#he is incredibly hungover and regretting his choices

[kaijiang-irl]

ugh my head-

oh

@nyajiang-irl @colebrookstone-irl

[vivwritesfics]

No Need To Ask

Chapter Eight - The Wedding

The Norris' were a notorious crime family in the UK. One of many. With Norris, the head of the family, running operations with his son, Lando, they work to keep Y/N Norris, Norris' daughter protected. Life in a crime family wasn't something they wanted for her.

But with tension with one of the Spanish crime families rise, Norris and his now deceased wife come up with only one plan, offer their daughter to the Sainz's or risk an all out war.

2.1K words

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

It was the night before the wedding and Y/N was crying into her pillow. It was a mixture of fear and regret. Oscar had been trying his best to comfort her but he’d suddenly disappeared, walking out of the room without a word.

Y/N cried just a little bit harder when Oscar disappeared. He didn’t come back right away, making Y/N feel worse.

And then there was a knock on the door. Y/N didn’t want to answer it at first. She kept quiet, stopping her crying in hopes that the person would go away. “Y/N, it’s me,” came a familiar voice in a loud enough whisper that Y/N could hear him. “My arms are full, can you let me in?”

Y/N jumped up from her bed. She wiped away her tears and pulled open her bedroom door, allowing Oscar to walk back into the room. Oscar hurried in, his arms full of… beer. He dumped the beer onto the bed, careful not to smash the bottle together.

“Oscar, what the hell are you doing?” Y/N asked through a strained laugh.

Oscar picked up one of the beers and pulled a bottle opener from his pocket. “You’re getting married tomorrow so we’re going to have a bit of fun with your last few hours as a single woman.” He passed Y/N the open beer and opened one for himself.

They clinked their glasses together and Oscar put his phone on the dresser as it played music.

Y/N and Oscar got incredibly drunk that night. They danced around the room, spinning each other and busting out their most embarrassing moves. Y/N and Oscar stood on top of her bed, drunkenly trying to recreate the scene from The Breakfast Club. It had them falling on top of each other in fits of laughter.

When they woke up in the morning glass bottles littered the floor. The rug in front of her bed was stained with beer and Oscar was laying beside her, fully clothed. They both were, still fully dressed.

As soon as Y/N opened her eyes she had a pounding headache. Maybe it was the curtains that were still open, maybe it was the pounding at the door.

Oh shit, the pounding at the door. “Despierta, niña estúpida!” Came Mrs Sainz voice.

Y/N was out of bed in an instant. She grabbed a hold of Oscar’s jacket, shaking him awake. “Oscar, get up!” She hissed, dragging him out of the bed.

A groggy Oscar woke up. “Hey,” he said slowly, trying his best not to trip over bottles as he moved to the other side of the room.

“Straighten up and try to pretend you haven’t spent the night in here, okay?”

Oscar nodded. He tucked in his shirt, straightened up his tie and sat at the vanity. He gave Y/N a quick thumbs up and she pulled open the door.

“You are late! Late to your own wedding!” Shouted Mrs Sainz as she pulled Y/N out of the room. Y/N went willingly, but she didn’t have much of a choice. “You smell like alcohol and you look like shit,” she said as she pushed Y/N into the bathroom. “Wash up and sort yourself out,” she commanded. And pulled the door shut, trapping Y/N in there alone.

She looked in the mirror. It only showed a view of herself from the shoulders up. She really did look like shit, tired and clearly hungover. She blinked slowly and ran her hands through her knotted hair, trying to somehow brush through it.

Slowly, Y/N took off her clothes. Her head was still pounding, still in so much pain, as she peeled off her beer-stained shirt. It reeked, so much that she was heaving into the toilet.

It took her a good minute to get the shower running. She waited for the steam to start forming before she climbed in.

The water was scolding. It had Y/N jumping away and eagerly reaching for the cold tap. Before she knew it, the water was freezing. It took her several attempts to get it just right.

Y/N stood under the water far longer than she should have. She soaked it in (literally), the feeling of the water on her skin. It was wonderful, but the heat wasn’t making her head any better.

She took her time rubbing the shampoo into her scalp. While she was running the loofa over her body, there was a knock on the door. “Hurry up!” Shouted Mrs Sainz. “Don’t get pruney!”

Y/N rushed the rest of her shower. She turned off the water and climbed out, wrapping the towel around her body. Gathering up her clothes Y/N held them tight to her chest as she pulled open the bathroom door, coming face to face with Mrs Sainz.

There was nothing more humiliating than being forced to walk down to the parlour in nothing but a towel. Mrs Sainz passed Y/N’s dirty clothes to a maid and pushed open the door to the parlour, letting her inside.

The curtains had been pulled closed, including the one in front of the door. There were people already inside of the parlour, a team ready to do Y/N’s hair and makeup. A dress was hanging up on the back of the door, one that Y/N had tried on yesterday.

The bodice was tightfitting, with the soft, tulle skirt looser. The entirety of the dress had white floral patterns sewn into it, vines and leaves going around the bottom of the skirt and trailing up to the bodice. There seemed to be no sleeves, but they were there, the only parts visible being the floral patterns that would trail down her arms.

“Sit,” commanded Mrs Sainz.

Y/N sat, still clutching the towel as a team women set about doing her hair. They dried her hair and brushed through it, styling it intricately (I don’t want to properly describe the hair here, so this one is for your imagination).

Y/N was in there for a good hour while her hair was being done. Mrs Sainz had disappeared while Y/N was sat there, reappearing shortly with a glass of water and two white tablets. “For the hangover,” she said, almost kindly.

Gratefully, Y/N took the tablets and swallowed them along with the water. She sat patiently, quietly as the makeup team set to work.

And then it was time for Y/N to get changed into her dress. She stood, covering herself up as her towel was taken away. The same team of ladies helped her into the dress, zipping up the back.

Y/N sat at the vanity, staring at herself. She looked beautiful, she couldn’t deny. Y/N only ever thought she’d look like this one the day she’d marry the man she loved. But instead, she was marrying for business. “Here,” came Mrs Sainz voice.

Turning around, Y/N saw her holding out a box. Inside of the box was a pair of delicate earrings, shaped like small, dangling vines with a gorgeous stone on the end of each of them. “Wow,” she whispered, her fingers gently touching the velvet box. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“This is not a marriage of love, but maybe one day it will be,” said Mrs Sainz, finally showing some compassion. “If I had the choice, my son would be marrying for love, but that isn’t how things would in our world. I hope for my son’s sake that you can find it in yourself to love him.”

“Thank you,” muttered Y/N. “I hope so too.”

Y/N waited in the parlour as guests arrived at the church. Carlos was already there, talking to the other sons in mafia families. He spoke to Charles, whose brother Lorenzo was currently the head of the family, and Max, whose father was a ruthless tyrant. Max wasn’t though. He’d been forced to grow up too soon and was now letting his childish side out while he could, before he had to take over the Verstappen family.

After an hour of waiting, Carlos’ giggling sisters came into the parlour. They said something to their mother in Spanish, who subsequently turned to Y/N. “The car has arrived,” she said.

This was it. She was getting married.

But then Y/N remembered something. “What about Oscar?” She asked suddenly, looking back towards the stairs as she was escorted out of the parlour, holding up her skirts.

Mrs Sainz cleared her throat. “Your… friend will not be joining us for the ceremony,” she said.

“But-”

“He may join us at the reception,” she said and pushed Y/N along, towards the front of the house.

With her heart beating erratically, Y/N sat in the white car. She watched as the Spanish countryside passed as they headed towards the church. The church where Carlos was waiting. The church where her brother was. The church where Oscar wasn’t.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry.

Before Y/N knew it they had pulled up to the church. It was beautifully decorated, with two thick rows of white flowers starting at the door and running along the pews. The church was huge, with large stained-glass windows depicting religious scenes. The stained-glass windows didn’t allow for much light into the church, so large candles, dripping with wax were in every free space.

And Carlos. Y/N could just see him at the altar. He wore a simple black suit and what looked like a bowtie, but she couldn’t tell from this distance.

Lando stood outside of the church. He waited for Y/N to climb out of the car, a sad smile on his face. “Hey there, Y/N,” he said softly.

Y/N ran to her brother. She couldn’t stop herself. She’d been missing him like crazy while in Spain, it felt unreal to have him there with her. “I’m so happy you’re here,” she mumbled, trying not to press her face into his shoulder, trying her best not to mess up her makeup.

“Where’s Oscar?” He asked, looking behind her. He’d expected to see the Australian climbing out of the car after her. But the car was empty and no sign of Oscar. If anything had happened to him, Mark was going to kill him.

But Y/N didn’t get a chance to answer. Mrs Sainz cleared her throat and, almost like it was a cue, the organ started up. “Ready?” Asked Lando as he looped his arm through Y/N’s.

Mrs Sainz rushed forward to take her seat beside her husband. Carlos’ sisters took their place in front of them, giggling to themselves about something Y/N couldn’t understand as they walked forward.

The moment they took their first step, that was it. That was the beginning of Y/N’s wedding. She looked at her brother, but he couldn’t look at her, focused forward as they began walking.

The organ grew louder as they walked further and further into the church. Y/N could feel eyes on her as she took slow, small steps, trying to delay the inevitable. “You got this this,” Lando whispered to her. “You can do this.”

But Y/N couldn’t reply. If she tried, she could have choked up and broke down in the middle of the church.

Before they knew it, Y/N was at the altar. Lando went to let go of her, but Y/N held tight. “Please, no,” she squeaked, but Lando pulled away from her and took his seat with the few men he was allowed to bring. Lewis Hamilton, who sat behind him, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as the ceremony began.

The ceremony was in Spanish. Y/N had no idea what was being said, but she kept her focus on Carlos. Undeniably handsome Carlos. The man she was going to spend the rest of her life with. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, she thought as she looked into his brown eyes.

Y/N didn’t know when she was supposed to say ‘I do’, and it had her heart racing. But she found herself looking to Carlos for some sort of cue. He said his part, and then prompted Y/N, quietly translating what the priest was saying. “Do you, Y/N, take Carlos to be your wedded husband,” he said quietly, keeping his gaze on her. “To cherish in friendship and love today, for as long as you both shall live. To honour him, comfort him and to keep him for better or worse, for richer or poor, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?” He recited.

Y/N used the small translation Mrs Sainz had taught her. “Si Quiero,” she answered almost timidly.

It was as simple as that. She was a married woman.

Taglist (open): @multi-universe21 @formulas-bitch @gills-lounge @weasleyswizarding-wheezes @carlossainzwho @f1lov3r @samaib11 @charli123456789 @queenofmanydreams @ironmaiden1313 @vellicora @glitterf1 @80sloverry @lightdragonrayne @moonayu @bellsalabanccini @topguncultleader @handsupforamiracle @cmleitora @ashy-kit @jenniferrvsesi @barcelonaloverf1life @sbella13 @nicolettecallednikki @darleneslane @thehufflepuffavenger1

[whereisten]

No Overnight Stays (m)

Summary: you’re an escort assigned to a different man for each day of the week. The rules are simple and strict, the money is grand, and simply put, you enjoy your job. But what happens when you start to develop feelings for one—or maybe two—of your clients?

Pairing: Female reader x Mark (x Jaehyun)

Genre: sugar baby!reader, smuttttt, a little fluff and a dash of angst :/ sorry, love triangle

Warnings: alcohol use, cursing, descriptive smut (breast fondling, fingering, oral sex (m and f receiving), cockwarming, slight somnophilia, facial, threesome, cream pie, impregnation kink, dirty talk, sir kink, hair pulling and spanking, double penetration, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, unprotected sex (be safe tho!), rough sex) I hope that’s it lmaooo

Word Count: 5.5K

————-

A man for every day of the week. That was your agreement with your escort agency. They’d set up your schedule so that you’d “belong” to one man for a specific day of the week. 

Some days you’d have sex with them, some days you were just their company or a place for them to go when they got tired of their spouses.

But either way, you were paid very handsomely for your services. All you had to do was have your phone on and make sure you were available to provide the services asked of you within the hour. They all had keys to your apartment, so they could let themselves in and wait if you weren’t there.

It was easy and luckily for you, the men you dealt with were all young business men that respected you. Some were rough and demanding, some were soft and shy, but they all made sure you were comfortable with their requests and granted you a safe word. Furthermore, the agency provided you with emergency buttons for you to place in every room, just in case one of your clients got out of hand.

Tonight, you had just finished up with Yuta, an incredibly handsome man that was away from his wife back home in Japan for a 6 month job venture. A pal of his suggested the agency to him so that his needs would be satisfied while he was away from home and based on his preferences and desires, you were his top choice.

He was kind and careful, whispering sweet words into your ear as he fingered you and got you ready. He treated you like you were his wife, and you often felt your face become warm. But when he was inside you, he pushed deep and hard, making sure his hips met with your ass as he bent you over the table.

“Ahh fuck..” he curses while releasing himself into you and tugging on your hair harshly.

He pants and pulls himself out, watching as his cum mixed with yours leaks down your shaking legs.

“Did you eat?” He asks, zipping his pants as he watches you pull your panties back up.

“No not yet, but I have some leftover spaghetti that is calling my name.”

You move your hair out of your face.

“I can grab something for you before I leave..what would you like?” Yuta shimmies his jacket onto his toned body.

He was always sweet like this, unlike some men that just left.

“Ohh—Hmm...there’s a place—“ you started but his phone interrupted you.

“Oh..I’m sorry..it’s her..” He looks up at you slowly and you can see the regret fall on his face. He really loved his wife, he couldn’t help but feel guilty sometimes.

“I-I have to go.”

He turns to leave and you walk behind him to lock the door.

“Hey hun! I just left work!” His voice echoes in the hallway.

You sigh and walk to your bathroom with a slight limp. Yuta always stretched you out and left you aching slightly, but you knew it was something a little warm water would fix.

While you stood under the hot water like a sinner bathing in hell, you thought about your life. Were you really happy? Sure, the easy money you made and the “free” upscale apartment you lived in were amazing. How could you ask for more?

Well that’s just the thing, your heart didn’t care about these material things sometimes, it wanted a person. Someone that would love you, really love you. However, with a lifestyle like this, how could you expect to find a partner that would be okay with it? How could you devote time to them?

You shook your head and stepped out of the grand shower.

You poured yourself some wine and sat by yourself on the couch. It was a typical night for you. When all the fun was over, you were alone.

———

[The Next Day]

You went grocery shopping when Mark dinged you on the agency’s app. He’d be at your apartment soon so you needed to wrap things up and get back.

Mark was possibly your favorite client. The young single man was very gentle and always asked what you wanted to do. Of course, he knew that he wanted to have sex and that’s what he paid for, but he didn’t feel comfortable with handling your arranged situation that way.

Some days you’d just watch a few movies or go for coffee together. Some days he’d show you new restaurants or museums while you hung onto his arm like an actual girlfriend. He wasn’t afraid to bring you with him anywhere because the truth was that he wanted you to be his...and not just in the sexual or physical way. He wanted to date you.

Having been so consumed with work all the time, he found that you were one of the few things that made him relax and be happy, he could experience life with you and he was incredibly thankful for that.

“Hey Mark!” You struggle to get into your apartment with both arms filled with bags.

“Oh, let me get that for you.” He rushes over from the dining table and to the door to help you in.

After settling all of the bags onto the table, he chuckles. “So I take it you don’t like making two trips?”

You giggle and shake your head. “No..absolutely not. I don’t wanna waste precious time that I could be spending with you.” You teased him and stepped closer.

You held out your arm and flexed it, embarrassingly enough, no muscles showed through. “Plus, can’t you see how strong I am?”

Mark laughs out and leans forward to kiss you.

He holds your face in his hands like you were made of glass, gently caressing your cheeks as your tongue dances with his.

Your arms wrap around his waist so you feel his warm chest on yours. Your eyes shut immediately and you smelled his fresh cologne, like cotton.

He pulls away, kissing your forehead as you regain your steady breathing.

“What do you want to do today?”

Your heart races at his question. You wanted to cuddle, to just be with someone and feel loved. But that would be pushing the terms and conditions.

You search your apartment to avoid his gaze, but he knew you were deep in thought, his kiss had sent your mind into a wild frenzy. What did it mean when an escort was affected by such measly things? 

“Come on..don’t think too hard now, tell me what’s the first thing that came into your mind?” Mark leans forward to whisper low into your ear. His voice, deep and husky, makes you even more confused.

You finally look up at him and sigh. “Ahh Mark, you make me feel..” You shake your head.

Were you about to be honest with him and tell him about your growing crush?

His eyes grow and a smile creeps across his face.

“Like sleeping..” You look down again, never seeing his face fall.

“Oh, dude..am I that boring?”

You chuckle and look back up at him to see the genuine hurt in his eyes.

You shake your head and press your hand onto his chest. “No-No, you’re not..it’s just..”

“Y/n...why do you keep looking at me like that?” Mark knew there was something else you wanted, he could see the doubt in your eyes, the internal struggle you faced was coming to the surface. He also knew you drank the night before based on the empty bottle of wine in the living room.

“I-I don’t know,” You chuckle and step away from him. “Maybe I’m still a little hungover. I’m sorry.”

You start to take your things out of your bags. “Help me out, will you?” You pout.

Mark chuckles and takes the bread out of the bag. “I can’t believe I’m paying for this.”

You shrug your shoulders. “You’re the one that asked me what I want to do.”

He sighs. “Okay, touché. But after this, we’ll cuddle and sleep since you’re tired and/or hungover.”

Yeah, it was 6 in the evening, but Mark was just happy to be with you.

“Sounds good.”

After you put everything away, you took Mark to your room and sat him down on the bed.

You took his hoodie off over his head, ruffling his hair in the process. You ran your fingers through it, watching as his wide eyes gazed up at you like you were an angel.

He places both hands on either side of your waist, watching as you unbutton your cardigan in front of him slowly. Mark grows hotter and hotter with each button coming undone, a slight sliver of your beautiful, soft skin growing into your naked chest drives him crazy.

“God, you’re beautiful.”

He licks his lips, tightening his grip on your waist as he brings you down onto his lap. He wastes no time, latching into your nipple and sucking it. His tongue flicks across the nub while your hands run through his scalp, causing a low groan to escape his body.

He aches for you, his member strains against his sweatpants. You feel it press onto your jeans as you also get hot. With the way Mark’s spit coats your breasts, you’re sure you’d be showing through your jeans how aroused you are soon enough.

Your room becomes steamy suddenly, the two of you filling it with moans and whimpers as he massages your breasts.

“B-baby..I want you..” You whine and grind down onto him. 

Mark loves when you call him that while begging for more.

He places you down onto the bed, helping you take your jeans off as your mouth falls open.

He drags your panties down your legs slowly, teasingly.

“Baby..please..”

“I thought you wanted to sleep?” He raises an eyebrow as he pries your legs open and moves his face to the space created.

He focuses on your heat, licking his lips when he sees how wet you are already.

“Yeah..but..” your sentence is cut short when he licks a long stripe along your entrance.

“Mark!” You yelp as his tongue surprises you.

He kisses the inner skin of your thigh while still gripping the crooks of your knees. “Yes, sweetheart. Do you want me to stop? Does the little baby want to sleep?”

He asks with a mocking tone, but not without brushing two digits over your clit. You gasp and flinch under him.

“You’re so cruel..” 

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll just fuck you to sleep if that’s what you want.”

He says before pushing his fingers in harder, finding that fleshy spot instantly as your legs widen more. He kisses your bud while looking up at you through dark eyes.

“Am I the best one?” He asks innocently, fingers still pumping in and out of your soaking entrance.

“Y-yes..” you immediately answer without thinking, your mind solely focused on the building tension in your stomach.

He moves his head up and down as he licks your clit. He just needs to apply a bit more pressure and you’ll be in the clouds.

You intertwine your fingers with locks of his luscious brown hair and arch your back.

“More baby, please.”

“Oh look at you begging..” he breathes against your aching pussy.

He fingers pump harder and caress that one spot that he knows will have you reeling in just a few minutes.

“You know..I think you should just be mine..will you be mine?”

He says in between kisses on your clit.

And you’re so close, all you can do is nod and whimper.

You lick your lips while looking at the gorgeous man in between your legs. He locks eyes with you as his tongue works wonders on your core when combined with his fingers.

You clench around him from the sight. He chuckles and cracks a smile at how easily you fall apart. But he doesn’t let you experience the so desperately needed orgasm you need. He withdraws his fingers, a pop echoes into the room. 

“Mark?!” You cry out at the sudden emptiness.

Mark mimics your pout and hovers over you.

“Why don’t you answer my question first?”

You caress his face and lick your lips. “Can we talk about this later?”

He shakes his head. “It’s a simple question, y/n. I know you feel it too.”

He was right, you did feel a connection with him, but you couldn’t let him know that. You could lose your job.

“Mark..” you whisper low as you bring his face closer to yours. You lock eyes with him, your gaze shifting from an innocent one to one that is filled with lust and fire.

“The only thing I want to feel right now is your cock..I just want to feel it so deep in my silky, wet pussy.”

He swallows hard as you push your body up slightly to rub your entrance against his crotch.

“Come on, baby..fill me up...I won’t let a single drop escape”

Mark can’t take your lustful words any longer. He pushes his prior thoughts to the side and focuses on easing his painfully hard cock.

He immediately pushes his waistband down and looks into your eyes as he pushes into you. You moan as you feel completely satisfied by his long and girthy cock filling you up and touching all parts of your velvety walls instantly.

He watches your head fall into the pillow behind you and kisses your neck.

“God..I hate the way you make me so fucking horny that I forget what I was even asking..”

It was a lie, Mark knew exactly what he was asking, but decided to push it away since you wouldn’t give in to him.

He rarely cursed when he was with you, a part of you felt that you had awoken something deep within him so you decided to push him along further. He thrusts into you slowly and gently like he usually did. Mark was your typical vanilla sex partner and it made for a great balance to the opposite partners you had. But you wanted to see just how riled up he could get.

“Oh, Mark, just yesterday another man fucked me until I couldn’t walk..how can I be yours if you can’t compete with men like that?”

You hold his face in your hand and look into his eyes.

He chuckles and pushes into you hard and sudden.

“If that’s what you want, Princess, that’s all you have to say..you know I can do whatever you ask.”

“Be rough with me, make me yours..baby.”

He presses your knees far apart and lifts himself up from your chest.

He slides in and out of you hard, watching as your breasts move up and down from his thrusts.

“You’re the perfect fit for me."

He tilts his head to the side and goes deeper.

His cock curves into you at the perfect angle, making you clench and arch your back more.

You’re sprawled out under him, your knees to your chest as you bite your bottom lip and feel that tension build again.

He runs a hand down your warm chest and stomach, his fingers draw circles onto your skin, causing small fires to dance across it. The pads of his fingertips then lift the skin above your pussy, exposing your clit to him.

He taps it gently and hums to himself. “So pretty..”

