#hopefully i don't sleep 12+ hours

[oh-three]

Stayed up til 3:30 last night, and took a couple of low blood sugar gummies instead of eating. Ate toast for breakfast, had a yogurt for lunch, a full meal for dinner, still feeling pretty awful. Worse, actually, since dinner. I totally should've eaten last night. It's only 7:30 now, but it feels later and I obviously don't feel well, so. Think I might just call it an early night.

[aquaticaberration]

It is 1:30am and all I can think about is baking

[innorogers]

Lucid

Steve Rogers x Dark Past Reader (You)

Summary: Steve finds out about your past. You're nothing as he thought you were. You are better.

Warning: Steve struggling / Past revelations / You don't have to read this: Chapter 1 - Insomnia, but it would enhance the experience if you did.

What do you do the night you meet the love of your life? You spend it with to him—talking, hugging, kissing, teetering on the edge of going further... but it doesn’t matter, because one day, you won’t recall the specifics. Years from now, future you will think back to this night and remember only the magic you felt, the moments your heart skipped a beat, and the wonder of it all.

In the present, as the first rays of sunlight rise from the east and touch your face, you can barely keep your eyes open, almost drifting off against Steve’s shoulder. Once he finds out you’ve just come off a 13-hour shift, he insists on walking you to your dorm. And though it seems to take every ounce of his willpower, he refuses your unspoken invitation to stay. Ever the gentleman.

After a shift that handed you five hours of overtime, you managed to get immediate compensation—and even figured out how to maximize your sleep: you'll shower later.

So, after Steve kisses you goodbye for the sixth time, you finally close the door and collapse into your pillow. Though, to be honest, you’d rather be falling asleep on his chest.

Captain America, on the other hand, was more awake than ever. The last time he felt this energized was when they thawed him from his popsicle state. It was like walking in sunlight, and he half-expected some cheesy background music to play as he moved through the halls.

But, as always, fate was waiting in the corner to throw a punch and kick his perfectly peach shaped ass.

You were still on his mind when he stepped into the Level 0 – Avengers Only common room. You hadn’t left his thoughts since he said goodbye to you... thirty minutes ago.

To his surprise, Natasha was already there – she was never up before 11 – typing something into a computer - she was also never on top of her paperwork -.

“Oh wow, this is rare.” Steve was in a mood—no, actually, "mood" wasn’t the right word. He was still wonderstruck, wrapped up in his own bubble of happiness because of meeting you. 

“Haha, hilarious,” Natasha deadpanned without even glancing up. “Go ahead and laugh now, Rogers. One day, that ‘I’m from the 40s, I don’t know this shit’ lame excuse is not gonna to fly anymore, and you’ll actually have to do some of this.”

“Well... by then, hopefully our genius philanthropist will have invented something to take this torture off our hands,” Steve replied, handing her a cup of coffee.

Now he had her attention.

“Someone’s in a good mood…” She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Alright, spill.”

“Oh no, not a chance,” Steve shook his head, grinning. “Not happening.”

But after a pause, he added, “Hey, we have full access to everyone’s records here, right?”

“Yeah, Level 0 clearance,” Natasha replied, still focused on her typing. “You’ve got everything on your phone. Why?”

Steve glanced at your name in his phone and tried to sound casual. “What do you know about an engineer?” He wasn’t entirely sure if that was your title—you had mentioned it, but he had only been paying attention to the important stuff (like your favorite ice cream, song, hobbies, and what you wanted to do this Saturday night…).

“You’ll need to be more specific. I need an ID or at least a last name.”

“Illithya Lancaster,” he said softly, almost smiling as your name left his lips.

“Oh yeah,” Natasha responded immediately, “the one that goes by ‘Twelve,’ right?”

That got Steve’s full attention. He sat up straight, frowning. “‘Twelve’? Is that a nickname?”

“Code Name 12. Subject ID HE0012.” Natasha continued typing as though she were battling something. “You know what that means.”

“No.” Steve’s voice turned rigid. “I don’t.”

The typing finally stopped, and Natasha swiveled around in her chair to face him. “H for Hydra, E for experiment, number 12. She was one of Hydra’s experiments, Steve.”

That was a bucket of ice water he hadn’t expected. Right to the spine. Steve took a few seconds to find his voice.

“What?”

“There.” Natasha handed him an iPad with all the information: “See, here she is. Um… mission rescue R804, Siberia… Sokovia… yeah, she’s on Hydra's top confidential list, one of the few we’ve got. Stark moved mountains to save her from rotting in a federal prison for eternity.” She spoke quickly as she read, her voice unusually soft, full of compassion.

Steve paused for a moment, trying to recall if you’d mentioned anything about a nickname last night, but he didn’t think you had.

He could barely think. His voice, distant and faint, whispered: “‘Twelve’? What… happened to the other eleven?”

Swiping the iPad, Natasha didn’t even look up, just shrugged: “What do you think?” She didn’t notice Steve’s face go pale instantly. 

“Illithya was the only survivor, barely. Used and discarded as anything Hydra could imagine… like something disposable.” 

She sighed. “I’ve seen awful things, but this is one of the files I try to forget.”

Steve’s mind was in turmoil. He couldn’t think, and the pain in his chest seemed to crush every fiber of his being.

He couldn’t believe it. You, his treasured little secret, his enchanted, magical midsummer night, this beautiful, pure soulmate he’d fallen with—the one who told him a fairy would bring him all the stars—had been used, abused, treated like a guinea pig, nothing more than a lab rat?

He was beginning to understand the emotions rising within every cell of his body: a mix of uncontrollable anger, sadness, and fear.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, his voice wavered slightly: “...How… how long was she experimented on?”

Natasha set the file aside and looked him straight in the eye. There was empathy there. She knew Steve was shaken, so she softened her voice as much as she could, though her words remained honest.

“‘Till we got her? A lifetime. She was born and raised in captivity. Her entire existence was based on an experiment.”

Steve closed his eyes. It was more than he could bear. The pain he felt intensified with every word Nat spoke. 

He clenched his fists, veins bulging with rage. How could they. 

“How did you rescue her?” He found himself asking in a calm voice, as if inquiring about any other case.

“We didn’t. She escaped, and we found her. After you and Tony split in Siberia.” Nat pulled up the file again on the tablet and handed it to him, but Steve didn’t look. He wasn’t ready.

“So, until she got away…” Steve heard his voice, sounding unnervingly emotionless, and he hated it. “Was she under Hydra’s control her entire life?”

Black Widow didn’t respond at first. She nodded, just barely, while watching him. She was using the spy stare, reading everything beneath the surface, interpreting every unspoken word, every pause, every silence was a puzzle piece for her to figure out the entire picture.

“A lifetime under Hydra…” Steve whispered.

And he felt awful for saying it.

But there it was, a poisoned seed growing in the shadows of his mind. Steve wanted to bury it deep, but he couldn’t stop. 

The doubt crept in, spreading like a toxin—the thought that everything you’d been through had changed you.

How could you ever purge Hydra’s venom from your veins? Was it still there, lurking in every dormant cell, slowly expanding like a plague, consuming all the good, the magic, the purity in you? Corrupting you?

“Stop,” Natasha suddenly said.

She gave him a look Steve recognized—she was about to ask something that would make him think, really think.

After a deep breath, she spoke: “If you’re asking about her, it’s because you’ve met her, right? So, what do you think? Did she seem like a…villain? Or was she different? Special, maybe?”

Steve leaned back into the chair at her words, the memory of you filling his mind again, your innocence, your weird yet adorable responses, your naivety, your smile…You.

The touch of your hand, the softness of your voice, the pureness of your soul. The way you’d clung to him, spoke to him, trusted him, kissed him. He exhaled slowly, a ghost smile on his face. 

“No. I never thought of her as a villain. Or as any…negative. She was different, more than different. She was…she is…incredible…she’s wonderful…she’s…” Perfect.

Natasha remained in silence. Staring at him. Then she leaned up, her words like splashed ripples on the spring's surface. “Why do you trust Barnes, Steve?”

Her tone was calm and serene, yet it made Steve clench his fists. The question was unexpected, but not unanticipated—he knew she’d ask; she always pushed when she had that look.

“He was, or is, more Hydra than anyone we’ve ever rescued from those hellholes, yet you risked everything to save him.”

“That’s different. I know Bucky, he’s all I have left of my past. And he was brainwashed.” You weren’t. You acted, and you act by choice… don’t you? Steve panicked at the thought. Everything you did, you did with your heart… right? Everything that happened last night, was true…Right?

“So if she wasn’t brainwashed, she’s guilty?” A slight ironic smile tugged at Nat’s lips. “Even though she never asked to be born into a Hydra experiment, or to live in captivity. Is she at fault, Steve? For not trying hard enough to escape?”

Steve froze at her words, realizing what she was getting at. You weren’t brainwashed, no, much worse, you’d grown up knowing nothing of life outside Hydra. You weren’t just a victim. No. He thought of you. You were a survivor. A fighter.

“That sounded a bit protective.” Steve looked at his fellow Avenger, studying her expression. “Was it just a rescue mission, Nat? You don’t usually…attach to people.”

Letting out a laugh, Natasha returned to her usual mysterious, lazy smile. “I’ll let you find out for yourself.” 

She hesitated but finally spoke under Steve’s gaze: “She’s… different, Steve.”

A slight, warm smile crossed Black Widow’s face. 

“She’s kind…and good. I don’t know how to explain it, but she’s innocent. Her heart… it’s pure.”

Steve raised an eyebrow at Nat’s words. He could hear the awe in her voice, and it made him think of you: The way you’d looked at him, the sparkle in your eyes. Tiny butterflies fluttered in his stomach as he remembered the way you’d laughed and how they took flight when he kissed you.

Without even realizing it, his voice became as tender as it could be: “Yes. She is all those things.”

“Like I said.” Natasha leaned back in her chair, her fingers returning to the keyboard. “I’ll let you find out for yourself.”

LAB 278—it had taken some time to find.

Steve silently thanked Jarvis for lighting the way as he stepped into your lab—your private, secluded lab, hidden almost a 20-minute walk from the central facilities. Steve hadn’t even known this place existed on campus.

He pushed open the door and saw you through the thick glass. He couldn’t help but marvel as he took in the entire space. Your lab looked like a greenhouse, with plants everywhere—on the desk, under the tables, on the floor, shelves, and windows. Long curtains of leaves hung down from the ceiling like rain falling through broken glass. 

Large screens dominated the room, and then Steve’s eyes widened at what he saw next. 

An armory. Their. Armory. 

A bow being analyzed by lasers, prototypes of metal gauntlets, shattered helmets, and torn suits.

And then, he saw you.

You were cleaning his shield.

Everything fell into silence when his gaze rested on you. The whole place became a quiet green ocean, so still that Steve could almost hear the plants breathing. And his own heartbeat. That stopped when you lifted the shield and gently kissed it.

“Do a good job,” he heard you whisper to it. “Protect him. Keep him safe.”

Steve snapped out of it as those words echoed in his mind. He had a hundred questions, but they vanished in that instant. He wasn’t even thinking—he was reacting—as he stepped forward and opened the door.

The look on your face when you heard the noise and turned around was indescribable. All the tension in your expression softened, and the light in your eyes brightened. 

Steve wondered, how he’d been so blind, so stupid, to believe some reports instead of trusting…you.

“Oh. Hi…” You smiled, joy sparkling in every corner of the room.

God, that smile. The happiness in your eyes at seeing him weakened his knees. He spoke, his voice softer than he’d expected. 

“Hey...”

You almost run to him under instinc. Wanting to move closer, to take his hands, but…you weren’t sure. Was it too much? Too fast? What are you (or this) supposed to be? Are you even dating? Will he hate it? So, you blushed and stood still. “I…I um… I’m so glad you’re here.”

Steve noticed the way you flinched, the way you wanted to reach out but held yourself back. It made him feel…sad, like something was cracking in his chest. He wanted to reach out and take your hand. But he didn’t—not yet. 

Instead, he stepped closer, his voice gentle as he smiled. “…And I’m very glad to be here.”

“Oh.” You weren’t sure if it was the lack of sleep or if you were just lost in his eyes, but your mind was racing, and you couldn’t stop yourself from blurting out something dumb, like really dumb.

“I missed you.”

Oh, what the hell. You wanted to bite your tongue. Especially when you saw Steve freeze. Okay, that was stupid as fuck, you thought, looking down, unsure of what to say next.

“I’ll take it back, I’m sorry, that was stu—” But before you could finish, you were pulled into a tight embrace.

Steve pulled you towards him, wrapping his arms around you in a tight, protective hold. As if he wanted you to melt within him.

He realized how absurd he had been for holding this back, how deeply he craved you. Like a primal longing, like a dying plant thirsting for a drop of dew, or desperate for air.

“Please…don’t be.” He whispered, pressing your head to his shoulder, inhaling the scent of your hair, his eyes closed as he sighed. “I missed you too.”

“Oh.” You awkwardly ran your hands along his back, fumbling at first, before simply giving in and hugging him tighter. You caressed his neck until he rested his forehead against yours, exhaling deeply.

And you smiled. 

“So…you did find out, huh?”

He stood silently, with his chin in your shoulder. And after a while he said in a bitter tone: “How’d you know?”

“‘Cause you look exactly like Tony and Natasha did when they found out. And… because you’re in my lab. I mean, I don’t think this place is a hot spot, huh?” You laughed and broke the hug slightly, but he tightened his grip on your waist, unwilling to let you pull away. 

You caressed his face, inhaling the warmth of his breath, and looked into his eyes. 

"Steve, what happened to me isn’t a burden for you to carry, you know that, right?”

Steve froze. 

Isn’t it? 

Wasn’t it because he hadn’t destroyed Hydra when he had the chance?

Because they didn’t find out sooner?

Because… he wasn’t there?

You struggled to read people, especially someone you cared about, so when you saw the pale, stiff look on his face, you paralyzed.

Was that why he came? To tell you it was over? Well…to be honest, you wouldn’t blame him. After all… you were you, and he was… Steve Rogers. And you were…Hydra’s Frankenstein.

That thought must have shown on your face, because Steve noticed the change in your expression—fear and shame, like you were some kind of Quasimodo who had his mask ripped off.

The mere thought made Steve’s blood boil—the idea that he might reject you because of your past, as if you were to blame for things you couldn’t control. As you were…sinful and…bad.

