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evillama666 · 2 days ago

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“Taking it slow”

Daryl Dixon x reader

When I think about Daryl being in a relationship, I think about how slow he’ll need to take things. I, for one, like taking things slow. Daryl is new to this, of course you're going to have to teach him things and be patient. As much as I love confident and cocky Daryl, it’s going to take him a minute to actually get there. There’s going to be lots of baby steps!

Summary: Must I explain much? Slowly entering a relationship with Daryl and getting comfortable

Tags: Fluff, baby steps, inexperienced, headcannons, cuddles!!! No specific era or season

Word count: 4765

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You’ve known Daryl since Atlanta. Of course, you two have been through a lot together, so he’s grown to care about you. Like the way he cares about Carol but, maybe more. You’ve seen him grow as a person, and all he’s gone through. You’ve always been there for him for everything, even if he tried to push you away at times. You two have a very close relationship, but lately, it seems to have been getting closer. Daryl needs a deep emotional connection with someone before anything happens. He’s probably on the ace spectrum. It makes sense. He’ll fall for anyone, doesn’t matter who, as long as they appreciate him. He just needs to feel loved. He’s bi just doesn’t know it or acknowledged it.

You had to reassure him you can go slow, like really slow. You’d happily teach him everything since he’s never done this before. Eventually, he reluctantly gave in. First step was touches. He wasn’t used to affectionate touches. Whenever you touched him, he flinched. There was clearly some trauma bubbling up, so you never pushed. Eventually he trusted your touch and stopped flinching, even began to crave it. However, he doesn’t enjoy being affectionate in front of the group. That’s something you can put up with. If you want this to work, you have to respect his boundaries or he’ll push you away. Sometimes he’ll casually put his hand on your shoulder, or graze your arm around the group to show his appreciation.

It took a while for your first kiss, and another week for your second. Sex would take even longer, but that’s not on your mind right now. The first kiss, he was hesitant, unsure, but when your lips brushed against his, he melted and kissed you back. Of course, you had to make the first move. His touches were slow, shy, and a bit clumsy, and he didn’t know where to put his hands. He was a mess after that kiss. That’s why it took so long for the second. However, the second one felt much more natural. He put one hand on your cheek, the other on your hip to pull you in close. He even used some tongue. His touches were much more confident. He’s a fast learner, after all. You're not sure where he picked that up from, but you liked it. He doesn’t kiss you often though, he’s still getting used to it.

He needs lots of reassurance from you. He always feels like he’s doing something wrong or it’s not good enough. If you teach him something new or if he picks something up from you, like something you do to him, he’s very tentative and hesitant. He’ll gradually feel more comfortable after you reassure him he’s fine. This man cannot make the first move. Not yet anyway. He needs you to give him a sign that it’s fine. There’s a lot of little affectionate gestures he wants to show you, but he’s just too shy. He’ll get more comfortable as time goes on and touch you whenever without hesitation. (: For now anyway, he’s fighting with himself a lot.

He has a lot of thoughts about how he’s not good enough, not handsome enough, doesn’t deserve you, you can do better. Thoughts along those lines. Why do you think he needs so much reassurance? When you two first started getting closer, he had a lot of those thoughts, so he pushed you away, avoided you. Little did he know is you melt those thoughts when you're around. He feels most at ease around you. It’s like you clear his mind. Of course, you gave him his space at first, but eventually you had to be near him. That little push made him realize how nice it feels to be around you. However, if you push too hard, he’ll push you away. He’s like a scared puppy. He has to make his way to you.

We all know Daryl is a man of action, not words. He won't say ‘I love you’ too often, not early on anyway, but he’ll show you. He’ll pick up little trinkets for you on runs, let you have the first serving of food, or pick up rocks that match the colour of your eyes. When he’s more comfortable with touches, he’ll always show you small acts of affection to make up for his lack of words. Lots of little kisses everywhere and soft touches. He’s only gentle with you.

(Present)

He’s sitting on a log by the fire eating alone while the rest of the group is either still asleep, or grabbing food. You come up behind him slowly so you don’t startle him, and kiss his shoulder as you step over the log and sit. He grunts in surprise before smiling just slightly. He’s been getting more comfortable with your touches. He didn’t even mind that the group was near for that one, not like anyone of that actually saw. “Mornin’.” He says in a gruff voice, swallowing his food. You’re sitting closer than usual. He shudders when your shoulder brushes his. “Morning!” You reply cheerfully.

His face scrunches when you kiss the corner of his lips, thinking he won’t want a proper one just yet. You were mistaken. He glances at the group behind him before cupping your cheek and pressing a quick peck to your lips. He looks back down at his bowl like nothing happened. He’s sure the group has picked up what’s been going on between you two. You two have been sharing a tent, after all. Your eyes widen after that quick kiss. “You’ve been getting bold lately.” He must be feeling comfortable. He just shrugs, quietly eating. You notice how he keeps looking over his shoulder at the group. “Worried about what the group will think?”

He looks back at you. His eyes say everything. You’ve gotten better at reading them since he’s so quiet. “How about we try something simple?” He thinks for a second, then nods. He’s been trying to work with you, push past his boundaries. Anything for you. He sighs contently when you lay your head on his shoulder. That’s something he can handle. He looks back and gets a small smile from Carol. Yea, she knows. She’s glad he found someone…. Or more like someone found him.

He watches you from the corner of his eye as you eat. He’s always watching you, observing, trying to figure out how you work. Also… admiring you. He doesn’t get how such a pretty thang could fall for him. Why you're willing to go through so much to be with him. He usually has to push those thoughts away. When he finishes his food, he lays his head on top of yours. You both aren’t getting any looks from the group, so he’s willing to be affectionate right now. You set your food down, wanting to soak up this moment. You don’t get to many of these. “Are you going hunting again?”

“ ‘Course.” He closes his eyes, allowing himself a moment of vulnerability. You sigh softly, knowing this moment won’t last too long. “I’ll be waiting for you.” He holds you for a moment before he pulls away, standing up to go grab his crossbow. You look down at your food with a slight pout. You know he’s just trying to fend for the group, but he always spends the whole day hunting. He ruffles your hair before heading off to the woods, and you give him one last look.

Nighttime is your favourite with Daryl. He’ll come back, feeling exhausted from hunting, wanting nothing more than to just cuddle with you. He’ll be more affectionate since you two have the privacy of your tent. You tiredly lift your head when you hear the tent zipper. “Daaryl.” You say his name softly with affection. He hates the way his heart reacts each time you say his name like that. “Hey sw-” He cuts himself off before he lets ‘sweetheart’ slip. You wish he would just say it, but you’ll take what you’ll get. “How’d it go?” Daryl groans as he takes off his vest. He’s sore after a long day and can’t wait to cuddle with you. “Mmmh… Didn’t get shit, but set up some traps.” He huffs as he collapses on the pile of blankets on the tent floor. His eyes close as you run your fingers through your hair. This is when he lets you touch him. Let’s you push past his borders and boundaries. This is the time for you to test new things. Push him just a little. His eyes open when he hears you giggle after you boop his nose. There’s a small smile on his lips. “Enjoying yaself?” You scooch closer and nod. “Uh-huh.” He leans into your hand as you rub his hair. He wouldn’t ever admit it, but he’s clingy. You might get a few shy kisses from him, but you're usually doing all the work. Not that you mind, this man needs all the affection in the world. He sinks into the blankets as he unwinds from the day. “Ready for bed, Daryl?”

“More first.” He mumbles, enjoying the way you play with his hair. He’s never loud, but you can hear a few pleased sighs and content hums from him. He groans as your hand moves from his hair down to his shoulder, rubbing his taut muscles. “Damn…” He groans out. He didn’t think this would be so nice. His mind has always been focused on survival. He never stopped to consider the perks of a relationship. If he knew you’d do this for him every night, he would have probably been with you a lot sooner. “You like that?”

“Hell yea.” His voice is barely audible. This man is in pure bliss right now. You need nothing more to be perfectly happy with him. It brings you such satisfaction to get him like this. He doesn’t even realize how vulnerable he is. That thought didn’t cross his mind. All he knows is how warm and safe you make him feel. Feeling a bit bold, you move your hand down to his chest.

His eyes open and he grabs your wrist, before seeing your look of surprise. He holds it for a second before letting go. Sometimes you’ll get something like that when you cross a boundary he’s not ready for. So, doing something you know he’s comfortable with, you bring your hand to his cheek, stroking your thumb over his goatee. His eyes close once he relaxes again. His head sinks against his pillow as he sighs.

You love the soft little sounds you're able to pull out of him. It’s a sign that you're doing something good. These are the times he’s most relaxed. When you're showing him affection. It’s easiest to read him when he’s vulnerable. Figure out what he likes, what he doesn't. Which isn’t much since he loves all the affection you give him. That’s what he needed in his life.

He grabs your wrist again, making you feel you did something wrong. Your brows furrow when he pushes himself up, then leans over you. “How do I…?” Oh, he wants to reciprocate. He hasn’t really done that. This must be growth. “Just do what feels natural.” He just looks at you, waiting for you to give him some more direct directions. “Uh… start with kisses. Kiss me wherever you’d like.” His eyes roam over your face and neck as he nods. He lowers his head, his lips just above yours, then he hesitates. You don’t close the gap, not wanting to push him. You want him to be able to make his way to you. He swallows thickly before tentatively pressing his lips to yours. You don’t kiss back until he does. For such a rough man, he has the softens lips you've ever kissed.

He’s using this kiss to memorise your lips. All his other kisses were usually quick and shy. He never really felt your lips. After a good minute he sighs heavily against your lips as he pulls away. Then he moves his face down to your neck. He keeps his head buried there, enjoying your soft warm skin before he finds your pulse point and kisses it, since it's most vulnerable. It’s his way of showing you’re safe with him. One of your hands makes it to his hair. It’s gotten so long, it’s easy to tangle your fingers in it.

His hair is one of his favourite places to be touched. Why do you think he grew it out? You ruffled it once, back when it was short and he was hooked. He trails a couple of kisses down your throat before lifting his head for reassurance. He’s always asking for reassurance from you. He wants to be doing all of this right. You brush his hair out of his face. “That’s good, that’s good. Feels nice.” Your voice is breathless. He must be doing a damn good job if he was able to get you to sound like that.

That’s all the confirmation he needs. He’s treating your skin so delicately. He hits a few sensitive spots that make you pull his hair. So those are the sweet spots? Duly noted. Now Daryl knows where to focus. You don’t know what this is leading to, if anything. Either way, you're happy. This is the most expressive Daryl has been since the two of you have gotten closer. His kisses are slow and soft, trying to make up for all the affection he hasn’t shown you yet.

Then he slowly lowers his weight on your chest, making sure not to crush you, and just lays there. There’s a lot going through his mind, there always is. You’re happily playing with his hair. His weight on your chest is soothing. It seems like he needs a minute, so you’re giving him all the time he needs. You don’t press, just leave him be. It must be a lot for him, but you're proud he pushed himself. You press a little kiss to his hair as a way to tell him he did good. You two have a way of communicating in silence.

His brows furrow as he struggles with his thoughts. Is he doing this right? Why is it so difficult for him? He cares about you. Cares about you deeply, but it’s just so hard for him to get himself to show you. His thoughts get interrupted as you ruffle his hair. It’s like you’re directly scratching those thoughts away. He must be doing ok since you’ve never complained.

He nuzzles his face into your chest. It’s the warmest part of you, so he loves it. That and your thighs. He loves laying his head in your lap, having his hair played with as you talk about your day. “Sleepy?” You ask quietly. He just grunts in response. Yea, he’s tired, but if he goes to bed, that means no more kisses. He tugs on your shirt like a child, silently asking for more. You happily give them to him, placing kisses all over the top of his head. He’s trying hard not to doze off. He craves more, but the warmth is getting to him.

You lightly nudge his shoulder to see if he fell asleep. Apparently not, as he lifts his head with a small grunt. “Sorry. Thought you were asleep.” He huffs at that idea as he lowers his head. “Don’ wanna.” Wow, he sounded like a whiny child. You brush his hair back, trying to get him to look at you again. “Why not?” You're always trying to get Daryl to communicate. Even if it’s not vocal. Sometimes if he wants a kiss, he’ll nudge you or lay his head on your shoulder until you do something. Those moments are so cute.

He’s reluctant to speak. He’s not good and not used to voicing what he wants. “Wan- need more.” You laugh softly. Just a few words are good enough. You cup his cheek in your hand as you kiss all over his face. His face scrunches and he sucks in a breath before relaxing. And look at that, his cheeks are pink. Daryl loves and hates all the tingles your kisses leave behind. He never thought they could do that. He thought a kiss was a kiss, but you’ve taught him they're so much more than that. He lays his head back on your chest, listening to your heartbeat. It’s one of his favourite sounds. Your heartbeat, laughs and giggles, your breaths when you sleep, and the way your voice gets when you're excited or talking about something you're passionate about.

Once he heard your voice get like that when you were talking about him to Carol. That’s when he figured you must truly have feelings for him. You’ve never once faked that voice. Thinking back, there were a lot of signs he missed. Maybe you didn't realize, or maybe you needed to take your time before you told him. Either way, he knows you’ve cared for him for a damn long time.

He slowly untangles himself from you. Your hand lingers in his hair as you watch him pull away. Then his hands drop to his belt. Assuming he’s just taking it off for bed, you close your eyes and cuddle up with a blanket. He’s never taken his jeans off to sleep, even though you’ve told him to because, let’s be real, sleeping in jeans is uncomfortable. Maybe he’s not comfortable yet to let you see him like that. Your eyes snap open when you hear his fly. Damn, maybe tonight’s different. You catch a glimpse of the bulge in his boxers before forcing yourself to look away to give him some privacy. This is the first time he’s done this. Don’t ruin it by ogling him like a perv.

He slips under the blanket with you, cuddling your back, wrapping an arm around your waist. He presses a small kiss on your shoulder before closing his eyes. “Night.” You glance at him as he settles against his pillow. “G’night handsome.” A small breath of amusement passes his nose. You’ve been slowly easing into calling him pet names. He buries his face into the crook of your neck as he falls asleep.

The longer you slept with Daryl, the fewer nightmares he had. Of course, one will pop up once in a while, but mostly, his nights are peaceful with you. He loves using you as a pillow or holding you to his chest, using your weight for deep pressure therapy. It helps with nightmares. The warmth from your body is his favourite. Sleeping in a tent, the nights get cold, so he likes to snuggle close. He likes to think he’s doing this to keep you warm, but he’s doing it for his own comfort.

The first couple times he slept with you, he’d get up with the sun and leave, going on about his normal routine. One morning he slept in later than he wanted but didn't mind after he watched you wake up. You were so cute, all groggy, clinging to him, still pretty out of it, and so natural. But what he really liked? Your morning voice. It was so soft, softer than usual. Now he’s heard you use a soft voice with him before but this felt different. He ended up starting his day a lot later because he enjoyed watching you be all disoriented as you woke. He found it so interesting. He thought you were so beautiful at that moment. Like you were unreal.

The first night you invited him to sleep over at your tent, he didn't cuddle. Sure, he let you touch him a little, but he kept to himself as he fell asleep. You tried to get him closer but he kept his distance. All your little touches were still new for him so cuddles would’ve been too overwhelming. However he slowly made his way to you. That’s how it works. You need to let him make his way to you. Let him take his time.

He always wakes up before you. He’s just used to waking up early. Waking up before you, he’s always greeted with your sleeping form. He gets to see you at peak vulnerability. When you wake up, he’s sitting beside you, quietly watching with a soft gaze. He’s already got his jeans and vest back on. He watches as you blink rapidly to clear the blurriness. Now he’s waiting for you to see him and cuddle close. He’s memorised the way you work each morning. And there it is, you're grabbing him, trying to pull him down, so he’s laying with you. He happily complies.

He brushes your hair out of your face, then glances at your lips. Is this the right time to kiss you? Should he wait until you’re fully awake? He doesn’t know. He wants you to engage first. That way, he knows you actually want it. He’s always afraid of crossing a boundary. Fuck it. He’s going to go for it. You’ll tell him if you didn’t like it right? You're so much better at communicating than him. He pushes his lips against yours, lingering for a moment, before pulling away. The happy hum he got from you makes him feel better. He’s considering a way to push himself a little further, but not entirely, so he’s not out of his comfort zone. Soooo... “Mornin’ sweetheart.”

Your eyes light up when he finally calls you that. He’s been wanting to for a while, he was just too shy. “Good morning, handsome!” Your excited demeanour makes him chuckle. Ok, so you like that. He’ll call you that more just to see you react like that. He runs his hand through your hair, trying to smooth it out. “Ya lookin’ a lil’ messy.” A small pout forms on your lips then you get an idea. “Would you like to brush it?”

His hand falters. That’s a very intimate act for him… but it seems easy enough. That’s something that can ease him into something more. He nods once with a grunt. You sit up, grabbing your brush, then sit in front of him. He hesitates as he looks at your hair. It’s messy, and he doesn’t want to hurt you. He’s rough with his hair on the rare occasion when he brushes it, but he knows he can’t be like that with you. You look over your shoulder when he doesn’t start brushing. “I’ll let you know if you pull.” He sighs as he brushes the ends of your hair. He’s brushing slowly, being extra mindful not to hurt you. “How’s tha’?”

You close your eyes. You can feel how careful he’s being. “You’re doing good.” While brushing your hair, he only snags a couple times, but it’s not enough to really hurt you. Still, he feels like shit. “You’ll get better the more you do it.” He pauses. You’ll let him brush your hair more? He… really likes that idea. He runs his fingers through your hair, making sure he didn’t miss any knots. Then he tries something you always do to him. He lightly scritches your head, drawing giggles from him. “Haha, Daryl!” You laugh, leaning back against his chest and he wraps an arm around you. He’s learned the way you play with his hair, so he has some idea about how he’s supposed to do it. He presses his head against your shoulder, leaving little kisses. He’s observing your reactions, seeing what makes you react how. See, he’s learning. “I’m not goin’ huntin’ today.”

“Why-” You get cut off as he pulls you down with him. “Oh.” You laugh, cuddling up with him. Today, he wants to focus on getting closer with you, learning about you, and feeling more comfortable with you. He’s never going to get any better at affection if he doesn't try it. He compares it to hunting. There’s a lot to learn, a lot of patience, but if he practices then it’ll become second nature. He’s only really affectionate with you at night, and that doesn't last too long because you both end up falling asleep. When you wrap a leg around his waist, he tenses. He wasn't expecting the gush of warmth that would come with that. A second later, he relaxes, holding you close. “C- can I kiss ya?”

“Of course. You don’t have to ask.” You’ve told him that a couple times before, but he still asks. Though if you keep telling him, he’ll slowly learn. Just reassure the baby. It’s all he needs. He presses kisses to your shoulder, making his way up to your neck. Soft little grumbles and sighs can be heard from him. He’s never let his hands wander, he’s just been too much of a sweetheart for that, but today he’s feeling bold. His hand moves down to your waist, gliding over your curves, then rests on your hip. He likes the way your body feels. It’s perfect. It’s so soft to touch. He’s not used to feeling something like that. His fingers squeeze just slightly, not wanting to be rough.

Never feeling him touch you like that before, makes you feel those nice tingles. So, you snuggle closer, trying to encourage him to keep going. It takes him a second to realize what you want before running his hand up and down your side. The baby boy is learning! His movements are stiff at first before becoming more natural. He’s giving into the feelings you make him feel. You're soaking up every touch. It's the first he’s really ever done this. “Am I… doin’ ok?” He asks nervously. You sigh happily. As much as you love showing him affection, it’s nice to have some in return. “You’re doing more than ok.” Daryl's eyes gaze over your face and body language, trying to get a read on you. You’re really not that hard to read. You’re basically melting under him. He has to bite back a smile. He can’t believe he’s actually making you react like this. Do you know how good that makes him feel? Knowing he has an effect on you? He’ll be using that against you when he’s more comfortable.

You mess with his hair as his hands roam from your sides to your tummy. He’s trying to memorise how you feel. He closes his eyes and buries his face in your neck, so he’s solely focused on the way you feel. He’s very bold this morning. He’s never this brave when he touches you. Once he feels like he let his hands roam for long enough, he takes a peek at your face. You look peaceful. He got you like that, huh? That makes him feel a sense of accomplishment.

He flinches back when you suddenly bring your hand up to stroke his cheek. His facial muscles relax when he realizes you didn’t mean any harm. He’s gazing at you tenderly. His eyes always give him away. And when he closes them, that means he’s feeling comfortable. It’s his way of lowering his guard. He lets out a low groan as you ruffle his hair. That always makes him melt. He turns his head, pressing a kiss to your palm while he makes eye contact.

The fucking BUTTERFLIES, this man just made you feel. He knew what he was doing. When he’s confident with his touches it’s going to be fucking over for you. He chuckles slowly as your cheeks flush and you try to hide your face with your hands. He grabs both of your wrists, holding them firmly to his chest. “Ah, ah, girl.” You meet his eyes. He loves the pink flush to your cheeks. Sure, he’s gotten you to blush a few times, but never like that. He hides his smile by resting his head on top of yours. He sighs contently as he wraps his arms around you. His thumbs are tracing little patterns on your back.

You close your eyes as you relax, giving into his embrace. His big strong arms are perfect for wrapping around you and holding you close. Have you seen his arms? They’re perfect for this. His grip is tight and secure, shielding you from the world. It’s his way of showing he’s protective of you. He likes to keep you close to his chest. That’s where his heart is after all.

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Soooooo, this turned out to be a lot more fluff than I was originally going to write but who’s complaining?

#daryl dixon fluff #daryl dixon #twd daryl #the walking dead daryl #daryl fanfiction #daryl dixon x reader #twd #the walking dead #daryl dixon one shot #Daryl Dixon cuddles #I CAN COPPY AND PASTE TAGS?#I was pasting them individually...

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darkwicks · 1 day ago

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Homecoming

You’re a casual fan, you think. Spider-Man is cool, and you just really like him. That’s all... until you learn that the friendly neighbourhood web-slinger is so much closer than you think.

PAIRING.⠀Xia Yizhou | Caleb x Reader

CONTENT.⠀female reader | superhero AU & Spider-Man Caleb | descriptions of anxiety, fluff, happy ending, mentions of blood and bruises, secrets, slice-of-life (as much as it can possibly be), some angst and hurt/comfort | ~7,6k words

A/N.⠀I really said "I'm going on a writing hiatus" and "I'm gonna lock in" with my whole chest knowing damn well I'm a liar ... anyway yeah this fic was inspired by this Spider-Man Caleb fanart... it made me go crazy.... I hope you enjoy!

available on AO3 | reblogs and comments are always appreciated!

@hunters-association @theseabreezestreet

You were on the verge of a breakthrough. You just knew it.

You were absentmindedly swinging your legs back and forth as you sat at the table. Your laptop was open and displaying several windows—some were images of Spider-Man, some were news articles. Your tablet, and in turn, your notes, had gone completely forgotten. Spending time passively scrolling social media was far from productive, but compared to what you were reading, exam revision was totally dull.

Developing an interest in Spider-Man had been unintentional. You saw him mentioned in the news. Out of curiosity, you looked him up, and all of a sudden, you found yourself deep in the rabbit hole. Before long, you were up-to-date with daily news, keeping up with his movements and making friends with fellow Spider-Man fans. It was swift and unexpected, but you found it more fun than whatever you were previously doing.

He was far from the first superhero Linkon City had seen. There used to be rumours about the God of the Tides and how he ruled the seas for centuries before he found the love of his life. There was also Lumière of the N109 zone, a vigilante who suddenly stopped being active about fourteen years ago. Legends of the Abysm Sovereign and the Foreseer were passed down through generations. No one had proof they existed, only the product of their labour. It was as if they didn’t want to be seen. Still, that didn’t stop your interest from getting piqued.

The difference between Spider-Man and the past legends of Linkon City was that Spider-Man was still active. A web-slinging genius with a no-kill rule, he made the streets significantly safer. Photos and surveillance footage of him were constantly shared, but no one had any luck finding his identity yet. You weren’t investigating him for malicious reasons. You were just, for the lack of a better word, nosy. You wanted to know the man behind the mask instead of the neighbourhood guardian the news always talks about.

You looked at your screen. There was a rough timeline of his appearances the past week. He was in different parts of the city, catching robbers and other criminals with his presumably handmade technology. There wasn’t a strict pattern to how he operated. It seemed that he liked to lurk before making a move. It was how he brought down the corrupted colonels of the Farspace Fleet. Fighting crime appeared to be easy for him, and he wasn’t as destructive as some were. It was impressive. Everything he did had you in awe. His dexterity and swiftness, his strength and courage—he was just what Linkon City needed, you thought.