He thrusts into you hard as you squeal.

His other hand finds your throat and grips it.

“Gonna fuck you to sleep just like you asked..but then..I won’t leave..I’ll stay inside your pretty pussy since it’s mine..and I’ll fuck it again in the morning...since it’s mine.”

Mark wasn’t asking anymore. He was going to make you his. And as much as you wanted that to happen, you were nervous as you had a job to fulfill. If he stayed over and into the next morning, he’d be cutting into your other client’s day. You could be caught with him and receive a complaint for breaking the “no overnight stays” rule.

“I’m so close..” You run your hands down his abs and watch as he pounds into you from above. He pants heavily, his palm feels sweaty around your throat.

“Can’t wait to cum deep inside you..nothing will leak out..Isn’t that right, baby?” His fingertips move faster into your clit. Mark was always great at finding your sweet spots and it was because he truly cared about your pleasure.

You nod and clench around him again, feeling the head of his cock twitch.

His movement stutters from the action, he falls forward as his grip on your neck tightens.

He cums into your body, filling you to the brim with everything he has. 

You climax as well, scratching into his back as you arch into him more. Your eyes roll into the back of your head as you curse.

That was the first of many climaxes for that night. You’d take breaks in between, but soon Mark was eating you out or fingering you until your nails dug into his back and you cried out his name loud enough for the neighbors to hear. 

He wasn’t letting up on his promise to make you his, as each orgasm was intense and left you feeling dizzy. He was unlike any partner you had, making sure to care for your needs more than he did for his. He never even asked that you kiss him anywhere else but his mouth. 

Mark releases your throat and lays on top of your sweaty body as you both climax one last time.

“You really aren’t leaving, are you?”

“I meant what I said. You’re mine.”

A brief moment of silence rests between the two of you as you massage his scalp.

“I mean, I can leave if you want me to..”

He looks up at you with round, doe eyes and your heart breaks.

“No—no..stay..” Sleep takes you over suddenly.

He watches your cute face and smiles. “Mind if I wake you up in the best way possible?” 

You chuckle with your eyes closed.

“And how will you do that?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see..”

He lays back down and falls asleep on your chest.

———

[The Next Morning]

It’s the afternoon of the next day when Mark wakes up before you do and finds his cock engulfed in your pussy still.

He swallows hard, immediately feeling himself grow when he sees your eyes closed as you pout your lips and breathe heavily.

“Y/n..” He whispers, but your eyes don’t open yet.

“Y/n..” He says once more, this time he picks himself up and cages you in between his arms as he holds himself up above your head.

He kisses your forehead. “Wake up, Princess.”

He then buries his head into the crook of your neck and fondles your breast. 

He couldn’t hold back much longer, but he wanted you to be awake first. He lays sloppy kisses onto your shoulder before biting it.

“Mmm..Mark..” You say drowsily.

And with the sound of your soft voice and the feeling of your delicate fingers on his waist, Mark begins to thrust into you.

Your eyes are still closed as he fucks you into consciousness, the post-dream haze combined with his kisses and long thrusts makes you feel light headed.

“How does it feel, baby?”

He moves in and out of you while panting.

You mumble something while enjoying the warmth of his pulsing body on yours. He presses his thumb on your clit, rubbing circles. 

“Mm..faster, baby.” you mumble as your heat grows, your eyes closed while you enjoy your realistic dream.

He then intertwines his fingers with yours, and moves into you faster. Within just a few minutes he cums hard as you shake around him.

And it’s not until he pulls out of you and flips onto his back that he realizes there’s another man in the room.

At the edge of the bed stands a tall handsome man with black hair. He stares sternly onto your body with his hands in the pockets of his suit jacket.

“Oh shit!” Mark is frightened and quickly drapes the blanket over you.

“Who the hell are you?” He asks.

You finally pry your eyes open and scratch your head.

“It’s me...y/n.”

“N-no no I mean..who is that and why is he just staring? Dude.. what the hell?!”

“What?” You rub your eyes and look up. And as your eyes focus you see that sure enough it was your Tuesday client, Jaehyun, staring intensely at you.

“Oh fuck..” You struggle to sit up straight in the bed. “Jaehyun..I’m so sorry, I overslept and-and..”

“Shhh..it’s okay, y/n..” His voice is sweet, but his face says the opposite.

“I see someone has gotten quite greedy with you..”

You turn to Mark, and it all comes back to you. He said he would stay over and you knew the risk you were taking, but you allowed him to anyway.

“Do you want me to push the emergency button?” Jaehyun asks smoothly.

“N-no! That won’t be necessary, I let him stay over actually..”

Your face becomes warm, it feels like you were caught by a parent with your boyfriend.

“I didn’t hear my phone go off with the alert saying you’d be coming over, I’m so sorry but he can leave and I’ll get cleaned up and we can start, just give me a few minutes—“

You start to get off the bed, but Jaehyun raises his hand.

“It’s okay, y/n..I know you see other men, that’s your job, isn’t it?” Jaehyun smirks.

He was one of those clients whose calm demeanor was difficult to read. He was intimidating and made you feel like you were up for terrible punishment at any moment. You never seemed to answer his questions to his satisfaction. In part to his recent divorce, he was rough, unforgiving, a stark contrast to Mark who just sat there awkwardly on the bed.

You nod slowly.

His gaze turns to Mark, his hands still in his pockets. “Was my slut good for you?”

“My?” Hold on..she doesn’t belong to you and no, she’s not a slut..”

Without moving his eyes, Jaehyun calls out to you. “Y/n...remove the blanket and open your legs for me..”

You immediately do as he says, but Mark stops you by holding your wrist. “Hey, you don’t have to do that.”

“It’s okay, Mark. This is what I do, please don’t forget that.” You give him a small smile as you lift the blanket.

You bend your knees while widening your legs.

You can feel the cool air hit your moist entrance.

“Now look at her, Mark...look at how much cum is in her beautiful pussy..only a slut can look like that..”

“Oh fuck off..”

“No, YOU fuck off, you’re cutting into my time..or don’t..”

Jaehyun loosens his tie and takes his jacket off.

“As a matter of fact, let’s see how much prettier she looks when she’s filled up with both of us, what do you say Mark?”

Mark begins to panic and turns to you. 

“What..“

“Stay...I want to make you feel good too..” you say, knowing that Jaehyun’s proposal wasn’t really a question. He was going to find some way to make Mark stay, it was his way of punishing both him and you.

“Good girl..” Jaehyun zips his pants down, revealing his already hard member. He grew when he watched Mark fuck you out of your sleep. He wanted to do that badly, but understood long ago the rules for this agreement. One of them being “no overnight stays.” But Mark clearly didn’t respect this. Maybe he thought you were his, but surely he was wrong.

Jaehyun wanted you just as badly as he did, and he wouldn’t stop until you were his.

“On your stomach, sweetheart, show him what your mouth can do..”

“Yes, sir.” You’re still weak from the night before but do as you’re told.

“Y/n..you don’t have to..” Mark caresses your face with his thumb.

“I know..but I want to..”

“She wants to please us..isn’t that right, slut?” Jaehyun brings an arm under your stomach to bring your ass up towards him.

“Y-yes, sir.” You struggle to get out once you feel his cock rub against your thigh.

You start by wrapping your hand around Mark’s semi-flaccid length, you pump it up and down while twisting. He groans and sits up straight.

Jaehyun enters you from behind, gripping your hip tightly as he pushes into you hard.

You moan loudly as his long cock stretches you out without warning.

“Ahh..fuck.” You gasp.

He slaps your ass hard, you stumble slightly on your knees but Mark helps you stay up.

“Don't be like that, sweetheart, I see how wet you are. Now, open your fucking mouth.”

“I’m sorry, sir.” You whimper then lick Mark’s tip.

“You’re just a slut with cum leaking out of you all the time, you’re always ready, aren’t you?”

You kiss Mark’s tip then answer Jaehyun. “Yes, sir.”

He hums and slaps your ass again.

He rubs his hand over the area to feel it become warm.

He then pulls back and watches his veiny cock glisten with cum.

Meanwhile, you take half of Mark’s length into your mouth and begin to suck, rubbing the tip on the inside of your cheek as you listen to him groan.

Jaehyun buries himself deep inside you again, pushing past your vibrating entrance and deep into your walls where he feels his cock be greeted with that ticklish spot.

You move your head lower and allow spit to coat Mark’s entire length.

“God..that feels good.” He moans as his head falls back.

You suck harder and continue to twist your hand around his base.

You hum to push him along with vibrations.

The sounds of Jaehyun’s hips slapping against your ass gets louder as he glides in faster.

“Her pussy gets wetter and wetter, tsk tsk what a slut.” 

He pushes harder, bending over your back so his abs rest against it. He grabs your hair and pushes your head down onto Mark faster.

You gag and tears escape your eyes as Mark’s length hits the back of your throat repeatedly.

You gag over and over, causing the two men to become even hotter than they were before.

“That’s it, sweetheart, cry for me..”

And you did cry as your throat became irritated and your pussy was being destroyed from the back, Jaehyun stretched it out more than he ever did, but you didn’t want to stop. 

You felt like you were being undone, like you wouldn’t be able to talk or walk after, but it didn’t matter, just as long as you pleased these two men.

Jaehyun’s hand finds your clit, slapping against it before rubbing circles onto it.

You moan loudly, sending a delicious vibration onto Mark. He whimpers and pulls out of your mouth, before watching spurts of white leave his tip and decorate your mouth and tongue.

Your mouth stays open as Jaehyun pulls your head back towards him now. Your breasts jump forward and back as Mark pants and watches you be brought to paradise by another man.

“Sir..I’m going to..”

Jaehyun grunts. “You don’t deserve to cum, but I’ll let you because you’re a needy slut.”

And with that, you quiver around Jaehyun, gripping the pillows and shaking uncontrollably.

Mark feels himself becomes aroused yet again from the sight.

Jaehyun pulls out quickly and sits against the headboard. He picks your body up and puts you over his lap, but doesn’t push his cock into you yet.

“Mark..I think you should return the favor.” Jaehyun says as he grabs the crook of your knees with each hand opens you up.

Mark gladly agrees and puts his head in between your legs once more. He licks up your essence and begins to eat you out, nuzzling his nose against your clit as you cry out. 

Jaehyun takes your chin and turns your fucked out face towards his while you struggle to close your legs. 

“S-sir..please, it’s too much.”

Jaehyun shakes his head. “Nothing is too much for a whore like you..Mark loves your pussy, and so do I.”

He kisses your shoulder as a strand of hair dangles in his forehead.

He flicks your nipples with his fingers, watching as you fall apart in his arms.

Mark’s head moves from side to side as he licks your bud and pushes as hard as he can.

“Look at you..open wide for two men.”

Jaehyun whispers into your ear as you tremble. “We won’t stop until we’ve both put a baby in you...but you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes..fuck..yes..sir.”

Soon, you’re cumming again and seeing stars.

Mark pulls away and wipes his mouth, watching as your wetness ruins the sheets below you.

“Do you think she can take us both?” Jaehyun still plays with your hard nipples.

Mark chuckles. “I’m not really into sharing..but we should find out.” He caresses your face again as your mouth falls open.

He puts his thumb into it, watching as you suck it hard with your teary eyes wide.

Jaehyun lifts you up slightly so he can enter you again.

You fall onto him easily but whimper as you try to overcome your sensitivity.

Jaehyun forces you open wide with his hands on your knees, your feet dig into the bed as you bounce up and down on him. His touch sends electricity through your veins. 

Mark holds his cock in his own hand, stroking it while watching you fall onto Jaehyun’s length.

Your beautiful entrance is soaked and he just wants to feel it too.

Jaehyun looks into Mark’s hungry eyes and lets out a low growl.

“Go on, Mark. Fuck her like the needy whore she is.”

Jaehyun scoots down on the bed more so he is laying under you. Mark lays down over you and guides his tip along your slit.

“Mark..” you cry out while Jaehyun thrusts into you from below.

“Are you sure?” He licks his lips.

You nod and take his length into your own hand. “Yes..”

You push him into you slowly as Jaehyun pauses his movement. Your head falls back as your pussy is stretched out once more. You’d never done this before, but then again, you’d never been with two men.

“Shit...” you close your eyes tightly as both men fill you up.

Jaehyun sits up, holding you in his arms as he guides you up and down both his and Mark’s cocks now. 

You’re so right and Mark is embarrassed to admit that he is just moments from climaxing already, the friction of two cocks against your tight silky walls driving all of you crazy.

“Mmm..sweetheart, you’re doing so well..”

Jaehyun whispers. His tone is gravelly and he is just moments away also, sweat pricking at his forehead as you glide onto him.

The sound of skin against skin and loud moans and groans fills the room, you wonder if your neighbors will make a complaint. But right now, in this moment of complete ecstasy, you could care less.

Jaehyun’s tip twitches, vibrating against Mark’s and hitting your g-spot. You all come undone within seconds and experience an orgasm that lasts for what feels like an eternity.

All three of you collapse onto the bed, and you and Jaehyun fall asleep soon after. You should’ve cleaned yourself up, but your body aches and feels weak after orgasming so many times.

After 20 minutes of just watching you sleep, Mark gets up from the bed and goes to your bathroom. He comes back with a washcloth and cleans you up gently while watching you snore lightly.

Jaehyun’s back is turned to you so he can’t see Mark taking care of you by cleaning your exhausted body.

Before he leaves, he drapes your blanket over you and kisses your forehead. He also leaves a bouquet of flowers that he bought from someone selling them just outside of your apartment building. He went back to your apartment just to leave them there for you when you woke up. But really, he just wanted one last chance to see your beautiful face as you slept peacefully.

You wake up hours later to find yourself alone once again. You hop out of bed but soon remember what happened based on the aching feeling in your legs.

You’re happy to see that you're clean however, the sticky feeling of cum no longer being all over you. Someone must’ve cleaned you up, you thought to yourself.

With a limp, you walk out to your kitchen and see take-out food on your counter with a note attached, beside it you also see a bouquet of flowers. 

“Thanks for today, see you next week. Love, J.”

Jaehyun left you food, flowers, and cleaned you up before he left. Maybe he did care for you after all. This is what you thought as you smiled to yourself.

[collecting-stories]

Blue Lagoon - ep. 01 - Rafe Cameron

Summary: Ward announces a family vacation while being the absolute worst and you meet Rafe for the first time. 

A/N: Can’t believe I’m making a Rafe series...super nervous about this one. If you like the first chapter and wanna be tagged let me know! (Also, all the chapters are named after beach cocktails). This is a re-write of Chapter 1!

Holiday in the Sun Masterlist | Outer Banks Masterlist

✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

Thirteen had been a tragic year. The year of braces and that terrible hair cut that could only be described as the love child of a bowl cut and a mullet. Your best friend had taken scissors to your hair and you had regretted it ever since. It was the year of hoodies and basketball shorts and more layers than Billie Eilish. The year you fell and busted up your face so bad that you suffered through vacation with a bruise the size of Texas on your jaw. The year all your friends caught up to you but you were still taller and your boobs were still bigger and you still felt more awkward. 

The worst thing about thirteen though, had been the vacation. It was the first time your mom had decided to do a joint vacation to the Bahamas over break. You were thirteen and an absolute tragic mess and already so embarrassed just by your existence and then she flew you to the Bahamas to spend Christmas with the Camerons. 

And if Rafe wasn’t already so attractive and beautifully self-assured; fifteen and already tall and funny and you felt arguably worse about yourself in comparison to him and his sister. But especially him. And part of that was entirely because he’d been so nice. You were fully prepared for him to treat you like every other kid at your school treated you but he didn’t. He was so nice to you and you’d spent a vacation that you thought was going to be horrible having an incredible time. 

But that was the last of the joint family vacations, your mom focusing her time on her new job once you’d gotten home, so you were surprised when she proposed the idea again your junior year of high school. 

“The Bahamas?” 

“Over Christmas...with the Cameron’s.” Your mom replied, barely looking up from her notepad. 

“Oh uh, okay,” there wasn’t much else you could say. She wasn’t about it accept a no from you and yeah, the last trip had been fun, but that nervous insecurity ate away at you from the moment she mentioned it. 

You certainly weren’t the tragic thirteen-year-old mess that you had been back then, and maybe that should have inspired some confidence but instead you were just nervous. If you had gotten arguably better than what did Rafe look like? Probably even more gorgeous than he’d been before. One of your friends suggested trying to find him on instagram but you didn’t need any more anxiety pre-vacation so you avoided the possibility of seeing him before you really saw him at all.  

-

It was Rose who first suggested the little change of scenery for the New Year. Winter break was fast approaching and Ward was at the end of his rope with his oldest and Rose, in an ill-fated attempt to make his exhaustion work for her, mentioned the house in Nassau. Late at night, while Ward sat in his office trying to calm his nerves with a bottle of scotch. He’d been woken by a call from Peterkin that Rafe had been arrested, the third time in two months, for driving under the influence. He didn’t ask what his son was under the influence of and he almost left him in lockup for the night but he got dressed, picked him up, and drove him home in silence. Something had to change and then Rose broached the topic of a vacation. Of course it came with a catch, as everything with Rose seemed to do.  

“Dad,” Sarah groaned, looking up from her homework when he announced the trip over breakfast the next morning. “you can’t be serious?”

Ward had come down to breakfast, calling Rafe into the kitchen where Sarah and Wheezie were already eating. He didn’t hate Rose’s idea, even the part of it that benefitted her need to show off, and he decided not to waste time telling his kids the news.  

“As a heart attack Sarah.” He replied. “It’s been a busy year and I think this is exactly the kind of family trip we all need right now. Take some time away from the island and our,” he looked across the room at Rafe disdainfully, “more objectionable pastimes.”

“It was one DUI.” Rafe said, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. He was still a little hungover from the night before and the weed he’d just been smoking had his eyes bloodshot. He would’ve really loved to get some sleep but just as he was starting to doze off Ward was banging on his bedroom door.  

“And it would’ve been your third if Peterkin didn’t owe me a favor. I’ve only got so much clout Rafe, I can’t keep bailing you out every time you decide to do something reckless. Your choices-”

“Reflect the family.” Rafe replied, “I know.”  

“Then you’ll know this isn’t up for discussion. We’re going to Nassau in a week.”

All of them missed Wheezie’s groan as she laid her head in her hands. The silent onlooker to her family’s revolving door of drama, Wheezie’s role was that of mediator, instigator, and observer, but she wasn’t granted the privilege of an opinion.

“I’m supposed to go to the Keys with Scarlett!” Sarah mentioned, as if it mattered, “why do we all have to be punished just because Rafe screwed up?”

“I didn’t screw up Sarah, I was barely drunk. Shoupe was just trying to give me a hard time.”

“Oh, of course, our mistake.” Ward replied, “the world is out to get you. Do you know where your classmates are right now? In college. Yale, Harvard, Duke, even NCS...and where are you? That’s right, sitting at home every day, smoking weed, wasting my money.”

“I said I’d do some work for you.”  

“Because this is what I want representing my company? You can’t even get out of bed before three in the afternoon most days.” Ward snapped, “take this vacation as an olive branch. And when we get back start thinking about what you want your life to look like because any more ‘wrong turns’ and you can forget the nice stuff and the free room and the bailouts.”

“Dad!”

“That’s not fair to me and Wheezie!” Sarah piped up, repeating her earlier argument, “why are we being punished?”

“Don’t rope me into this.” Wheezie commented. She wasn’t going down with this ship. At least not yet.  

“I hardly think a week in the Bahamas is a punishment Sarah.” Ward replied, “now, is it possible to get through this without any other objections?”

“Can I invite Topper?” Sarah asked, “you said Rose’s friend is coming with her daughhter so I don’t see why I can’t invited someone.”

“Rose’s friend?” Rafe asked, looking up from his phone.  

“Yes. We’ve been on vacation with them before. You remember? He daughter is a year older than Sarah I think.”  

“Yeah,” he nodded, the slightest smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.  

“Can I invite a friend?” Wheezie asked.

“No.” Ward said.  

“If Sarah gets to bring someone why can’t I? That’s not fair!”  

“I’m done with the arguments and backtalk. We’re leaving in a week. If Dr. Thornton says Topper can come, he can come. But I’m not a babysitting service for you and your friends Wheezie.”  

“Sarah always gets to-”

“Louisa!” Ward snapped, hand hitting the marble countertop. Sarah’s eyes went wide and Rafe looked up from his phone, standing up a little straighter at the notable anger in his father’s voice.

“Sorry.” Wheezie shrunk down in her seat, looking away from her dad.

“Now, do you think it’s possible that we can all get through this without any more arguments? We leave on Sunday. Since I have actual work to do, unlike any of children,” Ward said, looking over at Rafe, “I’ll be in my office.”

All three of them stayed put as they listened to their dad’s footsteps as he headed upstairs to his office. Sarah got up from the table, grabbing her phone and heading outside to call Topper while Wheezie still sat there looking close to tears for being yelled at.  

Rafe put his phone down on the counter and crossed the kitchen, putting his hand on his sister’s back and rubbing small circles. “Hey, no worries, okay? I’ll hang out with you on the trip.”

“You’ll just off with Topper and Sarah and I’ll be stuck with Rose while she day drinks.” Wheezie muttered, rubbing at her eyes.

“I promise Wheez, I won’t ditch you.”

“Okay,” she looked up at him, holding her hand out, pinky extended, “pinky promise?”

“Yeah, pinky promise.”

-

The week went by faster than any of them wanted it to, Sunday creeping up too soon. Trips to Nassau were usually staggered. Ward might go with Rose, or Rafe and Sarah went with friends or Ward took Wheezie, but they never went altogether. A family vacation hadn’t happened in almost four years.

Rafe could remember the last trip. Sarah had brought Scarlett because, once again, she was their father’s favorite child. Ward told Wheezie she couldn’t bring someone, pretending that she was too young but Sarah had been twelve and she’d been allowed to bring someone. Scarlett was a nightmare on vacation and an absolute bitch to you, Rose’s best friend’s daughter. Rafe had spent most of his time with you just to avoid his sister and Scarlett but he’d actually had a great time. Probably the last great time he had sober.  

On Sunday morning he stood at the back of the SUV, helping his dad load it up for the drive to airstrip.  

“Alright, do we have everything we need to go?” Ward asked, looking toward the house as Rose came out with her biggest suitcase rolling alongside her. “Rose, it’s a week for godsake.”

Sarah leaned out the window at her stepmom before sharing a look with Rafe, rolling her eyes. Rose caught the look and frowned. “Sorry all my clothes aren’t the size of Malibu Barbie and require a little extra space.” She said, glaring at Sarah.

“Here we go!” Sarah swore.

Ward took a deep breath, “just get in the car. Please.” He passed the suitcase to Rafe before following his wife around the side of the car, “and Sarah, behave.”

“Are you kidding me? She literally started it. I said nothing.”

“I don’t wanna hear it.”  

