#his life is a struggle between looking the way he wants or looking more like a guy

[freshl6ve]

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒. 𝐒 | 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓

⭑.ᐟ : 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐝, lazily scrolling through my phone. Suddenly, a notification popped up on the top of my screen. It was a message from Chris.

Chris: I'm outside.

I made my way down the stairs of my loft home, a mixture of confusion and anticipation welling up inside me. As I approached the door, I pulled it open to reveal Chris leaning against his car, his hands buried in the pockets of his black hoodie and his signature chrome hearts beanie adorning his head.

I stepped outside, closing the door behind me before crossing my arms as a shiver went through my body due to the cold. I looked at him, surprise written all over my face.

“What are you doing here so late?” I inquired, my voice tinged with a hint of curiosity.

Chris flashed me a mischievous smirk, pulling out his brand new ID. Holding it out to show me, he proudly announced, “Wanted to surprise you.”

My eyes widened as I took in the sight of his newly acquired license, my mind struggling to process his words. “No. Fucking. Way,” I managed to sputter out in utter disbelief.

I couldn’t help but snatch his license card from his hands, my eyes fixated on the picture that stared back at me. The image of him was nothing short of captivating.

“You look so good, not even joking,” I managed to say, my words filled with a mix of admiration and a hint of flirtation.

Chris chuckled, a soft smile playing at the corners of his lips as he observed my reaction to his newfound driving privileges. “You like what you see?” he teased, leaning back against the car lazily.

I rolled my eyes, trying to maintain my composure, even though the effect he had on me was undeniable. I raised an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance.

“As if you don’t know already,” I retorted, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.

I handed his license back to him, our fingers brushing ever so slightly, causing a small flutter in my chest. He tucked it into his pocket before cocking his head towards the car, his eyes meeting mine in a silent command.

“Get in,” he said, his voice low and filled with a hint of mischief.

“And risk my life? No thanks, I need you to have at least a month of experience behind the wheel,” I quipped back, a playful glint in my eyes.

Chris chuckled at my playful remark, a mischievous gleam twinkling in his eyes. He pushed away from the car, stepping closer to me.

“Risk your life, huh?” he countered, his voice dripping with feigned offense. “I’ll have you know I’m a natural behind the wheel. It's like breathing for me.”

As I remained unconvinced, keeping my arms crossed across my chest, he took another step closer, his gaze locking with mine.

Chris leaned in, his eyes playful and persuasive. “C’mon, I know you're probably hungry. Let me take you out.” His voice had a hint of confidence, as if he knew his charms could sway my decision.

I gave in, the temptation of spending more time with him outweighing my initial attempt at resisting his charms. “Stay here, I’ll be back,” I told him, turning around and heading back into the house.

Quickly, I grabbed my phone and put on some decent shoes. I scurried through the house, turning off all the lights and locking the door behind me. As I turned around, I saw Chris standing near the car with the passenger door open, waiting for me with a smug smile on his face.

“How thoughtful of you,” I said, rolling my eyes lightly before making my way over. I couldn’t help but notice the way he smirked, clearly aware of the effect he had on me. I slid into the passenger seat, fastening my seatbelt as Chris closed the door.

He rounded the car and got into the driver’s seat, his every move exuding an effortless coolness. As he started the engine and drove away, I could feel the tension between us building.

The drive through the city was filled with a comfortable silence, broken only by the sound of the engine and the occasional streetlamp passing by. I glanced over at Chris, admiring the way his hand gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles taut and firm.

My eyes darted from his hands to his profile, the soft glow of the dashboard illuminating his features. His gaze remained fixed on the road, but there was an intensity in his expression that made my heart beat just a bit faster.

Chris broke the silence, his voice cutting through the quiet ambiance inside the car. “What are you thinking to eat?” he asked, his eyes flickering towards me for a brief moment before returning to the road.

I shrugged, leaning back in my seat and trying to appear nonchalant despite the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. “I’m not picky. Whatever you want is fine with me.”

As the car came to a stop at the red light, Chris took the opportunity to turn his attention to me. The soft glow of the traffic signal illuminated his face, casting a soft red hue across his features.

As our gazes met, I couldn’t help but feel a rush of heat flood my cheeks. There was something about the way the light accentuated the sharp angles of his face, making him look both dangerous and disarmingly handsome.

His eyes held mine captive, the depth of his stare causing my heart to skip a beat. Time seemed to slow down as we sat there, bathed in the soft red light, the outside world becoming nothing but a blur.

A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, like he knew the effect he was having on me. The air inside the car suddenly felt charged, filled with anticipation and the undeniable chemistry between us.

The smirk on Chris’ face grew wider, his voice laced with a hint of mischief as he spoke. “I think I might have an idea what you want,” he said, the words hanging in the air between us.

My heart raced at his suggestive tone, my mind unable to form a coherent response. I swallowed, trying to maintain my composure, but the heat in my cheeks betrayed my attempt.

The light turned green, breaking the spell of our intense eye contact. Chris refocused his attention on the road, quickly but smoothly maneuvered through the intersection.

As he drove, following the directions in his mind, there was a sense of determination in his movements. I watched him from the passenger seat, marveling at the way he took control behind the wheel. The way he confidently navigated the streets made me both nervous and excited.

We finished our meal at the fast food restaurant, the laughter and conversation making the time fly by. As we stepped outside, the cool night air greeted us. Chris wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him.

His warmth radiated through me, a steady presence that made my heart flutter in my chest. We began walking towards the car, our bodies pressed together in comfortable proximity.

Chris led me to the passenger side of the car, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back. He stepped in front of me, opening the door with a smooth movement.

His presence was intoxicating, the way he effortlessly took charge both thrilling and nerve-wracking. As he held the door open for me, his eyes met mine with an intensity that made my cheeks flush.

“After you,” he said, his voice low and filled with a hint of huskiness that sent chills down my spine.

I smiled, thanking him quietly as I ducked into the car. The seat was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the warmth that had been spreading through my body.

Chris closed the door behind me, the sound of the latch clicking into place final and somehow suggestive. I watched as he walked around the front of the car, his strides confident and purposeful. He climbed into the driver's seat moments later, his eyes flicking to mine before he started the engine once more.

Chris shifted the gears, his hand moving with practiced ease from reverse to drive. As he navigated the car out of the parking spot, his right arm slid over the headrest of my seat, the gesture casual yet possessive. I felt the heat of his body close to mine, the proximity both comforting and exhilarating.

Once we were out and on the road, he reached down, his hand finding mine. With a firm grip, he put my hand on the gear stick, his own hand covering mine on top.

The feeling of his skin against mine sent a jolt of electricity through me. The simple act of his hand covering mine was enough to make my heart race, the intimacy of the gesture palpable in the small confines of the car.

I dared a glance at his hand, the way his fingers enveloped mine, his thumb resting possessively on the top of my hand. I could feel the firmness of his grip, the subtle way his hand moved with the shifting of the gears, and the undeniable chemistry between us.

Chris stole a quick glance my way, his eyes meeting mine for a brief moment before focusing back on the road. A small, charming smile tugged at the corners of his lips, the expression both tender and mischievous.

He navigated the car through the dark streets, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional soft strains of the radio. I couldn't help but watch him as he drove, the concentrated expression on his face both endearing and undeniably attractive.

The car came to a stop in front of my house, the headlights casting a soft glow on the familiar facade. Chris parked neatly along the curbside, his eyes flickering towards me before he turned off the engine.

The silence in the car was heavy, charged with an unspoken tension that hung between us like a thick fog.

Chris leaned his head back against the headrest, letting out a low sigh. His gaze shifted towards me, his eyes heavy-lidded and filled with a hint of vulnerability.

“Thanks for joining me and being my first passenger,” he said, his voice a touch softer than usual. There was a mixture of gratitude and something else, perhaps a hint of something more, in his expression as he looked at me.

I could feel the weight of his words, the significance of me being his first passenger not lost on me. Despite the lightheartedness of his statement, there was an underlying sincerity in his tone that made my heart skip a beat.

“I had a good time,” I replied, my voice almost a whisper. “Your driving wasn’t as horrifying as I had initially expected.”

Chris chuckled, the sound low and resonant in the quiet car. He turned his gaze to the street outside the front window, the dim light of the night casting shadows across his face.

As he looked out, I took the opportunity to unabashedly admire his features. His strong jawline, the slight jut of his adam's apple as he swallowed, the way his hair fell over his forehead in a charmingly messy way—all of it drew me in like a magnet.

Chris turned his head to face me, a cocky grin spreading across his face. “Told you I’m not as bad,” he said, his tone dripping with self-assurance.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, though the effect was diminished by the smile I was trying to suppress. “Okay, Mr. Expert Driver,” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

I shot him a playful glare, unable to resist adding, “You’ve been driving for a day, don't get cocky now.”

Chris chuckled again, the sound sending a fluttering sensation through my chest. “Maybe so, but I’ve got a natural talent,” he quipped back, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Is that so?” I retorted, feigning skepticism. “So you’re saying you're the next professional racecar driver?”

Chris leaned towards me, a sly smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “Maybe I should be,” he said, his voice dropping an octave, “given how fast I can get your heart racing.”

My breath hitched at his words, the double entendre not lost on me. He was flirting, and he knew he was good at it. I tried to keep my cool, but it was getting increasingly harder to do so.

“Cocky and smooth,” I shot back, my voice betraying a hint of the effect he was having on me. “That’s a dangerous combination.”

Chris leaned back in his seat, a nonchalant air about him, as if completely unaffected by our banter. “I prefer to think of it as confidence,” he retorted, a smirk still lingering on his lips.

He shifted in his seat slightly, turning to face me more directly. “Besides, a bit of danger isn’t so bad. Keeps things interesting, no?”

I mirrored his movement, facing him fully. His cocky attitude shouldn't have been as attractive as it was, yet there I was, melting under his gaze. “I suppose it does,” I agreed, trying to maintain a semblance of composure. “But I hope you know, cocky only gets you so far.”

Chris hummed, a low, noncommittal sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “Mmm,” he acknowledged, his tone nonchalant, his eyes never leaving mine. The single sound was both dismissive and tantalizing, as if he knew the effect he was having and was enjoying it.

I couldn't resist studying his face for a few more seconds, the strong jaw, the slight stubble, the way his lips curled up lazily into a smirk.

Before I could second-guess myself, my body moved on its own accord. I leaned in, closing the gap between us, and pressed my lips against his in a firm, passionate kiss.

The kiss was soft, our mouths fitting together perfectly in a gentle, slow dance. My hand reached up, finding its way to the back of his neck, my fingers caressing the tender skin there as we pressed our bodies closer together.

Time seemed to stand still, the intense chemistry of the moment electrifying every nerve in my body. It was a kiss filled with both tenderness and hunger, a kiss that left me breathless and wanting more.

I pulled away just far enough that our lips were still close, our breaths mingling together in the small space between us. In a quiet, intimate whisper, I thanked him, “Thanks for not killing me today.”

Chris chuckled softly, the sound both amused and affectionate. He leaned a fraction closer, his gaze locked on mine as he responded in an equally hushed tone, “You’re welcome.” His eyes held a depth and intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

I reached over, quickly grabbing the keys from the ignition. Slipping them into my hoodie pocket, I couldn't suppress the sly grin on my face.

As I exited the car, Chris watched me, an amused and slightly intrigued expression on his face. I beckoned him with a subtle gesture, “C’mon.”

He chuckled softly, his tongue darting out to lick his lips as he followed my lead out of the car and towards the house.

Chris followed me, his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie, a casual and relaxed aura about him. We walked up the pathway to my house, the sound of our footsteps on the paving stones punctuating the night’s silence.

As I fished inside my pocket for the key, I stole a quick glance over my shoulder. Chris was a few steps behind me, his eyes fixed on my every move, a soft smirk playing on his lips.

I unlocked the door, the familiar click of the lock releasing echoing through the entrance hall. Stepping inside, I moved to the side, letting Chris follow suit. He wasted no time in quickly closing the door behind us, locking it with a quick twist of the knob.

In a swift move, he spun me around, pressing me against the door. The action was unexpected, his body molding against mine in a way that was both possessive and thrilling.

My hands, acting on their own accord, slowly raised from my sides and found their way to his chest. I flattened my palms against the hard planes of his chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath his shirt. I continued upwards, tracing a path over his shoulders and finally wrapping around his neck.

My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him even closer, drawing his body tighter against mine.

His tongue, demanding and urgent, invaded my mouth, mapping every contour and tasting every corner. I responded eagerly, my own tongue meeting his in a frenzied dance of desire. The kiss was intoxicating, a heady mix of heat and passion that left me dizzy and breathless.

He pushed his body flush against mine, his every movement driven by a primal need for more contact, more of me. My hands tugged on his hair, my body arching against his, seeking more of the sensations that were overwhelming my senses.

He broke away from the kiss, his lips moving to my neck, trailing a path of hot, open-mouthed kisses along my skin. The action sent shivers down my spine, a low moan escaping my lips as he nipped and sucked at the sensitive skin.

His hands began to roam, moving from my hips to slide over my sides and up towards my chest. His touch was possessive, his fingers tracing every curve and contour of my body.

Every touch, every kiss, sent a wave of pleasure coursing through my veins. My nails dug into his scalp, my fingers tightening in his hair as his lips traveled back up my neck to reclaim my mouth in another fervent kiss.

I could feel the evidence of his desire, the way his body pressed against mine, the firm muscles of his chest beneath my hands, the heat of his breath against my skin. It was both thrilling and overwhelming, a potent mixture that was driving me closer and closer to the edge.

Chris broke the kiss, his mouth hovering millimeters away from mine. His voice was a low, possessive growl, filled with a mix of command and desire.

“Jump.”

The single word sent a shiver down my spine, the order clear and definite. I didn't hesitate, my body obeying even before my mind had fully registered the command. I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist as my arms tightened around his neck.

As my legs encircled his waist, his hands slid down to support me beneath my thighs. He wasted no time in picking me up, the action effortless and seamless, as if my weight meant nothing to him.

With sure, steady strides, he carried me up the stairs and setting me down gently on the edge of the bed. I sat there, our breaths mingling together in the intimate space, feeling completely and utterly at his mercy.

Chris loomed over me, his body covering mine like a dark, possessive shadow. His lips ghosted over mine, a hint of a kiss without actually touching. I could feel his breath against my mouth, warm and ragged, a sign of his barely contained desire.

My hands found the hem of his hoodie, my fingers tugging at the fabric. I wanted it off, needed to feel his skin against mine, the barrier of clothing suddenly irritating.

My silent request was all he needed. He pulled back, breaking the torturous tease of almost-contact, and tugged the hoodie over his head in a quick, fluid motion. The garment hit the floor with a soft thump.

He was on me again instantly, his warm body pressing me down into the bed, his lips claiming mine in a deep, greedy kiss. There was a new urgency to his touch, a need that was nearly feral in its intensity.

Chris's hands moved quickly, finding the hem of my hoodie, fingers brushing against the bare skin of my stomach as he tugged it upwards. I lifted my arms, assisting him as he pulled the fabric over my head, discarding it carelessly.

He paused for a moment, his gaze roaming over my bare skin, taking in the sight of me in just my bra. His eyes darkened, a low rumble escaping his throat as he took in the view.

His lips found my neck again, trailing a path of kisses down my collarbone and across my chest. His hands explored my exposed skin, fingers tracing the curves and contours of my body with an almost reverent touch.

His mouth found the valley between my breasts, his tongue tasting the skin there, the heat of his breath against my sensitive flesh sending ripples of pleasure coursing through me. I arched under him, my body responding to his touch, my mind a tangle of desire and need.

Slowly, with a careful, deliberate motion, his fingers found the fastening of my bra, his knuckles brushing against the skin of my back as they worked to undo the clasp. I could feel the slight tension in the elastic give, the fabric loosening around my chest.

He pulled back for a brief moment, the bra falling away, baring my upper body fully to his gaze. His eyes scanned me, filled with a mixture of desire and admiration, before returning to my mouth, his lips claiming mine in a searing kiss.

His lips moved from mine, trailing kisses down my neck before finally settling on the soft mound of my breast. He sucked the nipple into his mouth, his tongue swirling around it as his hand reached up to gently squeeze the other breast.

A soft moan escaped my lips as his skilled mouth worked its magic, sending waves of pleasure through my body. His stubble brushed against my tender skin, adding a tantalizing roughness to the experience.

I arched my back, pressing myself further into his touch as a whimper escaped my lips. “Chris,” I breathed out, his name a soft plea on my lips. His hand slid down my stomach, his fingers hooking into the waistband of my sweats.

He looked up at me, his eyes dark with desire and filled with a silent question. His fingers paused, waiting for my permission. I nodded, my breath hitching as I gave him the okay to continue.

With a low growl, he hooked his fingers into the waistband of my sweats and slowly pulled them down, revealing my black lace underwear to his hungry gaze. He leaned in, pressing soft kisses to my inner thighs, his hot breath warming my skin as he spoke against me.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered against my thigh, his voice thick with desire. His hands gripped my hips as he nuzzled closer, placing soft, open-mouthed kisses along the edge of my underwear.

He hooked his fingers into the waistband of my underwear, slowly dragging them down my legs. He tossed them onto the floor, leaving me bared to him completely. He looked up at me, his eyes drinking in the sight of my naked form.

“God, you’re breathtaking,” he whispered, his voice rough with desire. Without breaking eye contact, his hands trailed up my legs, gently parting them. I could feel the heat building between my thighs as his fingers danced closer. My breathing became shallow anticipation, anticipation of his touch...

With deliberate slowness, he leaned in, his breath ghosting across my most sensitive spot. He kept his eyes locked with mine as one finger gently traced my core, gathering my wetness. I whimpered at the contact, my hips instinctively moving to meet his touch.

Lowering his head, he pressed a soft, warm kiss right where I needed it most. I gasped at the sensation, my fingers threading through his hair as I held him closer. His tongue joined the dance, exploring every inch of me with skilled precision.

As he licked and sucked at my pussy, my hand slowly reached out, my fingers threading through his hair. He obliged, wrapping his arms around my legs and lifting them over his shoulders, opening me up even further to his hungry mouth.

His skilled tongue worked magic, swirling around my clit and then dipping lower to explore my folds. I moaned loudly, completely lost in the pleasure he was giving me. My hips grinding against his mouth as he brought me closer and closer to the edge

His fingers joined his mouth, sliding in and out of me as his tongue continued its torture on my swollen bud. He curled his fingers upwards, hitting that spot inside me that drove me wild. I was writhing on the bed, my legs trembling on his shoulders. “Chris!”

He added another finger, scissoring them inside me as his thumb found my g-spot. He pumped his fingers in and out, his hand making squelching noises against my arousal.

“You like that? My hand inside you?” He asked, his voice muffled against my core. He curled his fingers again, hitting that spot inside me that made me see stars.

“Tell me what you need, baby. Should I keep going?” His tongue flicked out against my clit while his fingers continued their relentless pace. He wanted my words, my surrender. “Tell me...” whispers against my sensitive flesh “Should I make you cum, ma?”

“Yes!” I cried out, my back arching off the bed. “Please, Chris! Make me cum! I need it so bad!” My voice was high and desperate, my body writhing with pleasure. He groaned against me, the vibrations sending me over the edge.

His fingers stilled inside me, his tongue pausing its torture on my swollen bud. “Not like this,” he growled, his voice hoarse. “I want it on my face, but I need it on my cock more.” He lifted my legs off his shoulders and positioned himself between them.

He hovered above me, both hands next to each side of my head, supporting his weight. Leaning down, he captured my lips with his own, letting me taste myself on him. My hands slowly slid up his neck, then down his sides, and pushing up his black shirt.

He assisted me, grabbing the shirt from behind and pulling it off over his head. His messy hair fell back into place, sticking up in every direction. He tossed the shirt aside and kissed me again, his arms wrapping around me to hold me in place. His chest pressed against mine, warm and hard.

His kiss grew more insistent, his hands roaming over my back possessively as I sneakily moved my hands between his waistband and boxers. My fingers brushed against his lower abdomen before wrapping around his hard length through the thin fabric of his boxers.

A low moan escaped his lips as my hands touched his most intimate area. His stomach jerked back at the light contact, his boxers tenting out noticeably. His voice was muffled against my mouth, “Fuck, ma.” He groaned.

His hips bucked slightly, seeking more friction from my touch. His hands tightened on my waist, gripping me possessively. He pulled back from the kiss, panting heavily. “You keep touching me like that and I won't last long,” he warned, his eyes dark with desire.

Quickly standing up, he looked down at me with hunger in his eyes. I sat up, my hands trembling slightly as I reached for the button of his pants. He watched every movement with intense focus, his breath catching as I slowly undid the button and pulled down the zipper.

The sound of the zipper filled the room as it slid down, revealing his boxers straining against the newfound space. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles turning white as he fought the urge to touch me or guide my hands. “Y/N...” he growled, voice strained.

I looked up at him through my lashes, biting my lower lip as I hooked my fingers into the waistband of his boxers. Slowly, torturously slow, I pulled them down, freeing his large, hardened cock.

“Fuck...” he muttered under his breath, his jaw clenched tight. His hands finally moved, one tangling in my hair while the other gripped my shoulder. “You’re killing me...” His voice was rough, barely more than a growl. His cock twitched as if begging for my touch.

I gently wrapped my hand around his shaft, stroking slowly as he watched with heavy-lidded eyes. His hips twitched at the contact, seeking more. “Y/N...” he whispered, his voice laced with need. “I want...”

“I know what you want,” I whispered back, maintaining my slow pace on his length. “But tell me anyway.” I leaned forward, grazing my lips against the base of his cock, just teasing. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

“I want to feel those pretty lips wrapped around my cock, hear you moan around me... Fuck, just the thought has me leaking.” His fingers tightened in my hair, guiding me closer.

“Open your mouth,” he ordered, his voice firm. “Stick out your tongue.” I did as he asked, looking up at him with innocent eyes. His hips bucked forward, slapping his length against my cheek. “Tease...”

“That's my good girl,” he praised huskily, sliding the head of his cock across my lips. “Now, take me in. Just the tip first.” His free hand moved to cup my chin, tilting my head up as he slowly pushed his hips forward. “Eyes on me,”

I stared up at him, my eyes locked on his as he gently pushed the tip of his cock past my lips. He let out a shaky breath, his fingers digging into my chin as he held me in place. “Fuck, you look so pretty with my dick in your mouth...”

