#however I do like a white dress shirt with a dark vest

[writingbyshiloh]

Part 4. Cooper

Series Masterlist

CW: domestic red I think? (possibly) OOC Cooper, FBI!Reader 

AN: I pictured the show to be Euphoria, but no specific details so it can be any show with a drug dealer character. IDK Cooper's official rank and I am scared of spoilers so we just went with the assistant director. Just realized that if you read all the parts back 2 back then they are very similar but also ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. No beta

------

Reddington in the post office is a scene that never fails to surprise you. In the early days of the task force, he seems to be there frequently. As the years went, he saw less and less of the walls inside.  He never goes to the post office if he can help it, and you don’t blame him. 

You see Dembe nudge Reddington, a silent indicator for him to start talking about what he needs the team to do this week. 

As Reddington lectures, Liz interrupts and Aram pulls up the supporting documents and photos. Red usually tells Liz the details, and she tells the rest of the team.

You knew a tiny bit. He left shipping documents on his kitchen table a few nights ago while he went to the bathroom. He wouldn’t just leave documents lying around if he didn’t have a reason for you to see them. 

To keep yourself sane you set boundaries. If you're not working, or if someone isn't in immediate danger it is not your problem what Reddington is doing. This came after a series of him dropping clues and waiting for you to put the details together. 

You still listen, minus a few instances where you zone out thinking about Reddington's suit, waiting for the shipping documents to make some sense to you, but nothing yet. 

“Liz, you go with Reddington to the shipping docks. You two” Cooper points at you and Ressler “see what you can find with -” 

“I’ll go Ressler” Elizabeth cut in. 

Everyone turns to look at Liz. 

“I’ll go with Reddington” you suggest, pronunciation wobbly. You’re so used to Red, the “ington” feels off. 

“That was fast on the jump” Red notes, once you were out of the earshot of the group, preparing to go to the docks. 

You shrug. “It's so nice out. And I can not get caught in a fight between you two.” 

Red and Liz fighting always makes you feel like you’re in the middle. Liz would sometimes rant to you about Reddington, which never fails to make you feel like a bad friend.  On the other hand, Red keeps his thoughts about Elizabeth to himself in times like these. 

---

“Do you understand it yet?” Reddington asks. 

You frown. You both have been walking around the docks for an hour, trying to find something on this week's blacklist. Technically, you’re looking for clues, Reddington is watching you, trying to see the exact moment you put the pieces together. 

You admire how he pushes you to do your best, to get better at both your job and thinking like him, but now it’s on your nerves. Having elected to ignore him, you exaggerate checking the number on the shipping container. 

“My god, you agents are so meticulous. You don’t need every number from every crate.” Red observes. 

“I’m not taking every number, just what I think is important.” 

“That seems to be the majority, dear.” 

You shoot him a look over your shoulder due to the use of the pet name in the field. 

He puts his hands up in surrender, but he is smiling. 

You’re saved from a reply by your phone, Aram calling with no doubt some important information. 

---

 That night, Reddington visits you. He says he can't spend the entire night but has a few free hours. You don't know what he has to do before or after your time together, but it's not your problem. 

“Do you watch this every week?” Reddington asks, glancing at your television.

“Yeah. We talk about it at work,” you respond, placing your water on the table, and settling onto your couch next to him. 

“Who’s everyone?” 

“It started as me ‘nd Aram but then Samar started watching with him. I think Liz is in season one. Dembe too maybe?”

You tip your head against his shoulder, feet propped up on your coffee table as the show started playing the introduction. He had one of your pens (technically a pen you took from work) in his hand while he mulls over one of his crossword puzzles? Sudoku? Sudoku with words? Red showed you once how it works and once was enough. 

---

“That's no way to run a drug business!” 

You turned your head to the side to look at him, now sitting on the edge of your seat watching the show. 

“I thought you weren't watching.” 

“I wasn’t, but this is ridiculous!” he huffs. “He's not even marking up the price at all? And his storage? I mean it is ridiculous! No wonder the police were called.” 

“He's just a minor character” 

“For running a business like that he should be!” 

“Just watch the show.” 

---

You were happy to go into the post office today, if only for a chance to talk to Aram about the show.  

“Did you see the new episode?” Aram’s words hit you before you even left the elevator. 

“Of course! I didn't see the big arrest coming. And that fight?!” 

Aram walks with you to the central part of the floor, the rest of the team waiting, both you and Aram dying to talk about yesterday's episode. You catch Reddington in the office out of the corner of your eye and can’t resist winding him up. 

“I can’t believe the arrest! Forgot the rest of the prom, I thought he was going to keep dealing drugs for the whole show,” you exclaim, slightly too loud to make sure Red can hear. 

‘My god, he was the worst drug dealer I've ever seen. Ressler would do better!” Reddington jokes. Aram's head snaps to him. 

“Mr. Reddington, I didn’t know you watched the show!” 

“How far along are you?” you chime in. 

“My beloved watches it. I caught a few minutes.” Red smoothly deflects.

You freeze, never hearing him call you that before, but you like it. 

“Do you want to join our text chain?” Aram eagerly asks. 

Cooper saves Reddington from telling the task force that he doesn’t know how to use a cell phone. 

The assistant director launches into some of the information that the team rounded up yesterday. Numbers you took note of pop up and you make a mental note to tell Red “I told you so”, no doubt knowing that he wants to tell you the same, for taking too many numbers. 

Once everyone is back up to speed and assignments are dolled out, Cooper catches you at your desk. “I need to speak to you in my office.” 

You nod and follow him while you feel anxiety roll in your stomach. It could be good news but you can’t think of anything good. More bad news flashes through your mind as you climb the stairs. You could be suspended, fired, or anything else due to Reddington. And there was that one time you made a questionable decision in the field which could be coming back to bite you. 

“Close the door, please,” Cooper asks quietly. 

You nod, the door firmly shut as you sit, forcing body language to act neutral and calm. 

“I wanted to talk to you about fieldwork.” Cooper starts. You force yourself to make eye contact and not start fiddling with anything on his desk. 

“You’ve been going into the field with Reddington more. Any reason?” 

“Can I be honest?” you ask, trying to come up with something to say. 

“Please.” Cooper leans forward in his chair, awaiting your response. 

“It makes me uncomfortable when Agent Keen and Reddington fight. I felt that if I go with him yesterday, then they could cool off.” 

“Uncomfortable how?” 

You sigh. 

“Like, he killed Sam, and then she faked her death to get away from him, and no one knows how or if they’re related…” You train off, not enjoying thinking of reasons Red and Liz fight, but more than happy to if you can keep your job. 

Cooper nods, understanding. There's an unspoken feeling in the post office when they fight. 

“And do you mind? Going into the field with Reddington.” 

“Not as much as the fighting.” 

Cooper nods again, posture more relaxed before he continues. “I noticed you’ve been working less.” 

Your face reacts before you could try to stay neutral. Of course, Cooper would notice. You’ve lost track of the number of times he turned off the lights at the post office before he leaves late at night and you had to scramble in the dark to turn them back on again. 

“I’m sorry, I can start staying later again.” You say, trying to fumble your way through apologizing. 

Assistant Director Cooper holds up his palms for you to slow down. 

“Your hours are fine. Is everything okay with you?” 

The question shouldn’t take you by surprise. Things are more fun with Reddington as part of your life, but there's more stress. The stress of hiding the relationship mostly, especially from Liz.

“I, uh, started seeing a guy recently? So I have a reason to spend time outside the post office?” you want to speak in sentences but you’re nervous in case this is a leadup to something else.

He nods like he understands. 

“I’m happy for you. Now we just need to get Ressler a girl.” 

You both share a smile, while you silently thank your lucky stars. 

“Is there anything else, sir?” you ask, arms ready to push you up and out of your chair. 

“No, that's all. Thank you.” 

You nod and get up. “Do you want me to leave the door open?” 

“You can close it. Thanks.” 

You pull the door shut behind you and glance down at the post office. Does Red also get hit with this stuff? You wonder. You’ll have to tell him later, once the case concludes. 

---

Tag list: @soraya-daydreams, @horrorqueen22, @wild-rose-35, @anonymoussherlockandmarvelgeek, @zombieskullxz, @rhepworth, @fanficismydrug, @btsjiminsthings, @emilynissangtr, @navs-bhat, @thatonerandomsimpinthecorner

[mauvecherie-writes]

when in london: j.scipio

• rating: NSFW 18+ mature

• pairing: jacob scipio x black!reader

• w.c: 4.7K

• summary: a spontaneous decision led to a passionate evening.

• warning: corny flirting, meet-cute, dual pov, fluff, sexual content: pwp, protected p in v sex, dirty talk, oral sex [f!receiving], brief handjob, Jacob talking you through it energy.

• tips: kofi | paypal – please if you can 🫶🏾.

[Jacob]

The roaring of laughter and buzzing of accumulated chatter was all around you as you tried to focus your eyes on the foods menu that was in front of you. A small frown was etched on your features as you contorted your glossed lips to the side as if you were concentrating on the words of the menu as if it was a study on the arts of culinary.

If he hadn’t been so enamoured by your beauty as you passed him by, he certainly was now. Feeling his staring tittering on the line of being uncomfortable if you caught him, he adjusted his cap and decided to approach you instead.

Typically, Jacob was a man who was able to admire a beautiful woman from afar and continue on his way. However, there were times such as now, where his body felt compelled to act. All he needed was a smile and he would be content.

[You]

There were so many options to choose from and you had been struggling to narrow it all down to only two options. If you had more time, you would have tried to sample as much you can, especially the perfectly curated chef’s specials.

You were so engrossed in exploring the menu that you did not notice someone approach.

“Forgive me for intruding darling but it seems like you’re having some trouble making a decision.” A low and deep voice came from beside you. Immediately, your body stood alert, ready to dismiss whoever it was. However, all fight left you when your eyes collided with the most gorgeous pair of hooded brown eyes that you had ever encountered. Even with the stone-brown coloured cap on, you could note that his head was covered in rich, dark locks and his full beard was neatly trimmed. But it was the small smile on his fully plump lips that had your guard completely crumbling.

He was devastatingly handsome and the fact that he had approached you because he noticed you were taking a little longer than usual when reading the menu had you slightly flushed with embarrassment.

“Yeah.” You sheepishly chuckled as you placed the menu down. “The hotel changes their menu with the seasons, but it seems this time around, all of my staples have either been removed of have had their recipe changed.”

“So now you’re being left with choosing something different.”

You nodded your head in agreement. “Normally, I would have taken this opportunity to just sample as much as I could, but I have to be at an event in about three hours, so I don’t want to over do it.”

The stranger’s smile widened, and you could physically feel your heart swooning.

“May I sit?” He asked.

“Please.” You gestured to the bar stool that was beside you and he took the seat. You couldn’t help but let your eyes travel down his body and noted what he was dressed in. An olive green long-sleeved linen shirt over a white vest that was tucked into what looked like blue Levi denim jeans. When you brought your eyes back to his face, his features felt familiar.

“I feel like I know you from somewhere.” You commented.

“Trust me sweetheart, if we had met before this moment – you would remember who I was.” He smirked. You playfully rolled your eyes, dismissive of his words yet inwardly admitting how they wanted to make you giggle.

“Ha. Ha.” You sarcastically said. “No, like a movie or something but I can’t remember what.”

“I’m an actor.” He spoke. “I’ve been in a couple of things over the past few years. I will say it’s early days of my career though.”

Suddenly, you gasped. “You act as that cute guy in the new Bad Boys films.” You said before you could stop yourself.

Your comment caused him to burst out laughing. “I would prefer Jacob, but I don’t mind being called cute too.” He winked at you which caused your cheeks to warm.

“I’ll stick to Jacob.” You replied as you put forth your hand as you gave you gave him your name in return. “I didn’t know that you were British.”

“Islington born and raised,” Jacob’s face held a sense of pride. “And I can tell from your accent that you’re Northern, but I can’t exactly pinpoint where.”

“A lot of people say that.” You smiled. “But I am from Manchester. The years spent at boarding school wouldn’t take away that twang no matter how much my parents tried.”

“Thank god it didn’t.” Jacob mumbled. You bit your tongue to stop the girlish giggle that wanted to spill out of your mouth.

“Anyway, didn’t you approach me because you wanted to help me choose what to eat?”

“Right.” He nodded his head. “Let’s take a look at this then.” You shared a look, smiling at each other before you passed the menu towards him.

[Jacob]

Your smile was breathtaking.

As much as your conversation was full of marvel and increasing interest, he couldn’t help but always be drawn back to your smile and the joyous sound of your laughter. Your mind was like a labyrinth of knowledge, he had come to find out. You were naturally inquisitive by nature, and it was a quality of that he was beginning to be fond of.

Jacob helped you in choosing a starter of sauteed scallops with garlic butter, lemon and with a parsley garnish. Then for your main entre, a lobster thermidor with a side of truffle fries. As an effort to impress you, he ordered a bottle of vintage Veuve Clicquot Rose. A favourite of yours that you had admitted that you only ordered once in a full moon.

On the last pour of the champagne, you had the softest pout on your lips.

“A good bottle like that is meant to softly enjoyed and we finished it all in an hour and a half.” You commented.

“Well sweetheart. How about, when you come back from your event, I’ll be here, waiting to finish this conversation with another bottle. How does that sound?” Jacob boldly asked you. At some point during your dinner, you had detailed that you had come down to London because you had been invited to an album release party of a friend. However, as the night progressed, the more that he was enjoying spending time in your presence, and he could tell that you felt the same.

“Actually, what are you doing with the rest of your evening?” You asked him as you nervously chewed on your bottom lip. Jacob leaned forward and brought his elbows onto the table.

“What do you have in mind darling?” He raised his eyebrow as he watched you also lean closer, and you placed your hands underneath your chin.

“What do you think about joining me for the rest of the night?” Jacob couldn’t help but grin at your question. He didn’t understand why you were so nervous to ask as he had been feeling the same. Jacob had not wanted this night to end just with sharing dinner hence why he had decided to leave things open ended with his invitation. He was staying on the floor above you, and he had conjured up a plan in his mind to use his small, heated pool that was on his balcony to his advantage when you came back from your event.

And now, you had answered his silent prayers.

“For you I’d do anything.” He answered which caused your eyes to slightly widen as a glint of mischief settled in your eyes. It wasn’t there for long, but it lingered long enough for him to catch it.

“Don’t say that to me.” You hid your glee behind biting your lip.

“And why is that?” He cocked his head to the side.

“Because I require a lot and you saying that you’ll do anything for me is just being a tease.” You confessed as you dropped your hands and reached for your champagne flute and brought it to your lips.

“If you tell me to do something, I’ll do it. I can handle you.” He licked his lips before a small smirk pulled on his face. The expression of desire that momentarily passed you was all that he needed.

Your fate had been sealed in that very moment.

[You]

The entire car ride to the event, all you kept thinking about was how incredibly spontaneous and probably stupid your actions were. Had you discussed this with your best friends, they most likely would have talked you out of inviting Jacob. You had just met the man, shared a long conversation over an impromptu dinner and now he was your plus one to a closed event. Yeah, your friends would have been screaming and throwing all types of cautionary flags your way.

And yet, the hopeful romantic within you simply couldn’t ignore how much of a spark was ignited between you and Jacob. The way your conversation just flowed from topic to topic. He didn’t seem put off by your ramblings of your multiple interests, in fact, he would courage you more by asking questions and it left you feeling giddy.

So, you were leaving it to chance. Sharing this night with this perfect stranger and if it turned into something, even better but if it ended with just tonight then so be it. You were going to enjoy the time you spent with each other.

When you arrived at the event, Jacob offered his arm for you to link with and you gladly took it. He leaned down and whispered in your ear.

“I know I’ve said this already, but you look absolutely stunning tonight.” His words and his breath brushing against your ear sent a shiver down the length of your spine.

“Thank you.” You replied cooly as you looked at him. Then you tried to focus on walking on steady feet past the crowds of fans outside of the venue. You waved at some people who shouted your name as they recognised you from your large social media platform. Once you were in the building, you ventured your way through the crowd towards your friend, who was stationed by the DJ booth.

You shared a tight hug and when she pulled away from you, she eyed Jacob, who was behind you talking to someone he seemed familiar with.

“And who is that gentleman with you?” She playfully wiggled her eyebrows which caused you to giggle.

“He’s my date for the evening.” You vaguely explained. She gave you a knowing smirk.

“Okay girl, I see you. He’s cute.” She winked and in turn, you rolled your eyes even though a small smile was on your face. After a few more greetings, you went back to Jacob who was now holding onto two glasses.

“I got you a Paloma. I hope that’s okay.” He said as he handed you the beverage.

“That’s perfect, thank you.” You took a sip and savoured the taste, humming softly as the flavours burst on your tongue. You hadn’t realised your eyes had closed until you opened them and met Jacob’s gaze. It was intense and it left you flustered. You wanted to avert your attention to somewhere else but like a compulsion, it held you captive.

“So, I saw you talking to some people.” You sparked conversation.

“Yeah, I’ve bumped into some people I’ve met within the industry.”

“I forget how much music and film intertwine.”

Jacob nodded his head in agreement. “Especially if it’s people who are behind the scenes. We just pick what job you can get and do so you meet a lot of people. I tend to make it a point to learn people’s names and get along with them. In the industry, your reputation gets you a lot further than people think.”

“It’s the same with content creation. I try to do the same even if I never meet some of the same people again but it’s that word of mouth that can open doors for you.”

“Exactly.” Just as he was about to continue further, the DJ started playing Alibi by Sevdaliza.

“Oh, this is my song!” You exclaimed. “Come dance with me.” You did not give him a chance to answer as you grabbed his empty hand dragged him towards the dance floor with him chuckling behind you.

[Jacob]

He was trying to be a gentleman.

He really was.

He stood by your side the entire event, bought all your drinks and danced with you – keeping his hands in the appropriate places.

However, as your friend’s sultry music blasted through the speakers, the more your inhibitions faltered. You were pressed against him – back to his chest with your head on his shoulder with one arm thrown over his head. At this point, his cap was backward so that he could get closer to you. His hands were still by his side as he swayed along with you to the melodious music.

“You can touch me you know.” You mumbled into his ear. His light chuckle vibrated against your skin which made you shiver, and he felt it.

“I was trying to be respectful.” He replied.

“There you go again with your teasing language.” He saw the corners of your mouth lift and your body shake with light laughter. “Tell me what you really wanted to say.”

Jacob took in a deep breath and let one hand come to your waist. “I didn’t want to touch you because I knew once I felt your skin beneath my fingertips, I wouldn’t be able to stop touching you.”

“Hmmm, you say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Because it is, sweetheart. I’m a hard man to get rid of.” His hand trailed up your stomach and settled just beneath your breast, the other came to the exposed part of your skirt and he heard your gasp. The sound made his chest swell with pride. “Turn around.”

Your body immediately shifted in his arms. You pressed your forehead against his and he rested his hands on the lower part of your back and pulled you closer into his body.

“Permission to speak freely.” He mumbled lowly but you heard him clearly and his statement made you giggle.

“Permission granted.”

“I’ll admit that as soon as you entered the lobby, I noticed you and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from you. Everything about your aura just captivated me and there was this pull, and I couldn’t ignore it. Then I saw you with your cute little pout as you read the menu, I just knew I had to talk to you.”

“I’m glad you did.”

Then you softly continued to dance, your bodies close as the music consumed you, but your scent engulfed him. Everything about you was hard to ignore and the more he felt your body, the harder it was to suppress his desires. Then you moved your leg so that it was in between his and he couldn’t stop you in time to feel the physical manifestation of his yearning.

You lifted your eyes to meet his. The carnal pools of ardour, so strong that sank deep into his veins, he held you by the neck to stop himself from devouring you right then and there.

“Take me back to the hotel.” You whispered against his lips.

[You]

By the time you arrived back at the hotel, your body was charged. You felt like you were on fire and the only person that could out it out was walking beside you with his arm around your waist. Then you slowly came to a halt in front of the hotel room door.

