The realization hit,and Jey decided to chase the most beautiful girl he's ever seen,while she was directed to the bar.

Entering the place,with both of the twins following behind her,she greeted her best friend Karina with a hug,that was reciprocated.

Besides the two pretty girls,a classy and quite old looking guy approached,and tried to hit on the girl Jey desired.

"Hey,I bet you, can't nobody get that girl." Jimmy whispered in Jey's ear,and the youngest twin rolled his eyes.

"Jim,I can get her." Jey looked at his brother with a 'I'm done with your bullshit' kind of look,and Jimmy tsked.

"I bet you never-Neverland,you can't." Jimmy teased his brother with a nudge in a joking manner.

"Watch me get that girl." Jey securely admitted,looking at the girl he wanted.

"C'mon,uce. Hurry up or they're gon' steal her from you!" Jimmy motivated his twin brother,and Jey finally decided to make a move.

With a confident walk to the front bar,Jey quickly but surely reached the girl he liked,and she was staring at his every move with her ocean siren eyes.

Jey offered his palm to her,a gesture that she immediately understood.

She removed her hand from the old man's grasp,and took Jey's instead.

A sincere smile lingered on Jey's face,while she wrapped her hands around his neck,and he wrapped his around her small but curvy waist,as a ballad song graciously embraced the two in a bubble of softness.

Her body moved gracefully against his,and Jey's large hands caressed oh,so tenderly her back,that was exposed thanks to her charming red velvet dress.

The dim yellow light of the bar created an intimate atmosphere,and her sparkly honey flavored body oil made her whole figure outstand.

As the chorus of the song gently filled the two lovebirds' ears,her icy blue eyes looked up at his chocolate ones,and they could already feel the connection between each other.

"So,what's your name,ma?" He asked while still looking at her,and he swore he saw a flush lingering on her cheeks for a moment.

"Sharon. Yours?" She asked back,and he smiled at her soft tone of voice,and he didn't hesitate to answer.

"Joshua,but I like to be called Jey." He admitted,and she mirrored his previous smile.

"Jey." She whispered under her breath with a sheepish smile,and,to him,it seemed like his name gilded off your tongue like honey.

"You could also call me yours." He added with a wink,and she rolled her eyes playfully.

"So...do you wanna get outta here?" He asked after some other songs played in the background (and after they danced them all),hopeful that you would agree.

In fact,she nodded and he let go of her waist,wrapping his large hand around hers,and the sensation it brought was priceless.

Jimmy was sitting at the front bar drinking his second glass of Martini,when he saw the both of them coming towards him with joined hands.

"I suppose you really did get her,uce. Wouldn't have expected my bro to have such a talent!" Jimmy snorted,taking another sip of his alcohol,and Jey gestured to him to shut up.

"Shut up! Uce, I'm gonna use your car to take Sharon out of here,and you gon' take a taxi. Got it?" Jey didn't even give time to his twin brother to respond when he gave you his (twin's) jacket,and brought you out of the bar.

Jimmy sat on the stool of the front bar with a deeply confused expression and he asked to himself,

"Did he just steal my car and my jacket?"

taglist: @stellakiddsblog @bibibi-tchx @p-mp @teenagedramaqueenlisa @thegalacticnacho091 @judgementdaysunshine

[shadowsndaisies]

the hard deck: too observant to play dumb (pt 1)

wc: 1.7 k

synopsis: how the arrival at the hard deck went

main masterlist

athena-verse master post

a/n: hey yall! so fun fact it has been 8 years since I started this blog, and as a little thank you, I have a 3 part update to the athena-verse, the whole thing comprises the hard deck scene from the beginning of the movie and will end basically where athena settles debts starts. as always I hope you enjoy, and let me know if you want to be added to the tags!

You'd been standing with Jake and Javi when Nat finally walked in.

"Athena! I've been looking for you!" she shouts, pulling your attention away from the pool table you'd just set up with Javi.

"Oh shit, sorry 'Nix," you offer a half smile.

"Answer your god damn for when I call you," she groans, pointing menacingly at you.

"Yes, Ma'am," you mock salute before noticing the two men behind her. "Looks like you made new friends just fine though," you offer jokingly.

"Payback, Fanboy. Meet Athena, smoothest flier you'll ever see," Phoenix introduces, and you smile warmly at your friend before offering your hand to the two behind her.

"Nice to meet you fellas," you greet.

"High praise coming from Phoenix," Fanboy notes, shaking your head.

"Highest of the high, actually," Payback adds on.

"Yeah, well, there's almost no one I'd rather have on my wing than 'Nix," you compliment back. You were going to ask how they knew your friend, but someone else interrupted you before you could.

"Yo, are we playing or what?" you roll your eyes as you turn back to where Jake and Javi are standing and gesture to the three in front of you; you realize Jake is hunched over the table, lining up his next shot.

"I'm playing nice, Seresin. You should try it," you prod, and Javi manages a slight smirk at Jake.

Jake looks up and makes eye contact with you while landing a ball in a corner pocket, and you can't help but roll your eyes again, cocky bastard. When he straightens, he finally notices what has caught your attention. "Well, what do we have here? If it ain't Phoenix, and she found new friends," he smirks, walking around the table in your direction. "And here I thought we were special Coyote. Turns out the invite went out to anybody."

It's almost like a switch is flipped, you realize, watching as Jake now interacts with others. Cocky attitude inflating his ego in a way that was so Hangman but not necessarily Jake. Nat didn't believe you when you tried to explain that you saw past it, and that's why you were friends. She was confident in her reading, which fair, especially when he acted like this.

"Fellas this here is Bagman," she introduces, and you can already tell it's going to be a long detachment spent between your two friends, especially since they hate each other.

"Hangman," he corrects, tone slightly barbed.

"Whatever," Phoenix makes a face at him and rolls her eyes when she looks at you as if to say, C'mon Athena, don't you see what I'm talking about? "You're looking at the only naval aviator on active duty with a confirmed air-to-air kill," she adds on, turning back to Jake.

Your eyes narrow at the compliment-like a statement; however, you don't trust it for a second.

Hangman smiles, "Stop," he muses as he settles down beside you, bumping your shoulder with his as he does, full of pride like a peacock strutting his feathers.

"Mind you, the other guy was in a museum piece from the Korean War," she clarifies, and you nod; you felt this was where she was taking it.

"Cold War," Coyote corrects, always one to back up his friends.

"Different wars, same century," Payback interjects.

"Not this one," Fanboy tacks on.

"Who're your friends?" Coyote asks, eyes dancing over the two on either side of Phoenix.

"Payback."

"Fanboy."

Both aviators introduce themselves with a simple nod, and you can't hide your smile of amusement. The testosterone was off the charts, and Nat was leading the bunch.

"Hey Coyote," she greets, eyes darting to Javi, and you fight the smirk at the look in her eye.

"Hey," he greets, dragging out the 'ey' a bit, and your eyes dart over to Jake just to find a knowing look already focused on you.

"Who's he?" Nat asks, nodding to the side.

"Who's who?" Coyote's brows had furrowed down, and then Nat turned to look at the quiet Aviator in glasses who'd been munching on peanuts while you played pool.

"When did you get in?" Coyote's voice floats over from behind you as you take a moment to observe your silent comrade.

"Oh, oh I've been here the whole time," he admits, and your brow quirks, and quickly you turn to look over at Jake.

"Man's a stealth pilot," you muse gently, and even Nat cracks a smile.

"Literally," Coyote nods.

"Weapons systems officer, actually," he corrects, and your lips twitch; he's adorable, you decide immediately.

"With no sense of humor," Jake huffs out.

You elbow him, and he gasps before standing and handing off the pool cue to Nat.

"What do they call you?" you ask, voice sweet.

"Bob," he answers, offering a hesitant smile in response to your wide one.

"No, your call sign," Payback clarifies.

He seems to hesitate, "uh.." he trails for a second, and you can read the nervous energy easily. "Bob," he repeats, and you frown a bit at the cautious undertones of his voice.

"Bob Floyd?" Nat asks. "You're my new backseater? From Leemore?" her tone had turned a bit incredulous. The smothered chortles from Payback and Fanboy were not nearly as covert as they seemed to think it was, based on the glares Nat was sending them.

"Looks like it, yeah," Bob confirms, and that nervous undertone is still there.

Nat pauses and looks at you. You tilt your head knowingly, and she nods, turning to the back seater.

"Nine ball, Bob. Rack 'em."

"Uh.. kay, yeah," he nods, standing and taking the pool cue outstretched in Natasha's hand.

You pat your friend's shoulder knowingly before turning to look for Jake. You spot him at the bar and start walking that way. You pause, though, when you see him talking to Penny, and then you realize who was on the other side of her and, most likely, who had just caused the bell to ring. Leave it to your dad to piss off the woman who loved him through his worst and best without even trying.

You're so focused on watching the interaction at the bar you miss it when he walks in.

"Bradshaw! That you?" Nat's voice rings out over the noise of the bar. It's only now starting to get busy, and you can't help the way your head snaps over to him.

You'd knew he'd be here. He said as much in his email, but being confronted by him and the past you avoided was something you decided then and there that you weren't ready for.

You're stuck, frozen, watching him interact with Phoenix.

"This is how I find out you're stateside?" she asks before lining up to take her next shot.

"Yeah I thought I'd surprise you," he responds with an easy camaraderie that you hadn't realized existed with the woman you considered to be one of your closest friends these days.

He's looking around the bar, not having spotted you yet, when Nat lets out a hum, taking her shot. Obviously, she lands another in the pocket; this was Phoenix we're talking about. She manages to hit Bradley in the gut with the end of the pool cue, forcing him to keel over a bit.

A petty and vindictive piece of you takes pleasure in that. But another piece, a little girl, she aches for the easygoing relationship and the best friend she once had.

"Guess I surprised you back," she smirks, facing Bradley.

He nods at her, "it's good to see you," he manages to huff out, slowly standing back up.

"It's good to see you too," she smiles, and he lays a gentle hand on her shoulder, and you have to turn back around.

You're counting your breaths again, focusing on what you can see, touch, hear, taste, and smell. You realize too late that Jake's analyzing you. He'd seen how you stiffened up and focused on the interaction, and he saw how you forced yourself to turn around, away from Bradley.

He grabs the beers Penny offers him and a glass of something else, says something to Penny, you think, and then turns back, walking toward you. He places the glass in your hand with a whispered "G&T."

"Thanks," you manage to spit out.

"Where's your head?" he asks, voice still low, and you know that right now, no one is paying attention to the two of you.

"A little too far off the ground," you admit; it wasn't worth the effort to lie to Jake; generally, he saw through it anyway.

You notice how his eyes dart past you, looking at Brad and Nat, but he doesn't ask you about it. Instead, he asks, "What do you need?"

"Time machine?" you ask, eyes finally meeting his straight on instead of jumping around like they had been. He was good at that, asking the right questions; probably a perk of learning how to piss everyone off is also knowing when to pull back.

"Fresh out, I'm afraid," the drawl in his Texan accent always appeared early in the morning and late at night, but also when he drank. Your favorite appearance was in the whispers when he talked low, and it just tended to bleed into every word; it made you think of Jake the football star, Jake the kid who grew up on a ranch, a version of the man before you, you never got to meet.

"Then I guess I'll have to just… manage," you muse sourly.

"You always tend to do better than just manage, 'Thena," he reminds you.

"I don't know about that, at least not this time," you admit.

"This got something to do with Bradshaw?"

"You're too observant to play dumb," is how you answer.

"What, is this a kiss and not tell situation?" There's a cloud in the green of Jake's eyes as he asks, and you're tempted to answer, but quite honestly, you weren't sure if there was a statute of limitations on don't kiss and tell, and you're not sure if your first kiss when you were 13 counts.

"No, it's a different kind of history," is what you actually say. "I'll be okay, you go on though, I just need a minute," you urge.

Jake hesitates, not at all sold on what you'd said, but slowly, he takes a step forward and then another until he's approaching the pool table again.

...

everything: @butterfly-skinnylegend

athena’s tags: @omgbrianab @smoothdogsgirl @bazellawriz @sbrewer21 @inky-sun @djs8891 @rory-cakes

[al-the-remix]

Six Sentence Saturday (or something like that)

Starting on my second bucktommy fic 😌 This was inspired by a post I'm pretty sure @unfuckablebogtroll made a few months ago that I can't find anymore, but the gist is that Tommy buys his house during the 2007/8 financial crash, refinances during covid, and has been saving since then to be able to renovate it himself. In this fic Buck's obviously going to volunteer to help Tommy out ( with his previous construction experience and all) and slowly insinuate himself into Tommy's home without either of them fully realizing it...at first. Buck learns Tommy as he learns more about his house: starting the inside and working outwards. Meanwhile Tommy learns how to let people help him and that Buck's really in it for the long haul ✨

“Hey, can I ask you a question?”

Looking over his shoulder, Tommy raises a brow. He’s elbow-deep in Evan’s kitchen sink, warm, sudsy water tickling his skin as he finishes the last of the dinner dishes. Evan made a chicken parm that had Tommy contemplating the existence of God and carefully planning the head he’d be giving his boyfriend later. As long as Tommy had known him–which was admittedly not very long–Evan has been a shoot first, ask questions later kind of guy. More likely to barrel through any awkwardness than couch his questions in some kind of lead up. “Of course you can, you know that.”

Evan takes the plate Tommy offers him in hand, drying it and setting it aside, his expression just hesitant enough to give Tommy pause. 

“Why do we always hang out at my place?”

The question startles a laugh from him. That…wasn’t what Tommy had been expecting. “We don’t, sometimes we go on dates.” Tommy allows his face to settle, faux serious and gently teasing. “Are you claiming I’m not romancing you enough Buckley, because I take that accusation very seriously.”

It gets him the reaction he was hoping for: Evan rolls his eyes like he’s aiming to hit 20 Klicks into the stratosphere and keep climbing. He can hear Evan's common refrain in his head, only coworkers call me Buckley, and I don’t even want to contemplate explaining what we’ve been up to to HR.

 “Ha, ha. You know that’s not what I meant. You don’t think it’s a little weird that it’s been two months and I haven’t made it past your garage?”

Tommy’s brain goes straight to the gutter, but Evan’s arms are crossed over his chest in what Tommy has come to learn is a tell-tale sign of him feeling a little insecure.

Tommy tucks away the innocent expression he’d been pulling and sighs, yanking the plug and reaching for the discarded towel to wipe his hands clean. “I mean, it’s a shorter drive for me to come here from Harbour than make you slog it all the way out to mine. I was just trying to make things easier on you.”

Evan holds up his hands like he’s trying to brace both himself and Tommy for his next question. “Okay, let me be more direct. Do you still live with your mom?”

That one shocks, a genuine, full belly laugh from him. The concern on Evan’s face is beginning to grow, and Tommy waves him off. 

“No, it’s nothing like that. My place is just…a little unfinished at the moment, is all.”

Evan’s apartment was so put together it had honestly taken Tommy aback the first time he’d gotten a good look at it He didn’t know what he’d been expecting but it hadn’t been anything this nice, clean, or stylish, and the next opportunity he’d had to linger and poke around…with fewer distractions…he had quickly reevaluated the person he’d assumed Evan to be based on first impressions alone.

It had been his first in a long chain of lessons he’d learnt to never underestimate Evan Buckley. It had also made him feel slightly…lacking.

“Okay,” Evan says slowly, he’s using that tone of voice that usually means he already has a succession of twenty questions in the barrel and was just barely holding back from pulling the trigger.  “Unfinished, how?”

Tommy scratches at the side of his nose before he can stop himself. A nervous tick. “Well, I bought it with the intention of renovating it myself--my first job was working for a contractor–but I, uh, kept getting a little side tracked.”

Evan shrugs. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“You haven’t seen it yet…” Tommy warns.

Evan’s smile slides sideways. “Yeah, and don’t you think it’s a little unfair that Eddie’s seen your place and your boyfriend hasn't?”

He feels silly, but Tommy can’t stop the way his stomach goes hot and squirmy every time Evan says it. Boyfriend–like it’s a pearl cupped lovingly on the bed of his tongue. 

It’s Tommy’s turn to roll his eyes. He reaches out, covering Evan’s damp hand with his own and offering him a direct, hot-eyed look. “I’m not trying to impress Eddie.”

His words have their intended effect, Evan grins and ducks his head, cheeks going pleasantly red. 

Evan laces their fingers together. “I don’t care how rough it is around the edges, I want to see every part of you,” he says, devastatingly sincere. 

Every time Tommy thinks he’s gotten an upper hand on his feelings, Evan throws him for a loop. “Alright, but don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”

Evan’s grin spreads across his face like soft butter on toast. “You got it.”

[l00na24]

Fates Edged On A Blade - Prologue Part One

A/N: Hello 🤗 This is my first time writing a fic for Bad Omens after a lot of thinking if I really should give it a chance and post this, so please bare with me as I will try to write them as best as I can 😅 Also English isn't my first language so please excuse any grammar or spelling errors.