He suddenly cupped your face and spoke firmly, the words echoing from his heart, the same words he should have said the moment Natasha told him the truth.

“Hey, hey… look at me. Look at me.” He stared straight into your eyes. "Don’t doubt me. Don’t doubt… us.” His voice was filled with protectiveness and anger. “I’m here, and I…” I’m falling for you.

“Do you regret it?” Your voice trembled. “Last night… do you regret… meeting me?”

“No.” His voice was steady and resilient, unwavering and unshakable: “Not in a million lifetimes.”

You held your breath for a moment, trying not to cry. Then spoke as you were telling a secret. 

“I always wondered…What would I have been like if I were… normal? If I had normal parents—a father working in a bank, a mom as a teacher. I’d go to school, go to prom, fall in love… have friends… but…” 

You pressed your fingers into his hand and smiled softly.

“… I wouldn’t change anything about my past, if that was the road I had to take, that leaded me…to finally meet you.”

Steve felt like he could’ve started crying at any moment. 

Your past had left a crack in his heart, something he could never fix, something that would always hurt. And yet, you said it was all worth it? All the suffering, all the pain… just to meet him? How could he… how could he deserve you? He couldn’t speak, couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe.

“God…” he murmured, his voice filled with pain. “How can you say that… how can you still be so…” 

Kind. Good. Pure.

Natasha was damn right. You were everything she said, and more.

“Hmmm… Maybe…” You thought out loud. "Maybe I always knew I’d meet you someday, and I had to be good enough… to be… worthy.”

Steve exhaled, trying to calm the storm in his heart and mind. 

The weight of your words hit him hard. He paused for a moment before he pulled you against him, his arms wrapping around you tightly, as if that could protect you from all the misfortune or pain that might come in the years ahead.

“Damn it…”

His voice broke as he whispered.

“I can’t believe I found you…”

“Well then,” you whispered, pressing a kiss to the back of his hand. 

“Thank you for finding me.”

Time stilled for a moment, but before he could think, Steve’s body had already reacted, he pinned you against the workbench as his hand weaved through your hair, and his lips pressed yours in a deep kiss. 

He couldn’t hold back anymore, he needed you, wanted you, to hold you as close as possible, without letting you go ever again.

All the composure he had been trying to maintain disappeared the moment he felt you. 

Your lips, your tongue, your scent… Any sense of reason was hanging by a thread. 

He lifted you onto the desk, sending pens and books scattering to the floor, but he didn’t give a damn. Not when your legs wrapped around his hips and you moaned his name as his hand tightened around your waist.

“Jesus…”

The way your voice sounded, the way you were looking at him, the way you were sitting with your legs around him, everything was driving him desperately crazy, struggling to keep control to not to tear your clothes off and make you his right there. 

He broke the kiss before doing something reckless, but his body was tense, and his breathing panting. 

“You’re driving me crazy…” He breathes heavily, leaving a deep kiss in your forehead.

“What?” Your mind was still spinning from his kiss, and you replied without thinking: “Well yeah, welcome to the club.” 

Steve left out a laugh, All the intense revelations from earlier had nearly made him forget just how incredible your comebacks were. 

He looks down and kisses you again, this time with more tenderness than passion, and he speaks as he continues. 

“I’ve been thinking about this since I left you this morning…”

“Can you…” You could barely form a word without moaning: “Can you think…of taking this further?”

“…” 

That made him stopped. 

The suggestion sent a shiver down his spine. Oh you and your amazing comebacks. His mind suddenly flashed, imagining all the things he’d wanted to do to you, maybe in his room, in the bed, with you under him, moaning his name as you just did, only louder and louder…

Steve quickly shook the thought from his mind, trying to force himself back to reality. 

“God… please don’t tempt me.” He could feel his body reacting to his own imagination, so he pressed his forehead against yours, clenching his fists, trying to regain some control.

“I…” You wanted to say, "I don’t mind," or even, 'I don’t give a damn if you take me right now...You know what, there’s actually a bed at the back of this lab.' But then his phone rang.

“What the hell…” He glanced at the caller ID and groaned, “For gods sake, what timing…” One hand reached for the phone while the other held you firmly. “I’m sorry, babe, give me a sec.”

Your heart skipped a beat at the sound of him calling you that for the first time, but before you could process it, Tony Stark’s voice echoed through the empty lab.

“I don’t know what you are doing there, Cap…And trust me, I don’t wanna know…but Jarvis just sent me a reminder, to remind you, that there are cameras everywhere in the working campus. Everywhere.” 

You could tell there was a humorous tone in Iron man’s voice.

“Even in remotely located labs for top secret employees.”

End but TBC-

Continue to:

3: Reverie |

4: Nightmare |

5: Awakening |

6: Dusk |

7: Hypnagogia |

8: Lull |

9: Vigil |

10: Eclipse |

Alright, thanks for reading up to here. Hope you enjoyed it!! <3

So when I started writing Part 1, I was like, 'Oh, let's just write cute one-shots and short stuff.' And here I am with a complex OC and a struggling Steve. I'm so sorry for that :3 I just can't help myself!

Part 3 comes with 'the one night I made you mine and made you beg' thing I was hoping I'd finally get to. I promise! (Still have no idea how I'm writing that through my working shifts, tho.)

Okay, have a good one <3 Lmk if you liked it ? Report and everything is highly appreciated <3 :D

Love.,

Moon.

[sirfrogsworth]

My dad passed away a few hours after I left the hospital.

I really didn't want him to be alone when it happened. I figured we had at least another week before the toxins built up in his system. But he had congestive heart failure along with renal failure and I think he would have passed tonight whether he stopped dialysis or not. I'm so glad we didn't attempt that amputation. He would have gone through that and died a few days later regardless.

When I left he was in a very deep sleep. So at least I was there for his last moments of consciousness. The last thing he saw was a loved one. I still wish I had stayed tonight. They even asked me if I'd like to spend the night and I had this feeling like maybe I should. But my back was on fire and I was very sleepy. And I wanted to make sure I was able to meet his visitors in the morning. So I went home to get some rest.

I know people will comfort me and say it's okay, but my mom died all alone in the ICU. She couldn't even have visitors. And I just didn't want that for my dad. I wanted to be by his side holding his hand.

In any case, they called around 12:40 am. I barely held it together until I hung up the phone. I called my brother to let him know. Then I woke up Katrina to hear a comforting voice to calm me down. I wish she could have hugged me, but the power of her hugging spirit is so profound you can almost feel it through the phone.

I let her get back to sleep and I went back to the hospital at about 1 am. I had to enter through the ER and an armed security guard escorted me to the elevators. I went up to the 4th floor to the hospice suite (aka a regular hospital room with string lights). I met with my dad's night nurse--a lovely Haitian gentleman named Kennedy.

He escorted me into my father's room. He had prepared it to try and make me more comfortable. He made sure the room had enough light, but not overwhelmingly so. The room was spotless so I guess they must have cleaned it. They packed up my father's belongings and placed them in the corner. Kennedy had the TV set to some sort of relaxation channel. It had images of beaches, mellow music, and sounds of the ocean. Though it made it hard to hear him and I wish he had just left the TV off. Ocean sounds were not going to make seeing my dad any more pleasant. But I guess I appreciate the effort.

My dad was still in his hospital bed. They adjusted it to be perfectly flat and they covered him with the soft, fuzzy microfiber blanket I brought to help my dad be more comfortable. Hospital blankets were scratchy to his sensitive skin. His eyes were closed but his mouth was wide open. I'm wondering if they were unable to close it. My eyes kept playing tricks on me because I kept thinking I saw his chest rise and fall. Maybe my brain just wanted to believe he was just sleeping.

The nurse had me sign a document and gave me some privacy to say goodbye. Once he left I quickly turned off those damn ocean sounds. They were really distracting.

I don't really believe you can talk to the dead. So I just grabbed his belongings, pulled his fuzzy blanket off and left the room.

I guess next up is the service. I am going to try to write a eulogy tomorrow. Hopefully I can find the words to honor my dad's life.

Thank you all for helping support me through this. All of your messages and thoughts really did help make this more tolerable. And thank you for putting up with all of my bored hospital thoughts.

I guess I am going to try and get a few more hours of sleep before I start calling people in the morning. I'll have to let my dad's friends know they can't visit him.

Goodnight everyone.

[melanieph321]

Ruben Dias x Reader - Not Ready Part 2/12

+18

Part 3 and Part 4 are out on my Patreon for FREE!

Readers sister dies in a tragic car accident, leaving reader and her boyfriend Ruben in the urgent custody of her niece and nephew. Readers life is suddenly flipped upside-down since having children hadn't been the plan for her and Ruben's life together. At least not now when his football career was reaching great new heights.

Enjoy! 💞

"So you're a...."

"Puppy mom. Jupp. That's what the ladies at the park call me."

"Well, damn." Your sister laughed. "Who would have thought?"

FaceTiming her on a Saturday morning was always as entertaining and chaotic. While you held up your new puppy for your sister to see, your niece and nephew Emmy and Vale fought each other for a chance to also get to see the dog.

"Kids kids, please." Your sister pleaded. "You're scaring the puppy."

"No, it's okay. He's still sleeping." You assured. The little pup sitrred in the palm of your hand. He had grown so big during the few weeks you've had him. By now he could run around the apartment for hours on end.

"Auntie, Y/N, when can we come and see him." Your niece Emmy asked, but was pushed out of view by her little brother. 

"What's his name Auntie, Y/N. Tell us his name!"

"I asked her first." Emmy groand and soon the children were fighting again.

"Hey, hey!" You shouted from your end. "Quit it you too!"

They settled down immediately to their mother's relief. "Thank you. Now you see what I have to deal with everyday."

You beamed at your screen as all three of them appeared with their cheeks squeezed together in order to fit into the small frame.

You tilted your phone, once again showing off the sleeping puppy. The children gasped in delight.

"His name is Iker." You smiled. "And hopefully you can all come and see him during your next school break."

"Yay!" The children erupted in joyful cheers, spilling out in the kitchen and around they're mother.

"Remind me to buy you a birthday gift." She smiled.

"No. Absolutely not. You owe me nothing sis. You've practically raised me since I was a baby. I owe my life to you."

"Well, that's very kind of you to say. Although true, I really want to give you something for your birthday. It's not everyday you turn twenty-five."

"Ugh, please don't remind me."

"Remind you of what?" Ruben said, walking into the kitchen, dressed in a two piece Manchester City tracksuit.

"How old I am." You said, shifting your phone for Ruben to see that you were in a FaceTime call with your sister.

"Oh. Hi Liza. Didn't see you there."

"Hello, Ruben. I see you're ready for the big game."

Ruben approached the kitchen table where you sat, greeting you with a kiss on the cheek. He leaned towards your phone, making sure that his Man City badge was visible on the screen. "Trust me Liza, City will bring it home this season once again."

"You wish." Liza snorted "Chelsea's got it together this year. I'll bet my money on that."

"Well don't bet too much of it."

"Ha ha."

Ruben moved away from the screen but just then Vale popped up. "Hi Uncle Ruben. Do you want to see my tooth." He held his mouth open with his hands, showing off his gums.

"Hi buddy." Ruben returned to the screen, his chin now resting on your shoulder. "I heard you got a visit from the tooth fairy not too long ago. Looks like she got you good, eh."

You nudged him with your elbow. Ruben chuckled, and turned to nibble at your ear.

"Just kidding buddy. You can barely tell that your tooth is missing. I promise. "

Again, your elbow found Ruben's ribcage.

"Looks like I've got to go." He groand. "Say hello to your sister for me."

"Ruben!" Emmy popped up on the screen at the mention.

"Hi sweetheart. How are you?"

"Good. Are you going to play football today?"

"Yes, I am. I was just on my way." He said, looking at you with a hand rubbing his stomach.

"Well.....then we've only got one thing to say?" 

"Oh yeah, and what is that?" Ruben turned back to the screen. The children, including your sister, backed up for him to see all three of them while they chanted: "CHELSEA! CHELSEA!" And then bursting into a heartfelt laughter before hanging up the phone.

"I'm so sorry, Ruben."

"Are you?" His cheeks blossomed. "Are you really?"

"Yes." You said, but struggled to hold in your own laughter. "It's just that they're such hard core Chelsea fans. My whole family is."

"But you're not, right?"

"Right."

He leaned in and kissed your lips. "Good. I'll see you at the game."

"Bye bye papa." You held up the dog as Ruben left the kitchen. He blew you both a kiss before leaving the apartment to yourself. 

Nevertheless, you didn't have time to do much before the game started. You made sure to walk Iker before you left him with a sitter a.k.a, Laleh. Who insisted on calling you while you were at The Etihad stadium, watching Man City's season opener game against Chelsea.

"So, a dog instead of a ring, eh?"

"Stop it Laleh, we've been over this."

"Over what?" She barked. Or it was Iker who barked, you couldn't tell sitting amongst the cheering fans.

"If Ruben wanted to propose to me he would have." You said. "There is no need to rush things. Besides, the two of us owning a dog is already enough commitment."

"Are you sure he sees himself as an owner and not just you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he bought you the dog as a gift. That makes you the sole owner of Iker not Ruben."

"It does?"

"Mhm. Seems like he tricked you girl."

"Stop it Laleh." You sighed. "Can't you be happy for me? Just this once?"

Again someone barked. 

"No." Laleh muttered. "Not if it makes me the babysitter to a little beast. Is he even potty trained?"

"Oop, got to go girl, the game is starting." The game was actually coming to end, with Man City having butchered Chelsea with a 2-0 victory. A result that Ruben would be more than pleased with.

"You feel so good baby. So tight and so wet."

You came home that night with Ruben practically escorting you towards the bedroom. There he did unspeakable things to you while riding off the high of his team's exhilarating first victory of the season.

"I love you so much, baby. Have I told you that?"

Things slowed down towards the end, with Ruben's cock still buried deep inside of you, however, his bare hips rolled against you slowly, savoring every moment that you took him into you.

"I love you so fucking much." He groaned into the crook of your neck, bottoming out. "I want us to stay like that forever, me, buried deep inside of your pussy."

"Yes, forever." You mumbled, drunk from the spine ripping pleasure.