Just as you were about to go into another deep dive, a hand pushed your laptop shut. Caleb was towering over you when you snapped your gaze to him, brows furrowed as you gave him an offended look. He lightly jabbed your forehead and only smiled in response, seemingly pleased with your reaction.

“You’re supposed to be studying.”

You sputtered. “I was studying!”

“No, you weren’t. You were looking at Spider-Man again.” He tapped his fingers on your tablet, reilluminating the screen once more. “Your exams are next week. You need to focus.”

“I can multitask,” you argued half-heartedly. “And, I’ve never let you down, have I?”

Caleb took the seat across from you with an exaggerated sigh. “I guess not.”

“Why do you hate Spider-Man so bad anyway?” You frowned, trying to move his hand away. He didn’t budge. “He’s keeping the city safe. That’s a good thing!”

“I don’t hate him, but you’ve been distracted. I’m trying to help you.”

“You sound jealous,” you joked. Resting your cheek in the palm of your hand, you looked up at him with a mischievous glint in your eyes. “Are you sad I’m not giving you enough attention?”

He pursed his lips, visibly unimpressed. “Set the table. Dinner’s ready.”

“You’re no fun!” you whined. “It’s not my fault there’s finally something interesting!”

You begrudgingly moved your items to the side and got up to make your way to the kitchen, slippers sliding against the floor. The savoury aroma swirled into the air, making your stomach growl involuntarily. Your irritation now forgotten, you made quick work of setting the table and pouring two glasses of water. With your job finished, you waited at the table, eyes drifting over to the TV on the wall. The screen displayed two reporters behind a desk beginning the evening segment. It faded into a clip of men webbed stuck to a lamppost, undoubtedly the work of Spider-Man himself. They were looking to rob an innocent passerby before the webslinger caught them red-handed.

“Huh. That’s where we live,” you spoke up after rereading the headline.

Caleb placed the plates on the table. “That’s why I always tell you to be home before curfew.”

“It’s not like I break curfew anyway,” you grumbled. “You know I hate being out when it’s dark.”

Distracted, you kept your eyes on the screen. The public had mixed opinions about Spider-Man himself. You, along with your circle of friends, thought of him as a hero, feeling safer knowing that he was out there protecting innocent people. From helping an old woman cross the street to busting evil plans, he was using his talents and intelligence for good. He worked tirelessly every day to keep the streets pristine and harmless. The police, on the other hand, weren’t as fond of him. The LCPD openly expressed their distaste for Spider-Man, citing that he was an obstacle in their investigations. Some people thought he was just another guy with a gimmick. These criticisms didn’t seem to bother him at all. If anything, every time someone said anything negative about him, he’d work even harder just to prove them wrong.

You knew it was far from wise to idolise a public figure, but with Spider-Man, he inspired you to do your best every day. You liked to imagine he’d be proud of you if he knew you. You worked hard and powered through no matter how many setbacks you had. As silly and childish as it sounded, he made for great motivation. He was a good guy, he was cool, and—

Caleb waved his hand in front of your face, a warning tone in his voice. “Pipsqueak.”

You jolted, snapping back to the present. “Sorry!”

“Why do you like Spider-Man so much?” he asked, poking at his food. “You got a crush on him?”

You sputtered. “What? No!”

He gave you a look that urged you to continue. Heat rose to your face as you felt a spotlight shining down upon you, giving you the floor. It was hard not to feel embarrassed about something that felt so childish. You hummed thoughtfully, trying to think of words to say. Knowing you were going to sound like a child regardless, you sulked, defeated, and finally gave him a response.

“It’s just… I really like superheroes,” you mumbled timidly, fiddling with your fingers. “I admire people who use their strength for good. Like you!”

The corners of his lips twitched. He seemed pleased. “So do you like me or Spider-Man more?”

“You are jealous!” you said with an accusatory tone. “Caleb, it’s not like that! It’s like… You know when you have a favourite celebrity? That’s what Spider-Man is to me.”

He made a face, though he ended up relenting. “Okay. I get it.”

“Yeah! It’s kinda like how you used to like—”

“Your food’s gonna get cold,” he interrupted, flustered. “I put all my effort into making your favourite. Don’t let it go to waste.”

“Fine,” you drawled out, unable to hold back the smile from stretching across your lips.

Spider-Man eventually faded to the back of your mind throughout dinnertime. You found yourself engrossed in conversation with Caleb, slipping into the normal banter and routine with ease. Somewhere in between, he changed the channel to natural documentaries instead. When you gave him a questioning look, he just shrugged and said that you should take a break with him. Not one to deny his requests, your laptop went forgotten as you spent the remainder of the night on the couch with him.

It was nearing midnight, and from the way that you yawned, you were nearing your limit as well. The documentary was long finished; the past few minutes were just advertisement after advertisement, regular products with unnecessarily catchy jingles. You glanced over at him, suddenly curious. Unlike you, he didn’t seem to be tired at all. If you were more awake, you’d notice the anxious bouncing of his leg or the worried furrow in his brow, but fatigue was catching up to you fast. With another yawn, you pushed yourself to your feet, taking the throw blanket with you.

“Goodnight, Caleb.”

He smiled at you. “Goodnight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Fully sated and worn out, sleep came as easily as breathing. Images flickered behind your eyes, displaying dreams and vignettes in film reels. You dreamt of endless summers and sweetness, of growing up and exploring the world. When you woke up the next day, only a fragment of those memories remained. Caleb was already gone when you left your room. He left a note saying he’d left early and that breakfast was in the fridge. After treating yourself to his homemade cooking, you set off for classes and got the day started. It wasn’t very eventful. Classes weren’t particularly interesting. Lectures were about things you already knew, and a majority of your classmates were absent, leading to little to no conversation. Before long, the academic day was over, and it was time to return home.

The streets were bustling with activity as you waded through the crowd. Clamour and chatter were more than loud, people surrounded you, and the scent of car fumes mixed with savoury food bombarded all of your senses. You were starting to see now why people liked to say that Linkon City never sleeps. With everyone getting off work, the city was beyond crowded. Restaurants were fully seated, as were the cafés. Traffic went by incredibly slowly. Dogs barked to the sound of car horns and people were emerging from the train station in groups. You gripped your bag tightly, anxiety clawing at the back of your mind. News and posters about pickpockets were nearly a regular occurrence; it was better to be safe than sorry.

You managed to make it to a street where there were less people. You recognised some of the vendors out and about, offering them warm smiles as you walked past. Occasionally, you stopped by and bought a few snacks to take home. Now having your hands full, you were more than ready to go home and unwind. You hummed a catchy pop tune under your breath, leisurely walking down the path when the TV screens in the electronic stores came alive. You came to a stop, standing in front of the clear glass. It was a news segment. You couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the screen displaying surveillance of Spider-Man was context enough.

He single-handedly stopped a burglary, moving with inhuman agility and fighting with incredible strength. It showed a group of men bound together by his webs, cursing and fruitlessly struggling to break free. It took a few seconds before the familiarity of the background sank in. The convenience store, the townhouses and the DVD store… The incident happened not too far from home. A frown overtook your features. Despite the crime rate being significantly lower thanks to Spider-Man’s efforts, the curfew was still in place, and the unrest remained. It was not any different for you.

As you made a move to continue your walk, you felt something being snatched from your grasp—your bag. The thief ran at full speed, deftly navigating through the crowd as you yelled for help and followed him, aggressive footfalls slapping against the concrete. Absentminded apologies left your lips whenever a complaint was heard from a passerby. Your chest was beginning to ache, but you needed it back. It had everything. Your phone, your wallet, your house keys with the chain Caleb bought for you. You couldn’t afford to lose it.

The traffic light turned red just as the thief crossed to the other side. You contemplated just dashing through, but anxiety kept you rooted to your spot. They were going further into the distance. You bounced on your heels nervously, eyes glaring at the timer. 40, 39, 38…

It was now or never.

Cars honked at you as you ran to the other side, the combination of noise nearly sending you jumping out of your skin. You pushed through your fatigue and kept running until you tripped over your shoelaces, collapsing to the ground with a loud thud. You hopelessly reached out, watching the thief’s silhouette disappear into the distance. Tears of frustration sprang up to your eyes and you buried your face in your hands, uncaring of how you looked to other people. You weren’t fast enough. All your important things were gone, about to be left somewhere you could never find, and your information would be stolen—

“This yours?”

Your bag was dangling in front of you. Were you so distraught that you were hallucinating having someone come to your aid? You blinked and stared at it dumbly, your mind trying to grapple with the situation. The person crouched down to your level, and Spider-Man’s face came into view.

Wait…

You screamed in surprise, frantically pushing yourself away from him. “What—”

“Hey, hey, It’s okay. It’s just me. I webbed him. He’ll be stuck there for another three hours,” he said casually, speaking as though he was just another regular pedestrian and not the famed vigilante of Linkon City. “I had to look at your ID card to make sure it was you, but I’m glad I got to you in time. Here, take it.”

You barely managed to catch the bag as you were still gawking at him. What felt like a thousand questions were popping up rapidly in your head. How did he know? When did he get here? What was going on? How was he so fast? Caught off guard by your stunned silence, he brought a hand up to scratch the back of his head sheepishly, feeling awkward under your stare.

“Everything okay?” Spider-Man asked tentatively, waving a hand in front of your face. “Are you hurt?”

You shook your head, your reaction slightly delayed. “N-No.”

“Listen, I have to go. There’s gonna be a robbery on Ninth Street.” He helped you get on your feet, carefully making sure you had your balance. “Get home safe, okay? And don’t leave past curfew.”

“Okay,” you said, dumbfounded. It didn’t take long before you managed to snap yourself back to awareness. “Yeah, okay. Thank you for getting this back to me.”

He did a casual salute before aiming his web shooter at a building, swinging away with ease. Digging through your bag, you were relieved to find that everything was intact. Once the confusion went away, excitement came rushing in. You hastily grabbed your phone and dialled Caleb’s number, lips curling into a grin. He picked up after the first ring.

“What’s up?”

“You will not believe what just happened to me,” you said in one breath. “I just met Spider-Man.”

A loud crash was heard in the background.

You hesitated. “Are you busy? It sounds like you’re in the middle of something…”

“Everything’s fine, don’t worry about it. So, you met Spider-Man?”

You nodded, forgetting that he couldn’t see you.

“Uh, pipsqueak?”

“What? Oh, yeah. I did! I’m walking home right now. Someone tried to steal my wallet and I couldn’t catch them, but Spider-Man did and he got it back for me. Isn’t that crazy?”

“Someone tried to rob you?” You could practically hear the frown in his voice. “Why didn’t you call me?”

You blinked. “You’re at work. What were you gonna do?”

He fell silent. It took a couple of beats before he spoke up again.

“Well, I’m glad you got your stuff back. Just make sure to be home before sundown. Tell me when you’re back, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll be back in time for dinner, I promise.”

“It’s okay! Take your time,” you reassured him. “I’m heading home now. See you.”

You had a pep in your step for the rest of the way, feeling in high spirits after the encounter. The weight on your shoulders was lifted, leaving you feeling lighter. You didn’t realise how much you needed to breathe. Relieved would be an understatement—it was as if everything fixed itself in front of you. You didn’t generally consider yourself a lucky person, but today, you had won. The encounter with Spider-Man replayed itself in your mind, echoing his voice, reminding you of the proximity you shared.

After sending Caleb a quick text to let him know you got back safely, you began to cool down from the day. You tossed your keys on the counter and went straight for your room, determined to change out of your sweaty clothes. Since he was normally the one to cook dinner, you didn’t have to do much preparation in the kitchen. You put away the clean dishes, washed the leftover ones in the sink, and decided to tidy up a little. With your tasks done, you returned to the living room and flopped down onto the couch with a groan. Though you didn’t hold high expectations for what was on TV, you turned it on for background noise anyway, half-listening to the dialogue in the show that was playing.

The clock on the wall continued to tick. Caleb would get off work soon. You ended up smiling to yourself, excited to tell him about your day. Lying comfortably on the couch, you continued to passively scroll through social media to kill time. You were beginning to hear the telltale sounds of people returning home. The sound of a car door closing, your neighbour’s doorbell ringing, eager dogs overjoyed to see their owner home. Considering the traffic you’d seen earlier, Caleb returning a little later than usual wouldn’t be that irregular.

With that in mind, your worries were eased a little. But as minutes faded into hours, nighttime came, and not a single call or message from Caleb was seen. Worried, you sent him a text, only for them to be left on delivered. Calling him led straight to voicemail. Growing increasingly agitated, you called him again and again, only to achieve the same result. He always told you if he was going to be late. He always picked up after the first ring. But your attempts to get through to him went unseen, and it was getting harder trying not to sink into your anxiety the longer his silence went.

You paced around the room, fingers clutching your phone as the call went to voicemail again. Your eagerness for dinner had long dissipated and was replaced by immense dread. Worst-case scenarios were starting to appear in your mind, fuelling your panic with its increasingly violent visions. You chewed on your nail as you paced back and forth, trying to reach Caleb to no avail. The situation was growing more dire with each passing second.

You glanced at the time. It was three in the morning. You were wide awake on pure adrenaline and distress. You couldn’t bring yourself to feel tired. It was as though all of your senses were on high alert. Everything was too loud, too much, and your clothes felt rough against your skin. Instinctively, you made your way into his room and crawled into his bed, hugging his pillow and rocking back and forth. The smell of his detergent and perfume soothed you enough to have you breathing normally again. Your fingertips dug into the material, knuckles going white and shaking from how rigid your grip was.

The world started to feel less daunting when you finally calmed down. You felt exhausted, completely boneless. Your eyelids were getting heavier, and as you lay there surrounded by everything he owned, you found yourself falling slowly. The room is dim with only the city lights outside peeking in through the curtains. You felt a cold draft coming through the window, sending shivers running down your spine. Fabric rustled and you felt the mattress dip, immediately jolting you awake. A mixture of relief and fury washed over you.

“Caleb?”

His breath hitched.

You blindly patted the nightstand in search of the lamp switch. Once the room was illuminated, you squinted at him through half-lidded eyes. “Where the hell have you been?” you asked groggily. “I’ve been—”

Your eyes dropped to his outfit. It was the same suit that Spider-Man wore, although more torn and worn down. Whatever tiredness was left in your system dissipated when you saw him. You sat still for a few moments, trying to contemplate whether you were imagining things or if this was real. You didn’t know where to begin. It was as if time stopped. There he was, the person you had been waiting for, standing at the foot of the bed like a deer caught in the headlights. You stared at him with your mouth agape, your mind struggling to put the pieces together despite the obviousness in front of you.

You didn’t know where to begin. Did he always sneak back home like this? What happened to him? In the end, you settled for the most urgent one in your mind—

“How long have you been hiding this from me?”

He forced a smile, the gesture awkward and tense. “A couple of months.”

“Months?” you asked, voice rising in volume. “You’ve been—you—god, I don’t even know what to say.”

“I’m sorry.”

You pursed your lips. “Come here.”

He tentatively complied, sitting down in the spot next to you. Your hands cradled his face, thumbs brushing over the bruises and making him grimace slightly. He didn’t say a single word. It was as if he was also dumbfounded himself. You were still upset, but the longer you looked at him, the more the anger faded. At least he was home. Injured, but still home in one piece. It was leagues better than the thousands of scenarios your mind was conjuring up earlier.

“You have a lot of explaining to do.”

“I know,” he murmured, voice uncharacteristically meek. It was unlike the Caleb you grew up with.

“But it can wait,” you said, pulling him into a hug. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I was worried about you.”

His arms wrapped themselves around your waist and he held you close to him, a shaky breath escaping his lips. He held onto you with a desperation you’d never seen before. He relaxed into your touch just the slightest, reassured by feeling your warm body against his. You pressed your cheek to where his heart would be, feeling its steady rhythm remind you that he was here—that he was home.

Your voice was meek when you spoke. “I thought you left me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you.”

“So you decided with radio silence?” you snarked back. Something in his expression flickered, making you calm down once again. You frowned at the amount of bruises visible on his face and the dried blood on his split lip. Softening, you told him, “Go take a shower and get changed. I’ll patch you up.”

He didn’t argue. He only nodded and disappeared into the bathroom, walking sluggishly. The sound of running water filled the stifling stillness as you took a proper glance around the room. There was an evidence board, several open books, and a well-used first aid kit on the desk. Your heart sank. Just how long had he been doing this, getting himself hurt and having to mend himself? Didn’t he trust you? Why did he keep this a secret from you? You heaved out a sigh and hid your face in your hands, frustration and sadness simmering beneath the surface.

There were a lot of questions you wanted to ask, but this wasn’t the right time. Right now, all you could do was be there for him.

He emerged a handful of minutes later, dressed in comfortable clothes. You scooted over and patted the space next to you, lips pressed in a taut frown. Now that the suit was off, you could see the hits he’d taken more clearly. Splashes of blue and purple were scattered across his skin, some big and some small. There were a couple of cuts and scrapes close by, both old and new. It was the worst you’d ever seen him.

“Sit,” you urged timidly. You gingerly applied the ointment on his bruises, careful not to hurt him as he stared up at you. He looked so vulnerable and so fragile that it made you feel like your heart was going to burst out of its confines. “Talk to me. Please.”

“It was Gran,” he said. “She made a serum. I didn’t know it until a few days later. I was stronger, faster… I could hear everything. I could feel everything.”

“How come I never knew this?”

“I didn’t want to worry you. I’m supposed to be your hero, remember?” He laughed in a self-deprecating way, avoiding your gaze. “I had to stay strong. Figure things out, get stronger… Make sure you’d always be safe.”

Setting the first aid kit aside, you pulled him into your arms once again. He held onto you tightly, fingers grabbing the fabric of your shirt so tightly that his hands were trembling. You raked your fingers through his hair and brushed them back, keeping them away from the wounds on his face. For a moment, it felt like there were only the two of you in the world. All you could hear was his quiet breathing as he latched onto you, unwilling to let go.

It broke your heart to see him this way.

“I’m sorry I made you feel like you couldn’t rely on me.”

“No, that’s not it,” he sighed. “I’d go through anything for you. I just… I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Then don’t keep any secrets from me anymore.” You pulled away. He looked up at you with a pained expression, years of secrecy and isolation making themselves known in his glossy eyes, the quiver of his bottom lip. “Can you do that for me?”

He nodded weakly.

“I need words, Caleb,” you said, your voice firmer than intended. You cupped the side of his face, feeling him clasp your hand with his own, warm and calloused. “Can you promise me that?”

“I can,” he exhaled shakily. “I promise.”

The tears you were holding back brimmed at the corners of your eyes, small droplets sliding down the sides of your face. A hushed whimper broke out of you. Caleb held on to you like you were his lifeline, refusing to let go for even a split second. The gravity of his words weighed heavy, as did him baring his heart. He melted in your embrace, sinking deep into your comfort as you gently scratched his scalp, easing every worry he was holding.

“Don’t lie to me again, okay?” you murmured into his ear.

“I won’t anymore. I swear.”

—

Though months seemed to have passed in the blink of an eye, the emotional turmoil stayed deep in your heart the entire time.

Life had turned completely upside down. With the new knowledge of him being Spider-Man looming over you, you were having trouble placing yourself. Some days, you felt excited and happy for him. He was more open with you when it came to his successes. He’d tell you about the petty criminals he caught or the passersby he helped while swinging through the city. He was passionate about his identity as Spider-Man, and he was committed. You wanted to support him in every step of the way. Some days, you’d feel like you were sinking. You previously didn’t worry all too much when Caleb returned home late, but since that day, fear and anxiety kept you company on lonely nights.

He didn’t always return looking completely beat up. Sometimes he was unscathed. Sometimes it was just a couple of bruises. But you hated being home alone, especially in the dark where everything seemed to get much worse. You were losing sleep because you’d stay up to wait for him to come home. You needed to see him with your own eyes, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to go to sleep in peace. He tried to give you estimated times to soothe you, but it didn’t always work. You’d wait in the living room, rock yourself back and forth as you wondered if he was coming home.

Your mind wouldn’t let you forget that he lied, either. You already forgave him a long time ago, but you remembered. You’d question yourself, question him, and what would come after was an overwhelming sense of guilt. He was trying. He was more open. He was showing you an important part of himself, bringing you along with him on his journey, yet doubts still lingered in your mind. He kept his cheerful disposition, constantly reassuring you that everything was going to be fine, but your mind was filled with what-ifs. What if he was hiding more from you? What if he was lying? What if he thought of you as a burden?

It was irrational to feel this way. You knew that very well, and yet, you still felt like you were fading out of his life. You talked to Caleb normally, interacted with him like you always did, but something felt different. It was as if he was drifting further and further away from you. Your outstretched hand, desperately trying to reach him, and his fading silhouette. Everything had changed. You felt like you were losing him in real time and there was nothing you could do about it. Everything had changed, yet it was all the same. You still had breakfast together. He still picked up the phone after the first ring. He still smiled at you, looked at you like you were his whole world. You were teetering between security and uncertainty. You didn’t want to feel this way, but you were helpless. These feelings came by themselves, and the more time you spent alone, the more difficult it became to ignore them.

Your sentiments towards Spider-Man had only grown stronger with the knowledge that Caleb was him. His name was more well-known in the city, growing popular among kids and women, and he was constantly being praised by the press. You supported him. You had total faith in him, trusted in him and his strength. But sometimes you’d stay awake stressing about how safe things truly were. More fame meant more notoriety among criminals, and you’d often wonder how long it would be before something drastic happened. You wanted the best for him, you really did, but something guttural gnawed at you. The desire to keep him to yourself, the need to protect him. You wanted to sink your teeth into his flesh, to keep him in your maw. You wanted to hide him away somewhere only you knew.

You dreamt of it sometimes—of risking your life for him just to keep him safe. You constantly wondered if things would be easier for him if you left. You knew there was much that he wasn’t sharing with you yet. You knew it would take time regardless of how much he trusted you, Still, you felt as though you were being kept in the dark. Being Spider-Man seemed to be so easy for him. It suited him, even. You couldn’t see anyone else doing the same thing that he did. But you didn’t know what you were meant to be. You felt for him very deeply, as did he, but the vagueness in the air bothered you more and more every day.

Were you only being selfish?

You thought back on one of the mornings you spent with him. A full spread of breakfast lay across the table and the news played in the background. The sun was shining bright, peeking through the gap between the curtains, and the weather was good. But there was a sense of foreboding that loomed over you, one that you couldn’t keep to yourself. You called his name softly, leading him to look away from the screen.

“Are you okay?” you asked. He blinked at you, confused by the question.

“Yeah. Everything’s fine.”

Somehow, it wasn’t enough.

“Are you okay?”

You didn’t know.

“I’m good. Sorry, I just thought you looked a little distracted.”

The lie slipped out of you with ease. You felt childish. You felt burdensome for needing reassurance from him that he wasn’t going to leave you behind, but you could never bring yourself to say it. Between your pride and the overwhelming fear of rejection, the words you desperately wanted to stay would remain within the confines of your mind. He didn’t seem to be convinced by any means, but he didn’t push the matter. A part of you wished he did.

It wasn’t a fight. There was nothing wrong. Even when he returned home blood and bruised, exhausted out of his mind, you took care of him with love and care. It didn’t matter that you didn’t understand why he was risking his life. Caleb never broke his promises or broke away from the path to his goals. He wasn’t about to let you stop him. With great power comes great responsibility, he said. But was this responsibility thrust upon him, or was he doing it out of his volition?

You hated feeling helpless. You knew he didn’t need you to do anything, but you felt like you weren’t an integral part of his life anymore. You felt like a bystander, like someone he was slowly forgetting. You shouldn’t feel this way. You should feel happy that he still cared about you, that he cared about the city to give his all into protecting it, yet your mind just wouldn’t let you. Your thoughts on Caleb hadn’t changed. You still thought he was the most important person to you, but what used to be admiration and even love for Spider-Man was turning into resentment little by little.

Some days, you hated him. You felt like a little kid without her favourite toy. You felt like a lonely child in a class full of people. You knew it was useless to dwell on these things, so you tried to occupy yourself. You put all your effort into your studies. You kept yourself busy doing chores even on the days when it was his turn. You didn’t wait to eat dinner with him; you went out for food and drinks with your friends, came back a bit later than the sunset. It wasn’t as if he’d notice. He wasn’t home when you needed him to be.

