#harlow the silkie

[simplepotatofarmer]

ROUND!

[gothbitchjuice]

For Science - NSFW Caesar Clown ONE PIECE Commission ----------------------------------------------

Word Count: 3.5k

TW: Pollen k!nk-adjacent, needles, slight noncon

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The faint sound of glass clinking against glass echoed lightly through the air, accompanied by shuffling of a pair of feet and the occasional grunt of approval. Small, colorful 'poofs' of gas would appear in the air and just as quickly dissipate. Over and over, this was the process observed in Caesar Clown's laboratory on this particular day. Usually, the man was more than certain of his scientific process - he was an arrogant man of science, after all! Today, however, he found himself struggling with the formula in front of him. While creating artificial gumgum fruit came to the giant secondhand, so natural, creating this new biologically warfare item was the farthest thing from it. SAD and SMILEs were like child's play, and now Caesar struggled over his lab table and instruments to the point that he was gritting his teeth in frustration. Of course, he'd never let anyone else know that he was caught up over something so ideally minuscule. He was too prideful for that.

Another annoyed growl ripped from his lips as he blew his own cover. "Y/n!!" He called out with a sneer, setting the glass vials down and pinching the bridge of his nose. Long legs carried the beautiful assistant into view, stopping within the door frame of the lab, knowing better than to approach Caesar without being directed to do so. "Yes sir, you called?"

"I need a drink." He removed his hand from massaging his nerve, placing both of his large hands flat on the table and peering over his massive shoulder at the striking young blonde. "You know my usual."

She nodded in response, "Right away, sir."

Caesar's eyes followed the silky trail of glass-smooth skin up those long legs, watching as they pivoted and exited the room. After a moment of being lost in his own inappropriate thoughts, he shook his head, as if to clear it, and continued back at his work. Instead of grabbing for the he vials he was originally tampering with, he walked over to his chalkboard, beginning to work chemical equations at lightning speed. Harlow returned, mixed alcoholic beverage in hand, kidding now she could approach her boss. Before she could even call attention to herself, he held out his hand for the drink, and she placed it obediently in his hand, then turned to leave. She only made it a few steps away before his voice came out in a low tone, "I need your eyes, Y/n." It was rare that Caesar would cave for help, but if they're eye anyone he'd admit defeat to, it was his assistant, in the privacy of his science lab - his sanctuary - his safe place.

With a petite grin, she spun on her heel and approached the drawing board, stopping at his side. "What are we working on that's got us stumped..?" She knew to phrase things as a group effort, careful not to outwardly call attention to his struggle. She knew better than to bruise his ego. He ran his long, thick fingers through his raven spiked locks, releasing a pent-up sigh from his lungs. "I've been commissioned for a new weapon, one that targets the enemy's nerve receptors, specifically causing pain, no other feeling.. the problem I'm facing is that I've figured out what the chemical compound for a successful solution, however, despite the various ways I've combined chemicals together, something is still missing as a catalyst to create the reaction which would start the targeting of nerves."

Nodding along and listening as he spoke, sharp eyes read over every chemical equation on the board, computing it all in her head and getting to make sense of it all. "Ah, I think I understand." He, too, nodded and sipped at the drink in his hand as he scanned over the chalk, over and over. He let her read and process in silence, as she usually did. Y/n tended to keep quiet around Caesar, coming across meek and obedient, only really opening up when it was required of her. She really was his best assistant, but a lot of that came from her appearance, Caesar thinking fondly of her as a stone cold fox with an even more attractive brain. Shit- he was getting lost in thought again - focus, Caesar. Harlow turned her head to look to at the large man, pointing and tapping her nail on the board at part of the chemical compound written as the answer. "The catalyst you're missing you don't have in your cabinet, sir. The thing that puts this all together to work is blood. This compound would need to enter the bloodstream and react with the DNA to then attack the nerve receptors. See?" Picking up the chalk, she began to factor in the chemical compound for blood, biting lightly at her bottom lip as she worked through the math in front of him. His eyes followed along on her equation, but trailed up from the chalk to her hand, hand to arm, arm to shoulder, shoulder to - "See, sir?" He blinked, yellowed eyes returning to the math. "Ah, yes.. that makes total sense.. I'd have gotten there eventually, I'm just in a rush." Caesar snickered, washing his hand as if to wave her off knowing he really did get stuck. "Of course sir. If that's all-"

"Hold on now, Y/n. You figured out the missing element and that I don't have it in stock, but you see, you were wrong," Steady hands drew out the chemical in the vial on the table into a syringe before taking an empty hand and grabbing her arm, gripping it tightly. "I have plenty of blood right here. You understand, this is for science! It'll wear off soon... maybe." With a maniacal laugh, he quickly and roughly inserted the needle into her arm, shoving the plumber down with his thumb, emptying the contents into her vein. She shrieked as the burning sensation from being stabbed shocked her system and began to writhe in agony as he blood began activating the serum she just helped create. The pain was insufferable and unbearable, and even those words weren't enough to describe the burning, pin-pricking, ripping, bubbling, shattering pain erupting through her petite frame. "S-Sir!! Help... help me! Make it stop, it works, please! Make it stop!" She gasped for air as if he lungs weren't holding on to oxygen.

"I haven't made an anti-serum. That wasn't asked of me. Just the pain-inducing one you're testing for me now." He laughed, patting the top of her head. "You'll be fine, just ride it out. I'm glad you were smart enough to solve this problem for me."

"Please!" She screamed again, bloodshot eyes looking up and pleading with her boss. He sighed, rolling his eyes as if he was bothered by her agony that he inflicted. "Ugh, fine.. pain is usually subdued by pleasure inhibitors, so go get a massage or something." He began to wave her off again, turning to leave her to figure it out for herself, but was stopped abruptly by her grip on his jacket. "You.. you have to do it. Please sir." Her shaky voice rang in his ears, and he pursed his violet lips.

"I told you what you needed to combat the pain, you need-"

"Pleasure." She interjected. He swallowed at the sound of desperation in that one word. Long fingernails duh further into his jacket, pulling his large frame closer to her face, "You have to do it, you have to be the one to - ah - give me pleasure!" Pants escaped from her throat and leaked over her painted, plump lips. The giant man was beside himself. Surely this girl, his most trusted assistant, his usually meek and distant assistant, wasn't suggesting... was she?

He knew better than to assume. "What do you want me to-"

"Touch me. Hnnnnng..Pleasure me. Numb and combat this."

To see her begging this way was foreign, yet a part of him do within his self found the action stroking his ego and feeding his confidence. Silencing that part of him began to grow more and more difficult. "A-Are you.. soliciting your boss for sex, Y/n?"

Despite the excruciating pain, Y/n yanked him in her grip harder, screaming out before growling in his face, "This is your fucking fault, so fuck away the pain, Caesar!!"

He felt his cock throb at how forward she was. Inner conflict flooded his system, not knowing whether or not he should blur the lines of professionalism for the sake of fixing his mistake in using his assistant like a guinea pig. "This.. this is the serum talking, Y/n, listen, I know I shouldn't have used you like that, but-"

"You're right. You shouldn't have, but you did!" She winced again, nearly doubling over, the only thing keeping her up on her own two feet being the death grip she kept on her boss's oversized lab jacket. She seethed through gritted teeth. "So now you're going to fix it! Y-You are going.. to give me pleasure to combat this.. or I will fucking kill you and make it look like an accident!" The more aggressive Y/n became, the harder Caesar felt his heartbeat in his growing erection. Good god, the way sweat glistened off of her perfect skin.. he was practically salivating, continuing to lose the battle with his morals. Well, lack thereof, being a pirate with a substantial bounty over his head, that is.

"I..I don't-" Rolling her eyes and growling, she yanked one more time at his coat, setting him off balance. He stumbled forward, pushing them back against the lab table, his hands reaching out and finding safety in the flat top, successfully yet unintentionally pinning Y/n between the surface and his towering figure. "Get with it." She demanded, and without further pleading or demanding, she leaned up and kissed him with fever. He was taken aback but was so easily swayed. All bets were off as he shoved away the part of his subconscious that held morals to a standard, his mind flooding with every minuscule thought he'd ever had as his eyes wandered over his assistant over her years of service to him. His lips encapsulated hers as she panted heavily through the pain, every puff outward being inhaled into his own lungs, swallowing each groan, not really sure if it were born of pain or pleasure. One hand lifted from the table behind Y/n to snake its large digits into her thick hair, curling into a firm grip at the base of her scalp and pulling their mouths apart. Before she could protest, his mouth kissed a trail downward, marking claim to her jawbone, neck, and clavicle. Small gasps slipped from her puffy lips as Caesar alternated between wet kisses, light nips, and swift suction. "S'that helping any, eh?" She gasped, "Yes S-Sir.." a chuckle rumbled in his barrel of a chest like thunder rolling through black clouds as he returned to teasing at her upper half. As his mouth worked magic over her skin, he could feel goosebumps form and peak under his lips, causing him to smirk against her. Hand still tangled at her sensitive scalp, he let his nails drag gently against the base of her neck before taking gently again at the girl. "Ah! More!"

He pulled back with another thunderous chuckle. "What a desperate little slut you've become.. all over a little pain? Pathetic." Despite his teasing and taunting, Caesar'a hand retreated from Y/n's hair and made it's way to her top, digits fiddling with every part that kept her covered. Becoming frustrated after just a few seconds, a snarl curled into his lips, and with a "Fuck this." Caesar ripped the garment from her torso, discarding the shredded fabric to the laboratory floor. More of her skin prickled up at the sudden exposure to the cool, sterile air. His hand swept behind her, sending dozens of vials and petrie dishes crashing to the floor, glass breaking into hundreds of pieces at their feet before lifting Y/n with such ease, setting her down at the edge of the now clear table and slotting himself easily between her thighs. His head swam, just feeling the heat radiating on his clothes member from her core.

Her big eyes looked up at him, so round, so full of unadulterated lust and desperation to be free of the pain he'd forced her in. "So I can get to these easier.." He rambled, ducking his head down again, capturing her lips with his own as his touch landed on her perky breast. Ceasar happily caught more gasps from her mouth in his own as he worked over her nipple, it beginning to pebble under his constant touch and play. He palmed at the soft, warm tissue, feeling Y/n's body roll with the fluid motions of his cupping and squeezing, flicking and pinching. Her moans were relentless under his touch, and fuck did it feed the arrogant bastard. Tearing away from her mouth, Caesar replaced his tormenting hands with his wet mouth. His tongue was heavy on her, not surprising for his giant size, as he dragged the muscle over her bud over and over, pulling the breathiest moans from his victim. Gentle teeth lay small bites over and over to solicit yelps of pain and pleasure, switching over and over to suckling and flicking as her frame arched into his torment. Y/n grabbed Caesar by the hair, pulling him back from her chest. "Lower." The cockiest smirk spread over his lips, smeared lip paint left on his cheeks and across her skin from mouth to breasts. No words were needed as he eagerly disposed of her bottoms with just as much ease as he'd done with her top. However, Caesar spared her underwear, admiring the excessively damp spot that he'd caused, shifting his gaze back and forth from the spot to the embarrassed expression on his assistant's face. "Awhh.. are we bashful now? Pathetic." He cackled madly as he pressed his thumb into the wet fabric, and she instinctively grinded back into his touch, desperate for relief. He'd never admit it, but feeling her damp heat through the fabric of her underwear had him close to coming undone. His cock jumped in his pants, straining and struggling against the fabric constraints, with a mind of its own just imagining how much tighter that wet little pussy would be than the pants that confined it.

