#had to get this out of my head while it was fresh

[uzumaki-rebellion]

Lick Back by Uzumaki Rebellion

Pairing: Terry Richmond x Black Female OC

Warning(s): 18+, Explicit Sex, Angst, Cheating, Unprotected Sex, Illicit Extramarital Affair, Adultery, Pregnancy Sex, Breeding Kink, AITA!Terry Richmond.

Summary: Terry Richmond is stationed at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base where he teaches incoming soldiers close quarters combat techniques as a MCMAP instructor. While hanging with rowdy fresh blood recruits at a bar, he meets Nova, the new wife of a fellow soldier who recently moved to Oceanside from South Carolina. Nova and her husband Jordan seem close at first, but Terry knows that Jordan cheats on her every chance he gets with secret weekend trysts. When Nova becomes pregnant and struggles to keep her marriage together, Terry steps in to cheer her up from Jordan's indifference. But he unintentionally embarks upon an illicit affair with Nova that turns his life upside down.

Word count: 18.2K

"In this world, concrete flowers grow

Heartache, she only doin' what she know

Weekends, get it poppin' on the low

Better days comin' for sure"

Kendrick Lamar & Sza – "Luther"

Terry never planned on having an affair.

Like the cliché excuse used the world over, it just…happened.

He'd been drinking and playing pool with his marine buddies Kevin and Von when Jordan Patterson stumbled into their favorite off-base dive bar with a group of rambunctious grunts that disturbed the peace of other patrons.

"Hey, Patterson…pipe down," Terry called out.

Jordan raised a hand to wave at Terry before his jarhead crew stopped at the bar to order drinks. Their loud laughter and conversation sounded celebratory.

"Cut him some slack, T. The man just got married," Kevin said.

"Patterson? Married? To who?" Terry asked.

He noticed several women near the bar rolling their eyes at Jordan and his party. Sticking his thumb and index finger in his mouth, Terry whistled and gestured for the rowdy group to join his side of the bar where he could preserve the peace.

"Hey! Sergeant Richmond! You're back!" Jordan said.

"Yep. My leave ends in two days."

"How was Louisiana?" Jordan asked.

"Same as I left it."

"Family good?"

"Yep."

Jordan had a gregarious personality that came off bigger than life. He was about four inches shorter than Terry, with a chiseled, penny-brown face that turned heads wherever he went. A natural lady-killer. Terry liked him well enough as a soldier, but away from work, he wasn't much for running around in the streets like the younger Lance Corporal was. He gave dap to Jordan and the others, and the quiet calm he exuded filtered down to the others. Terry bought a round of drinks for the newlywed and his friends. They settled into a good time quickly.

An attractive entourage of women walked in and joined their group. Most were girlfriends or wives of the men he hung with. That's when Terry first noticed Nova. She was taller than a few of the other women who were Filipino and Black. One Mexican woman mixed into their group pointed toward them in the back, and Nova caught his eye. She looked unsure of the surroundings and he could smell the country aura she exuded. A loose ponytail held back her black hair, and she wore a cute orange jumper that showed off slender legs. She was light brown like him, but the type of brown that would get darker in the California sunshine given time. Terry sipped his glass of whiskey and concentrated on the pool game he played with Von.

"Sarge…sarge…lemme introduce you to my wife…Nova. Nova…this is the baddest MCMAP instructor on base…Terry Richmond."

Nova's warm brown eyes twinkled. He held out a hand to shake. She took it.

"How are you doing, Mrs. Patterson?"

Nova giggled.

"That still sounds so strange to hear," she said. "Pleased to meet you Terry."

Her southcack accent sounded like warm honey molasses on thick buttered toast, and for a second, he couldn't believe Jordan's wild ass could pull a sweet country girl clear across the nation. Terry glanced at Jordan, but the younger man already had his eye on some other beauty playing pool at another table. The youngin always had a wandering eye, but Terry figured he'd shut that shit down with a wife present.

"You coming to the spot tomorrow? We're throwing a barbecue to celebrate me and Nova," Jordan said.

"I'll be there," Terry said. He looked at Nova again. "Enjoy your time here."

Von missed a shot, and Terry returned to his game, soon forgetting about Nova.

The bar had a small area where a live band played, and the music was a mix of millennial R&B and pop hits. Terry left tip money on a nearby table for his server and headed for the door. He glimpsed Jordan dancing with Nova, and they appeared happy. In love. He wished them well in his heart and went home.

Little did he know that their brief encounter would morph into something bigger than he could've imagined.

Terry wasn't hurting for companionship. Six-foot-three, fit, good looking, and single, he enjoyed a wide variety of women from Long Beach to San Diego. Living in Oceanside long enough had him looking away from the small seaside town for women. Military life attracted a certain kind of woman he wasn't interested in near the base. He was pleasantly surprised that Nova was nothing like the husband-hungry women his military buddies dealt with. For one, she was a university graduate. He found that out on the weekly flag football game he played at a park with the guys and their partners.

Playing flag football with men and women was something he and Von started seven years ago to create a tight bond of friends, especially for the younger men coming into the fold. It soon became a casual mentorship that fostered goodwill and was a lot of fun. It also helped the women find friends to help deal with homesickness for those who were far away from home for the first time. They became a support system when the men were called to do their tour of duty.

The crew played before eating, and Terry covered quarterback duty for Team A. He brought his friend Angie, who everyone thought he was fucking, to hang out and play. She was his beard to keep the other women from setting him up with their female friends who were desperate for a marine to marry. Angie was gay and always played her part well, plus she was a skilled football player.

Nova played with Jordan on Team B, facing a man twice her size. The sun beat down on them, and the odor of grilled ribs and brown sugar barbecue sauce flared his nostrils at the start of the game. Von and his wife Bethany started cooking early before everyone else arrived so that the food would be ready after the first quick game. Kevin played the role as ref and blew the whistle to start the game after Terry took a long huddle to explain to a new soldier's girlfriend her position. Her name was Cath, a white-looking mixed Filipina who seemed more interested in looking cute rather than actually playing. She kept batting her lashes at Terry and fiddling with her stringy dyed hair the color of a bleeding sunset.

"Let's go Team A, we ain't got all day!" Kevin called out.

Terry clapped his hands, and his teammates spread out. Angie hiked the ball to him, and Terry took a step back, cradling the football in his hand, ready to spring his powerful arm forward. His two wide-receivers, a man and woman, jetted down the grassy field and—

Nova snatched his blue flag from around his waist in less than six seconds.

Terry stared at her with an incredulous expression as Jordan danced around and talked mad shit. Nova grinned and twirled his flag belt in her hand. Terry glared at Conner, who was supposed to block her.

"Aye, she's fast, man," Conner said. "I pushed her back, but she got around me."

Team A huddled again. Terry glanced at Nova. An impish smirk creased her pretty lips. Angie hiked the ball, and Nova gunned it for him, blowing past Connor's bulky frame like he was a toddler. Terry ran and threw the ball fast. In fact, Nova kept him running and switching up his plays. When Team B finally had their chance to move the ball around, Terry and the others witnessed Nova's athleticism. Her lean build and speed were amazing. They switched up the teams after eating, and Terry took a break to watch and drink beer from the sidelines. He thought it was cute the way Jordan slapped his wife's butt each time she made a huge play. They were lovey-dovey and Terry hoped she would curb his explosive temper that he sometimes brought to the games. Jordan could be hard on new guys hanging out to play with them, and the addition of alcohol with testosterone didn't help.

Nova skipped playing the last game of the day and sat near Von's wife and Angie, chatting. Other women joined them as the guys stood or sat around arguing about their fantasy football picks or why Bronny James should ride his nepo ass on the Laker team bus. Terry ate another rib and licked his fingers, listening to the clash of several conversations. Jordan pulled a folding chair next to his wife and threaded his fingers with hers.

"Tired of them niggas arguing about the same shit every weekend," Jordan said.

"What do you think of California?" Angie asked Nova.

Jordan kissed her hand, and Nova fixed her eyes on Angie.

"It's different. A little faster than what I'm used to."

"You'll get used to it, baby," Jordan said.

The football landed in his lap. Kevin jogged over.

"You wanna play a quick game? These cholos nearby want to play," Kevin said.

Jordan glanced at Terry.

"You in man?" Jordan asked.

"I'm good."

Jordan bounced up from his seat and darted out to the field.

"He is so happy," Bethany said.

Nova gave a winsome smile while staring at her husband.

"We both are."

"How long were you dating before getting married?" Angie asked.

"Oh, Jordy's been my childhood sweetheart since I was thirteen."

"Really? Oh gosh, that's so cute," Bethany said.

Bethany gave a look to Terry. They both knew Jordan had been seeing other women while stationed there.

"We'd been on and off since high school. I went to the University of South Carolina in Columbia and got my degree in communications. I have to wait a year to get residency here, and then I'm going to apply to SDSU and get my masters in communications."

"What do you want to do?"

"News broadcasting. I'm starting an internship at KGTV next month. That means a lot of commuting to San Diego."

"It's not bad, thirty to forty minutes," Angie said.

"Jordy proposed to me last year when he came home to visit. I told him I wasn't getting married until I had my degree in my hand first."

"I know that's right," Bethany said, tossing back her Senegalese twists. "Von and I were married ten years ago. Two kids later and I'm still wishing I finished my education. I'm thinking about doing some online classes next year."

"Do it!" Angie said, patting Bethany's leg.

Nova sighed and watched Jordan play football.

Terry discreetly studied her and wondered if she knew her husband cheated on her all the time while she was in South Carolina. He couldn't let go of the disappointment he felt in Jordan who'd been his pet project for three years because the big brass felt he had the potential to be an outstanding soldier, but needed a personal hand to keep him in line. Terry took on that responsibility and kept the man under his wing. Jordan's biggest problem was his immaturity. At twenty-five, he was only two years younger than Terry, but their maturity levels were worlds apart. Nova seemed like a smart woman and had to know her man wasn't up to her level. He didn't want to assume anything because men often acted differently around their women sometimes. Terry just hated seeing good Black women choosing lames.

She caught him looking at her.

"You play football well," he blurted.

"Jordy and I played all the time back home. Our families are close and full of boys, so I got in to fit in. I ran track too, so that helps."

"Yeah, it does, cuz you did not let me rest out there."

They all laughed.

She kept him laughing. The others, too. Nova fit the group perfectly. She was funny and encouraging and smitten with Jordan.

While packing up, Bethany cornered Terry near his truck.

"Did you know Jordan was engaged all this time?"

"No."

"That man was at my house last month with some random woman. I feel so icky talking with his wife knowing he's been unfaithful with other women."

"Maybe they had an understanding while they were long distance."

"Stop making excuses for him, Terry. You know that's some janky ass shit to bring a wife around us out of the blue. No Black woman from here to Timbuktu is going to accept that."

"That's why we're all going to mind our business."

Bethany moved closer to him, her hard light brown eyes almost glowing in her dark brown face. She lifted an accusatory finger at him and wagged it.

"You need to have a talk with him, or else I will. You're his leader that he respects and listens to. Von would just curse him out and make things worse. Nova is a beautiful woman who deserves respect. We're lucky he brought none of those other women to our football games. Suppose one of those birds popped up today?"

"Alright…alright…I'll check in with Jordan, but I won't lecture him."

"Good. Let him know I'm watching out for Nova."

Von wandered over, carrying leftover bags of supplies.

"What are you fussing about over here?" Von asked.

"Jordan," Bethany said.

Von grit his teeth comically.

"You didn't say anything to Nova, did you?" Von asked.

"I'm not hurting a woman I just met on the first day. Terry's going to talk to him."

"Babe, we gotta stay outta other grown folk's business."

"Jordan and the word 'grown' do not compute. The man runs around town like a horny teenager," Bethany complained.

"He's married to a good woman, and she's living here with him now. Let's all be cool and act like we don't know a damn thing."

"Terry…check that man or I'm pulling the pin and blowing his shit up," Bethany said, climbing into their mini-van.

Von and Bethany left him standing alone.

Jordan and Nova embraced each other near their car.

Maybe Jordan got his dick wetting season over with and would finally settle down.

Six months passed by, and Terry didn't feel the need to say anything to Jordan. The man fell into a marriage routine that convinced even Bethany that matrimony cured his loose dick. The couple invited everyone to their new military home for a housewarming party and, seeing them together, Terry had to admit there was some growth in Jordan's behavior. He was attentive to his wife, and didn't hang at the bars with the single men as much anymore. When he did pop out, he brought Nova with him, and they left early. No more bar crawls or skirt chasing. Domestic bliss. Kevin married his fiancé during a winter wedding, and Jordan gave a moving speech about how marriage changed a man for the better. Babies were born, and other men in his circle got engaged or settled into long-term relationships. The more he looked around, the more he felt like the lone bachelor clinging to singledom.

Terry didn't want to think about a wife and kids until after he was out of the military. He had a good gig going with MCMAP. A decent wage. The respect of his peers. The freedom to come and go as he pleased with no strings. Pussy was easy to come by, and no woman was special enough to entice him into monogamy.

His schedule grew hectic as the military geared up for a new deployment. He never had to go anywhere because the Marines recognized his value in training. An elite soldier in his rank, the higher ups wanted Terry to mold thousands more just like him during his stint. He went in hard on his charges, building up the best trained soldiers he could.

Nova adjusted to California life. She and Jordan had to share the use of one car to save money for her future schooling. She'd drop Jordan off to work and make the drive to San Diego for her internship. After a month, he heard from Bethany that Nova quit the internship because it became too stressful to meet the requirements with Jordan's schedule. They couldn't afford another car at the moment because the cost of military housing had gone up.

Nova ended up taking a part-time job at a public library as she waited for her residency to kick in for school. She'd gained weight and Jordan didn't seem too happy about it. Terry thought she looked good, filling out more from living a slower lifestyle than when she was running around on a university campus. At the flag football games, they bickered a lot, and Nova stopped playing altogether, sometimes not even showing up at the park. Bethany gave Terry a look at the absence, and he finally pulled Jordan aside.

"Hey man…what's going on with you? Everything cool at home?" Terry asked nonchalantly on a park bench.

"Aw man…y'know, life is lifing. Things aren't going the way we planned…or rather, the way she planned."

"What's up with Nova?"

Jordan glanced at the grass on the ground and picked at a scratch on his knee that he injured earlier that day from falling. Terry had to pull him away from another player before a fight broke out. A dude named Marcus had simply tripped over his feet and fell into Jordan, but Jordan flipped out about it, shoving Marcus in the chest.

"Man…this marriage shit is for the birds."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't wanna talk about it, Sarge."

"That's what I'm here for, Jordan."

He gave an exasperated sigh.

"I love Nova…I really do…but lately…she's been getting on my nerves."

"How?"

"Always asking me about shit that ain't really important right now. She wants another car for school, and I told her she should postpone going to SDSU, at least until I make a higher paygrade. She got a job to pay for a new car herself. Her library gig is within walking distance, so she doesn't need to have my car during the day. I need to use it more than her."

"For what? She drops you off and picks you up every day."

"Sometimes I wanna go to the bar with the fellas after work to chill."

"Then ride with them and hitch a ride home with 'em too…or catch an Uber or a Lyft."

"Man, I ain't doing all that."

"You expect her to do that, then?"

"She don't need the car every day," Jordan grumbled. "Walking will do her good, anyway. All she's doing is getting fat."

"That's how you talk about your wife?"

Jordan sucked his teeth.

"Her ass used to be fine as hell when she first got here."

"She's still fine."

Jordan glared at him.

"You lookin' at my wife funny?"

"No, what I'm saying is, Nova is still a beautiful woman. She's a lil thicker and in case you haven't noticed, no one else is complaining when she rides on base dropping your ass off early in the morning."

"I'ma get her a gym membership on base and whip that ass back into shape."

"You foul man."

"Not trying to have a sloppy booty wife."

Terry's jaw tightened. He thought Nova looked even better with the weight gain. She started wearing large T-shirts and sweatpants more, but he and the other guys on base appreciated the extra jiggles when she walked by. His daddy always told him a well-loved woman put on weight the first few years of marriage. That's how a man knew he was taking care of his wife.

Jordan looked off into the distance and Terry turned his head to see what he was checking out. One guy had brought an extra female friend to play football, a lithe Black woman from L.A. who modeled for department store flyers.

"Jordan, I hope you're staying true to your vows with Nova and not stepping out on her."

Jordan's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"What are you talking about?"

"You heard me. We all know you were fucking around before you brought her out here. None of us knew you had a fiancé, and you brought her back like a prized jewel. Now you're acting like you want to trade her in for some outhouse pussy cuz she put on a few pounds. You shouldn't have gotten married if you're acting like this."

"Jumping to conclusions and shit—"

"Nigga, I know you. Seen with my own eyes how you move. Is that why you want the car for yourself? To sneak around on Nova?"

Jordan wouldn't look Terry in the eye.

"You really are a piece of work. Here I am thinking you finally became a real man," Terry huffed.

He stood and narrowed his eyes at Jordan.

"Get your shit together. Stop trash talking your wife and take your ass home. Buy her some flowers and candy. Spoil her for even choosing your ungrateful ass."

"Whatever, man. You wouldn't understand… you ain't never been with anybody long-term."

"Because I have the maturity to know I'm not ready to settle down. Do better. Respect your wife. Don't let me catch wind of you fucking around on her."

"You her daddy or something?"

Terry held his tongue.

Shit hit the fan on a fourth of July cookout at Nova and Jordan's house.

Terry arrived, bringing ice and his homemade salmon croquettes. He mingled with the joyous gathering of co-workers and friends. Nova played the cheerful hostess, wearing a red, white, and blue summer dress that accentuated her new curves. Her face looked rounder, and she kept tugging on the back of her dress.

"This thing keeps riding up," Nova joked with Bethany.

"Welcome to the world of big booty life," Bethany said, patting her own high shelf donk.

Terry played d.j. with the music, synching his phone with the sound system. He put together a Black Barbecue playlist and let Frankie Beverly and Maze remind people of their childhoods. Bethany shouted and raised her hands when Roy Ayer's "Everybody Loves the Sunshine" popped on and the music fit the vibe of Black folks getting brown in the sunshine of the Patterson's backyard cookout.

Kevin handed Terry a glass of beer from the keg someone brought for the occasion. He gulped it down to cool off and watched the ecstatic faces around him. Life was good.

Terry's friend Raymond arrived with a bunch of people bearing drinks and lemon meringue pies. Jordan and Nova stood near him and greeted the new guests. Terry noticed Jordan's shifty eyes as he tried to ignore Lourdes, a Mexican chick known to Terry's crew as a pass around good time.

"I remember you," Lourdes purred, rubbing her hand up Jordan's arm.

Jordan grinned and nervously threw an arm around Nova's waist.

"Hey, good seeing you at another cookout…this is my wife, Nova," Jordan said.

"Hi," Nova said.

"Wife?" Lourdes squeaked.

Nova's lips pressed tightly together and Lourdes fluttered her eyes back to Jordan.

"Haven't seen you at Ringer's for a minute. Thought you got deployed," Lourdes said.

Nova glared at Jordan and stomped away.

Terry switched the music to upbeat, loud fun, and a few people started dancing. Jordan went after Nova. Lourdes grabbed a glass of beer from Raymond and flitted among the men, ignoring the other women completely.

Terry heard shouting from in the house and he followed behind Bethany and Von to check it out. Inside the kitchen, Nova screamed at Jordan, who only leaned against the kitchen island with a grim expression.

"Nova…Jordan? Everything okay in here?" Bethany asked.

