#i give off old lady's purse dog energy

[gibbearish]

just took your uquiz lol! about being trans! what do you think it could mean if I wanted to be a guy but didn’t really mind being who i am? it’s not even any guy, it’s like specific guys (like actors,. I don’t know). Sometimes people say they’d rather be an ugly guy than a good looking woman, and I couldn’t relate less. Part of the reason I’m so scared about this (and it’s a big part) is that I’m just so terrified of being ugly. I’m finally conventionally attractive after years of trying to be, and now I’m scared I won’t be anymore. I’m wondering if maybe the first time i thought i was trans i went about it the wrong way (i was obsessed w masculinity, cut my hair, things like that). And is it even worth it doing anything about it if I’m not dysphoric? I’m also very scared about the finding someone to love me and also losing all my friends and family thing (100% will happen). This whole maybe not ever finding a guy to love me thing is really bothering me, too. You can ignore this I’m just venting a lot. Sorry.

hey friend! i think it could help out a lot if you looked into the idea of gender euphoria. the quick description essentially is the opposite of dysphoria, where rather than "being x makes me feel bad," its "being x makes me feel good". there's been a lot of discourse about this over the years and you will still find people out there who will be shitty, but as someone with dysphoria, i have always fallen firmly on the "you do not need dysphoria to be trans" side of things. i believe that if it makes you happy to be a specific way, you shouldnt have to hate being the way you are to be allowed to pursue that. i dont have to turn down a cheesecake just because i don't hate poundcake, suffering is not a requirement to get to the things that make you happy.

i will also say, to me it does sound like a lot of this struggle is based around your ideals irt attractiveness, and while that is very human, it sounds like you also know that your relationship with that is somewhat unhealthy? like, yes, people by and large want others to think they look nice, but that shouldnt come between you loving the body you're in. there are billions of people with billions of opinions and you will never be able to satisfy all of them, and if you try then all those opinions pulling in different directions will draw and quarter you lol. so to me it sounds a bit like itll be hard for you to really unravel your thoughts irt your gender until you're able to work through those hangups around attractiveness? or even that these may be something youll have to unravel in tandem

something that might help start that is next time youre feeling unattractive, rather than pulling away from that feeling or changing something about your look or wallowing in it, take some time to sit with it as a friend. ask it what's so scary about being unattractive. is it societal pressure telling you Girls Have To Be Pretty? is it your parents picking apart your appearance often? is it your friends treating you poorly because of your looks? figure out what it is that has created the unattractive=bad association in your mind, find who has been punishing you (literally or metaphorically) for looking "bad", and ask if you actually did anything wrong that deserves punishment by simply existing on your default settings, or if perhaps it wasnt actually about you at all, and was just about those peoples insecurities. when you pay attention, you start to notice that 99% of the time, attacks against others are defensiveness, they are insecure about something and something you did or said reminded them of it, so now they feel uncomfortable and want it to stop, and the way you do that is either investigate why, or take it out on someone else. and investigating why feels bad and takes a lot of time, so, yknow. path of least resistance, most people will lash out. and that does suck, but in my experience, realizing that made it a thousand times easier to not worry abt other ppls opinions' anywhere near as much. the way that i look is the way that /i/ like, not how society does, because im the one that has to live with me 24/7. society can deal with the horrific terrible burden of seeing me getting gas looking like a 1 occasionally, bc like literally how does that effect them yknow? theyre not harmed in any way by me existing and not looking how they want me to, and it would be weird for them to expect that of me because I Didnt Know They Existed Before Now so how could i possibly dress for them? and why would i?

(that can help w insecurities too ime is like. imagine someone else saying those things to you, would you think theyre an asshole and tell them to fuck off? if yes, you have permission to tell your brain the same thing)

as far as finding someone to love you, i definitely feel that fear but 1000% you have nothing to worry about. the adult queer scene is bursting to the seams with people who will want whatever it is that youre bringing to the table like a man lost in the desert for fifty years being offered a crisp mcdonalds sprite. "but what about-" yes that too. like, enough that they had to make a word specifically for cis people who Really Really Want To Date Trans People A Creepy Amount to distinguish between them and respectful ppl. i promise your dating pool is not small, you're just still in school and/or a small town and dont have access to them yet. give it time, you have decades ahead of you

as far as family and friends, honestly, yeah, you might lose them, im not gonna sugar coat that. and that sucks . so much. and i can tell you theres more people out there to befriend and that you can build a new family but id bet thatd hit about as well as it hits for me. bc truth is that yeah, you can make a new family, but that just isn't the same. there will still be a little hole in your heart reserved for the accepting and loving family and friends you deserved. and i cant really offer any advice on making that go away if thats how it turns out bc its still there for me.

but i also gotta say? the hole is a lot easier to deal with than the knife that put it there. theres still a painful spot but at least im not still actively being hurt More by them. so like im trying very hard not to just say "fuck em who needs em" here bc i know its not that easy and for a lot of people that isn't the right answer anyways, but yknow. thats what i did and im doing better, and at the end of the day i can really only speak from my own experience. either way, just know that there are in fact people out there who will accept and love you regardless of who you are or how you look, and in fact will encourage you to do things that make you look "worse" by society's standards if it makes you happy.

anyways. i hope that wasnt too depresso there, i think ill finish this off by addressing "is it even worth doing anything about it if im not dysphoric?": imo, yes, absolutely. there are parts of me that i wasnt dysphoric about before starting t that now make me ridiculously happy. i never knew i wanted chest hair and yet now i sometimes just sit here staring at it like "!!!!!!". you deserve a body that makes you happy. not a body that makes the people around you happy, not a body you can tolerate, a body that makes YOU happy. you could probably tolerate living in a featureless square apartment with all the bare essentials and 0 decorations if it was cheap, but would it make you happy? personally, i think you deserve to put up posters even if the world thinks theyd look dumb.

[liyuesbian]

✧ 101 dalmatians!au [ayaka]

notes: ........this is actually an updated (not rly) version of my 101 dalmatians!au with seulgi on my kpop gg writing blog..... sorryyyy i'm not being lazy i promise!! i've just got back from holiday and am working on a ningguang x reader but it might take a while (i rly wanna perfect it) so this is a placeholder for now :p

you would occasionally spot kamisato ayaka in the park walking her dalmatian. she's well-known around the local area because of her older brother: the mayor of the city. in fact, you also have a dog of the same breed, which is what drew you to her in the first place—minus her eye-catchingly extravagant outfits and cute facial features.

your own dalmatian is wonderful. when you were ten years old, your christmas wish was to get a puppy. much to your younger self’s disappointment, santa claus had gifted you with a rather large—and older—"puppy" than you had imagined in your head. nevertheless, you treated the newly named pongo with as much love as you could give him.

fast forward about ten years later and here is the same pongo eagerly trying to gain your attention as you sit in front of your piano. you’re thinking of how best to go about composing the last few bars of a song you’re working on.

unbeknownst to you, the dalmatian had sneakily altered the time of the clock and is now motioning to the door, howling. you double-check the time on your wristwatch but despite the inconsistency, you decide to go for the daily walk and attach a leash to his collar. it seems like you have no other choice: pongo has your hat between his teeth and is scratching at the door handle. you laugh as you give in to your dog’s contagious enthusiasm, taking your fedora from his mouth.

with the leash in one hand and a ball in the other, you are manhandled—or should i say doghandled—as pongo drags you all the way to the park. he appears to be looking for something, but you dismiss it. you attempt to undo the clasp of the leash, failing when pongo suddenly dashes off.

“slow down, pongo!” you yelp. this kind of high-energy behaviour isn’t new to you but it certainly catches you off-guard. in the end, you let your dog indulge himself in his antics and you’re led to the edge of the lake where you take a seat and gasp for breath. goodness, you don’t think you’ve ever done so much running in your life.

exhausted, you fan yourself with your fedora and loosen the top button on your dress shirt. the grass underneath you feels nice to rest on compared to the wooden chair you’d been sitting on for the whole morning.

it takes you a second to notice your companion gazing at a certain animal behind you. turning around, you recognise the dalmatian who’s seized pongo’s eyes from her pink collar and apprehensively look up to the owner. she’s perched on a bench next to the dog with her signature fan and a book in her hands. in shock, you jerk your head forward and blink a few times.

should we move somewhere else?

as if sensing your uneasiness, pongo barks and jumps to grab your hat. you sigh but grin at his mischievous face.

“come on, pongo. give it back.” taking her eyes off the pages of her book, ayaka glances at you and your dog, the ends of her mouth curving up ever so slightly to form a smile which stays hidden behind the upright fan. you throw the ball lightly in an attempt to get him to drop your hat.

it doesn't quite work and instead, rolls in the direction of the occupied bench. perdita, ayaka's dalmatian, glimpses at it, trying to withhold the urge to play with the bouncy toy. ayaka chuckles which causes you to cease your glaring at pongo to face her. the ringing of her laugh is pleasant and something you haven’t noticed before.

if only i could hear it every day. gently, you hit your cheeks to awaken yourself from your thoughts.

pongo is now frolicking in circles with the captured hat, vying for the attention of ayaka's dog. while you’re battling a two-way argument in your head and one with your dalmatian, you feel a soft nudge on your thigh. perdita has given you the ball back, and you could hear pongo whimpering sadly. impressed, you pet perdita who reacts with a delightful pant. the female dalmatian glances at pongo and apathetically walks back to her owner, who attaches a leash. they start to walk away.

pongo yaps in surprise. quickly, he abandons your hat and is about to take off when you tell him to stay, which he does obediently. you could tell your dog is planning to go after perdita, but you don’t want him running around aimlessly so you fasten his leash.

as soon as you do though, you’re being hauled once again towards kamisato ayaka. the hyperactive dalmatian follows the blue-haired woman and playfully circles her, earning a giggle from the subject of interest. unfortunately for the both of you, your legs have gotten tied to hers.

“oh my, i'm very sorry about this!” you blush. of course, you’ve never been in such close quarters with her before making it all the more embarrassing but you don’t entirely regret this moment either… until you realise that with the both of you frantically trying to get out of the awkward position and your dog pulling at the leash, the result would be all three of you tethering on the edge of the lake and perdita helplessly grabbing onto her owner to prevent the fall.

“oh no.” a splash is heard throughout the park.

clothes damp, you sit in the shallow water in cold shock, finding yourself no longer tangled around the dog leash. next to you, ayaka stands up to try searching for her hat and fan which pongo finds and gives to you with an almost apologetic expression.

“it seems i've lost my belongings,” she says worriedly.

“don’t worry, i have the things you're looking for right here.” you hand her her possessions and fix her hair but to no avail.

“ah, thank you.” you brush her wet bangs to the side so she could see.

“i'm truly very sorry! i don’t know how we ended up in the lake of all things.” you apologise profusely to the bewildered lady and attempt to make things better by removing the plants from her clothes. meanwhile, pongo has shaken himself dry and is relaxing next to perdita.

gosh, what kind of situation have i gotten myself into?

“no, it’s alright, i'll just dry myself off for now.” you see ayaka fetching a… soaked handkerchief from her purse.

“hold on, i usually carry one in my pocket.” however, yours too, is also drenched. “oh—"

ayaka begins to giggle. dumbfounded, you laugh with her. both of your dogs glance at each other and back at the pair of you, cocking their heads. you thought the pleasant sound and amicable smile were the only things about her laughter that could make your heart swell but now, with ayaka right in front of you, you notice things you would’ve never been able to before. you witness how her eyes crinkle and close shut and how her cheeks balloon revealing an even more charming side to her. you wonder what it would be like if you could make her this happy all the time.

after helping ayaka out of the pond, you feel it wouldn’t be right to leave her to go home all doused in water.

“would it be possible to invite you to our house? we live close by so it would be no trouble at all if you want to dry off there. it would probably be very uncomfortable to journey home in this state and i can't bear to watch you attempt to.” shyly, you meet her eyes after your impromptu offer to see ayaka grinning.

“i think i'd like to accept that offer. i suppose it is your fault too!” she quips and jokingly nudges your shoulder.

you smile back and turn to face your dalmatian who you will whisper many thank yous to later in life.

[fandom-strumpet]

Game Night Confession- Part 1

 Summary: It’s Game Night at the Salvatore boarding house and after a few drinks and games they start the game 7 Minutes in Heaven. It’s not what you think, the bottle lands on Elena and Y/N.

Pairing: Kai Parker x reader

Word Count: 1,769

It’s Game Night at the Salvatore boarding house, the crew is there, including Rebekah. She had been on her best behavior lately so was ‘allowed’ to come but she in reality she crashed the party and no one had the energy to make her leave. Damon went down to the cellar and brought out one of his bourbon’s and started pouring it into glasses with ice. The night started off with Twister but the more you all drank, the more difficult it became and you all agreed to move onto the next game. Caroline pulled out Cards Against Humanity and finally the game ended when Stefan won with 6 black cards.

 “I know what game to play next!” Rebekah squealed, “7 Minutes in Heaven!”

 Damon groaned and tossed his head back to take a shot but it was obvious he was interested as well. 

Elena spins first, with a hopeful look that it might land on Stefan. Unfortunately, the bottle landed on you. 

“Ooh” Rebekah squirms in excitement. 

You give a small huff. Elena shares the ‘Oh well.’ look with you as you both head to the closet. 

Hollering back you say, “Remember the rules! No vamp hearing to listen in!” 

A chorus of yes’ and agreement sound back. Shutting the heavy oak door with a thud, Elena turns and clicks the little light bulb on. You and Elena both stood awkwardly in silence for a moment. 

Whispering, you ask Elena, “How about we play a different version of the game?” 

“What would that be?” Elena tilted her head and squinted curiously.

 “We both tell each other a deep and dark secret. We’ll be sworn to secrecy-”

 “What happens in the closet, stays in the closet.” Elena finishes with a coy smile. “Alright, I’ll go first,” she takes a deep breath in, “I kissed Katherine.”

 Your jaw drops open and you fail to come up with an immediate response resulting in an awkward silence. 

Elena speaks fast and continues, “Well, I mean, actually I didn’t kiss her. She kissed me just so she could bite my lip and get some blood.” 

“Bu- whu- uh-” You stuttter out.

 “I couldn’t bring myself to tell Stefan, it would be too weird... OKAY! Your turn!” 

“Um well, okaaay.” You shake your head in disbelief of what you had just heard. Letting out a shaky breath you feel butterflies in your stomach and a warm feeling that wasn’t there a moment ago. Its time someone knows anyway. “My deepest, darkest secret is that-” you pause to bite your lip,”I am hopelessly, irrevocably in love with Malachai Parker...” Your heart froze, looking into Elena’s eyes for a response.

 “You are absolutely crazy!” 

“Elena, remember you promised not to tell anyone.” 

“Y/N, I promise I won’t tell anyone. But- really? Kai?!”

 “I know, I know. It’s eating me up inside though. I don’t know what to do.” 

“Tell him.” she stated. 

“What and let everyone know I’m in love with Senor Psychopath?!” you started to raise your voice.

 “Shhhh.” Elena hushed.

 You sighed and then felt a cold wash over you. “Besides, he would never like me back.”

 “Y/N.” Elena grabbed your shoulders and forced your eyes to meet hers. “Just tell him.” 

“ONE MINUTE LADIES!” You could hear Damon snickering. 

You shrug off Elena’s grip, “Guess we better make some noise.” You smiled half-heartedly.

 “Yep.” Elena grinned, her eyes lighting up with mischief. “Ow! My hair!” she yelled and you stifled a laugh. 

You hit your fist against the closet wall in response. “Oooooohhh.” you moan. Elena hits the wall but a little too hard and it sends the coat clothing rod falling. Laughter erupts from the both of you as you fall to the floor in a tangled mess. Stefan opens the closet door and you roll out giggling with messy hair.

“Enjoy your 7 Minutes in Heaven ladies?” Stefan cocked an eyebrow and smiled. 

In the Living Room

The great oak door shut but the girls remained quiet. Getting bored, Damon poured himself another drink. Kai strutted into the living room, shaking himself like a wet dog after walking out in the rain. 

“Really Kai? This is leather.” Caroline rolled her eyes. 

“It’s seen worse Caroline, relax.” Damon scoffed.

“Mmmmm so what do you got to eat?” Kai makes his way to the kitchen rubbing his hands together. He pulls out a bag of pork rinds from under the sink. “Hope you weren’t going to eat these or anything.”

“Nooooo. Go ahead and eat whatever Kai.” Stefan glared. 

“Alright then.” Kai plops himself down onto the couch by Rebekah. “So what game are you guys playing?” 

“7 Minutes in Heaven.” Rebekah winked. 

“Y/N and Elena are in there right now.” Bonnie stated with a chuckle.

 “Now I gotta hear this.”

 “Kai! No!” Caroline yelled. “There’s no vamp hearing in this game.”

“Well I’m not playing am I?” Kai grinned. 

Caroline glared daggers at Kai and then looked to Stefan for help. “He’s got a point Care, he’s not playing so he can technically listen in.” 

“You are unbelievable.” she rolled her eyes and fell backwards into the couch. Bonnie grinned, it was always amusing to see Caroline get worked up over the smaller things.

 “What are they doing?” Damon asked lazily, “It’s too quiet.”

 “They’re doing confessions.” Kai pursed his lips.

 “Kai, you can’t tell us what they’re saying.” 

“Bonnie is right.” Caroline nodded with raised eyebrows. 

“I for one would love to know though Kai.” Damon patted Kai on the back. Kai delivered a devilish smile.

“Elena just confessed something juicy but it isn’t a surprise to me. Now for Y/N...” Kai froze. The color drained from his face upon hearing you say, “I am hopelessly, irrevocably in love with Malachai Parker.” He stood up fast and almost bolted out of the house. The front door slammed shut at his exit. 

“Well he disappeared fast.” Rebekah raised her eyebrows and Damon shrugged, looking back down into his glass. 

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

The next day after classes, you met up with Elena at The Grill. The thud of a backpack makes you look up from your notebook. 

“Hey!” 

“Hey, how’s it going?” Elena smiled and sat down across from you. 

“Oh, you know. It’s going. I’m so glad we could meet up for food and studying though. It was a great idea, thanks Elena.” 

Elena clears her throat and sneaks a glance to the door. “No problem, Y/N. Anything to help a friend.”

“First though- *you giggled* we need to order drinks and food.” 

Elena waved down the new blonde waitress so she could take your order. It didn’t take long for the both of you to decide on what to get. The Grill had the best strawberry lemonades and mozzarella sticks. The door gave it’s usual ding, and it drew your attention out of an age old habit. It was him. Malachai Parker, the most handsome and hot being on the face of the Earth. Your heart skipped a beat involuntarily and Elena didn’t miss it. She looked down into her drink quickly to hide the smirk that appeared on her face. She whirls the straw around in her strawberry lemonade, a drink both of you always got together. It was an all time favorite and the Grill served it the best.

 “I- uh- yeah sorry. What were you saying? I lost focus for a second..” 

She leaned forward to take a sip before starting. “You know, I’ll never understand how you could love Kai. BUT I will admit that he is a better person when he’s around you. He’s not as ‘psycho Kai’.”

 “Elena,” you hissed, “You promised not to say anything to anyone.” 

“And I’m not- I’m only talking about it to you. Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone about what happened in the closet.” 

You sit back and cross your arms in the motion of fine. You nod your head and motion for her to continue.

 “I can see it in you too, Y/N. How much you love him, how your heart races and your eyes light up. I can’t believe I didn’t see it before but- you and Kai would actually be really cute as a couple.” 

Your heart leapt into your throat when Kai turned slightly to look around and caught your eye. He gave a little smile and wave. Damon turned to see who he was waving to and winked at Elena. 

“Hey Damon! Kai! Want to join us?” Elena yelled and you groaned inwardly as the guys stood up to join you in the booth.

 “How’s it going ladies?” Damon smiled cheesily. 

“Good, me and Y/N were just talking about-”

 “Homework.” you interrupted quickly, unsure if she was going to say something to reveal your secret. Elena gave you a smirk and took another sip of her drink. You looked down to see your half-gone lemonade while they talked about something random. It was so hard to focus when the amazing man you wanted to caress and love and hold tight was sitting merely six inches from you and it felt like he was getting closer? No- that’s not possible, just your imagination. Why do I feel so hot all of a sudden? You grabbed your left wrist under the table out of habit to make yourself stop squirming and try to focus. Kai cast his eyes to you every now and then , looking for your reaction to the funny jokes. He was acting like a normal friend. You could act like a normal friend- right? 

“You know what, Damon and I actually have a thing to go do downtown-” 

“We do?” Elena nudged him hard, “We were supposed to go see some new artwork and stuff. Come on, let’s go!” 

As they slid out of the booth, Elena gave you a wink and a small wave to Kai.

“Sooooo um, hi.” 

“Hey.” His smile was so enchanting it was hard to keep yourself focused on something other than his lips. He turned away from you and started digging into the mozzarella sticks and sauce. You always thought it was so cute and weird how Kai ate. He was something else entirely. You grinned to yourself and started to join him. There was a comfortable silence as you ate, when the sticks were gone he licked his fingers with a pop and you felt your stomach tighten at the sight. Looking down at his drink he muttered, “Irrevocably. That’s a big word.” Then continued to seduce the straw with his tongue until it entered his mouth. @1-800-khaleesii @rome5683 @tawaii

[harringrovetrashrat]

bodyswap au

This turned into... something.  Dunno why, but it just needed to happen this way, lolololol

Hope you enjoy, yo!!!!! <3

When Hopper arrived at the station, he was hoping for a quiet morning of coffee, contemplation, and sneaking some donuts that El would definitely be mad at him about later.  No donuts.  Doctor said less sugar.  He appreciated the care, but also he wasn’t going to stop eating donuts.  Not with the world being as weird as it was.

But when he walked in, Flo had a look on her face that made him want to turn right around and leave.

“You have visitors,” she spat out.  “I’ve never known the Harrington boy to be so rude--”

“Thank you, Flo,” Hopper said, cutting her off before she got started.  “Why don’t you take an extra break and get yourself something from Melvads?” He grabbed his wallet, putting a five on the table in front of her.  “On me.” She eyed him warily but snatched it up and grabbed her purse.  He gave her a smile that wasn’t more than his lips stretched into a line, before grabbing a cup of coffee.  He downed one, ignoring how it burned his tongue and the roof of his mouth, then poured another.  Harrington being rude?  It meant something was up.  Bratty, sure.  Snarky, probably.  But rude?  Not with the parents he had.

When he walked into his office, Hopper paused.  Billy sat in a chair next to Steve, legs crossed at the knee as one foot bounced nervously and he chewed on his lip.  Next to him was Steve, legs spread wide, slouched in the chair, chewing on his cuticle aggressively.  When they heard the door open and close, they turned, both speaking at the same time.

“Hop, you’re not gonna believe this--”

“Some seriously fucked up shit is going on in this fucking town--”

The words came out of the wrong mouths.  Billy looked at Hopper, eyes big and innocent in a way he’d never seen on the kid.  And Steve looked like he’d stepped in dog shit, nose scrunched and mouth turned down.  They spoke over each other, making Hopper rub his temples as he sat down heavily in his chair.

He was getting too old for this shit.

“Okay, okay, okay,” he said, voice loud.  The boys’ mouths snapped shut, Billy looking sheepish and Steve clenching his jaw and looking away.  “One at a time, please.” He lit a cigarette, taking a deep inhale.  He exhaled slowly, letting the nicotine calm his jitters, before looking back at the two teens.  “Steve,” he gestured to the boy.  “You first.”

Billy started talking.

“So when I woke up this morning--”

“I said Steve,” Hop said, cutting him off.

“I am Steve,” the blonde replied.  Hopper stared at him before taking another long drag off his cigarette and a large gulp of his coffee.

“I’m sorry,” he said, voice calmer than he’d thought it would be.  “You’re who?”

“I’m Steve,” Billy, no, Steve, said again.  “I woke up this morning in Billy’s body, in his bed, in his house.” He could see it now.  Had seen it before but couldn’t place why.  The way Billy ran a hand through his hair and gestured wildly.  The way Steve was silent and taking up space with a large scowl.  They weren’t themselves.  Because they were each other.

“Okay,” Hopper said once the boys had explained.  “So last night you two had a fight in the woods.” He gave them both a stern look, getting rolled eyes and a sheepish grin in response.  “And,” he rubbed his forehead, eyes wide as he tried to wrap his head around whatever the fuck was happening, “This lady came out of a tree,” he closed his eyes, inhaling sharply, “And said she was cursing you until you admit the truth.” The two boys nodded and Hopper felt himself age 10 years.  “It ended the fight and you both went to your respective homes and woke up,” he sighed, “Like this.”

“Yeah,” Billy replied, twisting Steve’s face into an annoyed grimace.  “That’s what we fucking said.”

“I need you to turn the attitude down about 10 notches,” Hopper snapped.  Billy just sank lower in the seat.  “This is a lot to wrap my head around, so excuse me for making sure I got the facts right.” Billy scoffed, but there was a flush to his cheeks.  Well, Steve’s cheeks.  Steve was a blusher, Hopper knew.  Boy turned red and clammy when he tried to lie.  His skin was pale enough that any color stood out.

Hopper wondered if Billy even realized.

“What do we do?” Steve asked.  The genuine concern coming out of Billy’s mouth was weird, but at this point, weird was normal and normal was a distant, fond memory.  Hopper sighed, pushing back a little and rubbing his hand across the stubble on his chin.

“Well, you admit the truth, whatever that is.”