Caesar leaned in, placing his heavy tongue flat against her covered slit, hands anchored taut at her hips, thumbs digging into the soft spot next to her hip bones to prevent any squirming. "Hah!" Harlow called out, chills going up her back. "More.. need more. Please, it still hurts!"

"Yeah, babe? It still hurt? Beg harder, and maybe I'll eat you out." She flushed, wanting so strongly to rebel against his arrogance. However, she knew she was in no position to be calling the shots when she needed the relief from agony so badly. "F-Fine.. fine... please, Ceas.. need it, need you.. need you inside me.."

His cock twitched again, and his breath audibly caught in the back of his throat. "Didn't expect all that, but.. I guess I can oblige when you talk to me so filthy." Falling to his knees, secretly desperate for Harlow himself, he moved a hand from her hip to free her of the fabric that stood between them both and sweet, sweet relief. "Fuck.." He groaned softly, eyes hooded in pleasure at just the sight of pre-cum oozing from her core and pooling on the table beneath her. Caesar flashed a wicked smile before dragging a finger through her folds, gathering up her slick and presenting it to her. He played with it, the glimmering strings stretching and thinking and breaking as he spread his fingers apart in front of her face. "This is so fucking hot, Y/n.." Lowering his hand back to her bare opening, he gathered up more and let his tongue slowly drag over his sullied fingertips. He inhaled deeply, a darkness overcoming his golden eyes like a shark who had just smelled blood in the water. "Fuckin' hell.. that's so good.. need more.. need it.." She mewed, and Caesar obediently dove in. His tongue lapped up the sweet fluids, drinking it up as the tip of his tongue prodded at her warm entrance. More moaning rolled from Y/n's mouth as her head hung back, barely able to keep herself propped up, Caesar hooking his arms around her spread thighs and trapping them over his shoulders at the edge of the table, splitting her open on the girth of his tongue, but it just wasn't enough. Not for Caesar, not for Y/n. No. They both needed more. He moved a hand back down, continuing his tongue's assault on her clit, now adding in his monstrous digits, beginning to slowly dive deep inside. He hissed at how tight she felt around his fingers, working her open, scissoring two digits open and closed, eventually adding in a third, then a fourth, picking up the pace of his jackhammer arm and swirling of his wet tongue. One arm continued to hold her in place despite her involuntary twitching and attempts to crawl away from the simulation. Caesar was becoming drunk on her taste, kidding himself completely. He'd snapped.

"I can't take this anymore, I need it." He stood quickly, his soaked fingers fumbling with his belt to free his throbbing member. Much to Y/n's astonishment, once freed, Caesar was revealed to be beyond well endowed, almost to a fearful amount - but nothing could be more painful than this serum's effects on her, even being split open on his huge -

"Y/n..y'ready?" She hesitated but nodded quickly, the pause of touch bringing back the agony. As she consented, he easily lined himself up with her entrance, spitting on his length and giving it a few pumps while eyeing her with a smirk, the slick of his saliva mixing with the beading pre at his tip. He pushed her back to lie down, returning his grip to her plush thighs as he slowly pushed himself into her. A hiss of lust snaked is way from his throat, "Your pussy's so fuckin' tight, Y/n.. shit.. 's so good.." He could feel her body struggle to take him, but her blissed out expression told a different story. A long, airy moan filled the room as he bottomed out inside her, her walls squeezing and pulsating around his hard cock. He began slow, feeling the drag and pull of his thrusts drawing out more and more illicit noises, knowing that he was actually numbing the pain he'd subjected her to. Feeling her body relax under him, he began to pick up the pace, a hand finding it's way down to her abdomen, pressing gently down to feel himself pumping in and out as his tip inside bumped I'm to his palm on top of her stomach.

"I'm so full!" Y/n cried out, his tip hitting her g-spot over and over. Caesar moved his hand ever so slightly to allow his thumb to grace small circles over her already puffy clit. A warmth began building, a knot forming, a coil tightening. Y/n panted, legs vibrating at the sides of his thrusting hips. Even he began to start buckling. Their combined, staggard moans of ecstacy began to build and collide, and the legs of the lab table beneath them began to claret and shake. "I..I think I'm gonna-" She cried out, and Caesar grinned like a madman as he kept pace with his hips and thumb. "Do it." The feeling of her coming undone was enough to send Caesar over the edge, knees buckling and spilling inside of her quivering, tight pussy. Small leaks began to pour out in what little space it had to escape, and he leaned over her body as he tried to catch his breath. Both of their heads were swimming, coming down from the high of a strong orgasm ripping through their bodies.

"It.. it wore off." Caesar nodded as he stood up straight and pulled out, cum spilling from Y/n's tight, pulsing entrance and coating his cock. "That's good, I'm uh.. happy to have helped." Blushing madly and sitting up on her elbows, Y/n scowled. "Are you kidding?? You did this to me! I should report you!"

Caesar laughed tiredly, placing a soft 'tap tape on her cheek with a cupped hand. "How's about I give you a nice raise for your troubles and take you for dinner instead, and don't act like you didn't love every second of it.. baby."

[dreamwritesimagines]

Garden of Secrets [14] - Dahlias

A.N: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and support my loves, it made my whole week, you’re amazing!❤ I hope you’ll like this chapter as well, and please don’t forget to tell me what you think, thank you! ❤

Thanks so much to @theskytraveler​ for helping me with the chapter!

Summary: Weddings are a celebration of love.

Warnings: Regency era society and social rules, some gender specific language and terms, mentions of sex, panic attacks, anxiety.

Word Count: 5700

Series Masterlist

All things considered, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that you couldn’t sleep the night before your wedding day.

It wasn’t as if you thought you’d be calm about it, but waking up gasping was not something you thought you could ever get used to. Everyone else except you was excited beyond words, but the only thing you could feel was pure, freezing fear.

But you had to keep it together. You knew you had to.

You needed to convince everyone that you were madly in love after all.

It felt as if you hadn’t stopped clenching your teeth since last night and your whole body was so tense that your muscles were starting to hurt. The skin on your palms was already irritated because of how hard you had been digging your fingernails into it, and that lump in your throat was getting bigger and bigger with each second, making it hard to swallow.

“Oh Benny is going to die when he sees you!” Charlotte’s voice snapped you out of your thoughts and you stole a look at her while trying to move your head as little as possible so that your maid could finish doing your hair soon. Josie and Bess were ready and Bess looked almost gleeful while Josie was in deep thought after having asked you multiple questions for the whole morning. You could hear your aunt rushing through the hallway every couple of minutes, no doubt panicking about something but so far, your uncle had managed to solve every tiny issue that made her nervous.

“Have you had a chance to talk to him?” you asked Charlotte and she shrugged her shoulders.

“Not today.”

“Yesterday?”

“Yes, he was very nervous,” Charlotte said. “I don’t think he sat down the whole time I was there, he was just pacing.”

“Oh that’s understandable,” Bess mused. “I’m sure he’s as excited as you are Y/N.”

“Probably,” you managed to say and Josie tilted her head as if she was trying to hear your thoughts but before she could say anything, your maid retrieved her hands from your hair.

“It’s finished my lady.”

A soft look crossed Josie’s gaze as you stood up and you walked to the full length mirror to see yourself better, your reflection making you pause for a moment.

The creamy white wedding gown looked absolutely beautiful, so beautiful that you could hardly believe it was in fact yours. The soft tulle over the silky skirts was embellished with small leaves scattered along the fabric and the bust was embroidered with tiny budding flowers, starting at the waist and carefully following the cleavage to the short sleeves. The thin crown over your head that held your veil back had the same shade of fresh flowers over it, and the whole outfit was so ethereal that it made you look like a lady from those nature poems, someone who belonged to sunlight and trees and flowers.

“You look so beautiful!” Bess said and Josie offered you a warm smile.

“You really do, Clover.”

“I feel very emotional already,” Charlotte said and you stole look at your maid.

“Thank you Paula,” you said and turned your head when someone knocked on the door in a haste.

“Can I see? Can I?” Teddy’s voice reached inside and you felt a smile pulling at your lips.

“Come in Teddy.”

The door opened and Teddy rushed inside, then his jaw dropped.

“You look so pretty!” he said and you crouched down to hug him.

“Thank you,” you said, fixing the collar of his jacket. “You look like a handsome gentleman, does he not Josie?”

“Oh absolutely,” Josie said and Teddy giggled.

“And you also look very pretty Miss Harlowe!” he said and Charlotte ruffled his hair.

“You’re the sweetest boy, Teddy.”

“Clover?” your uncle’s voice carried into the room before he appeared by the doorframe. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought you had seen a glint of tears in his eyes and he let out a breath.

“My dearest, you look absolutely stunning,” he said and pointed back with his thumb. “Your aunt seems to believe they will start the wedding without you if we don’t get to the chapel soon though.”

Your stomach did a painful flip. “Oh?” you asked. “I’m…I’m ready.”

Your uncle looked around the room and took his glasses out of the inner pocket of his waistcoat to clean it with his handkerchief, a habit that signaled he was deep in thought; you could recognize it by now.

“Can we have a moment please?” he asked and Josie nodded while Bess immediately stood up along with Charlotte. Teddy reached up to take Josie’s hand, making her smile wide as you gave the bouquet to Charlotte, and one by one everyone else left the room, leaving you there with your uncle.

“Marriage advice?” you asked, trying to ignore the lump lodging itself into your throat and he chuckled.

“Just making sure,” he said. “Are you certain you want this, Clover?”

No, you wanted to say. No I don’t want this, I am terrified, please, please get me away.

But instead of saying any of that, you willed a smile on your face and nodded. “I am.”

“And you have no second thoughts about this wedding?”

You shook your head this time, clasping your hands together behind you so that he wouldn’t see how hard you were clenching them.

“Not at all,” you managed to say. “I’m in love.”

His eyes searched yours before he held up his hands, gesturing surrender.

“Very well,” he said. “Then I’d say it’s time to go.”

“…Actually, can I have a second?” you asked after a beat. “I want to make sure I didn’t miss anything.”

“Of course, I’ll see you downstairs,” he said and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. As if on cue, a gasp got stuck in your throat and your legs finally gave out, making you fall on your knees. You clutched at your throat, forcing yourself to fix your breathing and closed your eyes for a moment, swallowing thickly.

“Pull it together,” you muttered to yourself, opening your eyes, and pushed yourself off your knees to stand up, then threw your shoulders back and walked out of the room.