I want to give a huge shoutout to @veronicaphoenix! Thanks to your incredible story I couldn't get samurai!Noah out of my head and wanted/ had to write my own story about him 😍❤️

Originally it was supposed to be one chapter but due to it getting too long for only one entire part, I decided to cut it into two. So the second half will be coming your way soon!

There's a part in here and in the next one that will probably not be everyone's cup of tea but even if it's not, please give the story a chance, as this is only the Prologue and the real story will begin in Chapter 1! 🙏❤️

I hope you enjoy reading! 💕

Warnings: Fluff, Some slight Angst & Sexual tension if you squint, Mentions about the loss of parents, Allusions to a forbidden relationship

Word Count: 10.8k

kami = japanese for 'gods'

The early morning sun rose on the horizon, its first rays stretching across the land we knew today as the deepest part of Asia and bathing everything in a golden glow.

It was in a day and age where myths and legends were real and not just some kind of fiction – but not everyone believed in it… brushing them of as ‘child fantasies’ or ‘old tales in books’.

Among these people was a 26 year old man, slicing his katana with deadly precision through the air, every of his moves a testament to his self-control and years of very hard, dedicated training. Which had earned him the highest rank in the emperor’s army and his rightful position as the best samurai he was known for in the entire realm.

He loved the quiet mornings, when it was just him alone on the training grounds or sometimes when he felt like it, a walk through the nature surrounding the castle - it helped to center himself and his thoughts. Especially on occasions like today, the princess’ birthday. He had to make sure everything was perfect.

But the universe would soon proof that some things were simply out of his control. He just didn’t know yet.

He was in the middle of doing a combination of slashes and swings with his long, razor-sharp sword when a soft gasp that would have been inaudible for anyone else, halted his movements instantly.

The tingling feeling in his body had already given away her presence long before she made the mistake of making a sound and revealing herself. He didn’t even need to look to know she was there but he wasn’t about to call her out on it.

But he couldn’t deny the curiosity building within him - How long had she exactly been here? What was she thinking seeing him like this? Why was she even here this early?

“Haven’t I taught you to not expose yourself to the enemy, princess?” His deep voice rang across the training ground loud and clear in a chiding manner, yet with a playful edge. Naked, fully tattooed back still facing her and on full display for her eyes to explore every inch.

There was a moment of silence, not in an uncomfortable way, but laden with curiosity and anticipation.

“And haven’t I told you to not call me that… Noah?” Her words brought a small smile to his face. The way she tried to hide that she had been caught, tried to hide the slight wavering of her delicate voice from him when she wanted to sound accusatory instead. These little actions made her all the more cuter for him. Not that he would ever let her know. But he would allow himself to bath in this moment for now while it lasted. Letting those butterflies go wild for a second who seemed to have manifested themselves in his belly for a while.

“And… you know- it’s not nice to watch someone without their knowledge.” Noah replied unbothered, completely ignoring what she said but still keeping his playful tone.

“I wasn’t watching you!” She had come out of her previous hiding place to face him, arms propped up on both sides of her waist in defiance. Now that he had detected her it was useless anyways. It was a stupid idea to begin with. But she wouldn’t let him see that.

“Whatever you say, Y/N.” His chuckle erupting goosebumps on her skin. She could never get enough of hearing him laugh, just like his voice in general.

Noah lowered his katana and loosened his stance, turning around to her fully. His auburn eyes locking on her instantly, not missing the way hers widened for a moment at the sight of him and his exposed upper body before averting them up quickly to meet his.

“You… uhm… You cut your hair…” Her observation from before left her in a breathless whisper, trying not to stutter and giving away how she felt about his new style. She didn’t think her heart could beat faster but right now it was racing and a fire was spreading through her that made it harder and harder to not crumble under his gaze.

“Oh, yeah… They got kind of annoying and I felt like I needed a change, so I decided to cut them. Do you… like it?” It sounded almost a little bit shy how it came out and he was internally already chastising himself. He didn’t want her to know how nervous he really was about the topic and what her answer would be. Looking at it, it was actually pathetic for him to even be nervous about something so insignificant. He was a samurai, he shouldn’t care about any of this. And yet he couldn’t help himself.

Y/N felt even more heat rushing to her cheeks from following Noah’s movements. How he expertly sheathed his katana without needing to look, to then rub up and down the back of his also tattooed neck with his other hand. He unconsciously did the one thing always making her weak to the knees. If Noah only had a clue how he looked like this, especially now with the short hair of his it was a whole different thing. She was praying to every kami above that he couldn’t see how flustered he had made her with only his presence. How was she supposed to answer his question when he had literally stolen all air out of her lungs? Was there even a suitable answer that would do justice for what she got graced to witness this early morning?

Noah was always the confident one, no matter the situation but to see him getting all shy and nervous about such a little thing made her feel so many things and she wished she could treasure this precious moment between them forever, burn it into her memory so she would never forget. The way his cheeks dusted in a slight shade of pink, how the light of dawn hit him in every perfect angle and bathed him in an ethereal golden glow, looking like it created a halo around him and illuminating every little detail on his body from his eyes down to all the different, delicate pieces of art decorating his front and arms as well - like a painting with his entire body as canvas and so many different details you didn’t know where to look first but together they blended into a perfect picture. It was a sight to behold.

“Please be honest with me, did you like my long hair more?” He was fully aware of her stare but he brushed it off as a reaction because she had never seen him half naked before. Taking her hesitation as a bad sign.

“It’s… different. But I’m sure everyone loves it.” She answered carefully after finding her ability to speak again.

“So you don’t like them…” He concluded, his stomach twisting in an uncomfortable knot. Face falling slightly.

“I didn’t say that.” Y/N replied immediately, not wanting him to make a false assumption but leaving room for interpretation. Maybe a bit too quickly.

The words made his heart skip a beat and brought the smile back to his lips. It was all the confirmation he needed.

“I see… Would you tell me if I asked nicely, my princess?” She would literally do anything he said without question, he wouldn’t even have to ask. He wanted her to fall on her knees and pray to him like he was the only god in existence? Yes. Yes, she would in an instant. She would even scream his name over and over to the heavens and for everyone else to hear if that’s what he wanted. But that was a secret she would take with her to the grave.

Noah’s gaze seemed to intensify and Y/N had to swallow a lump in her throat, shifting a little in her position. Clearly caught off-guard by the sudden turn in their conversation and his attention on her, like a predator watching his prey just waiting for the right moment to strike. She could have sworn his eyes had darkened a tone too.

“I think you’ve already gotten your answer.” It took her a lot of effort to keep her voice steady. She could feel a tension growing between them and she was sure it wasn’t lost on Noah. He was too smart to not notice with his senses sharp like his blade he carried with him all the time.

“I guess I did.” His tone was deep, not revealing any emotion behind it. But if his widening smirk was any indicator, he had what he wanted.

With a few strides thanks to his long legs, he crossed the distance between them, coming to a stand and towering over her with his height. Everyone else would have been intimidated in Y/N’s position with the most feared samurai right in front of them but Y/N’s heart beat only wilder in her chest at their proximity. She could feel the heat radiating off his smooth skin.

“But I have to apologize,” He spoke up again. “I haven’t congratulated m- the birthday girl yet.”

Noah hoped she hadn’t noticed his little slip up and observed closely how the expression of her face went from confusion to realization. For not a mere second, he was sure, something else had been there in between. He just couldn’t digest what it was because it was gone before he had a real chance to figure it out. God, what he would give to look into her thoughts right now.

Y/N was sure she stopped breathing when Noah went the rest of the way and hugged her. Breathing out a soft “Happy Birthday, Y/N.” and reveling in the feeling of her small body against his. She equally enjoyed how his strong arms were holding her and how perfectly she fit against him.

“Thank you. And don’t you dare apologize. You know you don’t have to do this.” Her soft chuckle was music to his ears.

“But I want to.” Despite not wanting to end their embrace and letting go of her, he retreated himself a bit after a few moments of them just holding each other so he could look into her beautiful, sparkling eyes again that always captivated him when he looked at her. Wanting to show her the honesty behind his words even if both of them already had known that she knew.

They were only inches apart, eyes glued to each other for a long moment before Noah worked up the courage to cross the dangerous line which always had been between them. Between two friends who grew and were raised alongside each other but different as day and night.

The emperor had raised him like his own son even if he wasn’t but he saw the potential in him to become the greatest samurai the entire realm had ever seen the day he met him as a young boy that had lost his parents. It was enough for Y/N’s father to take Noah under his wing and teach him the way of the samurai – Bushido, so one day he could step into the emperor’s footsteps; not so much as a ruler but as a warrior everyone would treat like he was a born king too and would fear when they even heard of his name. On the battlefield or not.

He was a weapon, sharpened to perfection and trained to cut out the deceases of their land without mercy and without question. It included those, who claimed to have committed their actions because of a ‘god’ they believed in or a long forgotten ‘myth’ whose knowledge was actually forbidden. The emperor himself made sure to drill this way – his way - of thinking over the course of Noah’s young adulthood in the boy’s head.

Telling him “There are no gods, Noah. All these myths they are talking about are only made-up child stories who never existed and their so called ‘legends’ are just another form of their lies. Don’t believe those lost souls, my child.”

When he was old enough and became a samurai, his codex left no room but to swear strict loyalty to the crown and so he never questioned anything the emperor said like he really would have been his son by blood.

Y/N on the other hand was raised by her mother, the empress. The kind woman allowed her to explore everything she wanted freely, to build herself her own picture of things and have an open mind for everything around her – much to the dismay of her father, who wanted to raise her like Noah and shape both of their worlds like his. But Y/N’s curiosity and good heart won over her father’s will and her mother did her best to support her, making her the princess she was today.

The same girl that stood before the six foot three tall samurai she knew from a young age who had always been her best friend and she trusted with her life despite knowing what he was capable of and how much death he could bring if he wanted to. There was never a single moment where she was afraid of him because she knew, no matter what, before he would hurt her, he would rather hurt himself or worse. He would absolutely NEVER ever raise a hand against her or would get violent. Noah would never forgive himself if he would hurt even a tiny hair on her body.

She was there from the beginning, had been the center of his world ever since and at the same time his anker he could pull himself to if he needed. So the closeness between them wasn’t as much of a problem and it didn’t matter if they were seen together a lot of the time when Noah wasn’t away to whatever place Y/N’s father had sent him to carry out his will. At least as long as they didn’t do anything inappropriate according to their tight friendship.

Like Noah was about to.

Very slowly and so careful Y/N had never seen him before, he inched closer and closer to her face, giving her enough time to pull away if she didn’t want this but he couldn’t resist any longer. He wanted to taste her lips so badly, wanted to know if they felt as perfect as he had imagined them so many nights. Next to other way more sinful things he wished he could do, things he would get killed for if they were caught. But he didn’t know any better way to die.

And if she felt even the slightest bit like him, then he would gladly take that risk as long as he could. Y/N was the only person he would make an exception for when it came to the codex he swore to live by. She was more important than everything else, hell, even more than his own life and anyone that dared to lay a hand on her or treated her the wrong way would pay with his life. He would personally make sure of that.

He kept his onyx eyes fixated on hers until their foreheads lightly touched, looking for any sign of uncertainty but when he found none after a second of intensely observing her, Noah allowed himself to close his eyes and let their heads rest against each other. A faint sigh filling the silence between them. Both of their hearts literally beating out of their chests at the small contact they shared.

Neither of them cared how long they were standing like this, the outside world having faded away, leaving them in their own where only they existed.

Y/N felt Noah’s heavy breath on her face and she was wondering how much restraint it cost him to hold himself back like this. But on the other hand his self-control and patience was something else and she knew better than to question it now. He could wait a lifetime if he needed and it wouldn’t bother him. So she took matters into her own hands and decided to make the next tiny step forward, not sure when or if Noah would do it. Slightly opening her eyes while she stood a bit on her tiptoes to even out their height a little and brushing her nose against his. Soft chuckles escaping both of them at the action.

Their mouths were so close now, breathing in the air trapped between them and almost feeling the lips of the other. The morning sun in the background casting an array of gold, pink, orange and a tiny pinch of purple and blue on them to pay tribute to the sacred moment unfolding with her as a silent witness.

Noah’s patience was running out – as much as control he possessed – but he couldn’t wait any longer, more than ready to break the invisible boundary before them. He didn’t care for the consequences in this very moment. What would happen if they were caught. What it meant for both of them.

Neither paid Y/N any thought to it as she was eagerly waiting for Noah to give her what she had been craving for such a long time that these seconds felt like pure torture he was putting her through right now. Couldn’t he see she was suffocating without him? That she needed him to breathe?

It was like the world was holding its breath, slowing time to a standstill only for them.

Leaning his head slightly to get a better angle to kiss her while she mirrored him, he willed every ounce of his last self-control he had left to last only for this moment so he wouldn’t hungrily devour her right here. Fuck, nothing had ever been so hard than these few grueling seconds with an anticipation nearly making him explode.

Right when Noah wanted to relieve them, their lips practically touching but still this damned last little inch away, a voice suddenly sliced through the silence. Bursting their bubble instantly and suffocating both, swallowing all emotions which had just been there with it.

“Princess Y/N! I’m surprised to see you up already this early in the morning!” Out of all people in the castle it had to be the one person who shouldn’t have been there.

The emperor’s advisor. Yuan.

A man in his 40’s with short, dark grey hair and a heart of stone. Y/N liked to compare him to the snake tattooed on the front of Noah’s throat. She was convinced if he wasn’t a human he would have been one instead. At least she could practically hear the venom coating his words every time he opened his mouth and every time she secretly hoped he would suffocate on it.

“Fuck!” Noah let out silently and whipped abruptly his head away and took a step back, hastily looking for his black top laying forgotten somewhere on the ground. Praying internally that they hadn’t been caught. Especially by this peace of shit of a man. He hated him with every fiber of his being just like Y/N because this man seemed to hate her equally, trying to point out her flaws or mistakes she made in front of the emperor, or just to make her look bad in general in the eyes of her father, only because she was different and with a heart of gold, he had sworn to himself he would protect with his life, even from her father if he had to. For Noah she was perfect, there wasn’t a simple thing he would change about her and even if there would be, he wouldn’t care. It wouldn’t change his feelings for her. Or so he had thought…

“Advisor! I didn’t expect your presence at this time either.” The princess turned around to him with a fake smile on her face, not allowing herself one last glance at Noah in fear of revealing what nearly had taken place before he had to destroy everything. Just like he always did.

“What a coincidence! You have to forgive me my surprise to see you also have company.” He faked a laugh, examining the princess and the samurai like a hawk for anything suspicious. Not hiding the distaste when his eyes roamed over Noah’s tattoos on his bare arms before they landed back on Y/N.

“I asked Noah to take a walk with me when I met him here because I couldn’t sleep. It seems like we had the same problem.” Y/N pressed out as nicely as she could, still trying desperately to calm her racing pulse. It was half the truth but he didn’t need to know which part. It wasn’t his concern anyway.

The looming presence of Noah’s tall frame behind her didn’t help the situation, his body heat still radiating off him in waves even through his clothes he had managed to put back on in time and she was sure he was struggling with containing himself to not make a mistake he’d regret later.

“I see. But I have to disagree, you know I always do my morning walk. I simply decided to go earlier since I was already awake. It’s good to have your eyes and ears everywhere, you never know where the enemy could be lurking. And we don’t want anyone to ruin the princess’ birthday now, do we? I’m guessing that is the reason you couldn’t sleep?” The man stood there like he was the emperor himself, still eyeing the two up and down and if Noah wouldn’t have been there, Y/N would have felt intimidated by how his icy blue eyes were boring into her.

“How mindful of you. My father can truly consider himself lucky to have someone like you as his advisor.” She answered back, not meaning a word coming out of her mouth. Then turning halfway in Noah’s direction who had been standing still like a statue the entire time behind her like the protector he had sworn to be for her, giving him a court nod to signal him it was their time to leave which he instantly responded to as if he had been waiting like a guard dog for his next command.

“It was nice meeting you, but I’m afraid we have to take our leave as the princess wants to lay back down and get some more rest so she is ready for today.” Noah spoke up, no emotion in his face or voice but his dark eyes fixated on the man opposite him, battling with the desire to slice his katana over the man’s throat or cut off his head altogether to finally get rid of him.

Even if him and Y/N hadn’t any physical contact, he still had felt how uncomfortable this man had made her feel by just looking at her. Enough reason for Noah of wanting to do something about it. But of course this snake stood in the emperor’s favor and so he was unable to do anything if he didn’t want to end up dead or wanted to damage his reputation.

One day he would make a mistake and until then he would patiently wait like a hunter for his prey and when the right moment came, he would strike and he would savor every second he would get with him. There would be no mercy. Just like this man didn’t know any mercy for anyone else.