“Fucking obviously,” Billy snapped.  He slid down a little at Hopper’s warning stare.  “But she didn’t give us any idea of what the truth even was.”

“Well, what were you two fighting about?” Steve and Billy looked at each other and shrugged.

“I mean, it just kinda started?” Steve said, voice going up at the end.

The two of them had been tousling since Billy had arrived.  The amount of times Hopper was called to basketball practice, or the park, or the arcade, were innumerable.  And they didn’t even seem to know what they were fighting about.  They just got under each other’s skin, he guessed.  Billy knew how to needle and jab until a person snapped, and Steve was as bratty as they came, though he had gotten better since the whole monsters thing.  Billy had too, for that matter.  They should have been friends.  It wasn’t like they didn’t get along at all.  They were a good team, capable, and he trusted them with El.

So it made no sense for them--

Oh.

Hopper pursed his lips.  Thought back to their fights, really thought.  Remembered the way Billy would watch Steve like a hawk, eyes always on him.  The way Steve never stopped talking about Billy, even if it was to complain.  Thought about how it wasn’t right for boys to be physical with each other unless it was a fight.

Thought about Neil Hargrove and John Harrington and their bullshit.

“Can I ask you two something?” He sniffed, pulling his bottom lip into his mouth as he tapped on his desk anxiously.  “And I want an honest answer.” He looked at them, face grim and serious.  They stared back, equally wary and confused.  “Why do you keep fighting?” Neither of them replied, just shrugging and not looking at each other.

“Just, I dunno, just ‘cause?” Billy said, poking at the desk with his foot.

“Yeah, you know, rough housing,” Steve said.  Billy nodded, like he was convincing himself that was only what it was.  “Boys being boys and all that.”

“Sure,” Hopper said.  “That’s a reason.  But I don’t think that’s why you two are doing it.” He leaned back in his chair.  Steve’s eyes darted to Billy and back, panicked.  Billy didn’t look up, but he was tense.  Long fingers curled into a cashmere sweater, ready for fight or flight.

Hopper knew he wasn’t approaching this right.  Knew he was in some dangerous territory.  But this was some fairy tale shit, so it probably had a fairy tale ending.

He honestly hoped the boys liked each other like he thought, or his suggestion was going to get him way more grief than he’d like.

“What do you think?” Billy’s voice was as tense as he was.

“I think,” Hopper said, trying to keep his voice soft and without judgement, “That fighting is an excuse.  I think that you two like each other a lot more than you let on.” Billy stood, chair squeaking as it scrapped on the floor.  Steve’s knuckles were white against the denim on his legs.

“I don’t know what you think you’re playing at--” Billy’s voice was shaking.

“I think you both know exactly what I’m saying,” he said, cutting Billy off.  “And I’m not--” He struggled to find the right words.  “Look.  I don’t care whether you two like each other or not.  It makes no difference to me.  But I know that there aren’t many ways to show that.  Not when it’s two men.” Both of them were sweating and tense and Hopper didn’t know what to say to fix it.  “I think you two would rather date each other than fight, but don’t know how to say that to the other person.”

“Wh-What?” Steve laughed, all nerves.  “There’s no-- Billy’s not-- I mean, I’m not--”

“That’s a real riot,” Billy said, mean and scared.  “A real laugh riot, Chief.”

“Listen!” Hopper boomed, tired of it.  Tired of magic and weird and bullshit.  The boys’ both stopped talking, staring at him.  “I said honest answers.  This lady saw you two fighting in the woods, right?  Fighting over nothing.  Fighting as an excuse to get close.” They opened their mouths but he held his hands up.  “Why would she say you needed to tell the truth.  Why did she put you into each other’s bodies?” This made them both relax, made them think.  “This is all some weird high fantasy, sci-fi shit.  I don’t understand it.  But what I do understand is finding excuses to be near someone you shouldn’t want to be near.” They looked at each other and Hopper felt the energy between them shift.  They locked eyes and didn’t move.

“I--” Steve stuttered.  “I--”

“Be honest with each other,” Hopper said.  “And maybe you’ll see some changes.” The look the boys shared got more intense and Hopper didn’t want to witness them being honest.  Whatever that would entail.

“I’ll call the school, get you guys out for the day.  Go to Steve’s and talk.  But get out of my office.” With a nod, and not even a spare glance to Hopper, the boys left.  Hopper rubbed a hand over his face before holding his head in his hands.

When he got a call that afternoon, confirming that Everything has gone back to normal, well, except…you know, he allowed himself an extra donut.  Because he fucking deserved it.

[cutie1365]

Hello Detective Chapter 71

Pairing: Sherlock x Reader

Word Count: 3k

A/N: This is my first time writing in months oof, but I’ve had these next few chapters outlined for a while so I’m really excited about this idea and where it’s going. 

Any and all feedback is appreciated and encouraged!

Masterlist in bio, taglist in reblog.

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

“Wow,” Charles said in shock as he took a sip of his martini. Sitting across from him in a dark secluded corner of the expensive restaurant you explained everything to him and how your life had changed over the last few weeks.

“Are you really surprised? You know how crazy my life is. This can’t be that much of a stretch.” You chuckled. Looking back, shocking things happened to you all the time. Serial killers, faked deaths, assassins.

“I just can’t believe you got married.” He shook his head. You were no longer the cold hearted grieving girl he once knew.

“Actually I’m kind of shocked about that one too. Everything happened so fast.” You gazed off out the window. You’d gone from married to fake broken up so fast that it almost gave you whiplash.

“Are you ok with all of this?” Charles asked with a raised brow, uncertain.

“It’s our jobs, I know it’s never going to be easy. You and I have each done worse for a case.” You tried to convince him, and maybe yourself.

“God I know,” He almost shivered, “Remember Barcelona?”

“Don’t remind me.” You cringed, shaking your head, before looking up and smiling at the man across from you. The two of you sure had some wild adventures.

“So when’s the last time you saw him?” He asked, changing the subject.

“Hm, guess it’s been about three weeks. We texted for the first two, but he told me he’d have to cut off contact. Guess a break in the case. Hopefully this will all be over soon and things can go back to normal.” You said, taking a sip of your wine.

“Our lives are never normal Y/N,” Charles teased, “How’s work been? I mean, obviously can’t be that great, I’m not there.”

“Ask me something else.” You groaned, stabbing at your plate as you pictured Magnussen’s face.

“O come on, do you need me to kill someone for you?” He asked, and you knew he wasn't joking.

“That’s so sweet, Charles, really chivalrous of you.” You smirked, placing a hand over your heart.

“You know I’ll do it darling, drop of a hat.” He sipped his drink once more.

“Oh I know you will. Work’s fine. I like it, I do. I hate the politics of it though.” You shrug.

“We need to get a gun back in your hand and get you back to MI6.” He said.

“What, do you not like your new partner?” You asked with a smirk, knowing he didn’t play well with others. Hence the whole reason you were assigned to work with him in the first place.

“Well they’re not you darling, so obviously.” He flattered you.

“Do you want a desk job at MI5?” You teased.

“Oh shoot me.” He scoffed, causing you to laugh.

You’d missed this, the shenanigans you two got into. Of course you were happy to be catching up with him again, you just wish it wasn’t under these circumstances. You were thankful to have someone to confide in though.

“Why don’t you come see the office tomorrow, I’m free in the morning. Take a break from the River House.” You suggested, tempting him with your puppy dog eyes.

“I might...” He smiled, knowing he could never say no to you. His voice trailed off as you noticed your waiter approaching your table.

“Are you ready for the check, sir?” The waiter asked, only making eye contact with Charles, not even acknowledging you.

“Yes please.” Charles took the leather booklet from the man who promptly turned and left. You reached across the table to snatch it out of his hand but he pulled away out of your reach.

“A gentleman never lets a lady pay.” He shook his head.

“Well we both know you’re not a gentleman. And this lady promised you dinner, for you know, saving the entire country from a nuclear explosion.” You argued.

“If you insist.” He smirked, bringing the check closer, now within your reach.

“I do.” You snatched it, slipping your card in without even looking at the price. Perks of the new job. Hell if Mycroft had told you how much you were gonna make you would have gone off to work with him a long time ago.

As Charles walked you back to your flat, you slipped your arm under his as you noticed the photographer on the other side of the street. They seemed to be camped out with a direct view of your house. Of course you pretended not to notice them.

“What do you say Gregson, gonna invite me up for old times sake?” Charles smirked as you’d made it to your front door.

“I say, we’ve got eyes on us at your six and my husband needs the world thinking we broke up. So you’re going to kiss me on the cheek and then I will invite you inside.” You smiled sweetly, you had to make these photos look convincing. Surely they’d be on the front page come tomorrow morning.

“Have you always been this bossy?” He smiled, rolling his eyes and slowly moving in to kiss you on the cheek, giving the photographer time to make sure he got a shot.

“Of course I have.” You whispered back with a chuckle.

“Happy?” He smiled, pulling away.

“Come on, my couch misses you sleeping on it. And I’ve got some Glenlivet 25 with your name on it.” You slipped your arm around his back and pulled him into the flat, no doubt giving the photographers a couple more shots.

“Oh Gregson, you know me so well.” He smirked.

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

The next morning you were giving Charles the grand tour of the Thames House, MI5 HQ. You were hoping for a calm, quiet, peaceful morning. Of course in your world that was never likely.

As you’d made it to the top floor of the building and stepped into your corner office Charles immediately strode in like he owned the place.

“So this is your office, hmm, I could get used to this.” He smirked as he plopped himself down into your desk chair and spun to face the windows. They were floor to ceiling and made up the whole wall. Of course they were bullet proof for security purposes.

“You wouldn’t last a week.” You joked as you approached the window and admired your beautiful view of the river.

Suddenly, you felt your phone buzz in your pocket, you were pulling it out as you turned back to Charles and chuckled at his behavior.

Who knew a world class assassin could be won over by a cover office and a swivel chair. Your face went pale as you glanced at the text that lit up your lock screen.

911 Barts

-JW

“Oh my god,” You muttered.

“What is it?” Charles asked, he knew it was serious from the look on your face.

“911 Barts Hospital.” You turned the phone so he could see as you snatched your purse off of your desk.

“Come on, I’ll drive.” Bass jumped into action, leading you out the door and down to the garage as your mind wandered. Something was wrong. John wouldn’t have texted you if it wasn’t. Was it Mrs. Hudson? Was it Sherlock?

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

As you burst into the lab that the receptionist had directed you towards you heard the hard slap of flesh on flesh as Molly’s hand came down onto Sherlock’s face. He was alive, hell he looked like shit but he was alive. He’d told you this case would take a physical toll on him, you knew it could mean a relapse.

“Oo, can I go next?” You ask, annoyed as you stood in the doorway, Charles lingering behind you.

“Y/N? What are you doing here?” Sherlock spat, matching your energy, making sure to hold up his end of the charade. You saw his head tilt to view the man standing behind you. He almost looked intimidated for a moment, as his face flashed in a “That’s Charles?” sort of manner.

“John texted me ‘911’, I thought it would be important, I was on a date. Clearly I can see we’ve wasted our time.” You retorted, crossing your arms as you stepped into the room. This was as close as you’ve gotten to Sherlock in nearly a month.

“I’m confused.” John chimed in, furrowing his brows as he looked between you and Sherlock.

“We broke up.” Sherlock explained with an eye roll, as if it wasn’t obvious.

“You’re joking.” John almost laughed, not thinking he was serious. The hint of laughter left his lips as he looked back at you and Charles, “You’re not joking. So you two...”

You nodded as Charles stepped to your side to introduce himself.

“Charles Bass,” He shook John’s hand with a smirk. For an extra touch he slipped his hand to the small of your back.

“Right.” John nodded, still confused as to how so much had happened while he was away on his honeymoon. To him it seemed like his whole world had turned upside down.

“Maybe one more slap for good measure, Molly.” You smiled at the girl who looked just as shocked as John at the news of the break up. Glancing down you noticed the missing ring on her ringer, and hoped she wouldn’t get any ideas.

“If you were anywhere near this kind of thing again you could have called, you could have talked to me.” John moved towards Sherlock, obviously he wasn’t clean. Rock bottom always meant a certain 7% solution. You hated how it always came back to this.

“Oh, please, do relax. This is all for a case.” Sherlock rolled his eyes at John’s scolding.

“Isn’t it always. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that one.” You scoffed.

“What kind of case would need you doing this?” John asked, still not amused.

“I might as well ask you why you’ve started cycling to work?” Sherlock said to John, trying to change the subject as you glanced at the wrinkles in John’s shirt and followed his deduction.

“No, we’re not playing this game.” John shook his head.

“I drove all the way here for this?” You raised a brow, annoyed.

Sherlock looked to you as John had his back turned. A smirk lingered on his lips, he was enjoying this little game. That or he was still high. You had to admit, it almost was fun, and a bit like role playing. The smirk dropped as he put back on his mask and turned to John.

“Quite recently, I’d say, you’re very determined about it.” He just loved to get under John’s skin.

“Not interested.” John said, and you nodded in agreement as you turned to walk back towards the door.

“I am. Ow!” You recognized a voice coming from behind Sherlock and turned around at the sound of his yelp. You tilted your head to see around him, your eyes landing on a familiar face.

“Wiggins? What’re you doing here?” You asked, your brows furrowed in genuine confusion.

“How do you know him?” Sherlock asked with hostility, but something in his voice told you he was scared. He didn’t like not knowing things, and he couldn’t comprehend how you could possibly know this man. You weren’t supposed to know him, this wasn’t part of the ruse.

“We’re old friends,” You said sarcastically, rolling your eyes, “What do you think?”. His eyes widened in realization. Well there’s anothering thing the two of you had in common, same dealer. Although for you it was more of a one time thing.

“Is it his shirt?” Wiggins butt in, changing the subject and breaking the unintentional staring contest you and Sherlock were having.

“I’m sorry?” Sherlock turned back to Wiggins.

“Well, it’s the creases, innit?” Wiggins said, “The two creases down the front? It’s been recently folded but it's not new. You must have dressed in a hurry this morning. So all your shirts must be kept like that. But why? Maybe ‘cause you cycle to work every morning, shower when you get there, and then dress in the clothes you brought with you. You keep your shirts folded, ready to pack.” He said, shocking nearly everyone in the room.

John and Mary were so focused on Wiggins that you and Sherlock were able to share a quick smile, almost a laugh. It quickly faded to ensure no one else noticed.

“Not bad...” Sherlock said.

“There you go, a new toy to play with. Have fun,” You scowled at Sherlock as you made your way towards the door once more, “Molly, Watsons, Wiggins, it’s been a pleasure.” You nodded at the rest of them, ignoring Sherlock as you left the room.

As you walked down the hall, you weren’t sure whether to feel angry or happy that you at least got to see your husband and know that he’s alive.

“Well that was unexpected.” Charles said, breaking your train of thought as you walked back to the car.

“Welcome to my world.” You scoffed, a ‘quiet morning’ was unheard of for you.

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

Just as you began the drive back to your office your phone lit up with a call from Mycroft, causing you to roll your eyes.

“My brother’s drug habit is about to hit the newspaper. Did you know about this?” He asked, and if you didn’t know any better it sounded like an accusation.

“Well that’s not really my problem anymore is it?” You retorted.

You’d spent the last few weeks convincing him that you and Sherlock had broken up. Making sure to mention plans with Charles more in his presence to really sell it. Luckily after some initial shock and a brief conversation with his brother, he believed you. But surely he wouldn’t think you would leak a relapse to the press for some sort of petty revenge.

“Did you know?” He asked once more, more forcefully.

“No, I just found out. He’s at Saint Barts, John texted me.” You explained, rolling your eyes once more.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to block all of these articles. Will you meet me at Baker Street, I may need back up.” He asked, but you knew it wasn’t really a question. You tapped Charles on the shoulder and mouthed ‘Baker Street’ to him and spun your finger to instruct him to turn the car around. He nodded and complied.

“Should I bring my gun?” You asked sarcastically. What kind of back up did he think he was going to need, it’s his baby brother for christ sake.

“I don’t think that will be necessary.” He said, unamused.

“Well if you’re not wanting me to crack any skulls I’m not sure why I have to tag along.” You said, you had a very certain skill set and if he wasn’t looking to utilize it, there was really no point beyond moral support.

“Don’t make me order you.” He threatened and you scoffed, as if he could.

“Mycroft, I don’t want to have to see him. Surely you can understand why. It’s not my job to look after him anymore.” You pleaded.

“No, but it is mine. So you will be there.” He said sternly, and you sighed and hung up.

Of course you had already instructed Charles to turn around and head to Baker Street, you just wanted to push back against Mycroft a little to make this whole break up seem more convincing.

When you pulled up Mycroft was waiting outside. Charles got out and made his way around the car to open the door for you. You leaned back against the closed door as you smiled sadly at Charles.

“Thank you, sorry your tour gott cut short.” You smiled, making sure to keep your voice at a whisper so Mycroft didn’t overhear anything.

“Oh my morning was much more interesting, you’re one hell of an actress darling.” He whispered back with a smirk, placing one hand next to you on the car and leaning closer casually.

“You’re just figuring that out? By the way, we have a very important audience right now.” You informed him.

“That the brother?” He asked, and you nodded.

“Then we’ll just have to be convincing,” Bass said, leaning down to leave a chaste kiss on your lips. It wasn’t the first time you’d kissed for a case, public displays of affection make people uncomfortable and tend to prove very useful in spywork.

“I’ll call you later.” He waved with a wink as you walked towards Mycroft. You smiled and waved back with a nod.

Mycroft raised a brow, his face in its usual look of disgust.

“Well that was unpleasant to watch.” He said once you were now standing in front of him.

“I told you I was busy and I don’t want to be here, you don’t get to judge.” You scolded, raising your finger at him. You turned to face the famous black door of 221 Baker Street, realizing how long it’s been since you’d been here.

“No, but I do get to say I was right.” He smirked, causing you to furrow your brows and turn back to him.

“About what?” You asked, genuinely confused.

“I always knew there was more between you and 007.” He said, with the tilt of his head, as if he took pleasure in being right. Of course he wasn’t really right.

“Spare me, Mycroft. Let's just get this over with.” You rolled your eyes and crossed the threshold into 221B, an eerie feeling starting to settle in. Your gut told you not to walk up those seventeen steps, it warned you, it screamed ‘Danger Ahead”, but of course you didn’t listen. You never did.

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

Any and all feedback is greatly appreciated and encouraged.

TAGLIST IN REBLOG

Comment or reblog, and like to stay on my taglist. 

[innuendostyles]

Umm maybe Ben exploring his ‘feminine’ side more????? How bout him asking u to paint his nails? Or him asking if he can wear your makeup? Idk thought it would be cute hahah

ben wants to try something different

2.8k -> masterlist

waking up next to ben was one of her favourite things on the planet. something about the way his hand would rest underneath her shirt (if she had one on) and rub small circles under her breast settled her like nothing else could. she normally woke up to ben cooing to her, usually murmurs of how beautiful she was when she slept, or if she’d overslept it would be gentle reminders of where she had to be - which was why she was surprised to wake up to dead silence.

she yearned to feel his hands on her skin, as she was so used to, but instead, her hand simply rested in ben’s. her palm face down on ben’s larger hand while he traced one pointer finger over her freshly manicured nails. they were painted a pastel blue colour, completely matte except for a shimmery top coat applied to her ring finger. she’d been on the phone ben while she was getting her nails done, asking him what he thought she should get done when the nail lady asked her what colour she’d like. he asked her what clothes she had on at that moment, to which she replied a light blue jumper that had a sparkly carebear printed on the front of it. he simply gave a ‘well then…’ and told her he’d ring her back when she was done. so to see him admiring her fresh set wasn’t surprising.

his eyes flashed to hers as she roused herself from sleep, carefully removing her hand from his to wipe the drool from her chin. he gave her a light chuckle as her body strung completely taught before laying entirely limp back on the bed and stretching her arms across his chest. she clung to him like a koala, pressing a couple of kisses to his neck when she had enough energy.

“you like my nails?” she whispered, pressing one final kiss to his neck before sitting up.

“yeah.” he chuckled, resting his hand on her hip as she reached to the bedside table to retrieve her phone.

“i’ll make some breakfast.” she said, leaning down to place her hand on ben’s cheek before leaving the bedroom.

she walked down the stairs, calling for frankie as she reached the bottom step, happy to receive many sloppy kisses to her face when she bent down to give the dog her favourite behind the ear scratches.

there was a pink bottle stuck in her mouth, which y/n speedily removed and wiped on her t-shirt to get rid of all the dog spit. it was her nail polish, a cheaper dupe of some dior varnish she’d seen on instagram. the colour, effectively called ‘cha-ching cherry’ was a hot pink, and she’d bought it purely because it was on sale at the drugstore and reminded her of the dior version.

“how’d ya get this, silly girl?” she cooed to the dog, stamping kisses on the top of her head. she wondered how she even reached and opened the polish in the first place, she was sure it had still been in the plastic wrap it came in when she went to bed last night… no, it definitely was. she remembers placing it on the shelf next to the tv when she emptied her bag after she came home. so how had a three year old dog opened protective packaging? it was a mystery to her. instead of going full sherlock mode, she cracked some eggs into a pan and discarded the thought to the back of her mind.

she had to shout ben downstairs, which was unusual, because normally he’s downstairs as soon as she is, offering to help her make breakfast and playing whatever music he was in the mood for over the apartment speakers. he came down the stairs looking rather sweaty and she wondered what he’d been up to. looked like he’d just run a fucking marathon, but he was still dressed in his pyjamas (a pair of calvin kleins couldn’t be classed as pyjamas, surely?) so she knew that answer was out of the equation. maybe he’d been brushing his teeth super violently. she knows that’s not true when he goes to kiss her cheek as a good morning and she shies away from him with a ”morning breath!” and a playful grimace. he chuckles at her, bending down to pat frankie on the head.

he got frankie’s food ready before even realising he had a plate of eggs and fruit waiting in front of him. he sat at the rather small dining table, pouring them some orange juice and handing her the glass once he’d finished. even gave her a little more than he had, because he always complains she doesn’t get her 5 a day.

he just wants her to feel happy and healthy! can he complain, when she treats him so well and even leaves his eggs on for a whole minute longer than hers because she knows he doesn’t like it when the yellow is all runny? when she takes care of a dog that originally was the shared pup of him and his ex?

he has no time to think before she’s giggling a little, pointing to frankie in the corner of the kitchen who had somehow managed to eat all her food and drink all her water in the space of 2 minutes. he giggled as well, taking a bite of his eggs and calling out a ”good girl” to the beagle.

“yeah, well our ‘good girl’ somehow managed to open my new nail polish and came to me this morning with it in her mouth like it was some sort of present she bought! might have to start calling her father christmas!” she jokes, taking a bite of banana before breaking some off and making a kissy sound to garner frankie’s attention before placing some on the floor next to her for the dog. she did love her banana.

ben places his hand quickly onto his thigh beneath the table after he caught sight of it on top of the tablecloth, hoping she hadn’t noticed how quickly he made the movement. she simply furrows her brows at him, tilting her head as she asked if he was okay.

“yeah, ‘m fine just got a cramp.” he lies straight through his teeth, not being able to look her in the eyes and instead offering frankie a piece of watermelon to frankie, which was unusual for him as he never gave his food to her, claiming it ‘only gives her a bad tummy and then i’m the one who has to clean up all the sick she leaves on the bathroom floor!’, which y/n notices and gives a sigh.

“ben.” she deadpans, setting the banana peel down.

he removes his hand from his leg and sets it upon the table, in a fist originally, before he unclenches his hand and then she sees it. his ring and middle finger nails are painted pink. he looks carefully at her reaction, even though there isn’t much to go off, just a look back to his eyes after she’s seen his hand.

“are you… angry?” he questions, eyes still avoiding hers.

“i’m not angry at you for using my nail polish without telling me ben…” she says with a slight chuckle, her face looking awfully confused, “...what’s mine is yours, and all that.”

his eyes flit to her’s at this, a brow raising as he asks, “so you’re not… weirded out?”

she can’t actually tell if he’s joking or not until she looks at his hands, where he’s nervously pulling at his knuckles in hopes to make them crack. it was one of his worst habits, something he only did when he was really going through it. she realises he must have been embarrassed or feel ashamed when she tells him she wasn’t, if the way his shoulders fell from near enough above his head showed her anything.

she decides he wants to leave the conversation at that when he picks up his fork and begins eating his eggs, looking a hell of a lot less stressed than he did before.

“why were you so sweaty when you came down before?” she questions, though she’s careful to make her tone sound as least judgemental as she possibly can, offering an inquisitive smile at the end.

“i um- wanted to get it off. before you saw it.” he purses his lips before he speaks again. “i couldn’t find any of that horrid-smelling remover stuff so i was trying to scrub it off with that lemon exfoliating shit you’ve got in the shower. worked up quite a sweat.” he chuckled, and she smiled at his first genuine laugh this morning.

“ben, why did you think i’d care so much?” she asks, and she can actually feel a pain in her chest as she realises it must have been eating away at him all night after his reaction to her seeing it. the pain in her chest only deepens when she hears a muttered, “i thought you’d think it was … really weird and like… not normal.” he continues, his voice getting louder and louder as he carried on, “cause it’s like… a girls thing. and i’m not a girl. and i know you’d never think that i was stupid or weird so i don’t even know why it ran through my head cause i did it last night when you went to bed and i was still downstairs… i saw it and i just wanted to put it on me like… for fun. and then i thought you might be angry at me for opening it so i just went to bed but i couldn’t sleep cause i was worried you’d be annoyed at me so i just… spent all night looking at yours. your nails, i mean.” once he’d finished rambling, she reached a hand out to his, pulling him along until they’d settled onto the sofa in the living room.

her on her back against the arm rest, with him on his stomach laying between her legs. maybe not the most flattering position on her part, but she felt closest to him this way. she reached a hand up to his hair, running her fingers through the golden locks before sighing.

