#golf ground force
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rotaryswinggolf · 7 months ago
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How To Use The Ground In The Golf Swing - Generating Ground Force
Unlock the secrets of How To Use The Ground In The Golf Swing and start Generating Ground Force for a more powerful game! In this video, we'll dive deep into essential techniques explaining how to leverage ground force in your golf swing correctly. Discover how professional golfers generate unmatched power by using the ground effectively and learn the crucial differences between tour pros and the average player.
In this video, I delve into the common misconceptions about generating ground force and offer practical advice on doing it correctly. Discover how to optimize your swing dynamics by incorporating rapid movements, leveraging your body weight, and achieving the right timing to maximize force and impact. My expert analysis, supported by data from the Swing Catalyst, showcases the difference between feeling and actual motion in using ground force effectively.
Refine your technique with my expert golf tips. Watch now to see how subtle changes can lead to significant improvements in your golf game.
If you really want to improve your golf swing, visit us at https://rotaryswing.com today!
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kkayyerr · 15 days ago
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Puppy!reader with season 1!Rafe and he is trying to play golf and wants her to focus on him but she keeps getting distracted.. then he gets all rough and like manhandles her.
Ugh! It’s a need!
Attention seeker.
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Summary: Rafe hates when his little girl is not paying attention to him. Luckily, he has his ways to help her stay focused.
Pairing: Frat!Daddy!Rafe x Little!puppy!reader.
Warnings: Age regression, Rafe being a meanie, mostly fluff.
Rafe loved the attention, especially from you. He liked how you would watch him do anything with those small glimpses in your eyes.
It was kind of adorable. 
Especially you liked watching him play golf, clapping your little hands every time when the ball would reach the right spot. You would cheer him up even if the ball wouldn’t reach the hole, because usually you were just excited to be there and support your Daddy through his game.
However, today Rafe noticed that your attention was centered around something else. Those goddamn coloring books that he had bought you earlier. He didn’t mind you being quiet and calm, but right now he wanted to see you paying attention to him and not those childish drawings. 
 
„Hey, baby! Are you watching?”
 
Rafe called out to see your reaction, and he smiled softly at you when you finally raised your head, distracting yourself from coloring. You nodded quickly, even though you clearly couldn’t tell what he was doing the last couple of minutes. You waited until Rafe would turn around and then got your eyes back on the coloring book. 
How would Rafe notice that you are not paying attention? 
After all, he was too busy playing golf to check on you every five seconds.
Or at least you thought so. 
Rafe made another attempt at hitting the ball with the club but missed it. That small mistake made him very frustrated, but what angered him even more is that he hasn't heard any cheering noises from you. He turned around just to see you sitting in the same place, holding crayons in both of your hands and completely ignoring his presence. 
Your behavior was starting to piss him off. 
Rafe dropped the club onto the ground and headed towards you. He approached you quickly, not giving you any chances to explain yourself before harshly yanking your shoulders. 
 
„Baby, do you forget what you have to look at, or am I just not interesting to you anymore, huh?”
 
You tilted your head down, immediately hiding your embarrassed face from him. You dropped your crayons down and slowly closed the coloring book. Your cheeks turned red because of his words, and his sharp tone almost made you tear up. He had rarely spoken to you in that tone when you were regressed. Only if you would do something really bad. 
His fingers grabbed your chin, and he quickly forced your head up, holding tight enough to bring your attention but not too tight to make it actually hurt. 
 
„I asked you a question.”
 
You looked at him, trying to figure out what to say to make him less mad at you, but it seems like you screwed up badly this time. Your eyes teared up from the overwhelming feelings of guilt and fear of him leaving, so you shook your head to swipe the tears away.
 
„I won’ do it `gain, Daddy.” 
 
Your voice was shaky, but you still needed to speak up like a big girl for him to forgive you, so you took a deep breath before continuing. 
 
„I love you more than coloring!”
 
Rafe chuckled at your childish statement, but for you those were big and meaningful words. He finally let go of your chin and picked you up into his arms, letting you rest your head on his shoulder and relax for a little bit. Rafe then went back to the golf cart and put you inside, placing you on one of the seats, so you would have an amazing view of him. 
He gave you a small kiss on the forehead and ruffled your hair a little bit too rough before stepping aside and heading back to the putt. 
 
„Don’t you even dare move an inch, puppy.”
 
He said, and you nodded obediently, fixating your big eyes on him. For the rest of the day you were cheering him up, giving the loudest applause that you could, just so he would get back into the cart and reward you with some kisses and hugs.
Taglist: @tinylilacbun @aew-regression-cove @rafecameronsloverrrrr
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wuxian-vs-wangji · 6 months ago
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Some details from the LITA special novel:
Sky and Pai
Pai sells his condo immediately after the assault in ep 13 and buys a new, larger one in a high security building.
Pai loves seeing Sky cry. Not in a mean way- tears of happiness absolutely preferred- but he is deeply touched that Sky has recovered to a point where he is now able to cry again.
Sky's father realized Sky was gay after the assault by his ex in high school, but they never talked about it. Sky was scared to bring Pai home because he didn't know how his father would react.
Sky's dad knew the moment he brought Pai home that they were dating. He asked Pai to take good care of his son and always accepted Pai as a son-in-law. He loves seeing how well Pai takes care of Sky.
Pai doesn't like Sky being around his (Pai's) family PURELY because they're obsessed with Sky, and he ends up completely kidnapped by them (Golfing with dad, shopping with mom, galleries with the siblings, etc.).
Sky resists moving in with Pai throughout his university days, just to be closer to school during high-stress times. Still, Pai's condo is their main residence.
If Sky is put in danger by his new friendship with Graf (Pakin's boyfriend, who is frequently targeted by Pakin's enemies), either Sky is taken immediately to Pai, or Pai brought immediately to him.
Sky does not believe he's attractive or cute (even though Pai tells him he is CONSTANTLY), but he is damn well aware he's amazing in bed and confident in that.
If Pai and Sky are apart for more than 2 weeks (because of Sky's work or Pai's business trips), they both start going a bit mental (leading to a very hot video chat).
Sky and Pai get married around 8 years after the events in Love in the Air.
Sky is now a professor of architecture at his old university.
Sky and Pai babysit Pai's niece/nephew, but don't want kids of their own (though they leave that as an 'unless we change our minds' kind of thing).
The vows they use in "Wedding Plan" are actually lines Pai says to Sky that Sky later paints into a portrait of Pai with his bike.
The wedding planning service they use in "Wedding Plan" is one Pai approached first to plan a surprise anime-themed birthday party for Sky.
Rain and Payu
Payu told his mom about Rain after their first night together, and he and Saifah both shared stories about him, but no one ever told Rain.
Rain wanders downstairs in his undies one night and Payu's mom is just THERE. She pretends not to know who he is and disapprove of him while force-feeding him porridge... she and Payu are the exact same flavor of tricksters who enjoy seeing Rain anxious.
Strict no-sex-outside-of-the-bedroom rule put in place by Rain because Saifah once caught Rain riding Payu on the sofa and teased him for days.
Rain is not afraid to stand his ground and put Payu in his place if he thinks his man is wrong. He may leave the fight for morning, but he won't bend if he doesn't agree.
Rain ends up working for a top architecture firm (maybe the one Payu used to work for, unclear) and takes on bigger and bigger projects.
Two years after starting his own firm, Payu asks Rain to come be his work partner (he asked before the firm opened, but Rain wanted to gain experience so he could be Payu's equal).
Payu cried when Rain agreed to come work with him because they were both so busy that they barely saw each other anymore. Now, no matter how busy they are, they will still be together.
Rain and Sky
Rain blames himself in part for Sky being assaulted again by his ex, and won't leave Sky's side at races unless Pai is there.
Rain and Sky still hang out constantly and are thick as thieves.
They befriend Pakin's boyfriend Graf (at Pakin's threat/request), and Pakin softens towards them somewhat in gratitude.
Rain is nearly stabbed in a bathroom by someone who mistakes him for Graf. He's saved by Sky and Chai (who was secretly following).
Rain and Sky frequent the races and bring their own snacks and candy, every guard and repeat guests know them and greet them on sight.
Thanks to Sky and Rain, the dangerous, illegal, underground street races have more of a carnival atmosphere. Pakin doesn't care, so long as the rules aren't broken.
Pai and Payu
Still involved with the races, no matter how busy they get with work.
As much as Sky and Rain hang out, Pai and Payu also meet up in their spare time with others who are or were involved with the races (mostly former top racer Oat).
If Pai wants to plan a surprise for Sky, he will go to Payu's house and borrow Rain to help scheme.
Payu is the official-unofficial tutor of the young ones. If Sky seems to be struggling with a concept and stressed out, Pai will call Payu for help.
Payu and Pai both leave Sky and Rain plenty of space to be individuals. All of them have their own friends and go places they want to go, then come tell their partner about their adventures.
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takes1 · 18 days ago
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asahi x reader nsfw
mutual masturbation or riding/gridning or first time
asahi x reader grinding
my god i fckng love asahi !!! UUUGHHH he's so!! perfect. i will NEVER pass an asahi request, NEVER
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warnings. nsfw, minors DNI
details. mutual pining! / skipped!talking phase / mutual lust! / asahi has a crush on you / forced proximity / asahi is hung / lap sitting / beach setting / implied mutual virginity / flirting? / suggestive touching / asahi is a very soft top / 2.9k words / reply to be added to part 2 tomorrow :)
links. masterlist. more haikyuu. my ao3. requests OPEN. part two here.
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"You sure you're okay back there, (Y/n)?" Asahi called to you from the front seat.
Nishinoya's negligent driving up towards the hotel was nothing short of dangerous, especially with no seatbelt, but you had a good amount of things to hold onto.
"Yeah!"
What was that thing about guys using your name more often when they like you? Was that true? You pulled out your phone with the intention of looking it up.
The golf cart hit a big stone in the trail and you quickly stored your it back to the safety of your pocket.
It could wait for tonight, when you were getting off in your empty hotel room to cropped team pictures and the day's memories of him all sweaty and covered in sand-- and much more likely to believe the delusional assertion that he wanted you back.
It was a decent drive to the porte-cochère* where your objective sat.
You were happy to discover that the red cooler you were all after was 1) where Tanaka left it, 2) still in the shade, and 3) that there was still a fair amount of ice in it so the team could have their drinks cold.
The stifling heat of the day served as a brutal reminder that this little beach trip -courtesy of Coach Ukai's elbow rubbing with some sponsors- was for practice and training, not mindless fun or goofing off. Karasuno, unsurprisingly, had been balancing both quite well in spite of the heat.
When the team realized they left the cooler back up the winding, gravel trail towards the hotel, your little group formed only because you knew exactly where it was, Nishinoya was frightfully obsessed with wanting to drive a golf cart, and Coach Ukai voluntold Asahi to go because he would be needed for 'extra muscle.'
You looked back towards the front of the vehicle, scanning the width of his tan shoulders under his tank. The cart pulled up onto some smooth concrete at last and you tore your eyes away.
Despite your gratefulness for his presence, you thought that last part was silly. The thing would be heavy enough with ice and water to keep the whole team hydrated until lunch- but with two people and a dash of determination you had no doubt you could get it up.
Just as you and Nishinoya climbed out, Asahi was already grabbing both ends and hauling the giant thing up by himself.
His biceps firmed, bulged and swelled under the tension- he was all shiny with sunscreen and sweat. The image went straight to the vault. You kept your entranced expression under your hand and shuffled out of the way when he carefully placed the heavy thing across the backseat. The cart sagged so far under the weight, you thought the rear bumper might actually scrape the ground.
There was nothing to be done though, since that was the only space for it.
"Show off!" Nishinoya laughed. Even he had to get a piece of that- he grabbed his buddy's meaty arm, then punched it playfully.
You pretended not to look. But in the process, your downcast eyes found there was no room for all of you to ride back.
"There aren't enough seats," You said quietly.
Nishinoya bit the inside of his cheek, eyes scanning the structure of the cart for a quick few seconds. He was playing people-tetris in his head for a good minute, patting the cooler like that might shrink it.
"You can sit on my lap!" He grinned at you.
You froze at the suggestion- thankfully Asahi was quicker on the uptake.
"Yuu, you're driving. You wouldn't be able to see."
"Oh, yeah..." He tapped on the cooler for a second, keys swinging on his finger, "Well, just sit on Asahi's lap!"
There was no hiding the reaction. It was almost like getting slapped, the way you anticipated the proposition. Asahi watched it all happen on your face, but looked away when you glanced up at him.
He put an oversized hand to the back of his burning neck with a gentle, nervous smile, "Only if you're okay with it."
And there you were, climbing into the cart over him while Nishinoya secured the cooler with two crisscrossed bungee cords in the back. It was just that damn simple, when it was all said and done.
He was warm and gentle. His thighs were strong and far more comfortable than the hard plastic backseat you rode in on the way here.
You sat on him at a bit of an angle at first, so it was less awkward, but that didn't seem to work.
A noise of surprise forced itself from you when he shifted and grabbed your waist. It forced your whole body to swing in one big motion. Your hands flew to the roof stabilize yourself.
"Sorry-! Sorry," He mumbled, a little distracted, avoiding your gaze as he made himself more comfortable.
"Am I too heavy?" Was a sigh that just flew out of your mouth. That was a little much, and probably not the case at all, but you were so glad you asked when he looked at you like you were insane.
His laugh was almost enough to distract you from his arms pulling your full weight onto his lap. His casual strength was so hot.
"Of course not."
Your throat closed up, skin tingly under his touch, as you struggled to find how to orient your legs.
Nishinoya was climbing into the driver's seat, flipping through keys.
"Is- this- okay? Can I put my hands-," He set his palm back down lighter, lower on your thigh, but kept one forearm tight like a bar around your hips, "Here?"
A thumb prodding against your hip bone, right at the hem of your shorts, made you realize how big his fingers really were.
"Yeah! Yeah, that's totally f-ine," Your voice cracked so hard that it caused a full body flinch.
He didn't notice thanks to the volume of the engine starting up.
A careful, slow, "Cool."
Sat with your spine stock-straight, cautious not to touch him more than you had to, your head was nearly hitting the roof at every bump in the road. And the road was made of bumps.
Asahi could only take watching you struggle with your neck bent for so long. 
He leaned forward, chest pressed against your back, and muttered so Nishinoya couldn't hear, "You don't have to sit like that, if it's uncomfortable."
You grimaced at the chills it sent down your spine and managed to somehow silence your yelp.
There was no way you could speak coherently enough to argue, so you let yourself lean against him.
"That better?" He wouldn't stop trying to talk to you. It was like he thought it would make this less of a thing.
But every time he spoke you could feel it resonate, low and gravelly, through your whole body.
You said, "Yeah," But no sound came out. You heard him grin.
"Yuu, you missed the turn-," Asahi informed, calm and a little distracted.
"Shit!"
Instead of stopping, reversing, and safely going back the other way, he decided to cut the wheel at full speed.
There was no time to digest the situation, or say anything, especially not over Nishinoya's delighted scream: "SKRRRRR!!!"
Asahi braced hard enough for the both of you, one hand on the roof, one still forcing you into his lap, until the passenger side of the cart slammed back down hard onto the gravel, and you were travelling in the correct direction again.
Neither of you said anything over Nishinoya's giddy laughter for a good minute.
"I'm gonna kill you tonight, Noya- I really am," You swallowed your fear back down and shuddered.
Asahi felt your whole body freeze, your hands trembling against the safety of his burly arms. It was a lot of things all at once and despite his best efforts, he wasn't helping you calm back down.
"No need for all that," He laughed a little at your deadpan admission, brushing right along the side of your neck, his fingers squeezing a little into your flesh, "I got ya."
Your tummy was right back to turning, swirling, with an angry swarm of butterflies.
You felt like if you opened your mouth, even a little bit, even to just agree, you might confess all of your dirty thoughts here and now.
You couldn't have been more grateful to be wearing shorts. Or else you would've been dripping all over him. The thought alone made your legs flex uncontrollably, and you could've sworn you felt him give a sigh against the back of your head.
After all the rocking around, he had to adjust again. You were brimming, hardly able to keep it together, as he pulled you back onto what you could tell now was his hard-on. The final blow was when he fixed your legs back open, one firm and heavy, further towards your inner thigh this time.
Fuck, he didn't sigh- he groaned. It was just so quiet it sounded like a sigh.
Morbid curiosity got the best of you. You turned your head real slow to look at him. You found a cloudy, near pornographic focus in his eyes, souring your body from over your shoulder.
It was a step under a jumpscare. It sucked the courage right out of you. Thank god he was holding onto you so tight, because you were about as firm as a cup of Jell-O after that.
You stared forward at the road, heartbeat racking through you like a drum. You weren't sure if you could meet his gaze ever again.
"EEERRRRRRRRR!!!!"
Nishinoya had to vocalize his foot slamming against the brake. It was not needed; the screech of those poor rental tires was loud enough.
When the cart finally lurched to a stop next to the sand, and all the safety of so much noise was gone, Asahi cleared his throat. It was a queue to get up, really, but you didn't want to stand.
In fact, you didn't think you could. Not only was Nishinoya's driving that nauseating, but the tension in your stomach made it feel like you'd break in half if you moved off of him.
But, of course, Tanaka's shameless wolf whistle shocked the both of you straight upright. Asahi slid his hands off with one last-ditch squeeze at your hips.
You stumbled out, knees shaky enough to invite help from the rest of the team, whom were already anxiously waiting for the arrival of the refreshments. Your knuckles were white gripping on the side of the cart.
"Woah- You okay?"
Hinata reached out to help you but you flinched away. A slew of 'yeah's left your mouth, uncool and unsubtle in every way.
You shivered at the wind. "I just- I get carsick?"
He snorted at the odd way you spoke, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," You muttered, lame and defeated.
In the wake of your metaphorical blue balls, the beach was the worst place to sober up. You weren't into anyone else, but skin was still skin. There wasn't an ugly person on the team. Everybody was shiny with sunscreen and it smelled like sweat at every turn. You felt like a degenerate.
"Noya shouldn't be allowed to drive. Let alone a top-heavy vehicle..." Asahi grimaced, his rumbly voice once again no aid to you.
He also struggled to get out of the cart and stand upright on the sand, already surrounded with guys trying to access cooler.
Hinata blocked the view and enthusiastically filled you in on how difficult it was to jump in sand, how he planned on getting over it, and everything else you missed while you were gone.
Your sensitive ears couldn't help but pick up Daichi's voice, giggly, asking Asahi if he needed a minute before the practice game, and Suga, laughing and telling him to 'get that shit under control.'
You went to check your phone for the time to subtly tell Hinata to stop talking and see how much practice time had gotten cut into with this little endeavor.
But when you felt for it, nothing was there.
Dread washed through you. You stood stock-still. You told Hinata to 'Hold on' and checked the back of the cart, where you last had it, and found nothing.
The team was already heading down the big sandy hill to continue their game, sharing the hefty load of the cooler.
"You good?" Nishinoya asked just before he was about to leave.
There was a minute drop in his voice, like he was insinuating something, but you answered quickly and honestly.
"No, I- I think I left my phone up there."
His suggestive facade faded fast, "Oh, shit, uhh-,"
He jogged to the side of the cart and began searching. Sure, he messed around a lot, but he was a great friend. You followed suit after making sure it was in none of your pockets again.
He was flipping up cushions and crawling around on the floorboard before a voice behind you made you jump.
"Didja lose the keys, or something?" Asahi asked him. He was staring at you, though, until you returned it. Only then did he watch his friend.
Nishinoya held the keys up and jiggled them in a 'Fuck you, I'm not that irresponsible' manner.
"(Y/n) left her phone somewhere."
Your face was a little warm at how stupid it sounded when it was coming from somebody else. You weren't usually forgetful, especially over something like your phone. Asahi's presence must've clouded some critical thinking skills for just long enough to misplace it.
"It's probably up where we found the cooler," Asahi suggested when there was clearly no phone in the golf cart, "I can drive us up there, no big deal."
You rubbed some stress out of your face and groaned at how ridiculous this all was. Leaving this, leaving that.
"And what if it's not?" You muttered, mostly to yourself. You started spiraling at the idea of never finding it again, arms crossed as you stared with contempt at the musty little golf cart.
Asahi placed his hand over your head, onto the roof. The cart gave hard on one side under his weight. He spoke closer to your ear as he leaned down to toss a water bottle into the seat, "Let's not worry about that, yet."
It was enough to convince you not to argue, at least. You were torn between thinking about all his signals and the obvious problem at hand.
The drive there was very quiet.
Nishinoya decided to stay back because he wanted to play a game pretty badly, and finding a phone didn't take three people.
Asahi didn't try to pry when he saw how upset you were. The only thing he said to you was to drink some water because it was so hot.
You couldn't just pay for a new one. Your parents would be pissed. It was hard enough justifying this trip when you weren't on the team, anyway. If you lost your phone, or if it was broken because Nishinoya decided he wanted to Tokyo Drift a fucking golf cart over it? Your life was over.
What if you had to quit the club and get a job? You would never have the excuse to talk to Asahi again.
When you finally made it back to the hotel, you jumped out before he could even roll to a stop in order to start searching.
He took his time parking it while you retraced the very few steps you had taken earlier.
You were so desperate that you started searching where you knew for a fact you had never been, before. The ignition switched off from a distance, and tears were starting to prick your eyes.
"I've got it," He called.
You jumped right up.
"Thank god! Where did you find it?" You sprinted to him and swiped it from his hand, a mixture of relief and excitement taking over your movements. After checking its condition to make sure it was okay, you spared a glance up to him, a big grin across your face.
It fell just a bit when you found a kind of... reservation all over him, one that seemed out of place for such good news shared between friends.
He was different. He didn't share in your celebration at all.
"My pocket."
It didn't hit you right away. You laughed, somehow convinced that it had gotten there in an honest mix-up, but searched his face when he didn't laugh, too.