"Fuck, you feel so good baby, so...fucking good." His release came in floods, the condom he wore filling up at the tip. Your walls clench around Ruben's wide shaft and soon you too rode the hills of your back arching orgasm. The two of you then lay quiet in the night. Unmoveable, but still attached to each other beneath your hips. Ruben didn't pull out until he was completely lank, tightening a knot around the condom before throwing the rubber into the nearest bin. The two of you then cuddled each other until you fell asleep, Ruben drifting deeper into sleep than you did. 

It was lucky that Ruben did not wake up when your phone vibrated against the nightstand, pulling you out of your brief slumber.

"Hello, Emanuel?" You rubbed your tired eyes at the sight of his name lighting up your screen. Emanuel was the name of your sister's husband, the father of your niece and nephew.

"Y/N....is that you?"

"Emmy?" You perked up at the sound of her sniffles. "Emmy what's wrong?"

"Daddy won't stop crying."

"What?" A sudden fear clenched your heart. "Is something wrong with your dad? Where's mom?"

"She's not coming back."

"Emmy, please. You're scaring me." You sat up. "Please, put mommy on the phone."

The escalation of your niece's cries sparked through your phone. "Daddy is crying because he says that mommy is not coming back. She's never coming back."

Part 3 and Part 4 are out on my Patreon for FREE!

[laurenairay]

don't forget, don't forget about me - J. Oleksiak

This is my entry for The Eras Tour Fic Challenge, organised by the wonderful @comphy-and-cozy and @wyattjohnston! My song was Superman - I enjoyed the challenge of writing it so I hope you all have a lot of fun reading it! Thank you Demi for being my sounding board to get me started on this. I’ve missed all the Big Rig love on my dash so this is my contribution to this beautiful man.

Summary: Elena Garcia relives the memories of the man who never loved her, Jamie Oleksiak.

Words: 3.3k

Warnings: unrequited love, oblivious Jamie, pining, some bad language.

I watch superman fly away, Come back, I’ll be with you someday, I��ll be right here on the ground, When you come back down.

~

2024

“Thanks, keep the change.”

The cashier smiled at Elena, nodding her thanks, and Elena smiled back tiredly as she wandered down the length of the counter to wait for her coffee. She ran a hand through her long dark waves, quickly moving that hand to cover her mouth as she yawned so widely her jaw clicked. Elena didn’t need to look in the reflection of the glass casing to know that her tanned skin wasn’t hiding the dark circles under her eyes and that she was in desperate need of a sheet mask to hydrate her dry face. The long hours she’d been pulling this week were what were making this early coffee run necessary, although hopefully once she’d gotten into the groove of things with her promotion, she’d be back to having regular 8 hours sleep a night.

Hopefully.

This coffee shop in downtown Dallas had become a staple for her over the 12 years she’d lived here, having moved for college when she was 18 and never leaving, and it held a lot of fond memories. A lot of stressful memories too, alongside bittersweet and embarrassing ones, but fond memories nonetheless. It was somewhere she’d studied, somewhere she’d always spent time with her best friends – who’d she’d also be meeting here for lunch later in the week – and somewhere she used to meet up with one of her favourite people.

Used to, being the operative word.

He no longer lived in Dallas. According to her friends, that was a good thing. After all this time, she supposed they were right. But that didn’t stop her hoping one day that she’d see him walk in once more, big smile on his face, and sweep her off her feet. It felt a little ridiculous after all this time, but Jamie Oleksiak still held a special place in her heart, even if she knew deep down that she would never have the same hold over him.

Still, a girl could hope.

There was a backlog in coffee orders this morning, making her glad she left the house early as she waited behind another three people for her coffee, and by the sound of the bell above the door chiming and the chatter sounding, even more people were about to join her.

She didn’t bother turning around fully at the sight of a tall broad-shouldered man out of the corner of her eye. It wasn’t him. It was never him.

“Elena?”

Oh. Oh.

~

I watch superman fly away, You've got a busy day today, Go save the world, I'll be around.

~

2014

“He’s not going to reply to you, querida,” Mila said.

Her friend’s sudden words broke Elena out of her thoughts, making her flinch slightly but tear her gaze away from her phone.

“What?” Elena said, confused.

“Jamie. Your giant tattooed neighbour. The one you’re crazy about who took 3 months to remember your name,” Mila said, rolling her eyes.

Elena swallowed heavily, mouth feeling dry. Was she really that obvious? No, she was exaggerating.

“He’s not that bad,” Elena said, shaking her head.

“He’s exactly that bad. Hockey players are awful. Especially hockey players who look as good as he does who know they look as good as he does. You know the bad reputation. And any guy who has you waiting by the phone like this is no good,” Mila shot back.

“Mila has a point, you know. I can’t remember any other guy who’s had you hooked on a string like this, especially when we’re meant to be studying,” Jessie said, smiling wryly.

She didn’t need to hear this. Nothing they would say would make her stop being friends with Jamie. Nothing they would say would stop her wanting him in her life. He was sweet, and kind, and his smile made her stomach fill with butterflies every time. Sure, she was just a 20-year-old architecture student, but that didn’t mean he ever made her feel lesser, not once. They’d only met 6 months ago when he’d moved into her apartment building after being called up from the Texas Stars for the first time, but she already knew he was one of the rare genuine good guys.

And yes, he was giant, tattooed, and extremely hot. Was that so bad?

“You’ve latched on to him and he doesn’t give you the time of day,” Mila added.

“That’s not true. We talk all the time, by text and in person. He’s literally my neighbour,” Elena frowned.

“How many of those conversations were initiated by him? Or is it always you?” Jessie said dryly.

Well.

No, that wasn’t the point.

And that wasn’t nice.

“That’s not fair,” Elena said quietly.

“I’m not trying to be mean, Elena. And neither is Mila. But he never makes time for you. I’m sure Jamie is a great guy, but he’s happy for you to trail around after him and you’re never a priority,” Jessie pointed out.

“Jamie is literally a professional hockey player – of course I’m not a priority,” Elena said simply.

“Elena, babygirl, come on,” Jessie groaned.

“He’s like superman, okay? He might fly away, but he always comes back down to the ground,” Elena said firmly.

“I wish I had your positive attitude,” Jessie sighed.

“More like delusion,” Mila snorted.

“Hey!” Elena pouted.

She knew he was out of her league but that didn’t change the way she felt about him. She didn’t want to change the way she felt about him. Jamie was special, and there was no-one else that could measure up to him. How could they?

“I don’t want you to get hurt, querida. But I don’t like my gut feeling here,” Mila said.

“Well until your gut feeling is proven, can you cut me some slack? Cut him some slack?” Elena pleaded.

Mila sighed but nodded, Jessie just smiling sadly.

“I will. But please be careful,” Mila said softly.

“I always am,” Elena said firmly.

She didn’t need to watch the way her friends glanced at each other in concern to know that her words weren’t true.

~

Something in his deep brown eyes has me sayin', He's not all bad like his reputation, And I can't hear one single word they say.

~

2017

“Fuck. Fuck,” Jamie said shakily, walking back out of her kitchen.

He’d excused himself from where they’d been watching a film on the sofa after dinner with wide eyes and a scared smile, and she didn’t like the way he was acting.

“What’s wrong?” Elena frowned.

“That was my agent. I’ve been traded.”

No.

No.

This couldn’t be true. This wasn’t fair.

“Where to?” she managed to choke out.

“Pittsburgh. They’ve booked me a ticket to fly out there tomorrow,”

No.

No.

“Tomorrow?”

Jamie just nodded, swallowing heavily. “They want me there. ASAP. That’s a good thing, right?”

As much as she didn’t want to reassure him, as much as she wanted him to stay, how could she deny him when he needed her support? Even it was only a couple of weeks before Christmas. No, his whole world had been shaken, she needed to be strong.

“Of course it is. They are lucky to have you,” she nodded, blinking away the tears that stung at her eyes.

“Fuck. I need to call my parents. My sister. And send the Stars chat a message. Fuck.”

She knew he wasn’t really talking to her at this point, just talking to himself, and it was all she could do not to let the grief of his impending departure consume her. Elena knew it was selfish to feel this way, but how could she not? Jamie wasn’t going to be here. Jamie was leaving, and leaving Dallas meant leaving her behind, and the moment that happened she knew she would become a distant memory. If a memory at all.

And that tore her heart into shreds.

“Don’t forget. Don’t forget about me,” she blurted.

She hated how her begging seemed to be the thing that made him crack a smile.

“How could I forget you, eh?” Jamie mused, “You’re the one that’s going to become a famous designer and jet set around the world.”

Architect. Not designer.

But that was okay.

How could he be expected to remember little details like that? Even if it was something that she had spoken about regularly for three years.

“Text messages are a thing. And you’re not that far away,” Elena said firmly.

“You got it,” he grinned, clearly still amused.

“Don’t meet some other friendly neighbour girl, hey?” she found herself adding, internally cringing the moment the words left her lips.

“There’s only one Elena Garcia,” Jamie said, shaking his head, “The best neighbour I could ever have.”

The best neighbour.

That’s all she was, she knew that.

Why couldn’t she be more?

“You’ve been a reasonably good neighbour yourself,” she said, trying to tease, the execution not its best.

His smile made her chest ache. She wouldn’t realise it was heartbreak for a long time.

“Do you want me to help you pack?” she offered.

The more time she could spend with him, now that she knew that time was limited, the better. Right?

“You already cooked me dinner, you don’t need to,” Jamie said, shrugging.

“I want to,” she said, shaking her head.

“Alright then. How can I say no to that?”

~

And I watch superman fly away, Come back, I'll be with you someday, I'll be right here on the ground, When you come back down.

~

2019

It took just over a year for Elena to see Jamie again. 14 months. December 2017 to January 2019. Not that she was counting. She was minding her own business, grocery shopping thanks to running out of milk and eggs, and she was reaching for a carton of orange juice when another hand reached out for the same bottle. Elena glanced to the person and let her eyes trail up the familiar body looming over her. No way. What the hell?

“Jamie?”

“Hey you!” he said, grinning.

What?

How could he be so nonchalant?

Elena took a moment to catch her breath, noticing his shopping cart. He wasn’t just visiting, was he? Had he really moved back to Dallas? He hadn’t let her know. Not that he needed to let her know – but they had been friends, right? Neighbours who hung out and texted before he left in 2017?

Why hadn’t he let her know he was back?

“I didn’t realise you were back in Dallas,” she said, smiling shakily.

“Ah yeah, I meant to text you. Got traded back, you know how last-minute these things can be,” Jamie said simply?

He meant to text her? Did that mean something?

Sure, she had been far away, but she never let him go.

And she knew he’d been in the city at least a few times since he was traded to Pittsburgh, but not once had he asked her to meet with him. Not once. And yes Elena could have texted him herself, but the potential rejection would’ve crushed her more than the indifference had crushed her, she could admit that much.

But now he was back?

“Yeah, of course. It’s nice to see you back here in Dallas,” Elena said as smoothly as she could.

Her mind was racing.

Jamie was back.

Jamie was back.

Jamie was back.

“Hopefully I can make it stick this time,” he said, the slight bitterness in his voice surprising her.

“I know you can,” she said firmly.

Jamie smiled down at her, the tension leaving his face just a little. “Well if I’ve got you in my corner, Elena, who else do I need, eh?”

In his corner? Was that all he saw?

She’d loved him from the very first day.

She missed him like it was the very first night.

“And don’t you forget it,” she joked back, trying to keep her voice light.

Jamie just laughed, shaking his head fondly, that familiar ache spreading through her chest.

“I’d better get going, I have practice soon. I’ll see you soon though? We’ll catch up over dinner?” he suggested, “You have the same number still, right?”

“Sounds good. Yeah, I do. I’ll be waiting for that call,” she said happily.

The hope that filled her chest felt dangerous.

~

I wonder if he knows how much that I miss him, I hang on every word you say, And you smile and say, "How are you?” I say, "Just fine".

~

2021

July 2021 was a month Elena had been dreading. The lead up to it had been gut-wrenching, the alerts on her phone making her feel more and more sick to her stomach, despite all the support and distraction Mila and Jessie tried to give her. The Seattle Kraken expansion draft would be happening today and all she could do was watching on a live stream as Jamie was taken away from her once more.

“These players will forever be known as the original Seattle Kraken. Your Seattle Kraken.”

“The Seattle Kraken pick…Jamie Oleksiak.”

“How we doing Seattle? Wow, yeah, alright! I’m loving the energy. You know it’s, uh, I’m excited to get the season going. I’m sure the building’s gonna be rocking.”

She’d called him later that night, and for once, he’d answered on the first attempt. He was busy – of course he was – and that fact that he even answered her call at all warmed her slowly shattering heart in a way that she knew couldn’t be fixed with Mila’s good tequila.

But she didn’t care. And she certainly didn’t stop Jamie’s happy rambling.

She curled up in her armchair as he recounted the day so far, all the announcements, the early team building he’d already been doing. And he sounded so happy, the spark back in his voice in a way it hadn’t been back in 2017 when Dallas had traded him. It was different this time. It was completely and utterly different, and it left her in a state of hopelessness that she didn’t know how to deal with, especially from the other end of a phone.

“Don’t forget. Don’t forget about me,” Elena said, knowing her voice was filled with desperation.

“I told you last time, how could I forget you?”

Last time he told her in person, because he’d had the trade call right there in her home. Last time he hadn’t messaged her at all in the year he was away. This time all he’d known – and she’d known – was that Dallas hadn’t protected him ahead of the expansion draft, and it was a high possibility that Seattle would take him. And just like that, her worst fears had come to life once more. She’d only had another two years of Jamie in her life, in Dallas, since he came back and now he would be gone again.

“It feels different,” Elena murmured, “Does it feel different to you?”

“I’m excited for this, El. Seattle has a great buzz and the fans are already electric. We’re even having a food tour later, and the views of the Puget Sound are amazing.”

He loved it.

Of course he loved it.

Why shouldn’t he?

“Sounds like a great place,” she said sadly, not bothering to smile when he couldn’t even see her.

“Yeah I’m feeling good about this. The Kraken are going to be a good team for me, I just know it.”

She wanted to be happy, wanted to be overjoyed for him, but there was a sinking oily slick feeling that she couldn’t shake. She’d asked him not to forget her, and he promised again that he wouldn’t. Just like last time, when he’d promised.

But it was different this time. She could feel it, down deep in her bones. Jamie being chosen by the Kraken, rather than traded to the Penguins, was different. And she didn’t know if she would survive it this time round.

How could she?