“You got the key?” He mumbled the question into your ear. You bit your lip, nodding your head as you brought the card out. Jacob shifted so that he was standing behind you. A shiver ran down your back and settled in your abdomen as his hands rubbed on the sides of your waist.

“Do you need me to open the door baby?” He softly spoke into your ear.

“No.” You cleared your throat as you swiped the card and the door unlocked. As you entered further into the room, the only lights that were on were the dimly lit lamps and whilst you could tell that that it was a beautiful suite, you were focused on the man that was behind you.

Jacob left you standing in the open space as he made sure that the door was locked and then he made his way back to you.

“Want me to put some music on?” He muttered. You shook your head from side to side in response. “What do you want?”

“I want you to kiss me.” You whispered. He closed the space that was in between you and cradled your face in the palms of his hands. You giggled as he stared down at you with a darkened gaze that held so much promise. You leaned up and grazed his bottom lip which caused the corner of his mouth to quirk upwards and you were not ashamed to feel the hunger that was bubbling to the surface. Without waiting for another moment, Jacob leaned down and pressed his lips against yours.

The feel of his mouth against yours was so much better than you imagined. His lips were so soft but his motion was forceful as he took control, kissing you as if your breath was his last. You moaned into the kiss as his hands travelled down your back to your ass. The softest whimper left your lips as he cupped and kneaded the rounded flesh.

“I like the sound of that.” Jacob whispered as he took off his cap and threw it on the ground before he moved to discarding his linen shirt. Just as your cropped t-shirt was off your body, he pulled you back into his body and captured your lips once more. “Jump.” He mumbled against your lips and you followed his instruction.

When you got to the bed, Jacob softly laid you down, never parting from the burning kiss that was melting you from the inside out. Passion controlled your moment as you stripped each other bare until you were left in just your underwear. You barely had any time to marvel at his physique before his body was covering yours again, landing his lips on yours once more before he turned his attention to your neck as he covered your chest with his large hands. Jacob flicked your nipples with his thumbs causing you to moan and arch into his palms.

“That feels so good.” You moaned and your eyes flattered open just enough to catch his smirk. Without words, he answered you by trailing lips further down onto your chest until one of your nipples was in his mouth and he suckled on it. He soothed the acute pain from the sucking with a flattened tongue and then he moved his mouth to your other nipple. The stimulation caused something fierce to pool in between your thighs. You squirmed beneath him as he paid beautiful attention to your chest. One nipple in your mouth and the other was kept trapped in between his fingers.

As your desire began to dampen your thighs, your need for friction was increasing. So you pushed him away and you softly kissed him as you ran your fingers down the contours of his torso until you wrapped your hand around the base of his girth. Jacob groaned as you tugged at him. He felt so hard, warm and thick in your palm and your mouth was salivating for a taste.

Just as you were about to shift downward, Jacob took your hand away from his dick and pushed you back until your back was on the sheets. He was on his knees in between your parted legs and you were finally able to look over his wonderful stature. His smooth, golden tanned skin. His chiselled, muscular build. He was perfectly sculpted and he was all yours.

Fuck, you were getting wetter just looking at him.

Your walls clenched around nothing as he placed chaste kisses on your stomach. “Tell me what you need Sweetheart.” He breathed against your skin.

You lifted your upper body onto your elbows and looked down at him. Those dark, hooded eyes were staring back up at you as he grabbed your ankle and lifted your leg onto his shoulder and pushed the other wider apart, taking in your glistening pussy. He unconsciously licked his lips as his fingers began to explore, parting your lips, letting the cool air in the room brush against you. You gasped as his thumb pressed on your swollen nub and you nearly buckled but you kept steady.

“You haven’t told me yet.” He taunted with a devilish smirk on his face as his fingers didn’t stop their exploration.

“I want you to eat my pussy Jacob.” You breathlessly let out as your wetness coated his fingers.

“Good girl.” He murmured with a wink before he dropped his head and pt his lips on exactly where you needed him the most.

You were not prepared for the way his tongue felt against your clit. Just as he did to your nipples, he did to your sensitive bud, adding the flick of his tongue.

“Oh fuck!” You moaned as your eyes closed and you fell back onto the pillow. Your hand shot down and ran through his black curls, pulling him closer to your hot core.

He paid attention to what was making you moan, what was making you sigh and what was causing your back to arch. He paid attention to your pleasure and that turned you on even more.

“You taste so good, baby.” Jacob groaned into you. As the vibration travelled through you, he pushed two fingers into your pussy and a sob broke out of you. Your hips rocked into his mouth as he curled his digits just enough to brush against your perfect spot. Your hands moved away from his body and gripped on the sheets as you panted. Your skin was beginning to dampen with your sweat as your orgasm quickly rose within you.

“Baby I’m gonna –.” You gasped a your hips moved faster with the pace of his fingers. The burn of his beard against your cunt added onto the sensation. “Right fucking there!”

Jacob didn’t move from the position that he was in.

You didn’t know if it was the way he was sucking and flicking his tongue on your clit or the accumulation of it all but your eyes scrunched shut as you finally climaxed. The intensity of it was so overwhelming, for a moment, all you could hear was white nose and the sound of your racing heart.

In your haze, you hadn’t felt the bed shift until Jacob came back. You felt his fingers against your cheek and then you opened your eyes.

“You okay?” He softly asked as if he had not just given you one of the best orgasms of your life.

“I’m more than okay.” You mumbled with a grin. Slowly, you opened your eyes to the picture of lust staring down at you. Hovering above you, Jacob leaned down and kissed you, pushing his tongue into your mouth. The reminisce of your essence, lingering on his lips. So dirty and had your pussy pulsating.

You sucked his bottom lip into your mouth which caused him to groan. As the kiss deepened with more frenzy, he climbed back on top of you. With your focus on his mouth, you heard the rustling of a packet. You pulled your mouth away long enough to watch Jacob rip the condom packet open and put it on.

Once he was done, he brought your legs to his waist.

“You ready for me, baby?” He asked.

“Mhm.” With a soft peck to your lips, he guided himself into you.

You both shared a moan.

“Oh my god.” Jacob was stretching every inch of you, the deeper he sank in. You were trying to keep your eyes open, to savour his reaction but he just felt so good.

“Baby.” You whimpered. He took your knee and put your leg back onto his shoulder which sunk him even deeper.

“So fucking tight.” He moaned. You watched his face for his reactions. The slight furrow of his eyebrows, the droplets of sweat beginning to slide down his forehead, the slight parting of his lips as he focused on his strokes.

“Please.” You whispered as you clenched around him.

“I knew you’d be perfect.” He mumbled against your lips. Jacob slowly pulled out and gave you one hard thrust. Your eyes widened with a loud gasp escaping you as he repeated the action.

A scream left you as he slowly set the pace of his strokes.

As the waves of pleasure rippled through your body, the sound of skin slapping on skin echoed through the room.

“Uuuhhh.” You choked on your whines as he pounded harder into you. You couldn’t shake the feeling of him burying himself inside so deep of you, over and over. The arousal overshadowed the pain of the stretch of his girth – the bittersweet feeling leaving you in a dizzy spell.

“Look at me.” Jacob growled as he put your other leg onto his shoulder and dug deeper. Through blurry vision, you looked at the man above you.

You had expected Jacob to be an expert lover but you never thought that he would be so dominating.

He hit one of your spots which caused your eyes to cross.

“There you go.” He licked his lips, chuckling. “Tell me how it feels.”

“So big…” You moaned

“Mhm.”

“So fucking deeep.”

“You’re so fucking wet baby, I gotta make sure I don’t slip out.”

“Oh shhiitt.” You whined, a loud moan quickly following after as he increased the pace. In your delirious state, you managed to catch him grinning down at you.

“Baby!” You hisses as you wrapped your hands on his wrists that were on either side of your head.

“You should have picked up on it now sweetheart, you gotta tell me what you want.”

His hips were moving faster, the slapping of his thighs against yours added more stimulation to your clit.

“I need to come.” You whimpered.

“You need to or you’re going to?”

“I’m going to come!”

“That’s it.” He leaned down, folding you even more so that he could kiss you. Jacob moved your legs from his shoulders and held them apart spread-eagle, giving you slower and longer strokes with an added roll to his hips. His tip was smoothly rubbing against your sweet spot.

The tightness in your stomach quickly took hold and your legs began to tremble. You wee left breathless at the overwhelming intensity of the ecstasy building inside of you.

“I can feel it coming, baby. You’re squeezing me so nice and tight.” Jacob groaned as his eyes rolled softly. “You gonna come for me?’ He asked. But you were too far gone to give a verbal answer so you just frantically nodded her head.

The tight coil quickly snapped and your body seized.

“That’s a good girl. So fucking good.” Jacob groaned. “Come all over my dick, soak that shit.” He spoke through your orgasm and all you could do was grip onto the sheets tighter as wave after wave swarmed your body. He didn’t stop moving his hips and with your quaking, it forced his peak to rise to the surface before his climax overcame him. With a loud moan, Jacob collapsed onto your chest as he filled the condom.

You hugged his body and ran your fingers through his damp hair. You could still feel the tremors of your orgasm as you laid beneath him. The both of you completely satiated and spent.

Finally, Jacob rolled off you and laid by your side. In silence, all you could hear was your heavy breathing.

“Fucking hell Mr Scipio.” You spoke up. “Can I have my soul back?” Your question caused Jacob to burst out laughing, eventually you joined him in the laughter.

“We have three more condoms left sweetheart.” He licked his lips before he turned his head to look at you. “So I won’t be giving you back your soul just yet.”

reading list: @fineanddandy @marzzrambles @murrylove @mineymak @lovedlover @planetblaque @deja-r @kiraonthegooo @apimp-named-slickback @playgurlxoxo @gojosbabyma @heytaewrites @leilaxaliel @dyttomori @tasteofmyrainboe @livvy-lovess @violetmuses @jeanellepatrice @kaisage45 @planetnique @adriennegabriella @deborahspalace @jadawada1z @delusionalbutterfly @msdmc1 @probablyintensemuses @stucklikeglue6 @reci1996 @muglermami @hereiheal @aisharmi @jasvishaawrites @lewisroscoelove @klaussstilinski @avoidthings @g1oba1-s1ore

[solarmorrigan]

In for a Devil of a Night

For the @steddie-spooktober day 30 prompt: "Where in the hell did you find that costume??" Rated: T | Words: 930 | CW: implied sexual content | Tags: established relationship, slutty Halloween costumes: not just for women!, stockings, wouldn't go so far as to say lingerie but it's close, Steve Harrington is a tease, Eddie Munson is whipped Divider credit: @steddiecameraroll-graphics

“Hey, babe?” Steve’s voice floats back towards Eddie from the bedroom. “Can you come help me with something?”

“Yeah,” Eddie calls back, though it takes him a moment to tear his attention away from the slasher flick playing on the TV.

Steve had wandered off about half an hour ago, just when it had started getting dark, saying he had to put on his costume. Eddie’s already wearing his—has been for most of the day, actually—a relatively simple ensemble of a billowy white shirt, a brown leather vest, and a pirate hat (there had also been an eyepatch, but he’d abandoned that early on).

Neither of them have plans for the night, no Halloween parties or other engagements, just the intent to watch a few scary movies and hand out candy, but Eddie had talked Steve around to dressing up anyway. The kids at the door always love it when Eddie is committed to acting out his costume, and he has every intention of pulling Steve into the bit.

It would help, of course, if Eddie knew what Steve’s costume is, but Steve’s been stubbornly secretive about it – says it’s a surprise.

And, to Steve’s credit, Eddie is very surprised when he gets to the bedroom.

His eyes are glued to Steve’s ass for a solid few seconds before he can take in any other part of the costume, but that really isn’t his fault; it nearly has a target on it, wrapped in tiny, shiny red shorts that draw Eddie’s attention immediately. A long, red, pointed tail hangs from the waistband of the shorts, and Eddie can only curse it for partially obstructing the otherwise perky, rounded view.

Then Steve turns around.

The shorts are, if possible, even more obscene from the front, doing almost nothing to obscure the bulge of Steve’s cock. The fun doesn’t end there, however. The costume (such as it is) doesn’t seem to have come with shoes, but Steve’s made up for that with a pair of silky-looking, red thigh-high stockings, the elastic tops squeezing into the meat of his thick thighs in much the same way Eddie would like to be doing right now.

There are little devil horns situated on top of Steve’s head, poking out from his artfully tousled hair, and there’s red glitter—glitter! Never let it be said that Steve Harrington half-asses his seduction attempts—spread around his sultry, heavy-lidded eyes and over the tops of his cheeks.

It should look cheap and ridiculous, but like just about everything else he puts on, Steve manages to make it sexy. Eddie has had to come to terms with his growing appreciation for preppy polos, and he supposes now he’ll just have to accept his attraction to lamé short shorts.

Unfortunately, since the overall effect of the ensemble has kicked Eddie’s brain offline, the first thing out of his mouth is neither suave nor appreciative.

“Where in the hell did you find that costume?” he blurts.

Steve gives a rolling shrug. “Costume shop,” he says, twitching his hips to the side so that his tail swings out. He grabs it and twirls it in a lazy circle. “I know devils and demons are usually your thing, but I hoped you wouldn’t mind me borrowing the shtick for the night.”

“Uh, no– no, not… at all.” Eddie shakes his head quickly. “Are you, uh– planning to answer the door like that?”

“No,” Steve answers with a smirk. “I thought we could just put out a bowl of candy with a sign telling people to take one, and then we can stay in the bedroom all night.”

Eddie blinks at him. “Steve, that’s a terrible idea,” he says. “’Take one’? No kid in their right mind would take just one. The candy will be gone in fifteen minutes, and then we’ll have kids ringing the doorbell, and when we don’t answer, we’re gonna get egged or some shit.”

With his smirk melting into a frown, Steve drops his tail and crosses his arms over his bare chest, one hip popped out in a way that somehow manages to convey judgement.

“Are you seriously arguing with me right now?” he asks, at once bitchy and incredulous.

“Oh my god.” Eddie takes a moment to stare into the middle distance, letting his brain recalibrate. “What is wrong with me?”

He ducks out of the bedroom, already halfway to their tiny in-home office when Steve calls after him, “Where are you going?”

Eddie backtracks, popping his head back around the doorway. “I’m getting a piece of paper to make the sign.” He points a finger at Steve. “You stay right where you are. I need two minutes to set this up and then I’m gonna come back and ravish you.”

Steve smile is back, soft and amused. “Okay. Go ahead, I’ll wait right here.”

Eddie dashes through writing up the sign (does it matter if it’s legible? It’s just going to be ignored) and is on his way to the kitchen for a bowl when something occurs to him.

“Hey.” He ducks back into the bedroom doorway. “Didn’t you say you needed help with something? What was it?”

Biting his lip, Steve drags a hand down his ribs, over his stomach, and hooks a thumb in the waistband of his shorts. “I need help getting the costume off.”

Tearing himself away to finish setting up the candy is the hardest thing Eddie thinks he’s ever had to do, but with the prospect of Steve to come back to, he manages it (if only just).

[spider-man-199999]

The bracelet

pairing: Nathan Drake x Reader

word count: 3,5 k

warnings: drinking

summary: You meet Nathan while he's working at the bar. He recognizes you and tries to steal your bracelet because he knows you're filthy rich. Instead, you manage to steal his heart.

a/n: This idea originally was supposed to be smut, but I changed my mind. I could make the smut part a part 2 if it's liked enough?

part2

Your black high heels clicked on the floor as you made your way over to the bar. The black dress that tightly hugged your body was making it rather uncomfortable to move and breathe but it certainly did make you look fantastic. Heads were turning to look at you, an emotionless expression on your own face, avoiding eye contact. It was your first night out since the divorce, which made you even more anxious, especially since you deciced to go out alone, no friends, no driver, no bodyguard. After your husband left you, or rather you left him with half of his fortune, which included a hotel to own, you hadn't really been there much, it brought back too many bad memories. But tonight wasn't about the bad memories, it was about forgetting them. So, you sat down in front of the bartender, looking him up and down before he even managed to notice you, placing your bag next you as your hands rested on the bar. He was handsome and young, his dark hair styled nicely. He looked at your hands, staring at the diamond bracelet on your left wrist before his eyes shot up and looked into your own. You smiled at him, crossing your legs on the stool and adjusting your position.

“Aren’t you too pretty to be here alone?” He asked you, placing down the glass he was previously cleaning.

“Aren’t you too handsome to be a bartender?” You asked back casually, earning yourself a raised eyebrow from the man in white shirt and black vest.

“So what will it be tonight? Sex on the beach?”

“Last time I checked the beach was pretty far from here”

He shook his head at you, bitting back a smile.

“A martini would be fine”

“Really? A martini? I can do better than that”

You turned your back to him, resting your elbows on the bar. Looking around the place for a few seconds, taking in the scenery. It was calm and relaxing, piano playing in the background, the soft chatter of people all around, the sounds of the cute bartender moving around behind you. The lights of the crystal chandelier flickering softly. It felt like the 20s, like a scene from "The great Gatsby". Rich people everywhere, expensive drinks, expensive furniture, muffled private conversaions, secret lovers shooting eachother provocative glances. You got almost lost in the moment of calmness, closing your eyes for a second before your nirvana was interrupted by a soft. “Your martini madam”, which made you turn slowly. Your small hand grabbed the tall martini glass, taking a sip from it as you kept staring at the brow-haired boy, a soft smile on your lips. He was way smoother in his movements than you anticipated him to be, you barely even noticed when exactly he took the diamond bracelet off of your wrist. Fascinating, you didn’t expect the night to become so fun so soon. He was one of your own, a smuggler, a man of deception. He went on making drinks for other clients while you stared at him, playing with the olive in your glass. It felt like the bar was a barrier between your two worlds, you knew he probably made minimum wadge without the tip. And there you were, on the other side of the bar, owning half of the hotel, dressed in a Versache dress that was probably worth more than his rent, not a single care in the world but your shattered heart. Guess some were better at deception than others. However, he managed to capture your attention, even if not intended by him.

“I didn’t catch your name” you said as he came near you, playing around with the shaker as he was mixing something up.

“Nate” he replied with a stern voice, poring out the content in a pretty glass and serving it to the person who had ordered. He seemed slightly anxious, like he was avoiding your gaze. Crucial mistake when stealing.

Nate retuned back to you shortly, his body seemed stiff, and he wiped some sweat from his forehead. He worked hard, you could say that, but he mostly looked nervous.

“I assume you already know who I am, since you didn’t ask”

He thought for a second as he looked into your pretty eyes, analysing your face, or rather admiring your features. He cleared his throat after he caught himself staring, breaking the intense eye contact and grabbing a glass to clean.

“I know” he replied shortly, continuing his act of polishing the glass.

Of course he knew who you were, your face was in the newspapers way too often for your own good, along with the change of surname every once in a while. He thought that those tabloids never did you justice now that he had seen you. In the pictures you always seemed gorgeous, but not even nearly as gorgeous as you were under the warm lights of the bar. They called you the “black widow of the upper east side", rumours about your intimate relationships with some of the richest men in New York were spreading like a forest fire. Even if in reality they were nothing more than just fiction, one thing was not, and it was your marriage to the owner of The Ritz-Carlton, the very place he worked at. Nate had heard about the divorce from clients here and there, everyone was talking about how you had managed to set him up into fake cheating on you so you could divorce him. Brilliant move, unfortunately, it was just a rumour. Maybe in your previous marriage you had pulled a stunt or two to get out with as much money as possible, fake accusations, setting up scenes, they were your speciality. But not this time, this time the cheating was very real and very much not your own idea. Maybe that's why this time it hurt so bad, because you actually loved your, now ex, husband. Defeat was something hard to admit for someone with so much pride and confidence as yourself. Nate knew nothing, only gossip.

“Then why did you take my bracelet? It was a gift from my ex husband” you asked, earning yourself a shocked looked for a brief second, before he put on his poker face and looked away. He had a few ways to play his cards in that moment, thoughts calculating the possible outcomes of each one.