"Uhh," You put it back in your shorts, frankly unable to figure him out, and joked to clear the air a little, "You- you didn't feel it in your pocket earlier?"
The thought that it was intentional was so out of left field that when you briefly considered it, you shook it off right away. There was no motivation for him to take it. Maybe Nishinoya would, or Suga trying to be friendly or funny. Asahi didn't play jokes or tease like that.
"I did," He said, quiet. He was looking to the side, watching the ocean from here.
It was far. The beach, the net, were all far away. You realized he had parked the cart so that it wouldn't be in the way if somebody was checking in.
The puzzle pieces were clicking together, one by one, just before he said the final clue for you, "I told Daichi don't wait up for us."
Shit- he got you alone on purpose.
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♕VIP♕
@integers @yuchacco
*reply to be added to the taglist *part two will be out TOMORROW- i had to split this because of ungodly word count
(i learned this word today woo!) *porte-cochère: a covered entrance large enough for vehicles to pass through, typically opening into a courtyard.
my masterlist. requests open.
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deliciousangelfestival · 9 months ago
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Guilt
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Character: Mob!Bucky x Police!Female Reader
Summary: "Of all the women in the world, does she have to be a cop?" Bucky, a gangster, fell in love at first sight with a policewoman.
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At the golf course, two outstanding men in the mob world are playing golf together to have a quiet time, to forget the worst day at the club they owned.
Steve, the second person in charge, still feels frustrated, while Bucky, the leader, is the only one enjoying the game.
"Of all the women in the world, does she have to be a cop?" Steve, his childhood friend, asked as he watched Bucky hit the golf ball.
Bucky clenched his fist in frustration as he made the shot. Turning to Steve, he replied, "I can't help it. She just took my breath away the first time I saw her."
Steve sighed, recalling the first encounter between Bucky and the policewoman when their club was unexpectedly visited by the narcotics police force.
Steve sighed, "She's known as a scary person, even among her colleagues," he said, relaying what he had learned from his connections.
"And from what happened last night, I feel like she holds a big grudge against people like us," Steve continued, reflecting on the recent events. Most of the cops he knew turned a blind eye to their business dealings, never getting involved with drugs.
Bucky remembered how composed you had been last night, effortlessly throwing punches and giving orders to make arrests. He even recalled the moment you pushed him to the ground and handcuffed him.
At that instant, he knew you were different from other women.
Bucky took another swing at the golf ball, causing it to fly too far. With a smile, he declared, "I will make her mine."
Steve sighed deeply, realizing that once Bucky had made up his mind, no one could stop him.
As Bucky began his courtship, he tried various approaches to get closer to you:
1. He sent you flowers with cryptic notes, hinting at his admiration and interest.
2. Bucky strategically positioned himself at events where you were present, making sure to catch your eye without being too obvious.
3. He orchestrated chance encounters, bumping into you at coffee shops or restaurants, always ready with a charming smile and a casual conversation starter.
4. He even went as far as anonymously sending you a gifts or helpful tips related to your work, trying to show his support and understanding of your profession.
But you didn't give any reaction; you consistently ignored him.
Bucky didn't mind your game of "playing hard to get." He was confident that in the end, you couldn't resist him.
However, his confidence wavered when you finally spoke to him, your words cutting through the air like icy daggers. "In 2022, Bobby Smith died because of a gunshot. He was my fiancé."
Bucky's face drained of color, his body going rigid with shock. The revelation hit him like a sledgehammer, the weight of guilt crashing down upon him. His mind raced as he realized the implication: Bobby Smith's death was because of him.
After the revelation, would Bucky give up his pursuit, or would he persist despite the overwhelming guilt?
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urmum-lovesme · 15 days ago
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Angel Baby - Rafe Cameron x Kook!reader P6
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pairing: Best Friend!Rafe Cameron x Kook!Best-Friend!reader
summary: Rafe and Reader have known each other since kindergarten, always side by side, the king and princess of Figure 8. So why now does he start feeling different towards her, when all she's ever been is his best friend?
an: Hey ya'll. Sorry for the delay, I've been busy but this is super duper long (litch 10k). I decided to introduce someone new in this chpt, cause he's going to be c-r-u-c-i-a-l in the story later on guys. We get protective!Rafe and jealous!Rafe as well ig cause my man got a little competition. Poor y/n and her mom, I just wanna give her a hug. AND A REVELATION OMG I FORGOT HAHAHA RAFE GETS HIS ACT TOGETHER SORTA AND HAS AN EPIPHANY. Thank you so much for all the love this series has received I love you all so much.
warnings: dismissive mother, mention of sex, drug usage, smoking, alcohol, driving under the influence, feelings (so terrifying)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The morning air was humid as Y/N’s trainer clad feet moved through the kitchen, putting her plates away from breakfast. The boys had insisted they all go golfing, so here she was getting ready to get picked up. Just as she was about to walk out the front door, she felt a familiar, cool hand on her arm.
“Y/N.”
She froze, sighing internally before turning to face her mother, who stood in the doorway, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Her mother’s gaze immediately dropped to her skirt, a disapproving frown forming on her face.
“That’s what you’re wearing?” 
Although her voice was steady, there was an edge to it. The unspoken criticism was clear in her tone. Y/N looked down at the white skirt, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks. It wasn’t that short, but her mother always seemed to find something wrong with whatever she wore. It didn’t help that their relationship had been strained for months now, she’d realised that the older she got her and her mother seemed to drift further apart. Everything she did felt like a disappointment to her, and this was just one more thing to add to the list.
“It’s just golf, Mom,” 
Y/N replied, trying to keep her tone light, but her irritation was starting to bubble up. Her mother’s eyes remained cold, assessing her daughter's appearance. “It’s... short.” The judgment was clear in her voice. 
“You’re not going out like that.”
Y/N could feel the tension tightening in her chest, but she held her ground, “It’s not like I’m going clubbing, Mom. It’s just the guys.”
Her mother’s gaze hardened, and she took a step closer, lowering her voice. “You’re not a little girl anymore, Y/N, and I can’t keep covering for your mistakes.” She swallowed at her mothers words, mouth going dry. 
“The gala tonight, you’ll be wearing something appropriate for that?”
Y/N’s stomach twisted. She’d completely forgotten about the gala, both her parents planning the event weeks in advance. She knew her attendance was non-negotiable, and it was always about looking perfect, being perfect. It felt suffocating.
“I know,” Y/N said, her voice quieter now, but still tinged with a hint of frustration. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to appease her mother or convince herself. Her mother didn’t seem satisfied with the answer, though,
 “I expect you to be on time and present yourself well tonight, Y/N.” The girl shook her head silently as she looked down from the floor to the woman.
 "Don’t embarrass me.” 
There was no warmth in her words, no affection—just an icy expectation. Y/N clenched her jaw, forcing a smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’ll be there.”
Her mother nodded once, but her gaze lingered for a moment, before she turned back toward the kitchen. Y/N stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of her mother’s eyes still pressing on her. Then, she shook it off, pushing the nagging feeling in her stomach aside as she shut the door behind her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rafe stood in the driveway, staring off into the distance, lost in his thoughts. The previous weekend had been a mess in his mind. He had felt guilty about how close he had gotten to Y/N, but he was also frustrated because it was all he could think about, the image of her on her knees lingering in his mind. She was his best friend, and yet, there was something different now, something he couldn't ignore. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening, making his head snap up. He watched as she stepped out of the house, her presence pulling him in like a magnet. Y/N pranced down the steps and walked up to the car, her steps light. She refused to acknowledge the awkwardness from the moment she had shared with Rafe last time, 
That was just Rafe being Rafe
"Morning."
Rafe’s eyes couldn’t help but wander over her, his gaze lingering on the white skirt she wore and the bare skin of her legs beneath it. His stomach dropped slightly, and he quickly realized where his thoughts were heading. He snapped his eyes up to her face, trying to act normal,
“Morning.”
Y/N smirked, trying to lighten the mood, and asked, 
“Ready to go, um… hit some balls?” 
Her attempt at humor fell flat, but Rafe couldn’t help the small chuckle that escaped him, a smirk tugging at his lips at her poor attempt at a joke.
“Not the best wording there, Y/N.”
"Whatever," she sing-songed, clearly unbothered as she slipped into the car. Rafe shook his head with a grin before getting into the driver’s seat, trying his best to push down the odd mix of feelings that swirled in his chest. 
The scenery outside the car window blurred as Rafe drove toward the country club. Topper and Kelce had told them they'd meet them there, so it was just the two of them for now. The drive was silent- at least for Rafe. He tried to focus on the road ahead, but his eyes kept drifting over to her. She sat in the passenger seat, her legs on display, her smooth skin practically taunting him with every curve. He shifted in his seat, uncomfortable, but couldn't seem to stop himself.
“So… how’s your week been?” Y/N asked, her voice breaking the silence. She rested her head against the headrest, gazing lazily out the window, but there was an unreadable expression on her face. His eyes quickly moved up to meet hers. Their eyes locked, his tongue coming out to wet his lips.
“Yeah, good... not bad.”
“Mmhmm.” 
Should I..? 
Y/N turned her head toward him, her eyes curious. “How’s your…?” She hesitated, unsure if he'd want to talk about it, she decided to ask anyway,
“How’s your counselling going?”
Her question caught him off guard. Nobody had brought up his sessions, nobody but her knew about them, so a small part of him was pleasantly surprised that she had asked. He had expected to talk about anything but that today, yet hearing her ask made something shift in him- something softer, more vulnerable. He didn’t know whether to lie or tell the truth but in the end, he figured there was no point in hiding it from her. She was the one who had recommended the counselor to him in the first place, after all he trusted her more than anyone.
“It’s alright, I guess…”
He scratched the back of his neck. “I mean, it’s nice to talk to someone who’s not gonna judge me for once.” A soft smile tugged at her lips, her eyes bright with something like relief. “You’re doing better, Rafe,” she said, her voice gentle but full of sincerity. “I’ve noticed... .”
She’s noticed? 
His eyes lingered on her for a moment, the smile on her face making him feel both grateful and undeserving. She saw the change in him, it was all he could do to not let the feeling of guilt swallow him whole. Here she was looking out for him, and he’d ended up lusting over her like a desperate animal.
“Yeah... I guess I am…” he muttered, his voice low, almost too quiet for her to hear. He didn't want to look at her now, not when the weight of everything was making him feel guilty. 
You need to get it together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The club was relatively quiet as they walked onto the golf grounds. Y/N followed closely behind Rafe, her eyes scanning the peaceful surroundings while he led the way, his gear slung casually over his shoulder As they moved closer to the course, the sounds of the game became apparent- the sharp thwack of clubs striking golf balls, the low hum of conversation from a few scattered players. Every now and then, his hand brushed against hers as they walked side by side. Each fleeting touch sent a shiver through him that he couldn’t shake, a small jolt of electricity that shot up his arm. He fought the impulse to lace their fingers together, to pull her hand into his and savor the sensation of her skin against his. But he didn’t, couldn’t, because the idea of crossing that line between friendship and something more was terrifying. 
Still, the desire was there, undeniable and persistent.
“Hey, I think they’re over there…” 
Y/N spoke up, her voice drawing his attention. She squinted at a pair of figures in the distance before raising her brows slightly. “Wait... there’s someone else with them.” Rafe followed her gaze, his brow furrowing. Sure enough, Topper and Kelce were standing on the course, but there was another guy with them, Rafe didn’t recognize him.
“Who’s that?” he muttered, eyes narrowing as he studied the unfamiliar figure. Y/N shrugged, her curiosity piqued. “I don’t know. Let’s find out.” She started walking toward them, not bothering to wait for him. the boy rolled his eyes at her before he fell into step beside her, his eyes lingering on the unknown guy as they walked. As they neared, Kelce and Topper spotted them and waved in greeting, their faces lighting up as the two approached.
“Hey, guys!” 
Y/N called out with a bright smile, her voice warm and easy as always, Kelce gave a playful grin,
“Nice of you to finally show up,”
He teased, strolling over to the girl his eyes flickered between her and Rafe, but he didn’t catch the subtle tension hanging in the air. Y/N shrugged casually, a mischievous glint in her eye. 
“S’my fault actually,” she said, her gaze briefly flicking to Rafe before she continued. “Wasn’t sure if I wanted to go full glam today.” Kelce stared at her, eyebrows raised. 
“Full glam? For golf?”
Y/N nodded seriously, not missing a beat. “Priorities.”
Kelce snorted in disbelief. “Right, because those extra few inches of eyeliner are gonna help you sink a hole in one.”
Y/N rolled her eyes at him, “you wouldn’t understand. It’s an art form.” Kelce chuckled at the girl raising his hands in surrender,
“Whatever you say, Pickaxe-o. ”
"It's Picasso dumbass."
Rafe’s eyes drifted to the unfamiliar guy again. Kelce noticed the subtle shift in Rafe’s gaze and raised a brow, clearly sensing the unspoken question. Her eyes rolled at him before they were drawn back to the boy standing slightly behind the two. His brown hair, soft and tousled in gentle curls, fell just the right way, framing his striking features: a strong jawline that gave his face a defined, almost sculptural edge, paired with dark eyebrows that framed his sharp, green eyes - there was something magnetic about them. She smiled at him, tilting her head slightly.
“I don’t think we’ve met…”
The boy looked over at Y/N, a smirk creeping onto his face at the question. “Nope, guess we haven’t,” he said, his voice smooth. He held his hand out between them. 
“I’m Cooper.”
Y/N’s eyes widened as she processed his name, a small laugh escaping her. “Oh, you’re Cooper!” she said, realizing who he was. She remembered the conversation she’d had with the boys on her yacht a while back, the new Kook who’d moved from New York. She reached her hand out to him, her smile warm. 
“Nice to finally meet you, I’m Y/N.”
Cooper took her hand, shaking it slowly, a smirk tugging at his lips. 
“Nice to meet you too, Y/N…” 
He paused for a moment, his eyes flicking down to glance over her body for a split second before bringing them back to her face, the smirk still firmly in place.
“The boys have told me a lot about you.”
“All bad, I hope,” Y/N joked, watching as he pulled his hand away, folding his arms.
Well rumours true… he’s kinda hot
Cooper chuckled at her comment, “Oh yeah, absolutely,” he replied, sarcasm lacing his words as he smirked at her, he was clearly amused by the girl. Y/N let out a humoured breath at his words, yet just as she was about to say something more, she heard Rafe clear his throat behind her. She turned slightly, suddenly remembering he hadn’t met the boy yet.
It’s not that he wanted to dampen the mood but Rafe wasn’t necessarily enjoying watching the interaction between the girl and Cooper, but he couldn’t exactly put his finger on why. It felt weird watching his girl- his best friend- flirt with another guy in front of him, it was different when she was with girls, that’d never bothered him, he actually found it pretty entertaining. Maybe it was the way she was laughing so easily at whatever Cooper was saying, the way her eyes sparkled with amusement. She was his… she was his friend, and another guys attention on her was… weird to get used to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After their brief introduction, the five of them had taken the golf carts and driven a little further out on the course. Now parked up, Y/N sat in one of the carts, watching the boys in front of her as they discussed their swings. 
Swings? 
Was that it? She wasn’t really sure. She didn’t know much about golf- if she was being honest, she wasn’t really that interested in it. She’d just wanted to get out of the house for a while. 
Rafe stood off to the side, quietly observing the trio as they debated different techniques, only half-listening. His attention kept flicking over to Y/N, who sat in the cart, looking bored. He couldn’t help but smile at the expression on her face, the girl looked like she was about to fall asleep. 
"You got a little staring problem there, bud," she teased, raising an eyebrow at him. Rafe’s head snapped toward her, his eyes wide for a moment, like a deer caught in headlights. He quickly masked his surprise, but the slight flush creeping up his neck was enough to betray him. Rafe raised his own eyebrow, 
“You’re one to talk Princess. I noticed you checking him out.”
Y/N’s cheeks flushed just a bit as Rafe looked over to the brown haired boy who’s just swung his club through the air. She scoffed, rolling her eyes. 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rafe chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her reaction. He was pleased that he’d gotten under her skin a little. He started walking over to her, standing just by the side of her golf cart and looking down at her.
“You sure about that? You were staring at him pretty damn intently…”
Y/N shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, but her eyes flickered away as she bit down on her bottom lip to hide the smile that was threatening to break through.
He does have nice arms
Even though she wasn’t interested in golf, she had to admit she appreciated the view- every time Cooper raised his arms to swing, his muscles flexed, and it was hard not to notice. 
Rafe’s gaze immediately shifted to her bottom lip as she bit down on it, she was trying so hard to hide her smile, trying to pretend she wasn’t checking out the guy right in front of him. But Rafe could see right through her, eyes having lingered on Cooper’s toned arms more than once. He wasn’t used to this feeling- this tiny twinge of jealousy that stirred in his chest.
“Well, you know…” Y/N said, her eyes drifting over to Cooper, who had just raised his hand to messily push his hair out of his eyes. 
“I still think he’s a good addition to the group.”
He didn’t like the idea of her admiring Cooper like that. There was something unsettling about seeing her stare at the boy with that little spark in her eyes, like she was genuinely interested, maybe even impressed. And the more he thought about it, the more it irritated him. He tried to push the feeling aside, telling himself he was overreacting, but it lingered in the pit of his stomach, growing like a knot that wouldn’t untangle. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts, then spoke to her with a sarcasm lacing his tone. 
“Yeah, I’m sure he’s grea-”
"Hey, Y/N!" Cooper called out from where he stood, casually holding his golf club.
"Why don’t you have a go?"
Rafe’s head whipped around at the sound of the boy’s voice, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the two of them. A small part of him actually wanted Y/N to turn him down, to stay in the cart with him, where it felt more comfortable, more familiar. The idea of watching her swing a golf club- of watching Cooper teach her- was making him anxious in a way he couldn’t quite explain.
Say no.
Y/N tilted her head slightly, glancing at Cooper with a playful smile. "I don’t know how…" she shrugged, as if it were no big deal. Cooper’s smile deepened, and he moved closer to her, leaning in with a teasing look. 
"I can teach you, come on," he said, his voice smooth as he looked down at her from where she still sat in the cart. He reached down and held his hand out toward her, the offer clear.
Say no.
Rafe’s lips pursed. He could feel his muscles tense as he watched Y/N look up at Cooper and, with a bright smile, take his hand. Her fingers curled around his, and she stood up, her smile still in place as she glanced back at Rafe. 
Did she just fucking wink at me?
The way she casually took his hand and walked toward him, left a bitter taste in Rafe’s mouth. He felt an irrational pang in his chest, something heavy that made his stomach churn. Why did it bother him so much? It wasn’t like she owed him anything. She was allowed to have fun, to enjoy herself, to hang out with whoever she wanted. But the sight of Cooper walking with her, the casual way she interacted with him, the ease between them made Rafe feel like an outsider in his own skin.
“So what do I do?" Y/N asked, clasping her hands in front of her, her eyes curious but with a touch of uncertainty.
Cooper chuckled softly, a sound that sent a small thrill through her. He moved behind her, positioning himself so closely that she could feel the heat of his body radiating against her back. His arms reached around her, guiding her hands to the club.
"First, I need to make sure you’ve got the right stance," he murmured, his voice low. The warmth of his breath against her neck made her shiver slightly. It was subtle, but enough for Cooper to notice, a small thrill flickering in his eyes as he adjusted his hold on the club, Y/N couldn’t help the way her pulse quickened. 
Well, this was going better than I expected
He chuckled again, clearly enjoying the way her breathing hitched as his chest came even closer to her back. His arms were still wrapped around her, the contact making it hard to focus on anything else. "Good," he said, his voice lowering even further.
 "Now, all you have to do is take a swing but keep your eye on the ball."
"What if I miss?" 
Y/N asked, glancing back at him over her shoulder. She could feel his hand still guiding hers on the club, his fingers brushing hers lightly. The contact was enough to make her palm grow slightly sweaty. Cooper smiled at her over her shoulder, his eyes flicking down to catch a glimpse of her face, noting the nervousness there. It was a sweet reaction, he found himself oddly drawn to it.
Rafe watched them from the cart, teeth grinding against each other, can which was in his hand now crumpled.
"It’s alright if you miss," he reassured her, his voice calm and steady. "I’ll teach you to get better." He paused for a moment, his smirk growing as he leaned in a little closer. 
"Don’t be nervous. You’ll get it on your first try, swear."
Y/N couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her lips, her smile tugging at the corners, 
"Yeah?" 
"Yeah, I promise." Cooper’s voice spoke out gently. His words seemed to settle in the space between them, his breath warm against her skin, she shivered
"Now try" 
The command sent a rush of energy through her, his arms remained around her, his chest pressing lightly against her back as he guided her into position. She raised her hands, taking in a breath as she swung the club down toward the ball, the motion felt almost automatic now, as if his presence had guided her every move. The sharp crack of the club meeting the ball rang through the air, and for a split second, she held her breath.
Then the ball rolled forward in a straight line, across the course, a perfect shot.
"See?" 
His words sent a thrill through her. His chest brushed against her back again, his presence overwhelming as he spoke softly, 
"Told you, you could do it."
Y/N let out a little cheer as she took a step forward, her eyes fixed on the small ball that had soared across the grass. She couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face. She turned to face Cooper, folding her arms across her chest with a playful smile.
"Pretty sure that’s cause you did most of that," she teased, a laugh escaping her lips. Cooper chuckled, clearly unfazed by her teasing, he crossed his arms in a similar fashion, his gaze fixed on her with a confident, amused smirk. 
"Alright, maybe I did do most of it," he admitted, the smirk never leaving his lips.
"But I still know you would’ve done a great job without me." 
He paused for a beat, his eyes locking onto hers he added, 
"And plus, I like helping pretty girls."
Y/N raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Is that so?" she replied, her voice light but with a challenge in her tone. The way he looked at her, so unbothered and confident, made her feel just a little bit flustered, though she’d never admit it.
