#he drank a bit too much wine friday night and oh my god he was so adorable with the cats

[rackartyg]

tinwë stayed an extra day with my parents over the weekend last weekend and came home sunday night. she did so well on the car ride out (when i was there) but apparently had an absolutely horrid time on the car ride back (when i wasn’t). my mum carried her out of the car and halfway up the stairs to my flat where i met them, and when tinwë saw me she started wriggling to get to me and when my mother transferred her to my arms, she instantly started purring just so loudly and sat so still all the way back up. she hates being carried.

she loves me! she really does! i’m her safe space!

[alpydk]

Cabinet of Oddities - Part 14

It was Friday when I realised that Nana's story had more angst than intended. Turns out having a nervous breakdown during a DND campaign makes easy work for your DM.

Ao3 Link

Summary (Sort of) :

I’ll tell you that I love you That you’re my moon and star I’ll wait for you, no matter what And love you as you are.

Nana awoke the next morning, her head pounding. She had curled up in the corner of her tent with her blanket, trying to make herself as small as possible. She could taste the combination of cheap wine and bile in her throat and as she opened her eyes and struggled to adjust to the light, she made out the shape of a familiar figure slumped over across from her. His head rested over his knees as if he had fallen asleep sitting up and she could make out the edges of his purple robes. She reached out a hand to him trying to dispel the illusion but as she did she noted the paleness of her skin, the subtle blue veins tracing over the white of the back of her hand. “Oh no.”

She morphed quickly into her human form. Her stomach lurched at the sudden transformation and she quickly stumbled to leave the tent. As she moved the pressure in her skull intensified and she found she could barely walk without her body crumpling over against her will. The stuffy morning air of the Underdark hit her abruptly and she swallowed the saliva that built up quickly in her mouth. She tried to retrace her steps from the previous night. “I drank, I drank a lot.” Her voice felt loud as she spoke so she lowered it to a whisper to relieve herself of the ache. “Cushions…Gods, what else was there? Why is he- oh no…” The memories came flooding back, her shouting, his face as he looked at her with disappointment, her transformation. “What in the hells was I thinking?”

She sat down gazing at the ashes of the campfire from the night before. “I won’t be able to face him. I have to leave.”

“You do not have to go anywhere, you do not wish to.” Gale’s voice came from behind her. He’d heard her sudden exit from the tent and followed after her wanting to make sure she was okay, wanting to discuss everything that had happened. 

“Gale…” She could feel her stomach churning, this wasn’t something could handle this morning.

He sat next to her and slowly pushed a lock of her red curls behind her ear. “We need to talk.”

As his hand left the vicinity of her, she shook her head lightly, the hair falling back over her face, a shield against his stare. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’d just had a bit too much to drink. I was acting stupid. I stole a cushion but I’m sure it’s perfectly fine, it can be washed.”

“You stole two cushions, and one of them is currently in the ravine over there.” He gestured out the chasm that she had swayed close to during her drunken stupor.

“Ah…” She swallowed, piecing the evening together, hoping he wouldn’t bring it all up and they could just carry on as they had been.   

“Nana, I won’t lie to you, Mystra and me-” His voice was cut off by the approach of Karlach.

“You two are looking close this morning.” She sat down across from them and started digging through her pack. “Hells Soldier, you look rough though. Was it that bad an experience?” She eyed up Gale who chose that point to distance himself a little from Nana’s side. “I’m joking, though it’s good to see you’re getting on. After Gale’s little accident, we were afraid you wouldn’t be talking to each other.”    

Gale gazed over to Nana. “Well, let bygones be bygones is what I’ve always felt best in these situations,” he spoke reassuringly but Nana could barely lift her head to acknowledge him. 

The mood seemed to grow uncomfortable around them. Karlach shuffled a little and carried on through her bag. “Well, this is nice anyway. How about I sort us breakfast? We’ve got them dried pork sausages, they’ll be good, have a bit of that Waterdhavian cheese wheel with them.” 

Nana suddenly rose and ran to the chasm edge where she coughed and sputtered what was left of the contents of her stomach. She didn’t want to appear like this in front of them so as she let her hair fall back over her face she stood and left for the solitary of her tent.

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

Gale watched her leave and for a moment considered following her, but he resisted deciding that time alone was probably best for her.

“Rough night?” Karlach drew him away from his thoughts.

“Something like that.” He hesitated for a moment deciding if it was worth discussing the thoughts in his mind. “You and Nana. You’ve shared drinks, possibly discussed important topics?” 

Karlach gave a playful smile. “I wouldn’t say important, mate. More like she chats away and every now and again I get a word in. Why, curious if she’s said anything about you?”

He smirked. “I’m actually more curious to hear if she has divulged anything about herself.”

“Herself, like what? She’s gone on about her swamp more times than I can count, she’s got a thing for you, and, um…” She turned the past conversations around in her head. Gale could see each one play out as Karlach opened her mouth only to close it when she realised it was nothing of substance. “You know, now that you mention it she’s said loads but I couldn't really tell you anything about her. I know she likes you though. Oh, the things she has said about you would make an incubus blush.”  

Gale chuckled to himself. These things he already knew. He was more interested in everything else, her race, her past, who she really was.

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

Nana travelled quietly the following two days. Though the hangover had faded and Gale had made small talk with her, the embarrassment and guilt of her drunken night had not. She walked slowly behind the group, her head down, mumbling to herself, hoping she could come up with a solution that would fix everything. “I can’t believe how cruel I was, Mystra of all the forms I could have taken. I’m such an idiot. Maybe I should find him a new cushion…”

Gale was the first to notice the pointed hat of the old man who waited for them near the stairs to the Grymforge. “Elminster?” What had followed had been the setting up of camp, of watching them share in cheese and discuss how life in Waterdeep had been. Nana watched from a distance with curiosity, wondering who this person was. She had wanted to join and ask questions, but every time Gale had glanced over at her she had looked away in shame. It was only as the conversation grew more heated that her interest picked up and she approached the party.

“Mystra has granted me the power to stop the clock, as it were, on the orb’s rush to overpower you. Instead, you will be able to unleash its lethal combustion at will.” The greying wizard explained to Gale. The next words were a blur, a discussion of Gale’s death as ordered by the goddess Mystra herself.  

It was Karlach that broke the heavy silence that hung over them. “She can’t force you to do this. She must be insane if she thinks you’re gonna go through with it.”

Gale’s voice was conflicted and yet calm. A request from Mystra, a way to redeem himself for his earlier mistake. “No indeed. But I think she trusts me to.”

Nana could feel her jaw clenching, her anger rising, her heart breaking at the thought of losing him. She watched as Elminster left and as Gale turned from the group he looked over to her with a hint of sadness and fear in his eyes. All she wanted was to comfort him but her past behaviour felt like an even worse kick in the gut after this new information. “No amount of cushions is going to fix this…” she whispered.

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

Gale’s head was a whirl with everything that had just been discussed. He had his doubts of course but this was finally an answer, something he could work with. All he needed to do was find the right time, the right place, and then close his eyes, letting it all end. He’d be forgiven by Mystra. He’d be dead, but such was the price to pay for his misdeeds. 

As he opened the flap to his tent he heard her gentle voice behind him. Part of him wanted to be alone with his thoughts, to arrange everything neatly so he could process it all accordingly but this was the first time in days that Nana had approached him to initiate a conversation. He turned to face her. He thought she seemed smaller than before, less confident. “Yes?”

“How are you feeling? I overheard what you were all talking about.” She was concerned for him and he felt the flame inside him that had kept igniting itself when she was around, from their moments in the weave, from lying under the stars together. Now it was back, and again he tried to quell it, she deserved so much more than he could offer her, especially now.

“Oh, you know me, ever the optimist. I’m trying to focus on the positives.” He tried his best to give her a reassuring smile but when she looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears he knew it had not worked. “Nana, do not concern yourself with me. My fate was written in stone long before this moment, now I just need to bide my time and wait for what is to come.”

“No.” That one simple word was all it took for the doubts to spring up in his mind. To just say no, to take control of his own destiny, and defy his goddess. He buried the thought but it lingered, like that of the tadpole, it slithered deep into his thoughts. 

He sighed. “Oh, how I wish the wills of the gods could be so easily dismissed. But I’m afraid that their wishes far surpass the needs of us mortals. Hopefully, my demise will be a long way off yet.” He took a seat on a cushion. “I’m sorry, this isn’t a subject I long to discuss much more today.” He didn’t want to hurt her, didn’t want to push her away, but this was for the best. Protection for both of them for when the inevitable happened.  

“Could I at least join you? I’d like to help take your mind off things.” From behind her back, he saw her produce a bottle of wine and a small tattered book. A drink wouldn’t hurt, maybe this could be a chance for him to apologise for what he had said, to right wrongs before he was gone, to apologise for who he was. He chuckled and patted a cushion next to him. 

Nana sat beside him, placing the book close to her. He was curious, the state of it mostly, spatterings of mud on the pages, string from the binding wisping away. It was taking all of his concentration not to just grab it and cast mending upon it. She opened the wine, took a swig from the bottle and then offered it to him. Normally he’d be more inclined to find some glasses but tonight seemed like one where he should forget the details and just savour the moment. For how many more like this would there be? How many more nights would he have among the living?

“Today is the 20th of Eleint,” she said as she looked at her fingers. “And that means, it’s my birthday.”

Gale’s lips curled into a grin. This was great, a perfect distraction from his sorrows, a moment he could enjoy with her, a piece of knowledge about her. “Your birthday? Why did you not say anything? We could have arranged a celebration with everyone. It would be a little late to organise gifts, but I’m certain we could come up with something.” He tried not to let his excitement take over, the days of social gatherings long behind him and yet still a fond period of his youth.

“It’s not something I normally celebrate. I just- Gale, I want to spend time with you. I know I’ve made mistakes, and I know we have so much that we need to talk about.” Her voice started to build up in speed. “And I know that I am probably one of the most difficult people to be around and that you’re all stuck with me because of these bloody tadpoles. And that whole thing with being Mystra was so, so stupid of me, and I’m sorry, and if I could go back and not do it, I would but-”

He tried getting a word in to tell her that none of it mattered, that yes he had been hurt by her drunken antics but he understood her feelings behind it all, that she wasn’t difficult, that he wasn’t stuck with her, and yet her words kept coming, like the water of a dam which had found its release.

“-But I can’t. And I threw your cushion, and now this guy comes and he eats our cheese, and he…he…” Gale could see the tears beginning to emerge. He could feel a pain deep within him, the orb now silenced making his emotions prominent. He reached over and took her hand without thought and as she looked up at him he realised his mistake and let go.

“My apologies, I only wished to help,” he said with a tinge of guilt in his voice.

Nana sniffled and took a deep breath, wiping the tears with the sleeve of her shirt. “No, sorry. I shouldn’t have lost control like that. Birthdays. Happy topics. Wine, yeah?” She reached over and grabbed the book next to her. He watched her and longed to comfort her, hold her in his arms, and be held by her. “On my birthdays I read, and you like books so I hoped that maybe tonight you’d want to read with me?”

He couldn’t help but smile at her suggestion. After everything the day had brought, all the doubts he had, how for the last hour he had sat in two minds, it was nice to have one thing that felt clear and simple. He nodded but couldn’t help but remark on the condition of the book. “Your book has seen better days I see, I could easily mend it if you so wanted.” He offered a hand out to take it from her but noticed as she pulled back slightly bringing it to her chest.

“I’d rather you didn’t. But thank you nonetheless.” 

He examined the book in her hand, the size, shape, the loose bits of paper and material that seemed to jut out from the pages. “What is this book, if you don’t mind me inquiring? If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was a type of journal.” 

Nana smiled and placed it in front of them both to see. She flipped it open trying to find a specific page. He saw cuttings of newspaper articles, sketches, and a small cut of green fabric which he couldn’t help but notice she lingered on a tad longer than the other pages. “Are you looking for something specific?” He asked.

“Hm.” She turned a few more pages coming to one with various paragraphs written at odd angles. She rotated the book towards him so it was more clear. “Now, don’t laugh. This is embarrassing for me, but I like to write poetry…”

Gale’s smile grew wider as he looked over at the scribbled texts. She had heard him recite poetic phrases so many times, but to think she was writing her own in secret. He reached his hand towards the book and traced his finger across the words, his heart beating in his ears as he read. 

I’ll tell you that I love you

That you’re my moon and star

I’ll wait for you, no matter what

And love you as you are.

[hockeyboysimagines]

Ashes and Wine

Warnings:Drinking, mentions of parties/alcohol, language, angst.

I’m so sorry this has taken so long. But I hope you enjoy this chapter.💕

This gif has nothing to do with this chapter. But look at this moron🤣🤣 I love him.

Leighton’s head was splitting when she woke up the next morning. She was vaguely aware that she was in her bedroom but she wasn’t quite sure how she got there and she still had all her clothing on. She sat up slowly, and looked around. The rest of the apartment was quiet, and he curtains were closed. Her shoes were by the bed, and the picture on her dresser was moved.

Then it hit her.

Her memory was foggy but she could see a hazy visual of Mat carrying her into the apartment. She had almost fallen and then almost kissed him.

Oh great.

She huffed and rubbed her forehead. She didn’t often drink, and when she did never that much. But being in Mat’s presence, and seeing the ring on Kaitlin’s finger had rattled her so much, she just got a little out of hand. It was stupid. She had said no. She had drank her weight in vodka. And she needed Tylenol and a drink. Ginny was sitting at the kitchen island eating cereal.

“Morning.” She watched as Leighton disappeared behind the fridge door looking for water.

“Stop staring at me Ginny.”

“The last time I saw you that trashed was at Brad Smith’s party senior year. You were so drunk…that was the night you-“ she said giggling.

“Okay okay. I remember.”

Ginny chuckled “Mat brought you home last night.” She said casually, chewing a spoonful of cereal.

“So?”

“So. Did something happen?”

“ No nothing happened. He’s engaged to…whatever her name is.”

“All I’m saying is I saw that look. It’s the same look he used to give you four years ago.”

“Look I am hungover and I am not in a good mood. He’s engaged and he brought me home last night because he just wants to be friends-“

The doorbell rang just them interrupting her speech. Ginny frowned and slid off her stool. When she opened it, Beau of all people was standing on the other side of the door holding a carrier with three large coffees in it.

“Morning boozy.” He said giving her a smile as he breezed past Ginny and set them on the island.

“Oh my god I think I’m in love with you.” Leighton took hers gratefully and sipped it, feeling better instantly.

“So….” He asked leaning on the counter “Did something happen last night?”

Ginny chuckled and shook her head blowing on her coffee through the hole.

“You guys are the worst. Nothing happened.”

“Doesn’t mean you didn’t want it to.”

She rolled her eyes “Can you two leave me alone.”

“No.” They said in unison.

********

“So how was the rest of your night last night?” Kaitlin asked over breakfast. Mat shrugged.

“It was fine. Leighton and Beau got along pretty well. She had a little too much to drink though.”

“Was she okay?” Kaitlin looked genuinely concerned.

“I think so. She’s just going through some stuff right now is all, with the move and adjusting.”

“You should help her Mat. I’m sure she would really appreciate it. There’s that team party thing on Friday, I’m leaving that morning for a few days. You should take her.”

If Mat hadn’t just set down his fork he would have dropped it. Kaitlin must really feel secure about their relationship if she was giving him an invitation to go hang out with his ex girlfriend. Was this a test? He felt he was in dangerous territory and no matter how he answered it wouldn’t be right.

“Oh Kaitlin. I don’t know.”

“We’ll think about it. I’m okay with it.”

They ate breakfast in relative silence until Kaitlin left him to shower and pack for her trip. Mat sat down in front of the tv, and absently flicked through the channels, not really watching what was on it. His mind started to rewind.

Music was blaring through Katie’s Miller’s house. While the rest of the guys on the team were yelling and carrying on about winning, mat and Leighton were out talking quietly. The ride to the house had been short, too short to have real conversation and he had been dying to get her alone since then. She looked so damn pretty leaning forward against the railing of the deck.

“You played good tonight.” She said smiling “Or at least I’m pretty sure you did. Right?” He laughed. It was kind of endearing and actually nice that she didn’t know anything about the sport. Sometimes he felt a tremendous amount of pressure to perform because of the promise of making it to the nhl. He didn’t have to be Mat Barzal NHL hopeful with her. He could just be Mat.

Before he could answer the party goers behind them started chanting and they turned to see Cody and some other guys assisting Ginny in doing a keg stand. Leighton rolled her eyes.

“She’s a real piece of work eh?”

“Eh? What is that a Canadian thing?” She teased. Mat blushed.

“I guess.”

“It’s cute. I like it.”

I like you. He thought to himself.

“So how did you and Ginny meet?”

“I sit next to her in English class. We were partners for a project.”

“I’m surprised someone else didn’t try to fight you for it. Boys break their necks just to talk to her.”

“So I’ve noticed. I don’t know….she’s cool, but I’m a little more interested in someone else.”

She quirked an eyebrow “Oh yeah? Who’s that?”

Feeling bold, both from the beer and from the high of victory, he smiled at her and shrugged “ There’s this cute little blonde she hangs out with that caught my eye in Math class. In fact. I’m pretty sure that I’m failing because I spend so much time looking at her.”

Leighton let out a small laugh and turned to him, hair spilling over her shoulders. She turned her head to the side and looked up at him through her eyelashes. Gosh they were long, and her eyes were so big and caught the light every time she blinked.

“I’m sure she probably thinks your pretty cute too.” She said quietly bringing him back down to earth.

“That’s really funny, because I’ve been thinking about kissing her.”

“Okay I’m ready to leave.” Mat jumped as Kaitlin set her suitcase down on the hardwood. She was smiling at him as she pulled her coat on and shook out her hair. He stood to kiss her and say goodbye. There was a cab waiting to take her to the airport.

“I love you.” She said wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I love you too. Have a safe trip.”

“Mmmm. Try not to have too much fun while I’m gone.”

“Never.” He said running his hands up her back “just gonna hang with Tito probably.”

He didn’t miss the look of distaste that crossed her face and it annoyed him a little bit. Kaitlin had this idea that Beau would break them up or something and he wasn’t really sure why.

“We’ll have fun at your team thing. Are you going to ask Leighton to come?”

“Oh I don’t know. Maybe.”

They chatted for a few more minutes before she kissed him one last time and walked out the door to the cab. He pulled his phone out, opening his contact list up and scrolling to Leighton’s phone number. He debated for several seconds before closing her contact and then opening it again.

Hey. It’s Mat. There’s a thing on Friday and Kaitlin is out of town. She suggested I ask you. I thought maybe we could do dinner or something beforehand? I’d really like to catch up.

She responded soon enough for him to be hopeful, but long enough for him to sweating out her response.

Sure. That sounds nice. What time?

*******

“So it’s a date?” Beau said nudging her several times. Ginny was sitting on her other side and let out a small chuckle. Beau had insisted on taking them to lunch, waiting around while they both showered and got ready. Leighton had a feeling that he not only wanted some gossip, but he was trying to gauge how much charm it would take to win Ginny over.

“It’s not a date. Just a dinner between old friends.” Leighton said sipping her water.

“Old friends who used to bang.”

Leighton nearly choked on her water and felt her cheeks get red. Sending Ginny a glare she stabbed at a piece of chicken with her fork.

She was looking forward to spending some time with him. Sober. But she was also painfully aware that it was strictly dinner between friends. Even though she wasn’t around, he did still have a fiancé. Even though Beau reminded her “She’s awful.” It didn’t change that she existed.

That didn’t stop her from pulling out all the stops though. She spent some extra time on her hair and makeup, and pulled on her favorite black sweater and dark jeans and boots.

Ginny was out somewhere, but had also been invited and would meet her there later. She hurried out of her apartment, and by the time she made it to the front of her building Mat was waiting there, leaning against his car. He looked up, and blinked at her for several seconds before he smiled.

“Hi. You look nice. Ready?”

She felt like she was going to throw up as he opened her door and guided her into the car with his hand on her lower back. While he drove them to wherever they were going, she really looked at him. He was so different yet the same. Same eyes and smile, but his hair was longer and the years in the NHL had given him extra muscle.

“Stop staring at me.” He said, giving her the side eye, but he was smiling.

She chuckled and looked out the window at the buildings “ So where are we going?”

“To dinner.”

“Okay but where?”

“In a restaurant? Where else would we be going?”

She rolled her eyes “Your so annoying.”

“You haven’t seen me in four years and your telling me I’m annoying? That’s hurts L.”

She felt a tiny pang at the nickname he used to call her, and he must have too because his smile faded a bit and he cleared his throat.

“Uhm anyway…So where is Kaitlin tonight?”

“Uhm. She’s on a work trip in Florida or something. She said I should ask you to come to this thing. If I didn’t Beau would have thrown a tantrum.”

She smiled “I like Beau. He’s funny.”

Mat knew she meant as a friend but he felt a tiny twinge of jealousy. He wanted to be the one making her laugh, not Beau.

“I’m really glad you guys get along. He and Kaitlin don’t always.”

Leighton pursed her lips “Yeah I’ve noticed. What’s that about?”

Mat shrugged “Honestly, I’m really not sure. They’ve just never gotten along. It’s not easy, I’m not gonna lie to you. I’ve never had to deal with it before.”

In high school, his friends and teammates loved Leighton, and loved them together. It had been easy and when Beau and Kaitlin ended up on bad terms, Mat didn’t know what to do.

“I’m sorry Mat. That must be tough.”

“It is. But enough about that.” He said parking the car and turning to her smiling “Lets go. I want to catch up with you tonight, and not talk about that.”

*********

“Did you break up with Kaitlin. My man!” Mat turned as Jordan slapped him jovially on the shoulder, big smile on his face.

“Did I what?no.”

His smile faded and he frowned, looking confused “Well then who’s that?” Mat sighed. Leighton had been friendly and charming to all his teammates she had met so far. Her big smile and soft eyes drew people in like a magnet.

“That’s Leighton.” A collective gasp went up around the table. Most of his teammates knew about Leighton in some form.

“Leighton as in the girl you asked to marry-“

“Yes Marty let’s just not go there.”

“Does Kaitlin know she’s here?”

Mat opened his mouth to answer, but Beau spoke first “Who cares?”

Jordan and Marty laughed, both shaking their heads.

“We’ll I have to say Barz this is one I like. I’m so happy you moved on from Kaitlin.” Sydney had now joined them, smiling widely at him, missing Marty shaking his head at her trying to catch her attention. Beau started laughing and Jordan was smirking as he watched Sydney furrow her eyebrows and look between them.

“What’s so funny?”

“He didn’t dump Kaitlin. That’s his ex girlfriend.” Marty mumbled in her ear. Her eyes widened and she chuckled awkwardly and gave him an apologetic look.

“Oh. I’m sorry I didn’t-“

“Do you guys really dislike her that much.” He looked around the table. They wouldn’t meet his eyes but they all shrugged.

“It’s not that she just isn’t- what we would expect.” Sydney said choosing her words carefully “This one.” She said jerking her head in Leighton’s direction “Is more someone I could see you with.”

“Plus she has a smoking hot friend.” Beau added in. Ginny had just arrived, greeting Leighton at the bar and ordering a drink. Sydney rolled her eyes.

Matt spent the rest of the evening not really listening to what anyone was saying. He could t believe how much his team and their wives and girlfriends disliked Kaitlin. The more he thought about things the more he realized he had been missing all the signs. Kaitlin rarely came to games and when she did she always brought a work friend and didn’t sit with the other girls. She never went to any WAG gatherings or out with them for dinner or drinks. And here was Leighton, someone who had been absent for 4 years, fitting seamlessly into the mix, laughing and joking with them over drinks. It didn’t add up and it was frustrating. It was even more frustrating when he found her leaned over the bar top talking with the bartender.

Tall, black hair, well built. She definitely had a type.

He cleared his throat as he approached, causing her to turn to him. It was almost 1 am, and he was mad and tired.