“Can you take a little more?” He asked, his voice strained. “Open your mouth wider, ma. Chin down.” He guided my head down, pushing his hips forward to slip in another inch. His thumbs stroked my cheeks as he looked down at me with loving eyes.

I nodded, opening my mouth as wide as I could and tucking my chin down to allow him more room. He groaned at the improved fit, his cock sliding deeper into my mouth. I felt him hit the back of my throat, his hips pressing gently against my face as he settled into the new position.

He let out a soft groan, his eyes rolling back slightly. “That's it, baby. So fucking good.” He pulled his hips back, only to push forward again, slowly fucking my mouth.

His head fell back, exposing his neck as he let out a deep moan. His hand in my hair became more insistent, guiding my movements as I blew him. The sound of wet sucking filled the room, mixed with his strained gasps. “Yes... just like that... fuck...”

His whole body shuddered as I wrapped my hands around his base, stroking and twisting as I bobbed my head. My spit dripped down his shaft as I slurped noisily. He cried out, his hips jerking forward as he tried to thrust into my hand and mouth.

“Shit... Y/N...” His voice was trembling. “You're gonna make me cum if you keep doing that...” His fingers tightened in my hair, but didn't force me to stop. Instead, he started thrusting into my mouth with urgency, chasing his release.

Tears streamed down my face as he fucked my mouth hard, the thick head of his cock hitting the back of my throat repeatedly. I gagged and choked, my hands pressing weakly against his hip bones, trying to slow him down. I gagged and choked, my vision starting to blur as he used me like a dirty toy. “Fuck... look at you...”

“God, your eyes... so pretty and watery. Taking my cock like such a good girl.” He slowed down slightly, caressing my cheek with his thumb while keeping my head steady. “Can you handle more?” His voice was ragged, clearly fighting his need to dominate my mouth completely.

I managed to nod, despite my tears and the feeling of my throat being stuffed full. I looked up at him, my eyes pleading and glazed over with tears and saliva. He smiled, his thumb wiping away a tear before he started fucking my mouth again, this time even harder and faster than before.

“Shit...” he gasped, one hand tangling in my hair while the other moved to support his weight against the wall. “Your fucking mouth... it's perfect...” His pace became more erratic, his moans growing louder as he neared his release.

He roared out his pleasure, his hot seed erupting into my mouth, dripping down my chin and onto my chest. As he pulled out, a gurgling sound escaped my lips along with a soft “guh” noise as I tried to breathe around his massive load.

Chris quickly grabbed a shirt and started wiping my face clean, trying to remove the excess cum. “Here, ma. Spit it out into the shirt.” He held the shirt out to me, but instead of following his instructions, I swallowed the remaining load, my throat working to gulp it down.

Chris let out a soft chuckle as he tossed the shirt aside, his eyes shining with pride and affection. He grabbed my chin, turning my face up to look at him. “You're amazing” He leaned down and kissed me deeply before pushing me back down on the bed, hovering over me with a satisfied grin.

He pulled back slightly, his lips barely grazing mine as he stared into my eyes with intense concern. “Are you sure about this? We can stop here if you want. I don't want to push you too far...”

“I want this,” I begged, my voice shaking with desperation. “I want you. I want to feel all of you.” I couldn't handle it anymore. Ever since he got behind the wheel, I'd been wet thinking about how he drove, and how fucking hot he looked doing it.

“Okay. If it gets to be too much, just say ‘stop’ and I'll pull back right away.” He leaned in to kiss me gently, his hands roaming over my body possessively.

His lips trailed down my neck, leaving hot, wet kisses that made me moan softly. In my mind, I knew there was no way I'd need him to stop—I wanted every inch of him, every touch, every kiss. There's no going back now.

Chris sat up, reaching for his pants that were on the floor to dig out his wallet. He started rummaging through it, looking for the condom he knew he had in there. But before he could find it, I reached out and gently grasped his forearm, stopping him.

“You don't need that,” I said softly, looking up at him through my lashes. “I'm on the pill.” I gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, letting him know it was okay to be inside me bare. The thought of feeling him skin-to-skin sent shivers down my spine.

He smirked mischievously, throwing his wallet and pants onto the floor. “You truly are an angel,” he murmured against my lips before kissing me harshly, his hands roaming over my body possessively as he positioned himself between my thighs.

He slowly lowered himself down, positioning himself at my entrance. He looked into my eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, he slowly pushed forward, stretching me open as he entered inch by inch, filling me completely.

I could feel my nails digging into his back as he slowly thrust into me. His bodyweight was just enough to leave me boneless and vulnerable as he moved against me. “You feel...” he gasped, his forehead resting against mine. “Fuck, you feel perfect.”

He remained still for a moment, allowing me to adjust to his size. His arms shook with the effort of holding himself up, but he didn't move a muscle, letting me set the pace. “Take your time, baby,” he whispered, his voice husky with desire. “I'm not going anywhere.”

A deep moan escaped my lips as my body slowly adjusted to his size, stretching around him perfectly. The slight discomfort was quickly overshadowed by pure pleasure. I could feel every inch of him, filling me completely.

“Move,” I begged, my hands grasping at his back desperately. I needed him to move, to start thrusting inside me and making me forget about everything except the feeling of him buried deep within me. Chris obliged, pulling back slowly before slamming back into me, setting a punishing pace that had me seeing stars.

The sound of our bodies meeting filled the room as he thrust into me again and again, hitting that perfect spot deep inside. My fingers raked down his back, leaving red marks as I urged him on. “Faster,” I gasped, my legs wrapping tighter around his waist.

He complied with my plea, his arms flexing as he held himself up, giving him leverage to thrust faster and deeper. The new angle had him driving into me even deeper, the head of his cock kissing my cervix with each powerful thrust. The bed creaked beneath us from the force of his movements. “Don't stop,”

His hands planted firmly on the bed beside my head, he looked down at me as I removed my hands from his back and slid them up his chest, over his shoulders, and one around his neck, pulling him down into a deep, bruising kiss. He broke away briefly to pant,

“Hold on, baby,” he growled before wrapping an arm around my waist and flipping us over so that I was on top. His hands gripped my hips tightly as he guided my movements, helping me bounce on his cock.

I braced myself against his chest, using his defined pecs for leverage as I began to move on top of him. His hands guided my hips in a smooth rhythm as we settled into a steady pace. His eyes watched me intently, dark with desire as I rode him, taking control.

“Fuck...” he moaned deeply, pressing his head back into the pillow. The sensation of me moving on top of him, taking charge and driving him wild, was almost too much. His hands gripped my hips harder, urging me to move faster, deeper, showing no signs of letting up.

Chris’ chest heaved as he panted heavily, his mouth hanging open. His eyes fluttered shut and then opened again, heavy-lidded and unfocused. He was losing himself in the feeling of me, his body tensing and relaxing with each thrust.

“Atta girl,” he praised between ragged breaths, watching me intently. “Just like that, baby. Fuck, you’re so perfect.” His words spurred me on, making me move faster and harder. The sound of our bodies meeting filled the room, punctuated by his encouraging words.

I could feel his grip on my hips tightening with each thrust. I pressed hot kisses along his jawline, moving down to his neck, marking him as my own. With each bite and suck, his moans grew louder, more desperate.

He sat up, pulling me closer to him, his arms wrapping around my waist, one hand splayed on my back possessively. His face nuzzled into my neck, his hands holding me in place as he continued to talk me through it, his voice low and ragged.

As I arched my back as he nuzzled into my neck, placing open-mouthed kisses along my skin. His arms tightened around me possessively, his hands splayed wide on my back. He hummed contentedly, his words a low mumble against my neck.

I tugged his hair possessively, he looked at me with a yearning expression, his gaze filled with love and desire. He allowed me to pull him into a passionate kiss, his tongue meeting mine aggressively.

My moans grew louder as Chris’ hands gripped my hips, speeding up his thrusts to a frantic pace. The friction was intense, his cock hitting all the right spots inside me. I broke the kiss, throwing my head back in ecstasy as he pounded into me, his hands guiding my movements.

“Chris... fuck, right there... harder...” My nails dug into his shoulders as he moved faster, hitting deep within me. Each thrust sent waves of pleasure coursing through my body, and I couldn't help but let out a steady stream of moans. “Fuck, yes!”

Chris quickly stood up, lifting me off his lap and setting me down on the bed. He didn't even pause, immediately pushing back inside me and resuming his frantic pace. His hands gripped my thighs, spreading them wide as he pounded into me with reckless abandon, the bed creaking beneath us.

“AAAGH! CHRIS! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!” My screams of pleasure filled the room, echoing off the walls. I was lost in the intense sensation, my body trembling and convulsing with each brutal thrust. The bed shook violently, the headboard slamming against the wall with every bounce.

“Take it, baby. Take every fucking inch of my cock,” Chris growled, his voice hoarse and breathless. “I'm gonna fill you up so fucking full. You're gonna be feeling me for days.”

“Fuck, your pussy is so tight. So fucking perfect. I'm gonna fucking explode inside you. You’re gonna be my little cum dump, and no one else is ever gonna touch you again.” He gripped my throat, squeezing lightly as he spoke, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

As he spoke, his grip on my throat tightened slightly, causing my eyes to roll back in my head. The combination of his words, the pressure on my neck, and the relentless pounding of his cock inside me sent me spiraling into oblivion.

In that moment, my mind was racing with thoughts of how unexpected this was—my best friend, who i’ve known for years was now fucking me raw and primal. The way he handled me, possessed me, was beyond anything I could have imagined.

My boldness had led me right here, spread out beneath him as he took me with a ferocity I never knew he had. And God, did it feel good. Better than good. It felt right. My best friend, the one person I trusted more than anyone else, was fucking me raw and primal, and I was loving every second of it. Like this was where I was always meant to be.

“Look at you taking my cock like such a good girl. You never would've guessed I could fuck you this good, huh?” he whispered darkly against my ear, as if reading my mind. His pace quickened, hitting that perfect spot inside me that made my eyes roll back again.

“Fuck, who knew you'd feel this perfect around my cock? All these years, being patient, waiting for you to see me... and here we are. Screwing like beasts. Look at you, taking me bare, moaning my name like it's your new favorite prayer.” he continued to whisper against my ear.

My legs began to shake uncontrollably as Chris's pace became more intense, each thrust hitting that perfect spot deep inside me. The familiar warmth started low in my stomach, spreading quickly through my entire body. “Oh... Chris... I'm going to...”

Just as I was about to scream my climax, Chris leaned his head against mine, his breath hot against my ear. “Cum with me, baby,” he whispered, his hand pressing down on my stomach, feeling himself hitting my cervix with every thrust.

“CHRIS!” I screamed, nails digging into his back as my orgasm tore through me. The sensation of his bare cock pulsing inside me pushed me over the edge, and I shattered completely, wrapping my legs tight around him.

Chris threw his head back with a loud groan, his mouth open in a silent scream as he came inside me. The moonlight from the small window reflected off his sweaty body as he poured himself into me, his hips jerking with each wave of pleasure. “Mmm fuck,”

Chris collapsed gently onto my chest, trying to catch his breath. His hair, damp with sweat, fell over his forehead as he looked down at me, his eyes still intense from our passionate moment. The moonlight streaming in from the window seemed to kiss his skin, illuminating his sweaty chest and highlighting his defined muscles.

“Been holding back that for years,” he panted softly, pressing a gentle kiss to my collarbone. “Couldn't help myself tonight.” he chuckled.

Chris hovered over me, his arms trembling slightly from exertion as he looked down at my face. I reached up, my hand wrapping around the back of his neck, and pulled him down into a deep, passionate kiss. When we finally broke apart, I smiled up at him, my heart racing. “Well, it was worth the wait,”

“Worth the wait?” Chris traced my jawline with his thumb, a playful smirk forming on his lips. “You mean getting my drivers licenses was the key to finally getting in your pants?” He leaned down to brush his lips against mine again.

“Because we both know,” he added in a husky whisper against my lips, “you were absolutely soaked the entire drive, just watching me handle that steering wheel...” His smirk grew wider as he noticed the flush creeping across my cheeks. “And now I get to handle you just the same way..”

Chris pulled me into a slow, deep kiss, his tongue sweeping against mine as he held me close. The kiss was gentle but passionate, filled with a newfound intimacy that left me breathless and craving more.

As we pulled away from the kiss, I smiled up at him teasingly. “There could've been other ways to get into my pants,” I said, my voice playful. Chris's eyes lit up with curiosity. “Like what?” He asked, leaning back on his elbows, clearly eager to hear my suggestions.

“Well,” I began, tracing my fingers down his chest, “you could have just been yourself—the charming, funny, incredibly sexy man I've been crushing on for years.” I leaned in closer, “Or you could have just…” I whispered in his ear,

“Just what?” he teased, his breath tickling my ear as he leaned closer. I smiled against his neck, my heart skipping a beat at his closeness. “Or just show up to my door some random night, and I would have let you in.”

Chris chuckled, a warm, satisfied sound that sent shivers down my spine. “So you're saying my charm alone would have been enough?” he asked, his hand slowly sliding down my side.

“I don't have very high standards when it comes to you,” I admitted, turning my head to press a soft kiss to his neck. “You could have just woken me up in the middle of the night, and I would have let you in, let you do whatever you wanted to me...”

His breath hitched at my words, and he nuzzled closer, his lips finding my earlobe. “Maybe I should have tried that,” he murmured, his voice low and hungry. “But then again, watching you squirm in the passenger seat was quite enjoyable too.”

Chris settled back against the pillow, pulling me tight against his chest. I rested my head over his heart, listening to its steady rhythm while absently tracing patterns on his chest. “Comfortable?” he asked softly, one hand moving to stroke my hair.

“Mhm,” I hummed contentedly, snuggling closer and throwing a leg over his hips. “I could stay like this forever.” I yawned, my eyelids growing heavy as the day's events caught up with me. Chris's chest vibrated with a soft chuckle.

In the quiet of the room, our breaths slowly synchronized as we drifted off to sleep, limbs entwined and hearts beating in harmony. The night was cool, but Chris's warmth kept me perfectly cozy. As consciousness slipped away, I knew this was only the beginning of something wonderful.

A/N: never getting over the fact that chris has his drivers licenses now, more stories of him driving in the future for sure!!

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[p1astr81]

second chances

in which: Lando tries to get his ex girlfriend back.

pairing: Lando Norris x pop star!fem!reader

genre: angst/fluff

warnings: cursing

an: this is part 2 of “second place”, but I think it could also make sense as a stand-alone.

part 1

‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊ ‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊ ‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊ ‧ *

Performing with the wound of a breakup fresh in your heart was difficult, but the roaring crowds and their endless support made it a little easier.

You just finished up yet another show, the twelfth one since you’d broken off things with Lando three weeks ago. Kiké—knowing how hard the breakup was for you—walked in silence next to you and you navigated the backstage area. He simply offered his presence, which was a mild—but much appreciated—comfort to you.

Your eyes were trained on the way the dim lights made your boots sparkle. The last song on the setlist was the most emotional for you. A love song written for Lando. You nearly cried while singing it, and were struggling to keep it together even now.

Kiké only left your side once you reached the door of your dressing room. “Can you travel on the bus with me again?” You asked him softly. Between the last city and this one, Kiké joined you on your tour bus. Usually, he’d fly between locations with the other dancers, but he was more then happy to spend time with you.

He nodded. “Absolutely. We have to finish our show.” He joked, getting a smile out of you.

You bade him goodbye, and stepping into your dressing room. As soon as the door was closed, you let the tears fall, letting the door support your weight as you tried to not crumple to the floor.

A soft call of your name broke through the sounds of your sobs. You gasped, straightening up and reaching for the door handle. Your flight response automatically ceased when your gaze met Lando’s.

Your eyes narrowed. “Shouldn’t you be in Spain?” The tone of your voice was venomous, but he chose not to take offense to it.

“Yes, but I wanted to see you.”

You scoffed at that. “Who even let you in here?”

“Your security. I assume you haven’t told them?” You didn’t answer his inquiry, but that was answer enough.

“Look, I know I treated you like shit and I was never here for you, but I want to be.” A little late for that, you wanted to say. But you settled for a roll of your eyes. “And these past weeks have made me realize that life without you sucks.”

A heavy sigh fell from your lips ass you pushed off the door. You wandered over to your desk, and began taking your makeup off. Lando, left in silence and without a response, continued to sit quietly on the couch.

You glanced at him through he mirror. He was fumbling around with his fingers. “You can’t just show up here and expect me to take you back.”

Lando met your eyes through the reflection. “I know. But I really do mean it. Even if we’re just friends, that’s enough for me.” The fact you hadn’t told him to fuck off yet was honestly a step in the right direction for him.

Your eyes found the cotton pad more interesting than him. “I don’t know. You made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of your time. You can’t just fix that with a sorry.”

He stood from his spot on the couch and cautiously stepped to your side. “I’ll be better. Every show I can squeeze into my schedule, I’ll be there.” He nodded.

Having missed the feel of your skin on his, he wanted to reach out, place a hand on your shoulder, or your arm. But he refrained from doing so.

Considering his proposition, you bit your lip. “You said that before, Lan.” You muttered. He heard the disappointment in your voice and wanted to curse himself out for it.

He nodded. “And I regret not following through but I promise this time. And if I don’t honor it, that’s it. I’ll never bother you again.”

It was a terrible idea. You knew it was. Opening your heart up to him again, giving him all the power to tear it in two once more, it was risky. But with a sigh, you accepted. “One slip up, Norris, and I’m blacklisting you from my shows.” You joked.

———

In the coming weeks, Lando honored his promise to its fullest extent, and then some. Even the shows you didn’t expect him to be at—the ones that fell on a Sunday night, only a few hours after a race—he was there.

He’d even spend a couple hours after the shows with you in your tour bus before he inevitably needed to catch a flight.

So after a month of him showing up consistently, and proving himself, you finally gave into him.

It was after one of your shows, you were sat in the tour bus as it stood stationary. The both of you were planted on the couch, your legs across Lando’s lap. You’d been talking for the last hour and a half about seemingly nothing. And then you licked your lips, and bit your lip softly before calling his name. He looked to you with big brown eyes like a little doe. “I think you’ve proved that you’ve changed.” Lando’s brows raised, hopeful. “And… if you’d still want to-“

“Yes.” He replied without even letting you finish. “Sorry.” His gaze shifted to his hands which sat on your bare legs. His cheeks went red. “Continue.”

You laughed and shook your head. “No, I think you got the point.” You sifted in your seat, and leaned forward to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.

[ahqkas]

“WHEN YOU’RE LOST IN THE DARKNESS, LOOK FOR THE LIGHT — dick grayson.

PAIRING dick grayson 𝒙 fem!reader SYNOPSIS he was completely frustrating. him with his cheeky grins and perfect teeth. maybe that’s why it didn’t anger you when he took an interest in you WORD COUNT 5.6k WARNINGS / TAGS artist!reader, cursing, mention of reader’s hair, unedited NOTES yes the title is inspired by tlou & yes i compared dick to a blue jay. i decided to mix 2 different reqs ( req 1 & req 2 ) because they worked well together for me soo i hope it’s okay! © ahqkas — all rights reserved. even when credited, these works are prohibited to be reposted, translated or modified

IN ART, WHAT WE WANT IS THE CERTAINTY THAT ONE SPARK OF ORIGINAL GENIUS SHALL NOT BE EXTINGUISHED.

Said Mary Cassatt, and her words had echoed in your mind for as long as you could remember. There was something comforting in the idea that creativity—pure, untouched, and entirely your own—could endure even such cruel punishment as darkness. Darkness was a language you understood well, especially living in Gotham, where shadows devoured the city inch by inch until there was nothing but colorless void. The darkness wrapped itself around you, slowly seeping in to claim your soul as well, like the chill of a cold winter night creeping into your bones.

But even in a city this unfair, you believed there was still some beacon of light. Hidden, of course, but not extinct.

And so, you painted. You drew. You created. Every stroke of your brush and pencil felt infinite. Art was the closest thing you felt to immortality, and you clung to that belief like a child did to innocence.

Your small apartment was more than just a simple place where you lived. Every inch of the space bore a trace of you and of your determination to carve something special into the world. The walls, once peeling and beige, were now alive with color. A breath of life you granted the old home. It wasn’t much, your apartment, but it was yours.

The darkness couldn’t quite reach you there, and the light found you within your search for it.

It was late past midnight when you met him. The hour of the night was silent despite the fact you were living on one of the most dangerous streets of Gotham. Silent, but far from safe. The full moon hung high in the sky, its pale light struggling to pierce through the dark clouds that blanketed the whole night. Every so often, the moonlight would break free and shimmered a silver beam that barely softened the shadows.

You sat curled up on your old, beaten couch in your living room, aching legs tucked beneath you. The thrifted mustard-yellow couch sat beneath a gallery wall you’d arranged with so much focus you were unmistakably proud of the piece. The light from the fairy lights strung above the paintings softened the sharp edges of your apartment.

The pencil between your fingers moved along the paper with practiced movements of an artist as you clutched the sketchbook close to you with your free hand. You brought the drawing of a blue jay to life. Its small, delicate body was perched on the middle of the page, its head tilted slightly to the side as if caught mid-movement. The blue jay’s wings began to take a lively form beneath your hands.

You loved sketching birds—the way they had an open opinion of freedom in their feathers, how they could fly away from the weight of everything below on earth.

The quiet was broken by a dull thump.

Your pencil stilled, the sharp tip pressing into the delicate beak of the blue jay as you tilted your head towards the sound. It came again, heavier this time, right outside on the fire escape under your living room window. Living in Gotham meant you knew better than to ignore suspicious and strange sounds, especially at this hour.

Setting the sketchbook down on the coffee table, you slid off the couch with a pounding heart and bare feet padding softly against the wooden floor. The window was already cracked open, letting in a cold breeze of night air. It prickled at your skin and sent a wave of goosebumps down your spine.

You moved with an intention to investigate, your hand gripping the window frame when you leaned forward slightly to catch a glimpse of the intruder. Before you could fully stick your head through the opening, something shifted — a flash of movement so sudden that you instinctively took a step back to avoid bumping your head. Then, just as quickly, a figure shot up from the darkness surrounding your fire escape and you watched as his top half leaned against the window frame with effortless grace.