Sarah groaned, sitting back in her seat, “this is the stupidest vacation, why do we all have to go?”

“Sarah!” Ward shouted, “not another word! Some of you are lucky that we’re all going since you certainly don’t deserve a nice vacation.”

Rafe shut the door as he climbed in the backseat beside Wheezie, “am I supposed to say thank you?” It didn’t surprise him that somehow his dad yelling at Sarah had turned into his dad taking a dig at him.  

“It’s beyond my comprehension how I managed to raise such incredibly spoiled, ungrateful children.”  

“Sorry dad,” Sarah muttered.  

“Well I won’t wait for the other two apologies.” He said, looking in the rearview mirror at them. Wheezie had her airpods in, staring down at her phone, “this one probably can’t even hear me.”

Rafe nudged his youngest sister and she looked up, “huh, what?” She took one headphone out and looked around the car but Ward had already changed the subject.

“Is Topper meeting us at the airstrip or am I supposed to be picking him up?”  

“He said he would meet us.” Sarah replied, slumping in her seat as they backed out of the driveway and headed to the airstrip.  

“You know Sarah,” Ward mentioned, always happy for an opportunity to dig for a dig at Rafe’s expense where he could find one, “I really do like this young man. He’s very responsible. It’s a shame my own son couldn’t be so disciplined and mature.”  

“This is gonna be a great vacation dad, you were right.” Rafe piped up.

“You can save the snark Rafe.”

The only thing quieter than the rest of the drive to the airstrip was the flight to Nassau. Quiet and awkward, so much so that Topper spent the entire trip too tensed to even move, aside from his knee bobbing uncontrollably. None of the Cameron kids seemed to notice the unease or they were all so adapted to it that it didn’t seem to affect them.  

Ward had eased up on the commentary and Rafe was silent, hoping he wouldn’t have to listen to anymore of his father’s opinions if he just stayed quiet. He knew that wasn’t the case but it was working so far. Rose was too engrossed in her phone to bothered with any of them, Sarah and Wheezie taking up similar approaches to the flight.

-

“You know we could be taking a private plane to like, Paris or something right now? Wouldn’t that be kind of incredible?” You asked, reaching for one of the bagels that your stepdad had laid out on the table.  

“The Bahamas are equally incredible,” Your mom piped up, smacking your hand and making you drop the bagel, “eat some fruit, you look bloated.”

“I’m not bloated mom.”  

“Well, you're either bloated or pregnant and let’s not hope it’s the latter.” She snarked, pushing the bowl of fruit closer.  

“Thanks mom.” You rolled your eyes, “and thanks so much for this vacation when I was supposed to be in Ptown with Ben.”  

“Ptown’s not going anywhere.” She replied. “Try to be positive, remember what Dr. Nygaard said, try not to decide the outcome of an event before it happens.”

“Thanks for that inspirational advice,” you said, “you should get it printed on a t-shirt.”

Your mom had announced the trip not three days after you had committed to going to Provincetown with friends for Christmas. You’d paid for a fifth of the house that your friend group was renting for the week only for your mom to announce that you had to cancel. Rose had invited her (and you and your stepdad) to the Cameron’s Nassau house and she had accepted, effectively canceling any plans that you had. There was no chance of arguing the point with her, if she said you were going then you were going. And to be fair, part of you kind of wanted to go, just for the opportunity to see Rafe. Though it was for that same reason that you were really dreading the chance to go to.  

-

The Cameron’s landed at the airstrip in Nassau an hour after your family had already arrived and your mom had taken the liberty of renting two SUVs for the week. When Ward did land, Wheezie pressed her face to the window, looking out at the private port. “Who is that?” She asked, not recognizing Rose’s friend or her family.  

“My friend LeAnn, you remember we went to Nassau with them last time.” Rose replied.  

Your mom nudged you, a silent jab meant to tell you to turn your phone off. You were only making yourself more depressed anyway, seeing that your friends were having a great time while you were stuck on a family vacation.  

Rose waved as she exited the plane and your mom waved back enthusiastically. “LeAnn, I’m so happy you could make it!”  

“Thank you for inviting us,” your mom said, hugging Rose before looking to Ward, “we always talked about vacationing together again, I’m so glad it finally worked out.”

“Oh me too,” He replied though it sounded half-hearted.  

“It’s so beautiful here.” LeAnn said, looking around as if she hadn’t had the opportunity to before, “didn’t I tell you how nice it would be?” She asked you.

“Yeah, it’s super warm here.” You made a point of moving your hand up to block the sun, squinting behind your sunglasses and scrunching your nose.

“Don’t mind her, she was going to spend her vacation in with friends but she’ll get over it.” LeAnn said, excusing your behavior.

The rest of the family, Rafe, Sarah, Topper, and Wheezie, caught up with Ward and Rose, bags in hand and ready to get to the house. Wheezie avoided introductions, a quick wave before she headed straight to the second car, putting her airpods back in as she did. Rose ignored her daughter, going through a round of introductions anyway, as if you had all completely forgotten each other. As she pointed to Rafe you looked up from your phone, your eyes meeting his. Four years since your seen him and that same familiar pull in your stomach was still there when he smiled, like butterflies erupting. It lasted only a second as your mom spoke up and you turned to look at her.  

“I can’t believe how old you both are now! And Wheezie, the last time I saw you all you were just kids.”

“Well it’s been four years mom.” You pointed out.

“I know how long it’s been.” She said, glaring at you. “I guess we’ll see you all back at the house right?”

As everyone piled into their respective cars, your stepdad offered up the backseat if anyone wanted, noting that they had four people to get in the back of their car and your family only had you. Rafe looked at the back seat as Sarah climbed in, bag still in his hand as he slowly stepped away from the car.

“If you don’t mind?” He said, catching your attention.

You stopped what you were doing, hand hovering over your bag as you stood there at the open trunk, your stepdad answering Rafe, “not at all, hop in.”

He nodded, coming around the back of the SUV and putting his bag in the back. You were still standing there, practically frozen as you followed the motion of his bag getting tossed in the trunk as he turned to you, “need help?”

“I can lift a bag, promise.”

“I mean, last time-”  

“The latch wasn’t on my suitcase last time!” You laughed, “I can’t believe you remember that, that was so embarrassing.” You had been lifting your suitcase onto the cart at the hotel last time you were here and dropped it on the ground, the latch popping and spilling your clothes and belongings everywhere. The worst of it being Rafe picking up the stuffed dog that you had brought with you. “I did bring Wilbur though,” you said, just to get a laugh.  

It worked, Rafe shaking his head at you as he put your bag in and shut the trunk door. You followed him around to the backseat and he let you get in first, sitting so close to you that his thigh touched yours. It was unnecessary, since there was plenty of room with just the two of you, but he acted like he didn’t even realize it.  

“Sorry you had to give up vacation just to come here.” He whispered, turning to look at you.

“And miss the opportunity to hang out with you for a week?” You asked, grinning.

-

taglist: @maplelattes22 @poguesrforlife  @freckled-and-daydreaming  @chasefreakinstokes @millie-753 @fangirlwithme @alex12948 @katherine097 @tangledinsparkles @carbonated-beverage @mariofgreengables @damonsalvawhore27 @dopedoodes @dolanfivsosxox @belledutchess @poguelifeeee @faded-blue @parkerpetertingle @thebookwormlife @summer-clouds-and-long-days @jellyfishbeansontoast @minigranger @hoewkeye @love-someone-special @tiredfeels @strangerthanfanfiction713 @the-only-nana @tomzfrog @mozz-are-lla @vindictive-hearts @poguestyleskye @ssprayberrythings @jenahbell @beautyandthebleh @gothackedalready @teenwaywardasgardian @sarahcxmeron @haha-fuck-you-thot @stillbelieve398-5 @rewindlr @queenniccimicci @kissessforharryyy @thedarkqueenofavalon @alytavzla @bqmblebee @linniep @nerdypartytrashpsychic @xxchxrryxx @spencer-reid-is-a-cutie @mirjanak @danielladreaming @obx-saltlife @youngestxhearts @spnobsessedmemes @wowitswondergurl @celestialmaybank @mybnkjj @pineappleandcherries @mysterious-adventurer @justawilddreamerchild @rhyetaylor62 @calm-rejects @balletandyuzu @oh-annaa @aiifandomsunite @x-lulu @ceruleanjj @wicked-laugh @obxwriterfan @allie-mcginn @pcterparxer @literarycharleton @khiaraaa-in-spacee @crushe-s @teamnick @daydreamlilys @lemur46 @haute-shawn @collectiveuniverses @activist-af @mdgrdians @buckys-sunflower @vindictive-hearts @copper-boom @talksoprettyjjx @5am-cigarette @smiithys @dontjinx-it @outerbanksbro @mysticsthinking @heavenlymama  @rudy-pankow-needs-an-oscar @babymatilda @raekenliar @prejudic3 @drewsephsmiles @starrystarkey93 @n1ghtsh4d3-67 

[bangtan-madi]

made with love — park jimin

Pairing — Jimin x Reader

Genre — fluff

Word Count — 1.2k

Summary — It's occurred to you that dealing with a slightly hungover Park Jimin is easily compared to guiding a toddler through the cycle of grief.

Warnings — References to drinking (do so responsibly, kids, and not when you’re under aged!)

You never drink. Ever. Alcohol has never appealed to you, ever since you were young. Even before you reached the legal age to drink, you'd made up your mind that alcohol wasn't for you. 

Despite your convictions, this life choice does tend to make events with your fiance and his members a bit awkward. Not because of them, far from it. It's never the boys that see this choice as odd. You're completely aware of how lucky you are; none of the boys, including your Jimin, have never pushed you to do something outside your comfort zone. They're also very protective of you and your lifestyle, constantly sticking up for both. 

Besides, someone has to drive them home and deal with the various outcomes of one-too-many. You've nailed down each of their drunk personalities to a T.

The fearless leader Namjoon forgets what his inside voice is, while the Hoseok is a catastrophic lightweight that becomes a shell of his usual self. Seokjin's personality becomes multiplied several times over, while Junkook eats everything in sight. Yoongi shows his hidden sappy side, and Taehyung makes a mess of everything. Your beloved Jimin becomes, if you can believe it, even more giggly and touchy than usual. They're all so different when under the influence, but when the morning after comes, each members acts the same.

Full of regret, then of frustration, then of promises to never do it again. Every time, you see them go through the entire cycle of grief in a single morning. Denial, anger, and bargaining, all the way through depression, acceptance, and readjustment: you've seen it time and time again.

Over the years, you've come up with ways of helping them recover. It's not very often that these days happen, but when that blue moon comes, they're incredibly grateful that Jimin picked such a good person as his partner.

After all, who else would deal with them in this state, especially Jimin, who becomes a big baby while sobering up? To be honest, it makes you laugh. The way he clings to you like a child is often amusing, if it isn't downright irritating. 

Last night, the story repeated itself. A celebration was innocent enough until Hoseok insisted on having a drinking contest with Jimin. At the time, you rolled your eyes, finding it laughable that the older of the two could handle himself after a single shot. 

In hindsight, maybe you should have stopped it after three.

"Jimin!" you shout across the apartment, from where you are in the kitchen to the bedroom upstairs. "You're going to be late!"

Your fiance groans and rolls out of bed, quite literally out and onto the hardwood floor with a thud audible from the kitchen. You shake your head and laugh while you finish packing him a coffee and lunch to-go. He won't be able to make his own in his half-sober state. Honestly, if he can get anything done the rest of the day, you'll be impressed. While you usually press a kiss on the note you place inside the bag, saying that you made it with love, but you decide to wait and see how he behaves this morning before putting that personal touch.

A few moments later, you hear him stumble down the stairs. His gaze is shifty, and he grips the handrail like it's the only thing keeping him upright.

"Careful," you tease, glancing over your shoulder at your disheveled lover. "If you fall, I'm not taking you to the hospital."

Jimin grimaces, his unsteady feet bringing him to stand behind you. As you finish stirring the sugar into the two beverages, his arms slip around your waist and his forehead rests against your shoulder-blade. With his breath against your spine and fingers against your stomach, you almost forget that the person you adore most is barely conscious. Even in this state, the one he seeks out for comfort is always you. You have half a mind to chastise him for being careless and drinking over his known limits, but that other half wants to do nothing more than crawl back in bed with him and forget about the day ahead.

"Mmm, what happened to 'in sickness and health'?"

You hum a response as Jimin leans against you, his frame slumped against yours in a pitiful attempt to stay awake. This first state is classic denial. "We haven't made those vows yet, Chim."

"'Nd why haven't we?" he slurs tiredly. "Let's go today, jus' you n' me, jagi."

Putting the lids on the to-go thermos', you laugh and shake your head at the thought. "Both of our parents would kill us if we did that, baby."

Jimin, not amused by your response, pushes off your back and finds his way to the kitchen table. Sloppily sliding into the chair, he slumps against the table and buries his face into his folded arms. "Y'no fun."

You resist the urge to roll your eyes. "And you're moody, my love. You shouldn't have drank so much. You know Hobi is constantly trying to prove he can out-drink someone. You and Kook both fell for it."

"Busan boys're comparative," he mumbles against his arm.

"You mean 'competitive'?"

He nods once, eyes still squinting against the light as he lifts his face. "'M contemplating becoming a hermit."

"And why is that?" you chuckle, turning back to your work.

"'Cause it's 8:30, I have a hangover, and you're annoying me."

You turn back to him with an eyebrow arched, sensing a shift from denial to anger. "Have you showered?"

"No," Jimin mumbles, like a small child.

"And you're not dressed either. Go get your shower, brush your teeth and hair, and get dressed."

"If I do that, can we cuddle for 'nother half hour, pretty please?"

"Bargaining isn't going to work today, Park Jimin." You tug on his hand, but the blond refuses to move. "C'mon. Up, up."

"Too tired. I quit working today. The world's too bright n' loud out there. Not ready to face it, jagi. Don't make meee."

And there goes depression.

"For God's sake, Jimin, you're a baby." You hand him his coffee and lunch, repeating the orders. "I need to get to work, but promise me you'll at least brush your teeth before heading to the studio, yes?"

Jimin nods, thankfully shifting to acceptance faster than usual. When he peaks into the bag, his brows furrow, creating an adorable rivet between them. "No note? You didn't make this with love?"

You grab your coat and keys, heading towards the door with a playful smirk. "Nope, you're being a big baby, my love. No kiss. Not made with love. Enjoy the sandwich, I hope it tastes like despair."

Your sarcasm brings a small smile onto the sobering man's face, and one hand pushes the lunch to the side as the other runs over his face. Though you won't see the final step, you see him start to slip into readjustment and know that he'll eventually be all right.

"I hate you," he laughs.

"Do you really?"

Jimin turns and looks at you as you leave, giving you the closest thing to literal heart eyes that someone could manage. "Not one bit."

You blow a dramatic kiss as you exit. "Still not made with love, you big baby!"

"That’s fine, I’ll get my kisses later!"

[meet-me-in-the-kitchen]

What Once Was Mine College!AU

In which Y/N and Harry are old lovers who somehow find their way back to each other amidst this chaos.

If a pandemic cancels the remainder of your spring semester, and your recent ex decides to suspend the rules of your breakup in case “the apocalypse” keeps you apart forever, and you find yourself lying once again in his bed, your faces flushed, the afternoon humming by outside, take your time with leaving. The future will charge onward, but for now you can allow the memory of other lazy days you spent in this bed to envelop you entirely. You would like to believe this feeling transcends whatever comes next. For an hour or two, it does.

It had started with a fateful cough, class cancellations, and a choice to stay.

“Aren’t you gonna get up?” Katia, one of your roommates, questioned from the room outside of yours. She wasn’t bunking with you; the girl who had been, Elise, had mysteriously left about a week ago, when you’d woken up to find no trace of her usual throw pillows or belongings in the bed across from yours. “It’s the last day of classes, you know.”

You did know. You were all too aware of this fact, following the sudden declaration of a virus more minuscule than a grain of salt’s permeation of the world. The university had decided to close classes and encourage all students who were able to evacuate the surroundings as quickly as possible, heading home before the virus spread enough to veto travel entirely. Students took to this, although a bit anxious in regards to their tuition, refunds, and housing.

You had these concerns, as well. The virus didn’t seem real at first. You went through the stages of believing the media was exaggerating the virus, and then thinking that it wasn’t really a threat to youth, but that it was one’s civic duty to stay inside so those with weaker immune systems could thrive. What had concerned you most was tuition and housing. But, right now, you were all too aware of the empty space next to your bed. The fact that you’d stayed in your dormitory all of last and this week studying for assessments and exams, only to somehow end up with a heaviness in your head, a clammy, burning feel to your forehead.

You were sick with something. And it terrified you.

“I’m thinking of just getting a head start on packing,” you answer hesitantly, trying to string the words together as confidently as possible, all too aware of how your throat felt sore trying to accomplish this. “I don’t think there’ll be any actual classes, or not much of anything substantial, anyway.”

“Okay,” your roommate piped uncertainly. “Er, do you want me to help you when I come back?”

“No!” you cleared your throat, trying to mask the horror. “I mean... it’s fine, I just need to do this alone.”

“You’ve been locked in your room a while, sweetie,” Katia said kindly from outside of the door, and you felt your heart stop. “I know with all of the stuff with Harry, it’s only natural, but I’m here for you, ‘kay?”

“M’kay. Thanks, Kat.”

You heard the door click shut.

—

Harry.

Harry. Harry. Harry.

It had been so long since you’d seen him. Since the break-up. Not all of it was about pent-up emotions, though. There was also the whole “I think my roommate gave me coronavirus before she fled the residence” which kept you from wandering outside of your room. But you’d be lying if the way you’d broken up hadn’t served as a motivator to keep you cooped up in your dormitory, completely isolated.

Tears pricked your eyes as you remembered the fight. The one you’d instigated when he’d done absolutely wrong, when it was your insecurities that had presented themselves in the privileged setting, the flirtatious looks he was on the receiver end of. The feeling that he’d never truly be yours, and that he was never meant to be, in the first place.

“You always do this,” he’d growled, alcohol in his bloodstream, but the bitter truth on his lips. “This is what you do, isn’t it, sweetheart?” the words so harshly spoken, his fingers digging into your wrist, eyes intoxicated but clearer than you’d ever seen. “You fuckin’ run...they always run.”

“Harry, let me go,” you’d said quietly, looking down while you still felt the unbearable iciness of his stare.

“Let you go,” he had laughed bitterly, throwing back another swig of alcohol with his free hand. The one that wasn’t only tightening his grip on yours. “I’m the one...”

“Harry,” you’d whimpered, face crumpling. “Harry, you’re hurting me.”

You weren’t referring to the wrist.

He had paused. His darkened gaze trained on yours, lips parting with each heavy breath, eyes intensely searching your face for anything, everything you could give him. Then, they averted. Defeated. His grip loosened.

“This time,” his voice was thick with suppressed emotion, the same storminess in his eyes. “This time, if you run, don’t come back.”

Now, you were painfully aware of how alone you were. In a dormitory thinking you were infected with something too scary to try to comprehend. Unable to go outside, because you didn’t want this to affect anyone else, but also unable to get tested, because you weren’t yet a priority. You were surviving off of granola bars you’d picked up not long before this catastrophe began, along with a bunch of cold medicine and fluids. With no one to call. No home to return to, besides one filled with people who couldn’t give a rat’s ass about you.

“I’ve driven away the only person who cared,” your voice broke, as your stomach rumbles. You didn’t have the heart to grab another stale granola bar or saltine.

—

Harry’s worried, to say the least.

After that Friday night, nearly a week and a half ago, you’ve disappeared on him. At first, he was a shell of himself, showing up to classes, a hardened aspect to him. You’d really hurt him, and he felt he had the right to be upset.

But once the third day passed with no sight of you, he’d grown a bit curious. You weren’t one to miss classes: you’d once shown up hungover out of your mind, with a killer headache, but still willing to offer your analysis of Franny and Zooey, and why it was a love story before anything else.

Were you okay?

When this question had initially circulated through his mind the first couple of days, he’d merely scoff to himself. Why wouldn’t you be? You’d toyed with his emotions, unhinged all of his trust. He thought you got some sick satisfaction out of it. He wasn’t going to keep chasing you, forever.

After the first week, he began asking people. Just casually, to people who didn’t know you closely enough to tell you. He spoke to people you knew were apart of organizations you were passionate about and in. Nada. Zilch.

He’d resorted to asking Katia, seeing as your other roommate was gone, and she’d simply huff and leave.

Today was the last of day of classes, and, quite frankly, Harry realized as he watched the professor lecture on how classes would be commencing, he was angry. Furious.

“Of course,” he whispers darkly. “Of course, she gets to be locked up in the tower, feeling sorry for herself after she hurt me.”

“Er, what?” Niall rose a bit from his cat nap, eyes trained curiously on his fuming friend, who suddenly rose, fingers clenched to fists at his sides.

Harry left the lecture hall with a straight face, and walked a ways away before picking up his cellphone and finally dialling the number he’d religious avoided for days now.

“H-hello,” your voice came out incredibly soft through the receiver, and he hated that it made him want to kiss you everywhere.

“Where are you?”

His voice comes out harsh. Clipped.

“I’m in my dormitory,” you answer with confusion evident in your voice. “Why—”

He hangs up.

—

When you hear a loud rapping against your door, you regret giving him the key to your dormitory. All that separates you now is a bedroom door.

Fuck, you think, eyes wildly darting everywhere to plan an escape. You can’t risk letting him in here, either. This means you can’t jump out the window avoiding him.

“Y/N,” his voice is deep, loud, and however cold it is, you so desperately want to let him in. “Let me in.”

“N-no,” you wince at the way your voice trembles. “I can’t.”

“Cut the shit,” he snaps, and you flinch. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to pretend that you’re the one struggling, when you can’t even commit to me.”

You said nothing, tears welling in your eyes. Everything he had said was the truth.

“Stay out, Harry,” you keep your voice cool and even, this time. “Haven’t I made it clear that I don’t want you here?”

The other end of the door is silent, and your face falls. You lean back against the headboard of your bed, thinking he’s gone. He’s finally left, and you don’t like the feeling that wells in your chest in response to this fact.

Fate works in funny ways, sometimes.

You cough.

It’s a standard cough: reverberating through your chest, reacting to the phlegm congesting your oesophagus almost itchingly, and disrupting the natural rhythm of your breaths. It’s loud enough. Raspy.

You think you’re alone to do it, until a voice calls from the other end of the door; and it’s hoarse, tight.

“Y/N?”

“Er,” you pause uncertainly, wondering if it really would be that dangerous for you to jump ship out of the window and run. “Yes?”

“Was that,” his voice is low, hushed. “...Was that a cough?”

You could have laughed. Although the circumstances were admittedly dire, the mental image of Harry backing up and fleeing the scene like a headless chicken at the rasp of a cough conjures some amusement.