~

Tall, dark and beautiful, He's complicated, he's irrational, But I hope someday you'll take me away and save the day.

~

2024

“Elena?”

Oh. Oh.

Ten years’ worth of memories rushed over her, overwhelming her body entirely. Her breath hitched in her throat, freezing at that oh-so-familiar baritone, before she plastered a smile to her shaky lips to hide her nerves as she turned to face him properly. Fuck, she may be 30 years old now, but the simple sight of Jamie looming over her took her back to the 20-year-old who fell in love with him the first day they met.

“Jamie, hi!”

He grinned at her, missing tooth so endearing. “Fuck, it is you! It’s been years! How are you?”

Missing him profoundly.

Better now she saw him again.

Why did he even remember her?

She cleared her throat. “Oh you know, same old me. Got promoted to Senior Architect at my firm the other month.”

Jamie laughed, nodding his head.

“You always were the reliable steady one,” he mused, “Glad you’re doing well.”

Reliable?

Did he even remember she was an architect?

No, that didn’t matter.

“How are you?” she asked.

She hated how easy it was to fall into desperation around him, never wanting the conversation to end, for him to have an excuse to leave.

“I’m good, yeah. Season’s going well so far. Thank you,” he said, smiling.

“I’m glad,” she said, trying not to let her smile dim.

“I’m sorry I haven’t replied to your texts. Life is crazy, you know?” he said, a little sheepish, “I know I’ve missed a few birthdays. But I always appreciated your messages, I swear.”

It’s been years.

She always wished the birthday flowers, the birthday cards, the phone calls were from him.

But they never were.

“Don’t worry about it. I know you’re busy – Seattle seems good for you,” Elena said simply, offering a smile.

His beaming smile in return made her heart ache in a way it hadn’t ached in years. Fuck.

Did he even realise how much she missed him?

“Yeah, it’s amazing. Seattle is such a great fit – the team is so good. I finally feel like I have a place that I belong,” he said happily.

He belonged here.

In Dallas.

How could he say that?

“That’s great! I’m so happy for you!” she managed to breathe out.

Jamie nodded, smiling as he reached forward to finally pick up his coffee order, moments before her own name was called, the contentment in his face so clear in a way she’d never seen before as she reached for her own coffee. Seattle really was his home now, wasn’t it? Not Dallas, not with her.

“Hey Rig! We’re late! We gotta go!”

Elena flinched at the boisterous call from across the coffee shop, Jamie just looking over his shoulder and raising a hand in acknowledgement before he looked back at her.

“I’d better…”

He trailed off, jerking his head in his teammates’ direction, but she just nodded.

“Go on, go save the hockey world, I’ll be around,” she teased.

She could only hope the tone of her voice hid how her heart was breaking in two all over again.

“You’re the best, Elena. Don’t ever change,” he grinned, “see you around?”

“You know it,” she nodded, knowing her smile was failing but not finding the strength to bolster it.

Jamie squeezed her shoulder, face full of a warmth that she knew he didn’t mean in the way she needed it, and headed across the store towards his friends.

“I always forget to tell you, I love you,” Elena whispered, watching him walk away.

~

Tagging a few people: @starshine-hockey-girl @misshoneyimhome @senditcolton @fallinallincurls @tippedbykreider

[rxmqnova]

Lonely souls

Y/N: 12 years old Story: After a failed attempt of getting her family back, Wanda meets a young girl that needs help … ——————————————————

Y/N'S POV I've been walking around for the past few hours. I have no idea where I am. Actually… I've never been outside of the base I've spent my entire life in. I have no idea what happened, but I managed to sneak out when the hydra agents were busy fighting a bunch of guys named the Avengers.

Suddenly I see a young woman cutting branches of the trees that are surrounding this place. I take a deep breath and walk towards her. Maybe she could help me, right?

"I. Hm. Excuse me? Could I ask if there's some village, city or just something near this place?" I ask the woman nervously, playing with my fingers. I've never actually talked to normal people.

"How did you get here?" She asks, looking at me confused.

"I. Hm. I-I got lost" I lie. I can't tell her about the base…

"Well, there's nothing around in here" She says. "Only my house. Come on, I'll make you some tea" She gives me a smile.

"Thank you" I smile back, a sigh of relief leaving my lips.

"What's your name?" She asks as we step into her house. She leads me into the kitchen and gets into making the tea. The house looks nice, she must be kinda lonely here though if she lives here alone. I don't even see any pictures here.

"Y/N" I simply answer.

"That's a pretty name" She smiles. "I'm Wanda… How old are you?"

"Twelve" I respond. "… You live here all alone?" I ask which was probably a mistake, cause she only sadly nods. She places the tea on the table, telling me to sit down, so I do as said.

"Your parents must be looking for you. Where do you live?" She asks with a soft smile. I just blankly stare at her, not knowing what to say. She keeps looking at me, waiting for an answer, but suddenly I hear her voice in my head while her eyes are glowing red. "You were at hydra?" She asks, her eyes turning back to normal.

"How… how do you know?" I ask, standing up and backing off, slowly walking backwards to the front door. My heart racing as I'm praying she's not one of them.

"No, no. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you" She stands up, slowly walking towards me, hurt visible in her eyes. "I have powers, I'm an Avenger… or was. I don't want to hurt you… Let me help you… please" She says, her gaze softening which makes me relax a little bit.

"Mhm" I slowly nod. I have no place to go anyway, so hopefully she's really one of the good guys.

"Good. You must be hungry. Let's sit back down and I'll give you something to eat, okay?" She smiles softly.

"Okay" I just simply nod. I'm really hungry and don't want to get killed by her.

She gives me some food that I've never heard of before. It smells nice though, I hope she won't poison me or anything. I get into eating and let me tell you… I've never eaten anything better before.

"Do you like it?" She asks with a warm smile.

"It's really good, thank you" I say politely with a smile.

"I'm sorry again… about scarying you. I really don't want to hurt you. You can stay the night and we'll think of something tomorrow. Would that be okay?" She asks, waiting for me to say something while she's playing with the rings on her fingers.

"I.. Yeah. Thank you" I smile.

When I'm done eating, Wanda shows me her bedroom, telling me I can sleep there and insisting she's gonna take the couch. She borrows me some clothes to sleep in and I take a hot shower before bed.

Once I'm all finally ready to actually go to sleep. I lay down on the bed, feeling better than ever. A knock interrupts my thinking. Wanda walks in with a smile on her face, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"I just came to say goodnight. You can come to me if anything" She smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. She presses a kiss to my forehead, stroking my cheek with her thumb, making me feel something I've never felt before. It's a nice feeling though. "Sweet dreams" She smiles at me again before standing up and walking towards the door.

"Goodnight" I smile at her before she closes the door, closing my eyes right after that.

———————————

Tears are streaming down my face as I'm sitting in the middle of the bed, hugging my knees tightly. I've just had the worst nightmare. My hands are shaking like crazy and I just can't stop the tears.

I manage to crawl out of the bed and walk downstairs with hope to find Wanda. She said I could come to her, so hopefully she won't be mad.

I walk to the living room, finding Wanda sitting on the couch and watching TV. I let out a shaky breath before calling her name.

"Wanda?" I quietly call, not wanting to scare her. She turns around to look at me, her smile fading when she sees the state I'm in.

"Sweetheart, what happened?" She asks, already walking to me. She cups my cheeks with her hands, wiping my tears away with her thumbs.

"Nightmare" I manage to say, trying not to cry again which is not really successful.

"Oh honey. It's okay. I'm here" She smiles, pulling me into a hug. "Do you want to talk about it?" She asks, rubbing my back as she's still hugging me. I nod in response, hoping she'll somehow help me to get it out of my head.

She leads me to the couch and we both sit down. She wraps an arm around me which makes me to lean into her and wrap my arms around her.

"What was your nightmare about?" She asks, playing with my hair.

"… That I was back at hydra" I manage to get out after taking a deep shaky breath.

"I'm so sorry, honey" Wanda says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "I promise you'll never go back to that place. I'll make sure of that"

"How can you be sure of that? What if they'll find me?" I ask, looking up at her.

"… They won't… You have me now and I'll always protect you.. no matter what… I know I said we'd talk about it tomorrow, but… Y/N, I think we both need a new beginning" Wanda starts, still playing with my hair. "We can stay here or go anywhere we'd want. I promise I'll take a good care of you and always protect you" Wanda says, tears in her eyes by now.

"You want me to stay with you?" I ask, tears also filling my eyes. She's been really nice to me and I really don't want to stay alone.

"Yeah… If you want to stay with me" She says, wiping away the tears that escaped my eyes.

"Mhm" I nod, practically jumping into her arms, holding her tightly and receiving a kiss to my forehead. I really need a new beginning…

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

I kind of rushed this…

PS: Currently working on the werewolf story someone requested :))

Wanda Maximoff masterlist

Masterlist

[areallysourlemon]

Biggering Animation (Behind The Scenes / Work In Progress Log #12)

Hiya, hope everyone had a great April! So this month was a really big struggle, my mental health started to decline again majorly from the stress of university not going as planned, the expectations getting more strict and the workload becoming more difficult, as well as life events that I don't wish to share publicly. I've been trying to seek counselling through school again (but that hasn't worked out for me yet :/) I announced on my discord server that I needed to take a break from Biggering because I've just been so unwell (and went into burnout) these past few weeks. Even before that, I got literally sick for a week and a half the day after I had to move back home (I was not able to escape the consequence of living in an apartment smaller than my dad's house with 14 other people)

Anyways after having a streak of sleeping 11+ hours a day (with naps) and being a girl-rot since March, I'm slowly getting myself back into working on the project again. Hopefully, my mental health will improve soon. I really do apologise for not completing Biggering before the initial release dates, I often put myself at high expectations and bite more than I can chew. I have thought about having fellow animators help with Biggering, but that will just create more problems than solve them. So right now it is still just me animating the whole thing with my background artists :) If you have questions, feel free to send me an ask or dm me :)

also side note since Onceler's fanon birthday (April 22) it was also my birthday too, I thought it would be hilarious to have one of those cakes for my birthday. So yes I am now 22 years old (I still don't know how to be an adult lol, guess I gotta wait for my frontal lobe to develop fully)

[emmatgc]

Chapter 12- Wonderful World

“I DON'T NEED PROMISES” (Preferably for adults only. A bit of *Smut* is present. This is only for Seon Yul x Soo Hyun shippers)

“Till death do us part” - the lovebirds said. Soo Hyun is happy her ex husband found another love and hopefully, another family of his own. Congratulations, she said to the newly weds. It is a sunny day for a wedding. It took courage for her to attend but it took extra courage for them to attend together, Seon Yul and her. After that lovers spat, where it took both of them in an unspoken truth of fragile feelings, they promised to stay together and avoid secrets, if possible. They both understand the need to protect each other but the year is almost ending, and somehow their little secret, is taking its toll to people around them. They realized it cannot be this way for long. People can see, people talk. In this wedding, people actually did talk..a lot. One guest started it all. “My dear Soo Hyun, how wonderful for you to attend your ex husband’s wedding”, an old lady heavy on make up, probably a friend of the bride as Soo hyun never saw her ever before. All the more weird for her to reply but she did after-all. She smiled and said “yes, thanks”.

It was a tension filled sunny and windy afternoon and Seon Yul is the most uncomfortable of them all. He looks handsome in a tie and suit, perfect for his skin tone and brown eyes. Soo Hyun was breathless when he fetch her to go to the venue. Seon Yul didn’t talk much as he can see the piercing eyes upon him. It didn’t help that most of the guests are from the news channel’s company where in even that the last 6 years of news has been buried, some remembers. They can hear whispers “isn’t that boy the son of the one she murdered? Are they mad?. Every time they hear those words, their intertwined hands grows tighter and they grow closer as if they needed to protect each other from everything and anyone. They are united. Soo Hyun knows she is still a public figure but she is also a private one as she assumed and prefers to be left alone.

Driving her home, Seon Yul was still pretty much silent. He knows going into this relationship, this is bound to happen. His friend warned him “the world is not kind for your love story” he remembers hearing those words. Not only the nightmares are almost haunting him every night now, he hasn’t also told Soo hyun yet. He is avoiding the topic. He doesn’t want to burden her. Soo Hyun said “Im sorry” upon arriving at her home. He caressed softly her face and he in return, put a lock of her hair beyond her ear and replied “I am fine, don’t worry”. They kissed softly and bid each other goodnight and goodbye. 

“You traitor, how can you this to us? How can you love that murderer? She broke our family. She also killed me. What kind of a son are you?” His mom is strangling him in his dream. He woke up, panting and sweating. He can barely sleep 3 hours these days. Last time he dreamt of his uncle and now his mother. There must be a reason why he is having these nightmares after all these years. He wanted to call Soo hyun but its 3am and again, he doesn’t want to burden her with this.  He didn’t sleep after that and waited for the sun to rise and called some friends of his in his past life. He called a detective in charge of the case of his uncle Kim Joon. He wanted to know how is he and last time he heard , not sure that he was applying for a parole. What the detective told him send chills down his spine. “Son, don’t be surprised but in the coming days, his plea for a parole will be heard in court and he might do an interview if he is awarded that parole. They said for good behavior and national security purposes, the President wants to pardon him”. 

Seon Yul dropped his phone in shock. He thought deep. He needs to do something. He walks back and forth in his home , drinks water and walk again, thinking his next moves. It is over, he said but why does he feel unsafe and something is bound to happen again. His mind went straight to Soo Hyun, thinking about her safety. He texted her he has an emergency in the hospital and he has to work early and that he will call her later. He lied. He wanted to visit his uncle in prison. He wants to talk to him. He wants to see him now. 

“I want to see my uncle, Kim Joon” he said to the jail guard. The guard said he will ask first if he is expecting a visitor and when he came back, he opened the door for his entry. In a room, they can only talk behind a wall for his uncle is put in an intensive unit for high crimes unit. He sat down and waited for him. Handcuffed, and smiling he walked towards the glass separating him from Seon Yul and got the phone and said “Hello, Son”. He answered back “I am not your son”. Kim Joon fell from grace after that fateful night when his crimes were exposed 6 years ago. He has small grey hairs now but it seems his face lacks remorse as Seon Yul feels.