Anyone could recognize the symbol gracing his chest.

Nightwing was on your fire escape, practically with one of his halves in your apartment.

You blinked at him, startled at the unexpected visit from Gotham's (wait, wasn’t he supposed to be in Blüdhaven?) acrobatic vigilante. He stared back without shame. His face was partially illuminated by the soft glow of your fairy lights and his forehead, plus the top of his eyes, were hidden beneath the dark strands of his hair. Damp with sweat and light spray of rain. The black domino mask was doing little to hide the attractiveness of his handsome face, although it did not tell you his identity. Or the color of his eyes. The white lenses didn’t show any signs of life, it would be almost unsettling if it wasn’t for the other features of his face.

His jaw was sharp, the bone ready to cut through glass, and his lips held a shadowy grin in them. His chest heaved as if he’d just ran a marathon, or in his case, as if he’d just been in a chase. And his suit—a sleek, midnight black with that striking blue emblem—was marred by faint fabric tears and streaks of grime.

When he spoke up after a minute of analyzing you, his voice was breathless but warm, like he hadn’t just scared the life out of you by his entrance. “Hey. Sorry about the dramatics. Mind if I, uh, come in?” He glanced over his shoulder briefly, as though checking to see if someone had followed him.

You swallowed the lump that formed in the back of your throat, fingers still gripping onto the windowsill. You were pretty sure the surprise and disbelief etched into your face could be completely seen. “What? You’re joking, right?” those small words stumbled past your lips in a sharper tone than you intended. “You can’t just—“ gesturing vaguely to the fire escape he was standing on, you trailed off for him to finish the sentence himself.

But instead of an answer, Nightwing simply offered a grin, all perfect teeth. It was the kind that felt like it was meant to disarm you and melt you into a puddle at his feet. A swooning, pretty puddle.

“Technically, I can. But I’d prefer not to freeze out here while we debate it.”

Your reply to his cheeky comment died in your throat the moment you heard it—an angry bellow from somewhere below, followed by the unmistakable sound of boots thumping against the wet pavement. The voices were low and animalistic, only growing louder by seconds. Whoever they were, it didn’t take a genius to figure out who they were looking for.

Shooting him a pointed look with one of your eyebrows raised, you realized it was useless as he was already halfway through the window, ducking inside easily. He didn’t so much as flinch when his heavy boots hit the floor with a faint thud. You could only watch the trail of dirt and grime he was leaving behind himself. The sounds from outside faded into muffled whispers when he closed the window, and effectively scanned the room with a quick glance.

“You really have a way of making an entrance,” you mumbled under your breath as you gave him space and moved back towards the sofa. The sarcasm wasn’t meant to reach his ears but with the way one corner of his lips tugged up, you knew he heard every single word. Did this guy have super hearing?

The faintest glint of amusement danced on his features, despite the lack of emotion in his hidden eyes. You could tell by the way his eyebrows furrowed and his lips quirked up. “It’s part of the job description,” he replied to your remark casually, as if crashing into strangers’ apartments was just another Tuesday for him.

With a sigh, you shook your head and leaned back against the arm of the couch, watching him move around the living room. He didn’t sit, didn’t relax, didn’t even pause long enough to breathe out the weight of his situation. Instead, his gaze grazed over everything in clear sight — your paintings on the wall, the cluttered coffee table and its content, the pencils scattered across your notepad.

He was strange.

“What are you doing?”

“Just checking,” his response came quickly, he was probably distracted by the hand brushing against the edge of the window frame as he double-checked the latch.

You watched him carefully and tried to not let his presence throw you off. There was something unbelievable about seeing him there, in the heart of your apartment of all places, where every inch of the space was yours. Technically, he was in your territory now.

“Don’t worry,” Nightwing added with humor etching his voice when you didn’t say anything. “I’ll be gone before you know it.”

“Take your time,” the dripping sarcasm got out the exact same reaction from him just like before, and you watched as he smirked at you, the corner of his mouth tugging upward in a way that told you he was far too used to getting under people’s skin. Cheeky bastard.

This inspection of his lasted for a few more minutes before his pacing slowed down and his masked eyes landed on your beaten couch. The faint amusement in his features shifted, softening into something more thoughtful as he approached you. You stiffened when he got close enough. The light scent of cologne hit your nose from the proximity.

Gloved hand reached for your notepad, and you watched him again when he started tracing the soft pencil lines of your sketches. You seemed to watch him a lot tonight, but you didn’t dare to interrupt him. He was still a stranger and you lived alone. The vigilante could take you down without breaking a sweat, no comment.

The blue jays stared back at him from the page with their wings outstretched mid-flight, the faint smudge of pencil giving them a sense of movement, like they could lift off the paper and fly toward their freedom at any moment.

“You drew these?” the question slipped before he could think of it and the raw quietness of his tone surprised you.

You hesitated before you gave him the answer. “Yeah, I did. What, are you secretly an art critic, too?”

His lips twitched, but his eyes stayed on the sketches. “Blue jays,” the murmur was more to himself than to you. “They’re nice.”

“Nice?” you echoed back at him, a small smile ghosting your lips upon hearing his praise. “That’s your verdict? Nice?”

This time, his wide grin returned as he glanced at you from your artwork. You decided on the spot that you liked this look on him. He could be all sharp edges and rough words, but the genuine smiles and clever remarks were a part of him, too. “Hey, I don’t know the first thing about art. But they’re good. Really good. Why blue jays though?”

You shrugged your shoulders, crossing your arms around yourself tightly. His clear interest in your work made you feel strangely exposed. “They’re . . . free. They can leave whenever they want, fly away from everything. I guess I like the idea of that.”

Nightwing was quiet for a moment, his masked gaze flicking back to the page like he was seeing something more between the colors and lines you’d drawn. He really was strange. “Makes sense,” he said finally. “They’re tough, too. Survivors.”

For a man who’d just come crashing through your window, being chased by a bunch of angry goons, he suddenly seemed relaxed. The birds meant more to him than he was letting on.

“Guess that explains why you like them.”

“What, you think I’m a blue jay now?”

A smirk made its way to your lips, and you felt a slight hint of satisfaction brewing inside you. You finally got him. “You said it yourself. Tough. Survivors. Seems fitting.”

It was a strange image, seeing someone who carried so much weight on his shoulders standing here, in your little apartment, admiring a simple sketch of a bird. Most people assumed he was a machine under the suit, someone who did their job because it had to be done. But you saw the life in his smile and heard the feelings in his voice. Red flooded his system like any other human being possessed. A beating heart and marred skin. He was human, even under all that armor.

“Well,” you cleared your throat, effectively breaking the silence that followed your cheeky remark. “I’m glad my art could distract you from the mad mob outside.”

That earned you a genuine laugh, low and rich. You noted he had a nice laugh. Everything about him was nice, though. Maybe it was because it was the first time seeing him from up close or maybe it was simply that he got your attention.

⋆.˚ 𓅆 . . .

The next few days were rather busy. You had more work on your shoulders and your family kept pressing about your upcoming visit (spoiler alert; you didn’t really plan on visiting them). Your family members lived far from Gotham, which you were particularly glad for. One boring and busy day went after the other, and so did you with your life. You weren’t going to admit it, but you missed the sudden excitement the cocky vigilante brought with him. It was something new, something that wasn’t boring.

The wind carried a chill that nipped at the exposed skin of your face, numbing your cheeks in the process. The streets of Gotham were alive despite the coldness the new day brought with itself—the city never really stopped, even when it probably should have. Your tea sat untouched beside your half-eaten croissant, warm steam curling lazily above the porcelain cup, while your hand moved steadily across the pages of your sketchbook.

You were drawing another blue jay. This one was perched on a thin branch, its head cocked slightly with ruffled feathers as if caught in the same breeze that howled right now. The pencil lines of your drawing were sharper this time, more confident, though you weren’t sure why.

Maybe it was because you couldn’t stop thinking about them—the blue jays.

It wasn’t like this hadn’t happened before, your thoughts fixating on a subject, but this time it felt different. Ever since that night, when Nightwing had stood in the heart of your living room and held your sketch like it was something worth admiring, you’d been thinking about them more and more often. Birds had always represented freedom to you. A fleeting kind of beauty, one that wouldn’t last long. But now they carried something else. Something more.

You found yourself replaying his words in your mind while you shaded the curve of the blue jay’s wing, your pencil working instinctively as the low conversations and local sounds of the café faded into a hushed whisper. The bird began to take shape, its tiny body beaming with life.

The next thing you knew, the chair you were sitting on rocked slightly and your bag was violently jerked from the edge of the table.

It took you a second to process what had happened. One second, your purse was there, sitting by your side, and the next, it was gone. Snatched by a blur of unidentified movement. Your heart skipped an uncomfortable beat as you whipped your head towards the stranger, catching sight of the thief bolting through the crowded street.

Panic started to settle in. Your bag. Gone. It was gone. Everything was in there—your money, your keys, your ID. The grip of your fingers on the pencil in your grasp tightened while adrenaline surged through your veins. Without having any second thoughts, you shot to your feet. The chair scraped loudly against the floor and you bolted after him.

“Hey! Stop!”

The thief was already halfway down the block when you finally pushed past the crowd with alarming speed. Your boots moved without any more thinking. He wasn’t particularly tall, but he was quick on his feet, his figure darting between pedestrians who shouted in surprise and yelped in confusion when he pushed into them to clear his path. Your lungs burned as you tried to push against your limits and keep up with him. The strap of your bag was swinging wildly in his grip.

“Stop!” you shouted again, although you doubted he would listen. He wouldn’t. People around turned to look at the chaos, but no one made a move to help. It was Gotham, after all — everyone looked after their own self.

The thief rounded a corner, successfully disappearing into an alley, and you felt a pinch of dread forming in your stomach. You didn’t know this part of the city well, and the narrow alleyway clothed in shadows sent a wave of goosebumps down your spine. Hesitation brewed in you for a moment before you made up your mind. Fuck it. You didn’t care that chasing him was reckless. You didn’t care that you had no plan for what you’d do if you actually managed to catch up to him. All you knew was that he had your bag—your life—and you weren’t about to let him get away with it.

Whoosh!

You barely registered the sound at first. Your focus was entirely on your thief, the dark shade of his jacket disappearing deeper and deeper, just beyond your reach. The puffs of air left your lips in a sharp shape and the cold air didn’t help much. But you didn’t stop running. You couldn’t stop.

Then, out of nowhere, a dark blur descended from above, landing right in your path.

“Whoa, hold it!”

The familiar drawl of his voice ringed in your ears before you saw him. You skidded to a halt, nearly losing your balance as his figure stepped into the sight. His arms were outstretched to block your way, and you felt a sudden burst of frustration upon his appearance. After all, you still had a bad guy to catch.

“Move,” moving to the side, you tried to sidestep him and start your chase again. Key word—tried. He shifted smoothly, following your movements like a mirror.

“Not happening,” he interrupted you firmly. “You can’t go running after some guy who might be armed. You don’t know what you’re walking into.”

“I don’t care. He has my purse—my money, my keys, everything! I have to—“

“You have to stay here,” Nightwing cut you off again, and you pushed the urge to strangle him away. His presence was infuriating, even though you could see every muscle in his jawline tightening and tensing. He was holding back, that much was evident.

“I don’t need your help.”

His hands shot out the moment you tried to brush past him again, gloves catching your biceps in a firm hold. It wasn’t painful, nor would leave any marks in the form of bruising, but he held you in a grounding manner. Almost as if he wanted to calm you down.

“Yes, you do,” the glint of seriousness in his gaze made you halt in your argument. He meant every single word. “Look, I get it. You’re pissed, you’re scared, and you feel like you have to do something. But this guy could have a knife, or worse, and you’re completely unarmed. He’s probably long gone by now, too. I’ll track him down and get your stuff. That’s a promise, Blue.”

You swallowed hard as the fire that fueled your intentions died a little bit. He was right, even though you didn’t want to admit it.

“Fine, but you better catch him.”

A small, reassuring nod and a gentle squeeze was all you received from the masked vigilante before he released you and took off after the thief. A moment later, you realized he gave you a nickname.

Blue.

⋆.˚ 𓅆 . . .

The thick steam from your earlier shower still lingered in the bathroom, curling faintly in the air and clinging along the tiles and the edges of the mirror as you massaged moisturizer into your skin like you did every night. It was a routine by now. One you were excited to participate in. Your favorite playlist hummed softly from the phone propped up on the counter near the sink, the melody blending with the occasional rustle of the city outside your window.

Gotham was quiet tonight. No sirens. No shouts. Just silence.

You signed and leaned against the counter as you let the coolness of the white cream soothe your skin. The events of this day were rather . . . unpleasant. Your purse was gone, and the thought of all the things you’d lost still made your chest ache. Your keys, your ID, even your favorite pen you always kept in the front pocket—all gone, snatched in a moment. But at least you were safe. Nightwing had made sure you didn’t dive head first into what could have been a disaster.

You couldn’t stop thinking about him, either. The way he’d swooped in like some kind of a movie hero. For a man who lived his life surrounded by constant danger, he’d had this unmistakably calmness about him, like no problem was big enough to not handle.

Reaching for a soft towel, you patted your face dry with it when you finished the last step of your nighttime routine. A moment of realization hit you like a ton of bricks.

Your sketchbook.

Your heart sank deeply in your chest, and you froze, gripping the towel tightly. You’d left it at the café. It must’ve been sitting there on the table, untouched, while you chased after that thief like a reckless idiot. You would be lucky if you found it where you’d left it lying as there was a possibility of a tired barista throwing it away.

That notepad wasn’t just another notebook to you. It held weeks, months, of drawings—ideas, experiments, half-finished sketches that no one but you had seen. And the blue jays he praised . . .

The day’s exhaustion weighed heavily on your tense shoulders as you finally made your way to your bedroom. You switched off the light in the hallway, plunging your apartment into darkness save for the faint glow of moonlight spilling through the cracks in the blinds.

A dark shadow caught your eyes the second you stepped into the room and your heart nearly leaped out of your chest. There, casually perched on your windowsill was Nightwing, dressed in shadows.

His grin was the first thing you recognized on him, the wide stretch of his lips almost haunting in the darkness. His teeth appeared almost sharp, like canines of a predator. But he wasn’t here to hunt tonight. One gloved hand held your bag, dangling it from his fingers as if presenting you a beloved prize.

“Miss me, Blue?”

“Are you insane?” hissing, your palm resting against your beating heart. “You can’t just show up like that!”

A delighted laugh rumbled deep in his chest as he stepped inside like he didn’t invade your personal space and almost gave you a heart attack. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

He tossed your stolen (now found) bag on your bed with a flick of his wrist. It took you a moment to process what you were seeing but when you did, your panic gave away to stunned disbelief. “You got it back?”

“Of course. I promised you.”

The smug look on his face softened after those words left his throat. You crossed the room in quick steps, rushing to get your hand on your belongings. Once it was in your hold, you rummaged through the inside. Everything was still there—your keys, your wallet, even the blue pen you favored so much. Relief flooded your system and you finally felt your shoulders relaxing. It was all returned.

You glanced at him from the bag, suddenly feeling somehow embarrassed. “I—I don’t even know what to say.”

“How about ‘thank you, Nightwing, for saving the day’? That would do,” the arch of his eyebrows told you he was enjoying this, if only a little. Smug bastard.

Rolling your eyes, you felt your lips tugging into a smile anyway. “Thank you for getting me my bag back. Happy?”

“It’s exactly what I wanted but yeah, very.”

A minute of silence stretched between you, one that wasn’t entirely comfortable but during that time, you studied him. He was leaning against the edge of your bed, just shy away from your side.

“You’ve been drawing them a lot, huh?”

“What?”

“The blue jays,” Nightwing gestured towards your desk with his free hand, the other behind his back. He looked strange, amusing even, but you didn’t dare to point it out. You followed his movements, eyes sliding toward your desk full of stray papers. He was right, the wooden space was filled with your recent works, and among them were multiple pieces of those blue birds. “You were working on them that night. At the café, too.”

Your lips parted slightly to voice your confusion, but the words didn’t come. He had noticed? And kept track of it? You didn’t know if you should feel creeped out or honored.

You didn’t get to react much before he perked up. “Oh, almost forgot,” pulling the occupied hand from behind his back, you noticed he held a small book in it.

Not just any book, though. Your sketchbook.

“You went back for it?” the disbelief dripped from the tone of your voice as you reached for the notepad. Your fingertips brushed against his gloves when you did so, and a spark of light crossed through you at the faint touch.

“Figured you’d want it back,” he tried to act nonchalant, shrugging his shoulders without a care in the world, but even if you knew him for such a short period of time, you could tell he was just acting. The subtle tone of his voice betrayed him, along with the rosy dust painting his cheeks. Your thumb traced the broken spine of the notepad. The thought of him chasing down your thief, retrieving your stolen stuff, and then returning for your more personal thing left you speechless. He didn’t have to, but he did—again.

He was so close to you now that the faint scent of rain and city clung to him, mixing with his natural fragrance. You could inhale it all while you saw everything, too—the sharp line of the bone in his jaw, the slight furrow of his brows like he was constantly deep in his mind, and even the way the moonlight caught on the pink dusting the top of his ears.

His pose shifted lightly, in a way that made the space between the two of you feel almost nonexistent. Your instinct told you to move, but your feet didn’t move.

“You’re . . . really something, you know that?”

Your heart beat against the bones protecting your ribs so loud you swore he could hear it. The white lenses of his black mask flickered all over your face, almost like he wanted to memorize every delicate detail, like he wanted to count every lash on your eye individually.

“You barely know me.”

“Maybe,” he admitted, “but I think I’m starting to.”

No response made its way past your lips. It died at the base of your throat, and no one could rip it out of you.

His hand reached out in your peripheral vision, slowly, like he was giving you an option to stop him whenever you felt like. There was no force between you, just purity of the actions. When you didn’t stop him, he moved bolder and louder, long fingers tracing the curve of your cheek before brushing against the damp strands of your hair. He pushed it back behind your ear, his touch lingering even there.

You could feel his breath mingling with yours, becoming one.

And then, just as you felt the unmistakable pull towards him, Nightwing pulled away. He took a step back like he remembered who he was.

“Take care of that,” he nodded towards your hold that clutched your sketchbook.

You opened your to say something, anything because what the fuck was he doing when he jumped out of the bedroom window, leaving behind the what ifs if he stayed with you.

⋆.˚ 𓅆 . . .

The rooftop had become your favorite spot to disappear from your responsibilities. The view was magnificent with how the city stretched out in every direction and you could see everything. The chaos was muted up here, replaced by singing of the birds and occasional flutter of wings. This place was comforting.

You sat cross-legged on the concrete with your sketchbook propped in your lap, pencil in hand and mind open to new ideas. But the paper brewed alive with yet another drawing of a blue jay. Something about them had rooted itself in your head.

Pausing in your work to glance up at the sky, you were greeted by the most remarkable sight. Caught by the horizon where the sun dipped lower, brushing its streaks across the rooftop in a golden orange. The light breeze tugged at your hair, and you reached up to tuck it behind your ear. You managed to smudge a piece of graphite along your cheek upon the gesture. Your sketch was coming along slowly today; your mind kept wandering off and you couldn’t shake the feeling that you were being watched.

Which you were correct about.

“Nice view,” a familiar voice drawled.

You flinched upon the sound, nearly dropping the tools on your knees as you whipped your head toward the source. There he was, perched on the edge of the rooftop, the sunset behind him painting him like some sort of an angel. Nightwing.

“Seriously? Do you ever not sneak up on people?”

The cheeky smirk made its usual appearance on his lips when he hopped down from his spot, taking slow steps towards you. It was impossible to stay annoyed at him, with that face and easy charisma. “Where’s the fun in that?”

With a roll of your eyes, you couldn’t help but smile a little. “What are you even doing here?”

“Patrolling,” he replied casually to your question, just like he did the night he came to return your bag. Trying to act all nonchalant, but deep down he cares. You know that. He’s acting again. You could tell by the experience and by the tone of his voice. It suggested otherwise from his answer. His masked eyes shifted to your knees, noting the open book. “Another blue jay?”

“I’m trying to capture the way they look when flying. It’s harder than it seems.”

You watched him while he watched your drawings. The vigilante crouched down beside you, his knee bumping against yours softly, almost as in unsaid greeting. He was saying hello while you responded hi back. “You’re getting better.”

Silence draped over the two of you after that sentence left his throat, this one much more comfortable than the one you experienced the week before in your apartment. His elbows were resting on his knees, which bumped into yours from time to time in a silent gesture. Your eyes found the white lenses behind the domino mask.

“You’re not gonna disappear this time, are you?”

“No.”

Your sketchbook lay forgotten in your lap as you gazed into the void of his eyes. You couldn’t read the emotion in them but you somehow could tell every single feeling brewing inside him. It was written across his face, open like a book.

“You’re staring,” you whispered.

“So are you,” his reply was quick, like he knew exactly what to say the moment you spoke up.

A faintest tug at your lips brought the corners up in a smile, but it faltered the moment he leaned in, taking up your personal space inch by inch. He was moving slowly, giving you the opportunity to pull away, to reject him and his touch if you wanted to. But you didn’t.

His palm hovered near the curve of your cheekbone close enough to feel the warmth seeping through the glove. He cocked his head slightly to the side, as if silently asking you a question he was too caught up in to say aloud.

“You’ve got graphite on your cheek.”

“Do I?”

He brushed his thumb across the smudge, wiping it away. He didn’t pull away once your skin was clean.

You noticed the way his eyes briefly dropped to your lips before flicking back to meet yours, searching for an answer he so desperately wanted to hear.

If you didn’t want this, he’d pull back. You knew he would.

But you didn’t want him to.

Leaning in, you closed the little distance between you, and that was all the answer he needed. His lips met yours firmly, pressing against yours like a puzzle, like they belonged there. Your hands gripped at him, fingers moving to the base of his neck to grab a handful of his black hair and pulling slightly to deliver a message.

Although the darkness around you enveloped you, clothing the day in dark, you felt a spark of light every time his lips pressed against yours more urgently, licking and biting his way inside to get a taste of you. You felt it when his gloved hands tangled in your hair, tugging you impossibly close to make you his.

His forehead came to rest against yours when you eventually had to pull away for a fresh breath of air, both his and your breaths uneven.