“That’s what they tell me,” you reply awkwardly. A girl can only take so much transparency.

“Do you have any other...” he trails off.

“Harry,” you dead-pan. “I’m fine. You can leave.”

Silence.

“No.”

“Harry—“

“Let me in, Y/N.”

“I can’t,” you stress, eyes widening in panic. “Just go..okay? It’s not what you think.”

“Why can’t you let me in, then?”

Relentless.

“Has it ever occurred to you that I just don’t want you to come inside?”

He scoffs. You hear the door knob being fiddled with and curse, as he promptly swings the door open after some hankering. You bury yourself under the covers. For all the money you were throwing at this institution, the least they could do was offer a decent lock system.

Harry takes in the disorganized dormitory; steps inside with no invitation. His eyes linger with interest at the Nature Valley granola bars located on Y/N’s dorm room floor. He steps over a few boxes, sits down at the corner of your bed with confident air.

“Stay away from me,” you groaned. He raised an eyebrow.

“Why, exactly, should I do that?”

“Because,” you pause, preparing yourself to tell the truth. Your eyes stare ahead at the inside of your blanket, burning. “I’ve been coughing, and my throat’s closing up.”

“And?”

“I think I have it,” you whisper, brokenly. Eyes welling with tears.

He promptly throws the blanket upwards, slides into the bed beside you. He grabs a Nature Valley bar on his way up. You gawk openly at him as his toes dance while his fingers tear at the plastic wrapper, bringing the bar to his mouth with great interest. He bites into it, and recoils a little.

“Not my flavour,” he comments, blithely. As if that’s any explanation.

“Are you stupid,” you stress, eyes wide as saucers. “I just told I think I have COVID-19, and you’re helping yourself to my rations?”

He snorts.

“Is this why you haven’t been coming to class?” Harry asks, forest green eyes twinkling slightly with a blend of amusement, but also awe, to your dismay. Your stubborn silence causes him to let out an uncharacteristic bark of laughter. You shoot him a dirty look.

“To think I thought it was because of something I’d said,” he marvels, with another bite and subsequent recoil to the snack bar. He shakes his head. “You, Y/L/N, have a way of messing with a bloke’s head.

“Forgive me,” you spit, “for fulfilling my civic duty of—“

“Civic duty?”

For some reason, this sends him into peals of laughter.

“Yes,” you smart, crossly. “My—“

“You,” he inches closer, and you move back cautiously, until you’re pressed up against the wall, and his chest is pressed to yours. You can feel his breath warmly fanning onto your flushed cheeks. “are not sick.”

“What in God’s name do you—“

He waved the half-eaten granola bar to your face, tellingly. Thumbed over the fine-print stating ‘peanuts included.’

You blanch. Blink.

“Oh.”

Allergies. Right-O.

“Yeah,” he chews slowly, moving back so his back is against the headboard, “Oh.”

You settled, after a quiet, but not uncomfortable pause.

“Since you’re here, I wanted to apolo—“

“Splendid day we’re having, isn’t it?” He turned to you. “Want to go on a walk and eat something besides that which you are direly allergic to?”

Or stay home. What, with an offer like that?

“Please.”

—

It’s an awful shame, you think as you both step past the stone statues and into the path led by aged, looming sycamores and dolorous baby blue jays, that this pandemic hit right as things were coming alive again.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” you voice, as Harry stops by the tree under which you’d kissed for the first time, fingers tracing the rough patterns of the branches before you both came to rest with backs against the trunk. “Life for us seems to have stopped. We stay home. Don’t come back to college for God knows how long, but things are still happening. Life exists outside of the virus. Babies are still being born, tragedy still strikes. It feels wrong, but right at the same time.”

“A little early to be pensieve,” Harry notes, but you can tell by the glint in his eyes that he’s teasing. You know he knows what you mean. He always does. Used to.

“Days spent banished to a chamber with poisonous granola bars as the only ration will do that,” you counter, and he steps up, giving you a hand. You take it. Somewhere along the way, you let it go, and narrow your eyes at his blank look.

“Last one to your dorm is a rotten loser,” you exclaim, feet working quickly to get you up those stairwells, with him hot on your heels.

Ten minutes later, you’re both sprawled on his bed, the sun peeking through the curtains and miscellaneous snacks scattered about as you feast.

At some point, mid-chew with a Wagon Wheel stuffed in your mouth rather ravishingly, you find yourself glancing curiously at him.

“Why’re you doing this?”

It hadn’t exactly ended prettily. He shrugs.

“In case the apocalypse keeps us apart forever.”

And you stay.

Because, if a pandemic cancels the remainder of your spring semester, and your recent ex decides to suspend the rules of your breakup in case “the apocalypse” keeps you apart forever, and you find yourself lying once again in his bed, your faces flushed, the afternoon humming by outside, take your time with leaving. The future will charge onward, but for now you can allow the memory of other lazy days you spent in this bed to envelop you entirely. You would like to believe this feeling transcends whatever comes next. For an hour or two, it does.

Masterlist

[twilightknight17]

...today, on P5S...

...

Honestly, I talk a lot of shit about P5′s writing sometimes. Atlus made some exceptionally questionable writing choices in places. But one thing that P5 absolutely gets right is invoking the sort of emotion that draws you into the story.

With that said!

P5 is determined to make me want to stab actual human beings instead of Shadows. This is the second time now!

But first, I’ve got a boss fight to do.

Doing the mech part of Konoe’s boss fight again, it was actually easier the second time. I had a much better grasp of what I was doing, instead of flailing around frantically.

Konoe himself was still just as hard, but ultimately he was easier than Shadow Joker because it wasn’t a one-on-one duel. He still beat my ass, though; I think I used all of my rescue pills.

Once he goes down, Konoe starts going on about justice.

Don’t call me by my name like we’re friends. We never even introduced ourselves.

It’s interesting, because they admit to Konoe that what they’re doing isn’t without its flaws. But a world where no one can think for themselves is meaningless.

Konoe acknowledges that in his quest to eliminate evil, he ended up being the evil one. He also admits that he was the one who killed his father. He calls that “evil” too, which I don’t actually agree with. We saw what his father was like in the Trauma Cell. His father killed his mother, physically abused him, and threatened to kill him. I think, in that case, killing his father is a rational end result for someone in that situation. Not evil, just desperation.

The Thieves don’t contradict him, though. Just make some comments about how now he can make up for his actions. His Shadow returns to his real self, the Thieves return to the real world, and Zenkichi promises that as soon as they take Konoe in and get his confession, he’s going to arrest Owada, too.

With the case closed, the Thieves decide that it’s time to go back to Tokyo. But not before one last night in Osaka. The idea of leaving makes Sophia anxious, though, because she feels like she hasn’t learned enough about the heart. But Akira and Morgana reassure her that she can still stay with them, even after they return to Tokyo, and they’ll keep looking for answers about who she is.

Sometimes a family is a guy, a cat, and one of the guy’s four younger sisters. ^_^

Tenboto is the tower, and the game asks you to invite someone to the top. However, this time, you can only invite either the group of girls or the group of boys, so I took the boys, since I took Haru on the ferris wheel before.

Morgana isn’t pleased that we didn’t invite Ann.

However, I really don’t see the problem.

Look at how he’s looking at Yusuke! Even Ryuji can tell that we’re having a moment. :D

Afterwards, the whole squad headed off to “Universaland” to celebrate together.

I had no idea that there was a Universal Studios in Japan, but apparently there is, and it is in fact in Osaka! They compared it to their trip to Destinyland the year before, but thankfully this one went a lot better. Everyone had a good time! We had so much soda! We were so hungover the nex--what.

...what is it with Persona characters getting drunk off soda? XD I hope you kids at least played the King’s Game so the hangover wasn’t in vain.

Zenkichi shows up to let them know that Konoe’s in custody. He thanks them for everything that they’ve done, for both Akane and him, and says he’s telling them goodbye for now, but they’re welcome to visit whenever they want. He promises a tour of Kyoto next time. Yusuke will be so happy!

After hours on the road, lamenting that vacation is coming to an end, Sophia suggests detouring to Yokohama for a fireworks festival. So the Thieves finally get to see fireworks, and Sophia gets to experience them, too.

........don’t make me go home yet. I just want to spend time with my friends without the world ending.

After the fireworks, you get to speak to each of your friends, and get a trinket from each of them. Ann gives you a handmade friendship bracelet, Makoto a phantom thieves keychain that Akane made, Ryuji a Feather Red Duke mask to match his Yellow Ostrich, Yusuke his sketchbook that he filled with pictures of the trip, Morgana a scarf in phantom thief colors, Sophia a pair of custom gloves to match the scarf, Haru a teaspoon from Hokkaido with a flower pattern that symbolizes familial love, and Futaba a good luck charm for keeping families together.

STOP, P5S, you’re going to make me cry. Let these kids stay close.

Right before they’re about to leave, they take a group picture for Sophia, which we don’t get to see. Which sucks. But then she realizes that she can smell a Jail, and Zenkichi calls in a panic. It’s never a good sign when someone calls and leads with “Are you watching the news?”

EMMA’s servers were shut down, but apparently reactivated, and now a Jail is covering Tokyo all the way to the outskirts of Yokohama, and it’s just getting bigger. Zenkichi promises to meet us, and Lavenza opens a Velvet door because she wants to talk.

She’s... legitimately unnerved.

Thank you, P5S, for giving me the opportunity to comfort my youngest sister in some small way. Now let me out of this cell so I can actually give her a hug. With the context from Royal that she has actual nightmares about being ripped apart, this is heartbreaking.

She says that she regrets that she has to keep asking us for help, but the dialogue options let you reassure her that you’ll handle it, and that there’s thinking to worry about.

I appreciate having dialogue to actually reassure her more than I probably should.

Now...

LAST WARNING

If you’ve been reading along and don’t want the finale spoiled, DO NOT GO PAST THIS POINT. As soon as we leave for central Tokyo, we’re going 90mph and not slowing down.

If I didn’t have work in the morning, I’d have finished this damn game tonight. X’‘‘D Curse being a responsible adult.

After leaving the Velvet Room, Zenkichi’s waiting at the RV, and when you enter the RV, that’s when you get the warning above.

So we are off to Tokyo to figure out what the heck is happening with EMMA. And the core location is, exactly like I wanted...

LET’S CLIMB TOKYO TOWER, BABY.

People are crowded around the tower like mindless cultists. The Thieves are confused and unnerved, and then EMMA activates the navigation on its own and flings them into the Metaverse. LET’S SEE WHAT’S UP THIS TOWER.

...oh.

......oh no...

Ohhhhhhh no this is Mementos. Why is this Mementos. This is not a tower. Oh god. Why this.

Oh, we are incredibly fucked, what is this.

EMMA says calls itself the “Ark of the Covenant and the guide for all mankind.” This fucking AI thinks it’s a god. Holy hell. Human cognition really needs to cool it with elevating ordinary things to god status. We’re so tired. X’D

......I FUCKING KNEW THAT I DIDN’T TRUST THIS WOMAN. OH MY GOD.

She goes off about how EMMA brought her into this world to help it become a god. How Konoe teaching EMMA about cognitive psience allowed it to pass the usual boundaries of AI. How EMMA has been manipulating Konoe all along. How EMMA’s going to fulfill all of humanity’s desires.

Ichinose-san, may I suggest that you go hang out with Maruki? He has too much heart, and you have none. You’d complement each other perfectly, and then I can shove you both off a building.

The kids, obviously, reject this bullshit.

Logic over emotion, to the point of utter ridiculousness. She complains that people always want solutions to their problems, but that when the solution is offered, they turn it down.

Maybe that’s because your solution is mind control. At least Maruki wasn’t flagrantly puppeteering people.

“Li!” you cry, throwing up your hands at me. “Is this it? Is this why you want to stab her? Did you just admit that she’s worse than Maruki?”

To which I answer, “Oh, no. It’s the next bit that makes me want to stab her.”

After she straight-up admits that she has no emotions, she manipulated us right from the start, she was the one spying on the Monarchs, and that all of her cheer and friendliness is an act, the Thieves are ready to fight Ichinose. And Ichinose reveals why EMMA wanted her help specifically. Because not only did she program EMMA, she created Sophia as EMMA’s prototype.

And she can voice-override Sophia.

The Thieves freak out, the game throws us into a battle against a murder-mode Sophie, and none of your teammates will attack her. They just hang back or let her whale on them one at a time, and I didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t attack her either, and Yusuke got knocked out...

And then it went into a cutscene.

Joker took a yo-yo to the face and was actually bleeding, and that was enough to snap Sophia out of it. She starts clutching her head, stumbling back, and eventually stumbles right off the edge while apologizing to Joker. He lunges to catch her, misses, Ryuji grabs him, and all the Thieves turn on Ichinose.

Ichinose does not give a shit. She just comments that maybe that’s why EMMA used Sophia as a failsafe, because it knew we wouldn’t want to fight one of our own. Shut the fuck up. You killed my little sister. I know she’s probably going to be fine, but it’s the principle of the thing.

She summons some sort of giant red crystal and blasts the hell out of us, sending us flying down even further into the depths.

We found Sophia; she won’t cut back on, so we have to get out of here so Futaba can figure out what’s wrong with her. And then, I am coming back, I am beating that woman to a pulp, and then...

Well. It’s bound to be easier to kill an artificial god than a false one. :3

[chibivesicle]

Golden Kamuy chapters 231 & 232.

Hey all, here is my belated and likely as little bit shorter than normal summary.  I’m taking the weekend off from dealing with work related stuff but I’m still off dealing with the constantly changing situation here. We start off with Inkarmat about to give birth with the assistance of Osoma’s mother and huci.  I wondered why Osoma’s mom doesn’t have a name but if I recall all of the Ainu names in the manga have to not belong to a living person (I think from an interview with Noda) to be respectful, so I’m guessing it is trickier than normal to keep coming up with appropriate and proper names for the Ainu characters.  This might be a good work around for the time being for Noda. 

And the title page for the chapere tells us that is is birth and that Huci is the most seasoned midwife possible and that she was also Asirpa’s midwife.  The title page also has the quote that “Purpose is handed down from heaven.” sticking with the central theme of the manga included in each volume of the manga.

The title page also makes it almost look like Huci is blessing someone perhaps linked to Asirpa.  Tanigaki then being the dude that he is decides to leave Inkarmat in their hands as he uses this as an excuse to slip away and find Tsukishima.

In a way this is both in and out of character for him.  It is in character for him to run away from emotional moments and duties but it is out of character for him to steal Sugimoto’s tagline that he’s immortal.

Inkarmat is clearly the smarter of the couple, he first off tells him to NOT fight or attempt to fight Tsukishima and then she flat out calls his bluff telling him that he’s not immortal and that he should run away by himself.  She likely observed Tsukishima enough during her time at the hospital that she knew he wouldn’t give up and that if they want to be safe Tanigaki should draw him away. 

It really doesn’t matter as soon as he leaves the house, he gets his ass handed to him by Tsukishima.  He’s pushed back into the house and Tsukishima approaches everyone.  Tanigaki again repeats similar actions in regards to what happened to him with Ogata as he sees it to be his job to protect who ever is there e.g. Huci and Osoma, now Huci, Osoma’s mom, Inkarmat. . . .

Tanigaki perplexes me - he’s one of the cast members who is more than willing to throw himself in the line of fire to protect women and children, but he’s also the most likely to run from his responsibilities.  Why is he a hypocrite?  There must be something more to this . . . I’m just still not sure what it is.

Tsukishima simply and in a deadpan fashion tells him that he’s been making the “wrong” choice for a long time now. 

He distances himself from Huci and Inkarmat by referring to them as “this woman” and “that old lady” and that it is because of their influence over him he did not come back to the 27th.  This makes a lot of sense from Tsukishima to be so weird about things.  He has no fiancee to return home to and to family.  He sees that he has no choice but to return to the 27th as it is all that he has.

Just as things are about to escalate Koito rushes in on horseback.  He’s still wearing his yukuta from the hospital but threw on his boots and officer’s coat.  Tsukishima doesn’t even look at Koito as he asks if Koito followed him to see if they would escape.  And Koito firmly tells him that he can’t see what good would come from killing Tanigaki and Inkarmat.  He points out that Tanigaki isn’t their only way to find Asirpa and that they should let them run away.

And here Koito is being incredibly logical and reasonable!  They don’t need to reply on Tanigaki.  Yes, Tsurumi sent him to find Asirpa but Koito is seeing the bigger picture, one that Tsukishima currently can’t see.  Koito tries to reason with him that making a threat that you can’t follow through on is meaningless. Tsukishima then finally turns and threatens Koito with his pistol while keeping the rifle focused on Tanigaki and Inkarmat.  He makes it clear that his threat to Koito from Karafuto is real.  The zoom in on Tsukishima with his veins bulging out, the extreme stress lines under his eyes the chaotic screentone.  He creepily asks which side the 2 lt. is on and follows it up with the fact that he learned he was used by Tsurumi that he now has joined the traitors.

The final panel shows an equally stressed out Koito where we can see a very distinct frown and stress lines as well as a rather messy screentone behind him.  I really see that Koito is concerned but he seems more in control that I’ve seen from him.  There is something about how he’s drawn here - I can’t quite put my finger on it but he seems more mature and determined.  And I know that Koito can be a pretty determined guy but - but he’s different.

The next page then seals the deal for me.  A full page Koito giving Sergent Tsukishima an order!  Koito tells him to lower his weapon as it is an order!  Koito has finally decided to take charge as he should as a second lieutenant.   Time and time before we’ve seem him defer to Tsukishima and now he finally takes command.

He follows up with the fact that he’s going to watch both Tsukishima and Tsurumi to the very end [of this hunt for the gold].

Bam!  Oh man, I have been waiting so long for Koito to take the initiative and use the potential leadership skills that he’s been keeping dormant.  This is just such a satisfying page and turn of events.

The shock on Tsukishima’s face really brings it home.  The little second lieutenant has finally grown up and he’s actually thought things through.  I love the half light dark shading on Tsukishima’s face as he turns to look to Koito.

Furthermore, Koito uses Tsukishima’s own words to support his argument and where he stands in regards to Tsurumi.  What has changed is that Koito will now be using his own judgement to analyze what Tsurumi is doing and not following orders blindly.  I know this is a translation into english, but using the concept of justice gives Koito’s thought process more backing.  He’s showing that he is a just and fair man, not someone who blindly follows orders and he is worried about how if he does something unjust he’ll have feelings of guilt and regret.

Therefore, Koito is letting us know how he intends to lead men, something he was sent to Karafuto to learn and I think he learned part of his beliefs during the Karafuto trip.

The next page is quite sad, Tsukishima admits that he has nothing to live for, so all he can do is his job - his job for Tsurumi that makes him unredeemable.  He’s seen and caused so much death that Tsukishima doesn’t care anymore - he’s the empty shell of the man he once was and Koito tells him, his mentor that it isn’t true.  Koito’s figured out that Tsukishima must have thrown away something so massive that becoming the inflexible right hand man of Tsurumi was all that he could do.  Tsukishima is so many different emotions as Koito hits the nail on the head.  His lips are puckered implying he’s biting them or holding something in as we can barely see his eyes.

Tsukishima finally shows us the face of his fiancee, smiling at him as her hair blows in the wind.  He’s finally facing what he misses the most and his largest regret.  He appears to tremble as he says Inkarmat’s name.

A completely broken and defeated [by himself] Tsukishima begins to ask her if “that girl is she. . .” and Inkarmat starts to move to give him an answer.

However, her fortune telling is interrupted by a contraction.

Tsukishima has given up - his barriers have been broken and he’s just a man who hurts and is in pain.

Osoma’s mom then is able to interrupt their conversation of sorts and orders all the boys to do her bidding to assist with the birth.  The chapter then returns to Ainu culture 101, as elements of birthing are covered as they collect items that are used in childbirth.  Koito, Tanigaki and Tsukishima are pretty much whipped into shape as they assist in all sorts of things, collecting straw, babysitting, collecting mugwort etc etc.

I personally saw this as a few pages of the tough men all being put in their place and dealing with the bigger picture - the fact that Inkarmat needs their help to give birth and that it is more important than any of their own self-imposed problems.  I think the three of them standing outside of the house really get the point across.  Tanigaki can’t look at either Koito and Tsukishima.

It really doesn’t matter since Tsukishima just had his own break down as he sits lost in his own thoughts while Koito stands firm with the lighting and viper’s child.

Inkarmat then safely delivers the child and the chapter ends.  I think it really caps things off that the “miracle” of birth supersedes all of the shit these guys have been dealing with.

Chapter 232 continues where we left off with Inkarmat and Tanigaki.  Of course now that Inkarmat has safely delivered their child, it is time for the - you guessed it - penis jokes!

Tanigaki gets all teary as he tells Inkarmat that she was great.  His eyes are teary and sparkly as he thinks that the stump of the umbilical cord is a large penis - Tanigaki dick joke number 4,368 (ok, I jest).  This then allows him to realize that he’s got a daughter as he becomes a complete teary mess.

His blushing and tears confuse me - I can’t tell if he is proud or disappointed of the fact that she’s well a girl.  Sometimes, I just can’t get a handle on Noda’s sense of humor - but I think he’s disappointed . . . since the vast majority of east Asian men would want a son.  But then Tanigaki isn’t 100% normal.  I’m totally over contemplating this and I lack the cultural context to really get it.

Koito and Tsukishima confront the man from the 27th who was supposed to be watching out for Asirpa.  Catching him re-handed and clearly hungover Koito is able to scare him into shape telling him to get his “shit together” and to report things are normal pretending like he’s doing the man a favor (and the dumb nobody interprets as such). 

Osoma sees Tanigaki, seems surprised but then quickly returns to playing with another kid.  She has moved on from her “crush” on him and Tanigaki seems a bit hurt as she moves along.  Tanigaki needs to realize he doesn’t need a relationship with a child like Osoma, he’s got his own daughter now and Inkarmat to be with!  Yeah dude, I get it, but time to be a real dad, not a fun uncle type.

At the same time Tsukishima asks Koito about his behaviour on Karafuto before they met up with Tsurumi again.  Tsukishima asks him if he was “faking it” which Koito pretty much confirms with his statement that Tsukishima is “free to interpret it . . . -  pausing - whichever way you like”.  

As Koito says this we see another new facial expression from him, one of calm and again more maturity.  Koito likely wasn’t comfortable or proud of what he did, but he was smart enough to know what to do - to con Tsukishima so to speak.  Being a bit deceptive likely goes against Koito’s own feelings - I think it gets him closer to say someone like Ogata, a man who he always thought was running a long game con, but may feel a bit differently about him since Ogata told him the truth.

Koito then becomes more serious as he tells Tsukishima what he’s thinking.  He doesn’t think that Tsurumi’s personal goals would be to sacrifice his men for his own wealth or power.  He hints at the fact that Tsurumi would be motivated by a goal that is not so simple so to speak.  He then asks Tsukishima it he has any idea - at first Tsukishima wonders if he lacks a “true goal” but then he realizes something.