His name was constantly trending on social media. Spider-Man rescues bus from hijackers. Spider-Man stops bank robbery. Spider-Man comics and merchandise releasing. His name became the talk of the town, earning the attention of the rest of the country. The newfound fame kept him even busier to the point where people were starting to dig deeper into his true identity, leading fans and investigators to wait outside your home. You kept ignoring them, but they were persistent. Your declining of their questions only made them more curious. Not only did you feel like he was slipping out of your grasp, but also like the safety of home was in jeopardy.

It wasn’t his fault. You couldn’t blame him for it. But sometimes you wondered if he knew just how much this was affecting you, as self-centred as it seemed. The satisfaction you expected from uncovering the truth about Spider-Man never came. The final piece of the puzzle was right in front of you, living and breathing under the same roof as you were, and all you could harbour was disappointment.

What Caleb was doing was major. He was keeping the city safe—keeping his home safe, for you and everyone. You found yourself sinking further into guilt and bitterness, the light at the surface growing smaller as you fell deeper and deeper. It was childish of you to be throwing a tantrum over something like this. So, you decided to grin and bear it. He understood you like the back of his hand; doing the same to him was the very least you could do. You pestered him less about his missions, stopped trying to call again and again when he didn’t respond. He’d always come home, even if it took days. He never broke promises. He promised he wouldn’t.

If he noticed the change in you, he didn’t mention it. His actions, however, said otherwise. He did his best to pay more attention to you. He tried to spend as much time with you as he could despite your conflicting schedules. He listened to everything you spoke about, promised you to be careful when you asked, and continued to protect you in his own way. You didn’t know exactly what it was that seemed to switch the dynamic completely, but at a certain point, you were no longer drowning in the pool of negativity. The sun seemed to shine brighter, the flowers in full bloom, and your cheeks ached from how much you’d been smiling. The lingering sense of foreboding faded into nothingness, replaced by pure optimism and trust. The future didn’t feel so glum anymore.

You supposed all you needed was time.

Time to heal, time to process everything. Time had a way of turning wounds into scars, healing phantom pains into a comfortable stillness. The claws that had your heart in a death grip had loosened, letting go of the chains they wrapped around it. You felt lighter, happier. Some semblance of normalcy had returned—as normal as it could be considering his dual life, but you weren’t going to take it for granted. You felt like you could finally breathe after being underwater for so long. Even here, where you were alone in the apartment, you didn’t feel lonely. It was… normal. A relief. It didn’t feel so suffocating anymore.

It was quiet save for the sound of your nails tapping against the keyboard. It was a sunny afternoon. Having had a productive morning, you aimed to finish the rest of the day in the same way. You were focused and determined to finish the essay quickly so you had more free time. But as the hours went by, that determination waned, and you found yourself at a dead end. You blankly stared at the blinking cursor on the word document. It almost felt like the thing was mocking you. Fatigue and boredom were catching up to you increasingly quickly. You knew the material by heart. You knew what you wanted to talk about. Yet no words came to mind—you were drawing a blank, and the thoughts in your mind were already drifting off elsewhere.

The counter was littered with snacks, surely something Caleb would chide you for. Your tumbler was long empty, left with nothing but melted ice cubes at the bottom. The dishes awaited cleaning in the sink and the TV remained turned on, playing a rerun of some generic soap opera. Defeated, you closed the word document, eyes drifting to the window beside you.

Outside, the skyline was painted in hues of orange and blue. Birds flew over the horizon, ready to migrate elsewhere for the upcoming spring. Your chest rose and fell with your exhale as you let your mind wander. You used up your creativity for the day, you thought. You haven’t made significant progress on the essay since you started it a few hours ago. Before you could beat yourself up about it, three loud knocks were heard from the window. Caleb’s masked face peeked over the wall as he gave you a gentle wave. Giddy, you got off your chair and skipped over, fingers deftly undoing the lock on its doors. You slid it open, allowing him to crawl in.

“I thought you were busy fighting crime,” you teased, watching as he took the mask off. His hair was tousled and his cheeks were flushed from exertion. “Are you slacking off?”

He huffed, amused. “I can multitask.”

He unhid his hand from his back and handed you a large bouquet of sunflowers, the gesture immediately making you melt. Flowers weren’t that out of the ordinary. Caleb liked bringing you gifts and trinkets he thinks you’d like. You got an equally large bouquet during your high school graduation and another one when you were accepted into university. You took it with a smile, murmuring a quiet ‘thank you’ and curiously looking at him. He bounced on the heels of his feet, seemingly nervous about something. His brows knitted together.

“You okay?”

He met your gaze. “Do you still think Spider-Man is better than me?”

You blinked a few times, confused. From the way he said it, it appeared that it wasn’t the first time he thought of something like this. You chuckled and crossed your arms over your chest, shifting your weight to the other leg.

“Getting jealous of yourself, Caleb?” It was your turn to be amused. “I never said he was my number one hero.”

“You never said I was your number one hero either.”

You sighed in mock exasperation. “Why is this important? You’re the same person.”

“I just wanna know,” he said, uncharacteristically sheepish.

“First of all, that happened once,” you corrected, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “Second of all, I love you. Spider-Man or not.”

His lips curled into a smile. “You love me?”

Warmth blossomed across your chest, rising all the way up to your cheeks as your lips parted in surprise, sputtering incoherent syllables. You awkwardly turned your head away, glancing at him out of the corner of your eye. Love had never been discussed, not really. It just felt like an unspoken commitment since you were children. He was the most important person to you, and you were the most important person to him. You never really thought about labelling your relationship.

Your eyes widened when you remembered you always referred to him as your partner whenever you spoke of him to your friends. You already gave it a label without realising it. You opened and closed your mouth like a fish, struggling to come up with a reply. You could feel his gaze on you, hear the satisfaction and mischief in his words. Clearing your throat, you tried to compose yourself and decided to follow through. You couldn’t take it back anyway, and even if you could, you didn’t want to.

“Yeah. I do,” you said, feigning indifference. “I thought you knew that.”

He couldn’t stop the smile from expanding into a grin. A breathless chuckle left him. His cheeks seemed to be getting even pinker as he fidgeted in his spot. He scratched the back of his head with flustered giddiness, struggling to keep eye contact with you. You didn’t think you ever saw him this shy. He was always your brave hero Caleb, the same boy who held you when you had nightmares, the same boy who held your hand when the thunderstorms got too loud. He was the same boy who defended you from bullies and got into trouble for getting into a fight with them. He was the same man who held nothing but affection in his words for you, the same man who would fall into playful banter with you.

You sighed softly, the corners of your lips twitching up. “You’re not gonna say it back?”

Though he didn’t need to, there was still a hint of insecurity in your tone. You looked at him expectantly, still watching as he tried to maintain composure. You weren’t used to seeing him this way, but you thought you could learn to do it. It made for a rather nice sight.

“I love you too, pipsqueak,” he finally said.

You beamed at him, placing the bouquet on the counter before leaping into his arms, delightfully laughing when he caught you effortlessly. You looped your arms around his neck and hooked your chin on his shoulder. Your legs were wrapped around him, your body supported by his arms around your waist. He held you as if you were as light as a feather. He nuzzled into your hair, letting out a content sigh. The air felt so light, so carefree. The remnants of your worries disappeared into the air, replaced by pure joy and unbridled affection.

“So… What’s the plan? Are you done with the day?”

“I’m going back to work. They need me,” he replied. With a jovial tone, he continued. “But I’ll be back for dinner.”

“You mean it this time?” You pulled away, searching into his eyes for honesty. You were still prone to worrying. His vigilante lifestyle was full of unpredictable moments, so it consistently kept you on your toes, leaving you unaware of what to expect. You were desperate for his words to be true. You felt as though you’ve been away from him for way too long. You craved his presence, his warmth—you craved him.

He gave you a boyish smile. “Yeah. I do.”

And that was a promise.

#all #caleb x reader #lads x reader #love and deepspace x reader #lads caleb x reader #lads fluff #lnds x reader #lnds caleb #lnds caleb x reader #love and deepspace #lads caleb #xia yizhou #caleb lads #caleb xia #love and deepspace caleb

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sunrisecaminus · 1 day ago

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HIII, I LOVE YOUR WRITING SM, ITS SRSLY SO SCRUMPTIOUS? <333

I wanted to request bumblebee/ratchet/knockout/ megatron headcanons of them finding reader working on a lot of figurines and their vehicle models. I want to see how the bots would react? (Esp ratchet, I love that grumpy old man sm)

Message - DUDE JBVPAVHUBSVO! I wish I could write more, but this is all I could think of. Also awe thanks! Don't make me blush :3

Bumblebee/Knockout/Ratchet/Megatron x Reader Headcanons

Summary - Human makes their Cybertronians friend a figurine of their alt mode. All their reactions to you making them the cutest thing ever.

Warning - Cute

Bumblebee

When he finds your little workshop, watching you making a polished figurine of his car, he was fully supportive of it. He loved everything that you did and every time he saw you making your projects, Bee stays around and observes how you make the details. There is a cute joke you guys do by telling him to "freeze!!!" when he is in his alt mode. You take pictures of what he looks like to help yourself have references. Bumblebee would try so hard not to make any sound while you work, but if you ask him if he likes it…you would get loud excited beeping about how beautiful you made him. The fact he would keep every single one of them will show you how much he appreciates them. If someone told you that the figurines suck, Bumblebee would go wild and make sure that person never comes close to you again. It's funny how mad he gets to protect you, but honestly its very sweet.

Knockout

Now, Knockout would be the most obnoxious person about finding out about your skill. This man would kiss and snuggle you every day for the rest of your life after he knows. Need references? Just ask him and he would stay in his alt mode for long periods of time so you can have one you could actually look at in person. Do you understand how much this guy would adore you? Do you understand how much he adores HIMSELF?! Do you remember how in the show, Starscream would brag to everyone how he was the one to kill cliffjumper? YEAH THAT'S KNOCKOUT! "Did you know I am a hired model? My body is so beautiful, a master of sculpting is using it for their art projects~" He will say it every where. Starscream being annoying? Knockout brags about being a model. Arachnid being a threatening meanie? Knockout will say you were useful for showing off his sexy body in sculptures. Megatron mad at him for having an unsuccessful mission? "Well big M, at least today I am going to outshine everyone on this ship by getting a sculpture version of me." He is weirdly supportive of it…in his own way. Knockout would cherish everything you do and even help buy you better supplies to help you improve. Everyday he would see you working on one and you would just feel a little kiss on your head to feel his loving energy.

Ratchet

"What in the Allspark are you doing? I am not someone for you to just make a replica of!" Yeah Ratchet is very much flustered about the whole thing. You making a figurine of his alt mode was adorable though, seeing a miniature him was so embarrassing. What you secretly don't know is that he put the figures up on the desk he has so he can appreciate your crafts while working. Does he wish you would just stop? Yes. Is he going to tell you? No! He would never tell you to stop doing things you like, just please stop making sculptures of him. He would try to nit pick the figurine to make you think you didn't do good and that would make you not sculpt him anymore, but when he saw how upset you got, thinking you made him look ugly…yeah he broke. Now he just blushes and says it looks good whenever you show him your finished product. Not a warm and fuzzy kind of guy, but he would secretly buy you more materials online so you could continue your dreams and passions. He understands the feeling of being good at your job, and doesn't want to ruin that for you. If he heard someone talk crap about your projects, Ratchet might get suspended for medical malpractice later.

Megatron

OF COURSE THIS EGOTISTICAL WARLORD LIKES IT! He would put the damn thing next to his throne to look at it from time to time. "Make me another or I will use you for target practice!" Anyone who says you are bad at making figurines will DIE. Don't question the decapitated body in the corner, please don't even mention it. He would title you are an architect on his ship and give you a respectable salary if you keep making him stuff. It doesn't even have to be sculptures of him. Make him a model of the ship and he would use it as a 3d blueprint whenever he wants to upgrade something on the ship. "And you see here, this is where I want the new engines to be placed." Starscream thinks this shit is stupid. Will he ever tell Megatron? FRAG NO! You are now the lord's favorite and nothing will change that. He would sit you on the arm of his throne and pet you on the top of your head. You will never leave, you will never switch sides, and you will never be killed. Oh and his threats are fake, that man secretly loves you and would never lay a finger on you. He would send a figure to Optimus as a "look at what my soldiers do for me" type shit. Bro, you could tell him that someone ruined your project and he would literally walk around the ship with you on his shoulder, asking you to point out who. Even if it was Airachnid, nah, bye Airachnid! He would not care who it was, do not ruin his pet's MASTERPIECE!

#maccadam #tfp #transformers #transformers prime #transformers x reader #transformers x y/n #transformers x human #megatron #megatron x reader #bumblebee #bumblebee x reader #ratchet #ratchet x reader #knockout #knockout x reader

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revelboo · 1 day ago

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EEEEEE im so loving how you are incorporating the little tapping some tarantulas do

Tarantulas gently papping his reader with his extra limbs or his pedipalps is just so adorable or him tapping against walls and hearing the little tap dance he does when he’s around them

https://youtu.be/1GalkM3KM4s?si=D8WaejyLutmrnSzu

Kind of like this? 🥰

I bet once he realizes he’s doing it he’s gonna be so shy ☺️

Someone had mentioned male tarantulas do that and I love it. He has no idea he’s even doing it 🤣

Disappear Pt 8

Tarantulas x Reader

• Warm and aware of a faint thrumming against you when you wake up nose to chassis with Tarantulas, you realize what woke you. One of his extra limbs gently tapping against the back of your thigh. And you remember that he’d snagged you blankets and all and hauled you up into his nest last night during the storm. Somehow despite everything, you’d slept better lying against him in his web than you remembered sleeping in your bed at home. And you’re not sure why he’d bothered when he could have just left you down there to tough it out.

• Feeling you shift against him as he comes out of recharge, he waits for you to demand he set you back on ground. Or at least to stop touching you. It’s not like you haven’t made it abundantly clear that you don’t appreciate his form. That you find him as unsettling as his fellow Cybertronians had. Chin tucking against his chassis to see you, he’s surprised that you’re looking up at him. That you’re not upset. Freezing when you reach out and trace the biolights on his chassis with a soft fingertip. Knows you have no idea what you’re doing, but his biolights pulse anyway to his embarrassment. Eyes dropping you reach up to brush one of his mandibles. “You’re not so scary, spider man.”

• Making yourself reach out, to touch him even though he makes you nervous, you’re not sure if you’re trying to prove you’re not afraid to yourself or him. That extra leg is tapping more insistently against you, but otherwise he’s not moving at all. Just staring at you. Reminding you that you’re as alien to him as he is to you and that he probably doesn’t appreciate you touching his face. When you drop your hand, he catches it his much bigger clawed one. And your heart races when he skims his clawed servos against your palm, down along your fingertips. Making you aware that you’re stretched out on your side against him as three of his extra limbs curl around you and grab at the webbing behind you. “May I?”

• Waiting until you hesitantly nod, eyes wide, he cups your cheek in a palm, before sliding his servos against your delicate neck. Feeling your frantic pulse there, the warmth of you. “What are we doing?” You whisper and he’s honestly not sure. Only knows that you’d reached out first. Touched him out of curiosity and he’d wanted to take the opportunity to do the same. This is the most relaxed you’ve ever been around him, but he has the sense of a line just there that isn’t for him to cross. Can scent you, feel the warmth of you against him.

• “Harmless curiosity,” he murmurs, a clawed servo running along the column of your neck. Down to rest against you over your heart, his mandibles shifting before his visor brightens. And it feels like you’re no longer on stable ground, like everything has shifted. You don’t mind the way he looks, you realize and you’re not sure when that happened. When he stopped being the spider monster and just became Tarantulas. Hand trembling, you reach to lay a palm against his chassis, tracing seams and biolights and his head lowers, mandibles brushing your hair to send your heart racing. Because you’re not sure if this is only curiosity or not. You can’t possibly be getting soft on him.

#transformers x reader #earthspark tarantulas #tarantulas x reader

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justarkive · 3 days ago

Text

TABLE 3 | JJK ch 3

“For good service, and cute waitresses”

pairing: premilitary!jk x secret fuckbuddy! oc

contents: mild language, no smut (yet), fluff, humour, celeb au, very mild angst, slowburn </3

wc: 6k

this fic is not meant to represent the real jungkook or any other characters mentioned!

taglist: if anyone wants to join pls comment!!

a/n: this fic is going so much better than id thought it would! i love it and cant wait to progress. Nari’s might also come across as mean, but know its in a best friend way and she truly does love oc. ENJOY MY LOVES <3 p.s, all interactions are much appreciated, pls dont be afraid to let me know what you think:)

masterlist | < previous | next >

You find yourself back at Nari’s apartment. These days, it’s the only place you feel like going to. Your own place feeling like a lost cause- clothes piling up, draped over your desk chair you could’ve sworn you cleaned up last week, dishes in the sink that you could’ve sworn you’d washed yesterday. Work has been exhausting, and when you’re not caught up in the bustle of the diner, you’re busy running errands and keeping up with side hobbies, using them as an excuse to avoid everything else.

At least at Nari’s, things feel a little less overwhelming, and it’s easier to forget everything else.

And Nari doesn’t mind, she’d never mind.

She’s in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a glass of wine, her free hand lazily scrolling through her phone. Her TV hums in the background, playing some trashy reality show neither of you are actually watching. You’re curled up on the couch, knees pulled to your chest, fingers absentmindedly picking at a loose thread on the throw pillow in your lap.

You’ve been quiet for way too long, and though you are a quiet person by nature. It’s never been truly quiet with you around Nari.

And Nari notices. Of course she does.

It’s not past a second before she side eyes you over her glass, pausing mid scroll. “Alright” She says, pushing off the counter. “What’s going on with you?”

You blink up at her. “Huh?”

“You look like you just got caught committing a crime,” she says, raising an eyebrow. “Spit it out.”

You shake your head quickly. “It’s nothing.”

Nari stares at you for a second longer, then sighs, putting her phone down on the counter. She’s walking over, the heels of her socks dragging slightly against the floor, and plops down next to you, pressing her shoulder against yours.

You hesitate, fingers tightening around the pillow. The words are there, right at the tip of your tongue, but saying them out loud makes it feel too real.

Nari doesn’t give you the chance to stall any longer. She sets her phone down and walks over, plopping down on the couch next to you. “You’ve been sitting there looking like you’re about to have a breakdown for the past twenty minutes,” she says. “Either you tell me what’s going on, or I start guessing, and you know I have no filter.”

You exhale sharply. “It’s not that serious.”

Nari just stares. “Yeah, okay. So why do you look like you’re about to throw up?”

You press your lips together, debating whether you should even bring it up. It’s stupid. It really is. But the anxiety has been eating away at you since he did it, and if anyone’s going to tell you if you’re being ridiculous, it’s Nari.

You reach into the pocket of your hoodie and pull out a small, crumpled piece of paper. For a second, you just hold it between your fingers, staring at it like it as if that would make it disappear. Then, finally, you place it on the coffee table between you and Nari.

She frowns. “What’s that?”

You swallow. “Jungkook left me his number.”

There’s a beat of silence. Nari blinks. Then she blinks again, leaning forward to get a better look at the paper, like she needs to confirm that you’re not messing with her.

“Wait—Jungkook?”

You nod, heart hammering against your ribs.

“As in the Jungkook?” You nod again, looking at her as if to say: yeah Nari, who else?

Nari lets out a sharp breath, eyes darting between you and the paper. “And you’re telling me this now?” She takes the paper from your hand “Saturday?! Seriously? It’s been 2 days and you’re only telling me now?” She whines, smacking your arm lightly.

You shrug, biting your lip, not trusting yourself to say anything.

Nari stares at you like you’ve lost your mind. “And what exactly is the problem here? Did you text him? Has he shown up to the diner again?”

You bite your lip. “What if it’s a joke?”

Her expression drops into something unimpressed. “What?”

“What if I actually message him, and he laughs in my face? What if this is just some silly game?” You cross your arms, shifting uncomfortably. “Imagine I actually text him, and it turns out he just left it to mess with me.”

Nari looks at you like you just suggested jumping into oncoming traffic for fun. “Are you stupid?”

You blink. “Yes! What- No. Ugh! I dont know?”

“Why the hell would he give you a fake number? Celebrities don’t just do that.” She picks up the paper, waving it in your face. “And Jungkook? He doesn’t seem like the type to waste his time playing games.”

“But—”

“But nothing,” she cuts you off. “I saw the way he was looking at you. That man is not out here giving his number to random women for fun.” She shakes her head. “And even if it was a joke—which it isn’t—you’d at least know. Right now, you’re just sitting here torturing yourself over something you haven’t even done yet.”

You press your lips together, stomach flipping. “I don’t know, Nari.”

“I do know.” She leans back against the couch, arms crossed. “And at the very least, now you can get a heads-up before he randomly shows up again and you dont have to shit your pants every time he does.”

You let out a laugh, chewing on the inside of your cheek. “Yeah, but you saw what happened last time…”

Nari rolls her eyes. “Listen I get that- Crazy fans and shit? Not it, but you could be missing out on something big here.” She shrugs, taking a slow sip of her wine, like this isn’t making your entire brain short-circuit. “Worst case scenario? He doesn’t respond. Best case scenario? Well.” She smirks. “I don’t think I need to spell it out for you.”

You stare at the number again, nerves buzzing under your skin.

Fuck it.

Your fingers twitch as you pick up your phone, opening your messages. You hesitate, heart in your throat.

The phone sits between you and Nari on the couch, untouched. You haven’t stopped staring at it since she made you unlock it, since she made you pull up Jungkook’s number and prove to her that it’s really there. His name isn’t saved, obviously—you’re not that delusional—but it’s there. Sitting at the top of your recents, right where you left it.

And you hate that it’s there.

Nari sighs. “Alright, I literally can’t take another second of this. Either you text him, or I’m throwing your phone out the fucking window.”

Your body jerks up immediately. “I can’t text him.”

She looks at you like you’ve personally offended her. “Yes, you can.”

“No, I actually can’t.” You grab a pillow and shove your face into it. “You do it.”

A scoff. “What? No.”

“Nari, please.” Your voice is muffled, desperate. “I’ll never ask you for anything ever again.”

“You literally will,” she deadpans. “Probably within the next hour.”

“I’m serious.” You peek at her from over the pillow. “Please, just send the first message.”

“You’re being ridiculous. He wouldn’t have given you his number if he didn’t want you to use it.”

“Or maybe he gave it to me as a joke.”

She groans, standing up and dragging a hand down her face. “Oh my fucking God. What is wrong with you?”

“If I message him, and he laughs at me, I’m never leaving this apartment again.”

She rolls her eyes, dropping back onto the couch beside you. “Yeah, because Jungkook has nothing better to do than sit around and make fun of random girls.”

“Exactly.”

Nari grabs your arm, shaking you. “You’re so stupid.”

You let out a strangled sound as she shakes harder, knocking you against the couch cushions. “Nari, stop—”

“No, because you’re actually so stupid. I saw the way he was looking at you.”

You groan extra loud.

Nari shoves you again, this time hard enough that you almost fall sideways. “You are so dramatic.”

“Okay, then you message him,” you whine, turning back to her with wide, pleading eyes. “Please. Just send one text, and then I’ll take over.”

She groans, leaning her head back against the couch. “Fine. But I’m not doing ‘Hi, this is YN.’ That’s lame.”

You nod immediately. “Yeah, no, that’s boring.”

She thinks for a second, then smirks. “What if we go with, ‘Hey, soldier, miss me?’”

You push her. “Stop.”

Nari just laughs. “Or, ooh!—‘I heard boys like you love discipline, so I waited a respectable amount of time before texting. 😉’”

“Im deleting his number.”

“You love me.”

“I don’t.”

She hums, tapping your phone screen. “Okay, what about this: ‘I promise I’m not a stalker, but I did just spend the past two days debating if this was actually your number.’”

You hesitate. “…Okay- Yeah, that’s actually kinda good.”

“Duh.” She types it out and, before you can stop her, presses send.

Your stomach drops. “Nari, what the fuck.”

She throws the phone onto your lap with a smug grin. “Too late.”

You gape at the screen, heart pounding as the message sits there. And keeps sitting there.

Jungkook doesn’t reply immediately.

Which—of course he doesn’t. He’s busy. He’s literally Jungkook. He’s probably off training or singing or whatever idols do in their free time.

Still.

You groan, throwing your head back. “This was a mistake.”

Beside you, Nari pats your head like a disapproving mother. “No, I made a mistake. I should’ve sent, ‘Hey, kookie~, miss me?’”