Nova's wet face and agitated state told the complete story. Terry looked at Jordan.

"He's a liar…and a cheat. His hoe is walking around my home!" Nova screamed.

Jordan lowered his head. Terry was glad the man had an ounce of shame in him.

"I told you that bitch was from a long time ago. You're making a big deal about a past relationship," Jordan said.

"Past relationship? Jordan, we've been together forever! You promised that you were done disrespecting me. I should've listened to my friends and never come out here!"

Nova grabbed a glass from the dish rack near the sink and threw it at Jordan. It clipped him in the head.

"Nova…fuck!" he screeched.

Jordan lunged forward to stop her from throwing a dish, but Terry stepped between them, blocking him with his back.

"Okay, let's all calm down," Terry said.

Von put an arm around Jordan's shoulder and walked him out of the kitchen. Bethany stayed behind.

"I'll tell Raymond to get that woman out of here," Terry said.

Bethany nodded, and Nova burst into tears.

"Oh, sweetie…let the men handle this," Bethany said, hugging Nova.

Terry sought Von and Jordan.

Lourdes and Raymond left in a hurry with their group, and everyone at the party gossiped in hushed tones as music continued blasting. On the side of the house, Von cursed out Jordan whose only response was, "I know…I know…I know…"

"Are you still fucking Lourdes?" Terry asked.

"That shit is old. Ain't my fault Raymond brought her over here. I didn't invite that woman."

"How old?" Terry asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"I dead that shit back in January."

"January? Nigga, you're married!" Von shouted.

"Keep your voice down," Jordan said.

Terry stuck a finger in his face.

"You betta not trip when she leaves your ass," Terry said.

"She ain't going nowhere."

"Why not?"

Jordan closed his eyes and rested his head against the side of his house.

"She's pregnant."

Von and Terry groaned and rolled their eyes.

"See, niggas like you is why Black women hate us now," Von barked.

"I'm gonna change…watch and see. I gotta man up now…I'ma be a father and my kid needs his father."

"If she were smart, she'd abort and go home," Von said.

"Von…yo…ease up, man," Terry said.

"Nah, T…Jordan doesn't want a wife…and he damn sure don't deserve no children with how he acts toward Nova. I wouldn't be surprised if Bethany is in there now telling her the same thing! I oughta kick your punk ass."

"Stand down, Washington," Terry said, using Von's surname in a tone used at work.

Von threw up his hands and walked away. Jordan pushed past Terry and entered a side door that went into the garage and back into the house. Terry followed.

Nova stood in the kitchen with Bethany. Terry nodded his head for Bethany to leave, and he posted up by the fridge to watch over Jordan.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Please…don't make that face. I know I'm always sorry about shit and I hurt you. Don't abort my baby."

Nova glanced at Terry. The pregnancy had been a secret, apparently.

"Get out of my face," Nova said.

"Nova—"

Terry put a hand on Jordan's shoulder.

"Give her some space, c'mon."

He led Jordan back to the party. Everyone else partied on, ignoring the messy marital discord. Jordan drank some beer and joined Kevin and Von in a corner with some married men. Terry sauntered over to the food table and made himself a plate. Bethany had smoke coming out of her ears, commiserating with other women.

The mood had soured within the hour, and folks gathered to-go plates and said their goodbyes. Terry made himself a plate of pork ribs and macaroni salad with a couple of hot links thrown on top for good measure. Kevin took Jordan to his house for the night with his wife, Vivian, to keep him away from Nova. They both needed to sleep apart and figure out their situation in the morning.

Terry held up a hand to everyone left behind and headed out. Two blocks down the street, the glare of the sunset struck his eyes. He reached for the top of his head and couldn't find his sunglasses. Pulling over, he searched the truck seat to see if they fell off. Then he remembered. He put them down on the patio table at Jordan's. If they had been cheap drugstore shades, he would've let it go. But they were three hundred dollar wrap-around Oakley's.

He made a U-turn and parked in the Patterson driveway. Sneaking toward the side of the house, he crept toward the high wooden gate that led to the yard. He wanted to run in and out of the backyard without disturbing Nova.

The gate was locked.

He walked back to the front and rang the doorbell.

Nova answered with pink eyes, still wearing her holiday dress.

"Hey…Nova…sorry to bother you, but I left my shades in your backyard. Can I go get them?"

"Sure," she said, stepping aside.

Terry moved through the living room and into the kitchen, pushing on the sliding glass doors. He found his shades perched on a speaker. He tucked them into the neck of his t-shirt and looked at the other speaker.

"I can move these back in the house for you," he offered.

Nova nodded. He didn't want her straining to carry them. It took him less than a minute to move them and the cords inside the living room. Jordan could set them back up when he returned home.

"All done. See ya next time," he said.

Nova nodded with her back to him, facing the kitchen sink. Her shoulders shook and Terry felt awkward being there while she cried.

"You'll be okay, right? Maybe call a friend over?" he suggested.

"What friends? Everyone is Jordan's friend."

"Bethany?"

She shook her head.

"I can't bother her. She has kids and stuff to do. I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Thanks for bringing the speakers in."

"No problem…alright. I'm going to bounce."

Nova turned her head to the side.

"Everyone knew, didn't they? That he's been cheating on me this entire time?"

"Nova…uh…"

She glanced at him with glossy eyes and a crinkle in her forehead.

"You don't have to lie to me, too, Terry. I've always suspected, but couldn't prove it back home. He swore up and down that he's been faithful and only loved me. Jordan made me look like the biggest dumb fool today. How many other women have come through my house and fucked my husband while smiling in my face?"

"We thought he would change…we didn't even know about you until you arrived a year ago."

"Not one of you said anything."

Terry moved over to the sink and stood next to her.

"Look, a few of us talked about it. Bethany wanted to tell you from day one, but we…the fellas…we thought Jordan would shape up. It became a matter of us not wanting to hurt you."

She closed her eyes. A single tear ran down her face. He felt like shit.

"Bros before hoes," she said.

"It's fucked up, but…yeah, that's what it came down to. None of us wanted this for you."

"Well… I got it, anyway."

Her face crumpled. She covered her eyes with her right hand.

"He's not attracted to me anymore…I've gained all this weight…now I'm pregnant and can't trust anyone around me!"

Her cry of pain bruised his insides.

Terry stood paralyzed next to her, not wanting to be inappropriate, although he thought he was supposed to hug her or something. No comforting words came to mind that sounded good enough for her. He pulled out his cell phone and called Von.

"Yo…man…can you put Bethany on the phone? I'm at Jordan's place and Nova is having a hard time…Bethany? Hey, can I ask for a big favor? Could you come over to Nova's? Yeah…it's bad…okay. Okay. Thanks."

He swiped his phone and stuck it in his back pocket.

"Bethany is coming over right now—"

Nova pushed her face against his chest and wept. The top of her hair tickled his chin, and he held his arms out, not knowing where to place them. He finally hugged her, and she broke down more, her warm tears soaking his shirt.

"I'm sorry you're going through this, Nova…I really am."

He stroked her back as she poured her wounded soul into his broad chest.

"Shh…shh…it hurts bad now, but it'll pass…I promise…" he whispered to her.

She nodded and leaned back, wiping her face.

"You're too pretty to be scrunching up your face like you tasted some lemons," he teased.

Nova laughed and blinked away tears.

He became cognizant that he still held her close against him. She smelled like sugar cookies and all the weight Jordan complained about felt good in his arms.

"Your smile lights up a room, and if that fool can't appreciate it, someone else will," he said.

Nova gazed into his eyes. With her hair up in a bun, Terry could enjoy every part of her sweet face. They'd never been that close together, and he became self-conscious. He dropped his hands to his sides, but kept his eyes on hers. Nova stood on tip-toe and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you for caring so much," she said.

Uncomfortable. That was the first feeling that ran through him. He shouldn't be there with her. Alone. Seconds ticked by and they both stood there, looking at one another. Her eyes focused on his lips and she kissed him on the mouth.

Like an idiot, he kissed her back, parting his lips so her tongue could probe his mouth and find the comfort she needed. She didn't hold back, circling his neck with her arms and pressing into him hard, wanting to feel his muscles against her heavenly frame. Terry tilted his head more and thrust his tongue further into her mouth. He swallowed the soft moan Nova released against his lips. He licked her bottom lip and kissed her fully until they both started moaning from the illicit encounter.

One nasty thought kicked around in his brain.

He could fuck her raw and cum all inside her. Since she was already pregnant, there'd be no need to have a condom barrier to prevent knocking her up. His breeding kink revved up, and he seriously thought about fucking Nova in her marital bed to teach Jordan a lesson. Fill her up with his cum…treat her the way she deserved to be treated by a real man who appreciated a woman no matter what her size was. Jordan was crazy to think a once slender Nova didn't compete with the thicker one in his arms. And she was about to get even bigger while pregnant?

His dick got hard.

Nova felt it poking against her.

"We gotta stop," he whispered into her mouth.

"Why? I should be allowed to get my lick back with someone better than my husband."

Terry pulled away, afraid of the consequences if Nova kept talking to him reckless like that.

His erection tented his pants. It was undeniable how much he wanted her. Nova licked her lips, staring at the thick bulge she could have. She boldly reached out and touched it…squeezed it to see how big it was. He moaned, and she ran her fingers up and down his length, teasing him until she reached the wide head that strained against his zipper. Pulling her fingers away, he had to take a stand or else they'd do something that couldn't be undone.

"Bethany will be here. I better go."

Terry swiftly parted from her and rushed to his truck. The irrational part of his mind wanted to lay some good pipe down on her. He wiped her lipstick off of his mouth once he sat in the driver's seat. His dick throbbed in his pants.

Nova was married. Calm the fuck down.

Yes, Jordan Patterson was a selfish knucklehead, but that didn't mean snatching up the man's wife because he dogged her out.

Terry started his car and drove away before Bethany showed up. He spent the next two days relaxing in his bachelor's quarters on base. At work, he ran into Jordan briefly, but it was in passing to teach one of his martial arts classes. Jordan looked sheepish and apologetic, and Terry just gave a nod and kept on moving.

He skipped two weeks of flag football, not wanting to hear gossip or run into Nova. No one questioned his non-socializing. He sometimes dropped out of sight when his workload increased to cover staff leave or new training.

A third week of avoiding his friends continued, and his phone rang with a number he didn't recognize. He answered without thinking.

"Hello?"

"Hi Terry. It's me…Nova."

"Nova…hey…I don't—"

"I'm sorry. If you're avoiding everyone because of me…you don't have to stay away from your friends. I kissed you and it was wrong. I made things weird for you."

Terry sighed.

"I don't want any problems, Nova. You and Jordan have to sort your relationship out without adding more trouble."

"I don't know why I did that, Terry. You were just being kind, and I liked how you made me feel…wanted. Seen. I'm two months pregnant and my hormones could be messing with me, too. I want to apologize and ask that you not hide anymore. It makes me feel awful, like I chased you away being inappropriate when I was feeling low."

"It's understandable…but I really have been busy. Don't stress out about anything. That night has been forgotten."

"Good."

"See you around," he said.

He hung up and deleted her number from his phone.

Hearing her voice did something to him. He called up Von and went to his house to have a beer and catch up. Bethany wasn't home, so the men could chat openly without her chiming in or judging.

"How's Jordan been doing with Nova?"

"Hard to say, really. They seem okay. But he's at the bar after work a lot. Kevin hung out with him a few times. Tried talking sense into him. Looks like they're going to work things out."

"Good for them."

"He's being deployed to the Indo-Pacific at the end of the year."

Terry exhaled with a loud breath.

"Damn, that sucks. He'll miss the birth."

"Yep. But distance has a way of making the heart grow fonder. That's what they say, right?"

"With Jordan, it seems to do the opposite."

"He wants Nova to go back to South Carolina while he's gone. She wants to stay here."

"She doesn't have a support system here, though."

"Bethany has adopted her as the little sister she always wanted. Nova is good people. We'll look after her."

Terry left Von and took a drive up the coast to see a friend in Long Beach. He returned to Camp Pendleton and got a fresh line-up from his barber and hooked up with his buds for a baseball viewing party at an on-base pub. The Padres lost, and he ended up playing pool for the rest of the night, listening to tall tales and body counts among his peers. Unexpectedly, Jordan and Nova showed up to hang out.

He couldn't look at her the same way.

She'd fixed her hair into a sexy new pixie cut that had soft gelled waves making her look like a starlet and even more attractive. Their eyes met and something definitely changed between them. All he could think about was their kiss, and the way she wanted to feel on his dick. Her dewy gaze told him she was thinking the same thing, too. Terry avoided saying too much to her, giving a polite 'Hello' to them both before locking into his pool shots.

Jordan guzzled down beer and hammed it up with a few officers. Nova wandered over to his pool table, nursing a soda. She sipped and watched him play against his friend Luis, then slipped a quarter onto the end of the table, signaling she had the next game against whoever won. Of course, it was him because Luis was a lousy shot most of the time.

Nova chose a pool stick and chalked it down, eyeing him curiously with a playful smile. Terry glanced around, hoping someone else wanted to play instead, but the guys were too busy drinking and talking loud. The pub overflowed with patrons, blocking him and Nova from view of the others. He checked the watch on his arm.

"Gotta run. Early day tomorrow," he said.

He placed his pool stick on the rack and wiped his hands of chalk dust. Nova pursed her lips and her shoulders drooped. He forced himself to leave. Looking at her only increased a forbidden desire, and he'd be damned if he fell for a woman simply for lust. He had a roster of willing women on his phone if he needed sexual relief that badly. Nova was danger, and he read the warnings clearly.

He walked toward housing with hands shoved deep in his pants pockets. All he had to do was stay away from Jordan and their mutual friends until he deployed. Then he'd have no reason to worry about ever seeing Nova. By then, she'd have a baby and no longer feel like hanging out anywhere he'd likely be. The woman dredged up feelings he wasn't used to, like longing and nesting up with someone away from his male companions on base. Jordan Patterson had to be the luckiest motherfucker in the world and couldn't even appreciate what he had at his fingertips: a good woman who loved him with a pure heart.

Terry's parents raised him with morals and values. Thou shall not covet and Thou shall not commit adultery. Such simple tenets and yet his salacious mind quibbled over semantics, searching for loopholes. Could he really covet someone if the husband didn't really want the wife? If a husband broke the marital bond first, should the wife stay beholden to the rules? He shook his head, blaming the rambling thoughts on all the beer he drank. His brain marinated in liquor. Any unscrupulous thoughts he entertained weren't to be taken seriously. He believed that for a full thirty days, Nova-free.

Until the day Von called him over to hang out.

Bethany was out for the day with friends, and his kids were at a summer camp for the week. Von wanted to enjoy a house without his family in the presence of his best bud, and Terry was all for it. Bethany always bought the best snacks, so Terry and Von hunkered down, stuffing their faces with chips, Ding Dongs, string cheese, and Pepsi. They watched some action flicks and talked shit about their jobs and the people who irked them that week. Von and Terry had joined the marines on the buddy system. They were friends back in a small Louisiana parish and had each other's backs ever since. Terry was the one to introduce Von to Bethany. They attended a beach party in Mission Beach and Bethany hemmed Terry up, asking about his friend with the big chocolate malt ball-looking head and thick muscles. From that moment on, Terry, Von, and Bethany had become a family.

Von tapped his TV remote and flipped through a series of military espionage flicks. Terry leaned back and shoved a Hostess cupcake down his throat. The front door flung open and Bethany walked in carrying bags with Nova.

"Time to go," Terry said.

"No…stay. We've got Chinese food and wine. Where you been, stranger?" Bethany asked.

Von jumped up to help put the bags in the kitchen. Bethany gave Terry a kiss on the cheek. He nodded at Nova.

The woman glowed.

Ringlets of shiny black curls crowned her short cut and her skin looked like someone had dusted it with a light bronzer. Her white baby doll tank top and jean shorts reminded him of the Creole girls back home who walked to the corner store looking cute and summery.

"Wash up you two. We'll eat and catch up," Bethany ordered.

Terry headed for the nearest bathroom, and Nova followed him. He let her wash her hands first while he waited against the doorjamb. They switched places. She stared at his reflection in the mirror.

"It's good seeing you again, Terry. Jordan asks about you a lot."

"Been busy…work…y'know."

"Yeah. Guess you heard the news, huh? He's being shipped out. Bad timing for us…with the baby coming, and all."

He nodded and dried his hands.

"Excuse me," he said, stepping past her into the hallway.

"I'm sorry if I make you uncomfortable…still."

"We're good."

He walked into the dining room where Bethany set up plates and Von poured white wine into three glasses.

"We put sparkling cider in your glass," Von said, winking at Nova.

Everyone sat down and passed around different containers of shrimp fried rice, chow mein, garlic paper chicken, and sweet and sour pork. They chowed down and talked, and Terry settled into falling for Nova against his will. A year of living in Oceanside had made her appear more confident and comfortable, and she didn't seem all that daunted by the idea of Jordan leaving. He listened to her and Bethany talk about having a baby shower before Jordan left, and they discussed birthing centers and hospitals. Nova genuinely looked happy, and Terry relaxed being with her. Any lascivious thoughts he had in the past about her left his mind. Bethany and Von treated her like family, and he fell in line with the sentiment. One indiscretion didn't doom him. He could turn the page and start fresh with Nova.

After dinner, Nova and Bethany went into the garage while Terry and Von cleaned up the dishes and put away leftovers. They sauntered back into the living room to watch more TV. Bethany and Nova passed them carrying boxes into the den.

"What's all that?" Von asked

"My old maternity clothes. I told you there was a good reason to keep them. Nova and I are going to look through these and find some things for her to take," Bethany said.

"Take it all, please!" Von joked.

Terry lounged on the couch, half watching the TV. He peeked at Nova and Bethany. The women chatted with excited voices and Bethany held up old clothing against Nova's body. Bethany kept drinking wine and snorting as she told maternity stories about birthing her own two girls. Nova sounded nervous and excited about welcoming a little one. He overheard her telling Bethany that the baby wasn't planned, but she hoped it would bring Jordan around to be a better man. Bethany tried to reassure her, but Terry doubted she believed a word she said to the younger woman.

It grew late, and Terry didn't want to overstay his welcome.

"I'ma head on out."

He slapped hands with Von and grabbed his keys from the coffee table.

"Terry, can you drop Nova at her house with the clothes?" Bethany asked.

Terry stood at the front door like a deer caught in headlights.

"I've had too much wine to be driving, plus it's on your way back to base," Bethany said.

She handed Terry a box to carry. Nova carried the second box.

"I can call an Uber," Nova said.

"Save your money, girl. Terry is right here and he can carry the boxes for you. Do you want to take some leftover Chinese food with you?"

"No thank you," Nova said.

"Terry?" Bethany said.

"No, I'm full and Chinese doesn't taste all that good heated back up to me."

Bethany took the large box from Nova and followed Terry out to his truck. They placed the maternity clothes in the truck bed. He opened the passenger door for Nova and she climbed in using the grab handle on his truck. Bethany patted his back.

"Thank you for taking her home. I don't feel safe taking a chance, plus it's supposed to rain in twenty minutes. Your truck is a battalion. Baby on board!"

Bethany hugged him. He accepted the affection.

"I owe you," she said.

Bethany tapped on the window, getting Nova's attention.

"Make sure you wash everything," Bethany said.

Nova nodded. Bethany leaned in toward him so Nova couldn't hear.