“ Hey, it’s getting late. Are you ready?” She turned and smiled at him but shook her head.

“Actually.” She glanced at the bartender “ I think I’m gonna stay.” The bartender was giving him a smug look. He had watched him give Leighton one too many once overs and flirty smiles, and he wanted nothing more than to punch the guy in the face for doing it, which didn’t make any sense.

She was his ex girlfriend. He had moved on, why couldn’t she? She was too good, too special to be thinking about going home with a bartender with bad tattoos and no real value for her. He couldn’t tell her not to, but he could try.

Mat reached for her hand pulling her to him “ He’s not good enough for you.” He whispered and turned walking through the crowd and put into the night air. Leighton stood mouth open watching him leave.

“So anyway I get off in-“ the bartender said leaning forward but Leighton had walked away from him, following Mat outside. Who did he think he was? He couldn’t say that to her. He was engaged, and here he was trying to make her feel bad about flirting with a guy she wasn’t even going to call again.

He was on his phone ordering an Uber when he heard the door bang open.

“Hey!” He spun to find Leighton standing on the steps hands balled into fists at her sides. She looked angry, her eyes were wide and her cheeks were flushed.

“Don’t say things like that to me!”

“Leighton I-“

“He’s not good enough for you? I don’t need you inside my head anymore. It’s not up to you to decide that for me. You have fiancé, you moved on. Why can’t I ?”

“I didn’t mean it that way, I just meant -“

“No! I don’t care how you meant it. It’s not fair to me and it’s not fair to kaitlin either!” She gave him one last glare before she stormed back inside.

He let his head fall back and huffed out a breath. He knew he was being stupid, and unfair to everyone including himself. He slipped into his Uber mind going a million miles a minute.

What the fuck was wrong with him?

********

“I’m ready to leave.” Ginny turned and found Leighton flushed and angry behind her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just ready to leave.”

“Okay.” Without a seconds hesitation she tossed her drink back, and paid her tab following Leighton out the front of the bar. As soon as the door shut Leighton exploded. She was talking so fast and so angrily Ginny could barely understand what she was saying but got the gist of it.

“And then he said ‘He’s not good enough for you’. What the hell does that even mean? He can’t say that to me!”

“Oh you two. I wish you could just both realize you still love each other and fix this whole mess.”

“I don’t love him.” Leighton said scoffing and folding her arms as they walked and argued.

“Oh my god, shut up L. Be honest about this for once in your life.”

“I’m done taking about this.” She snapped. They walked the rest of the way in silence each slamming their bedroom doors. They threw themselves into bed, stewing for a few moments before pulling out their phones. They both had multiple notifications, tagged posts and follow requests from various teammates and wives. Leighton liked them all, even making plans for shopping with a few and she and Ginny had been invited to dinner with others. She sighed and rolled over, tossing her phone aside, before she spoke out loud to the darkness.

“I hate you Mat Barzal.”

********

1,339 miles away Kaitlin washed her face and go ready for bed in her hotel room. She settled in and pulled her phone out as she turned the tv on and flicked the lamp off. She scrolled through Instagram and immediately noticed several groupings of photos from some of the other wags. She scrolled through a feeling of dread coming over her.

Leighton and Ginny were both in many of the photos, smiling and toasting with drinks like they had known them forever. They looked so natural, like it was where they belonged. All the wags had already followed both of them, commenting back and forth and arranging to get together. She got more annoyed as she scrolled but when she scrolled to the last picture she got angry.

Mat and Leighton were standing smiling at each other, a candid photo taken by Lauren Eberle. He was looking at Leighton like Kaitlin had always wanted him to look at her. She closed the app, and put the phone down, blinking away angry tears.

Things were going to change when she got back to Long Island.

[lokislittlesigyn]

Five Minutes - Loki x Reader [Oneshot] Part 3 of Sigyn’s Angst-to-Fluff Drabbles

Inspired by Cozy’s Fluff-to-Angst Fun and Games!

Pairing: Loki / gender neutral reader

Warnings: Alcohol mention. No active drinking, but a character is tipsy/drunk. Reader is a bit overworked from their job.

Author’s Note: Short(ish), sweet, and pure fluff. A hopefully welcome relief from the last fic I shared, too. :’D

@electroma89:

"please look at me, please just focus on me" for the Angst turned to fluff prompts 🥺❤️

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sound of soft footsteps thudded behind you, your eyes glancing up from your work. Arms wrapped around you from behind, pulling you close. Your back squished into the soft sofa, your head now resting against the clavicle of - well, it could only be one person, really.

You smiled despite yourself. “Loki. You’re drunk.”

“‘M not…. ‘M lonely…” His nose nudged your cheek.

“You have been harassing me for the past half hour.” Your hand found his cheek, pushing gently. “I’m busy, honey-”

“Stop being busy, then.” 

The god - though, reduced to a self-described very full god - huffed warm breath against your face. You could smell the alcohol on it, along with a twinge of sweetness. What had he gotten into?

It wasn’t particularly odd for Loki to enjoy a few drinks. In fact he often sipped a delicious red wine as he relaxed after a long day, with a book for company. You might even join him. On social evenings, he’d enjoy a martini, perhaps two if the night called for it. Sometimes, he’d get a little buzzed. Perhaps a flushed face, a suggestive joke, a particularly flirtatious wink. But tonight - tonight he was simply impossible. 

He must’ve drank an entire liquor store. He was practically bouncing off the walls for hours. You’d never heard such karaoke - and worse? He was actually a good singer. 

“Why were you holding out on me last Friday, huh?” You had asked as you finished cleaning the kitchen with him. The god grinned, and laughed a bright, cheery laugh. Even though you’d eaten dinner alone - Loki had been out, as you’d had to work all day alone - he still stopped to help you with the chores. Albeit while remarking on how “positively radiant” you looked. Then again, despite being distracted, he was still helping.

“Well, I wasn’t in the mood then, love! Mood, yes - see, I’m in it now.” He tilted a plate your way, “Very much so. In the mood, that is. Why don’t you sing with me?”

“I’m busy,” You grabbed the plate, setting it on the appropriate stack. “I have to work.”

His face had fallen a bit at your response, but he ran after you, seemingly unperturbed, as you had walked to your workspace. Your apartment wasn’t very big, but it was home. Even though your office was often the couch, it worked, and it was familiar. Comfortable.

At least, when very full gods weren’t breathing down your neck.

Like one was now. 

He was still leaning over the back of the couch, hands caressing your sides as you desperately tried to focus on your laptop screen. His lips kissed your temple, then whispered their way to your cheek. The sweet breath ghosting across your face made your nose scrunch, and you bit your lip, trying desperately to swallow the laughter bubbling up in your throat. If you let slip even one giggle, it was all over. There’d be no stopping him.

“Please?” Loki begged. 

“I am busy.” You said again, with a little more force. 

He quickly grew more desperate. “Oh, can’t it wait? I’ve been waiting to see you all week…” His head lowered, now against your shoulder. He nuzzled it, tickling the skin there with his soft breath.

Don’t laugh. Don’t laugh.

“Loki,” You shuddered a little, “You know it can’t. My boss doesn’t care about weekends, she cares about results. So I work, or next week will be even more miserable than this week..”

“But I don’t want you to work.” His voice was almost a whine, almost a growl. You steadied another shudder. “Please look at me, please just focus on me.”

“Just give me a few minutes, okay? Five minutes.”

Loki slid away from you with a low, annoyed groan. “Fine. Five minutes.” He stood back, tapping his fingers on the back of the couch. Rocking on his feet. Wait- was he counting under his breath?

You couldn’t keep your lips from turning up in a smile. Quickly, you finished this newest assignment - it had been tedious, but you were so close, you could practically feel the relief of finally defeating the mountain of responsibilities that bore down on you Monday morning.

The clickety-clack of your fingertips against the keyboard mimicked that of Loki’s against the back of the couch, which had mysteriously neared your shoulders. You felt them, now, soft taps against the caps of your shoulders - not hard enough to drum, and in fact rather soothing. You had always loved his hands.

Wait. No. Focus! You’re almost there!

“Loki,” you scolded under your breath, squinting down at the laptop screen. The god retreated with a huff.

… But only for a moment.

“Five minutes,” you reminded him, typing up an email. Here’s the file you asked for… Please see attached…

“It’s been three and a half, surely I can indulge a little?” 

“Five. Minutes.”

Loki sneered. He must have knelt behind you, because you then felt his head settle next to yours, the most dramatic, exasperated sigh escaping his lips. Then his counting continued, you heard it clearer now. Four thirty-five. Four thirty-six.

You typed up another: the final email. Quickly as you could, you smashed the keys, attached the files, sped through the necessary salutations-

“Five minutes!” Loki leapt to his feet, racing around in front of you. You gasped and felt yourself be lifted by a pair of strong, sturdy arms, a kiss placed squarely on your lips. Your laptop, still on the couch, was mercifully safe. Of course Loki had been careful, even in this state. “My love, I can finally hold you!” He spun you in place, chuckling as he did.

Now you couldn’t help but laugh. Giggles erupted from your mouth while a million tiny kisses showered your face, in between mutters of “Oh, my beautiful,” and something in Asgardian you couldn’t quite make out.

“W-Wait- Wait, just a minute..”

Loki groaned. “No. No more waiting. Please! I’ve waited all week, I’ve done exactly as I should- You’ve finished, haven’t you?” He sighed, curls falling in front of his face. He set you on your feet and wiped them back.

“One more thing.” You leaned over, clicking “send” on the email, then closed your laptop. “Done.”

Loki beamed. “Come to me, my darling has, from o’er field and dale,” His hearty voice rang out, and he took your hands, pulling your arms, one after the other, and moving his hips ever so slightly.

“Dancing? We’re dancing now? Wait- Is that poetry? What is that?” You giggled.

Loki merely grinned. “Through struggle and strife, through shadow and dark, my life, my heart, return - prevail!” He placed a hand over his chest. “In place of sadness, feel I glee; my heart, it sings, my soul, it shines!” His voice turned soft, and his other hand cupped your cheek, his eyes meeting yours. “Joy floods through me, like tide through sea, for this I know: you are mine.”

“And…” He swallowed. You stared into his eyes, the softest smile on your lips. 

“And I am never letting you go again!”

You burst into laughter at his sudden change of tone, felt yourself be lifted again, and spun, then fell onto the couch with a soft, cushioned landing. You settled onto Loki’s chest, which seemed to be what he wanted - he held you close, running his hands up and down your back, kissing your hair. 

“I love you so, my darling.”

“I love you too,” You giggled, then sighed with relief at the closeness. “So much.” 

[fic-for-fic-sake]

Playing with Fire

Pairing: Loki x reader

Warning: Slight foreplay but not even

A/N: This is not at all somewhat loosely inspired by events happening in my everyday life...shut up. 

You, Wanda, and Nat decided to have a girls night. In a team full of male ego’s, sometimes the testosterone got too strong to bear so you three called in a girls night. It wasn’t the typical slumber party vibes you had seen in the movies. Instead of makeovers and candy it was sparring and wine. The two weren’t exactly meant for each other but with enhanced individuals getting drunk was pretty much off the table anyway. 

You were in the middle of throwing knives at Wanda, who was expertly dodging them, while Nat was going on about her latest mission with Clint. 

“I mean it was fine but it wasn’t Budapest, you know?” She complained between reps. You chuckled under your breath and Nat clocked it. “What?” 

“Nothing, nothing. It’s just, I may have made a tiny little drinking game.” You explained, going over to the wine bottles and taking a swig to emphasize your point. “Every time you bring up Budapest I take a drink.” 

“I don’t bring it up that much.” She fired back. 

Wanda gave her a pointed look, not even having to open her mouth to say where she stood on the matter. 

“Fine,” Nat began, “if you guys have to drink when I mention Budapest then I get to drink when Y/N talks about Loki.” 

You instantly regretted bringing up the drinking game. You coughed a bit as wine got caught in the wrong pipe. “I do NOT talk about him that much.” All it took was another pointed look from Wanda to know that that was complete and utter bullshit. 

“Yeah but that’s different because I’m not in a relationship with Loki.” 

“But you want to be.” Wanda noted, taking the wine bottle from your hands and drinking a long pull, winking at you as she did. 

“Whether I want it or not is irrelevant.” You insisted, suddenly wishing you could steer the conversation into literally any other direction. 

“And why is that?” Nat asked, coming over to where you and Wanda stood and arching a crimson eyebrow at you. 

“Because, Loki is, he’s…” 

“Bad news.” Wanda offered at the same time Nat said “Trouble.” 

“Exactly.” You confirmed. “So whatever feelings I may or may not have will promptly be shoved down into the very darkest corner of my mind until they simply cease to exist.” 

“How has that worked for you in the past?” Nat inquired. 

“It’s worked out just fine, thank you very much.” 

“And how many relationships have you been in?” Wanda questioned. 

“None.” You replied automatically. “Fuck.” 

Sensing your not-so-inner turmoil Wanda gave you back the bottle of wine which you proceeded to polish off. 

“He doesn’t even pay attention to me anyway.” You tried to justify to them. 

“Didn’t you guys talk for like two hours last Wednesday?” Wanda pointed out. 

“Yeah, we did, it was actually a really nice conversation.” You recalled. 

You had been sitting in the library reading when Loki walked in, looking stunning in what he considered to be casual clothes, which had been laughable. While his forest green tunic and tailored black pants had certainly been a step down from his battle armor, it was a far cry from casual, at least by mortal standards. 

He had asked what book you were reading which then led to a discussion about the different types of Midardian literature and the crossovers with Asgardian books. And that had lent itself to him offering to give you some Asgardian books so you could see if you liked them or not. True to his word, later that night you found a stack of four books sitting outside your door with a note from Loki telling you that he had enchanted them to automatically translate from Asgardian to English.

“So...how can you say he doesn’t pay attention to you?” Nat asked, rolling her eyes as if you were oblivious to the attention he had given you. Which, of course, you weren’t. You had finished two of the books already and were chomping at the bit to tell Loki what you thought of them. But there was only one problem. 

“He hasn’t spoken to me since.” You confessed, feeling suddenly very small and stupid. 

“That doesn’t make sense...not even a word?” Wanda asked, so gently you thought your heart would shatter. 

“But see, it does make sense. Because this is what he does. He’ll talk to me and make me feel like I’m the only person in the world and then he’ll fuck off for God knows how long and swoop in just as I’m giving up hope that he’ll ever speak to me again. He has me on his hook and he knows it. But none of that even matters.” 

“Because you’re shoving your feelings down?” Nat offered. 

“Yes, and because he has a girlfriend.” You said, feeling your heart sink as the weight of your words hit you. It’s not like you had expected anything to happen between you two but him being in a relationship was like closing a door you never expected to be open to you to begin with. It hurt and you hated to admit that it hurt and you hated him for making it hurt. 

“Yeah, I had heard Thor talking about Loki and Sygn earlier. How do you feel?” Wanda asked, handing you another bottle of wine. 

“Fine, I feel fine. I literally couldn’t care less.” You lied as you pried the cork out of the bottle and drank a good portion before giving it to Nat. “Okay, enough about me, let’s hear about everyone else.” 

And that was that. For the next few months Loki kept up his sporadic contact with you but he had a girlfriend and you weren’t about to make an even bigger fool of yourself than you probably already had. So you stopped expecting him to talk to you. Stopped sitting straighter when he walked into a room and stopped being disappointed when he didn’t notice you. 

Four months after your girls night with Nat and Wanda there was a Friday night get together with the whole team, Tony’s idea. He said it would be good for bonding. You had gotten the text when you were on your way back from a date. Nothing much, just a casual meet up in Central Park, nothing to write home about. She was fine. A pretty blonde with soft brown eyes and a good laugh but that was it. She was fine. She wasn’t what you were looking for, who you were looking for. As soon as the thought entered your head you promptly shoved it away. He was taken and you just needed to go on a date with someone different that was all. 

You looked at your appearance in the elevator mirror on the ride up. You considered changing out of your light blue floral sundress before the gathering with the team but it appeared it wasn’t meant to be as you could already hear voices bleeding through the doors before they opened. 

You walked out to a mock whistle from Sam which made you dip into a mock bow before you made your way to the kitchen island and fixed yourself a drink. 

“That bad?” Nat smiled as you took a swig of the gin and tonic. 

“It was fine.” You replied, shrugging. “I have another tomorrow so we’ll see.” 

“Another what?” Thor called from the couch, his hand around a glass of amber liquid that you suspected was something much stronger than scotch. 

“Another date!” Nat called out in reply, smiling encouragingly at you. 

“Was the one today not satisfactory?” Thor questioned. 

You rolled your eyes, “it was Fine. Honestly both of you it was fine.” 

“Don’t worry doll, you’re not the only one in the dating game.” Bucky said from the fridge, grabbing himself another beer. 

“Bucky, if you’re about to tell me that you and Steve broke up I will believe that love is truly dead.” 

“Not us doll.” He shook his head and tried and failed to hide his amusement. 

“Then who?” You were very confused and nobody was making things any easier on you. 

“Me.” The voice came from behind you and it chilled you to the bone. You turned to find Loki leaning against the wall fixing the cufflinks on his black suit. His demeanor showed a complete lack of interest but the way his emerald eyes held you in place had a predatory grace that both excited and scared you. 

Loki had been gone for a month on a diplomatic mission and you had heard nothing from him in the meantime. It had been so easy to put him out of your mind, but now you wondered how you could have thought of anything but him. 

“Oh.” Was all you could bring yourself to say. As your heart sped up to a gallop and heat flooded through your body at the way he was looking at you. He shouldn’t be looking at you like that, he had just said he broke up with his girlfriend. You shouldn’t want him to be looking at you like that, you had moved on, hadn’t you? Apparently your body hadn’t gotten the message from your head yet, stupid body. 

One hour and two drinks later you were all sitting around the large kitchen table, each absorbed in their own conversations. You were talking to Tony and Bruce and Loki was in a conversation with his brother but he was only half listening. The other part of him kept sneaking glances at you and you could feel his eyes on your body like a physical touch. After you caught his eye one too many times you excused yourself to the bathroom. You needed to get a hold of yourself. 

You didn’t need this selective attention bullshit again. You couldn’t do it. You couldn’t stand spending hours talking to each other one day only for him to not speak to you for days on end after. No, you looked at yourself in the bathroom mirror and resolved yourself to go back out there and not care. Not to feel his glances on you, not to acknowledge his presence, not to speak to him or play into his games like a fool. Because you weren’t a fool. Pep talk done, you unlocked the door and walked straight into a wall of black. 

You startled and tried to push yourself away only to feel slender arms wrap around your waist and legs walk you back into the bathroom. You managed a few paces back and found yourself looking into Loki’s eyes. They really were the most magnificent shade of green. Damnit. 

“Loki, what are you doing here?” You asked, still too stunned to wonder why he backed you into the bathroom. 

“I’ve been gone for a month and that’s the question you ask me?” He leaned against the door, folded his arms over his chest, and crossed one slender leg over the other. Fuck him for being so attractive right now. 

“You don’t get to do that.” You stated, leafing through your emotions until you found one that suited you, anger. You were angry with him for having you on his hook, angry with him for his sense of entitlement, and angry with him for being attractive. To be fair, the last one wasn’t really his fault. 

“Do what?” He asked, like he really didn’t know what he was doing. 

“You don’t get to go literal months without speaking to me and then demand why I’m not talking to you when you’ve been back all of two hours.” 

“Actually I got home last week.” He replied coolly, pushing off of the door and taking a step closer to you. You rebuffed his advance by taking a step backwards. 

“Thank you for proving my point to me.” 

“What point?” 

“Don’t be obtuse.” You chided. “You’ve been home a week now, haven’t sought me out at all in that time mind you, but now you’re upset that I didn’t speak to you?” 

“I broke up with Sygn.” He said, taking another step towards you, and you took one back in kind. 

“So I’ve heard.” 

“I’ve missed you.” He crooned, advancing towards you until your back was forced against the counter top. 

“And what, exactly, have you missed?” You replied hotly. “Ignoring me until the last possible moment? Making me look pathetic for wanting even a scrap of your attention?” 

He took his thumb and index finger, placed them on your chin, and tilted it up at the same time he lowered his head to your shoulder. 

“Come now darling, I don’t think you’re pathetic.” He breathed into the crook of your neck. Your pulse skyrocketed as your breath hitched and you let out a whimper. Your nails dug into the marble counter in an effort to keep from touching him the way you wanted. To keep from running your fingers through his thick black locks. 

“Loki, I can’t do this.” You pleaded in a whisper even as his hands came to settle on your waist, even as he lifted you effortlessly onto the counter top and stood squarely between your legs, making your dress ride up to your mid thighs. 

“Can’t do what?” He questioned, placing feather light kisses along the column of your throat as his hands moved slowly up your newly exposed thighs. 

You tried to steady yourself even as you felt the throbbing need between your legs and his own need pressed against you. 

“Being near you is like playing with fire, and pretty soon I’m going to get burned.” You huffed, caught between wanting him to stop and wanting him to continue, oh please God continue. 

“Oh pet, haven’t you heard?” He questioned, bringing his lips a hair's breadth away from yours, “I’ve more an affinity for ice.”

[chalametdarling]

T.C. fluff:  Being Timothée’s co-star in an upcoming romantic drama, and having a long weekend off together to explore the coastal European city you’re filming in

“Wow, this is beautiful.” You hugged your rolled-up towel close to your chest, the view of a crowded beach, sparkling crystal blue water and colourful umbrellas lining the sand awaiting you. 

“Oui, c’est très beau,” Timothee agreed, playfully nudging your shoulder, guiding you to follow him down onto the sand. You slipped off your shoes and the two of you began meandering through the endless sea of warm sand and towels, eventually finding vacant real estate between a young family and a group of women bathing in the sun. It was Timothee’s idea to explore the French town you were filming in together while you had a few days off, and as you laid down your towel, and Timothee retrieved containers of strawberries and savoury biscuits from his backpack, you couldn’t believe you’d thought of spending your Friday any other way. 