“My dear nephew, how are you? I heard you are seeing that woman, for real this time. I didn’t know you liked older women. Crazy. Is it because I took your Mom early?   His blood boiled upon hearing about his mother. He killed her and now he is granted a hearing for leniency? He wanted to punch him and the glass separating him. “What are you up to? , he asked. “ I just wanted to be free. I think I deserved to be free. I have been good and the secrets I hold, I don’t think the government can take it me spilling more”. He seems confident, this arrogant bastard he thought to himself. “Are you afraid I’d come back for your woman, your lover?”. “If you lay a hand on her, I swear will kill you myself!”, he stood up and punch the glass in front of him. The jail guard warned him and said he only has a minute left. “Be careful nephew. She be careful too….and his family”. Then he smirked at Seon Yul and went back to his cell. Seon Yul stood there for awhile to compose himself. This is not happening, again.

Soo Hyun has been staring at her phone all day. She never got a reply from Seon Yul after she said “Ok, I love you and I will see you later”. She was worried when she saw his texts saying “I have an emergency this early morning at the hospital and I’ll be out late. I’ll call you later”. He seems to forget we had a plan to have dinner but of course, she understands works comes first. She just can’t help but be worried afterall this past few weeks he seems agitated and secretive since that fight they had. She was waiting for him to open up and tell her about his nightmares but its been weeks and there was no stories he shared. She feared something is wrong, she knows something is up and he doesn’t want her to know.

It is now 6pm, she is at the orphanage and its been almost 8 hours he hasn’t; contacted her and continued to reject her calls. She is beyond worried. She decided to call his friend, Shi Joon. She asked him if Seon Yul is there. She Joon was surprised “Seon Yul? He filed for leave. He is on leave today until tomorrow I believe, Seon Hyun. I thought he is with you”. She replied, “He is not”. Is everything ok, he asked back? Soo Hyun was confused and behind the call, Shi Joon feels her fear and said “I’ll reach for him, I will update you if J have news”. Thank you is all she can say. Now, she is more than worried, he is terrified where the hell is her boyfriend! “Where are you?” She texted a 5th time. It is now 8 o’clock in the evening. Turning on the TV, and on the news, she dropped the remote control. Her jaw opened and Kim Joon is in the news. He is applying for parole.

This can’t be, she thought. Now she knows why he is acting strange lately, Does he know about this? He is too good to let this be all but a coincidence. The horror is setting in. Kim Joon might go free? Suddenly her fear is tangible. She looked at the kids in her orphanage. She thought of her family, especially her mom. Will he come back for me? to destroy us? She can’t think clearly. She wants to see Seon Yul, that’s all that matters. He is all that matters now. She grabbed her keys and went to his house.  “Seon Yul?”. Seon yul, are you here? She checked his rooms. No plain in sight, He is not here. Was he kidnapped? Is he hurt? Soo Hyun nearly fainted and took a seat. She drank water and told herself to calm down. 

She fell asleep waiting for him and she heard a text. “I am sorry. You must be worried. I am fine. Do not worry”. It is from Seon Yul. This jerk, she said cursing him out loud. She texted back “Where are you?”.  I need time for myself. I want to be alone, Soo Hyun. Please let me be for now. Please, do not be mad, I beg of you”, he replied. Soo Hyun starts to cry and she can’t give up. He must be hurting, she knows him too well. “Tell me where you are right now. Or I swear….you won’t see me again”.  He replied “Maybe it is better that way”. Her heart sighed and tears poured more. She doesn’t want to give up on them. “Ill drive in the middle of the night and will never stop looking for you. Tell me where you are right now, Seon Yul. If you want to protect me, talk to me. I’ll call on my ex husband and we will come looking for you, together”. That should do the trick, she said and it did. Seon Yul smiled a little. She knows how to trigger him just fine. His jealousy is his weakness, she knows. He is just a boy , a forever green boy in love with her. “I am here at the garage where we used to meet and eat”. Without a delay more, she grabbed her keys and drive down there. Soo Hyun didn’t even know it still existed. One detail Seon Yul didn’t share in their relationship, she discovered. She will ask later but for now, his safety is her priority. He is alone and she doesn’t want to make him feel that way, ever again. 

She saw him the same years ago, in a bonfire he created, looking at the stars. Same as that time, too..he had wounds in his knuckles. He must have punched at someone or something. She brought him some food, his favorites. “Hey” she said, coming forward but not too close. He seem distant. He smells wine. She doesn’t want to force her boundaries. He seems preoccupied in his thoughts. She decided to sit beside him. No touching. Just siting near each other and wishing he will talk. “I saw him today. Kim Joon. Sorry, I lied where I was. If you saw the news, it is true. The government might cut a deal for him and may grant him leniency. It sucks. The system is broken.” 

She replied “ We will fight again. We did it once and we will do it again. It is just a possibility. It hasn’t been decided and granted yet”. She wants to touch him but he is too far gone in his eyes and doesn’t even look at her. “Is this my karma? My punishment of taking revenge on you? On being blinded by hate and for a while, accomplice to his evil acts? Or this… now finally he looks at her, “is this…us, frowned upon by the Gods so bad they don’t want us to be together and just be happy?  Is this a curse?  She stood up and went towards him and kneeled before him, capping his face touching him softly, he closed his eyes “Don’t regret us. This is not punishment for us nor for you. He is just a bad, evil man. He took her hand and kissed his knuckles even with the stain of blood and he stood up. He walked away from her and his back against her he said “Maybe, this is it for us. Let us end this. I don’t deserve you. I will only ruin you. Please stay away from me, Soo Hyun.

“Are you breaking up with me? She asked. Why are you doing this? I love you! Don’t push me away. He walked towards the home storage car he has. She grabbed his hand. “Don’t walk away from me, Seon Yul”. 

He raised his voice “Love is not enough! Don’t you see what’s happening, Soo Hyun? He is gonna get that deal and he is going after us, after you!  This is all my fault. I dragged you into this. I went back into your life, forced myself again into your life and for what? For this? Your life and your family’s life is in danger if he walks free. What then? I can’t run away from this. I am cursed. I don’t deserve you or any joy this world can give. So, just listen and let’s stop this. You deserve a peaceful life. Walk away now. Walk away from me, please. Just listen to me this one time”.

His voice is starting to crack. He is starting to cry. He went inside and sat in his bed. Soo Hyun wants to smack him or punch him for being an idiot keeping it all to himself. Does he think she is inadequate for him? She thinks he thinks of her too fragile. She can handle it. She wants him to know that. She went inside and again kneeled down to him. She grabbed his wounded hands and kissed them again. “Just go and leave me” he begged. “I don’t want to. I will only leave if you will say you don’t love and want me anymore. Say it and I’ll walk away…for good, forever. 

Seon Yul looked at her.. deep into her eyes. He sighed. He is breathless in front of her like always. “Of course, I love you. I always have and I always do” but…I don’t want to hurt you, Soo Hyun. Not again. Not ever. And this…this can hurt you, us and your family. It is not fair. She clapped back at him “You know what is unfair? You not trusting me to be there for you. Look at me, I am here. I am not going anywhere. Don’t try to belittle me. I can do this. I am strong, you know that. I can protect you, too. “ 

Tears came down his face. Nobody has said those words for a very long time. “Ill protect you”. It has always been him protecting everything from everyone he loves. “Just tell me what you need, Soon Yul, let me in. I promise I’ll give it to you”.  He brought his hand to her cheeks, “I don’t need promises. I can’t promise you anything either but I just want you to stay. Don’t leave me. I don’t want to be alone, again”. I just want you.

For the 1st time Soo Hyun saw Seon Yul’s darkened eyes with deep devotion and if she is right, lust. She knows that look. It has been a long time since anther man gave her that look. She teased him “You are the one wanting me to leave and let me go” . “You can have me. You always have me”. 

“I know”, he answered. She stood up and when he wanted to stand up, she stopped him. “ Don't. Just sit like that. Don’t move". Confused Seon Yul got stiff and frozen, what is she doing? His mind is topsy turvy. It is only now he realized, Soo Hyun is wearing a skirt. She adjusted something under her skirt, his mind went blank. Soo Hyun now is on his lap. There is always a first time. His legs is about to break. Yet, something is hardening below and Soo Hyun knows it. She kissed Seon Yul and this time, deep and hungrily. She is taking charge. She is taking control. In his ear, she whispered “ So, you still want to let me go and leave?”. He let a small groan and replied “No, I lied. I don’t want you to go. Not ever.”.

Both breathing heavily now. She is feeling intoxicated and wild. She hates him now but she can’t help it, she is in love with him, too it hurts. They are both hurting. But their bodies need this now. The hear is definitely on. This is somehow his punishment. She bit his ear and said “Don’t say those words again. Don’t do this again. It’s not him who will kill me, its you if something happens to you”. Those words made him moan. His first. He knows what she wants now. Its been the thing he wants the most, too. Them, to be as one. Opening his jeans and both eyes locked at each other, full of love, longing and lust now, he grabbed her waist and ran his fingers in her back like his life depends on it, she saw his length and he is ready to take her. She now is ready to be taken. Slowly, she went down and just like that, up and down, she rode him like it’s the last ride of their lives. She looks sexy, hot, beautiful and breathtaking he whispered to her. Gods be damned. The world be damned. This is their world and it is now crushing in. They made love for the 1st time. In an unconventional place and time. But then again, nothing is conventional with their love why start now? Panting and sweating together, they broke from their kisses, Soo Hyun said “Let’s face it all, together. And with another kiss and thrust, he replied, yes, together”.  🔥

NOTE: Whew! I know. A little smut here and there. lol 😉I am extra proud of this chapter and this one is one of my favorites to date. I don't know if you are surprised but I had a good time writing this one towards the end but also a hard time with their story of continued pain. They deserve better and they will have just that. Before the rainbow though, storms are always there. Last 2 Chapters and then epilogue. I am in love with this two! The end is near. Thank you so much for your support!

[sturniololuv08]

On The Fourth Day Of Nickmas...

Day 4 of Juno's 12 Days Of Nickmas

The morning wasn't as awful because they were all starting to get used to the busyness.

"Matt's going to be upset today," Chris whispered to Nick. Jared and Ryan were getting breakfast and coffee together. Jared's parents were on their way over to say their final goodbyes and drive them all back to the airport.

"Maybe he'll get her number?" Nick shrugged, looking at Matt, who curled up over Bri.

"Who knows." Chris chuckled, walking away. Nick followed back to the kitchen.

"We'll let them sleep a little more." He sat down on a stool. Jared handed Nick a coffee cup and a plate with a few light breakfast items on it. Ryan handed Chris the same plate with heavier portions.

"So, what time is your flight leaving?" Ryan asked, looking directly at Nick. It made Nick feel like Ryan was excited to get rid of him.

"We have to leave here in about an hour." Chris looked at his phone. The airport drive wasn't super far, but with everyone having to get packed up, ready for the plane, and through the airport, it would take up all their time.

"No, we have like four more hours." Nick looked at his phone, confused.

"I got an email, and our flight had to be changed. This was the only one that would have us home in time." Jared's expression was flat.

"One hour." Chris restated.

"Damn. Too bad I don't think that's enough time to ice skate." Ryan now frowned in Jared's direction, furthering Nick's suspicions. He sipped his coffee.

"It's alright. Mom is on her way here to say goodbye to us anyway." Jared didn't seem bothered. The ringer buzzed.

"Speaking of." Ryan stood up and opened the main door below with the push of a button. Within minutes, the chatter from last night started up again. Ryan and Jared chit-chatted with his parents while they ate. His parents declined breakfast, having already had some on the way over.

"I hate that you have to leave already. One day just isn't enough time." Jared's mother whined.

"I know, but we have to make sure we are back in LA for Nick's campaign." He answered nonchalantly. He was used to Nick being busy with YouTuber things.

"His campaign?" She turned to look at her son's best friend.

"Yeah," Nick shifted his weight on his feet awkwardly, feeling bad that he was the reason their holidays were cut so short. "I have this like lip balm stuff, and I have to do a Christmas photo shoot for it." Jared caught his hesitancy in talking about his brand and found it odd. Nick was the type of person who told a random cashier in a drive-thru to buy Space Camp without any remorse or awkwardness. Now, here he was, not even able to say his brand's name.

"That sounds like fun. Hopefully, it goes well." She smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "Where is your sister?" She asked, looking around at all the faces.

"Sleeping in her room still," Jared said casually.

"We better wake her up before she misses her chance to see you off," Their mom said, starting to walk toward her room.

"I'll do it!" Chris jumped in her way and started walking fast to her door.

"Nothing," Nick said while eyeing Chris. Everyone started exchanging silent glances, trying to figure out their odd behavior. Shortly after, Chris and Bri emerged from the skinny hallway.

"Gonna miss you, bro." She yawned.

"Thanks," He said sarcastically. We should really start getting ready to go, though." He finished side-hugging her. Nick nodded. Bri escaped to her room while Jared and Nick returned to his. "Is everything okay?" Jared asked once they had some privacy.

"What? Yeah." Nick clearly lied.

"Nick, you love shoving Space Camp in everyone's face... what is going on?" Jared knew his best friend better than that.

"I just feel bad taking you away from your family. I feel like if I didn't have to go back to LA -"

"Stop. If I wanted to stay I would. My family is best in small doses. Trust me." Jared packed his clothes up.

"You sure?" Nick looked up at him.

"I'm positive. The only thing I really miss is our little traditions like cutting down the tree or hanging lights outside while we all complain it's too cold. We got to do cookies, though, so I'm happy." Jared loved his family, but one whole day of them chattering and being loud and all over the place was enough—wholesome but enough. They all packed and carried their bags out to the cramped living room. Bri and Matt coming from her room was not unnoticed.

"Ready?" Everyone nodded and shuffled down the apartment hallways to get to the car waiting out front. Everyone squished in the same spots. At the airport, the same hugging from when they arrived took place, except this time, everyone was held onto a little longer.

"Be safe okay." Tammy smiled. "And you, good luck with your campaign." She grabbed Nick into a hug. He was taken by surprise, so by the time he went to hug her back, she created space between them.

"Bye. Have fun." Bri waved everyone off. As they walked to the plane loading, Chris wanted to address it.

"So, Jared's sister, huh?" He nudged Matt.

"Shut up." He walked faster to get away from Chris.

"Seriously, I don't even wanna know." Jared waved his hand, and the three of them laughed. The group made it on the plane and were off to their next destination. Chris listened to his headphones, and Matt played Clash of Clans side by side. 