"Check on Jordan, will ya? Vivian told me he's been hanging with Kevin after work. I don't know why he's acting like he doesn't want to go home, but Nova needs his support."

Terry sighed and nodded.

"Truth is, I can drive, but I know if I see that man, I'll hurt his feelings. You know how to get through to him," she said.

"Night," he said.

Terry walked to the driver's side and climbed in. He started the car and lowered the air conditioning he had blasted earlier.

"Ready?" he said, trying to sound chipper.

"Yep."

They rode in silence, listening to the radio. It started sprinkling and traffic on the I-5 freeway slowed. By the time they neared her home, there was a full on downpour with sonic booms of thunder that rattled the truck. Nova cowered in her seat. With each thunderous clap, she jumped and trembled. The storm gathered gray ominous clouds that pressed the bolts of lightning lower in the atmosphere. Silver heat sliced erratic zig-zag lines across the horizon. The weather even made Terry feel uneasy. They arrived at her home just as a heavier shower drenched the roads.

"Go open the door, and I'll bring the boxes in," he said.

She hopped out with a mad dash to the front door. He lifted both the wet boxes from the back of his truck and strode indoors, expecting to see Jordan. No one else was in the house.

"Just bring those back here," she said.

She led him to the second bedroom that they were turning into a nursery. He placed the boxes against the closet door.

"Thank you for doing this…bringing me home and carrying all of that."

"No problem."

He glanced around and noticed cute little cartoon animal pictures on the walls. A brand new crib sat in an unopened box near the wall.

"I see you two are getting ready for the new bundle of joy," he said.

"Yeah, Jordan has a few things to put together for me. I am terrible at assembling stuff. We have a whole shelving unit and a baby play center waiting in the garage, still in boxes, too."

He followed her back into the living room. Nova shook rainwater off of her and checked her smartphone. She frowned. Her fingers flew across the text pad.

"Something wrong?"

"Jordan was supposed to be here by now."

She tapped her phone, and Terry heard the dial tone ring. A voice recording came on.

"Jordy, I'm back home. Where are you? Call me and let me know you're on your way back."

Nova placed the phone on a side table and wrung her hands. Hard rain pelted the roof. She pulled a curtain back from the front window.

"It's really coming down," she said.

Her voice carried the strain of worry.

"Jordy isn't a good driver in the rain…" she murmured.

She tried his number once more. Voicemail again. She didn't bother to leave a message.

"You mind if I use your restroom before I go?" he asked.

Nova nodded and sat down on her couch. Another powerful rumble vibrated across her roof. She turned on her TV and tried to ignore the sound outside. Her shoulders trembled.

Terry went to the guest bathroom, closed the door, and pulled out his phone. He called Jordan. The line rang four times and Jordan picked up.

"W'sup, sarge? Where you at? Come through Kevin's way, we're chopping it up over here."

Terry's jaw grew tight. The man ignored his wife but answered his phone for a friend? Trifling.

"I dropped your wife off at home. She's worried about you. You sound drunk and it's raining."

"Why did you drop her off? She's supposed to be with Bethany."

"Bethany was too tipsy to drive and asked me to drop Nova off on my way home. You need to answer your wife's calls."

"All she does is nag me. Every time I turn around, she wants me to put stuff together. We got six more months until the baby gets here."

"Call your wife…now."

Terry hung up and called Kevin.

"You missing out over here, Terry. Got a good spades game—"

"Kev, how sober is Jordan? Is he good to drive or nah?"

"That dude is buzzing."

"Don't let him drive. When the rain dies down, put him in an Uber and send his ass home."

"What's going on, man?"

"He needs to be with his wife. She's worried, and he's not answering her calls. The storm is scaring her, too."

"He said he talked to her."

"He's lying. She called him twice in front of me and he ignored her. I called, and he picked up."

Kevin sighed on the other end.

"This nigga…I'll have him call her."

"Right now, Kev."

"Okay. On it."

Kevin hung up. Terry flushed the toilet. He quickly washed his hands in the sink.

"I should not be babysitting a grown ass man," he mumbled to his reflection.

He took a deep breath and left the bathroom. Nova paced in the living room, arguing with Jordan on her cell. He eased his way toward the door, happy that they were at least talking to one another. Terry's phone vibrated in his pocket. Kevin.

"Aye, I'm going to keep Jordan here for the night. He's talking crazy to Nova on the phone," Kevin said.

Terry could only hear Jordan's muffled voice and Nova's bawling.

Fuck.

"What's he saying?"

"He's drunk off his ass…blaming her for fussing all the time and putting us in their business. All bullshit. Vivian thinks he might act up if he goes home."

Nova threw her phone on the couch and dashed down the hallway.

"Okay. Make sure he's back here in the morning."

Terry swiped his phone and waited by the front door.

"Nova? Kevin is going to keep Jordan at his place until tomorrow. He won't be driving in the rain."

"He can crash into a pole for all I care!"

He heard footsteps and the bathroom door slamming shut. The shower ran. She had a right to be upset. But it wasn't good for the baby. Terry's sister had miscarried from stress in her first trimester. Overactive hormones and an unhappy home weren't a good mix. He walked into the kitchen and searched a few cupboards and a pantry until he found some hot cocoa packets and tea. The cocoa seemed like the best choice for her. He turned on an electric kettle and ripped open a cocoa packet. Finding a decent mug, he mixed hot water, milk and cocoa together. Thunder kept rumbling and a flash of lightning streaked outside the kitchen window.

Nova stepped out of the bathroom wearing a thick red bathrobe. She smoothed back her damp hair, and he held out the hot cocoa to her.

"This should help you calm down," he said.

She padded over to him and took the mug, cradling it against her robe.

"Thank you. For everything."

He nodded.

"Could you stay here for a few more minutes and talk? I don't want to be alone just yet…I get scared of thunder. Jordan usually calms me down, but when I'm alone listening to it…I get nervous…scared. I know nothing will happen to me, but the booming noises…I've always been afraid of that sound. You can watch TV if you don't feel like talking."

Her tremulous voice brought out the protector in him.

"I'm sure there's a late-night horror movie I can watch to go with the weather," he said.

She grinned with relief all over her face.

He joined her on the couch and picked out the Twilight Zone on a streaming service. They watched a couple of episodes while Nova sipped the cocoa. The TV froze for about fifteen minutes, and they chatted about her day with Bethany. She jumped with each thunderclap, but having him next to her seemed to help her deep-rooted fear. Eventually, the TV started working again.

"A lot of these episodes have soldiers or talk about war a lot," she said.

He nodded.

"Rod Serling fought in World War Two. I read a biography about him a few years ago. He used war themes as an allegory in a lot of his episodes."

"Interesting," she said. "Oh! This is one of my favorite episodes…that guy is a prisoner on a planet and has to live with a robot."

"I remember it. He falls in love with her."

"But he can't keep her when he's freed…not enough room on the return space ship."

She put the cocoa mug on the end table.

"So sad. Do you think you could love a robot?"

"Maybe…if it looked real enough. People fall in love with all kinds of things."

"Like in that movie 'Her'. When that guy fell for an app program," she said.

"That was a good movie. Had me looking at my phone apps different. I have one that does a guided meditation and the A.I. voice has a female British accent. I think it's a Black woman…the voice sounds so sexy, telling me what to do."

They both laughed.

"I think your voice would be good for a guided meditation," she said.

"Maybe. People tell me it's deep enough to do voice overs."

"Let's try it."

"What?"

"Do a guided meditation for me so I will fall asleep and you can go home. I know you're tired of sitting here with me being a scardy cat."

"I don't think you're a scardy cat. A chicken maybe…"

She tossed a decorative pillow at him.

"Lay back in a comfortable position," he said.

He moved away from the couch and planted himself on the loveseat, allowing her to stretch out.

"Close your eyes," he said.

She did.

"Imagine that you're on a faraway island somewhere…there's a warm, sunny beach with clear waters for as far as the eye can see. Lie down on the soft warm sand…let the warmth of the sand cover you completely in a blanket of peace. No storms…no worries about thunder…just peace and tranquility…"

Terry kept talking and Nova settled into breathing deeply and relaxing her limbs.

"You can feel yourself floating to a safe place of calm…"

Nova drifted off to sleep.

Terry sat on the loveseat, quietly watching over her. The tension in her face relaxed while she slept. He glanced around at the other furniture, looking for a blanket or throw cover. Nothing caught his eye. He lifted Nova and carried her into a neat bedroom. The curtains were open and another pass of rolling thunder shook the window. Fat drops of rain smacked against the glass, fogging it up with condensation. He placed Nova on the high, queen-sized bed and closed the curtains. Feeling around for the lamp on the nightstand, he turned on a light and pulled the covers back. He reached across the bed and lifted her again. The bathrobe looked cumbersome on her. He untied the belt to make her more comfortable and didn't realize she was naked underneath. Embarrassed, he covered her back up and tied the belt, tucking her in.

Nova's eyes fluttered open.

"Jordan?" she said.

Her eyes adjusted to the light and peered at him with surprise. She glanced at the bed and then the room. Her eyes watered.

"He's probably with someone else right now," she whispered. "All of his friends cover for him."

She squeezed her eyes shut. Terry sat down on the bed and held her. He stroked her hair and murmured comforting words in her ear. All he wanted to do was erase the sadness in her eyes.

A slow-burning anger simmered in Terry's chest. He couldn't understand Jordan. Couldn't understand the neglect of a good woman. What was the point of getting married if you didn't want to be around your wife?

Terry kicked off his shoes and socks and climbed onto the bed, resting his large body next to Nova. If Jordan didn't want to be there, then he would take his place and comfort a lonely wife. She tucked her head under his neck and he rubbed her back with gentle hands.

"You deserve so much more, Nova," he said.

"I think I'll go back home," she huffed into his chest.

"Do what you think is best for you and your baby."

"I've tried my best…but he won't stop…I don't know what he sees in those other women. Why would he ask me to marry him? Why get me pregnant if that isn't what he wanted?"

"All you have to do is rest. In the morning, you can call your people and decide what you want to do."

"Okay," she said with a shuddery breath.

She snuggled against him, and he moved the blankets to make more room for himself.

That's when she did the unthinkable.

Took off the bathrobe.

Terry froze.

Nova tossed the bathrobe on the floor and tugged on his shirt.

"Take it off. You're still a little damp from the rain," she said.

He pulled the T-shirt over his head. Fuck it…he took his sweatpants off, too. He tossed his boxers and sweats on the floor, and in the lamplight, Nova looked over his body with heat in her eyes. She traced his right pec with her finger, and then curled against his side, hugging him. Her breasts pressed against him like soft, fluffy pillows. He looked down at her pretty brown areolas and dared to touch a nipple. Nova leaned back so he could get access to both breasts.

God…she felt so good in his hands. Her nipples stiffened like cute little buttons, and his dick thickened. Any thoughts of right or wrong flew away from his mind. Jordan didn't want to be in the bed with her. He did.

He fondled her breasts, getting more aroused as she sighed with pleasure, enjoying his large hands. What a difference a year made in her body. The once slender physique filled out into a new form, one that had his dick propped up saluting her. He glanced between her legs. Her trimmed thatch of pubic hair looked so pretty, especially with her inner labia plumped up and waiting for his touches. He kissed her first, sliding his tongue into her mouth. She moaned and her legs fell open wider. The pink of her pussy glistening with arousal had him gripping his dick and stroking himself. Nova's eyes widened, looking at the size of his erection out in the open. Whatever she thought his dick length was didn't match what her eyes feasted on.

She started playing with her pussy, and Terry groaned so loud that her opening throbbed at the sound. Nova pushed him back and crawled on top of him, letting her wet pussy lips slide up and down his erection. She made the veins on his dick shiny with her slickness.

Up and down she went across his length, teasing the bulbous head of his dick. His pre-cum spilled out, adding more lubricant, and that's how she pleasured herself, grinding slowly on his dick, letting her delicate inner labia slide across the hardness.

She rose and wound her hips, moving that wet pussy in circles, teasing his hardness, making him pant like a desperate man. Her tits hung in his face, doubled in size from the first time he met her. He thrust up to get more exterior friction from her labia. The inner pussy lips spread across his girth, making slippery sounds. She looked at his long dick slathered in her clear sticky fluid. He watched threads of it shine in the light. She rubbed those sticky lower lips against him harder, rocking her hips forward and back.

Nova liked what she felt.

Her mouth became reckless.

"It wouldn't be wrong for us to fuck, Terry. I want to feel you inside of me," she said.

He grabbed her breasts and squeezed them. "Nova…shit," he said.

"Will you fuck me?" she asked.

She started gyrating on his dick and her labia hit a spot that curled his toes. The thick ridge of his frenulum rubbed against her clit, and Nova kept that slow, tortuous grind going.

The woman courted danger. Offered him married pussy on a platter. He'd already wandered into sketchy waters by climbing into bed with her. What the fuck did he think was going to happen doing that? He finally had to come clean with himself.

He wanted Nova.

Wanted her the first time they met. He'd been in denial about his feelings for her. Somehow she got under his skin, and Jordan made it easy by neglecting a husband's duty. He adored her from afar, always waging an internal battle to stay away, so afraid to confront what he tried to hide. Now Jordan's wife humped Terry's dick, asking to be fucked.

"Can I cum inside you without a condom?" he asked.

Nova's glassy-looking eyes were full of lust for him.

"You can cum as much as you want inside of me."

He shut his eyes. Asked God to forgive him for the disrespectful mess he was about to make in that woman's pussy. Her man wasn't due back until morning. Terry was built for long strokes and going all night. His erection grew stiffer with anticipation.

He flipped her over and kissed her passionately, allowing himself the luxury of taking his time. All pretense of being a dutiful wife left Nova. Her man had scorned her, and she wanted the forbidden fruit of new dick.

Terry kissed down her throat and in between her breasts. He sucked both nipples, using his tongue like a brush to paint the most delightful shapes all over her tits. Delving further down, he licked her pussy and kissed her clit, claiming it all for himself.

"This is all mine now," he said, while staring at her with his disarming green eyes.

Nova nodded and whimpered, "Yes…yes…yes…baby it's all yours."

He groaned into her vulva and her legs wrapped around his head. Nothing would stop him from pleasing her. He ate her pussy like a charcuterie board, smacking his lips and sampling her clit, tasting her delightful opening by thrusting the tip of his tongue in, then gliding his full lips down the middle, giving her gentle kisses. Terry gazed at her while doing it with sensual eyes that dared Nova to give in to his cravings for more. He pampered her vulva as if that night would be his only chance to have her. She came so hard on his lips that they dripped with her natural lubricant. Spent from her orgasm, Nova cried, turning her face toward the pillow.

"We can stop…if you can't handle this…we can stop and forget it ever happened," he said, trying to soothe her.

She shook her head.

"I don't want to stop. I'm just…happy. Haven't had an orgasm like that in so long. I forgot how good they can feel," she said.

She hugged him tight and bawled in his arms.

"It feels good to be wanted again, Terry…thank you."

A smidgen of guilt tried to latch hold, but he threw it off like his morals.

"Don't cry, let me make you feel even better…I'll make you forget all your troubles," he whispered in her ear.

He gently pushed her legs back and draped them over his biceps. Nova watched the head of his dick rub on her clit, testing her sensitivity. She hissed and clamped her lips together when he pushed the tip in. Her pussy was tight at the entrance, and he waited for her to relax before he pushed in further.

"Ooh…Terry…its big…oh…wait…wait…oh God…oh God…"

Nova's eyes rolled back as he thrust in deeper. She tilted her hips, and he hit the bottom of her pussy so fast that he groaned out her name. Her walls clenched around him.

"Oh, fuck, Nova…baby this pussy is so tight…you're gripping me so good baby…you been wanting this dick, huh?"

"Yes…yes…yes…"

He pumped inside of her with assured thrusts, making sure she felt every inch dedicated to her pleasure.

"Oh, you feel so good, Terry…"

He hunched down lower, wanting to feel her breasts against his chest. Everything about her made him feel giddy and alive. He wondered if this was what love felt like while making love. His heart swelled with so many emotions. Happiness, desire…even revenge. Revenge for the lack of care Jordan had for his wife. He wanted Nova to get the best dick he could offer her.

They kissed while he gave her deep dick. Their tongues colluded in an illicit affair of their own, and Nova whimpered his name inside his mouth, casting her love magic all over him. He wanted to clap her cheeks and helped her turn onto her hands and knees as his balls slapped against her ass and clit with each doggy-style thrust. She gripped the sheets tight and looked back at him with a shocked face.

"You're stretching my pussy…Terry…it's so big."

"You're taking it so good, baby…I got you."

He reached around and played with her clit, giving it slow, circular strokes. Her ass bounced with his pounding and she locked her eyes on him, wanting to watch the satisfaction on his face.

"You like it?" she asked.

She knew damn well he did by the way he grunted and cursed with each stroke.

"I love it."

"You want to cum inside me?"

His mouth fell open, and his eyes narrowed. Her walls yanked on his dick. She had something to prove. He wished he'd been the one to put a baby in her. She threw that ass back on him and his nutsack pulsed, already gearing up for a release. He wanted her on her back. He wanted to nut deep inside of her in missionary. Pretend he was making a baby with her.

"Turn around…yeah baby…on your back…ooh yes, leave your legs wide open like that," he said.

Terry made love to her like she was his woman. Nova whipped her head back and forth and when he pinned her down, they locked eyes.

"Cum inside me…please…Terry…"

Nova touched his cheek, and he closed his eyes, unable to take the intensity she poured out from her gaze. She let him get deep in her guts. Her pussy stretched around him like she belonged on his dick and no one else. He stroked her clit, and she chewed on her lip. A look of ecstasy danced in her eyes and he begged her to cum on his dick first.

She broke apart easily…endlessly. Her orgasm flushed her light brown skin in a sheen of sweat that soaked his body and the sheets. Terry watched her climax with a feeling of gratitude. God allowed him to witness her pleasure, and it captivated him.

"Nova…I'm cumming…fuck…I'm cumming…all deep in your pussy baby…you're making me nut so hard! Fuck..I want to get you pregnant myself. Ohhhhhhh! Fuuckkk!"

She babbled something incoherent, but it didn't matter. Her tight pussy rocked his fucking world. The first spurt of semen made his anus clench and a heavy outpouring of cum spilled into her like it would never stop. He dug his toes into the mattress and rode out the wave of orgasmic pleasure that flowed out of him and into her like electricity. Knowing he was filling her up with so much jizz brought on another surge of semen that knocked him off his feet. He hollered out her name and jammed a hand on the headboard to keep from falling over as a rush of contractions squeezed his balls into pussy submission.

Gasping for air, Terry blinked sweat from his eyes and leaned back, pulling his dick out.

So much cum ran out of Nova's glossy pink opening. He stretched her open so much that he could see the tunnel he made in her walls. It was all flooded with white.

"Damn," he said.

He kissed her on the lips and held her close until she had to pee. She left his side briefly and returned, giving him soft kisses on his cheeks and lips. He took a restroom break and cleaned his dick for round two. Nova was up for it. She was over three months pregnant and her body acted like it wanted to get knocked up again. He let her ride his dick, and he enjoyed her so much it made his heart ache. Perhaps it was the illicit nature of the sex and the danger of Jordan walking in on them, but Terry and Nova made wild love like the night would never end.

"You're so beautiful. Look how pretty you look fucking my dick…such a good girl riding this big dick like that. Oh, bounce on it…yesssss…just like that. Let me stretch you out some more. Go up…all the way up…hold it…now slide back down…yes…you love this dick…dontcha? Tell me…tell me you love this dick."