You talked and ate and waded into the water, splashing each other and jumping over waves. And when you weren’t doing that, you alternated between reading your script and a novel while Timothee laid on his stomach, headphones on, head resting on his arms.   You couldn’t quite tell behind his sunglasses, but judging by how you’d finished reading an entire chapter and he hadn’t moved a muscle, you assumed he’d fallen asleep. Under the sun block and daylight, his pale skin seemed to glow. His hair a perfectly messy mop, grains of sand nestled into the ends of his curls. Timothee really did have perfect features. You could objectively see that now that you were really looking at him. Bold eyebrows poking over the tops of his sunglasses, strong nose, angelic lips- “You staring at me?” You quickly looked out towards the water, resting your chin onto your knees and hugging your legs. “No, just checking if you were awake.” He rolled over, stretching out. “I am now.” Checking the time on his watch, he added, “Shit. We’ve been here for hours.” He reached out and picked up one of the few remaining uneaten strawberries by its stalk while you packed away your books into your bag. “Do you feel like getting dinner?” he asked, tossing the leafy remains into the pile you’d made as you ate.   “Yes,” you eagerly nodded your head. Laying out on the sand all day really worked up your appetite. Already feeling drowsy from the fresh air and too much sun, you followed Timothee’s lead from the shore to the row of bars and cafes lining the beach. He led you inside the doors of a quaint pub; one hand holding the door open, the other on the small of your back. A live band was set up on the raised stage towards the back, playing acoustic French music for those enjoying meals and post-work drinks. You found a seat at the bar, sharing bread and wine, your heart swelling the more time you spent learning the workings of Timothee’s mind. You could’ve sat all night with your chin in the palm of your hand, listening to him rattle on about his favourite directors and film theories and character studies, then abruptly stop himself with an embarrassed laugh, running his palms down his thighs. “Anyway,” he laughed, shaking his head. He finished his drink, then tuned into the DJ who’d since replaced the initial band. “Wanna dance?” Several drinks in and hours of dancing later, you were still on the dance floor with a drink in hand.  As the night went on, every time your head spin subsided, Timothee was either dragging you through the crammed bodies back over to the bar or replacing empty glasses in your hand with overflowing cups of alcohol. After the fourth glass exchange, you put an arm around his neck to pull his ear down to be level with your lips. While your thoughts were still somewhat coherent, your words were a little slurred. “Timmy, maybe you should slow down a bit.” As you were speaking, the ABBA remix playing faded into Kid Cudi, and you watched as your words fell onto deaf ears. Timothee’s face lit up and he shouted, “FUCK YEAH!” raising his free arm above his head. Your eyes followed his movements as he sang along to every word, big grin on his face, never stopping to breath; only pausing for a sip of his drink.   Before you knew what was happening, your back was against the wall and Timothee’s lips on yours. But just as quickly as he had kissed you, he was pulling back, flicking his hair back and shouting the next lyric through a tipsy grin. As the chorus started for a second time, he caught sight of you watching him, wide eyed and in a daze, and set his empty glass down as you reached to grab his waist. He stepped in to kiss you again; this time harder, longer and deeper.   The remainder of the night became hazier and hazier; only blurred visions of licking salt off the back of your hand and clinking shot glasses, jumping and spinning around the dance floor, and your fingers getting caught in Timothee’s salty curls remained. * An instant ache shot through the middle of your forehead as you blinked your eyes open, and you groaned. Sheer confusion washed over you, your mind unable to piece together where you were or what day it was, until you spotted a familiar black backpack against the wall and a bottle of cologne on the dresser. Ah, Timothee’s place. Timothee’s bed, to be specific. Slowly rolling over and rubbing your eyes to look behind you, you discovered you had the bed to yourself. The other side was practically untouched, blankets still tucked under the mattress. A door creaked open, and Timothee emerged from the adjoining bathroom, dragging his feet behind him. Seeing you were awake, he changed course and climbed onto the intact side of the bed, mumbling out, ‘Morning’ in a deep, soft voice. He sat with his back to you, and the one hand cradled to your chest itched to reach forward and trace down his spine. You weren’t sure where the urge came from. Maybe because of the way his hooded eyes, drunk on tequila and European air, remained locked on yours for hours last night. How his strawberry lips sponged kisses on your cheek and neck as you waited at the bar. How his hands had so delicately clasped around your cheeks when he kissed you for real over and over and over again. It would’ve been so easy to push back the covers, walk your fingers across the mattress; to drag them up and down his back or affectionately twist the ends of his hair. But Timothee was leaning back against his pillows to lie down beside you before you could muster up the courage to do so. With interlaced fingers resting on his bare chest, he looked over to you. “How did we get home last night?” You yawned, nestling further down into the pillows. “We walked, remember?” “Oh, shit.” Timothee nodded, pursing his lips with a hum. “I feel like shit.” “You drank a lot last night,” you said softly. He licked his lips, covering his face with his hands. “Fuck.” He stayed like that for a few moments, rubbing his face, and you wondered if he’d forgotten anything else from the previous night.   “I should probably go back to mine.” He dropped his hands back to his chest, looking over again, voice gentle as he spoke. “You can stay if you want.” “No, I should go and have a shower,” you told him, rolling onto your back and stretching your arms out. Timothee’s fingertips ghosted over your neck with a small smile, and you instinctively moved your head back from under his sudden touch. “What?” He shook his head, bringing his hand back to its resting place on his chest, eyes still lazily drooped as he enquired about your plans for the rest of the evening. You pushed yourself up to sit against the headboard, your hand subconsciously hovering over the spot Timothee’s had just been. “You know we have work on Monday, right? I’d like to read my lines at least once before then.” After pointing out you brought your script out with you the previous say, he added, “You have all of Sunday for that.”   You pursed your lips with a sigh. He rolled over, holding his head up with his hand. “Come on, y/n.” You evidently didn’t need much convincing, because a few hours later, you were meeting Timothee for ice cream. Desserts in hand, you found a small table outside the ice cream parlour, shaded from the orange glow of late afternoon sun by an umbrella. The two of you sat looking out at the streets, sunglasses hiding both of your dark, hungover eyes, observing the strangers passing by. And when you had the chance, you stole glances at the boy sitting across from you. When you met him out the front of the hotel, his formerly dry, sandy hair was now shiny, the ends still a little damp. He smelled fresh when you hugged him, and his jumper was soft on your cheek. He’d complimented your turtle neck top, which reminded you… “By the way,” you said, pulling Timothee’s attention from the open roads to you, “I’m not too happy with you, Timothee.” He frowned, taking another lick of his ice cream. “What the fuck did I do?” You teasingly held his stare. “Oh, I don’t know,” you said, pulling down the high neck of your top to reveal your purple stained skin. A shy smile overtook Timothee’s face and he shrugged, laughing awkwardly. “Oh, yeah. Sorry?” “Funny is it?” you mused, sliding your sunglasses down your nose to look over the frames at him. Timothee licked his melting ice cream, then said, “No, but now that you mention it, y/n, I’m mad at you too.” You slid your glasses all the way off, placing them down on the table. “Really? Why’s that?” Timothee, with a cocky smile, tugged down the chunky collar of his sweater, revealing a light bruise at the very base of his neck. You instinctively lowered your face and hid your eyes behind your free hand. “Oh my god.” Through the cracks between your fingers, you saw him smiling, bringing his cone back up to his mouth. “Forgot about that, did you?”   Dropping your hands with a laugh, you reached forward, using your thumb to push back his collar again and run your thumb over the mark you left on his pale skin. “Sorry,” you mumbled with a little pout. With an exaggerated sigh, looking up to make eye contact with Timothee, you added, “What is wrong with us?” He laughed, putting his hand on your wrist and running his thumb over your skin. “It’s alright. I forgive you.” You shook your head in mock disapproval, but there was a buzzing in your chest as you felt his lingering eyes and warm skin on yours.   You strolled back to the hotel in comfortable silence. Despite being a bundle of nerves, it was nice being with him. He made you think, and he made you feel. A man adorned in a billowing linen shirt sat on the side of the street, guitar in hand, singing a sombre tune. You slowed down along with the few other strangers who had paused to listen to the man’s song, Timothee a few paces behind you, taking his sunglasses off as he slowed. A few moments passed, and Timothee leaned down from his place behind you so that he could speak softly in your ear. “He’s singing about his lover.” Timothee paused to listen to the next line. “He doesn’t want to live without them… he feels empty… and sick… he- he’s waiting for her but… he knows she’s gone for good.” Turning over your shoulder, you pouted up at Timothee, who reciprocated the expression. “That’s so sad.” Timothee nodded. His hair flopped over his cheek, and you noticed his eyes sparkling in the golden cast of evening light. Over his shoulder, a couple held each other, longingly looking into each other’s eyes, tenderly touching each other’s cheeks. As a loaded weight settled on your chest, you looked back up at Timothee. The space between his eyebrows slightly creased and he smiled. “What?” Clicking your tongue against your teeth, and shaking your head, you answered, “Nothing.” You both knew it wasn’t nothing. With a sigh, you snuck your hand between his arm and body, grabbing onto his forearm to lead him away. “Alright, I only agreed to ice cream. Let’s go.” It was quiet when you got to your floor of the hotel, so you tried to be as silent as possible climbing the stairs, so other guests weren’t disturbed. You and Timothee were work colleagues, and friends, and his room was only ten steps further down the hall, and you were almost positive that you’d definitely be seeing him again the next day; but as he lingered by your door as you rummaged in your bag for your key, you couldn’t help but feel a little sad you were saying goodbye. Once you retrieved your key, you looked up at him with a smile. “Alright,” you said softly. “This is where I leave you.” Timothee stood by your door, shoulders slightly hunched, eyes stuck on your face. He wasn’t budging, and you weren’t game enough to break first. His messy curls flopped over his eyes again, and you pushed them back behind his ears. He held onto your wrist, slowly lowering it down to your sides. Relationships with colleagues could get messy. Everybody knew that. What does this mean for us? The words were caught in your throat. You wanted to ask; to say it out loud. But you couldn’t bring yourself to form them. Why couldn’t you just be okay with enjoying the moment? Timothee inched his head closer to yours slowly, almost unsure if it was okay. You kept your eyes lowered. “Timothee,” you whispered. “Yes,” he whispered back, resting his forehead on yours. You slowly shook your head. “I can’t.” “Why?” You didn’t respond right away, eyes still focused towards the ground, and he nudged the side of your nose with his, then pulled back from you. “Hmm?” You sighed, closing your eyes and lifting your face to his. Very slowly, he took the sides of your face into his hands. Static in the air charged your movements as his lips grazed against yours. Somehow, you simultaneously had both a million things to say, yet nothing at all. You settled on hugging him, chin resting over his shoulder. It was nice hugging him; to have him holding you close. “Good night, Timmy,” you muttered, eventually breaking free. “Good night,” he said in reply, hands sliding out from around your waist. With tingling lips, you stood up on your toes for a second to place a gentle kiss on the corner of his mouth once more. You unlocked your door, and while slipping inside your room, you looked over one last time at Timothee smiling. “Good night.”

[that-little-zebunny]

Best Movie Night Ever!

Bucky Barnes x Reader

WC: 2,352

This is written for @prunes-said-bucky​ & @the-ss-horniest-book-club​ ‘s HBC’s Drunk drabbles based on this lovely prompt (I hope you’ll like it <3) :

Reader has a crush on Bucky but because he’s shy and broody he doesn’t talk much. One night, she invites him into her room to watch an action movie, the action movie reader had picked is packed full of sex scenes and heavy make-out scenes. What does Bucky do?

Warning: Alcohol, little angst if you look hard, some fluff & smut.

You like Bucky, you like him so much and it's not even a secret. Oh how you wished he would face it though…

"Hey Bucky boo!!! I made you breakfast." You happily walked towards him when you saw him walk out of his room. You're in time as always. You spend a lot of time memorizing his daily routine. He woke up at 5 am stay in his room and goes out at 6:30 am to run.

So you made sure to have breakfast ready for him every time. You even put a heart on top using the syrup!

"Uhm...Hey, Y/n. Thanks, I guess…" he said taking the tray from you and shyly nodding his head before he goes back in and comes out again to go to his run.

You're not sure if he's eating your food or not. You're just happy he's not saying no every time you give him some.

"Have a great run, Bucky boo." You waved at him and he just nodded his head in acknowledgement.

Pouting at the lack of reaction you decided to go on with your day.

 It was another free day so you and the team decided to have some night out. You're at the dance floor dancing with Nat when your eyes landed on Bucky who's at the bar counter drinking at the corner. Having drunk a lot even though you have low tolerance your normal brave self ends up having more confidence.

You signaled Nat you're done dancing and stalked towards Bucky.

You jumped on his lap sideways which surprised him. His metal arm went around your waist to steady you. Giggling loudly, you look up to him and pinched his cheeks.

"Hi Bucky boo, are you not enjoying the night?" You asked, sneaking your arms around his neck. He shifted uncomfortably. He can smell your usual sweet scent mixed with the alcohol.

Since he became a super soldier alcohol had lost its effect on him but having you near and taking a whiff of your scent makes him feel like he’s been drunk for a week.

Swallowing a lump on his throat he looked down at you.

"What are you doing doll? This is not appropriate." He whispered. Slowly and carefully he slides you off his lap.

"Oh come on!!! Why are you always like this?" Ungracefully you landed on your feet with your back on him. Turning around you stumped your left foot on the floor like a kid who lost her candy. Looking down at the floor with tears threatening to flow out your eyes. "Am I that unattractive to you? I've shown you how I feel for a long while now and still nothing…" you sniffed looking up to meet his beautiful blue eyes.

You can see the worry in them which is what you really want to see. Smirking in your head. You dramatically bit your lips making sure it trembles a bit.

"H-hey, it's not... that's not-ugh?" He said combing his hair back using his flesh hand. "I didn't want to make you feel bad, doll. It's heartwarming to know someone likes me, especially someone like you...it really is but I don't think you'll want me as me." He said looking away. "You won't want a damaged guy…" he continued in a whisper.

Thanks for your training that even if the bar is full of loud music you're able to understand what he said.

"Bucky…" you whispered.

"I'm sorry doll, it just won't work." He said looking at you with his sad eyes.

"No!" You said putting your hands on your waist. "How could you say it won't work without even trying? I will not accept that Sergeant! You, me, my room tomorrow. Movie night! I will wait no matter how long." You said full of determination and held his face to kiss him quick in his lips and then walked away leaving a stunned Super Soldier.

 --

 Oh gods, oh gods, what do I do??? You nervously walked circles around your room waiting. You've been able to prepare a cozy pillow fort and snacks for Bucky. The movie is something Nat choose because you don't know much about action movies and Bucky surely like actions than your usual movie choices which is some animated films.

"Friday, can you tell me where Bucky is?" You asked the AI as you peaked outside.

"Sergeant Barnes is on his way back to the compound with Capt. Rogers. Would you like me to inform him you're waiting for him Y/n?" Friday response. But you said no. Surely he is not that drunk to forget about what you said last night?

Sighing you went to your pillow fort and opened up the bottle of wine waiting there drinking to make your sadness go away. He must really not like you. You sighed.

 ---

 Bucky just got back from a sudden mission with Steve. He's very tired. On his way to his room he walked pass yours and saw that the light is still on and then he remembered what you said last night.

"Shit…" he said and walked back to knock on your door. No answer. So he tried again a lot louder this time. He heard shuffling and knows you're on your way to open up the door.

"Whuuat?" You slurred. He frowned.

"Are your drunk Y/n?" He asked as he tried to peak at your face covered by your hair.

"Why do you care...psh" you answered and was about to close the door but Bucky stopped it by putting his boot on the door.

"I do remember being invited to a movie night?" He pleaded.

You looked up at him without not caring if your eyes are red from all the crying you did while you're waiting for him.

"Come in…" you whispered.

Bucky saw the empty bottle of wine and sighed. He never wanted to make you sad or cry.

"Is the invitation still up?" He ask and you nodded. "Can I just clean up real quick?" and again you just nod. He sigh feeling a nasty lump on his stomach for making you feel this way. "I'll be back, doll." He said and kissed you quickly on the cheek before he went out to go to his own room.

Wide eyed you slowly went back to your pillow fort and fell down losing the strength of your legs. Did he really just kiss you??? You touched the part where his soft lips landed and giggled.

 --

 Bucky went back and He's all cleaned and yummy with his sweatpants and a grey T-Shirt that hugs his upper body so well you're kind of jealous. He also brought hot chocolate saying that you cannot have a movie night without drinks because you sadly drank all of the wine you brought. Halfway to the movie though you gasp seeing what is going on. The two main characters were fighting after a failed event and then started to caress each other in a hard but lustful manner.

"I so fucking hate you!!! This is all your fault!" The leading lady said as she wrapped her legs around the guy's waist.

"Is that so!? Then why the fuck do you make me feel like you want to devour me." The man he and harshly kissed the lady. It was a sloppy but very sexy scene. Does all action have this kind of scenes???? Omg!!! You should have not trusted Natasha's recommendations.

The events on the scene went fire so fast that goosebumps littered your arms just thinking about the scene and the man you're with. He's unmoving eyes glued to the screen. Pinkish tint is visible in his cheeks as the moans and groans on the TV filled your room. Feeling the familiar tingling feelings on your stomach you cleared your throat which made Bucky jump a bit.

"I ah...s-should we fast forward it?" He asked. His face turns redder. You nodded breathing heavily with all the sounds. He did fast forward it and then the fighting began again.

You're feeling very thirsty suddenly and stand up to get some refill for your drinks.

"I-I'll just get us more d-drinks." You said and was about to walk pass Bucky when your foot got tangled from one of the comforters you have on the floor. Knowing it's too late to get your balance back you just closed your eyes and waited for the impact which did not come.

Instead you felt an arm around your waist and an addicting smell surrounds you.

Taking a deep breath as your body’s temperature turns up higher. You slid your hands towards his chest so you can push yourself up but as you are about to push another steamy moment is happening on the screen.

Bucky’s arm on your waist tightened which made you lay on top of him chest to chest. Slowly his metal arm went inside your shirt making you shiver from the cold feeling and also from the way he is caressing your back.

“Bucky…?” you whispered looking up to his face. Biting your lips from how hot and intense he is looking at you.

“You got a unique taste in movie doll. I did not expect this…” he said his voice low.

“I-…Its Nat’s recommendation.” You said shyly as he continue to rub your back. Stealing a quick look at the scene on your monitor your saw the two characters having a heated make-out session on a bar. Seems like they are undercover in this and have to make it look like they’re wasted but end up getting carried away.

“Oh goodness…” you mumbled as you hid your face on Bucky’s neck which made him gasp. You nose is touching him and his hyper sensitive senses is making him dizzy. He can hear your breathing and the hot breath is like fuel on the fire. He had always like you. You’re the bubbly innocent thing in his eyes. The life of the team and that is also why he kept his distance. He doesn’t want to corrupt you but it’s so hard…especially now that he have you in his arms.

Arms sliding down to cup your ass and it actually felt wonderful and hot. Using your arm to get a glimpse of his face your right hands went to caress his cheeks and surprisingly he let you. Tracing his forehead down to his cheeks loving the rough feeling it left on your fingers you felt you heart beat faster. He bit his lower lips as he watch you admire him and your hands went to trace it too as he let go of his lips.

“Y/N…I-I can’t-“that made you feel very, very sad. He must really not like you. Sighing, you tried to get up again but what he said next made you see rainbows and butterflies started dancing at the pit of your stomach. “I can’t stop myself anymore…I want you, so bad.” He finished as his hands went up to hold your cheeks and brought you down towards his face. His lips meeting yours in a soft kiss.

“Please don’t. Never stop yourself.” You said smiling widely at his before kissing him hard. Rough growl vibrated from his throat and it made your stomach twist. That was so hot!

Moving your legs so straddle his hips your hands brushing his hair as you both got lost at each other’s lips. His tongue tracing yours fighting for dominance which made you challenge him kissing his quick and biting his lower lips and the putting space between your lips every time he tries to put his tongue in. This made Bucky look at you suspiciously growling again making you feel like you are going to melt into a puddle just by that dangerously sexy growl.

“Stop teasing, little girl.” He said and chased your lips when you did it again. You moaned as he skillfully molded his lips to yours tasting you as if you are his last meal. Aware of the hard tent on his sweatpants between your legs you slowly moved your hips you both moaned at the wonderful feeling it caused. His flesh hand went how to your ass to guide you.

“Oh…” you moaned when both of his hands started guiding you to move with him. His hips meeting yours. “Bucky…more…ah.” You said feeling the pressure on your core as you rolled your hips harder. You’re almost on you peak and he’s not even inside you yet. This man is going to be the end of you. You whined when he suddenly stopped. Looking into his eyes your face flush from wanting him so bad and he also have the same look.

Moving to get up with you clinging to him afraid that if you let go hell start to move away again.

“Take that thought out of you lovely head doll.” He said as he walk towards your bed with you in his arms your legs around his waist. “I will not move away from you anymore…” he said kissing the side of your lips after he lay you on the bed with him on top of you.

“You’re mine now?” you are still wrapped around him not giving him a chance to escape.

“Yes, yours now and forever.” He growled then kissed you hard making you giggled as you moved to remove his shirt tracing your hands on his hard chest, down to his abs and up to the scars that shows how beautiful and strong he is.

“You’re beautiful Bucky…make me yours fully.” You said as your hand went down to touch his hardness. Making him growl again as you moved your hand up and down. You now have a new favorite sound and it’s Bucky’s growl and as he took you that night you made sure to make his sing your favorite sound again and again as he showed you how much he wants you in the most delicious way your moans and shouts overpowering the sexy sounds the movie characters are making. Tonight is the best movie night of your life!

---

Taglist: @nano--raptor​ @jobean12-blog​ @marvelgirl7​ @godofplumsandthunder​ (taglist open) 

[howardpotts]

Sweet, Sugar, Candyman

Pairing: Bucky x Reader x Steve

Summary: Reader performs Candyman and knows how to persuade the two men to join her on stage. She makes it one hell of a show, one that Bucky and Steve can’t forget. Bucky takes her to his bedroom, Steve joins quickly after.

Warnings: Smut (Male receiving, female receiving, vaginal sex, anal sex, M/M and F/M), roughness? As in; someone is going to be a bit demanding. ;)

A/N: Oh my god. My first threesome. I feel like I can finally say that I wrote some filthy smut. Oh, also, thanks @cametobuyplums @thamuddagirl @tranquil--heart for all the thirsty conversations that inspired this fic.

Do not read this if you are under 18.

Nervously you check yourself one last time in the mirror. Waved long hair, thick red lips, contoured face, navy tight dress. It was your typical 40’s look, or at least, that’s what you tried. You had to, to make your performance in front of the New York SHIELD Agents and Avengers an absolute success.

“Y/N, fifteen seconds”, someone informed you. You nodded firmly, hands lowering your dress one last time. This is it. Now or never.

“Now, give her a big applause…. Y/N!” The sound was muffled. Adrenaline rushed through your body, maybe even more than it did on mission. Missions you were familiar with, performing in front of a live audience you’re not.

Quickly you find your place, a big smile on your face, hands on your hips. The moment the beat started playing, the curtains disappeared and the crowd cheered. They have never seen you like this. The only version of you they ever saw was serious and to the point. Sure you liked a joke, most of the times you enjoyed a dark one better than the innocent ones.

“Before we start”, you begin, wiggling your eyebrows. “I need two strong men.” You smirk while you search the crowd, a few hands are in the air. Some jokingly, some serious. A chuckle leaves your mouth as you take a few steps forward. You spot Steve and Bucky in the crowd. Gotcha.

“Preferably two who have been around in the 40’s.” Your eyes never leave them, there’s no escaping now. Both look wide-eyed, not expecting this kind of sudden attention. The crowd cheers. Steve tries to get out of it, waving his hand and mouthing ‘no thanks’, but Bucky is already on his way to the stage.

Natasha helps you, pushing Steve in to the right direction until he gives in himself.

You greet Bucky when he climbs up. As a real gentleman, he kisses the back of your hand, looking in your eyes playfully. You lead him to one of the two chairs that are on the stage.

When Steve gets up, he looks embarrassed and slightly irritated. “Why?” is the first thing he asks you. You just shake your head, refusing to give him an answer and lead him to the other empty chair on the stage.

“Now, be a good Captain and stay seated please”, you whisper close to his ears.

You move to the center again. Your hips start flicking up and down while your hands are holding them. With a playful smile you watch the audience, nervous magically disappeared the minute you saw the crowd, excitement has taken over.

“Tarzan and Jane were swingin’ on a vine”, it scolds through the room, a male voice starting the song. The microphone is close to your mouth. “Candyman, candyman.”

“Sippin’ from a bottle of Vodka double wine.” One last look to the crowd with one eyebrow up. “Sweet, sugar, candyman.”

And you turn around to face the two men, who are maybe three feet apart from each other. The music takes on and you walk toward them, swaying your hips from left to right. Their attention is on you, curiosity beaming in their eyes.

You first turn to Bucky, since it felt like he was most sure of himself, Steve really needed to be eased into this song. You hovered over Bucky, laying your hand on his cheek softly. “I met out for diner on a Friday night”, you start, getting your hand back again and twirling around his chair.

“He really had me workin’ up an appetite. He had tattoos up and down his arm. There’s nothing more dangerous than a boy with charm. He’s a one stop shop, makes the panties drop-“

Bucky couldn’t be more surprised. He never saw you out of work and he most definitely never considered you.. this. One who can work the crowd, make them whistle while you walk past. He was blown away by your moves and touches, mentally trying to keep his head on the stage.

You laid a hand on his shoulder, which made his head flick up to you. You gave him a quick wink before lowering yourself, still moving your hips from one side to the other. The moment you’re finally at his height, you quirk up again, hand leaving his arm.