It was hard to talk to Topper and Kelce about anything serious, Rafe was an exception sometimes, especially relationships. They were more about casual hookups- never about anything deeper, never about feelings; and now the idea of someone coming to the OBX, someone who didn’t know her as just the ‘Kook Princess,’ appealed to her more than she wanted to admit. Cooper watched her, his eyes catching the small smile that played at her lips. He couldn’t deny that he was drawn to her, something about the way she carried herself intrigued him.
“So have you been here your whole life?”
She cleared her throat as she shook her head at him a smile pulling at her lips,
“Yeah pretty much. Born and bread.” She joked as she looked over to the other guys.
“We’ve known each other for years, right Rafey?”
Rafe had been watching the whole scene play out between y/n and Cooper, his hands clenching into fists inside his pockets as he watched the guy get so close to her, putting his hands all over her as he helped her swing a damn golf club. At the sound of his name, he snapped out of his thoughts, bringing his head up to look over at the girl.
“Yeah, since we were kids.” She watched as the boy took a step closer to them, his presence lingering behind her.
“Yeah, since kindergarten,” she smiled towards Cooper, who suddenly seemed interested in their friendship. Cooper nodded his head as he listened to them speak, curiosity filling his tone as he spoke up.
“Since kindergarten? That’s a damn long time huh.”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed out. She suddenly felt Rafe's hand rest on her hip, his arm circling around her back. Her head turned to look at him in surprise at his sudden closeness.
okay?
Rafe’s hand gripped her hip as he stood behind her, his eyes watching as Cooper’s own gaze flicked down to the hand on her hip. Rafe moved forward to speak, and as he did, his chest pressed against her back, an obvious display of possessiveness.
“Yeah man, we’ve been best friends for years.”
She was surprised by the boy’s forwardness.
“Uh, yeah...” she mumbled out, looking at Cooper. He seemed to be amused by the boy's outburst of possessiveness.
“So your families are close?” Cooper questioned as he leaned against the golf cart behind them.
Rafe moved his hand from her hip down to her lower back instead, resting it just above her skirt. He knew what he was doing, the gesture obvious to everyone there.
“Yeah, our families have always been together- as long as I can remember.”
“Our fathers work together,” y/n added. He could sense the slight shudder that went through her body as his hand touched her lower back just above the hem of the material, his hand remaining on her lower back, his fingers occasionally brushing over the exposed skin there.
“Mhm, they run a successful business together.”
“Cameron Developments?” Cooper spoke up, looking at Rafe and starting to realize the type of authority he had on the island. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to join their clique.
“Yeah, that’s it.” Pride evident in his tone. He knew exactly how rich his family was, how much power his family name held on the island. He let the silence linger between the three of them before he spoke again.
“What about your family?”
“Law,” Cooper said. “We’ve come down from NY. My father owns a law firm back home. At the moment, he’s working with Topper’s family, actually,” he spoke out, gesturing to the boy who was still swinging at the golf balls with Kelce. 
“Extending the branches.”
“Law firm hm” Rafe responded, shaking his head slowly. Y/n watched the boy in front of her as he spoke about his family, law wasn’t an easy thing to get into. But of all places why did they come down to the OBX? 
That’s odd
“Why have you come down to the OBX?” she questioned curiously.
Cooper shrugged his shoulders slightly as he leaned back against the golf cart, a relaxed expression on his face.
“It was my dad’s decision, said he wanted to move to a smaller place, with fewer people for a while. Wanted to get out the city for a bit.”
“Right,” she nodded her head with a smile in his direction.
“Well, there’s always a space for you with us,” she said. She knew she probably should’ve double-checked with all the guys that they definitely agreed on the decision, but she didn’t care at the moment. She needed someone new. Cooper smiled back at her again, a small smirk forming on his face.
“Yeah? Is that an invitation?”
He spoke in a teasing tone, his eyes shifting from her to Rafe, and the small sign of possessiveness he showed with his hand still on her hip. “Definitely,” she spoke out. She added on waiting for the boy’s response,
“Right, Rafe?” 
Rafe’s gaze flicked down to her hip where his hand still sat, his grip tightening again for a minute before he let his eyes return to her face. The small gesture of ownership went unnoticed by her, but Cooper definitely caught on. He could see that there was something going on between them.
“Yeah, of course…”
He said reluctantly.
The two boys looked at each other, a moment of silence passing. y/n cleared her throat as she took a step away from Rafe, feeling flushed by his proximity and the sudden tension between the two guys. 
What’s he playing at?
 She stepped towards the golf cart, bending over the seat slightly to reach the cooler on the floor and pull out a White Claw can. Rafe clenched his jaw slightly as she stepped away from him, putting a small bit of distance between them. His eyes fell to her as she leant over the seat of the golf cart to reach the cooler, the sight of her in that position making him bite down on his bottom lip as her skirt hiked slightly up her thighs. Cooper's eyes followed the girl, his gaze dropping down slightly as she leaned over the seat. Rafe noticed the boy’s eyes as they followed her, his body tensing slightly, the possessive feeling within him reaching out again.
He took a step forward, closer towards her, angling his body to be almost looming over her, blocking the y/n out of the boy's eye-line as she bent down to reach the cooler. She stood up straight, fiddling with the can, trying to open it. Her freshly manicured nails causing her a struggle. 
If I chip these I swear
She let out a huff of irritation. Rafe chuckled quietly as he watched her struggle with the can and he couldn’t help himself as the words slipped out,
“You want some help, Princess?”
“Mmhmm,” she responded, holding out the can for him. He hummed softly again as he took the can from her, brushing against her fingers as he did so, before easily popping the tab. His eyes watched her again as she turned back around to face him, the can held out for her to take back.
“Thanks,” she murmured, taking a sip, the cool liquid running down her throat, a little dribble slipping past her lips and down her chin. His gaze fell to the small dribble of liquid running down her chin, the action making a smirk form on his face. He moved a step closer, bringing his hand up to gently catch the little bit of liquid with his thumb.
“Careful Princess, making a mess.”
She let out a hum at his words, his touch on her chin making her shiver slightly. They were brought out of their moment by the voice of the boy close by.
“I’ve got a free house tonight, you guys should come round,” Cooper spoke out, with Topper and Kelce turning to listen.
“Sure thing, man,” Topper spoke up, clapping the boy on the back. Kelce nodded along,
“For sure.”
Rafe raised his head from looking at y/n and turned towards Cooper, his eyes on the other boy as he spoke. He glanced back at y/n, who was still standing right next to him, her eyes on him as she took a small sip from the can in her hand.
“Yeah, sounds good,” he said in response to Cooper, his eyes briefly flicking back down to y/n. She remained silent for a moment. Her parents had planned the  gala for some family friends tonight.
Well, they do business together, so are they friends or just coworkers? 
But she didn’t want to say she couldn’t come... to be honest, she wanted to be there. Rafe caught the small hesitation from her in answering, sensing that there was something else going on, but he couldn’t quite tell what it was. He watched on silently as a few moments passed before she spoke up.
“I don’t know if I can make it,” 
She spoke out, coming up to push her hair out of her face. “I have an event I need to be at tonight,” she rolled her eyes as she spoke, remembering the fuss her mother had made in the morning… His mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that she had plans with someone else.
You’re pretty toxic you know
 He hated the thought of her with a different man, maybe in some fancy dress, having to act the perfect little princess for some people she didn’t even enjoy being around.
“That’s calm,” said Cooper. “Another time?”
She shook her head. “Yeah, definitely. You guys have fun though.”
“What kind of event is it?” Rafe asked her quietly, his eyes fixed on her as he spoke. She looked up before sighing out, 
“Some stupid gala my parents are hosting. I’ll be stuck with my mom on my ass all night.”
He let out a small scoff of laughter.
“Yeah, I can imagine”
She shook her head as a smile tugged on her lips, “And my dress is so ugly,” she said out a laugh passing her lips. “My mom picked it out ‘cause apparently everything I wear is ‘too revealing and makes you look like a slut.’ ”
She lifted her fingers into little quotations as she spoke. He knew the girl had a rough relationship with her mother but she never opened up to him about it, more focused on comforting him after his dad makes another comment about his ‘disappointment of a son’.
“That bad, huh?”
“Sooooo bad,” she replied, sitting down into the golf cart behind her, a wide smile on her face in amusement. “I’m gonna look like I practice celibacy.”
Laughter escaped his lips at her statement, his eyes following her as she sat down. He took a few steps closer to the golf cart, standing right in front of her as he smiled down at her.
“You? Celibacy? That I really don’t buy.”
She shoved his shoulder back with a scoff, a smile still on her face. “Asshole.” The small shove of her hand against his shoulder barely even moved him, and it only made his smile grow, he spoke up again, his voice more teasing than before.
“What? I think we both know it’s true.”
“Whatever, you man-whore.”
She crossed her arms as she spoke out teasingly to him. His eyes widened slightly at her words, letting out a surprised laugh, a small smirk forming across his face, more teasing than before. His hands raised up in mock surrender,
“Hey! I thought you said I was your angel baby?”
“You’re so stupid.” She giggled at his comment, remembering the song she’d dedicated to him when she was dancing up on the table. He remembered it too, his eyes flashing with memory as he thought back to the night on the table. He couldn’t help the small grin that pulled at his lips, the memory still etched in his brain, 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She sat at the table by herself, most people standing around in groups. The suffocating dress caused her discomfort, making her want to rip it off as all the adults around her talked about their businesses’ success and developments. She was probably one of the youngest there, and she didn’t even know why she needed to be there. She wasn’t talking or listening to anyone. She pulled her phone out of her clutch, holding it on her lap as she opened the messages. She knew Rafe, Topper, and Kelce were all at Cooper's house, and she couldn’t help but feel resentment at the fact that she wasn’t there. She tapped on Rafe's contact, her fingers hovering on the keyboard, wondering if she should text him. Would he even answer, or was he too busy with the guys to check his phone? She decided against her negative thoughts and typed out the message quickly, sending it before she could second-guess herself.
Princess :  Hey
She switched her phone off with a sigh, staring across the room at the groups of adults, feeling more isolated by the second. She had about three more hours at the gala, if she was lucky. The thought of being stuck here without anyone to talk to made her want to scream. 
Rafe sat back on the couch between Kelce and Topper, a beer in his hand as they passed a blunt between each other. The room was filled with the haze of smoke. They were all having a good time, Rafe enjoying the buzz of the alcohol in his system. His phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out, his eyes immediately widening when he saw the name on the screen. He felt a mixture of surprise at her message, but also the small twinge of excitement lingered. He hadn’t heard from her all night, and now, there she was. He read the single word, letting it settle in his mind. He took another sip of his beer as he tapped out a quick reply, his thumb moving swiftly over the keyboard.
Rafey  :  what’s good
Her phone buzzed and she lifted it up to see what the boy had written.
Princess  :  Stuck at this suck ass gala 
He read her reply and felt bad for the girl, hearing that she was stuck at some fancy event, in some shitty dress, having to play pretend for her parents and a bunch of stuffy rich assholes.
Princess  :  And they’ve cut me off from the bar 
A small huff of laughter escaped him as he read her next message, picturing her there rolling her eyes, probably surrounded by a bunch of old people who all wanted to talk to her about her future.
Rafey  :  Damn. 
Rafey  :  I’m sure I’m having just as good a time as you
Princess  :  wyd? 
He took a quick look around the room, noticing Kelce and Topper both watching the TV on the wall with intent attention, and Cooper sitting in the armchair in the corner, mindlessly staring at the ceiling.
Rafey  :  TV and drinking beer.
Rafey  :  Nothing interesting
Princess  :   You smoking???
She typed out, curiosity gnawing at her. A small smirk grew on his face when he read her question, he glanced over at Topper and Kelce, the both of them exhaling a cloud of smoke from their lungs, before looking back at his phone and replying.
Rafey  :  Yeah why
Princess  :  Without me :( 
She typed back as a small smile pulled at her lip. He could almost hear her voice, soft and playful. He quickly typed back, his fingers moving with a mix of affection and teasing. 
Rafey  :  wish you were here princess
Her chest tightened at his message. 
Princess  :  Me too 
Princess  :  What’s Cooper's house like
The thought of her wanting to be there with them, made his heart thump heavy in his chest. He took a second to picture her here, and it nearly made him want to start the car and head towards her. He took another slow sip of his beer as he started typing out a response,
Rafey  :  pretty big
Princess  :  So he full kook then huh 
He let out a huff of laughter as he read her words, because yes, the boy was definitely a fully fledged kook. His fingers moved quick when he typed out his response, curious to know how she would react to his words
Rafey  : and you know what’s even better 
Princess  : what
Rafey  :  hot tub is fucking massive 
Princes  :  He’s got you in his hot tub already huh
She typed out jokingly as she had to stifle a giggle to herself. A smirk curled his lips at her little tease, as he thought about how he’d much prefer her to be in that hot tub with her. He took a second to look around the room, noticing that no one was paying attention to him still before replying back.
Rafey  :  haha very funny
Rafey  :  no, I’m on the couch
Princess  :  everyone else
Rafey  :  Kelc is on the floor, pretty sure he’s in a coma. 
Rafey  :  Tops basically asleep on the couch
Rafey  :   so I’m on my own here princess
Princess  :  Cooper
Rafey  :  I think he’s high on something stronger
She messaged, she bit her bottom lip gently now slightly nervous. She was praying he’d say no, he’d been working so hard on himself
Princess  :  Have you taken anything else?
He looked down at her question, feeling a slight twinge of guilt now. He hadn’t been thinking and had made it sound like he’d taken something stronger than just weed. He hadn’t touched anything else in months. He quickly typed up his response.
Rafey  :  Just weed.
Rafey  :   That’s all I’m taking.
Rafey  :   promise
Princess :  mkay 
Y/n let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in as she typed out slightly relieved.
Princess  :  So you and Cooper cool now? 
Rafey  :  sure 
Princess  :  That’s good
She messaged back happy they’d finally come to an agreement, she did know that it wasn't a yes, but it also wasn't a no. He took a small glance around all the guys now knocked out around him, still wanting to know what it was like at the party she was attending
Rafey  : how’s the gala
Rafey  :   Everyone treating the Kook Princess nicely?
Princess  :  I’ve not spoken to anyone for the past 2 hours 
His brows raised at her response. He felt his heart throb slightly at the thought of her sat all alone for two hours, watching as everyone else around her happily drank and socialised while she had spent the night by herself. 
Rafey  :  that sucks
Rafey  :   Your parents not checking on you?
Princess  :  They don’t care too busy talking to investors 
She rolled her eyes as she typed out, she just wanted to get out of the god forsaken venue but she had no way of getting home, her parents having driven her here. The fact that y/n’s parents hadn’t even bothered to check up on her once, just so they could keep their noses clean for their investors didn’t help Rafe’s slowly simmering irritation.
Princess  :  It’s fine
Princess  :  think I’m gonna book a taxi home 
She typed out as she pushed her chair away from the table and stood up, taking her clutch with her. He read her words, the feeling of relief washing over him. He was glad she was going to finally get away from the place. 
But the thought of her on her own, in the back of a taxi late at night, made him feel uneasy and nervous.
Rafey  :  do you want me to pick you up?
She paused as she looked down at her phone. Biting her lip gently. 
He’d do that?
She felt bad asking the boy to come almost all the way to the other side of the island just ot pick her up when she was more than capable of going home by herself. But she couldn’t ignore the pull in the back of her mind telling her to say yes. 
Princess  :  Idk I feel bad you’re with the guys
He could practically see her gnawing at her lip, a quirk she’d picked up over the years when she’d felt guilty or anxious, as she thought over his words. But he needed to know that she was safe, being driven by a random cab driver who could easily take advantage of her, in her dress- it made his skin burn.
Rafey  :  I don’t care about the guys, be fr
Rafey  :   I’ll leave now and come straight to you
Say yes 
Princess  :  Are you sure?
Rafe  :  Y/n
Princess  : well
Princess  :  d’you want me to send the address
Rafey  :  send it
His little typing bubble disappears momentarily after she sent her location to the boy, she looked up as she walked towards the exit, cold air hitting her as she pushed open the doors, her phone buzzing in her hand.
Rafey  :  omw 
Rafey  :  be there in 20 
She stood outside the venue, the sky now dark, wind blowing strongly, pushing her hair around. Her dress swayed around her ankles, heel clasped feet resting against the pavement. She’d told her parents she was leaving, her mother dismissive, too involved in a conversation with another woman. She looked down to the floor. Even though the dress was so covered up and she’d been complaining about it, at least now she’s warm. She knew that Cooper’s house was definitely further than twenty minutes away, so she hoped that Rafe wasn’t being reckless as he made his way towards her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took him 15 minutes to drive to the venue, his car speeding along the streets as he tried to get to her as quickly as possible. As he pulled up to the venue, his eyes scanned the area, and his heart picked up the pace when he spotted her—standing alone near the entrance. She was leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest, her head tilted downward slightly. Even from this distance, he could see the discomfort radiating from her. The fancy dress that had been picked out for her didn’t seem to suit her at all, her body language screaming that she was out of place. When she finally reached the car, her hands instinctively moved to straighten her dress, tugging at the fabric nervously as if it wasn’t quite right. Her movements were almost apologetic, like she felt bad for needing him to be there,
“Heyyyy” 
She elongated as she opened the door looking at the boy sitting in the driver's seat with a small sheepish smile on her lips. He let his eyes travel up from her feet to the top of her head, noticing the soft cream coloured, flowy dress, the way it fitted loosely against her skin. He couldn’t deny his amusement at the dress, remembering what she had told him about her mothers comment. It wasn’t as ugly as the girl had complained, but it was certainly different to what she usually wore. it was much more formal, much more….. of her mother’s influence? He let out a low huff of air a small smile on his lips in humour,
 “You look…- good.”
“Yeah yeah” she rolled her eyes as she got into the car shutting it behind her, “laugh it up alright.”
He laughed as he took one more look over her figure, thinking how cute she looked sat there in the dress, all frustrated,
 “What? I’m not allowed to compliment you now?”
“Just shut up Rafe,” she rolled her eyes. He smirked at her annoyance, but he’d missed the sound of his name falling from her lips. He’d missed the way her voice made something in his chest stir, the way it sounded when she got a little frustrated. 
“But you look so pretty though, princess”
“Don’t tease.” She groaned, throwing her head back against the seat headrest. He was loving this already, the way he could already tell she wasn’t in the mood to put up with his teasing and playing. That was the most fun part. Making her react.
“I’m not teasing. You look nice in that dress. And the heels?” He paused to look down at her feet for a split second, “a real good look.”
She looked down to her short kitten heels, which her mother had insisted were appropriate for the event. She shook her head now a small amused smile on her face,
“I look like someone’s grandma…”
He let out a soft laugh because yes, the dress, the shoes, the earrings, the necklace, everything about this look was something someone’s grandma would wear to a fancy party, maybe even her own sixty fifth birthday? 
“Yeah you look just like someone’s little old grandma”
She huffed out at his teasing, her hands reaching down to undo the little buckles on the heels, slipping them off, her white manicured nails now contrasting the dark carpet of the car mat they rested on. She reached her hands up to her ears, taking the earrings out and chuckling them into the cup holder, her fingers fiddling with the necklace clasp pulling it off and doing the same to the jewellery.
Jesus
He couldn’t help but watch the way her fingers moved as she stripped herself of the accessories her mother had shoved her into. looked down at the pile of jewelry now sitting in the holder and let out another low hum, 
“Better?”
“She’s so…" she shook her head at her mother’s dramatics, “I don’t even know why she dragged me with them and made me dress up into this stupid get up if I didn’t even fucking talk to anyone.” She sighed out, hand coming to rub over the arch of her brow.
“I just don’t get her sometimes.” 
He could hear the frustration in her voice when she talked about her mother. He knew she wanted to get along with her, she wanted her mother to love her and treat her like a daughter, not just some girl she's been forced to live with, but for some reason it didn’t work. The woman could be completely uncaring and downright cruel most of the time. He felt his hand reach over to grab her knee and squeezed it gently.
“She’s difficult, yeah? Don’t know why she doesn’t realise having a daughter like you's a blessing”
Her features softened, the comforting words warming her. She looked over to the boy with a small smile on her face, his side profile lit up by the streetlights they drove past. He could feel her eyes on him as he drove, burning against his skin, but he kept his eyes fixed on the road. His hand remained sitting on her knee, the warm skin a pheasant weight on his palm. He squeezed it again in comfort, giving her a soft smile, despite his focus being fixed in front of him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The boy pulled up outside the girls house, having typed in the pin to the gate, memorising it after all these years, he drove up the paved drive to outside her house putting the car into park. Getting out of the car, he rounded to the passenger side quickly to pull the door for y/n, he held the door open as he waited for her to step out, his eyes roaming over her, from her now bare feet to the top of her head, hair slightly tousled from the wind earlier. She slid out the seat, walking side by side with the boy, feet hitting against the steps up to the front door before she turned to him, 
“Thanks for coming tonight Rafe.”
“You should’ve called me earlier, I could’ve come sooner- I don’t like you being by yourself.” She smiled at his words, hand coming out to smooth out his polo collar which had scrunched, 
“You coming in or d’you need to get back to the guys…?” She knew he’d probably just got up and left earlier, and she felt bad. 
Only a little
His heartbeat faltered as her hand ran across the fabric of his chest, smoothing out the part that had folded in. He wanted so badly to take that hand in his and pull her closer to him. He swallowed, wondering what exactly he should do. 