“Tell me I’m not gonna regret this.”

“You won’t.” That was a promise.

Because when you’re lost in the darkness, you should look for the light.

[avelera]

I’m curious how you think Jayce and Viktor’s romantic/sexual relationship most likely unfolded within the context of the two Arcane seasons. Do you think it would have looked something like the trajectory from Distinguished Innovators or were they just pining for each other but entirely oblivious of the other person's feelings until the very end (especially with what you said at some point about the possibility of Mel being Jayce’s first)

Hmm, so there's fanfic and canon to consider here. I think with fanfic, it can be anything the author desires.

Technically, I think the most canon-accurate romantic read of what's happening on the page is that Jayce and Viktor have feelings for each other but neither is totally aware of their feelings until Jayce has his moment staring into the fire in 2.07 when he "chooses" Viktor. Then Jayce basically confesses during their big final scene and we get a lot of hints that Viktor has felt the same way or been silently and hopelessly pining for him and now they're finally together.

But that never quite works for me because it requires a little too much "carrying the idiot ball" like... these guys spent the entire time skip between 1.03-1.04 in close quarters at all hours of the day creating Hextech together. That's before Jayce becomes the "Man of Progress" or any of that stuff and was just a regular and possibly crazy researcher who almost got banished, so it can't always be a status difference. And Jayce is so affectionate, and he falls for Mel so quickly, I really truly struggle to imagine that with no barriers to a relationship (Runeterra canonically does not have homophobia) they wouldn't have gotten together sooner if something else wasn't in the way.

So, personally, I think that they've tried to or come very close to a relationship in the past, but something prevented them from going all the way and now it's that near-miss is still there in their physicality with one another, and both might still long for it, but one of them is holding it back from happening while the other just thinks it's hopeless and I honestly think after S2 it's Viktor holding back because of his declining health, while Jayce is the one thinking he hasn't got a shot so he might as well, tragically, look elsewhere.

And I'll go into a bit more detail on why I believe that for a romantic read of these two:

(Obviously you can just go the boring old "cuz they're not romantic" but I think that's dull and reductive and presumably not why anyone is the Jayvik tag)

I also don't totally buy the idea that they hadn't figured it out yet? These are two young men in their 20s, who basically instantly connect with one another, share everything, and are openly physically affectionate with each other from the first. In my fic Distinguished Innovators there's a certain amount of shyness and the fact they're just busy to deal with but they're still young men, it's why the fic postulates a physical relationship between them that isn't exclusive or official and thus doesn't change their status as "partners".

But in fics of mine like Parley I first floated another possibility that with time I find more convincing argument: Viktor knows he doesn't have long to live, so he's resolved to keep a certain distance from Jayce and not interfere with any sort of love life he might have (even if it destroys him with jealousy) because he doesn't want Jayce to be totally destroyed by his death, which given how openly affectionate Jayce is, seems inevitable.

This one works for me increasingly because it means the characters don't need to carry the idiot ball. Viktor can have his own strong reasons for not wanting to involve Jayce in that kind of relationship and Jayce can read that Viktor doesn't want to be involved with him in that way, and maybe they even got close and he was pushed back, and he's just respecting that now because he's just happy to have his soulmate in his life in any way he can have him (which I truly sincerely believe is a canonically supported read of Jayce no matter how romantic you see their relationship).

Then the tricky thing about a disease like that is... how much time does he actually have? If it's months, he should focus on leaving a legacy, which Viktor does. If it's years, in theory, they could work on a cure for him, but what if that doesn't work? Then you run into the tragedy of the longer he lives, the more he comes to regret not being with Jayce anyway. Then there's the question of a Hextech cure. I can see Viktor resolving to himself that if he's ever cured, then he'll confess to Jayce. Which feels all but impossible at the end of S1 when Sky dies, but then in 2.08, in the Council chamber scene, it really feels like Viktor finally feels like he's allowed to openly pursue Jayce because he's "perfect" now, and that to me is a linchpin of the idea that Viktor was holding himself back from pursuing Jayce openly because of his health.

Oh and I still think it's possible that Mel is Jayce's first as a result, or very near his first if him and Viktor maybe fooled around a bit or if Jayce had other relationships before that. But there is something very innocent in the way Jayce approaches sleeping with Mel that to me feels very much like he's had only a couple partners or fewer at the very least, if he hasn't been outright "saving himself for marriage" levels of hoping Viktor will notice him someday, which is my Jayvik romantic read of that moment he pauses before returning Mel's kiss, he's thinking, "Do I realistically have a shot with Viktor?" and concluding sadly that, no, he doesn't so he might as well stop denying himself a possible relationship over it anymore.

[rafesbabygirlx]

6 𝑫𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔 🎄 𝑹𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒏

𝙳𝚊𝚢 3 - 𝚂𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚍 𝙸𝚗 - 𝚁𝚊𝚏𝚎 𝚡 𝙿𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚢: 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚜𝚗𝚘𝚠𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖, 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚁𝚊𝚏𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚗, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎. 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚢-𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚌𝚘𝚊 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚊 𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚏 "𝚃𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚛 𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚎" 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚡𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚒𝚡 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚌𝚢 𝚝𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚖𝚎𝚕𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚒𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙰𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚖 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚊 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚗𝚎𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚠 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐.

𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚕 (𝚖 𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐) 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚛𝚢, 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚠𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕, 𝚜𝚙𝚒𝚝 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚢

𝙰/𝙽- 𝙸 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚊𝚝 3𝚊𝚖 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚜𝚘 𝙸'𝚖 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚕

The wind howled outside, shaking the cabin as snow piled higher against the windows. The storm had come in fast, trapping you and Rafe inside while Sarah, Topper, and Kelce were still out, struggling to make their way back. The thought of being stuck here alone with Rafe Cameron hadn’t been on your list of plans for the weekend.  

Rafe made it abundantly clear he wasn’t thrilled about your presence, brushing off your attempts at conversation with snide comments. You’d only come because Sarah begged you to, not wanting to be the only girl on a trip with her brother and his friends. Now, the storm has forced you into an unexpected standoff with the Kook prince himself. You had known them since you were little. Despite being a Pogue from the cut, your dad played an important role in Cameron Development. He just refused to move from where he and your mom were raised. You’d learn more life lessons on the cut, you’d learn the importance of work, and you’d learn how to take care of yourself. You were more well off than your friends, but just from your location alone, the title and the reputation still stook.

The power had gone out hours ago, leaving the cabin cloaked in shadows. You had spent most of your time alone avoiding each. But since the only light and warmth now came from the flickering fire in the family room, casting golden glow across the room, you two ended up sitting together on the couch. Heavy blankets were draped over both of you as you sat on opposite ends of the couch, nursing mugs of whiskey-laced hot cocoa.  

The silence between you was uneasy, filled only by the crackle of the fire and the relentless wind outside. The tension was thick, though whether it stemmed from genuine animosity or something else entirely, you couldn’t quite tell.  

Rafe glanced at you over the rim of his mug, his expression unreadable. “Looks like it’s just you and me tonight,” he said finally, his tone edged with something you couldn’t place. Looking down at your phone, you noticed Sarah had texted you and Rafe that the group was just going to stay at a motel closer to town. It was impossible for them to make it back to the remote cabin. 

You rolled your eyes, trying to ignore the way his voice sent a shiver down your spine. “Lucky me,” you muttered, taking a sip of your drink. The corner of his mouth twitched, and for a moment, the storm outside seemed to quiet, as if the real storm was brewing between the two of you.  

“Truth or Dare?” Rafe had proposed after a long stretch of silence,, his voice carrying that infuriatingly smug tone he always seemed to use around you. You agreed reluctantly, suspecting he’d use the game to tease you. 

It started out innocent enough. Although it’s truth or dare, all you keep throwing at each other is truth. “What’s your favorite food?” “What’s your favorite color?” 

The fire crackled softly in the quiet cabin, the golden glow of the flames flickering against the walls. Outside, the storm continued to rage, wind howling as snow battered the windows. Rafe stretched his legs out lazily, his eyes fixed on you with a smirk as he swirled the whiskey in his mug.  

“Alright,” he said, breaking the silence, “truth or dare?”  

You raised a brow, sipping your cocoa. “Truth. I’m not about to trust you with a dare.”  

Rafe chuckled, the sound low and almost taunting. “Fair enough. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?”  

You thought for a moment, biting your lip. “Probably sneaking into the country club with Sarah one night to swim in the pool. Security almost caught us.”  

Rafe leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Not bad for a pogue,” he teased. “Your turn.”  

You smirked. “Truth or dare?”  

“Truth,” he replied easily, his gaze not wavering from yours.  

“What’s the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?”  

Rafe tilted his head, pretending to think. “Define trouble,” he said with a smirk.  

“Something that could’ve actually gotten you locked up,” you clarified, rolling your eyes.  

“Fine,” he said, his tone growing more serious. “Got into it with some guy at a party. Things got... messy. Cops came, but my dad made it all go away.” He leaned back, his expression unreadable. “Your turn. Truth or dare?”  

“Truth,” you answered quickly, wary of what he might come up with.  

“What’s the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done?” he asked, his smirk returning, but this time it felt heavier, more charged.  

You felt your cheeks heat up, the firelight only making it worse. “Bold question,” you muttered.  

“I’m waiting,” he said, leaning back and giving you a look that was both smug and daring.  

You crossed your arms. “Skinny dipping counts, right?”  

Rafe laughed, shaking his head. “Weak answer.”  

“Alright, your turn,” you said, ignoring his jab. “Truth or dare?”  

“Truth,” he said again, his voice dropping slightly.  

“What would you do right now if no one could stop you?”  

His eyes locked onto yours, the tension thick enough to cut. He leaned forward again, his elbows resting on his knees as he let the question hang in the air. “You really want to know, princess?”  

You nodded, holding your ground despite the flutter in your chest.  

“I’d warm you up, for starters,” he said, his voice low and deliberate, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips, as he reaches for your hand, stroking it gently.. Your heart skipped. His challenge hung in the air, and the storm outside seemed to intensify as if it sensed the shift between you. He began to tug on the hand he was rubbing.  

“Fine,” you said, trying to sound unaffected, though your voice wavered slightly. You moved over to his side of the couch and hesitated for a moment before settling yourself across his lap.  

His hands immediately found your hips, steadying you. “Comfortable?” he asked, his tone laced with mockery, though his grip was firm and grounding.  

You glared at him. “Your turn,” you said quickly. “I dare you to kiss me.”  

“You didn’t ask me truth or dare,” Rafe’s smirk returned, but there was something softer beneath it this time. He leaned in, his breath brushing your cheek before his lips met yours. The kiss started slow, almost tentative, but it deepened quickly, the heat between you burning away any remaining tension.

When he pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, his voice a low rasp. “I dare you to suck my cock.”  

You wasted no time sinking to the floor in front of him. Your hands on each of his thighs, moving up to reach the button of his jeans. You open them and tug his pants down his legs. You sit in between his wide spread legs and palm him through his boxers. You can’t believe how big he feels. You really never pictured him in that way and now your mouth is watering at the thought of it. Before you can do anything else, Rafe grabs your chin and leans over you. 

“Open,” commanding as he runs his thumb over your bottom lip. 

You comply and he spits onto your tongue. “Just making sure you know your place here, sweetheart. Swallow.” He leans back and you move to pull his boxers down.

You take his base in your hand and kiss his tip. Using your lips to smear his precum down his length. He’s already shifting above you, throwing his head back on the couch. He grabs a handful of your hair, squeezing it tightly when you move your head lower taking in all of him. 

“Shit that’s fucking good. Taking in all of me like a good little slut. Keep your eyes on me.” He looks down at you with a hazy look and you stare straight into his eyes as you begin to bob your head. 

As you continue to slowly take him all the way again, he starts to breathe heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His grip on your hair tightens, and he pulls your head back, exposing your neck. He leans forward, his lips brushing against your ear, sending shivers down your spine.

"Fuck," Rafe whispers, his voice husky with desire. "Your mouth feels amazing."

You look up at him, your eyes locked onto his, and whisper, "I'm just getting started."

Rafe's eyes flash with excitement, and he pulls your head back down, his hips thrusting gently against your mouth. You feel his warm breath on your skin as he whispers, "Deeper, please. Take me deeper."

You oblige, moving your lips and tongue in sync with his movements, creating a sensual rhythm. His precum mixes with your saliva, creating a slippery texture that allows your lips to glide effortlessly up and down his length.

"Ah, yeah," Rafe groans, his body tensing. "Just like that. Don't stop."

You feel his muscles coiling with anticipation, as he struggles to maintain control. His hand in your hair pulls you closer, deepening the connection between you. You feel his tip hitting the back of your throat, and you relax, allowing him to slide in further.

Rafe's groans grow louder, and his body starts to tremble, signaling that he's on the edge, teetering between pleasure and release. He pulls you off of him, "I...I don't want to come yet," he whispers, his voice strained. "I want to savor this moment, feel your mouth on me for just a little longer."

You look up at him, your eyes sparkling with amusement, and whisper, "We'll see about that."

You continue to tease Rafe, your lips and tongue working in tandem to drive him closer to the edge. He's panting heavily now, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggles to maintain control.

"Please…" he whispers, his voice barely audible. "...J-Just a little longer."

You slow down your movements, taking your time to savor the moment. Rafe's eyes flash with frustration, and he tries to thrust his hips forward, seeking more friction. He knows what he asked but your mouth just feels too good to stop. But you're ready for him, and you hold him back, your hands grasping his hips to keep him in place.

"Patience," you whisper, your breath hot against his skin. "This is what you wanted, just a little more time feeling me."

Rafe groans, his body trembling with anticipation. You can feel his muscles coiling, you can feel the internal battle he’s having with this moment. He wants to give in so bad. 

And then, in a flash of movement, you take him deep, your lips wrapping around his length as you swallow him whole. Rafe's eyes go wide, and he lets out a loud groan, his body shuddering as he loses control. You continue to deep throat him as he squirms beneath you. 

"I'm...I'm coming," he whispers, his voice strained.

You feel his release building, his body tensing as he prepares to let go. And then, in a burst of heat and sensation, he's coming, his length pulsing as he empties himself into your mouth.

You swallow, feeling his warmth spread through you. Rafe's body relaxes, those muscles uncoiling as he collapses back onto the couch. He's panting heavily, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggles to catch his breath.

You pull back, your lips releasing his length as you look up at him. Rafe's eyes are closed, his face relaxed in a mask of satisfaction. You smile to yourself, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

"Wow," Rafe whispers, his voice barely audible. "That was...wow."

You lean forward, your lips brushing against his ear. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," you whisper.

Rafe's eyes flicker open, and he looks at you. "I more than enjoyed it," he whispers. "I needed that. I’ve been dying for you to do that."

You smile, feeling a sense of connection with him. "I'm also glad I could finally give it to you," you whisper.

Rafe's gaze holds yours, and for a moment, you just look at each other, the only sound is the heavy breathing and the beating of your hearts. And then, without a word, Rafe reaches out, his arms wrapping around you as he pulls you close.

You feel his warmth, his body heat radiating into you as he holds you tight. You wrap your arms around him, holding him close as you both just breathe.

He takes a deep breath, and then, without warning, he stands up, lifting you with him. You feel a rush of excitement as he spins you around.

You feel his fingers tracing down the sides of your body, sending shivers down it. He reaches the hem of your shirt and lifts it up, pulling it over your head. You feel a rush of cool air on your skin as he discards it, and then his hands are on your breasts, grasping them firmly.

Rafe's fingers squeeze your nipples, sending a jolt of pleasure through you. He leans forward, his lips closing around one of your nipples, sucking gently. Your legs go weak and you feel a moan building in your throat as he teases your nipple, his tongue flicking back and forth.

His hands move to your pants, unbuttoning them and pulling them down. You feel his fingers tracing down your thighs, sending shivers down your legs. He kicks off his own pants, and you feel his cock pressing against your ass.

Rafe spins you around, pulling you down to the couch with him. His hands grasping your hips as he turns you to face away from him. You feel his cock pressing against your entrance, and then he's lifting you up, sinking you down onto his length. You feel a rush of pleasure as he fills you, his cock stretching you wide.

As you settle onto his cock, Rafe's hands move to your hips, grasping them firmly. He starts to move you, lifting you up and down as you ride him reverse cowgirl style. You feel his cock sliding in and out of you, the friction building a fire in your belly.

You start to move on your own, your hips rocking back and forth as you ride Rafe's cock. His hands guide you, helping you find a rhythm that drives you both wild. You feel his cock hitting your g-spot, sending waves of pleasure through you.

As you ride him, Rafe's lips are on your back, his tongue tracing up and down your spine. You feel his breath hot against your skin. His hands are on your breasts, squeezing your nipples and sending jolts of pleasure through you.

You're lost in the sensation, your body moving on its own as you ride Rafe's cock. The room around you fades away, leaving only the two of you, lost in the intensity of the moment. You feel your orgasm building, a fire that's burning out of control.

You lean back on to Rafe’s chest and place a foot on the couch and begin to move your hips up and down. “Touch me,” you desperately plead and Rafe swiftly moves the one hand from your breast and swirls rough circles into your clit.

As soon as that pressure is applied, you're coming, your body shuddering. You feel his cock pulsing inside you, his body tensing as he comes right after you. The two of you are lost in the moment, your bodies entwined as you ride out the waves of pleasure.

You don’t get a second to recover before Rafe is lifting you up and laying you back onto the couch and settling in between your legs. You don’t mind though, you're not ready for this to end either.

He strokes his cock a few times to get hard again and as soon as he does he’s plunging right back into you.

As Rafe begins his harsh thrusts, he leans down and kisses you deeply, his tongue probing your mouth. You feel his warm breath on your skin, and his chest pressing against yours. He pulls back, looking into your eyes, and says, "I love being on top of you, feeling your body underneath me, I fucking own you now."

You smile, feeling a rush of excitement, and reply in between breaths, "You feel so good inside me, fucking me like the dirty little whore I am."

Rafe's eyes widen with desire, he honestly didn’t expect those words to come from you. You feel his cock filling you, stretching you, and you arch your back, moving your hips in sync with his, trying to take him deeper. "You're so tight, so wet," he growls. "I love feeling your cunt grip my cock."

As he moves, Rafe leans down and spits into your mouth again, his saliva mixing with yours. You feel a surge of excitement, and you swallow, tasting the salty sweetness of his spit. Rafe groans, his eyes closing in pleasure, and he says, "You're so fucking sexy. I love fucking you like this, making you mine, making you come all over my cock."

You feel his hips move even faster, his thrusts becoming more intense, and you wrap your legs around him, pulling him closer. Rafe's hands are on your breasts, squeezing and kneading, feeling his fingers pinch your nipples.

 "You like it rough, don't you, baby?" he asks, his voice low and husky. "You like it when I fuck you hard and deep, making you scream my name." You nod stupidly, not able to form a sentence right now.

As he fucks you, Rafe leans down and whispers, "I'm going to come soon, baby. I'm going to fill you up with more of my cum, make you feel like a dirty little slut." You feel his cock swelling, his movements becoming more erratic, and you know he's close. Those words make your back arch and make you come, your pussy clenching around his cock, milking him for every last drop of his seed.

"Oh, fuck yeah," Rafe groans, his voice husky with desire, "I can feel you coming, baby, I can feel your hot little cunt squeezing my cock, begging for my cum."

You look up at him, your eyes locking onto his, and you say, "Come inside me. Please. I want to feel you explode, feel your hot cum filling me up." Rafe's eyes flash with excitement, and he thrusts into you one last time, his body tensing, his cock pulsing with his release.

You feel his cum filling you, warming you, and you smile, feeling satisfied, feeling complete. Rafe collapses on top of you, his chest heaving, his breath hot on your skin. You wrap your arms around him, holding him close, and you whisper, "I love being your dirty little slut."

Rafe's eyes open, and he looks at you, his gaze soft, his expression tender. He says, “I love making you mine." You feel his lips on yours, his kiss gentle, complete opposite of how passionate everything just was. You now realize, this wasn’t something done out of boredom. Rafe likes his sister’s pogue friend.

Tags- @maybankslover @eringaitskill @luissa266 @lolll505 @dayyzlol @calaryssia @eg-dr3amer3 @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @rafestar @writtenbyhollywood @leilanizcals @rafestoothbrush @weluvwbb @itsforeverandalwayz @butterfly-ibuki @percysley @siredbtches @bigenergy777 @aupernatural-teenwolflover @slut4you @skywalker0809 @whytheylosttheirminds @starkeysprincess @rafeyscurtainbangs @cameronsprincess @httpsdrewstarkey @angelicameron @littlelamy @kieeslove @snowtargaryen @etheraltides @starkeysprincess @cooper8224 @hockeybabe87 @xdaughterofpersephonex @leather-n-velvet @mima116 @urbrunettebombshell @pogueprincesa @purplerose291 @frankoceanluvr11 @ivysprophecy @starsmoonn @akobx @rafestify @drwstarkeys

[bappablipblip]

[Spoilers for the Warframe Whispers in the Walls and 1999 Quests]

The way that Albrecht responds to the Indifference in this scene is so pivotal in my opinion. It opens up a lot of conversation about Albrecht Entrati and his motives.

He immediately recognizes the feel of the hand on his shoilder without even looking. He knows that the Indifference took on the form of his lover. The way the hand creeps up and caresses shoulder may not have matched exactly, but he knows what Loid feels like.

His face even screams that he knows who it is. But he knows it isn’t real. Loid isn’t ACTUALLY with him, which is the whole point.

Albrecht went to incredible lengths to keep the Indifference away from Loid but I interpret this part of the quest as him accepting the fact that he’s not going to see his beloved for a long time, yet still indulging in the fact that he can see him again.

But it also implies that Albrecht now knows that the Indifference is aware of Loid and has been watching him for some time (which may have driven Albrecht to have a bigger sense of urgency when the Drifter refused to kill “Rusalka”). It understand that there is a bond, but it can’t replicate it in a way that matters.

The Indifference shifts between the scientist and his assistant, mocking their dynamic as a way to torture Albrecht. It implies that Albrecht is abusive and toxic towards Loid, with the former referring to the latter as his “faithful man-cat”. In this warped view of their relationship, Albrecht does whatever he pleased to Loid and feels like he can treat and do whatever he wants to his lover, even going as far as to putting his hands on him. And Loid is seen as a forever obedient and unrequited servant, devoted and damsel-like.