"I love this dick…oh Terry…I love this dick…harder…fuck me harder."

"You sound like you want me to make another mess in that tight pussy."

"I do…oh! Right there!"

"Right there? Like that?"

"Yes!"

The give and take was unreal and by their final tryst, he'd drained his balls while holding her breasts in reverse cowgirl. He imagined her big tits spurting milk for the baby and nutted so hard that his eyes crossed. Nova leaned forward so he could watch his cum flow out of her in creamy rivulets. She helped push it out. He wiggled his fingers inside her to feel his liquid warmth coating her walls. He helped her change the ruined sheets afterward, and they snuggled up like husband and wife.

He put her to sleep and spent the last hours of the night watching over her and stroking her hair. By morning, he gave her a big kiss on her forehead and snuck away as she slept.

He thought their night together would be a onetime thing.

How wrong he had been.

That one night created a bond so tight that it was difficult to function anymore around their friends with normal interactions. He hated for her to be stuck with Jordan, and he hated being around them together because his eyes never stayed off of her. She was the same way. Any mention of leaving Jordan and going back to South Carolina never happened again. They had embarked on something that neither of them wanted to end. Her pregnancy didn't hamper anything. It actually enhanced their encounters.

At flag football games they pretended to be casual, but the longing gazes between them became overt and he ended up wearing his Oakley shades a lot. Von and Bethany threw more late summer barbecues at their home and he'd sneak into the bathroom to meet up with Nova just to kiss and fondle her body.

"I miss you," she'd whisper.

"I miss you more."

She sat on the closed toilet seat and sucked his dick, squeezing his balls and swallowing his load.

Her baby bump started showing by early fall, and he fucked her from behind in her own kitchen while Jordan sat outside in his backyard talking to their mutual male friends.

Terry was brazen about it.

Nova washed dishes in the sink, and he pretended to make a private call on his cell. He unfastened his jeans. The guys joked around outside, getting drunk and telling bawdy overseas stories. He lifted Nova's dress and slid her panties to the side, stuffing his heavy dick inside her pussy. She panted and begged for more. He clutched a breast with one hand and palmed her rounded belly with the other.

"You miss this dick?" he breathed into her ear.

"Always, baby. You make my pussy feel so good."

She watched the back of her husband's head as Jordan laughed it up, not knowing his wife's pussy was getting smashed to smithereens three feet away. He pumped in and out, listening to the squelching noises and enjoying the tight squeezes she gave him with each lewd thrust.

"The baby okay?" he asked.

"It's okay…oh Terry, you feel so good. I wish we could fuck in the bed. I want to ride your dick so bad right now."

"I know, baby. But we have to enjoy this for now."

She whimpered and clutched the sink for balance. He tried to control his moans, but her pussy weakened him.

"Ready for me to cum inside you?" he rasped in her ear.

The root of his dick pulsed, and he stopped holding her belly to stroke her swollen clit. It was sinful. So wrong. They didn't care. It felt good…felt right. He bit into her shoulder to stifle a loud groan as he spurt into her pussy. She came with him and they struggled to keep quiet, knowing that all it took to court disaster fully was for Jordan to turn around and see him pressed against his wife.

Terry pulled out, and a bit of semen fell to the floor. He didn't care. Nova fixed her panties, and they stepped away from the window so they could secretly kiss.

"I'm getting a new place soon," he said.

Her eyes lit up.

"Nothing fancy, just a one bedroom where we can be alone. Can't have you sneaking on base again," he said.

A week previous, Nova came on base during the night and they fucked in his truck. His buddy Ken walked through the parking lot to his car, but stopped when he saw Terry lifting Nova up and down in the pushed back driver's seat. Luckily, Ken didn't see her face in the darkness. Getting his own place seemed like the smartest move. They didn't want to risk hotels or motels.

Terry walked back outside with his phone in his hand and watched Nova walk out ten minutes later, bringing Jordan a beer. She sat next to her husband and Terry secretly loved the fact that Nova was full of his cum, acting like they didn't just bump uglies. He didn't care anymore. Nova was his woman…she just happened to be married to another man.

During her third trimester, Nova and Jordan planned a road trip to San Francisco for Thanksgiving. All of his friends had trips to other places. Von and Bethany planned for a trip to Indiana to see her family. Terry finally had his own place, and the day before she was to leave, Nova snuck away to see him. Their hookups became few. She waddled to the condo he ended up leasing. He waited for her by the elevator, and once she reached the third floor, they hugged each other so tight that he thought he'd never see her again. Her plump face and swollen feet made him smile.

He held her hand and walked her to his tastefully furnished home. Inside, he rubbed her feet and listened to her litany of body complaints. He didn't mind her complaining. Listening to her voice poured life into his spirit. Terry didn't realize how alone he was until Nova came into his life. Everyone in his clique had someone to come home to. He longed for the same.

He cooked Nova a healthy dinner of baked chicken and sliced squash with homemade garlic mashed potatoes the way his mama made it.

"How come you aren't going home for the holidays?" she said, stuffing her mouth with a second helping of potatoes.

"My family is going on a cruise out of New Orleans. Plus…I don't want to be far away from you."

Nova put down her fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin. He put away the food and helped her rest on his bed. She slept for a long time and he spooned around her, rubbing her belly. He loved her. Loved the child inside of her.

Terry secretly wanted her to divorce Jordan and marry him instead.

She woke up and checked her phone on his nightstand.

"Baby, I'm sorry I slept so long," she said.

"I don't mind. I just want to be with you sleeping or awake."

"My doctor said I can still have sex…we can fool around before I go."

"You feel up to it?"

"I want to make you happy."

"You lying next to me makes me happy."

She hugged him, and he cradled her in his arms.

"I feel a kick," she said.

Nova moved his hand to where she lifted her maternity shirt. He spread his long fingers across some stretch marks on her side. He smiled.

"Somebody is punching up a storm in there," he said.

Nova clutched onto his arm.

"I want to be with you for Thanksgiving. I'm going to be miserable in San Francisco," she said.

"You get to see your parents."

"I know, but then they'll be down here through Christmas. That means…"

She pushed her face into his chest.

"Aw, Nova, I know. Our time is narrowing down. We knew it would happen the closer it came time for your birth," he said.

"When the baby comes…will you leave me?"

Terry wiped tears from her face. Their whirlwind affair was taking a toll on them both. What sane man starts a romance with a married pregnant woman?

"Let's enjoy right now. Don't worry your beautiful mind about the future. We're here…now."

They kissed. He helped her undress slowly and then shook off his clothes, anchoring himself around her. Pillows eased the weight of her belly. She turned on her side further and he entered her slowly. He squeezed and fondled her breasts that were engorged with milk, ready to feed an infant. Terry imagined himself being with her while she fed the baby, imagined what it would be like to hold it in his arms. He pinched her nipple and rocked into her wet softness. Her pussy still took care of him.

Nova moaned with pleasure, and the sound heightened his arousal. Life played a cruel trick on them, bringing him the love he never knew he needed at the wrong point in time. He should've been the one to have her first. Terry would've run home to Louisiana with her in triumph, showing his family the love of his life. He would've set Nova up in a big country house and put a ton of babies in her. Her nipples leaked milk. He pinched one of them, letting the liquid express in a messy drizzle down her breast. The sight of it caused his balls to throb, and he pushed hot cum into her pussy.

"Ooh…it's so warm," Nova said.

He pinched her other nipple, and another trickle of milk wet his fingers.

"Fuck…fuck…Nova…"

His body tensed, watching her big tits drip milk while his dick pulsed inside her, shooting cum deep in her womb. He hollered out his climax loud enough for the neighbors to hear through the walls. His pelvic muscles contracted rhythmically, taking the thrusts of his hips out of his control. Another urge to ejaculate built up again, like the snapping of a rubber band back to square one.

"Soak that pussy, Terry," Nova urged him.

He obliged by resting for a minute to indulge in the sensations coursing through him by being inside of her. His ability to get another erection quickly was a blessing. He didn't worry about falling asleep on her because his refractory period was far off. Their time together was precious, and he was going to savor every second with Nova. His dick understood that and acted accordingly.

She left the bed to urinate, and they got right back to it on her return. He held her leg up the second time and she cried, telling him she loved the way he fucked her. She looked back at him.

"I love you, Terry…I love you…"

Her words struck him hard, and he roared his satisfaction by flooding her walls.

Nova's phone vibrated. They both peeped Jordan's avatar.

Terry turned away from her. Nova answered the phone, her voice flustered.

"Hey, I'm out shopping. I'll be home soon. Okay…yes, everything is packed. I put your blue tie in it with the red one… I'm calling an Uber now," she said, with rushed breath.

She hung up.

"Jordan's home. He wants to take me to dinner and leave early. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, and he wants to avoid all the traffic."

"That's smart. Gotta get you and the baby to your parents in one piece."

"I'm going to use your shower."

He nodded and watched her leave for the bathroom. The guilt and gnawing jealousy worked his nerves. He slammed a fist on the mattress and fought back uncontrollable tears.

Nova gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Terry heard about it through Bethany. He didn't communicate with Nova while her parents were staying in Oceanside for a month.

"Your godson is on his way," Bethany said on the phone.

Terry lifted weights at the gym. He had a martial arts class to teach in an hour and needed to finish a leg day before instructing.

"Oh, yeah?"

He tried to sound normal, but his heart thumped worrying about Nova.

"This boy must've known his daddy needed to see him before he shipped out. I'll call you when he gets here. I'm in the hospital waiting room with her parents."

"Okay, thanks."

Terry grew nauseous with anxiety. Nova was a strong woman. He wanted to be by her side, but it wasn't his place. He showered and went to his class on auto-pilot. His students put it all on the mat and he compartmentalized his thoughts to focus on them and not on his lover.

Godson.

Jordan Patterson Jr. came into the world at six pounds, two ounces. Bethany sent him pictures, and Terry stared at the little wonder with awe. Jordan approached him about being the boy's godfather after they did an ultrasound and found out they were having a son. He begged off from the title, but Von and Bethany insisted he couldn't let the couple down because they looked up to him. It was a punch to the gut, but he reluctantly accepted with Von's urging.

"That man needs guidance, T. Being a godfather means you can be his role model on another level," Von said.

Terry laughed from crying. Jordan Jr. should've been Terry Jr.

He sucked it up.

Nova stayed in the hospital for two days. Terry went to visit her late in the evening, after he hoped everyone was away. Unfortunately, her mother and mother-in-law were there, fussing over Nova and the baby. He walked in carrying rainbow balloons and a powder blue teddy bear.

The new mother rested in her hospital bed breastfeeding Junior. He watched her for a moment until her eyes rose to meet his. His vision grew blurry staring at her. She was so beautiful. Nova lowered a blanket on her shoulder over the baby's head and her breast. He knocked on the door, getting the other women's attention.

"Momma, this is Terry, Junior's godfather."

Mrs. Easton, Nova's mother, smiled and welcomed him in. He greeted Jordan's mother and handed her the teddy bear and balloons.

"I can sleep on my stomach now," Nova joked.

She pulled her hospital gown back over her breast and removed the small white blanket covering the baby's face. She burped him on her shoulder first, then held him out for Terry to hold.

"Hey little dude…look at you," he said.

Nova's lips trembled, and her eyes welled up. She blinked back tears and her mother came over to kiss her goodbye.

"Visiting hours are about to end. I'm going to go have dinner with Cindy," Mrs. Easton said.

"I should go, too," he said, pretending to leave.

The two older women left first, and he waited a minute before sitting down next to Nova, cradling the baby against his chest.

"He's a beautiful boy, Nova. You did good, baby."

"Thank you."

They hadn't seen one another for over a month. He would've given the world to scoop them both up and run off to his place. She was a mother now. His fantasy romance had to end. He sat quietly with her, unable to say anything of significance. She knew it was over, too. Her energy and time had to go toward the bundle in his hands. He leaned over and kissed her. Their love lingered in the space between their lips. All the unsaid things lived in the kiss.

Terry studied Junior's face. Tight black curls and cocoa brown skin. All Jordan. A nurse stopped by and he handed the baby back to Nova. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. Neither of them said goodbye.

Jordan left for the Indo-Pacific tour a week later.

Nova's mother stayed in town, and her father flew back home. He stayed busy with work and flag football. Von and Bethany invited him over for a birthday dinner in his honor two months later. Nova showed up with the baby. She looked stunning. The new-mother weight had shifted and morphed into something different. She looked like a sexy coke bottle bombshell. Without the maternity clothes, her new wardrobe highlighted her wider ass and fuller breasts. She still had a little belly fat with her stomach, and he liked it. The changes gave her a maternal shine that he couldn't get over. She seemed delighted to be around him again, and they both acted with decorum, despite his yearning to hold and kiss her.

Jordan Jr. was round and chunky, like the Michelin Man. Terry walked around with the boy like the proud godfather he was. Everyone at his party complimented him on how comfortable he looked with a baby and kidded him about getting married like everyone else. He only grinned and bounced Junior in his arms. At one point, folks started dancing, and Terry playfully grabbed Nova's hand and spun her around among their friends. Bethany held the baby, and it gave him the opportunity to touch Nova. He swung her out with some old-fashioned partner dancing to SWV and they lived inside a liminal space carved out just for them. Watching her laugh, feeling her warmth against him, having her catch his hand after he released her in time to the music was the best birthday gift he could have.

Von introduced him to a woman named April, and Terry became annoyed at the attempt at setting him up on his birthday. When the party became more raucous in the evening, Nova left. Terry followed her down the street to her car. She carried Junior in a car seat.

"Do you have to go?" he asked.

Nova placed her son in the back seat.

"Junior is a light sleeper. The noise will get to him. I had a great time today seeing everyone all together again. Happy Birthday, Terry."

She hugged him.

The moment they touched, everything felt the same. He sighed while holding her. Their lips couldn't stay apart and they kissed out in the open.

"I want to see you again," he said.

"We can't… things are different. I have the baby."

"Bring him. Let's just have dinner at my place. I'm supposed to spend time with my godson, right?"

She smirked.

"Bethany has someone more your speed waiting for you back at her house."

"April? She's cool, but she's not you, Nova. No one compares to you."

She shut the back passenger door and walked around to the driver's side.

"Dinner and nothing else?"

"Promise."

He kept the promise.

He cooked fettuccine with steak and played with the baby. Nova left with her dignity intact and they continued seeing each other without sex. He grew comfortable settling into a non-sexual relationship with her. Unfortunately, that only encouraged the stronger emotional attachment that grew between them. They acted like a couple raising a child together whenever they were alone.

When they hung out with their mutual friends, he gave off Big Uncle energy to his godson. On his days off, he offered to babysit so Nova could have a few hours to herself.

They didn't start sleeping together again until Jordan returned. The six-month tour changed him. He bonded with his son and, of course, this cut off Terry's time with Nova. She snuck away when she could and their relationship headed for a conclusion he didn't want to face. Nova knew they were about to plummet over a precipice, but he was determined to stay calm about it. The baby grew bigger and looked just like his daddy. He sensed the ambivalence in her about maintaining their affair. It was only a matter of time before he expected her to end it. He dreaded that moment.

One afternoon, he fucked the curls out of Nova's hair. She showed up wearing a sheer red negligee under a long coat and he sent her home dripping with semen in her panties. An hour later, Jordan came knocking on his door.

Terry stared at him through the keyhole and braced himself for some bullshit. He never gave Jordan his address. Other than Nova, only Von and Bethany knew that he'd moved off base.

"Who is it?" Terry called out, pretending not to know.

"Terry, it's me, Jordan. I need to talk to you…man to man."

Terry inhaled and opened the door, keeping his right leg behind him in case he needed to stick and move. Jordan had creases in his forehead and the whites of his eyes were pink.

"I need your advice," Jordan said.

Terry widened the door and invited Jordan in. He sat on the couch, and Terry sat on his recliner.

"What's going on?"

"It's Nova…I think…I think she's cheating on me."

Terry swallowed thickly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"What makes you believe that?"

Jordan stared at the floor.

"I've suspected it for a few months now. Since I came back. She's different, man."

"Motherhood changes women."

"Nah. Not like this. She's probably getting back at me because of Lourdes."

"Lourdes?"

"Some letters and a care package got forwarded to our house."

"You're still seeing her?"

"She was just a placeholder when Nova first got pregnant. I didn't have sex with Nova because of the baby and, well…shit…I got a blowjob here and there from Lourdes…ate some coochie and jerked off. I left overseas, and she started emailing and sending me shit. Nova didn't know until this fucking box showed up at the house today. But me and Lourdes were done…been over. That bitch stalked me with mail and gifts. Nova stormed out after we had a fight about it and left me with the baby. She came home smelling like sex and claimed she went to the gym and that I'm just projecting onto her. My wife is fucking another nigga and it's all because of that dumb bitch."

"So, none of this is your fault? Sneaking off to get your dick sucked? Constantly making poor choices?"

Jordan closed his eyes.

"Terry…listen to me. All that shit is over. I came home, and she put my son in my arms and I just…he looks just like me. Nova held it down by herself and now I'm gonna lose her to some fucker knocking her box out. She walks around humming and doesn't care if I go out anywhere. She don't nag or fuss at me like she used to. It's like she's plotting to leave the house every moment I turn my head. I'm thinking about dropping one of those Apple AirTags in her purse to track where she goes when she claims she's shopping or having lunch."

"Have you talked to her about it?"

"And say what? Stop cheating on me? She's getting back at me and I can't say I blame her. But I'm different. I'm willing to do anything…in fact, I'm getting out of the marines and taking her and the baby back to Charleston. I'm not re-upping. I gotta get her outta Oceanside and away from whoever she's seeing. This nigga done shifted her entire personality. I know he's fucking the shit outta her cuz her body is ridiculous. She's probably been banging him since I've been gone. I snooped around the house and found Plan B and spermicides in her personal bathroom cabinet."

Jordan held his head in frustration.

"Nova ain't never used spermicides with me. I bet she's letting this fool raw dog her."

Terry tried not to grind his teeth and sat back in his chair.

"I can't lose my family, Terry!"

Jordan burst into tears and moaned in great pain. Terry could only watch him with pity and feel dirty about the whole situation. All three of them were moving foul. But now a baby was involved.

"I have loved that woman for so long," Jordan said.

"You have a weird way of showing it."

"I know…I can't make any excuses for it anymore."

Jordan rolled into a ball on the couch. He looked like a hurt little boy that got his ball taken away…a ball he kicked away himself.

"What am I going to do?" Jordan pleaded.

"Can I ask you something personal? I want you to be truthful with me, though."

Jordan lifted his head, teary-eyes and lost.

"What?"

"Why did you marry Nova? You could've spared her suffering if you didn't get married."

"I loved her."

"Beyond that, though. What were you thinking when you asked her? Why didn't you just leave her be until you'd got your hoeing out of your system?"

Jordan glanced around Terry's condo like he was searching for the shadow of an answer in the corners.

"She was always my girl."

"Dig deeper."

Jordan closed his eyes in thought. He sat up and looked at Terry directly.

"If I didn't snatch her up soon, someone else would take her. I didn't want to leave her in South Carolina single. I thought…if I locked her down, I'd be set. No one else would touch her. I got her pregnant, and I figured we'd work through the kinks and things would get better."

"How did that come through your pea brain, Jordan? She's not someone you can put in a box and ignore until you're ready to grow up. You sidetracked her life—"

"I didn't want to lose her, Terry. Maybe I wasn't ready…but we'd been close for years. Our families are locked in. I didn't…I can't lose her."