You nudge her away. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

You kind of do. But now, you’re stuck waiting for a reply.

And it’s already driving you insane.

—

Hours pass.

You and Nari don’t do much of anything—just exist in the same space, like always. The TV plays some random drama you’ve both seen a hundred times before, voices droning on in the background while you scroll through your phone and Nari flips through a magazine she doesn’t actually care about. The comfort of it is familiar, easy. This is why you come here. Why her apartment is the only place you really want to be these days.

But none of it stops your eyes from flicking back to your phone every two minutes.

Still nothing.

Nari notices. Of course, she does.

“Y/n.” She doesn’t even look up from her magazine. “Get it the fuck together.”

You huff. “I am together.”

“No, you’re not.” She turns a page, unimpressed. “You look like you’re waiting for an organ transplant.”

You make a face, shifting to sit on your hands so you physically can’t reach for your phone again. “I just—I don’t get why he hasn’t replied yet.”

“Because he’s Jungkook?” Nari deadpans. “You know, worldwide superstar, busy man, famous guy? Maybe, just maybe, he has other shit to do?”

You grumble, kicking at her leg. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what do you mean?”

You hesitate, chewing on the inside of your cheek. “What if he’s ignoring me?”

Nari groans. “Oh my God. I literally cannot do this with you right now.” She tosses the magazine onto the coffee table and sits up, jabbing a finger at you. “This is what we’re not gonna do, okay? We’re not gonna sit here and spiral. We’re not gonna create insane scenarios in our head. And we’re definitely not gonna act like Jungkook is some high school jock plotting to humiliate you in front of the whole cafeteria.”

You glare at her. “That was a very specific example.”

She shrugs. “I read a lot of Wattpad in my youth.”

“As you should.”

“Anyway.” She leans back, stretching her arms over her head. “Since you clearly can’t function like a normal person right now, I’m declaring a ban on all Jungkook-related thoughts for the next few hours.”

“You can’t ban thoughts.”

“I can in this household.”

You roll your eyes, but you don’t argue. Mostly because she’s right—this whole thing is driving you insane, and if you don’t stop obsessing over it, you’re going to lose your mind before Jungkook even gets a chance to reply.

So, you let it go. Or at least, you try to.

The night continues as it always does. You and Nari switch to watching trashy reality TV, taking turns talking shit about people you don’t know. You fight over the last slice of pizza, which Nari wins, but only because she threatens to lock you out of the apartment. You don’t think she’d actually do it, but you’re not willing to take the risk.

Time slips by unnoticed, and before you know it, the sky outside the window has darkened completely.

“You sleeping over?” Nari asks, stretching her legs across the couch.

You blink at her like she’s just asked something stupid. “Of course, I am. What do you think?”

She smirks. “Good. I was gonna make you stay even if you said no.”

You laugh, throwing a pillow at her. She dodges easily, flipping you off in the process.

And then—your phone buzzes.

Your whole body goes still.

Nari notices immediately, eyes snapping to your phone, and then to you.

“Oh my god,” she says slowly. “Tell me that’s who I think it is.”

You don’t answer. Just stare at the screen like it might disappear if you blink.

Another buzz.

Nari lunges forward, but you snatch the phone before she can grab it. Your hands are shaking.

She bounces impatiently beside you. “Well? Open it!”

Swallowing thickly, you finally unlock the screen.

[ iMessage:]

Unknown Number: Took you long enough.

Unknown Number: Was starting to think you weren’t interested.

You just stare. Your stomach does a weird little flip, your heart picking up speed.

Nari, practically vibrating beside you, grabs your arm. “WHAT DOES IT SAY!?”

You lift your head slowly, meeting her gaze with wide, horrified eyes.

“He’s flirting with me-“

Nari screams.

And just like that, everything is chaos again.

Your brain short-circuits.

Your hands tighten around your phone, fingers pressing into the edges like you’re afraid it might jump out of your grasp. Your breathing is uneven, and you’re pretty sure your heart is going to give out right here, on Nari’s couch, before you even get the chance to respond.

Nari grabs your wrist, shaking you violently. “WHAT THE FUCK?! REPLY.”

“I CAN’T.” You clutch the phone to your chest like it’s some kind of secret government file, eyes blown wide in panic. “OH MY GOD, WHAT DO I EVEN SAY?”

Nari looks at you like you’ve just spoken in an ancient language. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN, WHAT DO YOU SAY? YOU SAY SOMETHING BACK. LITERALLY ANYTHING.”

“No, no, no, I—” You shake your head frantically, scrambling up onto your knees as if somehow getting higher up will help you think better. “If I reply too fast, it’s gonna look desperate.”

Nari throws her hands up. “Desperate for what? A conversation? Bitch, this is not high school! We are adults. We do not play fucking mind games over text like we’re waiting for our crush to message us back like we’re 15!”

You press your palms over your face, groaning into them. “Oh my God, what if this is a joke? What if he’s messing with me? What if—”

“WHAT IF HE’S NOT?” Nari yells, shoving at your shoulder. “What if he actually fucking likes you, you absolute dumbass?”

You glare at her, shoving her back. “DON’T CALL ME A DUMBASS, I’M HAVING A CRISIS.”

“IT’S A STUPID CRISIS.”

The two of you wrestle on the couch for a second, limbs flying, before she overpowers you and shoves you back into the cushions. You huff, staring up at the ceiling, trying to steady your heartbeat.

A few deep breaths. Then another. Okay. You’re fine. You’re cool.

You roll your head to the side, looking at Nari. “What do I say?”

She stares at you, completely done. “You say, ‘Hey, this is me responding to your text message.’”

You groan, throwing an arm over your face. “Be serious.”

“I am being serious.” She snatches your phone right out of your grip, dodging your grabby hands as she holds it above her head. “Look. You’re overthinking. You don’t have to send an essay, just flirt back.”

You peek at her through your arm. “How?”

“Oh my God.” She sighs dramatically, shifting so she’s sitting on her knees beside you. “Okay, let’s workshop this. He said, ‘Took you long enough. Was starting to think you weren’t interested.’” She pauses. “Ooh, that’s kinda sexy.”

“SHUT UP.”

“I’m just saying.”

You groan again, kicking your legs in frustration. “I hate this. Why am I like this? I should just block him.”

Nari slaps your thigh so hard you yelp.

“YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING.”

You whimper. “Fine. Just—help me.”

She grins, shuffling closer. “Okay. So, we’re going for playful, yeah? Something that keeps the same energy.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Like, oh? You were waiting for me? That’s kinda cute.”

Your entire body recoils. “EW, no, that sounds so corny.”

She cackles. “Okay, okay. What about, ‘Oh, were you hoping I’d text first? That’s adorable.’”

You blink. “Ugh why are you so good at this?”

“I know.” She flips her hair dramatically. “I am the queen of texting.”

You shake your head, snatching your phone back. “Fine. I’ll say something like that.”

“Good.” She pats your knee. “Now send it.”

Your thumbs hover over the keyboard. Your pulse pounds in your ears. You type the message. Delete it. Type it again. Delete it again. At this point, you’re just spamming letters on your keyboard.

“Nari,” you whisper.

She groans. “What now?”

“…Can you send it for me?”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT.”

You flinch at the volume of her voice. “But—”

“No buts.” She glares at you, unimpressed. “Send it. Now.”

You hesitate for one more agonizing second. And then, taking a deep breath, you hit send.

You both freeze, staring at the screen like it might explode.

The message sits there. Marked as delivered. Silent.

You toss your phone across the couch and bury your face in a pillow.

Nari gasps. “Bitch, what are you doing?”

“I CAN’T LOOK.”

“Oh my God.” She lunges for the phone. “What if he replies? What if he—”

Buzz.

Your whole body seizes up.

Nari screams.

You scream.

Neither of you move.

Buzz.

Another message.

You shoot up so fast your vision goes blurry, scrambling for your phone. Nari practically jumps onto your back, gripping your shoulders as she shrieks into your ear.

You unlock the screen, heart pounding, pulse hammering against your ribs. And then—

[ iMessage:]

Unknown number: Adorable? That’s a new one. You trying to flirt with me?

Your soul leaves your body.

Nari shrieks. “OH MY FUCKING GOD.”

You smack her. She smacks you back. You both devolve into incoherent screaming, kicking your legs and shaking each other like wild animals.

And somewhere in the chaos, it finally sinks in.

Jungkook is flirting back.

This is real.

What the fuck do you do now?

You’re still gripping your phone like it’s a lifeline, staring at Jungkook’s message like the words might rearrange themselves into something less terrifying.

Your brain is malfunctioning. Your hands are clammy. Your heart rate is somewhere near cardiac arrest levels.

“Nari,” you whisper, voice shaky. “What do I say?”

Nari, who has just spent the last five minutes screaming and shaking you like a maraca, suddenly changes tactics. She plops back against the couch, crossing her arms. “Nothing.”

You blink. “What?”

“Nothing,” she repeats, grabbing the remote and flipping through Netflix. “Let him wait.”

Your whole body jolts. “WAIT?”

“Yes.” She leans back smugly. “We’re watching a show. You’ll text him in the morning.”

You gape at her, horrified. “No. No, no, no, please—”

“Yes.”

“Nari, please!” You grab her arm, shaking her dramatically. “I will literally die. My soul will leave my body.”

“Okay, good,” she says, deadpan. “Then I’ll text Jungkook myself and tell him his little admirer died of thirst.”

You let out a strangled noise, throwing yourself back against the couch. “I hate you.”

“You love me.” She pats your knee like you’re a distressed child. “And you asked for my advice, so now you’re gonna take it. No texting until morning. Let him wonder.”

You stare at her, betrayed. “This is evil.”

She shrugs, putting on some random drama. “Welcome to the game, bitch.”

You sulk for a few more minutes, checking your phone every five seconds like a lovesick fool before Nari finally yanks it out of your hands and tosses it across the room.

“BED,” she orders, standing up. “Now.”

You groan but eventually drag yourself to your feet, trudging to her bedroom like a prisoner on death row. When you finally get under the covers, you let out a heavy sigh.

“This is torture.”

Nari snickers, turning off the light. “You’ll thank me in the morning.”

You highly doubt that.

—

The next morning, you wake up feeling… slightly less insane. Only slightly.

Nari is still dead to the world when you roll out of bed, stretching with a groan. You grab your phone off the nightstand and check your notifications.

No new messages from Jungkook.

You stare at the screen for a moment, heart sinking slightly. Not that you expected him to double-text you or anything, but still.

Shaking off the disappointment, you tiptoe out of Nari’s apartment and head home. It’s a busy day—you’ve got errands to run, places to be, things to do. You get caught up in it all for a while, hopping from one task to the next.

And then—

Buzz.

[ iMessage ]

Unknown number: So, am I getting a response, or did you decide flirting with me was a one-time thing?

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 17 hours ago

Text

compos mentis 9

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc.

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as noncon/dubcon, age gap, chronic health issues, and possible untagged elements. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk.

This is a dark!fic and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: After a long court case, your mother stays attached to her lawyer, bringing even more contention into your life.

Characters: Andy Barber

Note: hiya

As per usual, I humbly request your thoughts! Reblogs are always appreciated and welcomed, not only do I see them easier but it lets other people see my work. I will do my best to answer all I can. I’m trying to get better at keeping up so thanks everyone for staying with me.

Your feedback will help in this and future works (and WiPs, I haven’t forgotten those!) Please do not just put ‘more’. I will block you.

I love you all immensely. Take care. 💖

You walk with Andy towards the boutique. It feels strange. He doesn’t walk ahead of you like your mom always does, and you don’t have anything to drag with you. You still feel lost without the tank. You keep meaning to fix the tube only to find nothing more than your nose.

He opens the door. You peek through the windows before you go through. It’s a nice place with curly lettering on the sign and colourful clothes on sleek black mannequins. You cling to your elbow as you look around at all the displays.

“Hi, how are you doing today?” A young woman approaches you, all in black. She’s taller and slender and has wavy blond hair. “I’m Marlie. I can help you find anything you’re looking for.”

“Oh, I don’t... I don’t know...” you murmur.

Andy clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck with a chuckle. “Gotta be honest, I don’t either,” he says. “We’re a bit lost, I think. Clothes shopping.”

“Right, well, you’re in the right place,” she smiles prettily. “We have all sorts here. Everything on trend. Any ideas? Inspo?”

You look at Andy and his brows rise. He looks just as confused. “Um, how about, well, she likes Sabrina Carpenter.”

“Ooo, me too,” she grins, “come with me, I’ll show you all the best pieces.”

You can’t stop her before she has you by the hand. You glance back at Andy as he wears a sheepish expression. You remember what he said. Try to enjoy this.

You look at Marlie. She’s probably around your age. You know she’s just doing her job but her demeanour makes her feel like a friend.

She lets go of you and steps forward. She seizes a shirt from the table and unfolds it. “Hm, about your size.” She shows you the shirt; off the shoulder with a ruffle along the top. “That’s so cute.”

“Oh, uh,” you touch your shoulders, “my bra...”

“We sell strapless ones,” she offers. “But you don’t always need to wear one.” She pauses and peers toward Andy. You follow her gaze. He keeps his hands behind him as he leans in to check out the rack of sunglasses. He looks even more clueless than you. “If you think it’s okay with him.”

“Oh, him?” You turn back to her. “I guess. He said... he said I could choose.”

“Nice,” she shimmies excitedly, “I have so many ideas.

She rushes around in a flurry as you trail her. She knows exactly where everything is. When she has an armful, she leads you into the back where the change rooms are.

“I’ll let you try it all on.” She declares. “I’ve hung it in there for you, if you need help, there’s a bell inside.”

“Oh, sure, I... thanks.”

You’re not used to this. You were usually the one waiting outside the booth as your mom tried on her haul. You would sit on the bench and watch all the young girls like you; or not like you. They had friends. They were happy.

You step in and close the door. You try on the first shirt and do your best to match it with a skirt. Neither cover you very much. The red checker halter matches the leather skirt with the zipper up the front. It’s nice but you’re not sure it’s for you.

“Sweetie?” Andy’s voice makes you twitch.

You spin and near the door. You put your hand on the clasp and hesitate. “Yeah?

“You okay?”

“Mhmm, I... I’m not sure about this.”

“No? Well, why don’t you let me see? I’ll be honest,” he offers.

Your eyes round. You don’t know if he should see you like this. It will be embarrassing if it looks bad.

“Well, er, I don’t know if it fits. And I don’t... I don’t wear this stuff,” you say.

“I’m sure you look great. How can I know if I don’t see?”

You stare at your reflection in the door. He brought you here, he’s helping cover the cost for now, and he’s being so patient. Your mother would be screeching at you.

You slide back the lock. Slowly, you pull the door inward and shuffle out. You keep your head down. He’s quiet.

You feel his gaze crawling over you. The air turns stagnant. You squirm.

“It looks bad,” you sniff.

“Honey, it looks... wow. You look so nice. I mean, the clothes fit you really well.”

You dare to peek up at him and lift your brows, “really?”

“Oh, yeah. Really good,” his cheeks tinge pink above his beard. Is he lying?

“I don’t... I never... this isn’t what I usually get.”

“Right, but... did you pick your clothes or did you just take what she gave you?”

You shrug, “I guess... what she gave me.”

“It’s not what I like. How does it make you feel?” He asks.

You sway and turn around. You look in the mirror. You blink at your reflection. Your eyes stray and find his. The clothes make you feel strange but the way he’s looking at you makes you feel better. Maybe you can be normal. You might even be pretty.

Well...

You reach up and touch your hair and frown.

“What’s wrong?” He asks.

You flick your lashes at the threat of tears. You shake it off.

“Nothing, it’s just...”

“We can go to a salon? If you need a trim. Oh, and I don’t know, I was going to ask. I don’t really know about these things. Stupid man and all. But makeup? There’s a store—not that I think you need it but... I don’t know. Whatever you want or need.”

“Makeup? I don’t know...how.”

“They have videos, if you want to learn. Or we can ask at the store. Only if you want to,” he says.

You look at him and try to smile. “Andy, you’re not stupid. You’re too nice.” You lower your eyes. “I’ll do whatever. Maybe... just look around? See if it’s... if maybe...” you face him. “just look. Is that okay?”

“Sweetie, all I want is for you to be happy.” He insists. “So, you tell me what to do.”

💗

The makeup store is even more intimidating. Foolishly, you thought the boutique was the hard part. This is so much worse. It’s so busy and everyone there is so pretty and perfect. Girls with glossy lips look at tubes of colour and the associates in their all-black attire float like swans as they move between customers and discuss their products.

You can’t breathe as you skirt along the front aisle, turning to peer through the windows and contemplate escape. Andy says your name and gently touches your sleeve, “you okay?”

“Ummmmm,” you look at him then all around. “I don’t know what I’m looking for.” You bring your fingers up to drag down your cheeks, your anxiety mounting. “And I—I—I don’t look like them.”

“Like who?” He asks.

“Those girls—women. They... they know what they’re doing. Oh, Andy, I don’t know,” you flutter your fingers then tug on your hair nervously. “I need my oxygen.”

“Sweetie, just... breathe, okay? In... out...” He coaxes as he rubs your shoulder.

You take a breath in then let it out. You gulp. He did come all the way here. You wring your hands and nod.

“I’m sorry, I... I’m not used to everything. I’m sorry. I’m... a loser.”

“Sweetie, what did I tell you about talking like that?” He girds. “You’re not any of those things you keep saying. You’re a special girl and you deserve special things. Just because you don’t know something, doesn’t mean you can’t figure it out, right?”

“I... I guess,” you tuck your hands into your sleeves and make fists. Your press your knuckles to your chin.

“You okay to wait here? I’ll go look for help.” He squeezes your shoulder.

“Um, um, um,” you blink at him. “Sure, I can... wait.”

He rubs with his thumb and reluctantly pulls away. He turns and strides away. He’s so tall, he can see over the shelves so easy, and he’s undeterred by the crowds or the noise. He’s normal. He’s strong. You’re not.

You spin and nearly knock into another customer. You back up and sidle along to the corner, staring at the bottles of floral perfume. It’s not just that you don’t belong here, you don’t belong anywhere. That’s all too clear.

“Oh, hello, hon,” a trill voice chirps at you, “you need some help?”

You turn at the tall brunette as she approaches. Andy is behind her. He keeps a distance and nods at you. He’s there if you need him.

“I’m Tilly,” she introduces herself, “I hear you’re looking to start fresh.”

You stare at her and scrunch your lips. You drop your hands to your sides, “yes. Thank you. I... I don’t know anything about... about make up.”

“Oh, my, that’s alright! Figuring it all out is the fun part,” she beams as she claps her hands together. “But oh my gosh, look at your skin. You’ve got the perfect complexion. What do you use?”

“Well, I... I... use vaseline on my lips, they chap because of... erm, I used to have an oxygen tube, so... I got all dry around my nose...” you babble and cringe. “I just use shea butter on my skin.”

“Shea is wonderful,” she praises. “We have some products with it if you want to add to your regimen but whatever you’re doing is working.”

Your chest tickles and you smile, cheeks bulbing tightly, “really?”

“Oh, you have this glow. You are radiant,” she hums and taps her chin. “Makes me think you don’t need much.”

“Right, er, well. I wouldn’t know how to... use any of it.”

“I can show you. How about we try it out and see? I’ll grab a few products and put them on for you, then you can make up your mind.” She suggests.

“That’s.... that’s not too much?” You sway.

“No, hon, come on. Oh, I love this. I just adore getting to show people new things.” She points you along the next aisle, “now, I’m thinking you probably don’t need a foundation, but we’ll do a tinted moisturiser as a base, to give you a bit more highlight. A tine dash of blush. I think just a stick, no powder...”

She leads you around the store, weaving up and down as she plucks up products. You’re lost even as she explains each one. She takes you to a chair near a mirror and has you sit down with your back to it. You climb up as she lays out the samples.

“First, we’ll start with the moisturizer,” she instructs. She dabs it around your face and spreads it with a tear drop sponge. “So, you said you used to have oxygen. Were you sick?”

“Oh... yeah. But I’m better now,” you frown.

“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. It’s never fun, is it? I’ve got diabetes, my monitors right here,” she points to her belt as she grabs the next product.

“Really?”

“Oh, yes. But we live. We survive,” she smiles. “I grabbed this liner, it’s very creamy, you see, it goes on very easy and you just need a quick swipe.”

“Okay,” you say. You follow her direction to close your eye.

“That man you’re with,” she gently touches yours face to stretch your eyelid. “He’s very nice.”

“Yeah,” you agree dully.

“He seems very concerned. Says he want you to be happy so you tell me if you don’t like it, okay?” She switches eyes.

“I will,” you promise.

She continues as you try not to wince. You’re not used to being touched by anyone but the doctors; they’re always so clinical. Or your mother; she’s always rough. She’s not. She’s tender as the plies her expertise.

“Now, you ready to see yourself?” She asks as she caps the lip gloss.

You bat your lashes, getting used to the coating on your lashes, “sure.”

She turns you to the mirror. You stare at yourself. You look... like you but like someone else too. You lean in as you take in the subtle but noticeable difference. You sit back slowly, silently, and your eyes stray around the mirror.

Your gaze meets Andy’s as he stands across the store. He perks up and smiles. He crosses the main aisle as he gives a wave.

“Well, what do you think?” Tilly asks.

“I... I like it. It’s... not too much.”

“Oh, like I said, you’re so naturally pretty,” she says. “I’ll get you full-sized products and meet you at the till. That good?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Oh, I loved it,” she assures you.

She gathers up the samples and leaves you. Andy approaches and clears his throat. You look at him as his eyes scour you. You wilt beneath his gaze.

“I... it’s too much?” You gesture to your face.

He shakes his head then hits his chest with his fist, “ahem. I... sorry, sweetie. You look... you look so good you took my breath away.”

You make a face then laugh. That’s such a silly joke. You shake your head.

“It’s the truth,” he chuckles.

“Andy, you don’t have to lie,” you insist as you slide forward on the chair. He steps past the mirror and offers his hand. You take it as you get down. “Thanks.”

“I’m not lying. Sweetie,” he squeezes your hand before he lets go. “You look amazing. Once you get into some of your new clothes, I’m sure you’ll feel it.”

“Oh, uh, maybe,” you curl your shoulders. “She said she was bringing everything to the counter.”

“Right,” he reaches for his back pocket.

“But if it’s too much--” you show your palms.

“Nothing’s too much for you,” he grins and waves you toward the front of the store. “Come on.”

#andy barber #dark andy barber #dark!andy barber #andy barber x reader #defending jacob #au #compos mentis #fic #dark fic #dark!fic #series

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judesmoonbeauty · 2 days ago

Text

Lover's Contract: Jude Jazza - Bitter END

This is a fan translation only. Please expect grammatical errors and translation inaccuracies. This is a full translation. Creative liberties are taken for characterization and smoother translation process. Cybird owns everything. Re-blogs are appreciated, but please do not post my translation elsewhere. Thank you for your support! ☾.

This is the balcony of the lover’s club.

From here, overlooking the harbor across the street, we could see the ships at anchor.

With binoculars, you can even see the passengers boarding the ship…..

Kate: Ah! I’ve found the targets on the ship’s deck.

Jude: Lemme see.

Jude gazes out at the large passenger ship with the binoculars he stole.

Jude: Looks like they’ll ship off fine.

Just then, the steam whistle echoes and the ship leaves the pier.

Eventually, it disappeared like it was being swallowed by the boundary of where the sky and sea melt into each other.

Kate: They’re gone.

Jude: Let’s go back, ‘fore the princess gets carried away by the mood o’ the club ‘n goes into heat.

Kate: Hey…..I’m NOT in heat or anything!

Jude: Really. Can ya promise ya weren’t thinkin’ somethin’ lewd even once?

Kate: Well, I…..

(I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited by the club’s atmosphere….)

Jude: ….Pff- such a liar.

Kate: Nmm….Mmn.

The sudden kiss instantly robbed me of my thoughts -

Jude: Since ya lied ‘n really were thinkin’ indecent things, I’ll hafta punish ya.

My neck gets nipped and a tiny pain runs through me.

It’s a little similar to the feeling of Jude biting my skin when we make love.

Kate: Mnmm.

Jude: Whaddaya feelin’.

My cheeks flushed when I noticed his exasperated gaze.

Jude: Hah -

Kate: Hey, don’t leave me behind. It’d be better if you just insulted me.

Jude: Yeah, then I’ll insult ya later. ‘Til the perverted princess’s had ‘er fill.