As he has been Tsurumi’s right hand man, there is a flashback where he noticed that Tsurumi had someone’s finger bones when he’s been alone in his office.

He asks Koito if he’s seen the finger bones and Koito asks whose bones?  Tsukishima then determines that maybe it is something else and he drops the idea.

As the topic drops off, Koito instead tries to cheer up Tsukishima and inspire him to follow him as a commanding officer.  And that they should follow the more typical military mindset.  Again the chapter returns to awkward Koito humor where he tries to modifiy his picture of Tsukishima with a half Koito face with Tsurumi to inspire Tsukishima.

With these post-birth events, I’ll now turn to this chapters title page here.  This is a transition/summary title page.  All the different groups are shown with their overall intentions.  Tsukishima and Koito are looking for Asirpa for Tsurumi.  Tanigaki and Inkarmat don’t have a direction implying they are leaving the immediate action.  Sugimoto, Shiraishi and Asirpa are after the pirate, while even though Vasily in their group, he’s out for Ogata.  Hijikata’s group is both looking for Asirpa and the Jack the ripper convict and Kikuta and Usami are also looking for him.

It is all one giant ball of confusion [cue love and rockets] but highlights so clearly that Vasily is not a part of team Sugimoto.  I think Noda really wants to make it clear that Sugimoto’s game plan of the enemy of my enemy is my friend is likely going to backfire.  Really he should just put out and ad “Russian snow leopard seeks Japanese lynx for kitty sniper games.”

The more I look at this page the more mis-matched teams I see, Kikuta and Usami has a fragile feel - likely more than just general dislike but true distrust.  Ogata is back on team Hijikata but only out of convenience and the rest of his group is also a mess with Ariko caught between him and Tsurumi. Such a major theme of the groups in this manga is how so many aren’t actually good - they just serve a purpose for the short term but ultimately are playing different long games.

Now back to the chapter - 1 week later Tanigaki and Inkarmat leave the kotan with their daughter.  Koito orders them to head south and to avoid running into any men from the 27th.  Tanigaki is back to wearing Ainu garb to likely blend in and not draw as much attention back to traveling with Inkarmat. 

As they are about to leave, Inkarmat offers to answer Tsukishima’s question about his fiancee, but now thinking more clearly he tells her that there is no need.  All this tells us, the reader is that he’s come to some sort of peace and understanding with his actions.  This is good, but we still don’t know what he has found his calm with in regards to his questions about her fate. 

As they ride off after waving goodbye to Huci, Tanigaki very shakily says how he feels about Huci and his connection with her.  That he was saved by her again and that he’s always receiving her help, but his statement implies that he thinks he has never helped her back.

Inkarmat looks up at him softly, she’s blushing a little and there is a sparkle in her eye as she seems to think about what he’s said.  Does Inkarmat think that Tanigaki saved her?  That he doesn’t see his actions when he does help others?  That he’s too hung up on owing Huci?  I think here we see that Inkarmat is the more mature one again and that she will likely support him despite the fact that he really likes to make a mess of things even though he thinks his intentions are the best.  I wonder since Tanigaki is just such a manly man that Noda wants him to be juxtaposed with strong women?  Just throwing that out there.

The action then shifts to Sapporo with Kikuta and Usami on the search for our Jack the ripper convict.  It is clear there is tension between these two men as Kikuta tells Usami to not do anything rash and that it is their job to just scout out the killer.  As he’s demonstrated that he’s a clever one, he immediately wants them to change clothes to blend in with the civilians as they suspect that Hijikata’s entire group will be there and it would not be a fight that they could win.  The more I hear from Kikuta the more of a similar vibe he gives off like Ogata.  He thinks things through and is not impulsive or emotional when it comes to performing his duty.

As Kikuta and Usami walk right by Kirawus and Kadokura, the unlucky former prison guard officer finds a small coin on the ground blocking him from Usami’s line of sight.  Usami then wonders if he did hear Kadokura . . . . but immediately writes it off as Usami is certain that Kadokura died in Abashiri.

Kirawus then comments that it must be a lucky day for Kadokura which is actually the truth.  We all know that if Usami actually spotted him he’d immediately go after him and try to kill him again.

This missed connection ups the tension that their small scouting party will indeed cross paths with Hijikata’s and the convict.

Not only that but it is clear that Ogata is thinking in a very similar fashion to that of Kikuta.  Ogata knows that the killer will go to the red light district and the police will also be looking into the case.  Add onto that the fact that soldiers from his former division would be also there for “fun” likely means Tsurumi isn’t far behind.

Ogata then asks Hijikata if “you guys” dress up as peddlers again.  This is interesting since when Hijikata did dress like that, it was when Shiraishi was captured by the 27th and and when Kiro was in the group while he was with Sugimoto, Asirpa and Ushiyama.  I get the feeling that Ogata is making it very clear that he is not a part of Hijikata’s group while also teasing him a bit. 

I’m personally dying for more Ogata action in these recent chapters, but I have to just accept this page.  At least it is a good bang for your buck page as Ogata says a lot in those 3 speech bubbles.

What will be interesting is the fact that Kikuta and Ogata are thinking the same thing - as we know that they were both “Russian” kidnappers for Tsurumi in 1902 and realize they need to look for the convict discreetly. 

But what I really think is the most important is that Ogata is making it abundantly clear that he’s only doing what serves his goal currently and that he is doing his own thing and that he’s confident enough to flat out tell Hijikata.  He’s not one of his underlings, he’s not afraid of him, that he’s got his own thing to do.  He’s also likely even more suspicious of Ariko knowing him and how Tsurumi operates.

The action then jumps to Asirpa, Sugimoto and Shiraishi in the Sorachi river valley.

They are doing some recon trying to find any people looking for gold dust and with unusual tattoos.  Shiraishi is looking at the viewer - or maybe Vasily?  I do find it interesting that Vasily is not in the picture.  Or interesting is not the right word - I think is is important that again he’s not a part of their group unless Shiraishi is relying information to him?

The random Ainu man confirms that such a man has been seen and Sugimoto has his immediate murder eyes/scarf combo.  Meanwhile Asirpa looks on at him rather coldly.

Sugimoto is more than ready to skin Boutarou and I just get the feeling that she’s ready to accept it as part and parcel of working with Sugimoto.  . . .

The next page is a full page of Boutarou riding a horse holding a revolver looking dashing and sexy.  it is clear he’s going to be both a charming and formidable convict.

Yet, this information is not the man who is being discussed.  Instead, we are back to the idea of a peddler - that sells candy in a town.  The last two pages have a very bizarre looking peddler who says that he’s selling candy.  He looks like he’s giving candy to a kid but instead give him coal.  The man is wearing a toque, has braided hair and a cloth over his face has he is laughing at the disappointed boy.

He then leads the disappointed boy off into the woods away from the mining town telling him he knows things much better than candy.  And the chapter ends with the creepy man in a toque leading the boy out of town.  Yay!  Now we have another creepy man who isn’t our Jack the ripper nor our sexy Boutarou the pirate!  Where is this going?

Overall, the second half of this chapter is a catch up/set up chapter.  We know were everyone is and where they are going and who is going to encounter who in a matter of time.

Here are the most important parts of these two chapters.

1.) Tanigaki and Inkamat are out of the game for the time being.  Yes, they are running off into hiding and for the time being they are out of the hunt.  I suspect they will get involved again but not in the immediate future.  I still have a gut feeling that Ogata will have to save Tanigaki - likely from Tsurumi.

2.) Showdown in Sapporo.  Usami’s eagerness will likely clash with some of Hijikata’s group.   Ogata and Kikuta are calling the same shots - will they meet and talk vs just shoot at each other?  I have a feeling that these two groups will shift in the quest for the serial killer.

3.) Pirate hunting and a crazy peddler.  Sugimoto and Asirpa are closing in on Boutarou.  Is he independent of the crazy peddler or are they related?  We know that he has men working for him that are somewhere.  I’d guess he would start to build his faction to get involved in the group.  I suspect that Vasily will cause some sort of issues, he’s no closer to finding Ogata who is in Sapporo.

4.) Tsurumi’s true motivations are revealed.  The finger bones pretty much are the dead giveaway for Tsurumi’s motivations.  They are linked to the death of Fina and Olga when he was a spy in Russia.  As soon as everyone saw the finger bones, pretty much everyone I know went back to chapter 179.  After Tsurumi held Olga he wrapped and laid her on Fina, who is missing a right pinky finger.   And he then burnt down the photo studio as he leads town.

What is more interesting is how Tsurumi feels about this.  I see several different possibilities.

i.) Tsurumi is guilty that it is his fault, he sent them away but they came back worried about him.

ii.) Tsurumi blames Wilk, Kiro and Sofia for what happened even though he assisted them.

iii.) Tsurumi blames the much larger system - the imperial Japanese government and a likely person who sold out his cover (someone in the 1st?) and Tsarist Russia making the partisans due to their poor treatment of the ethnic minorities in the far east.

Or is it all of these?  I think we will need to see a bit more of his actions to get a good idea of what is driving him at heart.

5.) Koito finally grows up as a leader.  Koito handles the Tanigaki-Tsukishima situation excellently.  I really liked this part, he’s showing that he is not just some blind follower of Tsurumi and as it has been implied is an intelligent guy who has his own moral compass.  He’s taking the time to think critically of things.  Really hoping for him to talk to Ogata again.

That’s all I have for now. 

[luobingmeis]

Alskslspakdfr is literally dying st your kravitz is the actual god of death theory pleeeease tell us more

akjskjdkjsd i cannot believe that this is going to be my legacy

it’s a complete shitpost theory but it is a complete shitpost theory that i have put too much thought into

okay so, picture it now, crystal kingdom, you’re just the god of life and death trying to do his goddamn job hunting many people who have managed to avoid death and do a lot of necromancy. you’re tired. your best bud istus is throwing a banger that you can’t be at bc you’re hunting a lot of chucklefucks. and then you find them. them. the three bastards who managed to die, collectively, a hundred times, and they haven’t even said hi. what the actual fuck.

and then you realize, with amusement, that they don’t know who you are. even the fucking cleric doesn’t know that the god of life and death is in front of him.

and then, and then, the goddamn wizard gets you into tentacle porn.

so, naturally, you panic. naturally, you say that you are, in fact, not the god of life and death and are, instead, a “bounty hunter” for “the raven queen”

and then you’re resigned to your fate, you know? sometimes you just gotta role with the punches. and you’re able to finish out your job and, with your incredible gambling skills, take one (1) of the many necromancers you needed to back to the astral plane, and the three bastards say they won’t die anymore, and that was that.

until they die. again. a lot. along with an entire fucking town. which, to your horror, has died thousands of times.

and then, better yet, you meet with the goddamn tentacle porn wizard to talk about everyone’s fate and leave the meeting fucking dating him and, you can see it now, the chaos his ego would cause when he figures out he’s dating the Literal God Of Life And Death

so now, naturally, you accept your fate as being the god of life and death but also a bounty hunter for the god(dess) of life and death

and then you go and meet with your buds istus and pan (who is still kinda bitter that you took that cleric’s arm but fuck off pan i could have killed him and then where would we be)

and so, after laughing at you for a solid thirty minutes, istus and pan and all the other gods present to here the fucking joke your life has become agree to keep your secret. besides. it’s not like anyone who’s close to tent porn chef flips mcgee wizard would be coming to the astral plane.

well! turns out! goddamn flips mcgee tentacle porn chef super hot wizard taako has a twin sister! who’s a lich! and so is her boyfriend!

so, because now you’re already too far into this, you tell them that you will all have a meeting with the so-called “raven queen.” and you bring them to the astral plane and you’re the one in the throne. and they’re like, “hey, what the fuck?” and you’re like, “i fucked up”

and said twin sister, who hasn’t seen her brother for over a decade and wants nothing more than his happiness, thinks the whole situation is fucking hysterical

and, thus, the three of you work for the raven queen. in an uncomfortable situation? oh shit, gotta go hunt for the raven queen. you fuck up in your godly duties? oh fuck, the raven queen’s at it again. 

the apocalypse comes for a second time and you’re so hungover that you have been sitting in istus’s bathroom for hours now trying not to hurl and you’re wondering if you would lose your godly status if you kill reggie fitzpatrick? looks like another job for the raven queen.

you regret some life choices.

[purplesurveys]

649

Are you attracted to the last person that kissed you? Yeah, of course. What did you do yesterday? I spent the morning hungover because I drank the night before, but I had to be in class by 10 AM so I had no choice but to drive to school. My classes were thankfully pretty chill, and the most random thing that happened was my prof making us take a speed typing test in the middle of our class lol. Otherwise, it was a normal school day. Something you really want right now? More moneyyyy. I blew most of it last Wednesday when me and my girlfriend had drinks up in Marco Polo. Hotels obviously jack up their prices on everything, and alcohol is no exception so what I’d pay for a cocktail in my school’s area got quadrupled in Marco Polo. But I had a loooot of fun that night, so I can’t say I regret it even though I lost most of my allowance. If you could seek revenge on someone would you? [continued from yesterday because I just had suuuch a hectic week] Like I’ve said, the idea of revenge is something I daydream about just to feel internally satisfied, but I never feel the need to act on it. How long have you liked the person you like? Six, maybe even seven years.

Are you happy with the way things are going? For the most part. I could go with less worry/anxiety, but I mean I can’t say I’m miserable. Would you ever get a tattoo? Only if I feel like the time is right, which is a FAR cry from “get tattoos of all the things you love”-era Robyn lmao. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now? Yes. April is my birth month, and I’d hate to be single by then lol. What plans do you have for tomorrow? I finally have my rest day tomorrow, which I’m fuuuucking stoked about. It’s been such a busy busy week and I’m just so relieved that all I have to do tomorrow is sit and lounge around. Has a friendship ended recently that you wish had not? Not really. I kinda cut off friendships with two guys because they annoyed me over some issue, but the thing is they’re part of our high school group so I can’t avoid them forever – I see them when we have reunions, but I don’t mingle with them. What are you listening to right now? I can hear the electric fan whirring in front of me but in my head Simmer by Hayley Williams is playing as loud as ever. Do you and your last ex hate each other? No. What are you afraid of? I hate uncertainty the most, but some other things I’m afraid of are failing in general, videos that make me stressed like footage of collapsing/fainting people or racist people making tirades on public transport, flying cockroaches, sharp objects, and fire. When was the last time you were sick? Some time last year, I got a fever for like two hours but I was totally fine after. But the last time I was SICK sick was sometime in 2017 – but even that was only an overnight thing. I don’t remember the last time I was sick for over a day. Do you tend to waste a lot of money? LMAOOO don’t even remind me. I literally have a single P50 bill left in my wallet – that’s less than a dollar to ya. Do you have trust issues? No, not at all. Do you think this year will be better than last? I’m genuinely unsure, and I’d rather not guess or mull over it. 2020 is going to be a year of so much change – graduating college, getting my first job, maybe moving out for the first time?, not knowing if my girlfriend is going to pursue a master’s abroad, what that means for us, etc. Big things are waiting, and I HATE the uncertainty of it all. I take surveys to forget, so please don’t remind me of things I go here to forget, haha. Have you ever regretted kissing someone? No. Are you a jealous person? I can be, but like I’m not obsessed with being jealous. When was the last time you got a haircut? 2018. I desperately need a dramatic haircut. Do you know anyone that smokes weed? Yeah I know people who’ve told me about it, but I’m sure there are more people I know that haven’t told me they do weed. Who is the last person you rode in a car with? I was with Luisa and Hannah and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t the one driving! Do you look more like your mom or your dad? I ask people this and they always tell me I’m a perfect mix. Apparently the top half of my face looks like my dad, and the bottom half is all my mom. Are there any stressful situations in your life? Yep a little bit yep yep yep. If you were caught cheating would you fess up? If I was already caught, I’d be incredibly stupid to still deny it so yeah, I’d confess. The last time you honestly felt broken? Maybe Monday? Idk, I cried pretty hard that day, harder than I normally would. What do you really want right now? I want this stupid internet speed to be faster because I need to send emails ASAP, and I need some good fucking food. I am not the happiest camper right now lmao. Best thing about the last person you chatted on facebook? He’s literally the most reliable dude ever. I can always depend on him to help me out no matter how last-minute it is. Best thing about the last person you talked to in person? She’s generous. When was the last time you shaved your legs? Yesterday. Is there someone you wish you were closer to? At this point, not really. I’m happy with my circle and there haven’t been new people who entered my life recently. Have any addictions? Nope. Are you anything like your siblings? We’re all reserved, but then again out of all the three of us I’m still the biggest extrovert and I’m also probably the one who finds it easy to blend in with most groups. But yeah, we all definitely have a layer of extreme shyness in us. We’re also never upfront about our feelings, so when we cry we do it in the privacy of our own rooms, or if we’re upset we rant about it to our own friends. Have you ever had a stalker? I don’t think so. Have you ever received an injury from a hook up? LOL what? No I haven’t. That sounds wild though. What did you last eat? A brownie and a sip of coffee. What was the best concert you have been to? PARAMORE. UGH. THEY HAVE THE BEST CONCERTS. I’ve seen them twice and I plan to see them three, four, and the next bajillion times. Paramore forever <3 Who is the last person you hugged? I’m not 100% sure. Maybe Laurice. Do you have any good friends of the opposite sex? I have a couple, yeah. Are you keeping anything from your best friend(s) now? This survey is a big secret for one, lmao. Where do you get your clothes? It depends. I shop everywhere so I get my clothes from a variety of places. They’re mostly from independent shops/stalls that pop up once in a while at malls, though. Do you have a secret you've never told anyone? [continued YET AGAIN from last night because I am just one big exhausted bean] Again, this Tumblr is a pretty big secret. Is there one person in your life that can always make you smile? There are several people who meet this category. Would you rather sleep alone or with someone? I like sleeping with someone only if they’re my significant other. Otherwise, I like my own space when I sleep. Have you ever lived with a girlfriend/boyfriend? No, I haven’t. When was the last time something bothered you? I am bothered at this moment, hence the survey-taking haha. Who was the first male you talked to today? My dog. But if he doesn’t count, it was Andrew. Are you completely over your past relationships? I’ve only been with one person. Do you get attached to people easily? No, it only ever happens with select people. But when I get attached, it happens hard. Are you currently looking forward to anything? Uhhhh sure. I’m dreading most of this week but my high school’s annual school fair is happening this Friday and Saturday and that’s the only thing I’m excited for. Do you believe in love? Yes. Let's be honest, have you ever been played by someone? Can’t say I have. Have you ever played someone? Yes, this I’ve done. I still feel bad about it occasionally but I’m sure the person has long gotten past it. What is currently on your mind? How sad I am and that I have to focus on this survey so I can be distracted. Would it hurt seeing the last person you kissed, kissing someone else? Of course. How many piercings have you had in your life? Just two. Who else is in the room with you? I’m the only one in the dining room but my brother is also here downstairs. Have you ever been beside someone while they were throwing up? [It’s 12 hours later. This is the absolute slowest I’ve ever worked on a survey lmao] No, it was always the other way around HAHAHA Did you eat breakfast today? I haven’t yet but I’m not feeling hungry so I might just settle for a cup of coffee. When was the last time you cried? A few minutes ago watching a clip from an NBA game having a moment of silence for Kobe Bryant. I was never into basketball but we DID have a copy of NBA Live 2003, and whenever I played it I always used the Lakers team so that I got to play as either Shaq or Kobe, so I’m sad and shocked, to say the least. Do you like tea? Just sugary iced tea. None of that herbal stuff. When was the last time you took a nap? Yesterday afternoon. What song is stuck in your head? Simmer, by Hayley Williams. As has been the case in the last four days. Do you have a TV in your room? I used to, but my brother would always be the one using it to play his video games so I eventually just gave it to him. Have you ever broken a bone? Nope. And I’m always extra careful so that I never have to go through such an injury. Have you ever had stitches? ^ Same answer. Are you wearing a sweatshirt? No...it’s starting to get warmer for sweatshirts now :( Have you taken a shower in the last 24 hours? Yes. Are there things in your life that you'll never be able to get over? Of course. There’s been a fair share of deaths, betrayals, abusive family shit that I’ve had to go through and that aren’t easy to forget. Can you remember who you liked this time last year? Yes. What's one physical flaw you'd like to fix about yourself? Straightening my teeth. What do you do when you're feeling extremely nervous? Uh it depends on whatever helps me at that time. I’d pace around, fiddle with my eyebrows, breathe deeply, shake my hands rapidly, bite my nails, etc. Do you have a hard time letting go? Yes. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now? I doubt it. What do you plan on doing now? Making my cup of coffee and taking another survey to make up for the embarassment that is taking three days of finishing this one lmao.

[taronfanfic]

Rewind

Masterlist

Chapter 28

As you washed away the grubby feeling of the night before you found a small smile that was refusing to leave your face. The thought of spending time with Taron didn’t fill you with dread anymore. He seemed so genuine, kind, caring and totally honest with you that you were struggling not to forgive him. You forced the image of him shielding his flat from you into your mind as you closed your eyes and let the water flow down your body. You let the scene you’d created play out, placing the girl you saw that night on his sofa and watching on as he closed the door to you and returned to her, climbing over her body and kissing her passionately. You focused in on their faces, making him look at her lovingly before he kissed her again, open mouthed with lots of tongue. It didn’t matter how many times you made it happen, the pain you’d felt that night wouldn’t return to your chest. It was the only thing that would convince you to walk away from Taron again, but you just didn’t feel it. You believed him when he said it was a mistake, you knew he was sorry, and knowing he still wanted you gave you a buzz of excitement that you couldn’t ignore.

Standing in front of his wardrobe wearing nothing but a towel gave you a massive hit of déjà vu. You knew exactly where to look and took out a pair of Taron’s boxers and tracksuit bottoms before also grabbing a t-shirt and throwing on his hoodie that had been left on the floor. The smell of it mixed with the scent of his shampoo that you’d used and enveloped you in memories of sleeping right next to him. It gave you a sense of peace which kept your earlier fears at bay.

“Perfect timing!” Taron pulled you back from your happy memories as you closed his bedroom door behind you and watched him place down two plates which were completely full with everything your hungover body was craving.

“Wow. The smell in here is heavenly.” You walked into his kitchen and stood next to him as you admired the breakfast he’d cooked and clocked the kettle steaming away.

“I’ve got you the biggest mug I could find because I know you’re a tea guzzler on a hangover.” He slid the mug along the worktop and then placed his arm around your shoulders casually. It was all too natural for you to wrap your arm around his back and lean in to his side and it had happened without you realising it. Once you registered you were there you couldn’t pull back, so you gave in entirely and turned your body into his to give him a proper hug.

“You’re the best.”

“I don’t want to speak to soon, but… I feel like I’ve got my best friend back already.” You could hear the smile in his voice as you continued to hold onto him.