“You could’ve lost it” he stated “Do you want me to look around and ask if anyone has found anything?”

You smile at him charmingly, making him blush slightly. You gracefully stood up from your stool, placing your arms on the bar as you hovered closer to him, faces side by side, your cheeks almost touching each other. You whispered in his ear softly, which got Nate’s heart beating so loud he could barely hear your words. While he was busy being nervous your hand travelled down to the pocket of his pants, slipping inside and finding the heavy jewellery that was previously on your wrist. The weight and shape of the bracelet felt familiar between your fingers, I’d worn it countless of times. You took it out, your hand travelling up Nate’s body.

“I have to admit your work is impressive” you said, hand still moving slowly up until you reached his shoulder. You knew he couldn’t feel a thing because your movement was slow enough and far away enough. “But you still have to master the speed of your hands, your touch needs to be like silk, felt only when you want it to be” you continued whispering in his ear.

You knew your mission was successful when he flinched at the touch of the cold diamonds against the bare skin of his neck. You smiled at him and pulled away, shock written all over his pretty face.

“Looks like I found my bracelet!” You giggled happily, clicking it on your wrist as he stared at you.

Nate obviously didn’t know what to say and how to react, he knew that one wrong move would get him fired, possibly arrested and charged with theft. However, your smile suggested otherwise.

“Aw, you’re so cute when you’re scared” you told him, taking a sip from the martini. “Don’t be, I wouldn’t say a word, actually, you can have the bracelet if you want it, I came here and I intended to lose it”

And it was the truth. It was the only gift your dear ex husband ever gave you that was not originally bought for his mistress and passed down to you when she didn’t like the gift. This was the only gift you knew, or at least liked to think that, was ever bought with the intention to be given to you. It hadn’t left your wrist in public since. After the divorce you kept it as a reminder that for a brief moment there actually was a version of you that was loved by your husband, there was a version of you that you were capable of loving someone too. Now it was a token of a broken, dysfunctional marriage, that came crumbling down the second your foot stepped out of the presence of your husband. With a swift motion you took it off, placing the bracelet on the bar. It sparkled almost blindingly under the soft interior light. Nate’s eyes kept travelling from your face to the bracelet and back. He was rested against the bar, unsure of what the right move was. He assumed it was some sort of trick that would get him in a lot of trouble. You smiled reassuringly as his hand reached for the diamond jewlery, taking it and placing it in his pocket again.

"Well, it's not every day that someone tips you with a diamond bracelet" he said, making you giggle softly

''You'll have more use of it than I do, that's for sure'' you told him, finishing up the martini. You took out the olive and ate it, starting to get lost in your sour thoughts about the bracelet and what it symbolised.

"Another drink?" he asked, taking you out of your train of thought

"Maybe another night" you said, feeling overwhelmed enough to want to leave. "All this bracelet talk kind of ruined my mood"

Nathan was undeniably very handsome, and you did come with the idea of not leaving alone but all the memories of your ex came rushing in and was about to turn your night into a nightmare. You took out some money from your purse to pay him from the drink but he stopped you, placing a hand over yours.

"It's on me"

"Aww, a gentleman" you smiled at him "Some lady is going to be very lucky with you"

"Maybe you could be that lady" he winked, shooting you a smile.

You looked at him confused for a split second, starting to laugh softly at his sudden boldness. You got up, collecting your things and straightening out your dress while he watched your every movement.

“You don’t have to be nice to me because I gave you the bracelet”

"I was serious" he stated "How about I pick you up after my shift and lighten up your mood?"

"Pick me up from where exctly?" you asked, almost not believing what he was saying.

"Here, 12:30, lose that dress and put on somethig more comfortable"

You looked at him in disbelief but agreed. As you walked away from the bar you could feel his eyes on you as you ocassionally stopped here and there too greet some people you knew. Maybe this "date" was going to be a nice change of pace. After all of the dating on the upper east side, the luxury restaurants, the balls, the charity events, you had no actual idea what people usually did when they were on normal dates anymore. After not one but two failed marriages, the dating world seemed so distant, so surreal. Frankly you had no intention to pursue anything serious with anymore, let alone a bartender that was your employee.

An hour later you found yourself staring dumfolded at your wardrobe, Nathan's voice kept repeating in your head "wear something comfortable". You mocked his tone aloud as you took out even more clothes to throw on your bed. Was he going to be in his work clothes? How were you supposed to match that up? Finally, you stopped on a blue high-waisted, wide leg jeans and simple black blouse. For a while you were considering black heels but decided to switch them up with some very old platform converse sneakers that you hadn't worn for years. You put on a leather bomber jacket to finish off the look. It felt ridiculous, you hadn't dressed this causal since freshmen year at university, having forgotten you even had those clothes at all. You sighed, shaking your head as you walked out of the door and headed towards the hotel. Unsrprisingly, you got there about 15 minutes late, which got you anxious because Nate could gotten discouraged and left. You looked around, not seeing him and you felt slightly disappointed, but not surprised. The whole situation was so odd to begin with, no wonder it didn’t follow through.

"And I thought you couldn't get more gorgeous" you heard from behind you, turning to be met with Nate's charming smile. He just walked out of the doors of the lobby, probably spotted you from inside.

"I'm sorry for the wait"

"It's alright, it was worth waiting for, come on, I'm starving" he said, taking your hand and leading you somewhere.

You followed him, as you walked the streets of New York hand in hand. He wasn’t in his work clothes, instead he wore a simple grey t-shirt with a leather jacket on top, black jeans and probably his work shoes. He had a backpack on one shoulder, assuming this was where he kept his uniform. The spring air was warm but there we ocassional cold brezzes. You looked around the flashy signs of shops and supermarkets, the monotonous souds of ocassional cars filled your ears, along with the calming sound of his footsteps a little ahead of yours. They say New York is the city that never sleeps and it's true, but despite living there your whole life, you never got to experience it in that way. You didn't really know where Nate was taking you but you didn't care either, too engaged in the scenery. Late night walks were something so foreign and so new, your eyes were shining more than the diamond bracelt that you gave him and he couldn't help but smile at how awed you looked by everything around you.

"You ever been to this side of town?"

"I have no memory of it"

"You're adorable" And that made you blush, hiding in his shoulder. He laughed at how cute you were being, stopping at a 24-hour sandwitch shop.

"Are you hungry?" He asked after the two of you got in

"I guess, it's kind of late though"

"Who cares?"

He ordered for the two of you, finally letting go of your hand so he could pay and grab the two cola bottles he had bought. In a couple of minutes your sandwitches were ready, so Nate guided you to the closest bech in the nearby small park. The park was adorable, it looked more like a sitting area with a playground for children. You really had never been to this side of town before. Nate started eating hungrily and you couldn't help but stare at how he devoured the food in his hands. You chuckled softly before bitting into your own sandwitch. It was warm in your cold hands and tasted way better than it actually looked. It wasn't like you had never eaten sandwitches on a bench before, but it was so long ago you could hardly recall when it really was. It did remind of freshmen year, being out late at night, eating fast food and meeting up with a guy you actually liked and had no intention to manipulate. It was, in a way, nostalgic even. After the two of you were done with your food the silence was finally broken.

"I feel so alive!" Nate exclaimed and startled you, making you jump in your seat. Both of you laughed softly at that.

"I'm glad you're happy and content" you said, rubbing his belly.

He got up from the bench, offering you a hand. You took it, following him up.

"So where are we going?" you asked finally

"You'll see." He said, continuing the walk. You got to an apartment buildind soon enough, he walked you to the alley on the side where the fire escape was.

"Come on, we go up" He told you, helping you get to the ladder. Nate followed closely behind, guiding you to the rooftop.

''I'm so glad I wore pants to this" You said once you reached the top.

"Yeah? Well I'm not" He joked, taking your hand again and walking you towards an area on the rooftop that had pouf chairs and fairly lights.

"It's so pretty" you said once he sat you down. Nate pulled one of the poufs next to yours and threw himself on it.

"Yeah, best part is, you can see the stars"

You looked up, despite the light pollution, you could really see stars and the moon almost clearly.

"You see this constelation there? It kind of looks like a pan?"

You nodded with a giggle at his description, following the arm that was showing you were to look. You scooted over to him, the top of your head touching his.

"That's Ursa Major..." he contionued

"The great bear"

"So you know your constellations?" he shot up, looking at you

"No, just latin"

"Oh in that case you're about to have a blast!"

And you really did have a blast, you sat there for hours listening to him, looking at the stars. It was so romantic that you wanted to melt into the chair and stay there forever. You lost track of time, reality even. It felt like you two were in your own small world on that rooftop and nothing and no one could reach you. Around 3 am the two of you started to get sleepy, cuddled up against eachother. His arm was wrapped around your shoulders, your head rested on his chest. At some point the two of you had decided that moving on one pouf was better. Your eyes were starting to feel heavy while his voice soothed you into sleep.

"Hey" he said softly "Want me to drive you home?"

You nodded sleepishly, getting up after him. He drove you home in his slightly beat-up car, walking you to the door of the building.

"I really had fun tonight" you told him at the door "I really hope that you're not working tomorrow, it's so late"

"I'm glad you had fun, you shouldn't worry about me"

You nodded, kissing his cheek goodnight.

You hadn't had such a great date in a while, which made you think about Nate more in the past few days. How could you not? The pictures of the two of you wandering the streets of New York hand in hand, the headlines wondering who your new "victim" was. Your head would start hurting solely from the idea of putting him in this position. So, you decided it was best to talk to him. That night, you walked into the hotel in your usual attire, but this time the dress was champagne colored.

"Hi Nate" you said as you sat down. He greeted you with his charming smile, wiping the bar in front of you.

"A martini?" He asked, grabbing the bottle

"Actually, a word in private"

He had a puzzled look on his face but followed you to a more private area by the windows. Neiter of you sat down, you were too nervous to adress the topic and he became nervous from your worried state.

"I'm sure you've seen the papers..."

"Oh my god it's about that!" he sighed in relief, placing his handa in his pockets

"What else could it be about?"

"From the way you acted I thought someone died"

"Well, no, I just wanted us to talk about the pictures and say I'm sorry"

"Sorry about what? The way they talk about me?"

"Precisely"

"Well, I find it amusing actually"

"I don't people seeing us and thinking that way"

"I don't care about who sees, I like you"

You looked up at him with sadness in your eyes and it seemed like he got the idea you had in mind. He shook his head in disbelief, his hand reaching out to hold your waist and bring you closer.

"You can't be serious"

"I am"

His hand travelled up, cupping your chin.

"I'll have to kiss you now, you know that" he whispered againt your lips. You closed your eyes and waited, his lips pressing softly against yours. You returned the kiss but your hands remained on your clutch, afraid that the whole thing was going to get out of control if you got too touchy.

"I should have kissed you that night" he whispered against your lips

"You should have"

"You'll wait for me right? I'll become rich for you, I promise"

You nodded in response, hugging him tightly, feeling his heartbeat agaisnt yours and the warmth of his body. You could feel his gaze as you walked away, probably the hardest walking-away you had to do in a long while.

The picture of the two of you kissing also made the papers.

A week later Nate left his workplace and you didn't hear a word from him.

[thedevilspatronstf]

the devil's lounge

There are some people who are drowning in bad luck, just like Peter. Working in an office job he hates, all of his girlfriends abandon him after a few weeks, if they even get to that point, and, of course, money issues.

He met a beautiful girl on Tinder, saved so much money to take her out on a fancy date, bought some new clothes, and went to a hairstylist, but at the end of the day, she didn't even show up. Instead, she ghosted him.

Pissed, disappointed, and just done with the day, he makes his way through town. With barely fifty dollars in his new jacket, he had only one goal: to get wasted and forget everything and everyone around him. Checking his phone one last time, he sighs. Maybe she texted him after all, but nothing.

He even checked Instagram, but nothing. All he saw were other people, happier people, living their best lives while he was suffering. That's when he nearly walked into somebody else—a pretty young woman.

Peter smiled politely and excused himself, but she just scoffed and walked away. "Fuck off." He thought when his eyes fell on a bright white light.

'The devil's lounge'

His eyes wandered to a big, dark house—a hotel, to be precise—with huge black doors and its name in golden letters hanging above them. Peter had heard of this place before, a well-known place for people to close contracts. The place to do business—legal or illegal—didn't matter at all. He himself had not been there before, but he knew it was more than just a simple hotel.

"Fuck it." He shrugged. What other place can you just get wasted?

Two big security guys dressed in black suits, white shirts, and sunglasses—it's not even that sunny—opened the huge doors for him. He never felt that important, but he appreciated it nonetheless.

So many people were inside the lobby—well-dressed people, probably rich people—and he felt out of place. Who cares if he draws so many eyes to him? Peter was just here to drink some fancy beverages.

A young man looked at him and tried to hide his confusion, but at least he acted like Peter wasn't growing a second head.

"What can I get you, sir?" The bartender asked with a polite face.

"Tequila shots, however many I get for this." Peter emptied his pocket on the counter, much to the man's irritation.

"Fine." The man counted the money and brought him three shots of tequila.

Peter immediately emptied two of them and shook his head. How did he even get into this situation? Another day lost to work and a failed date.

"Fuck." He growled and steadied his head, his hands covering his face. What would he give to just be somebody else, to leave this life behind him?

"Whiskey, on the rocks." A deep voice echoed through him, and he felt someone taking the seat right next to him. All the other seats were empty, yet he chose the one right next to Peter.

"Look, I had a really bad day, and I don't need someone invading..." He said that and lifted his head, but what he saw made him stop in his tracks.

He was a good-looking man, wearing a tailored suit, vest, and tie. The guy turned his head and caught Peter's eyes. His gaze was so intense, it sent shivers down his entire back.

"I am sorry." He stuttered, but the other guy didn't even respond. Instead, he just took a sip from his drink before he turned his entire body toward Peter.

"You don't belong here." He said, his eyes wandering all over Peter's body, judging his clothes, his hair, and everything else at once, causing his face to turn bright red.

"I can help you with that." The man's voice was deep and rough, and his gaze was growing more intense by the second.

"Clothes don't make people. You can't make me a new man." Peter was able to pull his eyes away and manage to avoid the guy's burning gaze for just a few seconds before their eyes met again.

Amused, the man smiled and took another sip from his drink. "I can't?" He raised an eyebrow and reached for Peter's chest, who pulled away, but it was a little too late.

As soon as the man's hand landed on his chest, he felt a burning sensation erupt inside his stomach.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He said it, but it wasn't his voice leaving his mouth. It was a much deeper, manlier voice—a voice he always dreamed of having.

"Is that..me?" Peter's voice broke and turned back to normal when the man pulled his hand away.

Satisfied, the man smirked. "It could be." He growled deeply and emptied the glass before he got up. "You just have to change."

"Wait? Who are you?" Peter reached for the man's arm, but he just glared at him. He immediately pulled away and felt grounded.

"People call me Ludwig." The man fixed his suit and let one hand slide down his firm chest. "If you're interested in what I can offer?" He said, but before he could finish, Peter interrupted him.

"I am! Can you change me?" His breath quickened rapidly, but Ludwig seemed unbothered.

"Not here; follow me." He motioned for Peter to get up and lead him toward the elevator.

Peter had so many questions, but somehow he didn't dare ask them right here and now. Instead, they entered the huge elevator. Together, they arrived on the sixth floor.

He followed Ludwig closely to a penthouse-like room with huge windows, several armchairs, glass tables, and a gigantic desk. It was way bigger than his actual apartment, and he was looking around in awe.

"So huge." He said, much to Ludwig's amusement.

"Take a seat." He nodded toward an armchair in front of him as he sat down as well.

A little bewildered, Peter sat down and looked at the well-dressed man just spreading his legs, being way more comfortable than himself.

Ludwig just watched him as his whole body tensed more and more. Was it possible for this man to actually change himself? Or was he just drunk, stupid, and naive?

"Ehm." Peter stuttered again.

"Yes, I can help you." Ludwig cut him off, resting both of his hands on his huge thighs.

"But how did you do that?" He said, but once the suit man raised a finger, his voice changed again—just like before at the bar.

Shocked, Peter touched his own neck, unable to process what was happening to him. His throat was a little sore; it didn't hurt, but it was a weird feeling.

"Who are you?" He said it in his deep voice, intrigued yet scared. Was he a real wizard? Or an angel? Someone was sent by God to help him.

Amused, Ludwig smirked before he licked his lips. "I don't kiss and tell." He growled and ran a hand through his nicely-done hair, causing Peter's throat to turn back to normal. "Are you interested or not?"

Peter nodded quickly and felt his entire being vibrating. "I need to become someone else! I can't handle one more day living this life."

Intrigued himself, Ludwig leaned forward and raised an eyebrow. "There is just one thing." He said it in a softer voice, yet his expression was so firm. "We haven't discussed the subject of payment."

The man leaned back and placed one hand on his thighs, while he touched his own lips with the other, running a finger through his groomed beard.

Panicking, Peter looked around, thinking deeply. "I don't have any money. I just spent all of my savings on this stupid outfit!" He looked down at himself, wearing pretty clothes that were ill-fitting and not flattering at all.

"I don't need your money." Ludwig's voice cut through the room and forced him to freeze. "I want you to work for me." He tilted his head teasingly, stroking his enormous bulge with his hand.

"Work? Like what?" Peter's voice was even higher than usual, as he was still panicking. This was his only way to make his dream come true; he couldn't afford to leave like this.

"You'll be one of my contractors." Ludwig regained his composure and leaned forward again. "You see, I'm a very busy man, and I don't have all day to look for clients." He shrugged.

"That's....all?" Peter looked at Ludwig in disbelief. Just closing contracts? That's easy. He's been working for a huge company doing that already, just on a very small scale.

"If that's easy for you." Ludwig's face was unfazed and stoney, but his eyes and his lips were so alluring, like the forbidden fruit. "What do you say?"

Incapable of forming a coherent thought, Peter just smiled widely. "I think we got a deal. Where do I sign?" He said, but the gorgeous man just starred at him; his gaze was again so intense, and Peter was unable to move a muscle.

That's when he experienced a sudden force taking over his body. His head grew heavy as he got up from the chair. Everything was spinning, twisting, and turning; just one thing was completely unbothered: Ludwig.

The man got up from the chair as well and walked toward Peter. "Who needs a signature if I have this?" His eyes were covered by a black mist, so dark it was all consuming. 

Afraid, Peter tried to turn back and run away, but he couldn't move. His head and his whole body were hurting, aching from the pressure put upon them. He watched Ludwig lean in as he placed both of his hands on Peter's chest.

Instantly, a seething flame erupted in his whole upper body, causing so much pain.

"Just tell me who you want to be." Ludwig's voice was so rough, even deeper than before, and it had a mesmerizing rhythm to it.

He kissed Peter softly and breathed into him, filling his lungs and every fiber of his body with the same dark smoke engulfing his eyes.

Peter's body turned numb, vibrating insanely, as Ludwig pulled away and let go of his chest.

Seemingly pushed away, light as a feather, Peter's body moved toward the huge, king-sized bed. He dropped on to it, his head facing the ceiling, and closed his eyes.

"Who do I want to be?" He thought, searching his mind for an answer.

That's when he saw an image—more and more images of the same guy—a handsome Instagrammer he saw earlier.

Was he the right pick? Or should he think about it more? But some part of him clinged to this man—so pretty, hot, and seemingly carefree.

Peter envied him, and every fiber of his body focused on becoming this man.

"So be it." Ludwig's voice echoed through him, and what happened next was incredible.

Peter's being tensed harder than ever before as he clawed at the sheets underneath him. The fire burning underneath his skin spread farther into every corner of his body until it reached his fingertips, his toes, and his forehead.

Peter let out a pain-ridden growl when he felt his muscles growing bigger, bigger, and bigger. He, as a whole, grew bigger, and his clothes—his jacket, shirt, and jeans—weren't able to withstand this pressure. They vanished in an instant, exposing his thick tummy and pale skin.

He was able to open his eyes for just a second and look down at his chest. It felt like the fire was burning even brighter, as his skin flushed with color and his entire chest was condensed into a beautiful six-pack and thick pecs.