Kate: Who’s the pervert??

Jude: Only other person here.

Kate: Oh, come on!

— The next morning, after being thoroughly insulted by Jude on the way home, we returned to Crown Castle.

Ellis: Kate, how’d the lover’s club mission go?

As I sat down to breakfast, I was greeted with a refreshing smile that seemed to erase my memories of the previous day.

Kate: Thanks being concerned, Ellis.

Kate: There were some close calls, but the mission wrapped up safely.

(I was anxious when the targets were on the verge of breaking up.)

Ellis: Was it dangerous? Did they discover you monitoring them?

Roger: Ellis.

Suddenly, Roger taps his neck with his fingers.

When Ellis noticed the gesture —

Ellis: Ohhh…..so that’s what it was.

He smiled like he just realized something, and then Roger and Ellis exchanged a cheerful looks.

Ellis: I’m glad it’s not what I thought it was.

Kate: U-Umm….what are you both talking about?

Roger: Trying to pretend that you didn’t see it, but it’s backfiring, lil’ lady.

Kate: I’ve no clue of what you’re talking about?

Roger: I’m surprised you thought you could get away with sporting a love bite on your neck.

Kate: A love bite?! Where’s a love bite?

Ellis: It’s on your neck, Kate.

(My neck….Ohh, then)

(Where Jude nipped me last night?)

Suddenly embarrassed, I rush to cover my neck with my hands.

Kate: Seriously, it’s just because Jude was doing something weird.

Roger: Oh, so you admit it.

Ellis: So, it was Jude who did it after all.

Jude: ……Dunno.

Kate: Hey, it’s not fair for you to play dumb. You put it there, Jude!

Jude: Don’t tell each other’s secrets. One o’ the three lover’s rules t’keep, innit?

Kate: B-But still! If this keeps up, people going misunderstand.

Jude: Thanks fer breakfast.

Kate: Ah, Jude!

Without clearing up the misunderstanding, Jude got up and left.

Roger: [Whistles], a lover’s spat first thing in the morning. How passionate.

Ellis: The two of you really are so close. I’m glad you’re happier too.

Surrounded by Roger’s and Ellis’ beaming smiles, I just couldn’t bear it….

Kate: I’m-I’m thankful for breakfast too!

Roger: Oh - she ran off.

Ellis: Don’t tease her too much, Roger.

I hurriedly put my plate down in kitchen, and rushed out of the dining room…..

(Ah.)

I spotted Jude at the end of the corridor, who had just left, and I chased after him.

Kate: Jude, because of you there’s a misunderstanding!

Jude: It’s fine.

(What?)

When he turned around, he had a large smirk on his face…..

Before I could raise my voice, he hugs me tightly, and touches the love bite from yesterday with his lips.

Kate: …..[Gasp] Mmn.

He sucks so hard on my skin, that I involuntarily flinched.

Jude: Wasn’t no misunderstandin’. So it’s fine.

The back of my neck where Jude’s lips had touched felt hot.

(It’s not a misunderstanding….It’s a real kiss mark.)

Jude: ‘Sides, if we’re lovers there ain’t any misunderstandin’ or shit.

Not to be confused with the “aijin” as in “an unofficial/adulterous” relationship. Jude is using “koibito” as in "Lover’s/sweethearts/boyfriend & girlfriend.” I could’ve said bf & gf, but this him being cheeky because the prior night they were pretending to be in an unofficial relationship.

Jude chuckled and then turned around.

(Hey…)

As I reached for my neck, which suddenly flushed, Jude glanced back at me and laughed teasingly.

[Event Master List]

Jude is having so much fun with his Kate! And poor Kate, she was so flustered that she had to have Ellis repeat where the love bite was. It's funny because I remember her telling Jude that he isn't good at handling those situations in his BD event, but it seems the opposite is true lmao.

Tag List: @sh0jun @theimaginativelyreticent @sapphire-323 @velisle @nateko @greatwitchsongsinger @injudescoat @aeyumicore @complexivelovely @yuoi-the-magnificent @husbandosandladders @cosmowgyral @lunaaka @rosalyne08 @8the-perfect-lie8 @voydsoul @goustmilk @kraiyne @midnightsrunaway @nawlink

If you wish to be added (and 18+ YO), or removed from my translations tag list, please let me know!

#ikevil translations #cybird translations #ikevil jude #jude jazza #jude jazza translations #ikevil #ikemen villains #ikemen villains translations #Dividers: @.natimiles

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skeletonh0e · 2 days ago

Note

Can I request how the boys would treat a sick reader? I've been feeling like shit lately so I would appreciate it 😭

Sorry you feel bad homie! Sending you all the love! And for this in particular I'm going with a human reader but pronouns are gender neutral

You're sick (ft. The boys)

Classic Sans:

Nope. Into bed. Getting rest.

He's very loving but also firm, admittedly he doesn't know much about human illnesses but he wants you healthy, so you're in bed. He'll handle the rest

He's not leaving much room for argument

And yes if he feels it's severe enough you will be dragged to a healer

Gets you some medicine, even cooks for you (that's rare for his lazy ass), and does keep you company

Skeletons probably can't get sick, at least not from the common cold or whatever

He'll even let you cuddle up to him, even if you're snotty

He's still making jokes though make no mistake

"the plague, the flu, and the common cold walk into a bar. The bartender asks "Hey what is this? Some kind of sick joke?"" Da dum tss

Not smothering by any means, it'd Sans, he's still chill about the whole thing, like I said just firm and doesn't want you to worsen your condition

Underswap Sans:

THE MAGNIFICIENT SANS TO THE RESCUE

Literally just said you weren't feeling so hot and suddenly he's dedicated to completely spoiling you until you get better

Medicine? He's already bought plenty just in case. Food? Making you anything within reason. Blankets? You gotta lotta blankets? Stuff you need to do? No you don't he will do it

"worry not my beloved! while i am here nothing shall disturb your recovery!"

It's a bit much but you can't say you're not thankful for it

He won't be extremely touchy, he doesn't think he can catch anything from you but he doesn't wanna risk it either

Still supportive of you though!! Make no mistake but germs are Icky!

Extremely good at managing doctors appointments and such if it there's a need for it to go that far

Definitely studying up for next time about human conditions, he's so worried he's not doing enough.

He wants you to be alright y'know?

Underfell Sans:

The fuck you mean you're sick?!? Have you not been careful!?

You're getting a lecture lmao, how dare you not keep your immune system in check, it's like you want to inconvenience hum!

Y/N: "....you don't have to care for me-"

Red: "no fuck you im going to"

Does the typical shit, medicine, makes sure you're in bed and actually resting, gets you food, etc. Just all in a very grouchy way

Will also take caring for you as an excuse to not to his typical jobs, content to lay with you while you benchwatch some shows

The hypocrisy of him lecturing you about letting yourself get sick but not taking any precautions with you isn't lost on anyone

Expect some typical brutally honest Red though he is not afraid to tell you that you look like shit

Which tbf you probably do but that's besides the point

Complains he won't go through this if there's a second time but we all know he will

Horrortale Sans:

C O N C E R N

It takes everything in him to not panic instantly, pls reassure him it's a simple sickness and that'll it clear up in a few days. PLS TELL HIM UR NOT DYING

After that is over he's going into caregiver mode, no questions asked

More intense than Classic, but not as smothering as Swap. Very attentive nonetheless

Gets you whatever you ask for or need, keeps a very close on your condition for improvements as well as making sure it doesn't worsen

Whatever need to be done it will be done he will be your provider

Definitely has no problem with physical contact, fuck him getting sick you're more important

If he had his way you wouldn't leave the bed until you're completely healed but he'll happily just carry your from place to place if need be

Honestly still worried despite your reassurances anyway

He'll be so relieved once it's all over

Underlust Sans:

Awwww baby what's wrong? :(((

Quickly assets the situation and immediately starts to care for you

It's pretty surprising how he switches from his goofy flirtatious self to a very sweet dependable caregiver

I mean it's not like you expected him to be a dick and blow you off completely but still

Gets you all comfy in bed, some soup, maybe some tea and even offers a massage

Not to say the flirting completely goes away though

Ace: "you're still pretty hot like this ya know"

Y/N: *having a fucking coughing fit*

Keeping this as SFW as possible but let's just say he's not opposed to catering to your other needs if you have them at all during sick hours

If not he's down to give a massage or cuddle for sure

Fresh Sans:

Imm be real with you, he is not the best man for this

I think you're gonna have to really explain that you're sick and not in the mood for his usual antics

And he still doesn't quite get it??? But at the very least he's concerned enough to at least try to do something

Man is a parasite bro technically is a form of sickness be easy on him

You'll have to tell him what to get and he'll get it

He's still extremely touchey, possibly more so as even if he doesn't understand how to help someone who's sick, he does care for you and doesn't like you being in a bad mood of any sorts

Will watching him do some sweet tricks help? Cuz he'll do 'em

Kind of annoying in the sense he'll kinda constantly be asking "are you better now? what about now?"

If it actually gets to a really concerning point for him he'll go harass some bitches for some quick healing medicine

Will probably make some enemies while retrieving it but if it means you two can go to chucky cheese later no problem it's worth it

#💀 the boys (group post)#sans x reader #underfell sans x reader #underswap sans x reader #horrorfell sans x reader #underlust sans x reader #fresh sans x reader #asks #requests

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toastytrusty · 1 day ago

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ok so. class/imperial dynamics between hickey and crozier. they each represent a different side of imperialism and a different way it affects people. very important to note that the major messaging of the show emphasizes how there are no "good ones" or "bad ones" within imperialism; the WHOLE SYSTEM is rotten and destroys everything it touches. the men on the expedition don't just damage and destroy the people and world they meet, the men are damaged and destroyed by the expedition itself. the whole ordeal was wretched and made everything worse for everyone. Which leads to the fundamental difference between hickey and crozier: hickey recognizes this, and crozier doesn't. Kind of. They both have similar lower class backgrounds, and looked to the navy for social mobility. Crozier played by the rules and achieved power and status through it, and he believes in the sanctity of naval bureaucracy and hospitality, if only they go about things the right way. Hickey, however, was so far removed from the prospects of this social mobility that he had to lie and commit identity theft to gain access to it. He has suffered at the hands of the british empire, and never held any illusions about the nature of it; he recognizes the class system as oppressive and the imperial system as violent. He tries to use this to his advantage and to gain power over others, but he still recognizes it and hates it. While crozier is certainly Doing His Best and has Good Intentions and all that, all of his decisions still end up being harmful or disregarding, and all the harm done by anyone else on the expedition (including hickey) is done in his name, because he brought them here and he is their leader. When hickey kidnaps silna and brings her to the ships, crozier is disgusted at the way hickey makes the violent nature of their presence so apparent, and yet he Does Keep silna on the ships afterwards. hickey is punished for insolence and dereliction of duty moreso than the actual harm he caused. Crozier’s issue was with the way he went about his actions, rather than the actions themselves. It still serviced crozier, even if he was, on the surface, put off by it. And hickey did it because he expected crozier to appreciate it. He thought crozier recognized the same things he did. But he didn’t, and that’s where the break between them happens, moreso than during the lashing. Hickey realizes that crozier Doesn’t understand the same things he does, or see things the same way he does. He has assimilated into the naval structure far too much and, in hickey’s view, lost touch. Which is ironic, given that hickey’s whole identity theft was quite indicative of him abandoning his lower class background and any perspective it gave him. There’s a very interesting dichotomy there, of crozier always being honest about his lower class background, and yet achieving status regardless, and becoming fully entrenched in the imperial machine because of it, and hickey never being honest about his lower class background, never achieving status regardless, and still resenting the imperial machine the entire time.

Hickey views crozier as the embodiment of the british empire, and the ups and downs of his respect for him are indicative of the ups and downs of his feelings towards his own potential for betterment through the imperial system. I might be stretching here but to meeee hickey’s mutiny is representative of something like a bourgeois revolution. He views crozier’s command, and the larger system, as oppressive, and he views himself as entirely separate from it in some way, when really he just wants to take crozier’s place and implement a near identical system within his own camp. Hickey’s delusions of personal exceptionalism are quite significant all the way to the end, when he tries to fully sever himself from his britishness and sacrifice crozier to the tuunbaq. He thinks he is different, and that him recognizing the empire’s brutality makes him any less implicated in it. Of course, it doesn’t; he is still british and cannot separate himself from that, so the tuunbaq kills him. However, crozier kills the tuunbaq. He is still concluding the devastation the british cause here. Also crozier’s “you could have just joined up” is really interesting because it shows that even then he still believed in the accessibility and positive potential of the navy. He thinks hickey is foolish for his reservations and ill will, and is almost denying the idea that there would be anything preventing that.

#sorry that this one's really incoherent and rambly i wrote most of it at like 1 am #also feel free to disagree with my crozier analysis #i admittedly do not know him like that and was just doing some quick narrative calculus to conclude these things #whateva #corneius hickey #francis crozier #the terror #the terror amc #the terror 2018

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imeriayapping · 2 days ago

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an angsty shark n' roses fic about their shift from childhood friends to current rivals? stranger? do whatever dynamic you want for them. Greatly appreciated, also I am in love with your work, you're lowkey carrying this ship on your back, goat.

Pedro misses the sea. He craves its’ comfort.

The dream of stepping into the water and never coming back is always there, lifting up the pressure of living off of him. Right now, that dream also contains Fermin, who is watching him make first step towards the place of no return. Fermin, who he also wants to steal; for them to seat on the beach after long day of training, before they’ll need to return to Pedro's childhood home because his parents are about to become too worried with how long they’ve been gone for.

He misses the sea. The calm and warmth that was there when he looked at the waves while sitting under the evening sun.

Right now, Pedro can't have none of those things.

Instead, he is sitting in his van. Silent, cold and alone. Somehow, this hurts more than any of his previous crashes.

But he knows that it’s the only right thing for him to do. They can't be close anymore. Not like that, at least.

They’re all grown up now and there’s no place for such a childish thing as love between them. It's the only way for them to be.

Pedro can't risk running into Fermin on track and have everything blow up right in his face.

Maybe, it will never stop hurting. Maybe, he will never feel as warm as he did once, sitting next to Fermin on the beach. Maybe, when he comes back to the sea, it won't calm him like it did once.

But it all will be worth it in the end. He is here; he fought for his place. No one will be able to take that away from him.

And Pedro will give anything away, if it means he will be able to chase all of the glory that there is left to get. Pole position was nice, but he knows, for a fact, that podium tastes better. Podiums are very nice too, but he can feel how much more his first win will be.

And, on some nights, he goes to sleep dreaming of the championship. It doesn't matter that the place on his bed beside him is cold.

It doesn't.

But not tonight. Tonight, instead of that, he's just laying in his bed that is simultaneously too small and too empty. He and Fermin spent too many nights cramped together in this place that now it feels cold and empty. It’s still and absolutely soundless, amplifying all of the thoughts in Pedro's head. Which is evidently doing no good for him. Obviously.

Right now, all Pedro can do is curse the whole paddock that made his van the safest and most convenient place to be themselves together.

Because, now, when he needs to hide, to pretend that no feelings were ever involved, it's impossible to do with every centimetre of the van being full to the brim with the memories of them.

And that's the last thing he needs at the moment.

It was hard enough to tell Fermin everything. To see hurt paint his features in real time. To maintain his indifference, not to rush to his side and comfort him.

But it was the right decision. They truly can't continue on like that. Can't keep getting even more intertwined. It will not only be huge risk at the track, but also...

What would happen if it comes to light? Their careers would be ruined without even starting properly.

So, Pedro truly made this decision for both of their sakes. Now, all that is left is to convince his stupid heart that Fermin should no longer occupy any space in it.

It hurts to even think about that, but it needs to happen no matter what.

He can't keep carrying Fermin in his heart like he had for the years before.

To be completely honest, Pedro is cursing himself at this very moment. Because, he should’ve predicted this. Should’ve never even let Fermin anywhere near his own heart. But what can you do, when you are ten and, suddenly, there is someone right in front of your face, whose passion for bikes is on par with your own?

There was no way Pedro could ignore him at the time.

He really should have, though.

With all of this, Pedro wonders: if he could go back in time to warn his old self of what was to come out of that innocent friendship - would he?

Because, even with how much it hurts to ignore Fermin now, he can't imagine going through his life without carrying this love inside of him. Honestly, looking at his life as a whole, he would probably be different person entirely. Love has the power to change people, and it clearly did so before.

So, Pedro needed to cut out the source of love, before it had the chance to influence his riding.

There is nothing more important than his riding.

He should focus on that instead of unnecessary feelings.

The gap in his heart is irrelevant.

#hiiii sorry that i took so long. hope you like it #please give me your thoughts bc i need motivation to finish my other work abt them 😭😭#pedro acosta #fermin aldeguer #sharks n' roses #i had some more ideas to write into this but this already took so much i didn't want to this to sit in my drafts for forever #also huge thanks to my bestie for redacting this before I posted bc this would be unrideable otherwise lmao #i wrote everything but one sentence on paper and it took forever to type back into my phone 😭

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p3achyt3acak3 · 4 hours ago

Text

Bang Chan x Fem!Reader

Warnings ⚠️: None really, just toothrotting fluff. Some cursing, everyone acting like a little shit 🤓 Also, it is a bit suggestive. There's no porn, but like.. Jokes are made and tensions rise so.. (You are kinda Han's BFF in this, just cause I feel like he'd be amazing to be friends with 🙌)

WC: 11.05K

Genre: Fluff, Toothrotting Fluff ☁️, A hint of Angst and insecurity if you squint 🤏 A bit of suggestive humor/moments

Maybe it was a bad idea to share this little secret with Han.

You knew better or should have known better, at least. You of all people knew just how much he liked gossip and tea, whether it was hearing a Stay tell him about them going on a date with their girlfriend/boyfriend, or something that was just in between the members.

Also, you'd practically been best friends with him since middle school.. You knew he couldn't keep his mouth shut even if he tried.

Why you even thought to tell him about this, was beyond you.. Maybe because he wouldn't stop pestering you. He could read you like an open book and everything about you, even down to your facial expressions, had them memorized and stored into the far depths of his mind.

"Come onnnn, you're hiding something from me, Jagiya.. I can see it all over your face." For what seemed like the billionth time since seeing Chan and Changbin off to the gym, Han prodded and poked.

Frustrating. Annoying. Loathsome.

But you loved him.

He was like an annoying big brother that you couldn't help but love and appreciate, no matter how much of a pain in the ass he could be.

Sighing, you tried in vain to continue your streak of ignoring him, focusing on the task of making yourself some instant noodles to soothe your hungry stomach.

"Jagiyaaaaa~" He whines again, this time poking your cheek and twisting his finger.

It's not enough to cause harm, but it's yet another annoyance that makes your brows furrow as you slice the hardboiled egg you'd prepared to put atop your bowl of ramen.

"Jisung, if you don't leave me alone, I will not hesitate to chop your finger off." It's a morbid joke, one that holds no actual truth behind it, yet Han immediately yanks his finger away from your cheek and scoffs.

"Someone's touchy today." He mutters under his breath. "Well, if you aren't going to tell me what's going on with you, can I just play a guessing game instead?"

After adorning your sliced egg onto your bowl of ramen, you turn around with a raised brow, only to find that he now has his arms folded against his chest, expression almost blank, save for the dimples in his cheeks when the corners of his mouth tilt up ever so slightly. "Guessing game? You're going to try and guess what's going on with me?" Now it's your turn to scoff, grabbing hold of the bowl of ramen, before taking a seat at the small table in the dining room.

Han follows suit, like a lost puppy, his cheeks puffed slightly. He's pouting because he knows you doubt his ability to be able to correctly guess what's going through your mind.

Though, before you can tease him further, there's a devious smile that tugs at the corners of his lips, one that you recognize all too well.

He's up to no good.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that you may or may not have a little something something for Channie Hyung." There's no hesitance, no pause. He's confident in his assumption, and his smile only seems to grow even bigger when you almost choke on a bite of your ramen.

Unwilling to admit it to him, let alone yourself, you regain your composure and roll your eyes. "Way off. Don't know where you got that idea from, but pop off, I guess."

Even though you sound relatively confident and snarky, you have a feeling he's going to keep pushing it. If it had been any stranger, you know he'd have backed off by now, if not way sooner. If it was another member or yourself, though..

"Oh? So you weren't making googly eyes at Chan when he said goodbye to you this morning?" He asks this as if he's genuinely surprised, but you know he's far from it.

The little shit..

The question catches you off guard, but instead of reacting in a way that will possibly give you away, you freeze. Though Han knows you better than you know yourself and is able to read everything far too well.

"Maybe I'm seeing things, Jagiya, but I swear I've seen you get all soft and cute whenever Channie Hyung is around. When he compliments you or says something nice, I've only caught it a few times, but you blush like crazy." The more he points out, the more your ability to keep yourself grounded begins to tear away.

Had it really been that obvious? Or is Han just way too fucking good at knowing how to read you? Or maybe he just pays attention too much?

Either way, it's annoying just how right he is...

You don't realize it right away, but as per usual, the annoying shit in front of you does. Whenever you get nervous, you tend to fiddle with whatever is in your hands. If there's nothing in your hands at the time, it's a mission to find something that you can touch to help get your mind off of whatever is making you nervous.

Right now, you're fiddling with the metal chopsticks used for your ramen, the steaming pile of noodles now temporarily forgotten.

The teasing smile leaves his face when he notices this, and he pulls up a chair beside you, bringing a hand to your back to begin rubbing at it softly. He rubs in small circles, a look of regret now painting his face.

You feel bad for bringing the mood down, but the last thing you want to do is admit that you have feelings for someone who clearly isn't even available in any sense of the word.

"Ah.. I'm sorry, Jagiya... I was just teasing. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything, I swear." In a quiet voice, Han apologizes, but you shake your head and force a small smile.

"What're you apologizing for you doofus.. You know I can handle your teasing." It's a small pitiful laugh that you treat him with, yet it seems to be enough to at least lighten the mood once more. "The last thing I want to hear is you apologizing for just being yourself."

For a moment, Han looks a bit surprised to hear such a sincere comment slip past your usually snarky lips. The dynamic between the two of you was one of smart-ass comments and bullying each other, so naturally, comments and compliments such as these were considered a rarity. He ate it up easily, though, if the smile that curled up on his face said anything.

"Ah.. Don't get into your own head. I do that enough for both of us." He suddenly bites out, giving you a light smack on the back of the head. The look of offense on his face is enough to make you smile, that sinking feeling finally dissipating with replaced humor.

"Why are you the one who looks offended when I'm the victim here?!" You find yourself countering, poking one of his squishy cheeks in a playful manner.

"Oh, you wound me.. I thought you loved me." Suddenly, he's turning away from your prodding finger, a feigned look of hurt scurrying across his face as he juts his lips out in a pout.

While you know he's just messing around, as is typical for him to do, you can't help but mirror Han's actions, returning his pout and even going the extra mile by letting a small, 'Womp womp,' slip past your scrunched lips.

The silly moment between the two of you lasts for a little while longer, before things finally settle when Changbin comes through the door. "HONEYYY, WE'RE HOMEEEEE!"

Yep, that was definitely Changbin..

Han perks up almost immediately, his head peeking out from over the cushions of the couch. In a way, he looks like a meerkat poking its head out from its den, and the correlation makes you giggle to yourself.

"How was your workout, Bin?" Standing up from the couch, you make your way to where he's currently bustling about in the kitchen, more than likely trying to find himself a little snack after his session.

Turning to face you, he has a bagel lodged in between his lips, dimples growing when he notices you almost keel over with laughter at how silly he looks. "It was pretty good! Chan seemed in a better mood today too, so that helped a lot." With the bagel no longer lodged into his mouth, he finally answers your question truthfully, a small smile curling up against his lips. "Though he wouldn't shut up abo-"

"Don't you have to go and shower?" Seemingly from thin air, Chan suddenly appears in the kitchen, tackling Changbin in a playful manner, which distracts him from finishing his thought. Now the two of them are arguing back and forth on who's going to go and shower first, and the conversation you'd been having with the latter, gets forgotten.

Though you seem to be the only one who's itching to know what it was he was about to say..

Judging from the suspicious look on Han's face, he wants to know as well, but for some reason he backs off and minds his own business, clearly gossiped out for the moment.

Which shouldn't be as surprising as it is..

Changbin finally relents when Chan says he's going to use up all of his body wash if he showers first. Wanting to protect his newly bought bottle, he mumbles some less than appropriate things about Chan under his breath while making his way to his room.