“He took me to the Spider Club on Hollywood and Vine. We drank champagne and we danced all night. We shook the paparazzi for a big surprise. The gossip tonight will be tomorrow’s headline-“

It was Steve’s turn. He looked up at you. His shyness was lost, he decided he better just get it over with. He gave you a little smirk as if he wanted you to know it’s okay to do the same as you did with Bucky.

And so you did. You stood behind him, your hand slowly going from his chest to his collarbone, but not any further than that. You made sure of that, not wanting to make them feel overtouched. Slowly you creeped your hand back to his should and then left again, walking around his chair and stopping again in the middle between the two guys.

“He’s a one stop shop, make my cherry pop. He’s a sweet talking, sugar-coated, candyman.”

The crowd cheered. Natasha and Tony having the times of their lives seeing those two supersoldiers in such.. public position. But also, they were very much enjoying your performance. You sang like an angel, not one note off. Your moves were smooth, but not overly done to make you look cheap. It was an overall classy and well rehearsed performance.

_____________________

With the same looks you walk into the crowd, pretty satisfied with the performance you just had. A bit nervous for what Steve and Bucky had to say. They didn’t know that they would be called on stage and you’re not sure if they’d be happy about it. But you had to do it. It was like this song was made for them.

“That was one hell of show, girl. I loved it.” Natasha squeezed your upper arm softly while smirking. She was the only one who knew that the supersoldiers would be asked to come on stage. You thank her, but also eye Bucky and Steve. When being called on stage, Bucky didn’t seem to mind, but Steve was a different story. He had to be convinced by Nat before deciding not to demonstrate and just go with it.

“You really know how to surprise these old folks, eh?” Bucky smiled widely as he grabbed Steve’s shoulder. You grinned, shrugging your shoulders.

“I hope I didn’t cross any boundaries”, you say innocently, batting your eyelashes with it. Bucky presses his lips together.

“You’re a good performer”, Steve says, his smile a little less wide. It made you a little uncomfortable, as if he only says it to be nice in public, only to give you a speech when you’re alone.

Nat grabs both of your shoulders and tugs you away from the two men, which takes you by surprise. A confusing ‘hmm’ leaves your lips, but Natasha isn’t answering. When they’re both out of earshot, she finally starts talking.

“I’m not trying to… interfere”, she says, wiggling her eyebrows. “But I think you got both men quite worked up.”

Your eyes grow big. “Worked up? Like? Pissed?” Your cheeks start to slowly get more colour.

“Oh my god, no. Are you blind? I mean.. They like the view of you all – how do they say it? – dolled up.” Now you’re of officially blushing. The temperature rises, but you’re far from uncomfortable. Instead, how bad it may be, there’s even a little spark starting to exist in your belly, slowly making its way down to your most sensitive spot.

“What? No, they’re probably just nice”, you try to swat it off, but Natasha just gives you a small wink before returning to the supersoldiers, where Tony has joined them. He gives you a thumbs up, but you’re too busy in your head, thinking of all the things they could do to you.

You never thought about it. Sure, you thought about maybe them, you’re not blind. They’re like two gods. But it never occurred to you that they might actually be interested in you, just an ordinary agent.

_____________________

You sip from your gin tonic while looking at people, they’re dancing and laughing. A little content smile is on your face, realizing that your performance went well and now you can enjoy the night without having to think about a single mission.

“Can I have a beer?”, you hear from your right. He takes a seat next to you, scooting a little closer and now also brushing your arm with his.

“Don’t you love this?”, he asks. You look at him, but he’s still looking at the crowd. “The dancing, the laughing, sipping beer. In a strange way, this reminds me of the 40’s.”

“Yeah, it’s lovely to have an evening where you don’t have to worry about anything”, you smile, looking into his piercing blue eyes, brown hair tugged behind his ears. “Don’t have to think about the missions. Where back in the day, you don’t have to worry about..”

“War”, he finished your sentenced. You didn’t want to finish it, knowing damn well it might still sting, even after so many years. You smile in embarrassment and add a quick ‘yeah’.

“It is, yeah, in a way.” Again, he scoots closer, now obviously touching your arm, hand brushing yours. His pink intertwines with yours as he finally looks at you. Again, red creeps into your cheeks and neck, no way of hiding it.

“Look, doll, I’m going to be honest”, he sighs, voice lower than when he started the conversation. His words made your blood run faster. “What you did on that stage - You look like a real betty and if you feel just as warm as I do, I suggest we go to the elevator and continue the party with just the two of us.”

You do feel warm. No, correction, you feel hot. Your teeth catch your lower lip as you watch him. His eyes are pleading, watching how you figure out what to say without sounding like you’ve planned this.

Instead of saying something, you just nod, still holding your lip between your teeth. He grins, standing up immediately, smoothly passing the crowd and walking to the elevator. You follow, trying not to smile. It’s a desperate attempt so no one will notice what you and Bucky are planning on doing.

When the elevator opens, you both get in quickly. Bucky presses the closing button impatiently, slowly showing how desperate he really is. You chuckle, which he notices.

As soon as the door shuts, he pushes you against the wall, lips on yours. It’s a needy kiss, a bit sloppy as well. Your hands are around his neck in a second, pulling him even closer.

You’d lie if you didn’t think of this while preparing for your performance. It’s a fantasy you thought of, but also put away quickly, since the odds of it happening seemed very small to you. But here you are, kissing one of the two soldiers you desperately wanted in your bed.

When the elevator dings again he stumbles backwards, grabbing your hand while watching you hungrily. You giggle while walking to his apartment, excited for what’s about to come.

When inside, he slams the door, pushing you to it again. “Fuck, I can’t wait to rip this off.” His voice is low, hands roaming your dress, pulling at some of the fabric.

His lips devour your neck, teeth nibbling slightly at the same time. You throw your head back, a small moan coming out of your mouth. “Then do it. Rip it”, you sigh, encouraging Bucky to take it to the next step. He looks at you for reassurance, not sure if you really wanted this dress to be unwearable. But your eyes are closed, waiting for your body to be exposed.

With little effort he rips the seams apart, slowly showing your lace black bra and matching panties, dress somewhere tossed in the room. His hands are on your breast in an instant, squeezing them as if he never wanted something so desperately in his life. A low growl leaving his mouth with it.

He lifts you, your legs wrapping around his thighs. A bit clumsy he stumbled to the bed, almost falling over a pair of shoes that were tossed somewhere in the living room. He wasn’t the cleanest person of the Avengers, but you knew that before this little adventure.

“You planned this, didn’t you? You wanted us to go crazy, to fuck your brains out.” All this time he had a mischievious smirk on his face. “Did you want me? Or Stevie?”

You keep your mouth shut, not knowing what to answer. Your bottom lip is between your teeth again, probably betraying your answer. “Answer me, babygirl.” There’s a slight warning in his voice.

He throws you on the bed. You want to crawl backwards, but he doesn’t allow it. Instead, he grabs you by the ankles and turns you around. “I said answer me.”

God you were loving this, how he handled you roughly. You wondered how far he’d go without you answering. You wondered what he was going to do about the fact that you didn’t say a word. And so, you stayed silent, only a giggle leaving your mouth.

“Oh, so that’s how you wanna play, huh?” You feel the mattrass dip, two seconds after, you feel his hand hitting your ass hard, the sound filling the room. A small hiss passes your lips, but your walls are fluttering. You were practically dripping already and he didn’t even do that much.

Another spank on your cheek has you whimpering. “Bucky please-” “Answer me”, he orders. You want to answer but you can’t, words strangled with each other.

Another slap forces the answer out of you, almost screaming it at him. “Both!”

He stops entirely. Oh shit. Wrong answer?

“Both? You want both of us?” You turn around, facing him while innocently nodding your head. You expect to see confusion on his face, but instead, you see a playful grin.

He grabs his phone out of his pocket and starts texting. “Uh? Bucky?”, your voice is unsure, even a little bit insecure. He doesn’t look up for another few seconds before laying it down and climbing further on the bed, his face close to yours.

“It might be your lucky day.” The words send shivers down your spine. Out of excitement you kiss him, hands in his hair, but he breaks the kiss again. “But don’t count yourself lucky yet, doll. I’m not sure if he’ll come.”

You nod and bat your eyelashes innocently. “Well”, you say, voice more girly than usual. “In the meantime, Sarge, let me give you a good time.”

His eyes darkened, definitely enjoying the name you just called him. He throws himself at you again, his flesh hand dissapearing to your back to release your bra.

You quickly rid yourself of it, exposing your breasts to him. He licks his lips at the sight of it, eyes blown with lust. His metal hand squeezes one of your tits, flicking a nipple in between moves. His mouth find the other nipple while he sucks carefully.

God it feels so good. He makes you feel so good. As much as you want him to move further, you promised him that you were going to give him a good time. And so, you push him off you.

He lays down on the mattress as he pulls his shirt over his head. No time to appreciate the work of art in front of you. You work on the belt, his hardend cock clearly visible as you try to get his pants off as quick as possible.

When you finally push it down, you automatically pull his boxers with it. His cock springs free. Pre cum is dripping off his red head. His cock is thick and you suddenly feel worried if your mouth fits around it.

You look at him in the eyes, shock probably visible all over your face as he chuckles. “Just take as much as you can, babydoll.”

He softly brushes your hair to encourage you. You stick out your tongue and lick down his shaft and back to the tip, where you lick away all the pre cum. Slowly you take him in your mouth, jaws hurting from the stretch.

You start bobbing your head, each time taking him deeper, your mouth opening up and taking him in. Your right hand takes the parts your mouth can’t reach, your left hand is cupping his balls.

He grunts, his hand fisting your hair. “Fuck, yes, like that baby, taking my cock real good.” The words encourage you, your tongue pressing against his vein. His hips buck, his cock hitting the back of your throat, making you gag in a reflex.

You don’t stop. You ignore your own reflexes as you keep trying to speed things up.

“Shit, fuck, god you feel-” His words are cut off by a knock on the door. You stop your movement, eyes gliding to his as his cock leaves your mouth. A big grin spreads across his face.

“Looks like we’ve got company. Why don’t you go look?”

You reach with your hand to your mouth to wipe off the pre cum and saliva, but Bucky grabs your wrist, shaking his head.

“Yes, Sarge”, you say with a little tremble in your voice. This is not happening, right? Is it really Steve who’s behind that door? Did they do this more often? Or is Bucky just messing with you?

You peek through the little hole in the door. Your legs weaken when you see the handsome blonde on the other side. Arms crossed, showing every muscle through the blouse. A feeling of vulnerability taking over. You’re naked and you looked like mess - like a whore.

With trembling hands you open the door, your body still hiding behind it in case someone else walks by. A little shy smile is on your face, but so is on Steve’s. The same one he had when you wanted him on stage. The only difference is the glint of lust in his eyes.

“Uh, come in.” It’s more of a question than an invitation, but he gets in anyway.

When the door shuts, he looks at you completely, eyes scanning your body. God, you couldn’t have felt more exposed right now.

“Steve? You there?” Bucky called from the other room.

“Yes, give me a minute Buck”, he called back, hands going through his hair. Give him a minute?

“God, you’re a real treasure.” He takes a step forward, closing the space between the two of you. He can probably tell how uncertain you are. His hands are now on your body. One in your neck, the other one on your thigh.

He presses his body against yours. Your heart felt like it could jump out of your body any minute now and you’re sure that he had to feel it as well.

“Looks like Bucky already had some fun with you”, he grinned as his put a strand of hair behind your ear. All innocence and shyness was lost as he yanked at your hair, your head falling back. “Think you can give it to me too?”

You nod, but just as Bucky, he wanted words. He pulled a bit harder at your hair. “Can you?”

“Yes”, you answer. He sighed, eyes breaking contact for less than a second.

“Yes what?”, he threatens. His grip tightening even more on your hip. That’s definitely going to be a bruise tomorrow.

“Yes, Captain”, you whisper. Finally he was satisfied with the answer and let you go. He walked toward Bucky’s bedroom, but not before he gripped your wrist and pulled you with him.

As you walk in to the bedroom, you see Bucky slowly moving his hand over his cock, grinning when Steve walks in. Steve gave a smirk in return. Even though you’re a bit confused with what’s happening, you get yourself together in two seconds.

You remembered the words of the Captain. Think you can give it to me too? With that in mind, you stand before him and start unbuttoning his jeans. Steve looks surprised, a smile he can’t hide.

“What are you doing, babygirl?” Steve sounds amused.

“You asked me, right?”, you grin. He lets you do your work as you peel off his jeans - boxer followers soon after. You look up, meeting his eyes. You feel a hand going through your hair.

“Sarge, you gonna watch?” Steve’s still looking at you. You bat your eyelashes at him before taking the first look at his cock. It’s already rock-hard and just as thick - maybe even thicker - as Buckys.

“Yeah, I’m gonna enjoy the show”, you hear from the other side of the room. The bed squeaks, but you don’t pay attention to what’s happening behind you. Your attention is focused on Steve’s cock.

You lick the pre cum off quickly, which makes Steve already grunt low. You press back a smile and open your mouth instead, taking his head in. A little ‘fuck’ comes from Steves mouth.

You take him in further until you feel your gag-reflexes showing up again. Slowly you start bobbing, Steves cock twitching from the good feeling you’re giving him. You can feel that Steve’s different, not as willingly as Bucky is. Not as desperate.

“Fuck- Y/N, hold still for me”, Steve growls. You stop, cock still in your mouth, saliva slowly dripping from your mouth to your chin and on the floor. But you’re pretty sure that your mouth is not the only thing dripping from wetness.

“Be a fucking good girl and stay like this.” It’s his last warning before he starts fucking your mouth himself. He’s panting, growling, grunting. But he’s not the only one. Someone close behind you is also softly moaning.

Steve’s cock triggers your reflexes, making you choke multiple times, but he doesn’t stop. If all, it’s a turn on for him.

“Buck, Sarge, fuck- Come here”, Steve commands. You start to realize that it’s not Bucky who’s in charge here. It’s Steve. And by the looks of it, they’ve done this more than once.

“Gladly”, you hear, making you squirm already. What’s going to happen?

You look at Steve and he’s still looking at you, still fucking his cock in your mouth. He pushes a bit further, which makes you moan around his cock and that results in a hard groan from Steve.

“Good girl”, he says before tearing his eyes away from you and to the other hot soldier. His hands let go of your head again and pulls back, releasing his cock from your mouth.

He crashes his lips Bucky’s, something you didn’t expect, but boy did you like it. This was definitely not the first time. Hell, it looks like they did this every fucking day.

You crawl away from the two of them. Now it’s your time to enjoy the show. They get pretty into it, touching and groping each other. Bucky’s quickly moaning into Steve’s mouth as Steve grabs his cock.

You feel a new heat going through your body. You’re not sure what’s hotter: the fact that they’re practically jerking each other off in front of you, or that Bucky went from dominant to obedient in seconds. Or maybe even the fact that this is a regular thing.

All things together made you squirm, it made you desperate for some pressure down there. And since those two were so into each other, you had no other option than to just start yourself.

You place yourself on the bed, panties lost somewhere on the way. Your finger finds your clit quickly as you watch. Steve’s big hand around Bucky’s cock and Bucky’s metal hand around Steve’s. God, their bodies must be created by angels. Every inch of them is perfectly muscled and tanned.

A small moan leaves your mouth, which caught their attention. Bucky looks surprised, unsure on how Steve will react, but Steve’s just chuckling. “Enjoying it, babygirl?”

You nod. “Yes, Captain. Very much.”

He grins, but quickly focusses on Bucky again. “Why don’t you take over from her, Sarge? Replace those fingers with your tongue.”

You swallow hard at his words, but you don’t stop fingering. Bucky walks towards you, cock jumping with every step he takes. He gives you a playful wink before getting on his knees, hands widening your knees. “Fuck, Cap, look at that.”

You want to remove your fingers, but Bucky gives you a quick warning to keep going. And so you do.

Steve slowly strokes his cock, watching you pleasure yourself. Both men are actually watching you finger yourself. A little whine comes out of your mouth. “Please Sarge, I want your mouth”, you beg, too worked up to feel ashamed.

“Come on, Buck, do as she says. She deserves it”, Steve says. God how much you want to kiss him for saying that. As you were to open your mouth to thank him, Bucky yanks your fingers out of the way and dives his tongue in there, ripping a loud moan out of you.

He circles around your clit, making 8-figures with his tongue. His lips join, gently nibbling at your clit. You’re slowly drifted to the edge, but Bucky knows how to speed that up if he decides it’s time to press a digit into your pussy.

Steve sits next to you and watches Bucky eat you out. Eyes full of lust. You watch him, taking him all in. It’s so fucking sexy that he’s taking charge. How he brought some new energy to this room.

A second finger is being added into your pussy as Bucky pumps in and out of you. You’re a whimpering mess under him, begging him to keep going, to never stop.

“How does she taste, Buck?”, Steve asks. You’re almost whining when Bucky removes his tongue to answer Steve.

“She’s a fucking five star menu. Want a taste?”

Steve grins at the answer. “Move”, is the only thing he says. Bucky smirks and moves, dropping himself next to you. His metal hand squeezing your breast, the other one supporting him to stay on his side.

Another moan rips out of you, from the deepest of your lungs. “Ahhhh, fuck- Steve, fuck yes, feels so good! I’m so close, so close-”

He quickly starts pumping in and out of you with his fingers too, three are now in you, aiming for your release. He curls them, tipping you over the edge. Toes curling, back arching, head in the pillow. You scream both their names. Steve, Bucky, Steve, Steve, Bucky, Bucky.

“Want to be fucked, babygirl?”, Bucky asks if Steve gets his mouth and fingers away from you. “Want our cocks in your pussy?”

You look at him with pleading eyes as you nod. If you talk now, you’re sure it’d sound as weak as a trapped prey.

Steve hovers over you, cock immediately pressuring your overstimulated clit again. “Answer him, doll.” His voice is dark, low and so fucking hot.

“Yes, Sarge. I want your cocks. Both of them. Please, fuck me.” You feel dizzy. You need it, your pussy is begging for it. You need someone to fuck you.

Steve decides to tease you first, his tip teasing your entrance. You buck up, trying to get more of his cock in you. Bucky sees and pinches your nipple a little harder, making you moan. It’s pleasuring but painful at the same time.

“Gotta have patience, babygirl. If you’re a good girl for us, we will let you come.” Steve smiles darkly at you. You know he means it and you’re not willing to risk anything and so you lay still. You barely even dare to breath. You want to cum around his cock.

But he pulls back. You want to whine but decide to be smarter than that. Be a good girl and you get to come.

“Sarge, open her up nicely for me”, he says as he pulls back.

Bucky now quickly gets between your knees. He decides that you’ve been teased enough and pushes directly in you without warning. It’s painful but bearable.

He sets a pace that has your eyes rolled back into your head. Slamming in to you as if he’s been waiting for years.

“F-f-fuck.” It’s all you manage to say.

Steve’s grabbing some lube and puts it on his cock while he watches how Bucky destroys you. You poke your feet in his back, steading yourself since you have a feeling what’s coming. You don’t want to come before the fun has even started.

As Steve takes place behind Bucky, you bite onto his shoulder, trying not to scream out of pleasure.

Bucky’s pace falters. Steve’s probably working him put with his fingers, teasing his hole. A high-pitched moan now coming from Bucky’s mouth.

Steve works him up quickly, adding one finger first, but adding a second one after a few seconds.

After adding a bit more lube on his cock, Steve slowly pushes into Bucky, who pushes into you. All three of you moan. Steve begins setting a pace, a low growl coming out of his mouth. Buckys cock is settling deeper and deeper with each thrust. You can feel his cock twitching.

You’re the first one who says something and you hope you’re not getting punished for it. You can’t get punished for it. You won’t be able to handle it.

“Fuck. S-Steve, Capt-tain, S-Sarge. I- I’m c-coming.” It’s a miracle that those words were formed in your brain, that’s how great it felt.

As his cock hits your sensitive spot, you’re done for. There’s no sound coming out of your mouth. Your walls clamping on to Bucky’s cock. You scratch his back as you stare from Bucky to Steve, who are both watching you come undone.

Bucky’s now the one who’s close. You can feel it, he’s so close, cock twitching with every push from Steve.

“S-Stevie. I’m not g-gonna last.”

Steve’s pace gets slower, his eyebrows quirk up. “Who am I?”

Bucky has his eyes closed, probably too focused on not coming into your pussy.  “Captain!”, he yells. Steve reacts immediately and slams into Bucky, pace faster than before. And that’s all Bucky needs to be driven over the edge.

You moan too, your oversensitive pussy being completely devoured as they keep pushing into you. Bucky’s seed is painting your walls, his fingers clamping the sheets.

Steve’s still lasting. You’re not sure how he does it, but you think it’s the serum. He stops pumping into Bucky and frees his cock again.

“Go rest, Sarge. I need to finish”, he says. Your cheeks were red from stimulation, but his words made you blush. He needed you for his own pleasure.

Steve’s in between your legs. “Want my cock, huh?”

You nod. “Yes, please, Captain.” As ashamed you should be for wanting another orgasm, your shame has left you long ago.

The captain doesn’t show mercy and slams into you, making you squeal. Skin is slapping on skin, balls bouncing against your hole.

“Fuck, you’re such a naughty girl, taking our cocks.” His words help you to another orgasms. It rips out of you so easily as if it’s your first. You moan, walls now clamping to Steve’s cock.

He groans, pace sloppy. Warm seed fills you, Steve’s forehead against yours. His whole body is shaking as he comes. It’s so hot, but you’re all out of energy to feel anything anymore.

Steve slides out of you, head resting on your breasts for a second before rolling next to you. You watch him for a second before turning your head to Bucky.

He gets a towel and some water. They both take care of you and clean you up. It’s like they switched in two seconds. From demanding to soft.

“Uh, so, sorry for your dress”, Bucky says when you’re all cleaned up. You’re underneath a blanket, no spare clothing to wear.

You chuckle. “I asked for it”, you wink. Steve laughs lowly as he pulls you closer. It’s a nice warm feeling. It’s safe, you feel safe.

“I have a few questions”, you say, eyeing the both of them. Steve only looks at you, waiting for the questions to come. Bucky halts you, cutting you off before you can even start.

“That’s very nice, doll. But those questions can wait. Me and Steve’ve been watching you for a while. Wanna safe those questions for a date?”

_____

Tags:

@cametobuyplums @thamuddagirl @tranquil--heart @buckmesideways22 @stuck-y-together @buckysthot

[sonicrainicorn]

Patton is Berry Done

Part of the Berry Done AU

Words: 4092 Desc.: Logan gets drunk for the first time in his life, and Patton realizes it’s not as fun to be on the other end. TW: Alcohol, cursing, a lot of throwing up (it’s only ever mentioned tho bc ew)

The idea came to me when I was working on the one-shot that was actually supposed to be published. whoops. Hope you like drunk Logan, anyway.

///

One Friday night, Damien invited Patton and Logan over to hang out. Patton, who was very much well aware of what his brother meant by ‘hang out’, asked Thomas if he was willing to babysit. Well -- he asked Logan if he could ask Thomas. Patton was sure that asking Thomas for anything would end in his funeral. Which he understood completely. Though, if you told him last month that Thomas would genuinely threaten to break every bone in his body, he would have thought you were joking. Thomas was the nicest person he knew.

Either way, he agreed and Patton and Logan thanked him again before leaving. When they got there, Damien had already started drinking.

“Rough day at work, then?” Patton asked with a raised brow.

Damien glared at him and let them in the house. Emile and Remy were sitting on the floor, using the coffee table to play a card game. By the looks of it, Emile was winning. And by a lot. A random TV show was on that no one paid attention to. Background noise, then.

“Hi, guys,” Emile chirped. “I win again, by the way.” He flipped the dealer’s -- also known as Damien’s -- card over, nonchalantly taking a sip of wine.

In a great feat of theatrics, Remy fell back and let out a short yell. “How the hell do you win every time?”

“I told you not to play blackjack with him, but you insisted.” Damien rolled his eyes and gathered all the cards. “You should probably stop before he wins everything you own.”