It was so painful, yet the most sensational feeling at the same time.

Peter leaned his head back and let out a long, guttural moan, and his voice started to change as well. It turned deeper, more masculine, but still so melodic and soft.

More and more moans escaped his mouth as he felt his muscles defining his thighs and calves. His muscles turned hard right away as waves of pure plessure swung through every bone inside his body.

Peter grabbed himself just in time for him to feel his junk extend largely. It pressed against the palm of his hand, filling his underwear fully.

Instinctively, he started to touch himself, play with himself, and enjoy every second of it.

His mind was unable to comprehend anything that was happening, but yet, it felt so, so good.

Then, his face started to change as well. His jawline got more defined, beautiful dark hair formed a beard, replacing his eyebrows, and his usual mat hair formed pretty curls.

Jerking off, he bit his lower lip, holding back an exhausted groan, but then he just let go. All of him gave in to this pressure and pleasure as he shot one load after another. It felt so much better to cum inside this pretty new body.

As fast as it erupted, the fire burned out, leaving an exhausted Peter lying on this huge bed. Peter was breathing so fast that he was nearly unable to catch a break, but after a few more seconds, he managed to move his new form.

He got up and walked toward the main room, only to find Ludwig sitting in his chair again, tilting his head at the sight of the barely dressed 'new' Peter.

That's when he saw himself for the first time in a mirror.

"Is that...me?" He growled deeply, still shocked by his new voice.

"Don't you like it?" Ludwig said he was kind of displeased with the possibility of him not liking his new body.

"No, god no." He said it quickly, still stuttering slightly. "It's so beautiful."

Peter moved around, inspecting every corner and every angle of his new self. He flexed hard, smiled, and touched himself so much.

It felt good to feel his own pecs bulge, his defined abs tense, and his huge dick pulsate inside his underwear.

"It really looks like him." He said it proudly. "The guy from Instagram." Peter enjoyed seeing his reflection move just as he did. It looked like he spent most of his life in gyms instead of online forums.

"It's because it is—the guy from Instagram." Ludwig mocked his tone, his expression shifting, just cold.

Confused, Peter turned around. "What?"

Ludiwg rolled his eyes. "I claimed his body, and I gave it to you." He motioned toward that pretty body in front of him. "Our deal, remember?"

"Fuck." Peter said, his conscious slowly taking over his mind. "I didn't know."

Ludwig leaned back against the chair, stroking his own member again. "Does it matter?"

"Yes, it does!" Peter shouted at Ludwig, who, unbothered, just waved lazily.

This caused some force to knock Peter off his feat, and he barely steadied himself against the hard wooden floor. He was kneeling right in front of Ludwig, who was towering over him like he was sitting on an actual throne.

"Hearing your cries amused me, so I let your sudden rush of confidence slide. Once." He said, his voice deeper again. "I can turn you back, if you care so much."

With a snap, Peter's hand started to burn again, and he could see his old ones form once again. "Please...no.." He cried out, actual tears leaving his now-pretty eyes.

With another wave, the burning stopped.

"Know your place, fool." Ludwig said, extremely pissed. "Look at me." He used the tip of his shoe to lift Peter's head.

"You will close 15 contracts each month. No less. Otherwise, I will just turn you back." Peter was unable to move; Ludwig's presence engulfed the whole room, causing him to whimper.

"15? Where do I find so many?" Barely a whisper left his lips.

"Just find desperate, pathetic people like you and offer them a deal with me." Ludwig rumbled and let go of Peter's chin.

With another wave, a notebook formed out of dense smoke. "Write their names down, and I will finish the deal."

"Should be easy enough." Ludwig smiled mockingly, and ran a hand through Peter's new hair. "For such a pretty face."

"How....how do I get contracts?" Peter said, scared.

"Charm them, fuck them." Ludwig yanked his head back. "Use this body I gave you. I dont care."

He got up from the throne and fixed his suit.

Peter admired his physique, but wondered if he was the actual devil.

"This will be your new home." He turned around, and suddenly Peter was able to move again.

"Thaank... Thank you, sir." He stuttered. What if he was the devil? He didn't dare ask.

"And get dressed." He snapped his fingers again, and dark smoke was forming around Peter's body.

A beautiful tailored blue suit formed out of thin air, but he couldn't enjoy it at all. He was way too scared to show any emotion in front of Ludwig.

"Yes sir." He nodded.

Ludwig turned around one last time to look at Peter with a smirk on his lips.

"Don't disappoint me."

A shiver ran down his entire back again before he left the apartment.

With one last look at himself, he regretted his choice.

[a-star-that-burns-brightly]

Ranking all of the Milgram Birthday Outfits on a scale of 1/10 because it's 3AM over here and I have to do school things at 6 (Inspired by this video) ↓

Already off to an incredibly strong start, because as we know, Haruka is perfect and can do no wrong. Dog? Little sister? Who's that? Sounds like a myth honesty. Alright, jokes and Haruka bias aside, very nice ! Relatively plain all things considered, but that's quite fitting for Haruka (I mean, have you seen how this kid dresses normally? I'm somewhat surprised that he didn't go for a full white look. Wonder if Muu helped him out when choosing his pieces) I also love the color blue, so bonus points for that. (shut up I know I just said I would ignore biases) Overall, I give Haruka Sakurai a 8/10 !! Lookin' good, buddy ! ↓

Yuno looks so pretty and the outfit is SO cute !! I love the frilliness of the shirt, the pleated skirt is really cute and in general I love the shades of pink chosen for this outfit, and those SHOEEEES girl where did you get those give me name and address. I honestly have no complaints at all I give Yuno Kashiki a 10/10 !! Absolutely gorgeous girl !! (Also it's unfortunate we're only ranking the outfits and not the cakes, because the decision to give Yuno a fucking staircase cake was genius) ↓

...Mannn, I wish I could say I liked this outfit so badly. The outfit itself is alright, if a bit basic, and Fuuta looks very handsome ! But I can't help but feel like black would've been a better choice for him than dark brown. And Fuuta...my guy...WHY those shoes? I could've maybe forgiven the outfit colors if you didn't decide to pair them with shiny gold...sneakers? What the hell even are those? Get better shoes, man. Overall, I'm giving Fuuta Kajiyama a 4/10. I like the outfit it'self (minus the shoes), but the coloring brings it down a lot for me. ↓

Christ, no wonder Muu got model deals ! Look at this queen right here !! She looks absolutely gorgeous, the dress is beautiful and I love the Beauty And The Beast inspiration. The earrings being inspired by an hourglass is a very cool detail, and the heels look great as well ! I genuinely don't think I have any faults with this one Muu Kusunoki gets a 10/10 ! Nice job dressing to impress ! ↓

One chance Mr. Kirisaki, one cha-- Ahem. As I was saying, Shidou looks amazing in this outfit !! I'm usually not a fan of there being so much white on it's own (I sound like a certain horror fanatic, sheesh.) But Shidou reallly rocks it, and the purple accents are very nice in comparison !! I also really like the shoes for some reason. Shidou is being added to the list also consisting of Muu and Yuno where I need to see who their shoemaker is For Shidou Kirisaki, I give a 9/10 !! Very pretty man. ↓

Mahiru looks very pretty here ! I love the poofy hair accessory, and the birdcage earrings are a very nice touch. That being said however...the dress is a bit too plain for me. I cannot help but feel like something is missing here that would make the overall outfit look way better. A sash maybe? Despite that though, Mahiru Shiina gets a 6/10 !! Looking ready for a date !  ↓

Ooooh...Kazui stans forgive me, but I'm pretty indifferent to this outfit. It's not bad mind you ! Kazui looks very handsome in it, and I like the blue chosen for his tie. But it's the same problem with Mahiru where I feel like it's a bit too plain and could've used something more, like a pattern on his vest or pants. Also though his shoes aren't the atrocity that is Fuuta's, I feel like a black or even a dark blue akin to Haruka would've looked a lot better in comparison to the rest of his outfit. Kazui Mukuhara is granted a 5/10. Not the best, not the worst. Sorry old man. ↓

AHHH SHE LOOKS SO CUTE !! It's like if the frilliness from Yuno's outfit was upped to twenty ! Amane's dress is adorable and looks very comfortable as well, I want a bigger sized version for myself. I also really like her big bow, as well as the blue shoes. But most importantly, Amane seems to be genuinely happy wearing it, and as a fandom, Amane's happienss takes priority. Amane Momose, you'll be getting a 9/10 from me ! Good on ya, kid ! ↓

Ahhh, he's so cute ! Look at how polite he looks ! The blazer is nice, and also blue. Blue bias. And the boots absolutely fucking SLAY. The way his hair is styled looks very nice as well ! I also think this is the closest we have gotten to official art of Mikoto smiling genuinely, and I personally think we need more. And more. And more. Mikoto Kayano gets a 10/10 !! Very cute boy ! ↓

Ma'am, I politely and respectfully ask you to break my neck mercilessly-- Ahem. As I was saying. KOTOKO LOOKS FUCKING AMAZING !! The undershirt oh my god the FUCKING UNDERSHIRT !! Absolutely adore it so much. The colors are all very pleasing to the eye, the skirt is very cute, and the heels look cool as hell !! But Kotoko also looks cool as hell in anything, so is this really fair? Kotoko Yuzuriha has obtained a 10/10 ! Absolutely gorgeous.

[darkcrowprincess]

In TLO, we are told that the Oracle cannot date. So what if Percy and Rachel were dating beforehand, and then right before she becomes the Oracle, they have a quick wedding ceremony so they’re married, not dating?

*most of my knowledge of how consent of marriage in New York between two 16 to 17 year olds comes from google. So if I get anything legally wrong I apologize*

"Are you sure about this Rachel?"

"I'm sure Percy." Rachel says from inside the single family bathroom at the court house.

"Besides if it doesn't work out we can always get divorce."

"Gee thanks." Percy says sarcastically.

Rachel giggles softly, "You know what I mean Percy. Besides I've got a good feeling about this. It feels right."

"Like I'm about to have a weird vision of the future feeling, or just a regular good feeling?" Percy questions.

Before Rachel can answer Percy's Mom and Paul comes up behind him. Sally smiling with a piece of paper in her hands. Mr Dares written consent. He smiles and waves back. Nervousness fully hitting him

"How did you get your dad to agree to this?"

"Blackmail". Rachel says, finally opening the bathroom door and stepping out.

"Oh". Percy says, stunned at the sight he sees before him. Ocean eyes wide, cheeks turning red.

Rachel Elizabeth Dare is a vision in ivory white. The dress she wears hangs around her all drape like but beautiful. Reminding Percy of greek women in movies. Two pieces of fabric attached to the skirt are also clip around her wrists so the skirt flows and swishes with her. As she move the dress moves with her, as if shes floating in water. The part of the bodice thats attached to the flowing skirt is aligned with white sea pearls. One perfectly lined up in a row, one after another. Circling her waistline. More pears are sewed at the top of the bodice near her chest. Showing a modest but greek style neckline. The look is completely with her red curls still wild but beautiful. A greek style flower laurel on her head, with a bit of white veil going down her back. Her face plain but no less beautiful natural. Big green wide eyes pop amongst the white, freckles all over her body standing out even more, but still beautiful. The most beautiful thing of all is her happy carefree smile.

Percy has said nothing, completely amazed by how beautiful she looks. He feels (embarrassing to think let alone admit) like Prince Eric from that Disney movie when Ariel the mermaid steps out of the shadows for the prince to see her in her pretty pink dress.

Flustred and still amazed Percy comments, "Yo-you look beautiful "

Rachel gives a happy flirty smile back. Eyes Percy up and down in satisfaction.

"No so bad yourself Percy. You clean up nice."

He laughs nervously, and tries not to mess up his styled black hair by running his fingers through it. After the yelling(first time ever really his mom has ever yelled like that and questioned what he was thinking) Percy's mom quickly came around once he fully explained about Rachel becoming the orcale. She again asked him if they were both sure(mainly eyeing her son for his reactions). But quickly became fully supportive with Paul's help. Paul more so getting Mr Dare's written consent, and finding a court house that would marry two teenagers in New York. Sally Jackson not only helped Percy with his hair, she got Percy a suit. A dark ocean blue suit. Plain white dress shirt. Matching ocean blue vest and tie. Percy felt like a ridiculous little boy playing dress up. However seeing Rachel, and her over all reaction. For once Percy felt maybe he did look good too. That they could actually maybe do this.

Percy reaches to hold both of Rachels hands. Linking their fingers together.

"Ready?" Questions Percy(he doesn't really need to.)

A determined look flashes in Rachel Elizabeth Dare's eyes. "Ready."

Percy nods then turns to his mom. She smiles at him.

******

Everything after that is a blur, what Percy remembers most is standing in front of the judge with Rachel. Holding her hands. He would be afraid that he's squeezing the circulation from her fingers, however shes squeezing just as hard back. So good to know he's not the only one freaking out. But soon the judge is having them sign their names on the paperwork. Afterwards he has them recite the typical lines you always hear at weddings.

"Do you Perseus Jackson, being of sound mind and body take Rachel Elizabeth Dare as you lawful wedded wife?" The old judge says, looking like stereotypical old man judge with glasses and gray hair. He has a disapproving look on his face('probably at their ages, but the old geezer can stuff it' thinks Percy).

Percy genuinely grins at Rachel. A soft fragile thing. He is fully putting his heart in her hands. "I do."

The judge continues, "And do you Rachel Elizabeth Dare, being of sound mind and body take Perseus Jackson as your lawful wedded husband?"

Rachel eyes shine. She has a serious look on her face. Not letting her eyes leave Percy she says, "I do."

"Than by the state of New York I pronounce you husband and wife. Young man you may now kiss your bride."

Percy sees a flash of blonde in the corner of his eye in the back of the court house but he ignores it(he's not letting her ruin this. Especially for Rachel). He takes a quick look a his mom and Paul (his parents) both smiling and crying. He finally looks at Rachel who smiles at him in reassurance. Rachel mouths the words 'I have a good feeling about this.' It gives him the courage to finally close the gap. Rachel leans up on her tip toes as he leans down and their lips touch. Warmth and comfort flashes through the both of them. It feels like home to Percy(it feels like he's breaking the cycle. Making his own destiny. They are no longer pawns of the gods)

Percy pulls Rachel closer and runs his fingers through her red curls. Kissing her a little harder. She hums in pleasure.

Too quickly they end the kiss and both pull back. Meadow green eyes meet ocean. Both unbelievably happy.

Hand in hand they walk to Percy's parents. Rachels sees the blonde sitting in the back and ignores it too. Through congratulations from both hugging parents Percy and Rachel dont let go of each others hands.

********

Rachel and his parents are both waiting outside the courthouse when Percy finally goes up to Annabeth. She meets him half way. Walking quickly to meet him. He expects it, but still flinches at the hard punch she gives him to his face( Annabeth is also wearing a silver ring with owl craved into the band. The owl cuts against Percy's eyebrow).

Casually the blonde shakes her fist out, her knuckles brused. Annabeth's eyes are cold, yet her face doesn't show much emotion. "How could you! Especially with her! She's a mortal Percy!"

Percy (ignoring the pain) tries to stay calm, hopefully he can get through this quickly. The quicker he gets through this the quicker he can get back to his parents and his girl- no his wife. His wife now he happily thinks.

"Since when is that your concern Annabeth? I can date and marry who I want. Your my friend. I would think you'd be happy for me."

Annabeth face goes a little red in angrer. Finally some emotion is showing.

" I kissed you, I thought even a seaweed brain like you can even figure out what that means!"

"Yeah you kissed me. Meaning you like me. But that doesn't mean I return those feelings Annabeth!" Percy says through clenched teeth.

Annabeth has worry in her eyes now. "This wasn't how this was suppose to go!" She grips his jacket collar hard and desperate. "You think this will be ok with the gods Percy?! Not only is she mortal, she's the psychic of Delphi too. They will not be pleased with this! They wont like being out smarted like this!"

Percy removes her hands from his person. "Its my life Annabeth! And I get to choose how I want to live it. We both get to. So I'm choosing her." Percy finally gives her and apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but I care for her enough to risk it." It's too early to say love Percy thinks. But he's definitely starting to feel it could go that way with time. "I don't feel that way for you Annabeth. I'm sorry."

Full blown emotion finally shows on her face. Her lip wobbles, and tears gather in her eyes. But than her face goes angry again. Tears finally spill. "I gave up Luke for you. Fine than, if that's how you want to play it. Have fun with your mortal. When the gods get pissed off enough to think of some horrible pay back. Don't come crying to me." She turns swiftly and not looking back. Percy makes a motion to follow her, but Annabeth puts on her baseball cap and goes invisible.

He feels horrible for Annabeth. But he wont let her ruin today. He looks at his hand with his ring on it and smiles. He wont let anyone one ruin it.

********

"What happened to your forehead?" Rachel questions with worry, she gently touches the mark on his eyebrow.

Percy just smiles at her, clasping her hand with hers.

"It's nothing don't worry about it Mrs Jackson."

Rachel laughs at that. The look on her face is so beautiful he can't help but kiss her.

(Don't like don't read. Post hate and I'll block you)

[icey--stars]

ACOTAR and TOG males in Corsets/Vests (Headcanons)

The High Lords of Prythian + 2 more ACOTAR males and then Rowan and Fenrys from TOG.

I think my self control just went down the hill because now I'm on pinterest looking at men in corsets and imagining which acotar/tog male would wear which. As well as vests (I have an addiction). So far I've come to the following conclusions: (doesn't include cass and az because I literally only see them wearing leathers/more formal leathers, not really a corset/vest. MAYBE az, but only for eris.)

If you want to see my lack of self control, feel free to look lol

Rhysand:

Would be so good looking in a corset. (However, Lucien, Thesan and Tarquin would be slightly better). However, I have to say that he'd probably be better looking in a vest than a corset 🫣 The purple one would match his eyes and well... his eyes happen to be one of my favorite physical characteristics of him.

~~~

Helion:

THIS male. Oh lordy. He'd ROCK a corset like none other and honestly, he's never going to wear a vest. I don't see him doing it. He'd wear the traditional Day Court robes but then he'd one day just walk out in the gold chains (far right) and everyone would not be able to take their eyes off him. And the gold?? The gold fits too well with his dark skin. I am UNWELL.

~~~

Lucien Vanserra:

I am panting after this male so badly. He would be the best looking in a corset, absolutely no competition. He would have everyone drooling over him and THEN he'd just pop out in a vest and it'd be the same. He looks way too good in either. He looks good in like every court's style too! I just can't with him. I could put him in any of the corsets on this post and he'd look FABULOUS.

~~~

Thesan:

Would absolutely have his lover panting after him in either a corset or vest. I like to imagine Dawn Court fashion with like soft yellows and oranges along with creams and browns?? I think that the first corset fits the best into that. But do I really need to say more? With his skin tone (a more asian one, darker. definitely not white at all) he would look HEAVENLY.

~~~

Kallias:

Would look best in a vest, BUT if anyone is going to look ANY good in a dark blue/white corset, it's definitely Kallias. Now, the middle one wouldn't be paired with black of course, but he'd look DAMN GOOD in it. Am I going insane? Probably.

~~~

Tarquin:

This male would canonically wear corsets daily. The vest just doesn't do it for him. Sure, he looks amazing but it's also too warm in Summer to wear it! He'd be wearing the corset with nothing under it (or for court proceedings, a white dress shirt) but literally- he'd look so hot. Thus far, the rankings for corsets are: Lucien, Tarquin, Thesan, Helion and then Rhys. Everyone else is irrelevant.

~~~

Eris Vanserra:

We are going to skip Beron, I'm sorry. If you can't tell by the number of times I've ruthlessly had Beron killed in my fics, then you should know I hate him.