If Chan hears him, he chooses to ignore rather than address it, and now it's his turn to look for a snack to satiate his hunger.

As you did with Changbin, you do the same with him, asking how his workout went. For a moment, it seems as though he hesitates to answer, tapping his fingers on the door of the fridge while he moves his head down to observe what's left to eat. "It went well.. Got in some extra reps today. Even Changbin was a bit surprised to see me so eager to workout." With a short chuckle, he pulls away from the fridge, a cup of yogurt in his hands.

"You do anything interesting while we were gone?" He suddenly asks, which sort of makes you panic, eyes subtly darting over to look at Han, who's acting as though he's heard nothing. He's trying his best to hide his smile, so you know he's just being a shithead.

Han playing that 'Guessing Game' earlier, is the first thing that pops into your head.

You can't just outright tell him, 'Yeah, Han basically found out that I've been crushing on you for like.. The longest time now,' and expect him not to react irrationally, let alone grow uncomfortable.

That's the last thing you want.

So navigating around the truth, much to Han's displeasure, you instead choose to lie.

"Not really, no.. I made some ramen for myself and just talked with Han about some silly stuff, nothing of importance."

While it wasn't a complete lie, you'd purposefully left out the bit where Han had kept pointing out how differently you'd been acting whenever Chan was around. The blushing, the getting all shy, the acting cute and sweet...

From the corner of your eye you can see Han roll his eyes dramatically, and it only further irritates you.

What did he expect? Did he really think you were actually going to confess how you felt about his leader, despite knowing good and damn well that he was probably the most unavailable of all of them combined?

"Ah, so up to your usual bad behavior?" Chan's voice suddenly cuts through your straying thoughts, and your attention is set on him once more. Upon asking this, one of his brows had raised in an amused manner, all while he was digging into the yogurt cup with a silver spoon.

Why did he have to tease..

It just wasn't fair..

"Yup! We talked about a lot of juicy stuff~" The shithead answered for you, recognizing your sudden silence as growing shy or bashful. This makes Chan look behind you at Han, who has since moved to take a seat at the dining table. The look he wears just screams curiosity, but being the polite and non-invasive person he tries to be, he doesn't voice it. "Don't worry, it wasn't anything bad, just.. Girl talk, ya know?"

God you wish Han would shut up..

As much as you love him, he's not helping with the current situation at all.. If anything, he's making it more obvious that something was DEFINITELY talked about amongst the two of you.

"Girl talk?" Amusement flies across Chan's face once more, like it's a permanent look for him, before continuing on to say, "You one of the girls now?" There's a short, almost breathy laugh that slips past his lips when he pokes fun at Han, and the sound of it turns the tips of your ears a bright pink.

"Certified girl boss since I met that loser." Han quips back, causing Chan to shift his focus back to you.

To avoid his gaze, you turn to shoot daggers into Han's body, which only makes him shrug nonchalantly while smiling like a bubbly idiot. "More like certified dumbass." You spit venomously, a warning that Han needs to stop with his antics right now before you actually do get pissed.

Thankfully, he reads your message loud and clear but decides to stoke the fire just a teensy bit more. "Yeah, you're right. Except I don't shove my feelings into a box nearly as much as you do, sooooo~" As soon as he says this, the mixed look of shock and anger that crosses your face makes him stand from his chair at the table, stretching his arms high above his head with an obnoxiously loud yawn. He's being overdramatic, as per usual, but at least you think he's finally going to lay off the teasing. "Anyways, I'm sleepy, so I'm going to go ahead and take a nap. No one wake me up unless it's for food."

With that last sentence, he saunters down the hallway of the dorm, disappearing into his bedroom with a soft click of the door.

Now it's just you and Chan, alone in the kitchen.

Normally, it wouldn't be a problem. If Han hadn't caught you red-handed, then things would be just fine, and you wouldn't be acting so tense and suddenly aware of everything.

A fleeting thought rushes through your head in that moment.

You have to make up some sort of excuse to leave the dorm and go back home..

Either that, or you have to figure out how to get out of being around Chan alone until either Changbin comes back from the shower or Han wakes up from his nap.

After finishing his yogurt, Chan throws the empty cup into the trashcan and puts the spoon into the sink, acting as he normally would even if you hadn't been there. Meanwhile, you're suddenly aware of how fast your heart is racing, how fast you're breathing, and how hot your face is becoming.

What you had assumed to be a small and fleeting crush, you are slowly beginning to realize, isn't that.

It's something bigger..

Scarier..

"You doing okay over there?" Once again, Chan's voice pulls you out of your own head, and it comes to your attention that since Han' departure, you've been standing in the same exact spot with your shoulders slumped, half-facing the kitchen, and half-facing the dining room.

"Yeah, I'm okay, just a bit tired is all. I can only handle so much of Han' teasing in one day." Trying to steer the conversation in a more friendly direction while also trying to avoid the airy feeling that's swimming around in your stomach, you crack a joke.

The worry you feel gets washed away when Chan laughs a little at your poor attempt at a joke, and you find yourself easily sliding back into normality. It's easy to fall back into a natural setting when someone like him is comfortable to be around.

The boys have all decided that tonight will be a get-together. They've all been working really hard for the past few weeks, working on songs and choreography to go along with them, and everyone had agreed that a night to just unwind and enjoy each other's company was much needed.

Surprisingly, it wasn't just Han who had invited you to the get-together, Chan had also shot you a text saying that if you were feeling up to it, you were more than welcome to join.

You may have gotten a bit too excited when he'd offered, but that excitement fizzled into logical reasoning once you'd calmed down enough.

Naturally, Chan was a relatively nice person.

He didn't like to make others feel left out.

His invitation was just there so that you wouldn't feel excluded, and there was nothing more behind it.

Though..

He knew that Han would invite you regardless, so it was a bit puzzling for him to extend an invite when he knew you were rather close with the shithead.

Whatever the reasoning behind it was, all that mattered was that you were finally going to see the rest of the members after having sparsely seen them throughout their weeks of work.

Although it wasn't a requirement, you'd decided to bring a bottle of Soju with you.

Han had been pretty vague when explaining what type of get-together they'd be having, but from his, 'Make sure you bring some painkillers in case you wake up with a headache in the morning, Jagiya~', naturally, you'd assumed there would be drinking.

As soon as the door to Chan; Hyunjin; Changbin; and Han' dorm opened, you were immediately greeted by an overly happy Felix, whose eyes shined bright, while his lips were curled into a huge grin. "Glad you made it here safe, what's that you've got there?"

No matter how many times you hear this man speak, his voice will always knock the sense out of you. Even still, you smile back at him and present the unopened bottle of Soju. "A little present for everyone for working so hard these past few weeks."

This seems to make him smile even more, except this time, his pearly whites are on full display. The sight honestly makes your heart melt. He's always so bubbly and kind to everyone. No wonder everyone called him 'Sunshine'.

"Hannieeee! Your girlfriend's here!" He suddenly shouts behind him, stepping off to the side to allow you access to the dorm. The endearment he used to describe yours and Han' relationship, made you all but smile. Instead, you found yourself cringing, nose scrunched up in disgust as you shook your head from side to side.

"Yahh! Ew! He's like a brother to me, Lixie!" Shooting a playful glare in the sunshine' direction, you watch as he breaks into a fit of gremlinesque laughter before simply shrugging his shoulders, as if unbothered.

"Yahhhh! Just because I call her Jagiya doesn't mean she's my girlfriend, you ass! I agree with what she said. She's like a sister to me." The devil in question blanches once rounding the corner.

For once, the two of you can agree on something.

Felix doesn't seem at all bothered by the scolding the two of you are currently giving him if his toothy grin has anything to say about it.

"Are you guys just gonna stand in the entryway all night? Or are you gonna come and sit down with the rest of us so Chan stops doing aegyo back and forth with Changbin?" Seungmin' voice, clear as day, calls out to the three of you from somewhere in the living room, his voice grated and giving off a slight bit of annoyance.

Finding a way out of the conversation, you squeeze past Han and Felix, heading to the living room where everyone is currently seated in a big circle. Some are seated on the couch and love seat, while the rest sit on the ground. As soon as you enter the room, Lee Know makes direct eye contact and offers a small smile. It's not too big, not too small, but it's enough to bring you some joy.

"You guys must be old with how slow you are." Seungmin states rather blandly from his spot on the couch. Chan, who's seated right beside him, looks a bit offended by the remark, used to the onslaught of old man jokes being used on him.

"Keep making old people jokes, Seungmin. I can assure you that once you get to a certain age, you won't find those jokes so funny anymore." Shooting him a playful glare, followed by a short laugh, you take a seat down on the floor beside Hyunjin and I.N, bottle of Soju settling right in front of your crossed legs.

A collection of 'Ooo's' and 'Ahhhh's' echoes around the room upon shooting back an equally sick burn, which only makes Seungmin roll his eyes in your direction. You stick your tongue out at him in return.

Han sits across from you, Lee Know, scooting to the side to make room for him, and Felix takes his spot on the love seat, poking his tongue out at Hyunjin as if to rub it in that he got the love seat to himself. They must have argued over who would take the love seat and decided to settle it by competing in a game of rock paper scissors. Of that, you were almost positive. Most unserious arguments were settled with the child's game, from what you'd observed thus far.

Conversations flow smoothly for the first half of the night, but once the booze comes out, the flow makes a drastic change.

"I know it's a cliché game to play when drinking, but I'm kinda in the mood for Truth or Dare." Changbin admits, pouring himself a small glass of the Soju you'd brought to share.

Almost immediately, your eyes fly over to look at Han, who's already looking at you with wide eyes. You hope the glare you send his way is enough to convince him not to mess around or push your buttons, but being the little shit that he is, he ignores it. "I think that's a great idea! I'm down!" In the most ecstatic voice possible, while still looking directly at you, he agrees to Changbin' suggestion without any hesitation.

Internally, you're screaming.

Though the people pleasing side of you doesn't want to bring down the energy of the group, you hesitantly agree to play the game.

You make the mistake of looking over at Chan at some point while people vote on whether or not you all should play the game, and he's in the middle of tilting back his second shot of whatever alcohol he'd preferred over what you'd brought.

As soon as he finishes it off, it's like he has a sixth sense and knows you're looking at him because he's very quick to look in your direction, eyes locking onto one another's while your cheeks begin to grow warm. You want to blame it on the alcohol, but you can't. You've only had one shot, and that's not nearly enough to get you drunk. Fuzzy, maybe.. But drunk..? It may take a couple more to get to that point.

He doesn't stop looking in your direction, and neither do you. It's a moment of tension that makes you squirm a little in your spot on the floor, which grabs I.N' attention, a soft tap on your shoulder from the Maknae pulling your lingering gaze away from Chan' finally.

"Are you feeling alright? You look a bit red?" Once your eyes finally settle on I.N, his brows are furrowed ever so slightly, and there's a look of brief concern etched into his facial features.

Why does he have to be so sweet..?

It makes it so hard for you to lie..

But you have to, for your own sake..

"I'm fine, Innie.. The alcohol must already be working its magic." A light-hearted laugh slips past your lips to further solidify the lie. It seems to work because the concern slowly morphs into a small smile that melts away your heart, and the overwhelming unease you'd felt earlier gets scraped under the rug.

"Who's going to start us off?"

Once everyone votes to play the game, Lee Know is the first to speak up, after having been relatively quiet since you'd arrived. Glancing over at him, you realize he's looking directly at Han, who has a pout on his face as if he doesn't want to be the one to start the game off. When his eyes meet yours, there's a look that's pleading with you to help him get out of the situation..

But, karma is a bitch.

For the past few days, weeks even, he's been far more pushy and ruthless with his teasing, so you thought he deserved a taste of his own medicine. Leaning back on the palms of your hands, you merely smile, eyebrows raised as you purposefully begin a conversation with Hyunjin. From the corner of your eye, you can see Han gaping at you, and it only serves to brighten the smile on your face as you converse with Hyunjin.

Though, when the game officially starts, you get a sinking feeling in your stomach.. Something that's telling you that maybe you should've given Han the escape route because now he has even more reason to be an ass and pick on you for the rest of the night. You have a feeling his questions will get pretty personal, and by the end of the night, you'll either be wasted or heavily embarrassed.

Maybe both.. If he's being really generous..

"Jagiyaaaaa~" He snickers, enlongating the 'a' sound to be even more annoying. Shutting your eyes for a brief moment, you bite down on the inside of your cheek and pray to anyone who will listen, that you have the strength to not smack him upside his head for continuously teasing you. "As much as I hate picking on you, I'm afraid you're going to be the first victim of the night." His feigned sympathy is enough to make your eyes snap open. He knows damn well what game he's playing.. The shit-eating grin he wears completely blocks out the innocent guilt he shares. "So! Truth? Or Dare?"

While you're taking your sweet time to decide which choice would be better, considering you know which way it's going, Hyunjin whispers something to Chan, who's still seated on the couch next to Seungmin and Changbin, and stands from his spot on the floor.

At first, you don't notice anything, far too lost in your own head to even begin to pay attention to what's going on around you. "Truth." Ensuring you shoot a sinister closed lipped smile in his direction, you give Han his answer.

Felix starts to make small chicken noises from his spot on the love seat, and Han soon follows suit, but you ignore them, confident in your decision.

Seeing that he hasn't quite gotten under your skin as much as he's trying to, Han quickly stops making noises and smiles softly. "Is there anyone in this room that you've got the hots for?" This question is followed by a bout of hushed silence. Felix and Hyunjin are the first ones to either suck in a breath or comment something very quiet under their breath.

You yourself are internally panicking. As much as you'd expected him to be ruthless right from the get-go, this question was far from your mind.

How the fuck were you supposed to answer that..?

"Aish, starting off pretty hard there, don't you think?" Then and only then, do you realize that the person Han is not so subtly hinting about, is sitting right next to you now.

Taking an educated guess, you'd figured Hyunjin's back was starting to hurt, so he'd asked Chan to switch places with him. He had mentioned throughout the beginning of the week that choreo was stressing his body out a bit more from his extra practice.

"I mean.. If she doesn't want to answer, she can simply just take her shot, but I think she knows what it means if she does that~" Han smoothly replies, leaning against Lee Know with a smug smirk on his face.

He's definitely been hanging around him far too much.. Not that it's a bad thing, but now he's just as much of a tease as Lee Know is with the members.

He's right about one thing though..

If you do decide to take your shot, then that lets everyone in the room know you're indeed harboring feelings for one of them. Lord only knows you can imagine just how chaotic it would get once that bit of information was revealed. The game would more than likely be dropped, and most of them would be oh so curious as to which one of them was currently holding your interest.

If Han wanted to play dirty. You'd play dirty.

"Aren't you all like.. Off limits? Not to mention, Stay currently holds your hearts, so, no?" It comes out snarky, like you almost couldn't believe Han had even bothered to ask you in the first place, which earns a small snort from both Chan and I.N, seated on either side of you.

When he's unable to snap back, instead choosing to shrug his shoulders, you lean back on your palms once more and celebrate the small victory in your head.

The moment is short lived though when the 10th round comes around, and it seems that you and Felix are the ones who are hammered.

Chan has only had a couple of shots, answering all truths and dares with little to no hesitancy, whereas the rest of them have only downed enough to just receive a buzz.

Somehow, and you're not entirely sure how or when it happened, but you'd ended up seated on Chan' lap, giggling and laughing like a bumbling idiot because of how drunk you were. He seemed unbothered, used to it because the others sometimes sat on his lap and vice versa. Everyone here would sit on each other's laps, and in no way was it a bad thing, nor did it make any of them feel uncomfortable.

When it came time for you to choose once more, you leaned back carelessly into his chest and laughed. All night, you'd been playing it safe and choosing truth, but with liquid courage coursing through your veins, it gave you the confidence to choose dare. Unfortunately for you, Lee Know was the one who had presented you with the question.

If Han knew something, 9 times out of 10, Lee Know also knew. You had given him permission, but only because you knew Lee Know wouldn't go around spilling your business to everybody and they mama.

"Dare this time? Are you sure you're up for it, sweetheart?" Chan asks quietly from behind you, a rumbling laugh vibrating against your back.

The endearment would've made your skin grow warm had it not been for the alcohol already doing it for you.

All you could think to do, though, was nod, quite sure of yourself.

"Well, if you're so sure of yourself, guess I don't have to go easy on you." Is all Lee Know replies back with before his smile grows into a rather sinister one.

"Yahh.. She's drunk, Lee Know, maybe cut a little slack.." Chan deflects in a soft and tender tone, wrapping an arm around your waist before he props you up into a more comfortable position on his lap.

You hadn't even realized you were slowly slipping, but he did, and the action only made you feel even warmer.

"Fine, fine.. But I'm not going to go too easy.." Lee Know relents, while Han sighs dramatically from beside him. "I dare you to pick whichever one of us you'd like to spend the night with and sleep there."

At first, he says it in such a way that the room grows unbearably silent, and it takes a few moments for him to realize how he'd worded it, before he clears his throat and speaks once more. "I meant like a sleepover. Get your minds out of the fucking gutter." He more or less glares daggers into Felix, who's now burst into a fit of gremlinesque laughter.

Though normally the dare would've made you anxious or nervous, the liquid courage was giving you a type of confidence you rarely allowed yourself to feel, so it didn't bother you.

It was weird how Chan had tensed up a little and then relaxed once Lee Know elaborated on what he'd meant, but you pushed that thought way down and instead thought about who'd be the best to spend the night with.

As much as you adored the boys, there were some things about them that you just couldn't deal with when it came to sleeping in the same room. You'd found that out easily when you'd all been beat after a long day. You with your Makeup Stylist job, and them with their Stray Kids business.

It was an accident, but you'd all fallen asleep in the waiting room while waiting for a meeting with the higher-ups to get started.

It was then that you'd found out, I.N snores pretty loud.. Seungmin isn't much of a morning person and doesn't like being woken up in general, so he's pretty grumpy.. Felix moves a lot in his sleep and had kicked you in the side at least twice on accident.. Lee Know doesn't really like sleeping around other people unless he's comfortable with them.. Hyunjin prefers to be alone, but like Lee Know, doesn't care if he's comfortable with them.. Han is already a no because you're just pissed off at him still..

So that leaves Changbin and Chan.

Though, you figure that Changbin is going to get up pretty early in the morning to workout, and you have a gut feeling that you'll be moody and hurting in the morning, so you want as much sleep as you can get..

Now, all that's left is Chan..

Maybe you should just take another shot..

But you're not entirely sure your body will appreciate that.. Especially not when you wake up in the morning with a wicked hangover..

"You don't have to if you don't want to, you know? And I don't expect you to take another shot either. I'm cutting you off for the night." The devil in question mutters softly, his chest vibrating once more against your back.

Not one to back down from a challenge, while also being extremely stubborn, you decide to ignore Chan, blurting out, "I'll sleep in Chan' room."

Felix laughs quietly at this, as do Han and Hyunjin, whereas I.N and Changbin genuinely look surprised that you'd chosen to sleep in the same room as Chan. Of all the people to be surprised, you'd have thought it would be Han..

Chan tenses once more, and you can feel it far worse than you had before. "But.. If he's not comfortable with it, I can just bunk with Han.." Trying not to make the situation even more awkward than it already is, you use Han as a second option, although he raises a skeptical eyebrow at you in return.

The look he's currently giving you is one that screams, 'You better not back out.'

"I'm sure Chris won't mind. He's always generous and tries his best to help everyone." Felix drunkenly slurs, a toothy grin on his face. "Butttt, it is good to make sure he's comfortable first. Consent is definitely hot." He adds, followed by a soft hiccup.

Although you're sure he hadn't intended for his sentence to come out the way that it did, the part about consent only warmed your body twice as much. You weren't actually 'sleeping' with Chan.. You were merely having an innocent sleepover was all.. Like when you were a kid and you'd go over to a friend' house for the night or vice versa..

"I think it's time for everyone to get ready for bed." Chan suddenly interrupts, wrapping an arm around your waist once more. "Watch your step and be careful, please. I really don't want any drunk accidents."

Moments like this, it really does seem like Chan has become the dad of seven rather rambunctious children, and it makes you smile. Apparently, it makes you laugh as well because he's looking down at you with confusion arched in his brow. "Something amusing, sweetheart?" He asks in a hushed tone, one that shouldn't warm you as much as it is, yet here you are..

"Just thought of something funny, s' all.." You slur, still giggling like a bumbling bafoon.

There he goes with the endearment again..

The others groan, while Felix laughs, and Hyunjin wraps one of his arms around his neck for support, beginning to walk him to his bedroom for the night. Seungmin rolls his eyes and follows close behind, mumbling something to a giggly Felix that only makes the ball of sunshine laugh even more.

Han and Lee Know are next to get up, asking Jeongin if he's going to crash with them or Changbin.

The fact that they didn't even mention Chan as an option was more than suspicious. It's not like Jeongin was off limits from sleeping in the same room as you and Chan.. It was a sleepover, nothing more..

A soft smile graces I.N' lips as he declines the offer to join Han and Lee Know, saying he may just bunk with Changbin or sleep on the couch.

By the time everyone disappears for the night, you and Chan are the only two left in the living room, and you're suddenly very aware of just how quiet it's gotten. "M' thirsty." Trying to stand up straight so you can retrieve a glass of water for yourself proves to be unobtainable at the moment, because you nearly stumble and fall, but a firm arm wraps around your waist and pulls you back down onto his lap.

"Hold on a second. You're wasted, so please don't get up too fast. I'll help you." Being the gentleman that he is, he slowly begins to stand, holding you by the waist securely, before the two of you are finally standing upright.

Your vision is swaying, and you're stumbling a bit as he leads you into the kitchen, and yet he manages to sit you down atop the counter while he reaches into a cupboard to grab a cup, before turning to the sink to fill it with water.

This entire night, he's been so gentle and kind, not to mention absurdly patient with you. When he hands the glass of water over to you, a small noise emits from your mouth as a sign of thanks before you tilt the glass and drink the contents entirely. It's peaceful in a way. Nothing is said between the two of you, but it's comforting instead of awkward. If there wasn't a lingering sense of guilt from basically feeling him up all night while inebriated, then that sense of comfort would be working in full effect.

"Stop overthinking.." Cutting through the thick bout of silence that had taken over the kitchen, Chan pulls you out of whatever typhoon you'd forced yourself into.

"Wasn't overthinking.." Mumbling more or less to yourself in hopes that he doesn't overhear, you deny his claim outright.

"You know.. You're not a really good liar. Even Han lies better than you." Sucking in a breath, he calls you out on your blunder with a confidence that genuinely surprises you. "If you're really that worried about what I might think of you if you choose to sleep in my room, then don't force yourself to do it. Lee Know won't take any offense to it. Sure, you may get called chicken for a couple of days, but what's more beneficial for you? Forcing yourself to be uncomfortable? Or being called a chicken for a couple of days?"

He makes a valid point.

Being comfortable and teased did sound better than being uncomfortable and anxious.

But it wasn't you you were worried about. It was Chan. Once Han had introduced you to his group of chaotic friends, you vowed that you'd do everything in your power to ensure you never overstepped boundaries or made anyone uncomfortable.

So far, you'd been able to keep that vow.

"Don wanna make you uncomfortable. Don wanna be a burden." It comes out far too slurred and mumbled, and there had definitely been more that you had wanted to say, but the swaying of the room was starting to get to you. On top of that, your heart was running a mile a minute, at least.

"No wonder you and Han are really close.. You both beat yourself up and think you're a burden on others when, in fact, you're quite the opposite."

This causes you to finally look at him, still barely perched atop the counter, blinking slowly like you have not a single thought behind those eyes of yours.

When you go to speak or attempt to try, your body begins to sway forward. Chan notices this and swiftly jumps into action, caging you in between his arms so that when you do lean forward, your head hits his chest instead of allowing your body-weight to send you tumbling to the floor.

"M', sorry. We should just go to bed." The words from earlier had since died on the tip of your tongue, embarrassment and self-loathing beginning to gnaw at your insides like a parasitic disease. Trying to push his body away in a last-ditch effort to stop invading his personal space or needing him to support you, you're shocked when he doesn't move away, arms still caging you in while you sit atop the counter in a drunken haze.

"Stop it. Hold still and listen to me, please." There's a pleading tone in his voice when he requests this of you, and your glazed over eyes finally rove up to meet his gentle yet concerned ones. You do as requested, no longer fighting against him. "You are not a burden. You do not make me feel uncomfortable. I am giving you my permission now to sleep in my room for the night, so please, don't beat yourself up over this. Like I said before. You have a choice. Don't force yourself to do this. I won't think any less of you, and neither will the others. You're Han' best friend, which makes you a part of this chaotic family whether you like it or not. You are okay, I promise."