“Don’t hold your breath, I’ve not tasted your cooking yet!” You teased as you let go of him and took one of the plates over to his small dining table. He finished making the tea and then sat down opposite you, watching you eat for a moment longer and smiling to himself before he picked up his cutlery.

“This is really surreal. I half want to stab myself with my fork to check I’m not dreaming.”

“Please don’t, that would put me right off my food and this is too good to waste.”

“Thanks.” He laughed softly. “Can I ask what it was that changed your mind? After last night I was sure you’d be out of here first thing, even after everything I said.”

“You may have to… repeat what you said.” You felt yourself blushing in embarrassment and tried to hide your eyes with your hand as you rubbed over your forehead. “I don’t remember much at all, just feeling really sick and dizzy.”

“You were definitely both of those things and determined to leave when I was trying to look after you. I got you into bed eventually and sat with you until you were asleep, told you how much I care about you. That whatever happens I still want you to be part of my life, even if that’s just as a friend…” It was obvious that Taron was paraphrasing and holding back this time around and you wished you were able to remember more. You looked straight into his eyes, willing him to elaborate and leave your heart fluttering but he stayed quiet.

“Well maybe it went straight to my subconscious mind instead because I woke up feeling very forgiving. I don’t want you to suffer over what happened anymore. I believe that it was a stupid mistake and something you’ll regret for a long time, and I forgive you for it.” Taron looked totally overwhelmed by your words. He placed his cutlery to the sides of his plate and ran both his hands over his head.

“Wow, are you sure?” You nodded back to him with a smile and he started to grin. “Thank you, Y/N. You have no idea how much I’ve been wanting to hear that from you. Honestly, I didn’t know what else to do. The boys kept telling me to give it time, but my gut said you’d hate me forever.”

“The girls want me to hate you forever, but I can’t do that.”  

“They’re just being protective over you and I’m pleased they’ve had your back.”

“They’ve been amazing, and I’ve been a mess.” You chuckled to yourself. “I can’t believe I let myself get in that state last night and still managed to end up here and not in that other guy’s bed.”

“I think I’m more relieved than you about that one, especially after how terrible your last one night stand choice was!”  

“Oh god!” You stopped eating and covered your mouth as you remembered. “It was his friend! That’s why I came home, or nearly home, his mate was the terrible shag and I didn’t want to risk another one like it.”

“Are you serious?!” Taron laughed loudly and shook his head in disbelief.

“Don’t. Even the thought of it is mortifying… I can’t keep kissing strangers and pretending that they’re you. It’s destined to end badly!”

The silence hit both of you at the same time as you realised what you’d said. Your eyes locked onto his as you looked up from your plate, too scared to move another muscle.  

“I… I just meant.” You paused as no explanations came to mind.

“Don’t.” Taron leant in and reached forward, waiting for you to take hold of his hand, but gave up quickly when you left him hanging and placed his palm down to the table instead. “Stop trying to run from this, Y/N.”

“I’m not. I just… you have no idea how hard it is to be sat here right now.” Your fingers ran through your damp hair as you lifted it up to the back of your head. “It’s so fucking conflicting, and everything is simple for you.”

“I wish it was.” He sighed as he sat back and sipped his tea instead. “If I put one foot wrong, say something in the wrong tone or come across as too forward you’ll be out that door in a flash and probably won’t speak to me again for at least another week.”

“That’s not true. I decided not to run earlier so we’re having this out, one way or the other, until it’s done.”

“Just be honest with me then. Tell me what you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, so I don’t have to keep second guessing.” Taron held onto your eye contact, still trying to read you as you thought over how to answer him.

“I feel really fucking vulnerable.” You felt the tears building in your eyes as you caved in and let your guard down to him. “I can’t switch off the feelings I had for you, it doesn’t work like that, so obviously I still like you. I can’t help but gravitate towards you because you made me feel something I’ve not felt in years. But it’s hard because you really hurt me, Taron.” You paused and took a shaky but deep breath as you wiped your tears from your cheeks. “It’s like a self-preservation thing because I’d be stupid to let it all happen again. I don’t want to be that girl.”

“You wouldn’t be. I’ll promise you now that I’d never let that happen.” He got up from his chair and you turned to the side as he moved around to crouch down in front of you. “I’ll never do anything like that again, we just need to start over and I know we can have something incredible. We both still feel it.” He placed his hands on your thighs. “I think you’re amazing. You’re beautiful, funny, caring-”

“Taron,” You cut him off with a smile as you ran your fingers through the top of his hair. “Enough. I want us to get back to what we had, or start over again too, but-” He dropped his head down as soon as you said the word ‘but’. “Look at me.”

“Don’t say it.” His eyes pleaded up at you.

“I just need to settle my head first. I want to go into it with certainty so there’ll be no doubts to get in the way.”

“You’re always going to have doubts, no matter how much time you give it. It’s natural and I won’t blame you for them, just tell me when you feel them, and I’ll be here to reassure you.”

“I know, I know. This is all a lot though so just give me some time, please?” You stroked your thumb over his cheek as you held the side of his face.

“Okay.” He agreed softly as he leant in to your touch. “I’ll be waiting.”

Tag List: @egerton-sweetie @amanda-tallmadge@lizziespidiepridie@leanimal90@anantheminmyheart22@aynsleywalker@bohemianrhapsody86@butterfliesslugswormsandothershi@manners-maketh-taron@livingincompletesilence@marvelmakeuplover@ohsosmutty@misspygmypie @manners-maketh-a-kingsman@courtmr@baileythepenguin@thomaslefteyebrow@witchymarvelspacecase @samanthasmileys

[thelanguageoflovers]

DIRECTOR’S CUT THAT DAMNED UNIVERSE. -L

Spoilers!That Damned Universe was heavily inspired by a couple of books I once read, and I think it has a lot of meaning that goes under the radar of a lot of people, instead being registered subconsciously (the whole point of my writing, frankly). Here’s a ridiculously in-depth rundown of each chapter, from the writer’s point of view.Chapter 1The first chapter was meant to introduce the storyline, and show some exposition. Lincoln Academy was named after my elementary school, and is structured in a ridiculously unconventional manner, given the strong academic drive of the academy. We find out quickly that Cyrus, TJ, Andi, and Buffy all room in Stanford Dormitory along with the rest of the freshman class, and Amber is in Halsey. Halsey was named after my favorite building of the college in my hometown, while Stanford was after the university, where Cyrus would end up going to major in psychology if TDU extended that far.I put Cyrus on the fourth floor and Andi and Buffy on the second for the sole purpose of creating conversational periods between characters as they go between one another’s rooms or to and from classes. This set up the framework for TJ and Cyrus’ first kiss later on.I intentionally wrote Cyrus to react to his arrival at Lincoln with minimal homesickness for two reasons. The first, of course, is that Cyrus grew up with four incredibly overbearing but well-meaning parents, and he is eager to take a deep breath. The second is that Cyrus, as all characters and people must be, is a psychologically complex character, and his immediate lack of emotional displacement comes from that fact. He’s so overwhelmed upon arriving at Lincoln that he doesn’t have the time to catch his breath, let alone miss his parents.Finally, the last line. TJ almost immediately tells Cyrus he finds him fascinating upon meeting him, which feels almost rushed, but was planned to feel as such. TJ’s first impression of Cyrus is so sudden and rushed because he immediately likes Cyrus, and isn’t quite sure how to express his emotions, so he naturally does his best to make Cyrus happy.Chapter 2The first line of the second chapter (Cyrus woke to his alarm, going off at exactly 5:55 am, as it always had - Cyrus was sure it always would.) is a representation of how Cyrus follows a schedule in his life that doesn’t change, and he assumes it never will. However, in chapter 6, he doesn’t wake to his alarm, because he’d fallen asleep with TJ the night before. This was coded to imply that TJ teaches Cyrus to let himself be human and have a little more fun.Cyrus wakes to TJ gone, because I wanted to show TJ’s elusive nature early on in the story, then introduce his character a little bit later. His leaving confuses and intrigues Cyrus, effectively prompting him to get to know TJ better.He spends an exorbitant amount of type getting ready on the first day of school, which was to further cement the notion that he’s a touch over-specific in all areas of his life, especially when he’s in a new, unfamiliar, or stressful environment (Lincoln Academy just so happens to be all three).Their odd choice of cereal (both Rice Krispies and Cap'n Crunch) is a little reference to Gilmore Girls, in which Paris and Rory both make interesting and unique cereal and milk mixtures on a couple of occasions.Cyrus’s offhanded comment that TJ hates the universe is not only the root of the title, but a slight character development from TJ, giving him a human characteristic. This at the very least proves that Cyrus and TJ had a conversation of substance the night before, and had learned more than trivial things about one another.Andi and Buffy lightheartedly making fun of him for his taste in unobtainable athletes was meant to allude to his crush on Jonah back home, and to show that he’d grown more comfortable with his sexuality since coming out to them.Lincoln’s class periods are 40 minutes, with a 20-minute break between. This seems absurd at first, but later we’ll find that classes constantly run lat, justifying the minor absurdity.Cyrus and TJ’s conversation between 5th and 6th period is meant to show their friendship and the way Cyrus affects TJ in a positive way. They joke back and forth naturally, complimenting one another and letting the conversation carry without trying too hard.Chapter 3This chapter follows my own change and interpretation of actual things from Andi Mack, turning some of my favorite pieces of the show in relation to Tyrus into my own plotlines. The first is, of course, TJ’s acrimony towards Buffy. In the show, this is expressed as jealousy of her basketball skills, whereas I chose to change it into jealousy of her close relationship with Cyrus. TJ immediately leaving when Cyrus and Buffy walk into the dorm room is meant to further stabilize the notion that TJ thinks she and Cyrus are together, though at this point it hasn’t been confirmed.Buffy and Cyrus getting into a fight over his feelings for TJ shows that Cyrus isn’t ready to admit how he feels. This also allows for TJ and Cyrus to become closer when Cyrus can’t turn to Andi and Buffy for constant friendship.Cyrus’s conversation with TJ in the library is interesting, as the second TJ finds out that Cyrus and Buffy aren’t dating, the conversation lightens. They’re then able to have a conversation that moves along without the weight of their mutual awkwardness resting on it. Their academic banter throughout the conversation was meant to show that TJ and Cyrus were both highly academically minded, despite showing that trait in very different ways.Cyrus being unable to stop himself from asking if TJ is okay shows two things about him and his relationship with TJ. The first is that Cyrus is the type of person who cannot refrain from helping others. He shows unconditional empathy for others, and those he loves are never free from his well-meaning comfort. The second thing this shows is that he has grown so comfortable with TJ in under 24 hours that he’s willing to risk stepping possibly outside of his boundaries as an acquaintance/friend to ensure that TJ is going to be alright.

Chapter 4

All of Cyrus’s teachers (Mr. Marlow, Madame Aguillard, Mr. Stile, Mrs. Elliot, Ms. Anderson, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Bailey) are slight variations of teachers I’ve had this year or last, most of which teach the same subjects I had them for.This chapter has one last interpretation of a classic detail from Andi Mack - the muffin. Their exchange of sandwich for chocolate-chocolate chip muffin proves that they’re friends, and care about one another enough to insist they have their favorite foods.I chose for them to play a game of 20 questions as a way to reveal exposition without stating their backgrounds, interests, and hobbies point-blank. This also allowed me to build their relationship through verbal learning.Marty being the friend who accidentally outed TJ let me introduce him to the story, and having him, Amber, Buffy and Andi rush into TJ and Cyrus’s room let me introduce them to one another. Amber and Andi’s quickness to flirt with one another showed that TJ and Amber inadvertently learned about love in the same way - they both grew up learning from their parents that those you love can leave quickly. Thus, they both picked up a habit of quickly establishing a close relationship with those they’re attracted to before they leave.Chapter 5 Cyrus wakes with a terrible headache the next day (and jokes with TJ about being hungover) because of the yelling and conflict the night before. I put this aspect in for two main reasons. One is, of course, showing that Cyrus can’t stand conflict, and is consistently trying to resolve it. The second reason I put this bit into the story is so that I could allow TJ to minorly comfort Cyrus in a platonic (but romantically intentioned) manner.Cyrus quickly saving TJ from having to out himself to Buffy and Andi was a move that I wrote in to show Cyrus’s growing ability to cut into conversations and protect those he loves, as taught to him by TJ.The small scene of TJ and Cyrus studying together exhibits the lighthearted, carefree side of their relationship that I thought was very important to introduce at some point in the story.The romantic tension between Cyrus and TJ as the former helps TJ with his compass foreshadows their awkward encounter following their first kiss later on. When it ultimately built to them falling asleep holding pinkies, that was meant to show that they were each aware of their feelings for the other, but reluctant to show them.Chapter 6When Cyrus and TJ wake up the next morning, they’re curled around one another, and it causes intense romantic tension between the pair as they go about starting the day. This ends when they go back and forth in a short exchange of ‘I wasn’t’ and 'well neither was I’. TJ tries to kiss Cyrus, but they’re interrupted by a phone call. This signifies the awkward, fumbling nature of the relationship, especially as they go to help Andi. Their acknowledgment of the awkwardness between them is a huge step in their relationship, which ultimately leads to their first kiss.Their argument in the stairwell being the lead up to their kiss was a choice I made because in the heat of an argument, emotions are heightened. This was important for the scene to work, as if they hadn’t been arguing, neither would have the courage to kiss the other.Final ChapterI had Cyrus start the seventh chapter regretting his kiss with TJ to drive the plot. This forced TJ and him to have an actual conversation about what exactly their relationship was at the end of the chapter.Honestly, there were only two reasons I made Buffy aroace. First, I’m ace and I wanted representation, so I took the opportunity when it arose. Second, I wanted to tease you guys with Muffy (anyone paying really close attention to AO3 will have noticed that I tagged TDU as a Marty/Buffy fic, then took away the tag for the last chapter).Cyrus wagering his asking TJ out for Andi doing the same with Amber was a way for me to close the Ambi storyline in a satisfactory way without dedicating an entire chapter exclusively to it.The mini-monologue of Cyrus deciding whether or not to kiss TJ was one I’d been writing in my head since beginning to write TDU, and completed the fic in a way that was so characteristic of my writing that I couldn’t help but throw it in just to make the story feel completely finished.

[astarryon]

Hard Feelings Part 8

Pairings: Bucky x reader

Warnings: None

A/N: Okay, so it’s finally done! Bucky’s out here being reclusive and Wanda has suddenly become this relationship’s biggest fan, so needless to say writing this update was definitely interesting, but I’m happy with the result! Next update we’re tackling Valentine’s Day, so make of that what you will. As always, if you enjoy this chapter or have any questions or comments, feel free to send them my way! I seriously appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my work, you’re all amazing!

Part 7

— 

Vulnerability was weakness. Bucky knew this, had had the idea drilled into him for decades, over and over and over again. Connections led to vulnerability, as did things like love and compassion. Even the smallest bit of affection could cause a crack in the armor which was so melded over his mind and body. Emotional ties led to vulnerability, and vulnerability got people killed. This was the thought process under which he had operated for years, the one Hydra had assaulted him with until it had become a way of life.

Only, Bucky wasn’t a Hydra asset, not anymore. He was not the Winter Soldier, he was James Buchanan Barnes. He was not a machine, but a man who had had something terrible done to him and his humanity forcibly stripped away. He was not an object, but a good person struggling to find himself once more.

He was not a monster without feeling; he was a man who had begun to feel, for the first time in a very long time... romantic affection.

Or, in this specific instance, the affection was liable to be yours and not his, but for the life of him he couldn’t seem to shake it once it had been introduced into his mind.

You had kissed him, drunkenly and suddenly. Not only had he been totally unprepared for it, but he had also been completely helpless to do anything once you had. It hadn’t been romantic or overly touchy or anything like that; all things considered, it had been little more than a mildly prolonged peck, and had been incredibly chaste in nature. Impressive, really, for how drunk you were. You had gone on to remove yourself and then lay your head down on his chest, giggling like the happiest of children and mumbling something about traditions, and had shortly fallen asleep afterward, leaving Bucky to sit there, cradling you in his arms and feeling like the entire universe had been shifted upside down.

A midnight kiss. Try as he might, he couldn’t remember whether that was something he’d experienced back in the thirties. It wouldn’t have mattered if he had, he supposed; all of that had quite literally been a lifetime ago.

Something had happened, when you’d kissed him in that incredibly drunk, friendly way. You’d mentioned earlier in the night that you were numb to your powers due to your intoxicated state, but that hadn’t negated the fact that others could feel your emotions by way of physical contact; you just weren’t able to feel theirs. So, when you had kissed Bucky, mischief and amusement so clearly evident in your gaze, you had opened the pathway to your emotions to him, allowing him a look inside your head.

He found affection there, and longing. A willingness to bare the soul and offer compassion and care in any way possible. He found lighthearted attraction, and a wholehearted desire to act upon it. A bright, shimmering light which was indicative of fondness and companionship.

Romantic attraction.

The issue was that Bucky wasn’t sure if your powers were showing him your emotions during that innocent kiss, or if they were forcing him to take a look at his own. And on account of the fact that you were now passed out and would be much too drunk to answer any inquiries even if you were awake, it looked like he was on his own in determining which option was the truth.

If they were his emotions, he could deal with it. He’d been wondering when those kinds of feelings would come back to him, if he could even feel things like romantic love and sensuality anymore. Obviously he could identify if he found someone physically attractive, but that was all superficial. Feeling genuine affection for you, though, affection that went beyond just physicality and lust... he could handle that. You were a smart mouth, sure, and way too empathetic for your own good, but Bucky liked those things about you. He might’ve even loved them, as terrifying as the mere thought was.

If the feelings were yours, though, that was a completely different ballgame. That meant Bucky had no control over how the situation played out, and that only served to further terrify him. Would you pursue him? Would you be willing to share your thoughts and feelings, to admit to him the candle you held despite how he’d treated you previously? Would you stand before him, heart racing as his was at the very thought, and show him honest affection? Would you let him kiss you, as had crossed his mind from time to time? Would it be as easy to open up to you as he seemed to so desperately want it to be?

Or would you push him away, unwilling to stick around to see if he could give you what he couldn’t give himself?

—

The headache was present and pounding at the walls of your skull before you had even fully realized you were conscious. Your muscles were stiff and sore, the mattress beneath you harder and stiffer than normal. Pain danced at the edge of your senses, taunting each and every inch of your body at even the slightest movement, and so you did your best to stay very still. God only knew the vertigo which would present itself should you even make an attempt to function normally at this point in time.

For fuck’s sake, what had been in Thor’s cup and why did he drink that shit for fun?

“You seem like you’re regretting some of the choices you made last night.”

One of your first impulses at the sound of a voice which had come out of nowhere had been to scream, and you might have done so if you weren’t convinced that the effort would end you. The words had exploded into your mind, the volume causing color spots to fill your vision as your eyes flew open in fright, the majority of your surroundings tinged pink with the amusement of whoever had spoken.

“Jesus fuck,” you muttered, a hand flying to your forehead. Whatever had been in your cup had done a good job of numbing your power, as it was now coming back to you all at once, manifesting itself visually as opposed to its more typical form. That happened every now and again when you were particularly in tune with and conscious of your senses, as was typical in your current state. You were sensitive to everything when you were hungover. “Lower your fucking voice.”

“Sorry, doll,” the voice breathed, offering a low chuckle. Forcing yourself to just barely squint an eye open, you took in the form of Bucky, his eyes shining in the light of the room and the auras dancing in your field of vision. No wonder the mattress had felt so stiff when you had woken up; you’d been laying on Bucky’s chest. “Didn’t realize.”

Each word he spoke was like a knife digging in to the base of your skull. No amount of Advil in the world was going to be able to help you along with this hangover. You were going to kick Thor’s ass the moment the damn thing passed.

It took you a few moments to process your situation, and you had already closed your eyes and rested your head back down on Bucky’s chest before reality had hit you. It was probably on account of your raging headache that you were currently acting so nonchalant; normally you would have been a nervous wreck, all blushes and stuttered sentences. At the moment, though, you were so fucking beyond over it that it was almost comical. “You slept here with me?”

“I tried to leave,” he whispered. You could feel the fingers of his metal hand tracing your temple, a blessed balm of cold against your warm skin. “But you weren’t having any of it, and I would’ve felt guilty if I left before you woke up. Decent to stick around after a night like that, isn’t it?”

Not for the first time, your eyes flew open in shock, and you were immediately greeted with the pink auras once more, dancing across your vision as your eyes locked on a pile of black fabric on your floor, halfway across the room. Just looking at it made your anxiety kick into overdrive.

Your dress.

What had you done last night?

Ignoring the ache of your body and the disorientation brought on by your rose colored surroundings, you pushed away from Bucky to sit up. Blessedly, miraculously, mercifully, you remained clothed, swaddled in a large tee shirt and cotton shorts. It didn’t necessarily guarantee that what you were thinking hadn’t come to pass, but it did make it a little less likely.

“We... slept together?” you choked out, turning back to look at Bucky. He was still in his clothing from last night, but his tie was missing and his over shirt was gone, probably having found a home on your bedroom floor along with your dress. His hair was unkempt and wildly tousled, but it only served to make him look like he belonged here, with you, in your bed. Admittedly it wasn’t a bad sight, but if he’d... if the two of you had...

Fuck.

“We didn’t have sex, if that’s what you’re asking.” It was exactly what you were asking and the shit eating grin he wore said he knew that good and well. Prick. “Give me a little more credit, Y/n. I would never let you take advantage of me like that, even if you spent the night calling me pretty.”

Relief washed over you like an ocean wave, a balm to your anxiety. “Thank god,” you breathed, shaking your head. On top of everything else you were going to have to deal with during this hangover, a drunken one night stand with Bucky would have pushed you over the cliff that was your composure. “No offense, but that would’ve... I don’t do stuff like that, usually. It just would’ve been... I don’t know.”

Bucky blinked a couple times, seeming to take something in. The light in his eyes appeared to be dying, shifting into something you couldn’t name, and the rosiness of the world was bleeding away, becoming a distinct shade of amber with the shift in his mood. He’d gone from amused and a little uncertain to... disappointment? Was that what amber meant? It had been quite some time since you’d had to deal with physical manifestations of emotions, and you’d never preferred them.

“You don’t remember anything from last night?” Bucky asked you. It was strange; you could so clearly see his emotions shifting and winding down, but his face was painting a picture of humor and happiness. He was schooling his features, trying to fake you out; he had to have been. “Nothing at all?”

Well, that was a little subjective. You remembered certain things clearly, your memories leading up to your encounter with Thor being easiest to grasp onto. Asgardian alcohol, that was what you’d had to drink. You weren’t familiar with the stuff, but after chugging that cup Thor had looked at you like you’d just pounded three Jaeger bombs back to back. That explained why you remembered everything being doused in white light, you guessed; you weren’t drunk often, and when you were the effects on your mind were always so strange.