So, Eris Vanserra, High Lord of the Autumn Court is definitely someone who I'd rather see in a vest. But a corset? If he finds the right one, he'd look damn good. Just like his little brother. Though, I feel like he'd be so tired after ruling Autumn that he'd wear it mostly to help his posture lol

However, when he's not tired and wears a vest, he'd look like a god incarnate and I'd get down on my knees to worship the ground he walks on.

~~~

Tamlin:

We believe in Tamlin in vests around these parts. (and forgiveness, but that's not what these weird headcanons are about) He'd be drool worthy. His hair?? PERFECT to match the first vest or the corset. I swear, he'd look so good that I'd be panting if he walked by me.

~~~

Rowan Whitethorn:

Rowan? Rowan would wear a corset and have Aelin panting after him the entire day and absolutely nobody would be able to focus that day. Like literally, if you even get a glance, your mind is BROKEN. I would personally just get down on my knees and beg. I don't know about you guys, but if I imagine his tattoo as well, it only serves to make it worse. And a vest?? If you imagine the right with the green and then a more silver color... yeah, I think you get the point. Rowan is drool worthy ALWAYS.

~~~

Fenrys Moonbeam

Do I really even need to say anything?? DO I? Fenrys. Corset. I am melting. He could fit into so many colors and styles and look amazing? I'm not even going to provide a vest picture because any fancy ones that I look up would automatically look good on him. His onyx dark eyes just make it easier!!

~~~

Okay... well that was longer than anticipated but I hope you all enjoyed those thoughts. I think I've gone feral by looking at all these images and imagining the acotar/tog men in corsets.

[hollowdeath]

slytherin fashion

this is the final part of my hogwarts houses fashion posts! you can find the other houses on my masterlist

business casual

i feel like slytherins will take any chance they can to dress up, so their typical go-to look is business casual. think white collared button ups, vests, black suit jackets, and a necktie, of course. but slytherins are all about adding a little edge, so they try to tone down the professional elements with skirts, jeans, leather jackets, and a pair of headphones.

dark academia/alt

i mean, c'mon. who's doing the all black look better than slytherins? this is where a lot of our dark academia/alternative friends thrive. some like to keep it business casual still with simple silhouettes: long skirts, long jackets, turtlenecks/vests, and leather boots. others, however, go for a more casual look with shorter skirts, ripped stockings, graphic t-shirts, and tons of accessories like belts, rings, necklaces, and chains. all in black, of course.

shoes

slytherins are the house when it comes to their shoe game, and there's do debate. they take a lot of pride in their collections and keeping their favorites in good condition. it's like a bonding experience for them, talking about and showing off their shoes to each other. and, of course, they love to experiment with all kinds of styles: flats/ballet slippers, kitten heels, loafers, boots, and, above all, sneakers. even if their outfit isn't their favorite, they can always bet they have the best shoes in the room.

chaotic style

i've tried to find a name for this specific style but all i could find is bloquette (??) and uglycore (???) so i'm just gonna call it chaotic, because that's exactly how a slytherin would describe it. while some slytherins dress professionally, others prefer a more eccentric similar to their fellow ravenclaws. i'm thinking long patterned skirts, particularly plaid, along with boots or tennis shoes and tall socks, as well as random colorful jerseys.

ravenclaw | hufflepuff | gryffindor | masterlist

[elfboyeros]

Grimhaven

"Welcome to Grimhaven"

In West Alexandria's capital city, there is the Grimhaven Agency! An outsourcing arm of the government that trains, hires, and sends out Grotesquerie Hunters to protect Willowcrest citizens from the monsters that hunt and harm them

Ah, the first chapter of Grimhaven, this story is supposed more "relaxed". I just trying to have fun with it (I say as if I don't have fun with my other stuff) Things may not contact or make much sense but that's because it's not suppose to lol. Please enjoy. Read about all my nerds and junk

Grotesqueries

Rabid animals in want of human blood, demons of flesh and bone, for as long as one can remember monsters have infected the world along with the human race. In a modern age, one need not worry about leaving the homestand and dying instantly. However cannibalistic monsters far too similar to humans still hide in the shadows waiting for the time to feed.

Little blue, squinted eyes stare up at a tubular building resembling a large, tall office building covered in tinted windows in the middle of a bustling city. A black-haired, ivory-skinned man stands on the sidewalk, in a long sand-colored trench coat, black turtleneck, black slacks, and black shoes. His face displays a clear look of disdain while looking upon the building in front of him.

“Mr. Otto! Hemlock Otto!”

His name comes from a rather posh feminine voice in front of him. Taking his eyes off the building, he sees the vision of an elderly white woman dressed in a long, light lime-colored skirt and a rather vintage-looking blouse. Cane in hand, she sweeps the ground in front of her as she walks, fading green hair up, with bangs swooping to one side of her face.

“You have to speak, boy, or I don’t know where you are!” she says in a stern tone.

“I’m here ma’am,” Hemlock replies, moving closer to her so doesn’t walk too far into the sidewalk, her cane smacking the side of his shoes before stating calmly, “I’m in front of you.”

She smiles letting out a light chuckle. “Very good!”

He can see the scarring over her eyes, now closer to her. If he had to guess, she was burned with acid years ago. “With all due respect ma’am, I—”

“Shush now! I don’t want to hear about this “I work alone, this system isn’t for me.” This is for your benefit, sir, do not get arrested!” she interrupted, “Now come!”

 “Mrs. Whitlock,” Hemlock exclaims as the older woman swiftly turns around and walks back into the building. He follows.

She leads him through the automatic doors, into a barren first level of an office building. If this is supposed to be the great agency of hunters in the city, it looks like pure shit, with its pale walls, willing plants, large, tinted windows, and uncomfortable-looking couches.

“Mrs. Whitlock it is quiet—”

“Pay this no mind! It is simply a cover, a safety between the real world and us.” She remarks, “And enough with the formalities! Call me Granny Gwyn!”

As Gwyndolyn and Hemlock walked through, two young individuals stood off to the side watching them. A woman with duel-colored hair, blonde on the left and pistachio green on the right, bisque skin, and pale olive eyes. Wearing an oversized neutral-colored sweater, a pleated skirt, stockings that matched her skin color, and tall-heeled boots. Next to her was a man, clearly related to her, given their shared skin tone and eye color only he’s hair is blonde. He wears an acid green beret matching the accents on his light brown oversized cotton vest that overlays a cream button-up shirt tucked into his brown slacks that barely reach his dark brown dress shoes.  

“This is our punishment,” the man sighed.

“It’s not a punishment, Caelyn,” the woman replied.

“The craziest vigilante in the Willowcrest inducted into the agency, and put under your care—”

“Most, if not all, of the GGHs are “under my care”, he’s not going to be any different.”

“Blythe—”

“I don’t know why you are so worried,” Blythe scoffs. Heading for the stairs. “You don’t even work here.”

“But I do live here, and you’re my sister!” Caelyn exclaims, following after her.

Hemlock presses the elevator call button before stating, “Mrs. Gwyndolyn, I have very little faith that this becoming a GGH will make much of a difference for me.”

“Yet, it will keep you from going to jail for Five years!” Gwyndolyn declares as the elevator dings before the doors open. “We are starting to floor seven, son.”

Hemlock observes the many buttons on the display. There are 5 floors below and 64 above. “I have no need to show you the basement floors, our forensics lab, our garage, and some other department that lives down there, places I doubt would be of any interest to you,” Gwyndolyn comments.

Hemlock shrugs, “I wouldn’t mind seeing the garage at some point. If I have to work here for the rest of my career.”

“You like cars?”

“Motorcycles,” Hemlock simply replies, “but I also like cars.”

“My husband loves motorcycles.” Gwyndolyn coos softly before the elevator opens.

The two steps out in the small area hosting the elevators, soft warm natural-colored walls reminded Hemlock of the old childhood memories of Hemlock going to the family doctor with his mother.

“I’ll have you meet the secretary. I know you; hunters feel a center way about offices and desks, but if you need an office one can be provided to you, and it will be on this floor,” Gwendolyn explains as she and Hemlock walk down the hallway.

Hemlock hums before stopping at a door in about the middle of the hallway. A dark door with a placard reading secretary. After smacking her cane on the bottom of the door the bottom of the door, the same blonde man with an acid green hat who had been watching them before, opens it.

“Hi granny,” Caelyn says with a smile.

“Is your sister in?” Gwyndolyn asks as she enters, Hemlock slowly entering behind her.

Cream-colored walls, walnut-colored furniture, black filing cabins, a large neatly cluttered desk in the center, a nice cream couch against the wall next to the desk with a green quilt hanging off the back of it, and pictures and degrees on the wall.

“I’m right here granny,” A Blythe remarks standing up from squatting down to get into the bottom drawer in a filing cabinet. Looking up from the thick file in hand, the duel-haired young woman smiles at the sight of Gwyndolyn and Hemlock, “Welcome to The Grimhaven Agency.”

Hemlock quickly observes many things silently. Everyone in the room talks in a posh manner. Gwyndolyn is the poshest of the three. The young man in the room is not fond of him. The office feels very lived in. The young woman in front of him has a beautiful smile—a smile that pulls locked-away memories of lost love to the front of Hemlock’s mind and gives him the beginnings of a splitting headache.

“I’m Blythe Rosenheim,” Blythe informs sticking a handout for Hemlock to shake.

“Hemlock Otto,” he replies shaking her hand.

“I’ll report to me for most of your needs,” she adds, “assignments, testimonies, excreta.”

Hemlock nods, his mouth open ready to ask the young girl a question before Gwyndolyn taps her cane on the ground, “Alright there is more for you to see,” she comments, heading for the door.

“Have a nice day granny,” Blythe calls as Gwyndolyn and Hemlock leave her office.

“Who was the blonde boy?” Hemlock asks.

“Caelyn,” Gwyndolyn simply replies, “Was he giving you evil looks?”

“He didn’t seem fond of my presence.”  

“Pay him no mind. He is just a little boy angry at the world.”

Hemlock hums as they approach the elevator, he presses the call button and steps into the elevator with Gwyndolyn waiting for her instructions.

“Floor 4, son.”

The older woman leads Hemlock to the many floors, departments, and areas in The Grimhaven Agency building as if he were a dog. The fitness center, the infirmary, the armory, the cafeteria, and even the garage. He was her little pup, chasing after her dress strings as if they were toys, disputes not having an interest in the Grimhaven Agency, and its bureaucracy around the hunter society he had been in since his early 20s. However, he does listen and observe, because the great Hemlock Otto- Willowcrest's most prolific vigilante grotesquerie hunter- would rather die a hunter under the Grimhaven Agency than in a prison cell.

“Alright son,” Gwyndolyn sighs, “You now have freedom to do as you must until 6, unless you have changed your mind about living here.”

“No, Mrs. Gwyndolyn, I have not.”

Gwyndolyn ticks her tongue on the roof of her mouth, “At least call me Mrs. Gwyn, enough of the Gwyndolyn shit.”

“Apologizes, my mother raised me to be polite.”

Gwyndolyn hums, “I hope to hear more about your mother,” she comments before heading off, “Enjoy your first day, son.”

Hemlock watched the older woman toddle away, before getting into the elevator once again to go back up to the seventh floor to Blythe’s office. Knocking on her door, she remarks a soft “Come in.”

Sitting behind a multi-monitor computer, eyebrows raised at Hemlock coming through her door, “You’re not moving in?” she asks.

“I have my own apartment,” he replied.

Blythe hums, “Well, I have nothing for you today. " She explains, “Everything is either taken or occupied. If I had known you weren’t moving in today, I would have called you out.”

Hemlock sighs, “If you would like to stay to see if anything new comes in, you are more than welcome to,” Blythe adds.

He settles on the couch, a hand resting on his cheek. The comforting sounds of Blythe’s fingers hitting the key on the keyboard, the comfortable temperature, and the smell of eucalyptus and green tea lulled him to sleep.

“DREW! DREW!”

“COME ON STAY WITH ME!”

“Hemlock…”

“It’ll be okay, It’ll be okay! I gotcha babe, stay with me!”

“Hemlock…”

“DREW!”

Hemlock bolts up out of his nightmare, with the same blanket on the back of the couch now on his lap as he lays across the small couch, having no recollection of lying on the couch or grabbing the blanket.

He let out a heavy sigh, sitting on the couch properly he rests his elbows on his knees before putting his head in his hands.

“Who are they?” Blythe asks, softly.

“Huh?”

“Who is Drew?” she replies.

Hemlock looked up at her, and she looked at him with a pitiful gaze before he sighed heavily once again, “My girlfriend.”

This silence blankets them. It’s not comfortable, but it’s not awkward; it’s just silent. The room still has a nice temperature, and the smell of eucalyptus and green tea is still in the air. However, it’s fainter than before, and there is no soft tapping of keys on a typeset.

“Go home, Hemlock,” Blythe instructs.

“I’m fin—”

“It’s 6 p.m., go home,” she remarks interrupting him, “I make sure there is something for you first thing tomorrow.”

Hemlock stands, “Have a nice night, Blythe,” he mutters before leaving her office to get back into the elevator for the umpteenth, exit the agency, hop on his motorcycle, and head home.

Entering his apartment, he shrugs off his coat and tosses it on the back of the couch after pulling out a pack of cigarettes and lighting it while heading to his kitchen.

His apartment is a modern style yet rather sparse of personal objects that would add to a comforting clutter. The only light in his space was from the overhead light above the stove in the kitchen, and the light coming through the large windows.  

Placing a pan on the stovetop, Hemlock pulls a couple of eggs from the fridge. With his nightmare about 15 minutes ago, he knew he couldn’t keep an “actual” dinner down, thus scrambled eggs would do.

While he cooked, sounds could be heard behind him. They were not the normal settling sounds of a building; they were almost inhuman sounds of something approaching him.

His cigarette rests in an ashtray near him, and he transfers his eggs onto a plate. The same inhuman sounds approached him slowly from behind him.

In one swift motion, he takes the hot frying pan he was using and smacks whatever is behind him, hitting something between a solid and a liquid. Hemlock turned around quickly facing a type of creature his is all too familiar with.

Animalistic in both appearance and nature, the creature is almost deer-like with muted colors. Unnaturally long in an uncanny way, very thin with a rib cage that is almost exposed, back hunched in an uncomfortable-looking way. Struggling to stand on the traction-less floor with its pencil-thin legs, it looks at Hemlock with deep soulless eyes that bulged out of their sockets before roaring a loud, screeching roar showing off its many teeth.

A grotesquerie, in his apartment!

“FUCK!” Hemlock shouts, racing out of the kitchen.

Barely making it out into the living area, he is rammed in the back sending him into the hardwood floors of his apartment. The creature gnaws at his legs, his thick pants preventing its sharp teeth from touching Hemlock's skin.

In the past seven years of being a private (and illegal) grotesquerie hunter, Hemlock has never struggled as much as he has now. Yes, normally, he has a weapon, yet the government confiscated any weapons he had in his positions when that finally “caught” him, even though he had legally obtained all the weapons he owned. Yet even with his fist, he can normally do enough to get at least free.

Kicking the grotesquerie in the face with his free foot, getting his leg free, however, the grotesquerie then chopped down on his forearm actually breaking the skin and digging into his skin.

It felt like time was going by so painfully slowly as he kicked at the beast atop him and lay on the floor with the stinging pain of the creature's teeth in his forearm. His front door is then slammed open, smacking into the wall after being taken off its hinges forcibly.

Then a gunshot.

Shot clean between the eyes, the grotesquerie flops into Hemlock's lap. When looking in the direction of the gunshot, “Blythe?!”

Panting in the doorway of his front door was that duel-haired secretary in her oversized sweater and pleaded skirt, with a compact handgun in hand. “You should have agreed to live at Grimhaven,” Blythe huffs.

His pain is too great to come up with a comeback. After Blythe helps him off the floor, they go back to Grimhaven, where he was being doctored by a sanatorium nurse, before reluctantly agreeing with Gwyndolyn that he should live in one of the penthouse apartments in the Grimhaven building. A lack of personal items makes the collection of his things smoother than presumed by those at Grimhaven, allowing Hemlock’s move to take just a day.

“Fuck,” he curses, attempting to pick up one of the large paintings he had in his old apartment.

He can hear a door open across the hallway, turning around swiftly to apologize for the noise he’s making, he lets out a sarcastic little chuckle when his eyes meet Blythe’s.

Leaning against her apartment’s doorframe, a foot resting against her other leg’s calf in a pair of cotton shorts, an oversized sweatshirt with the embroidered text of her alma mater across the chest, and hair clipped up and out of her face.

“Do you need help?” she asks.

“No, I’m fine,” Hemlock muttered, attempting to pick up the painting again, only to lose his grip and have the wooden backing of the canvas slam into the wrapped wound on his arm, “SHIT!”

“Let me help,” Blythe scoffs.

With Blythe on one side of the hefty canvas and Hemlock on the other, the two of them easily placed the painting safely in his apartment. “I’ll figure out where to put it later,” Hemlock muttered.

Blythe hums looking around his living space and seeing all the other paintings already hung up on the walls, “Do you paint?”

“No, these were all made for me,” Hemlock answers.

“Who did them?” Blythe asks, “They’re beautiful.”

“My girlfriend,” he remarks quietly.

Blythe hums once again, “Is she the reason you didn’t want to live here?”

Hemlock doesn’t answer, rather he passes by Blythe to head to the kitchen, “You know she can visit you. She can even live here with you if she wants, this is the safest place in all of Willowcrest, probably even all of West Alexandria—”

“She’s dead,” Hemlock states, making Blythe freeze, “And even if Drew was alive…”

“Hemlock, I’m so sorry,” Blythe gasps.

“Don’t apologize, it’s not like you knew,” Hemlock shrugs, “Unlike how you knew I was in danger yesterday.”

“Tracking software is put on all GGH devices whether they are provided by the agency or not,” Blythe explains, “I took advantage of your nap yesterday to put the software on your phone.”

“And the Grimhaven secretary just carries a gun?”

“I need a way to practice myself,” she comments.

“Well thank you for saving my life,” Hemlock replies.

Blythe flashes him a small smile, heading back to her apartment, “Have a nice night, Hemlock.”

“You too, Blythe.”

[empressofmankind]

BEGGARS SHAN'T BE CHOOSERS - Part I

[Crocodile x F!OC]

SFW

(A/N) Better known as the 'Impel Down' fic, I kept mentioning the past two weeks. This is Part One. Of five? Of ten? I've given up. The total draft was > 12k. So, I split it in 3x 4k. And then, I noticed today the 'first part' had grown to >7k. So, I've split it again. I have a clear end in mind, but how long it'll take me to get there...

Originally, this fic was meant to focus around Buggy, but then a 2.53m unit of absolute bullshit got in the way. Shivs and her world class plans, good gods. Post-Alabaste, the mens are stuck in Impel Down. Shivs is dead set on springing the clown from prison. However, she'll first need to figure out where they're keeping him. On account of his devil fruit powers, she suspects level 6. And she has an excellent alibi to demand visitation to level 6. For once, the legal quagmire of technically still being married to Crocodile is going to work for her. Right? RIGHT??

In this first part, we'll join Shivs and Benji (and Mani!) as they get ready to, and make their way for, Impel Down. That's it, that's all that happens, and it took me near 4k. I am so long-winded. It's a terminal condition, I know.

Tag(s): Considering this is the entré, there isn't actually much to tag for? There's fluff and humour. There's a 10-year-old running around saying the absolute funniest shit as things go straight over her head. We got Mani the scaly golden retriever Bananawani along? Oh, and one (1) good marine.

🐊 🐊 🐊 

Beggars Shan't Be Choosers - Part I

“They're stupid clothes,” Benji said, her brow wrinkling with petulant annoyance. She was wearing a crispy white dress shirt, a green-on-ochre striped vest and grey slacks. She'd refused a dress of any sort. Her flame orange hair was neatly brushed and her small face wasn't covered in grease paint for once.

“I think you look handsome,” Shivs said as she pinned her own red hair up with a two-pronged kanzashi fashioned with golden lotuses whose inlaid blue diamonds had not seen the light of day in years.

“I look stupid.”

“Look. I am not comfortable in my clothes either,” Shivs said and indicated the mid-thigh sheath dress of black lace on dark grey broadcloth she wore. She'd decided on sheer stockings to go with it, but no gloves. 