I should go back 
He didn’t want to go back to the others, he didn’t care that much, they were all high out of their minds anyways. Here y/n was, right in front of him, disheveled hair and doe eyes looking up to him,
“I’ll come in”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She fiddled with the small glass bottle of serum, the glass pipette clinking against it, she pulled it up to her face and rubbed it into her skin. She sat at her vanity having just washed her makeup off, changing the moment they got upstairs, desperate to get the dress off. Rafe laid on her bed, face comfortably buried into her pillow, his phone in hand as he scrolled; the sheets and pillows that surrounded him all smelling of her, just the way he’d been hoping. He’d changed out of his clothes and into the pair of sweats and old t-shirt he kept at her place. He heard the glass bottle clink against her vanity as she squeezed the product into her hand and he glanced up at her, his eyes watching as she rubbed it in, her skin becoming glowy. 
“You good?” 
She asked as she saw his reflection in the mirror behind her, hands coming down to screw the bottle shut. His eyes trailed up over her back, from her exposed shoulder from the baggy short she wore to her face in the mirror. She looked so relaxed and comfortable like this. It made the warm, possessive feeling in his chest start swirling harder. 
“Yeah,” he muttered quietly, “just…. watching you.”
“Creepy much?” She joked as she put the bottle away into one of her draws as the words tumbled past her lips. He huffed out a laugh at her words, shifting slightly on the bed. 
“You love it.” He replied instantly, his eyes following her as she made her way to the bed. 
She flopped down onto the bed next to him, it’d been a long day and her tiredness was starting to catch up to her. He smiled to himself as y/n ungracefully face planted into the pillows next to him. He shifted himself slightly so he was facing her, leaning his head on his propped up elbow, eyes tracking every single one of her tiny movements. She looked to the boy next to her as he stared back, his eyes roaming gently over her features; her tired, half closed eyes, the way her hand played with the duvet. 
“Tired princess?”
“Yeah.” She hummed out as she grabbed her phone and pulled it up texting her parents to let them know she got home. He watched her fingers tapping against her phone screen,
“Midsummers is coming up.”
She raised her brows turning to him as she chucked her phone onto the bed somewhere,
“Already?”
He grinned a little at her words, slightly amused by that fact she hadn’t been keeping track of time. 
“Yeah. In just over 2 weeks. Dad’s already started preparing for it”
“Shit I need a dress.” She sighed out hand coming up to rub her eye. He smirked at her words, a thought instantly popping into his mind ready to poke fun at the girl,
“Why not just use the one you wore tonight?”
She looked over to the boy with a deadpan expression on her face, “Didn’t know you were a comedian.” Yet she couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. His smirk grew wider as he watched her expression turn to one of amusement.  
“And wear those heels and the earrings too?” He teased further. 
“Okay Mr Cameron I get it."
She giggled at his playful words, “Are you wearing the same suit as last year?” She questioned remembering the black three piece his father made him wear, he had hated it. 
A grimace appeared on his lip at the mention of the suit. He’d absolutely hated it, the thing itched like crazy, and the summer heat made it so much worse. 
Fuck no 
“No chance I’m wearing that shit again”
A smile drew up to her lips at his snarky comment,  
“Well as long as my mom doesn’t pick the dress I’ll be good…. I think I want to go blue this year,” she hummed out. He looked at the girl, the image of her in a pretty blue dress forming in her mind.  
“It’s a good colour on you” He commented, running his eyes over her bare legs, imagining how her skin would look against blue fabric. 
“Thanks,” she spoke up, she sat up grabbing the remote control from her bedside table, flicking the tv in front of them on. The sound of her pressing the control buttons filled the comfortable silence of the room. Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles appeared on the screen, the girl having put her favourite film on again as she laid back. He rolled his eyes slightly, recognising the sound of ‘10 Things I Hate About You”.
“Seriously? Again?” He groaned but didn’t bother asking her to change it, knowing what the answer would be. 
“C’mon I know you love it deep down but you’re too embarrassed to admit it.” She spoke up as she got comfortable, pulling her sheets up. Of course he did like the movie. The story was cliche and corny, but he’d watched the film more times than he’d ever admit with her. 
“Oh yeah, it’s absolutely great.” He responded sarcastically. She offered some of the covers to him after rolling her eyes at him. 
He smiled back at her slightly, taking the edge of the sheets and pulling them up over himself, instantly feeling the warmth of the girl next to him, practically pressed up against, she tended to get clingy when tired, or drunk, or high. 
Maybe you’re just clingy in general 
The movie played, the actors talking filling the now quiet room. The girl had gotten tired, her head having lulled over to the side, her temple resting against Rafes shoulder, her eyes closed as she breathed slowly, slumber having taken over. 
The boy felt the way her head lolled over onto his shoulder, and the instant weight that settled on him. His arm instinctively slid behind her to pull her closer, the feeling of her warm body against him making his chest tighten with contentment. 
He sat there for a while longer, half watching the movie, half staring at the girl resting quietly against him. Gentle breaths past her lips as she slept, lashes resting against her cheeks, she looked so pretty like this, so incredibly innocent and peaceful. 
Careful not to wake her, he shifted slightly, getting more comfortable, pulling her with him. He lifted her across his lap so she was leaning comfortably against his chest instead of his shoulder. 
As she settled more comfortably against him, her body fitting against his like she belonged there, his chest felt impossibly tight. His arm stayed draped around her, fingers brushing absentmindedly along her side, as he glanced down at her, movie now long forgotten as his gaze lingered on the way her hair framed her face. Her lips, slightly parted as she slept, tugged at something deep in his chest and he could feel every quiet rise and fall of her breath against him. His mind wandered, sitting here, holding her like this, he couldn’t ignore the way something deeper was growing inside him.
The realization hit him so hard, he almost froze. It wasn’t like he hadn’t thought about it before- little moments when he’d caught himself staring at her too long, or felt jealous when someone else made her laugh. But he’d always pushed it aside, afraid it could ruin what they’ve had for so long.
Now though, It felt inevitable.
Rafe’s hand moved, almost without thinking, brushing a strand of hair away from the girls face. His fingers lingered for a moment, barely grazing her skin, God, she was so beautiful. The thought was dizzying, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he pressed a feather-light kiss to the top of her head, his lips brushing her hair, 
I love you 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
taglist: @evermorx89 @bellaed1t @user381953 @lovemanheim @loves0phelia @yourcrackleflame @kundaquarius @matthewswifeyy @pillowprincess4him
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sjbattleangel · 1 year ago
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'You have taken the land which is rightfully ours. Years from now my people will be forced to live in mobile homes on reservations. Your people will wear cardigans, and drink highballs. We will sell our bracelets by the road sides. You will play golf and enjoy hot hors d'oeuvres. My people will have pain and degradation. Your people will have stick shifts. The gods of my tribe have spoken. They have said, "Do not trust the Pilgrims. Especially Sarah Miller."...And for all these reasons I have decided to scalp you and burn your village to the ground.'
So this Thanksgiving, may we all join Wendsaday Addams in saying:
Screw colonizers.
Screw their revisionist lies.
Screw white supremacy.
but most of all:
Stand with Indigenous communities.
From Addams Family Values (1993). Dir: Barry Sonnenfeld
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whoopsyeahokay · 9 months ago
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October Sun
summary: Wally might've been preoccupied with Field Day but that hadn't meant he didn't plan on getting answers. Thankfully, the universe was on his side because there you were, right where he wanted you.
pairing: Wally Clark x fem!reader
warnings: eventual smutty smut smut. and mad spoilers. and obvious Canon divergence. very involved, very dense plot.
as promised, here's PART SIX, no wait necessary! 🫶😅
bon reading, frens
___________________________💀
OCTOBER SUN pt.6
Wally grinned from ear to ear, eager for Maddie to accept the gesture Mr. Martin offered in the length and shape of a golf club. He'd spent a great deal of the morning figuring out how to coax Maddie to join in their shenanigans, proud Field Day enthusiast that he was, and was pleased as punch that she seemed to be getting into it.
He'd been there, filled with pent-up aggression and bitterness, and grief for a life that had been snatched away from him before he'd understood what it meant to live.
Contrary to what Maddie thought of him, Wally hadn't always been an upbeat, ultra-positive member of the afterlife. In fact, he'd wallowed a whole decade away, trudging the tiers of the stadium seats, seeking answers or forgiveness or enlightenment; something that would help put his world back to rights.
It never happened. He'd simply moved on. Matured, maybe. Ajay and Bernie—the autoshop pancake and gym rope-climbing tragedy, respectively—had encouraged him to open himself up to Mr. Martin's brand of therapy, and then, slowly, he'd started to relax into his place in the metaphysical world.
He hoped he could be there for Maddie the way they'd been there for him.
Which is why he hadn't made an excuse to slip away and find you. Oh, he'd tried to catch you at your locker before your first class, waited for twenty minutes after the bell had rung, but you hadn't shown up. So, he'd gone to Group in a funk that had lingered until Mr. Martin had announced his decision to proceed with Field Day.
Yet, as joyful as Wally had been to partake, something inside him had ached. The strong, honeymelt tug of the connection between you extended outward from his chest as if reaching for you through the ether. Demanded he ignore everything in the interest of finding you, took your head in his hands and made you look him in the eye—he longed so badly for you to see him.
The feeling hadn't subsided. Rather, it had burrowed deeper into his brain and challenged his thoughts, the feeling like he had somewhere he needed to be but couldn't recall the address. And it only seemed to worsen the further away he got from the main school building.
The sound of exploding glass forced Wally back to the present. Maddie swung the golf club again, shattering another window, which Wally applauded with exuberance and congratulated Maddie on another impressive attack.
"Told you you're a natural!" Wally encouraged, beaming a supernova smile that Maddie couldn't resist returning.
Charley hummed thoughtfully from his perch on the picnic table behind them and slanted a conspiratorial grin at Wally, "A real natural." He commented, "Totally sane."
"The sanest." Wally agreed and turned back to watch Maddie as she trudged around the corner of the equipment shed, gearing up to unleash her violence on the vending machines.
And then, like lightning on the breeze, Wally sensed it. You. Static down his spine, heartbeat ratcheting up, cinnamon spice on his tongue. Automatically, his gaze shifted from Maddie to a figure in the distance, clad exclusively in black, head down, features obscured by the shadow of a hood.
Wally sucked in a deep breath as subtly as he could, tasting the crispness on the air and dull notes of burnt vanilla. He could hear every step you took, the rustle of fabric as you fished your phone from your back pocket. He felt your desperation as if it was his own, how you needed to find someone right fucking now, where had he gone?
Glass erupted, sprayed the ground at Maddie's feet, crunched under her boots as she moved onto the final vending machine. Wally wasn't going to waste an opportunity when it presented itself perfectly.
"Ooh-hoh! Yes! That was—" He smacked a kiss to his fingertips, "—beautiful!" He turned to Charley, praying he wasn't demonstrating too much gusto that it raised questions. "I'm going to find more shit for us to break. Best Field Day ever!"
He took off, sprinting up the slight hill and onto the path that circled the field. Once he felt he was a safe enough distance away, he twirled on his heel to check that Charley and Maddie weren't watching. Maddie had joined Charley at the table, both now engrossed in a conversation, paying no mind to Wally.
Good.
He didn't need to seek you out, his gaze finding you easily as you marched across the grass toward the front of the school, staring at your phone like it held the secrets of the universe. Maybe it did, Wally had no idea, too intimidated to try using one of those things.
"Hey." He called once he was close enough, trailing you as you made your way into the parking lot. That feeling that had been with him all day intensified as the proximity between you lessened, white-hot and smoldering beneath his flesh.
Although you didn't answer, your back stiffened, almost imperceptible if Wally hadn't been paying such close attention, and your stride shortened marginally.
"I missed you." He confessed, breathing heavy from exertion, "Didn't see you this morning. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to avoid me." He glanced at you cheekily, settling into step beside you.
You ignored him, focus fixed on your phone, though the screen was blank.
"I had things to do, anyway." Wally said, shrugging it off. "You know how it is; a lot to keep a guy busy in the afterlife."
He noticed you'd changed direction, leading you both out of the parking lot and onto the walkway that looped around to the side of the school where the bus stop stood. Part of him buzzed at the thought that you'd done it on purpose. To avoid crossing the invisible barrier that would catapult Wally straight to the 5-yard line.
Wally licked his lips, leaned into your space so his arm pressed against yours as you walked. Pinkies brushed, skin on skin, sparking electricity up his arm that burst in his chest.
He pressed on despite your resilience, "It's Field Day today. Or, Destroy the Field Day, really." He snickered at his own joke, figured he'd do it for you. "It's fun. You should try it sometime. You know, when you stop pretending you can't see me." He spun around to walk backwards, preferred to see your face even if you refused to look at him. "I could show you the ropes like I did for Maddie. I'm sure Mr. M wouldn't—"
Suddenly, you stopped in your tracks, chin lifting, eyes spiking up from your phone as you pulled down your hood in one motion. Wally froze. His pulse hammered a chorus in his ears—boom clap, boom clap—wind knocked from his lungs as slowly, so so slowly, your eyes glided to meet his.
The intensity in them pinned Wally in place. Time receded. The noise of afternoon activity dimmed. You saw. him. This was more than acknowledgment, this was proof. Proof that he took up space in your world as you did in his. He was witnessed, real, a l i v e.
Wally uttered so quietly, terrified to break the spell that bore you both in its palms, a soft and reverent, "Hey..," the weight of it catching in his throat.
As if fighting against yourself, you brought your phone to your ear in small, measured increments, gaze unwavering. Wally was enraptured by the marbling colors in its depths and couldn't help but wonder if your eyes did that whenever you peeked through the veil, or if it was a reaction unique to him.
And then that didn't matter because, for the first time, unmistakably and with intention, you spoke to him.
"What did you just say?"
💀___________________________
PART FIVE - PART SEVEN
also available on AO3!
MASTERLIST
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starry-bi-sky · 1 year ago
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Clone^2 - graveyard shift
The dinging of the door alerts Sarah of someone walking in, and she barely glances up from her phone to see who it is. It's past midnight and somehow her coworker John managed to convince her to take over his graveyard shift at their convenience store. He owes her one, because she's been standing here for an hour and nobody's come in.
Not a surprise to her - nobody likes to stay out past sundown in Amity Park, even after nearly three years of ghosts appearing all over the place.
But still, it happens sometimes. So she doesn't look up. The dinging bell just lets her know that it's not a ghost, and that's really all she can ask for. The last time she worked late and a ghost came in, she was cleaning the shelves from some weird goo for an hour.
However, the lack of footsteps in the store after a few seconds worries her enough that she forces her head to lift. And a frown weaves its way onto her face when she sees no one at the door, nor anyone in the closet aisles.
...Shit, was there really a ghost here? Can they ring door when they come in? Normally she sees them just phase right through. And normally they glow, bright and jarring that leaves a migraine building behind Sarah's eyes.
Her eyes quickly scan the shelves again, looking for anything out of place -- anyone with too many heads, or too many teeth, or snakes for hair. She's pretty sure a coworker saw that once when they were working graveyard.
But she still sees no one. Apprehension raises the hair on the back of her neck, and she straightens up from her lean against the counter. Fuuuck. Was this one of those... marshmallow ghosts? An animal ghost?
Sarah really does not want to have to fight off a three-eyed raccoon looking-thing with eagle feet. She's heard the horror stories. And there was no way to contact the Phantom or the Red Huntress to come pick it up -- and she wasn't gonna try her luck with the Drs. Fentons.
Her fingers itch for the broom hanging on the wall behind her. It probably won't do much against a mutant raccoon-ghost-monster, but it'll make her feel better.
There's a rustle and crinkle in the candy aisle, and Sarah's hands are curled around the broom before she could blink. Her heart beating in her chest. She walks out from the counter, the bristled end raised like a bat in the air as she creeps apprehensively towards the noise.
There's nothing there when she peers around the side, and the aisle shelves are tall enough that she can't see over them.
She raises the broom higher. Sarah was in softball. She could take out a raccoon-eagle-hybrid.. thing.... easily. She just... needs to pretend its a golf ball. Except golf isn't softball so that's a terrible comparison.
Oh god she was gonna get her face ripped off, wasn't she.
John so owes her one. So much.
Creeping down the aisle, she keeps her ears perked for any new sounds. But all she can really hear is the soft pop music playing on the store speakers -- chosen by yours truly from her own personal playlist -- and the hum of the freezers. Ugh. This was not good for her paranoia. Like, at all.
Sarah's down at the end of the aisle when she feels a quick set of taps on her shoulder. Her nerves are already shot, so she shrieks and whirls around on her foot, swinging the broom blindly.
Only to be met with sudden and blunt resistance. Blinking rapidly, Sarah stares up and sees a black gloved hand gripping the broom handle tightly, small white bandages peeking over the side around five fingers. Following the hand down connects it with an arm, and then a chest, and suddenly she's staring at a black hoodie and black jacket.
When she tilts her head up, Sarah comes face to face with the bone-white mask and the terrifying, unearthly green eyes of their local vigilante, the Phantom.
...Holy fuck. It was the Phantom.
He was taller than she initially thought. Was her jaw on the ground? Probably. It was flapping like a fish out of water. "I- uh, you-- buh--"
Slowly, the Phantom raised his free hand and wrapped it around the handle of the broom. Sarah watches, wide eyed still and stammering as he firmly plucked the broom out of her hands and turned to lean it against the shelves.
Something about him doing that must've kicked her brain back into gear, because the first thing that comes out of her mouth is; "Your eyes are really green."
And she was going to lock herself in the freezer in the back for that one. She feels her face grow hot with embarrassment, and the Phantom only looks at her blankly. Her eyes shift nervously. "Well, it's true."
It was! The green eyes of the Phantom was his most defining feature other than that unsettling mask he wore. Especially considering they were the same color as some of the ghosts. It was one of the many, many creepy things about the guy.
Looking at it gave her the same, faint headache as when she stared at a ghost for too long. So Sarah drops her gaze a little to avoid it.
The Phantom remains silent, but he raises his hands and signs something to her that she doesn't understand. Fuck, that's right. He didn't speak - and Sarah doesn't know any ASL.
Sarah cringes. "Sorry, I don't know ASL."
She can feel his burning green eyes boring into her, and he remains as silent as the grave as he reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a phone in a plain black case. She watches him turn it on -- or at least she assumes he does, there's a privacy protector covering the screen -- and type something into.
He holds it up to her face when he's done, and she squints at the screen. In the notes app, a small text reads; 'We're ready to pay.'
..Oh. This wasn't Sarah's night. Embarrassment flashes hot through her and she forces out a laugh in order to try and quell it, Phantom shoves the phone back into his pocket. "Oh! Oh, right! I'm sorry, I'll uh- get up to the front--" She stops in her tracks.
Wait. Did that message say 'we?'
She smiles nervously, tilting her head up at the Phantom as her brows thread together. "Um," she swallows dryly, "we?" Didn't... didn't the Phantom work alone?
As if startled, the Phantom jerks. And for the first time since he showed up, he blinks and turns around. Which personally, doesn't bode that well as the Phantom swivels his head from side to side like he's looking for someone.
Sarah thinks, after the Phantom stalks up to the end of the aisle and looks around, she hears him sigh. And when he walks back, he snatches the broom with an elegant twist and knocks it against the shelves.
Thud, thud, thud!
There's very, very quiet shuffling that Sarah would have missed if she hadn't been looking for it, and then silence for a few seconds, before suddenly there's a small child pushing past her side and over to the Phantom.
And in the process, scaring the shit out of Sarah.
She squeaks and jumps, nearly tripping over her own feet as the child makes a spot next to the Phantom's side. "Where did you come from?!" She says, her heart pounding against her ribcage.
The child says nothing, just stares at her through a creepy bone-white mask reminiscent of the Phantom's. Although unlike the Phantom, he was wearing some... kind of... dark red ninja outfit?
Sarah really wasn't quite sure. It was partially covered by a jacket that clearly belonged to the Phantom and with the sleeves rolled up multiple times to his elbows. The jacket alone nearly obscured the sword attached to his hip.
...Why the hell did the child have a sword.
She looks between Phantom and the child, at a loss for words. Why-- why did the Phantom have a kid with him, why was the kid wearing a mask like his.
"You have a child with you." Sarah says bluntly, her voice flat. It betrays how shocked she feels. The Phantom doesn't say anything, as she should have expected, but he does nod shortly.
The child bristles slightly, but says nothing. Part of his mouth was uncovered, and she watched it twist downward into a scowl at her. Unlike the Phantom, his eyes were not green. She couldn't see his eyes at all, actually. They were shadowed by the mask.
There's the sound of paper thwipping, and like a magician pulling out a card, the Phantom holds out a note card to her. He stares, expectantly, and Sarah reluctantly takes it.
Written in neat writing and bold sharpie are the words; "This is Wraith."
...And that's it. Sarah glances up at Phantom. Then at the supposed 'Wraith'. Then back at Phantom. "You're bringing a child with you to ghost hunt?" She asks, and okay, maybe she's not able to hide all of the judgement leaking into her voice. "And you gave him a sword?"
The Phantom stares at her blankly, or well, probably blankly. All of his expressions are unreadable with the mask he wears. But the kid, Wraith, bristles again like a stray cat. His scowl deepens, he puffs up, and he opens his mouth like he's about to say something.
...Only for the Phantom to immediately snap his hand out and cover his mouth. Wraith makes an angry sound, and Phantom drags the boy into his side, seemingly nonplussed as he twists his wrist and pulls another note card out of nowhere.
"He is perfectly capable of handling himself." The card reads, and then continues; "I would not have been able to stop him anyways. Wraith would have followed me regardless."
Did he have these prepared?
Best not to question it, Sarah decides. The Phantom has always been strange. So she just nods mutely and stuffs the two notecards into her back pocket. "Okay," she says, and moves around the Phantom. "I'll check you out up front."
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jiminjamms · 1 year ago
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sex therapy :: 23. homewrecker
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chapter tags/warnings: naoya has sex with toji’s older ex-wife. misogynistic! naoya. age gap. exhibitionism. creampies. masturbation. infidelity/adultery. family drama. strong language. plain manipulation. corruption. 
word count: 3.8k
notes: a longer chapter, but i had became so enraptured in the writing process hence the quick turnaround! given the thanksgiving weekend in the united states, i want to thank all my readers for being so invested my story! likes, comments, and reblogs are much appreciated. xoxo
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fic masterlist | 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.