Jared stared out the window as Nick rested on his shoulder. Since his friend was asleep, he felt like he could think about his feelings without possibly being caught. He was replaying the car video over and over in his head, trying to figure out what it meant. He loved Nick. Everything about his best friend was lovable, but was he lovable like that? "Hey, we are landing."

"Already?" Nick mumbled. They grabbed their stuff and shuffled out. "Wait... Where the fuck are we?" Nick looked around, noticing this airport was not LAX.

"We are in Colorado!" Jared said, overly excited.

"Why?" Nick looked disgusted.

"Well, you said you wanted to ice skate, and we didn't have a lot of time to, so I fixed our flights, and now we can spend the night at The Pines Lodge." Jared was trying to turn his friend's disgust around.

"Okay..." Nick was warming up. He rubbed his eyes and looked around again.

"We can ice skate, ski; we can even play a little ice hockey."

"Sick," Matt said as he and Chris nudged each other, indicating that was where their time would be spent.

"Did you two know about this?" Nick asked them as they started moving towards the cabs.

"I did." Chris smiled proudly. He loaded his bags first. The drive to the lodge took an additional two hours, which wasn't too bad. In the morning, it was going to be the worst though.

"How much did this even cost?" Nick asked as they pulled up to the mansion-like building. The snow had fallen like a soft blanket over everything, and the ski lift was operating in the background.

"Enough." Jared smiled, glancing at Nick. He saw his face glowing with wonder as he looked around the property. The car dropped them off out front, and the men immediately came out with carts to take their bags.

"I'll say." Matt surrendered his bag.

"Let's go running!" Jared said, walking off in the direction of the skate rental hub.

"Running?" Chris and Nick looked at each other confused. They all got the skates they needed. The three identical boys picked out hockey skates while Jared grabbed figure skates.

"You gonna skate in those?" Chris mocked his tinier skates.

"You'll see," Jared smirked. They all hit the ice quickly except Nick, who was standing at the entrance. "Didn't you play hockey?" Jared swiveled around him.

"Not good." Nick ushered his hand out, displaying his awkward body.

"Come on. I got you." Jared grabbed Nick's hand and yanked him on the ice. Nick was standing and doing just fine balancing. See, you are fine." Matt and Chris were off in the background, racing each other up and down the ice. There were several different ice pools around, so there were only a few other people on the one they chose.

"Okay. I got it." Nick was falsely confident. Jared wanted to show off to the other brothers, so he left Nick and did a fast round around the giant ice pit. He did a little jump, which was nothing crazy, just the one cool move he knew how to make.

"Ok, Johnny Wier." Matt came up and shook Jared's shoulder.

"That's all I got." Jared was humble.

"That was so cool. You gotta teach me." Chris took Jared's attention. Jared and Chris skated into the middle of the ice and Jared slowly tried to teach Chris something he would never be able to do. Matt and Nick watched comfortably from their stationary spot. Nick noticed Jared's tall skinny body looked elegant when he moved. His leg being lifted was smooth, and he glided effortlessly around Chris, who was rugged and flustered.

"You sure he is just a friend?" Matt finally broke the silence.

"What?" Nick's cheeks flushed when he was asked the question he had avoided since their car video.

"I saw the car video." Nick glared at Matt. "It was an accident. I was looking for something else, and I saw it." Matt held his hands up.

"He is just a friend," Nick's outburst didn't feel like a lie, but deep down, it felt like a betrayal.

"Okay. Well, if he wasn't, I know Chris and I would be happy for you." Matt said, knowing his brother might need the extra push. Nick wasn't the type to take any leaps in life, so Matt knew his comforting words might be the push Nick needed.

"We're just friends," Nick said and skated towards a failing Chris and a laughing Jared. Matt followed, not wanting to be left out. "You guys wanna do anything else?"

"I hope it's okay I messaged Bella." Chris steadied himself to a stop.

"I was thinking about going inside to the spa." Matt laughed awkwardly.

"Anything you wanna do?" Jared asked Nick.

"I wouldn't mind getting something to eat."

"That actually sounds really good," Chris said.

"Yeah?"

"Let's go." They all glided off the ice and unlaced their skates. They made their way to the in-lodge restaurant, and Matt ditched them.

"Chris." The three of them turned to see a short, dark-haired girl walking over at a fast pace.

"Bug." Chris met her embrace and picked her up. He wasn't very tall himself, but next to her, he looked taller. She giggled.

"I'm glad you texted. Why are you here?" She said as they approached Jared and Nick.

"Jared wanted to surprise Nick with some ice skating and winter shit." Chris shrugged.

"That's so cute. You got a good boyfriend, Nick." She smiled, and everyone's faces changed.

"He's not -" Nick rubbed the back of his neck.

"We are just friends," Jared said humbly, giving Nick a small smile. "Let's get a table." He changed the subject, seeing how awkward Bella felt about the mess-up. Chris rubbed her back in little circles to make her feel better as he ushered her to the table. They all ordered, and as they were waiting, Jared and Nick were in the hot seat.

"So, how did you guys meet?" Bella was curious. She had only known Chris for a while, but they visited each other every chance they got, so she knew Matt and Nick fairly well. She could tell Nick was holding something back.

"We met in LA at -"

"Oh my god, the tryouts." Jared covered his face in embarrassment.

"What tryouts?" Chris didn't know the story either.

"Space Camp had model tryouts, and Jared was one." Nick started laughing.

"I was told it was supposed to be tropical okay?!" Jared pleaded his case.

"This man shows up dressed for like a Hawaiian vacation." Jared covered his reddening face. "It was for the pool club pack." Nick was giggling.

"Did you get the part?" Bella inquired more about the story.

"Of course not! I looked ridiculous." Jared laid his head on his arms on the tabletop.

"But I loved his enthusiasm, so I reached out personally to hang out, and best friends ever since." Nick was beaming at Jared. Chris noticed a little spark in his brother's eye. He had seen Nick happy in the past before, but something about his friendship with Jared was different, a little more real. Their food came while they were all laughing and talking. Chris kept a hand on Bella's thigh the whole time, and Jared and Nick continued sharing glances, accompanied by smiles, when someone said something funny.

"You coming back to my room?" Chris held Bella's hands in his, unafraid of open affection in the lobby.

"Sure." She smiled at him. They didn't see each other often, so they jumped at every chance to jump on each other.

"Wanna relax in the room?" Jared asked his roommate.

"Yeah." They made it to their oversized room, and Nick collapsed on the bed. He quickly sat up. "Only one bed?" He looked around.

"I mean, we have shared before. Plus, I wanted the room with the view." Jared opened the curtain to expose the wood panel window. There was something incredibly peaceful about looking out at the white mountain with people enjoying freezing activities all over it while being inside a warm room with dim yellow lighting. It felt like Christmas to him. Nick chuckled at his stupid question. They shared a bed last night, and it was completely normal. Why would he start worrying about it now?

"Are we going to be in LA in time for my campaign shoot?" Nick wondered. The thought of business hadn't crossed his mind for a while, but he needed to stay on top of it.

"Of course. I called Laura, and she told me the details of when and where so Chris and I could work this into our stops." Jared sat down next to Nick and laid back. Nick joined him.

"All this for me?" Nick whispered up at the ceiling.

"Yeah. I wanted you to feel like you got to have some fun. Surprise." Jared lightly shrugged.

"I really appreciate it." Nick wasn't sure how to explain how this surprise truly made him feel. He was also just happy that Ryan wasn't here to steal all of his friends' attention. They put on a random Christmas movie from the Hallmark channel and lay a foot apart in the bed. "Jared?" Nick whispered after the movie ended. There was no answer. He grabbed a blanket off a chair in the corner and covered him up while he slept. Nick couldn't sleep because all he could think about was the tiny seed Matt had planted in the back of his mind. What would it be like if they weren't just best friends?

My Taglist is built each post from comments so to be added to day 5 of Nickmas just comment and you'll be added. (Taglist is post specific so you won't be tagged in any other AUs, ONLY 12 Days Of Nickmas)

Taglist: @trevorsgodmother @strnilolover @chrissbug333 @kirby0strombolli @abbilmao @ksturnz @thenickgirl (I Love You)

Tagging @issysh3ll for the obvious <3

[xysidhequeen]

How does tim meet Jason and danny

do they like kidnap him when they notice he’s been up for 3-4 days without sleep and take him to jazz to make him sleep

Batman panic and tim just shows up 12-24 hours later we’ll rested but he keeps disappearing because he keeps refusing to sleep

I can't really answer this because that's going to be what happens next chapter (hopefully). If Jason can stop being stuck in his head long enough for Tim to actually come into the chapter.

7k+ words already and they haven't even met face to face and this chapter has to be in Jason's POV. So. It'll be one of my longer ones most likely.

Also keep in mind this is during the time when Bruce isn't paying as much attention to Tim. Like. He has yet to even notice Tim is severely neglected and his parents have left him alone for months on end. So. Danny and Jason could probably kidnap him for a full two weeks before Bruce even notices if the Titans don't tell him Tim's gone AWOL. Which will be something addressed later on.

[ramblingsfromthytruly]

"You'll not always be motivated so you have to be disciplined."

day 29+30+31/50 productivity challenge - condensing 3 days into 1 post cuz of 2 all nighters in a row i- dw tho cuz i did sleep a couple of hours in between here & there.. still genuinely dunno how i survived. learn from my mistakes & don't procrastinate cuz that's the only reason i was stuck in this mess

23rd September 2024, Monday

[almost nobody from my class actually went to school (& i'm not an exception) cuz tuesday's a study break & wednesday's our chem exam]

💤: 8 hrs - i mean ig at least that's one plus side of sleeping in?

🕒 1 p.m.- *sigh*

afternoon morning skincare

duolingo

practiced playing keyboard

did some college-related research

gradblr intro post

took bath

studied + made notes chemistry ch: structure of atom (not fully)

did so much planning fml (not good, not good at all, i procrastinated a lot!!)

did an exercise video

🚰: 4 glasses

24th September 2024, Tuesday

[study break day]

🕒 6:30 a.m. - my "night" is over & the day has begun

morning skincare

revised chemistry ch: some basic concepts of chemistry

🕒 12 - 3 p.m. - napped

duolingo

had a mental breakdown, pathetically cried, felt like a failure, etc

studied chemistry ch: structure of atom

took bath

night skincare

packed bag for tmr

🕒 10 p.m. - 12 a.m. - napped

🚰: 3 glasses

25th September 2024, Wednesday

[chem exam]

studied chemistry ch: classification of elements and periodicity in properties

studied chemistry ch: chemical bonding and molecular structure

morning skincare

quickly wrote down all formulae + important values

🕒 8 a.m. - left for school sleep deprived asf but caffeinated & motivated to get through the terrible exam

chemistry exam: i will be in deep shit when results come out *sigh* obviously i'm not happy when my friends do bad but only one comfort is that we're in shit together (they're literally the only 2 ppl i talk to in school). i NEED to do well on all my other exams, like somehow make an extraordinary improvement to show that i'm good with the other subjects and will just prioritize studying chem in the future. also made a deal with my mom that if i get above 83% overall then i'll finally get my own tab and headphones. we've been meaning to buy it for some time now, and my mom agreed only because my first tests' marks was at 64% (cuz i didn't study..). not exactly an "academic weapon" just yet.. only yet hopefully..

🕒 1-5 p.m. - came back home & slept like a log (no one's surprised)

(re) planned my day

took bath

ate my first meal of the day (how did i survive till here with just a coffee before school??)

played chess online (lost once, won once)

planned week after dussehra break

night skincare

decided to take a break today & wake up early tmr to start anew; i.e. operation proper sleep every night is green!

🕒 12 a.m. - went to bed finally

🚰: 4 glasses

🎧: a beautiful ravenclaw-themed playlist on youtube

[fertilize-my-eggs]

Lusting after you ch.4

It's finally happening.

Ch. 1 ch. 2 ch. 3 ch. 5 ch.6 ch.7 ch.8 ch.9 ch.10 ch.11 ch.12 A03

A/N: this one is short and similar to my last chapter but I finally working on this story after two years 💀 I'm sorry for not updating this story quickly, I hope y'all enjoy this short chapter. How will the reader react to this? Will she approve of her new life and shigaraki or will she fight back to get her old life back? (P.s. this is gonna be a slow burn so they won't do it until she's fully broken.)

Tomura's pov.

I look at Shuichi with a huge smirk as I pat his dark brown shoulder.” ready for this spinner? ” he blink slow as he glup a bit.

“ uhh yeah… we're not gonna get caught right boss? ” I let's out a deep raspy laughter as I look into his reddish eyes.

“ nahh, we're been here for an one hour and no one call the cops on us.. ” I let's a sigh.

“ we should hurry up with this storyline.. it'll be a game over c’mon man! ” I whisper loudly as he nod his head quickly. we both got out of the van, rust to Y/N's window. I look at spinner as I whisper quietly.

“ I'll go in, put the pills into her mouth and once she's doesn't respond. We're carrying her to the van fast. ” shuichi nod his head as I slowly pull the window up as I crawl into her bedroom, it's was awfully quiet as I slowly approach her bed.

She's was sleeping peacefully like an angel, drool slowing running down her chin as her hair was a mess but still gorgeous as ever.

I use my thumb to pull her lip down as I cautiously pull out the small bag, this pill will last until morning I think.. I forgot what ashtray say to me, hopefully it's be good..

I put the pill into her mouth as I watch her swallow it, I wait for minutes as I snap my fingers near her ears.

She isn't responding okay… I look at spinner as I nod my head, he push the window wide enough for him to enter.

“ should we leave to the door? ” I blink at him like it's was a fucking easy game.

“ huh? No… Do you want us to get spotted by the nosy neighbors?? ” I whisper shout at him.

“ okay.. I was just asking dude. ” I roll my eyes as I grab her shoulder.

“ hurry up before she's wake up from her sleep spinner! ” shuichi nod as he grabbed her legs, we walk towards the same entrance luckily the window was close to our van where no one can see what is happing to you.

Soon my sweet, you'll be loved and happy with your new life. You'll be pamper like queen you are, I rub your cheek affectionately as I help spinner carrying your body.

We finally got to the ground as I carry you in my arms as spinner quick to turn on the engine, I head in the back of the van.

I grabbed the rope to tie your body up as spinner is driving, the deep quiet fill the atmosphere in the car.