“Damn bastard already has everything I own,” Remy grumbled under their breath.

Emile smiled sweetly at them.

Damien tossed the card pack at Patton, who almost didn’t catch it. “Work did suck if you must know. And I need someone to get drunk with. Remy can’t do it because they work tomorrow and Em doesn’t like to get drunk so...” He looked at Patton like it was obvious. “You definitely weren’t my first option.”

Seems someone was still a little mad. “Why don’t you just go to a bar?” Patton sat next to Emile.

“Because I want to wallow in self-pity in the comfort of my own home.” He crossed his arms. “Will you do it or not?”

“No thanks.” He started shuffling the cards.

Damien groaned dramatically. “You never give me what I want.” A buzzed middle child who was in a Mood didn’t make for good conversation, as it turned out. He turned to Logan. “What about you?”

Patton expected the answer to be the same, he had no reason to doubt otherwise, but then Logan -- Logan who took one shot on his twenty-first birthday and then never drank again, said, “Yeah, I don’t see why not”

“Oh God, yes. Finally.” Damien rushed to the kitchen with a large grin.

Patton stopped shuffling to stare at Logan with what he assumed could be translated as what the actual fuck all over his face.

It seemed to catch Logan’s attention. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You don’t drink.”

“Well, out of the two of us, I’m not the one known for doing regrettable things so I think we’re safe.”

Ooh, yikes. Yeah, that was a hundred percent called for. Patton shifted in his spot and diverted his attention back to the cards. Turns out he didn’t have any more to say.

Emile glanced between them, a small thoughtful frown on his face. He erased it with a shake of his head. “So what are we playing?”

“Poker.”

Remy sat up. “Great. I actually have a chance at this.”

“Did you want to join us, Logan?” Emile sent him a small smile.

“With the way D’s going to drink tonight?”  A sly grin slid across Remy’s face. “ I think he’ll have his hands full already.”

Right on time, Damien came charging back into the room. In his arms were various supplies such as shot glasses, vodka, tequila, and a few different chasers. He set them all on the table. “Wanna match me shot for shot?” He held up the bottle of vodka with an inviting grin.

“No.” Patton snatched it out of his hand.

He made an offended noise akin to a child getting their toy taken away. “Why not?”

“Because I know how many shots you can take and I don’t want you giving my husband alcohol poisoning.”

“Ugh, fine.” He took the bottle back. “For every shot you take, I’ll take a double.”

Patton��s, “That’s not what I meant.” versus Emile's, “You’re already tipsy.” did nothing in comparison to Remy’s much louder, “Do it bitch, you won’t.”

“Alright, bet.” He sat at the unoccupied side of the table.

Emile hit Remy’s shoulder and gave them an ‘are you kidding me?’ look. They simply shrugged in response.

“C’mon, Logan, let’s see how fast we can regret this tomorrow.” He started pouring out the first shots and chasers, eager to get started. The only time Damien was eager to do something was if it caused damage -- be it to property or livers.

Logan sighed, shrugged to himself, and sat next to Damien. Patton watched wearily as he took his first shot. His face screwed up as it burned its way down. Patton could feel the phantom burns in his own throat. Straight vodka wasn’t his favorite, but it was always common at college parties. He knew the motions well. Take the shot, let it burn -- but don’t act like it burns, then sip a chaser if there happens to be one. (Though, if there was one, it was always alcoholic.) Logan didn’t know the ‘etiquette’ of drinking well enough. He reached for the chaser of cranberry juice almost as soon as it went down.

It didn’t matter though. How you took a shot was just style points. At a party surrounded by onlooking strangers? You’re going to need maximum style points for that. At a bar with some friends? Depending on the friends, style points were still important. At home just trying to get drunk? Style wasn’t the point. Besides, Logan wasn’t a drinker so his reaction to straight shots was bound to be expected.

“Oh, yeah, this is gonna suck.” Damien took a sip of his own chaser. “Ready for another round?”

Sometime after the second shot, Logan started getting a little more touchy. He placed hands on Damien’s shoulders, his arm, Patton was sure there was even a thigh at some point. And Damien was all grins and flirty compliments. Patton knew Damien’s drunken states pretty well. He flirted with anyone that wasn’t a brother of his and generally had his charisma cranked up to ten. On the flip side, he also acted like moody a sixteen-year-old. So, really, drunk Damien was just sober Damien with even less of a filter. Logan’s drunk states, on the other hand, were new territories.

By the third shot, Logan was mostly giggles. He and Damien tried to have their usual debates (also known as a normal conversation for them), but they dissolved into Logan laughing over something vaguely related and Damien testing out a pick-up line based on the topic. On the fourth, Logan kissed Patton and called him “the most beautiful man in the world”. Damien got comically offended and insisted that Logan was breaking his heart. Logan laughed, cradled Damien’s face, and called him beautiful too. As soon as the fifth went down, Logan was completely plastered. He put all his weight against Patton with a loose hand around Damien’s wrist. He started talking about how great everyone was, though he struggled to find more than three adjectives and slurred all his words.

“Nope, that’s enough.” Patton tried to take the bottle out of Damien’s hands when he went to pour another shot, but he couldn’t move with Logan at his side.

Remy took the initiative. “Unfortunately, I have to agree. Logan can’t handle anymore.”

Damien pouted and put his head in his hand. “Boo.”

“That actually took a bit longer than I expected,” Emile admitted softly.

“Yeah -- damn, Logan.” Remy put the cap back on the bottle. “For someone who doesn’t drink you sure held out for a while.”

Logan held up a peace sign.

“Okay, I think we better get going.” Patton lifted Logan to his feet. It was a bit harder than it sounded due to Logan’s apparent lack of bone structure. He refused, or maybe simply couldn’t, move or stand on his own. He kept all his weight on Patton the whole time.

“I think that’s a good idea.” Emile wrangled another bottle out of Damien’s hands. “Stop. Any more and you’ll be asking Logan to marry you.”

Damien snorted. A lazy grin slithered on his face. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

Patton frowned, holding Logan a little closer to his side.

Emile sighed -- an annoyed, almost aggressive sound. “Yeah, okay. Come on. We’re done for tonight.” He dragged Damien into the kitchen, ignoring how he almost face planted.

“Ignore him.” Remy shook their head like a disappointed parent. They gave Patton a small smile. Not a grin or a smirk -- a gentle, genuine smile. “Anyway, want some help? Seems like you could use it.”

“That would be nice, actually.”

Logan clung to Remy like a koala to a tree almost as soon as all his weight was transferred over. Right away he started saying all the great things he thought about them and the good things they did. Remy just nodded and agreed while gently coercing him into a better walking position. Patton silently apologized and opened the front door.

On the short walk to the car, everything Logan said was followed by a soft, “I know, Logan.” or an, “Uh-huh.” much like someone would do when they’re half-listening to a child while focusing on another task. Patton would argue that the comparison was more than apt since most of the stuff Logan said seemed to be the first draft.

Patton opened the passenger side door and Remy helped Logan in. They went to close the door, but stopped when Logan said, “I love you.”

They laughed, borderline composed giggles, and responded, “Love you too, pal.” They shut the door. Logan waved at them through the window, and they gave him a little wave back. “Wow, he is fucking trashed.” They turned to Patton with a wide grin. “I’m surprised he’s still conscious.”

“Guess we’ll see how long that lasts.” He looked at Logan, who gave him a bright beam. “I should go before his body realizes he hasn’t thrown up yet.”

“Oh, yeah. Drive safe.”

“Will do.”

Almost as soon as Patton got in the car, Logan blurted out, “If you could drive straight up at sixty miles an hour, it would take an hour to get to space.”

Patton didn’t even have the door closed yet. “W... what?”

He repeated it a little slower, though that seemed to leave a lot more room for errors and slurring. “If you could drive your car up-ards it would take an hour to getta space.”

He blinked. “That’s, uh, that’s really interesting, bumblebee.” He shut the door. “Could you maybe put on your seat belt before telling me more facts? Unless you need some help.”

“M’not five.” Despite his statement, Logan struggled with the necessary coordination for an absurd amount of time. After failing to get the buckle in the right spot (following an embarrassing number of attempts), he gave up with a small pout. “I can’t do it.”

Patton smiled a bit. He looked like a grumpy toddler. “Let me help, hon.” He buckled him in.

Once they started driving, Logan did not stop talking. He told Patton he loved him five different times, asked nonsense questions followed by silly answers, and pointed out whatever he saw looking out the window. He also insisted on having a hand near Patton at all times despite Patton saying he needed to focus on driving. He was so much more open and bubbly and touchy -- very touchy. A near 180 of sober Logan.

They only had to stop for him to throw up on the side of the road once, which was a lot more impressive than the first time Patton ever got drunk. At least from what friends told him. He didn’t remember anything about that night, but he was told that he threw up several times before ever reaching his apartment. To be fair, he was eighteen at the time and trying to impress someone cute. He didn’t remember if it worked or not.

After his little vomit issue, Logan was a bit less energetic. Understandably so. Throwing up always sucked. But throwing up after a night of drinking was even worse. It didn’t stop him from saying how much he loved Patton, though.

When Patton pulled in the driveway, he cursed under his breath. He forgot about Thomas. With Logan drunk out of his mind and extremely pliable, there was no doubt Thomas’s protective older brother instincts would take over. Patton tried to figure out what to say that wouldn’t result in his head on a pike.

“Come on, hon.” He helped Logan out of the car. Once again, all of his weight was against Patton. “Your brother’s gonna kill me for this, isn’t he?”

There seemed to be a magic word in there that caused Logan’s energy to return tenfold. A large grin split across his face and Patton could have sworn there were stars in his eyes. “Thomas is here.”

Okay, Logan getting excited to see Thomas was actually pretty cute. Patton smiled. “Yeah, baby, Thomas is here. Did you wanna see him?”

Logan nodded, almost cartoonish in nature.

“Let’s get inside, then.” While Patton wasn’t at all prepared to see Thomas, he couldn’t deny Logan what he wanted. That would just be cruel.

He struggled to open the door with Logan hanging off of his arm, but he managed. Thomas was laying on the couch watching Parks and Rec on a low volume. His attention diverted from that rather quickly. Almost right away, he was on his feet to reach Patton and Logan. Patton didn’t know why he was surprised. He had to admit that it was a little obvious Logan wasn’t his top-notch self.

Logan detached himself from Patton and all but collapsed into Thomas’s arms before anyone had a chance to say anything. “Thomas,” he said, a little too loud, “you’re amazing. You’re the best -- best brother I could ever ask for. And I... I love you so much.” He squished Thomas’s face with his hands. “I apre... pre-shate all you ever done. You’re so ‘mazing. I owe you so much. You a’ways make me ‘appy a-and you stick by me no matter what. You’re -- you’re just really great.” He gave him a tight hug.

Thomas stared at Patton, dumbfounded. “What... did you do to him?”

Patton held his hands up in defense faster than he could blink. “This was his own doing. I played no part in it.”

“Damien and I took shots,” Logan answered, partially muffled by Thomas’s shoulder.

“You did what?” Thomas pulled him away to look at his face. “How many did you take?”

“Five,” Patton answered. He knew full well Logan lost track.

“Five?” Thomas struggled to keep his voice down. He cradled Logan’s face. “Logan, you don’t drink. What are you doing taking five shots? Shots of what?”

“Mostly vodka.”

If Thomas’s eyes could get wider, they would have. “Vodka? Straight? Dude, how the hell are you still standing?” He checked over Logan as if the answer would be there somehow. “Why would you do something like that?”

Logan shrugged. “Damien wanted’ta get drunk.”

Princess Leia wandered into the living room, shaking herself out of her sleepiness. Her tail wagged as soon as she saw that her other owners were home.

Logan gasped loudly. “There’s my baby.” He fell to his knees to give her attention. “You’re such a good girl. Yes, you are.” He continued to coo and give her pets and scratches.

“I’m... I’m gonna scream. I’m going to actually scream.” Thomas ran his hands down his face. “There’s no way I’m leaving.”

“Leia, no. Go back to the boys.” Patton pried Logan away from her. “Go. Now.” He pointed out the doorway.

She obeyed after visible hesitation.

Patton worked on lifting Logan to his feet. “Look, I’m going to keep an eye on him. You’re free to stay if you want, but I promise I’m going to make sure he’s okay.” He kept him at his side. “I won’t let anything happen to him. He’ll be fine if you leave.”

Thomas crossed his arms. Patton recognized the face he made almost immediately. It was the same one Logan made when he weighed all possible options. That hard, calculating gaze was something they shared well. “Fine. But I’m calling first thing in the morning.”

Holy shit. He actually agreed? This was the greatest achievement of Patton’s life.

“If I find out anything happened, I’m pushing you down a flight of stairs.”

“If anything happens, I’ll fall down the stairs myself.”

Thomas smirked a little. “I’ll hold you to it.” He patted his pockets to see if he had everything. “Alright. The twins were lovely, as usual, and I look forward to the next time I get to see them. Goodnight -- keep my brother safe,” he pointed at Patton, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Wait, you’re leaving?” Logan sounded like a sad little boy who was told he couldn’t get the one toy he wanted for Christmas.

Thomas sent him a small smile. “I’m afraid so, bear. Patton’s going to be looking after you, okay?” He brushed Logan’s bangs to the side and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “I’ll see you later.”

Logan watched him go with the most disappointment Patton had ever seen on his face. He half expected Thomas to change his mind because of it.

“Okay, sweetheart, we’re going to get you some water then you’re going straight to bed.” He led them to the kitchen.

Unfortunately, Logan had to throw up one more time. Or a few times, rather. That seemed to be the end of the fun alcohol adventure. Patton made sure he was finished before giving him more water. On their way to the bedroom, Patton was stopped by a sleepy voice.

“Dad?” Roman called. He sounded half-asleep. “S’everything okay?”

“Yeah,” he whispered. “Your daddy’s just a little sick. Go back to sleep.” He made sure there wouldn’t be any more questions before continuing. He closed the door to the bedroom so Leia wouldn’t get in. As much as Logan loved to have her in here, she wouldn’t be very helpful.

He helped Logan into a clean shirt and guided him to bed. “I’ll be next door if you need something, okay, dear?” He slipped off his glasses. “Get some sleep.”

“Don’t.” Logan caught his wrist before he could leave. “Can’t you stay?” He looked at Patton with such vulnerability it sort of hurt to see.

“Only if you want me to.”

“Please.”

God, Patton couldn’t say no to that face. He slipped into his side of the bed for the first time in way too long. Of course the one night he’s allowed back is the one night Logan isn’t fully cognizant of his actions. In a way, it was almost poetic.

Logan buried his face into Patton’s chest almost immediately. He sighed in contentment, one arm thrown over Patton’s waist for good measure.

Patton hesitated before bringing him closer. The anxious part of his brain insisted that Logan would somehow snap out of this and scream at Patton to get away from him. After all, Logan didn’t invite him back sooner for a reason. But that didn’t happen. Logan seemed more than happy to be so close.

“You know,” he began, already sounding sleepy, “I love you a lot. Maybe too much. You could hurt me all you want and I’d still take you back. If you say sorry. And maybe that’s bad, but I think that’s what I would do. I love you too much to let you go.”

Oh, no. Oh, Logan. Patton kissed the top of his head and tried not to break down into tears. That wasn’t what he wanted to hear at all. He hoped, maybe, it was some sort of drunken nonsense, but he had a sickening feeling it wasn’t. He hated knowing this. He hated knowing that the crap he pulled -- that stupid, idiotic mistake that broke Logan’s heart -- wouldn’t have been the nail in the coffin of their relationship. As angry as Logan was, as upset as he was, he always planned to give Patton a second chance. It wasn’t comforting to know that.

If Patton was a lesser man than he already was, he would have used that to his advantage. He would have screwed Logan over, again and again, knowing he would be able to come back if he acted sorry enough. But someone already did that before, didn’t they?

Patton didn’t want to be anything like that person. He wanted to be as far away from them as he could get because Logan deserved someone so much better than that. Maybe the person he deserved wasn’t even Patton at all, but Patton was the person he chose. The least he could do was be a good husband. Logan deserved that and a million more things. He deserved to think more highly of himself, for one. One problem at a time, though, the most immediate problem would be the hangover tomorrow.

Patton woke up with a start. 

For a moment, he didn’t believe he was in his bedroom, but then he recalled the night before. He didn’t remember falling asleep. He still had his clothes and glasses on. Then he noticed he was alone. Before he could come up with a possible scenario, he heard throwing up in the bathroom. Uh oh. It wasn’t even morning yet.

He hurried down the hall. “Are you okay, bumblebee?” He asked from the doorway.

Logan glared at him from his hunched-over position. That answered that, then.

“Is Daddy okay?”

Patton turned to see Virgil, asleep on his feet. “What are you doing up?”

“I lost rock paper scissors.” He yawned.

“Daddy isn’t feeling well tonight. He’ll be fine --” he caught himself before he said ‘tomorrow’. There was no way in hell Logan would be functional tomorrow -- “later. Now go back to sleep. I have it handled.”

Virgil didn’t need to be told twice.

Patton sat with Logan until he finished throwing up. He knew from experience what a miserable time this was, but that also meant he knew how to make it more manageable. He gave Logan things to settle his stomach then practically carried him back to bed. They both fell asleep in no time at all.

When morning came, Patton called out of work. He also called Thomas to take the twins and Princess Leia. There was no way he was leaving Logan’s side today. Judging from the late-night vomiting, and heavy sleeping, this would be a rough first hangover. He decided to sit in bed and scroll through random apps until Logan decided to wake up.

“Oh my God,” Logan groaned. He rolled over so his face would be in his pillow.

Patton couldn’t help the smirk that played at his lips. “Well, good morning, sleeping beauty. How do you feel?”

“I think I’m dying.”

“I can assure you you’re not.” He put away his phone and laid back down. “It’s just a hangover. You’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

Logan groaned again. He moved his head to look at Patton. “How do you never feel like this after drinking?”

“Years of practice.”

“Oh, well, I’m definitely not getting that.” He flipped over and threw an arm over his eyes. “That’s the last time I drink anything ever.”

Patton smiled in amusement. “How much do you remember?”

“Honestly? I blacked out after the second shot.”

“That explains why you kept going.”

Logan shot up, eyes wide. “I kept going?” That clearly wasn’t the right move. He grimaced and curled in on himself, a wounded sound leaving his throat. “Why the hell didn’t you stop me?”

“Do you really think I’m in a position to stop you from doing anything?”

“Fair point.” Logan laid back down as slowly as possible. “God, this is the worst.” He bumped his fingers against Patton’s.