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Naoya Zenin had no qualms in calling himself the Master of the Universe.
He had everything he wanted in this world.
Money? Check. Power? Check. Fame? Also check.
Mind you, Naoya had to work hard to get into this position too. He didn’t just sit around on the couch all day waiting for opportunities to come flying his way. He had to be proactive. He had some tough decisions to make. Like how he had to choose between spending the weekend on a golf course or a ski resort. Or if he should pull up to the next board meeting with a Patek Phillipe or a Rolex. Nothing in his sad and poor life came easy when he only grew up as a spare heir, always living in the shadow of his once almighty cousin.
Which was why nothing could fuel his ego more than watching Toji's ex-wife ride his dick like this was some fucking rodeo.
"Naoya, baby," Mari whined, flushed as she ground down hard on his cock, her pussy squeezing him to the point his sight became spotted with stars. "I'm so close."
“Yeah?" Naoya managed to croak. His voice was hoarse; he longer recognized himself. He could only feel how his cock was splitting his mistress open, and with one long groan, he sank his face into her fat tits that were like clouds against his skin, his heavy balls slapping against her ass cheeks with each thrust up. "Gonna make a mess over my cock?”
She nodded confidently. “Mhm…We’re going to leave the sheets covered with cum.”
“Fuck, yeah.”
Sighing, the woman leaned forward with her palm holding the headboard’s edge for dear life while the other groped her own breast to keep her bosom from moving wildly.
“Don’t stop,” she mewled.
But shit, Naoya knew he was going crazy at this fantastically sexy sight. With this goddess before him, his mind and body wanted to go all in. No holds barred. He wanted nothing but to stuff this celestial being full of his cum, making sure her cunt would be aching when she woke up. 
The Zenin CEO moaned at his lewd ideas, the mattress beneath them rocking back and forth from their combined forceful movements. Damn, he knew he should've booked a hotel room at the Ritz Carlton rather than at some InterContinental, where he knew (from experience) that the beds were sturdier and wouldn't be such an annoying mid-sex turnoff. 
"I'm cumming!" Mari shouted in the midst of Naoya's haze, and his mind placed a screeching halt in his thoughts to focus solely on how her walls now squeezed around his cock, contracting around him in waves. 
“Shit.”
She might be twenty years older, but goddamn, did she still have that grip.
Naoya’s climax didn’t take long to follow. The way his mistress's hot body crumpled against him as she wailed out his name repeatedly was simply too much, his own breaths dissolving into a strangled moan as his orgasm consumed him. “Holy fuck.”
In one white flash, Naoya's vision went blank. Hot semen shot from his tip in intense bursts as Naoya plunged himself completely into one of the tightest cunts he'd ever fucked. (And yes, he had enough girlfriends and one-night stands to make this conclusion. Don’t be silly to assume he didn't have experience.)
He panted hard, trying to catch his breath as Mari rolled over into the spot next to him, leaving their sweaty forms tangled in bed. As his heart slowed down from its marathon, he puffed his cheeks out and exhaled. 
Wow. 
He hadn’t gotten his dick twisted like that in a while, and to award the star of tonight’s show, he faced his lover and pressed a kiss against her forehead. 
“Drained my balls completely empty,” he hummed in sheer amazement, pulling the sheets to cover their naked bodies. If they hadn’t gone for four whole rounds already, he would have hauled her into another episode of intense thrusting and moaning, perhaps slamming into her by those windows for the entire Tokyo area to see.
Giggling, the older woman slipped off the bed. She trailed toward the vanity mirror to re-apply her lipstick for what must be the millionth occasion. Not that Naoya was complaining because he had a thing for women with that cherry red on, and every time Mari went smacking her painted lips together, Naoya would find a way to get all that off.
All Naoya could picture in his head was how much he wanted to watch her suck him off again and see her print lipstick stains on his dick, from the base to the tip.
Well, fuck. 
He’s getting hard again.
To distract himself, he tossed over to the side, propping an elbow on a pillow and resting his chin on his palm. This gave him the perfect angle to watch his hot girlfriend while hiding the boner between his legs. A genius move.
Then, he thought aloud, “I don’t know what I would have done without those nudes that you’ve been sending me over these past several weeks.”
She purred, flattered. “Liked them?”
Naoya had to correct her.
“Loved them.” Recalling the slew of dirty photos that he had received over text made his eyes roll to the back of his head. “I would bring my phone to the bathroom just so I could beat off to your pictures in the shower. Even came on my screen once because I couldn’t hold myself back a moment longer.”
Mari grinned from ear to ear from the compliment, staring into the mirror to wipe away a misplaced smear. “So, you really missed me.”
Naoya nodded in acknowledgment, reaching for his unfinished glass of Rémy Martin that had been left on the bedside table. “Most certainly, I did.”
“Of course.” Through her reflection in the mirror, he saw her scarlet lips pucker into a pout. “We haven’t been together in weeks since you are always busy and all.” 
Despite her leveled tone, the bitter twinge caught Naoya off guard. 
Did Mari think he did not care for her anymore after everything that he had done just this night alone? It was not like he had intentionally avoided her in recent weeks. Naoya had made himself extremely clear in the past that he had a company to run, a marriage to tend to, and a father to please. 
Especially that last bit. 
Naobito Zenin had been on Naoya’s ass on what seemed like everything lately: ‘financial forecasts’ this and ‘earnings call’ that. The Chairman had been chasing him on whether he had been planning for his upcoming strategy discussion with the board, consulting with other C-suite members about new firm initiatives, and speaking with Daisuke (your father) about recent company operations. Immensely annoying. His very own father should at least have some sympathy, knowing that Naoya—unlike his older cousin—did not grow up with a business mindset drilled into his head. 
With the family patriarch also now aware of his son’s extramarital affair, Naoya must especially tiptoe around every interaction that involved his mistress.
After all, Naobito might have been turning a blind eye ever since discovering those scandalous paparazzi photos online, but he was no fool to ignore his son’s funny business, especially if this would jeopardize the Zenin Corporation’s success and the proud family’s reputation. In their most recent meeting, the older Zenin had reiterated that if there was any evidence that his son’s affair may imperil the company’s bottom line, there would be ‘severe consequences’—and in these matters with his own father, Naoya understood that no punishment was off the table. 
“So,” Mari pressed, noticing the blond’s silence, “when are we going to see each other again?” 
Meanwhile, the woman before him was absolutely oblivious to everything that had been going on ever since Naoya rushed back to Japan from Mexico. 
He would take the blame, too.
Naoya intentionally did not mention how his father discovered their scandal’s photos, to lessen Mari's worry. Turned out the decision bit him in the ass, given how the woman narrowed her gaze in suspicion.
With the glass of cognac now trapped between his teeth, he took a slow sip that burned down his throat like spiced liquid fire. The warm residue, a testimony to the drink’s potency, pulsed through his veins like a slow-burning hearth as he sat up slowly.
“As soon as I can.”
She surprised him with her fast response. “Why not this weekend? We were supposed to go to your lakehouse in Switzerland soon, remember?” she pointed out, and Naoya had to conclude that she could not possibly be serious given that the European country called for a ten-plus hour flight from Tokyo, even with his Gulfstream. 
“That, I cannot do,” he replied, his tone firm.
If he went missing again, his father would be livid. 
“Why not?” an unaware Mari asked while walking over to the bed again and seated her naked form along the edge. “Trying to make time for your wife again?”
Interesting that she assumed you had a role in this. Frankly, Naoya had not thought about you the entire night, seeing you last as a sobbing mess in the penthouse.
As your husband, he should feel a teensy bit bad about cursing you off, but he had never been the one to chew on an emotion that did not serve him, so he quickly let that guilt go. This whole thing was your fault, anyway. Purposely poking around in his business, and then letting him have his way with you despite how obviously little he could care. As far as he can tell, he left you huddled up in an adorable little ball on the floor, sulking and crying over how badly you fucked up. 
Pathetic. 
That should teach you a lesson.
Perhaps Naoya would like to see a little backbone in you, but if that meant you may grow even more testy when around him, then he would rather not.
With his tongue running over his lower lip, he placed his glass atop the oak table again. “About my schedule,” he began, “no, my wife doesn’t have to do with anything.”
“Good!” Mari huffed with finality, his answer giving her the green light to crawl across the mattress and push the covers off Naoya. She straddled him perfectly, allowing his latest load to trickle out slowly from her cunt and onto his thighs. “That’s what I thought, that you two were over had your marriage certificate not existed. Besides, what was that you had texted me?” she continued as if she wasn’t pressing her slicked pussy against his semi-hard cock. “That your wife had been cheating on you for who knows how long.” 
He nodded. “Pretty much.”
“Disgusting,” the older woman spat, rolling her eyes at your audacity. “So, she’s a spoiled brat and a two-timer. For someone from her noble background, your wife is one dumb and cheap whore.”
Quite an ironic statement given who was talking, but Naoya kept his mouth shut at the thought. Rather, his hands kneaded his mistress’s fat butt, which at least helped him keep his mind away from things he didn’t want to think about. 
“Yeah, she sure is a slut,” he agreed.
Naoya sent a convincing smile in between his words, and he could practically see Mari’s face light up from his validation. 
“See! Exactly!” she exclaimed. “That bitch never lived a hard day in her life and is already blessed with everything the world can possibly give her—wealth, respect, a good last name. Yet, she dares to act like she has nothing?!” Enraged, she threw her hands into the air from frustration. “Might as well just leave someone as entitled as her! Filing a divorce is simpler than you think, speaking from my own experience. Once the whole world understands that she’s a nobody unmatched by you, everyone would support your decision, right?” Wrong. His father surely would not. But to satiate his own curiosity, he let her continue. “Not to mention, baby, people would respect you more as a businessman without your current wife.” Wrong again. 
His hands might be tracing another woman’s curves, but Naoya understood that he needed you if he hoped to ascertain his ascendancy in the company. That was why his father, with his life’s many decades, easily recognized this necessary union and had pressed for this marital arrangement.
To the Zenin family, you were the perfect addition. 
Descending from a line of honorable financiers, you not only had the right connections to the upper echelon since birth but also were the daughter of the Zenin Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer. Yet, most importantly, you were incredibly elegant, classy, and admired, exactly the person people would want to be associated with if they wanted to clear their public images and tarnished pasts…and exactly the impeccable character that Naoya needed by his side.
His marriage to you served him as not a bond forged upon mutual love, but rather a calculated decision to leverage your virtuosity as a cloak—or moreso, a distraction. With the public adoring you, Naoya could confidently hide his lack of competence and credentials behind your flawless paragon. Goddamnit. He fucking hated how he relied on you more than you depended on him (albeit you might not realize this), but until his father kicked the bucket, what could Naoya realistically do?  
Therefore, dissolving this shrewd alliance between him and you would be detrimental not only to two distinguished bloodlines but also to Naoya in particular.
He already skirted around being shown out the door once.
Given Naobito's recent stringency, there was no room for Naoya to make another mistake again.
But rather than dealing with an upset Mari if he chose to reveal these facts, Naoya instead patted her head with encouragement and brushed her brown locks. “That’s my smart girl,” he praised, tilting his head forward to express his agreement. 
Flustered at the commendation, she went on without much thought. “I’m so glad you agree with me, baby. That’s just…That is a thought that has been on my mind for a while, but,” and she paused briefly to formulate her next words carefully, “I mean, I only want the best for you. Naturally. So, maybe there are better people to spend your money on and life with.”
Now, Naoya would admit that he can be shortsighted at points, but he was not that stupid to realize that she was alluding to herself. 
“I appreciate you for thinking about me,” he still said, because he must stay on her good side if he hoped for a comprehensive answer to his following question, “By the way, do you know any new rumors going around about Toji?”
The said man’s ex-wife perked up visibly at the question. Even though she was busy plotting your downfall a moment ago, the mention of Toji inveigled her such that she would push all her other thoughts aside. 
Although Mari had presented divorce papers to her then-husband earlier this year, Naoya continued to allow—in fact, encouraged—Mari to still visit Toji on the occasion. He didn't give two hoots that his mistress was getting railed by his cousin if that meant that she came back with fresh dirt about him, allowing Naoya to indulge in his custom-tailored version of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
“I had an appointment with him yesterday." Using her fingers, Mari combed through her dark strands. “Crazy that you used to work with him and his stupid little entourage, right?"
“That is crazy.” Had he not been reminded, Naoya would have nearly forgotten that he used to work as a sex therapist too up until earlier this year. In that office was where he befriended the then-Mari Fushiguro, although he had known her years prior as an in-law. Naoya only terminated his position after his father finally decided to hand his only son (rather than his nephew) the CEO and heir apparent titles. “To think that now I oversee a large conglomerate,” he stated proudly, “so unlike everyone else, I have matured and am off to better things.”
"Funny for you to say that,” the woman resumed, now twirling her hair out of habit. “Do you remember your office in the middle of their hallway? Only recently did I realize someone scratched out your name from the door’s plaque. Don’t even know who did that.”
What pettiness.
What was this?
Middle school?
Were the other therapists that butt hurt when Naoya turned against them to propel himself toward his well-deserved future as the Zenin Corporation’s heir? “Choso probably did that. He is the type to hold grudges and act upon them.” 
Even if he has to kill, Naoya mentally added from what he recalled about his former co-worker but preferred to keep that morbid possibility to himself.
“That makes sense. I never liked Choso anyway. He will talk shit about you to your face,” Mari declared, which launched her into a soliloquy about her grievances regarding the other therapists that Naoya used to work with. “Meanwhile, Geto smiles too much. Creeps me out.” Agreed. “Sukuna is overly cocky.” True. “Then, Toji,” and this is the part that Naoya really wanted to hear about, “has been distancing himself from me these days.”
Why, this was not the news that Naoya hoped for. 
Rather than soaking in joy from hearing about Toji’s demise, Naoya instead felt his stomach drop from a sinking dread.
While he found some sick gratification in pleasing his cousin's past partner both emotionally and sexually, the more important reason he needed this MILF in his life was to monitor his estranged cousin’s moves from afar.
She was merely the perfect spy.
What better source of intel was there in this world besides Toji’s former spouse, who simply walked up to Naoya and offered her espionage services the day she learned that her then-husband was no longer set to inherit the Zenin thone? All that she asked in return was a little money and a little physical attention, which was easy for Naoya to throw at her.
After rightfully (and he must place emphasis on that last word) taking back what he was entitled to, Naoya was positive that Toji had a target placed on his back. Therefore, Naoya needed Mari's updates on Toji and Co. to protect himself, to protect his position, and to protect the status quo that he had worked so hard for.
If Toji stopped talking to Mari completely, how else would Naoya keep his threats under watch?
“Do you have ideas on why Toji is giving you the cold shoulder?”
Pressing her bare chest to Naoya’s toned ones, Mari stopped briefly in contemplation but ultimately shrugged. “Do you think he’s getting suspicious? That he realized I left him for his younger cousin Naoya?”
“No,” the said man denied vehemently. “That cannot possibly be.”
Naoya had been extremely careful in keeping his extramarital relationship as discreet as possible. For example, the moment he learned about those photos of him and his mistress en route to Mexico, he immediately called every publisher to have them take the pictures down, no matter the monetary cost.
He made sure to leave no crumbs along his trail and refused to believe in the contrary. “Any other reasons you can think of?”
With Naoya not reciprocating her libido, Mari started to appear visibly annoyed. “Maybe he’s moved on," she suggested, answers curt. "Maybe he'd found another person.”
If Naoya thought the first hypothesis was alarming enough, this second explanation definitely took the cake. 
At least, if Toji had truly gotten suspicious about Mari’s affiliation with the current Zenin successor, Naoya somewhat had some control over that situation. Divert the paparazzi. Create cover-up stories. Bribe more publishers. Find each and every way possible to take the spotlight off him and his secret affair.
On the other hand, there was not much Naoya could do if Toji no longer found interest in his ex-wife.
Huh.
Well, that wasn't quite good.
How could Naoya play his next move?
Or had Toji been playing him all along?
Strategize.
Naoya needed to strategize. C'mon, he was the fucking CEO of the fucking Zenin Corporation. He had done strategizing plenty of times before, so why was his mind suddenly going blank on what to do next?
“Who has Toji taken interest in?” Naoya found himself asking, desperate for information.
“Beats me.” Mari guided his hands to trace her curves, cupping her breasts with Naoya's palms to urge him to massage the rounded mounds. “Although, think about this: she cannot merely be anybody,” and she released her grip around his wrists to start counting with her fingers, “One, she has to be well-off. Therapy ain't cheap. Two, she is stuck in a bad relationship. And three, she is also stuck with bad sex.”
What a good approach to the situation, narrowing down the potential suspects and investigating from there!
Who knew some women had the smarts in them to devise such detailed commentary? That was what Naoya loved about mature and more experienced psyches in ladies like her. 
Now, her brilliant analysis reminded him of someone, but he couldn’t exactly place his finger on who. 
Whatever, because with this turnaround in the mystery, Naoya decided he would figure this out soon enough.
Triumph was right within his reach.
It was only a matter of time until his aging father Naobito, the one person who had the final say in all company and familial matters, solidified his Last Will and Testament to ensure his wonderful only son Naoya would be the successor to the multibillion family-run conglomerate, condemning Toji Fushiguro to be dwarfed by his little cousin forever. 
But first, he must treat his paramour to a much-deserved reward that would render her limping in the morning.
With all the moving parts falling into place, Naoya burst into a wicked cackle by her left tit, leaving Mari staring back at him with a confused frown.
"What's so funny?" she demanded to know. 
“Don’t worry about it,” Naoya assured between snickers, leading his mistress forward by gently pulling her waist toward him. He attached his mouth to the nipple, flicking the bud with his tongue as he added, “What you should worry about, though, is how you will walk when you wake up after how sore I’m going to make you.”
The cheesy comment made Mari laugh as she batted her long lashes. She saw where this was going, and her large chocolate-colored eyes sparkled with an excited twinkle as she met his hazel ones, her thin lips stretching into a Cheshire Cat grin from delight.
"Baby," she cooed, "the dirty things you say to me make me forget that you have a wife at home sometimes."
Something about her remark made Naoya chuckle even more heartily as his mind meandered back to his nearly forgotten spouse: his wife.
His…wife.
Wait.
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𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗘𝗡𝗗
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last chapter || next chapter
end notes: The end to Act Two: House of Cards! The very reason behind this act’s name is to reference the precarious web of disguise and deception in this story, only for this structure to topple like a domino chain. Thank you to all my lovely readers for reading, and although I recognize my writing is imperfect, I would love to hear your thoughts before the third and final arc!
taglist: @dissociatingdiva @httpsplanetmarsdotcom @nemoyr @huangfairy @shadowarchon @203steph @agentdedf1sh @cloudybabes @lynn-writes-things @illicitwriter @7oji @kikuchimi @chaoticjojofan @musicisme333 @vvestwoodrose @kumocchin @s-guru @mwahilovemylife @hey-gurls69 @cloudsinthecosmos @moon-mumu-moon @kazscara @obitohno @skilerfrostfairy @funicidals @nico707 @proteovaldez @tsukiyohanayome @marimoares @qirbys @puffaloxx @sakanoshitaa @arizzu @kissditrio @tokyometronetwork @downtown-roponggi @the-cosmos-network
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backtothefanfiction · 11 months ago
Note
Hiii! i love your writing 😘 if your ok with writing this could i request some fluffy dad!felix catton if you have any in store?! again, totally understand if your uncomfortable writing this or just don’t want to 😊😊
It’s taken me a while to get to this because I’ve been struggling to find my way in when it comes to Felix as a Dad. I’m not sure if I do have a Dad!Felix fluff in me but I do have some thoughts/head canons on Felix as a Dad as a whole I’m slowly developing. So here are those…
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Felix is all in in the newborn stage. It’s a novelty for him. The easy stage before they find their voices and start screaming the place down. When all you have to do is hold them, feed them, change them. He’s so there for that.
He’s happy to get up in the middle of the night, looking out the windows at the grounds with a baby in his arms, telling stories and recounting memories of his youth and that time running around the grounds with Farleigh and Venetia.
He loves see you with HIS child. He’s very protective. While you lie in his bed with tea and toast, feeding your child he shoos everyone else from the room, not wanting to share that sight or special time with anyone else in the family. Venetia is the only one who occasionally slips through the cracks. (She is a great aunt to your child by the way)
When the baby starts to grow older though he begins to struggle. You are a very hands on parent in comparison to him and he’s happy for you to be. After all his mother was very hands on with him and Venetia, however as a child he never saw his Dad there as much as his Mum and so has adopted a similar way of thinking that of his father and grandfather that fussing kids is a Mother problem.
Don’t get me wrong, he still loves showing up to be the fun dad. Running across the lawns with them. Enabling their hobbies and paying for anything they want. But when it comes to the hard stuff you feel completely abandoned.
As time goes on you realise you aren’t on the same wave length about parenting at all. And a lot of that has to do with Felix’s upbringing and family.
Elspeth is always there to step in and make a fuss, forcing herself on her grandchildren like she makes everything better, but often (especially if a child is already in a tantrum state it can sometimes make it worse until she just hands the child back and leaves you with a screaming child.
When Felix’s mates come knocking, asking him to go on golfing or skiing holidays with them it’s always “you’ve got this, haven’t you babe? Great. I love you. See you in a week.”
And because that’s how Felix was raised, what he observed from his family over the years, he honestly knows no better.
“If you’re struggling we can just get a Nanny.” He says when you confront him. It always has you seeing red. “I don’t want a Nanny Felix. I want US to raise our kids.”
You realise the only way things will change is if you all get out of that house and away from his family. So you give him the ultimatum: “it’s either us or your family.”