“You look pretty in them.”

Shivs turned back to the mirror to finish pinning her hair and adjusting her bangs to fall neatly from under the strings of her eyepatch. “That is the idea, yes.”

Benji put her hands in her pockets, kicking her foot, making squeaky noises against the deck boards. “What am I supposed to look like? I don't want to be pretty.”

“You are supposed to look like the most capable and well-behaved child to ever grace the Blue.” Shivs pinched her cheek, gilt bangles jangling. “And you do when you don't stand with your hands wearing out your pockets like that.”

Benji took her hands out of her pockets. They idled a moment, undecided, but then she clasped them behind her back. “Your neck looks naked.” 

Shivs laughed at that because the bateau neckline of the dress could certainly use something. “Yours too.”

She plucked one of Buggy's patterned neck scarves from a drawer and tied it around her daughter's neck, tucking the ends into the vest. “There.”

“You should wear a pretty necklace,” Benji said, though her eyes were on the scarf. She seemed to like that, at least.

Shivs didn't have all that many necklaces conventionally considered ‘nice’. Going through the few she had in her thoughts, she picked up her modest jewellery box. Then paused as her gaze lingered on the bottom drawer of her vanity. Maybe she should… She pulled the drawer open and reached among clothes she rarely wore, patting around until she found the old music box.

Its silver had blackened with age and negligence, but even so, its delicate engravings of waves and tall ships were fine. If she polished it now, the oxidation remaining in the fine creases would help pick out its details better than ever before. She didn’t, of course. And she didn’t open the lid either. She couldn’t remember if it was wound up, and didn’t want to hear its melody if it was.

Instead, she held it with both hands and turned its engraved body as if removing a lid from a jar. With a click, the top section came off. Within the tiny compartment revealed lay a small, gold hoop with a bent hinge. She’d long since let the earlobe puncture it used to occupy close. Taking a thin string from her jewellery box, she suspended it from that instead.

“Like so?” Shivs asked, drawing Benji’s attention as she fastened it around her neck.

“Don’t you have anything sparklier, like your hair thing?”

Shivs brushed the kanzashi. Though the era of having such things aplenty was long behind her, she was loath to detract from the last one that remained to her with lesser gems. Besides, he’d notice.

“Sadly, no.”

“Oh?” Benji gave her the thumbs up. “Gold is pretty too, I guess!”

Part of the reason she’d picked it was that it was 24-carat gold. Just like the kanzashi.

“Can I do your makeup?”

“Only if you do not turn me into a clown,” Shivs said as she sat down at her vanity so the girl could reach her face. Benji grinned and set to work.

When Benji declared she was done, Shivs turned to the mirror and had to admit the little girl was now officially better at this than her. She’d gone for a dark burgundy smokey eye with a flawlessly thin line of gold right at the root of her eyelashes and a touch of white on the waterline. It made the hazel of her good eye pop like nobody’s business. She was pretty sure the dark red lipstick was Buggy’s favourite to use himself.

“I like it,” Shivs said and Benji beamed. “Now, I just need shoes.”

“I'll fetch some!” 

Benji was up and running out of the cabin before Shivs could protest. It was only a few minutes before the girl returned, clutching shoes in her arms. And not just any shoes, either. She held up gold-tinted, faux leather gladiator sandals with six-inch stiletto heels that would be a trick and a half to walk on. Where had she even found those?

“These will look awesome with your hair thing and necklace!”

She didn’t disagree as she put them on, but hoped the floors of Impel Down would be neatly packed concrete and nothing else. She hadn’t walked on heels like these in half a decade. Throwing a long bridge coat the rosy beige of dunes about her shoulders, she turned to the floor-length mirror.

Benji looked her up and down with the pinched expression of a critical, pint-sized costume designer grading their latest creation. “You look very pretty.”

Benji wasn’t wrong. She did look nice. Her mood sank, settling like an anchor in the pit of her stomach. She looked like his wife.

“Why is it OK to lie today?”

“It's not a lie.” Shivs shook the morose feeling and picked up her small black bag, its gilded chain rattling as she double checked its content. “More like, hm.”

“Make believe?”

“Yes. Yes, I suppose it is,” Shivs said as she snapped the bag closed and hung it from her shoulder. “It will be easier to convince them to let us visit if we look the way they’d expect.”

“Why would they let us visit uncle Crocodile? Aren’t those visits for, like, if you’re his mom or sister or baby or something?” Benji’s small face was filled with healthy scepticism, hands in her pockets once again. “We should pretend he’s my dad.”

Shivs flinched and struggled to keep her smile from faltering. “Well, only if we have to.”

“They’d have to be pretty bad people to stop a kid from visiting their father.” Benji took her hand. “I hope uncle Crocodile knows where dad is.”

“I am sure he knows.” Shivs gave Benji’s hand a squeeze. She’d no idea how she’d find out where Buggy was if Crocodile didn’t know. She couldn’t exactly demand that information on legal grounds like she had done with him. “Is Mani ready, too?”

“Yes! I scrubbed her squeaky clean and even picked her teeth and scales. She’s eaten and done a big poop.” Shivs tried to let the girl’s bubbly chatter lift her spirits. “I borrowed one of Richie’s sparkly collars and she looks flashy in it!”

“Sparkly? That sounds amazing.”

“It is! She likes sparkly things.”

“Let’s fetch her then and go before we are too late.”

Benji glanced up at her as they left the cabin. “How can we be late for an appointment we didn’t make?”

“We can be late for the only ship going there today.”

🐊 🐊 🐊 

Benji had wanted to stand upon the prow as the government ship approached the Gate of Justice out of Enbies Lobby, because the skipper had said the Tarai current that would see them to Impel Down was chock full of sea kings. Shivs sat on a deck chair with a glass of wine, watching the girl run back and forth with binoculars she’d weedled from a matelot. On account of the seastone laminated hull, she doubted they would see any. However, there was no need to dunk on her chipper mood.

They were not the only visitors, more had trickled aboard to form a modest but motley company on the deck. She’d caught snippets of conversations as they walked by: a mother visiting her son; a brother, his sister. And she had a good guess what some of them were whispering about as they stole glances her way. She’d neglected to list any details regarding who they’d be visiting, but, in hindsight, she supposed the pony-sized bananawani lounging beside her gave it away. 

She’d tied Mani’s rhinestone-infested lilac leash to her chair leg, to discourage the reptile from wandering or - worse - deciding to take a swim. Not that she had any illusion as to its ability to pull the chair straight from under her if it wanted to go. But Mani was a creature of habit and minimal effort. A minor inconvenience such as this would be enough to keep her snoozing on the deck.

“Spotted any big ones?” Shivs said when Benji came towards her for a sip of lychee ramune.

“Not yet.” Benji plopped down beside Mani, putting her skinny arm around her scaly neck as she slurped lemonade. “Did you know bananawani hunt sea kings?”

“Really?” 

Shivs remembered the way the casino halls would darken as they swam by, their shadows passing beyond the glass as they glided towards the feeding platform. The unwitting sea king never stood a chance.

“They are their only known predator and totally hunt them,” Benji babbled happily while enjoying her drink. Mani’s eyes were still closed, but she’d shifted to lean into the little girl’s petting. “Do you think sea king tastes good?”

The water would run red but only for a short while, only until the currents whisked it away. Theoretically, the creature could make it out for the Rainbase oasis connected to the Sandora river.

“I bet Mani would prefer sea king chow,” Shivs said.

“I don't think they sell that at the pet stores.” Benji pouted as she hugged Mani. “She won’t be able to have a sea king snack until she’s big enough to hunt them herself.”

Hopefully, that would take a while yet. Bananawani could grow to colossal sizes, dwarfing mid-class tall ships. Shivs had no idea what they were supposed to do with a fully grown one. Or how to afford feeding the beast if there was no prey for her to hunt on her own. Rain Dinners’ bananawani never hunted alone.

Benji emptied her bottle with a big, noisy slurp, waking Mani. “Maybe we should have brought something?”

“A deck would have been nice,” Shivs said as she watched them. “We could have played slapjack.”

“No, I mean, for uncle Crocodile?” 

Shivs flinched.

“You always say that it is nice to bring something when you visit someone. Especially if you want something from them in turn?” Benji scrunched up her face, rubbing Mani’s thick scaly neck. “I have, like, half a bag of marshmallows, but I didn’t think to bring them.”

“I have something for him, don’t worry about it.”

🐊 🐊 🐊 

Impel Down was a fortress as ugly as it was unimaginative. It spilled onto the rapidly approaching horizon as a grey stain overtaking the limitless freedom of the open sea. And as they drew near on the Tarai current, its squat towers and crenellated battlements came into ever sharper focus until they dominated their entire surroundings. Curiously, there were no cannon embrasures, machicolations or any such defences one might expect from a proper bastion. 

A fleet of warships rested at anchor along the approach to the underwater prison. The modest passenger ship they were on was dwarfed by the marine dreadnoughts they passed as the current pulled them inexorably towards the prison’s colossal gatehouse.

Benji had returned to the prow for the approach, and Shivs joined her there.

“It’s so huge!” Benji stared wide-eyed at the thick walls as they sailed under the barbican and into the secured harbour proper beyond. Mani sat beside her, holding her own leash.

“The vast majority of the complex is actually underwater.” Shivs counted the cannons peeking down at them through the embrasures, out of habit more than anything. She wondered if they had a standing firing crew to man them.

“Are we going underwater?” Benji hopped from one leg unto the other. “The Calm Belts are supposed to be full of Sea Kings! Maybe there will be a window, and I can see one? Maybe there will be wild Bananawani too!”

“It is a prison, so I don’t think there will be windows,” Shivs said in an attempt to calm the girl’s excitement and avoid utter disappointment if that turned out to be true. “It does reach quite a ways below the water surface. A few kilometres, perhaps? Yes, I think so.”

“Wow.” Turning to Mani, Benji added: “Let's find a window, I bet there will be wild Bananawani! You can say ‘hi’!”

Shivs took her by the shoulder when she saw the other visitors disembark. “Come, let’s not be late.”

Benji glanced up at her as they walked to the gangplank. “For the visit we didn-?”

“Don’t say that,” Shivs interrupted her with a quelling look.

“Right.” Benji smiled again and took Mani’s leash. “Come on Mani. Can’t be late!”

They were funnelled through the gatehouse and into a courtyard patrolled by marine sentries. Here, too, cannons peered through embrasures on all sides. Evidently, the prison was more concerned about threats to its security rising from within than without.

“Visitors for level 1 and 2 inmates, that way,” a young marine officer said as he gestured to a colleague. “Level 3 and up, with me.” The few people that joined them as they went to the marine officer gave the juvenile Bananawani plodding beside them a wide breadth. 

The officer led them up steps and into an wholly uninviting lobby. With its worn plaster walls and dirty grey linoleum floor it did its very best to make you want to leave as soon as possible. No seats, no plants, no windows, no nothing. 

“Registration check.” The marine officer motioned them towards the looming concrete counter on the other side of the unpleasant space. “In an orderly manner, gentlefolk.”

Benji put her arm around Mani, leaning into the large reptile and putting her nose against its scales as she eyed their casually hostile surroundings.

“What’s his name?” The marine officer’s tone was amiable, conversational.

“Hers!” Benji said, holding on tighter to the Bananawani.

He tried to catch her gaze with a smile. “Big girls, both of you.”

“Her name is Mani.”

“Ah, ‘she who averts harm’,” he said, and Shivs appreciated his attempts to make Benji feel comfortable. “A wise choice for such a hardy animal.”

“She’s very sweet and tough,” Benji agreed as she snuggled Mani. “I love her.”

“I am sure she loves you very much too.”

“What is your name?” Benji asked. “Mine is Benji!”

“Nice to meet you, Benji,” the young marine said. “Mine is Toby.”

By then it was their turn, and Shivs approached the desk. It was higher than such things normally were, for she was not a particularly short woman and yet she need not bend down to meet the registrar’s gaze.

“State your name and purpose?” the woman said, hands poised to take down the information.

“Figarland Seonaid. Conjugal visit,” Then added when she saw her transcribe it as ‘Sheona’: “That is without the H, and spelled with N-A-I-D.”

The registrar gave a sign of neither interest nor recognition. “Visiting?”

“Crocodile Niall.”

The woman paused when she heard that name. And Shivs ignored the whispers she could not quite catch from those behind her in line.

“Niall. N-I-A-L-L. Not ‘Nile’.”

The registrar flipped through a thick binder, finger running down a table packed with dense handwriting. “No visitation registered.”

“Preposterous,” Shivs said, overacting an affronted tone. “A signed request for visitation has been approved weeks ago.” 

“There is no record of it, ma'am.”

Benji let go of Mani to fling her arms around Shivs’ waist instead, and gave the registrar and marine officer her most watery of wobbly baby looks. “Mommy, I want to see daddy!”

Shivs rubbed her shoulder, giving the registrar the pleading look of parents the world across trying to desperately manage a child on the brink of wailing. Benji's little sob into the fabric of her dress was very convincing. Mani paced around them, uncertain but riled by the sudden change of mood.

“Can't you put in an expedited request?” Shivs suggested, trying her damndest to sound sincere. “She'd been looking forward to it, and we get so few chances.”

“No registration, no visitation,” the woman said as Benji took in a breath to start a wail.

Toby shook his head. “Let me see what I can do,” he said as he produced a small, earpiece Den Den Mushi and put the sea snail against his ear. A few transmissions later, he turned to the registrar and held up his hand. “Two visitor badges, please.”

With due reluctance the registrar handed them over to him and he turned to Benji. “There you go, kiddo,” he said as he gave her one, and then Shivs as well. “Courtesy of the vice-admiral making the curator see reason.”

“You're the best!” Benji beamed. “Look, mom, I am number 17! What is yours?”

Shivs looked at the scuffed 13 on the badge. It reminded her of a poker table she used to deal at, and the memory settled in the pit of her stomach like a fetch of cannon balls. “Not as high as yours, sweetie.”

“Come, I will see you two down to the right level,” Toby said, and led them to the elevator room beyond the lobby. There were four, two on the left and two on the right. He took them to the far right one, the doors opening as they approached.

“Awesome!” Benji said as she rushed inside, Mani hot on her heels. For the elevator was made entirely of armoured glass and provided a grand view of the ocean sprawling all the way across the horizon. The afternoon sun kissed the waves, setting sparkles to the white-capped water. And Shivs felt it beckon in her bones. 

Benji gave him a hopeful look. “Are we going underwater?”

“We are,” Toby said as he put a key in the control panel and turned it.

When the doors slid closed, Shivs suppressed the sudden and overwhelming urge to get out, to leave and never look back. To stay at the surface, where they belonged. I have to, she told herself as she clenched her hands into fists around the chain of her handbag. Bugs is down there, and he hates the dark beneath the waves.

The elevator jolted to life and Shivs closed her eyes, ignoring the sound of the lapping waves against the glass as they submerged, focussing on Benji’s excited noises instead. When she opened them again, they were enveloped in blue. Sunlight still penetrated, sending curtains of light through the water. Less so with every foot they descended, as the blue grew deeper, darker.

“A Sea King!” Benji screamed, spooking Mani as she glued herself against the glass. In the far distance, blurred in the shifting hues of the blue, swam a long, serpentine creature, its body undulating as it made its way from somewhere to elsewhere. 

“It could be the Prince of the Deep,” Toby said as he came to stand beside her. “It has about the right shape. Colour too, perhaps.”

Benji glanced at him, her eyes large and eager. “Prince?”

“Yes, because he is a prince among his kind. The largest Sea King in this part of the Calm Belt,” Toby said. “Ten times larger than Coral Grove, our largest dreadnought.”

“Wow.” Benji pressed her face against the glass. “Mani could snack on that for years.”

“Wouldn’t it be tough for her to hunt such a large creature?” Toby said, not without humour.

Benji rolled her eyes. “Not right now, she’s a baby. But she’ll be big and strong one day! Bananawani hunt Sea Kings, did you know?” she said and babbled the poor marine’s ears off about the large reptiles for some minutes.

As the armoured glass elevator descended to deeper water, their surroundings became steadily darker. Shivs put her gaze on the glass floor and the pitch black abyss below. It was easier to face the darkness approaching than the light receding, the sparkle of the sun on the water surface dwindling as you sank. The sea has never been friendly to man.

Beside her, Benji had put her arm around Mani as she looked up. No more sea kings down here.

“The 6th level is also called ‘The Basement’,” Toby said, making the girl glance away from the ever more distant sunlight. “Do you know why?”

Ghosts in the attic and monsters in the basement, Shivs thought as she recalled the sailors’ idiom about grief with its haunting memories and stowed feelings.

Benji eyed him, holding on to Mani still. “Because it's dark and far down?”

Because nobody goes there if they can help it. Shivs stared at the watery dark beneath their feet. The sea floor might never come and she'd not be surprised.

“Nope!” Toby said, his smile bright in the dimming light. “Because it is where all the cool people stay.”

Benji’s mood lit up. “My unc- Dad, is super cool! He's actually made out of sand, like, for real.”

“Are you made out of sand?”

Shivs gaze snapped onto him like a hawk. He was looking at Benji, fondness soft on his youthful face. He couldn't be much older than 20 or 22.

“I don't think so?” Benji let go of Mani to brush at her clothes, then glanced at him. “Do you want to pet her?”

Toby smiled. “Absolutely.”

🐊 🐊 🐊 

Horny hell seat reservations - @tiredemomama @smut-goblin @ruledbyproblematique @momodwriter @littlemountainwolf @fanaticsnail @feral-artistry - except there's no horny. Croc isn't even in it either. I feel like a cheat.

[ladykailitha]

Meet Me On the Dance Floor Part 1

Okay, we have now gotten a story I am most concerned with publishing as this is the one where my lack of knowledge is going to show the most. The first part was the original story and if you want, you can stop it there, no harm done. However from part 2-4 is where I take my leap of faith. It’s where we get into a headcanon I have about Mike regarding with how he treats Steve (I’ll put it in the tags for the final 3 parts) and it fits for the story, but I’m not sure if it will stick to the wall so to speak. Also the fourth part will be marked as mature, just heads up for sexy times (Steddie).

*

Steve was sleeping deeply for the first time in what felt like ages.

“Harrington,” someone said above him.

He just snuggled deeper into the covers.

“Steve,” the voice insisted.

He really didn’t want to wake up.

Someone shook him. “Come on, Stevie,” the voice said, warm and inviting.

Steve opened his eyes to see a worried Eddie leaning over him.

“Hey, man. There you are. I was getting worried. I thought you wanted to come with us tonight.”

Steve sat up in a rush. “Shit!” He rubbed his eyes trying to get his vision to clear. “What time is it?”

“6:37pm.”

Steve leapt from the bed, nearly knocking Eddie over. “Shit, shit, shit!” he scrambled to find the clothes he was going to wear. He looked over his shoulder. “Do you think I have time to shower?”

Eddie looked at his watch and winced. “Probably not.”

“Damn it.”

He dashed into the bathroom to at least put on deodorant. But when he went to spray himself, the can was empty. “Fuck!”

“I keep some cologne in the van for times when I smoke at school, I can grab it for you?” Eddie said from the doorway.

Steve sighed in relief. “That would be great. Thanks, dude.”

Eddie hurried out the van while Steve got dressed.

When Eddie came back he was shocked to see Steve’s outfit. He was wearing black dress pants, with a black t-shirt, and black suit jacket. He paired the outfit with his white sneakers. Around his neck was a simple silver chain that barely brushed his collar bones and he had a couple of chains on his belt.

“Looking good, Stevie,” Eddie said with a whistle.

Steve looked over at Eddie, who was wearing his tightest torn-up jeans with a black button up and dark grey vest. He had bangles on his wrists, and chains on his belt. He wore his black bandanna over his hair.

“I could say the same, Eddie,” Steve said with a grin.

Eddie tossed him the can of cologne and Steve gave himself a couple of sprays and tossed it back.

Eddie shoved it in his back pocket as he circled Steve. “I didn’t know you wore black, Stevie. You’ve been holding out on me.”