“ben, i need you to listen to what im gonna say really closely, yeah?” she whispered.

he nods, and she takes that as her cue to continue.

“it isn’t ‘a girls thing’. and i’m not angry at you, and you’re right, i’d never think you’re weird for doing anything ever. i love you, and i’m in this for the long haul, so speak to me. tell me when you wanna try new things. ‘cause you know i won’t be angry, or annoyed, or weirded out… because it’s you.” she could see his eyes softening as he stared directly into hers.

it felt like he was reaching deep inside her mind and pulling out every honest word he could find. he laid his head down on her stomach, before giving a simple, “i love you.”

“do you want me to paint the rest of them?” she asked after a couple of minutes of stroking through his hair.

“please.” he replied, and she felt his smile on her stomach as he heard frankie pattering through the doorway and coming to lie on ben’s back to join them both. he lifted his head up and formed his lips into a kissy shape, to which she leant down and pecked him.

he followed her into the kitchen to retrieve the nail polish, clapping like an excited kid as she led him upstairs. she walked into the bathroom and sat on the countertop, ben bringing a chair from the bedroom to sit in front of her. she spread her legs and placed his hand flat on the surface of the counter, protected by an old sheet of newspaper in case of a polish accident.

once she’d painted one hand, he rested it on her thigh, only beginning to stroke it once she told him his nails were dry enough. she’d finished his other hand, commending her own painting skills as she skipped the two nails he’d already done the night before, he kissed her thigh, just below where his dry hand sat, before lifting himself off the chair to press a kiss to her forehead, then her left cheek, and finally her lips. she pulled her head back as soon as she felt how dry his lips were, telling him he needed some vaseline.

he looked behind her, seeing her collection of lip products before picking up a familiar tube. it was one she used constantly, which meant it must have been good, which was the reason why he asked her to put some on him a couple of seconds later.

“vaseline isn’t the same as lipgloss, but i’ll let this one slide, my dear.” she chuckles, opening the tube of clear, strawberry scented lipgloss. it had a slight shimmer to it, especially when in the sun, and she was unbelievably excited to see it on him.

“i only picked it cause it tastes nice.” he mentions before she has the chance to apply it.

“ben! you’re not meant to eat it!” she scolds, pulling back and taking the applicator with her.

“i know! i don’t do it purposefully, i just get a mouthful sometimes after you snog me.” he says,

smiling when she laughs.

“yeah, well i think i might have to see just how it tastes the next time we snog, which i have a feeling might be in just a second.” she smirks before applying the gloss.

[thewritewolf]

Multiple Second Chances Chapter 1: Pranks

When something goes wrong with the miraculous of the main duo, they each choose a hero to take over for them while Marinette tries to make things right. Of course, with so many former heroes now compromised, they can't let old guardian rules drain their pool of heroes even more.

A Snekmouse story.

@adrinetteapril

First Chapter | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Read on Ao3

“Hey, sugarcube!” Plagg said as he phased into the purse where Tikki was hiding.

“Plagg!” She hissed at him. “You aren’t supposed to be here! Go back to your chosen right now!”

“Yeah, yeah, in a minute,” Plagg said, irritably waving a paw at her as he peaked out. It quickly returned to clutching his prize.

“No not in a minute, right-” Tikki suddenly froze. “What are you holding?” Her voice became edged with panic. “What are you holding?”

“What, this?” Plagg hefted the black orb he held. To a human eye, it would look like nothing more than a black pearl. But to a kwami? They could see the rolling clouds of crackling dark energy in it. “Just a little gift for a too-handsy little snake.”

“Get rid of it! That can cause some serious damage in the wrong hands!”

“Relax, sugarcube,” Plagg said, rolling his eyes. “I didn’t charge it that much. Just enough for some bad luck and maybe some illnesses. Real ones, to go along with her many fake ones.” His ears twitched as he sensed a good opportunity to cross the room. The moment he tried, he was pulled back. He looked around to see Tikki grabbing at his orb.

“While I agree she isn’t good, this is too far! And you might endanger our chosen with this recklessness. Not to mention their identities!”

“Then it's a good thing I wasn’t asking for your permission!” Plagg tugged at his pearl, but Tikki refused to let go. Being the ancient being of immense cosmic strength he was, he did what came naturally - he pulled back even harder. “Gimmie my ball!”

“No!”

“Spoilsport!”

“Instigator!”

As they each drew on more of their energy, the orb - fragile enough already - began to crack. White energy, no doubt Tikki’s doing, poured out.

The orb shattered, driving them into opposite corners of the purse.

“See what you-” Plagg coughed. “See what you did?”

“Me?! You- You’re the…” Tikki trailed off as she rubbed at her forehead, whimpering. “I don’t feel great…”

Plagg couldn’t reply, all his attention focused on gripping his stomach and trying not to be sick. Outside the purse, there was a commotion and Plagg slinked away into his chosen’s bag just before the class emptied.

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

Adrien wasn’t entirely sure what happened, but after what had sounded like a small explosion, the room had filled with a horrible stench that had effectively canceled their Physics lessons for the day. And since that was his last class of the day, Adrien quickly found himself back in his room.

“That was super weird.” Adrien set down his messenger bag and opened it. “Any idea what it could have been, Plagg?” His heart dropped when he found his kwami curled up into a ball, shivering. “Plagg!” He gently grabbed his kwami and held him in his palm. “What’s the matter?”

“Blegh…” Plagg opened an eye and looked at him. “I, uh, I won’t bore you with the details but you’d better transform. Ladybug will be looking for you.”

“Wh- Huh?” Adrien frowned. “Are you sure? Will you be alright?”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, pigtails has a good head on her shoulders. She’ll know what to do.” Plagg gagged, his fur standing on end. “Or at least she’ll be able to figure it out with all those musty old Guardian books around.”

“If you say so… Plagg, claws out!”

Something immediately felt off. Besides being more than a little nauseous, he didn’t feel as strong as he usually did. But there was something that he couldn’t quite define that wasn’t right about this either. It was almost like there was something heavy in his gut, like a stone. Shaking it off, he got ready to leave.

After locking his door and turning on a piano recording, Chat Noir slipped out of his bedroom window and began running over rooftops. Just like Plagg had said, it wasn’t long before Ladybug was calling him. He answered quickly.

“Hey bugaboo.” With Plagg’s health on the line, he got straight to the point. “My kwami said you might know what to do?”

Ladybug bit her lip, a sure sign of worry. “I do, but I don’t like it. We’ll talk about it in person. Meet me here.”

Her face was replaced with a map of Paris, a blinking red dot showing her location. He raised an eyebrow. It wasn’t any of their usual haunts - the top of the Eiffel Tower, the spires of Notre Dame, any number of rooftops across the city. Instead, it was a garden filled with hedges. With how early into spring they were, they weren’t likely to see many civilians around, but still. He had a bad feeling about this, but followed her dot anyway.

“M’lady,” he said with a bow as he landed beside her. “What’s the news?”

“Plagg is sick, right?” Chat blinked in surprise but nodded. “My kwami is too. This isn’t the first time she’s gotten sick but, well…” Ladybug began pacing. When she started talking it was like a dam breaking down and everything came flooding out at once. “Last time I had Master Fu, but now we don’t have Master Fu and he was supposed to teach me everything but then, you know, and now he’s gone and I have his notes but I might be able to decipher them but I don’t know if I can do it and I-”

“My lady.” Chat caught her shoulders and stopped her in her tracks. “Take a breath, please. Okay? You can do this. If there is an answer to be found, you’re the one that can do it.”

To his surprise, Ladybug wrapped him in a hug. “Thanks, chaton.”

“No problem, bugaboo. Now,” he said, “is there anything else I can do to help? I want Plagg to be better as soon as possible. Plus, I don’t know how well I can fight feeling this weak.”

“About that…” She stepped away and pulled out an egg shaped item and opened it. Chat’s eyes widened as he saw all the miraculous ever seen fight alongside him. His wonder turned to dismay when he looked up to see sorrow in her eyes. “We’re going to have to take a break, kitty. Plagg and Tikki can’t get any better unless they get some rest.”

“You… want to take my miraculous?” A pit of dread opened up in his stomach. “But-”

“I know, and I’m sorry. But I promise it’s only temporary! I’ll even let you pick your… the person who will be filling in for you.”

“Okay…” That was something, at least. “So what miraculous would I be handing out?”

“I’ve actually given that some thought,” Ladybug said as she sat down. Chat followed her lead and watched as she sat the miracle box on the ground between them. “So the main issue to us taking a break is that we have to purify akuma, right?”

“Right. That’s why Master Fu brought out the Ladybug and Black Cat miraculous in the first place, right?”

“Exactly! Now, I was doing some research and found out that the Yang-aligned zodiac miraculous can also purify corruption.”

“So…” Chat screwed his eyes shut as he struggled to remember his Chinese lessons. “Monkey, Tiger, Dog, Dragon, Horse, and… Rat?”

“Well, in our case the Mouse. Very good!” Ladybug smiled and Chat’s heart skipped a beat. “So those six miraculous could replace me. Well, mostly.”

“First, no one could ever replace you,” Chat said firmly. “But what do you mean ‘mostly’?”

“Only the Ladybug has access to the Cure. Which is why I think this one,” Ladybug pulled out the Snake miraculous, “would be the perfect choice to pair with one of the others.”

“The Snake?”

“Yes. It’d be the best way to reduce collateral damage until we can get the Cure back. If worst comes to worst, I can transform, but we have to avoid it whenever possible so Tikki can recover.”

“Smart as usual, m’lady. Who do you plan on giving it to?”

“Chat,” she chided. “You know I can’t tell you that.” She clapped. “Now, I know I usually choose all the new heroes, but given the circumstances, I’ll let you pick the other.”

Chat perked up a little and looked very carefully at the six miraculous. He had never seen the Tiger or the Dog in action and ruled them out. Monkey? Helpful, but too random. Horse? Too situational. Dragon? Maybe. But then he saw the Mouse and remembered the last wielder of that miraculous. He grinned as he picked it from the rest.

Marinette would be perfect! She was smart, just like Ladybug so she could definitely help take the lead. Not to mention Multimouse made for an excellent hero. He wasn’t super certain on how viable that powerset would be, but knowing Marinette, she’d find a way to make it work.

“The Mouse?” Ladybug said with a little confusion as he slipped the necklace into his pocket. “Not the one I was thinking you’d pick, but it’ll work just as well as the others.” She pulled the bracelet out and stashed it in her yoyo. “We’ll meet up tomorrow evening so you can give me your miraculous.”

Chat Noir smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Careful, you’re sounding like Hawkmoth.”

She rolled her eyes and gently punched his shoulder. “Go home, Chat.”

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

Naturally, Chat Noir did not go home. After all, his mind was already made up on who he wanted to give the Mouse miraculous to. Pulling his civilian phone out of his pocket, he sent a text to Marinette and asked about homework. Once she responded, he knew she’d be home. Hopefully alone in her room.

It took longer than he thought it would, but after a few minutes Marinette responded and Chat Noir went on the prowl. He couldn’t see much as he looked in from afar, but what he could tell was that there wasn’t anyone else in her room as she paced it frantically. In a few heartbeats, he had crossed the distance and landed on her balcony. His cat ears twitched as he heard her talking to herself.

He crouched down and knocked on her skylight and sat down while he waited.

The trapdoor opened just a crack. Blue eyes peering up at him, first curiously, then in shock.

“Chat Noir?!”

He bowed his head. “The one and only!”

“What- Why are you-”

“Can I come in?”

“I- Sure?”

Marinette opened the trapdoor completely and he slid inside, landing on the floor of her bedroom.

“So, um what can I-” Marinette was cut off when he pulled out the little box holding the miraculous. “No…”

“I, uh,” Chat Noir rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “Sorry, I know Ladybug has a whole little speech, but I’ve never heard it in person.” A lie, but he wasn’t about to admit he had been so caught up in Ladybug’s eyes that he hadn’t committed her speech to memory. “I’m sure she told you it when you got picked to be Multimouse last time, but…”

“Chat, I can’t be-”

“I know, you’re worried about the identity thing,” Chat said, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “It really wasn’t a big deal that I found out. I’m surprised Ladybug took your miraculous over it, but I know that you’re more than up to the task. You’re smart, you’re brave, and you made a great hero!”

She looked between him and the box. While she was clearly torn, it was also very clear that she had been touched by his praise. Slowly, she took the box from his hands.

“I… accept.”

“Good. Let me fill you in on everything that’s going down. Or, at least as much as I’m allowed to tell you.”

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

Several hours later, Adrien was back in his room, playing the piano for real this time. It wasn’t his usual arrangement, but rather a jaunty ragtime tune, the kind that he knew Plagg liked. His kwami was resting in his favorite trash can, the last time he’d do so for who knows how long.

The prospect of not being a superhero weighed heavily on Adrien. What if he never got to become Chat Noir again, and he was shoved back into his regimented life with no hope of escape? What if Multimouse and his replacement were too good and Ladybug decided that he didn’t need to come back?

He shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. Ladybug cared about him, she’d never just abandon him. And he had meant every word he’d said to her - he knew that if anyone could heal the kwami, it was her.

But still the lingering fears remained…

At least until he heard a knock on his window. Framed against the dying light of the setting sun was Ladybug holding onto the string of her yoyo, face pressed close to the glass as she tried to look inside. His heart began beating a million kilometers an hour as he jumped up from his seat, nearly falling flat on his face as he rushed to open the window.

“L-ladybug!” He said, poking his head out the window. “What, um, what are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry to ask you this, given how awful your previous experience with this miraculous was, but…” Ladybug pulled out a black box with red markings and presented it to him. “Adrien Agreste, here is the miraculous of the Snake, which grants the power of Second Chance. You will use it for the greater good.”

“I accept!” He eagerly took the Snake miraculous. The excitement of being a hero became tinged with fear. “...Are you sure, though?” He frowned. “I kind of made a mess of it less time…”

Ladybug smiled warmly at Adrien. “It showed that you have determination. Not many people would be able to go that long trying to make things work. It also shows you are patient.” She took his free hand and set it over the miraculous. “Plus we both know how kind and caring you are. Perfect traits for a hero.”

“And what about Luka?”

“Hawkmoth knows his identity,” Ladybug said with a shrug. “Besides, I know you have the makings of an excellent hero. Now,” she said, moving past him to sit on the edge of his bed. “Let me tell you why we need you…”

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

The following day came far too swiftly. After giving Plagg all the hugs the kwami would allow, Adrien had transformed to meet up with Ladybug. He must have looked like a mess since her blue eyes softened immediately when he landed, and in a moment her hand was cupping his cheek.

“I’m sorry, kitty. I know how much this all means to you, but I promise you’ll be back in the cat suit before long.”

He sniffled and put a hand over hers. “I’ll miss you.”

She got a thoughtful look in her eye and looked away. He let her hand slide off his face, where it took up position cupping her chin.

“You know… we could still keep in contact.”

“How?”

“Master Fu had a dropbox that he prepaid a couple years in advance. We could leave letters there for each other, if we’re really missing each other.”

Chat perked up. “Really?”

“Mhm,” Ladybug hummed. She reached into her yoyo. “Here, you can have the spare key. It should have the location written on it.” She closed her eyes and turned around. “Detransform, hand me your miraculous and I’ll leave a letter when I’m done.”

“Right. Claws in.” Adrien gave one last sad look to Plagg before he took off the miraculous and he vanished. He pressed the ring into Ladybug’s hand. “See you soon, m’lady.”

“We’ll be back before you know it, chaton.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Adrien said. He ran away until he was out of the gardens before slipping on the Snake miraculous. In a ball of green light, a new kwami appeared. “Hey, Sass. Miss me?”

[nad-zeta]

Arthur Doyle: Battle of the Flirts

Fandom: Ikemen Vampire

Pairings: Arthur Doyle x reader (Fem Bi reader)

Genre: Slice o life 

Warnings: Alcohol 

Words: 1650 

Comments: So this is my first ikevamp fic lol its probs ganna be shit cause you best know i didn't proof read before posting lol(˶◕‿◕˶✿) Thanx so much @zazax42​ for giving me the suggestion/idea! Hope yall enjoy it! 

｡.*:・’ﾟ:｡.*:ﾟ･’ﾟﾟ:。’ .*:・’ﾟ:｡.*:ﾟ･’ﾟﾟ:。’･ﾟ｡.*:・’ﾟ: ｡.*:・’ﾟ:｡.*:ﾟ･’ﾟﾟ:。’ .*:・’ﾟ:｡.*:ﾟ

The week seemed to drag on and on, and you were overloaded with chores. You had finally finished doing all the housework for the day, and to be honest you were absolutely exhausted.

It was a miracle that you still had enough energy left to drag yourself up the stairs. Once you made it to your room, you threw yourself onto your bed. Vic hopped up onto the bed and looked at you with his big brown eyes. 

“You know you have caused me a the biggest headache today.” He gave a small whine as if to apologise for the trouble he had cause you, and you couldn't help but give the poor doggo a tired smile, there was no way you could stay mad at him, especially when he gave you such cute puppy dog eyes. 

“It’s alright Vic you are forgiven, just don’t do it again.” He wagged his tail and licked your face and proceeded to dash out of the room, probably to cause some more mischief, no doubt. 

You turned your head to look at you cupboard hanging open, you spotted the little black dress you had bought yourself a few weeks ago. Geez, how long has it been since you’ve been out with friends? Since arriving at the mansion it has been all work, thanks to a certain slave driving butler.

Your thoughts were interrupted, when the British writer entered your room. “You look positively exhausted love,” he looked down at you, with eyes filled to the brim with love and affection. 

You were dramatically sprawled out across your bed. “And whose fault would that be, my dearest Arthur.” 

Arthur gave you an apologetic smile as he flopped down on the bed beside you, “yes, well, I suppose I should apologise for Vic’s behaviour”. 

You propped yourself up on your elbows and narrowed your eyes at your lover. “You do realise I spent the whole afternoon picking up shredded pieces of Mozart’s sheet music off the lawn, not even to mention the fact that someone had to talk some sense into the grumpy musician, as he was insisting on giving your precious dog away in your absence. Plus Sabastian had a field day with taking all his frustrations out on me, for what Vic had done.”

Arthur then sat up and kissed you on your temple, “thank you love, for defending Vic’s honour, and I am terribly sorry I wasn’t here to help clean up and listen to Mozart’s and Sabastion’s whining. Although you must admit, angry Sabs is quite the amusing sight,” Arthur said with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

You cracked a little smile, “well, I suppose I got to see that big vein pop out of his forehead, hehe and also it was pretty funny to see how red Mozart got in his anger. I wish you could have seen it! I didn't think anyone could go redder than poor old Isaac, but after seeing Mozart so angry, I think he could give apple boy a run for his money.” Arthur chuckled at the thought of the angry butler and pianist, “It sounds like both you and I deserve a stiff drink for, the troublesome day we both had.” 

“More like two stiff drinks, for all the complaining I had to endure today,” you said with a bright smile as you gave Arthur a quick peck on the lips.

“Well, then hun, hows about we go to the bar for a drink or two, I’ll meet you at the main door in 30 minutes.” You smiled and quickly got dressed, you decided to wear that pretty black dress that has been hanging in your cupboard for weeks now.

After 30 minutes of changing and getting ready, you met Arthur by the front door. “Why, don’t you just look positively fetching, in that pretty black little number,” Arthur said while gently taking your hand in his and leading you out the entrance to the waiting carriage. 

“Right back at ya,” you chuckled while doing your awkward finger guns. 

The place was super lit, and it was amazing that you and Arthur managed to find two open seats at the bar. “Two whiskeys on the rock please.” 

You and Arthur sipped on your drinks and enjoyed the light banter that flowed between the two of you. Just as you were making a witty comeback to one of Arthur’s flirty comment, the bartender placed a drink down in front of you, “From the woman in the pink dress,” he said with a wink and a smile. 

“Ah I’m sorry about that Luv, it seems the women in his bar hasn’t received the news yet, that I am a taken man,” before Arthur could finish his comment the bartender corrected him, “Excuse me, sir, I think there has been a misunderstanding, this drink isn’t for you, it is actually meant for her,” he nodding in your direction with a smile.

You gave Arthur a bright smile, “ohoho, it’s for me, is it.” 

You burst out in laughter and said in a mocking voice, “it seems the women in this bar hasn’t received the news yet, that I am a taken woman.”

Arthur took a big sip of his drink, trying to mask his embarrassment. You eyed him curiously and gave him the biggest brightest smile. For a big old flirt, he certainly was cute, especially the way his ears would go all red as he blushed. 

He playfully put his hand over your mouth to muffle your laughing, “Okay okay, I get it, you’ve had your fun,” he gave you his signature smirk while still carrying remnants of the blush and embarrassment on his cheeks. You cradled Arthur’s cheeks in your hands, still wearing a big grin, “don’t be cross dear, you know I used to be quiet the flirt back in the day.” 

Arthur’s eyes lit up in curiosity, “is that so.” You kissed the tip of his nose and let go of his face, “jip, no man or woman could resist my charm,” you said as you gave him a flirty wink.

“Well my luv, I can most definitely see that, because you certainly are, a-dor-a-ble,” he said while giving you a little boop on the nose. “I’m not cute, I’m sexy,” you huffed out with a slight pout. 

“Of course you are sweetheart, you are most definitely the cutest fluffies woman in the whole world,” he said while patting your head and ruffling your hair. 

“Oooh I’ll show you cute Arthur Doyle!” You then pulled your lover into a headlock, ruffling his hair the same way he had ruffled yours moments ago. 

“Well then love, how’s about a friendly little wager”, you let go of him and narrowed your eyes, “I’m listening..”

“The one who can get the most women’s telephone numbers in the next hour wins,” Arthur said with the most playful glint in his eyes. 

“What’s the catch?” you asked eyeing him suspiciously

Arthur smirked at you and continued to explain the rules. “Loser has to pick up after Vic for 2 whole weeks and has to be the winner’s personal slave for the day,” 

You gave Arthur a challenging gaze and decided to raise the stakes slightly “Alright but, the loser also has to do the laundry for the next two weeks and has to change their name to Deez Nutz for the duration of the time.” 

Arthur thought for a second and then nodded “Alright, time starts NOW”

The two of you scattered into your own directions and started working your magic on every woman in the bar, no woman was safe.  It felt like mere seconds had passed, before the hour was up. You and Arthur regrouped at the bar and presented each other with the phone numbers that you managed to get. 

“I’ll go first luv,” the two of you counted all the scrap pieces of papers and napkins together, “let’s see if you can beat 5, luv, you know there is no shame in backing out of the bet now, although I will take great pleasure in calling you Deez Nutz for the next two weeks,” Arthur said with a triumphant smile. 

“No, no don’t worry about me old boy, I am quite confident I have this in the bag, I hope you like doing laundry.” You emptied out your purse and pockets of all the pieces of paper, you also showed Arthur’s your arms and hands as three women had written their phone numbers on them. 

“I… I can’t believe this,” Arthur looked at the stack of phone numbers in disbelief. “I believe that is 15, I win”, you playfully patted and ruffled Arthur’s hair. “Looks like we know who the cute one is and who the true sexy one is after all. I do believe, I warned you that I was quite the ladies lady back in the day,” you said while bursting into laughter. “Plus nothing screams sexy like this sexy black dress”, you said while tracing your hand over the curves of your body. Your black dress was perfect, conservative enough not to show too much, yet body-hugging enough to show off your every curve.  

Arthur simply hung his head in defeat. You couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him “Aww don’t be cross with me, love”, you gave him a little kiss on the cheek and gently took hold of one of his hands lacing your fingers with his “You know, even though I am a babe magnet, my heart will always belong to you, Deez Nutz,” you said while pushing your lips together trying to stifle a laugh. 

Arthur simply groaned and buried his face in is hands. This was most definitely going to be the longest 2 weeks of his life 

Turns out your horrible day want so horrible after all

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Lol hope yall enjoyed ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

[darkdevasofdestruction]

Platinum Cherry Blossom - Kujo Jotaro (1/2)

MULAN x STARDUST CRUSADERS & VENTO AUREO (just a tiny bit)

Cast:

Fa Mulan - Reader Li Shang - Kujo Jotaro Fa Li (Mulan’s mother) - Bruno Buccellati (You had it coming...) Fa Zhou (Mulan’s father) - Leone Abbacchio (Godamn it, me...) Little Brother (Mulan’s dog) - Ghirga Narancia (Wtf am I doing?) Grandmother Fa - Guido Mista (By this point, you can go ahead and throw me out of the window) The Matchmaker - Trish Una (Sorry, girl, I never liked you) Chi Fu (Annoying Advisor) - Enyaba The Emperor - Joseph Joestar General Li - Sadao (Jotaro’s dad that’s not busy playing the sax anymore) Shan Yu - Dio Brando Yao - Jean - Pierre Polnareff Ling - Kakyoin Noriaki Chien-Po - Avdol Muhammad  Mushu - Iggy Cricket - Sex Pistols (Mainly #5)

Oh boy, this is gonna be quite the ride... And BOY am I gonna have fun with this!