                                                  *

The interesting thing about fear was that it basically turned you into a machine.

You were quite familiar with this. After all, back in that hellhole you called home, neither you nor Josie would ever lose yourselves in fear. It was like falling back into an old habit, no matter how much panic was rushing through your veins, you managed to keep your expression still and completely calm. For the whole road until the chapel, you could barely hear anything from the echo of your heartbeat in your ears but eventually you got to the destination and walked up the marble stairs into the church. While you waited for everyone from your family to be seated except your uncle who would be walking you down the aisle, you leaned back to the wall, biting inside your cheek.

“Are you alright?”

Your head shot up and you tried to gulp down the nervousness, pressing your lips together as you nodded, still picking at the flowers in your bouquet. You had decided on the tuberoses, thinking it would be some sort of an inside joke but even that wasn’t enough to distract you.

“Mm hm,” you muttered and your uncle cleared his throat.

“You can say it if you’re nervous Clover,” he said. “I was very nervous on my wedding day.”

You pulled your brows together. “What were you nervous for?”

“Marrying the most beautiful and amazing lady in the ton is bound to put some pressure on a person,” he said with a small smile. “Which is what Mr. Bridgerton and I have in common, I’m sure.”

You nibbled on your lip and took a deep breath.

“Uncle?”

“Yes dear?”

“What if—” you paused for a moment, the words getting stuck in your throat before you willed them out. “You and auntie were lucky. What if my marriage turns out to be nothing like yours? What if it’s more like…”

You trailed off, the mere thought enough to give you goosebumps and you could tell that he understood what you meant even if you didn’t finish your sentence. He shook his head fervently.

“I would never let that happen,” he said. “I promise you that. No one will ever hurt you no matter what position they hold in your life.”

You knew it was supposed to put your heart at ease, but you were beginning to feel nothing could at this point. No matter what your uncle told you, that small whisper in your head refused to go away.

You were walking into a burning house and no one else could see the flames other than you.

“Right,” your voice came out as a whisper before you cleared your throat and nodded fervently. “I know. Thank you.”

Your uncle stole a look inside and turned to you.

“Are you ready?”

You didn’t even notice you were rubbing at your wrist but that slight sting on the bridge of your nose that spread down to your throat was a telltale sign of the tears that were about to follow, and you couldn’t afford to break down here, someone would be able to tell something was wrong.

You could cry when you were by yourself, just not now.

“Yes,” you managed to say and put your arm on his arm. “Let’s go.”

He squeezed at your hand for a moment as if he wanted to assure you and you both stepped in, people turning their heads to look at you immediately. Though he was right there on the steps to the left of the priest, Benedict noticed the movement in the chapel and he turned around, his gaze turning softer the moment it fell on you, staring at you like he was enchanted.

Even through the mind-numbing fear you could still notice just how handsome he looked and a tiny spark of warmth shot through you, but it soon disappeared as the unstoppable wave of fear rushed through your system, turning your insides cold again.

Just a couple of steps left.

You didn’t even have to speak, all you had to say was “I do” and then—

Then a lifelong of misery and torture.

You blinked back the tears as you and your uncle reached the altar and your uncle went to sit beside your aunt while you took your place beside Benedict, Charlotte giving you a bright smile before fixing your veil and rushing back to stand by the steps of the altar as the maid of honor. You could feel Benedict’s gaze on you but you had a feeling you would break down crying if you so much as turned your head, so instead you looked up at the priest who cleared his throat, and started on his speech.

You honestly had no idea about the specifics of the speech or whether he had added anything else, because you could hardly hear anything due to the blood rushing in your ears, making your hearing almost muffled. Your heart felt like it was being squeezed right in your chest, the acid burning your throat but even through that haze of panic, the slight brush of Benedict’s hand over the back of your own hand snapped you out of your thoughts, making you turn your glances at him.

It was almost strange how you two had learned how to communicate with each other without really saying anything out loud in such a short time. He offered you a small smile as if trying to assure you or calm you down, and you swallowed thickly, a tiny, sad smile curling your lips as well before you turned back to the priest.

“…Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her—”

Breathe.

You had to keep breathing.

“I will,” Benedict’s voice was stronger than what you assumed yours would be. The priest nodded and turned to you, but your heart was beating so loudly in your ears that you could hardly pick up the first part of his question.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Focus.

“…So as long as you both shall live?”

You swallowed thickly, your sight blurry because of tears and took a deep breath, your answering coming out as a rasp;

“I will.”

A tear escaped from your eye and your hand shot up to quickly wipe at it, but it was the least of your problems.

Everyone except you and Benedict was going to think it was tears of happiness anyway.

                                               *

The wedding breakfast was to be held in the Bridgerton House, and there were a lot of guests for some reason but it shouldn’t have been surprising for you considering how popular Bridgertons were. You hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to Benedict which sort of made him the only person you hadn’t talked to, because it seemed that all the guests had many questions for you; how you had come up with the idea of a floral gown, where you would be going for your honeymoon, and whether or not Teddy was looking forward to the little nieces and nephews he would play with.

The panic was still bubbling in your stomach but thankfully Josie had come to drag you away from them.

“Thank you,” you said and she scoffed.

“You’re welcome. We should kick them out at this point, honestly.”

“I don’t think that’d be considered polite, Josie.”

“Maybe not but that’s what they’re asking for.”

You heaved a sigh and looked around. “Where’s Teddy?”

“With Andrew. He keeps saying we need to adopt him and came up with the idea of Teddy staying with us half the year and the other half he can stay with uncle and auntie.”

“Really?”

“He wants to buy him a horse to bribe him,” Josie said. “When I reminded him that Teddy is six, he changed it into a pony.”

You smiled softly. “Teddy would love a pony, but he can’t stay with you half the year.”

“Mm hm, go tell Andrew that—auntie wants to see you by the way. Upstairs, second room.”

“Why?”

“So that you won’t be unprepared for your wedding night.”

You could feel your heart dropping to your stomach but you had to remind yourself to not show it on your expression.

“I already know.”

“I said something similar but she wants to talk to you—”

“Miss Y/N,” Anthony’s voice cut through and made you turn your head. “Lady Walcott.”

“Lord Bridgerton.”

“Have you seen Benedict?”

You looked around. “He’s not here?”

He scoffed. “Apparently not, since I’m here asking you.”

You narrowed your eyes, opening your mouth to retort but Josie beat you to it.

“Well if by ‘asking her’ you mean interrupting a conversation, yes you did,” she said. “We were in the middle of something in case it has escaped your notice.”

Anthony pulled his brows together. “I beg your pardon?”

“My pardon is not granted,” Josie said. “We haven’t seen him and for future reference, you should be careful not to appear impolite with my sister. This is my first and last warning, there will not be another.”

Anthony gawked at her and Josie rolled her eyes as she turned to you.

“Honestly Clover, can’t say I approve but as long as Benedict makes you happy…” she trailed off. “I’ll go and find Bess, go to auntie.”

With that, she walked away from both of you and you repressed a smile at the look of complete shock on Anthony’s face.

“You threw that viper insult around way too early, I bet I look like a nice person now,” you pointed out and Anthony frowned.

“Benedict told you.”

“I honestly don’t care what you think of me,” you shrugged your shoulders. “You don’t like me, I don’t like you either, not a huge surprise. I haven’t seen Benedict but Charlotte is nowhere to be found either so I’m guessing they’re together somewhere.”

Anthony blinked a couple of times. “And you’re okay with that?”

“Are you?” you asked back and Anthony’s eyes snapped to yours, a look of surprise etched over his features but it was gone immediately. You scoffed.

“I really don’t like conversing with you so I’m going to find my aunt now,” you stated. “But Josie has a point; don’t interrupt me again or demand answers in that manner.”

You walked away from him, leaving him there completely dumbfounded as you climbed the stairs and looked around, then approached the second door and knocked it.

“Auntie?”

“Come in dear!” she called out and you opened the door, then stepped inside. She was by the window, watching the people in the garden and you leaned back to the door.

“Josie mentioned…” you started, your throat dry all of a sudden. “But that’s not really—um—”

“Let’s sit down first,” she said gently and went to sit by the bed. You shifted your weight, then pushed yourself off the door to sit next to her.

“I’m not sure what your mother told you about marriage.”

You shook your head fervently. “She wasn’t really a mother to me,” you said. “Or Josie for that matter. But she…um, inadvertently taught me some things about how marriage works.”

Her eyes found yours and she gave you an understanding smile.

“Yours will be nothing like your parents’ marriage my dearest.”

But we don’t know that, you wanted to say. We just don’t know that.

“Benedict is a good man, and you always have me and your uncle,” she assured you, reaching out to hold your hand and you squeezed it, trying to smile.

“Thank you.”

“I’m very certain you will have an incredibly happy marriage,” she said and cleared her throat. “And most of the time, that begins with the wedding night.”

The fear churned your stomach but you took a deep breath.

“You don’t really have to explain what happens on the wedding night,” you said. “I already know.”

She raised her brows. “Do you?”

“Oh no I haven’t—” you shook your head again. “Not personally but…Countryside is not like here and Josie had a couple of close friends and some of them were married. They described it quite well.”

“And what did they say?”

“A lot of things,” you said, turning the wedding band around your finger while you bit inside your cheek. “It’s um—it’s a rather unpleasant aspect of marriage, as if there are any pleasant ones.”

“Clover that’s not true,” she said hastily. “I’m sorry for those poor girls, but I can assure you it is not unpleasant at all.”

You scoffed a laugh and shot her a look, and she tilted her head.

“You and Benedict are in love,” she said and you bit at your tongue, dropping your glances into your lap as you nodded.

“Yeah,” you muttered. “We are.”

“So why is it so hard to believe your husband who’s very much in love with you will make it pleasant for you?”

Your husband.

Right. Benedict was your husband now, and you were—

You were married. This had actually happened.

You tried to swallow the nervous lump in your throat and took a deep breath.

“Yeah,” you managed to say and stood up, desperate to get out of the room. “I should probably find my uh—Benedict, I should find Benedict because I haven’t seen him and people were looking for him and—” you motioned with your hands. “Yeah. Thank you so much auntie.”

You pulled the door open and stepped out, then made your way downstairs so that you could pass the foyer and go outside for some fresh air but before you could reach the front door, you heard someone saying your name and turned your head.

“Andrew,” you said. “Hello.”

Andrew tilted his head, his eyes searching your face. “Are you alright?” he asked. “You look…”

Your heart was beating in ears so loud that for a second you thought he could surely hear it, but you dug your nails into your palm and nodded as the room started spinning around you.

“Yeah,” you said through your teeth. “Uh huh, I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.”

That familiar heat started climbing up from the nape of your neck to your whole head, the pounding in your temples starting to get worse as you felt pins and needles on the back of your head. You raised your hand to rub at your eyes but it was trembling so bad that Andrew instantly took a step towards you.

“Let’s get you sit down and I’ll get Jo, how about that?”