“Of course, nothing would be further from my mind than to keep the princess from her sleep. Have a good rest, princess Y/N.” The emperor’s advisor bowed formally which she answered with an acknowledging nod in his direction before she and Noah started moving. Motioning for her with his inked hand to walk in front of him while he took a long, dark glance behind them, still eyeing the figure of the emperor’s advisor wearily walking in the opposite direction until he was out of his sight.

He felt his boiling anger slowly subsiding with every step he took, all his senses hyper fixating on the person walking right in front of him whose presence was calming him down. But not the wildfire which was still burning inside of him and he was sure he wasn’t the only one feeling this way.

Later in the evening…

Y/N

Safe to say I didn’t get any sleep at all after what had happened in the morning. The memory of it still vivid and fresh in my mind like it just had taken place, the moment between Noah and me on constant repeat.

I’ve sat in my chambers the whole day, ever since Noah had brought me back here. My head running in circles and my feet burning holes into the ground. We didn’t exchange a single word on the walk back but I felt his eyes literally burying into me. If he wouldn’t have been the most trusted person in my life I actually would have thought he was about to kill me.

When we had reached my rooms I blankly stared at the huge white doors decorated with golden, traditional, japanese ornaments lining their frames not knowing what to do. Noah had come to a stand behind me, way too close than he should. His uneven breath tickling the hairs on my neck and I swear I was about to faint if he kept going like this.

My hands were shaking as I reached for the doorknob, not from fear but from the unknown intensity between us. Trying to grip it hard enough so I wouldn’t slip before I somehow managed to push it open and willed my body to keep going.

I didn’t know what I expected to happen. Once we were in a safe place where he could literally do whatever he wanted to me without anyone’s notice.

“S-stay?” The word left my mouth unconsciously with a dangerous wavering in my voice, not yet daring a look behind me where I could still feel Noah’s presence that took up the entire space.

There was something akin to a faint, very low, dark chuckle penetrating the eerie silence between us, giving me goosebumps all over.

I was too caught up in the thrill and excitement of this new dynamic between us to notice he had moved in front of me. Only when he took a step towards me did I register his change in position and looked up to him with widening eyes. How did he get there so fast?

Noah had an ominous glint in his eyes, the usual warm brown in them having been almost swallowed whole by a sea of vast darkness. A promise to what was to come.

A shiver ran through me and when he took another step forward I instinctively responded with taking one back, my body moving on its own. The right corner of his mouth turning upwards at the motion. He was clearly enjoying this right now.

It went on until I had nowhere to go and he had backed me up against the wall next to the doors we had went through not a minute ago. Another thought hitting me when they appeared in the corner of my sight. When did he close them and why didn’t I notice it? But then, I hadn’t seen him walking around me either.

What then followed nearly had brought my heart to a complete standstill.

As soon as my back collided with the solid material behind me, his arms were to the left and right side of my head, positioning his large body as close as possible against my front and creating a wall to keep me trapped. I had to admit, it scared the shit out of me because I hadn’t expected him to do something like this but at the same time it sent something hot down my core.

Our eyes had stayed locked onto each other the entire time of our dance, not able to resist the magnetic pull and not wanting to either. I felt like I was exploring a whole new side of Noah no one had ever seen before, not even me. So many emotions swimming in the depths of his beautiful orbs and a vulnerability he had never exposed to anyone, allowing me a look into his soul at his true self. The man who had claimed my heart, who had become my biggest weakness. Noah was so much more for me than he thought he was.

Taking him in like this up close was still absolutely breathtaking, even if it couldn’t compare to before but I made sure I committed every little detail to my memory in case it was the only chance I got. His plump, rosy lips practically tempting me to kiss them, the curve of his nose, the perfect shape of his face with the sharp line of his cheekbones and his completely cut short, dark brown hair accentuating his face even more now. He was a walking sin. My sin.

There was a sense of déjà vu in how we stared at each other without the need to speak, our bodies doing it instead and I was kinda thankful for it because this man always made me speechless. Especially now.

I could feel it in every nerve when Noah decided to lean in and inch his way forward yet again but faster this time, the desire and hunger he couldn’t hold back anymore written all over him. The thread he had been hanging on about to snap together with his relentless self-control and I wasn’t going to make him wait any longer, lifting my chin to better meet him.

My breath caught in my throat when he was finally about to take what always had been his, ready to claim it as his own. Eyes closing and awaiting him eagerly to kiss me for the first time, letting me experience how he felt and tasted.

When his hot breath tickled my nose I knew he was right there but instead of joining our lips, I felt them on my forehead after another beat had passed by. Confused I opened my eyes and searched his, finding them already looking back at me with the same intensity then before. What was happening?

Before my mind could get consumed with a thousand questions about what was going on and why he didn’t do what we both clearly wanted, his deep voice sent me into a cathartic state.

“Tonight I’m all yours.”

And then he left.

Leaving behind a haunting sensation of his lips on my skin.

I don’t know how long I stood there blankly staring into nothing and not moving at all. It was like my body was stuck between shutting down and a paralysis taking over me, my brain having vanished together with him too. There were no thoughts, only pure emptiness – white noise.

I’m not sure if I had even felt my body at that point, I was just… there. Noah’s last words really starting to sink in only hours later when I was capable of functioning again.

Since then I had done nothing. The silence hanging heavy in my room like I was choked by a hand around my throat and I was at a point where I wanted to beg for someone to relieve me.

As if my silent prayers were heard, a knock caught my attention. The unexpected noise pulling me out of my head. It didn’t take long until my thoughts started racing again tho. What if it was Noah? Did he decide to come back?

My hopes were crushed as fast as they arose when someone else stepped in.

“I’m sorry I’m not the one you expected, my princess.”

“Hm?” I guess my neutral face wasn’t as convincing as I thought. “No, no. Just surprised to see you, is all.”

It was Ruen, my mother’s right hand and soldier, as well as one of the few people commanding my father’s army. Fully dressed in his usual full black armor with silver details on the front and along his shoulders together with his long cape around his back reaching to the ground. He was also a man of middle age around his 40’s with short, dark brown curls that were shaven at the sides and kept slightly longer at the front. He always was more of a father to me than my own.

“And I know when I’m not wanted.” He chuckled lightheartedly.

“Why are you here anyway?” I quickly changed the topic, meeting his kind, dark eyes.

“Your mother sent me. She wanted to make sure you’re alright but I’m mostly here to come and get you because your favorite part of the day is about to start.” At the information slight panic started to rise inside me. I had completely forgotten the time, still wearing the clothes from this morning and nowhere near ready to go.

“I won’t be ready in time…” I groaned, dragging my hands over my face.

“They are not gonna start without you, princess.”

“And father is gonna kill me if I’m late! Also stop being formal, there’s no need, Ruen.” Frantically I began to rush around, taking a first stop at my large wardrobe to comb through the variety of clothes until I found what I was searching for without losing too much time. It was a tradition by now that I always wore my special red kimono on this day, a birthday gift I had gotten from Noah years ago and ever since then I made sure to wear it every year.

The kimono was ‘special’ in the sense that it was not entirely traditional. The fabric was a bit wider, not as tight as it normally would be and also had a hood attached but it was still shaped like a normal one, at least till my waistline. Darker red flower designs made of little red and black crystals shining through the bright red color. The bottom half flaring out into various soft stripes, mixed with some other fabrics also accentuated with tiny red sequins running along them in a thin line. Underneath was a thin layer of a little bit see-through, pure red colored fabric to cover up my skin but you could also wear a hakama with it if you wanted.

“Let it be my and your mother’s problem. This is your special day and he’s not going to ruin it, Y/N. Also, can I help you with anything? Do you need me to get someone?” He waited patiently in the middle of the room, left hand comfortably resting on the sword attached to his side and looking in the direction I had just vanished into another room and making sure to speak louder so I could hear him.

“No, thanks. I think I got it.” I answered back while I got undressed and changed. “I really appreciate your help but we both know he doesn’t care. Father is only doing this because of me and I can be thankful he allows it even if he doesn’t like it. I don’t want to add to it.”

“You are like your mother.”

“Sometimes I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.” I exhaled, walking back to him when I was fully changed and finished quickly braiding my hair.

“Y/N, don’t say something like this. It isn’t your fault he can’t see what a wonderful and talented daughter he has. I’ve seen how hard you’ve been training with Noah and the other boys and how much heart you put into everything you’re doing. He should be proud of you.” A scowl formed on Ruen’s face at my confession, coming towards me and laying his hands on my shoulders.

“Why can’t you be my father instead?” My arms reached around his middle, leaning myself into him and enjoying our embrace when he reciprocated the gesture.

“I’m always here if you need me.” His arms around my back tightened their hold on me, gently pressing me against his broad frame.

I couldn’t help but feel that our conversation was more than it let on, his words seeming to carry a deeper depth with them. It wasn’t a surprise, considering our familiar relationship because of my mother and him treating me like a father since I was a child, so I didn’t think too much into it.

“We should get going.” Ruen announced after a few beats had gone by, retreating from me and giving me a warm smile.

“Can we stop by the boys first?” I sheepishly questioned.

“I had a feeling you would ask. Come on then.” His smile spread into a knowing grin, gesturing with his head towards the door.

Not wasting any more time, we took off with Ruen leading the way and me following behind. A warm feeling starting to grow in my belly at the prospect of seeing Noah again but there was also a nervousness I couldn’t shake.

Leaving the huge castle behind us, towering high into the sky with its immaculate white walls and multiple black, triangle shaped rooftops layered above each other, we reached the larger section of the training grounds next to the one I had met Noah this morning.

This part of the castle was entirely for the soldiers, divided into two parts. The first one was mainly used to train their combat skills or practice fighting techniques. The second had been built for our horses which was the reason why it was bigger, so they had enough room for riding or training to use them in battle. However, some of us used it for something a little bit different… like today.

As we neared the place, I could make out multiple silhouettes moving around in different kinds of speed and in different directions. The volume of their voices and laugher filling the air and making a smile spread across my face.

Ruen opened the entrance to the fenced place shaped in a rectangular form to let me in first before he closed it behind him. Our arrival was spotted in a matter of seconds and I could see their heads turning in our direction one after the other before they came over.

“The princess is alive!” Nick shouted excitedly, throwing his arms up in the air when he galloped towards me with his chestnut colored horse before he abruptly stopped a few feet away.

“What do you mean?” I nervously laughed at his comment.

“We thought we wouldn’t see you at all today.” Jolly answered for him, positioning his dark brown horse on Nick’s right side when he had reached us.

“They’ve been practically talking about nothing else. And happy birthday, Y/N.” Nicholas was the third one to arrive, taking the empty spot on the other side of Nick. His horse a shade darker than Jolly’s and built a bit stronger.

“Yeah, happy birthday to our beloved princess Y/N!” Nick chimed in and everyone around me joined his words.

“You are ridiculous but thank you.” The nervousness increased slightly when I heard they had been thinking about me being gone all day. It should have been obvious they would wonder about the reason because it wasn’t my usual behavior to not show myself or stop by them at least once. At the same time my attention was drawn to the absence of the last person from our little friend group.

“Where’s Noah?”

I was sure I had counted four people when we approached but now I couldn’t see him, trying to look past them but finding nothing but empty space. A pit starting to form in my stomach when there was no trace of him. Was he avoiding me? He must have noticed us…

“You should be careful with him. He’s in a weird mood today.” Nicholas’ voice brought me back, making my eyebrows knit together in confusion about the more serious tone and expression overtaking him when he looked at me.

“Weird mood?” I repeated surprised and tried to hide the spike of anxiety. Did he regret what happened? Had we really been caught?

“He made us go through our parts at least a hundred times today!” Nick grumbled beside his friend.

“He’s a perfectionist. He just wants everything to go as planned.” I retorted, stating the obvious. It wasn’t unnatural for Noah. Whatever he did, he always wanted it to be perfect and worked so hard until he was satisfied with the result, mostly overdoing himself. But he was too stubborn to admit that to himself. Maybe he got too much into his head and was overthinking the performance they were about to show and I was worrying for no reason.

“If you wanna try your luck, he’s back there.” Jolly pointed over his shoulder and whipped his head to the place in the back hidden behind them.

“He won’t bite my head off.” I let out with a scoff, not letting it stop me to search for the lost samurai.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that!” Nick’s joke echoed behind me before I was out of reach, leaving me with an uncomfortable feeling.

Noah’s figure was shrouded by the dark of night like he belonged in it, a dangerous shadow lurking within, avoiding the faint glow of the torches having been lit around the grounds of the castle and instead staying in the safe embrace of the darkness surrounding him as if he was a bad omen.

The enigmatic aura in the air a warning for the personified death itself.

And I was willingly following his call, not scared to find my own end through his hands so if it was his will.

The nearer I came, the more the shadows engulfing him revealed to me and my pulse accelerated like it always did when we were together. Noah didn’t seem to be aware of me yet but you could easily be fooled. I had done this mistake and had fallen right into his trap without even knowing like he had wanted me to when I had thought he hadn’t noticed me secretly watching him train, standing there in the light of the morning sun as I walked by. His tall, dark appearance a stark contrast to the golden light spreading around him. Only noticing when it was already too late and he had me in his grip. The one I never wanted him to let go of.

I was about to announce myself before I hesitated last second, suddenly not so sure anymore if I should do it or not considering his friends’ warnings. Maybe he wanted to be alone and I should leave him be but I couldn’t stop myself. I needed to know if he was okay. If we were okay.

He walked another circle with his raven black horse when an almost shy “Hey.” left my lips. Something seemed to shift instantly in him and his head whipped around the moment I had dared to speak, halting his horse on the spot.

His eyes going wide while taking in my full appearance, roaming freely across my body and making me blush under his gaze what he thankfully couldn’t see – or so I prayed.

It looked like he took in his surroundings for the first time, scanning the environment to probably assure himself that we were on our own before he spoke.

“Hey.”

The softness his gorgeous voice carried made my insides melt and all the nervousness was gone right then and there. I felt so dumb in this moment, I shouldn’t have worried in the first place.

“For a second I thought you were ignoring me.” It was meant to tease him, having no doubt now that he didn’t do it on purpose. Keeping my tone light so he wouldn’t misunderstand but apparently he did.

“I would never ignore you!” Noah shot out right after, multiple emotions crossing his face, mostly surprise and was there fear for a blink of a second? Did I actually manage to make Noah nervous?

“The others would tend to disagree, I guess – not that I thought you would. They warned me about you.” I told him honestly.

“They’ve been pestering me the whole day…” He answered with a long sigh, looking into the distance at the mention of what seemed to be an uncomfortable topic for him, showing me a glimpse of his annoyance but swiftly covering it with changing the subject in his favor yet again. “By the way… you look absolutely beautiful, Y/N.”

I hated how easily he could distract me from the main topic and change what we were talking about from one second to the other so effortlessly. Taking control of the conversation and where it was going, not telling me what was bothering him.

“Are you okay?” Even though I was flattered by his compliment, my concern overshadowed the butterflies he had summoned. I didn’t like when he was hiding his emotions from me and wasn’t talking to me about what was going on inside him. It irritated me especially now, thinking we would be closer than we ever had been after what had happened between us. He knew fully well he could share all his secrets with me, could tell me everything that was on his mind and could be honest with me without having to fear I would tell anyone or judge him for his thoughts and on the opposite side I could rely on him the same. Yet there always was this little thing I was too scared to tell him in fear it would destroy the bond between us, that he wasn’t reciprocating what I felt for him – well, at least until he proved me utterly wrong this morning.

“Now, I am.” I could practically feel the warmth in Noah’s words, the smile forming on his face pulling me right into him and casting its spell over me. Damn him and his stupidly handsome look and this smile… He just got me right where he wanted… again.

“Do you… uh… want to go to the rest of the boys?” Smooth, very smooth, Y/N. Totally not embarrassing to turn into a stuttering mess with one look and a few words from him.

“If that’s the princess’ wish.” The way his eyes narrowed almost unnoticeably in the dark sent a shiver down my spine.

“No- I mean-…”

“You have to forgive me, it wasn’t my intention to make your highness all flustered.” The innocence he feigned was betrayed by the amusement and satisfaction he was radiating. His smile spreading into a mischievous grin about my struggle with the new direction he had chosen.

“Then stop treating me with title and all.” I directed a fake pout at him, refusing to feed his confidence even more than I already had and trying to keep our conversation neutral.

“How do you want me to treat you?” His voice went an octave lower, coming closer and staring down at me from the back of his horse which stood with its side right in front of me, making him look even taller.

“Noah…” It wasn’t making me uncomfortable what he said but I wasn’t sure if this was going too fast. I needed to get used to whatever this was now between us and the new side of Noah I hadn’t known before. The seriousness in my expression and in the way I emphasized his name a hint that I wanted to retreat to the comfort zone of his friends, even if I enjoyed being alone with him.

“It’s okay, there is no reason to get shy.” Noah’s features softened, another wave of warmth flooding me about his attentiveness and the ability to adjust to the slightest changes in my behavior. Giving me the reassurance I was safe with him.