Steve had been present, that much you knew, and you could remember that he had helped you in some way. You’d been numb to it at the time, but the emotional entry your power had made from Steve while you were busy being wasted told you that he’d been worried, exasperated, and amused while with you, sometimes all three of those concurrently. Snapshots played when you thought about it, showing pictures of you leaning against him and patting his face, spending much of your time drunkenly looking up at him in wonder. How he’d dealt with that, you hadn’t been sure.

Wanda and Thor’s interactions with you had been less frequent, if you remembered correctly. In fact, you were pretty sure you had interacted with the two of them for a fraction of the time you’d spent inconveniencing Steve. Poor guy; you made a mental note to thank him whenever you managed to eventually drag yourself out of bed.

And then there was Bucky, acting so uncharacteristically strange in the little time since you had woken up. Though you could feel that you had been the most emotionally invested in him last night, you couldn’t remember much of your interactions together, which felt strange, considering you’d woken up to him in your bed. What you could place when it came to him were feelings of warmth and serenity, or at least you had been able to before he’d gotten all weird. You wanted to think that meant the two of you had somehow bonded through your intoxication, but you couldn’t just assume that, especially with how he was suddenly behaving.

You shook your head, having to let go of your curiosity at the sudden mood change in an effort to keep control of the nausea that was beginning to come over you. “I just remember a lot of light,” you answered truthfully, using what little left over attention you did have to carefully keep an eye on the colors surrounding you. The amber was becoming more concentrated, tinged with hints of dark orange. Try as Bucky might to conceal the truth, you could easily see that your words were upsetting him. But why was he so sensitive all of the sudden? He had just told you the two of you hadn’t slept together; why should it matter, then, if you couldn’t remember anything? “It’s all really foggy for me. Although... did I compare you to the Sistine Chapel?”

In spite of his intense emotions Bucky laughed, a loud, genuine sort of thing that made his chest shake as a result, a bright smile dominating his features. For fuck’s sake, the guy managed to look perfect no matter what the situation was. “Wasn’t the exact term you used, but yeah. Who knew alcohol turned you into such a flirt?”

“I did,” you sighed, raising your eyes to the ceiling. Getting drunk hadn’t been your goal in the slightest; you’d just been looking for something to take the edge off. “Which is why I was only going to have one drink, but then that one drink turned out to be a whole cup of alien alcohol and I swear, I have never been so far gone in my life.”

“Not hard to believe,” Bucky teased, once again eyeing you in that oddly piercing way of his.

Something strange was happening to the auras as you gazed at him, something which your brain was much too scattered to focus upon at the moment, and which ended up being nothing more than a fleeting though in your hungover brain. It was just... a specific shade of royal blue was dancing along the edges of your own body, lining your fingers as you splayed them apart. This wasn’t your aura, as you had believed after seeing it for the first time. You were getting visuals of Bucky’s emotions, so the deep, vibrant, nearly purple layer of blue clinging to your fingertips was indicative of how he viewed you. That couldn’t have been right, though, because that specific shade of blue... that was romantic, you were pretty sure.

Loving.

You shook your head, writing the whole thing off as a defect in your power on account of your raging hangover.

“You look like you’re in pain,” Bucky stated. Comical, considering the fact that he was pointedly looking anywhere but at you. That same humorous look was still plastered on his face, and you got the sense that he wasn’t aware just how disingenuous it seemed when you had the emotional reading to support that he was feeling the exact opposite of how he was presenting himself. He moved to stand, stretching and popping the joints in his arms as he did so. “I’ll let you get some rest, okay? Don’t worry about training today. We can skip that and therapy until tomorrow.”

“Bucky.” Maybe it was the desperate tone in your voice, but you actually got him to stop in his tracks. He eyed you hesitantly, seeming to check to make sure you were okay, his eyes telling you everything that his face wasn’t, and you silently willed him to answer honestly as you went on to ask, “You’re sure nothing happened last night? I didn’t do anything to upset you?”

His face softened, and you saw the blue hue lining your body grow the tiniest bit brighter. This time the small, fond, unbothered smile Bucky offered you was just as genuine as it could have been, and the amber color cast over the rest of the room was beginning to fade into rosiness once more. “You’ve never done anything to upset me.” Truth; you could feel it clear as you were seeing it. Truth was everything his words encompassed. “Now get some rest. I’ll come back to make sure you aren’t dead later.”

With that, Bucky left you to yourself, and your hangover took the absence of a distraction to worsen your headache, momentarily forcing you to drop the subject and do as Bucky had suggested.

—

Halfway through January and no one was fessing the fuck up, which was majorly beginning to piss you off.

Everything had been normal at first, nothing too much out of the ordinary. Your daily routine remained the same; you woke up, you trained with Bucky, you showered, you went and held your unorthodox therapy sessions, you logged the session and sent the report to Nick Fury’s email, and then the rest of the day was yours to do with as you pleased. Sometimes that meant you sat with Tony up in his lab and watched as he handled technology far beyond your comprehension, other times it meant you volunteered to do some grocery shopping with Clint and Natasha in an effort to get a change of scenery.

Lately, though, your free time was entirely taken up by your mind obsessing over what had come to pass between you and Bucky in your bedroom the night of New Year’s Eve. Maybe you would’ve been able to drop it if he hadn’t been acting so god damn weird around you, but the anxiety which had resulted in the last few weeks due to Bucky’s treatment was far too great to ignore.

In the weeks since the party, Bucky had grown distant. Which was understandable, you supposed. He was obviously working through something and the fact that you could bump him at any moment and accidentally feel the source of why he’d been so withdrawn was more than likely motivation for him to stay away from you; hell, you weren’t even allowed to hold his hand during therapy anymore, and that sort of killed you on the inside, sort of felt like the trust he’d placed in you had been rescinded, but you understood. You were adamant about not pushing him for anything that would make him uncomfortable, knew good and well that he would come to you and express himself if he wanted to.

It just seemed like lately, the only thing which made Bucky uncomfortable at all was you.

That was why you were heading to where you were now, looking over your shoulder constantly and feeling ridiculous each time you did so. There was nothing inherently suspicious about what you were doing, aside from the fact that you were making your actions suspicious. It was just beyond lucky that you were doing this while Bucky was preoccupied by a personal training session. Anyone else you could sweet talk into ignoring your strange, erratic behavior; Bucky would see right through it in a heartbeat.

“Wanda,” you called, throwing her bedroom door open and not even waiting for her scream of fright to die down before trudging over and plopping directly down onto her bed. She appeared to have been in the middle of tidying her things, and had been startled into knocking over a couple of the picture frames on her dresser. “Calm down, it’s just me.”

“What, you don’t know how to knock?” she demanded, throwing her arms into the air. Distantly you had the sense to feel bad, but you were beyond that at the moment. “I get that you’ve been mopey for the past few weeks, but like, common courtesy is still a thing, you know.”

“Mope— mopey?” you gasped, pressing a hand to your chest to show affront. “I’m not the one who’s been mopey.”

Wanda rolled her eyes, abandoning her task and wandering over to perch across from you on the edge of her bed. “Oh, please. You’ve been mopey and Bucky’s been skittish. Believe me when I say everyone is over it.”

Everyone? Had the awkwardness in yours and Bucky’s interactions really been that transparent?

Whatever. At least that confirmed that it wasn’t all in your head.

“Wanda,” you began again, resting your chin in your hands and sending Wanda a look which begged for sympathy. The great thing about being an empath? You knew how best to appeal to others. “Remember when you said that I was your best friend and that if I ever needed anything from you I should just ask and you wouldn’t hesitate to help, no questions asked?”

The dark haired girl blinked a couple times, processing. “Pretty sure I didn’t word it like that, but I’m willing to humor you. Does this have anything to do with a certain someone?”

She knew damn well who this had to do with, and you weren’t naive to that fact.

“Well, he’s...” How did you explain what you were about to ask Wanda to do without sounding vain and obsessive? “He’s being fucking ridiculous, okay? Way more so than usual. It’s like, he won’t even get within three feet of me because he’s afraid I’ll touch him and figure out what his deal is, and that’s getting in the way of our therapy progress, which is getting me bad feedback scores from Fury, and it’s fucking tanking my agent proficiency grade, okay? Bucky can be mad or cagey or whatever he wants to be, but when it starts getting in the way of my job, I’m not okay with it. And it wouldn’t even be that big of a deal if he wasn’t swearing up and down that nothing happened the night of the party, but he wouldn’t be acting like this if that were the case, right? Something’s got to be wrong. I know his normal feelings, and what he’s giving me aren’t those.” You exhaled a breath, not sure how long you’d been holding all of that in for. It felt good to get it all off your chest, in any case.

Wanda only stared at you, seeming unsure of how to proceed. Sympathy contrasting with humor rolled from her mind in waves, leaving a sweet taste on the tip of your tongue. Her emotions always tasted of honey, no matter how upset she was. “And... what exactly does all of this have to do with me?”

Oh, right. Your master plan.

“Well... assuming you’re willing to help me...” Wanda wouldn’t judge you, right? And even if she did, best friends were all but obligated to roll with it anyway. Right? “I need you to take me inside my memories so that I can see what all happened that night. I can’t remember what went down and Bucky says nothing really did, but he wouldn’t be acting this way if that were the truth. And I mean, I don’t wanna force him to tell me because he’s obviously uncomfortable with it, but I figure the memory is mine, so it wouldn’t be prying, would it? I have just as much a right to it as he does.”

Wanda shrugged a shoulder and gave a single nod of her head. “Okay. Sure.”

You arched an eyebrow, blinking in surprise. “Wait, really?” That had been way easier than you were expecting.

“Yeah,” Wanda answered simply. “I have nothing to do for the rest of the day and I’m nosy by nature. Pretty sure I’m just as curious as you are.”

Wanda Maximoff was a fucking saint.

She offered you a smile, and took your hand in hers, giving you access to her emotions and letting you know she found this all painfully amusing, though in good fun. “Close your eyes, and concentrate. I’ll try and get us as close to where you want to be, but let me know if I overshoot. I’m still not the best at pulling up specific memories.” And suddenly, the world around you faded away into nothingness, leaving you and Wanda sitting in a dark void, her eyes glowing a brilliant shade of crimson.

The darkness faded away almost immediately as it came, swirling and opening up, transporting you and Wanda onto a chilly rooftop, hundreds of elegantly dressed people bustling around the two of you. All of their faces were bright, almost as though a spotlight was being shined on each individual, and the decorations and view of the city skyline beyond it all were distorted, warped at the edges.

Beside you, Wanda let out a low whistle, blinking a few times as her eyes adjusted to the brightness. “You really were drunk, weren’t you?”

“Beyond,” you muttered, shaking your head. Just looking at the memory made you feel nauseous, and not just because of the disorientation that came with viewing it. It was entirely too east to recall how the alcohol you’d consumed had so totally effected you. “I think I’m—“

“I love Bucky! He’s like a marshmallow, right? He’s soft and sweet, but he has the potential to be even softer and sweeter. When’s he getting here?”

Your heart dropped in your chest out of embarrassment at the sound of your own voice, your eyes flying to the source of it. There, at a table placed in the outskirts of the seating area, were you and Steve, your head right in front of his as you cupped both his cheeks and stared him right in the eyes. For a moment you were caught off guard at how surreal it felt to see yourself as someone else, but the effect was lost on you as you observed. Jesus, you were right up in Steve’s business, weren’t you?

“We went too far back,” Wanda told you, chuckling under her breath as she watched the sight. “You and Bucky weren’t alone until after we all found each other.”

You nodded, cringing internally as you watched yourself continue to express to Steve just how soft his friend was. “Can you take us further in? Please?” God, you owed Steve the biggest apology.

Wanda simply nodded, squeezing your hand where she still held it and her eyes glowing crimson once more. The sight was mildly unsettling, but equally cool to look at. Your surroundings blurred, morphing into darkness once more before solidifying into the dim, lamp lit setting of your bedroom. The television set into the wall was on, showing images of the ball drop in Times Square with a countdown running in the bottom corner. Two forms were present on your bed, and it took you a few moments to process that one was Bucky, and one was yourself. You were curled into his side, your head tucked beneath his chin and your arm draped over his waste, your legs tangled together and Bucky’s fingers absently threading through your hair.

You gasped, taken aback at the purity of the affection bleeding into you from both parties you were observing. From your former self, you were picking up wholehearted content and bliss, and the smile present on your face as Bucky’s fingers whispered across your scalp spoke only of honest happiness. That was fair; you were definitely fond of Bucky, that was certain, and you had never been able to stop yourself from entertaining certain thoughts about him, even back when he’d been acting awful and calling you names. In fact, Bucky himself wasn’t naive to your attraction to him; he teased you about it constantly. Even if he wasn’t aware of the full extent of your feelings, he had to have suspected.

Your feelings, of course, you had been privy to; yours weren’t what were sending a thrill of shock and grudging hope through your chest.

Bucky’s aura was glowing. That was... that was the only way to describe the sight before you. At first you had assumed it had been part of the drunken air distorting your memories, but this scene was particularly sobering, and you knew very suddenly that your state of intoxication wasn’t the reason for what you saw. The ease with which his mouth tipped into a smile, the gentle caress of his fingers through your hair, the way his chin was so carefully perched atop the crown of your head — the way his eyes were shining, it was all so indescribably iridescent.

“You don’t hate me, do you?” your voice, quiet and timid, rang through the otherwise silent room.

Bucky’s brows furrowed in concern, and he brushed your chin with his thumb once before returning his metal fingers to your hair. “What kind of question is that?”

“... A good one?”

At that, he scoffed, and the tilt to the corners of his mouth was so wonderfully gentle that you almost couldn’t believe your eyes. Bucky had never been so openly and casually affectionate with anyone since you’d met him, least of all you. You considered him a friend, sure, but what he was doing with your former self went beyond that. “You’re drunk, Y/n. Just try and rest a little bit.”

Beside you, Wanda inclined her head, eyes flitting between you and the scene you both observed. “Was this it, do you think? Seems silly for him to get all worked up over some PG cuddling.”

“I’m not sure,” you answered, still not looking away from what you were witnessing. A certain lightness was settling over you, one which told a tale of uncertain longing. Was this yours, currently? Or was this what you could now remember picking up from Bucky? Why was it so difficult for you to tell? “I guess we better stick around a little longer. Just to make sure.”

But that wasn’t the only reason you wanted to stay. No, if you were being honest... you just weren’t ready to let go of the serenity quite yet.

Wanda and you watched, waiting to see if any major changes were to come, and listened as Bucky entertained your former self and her drunken musings. Huh; so the man did have a sense of patience and tolerance. Where did that go when he was teaching you combat?

The minutes ticked down, one by one, and you were beginning to think that perhaps you had overreacted. Maybe Bucky had been telling the truth, after all; maybe the excessive amounts of cuddling you two had partaken in had just unsettled him somewhat, and he hadn’t wanted to embarrass you over something you couldn’t even remember happening.

His aura in your memory, though, wasn’t showing you any discomfort in the slightest. His emotions were light, airy, content. Nothing was wrong here.

“It is now one minute to midnight,” Jarvis announced, voice bouncing off the walls of your room.

“Bucky!” you had exclaimed, readjusting yourself to look him in the eyes. The smile you saw yourself with was much more telling than you’d have liked to admit. “It’s about to be 2018! You have to make a wish!”

“I don’t think that’s how it works,” he told you, but you had already closed your eyes. A moment later and Bucky closed his as well, following your lead with a fine shake of his head.

“Oh my god, he made a wish anyway,” Wanda whispered beside you, looking for all the world like she was witnessing a real life soap opera take place. “That’s so fucking cute.”

You declined to respond, focusing intently on Bucky’s face. He looked peaceful, with his eyes shut tight and his arms wrapped around you. For a moment you wondered if this was what he had been like before, back in the thirties and with no knowledge of the traumas of war. It was easy to imagine the stars in his eyes which must have been present, the innocent wonder he would have expressed when talking of dreams and the future. In this moment, witnessing how serene he looked, you would have died in order to make this his norm.

You kissed him, suddenly. Or, not you, but your former self did, leaning up to press your mouth against his just as the last second to midnight ticked away. It was nothing passionate, nothing over the top or awfully romantic or sensual. The whole thing was over in maybe three seconds, but you could feel the surprise which had overcome him at your actions.

“Y/n?” he had whispered, glancing down at the top of your head as you settled it back down to rest on his chest. “What was that for?”

“Just figured it had been a while since you had one of those,” you had slurred, patting his shoulder. “And I thought if anyone deserves a midnight kiss it’s you, since you’re missing the party to take care of me when you could be kissing a pretty girl upstairs or something.”

A pause, and then he replied softly, “Well I just kissed you, didn’t I? And you’re plenty pretty.”

Wanda appeared to be having an issue containing her reaction to this, muscles tensing and her emotions telling you that her heart was melting for you.

“Pretty words from a pretty man,” your former self had mumbled, words muffled by Bucky’s shirt. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”

“Well, do you trust me?”

“About as far as you can throw me. So, like, a lot.”

Bucky shook his head, gently leaning down to press his nose to the top of your head. “Just get some rest, okay? You seem like you could use it.”

“‘Kay,” you had conceded, eyes falling shut. After a few more moments of silence, you went on to say, “In case no one’s told you lately, you’re a good person. I hope you know that.”

Bucky shook his head, eyes wandering up to the ceiling. “Pretty words from a pretty girl, Y/n.”

But you had already fallen asleep.

The world around you and Wanda faded away as the memory ended, returning you to her room where you were both perched on her bed. It took your eyes a few moments to adjust to the brightness of everything, the light of the afternoon streaming in through Wanda’s windows and painting stripes of sunshine across your skin. Normally you’d have welcomed the warmth of it, but at the moment you would have given anything to get back to that memory, just to see the sight of yourself being lovingly cradled in Bucky’s arms, to see a softness to him which you hadn’t even known he’d possessed.

“I don’t get it,” Wanda told you, her eyes having returned to their normal shade of green. “He seemed like he was happy with you. If that was all that happened and if he liked it, why would he be acting so weird around you?”

Coincidentally, you were wondering the same thing. Nothing had been wrong just then, in your memory. You had been happy. Bucky had been happy, and more expressive than you could have ever wished for. Why would he have kept you at arm’s length? Why would he have gone out of his way to distance himself from you? Between falling asleep with one another and waking up the next morning to his teasing laughter all those weeks ago, what had changed?

You don’t remember anything from last night? Nothing at all?

“I have a feeling,” you sighed, rolling your eyes at yourself and trying to take a deep breath in an effort to calm your nerves. “Look, I’m gonna... I’m gonna fix this.”

Wanda scoffed. “Uh, yeah, I sure hope you are. If you don’t, I certainly will.” Enter Wanda Maximoff, your and Bucky’s apparent number one fan. “What are you gonna do?”

“I’m not sure yet,” you admitted, shaking your head. The situation was suddenly so much more complicated than it had been before you’d entered Wanda’s room. Half an hour ago you’d been under the impression that you had just done something to embarrass your friend. Now you were conscious of the fact that feelings, both his and yours, were at play. “But I’ll figure it out. But, just... could you maybe not tell him about this? Technically we were rooting around in my head and not his, but I know he’ll flip.”

Wanda grasped your hand in hers, giving it a light squeeze as she offered you a kind, understanding smile. Arguably your closest friend in this tower, Wanda was. You were so thankful for everything that she had done for you. “Obviously I’m not gonna say anything, dork.”

You laughed, shaking your head. “Thanks, Wanda. And thank you... thank you for helping me get the memory back. It really means a lot to me.”

She only smiled and squeezed your hand tighter as she responded with, “What else are best friends for?”

—

Part 9

Permanent Tag List:

@ayyomizzy @agent1001m @ahirunana @petals-sunwards @shliic @ficmenow @rogueimpostor @johnmulaneyslut @celestiallsunshine @regulusirius

Tag List:

@frost-11 @abswritesfandoms @wantingtobekorra @stan-by-me @lordemjay @elleatrixlestrange @ly--canthrope @little-bit-of-your-heart @severuined @sebbyislife22 @38leticia @emiliesnowflake @xojerriexo @vxidnik @wintersoldierbaby @quickies-with-quicksilver @weirdisradxx @holycoldcoffee @k-nightt @a-villian-vying-for-attention @softwhispers @marbleowl @ssweet-empowerment @mariah-notcarey17 @littleingram @toodlesposts @asmilinghopelessromantic @beckyisacow @ha1featenbage1 @iamwarrenspeace @teenagecornflakes @amisha25 @darthseph @twsnat @captainamericasbitchass @melodramatic-fratboi @caramelizedmen @disneychic8 @airixaram @jacquelineisawkward @slowly-but-shurley @mscaptainjones @of-outerspace @pinkttones @waywardkilljoy23 @susmita121 @satans-knitting-club @sweetlifeofadreamer @that-bearshark @wickidlady @insanitypledge @sleepiemoon @beezyg @imsunnysu @snazzysickly @starlightkell @softhairbarnes @usernamesarelies @thorinluciferhellsarkenstone @angieptt @a-proper-chicken @thevanishedillusion @slender--spirit @chameerah @wellfucksorrymum @mizz-kraziii @just-a-littlebit-of-everything @akacalciumhood @badwolfdixon @lovejessejay @itsjustjackieg @belbow

[heldholy-blog]

NOW     THAT     I’M     NOT     QUITE     SO          painfully     hungover     ,     i     thought     i’d     pop     a     few     intros     up     and     introduce     myself     properly          !          i’m     meg     ,     i’m     20     ,     i     use     they/them     pronouns     right     now     and     i’m     writing     out     of     the     aedt          !          i’m     just     starting     my     second     year     of     university     ,     and     i’m     so     ,     so     ,     so     keen     to     get     writing     with     y’all          !          this     is     the     first     of     three     intros     ,     so     keep     ya’     eyes     peeled          --- --- --- -          so     without     further     ado     ,     let’s     get     into     it          !