“I um…” you blinked a couple of times and reached out to rest your hand against the wall as your vision started getting blurry from the edges. “No need for that, I’m absolutely fi—”

And as if someone blew a candle, everything went black.

                                       *

The first thing you noticed when you came to your senses was just how badly your head was hurting and how the multiple voices speaking in the room was not making it any better.

“I can assure you Mr. Bridgerton, there’s nothing to worry about—”

“She has passed out, I’d say there’s plenty to worry about!”

“Benny, maybe we should listen to the doctor.”

“Apparently we shouldn’t!”

“You’re certain she’s fine?”

“Quite certain, Lord Thorne.”

“I’ll just send for another doctor—”

“Or maybe listen to this one first?”

“No no, I agree with Benedict. We should send for another doctor.”

“Lady Walcott, it is possible that today has been quite overwhelming for your sister.”

“Doctor, I’m about to overwhelm someone in this room if my sister doesn’t wake up in the next—”

You let out a groan and forced yourself to open your eyes even if it felt like they weighed a ton. The voices ceased immediately and Benedict stopped pacing in the room to rush to your side.

“Y/N?”

“I’m fine,” you managed to mutter but it came out so drowsy that it apparently did nothing to assure anyone in the room. Josie sat by your other side while your aunt let out a relieved breath that sounded like a sob, and your uncle wrapped his arm around her as if trying to reassure her. “If everyone could just stop talking, it would be much better though.”

Charlotte offered you a small smile and Anthony stole a look at her before turning to you and if you didn’t know any better, you would have thought he was worried.

“Are you sure?”

“Quite sure.” You nodded at Andrew. “And sorry about that.”

Andrew waved a hand in the air. “You almost gave me a heart attack but since the doctor is here it’s fine. We’ll just keep him close.”

“Have you eaten anything today Y/N?” Lady Bridgerton asked and you frowned.

“I…didn’t get the chance.”

“Oh thank God, that explains it,” Daphne said as she exhaled, “I’ll tell the maids to bring you something to eat.”

“Tell them to bring juice as well, Daphne.” Lady Bridgerton said and Daphne nodded, and left the room in a rush. The doctor cleared his throat.

“If we could clear out the room please?”

Josie looked like she wanted to argue but you shot her a look, silently telling her to drop it. She heaved a sigh as your aunt came to kiss the top of your head then left with your uncle after he squeezed your shoulder in an assuring manner.

“Fine…” Josie murmured and walked out of the room with Andrew and Charlotte pressed her lips together.

“I’ll find Teddy and tell him you’re alright, he’s with Bess,” she said and left the room with Anthony quickly following her. Lady Bridgerton offered you a small smile.

“We’re right outside,” she said and closed the door behind her, leaving you with Benedict and the doctor. You glanced at Benedict before looking at the doctor and pushed yourself to sit up in the bed, Benedict making a move to help you but you shook your head.

“I’m fine,” you said. “Just…”

“Excitement?” the doctor offered and you snapped your fingers.

“Yeah, that. Wedding and all.”

“Well you will be happy to hear you’re absolutely not the first bride to faint on their wedding day, Mrs. Bridgerton,” he said and the new name was so foreign to you -and apparently to Benedict as well- that you both stole a look at each other before you remembered to turn to the doctor. “Excitement and lack of food is not a good combination.”

“But you’re alright?” Benedict asked, as if trying to convince himself and you nodded.

“You heard him. Apparently it’s quite fashionable.”

The doctor put a small vial on the bedstand. “Lavender for the nerves,” he said and you reached out to take the vial into your hand to look at it.

“Thank you.”

“Of course. Make sure not to leave the bed until you ate and drank something,” he said and glanced at Benedict. “And I would avoid any strenuous activity at least until tomorrow.”

You could feel your face burning at the implication and the tips of Benedict’s ears went slightly pink as he raised his brows, then nodded.

“Y-yeah, of course.”

Everyone in the room knew what he was actually talking about and you felt like slipping deeper into the covers but you dragged your fingernail on the silky covers, following the patterns. The doctor grabbed his bag and bowed.

“Do send for me if this happens again,” he said. “Congratulations for the wedding.”

He walked out of the room, making you frown for a second before the realization hit you; you were married now, of course you could stay alone without a chaperone.

You put the vial back in the nightstand and Benedict let out a breath.

“Jesus Christ.”

You heaved a sigh, rubbing at your wrist absentmindedly. “That was subtle.”

“As subtle as a brick through the window,” Benedict murmured and his blue eyes flitted over your face, worried. “Do you need anything?”

You shook your head, the familiar panic twisting at your stomach. This was the first time you two were alone as a married couple and even if you knew nothing would happen -this was his family’s house after all- it still did nothing to extinguish the fire of complete fear burning at your throat.

Somehow, a small part of you was trying to convince you the fear was nonsense though. It was Benedict, and he had promised—

Right. Promised.

Dear God, you were a goddamn idiot if you were just going to take his word for it, especially now that he was your husband and was allowed to do whatever he wanted.

“No,” you heard the word leaving your lips as all your muscles tensed up again. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

You didn’t even notice your eyes flickering at the door before snapping back to his face but he caught it. A look of realization dawned on his face and he pulled back slightly, clearing his throat.

“Something has changed, has it not?”

Your answer came way too fast. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Yes you do,” he insisted. “I’ve never seen you as terrified as you were back at the altar and you’ve never looked at me like this before, ever.”

Your jaw clenched. “Like what?”

“Like you’re waiting for something bad to happen.”

You were beginning to think that Benedict being this observant would never stop surprising you. Even after all these weeks, you were still not used to him noticing the tiniest things about you, things almost everyone around you would not even think twice about.

You were a good liar yes, but Benedict was a much better observer.

It did not mean you wouldn’t try though.

“I’m just tired,” you said with a shrug of your shoulders. “You heard the doctor. Excitement and everything.”

A sad smile pulled at his lips before he scoffed a bitter laugh, and at the worst time possible you noticed for the millionth time just how handsome he was.

“Right,” he said. “I’ll leave you to your rest then.”

For some reason that sent a pang of pain through your chest but you pursed your lips and nodded, crossing your arms over your chest.

“I’m guessing you won’t tell me but please at least tell someone if you need anything,” Benedict said and walked out of the room, leaving you there. That pang in your chest, right in your heart seemed to heighten and you gritted your teeth, then slipped deeper into the covers with a sigh.

                                                *

Lady Bridgerton and your family refused to let you out of their sight the whole day but when the night fell you knew you and Benedict were supposed to go to your new home. Even though you felt short of breath even thinking about it, you could only delay it for so long, so eventually you and he got on the carriage and departed from Bridgerton home after saying goodbye to your family.

Teddy had looked like he was on the verge of tears but both you and Josie had assured him that you would see him tomorrow. Though it broke your heart to leave him alone like that, you were so glad he had Josie to console him along with your aunt and uncle until tomorrow. Thankfully you had met the staff earlier in the week so there wasn’t going to be any introductions tonight. Neither you nor Benedict had talked for the whole road and normally you wouldn’t be bothered by the silence but now—

It just felt uncomfortable.

Benedict helped you out of the carriage when it stopped in front of the house and you saw the staff by the stairs. You smiled at them and after a short greeting both you and Benedict climbed up the stairs to get inside.

It still felt surreal that you were going to live here as the lady of the house but even that wasn’t enough to get rid of the tension all over your body.

The wedding night.

It was fine. It was going to be fine; you could handle it, of course you could. Josie’s friends had told you it didn’t take that long to be over so you were going to be fine.

At least you weren’t one of those clueless poor idiots in the ton. You knew very well what would happen, and no matter how unpleasant it was to be, after it was over you were just going to go back to your room and…

Nothing some sleep couldn’t fix, you were guessing. And considering how every married couple in the ton was doing it, it couldn’t be that difficult, just a chore if anything.

You could swear you were feeling lightheaded again from the panic but you dug your fingernails into your palms and took a deep breath, then carefully gathered your skirts so that you wouldn’t trip on them on your way upstairs.

Benedict only turned to you when you both reached the hallway your rooms were in and you cleared your throat.

“So how do we—” you mentioned between you. “Where do I go?”

Benedict tilted his head. “You said you wanted your own room.”

“I clearly want my own room,” you said quickly, your heart beating in your ears. “I do, I just…do I go to your room or do you come to mine? I’m not very familiar with—with the arrangement.”

An almost amused smile curled his lips and he shrugged his shoulders.

“I told you before, that will not take place if you do not want it to,” he said. “Do you?”

You could feel your whole face burning, that familiar flame of desire shooting through you but it was soon smothered by the cold fear tightening your throat. You swallowed thickly, looking up at him and his blue eyes turned soft before he took a deep breath.

“I’ll see you at breakfast,” he said, making you frown.

“…What?”

“Good night Y/N,” he said as he walked to his room, leaving you were completely dumbfounded. He closed the door behind him and you blinked a couple of times, still trying to wrap your mind about what had happened just now.

You slowly made your way to your own room and closed the door behind you, locking it before turning to glance around the room. The door on the other side of the room connecting it to Benedict’s room caught your attention immediately and you licked your lips, fidgeting in your spot for a moment before you approached it, leaning your ear to the wood so that you could hear what was happening. There was the sound of shuffling which made you think perhaps he was getting undressed for bed and even the thought was more than enough to make the fire over your face worse, so you immediately pulled back and locked this door as well, grimacing at the sound the key made in the lock. The movement in the other room stopped for a moment and you nibbled on your lip, then took a deep breath.

“Good night,” you said not even knowing whether he heard you or not, then stepped back from the door in a haste.

He had stayed true to his word. Contrary to what you thought, he had made no move to consummate your marriage, not even a kiss—

Even if you didn’t really mind the idea of a kiss from him, not at all. The memory of his lips on yours sent that familiar warmth through you, desire hitting you out of nowhere and you shook your head, trying to pull your thoughts together.

You walked to the full-length mirror, then started unlacing your dress with nimble fingers and took it off, your corset following soon. Letting out a breath, you walked to the bed and flung yourself on it, pressing your palms into your eyes before you let your arms drop to your sides.

Very well then.

This was not the first time Benedict Bridgerton surprised you, and you had a feeling it would not be the last either.

Chapter 15

[rabbit-flaying]

Humanity's Collector

Genres: Fantasy and Science Fiction

Content Warnings: Dehumanization, Kidnapping, Casual Violence, Claustrophobia, Mild Cosmic Horror

Note: I want to get back to positing my writing on Tumblr. Maybe someone will recognize this. Probably not.

"Gosh you're pretty," Glade cooed, its voice sounding a bit like Harlow's mother, a bit like a brook, and a bit like paper being crumpled up and cast aside.

Harlow looked around desperately. For he had to find escape from the strange realm he had woken in. All manner of miscellany took up space in the void around him. It looked like a storage closet, if every storage closet in the world were connected together, and the possessions of kings and paupers alike were granted permission to socialize.

He ignored Glade and stood from his wicker chair, quickly overwhelmed by the sheer size of the realm and number of objects held within it.