A gloved hand in black stretched out to me, ready to take. “Do you want to come up here?” I contemplated my decision if I should walk or accept his offer. There wouldn’t be any harm if we were seen together on a horse – we had done it before – and if I had the opportunity to be close to him I wasn’t going to let it pass.

Without hesitation I took it, his large hand engulfing mine in a firm grip so I wouldn’t slip out while I was preparing to hoist myself up so he didn’t have to lift me up all by himself, even if he easily would have managed to do it. As soon as he got hold of my hand I felt a strong tug upwards, putting my other free hand on the horse’s back for support before I jumped and securely landed behind Noah without any effort thanks to his help.

“Thank you.”

“Everything for the birthday girl.”

I took hold of his middle even if I didn’t need to because we were going at a slow pace and I was skilled enough to ride without any hold on something, much like Noah, Nicholas, Jolly and Nick as it was part of what we were doing for years when we had some free time. But before Noah would get concerned about my safety – even if he knew he didn’t need to – or anyone else who might see us, I decided to do what I was supposed to do. And maybe because I liked feeling his trained, heated body and muscles contract underneath my hands through the black costume. I could have sworn I even felt him tense up at my touch.

We weren’t far away from the group when Noah decided to break the short silence that had settled over us.

“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” He confessed, his voice guarded but laced with a slight nervousness and probably a hint of regret.

“You didn’t. You never make me uncomfortable, Noah.” I assured, wanting to ease his worry that he might have said something wrong or had gone too far. Taking me by surprise that he thought he could ever do such a thing. We were together since we were little kids after all and knew each other by heart. But he always tended to worry too much about me, thinking I wouldn’t notice when in fact I was doing the same.

The only response I got was a low hum before we joined the people waiting for us.

Nicholas made some space when he saw us approaching, greeting us with a grin. When we had taken the position next to him, I let go of Noah’s body and he gently helped me back down with one hand like before, making sure I wouldn’t fall until I landed safely on my feet next to him and his large stallion.

“You really managed to tame the beast, hm?” Nick stated in acknowledgement when he looked over to his friend.

“We were just talking.” I clarified, not understanding what he meant. Taking a short glance up to Noah curiously before it went back to Nick. They had yet to tell me what happened in the last hours because nothing they said made sense with how Noah was acting right now. Everything seemed normal like always, when you put certain things aside. Maybe he had just pressured himself too much about today, a knot forming at the thought in my stomach. I didn’t want him to put so much effort into something that wasn’t worth it in the end. It was only my birthday, nothing special and nothing I wanted to celebrate big but still these boys made it their mission to make this day something memorable every year. I could never thank them enough for everything they were doing for me. I wish I could.

“Whatever you did, it worked. He ain’t grumpy anymore.” Jolly commented amused at the visible lightened mood of his best friend.

“Told you we should have gotten Y/N here.” Nicholas said with a knowing look at the longhaired man to his right.

“I wasn’t grumpy.” Noah defended barely audible, talking more to himself. His brows furrowing and looking anywhere but us. He clearly didn’t like to be called out like this.

“Is the big, bad Noah Sebastian getting nervous? Or is it because of the beautiful lady next to you?” Nick’s words meant no harm, only wanting to make a little fun of him which was nothing new. “I swear, you’re getting more beautiful each year, Y/N.”

My whole body tensed when I could practically feel Noah’s aura darkening.

“Watch your tongue, Nick.” The brunette samurai almost growled and narrowed his eyes at him in a warning glare. Something cold and dangerous creeping in those usual warm, brown orbs and his entire demeanor was completely different from one moment to the other. Hostile even. He had never been like this towards his friends. What was going on with him? Was he jealous? No, he’s a samurai, Y/N. But he’s still Noah… Do you think he even knows or cares what that is?

“It’s alright, Noah.” I attempted to sooth him, not wanting it to escalate between the two because for some strange reason he wasn’t taking this as any kind of fun.

When nothing came in return - which I hoped was a good sign – I focused on the others who were a bit baffled about their friend’s unusual reaction. Impulsiveness was surely not one of his character traits, there was rarely anything that could made him snap or put his patience to a real test.

“I can give that compliment right back, you all look good in those outfits. They really suit you.” Giving the men around me a smile to lift the sudden tension and studying one after another in those full black, skintight, ninja-like clothes they were wearing. How could I have not noticed sooner how great they looked in those costumes? They were practically made for them and I could only imagine what they had planned for tonight. It surely promised to be exciting.

My sight got stuck on Noah yet again when I took him in from head to toe, making my pulse shoot up and bringing me back to the moment where he had caged me in with his arms. If looks could kill, I’d die very happy right now. There was that glint again, no trace of the coldness from before but the warmth they usually held.

Heat was rushing to my cheeks at the thought and I tore my sight away to not raise any suspicion. Whatever it was that had overcome him, it seemed to be gone as fast as it appeared. Letting me relax but it still left me to wonder.

“They are sick!” I could only chuckle at Nick’s choice of words. He was lucky nobody else was here who would lecture him about his language. Nobody except Ruen, who cleared his throat to remind him to watch how he expressed himself. Earning a shrug from the dark haired boy to which the older man could only shake his head. “What? It’s the truth.”

“Who would have thought our samurai has such a good taste in clothes?” Jolly commented with a raised eyebrow, one side of his mouth turning upwards into a smirk that got even wider when he locked eyes with said person. Something was off about it that much I could tell, not missing how Noah straightened up his posture ever so slightly and the grip on his horse’s reins hardened. Whatever they were talking about wasn’t only about his choice for their costumes anymore. It was definitely about something else I didn’t understand which seemed to either make him really uncomfortable or anger him.

“Maybe with some other things too.” Nicholas joined in, throwing a wink at Jolly. Both not able to hold in their snickers.

All four of them were in a weird mood and I regretted being gone all day. At least I would have had a clue what was going on… Did they know? Did Noah tell them? No, he’d never risk that.

My nerves were literally a rollercoaster, my mind starting to overthink and trying to match the speed of my heartbeat. What had we been thinking? If anyone found out… the consequences would be fatal. How could I have been so stupid to think I could keep this a secret? And how was I supposed to survive tonight if he really meant what he had said and I’d be alone with him? Maybe all of this was as a bad decision to begin with… No! I don’t regret almost kissing him. I just can’t resist him… And I don’t want to.

The neighing of a horse snapped me out of my head, breaking my train of thought.

It must have come from Noah’s as it was tugging at the reins while raising its head and pulling against its restraints. Stomping with its hooves back and forth at the same time.

First I moved a few feet away from its side for my safety before I carefully came closer to its front, watching its movements to assess what to do and how to respond to its actions.

It was nervous.

“Hey, everything’s okay. Shh. Calm down, it’s okay.” I slowly inched my way forward till I reached it, softly laying my right hand on the front of its head and starting to stroke it to calm it down, holding the reins lightly with my other hand to restrain its violent movements.

“You are making him nervous.” I stated to its rider, missing the quizzical look overtaking his face because I was busy focusing on his temperamental companion.

Thankfully it worked and the horse was relaxing into my touch after a couple of strokes and a few more calming words.

“There you go. Everything’s alright.” I was lightly petting the side of its throat before moving back to its head who was hanging lower now, almost motionless. A sign that the animal was completely at ease now.

“You’re not the only one demanding my attention today, hm?” I chuckled and looked up to Noah for a second. Two could play this game the boys were playing. Earning a deep snort from the black horse in return who was pushing its head against me now. “That’s my good boy.”

The men around me were all watching me in awe doing what I could do best. As cliché as it sounds but I loved horses and learned how to ride from a young age thanks to Ruen who initially introduced me to them. These animals were not only beautiful but their empathy was what made them so special. They could feel your emotions and reflect them back at you. That’s why I spent most of my time with them when I didn’t have to be a princess or wasn’t sneakily reading through the large amount of books hidden away in the castle because they contained tails from centuries ago, of an age that had long passed, telling about forbidden stories of gods who were believed to have existed in this land.

It also gave me the opportunity to be with the boys a lot, laughing, sharing stories, teaching them new tricks on their horses or simply just spending some time with each other when Jolly, Nicholas and Nick weren’t on their duty as castle guards and Noah wasn’t needed for the time being.

These few things were my only escape from the golden cage I had been placed in and I wasn’t sure what I’d be doing if I didn’t have them.

They were essentially like a second family, sharing the same passion with me after I got them in touch with the artistic side of riding and showed them that these animals were so much more than everybody else in this castle like my father thought they were – their intelligence included. It took a little bit of convincing to get them to try it out but once they eventually did, it turned out they all had a talent for it just like me. Leading to hours and hours of training choreographies and stunts with each other because we loved what we did. Each of them having their own skillset just like their horses who matched their individual characters.

Nicholas and Jolly were more laid back, Noah and Nick on the other hand the most active, doing the riskier tricks. Perfectly fitting the energy of their stallions.

Of course this came with a downside, the perfect example standing right before me. Noah’s horse was our little problem straight from the start. It took a lot of time and hard work to get it to where it was now. The raven black stallion allowed no one on his back but Noah and me and wasn’t taking any commands from anyone else either. Everyone writing it off as ‘unrideable’, some even had declared it as a ‘bad omen’, but the truth was you just had to get to know and understand it. Its temper mirroring the samurai’s in every possible way, even the same bullheadedness.

You would think under the calm and collected demeanor wouldn’t be anything more but there was a lot Noah wasn’t showing that reached deeper. I wished he would let go and show more of it. He had given me a glimpse of it this morning and I wanted to discover all of it.

“You do what Noah tells you to do, alright? Show them what we’ve been training. I want you to make their jaws drop.” I said with insistency, stroking behind its ears and back down before giving my attention to the other three.

“All of you.”

Moving down in a row and stroking each one from Nicholas’ over Nick’s to Jolly’s. Making sure to give them some love equally and check if they were ready for their performance.

“Y/N, we need to go.” Ruen announced behind me when I was finished with the last.

“I could bring her.” Noah threw in suddenly, surprising me with his offer.

“No, it’s okay. You go and get ready for your show. I’m fine.” I declined politely, wanting to give him the chance to fully focus before they were going out there. He was good at keeping his expression unchanged but I noticed his face fall the smallest amount, feeling the butterflies tickling my insides at the little action. Or rather the meaning behind it.

I acknowledged the boys with a challenging smile, continuing where I left off.

“That includes the four of you! I’m excited to see what you’ve been planning.” Their eyes were shining with excitement and you could feel the energy they were giving off. They were more than ready to make themselves the highlight of this evening.

I was so proud of them and it made me happy to see them like this.

I shared a last glance with each one, letting it linger for a second longer on Noah. There was something playful and mischievous in his eyes, he definitely had accepted my challenge and was determined to not only complete it but to raise the level even higher. His unrelenting confidence was turning me into a puddle, spreading a wave of heat through me.

The dark of the night was thankfully covering it up and before anyone of them could notice how red my face probably was, I swiftly stepped to his horse and gave it a kiss above its nose.

“Be a good boy.” I whispered to it quietly, not wanting anyone else to hear. But apparently a certain someone did without making it known.

To not make Ruen wait any longer, I came to him so we could leave. “Let’s go.”

As we were about to move, I heard a distant sound coming from somewhere further away outside the castle, my head snapping into the direction.

“Did you hear that?” I asked and tried to make out something in the darkness above the castle walls but couldn’t spot anything.

“What?” Nicholas questioned back, exchanging a look with the other men and following my sight.

“I didn’t hear anything.” Jolly answered unconcerned.

“Are you sure you not made it up?” Nick could be right and I just thought I heard something but I was sure I didn’t.

Noah kept silent but instead fixated his observing gaze into the direction I was looking. Narrowing his eyes, concern ghosting his features for a moment.

“It’s probably nothing.” After nothing else happened, I decided to let it go and not think any more about it.

Starting to walk away with Ruen next to me and brushing it off.

“You won’t forget this!” We heard Nick shouting after us.

“I bet!” I stopped and shouted back at them, catching their group staring at me.

It was like his final words were heard by the kami.

I truly wouldn’t forget this night.

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Tags: @concreteangel92

[januaryembrs]

LAST KNIGHT IN SOHO | Steven Grant/Marc Spector x reader [10]

Description: Marc finds out the truth about Dove, and pays the mortal price.

Word count: 12.6k

Trigger Warnings: okay so; HEAVY TRIGGER for drug use and overdose/ accidental suicide. guns. blood. gore. abusive relationship. poverty. HEAVY ON THE ANGST PEOPLE. suggestive tones in parts.

authors note: I'm sorry this has taken forever and a day to post, I had planned to upload on valentines day however life got in the way in every way it possibly could and so this got put on hold for few days, I hope that's okay! enjoy!!

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“Boys, get down here. Dinner’s going cold.” She called up the stairs, her voice already that of a tired mother. Mathew practically skidded past her bounding down the stairs, god knows that boy knew how to eat, even if the parsnips were stone cold he would still devour them whole, “Where’s Mikey?” She yelled after him, her tattered apron tied around her waist, greasy fingerprints dragged down the whites. 

“In his room,” Joey said, his bulky glasses deep in his new crossword book, “Nine down, a second chance at life?” 

His sister looked up the stairs worried, her natural expression whenever Mikey wasn’t under her constant watch, before she met his gaze, adjusting fake pearls around her neck. 

“Huh?” 

“Second chance at life. Nine letters.” He repeated, scratching the light smattering of facial hair he had only just been able to grow. He felt her fingers deftly begin to fix the tie around his collar, the golden fairy lights wrapped around the bannister illuminating where her red nail polish chipped around the edges. 

“After life?” She guessed, straightening his shirt out for him, fussing like she had always done. He shook his head, wincing as she screeched over his shoulder into the dining room. “MATHEW, PUT THE ROAST POTATOES BACK- THOSE ARE FOR EVERYONE,” She tutted under her breath. Sometimes he forgot she was only seventeen. “Sam, can you get the stuffing out the oven,”

A grunt of agreement from the second boy, before a six foot tall, moody boy shuffled past the open door with bumblebee oven mitts on which took every ounce of attitude out of him. 

“One word,” Joe said, his eyes flicking over to the vinyl player that stuttered on its eighth run through of ‘Fairytale of New York’. 

The tinsel she’d braided into her hair rustled, eyes identical to his own watching his mouth quirk in thought. 

“You’re supposed to be the genius of the family,” She teased, her finger nudging under his chin affectionately before she released him, pecking his forehead as he passed her to go take a seat at the table. She fussed some more over the baubles hanging from the tree on her way to the kitchen, straightening out the few stragglers, her pruning fingertips brushing over the fleece blankets covering the back of the sofa, as if she needed to feel their home to remind her where she was, “How about Migration?” 

“Good, but it ends in T,” He called out to her, watching his eldest brother look up guiltily where he had a dollop of mash on a spoon, his mouth already full.

It seemed their sister caught onto his greed as she sharply smacked him over the back over the head, ripping the spoon from his hand, “Pig,” She spit at him, not that it seemed to phase him too much as his eyes already set on the small beef loin, the fat dripping off the plate tenderly, “I’m going to get Mikey. Resurrect?”

His eyes lit up at the suggestion, scribbling it down in his book. The cinnamon candle burnt strongly in the centre of the table, warm and spicy, just how Christmas should smell. 

It didn’t negate the fact they had all had to go easy on showers for the week, or that the house was freezing at night or that it was obvious all of their “Fancy day” clothes smelled like a charity shop. 

Joseph was only thirteen and already he’d noticed how exhausted his sister seemed every day. He’s stopped thinking about it so much, seeing as she’d always been that way, but the drain on her body was clear as anything nowadays. 

Joey was just a kid, but so was she. 

It wasn’t long before the final two of their little family came traipsing down the stairs, Mikey’s hand tight in his sister’s. At twelve years old, he was still a dot of a boy, scrawny, practically all ribs she would say, and he was a weepy one too. It wasn’t a surprise the kids at school were so cruel, even their own father, when he bothered to drag himself home from the pub or his friends’ sofas, would say the fire had died out a little more with every kid that came out of his ex-wife. His sister was so fierce she could melt the world’s core if she wanted to, Joey was convinced of it. Matt simply was untouchable despite the kids at school taking digs at him just as often as they did Mikey, as if he knew from birth he was getting out of this hell hole, that he was made for better than this. Children could sniff out the ones among them that were struggling like a cadaver dog onto a corpse, and once they latched on they rarely let go. Then was Sammy, and well, one look at him and he spoke for himself. At fifteen he was already broad enough that the kids picking on Mike turned to deadly silence when he was around; grumpy as a mule, cold as their mother, a boy with a bitter face. His sister would rub her thumb over the scowl that marred his brow, trying to flatten the crack where his nose met his forehead, where the anger seemed to settle. She hated seeing them upset; had the unshakable need to fix them. 