“Well,” Patton took his hand, “I’m here to help you through it.”

~~~

@actitus-hypoleucos

[usedtobeyours]

try hard dick energy: a fairytale

try hard dick energy got his nickname after almost 3 months of me seeing him

he used to be soft dick energy first. 

we met through friends, as i usually like it to go. 

on a regular thursday, we started chatting and we kind of fit. his music seemed to be a perfect match to my favorites. i listened to his playlist that whole week. 

a week later we met at said friends’ home, on the day before a holiday. 

my first impression was meh. but than again, it had been over 5 months since i even kissed another guy. 

conversation went on, and my thinking was: wow, i can actually be friends with this dude

then we got drunk and he ended up waiting for when my friend went to the bathroom to kiss me. again, a meh kinda kiss. but again, 5 months. it still felt nice, butterflies and all. 

i was on my period, maybe day four of it. after my friend went to sleep, we started drunkenly making out and he tried taking my clothes off. i was like no, no way, i have my period. and he said he didn’t mind. i wasnt sure i did. 

then, a call that was just the best to get. friend #2 coming home from a date. we chatted on the dining room and i tried keeping her there for as long as i could before she started bobbing her head. to this day, he swears i was making faces at her for her to leave. that’s certainly not how i remember that. 

she went to bed, we made out for a while, i took my menstrual cup out and we fucked. and we slept just as we were. i don’t remember much, but i do remember him saying: “was it too fast?” and like a good girl, i said it didnt matter. that’s how he got his soft dick energy nickname as i retold that story on the day after.

oh, the day after. we slept at around 6, and he was out of the apartment as i was still sleeping. my friends and i wanted to go to the beach, but that part of the story doesn’t matter much for this tale. we talked. and talked.

on thursday, two days later, i was headed to my guy best friend’s house bringing my other best friend - #1 from the first story. he picked us up from her place - his place was closest to my guy best friends house, but he did it anyway. we sat, and we got high, and drunk. we made out whenever everybody wasn’t around. i had to teach him that people don’t smoke inside people’s homes without asking - and in the window. duh.  

he then left for a weekend away with his friends. it was the first time i missed him, and i spiraled into a weird depression mood from lack of attention. that’s how needy i was. am. 

from then on we didn’t see each other for two whole weeks. he traveled, then i traveled, and weekdays were never his thing. we still talked everyday, and kept up with each others lives. we shared stickers, and said we missed each other. just the weird 16 year-old romance i yearned for. 

we met again three weeks later. he really wanted to go to my girl best friend’s house, but she didn’t really want him there. we went for a beer on the beach - which turned into 6 really quick. by 10 pm, he forced his way into my girlfriends’ house, even though she didnt want him there. we made out a bit, and he left. i was so in love.

then the chat continued slower than before. carnaval went by, he didn’t want to join us for it. i moved, he didn’t want to come by. we seemed to chat, but it always revolved around him. he took up 3 weeks of my therapy sessions, but i kept chatting. it was good. it filled up my neediness - and my time. it was like a long distance relationship. weekends were lonely and kind of sad. my luck is that bracco was in rio, and i was getting to know noemi. they kept me busy. 

he moved into a new apartment. it was around his birthday. i think it 15 days that we didnt see each other, but it felt like a month. that day it was all SO clear to me. 

you invited me over to your place. i hadnt seen you in forever, but you said i shouldnt bring anything. i drank a beer on my way there, out of nervousness. i also brought you m&ms. your roommate was wearing a bra in the living room. she was nice, we drank beer, smoked, and chatted. it felt weird. and then, she came up with the whole depressed comment.

let me explain: we were talking about her sabbatical, she wanted to go away for a year once she was 27. i was sharing resources and a bit of my miami experience. she then said: “oh, miami. thats where you got depression”. as if depression was something you catch. as if i told her about it. as if you told her about it and she felt we had a relationship where she could just bring that up?! not sure. i was weirded out for the rest of the night. at some point, you brought me into your room and kissed me. i couldnt really get into it. you said: “we dont have to do anything”, but you kept kissing and groping me. it’s not like you backed off and said: “whats going on?”

so i caved, and we fucked. and it was mechanical. and short. and plain out boring. i left 20 minutes after, and you seemed to be happy i did. 

my brain was a mix of feelings. i was in love, but then everything about that night was so fucking weird. being with you felt weird. the next day, you were weird too... i tried calling, but you called me back right when it was bbb time. 

and i was talking to noemi in the balcony, and it was a whole thing about not being available for people who dont show themselves available. we didnt talk again until saturday, and i decided to cut you off for good. i unfollowed you on social, unfollowed myself from your page, deleted your number. it wasnt until wednesday that you realized and reached out. 

you were all: we havent talked to each other in a week, and im also to blame for that... and so i told you i was upset about more than one thing that happened on wednesday, you exposed me to your roommate and i felt invaded. so i decided to pull myself away from this relationship. you apologized, but took no responsability for the rest of non caring. and thats what i wanted. so i cut you off. 

it was two weeks, and two therapy sessions in which my therapist said i should have talked to you before cutting you off. and turning you off was good: i started focusing on shit that mattered to me. 

but then i rethought it all. and i said, maybe we should have a grown up conversation. so i followed you, and opened up the conversation again. you said you were happy - you never thought you’d hear from me again. 

but you did. and i told you i was open for talking, and for getting things back as they were. you said you were too, but then you disappeared for two other weeks. 

and i felt done. over it. truly with no intent to see it moving. conversation was off and on. until last week it took on again. and we chatted for two days before you suggested a visit to my place. i was okay with it, cause then again, quarantine neediness is always present. and - for the first time ever - you were here on friday. you brought wine and condensed milk.

we chatted for two hours and it was boring as fuck. i hoped my roomies would join us. they did. and so did our friends. we drank and smoked and talked until 2, once again. but you decided to stay over, they went home, and it was just the two of us. 

i wanted to sleep. everything felt so fucking awkward. i pretended to fall asleep while you cuddled me. so fucking odd. i just wanted to me alone and starfish my bed while hovering all my pillows. and then you noticed i wasn’t up for sex, or making out for that matter.

you asked: are you still upset over my roommate?

i said no. why would i be? we talked it over and it’s over. do you want to talk about this still?

you said no. but you still felt something wrong.

and i said, yes. something is wrong. sex has never been good with you. i need you to have something we call pegada.

and you made an excuse once or twice. but somehow we hooked up again and you had pegada.

we fucked, and it was good, for once. better than “huh, i guess i had sex”

i fell asleep, feeling it was so weird to have you here.

i woke up to my alarm, got ready, and you wouldnt budge. i said i had to go, and you said you wanted to sleep in. i said i would be back in an hour, and i went to work.

you texted at work. you used my computer and god knows what you digged up off it. 

and then i came back, we had breakfast, and you didnt want to leave. we cuddled and watched a show. you tried kissing me but position was all weird. yet, it was good having you around.

you had a whole 2 hour meeting in my bedroom, in my computer. shivers. the whole time i was telling my roommate: the affection is nice, but oh no, im done.

and after your meeting we fucked gooood good. you got a promotion on your soft dick title. and fuck, i fell into it as well.

you left right after, as if you knew you got me hooked again. and again, chatting daily, you dont feel there. but we made plans for saturday.

mafe, mafe. why again. this boy definetly doesnt want you the same way you want him. yet you;re still there, as available as ever... i thought writing this might give me clarity. nope. 

[phoenixfeatherquill]

Endgame Chapter (3/10)

Mai wished Serenity hadn’t left her alone. 

But she didn’t blame her either. The mood was tense, to say the least, and neither she nor Joey knew what to say to each other. Joey was especially nervous, flitting about the kitchen, making pancakes, checking the coffee (she knew he didn’t drink coffee), anything to distract himself. It was a comfort to know he was as anxious as she was. 

She took a sip of coffee and then added several spoonfuls of sugar. Serenity drank very strong coffee… 

“Are you back for good?” Joey had finally spoken. He leaned against the counters and crossed his arms over his chest. She was relieved he wasn’t angry—his emotions always showed on his face—but he was definitely disturbed. And hurt. 

“I think so,” She replied quietly. “At least for a while. If you’re okay with that.” 

“What does it matter what I think?” 

Mai glanced up at him. He wouldn’t meet her gaze. 

“I tried to call you, you know,” He stared at a spot over her head. “Wrote to you. Just to make sure you were okay. But...” 

“I know you did,” Her grip on the coffee mug tightened. “I just—I couldn’t face you.” 

“Couldn’t face me?” His eyes widened. “What are you talking about? After all we’ve been through?” 

“You nearly lost your soul because of me!” Mai’s eyes filled with tears. “Don’t you understand? I couldn’t—I just couldn’t bear seeing you again. I felt too guilty.” 

“I don’t care about that!” Joey exclaimed and she wanted to punch him. Of course he didn’t care. That was just Joey. His life didn’t matter, his problems didn’t matter, he only cared about others. He didn’t have an ounce of selfishness in his heart. Not like her… 

“Mai, I was worried about you,” He raked his hands through his hair. “We all were. You always had friends.” 

“But—how I acted towards you—towards all of you—” 

“Aw geez,” Joey rolled his eyes. “Do you know how many times each of us have been possessed by magical goons and evil whatchamacallits? We know you were under the influence of Orichalcos.” 

“That wasn’t all,” Mai stood. “That just influenced what I was already feeling. Anger, resentment, jealousy, hurt—and after what Marik did to me, I just…I lost control. And I took it out on you and you nearly lost your life because of it. I can’t forgive myself for it.” 

“Well, you better,” Joey said roughly. “Because I already have.” 

She stared at him. When was it she first noticed him—really noticed him? She remembered being on the boat headed towards Duelist Kingdom, scoping out the competition. She noticed Yugi straightaway—with hair like that, he was hard to miss. He’d been talking with Joey about their disadvantage; only having one star chip apiece. 

Yugi seemed embarrassed by her intimidating introduction and Joey ogled—both reactions she was used to. She was far more focused on defeating the champion who’d bested Kaiba. 

She challenged Joey to a duel a few days later, in the interest of gaining star chips quickly and efficiently. Rooting out weaker opponents was always a quick way of getting ahead fast. And her little aroma strategy—a particular bit of psychological warfare—was something she was particularly proud of. 

But it hadn’t phased Joey. Not really. He figured out her tricks, and in an amazing combination of her own foolhardy cockiness and his natural talent, he defeated her. She had been so furious. So certain it was beginner’s luck. She even accused Yugi of backseat dueling; claimed it was only because of him that Joey won. It was an unfair comment. Yugi had hardly helped, Mai just couldn’t admit to herself that she had lost fair and square. But it had deeply shaken Joey and he became even more determined to prove himself. 

And prove himself he did. Not only did he make it to the finals, he actually…introduced her to real friends. Her abrasiveness and cutting remarks hadn’t scared them off. And even when Panik attacked and terrorized her…they stood up for her. She had clear memories of Joey struggling against Bakura and Tristan, furious at how Panik had shoved her to the ground. And then Yugi fought Panik for her and got her star chips back. 

She had never had real friends before. 

Joey noticed her staring at him. “What is it?” 

“I was thinking…about when I first met you,” She replied honestly. “And Yugi and Tristan and Tea. And of course, Serenity…I was just thinking how I’d never had close friends before. I didn’t know…how to be friends.” 

She snorted. “It sounds stupid but for a while there, I thought that my Harpie Ladies were my only friends.” 

“Not stupid,” Joey glanced at his deck, which rested comfortably on the table. “Your monsters are a part of you. The best and the worst.” 

Mai averted her gaze. “I’ve never deserved it.” 

“You always deserved it,” He replied quietly. “You just didn’t believe you did.” 

There was a long silence between them as Mai reflected on his words. She wiped her eyes briskly. 

“Mai…” She looked up at him. His cheeks were red and now he was the one who couldn’t look her in the eye. “Why…why did you come here?” 

She stood up abruptly and crossed her arms. She had traveled everywhere in the last few years…dueling on the Great Wall of China, besting the most elite duelists in the European Leagues, even some strange guerilla duels in the boroughs of New York that took place on motorcycles. But no matter where she went, no matter how she tried to distract herself, chasing every high and ever piece of redemption…she couldn’t escape it. 

“I came back because I missed you.” 

Her voice broke. 

And suddenly, all at once, she was in Joey’s arms and he was holding her. 

“I missed you too,” His voice sounded just as hoarse as hers. “I was worried sick about you, Mai. We all were but…God, I missed you.” 

Violet eyes met hazel. Something settled in Mai’s stomach and her lips met his. There it was. That was what she’d been chasing and running away from, what haunted her every night she was away from him. 

XXXX 

Serenity wasn’t entirely sure what had just happened. 

One minute, she’d been playing a novice game with a ten-year-old to pass the time on a rainy day, the next she was in Seto Kaiba’s office and he’d built her a deck. And he wanted to see her again—to show her how to duel? 

Serenity’s brow furrowed and she tossed her hair over her shoulder. The rain had finally stopped and with the sunshine came her temper. Who did he think he was? He couldn’t just order her around like that. She didn’t need his silly cards. She could just ask Joey to teach her. He’d be happy to, and he’d do it without any of the arrogance or condescension she’d just experienced. 

When she reached her apartment, she paused. Why did he want to teach her how to duel anyway? Was this some sort of sick way to torment Joey? She wouldn’t put it past him. But it seemed like an awful lot of trouble for a multi-millionaire running a huge gaming company. Well, she wasn’t going to let him put one over her brother. Certainly not. 

She exhaled sharply and turned the key to her apartment. When she entered, Joey and Mai sprang apart like they’d been electrocuted. 

“Oh hey,” Joey flushed. “Where ya been?” 

Serenity suppressed a smile. If Mai’s tousled hair and Joey’s pink cheeks were any indication, she knew exactly what they’d been up to. 

“I was—” She paused and found she couldn’t think of any reason not to tell her brother the truth. “I was at Kaibaland.” 

Joey’s demeanor changed from awkwardly embarrassed to irritated. “Why?” 

“They were having a novice day. I thought it might be fun to learn about Duel Monsters, considering my best friends are all world-ranked duelists.” She smiled at Mai engagingly, who winked at her in response. 

“You don’t need to go there to learn,” Joey grumbled and handed Mai her jacket, which had slipped off. “You got two primo duelists right here. Speaking of—do you mind if Mai stays here a while?” 

Serenity had figured this might be the case. “Of course not. I’ll…go make up the futon.” 

She went to the linen closet knowing full well that Mai would not be using the futon. 

XXXX 

Joey had offered to teach her but it turned out, both he and Mai were busy for the rest of the week. Kaiba had kept his word and Joey was busy turning his newly purchased warehouse into the garage. Mai was in talks with several companies who were interested in sponsoring her—a beautiful, renowned duelist that looked good on a magazine cover could bring in a lot of revenue. When both of them weren’t working, they were often in deep talks that Serenity didn’t particularly want to interrupt. She could sense they were in the process of rebuilding a relationship and especially for Mai, it was going to take time. She still hadn’t forgiven herself. 

So when Friday came, Serenity couldn’t help but think about the appointment. 

She wasn’t going to go. She absolutely couldn’t. Joey would lose his mind if he knew Kaiba wanted to give her private lessons. He would immediately get the wrong idea—though truth be told, Serenity wasn’t sure what the right idea was exactly. Nevertheless, it wasn’t worth causing a fraternal explosion, especially since he was in the middle of working out his own relationship issues. 

But 4:00 came and went. And Serenity started to feel antsy. 

Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Joey, apologetically letting her know he’d be home late. He’d been trying to fix up Mai’s motorcycle; the throttle response was delayed, and it was taking longer than usual. He and Mai were going to go out to dinner after he got done. 

So she’d be alone for the night. Joey and Mai probably wouldn’t get back till quite late—and even then, they probably wouldn’t want to talk much to her; Serenity now had experience with how flirty Mai got with Joey after a few glasses of wine. But that meant…if she wanted to go out herself, they wouldn’t know.

She didn’t have classes on Friday, so she’d been alone most of the day. She could heat up some leftover udon. Or she could go out. Just to get dinner. 

At around six, she grabbed her jacket and her messenger bag and headed outside. She always liked autumn. And Domino City was such a nice place to have a walk before dinner. Not like the claustrophobic suburbs she’d grown up in. Classes had just started—she could treat herself and take the bus down to the beach; eat at one of the seafood shops. But then again, she was rather craving dumplings, and there was a place that made really amazing dumplings…it was about a block away from Kaibaland. 

She checked her watch. 6:10PM. Kaiba was expecting her in twenty minutes. Her lips pursed. She hadn’t even agreed to Duel Monsters lessons! He’d just ordered her like he did his underlings. That rankled her. 

But she couldn’t seem to suppress her curiosity. What exactly was he going to teach her? 

Dumplings or Kaiba? 

It was a tossup. 

Fifteen minutes later, she was standing in front of Kaibaland, eyeing the magnificent Blue Eyes White Dragon statue that flanked the entrance. She slowly chewed her dumpling (she’d hoped that perhaps ordering her dinner to go would cause her to miss 6:30PM and therefore take away the indecision, but the cooks had handed her dozen dumplings in record time) and debated on whether or not to enter. 

“Serenity! You made it!” 

The doors opened and Mokuba Kaiba stood out front grinning at her. She waved awkwardly. 

“Right on time too!” Mokuba beamed. “I wasn’t sure if you’d come.” 

“Neither was I,” Serenity admitted. “Mokuba—I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why does he want to teach me?” 

“I have no idea,” Mokuba said cheerfully, gesturing for her to come inside, “and trust me, I’ve asked. Maybe he senses talent. He’s always talked about creating a school for dueling. Maybe you’re test subject number one.” 

“How flattering,” Serenity said dryly. The younger Kaiba escorted her to the elevator and they stepped inside. Mokuba pressed the top floor button and hummed a little as the doors shut. 

Mokuba eyed her. “Are you nervous?” 

She considered the question. Nervous wasn’t quite the feeling—perhaps wary or cautious. At any rate, she harnessed the famed Wheeler bravado and crossed her arms. 

“He doesn’t scare me,” She said shortly and Mokuba smiled to himself. 

The elevator doors opened and for the second time that week, Serenity was led into Seto Kaiba’s office. 

He was sitting at his desk, typing on his computer when they entered. He glanced at the clock pointedly. 

“You’re late.” Serenity opened her mouth to snap back at him but Mokuba undercut her. 

“It’s not her fault, Seto. She was here on time. I was talking to her in the lobby; that’s why she’s late.” 

This was more or less true, but Serenity did not need Mokuba to offer up an excuse. “I wasn’t even sure if I should come. I wasn’t sure if you were joking or—” 

“Seto never jokes about Duel Monsters,” Mokuba said solemnly. The wicked glint in his eye suggested that his older brother never joked about anything, but he refrained from adding the comment.

“I suppose I’m a little confused,” Serenity crossed her arms. “Why do you want to teach me?” 

Kaiba stood. “You are excellent at chess. Anyone who is that good should be playing Duel Monsters. It requires the same level of precision and strategy.” 

He walked around his desk and stopped short. His eyes scanned her appearance and she stared back at him solidly. 

“I reviewed your last duel.” 

She stared at him in confusion. “What duel?” 

“Against Nezbitt a few years ago. With Devlin and the other. It took a little doing, but my computers kept records of the entire match.” His blue eyes bored into hers and Serenity flushed. That duel was not her finest hour. 

“That was my first duel,” She said defensively. “I wasn’t used to your technology—and seeing what happened to Tristan—” 

“I know,” He retorted. “It didn’t help that you picked the cards you found ‘cute’.” 

“I was fifteen! Maybe if you’d ever talked to a girl—” 

Mokuba cleared his throat. “Seto, why don’t you tell her what you told me just a little while ago?” 

Serenity and Kaiba looked towards Mokuba with varying levels of irritation. But Kaiba begrudgingly spoke. 

“Not all of it was your fault. The other one—who was so bent on throwing the game in order to shield you—was more to blame. You can’t learn to play properly if someone is obsessively keeping you from the match. Your strategy with St. Joan was brilliant.” 

She wasn’t sure how to respond. Kaiba’s assessment of the duel was possibly unfair to Tristan; he knew that Serenity was inexperienced and had been trying to protect her. After all, this duel had much dire consequences. But perhaps if she’d been given the chance to strategize…once she’d gotten the hang of defense/attack position, she hadn’t done too badly… 

“Did you review your deck?” Kaiba’s question startled her out of her memories. 

“Yes. I’m a little confused—there are a lot of dark and light types along with fiends and fairies. I thought those don’t go well together.” 

“You’d be surprised.” A strange expression came over him. “I’ll show you. Let’s duel.” 

Serenity raised her arms. “Hang on. I want to lay some ground rules here. For instance—I don’t want to use your crazy holographic machines. If I’m going to learn, I’m going to learn the same way I learned chess—at a table, sitting across from you like reasonable people.” 

Kaiba pursed his lips. He clearly didn’t like the stipulation but she didn’t care. The holographic monsters made her nervous and whatever rush it gave her brother and Kaiba—well, she wasn’t ready for it. She would learn in a low pressure environment or not at all. 

“Secondly…” She looked towards the floor. “I don’t want anyone to know about this.” 

There was a silence at the pronouncement but Kaiba didn’t argue. She was glad for it. She knew he didn’t give two figs about her brother, but, well…Joey wouldn’t understand. 

“Will you tell Joey eventually?” Mokuba asked. “If things progress?” 

She frowned. “Progress?” 

The younger Kaiba smiled artlessly. “You know. If you…get really good. And start wanting to compete.” 

Serenity let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “Oh. Well. I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it.” 

Mokuba grinned. “What did you think I meant?” 

“That’s enough, Mokuba,” Kaiba said tartly. “Take a seat, little Wheeler. Let’s begin.”

[feelingfolegandros]

Day 2,3,4, - Wednesday, October 28 - Friday, October 30 2020

Apparently I’m a masochist, because I scheduled two client sessions for my second day back. Well, technically they scheduled themselves that day, but I blame myself for opening my calendar up so soon. Oh well, c’est la vie! I am blessed to have work! Especially work that doesn’t really feel like work. And really, the most lovely people somehow want to work with me, so that feels great. 

The first one was at 9:30am, and I thought I’d do it in my bedroom, because I have a little desk setup in here that is something in between a coffee table and a side table with a very loungey chair with pillows to cushion my butt.. I love it. However, the internet in this room doesn’t always love me. The connection in this particular room isn’t so stable, and it was making it difficult to have a flowy conversation with my client. After moving into the main room where B.W. was working away on her laptop (we’ve joked that it’s our coworking space), I couldn’t concentrate... When I have a one-on-one session, I really need total silence and privacy otherwise it kind of all goes to shit haha...I decided to ask my client to reschedule and she happily obliged. Phew! We had our proper session the following morning (Thursday) and it went well. 

On Thursday, I turned on TV in the living room/ coworking space for the first time and someone’s Spanish Netflix account was still logged in. Score! Not because I need to use a Netflix account (My Dad pays for a shared family account, thank you very much), but because I didn’t have the patience to figure out how to log in or type in my Dad’s email with the freaking TV remote. I gleefully watched Season 4 Episode 1 of Keeping Up with The Kardashians while lying down on the couch eating pasteli (I think that’s what they’re called.. It’s these Greek snacks made of sesame seeds and honey). I don’t think I’ve seen this season before… But it takes place c. 2009 or so when Khloé has her whirlwind romance with Lamar Odom and they get married about a month after they first start dating. Honestly… iconic. I found myself drawing parallels between Khloé and myself. The situation with my boyfriend also feels like quite a whirlwind although I’m not expecting a proposal nor a wedding anytime soon. However, I can’t say I haven’t already fantasized about our Big Fat Greek Beach Wedding, possibly held at the same taverna we met at. 

On Wednesday night, I went for a solo walk in the early evening in Chora. I love being alone here. I spent a lot of time alone on Folegandros when I came for the second time from mid-September to early October. Later, Z.X. came over, mostly because he forgot his phone charger. He ate too much and was a bit stressed about some things regarding his house (which he is renovating himself) so I made him a mint tea. The next morning (Thursday), I discovered we had fresh mint in the garden! So lucky! The mint made an appearance later the same day when I brought a bunch of it to my friend C.D.’s house. He is the brother of the bride of the wedding where Z.X. and I met. I met C.D. at the taverna he works at in the summer alongside his sister. They’re both amazing and funny and warmhearted. C.D. basically lives next door to B.W. and I, and we both paid him a visit - bundle of mint in tow. He boiled water in a traditional Greek coffee contraption for our tea, and we all drank our beverages outside, even though it rained earlier that day. He made himself a freddo espresso with milk. 

C.D. worked in IT in Athens for much of his life, but moved here at the end of January for a fresh start, away from city life. The four of us - the two Greeks Z.X., C.D., and the two Berliners B.W. and I all moved here for the same reason this year… Very interesting! It’s nice to be around people that are all still enthusiastic about the island. Some OG locals, ie. those who were born and raised here, are a little more jaded after the decades they’ve been here. Living somewhere, anywhere, long enough, you’re bound to find things about it that irritate you, even if you live on an island where each beach you go to is more beautiful than the next. 

Today is Friday. Z.X. proposed we go to the beach today, so he picked B.W. and I up around 13h. Before that, we put a load of laundry in and I took the garbage we’ve accumulated over the past couple of days to the bins near the bus stop. (It’s important to note that the plumbing here on Folegandros like much of Greece, is not that robust, so you’re not supposed to flush paper down the toilet. So most people put their used toilet paper in a bin. Hence, part of the reason why we had accumulated two medium-sized bags of garbage in a few days.) I realized on my way back home that there were bins much closer to the house. Another too-late realization was that the shortcut I took on the way there cut through a sheep’s / goat’s pasture. I did notice some poop as I was walking through, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. Are goats chill? I have no idea… I won’t take the risk again, and I also noticed two locals taking the official shortcut which doesn’t involve shuffling over two waist-height concrete walls… It involves using makeshift ladders to scale them! 