ALSO, I will make this a 2 part story because apparently it’s getting too damn long and I wouldn’t want to make a novel on a single post!

CLICK HERE FOR:

PART 2

Somewhere, far away, during a night with the full moon peeking from behind the clouds, many soldiers were walking up and down the Great Chinese Wall, making sure no threats were to befall the Kingdom...

However, this very night seemed to be rather problematic for one simple soldier, whose helmet had been stolen by a bird...But it was not just any bird, it was a hawk.

The man stared in confusion at the bird that perked itself on a spear, croaking into the night, and almost as if on cue, a grappling hook was thrown high into the sky, latching itself onto the stone wall.

As the man stepped forward to see what was going on, countless more hooks rained in the sky, grabbing onto the wall, and it was then that he realised they were under attack, which made him yell out for his comrades, telling them to light the signal, running towards the little base.

Much to his dismay, instead of his allies, huge huns came out instead, so he quickly jumped on the wooden ladder before they could chop it off, and climbing on the roof, he grabbed a lit torch, only to be met face to face with the abominable Hun leader, Dio Brando, his hawk obediently latching itself on his master’s shoulder.

The loyal shoulder realised he had no chance to win a 1 on 1 combat, so he threw his torch in the tar filled fountains, and thus, alerting all the other bases situated on the Wall, and in turn, all of them lighting up the signal.

“Now all of China knows you’re here!” the solder spoke bravely, feeling a sense of pride as he was able to at least alert the Emperor of the potential danger.

In turn, the enemy leader only smirked widely, breaking the Chinese flag and lighting it up on fire, only saying one word - “Perfect.”

His plan was going accordingly, and the little soldier that only did his duty as instructed, fell right into his master plan.

---

In the Palace, General Kujo, along with 2 of his soldier, went to alert the Emperor of the grave new befalling the Empire, and thus, kneeling and bowing in front of him, his face grave and stern.

“Your Majesty, the Huns have crossed our northern border.” Sadao informed the Emperor, but he was quickly cut off by his advisor. “Impossible! No once can get through the Great Wall!” Enyaba sneered at the general, hitting her staff on the ground. “Dio Brando is leading them. We’ll set up defenses around your palace immediately.” the general declared, but his words were denied by the wise Emperor. “No. Send your troops to protect my people.” Emperor Joestar informed. “Enyaba.” “Yes, Your Highness?” the old woman asked. “Deliver conscription notices throughout all the provinces. Call up reserves and as many new recruits as possible.”  Joseph ordered the advisor. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I believe my troops can stop him.” the General tried to reason with his master. “I won’t take any chances, General. A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man may be the difference between victory and defeat.” the Emperor explained to the man in front of him, while also giving him a gentle new lesson of life.

---

In another part of China, there was a girl that recently turned of age, and had to be sent to the Matchmaker very soon, to find a suitable husband for her - Until then, she had to revise constantly the lessons of proper etiquette and lady mannerism that have been taught to her since she was but a little babe.

“Quiet and demure. Graceful. Polite. Delicate. Refined. Poised. Punctual!” the girl sat in bed, eating rice and neatly writing the words on her arm, so she would remember them later on, when needed.

However, as soon as she spoke out the last word, the rooster sang and she quickly jolted up from the bed, calling out for her little brother, Narancia, while blowing on her skin so the ink would dry. “Narancia! Nara...! Ah, there you are!” the girl found her little brother snoring on the floor, no doubt having fallen asleep again while playing. “Aww, Nara, who’s the most adorable little brother in the world?! Come on, help me out, it’s gonna be fun!” she said, dragging her hyperactive brother out of his room. “You want me to help you with your chores, right? You’ve got it!” he grinned widely, as the girl took a bag of grains, roped it around her brother’s waist and gave him a nice treat, telling him where to run so the chickens would all get to eat.

But of course, just as he was going out of the room...He missed the door and hit himself on the wall. No worries, though, he quickly recovered and started running around the garden, trying to use up all the energy he had.

On the other hand, their father, Leone, kneeled inside the shrine of their ancestors, bowing and praying for them, knowing very well what kind of daughter he had and how she needed to be tamed, in a way.

“Damn it, Ancestors, if you truly are there, PLEASE help my daughter impress that annoying Matchmaker today. I promise I won’t drink sake for the rest of the week.” just as he said that, Narancia got in the shrine, circled his father, and left, just like that.

The grains that remained in the shrine attracted quite a lot of chickens, which only exasperated Abbacchio further.

“PLEASE help her, or at least help my headache, or I have no idea what I’m gonna do.” he groaned, facepalming.

In the meantime, Y/N had enough time to dress up nicely and brush her hair, pulling it in a neat tail in the back, as she went to the shrine, hurriedly bringing her father some tea, only to bump into him, make the cup fall and shatter.

But she was prepared, she already knew she may or may not fuck up, so she brought a spare cup, smiling in victory at her witty plan.

“Remember, the doctor said 3 cups of tea in the morning, and 3 at night. Only that will help you with the pain caused by the war against the Hun Diavolo.” she smiled, not caring that her father was constantly calling out her name so she would pay attention. “Y/N...Why aren’t you in town already? We are counting on you to-” he began saying, only to be neatly cut off by the girl. “To uphold the family honour.” she smiled at him.

In truth, Abbacchio was rather annoyed with having to constantly repeat that ‘Honour’ bullshit, almost as if he was some robot manufactured only to bring honour, but he was aware of how cruel society can be to those who don’t abide the rules, so even if he had to hurt his daughter’s feelings, in a way, by not letting her be free and do as she pleases, he’d rather her live a normal life than be hated and shunned.

“Don’t worry, papa, I won’t let you down.” the girl smiled sweetly at him as she unconsciously tugged down on her sleeve to cover the words written in ink. “Wish me luuuuck~!” she thrilled as she started skipping down the stairs. “I’m...Going to pray some more...And drink some sake...” Leone sighed, looking down at his little son as he came next to him, munching on some nice treat.

---

In town, Bruno was pacing up and down, waiting for her daughter to appear already, until some woman came out of the building, calling out to him.

“Bruno Buccellati, is your daughter here already?  The Matchmaker is not a patient woman.” she informed the worrying man as she went back inside. “Of all days to be late...I should have prayed to the ancestors for luck.” he sighed, looking up to the sky with a worried expression. “How lucky can they be? They’re all dead! Besides, I’ve got ALL the luck we’ll need! This is your chance to prove yourselves, Pistols!” grandpa Mista smirked, looking at the playful bullets in his little birdcage, wanting to do a little test of luck.

He covered his eyes with his hand, letting his lucky bullets guide his fate as he passed the street, despite Bruno’s warnings... But of course, Mista was on the other side of the road, not touched by the traffic. The same can’t be said about the traffic, however, as there was only chaos and mayhem where she stepped.

“Yep, these bullets are lucky ones! Now, as long as there’s no Number 4, Y/N won’t have to fear a thing!” Mista cheered carefree, showing off the birdcage in which the bullets were cheering as well.

As if on cue, a gorgeous black horse, ridden by none other than Y/N, came in sigh, and she quickly jumped off in front of her ‘mother’, claiming that she’s there...With an ear of wheat stuck in her hair.

“What? But, Mama, I had to -” the girl tried to reason her tardiness, but her mum had none of it. “None of your excuses. Now, let’s get you cleaned up.” Bruno cut her off, getting her inside the building.

“This is what you give me to work with Well honey, I've seen worse We're going to turn this sow's ear into a silk purse” the woman sang as she undressed Y/N and threw her in the bubbly bath.

“It’s freezing!” the poor girl shivered, hugging herself. “It would have been warm if you were here on time.” Bruno scolded her gently.

“We'll have you washed and dried Primped and polished till you glow with pride Trust my recipe for instant bride You'll bring honor to us all” the woman sang again as she started washing the girl’s hair with much pride.

“Y/N, what is this?” Bruno raised his eyebrow in confusion as he tried to scrub the girl’s arm and noticed the scribblings. “Uhhh...Notes? In case I forget something?” the girl tried to play it cool, awkwardly taking her arm back. “Hold this. We’ll need more luck than I thought.” Mista chuckled, giving Bruno the bird cage with the bullets, as the girl finished bathing and put on a simple white robe.

“Wait and see, when we're through” the first woman sang, cheerfully brushing half half of Y/N’s hair. “Boys will gladly go to war for you” the second woman sang, brushing the other half of her hair, then tying it up in an updo with a red ribbon. “With good fortune” the first woman began her verse, letting the other one continue. “And a great hairdo.” the other one said, putting the mirror in front of her and the girl. “You'll bring honor to us all” the women sang, accompanied by Bruno.

“A girl can bring her family Great honor in one way By striking a good match And this could be that day” all the women were singing outside the building as Bruno was walking Y/N to the seamstresses, and in the way, the girl stopped to ponder the best move for checkers, beating the elderly man who thought he won...Before being dragged by her mum.

“Men want girls with good taste” the seamstress dressed in green sang “Calm” the one dressed in blue chirped simply. “Obedient“ Bruno cheered, helping the women with the red sash. “Who work fast paced” the plump seamstress jumped off the stool. “With good breeding and a tiny waist” Bruno sang, throwing the other end of the sash to the blue seamstress. “You'll bring honor to us all” they both sang as they suffocated the poor girl the the sash tightly knotted, but she at least looked stunning.

“We all must serve our Emperor Who guards us from the Huns A man by bearing arms A girl by bearing sons” everyone seemed to sing this overly annoying and indoctrinated song as the poor girl was dragged to the make up artist.

“When we're through You can't fail Like a lotus blossom soft and pale How could any fellow say "no sale" You'll bring honor to us all” the make up artist caked her face with the traditional make up for soon to be brides, and the girl simply took out a strand of hair to cover her forehead, admiring herself in the mirror.

“There, you're ready.” Bruno smiled tenderly at his daughter, taking out a gorgeous lower comb and putting it in her hair, caressing her face with pride and love. “Not yet!” Mista hurried inside with a huge grin. “An apple for serenity.” he began, putting a shiny red apple in her mouth. “A pendant for balance.” he continued, putting a lucky charm in her sash. “Beads of jade for beauty.“ he trailed on, putting the necklace around her neck. “You must proudly show it!” he raised up her chin, so she’ll carry herself with pride. “Now add the Pistols, just for luck! And even you can't blow it!” Mista put the birdcage to the sash, winking at the girl and doing a playful hip-hit with the girl, urging her to join the rest of her peers.

“Ancestors, hear my plea Help me not to make a fool of me And to not uproot my family tree Keep my father standing tall!” the girl smiled up at the sky, praying and rushing after the rest of the maidens.

“Scarier than the undertaker We are meeting our matchmaker” the rest of the girl sang, as Y/N quickly caught up to them. “Destiny, guard our girls And our future as it fast unfurls Please look kindly on these cultured pearls Each a perfect porcelain doll” all the women around sang, encouraging their daughters.

“Please bring honor to us- Please bring honor to us- Please bring honor to us- Please bring honor to us- Please bring honor to us all!” the girls sang, opening their coloured sun umbrellas and kneeling in front of the Matchmaker’s house in sync...Well, almost.

“Y/N” the Matchmaker Trish took out the pen from her hairdo and phlegmatically called out her name. “Present!” Y/N raised quickly, raising her hand enthusiastically. “Speaking without permission.” Trish sneered, turning her back to the girl and walking inside. “...Oops.” Y/N muttered, facepalming, realising that she was already fucking up. “Who spit in her bean curd?” she could hear her grandpa ask Bruno, which made her giggle softly.

Inside, Matchmaker Una started severely analysing her, saying she’s too skinny, not good for bearing sons, all while one of the Pistols, specifically Number 3, managed to escape the birdcage and was jumping around like a little cricket, making the girl quietly try to catch it, only to have to put it in her mouth as the pink haired ugly lady turned around, getting annoyingly close to her face, telling her to recite the final admonition.

Taking out her fan and hiding her face behind it, she quickly spit the bullet and started reciting what she remembered from the poem she kept repeating over and over at home.

“Fulfill your duties calmly and...Respectfully. Uhm...Reflect before you snack...Act! This shall bring you honour and glory.” the girl sighed in relief as she got it right and got away with the little cheating she did, despite the Matchmaker looking to see if she had anything written on her fan. “Now, pour the tea.” Trish dragged her by the wrist to the table, and so, getting ink on her hand without realising, much to the girl’s horror. “To please your future in-laws, you must demonstrate a sense of dignity...And refinement.” Y/N didn’t even relise she was spilling the tea on the table, just next to the cup, as she was staring blankly at the beard Matchmaker Una did on her face with her fingers. “You must also be poised.” the girl quickly poised herself and poured the tea in the cup this time, only to see #3 bathing peacefully in the warm beverage. “Uhmmm, pardon me...” the girl tried to warn the magenta haired woman as she took the cup to drink, only to get scolded. “AND silent!” she glared at the beautiful girl, raising the cup, taking a sniff of it. “Could I just take that back? Just one moment.” the girl asked, crawling on the table and taking a hold of the cup...Only to spill it on the Matchmaker’s face and clothes. “WHY, you, clumsy...!”

The pink haired woman was ready to shake the girl and scold her, only to realise she had something in her clothes, that make her shake and walk backwards, hitting the immolated coals used for the tea, and falling on them, creating a hole in her clothes and for her to jump up and down, trying to put off the fire, while shrieking like a monkey.

Y/N’s brilliant idea was to fan the hole, only to make the fire grow even more, and the woman burst out of her building, yelling for someone to put the fire out, as the younger girl threw the tea at her, successfully extinguishing the fire...

And her chances of marriage.

She softly handed her the teapot back as she covered her face and started walking back to her family.

“YOU ARE A DISGRACE! You MAY look like a bride, but you will NEVER bring your family honour!” Trish Una screeched in her face, as make up and tea were smearing down her face.

Everyone on the streets left, as only Bruno and Mista stood there, quietly trying to console the girl.

In vain, though.

She rode back home, not even able to face her smiling father, as she walked her horse back to the stables, looking at herself on the water sheen, watching herself with disappointment and anger.

“Look at me I will never pass for a perfect bride...” the girl sang to herself as she exited the stables and walked by the house, only to see Bruno tell Leone what happened at the Matchmaker and their reactions crushed her. “Or a perfect daughter Can it be I'm not meant to play this part Now I see That if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family's heart” she sighed, taking out the Pistols and letting them hang around her as she walked to the beautiful garden, on the way there jumping on the bridge rail and skipping on the posts.

“Who is that girl I see Staring straight, back at me Why is my reflection someone I don't know” she sang, watching herself in the pond before looking at the sky with a sorrowful look, before making her way to the shrine.

“Somehow I cannot hide Who I am Though I've tried When will my reflection show who I am inside When will my reflection show who I am inside” the girl continued, bowing down in front of the graves, using her sleeve to wipe away the dreadful make up and letting her hair down, before going back to the garden and sitting on the stone bench under the gorgeous Cherry tree.

Just as she sat down, she heard someone clear their throat, only to reveal the lavender haired man she called father looking at her with an expression that was much gentler than usual.

The girl couldn’t even face him, so she quickly snapped her head away, combing her hair with her fingers, looking down with her eyes closed, as the man sat down next to her.

“Huh...We have quite the nice blossoms this year...Oh, look at that. That one’s blooming rather late. I bet all the sake I have that when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.” Abbacchio tried to reassure his daughter, taking the flower comb from her lap and fixing her hair, making her smile at him with a thankful expression.

They shared a tender look of love that was quickly interrupted by the sound of drums, making the man frown in confusion and dread.

He realised what was happening, as all the family went out to the gates, but while Bruno told the girl to stay inside, Mista pointed to the boxes she could use to jump on the gate to spy on them.

The Royal advisor was telling them that the huns have invaded China and that at least 1 man from every family must serve the Emperor, and unfortunately, their family was called as well.

She watched her father limp with his chin up in front of the soldiers, bowing respectfully and taking the scroll from his hand, saying how honoured he is to serve the Emperor.

“Papa, you can’t go!” the girl jumped off and went in front of him, shielding him. “Please, sir, my father has already fought bravely and he is also injured-” she tried to beg them, but the hag Advisor rode in front of them, yelling at them. “Silence! You would do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man’s presence!” the Advisor cackled, riding her horse away. “Y/N...Godamn it, you just can’t stop dishonouring me.” Leone looked away from his daughter as the grandpa gently pulled her away, feeling sad, knowing her benevolent intentions.

Abbacchio nodded at the soldier as he told him the orders and limped back in the house, not even looking at Bruno or bothering to take his cane again, all while the advisor kept saying more and more names.

Leone went back to his room, looking at the armor, taking his sword and trying to wield it, just like before when he wasn’t injured, and took out his Stand, but soon, his leg gave away and was barely able to grab on a pillar and keep himself straight, panting in pain and cursing the huns for disturbing their peace and taking him away from his loving family.

What he didn’t know was that his daughter was watching him from the hallway, crying as her heart broke seeing her father go through something like that.

Their dinner was silent, as she poured everyone tea, thunder and lightning striking outside, but every little noise pissed her off, driving her to the edge, until she slammed her cup on the table, raising and looking at her father.

“You shouldn’t have to go!” her voice was raised, but it was cracking. “Y/N...!” Bruno gasped, trying to calm her down. “There are plenty of young men to fight for China!” she tried to reason. “It is an honour to protect my country and my family.” Abbacchio looked away, reciting the words he was indoctrinated to say. “So you’ll go there to die for your stupid honour?!” she gritted her teeth in anger. “I will die doing what’s right, for goddamn once!” he retorted back. “But if -” she tried to reason again, but he got to his feet, towering over her. “I know my place! It is time you learned yours!” he spoke so harshly, like never before, it was like he was someone else, which made the girl snap her eyes wide open in shock. “If you think that a graveyard is your place, then fine, do what you want! But don’t expect China to sing you praises and don’t expect me to mourn for you!” she started crying angry tears, running away from that place, done with the whole fanaticism around.

That’s when she knew what she had to do...But she was afraid to admit it. She stood on the stone totem, letting rain soak her as she cried, and from outside, she could see her father trying to console her mother, but Bruno couldn’t even look at his husband...

And it hurt.

So much.

She was ready.

She knew what she had to do.

She went to the shrine, lighting up an incense stick, praying to the ancestors, then went to her parents’ room, taking the scroll and replacing it with her flower comb, took the armor and sword from the wardrobe, cutting her gorgeous long hair so she would resemble a man, putting it in a bun.

She put on her armor, went to the stables to her horse and so, they rode away to fulfill the role of a man in China.

Just as she left the place, Mista woke up with a gasp, as Number 5 kept crying that Y/N was gone, so he lit a lantern and went to Bruno’s and Abbacchio’s room, alerting them of what happened, which made Leone stare at the older man with horror and remorse, taking the flower comb in his hand and rushing, with his cane, to the wardrobe -

The armor and sword were gone.

He ran outside, in the rain, not caring about anything but to have his daughter back...

“Y/N! GODDAMN IT, Y/N, PLEASE COME BACK, I’M SORRY!” his voice boomed through the place, but he slipped and fell down. “Leone, you must go after her! She could be killed!” Bruno worried, helping his husband get up. “If I reveal her...She will be...” Abbacchio bit his lip so hard, trying not to cry, that blood started to go down his mouth.

Instead, all he could do was curse himself for arguing with the daughter he loved so much and try to comfort Bruno, who was crying in his shoulder, while Mista could only watch in sorrow the pair while praying to the Ancestors to have her be okay.

Somewhere in the Shrine, the ghost of Kars summoned someone named “Iggy” who awoke from a dark and fiery mist, screeching “I LIIIIIIVE!” 

Kars had to scold Iggy for his over enthusiasm, as he hit the gong, waking all the ancestors to discuss the fate of the girl. The Zeppelis and the Speedwagons were fighting between themselves, there was the whole chaos that resulted in Iggy destroying the statue of the protector, and cursing himself for having to create a plan not to die. Outside, he met with #5 and together, they went in search for the girl.

---

Somewhere in the mountains, Dio was riding his army of Stand users as the D’arby brothers found two spies and threw them in the middle of them.

As Dio jumped off the horse, Pet Shop, his hawk, perched itself on the shoulder, and the man went in front of the 2 scouts with a smirk, watching their terrified looks.

“Nice work, gentlemen. You found MY army. Dio’s army.” Dio spoke tauntingly. “Emperor Joestar will stop you!” the younger scout was brave enough to speak up. “Stop me? Haha! He invited me! By building his stupid Speedwagon wall, he challenged my strength...My authority! Well, I’m here to play his little game.” the blond man took the poor spy by his throat, taking out his Stand, before throwing the man to the ground, feigning to put The World on them. “Go! Out of my sight! Tell Joseph Joestar to send his strongest armies! I’m ready. None may challenge me.” Dio made them run away, before stroking his chin, mockingly. “How many men does it take to deliver a message, I wonder~?” he crossed his arms, waiting for The Empress to act. “One, my Lord.” she laughed as she attached her Stand to one the men’s arm, easily killing one of them.

---

Y/N, who was looking through the bamboo forest at the army camp, glanced at her horse and clearing her throat, did her best manly impersonation, only to have the horse roll on the ground, neigh-laughing at her, which only made her roll her eyes in annoyance.

What neither of them was expecting was a big fire to form behind the rocks and the silhouette of a dog, and a dark voice calling out to them.

“Did I hear someone ask for a miracle? Let me hear you say AAAARGHHH!” the voice roared, scaring the girl, screaming and hiding behind a rock along with her horse. “That’s close enough.” the being chuckled in a lighter tone. “A ghost?” the girl whispered to herself, unsure of what she was seeing. “Get ready, Y/N, your canine salvation is at hand! For I have been sent by your ancestors to guide you through your masquerade! So heed my word! ‘Cause if the army finds out you’re a girl, the penalty is DEATH!” the scary being’s rawr echoed through the place. “Who are you...?” she asked, peeking from behind the rock. “Who am I? WHO am I?! I am the guardian of lost souls! I am the powerful! The pleasurable! The indestructible Iggy!” from behind the rock, Y/N saw a small and adorable dog grinning at her with a shit-eating smirk.

The girl and her horse felt rather disappointed at the help they received, so much that the cabalin started trampling on the dog because of the fear it sent them through, only to have the girl gently push it away and pick the dog by the tail, no longer a pancake on the ground.

“Uh...My ancestors send a little puppy to help me?” she asked in disdain. “Hey, hound! Hound, not puppy! I don’t to the tail wagging.” Iggy said, only to wag his tail rapidly. “You’re, uhm...Tiny. Very tiny.” the girl looked at him weirdly. “Of course, I’m travel-size for your convenience. If I was my real size, your cow here would die of fright” Iggy boasted, as the horse tried to hit him with his hoof again. “...Down, Bessie. My powers are beyond your mortal imagination. For instance, my eyes can see straaaaight through your armor...OOH!” Iggy wagged his tail, almost lecherously, making the girl put her arm around her chest instinctively, kicking the dog away, only for him to stumble next to #5. “All right, that’s it! Dishonour! Dishonour on your whole family! Dishonour on you, dishonour on your cow-” he began, making #5 take a note of all the things she brought dishonour to.

“Okay, I know, it’s a little late for that anyway. I’m sorry, Iggy, it’s just...I’m very nervous. I’ve never done this before.” she apologised, which made Iggy start scolding and teaching her as they all walked to the camp. “Okay, now show me your man walk.” he instructed, hiding in her hood. “Shoulders back, chest high, feet apart, head up and strut.” he said, controlling her, and prancing through the camp, looking awkwardly as everyone was staring at her weirdly. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Iggy asked in amusement, as the girl started at everyone in disgust. “No, they’re disgusting.” she scrunched up her nose, seeing someone use chopsticks to get the dirt from between his toes. “No, they are men. You have to act like them, so pay attention.” Iggy instructed again.

Of course, somehow, she got in front of a man showing off her red dragon tattoo on his plump belly and chest, saying it will protect him from harm. The silver haired man punched him in the gut, making the red haired one laugh healthily, patting the silver haired on the shoulder, telling the unfortunate one that he should get his money back.

“I...Don’t think I can do this...” she looked in horror and disgust at the display in front of her. “What are ya looking at?!” the one who punched asked, looking at her with a weird look. “Punch him! It’s how men say hello!” Iggy urged her, and she complied, punching the buff silver haired man, making him stumble into the smiling black man, who patted his shoulders. “Oh, Polnareff, you’ve made a friends!” he hummed in amusement. “Good. Slap him on the butt, they like that.” Iggy told her again, and she complied without question. “WHOA WHOA WHOA! I’m gonna hit you SO hard, it’ll make your ancestors dizzy!” Polnareff took her my the neck, glaring down at her. “Polnareff, relax and chant with me.” the man took him by the shoulders and started chanting some traditional tune, trying to calm down his friend, which seemed to work. “Ayyy, you ain’t worth my time...Chicken boy.” he insulted, making Iggy get out of her hood and yell out, incredibly offended, the same insult, almost in disbelief. “Say that to my face, ya limp noodle!” Iggy cried out, making Polnareff try to hit them, but instead, she dodged and he hit the red haired boy instead, blacking his eye. “Oh. Sorry, Kakyoin.” Polnareff chuckled sheepishly.

And so, somehow, the girl tried to hide while the 3 were fighting, but Kakyoin saw her and they ran after her, only to get fooled and have to abruptly stop by the food line...

And Avdol not to be able to stop in time and to send everyone down, like Domino, while the girl was looking at them with a guilty expression.