Joey was her smart boy, trying to fly under the radar and cause her less anguish than he saw the rest of the boys gave her. He thought sometimes, when she would come home at 2am in her clothes from the club, bruises on her arms, when she would make them both a cup of tea and help him with homework, he thought then that he might even be her favourite. They all vied for her attention, only her and Matthew even remembered their mother, it only made sense that she was the next best thing for her boys. 

But she was more than just a stand in for their mom. She was their everything, even with the fights over who was doing laundry, the yelling between her and Sammy when she would have to pick him up from the station for the nth time that month for petty thievery, even when Matt started wolfing down a rogue handful of carrots that had fallen onto the dinner table and she had all but dragged him by the ear into the kitchen to go get them drinks. 

They revelled in their little bubble, knowing the only thing they’d be given for free in this world was each other. 

And when they had finally sat down for christmas dinner, the smoke from the DIY Christmas crackers tiny Mikey had made lingering with a sulphur bite to their nose; when Sam flashed them all a rare laugh as she read out the terrible jokes hidden inside, the paper hats falling down over their eyes as they laughed, their full tummies hurting, plates polished of every scrap, Matt ofcourse eating the left over yorkshire puddings as if they were crisps. When they’d sat in front of the TV that only had four channels and a hefty video player underneath, Joey fiddled with the only film they ever bothered to watch on Christmas Day. 

The sepia scene met the soft orange of the fire she’d lit for them, every light besides the ones on the tree turned off for their movie. Joey and Mikey sat practically two inches from the screen, a somewhat stale bowl of popcorn passed between them. 

They watched in awed silence as Dorothy ran down the country lane, Toto at her heels, her auburn hair jumping behind her in bunches as she looked over her shoulder. 

Running away, always running away, same as she was every year they watched. 

“She isn’t coming yet, Toto. Did she hurt you?” Judy Gartland fawned over her pet, the gingham dress bunching around her knees. 

Worried, always worried. Always preening. Always fixing.  

And by the time the twister came to rip her away from her family and send her to Oz, the girl who wasn’t Dove just yet was already asleep on Sammy’s shoulder, the grumpy boy knocking his head against hers affectionately, silently, the crunching of popcorn and the slurping of an off brand Cola the only things that cut through the sound of the movie.

Unaware, naive to what was about to happen to her. 

—

Dove and Steven had a glint in their eyes that she was sure would never be wiped off as they walked beside one another, their pinky fingers clasped tightly together. 

He had a dopey look on his face, not even watching where they were going as he stared at her side profile, seeing the warmth meeting her eyes for the first time in a while. Her cheeks were starting to hurt from the smiling, biting her bottom lip like she had a secret. 

She would glance back at him every so often, only to see him already staring, his brown eyes softer than a cup of hot chocolate, swirling with adoration and melting at the sight of her meeting his gaze. 

After the fourth or fifth time, she reached up to brush her nose gently, “Do I have something on my face?” 

He didn’t even answer, he just pulled her in for another kiss, his free hand tugging at the fat of her hips, squeezing gently as he kissed her with a greed she felt high on. 

She held back a whine, the hands on her body kind and loving, overwhelming, invading, saturating her with something so entirely like home she felt her face run hot. 

She giggled into his mouth as he released her, her hands finding the sides of his neck, thumb running over either side of his jaw as she felt him smile under her touch. 

“Steven?” He seemed dazed, eyes never leaving her lips as she said his name again, giddy like his brain had malfunctioned and slowed, “Do I have anything on my face?” 

He mumbled something wordless, shaking his head slightly, looking back at her goofy smile as she waited for a real answer. As if it had only just caught up with him, his brow creased, meeting her eyes with a bit more clarity than before. 

“Huh?” He asked, to which she giggled and kissed him some more. She was sure her heart was pounding out of her ribs, and that he could hear it from how closely he was pressed to her front. 

“You’re staring, I thought I had something on my face,” She said, his nose brushing against hers as he dipped in to kiss the laugh lines of her cheeks, “Do I?” 

Steven shook his head, his gaze fanning over the entirety of her face and landing where he wanted her the most, back to her lips that smiled at him in content. 

“No, just,” He stopped himself from kissing her again, worrying he was smothering her, though some part of him knew she craved the touch as much as he did. She told him as much by the way her fingers intertwined in the root of his hair, pressing into him like a cat purring under his hand, “You make me really happy,”

Her throat bobbed, the smallest of tears springing to her eyes as she kissed him one last time. She wished she could meld her body to his, couldn’t wait for them to have a moment alone when she could take him fully if he would have her again. Truthfully, selfishly, she couldn’t give a damn about Harrow all that much anymore, her entire being hollow the moment she pulled away from him. He’d changed the epicentre of her world the moment she’d heard those three words. 

He loved her. 

She didn’t deserve it, but he loved her. 

Shuffling away from him, not entirely unaware of how his hand was reluctant to drop her waist, how his lips chased hers, how he seemed to pout when she put some distance between them. 

“You make me really happy too, Steven,” She said, her voice mellow and buttery, moving to hold his hand properly, the two of them setting off back to where Layla seemed to be fiddling with something from her backpack.

She knew she would never be good enough for him, that he deserved someone so much better, but it was difficult to hear the horrid thoughts that whirred around the abyss of her head when she heard him softly chuckle, smiling to himself as if he couldn’t believe the words out of her mouth. 

Sometimes it’s not about deserve. That’s what Marc had said. And maybe she could start believing him. Because it was Marc, and Marc knew everything. Marc would know what to say, know how to soothe the feeling of rot that threatened to ruin Steven’s sweet words, his soft kisses. 

Marc would fix it. Marc would understand. She was sure of it. 

–

“We’re going to belay down there,” Layla explained, securing the mountaineering rope to the clasp on her waist, tightening the notch and giving the cable an experimental tug. 

The two of them blanked, looking at one another in their own sets of gear that the woman had them step into with little explanation. 

“I think we should be right on time, Harrow shouldn’t be too far ahead of us-” Dove started, only to be cut off by the older woman with a scoff and an eye roll.

“Belay. It means we’re going to lower ourselves down using our own weight.” Dove’s face fell in embarrassment, smiling sheepishly as Layla shook her head with a hidden chuckle. 

“Right, got it.” She held her hands up, nudging Steven’s when she saw his smile widen, if that had even been possible, “Floor is yours,”

Layla hid her laugh with a cough, taking one confident step off the ledge and down into the tomb, the rope gently dropping her into the darkness. 

Dove and Steven watched with bated breath, the former leaning forwards to ensure she had reached the floor safely. Her eyes squinted, not seeing all too much other than the broken steps that would have once been functional, that were half buried in sand by now. 

“Be careful love,” She felt his fingers loop into her harness, keeping her safe even though they both knew she could survive the fall and much worse. 

She smiled, ready to reply when she saw a flash of Layla’s torch from below, and the woman’s face returned.

“Alright, it’s safe. Come down one at a time,” She instructed, the younger woman sticking a thumbs up at her and moving back into a hard chest where Steven hovered over her. 

“I’ll go first,” She said, reaching for the clip and tightening it to her harness the way Layla had. 

“Wait, shouldn’t I go first? Make sure it’s working properly?” Steven said, though his voice hardly matched the chivalry of his words. She smiled toothily at him, tugging on the rope once to set it in place. 

“Put it this way, honey. I can survive broken legs, but I need every bit of you to function or else I don’t know how I’m going to repay you,” It was new. It was flirty. She had a cheeky twinkle in her eye that reminded him she was able to be girlish and happy and tease him and call him honey and it all felt normal and he wanted more of it by the bucket load. He’d not seen her like this perhaps ever. He fell in love with her even more. He didn’t even think he could.

His mouth moved in an attempt to say something, his face tinging red at the implication of her words. 

“You don’t have to repay me,” He murmured, feeling her fingers loop through his belt, a heat to her gaze that had his skin prickling. 

“I know,” She pecked his lips one more time before they had to be parted even if it was only for a matter of a minute or two, “I just really want to,” She drew back when she heard his breath stutter, his cheeks growing all the more darker in their cherry red shade, and gripped the top of the rope the way she’d seen Layla do. 

“Ok-kay,” The man stammered, his palms sweating, nose tingling with heat. 

“See you in a minute,” She quipped with a deep breath for courage, stepping into the darkness as her body weight tugged against the rope. 

Her feet met the sand faster than expected, stumbling a moment before she steadied herself, fingers quickly undoing the harness that sat around her thighs and waist. 

Taking in the small entrance to the catacomb, she saw Layla crouched over the foot of a statue, her own torch clamped tightly in her grasp. Figuring she was conducting her own search, she chanced a look back up to where Steven’s dopey grin looked down at her, as if cartoonish pink hearts swirled around his head. 

“It’s safe!” She called up, as she fumbled with the latch around her harness, “Just need to get this off-”

The wind was knocked out of her as a body crashed into her own, two startled voices filling the cave, two hands pinning either side of her, landing on her back with a shooting pain through her brow. 

She groaned in unison with the heavy body atop her, feeling where his head had banged against hers. 

“Guess you could say I’m really falling for you,” Steven’s joke melded with a grunt as he pried himself off her, feeling Marc huff in annoyance from inside the head. 

“Huh?” Her voice was muddled, her face scrunched in pain. She barely heard what he said before he had stumbled to his knees, holding his hand out to lift her off the floor. 

“I said- Nothing- Sorry love,” Steven stuttered, his hand pawing at his aching temple, pulling the girl back to her feet, “Guess I just need a bit of practice at that Belay thing,” 

“A bit?” Layla scoffed, though she watched the pair with a hidden smirk, the bumbling mess of limbs as they dusted themselves off and unhooked their gear, “You okay?”

“I’m aces,” He said, turning to where Dove had dirt collecting in her hairline. Reaching a hand up to help her brush it away gently, he was distracted by the huge statue of big cat, most likely a lion, engraved into the stone, “Look at you,” He murmured breathlessly. 

It was her turn to warm under his brazen words, stilling her movements, fingertips rubbing away the traces of sand clinging to her clammy skin. 

She laughed with more shock than anything, though it sounded more like a choke, swallowing heavily as she braved to meet his gaze. 

Her brow furrowed as she flicked a glance over her shoulder at the artwork along the wall, untouched for hundreds of years, the paint lines a thick and dark umber red as if sketched only yesterday. 

Looking back to him, she crossed her fingers he hadn’t seen her flattered expression, knowing better than to be embarrassed around him yet she couldn’t deny those three words spread the heat back through her gut that he had satiated only moments earlier. 

Clicking her torch back on, she threw her attention away from those soft brown eyes, back to the sculpt of the lions, the stone cracking as chalky under their years of solitude, but striking nonetheless. 

“If they just sprang to life right now and asked me a riddle for passage, I’d be thrilled,” Steven said, his voice that of a boy at Christmas, “I’d shit myself, but I’d be thrilled,” 

Giggling behind besotted eyes, Dove moved to head further into the tomb, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw freshly drawn initials in the sand. 

Glancing back to where Layla seemed to shrink in demeanour, she gestured to the markings with her light, “Did you do these?” She asked, curious to her motives. 

“Yeah,” She cleared her throat, averting her eyes to the wall opposite them where vibrant blues and sunflower yellow strokes stared back, “Yeah it’s for my father. He would have loved to be here,”

“Big history buff is he?” Steven asked, the three of them setting off through the tunnel, leading them further into the crypt.

“So much worse,” The El-Faouly woman replied with a smile, falling into step with the duo, “Archeologist with a mission,”

They all breathed a laugh, the air stagnant and musky around them, the smell of a place only the dead seemed to know the past few thousand years. 

“And to him it was a dream worth dying for. And he did,” She went on, Dove’s face falling into solemn sorrow. She knew, if Layla was anything like she was, she would hate the idea of hearing an apology, would hate the idea of someone feeling sorry for her. She had barely been treading water the past day or two, fighting to stay in Layla’s good books, she feared if she were to show any remorse now it would only earn her a slap to the face. 

“Did he dig it?” She asked, her face forlorn and wary as she toed the boundary between their friendship. Casting a glance back at Layla and Steven, she gulped, “So history, you could say he dug it?” 

The light bulb went for both of them, Layla frowning with a defeated grin. 

“That was awful,” She playfully shoved the younger woman, who took it with no bother, smiling back in relief her joke had been taken kindly, “That was the worst-”

“I quite liked it,” Steven inputted helpfully, also earning a bash to the shoulder as Layla laughed. 

“Not a word from the two of you now unless it’s something useful,” She scolded, leading the way through the tightening corridor, the darkness encompassing them in something that felt like comradery. 

“Did you want to hear the one about the dinosaur’s dog-” Dove started, the words echoing around them as they headed further in, only to be stopped again by Layla’s softened voice. 

“Do-you-think-he-saurus rex!”

–

She stared at the house, the one she’d been born in, the light in her room long since switched out. She wouldn’t blame them if they’d taken over her room, it was the biggest one, though that wasn’t saying much. She could see it now, Mathew shotgunning the double bed the moment she left, there was more than enough room for Billie’s small cot next to him. She’d grabbed what she could the day Oz had taken her away, but she wouldn’t bat an eye if they’d sold the clothes she’d left, or even thrown them on the fire to stay warm. 

No, she wouldn’t blame them for erasing all memory of her. She’d been the one to leave, not them. As far as they knew, she’d not made contact whatsoever. Her letters had never been sent, never even left the house. 

She’d not seen home in three years. It was smaller than she remembered. Darker. 

The duffle bag was clutched tightly in her hands, wringing the fabric of the handle between her fingers. The accelerator had been to the floor the entire way here, the blood was still caked thick in her hair, under her nails, stained parts of her skin. 

Frank’s blood. She wondered if the neighbours had called the police yet, if they ever would since he kept them so isolated. Wondered if she was already a suspect in his murder. 

She shook in her shoes at the thought, though that may just be the December night air. 

A figure came storming out of the front door, hands in his pockets, his coat thin and moth eaten. 

Mathew had never been a tall boy, not even at eighteen when she’d last seen him, especially not now at twenty. He was always thin in his face, despite devouring the most out of any of them, his eyes always tired. Though, becoming a dad at such a young age would do that to someone. 

He stopped in front of her, his eyes roving over her with a grand mix of anger and worry. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost, as if he’d seen a dog returning home with its tail between its legs. Which was sort of how she felt. 

“Matty-” She breathed, her exhale clear as day in the freezing night, only he scoffed at the words. He may as well have spat in her, “I don’t have time to explain-”

“What?” He growled, lip sneering in a way that looked too much like their mother, “Where the fuck have you been?” 

She baulked, eyebrows furrowing in a way that she willed herself not to burst into tears. She wanted to head inside, wanted to curl up on the old, ratty sofa they’d had since she was young, wanted to feel Sammy’s head knock against hers affectionately, the only sign the grumpy boy ever gave that said he loved her, despite the fact she knew. She wanted to scold Matty for eating all the bacon out the fridge, help Joey finish his sudoku, wanted, no, needed to see Mikey, see he was okay. Last time she’d been here, she’d found him stashing pills for his friends she knew had a one way ticket to juvie or the streets. 

She’d left for all of them, left to get them a better life. And now she was standing outside her childhood home, drenched in bloodied clothes, her body used, beaten, betrayed. Grace was gone. Frank was dead. 

This was all she had left. Her boys were all she had left. 

“I don’t have time,” She repeated, forcing the duffle bag into his hands, hoping he missed the way the blood collected beneath her nails. She’d scrubbed off what she could before she left, but she knew had it been daylight he’d notice the red ichor immediately, “This is for you,”

“Wha-” Matty looked as if he could swing for her, and she knew she deserved it. She’d left them. Her bottom lip trembled at the very thought. He said her name, only now it seemed dirty, filthy, tainted, like that name had been said by so many awful men she felt as though it was muddied even Matty when he said it, “You leave us to rot for three years, and all of a sudden you just swan in here with presents-”

“Mathew, be quiet,” She barked, hearing his voice grow louder and louder, echoing in the silent street she used to run down to catch her bus, “I have to go,”

He stopped, staring at her teary eyes for a moment, and then laughed. Loud and cruel, and she knew his vitriol was still ongoing, knew she wouldn’t even stop him if he wanted to throw a cruel hand across her face for running away. 

She was such a coward. She was a liar. A murderer. But she was a coward above all of that. 

“Did we stop being good enough for you, huh?” He spat, trying to hand her the bag back, “I don’t want your pity or your little presents, take it-”

“It wasn’t like that,” She pleaded, wrestling with him to keep the bag strap in his grasp,  “Mathew, just take the bag,” 

He shoved her away, but she didn’t relent, her mind set on getting him to take the damn money, the fucking notes that mean nothing to her anymore. There had to be at least thirty grand in there by now, probably more. 