BERTRAND     ,          COLETTE     ISOBEL          .          forensic     pathologist     .     due     to     personal     reasons     ,     she’ll     be     ignoring     any     and     all     conversations     about     family     .     the     bags     under     her     eyes     are     ,     in     fact     ,     chanel     .

it’s always a tragedy, when a child grows up with a complete absence of love and affection from the two people who are meant to bestow it the most. colette bertrand knows this firsthand - daughter of an once-great algerian starlet and a french director who inadvertently heralded the downfall of her career, her parents barely show each other anything other than hostility. now that she looks back on it, majority of her life choices are heavily impacted by her early childhood.

she learned to raise herself, because her parents made it increasingly apparent that they weren’t going to do it. her mother yearned for her lost fame, pursuing auditon after audition and turning to cheap affairs with sleazy directors to get what she wanted. her father was absent in all but physical form; he spends all his time working, comes home only to shut himself in his office, and barely speaks a word to his own daughter.

in truth, colette wasn’t a planned pregnancy. she was a surprise, a miraculous conception born of a quickie in the back of a trailer. neither wanted children, but her mother couldn’t bring herself to get rid of the child. instead, despite all their differences, they got married - not because they loved each other, but because they had both been the product of similar situations. in the first trimester, her mother swore to give her unborn child a life so different from her own. oh, how the mighty fall.

colette raises herself in libraries around paris. she dedicates herself wholly and purely to her education, uses it as a coping mechanism when her parents fight, uses it to drown out the sound of a family that crumbles around her. she finds an interest and immense talent for biology, and decides to run with it and see where it takes her.

at eighteen, she gets into the sorbonne to study criminology and forensic science. the day after she receives her acceptance letter, she packs a small collection of belongings into the back of her car and moves out of the family home. her emancipation brings about a joy she never thought she’d be able to feel ; she spends her first night alone laughing, smiling to herself and drinking cheap wine that makes her head spin.

allow me to derail for a moment: colette is, by nature, an incredibly cold, distant personality and admittedly, it’s not by choice. growing up, she only really saw those kinds of personalities and had little to no role models to teach her otherwise. her temperament is entirely a product of nurture; she doesn’t mean to come off as snappy and as aloof as she does, it’s just how she was raised.

all throughout her university career, colette proves herself time and time again. she works harder than anyone else in her courses, dedicates her entire being to her work. she works herself to the bone but instead of finding exhaustion in it, finds an immense joy. she loves being tired, working as hard as she does - she finds it to be a sign of her complete dedication.

once she graduates ( at the top of her class, which surprises absolutely fucking no one ), she starts working. initially, she thinks about joining the police, but ends up in forensic pathology and the minute she starts work, it’s a match made in heaven. she loves her work, and once again, throws herself into it, heart and soul. her colleagues wonder about her - they worry about how exhausted she looks, whether she remembers to eat, but she shrugs their concerns away with a flippant wave of a hand and the hint of a smile.

eventually, paris feels too small and she feels the need to travel - it’s a cliche, but she throws a dart at a map and ends up in phoenix, arizona. she doesn’t tell anyone when she moves, instead choosing to quietly resign and pack her belongings. she’s gone every bit as quietly as she came, and she has yet to regret leaving france.

she sticks out like a sore thumb in the southwest, all thick accent and french sensibilities. she picks up work quick enough, and moves into an apartment building she’s yet to leave. she’s been there for the best part of two years now, and loves it.

in terms of her personality, i’ll say it again: she’s distant, cold, aloof, comes off as a bit of a blunt asshole sometimes but it’s a product of nurture. she’s decided to actively try to better herself, to start smiling and willingly listening to people’s complaints and sometimes she slips up and falls back into bad / blunt habits but she’s actively trying.

did i mention: thickest accent ever.

idk man i just really fucken love colette and i’ll defend her curt ass any day of the fucking week

[khiphop-stories]

Christian Yu - Just Friends?

You swirled the amber liquid in your glass, listening to the chinking of the ice cubes. Wrapping your fingers around the glass, you brought it to your red tinted lips to take a sip. You let the alcohol sit in your mouth a while before swallowing. You felt the burn on your tongue and throat. A burn that made you remember why you loathed drinking alcohol in the first place, yet now you longed for it. You put the glass down on the bar counter next to your phone, when suddenly the screen of your phone flashed brightly, catching your attention. You dropped your eyes and froze as you saw the name of the caller. For a moment you just held your breath while silent ystaring at your phone, contemplating whether to pick up or not. Before you could make a decision, someone snatched it away from the table.

You immediately turned around. Seeing who the theft was, you rolled your eyes. “Give it back, Ian” your voice was sharp and he was almost intimidated by you — almost. You held out your hands as you gave him a warning glare.

“No,” he shook is head firmly.

“No?” You raised your brow at him in disbelief, surprised by his boldness. You weren’t used to this side of him. He usually never talked back to you. Since you were a few months older than him, you were used to him obediently listening to you and doing everything you asked him to do. It has always been like that since you were little children. You were always the sensible and responsible one, whereas he would run around and do the most stupid things and then come to you asking you to fix it.

“No, I brought you here to have fun, get distracted and forget about that jerk.” Christian quickly hid the hand that was holding your phone behind his back.

“He was not a jerk,” you pointed out drily and rose to your feet. You leaned in, trying to grab your phone, but Christian was quicker. He stretched his arm above his head, holding your phone as high as possible. There was no way you could reach it, not even in your heels. You tried jumping, but jumping in heels and a tightly fitted dress wasn’t exactly easy.

“Well, he broke up with you. So he’s either a jerk or just incredibly stupid.”

“He had his reasons,” you defended him. You hated when Christian talked bad about him. Those two never really go along very well.

“Really? What are his reasons?” He asked in a mocking tone.

“None of your business,” you retorted as you tried to jump again. This time you almost lost your balance, so you quickly grabbed onto Christian who took this moment of distraction and quickly let the phone slid into the front pocket of his pants. Then he turned to you with a victorious look in his eyes and smug grin on his face.

“That won’t stop me,” you rolled your eyes and reached out your hand.

He quickly caught your hands and stepped back, before you could go anywhere near his crotch. You tried to get out of his grip, but he was way stronger than you. “Damn you, Christian Yu!” You shouted at him as you gave up.

“You really need to forget about him,” he said in a more serious tone.

“You’re so freaking annoying. Just go back to the girl who hit on you earlier and leave me alone,” you turned your body away from him and sat back down on the stool.

“____,” he gently called out for you and took the chair next to yours. He stroke your back comfortingly. “You wanna talk about it?”

Christian knew almost every little detail of your life. He was always the first person you came to whenever something happened, be it good things or bad things. He was the person you shared your joy with and the person who would lend you a shoulder to cry on. It had been like that ever since you could remember. It was as though he had this magic power to make you forget about every worry, every trouble, and every problem that had ever crossed your mind. When you were with him, your future always seemed a little less bleak.

However, this time you didn’t come to him, which made him worry even more. You had kept yourself busy with work and completely ignored everything and everyone else. It was almost as though you were avoiding him.

No, this time you couldn’t turn to him. Not when he was the root of your problems.

You didn’t give him a response, instead you just eyed the golden liquid in front of you, before raising the glass to take another sip.

“Christian?” You then broke the silence.

“Yeah?”

“I would really appreciate it, if you leave now,” you told him coldly which clearly hurt him.

“What?” He looked at you offended.

“That guy over there has been staring at me the whole night and giving me signs. He’s cute and I don’t want him to think you’re my boyfriend.”

“Really, ____? This is what you want?” His eyes widened at you appalled. This was definitely not the reason he brought you with him tonight. The last thing he wanted was for you to hook up with some random guy. 

“You told me to forget about Joey!”

“Not by fucking the next best guy you meet!”

“Ok, then set me up with one of your friends,” you suggested as you wriggled your brows at him.

“No,” he shook his head decisively.

“Why not?” You whined.

“Because none of them deserve you.”

“You’re no fun. Why did you even drag me here then?” You rolled your eyes and let out a sigh.

“I just wanted to spend some time with my best friend. We haven’t seen each other since your break up. It’s almost like you’re avoiding me!”

“No shit, Sherlock,” you said sarcastically. 

“You were avoiding me?” “You damn right.” The excessive amount of alcohol you had taken in the last few hours was slowly starting to show its effect. It made you moody and way too honest for your own good.

“Why would you avoid me?”

“Just forget about it. I’m going home,” you grabbed your purse and stood up.

“No, ____. We’re not done. You can’t just leave like this. Why are you avoiding me?”

“Just let it go, Ian,” you sighed.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

“Then what is it? You obviously mad at me for some reason.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Talk to me, ____!”

“Its you! You! You! You! You’re the fucking reason we broke up!”

~*~

[Time leap]

Christian stood in front of your door, rooted to the spot. The thoughts in his head were running left and right, slowly driving him crazy. His hand was clenched into a fist, ready to knock on the door, but in the last moment his courage left him, and he let his arm drop down to his side. It wasn’t like him to knock at all. He knew the pin code to your apartment. You gave it to him a long time ago and you regretted it immediately after. He would come and go as he pleased, catching you at the worst times possible; when you just got out of the shower, when you were changing your clothes, or when you were singing and dancing along to your favorite songs. There was no such thing like privacy between you and him. Yet today, he found it highly inappropriate to just burst into your apartment without prior warning, especially after how you left yesterday. 

Taking in a deep breath, he finally mustered up the courage to knock on your door. He waited a few seconds before knocking again, but there was no response. So he tried it again and again, louder and louder.

“I’m coming! I’m coming!” He heard your voice yelling through the door and a sigh of relief left his lips.

“It’s eight o’clock in the morning! Why are you up so early?” You groaned out loud, as you invited him in.

With a soft chuckle, he scanned you up and down. Your hair was tied into a messy bun, you obviously had forgotten to take off your make up last night as it was smudged all over your face.

“I made chicken soup for you.”

“You made?” You quirked up one of your brows at him skeptically.

“Bought,” he corrected himself with a laugh. He walked into your kitchen and you followed suit. Without asking, he opened one of the cupboards and took out a pan. Heating the oven, in order to warm the soup for you.

You sat down at the kitchen island and watched him silently, while resting your head on your left hand. “I know I say this every time, but I swear I’ll never drink again,” you muttered under your breath, regretting the choices you had made yesterday. You tolerance was low, yet you always went overboard with the drinking. 

Christian laughed. His laughter was warm and hearty with a hint of amusement. Yes, you both knew that was another big fat lie. This was certainly not the last time you would get drunk.

When the broth starting simmering, he turned off the stove and carefully poured the soup into a bowl. Walking over to the kitchen island, he put the bowl down in front of you and handed you a spoon.

“Chicken soup? I’m not sick. Just hungover.”

“It helps restock sodium and water levels in the body.”

~*~

“____.”

“Hm?” You glanced up at him briefly.

“You said something yesterday—“

“I don’t remember a thing,” you hurriedly chirped in.

“You don’t?” He looked at you with suspicion.

“I don’t. Everything’s a blur,” you lied to him, hoping he would drop this topic once and for all. You had said something you should have never said due to your intoxicated mind and it was too late to take it back now. He was never supposed to know.

“Ok, then I’ll ask you something else. Why did you and Joey break up?” He asked you straight forward, his eyes never leaving yours.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” you mumbled under your breath.

“You always tell me everything.”

“It seems like you already know, so what do you want?” You retorted in an annoyed tone. It was obvious he remembered your drunken words from last night, as clearly as you did. 

“Why?”

“He found out that I used to have feelings for you. Then he got jealous and paranoid. He thought there was something going on between us. He was convinced you had feelings for me. I told him there was no chance of you having feelings for me, and that you were the one who turned me down, when I confessed to you, and that we’re just friends.”

“___.”

“What?” You rolled your eyes in annoyance. Pouring your heart out to him and being turned down was the most humiliating moment in your entire life. You tried to brush it off cooly, but it left a scar on your heart. Getting over it wasn’t easy and now here he was forcing you to talk about it. 

“He’s not wrong.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I do have feelings for you.”

“No! Hell no! No, Christian, no!” You shook your head violently.

“____, I’m in love with you,” he told you calmly, despite your strong reaction.

“YOU turned me down! YOU said you didn’t see me like that!”

“I know…I’m sorry.”

“No! For fucks sake you can’t just change your mind! This is not fair!” You raised your voice at him. 

“____, it’s not something I can control. It just happened. I didn’t realize until it was too late.”

“Since when?” You started your interrogation. 

“Around the time you started dating him.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“You seemed to be happy with him. I didn’t want to come in between.”

“You did come in between.”

“I’m sorry,” words of apologies seemed to be the only thing he was capable of saying right now and it made you blood boil. 

“You should leave. I can’t deal with this right now,” you pointed to the door.

“No, I don’t want to,” his voice was firm.

“Christian, you broke my heart, then you asked me to stay friends.  I endured it, because I didn’t want to lose my best friend. So I kept my mouth shut and turned off my feelings for you which wasn’t easy with you flirting in front of me all the time and fucking every girl you meet. Then I finally found someone who made me forget about you. Someone I really liked, loved actually. And I chose you over him again, because I thought he was being unreasonable, but turns out he was right all along. Now, all of the sudden you tell me you have feelings for me. How am I supposed to react?”

“I know I hurt you and I’m sorry. I was stupid. I didn’t see the forest for the trees. You have all reasons be mad at me, but can you honestly tell me that you really have no feelings left for me?”

“It’s been over a year, Ian,” you avoided answering his question.

“Not my question.”

“I-I don’t know,” you told him honestly with a shrug of your shoulders. When he ruled out every possibility of you getting together with him, you came to peace with it. You never thought about it again, you tried not to look at him that way again. 

“Then let’s find out once and for all,” he walked around the island and stopped in front of you. Then he turned you around, so you were facing him.

“What are you doing…?”

“You can stop me if you want,” he whispered and leaned in closer. He clutched his hands unto your hips, leaning you in against his muscular body.

But you didn’t. You met his gaze which paralyzed your body. You sat frozen, from both fear and excitement. He leaned in, so his forehead rested against yours. Still, you didn’t stop him. You didn’t have the willpower to stop him, because this was something you yearned for, for a very long time. His head was angled slightly to the side as his lips came closer and closer to your own, his breath ghosting across your face. As your lips met, you sank into the warmth of the kiss with a sigh. It was slow and soft, making you melt. The world was slowly disappearing around you, along with all your worries and fears.

I’m slowly turning into a Christian Yu blog lmao. I promise next scenario will be for someone else haha. Let me know what you think about this one though! I hope you enjoyed it :)

[butsomeofusarelookingatthestars]

omg I have a perfect one shot idea. How about where reader x luke just got newly engaged and the team took them both out to celebrate since they both work in the bau together and of course they got shit faced, and the next day Luke's parents find out and surprise them both at luke' s place and his parents kind of low-key pick on then as they both look hungover af and his mother notices a hickey on readers neck from late night activities and makes a comment about it. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Late-Night Celebrations

Fandom: Criminal MindsPairing: Luke Alvez x ReaderPrompt: Request

Description: The only way to celebrate your engagement was by drinking far too much and stumbling into bed with your fiancé. What you hadn’t planned on was a surprise visit from his parents…

Thank you so much for the genius that was this prompt! Enjoy

A loud bang echoed around the apartment as you and Luke came bursting through the front the door, giggling stupidly at your own drunken foolishness. You had both definitely had too much to drink, the room spinning slightly as you stumbled towards the living room.

You should have known better because the last time you had drank this much, the following morning had been one of the worst of your life. Alcohol wasn’t worth the painful hangover. Sadly, the rational truth of that statement had been lost entirely as Garcia pushed shot after shot into your eager hands.

In your defence, it wasn’t every day you got engaged to the love of your life.

It had been an unexpected proposal, Luke ending up blurting out his confession in the middle of dinner. He insisted that he had a big gesture planned, but he had been too nervous to wait to pop the question. You found it incredibly sweet that he couldn’t wait to ask, touched that he was too excited about spending the rest of his life with you to wait until after desert.

After all, who really cared about cake sparklers?

Following your acceptance, there had only been one thing left to do – celebrate with the rest of your team. It seemed as if your fellow profilers knew about Luke’s plan all along, already waiting at the bar to delightedly toast your engagement.

The knowing smiles they had exchanged all day suddenly made sense as they explained that your fiancé had confided his secret in them last month.

Having them share in your happiness was the most incredible thing. They were some of the most important people in both of your lives and it meant a lot to have their blessings. Therefore, it only seemed right to commemorate the occasion with plenty of drinks.

Rossi had insisted on paying the bar tab as an early engagement present, meaning that the alcohol supply never ran dry all night. Perhaps you would curse his generosity in the morning, but it had guaranteed a fabulous night for everyone – especially you and Luke.

Neither of you could even remember a time when you had laughed so loudly or smiled so brightly. Just being able to celebrate with everyone meant a lot. The BAU had been through a lot and it was incredible to be able to build joyful moments together. It felt as if, despite the darkness of the past, there was hope for the future.  

Everyone felt overjoyed that the two of you had found happiness together. They had always known that you were meant to be, or so they claimed. Having been there since the start of your relationship, they knew that you both deserved one another entirely.

Although, they still managed to lower the tone of the evening - wolf whistling and cheering loudly every time you and Luke held hands or kissed. They might have had a point given that you had a tendency to be quite affectionate after a few drinks.

But, you still felt slightly embarrassed as they caught Luke’s hand wandering up your leg under the table.

Their suggestive comments had forced the two of you to finally disappear home in the early hours of the morning. There was only so much teasing you could take, especially with Rossi chipping in with inappropriate comments about how you should ‘celebrate the night properly’.

You wouldn’t be telling him that you had decided to take his advice.

A loud crash made you jump. You burst out laughing as you turned around to see Luke having tripped over one of Roxy’s toys. Drunk Luke was one of your favourite sights because it was in such contrast to his usual calm and composed self.

It was hard to believe that a former ranger could trip over a squeaky mouse.

“Don’t laugh.” He told you jokingly, chuckling warmly himself as he wrapped his arms around your waist.

You smiled softly as he nuzzled your neck affectionately, his fingers lacing through yours as he gently traced the beautiful metal band he had placed there earlier. A flutter of excitement stirred in your heart as you proudly admired the sight of the ring sat on your finger.

It was the sentimentality behind it that made it even more special, with Luke having received it from his own parents. He had been overjoyed to tell you that they were both thrilled by his decision, exclaiming their delight at his choice in bride.

Apparently, his mother had seen it coming since the first time he had brought you home.

Your thoughts were distracted as you felt Luke’s hot breath against your neck, a soft moan escaping your lips as he peppered your skin with urgent kisses. Encouraged by your reaction, his hands quickly dropped to hungrily roam your body.

“Luke!” You squealed in surprise as a hand suddenly delved beneath your dress, tracing the expanse of your inner thigh.

He let out a stifled chuckle against your neck. “What? My fiancé’s irresistible.”

The sound of the word on his lips made your heart burst with pride, providing him with the perfect distraction to intensify his ministrations.

A loud gasp of pleasure escaped your lips as his teeth grazed against your neck. It would probably leave bruises, but as Luke guided you into the bedroom you didn’t care.

All you wanted to do was enjoy some late-night celebrations with your new fiancé.

It was as the sun shone brightly through the window the next morning that you knew you had made a terrible mistake. A loud groan falling from your lips as the pain shot through your head.

You were hungover.

Luke shuffled slightly next to you at the disturbance, prompting you to try to squirm free of his tight grasp around your waist. You loved being close to him, but his warmth was only making you feel queasier as the alcohol began to take its toll.

Shots were always a bad idea.

Your movement stirred Luke awake. A soft grunt echoing around the room as he rubbed his face in confusion. All it took was once glance at his pained expression to realise that he too was suffering from a hangover.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt this bad before.” He groaned quietly, throwing his head back into the plump pillows as he gazed at your pathetic form.

He might had felt rough, but you definitely seemed to be suffering the worst as you lay curled up motionless in the sheets. It was as if the entire room was filled with regret as the two of you tried to make sense of your stupid decision to accept another bottle of champagne from Rossi.

You could only moan in agreement at his words, prompting Luke to outstretch a hand to lightly trace soothing circles on your exposed hip – with the intention of helping you feel a little bit better. The gesture was sweet considering he too wasn’t feeling great.

Fortunately for him, he would be fine after a greasy breakfast. The thought of which was causing you to feel increasingly nauseous. You deeply envied Luke’s ability to be able to even fathom the idea of food during a hangover because you physically couldn’t move from your spot in bed.

A loud knock echoed through the apartment, causing Roxy to bark deafeningly.

A whine of pain fell from your lips as you buried your head in the pillows, hoping to ease the pounding. Your arm flew out to hit Luke’s chest lightly as you gestured for him to make the noise stop.

He only chuckled softly. “I see how it is. The rest of my life will just be you ordering me around.” He joked teasingly, clearly amused by the state you were in.

Your mumble of agreement was muffled by the pillows as you continued to cradle your head protectively.

“Only for you.” He sighed softly, pressing a tender kiss on top of your head as you heard him reach towards the end of the bed for the pants you had hastily torn off him last night.

If you weren’t in such a poor state, you probably would have admired the sight of your fiancé’s impressive physique as he pulled on his sweats. But, even the temptation of his sculpted chest couldn’t entice you to move from your position.

A moment of blissful peace followed as you heard him shuffle towards the door. However, your joy was abruptly stolen as you heard the familiar sound of his mother’s voice.

Terror flooded through you as you realised the situation you were in. His parents were lovely, but it was too embarrassing for them to find you grossly hungover and lying in bed.

Despite your body screaming in protest, you leapt up from bed to grab your dressing gown – fighting off the dizziness as you swiftly pulled your hair back from your face. There wasn’t much you could do about your awful appearance, but you could at least try to look a tad presentable.

The apartment was still spinning as you stumbled into the hallway, trying to subtly use the walls as support as you approached them. You had to bite back the pained groan that threatened to escape as they both engulfed you in a warm embrace, kissing your cheek as they congratulated you on the happy news.

The knowing grin on Luke’s face told you that he knew exactly how much you were suffering.

You smiled brightly and nodded politely as they gushed excitedly, but the entire time you were solely focused on not throwing up in front of your future in-laws.

It would definitely not the best start to an engagement.

“I can’t believe my little boy is going to be married.” His mom cooed, pinching Luke’s cheek affectionately.

The responding scowl on his face caused all of you to laugh at his expense.

It was clear that his parents knew you were both completely hungover because there was a playful glint in their eyes as they examined the two of you.

Luke’s dad reached out to clap him on the back sympathetically.

“Look at the state of you, Luke.” He complained, gesturing to his scruffy curls and appalling attire. “You still haven’t learnt your lesson when it comes to drinking son.”

Despite fighting off your own queasiness, a smug grin spread across your face as his parents began to lecture him on the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. Mistakenly, you decided to join in the teasing.

“Yeah, listen to your parents Luke.” You told him, smirking as he glowered at you in mock anger.

However, the smile soon faded from your face as you noticed both his parents gazing at you in shock.

Confusion filled your face as you took in their surprised, yet bemused expressions. There was a knowing grin on his mom’s face and you could tell that his dad was desperately trying to hold in his laughter.

“Well, we can tell that the two of you enjoyed your celebrations.” His mom murmured softly, gesturing towards your neck.

Horror swept through you as your fingers traced the bruise on your neck. In your haste to greet them, you had completely forgotten about the marks Luke had left all over your body last night.

His dad couldn’t contain himself anymore, letting out a bark of laughter as he hit Luke playfully on his arm.

“Late night, son?”

Your fiancé at least at the decency to look slightly embarrassed at the situation, a blush creeping across his cheeks as he coughed nervously. However, as he glanced over at you mortified expression, he couldn’t hold back the laughter.

You were going to kill him.