Above him the color white stretched out into infinitum. True white, not the dirty kind found in snow and house paint. It hurt his head, making his temples throb and blood vessels contract, so he looked away from it.

"Where am I?" Harlow demanded. "Who are you?"

"My name is Glade," it answered. "You're in my home."

Harlow made the mistake of eye contact. Glade's eyes shone with the light of galaxies, a dazzling rainbow of nebulae, planets, and suns. The entirety of the universe, and many more beyond it, seemed tucked away within the perfectly spherical marbles buried in the putty-like flesh of its glowing face.

He finally broke away from the hypnotic sight, his puny brain unable to handle the visions within. How much time had passed, every one of his neurons firing at once in an attempt to process the cosmos of Glade's eyes? Seconds? Minutes? Hours, even?

He needed answers, yet he did not know the right questions. Glade didn't seem human, instead a creature from a story book. And this monolithic hoard couldn't possibly be real.

"Your home?" he asked in a strangled sort of voice, staring pointedly at the patch of ebony wood ground he stood upon.

"I'm a collector," Glade explained, running their sharp nails, painted with glitter and adorned with scraps of emeralds, through Harlow's silky hair.

"What do you collect, exactly?"

Harlow watched a glittering blue beetle crawl across the ground, finding a hiding spot underneath a red and purple feathered ball gown displayed on a copper mannequin.

"All sorts of things," Glade said, flapping its hands wildly in a mimicry of human excitement. "Your world is fascinating. I remember when your kind learned how to create fire and tame animals. You have grown so much since then. I needed to have one of you for my own. Your creations are not enough any more."

Harlow carefully took in Glade's appearance, avoiding its hypnotic eyes. Despite its alien nature- as clear to Harlow as it would have been to his ancestors as they huddled around campfires concocting stories to explain their world- it chose to appear humanoid, though not precisely human.

Glade was the kind of thing that would hide in a child's closet, and speak to them in a parental fashion, loathing the knowledge that the child would never be believed no matter how loudly they spoke of its existence.

Its iridescent skin glimmered, changing colors with every movement, no matter how slight, as stunning light produced by the void poured over its body. Its proportions sat beyond the human view of normal, uncanny like an airbrushed model, but far more monstrous. Behind its smiling lips were two rows of porcelain and copper teeth, slicing perfectly through its pale gray gums.

Delicate jewelry of book pressed flowers and dragonfly wings adorned its warped elven ears. It was clad in a fur cape, the stitched together pelts of numerous small animals, fur colors clashing and asymmetrical. Its heels, as thin as sewing needles and seemingly impossible to walk on, granted half a foot of height to their seven-foot frame.

"Don't worry," Glade continued. "I'll take care of you. I've been collecting humanity's creations for millenia. You may use what you find around you to its fullest extent."

"I want to go home," Harlow said, finally realizing that this was not a dream that could be banished away by opening his eyes and pouring himself a cup of black coffee mixed with salt. "Please let me go. I'm sure there's someone who would love to be here. But I like my life on earth."

"But I wanted you."

Glade hugged Harlow tightly, mimicking how it had observed humans comforting one another. Its skin had none of Harlow's warmth, and he found this hug as uncomfortable as cuddling with a marble statue would have been, if he had ever been bold enough to break the omnipresent rule of not touching museum exhibits.

Harlow closed his eyes. "I have to be dreaming," he said, his lie cloaked in a defeated sort of tone. "This can't be real."

"Of course this isn't real," Glade said, holding its newest acquisition out at arm's length. "But it isn't a dream either. You are within my home, far outside of your universe."

"Please send me back. I don't know why I'm here, or how, but I can't do this."

"Yes you can," Glade said. "It's easy. I will take care of you, and you will be my plaything. Doesn't that sound nice?"

Harlow broke away from Glade, and took off walking. There had to be an exit. Everything had an exit, whether it be a school or a church or a corner shop. The exits were always there, saddened as they were that so many people were afraid to break the rules and only took advantage of their ability to leave at certain appointed hours.

The void still seemed to stretch on into infinity, swelling larger and larger the farther and farther Harlow walked. But everything had an end if you traveled far enough to find it. Even the deserts that passed past any human line of sight and the mountains that seemed too high to ever climb over.

But now Harlow was applying rules from his original plane of existence to the alien one he had been so rudely whisked away to. And that was very foolish indeed.

"No, that doesn't sound nice," he said angrily, as Glade easily matched his pace, wearing a concerned expression it had stolen from a grandparent not too long ago. "I'm leaving."

"You can't leave. Because I didn't steal you. The original Harlow Finch Echowood is still in his home, playing solitaire and chatting away to his cat. You belong here with me."

Harlow stopped in his tracks, sitting down on an ancient jeweled throne. It had held countless kings before him, but he respected them not, only using their seat to keep from collapsing in shock.

Glade smiled. "We are going to have so much fun, and no one will ever know you to be here. Come now, I have food prepared for you."

"I can't eat your food," Harlow argued, remembering what he had learned from a book that lived in his elementary school library. It had worn a shiny green cover, and the name Susan Macintosh was written inside the front cover before his own. "I'd never be able to leave if I did that."

"I'm afraid you've mistaken me for some of my cousins," Glade said. "You will eat, or you will starve. And you're never leaving because you belong to me. It doesn't matter what you choose to do."

Harlow stood up, his dizziness replaced with a red-hot temper. "I hate you! Let me go! You can't keep me here!"

Glade looked deeply wounded, but Harlow knew within the depths of his very soul, that it was only mimicry of human emotion.

"I couldn't send you back, even if I wanted to. Then there would be two Harlow Finch Echowoods trying to live your singular and unique life."

"I don't believe you. I'm still me. I still remember my life."

"You are an exact duplication of the original Harlow Finch Echowood. You have the same soul and the same mind and the same DNA. Of course you still remember."

With every passing moment, Harlow's belief in Glade's words only grew. Any attempt to fight against them was snuffed out by diluted logic and the omnipresent knowledge that he was still alive. He breathed. Blood rushed through his veins. More importantly, his mind continued to produce thoughts and feelings to process the outside world.

"Just combine us again or something," Harlow begged. "I want to go home. I never asked to be brought here."

"I cannot combine nor reconstruct nor mend. I can only make copies of beautiful things, and things not quite so beautiful."

Glade spread its arms, gesturing to its hoard of human objects collected in centuries long past. The treasures of every empire ever risen and fallen was present, both the spectacular and the mundane side by side in a discordant visual melody.

"Why me?" Harlow asked. "I didn't do anything."

"You speak as though this is a punishment. I have simply added you to my collection." It flicked the tears from his face, scratching him with its nail. "Now come, I have made you good food."

Glade gripped Harlow's arm and dragged him far away, weaving throughout its collection at a brisk and even pace, avoiding falling into the gaps between pieces of floor, which only infinitum laid below.

Soon enough, they came upon a small 1950s era kitchen. Two marble counters, a dirty stove, and a teacup filled sink formed a corner tucked away between a row of unplugged televisions and a huge crooked stalagmite growing from the polished tile floor.

Glade opened the oven and pulled out a pan of fresh bread. Its hands were bare, but unburnt by the hot metal dish. It grabbed a knife from one of the many drawers and cut through the bread without displacing a single crumb, before laying the slice out on a neon green plate.

"Eat while it's still hot," Glade said with a bright smile. It was a well used expression by those of Harlow's time who prepared meals for other humans, and it planned to repeat it often.

In its time spent with Harlow, its teeth had dulled significantly, and its gums had taken on a pale shade of pink. Why it had not mimicked a perfect human before meeting Harlow was beyond him, and it seemed perfectly capable of warping its appearance to become more like him.

He reluctantly tried the seed filled bread, finding it to be heavenly and soft. Faerie food or not, he scarfed it down, suddenly famished beyond all reason.

"Thank you," he said automatically.

"I have much food. It is scattered about my home, and easy to find if you look. It never spoils, so you may feast on it as you please."

Harlow sighed, and clambered up to sit on the counter. An act of rebellion his twelve year old self would have been proud of, even if Glade didn't give him the smallest sliver of annoyance, having no understand of manners itself.

"I'm really never leaving…" he said, his voice like a half-deflated party balloon still adored by a kid who refused point blank to throw it in the trash. "If that's it then, what happens when you get bored of me?"

"I never get bored of my playthings."

"How big is this place? Is it a universe, or a realm, or a room in some alien mansion?" Harlow thought these reasonable enough questions, considering his circumstances.

"An infinite pocket dimension," Glade replied. "If you travel far enough, my collection begins to grow thin. There is a boundary of where my possessions lie, and after that is the abyss. It is nearly impossible to find one's way back from nothingness."

"I hate it here," Harlow said, as though he had not made this feeling quite clear before. "I want to be around other people. Not you."

"I will bring you some," Glade promised. "Allow me a few minutes to collect them. You shall have a companion, as all humans crave, or more than one if it suits your fancy."

Harlow froze, debating his own morality versus the loneliness soon to bloom from this isolation. How could he allow more people to be stuck in this horrible purgatory of preserved humanity, just so he could have someone to talk to? The truth? He couldn't bear it. At least, not yet.

"No," he begged, the first tears ever created in this pocket dimension blooming in his eyes. "Please, don't put anyone else through this. I'll be good. I won't complain. I promise."

"Oh, how you confuse me." Something odd bloomed over Glade's face, a poor mimicry of a half-understood human emotion. "I see… Come along then."

Harlow hopped off the counter and followed Glade as it walked under a vast canopy of safety pinned together curtains fashioned from every familiar fabric and exotic cloth created by the hands of humanity.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Glade called in a sing-song voice. "I've brought a new trinket. This one can talk, so I'm sure you'll like it."

People approached Glade and Harlow from the shadows. Well, not people, exactly. They were like Glade, monstrous and wonderful, stepping straight from a story book and into Harlow's waking nightmare. There stood more figures than Harlow could keep track of, intent on viewing the treasure Glade had discovered.

"I finally brought a human home," Glade said proudly, if such a being were capable of pride. "Isn't it just a doll?"

Harlow flinched as numerous hands and insect-like feelers crept over his body, Glade's companions examining him all too closely. He felt as though he had jumped into those foam pits he had so loved as a young child, touched in all directions yet floating in oddly empty space.

"Get off of me," he demanded, forgetting his promise not to complain as he shoved the nearest figure away. "Stop it. I said stop!"

Harlow tried to break free of them, pushing and shoving, even striking at them with closed fists and elbows. But he was pulled back, the creatures murmuring in appreciation on how bizarrely Glade's newest acquisition behaved.

"Stop touching me," Harlow cried. "Please. I hate being crowded. What are you doing?"

"What is it doing?" the specter asked. It brought its freezing yet intangible hand to Harlow's face, as though to seize his tears.

"That is so weird," another remarked, clicking its pincers in an oddly specific pattern.

The different figures murmured to each other, formulating explanations.

"Is it because we're touching it?"

"It's water… I think."