“We needed you, and you weren’t here,” Matt stumbled away from her as she forced the bag into his chest. His voice trembled in a way it hadn’t since he was a boy, since she used to bathe him with that damn toy boat, wash his hair with dish soap, “Social Services know about Mikey and the pills- they want to take Billie away-”

She stopped at that, the two of them looking at each other for the first time since she’d shown up. His eyes were watery, where hers were empty. His sister had always been strong, Matt didn’t think he’d ever seen her cry in all the years of shit she’d trodden through for them. She had always looked exhausted, as if her brain was fired up every moment of the day, as if she could go for a three day nap and it wouldn’t so much as touch her. 

But this was worse. She wasn’t tired. Wasn’t thinking hard. His sister didn’t even look alive. 

Whoever it was staring back at him was not the girl he remembered. Someone could tell him a wraith had crawled into his sister’s skin and dragged her back here with the sole mission of getting him to take the damn bag, and he’d believe them. 

She looked dead. She felt it too.

“Is that-” He stopped himself, a bitter hand reaching up for a mark on her face that glinted under the moonlight, “Blood?” 

She froze, and for a moment neither of them said anything. 

Her breath rattled in her chest, the stickiness of Frank’s blood clinging her clothes to her skin, and he realised once he’d actually taken the sight of her in, that she smelled metallic, that she had a thousand mile stare that had not been there the day she’d left them. 

“Everything I’ve done, I did it for you.” She said after a moment’s reprieve and the anger brewing in his frown wiped immediately, the words soothing his fury into a simmering guilt. 

He tried to say her name again, only to have her cut him off, shoving the back into his arms with finality, her eyes blank, leaving no space for questions, for retaliation. 

“Get Mikey a lawyer. Get him to rehab. Read the letters, or not, I don’t care,” But she did. She cared more than anything. Cared so much she needed to run, now, cared so much she knew every moment she spent talking was more time for him to be incriminated in what she’d done. “I have to go, it’s not safe,” 

He wanted to hug her; he’d never been the affectionate one, she usually saved her cuddles for the younger ones. He wished he’d hugged her now. Wished he’d dragged her back inside, gotten her warm in front of their fire, forced the truth out of her. Anything to tell him what that look on her face had meant. Anything to make her stop seeming so dead it scared him like a child. 

But he didn’t. He couldn’t, not even as she all but sped away in a car he’d never seen before, a limp he’d not noticed through his anger fogged brain as he’d stormed down their front path. 

He barely caught Sammy, filling their entire doorway with his form that had only grown tenfold, if that had even been possible, since his sister left, looking like a kicked dog behind angry eyes that glinted with rare tears. 

“Come on, Sam,” Matty said, brushing past his little brother, though he towered over him for a nineteen year old, heading inside their small house that had felt colder since she’d abandoned them, “We’ll sort it out in the morning,” 

But Sam didn’t. He watched the broken tail lights of the car speed off into the distance, until they were no more than a sound rattling around the silent neighbourhood. Only then did he let himself begin to cry, hoping she came back for them soon. 

–

“It’s a maze,” Layla said, as the three of them traipsed through the tunnels that certainly looked like they had seen better days. Dove startled a bit at the bugs that skittered up the walls as the light hit them, no doubt a little frightened themselves at the rude intrusion from the trio, though she stuck behind Layla. She’d fought demon jackals, men with guns, lived a double life but bugs were what scared her. 

“It’s a-maze-ing,” Steven replied, snickering to himself, which had her giggling too, shaking her head at the man behind her. 

“She means there are six paths, Steven,” D ove clarified, and he hoped the light covered the way his cheeks rouged. 

“Right, yeah, yeah,” He replied, sticking his head down one of the thin alley ways to scope out the labyrinth they’d found themselves in, “Six points,” 

Dove hung back as Layla went towards another one of the pathways, eyes clocking a stone surface planted directly in the middle of the antechamber, the sand laying thick over the top, yet uneven as if the stone wasn’t entirely flat. 

Her brows furrowed, and she traced her finger deeper in the dust, carving out where the ridges grooved into the table. She made an almond shape, an arching line parallelling it, before she realised what the marking was, her brows shooting into her forehead. 

She saw a torch flick over where she worked, felt Steven’s body press against her side as if he’d forgotten what personal space was exactly. 

“You don’t think…” He started, watching how her soft fingertip swirled around into a spiral the two of them had seen a million times walking past the exhibits on the way to the gift shop, “This whole structure is-”

“The Eye of Horus,” She finished, curving around to create the iris. As if proving her point, Steven’s light reflected off the the shiny stone of the table, producing the identical symbol on the ceiling of the room, which had her nudging his hand, pointing to the light, “Look at that,”

“Wow,” He hummed, his eyes flicking between the eye and the wonder on her face as she smiled wryly at the stone, “It’s the royal symbol, protection in the afterlife.”

“I mean the resources needed to build this-” Layla added, looking between all of the corridors that had certainly not been crafted in a day’s work, nor had it been done cheaply, judging by the quality of stone that surrounded them. She stopped, her eyes wild with excitement as she looked at the two of them, “Her final avatar was a pharaoh,”

A breath whooshed from Dove’s lungs, jaw gaping, feeling Steven practically buzzing in his shoes beside her. 

“A bloody pharoah,” He repeated, the joy coating his words like a kid on Christmas. He and Layla chuckled between one another, before their gaze fell on Dove, who stared at the drawing in the sand as if it would outright speak to her.

“So you think it’s a map?” Layla asked, her fawn eyes dropping to the girl who bit her lip unsure. 

She nodded, gaze scanning over the drawing again, as Steven’s rough finger followed where her own hand had traced just moments before. 

“Right. So the eye of Horus is also the Eye of mind, yeah?” He asked, his face now more serious than she’d ever seen him, as he thought harder, “Representing the six senses, six points.” He gestured to each of the corridors that lead away from the chamber they huddled in, “So you’ve got the eyebrow that denotes thoughts. Pupil, sight obviously.” He followed each of his words with his calloused fingers, the same ones that had been down her trousers not so much as a few hours ago. She felt her stomach writhe at the thought, “This point here is, uh, hearing. Smell. Touch. And this long line ending in a spiral is the tongue,” 

She felt her eyes train on his lips as he said it, his gaze falling to her face where she stood besides him, watching every movement on his lips as if she could barely hold herself back from meeting their mouths then and there. 

“The avatar would be Ammit’s voice,” Layla murmured, entirely unaware of the heated thoughts racing through the girl’s mind as she stared at the man, his own expression indiscernible, meeting her eyes with his own chestnut hues, “We should head this way,” 

Layla took off towards the route the tongue pointed them to, the two of them hanging behind for a moment, unable to rip their eyes from one another. 

“What’s that look for?” Steven asked, chuckling nervously as he tried and failed to pull his gaze away from her where she licked her lips slowly. Leaning towards him, her fingers found the front of his jacket as she pulled him closer, kissing him gently, though there was a subtle bite to it that went straight to his trousers as he melted. 

Pulling away, she looked at him with a spritely kind of excitement, as if she loved every moment of looking at him like that. 

“Did I ever tell you how amazing I think you are?” She asked, her face warm with adoration, and the words had his cheeks blazing instantly. 

“You mentioned it once or twice,” He joked, both of them knowing full well the girl was known to give him every compliment she could even before they had been brave enough to admit how they felt for one another. 

She snickered, pulling away from him to follow where Layla had wandered off too, looping a pinky finger in his own to encourage him to follow. Had she not, he was sure he’d be rooted to the floor, waiting for his heartbeat to slow down, or even for his cock to calm enough that he could move without feeling it press against his trousers. 

He cursed himself moments later, when his brain caught up to him, that he hadn’t told her just how amazing he thought she was. 

Yet Steven felt his jeans tighten again when he thought of one other way he could show her just what he felt. 

-

The heavy panting was the only sign either of them were even there as they walked through the narrow corridor, the smallest slither of light meeting them at the end, not unlike when they had trudged into the Great pyramid. That had seemed weeks ago, when in reality it had only been six days, how her life had been flipped upside down all the more since then. 

Her head rattled on her shoulders, thoughts flitting over Layla and her whereabouts as they stepped through the hallway, dust thickening in their lungs with every pant. Her ears were alert to the smallest of movements, her heart pounding in her chest, the image of that thing, the resurrected Heka Priest, replaying in her head, the screech of its rotted vocal chords keeping her arm hairs standing in goose flesh. 

“She’ll be alright, won’t she?” Dove asked solemnly, her brow creased so tight she reminded herself of Sammy, knowing they had always looked the most similar out of all of her brothers. She knew, by the way Steven blanched at the sight of her worry, that she looked as guilty as she felt, “I shouldn’t have left her-”

“We didn’t have much choice, sweetheart,” He sighed, grabbing her hand tightly in his own, stopping in the middle of the darkened chamber to look at her properly. She tugged her lip between her teeth as she averted his gaze, the disappointment in herself shadowing over her chest, “We did everything we could- it’s Layla, she’s done this a thousand times with Marc. She’ll know what to do,” 

Though he was more convincing himself than anything. He wasn’t so sure from the way Marc scoffed inside the headspace that she had in fact not run from undead creatures that threatened to rip her limb from limb a thousand times. Not even once. This was new territory for all of them. 

She didn’t seem convinced as she nodded, her lips quirking as if she was about to say something, only for him to kiss her forehead before she could. 

“I don’t think I’d be able to forgive myself if something happened to her,” She confessed, after he drew back, watching her thoughts swimming behind sad eyes, as if he could see the way she bit her tongue to stop herself from calling herself the worst names imaginable. 

He stroked her cheek gently, tilting her chin to meet his gaze, his chocolate gaze warmer than summer and he smiled at her sadly. 

“None of this is your fault,” He said, though she said nothing, chewing her cheek silently, “The faster we get the ushabti, and the faster we can go find Layla. Deal?” 

She nodded again, and he squeezed her hand, pulling her towards the end of the corridor with a small smile. 

Steven Grant was not a brave man, not by any means. But for her, he would be. He thought the same as she had, worried for the El-Faouley woman more and more with every step they took towards the tomb, his own body on high alert for an incoming attack from one of those creatures. 

The end of the hallway drew near, the path widening out to accommodate an entrance, water trickling between the tiles in a silent stream, and he held her hand tighter as they navigated over the stepping stones, her boots slippy over the moss that clung to the rocks. 

It wasn’t until he reached the end, where the corridor opened out, that he let go of her hand in favour of flicking his torch on. His entire body froze at the sight, satiated in awe of the tomb before him. 

She hopped the final stepping stone, hands grabbing onto the wall and his shoulder for support before she followed his gaze to the room, and her jaw dropped too. 

“First ones in, tomb fit for a pharaoh,” Steven hummed, stepping further into the antechamber, and he wasn’t wrong by any means. The walls were all but covered in bright paints that had yet to wash away, the tales of heroic battles and armies surrounding them like one huge mural. Solid gold plates, figurines, vases scattered neatly around the room, each one shiny and polished as if the death bed had never been touched since the day it had been sealed. Four bronze horse statues the size of her watched them enter, carefully avoiding the water that surrounded the sarcophagus in a deep pool, stepping between cracked slabs towards the coffin.

She let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding as she saw the sheer amount of engravings on the sarcophagus, each one proving the power the dead king had held over his people when he’d died. It was more than she’d seen even on one, more than she would ever see. 

This was a wealthy, wealthy pharaoh, she realised, her brows flicking into her hairline

“Thutmose II?” Steven guessed, leading the way to the coffin, the excitement blaringly clear in his voice. He couldn’t so much as catch his breath behind his smile, “Nefertiti. It’s gotta be one of the bigg’uns, Dove,” He said, flicking a grin over his shoulder as her eyes scaled every inch of the tomb. Her jaw hung open, ignoring the dusty task of musk in her mouth, the stagnant smell of water, her eyes pure wonder of what she was seeing. 

This was the stuff of movies, of adventures she read to Joey and Mikey before bed, never did she think she would be part of it, let alone with Steven Grant, a man so quiet he apologised to pigeons, who jumped at his own shadow, who missed his bus every single morning. 

“Must be, I’ve never seen so many offerings,” She replied, willing her feet to hold steady as they stepped between the stones and water carefully. “The engravings, there nothing like I’ve studied before,” 

“Oh wow, look at that,” Steven gawped, taking the final step onto the centrepiece, heading towards the sarcophagus with ravenous eyes, “Look at all these relics,” 

She was hot on his heels, quick to hop over, and expand her search with an eagle eye as she closed in on the sarcophagus. 

“Hold on, Macedonian?” Dove stopped in her tracks, clicking her torch on and nearing the engravings with wide eyes, “It can’t be right-”

“That’s Macedonian,” Steven echoed, kneeling next to her with wary fingertips. He brushed over the markings, a gobsmacked laugh coming from his chest, “Well-b-but the only pharaoh-” 

She grabbed his arm with a clawing strength, head drinking in the facts before her, gently hands following the engravings as if she needed to touch it herself to believe what she knew to be true, “H-He insisted on calling himself Egyptian,” She swallowed, standing on shaky knees to behold the rest of the coffin, her heart hammering. The two of them approached either side of the king’s burial place. “Steven, I think we found the long lost tomb of Alexander the Great,” 

Taking a moment, if not to catch a nervous breath, their eyes met across the top of the sarcophagus, an identical expression of astonishment on their faces. 

She couldn’t help it then; she started laughing. Nervous and yet amazed, she was lost entirely for words. 

“We have to open it, Steven,” She said, her chuckles dying out, a hand flying to her forehead when she realised what a desecration they were about to cause, “The ushabti has to be inside, we have to open it up, oh goodness-”

“Everything inside me is screaming not to touch this thing,” Steven agreed, shaking his nerves out through his hands while watching her also fret over the slight grave robbing they were about to commit. 

“You want Harrow to get to Ammit first?” Marc snapped from the glint in the cursive gold writing across the sarcophagus’ chest. He seemed to have roused from his silent protest and come back swinging, Steven thought with a bitter huff, his hands coming up to the side of the opening. 

“Alright, alright, alright,” He replied, a nervous grip settling on the cold sandstone. His eyes flicked to her again for reassurance, though she herself looked to be coming to a sobering understanding they needed to disgrace the burial sight to get what they wanted. She nodded, her hand drifting to clutch over her mouth in shock, like she needed to stop herself from protesting his actions, and with that he pushed. 

The smell of death invaded her nose, choking her for a moment as the stone slid to reveal the mummified corpse of the man historians had been babbling about for decades. 

This had once been a conqueror, a king, a pharaoh everyone whispered about, a man who’s name was spoken a thousand times a day on the guided tours in the museum.

And they had found him. 

A plated scarab sat across his chest, one she assumed was a sister to the one they had used to find him, the one Harrow took, below it; a huge, solid battle axe with engravings the entire length of its sharp edge. An offering to a man so revered for his wars. 

A shiver trickling down her spine, she looked up at Steven through wide eyes, the two of them entirely stumped for words at what they were discovering, the thousands of years they had just peeled back with one fell swoop. 

“Oh man,” Steven shook his head, barely ripping his eyes away from the mummy for a moment as she moved to stand at the head of the sarcophagus.

“Where’s the ushabti?” Marc spoke again, this time from the fresh golden sheen on the axe, seeing no other offerings or trinkets inside the coffin besides the weapon. 

“Well, if you’re going to hide it for all eternity, you’d probably put it in a place where the average looter wouldn’t think to look,” Steven replied, his heart a hummingbird behind his chest, almost, almost as excited as he had been when he’d been kissing her against that post. 

Almost, but not quite. 

She stayed silent, attuning her ears into keeping watch for Harrow’s men approaching, or hopefully even figuring out where Layla was, while Steven’s brain whirred, conferring with Marc. 

She hoped he wasn’t mad at her for Steven pushing him out of the headspace, for throwing that mirror into the sand the moment he’d gotten his lips on hers. She hoped he would understand. Marc always understood. 

Steven’s face smoothed out in realisation, whether he had come to it on his own or Marc had helped she wasn’t sure, but she grabbed his wrist gently nonetheless. 

“What is it?” She murmured, his eyes trained on the tightly wrapped linen, an almost horrified look on his face. 

“Alexander was the voice of Ammit…” He trailed off, his hand coming to rest on the corpse’s jaw, “All right, I’m gonna try something, I’m gonna do something here.”

His fingers found the lip of the cloth where the head met the body, weaving their way under and tugging them away carefully. 

Dove released a shaky breath, her hand returning in shock over her mouth, knowing that this was technically known as grave desecration, let alone ruining thousands of years of history. 

“Steven, oh my god-” She gagged as the smell hit her, the man beside her writhing in sickness as his fingers touched the mummified skin beneath. 

“Oh god- so sorry- sorry, Mr Great,” He choked on his words, the disgust running over his skin when he touched something cold and wrinkled. 

He tore the bandages with more force, the linen coming away easily, but they both shuddered hearing something crack under the weight of his hand, something she could only imagine was a bone.