Of course it’s that honour in him, that unspoken traditional allegiance to your wife and kids that has him reluctantly agreeing, hoping in a few months you’ll see sense and see how difficult it is without all the servants and his daddy’s money. But you thrive, despite the way Felix shuffles his feet and does the bare minimum in protest.
After another argument where you tell him to show up or fuck off back to his family he finally takes you seriously and the more time he spends with you and your family and more modest hands on parenting and living styles he begins to thrive, seeing that the grass can be greener on the other side.
The more time away from his family he sees how toxic his families dynamic is. When you visit he sticks up for his kids and is protective of them when his parents begin to push their values and views on his kids.
You stand by him as he begins to put in boundaries and really analyse his life, his youth, his privilege and how it has in fact hindered him in life in so many basic ways. You support him and feel pride when he helps enforce those boundaries around his parents, his family as he ultimately gives them the same ultimatum you gave him all those years ago.
Although his father is reluctant, Elspeth is desperate to know her grandchildren and apologised to you both and promises to respect your parenting choices and swears to try and uphold those values in front of your children as much as she can.
With the new boundaries in place, summers in Saltburn become regular things for your kids. All of you playing together on the grounds. Chasing each other through the maze. Swimming in the pool and the lake.You and Felix set up scavenger hunts for your kids. And they ultimately grow up with the best of both worlds.
So yeah. Those are my more realistic Dad Felix thoughts. Tell me what you think….
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inlovewithfictionalmen7 · 1 year ago
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I'm Sorry Mommy
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this is my first attempt at writing smut so im sorry if its bad haha
Rafe Cameron x fem!reader 
summery: a day out golfing dosent end well when y/n over hears something the boys are talking about.
warnings: oral,sub!Rafe, Rafe crying, kinda mean reader, fem!reader, dom!reader.
word count: 1,807
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y/n and rafe were at the country club golfing with topper and kelce. y/n isn't supper into golfing but she loves spending time with rafe so she's down for anything even if that meant standing in the hot sun while her boyfriend played his sport with his friends so be it.  
“Hey babe can you go get us some more drinks please?” Rafe asks her nicely while lining up for his swing. “Yeah of course.”she says, smiling at him and walking away. Before she can get to far though she hears topper and kelce laughing so she stops for a sec to hear what they say 
“Man rafe she's like your little bitch huh” kelce says slapping Rafes back then topper jumps in “oh bro i bet she's just worships you in bed and lets you use her” y/n narrows her eyes hoping rafe would change the topic because they both know whos in charge behind closed doors, but her hopes are proven useless as she hears “oh yeah man she's like the biggest slut in bed. I love it” leave her boyfriend's mouth. The boys let out some whoops. 
y/n finally goes up and gets their drinks, heading back to the boys, smiling as she hands topper and kelce's theirs, but when she turned her back to face rafe her smile dropped bringing his drink to her lips she takes a sip looking him straight in the eyes before spitting in his cup, smiling and handing it to him. The look on his face tell her, he knows that she heard him and that he was fucked.
The drive home was silent for the most part. Rafe looked over at y/n every once and awhile while she was looking out the window. He knew he was in trouble but he didnt know how he was gonna be punished and that scared him.
After Rafe pulled into his driveway and turned off the truck they sat there in silence for a couple minutes before he tried to speak “baby-” but he's cut off by y/n  “go upstairs to your room and strip.”  she turns to him, grabbing his face making him look at her. Oh god she does not look happy. Rafe thought to himself  “and dont you fucking dare touch yourself” she stated before shoving his face away and getting out of the truck. Rafe doesn't say anything as he gets out and follows her inside not wanting to make his punishment worse. 
As he heads to the stairs he notices y/n heading for the kitchen. “y/n? Where are you going?” he asks cautiously. She stops and looks at him over her shoulder “do as you're told and go up stairs rafe.” she says coldly walking away. Rafe gulps and walks up stairs. In his room he strips and sits on his bed looking at his hard cock, fighting the urge to touch it. Downstairs y/n takes her sweet time getting a cup of water and looking out the window some more just to mess with rafe some more. Taking the last sip of water she turns and heads upstairs 
Rafes head flies up when he hears his door close, he sees his beautiful girlfriend standing there with a very unhappy look on her face. “Now rafe do you wanna tell me why you're being punished?” she says slowly walking towards him. “I-i dont k-know” he stutters looking down at the ground knowing damn well what he did to deserve this, just not wanting to admit it. y/n grabs his chin forcing him to look at her, he whimpers slightly at the sudden movement. “Oh i think you do rafey” y/n says a smirk playing on her lips. Rafe shakes his head, tears coming to his eyes, and his cock twitching. “Something about me being uh, what'd you say the biggest slut in bed, and letting your friends say that about me?” she hums at the end looking at him. His eyes go wide knowing he has no way out of this.
“Im sorry” rafe whimpers before his hairs being pulled back. “I'm sorry what” she says getting so close to his face he could almost feel her lips on his. “I-im s-sorry m-mommy” he says as a blush rises on his cheeks. She smiles at him and pulls away. “What are you sorry for baby” she asks the man in front of her. “For saying stuff that wasn't true about us, a-and l-letting them talk ab-about you like that” rafe cries, “im so sorry mommy!” he says struggling to look and hold eye contact with the woman. 
y/n smiles at him and places a quick kiss on his lips. Pulling away and letting go of his face much more gently than before and instead gripping his rock hard cock, watching as he jumps at the sudden relief. “You've been a very bad boy Rafey” she says slowly stroking his cock making his hips jut up. “Please mommy, I'm sorry” he says before biting his lip. She starts stroking him faster, making him moan and cry. “Mommy can i cum please let me cum. I-ill do anything” he begs the woman as he reaches his climax. 
Right as y/n feels him twitch she pulls her hand away making he cry out in frustration. “Oh did you really think I'd let you off that easily?” She laughs at the poor boy “god you're pathetic” she adds, making him turn his face away from her. “Here's what's gonna happen baby.” she starts as she takes off her shirt and shorts, leaving her in her bra and underwear, while he looks at her with hopeful eyes. 
“I'm going to touch myself, you're going to watch me” she says, taking off her underwear so slowly just to tease the man. “And if you touch yourself i'll leave you like this, do you understand me baby boy”  she unclips her bra letting it slide down her arms exposing her breasts to the needy man. 
“Y-yes i understand” he says hypnotized by her breasts to notice he forgot an important word “yes. What” she says standing in front of him. “Yes mommy” he says looking up at her face with pleading eyes. “Good boy,” she says lightly tapping his cheek before getting on the bed, spreading her legs right in front of Rafe so he has a good view. Rafe lets out a loud whimper when he sees how wet she is. Not thinking he reaches out to touch her however his hand gets slapped away as she tsks at him. 
Bringing her hand to her core she collects some of her wetness before bringing her hand to his mouth. Rafe wasted no time in taking her fingers into his mouth, sucking the juices off them, while moaning. y/n pulls her fingers out of his warm mouth and brings it back to her core. She moans as she rubs her clit. Rafes cock twitches and he watches his girlfriend finger herself. 
When she comes she throws her head back and lets out a loud moan of his name. Causing him to whimper again. “Please mommy it hurts” he begs her as she catches her breath. y/n looks at the pathetic man in front of her. “Hmmm i'm not sure you've earned it yet rafey” she looks at him waiting to see what he says “please let me taste you again mommy please” he begs her just wanting to please her. “Come here sweet boy” she spread her legs again. Putting her leg on his shoulder when he's close enough to her “go ahead please mommy” she encourages after seeing his hesitation. 
He wasted no time in leaning down and licking up her slit gathering all her juices,hearing the beautiful girl moan when he reached her clit. Sucking it into his mouth just the way he knows she likes it. y/n runs her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer to her and she grinds her hips into his face. Rafe groans looking up at her face. He loves pleasing y/n, he'd do anything to make up for what he did today. He could tell she was close to coming so he shoved two fingers into her wet core to push her over the edge. Hearing her loud moans he caused. He keeps licking and sucking at her until he feels his hair being pulled back. 
Rafes a panting mess when he comes up, looking at her like she's the most beautiful girl in the world, because in his eyes she was. y/n looks down at her boyfriend before chuckling which confuses rafe “you really are impatient huh rafe” when all she gets in return is a more confused look she continues “you like eating my pussy so much you came from humping your bed and making a huge mess” at that he looks down and sees the mess he made before turning bright red and burying  his face in y/n´s stomach “i'm sorry mommy i-i didn't mean too i swear” he cries scared shes gonna be even more mad and punish him more. Though y/n can tell that he's actually scared and upset so she's not going to keep going…. Tonight anyway. 
She shushes  Rafe while rubbing his head “it's okay, you're okay sweetheart.” when she tries to get up he holds onto her tighter “I'm not going anywhere my love, i'm just getting stuff to clean you up okay?” She asks him to which he nods and reluctantly lets go of her. 
y/n goes to the bathroom getting a washcloth wet after using the bathroom. When she leaves the bathroom she sees rafe hugging his pillow like how he was just holding her and smiles. “Okay love can you roll over for me” she asks rubbing his back, once he does she says “i'm just gonna wipe you down okay? That's it, we're all done for tonight” he nods at her with a small smile on his lips. 
Once he's all clean y/n changes the blankets on the bed and gets a pair of boxers for Rafe to put on, and herself one of his shirts and her underwear. 
Crawling into bed with rafe he grabs onto her and puts his head on her chest “thank you mommy” y/n rubs the back of his neck “not mommy right now my love. Were all done for right now” she kisses his head. y/n does bother telling him they'll continue this later. 
“I love you y/n” Rafe mumbles quietly 
“I love you too Rafey” she says, kissing his head again before they both drift off to sleep. 
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rafesapologist · 8 months ago
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the setback ─ rafe cameron; part nine
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summary: it's been two years since your departure from the outer banks and rafe cameron has seemingly convinced himself that he can go on with his life as if you never happened, except now more than ever his addiction is at an all time high. whether he was snorting lines of cocaine at wild parties or drowning himself in alcohol to numb the pain, rafe couldn't escape the memories of you. despite his efforts to bury his feelings, your absence lingered like a shadow, haunting him at every turn. meanwhile, you've been navigating life outside the outer banks, trying to carve out a new path for yourself. but no matter how far you've traveled, the memories of rafe cameron still linger in your heart, leaving you with a sense of unfinished business. as you find yourself facing new challenges and opportunities, you can't help but wonder if fate will eventually bring you back to the place where it all began.
warnings: swearing, angst, topper being topper
author's note: i listened to 'one more hour' by tame impala before writing this so do what you will with that (this is a warning in itself)
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As the morning sun filtered through your shut eyelids, you groaned, trying to fend off the burning light that threatened to pull you from the depths of sleep. But despite your efforts, the persistent glow seeped through, coaxing you back to consciousness.
With a reluctant sigh, you finally succumbed to wakefulness, blinking away the haze of sleep as you reached out to check the time on your phone. But just as your fingers brushed against the familiar shape of your device, the door to your room burst open with a bang, startling you from your drowsy reverie.
"Y/n, wake up!" JJ's voice echoed through the room, filled with urgency and impatience. "You've got twenty minutes before your shift at the golf course starts!"
You blinked, momentarily disoriented by the sudden intrusion. "What?" you mumbled, rubbing the sleep from your eyes as you tried to process JJ's words.
"Your shift, remember?" JJ reminded you, his tone tinged with exasperation. "Our job at the golf course starts today, first shift remember?"
Realization dawned on you as the fog of sleep lifted from your mind, memories of your earlier conversation with JJ flooding back to you. "Right, my shift," you muttered, scrambling to sit up in bed as you shook off the remnants of sleep.
JJ stood in the doorway, arms crossed impatiently as he waited for you to get moving. "Come on, y/n, chop chop! We don't have all day," he urged, his tone bordering on frantic.
With a resigned sigh, you threw back the covers and swung your legs over the edge of the bed, forcing yourself to push through the grogginess that still clung to your limbs. "Alright, alright, I'm up," you grumbled, shooting JJ a half-hearted glare as you dragged yourself out of bed.
As you splashed cold water on your face, the sensation jolting you into wakefulness, you couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension gnawing at the edges of your consciousness. It had been a while since you last set foot in the golf course, since you left the familiar shores of the Outer Banks behind. And now, as you prepared to return to your old stomping grounds, a wave of uncertainty washed over you like a tidal surge.
The golf course was a haven for the kooks – the privileged elite who roamed the island with an air of entitlement that bordered on arrogance. It was a world apart from the humble simplicity of life in the Outer Banks, a world where money and status reigned supreme.
You sighed, trying to shake off the lingering doubts and fears that threatened to consume you whole. You couldn't let the expectations of others dictate your life – couldn't let the judgmental glares and whispered gossip of the kooks dictate your worth.
With a determined shake of your head, you forced yourself to focus on the task at hand. You slicked back your hair, tying it into a low ponytail to keep it out of your face as you braced yourself for the day ahead. You stared at your reflection in the mirror, steeling yourself for whatever challenges lay in store.
"It's not a big deal," you whispered to yourself, the words a silent mantra of encouragement. "It's just the golf course."
With a quick brush of your teeth, you left the bathroom feeling slightly more refreshed. Hastily throwing on your tennis skirt and tank-top uniform, you wasted no time in rushing out into the kitchen, eager to ensure that JJ was ready to go.
"Hurry up, JJ!" you called out, your voice echoing through the empty hallway as you searched for your boyfriend.
Just as you were starting to worry, JJ emerged from his room with a sheepish grin, his hair still slightly tousled from sleep. "I'm ready, I'm ready!" he exclaimed, his words punctuated by a hint of breathlessness.
You couldn't help but giggle at his disheveled appearance, shaking your head in amusement at his lack of time management when it came to getting ready. "You really need to work on your timing, JJ," you teased, unable to resist poking fun at him.
JJ rolled his eyes playfully, though there was a hint of sheepishness in his expression. "Yeah, yeah, I know," he admitted with a chuckle, his tone filled with good-natured resignation. "But hey, at least we're not late, right?"
You nodded in agreement, unable to suppress a smile at JJ's infectious enthusiasm. "Yeah, I guess you're right," you replied, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the blond as you prepared to face the day together.
As you followed JJ out of the front door and towards his motorcycle parked in the front yard, you couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within you. Riding on the back of JJ's motorcycle always brought a rush of adrenaline, a feeling of freedom and exhilaration that you couldn't find anywhere else.
But just as you were about to hop on behind him, JJ stopped you with a gentle hand on your shoulder. Before you could protest, he swiftly placed a helmet over your head, securing it in place with practiced ease.
You couldn't help but roll your eyes at his gesture, a playful grin tugging at the corners of your lips. JJ had always been one to prioritize safety, even if it meant being a bit overprotective at times. But deep down, you couldn't deny the warmth that flooded your heart at his show of affection and care for you.
"Thanks, Jay," you said, your voice soft with gratitude as you adjusted the helmet, ensuring that it fit snugly over your head.
JJ flashed you a grin in response, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he climbed onto the motorcycle, revving the engine to life. "Safety first, y/n," he teased, his tone lighthearted yet sincere.
You couldn't help but laugh at his antics, feeling a sense of comfort wash over you as you settled onto the back of the motorcycle, wrapping your arms around JJ's waist as he guided the bike onto the road.
As the motorcycle roared to life and JJ guided it onto the road, you couldn't help but feel a surge of nervous energy coursing through your veins. The ride to the golf course seemed to pass in a blur, each moment tinged with a sense of urgency and anticipation that made time fly by in an instant.
You attributed the quickness of the journey to your own anxiety, the nerves coiling tightly in the pit of your stomach as you braced yourself for the day ahead. But despite the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm you, there was a small sense of relief in the feeling of the wind against your skin and the warmth of JJ's body pressed close to yours.
As you clung to him, the steady rhythm of the motorcycle beneath you provided a comforting anchor, grounding you in the present moment and soothing the turmoil that churned inside you. With each passing mile, you felt the tension in your muscles begin to ease, replaced by a sense of calm and clarity that you hadn't realized you'd been craving.
And as the golf course loomed into view, the familiar sights and sounds of the bustling establishment filling the air, you couldn't help but feel a sense of disquietude wash over you.
"If you had went any faster you probably would have killed us," you quipped as you removed the bulky helmet off of your head, "I think I have whiplash."
"Yeah, whatever boosts your ego," you replied with a playful shrug, grabbing your tote bag from the bike's satchel. "I just can't believe you managed to get us our jobs back here." Shaking your head, you turned your gaze to the ground beneath you as you and JJ approached the golf course's main entrance gate.
Your heart raced a million beats per minute as you stepped foot onto the lush Bermuda grass that covered the course. Though JJ was likely still talking to you, your attention was elsewhere, your mind consumed by the memories and emotions that flooded back at the familiar sight of the golf course.
With a heavy sigh, you hauled yourself and the looming anxiety into the locker room, determined to put away your bag and clock in for your shift. The familiar routine helped to ground you, providing a sense of structure amidst the chaos of your racing thoughts.
As you stowed your belongings and straightened up your appearance, you couldn't shake the nagging feeling of apprehension that settled like a weight in the pit of your stomach. The prospect of facing whoever would show up during your shift, especially Rafe Cameron, sent a shiver down your spine.
Summoning every ounce of courage you could muster, you pulled up your socks just above your ankles, a small gesture of determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With a deep breath to steady your nerves, you squared your shoulders and stepped out onto the course, ready to begin your shift.
Despite the lingering unease that gnawed at the edges of your mind, you pushed aside your fears and focused on the task at hand. You had a job to do, and you were determined to do it to the best of your ability, no matter what – even if it meant coming face to face with Rafe Cameron.
As you ventured out onto the course, the warm rays of the sun danced across your glistening skin, casting a comforting glow over the lush green landscape. The figure-eight pattern of sunlight filtered through the swaying branches of the trees, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow that enveloped you as you went about your duties.
The first half of your shift passed by without much incident, the familiar routine of serving drinks and catering to the whims of the patrons keeping you busy. You dealt with your fair share of middle-aged men who were more interested in flirting with a girl half their age than actually playing golf, but you handled them with ease, deftly navigating their advances with a polite yet firm demeanor.
Despite the occasional flirtatious comment or suggestive wink, you found yourself settling into a rhythm, the tasks at hand becoming second nature as you moved from one group of patrons to the next. It was smooth sailing for the most part, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude as the hours ticked by without any mishaps or run-ins with your past to corrupt your day.
As you were in the midst of refilling the cooler of drinks, lost in your own thoughts, your boss's sudden appearance jolted you back to reality. He approached with purpose, pulling you out of your reverie as he delivered the news of a large group of young men arriving to golf for the next few hours.
The request was simple – ensure their needs were met and provide exceptional service throughout their time at the course. While you obliged with a nod of understanding, internally, you couldn't help but feel a pang of apprehension at the prospect of dealing with a rowdy group of young men.
Though you maintained a professional demeanor, the thought of catering to their demands and managing their potentially unruly behavior wasn't exactly thrilling. Nevertheless, you knew it was all part of the job, and you were determined to fulfill your duties to the best of your ability, regardless of any personal reservations.
With a resigned sigh, you set aside your misgivings and prepared yourself to meet the challenge head-on. After all, you were no stranger to handling difficult patrons, and you were confident in your ability to navigate the situation with grace and professionalism. With a reassuring nod to your boss, you returned to your tasks, steeling yourself for whatever the next few hours might bring.
As you braced yourself for the impending arrival of the group, you couldn't help but feel the need to vent to JJ before diving into what promised to be a challenging few hours. You wandered around the course, scanning the area until you spotted JJ outside, meticulously polishing golf clubs hung up on the racks.
With a sense of determination, you made your way over to him, catching him by surprise with your abrupt greeting. JJ looked up, noting the irritation in your tone, and immediately sensed that something was amiss. He set down the club he was working on and turned his full attention to you, ready to listen.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his brows furrowing with concern as he regarded you.
You sighed, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders as you prepared to unload your frustrations. "There's a group of kooks coming in soon, and I have a feeling they're going to be a handful," you explained, your voice tinged with exasperation.
JJ's expression hardened at the mention of the kooks, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. He knew all too well the challenges that came with dealing with entitled tourists, especially those who frequented the golf course.
"Well, you know you can handle them," JJ reassured you, his tone firm yet supportive. "And if they give you any trouble, just let me know. I'll take care of it."
As you exchanged a nod and a small smile with JJ, appreciative of his offer of support, the sound of your boss's voice shattered the moment, calling out for you to head over to the other end of the course to greet the arriving group.
"Looks like duty calls," you remarked with a wry grin, casting a glance over your shoulder at JJ.
"Yeah, go handle those kooks. You got this," JJ replied, his tone laced with confidence.
Rolling your eyes playfully, you shot back, "Easy for you to say. You're not the one dealing with them."
With a chuckle, JJ waved you off. "Just remember, if they give you any trouble, you know where to find me." Nodding in agreement, you turned and began to make your way towards the other end of the course, your steps quickening with each stride.
Hurriedly making your way over to the other side of the golf course, you felt a sense of urgency creeping in as you fumbled to find your notepad. The weight of the impending interaction with the large group of customers loomed over you, fueling your determination to be prepared for whatever they might throw your way.
As you approached the group, you plastered on your best fake customer service voice, offering a warm greeting despite the mounting tension in your chest. "Good afternoon, gentlemen! Welcome to the golf course. How can I assist you today?" Your words flowed smoothly, practiced and polished, even as your gaze remained fixated on your skirt pocket, still searching for your notepad. With each passing moment, the pressure mounted, and you couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at your inability to locate the notepad.
The sound of a male voice broke through the tension, pulling you out of your internal turmoil. "No shot," the voice exclaimed, its familiarity causing your heart to skip a beat. "Y/N, is that you?"