Steve blushed. “I haven’t worn this in a while, because it’s what I was wearing when Nancy broke up with me. But it’s the only thing I’ve got that’s club worthy and I’m ready to make new memories in tonight.”

Eddie stopped in front of him and tapped his lips with his finger. “It’s missing something.”

Steve looked down at himself and then back at Eddie hopelessly. “Yeah?”

“I’ve got it!” he cried. He pulled off one his rings and put it on Steve’s right hand. “There we go. It would be better if your ears were pierced but this should add just that right amount of style.”

Steve blushed, looking at the ring on his pinkie finger.

“You ready to go?” Eddie asked.

Steve looked up. “Yeah. Yeah, I think I am.”

*

Eddie slid into the back seat when they picked up Robin. “Nothing against Stevie being here, but we are going to a gay bar. Do we need a token straight for that?”

Steve and Robin shared a glance before they started laughing.

“Dude,” Steve said. “I thought you knew. I’m bisexual.”

Eddie raised both eyebrows.

“Dingus didn’t even want to come until I said you were coming,” Robin added.

Eddie could see that the back of Steve’s ears had gone bright red and figured his face matched.

“Partly,” Steve defended. “I went from no to maybe when she said you were coming.”

“So what made you decide to come?” Eddie asked as they pulled up to another house.

Steve laid on the horn and Will came barreling out the front door.

“For him,” Steve said quietly.

Eddie got it. Everyone knew Will was gay and everyone knew he had feelings for his best friend.

This whole night was about getting Will out of the straight, white Hawkins and to some place where he could meet other queers. Maybe even some his own age.

Eddie slid over to the opposite side window to give Will some room to get in.

“Hey, guys,” Will greeted shyly.

“You ready to have some fun?” Robin asked.

Will nodded.

“Good.” Steve smiled at his young friend through the rearview mirror.

*

When they got to the club, the music was bouncing and Robin bounced with it.

Steve pointed at the bar. “I’m going to be over there if you need me!” he shouted over the din.

Robin nodded.

Eddie watched Steve head to the bar. “What’s that about?”

“He doesn’t dance. Says he dances like a drunk Muppet!” Robin yelled. “Come on!”

She led them through the crowd and introduced them to some of her friends from college. Soon Will had relaxed enough to start dancing himself. Robin kept her eye on him, while Eddie kept his eye on Steve.

About half way through the night he nudged Robin. “That’s the fifteenth guy Steve has sent away. What the hell is telling them to get them back off so quickly?”

Robin raised an eyebrow. “Honestly?”

Eddie nodded. “Yeah.”

“He’s telling them he’s bisexual.”

Eddie frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“This your first time at a gay bar?” Robin asked.

He shook his head. “I’ve been to a couple of others.”

“Well, you probably just didn’t notice,” she said. “Bisexuals get shit for being able to ‘pass as straight’,” she said putting air quotes around the last three words.

“Oh.”

Eddie looked over at Steve. “That must fucking suck. Not being able to fit anywhere.”

Robin shrugged, cocking her head to the side. “He says it weeds out the assholes.”

Eddie laughed. “It looks like he’s about to go through the whole fucking bar.”

“All but one,” Robin said, bumping his shoulder.

Eddie gulped.

“Go get him, tiger.”

Eddie looked over at Steve. He sitting on a barstool, leaning on the bar with both of his elbows, nursing a beer. His long legs were stretched out front of him. Eddie licked his lips. He could see why every gay man in the club was seeking him out, hoping for his attention.

Eddie moved through the crowd like a snake on the hunt. Weaving the through the throngs of people, silent and deadly. He licked his lips in anticipation.

Steve clocked him coming in and bit his bottom lip.

“King Steve, keeping court,” Eddie murmured when he got close enough for Steve to hear him.

Steve flashed him a brilliant smile. “Just waiting for my prince to come.”

Eddie looked around them. “Plenty of them out there tonight.”

Steve scoffed. “These frogs? Not hardly.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know about that. There are some pretty hot guys here just waiting for their chance with you.”

Steve cocked his head to the side. “Can you see the stars during the day?”

Eddie frowned. “Of course not, the sun’s out.”

Steve sat up and looked Eddie in the eye. “Exactly. Who can see all those glimmering stars when the sun is right here in front of me.”

Eddie blushed. “Yeah?” He put his hands on Steve’s thighs and gently pushed them apart so he could stand closer to him.

“Oh yeah,” Steve breathed.

Their faces were so close.

“I wanted to mark you so bad,” Eddie admitted. “A bite mark on your neck to show everyone you were taken. That you were mine.”

“But you already marked me as yours, Eds,” Steve said, breathless. “I’m wearing your cologne and your ring. They might not have known who I belonged to, but they knew I belong to someone. And now they can see who it is.”

“Stevie,” Eddie said, taking hold of the sides of Steve’s face and pressing their foreheads together.

Steve lifted his chin, bringing their lips together. Eddie let out a low moan swallowed up by the thumping music.

“I’ve been sitting here, hoping you’d ask me to dance,” Steve admitted.

Eddie chuckled. “Robin said you dance like a drunk Muppet.”

“Oh, I do,” Steve said softly. “But I don’t care what people think as long as I’m with you.” He finished his beer and set it on the bar top.

Eddie jutted his chin at the empty bottle. “How many of those have you had?”

“Just this one,” Steve said. “I’m driving. Elise has been kind enough to ply me with tonic water all night.” He thumbed the bartender behind him.

Elise eyed Eddie up and down. “You’ll do.”

He turned to Steve with a raised eyebrow.

Steve shrugged. “My best friends are lesbians, what can I say?”

Elise laughed. “Go on.” She swatted Steve with her towel. “You know I only tolerate you because you shove a twenty dollar bill in my tip jar at the start of the night.”

Steve laughed, and let Eddie lead him to the dance floor.

*

Robin watched Eddie make the moves on her best friend with a fond smile.

Will came up to her and asked, “Where’s Eddie?”

She pointed at the bar where Eddie and Steve were talking.

“About time,” Will muttered.

“I know, right?” she said with a giggle. She bumped his shoulder. “You having fun?”

Will nodded. “Thanks for taking me.”

“It’s good for you to go out meet with different kinds of queers,” Robin said. “Of all ages. Hawkins isn’t the end of the world, no matter how many times it tried to be.”

Will laughed. He watched as Eddie and Steve made it to the dance floor. “Oh god. He does dance like a drunk Muppet.”

“Yup.”

*Also if you want I can write the coda for the scene Robin asking Steve to come with if anyone is interested. It’s the scene that started the fic in my head I just couldn’t fit it in the actual story. Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

[captainpains]

The School Teacher (Sergeant Hunter x reader)

Been awhile since I did a Hunter fic, here ya go! Inspired by @shyranno art of the bad batch in a western. Enjoy❤️