Steven pulled the cloth away to reveal a perfectly mummified face, and the sight wasn’t so uncommon as she’d thought since they had two preserved in the museum. But seeing it so up close, without the temperature controlled glass, it made her want to vomit and stare in awe all at the same time. 

Steven took an unsure breath, before he went even further, his fingers resting on the lower mandible, pulling back whatever remained of the lips to slip between his teeth, his other hand holding his cranium still. 

She forced herself not to wince as he started tugging the mouth open; the look on his face was torture for him enough. 

“All right, open up. Oh, sorry, Mr Great,” He bit out, bile rising in his own throat at the sensations beneath his hand, the jaw cracking and ripping down with a nauseating crunch. His hand reached down the gullet, and she had to turn away then when he started rooting around the throat, resisting the retch that fought her own mouth, “Oh, sorry, oh god, I couldn’t be more sorry,” 

It wasn’t until she heard a squelch they both heaved, Steven’s own noises of disgust filling the tomb as his entire upper arm wormed its way into the chest cavity, and she thought he might just be the bravest man she’d ever known. 

His arm twisted for a moment, before he started pulling it out, not without some resistance from the collar bones, only for it to come away with one final tug, and in his hand producing a small ceramic figure of an alligator headed woman, and two audible gasps filled the silence. 

“Steven-” She started, turning to him with something warm and gooey and close to pride in her eyes, “Steven, you did it!” 

She threw herself at him in a hug, ignoring every morsel of her that cringed when she imagined where his hand had been, feeling him squeeze her to him just as tightly.

“We did it, we did- I could never have done any of this without you,” He replied, nosing her hair for a moment before he pulled her away to look at her face, beaming with glee. It didn’t matter then, that he had been chased by that creature, or that he’d been shot at, or that he’d been digging around a dead man’s throat. It didn’t matter then that his life had been turned upside down, or that he was actually one man split into another, or that he’d lost his job. He didn’t care. Because seeing how she looked at him, as if she’d just watched him solve string theory or win a nobel prize, healed every wound he’d ever had. 

He only needed her; only ever wanted her. 

“I really do love you,” She said, and he wondered it she’d heard his thoughts, fought the urge to kiss her then and there. 

Her head snapped to where they had entered the tomb, something wary in her gaze until he saw Layla appear in the doorway, looking entirely scraped up, as if she’d just been dragged through the caverns backwards. 

“Layla!” Dove called, bounding over the stepping stones, “Layla, are you alright- we got the ushabti-”

“Layla, look! We won!” Behind her Steven held up the figurine, the pair of them with billion dollar smiles on their faces, watching the woman approach on shaky legs, “And the ushabti goes to; us. I had to go digging down old Alexander the Great’s gullet, but we found it,” 

Dove giggled at his teasing, shaking her head, and fighting the urge to yank Layla into a hug of her own. They had done it, they’d won. Now they could get out of here and away from Harrow, she could go home, go home with Steven-

She was quick to notice the stare Layla pinned on the man behind her, something visceral and in pain beneath her skin, something raw, a wound ripped open. She knew it well, knew it like an old friend. Layla was the pure image of betrayal. 

She stalked forward silently, not paying the younger woman a scrap of attention as she approached, stepping over the cobbles with not a single hesitant foot. Her eyes gleaned with unshed tears, something rageful keeping them bay. 

Dove stopped still, her eyes trained on the woman, her smile dissolving into confusion. 

“Layla, are you alright-” 

“Can he hear me?” Layla cut her off, not giving a shit for her soft lilted voice or her concern. She only cared about Marc, Harrow’s words rattling in her head like a foghorn calling every shred of anger she’d ever felt for her ex-husband to arms. 

“Alexander? No, I don’t think so, god I hope not,” Steven snickered, and Dove winced. Layla’s eyes darkened, her honey tones near black in the lowlit antechamber, and the younger woman knew whatever had happened in the moments passed since they’d parted, Layla was now out for blood. 

“What happened to my father?” The El-Faouley woman spat, her hands shaking with anger, and Dove could do nothing but wait for Steven to understand that she wasn’t kidding around.

She dared a glance at the man who stood there like a lost child, whatever celebration and relief they had felt swept away in a matter of moments. Seconds. 

She knew from the silence that lingered Layla already suspected something. 

“I’m talking to you,” Layla seethed, stepping towards the man without a bat of an eyelid at the woman who watched whatever progress they’d made swirl down the drain like yesterday’s newspaper. 

“What?” Steven murmured, a frown on his face as Layla’s hands came up to shove him in the chest hard. 

“I’m talking to you, Marc,” 

He barely stumbled, barely blinked, but she saw it. Saw the way the innocence melted away, and his frown became cold and distant. She saw the moment Marc took the body, and her heart dropped at the flash of guilt that glinted in the crook of his eyes as he saw his ex-wife’s expression in the flesh. 

“Come on, let’s go, let’s go-” He tried to pull her away, but Dove knew it was his own brand of avoiding the subject. She’d never hold it against him, who was she to judge someone for running from responsibility, but she knew. And so did Layla. 

“No,” The woman dug her heels in as he tried pulling her to the exit, her empty fist weakly beating on his wrist while he yanked on her coat. 

“We have to go right now,”

“No, Marc, no,” She fought, the venom in her tone only growing. He tugged her harder, the two of them all but grappling with one another for control. 

“We have to go, right now,” He repeated, eyes flicking to where Dove stood still, her hands playing with one another nervously, “Come on, we gotta get out of here-”

Layla forced his head back to her, away from where the younger woman moved between each foot, watching it play out like a tragedy. 

“What happened to my father?” She said again, louder this time, and it was clear no amount of deflection would stop her from getting an answer.

“Listen to me,” Marc said with a seriousness Dove had never heard, real life panic in his tone that had her shifting to check the doorway for signs of Harrow’s men following closely behind, “We need to leave right now, I will explain everything, I swear. But we have to go,”

“Did you kill Abdullah El Faouley?” Layla’s voice cracked, because the answer would break her if it were true, if it was what she feared. 

“Of course not. Of course I didn’t,” And it was the first honest thing Marc had said to her in years. The pain in his eyes at the accusation said it all. 

Layla sighed in short lived relief, running a hand over her face. 

“But you were there,” She said quietly, and the four words cleaved Marc’s resolve right down the middle, his brow furrowing in agony, “You were there, right?” 

“I was- I was there,” He confessed, Dove’s stomach turning over in anguish. She wanted to hug both of them to her in entirely different ways. Wanted to grab Layla, stroke her hair the way Grace used to when she was upset, hold her to her chest and tell her how sorry she was that her father was taken from her so cruelly. She wanted to pull Marc in, slot him right over her heart and tell him he wasn’t bad, not even now, not ever, that he was good, pure, golden goodness, just as good as Steven. That he wasn’t guilty, he was just unlucky. 

“My partner got greedy, he executed everyone at the digsite. Shot me too, I was supposed to die that night,” Marc spilled out, his expression bleak, distraught. 

She knew better than to interrupt, than to get in between the two of them when they fought like this. That is, until her ears pricked up with her inhumane senses, the sound of guns cocking and creeping footsteps dragging through the sand stones they had just come from, whispers between comrades that they were getting close to what they had been searching for. 

“Someone’s here,” She said, before she could think better of speaking. Their heads turned to her, as if they’d forgotten she was there, Marc’s face a picture of a tortured soul. She angled her head to distinguish what the men were saying, try give her some pointers how long they had, “Harrow is getting close, I can hear his watch-”

“Who’s Grace?” Layla asked, her tone guarded, as if she’d begged the question the entire time she’d known the girl, “Marc’s not the only one who’s been keeping secrets,” 

But Dove was frozen. Entirely frozen. Not so much of a breath in her chest, not even a blink.

Because hearing that name again, her name, hearing Layla take everything close to her and toss it around as a conversation piece shattered her into a million small pieces, floating down neatly into the water right then and there.

He saw it.

When her eyes glazed over, as if hearing the name pressed play on a movie she’d not seen in years, and she no longer stood there, with them, but she was transported somewhere else entirely. It was the same as when she’d been in the car, staring out that window, he wanted to yell out to her, grab her delicate face and scream Where do you go? Come back to me, take my hand and come back to me. Where are you where I can’t follow.

Because she wasn’t there, inside her own body. And she feared she would never be again.

She was back in that room, in that window sill, replaying every single night she’d spent in Grace’s room. Who’s Grace? She was opening that door, the one Frank told her not to go in, she was staring at the body, the unmoving one, the cold corpse, frozen in pain, what was once her entire world ripping away from her soul, pulling her apart right down the middle, the empty bottle staring right back at her from the bedside table as if to say ‘I won, I won.’ Who’s Grace? She wasn’t there, wasn’t in the tomb at all, she was rotting in her bed, lying still and waiting for death to take her too, because it seemed impossible that the person who had been made as her mirror image in every way but looks could be culled but not her.

How could she explain who Grace was? How do you even begin to explain to a person what every cell of your body is?

“Harrow said you let her die,” Layla said, and she knew she’d hit a home run with whatever that look on Dove’s face meant, knew that everything he’d said had been true, “He said you could have saved her and you didn’t-”

“Don’t,” It was a snarl, something unearthly and rotten, but the grief in the single word was clear as a bell, “Stop it, Layla,”

She hadn’t ever spoken to her like that, had snapped and rolled her eyes, but never had such a clear threat to her words.

The woman blinked in response, the hairs on her arms standing on end at the voice that was entirely not Dove’s coming from her throat. It was monstrous, and part of her wondered if it was Seth who had in fact taken her body, only to see the eyes she knew well staring back at her with the image of a deer at the barrel of a gun.

Vulnerable. Ready for slaughter. Ready to be laid bare on the butcher's block.

Layla thought twice before she opened her mouth again, second guessing pushing for more answers, but something in the way the girl looked told her there was a truth to it.

“And Frank?” Layla asked, watching Dove’s hands shake. With anger, Layla guessed, anger that her little secrets were being poured out on the cobbles for her precious Steven to see.

Layla was not a cruel woman, not by any means. But she despised liars. And Dove was one of them.

“You and Harrow seem to be best pals, Layla, why don’t you ask him who Frank was,” Dove hissed, and it was like Marc was looking at someone else entirely, like he was watching a mutt backed into a corner snapping at everyone who approached, like watching game gnaw at its own leg to be free of a trap, “He got what he deserved,”

And Marc didn't doubt it. Not even when he reeled back in shock at her tone of voice, not expecting it from his peaceful dove, but then again Layla had ripped all sorts of wounds open in the interest of her own search for answers.

Marc opened his mouth to reinforce their need haste, only to hear for himself the footsteps draw nearer, and the three of them swivelled to look at the direction they came from.

“They’re here,” He said with a pit opening in his stomach, right around where his heart had fallen, springing into action as Layla paced across the stones, searching for a hiding spot.

“There must be another way out,” Dove said, though she felt her brain wrestling with images of that day, that last day, the feel of the mirror beneath her fingers, the scars that to this day marred her palm from the glass as she’d driven it into his chest.

“You find it, I’ll hold them off,” Marc ordered her, backing on himself to grab the battleaxe from inside the sarcophagus. Layla followed orders without protest, heading for the small alleyway she had come from, knowing she couldn’t go back that way with those creatures lurking behind the walls.

Crouching behind a pillar, she watched them with doubtful eyes. She knew they could find her in a matter of seconds. She was beyond angry at both of them for their deceit, yet she watched Dove summon the claws of her suit around her hands, ten blades sprouting over her natural nails in a small motion.

“Get out of here-” Marc waved her off, trying to nudge her body towards where Layla crouched, only for her to gently brush his hands away, careful not to scratch him with her talons.

“Marc, I’m not letting you do this alone- you don’t have a suit-” She argued back, hating the way he was still ready to go down swinging for her, hating the way he’d brushed off what Layla had said because it was Layla and Layla had every reason to throw her under any bus coming.

Her heart plummeted even more, dragging her shame down with it, and she understood then what it was.

He didn’t believe she’d done anything. He didn’t believe something was wrong, something was wrong with her. Didn’t believe she had lied, and kept things from him, didn’t entertain the idea for a single second that she was not the Dove he thought she was.

She knew if he would ask, she wouldn’t have the heart to lie to him to his face, knew she couldn’t keep betraying the undying loyalty he had to her. Knew he would take Steven away.

But she also knew he wouldn’t ask in the first place. Because to Marc, she was innocent of everything everyone accused her of, no matter how true.

She felt even worse than before, if that had even been possible.

She could only steel her face over as Harrow entered the room behind her, the infuriating tap tap tap of his staff against the floor giving him away.

And in a split moment, twenty armed men followed him, crawling out from the corners of the room, their rifles loaded, torches trained on the two of them, the red aimpoints hovering over their chests. She tried to account for every single one of the guns and their wielders, but she couldn’t. There was just too many.

The only way they were getting out of here alive is if he ran, if he ducked out with Layla and left her here to fight alone. But she knew he would never. Not unless she were to throw her body over his, take every single round of ammunition in her suit, keep him protected until they had run dry, but even then she knew he would fight against having her in front of him.

She couldn’t just stand by, couldn’t just let him go, no matter how much she dreaded what was coming next, how much he would hate her once she told him. But maybe he could understand, maybe he would. He had killed people before, she knew he had, he never hid from that. Killed those who deserved it. He hadn’t cared, hadn’t treated her differently when Hellhound had slaughtered those men. She wished she was back in that bathtub, back in their hotel room, the room full of lavender and vanilla, wished his hands were back in her hair telling her she was going to be okay.

She wished. Because that was all she had left.

“Just you two?” Harrow asked, his voice a wisp of smoke in the dark tomb that seemed to be closing in on them as the men steadied their aim, fingers resting on the triggers, “The rest is silence. I remember the first morning, I woke up knowing Khonshu was gone. The quiet was liberating,”

Harrow pocketed the scarab that nestled in his palm, stepping carefully towards them, his damn stick tapping at the floor like death had come knocking.

“And you, little dove,” Harrow turned to her, her eyes a cold glare, twitching with every knock of the wooden cane against the floor, “The truth can be just as liberating as being rid of the voice that controls you. But maybe, you already know that.”

She couldn’t disagree more. There was nothing liberating about what she’d done to Frank. She was a woman haunted, forever tainted by that day. She was ruined, she couldn’t believe she’d ever thought she could be fixed.

“Why don’t you tell him the truth?” Harrow goaded, her insides shrivelling as she saw Marc’s chocolate hues flick to her for a moment, “Ask her, Marc.”

“Marc, I can explain-” She said, eyes locking onto where he clenched a tight fist around his weapon, Harrow's words cutting her off.

“You’re a free man. And ofcourse with that freedom comes choice.” Harrow continued, “You can choose to pretend not to see the guilt writhing under her skin like a serpent. Or, you can choose to keep dear Steven safe,”

“Safe from what?” Marc snapped, his hackles raised at Harrow’s words, as if there was ever a moment of doubt he would choose anything over Steven’s wellbeing, or perhaps it was the way he questioned her that did it.

“Safe from the woman who slaughtered her own boyfriend, maybe?”

Harrow’s tone was soft, gentle, like he hadn’t just dropped a bomb upon the room, a tidal wave of cold overcoming the space between them.

“What?” Marc scoffed, almost a genuine laugh emerging at the levels Harrow was willing to stoop to in order to get the ushabti, including making up ludicrous tales, “What kind of shit is that, you can’t honestly think I’d believe that-”

He looked back to her, expecting confusion, aghast, anything except the deep pools of guilt encompassing her entire being as she stared at him.

He went cold.

No. No, please, no.

He said nothing, did nothing, not even when she tugged a lip between her teeth to keep it from wobbling.

“Please,” She whimpered, stepping towards him with empty hands, “Please, I can explain,”

Only he stepped back, and with it ripped whatever remained of her soul away from.

His eyes no longer were warm nests of mousy brown, his expression no longer soft as he took her in, his jaw tight and feathered with hesitation.

“I can explain, please listen to me,” She begged, she wasn’t above sinking to her knees and pleading against his knee in tears, “I was going to tell you, I tried-”

“You lied to me?” Marc bit, his face empty of whatever it was that he’d regarded her with before. The hands in her hair as she bathed were a million miles away, the kindness that had shone upon her like a warm summer now pelted her like hail in a storm.

“It wasn’t like the others, I had to-” She said, her hands shaking as she dared another step towards him, only for him to take another step back, “I thought you would understand,”

“I killed people because it was service to Khonshu, or-or because people's lives hung in the balance, not because I chose to,” He snapped, drawing his hand away from her like she’d burned him with her very being, “You killed your own boyfriend? You told me you stole- you lied to me,”

“No.” Steven’s voice was a whine, a bleat of agony inside the headspace, a man who was watching the only thing he’d ever had for himself slip away, “No, she wouldn’t Marc, she-”

“Please, just listen,” Her eyes had welled now, “Please, I- Marc, watch out!” She jumped at him, not missing the way his knuckles had quivered on the axe at her sudden movement, only for her to shove past him and descend onto a figure that had been moments away from grabbing the Ushabti.