Jordan jumped up and angrily paced.

"I swear to God if I catch this nigga she's creepin' with, I'll kill him."

"If she's happier, let her go."

"Nigga what? Are you crazy?"

"You're getting care packages overseas from a woman you claim was a past side piece a year ago. Nova did nothing but love you, and you shit on her every chance you get!"

Terry stood and stared Jordan down with flared nostrils and narrow eyes.

"That woman has cried over you…prayed…done everything to keep your marriage together. Fuck, man! She had your baby! Gave up school because of it. You haven't thought about what she's sacrificed to be with you… everything revolves around your needs. I want her to divorce you!"

Jordan gawked. His mouth fell open, and he inched back. His eyes went up and down Terry's body. He held up a hand.

"Why would you want her to divorce me, Terry?"

Exasperated, Terry exhaled and put his hands on his hips.

"You can't make Nova happy if you keep hurting her. That's all I'm saying. Let her go if you can't get your shit together. For her sake, and your son."

Jordan glared at him.

"Are you fucking my wife?"

Terry mustered all the calm he could find in his bones.

"No."

Jordan closed his eyes and huffed.

"I love her. I love my son. He's the best thing that's happened to us," Jordan said.

Terry's legs shook. His stomach twisted in knots, and he tasted a sour liquid at the back of his throat. He wanted to blurt out the truth, but he probably would've vomited had he done that, knowing that Nova would suffer the consequences. So would Junior. He clamped a hand on Jordan's shoulder. His godson deserved to have a father who wanted to make things right once and for all.

"Jordan, go home to your wife. Beg her for forgiveness and show her with your deeds—not words—that you're deserving of her love. Don't worry about who she may or may not be fucking. This is your only chance to come correct."

Jordan nodded his head and started crying. He was a child in a man's body with the emotional intelligence to match. Terry had no faith in him to do better. However, every man deserved the opportunity to try. He wouldn't stand in the way. Terry knew he and Nova would hit a brick wall once Jordan came back. It was time for fate and Jordan to take over.

Terry reached over and hugged Jordan.

"Go home to your family."

Jordan stayed true to his word and didn't re-enlist. Von and Bethany threw them a going away barbecue at one of their flag football games. Nova played on an opposite team and snatched Terry's flag off a few times for old times' sake.

They spoke on the phone privately the night before and cried together. Despite her anger and bitterness toward her husband, Nova loved Jordan. Terry didn't reveal that he spoke with him in his condo. He also kept his opinion about having no faith in Jordan's ability to man up to himself. There was no need to pressure her into giving him what he wanted. She had to leave her husband on her own when she was ready. Pushing her to do it would cause resentment.

"I love you…always baby," he told her.

"My heart hurts…I love you—"

"Go hold on to that beautiful baby for me."

"Terry…please don't hate me for trying again."

"I could never hate you, Nova. Put that thought out of your mind."

"He stopped drinking. Most of his infidelity issues and unacceptable behavior came from that. We're starting counseling back home. Getting back into church again. I think he was so disconnected from who he was…maybe Junior helped remind him of who he used to be."

He respected her decision. Had he been in Jordan's position, he would've begged God to give him another chance, too.

"Nova?"

"Yes?"

He should've bitten his tongue, but he said it anyway.

"When you want me to come get you. You let me know. Okay?"

She stayed quiet.

There were so many friends at the park that it became easy for him to drift along and keep busy with other people. He wandered to his truck to get a jacket, and Nova thought he was leaving. She chased him down in the parking lot and threw her arms around his neck. He lifted her up and held her, their tears mixing in person. Emotionally drained after the sad goodbye, Terry drove home and cried.

Nova and Jordan flew out the next day with their baby, and it didn't surprise Terry at all that Nova left Jordan four months later. Bethany let slip at a cookout that Nova filed for divorce and moved in with her brother- and sister-in-law. Terry minded his business and hoped Nova would finally find happiness. She was with her people and had a strong, supportive family to carry her through. Inserting himself into her life in the middle of new turmoil was something he wouldn't do. God took her away for a reason. Terry worked on closing that chapter in his life, no matter how painful it was.

Another summer was upon him, and he made vacation plans to visit his family on a road trip. He cleaned his condo, dropped off some spare keys for his friend Angie to watch his place while he was gone, and gassed up his truck. The only thing he had left to do was collect his travel bags. He collected mail from his mailbox in the condo lobby and found a large white envelope addressed to him by name, but with no return address.

Terry took the elevator to his home and tossed the junk mail aside. He opened the envelope and pulled out a large color photo of a cute brown baby girl with green eyes so bright they seemed to leap off the photo paper. His heart thudded in his chest. He sat down on his couch and flipped the photo over. There was only a name and a phone number.

Terrina Richmond.

The phone number had an unfamiliar area code. He looked it up on his smartphone.

Charleston, South Carolina.

Terry's hands shook so badly he had to press them on his thighs. He stared at the photo again. The baby had wispy waves of dark brown hair like him, but the eyes…God the eyes were his, too. Especially the long curling eyelashes.

He picked up his phone, and with trembling fingers, called the number.

"Hello?"

"Nova?"

"Terry—"

"I have a photo in my hand. That's why I called this number…Nova—"

"Come get me…come get us."

"Send me the address, baby. I'm on my way."

He asked no questions. Didn't worry about how he would explain to his relatives that he had to make a detour from Louisiana to South Carolina. His prayers had been answered.

Terry Richmond booked a flight to Charleston. He had to get his woman back and meet his new daughter.

A.N: Hey, shit happens. Just needed to write this one to see where it would go!

[strnilolover]

NNN - baker!matt - pregnancy cravings

Pregnancy had turned your cravings into tiny adventures — ones Matt never hesitated to take on. Every craving, no matter how specific or inconvenient, became a mission for him to make you happy. His dedication wasn’t just about food; it was about showing love in the sweetest way possible.

-

001 - Pretzel’s

It was just after midnight, and you were wide awake. You couldn’t get comfortable, shifting every minute until you finally gave up — staring at the ceiling. You tried to think of things to help you drift off for the night, matt’s sleeping figure next to you should’ve lulled you to sleep a while ago — but it didn’t.

But as you continued to look at the ceiling, a strong craving hit you like a lightning bolt — soft, warm pretzels. The kind sprinkled with coarse salt, dipped into cheese sauce, and melting in your mouth. You groaned, turning over in bed.

The action made Matt stirred beside you, his head turning to look at you as he blinked his eyes heavily. His sleepy voice breaking the silence after a moment. “What’s wrong sweetheart?” he said, his voice rough.

You looked at him the best you could through the darkness in the room. “I can’t stop thinking about pretzels,” you admitted, feeling silly.

He raised a brow, a teasing smile forming on his lips. “Pretzels, huh?”

You nodded sheepishly, hating the fact that you woke Matt up now because of yourself. “Yeah, but it’s late. Forget I said anything.”

Matt shook his head, “Not a chance.” He said, slowly sitting up, rubbing his face before slipping out of bed and pulling on a hoodie. “You’re getting pretzels.”

You sat up, watching him. The feeling of guilt starting to prick at your gut. “Matt, you don’t have to—”

He held up a hand, silencing you. “I’m not running out to some chain store. I’m making them for you, and they’re going to be better than anything you’d buy.” he said softly, turning to navigate through the room until he made his way out the door. You slipped out of bed yourself, slipping your slippers on as you followed behind.

You followed him to the kitchen, watching as he moved with sleepy but determined precision. He mixed flour, yeast, and water, kneading the dough with steady hands. After letting it rest, he shaped it into perfect twists, brushing them with butter and popping them into the over that was already heated.

The oven filled the kitchen with a warm, toasty aroma. Matt yawned but didn’t stop, whisking up a cheese sauce as the pretzels baked. When he finally pulled them out, their golden-brown color made your mouth water. He quickly sprinkled the coarse salt on top of them, then putting the cheese sauce into a bowl before plating it.

“Fresh and homemade,” he said, setting a plate in front of you. “What do you think?”

Quickly you dipped a piece into the cheese sauce and took a bite, moaning in delight. “These are amazing. You’re amazing.”

Matt chuckled, kissing your forehead. “Anything for my girls.”

002 - Pancake’s

It was the middle of the week, and the world was going about its day — but all you could think about were pancakes. Specifically, fluffy, golden pancakes topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. But you didn’t want just any pancakes; you wanted Matt’s pancakes.

When he came home from the bakery, you greeted him with an almost guilty expression. “Hey, babeee.” you sang, dragging out the pet name as you looked at him.

“What’s up?” he asked, setting his bag down and pulling you into a hug. His arms were strong and comforting, his clothes still smelling like the bakery which only triggered your craving even more.

Your face was pressed against his chest as you smiled. “I really want pancakes,” you blurted out against him, pulling back to tilt your head up.

Matt grinned. “Pancakes?” he teased, bringing his face down to press his lips against your temple in a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he smiled down at you. “I think i can do that baby.”

And soon enough, you followed him into the kitchen, watching as he tied on his favorite apron. He grabbed ingredients with practiced ease, pouring flour, sugar, and buttermilk into a mixing bowl. He whisked the batter until it was smooth and poured it onto a sizzling griddle.

You were always amazed at how easy it was for him to make such things in quick time — watching as Matt flipped the pancakes with precision. You sat there with your head in one of your hands, the other rubbing your swollen belly.

You loved watching him in his own environment, how happy he got even if it was to make the things you wanted. Soon enough, he plated a stack, layering them with berries and a generous swirl of whipped cream. Then, just because he knew you so well, he drizzled a little maple syrup over the top.

When he set the plate in front of you, your stomach practically growled. “These look better than a restaurant’s,” you said, digging in, groaning as the food hit your tastebuds.

“I love you so much.” you said, your words muffled by a bite of food. Matt chuckled, “I love you too baby..both of you.” he said, resting a hand against your stomach as you continued to eat.

003 - Cookie’s

You were curled up on the couch one evening, enjoying the show you had turned on the tv. Your hands instinctively rubbing small circles across your belly, gasping softly when you would feel the soft flutters and kicks against your hands.

When the craving hit: warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies — You could almost taste the melty chocolate and buttery dough, the thought consuming your mind. But, you wanted Matt’s homemade cookies.

Your head turned in the direction to where Matt was sitting, his nose buried in the pages of a book. “Matt baby?” you spoke, the sudden noise startling him slightly, making him look up from his book.

He gently set the book down with a knowing smile. “Yeah sweetheart?” he said, slowly getting up and making his way over to you, crouching in front of your sitting figure. “Can you make cookies?..but not any kind, chocolate chip ones?” you asked shyly — it was still hard to ask for things a little.

Matt nodded, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to your stomach. “Of course i can baby, anything for you.” Without another word, he got up and headed to the kitchen.

You stayed in your spot on the couch, too warm and comfortable to move and the thought of ruining your comfort made you cringe. You could hear the sound of bowls and trays clinking, along with measuring cups and ingredients being poured into the bowls.

As the cookies started to bake, the smell filled the house, making your mouth water. “You should bottle that scent,” you teased as you spoke in the direction of the kitchen, loud enough for him to hear you. “I’d wear it as perfume.”

Matt’s laughter filtered into the living room, the sound of him pulling the tray out of the oven came right along with it. A few moments laster, he came back into the living room, holding a tray of breath golden brown cookies that looked delicious.

“Be careful baby, they’re still kind of hot.” he warned, and you acknowledged it, making sure to blow the cookie off before taking a bite out of it. The chocolate oozed, melting away in the warmth of your mouth.

“Oh my god,” you said, closing your eyes. “These are better than I imagined.”

“Good,” Matt said, leaning down to steal a bite from your cookie. “Because I made enough to last you through the week.”

004 - Mac and Cheese

The rain pattered softly against the windows, casting a cozy gray light over the living room. You were curled up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, but no amount of cozy could compete with the craving that had been building for hours: mac and cheese. Not just any mac and cheese—Matt’s mac and cheese. The kind that was creamy, cheesy, and baked with that perfectly crispy breadcrumb topping. Just thinking about it made your stomach rumble.

Matt walked into the room, drying his hair with a towel from showering just moments ago. He noticed the way you were staring out the window, looking distracted.

“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” he asked, leaning against the arm of the couch.

You sighed, giving him a sheepish smile. “I want your baked mac and cheese.”

His face lit up, his grin soft and knowing. “Mac and cheese, huh?”

“Yeah,” you admitted, shifting in your seat. “But only the baked one with the crunchy topping. You make it the best.”

“Well,” he said, pulling the blanket off your lap and giving your belly a quick rub, “you’re lucky I love you, because I wasn’t planning on cooking today. But how can I say no to my girls?”

You followed him into the kitchen, settling at the counter as he began pulling out ingredients. Watching Matt cook was always mesmerizing — he moved with such precision, each movement purposeful and confident. He tied on his apron and shot you a playful wink before getting to work.

First, he boiled a pot of water and tossed in the pasta, his favorite brand of elbow macaroni. While that cooked, he set up a saucepan to make the cheese sauce. You watched as he melted butter, whisked in flour to create a roux, and then gradually poured in milk, his wrist moving smoothly as the sauce thickened.

“This is where the magic happens,” he said, grinning as he reached for blocks of cheese. He grated a mix of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, folding them into the sauce with care. The cheese melted into silky, golden perfection, and he dipped a spoon in for a taste.

“Want to try?” he asked, holding the spoon out to you.

You leaned forward, blowing on the sauce before tasting it. The richness of the cheese mixed with the creamy texture made your eyes close in satisfaction. “That’s amazing,” you murmured, licking your lips.

Matt chuckled. “Good. It’s about to get better.”

Once the pasta was drained, he tossed it into the cheese sauce, folding it together until every piece was coated. The kitchen filled with the mouthwatering smell of melted cheese as he poured the mixture into a baking dish. Then came your favorite part: the topping. Matt mixed breadcrumbs with a little melted butter and a pinch of Parmesan, sprinkling it evenly over the top.

“This is what makes it the best,” he said, smoothing out the topping with the back of a spoon.

Into the oven it went, and the wait felt like an eternity. The two of you stood in the kitchen, chatting about your day, but your eyes kept flicking to the oven, waiting for the top to turn golden and crispy.

Finally, the timer dinged, and Matt pulled the dish out with a flourish. The mac and cheese bubbled at the edges, the breadcrumbs perfectly golden. He set it on the counter, letting it cool for a moment before serving you a bowl.

“Careful, it’s hot,” he warned, sliding the bowl toward you.

You didn’t care about the heat. You dug your fork in, pulling up a cheesy, crispy bite and blowing on it quickly before popping it into your mouth. The combination of creamy pasta and crunchy topping was everything you’d dreamed of. You let out a satisfied groan, resting your hand on your belly. “Matt, this is ridiculous. How are you this good?”

He leaned against the counter, watching you with a smug grin. “Years of practice — and a little extra love just for you.”

You took another bite, savoring it before speaking. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more than I do right now.”

Matt laughed, reaching over to brush a kiss to your temple. “Good. Because I plan on spoiling you like this for the rest of our lives.”

That night, curled up on the couch with Matt beside you and a second helping of mac and cheese in your bowl, you couldn’t help but think how lucky you were. It wasn’t just about the food—it was about the love and care behind every bite. And with Matt, there was no shortage of that.

© strnilolover

a/n : ik this is a little different but this was the only way i could see it in my head. also i was going to write a 5th one but then didn’t. but enjoy these!!

[vrystalius]

hi! Ive been reading ur fics for a while and i love them sm and hope ur enjoying ur break!

I was wondering if u could write about giyuu apologizing after an arguement?

once again i absolutely love ur fics lol 💗

Apologies

Giyuu apologising after an argument— how does he do it?

Pairing: married!Giyuu x gn!married!reader

“Why can’t you just talk to me? I feel like I’m the only one trying here!”

You immediately regretted those words the second they left your mouth. Washing out your mouth with soap won’t wash that expression of your husband from your face, him staring at you in both disbelief and deep guilt. Giyuu knows that he can come off as cold or even uncaring, even to you. It’s never intentional but rather a terrible habit he seemingly can’t get rid off and it keeps forcing him to push people away from him. That’s why it may seem he doesn’t try hard enough to express his thoughts, his feelings.

Despite knowing that you will be understanding and listen to his worries, hold him while you kiss his face until he finally smiles again, all those fears and thoughts that dwell on horrific events he experiences on a daily gone in mere seconds.

So, who should apologise first? Giyuu, or you?

Since your husband left your house after the argument, probably wanting to take a walk or get some fresh air, you had time to think about what to do to apologise to him. Directly talking to him might scare him off and result into him being too intimidated to answer or scurry off to hide somewhere else to avoid you altogether. A letter could work, right?

Composing and thinking about every word, every sentence helped you sort your thoughts out and properly speak about the argument from your perspective while also staying respectful to his own view of the issues. You just hoped that your crow was awake to deliver a letter to your husband. If not, you’ll leave it in your bedroom for your husband to find and read quietly while you waited on him somewhere else.

But before you could prepare a method for Giyuu receiving your letter, Kanzaburo, your husband’s elderly crow, weakly called out to you and ruffled his feathers while resting on your windowsill. A letter was secured around his neck. Gently, you took the bird and put it to rest on your lap, giving him well-deserved scratches while gently unravelling the letter from his neck. It was written by Giyuu, obviously, but before you could read, the door to the room opened and your husband stood in the doorframe, staring down at you in surprise. He eyed you, then the letter in your hands.

“Have you.. read it?”

“No, Kanzaburo just delivered it.”

“Ah.”

You could see the gears shifting inside his mind. He probably overestimated the senior crow and thought the letter would be delivered faster. You scratched the crows head and glanced back to the paper in your hand.

“Should I read it? Or do you want to say everything you wrote down to me personally?”

Giyuu silently averted his eyes, his shoulders sagging and a small frown spreading on his face. He was avoiding to look into your eyes.

“No. I’ll be in the bedroom.”

You watched your husband slowly close the door, leaving you alone with his elder companion. While the crow was contently preparing to nap on your lap, you opened the letter.

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳༚

My dearest,

I am sorry. I know I’ve caused arguments again and again because of my silence and my behaviour over all. You feel like you’re the only one trying in this relationship and I’m sorry for that. I thought that if I stayed silent it would be easier for the both of us but that is clearly not the case. I should’ve realised much sooner, but instead I am only doing it now.

I am just too scared to scare you off with my problems and issues since you have your own, just like everyone else does. You are important to me so you always are my priority. My thoughts and feelings can wait, so I stay quiet.

You deserve better than the way I am treating you, you deserve so, so much better. You’ve been patient with me, you stayed with me for so long, through good and bad times. I don’t deserve your love.

I want to do better and I will. Please have a little more patience with me. Please.

I love you, I am sorry that I haven’t said it enough times. I am sorry if you don’t believe me.

Yours forever,

Tomioka Giyuu.

˚✧₊⁎⁺˳༚

💠

Thank you so much for requesting!! I’ve been seeing you interact with my posts pretty often so thank you for all your love and support <33 I’ll happily write more requests for you in the future if you liked this one!

Also, I haven’t forgot about Kyojuro’s thighs request :,) I started writing it and it’s halfway finished— my NSFW meter just ran out and I started writing this instead XD

Anyways, make sure to EAT, SLEEP and DRINK enough!!

Take care of yourselves, physically and mentally <3

[fanaticsnail]

Stolen Moment

Masterlist here

Word Count: 1,700+

Synopsis: Too much time had passed between the rare moments you and your partner found for one another. You both decide to rectify that by doing something as simple as sharing the same Crowsnest and painting your lover's fingernails.