"He's crying," Glade explained, flapping its hands in mimicry of human excitement. "It means it's upset. Isn't it the most delightful thing?"

"I hate you," Harlow said thickly, as tears continued to stream down his reddened cheeks. "I want to go home."

"You are so repetitive," Glade remarked, before perfectly imitating Harlow's voice. "I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home."

Harlow finally relented. As the nightmarish figures poked and prodded him, discussing him amongst each other, he only hoped that they would soon grow bored and move on to newer shinier pursuits.

How could he stand to do this for the rest of eternity?

[harlowarchives]

Can you write something with Jack Harlow where they have a date in ikea, maybe like the reader is not from the U.S., (she could be from somewhere in Latinamerica) and she always wanted to go to ikea, and it could be like a cute montage like in the film 500 days of summer

international, ⁱ 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐰.

jack harlow x latina reader!

𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟 <𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + ilysmmm ty for my first request boo also such a cute concept

You & Jack met at a concert he was doing in the Dominican Republic, you stood out to him because you were the only fan who knew every lyric to every song not to mention you were insanely beautiful, he interacted with you the entire show dedicating his love songs to you. After the show, he built up the courage to greet you. “Hi, I'm Jack.” He said giving you a nervous smile and then lowering his eyes to meet yours you looked slightly confused but you were just dumbfounded he assumed you must’ve only known Spanish because he followed with “Hola, soy Jack?” you broke into laughter at his rehearsed introduction as he laughed with you “I'm y/n.” you spoke. The rest of the night the two of you bonded & Jack confessed how he was crushing on you all night & that you were the most beautiful girl in the crowd.

For the rest of his trip, you two were constantly together because after his performance he was free to explore & he did that with you. Goodbyes were too harsh for both of you so he scheduled a trip to come to visit him in the US & today happens to be your first date together in the US one twist though because when he was in your country you toured him, you made him promise he'd do the same. “Ready?” He questioned looking over at you before you began to nod eagerly he opened his door and walked to your side to help you down. You and Jack walked into the store and then you began looking around in amazement, taking in Ikea & all its glory. Your mouth was in an O shape & Jack just stood and watched your wandering eyes. The two of you walked down the aisles for a bit before you came to an abrupt stop letting go of his hand you took off flopping onto a white bed with silky sheets and a mattress that felt like a cloud. “Y/N!” Jack called running towards the bed & laying down.

You had your head buried in the covers just as comfortable as can be, after 15 minutes Jack started to bore. “Y/N! I wanna show you something.” He said with a wide grin as you groaned “I wanna stay Jack! Please Jack can we stay?” you pleaded as he shook his head. “Baby, I promise it's much better than this.” He said smiling “Fine!” you submitted.

After Jack had led you blind you heard his voice “Ok, open.” You opened your eyes to a children’s circus tent, you glared at him before rolling your eyes and crawling in the tent as he followed behind you. “My baby brother & I had one of these!” He said pressing on the walls before staring off into the distance then his eyes landed on you who was staring out the window of the tent mesmerized.

“Y/N! You want to go back to bed that bad?” he asked as you eagerly nodded not listening but indulging in the bed.

“Actually J, let’s play hide & seek,” you suggested as he nodded “See! That sucky bed isn't the only fun thing to do in here.” he smiled getting giddy. You two got out of the tent and set the rules, he would hide and you’d seek. You began counting as he ran away back inside the tent with a cheesy smile on his face sitting with his feet pressed together thinking she’ll never find me in here.

You counted walking off into the distance testing out every bed in the store like Goldilocks except all the beds were just right, and employees just stared at you like the nutjob you are. You caught yourself falling asleep forgetting about Jack, but he hadn't forgotten about you. He started getting bored and looked out the window seeing a short curvy curly-headed figure asleep on the bed outside the window & then it clicked. He stormed out of the tent & walked toward you so you wouldn't blow your cover you shouted “I found you.” You said smiling looking around, as he just looked at you annoyed “You’re a great hider!” You lied, you knew exactly where he was the entire time. You had actually taken multiple pictures of him in the tent giggling, he then sat on you suffocating you “SOMEONE HELP! PLEASE!” You called.

He didn't stop he just sat kicking his feet and singing “Lalalala!” as he listened to you wheeze “Ok Amor! I'm sorry please.” You pleaded feeling a weight lift off you. You got back on your feet slumping before Jack quickly threw you over his shoulder “Ok this is the best part.” He said while the blood in your body just shifted around, you began to smell a familiar meaty scent it was strange but in a good way.

Jack placed you down and let you take in your surroundings “You mean they have food AND BEDS?!” you said your face lighting up, your beautiful accent shining through. “J, what's a Swedish meatball?” you said looking up at him “Delicious.” He said.

You two finally got the food you ordered and Jack took you to sit down in their cafeteria but you quickly pulled him from his seat, you led him back to the tent, and his eyes visibly lit up he wrapped his arms around you and the two of you munched on your meatballs and he played with your hair. You were finally ready to go about then you looked across the street “Jack! MATTRESS KING.” You ran as he chased after you.

[jeanniebeannie63]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Gorgeous House of Harlow 1960 Satin 53" Long Halter Maxi Dress in Cream & Brown.

[vnvyb]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: NWOT House of Harlow 1960 Brown Floral Ruched Velvet Long Sleeve Mini Dress Sz M.

[ginagirl808]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: House Of Harlow 1960 M wide leg pants retro orange , yellow geo design.

[raheltade]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: House of Harlow 1960 Ruched Side Cut-out Circl Satin Slip Maxi Dress in Mauve.

[simplepotatofarmer]

happy halloween from harlow 🎃

[foxyfalcon27]

Logan: A Surrogate made of Wood and Soft Fur

Trigger Warnings: Animal abuse, Unethical Experimentation, Angst (with a happy ending)