It's finally happening, I finally have you in my life.

I placed a soft kiss on your lips as we getting closer to the bar.

“ don't worry about your belongings y/n, we'll get it once we drop you off in my room~. ” I whisper softly as I caress your soft cheeks.

[dilfspitdrinker]

Let The Light In | Joel Miller x f!reader

Description: You’ve been babysitting Joel Miller’s daughter all summer. No matter now much you try to deny it, you know you’re into him. But it’s just a little crush that you thought could never be reciprocated, until one fateful phone call. The shift between you two is irresistible, and you’re in for more than you ever anticipated. A/N: holy shit guys, sorry for the fucking hiatus?? Hopefully the smut in this chapter will make up for it. ITS HAPPENING! EVERYBODY STAY CALM! STAY FUCKING CALM! no guys seriously relax I'm already nervous don't make it a big deal shut up stop laughing. I've been mad busy with lyfe and college lately and had a hard time with this chapter, constantly having to remind myself that I do this FOR FUN and it literally does not matter if it's bad!!! BUT IM LOSING THE IDGAF WAR!!!! anyways enjoy and ily for reading

Warnings/tags: MDNI, oral + fingering (f receiving) (he give me brain like nyu), Joel is a talker, reader likes chocolate, age gap (reader is like 21 and Joel is in late 30s), (no his age doesn't canonically line up with what it should be since Sarah is like 12 here but idgaf)

Masterlist

Chapter 7

Once you woke, it took only a moment for you to recognize Joel’s bed, and your thoughts immediately began racing. You hadn’t slept together, had you? There was no way you’d had enough drinks to have forgotten if that happened, right? A quick flip of the covers revealed you were still in your dress. Guessing that meant no. He wasn’t in bed with you, didn’t look like he’d even been there, the covers on the other side looked quite undisturbed. Confused, you supposed he might’ve woken up before you and made just that side of the bed. Weird, but what other explanation was there?

You quietly followed the same routine as the last time you woke up in Joel’s bed, rushing to the bathroom to check yourself. Even after fixing your hair and dress that had gone askew, the thought of going out there in your little outfit from last night made you cringe. You thought briefly about going back to his room and stealing some of his clothes, just to avoid walking into the kitchen looking like you’d passed out after clubbing or something. After how great your date went, you prayed you hadn’t ruined it by saying or doing anything mortifyingly embarrassing, since you apparently didn’t even remember getting into bed.

You steeled yourself and padded down the hall. Peering around the corner into the kitchen, your voice came out small, “Joel?”

He was sitting at the table, dressed casually, a mug of steaming coffee in hand. A smile spread over his face at the sight of you, “Mornin’ darlin’. You sleep alright?”

“Yeah,” you gingerly sat across from him.

He could see the question in your eyes, and answered it to save you the embarrassment, “I slept on the couch.”

With that revelation, you quickly switched gears. Your tone was devoid of humor, “Are you kidding me?”

He gave you a quizzical look.

“You let me sleep in your bed while you slept on the couch again?”

He laughed you off, but you wouldn’t let him get away with it.

“I’m serious,” you crossed your arms, “Doesn’t matter if I’m here, it’s your own house, you’re sleeping in your own bed.”

“Yes ma’am,” he grinned, taking another sip from his mug.

You glared at him, but the hardness in your face dissolved as soon as he set a cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of you. Despite your outrage at the sleeping situation, Joel’s presence still managed to put you at ease. You’d even forgotten about why the dress thing made you nervous, he was probably enjoying the view.

“What time is it?” you asked between sips. You hadn’t registered the hour on the clock when you’d woken up in your alarmed state.

“Early,” he responded.

You hummed, soothing your mild grogginess with the coffee. You wished you’d slept in just a little more. You wished you’d slept in with Joel. Not ready to back down just yet, you asked sharply, “And how did you sleep?”

He was amused by your stubbornness, “You’re not lettin’ that go, are you?”

“Never.” 

He sighed, “Just didn’t wanna get all up in your business, darlin’.”

You rolled your eyes, “Oh please, you can get all up in my business anytime you want.”

He chuckled, “I’ll keep that in mind from now on.”

You two sat together, finishing off your coffees. Sunlight poured in through the windows, and you silently watched specks of dust float around him like a halo. His eyes still looked heavy with sleep, blinking slowly. More often than not, he would come home fighting exhaustion as he thanked you for watching Sarah. There were a few instances where he paid you a day late, accompanied with a text apologizing profusely for forgetting. You’d always assured him that it was fine, imagining how he must’ve passed out the second his head hit the pillow. In the quiet morning light, you wanted to pull him into bed, cradle his face, soothe the lines etched into his skin. You thought you’d do anything to relieve his stress.

He stood to collect your empty mugs, his broad frame towering over you.

Yes, anything.

You became newly aware of your dress, tugging the hem down a bit. While his back was to you, you cleared your throat, “Sorry for crashing here again.”

“How long ‘fore you learn…” he sighed to himself. He turned and crossed his arms, unexpectedly stern, “Will you quit talkin’ like you’re an inconvenience?”

The hand that fiddled with your dress stilled. You began fumbling through a sort of confession, “Sorry, I just, I don’t want you to think I’m… I don’t know…” You trailed off, unsure of exactly what image you were trying to avoid. Messy? Unpredictable? Opportunistic?

Brows turning up, he spoke, “Sweetheart, whatever it is, you gotta know that I only think good things of you.” He stepped forward and closed the space between you, capturing your face in his hands. He leaned down and kissed you sweetly.

As soon as your lips parted, the words spilled out. “This is gonna sound dumb,” you started, to which he immediately shook his head. You continued, wondering how much dumber you sounded with each word, “I just, I don’t want to do things that’ll make me seem– that’ll make you, like, not take me seriously. I don’t know if that makes sense.”

He pulled out a chair and sat facing you. “Why wouldn’t I take you seriously?”

So he was going to make you say it? You figured you’d have this conversation eventually if this thing was going to continue, but you didn’t expect to find yourself having it here and now. You felt unsteady, despite being seated. Inhaling, you willed your voice to come out stronger than you felt, “Because… I’m younger than you.”

The air stilled as Joel stared at you for a moment, thinking of the most careful way to say he didn’t give a damn about how it looked from the outside. Truly, he was old and gruff and undeserving of you. Indeed, you were young and pretty and lively and smart and giving and everything he fucking needed. He rested his elbows on his knees, leaning forward, “Right. Let’s clear up a few things. First and foremost, I care about your feelings and your wellbeing. If the uh, the age difference is makin’ you uncomfortable or unsure, we don’t have to do this.”

You pursed your lips together, palms feeling clammy. “I know it’s… unconventional, or at least most people would think it is, but I’m okay with it if you are.”

“I’m the same way darlin’. Don’t want you thinkin’ I have a- a thing for young ladies, it ain’t like that. It’s just,” he looked into your eyes, “you.”

You cracked a smile, “Yeah, I’ve never gone after an older man before.”

“I’d hope not. Even most of these grown men ain’t good enough for you.”

You quirked an eyebrow, “And what’s good enough for me?”

“I could be, if you decide to keep me around,” he winked. “But hey, I mean it. If you start feelin’ like this isn’t the right thing for you, tell me. Please.”

You nodded, even though the notion sounded impossible. You wanted Joel with a ferocity unlike anything you’d felt before. Now that you’d had a taste of him, you needed more, even if blindly going after him made you look like a dog chasing a squirrel. For the first time, you wondered what your friends would think of it. Or your parents- would they wonder in bewilderment what had possessed you to seek out a single father? But they didn’t know Joel, you were sure that anyone who stepped into your shoes could understand why this man had you obsessed. Despite your insecurities, you were confident that he would be attentive to your needs. You looked into his eyes intently, “I trust you, Joel.”

He took it as a warning. “I know you do. And I don’t take that lightly.” He shifted in his seat, ruminating on whether you knew what you were getting yourself into. He didn’t want to deny your autonomy, but god, he didn’t want to be the reason you felt trapped down the line. And most of all, if it turned into a burning mess, he didn’t want to get Sarah tangled in it. But the way you were looking at him, those eyes were his weakness. How the hell was he supposed to deny himself of you when you were giving him that goddamn look, eyes revealing that you were so eager to please, dying to be something real to him.

“You check me if I’m outta line,” he poked your nose. The way you scrunched it had him falling faster than he thought possible.

“Oh, that’s my new favorite excuse.” Your voice turned parodic, “Joel, you can’t make me do the dishes, that’s taking advantage of me.”

“God, you’re gonna kill me, girl.” His warm laughter filled the kitchen, filled your heart. He stood, pulled you to your feet and into an embrace. You buried your nose into his neck. His lips pressed a kiss to the crown of your head.

You sighed and mumbled into his skin, “I should probably get going, huh?”

He tutted in disapproval, “Go take a shower. Help yourself to my clothes.”

You pretended to contemplate, then said, “If you insist.”

In the shower, you reflected on last night, and finally recalled falling asleep on top of Joel. He’d probably carried you to bed. You cursed yourself for not being awake to remember the feeling. He’d probably lifted you into his arms like you were made of feathers. You focused on washing your hair to avoid getting too worked up, reaching for Joel’s shampoo yet again. Logically, you understood how one thing lead to another since the last time you did this, but emotionally, you could hardly comprehend how one phone call generated this sequence of events between you two.

The striking sense of deja vu followed your path back into his room. You rooted around his dresser, picking out a T-shirt and sweatpants. Pulling them on, you giggled to yourself, remembering your date banter about him wanting to see you in his T-shirt. You’d obviously meant it in a much less innocent way, but you supposed this counted too. While you were at it, you couldn’t resist the urge to snoop a bit. It seemed like he kept his room tidy, save for a few pairs of socks discarded on the floor. You slid open the nightstand drawer, not expecting much, but found some neatly folded clothes that didn’t look like his. In fact, they looked a whole lot like yours. Pulling them out, you confirmed, they were the clothes you had on the night Joel picked you up. You’d ultimately forgotten to retrieve them. You put them back as they were, deciding that your wardrobe didn’t miss these particular garments that much. But more so, you liked knowing that Joel kept a piece of you here, in his space, close to him.

Upon your return to the kitchen, he smirked at the sight of you, his shirt hanging loosely off your frame. You knew he’d like it. He leaned against the counter, nursing a second cup of coffee, “What you feelin’ like for breakfast, beautiful?”

You shrugged, “Anything.”

“You gotta gimme a real answer, darlin’.”

“Let’s do your favorite, I’ll help you make it.”

“Bacon and eggs it is, then.”

He was about to tell you where the pans and utensils were, but he watched you move around his kitchen with efficiency, already knowing which cabinets to reach for. He loved seeing you be so in your element in his house, like you lived here.

The moment felt insulated from the world. You, swaying slightly as you tended the stove. His hand on the small of your back as he moved behind you.

At some point, Joel snuck in some toast and fruit that you didn’t notice until you sat to serve yourself.

“When did we end up with such a spread?” you asked, baffled.

“When you weren’t lookin’,” he answered with a cheeky grin.

*. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. * · *. *

You sat on the couch, struggling to stay focused on an assignment. The minutes crawled by, the afternoon sun casting sidelong shadows of everything in your apartment.

Your eyes lit up when the phone rang, a welcome distraction, and all the more welcome to see it was Joel calling.

You quickly picked up, “Hi!”

“Hey darlin’, whatcha up to?”

“Just finishing up some homework. What about you?”

“Sittin’ here in my empty house.”

“Sarah’s not back yet?” you asked, surprised.

“She was back for a couple hours, then left again to a friend’s house. She’s really been into sleepovers lately.”

“That’s cool,” you tried to sound nonchalant. “So, what, you want me to keep you company?”

He heard your smile through the phone. “You got me there. You can, uh, bring over your work if you’re busy, I don’t mind.”

Your heart tightened knowing that he didn’t mind if your attention wasn’t on him, he enjoyed your presence all the same. You liked the thought of doing your assignments at his place, but you knew you definitely wouldn’t have any hope of concentrating. “I’m almost done with this, let me finish and I’ll be all yours.”

He liked the sound of that a little too much. “Alright darlin’. See you soon?”

“Within the hour.”

“I’m countin’ down the minutes.”

You rushed through the rest of your assignment, crossing your fingers that your professor would get bored halfway through and skim over the drop in quality. You practically threw yourself into your car, only realizing that you hadn’t changed out of Joel’s clothes once you were too far from your street to care. Whatever, as if he would mind.

You arrived at his house, opening the unlocked door with a clammy hand. Here once again, with Sarah gone, just the two of you. After your conversation this morning, you weren’t quite sure where you two were going from here, and you were anxious to find out. You stepped into the living room, not finding him there.

“Hi Joel,” you called out.

You jumped a bit when a pair of large and strong arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you backward into him. His chest was so warm against your back, easing the tension in your spine.

He leaned down and kissed your temple, “Missed you honey.”

“Missed me? I was only gone for a couple hours.”

“Too many,” he mumbled into your neck, planting a kiss there.

Your heart fluttered. You hadn’t expected Joel to be such a lover, already treating you like his one and only.

“Have you eaten, baby?”

“Not since our breakfast.”

“You hungry?”

“I could go for a snack.”

“Then we’ll get you a snack,” he led you by the hand to the kitchen.

You sat yourself on the countertop while he grabbed something from the highest shelf. His shirt rode up a bit, and you got a delicious view of his skin. 

“I hide these up here so Sarah doesn’t get to ‘em,” he pulled out a box of chocolates.

“Ah, secret stash. Should’ve kept it hidden from me too.”

“You’re allowed to know,” he winked.

You reached to grab some, but he intercepted your hand. He held one in front of your face, and after a moment of staring blankly, it clicked, and you promptly opened your mouth.

He smirked, and barely whispered, “Good girl,” but you heard it loud and clear. He popped the chocolate into your mouth. It was dark, you thought you recalled him saying he didn’t like things that were too sweet. You hummed in enjoyment.

You noticed a smudge of melted chocolate residue on the pads of his index and thumb. A devilish idea occurred to you, and you held back a smirk so as to not reveal your plot. Feigning innocence, you took his palm and pulled it to your mouth, closing your lips around his finger.

He froze, eyes locked on your face.

You swirled your tongue around his finger, licking off the chocolate and savoring the taste of his skin under the sweetness.