Themes: Wire x gn!reader, fluff, crass language, romance, established relationship, size difference, love, fingernail painting, kisses, comfort, sweet domesticity, sfw.

Notes: For @daydreamer-in-training who has found a new love for this tall commander. We needed him all sweet, didn't we, Coco? I hope you enjoy him being tender and giving kisses.

The sweet cry's of gulls echo in the cloud over above your position in the crows nest. Long, lanky legs lay over the top railing, the rustle of newspaper pages and a soft hum swelled a soothing warmth to the small piece of tranquility you carved for yourself.

The scent of seaspray was tainted by the manufactured chemical varnish bottle held in your fingertips, wafting to your nose the closer you found your prize. Your tongue darted from your mouth as you focused wholeheartedly on capping a larger index finger with a deep mahogany shade. With one hand holding your victim steady, the other hand meticulously applied the lacquer from the cuticle half-moon to the tips sanded to a rounded crescent.

As a little of the tint slipped over the border, you drew your thumbnail up to rid it of the blemish in a quick swipe. A gruff cough broke you from your fussing and prompted you to turn your head towards the sound.

“You know, any closer your face gets to my nails, and that tint will be staining your pupils, little mouse.” He drew the corner of his lips up into a half-smile, refusing to tear his eyes away from the newspaper as he spoke, “Also, it would bring me great pleasure if you stopped holding my hand hostage. Makes it hard to turn the page.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes and turning back towards your task, glaring at the varnish with a critiquing eye.

“You're a smart guy. Figure out how to turn the page one handed.” You continued painting the layer until you were satisfied the entire bed was covered in the perfect consistency. Giving the digit a small squeeze to alert him you were done, he instinctively pointed his next finger upwards as an invitation to continue painting. “And while you're at it, smart guy, find a way for your lap to be more comfortable.”

Wire chuckled at your comment as he folded the newspaper in his hand, peeling back a fresh page with his fingers and awkwardly turning it to the next slide. Rolling the thin paper in his hands, he feigned his focus on the next paragraph while enjoying the pleasure of your attention while attending to his nails.

It was a small luxury to find time to yourselves amongst a crew of over thirty. There were so many bodies moving on the larger ship that days seemed to blur together. Every day, the same routine: get up, get to the dining room, eat breakfast, get chore rotation, complete first rounds, have lunch, more chores, and then dinner. After dinner, there were meetings for the commanders, and shift change for the night watch to take over for the day shift.

Each time you and your lover found time for each other, moments were stolen and the other found themselves preoccupied with their duties.

But not today.

Not with the tranquility of the afternoon sun beginning to set in the evening sky over the horizon. Not in this silence of simply sharing in one another's company. Not as you felt his thighs shift and adjust you to a better position while nestled on his much larger frame.

Simply folding his paper over once more, he placed it on the side table and removed his ankles from dangling over the railing. With his unoccupied hand, he snaked it around your waist and buried his forehead in the crook of your neck. His soft exhales of breath tickled the skin and erupted it into soft pebbles as the follicles rose. You could feel the flutters of his dark eyelashes kiss your skin as his lids met together.

“How's this?” he whispered softly while smoothing over your waist with his thumb in soothing circles, “More comfortable?” You scoffed at him, rolling your eyes and moving on to the final nail.

Slowly dabbing the brush within the tint, you raised the mahogany hue to his littlest finger and slowly rolled it over the hard surface. Every nook of his nail was now painted with the hue of your choosing. You carefully screwed the lid back onto the bottle with the brush on the inside before setting the jar down to your side. Slowly rising his larger fingers up, you purse your lips and release a small stream of air through the taut circle.

Wire chuckled at your action, slowly nuzzling his head against your back and drinking in your attention. Through your careful attentiveness, he felt as if he, at his over nine foot statute, was made of glass. So careful, so delicate, so soft: all of those things were displayed in your adoration in something so simple as painting his nails for him in a hue that matched your own. Each small exhale parting from your lips caused his heart and eyes to flutter in delight.

He felt the lacker slowly dry as it hardened beneath your breath just as you realised it in unison. Without much thinking, he simply opened up the gaps in his fingers and laced your own fingers within. You clicked your tongue at his action, mocking displeasure, while you steadied his hand within your own. The size difference between you and your lover only seemed to intensify in this shared moment. His skin tone against yours, finally feeling the warmth after too many days passing between you, all of it was almost too much for your heart to take.

In lieu of unlacing his hand from yours, you simply drew it up to your heart and melted back into his embrace from behind. His thighs were soft, his skin was warm, his breathing was steady, and the moment felt as still as the pictures in the newspaper he was reading moments ago. Neither of you wanted to break the spell for fear it would end too soon, but you wanted to see your lover in all his unshrouded glory.

Slowly rolling your head behind you, you met his eyes with your own. The chocolate hue was as unmasked as his salt and peppered hair, shimmering in the light you shared together in the crows nest. Without a single word, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to your temple and held you closer within his embrace. You both closed your eyes on the impact, relishing in something so intimate and beautiful as a small kiss to your skin before he pulled away. He opened his eyes first, watching as your lashes slowly drew back to gaze at him.

“Finished that hand then, little mouse?” He purred down at you, slowly nudging the place his lips had just descended with his nose, “How do I look?”

“About the same as you always do, commander,” you shrug with a small tease laden in your tone.

“Tall, dark, and handsome, then?” he quipped in return, leaning back and drawing you further into his chest while cradling you against him. You scrunch up your nose playfully and nudge his chest with the crown of your head in response.

“Like a cockroach in lingerie.” You fluttered your eyelashes mischievously, smiling as innocent as a child caught with their hand in a forbidden snack jar.

Wire’s eyes widened briefly as his throat choked at your insult. Just as he began to grimace at your insult, you turned to straddle his lap and placed your hands on either side of his cheeks. Immediately surging forward, you claimed his lips beneath yours in a kiss that felt long neglected. Mouthing at his lips, you entangled your hands in the greying locks beside his ears while your palms pressed against his carefully fashioned facial hair.

Tilting and turning your head, you drank your fill of his off guard affections in every kiss you stole before his mind caught up to his experience. Just as you made to release his lips from yours, your hair was immediately entangled with his larger digits in a harder, fiery, and more deliberate kiss. You squeaked into his mouth, causing him to chuckle into yours before forging a bruised elevation against your skin.

Pulling away breathless, you gazed into your lover's eyes and slowly scraped your nose against his. Both of your eyes were half-lidded as you drew deep lungfuls of breath to balloon in your chests.

“You're a little shit sometimes, mouse,” he growled playfully at you, raising his lips to your forehead and pressing a smaller kiss to its center.

“Yes,” you admit with a smile, pulling away and gazing lovingly at him, “But I'm your little shit, Wire.” He leaned in towards you, darting his eyes between yours before a smile bloomed over his lips.

“You're as much my little shit as I am your cockroach in lingerie, mouse,” he fluttered his eyes innocently before pulling away his face and glaring at the newspaper. “Now, can I focus on turning the pages before you attack my other hand, or-?”

“-Nope. Other hand, now, commander,” you shrugged at him, turning back around on his lap and looking at the naked surface area, “Still good with the mahogany color, or do you want something different?”

“If it matches yours, I don't care what color you paint me,” he shrugged, darting his eyes over your head and down your back until he reached your waist, “I enjoy matching with you, mouse. Makes it feel like we're close, even when we're doing our duties away from one another.” He leaned down, pressing a small kiss to the center of your neck and whispered against your skin, “Better get a move on, mouse, before the captain takes this moment from us.”

“You got it, commander.” You retrieved the bottle and unscrewed the brush from the tip, ensuring the lacquer covered the strands of the brush while readying his hand.

At each swipe to his digits, he forgot more and more about the paper, and simply paid attention to the way your face concentrated on something so simple. Each swipe, dap, blotch, clean, and border was done so carefully, he could tangibly feel the love you placed on him with every stroke.

The gulls continued to skree within the sky as the sun slowly cascaded over the horizon before you. Yellows faded to pinks and purples, as blues and whites dusted the cloud cover above you both. He had never felt more in love in any moment prior, and you felt your heart quicken in exactly the same rapidity. You were his little mouse, he was your giant cockroach in lingerie, and neither of you would have it any other way than this moment stolen amongst the chaos of a crew as large as the Kid Pirates.

Tag list: @mfreedomstuff @daydreamer-in-training @since-im-already-here @gingernut1314 @writingmysanity @i-am-vita @indydonuts @feral-artistry @the-light-of-star @empirenowmp3 @racfoam @sunflowersatori @carrotsunshine @skullfacedlady @jintaka-hane @thenotsofantasticlifestory @ane5e

[umathurwin]

i’m the girl you’d die for

kiara carrera x rafe cameron; nsfw 18+

summary: Kiara and Rafe are locked in a Barbados villa together. Tensions are high. They share a bed. We know where this is going.

tags, warnings, and more on ao3!

Rafe, bored out of his mind, made multiple attempts to start a conversation with no success. Kiara remained committed to keeping her mouth shut, but she nervously stared at him like prey. He considered mocking her for this, but given everything he’s done to her friend group, he instead chose to let her continue ogling him and only smirked when their eyes met. Which was often.

Still, he was generous. Undressed slowly, flexing when his torso was exposed until her cheeks were red.

When the moon casted beams across the room, it was glaringly obvious to both that they needed sleeping arrangements that would invite the least amount of discomfort. “I’m a feminist. I can take the floor,” Kiara offered, breaking her silence while enviously staring at the luxurious king-size occupying the majority of the room.

He scoffed. “No, you can have the bed,” Rafe said and tossed a pillow on the ground. Kiara twisted her face up in confusion. “Are you surprised? If I banished you to the ground, my mother would turn in her grave.”

“No one’s ‘banishing’ anyone anywhere, I just think sharing would be— kind of weird, no? I’ll take it tomorrow night,” she suggested, then winced at the idea that they’d be here another day. Rafe had a similar physical reaction but said nothing, instead creating a pallet with the spare blankets and pillows.

Nothing else was said for the rest of the evening.

***

Kiara sat up, a scream still fresh on her lips. She kicked and clawed around the empty sheets, fighting off an attacker that lingered only in her dreams.

Rafe jolted awake and looked at the door, ensuring it was still shut and locked. “Kie, are you okay?” he asked, using the bedpost to bring himself to standing.

She hadn’t caught her breath yet, but still tried to explain herself. “The plane— Jimmy, he’s— fuckin’ hell,” Kiara pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes, trying to scrub the imagery out of her brain.

He was by her side in an instant, dipping into the bed on his knees. “It’s okay, sweetheart, you’re safe. It was just a nightmare.” His hand reached out to console her but he jerked back in fear of overstepping a boundary while she was still vulnerable.

“No shit, Rafe,” she bit, then looked up with wet eyes. “I’m sorry, I just—”

“It’s fine. I’ve gotten worse. Are you alright?”

“Please stay with me.”

Now that he didn’t expect. Guess the weirdness be damned. “I— uh, of course. Just… try to get some rest, yeah?”

He slipped between the silk sheets, letting the plush duvet settle over his figure. Kiara remained tense until he finally placed a soft hand on her shoulder. Rafe felt her physically deflate, and his eyes widened when she rolled over and rested her head on his bare chest.

Unsure of what to do, he lay rigid as her breaths evened out into soft snores. He brought a hand to the back of her head, lightly stroking her hair as they both drifted off to sleep again.

***

She woke for the second time that night, this time without the forceful tug out of slumber. No, this time it was something much different that pulled her from her now-peaceful dreams.

His dick.

No fucking joke, she could feel him pressed up against her ass. They seemed to have shifted in the middle of the night to a spooning position, and his semi-hard cock was perfectly caught between their bodies. Her cheeks flushed at the thought of him having a pleasant enough dream to get like this, and the devil on her shoulder won.

Ever-so-carefully, she shifted backwards in an attempt to increase their contact. Once their bodies were entirely flush, she grinded back. One of his arms was tossed over her waist, and she slotted her hand over his to hold him in place.

His cock twitched, she could feel it. She knew this was really wrong, messing with him in his sleep, but she couldn’t stop. Eventually she dared to reach back and stroke over his boxers, which only made him harder.

She wasn’t sure what the endgame would be. In fact, she wasn’t really thinking at all, given that her brain had entirely shut off the moment she felt him pressing into her. Kiara figured she could keep going until she was tired enough to fall back asleep, and was perfectly content with this choice.

That is, until the man behind her started to push back against her hand. She froze like a spooked rabbit, breath catching in her throat. Kiara tried to pull her arm away, but he pinned it to her side with a grip around her waist.

Rafe snickered, pulling her snug against him. “Couldn’t help yourself, huh?”

Fuck. “I—I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“Think I’d wake up? S’pretty stupid, doll,” he hummed, sleep still rasping his voice.

Her body flamed with embarrassment, thinking she would never hear the end of this. That is, until she realized he was tugging his boxers even lower to fully free himself. This is just another dream , she thought to herself. Surely Rafe isn’t about to fuck me.

Then he lined himself up with ease, simply pushing her panties to the side and gliding the tip along her wet folds. “Hope you know that if you wanted this, all you had to do was ask. Didn’t have to go violating me in my sleep.” He groaned as he guided himself inside her until the tip of his cock had disappeared within her walls. “But I won’t complain about this.”

A pathetic whine ripped from her. She pushed back to get him even deeper, and he matched her movements until his balls pressed against her clit. She clenched around him and suddenly it was him groaning, digging his fingers into her sheer nightgown.

The angle was perfect, and with every thrust he was directly hitting a spot that made her cry out. The hand that wasn’t wrapped around her body reached around her head to clamp over her mouth. “Shh, pretty girl. Don’t want the guards running in on this, do you?”

Kiara shook her head desperately.

He laughed at her whimpers, thoroughly enjoying the way she trembled in his grip. “You act like you hate me,” he chided, completely stilling his hips to her dismay. “Ignoring me. Giving me forced glares. You think I don’t see the way you look at me? Can’t believe it took you this long to do something about it, you little slut.”

She was overwhelmed to the point of tears spilling down her cheeks, and he smirked when he felt the droplets hit his hand. “Not sure why you’re crying, baby, you’re the one who wanted this.”

Kiara reached up to pull his hand from her face, just enough to choke out the words, “Rafe, please, move.”

“Now she has manners,” he teased but obeyed anyways.

He fucked her until she came, legs shaking and back arching. Rafe had to cover her mouth again to keep the noise down. He didn’t stop, even when she tried to cry out from overstimulation. The hand tucked around her waist trailed down until it was just above her mound, and he pressed in firmly.

“Feel that, doll? S’all me, making you feel so good. That’s it,” he purred, still thrusting and enjoying the feeling of her clenching and shivering in his arms.

He finished inside her, not that Kie expected any less. His hips stuttered and he dropped his head to her shoulder, trying to cover his own moans by digging his teeth into the flesh there.

They returned to silence, this time without the thick tension between them. The room seemed much cooler, despite the sweat beading on their bodies.

And with that out of their systems, the duo fell back asleep, more comfortable than either could’ve imagined.

[planetpedri]

You can write one about Pau Cubarsi where he teaches her how to play soccer, a really cute moment pleasee

Only friend — Pau Cubarsí.

Pairing: Pau Cubarsí x Fem!Reader

Summary: Pau knew you hadn’t been doing good, so he came over to get you out of your room by forcing you to play footy!

Word count: 920+

Disclaimer/s: mostly fluff + me projecting gulps so lighttt angst

A/N: hi guys yes this is me projecting my problems into writing thats my bad honestly I HATE WINTER!!

“Get out of bed.” Pau insisted, standing in your doorway with pursed lips. The second you heard the door open, you’d already known it was him since your parents knew better than to open it without knocking.

Shaking your head, you pull the blanket over your head. “Pau, go away. I’m tired.”

“Tired?” Pau sighs, slipping off his shoes and entering your room. “It’s two in the afternoon. It’s time to get up. I have plans for us.”

The bed dips under his weight and you finally turn around to face him. Dark circles ring around your eyes as you look up at him. “I went to bed at five.”

“In the morning?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t care.”

“Wha—“ You don’t get to finish your sentence because Pau had looped his arms under you and pulled you out of bed. “Pau!”

“Get dressed. We’re going to the park.” He says sternly, setting you down and offering a small smile. “Quit pouting.” He chuckles, placing a small kiss on your lips.

Trudging towards your closet, you change into ‘park safe clothes’ while Pau waited downstairs with your parents. Once you slipped on shoes and did your hair, you stomped down the steps.

Pau sat up on the couch, watching as you rounded the corner with a grumpy expression. He grinning, standing and saying his goodbye’s to your parents.

Your parents adored Pau. Like.. adored, adored. So did you, of course, but to them Pau could never do any wrong. To you, he could. Making you get out of bed to do God knows what, was wrong.

“What are we even doing today?” You quirk an eyebrow, climbing into the passenger seat.

Pau’s mouth forms a devious, shit-eating grin. “I’m teaching you how to play football.”

Instantly you reached for the door handle. Pau, having much faster reflexes, locks the car doors. “Nuh-uh!” He laughs, “you can have aux, just come with me, okay?”

Chewing on your cheek, you let out a huff. “Fine. Only because I hate your music.” He nearly tried to defend himself, but stopped when he saw the look you were giving him.

The park was quiet today, which was lucky for you. Only a few families milled about and they were at the play sets. Pau reached for his ball in the back seat before getting out. When you begrudgingly got out, he wrapped an arm around your shoulder.

“This will be fun!” He insists, planting a kiss to your forehead. No matter how annoyed you may be, it was so hard to stay in that state when your boyfriend was just so.. perfect.

“Fun is going to the mall. Fun is not spraining your ankle because your boyfriend forgets he’s playing with his girlfriend and not his teammate.” You point at him accusatorially, which sends waves of guilt through him.

“I apologized for that a million times!” He groans, letting his hand drop to your hip. “I won’t do that again. Promise.”

Rolling your eyes with a small smirk, you chuckle. “Sure. Okay, put the damn ball down.”

Pau grins, setting the ball on the fresh grass. “What should we start with today?” He thinks out loud to himself, which you watch with your hands on your hips.

“Well shit, I don’t know.” You mumble, “oh! Oh! Remember last time when I did that one thing?”

The teens eyebrows pull together before it dawns on him. He nudges the ball, playing with it as he thinks. “Okay, yeah. You’re talking about when you kicked it behind you?”

Shaking your head vigorously, you use your hands while you explain, “nooo. Dribbling! I think thats what it’s called?”

Pau looks up from the ball to you, “yeah, that’s what it’s called. Okay, jog beside me and watch the ball, i’ll explain as I do it.”

Nodding, you and Pau set off in a slow jog, as you do so, he explains his tactics and you watch him move. “It’s easier to do when you’re in a full on run, but you should start off jogging, it’ll make it easier to learn.” He stops the ball, kicking it up into his hands before he sets it in yours. “You got this.”

Swirling the ball in your hands, you chew on your bottom lip. “Right. Super simple.” You mumble, psyching yourself up. “Alright, let’s go.”

Letting the ball drop to the grass, you do just as Pau described. You nearly stumble, but catch yourself and continue. Every so often, Pau gives you a new pointer, and you adjust to it.

Throughout your time learning how to play, Pau gives you compliments and praises;

“Yes! Yes just like that, you’re a natural!”

“See, you know what you’re doing!”

“Might as well start calling you Messi.” — That was teasing, which you’d flicked him for, eliciting a loud giggle from the boy.