Back to the beach! This time, we went to Livadi beach near the port. While B.W. was gleefully swimming parallel to the shore, Z.X. and I were standing about ankle-deep in the water. Suddenly, we felt the submerged sand below us slowly, surreally shift. (Too many “s” words, but I’m leaving it… hahahah) I’m not sure who mentioned it first, but we soon concluded it must have been an earthquake. It reminded me of the only other time I felt one - just over a decade ago when I worked in a giant office building one summer. To me, it felt like a strange tear in the time-space continuum, a strange physical and existential headache, and like techtonic plates below were shifting (which I guess they technically are). Anyway, Z.X. and I got out of the water, more in awe than afraid, and he called one of his friends, who also felt it, and experienced it as dizziness. He checked his phone and there was indeed a 6.6 earthquake further north in Greece. On Samos, two teenagers lost their lives, and in neighbouring Turkey, there were more deaths and injuries as part of the country experienced a tsunami. 

Z.X. and I planned to see each other next on Saturday night, but he called me later on Friday saying that Ireni’s Restaurant (my favourite) was serving rabbit tonight, he was going to eat there with a few of his friends, and would I like to join? Hell yes I would… Hell yes I did. Ireni - a Greek grandmother / matriarch / goddess / chef extraordinaire - obviously stewed those rabbits for us like they were the last rabbits she’d ever stew. They were served very simply with French fries, but we also had chorta (bitter greens) and Greek salad before the main event. Everyone drank alcohol… white wine and Raki I believe, probably beer too, while I had my usual neró (water). It was my first time eating at Ireni’s since the summer, and I was so delighted to be back there. Meeting Z.X.’s friends was great too. One of them lives on Folegandros too, and has a lot of common with Z.X. The other two live in Sifinos (either that or Sikinos… so confusing!) and were in town for a month or so. They could all speak varying degrees of English (more than my pathetic amount of Greek) and it was yet another elbow in the side from God or whoever to learn some more of this beautiful language. Photos from that meal below...

That’s all for now. I have a lot of catching up to do on my daily life here… Both in writing and in general (all shall be revealed soon), but I hope you’re enjoying reading all of this, whoever you are....

[nazariolahela]

Something Domestic: Chapter 3

A/N: Hey y'all! This is a new TRR AU I’ve been working on. This story is told in first-person narrative, from Riley’s (MC) POV. There will likely be smidges of canon in this, but not too much. Thanks for reading, and please leave feedback, and/or if you would like to be tagged.

Catch up here

Series Tags: @burnsoslow​ @aworldoffandoms​ @dcbbw​ @ladyangel70​ @texaskitten30​ @sunandlemons​ @jlynn12273​ @indiacater​ @jared2612​ @rainbowsinthestorm​ @drakesensworld​ @badchoicesposts​

Synopsis: When Riley Brooks takes a new job as a nanny for the affluent Rhys family in New York’s Upper East Side, she assumes she’s just going to care for the children of the couple who hired her. But instead of just school pick-ups and afternoon snacks, she also finds herself spending time with Liam, the handsome divorced dad. Can Riley control her feelings for Liam while still performing the job she was hired for?

All characters are the property of Pixelberry Studios. Thanks for allowing me to borrow them.

Chapter Summary: Riley and Hana discuss the new changes in their lives.

As the cab pulls up outside of Nomade, I spot Hana leaning up against the side of the building. She’s dressed in black leggings and a denim jacket over a purple A-Line tunic. Her brown hair is twisted in a side braid that rests on her left shoulder. Tendrils fall across her face as she taps on her phone screen. Looking at the door to the restaurant, I notice there’s no line. That’s good for a Friday afternoon, considering people line up around the block to eat here.

Hana and I prefer the lunch menu because it’s cheaper and less crowded. The one time we came here for dinner, we had to wait two and a half hours for a table, and our tab was almost $300. I tip the driver and exit the cab, bounding across the sidewalk to my roommate and best friend. She giggles as she sees me and scoops me into a bone-crushing hug. 

“Hey, girl! You’ll never guess who just emailed me!”

“Who?” I ask. Her parents Xinghai and Lorelai are well-known in the New York social scene, so it could literally be anyone.

“I’ll tell you when we get inside,” she says and links her arm through mine as we make our way into the restaurant. Typical Hana. Always keeping people in suspense. When we reach the host station, her phone buzzes. She quickly pulls it out of her purse and glances at it, rolls her eyes, then shoves it back in her purse.

“What was that all about?” I eye her.

She sighs. “Oh, just some weirdo my parents are trying to set me up with. Neville Vancoeur or something,” she waves her hand dismissively. “My mother gave me her famous ‘When are you going to settle down, Hana? You’re not getting any younger and I want grandchildren,’ spiel last week, so now they’re aggressively playing matchmaker.”

Hana and I met freshman year at NYU Steinhardt. With both of us being education majors, we ended up having a lot of classes together and spent way too many late nights cramming during our study sessions in the library. After graduation, we both realized rent in this city is impossible to afford if you’re not a Rockefeller, so we rented an apartment together and have been roomies ever since. Hana got a job student-teaching music at Stormholt Middle School, and she also gives piano lessons one Saturday a month to a rich family in the city.

Her parents are something else. I’ve only met them once, but they make me glad I don’t have much of a relationship with mine. They feel she’s better suited to be a wife and a mother than an educator. It makes me angry for her because she’s so much more than that. She doesn’t need to marry some stuffy guy who probably skated his way through business school on daddy’s money and pop out his crotch goblins to do something meaningful with her life. She’s also mentioned to me many times that she’s into girls, so all this effort to set her up with some preppy trust-fund douche from East Hampton is a waste. Jokes on you Mom and Dad Lee.

I giggle as the hostess arrives from seating another customer. “Good afternoon, ladies. Table for two?”

We answer and she grabs two menus before motioning for us to follow her. When we arrive at our table, she informs us our server will be with us shortly and walks away. 

“Okay, so tell me who emailed you,” I say to her as I unroll my napkin and place it in my lap. She looks up at me, her eyes beaming. 

“Do you remember that benefit dinner we went to a few months ago? You know, the one for New York educators, where we drank our weight in Lemon Drop martinis?”

I smirk recalling that evening. The bits and pieces I remember, Hana lost one of her shoes and spent the better part of the evening showing everyone on the dancefloor the “proper way” to perform a pirouette.

“Well, I do remember you taking over the dance floor and me going home with that cute bartender. What was his name again? Daniel?”

“Oh my god!” she replies, laughing and slapping my forearm. “I can’t believe you don’t remember his name!”

We giggle as our server approaches our table to take our drink orders. I order a glass of white wine and Hana orders a Sangria. When the server leaves, we resume our conversation.

“So anyway,” she continues, “that night, I was talking to one of the ladies who works in the music department at Valtoria High School, and apparently there were rumors their music teacher was planning to retire. So, after we exchanged information, she passed it along to the school board, and they just emailed me asking me if I was interested in a job!”

My eyebrows shoot up to my forehead. “And?”

“And...I think I’m going to take it!”

I jump up from my seat and move around the table to wrap her in a hug. “Oh my God, Hana! That’s amazing!”  She laughs as I give her a congratulatory squeeze. Hana has been trying to get a position with Valtoria High since we graduated. It has one of the top music programs in the city, and the waitlist is insanely long. Most of the teachers there have tenure, so not many positions open up unless someone quits, retires, or dies. Hana securing a position on the teaching staff will not only get her parents off her back but also open up so many doors for her. Her dream is to eventually start her own music school where she can teach music to kids of all social and economic statuses. 

We return to our seats as our drinks arrive and the waitress takes our lunch order. After she leaves, Hana turns to me. “So, enough about me. Tell me about the new nanny job.”

I smile. “The interview went really well. I met the family I’ll be working for. They seem really nice and I’m excited to get the opportunity to work with them. My first day with them is Monday. The pay is pretty great, plus, the children seem very well-behaved. Nothing like the last family I worked for. The mother comes off a bit cold, but she seems pretty easy to work for. At least I don’t have to worry about her micromanaging everything I do.”

“Uh-huh. And what about the father?” 

I whip out my phone and google “Liam Rhys” to show her a picture of him. After scrolling past links to his company and click-baity articles from the local tabloids, I pull up a photo of him and his older brother from a few years ago. I hand the phone to her. She glances at it, her eyes wide.

“Oh wow...Riley… That’s Liam Rhys,” she says, warily.

“Yeah. What about it?”

She shakes her head and hands the phone back to me. “Nothing, it’s just his family is very well known throughout the city, as well as in the tabloids. Not to mention, he’s extremely attractive, so you need to be careful.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “What are you trying to say, Hana?”

Her face turns serious. “You’re a wonderful person, Riley. I read those tabloids, and I see what they say about the nannies of public figures like him. I don’t want your name dragged through the mud because you were photographed staring too hard at Liam.”

“It will be fine, Hana. Don’t worry about it.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I remember what happened with Ben Affleck’s nanny. And Gavin Rossdale’s nanny. And Jude Law’s nanny”

“Those men were also sleeping with their nannies while they were still married. Even if it gets that far, he’s getting divorced. We wouldn’t be doing anything wrong.”

“The public won’t see it that way. They’ll blame you for the split. Just be careful.”

I nod, taking her words seriously. Our waitress returns with our meals and we dig in. We spend the rest of the meal gossiping about our friends from college; who’s working where, who’s getting married, who got arrested, and so forth. After the check arrives, we pay our tabs and gather our things to head out. As we exited the restaurant, Hana turns to me and grabs my arm turning my body toward hers.

“Hey. I just wanted to let you know that I’m here if you need anything. Please don’t forget that.” 

I smiled and wrap her in a hug. “I know. Don’t think that I won’t take your words to heart. I know what I’m getting myself into with the Rhys family, and I appreciate you looking out for me.”

“Of course, that’s what besties do.” Her phone chimes inside her purse. She releases me and reaches into her purse to retrieve it. She frowns then slides it back into her purse. “I’d ask you if you wanted to head over to The Double Tappe for a drink, but my mom wants me to come over. I’ll see you back at the apartment?”

“You bet. I think I’m going to head over to the Northbridge Mall and buy some new outfits for my new job.”

She laughs and wraps me up in another hug. “‘Kay. Call me later,” she says before turning and walking down the sidewalk. I wave goodbye and take off in the opposite direction. As I stroll down the street, I walk past a magazine stand. There on the rack is the latest issue of Trend the receptionist was reading earlier. I pull a $5 from my purse, and set it on the counter, before picking up a copy of the magazine. After thanking the cashier, I slip the magazine in my bag and continue walking until I reach the bus stop on the corner. When the bus arrives, I step on, flash my Transit Pass, and take a seat near the front. I settle in and pull the magazine out to read up on my new employers.  

The article shows pictures of Liam, Madeleine, and the kids at the park. The kids look adorable playing with their father and each other. Madeleine is sitting on a bench, her nose in her phone, wearing her usual resting bitch face. I swear, that woman never smiles. Then, there’s Liam. The butterflies in my stomach start fluttering at the sight of him playing with his children. The cutlines on the photos mention how happy he looks to be spending the day away from work with his kids, but I don’t need to read it. I can see it in his face. 

Despite his notoriety here in New York, he’s still a man that is devoted to his family. It’s a shame his soon-to-be ex-wife, couldn’t see that. Stop it, Riley. Their relationship is none of your business. But it is, though. Now that I’m working for their family, their business is my business. Which means I have to keep my mouth shut about what happens behind closed doors. I’d hate to lose my job because I told someone something, who told someone else, who leaked it to the press.

I read on and catch myself staring at the pictures of him. It’s unfair how good looking he is. The fact that he is a doting dad makes him that much sexier. My cheeks flush as I imagine sitting at the park with him and the children. In my fantasy, I’m sitting on a picnic blanket, a wicker basket full of snacks and drinks, while he chases Philip and Charlotte around the grass. After they tire themselves out, they wander over and I pass out juice boxes and crackers. Liam comes up behind them, smiling. When he reaches me, he kneels on the blanket, takes me in his arms, and presses the most sensual kiss to my lips. 

The squealing of the bus’s breaks rips me from my little daydream and I shove the magazine in my purse. Nope. Not going there. I exhale loudly and stare out the window as the bus continues down the street. Oh man, I’m in big trouble.

[cilliansaccent]

The Peaky Designer - Cillian Fanfic, Chapter 14

Hello, welcome back. Below is the next instalment of my fanfiction!

Leave a like or a comment if you liked it, or if I can do anything better! Please, it would mean the world and to understand if anyone is enjoying my writing. Also, sharing/reblogging would be even better.

PLEASE READ:

I will not be including Cillian’s family as it’s kinda weird since he has children lmao. Just a mention of his parents and a previous lover.

I will indicate in a chapter if there is smut in the beginning and before the actual scene!!

I will add trigger warnings if there is any!!

There is a variety of levels of swearing during a chapter, I will not hold back, everyone swears.

The timestamp for the Fic is now 2016 and onwards!!

——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——-

Background: Gabrijela Babic is a Croatian girl from Sydney, Australia. She is born in the year 1991 on the 24th of December. She studies a Fashion degree in a University with a major in Game Design as well. Her teacher in the fashion designer class managed to nail an Internship on the set of Peaky Blinders with the shows very own Costume Designer, Allison McCosh. There, she travels to London for under a year to learn how to be one, working alongside the actors as well the man she admires, Cillian Murphy. But, her platonic feelings for the man begins to grow into something more, and she wonders whether she should pursue them or let him go for fear of her strict parents and her three older brothers…

Characters:

Swantje Paulina as Gabrijela Babic (swalina on Instagram)

Cillian Murphy

Word Count: 4,304

!!Warnings!!: Major sex scene at the end!! Light BDSM.

Date: December 2016

Chapter Name: Happy Dirty New Year

Brief Chapter Outline: The last few days of the Year is spend with Cillian's family, before the night they share privately in a cabin is much hotter than the fireworks...

——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——- ——-

The next couple of days were entirely relaxing. She spent time with Mary cooking and chatting. Gabrijela got to know her much better and Cillian would always find them giggling and whispering. 

"Always up to something," Cillian chided and shook his head as he went to find his father. 

They only giggled more. 

Mary pulled out some old albums of Cillian when he was just a baby. Which made Cillian groan very loudly and blush. Gab ruffled his fluff of hair, making a mess out of it. He liked his hair being touch and fingers run through it. A shame he had to always chop it off for each new season of Peaky Blinders. She liked the thickness and silky feeling of it. 

She loved the photos of him when he was younger, she even mentioned how he didn't seem to age one bit. 

"Just like good 'ol wine." Mary nodded, "Blessed with the Irish luck." She laughed. 

Gabrijela couldn't agree more. 

Mary became happy that Cillian found Gabrijela and really pulled her under her wing. He never saw them parted, only when he took her one day to explore Cork with her and take her to hot spots. She had admitted she was falling in love with the place, and she could see herself living here. 

Cillian had hoped so if the future is kind for them. He would love her to move here, he wanted to move back to his homeland. And with her with him... His dreams would come true. 

They spent some nights along the docks, where they ate some good food and sat on the piers and kissed for a long time. There would be a celebration in the city centre for New Years and he made sure he had organised his whole family to be there. 

Dinner at a pub he truly loved and had some fantastic music. He had some old-time friends who were there and introduced Gabrijela to them. 

Gab was stoked to be spending New Year's Eve with the man she adored, and seeing him so relaxed in this cute pub made her smile even more. She could see how much he loved the music here, and she would always cherish that about him. 

She laid her head on his shoulder, holding his hand in his lap. "Is this how it's like in your pub?" He asked her. 

"Kinda. But way bigger and has two floors. It's got a whole dance floor as it turns into a nightclub after ten at night." She explained. 

"Oh? How long you play then?" He looked down at her. 

"So both Thursday and Friday, we play from six to ten and then on Saturday, we play from twelve in the afternoon to three. Then six to ten at night." She replied, "Or sometimes we would do some nights where Elijah and I would play our cellos together as Maya would be our sound master. She doesn't just do the keys, but she does the synthetic sounds for our band. Creating echos or choir-like sounds, all that." 

"Wow. You guys really are prepared. You get paid?" He picked up his beer and drank some. 

"We make money through tips, which is always a lot. We're quite the talk in Sydney." She said. 

"I never asked but what is your band's name?"  His arm now laid on the backrest behind her. 

"Aussie Wogs. We all have European backgrounds." She giggled. 

"Smart. I like that." He leaned down and sneaked in a quick kiss. 

She leaned in closer, one hand on his chest, "Keep kissing me." She murmured. 

"Mmm, I'd love to but we're surrounded by many familiar faces. For me that is." He kissed her again and pulled back. 

She pouted but laid her head back on his shoulder, enjoying the atmosphere. 

But some man had gotten to the mic and spoke, "Well, well, well, I do hope everyone is having a wonderful time tonight." There was a cheer, "Fantastic! Well, I do have a wonderful surprise for each and every one of yous. We have a special guest tonight, a wonderful man who done wonderful things over the last few years. Let's clap our hands and cheer for the one and only, Cillian Murphy!" The man cried. 

Cillian let out a laugh as everyone cheered him up. It seemed this wasn't a surprise for him as to how well he took it. Unless it was a surprise and he was good at hiding it. 

"Hello, hello. Thank you very much." Cillian said through the mic as he prepped himself. "I am very glad to be home, back with me family after a long year of filming." He said. 

Gabrijela took some photos and filmed a bit of his speech, he was so adorable, she thought. 

"For this, lovely, new years eve, I will be uh, playing a special song," Cillian said. "For someone who I hold very dear." His eyes trailed to Gabrijela, some people made 'ooo' sounds and he laughed, "She means a lot to me." 

Her cheeks reddened as eyes fell on her. 

"I don't want to dwell too much, the lyrics will speak for themselves." He said and the slow, romantic beat began. 

When he sang, her heart and soul seemed to explode at the beautiful song he had made for her. He sang about her beauty and how she reminded him of the finest jewels in the world. Of her personality as like the Irish coast, grand, unique, simple yet so intricate with hidden beauties. 

When the song ended people clapped wildly before she slowly stood. She kept her eyes on Cillian who did the same for her. She walked to the stage and he pulled her close, people chanted to kiss. 

And so Cillian did, leaning down and claimed her lips in a gentle kiss. He truly cared for her, and this song had all his heart and feelings in it. 

She smiled wide as they pulled back, "Cillian. Oh, Cillian." She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. "That was so beautiful." She was moved and had tears in her eyes. 

"Yeah? You think so?" He pulled back, he became super shy. 

"I think so. Perfect Cillian. Just perfect." She beamed. 

Once off the stage, people shook hands with him and the band, chatting away and praising them. Gabrijela stayed to his side and talked with some of his friends. 

They all loved him, she listened to some cheeky stories about him and she giggled. They loved to tease him, he was the shy one out of all of them. 

Gabrijela wasn't too sure when it came to knowing what she was to Cillian. But she replied with, "We're figuring it out." She was blushing brightly as some mentioned to just call it as lovers or boyfriend and girlfriend. 

The night wore on with good music and more chatter. Then it was time for everyone to make their way outside for the count down. Cillian and his family found a good spot close by. 

It was freezing and she hugged Cillian close, his arm around her. She looked up at him, "I'm glad I'm spending the new year with someone special." She said. 

He kissed her nose, "Same here," He murmured as everyone began to shout the count down. 

Then it struck midnight and fireworks exploded in the sky. "Happy New Year!" Everyone cheered. 

Cillian tilted her chin up and claimed her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck as they continued to kiss, "Happy New Year, Cillian." She murmured against his lips. 

"Happy New Year to you too, Gabrijela," He smiled and kissed her again. 

She pulled back, "I want to tell you something." She said softly, cupping his cheek. 

"What is it?" He asked looking deeply into her eyes. 

"I love you." She admitted finally, "I've loved you for some time now, Cillian. And I hope you feel the same." She gulped. 

Cillian's expression broke out in joy, his smile grand, "I love you to Gabrijela. God, I am so glad I could say those words, I have been wanting to say them for a while now." He said and laughed. 

"Well, now you can say them all the time." She said as he wrapped his arms around her tightly and pulled her against his body as they kissed long and passionate. 

Someone snapped a picture of them and Cillian pulled back to raise a brow at his mother, "Did you just take a photo?" He asked. 

"I may have! Ah! My son has found love!" She beamed and hugged them both. 

Everyone hugged and wished each other a new year. Celebrations went well into the night, Cillian stayed back with Gabrijela. They celebrated a little longer before they headed home as well. 

Some hours later, late afternoon... 

He had organised a two-night stay in a cabin, just a little outside of Cork and in a forest. He had packed the car with their stuff, his brother would take them there and would drive them to the airport on the third. 

Gabrijela said her goodbyes to his family, hugging them. The kids were upset she was going, they really loved her. 

"You be safe now, okay?" Mary cupped her face, "Please write to us. You have our address and number. Call us too, whenever you want a chat." 

"I will, of course." Gab nodded and hugged her tightly. 

She waved and headed to the car. 

Mary turned to Cillian, "You better look after her, son. Okay?" 

"I will. I love her Ma." He blushed a little. 

"You love her but you still must care for her." She said sternly and hugged him. 

He went to the car and got in, Gabrijela joined him inside.

"Nothing is forgotten?" He asked her as he took her hand. 

"Nope. If I did, good excuse to come back." She smirked. 

"Uh-huh." He smiled. 

They drove for some time and came to the place, his brother drove up the dirt road to the cabin situated in an open area. All around was just a forest. 

They got out, his brother gave Cillian a tight hug as they bid farewell to each other. He did the same for Gab before he drove back down the road. Leaving them alone now. 

Gab turned to look at the cabin, it was all wooden with a pitched roof. Snow patches coated the grass around and frost along the wooden steps that lead up to the cabin. 

"Wow, Cillian. It's so beautiful. First a song for me and now this? Oh, god." She beamed. 

"Let's go inside." He helped her with the bags and up they went. 

Once they entered the cabin it was all one room save for the big bathroom to their left. It was all warm, wood tones with dark off white carpet. There was a little kitchen to their right, a big metal-framed bed with a mixture of white and blue sheets. On top, there were rose petals with a bucket of two red wines resting inside. 

Across the bed was a fireplace and above it a TV. A little dining table was off to the side and had a big bouquet of roses. 

"That's for you and the wine," Cillian said as they set their bags down. 

"So romantic." She turned to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "I love you, dear boyfriend." She mused, wanting to see his reaction. 

He kissed her, "I love you too, dear girlfriend."

She giggled, "I'm happy I can call you that now." She took off his beanie, ruffling his hair. 

His hands slid down to cup her ass, squeezing it, "I bet you are." He kissed her deeply, needily. 

"Mmm Cillian, after we pack. Then we can play." She said, returning the kiss. 

"Alright, boss." He pulled back and winked at her. 

As they unpacked, she saw that the cabin had a balcony which had a jacuzzi, "Oh my god! A jacuzzi! We must turn that on, its perfect weather for it." She said. 

"Sure, we can do that. Wine and good tunes." Cillian agreed. 

Once they finished unpacking, he first made some dinner for them both. He played some good music as they ate. 

"I'll clean up and you set the jacuzzi up." She said as she stood once she was done. 

Cillian nodded and headed out. He set the tub up, and rinsed it, then let it fill up as he closed the plastic blinds to keep the weather out. Then he lit some candles around and brought his portable speaker out and two glasses of wine. 

He came back inside and Gabrijela was undressed and naked, he felt himself harden at the sight of her body, cast aglow from the fire and the low light. 

"Fucking gorgeous." He came over and kissed her deeply. 

She clung to his arms and moaned, "Undress my love. Let's not get the water cold." 

He hummed and undressed then took her hand and walked with her outside. 

"Oh my," She shivered and he helped her into the bubbling tub, then got in after her, sitting across from her with her legs on either side of him. 

He handed her glass of wine, "To us." He said, holding his up. 

"To us, my love." She smiled and clinked glasses with him and took a sip before she tilted her head back and sighed long and deep. 

"What's wrong?" He asked, swirling the liquid in his glass. 

"Ah, just... thinking." She smiled. 

"About?" He ran his fingers along her shin and to her knee then back down. 

"Everything that has happened in the past months. My internship, Logan, everything. And now, after all that has happened, I'm in a good place. With you as my true love." She opened her eyes and looked at him. 

"You are?" He sat forward a little. 

"Mhm. I am." She sat up. 

"Are you sure? You are not worried? About... me?" He asked. He was still concerned. He didn't want to drag her back or anything. 

"Cillian, I am not worried. If I was, I'd have said something by now." She sat forward, now closer to him. 

"Okay. But just... The media can be cruel you know?" He cupped her face with a hand. 

"I know. But they don't know us, even if it gets out." She kissed him, "I love you Cillian. No one will stop me from loving you. You have my whole heart." She whispered. 

"You trust me enough to have it all?" He set his glass down, pulling her into his lap. 

"I trust you with my whole being, Cillian. You are the one for me." She said and kissed him deeply. 

His arms wrapped around her back, their bodies flushed against each other. 