He slowly pulled his finger from your mouth to replace it with his thumb. His index, still wet with your saliva, curled under your chin, tilting your head up while bringing his thumb up to your lips. Looking at him through your lashes, you sucked off the chocolate, teeth gently grazing the ridges of his fingerprint. He almost wanted to laugh in disbelief, laugh at himself for not giving you enough credit. You devious little thing, you knew exactly what you were doing.

“What game are you playing, hmm?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you narrowed your eyes at him, as if offended by the question.

“I know you want somethin’. What are you tryin’ to get out of me?” He came to stand between your legs, hands planted on the counter at either side of you, caging you in.

“Nothing. Seems like you want somethin’.” Your hands laced together at the back of his neck, drawing him in closer.

His eyes raked down your figure, pupils wide and dark. For the first time, you identified lust in his gaze. You wondered how many times you hadn’t noticed it.

Your lips met in an ardent kiss, and your tongues quickly found each other. His hands roamed your hips and waist, fingers pressing into your soft flesh. You felt the warmth of his skin slide under your shirt, but just barely.

You had him figured out enough. For all his flirting – and much as you wished he’d do as he pleased with you – Joel was too cautious, you’d have to draw it out of him. You nudged his hands to go further up, and with the encouragement, his large palms smoothed over your back– strategically braless.

A groan vibrated in his throat, and he detached his lips from yours just far enough to mumble, “That what you want?”

You looked deep into his eyes, testing the connection, seeing if he could read you.

He could. Like a fucking book. And from that gleam in your pupils, he knew exactly what you needed. He asked in a teasingly coy tone, “Want me to make you feel good?”

You bit your lip and nodded, buzzing with anticipation.

Immediately, he picked you up off the counter, palms spread over your ass and squeezing. Your arms clung to his neck as he carried you to his room.

He laid you on the bed, holding himself over you. His lips trailed from your face, down to your neck, nipping at your collarbone. Once he heard you taking deeper breaths, he leaned away to stand. You propped yourself on your elbows, watching him with curiosity mixed with disappointment. You voiced your dissatisfaction, “Why are you so far?”

Standing above you, he raised a brow. He grabbed your legs from the back of your knees and yanked you to the edge of the bed. You released a small yelp at the suddenness, but it only added to the desire swirling in your stomach.

“Better?” He splayed a large hand on your chest, pushing you back onto the mattress. He kissed a path from your mouth to your ear, and whispered huskily, “Or you want me closer?”

Your hands twisted in his shirt, wanting to pull him against you, but he was moving away again… only to kneel between your legs. He rested his cheek against your thigh, giving you a sultry look.

He toyed with the waistband of the sweatpants. “You look real good in my clothes, baby. Planning on stealin’ these too?”

“I didn’t steal them, just… haven’t given them back.” You could hardly string the sentence together with his knuckles running along your hips.

“Sure. Might as well take them back now,” he started tugging down the sweatpants, “y’know, ‘fore you forget.”

Past your knees, off your ankles, discarded on the floor. His lip curled at the sight of your little blue panties.

His hands slid under your shirt, pushing it up and finding your heated skin. Your heart raced and you clutched the fabric, “I think I wanna keep this on.”

His eyes flickered to yours, “Whatever makes you most comfortable baby. Can I still touch under there?”

“Please,” you nodded. It wasn’t that you felt particularly shy, the truth was, it turned you on more to have Joel doing this while wearing his shirt. It made you feel claimed.

You felt his breath against your thighs as he spoke, “I’ll go real slow baby, you let me know how I’m doin’.”

You nodded, heart racing with anticipation.

“Need you to use your words, baby.”

You swallowed thickly, then found your voice, “I’m ready.”

He looked down at the dark wetness staining your panties. His eyes flicked back up to yours with a smirk, “I can tell.”

He hooked his fingers into the waistband, and slowly, so damn slowly, pulled them down, revealing you to him. You felt his breath against your pulsing heat, “You’re gorgeous baby.”

His hands slid up your thighs, pushing them apart. With each thumb, he spread your pussy lips open. He groaned at the sight, “So pretty baby…”

Gingerly, you threaded your fingers through his hair. He looked up at you expectantly, a small smile on his face that you found reassuring. “Let me take care of you, sweetie.”

You gave him a small nod, and he dipped his head. He licked a thick stripe through your folds, eliciting a whimper from you. It reached a higher pitch when he attached his lips to your clit. Responding to your noises, he devoted his attention to your clit, licking and sucking at a pace that soon had you whining. One of his hands snaked up your torso, under the shirt, until it reached the softness of your breast. His thumb circled your nipple, adding to the warmth pooling in your loins.

He lifted his head briefly to check in, “How you feelin’ honey?”

“Good, keep going,” you rushed out, tugging at his hair.

He chuckled, “Yes ma’am.”

He replaced his tongue with his fingers, sliding two of them up and down through your wetness, circling your clit and teasing your hole.

“Joel, please,” you moaned.

“Please what?”

You whined in response.

“Gotta use your words, baby.”

You tilted your head back onto the pillow, faced with the ceiling. “I need your fingers,” you choked out, cheeks heating at the words.

He hummed, index and middle still giving attention to your clit. “Look at me,” he commanded.

You looked down at him between your thighs, and once your eyes locked, he began pushing in one thick digit. You moaned, eyelids threatening to close, but he captured your gaze again with a low voice, “Keep looking at me darlin', that’s it… good girl.”

Once his finger was up to the knuckle inside you, he started pumping in and out at a measured pace. When he reattached his lips to your clit, your head fell back and a long moan escaped your throat. His tongue swirled ceaselessly around the bud, making your hips squirm.

Slowly, he pulled his finger almost completely out of you, and you felt a second prodding for entry. They pushed in slowly, allowing you to relish the stretch.

“Joel,” you whimpered in a way that had him grinding against nothing. He pumped his fingers at a faster pace, needing to hear his name pass your lips again.

He curled his fingers up, and you clenched around him with a high pitched moan.

“That’s the spot, huh?” He looked up at you mischievously, “Yeah, I know.”

His other hand continued playing with your nipple. With your own hand, you pulled the shirt higher, exposing your plush tits. He suddenly pushed himself up, eagerly attaching his mouth to the swell of your breast. He pressed wet kisses down one side, nipping and sucking just hard enough to leave a few purple marks. His fingers never stopped massaging that perfect spot inside you, rapidly pushing you toward the edge.

“Joel- fuck- ” you panted, “I’m so close.”

He brought himself back down to your pussy, taking in the sight of you dripping around his fingers. He flattened his tongue against your clit, and the sensation made you jerk your hips up.

“That’s right baby, get yourself there,” he rasped.

You gripped his hair, grinding on his tongue. His fingers stroked your g-spot further with every movement. He had you right where he wanted you, thoughts reduced to nothing but his name.

“Joel,” you moaned brokenly, eyes rolling back. Your orgasm rippled through you, had you arching your back and curling your toes.

“So sweet,” you felt him mumble, his lips never breaking contact with your pussy. Like a man starved, he licked you clean, lapping at your juices. You whined every time his tongue brushed over your sensitive clit, hardly allowing you to come down from your high. You tugged at his hair, and he reluctantly lifted his head from between your thighs.

He kissed a trail up your torso, chest, neck, and finally reaching your lips. He kissed you softly, slowly, tenderly. But even through your hazy mind, you dared not think lovingly.

“What about you?” you panted.

He smoothed your shirt down and moved you onto your side, pulling you into his chest. “Don’t worry about me sweetheart.”

“But I wanna return the favor,” you mumbled into his chest.

“You’ll get to another time, I just wanna focus on you.”

You relented without much of a fight, still dazed and sleepy from your high. The steady rhythm of his breathing soothed you.

“I’m gonna fix us some dinner, how about that?”

You made a small noise of disapproval, curling further into his chest. He chuckled quietly, rubbing your back.

Masterlist

[autism-autobot]

Flower of a Poisonous Seed Part 11

Part 10:

Nezha didn't want another incident like the last one to happen again. He hadn't realized just how attached Sun Wukong had gotten to be with him until he learned of the cause of his recent attack of pica cravings.

After ensuring that Wukong was asleep with little to no chance of waking up soon, he got to work.

Nezha had bought a lotus-themed blanket that matched the color scheme of his armor. Remembering Wukong's description of his own scent, he soaked the blanket in a mixture of river water and crushed up lotus plants for several hours while he got to work crafting a doll in his image. While he wasn't the best at crochet, he gave it his all for the sake of his friend.

~~~

SWK: What are you doing?

Nezha: Oh! I hadn't expected you to be up this late!

SWK: At 7 am? Dude, did you even go to bed last night?

Nezha: *checks clock to confirm*

*it is, in fact, 7:13 am*

Nezha: I seem to have lost track of time.

SWK: Obviously.

Nezha: Are you feeling well, my friend? Normally you sleep until I wake you... unless something has happened?

SWK: The thing that happened is that you weren't in bed with me and I got worried.

Nezha: Well, as a matter of fact, I was working on some projects that hopefully will dispell any anxiety about my absence.

SWK: Wait, are you planning on going somewhere?

Nezha: No, no, no, it's for when I attend meetings and such. I hate that you get so worried in my absence, so I made a few things to try to help you when I cannot be in your company.

SWK: I don't try to be anxious. Sorry...

Nezha: You need not apologize for anything. I simply wish to help you through this difficult time.

SWK: What's that you're making?

Nezha: Oh! One of my aforementioned projects! I made a doll for you to hold while I am away. And I have a blanket for you to wrap yourself in currently in progress too.

SWK: Thank you! You didn't have to do all this! I could've managed.

Nezha: I doubt that.

SWK: What?

Nezha: Nothing.

Nezha: Would you like to see the blanket I prepared?

Nezha brought Wukong to the bin in which the blanket was still soaking in. The access water made the blanket much heavier and the colors less vibrant. Wukong loved it all the same. The blanket was set to dry in a rack about a bathtub. Nezha didn't like going to the river to wash clothes, and his washing machine had recently broke. This was his solution for that.

While Nezha and Wukong picked the bits of lotus plants off of the blanket (Nezha with a brush and Wukong by hand) they talked about how each of them did their respective laundry routines.

Sun Wukong lived on a mountain with very few sources of filtered running water, so washing machines were a no-go. He still got the water he used from a faucet about three miles from his house to clean his clothes. Wukong was the only person besides Macaque to be a clothes-wearing resident to Flower Fruit Mountain, so it wasn't a serious issue that needed to be addressed. Hand washing was always a fun task in Wukong's opinion anyway.

Nezha had had an incident down at the river he used to do laundry in as a child so he tried not to wash any laundry publicly. He agreed that hand washing could be fun, but it was often more effort than Nezha wanted to put into chores, so washing machines were a welcome choice.

In seemingly no time flat they had finished with the blanket. It still needed to dry, but there were no longer any plant bits on it.

Sun Wukong transferred back over to a wheelchair and headed over to get an *actual* snack in the kitchen. Nezha followed.

Breakfast was as usual; taking turns being the one to rant about whatever subject while the other shoveled food into their mouth and switching every so often.

It was these moments that they really were happy to be close friends.

Part 12:

Masterpost

[satureja13]

The TukTuk with Jack and Kiyoshi on board was still flying through the rain - following the train Sai, Jeb and Vlad rode in. It's been hours already - and Jack was just marveling again over how cool Demon/Deity Kiyoshi was. And how happy he is that they sorted it out somehow, and that they are able to be friends/mates after all that had happened between them - when lightning struck the TukTuk! It crashed in a weird kind of swamp - and Jack felt a searing pain in his chest. The TukTuk was slowly sinking...

Luckily not Jack and Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi dragged Jack over on solid ground. Jack: "Are you ok? Where are we?" Kiyoshi: "Uh - Jack? I... I'm fine..." The strike from the lightning ignited a strange super awareness in Kiyoshi. He hadn't felt so woke since before he left the Temple - and Jack - and went to Kojin's realm, to become one with the tree. Decades ago.

They were soaked wet. Jack: "What now? We lost the TukTuk..." Kiyoshi was just about to try to get the TukTuk out of that swamp in the cool Yoda manner, to impress Jack (where Yoda lifted the X-Wing out of the swamp at Dagobah)...

...when they heard Saiwa yell. Oh, the others are here! So they hadn't been far from their final destination as it seems. And there is also Ms Coombes! (She'd been the Boys' teacher at Belgraves Institute. And Choongang Highschool.) Apparently the swamp was just sitting next to a little village ^^'

Sai: "Omg Jack! I'm so sorry I forgot you!" Jack: "Awww, don't worry. My good mate Kiyoshi and I had an amazing flight!" Luckily it had stopped to rain.

Jack took a look around: "Wow! Where are we?" Saiwa: "Verdantis. It even lies beyond the Otherworld. No one will get a grip on us here." This is the place where Ms Coombes, Francine (Jeb's grandmother) and Dtui (Kiyoshi's mentor) went to school back in their days! And where Jeb found his horse, Valerian. (TMI: and we also had a short gameplay 'story' here with adult Vlad and a few others. A little lot tour is -> here)

They went over to the 'Screaming Mandrake'.

Ms Coombes: "First of all: Ji Ho is here. We brought him to the Hospital Wing and put him to sleep. All his memories and feelings hit him at once. So he needs some time to process and to adjust. We also needed to silence your bond, to not overload him further. I know this must be hard for you, Vlad. Endure it for Ji Ho, won't you."

Vlad was near to tears again, but he drew in a shaky breath and said : "I will." He would endure everything for Ji Ho.

Ms Coombes: "You might know that this place here is our magical school and grounds. Me and some other professors are going to teach you how to protect and defend yourselves against the Siren's Songs and other spells. You also have a lot of other subjects to keep up with, since you never finished highschool... It will take your professors a lot of their power to reside here. It's already hard enough to stay in the Otherworld for longer - and this realm is much further beyond the Veil. So don't pester them, be grateful and study hard. Understood?" Saiwa: "Understood." Ms Coombes: "It should not be that draining for you, though. You already lived in the Otherworld for so many months now. And you have Vlad and Kiyoshi with you - hopefully Ji Ho will assist them soon to keep you here."

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Current Chapter: 'Here comes the Sun' from the beginning ▶️ here Last Chapter: 'Who killed Jack?' from the beginning ▶️ here

📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 17-22 ~ 23-28

Outtakes We were lucky with the lightnings again! So cool 🌩

Sai when it finally stopped to rain 🌦