Pairing: Logan and Virgil (Platonic)

~~~

Subject 010 screeched and writhed in Logan’s hand, effectively making it difficult to put it in the testing cage. His throat tight, he looked up at the ceiling, wishing that the awful sounds would stop. He needed to believe that the Subject wouldn’t be permanently harmed. After the experiment was over, it would readjust into a typical life. Or at least, that’s what he’d been told numerous times, but with each day that he visited the lab, which stunk of sweat and fear, it was becoming increasingly more difficult to believe.

The Subject’s silky fur was slippery, and it was delicate, so he couldn’t get a good grip with the risk of crushing it. With two factors combined, he nearly dropped it multiple times.

After much struggle, he finally managed to gently place the monkey into the cage with the surrogates, but he wasn’t able to take his arm back fast enough, and thus, quicker than the speed of light, the monkey scrambled up his arm. It pressed its small face into his chest. Logan cursed. He stood rigid as the subject clung to him. The urge to stroke its fur was tantalizing. He resisted. If he gave the monkey the affection it needed, then he’d compromise the subject, and he couldn’t imagine that Doctor Harlow would be particularly thrilled about that.

Reluctantly, he gently peeled the monkey off his chest. It protested. Looking deep into Logan’s eyes with innocent terror, it gripped his white lab coat. Begging. He looked away and hooked his index finger on the Subject’s hand, and ripped away its grip. In response, it curled its entire palm around his finger.

His heart shattered, but he shook away the broken shards, forcing himself to remain stoic, and grabbed the monkey by the scruff. He placed it into the metal wire cage. It was empty save for the two surrogates: one made of wire and the other wooden with soft fur. Once the Subject realized Logan had abandoned it, it ran to the mother of cloth. Logan watched the monkey, blinking rapidly. He covered his face, ashamed. He couldn’t help but compare himself to the wire surrogate: cold and distant.

He turned away, too weak to look the misery he contributed to in the face, and fled. Just as he cleared the two swinging doors, a voice called to him.

“Doctor Burry.”

Logan froze. He would have rather died, at that moment, but he collected himself with a carefully blank expression and turned. He dipped his head. “Doctor Harlow,” he greeted. “How are you?”

“I’m well,” he replied, smiling. “But, rather, I’d prefer to know: how are you?”

Logan jolted, pondering the question carefully, wondering what the safest answer would be. Eventually, he threw caution to the wind, and settled on the truth. “I’m conflicted.” Harlow raised his brow. “The mon- subjects… they’re suffering. I’m starting to doubt the integrity of this experiment. Are you certain we should continue it? We’ve gathered enough data, and we’ve proven without a doubt that the biggest influence on human behavior is a nurturing parent, so is there really cause to-”

“Cause to continue?” Harlow finished, appalled. “You can’t mean that Doctor?”

“Well… well, I do.”

“Doctor,” Harlow began, his voice rumbling agreeably. “Our cause to continue: Science!” He was quiet for a moment, before continuing. “Aren’t you curious? To see how the specimen will react once reunited with monkeys that have developed normally? Don’t you wish to observe the behaviors of the female specimen. How do you think they’ll react once paired with male specimen?”

“Well it’s intriguing, yes,” Logan admitted, “but-”

“And what about pregnancy? Do you think the female will care for their offspring?”

“I- I’m not sure.”

“And you never will be if you give up now,” chided Harlow, wiggling his finger pointedly. “Doctor, don’t forget, there will be no long term harm to these creatures. They’ll adapt normally after their work has been done.”

Logan didn’t feel quite as certain, but he couldn’t bear to argue anymore, so he dipped his head submissively. “If you say so.”

“I do,” Harlow said. Logan excused himself, walking away as fast as he could, without making it obvious that he was trying to escape. Harlow’s voice rang out once more. “Doctor.”

“Yes?” Logan froze, teeth clenched, not even bothering to face the doctor.

“I’m the lead on this project, I know what I’m doing. If you continue to question that, there will be consequences. You understand?”

“Of course.”

His conversation with Doctor Harlow did little to ease Logan, and over the course of the next few days, he avoided the doctor at all costs. Additionally, his experience in the lab continued to look bleak. He developed a slouch, buckling under the weight of his guilt, most likely, or from exhaustion. He was so tired. Even in the comfort of his apartment, miles away from the research facility, he was haunted by the chilling echoes of the monkeys’ hollering and screaming. Even his colleagues, who usually paid him no mind, noticed his distress. As he passed them in the halls, he caught them casting him concerned glances from his peripheral.

Sighing, he squatted to peer into Subject 010’s cage. It was small. There were hundreds of cages lining the walls of the lab, equally small and equally uncomfortable. He wondered how the monkeys were capable of sleeping in such a dreary place. He sighed again. If he could get just an hour of restful sleep, he supposed he could have fallen asleep in there too. He brushed a finger along the apathetic metal. He sighed for a third time, and unlocked the cage. Instantly, Subject 010 woke up and charged towards him, desperately trying to climb his arm again.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I can’t.”

Logan had always been fascinated by science. Answers. He could ask all the questions he wanted, and as a scientist, he could pursue answers. In his regular life, his questions were cumbersome and frowned upon, but in science, they were welcomed with open arms. He wasn’t an obnoxious child asking “Why?” after everything his mother said anymore. He was a man. An investigator of science. A detective.

He looked at Subject 010, thrashing as usual, and suddenly he didn’t feel like any of those things. He opened the door to the testing cage, meaning to quickly place the Subject into it, but he hesitated.

People always intrigued him. He could never understand them, and they confused him. As a child, he had trouble making friends, and that habit followed him into adulthood. He knew what it was like to be isolated. He just wanted to understand. So psychology, the science that could finally, finally help him understand, glimmered with the most valuable of answers. Naturally it drew him in. When Harry Harlow approached him and invited him onto the project, he jumped at the opportunity.

But this…

Logan put the Subject into the cage and swiftly snapped the door shut. Immediately, it fled to the clothed surrogate, mewling pitifully. Logan grabbed a bottle, placed it inside the wire surrogate, and waited, clipboard in hand. Just as expected, the monkey reluctantly left the cloth surrogate in pursuit of food. It climbed onto the wire surrogate and sucked from the bottle. And, painfully predictable, the second the Subject was nourished, if ran straight back into the embrace of the cloth surrogate. He narrowed his eyes, looking at nothing in particular, then wrote on his clipboard. He essentially stabbed the clipboard as he dotted his last ‘i’, sour at reporting the latest supporting data for Doctor Harlow’s claim.

This was, without a doubt, a massive victory for those inclined towards the Nurture argument, in the long disputed debate between Nature. Vs. Nurture.

Subject 010, as if sensing the rebellion sprouting in him, looked at Logan with hope. The subject’s eyes were large, brown and innocent. Despite his indifference towards its suffering, the monkey’s eyes were not accusing.

It was more than he deserved.

A win. A win for Science. Logan narrowed his eyes. It didn’t feel like a win. In his opinion, Doctor Harlow could shove his ‘claim’ right up his ass.

He looked at the subject and this time he didn’t look away.

“Doctor Burry, I see you’re looking alert today.”

“Yes,” said Logan. “I heard we’re introducing a subject into an environment with other Rhesus Macaques that have developed naturally?”

“Indeed. I’m pleased that you were so quick to volunteer as my assistant today.” Harlow chucked. “I assume you’ve gotten past your previous concerns?”

Logan stiffened, but forced himself to nod. “Of course, Doctor,” he mustered.

Truthfully, he wasn’t doing this because of Harlow’s threats. He was doing this because he felt he had an obligation to make sure that the Subject would unquestionably recover.

“Grab the specimen.”

Logan obeyed. Similar to the Subject, subject 273 struggled. He gritted his teeth, hoping with all his heart he wouldn’t drop it, especially in front of Doctor Harlow.

“Alright, put it in the cage.” Harlow watched intently, clipboard and pen in hand. Logan opened the cage, plopped the subject into it, and immediately removed his hand. The healthy monkeys looked at their newcomer with interest, but then they turned away and resumed their activities, ignoring it completely.

“What-”

“Silence.”

The subject looked around, terrified, and howled. It ran around the cage before settling in a corner. It made pained noises. To Logan’s complete and utter horror it bruised its face into its knees and began to rock. He was stunned. It looked like it was experiencing something akin to a panic attack.

He looked at Harlow, desperate for answers.

“This is… this is merely the first day of experimentation. The subject will adapt eventually. We just need to be patient.”

“Of… of course.”

That night Logan was restless. Sleep didn’t come for hours.

Logan couldn’t stop replaying the scene in his mind. He grieved for subject 273, wishing he could give it the gift of death. He felt certain, there was no way the monkeys were going to mentally recover. Trauma. He shook his head, feeling foolish. Irreversible trauma. This wasn’t a new discovery; he’d heard many stories of children suffering well into their adulthood from the trauma of neglect. He had been completely and utterly blind to even consider that monkeys would react any differently.

He kicked open the doors to the lab and bee lined for the Subject’s cage. He looked at it, sleeping, and smiled.

The moment he woke up, he knew. It was too late for subject 273, but with some luck, perhaps the Subject would adapt. He prayed it wasn’t too late. He unlocked the Subject’s cage, and just as he expected it climbed his arm.

He didn’t stop it.

He stood there, relaxed. The monkey was trembling, and Logan murmured comforting words to it. He took a nervous breath, then did what he had been waiting to do: he stroked it. He almost burst into tears. It felt so natural. So right. He hated himself for waiting so long.

“It’s okay, I’m here for you. I’ll be your mother.” He felt a rush of affection for the monkey, and smiled. “Virgil,” he whispered, naming the monkey in a single breath. “You’re safe now.”

He tucked Virgil into his pocket, hoping he could escape unnoticed. He walked down the hall, forcing his shoulders to relax and nodded at each colleague he had the displeasure of walking past. Disgusting. He couldn’t comprehend how they labeled themselves human beings. Have they no empathy? He wondered how they slept at night.

“Doctor.”

Logan groaned, wanting nothing more to break into a run, but he turned around and dipped his head. “Doctor Harlow. It’s wonderful to see you again. Has there been any progress with subject 273?”

Harlow sighed, walking closer. Logan’s heart jumped and Virgil began to shift in his pocket.

“Unfortunately the changes were too sudden for the specimen.”

Virgil writhed. Logan put a firm hand on his pocket, gritting his teeth. Just a little longer. Virgil just needed to hold on for a little longer.

“Subject 273 three is dead.”

Logan froze, forgetting about Virgil for a moment to look at Harlow, shocked. “W-what did you say?”

“It’s unfortunate, but it was merely a trial run, if we continu-”

Finally, to Logan’s horror, Virgil began screaming. It was at that moment that Logan realized the monkey was reacting to Harlow’s voice.

“What the hell?”

Logan didn’t hesitate. He turned on his heel and fled.

“Doctor Burry! Doctor! Stop!”

For a brief moment he wondered if Harlow would forgive him and allow him to return if he did stop, grovel, and dedicate his heart and soul to the cause, but then he felt Virgil thump against his leg in his pocket, and ignored all prospects of returning. He was doing the right thing.

“Security! He’s stealing property from the facility! Stop him at once!”

He heard the ominous footsteps of the security hot on his feet, but that only inspired him to pump his legs hard. He dodged anyone he encountered in the hallway, shamelessly shoving them at security to gain any distance he could. A stitch soon formed in his side and he cursed himself for not exercising more. He was a scientist, god damnit, he knew exactly the consequences of an inactive lifestyle.

As if god himself graced him, Logan soon spotted the front entrance loom into sight. He was suffocating and his vision was starting to blur, but he was… so… close.

He bulldozed through the front doors, yelping at that sharp pain that flashed through his arm, and bolted for the parking lot. In seconds, he found his car. He ran, putting all his energy into his legs, and jumped over the car door straight into the driver’s seat of his 1957 Ford Thunderbird. He slammed the keys into the ignition, and sped out of there like a bat out of hell.

He looked into his rearview and laughed as the facility dipped below the horizon. He shouted into the sky, high off his adrenaline.

“We did it, Virgil! We escaped!”

Logan woke up with a weight on his chest. He blinked, gazing at the ceiling, breathing with effort. He frowned and looked at his chest. “Virgil,” he muttered. “You’re so clingy.” He sat up, careful not to accidentally fling to monkey off him. He cradled the sleepy monkey against his chest, humming with an affectionate smile.

It had been three months since Logan had taken Virgil and escaped from the facility, and honestly, he couldn’t have been happier. Sometimes he missed Science, but not as much as he expected. It discovered that it had lost its sparkle.

He cracked his neck, and pulled himself out of bed. He sat Virgil down on the mattress, hoping to give him some extra sleep. He made himself some coffee and chopped up some breakfast for Virgil. He rubbed sleep from his eyes and sipped his coffee, then crossed the room to nudge his monkey awake.

“Time to get up, sleepyhead.”

Virgil mewled in protest, but when Logan shrugged and walked away, he was quick to follow. He smiled at the ground as Virgil circled his foot excitedly.

“It’s your favorite.” He picked up the dried pieces of fruit and showed them to Virgil. “Come on,” he urged, nudging the monkey with his foot. “Climb up here and eat.” He frowned when Virgil just looked at him with his big, brown eyes. ���I know you can do it,” he said. “You’ve done it plenty of times before.”

Still nothing.

Finally he sighed. “You big baby.” He leaned down and picked up Virgil, cradling him in his arms. Although he pretended to hate it, he actually loved it when Virgil did that. He hand fed him the fruit, laughing as the monkey tried to inhale it whole.

After Virgil was finished, Logan focused his energy on getting ready for work. He quickly changed out of his pajamas and into something less casual.

“Alright.” He crouched down and held his palm to Virgil. “Let’s go.” The monkey climbed up his arm and nestled himself into Logan’s shoulder.