As seen in the Whispers in the Walls quest, this isn’t at all how the characters genuinely behave towards one another. Loid is PISSED at Albrecht for leaving him, not desperate to get him back. He scorns their relationship, although he slowly starts to heal, but overall wants nothing to do with him. And Albrecht is gentle with him in the moments before he departs to 1999.

This is what makes Albrecht realize what the Indifference’s weakness is, it cannot fathom love.

All it knows is fear and negative emotions. Up until now, it has never replicated anything good or tasteful. It can’t understand what love is worth and what it can make people do for one another.

Albrecht literally goes back in time to protect Loid and to some (more assumed) extent, his daughter and in-laws, out of love. Even if Loid could not see the adoration Albrecht held for him (which is totally valid, its literally entrati.), the Indifference tries to use him as a method of torture against the Doctor. It’s also what makes Albrecht realize what he needs the Drifter to do. He tells the Drifter to develop relationships with every Hex member so that they trust them enough to let the player help themselves.

If Albrecht was loveless and did not have people in his life that he cared about, he probably would not have worked so hard to fight the Indifference. Sure, he’s pretty egotistical and a narcissist with a slight god complex, but he did not need to do everything he’s done to fight the Murmur. He’s too smart, he would know when it is hopeless. But he still fights, for love.

Also, if Albrecht wasn’t Albrecht and the Indifference could copy Loid’s mannerisms to a tee, then the doctor would have definitely felt more despair and struggle during his torture session.

That’s just my rant. I realized not many ppl have talked about this yet.

Ha! That's it, isn't it? The poison to your plan. And what is that? Love.

[fanfoolishness]

messy

When Elgar'nan and Solas battle in Rook's mind, she gains a new sense of empathy for Lucanis' struggle with Spite -- and Lucanis finds a new fear. Lucanis x Rook, a little angst, a little whump, lots of cuddles and conversation. 2500 words, post-"Blood of Arlathan."

---

Lucanis followed Rook and Neve, his senses muted and muffled. This was not the real world, this trap of Elgar’nan’s. He knew that much even without Spite raging in the back of his mind. The world shimmered around them, gauzy and insubstantial, as they tried path after path only to be transported back to the beginning.

“We’re wasting time,” Rook lamented, her pale eyes wide with worry. Soot and blood smudged her cheeks, remnants of their earlier battles against Ventatori and darkspawn. “We have to find the clan!” She charged forward again into the fog, then stopped suddenly, looking confused.

“Did you two hear that?” she asked, gaze fixed on something Lucanis couldn’t see. 

“Hear what?” Neve asked, giving Rook a curious expression.

There is nothing here, Spite agreed. Trapped! We cannot get out!

“No,” Lucanis said, troubled.

Rook took a few more steps into the mist, then stopped, twisting her head to one side as she had when Elgar’nan had attempted to sway them all. She rubbed at her face, her eyes darting wildly. “I just heard Solas. Tell me you heard that.”

“No,” Lucanis said slowly as Neve shook her head. Rook winced, distress crossing her face.

“I don’t know how, but I can hear him. He says there isn’t much time, that he’s going to try to distract Elgar’nan somehow. Come on. I think it’s the only chance we’ve got.” She led them into the haze, and Lucanis matched her pace to stay by her side. 

He had long ago learned to control his fear, something all Crows faced young. One could not survive as an assassin by operating from a place of fear. Fear led to exploitation by enemies, to holding back when the killing blow was at hand. He had not been afraid for his own life for many, many years.

But seeing the way Rook stopped abruptly, tilting her head with one long ear pressed against her shoulder, her grey eyes vacant -- new fear roared up within him, and he did not know how to quell it. 

He waited for her to speak, praying that she came back to him.

“They’re fighting,” Rook said, each word looking like it took great effort. “It’s nasty. They loathe each other.” She gritted her teeth. “Come on.”

“Are you all right, Rook?” Neve asked, reaching out and touching her on the shoulder. Rook startled at the touch, her eyes wide and haunted. 

“I’m fine. We’ve just -- got to keep going.”

Not possessed! Something else, Spite said urgently, and Lucanis wanted to believe him. But Spite was a normal demon, if there was such a thing; he was not a god, and he did not have the powers of one. Who knew what Elgar’nan and Solas could do to Rook?

Mist billowed around them, then a sensation of shifting, the sense that they were back on solid ground. “You led us out!” Lucanis said proudly. 

Rook gave him a wan smile. “Thank Solas, not me, and hurry.We’ve still got time to save the clan.” She broke into a run over the stonework path, staff held tight in one hand, and Neve and Lucanis ran after her. 

“She’s got this, Lucanis,” Neve said under her breath. “I don’t think whatever’s happening is hurting her, exactly. We’ve just got to hope it helps.”

Can’t see it. Can’t hear it! Spite said. I would know a demon!

And a god? Lucanis thought. But then Venatori rounded the corner, rushing at them, and he and Spite flowed together, a blur of blades and blood. Neve was right. They had this, and they would find a way to stop the sacrifice and save the Dalish. 

He parried a Venatori’s blade, then drove his own deep between the man’s ribs, Spite cackling with glee. Around the battlefield magic flew, the iron stench of blood magic, Neve’s crisp clean ice spells, the musty-sweet scent of Rook’s necromancy. The tide was turning --

“Rook! On your left!” he shouted as a Venatori knight rushed her from the side, shield raised and sword at the ready. She should have sidestepped, skimming across the surface of the Fade to reappear safely on the other side. He had seen her do it a thousand times. 

But she didn’t turn, didn’t respond at all, and his heart leapt into his throat. “Rook!” He ran to help her, Spite urging him on faster. He was nearly there when a burst of ice magic shattered against the knight just as he reached Rook, battering her with a single blow of his shield as the chill took hold. She crumpled. Lucanis’ dagger tore through the man’s throat an instant later, and he shoved the body aside, turning his attention to Rook.

Lucanis dropped to the ground beside her. “No, no --” He turned her over, his heart pounding, Spite incoherent and frantic. Relief washed over him.

She was pale but alive, dazed but conscious. His hand scrabbled at his belt for a healing potion, and he forced himself to steady his hands as he tilted it to her lips. She swallowed, coughing, the color in her cheeks looking better instantly. “Thanks, Lucanis,” she gasped, taking his proffered hand as he hauled her to her feet. 

His heart slowed again, and Spite ceased his agitated chatter. Rook. Is all right!

Lucanis scanned the battlefield. There was only one more enemy left, and with a howling blizzard conjured up by Neve, the Venatori mage collapsed and breathed her last. He let out a long sigh and turned back to Rook. “What happened? I tried to warn you, but I couldn’t get there in time --”

“I couldn’t hear you,” she admitted, nearly in tears. “They’re deafening.” She winced as he reached out to touch a slash on her head. “Never mind. We have to --” She grimaced, twisting her head to the side, one ear down toward her shoulder. “Shut up already!” 

Neve reached them, her face tight with worry. “Rook. Come on. I know you have this,” she said. 

“Yeah,” Rook said, breathing heavily. “Let’s finish this.”

Rook hurts. Help Rook!

I don’t know how, he thought, and he shoved the fear down as deep as it could go.

---

It seemed like days since the battle and rescue at Arlathan Crater, but realistically it was a matter of hours. They’d found the elves at last and gotten to safety. Somehow they made it through what happened: the hike back to the Veil Jumpers’ eluvian, making sure the rescued elves were safe, tending to injuries and meeting with the team. 

So much in such little time. Lucanis felt the exhaustion deep in his bones. He knew there was still so much more to come -- slaying Elgar’nan’s archdemon and killing the gods, aiding Treviso, Minrathrous, their team. He hoped he could manage to sleep tonight after everything.

But he knew he’d never manage it if he still feared so for Rook. The way she’d gone so distant, face empty; he’d lost her even though she was right beside him. That loss, even for a moment, had been terrifying. And the thought that kept crawling back into his head, just as terrifying --

Is this how she feels when Spite takes over?

He shook the thought away as best he could. She was here now, safe from Elgar’nan, safe from Solas doing whatever he’d done. He had to believe it, for her sake as well as his own.

He took the stairs lightly, then made his way down the narrow hall to her room. He raised a hand and rapped at the door. “It’s me. May I —“

The door swung open before he could finish the sentence. Rook smiled tiredly at him, a welcome sight. She’d traded her armor for soft linens in Mourn Watch greens and violets, and she’d let her dark hair down for the evening, hiding some of the fresh scratches on her face. “Well, well, well. I’d been getting ready to come see you. Thanks for saving me the trip.”

His face creased into a smile. “You’re all right.”

“In a manner of speaking,” she said. She smiled back at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Anyway, do come in. I wanted to say… that is, there’s some things I wanted to…” She crossed her arms, heading back to the settee. He followed her and closed the door behind him, and they sat down together. “Eurgh. I’m a mess right now.”

“A beautiful one,” Lucanis pointed out.

She snorted, then laughed. “How are you somehow the most earnest man who ever lived?”

“It is easy to be earnest when speaking the truth,” he said, shrugging with a soft smile. He hoped to have put her at ease, but as her laughter faded, he could see something dark and shuttered behind her eyes. Not all right, then.

He reached out cautiously. Their first attempt at a kiss had been disastrous, but he was growing more comfortable with the language of touch, especially smaller touches like her hand in his, a close embrace, small, still-clumsy kisses. But those had been moments of stolen sweetness, not attempts to offer comfort after dark times. He rested his hand on her shoulder, hoping this was right. 

“How are you really?” 

She looked up at him, her smile gone, her face stricken. Then she closed the distance between them, scooting beneath his arm and resting her head against his chest. He froze for a moment in surprise, then softened, welcoming her closeness. 

“Sorry,” she said, her voice muffled as she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I just — wanted to feel you were here. That I was here.”

He let his arm relax around her shoulders and pulled her closer, sighing. “You have nothing to apologize for.” He took a deep breath. Her hair smelled freshly cleaned, with faint scents of lavender and woodsmoke —

Smells like fear. Confusion!

He frowned. “So… you are all right. Only in a manner of speaking.”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

”For what?” he asked, bewildered. “You led our team safely through a den of vipers. We rescued the elves. What more could you have done?”

”It’s not that. It’s… I understand better now. What it must be like to have Spite in your head, all the time.” She lifted her head, and dark circles shadowed her eyes. “Solas has been in my head since this all started, but… it’s different. The connection between us is tenuous, and he’s only been able to make contact through the Veil when I meditate and drop all other thoughts. It’s been my choice to contact him. The prison he’s in in the Fade is powerful, and it keeps him bound.” She shivered. “Until Arlathan.”

”What did you hear?” Lucanis asked gently. “Neve and I never truly heard what you did. You said that Elgar’nan and Solas fought —“

”It wasn’t just words,” Rook said, releasing her arms from around him and leaning back against the settee. She reached up to where his arm circled her shoulders, and took his hand in hers, squeezing tightly. “It was all-encompassing. It was difficult to see, to fight, to walk, even to breathe. Their rage was so tremendous. Their power. I felt like an ant beneath them, and as for my own thoughts — when I could get them back — I kept thinking, And Lucanis struggles with Spite, all the time.”

We have a deal! Spite chimed. Not a struggle! Not now. Not so much.

“It is better between us,” Lucanis said. Not a struggle still wasn’t exactly true, but it was not like the early days, when he stayed awake for two or three days at a time, refusing to sleep and lose control. He shivered. “Not like a god. I think… I know how to bear him now.” He sighed. “But you, Rook… it was hard to see you like that.” He squeezed her hand, his heart aching.

“Why? What was it like?” Rook asked haltingly.

He thought for a moment. “You are fierce in a fight, you know. Your focus, your power, your magic -- you are brilliant.”

She gave him an awkward, surprised smile. It was terribly charming. “I’m sorry, was I asking why I’m so incredible?”

Lucanis chuckled. “You may as well have been.” His smile faded. “But seeing their voices in your mind, knowing I couldn’t help you -- it frightened me, Rook. And I am the sorry one.”

She reached up, laying her hand against his cheek. “What could you have to be sorry about?”

“If you -- feel as I do --” He ducked his head. “Then seeing Spite take control of me must be…” He exhaled heavily, and she looked at him, her eyes too bright. He closed his own, hesitating.

“Before, I did not wish you to see me that way for my own sake. But now I wonder if you felt this same fear as I did. Seeing the woman I--” Not that word, not yet. But… soon. “-- care about, struggling against what could not be controlled, knowing I could do nothing to save you --”

She gazed into his eyes, then rested her head on his shoulder again, drawing him close once more. “Lucanis, you never need to apologize for who you are. For what Spite is. If I worry for you, that’s mine to bear. What was it you said before? ‘I deserve better than you and your mess’? Well, it’s too late for that now. It’s our mess.”

She felt so right in his arms, solid and true, warm and close. He bowed his head over her. “Our mess. I think I can handle that.”

She laughed, warm huffs of breath against his neck. He shivered. Oh, but she felt good this way.

“Lucanis?”

“Yes, Rook?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“But of course.”

She sat up, the smile on her face fading. “Would you… stay the night tonight?”

For a moment his mind whited out, Spite curious and cackling in the background, his heart nearly pounding out of his chest. Rook’s face flashed immediately with understanding, and she rested her hand on his vest. 

“Not for that. I’m exhausted, and I know you’re not ready,” Rook said gently. “I just meant, could we fall asleep together?”

He felt a smile slide over his face. To hold her in his arms for longer, to wake up beside her in the morning? That would be a fine thing indeed.

“I am yours, Rook.”

---

They did not sleep at first; there was still much talking to do of the elves, of the gods, of Treviso and the Antaam. Her determination and her clever plans were just as intriguing to him as her smile and her laugh. But when at last Rook’s eyes fluttered closed and her breathing grew deep and heavy, Lucanis leaned back against the settee, finding a way for them to fit together. Her elbows nudged his ribs, and her chin was somehow dagger-sharp, digging into his breastbone. But she was warm and soft and safe within his arms, and he fell asleep beneath the Fadelight, his fears at last forgotten.

[woozinhos]

mean dom! mingyu who is rough?

(thank you for feeding us w/your fics!)

I made this a bit longer let me know if you guys want me to make my fics longer :D

You were tied to the bed, your wrists bound above your head with silk restraints.

Mingyu was standing at the foot of the bed, his eyes raking over your body with a mixture of desire and dominance.

He was fully clothed, while you were completely naked and exposed to him.

He slowly circled the bed, his gaze never leaving your body as he approached you.

"You look so helpless like this," he said, his voice low and rough. "Bound and completely at my mercy."

He ran a hand down your thigh, his touch sending shivers down your spine.

Mingyu continued to tease you, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on your skin as he watched you squirm beneath his touch.

"Do you like being tied up like this?" he asked, his hand moving higher up your thigh. "Do you like feeling completely under my control?"

You whimpered, nodding your head frantically as you struggled against the restraints.

Mingyu chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"I thought so," he said, his hand finally reaching your core.

He ran a finger along your folds, feeling how wet you were for him.

"You're already so wet for me," he murmured, his finger slowly circling your clit. "You're so desperate for my touch, aren't you?"

You moaned in response, arching your hips up to try and get more friction.

Mingyu smirked, clearly enjoying the effect he was having on you.

He continued to tease you, his finger just barely grazing your clit as he watched you writhe and beg for more.

"Please, Mingyu," you whimpered, your voice hoarse with need. "Please touch me properly."

Mingyu chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure.

"But I'm having so much fun teasing you," he said, his finger moving away from your clit entirely. "I want to see how desperate you can get before I give you what you want."

You let out a frustrated groan, pulling against the restraints as you tried to chase his touch.

Mingyu watched you with a satisfied smirk, enjoying the way you were struggling against your bonds.

"Patience, love," he said, his voice dripping with mocking sweetness. "You'll get what you want eventually. But first, I want to play with you a little more."

Mingyu walked over to the bedside table and opened the drawer, pulling out a small vibrator.

He held it up for you to see, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"I think this will help you learn some patience," he said, turning it on and letting it buzz to life.

Mingyu climbed onto the bed, settling himself between your legs.

He slowly ran the vibrator up and down your inner thighs, the sensation sending shivers through your body.

You whimpered and squirmed, desperately trying to get the vibrator to touch your aching core.

Mingyu chuckled at your attempts to move, holding the vibrator just out of reach.

"Ah ah, no moving," he scolded, his free hand pinning your hip down to the bed. "You have to stay still if you want this."

He continued to tease you with the vibrator, letting it brush against your inner thighs but never touching where you wanted it most.

You were trembling with need, your body aching for the release that only Mingyu could give you.

"Please, Mingyu, please," you begged, tears of frustration welling up in your eyes. "I need it. I need you."

Mingyu looked down at you, his expression a mix of cruelty and desire.

"Beg me more," he commanded, his voice low and demanding. "I want to hear how desperate you are for my touch."

You obeyed, the words spilling from your lips in a desperate plea.

"Please, please, I need you so badly," you cried, your voice hoarse from moaning. "I'll do anything, just please touch me. Please make me cum."

Mingyu watched you with a dark satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with dominance.

"Good girl," he said, finally moving the vibrator to your clit.

You let out a loud moan as the vibrator finally touched your sensitive bud, your hips bucking up involuntarily.

Mingyu pressed the vibrator against you firmly, his other hand still pinning you down to the bed.

"Is this what you wanted, love?" he asked, his voice low and seductive. "You wanted me to touch you here?"

You nodded frantically, your body arching off the bed as you chased the pleasure.

Mingyu increased the speed of the vibrator, watching intently as you fell apart beneath him.

"You're so beautiful when you're desperate," he murmured, his eyes raking over your body. "I could watch you like this all day."

You were a writhing, panting mess, completely lost in the sensations that Mingyu was giving you.

He knew your body so well, knew exactly how to push your buttons and drive you wild.

He moved the vibrator in slow circles around your clit, occasionally dipping it down to tease your entrance before returning to your sensitive bundle of nerves.

You could feel your orgasm building, the heat coiling tighter and tighter in your belly.

Mingyu could sense it too, and he smirked down at you.

"Are you going to cum for me, love?" he asked, his voice rough with desire. "Are you going to cum all over my hand like a good girl?"

You nodded desperately, your breath coming in short gasps as you neared your peak.

"Please, please let me cum," you begged, your eyes locking onto his. "I'm so close, I need it, I need to cum so bad..."

Mingyu's eyes darkened with lust as he watched you plead for release.

"Then cum for me," he commanded, his voice firm and authoritative. "Cum for me right now."

He increased the pressure of the vibrator, focusing all his attention on your clit as he pushed you over the edge.

You cried out as the orgasm hit you, your body convulsing with pleasure.

Mingyu held the vibrator steady against your clit, prolonging your orgasm as much as possible.

He watched with satisfaction as you writhed and moaned beneath him, completely at his mercy.

As your orgasm finally subsided, you lay there panting and spent, your body trembling with the aftershocks.

Mingyu turned off the vibrator and set it aside, looking down at you with a smug expression.

"Good girl," he said again, running his hand over your sweat-slicked skin. "You did so well for me."

He leaned down and kissed you softly, his lips gentle against yours.

"You look so beautiful when you cum," he murmured, his hand moving up to cup your cheek. "I love seeing you like this, all spent and vulnerable."

Mingyu continued to stroke your cheek, his touch gentle and soothing.

"But I'm not done with you yet," he said, a hint of possessiveness in his voice. "I'm going to make you cum again and again until you can't even remember your own name."

He trailed his hand down your body, his fingers tracing a path along your sensitive skin.

"I'm going to take you apart piece by piece," he whispered, his voice sending shivers down your spine. "I'm going to make you mine in every way possible."

He leaned down and began to kiss and nibble at your neck, his teeth scraping against your sensitive skin.

"I'm going to mark you," he growled, his hand wrapping possessively around your hip. "I want everyone to know that you're mine, that you belong to me."

He sucked a mark into your skin, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh of your neck.

You moaned softly, your body arching up against him in response.

Mingyu pulled back to admire his work, a satisfied smirk on his face as he saw the red mark on your neck.

[mari-writes]

“Um, Viktor, I think you’ve had enough.”

Jayce nervously taps his friend on the shoulder. The man is collapsed across the bar top, a glass filled with some sort of cocktail clutched in one hand.

“Hmm,” Viktor slumps further, only turning his head to face him. “Oh! Jayce. Hello.” A dreamy smile pulls at his lips. He blinks slowly. 

He’s so drunk. Jayce rolls his eyes fondly. “Yeah, it’s me.” He prods him again. “Cmon, buddy. We should go.”

“No!” Viktor sits up so fast he nearly elbows Jayce in the stomach. “I’m not finished!” The man holds up his drink. It catches the light, sparkling a bit with some sort of edible glitter. His eyes shine with wonder, as if he were witnessing another Hextech miracle.

“Bottoms up!” Viktor cries, and proceeds to chug the rest. Jayce catches himself starting at the long, graceful column of Viktor’s neck, at how his throat works to down the drink. And when he finishes—the way he gasps, licks his lips. Heat sizzles in Jayce’s gut.

That’s been been happening a lot lately: The lingering glances at Viktor’s face and body, and the immediate guilt that follows. Jayce shouldn’t be looking at or feeling for his partner this way. But he can’t help it.

“Woah!” Jayce barely has time to react as Viktor slides off his stool, landing hard on the ground. His legs buckle slightly and he wobbles. “Careful!” Jayce hurries to steady him by the elbows. “Where’s your crutch?” When Viktor shrugs, he sighs, scanning the area until he spots it leaning against the end of the bar.

“All right. Let’s get you back to your room.”

It’s a struggle. A drunk Viktor is even more stubborn than a sober one. He insists he can hobble himself back to his room, only relenting once he nearly face-plants into a foliage display. His clothes are getting rumpled, shirt half-untucked from his slacks, tie in disarray. 

Jayce ends up supporting the majority of his friend’s weight, with Viktor’s arm around his shoulders. Jayce can’t help but notice how small the man’s waist feels under his palm. His fingers twitch.

“You were only at the gala for a couple of hours,” Jayce notes, if only to distract himself. “You didn’t have that many drinks, did you? You’re such a lightweight.”

Viktor snorts. “I am not.”

“Oh really? Who’s the guy being carried out of the party right now?”