She lowered her hips down, grinding against him. Soft moans emitted from her, his hips rising to press harder against her. "Oh... Cillian..." She tilted her head back as his fingers tangled in her hair, pulling on it. 

His lips trailed down the column of her throat, sucking and kissing and biting her skin. He kissed the pendant that rested just under the hollow of her throat. "So perfect." He muttered as his hands groped her ass, rolling her hips into him. 

Right now, it was him just touching her, letting his fingers run up her spine which caused her to arch a little from the touch. Then down her arms and back up and down her sides. He kissed her softly, mostly pecking at her lips before he returned to her neck, knowing she really liked that. 

She stroked his arms and his shoulders and his chest, soft moans escaping her from his loving touches and the feeling of his cock pressed against her. 

"I want you," She whispered, kissing him deeply. 

He reached between them, gripping himself and pointing to her entrance. He held her hip with one hand and guided her down, she let out a moan and he did as well, their gazes locked. 

Their lips met once more as she began to move, going slow so it didn't spill the water everywhere. But it was difficult as her need for him only grew, and she wanted to go harder. 

She gripped the edge of the tub behind his head, moving her body faster, his hands splayed on her mid-back as his lips brought in a nipple of hers, and sucked. 

He rolled the little nub between his lips, biting down and she let out a cry of delight. He had picked up she liked it rough, and a bit of pain laced in it. He wondered if she was into some kinks. He would ask her tomorrow. 

As he continued to tease her breasts, she rode him faster. The water began to splash as she moaned, "Cillian! Ah!" 

"We should get out hm? We're gonna make a mess." He said, pulling back to look at her. 

"Y-Yeah, sure. Just be quick." She slid off him and got out. He followed her, quickly blowing out the candles as they walked into the cabin. 

He pulled her close and kissed her hard, then spun her and bent her over the bed, "Open your legs." He ordered. 

She whined and did so. 

"Arms up." He said and she raised her arms above her head and her eyes widened when he pulled out... "Rope?" She gulped. 

"Mhm. I want to try something... New. You fine with that?" His voice softened. 

"Go ahead, baby." Her eyes were full of lust. "Tie me up. I'm all yours to use." She found herself saying. 

He chuckled and tied her hands and then to the headboard. "Make sure you keep these lovely legs parted for me yeah?" 

"Yes, baby." She nodded. 

He then set to tieing her ankles too. She couldn't pull her legs together or move much. 

"Oh, Cillian... Kinky," She giggled as he gripped her ass. 

"Thought I'd spice things up." He mused as he leaned over her body and kissed down her spine. 

She shivered when he reached lower, his mouth trailing over the curve of her ass then inwards to her core. She moaned once he came in contact, "Tell me a safe word." He murmured against her, his breath warm. 

"Apple Pie!" She panted, wiggling her hips. "Cillian fuck. Oh, don't tease me like this!" 

He chuckled and sat back, bringing a finger to her entrance and circling it, "You can't tell me what to do, love." He continued to swirl that finger around her entrance. 

"Please, please Cillian." She whimpered, "You promised me to fuck me." 

"Did I now? You only said to be quick." He pushed the finger into her, fingering her painfully slow. 

She tugged on the bonds, she really couldn't move much. But the whole thing was a huge turn-on.

"Are you okay my love?" He kissed the underside of her thigh. 

"I am more than fine. I love what you are doing." She sucked in a breath as he pushed in another finger. 

"Good girl." He ran his free hand up her leg as he picked up the pace with his fingering. Then it was going at a good hard pace. "God, you are soaking love. Wonderful." 

She whimpered, her mouth open as pleasurable sounds left her. She could hear the slick, wet sounds. She was close. 

"Love, are you close? Will you cum for me?" He purred lowly, "I can feel it." 

"Mhm! Mmm! Oh!" She let out a loud whine. "Cillian! Cilly! Oh! Oh! Fuck!" She choked out as she came, his thumb was rubbing her clit to urge her into her climax. 

Her body had a sheen of sweat from the warmth of the fire and the heat that spread through her body. 

"Oh, my love, love, wonderful. Thatta girl." He kissed her asscheeks gently as he stood up, "Do you want my cock? Hm?" He stroked himself, letting his cock rest on her ass. 

"I do baby. I really do. I need you inside me." She looked over her shoulder. He was already leaking pre-cum. 

"Been such a good girl." He braced one hand on the bed, he crouched a little as the thick head pressed against her wet entrance. Then he pushed in, a groan rumbling through him as he went further and further till he was entirely against her. He was hunched over her body, his lips brushing her shoulderblade. 

"Cilly... Oh... Shit..." Her breaths were rugged, she could easily cum again. 

"Love," He murmured against her skin, then began to rock his hips. In and out, slowly and full of pleasurable intent. He would take his time just like he fingered her. She had nowhere to go, she couldn't make him go faster. 

The pleasure felt a little more different in this angle, he pushed more towards her spin and there was a particular spot where she felt the electric shocks go through her. "Fuck." She managed, her body trembling. 

"So, so fucking tight. Fuck. Gabbie." He leans back, holding her hips as he pushed harder into her, looking down as how well they connected. He tilted his head back, eyes shut slightly and mouth parted. She felt absolute divine, and his body reacted and began to go faster. 

Gabrijela let out odd yet pleasurable sounds, her voice slightly muffled from when she lowered her head into the sheets. She was being thrown forward again from his powerful hips that slammed into her. A climax was dawning on her again and it wasn't long when she screamed and came, dragging one from him as well. 

Even as they came, he didn't let up. He reached out and grabbed her mess of a hair and pulled her head back. "I'm gonna have you a mess, love. Is that fine?" He kissed her before he resumed fucking her. 

"Yes! Yes!" She cried out, eyes shut as the pain from her hair being pulled made the gratification of the fuck even better. She could hear the sexy grunts that came from him, probably the loudest she ever heard from him. 

He had her hips pinned to the bed, causing a painful yet exciting whine came from her. She really did like the pain. So he gave it to her with his rough thrusting. 

The bed shook a little, making the classic squeaky sound. "Gabrijela! FUCK!" He gasped, both his hands now on her hips as he pushed as deep as he could in her. His climax was returning, and he wanted to drag this out as much as he could. 

Gabrijela hadn't had a rough fuck since her ex, not even Logan was as rough as this. Cillian, god, something came out of him and she was enjoying every moment of it. She laughed and moaned, screaming out his name. Her voice would be hoarse by morning. 

"Ahh! I'm gonna cum again! Cillian!" She screamed, pulling hard on the bonds. "Cillian... Cillian... Cill- FUCK! CILLIAN!" She howled as her walls tightened around him and she came hard, this time she squirted a little from how sensitive she had gotten. 

Cillian went fast as his climax ran down his back before he let out one, sexy groan of ecstasy as he shot his load deep within her. He thrust to drag the climax to the end, even for her before he slowed and stilled inside her. 

He braced both hands on the bed, panting. The air was so hot, his skin, as well as hers, covered in sweat. He leaned over, kissing the spot between her shoulder blades. 

"Gab..." He murmured, his voice rough from the strain he had on it. He leaned back a little, dragging his nails along her spine. "Gab talk to me." 

"Cilly..." Her voice was so soft, so small. He suddenly felt fear spike through him. Had he actually hurt her? He quickly pulled out and untied her before she had collapsed to her knees at the foot of the bed. 

"Gabrijela, fuck I'm so sorry. I went too hard did I? I'm so so-" 

She looked up and cupped his face and kissed him to shut him up. She smiled as she pulled back, "Cillian you dummy. Shut up. You really fucked me senseless and I loved it. I fucking loved that." She kissed him again, sitting back. She had this look, droopy eyes, flushed cheeks and swollen lips and messy hair. 

A look he would remember forever, "Are you sure? I-I don't know what came over me." He took her hands. 

She giggled, "I want to do that again. Some day. Maybe tomorrow, on my back. So I can see this face when you cum." She kissed him and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. 

"You really liked it?" He murmured as they stood. She was weak in the knees. 

"Mhmm. So hot." She said as he helped her to bed. 

He grinned a little, "I'm glad then." He chuckled as he chucked the ropes aside and turned off the lights. 

He got into bed, she rolled into his arms, her head on his chest. They smelled like sweat and sex. But he didn't care. It would be some time before they would do something like this again after she left. 

"I love you Cillian," Gabrijela said softly. 

"I love you, Gabrijela." He replied, kissing her head. "You really are fine?" 

She hit his chest, "I'll tie your balls and never let you cum if you ask me that question again. Yes, I am fine, Cillian." She laughed. 

"Okay, okay. Just making sure." He said before they both fell into a comfortable silence. Neither one was tired, so they listened to his favourite tunes and talked about nonsense. 

[kayann9]

Walking Away Damien X F!MC

So.... This is definitely one I was never going to post. I never actually finished Perfect Match because I genuinely did not want it to end. I wrote this after about Chapter 6 of book 1. It’s third person so not my usual!

Damien X F!MC (Romance/ angst)

Words - 1678

Rating - T (a little bit of swearing)

He’d finished the case last month. Two women, worried about some odd pictures they were receiving, had strolled into his marginally bleak office with the hope that he would be the answer they were looking for seen as the police had done nothing. As he had thought at the time, it had been a stalker – an overzealous fan – declaring his love for Nadia in the most unromantic and warped ways he could have mustered. And that should have been the end of it all.

Should have.

As Damien straightened the folders on his desk he thought about texting an excuse; it wouldn’t be hard. He could tell Nadia he had a case. He could tell Nadia that. Giving an excuse to Izzy, he had found over the course of this investigation, had proven a little harder.

What else would I be doing? His brain argued. Drinking tequila and replaying the last year of my life perhaps? He wasn’t sure if his mind was trying to make a case for or against him going but mulling over his discharge from his last post was neither appealing nor fun.

His phone lit up as he turned off the light to his office.

At Shenanigans. Nads is late and there is a man in a top hat talking to me. Hurry it up Sherlock.

Damien snorted. Only her, he thought as he picked up the pace down the street.

Shenanigans, as anyone would assume for a Friday, was busy but there was Izzy, at the bar, wearing a tight smile as an obviously drunken man in a comedy top hat chattered at her. “Damien!” She jumped off the stool, the moment he walked through the day and gave an apologetic glance back to the man as she bounded away. “Thank god.”

“He seems like a catch.” Damien chuckled noting how the man kept looking her way even though she’d abruptly run off. He couldn’t blame the guy he guessed. He knew too well, way too well for a month and a half, that Izzy seemed to have that effect on people – men – without her really knowing it.

“You could say he has a certain lure,” she laughed at her own joke and even though Damien tried to roll his eyes, he couldn’t help the smirk that followed. “See, I can make you laugh! I caught that.”

This time Damien did roll his eyes.

“Whatever D, that moody mask isn’t fooling me.” She handed a beer to him and leaned on the bar. He didn’t know when she had started calling him D; it made a change from the fictional detectives she often referred to him as. He should have known at that point the line was getting blurred but part of him had relished in her saying it; it had aggravated him, annoyed him and it had caused his face to scowl, twist and frown. But she hadn’t been scared off. It hadn’t stopped her. She wasn’t taking the hint and part of him so desperately needed someone who wouldn’t take the hint.

They sipped their beer in comfortable silence.

Damien had noticed it happened when they were alone. Like the first time he’d been to their apartment and Nadia wasn’t home; Izzy had made him pizza while they waited and they’d made idle chatter about who they’d invite to dinner, living or dead, if they’d had the chance. He’d chosen Babe Ruth as one and that had led to a discussion about baseball and so on. But from there, he’d found her easy to be near – talking or not. She made no demands of him. She asked no heavy questions. Izzy only told bad jokes, discussed unimportant topics and was, much to his frustration, oddly difficult to read. The utter opposite of her cousin.

Damien got the bar tender’s attention and ordered the special.

He passed her the tequila. They clinked the little glass and threw the liquid down their throats.

“Ah, tequila. It won’t fix your life, but it’s worth a shot.” Izzy winked whilst Damien groaned.

“Are you having a competition with yourself to see how many awful puns you can fit into one social interaction?”

Tucking a loose, brown curl behind her ear, Izzy pulled her mouth into a smirk. “Actually, I’m having a competition with you and you are losing massively Poirot.”

Green eyes sparkled at him, the odd shade of green that he’d noticed when they’d first met only that time the emotion in them had been mired in worry and fear. Even then, they’d been noticeable and beautiful. He’d always found her attractive, even when he should have been concentrating on the job, but he couldn’t help it; chestnut hair sat just below her shoulders in waves, olive skin, only marked by a little scar above her left eye where she’d been pecked by a rooster as a child. Of course, he would find her attractive and despite his best efforts to ignore it, he still did. Only now, he’d decided he quite liked her company too. The problem was, every other man in this building probably felt the same way; just so the universe could taunt him a little more.

This is the last time I’m coming out, he promised himself as he drank her in. I can’t do this.

“So, you’ve started without me. What a surprise!” Nadia flicked a strand of hair over a delicate shoulder and muscled in between them.

Izzy rolled her eyes and bit her bottom lip. “Consider it compensation for your lateness. I had to talk to that guy.” Her head nodded in the direction of the comedy hat guy who was now shirtless and singing ‘Mull of Kintyre’ as loud as he could.  All three of them winced. “I needed that tequila.”

Nadia shook her head. “And what’s your excuse?” She looked at Damien.

“I was the bringer of tequila. And, I had to endure a hug. We all know how I feel about bodily contact.” He raised his eyebrows at his own lie before drinking his beer. He didn’t like hugs – apart from Izzy. The first time she’d hugged him, after they’d gotten drunk when the creeper had been caught, he’d panicked, maybe even tried to squirm out of it, but the second her head had rested on his chest his body had betrayed him. It had made his heart race. His arms had involuntarily clamped around her. His fingers had stroked the ends of her hair. And he had hated himself afterwards. Yet, every time she said farewell to him, she did so with a quick hug and he had not yet refused it.

“Yeah, D. I’m sure it was agony.” Nadia raised an eyebrow at him, thankfully, Izzy was distracted by the louts on the other side of the bar. Still, he froze. She knows. How does she know? He knew from the way her mouth lifted into a smirk, just on one side and how her arms folded over her chest. It told him: I’m onto you.

“What’s the plan? I am getting bad vibes in here. Like, any second Lord of the Dance is coming on and it’s all going to Hell.” Izzy’s questions shattered the unspoken conversation between them both. She noticed the look they shared and for a split second wondered what was going on.

Nadia swirled the wine around the glass. “There’s a dive bar over the road.” Her shoulders shrugged. They both looked at Damien.

He knew that bar. It had been one that he’d frequented when he’d gotten back. The one where he’d drunk until he’d almost passed out and where he’d taken home two of the barmaids (on separate occasions) and then he’d worn out his welcome. No. I can’t go in there. He breathed in deeply. This is the last time I come out. It has to be.

“I suppose this is where I leave you both.” He smiled. This time it was warm and even though Nadia heard his words, Izzy heard much more than that when she looked at his face.

“Oh, Damien, we can just go somewhere else.” Nadia started but Izzy knew better.

“I should go, seriously, I have a meeting early.”

“On a Saturday?” Nadia started.

“Nads, to be fair, you do owe me a girl’s night.” Izzy spoke, a light smile on her face and a grateful one on Damien’s. She gave him a silent welcome. Nadia’s gaze dropped back to Izzy and just like that she agreed.

As they were about to leave, Nadia left for the restroom apparently not trusting the ones at a place called the Lord Drake.

“So,” Izzy started and shoved her hands in her pockets.

Damien took in a deep breath knowing that he wouldn’t see her again. Or he’d be trying not to.

“I’ll see you around, Inspector Gadget.” Izzy chuckled and despite his best effort so did he. Just when he was about to speak, Izzy stepped forwards and wrapped her arms around his torso. His breath hitched. Even though his brain was screaming at him to stay rational, logical and sent reminders to the forefront of his brain about the last time work and professionalism became mingled, it didn’t stop him from resting his chin on her head and breathing in the scent of flowers that came from her hair. He stayed there a minute, maybe a little more. “I thought you didn’t like bodily contact.”

“Hardy Har.” He broke the hold but her hand stayed on his forearm.

“I’m giving you a pass this time. But don’t think you’ve seen the last of me Nazario. I’m persistent.” She whispered just as Nadia walked back towards them.

“I thought you didn’t do bo-”

“She already beat you to the joke Nadia.” Damien smirked when she huffed and crossed her arms.

“Fine. We’ll see you later D. Enjoy brooding.” She laughed before skipping off.

Izzy followed before turning on her heel. “Remember, one ‘get out of jail free’ card. And you just used it.”

Shit. His brain hummed. Shit, indeed.

[saemi-the-writer]

The green-eyed monster: jealousy

Fandom: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Pairing: Utterson/Jekyll and Utterson/Hyde Warning: None, attempt at humour maybe?

I was inspired by one of @melodiouswhite post, I hope she and the anon who requested it will like it! Lady Summers (only mentioned here) is her (lovely) OC. One of the scene mentioned by Lanyon was heavily inspired by @kurakuradon post here .

Summary: Jekyll and Lanyon both get ridiculously jealous over Utterson.

[EDIT: I corrected some mistakes and finished a sentence -I have no idea why it stopped at “surely” ?? If you spot more mistakes, don’t hesitate to tell me! ]

Enjoy!

“But jealous souls will not be answered so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they are jealous: ‘tis a monster begot upon itself, born on itself.” (Shakespeare, “Othello”)

Lanyon sighed contently after taking a sip of his tea; it had been a long day at his hospital, and he was grateful now for the peace of his home. The physician leaned back in his armchair and relaxed, he was finally taking another sip of his drink when someone barged into the room.

“HASTIE!!” Jekyll’s voice teared up the silence. “GABRIEL IS CHEATING ON US!!”

Lanyon coughed his tea up.

“Why don’t you scream louder? I think the neighbourhood did not hear you well!” the hoary surgeon growled at his friend, after his coughing calmed down.

Said friend had the grace to slap a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening in realization of his outburst and blushed. Lanyon rolled his eyes and waved impatiently at him, offering him crossly to sit down. Jekyll silently did in the armchair facing him. The blonde doctor had not even taken his coat off, and his hair were messy (well, messier than their usual, flawless state).

“Now.” Lanyon put his cup down and crossed his arms. “Would you mind explaining yourself?”

Jekyll pressed his lips together before answering.

“Gabriel has refused my invitation to dinner next Friday for another’s!”

“…well, that’s a pity, he will be missed.” Lanyon stated slowly, as if he was speaking to a child. “And?”

“Stop mocking me, Hastie!” the other doctor snapped, blushing in shame. “You don’t understand!”

“No, indeed, I don’t!” Lanyon rolled his eyes. “I don’t understand how you can leap from being disappointed that Utterson will not join us for dinner to accusing him of cheating! And, by the way, why did you include me in this?! ‘Cheating on us’?”

Jekyll’s face was now entirely red. The beardless physician joined his hands before him while taking a deep breath in; Lanyon only raised an eyebrow.

“Let me just start all over again.” Jekyll insisted calmly, if somewhat drily.

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

--Less than an hour ago—

“Oh, Utterson, before I go” Jekyll turned back to the lawyer. “I will host a dinner next Friday; would you join us? Dr Lanyon will be there too.”

Jekyll wished he could have asked his lover less formally; but they were in his office, the client waiting outside could overhear them. It had been a while since they could spend time together, their respective professions had kept them busy, and the doctor was hoping to have the pleasure to welcome him for the evening -and the night if the opportunity arise!

“Next Friday? Oh, I’m sorry but I cannot.” despite his even tone, he could tell by looking in Utterson’s eyes that he was truly sorry.

“Oh, busy evening?” the doctor did his best not to look too disappointed, but he could not help asking.

“I have already been invited.” Utterson answered, walking to his side. “By Mr Guest.”

Jekyll bit the inside of his cheek not to add anything about it, his alter-ego was complaining for them both inside his head; and settled for a soft “I will miss you then” … until Utterson opened the door for him.

The man waiting outside was unknown to him.

“Ah, good afternoon Mr Guest!” Jekyll immediately spotted the discreet pleased smile on Utterson’s face.

Mr Guest rose from his seat and greeted him back in a similar manner; a hidden warm friendliness lingered under the professional, polite tone they used.

“Dr Jekyll, this is Mr Guest.” the lawyer introduced him. “Mr Guest, please meet Dr Jekyll.”

“Oh, I finally meet you!” the brown-haired clerk extended a hand, that Jekyll shook out of politeness. “Utterson told me a lot about you. It is a pleasure.”

“The pleasure is mine.” the smile on Jekyll’s face was the masked one which he had practiced keeping for countless years. “I do hope we will get the chance to become better acquainted. I wish you both a good day.”

After a last, polite, bow Jekyll was outside. He could not even tell whose voice between his and Hyde’s was ranting right now.

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

“And?” Lanyon inquired again, looking even more annoyed.

“Gabriel choose to spend the evening with him instead of us, and that’s all you got to say?!”

“Oh dear… Henry, could you please stop?! You have no right to be mad or jealous for that! Gabriel has other friends besides us, deal with it! And do not bring me into this!”

“I’m not-“Jekyll stood from his seat, clenching his hands into fits. “Alright, yes, I am jealous but not only because Gabriel is my lover! You did not see them! They have so many things in common, and Mr Guest is… it was like I was gently left out! You have no idea how it felt!”

“You are just being dramatic!”

Lanyon regretted his outburst when he saw his friend’s eyes were shining with unshed tears. A small sigh escaped his lips.

“I think some fresh air will be good for us.”

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

“That’s what I said, you are being jealous.” Lanyon pointed out after Jekyll described Mr Guest as “good-looking”.

“It’s not just that!” Jekyll moaned, wiping his face with his already wet handkerchief. “I don’t- I don’t even know why I am feeling so betrayed! But seeing Gabriel so at ease with someone else than us, someone of his family or Lady Summers…”

The surgeon sighed again and rubbed the other’s back; after a while, he offered him his own handkerchief. The two were currently sitting on a bench out of sight, in Hyde Park (the irony…).

“Speaking of Lady Summers, when is your next session with her?” he asked. “I think she would be a better help for this than I am.”

“In three days, I think.” Jekyll sniffed, accepting the dry handkerchief but not using it yet.

Lanyon noticed two persons were walking close to their position, so he gestured to his friend to keep it down; then placed himself in front of him, to hide him from prying eyes.

He blinked in surprise when he recognized one of the two gentlemen. It was Utterson.

“It’s him.”

Lanyon glanced back at Jekyll -who was biting his handkerchief in frustration- before reporting his attention on their friend.

Utterson had not seen them, he was engaged in talk with his other friend -Mr Guest, he forced himself to recall. One would think the two were talking about business, but Lanyon knew Utterson since they were boys; the latter was chatting passionately about something -he had no idea what- and was obviously exchanging some jests with the other. Yes, obviously to him, he could see the way Utterson’s eyes shone in delight and his -oh- so discreet smile. Mr Guest wore a similar expression, surely enjoying the moment as much as the lawyer.

…

There was something. He could not put his finger on it.

It was like the two were walking in their own bubble and one could not even imagine joining them…

…

Why do I feel so betrayed?!

“Hastie?”

“Jekyll, give me back my handkerchief!!” Lanyon sobbed.

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

The two doctors were back together in Lanyon’s lounge, a bottle of wine -already half empty- between them.

“Do you think he felt like that, when we were always discussing medicine, chemistry or anything science related in front of him?” Jekyll asked sadly as he refilled his glass.

“Maybe… I realize none of us really asked him about it.” Lanyon was staring at his. “One of the only times he actually snapped at us was the night we were arguing, while he was trying to study. And he did not complain about the subject, just the fact that we were too loud…”

They both drank half of their glasses and sighed at the same time.

“I guess it’s only fair he has a friend who shares the same passions.” Lanyon said as a matter of fact.

“I know about laws and go to the theatre too!” Jekyll objected, glaring at his friend.

“Yes, but you are not passionate about either of them.” the bearded doctor noted, taking a new sip. “Nor am I. And who said those are the main subjects of their discussions?”

“What do you think they talk about, then?”

Lanyon was staring into space, so he did not notice how Jekyll’s brown eyes were slowly turning red, and not because he had cried earlier.

“How do I know?” he answered with a shrug. “But I must confess, Henry, that I misjudged your reaction back there… or I realize I am more jealous than I thought I was. Gabriel is a dear friend to me; I should be happy to see him like that and yet…”

“What does he have that we don’t?” Jekyll’s voice was becoming hoarse, it snapped the white-haired doctor out of his sad reverie.

When he turned to look at his friend, the transformation had already started.

“Wait, Henry!” he bounced back on his feet and rushed to seize him by the shoulders. “Calm down!”

Too late.

Jekyll’s frame shrank and became thinner while his skin paled; his short, light blonde hair grew in an accelerated manner and darkened into a jet-black shade. Hyde was now glaring at him.

“I will not allow it!” he hissed, pushing Lanyon out of his way.

The doctor knew best than try and hold him back, he watched the smaller man rolling up his now too long sleeves as he stomped out, his beastly growl resonating in the room.

Some strange thoughts occurred him while he hurried to his office, such as “had I witnessed this transformation in other circumstances, I would have died from the shock” or “good for him that the size difference is not that big, it would have been awkward!”. Once he reached the room, he rushed to the phone and prayed God to bless whoever created this marvellous device.

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

“I knew he was vexed, but that much.” Utterson tutted. “Thank you for calling, Hastie. I think it is time we discussed it. (…) Yes, don’t worry. Oh, and would you join me for tea this Sunday? (…) That would be lovely. Thank you again, and don’t worry my friend. Everything should be fine.”

Utterson sighed as he hung up. Some people rejoiced at their lover’s jealousy, finding it flattering or seeing it as a proof of love; but he was not one of them. While he had to confess that Hastie’s jealousy (the latter had been very ashamed when he told him) had pleasantly surprised him, he did not want it to become a habit. Nor for Jekyll and Hyde.

Now, he had to prepare himself to welcome an enraged “guest”.

If Jekyll or Hyde wanted to play Othello to him, Desdemona would not suffer her tragic, usual fate tonight!