Your head snapped up at the mention of your name, your eyes widening in disbelief as you locked gazes with the source of the voice. And there, standing before you, was none other than Topper. Time seemed to stand still as you took in his appearance, his blond hair tousled by the breeze, his features sharp and familiar.
For a moment, you couldn't believe your eyes. It felt as though you were either dreaming or on the brink of insanity. Topper, of all people, here at the golf course – it was a surreal sight to behold. Your heart raced in your chest as you stood there in stunned silence, unable to form words as you processed the unexpected encounter.
You stumbled over your words, the unexpected encounter catching you off guard. "Hey, Top…" you stammered, your voice trailing off as you struggled to find your footing in the conversation. Your gaze flickered to the ground, a feeble attempt to avoid further interaction with him, but deep down, you knew Topper thrived on drama.
His snarky remark pierced through the awkward silence, poking at your nerves with surgical precision. "I haven't seen your face in a while. How was your little trip to Barbados?" His words hung in the air, laced with an unmistakable edge as he watched you carefully, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing.
Your eyes shot up to meet his, a mix of surprise and suspicion flickering in your gaze. How did he know about your trip to Barbados? It was something you hadn't even shared with Rafe, let alone anyone else. The realization sent a shiver down your spine, a nagging sense of unease settling in the pit of your stomach as you grappled with the implications of Topper's words.
Caught off guard by the sudden interruption, you welcomed the distraction with a relieved cough, hoping to diffuse the tension that had been building between you and Topper. But before you could respond, another member of the group chimed in, his words cutting through the air like a knife.
"Wait… Holy shit, are you Rafe's ex?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication, as the group turned their attention to you, awaiting your response. You felt a surge of panic rise within you, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected turn of events. The truth threatened to spill from your lips, but you quickly clamped down on the impulse, your mind racing as you searched for a suitable response.
The weight of everyone's attention bore down on you, intensifying the clamminess in your palms and the heat rising to your cheeks. "Um…" you began, your voice wavering slightly as you struggled to find the right words. Your brows furrowed in concentration as you shook your head, attempting to deflect the question with a vague response. "We used to be close is all," you muttered, your tone terse as you kept your reply short and to the point.
You hoped your answer would suffice, deflecting any further inquiries about your relationship with Rafe. But deep down, you couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air, knowing that the truth was far more complicated than you were willing to admit.
Topper's laughter cut through the air like a knife, his amusement at your response evident in the way his laughter echoed around you. But it was his next words that struck deep, like a blow to the chest.
"That's a funny way of saying you two dated until he found out you were a backstabbing bitch."
Your eyes widened in shock at the venom in his words, feeling the sting of his insult like a physical blow. The tightness in your throat threatened to suffocate you as you struggled to process the weight of his accusation. Flinching at the sincerity in his voice, you realized with a sinking feeling that Rafe must have confided in Topper about the real reason for your breakup all those years ago.
The truth of his words hit you like a ton of bricks, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to consume you. Anger, hurt, and betrayal mingled together, leaving you feeling raw and exposed in front of Topper and the rest of the group. You swallowed hard, fighting to keep your composure as you grappled with the devastating revelation that your past had come back to haunt you in the most unexpected of ways.
"What's going on? What are you guys laughing at-" The sound of a familiar voice cut through the laughter like a knife, bringing a sudden halt to the jovial atmosphere. Your heart sank as you recognized the voice, dread pooling in the pit of your stomach. And then, as if on cue, his face came into view, confirming your worst fears.
Rafe.
Your breath caught in your throat as you locked gazes with him, feeling a wave of emotions crash over you like a tidal wave. Guilt, fear, and a deep-seated sense of apprehension washed over you, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable in his presence.
As Rafe's eyes scanned the scene before him, confusion flickering across his features, you braced yourself for the inevitable confrontation that was sure to follow. The weight of his gaze bore down on you, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of dread gnawing at your insides as you waited for him to speak.
You watched with bated breath as Rafe's shoulders slumped, a flicker of recognition crossing his features as he realized the source of his friends' laughter. The sight of you, on the verge of tears, must have been a stark contrast to the jovial atmosphere he had walked into.
"Rafe! Look who we ran into. Funny, right? Who would've thought she'd show her face here after what she did." Topper's snarl pierced through the tense silence, his gesture pointing towards you as if you were some spectacle to be mocked.
Rafe's expression hardened at Topper's words, a glimmer of warning in his voice as he responded, "Top, knock it off. It's all in the past."
His words were like a lifeline in the midst of the chaos, a reminder that despite the hurt and betrayal of the past, there was still a chance for redemption and forgiveness. You felt a faint flicker of hope stir within you, tempered by the uncertainty of what lay ahead. But for now, in this moment, you clung to Rafe's words as a beacon of hope in the heat of the moment.
Topper's chuckle grated on your nerves, his persistence in dredging up the past only adding fuel to the fire of your emotions. His next words cut through the air like a knife, each syllable laced with venomous intent.
"Oh, c'mon, you hated her guts right after she left. You think I forgot all those times you said she was nothing but a heartless bitch?" Topper's jab landed with precision, causing Rafe's expression to falter, his facade of composure cracking under the weight of his friend's accusations.
Rafe's gaze immediately found yours, searching for any sign of the impact Topper's words had on you. As you met his eyes, he saw the hurt reflected in your expression, a painful reminder of the wounds that had yet to heal. Guilt washed over him like a tidal wave, hitting him with the force of a truck as he realized the depth of the pain he had caused you.
In that moment, the tension between you and Rafe was palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the turmoil that lay beneath the surface. And as you held each other's gaze, the weight of the past hung heavy in the air, threatening to suffocate you both with its unresolved emotions.
Fighting back tears, you clenched your jaw, determined to maintain your composure and professionalism in front of the large group of men. With a quick nod, you shielded your emotions from the prying eyes of the boys surrounding you.
"Right. Well, if you guys need anything, I'll be over here. Enjoy your day," you replied stoically, your voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within you. Turning on your heel, you swiftly walked away, each step a silent retreat from the painful confrontation unfolding before you. Reaching a nearby golf cart, you wasted no time in packing up your belongings and drinks, your movements brisk and efficient as you prepared to escape to somewhere far away from the suffocating presence of Rafe and his friends.
"Y/N please, wait."
As you hurriedly packed up your things, a voice called out your name from behind, growing closer with each step. You recognized the voice all too well, and a wave of conflicting emotions washed over you. It was Rafe.
Despite knowing it was him, you refused to turn around and acknowledge him. You couldn't bear to face him after everything that had transpired. You knew he was probably coming over to do damage control for his friend's spitefulness, but after what Topper had said, you had heard enough.
"Go away, Rafe," you muttered, your voice tinged with hurt and frustration as you continued to focus on packing up your belongings. It came out more harshly than you intended, but you couldn't bring yourself to face him, not after the pain his friend's words had caused you.
Despite your request, you knew Rafe well enough to anticipate that he wouldn't simply leave until you faced him. His stubbornness had always been both a blessing and a curse to you.
"Y/N, look, I'm sorry about what happened back there. You know Topper, he just says things," Rafe's voice broke through the tension, his tone laced with regret and sincerity.
"So you weren't calling me a heartless bitch while I was gone?" you spat, the bitterness evident in your words as you crossed your arms defensively, turning to face Rafe abruptly. The hurt and anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to spill over at any moment.
Rafe fell silent, his blue eyes flickering back and forth between yours as he struggled to find the right words. Eventually, he sighed, a gesture of resignation as he brought a hand to his temple in frustration.
"I'm not going to lie to you and say that I didn't," he began, his voice heavy with remorse, "and I know it was wrong. But I did it because I was hurt and angry at you for leaving, okay? I shouldn't have said it, but I did, and I'm sorry, Y/N. I didn't mean it."
His admission hung in the air, the weight of his words sinking in as you processed his apology. Despite the pain and anger that still lingered within you, you couldn't deny the sincerity in Rafe's voice. He was vulnerable in that moment, his walls crumbling as he laid bare his regrets and shortcomings.
You felt a twinge of sympathy, recognizing the turmoil that must have plagued him in the aftermath of your departure. And as you looked into his eyes, you saw the flicker of remorse mirrored in his gaze, a silent plea for forgiveness that tugged at your heartstrings.
For a moment, you hesitated, unsure of how to respond to his apology. But deep down, you knew that holding onto resentment would only prolong the pain for both of you. With a sigh, you let your arms fall to your sides, the tension easing from your stance as you met Rafe's gaze with a nod of acknowledgment.
You looked up at him, a softness in your gaze as you nodded, taking in his apology and the acceptance of his words. "We can't keep hurting each other like this, Rafe," you admitted, your voice filled with a mixture of weariness and determination.
The weight of the past hung heavy between you, a reminder of the pain and heartache that had plagued your relationship. But in that moment, you felt a glimmer of hope, a longing for a future where the wounds of the past could be healed, and where you and Rafe could find a way to move forward together.
Rafe met your gaze with a solemn nod, his expression reflecting a similar sentiment. "I know, Y/N," he replied softly, his voice tinged with regret, "I don't want to keep making the same mistakes. I want to do better, for both of us." His words resonated with you, stirring a sense of hopefulness within your heart.
As you closed your eyes, a wave of conflicting emotions washed over you, threatening to drown you in their intensity. The weight of your choices hung heavy on your shoulders, each one fraught with its own set of consequences. You couldn't help but feel torn between loyalty to JJ, your best friend, and the lingering feelings you still held for Rafe, your first love.
The thought of hurting either of them filled you with a profound sense of guilt and despair. You wished you could simply escape from it all, to tune out the world and retreat into solitude where the weight of your decisions couldn't reach you. But you knew that running away wasn't an option, not when the consequences of your actions were looming over you like a storm cloud on the horizon.
With a heavy heart, you knew that you had to face the reality of your situation head-on. No matter how much you wished for an easy way out, the truth was that there was no escaping the difficult choices that lay before you. And as you took another deep breath, steeling yourself for the challenges that lay ahead, you knew that you couldn't afford to remain passive any longer. It was time to confront the complexities of your heart and the tangled web of emotions that bound you to both JJ and Rafe, knowing that the path forward would be anything but easy.
"I still have things to figure out for now, Rafe," you confessed, your voice laced with uncertainty, "and I hope that you can be okay with that until I'm able to do so. I just... I don't want to hurt anyone else more than I've already done."
Rafe's gaze softened, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding of your dilemma. "I understand, Y/N," he replied gently, his voice a soothing presence amidst the turmoil of your emotions, "I'll respect your need for time and space. Just... know that I'll be here, whenever you're ready."
You offered him a small, grateful smile, the weight of your indecision still heavy on your heart. "Thank you, Rafe," you murmured, hoping that he could sense the depth of your gratitude and the complexity of your emotions.
As you drove across the expansive golf course, the hum of the cart's engine providing a steady backdrop to your turbulent thoughts, you couldn't help but feel a sense of unease settle over you. The weight of the choices you faced seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment, threatening to crush you beneath their burden.
You hated the complexity of the situation, the tangled web of emotions that bound you to both JJ and Rafe. It felt like no matter which path you chose, someone would end up hurt, and the thought weighed heavily on your conscience.
Memories of your past with Rafe flashed through your mind, each one a painful reminder of the bond you once shared and the feelings that still lingered beneath the surface. Despite your efforts to move on, it seemed that the past had a way of catching up to you, refusing to let you forget the love you once knew.
And yet, as you navigated the winding paths of the golf course, you knew that you couldn't afford to dwell on the past. The present demanded your attention, and the future loomed uncertain and fraught with challenges.
You spotted JJ outside the lobby building, his expression grave as he motioned for you to come over. Your heart sank as you approached, already bracing yourself for bad news.
"What's going on, Jay?" you asked, your voice tinged with worry as you crossed your arms, waiting for his response.
"Okay, so get this. Pope just called and told me they found out that Ward is trying to track John B before he can expose all of Ward's fucked up lies. Apparently, he has a hit out on him," JJ explained urgently, his words hitting you like a punch to the gut.
Your eyes widened in horror, your arms falling to your sides as you processed the gravity of the situation. The thought of John B being in danger sent a surge of fear coursing through your veins.
"Shit," you breathed, your mind racing as you tried to comprehend the direness of the situation. "We have to do something, Jay. We can't just sit back and let Ward get away with this."
JJ fell silent for a moment, his expression telling you he was hesitant to say whatever it was that he wanted to tell you. You cocked your eyebrow, waiting for him to speak but to no avail.
"Well, what is it JJ?"
"Look, I know it's a lot to ask," JJ began, his tone hesitant as he gauged your reaction. "But we really need you to spy on Rafe again. It's the only way we can find out what Ward's next move is."
You felt a surge of confliction, the memories of your previous attempts to spy on Rafe flooding back with a pang of guilt. "Spy on Rafe?" you repeated, your voice wavering with uncertainty as you processed JJ's request.
"Yeah," JJ confirmed with a solemn nod, his expression grave. "I know it's asking a lot, but we need to know what Ward's planning. Rafe might have some insight that could help us."
Your heart sank at the thought of betraying Rafe's trust once again, but you couldn't deny the urgency of the situation. "But JJ, you know what happened last time I tried to spy on him," you reminded him, your voice tinged with apprehension.
JJ's gaze softened with understanding, his tone gentle as he replied, "I know, Y/N. I'm not asking you to do this lightly. But right now, we need all the information we can get if we're going to take down Ward and keep John B safe."
You shook your head, your gaze falling to the floor, overwhelmed by JJ's request. "JJ, this is a lot to ask... I don't know if I can do this again. I feel like I'm just hurting him all over again."
"Why does it matter if he's hurt? He's Rafe Cameron, he doesn't deserve your pity," JJ countered, his voice tinged with frustration.
You looked up at JJ, a mix of emotions swirling inside you. "I know he's made mistakes, but he's still a person, JJ. I can't just use him like some pawn in a game," you insisted, your voice tinged with anguish.
"But this isn't about him, Y/N. It's about taking down Ward and keeping John B safe," JJ argued, his tone firm.
You sighed heavily, torn between loyalty to your friends and your own moral compass. "I need some time to think about it, JJ. This isn't a decision I can make lightly," you replied, your voice wavering with uncertainty.
JJ folded his arms, frustration evident on his face. "Well, let me know when you make your decision, although I thought it should be pretty easy considering John B is your friend, too," he stated firmly, his tone laced with disappointment.
You flinched at JJ's words, feeling the weight of his expectations bearing down on you. "I know, JJ. I'll... I'll figure it out," you replied, your voice barely above a whisper, unable to meet his gaze.
With that, JJ nodded stoically and turned back around to go into the building, leaving you standing there with the weight of your decision heavy on your shoulders. You took a deep breath, trying to steel yourself against the conflicting emotions swirling inside you. The gravity of the situation pressed down on you, leaving you feeling torn between loyalty to your friend and the potential consequences of betraying someone you cared about.
As you stood there, lost in your thoughts, the world seemed to blur around you, the only sound echoing in your ears being the tumultuous beating of your own heart. With each passing moment, the weight of the choice you had to make grew heavier, threatening to crush you under its burden.
But despite the overwhelming uncertainty that loomed over you, one thing remained clear – whatever decision you made would have far-reaching consequences, forever altering the course of your relationships and the trajectory of your life. And as you grappled with the weight of your choices, you couldn't help but wonder if there was any path forward that wouldn't leave you broken and alone in the end.
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theodorecanaryhood · 11 months ago
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Stages in life
Arkham Knight / Red Hood / Jason Todd x Male reader
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Relationships are filled with differences for each people in them, yours and Jason’s was quite different in many ways.
You were Black Bird while Jason was Robin, you were friends and then all of a sudden, he was gone.
Then Arkham Knight came and took you away to teach Bruce a lesson, once you realised Jason was the Arkham Knight. The love you both felt and never admitted came flooding back.
The Arkham Knight had you in his room as you touched his face, Jason looked confused as you lifted the visor up.
‘Jason’ you whispered as you tiptoed and greeted Jason’s lips.
You couldn’t turn your back on Bruce, but you also couldn’t turn your back on Jason. So you decided to step away from both as they figured out what they wanted.
Of course, the grand finale did not go as to plan for either Jason nor Bruce. Jason took his time and realised he wanted to do the right thing for a change.
Jason became Red Hood and was a threat to everyone, he had no problem taking enemies out. Black Mask being no exception of course.
Violent, angry, menacing and dangerous, Red Hood kept the streets safe and was a thunder of force that no one dared to cross.
Only you however, only you had the power to turn Jason into a puppy who was clinging to you all the time.
Jason looked off into the distance as he mentally aimed up the ball with the hole, the golf club swung nicely as the ball flew to the hole in the ground.
You both found this stage particularly interesting as you were both oblivious, Jason stood tall in his white muscle tee.
Two women stood to the side as they took in your form, both debating on which one saw you first and who can shoot their shot. Jason chuckled as he saw this, and you didn’t.
Jason walked over and gave your ass a nice slap, putting arm around you as the two women looked in realisation.
The golf date finished as Jason drove you both home quickly, in order for you both to change into something a little more comfortable.
Jason took you to a romantic dinner, music, wine and a three course meal.
Jason looked so irresistible in his black shirt and trousers, you felt thankful everyday that you woke up next to Jason, a man of this quality.
The two of you held hands over the table as you talked and laughed, the waitress came over with a smile as she looked at you both admiring each other.
This stage was perfect for Jason, he could sit and stare at you all he wanted, watching as your face lit up when you’d speak of things you loved. Jason admired you, loved you.
Jason stood at the bar as he ordered drinks for the two of you, one last drink before you both headed home.
A quick Cosmo before hitting the road as Jason began a conversation with a random bunch of women at the bar. Guess they liked the fact a gay guy was noticing their outfits. You joined for a while before the two of you left.
The next day was filled with relaxing and the two of you enjoying some time together, you both decided the gym was a better addition than staying in all day.
Of course, Jason asked for a different kind of cardio session as he offered to take you to bed and use you. You promised that tonight, but right now wanted a pump session.
Jason isn’t one for showing off, but you love his physique as much as you love him as a person, Jason’s ripped body was on show as he sent you a spicy pic from the other side of the gym.
A nearby woman stared at Jason as he snapped the shot, Jason threw his tank top back on as you appeared.
Jason sat in the bench press as you straddled his lap, assisting him with his lifts. You leant down to give Jason a kiss as he lifted you up.
Jason gave you a piggy back as he did squats with you on his back, your smaller frame helped Jason build some growth to his back and butt as he lifted you each time.
This stage was great for Jason, as he had someone to just simply accompany him. He had his earphones on, as did you, so there wasn’t much of a conversation, but just being in your presence was enough.
Jason had many stages in his life, from Robin to Arkham Knight, to Red Hood. But his favourite stage, was you being his boyfriend. The moments with you were Jason’s favourite.
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kme-2020 · 1 month ago
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9 (Lauren’s Perspective, Victim)
(First of three parts, each with a different perspective in the same story. Each part to be released separately.)
I grinned as I sat down at the patio table. A beautiful fall day spent with friends, winding down with wine and snacks. Our partners were out golfing and we were back from our hike early. I sipped my wine and listened to Ava and Holly chatter away about Ava’s new job while I grabbed a handful of grapes. I was hungry and wanted something small before our BBQ tonight.
I leaned back in my chair and popped a grape into my mouth right before Ava made a joke about her new desk mate. I laughed and felt the grape slip to the back of my mouth. I sat up, surprised. I coughed weakly and tried to swallow, but couldn’t move the grape. I covered my mouth with my hands and closed my eyes, trying to swallow again. I felt my heart rate increasing and warmth growing in my face. The grape moved slightly as I inhaled sharply, but this was the wrong move. The grape slid entirely into my throat and settled into place. I couldn’t breathe in or out. I was choking.
My eyes flew open at this realization. I tried to cough but the grape wouldn’t budge. I couldn’t swallow either. I bowed my head and gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white, unable to think straight as panic crept over me. My attempts to swallow and cough were futile. I closed my eyes again and leaned forward, clutching my throat in desperation. What do I do??!?! I thought. I heard Ava and Holly’s conversation pause. I was embarrassed and about to stand up to head to the bathroom when suddenly a sharp blow between my shoulder blades brought me back to the present.
“Lauren!” I heard Holly’s voice shriek. I opened my eyes and saw her standing across the table from me, willing me to cough. Another blow to my back- Ava must be trying to help me I thought. Suddenly Ava’s arms wrapped tightly around my waist. A quick and sudden thrust into my abdomen sent pain shooting through my chest. I doubled over, catching myself on the table, unable to control my body’s reaction. I still couldn’t breathe, so I shook my head “no” to communicate I was still choking. Ava thrust her hands into me again, rocking me with each painful thrust. I watched as Holly hurried around the table to my side as she called out to me, concern in her voice, “Lauren!”
Ava released my waist and grabbed under my armpits. “Stand up” she demanded. I stumbled as she pulled me out of my chair and my feet found the ground. Holly appeared in front of me, grabbing my shoulders and steadying me. Ava wrapped an arm around my chest, and pushed me forward, pounding my back with her free hand. I searched Holly’s face and we locked eyes. Her brown eyes were concerned., “Come on Lauren, cough!” She willed me, “cough!”
Ava then pulled me straight up and pressed my back into her as she again circled her arms around my waist. She found my bellybutton and placed her first firmly against my stomach, then squeezed sharply in and up under my rib cage. I knew it was more effective with me standing up. The pain was unbearable as the pressure in my chest grew, the blockage in my throat resisting the artificial coughs from Ava’s abdominal thrusts. I stamped my foot, frightened, desperate to draw a breath. I felt dizzy and weak, and was struggling to focus. I’m going to pass out I thought as I noticed Ava was supporting most of my weight.
Ava delivered another powerful Heimlich into me, my breasts jiggling from the force. Another thrust in and I felt the grape fly from my mouth, hitting the floor with a dull thud. Sluggishly, I reached for Ava’s hands, still around my waist and supporting me. I tried inhaling, but couldn’t draw a breath. It was like my brain and my body were disconnected. My heart was pounding, a ringing filling my ears.