At that, Viktor halts in place and turns toward him. “Oh, Jayce,” he smirks. “I’m almost certain I’ve consumed more substances in my life than you.” His voice is breathy. Teasing. Jayce pouts. Viktor’s probably right, but he’s not sure he should be proud of that fact.

“Viktor,” he warns, but that only seems to amuse his friend further. He leans in, so close that Jayce can easily count the man’s lashes. His eyes are drawn to those two lovely moles—on his sharp cheekbone, above his upper lip. Jayce wants to trace from one to the other with his—

“You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”

Jayce nearly chokes on his own spit. He blinks, leaning back to stare at Viktor with wide eyes. He feels his jaw drop. “V-Viktor!” He stammers, aghast at both his friend’s words and his own body’s reaction to them. Everything is suddenly so, so warm, from the tips of his ears to the ends of his toes.

Neither of them say anything for a few moments. They just stand there, at an impasse, with Viktor grinning slyly and Jayce sputtering like a moron. A strange energy swirls between them, as if they’re back in their lab experimenting. But there’s no magic here. Or electricity. It’s just them.

“Hmm,” Viktor finally breaks the silence, leaning back. He nods once. “I thought so.” He starts walking again, forcing Jayce to follow.

“You know what?” Jayce snaps, finally finding his words. He hefts his friend up higher, supporting him a bit more. “If you’re so used to abusing alcohol, maybe I should just leave you in this hallway to fend for yourself.”

“Hey!” Viktor’s voice cracks slightly. “Be nice to me! I’m disabled!”

“That’s no excuse for being a drunk idiot.”

At that, Viktor throws his head back and releases a booming laugh. It’s loud, louder than Jayce has ever heard his friend laugh, shaking the man’s entire body. His eyes are squeezed shut, mouth wide in unabashed joy.

Jayce is unable to look away. He knows he must be wearing the most besotted, far-gone look on his face right now, but he can’t bring himself to care. This man is incredible. Beautiful. Absolutely perfect. How lucky is Jayce, to have him as his partner.

As they trek the final distance, Viktor’s ramblings wane. He’s half asleep by the time they make it to his room. Jayce helps him to his bed, laying him down as gently as possible and bending down to remove the other man’s shoes.

“Jayce.”

Glancing up, he sees his friend’s fiery gaze fixed on him. “Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

Jayce smiles softly. “Anytime, Viktor.” Hands on hips, he raises one eyebrow at his friend. “Take care of yourself, okay? And don’t come crying to me tomorrow if you’re hungover.”

“Oh, fuck off.”

Jayce chuckles as he quietly sees himself out. “Good night, Viktor.”

//

My very first jayvick fic! 🤗 It was inspired by this amazing artwork on BlueSky! I love these two so much and wanted to write a lighthearted little story after such a heartbreaking finale 😭 PLEASE, if you enjoyed, comment and share! I’m usually a Haikyuu writer so any promotion for this is helpful. 🙏❤️ Thanks!

[punkkture]

only his

you were just being sweet, its not your fault he took it the wrong way. but you should be grateful that he was doing this for you . . he was just trying to keep you safe.

part one ⋆.˚ part two

simon riley x f!reader

word count: 3.2k

warnings: 18+ , kidnapper!simon , taboo material , degradation, age difference , size difference , implied ddlg dynamics , pet play , sadism , simon is mean asf

c.ai bot

“you are home sweetie.”

you dont know why but that made it all ache even worse. made it ache worse than when he put the collar around your neck - than when he forced you to sit on his lap and drink whatever roofie he had mixed. the tears came out harder as you laid on the floor by his feet.

simon’s shoulders relaxed a little at this. his rough hand came up and started to brush up and down your back. feeling the ridges of your spine that were a little more prominent as the weeks had passed. his hands working in an attempt to comfort you instead of grabbing you.

“theres no need to cry. i’ve kept you for a reason. its not like i’m going to kill you.”

heart picking up, he could see the shift in your demeanor. how you were teetering between that docility and the true emotions you wanted to let out. he knew he won when he heard the shakiness in your voice. “what’s that supposed to mean?” your lips spoke. even if your words held threat, he knew he was on the right path with the way you pulled your tone.

his dense fingers continued to move up and down your spine, giving gentle and methodical touches as they went. his face held no expression. “it means you have the privilege of being mine. you should be grateful.”

your skin shivered and created goosebumps at his touch. not sure how to react to it. it was all so scary. you didnt know what to say back. how were you supposed to feel grateful in a moment like this? he took you from your life.

simon had to figure this out. he had to figure out how to get you to crack. to crave him and yearn for him. looking at him like he was a protector. because whether you saw it that way or not, he was. he is your protector.

he wanted nothing more than to have you give in. to stop struggling and start asking him to hold you. to start seeing him as a sanctuary, a safe place to come home to.

his hand finally stopped those gentle movements he used to draw you in. those fingers coming around to the side of your face. cupping the length of your jaw and turning your head to look at him. your heart and mind are completely tense and rigid, but your body shows no resistance to him. obedience could be led by a hair.

“say thank you.”

your eyes struggled to meet his. but when he gave a warning tap to your cheek, your pupils full of fear and exhaustion, looked up into his. he looked calm, at peace. “why should i tell you thank you?” you breathed out shakily and quiet.

those fingers adjusted the grip on your face, feeling the warm skin heat his cold fingers. his eyes narrowed, cold and callous. deep, dark, and genuinely never ending. not being able to see where his pupils started or stopped. to you, he always looked like a predator that was completely dilated. you were the little bunny for dinner.

“because i say so. youre mine now, remember that, puppy. be thankful im keeping you instead of selling you to the highest bidder. do you understand me?”

your lips twitched and a small gasp threatened to escape. but all that came out was a small shudder. your eyes were still stuck on his. he was being serious, you could tell. “y-you’d sell me?”

god he loved that voice. simon could’ve groaned at that little whimper in your voice. such a timid little pet.

his grip loosened a little bit as his hand moved to caress your cheek. his touch caring and kind, a complete contrast of his words. he sighed. “only when you piss me off enough to do so. im not in the market of pawning the things i claim, unless they're really ungrateful,” his eyes narrowed again, “are you ungrateful sweetheart?”

simon’s eyes watched your face. watched how you processed everything. how you took it all in. he knew you understood he was being genuine. he was serious enough to actually kidnap you, of course he would be insane enough to sell you. his hand continued to caress your soft skin. he was waiting for your answer.

that expression of his changing from cold and callous to a hint of annoyance. he was starting to get impatient - the answer wasn’t that complicated.

“i said, are you ungrateful?” he asked again.

the frustrated grip and raised voice snapped you back into reality. simon saw the way your eyes focused back onto what was in front of you. “no! no . . . im not ungrateful.” you quickly spoke back. you didn't want to be here, but you’d rather be here than some beaten down warehouse that was turned into a human auction house.

feeling his hand drop from your jaw, release that tight grip - his demeanor shifting of that into a carer again. a satisfied smirk appeared on his cracked lips. his fingers brushing back some of your hair.

“then you should say thank you, puppy. because you have a lot to be thankful for.” he spoke in a much calmer tone.

those eyes boring into you felt like they were starting to burn your skin. “thank you.” your voice is timid and quiet, speaking out of fear. the smirk on his lips grew into a bit of a smile at your response. “see? that wasn't so hard was it sweetie?” he teased a bit, his thumb moving to your bottom lip. rubbing against it and slightly pushing down to examine the pink skin.

　 　. ⋆ ✴︎ ݁ ˖ ˚ .𖥔 ݁ ˖ . 　

days have passed.

simon hadn’t softened any. it's been two weeks of gruff and agitated energy surrounding you. but today for some reason he seemed to be in an even worse mood. his voice louder and more rigid. those occasional sweet touches he gave were nowhere to be found. he was on edge, it was written all over him, in everything he did. his eyes cold and narrowed at everything, his voice snapping at any word spoken to him. he was pissed, and for no good reason at that.

you seemed to try and figure it out. there were bags under his eyes. he looked exhausted. you both were. it almost was like a standoff between two enemies. constantly. you were on edge, still and taking in his every breath. analyzing the tone of it and the deeper meaning of all his words. hoping to not anger him.

simon hasn’t been able to sleep since you arrived - and the only thing his body seemed to want, was you. tense muscles and breaths that were slicing the air he stepped in front of.

you sat on the floor of his living room. watching him pace around like a caged animal. he was acting like a damn rabid dog. he kept you right on the brink of decent. thrown into a pair of his boxers and one of his old long sleeve military shirts. that black leather collar still rubbing against the soft skin of your neck. the long leash cording down and around your body like a snake.

thankfully, he had been a little more lenient with keeping the leash so closely attached to his hand, but that didn't mean he would take it off.

this was frustrating. you were frustrating him. those sweet innocent eyes that were looking up at him like he was a monster. that angered him. he was your savior. my god he was saving you from all those awful sins the world harvested. a groan crawled its way up and out of his throat, stopping his pacing movements.

“come here.” he stated. not like a request. just a command. like you were his dog.

the brain in your head was working on primal intuition. when you are put into a scary situation, your body will do whatever it needs to to survive. so your eyes fluttered up to his face and then back down to his neck. it was scary looking him in the eye, you don't look rabid dogs in the eye. you don't look simon riley in the eye.

feeling the leash clank against your skin as your legs twitched to help you stand. they were getting weaker. your body was starting to reject what was happening to it.

he raised his hand and pointed to the floor in front of him. “no. not like that. crawl to me. you don’t deserve to walk on those legs of yours.”

his voice rang into your ears like how baby bunnies would react to hearing thunder for the first time. paralyzed and frozen in fear with eyes that looked up into the clouds with a sense of caution and longing that the sky wouldn’t do that again - naive hope that the universe would apologize for its outburst of anger.

but just as your body was frozen, the flash of lightning came, accompanying the thunder.

simon’s hand came out, wrapped tightly around the leash and pulled you down to the ground. the yanking of the leather forced you to your hands and knees. your eyes looking up to him - that baby bunny praying to the sky - looking up into those deep and irritated eyes. he was above you, even when he was crouching down the height difference was still prominent. creating a never ending power dynamic that shivered your soul.

he was stressed, he was angry, he felt sleep deprived. he was always watching over you. always making sure you were still here, he needed to put this outlet to good use right now. so on edge that even the small things like how the coffee table looked was making him mad right now. he needed to let off steam. something - someone to give into.

his feet planted themselves onto the ground in front of you. his hand coming to the top of your head, grabbing a fist full of your hair as he lowered himself to your level. you gasped at the sudden contact. shaking and soft hands gripping onto his forearm. your scalp starting to burn from his angered grip. he crouched down, his breath against your neck.

“you make me so goddamn frustrated.”

little frantic breaths picking up and making you panic more. “i-i didn't do anything?” your brows furrowed into a pathetic and worried curve. his lips moved closer to your ear, his fingers tightening around your hair. “you're making me on edge, and it's driving me up a wall.” he spoke.

your eyelids blinked in confusion. then why am i here? why is he keeping me here? just let me go!

“then why am i still here?” you breathed out, quiet and docile.

those cracked lips of his moved from your ear to your neck. they gently nipped at the skin before he spoke again. “because i don't want to get rid of you. you may be a pain in the ass, but i need you.” his mouth started to tenderly press and nip at your neck. leaving sticky open mouth kisses.

your body stiffened. but he had been so rough and sharp the last couple days, you hated to admit the sweet and gentle touches almost felt welcomed. it was better than him hitting you and tying you to a pole in the basement. simon’s voice wasn't as icy as before his commands. your soft hair in his fingers and the warm feeling of your skin against his lips helped calm his aggravated mood. it was like the perfect dosage of oxycodone. calming and relaxing him just enough to barely blink his eyes all the way closed. just enough to get him to not be so pent up about tomorrow's worries.

you started to feel safer almost. in this moment in time, it could’ve been worse.

“why?” you spoke after a couple seconds of silence.

“why what?” simon asked in between sucking on your neck. one of his hands pulled your hair a little bit again, forcing your head up towards the ceiling. he needed more of this soft warmth. “why don't i want to get rid of you, or why do i need you?” his teeth gently nipping into the side of your neck and making a small mark. chuckling to himself when he had to pull the collar out of the way so he could really get to the spot he wanted.

“both.”

it wasn't often he talked to you like that. wasn't often he treated you as human. so you took the wins where you could. letting his warm lips and teeth move against your body. trying to keep your voice steady. it was like walking on a frozen lake where you weren’t sure how thick the ice was.

he continued suck and bite at your neck, making sure the area was nice and bruised - marked as his.

“because you make me feel something i haven't felt in a long time, puppy. and because you’re mine. and i don't like to share my things. especially the ones i worked so hard to get.”

a soft wince escaped your lips when his teeth bit a little harder. his lips pulled away, giving a gentle kiss to the spot. you could’ve sworn you felt his thumb caress the hair his hand was so tightly holding. it was sweet. it was affectionate. and he was having an actual conversation with you. not lashing out and teasing, mocking or degrading.

this was new. this was human. one of your hands going to his chest, resting there as if you were asking him to be more gentle. his body shivered at that strange acceptance from you.“why me?” you said softly, asking the question you had been wondering.

the unfamiliar and strange energy between you two was making simon happy. very happy. all those times he was angry and awful to you just made his soft touches so featherlight and desirable. it was making him relax. his teeth let go of the spot on your neck, his tongue gently soothing over it.

after he made sure the spot would leave a deep bruise, he pulled back a little. his eyes looking down at you on the floor, gazing up at him. it warmed his heart and made him smile a little. even he thought about your question for a second. he sighed, and then answered. “you just are. you were sitting in that little library just . . . existing . . and i felt something inside of me break. that was it. you were mine. you still are and forever will be. this is where you belong and i hope you come to accept that, my puppy.”

your eyes looked into his. your neck started to ache from how he was angling your head back. but there was a sense of hope in your eyes. hope that he was human, he was showing you he was human - for a moment if you could pretend the leash wasn't around your neck, this would almost feel normal.

you licked your dry lips, always so cracked now from breathing and panting through your mouth. the seasons cold weather nipping in through the windows . . . but its alright . . he never let you get too close to those anyway.

simon could sense the fear in your breath. the shudders past your pretty lips. those little flutters of caution your eyelashes would blink. this was working perfectly in his favor. if he was brutal six out of seven days, your body would learn to crave that seventh day. it would learn to want him and need him to survive.

in the same sense of how people needed religion. they need faith in something to keep going. one way or another, he was going to figure out how to be your faith.

his gaze softened. his hand letting go of your hair, coming to gently brush against your face, a thumb running over your cheek.

“i know i make you afraid, but thats okay. you wont be afraid forever.” his face came down to lean close to yours, his voice a low tone. “you’ll get used to it. you’ll get used to me.”

even a dog held in captivity for years would still yearn for a soft pet, a good treat the second the opportunity was given.

　 　. ⋆ ✴︎ ݁ ˖ ˚ .𖥔 ݁ ˖ . 　

it was the next day and you both had gone through the motions of what a normal day was so far. he woke you up early, because he got up early and he needed you to constantly be at his side. he of course had you in a little dog cage when it was bedtime. or anytime he had to go out, which wasn’t often.

a metal dog cage with plush little pink blankets and frills, that attempted to make it more welcoming, adorning it. he always kept two locks on the metal links off the door - so you would never be able to get it undone yourself. but even if you did, he kept it all located in his basement. the only thing down there being your cage and a couple storage bins.

simon knew what he was doing. of course he did. he had been plotting this for months. since the second he saw you and that air was sucked out of his chest he’s been preparing.

in all honesty, you looked forward to bedtime. you were finally left alone to have some thoughts to yourself. and it’s not like it was pitch black down there. he didn’t leave the light on, but the outside lights from the backyard somewhat illuminated the basement.

you were asleep up on the plush mat, a warm fleece blanket wrapping around your cold frame. legs curled up since you couldn’t stretch your legs in the cage.

“good morning puppy,” he calls down the basement stairs. turning on the light and finally getting you out of the dark.

your eyes blinking awake in the harsh light. hearing his footsteps come down the stairs and a few keys rattling. he chuckled when he saw your head bump up against the top of the cage.

“did you sleep well, my dear?” he asked, those dark eyes looking over your form before he crouched down to unlock the padlocks on the cage.

you were tired, mornings were never your thing, especially not with how early he got up. your messy hair nodding along with your head as you gave him a simple answer. cold hands rubbing your tired eyes.

“we’ve got a big day today . . .” simon started while opening the metal door. your ears perked up at his words, sleepy eyes blinking awake and a soft grumble from your lips as he pulled on the leash, getting you out of the cage and into his lap.

“you’re gonna meet some of daddy’s friends today . . . and i trust you’ll be a very good puppy, right?”

ᡣ𐭩 tag list: @vanillarosekiss @pearljwm @redroserabbit

teehee thank u guys ily

[galaxy-stardust]

Simon Ghost Riley x you

Part 4

"I'm leaving"

After that night, nothing was the same.

I had thought I was in control—thought that I could keep this secret, this dangerous attraction to Ghost, buried deep within me. But every time I closed my eyes, his presence consumed me. Every time I walked through the halls of the hospital, my mind was torn between pretending to be the dutiful wife and wanting to give in to the man who had marked me, body and soul.

Ghost and I began meeting in secret. Every stolen moment, every whispered conversation behind closed doors, was more electrifying than the last. He never pushed me for more, but the tension between us grew each time we saw each other. He never asked about my life, my marriage, yet it was clear from his actions that he wasn’t looking for anything casual.

At night, I would sneak out to meet him in dark, hidden corners of the city, away from the prying eyes of my husband. We never went to the same place twice, never lingered long enough to be seen. But when I was with him, I forgot everything else. There were no responsibilities, no obligations. There was only *us*.

And when I kissed him—when his hands roamed my body, when his lips devoured mine—I felt wanted in a way I hadn’t in years.

But then came the day I was dreading.

I was sitting at my desk, going through the usual paperwork, when my phone buzzed. It was a message from Ghost:

*I’m leaving.*

I stared at the screen, my heart skipping a beat. There was no explanation, no detail. Just those three words.

I quickly typed back: *When? Where? Why?*

A few moments later, another message appeared:

*Mission. Can’t say more.*

My chest tightened.

I had known this moment would come. The man who lived a life so dangerous, so full of secrecy and risk, couldn’t stay in one place for long. But that didn’t make it any easier.

I slipped out of my office, my pulse hammering in my ears as I made my way to the emergency exit. We’d always met in the shadows, but this time, it felt different. I needed to see him before he left, needed to know that this—whatever it was—was real.

As I rounded the corner near the hospital’s back parking lot, I spotted him leaning against his motorcycle, waiting for me in the dim light. The mask, that damned skull mask, hid his face as always, but I could see the stiffness in his posture, the tension that radiated off him. He was waiting for me to say something.

“I got your message,” I said, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay calm.

He nodded, not offering a smile, just a simple acknowledgment.

“I don’t want you to go,” I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

His blue eyes met mine, unreadable yet filled with something I couldn’t quite decipher. “It’s not about what we want,” he said, his voice gruff, like he was struggling with the words. “It’s about what I have to do.”

I stepped closer, my heart aching. “I… I don’t want this to end, Ghost. I don’t want you to leave.”

He pushed off from the motorcycle, his hand reaching for me. The moment his fingers brushed my skin, I felt a heat surge through me, but it was different this time. There was a certain finality in his touch. He wasn’t just pulling me close; he was marking me, reminding me of the boundary we couldn’t cross.

“You knew this wasn’t forever.” His voice softened, but there was still that edge, that command in his tone. “I never promised you anything. This was always meant to be temporary.”

“I know…” I whispered, feeling the sting of reality cut through the fantasy I’d let myself fall into.

He cupped my cheek gently, his thumb tracing the outline of my jaw. His touch was both tender and possessive, like he was memorizing the feel of me before he left. “You’ll be fine,” he murmured. “You always are.”

I nodded, my throat tight.

“I’ll be back,” he said, though it sounded more like a warning than a promise.

I reached up, my fingers brushing his mask. He didn’t pull away, just stood there, letting me touch him in my own way.

For a long moment, we just stood there, a silent understanding passing between us. The world felt like it was on pause.

And then, without another word, he turned and walked away, his boots echoing in the night as he climbed onto his motorcycle and vanished into the darkness.

I stood there for what felt like hours, my heart heavy, my mind consumed with the reality of what had just happened.

And then I remembered—I still had a life to return to. A husband, a routine. And I knew, deep down, that when Ghost left, part of me would go with him.

Part 5

[cliosunshine]

𝐎𝐟 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐈𝐈

Jason Todd x dragon trainer!reader

Summary: after a portal mysteriously opened in your world, setting all of your dragons loose, you must find a way to take them all back home before it's too late and before you catch feelings for a certain cute guy in a red helmet

Warnings: none; jason struggles to come to terms with the fact that you and your dragons might actually be harmless

Word count: 4.0k

A/N: third part, yay! I finally got around to finish it. Now that i have more free time, I hope to write and post chapter four by the end of the year lol

You watched in horror at the gun pointed right in front of Pyro, your beloved albeit extremely chaotic and destructive fire dragon.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” You yelped as you raised both of your hands and fully turned towards Jason, the two of you still on Obsidian’s back and in between two building complexes, “Hood, drop the gun. Now.”

Although you didn’t know him at all, you really didn’t want the vigilante sitting behind you to accidentally get the both of you roasted like rotisserie chickens by Pyro’s fire breath.

He scoffed, clearly agitated, his gun still up in the air. You had never been that close to a weapon in your entire life and oh god was it terrifying. You then remembered he actually had two of them strapped on his thighs and gulped nervously.

“What do you mean he melted your bike?” you asked, trying to dissuade the situation. You noticed how Pyro was eyeing Red Hood with a knowing look and that gave you more reason to believe that they had actually met before.

“That asshole came up to me, tried to fire his stupid flames in my direction and then he had to set my building’s garages on fire, melting my bike in the process,” his exasperated tone made you look away, heat spreading across your face in embarrassment at your dragon’s actions. It was like having another adult telling you about something bad your child had done.

You eventually sighed in defeat, “Can you at least lower your gun? We can talk about his whole ordeal later, but right now you’re scaring him,”

You couldn’t see it, but by the way he began laughing humourlessly you knew he had a baffled look on his face.

“I’m scaring him?”