Meanwhile, in the general tent, Sadao was explaining strategies to his son, Jotaro, telling him that he will have to stay here and train the new recruits, waiting for Enyaba’s approval to get into battle, naming him Captain Kujo, who smirked in pride and accomplishment, thanking his father.

Leaving the tent, however, he noticed the mayhem that left him jaw-dropped, and his father left, letting him to whatever he wanted as he went for the surprise attack on the Huns.

Jotaro stepped in front of them,  yelling out for them to shut the hell up, only for them all to stop and point at the poor girl, saying she started it all - Girl who was huddled on the ground in a fetal position, trying to keep herself from getting hurt.

She quickly got up from the ground, noticing the man’s aquamarine eyes glaring down at her, and dusting herself, she gulped, awaiting a good scholding.

“I don’t need anyone causing trouble in my camp.” Jotaro grunted, towering over her even while she was standing. “Sorry. Uhm...S-Sorry you had to see that...Uh..You know how it you...But you know how it is when you get those uh...Manly urges and you just gotta kill something. Fix things. Cook outdoors.” she did the best manly impression, which was extremely exaggerate, especially by the awkward punch on Jotaro’s arm, or the way she would punch her chest. “What’s your name?” the brunet man asked the girl, who started stuttering, and looking away, trying to come up with a name. “Your commanding officer just asked you a question!” Enyaba scolded her, hitting her legs with her staff. “Uh...I’ve got a name. Ha! And it’s a boy’s name, too! Uhmmm...” she trailed on, waiting for Iggy to say something. “How about Kakyoin?” he whispered softly. “His name is Kakyoin.” she answered, not realising that Jotaro was getting closer to her. “That’s not what I asked.” he grunted, glaring at her. “Ah...Ah Chu?” Iggy giggled. “Ah Chu.” the girl said, absent-minded. “...Ah Chu?” Jotaro raised his eyebrow in disbelief. “Gesundheit! Haha...I kill myself.” Iggy giggled even more at his own silliness. “Iggy...!”  she tried to warn her companion. “Iggy?” Jotaro raised his voice in annoyance. “Fugo! Say Fugo, he was my best friend-” he trailed on, making the girl shush him by quickly grabbing his mouth. “Fugo. My name is Fugo.” she finally answered. “Let me see your conscription notice.” Jotaro snatched the scroll from her sash, opening it. “Abbacchio Leone? THE Abbacchio Leone?” he asked, raising his eyebrow in surprise. “I didn’t know Abbacchio Leone had a son.” Enyaba was just as shocked. “He, uh...Doesn’t talk about me much.” she tried to play it cool, by trying to spit on the ground...And failing. “I can see why. The boy’s an absolute lunatic.” Enyaba tried to say to Jotaro, only to have everyone snigger in amusement. “Thanks to your friend, Fugo, you will all spend tonight picking up every single grain of rice. And tomorrow, the real work begins. Don’t think either of you can slack off.” Captain Kujo ordered before leaving for his tent, everyone around growling at the poor girl. “You know...We have to work on your people skills.” Iggy said, making the girl sigh.

At the end of the day, she pitched her tent away from the others, just in case, and it’s needless to say that she fell asleep within seconds.

The next day, Iggy woke Y/N up by making #5 cry, snatching her blanket, forcing food down her throat, trying to get her to look more fierce and making her get up and run, while he tried to bring her the sword, but it was too late. 

By the time she arrived, everyone was making fun of the annoying Enyaba, until Kakyoin noticed her and her tardiness, while Polnareff mocked her by asking if she was hungry.

Thankfully, she was saved from a ‘Knuckle Sandwich” by Jotaro who yelled for them to shut up and went to the wooden lances, taking off his shirt, as the girl could only whistle in her head how hot he was, not even caring what he was talking about discipline and whatever.

Of course, Polnareff had to mock him, which only resulted in everyone stepping back from the line, highlighting him, while Jotaro took a bow and arrow, making his Stand, Star Platinum, shooting it to the top of the wooden pole.

“Glad someone volunteered. Go retrieve that arrow...Without your Stand.” Jotaro smirked in amusement seeing Polnareff’s crestfallen face that quickly turned into a scowl as he cracked his knuckles, ready for action. “I’ll get that arrow, pretty boy.” he murmured, glaring at the arrow. “And I’ll do it with my shirt on.” he walked in front of the pole, readying himself to jump on it, only to get stopped by the captain once again. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” he asked, getting 2 golden weights and wrapping them around the man’s wrists. “These represent discipline and strength. You need both to reach the arrow.” he declared, while everyone was silently chuckling, seeing the silver haired man go through such torture.

Of course, no matter how much he struggled, neither he, nor Kakyoin, Avdol or the girl could do anything else but fail.

“Yare Yare Daze...We’ve got a lot to do.” he tipped his hat, going to the wooden sticks and throwing everyone one.

Of course, the petty Polnareff had to catch Y/N’s lance and use it to hit her legs, making her fall, acting as if nothing happened.

“Let's get down to business, to defeat the Huns” Jotaro sang, showing off by easily twirling the stick around, then getting the 2 vases by their handle, throwing them to the sky and easily breaking them, making everyone gasp in awe.

“Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons?” he sang as everyone was supposed to replicate everything, but Kakyoin wanted to pull a prank on the girl, putting a beetle in her clothes, making her hit and knock down everyone as she attempted to get the disgusting creature away.

“You're the saddest bunch I ever met But you can bet before we're through Mister, I'll make a man out of you” he continued as he used the stick to jump into the air, doing a fancy flip and landing in front of the girl, who hit him in the gut without realising, which in turn made him take her by the shirt, glaring at her to stop her foolishness.

“Tranquil as a forest but on fire within” he tried to teach everyone how to properly shoot arrows in the bullseye while also getting an arrow, which made Iggy try to give the girl an arrow that already had an apple, but they easily got caught

“Once you find your center, you are sure to win You're a spineless, pale, pathetic lot And you haven't got a clue” this time, he had a wooden water basin on his head, using his stick to dodge or hit the rocks thrown at him by everyone else. When it was time for Y/N to replicate, the basin fell on her head, blinding her as she got hit by all rocks, and even managed to sent on his way, which he swiftly dodged, rolling his eyes at her.

“Somehow I'll make a man out of you” he showed them how to catch fish from the river, but she somehow managed to catch Polnareff’s toes instead, and had Iggy bring her a salmon.

“I'm never gonna catch my breath” poor Avdol sighed, trying to dodge the burning arrows sent his way.

“Say goodbye to those who knew me” Polnareff fell to the ground, an arrow lodging itself in his butt.

“Boy, was I a fool in school for cutting gym” Kakyoin whined, hitting his head on a stone, trying to break it, but only getting his face smashed instead. “This guy's got 'em scared to death” Iggy chuckled, as he tried to wash Y/N’s face as Jotaro blackened her eye in a hand to hand sparring. “Hope he doesn't see right through me” she thrilled, trying to get herself up, despite feeling like her horse jumped on her. “Now I really wish that I knew how to swim” Avdol cried out, as they all tried to jump on the poles in the water, only to stop, almost falling, and getting everyone to fall off instead.

“Be a man We must be swift as the coursing river Be a man With all the force of a great typhoon Be a man With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon” they chanted as they tried to learn how to use the firework explosives, only to somehow get Kakyoin to fool with Y/N’s dragon and make Enyaba’s tent catch fire.

At the end of the day, Jotaro was sitting on a rock far up above the camp, sighing to himself, not realising how much of a drag everything was going to be, and feeling as if he was getting nowhere with them.

“Time is racing toward us till the Huns arrive Heed my every order and you might survive” the next day they had to get water by carrying 2 buckets on a stick on their shoulders, but the poor girl really wasn’t used to such exhausting physical labour and fell on the ground, making Captain Kujo go to her, take the buckets, looking at her with disappointment, before jogging to the front of the line again.

“You're unsuited for the rage of war So pack up, go home, you're through How could I make a man out of you?” at the end of the 2nd day, he took her horse’s reigns, giving it to her, not wanting to look at her, that’s how much of a disappointment she was.

However, that only seemed to motivate her further, as she quickly knotted the weights around her wrists and started trying to climb up the pole, despite being the dead of night and needing a much deserved sleep.

“Be a man We must be swift as the coursing river Be a man With all the force of a great typhoon Be a man With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon” it took all night for her to be able to catch the drift of how it was done, and when the morning Sun rose and her fellow colleagues were starting to get out of their tents, she was almost there, reaching the top.

She still stumbled a bit, being drenched in sweat, but her ambition and motivation were strong enough for her to pull through, and she managed to get on the top of the pole, making everyone cheer as she weakly panted in victory.

As soon as Jotaro got out of his tent to see what the whole chaos was about, an arrow was thrown at him, as he then noticed the girl perched up on the pole, waving and smiling sheepishly at him.

It was then that he could finally feel a sense of accomplishment, seeing his worst student succeed after so much training.  It was her resolve - Unbreakable - Just as his.

“Be a man We must be swift as the coursing river Be a man With all the force of a great typhoon Be a man With all the strength of a raging fire Mysterious as the dark side of the moon”  by the end of it, everyone was able to properly shoot, the girl easily managed to knock him out in a hand to hand combat, everyone was able to get their balance on point and skip on the water poles, they could all carry the water buckets, catch fish from the river, be proper comrades and even be disciplined enough to use the stick.

Everything seemed fine to them, but they had no idea that Dio managed, with the help of Pet Shop, his hawk, to find out that the city in the pass was guarded by the imperial army, and they were going to kill those arrogant men who thought they could best him, Dio Brando!

Click here for 

PART 2!

[dakotacrisis]

Transferred (13)

Happy Halloween to you all! I would like to say I was saving this update for Halloween but I really was just that lazy about writing it even though I knew exactly what I wanted to write.

Anyhoo! Considering where we left off last chapter I think we can all assume what happens here. Lila aids an actual terrorist because she is the literal worst.

---

It’s over. It’s finally over.

Marinette breathed in the moment. Lila had finally been exposed. She couldn’t fool anyone anymore. Her old classmates knew the truth and Marinette’s name had been cleared.

It felt so good.

“Marinette?” Nanette scooted closer, “You’ve been really quiet for the past several minutes. Are you okay? Was it the video?”

“They know the truth. Everyone knows she’s a liar. I’m free.” Marinette’s laughter quickly spiraled into overwhelming sobs. Tears of joy. “I’m finally free.”

Nanette, Kagami and Quinn all reached over to envelope her in a hug. Marinette didn’t think that this would hit her so hard. She felt a tad ridiculous crying like this in the middle of the cafe. But goodness help her if she would have been able to stop.

Her phone buzzed on the table drawing her attention away. She took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. “You guys can let go now.” She told her friends, “I’m okay.”

“Are you sure?” Kagami asked.

“Yeah. All that stress about Lila finally left my body and it shook me up more than I thought it would.” she glanced at her phone. She missed whoever was calling her.

Kagami’s phone started buzzing this time.

“It’s Adrien,” Kagami answered, “Hello--huh? Adrien, slow down, I can’t understand you.”

The others stopped talking and looked to Kagami. “Yeah, she’s here.” Kagami looked at Marinette, “We’re at the Winking Violet Cafe. What’s going on? What’s happened?”

“Adrien?” Marinette got closer to the phone, “What’s wrong?”

“Marinette! Lila got akumatized and she’s hunting down everyone that exposed her.” Adrien’s voice sounded panicked, “You need to go and hide.”

“Are you safe?” Hello again stress, missed you the whole ten seconds you were gone.

“I’m okay. Just find a good hiding spot and stay safe. Ladybug and Chat Noir will take care of Lila.”

“Yes they will.” Marinette clenched her fists, “You stay safe too.”

She looked at her friends. “Lila is akumatized so we need to get to a safe place.”

“Too late!” A voice outside the cafe snarled. The windows crashed and everyone ducked for cover from the flying glass shards.

An enormous fox with nine long tails stood in the middle of the cafe. It’s eyes trained solely on Marinette now sprawled on the ground.

“Marinette,” the fox growled, “You wanted to paint me as a monster so now that’s what I am and you are going to pay!”

“Lila, stop this!” Marinette yelled at her.

“I am not Lila! I am Kitsune! And you are dead meat!” Kitsune pounced at Marinette.

“Back off!” Kagami threw herself between Marinette and Kitsune. She was wielding a table chair like she was some kind of old lion tamer. “Marinette! Run!”

“Kagami--!”

“You think you can take me?” Kitsune laughed. “One pathetic little wannabe hero against a monster?”

“How about two?” Quinn jumped in as well.

“DIE YOU POKEMON WANNABE!” Nanette threw Marinette’s muffin at Kitsune. There is a literal glass vase that would do for a better distraction but instead she sacrificed the soft food item. Wasteful!

“But--” Marinette couldn’t just leave her friends but she also needed to get away to transform.

“GO!” The three of them yelled at her.

With a heavy heart she pushed off the floor and made a break for the exit. Kitsune tried to follow but Kagami, Nanette, and Quinn blocked her way. She needed to find a secluded spot and fast!

“Come back here!” Kitsune pounded down the street after Marinette.

“I gotcha!” Marinette was scooped up and vaulted into the air.

“Chat Noir?” Marinette looked at her partner, “How did you find me?”

“Uh...your friend Adrien told me.” Chat answered.

“Adrien? Is he okay?” Marinette asked, now even more worried.

“He’s safe. I promise.” He set Marinette down on top of a roof, “Stay here. Ladybug and I will take care of Kitsune.”

“Thanks, Chat Noir.” Marinette waited until he was out of sight before opening her purse, “He’s gonna need help. Tikki, transform me!”

As soon as she was powered up Marinette took off to take down Kitsune. She should have saw this coming. Of course Lila would get akumatized after she was exposed. Nothing to do now but take her down and purify the akuma before she hurt anyone else.

She found Kitsune prowling the streets and snapping at anyone not quick enough to get out of her way. “This isn’t ideal.” Marinette muttered. She couldn’t even see an akuma object on her anywhere.

“You can say that again.” Chat Noir sighed. Marinette hadn’t even heard him approach. “I barely managed to get to Marinette before our nine tailed friend down there tried to eat her.”

“I was having such a good day before this.” Marinette sighed, “Did you happen to see anything that could be holding the akuma earlier?”

“Nope.”

“Perfect.”

“Do we have a plan?”

“Go down there, protect civilians, keep Kitsune detained until we find the akuma, kick some butt.”

“Are you still sick? You’re usually a little more serious in these matters.”

“I got a lot of energy and I wanna do some butt kicking. Let’s do this!” Marinette jumped into the fray with Chat Noir behind her.

She lashed out her yo-yo wrapping around Kitsune’s throat and pulled her back from a group of civilians like a dog on a leash. “Get out of here!”

The civilians sped off just as Kitsune threw the yo-yo off. She turned to Marinette and Chat Noir baring her teeth and growling. “I was hoping to sink my teeth into a baker’s daughter but I’ll settle for hero instead.”

Kitsune lunged at them but they dodged out of the way. Chat Noir tripped her up and beat her down with his staff as best he could while Marinette leashed her and searched for the akuma. There really isn’t anything on her. She’d have to get closer. Maybe there was a necklace or something hidden in her fur.

“Chat Noir!” Marinette yelled, “Cover me!”

“On it!” Chat Noir jumped on Kitsune’s back, extending his staff so it stuck between her jaws like a crude bit.

She slid under Kitsune’s belly and groped around her neck. There has to be something!

Kitsune started to buck and thrash wildly. Marinette delved her hand deeper into her fur. It was like putting a hand in a wolf’s fur, it just kept going.

“AAAHHH!” Chat Noir was sent flying as Kitsune managed to knock him off her back.

“Darn it!” Marinette tried to roll out of the way but Kitsune was faster and swiped a massive paw at her head.

She pulled herself onto the nearest roof with her yo-yo and held the side of her head. It didn’t feel like she was hurt but one of her ribbons was gone. She pulled out the other ribbon and tied her hair back in a single ponytail for the time being.

“I’m back!” Chat Noir huffed as he made it back to the action. “You’d think I’d be used to getting thrown around like that but it never gets any easier.”

“Hope you’ve recovered because we still need to figure out where the akuma is hiding.” Marinette stared down at Kitsune who paced the street growling at them and carrying on about heroes ruining everything.

“Wait, I got it!” Chat Noir exclaimed, “I know where the akuma must be!”

“Where?”

“You see the tails?” Chat Noir pointed to the nine long tails Kitsune had. Each was tied off with what looked like a ribbon of sorts. “Those ties on them are the only other thing on her. The akuma must be hiding in one of those.”

“You’re right!” How had she not seen that before. “How’d you figure that out?”

“Well I was gonna make a comment about how cute the single ponytail looked on you when I had the realization. Doesn’t Lila usually wear her hair with little hair ties near the ends? Much like the ties on the end of Kitsune’s tails?”

“Chat, you’re brilliant!” Marinette praised her partner, “Since we know where the akuma is I think it’s time for this. Lucky Charm!”

She thrust her yo-yo into the air and out of the bright light dropped a plastic container. She opened it up and took a whiff. “Hoo!” she pinched her nose, “That is some seriously strong red pepper flakes.”

“What are we gonna do with that?” Chat asked.

Marinette looked around for something to help her. That hose, Chat Noir, his staff, her yo-yo, and the very potent red pepper flakes.

“I got it!” she explained her plan to Chat Noir. “Do you understand? She handed him the container.”

“You can count on me, my lady!” he jumped back onto the street drawing Kitsune’s attention.

While he was keeping her distracted Marinette grabbed the discarded hose laying on the street. “Now!” she shouted.

Chat Noir started spinning his staff until it created a powerful tunnel of wind and uncorked the container of pepper flakes so they flew directly into Kitsune’s face.

“Achoo!” Kitsune sneezed, “What do you think--achoo! A little pepper can’t--achoo! Achoo!”

Kitsune kept sneezing giving Marinette the opening she needed. She lashed out her yo-yo entangling her feet and knocking her to the ground. Next she bound the tails together with the house and pulled the ribbons off of all of them. She ripped each ribbon in half until a dark butterfly flew out of one.

“No more evil doing for you, little akuma.” she captured it in her yo-yo before releasing it purified back into the world, “Bye bye little butterfly!”

Chat Noir tossed her the pepper container. “Miraculous Ladybug!” the ladybugs went about correcting all the damage Kitsune had done. Including replacing Marinette’s single ponytail with her pigtails again.

“Pound it.” The duo bumped fists in victory.

“Huh?” Lila was back to normal and gazed around at the street. “But, I was--” she saw Ladybug and Chat Noir a few feet from her and frowned. “If it isn’t Crap Noir and Ladybarf.”

“Hey! I know you don’t like me but there is no reason to pick on my partner.” Marinette snapped at her. “We just saved you from destroying the city, again.”

“Whatever. This is the worst day ever!” Lila stomped her foot, “First with that pampered brat’s presentation and now this! I’m going home!”

Chat Noir didn’t let anything show as Lila stormed off. Usually he’d at least try to be the assuring one in these instances but he seemed to be basking in her bad mood as much as Marinette was.

“Do you think she’s okay to leave alone?” Marinette asked Chat Noir. “She seems really mad. What if she gets akumatized again?”

“I don’t think it’s that bad. She’ll sulk and fester in her anger for a while but I don’t think it’ll be so powerful as to get her akumatized twice in the same day.” Chat Noir shrugged.

“I hope you’re right.” Her earrings beeped. “I’m almost out of time. See you later, Chat Noir.”

“Have a wonderful rest of your day, my lady.” Chat Noir bowed before taking off in the other direction.

Marinette found an alley a couple streets down from the cafe to transform back in. Tikki nestled herself snugly in Marinette’s purse to munch on her cookie as they walked back to the cafe.

When she walked in everyone was in a buzz about the latest akuma attack. Kagami, Quinn, and Nanette were crowded in the corner looking at their phones frantically. Quinn noticed Marinette enter first and ran up to her.

“You’re okay!” Nanette and Kagami followed suit to crush Marinette in their arms.

“Of course I am.” Marinette assured them, “Is everyone here okay?”

“No!” Quinn smacked her arm, “You scared us half to death! The last we saw you a giant fox was chasing you down the street. We’ve been worried sick! You didn’t answer any of our calls, we thought something bad may have happened to you.”

“Sorry,” Marinette checker her phone. Sure enough there were a bunch of missed calls listed on her phone. Quinn, Nanette, Kagami, Alya, Aurore, and even one from Wayhem.

“She’s here now and she’s in one peice.” Kagami said, “That’s all that matters.”

“Well,” Nanette set her hands on her hips, “To celebrate not being mauled by a giant fox creature and the downfall of a horrible lying she-demon I say we take this party back up to my room for an impromptu dance party. Who’s with me?”

“Sounds ridiculous,” Kagami shook her head, “I’m in.”

“Yes!” Nanette grabbed her arm, “I knew I’d wear you down to the dumb fun level as the rest of us!”

The four of them adjourned to the apartment above the shop and filed into Nanette’s room. While the other three partied it up Marinette took a minute to call back her other friends to assure them she was okay. They wanted to talk more about Lila’s well deserved downfall but Marinette didn’t have the energy for it right now. They’d all meet up tomorrow to talk about it.

After her calls were finished she joined her friends back in the small bedroom where Quinn was trying to get Kagami to floss. Oh what sweet, weird, friends she had. Wasn’t flossing outdated yet? Who in the past couple months was flossing?

“I nabbed this from the cafe,” Nanette handed Marinette a muffin. “Since I sorta lobbed yours at an akuma earlier.”

“Thanks,” Marinette took her muffin and nibbled it as her friends laughed and danced around the room. Today was a great day.

---

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (14)

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(tagged)

@northernbluetongue @heredemaquam @zazzlejazzle @lady-flora-of-slytherin @ladylb @immatureidiot101 @kristycocopops @schrodingers25 @sublimemagazinestarlight @shamefullove 

[hecohansen31]

Preying On You:

(Vampire! Sojourn! Michael+Reader):

(A/N): Hello lovelies!

I have a lot to say before this fic so please excuse my sorry ass, for blabbering and let’s get this over with!

First of all this fic is dedicated to the lovely @sojournmichael (she is literally the sweetest person ever, and like I believe that humanity has a chance because she is alive) since she is actually a fan of vampire Michael so... hope you’ll enjoy this babe!

(Also big shoutout to @moonanonwriting who ispired a lot of vampire asks, Eva’s page, she is amazing and an aesthetic goddess, so be sure to check her out!).

(And also to @dyns33 who has a vampire foursome which is *chief kiss*, love you babe!).

Now personal thing: PLEASE DON’T LEAVE YOU FRIENDS ALONE AT NIGHT (both males and females)! I have been left a shit ton of times by my friend alone and although I am still here to tell the tale, it costs you nothing to accompany your friends and avoid them being alone and you might save a life.

Also the vampire society in this fic is inspired to the one of “The Black Dagger Brotherhood” (those are my favorite vampires books, highly suggested, if you are looking for smut and hot males!); if you need any more info on this world, please let me know both in asks or DMs.

I would love if you could leave an heart or a reblog (mostly because lately my fics are dying so...) and if you ever want to talk with me about it, my DMs are eternally open and my asks can also be anonymous, I love my shy babes!

Hope you’ll enjoy this!

SUMMARY: What was supposed to be a girls’ night out turn out much more bloody than what ou expected, but there might be some advantages to meeting a vampire...

WORDS: 6,6 K

WARNINGS: Unprotected (DON’T FORGET CONDOMS, KIDS), Rough Sex, Dub-Con, Blood Consumption and Blood Kink (THERE WILL BE BLOOD, KIDS!), Oral Sex (Female Receiving), Kidnapping (and mention of sexual trafficking, alongside use of drugs to kidnap), Michael being a bit of a stalker...

She wasn’t supposed to be alone on her way back to the train station, after her girls’ night out she had had.

Her friends had promised her that they would all be taking the train and then go back at home, at a decent hour of the night.

But what actually happened was that her friends actually leaft her alone, because of boys they had just met.

She had thought that the magical experience of fucking somebody at a beach party would be less entertaining than actually bringing your friend, safe and sound at home, avoiding her the walk of shame, between drunk and high people, not to talk about the perverts that without no alcohol would have taken her in an angle and pushed an hand over her mouth…

She tried not to think about what might happen to a girl in a party dress, a bit too short and provocative (still she was sure she could have worn her most conservative dress and she would have still gotten idiots whistling at her) with nothing in her little purse (she damned the choice, certainly comfortable for dancing but she could have barely fitted inside the little clutch a little bit more than her ID, a box of tissues, her keys and her phone) that she could use as a weapon.

At first she had tried to beg her friends but they had just waved her away, a bit plastered from all the alcohol they had in their veins, clinging to the guys they had chosen for the night, exchanging glances which clearly said “we are getting laid, tonight”.

“Girls, I seriously don’t feel like I can go back to the train station, alone” she had tried to insist, pleading with her eyes her friends and their one-night-stand, trying to do her best to get them to understand her own worries…

… but apparently being drunk took all the compassion away from your soul.

They had denied immediately her request and the two guys had told her to “shoo away” and find herself somebody, which she wouldn’t do, since not only she had some respect for herself but she didn’t feel attracted by any of the guys there, alongside being unable to enjoy herself at those parties.

But she had decided to give it a chance after her friends had begged her to go, calling her “an asocial dumbass” and she had decided to try it, just to make her friends happy.

Now she realized that the next time she would have closed the door in their faces gladly.

…if she lived to see another day.

She knew she was being dramatic: nothing would be happening to her.

But still she didn’t feel, safe in the slightest.