My vision grew dark and faded as I felt myself being lowered to the ground. I still couldn’t breathe in, no matter how hard I tried, even though I knew the blockage was cleared from my throat. I heard Holly and Ava calling out but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I wanted to tell them I couldn’t breathe. I felt funny, stuck between consciousness and unconsciousness, unable to move my body or take a single breath.
Someone gripped my shoulders tightly and shook me, then my head was tipped back and mouth opened. This helped but I still I couldn’t breathe well, producing a shallow inhale and grunting in the process. Suddenly, my cheeks puffed out as warmth filled my lungs and left just as quick as it came. I waited, and again my lungs inflated and deflated.
Everything felt distant and hazy, but I came aware of someone’s lips around my mouth, forcing their own breath into my body. “Lauren, stay with us!” I heard Ava call to me. I felt another breath fill my lungs. “Breathe Lauren, come on…” I heard Holly’s voice in my ear. I tried to focus on breathing, welcoming the air being provided to me with each respiration.
I heard a groan come from within me; I was coming around. The mouth-to-mouth stopped as I began breathing again. “She’s breathing” I heard Holly say. I tried to open my eyes and saw two foggy figures leaning over me. “Lauren, can you hear me?” Ava asked, her voice sounding distant. I focused on her face. I nodded.
Holly pressed two fingers to my neck, feeling my pulse. “I’m going to put you in the recovery position” Holly said, and I felt myself being rolled onto my side. “Focus on breathing” she said with a gentle voice, rubbing soothing circles on my back. I nodded weakly, feeling sick and lightheaded. “You’re okay now, you’re going to be fine. We’ve got you” she said…and I believed her.
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hotgirlbedtimescenarios · 7 months ago
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Before the Sun Rises // Chapter 4
Fresh Start
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Pairing: dbf!joel x f!reader (no outbreak)
Summary: Time with a special friend has you and Joel eager to clear the air of tension that has been causing a rift between the two of you recently.
Words: 4.3k+
Warnings: fluff, some family turmoil, and a brief/vague mention of potential SA ( nothing happened )
Series Masterlist
Main Masterlist
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“You look like crap,” your sister teases when she spots you laid out on the couch, nursing a cold glass of water and force-feeding yourself a cold pancake from the breakfast your mom had cooked hours ago.
“Shut up, Izzy,” you groan, angry at yourself for being so hungover.
“I guess you aren’t coming to town with us today?” she asks.
“No thanks,” you say, taking another nibble of your pancake.
Your mom walks around the corner, digging in her massive, cluttered purse for her keys while she speaks to you, “Izzy and I will be in town for most of the day. I have a lot of errands to run, and she needs some supplies for summer camp.”
You grunt an acknowledgment, still too nauseous to form many words.
 “And your father’s gone golfing with Richard; who knows how long they’ll be gone today,” she finishes as she motions Izzy toward the door to leave. Finally, the door closes behind them, and the house is washed in sweet, beautiful silence.
You finish choking down your pancake and chugging a glass of water before walking into the kitchen to search for aid. Thankfully, you find a bottle of ibuprofen and swallow two before trudging back upstairs for a shower.
You’d still be in bed, but you’d made plans to visit Mrs. Mildred way before you had the bright idea to have a girl's night out.
---
Mrs. Mildred was quite the character. When you were younger, you used to view her as the crabbiest old lady on the block.
Once, you accidentally hit a baseball into her yard, which shattered her car’s side mirror. She scolded you for days afterward. The incident made you steer clear of her, only exchanging forced hellos when necessary.
Fast forward to sophomore year of high school, when your parents volunteered for you to help Mrs. Mildred with gardening. She needed someone to plant hydrangeas in her yard, and your parents graciously offered your services without consulting you. Begrudgingly, you went over, expecting a grumpy older woman.
Mrs. Mildred was stern and precise in her instructions, but as you worked together, you noticed her wit and humor peeking through her no-nonsense façade. She knew exactly what she wanted and how to do it. You imagined that if her aging back were up to snuff, she’d never stoop low enough to ask some child for gardening help.
After the plants were in the ground, she invited you inside for refreshments. “Come on inside, honey,” she directed you. She walked inside without looking back to see if you obeyed. You did.
Once inside, she ushered you to her small, round, wooden kitchen table. “Thank you for your help today, dear; I know it’s no fun, but my back is too damn old to bend over like that anymore.”
You were surprised at her crass language, a smile ticking up the sides of your mouth. As you sat at the kitchen table together, sipping homemade lemonade and munching on sandwiches and snacks, you engaged in conversation, chatting away like old friends.
It dawned on you that Mrs. Mildred wasn’t just a grumpy old lady but a girl. A lonely one, especially after her husband’s passing many years ago. Beneath her tough exterior was a woman with many stories and experiences to share with whoever would listen.
From that day on, you started to see Mrs. Mildred in a new light. You greeted her more often and joined her on her porch for afternoon chats. Before you knew it, you had formed an unlikely friendship with the firecracker of a woman, Mrs. Mildred, who turned out to be a great companion and confidante.
---
After a cool shower, you feel much more alive, no longer teetering on the verge of nausea and cringing away from every bright light in your eyes. You dry your hair, letting it fall loosely down your back, and then get dressed for the day.
You choose a delicate, white sun dress that flows loosely across your body, ties into a bow at your back, and has a hem that falls right above your knee—a perfect, relaxed fit to keep you cool and comfortable. Then, you slip into a pair of sandals and head across the street.
As you approach her home across from yours, you smile at the hydrangea bushes blooming with colorful petals, reminding you of your first afternoon here many years ago.
When you reach her door, you can hear the faint sound of old jazz music drifting through her cracked windows. You knock, and a moment later, Mrs. Mildred opens the door, a bright smile spreading across her face at the sight of you.
“Well, look who finally decided to pay this old bird a visit,” she teases, “didn’t think I’d see you again before I kick the bucket.”
You laugh, “You know I’d be pissed if you croak before I got to see you again!” you tease right back, pulling her small frame into a hug.
Mildred was even older now, probably teetering around 80 years old. Her petite frame was bent with age as she’d shrunk since the last time you saw her. Her hair, still white as snow, was curled on the top of her head with a pair of reading glasses tucked into it.
“Come on in, dear; I was just putting on another pot of coffee.”
You follow her inside, taking in the familiar surroundings of her cozy living room. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and fresh linen.
Settling into one of her worn armchairs, you feel a sense of ease wash over you as Mrs. Mildred bustled about, prepping the coffee. Once everything was ready, she joined you and handed you a steaming cup. You took a sip, two sugars, and a whole lot of cream, just how you like it. You smile at the fact that she still remembers after all this time.
Settling into her armchair with a cup, she starts, “Now spill. Tell me something that’ll keep this old woman from dying of boredom. What have you been up to?”
You launch into your spiel about finally graduating but not knowing what you want to do next, about how your parents are pushing you to reach out and accept a job at Richard’s law firm.
She stops you, “Enough about all that; I don’t give a rat's ass about that man. Tell me what’s on your mind, really.”
You laugh, grateful she doesn’t amount your worth to your post-college plans like most people seem to do. So, you dive into a tale of college stories and your time abroad. Only pausing when she interjects her own commentary or asks If the boys you mentioned were “anything to write home about.”
“Definitely not,” you respond. You sip your coffee, considering what you want to ask her.
“Millie, how’d you know when you’d found your husband?”  A genuine question, now turning the conversation more serious.
Mildred’s eyes sparkle with something mischievous momentarily before she barks a laugh, a crass joke probably on the tip of her tongue. But then she pauses, her laughter fading into a smile tinged with nostalgia.
“Well, honey,” she begins gently, “I’ll spare you the dirty joke this time. When I met my Donald, it wasn’t something remarkable like what you see in those sappy romance movies. He was just a regular guy, rough around the edges, but with a heart of gold.”
She leaned back in her chair, lost in the memories of days gone by. “I knew he was the one for me when he stood by me through thick and thin. He loved me for me, and I never held any part of myself back from him. He saw everything, even the ugly parts, and never once wavered in his love and support. He made me laugh when I wanted to cry and held me close when life got tough. Even put up with my foul-mouthed humor without a single chide. He was my best friend.”
A wistful smile played on her lips as she continued, “You’ll know you found the one when they accept you for who you are, flaws and all. It won’t always be easy, but it's worth it. Real love is messy and imperfect. They might never fully understand you, but they must be with you through anything and everything. Always there when you need them and vice versa.”
You listened intently, touched by the sincerity of her words. Remembering again that her wisdom extended far beyond her crass jokes and witty remarks. “Were you ever worried about whether or not he’d like you for you?”
“Well,” she considers it for a moment, “If he didn’t, that just meant he wasn’t the one for me. So, I said to hell with it and showed him exactly who I was from the start.”
You smile, happy to hear that she’d found someone to love uniquely her, just as she is.
Just as you two are about to launch another conversation, a knock at her door rattles you. “I’ll get it,” she says, groaning as she pushes herself out of her armchair and shuffles toward the door.
“Joel! There you are, come on in,” she waves him inside.
Shocked, your head whips toward the door, and you watch Joel's burly figure enter the room. His shoulders stretch against a worn-looking t-shirt above a pair of loose-fitted jeans and signature work boots that thump loudly against the floor wherever he goes.
“What is it you needed help with this afternoon?” he asks, wiping his feet on the doormat before following her into the living room where you sit.
When he notices you, his strides halt. “Oh, sorry to interrupt,” he says, at a loss for words. “Didn’t know you had company; I can come back later.”
“Nonsense,” the old woman waves him off, “Sit down and visit with us. I’ll go grab you a cup of coffee.”
Mildred shuffles into the kitchen, rattling around, while Joels sits on the couch.
“Feeling alright after last night?” He asks you, thankfully not giving you the silent treatment.
“Yeah, it was rough getting up this morning but I'm fine now,�� you answer, sipping your coffee. “What about you and Tommy?”
Mildred reemerges from the kitchen, handing Joel a large mug of fresh black coffee, and settles back into her original chair.
“Had to drag him back home by the night's end.” He says before taking a sip from his mug. “By the time I drove him home and handed him off to Maria, I think he’d already passed out.”
“Sounds like he did his bachelor party right then,” Mildred chimes in with a laugh.
You look at her, confused about how she knew what they were up to last night.
She meets you with a satisfied look, “Don’t be surprised. You’re not my only friend in the neighborhood.” She nods toward Joel, “Joel’s been coming around to keep me company ever since you went off and left me.”
You look to Joel now, eager for an explanation. He looks down at his feet, almost shy and embarrassed. “I remembered you spent afternoons over here before you left. Figured she’d need some company, so I stopped by one day.”
 He looks at Mildred now with a half smile on his face. “Ever since then, she’s been exploiting my kindness for free work and rides to doctors' visits.”
The old woman cackles, “It’s the least you can do in exchange for my charming company.”
You smile, and your heart grows warm, knowing that Joel has been here to care for your dear friend in your absence.
Silence fills the air now, the tension between you and Joel still ever present, though lighter now than it has been. You avoid looking at each other too much, and Mildred seems to pick up on the awkward energy.
She breaks the silence, eyeing the two of you. “What’s going on with you two?”
Your eyes dart to hers, and Joel follows suit. “What do you mean?” you ask nervously.
There’s no way she’d know about whatever was happening between you and Joel. Whatever the growing tension was between the two of you, putting a block in your friendship, or whatever it was you had with him.
“I mean what I said. What have the two of you been up to lately? It’s summer break. I’m sure Sarah has been keeping you busy,” she says, looking at Joel before turning to you, “and you're free to do whatever now, too.”
“Right,” Joel says, relaxing, “Sarah’s been jumping at the bit to do something daily. She’s mostly excited about finally being allowed to go to summer camp this year with Izzy.”
“That’s right,” you chime in. “I heard about that. My sister won't stop talking about how excited they are. She’s actually out shopping for supplies with my mom today.”
“You finally gave in?” Mildred teases, “Took you long enough. Poor girl has been begging for years, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Joel concedes, “I just worry about her too much. A whole week away in a camp in the woods? That can’t be a good idea for a bunch of little girls. What if som-“
You cut him off, “She’ll be fine, Joel,” you reassure him. “I went when I was younger, and I’d hardly call it camp. It’s a bunch of air-conditioned cabins right off the interstate where they do arts and crafts for a week and learn how to start fires with flint.”
He grumbles something unintelligible. Millie smiles to herself across the room, sensing the tension ease.
“Oh!” she jumps up out of her chair. “Let me show you something, dear,” Mildred says as she shuffles over to a bookshelf and grabs an old, worn leather photo album. “Speaking of my dear Donald, let me show you this.”
Mildred brings the photo album with her as she sits on the couch next to Joel, who looks confused about what she’s talking about, having not been present for the earlier conversation.
Mildred waves you over. “Come have a look,” she says, patting the spot next to her on the couch.
Rising from your seat, you join her and Joel on the couch. Mildred in the middle as a nice buffer between the two of you.
She opens the book to display a collage of age-tinted pictures, some with frayed and yellowed edges. The first picture shows a small woman with a tenacious-looking expression, obviously a younger Mildred, and a tall, sturdy-looking man who you assume is her late husband.
You and Joel both lean in to get a better look.
“This was me and my Don right after we moved into this house.”
“Wow, Mildred, you’re a bombshell!” you compliment her.
“I sure used to be,” she agrees, “nothing but a bag of old bones now,” she chuckles.
She flips to the next page; the photo now depicts a younger Mildred in a beautiful satin wedding dress, a long sweeping veil, and some interestingly oversized puffy sleeves that must have been all the fashion back then. Her husband was dressed in a suit with his arms wrapped around her.
“What a dress,” you comment.
“Sure is somethin’,” Joel adds, failing to hide his distaste for the gaudy fashion choices.
“Don’t judge me too harshly; it was all the craze back in my day. This was the day we were married nearly 60 years ago.”
“I’m sure that was an amazing day,” you offer.
“It was, well, for the most part.” Mildred flips the page, showing a picture of the newlywed couple sharing their first dance in a nearly empty reception hall. “Marrying him was one of the best days of my life, no doubt, but we didn’t have that many guests. My parents were dead set against me marrying him.”
“Why?” you ask, intrigued. You see Joel raise an eyebrow across from you, also interested in the story.
“Well, there are many reasons they came up with to try not to like him. He was older, though many people didn’t care about that much back then. His parents came from nothing: seamstresses for a mother and factory worker for a father. My parents raised hell when they found out I was seeing him. They thought their daughter deserved someone in the same tax bracket, like a lawyer or doctor.”
She flips the page again, displaying a picture of her and her husband holding a baby girl, her oldest daughter, you assume.
“When they found out we were engaged, they stopped talking to me, cut off my funds, and tried to blackmail me into leaving him. But they didn’t know the wealth I saw in him,” she continues lovingly. “He was a good man and cared for me like no one else. He laughed with me, cried with me, and fought like hell with me, too, but loved me regardless. I felt the happiest I’d ever been every day I spent with him. They never completely came around; we were always the family's black sheep after that, but it was all worth it.”
“It seems like you made the right decision. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard someone talk about their spouse that way.” You said, and it was true.
“You two listen up now,” she instructs, nodding to you and Joel. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned all these years, you need to live life for yourself. Don’t give a damn what anybody else has to say. I was shunned by my family and many of my so-called friends, too, but I didn’t care. It wasn’t more important than spending my life with the man I loved. In the beginning, I was scared of the backlash. All the external pressure got to me, and I broke things off with Donald briefly before realizing it was a colossal mistake. We lost precious time together before I came to my senses and ran back to him. I’d give anything to go back and get even just a few days more with him now.”
It was as if Mildred knew what was happening between you and Joel. She didn’t realize just how applicable this conversation was to you.
The three of you spend the rest of the afternoon chatting in Mildred's living room.
Joel shares how well his contracting business is going, especially with several new big-time clients in the city practically throwing money at him to take on all their projects.
 Before he can get into much detail, Mildred interjects, “And what about Tommy and Maria? Engagement party soon, right? Do they need help organizing?”
“Yes, mam, it is,” Joel replies, “and no, I think Maria is doing a fine job with everything. Tommy is actually pretty excited; he was going on about color schemes and ambiance last week.” Joel chuckles, “Didn’t think I'd see the day he cared about party planning details other than what drinks he’d be bringing, but the boy is in deep with Maria. Several of her friends have agreed to help with setup and hosting, so there's nothing left to do now but wait.”
“ I look forward to it,” Mildred says. “Finally, giving this old bird a chance to dress up and socialize. Your folks coming too?” she says, looking at you now.
“Yeah, we’ll be there, I wouldn’t miss it.”
Mildred yawns before getting up from the couch to stretch. “I hate to run y'all off, but I think I need a bit of a nap.”
Joel stands, offering his arm to Mildred if she needs help shuffling to the bedroom, but she swats him away.
 “Need anything before we go, Millie? What was it you called me over here for anyways?” Joel questions.
“Oh, don’t worry about it; we’ll get to that next time. Can you walk her home for me, dear?”
You protest, “Millie, I live right across the street. I don’t need –“
She cuts you off. “I’m not senile yet, dear; I know that. But he’s going to do what I asked him to anyways, won't you, Joel,” she finishes, giving him a firm look that leaves no room for arguing.
“Yes, Mam.”
Without further discussion, you all say goodbye. With a click of the front door closing behind you, you find yourself alone with Joel.
Not waiting to be led home by him like a child, you begin walking toward your house. Over your shoulder, you call back to him, “You really don’t have to walk me home, Joel.”
“I’m scared of what she will do to me if I don’t,” he jokes before his much longer strides allow him to catch up to you and walk side by side. After a beat of silence, he continues, “I, uh, I actually wanted to talk to you anyways.”
You cut your eyes in his direction, surprised by his words. “Oh,” you say, “about what?”
He doesn’t look at you; he looks straight ahead as he walks with one hand by his side and the other rubbing the back of his neck, his telltale sign of discomfort.
“’ Bout last night. And uh, about everything, really. I didn’t mean to cause a scene last night; I just wanted to make sure you got home safe.”
Sure, you had been annoyed with him last night, insinuating you were a drunk mess who couldn’t take care of herself. But after you got home and heard his voice on the phone, clearly worried about whether or not you made it home, it chilled the brewing anger you'd had toward him.
“It’s alright. I actually was going to thank you. If today's hangover is an indication of how drunk I was last night, then I get why you would have been worried about how I was getting home. Lucas, got me back safe, no problem.”
“Lucas,” Joel repeats his name, his voice a bit drier than before, and you think you see him roll his eyes. “It’s not that I don’t think you're capable of taking care of yourself, but I don’t know if I trust him.”
A beat of silence follows as the two of you continue to walk. You wrack your brain, trying to figure out Joel’s disdain for Lucas before it clicks. Prom night.
The night that should’ve been the best night of your high school life ended with you in tears over how Lucas treated you. It had left you crying in the arms of Joel Miller, who promised he'd deal with Lucas if he ever bothered you again.
“Oh,” you say, pausing as the memory floods your thoughts. You’re surprised Joel even remembers that from so many years ago.
Your eyes are on the ground, and your face is warm with embarrassment because he clearly remembers that emotional moment.
Joel halts his stride as well, coming to a stop beside you. “The last time I’d heard you say anything about him, it wasn’t good. Then I saw him there, leading you to his truck without your friends. I thought.. well, I couldn’t let you go with him without knowing if you were too drunk or if you were comfortable leaving with him.”
Guilt comes crashing down on you. You’d been so pissed at Joel but hearing things from his point of view, the way things must have looked, and given his background knowledge of Lucas, it all makes sense now.
You finally glance up, meeting his warm brown eyes in the light of day. “I know what It must've looked like. My friends and I had caught up with Lucas earlier in the night, and he seemed to have changed, so I took him up on his offer to drive me home. That’s it.” You let a small smile appear on your face, “Thanks for looking out for me.”
“Any time.” He smiles back, “I mean it.”
The sincerity in his voice sends another wave of emotion through you. Having been in such a weird place with Joel lately, you’ve forgotten the kind of man he is. He’d always looked out for you, always been there when you didn’t know who else to turn to.
Maybe it clouded your vision and led you to believe you were seeing signs of something more between the two of you when, in reality, it was just wishful thinking.
You've built up one-sided affection and snapped at him the other night outside of your house when the way he’d been acting around you didn’t fit that narrative.
Breaking eye contact, you take a deep breath and exhale. “Listen, I’m sorry for snapping at you the other night after dinner. It’s weird being back home. I was a kid when I left, but I’ve come back as an adult. I’ve been away for years and feel like a new person now, but my parents don’t see that. They treat me like they always have like I'm too young and inexperienced to know what's good for me.”
Joel opens his mouth to say something, but you keep going.
“But you’ve never treated me that way; you never made me feel less than, and I guess I got confused and.-“
“Hey,” Joel finally interjects, saving you from rambling into how you may have misconstrued his attention and embarrassed yourself by assuming it was something more.
You feel his palm land on your shoulder, rubbing a soothing thumb back and forth as he steps closer. Despite the heat of the summer sun, chills prickle up your spine.
“You have nothing to apologize for. You were right; I was being an asshole. You’re not a kid no more, hell anyone who spends any time with you should know that by now. I don’t know what I was thinking, acting the way I did. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Can we just start over?” You ask. “Be friends again, for real this time?”
“I’d like that.” A smile lifts the edge of his lips and crinkles the skin around his eyes.
You and Joel finally finish the walk back to your house in comfortable silence, where he leaves you at the door.
“Welcome home,” he says in that signature smooth rasp.
“Good to be back,” you answer with a smile, and this time it's true, as you slip inside.
With the air cleared and things between you and Joel back to normal, the weight has been lifted, and you are eager for what's to come this summer.
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