It was like a switch had flickered then, and the rest of the room was invited into their conversation.

Marc slashed at one of the men who dived for her, snapping his forearm clean in two, the rifle falling from his grasp, and she clawed at the guards wrist, ripping through tendons and flesh like it were fabric.

He heard another of the men squeal as she slashed his face, he cut down another of Harrow’s men with a swift blow to the arm, ichor spurting over his hand at the contact.

He barely even blinked an eye as he threw the battle axe at the next one in his path, though he hadn’t even felt the handle leave his palm as it hit its mark and another one of the men went down.

He knew it made him somewhat of a hypocrite. But it wasn't just the blatant lie that had caused his walls to clamp down around him. That man, whoever he was, had been her boyfriend. And Steven... If he hadn't known something so telling about her, how could he be sure she wouldn't flip and do the same to Steven.

She wouldn't. He wanted to say he knew she wouldn't lay a hand on the man clawing at his brain in torment, but Marc felt he didn't know anything about her anymore.

She had killed someone. His dove, his innocent dove, that he had spent weeks feeling like filth for so much as touching, feeling as though he had ruined her, only to find out she was just as tainted as he was. She had lied to him. She had every chance, every moment he showed his soft underbelly, to tell him the truth, and she hadn’t. He was supposed to keep Steven safe, and he was dropping walls left right and centre for someone who could have had him lined up as her next target.

Dove’s head whirled around when she heard him grunt, fearing he had gotten a barrel to the face, or even a rogue fist. She took a sweeping glance at him from head to toe, the relief tangible in her bones, seeing he was rattled and angry, but not bleeding.

She needed to set this right. She was a liar, she knew that, she was a murderer, she knew that aswell. She didn’t deserve any of the kindness she’d been shown, she’d known she was on borrowed time the entirety of their friendship. She had known this was coming any day now.

It still hurt like a bitch to be confronted with the truth. And the truth was Marc glared at her like hated her. Marc wanted nothing to do with her, as liar, a con, an actress. A whore.

She had to fix this; if she even could. She had to try. For Steven.

Dove had gotten all of one step when Harrow pulled the pistol out of his jeans.

It was like a slow motion picture from there, like she was in the back seat trying to steer the wheel, sitting front row of the audience as the movie played out in front of her.

Harrow lifting the gun at Marc’s chest, pulling the trigger once, his aim true enough that a crimson hole bloomed through the man’s sweater in seconds, spraying out of the wound and onto his outfit.

She heard herself scream, heard his name coming from her in a deafening squeal, something weak and horrified in the tone. She heard the second bang of the bullet leaving its chamber, puncturing in the gut in a second deadly hit, Marc’s body stumbling back as the wound poured faster, harder, his eyes glazed into an entirely empty concoction.

She heard herself call him again, didn’t realise until it choked through a sob that she was crying, inconsolably actually. He swayed for a moment, before the weightlessness took over and he tipped backwards on his heel, and his cold gaze fell to hers for a split moment of reprieve of what she knew was coming.

She didn’t even realise until she had crouched over where he’d fallen into the water that she was sobbing, didn’t realise until the tears started falling on his face that she was crying over him, over every word she was supposed to say to him.

She didn’t realise until the heartbeat she adored so much, the one she’d planned to spend every morning pressed up against, had stopped beating, and Dove was swept up with a feeling she despised.

In all of two seconds, Dove was all alone again, and Marc and Steven were dead.

TAGLISTS.

KNIGHT IN SOHO TAGLIST 

@shirukitsune @s-u-t @ahookedheroespureheart @willowseason @imonmykneessir @acceptedbyace @broadwaytraaaaash @mythicalmo @stevenknightmarc @avery88 @fandombrackets @thelostlovedone @raythecomputerart @nyctophile-moon-child @unknownduck0 @emily-roberts @cheshirecat484 @lockleywife @strangeobsessed d @thebestrouge @0bsessedwithfictionalcharacters @dumbhxeredrose @badbishsblog @jvexoxo  @sxftie-mari i @mythical-goth @cillmeslowly @wildwallflower24 @ameliashideout @moonsua1 @latenightcravingz @blackqueengold @jesfreedark @uncle-eggy @onefinnedwonder-fm @homuraak3mi @animechick555@1800-get-alife @peachipeachy @hoemadegrace @raineisms

[ivonhart]

the moon | steven grant x fem werewolf!reader

+ marc spector & jake lockley

— chapter one

| next

masterlist

cross posted on ao3

gif credit: @paper-n-ashes

summary: You've always hated the moon. Hated the way it made your body bend and break into a new form every month. Hated the way it tied you to one of the many gods of it. But you couldn't hate what the moon connected you to…who it connected you to.

a/n: I will be writing DID the way that it is presented in the show so do not expect it to be medically accurate.

The chatter from the surrounding patrons circled around you as you slowly followed behind a group of people being led through the museum; a small smile on your lips as you listened close to the tour guide’s enthusiasm about each item she introduced. You already knew of the things she spoke about, having taken up learning about Egyptian mythology a few years prior, but you quite enjoyed the simplicity of the whole situation. “She pronounced that wrong.”

And with the sudden deep voice owned by the one and only Khonshu ringing in your ears, the smile you once wore fell and the enjoyment growing within you quickly died out. As you came to a full stop in front of the most previous artifact mentioned you pulled your phone from your pocket and placed it against your ear. The group you once followed getting further and further away as you turned to look at the sarcophagus. “What do you want…you old bag of bones?”

Your tone was harsh yet quiet to avoid any echo within the building. Through the reflection of the glass that separated you from the ancient coffin you saw the “eye” of the god looking back at you. The black circle surrounded by bones held a borderline agitated look to it. “You are supposed to be watching over the body…NOT aimlessly walking around!” His sudden change of tone caused you to flinch and scowl. A small growl escaped your mouth out of pure agitation.

“He has a name you know.” You started while leaning towards the glass, taking in the details preserved on the sarcophagus. “He’s not just ‘the body’ you asshole.” The movement in the glass and the lack of skeleton in the reflection told you Khonshu had moved away from you. It didn’t matter however, you knew he heard you. “I still cannot stand how Marc refuses to show himself.” At this point you were talking with no hope for a response, you had even put your phone away, and before you could drone on any further a excited voice cut through the air. “Quite a beautiful thing there, innit?”

The noticeable British accent caused you to turn around, and when you did you saw the very person you were tasked to keep tabs on. Steven Grant. You were always watching over him from a distance…in the shadows safe and out of sight. But now, with him in front of you…it allowed you to finally fully take him in. He was different compared to Marc in every way aside from his looks. Marc held his shoulders back with a high head and deep scowl whilst Steven did anything but. His shoulders were slumped while his eyes were cast to the ground after you looked at him, causing his unkempt curls to fall across his forehead.

You didn’t take into consideration that while you took him in, the two of you stood in silence and unwavering eye contact on your end. With each passing second, the man grew more and more nervous until he eventually began rambling. “But it’s actually rather wicked, yeah.” As he stepped closer, you watched as he brought his finger up and curved it slightly. “They’d take this big metal hook, right?” You followed his finger as it moved up the glass. “And they go up the ol’ nozzle and…” Steven grew animated as he mimicked a suction sound while pulling his arm up. “And all the organs would come out.”

“Except the heart.” Your sudden interruption made him snap back into reality. His wide eyes got scrunched up with the large smile that graced his lips. “R-Right! Yes, the heart.” You watched as he placed his hand over the mentioned organ and smacked it lightly. “The ol’ pumper.” Embarrassment was quick to wash over him while you hummed in amusement. To keep him from simmering in regret for too long, you turned his attention back to the conversation. “Gotta have the pumper to be judged, huh?” A breathy chuckle passed his lips as you eyed him with a small smile before extending your hand out to introduce yourself. He repeated your name while taking your hand in his. “I’m Steven Grant…with a V. Steven with a V.”

-

“Hello there, Mister Golden Man.” Was the first thing from your mouth as you moved your way to sit next to the still man covered in gold. On the rare night you found yourself alone you had decided to go for a walk and eventually found yourself making your way to the familiar plaza. Every night, without fail, Steven would visit the Golden Man and talk with him for some time. And every night, without fail, you were trailing in the shadows watching but never interacting. With a small groan you seated yourself next to the man before continuing.

“Gods above…my bones will never get used to this weather. The cold makes my joints lock up.” You suppose it did make sense why Steven took such a liking to talking to someone who didn’t talk back. After your initial greeting you simply sat in silence while watching the people go on with their daily lives. After some time you suddenly got a whiff of a familiar scent that followed Steven around and as you scanned the slowly disbanding crowds you saw the man. You were confused on why he was here…why he was Steven.

It was rare for you to be split from Marc during missions but there were times that it would happen and he would never fail at sending messages giving him updates. In the back of your mind you knew something must have happened because not only did Marc not inform you of his return, Khonshu was nowhere in sight…but Steven looked so sad. Without much more thought, you sprung to your feet while quickly disposing of whatever cash you had on you in the Golden Man’s hat before making your way over to the man. “Steven!”

As you got closer and locked eyes with him you noted the tear stains running down his cheeks and the full chocolate box in his hands. He called out your name in surprise when you finally caught up to him. “Wha-What are you doing here?” The crack in his voice was clear in your ears as he tried to regain a level tone. “Nothing really. Just people watching.” He was nervous. Shifting from foot to foot, not holding eye contact, the smell of sweat forming on his palms. He didn’t want to show you that he was crying, but you knew.

After a few short seconds you softly spoke. “What’s got you down?” That simple question resulted in you sitting next to him on a nearby bench as he talked about everything on his mind. From his sleeping problems to his “one-fin-wonder” fish named Gus. Or he used to be because now he found himself with two fins. As the minutes passed and the moon grew higher in the sky a large yawn escaped Steven’s mouth, snapping him outta his rapidly moving thoughts. He looked at his watch to see the time. Midnight.

“Oh, bloody-why didn’t you stop me? I’ve just dumped all my baggage you, the pretty lady I met once…well twice now I suppose…” It took him a couple of moments to process what he said. You watched as his eyes went wide before more words came tumbling from his mouth. “O-Oh bollocks, I didn’t mean pret–well I did mean pretty. You are pretty…so pretty. But I shou–There was no reas–I’m so sor–” Steven was cut off by the sound of your laughter.

When he looked at you, your eyes were scrunched up as your head tilted slightly back, the joyful sounds causing your body to move up and down. As the man took in how the moon illuminated your skin in the most perfect way he took note of just how sharp your canines were…and long. Just like the fangs of a dog, or wolf. “Steven, there is no reason to apologize.” You said after finally calming down. “If I didn’t want to be here I would have left long ago. But I like being here…with you. It’s nice.” The words got quiet as you grew nervous over the confession. It was true. After so long of watching him from the shadows, you felt so happy being able to talk with him like a normal person.

Steven’s cheeks grew pink from your words and he quickly cleared his throat. “May I walk you home? I’m afraid I kept you longer than anticipated.” And with those words the two of you began walking down the streets to your apartment. With the time being so late all the buses stopped running which allowed you to talk with Steven more. “You know…I don’t think you’re crazy.” You suddenly said while eyeing the man who held a confused expression after your statement. “Before you said that you think you're going crazy because you can’t remember how you get to some places and all of that.” You wish you could tell him the truth. Tell him about Marc and Khonshu, but you knew it wasn’t your place.

So, you did the next best thing. “You simply have a sleeping disorder. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” With a small shrug you continued. Your eyes straight ahead, ignoring the small glaces the man sent your way. “I’m not able to sleep well either. Insomnia is what they call it.” You weren’t lying. You really did have trouble sleeping and without Marc around it made it even harder. You missed him. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Steven said softly. “No need to be.” A few seconds passed before you giggled. “It’s quite funny.”

You softly bumped your hip into Steven as you continued. “You do anything to stay awake and I wish for nothing more than to fall asleep.” The night air was quickly filled with the soft laughs coming from the two of you before you eventually came to a stop. “Well…this is me.” You said while nudging your chin towards the building. It took Steven a couple seconds to piece together the route in which the two of you took and where you were at now. “Wait…” A soft smile graced your lips as you watched him.

“Bloody hell.” He said with a breathy laugh. “I-I live right across the way.” You faked surprise at the revelation. After Marc decided to let Steven create a life, the man has been making sure to keep you right across from his apartment. “Quite the small world, huh?” You replied softly. A couple of seconds passed before Steven turned to you with the chocolates he held in his hands. “I guess these are yours now, yeah? Since they were for my date.”

Once the last word left his mouth his eyes blew wide. “N-Not that this was a date. I mean it wa-it could have been…oh uh…bollocks. I didn’t mean–” Once more you cut him off with your light laughter and with a large smile, showcasing your sharp teeth he quickly grew enamored with, you took the sweets. “It was a lovely date, Steven.” He inhaled deeply and dropped his head with a smile. You watched him for a few seconds before speaking again. “Isn’t this the part where you ask for my number?” Those words caused his head to snap up. “Wha–” His eyes widened once more before he fumbled around for his phone. The man reminded you of a bunny; wide-eyed and frantic movements. “Yes! Yes, number. Right, yeah.”

-

tag list: @n1ght5h4d3-24 / @sunipostsstuff / @blackholegladiator / @ajeff855 / @daughterofthequeen / @faefanatic / @dropdeadbec / @sgt-morgan / @milk-bulb / @dev-angeline / @griffinkid2187 / @mxltifxnd0m / @badbishsblog / @local-mr-frog / @khaleesihavilliard

[gabetheunknown]

@after-the-end-times

Ah, there it is! I saw a post like this the other day and I could not, for the life of me find it back, so I'm glad I get to share my thoughts about this after all (not that anything would've stopped me) Prepare for the essay, I never keep things short!

The Rockrose and the Thistle, is in my opinion a love song of sorts, but a different kind of love song that Extraordinary Things is, focused on the first part of it. Both songs are very similar in more ways than just recurring notes. Both songs are written in Dminor. (wheras Extraordinary Things has Minor Melodic elements that raises the 6th note to create the G major chord he plays when he sings the lyrics ‘extraordinary things’ and sings an A on top which sounds really pretty and immediately caught my ear) 

The notes everyone is referring to are in the intro of Extraordinary Things, D C D E F E F G A B♭ A G A  (I put it on a scale because I can and I’m a nerd. I also love the harmonies)

And it doesn’t just come back in the Rockrose and the Thistle, there’s two other songs written in Dminor in the Horror and the Wild and that is The Horror and the Wild, where the repetition of these tones are beautifully audible in Madeleine’s ‘You are the son of every dressing up box’ and Farewell Wanderlust, where they immediately accentuate that B♭ (which is the 6th note of the Dminor scale) in instrumentals. In Farewell Wanderlust they also play with more chromatic elements as they add a flat second note and a flat seven. The use of chromatic elements (half note distances) isn’t new for Joey and Madeleine and in my opinion it just adds a lot to the musicality of it all, it’s clever, it immediately catches my ear, it’s subtle things like that that make me keep coming back to their music. Rather than a melodic minor scale, Joey could’ve just added that half note distance to add a major G chord to his scale, because the use of major chords in minor scales is just chef’s kiss in my musical opinion, especially in combination with the words he sings. The notes he uses are not uncharacteristic for Joey’s music.

NOW LISTEN, I LOVE this ask because it means I can break down every aspect of what I love about Joey’s singing and what different things I love about Jaskier’s singing. Because oh my god the TALENT, to still make people go ‘wait I just found out that Joey Batey sings both in the Amazing Devil and as Jaskier in the Witcher’ to this day astonishes me and I’m never surprised when someone stumbles upon that realization. The breathiness he uses on his voice in both the Rockrose and the Thistle (and more TAD songs) and Extraordinary Things blows my mind. But there’s a difference to the way he uses it in both songs, let me try to explain. He sings with an aspirated voice (Which means to sing with a breathy voice) in The Rockrose and the Thistle, but in Extraordinary Things, it feels like sometimes he is just breathless and it’s so beautiful and small and soft and intimate, considering the words he’s singing. We, as singers at the conservatory, were taught to make our breaths as inaudible as possible, to remove as much breath from our voices as possible, when singing on record. So needless to say it is a DELIGHT to hear Joey just put his whole heart and soul into every breath he takes, he’s considerate of every syllable, the volume of his voice, the clearness or lack thereof, the shakiness of his breaths fucking kill me dead… ALSO what astonishes me the most about the difference between his TAD songs and his Jaskier songs is the change in vibrato. Jaskier uses more vibrato in his voice than Joey does in the Amazing Devil and I go INSANE about that because my teachers have always said that vibrato is a hard thing to control and requires a lot of training and he’s just out there, mending it to his will as if it is no big deal, like :-) King? I’m jealous, hello? 

I’ve nothing else to say about this for now (lies) it’s already become a full on essay, so I hope this satisfies your needs for now lmao