It was difficult to find a job that would allow a monkey into the premises, but he wasn’t going to compromise. Virgil, poor thing, had unfortunately developed separation anxiety, and Logan just couldn’t bear to abandon him. He’d done that enough already. Thankfully, he had found work as a librarian assistant, and Patton, the librarian, was more than happy to welcome Virgil with open arms.

“Hiya, Logan!”

“Greeti-”

“VIRGIL!” Patton exclaimed. “I missed you!” He quickly dashed across the library and stopped short of Logan, looking at him hopefully.

“Just don’t drop him.” He nudged Virgil into Patton’s hands.

“I would never!”

He let out an amused breath, and walked to a book cart and began to sort the assorted books. He glanced at Patton, feeling a pang of worry for Virgil. He hated to admit it, but the separation anxiety was mutual. Everytime Virgil was out of his sight, was panicked that a retrieval team had come and abducted him to return him to the facility.

He shook the thought off. He breathed in the calming scent of books. That would never happen, so long as Logan was there to prevent it. He looked around the library and felt bittersweet. It was humble, honest work, and while it wasn’t nearly as… insightful as Science, he still found it enjoyable. He stared at Patton playing with Virgil, and sighed, content.

He may have left behind all the answers he could have ever wanted, but he didn’t regret it for a second.

[i-care-4u]

UN VERANO SIN TI | J.HARLOW

part one | part two | part three

pair: jack harlow x actress!reader

requests are closed | masterlist

A/N: i’ve been doing instagram au’s recently, and i haven’t written these types of fics in like a year, so it feels so refreshing writing them again. btw, apologies if there’s any grammar mistakes or any typos.

‘17-‘20

For the past five years, you’ve pretty much made yourself a big name in the entertainment industry. Since your debut, critics and the people were quickly mesmerized by your talent, which later contributed to your nominations at big award ceremonies.

While filming your second project four years ago, you discovered Jack and his music. However, it wasn’t until a year later when you first met him.

Jack was starstruck the moment he saw you. He couldn’t believe that one of today’s leading actresses is a big fan of his. Around this time, he was recording a new mixtape. You still remembered the conversation that occurred, which was now an ongoing joke between you and him.

“Hi, I’m Jack,” Jack introduced himself as you came up to him to give him a hand shake.

“I know,” you replied, letting out a soft laugh.

After the interaction, you exchanged numbers, and began hanging out together.

By early 2020, you and Jack started dating. Since Jack wanted more of a private life, you both agreed to keep the relationship that way, with the exception of close family and friends. However, due to one of his songs becoming popular, it pushed him to a more mainstream audience. Although you and Jack were celebrating for reaching such achievements, unfortunately, you both knew that going out together was going to be such a conflict.

‘22

With your upcoming project being the most anticipated film of the year, and Jack releasing his new album, it was going to be quite a year for you two.

You and Jack barely had the time to see each other, and the only interactions came through the phone. You didn’t like that feeling. The feeling that you were dating your own screen just felt weird to you. The next time you were going to see him again was during the MET Gala, which happens to be the same week Jack releases his album.

By that point, you had the thought to end things with Jack. It was an upsetting thought, but both of you were booked and busy if you really think about it. You were busy with your film, which was set for a summer release, and there’s also an upcoming press tour alongside it. Meanwhile, Jack had upcoming performances left and right, traveling from France to Australia. As much as it hurts to let go of someone, you believed that now was the right time.

MET GALA ‘22, MAY 2nd, 2022

You arrived to New York City a couple of days ago, which was nothing new for you. Tonight was going to be your first MET since 2019, and your first with Jack.

At the hotel, your stylist picked out a dress from (brand choice), while you were in charge of doing your own makeup. Considering the way people were dressed last year, you’d say that your team did a great job on their research and finding a dress that represented “gilded glamour.”

Before putting on the dress, you heard a knock on the door. You opened the door to see that it was Jack. He was already red carpet ready and he wanted your opinion of his look. He showed up wearing a silky brown suit from Givenchy, a little different from the regular tuxedos that a lot of men tend to wear at the MET.

“How do I look, baby?” Jack asked you as he was fixing up his tie.

“You look amazing, Jack,” you smiled, fixing the outfit for him.

“I knew I could rely on you,” Jack said, quickly giving you a kiss on the forehead before he closed the door.

After a few hours, you arrived at the MET Gala. Your appearance was the most anticipated tonight, based on past looks. It was exciting to see what you were going to wear next. Like every award ceremony, there’s cameras flashing, people cheering from all angles, and of course, the interviews.

“Y/N LOOK OVER HERE!”

“SMILE Y/N!”

“Y/N TURN AROUND!”

“I LOVE YOU Y/N!”

Everyone was obsessed with your MET look. You were the highlight of the night, earning the title of “best-dressed” alongside other celebrities.

Following the pictures taken on the MET stairs, you went to their dinner party, where you got greeted by Jack.

You and Jack went towards the food table. The food looked quite exquisite, having a Sofia Coppola feel to it. Jack grabbed a plate and asked, “You want something to eat or drink?”

“Not at this moment,” you nodded. “Thank you, though.” Before Jack put the plate back, he asked you again, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’ll eat once the MET is over.”

You weren’t upset, but rather overwhelmed. The next thing you wanted to do was to leave the dinner, and stay at the hotel, but you just couldn’t. Instead, you rushed to the bathroom, which you quickly regretted.

By the time you opened the door, there was a group of celebrities attempting to take the MET Gala picture. Instantly, all eyes were on you, “Y/n, care to join us?”

Giving them an awkward smile, you tried to fit into the frame. For the next ten seconds, everyone was fixing their outfits and thinking of a pose. By the last second, one of the celebrities announced that they were taking the picture, “MET Gala ‘22, everybody say cheese!”

After the picture, you headed back to dinner where you sat in the empty seat next to Jack’s.

“Having fun?” you looked over to Jack.

“Yeah, I’m getting a little tired though. Are you tired yet?”

“Sort of,” You had a monotone voice, showing no emotion whatsoever.

“Let me take you outside for some fresh air, no?” Jack held your hand, but you refused, thinking about your private relationship with him. “Jack, we can’t. Remember?”

“Right.”

“Speaking of going out, I don’t think I want to attend that afterparty anymore.”

“That’s fine,” Jack kissed your cheek as you got out of your seat. “Do what you need to do, okay babe?”

“Okay. See you tomorrow morning.”

TUESDAY, MAY 3rd, 2022

The next morning, as you were getting ready, you received some text messages from Jack.

Jack: are you in your hotel room right now?

Jack: let’s talk

You: i’m here

You turned off your phone and continued getting ready. After doing some final touches to your makeup, you decided to order some tea for you and Jack.

"Room service. How may I help you?”

"Uhm, yeah. May I have two hot teas?"

"Which one?" You didn’t specify what kind prior, but you knew that Jack loves the hottest kind of tea.

"The hottest one. Just any of the—"

"You want black or green tea?"

"Green for both, please. Thank you. "

While you were waiting for your orders, someone knocked on the door. "It’s Jack," you thought.

You opened the door, and it was no surprise that it was him. As he walked into your room, he couldn’t resist giving you a hug. You missed that feeling, that rare feeling. You knew, however, that you and he weren’t destined to be together for this long.

"How’s my baby feeling today?" Jack asked you.

"Better than yesterday," you assured. "And by the way, I ordered some tea, which should be here any minute now."

"Very generous of you," Jack said sarcastically. He was glad to see you doing better and getting the rest that you needed after yesterday. However, it wasn’t the case for you. Instead, you felt nervous about having this talk, scared that you were going to slip up really badly.

"What if he doesn’t want to see me ever again?" you thought. The only goal here was for you and Jack to be cool as just friends.

You two walked together and found a seat at the empty table that was in the room. You relax for a few seconds, hoping that everything goes as planned. Afterwards, you began to talk to him.

"I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but I think it’d be cool if we stayed as just friends," you began. "I feel like we’d become so distant this past year to the point where I’m just dating my own screen, you know?"

Jack got up from his seat, and you tried to question him, feeling startled that he was leaving immediately. Luckily, he opened the door and grabbed the two teas that you ordered earlier. He placed your tea on the table while he began to take a sip of his tea, "Sorry, the tea arrived. Go on, Y/n.”

You continued, "We’re literally at our prime right now, and I’m really proud of what you achieved. I truly am. I just don’t think that I’m the right person for you anymore.”

Silence, but not the awkward kind. Jack respected your decision. "I get it, our schedules can get packed like right now. Either way, I’d still be proud of you for what you've done to your fans and to my music as well. Thank yo-“

You interrupted him, "Jack, this is not a farewell."

"I still mean everything that I said earlier. I’m so glad that I met you, Y/n.”

“Thank you, and thank you for understanding where I’m coming from, Jack.”

-

After two years of dating, you and Jack officially broke up. It went smoothly like you planned, and you are now friends with Jack.

Things were going to be different, of course. Looking at the schedules, it was going to be a long year, starting with summer. It begins, a summer without Jack, a summer without you.

[jeanniebeannie63]

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[vnvyb]

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[segredosjogados]

Bets and kisses

Reader meets Urban at a festival and they link. Kind of enemies to lovers.

Warnings: unedited / cursing

this is not my best work, i'm just procrastinating and decided to write

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Y/N and her best friend were vibing backstage waiting for Jack Harlow to come up and greet fans. Her bestie was a big time Jack Harlow fan, but his music didn't make Y/N's type, she was more into R&B like Summer Walker or trap like Roddy Rich. 

They were both waiting for Jack to appear when Y/N got bored and decided to go buy some beer for them. 

"Stay right here, ok?" she told her bestie. 

"What if he shows up, you're gonna lose meeting the man of my life!" her best friend said emphatically. 

"Girl, isn't he your fifth crush of the year? Like, who's the other guys? Can't keep up" Y/N replied nonchalantly and left for her beer. 

When she was making her way, went through a group of guys recording some videos. She made her way around past them to go to the beer parlor. 

"Yo, who's that?" Urban asked the other guy. 

"Dunno, prolly a Jack fan waiting for him or something." the guy replied plainly. 

Y/N grabbed her beer and started to walk back to where her friend was, only to find out she was nowhere to be seen. 

"Where did that bitch go?" she mouthed, loud enough for Urban, who was approaching her to hear. 

"Who're you're talking about?" he asked. 

"My bestie? Is this Jack Harlow guy coming to see his fans or what, we've been waiting for hours." 

"Not a good way to talk about my best friend."

"I call my best friend "bitch", do you really think I mind my mouth?" 

Urban laughed at her reaction, thinking that if she was going to play difficult, he would too. 

"Fine, so where's the bitch?" 

"You damn well wash your mouth before talking about my baby girl like that!" she exclaimed, raising the bottle of beer in her hand and taking a a long sip. 

"But weren't you..." 

"Did I curse your best friend out?" she dared him. Urban laughed, he liked the challenge. Plus that, Y/N was pretty good looking woman, almost his height, wearing a pink bikini top with a silky skirt and a pair of baby pink and white Nikes. 

"Fine, touché. Ok, let's make a bet: if you find your friend first, you give me a kiss. If I find Jack first and bring him to see your b... best friend, you choose what to do with me." Urban challenged. Y/N smirked. She liked the idea that this random good-looking dude challenged her in something she knew she'd win. Plus, she loved a good adrenaline feeling. And winning. 

"Ready to not be kissed... hm... you go by the name of..."

"Urban Wyatt. And you, English ma'am is..."

"Y/F/N. I'm not English tho. But let's get it." 

Both of them went for their challenges. Y/N walked around, taking sips of her beers and looking for her bestie everywhere. Urban knew where to find Jack so he went straight backstage and waited for his friend to arrive. Jack took less than 2 minutes to show up. Y/N's friend was already waiting. So, when everybody had a collective frisson seeing Jack, she hurried to see if her friend was there.

And there she was, giggly and holding her phone to take a picture with him. Y/N's face showed defeat, but she didn't let it surface through her words. 

"I guess I found him first, so..." Urban said, getting closer to her. Y/N's heart skipped a beat. Her friend looked at her in awe, same as Jack. Nobody understood what was going on. 

"I found her at the same time!" Y/N contested playfully. Urban got closer. His scent had a mix of cologne, weed and beer. 

"Admit you lost the bet, Ms. Y/L/N." he said getting closer to her face. She let in herself feel his scent and closed her eyes for two seconds. 

"Fine" she complained playfully again, getting her lips close to his,  slowly touching his upper lip then closely opening for a full kiss. Everyone around either gasped or cheered. Urban felt his body go numb with the softness of her kiss. She wasn't in a rush, like some girls that want other things, she was kissing him tenderly like she knew him from other times, taking the time to explore his lips, battle his tongue and find the perfect spot to hold her hand on the back of his neck. His hands rested on her lower back, bringing her closer, not wanting the kiss to end, running out of breath but keeping it going. Her lips were extra soft and moist, she let him play with his tongue after the battle and when they finally ran out of breath, she gave him two quick pecks and they unglued from each other. 

"I guess..." she started saying but was breathless "I paid the bet" she said, still close to his face. 

"I guess we gotta bet a new one" Urban played. "Your kiss is..." he started. 

"Just don't say anything. Kiss me again." Y/N said and Urban took no more seconds and kissed her again, in the middle of the crowd that formed around them, giving zero shits to who was around and entering their own new world. 

[qrucifix]

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