The journey was in plain light and it was barely ten minutes if she walked fast, alongside being crowded because of all the clubs in it.

But she still felt threatened by even the slightest smile sent on her way, judging it was better just to fake being on her phone with her headphones on.

She was halfway through a very serious recount of her day to her imaginary friend, when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

She honestly didn’t want to turn around, expecting it to be either some guy wanting to flirt with her, or some drunk guy asking her if he had seen his friend, when he was right behind him.

But she reasoned with herself too late and as soon as she got all those ideas on who it might have been, she just turned around to be met with an elegant middle-aged woman, sporting grey hair and  wearing an elegant vintage outfit.

She seemed so out of place, both for the fact that she was much older than the guys she was with, but her entire outfit gave the idea that she wasn’t there to dance the night away.

She had this dark and off vibe that clearly shouldn’t have belonged to a middle-aged and smiling woman, but she blamed her paranoid brain for that sensation (she had even felt like a tree was threatening her with its shadow).

She smiled shyly at the woman, who instead was extremely open and straight up assumed the lead of the situation, grabbing gently her arm.

-I am so sorry to bother you, but my dog has run away and won’t come back to my car… so I was thinking that you might help me with guiding him back to it…- although it seemed ridiculous the lady smelled of dog, and she looked over her car, which was right in front of the crowded club she had been stopped at.

It didn’t seem a dangerous situation, in the slightest, mostly because she tried to release any tension in her body, thinking she was just being too paranoid.

Nothing would happen… and even if it would… she had her phone, she was in crowded and illuminated place and her attacker was an old lady, which she could easily overpower if she turned out to be a drug-dealer.

-… oh ok, but…- she looked at her phone to check the hour, realizing she could spare only five minutes for the “dog mission”, since she wanted to arrive at the train station a bit early in order not to miss the last train of the night -… I am a bit … late to a thing-.

-It will take you just a minute! – the old lady smiled, pleading her with her blue eyes -… and I will be eternally grateful to you for saving my little Dahlia-.

She just took a deep breath and followed the woman which swiftly walked over to the next side of the road, meanwhile she kept on checking her phone and she was immensely relieved to see the dog, a small white poodle, who looked more scared than her, and which immediately the woman tried to calm down.

The woman moved on his other side, meanwhile signaling to her to keep her position, trying to distract the dog from her, and when the dog started slowly barking towards its owner, happily and with too much energy, she snatched him up, almost dying under its weigh.

The poodle might have seemed small, but it actually weighted much more than she had imagined.

But thankfully the woman, its owner, was in front of her, holding out her hands in order to make her leave there the puppy which, although moved a bit, clearly uncomfortable, seemed unthreatening and didn’t try to escape again in her owner’s hands and neither to bite her.

She smiled at the old woman and made to turn around, but the woman just grabbed her arm, this time more roughly and immediately she felt the bad feeling in her gut return.

-Would you stay for a few minutes? Just to make sure that Dahlia won’t run away- she mumbled, meanwhile smiling gently at her, easing the bad feeling in her stomach, which got her to nod, since she was already in time to arrive early at the station, and moved on the other side of the car, the dark one, near the bushes, to open the door and let the woman put the dog in its cage.

The music was a bit too high and the choruses of drunk people didn’t help: she herself found at unease and a bit hazed by the entire atmosphere so she didn’t see the hand that came to her face with a tissues smelling weirdly.

It suffocated her immediately and she wasn’t able to do anything else but try to fight weakly, but quickly darkness took over, all of her senses shutting off and she fell in her worst nightmare.

As she woke up, she soon realized two things: she was blindfolded and naked.

Perfect: now old ladies were kidnapping people for sexual trafficking.

Was she on a “Law & Order SVU” episode?

But most importantly… was she seriously humoring this entire situation?

She had just been kidnapped and worst of all she would probably be used for sexual stuff she had seen on TV, and she was restrained to something which looked like a bed, without the mattress on it, since the coldness of metal bit in her skin.

She started hysterically crying, alternating it with laughs, at the absurdity of the situation and damning herself for not having trusted her guts.

If she ever came out of this, she would absolutely only trust her damned gut.

After the hysterics downed, she started trying to test the restrain, trying to do the movie thing of thrusting up her hands, but she immediately realized that they weren’t chained with rope, but with metal again, trying the same with her legs, which were more powerful but she was only able to thrust up a bit.

After this, she tried getting her hands out of the handcuffs but she was only able to scratch her skin.

This got her to stop anything and go back to her crying, immediately falling down the rabbit hole of overthinking, completely losing her mind, and tears spilling over her cheeks, her make-up ruined, meanwhile she tried to at least to avoiding sharing her shameful naked state, clinging her legs closer, and trying to crunch herself on her side, to ease her breathing.

She was just a few step away from a panic attack.

And then it all got worse, because she heard voices outside the room she was in.

She immediately got quiet, pushing up her ears in order to listen what was going on, thinking it might help her.

“My lord, the girl is waiting for you” perfect she was in a high-end brothel…

“Madeline, I already told you…” the tone seemed annoyed and tired and she almost cheered at the thought that he wouldn’t maybe… do what he was supposed to be doing with her…

“I know!” the tone of the woman was clearly saying that she knew they already had this conversation, but she wasn’t done “… but you will grow more and more weak if you don’t feed”.

Wait! Feed?!

Where the heck had she ended up being at…?

Was this a cannibal family?

She honestly preferred the high-end brothel option…

“I… am scared…” he mumbled shyly, almost childlike “… I have never done this before, with an alive being and not a blood bag”.

This was getting even more creepy.

She tried to close her eyes and repeat continuously “I am going to wake up… I am going to wake up… I am going to wake up…” but she didn’t open her eyes in her bed, and the feelings of the metal burning in her legs and hands hurt her, meanwhile the roughness of the blindfold pinched her and irritated the skin of her lids.

She couldn’t see much with the blindfold but the room in which she was in was immersed of red light, which brought her back to the hypothesis about it being all an high-end brothel… for clients with peculiar taste.

“She is restrained, my sweet boy, she won’t hurt you” the woman seemed to have moved closer to the boy, who instead just yelped softly “… just go and satiate your need, my lord”.

And with this being said she heard the swishing of the door and the soft steps of the old lady, Madeline and the stumbling of the boy, who quickly came in front of her, since his breath seemed closer.

She heard him take a deep breath, after having sniffed for a bit the air in the room (she was sur it was pretty stinky because she had sweated off all her anxiety and body liquids).

“I can see that she is to your liking” mumbled the woman, proudly and she just felt even more ashamed by the entire thing; she was almost angry for being treated like an object, being judged in her most vulnerable form by two strangers “… I thought you would have loved such a virginal look”.

Hadn’t she thought it was better to be unresponsive and hadn’t she been restrained she would have gladly fought against the two of them, for that treatment.

“Madeline, leave us” his voice from bothered and childlike had grown much darker and deeper and she couldn’t help a thrill from disappearing under her skin.

The worst thing was that she didn’t know if it was because of fear or arousal, which had started growing between her legs.

Perfect timing.

She heard the door closing and almost wanted to scream for the lady to come back, knowing perfectly that nothing good would be coming.

He moved closer to her on whichever surface she was propped on.

She immediately shrank away from him, pulling on the restraints, to push herself away to avoid any contact with him and he sensed it, an hand swiftly pushing herself on her face, caressing it gently to calm her down, but she just started sobbing, feeling like it might just make the things seem just worse.

-…. I am not going to hurt you, little thing- he mumbled, his hands moving gracefully, his other one joining his twin on the other side of her face, cupping gently her cheeks, as if he was trying to take a good look at her face -… you are so beautiful-.

She tried to take deep breaths, but the constriction of the restraints made her feel too caged to breath properly, meanwhile a panic attack was shaking her body, colors exploding under her eyes and she scrunched them closer, trying to avoid taking a glance to her assaulter.

-… but the fact that you are scared is making your delightful smell appear much more bitter, and I have a sweet tooth-.

How could he joke on something so dangerous?

This got rage coming oozing from her.

She fought, twist her hands and crunching her legs closer so that she might hit him with them, but nothing seemed to work, his hold became powerful, squishing her cheeks and he maneuvered himself so that he could stay on her and stop all her possibility of movement.

-… and now rage… it has a salty smell- he mumbled, meanwhile he tried to restrain her more softly, noticing (or maybe smelling?) her discomfort -… we need you to relax, little bird-.

-Don’t call me pet names- she gritted between her teeth, spitting out, thankful they hadn’t shut her mouth, although she feared he might after her little stunt.

-I don’t think that you are on the position to make demands- he intimidated her, his body suddenly being pushed on her naked one, the soft fabric he wore gently tickling her body and again… arousal shot through her veins -… much better, little fledging, I like the thought of my preys being in the throes of pleasure, meanwhile I feed from them-.

-Whatever you have in mind dirty bastard, I will make your life a living hell, when I get out of here- she pushed again, the chain not relenting, but he gently very gently moved some of her hair away from her face, a gesture which took her breath away.

-I am not the bad guy here, pretty girl- his tone had lowered an octave -… I don’t intend to make you feel bad in the slightest, I want you to actually enjoy this-.

-Untie me and let me kick your balls- she ordered her voice becoming much more high-pitched, hearing a laugh rumble on his chest which was pressing against hers -… that would make me feel much better-.

-That seems pleasurable only for you, my dear- he was now completely laying on her, his body pressing softly into her, with much more insistence than she was used, but her body didn’t seem to mind it, her entire features relaxing under him -… and I am actually working on our conjoined pleasures-.

-I am restrained, taken here against my will and scared as fucked- she replied, her hands making compulsive moves to accentuate her situation -… I don’t know how I can enjoy any of this-.

-Some people enjoy restraints- he said with a tone which said that he clearly did, and a smirk she could hear hinted in his words -… and I assure that no harm will come to your way, and to prove this I will unlace your blindfold, so you might calm down a bit-.

-What about my handcuffs? – she tried, smirking slightly or trying to, unsure of what getting her blindfold off might mean; he could try to kill her now that she knew his face, but also it brought some relief to her panicked state, although she wasn’t sure that she wanted to see whatever her assaulter looked like -… you are not going to kill me if I see your face?-.

-I stated that no harm will come your way and I will swear on anything unholy I know in my heart- except the “unholy part” of the discourse, everything seemed honest and sacred, enough that she let herself trust him, since her body was already on its way to succumb to him.

He unlaced the knot behind her blindfold, which she soon realized was just a rough piece of fabric, but she still kept her eyes closed, breathing slowly, trying to regain her composure and finally face him.

Her eyes slowly opened, adapting themselves to the soft red light in the room, which filled the room, sculpting even more his elegant traits.

Because what she had in front of herself was a god.

Perfectly soft blond hair, which gained a strawberry dye in them thank to the red light, meanwhile his face was elegantly sculpted, with traits soft and sharp, highlighting its perfect skin, smooth enough for her to want to touch him, her hands pushing against the chains, and he smirked at her impatience, his plump mouth immediately coming to her focus.

-You have the prettiest eyes- he breathed out, and a gentle kiss was pushed between them and she mumbled dizzy, on the affection he was showing her, cradling her gently:

-… you are so handsome- had she been drugged?

Her voice had come out in a rough gasp, arousal in it.

His eyes, two pool of azure eyes, famished and hurt, looking at her as if she was his only source of hope, the intensity in them made her blush and coat her thighs even more with her arousal.

He lowered himself and gently he kissed her.

Apparently his assaulter had a sweetness to himself she didn’t believe in, grabbing her face, being so careful that she might break and his lips gently caressed hers, just a little pressure, leaving here asking for more and as soon as he pushed himself away, she pouted up her lips to ask for more, hearing a giggle being pushed on them.

-… see… you are enjoying it- he laughed, before grabbing her legs gently, caressing them from her calves to her thighs, just a breath away from the true center -… and it will be only better from now on-.

-I’d still prefer to be free, and not restrained- because she couldn’t seriously deny what her body was asking for, and somehow his promise seemed genuine and true.

-As much as I believe that you would be on your best behavior if I release you from the hold of the chains…- his tone was joking and everything in him was teasing her, coming closer to her neck  -… I don’t believe that would be a good idea for me-.

He dosed kisses on her neck, giving her collarbones special attention, nibbling on them, meanwhile she moaned softly, her nails biting in his skin, meanwhile he slowly became more unhinged, bites being laid out and his clothed manhood pressing against her center, which had slowly started to leak on him.

-… but I feel uncomfortable- she complained, but the last part was quickly turned into a moan, when he started sucking on her neck, before his light stubble brushed over it and thrills started shrinking on her spine.

-I will make you feel much better soon, angel of mine- he promised, a kiss being laid on her forehead, before gently his nose started moving down her body, his lips marking each space he liked (which was anywhere) before he just stopped over her little Venus mound, staring at it with an intensity that made her close her eyes and whimper, unsure of herself.

Till she saw his amazed face, like a kid put in front of candies.

His tongue darted out between his lips, flicking teasingly between her folds, just searching a tiny taste of her, which brought immediate ecstasy to him, scrunching his eyes closer and smiling gently, as if he hadn’t expected less from her: sweet outside and inside.

And she gripped the chains to get some balance, unprepared for what his tongue promised and kept doing as soon as he got the hint that she enjoyed it.

He pushed himself closer to her, his tongue gently mapping her out, avoiding carefully her pearl of pleasure, and just exploring her folds, collecting the wetness on it, before laying gentle wet kisses on her thighs, letting her enjoy a moment of peace.

-… feeling better? – he looked slowly better at her, between long lashes, and she couldn’t help but feel a mess, tears and red cheeks on her face, not to talk about the state of her hair, which had brushed ungracefully against the surface, but he just looked at her as if he was seeing a masterpiece -… because you just made me even more hungry for you-.

And to point it out, he sucked a hickey on the frail skin of her inner thigh, his teeth pushing and pulling on her skin.

He then breathed on her pearl, delightfully engrossed, pushing through her folds and revealing itself softly to her assaulter, who then latched himself on it.

He started sucking and gently his hand reached out for her right nipple, twirling it between his fingers, pulling it and pulling out a moan, from her.

Then his tongue moved between the folds , again, patterns being delicately described on them, before he just started licking as if he was following his own pleasure and not hers, feeding himself on her excitement and ambrosia, and she pushed and pulled on the chains, just to get her hands in his soft hair to pull them and push him away, her sensitivity increasing with each step that brought her closer to her orgasm.

And it was in this situation of extreme pleasure that she was brought back by a sudden bite down her left inner thighs, almost as painful as the prick of a blood test, but a finger pushing on her clit brought her back in an ecstasy state again, although she wasn’t in the hazy atmosphere of the pre-orgasmic pleasure.

She tried to push herself up to understand what was going on, but the hand on her nipple, pushed her back, keeping her anchored down, but she soon heard other than the prick, sucking on her thigh, different from the one that had left the hickey, as if he was sucking something out of her.

She lost all her breath as soon as this sensation moved from pain to pleasure, with the lazy stroking of her clit and the kneading of her breasts, and she closed her eyes, to focus on the sensation, trying to understand what was going on between her thighs, mostly because the sucking was becoming more violent and she was slowly slowly feeling tired, although soft adrenaline run through her veins.

She was sure that five minutes had passed when he broke away, a kiss delivered on the sore pace on her thighs, a gasp and whine of pain leaving her mouth, meanwhile he gently breathed on the bruise, bringing some relief, before moving closer to her, and when she came face to face with him she saw that his teeth and lips were smeared with blood.

The sight terrified her, but also a part of her wanted to lick off the blood on his lips.

He had a crazy light on his face and he looked at her with the biggest smile she had ever seen, and although she knew it was crazy, she smiled back, meeting him halfway for a kiss, blood being smeared on her face and the tang of iron immediately stuck out in her mouth, meanwhile it all smeared on her lips as a messy lip-gloss and from the face she got…

… it turned him on.

-Look at you being all messy, angel of mine- and he licked her blood off her lips, much to his gluttony than to clean her.

She honestly wanted to think this was all fucked up, but… also… she just felt too excited for any thoughts that didn’t involve him and pleasure.

He had also proven himself unable to cause her true pain (the bite to her thigh only proved to be a precious aphrodisiac) so she somehow trusted him, fascinated by the damnation of his beauty and now that they were closer she saw that his eyes held a blunt hurt.

Tiredness satiated by her and adrenaline swiftly came over him and she soon found her legs around his waist, meanwhile he disrobed himself of his slacks.

She gently spread even more her legs, making sure to make him accommodate much better between them meanwhile she helped him out of his silk shirt, pushing it over his head, a joking smile being passed over his lips, immediately matched by hers.

When he was equally as disrobed as her he gently teased her folds with his manhood, spreading slickness around it, before pushing inside her unkindly, but it didn’t hurt for more than a few minutes, when he started moving savagely in her, a rhythm she had never had in her and a length which hit points she never knew she had.

He pushed an arm on the side of her face and the other tangled in her hair, pulling her head up to meet in a kiss, meanwhile she tried to grasp better her legs around him to secure herself better on him, in order not to lose her grip so easily as she was doing, bucking up at its pushes.

Her hips trying to follow his patterns, in order for him to brush against that special spot which made her gasp in true pleasure.

And he found it… again and again…

Which got her screaming of true pleasure, meanwhile he growled in her ears, before pushing his mouth on her neck, again something sharp on her neck and she slowly turned her head to it, finally understand what the pain was about…

… fangs were piercing her neck.

And the pain and the true madness didn’t hit her till that moment.

She came with a loud scream, fear pushing her over, but it didn’t end up there, he kept pushing in her, meanwhile he pulled out blood from her till she felt too dizzy to do anything and soon… blackness welcomed her, but only after her third orgasm of the night.

When she woke up, she was clothed in what looked like a silk slip and although she was still restrained, she wasn’t chained to a platform, instead her hands were “just” tied back, meanwhile her legs were gently linked together with a silk ribbon.

She was able to wriggle in order to get her back against the wooden headboard, meanwhile her eyes gently adapted themselves to the soft dark, much healthier than the red light in which she had been immersed for her nightmarish (although she could also swore that it had all been a very interesting and confusing wet dream) night with a vampire.

She immediately recognized a room which wasn’t hers, but it had such a good taste that she couldn’t help but take a second look to stare at everything, from the elegant shelves full of books to the curtains of a dark royal blue, velvet and heavy enough to avoid sun filtering there.

Was this another dream?

Or had it all been reality?

She was scared to discover more.

… but it wasn’t her decision to make.

A little cough alerted her that she wasn’t alone in the room and soon her eyes met her assaulter’s, the vampire’s eyes, which got her immediately shivering in her place, moving away even more in the bed, which only got a soft chuckle from him.

But now that adrenaline didn’t cloud his eyes, she could see that her rejection took a toll on him.

-I didn’t harm you before, and I won’t harm you now- he repeated, watching her as an annoying and never-learning child.

-Oh yeah… your bites were the softest thing my skin has ever experienced- she screeched back, feeling the place on her thigh, where he had bitten her, immediately become sore and aching, a bruise blooming on it, meanwhile his neck was extremely stiff.

And through it all, she felt tired.

But she was keeping on utter anger.

-… I didn’t think you minded the pain, little angel, when you were coming around  me, with those delicious mewls- he retorted back and she was the closest to punch him, but also his face looked so sad and destroyed, definitely tired that she…

… she somehow wanted to hug him, bring him closer…

… maybe closer between her thighs and push him…

-I really hope that you didn’t continue fucking me like an animal, after I passed out- she just mumbled, getting a little smirk from him who immediately raise from his place on the armchair to come closer and although she shrank out of fear, something in her told to lean closer, follow him -… and I hope it wasn’t some stranger who put me into this thing-.

The tiny slip of silk looked, now that she had just taken a good look at it, pretty expensive and not of her time, clearly a bit old style but she enjoyed the way it flowed around her, and she knew he felt the same about it, by the way he looked at her.

But it seemed there was much more: it was… as if she could sense it…

-I personally cleaned you, after you passed out; I took too much… I am sorry- he seemed sincere, and as soon as he was close to her, he gently pushed a kiss on the side of her legs, electricity being pushed in her entire body -… but… you taste so good-.

She couldn’t help but piece up all those pieces together to one single conclusion, the one she knew, but scared her:

-You are a vampire…- although she said it, she didn’t sound even in the slightest confident in her solution, knowing how crazy it sounded.

-… do you want me to start sparkling? – he smirked, confirming her words, meanwhile she just glared at him, seriously trying to free herself from the rope’s hold.

-Please don’t joke on this! – she choked on her own words -… this is all so scary! And new! -.

-Would you prefer an explanation? – although he was teasing her, there was some truth behind his affirmation, and she could see in his eyes the wanting and willingness to share his burden with someone else.

-That would be nice- she pressed her lips together to assume an even more serious tone -… I have been nothing but manhandled this entire night, so some explanations are much needed-.

-Well I am indeed a vampire, I have to confirm your hypothesis- he assured her as if it might bring her some comfort -… we are real, but we don’t hurt people… usually…-.

-Oh yeah, tell that to my thighs-.

As if to apologize he gently caressed her bruise, but she could see he was somehow proud of having left a mark on her.

“What an egotistical bastard” she found herself thinking, with a light smile.

-… we don’t feed straight up form humans, usually… blood bags are preferable, but the person who brought me my blood bags is actually dead… so… I don’t have that option anymore- he looked truly sad at that mention, but tried not to let it show too much on his face -… usually vampires have mates; mates can be romantical partners, but usually it’s just a blood thing; any other vampire’s blood might kill another vampire, unless they are your mates, bringing nourishment-.

He could see that she had been shocked by it, no matter the fact that she tried to hide it.

-I know that it might not be… believable… but… I felt that I owed you an explanation-.

It could all be a crazy idea of a crazy man, but she somehow trusted him, even after he had taken her blood without her permission.

-It is crazy, but somehow… believable- she honestly would have accepted anything those angelic lips might have delivered -… so will I be kept there as your blood bag? -.

She was a bit scared about the prospect, but her assaulter seemed interesting and if she would be getting a mind-blowing orgasm, each time.

-… no, tomorrow you will go back home, with no memory of it- he replied, again his face becoming sadder, as if during that night he had grown fond of her.

-And what will you do? – she asked, not really out of curiosity, but a strange jealousy brewing in her chest -… kidnap another girl? -.

-Are you jealous, little angel? – he immediately caught up her annoyance, and she rolled her eyes, to hide her embarrassment -… because I don’t think that I would want another other than you after tonight-.

-Then… how? – she honestly didn’t see many options and didn’t understand why he couldn’t be a bit selfish and just use her.

Had she honestly thought that?

-Blood bags- he mumbled out, and she understood that clearly they didn’t satisfy him enough -… this was mostly to show the new people I am with that I was able to use my fangs still, they see the usage of blood bags as… -.

-… you being weak? – she honestly couldn’t believe that he could be mistaken for weak or anything else in that department with his slim but strong arms and thick thighs.

-Kind of… and don’t tell anybody…- he leaned down to whisper with conspiration in her ear -… but I am supposed to be the boss here-.

-You certainly know how make a girl feel special- her nose slightly brushed against his.

-… I thought the first orgasm was enough for that- he made her blush and she honestly couldn’t help but feel like she might have enjoyed this entire atmosphere, had she not thought about the fact that he was a vampire…

And he immediately pushed himself on the bed, again between her thigh, a place he liked enough, and she couldn’t help but feel like he might just belong there.

-… I can give you some more convincing, favorite angel of mine- he mumbled meanwhile he raised her slip -… just one last kiss and then I will tell you goodbye-.

She woke up the following day in a hospital bed: no memory of the previous night, if not a few sparks of that bloody night being shot under her pupils, soft bites on her skin and soft words, including the imaginary whisper of “angel”.

So, when she woke up, nothing made her feel nervous or anything, unlike her friends, sitting on those uncomfortable hospital chair next to her bed, immediately getting up with her and immediately they breathed for the first time, during that long night.

They later explained to her that last night she had gone missing; they had felt bad for letting her go alone and expected to find her at the station, but not only she wasn’t there but she wasn’t also picking up her phone, and this had gotten them worried enough to immediately search for her in each place of the small center, before moving to the nearest police station.

They had found her later in the morning, passed out, her arms and legs a bit scratched by what looked like rope or chains, burning soft marks in her skin, but nothing broken.

She just wasn’t waking up.

“We were so damnably worried, (Y/N)!” had almost screamed Layla, meanwhile she had cried.

“,,,where have you been for the entire time?! What happened?!” Kathryn, her other friend, backed her up, but she was unable to answer in any way, knowing only that she hadn’t been hurt, something was instilled in her brain about her having been safe the entire night.

Her friends had insisted that she did a rape test, mostly because of the bruise on her thigh, which couldn’t be mistaken for anything else, but she had wanted to avoid the entire thing, since it seemed like she had nottrauma and she felt a little voice in her mind telling her not to look into it too much.

So, she tried to forget, although in dreams she sometimes heard loud gasping and something piercing her skin meanwhile she was roughly hoed down, something pushing in and out of her, bringing pleasure, meanwhile she breached the highest of ecstasy, waking up with arousal between her thighs.

She honestly felt curious about all those ideas, but every time she tried to look into those memories she started panicking hard, her brain stopped working and she just started feeling bad, enough that she stopped working on it, focusing on moving on with her life.

But she just couldn’t help but feel like something was lurking in the shadows, waiting just for her, preying on her.

And she wasn’t wrong…

Michael Langdon had said he would have let her go, but he hadn’t mean it.

He had never meant it, since he had first tasted her blood.