So many soft yet firm reassurances slip past his lips that it's nearly impossible to even begin to process them all.. That on top of being inebriated, it's taking you quite some time to retain his words.

Once you finally do, you feel your skin prickle and buzz, growing warm once more.

This time, it's not the alcohol.

"I.. I wanna sleep in your room, please.." Is all you're able to croak, voice taut with emotion as you avoid eye contact with him suddenly.

"Are you positive? I don't want you to tell me that just because you're stubborn and don't want to lose against Lee Know. Everyone's comfort is my responsibility, and that includes you."

Since when did he get so close..

It's starting to make you feel dizzy..

"M' not being stubborn.."

How the words were even able to make it past your lips is beyond you.

By the time he finally relents and helps escort you to his bedroom, there's butterflies dancing around wildly within your stomach. This is getting ridiculous. He's just doing what he would've done had it been anyone else. You know for a fact that if it had been Han or Seungmin, anyone in the group, then he'd be doing the same exact thing.

Chan' room is ridiculously spotless. Everything is in its rightful place, organized, neat, very OCD.

Not that it's a bad thing.

You too like to keep things tidy.

Messes kinda irk you.

He takes you to the very plain bed that's leaned up against the far left side of the room and sets you down gently, removing himself from your body.

"Make yourself comfortable, alright? I'll be right back." With a calm, almost soothing voice, he reassures you his leave of absence is only temporary, before he disappears from sight.

Alone, the room begins to spin and you can feel the heat radiating off of your cheeks from both intoxication and emotions you're unsure should be brought to light. There's a pit in your stomach despite the lazy half-cocked smile you wear. These emotions of yours are getting out of hand. Maybe getting wasted wasn't such a bright idea.

Now that the room is deafeningly quiet, the thoughts that had been pushed towards the back of your mind earlier on in the night, begin to fester and grow ravenous, the thick tendrils of doubt; guilt; and anxiety, pooling into every pore that's embedded within your skin.

You feel bad for developing feelings for someone who's literally unavailable in nearly every sense of the word.

He's kind. Generous. His sweetness is so infectious it's almost tooth-rotting. The way he cares for his group.. No. His family, just opens up a whole new list of reasons why your standards are so high when it comes to dating.

You've tried to brush off these feelings for him for far too long. It's embarrassing...

No amount of Tinder dates.. Hookups at bars.. Nor just avoiding him for as long as you physically can withstand, even begins to cut the surface for the deep-rooted feelings you harbor for him.

You're delusional to even think that he might even feel some sort of connection for you outside of friendship.

For someone who you call your 'friend', these feelings are anything but friendly.

When the door opens, Chan walking in, clad in some sweatpants and a loose-fitting black tee, you're unable to process it.

You'd even go as far as to say, the outside world was currently a buzzing sound in your ear that grew louder and louder the deeper into your own head you went. He was a ghost, a shell, an illusion that wasn't real.

Only when he grabbed your face, cupping it in the palms of his hands, did you snap out of whatever daze it was that you'd put yourself into. His brows were knitted with concern, eyes holding a knowing look that made you feel even worse about the situation, and if you could just disappear, it would be less than two seconds before the room would only consist of himself and his things.

When he finally noticed you actually looking at him, not just staring through him like he was invisible, he began to let go of your face, not wanting to invade your privacy anymore than he already had. What he wasn't ready for, was you pulling his hands back up to your face, letting out a soft and content sigh. One that gave off a sense of comfort and safety. If that was the case, he was more than happy to leave them there. Being a safety net for others wasn't new to him. In fact, he embraced that role with open arms.

"M' scared, Chan.." You weakly mumble, eyes unfocused and glaring down at the bed.

"Scared? Am I making you feel that way?" Even though he still retained his usual calm and cool composure, his voice wavered with guilt at the fact that he could be the one currently making you feel this way.

With a very uncoordinated shake of your head, you muttered a quiet, 'No', followed by your gaze slowly drifting up to meet his own.

"I have feelings for someone.. Someone who is way too out of reach.. It's hurting me.. M' tired.. M' so so tired.. I wish I could get over him, but I can't, no matter how hard I try.." Leaving the specifics out of your confession, tears begin to gather at the corners of your eyes. If you'd been sober, none of this would have even been said.

Like always, you would keep everything to yourself and push it deep deep down in hopes that it would just go away.

For a moment, a stark silence takes over the bedroom. He looks as though he's having a hard time trying to figure out how to respond to what you just said, if his habit of biting down on his bottom lip says anything.

"Is this person someone close to you? Or are they someone you barely talk to, let alone see?" He finally asks, unconsciously beginning to rub his thumbs across your cheeks with a soothing caress.

You should shut up..

Really..

You've already said more than enough..

Anymore, and the secret feelings you'd been holding for him would be revealed and everything would go downhill.

His friendship with you would end. Things would not only be awkward between the two of you, but between you and the rest of the boys as well.. Han might be the only exception to that, of course.. Chan would probably think you were gross or weird for liking him.. The possibilities were endless..

"Hey, what did I tell you earlier about getting stuck in your own head?" After failing to answer his original questions, he asked one that seemed to pull you back into reality, grounding your soul to your body once more.

"M' sorry.. He's someone I feel like m' sorta close to.. I've been friends with a buddy of his for awhile.. But I don't know what he thinks about me.. He's nice to me, treats me like m' his friend too, and he never leaves me out of anything.. But I just.. Wish I knew how he felt about me.. Hell, even knowing what he thinks about me would be nice.." Now on a drunken ramble, you find it hard to close your mouth. Everything is pouring out left and right, even though you're doing your best to keep names and specifics out of the conversation.

Occasionally, you slip, but it's minor, and he doesn't seem to notice.

Or at least that's what he lets you believe..

Right from the get go, Chan senses something is off. The way you refuse to look him in the eye while you speak, when generally, you're very attentive and prefer to hold eye contact with whomever it is you're speaking with, provides him with the notion that this 'person' you're speaking of, is him.

Instead of calling you out on it though, he waits. Being the patient man that he is, the last thing he wants to do is pressure you into sharing something you may or may not be comfortable with sharing at the moment.

Plus, he has to remember that you're drunk out of your mind. You're vulnerable and very emotional right now. He wants.. No. Needs, to make sure he takes care of you and doesn't take advantage of the situation simply due to inebriation.

"You should pull him aside when the two of you are alone and ask him how he feels. If that's too much, then take baby steps. Spend more time talking to him consistently, hang out with just him more often if it's possible.. Try to be as close to him as you can to help you build up the strength and courage to have a one on one serious chat about what's been on your mind." His tone is soft, like a bed of feathery pillows, and it drowns you in an even deeper sea of comfort and safety.

Even still..

What he says makes your stomach do back-flips.

"I.." You begin to speak, but the words slowly die out in the back of your throat. Suddenly it's very hard to form words. Maybe it's your brain' way of telling you that it's time to shut up and quit digging a deeper hole than the one you're already in.

Chan lets go of your face and cages you in between his arms like he did earlier in the kitchen. His movements are slow and fluid, not too fast to where it catches you off guard and scares you, and for that you feel more than grateful. "If this guy doesn't like you or even want to be around you? Then he's an idiot."

The way the words tumble past his parted lips seems to freeze the air around the two of you. Now you feel even more exposed. Not in the sense that you're comfortable, just.. Confused.

You don't know why you do it, nor do you even have the mental capacity to even think too long and hard about it, but the closeness in proximity that the two of you currently find yourselves in, makes your cheeks heat up even more. You get lost in his eyes, forcing yourself to stop from looking down at his lips. How badly you want to kiss them right now should be a crime..

"It'd be a shame if he didn't see just how smart; funny; kind; thoughtful.. Not to mention cute.. You are." He's finding it harder and harder to keep himself in check. He knows you're inebriated, but your silence speaks louder than any words in his vocabulary. As much as he knows you want to speak, it's that overthinking brain of yours that's preventing you from doing so.

With him calling you 'cute', something in your brain actually clicks, and realization dawns, finally. If you're reading him wrong, then what you're about to confess will sure as hell be embarrassing..

"Like you, Chan.." The 'I' had been a silent whisper. Mouthed, but not spoken.

As soon as those words escape the shackles of doubt and guilt, the soft look of shock he wears, makes your stomach sink more than it should.

Although you hadn't been looking at him before, you most definitely weren't making any attempt to gaze his way period.

"M' sorry. Tired. Just gonna go t' sleep." After a bout of voluntary silence, you change your trajectory, avoiding the elephant in the room, while simultaneously blaming your inebriation on the emotional garbled up junk that's coming from your lips.

A friend had always told you, "Drunk words are often times sober thoughts," and now regret was pooling in your gut from not taking her seriously.

Turning away from him completely, you opt to try and situate yourself on his bed, laying on your side to signal that the conversation is no longer open. Though his presence is still very obvious.

He hasn't moved from that spot since the drunken words tumbled past your guilty lips.

The urge to cry right now, is stronger than it ever has been. A friendship that was near and dear had just been ruined by a stupid drunk confession.

Without even realizing it, sniffles begin to ring out into the tense atmosphere of Chan' room, and that quickly gets him out of whatever daze he'd been put under. "Hey hey hey.. Don't do that. Don't let your brain think such mean and nasty thoughts." Trying to comfort you in any way possible, he reaches a hand over to rub your shoulder blades, but then hesitates, figuring you'd rather have your space right now.

When there's no response, just a soft shaking of his sheets beneath his fingertips, his brows furrow together and he finds his bottom lip tucked beneath his teeth.

As much as personal space and boundaries are important to him, he can't stand when people hurt. What kind of person would he be if he just left you there to silently sniffle and cry until you fell asleep with tear-stained cheeks?

"Sweetheart.." The sound of his own voice as he softly coos in your direction, is almost foreign to him. There's a crack there that gives away just how conflicted he is.

Once again, no response.

Fuck it..

Reaching forward, he wraps you in an embrace, arms slithering around your waist as he holds you against his chest.

Your breathing is labored, and he can audibly hear the breath you suck in from the unprepared intrusion. His own breathing has picked up as well.

Holding you in his arms has always had that affect on him..

Well..

He doesn't know exactly when it started, but the feeling of friendship and family was beginning to dwindle away and become something more. Something he hadn't really dealt with, and it genuinely scared him at first.

That was, until he processed his feelings, and thought it best to shove them down so he wouldn't scare you off or weird you out.

Han would definitely pitch a bitch fit if he was the reason why his best friend stopped coming around as often.

"Being mean to yourself is only going to make you miserable.. Trust me, I know.. It's not a great feeling. When I told you that you weren't a burden, I meant it. Having you around has been amazing. Seeing your dynamic with Hannie, how different it is for when he's around us, it genuinely makes me happy. It's a whole new side of him I barely get to see, and you help bring it out." Once Chan starts talking, it gets easier. Everything that's built up over the past few months just begins to effortlessly fall from his lips like a stream of water from a water fountain.

"The boys all seem to like you and get along. When you're not here, they always ask Han where his 'soulmate' is." He lets out a soft chuckle at this, picturing a cringing Han in his mind.

For a moment, he silences himself. He has to gather all of his thoughts so that when he speaks, it doesn't come out all mixed and confusing. By now, he's realized that you need people to explain things in a straightforward way. Otherwise, you're left confused and unsure of what to think, do, or even feel.

Just as Chan is about to go to speak once more, your voice, quiet and strained, touches his ears, and he immediately purses his lips. "While I do appreciate the sentiments.. And knowing that the boys enjoy my company.. M' still curious as to how you feel about me.. How you view me.."

He can sense the hesitance in your voice.

Instead of keeping you in the dark, even though he know he should, for the sake of not only your life and reputation inside and outside the makeup industry.. Not to mention how Stays and JYP themselves would react should the news ever get out that he harbored feelings for an up and coming makeup artist.. But his own career would be on the line.. Although that was the least of his concerns..

He knew that most of Stay was always so sweet and caring towards himself and the rest of his boys. Dating rumors wasn't shocking news to him. If it turned out the rumors were true though, he knew Stayville would probably blow up for a few weeks at most, but then things would gradually calm down and everything would return to a somewhat normal schedule.

Stays who left would be missed.

Stays who stuck around, would be appreciated not only in silence, but in Chan' own special way.

"Earlier, you said that none of us were available to date cause our hearts belonged to Stay."

Confusion bubbles up in your head and it causes you to arch a brow. Though he can't visibly see it because he's currently facing your back..

Why was he bringing this up now?

"That may be true. Stay will always hold a special place in each of our hearts, and not everyone's love will be shown in the same way, but.." A brief pause, followed by a sharp intake of breath, tells you that he's battling with himself on whether or not he should really say what he's about to say.

"But some of us hold love for others, outside of the idol life. That doesn't mean we don't love what we do and our Stay.. Just, outside of the media and everything else that comes with being an idol, we share love with those we feel a connection with."

To you, it sounds confusing as shit, yet understandable at the same time. You're sure if you weren't nearly as drunk as you were, you'd be able to immediately understand what he was trying to say without a second thought. Right now though? It feels like you're trying to put together a puzzle and the last piece doesn't match up with the slot that's left.

He sighs, and that pulls you away from your attempted deconstruction of his words. "What I'm trying to say is.. I like you. I like you a lot. I don't even know when it started, but I've liked you for at least awhile."

In simplest terms, he's just confessed how he truly feels about you, yet it feels rushed and not as meaningful as he thinks it should be. The tips of his ears turn a bright shade of pink, and he finds himself stuttering, running over his words. "I-I.. Fuck.. I really meant to tell you in a more appropriate way.. Wanted to take you out to dinner or something, but I-"

"Don't overthink, Chan.." Mirroring his words to you from earlier on in the night, he's quick to purse his lips back together once more.

To say you feel ecstatic is a huge understatement.

The fact that he's even given you a straightforward answer, rather than skirting around the conversation as you'd thought he'd try and do.. He'd at least given you an honest answer.

Him returning your bottled up feelings was just a plus.

When the silence is too much, you find yourself turning around in his arms, facing him directly. It's hard to keep your eyes on his face though, because the embarrassment you feel is crashing down on you in waves. Still, somehow, you manage to nuzzle your head into his chest, taking in his scent, listening to his heartbeat prattle against his rib-cage like the harmonious beat of a drum.

"Can I kiss you?" Seemingly out of nowhere, Chan asks this of you, his voice soft and much lower in octave as compared to how it had been earlier.

The heat in your cheeks is unbearable.

You should've known something like this would happen, yet, here you are, frozen to the spot, unsure on how you should answer.

"If you're not ready to just yet, that's fine. I don't want to pres-"

Cutting him off, you take it upon yourself to lean up and capture his soft lips with your own.

He tastes of minty toothpaste. Lips plump and soft, like cushions that provide you with comfort and warmth. The kiss is soft and sweet at first. Experimental, to put it bluntly. But the more you both get used to having your lips against one another, the more heated the kiss seems to get.

It starts with Chan nipping at your bottom lip, teeth tugging softly at the flesh there. Without a care in the world, nor a single thought in your head, you comply right away, opening your mouth wider so he can maneuver his tongue against your own.

There's so many thoughts swirling around in his brain at the moment. All he knows is that he's already addicted to you.. The way you taste, the way you make soft noises every time he surprises you with another chaste kiss after you catch your breath for barely two seconds.

When he gently eases you back against the bed, his arms caging you in beneath him, his lidded eyes flutter open, and he hesitantly removes his lips from your own.

The sight before him, only has his heart beating twice as hard.

You're panting, softly, but he can hear the short intakes of breath you produce. He can practically feel the heat radiating from your body, and it's driving him stir-crazy. Your eyes are lidded and staring up at him so innocently, he swears he's going to go crazy..

When the impure thoughts start to force themselves up to the forefront of his brain, he leans down and places one last soft and gentle kiss against the nape of your neck, before plopping himself down beside you, the soft sheets adorning his bed, wrapping him in a comfortable embrace.

"You're going to be trouble for me.." He admits out loud, peering at your face from the side.

The smile that graces your face, followed by the breathy chuckle that seems to swim graciously through his ears, is enough to make his heart swell.

"I think it's going to be the other way around, but we'll see." Teasing him, you avert your eyes to the ceiling, before you feel him wrap his arms around your waist, tugging you closer to his body. Physical affection seems to be a go to for him, which you're more than happy to provide.

"Hm? Confident now, are we? A few little kisses went straight to your head." A short laugh accompanies his clap-back.

If it were up to you, you'd sit there and listen to that sound all day long.

As soon as you're about to fall asleep though, nestled comfortably in his embrace, he presses his lips to the top of your head and smiles.

"Let me take you out to dinner, please? I want to do this whole thing properly, or else it's gonna bug the shit out of me.." His laugh is infectious, spreading to you in an instant. When you agree through short fits of giggles, his smile seems to grow.

"Great. It's a date then, sweetheart."

#bang chan #bang chan x reader #christopher bang #stray kids #stray kids x reader #bang chan fluff #bang chan x reader fluff #stray kids fluff #fluff #angst with a happy ending

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maxdibert · 3 days ago

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Random hcs you have for Sirius?

Ah, Sirius Black, the walking contradiction. Yes, I have a few thoughts about him, even though I make fun of him a lot, deep down I appreciate him. This is going to be long, but that way I can compile it all in one post.

Walburga is a Scorpio like him, which is why they clashed so much. Scorpio is one of the most intense signs of the zodiac, and both Scorpio men and women are ruthless, but Scorpio women are the alphas of the zodiac and always dominate Scorpio men.

I like this idea because I think that deep down, the reason he and his mother got along so poorly is precisely because they had terribly similar personalities, the kind that don’t let anyone control them. Sirius wasn’t going to be tamed, and Walburga wasn’t going to let her authority be questioned, so they constantly clashed.

Sirius didn’t start having problems with his mother because of any blood purity ideals or that nonsense. Sirius is much deeper than that. He started having issues with Walburga because she was very dominant and imposing, and he had a naturally rebellious character that wouldn’t accept orders from anyone. As a child, he would do the opposite of whatever his mother told him, just to annoy her.

His idea of going to Gryffindor didn’t come about until he met James on the train. I mean, he knew he wanted to annoy Walburga, and thought that becoming best friends with a “blood traitor” would be a good way to do it. Plus, James was like him: rich and from a good family, so they would get along. If he ended up in Gryffindor, even better, because that would make his mother lose a lot of hair.

His rejection of his family’s ideals wasn’t ideological at first, but stemmed from the need to rebel against his mother. Over time, he rationalized those ideas and turned against them, but he never delved deeper into this aspect. That’s why, even though he said blood purity was wrong and that the Blacks were rubbish, he still had attitudes very similar to those of his relatives, just on “the other side.”

As children, he and Regulus had a fairly close relationship typical of older and younger brothers, where the older one always annoys the younger one, and the younger one tells them to piss off. But Regulus never forgave him for taking his rebellion to such an extreme and always thought he’d gone too far with the whole hanging out with Potter and going to Gryffindor thing.

He didn’t have major issues with his brother until he realized Regulus was getting close to Death Eater circles and was considering joining their ranks. They had a terrible argument about this, where Regulus accused him of spending years ignoring everything and everyone because he was too busy acting like an idiot with “his dear Potter,” and now he wasn’t in a position to lecture him on morality, basically telling him to fuck off. Sirius would never admit that this hurt him deeply; he just told Regulus to fuck off too, and they never spoke again.

Orion Black didn’t have much of a role in that house. He just watched what happened without saying anything because he was afraid of his wife, and Sirius always resented his father’s attitude, considering him a useless puppet.

His biggest goal in life was to annoy his mother, which is why he covered his room with everything that could drive Walburga crazy, while Walburga would give him all sorts of orders and punishments to make him do things he hated, just to annoy him. It was basically a competition between them to see who had more power.

People often speculate that he was abused and other nonsense, which is why he left home, but I think he made the decision for something much simpler: maybe they tried to betroth him to some pure-blood woman, maybe it was at a family gathering when they announced that Regulus was going to start joining Bellatrix’s circle to join “the cause,” or maybe it was a way to punish his mother after a big argument. Either way, I don’t think he intended to leave forever, but once he went to the Potters’ house and discovered what a functional family was like—rich, where he wouldn’t lose any comfort or privilege—he stayed.

Walburga spent years sending him threatening letters to come back, and he spent years secretly responding, telling her to fuck off. Eventually, when he finished Hogwarts, the letters stopped arriving.

He always said his brother died because he was an idiot and got involved where he shouldn’t, and repeated that he was stupid and had it coming. But when he found out about his death, he basically had one of the biggest drinking binges of his life, and obviously told everyone at the pub, while drunk, that his brother was an idiot and deserved to be dead, while crying uncontrollably, because that’s how Sirius Black confronts his cognitive dissonance.

He never told James that he’d done that.

Speaking of James, Sirius had a terrible dependence on him, very similar to Severus’ dependence on Lily. James was Sirius’ moral compass, and he looked up to him as an example of how he should be because, to Sirius, James was everything a pure-blood wizard should be.

He also had a crush on James that he wasn’t even aware of because he told himself it was just a brotherly attachment. In reality, he was totally obsessed with James, to the point that he got angry when James finally started dating Lily, claiming that “he’d become less fun,” which was basically a way of saying he was really resentful because they no longer spent all their time together, but Sirius was too in denial to admit it was jealousy.

He probably couldn’t stand Lily at first, but since Sirius is a loyal dog, he ended up being the third wheel in their relationship and came to care about her a lot because he wanted everything James appreciated by association.

Contrary to popular belief, Sirius didn’t give a shit about Remus or Peter. He only hung out with them because James did, but if he could use them or manipulate them for any of his Machiavellian plans, he wouldn’t hesitate. He didn’t truly start appreciating Remus until he got out of Azkaban, and even then, he did it in a very utilitarian way, basically because he felt lonely and James was dead.

Sirius had a very classist background. He knew the theory of equality, but didn’t apply it. He never questioned his privileges and never deconstructed the elitist and sadistic mentality his family had taught him since childhood, which is why he treated Severus like garbage or was pretty inconsistent between what he said and what he actually did.

Sirius did project onto James in Harry, just like Severus did, but while Severus projected hate, Sirius projected affection. However, he was also a dysfunctional adult who couldn’t see the kid as an independent person in himself, and anyone who denies this doesn’t understand how trauma works, sorry folks.

Sirius was bisexual, though he probably didn’t even realize it, because he never wanted to admit he had a massive crush on James.

The one who got on his nerves the most was his cousin Bellatrix, who ironically, was the one who resembled him the most in terms of personality.

He said he hated Snape because he was disgusting, liked the Dark Arts, and sucked up to people like his family, which seemed inconceivable to him. But the truth is, he subconsciously hated him because an aristocrat like Sirius Black, who reveled in abandoning that world for the “good,” couldn’t stand to see a working-class guy daring to climb socially to the sphere he had rejected. His internalized classism made such a thing inconceivable, so he projected all his frustrations onto Snape.

James was the one who started the bullying, but Sirius was the most sadistic and violent of the two. Sometimes James had to remind Sirius that there were certain limits he couldn’t cross because no one had taught Sirius limits; in his family, sadism was encouraged.

One of the reasons he was so disturbed by being locked in his childhood house with his mother’s paintings yelling at him all the time was because he had to face the reality that she saw him (even though it wasn’t really her) as a failure. He had to come to terms with the fact that, at 36, he was only a shadow of what he once was, and his mother, the one he’d always confronted and bragged about being better and doing better without, now saw him as a wreck. That was too much for him.

Sirius Black was a smoker and died a smoker.

He had problems with alcohol in his later days.

He kept telling himself to blindly trust Dumbledore and convinced himself it was the right path, but deep down, he’d been questioning a lot of things about the old man for a while, though he never said anything out loud.

Had he been a father, he’d say he’d prefer to have a boy, but deep down, he would have been the typical “girls’ dad” at heart.

Had he ever settled down, he never would have done it with a Muggle or a Muggle-born, he would have done it with a pure-blood witch from a rich family with a personality strangely similar to his mother’s. But he would have never admitted that, not in a million years.

If he’d gone to therapy, every single session, without exception, would have revolved around Walburga.