“Yes, very much so”

A beat passed, but he eventually strapped his gun away, definitely giving the dragon a dirty look.

In the meantime, you began taking your lasso out, ready to stand up. As you did so, Pyro understood what that action meant and bolted away, flapping his burgundy scaled wings faster than you had thought imaginable.

Fuck.

“Obi, go!” That was everything you needed to say to make him begin chasing his buddy. He, too, was frustrated by his out-of-pocket behaviour. As you skimmed through the skyscrapers of the city, you felt Hood’s arms snake up your waist again, squeezing you gently. You could feel his gloved fingers twitching against the fabric of your sweater as you leaned forward and planted your hands in between your dragon’s horns, making him fly faster.

It was a tiring game of cat and mouse, but with all the times you had to retrieve Pyro back at home, you were pretty confident in yours and Obsidian’s abilities.

As predicted, the fire dragon’s erratic and impulsive nature led him to an enclosed area, where it seemed the nearest exit for him was by your right. As if sensing it too, Obsidian repositioned himself, so that his wing span could block the exit in its entirety.

Jason watched you as you took the glowing lasso in your hand.

His eyes followed your every move and they widened when you suddenly got up on your feet, your stance incredibly stable for someone who had to balance on a breathing and flying creature that was all scales and ridges, with no flat surface to stabilize themselves on.

“I’m sorry for doing it with you here, too,” you apologised with a focused look toward your target. Jason could only nod as he admired you, his own raging thoughts that were previously aimed at the dragon completely dissipated at the sight of you looking like an off-duty Amazon. The fierce look on your face was something you reserved only to the dragons that were acting out and he hoped to never be on the receiving end of it. It was completely juxtaposed to the very sweet and playful disposition you had shown thus far and he didn’t want the light-hearted banter between the two of you to cease just yet. He still didn’t know whether to trust you or not: this whole situation seemed too ridiculous to be true, yet here you were, swinging your lasso with incredible agility as you remained calm and focused.

If Jason had blinked, he would’ve missed it.

You threw the hoop over the dragon’s head and it swiftly slipped on his neck. Only then did Jason notice how small his head was when compared to the other dragons he had seen. The lack of spikes and red eyes made this one look so uncanny and terrifying that he would’ve been scared if he wasn’t still pissed off about his bike.

“Gotcha,” you put the rope in Obsidian’s mouth and sat back down, careful where to put your feet since you had a guest now.

“I’m sorry about Pyro,” you began to apologize to Jason, who could only look at you, “he’s very impulsive and may or may not have incredible anger issues, which isn’t rare for dragons to have but his are atrocious,”

Jason hummed, his mind elsewhere. That lasso looked too much like Diana’s for his own liking, but he decided not to question it whilst mid-air on your extremely protective dragon’s back.

The ride back was peaceful and you managed to coax some of your more mild-tempered overgrown puppies to follow you. They truly did resemble dogs, those ones, with their tails wagging side to side and curiously eyeing Jason.

So, from what he figured by analysing the situation and these creatures, he just had to have the worst luck in the entire universe to meet and irate the deranged and feral one.

He huffed a laugh that seemed to turn your gaze onto him.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothin’,” he shrugged, “just thinking about how, out of all the Tolkien-esque creatures you have, I had to piss off the clearly mentally unstable one”

You shushed him, a mix of shock and amusement in your face.

“Don’t talk about Pyro like that! He’s a troubled boy…he’s been through a lot and is still recovering,” you said as you looked towards him: he was now engaging in a one-sided game of tug war with Obi, who was clearly not having none of it by the way he puffed smoke in the younger dragon’s face as a warning.

You could only huff, some strands of hair on your face lifting up in the process.

It didn’t even feel like Jason was flying above Gotham’s skyline. With the easy conversation and the effortless way you were talking with him, he eased up as if the two of you were just taking a stroll in a park, like you had just done moments ago.

Before he knew it, you had reached the manor and hopped off Obsidian’s back.

There, all of the people residing in it were in the garden, watching the two of you approach them. Alfred’s eyes widened ever so subtly and Jason barked out a laugh as he took his helmet off and walking up to him.

“Hey, Alfred, I’m sorry but those guys there have destroyed half of your topiary,” he said as he rested a hand on the older man’s shoulder.

“I see,” said the butler with a slightly unamused look on his face, “I hope you successfully retrieved every ingredient for Goliath’s compress. Master Damian hasn’t stopped blaming himself for his skin rash since your departure,”

“I’ve got everything I need, Alfred!”

The two men turned around at the sound of your voice. You had just finished talking to Bruce, informing him that only two dragons were left to catch and that they would eventually follow the scent of the pack and come back without a fuss.

“Very well then, miss,” and with that you approached Damian, who was petting and consoling a rather shy and trembling Goliath, clearly agitated by whatever he was looking at behind your back.

You followed his gaze and laughed as you saw 14 dragons staring back with great curiosity and caution at the big ball of red fur. Now that he thought about it, Goliath sure was a strange dragon: he was significantly smaller than any of yours and was covered in bright red fur, whereas all you dragons sported muted colours and had scaled bodies, more often than not adorned with spikes.

You cooed at him, getting closer at the creature. Managing to crush every ingredient into a green mush, you began to delicately massage it over his worse spots.

Clearly spooked by the cold mixture, Goliath growled at you, snapping his wide mouth mere centimetres from your face and making you jump in surprise.

Before you could apologise and try to calm the dragon down, Obsidian lunged at him with a roar as he pinned the supposed threat to the ground, not letting him go. He puffed smoke in his face, never quite spewing flames out of his mouth. Jason was on alert right away as was everybody else. Even the other dragons grew tense as the watched the scene unravel: some seemed to growl at Goliath with the same protective instinct Obsidian had, whilst others grew shy and retreated behind some of the bigger ones.

“Get your dragon in check, Y/N,” Jason warned, his eyes never leaving the scene in front of him.

He understood why Obsidian lunged at Goliath like that, but he’d be damned before he saw Damian’s most beloved pet get torn to pieces right in front of him.

“What do you think I’m doing?” you quipped back, clearly as agitated as everyone else. Jason almost felt bad for snapping at you, but he truly didn’t know what your intentions were yet and he surely wasn’t going to take any chances.

Everybody watched you carefully as you approached the dragon, whispering something in his ear before Obsidian let go of Goliath’s neck and lowered his head at you. From where they were standing, it seemed like he was almost apologetic.

The more distance grew between Obsidian and Goliath as he retreated back to the rest of the pack, the more everybody, including Jason, seemed to visibly relax.

Here he found another reason not to trust that creature.

You returned your ministrations on Goliath who was still eyeing you warily but let you treat him nonetheless.

Clearing his throat, Damian thanked you before beginning to make his way back to the cave.

“Wait-“ you put and arm out, trying to stop them from walking away so suddenly, “I know that wasn’t the best first impression from Obi. I apologise, but he was just doing what he thought was right at the moment.”

Damian only nodded and Jason raised his brows in surprise at a lack of snarky response from the boy.

“I don’t know where you found him, but Goliath certainly isn’t like any types of dragons I had ever seen before…if you want to, he can come closer to my pack so that they can introduce themselves.”

Damian scanned your face for any signs of malice behind your proposition but after not being able to find any, he accepted. He tried to conceal his excitement at getting his beloved pet to make friends and know more about his kind, but the whole family was quick to catch onto that.

Bruce put a reassuring hand on Damian’s back and encouraged him to walk over them.

One by one, you introduced the dragons to everyone. The light coming from a garden lamp nearby made the creatures less menacing as they looked around curiously, taking in their new surroundings. Helios, the wind dragon and a bunch of other ones where actually pretty chill and very friendly, so much so that they let everybody pet them. Dick appreciated that greatly as he nearly flung himself at a smaller dragon, hugging it. You explained that was a wyvern and her name was Quartz.

“What’s up with their names?”

You looked at Stephanie as you pet Obsidian’s ears, “Oh, we just decided to stick with names that represented either their appearance or abilities,” you explained, “Obi’s completely black, Helios can manipulate and generate wind, Pyro can spew flames out of his mouth-”

Jason grumbled at that, crossing his arms on his chest.

He was the only one who hadn’t gotten closer to the flock. Even Bruce leaned curiously near one of your more relaxed and friendly creatures, not coming too close and definitely analysing its strengths and weaknesses.

Jason scanned his eyes on the scene, before his gaze locked onto yours.

You had a small smile on your lips, your expression unreadable. Were you sizing him up? Were you silently mocking him?

He didn’t like how worked up he got about what you could think of him. He never cared about what other people thought, so why on earth was he now inching closer and closer towards you and Obsidian?

The black dragon only side-eyed him before returning his attention back to Goliath, who was sniffing and ogling his scaled cheeks in interest. Besides him, Damian was talking you ear off about the ice cave he found him in while on a mission.

You nodded with a smile on your face.

“They seem to love them”

You chuckled, “They love the attention and chin scratches, that’s what they love,”

In the distance, you could hear some sirens wailing through the city’s streets.

“Isn’t this whole dragon problem going to mess up your work?”

Jason shrugged, “Not really. All the bad guys that we could get are already in GCPD’s station. If not, they helped scare everyone off, making them barricade in their homes”

Obsidian huffed and you laughed.

“He really doesn’t like me, does he?”

You shook your head in agreement with a laugh.

“He’s just wary of all men. He doesn’t have anything against you, really,” you explained reassuring him, but the way the black dragon was almost mocking him with his challenging eyes told him otherwise.

Jason kept his mouth shut for your sake.

The temperature had dropped significantly and the chilly night seemed to have seeped into everybody’s bones. When you spoke, a cloud of breath vapor came out of your parted lips.

As if one cue, Alfred ushered everybody inside, ignoring their complaints and their claims to be perfectly fine through clattering teeth.

“What about them?”

Bruce glanced back at you and Jason. The dragons were huddled up by your side and were showing signs of sleepiness by drooping their heads.

“We can’t let them out here, B,” interfered Jason, looking at his father, “who knows what sort of crazy stories will circle out tomorrow if they see the very creatures that reigned terror in Gotham the night prior, all cozied up in Wayne manor?”

Bruce gave him a pointed look before composing himself, “they will stay at the batcave with Goliath. I’ve already initiated the dragon protocol when you were gone.”

After tucking your dragons to bed (and after reassuring Obsidian that just one night of not sleeping by your side won’t actively kill him), Alfred showed you the suite guest room before leaving you to yourself. The others had already bid their goodnights and you also met two more members of the vigilante ‘family’, if you could call it that. Oracle and Signal were friendly and showed interest in your occupation, making you promise to introduce them to the flock tomorrow morning.

But now, tossing and turning in your bed after a nice hot shower, sleep didn’t seem like an option for you.

You huffed, clearly frustrated by the weird feeling of emptiness and anxiety that sat heavy in your chest, before completely giving up on getting a nice night of sleep and getting up.

Only clad by a pair of long pyjamas kindly given to you by Alfred, you silently made your way out of your room and into the hallway. The goal was to reach the kitchen to get a glass of water, but as you passed the living room, something outside the large patio windows caught your attention.

It was the broad figure of someone sitting on one of the benches outside. You could barely make out their features due to the lack of lighting, but the familiar green glow you had spotted earlier on was a dead giveaway.

“Can’t sleep?” you ask Hood once you made your way outside and stopped by his right.

He only hummed in response, not glancing up from the ground. He was wearing dark grey sweatpants and a black hoodie with the hood up. His hands were inside the hoodie’s pockets and he sat slightly crouched, like he wanted to make himself smaller.

You tilted your head in curiosity at that.

“Can I sit here? I can’t catch a single ounce of sleep, too,”

He hummed once more, not bothering again to give you a proper answer. You sat down next to him, keeping your distance as you leaned back and gazed up at the sky. You noticed how warm and slightly stuffy it actually was in your room now that you were out here and a light breeze ran past you, raising goosebumps on your cheeks.

You stayed in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Hood decided to speak up.

“Can I ask you something?”

You turned to him, unable to read his expression and nodded.

“Where did you get that lasso?”

It took you a moment to unfog your mind before you realized what he was referring to. Diana’s lasso.

You shrugged, “It was a gift from a very dear friend of mine,” you answered casually, looking at the man next to you, “Why do you ask?”

He didn’t reply immediately, instead he settled for looking at you as if trying to determine whether you were telling the truth or not, his gaze boring right to your side. He decided on the former and sighed, “I’ve seen that lasso before. Everybody here knows that it belongs to one person and one person only-”

“-Diana Prince?”

You saw the way his eyes widened like saucers and chuckled to yourself, “What? You know her, too?”

He took off his hood, an incredulous look on his face, “Everybody knows her! She’s Wonder Woman, for god’s sake, who doesn’t?”

You shrugged again, feigning ignorance on the matter, “All I know is that one day I happened to help a young Amazon out with her jet and taught her how to ride on Obsidian and before she left, she gifted me her lasso,” you explained with a small smile on your face, “she said it would be the only thing that could possibly be able to keep an animal as cunning as a dragon at bay, and wouldn’t you like to know, it’s true!”

The look on Hood’s face was causing you to let another laugh out but you contained yourself. There were clearly gears turning in his head and you patiently waited for the next question you knew was to follow.

The man ran a hand across his face, now fully alert and frustrated with this new piece of information he was provided with.

“But- How did she- …You know?”

“Beats me,” you say sincerely, shaking your head in your own disbelief, “she said she was on a mission with her team someplace near their headquarter that apparently is in space? I was so confused but decided not to prod her on that. She was distressed but told me a portal opened, just like the one I came here in,” you rubbed your neck as you tried to remember what Diana had told you many years ago.

Your eyes lit up as a memory resurfaced. Hood straightened up immediately.

“She said some doctor or professor was trying to prove the string theory was real and went mad? I don’t remember the name, but she said it was someone her team had been dealing with on a regular basis…what was his name,” you looked up to the sky with a pout, as if hoping the stars would give you the piece of information you were missing.

“Was it Mr. Freeze?” Hood began asking, nearly at the edge of the bench with how much he got worked up in such a small window of time, “Or maybe doctor Death? – he was probably in Arkham when the first incident happened though – What about Professor Milo-”

You jumped as you clasped your hands in recognition, “Yes, that one! Milo!”

Hood looked relieved but then his face fell again, “Milo’s been dead for the past three years,” he huffed out, crossing his arms on his chest and leaning back.

“Oh…maybe someone who would continue his legacy or that had the same manic tendencies? Maybe someone who could dwell in sorcery of some kind?”

He seemed to contemplate your words with a slight nod, “I’ll look into it tomorrow after I tell B and the rest”

You muttered an ok and silence fell again between you once more.

“So, you’re not planning on attacking us with your flock of dragons?”

You laughed right at his face as you leaned back, holding your stomach, “You sure are a funny guy, Hood,” you said with a smile, “if those really were my intentions, the city would have been reduced to ashes hours ago.”

He nodded once, “Good, ok…”

“Come on, you can ask me whatever question has been bugging you from the moment I first stepped foot in this place,” you encouraged him, tilting your head to the side.

He seemed to hesitate before he turned to you with a sheepish smile, “It’s just that- you know…dragons? Really? They seem like they shouldn’t even exist with the way they look! – no offence to them or you for that matter, but-”

“What about Goliath?”

“Goliath’s different. He’s way smaller, for starters, but he was also found by Damian during one of his missions, when he came across a tomb of some ancient kings…he’s family, and he really acts like an overgrown puppy,”

You hummed in agreement, “And you think my babies are too feral and only capable of destroying everything they touch?”

“…Yes?”

“If you just hate Obsidian and Pyro you can say so, you know. I won’t get offended; I know they’re a handful.”

The man puffed out his cheeks as he looked away, “I’m still mad about my bike, that’s all…and your dragon is a jerk-”

You gasped at that.

“No, he’s not! Is he very territorial and does he hate all men that come too close to him? Yes, but look at you! You managed to get on his back,” you exaggerated stupor with your hands, “No man’s ever managed to do that before, just so you know,” you smiled playfully as you nudged him with your shoulder, “if anything, I think you can’t stand each other because you two have the same temperament.”

“I am nothing like that moron of a dragon-”

“Stop calling Obsidian names!”

“I’m not calling him anything. I simply deal in facts.”

You snorted at that. The chilly breeze that covered your body in goosebumps was seemingly forgotten as you shook your head in disbelief at his word.

Laugher was shared and the tension on Hood’s shoulders seemed to subdue the more you spent talking out there in the cold.

Another chill ran through you that you couldn’t ignore and you quickly got up, “I’m freezing my ass off here. I’m sorry, Hood, but I must go back before I die of hypothermia-”

“Jason.”

You stilled as if you got struck by lightning. With your mouth still open, you managed to mutter out a Sorry what? To the amused man sitting in front of you.

“My name. It’s Jason. You can drop ‘Hood’…we were keeping our names private in case you had heard of us from somewhere,”

“Oh, yeah. Right, Jason- Uhm, I’m Y/N”

“I know that, you told me back at the botanic garden,”

“Ah, yes,”

You didn’t know why, but knowing Jason’s name sent you into short circuit for a minute. You didn’t expect him to do such a thing, yet again you mulled over how many things didn’t go as expected in just a single night, so you silently accepted it.

“You want to join me on the couch? We can drink some tea and watch something on the tv to pass time?”

His only response was a nod with a smile and you both stepped back inside the manor, now knowing something more about each other.

[sakurablossoms-world]

ShadowJadePeach Headcanons:

(Art belongs to @splendentmoon)

How it began:

Things have been rather quiet in Megopolis, no big bads, no world ending disasters, and no celestial shenanigans. Nothing but the occasional mortal losing control of their newly gained power or low level yaoguai looking to make a name for themselves. Something that the entire monkie crew greatly appreciated.

Macaque lounged on his favorite branch of his favorite tree on FFM with a handful of little monkeys. He reflected on the events of the past few months. He and Wukong had begun to mend their friendship, they still struggled to talk without fighting and still couldn’t touch each other without remembering past hurts, but they were making good progress. Macaque even allowed himself to hope that maybe one day they could rekindle their past romance.

Additionally Nüwa had made an appearance. She informed the crew that she wanted to learn more about the world that her son loved so much. She spent a large amount of her time with either MK or Wukong.

Wukong and Nüwa did NOT get along in the beginning. Wukong essentially hated her (for both justifiable and ridiculous reasons). Though surprisingly, it didn’t take long for the two of them to find common ground. Now they’re both very close……………a little too close for Macaque’s liking.

Macaque quickly shook that thought from his head. Nüwa is MK’s mother, of course she was going to be apart of Wukong’s life. And it was a good thing that they were growing close…………………….wasn’t it?

Macaque decided to make a stop at Pigsy’s Noodles, if he was gonna drive himself crazy he wasn’t gonna do it on an empty stomach. He dropped inside a portal and entered the shop, where he was instantly greeted by the entire crew.

Sometime after enjoying his well earned meal, Wukong and Nüwa entered the shop and to his surprise they were hand in hand. After being greeted by the others, Nüwa spoke up announcing a shocking revelation, she and Wukong were a couple. The two go on to explain that they had been together for a while now and had finally decided to reveal it.

The two gods were tackled into a hug by their son, while everyone else congratulated them. Meanwhile Macaque was stunned speechless, never in his wildest nightmares could he ever imagine Wukong falling in love with someone else. But honestly after everything that happened between them, how could he possibly expect Wukong to still have feelings for him.

His heartbeat raced, his throat tightened, and his eyes began to sting. He needed to get out of there immediately. He took a deep breath, put on his best fake smile, and approached the happy couple. In his usual teasing manner, he congratulated the couple, before excusing himself and dropping into a portal.

He landed on the beach and instantly dropped to his knees, letting the tears cascade down his cheeks. He didn’t scream or try to fight off the little monkeys that ran to comfort him, he couldn’t even bring himself to be angry. How could he, he had long since ruined his chance with Wukong, he’d hurt him and MK in so many unforgivable ways, he was lucky the two even wanted to be around him. Meanwhile Nüwa was not only superior to him in strength, charm, and status, she gave Wukong his successor and son MK, the very being he adored the most. So he resigned himself to wallow in the misery of his own making.

A few weeks passed since the incident, Nüwa officially moved to FFM, while Macaque avoided the two lovers as much as possible.

Macaque lounged in his tree in complete silence and misery, until he was approached by Nüwa. She called out to him, concern clear in her voice, wanting to understand why he was upset and avoiding everyone.

Macaque wanted to yell at her, to make her feel an ounce of the pain he was feeling. He turned to look at her, expecting ridicule in her viper eyes. But the moment amethyst met jade all he saw in her eyes was genuine worry, as a result all the anger he felt disappeared.

She asked him again what was wrong, so he decided it was best to get his feelings out in the open, even if it meant the risk of Wukong banishing him from his home.

Macaque explained everything in detail, his still lingering feelings for Wukong, the hope he had for their relationship, and the devastation and anguish he felt as a result of their announcement. He assured Nüwa that he has no intention of coming between her and Wukong, that he intends to leave them be, and simply wants to wallow in peace. He walks off, leaving behind a stunned Nüwa, not noticing the cheeky smile that grew on her face.

Several weeks passed by and Macaque hadn’t seen or heard from either Wukong or Nüwa. Something he was thankful for at the moment.

Suddenly out of nowhere, Macaque found himself tied up in Lao Tzu’s diamond snare. He tried to break free but his shadows wouldn’t respond. He then noticed Wukong out of the corner of his eye, but before he could ask for help, the king grabbed him and threw him over his shoulder, then jumped on his cloud, and headed in the direction of the deep caves.

Macaque struggled vigorously, pleading with Wukong to let him go, but Wukong never responded. The further they went the more panicked Macaque became, fearing what the king will do to him once they reached their destination.

Once they reached a particular cave, Macaque had ceased his efforts, and simply resigned himself to his demise, praying for a swift end.

Wukong soon put him down and rather than cold stone, Macaque found himself on the largest, comfiest nest he’d ever seen. In shock he looked around the cave and was in awe of what he saw.

The cave floor had been lined with fluffy purple carpet, the ceiling was decorated with various lavender veils, fairy lights, and many hanging plants, mostly moonflowers, in one corner laid a book shelf filled with his favorite stories, a station with various art supplies, and a tv set with dozens of dvd’s of various plays, dramas, and musicals, and in another was a large stockpile of his favorite snacks and drinks.