But he hadn’t been able to keep her when she had so many links in the human world; she wouldn’t forgive him, no matter her begging of staying with her, after he had told her he would make her forget about it all.

“If you knew about us, you might be a hazard to my community” he had explained, softly watching her bright eyes become dull with pain, meanwhile endless tears spilled from them.

He knew that exhaustion and the blood bound between them brought those emotions out of her, intensifying anything she felt and making her feel more and more attached to him, which made him seem a true bastard, since he had taken advantage of that drunken stupor.

He had longed for her, the moment after Madeline had taken her back where she had found her, after he had gently cleaned up each inch of her skin, to make sure nothing of his would be staying on her skin, although the police would without a doubt not find his fingerprints.

And he still longed for her, but there was no use into crying on spilled milk and slowly he had started elaborating a plan on how to get her back.

Because, although for the moment she belonged to the human world, she wouldn’t be there for much more time, had the revelations he had found about her been true.

He had felt in her blood something different from human blood, swiftly realizing that she was a bit like him, and that was why her blood sang to him: she was his mate.

She was a half-blood, she had a clear vampire genealogy in her blood, and swiftly he had made sure to discover more about it, till he was sure that that vampire blood in her veins might be enough to make her turn, had she wanted it.

And he was waiting for just the right time to claim his rightful mate, slowly spying on her and checking that no harm came to here, spying her meanwhile she turned in her bed, her fingers between her legs, trying to satiate the arousal between them.

But he knew already that she never would…his own hand didn’t help him in the slightest.

He had just to have faith in the plan.

After he had lost Mrs Mead he had thought that he would be forever alone…

… but destiny had brought them together, destiny had given him a mate.

And now he was preying on her.

---

I really hope that you liked it and in the future, there might be more chapters of this, since me and Michael aren’t done with reader...

And here it is all the lovely people who wanted to be tagged!

@emmyrosee @blakewaterxx @1-800-bitchcraft @rocketgirl2410 @so-langdon @ladynuwanda @lovelylangdonx @babydollcake @eternalnostalgia @drama-penguins @dramapenguinthe3rd @dyns33 @orwellbradburylovecraft @no-need-for-rules @blackandwhitejoker @ccodyfern @hplotrfan @mournhubdotgov @mazionluigi @gold-dragon-slayer @venusbloodlust @evcnpeterz @ beautiful--kkryptonite @maginemarvellove @ moonagecordelia @ happypyromancer @supanatural101 @yourfavoritefairy @ brieababy @angsty-otters-blog @jazzcowgirl @awesomemarmaid @ kaigitana @queencocoakimmie  @mega-combusken

If you haven’t been tagged, and liked the teaser, let me know (sometimes tumblr is stupid) and if you want to be added to my tag-list, just send over a DM or an ask!

Love you, lovelies!

-Heco Hansen.

[jeagerism]

barista!au w tom and the reader keeps going to the coffee shop where he works bc they think he's v cute and wants to talk to him some more :')

You meet him for the first time on a Thursday.

It's the day you try out the new coffee shop down the street, since the one that sat right around the corner from your apartment had closed down. You're not expecting much, as you've grown accustomed to your regular shop. It had the sweet old lady named Mable that gave you a free scone every morning.

Sighing, you pull open the door, a jingle from above meeting your ears. The small building is bustling with energy, groups of college students and business men milling about. Your eyes latch on to the long line swirling from the cash register.

And you begin to debate skipping your daily caffeine when you see him.

Immediately entranced, you take a place in line. He's got caramel colored hair, and he's wearing a brown apron just like the other barista's in the place. The line moves faster than you'd anticipated, and soon enough you're stepping up to the counter with a grin.

"Hello, what can I get you today?" His eyes land on you, and his cheeks turn the brightest shade of pink. You give him your order, glancing down at the nametag clipped to the white shirt he's got on.

Tom.

Tom calls out your order to one of the other baristas behind him. "I'll have that right out for you."

"Aren't you gonna give me my total?"

He shakes his head, lips lifting into a smirk. "S'on the house. Not everyday you meet a new, pretty girl." It's your turn to have your cheeks heat up, pursing your lips to conceal your smile. Seconds later, he hands your drink over.

"Thank you", you take a sip, "I'll see you around, Tom."

"I sure hope so, uh..." Tom raises his eyebrow.

You hum, giving him your name with a chuckle. He repeats it back to you, slowly. With that, you turn, hiding your giant smile with the rim of your coffee cup.

So, maybe this coffee shop didn't have nice old ladies with free scones, but it did have really cute baristas named Tom that called you pretty and had nice eyes you could get lost in.

It's your new favorite spot in town.

---

You visit three more times before he asks you on a date.

Those three more times are in the next week, but you liked caffeine, and you really liked Tom, so you visit as much as you please. You order the same thing every time, and even though Tom protests, you pay the next few times you come. That doesn't stop him from offering you a dozen "Free Coffee" cards.

"Do you want to go to the fair with me?"

You look up from the computer in front of you, raising an eyebrow. Tom's sat in front of you, boyish grin and pleading puppy dog eyes. "The fair?" He nods. "Like, as a date?"

His shoulders rise to his ears. "If you want?" He clears his throat. "I mean, uh, I wouldn't mind, but..."

"I'd love to go on a date with you", you smile at him, "that'd be great, Tom."

The boy laughs. "Really? Yeah, okay, um. I'll pick you up at six?" At your agreement, he stands, jerking his thumb at the counter. "I should get back to work, but uh-" he bends down, and brushes his lips across your cheek. "I'll see you tonight!"

With that, he's skipping off, pumping his fist in the air with a goofy smile. "Fuck yeah!"

"Tom! Langauge!"

"Sorry!"

[jungshookz]

hi h-how about a scenario where y/n is doing some holiday shopping and meets cute cashier jungkook hehe

🎄 pairing: jeon jungkook x reader

🎄 genre: cashier!kook, fluff!!!!!!!!, u and kook are both kinda awkward but it’s adorable  

🎄 wordcount: 2.6k

the one thing you hate about christmas has to be christmas shopping

frankly you think that the most important part of christmas is spending time with your loved ones!!!

okay that’s a little white lie because you do really like getting presents

and it’s not like you don’t like giving presents

because it’s totally worth it to see the look on someone’s face when you present them with an amaZing gift

but it’s just

shopping takes sO much effort

and it drains all the energy out of you

and it drains all the money out of your bank account

and also the malls are always so hectic at this time of the year

and you have to fight people off to get the perfect present

last year you squared up with an old lady over a crock pot that your mom really really wanted

obviously you ended up with the crock pot because u ain’t no lil bitch

(no old ladies were harmed in the process of getting the crock pot)

anyways you usually only get presents for your mom and your dad and some of your cousins and obviously you get a present for tae (and you get one or two presents for yourself and label them from santa so you feel less guilty about it hehe)

but this year not only do you have to get a present for tae

you have to get a present for tae and jin and jimin and namjoon aND yoongi AND hoseok because you’ve made quite a lot of new friends this year young lady good for u!!!

anyways

you’ve been at the mall for nearly six hours and you’re pretty sure your feet are bleeding in your shoes from how much walking you’ve done

you’re pretty sure you’re one more purchase away from maxing out your credit card

every time you tap it against the machine you make a face because every purchase is a RISK

you have all your gifts ready for the boys

yoongi gets a new microphone for his studio

namjoon gets a new pair of sunglasses

jin gets a customised apron

hobi gets a new pair of nike air force 1s

and sweet angel baby jimin gets a customised shampoo and conditioner set with a frEE loofah!!

all you have to do now is find a gift for tae which is always the hardest task because he says he doesn’t care what you get him but he totally cares about what you get for him

one year you gave him a single pair of socks and he was like???? SOCKS/?????? sweetie SOCKS??????? i gave you a fuLL set of rose gold CUTLERY and you give me SoCks with- what are these- socks with hoT DOGS ON THEM

and you were like you saiD you didn’t care about what your gift was and these warm fuzzy socks were on sale-

“SALE???? YOU GOT ME DISCOUNT SOCKS FOR CHRISTMAS-”

as much as you love tae he’s very much a diva and he’s shameless about it

but you’ve learned your lesson so since the sock incident you’ve gotten him very nice gifts

so even though your organs are shutting down one by one and your body is telling you that it’s unable to go on and you need to head home noW and collapse in bed

you’re soldiering on because you have to find tae the perfect present

but you don’t think you’re going to find tae’s gift at the mall

you’ll have to go somewhere else

you adjust all the shopping bags in your arms and use your shoulder to push the door open and you’re immediately met with the crisp winter air

the sun’s starting to set and the number of people on the street is starting to dwindle down

you end up wandering around the streets for about half an hour

and you’re [this] close to giving up because

a) it’s freezing out and your nose is going to fall off

b) your arms are about to fall off because of how heavy the bags are buT the cold has made your body entirely numb so it’s counteracting the whole arms falling off thing

c) maybe you should just face the wrath of tae this year you’re a big girl you can handle it

and then

you see it

van gogh’s starry night

it’s obviously a replica of van gogh’s starry night but you know for a faCt tae would love to hang that up in his hallway or something

you look like a kid with your face pressed up against the glass because this gift is PERFEcT

it even comes with a fancy gold frame and everything anD it’s decently priced so you don’t have to worry about making more of a dent in your wallet

you take a step back and look up at the name of the store

“troves and treasures” you murmur to yourself

huh

cute name

the little bell rings above you as you enter the store and you let out a content sigh at the warmth that welcomes you and you see an apple-pie scented candle burning away

this store is adorable!!

it’s a little cramped because there’s just sO much stuff in here but it’s still adorable

miraculously you make your way to the back of the store without knocking shit over with your bags

you feel like a bulldozer when you walk in between the narrow shelves

now where is that damn painting

“excuse me, miss? would you like to put your bags down by the front? they look kinda heavy” you turn around and nearly knoCk a lamp off the display counter

whoops

“oh no it’s okay i think i can-“  

oh wow

he’s awfully pretty isn’t he

his lips tug up in a sweet smile and he blinks at you with his warm, round eyes before reaching up to flick a couple strands of jet-black hair away from his eyes

“uhhhhh actually yeAh maybe you should take these before i accidentally destroy the entire store” you chuckle awkwardly and he immediately reaches out and takes the bags off your arms

“how have your arms not fallen off already?? it feels like you have bricks in here” he jokes before heading over to the counter and setting them down gently on the floor

“it’s because it’s so cold outside that my arms have gone completely numb” you snort and rub your sore arms before reaching down to brush your fingers over an antique clock

“good thing you came in here! i always like keeping it nice and toasty” he hums and adjusts the little apron around his waist “so are you looking for something in particular or just browsing?”

okay

don’t let pretty boy distract you from the task at hand y/n

do nOt

but he’s just

he’s sO pretty

“um, i-“ you pause to collect your thoughts and shake your head quickly “painting.”

“painting.” he repeats and tilts his head and offers you a smirk “there are many paintings here.”

omg

what’s wrong w u

pull it together

“the van gogh painting! it’s in the display window, that one over there-“ you point to the window “my friend’s a huge art nerd and i think that would make a perfect christmas gift.” you smile and move past him to head to the window

it’s a bit of a tight squeeze since the two of you are standing in between shelves but your hand brushes past his and you feel a little zaP

he gasps in surprise and cradles his hand quickly

but just like you he shakes his thoughts out of his head and remains professional

“ah, starry night! you’re lucky - that’s actually the last one we have in stock.” he bends over and picks the painting up gently before turning and showing it to you “are you interested in purchasing the gold frame?”

“yes, please!” you grin excitedly and keep your eyes glued on the painting because it is literally SO PERFEct you’re so excited to give this to tae “you think you can wrap it up for me too?”

“of course! i’m a great wrapper.” he heads back to the front counter and you trail behind him

“oh yeah? i’d love to hear your stuff on soundcloud.” you joke

he raises his eyebrow and you SEE the question mark floating on top of his head and your face immediately starts burning up because the joke totally just flew past his head

but then

“ooOOOH like soundcloud raPPEr- that was a good one. i’m deducting a point tho because it was lame as hell” he laughs and you let out a small sigh of relief

that was almost mortifying

he places the painting in the frame gently and you can’t help but notice that his hands are also very very pretty but now there’s just this silence between the two of you

is it too late to introduce urself

u don’t really know what to say

god why are you so AWKWArd

“i’m, uh, i’m y/n, by the way.” you clear your throat and lean against the counter

he pauses in the middle of taping and looks up at you with that beautiful fricKin smile “i’m jungkook.” and then he looks back down and smooths over where he just taped

“so are you done with christmas shopping?” he asks as he prepares a pretty red bow

“pretty much! this is my last stop and then i think i’m going to get a hot drink somewhere to unfreeze my insides.” you hum and rummage through your purse for your wallet

“that sounds like a nice plan! i’m closing up shop pretty soon because it’s kind of been a lazy day”

the two of you end up talking a little while longer

you tell him about the sock incident and he tells you about how one time he accidentally dropped a present in the middle of the street and someone on a bike just raN over it

you tell him that your favourite christmas cookie is gingerbread and he argues that sugar cookies are ten times better

you tell him that hot chocolate with marshmallows is the best hot chocolate and he says that hot chocolate with a candy cane in it is the best

jungkook purposely slows down when he’s wrapping the painting just because it’s so nice talking to you :——)

thank god business was slow today because it gives him more time to talk to u

“you must really like your friend to get him a present this nice” jungkook teases as he punches a couple buttons on the cash register

“tell me about it” you snort and pull out your credit card and catch a glimpse of the price on the screen and imMEDIATELy the blood drains from your face

what the FUck

THIS IS A REPLICA WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE

your mouth goes dry when jungkook holds his hand out to take your card

o god

you can’t tell him you don’t want the gift anymore because he wrapped it up so nicely and put it in the frame and everything

jungkook must sense your hesitation because it’s been like ten seconds and you’re clutching onto your card for dear life

and he’s technically not supposed to do this but

you seem like a sweet girl (and ur also very pretty but that’s unrelated)

“oh, would you look at that! i, uh, i put in the wrong price.” jungkook points to the screen before shaking his head “sorry, my bad! i’ve only just started working here so i’m not used to all the fancy cash registers and stuff”

that is a blatant lie he’s been working here for like a year and he knowS that your total comes to $250

“that’ll be $125, please.”

he’ll just pay for the other half out of the kindness of his heart

it’s christmas after all!!

“oh thanK god because my card definitely has less than $250” you let out a breath of relief and hand him your card

your receipt comes out of the printer and kook slips it into the bag

and the two of you are kind of dawdling around because you know you don’t really have any other reason to stay in the shop unless you wanna buy another replica of a painting

jungkook helps you with your bags and walks you to the front door

“you’re… you’re closing up for today pretty soon, aren’t you? maybe i can treat you to a hot chocolate or something?” you’re visibly kind of nervous as jungkook slips the bags back onto your arms

he pauses and is pleasantly surprised that you totally just asked him out on a date

“i’ll come if you admit that gingerbread cookies are trash.” he teases and you gape at him “kidding. but not really. give me five minutes!” he disappears into the shop and you can’t fight the goofy smile that’s found its way onto your face

jungkook has to suppress a scream of excitement because yES HE LIKES U SO MUCH AND NOW HE GETS TO GET A HOT COCOA WITH U

anyways

the two of you end up at the café for much longer than expected

somehow you end up with the peppermint hot cocoa and the sugar cookie and kook ends up with the marshmallow hot cocoa and the gingerbread cookie

and jungkook has to admit

maybe gingerbread cookies aren’t all that bad

the two of you stay until the waitress is like ok kids u guys need to get out of here for real

jungkook helps you load all your shopping bags into the trunk of your car which is very gentlemanly of him because you definitely would not have been able to lift all the bags yourself

“you sure you don’t need a lift home?” jungkook shuts the trunk for you and gives it a couple pats

“i’ll be fine. the bus stop’s right over there!” jungkook points to across the street and you nod

“well, um, thank you! for the… wrapping?”

“thank you for the hot cocoa” jungkook smiles shyly and shoves his hands into the pockets of his hoodie

…

…

“well i guess i-” and before he gets a chance to say anything else you’ve gone up on your tippy toes and given him a soft kiss on the cheek

O O F

jungkook’s face immediately goes beet red and he smiles and scratches the back of his neck and he’s trying sO hard to not scream into the void oh my god that was so cUTE

at the same time you are trying not to scream from the adrenaline because you’ve never done anything so spontaneous before but you are SO proud of yourself

you hop into your car and jungkook shuts the door for you before leaning down and propping his arms up on your open window

“i’ll text you later?”

you smile excitedly and nod 

maybe christmas shopping isn’t all that bad after all

🎄the twelve drabbles of christmas! 🎄 

❄️do you have a special christmas request? ❄️

[frauleinsmaria]

The Facebook Flub (1/3)

Summary: When Emma accidentally sends a friend request to the wrong person, she doesn't expect much to come of it. But maybe this accident is the best decision she's ever made.

Rated: T for now, potentially high T/low M in the future

Also on AO3

A/N: Inspired by a comment I came across on Instagram asking people to share how their long distance relationships began: "I added the wrong guy on Facebook that I met at the bar...the guy I added lived in Germany and I was in Canada. That accident...is now my husband."

A few changes to make it fit Captain Swan, plus a whole lot of support and cheerleading from @wellhellotragic , @profdanglaisstuff , and @thejollyroger-writer later, here we are! Thanks a million, ladies, you’re the best.

Going out was the last thing Emma wanted to do tonight. She had a long week dealing with a tough case at work, the weather reports were calling for snow, and she had a headache- not to mention the fact that she didn’t feel like being hit on by some drunk low life.

“Those are all reasons for you to go out then,” Ruby insisted when Emma relayed all of this to her over the phone. “It’s Friday night. You need to come let loose with your friends and forget about whatever else is on your mind. And you know I’ll gladly fight off anyone who bothers you.” It took similar texts from Elsa, Graham, David, and Mary Margaret for her to finally give in and join them. Which is how she found herself sitting at the bar at one of their favorite burger and beer places downtown.

She was drinking one of her favorite beers, with Graham on her left side flirting with the guy behind the bar, and a stranger on her right who had been talking her ear off about some upcoming movie since he sat down an hour ago. Emma wasn’t all that interested- in both him or whatever this movie is- but she listened anyway. She didn’t have the energy to join the rest of her friends at the dart boards, and at least this guy wasn’t trying to flirt. So when he suggested she add him on Facebook before he left, she’d had enough to drink that she saw little reason to object.

It wasn’t until he was gone when she opened the Facebook app on her phone and realized she wasn’t one hundred percent sure of his name. He’d introduced himself when he first took the seat beside her, but that had been several beers ago, not to mention the loud music in the bar making some of his words hard to hear.

It had been something different that she’d never heard before. Killiam James, maybe? she thought as she typed it into the search bar.

“I should’ve known.” Ruby appeared behind her, holding a glass of whatever she’d picked for her poison tonight. “Don’t tell me you came out just to sit on your phone by yourself.”

“I’m not by myself. Graham’s he-” She turned and saw that the man in question had apparently slipped off with the bartender without her noticing.”Huh. Or maybe not.”

Ruby sighed. “Come on, Emma. You know you wanna watch Mary Margaret kick David’s ass at darts.”

That was a statement she couldn’t argue with. “Hang on. Let me do this first.” But Ruby instead grabbed her by the arm and dragged her toward the dart boards, causing Emma to hit “add friend” for the first option in her search results without paying much attention to the name or profile picture.

The guy from the bar and the friend request had been forgotten about by the next morning when she woke up with a pounding headache and wondered exactly when she’d started getting old.

The events of that Friday night didn’t cross her mind again until the next weekend. She’d gone to see Captain Marvel with David and Mary Margaret, who were always willing to join her to watch any superhero movie despite both of them losing track of the plot at least half an hour in. It wasn’t the same as getting to experience it with someone as invested as she was, but years of going to the movies by herself when she was younger made Emma grateful for their company regardless.

They arrived at the theater early, battling the lines at the ticket booth and again at the concessions stand for overpriced popcorn and candy. The theater was already filling up after they’d gotten snacks. Emma stepped on quite a few feet to get to the only empty three seats together. Once they were settled, she pulled out her phone and opened the front camera. “Smile, guys!” Mary Margaret got the memo, but David looked like a deer in headlights in their selfie. This was definitely getting posted.

She made a few adjustments to the lighting before posting the photo on Facebook and Instagram. It’s Captain Marvel time!

The lights in the theater dimmed as the first movie trailer began to play on the screen. Emma silenced her phone and dropped it into her purse before grabbing a fistful of popcorn and settling into her seat.

It was over two hours later when the movie had ended and the three of them had arrived back at David and Mary Margaret’s house before she thought to check her phone again. There was a new text from Elsa about the shirt she’d borrowed last week and a handful of social media notifications. She opened Facebook first to see the response to her pre-movie selfie. It was when she started scrolling through the list of various reactions that an unfamiliar name caught her eye. Of course since she’d tagged David and Mary Margaret in the photo, several people who’d liked it weren’t Facebook friends of hers or people she knew. But this one stood out- it belonged to a person she’d never heard of before, and one who was apparently on her friends list.

Killian Jones. She frowned and clicked the link to open his profile page. They had no mutual friends, but sure enough, they were friends with each other. The brief amount of information listed under his personal details told her he lived in London and worked for a company named Ship Shape.

Emma quickly began to question just how she knew this Killian Jones. They hadn’t gone to college together; his profile listed him as an alum of a university in London she’d never heard of. He wasn’t in her line of work, so that wasn’t a possibility.

What if he had been a previous one night stand? No, that definitely wasn’t the case. She rarely got men’s names when those happened, let alone befriended them on social media.

And there was no way she would have forgotten a face like his. His current profile picture was taken from a distance on a beach somewhere, which made his features a bit harder to notice. The handful of previous ones were closer shots though. There were a few that looked like they were taken at some kind of professional event and a selfie with a dog she presumed was his. He was gorgeous, she realized as she quickly flipped through them. Piercing blue eyes, a head of dark hair that successfully toed the line between messy and polished with a five o’clock shadow to match. Yeah, she definitely would have remembered him.

Emma scrolled through a few more photos before she started to feel like she was crossing some sort of line. She had zero ideas on who this Killian Jones even was, and yet there she sat combing through the details of his Facebook profile as if they were close friends.

Contacting him seemed like the most logical thing to do. She opened Messenger, still annoyed that the feature wasn’t included with the regular Facebook app anymore, and typed out a brief message. Hey. Sorry if this seems weird, but I was wondering how you and I knew each other?

Her phone chimed with a response only a few minutes later. Not weird, love. Although I was wondering the same thing considering you’re the one who added me.

She stared at her phone screen and read the message again. There had to be some kind of mix up. Her friends list was on the small side, mostly former classmates and coworkers, and the people she regularly interacted with now. What reason would she have for sending a friend request to Killian Jones all the way in London-

And then it hit her. “Killiam James,” she groaned, remembering the guy from the bar the weekend before. If that was even his name. Emma blamed the combination of beer and loud music for the mix up, which explained why she’d added this guy with such a similar name.

What was she even supposed to say to Killian Jones now? The truth was ridiculous, and she couldn’t think of a lie that sounded even moderately believable.

Honesty won out in the end. “What does it matter? He’s never gonna meet me anyway,” she muttered as she started to reply. So, funny story. I thought I was sending a friend request to a guy with a name that’s really similar to yours and I just now realized my mistake. I’m sorry again because I know how weird this all probably sounds to you.

She hadn’t expected another reply. He’d probably delete her from his friends list after learning the reason behind the mishap and forget all about their brief interaction. What she got instead was a huge surprise. That’s quite alright. I suppose it could have happened to anyone. But, while we’re here, can I ask how the movie was?

Movie? Oh, right. She’d gone to see Captain Marvel tonight. His liking her photo was what started all of this. I liked it a lot. Keep in mind I haven’t read the comics, so I don’t know how accurate anything was. But it’s a great addition to the MCU if you ask me. And the cat was awesome.

I’m glad to hear that. I don’t know much about the comics myself, I just like the films as well. I’ll have to keep my eye out for the cat you speak of when I see it for myself.

This conversation was already a positive changed compared to the ones she usually had about Marvel movies. Most people, men especially, would make fun of her or call her a “fake fan” when she admitted she wasn’t familiar with the comics and didn’t really have plans to change that. Not only was Killian Jones not making fun of her preferences, he actually seemed to share them.

Emma soon found herself discussing everything from Endgame theories to the newest Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer with him. It wasn’t until her eyes grew heavy and she started yawning that she realized it was after midnight. Had this guy really stayed up until five in the morning to talk superheroes with her? Crap. I just realized what time it is. I’m really sorry if I kept you up. You’re probably exhausted.

No worries, Swan- can I call you that? As coincidence would have it, I’m a bit of an insomniac. I likely would still be awake now regardless. Plus, I work for my brother, so he can’t fire me for sleeping on the job unless he wants to lose his kids’ favorite babysitter.

Swan is fine- after all, it is my name. Although I still feel like you may need to apologize to your brother on my behalf.

Truthfully, she didn’t expect to hear from Killian again. Sure, they’d had a long conversation about a shared interest of theirs, but that didn’t mean he had any desire to continue talking to a stranger in the middle of the night. Or at any other time, for that matter.

Which is why Emma was caught off guard when she received another Facebook message from him a few days later. Hello, Swan. I know it’s the middle of the day where you are so you’re probably working, but I just saw Captain Marvel with a friend of mine and I needed someone to discuss the end credits scene with since he’s not nearly invested in this.