#sirius black #sirius orion black #sirius black headcanons #sirius black hc #sirius black imagines #sirius black analysis #canon sirius black #walburga black #regulus black #bellatrix black #the noble and most ancient house of black #james potter #peter pettigrew #remus lupin #lily evans #severus snape #harry potter #character analysis #character headcanons

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uceyliyahh · 1 day ago

Text

IMPERFECT FOR YOU

summary: Miyori and Jey were in a relationship for three years until she saw him laid up with another girl that wasn’t her and it broke her heart so she decided block him on everything and focus on her career until she gets a text message from him.

This fanfic is 18+! NO MINORS ALLOWED

word count: 4964

smut warning; it’ll come in the story randomly so PLEASE PLEASE look out for it I’m not really good at writing ✍🏽 smuts but I’m improving at the moment.

Jey Uso x Miyori

AWFUL GRAMMAR IM GETTING BETTER I SWEAR LOL.

comments, likes, repost are appreciated I would love the constructive feedback in what area I need to approve in. 🤍

ALSO! I don’t not want nobody stealing my fanfics or take it as theirs that will be an issue fasho so keep it cute respectfully.

I only own my OC along with the make up scenarios

again mdni you have been warned.

TAGS ⬇️ lmk if you wanna be tag 🏷️@pinkwithhearts @420days @jstarr86 @empressdede @angiedawn02 @biancasreign @li-da-savage @ctinadiva @clubsoft

@bebesobrielo @skyesthebomb @aikosilo @papireigns-05 @punksyeet @paigereeder @magnificentbouquetmusic @lilucey @usoinked @christinabae

@celesteheartsjey @charmed-dreamssss @fearlesschimera @partypoison00 @mselenalovebug @bloodlinesbabe93 @justazzi @xbriexx @luvrsluxe @celesteheartsjey @4milly @luuvprincess @yyaktayak @yana3sworld @prettyfilmz

𝖘𝖊𝖎𝖘

JEY I was on the tour bus, trying to relax, but I couldn't help but miss Miyori. We had shared so many wonderful moments together, and her leaving for work left me feeling down. The thought of going back to long distance brought back memories of our previous experience with it four years ago, and it was hard not to feel a sense of sadness.

FLASHBACK - JEY 2022 I found myself at the club, feeling quite inebriated as I sank into the sofa, letting the effects of the alcohol wash over me. My thoughts kept drifting to my girl Miyori, who I missed dearly back home. She chose not to join me on this tour because of her job, and while it was tough for me, I completely understood her decision.

As I opened my eyes, I heard someone calling my name. I saw Trick and Melo with a girl who was quite attractive, but I still thought Miyori was the one who stood out the most.

"Yo! Uce, what's Hannin dawg we wanted to introduce you to Jaida she's new on the NXT roster." Melo said.

I quickly reached out to shake her hand, leaning back in my seat as I took in her presence, glancing up and down at her. She settled beside me, while Melo and Trick exchanged knowing smirks.

"I can see that she is getting comfortable with you, so we finna head towards the bar." He said as him and Trick left leaving me and her alone together.

She started to slide her hand along my thigh, surprising me as I gently pushed her hand away.

"I got a lady back home might wanna chill." I said as she smirked at me.

"Where is she I don't see her?" Jaida said softly.

"She's at home right now so imma need you to back up for real shawty."

She let her hand glide down my thigh, moving slowly toward my groin, making me swallow hard. Then, she gently cupped my chin, pressing her lips to mine before she began to speak.

"I can treat you so much better than her you know?"

The effects of the alcohol were settling in as I arched an eyebrow at her, a playful smirk spreading across my lips. "oh? Really?"

She nodded gently, pressing another tender kiss against my lips, which prompted me to pull her onto my lap as our kiss deepened, our tongues playfully vying for control.

I know this was a huge mistake, and I feel terrible about it. The alcohol clouded my judgment, and I didn't even think about Miyori while I was acting this way.

We broke the kiss, gazing into each other's eyes, which were brimming with desire. I lifted her by the thighs, carrying her out of the club.

As I heard Melo and Trick say something in the distance.

"I knew he couldn't resist I mean look at her she's way better than his girl back at home." Trick said.

"Yeah, I mean his girl back at home is bad but not as bad as Jaida." Melo replied seeing the two leaving out the door.

FLASHBACK OVER.

That night is something I truly regret. When I woke up the next morning and saw Jaida in bed with me, it sent me into a panic, especially with the terrible headache I had. To make matters worse, I saw a post on The Shade Room about me and Jaida leaving the club together. Then I received a text from Miyori saying she was done with me, and it felt like my heart was shattered.

I realized I had made a significant mistake when I stopped hearing from her. It was tough to see her move on and start dating an actor; it felt like everyone was talking about it. I was frustrated with myself for getting involved with someone I barely knew, especially when it felt like my friends were treating her like an object rather than a person.

I’m really glad to have her back in my life; that’s what truly counts. I put in a lot of effort to regain her trust after my foolish choices when I was drinking. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I promise it won’t happen again.

I was lying on the couch, engrossed in a YouTube video on my phone, when I noticed Jaida coming over. I didn’t even glance up at her; I just kept watching the video, feeling overwhelmed and not ready to handle whatever she wanted to discuss.

"Jey? Hello you hear me talking to you." Jaida said as she waved her hands in my face.

I glanced up at her, my lips pursed in a playful gesture, but I noticed her expression was one of disappointment. Still, I couldn't bring myself to care much about it..

"What'chu want Jaida?" I asked.

"Want I want is for us to work out again like c'mon you can't be really serious about getting back with her right?" I just gave her a bland look knowing damn well that Miyori and I were starting fresh.

"Why are you over pressin' me for? I told you—you and me are done Jaida there's nothing more I can say to that you knew what'chu did." I was just about to return to my YouTube video when I felt Jaida climb on top of me, straddling me gently. She started to plant soft kisses along my jawline and face, capturing my full attention.

I was able to push her away while looking at her as if she had lost her mind, fully aware that I wanted no part in her chaos, especially with the media eagerly searching for any scandal to exploit.

"Yo! The fuck is yo' problem Jaida?" I scolded her.

"You aren't leaving me for some bitch! You knew what you wanted the day we met at the club!"

"That was a fucking mistake! I was drunk and yo' little homeboys just threw you at me like a piece of fucking meat knowing I had a girl back at home!" I noticed Jimmy and Trin approaching the tour bus as we were exchanging words, drawn in by the noise we were making.

They both witnessed another argument between me and Jaida regarding our situation. I keep reminding her that I'm with Miyori now, and that's what truly matters.

"What does she have that I don't have huh?!" She shouted pushing me on my chest.

I placed my phone in my pocket while shaking my head feeling a smirk appearing on my face.

"She has everything that you don't even qualify for, she takes care of me, cooks me food whenever I'm on the road or at home, she shows me affection anything you can think of Miyori's got it fasho unlike you." I bragged standing there with my arms folded over my chest. "And I deeply regretted cheating on her with someone like you."

I noticed her expression shift from anger to sadness as she packed her belongings. Honestly, I wasn't too concerned about it; I would much prefer having Miyori on tour with me instead of Jaida. Jaida has been quite a challenge throughout this entire tour, and I can't help but wish that Miyori were here by my side.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, and when I pulled it out, I saw a message from Miyori. A smile spread across my face as I read her text, and I couldn't help but feel happy for a moment.

Mimi💓 sent a message

Mimi💓: Hiiii Papa I miss you 🥺

iMessage 💬 Joshua🖤: Hey Baby girl I miss you too Mimi💓: wydd Joshua🖤: I just got done arguing with Jaida and imma tell you this now so you won't find out later from someone else but she got on top of me and started kissing me but I immediately pushed her away when she did that Mimi💓: good I'm glad you did that instead of folding Joshua🖤: mmcht see there you go the woman I would be on my knees for is you Mamas don't play Mimi💓: I would be on my knees too Joshua🖤: you'll be on yo' knees alright Mimi💓: OMFG you freaky ass dog but fr when is you coming home? Joshua🖤: my fault 😭 but I should be coming home after this tour is over with hell might have a day off or two before then Mimi💓: ughhh it's taking forever Papa Joshua🖤: whatchu want mamas? Mimi💓: I don't want anything I'm just saying Joshua🖤: you sound frustrated baby girl Mimi💓: Joshua I'm not... Joshua🖤: I know you too well Mimi Mimi💓: oh? really? then tell me what's wrong with me then Mr Fatu? Joshua🖤: you're horny and going through your ovulation process. Mimi💓: .... Joshua🖤: am I correct? Mimi💓: yesss I'm so fucking horny right now and you aren't even here to help me Joshua🖤: that's why I begged you to stay so I could but I understand you have work to do Mimi💓: are you going to be busy later on? Joshua🖤: nah mamas I'm free after tonight why? Mimi💓: maybe we could sleep over the phone tonight on FaceTime I just miss you Joshua🖤: you miss me? Or this dick? Mimi💓: if I say both would you be mad? Joshua🖤: hell nah baby girl you know when I see you again you can take whatever you need from me aight? Mimi💓: okay but I gotta get back to work got clients to talk to I'll call you later Joshua🖤: aight then mamas I love you ❤️ Mimi💓: love you more 🫶🏽

I glanced up after messaging Miyori and realized that Jaida had already left the tour bus, leaving the room feeling so empty. I stepped inside, climbed onto the bed, and found myself wishing it was me and Miyori sharing this space together at that moment.

"Did y'all two break up or what?" Jimmy asked leaning against the door.

"Yeah, I told her what it was between me and Mimi Uce, I'm glad she's gone she was starting to become annoying." I replied while sitting up in the bed.

"A'ight well that's one person who you don't gotta deal with, then what about Mimi's ex boyfriend Aaron?" I raised an eyebrow at him with a a confused expression on my face. "What about him?"

"I'm just saying he's out there where Mimi stay at and he could just show up at her job messing with her about all of this." He said, My brother was right when he said that her ex could appear at any time, just as I had warned her before. It really bothered me that he could put his hands on her whenever he pleased, especially since I wasn't there to protect her. I truly didn't like that situation at all.

"I told her that but she was begging me not to book a flight to handle his ass saying she could handle it herself."

"Well if he does show up and puts his hands on her again just gon' ahead and book a flight I'm just saying you gotta protect yo' girl." I completely understand, but given that we're currently in a long-distance situation, it will be challenging to shield her from someone like him. "I hear you Uce, I hear you."

☞ MIYORI As I wrapped up my final appointment of the day, I took a moment to tidy my desk, ensuring that everything was organized for tomorrow. I wanted to avoid a chaotic start with files strewn everywhere. Just as I was focused on this task, I heard a gentle knock on my door. Looking up, I saw Kelly's cheerful face peeking in, a warm smile lighting up her expression.

"Hey, girl what's up?" I inquired as I gathered my belongings before finishing my shift, noticing Kelly taking out a bouquet of flowers.

I lifted an eyebrow as she approached me, carrying the flowers. "these are for you and there's a note on it by the way." She said.

I took the flowers from her hands; they weren't my top choice, but they were quite charming. I also picked up the note attached to the stick and read it thoroughly and with care.

'I want us to go out for dinner tonight and have a discussion about some things that don't sit right with me you can meet me at our usual spot where we go for dinner.' - From Aaron

I let out a deep sigh and rolled my eyes as I tossed the flowers and the card into the trash can. I noticed Kelly watching me, her face filled with concern.

"What happened Mimi?"

I shook my head, "it's just from Aaron he wants to see me to "discuss" some things with me that he didn't like." I replied while placing my purse over my shoulders giving Kelly a hug.

"I don't think you should go knowing what he did to you last time especially since Joshua isn't around at the moment."

I understood her feelings and found myself unsure about how to approach the situation with him. Perhaps I should suggest to Jey that he book a flight to visit, but I hesitated, not wanting to impose on him. So, I decided to manage things on my own for now, while keeping him in mind as a possible support.

As I made my way to the car parked outside the building, I switched off the light in my office. I opened the door, tossed my purse onto the passenger seat, and settled into my car.

I found myself torn between two choices: whether to go ahead on my own or to inform Jey in advance about this. Ultimately, I believe it's better to choose the second option. Since we’re in this together, I feel there shouldn’t be any secrets between us.

iMessage 💬 Mimi💓: Papa? Joshua🖤: what's up baby girl? Mimi💓: imma need you to book a flight down here Joshua🖤: is something wrong mamas? Mimi💓: Aaron wants me to come see him for dinner to discuss some things and I'm scared to be alone with him I just need you here if you could Joshua🖤: don't go just go home there's nothing for yall to discuss imma be there Mimi💓: I know you're very busy but I'm just scared Josh Joshua🖤: don't worry so much Mimi imma be there fasho just go home and lock the door okay? Mimi💓: aight then papa I love you so much Joshua🖤: I love you too

As I started my car, I tucked my phone into my purse, taking a moment to check that the coast was clear behind me before backing out of the parking lot and heading home for the day.

I arrived home safely and parked my car in the driveway. As I took my keys and purse from the passenger seat, I felt the need to glance around, ensuring that Aaron wasn’t nearby. With that reassurance, I made my way up the steps toward the front door.

My hands trembled uncontrollably as I finally managed to push the door open, quickly slamming it shut behind me. In the front room, I caught sight of Jasmine, her expression filled with concern as she looked at me.

"Bestie what's wrong? You look puzzled did something happen?" Jasmine asked.

"Aaron wants me to come see him for dinner tonight to "discuss" some things with him but I'm scared he might put his hands on me bestie." I said while sitting down on the couch.

"What?! Girl does Josh know about this?" She asked as I nodded my head. "I told him to book a flight to come just in case it does happen."

I barely had a chance to speak when I felt my phone vibrating in my purse. Jasmine quickly pulled it out and showed me the screen—it was Aaron calling. A wave of panic washed over me as I saw his name flash on the caller ID, leaving me unsure of how to respond.

"Don't answer it Mimi please don't answer it." She begged me.

I chose not to answer the call right away, but he called again, which frightened me. I found myself praying and hoping that Jey would arrive soon to keep me safe from him.

Once my phone went silent, a soft ding caught my attention. I quickly reached for my phone and noticed a text message from Aaron.

Pumpkin 🧡 sent two messages

Pumpkin🧡: don't be like this Miyori you know Jey is just going to cheat on you again

Pumpkin🧡: you can't be that stupid right? You might as well just be with me

I was in disbelief at what I was witnessing. Was this man really out of his mind? Did he honestly think I would return to him after everything? Yet, his words were gnawing at me. What if Jey really did betray me again? Would I be foolish once more for someone who had already broken my trust?

I managed to push that feeling aside, convinced he wouldn’t hurt me like that again. I was uncertain about replying to his messages; they felt so unsettling. Then, my phone buzzed once more.

Pumpkin🧡: C'mon Baby you know I am right c'mere and bring yo ass outside

I glanced at the message once more, trying to wrap my head around it. He was actually here? All this time? I turned to Jasmine, then back to my phone, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.

"I'm here for you bestie I promise I'm not letting you go through this alone."

"I'm fucking scared Jaz like for real, this man is fucking crazy and delusional as hell." I responded seeing a message from Jey popping up on my screen.

Joshua🖤 sent a message

Joshua🖤: I'm otw mamas don't worry aight?

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I read the message, knowing that Jey was on his way to rescue me from this unpredictable man. I still can’t believe I ever dated him; I never saw the signs of his craziness.

We could hear the door slamming, and it was clear that it was Aaron on the other side, frantically pounding on it. His voice rang out, urging us to let him in before he resorted to kicking the door down.

"Miyori! Come open this fucking door!" Aaron shouted while kicking his foot into the door.

"Fucking leave Aaron! I'm not dealing with you about this! I already made my decision!" I shouted back as I was behind Jasmine.

"You're just a stupid bitch! You think he's really going to love on you again?! He's literally goin to cheat on you! Again!" I wasn't ready to listen—I really didn't want to hear any of this. I understand Jey; I know he made mistakes, but he has shown me that he can win my heart back once more.

I pressed my hands against my ears, trying to block out any words that might hurt me. My love for Jey was as deep as his love for me, and I knew he would do anything for my sake. Suddenly, the front door burst open, and Jasmine and I screamed as we saw him standing there, a smirk playing on his lips.

Jasmine stood firm, positioning herself protectively in front of me as Aaron approached, attempting to pull me away from her. "You might wanna back up Aaron, you're being crazy right now." He just chuckled at her darkly while tilting his head at her.

"I'm not acting crazy I just want her to know what's she's missing dealing with a nigga that cheated on her."

"But YOU cheated on her too so what makes you think that you're better than Joshua?" Jasmine argued back shoving him slightly.

In an instant, he pushed Jasmine to the ground and seized my hair, causing me to cry out in pain as I struggled to break free. He pulled my hair back sharply, forcing me to meet his threatening gaze, and it was clear he was not joking around.

"You know maybe if you were good in the bed and not be in your head a lot we could've stay together but now you're with your ex that would probably cheat on you again." He said.

"Fuck you! You fucking asshole!" I barked while spitting in his face.

He struck me hard across the face, gripping my hair tightly as I felt the tears streaming down my cheeks. With a cruel laugh, he hit me again, and in that moment, I desperately wished for Jey to arrive. I wasn't sure how much more I could endure.

"Look at you princess so pretty when you cry, c'mon cry some more for me." His voice was deep and resonant, sending a shiver down my spine.

As soon as he reached for me again, I collapsed to the ground, my eyes catching sight of another figure forcefully bringing Aaron down. But with each passing moment, my vision blurred, and I could feel my heart racing wildly, as if it might burst from my chest.

I found it hard to breathe, and for a brief moment, it felt as if the walls were closing in on me. I gasped for air, watching the room spin around me, and then suddenly, I collapsed to the floor, and everything went dark.

The final sound that reached my ears was Jasmine's frantic voice, desperately calling my name and shaking me with urgency, begging me to wake up. After that, everything went silent.

☞

JEY As I lay in bed, holding Miyori close while she peacefully slept against my chest, I gently stroked her face. My heart ached as I noticed the mark left by someone else's hand, a painful reminder of the hurt she had endured. It filled me with anger to think that someone could do this to her, all because she chose to be with me again. She deserved so much better.

As I examined my knuckles, now swollen and bruised, I realized it had been too long since I had to fight for someone I cared about so deeply. I felt a sense of relief that I arrived just in time to prevent things from escalating further. When she fell to the ground, a wave of fear washed over me. I noticed Jasmine desperately trying to rouse her, but her efforts were in vain.

Aaron had shoved me away and dashed off, leaving me to refocus on Miyori and her situation. I informed Jasmine that we would be staying at a hotel for the time being, and now here we are.

I noticed my phone buzzing with a call from Jimmy, and as I picked it up, I felt a mix of anticipation and curiosity.

OTP Twin��: aye man I heard what happened from Jasmine is Mimi good? Jey📌: yeah she good she's just sleeping right now Twin📌: you managed to beat ol' dude ass or what? Jey📌: yeah I did but not enough but his bitch ass ran away before I could do anymore damage Twin📌: damn don't worry tho we gon catch him fasho Jey📌: yeah I hear you Uce Twin📌: so whatchu gonna do now since ol' dude running around knowing where she work and stay ? Jey📌: I'm thinking about bringing her on the road with us until the cost is clear because ion want nun else happening to her you know? Twin📌: I mean yeah since Jaida is gone and yall can have the bedroom together. Jey📌: but I don't know if she'll do that Twin📌: just ask whenever she wakes up just talk to her about it. Jey📌: imma talk to her when she wakes up Twin📌: if she does say yes you gon make sure she's covered? Jey📌: mmcht you know imma take care of her while we are on tour she may not like it because she likes to be miss independent but imma do it regardless Twin📌: aight just making sure but imma let you go I'll see yall tmr then? Jey📌: yeah Twin📌: aight Jey📌: aight

CALLED ENDED

I set the phone down on the small dresser beside the bed, glancing back at Miyori, who was sleeping soundly and snoring softly. A smile crept across my face as I watched her.

I gently ran my thumb along her lips, savoring their softness. As I leaned in to place a tender kiss on her mouth, I noticed her eyes slowly fluttering open, meeting mine with a warm, chocolate gaze.

I looked down at her with a warm smile, gently stroking her cheeks before lifting her chin with my hands. I leaned in to place another tender kiss on her lips, and I felt her respond to the moment.

"Hey, sleepy head, I see that you're awake." I said softly hearing her chuckle at me.

"How long was I out for?" Miyori asked.

"You was out for about like an hour or two." She gave me a nod, her fingers gently gliding over my tattooed chest as she admired the intricate designs of my tribal tattoos.

As my hand glided gently along her back, I traced soft circles, offering her comfort. I could feel her body easing into my touch, and the silence enveloped us. It was in this quiet that I found solace, allowing us to savor this shared moment without the need for words. "I thought you wasn't going to come and save me." She said.

I raised an eyebrow at her, "of course I was coming baby girl I didn't want nothing happening to you Mimi."

I could sense her shifting above me, positioning herself in a way that made me sit up against the headboard. My hands found their way to her hips, holding on tightly, while I felt her arms wrap around my neck.

"I'm glad you came."

"Me too, Ma that's why I need to talk to you about this."

She tilted her head a bit, a look of confusion crossing her face as I softly pressed my lips against her neck. "I want you to come with me on tour Ma, that way he won't be able to put his hands on you ever again and I'll make sure that you're covered." Miyori gazed at me with hesitation, torn between her responsibilities and the need for support. I understood her struggle; this was the only way I could shield her, even from a distance, as she faced this challenge on her own.

"Look I know how you feel about leaving your job and being up underneath me all the time, I promise you imma take care of you mamas I mean that shit."

"What if you get tired of me Josh? How am I supposed to know that we are good? Or how your demeanor changes?" She responded gently as I pressed another tender kiss against her neck. "I'll let you know mamas, I'm tryna do better for you and for us I want this to work." I softly placed kisses along her jawline, locking eyes with her as I watched her surrender to the sensations of my touch.

I could feel her hands gently pulling at my hair, and a soft groan slipped from my lips, a clear sign of my enjoyment. I moved my lips from her jawline to her own, playfully pinning her down on the bed as I intertwined our fingers together.

She raised her hips, giving me a clear signal to remove her shorts and delicate lace panties. As I did, I couldn't help but admire how beautiful she looked, stirring a strong desire within me to explore further, but I held back for the moment.

I got between her thighs making her feel what she had done to me while she looked at me innocently as her hands with playing in my mullet.

"Look whatchu did to me baby girl." I whispered softly.

"I did this Papa? I gotchu all riled up for me huh?" She whispered back placing a kiss on my lips causing me to smirk.

"Mhm, you know just how to get me there mamas." With that she was tugging on my waistband begging me to take my grey sweats off for her while I shook my head causing her to pout. "Un-Un, lemme' take care of you first then you'll get whatever you want you hear me?" Miyori nodded her head obeying me while my face went between her legs.

I began massaging her pussy in slow circular motion as she arched her back by my touch, she felt so wet and all I did was place kisses down her body and she was soaked, I sticked two fingers inside of her slowly pumping them in and out hearing her sweet moans escaping her pretty lips.

"F-fuck..." she whimpered softly gazing down at me.

"look at you mamas, so fucking wet for me."

"J-Josh...Please..." I love it when she begs for me she knows who is in control this time. "What's up Ma? What'chu want huh? talk to me."

I sped up my pace with my fingers causing her to roll her eyes in the back of her head watching her lose consciousness gripping onto my biceps.

"Please...please...fuck me daddy please."

I smiled at her pulling my fingers out of her kissing her lips.

"See was that so hard huh? C'mere so I can take care of you mamas."

Me and her made love for the rest of the night with her screaming from the top of her us probably the neighbors could hear us and with me whispering nasty and vulgar things in her ear just to get her off before I did seeing the mess that she was making on me.

She was making those puppy eyes that just turned me on even more knowing that she was trying to get away from this shit giving her that reassurance.

"I know, I know, mamas keep taking it for me aight? There you baby girl...fuck." I whispered softly in her ear while hearing her whimpering.

In the heat of the moment, we completely missed the sound of her phone buzzing, the flash indicating she had received a message. It felt like something to address later, so we chose to focus on what was happening right then.

Pumpkin 🧡 sent a message

Pumpkin🧡: I see that you got your fucking mutt to save you but I promise you he won't save you after I'm done with his ass I promise you that.

IMPERFECT FOR YOU

A/n: Well Jey and Aaron have finally met will Jey be able to protect her from Aaron?

But I hope yall enjoy this chapter lmk in the comments below ⬇️

STAY UCEY.

#jey uso #black fanfic writer #black writers #black oc #wwelove #black reader #jey x oc black #jey uso fanfiction #wwe fanfiction #jey uso smut #Spotify

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