He soon felt shifting in the nest, and felt the diamond snare slip off his body. He turned around to see not only Wukong but Nüwa as well, each holding a small chest in their hands.

Before he could ask, both opened their chests. In Nüwa’s sat three Jade and silver necklaces with fine black silk cords, in the shape of a moon, a sun, and a star. In Wukong’s sat three silver bracelets with charms attached to each, a plum, a peach, and a mango.

(Art commissioned from @6cottoncandysheep9)

In that moment Macaque realized what had happened, he had been courtnapped by Wukong and Nüwa. He stared at the two of them in stunned silence, as Wukong began to explain everything.

His feelings for Macaque had never faded, but for the longest time he felt he had no right to express so. Even after they began to reconcile, he had assumed that Macaque no longer loved him, and settled to simply maintain a friendship. His relationship with Nüwa was unexpected, but he had wanted to give himself a chance to love again. But after Nüwa informed him of Macaque’s confession, he realized he still wanted a relationship with Macaque. So he and Nüwa spent the last few weeks preparing everything.

Nüwa chimed in making it clear that she has no qualms with sharing Wukong with another, especially with Macaque and hopes the two of them can now properly bond together.

Macaque finally finds his voice, and expresses his feelings on everything the two just revealed. He is beyond happy that Wukong still loves him and while he is hesitant about the idea of having to share his king, he believes it’s possible so long as it’s Nüwa. However he’s not ready to be Wukong’s mate again. They still have so much bad blood between them that they need to work through. As well as various other issues to resolve. So, he’d prefer to take things slow.

Not to mention it was unfair that the two of them had time to prepare courting gifts, while he was empty handed.

This got a hearty laugh out of the two gods, who were more than happy to take things at Macaque’s pace.

Wukong takes Nüwa’s hand, lacing their fingers together, he then reaches for Macaque’s hand only to pull back, not wanting to make Macaque uncomfortable. Macaque in response reaches out, not grasping Wukong’s hand, but instead hooking their pinkies together. Giving Wukong a reassuring smile.

The three sat together in comfortable silence, looking forward to what the future holds for them.

Currently:

The trio are a V polycule, with Wukong in a romantic relationship with both Macaque and Nüwa, while Nüwa and Macaque are platonic partners.

The Monkie crew had two bets set up regarding Wukong and Macaque, the first one was for how long it would take the two of them to confess their feelings, and the second was set after Wukong and Nüwa announced their relationship, for how long it would take for the two monkeys to have another falling out (MK won both bets).

Macaque and Nüwa became close friends through gossip, the two will dish about anything and anyone for hours on end, though most of the time it’s just Macaque retelling the adventures of his youth with Wukong while Nüwa listens intently.

The two also bonded by organizing Wukong’s “treasure” room, and generally repairing the stone palace, restoring it to its original glory.

Nüwa is aware of the fact that Macaque is FtM, though in her case, she knew from the moment she saw him, as the creator of monkeys she can notice the minute differences that others don’t and that Macaque doesn’t bother to disguise (she informed him she knew).

Macaque and Nüwa don’t have nicknames for each other, but Macaque will usually refer to Nüwa as his gossip bud, while Nüwa will refer to Macaque as her sister-wife (which he actually doesn’t mind).

All three have a taken a specific role in MK’s training, Wukong teaches combat, Macaque teaches strategy, and Nüwa teaches magic.

Wukong and Macaque still have their occasional fights, with Nüwa standing at the side, not interfering, but still trying to mediate.

Whenever the fights get particularly intense, Nüwa will wrap her tail tightly around the two and press their ears over her heartbeat, to help them calm down and recenter themselves.

When Macaque gets injured/sick, Wukong and Nüwa act as his doctors, though they have a tendency to go overboard.

If Macaque is preparing for a new performance, Wukong and Nüwa will immediately offer to create the stage sets and props.

When Wukong goes through another self loathing mood, Macaque and Nüwa will start flirting/complimenting him nonstop, if that doesn’t work they drag him to their nest and cuddle with him for the rest of the day.

Whenever someone flirts with any of the trio, Nüwa will always keep her partners from attacking them, citing that the fools aren’t worth their time.

However if someone insults or gets handsy with any of them, Nüwa is immediately ready to end the offender’s life, and she’s very graphic with her threats.

The trio have three separate date nights every week.

Wukong and Nüwa’s date nights are at home study dates and art projects.

Macaque and Wukong’s date nights are always in quite, uncrowded places, such as the park, the library, and mom and pop shops/resturants/cafes, though they do make an exception for the theater and the movies.

Their group dates can be summarized as Nüwa wanting to experience/explore a new thing/place while Wukong and Macaque tag along as her bodyguards.

These dates usually end in the trio being attacked by stubborn yaoguai or being run out of the place, and the trio spending the rest of it at Pigsy’s, while MK scolds his parents for their recklessness.

While it’s still a long while coming, Macaque has already prepared a courting gift for his partners, a trio of silver rings with (Mihou♥️Wukong♥️Nüwa) engraved on them.

Additional headcanons for this polycule are here:

[theolivetree123]

◇ Human Tears ◇

Summary: Isosceles struggles to accept his human half.

Warnings: Angst (idk if this counts as a warning but u never know)

Fellow drunkenly opened the door to his home, letting Isosceles and Gidel's inside first. The three had a long night out, playing games and, for Fellow and Isosceles, drinking non-stop. Gidel had to lead the two home, knowing that they'd probably blow up the entirety of Playful Land if left unsupervised.

Fellow laughed as he closed the door behind him and leaned on Isosceles shoulder. “Tonight was amazing, my dear!”

Isosceles smirked as he wrapped his arm around Fellow's waist. “Totally! If only Gidel had let us go for longer.” Isosceles rustled Gidel's hair.

Fellow kept giggling like a fool as he loosely hugged Isosceles. Gidel tried to pull him away and to his bedroom, yet Fellow was still clinging to Isosceles. Gidel sighed and kept trying to lead Fellow to his room. Isosceles started laughing. “Fells, your brother is trying to get you to rest.”

Fellow grumbled, not willing to let go of his partner. “I won't go without you, dear!”

Isosceles sighed, still slightly giggling. “Hey, I'm gonna have some water, then I'll go to bed with you, okay?”

Fellow looked at Isosceles, his eyes big and shining. “Okay...” Fellow hesitantly let go of Isosceles and let Gidel take him to his bedroom.

Isosceles watched as Fellow and Gidel left him in the kitchen. Isosceles sat down at the dinner table, feeling… rather strange. He hadn't felt this in a very long time, and he didn't exactly miss the feeling. Isosceles cupped his hands over his face, feeling tired and frustrated. Something about Fellow made him feel… safe, calm, and loved, and it frustrated Isosceles. How come he felt this way? Why couldn't it just go away? Isosceles wanted to bury this feeling deep down, even kill it. He wished to strangle this feeling, watching the life leave its eyes, but no matter how much he wanted it to burn, it wouldn't go away. His love for Fellow just wouldn't go away.

Isosceles moved his hands away from his eyes as tears streamed down his face. He stared at the tears on his hands, unable to make them stop. This was the first time he had cried in years, and all because of a stupid crush he had. How pathetic, he thought, how could a cruel god like him be soft enough to cry over a mortal? Isosceles looked around him, his eyes blurred with tears. This house felt like home, yet he still felt a distance between these organic, mortal walls and his artificial self. This gap wouldn't have upset Isosceles years before, but now… it just made him cry more. Isosceles sniffled and rubbed his eyes, trying his best to keep quiet. He glanced at the couch to his right. It was stained, springs were loose, and fluff started to come out of the seams. Maybe he should sleep on the couch tonight.

Isosceles looked up at the night sky, his tears finally starting to stop. He wiped away a tear and stared at it as it rested on his hand. It shined in the moonlight, like a puddle after a storm. These tears meant something. They were a sign. A sign that Isosceles was still human. The human half that needed to die.

Tagging moots bc I want yall to cry /j 😈: @jadelover69 @sunnysidesevenup @jovieinramshackle @cheerleaderman @screamintoad @bunniehunn @anonymousplant @babyghoul138 @beneathsakurashade

[welldonekhushi]

To Be Free.

Universe: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Characters included: Nadezhda Pugacheva/Jodie Hall, Vasili Mikhailovich Sokolov/Vincent Stephens

Special mention: @imagoddamnonionmason

Summary: Jodie urges Vasili to help The Rook uncover the Pantheon's plans, but Vasili himself struggles with his loyalty, torn between betrayal and redemption — as they reunite with one thing that has kept their bond stronger.

Warnings: A bit of profanity (Yup, just Woods being Woods. You're warned, haha!)

Vasili made his way down the long hallway, his boots softly echoing on the old floorboards. He passed by several rooms, his eyes scanning each one as he moved, looking for the rest of the crew. Door to door, he searched, each room offering no more than the silence of an empty house. Yet his gaze wandered beyond the immediate task at hand, he was also observing the house itself. The Rook. The place where they all had taken shelter in, where the team now lived, hidden away from the world.

Before his capture, Vasili had been in Bulgaria, living off the grid. Away from the KGB, the Pantheon, and lastly, from all this chaos. It had been an unexpected and uneasy refuge. Little did he know, his presence there had not gone unnoticed. Woods and the rest of the team had been in Bulgaria too, unaware of each other's proximity, until it was too late. They had all discovered it to their surprise, especially Woods himself that Vasili was alive.

It was an even greater shock when they learned that Vasili had previously joined forces with the Pantheon, after his last encounter with Russell Adler. The revelation hit them like a hammer blow, especially poor Jodie. She couldn't believe that Vasili would ever do that.

She kept denying it, over and over, tears welling up in her eyes. The reality was too much for her to bear, and yet, the truth hung heavy in the air. But the revelation was even more devastating; he had been the one to kill Hudson. Vasili had targeted the agent for manipulating Dimitri Belikov, his old friend, into joining the CIA, that had also ultimately led to Belikov's untimely death.

Vasili had never forgiven Hudson for what he had done. He spoke of it with a coldness that chilled everyone to the bone, recounting how his hands still ached whenever he thought of the last time he’d held Belikov. Years had passed since that moment, but the pain lingered.. a constant, gnawing reminder of the loss he could never undo. Driven by anger and desperation, he had turned to the Pantheon, seeing it as his only path forward. For Vasili, the organization offered not just power but the freedom to finally carry out his vengeance and eliminate Jason Hudson. After Hudson, he wanted to go behind Adler too, for what he did to him during the Cold War.

But whenever Mason’s name came up in conversation, who also fell victim to Menendez's plans in Panama, Vasili would fall silent. The words froze in his throat, his expression an unreadable mask. He didn’t want to talk about it, knowing deep down that if Jodie, or especially Woods, learned the truth, they would come to hate him. Vasili knew exactly what had happened, because he had been there. He had witnessed it all, and the guilt had haunted him for years.

Despite the freedom the Pantheon claimed to offer, he had come to realize that it wasn’t true freedom. There was always a control — subtle, invisible, but inescapable. Whether it was good or bad, Vasili couldn’t say. All he knew was that it had its claws in him, and it wasn’t letting go. The weight of that control, combined with the choices he had made, was only making his suffering worse. As if he kept on being punished for what he did.

And he did. He saw it in Jodie.. the way her eyes reflected anguish and disbelief at his actions. Even with his personal grudge against Hudson, Vasili couldn’t ignore the man’s role in her life. Hudson had given Jodie a place in the CIA, shaping her path and bringing her to where she was now. To her, Hudson wasn’t just a name — he was someone who mattered, and that was something which made the two different from each.

"I trusted you, Vas.. I trusted you with all my heart.." The tears filled into Jodie's eyes, as they threatened to fall on his cheeks.

And then there was Woods, whose fury burned brighter than anything Vasili had expected. When he learned that Vasili had played a part in Mason's death, it drove him to the edge.

"You fucking son of a bitch, Vas. You fucking son of a bitch!" Woods shouted in anger. "If I ever tried a bit harder, I would have strangled you to death back there."

To Vasili’s dismay, the words cut deep, not because of the threat, but because Mason had once been someone he was incredibly close to — back when he was still Bell. As if his pain was finally getting shared with. Watching the Pantheon eliminate Alex Mason in Panama, as a twisted response to Hudson’s death, felt like a cruel trade to him. One life for another, and yet both left a void he couldn’t escape. It truly felt like the Pantheon betrayed him back.

And yet, despite the heavy guilt weighing him down, Vasili chose to remain with the Pantheon, despite everything that happened. Perhaps it was because he had long accepted the bitter truth, that he was nothing more than a tool, a killing machine, an expendable asset. It was a role he had been forced into since his days under Perseus and Adler, a role that had consumed him, leaving little room for anything else. The dreams he once had —of serving his family and his country with honor felt like distant memories, now tainted by the blood he had spilled and the betrayals that had shaped his life.

The opportunities he had wanted to pursue, the hopes his family had placed upon him, all seemed irreparably stained. The Vasili who had once been proud and determined now felt hollow, crushed beneath the weight of his failures and the burdens imposed by a merciless world. Yet he clung to the Pantheon, not out of loyalty, but because it was all he had left. A means to channel his rage, to fulfill a purpose, however dark and fleeting. It wasn’t freedom, and it wasn’t redemption, but in his mind, it was better than succumbing entirely to the emptiness. He wished if his friends hated him, truly. He knew it was too late to change things.

Under certain circumstances, Vasili found himself simultaneously seeking shelter from the Pantheon after his capture at The Rook. Despite being in enemy hands, he refused to betray the organization he had aligned himself with. During the interrogation, he was questioned about the Pantheon’s plans, but Vasili remained resolute, offering nothing. His loyalty to the organization and its ideals ran deep, even as the weight of his choices pressed heavily on him.

Adler, however, refrained from harsher methods. Instead, he chose to give Vasili time.. time to reflect, to weigh his loyalties, and perhaps, to confront the conflict brewing within him. It was a calculated move, one that recognized the fractured man Vasili had become, hoping that with patience, he might find a reason to let go of the darkness that still held him captive. It was surprising how Adler was pretty calm with Vasili this time, but he still didn't trust him a bit.

Vasili wandered through the hallway of The Rook, his steps unhurried as he explored the safehouse. Passing by an open storage room, something inside caught his eye, drawing his attention.

He stepped in and switched on the light. The room was cluttered with broken items, ropes, chairs, paint buckets, and frames leaning against the walls. Amid the mess, his gaze landed on something that stopped him in his tracks. A guitar.

For a moment, he stood still, staring at it. The sight of it stirred something deep within him, a feeling he couldn’t quite place. It was old and worn, but it called to him in a way he hadn’t expected.

He did have a distant memory of it—practicing the guitar back when he was Bell, years ago. Seeing it now felt surreal, like a fragment of a life he thought was long gone. But the real surprise was that it was still here. He couldn’t help but wonder who had kept it safe all this time. The thought lingered in his mind as he slowly reached for the guitar, the weight of the past pressing down on him. He grabbed a chair and sat down, placing the instrument gently on his lap. His fingers brushed over the strings, strumming them lightly to hear the sound.

For a moment, he hesitated, glancing toward the doorway, wondering if anyone might be watching. Part of him wanted to set it aside, but curiosity was killing him. He wanted to see if it still worked..

Gently, his hands started to do the trick, strumming the chords but at a slower pace, warming up a little before he prepares to play the instrument.

Jodie walked through the hallway, her mind restless. Ever since Vasili revealed his true colors, she couldn’t shake the anger and disappointment. It felt like he had moved on, leaving the past, and everyone who once loved him.. behind. She had trusted him like a brother, only to realise a bitter truth, and a betrayal she never thought to be possible. She was making her way to forget it all, until —

She heard a voice. A voice that puts her whole mind to a pause. That soft, melodious voice, with the strumming of guitar filled through her ears. Her eyes widened, and eyebrows furrowed.

"Temnaya noch, tol'ko puli svistyat po stepi.."

(Dark night, only bullets are whistling in the steppe..)

The sound was coming inside of the storage room, the one she just passed by. Jodie was still trying to process if this was all just a dream, or a reality. She walked back with her feet, peeking through the storage room. There, she saw Vasili, playing the guitar that was originally kept in the storage room, seated on a chair as he sang while strumming the strings of the guitar.

"Tol'ko veter gudit v provodakh, tusklo zvyozdy mertsayut.."

(Only the wind is wailing through the telephone wires, stars are faintly flickering..)

Jodie watched it all in horror. But, it was more like, as if she can't believe it. The moment Vasili continued to play the song, all of her anger suddenly vanished, and her own emotions started to take all over the place. She tried to control herself, but the visual for her was too painful to see. The flashbacks hit her head, the times when Jodie and him used to be in Die Landerbahn with Adler, Park and the rest. Vasili told Jodie that Park gave him a guitar, and he was determined to learn his favorite song. Time passed, Vasili struggled to learn it, but he didn't give up, and it was finally time to show Jodie his new-found skill.

"This is my favorite song.. I hope you like it, Jay." He strums his guitar, playing the same tune he practiced. Jodie carefully listened to him, excited to hear what the man learnt so far. The tune was so painfully familiar, and it was suddenly breaking her apart. The scene transitions back into the present, witnessing this moment.

Just like in the past, Jodie silently entered the room, not making Vasili notice, grabbing a chair and sitting on it, her hands clasped and listened to him. Her eyebrows were furrowed, lips slightly parted as she patiently listened to his song, closing her eyes.

"I poetomu, znayu, so mnoy nichego ne sluchitsya.."

(And that's why I know nothing will happen to me..)

Strumming the guitar a few more times, Vasili let the final notes fade into the silence. He remained still, the weight of the song lingering in the air around him. It felt like an echo of his own story. His struggles, his pain, his search for meaning. The melody seemed to embody his longing, perhaps even a faint glimmer of hope.

He didn’t know if he would be remembered as a hero or a villain, but he had resolved to endure it all. If suffering was the price of survival, then he would pay it. He just wanted to keep living.

Yet, the guilt gnawed at him. He hated the suffering his actions had brought to others, the pain he’d inflicted. Still, deep within, he hoped to find a way to end it all, a way to make it right.

In the distance, he heard the faint sound of someone softly sobbing. The gentle, broken cries pulled him from his thoughts, his attention instinctively turning toward the source of the sound. He saw Jodie, seated on a chair, her posture relaxed yet vulnerable, eyes still closed as if she were holding onto the remnants of the song. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, her breaths uneven as she sniffed, her lips trembling ever so slightly. Vasili's eyebrows furrowed in worry, finding out Jodie was here the whole time when he was singing with the guitar.

"You?" Vasili softly whispers at her, keeping the guitar aside. Jodie opened her eyes, and stared at the man back with her teary eyes, immediately wiping them off.

"You still remember the song, do you?" Jodie asked, moving her attention away from Vasili.

"I.. I do. I thought I completely forgot it." Vasili replied, shrugging gently.

Jodie then looked back at him. "Then where's the Vasili I know?"

Hearing this from her mouth made him silent for a sudden. He had no words to reply to Jodie's comment, but he could only cast his head down, in speechlessness.

Jodie stood up from her seat, and walked towards him, who was equally devastated as her. She kneels down to his height, and caresses his face, with the heaviest tears streaming down from her eyes.

"Please. Come back to us, Vas. We need you," Jodie sobbed, her voice trembling with desperation as she wrapped her arms tightly around him. The weight of her emotions, long repressed, spilled out in that moment.

For so long, she had believed Vasili was gone, lost forever, a memory that would never return. But when he did come back, it wasn’t the man she remembered. Instead, she was faced with a version of him she dreaded, a man shaped by pain and choices she couldn’t bear to accept.

She never wanted him to be dragged into the darkness that consumed him. All she wanted was the Vasili she once knew, the brother she had lost. She just wanted him back. And it was equally killing Vasili from the inside.

Jodie couldn’t forget the day Vasili vanished without a trace, leaving behind nothing but his stuff. Among them was his journal, filled with entries about his experiences at the safehouse, and the guitar he used to play.

Vasili had assumed they would have discarded those things long ago, forgotten with the passage of time. But Jodie would never allow that. To her, those items were pieces of him, precious memories of the brother she had loved. She held onto them, refusing to let them be lost.

Through all the years, she kept the guitar safe, carrying it with her as a reminder of who Vasili once was, and the hope that she might see that version of him again. She was longing to see Vasili too. Both of them were longing for something they had once lost. And they both were suffering because of their unattended needs.

"Wherever you are, Vas.." Jodie whispered, her voice breaking. "I know you're still there. If you can remember this song, then you can remember who you are."

She pulled back from the hug and cupped his face gently, her eyes searching his. "Please Vas, end this. Let go of your revenge and think about what truly matters. The Pantheon is about to unleash their plan, and the world is at stake. If you want to redeem yourself, to find hope again, then help us."

Jodie continued. "This path you’re on will only drag you deeper into regret. Would you really let millions suffer just to settle a score with the one person who ruined your life? Think, Vasili. The Cradle isn’t just a weapon, it’s a threat to countless innocent lives. We need you to make the right choice."

Her plea was simple but filled with hope, a call for him to return to the man she still believed in. Vasili closed his eyes, letting her words sink in as memories flooded back, the faces of those he felt he had failed. Mama. Papa. Belikov. Mason.

Maybe.. little Sofya and Maksim would suffer. Because of him?

Each name carried the weight of his guilt, a reminder of what he had lost and the choices that led him here. Jodie's words stirred something deep within him, a faint flicker of the man he used to be.

"I'm.. sorry, Jay." Vasili faintly responds. "But, I feel.. it's too late—"

"It's never too late. It never is!" Jodie said softly. "By saving others, you can save yourself too. I believe in you."

"But.."

She paused, her voice trembling. "We really need you back, Vas. Please. Just.." She tried not to break again, lowering her head down so she could hide her face from him. She didn't have the courage to face him anymore, as she stormed away, crying.

Vasili, left alone, pondered his choices. Should he continue chasing his long-held grudge, or finally confront his own pain and heal? Could he set aside revenge to fight a greater threat and save the world?

What did Perseus give him? What did the Pantheon give him? He survived, but in the end, he gained nothing. Only pain, regret, and a hollow existence. He sought meaning, but all he found was more suffering.

This was his only chance. To be finally free.

[cyellolemon]

Some cute doodles with Olive wearing masc clothes and Ambrose fem ones.. i love this sm :3 (Olive with a cap or beanie is cute..)