Warnings: Western AU, F! Reader, protective Hunter, reader is thirsty lol, Omega is scheming, Reader gets mildly injured, smooches, long boi (it's like 4k words)

~~~~~~

Ding!

Ding!

Ding!

Three O’clock.

“Alright, kids, I’ll see you tomorrow,” you said, standing from your desk.

Your students all stand up and rush out of the school house. The young ones laughed as they pushed and shoved each other. You followed them out the door, standing on the stoop, watching as the kids took off in all directions. 

You really loved your job. It was a calling you’d always had, teaching your younger siblings to read and write. After graduating from college, you were sent out west, to the tiny coastal town of Pabu. The children loved you, and their parents respected you. You were a stand out in town, however. Having gone to college, you’d been taught how to be a proper lady. While you’d relaxed since moving out west, you couldn’t shake some of the mannerisms.

You were taking in the warm spring day, thinking about heading down to the shore line. Then, you heard the sound of a horse.

You looked over to see a large brown horse, with an imposing man.

He had a strong, hooked nose with a pouty lip. He had a wide brimmed hat pulled low over his eyes. His shoulders were broad and his gloved hands gripped the rains of the horse tightly. There was a red scarf loosely placed around his neck, contrasting the dark blue vest with a white shirt. That's when you noticed a small pair of arms wrapped around him.

As the horse trotted by, you saw a little girl in a light blue dress holding onto the man. She had blonde hair and a button nose. Other than that, you could see quite a resemblance to the man. Her small legs dangled off the horse, black boots looking a little too big.

The girl noticed you and lifted her hand to wave as the two passed. You lifted your hand and gave a small wave back.

She placed her hand back and you saw her mouth move, saying something to her caretaker. It made him slightly less intimidating, having a little girl. It was hard to be scary when a small child looked at you like you hung the stars in the sky.

After watching the pair stop in front of the saloon, you decided to go back inside. You needed to tidy up anyway. 

—------

“Hunter?” Omega asked, as he helped her off the horse.

“Yes, ‘Mega?”

“If we stay here, can I start going to school?”

Hunter looked down at her. It made him sad that she would even have to ask that question. He knew that they should think of settling down, but he’d wanted to find the perfect place with stable work. He really wanted her to have a better life than him.

“Yes. Hopefully, we’ll be able to stay here for a good long while.”

She smiled up at him. Hunter smiled back, before walking up the steps of the saloon.

“I’m going to see if I can find some work before the others get here. Don’t wander too far, ok?”

Omega nodded. She waited until he was inside before dashing off towards the school house. If they’re staying, there is nothing wrong getting a head start on learning. Tech always said that she’d do great in school.

Omega ran through the open door, excited to learn. She looked at you, sitting stunned at your desk. She smiled at you.

“Hello,” she said with a wave.

“Ummm, hello,” you replied, confused. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m here to learn!” She exclaimed.

You giggled a little at her eagerness. You stood up from your desk and walked over to her.

“That’s great, but I’m afraid that class is over for today.” 

Omega frowned upon hearing that. She finally had the opportunity to go to school and it was over. 

“But, class starts tomorrow at 9. If you come back then, you can join the class.” You explained.

Omega’s brown eyes lit up at the prospect. She nodded excitedly. 

“My name is Omega,” she introduced.

“It’s nice to meet you,” you smiled. “You can call me Miss.”

“What are we going to be learning about tomorrow, Miss?”

“Well, we learn a large variety of subjects. We’ll start with math, then history, then literature.”

“I can’t wait.” “I can see that. Just make sure you pack a lunch.”

“Ok!”

You smiled at the little girl before you gently encouraged her to turn around. You lead her out of the little school house. As you reached the front stoop, you looked over to see the man in front of the saloon looking around frantically. He looked over at you, relief crossing his face that Omega hadn’t run off. You walked her over to her caretaker.

“What did I say about wandering off?” He questioned the girl, kneeling to her height.

“Technically, you said that I couldn’t wander far. The school was not far away.”

The man sighed, knowing that she was correct. He then looked at you, his brown eyes were intense, and he had a large tattoo covering half his face.  He was very handsome once you got a good look at him.

“I hope she didn’t bother her too much, ma’am.”

“Not at all, sir. She was just asking me about class for tomorrow.” You explained, surprised at yourself for managing to not stutter. 

“Ah, she is really eager to learn, ma’am.”

“She said that I can join class tomorrow,” Omega interjected. 

“Did she now?”

“If that’s alright with you. Sir,” you smiled.

“Well, of course.”

He stood up and pulled the little girl closer to him. He gave her a pat on the shoulder.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“It’s no problem,sir.” You nodded and turned around, walking back to your school house.

“Did you find a job, Hunter?” Omega asked.

“Yes. I’ll be working down by the dock. The mayor is letting us stay in the inn for now. Let's go get our room, then we’ll find something to eat.”

—-----

Omega was settling in well. She became friends with the mayor’s daughter, Lyana. She was doing well in school, and she was incredibly excited when the others arrived. She was really happy to be settling down.

It made Hunter happy to know that she was happy. After such a hard life, some stability was good. For all of them.

He was in their house, working on building the kitchen. The house was just barely big enough for them: two rooms, a loft, and an outhouse. Omega gets her own space, and the boys all sleep in the loft.

“Hunter! Hunter!” Omega excitedly ran up to him. “We are going down to the shore tomorrow for our science lesson!”

“Are you now?”

“Yes, you’re still working down there right?”

Hunter hummed as he lifted a shelf up to the wall, marking with a pencil where the nails needed to go. It would’ve been easier if Wrecker or Tech were there, but they were both working.

“Miss asked if it was okay for us to watch you work.”

“That’s okay. It’ll be good for you to learn about woodworking.”

The next day, Hunter was working on the dock like normal, hauling wood planks to repair rotting wood. It was colder than it was the day before and it seemed like it was going to rain. So, Hunter was working faster than normal to finish the repairs before it rained. 

A burst of giggles broke his concentration. He looked up and saw you with a gaggle of children. Your class seemed really excited to get out of the classroom.

“Now, remember to mind your manners and don’t get too close to the water,” you told them.

A chorus of “yes Miss” came from the class. Hunter chuckled, you had a way with the children. They really trusted you.

“Now, let’s continue our discussion about ships and the ocean.”

Hunter got distracted from his work, just listening to you talk to the kids. Your voice was really soothing. He could see himself getting lost in hearing you talk. He guessed that made it a good thing that he didn’t talk to him much. He watched as you stepped onto the dock, still teaching your students.

“...Now, we all must be careful when on the dock. We don’t want anyone to fall–!”

Just before you finished your sentence, the wooden board you were standing on gave way. Your foot slipped into the water beneath, causing you to lose balance. Hunter rushed and grabbed onto your waist, pressing his body against yours to stabilize you.

You were disoriented from your near fall, so much so that you didn’t realize that you were looking directly into Hunter’s intense eyes. It took you a moment for you to notice that he was holding you so closely. 

“I…Thank you, Hunter,” you broke the silence.

“It’s no problem, ma’am. Wouldn’t want you walking around soaking wet in this weather.”

“Umm…” That’s when Hunter noticed that he was still holding you. 

He apologized before letting go of you. Awkwardly, Hunter brought his hand up to scratch the back of his neck. After making sure that you were alright, he offered you his hand and helped you down the steps on the dock. You took a moment to straighten your dress before you addressed your class. 

“I think that’s enough for today. Let’s head back to the school house.”

You started herding the children away from the shore. Omega and Lyana didn’t go with their class. They stayed behind looking at Hunter with curious expressions.

“What do you two need?” He asked them.

“What was that? You were staring at her for a long time.” Lyana questioned.

“She was going to fall into the water. I just helped her.”

“But what about the staring?” Omega chimed in.

“Go back to your class. You don’t wanna miss out on any learnin’ now do you?”

Omega and Lyana gave each other a look, but they listened to Hunter and went back to the school. However, it was at that moment that Omega and Lyana began scheming.

—----

“Hello, miss!” Omega waved when she saw you walk into the shop.

“Hello, Omega. Are you enjoying your day?” You asked.

“Yes! Wrecker said he was gonna teach me how to shoot a pistol!”

“Oh my, that is very exciting.”

“What are you here to get?”

“Some flour and eggs and maybe some firewood.”

That’s when Hunter walked up to the two of you. He had two heavy looking sacks over one shoulder. He tipped his hat at you with his free hand. You noticed his shirt was slightly undone, giving you a glimpse at the tattooed skin underneath. It made your palms sweat a bit. You took a deep breath and opted to ignore it. It wasn’t proper, you told yourself. Even though propriety was nothing more than a distant thought out here.

“You ready to go, ‘Mega?” He asked her.

“Yeah! But, I think Miss will need help carrying her things.”

“Oh that’s very kind of you, but I think I can manage.”

“You sure?” Hunter asked. “That sounds like a lot…” 

“I’ll just ask the shopkeeper’s son if either of them could help.”

“Mr. Malve said that his son was off talking to some girl.”

“Oh, then I guess I’ll just have to–”

“Hunter can carry it for you!” Omega interjected.

“I wouldn’t want to bother him, besides he is already carrying–”

“Omega! Are you ready to go out shooting?” Wrecker asked as he walked into the shop.

You and Hunter exchanged a look as Omega ran up to her brother. Something felt off about this, like it was planned.

“Yes. But can you take the flour and sugar from Hunter so he can help Miss with her groceries?” Omega asked him.

“Why of course!” The larger man exclaimed, taking the sacks from Hunter and throwing them over his shoulder. 

“Now–”

“Have fun, sarge!” Wrecker waved as he walked out of the shop, Omega in tow.

You looked at Hunter. He had a somewhat helpless look on his face as he watched them leave. It was a look you’d never seen him make. He always projected an air of confidence and assurance; it was interesting to see him somewhat out of his element.

“Well, if you don’t mind, could you please help with my items?” You asked him. 

Hunter agreed, what else was he to do. You walked up to the counter and asked for a sack of flour and a carton of eggs. The shopkeeper grabbed what you wanted and placed them on the counter. You paid, and Hunter picked them up, throwing the sack over his shoulder. You almost gawked at the way his arms flexed. You bid farewell to the shopkeeper and left.

Hunter walked beside you, silently. You were stealing glances of him out of the corner of your eye, quietly appreciating his profile.

“Omega’s really liking your class,” He finally broke the silence. 

“That’s good. I really try my best to make it interesting for all the students,” you replied.

“Where… where did you go to school?”

“I went to Naboo University. It wasn’t too expensive and it was close to home.”

“Well, that’s really far away. How’d you end up here?”

“A friend of mine mentioned that there were a lot more jobs out west. It’s harder to get a good job in the east, especially for a new teacher.” You explained, not giving the whole truth. “What about you?”

“Omega… Her mother died. She owed a lot of money to a lot of people. They were after her… We found her and were on the run for a while.”

“Oh, I’m sorry you had to go through that…”

“It was hard on all of us… But, we’re lucky enough to be able to settle.”

“I’m happy for you.”

Hunter looked at you, a small blush spreading on his face. He was surprised by that.

“Thank you…”

A beat.

You opted to start up another conversation. You asked him about how the house was coming along, what Wrecker and Tech were up to.

You arrived at your small house, the time passed by so fast. You walked up the steps and opened the door, allowing for Hunter to walk in first. 

He took a moment to take in your house. It was very small, just big enough for one person. A bed was pushed into the corner, with a large chest placed next to it. On the other side of the room, there was a metal stove with a pile of wood next to it. On the wall beside that was a couple of small cabinets. A tiny table and two chairs sat in the middle of the room. It was very neat. Appropriate, Hunter thought. You seemed like a very organized person.

“You can just put the flour and eggs on the table. I’ll put them away later.” You told him.

He did just that, the floors creaking as he walked across the floor. He turned, tipping his hat at you as he moved to leave.

“W-wait!”

He stopped, one of his feet in the doorway.

“I was wondering if you could help me with another school trip.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, I want to take them on a short hike, so we can learn about native fauna. It would be nice if I had some extra help.” You played with your skirt, fussing with it to avoid looking at him.

“I’d be happy to help, Miss.”

“Really? Thank you, you have no idea how much I appreciate that.”

“Just tell me the time and place.”

—----

“Would you like some extra bullets?” Tech asked, as Hunter mounted his horse, Marauder. “There have been bear sightings.”

“It couldn’t hurt. I don’t think the Miss would be all that happy if something happened to her students.”

Tech handed him some extra rounds. Hunter placed them into his saddle bag. He heard a giggle and looked over to see Omega and Wrecker walking out of their house. Omega had Wrecker’s oversized hat on, covering her eyes. Wrecker was leading her down the stairs, holding her hand so she didn’t trip. She had a massive smile on her face. It made him smile.

“You ready to go?”

“Yeah!” She replied.

She easily climbed onto the back of Marauder, wrapping her arms around Hunter’s waist and holding on tight. Wrecker took his hat back. He ruffled his sister’s hair, before saying goodbye.She would not stop talking as they rode towards the trail. She was very happy to be out of the classroom.

When he reached the trail at the base of the mountain, you were already there. You’d traded your nice dress for a simple skirt and blouse, something sensible for your activities. He greeted you with a tip of his hat, and you returned it with a soft smile. Omega eagerly hopped off the horse and ran over to Lyanna, who was equally ecstatic to see her.

“Alright, kids, let’s start our hike. Remember to stay close and to not wander off.” You announced. 

The children all nodded before grouping together. Hunter was at the back of the group, to make sure none of them lagged behind.

When Hunter agreed to go on a trail hike with your class, he thought it would be easy. 

Oh, how very wrong he was. 

He underestimated how difficult it would be to herd 20 children under 15 years old. Surprisingly it wasn’t the younger ones that caused any trouble. The younger kids were dissuaded from causing trouble with a stern look or a gentle nudge. The older ones, however, weren’t so easily convinced.

“Hey now you two.” He said to Omega and Lyana. “Let’s not slow down now. You don’t wanna miss what your teacher’s saying.”

“Sorry Hunter. We were just admiring all of the plants.” Lyanna replied.

Hunter raised an eyebrow. But they continued walking after that. They were acting a little strange, but he shook it off. That wasn’t his concern right now. He was here to make sure nobody got hurt.

“Alright, now this is my favorite flower, the catalina mariposa lily. Notice it’s very unique shape, that allows for the…”

Hunter got distracted. He was busy watching your mouth as you talked. Your lips looked so soft, and your smile lit up the entire world.

The group continued, walking along the trail. You pointed out all manner of native plants and small animals. Hunter had to stay vigilant, you asked him to come because there was a possibility of someone getting hurt. He surveyed the area, looking up the mountain trial to check for any dangerous animals. 

Then, a loud scream broke through the air.

Hunter whipped his head around to see a large boulder rolling down the side of the mountain, right at the class.

“Move! Move!” Hunter yelled.

The kids ran, hiding on the other side of Hunter’s horse. He dismounted when he saw one of the younger children, no older than seven, had tripped. His little foot looked to be stuck in a small bush. You ran up beside the kid, managing to free his foot. Hunter did not make a move to get closer, opting instead to stay with the others, attempting to keep Marauder calm. You rushed him away from the oncoming boulder. In the chaos, you felt your foot roll to the side while you were running, an incredibly painful sensation shot through your ankle. You managed to work through the pain just enough to get out of dodge from the massive rock. 

“Are you alright?” Hunter asked after the boulder rolled past them.

“Mostly, I think I might’ve sprained my ankle.”

“Is Miss hurt!?!” An alarmed student asked.

“Yes but it’s nothing serious. I think she should ride down the mountain with me.”

You nodded in agreement, not wanting to irritate your injury. You hobbled over to Hunter’s horse. You attempted to mount the beast but failed, unable to pull yourself up.

“Here, let me help you.”

Hunter placed one arm underneath your knees, the other supporting your back. He lifted you up with a soft grunt. You placed your hands on his chest to steady yourself. He lifted you up and onto the back of his stallion. He then placed his food on the stirrup and mounted the horse in one swift motion.

“You good?” He asked.

You nodded dumbly, unable to trust your mouth to speak.

He reached around you, grabbing onto the rains with sure hands.

“Alright, kids, time to head back down.”

—----

Hunter stood off to the side watching the merriment. The wedding between the shopkeeper’s son and the fisherman’s youngest daughter was quite the celebration. The entire town had gathered, with food and music and gifts. The town square was decorated with tables from the saloon dragged outside for places to sit.

Wrecker and Omega were having a blast, dancing around the square with massive grins and full stomachs. Tech was talking to Phee, the woman who told them about this town. His brother was smiling with a drink in hand, finally letting loose after so long of being tense. Crosshair had only just arrived so he was resting in their home.

Home. 

It felt right to call this place home.

He looked over to you. You too were standing off to the side, simply tapping your foot to the upbeat music. Your dress was simple with shorter sleeves and a neckline that revealed your collarbone. It was bright in color. It looked new. It suited you.

You looked over at Hunter. He looked away, embarrassed that you’d caught him staring.

The next moment he’d dared to look at you, you were walking over to him with a smile on your face. The setting sun made you look radiant. 

“Hello…” You greeted him.

“Hey… How are you enjoying the party?”

“It’s great. I didn’t see you dancing.”

“‘M not much of a dancer…”

You got a look of slight disappointment on your face. Hunter realized his mistake, this was his chance. Before he could fix it, the bride's mother called for everyone’s attention. 

“Everyone! It’s time for the bouquet toss!”

You looked over to see Omega motioning for you to come over to her. You walked over to her and before you could ask what she wanted, she was dragging you towards the dance floor where many of the unmarried women were gathered. 

“Don’t you wanna try to catch the bouquet?” She asked.

“I wasn’t planning too…”

“But you should! It’ll be fun!”

Omega looked at you with large eyes, batting her eyelashes in a bid to convince you to do it. You relented with a sigh. Omega revealed in her victory, pushing you into the crowd of women. You chose to stay at the back of the group, just incase one of the others wanted

“Alright! Everybody ready?” The bride asked, turning around and getting ready to throw the flowers.

The bride threw the flowers. Several of the women shoved each other to try and catch the bouquet. It flew over their heads, smacking you in the chest. You fumbled, but managed to keep the flowers from falling to the ground. 

“Congratulations!!” The bride yelled out with a bright smile on her face.

Hunter watched with a face of shock as you were congratulated. Wrecker walked over to him and gave him a hard slap on the back. He knew about his brother’s affection for the school teacher. He’d even been scheming with Omega.

“Better make a move now, Sarge.” Wrecker joked with him.

Hunter glared at his brother, but there was no real fire behind it. Omega ran over to them, ecstatic that you’d caught the bouquet. 

“Hunter! You should ask her to dance!” She exclaimed.

“I don’t know ‘Mega.”

“Come on! Live a little,” Wrecker pushed Hunter’s shoulder.

Hunter conceded with a sigh. He wanted to dance with you anyways, but he’d never admit that he was too nervous to ask you. He walked over to you. You were standing next to the bride with a wide smile on your face. He tapped you lightly on the shoulder. You turned around and smiled at Hunter.

“Uhhh, can I have this dance?” He asked, somewhat unsure of himself as he extended his hand to you.

You accepted it with a smile, allowing for him to pull you in. You stared into his eyes as you let him lead you in a dance, turning slowly to the beat of the music. Hunter held you close, feeling incredibly happy to finally be able to. After so long on the road, a place to settle down was nice. The ability to have a relationship was never a possibility before, and it really solidified the freedom that they had now.

You hadn’t noticed when your face started to lean closer to his. Hunter didn’t even notice when he leaned in too. Your lips grazed each other’s. You tilted your head to the side, letting your lips fully connect. You both stayed there for a moment, enjoying the gentle kiss and the feeling of your lips together. You pulled away, looking at Hunter with big eyes, taking in the blush on his face.

“I…I was wondering if you’d like to get a drink sometime?” He asked.

“I would love that.” You replied with a smile.

[dragoncityinteriordesign]

Okay, I know everything about the Guardian Fashion Experience is regrettable. That said, you have got to see what the guests are wearing to this rich people wedding.

Shout out to Purple Suit Guy, the guy who first made me start paying attention to the guest clothing here. I love his look. Bold and stunning. Absolute outdoor wedding wear.

Who invited Xiao Hua? (Note: Whenever he shows up during the standing scenes, he's always with that guy in the grey suit, but when he's seated, they're apart. I can only assume they came together but whoever is doing the seating arrangements is homophobic.)

He's got a tie so skinny he must be in a ska band. She's regretting several of her life choices, and about half of them have to do with lace. I don't see her in any of the later images, which leads me to believe she got smart and called an Uber.

Guest on the left has paired a moderately fancy dress with a thrift-store cardigan and extremely chunky shoes. Guest in the middle has decided that cold shoulders and furry fringe will bring back mid-'00s plus-sized fashion, but now for skinny girls. And Velvet Jacket Guy ... well, you get what his deal is.

I'm surprised this lady didn't get bounced immediately. If there's one thing I know from spending too much time on Reddit, it is that you are always the asshole for showing up in a wedding dress when you, specifically, are not the person getting married.

Another white-wearer! This lady, however, has taken the extra steps to prove she's not the bride by wearing silver-trimmed sneakers.

She chose his tie so they'd match. She's going to catch that bouquet if she has to shank every other woman at the venue to get it.

I love everything about this woman's style. She has decided on a an already-bold patterned dress, then accessorized with dark hose, dark shoes, dark fingerless gloves that hook around her thumb, and dark glasses. I want to be her when I grow up.

At first, this woman's look is fairly normal, but those sunglasses take it to the next level.

I'm just not a fan of red and pink. The dress looks like it would be great on its own, even with the weird racing stripes. Why the vest?

I know it's not as socially embarrassing for men to show up to an event wearing the same thing as it is for women, but these guys landed on nearly the same white shirt, mustard vest, and mustard pants. That sticks out. At least by the time the fistfight breaks out, one of them has put his jacket back on. (Also you can see that in the interim, Velvet Jacket Guy has ditched his titular item of clothing, rendinger him merely Guy.)

And right there in the middle of that previous picture, this guy has made a bold fashion choice with the pea-green jacket and coordinating tie, but I think it's working for him.

This is a fairly nice if largely unremarkable dress, but the red-soled shoes add an expensive-as-hell pop of color.

I can't get a good shot of this denim dress, so I can't tell if I love what it's doing with that black side panel or hate it. Maybe it's cute? But I don't get why it's stopping at the waist.

A black shirt, no jacket, grey pants with inexplicable black thigh stripes, and brown shoes. Something sure is happening here.

[axlthepterodaxl]

A Chance Meeting.

Beep boop another yugioh gx!Axelle short fic.

Pre-scar writing ooooooooh

Chatter and laughter filled the banquet hall, accompanied by the occasional chime of overly fancy glasses holding overly expensive champagne. Or, at least, that’s what Axel assumed; her glass was filled with sparkling cider. She watched the people flitting around her, donning the most elegant, name-brand attire to contrast their faux personalities.

Axel was hardly any different; however, she was wearing a royal blue dress that barely reached her knees, and a pearl white ribbon held her hair up, matching her short Mary Janes. She stood by the wall, out of the way and, hopefully, out of sight of the other guests. She hardly wanted to be there, and it was apparent on her face that she was bored and tired after the day's prior events. However, anyone who managed to catch her eye was met with a polite smile regardless.

‘This is stupid… What’s the point of me even being here?’

Axel grumbled inwardly, taking a sip of her cider. Her father had been invited to this formal social event… Function… Gathering- Whatever it was, he was called to it, and Axel just had to come along. It’s not like she got a break from her studies and tests; she just had to make time for them while preparing to take a flight to who-gives-a-crap and make an appearance here. Axel didn’t even get to pick her outfit! At this point, she was just tired and ready to retire to the hotel room, and it wasn’t helping that she was starting to feel like someone was watching her. A glance around gave her the answer when she caught a pair of dark gray eyes staring her way.

A ways away stood a boy with raven black hair, and when she caught his eye, he quickly glanced away, joining whatever conversation he was in with the two other boys around him. Axel took a moment to observe him; he wore formal attire like all the others, but it was notably not as strict as the other men's suits. The entire outfit was different shades of gray, with a dark gray vest over a light gray collared shirt accompanied by a pair of gloves, but his collar was loose, and he didn’t have a tie. And with that brief moment of curiosity, Axel lost interest and simply stared at the bubbles in her drink until a few people dancing got a little too close to where she was lingering, forcing her to move.

“Gods above-”

She grumbled as she begrudgingly moved out into the open of the event hall, looking around for another secluded spot to hide in. As she did, she felt eyes on her once again and sensed someone approaching her from behind. She snapped her head to the side and glared from the corner of her eye, finding the boy she’d noticed staring at her earlier. He was giving her the same uninterested look from earlier, and she returned it as she turned to him fully.

“Hey,” he spoke with his voice low, vaguely gesturing to their surroundings, “this your first time to one of these?” This time, he smirked; the condescension was evident in his voice. Axel slowly looked him up and down, making him wait before responding. Rich snobs hate that based on her experience. “No, but I wish it was my last.” She retorted, sipping on her cider again. His brow raised, clearly not expecting that response. “Most people would do anything to attend just one of these,” he pointed out with annoyance yet slight curiosity. Axel shrugged, raising her brows a little, “weren’t you also just lingering in the corner, avoiding the party yourself?” she responded, gesturing to where he was standing previously, a slight smirk on her lips, “doesn’t exactly seem like you wanna be here either.”

After that, it was followed by awkward silence, although Axel had at least a drink to occupy her mouth. Until it ran dry, and she was simply holding an empty glass. As Axel looked around them, she noticed more couples starting to dance as if it were some sort of ball. She tried not to let her distaste show, but it grew as the dancing continued and slowly seemed to surround them. “Well, if this keeps up, we'll be the ones standing out.” The boy said, finally speaking again after their spell of silence. When Axel turned to him once again, he begrudgingly held his hand out to her. She stared at his hand momentarily before looking at his face, narrowing her eyes. He looked annoyed, but he held her gaze as if challenging her. Rolling her eyes, she set her empty glass on a nearby table and took his hand with a soft scoff.

The dancing was even more awkward than the silence. They had to keep pace with the music, so they moved slowly, and their arms stayed stiff to avoid getting too close to each other. “So…” Axel sighed inwardly as the rich boy tried to start another conversation. Though, it was better than dancing in uncomfortable silence. “You basically said you don’t wanna be here. Where would you rather be?”

“Literally anywhere else.”

“Specifically?”

Axel had to stop and think about her options. There were plenty of places, in bed, at a gym, hell, she’d even take her regular dueling simulations over this. “Specifically, I guess I’d rather be dueling.” The boy actually laughed at her response and gave her that same condescending smirk from earlier, “you?” He snickered, “yeah, I’m sure you’re quite the duelist.” Axel scowled a little as he continued to mock and taunt her, and she made a point of accidentally stomping on his foot. “Whoops. Guess you should pay attention to where you're putting your feet.” He glared at her scornfully, and she gave him a smug smirk in return. 

The rest of their dance was full of the same snarky remarks, sneering, and the occasional “misstep” in an attempt to step on the other's foot. “You stomp like a wuss,” Axel snickered, earning another glare from the boy, but he seemed slightly amused now. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

“You forgot your own name? That’s just sad…”

“You- Tch! Think you’re funny, huh? I’ll have you know I’m the youngest son of the Princeton family! Chazz Princeton, you’d do well to remember that.”

Axel barely held back a snort of laughter at his egotistical introduction, unable to take him seriously. Was he for real? There’s no way. Chazz scowled, obviously dissatisfied with her reaction, “What the hell is so funny, huh?” He hissed, and Axel rolled her eyes, feigning ignorance, “The Princeton family, huh? Can’t say I’ve heard of them…” she denied with a shrug and a smirk, watching the arrogant rich boy get angrier and angrier with smug satisfaction. Rich snobs were so easy to piss off.

“Well, who the hell are you exactly?” Chazz snapped, his gray eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her face more than she’d like. The question itself made her stall; she wasn’t exactly planning to give out her name at this event. ‘Who says I need to answer? “Proper etiquette?” I never asked for his stupid name!’ They both slowed their, what could hardly be called a dance, to a complete stop as Axel stalled, weighing her options with increasing difficulty as Chazz simply stared her down. Dude, blink.

“I’m…” With noticeable hesitation, Axel began to introduce herself… Only to be suddenly interrupted by a shouting voice from across the banquet hall.

“Oi!”

That was her father’s voice, and she spotted him from over Chazz’s shoulder with a quick look around, waving to get her attention. He was standing amongst a few other guests, and it was evident that her suspicions of those glasses being full of champagne were spot on, based on his slightly flushed face and less than elegant behavior, yelling across the room to her like he was. “Come here, my daughter! I have someone I’d like you to meet!” She stepped back and away from Chazz at his words, pulling her hand away with a soft hum.

“Excuse me.” Axel sighed and breezed past him, obediently striding to her father's side. He set his hand on her shoulder and began boasting about her skills and abilities to his colleagues. With a polite smile, she shook their hands and otherwise remained silent while her father spoke. Her gaze drifted back to where she had previously been standing with Chazz, finding he’d returned to the group he’d been talking with beforehand.

The rest of the night was uneventful, to say the least. “Rich boy” Chazz Princeton didn’t make another appearance, and thanks to that interaction, everything else was dull in comparison.

She’d probably never see that guy again. Too bad. He was a little entertaining.

Bonus unfiltered and uncropped pics of the babies

[blitzbuckz]

Clad in all black with the exception of a plum colored corset vest atop the dark ruffle shirt he wore, the prince awaited the arrival of a very particular star. The performance was over. So why was he still standing there? Stolas knew time was of the essence, and his own metaphorical hourglass was beginning to near its end. The last granules were sliding down, down, down — plummeting with the same intensity as his heart. Was it attempting to leap from his throat or bury itself into organs? Feathered hands grip a bundle of stems. The soft crinkle of paper is what alerts him to the gesture. Four vibrant eyes hastily glance down at the bouquet; unique and custom designed by the prince himself. Nightrider Asiatic Lilies, Burgundy Carnations, Blood Anemones, and Hellsbreath. It seems so trivial to him now. Really, he ought to leave the flowers in someone's care to gift them to the imp themselves, rather than embarrass himself. It wasn't as though it mattered, and besides! Blitzø wasn't likely to remember him anyhow, right?

Raking a hand through already mussed plumage atop his head, Stolas sighs. That is, until he catches sight of Blitz's figure approaching. The Goetia bows — a force of habit — and offers the bouquet upon straightening. ❝ Your performance was remarkable. I thought it. . . . might be nice to receive something for all of the hard work you put in! My apologies if they aren't to you. . . . liking. I do not know you — I do not know what you like. That is, I suppose you may not even enjoy flowers. But I wish to present you with this gift before I take my leave. ❞

【𐂃】 the adolescent imp gave a light bend of the knee —holding his performing partner hand in hand as they, gracefully, delivered their curtain call bow. Scarlet hues glimmering over the robust sounds of the audience's cheers. Consumed by the exuberant energy that engulfed their tent whenever he didn't make a spectacle of himself. He lived for perfectly executed nights like these &&, for the moment, he wished it would all pause. wanting to further relish this everlasting feeling, however, as their act came to a close — so came the ringmaster, his father, entering the ring.

Causing a sense of urgency, fear, to surge within the imp — he quickly released the jester's hand. With a fleeting, forced smile, informing for his best friend to return to their dressing room. He knew his father didn't like it when he spent too much time with the circus' main attraction. the star lead. thus, Blitzø refrained from exhibiting his crush tendencies. If Cash ever picked up on it — he was sure to receive a good beating over it. Granted, he could shield behind his mother like he did as a kid but... he wasn't a child anymore. Furthermore, it wasn't his style to hide behind others anyway, despite not having the balls to face his father.

Reverting to his 'after' duties, Blitzø fixed his suspenders. adjusting his momento mori clown outfit. his stripped torso dressed in white && black mostly, with a mixture of red on his high waist pants. As the house took their leave he fetched a broom, sweeping the peanuts from beneath the wooden bleachers. Working his way around the horseshoe-shaped seating until he came face to face with... a Goetia? The imp's eyes dilate, irises shrinking in size, holding his broom close to his chest when the other took an unexpected bow. Emotional strains gradually subsided, mouth drawn agape revealing his braces. Unsure what to make of the generous offering... for a lower station like himself?

❝ uhh . . . I think y' got the wrong guy? my performance was . . . ❞ shitty. he hardly received gifts, most of the audience donations went to Fizz, so it puzzled him to receive anything. Foremost, from a royal who... seemed oddly familiar. ( the goth appearance was tossing him at a loop )

❝ no no! . . . flowers are cool. ❞ he cautiously retorts, quickly dropping the broom to cup his hands over theirs. brushing over their feathery digits to retrieve their gift. the bouquet was almost as big as his head! — stirred to burry half of his face in the midst of the flowers before giving the owl another final glance with furrowed brows. ❝ Thanks, I guess. ❞ he hesitantly uttered with a sheepish smile. unable to help his maw to blossom a little over the kind gesture. he wasn't used to it BUT, fuck it, he still loathed their kind yet... suppose this time... he could show a bit of vulnerability. just this once.