After nearly an hour of non-stop playing, you slump onto the bar of the net, catching your breath. “How do you do this nearly every fucking day?” You gasp out, taking a large gulp of water to alleviate the pain.

Pau sits across from you, leaning back on his palms. “Nena [baby], i’ve been doing this since i could walk.” He says with an amused expression.

Your eyes roll, “true.” Taking another large gulp and jump to your feet. “Let’s go again!”

Pau looks up at you incredulously. “Again? Not even an hour ago you were complaining about me even bringing you here.”

“Yeah, well. Times change.” You grin, reaching for the ball.

likes , comments , and reblog’s are appreciated. lmk if you’d like to be tagged in future pau posts.

ᝰ.ᐟ tags @halfwayhearted @ar4ujos @sakashq @joaoflms @hrts4havertz @spidybaby @unx100to @n0vazsq

[snowpetrichor]

Reunited at Last

I’ve written my own fanfics over the years, but I’ve never had the guts to post anything… I’ve finally decided to change that! This is a snippet from a DAV rewrite I'm working on. The scene is supposed to be in act 3 so I wouldn't have written it for a while, but I found myself daydreaming about it and I had to get it out of my system with a drabble.

I figured I’d take a chance and share it with my fellow solavellans. :)

Word count: 754

· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·

Ellana reached out a hand to wipe away the tears that had already begun to fall down his cheeks. The caress was feather-light, but waves of emotion shone in her eyes, and Solas felt something in him snap. He surged forward to catch her waist and held onto her like a drowning man might grasp a buoy. The strength of his love for her always seemed to send him reeling. Ellana stiffened, a surprised noise escaping her, but soon enough her hand came to rest on the back of his head.

Even in their years apart, whenever he caught a hint of lavender on the wind or tasted honey on his tongue, he was reminded of the fragrance she wore – spring flowers distilled to a sugar-sweet perfume. The Dalish had to make do with the tidings that nature offered them, so Ellana had learned to craft the scent herself. It was soft and fresh and so unique to her. Now, that sweetness seemed as if it would overtake him. His world narrowed to her touch, her warmth, and her heartbeat. Solas twined his fingers with hers and quietly wept for all that they had endured.

From the outside, the whole thing would have looked rather awkward – even sitting on the bed, Solas was still much taller than his heart, and he bowed to hold her in his arms. But there was nobody there to judge, and he wouldn’t have cared much anyway. He whispered her name over and over, uttering endearments like a prayer.

Vhenan, my heart, my love.

Ellana, Ellana, Ellana.

Oh. He almost never used her given name. She had first been Inquisitor, later vhenan, but never Ellana. Its soft syllables had only fallen from his lips once, and that thought brought a rush of unbidden memories. On her knees in front of a mirror, his desperate eyes searching hers before that final goodbye. One last kiss to give her strength for the years to come. She strongly suspected that he lost himself to grief in those moments after he went through the eluvian, and it tortured her to know that he shouldered such a burden alone for so long. Ellana lowered herself to sit by his side, wrapping her arms around him as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. A moment passed in gentle silence.

“Ir abelas, vhenan,” he sighed. “Despite everything, that you still stand by my side is…” Solas trailed off, seemingly lost for words as his gaze grew downcast. Ellana pulled back to study him. She cupped his cheek in her palm, turning his face back towards her.

“Emma lath, you remember my promise, don’t you? Var lath vir suledin.” She tried for a smile even as her voice wobbled; she tasted the salt of her own tears on her lips and realized absently that she had started to cry.

“You are my home, Solas. You have been since the very first moment I met you.” Ellana guided his hand to her breast, holding it softly against her heart. “So long as my heart beats, I will stand by your side.”

His chest was tight with emotion. There was pain – the pain of realizing that he could have spent the last decade in her arms if he so chose, the pain of living with a lifetime of sins, and the pain that came as he acknowledged how alone he had truly been. But there was also love. So, so much love. He was finally free to live as himself – as Solas – and there were no words to express the torrent of feelings that danced within him. He wanted to weave stories in her ears and share the wisdom that he knew would enrapture her. He wanted to take her in his arms, tangling their forms together until time fell away. He wanted to bare himself to her, to show her his soul, his spirit, and witness hers in turn.

He wanted to give her the world, but the world was no longer his to give.

So instead, Solas pulled her down to lie by his side. They breathed together and wiped away each other’s tears. Ellana pressed her forehead to his and he weaved a hand into her hair, cradling each other as they let the tides of the Fade take them. There would be plenty of time for more passionate embraces down the line, but for now, it was enough for two tired souls to exist as one, reunited at last.

[wildxtreasures]

distractions

Rating: Teen

Ship: Davrin/Female Rook Laidir

WC: 1,247

inspired by this post: (x) by @housederiva

on AO3, if you prefer: distractions

sometimes davrin really wished the two beings he loved most in Thedas weren't so troublesome.

Where was that damn griffon?

Davrin was already late. He had promised Rook that they would leave at noon for Rivain. She had suggested the change of scenery for their next training session, wanting to run about the cliffs and into caves with Assan. He wanted to go to the Wetlands to practice hunting darkspawn. But Davrin really wasn't good at saying 'no' to her yet. It was new territory. And he didn't want to disappoint her. Too many people he knew (or had known) lately were being disappointed by his performance. 

So, it was imperative to find Assan. But it was several minutes past noon and every one of Assan's usual haunts were empty save for his boy's feathers.

He resorted to his least favourite trick of The Lighthouse.

"Caretaker?" he huffed, tapping his foot.

The low reverberations of the spirit's appearance greeted his ears and the metal spirit faded into view. "Yes?"

He swallowed his impatience, trying to remember Emmrich and Bellara's tips on interacting with this thing. "Please tell me where Assan is."

Its metal finger pointed to the dining hall before spiriting away to wherever it actually lived.

Assan was not supposed to be in the kitchen. He was decidedly banned from there after he got into the fresh fruit and fish a week ago. Both Neve and Lucanis chewed Davrin out while maintaining to Assan that he was the best boy and they knew he didn't mean it.

Davrin sighed. Rook would forgive his tardiness. Seeing her laugh while running through the cliffsides with Assan would be worth it. He might even get her to tell him that story about delving into a qunari ruin with a dragon on her tail. She was always teasing that one.

And he had wine in his pack, for an evening under the stars. Bellara was going to sneak Assan back to the Lighthouse as the sun set so that he and Rook could be alone. Precious time with her, moments where he could linger his lips on her skin...

As he pushed the door open to the kitchen, a cacophony of noises died down suddenly. The change in sound was so drastic, Davrin's head snapped up and out of his thoughts.

"What the...?"

In the kitchen, Rook held a wedge of cheese in one hand and a cheese grater in the other. Assan's beak was tipped open, though it was now salivating as she held still. Lucanis was leaning on the counter behind her, his ever-present coffee cup dangling by two fingers.

"This isn't what it looks like," Rook quickly said, tossing the cheese back at Lucanis. The assassin caught it deftly in one hand before setting his cup down and picking up a cloth. He set to wrapping the cheese up.

Davrin moved closer to the two beings that held his heart plus Lucanis. He held back his smile, doing his best to only let the surprise out on his face. "Well, it looks like you let Assan in the kitchen, where he's not supposed to be, and are feeding him cheese that I was told was off-limits."

Davrin glared at Lucanis. "You're not Rook," was all the Crow said, shrugging.

Rook sheepishly smiled. "Then, it's definitely what it looks like."

"Why?" Davrin asked, holding his hand out for the cheese grater. Rook placed it in his hand.

"Assan was eyeing my lunch - which was mainly cheese, crackers, and berries - so I thought I'd see if he actually likes cheese." Her eyes were bright and mischief danced along her expression as she looked him in the eye.

Davrin opened his mouth to say something but Lucanis cut him off. "Maker, Rook. I told you that I would make you a proper lunch if you asked. Not this deer food you and Lace adore so much." Lucanis rolled his eyes at Rook before heading for the door out of the hall. "Maybe if I convince Lace that my real food is better, you'll both be better fed."

As the door closed after Lucanis, Rook stepped closer to Davrin. She placed a hand on his forearm. "He seems more mad at me than you do, right?"

Her brow was raised, the corner of her mouth tugging upwards in a smirk. Davrin spoke quietly. "I think that seems to be the case. But, next time, at least time it better so you're not late for our date."

"Oh!" Surprise and then concern dawned on her, wiping away the cute expression on her face. "Sorry, I didn't even realize what time it was."

"I'll forgive you," he said, putting the grater on the counter and pulling her close by the waist, "if you promise to tell me the qunari ruin story tonight."

Rook pressed herself into his body, the warmth of her releasing the tension he had riled up in his body over the past few minutes. Her thumb rubbed across his cheek. "Deal," she whispered.

She looked up at him, eyes wide, mouth slightly parted. He leaned forward...

Assan's head ramped into Davrin's thigh, causing him to pull away. The griffon body-checked him out of the way, sending Davrin sprawling into the ground. Assan jumped up onto Rook, his talons on her shoulders and brought her to the ground too. A sound of surprise escaped her lips.

Davrin sprang back up only to see Assan giving Rook kisses by pressing his beak to her face. She placed her hands on either side of Assan's face stopping his assault. "Learn that from your dad, eh?"

Her eyes met Davrin's and she gave him a little wink. Davrin chuckled. He pulled out some gingerwort truffles from his hip pouch which pulled Assan's interest far too quickly. He launched himself at Davrin.

"Sit!" Davrin yelled and Assan slid across the stone floor, legs in all directions, before he managed to find purchase to sit properly. "Good boy," Davrin praised, tossing a truffle at him.

Davrin moved over to Rook and held out a hand for her. She took it and Davrin lifted her up. He took the opportunity to press his lips to hers, snagging the kiss he wanted earlier. She pulled away, reaching into his pouch and tossing a truffle at Assan. "Have to keep him preoccupied if you want this to continue."

"Continue?" Davrin asked, bringing her hand that was still in his to his mouth. He pressed his lips to her knuckles, his gaze locked with hers.

"I was going to say continue making out in the kitchen, but you might be insinuating something else...?" Rook teased, though she closed the distance between their faces, pulling her hand, along with his, out of the way.

"We've got training to do," he said, regretting the words as they left his mouth.

She blinked a couple of times, leaning back from him. Rook considered his words, tilting her head. "I guess this can last all afternoon."

It was his turn to look confused.

"The foreplay," she answered to his silent question. She extracted herself from him before heading to the door. "I will see you in five minutes at the eluvian. I'll be wearing my Lords armour."

She swept out the door, leaving Davrin with the image of that armour in a pile at the foot of his bed.

Assan trilled, leaping to Davrin's side. The little griffon cocked his head. Davrin looked down, ruffling the feathers of Assan's head. "Do you mind hanging out with Lace this afternoon?"

[yaut-jaknowit]

How bout getting a look at Vic’tao’s and Uihoy’s first time doing the bedtime tango, given how they first I can see this being a slow build up till one of em snaps and makes the first move kek

- 🥤

Burst

Character: Vic'tao (Male Yautja) x Uihoy (Male Yautja)

Warnings: anal sex, knotting, rough, marking, biting, clawing, possessive yautjas (duh), mlm.

Word Count: 2871

Summary: After getting over their major differences, both Yautjas agree to team up for hunts. In close quarters with only each other, tensions can run high. And what's the best way to get rid of those tensions? Fucking them out of their system.

Author Note: Yasssss, they don't know what to do with each other up till this point. All they needed was a small... push. You give the best ideas, thank you so much!

P.s. Happy Thanksgiving yall. I know not every celebrates it. I personally don't. I just like getting together with my family and having delicious food. If you have a shitty family, don't worry. I can save you. Just gotta read some gay smut to make your day better!

P.s.s. Requests are closed. So sorry!

Masterlist

Ao3

Fleeting glances had both Yautjas tensing and snapping their heads away from each other. This continuously happens nearly every day now for the last month. Neither can figure out why they keep looking over at the other. They are desperate to find the source of this distraction. A distraction that cannot happen while preparing for a hunt.

Deep, sharp clicks rolled off of Uihoy’s tongue. The yellow of eyes glowing lightly in the dimmed room of the cockpit. A feeling of an insect crawling its way underneath his skin forced the male to shutter. The purple Yautja pulled his mandibles tight over his mouth and focused solely on a spot on the metal ground.

It’s just a hunt, he chanted over and over in his mind. They were solidifying plans for the moment. Any backup plans in case the hunt somehow turned for the worse. Retreating to live and fight another day.

Yet, Uihoy couldn’t get Vic’tao off of his mind. His thoughts were consumed by the yellow base and blue tinted Yautja. The way the male stood at the console, fingers gracefully typing away. His lethal, lean form stole his attention. Uihoy drew his mandibles tightly inward and gritted his jaw. The muscles that lined his neck flexing at the strain.

These two were brought up to despite the other, even challenge to the death. Except, they’ve gone against their upbringing to live amongst together on Uihoy’s ship. Uihoy could even say he enjoyed Vic’tao’s company. Even going to the fact he thought about wanting the younger male to be around more often than not.

Any opportunity to watch they male move with grace.

His purple scales shuddered. He couldn’t stop his eyes from darting away from the floor and up to Vic’tao. There was the yellow Yautja meeting his gaze all over again. Uihoy had to bite off a groan and clenched his hands into fists. Anything to stop himself from tearing about the console in front of him.

Something in the back of his mind clawed for the surface. A thought that made him turn it almost instantly down. This was enough he could do with right now. (Wanting to woo Vic’tao into mating with him)

A sigh sounded from Uihoy. Said male slipped out of his seat and marched straight out of the cockpit. He needed space, time, and fresh air before he did something he may regret later.

After the fifth time of meeting Uihoy’s bright yellow eyes, Vic’tao vowed to never look at him again. It’s not like Vic even liked Uihoy one bit. Everything he did irradiated him to the bone. It grated at his nerves watching the bulky, stout Yautja work the console like he was born with the knowledge. Muscle memory allowing Uihoy to glance over at Vic’tao’s staring self.

Each time, Vic was caught red handed. Both looking away at the same time. Not in a challenging way. All he wanted to do was admire Uihoy from a safe distance in a common area. Where he won’t be thought of as strange or rude for constantly finding his eyes on the older male. He didn’t think Uihoy would catch him every single time. The Yautja was good.

With a shake of his head, tresses swaying with the movement, Vic’tao refocused on the hologram in front of him. This was considered an average hunt for the average hunter.  At least, the prey was. But the lands weren’t something he was used to. Mountain terrain may drag his form down.

He may be lean and great at climbing towering, monstrous trees. These were a different obstacle to overcome. The face of the mountain terrain they were trekking through was like claws jutting out of the ground, tearing through the sky.

Many call it Paya’s hand. It wasn’t a place on Yautja Prime but a well known planet that those that decide to visit use it for training. The prey are well and plentiful, leaving a snack to a hungry, tired Yautja after a day full of training. Or to those looking to stock up for the next week.

Movement caught the yellow Yautjas attention. His head snapping over towards Uihoy. The male stomped his way out of the cockpit. Vic’tao furrowed his brow once the door slid shut behind Uihoy.

“What just happened?” he muttered to himself then shook his head. The mysterious ways of the homebound Yautjas will forever puzzle him. Mothership born are always much simpler.

That very next day, a pair of yellow and a pair of orange eyes found each other in the kitchen. Fresh meat stock the cooling box. Plenty to keep their bellies full for the next week. Vic’tao chirped quietly to himself, muscles freezing up. Not this again! The Yautja couldn’t believe it was happening all over again.

Vic’tao heavily ignore a burn that settled in the pit of his stomach. The logical sight of his brain shouting, demanding for Vic to take his life by the reins and actually do something!

In reality, the younger male continued to stand there. His feet felt rooted in the spot, molded into the  very metal floors they stand upon. All he was able to do was move his gaze down towards the ground at his feet. Focus on another else besides Uihoy. Don’t look at him. Vic’tao had to constantly remind himself. Uihoy distracted him. It’s all what he’s been doing every time they are near each other.

This time, Uihoy didn’t remove his eyes from avoiding Yautja. Actually, he narrowed his gaze and leaned forward on the kitchen island. Uihoy support more of his weight on his palms.

The small twitches of Vic’tao’s mandibles told Uihoy a wordless story. The younger male avoided his powerful, direct gaze. Uihoy even felt that he may have crossed into challenging territory but didn’t stop. Maybe, a small part of him wanted for Vic’tao to take up the challenge. What could possible turn out in the end one pins the other? Uihoy stood there, consumed by his thoughts for a few long seconds until he realized what had just pass through his mind.

His head jerked back, eyes wide and blinking more times than necessary. This time with Vic’tao… Being in the same ship for weeks upon a time. It as driving him insane! A mothership born and homebound can’t. It’s not logically possible. The differences in culture.

Let alone the thought process. Uihoy is used to nearly dying everyday from a predator on Yautja Prime. What did Vic’tao had to go through?

The anger he attempted to force into his system swiftly washed away. Uihoy rested back on his palms and let his head hang. What was he supposed to do in this situation? His hands curled into fists. This wasn’t the plan. Everything is jumbled mess of emotions he truly didn’t understand.

In his blood, his instinct, he wanted to tear apart the thing created all of these issues for him. It wasn’t the time for talk. There was no words in the moment to quell him. It was time for action.

“Uihoy, are you angry at the counter or something?” the youngster quipped with a short snort afterwards. The words snapped him out of his thoughts. His plan falling apart right before his eyes.

Uihoy raised his head and blinked a few times at the other male. Then, he finally found his voice. “No,” he drawled and tried to a reason from the depths of his mind. “I’m just… thinking.” If Uihoy could, he would’ve face palmed at the stupidity he just displayed.

“Huh. Well, what’s causing you to be upset?” he asked once more. Vic’tao had turned around to face Uihoy, head tilted fully to the side. The blue-gray, thin tresses falling off his shoulder. A singular brow was raised at Uihoy’s direction. “I can smell your anger from all the way over here, you know?”

Ah, there was no denying or hiding such a fact. Uihoy usually has a good control on his scent and emotions. Yet, this was new territory for him. A female… he could understand. The many children he’s sired are evident enough. With Vic’tao, Uihoy stumbled like the first time a combistick was thrust upon in his hands; told to fight for his life.

Was that what he was going? Trying to… mate with Vic’tao? Same sex isn’t seen normally. It does happen amongst Yautjas. At their base root, they must produce children for the next generation. So many don’t follow that route for a same sex mate. Some clans frown upon it, discouraging it for the next for the next generations.

Yet, all of this dancing, all of this toying, avoiding the issue has only caused more issues. The tension between them only building the longer either Yautja dismissed the feelings in their chests.

A snarl tore from the elder’s throat. Vic’s eyes jumped wide, mandibles twitching. His body reacted by preparing for a fight. Uihoy was on him in a flash, quicker than Vic’tao could comprehend. A mighty, purple hand wrapped around the taller, leaner male and held him against a wall. Vic’tao didn’t struggle. His eyes watched every twitch, every muscle that moved.

H'dui'se. Thick, heavy in the air. Both Yautjas tensed up, tongues darting out to taste each other’s scent in the air.

Nearly glowing eyes bored into the other. Uihoy could see it in Vic that he too struggled with these unknown emotions. Not unnatural… just new, unsure about how to feel. Uihoy was done fliting around.

“Strip. Now.” Deep from Uihoy’s voice came a sound that had Vic’tao’s scent doubling. It nearly made the older Yautja dizzy and lose his grip. He growled again and redoubled his firm grasp on Vic’s throat. The younger male didn’t move for a few, long seconds. Uihoy tightened his hand again. “Strip.” And he wouldn’t say it again. He would do it himself.

The seriousness in Uihoy’s eyes had the yellow Yautja undoing the knot on his pants in record time Neither looked away from each other. The clothe had been pulled off to reveal the entirety of Vic’tao’s well sculpted body. Uihoy laid a hand on Vic’tao’s chest and ran his lethal claws down to palm at his wet sheath. He toyed with it by running his thumb between the folds. Vic’tao keened and rutted his hips forward. His hands landed on Uihoy’s shoulders and gripped tightly.

“Don’t you pauk-de toy with me, home-world born,” he seethed and glared at Uihoy from underneath his brows. His hands twitched to turn the tables and pin Uihoy to the wall. Each touch on his sheath prevented him from committing to the thought. “Uihoy.”

Said male grinned wide, mandibles flared out in display and enjoyment. Able to knock the high and mighty youngster made his blood sing. “What was that?”

Sharp nails dug into Uihoy’s shoulders. Neon green blood began to drip freely from the new wounds. In a flash, Uihoy took Vic’tao down to the ground and placed a foot on the yellow Yautja’s chest. When Vic made a move to move, Uihoy added his weight. “Stay.” Vic’tao listened to the older male and watched as he stripped himself as well.

The little clothing he wore as well was discarded somewhere in the kitchen. Each male naked like the day they were born.

Uihoy lets his cock slip free from his sheath. A hand wraps around his girth and gives a few firm strokes. Underneath him, Vic’tao growled and tried to get up on an elbow. But, Uihoy bellowed a warning and verbally forced him to lay back down. Vic huffed and could only watch as the brightly colored shaft twitched against the older male’s hand.

Pleasure and need pooled at the base of Uihoy’s spine. The need to pin the other down was far too great for him to handle. With a snarl, Uihoy flips him around onto his belly and hikes his hips up. Vic’tao claws at the metal kitchen floors at the sudden change. His own cock slides out of its sheath and meets the warm air. It was already soaked and dripping onto the ground.

A thumbpad touched at his tight entrance. Vic tensed up with a yelp before getting a hold of his nerves. He didn’t care if he was on the receiving end. All he wanted was to be connected with Uihoy in some way or another. He shook his nerves off and rutted his hips back. Uihoy got the signal.

The pointed, wet tip was lined up. Uihoy didn’t waste a second on theoretics and shoved his hips forward. Pain and pleasure exploded inside of Vic. His claws tug into metal and scrapped against the floors. His eyes were screwed shut as he attempted to control his erratic breathing. Uihoy groaned at the feeling that ran up his spine.

He tugged his hips back in a fluid motion and rocked forward again. A steady, fast pace was set. All he wanted to do was take and take and take from Vic. Get all he could from the yellow Yautja. Uihoy wanted all of him. He needed all of Vic’tao as his own.

His mate.

As the thought hit him, he didn’t slow. He didn’t stutter. No, his pace increased. The fluid from his sheath aided him. Wet, obscene noises filled the open space. Every thought was consumed by the need to have this Yautja be filled with his essence. He wanted Vic’tao. He wanted his heart.

Once the pain quickly gave way to pleasure, Vic’tao reached for his aching shaft and wrapped a hand around it. “Pauk!” He toyed with the tip and pushed out more pre-cum to use it as lube. Then, Vic set the same pace as Uihoy the best he could. But the older Yautja was going wild, loosing himself in the pleasure and need.

Uihoy hunched over Vic’tao and locked his arms around the yellow Yautja’s waist. This anchored him to Vic’tao and let him keep the same pace. He was able to go harder. The stinging slaps of Uihoy’s thighs to Vic’tao’s butt and thighs only drowned the younger Yautja in more ecstasy.

“Mine. Pauk-de mine. My mate!” Uihoy declared with a roar. Vic’tao didn’t fully comprehend the purple yautja’s words and only went along with it. A heady whine left his throat as he could feel closing in fast.

Cum painted Vic’tao hand and the floor underneath him. He felt like he was bursting at the seams. The pleasure overwhelming to the point he couldn’t think or see straight. Vic’tao yelled out, hand squeezing his tip to push every drop out.

Each clench around his already sensitive cock sent the purple Yautja into overdrive. He didn’t care about the force or the speed of his thrust. He needed to knot him. All Uihoy could think about is marking the whining Yautja underneath him.

Uihoy’s eyes narrowed on the perfect place. Without another moment, Uihoy latched his fangs into Vic’tao’s exposed shoulder. Said male reared up with a cry of pain. Blood pooled around Uihoy’s teeth creating a scar that would bond the two of them. Vic’tao squirmed underneath him. Uihoy only tightened his jaw and mandibles with a thick growl.

It only took two more thrusts for the male’s knot to expand pass the stretch ring of muscles. Vic’tao sobbed into the floor. The ball of flesh pressing against a bundle of nerves inside of him. Uihoy continued to rock his hips the best he could, pouring what seed he could inside of his new mate.

Once the last of the buzzing of energy finally dispersed, Uihoy unlatched his teeth. Both of hands were on either side of Vic’tao’s head to lift most of his weight off of the limp male. Vic’tao was purring away, dazed and content. Uihoy snorted then used a hand brush away Vic’tao’s tress on his shoulder. His mate mark fresh and evident on the younger male’s shoulder. Uihoy couldn’t be prouder of himself at the sight. He could feel his cock twitch inside of Vic’tao.

He leaned down and nuzzled carefully above the wound on Vic’tao. “You did so well, mate. I’m gonna keep you. You’re mine now.” Uihoy purred his own tune to calm down Vic’tao’s wildly beating heart he could hear. One of his hands petted at Vic’tao’s side. “Stay with me, Vic. Please.” Yes, he could make all the demands he wanted but it all mattered to Vic’tao if he wanted to stay after this.

“As if I would pauk-de leave after such a dicking down,” Vic’tao mumbled underneath Uihoy. The purple Yautja couldn’t help but snort at his words.

The hand petting Vic’s side stopped at his hip. With an experimental tug, he was able to slip his knot out of Vic. Said Yautja groaned and tensed up. Cum oozes out of his stretched hole and leaked down onto his thighs then the floor. Uihoy tightened his hold Vic’tao for a moment at the beautiful, delicious sight. 

“Want another?” Uihoy toyed with him.

Vic’tao tensed underneath him for a different reason. “If you don’t get your penis back in me, I swear…” He wasn’t needing to be told twice.

[the-fox-with-no-name]

Aftg Skit: Wymack's Thanksgiving Story

Wymack is sitting at his desk, rubbing his temples, while Betsy sits opposite him, sipping coffee.

Wymack: (groans) Betsy, you ever have one of those holidays where you wonder if drinking straight through it would’ve been the smarter choice?

Betsy: (calmly) Every year. What happened this time?

Wymack: Thanksgiving. I made the mistake of assigning tasks to the Monsters. Figured I could trust Neil and Kevin to do something as simple as picking up a turkey from the store.

Betsy: (already suspicious) Let me guess. It wasn’t simple.

Wymack: Of course not. (leans back in his chair) I sent them out together, thinking Kevin would keep Neil focused, and Neil would keep Kevin from being...Kevin. Turns out, they’re both equally capable of catastrophic failure.

Betsy: (hides a smirk behind her coffee mug) What happened?

Wymack: (throws his hands up) They lost the turkey, Betsy! Lost it! Somehow, between checkout and the car, the damn thing vanished.

Betsy: (raises an eyebrow) They lost it?

Wymack: That’s what they told me. Neil claims Kevin got distracted arguing with Nicky about frozen versus fresh products being better for athletes, and in the drive back here it “disappeared.”

Betsy: (dryly) Disappeared. Sure.

Wymack: (leans forward) Oh, it gets better. Andrew was the one who found it.

Betsy: (surprised) Andrew? How?

Wymack: Don’t ask me. He just showed up at my door an hour late, holding the turkey in one hand and a bottle of bourbon in the other. Didn’t explain a damn thing.

Betsy: (amused) And you didn’t ask?

Wymack: (grins ruefully) I’ve learned better than to ask Andrew anything when he’s in that mood. He dropped the turkey on the counter, handed me the bourbon, and said, “Happy Thanksgiving, Coach.” Then he walked out.

Betsy: (laughing now) At least he got the turkey back.

Wymack: (sighs) Yeah, but do you know how weird it is to have Andrew Minyard save Thanksgiving? It’s unsettling. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Betsy: (teasing) Maybe he’s just full of holiday spirit.

Wymack: (snorts) Sure. And I’m the Tooth Fairy.

Betsy: (stands up, still laughing) Sounds like you had an...eventful holiday.

Wymack: (mutters) That’s one word for it. Next year, I’m ordering pizza.

Betsy: (heading to the door) Good luck with that. Knowing your lot, they’ll find a way to lose that too.

Wymack: (calling after her) Don’t give them ideas, Betsy!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

[l0vema]

Serenity

A/n: just wanted Dino fluff (my bias wrecker) cause I've been feeling some burn out. Enjoy🙆🏾‍♀️

You sigh as you pull the heavy work bag onto your shoulder . It's been a long day. Your head is pumping with an upcoming headache, your lips are chapped from the lack of water or food from your packed schedule. You can't wait to just knock out into your bed and sleep the entire day away.

Stepping into you and your boyfriend's shared home you take in the dim lighting of the house and shoved off your heels that have your toe in pain. You walked towards your living room wanting to see Dino before knocking out till the next morning.

"babe..." You call out before noticing the blankets strewn across the couch. Smiling you kneel to come face to face with him. Looking at his soft features and hair falling across his forehead. "You're so beautiful," you whisper. He was. The part in his lips, his fluttering eyelashes, the redness from sleeping creating a cute pink hue over his cheeks.

"mmmhmm," he stirred awake. Glossy eyes looking at you before smiling, "hey." He gets his arms free from the blanket to pull you into a hug. You fall into the hug and pulled up into the couch and slumber paradise he created. "How was work?" He asked so sweetly, always checking in on you. Being honest you tell him, "I'm starving, thirsty, and barely awake. I think I can sue them for not letting me sit around in a cute pantsuit and get paid for nothing." Your words pull a laugh out of him, "you're too fine for this suffering"

You turn your head towards his face, still in embrace. Looking into his eyes you feel a swell of love. He leans into you and pulls you by your chin to kiss you. It starts with a small peck before he moves back, " I mean it. You're too fine to suffer. If you want to stay home I will always support you. Or at the very least you could do less and rest more." You've had this conversation with Dino before, You trust him but still...you don't think you're ready to stop your research and work just yet-despite being so tired most of the time these days.

"Let me take care of you baby," he adds. You lean in to kiss him letting your love spill over into him. Sometimes words were too much.

You get up from him remembering your plans to fall asleep...maybe get something to drink before it. As if he read your mind Dino says, "let's get your belly full, go take a shower baby." He grabs your bag for you and leads you to your bedroom.

You strip and hop into the hot water your thoughtful boyfriend had opened already.

Post shower you feel clean and fuzzy when you walk into the kitchen seeing a plate made and Dino on his phone. "I love you so much," you confess as you sit at the island to dig in. Smiling widely Dino puts his hone down to wrap his arm around you from the back. "I love you too," he replies before kissing you on your head. "How was your day?" You ask him as you shove the pieces of food down your throat.

Once you are done and feel satisfied you sigh happily. "Let's go" Dino says (who was back hugging you as he told you about his whole day while you ate). He picks you up and walks down to your bedroom. You're quiet as he places you onto the bed, getting in next to you. "Are you able to sleep if you already took a nap?' you ask him. He hums in response as he gets closer to you and covers you both with the blanket. "You get me to relax easily baby and I know you're really tired so let me cuddle you even if I don't fall asleep." You nod and wrap your arms around Dino. The two of you are face to face and just stare at one another before getting all giggly. You love this man and how he makes you forget all the exhaustion the rest of the world brings towards you. He is a breath of fresh air for you. Dino leans in to kiss you one last time before letting his eyes shut. You copy him and no sooner does sleep pull you and Dino into the abyss of your love.

L0ve, M.A

[heartthrobxhook]

"But he means... something to Ed. My man has already lost enough, I don't want him losing anyone else... Even if that someone is a pain in the ass in the unfun kind of way." Killian grumbled then glared at his crewman for teasing him about getting drunk. "Well what the fuck else am I supposed to do while I wait?! The bite isn't even that big..."

Two more unpleasant hours go by and once the nasty critters were removed and his leg wrapped up in some fresh bandages Killian had headed back to his cabin for awhile. He sobered up and worked out their heading before going to find Smee, thankfully with the helmsman. "Smee, prepare to set sail to Havana. We need to get some proper supplies before we cross the Atlantic. I want to be moving with the tide by dusk so get everyone aboard the ship that's coming with us." Killian ordered then headed back down to check on Edward to see if he was awake yet.

Killian is taken aback by the other man's words, he couldn't deny that. Blackbeard was what had gotten his interest to begin with, had caught his attention, but it was Edward not Blackbeard that made him want to stay. It was frustrating at the same time, if he had loved all sides of Edward he wouldn't have tried so hard to push away the gentler side.

The younger captain was raising the bottle ready to throw it at the man for touching Edward, at that same moment the doctor had returned and intervened. Killian lowered the bottle and took a sip from it, his eyes watching as the other moves away and offers him what he was widdling. Killian reaches out with two fingers to grab it's tail while still holding the bottle.

"And I bite back, he loves it." He said and stuck his tongue out at Izzy as he left. He took a moment to look at the shark and thought what an ass thing to give someone who had been bitten by a shark. But at the same time Killian loved sharks despite what happened, he'd keep it. Tucking the fooden figure away he drank the rest of his brandy. "Thanks for shooing him out, I hate having him aboard." He lifts the bottle and the last drops hit his tongue, a long whine leaving him. Killian pouts and hugs the empty bottle, mourning that it was all gone.

[okami-zero]

Kind of funny how reading fics makes little character things pop up in my head. And I just had a moment where something was said (and continued to be said) about someone, dunno who or why. But they had to be someone Akagi knows well enough, and the stuff being said was derisive, or vulgar or just awful and wrong. And Akagi is standing there, motionless. Now, Akagi gets angry and has emotional outbursts at times.

But this anger...

This level of anger is expressed by Xano (my worgen WoW tank) as a lot of clenched muscles - his jaw, his fists to the point his knuckles pop, and his arcane eye blazing like a bonfire with a darkening expression that'd cause an ogrinn to shit itself and run. Zedd (my SWTOR smuggler) has an eye tick and his fingers tend to flex like he's trying desperately not to draw and show whatever dumb shithead how fast they can be put in the ground.

It is rather different from enragement, loud, tumultuous and heated (or sometimes it is the precursor, and what follows is so much worse for it). It is deep, simmering and cold. It is quiet, until it's not.

Akagi goes still. His expression goes from a scowl to nearly expressionless. His fists will clench (or grip his arms, if they are crossed). And his tail will just..stop. No gentle sway from standing, no lashing side to side in agitation or annoyance. Completely still. As still as a living mortal can be, at any rate.

What comes next really depends, but if there isn't someone there who can rein him in, or calm him down, you can bet it will be quick and it will be violent.

Akagi is not unkind, far from it. He generally prefers diplomacy whenever it is an option, but is well aware that sometimes strength of arms is necessary (or a stiff jab in the case of unruly drunkards). And while not as patient as Xano (whose laidback nature is often used to put folks on the backfoot x3), he's fairly easygoing most of the time (like when the world ISN'T teetering on the brink of mayhem and/or destruction).

Would he regret his actions after the storm has passed? Quite possibly, depending on the fallout from whatever happens. Especially if someone outside of the situation was hurt because of him. He wouldn't go rage-blind, more tunnel-vision (which is close enough). But as it stands, I cannot think of a point when this would have happened. Not to say it hasn't, I just know that it's something that could happen. I would need to sit and think real hard over the story so far, and see. Asahi probably came real close.

He's gotten very angry before, in a lot of places for a lot of reasons. But that stillness is when anger stops being able to encompass it.

[myketheartista]

hey gamers! if you don’t know me by name, just consider me the lesbian parvill artist. im here to say that you should vote for Bangarry against Hatsome so they can move on to face Parvill. my offer is that i’ll post the full image of this drawing if Bangarry ends up beating Parvill. i was planning to post it further on in the future… but with your vote for Bangarry, you could get it SOONER! god knows with how bad my attention span is, you could never get it! war isn’t easy, and i am a certified Hatsome and Parvill soldier, but sacrifices must be made to achieve world (bangarry) domination. so vote to move Bangarry onto the true battle against Parvill where your vote will be most valued…. and yeah, you’ll get girlfriends. i’ll also throw in a doodle or two of them as extra compensation.

@yogscastshipbracket

[tieflingbi]

i actually was so bored in class today that i started typing out myrri's backstory and now i'm thinking bout how that's the first time writing anything OC related in a good long while and it's nice tbh :')

[belobogbro]

He hummed out a sigh when Eros moved up to lay against his chest, his own hands wandering further down to spread atop his partner's back. Head turning subtly to meet the first touch to his face, Anton kissed the heel of Eros' palm. All the while, his gaze remained fixed on the other, and he couldn't get the small soft smile off his lips - not that he even tried.

Anton was most of the way to catching his breath when their mouths met. He thought he could taste a hint of his own release; whether that was true or not, the idea kept arousal simmering in his veins, settling hottest in his groin. Turning his head a little further to welcome the attentions down his neck, low-lidded eyes widened when the trail of kisses ended in a sharp nip. Another moan, softer this time but no less eager, leapt from his throat.

The contrast of following it up with a tender kiss to his knuckles had Anton blushing darker than he might've otherwise. When their fingers interlaced, he offered a slight squeeze to Eros' palm in return. And boy, if he thought he'd gone red from that kiss, his partner's words left his face feeling like a fresh-boiled lobster.

"Love you too, sólnyshka. ...I just wish I was better at makin' my words sound pretty like that." A quiet, sheepish chuckle. "Everything I think of sounds like a bad copy of what you said. But I do love you a hell of a lot, and I wanna show some of that any way I can." Maybe he'd do better with actions than words.

Anton bit the inside of his lip, blush prickling briefly at Eros' grinning reply. His mouth soon fell open when his partner's returned to his cock, teasing just long enough to make him squirm again before that perfect wet heat engulfed it.

Hands burying once more in soft hair, he tipped his head back, at first too distracted by Eros' attentions. That insanely skilled tongue, the faint incidental skims of teeth, those nails pressing against his thighs and the moan that came with them, the shift in tightness around his tip each time Eros took him down to the base... Anton luxuriated in the teasing for a little while.

When the pace showed no signs of speeding up, though, his hips started moving again. A part of him had wanted to see how long he might hold out, but it all felt too good to deny himself. Bracing his heels, Anton started out complementing Eros' rhythm, but soon build back up to his earlier pace. Heated tightness coiled faster in his groin this time, threatening to release at any moment. He couldn't even manage words of warning, just taut, needy moans amid shorter panting breaths.

Balls drawn up tight, fingers tangled in pink and white waves, Anton came into Eros' mouth with a wordless, drawn-out, wavering groan. Aftershocks shivered through him with the last couple spurts, slowly draining tension from his posture - but not yet from his arousal. Crimson eyes blearily blinked open to gaze down at Eros with a small tender smile, letting go of his partner's hair to cradle that pretty face instead.