Their conversation soon left movies entirely and shifted to their everyday lives. Within the next hour, she learned that he was thirty-one, worked as a marketing executive for the shipping company owned by his brother, was the proud uncle of a nephew and two nieces, and spent most of his free time hiking or reading whatever fantasy novel was next on his to read list. Emma was more hesitant when it came to sharing specifics about herself for several reasons: talking about herself wasn’t exactly something she enjoyed, she barely knew this guy, plus, what if he really wasn’t the person he claimed to be?

If there’s one of us that ought to be suspicious, it’s him, she thought. You added him first; you could be the one Catfishing for all he knows.

Their once sporadic conversations soon became a nightly occurrence, switching from Facebook Messenger to texts once they felt comfortable with sharing numbers. (The short amount of time this took didn’t go unnoticed to Emma. She refused to let herself think too much about it.) Over time, it soon became easier to open up to him about a number of different things. Some days it was her favorite color or flavor of ice cream, others it was conspiracy theories she believed that dealt with people like Marilyn Monroe and Kurt Cobain. Emma rarely brought up her upbringing or personal life, and he never asked.

On nights when Killian’s insomnia was particularly brutal, they watched Netflix together, one of the few pastimes they could share considering the distance between them. They usually chose comedies, preferring shows like The Good Place and Parks and Rec so they wouldn’t miss much of the story if they got caught up in whatever conversation they were having at the same time.

The first phone call happened by accident when they’d been talking about three months. Emma had just got in from work and was debating between Chinese and pizza for dinner when her phone began to vibrate. She froze at seeing Killian’s name on the screen. Why was he calling her? They had never talked outside of Facebook and texts. Phone calls had never even come up once in their conversations.

“H-hello?” she answered after a moment. “Killian?”

“Oi, Jones, is this your girlfriend?” Not Killian then, although another man with an accent who sounded far from sober. She heard some sort of commotion in the background, followed by, “Give me back my bloody phone!”

“Um, hello, Swan.” His voice sounded exactly as she’d imagined. (Not that she’d spent that much time thinking on the subject. Not at all.) The accent was there, of course, but his voice was softer and he sounded considerably more under control than whoever had greeted her. “How’re you doing?”

“I’m fine. Killian, don’t take this the wrong way, but why are you calling me? Where are you?”

“Well, you see, a few of us brought Liam to the pub tonight for his birthday, but I realized I’d forgotten to tell you about it earlier. I know you wanted to start Brooklyn 99 tonight since we finished New Girl. Anyway, I was in the middle of typing out a message to you explaining all of this when Will took my phone and called before I could stop him.” He sighed. Emma had a feeling Will would get an earful as soon as this conversation was over; she heard a lot about him from Killian, mostly complaints. “I’m terribly sorry, love. I’m sure this must be awkward for you.”

“It’s fine, Killian. I appreciate you for telling me, but I know you probably have better things to do on a Friday night than watch Netflix with a stranger in Boston.” Although that was the gist of their relationship from an outside perspective, Emma’s heart sank at her own words. She thought more for this virtual stranger than she did most of the people she saw in person on a regular basis.

“Don’t talk like that, Swan. Besides, it would’ve been bad form to leave you hanging without an explanation.”

She should have known he would be a stickler for manners, even for something as trivial as a regular Netflix binge. “Thanks, Killian. Seriously though, go enjoy your night out. Sing ‘happy birthday’ obnoxiously loud to your brother and maybe don’t let anyone else take your phone. We’ll catch up on Netflix later, alright?”

“Alright, love. Goodnight.”

The next time Killian called, it was intentional. Neither of them thought much of it.

The calls (via WhatsApp to keep from spending a fortune) soon became a semi-regular part of their “routine.” They didn’t happen as often as the texts, however, since it was harder to both talk and vaguely pay attention to whatever show they were watching at any given moment. Talking on the phone often made it easy to forget the difference in time zone and the ocean between them, even when Killian said something particularly British, like “tosser” or “knackered.”

She and Killian had their first shared experience with FaceTime the night before the surprise party she and Mary Margaret have planned for David. Emma had been asked to make cupcakes, something she now regretted agreeing to as she stood in her kitchen dumbfounded by the assortment of ingredients strewn out across the counter.

As if on cue, her phone vibrated.

Killian: How are the cupcakes coming along?

Emma: They’re not.

Do I really have to mix the wet and dry ingredients separately? They all go in the same bowl in the end. And how much batter do I put in the cupcake liners without them blowing up like mushroom tops? I don’t get why I had to pick a recipe that calls for baking soda AND powder too.

Basically, I need to be able to snap my fingers and have a professional chef in my kitchen to take care of this.

Killian: I’m no professional, but if you want to FaceTime, I could possibly help walk you through it.

Of course he could. She’d quickly learned that Killian Jones was one of those people who was unfairly good at most if not all things.

Emma opened the camera app on her phone to get a look at her current appearance. An old Rolling Stones t-shirt that probably should have been thrown out years ago, her-square rimmed glasses, hair thrown up on the top of her head in a messy knot, and no makeup, not to mention the zit on her chin that she hadn’t gotten the chance to get rid of yet. It would have to do. They were friends, and he already knew what she looked like thanks to social media. And she didn’t have time or energy to freshen up before she got the stupid cupcakes taken care of.

“Here goes nothing,” she muttered.

Her phone screen was taken up by Killian’s smiling face seconds later. “Hello, Swan.”

“Uh, hi.” Somehow he was even better looking in real time. It wasn’t fair. “You sure you’re up for this?”

“Come now, love. How hard can it be?”

“Consider who you’re dealing with, Killian. I almost cooked an oven mitt last week.” She didn’t add that it had happened due to their intense conversation on nineties one hit wonders and she’d been so distracted she hadn’t paid attention to where she’d placed the mitt after taking pizza out of her oven.

He barked out a laugh. “Something tells me chocolate cupcakes will smell much better. Do you have the recipe up?”

“Yeah. I’m sending it to you.”

Killian, being the good sport that he was, spent the better part of the next two hours going through the recipe step by step with her. Which was much easier said than done.

“You mean to tell me that not only do I have to mix the wet and dry ingredients separately, but I can only mix half of each together at a time?”

“Aye, that’s what the woman recommends.”

Emma had long since forgotten the name of the woman who’d posted the recipe online, but she had quickly become her worst enemy. “I should’ve just told Mary Margaret to make the damn cupcakes herself.”

“I highly doubt she could’ve gotten away with making cupcakes for her husband’s surprise party in their own house,” Killian noted.

How was it that he seemed to know her own family better than she did. “Yeah, well, then I should have bought cupcakes from the store and brought them to the party on one of my plates.” It would have at least saved the trouble of having a kitchen covered in flour, butter, and the other dozen or so ingredients she’d added to the mix.

She had just began pouring batter into one of the slots in her cupcake tin when Killian spoke up. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Swan.”

“Killian, I may have the cooking skills of a dustpan, but I do know that cupcakes have to be baked.”

“Right you are, but what about liners?”

“Come again?”

“You know, the paper things? You’re going to have an awfully difficult time without them.”

Of course. “Shit!” Hurling the mixing bowl at the wall now seemed like a great idea. “I can’t believe I didn’t think about that.”

“Hmm.” She heard the sound of computer keys typing as Killian looked something up. “Do you have parchment paper? Several sites list it as a possible substitute.”

“Wouldn’t that look kind of tacky though?”

“You don’t exactly have a lot of options, love, unless you’re willing to make a trip to the store.”

Emma glanced at the clock above her oven. It was past ten. A handful of stores would be open, but she didn’t have the energy or motivation to change into decent clothes to leave the apartment. “Parchment paper’s fine, I guess. What does it say I’m supposed to do?”

He quickly walked her through the process, which was much simpler than she presumed. After cutting the parchment paper into squares and folding them around a glass that was the same size as the slots in the cupcake pan, the problem was solved. They rewatched one of their favorite episodes of The Good Place while the cupcakes baked. She was so caught up in the show that she wouldn’t have remembered to turn off the oven if Killian hadn’t reminded her.

“So far, so good,” she told him once the pans had been taken out of the oven and placed on her counter. “They smell incredible.”

“Don’t rub it in,” Killian groaned. “The only form of chocolate I have in my flat is unsweetened cocoa powder.”

“Well, that’s just depressing.”

The icing process, while tedious, went over much more smoothly than the baking had.

“Swan, you’ve got chocolate icing all over your cheek now.”

“Maybe so, but I’ve got two dozen nice looking cupcakes. Isn’t that all that matters?”

“I suppose,” he agreed. “Although you’re just giving me something else to make fun of you for.”

He laughed when she stuck her tongue out at him.

She’d gone this far without sampling anything, too concentrated on not botching the cupcakes. But the sound of her stomach growling reminded Emma she’d never eaten dinner. “You think I can justify having a cupcake now if I don’t eat one at the party tomorrow?”

“After all the work you’ve put in, I believe you could justify two.”

“You, Jones, are a bad influence,” she said, taking the nearest cupcake and pulling off the parchment sheet liner.

“A bad influence who reminded you of the importance of cupcake liners.”

“Ugh. I hate it when you’re right.” Emma took a hearty bite of the cupcake and couldn’t hold back the moan that escaped her lips. “Ohmgod.”

Killian was quiet for a moment. Then, “I presume it’s good?”

“It’s not good, it’s fantastic. I never thought I’d say that about something I made.” Another bite elicited the same reaction, her eyes closing as she savored the rich chocolate taste. This caused her to miss Killian blush as his eyes shifted away from the screen.

“Erm, well, I’m very glad to hear that.”

The cupcakes, thankfully, are a hit. Several people at David’s party ask Emma for the recipe, a few eve complimenting the unique choice of liners. Her own brother was skeptical that she’d made them herself.

“I did!” she insisted. “I mean, Killian provided moral support via FaceTime, but all the manual labor was my accomplishment.” Her family and friends have known about her unconventional friendship with Killian for awhile now. Most of them went along with the idea, although a few were skeptical that her virtual friend was really the person he claimed to be.

“You and this guy have gotten pretty close, haven’t you?” David was one of those skeptical people.

She shrugged. “Kind of. I guess we’re as close as friends can get when they’re on opposite sides of the pond and have never met in person.”

“And you’re sure he’s not, what’s the word, fishing with you?”

“The term is catfishing, David. And the answer is no, considering we FaceTimed during the cupcake ordeal and his face matches the one in all of his pictures.”

“If you say so. I just don’t want you to risk getting hurt.” He almost always went into Protective Big Brother mode whenever Emma referenced a guy in any capacity, and this was no exception.

“I appreciate that you care about me, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about considering the circumstances. The chances of the two of us meeting are basically nonexistent.”

A few days later, they were on their third episode of Schitt’s Creek of the night and discussing each other’s uneventful work days when he brought it up. “So, uh, Liam has been talking about sending me away for work sometime soon.”

“That’s cool. Does he want you to go back to the Dublin office again?” Emma remembered that he’d taken a short trip to Ireland for business not long after they’d became friends.

“Actually, no.” He paused. “He’s made a few comments about Boston this time.”

Any interest she had in the episode they’d been watching was long gone. “Oh really?”

“Yeah. Sometime next month, if nothing changes.”

Her next words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. “I know a semi decent tour guide who lives in that neck of the woods if you have some free time while you’re here. And, y’know, if you’d be up for that.”

“I think that could be arranged.” She couldn’t see Killian, but somehow she knew he was smiling.

Emma didn’t start freaking out until the day before his flight. She was at Elsa’s apartment with Mary Margaret and Ruby, drinking wine and eating Elsa and Anna’s homemade cookies at the kitchen table. She was on her third- okay, maybe it was her fourth- snickerdoodle, only half participating in the conversation when she glanced up and saw the three of them staring at her.

“Do I have something on my face?”

Mary Margaret gave her a knowing look. “Have you been listening to anything we’ve said?”

“Yeah, of course I have.”

“Emma, I just said that Granny was having surgery next month, and your response was, ‘that’s cool,’” Ruby deadpanned.

Her face flushed red with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. Just have a lot on my mind I guess.”

“Is something goin- oh!” Elsa exclaimed. “Aren’t you finally meeting that friend of yours from London tomorrow?”

“Yeah. His plane is supposed to come in at two, then I’m meeting him for dinner and a little sightseeing before his meetings start the next day.”

“That’s really all you’ve got planned for him?” Ruby waggled her eyebrows over the rim of her wine glass.

Emma rolled her eyes. “C’mon, Ruby. He’s just my friend.”

“Your very attractive male friend, who you talk either to or about nonstop,” Mary Margaret added.

She shot her an annoyed glance. “I thought family was supposed to be on my side.”

“I am on your side! I want you to be happy, and I’m just saying maybe you should be open to the possibility that Killian could have something to do with that.”

Leave it to her sister-in-law to bring Emma’s love life (or lack thereof) into the conversation. ““Don’t get any ideas, Mary Margaret. I love that you’re an eternal optimist, but everything else aside, he lives over three thousand miles away. I never thought we would actually meet.”

“People do long distance all the time,” Elsa chimed in. “Anna and Kristoff did for several months when he was away doing research about climate change in the North Pole. It wasn’t easy, but they got through it and are happier than ever now.”

She wanted to remind Elsa that her sister and her fiance had been together for over two years before this, but disregarded the thought. “I know you all mean well- even though it seems like Ruby just wants me to get laid- but can we change the subject? Killian is my friend. That’s all there is to it.”

Even as she said the words, Emma wondered for the first time whether that was actually true.

Her intention had been to sleep in the next morning since she’d gone ahead and taken the day off. But, much to her dismay, she was wide awake at seven. By ten she’d gone for a run, showered, eaten breakfast, and cleaned most of her apartment. It was tempting to blame the random burst of energy on wanting to be productive while she had the time to spend at home, but that wasn’t it.

She was excited to see Killian. And the closer that came to happening, it terrified her too.

For starters, what if they didn’t mesh as well in person as they did online or over the phone? It sounded silly just to think about, but maybe actually being in each other’s space for the first time would somehow change how their friendship worked.

The conversation she’d had with her friends the day before wasn’t helping matters either. What they’d said shouldn’t have been getting to her like it was. Every argument she’d made against their insinuations about her and Killian had been true.

Then why have you barely paid attention to other guys since the two of you started getting close? The thought came to her once she’d started walking laps around the apartment just to keep her busy. Dating for her had been a rare occurrence since Neal almost ten years earlier. Walsh was the one exception, and things with him hadn’t gone much better. One nighters happened now and then when she wanted to scratch an itch without having strings attached. But even one of those hadn’t happened in months.

She didn’t even know whether or not Killian had been seeing anyone. Her first assumption was no. He’d never once mentioned dating, and, regardless, he’d spent the majority of his nights over the past handful of months talking to her. His unconventional friendship with her on top of his job and his family didn’t give her the impression he had a lot of time for dating.

Emma glanced at the clock on her phone. It was just after twelve. “Dammit.” Even with traffic, it would be at least another hour and forty-five minutes before she needed to leave unless she just wanted to drive in circles around the airport.

“Screw it,” she said at one-thirty after she’d won her fourth game of solitaire. TSA might give her hell about parking if she had to wait a bit for Killian, but she couldn’t sit around her apartment much longer without losing her mind.

There was a knock on her door just as she was pulling on her jacket and boots. She went to the door and found her brother standing with his arms crossed over his chest. “Hey, David.”

“Oh, good. I was hoping I’d catch you in time.”

“In time for what?” she asked. “I’m about to leave for the airport.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m coming with you.”

He’d known she was going to meet Killian today for over a week and had yet to mention this to her. “What? Why?”

“I don’t want you going alone, Emma. It’s not safe; you’ve never met this guy.”

She rolled her eyes. “Seriously? I could understand if I’d met a guy on a dating site or something, but I’ve known Killian for months now, David. I’m pretty confident that I’m not picking up a serial killer.”

The frown on his face hadn’t budged. “Either way, I’d still like to meet him before I leave you alone with him. Gotta let him know what he’s dealing with if he hurts you.”

Emma checked the time on her phone again. “Ugh. Let’s go,” she groaned. “You’re not gonna let this go, and I don’t have time to argue with you about it.”

Any nerves she’d felt before had briefly been alleviated by the desire to strangle David. The drive to the airport was spent with her hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel so she wouldn’t wrap them around his neck instead.

“Are you gonna insist on spending the day with us too?” she asked as she pulled into the airport’s parking lot and looked for the garage for short term parking.

He shrugged. “Not sure yet. Ask me again once I’ve met him and had a chance to evaluate.”

“You’re insufferable, you know that?”

“I’m your older brother. That’s my job,” he insisted.

Emma parked in the short term garage connected to the airport. There was no point in trying to wait at the curb since she knew they’d be asked to move. She and Killian had decided to meet at the landside area, so she sat and waited for a text that he’d arrived and tried to ignore David tapping his fingers against the passenger door.

Her phone vibrated a few minutes later. Hello, Swan. Just wanted to let you know I’m waiting for my luggage and then I should be good to go.

Emma swallowed hard as she got out of the car on shaking legs. This was it.

She was too anxious to object when David followed her out of the garage and into the airport; she’d known better than to expect him to wait in the car for them.

When they’d entered the waiting area, Emma quickly scanned the room for a familiar face, coming up short. This was the place where they’d agreed to meet, wasn’t it? He’d sent her the text just minutes ago confirming their plans. What were the chances the nerves had gone to her head and made her mix something up?

She was so lost in thought she failed to hear the footsteps coming up behind her. “Someone in particular you’re looking for, love?”

They’d FaceTimed on several occasions and shared more ridiculous Snapchats than necessary. Emma knew what to expect. And yet, somehow, she’d been all wrong. His eyes were so much brighter and vibrant in person, there was no way to accurately capture that on camera. There was a tinge of red to his hair and scruff she’d never noticed. She liked it. A lot.

“Hello, Swan.” Shit. His already perfect smile was somehow better in person too. It wasn’t fair.

“Killian. Hi.” How could she have talked to him for hours on end over the past few months and be at a loss for words now?

They stood in silence for a moment, each trying to take the other in. Emma wasn’t sure how she was supposed to greet him. Was their friendship advanced enough to permit a casual hug? Or should she stick to a handshake?

David solved that problem for her, stepping between the two of them and extending his hand to Killian. Emma had all but forgotten that he’d come with her.

“So,” he said, using what could only be called his Protective Big Brother voice, “you’re the British guy.”

“Seriously?!” Emma hissed loud enough for only him to hear as Killian accepted the handshake.

“Aye. And you must be David.”

Her brother looked taken aback. He must have been under the impression Killian had no idea he existed. “Uh, yeah. Emma’s mentioned me then?”

“Oh, yes, several times. She tells me you’re quite the Orioles fan.”

Uh oh. This had the potential to be a recipe for disaster. David did not take comments about his notoriously terrible favorite team lightly. If Killian made any patronizing remarks about the Orioles, any chance at getting on her brother’s good side was doomed.

“I’ve caught highlights from a few games online before,” Killian continued. “Always admired Ripken.”

Emma let out an audible sigh of relief. Killian may very well have been lying through his teeth to appease David, but at least he’d avoided making a bad first impression. “Yes, well,” she butted in, “David’s just here for the ride. We’re dropping him off back at his apartment on our way.” She shot her brother a look that told him not to argue.

The first few minutes in the car were filled with awkward silence as Killian fidgeted in his seat, clearly used to a steering wheel in front of him on the right side, while she tried to ignore David’s presence in the back.

“How was your flight?” she asked after a moment as they headed in the direction of David and Mary Margaret’s building.

“All right. Bit of turbulence, but nothing terrible. The airplane food, on the other hand.” Emma saw him cringe out of the corner of her eye and tried not to laugh. “I’ll be more than happy to see what restaurants you have to recommend in the city.”

“Anything particular you’re up for? Most places aren’t gonna be busy at this time of day. And no, he’s not coming,” she added, glaring at David in the rearview mirror before he had a chance to chime in.

Killian pursed his lips. “Eh, would you judge me if I said I just wanted a good, American cheeseburger?”

She laughed. “That was the last thing I expected. But no judgment here, Tony Stark.”

“I’m perfectly fine with that comparison.” He grinned. “Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist…”

“I’m sorry, playboy?” David questioned. Someone didn’t know his movie references.

They arrived in front of David’s building minutes later. “Okay, here we are, you’re welcome for the ride home, talk to you later, bye.” Emma must have gotten her point across since he got out of the car with no objection other than a shake of his head.

“I’m really sorry about that.” She glanced at Killian apologetically as she pulled back out into traffic. “I didn’t know he was going to show up and insist on coming with me, or I would have warned you.”

“It’s quite alright, Swan. He was just looking out for you. If I’m being truthful, not wanting you to be alone when you met someone you’d come across online isn’t an unreasonable request.”

“I totally get that to a certain extent, but I know you well enough to trust that you’re not, like, a serial killer. Unless you have something you wanna tell me.”

He barked out a laugh. “Rest assured, love, I have no blood on my hands. At least, none but my brother’s when we were lads.”

“Let me guess, it was always Liam who started it?”

“Sure. We’ll go with that.”

Traffic was light at that point in the afternoon, the two of them arriving at Emma’s chosen destination sooner than she was expecting. “This place might not look like much,” she told him as she pulled into a parking spot in front of Granny’s, “but she’s got the best burgers and fries, excuse me, chips, in town as far as I’m concerned.”

“And grilled cheese and onion rings as well, I presume?”

“You’re a smart man, Killian.”

The diner was fairly empty as well, just an older couple drinking milkshakes at the bar and a group of college students crowded around a table with a stack of textbooks.

“Is there anywhere in particular you’d like to sit?” she asked Killian.

“No. It’s your pick.”

They took a booth near the back of the diner. Emma handed him one of the plastic menus and flipped through one herself, even though her order had been virtually the same over the years. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt her to branch out a little more with her choices, even if it was just getting a burger or chicken club instead of a grilled cheese for once.

A waitress came to take their orders after a few minutes. Killian requested the cheeseburger he’d wanted with fries, the American term sounding foreign on his lips. She ordered the same.

“No grilled cheese and onion rings? Are we sure this is the real Emma Swan?” Killian asked, feigning concern.

She shrugged. “I’m trying to live a little. And for someone like me, that’s apparently as simple as ordering a burger. Or maybe you’re just a bad influence,” she teased.

“Oi! I wasn’t a bad influence when I helped you make cupcakes in your time of need.”

“Yeah, yeah, technicalities.”

There was a long pause as Emma tried to figure out what to say next. She wondered if Killian was having similar thoughts. This was an easier problem to remedy when they were texting or talking on the phone and she could turn the conversation to whatever show they were on at the time. Even still, there wasn’t the added component of having him across from her to sense any awkward tension between them.

Killian broke the ice. “I’ve been meaning to ask, Swan, have you ever seen One Day At a Time? Been seeing a lot about it online lately.”

“I haven’t actually.” She should have remembered most of their best conversations began with shows. “You know how I feel about good sitcoms though.”

“Aye. Perhaps we’ll add it to our unofficial to watch list?”

“I like the way you think, Jones.”

They talked for awhile about the season of Schitt’s Creek they were working on until the waitress brought their food a few minutes later. The conversation had somehow turned to which of Moira’s wigs would look best on him. It was hard not to laugh as Killian nearly swallowed his beloved cheeseburger whole.

“Don’t judge me,” he said through a mouthful of fries when he noticed Emma snickering. “I was bloody starving.”

“Clearly.” She dipped one of her own fries in the generous pile of ranch dressing on the side of her plate. “Otherwise you wouldn’t have so easily done away with all that English charm us Americans aren’t civilized enough to have.”

“What do you mean ‘done away with’? I’ll have you know I’m always charming, love.”

“Says the man who has ketchup on his chin.”

Killian’s face reddened as he grabbed a napkin and wiped off said ketchup. It was barely enough to be noticeable, but she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to tease him a bit.

As they ate, the conversation shifted from shows to Killian’s work and what he’d be doing in Boston over the next few days. She didn’t know much about his job, other than that he worked for Liam and their company provided parts and equipment for ships. While the company’s primary clientele was located in the London area near their home office, they were looking to expand to other areas as well, hence the meetings Killian had flown over to attend.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but why were you the one to make the trip instead of Liam?” she asked. “I don’t really know how a lot of business procedures work, but it seems like he would be the one to handle stuff like that considering he’s over everyone else.”

“Aye, you would think so. But the truth of the matter is, Liam’s tied up with so much within our office. Not to mention he doesn’t like making trips now since he’s got Belle and the kids. From both of those angles, it makes more sense for me to handle as much of the international business as I’m qualified for since I truly have nothing tying me down in London nowadays.”

Emma hated the way her heart skipped a beat at his words. If he had nothing tying him down at home, did that also mean there was no girlfriend there too?

(Could she ask him something like that without him seeing right through her?)

“That’s, uh, great,” she told him, trying to get back to the point of the conversation. “That you’re able to travel for him. I’m sure you get a lot of cool opportunities and stuff.”

“Opportunities like getting to eat an American cheeseburger while I have a face to face conversation about sitcoms?”

“Exactly.”

Killian asked a handful of questions about her job, how she liked her boss and coworkers, if she’d dealt with any major cases lately.

“Not really. It’s mostly the usuals, cheating husbands and deadbeat parents.”

He frowned. “Pity situations like those occur enough to be ‘usuals.’”

“It’s enough to make me want to throw in the towel sometimes if I’m being honest. These people are lucky enough to have a family in the first place, and they just throw it to the side like it means nothing to them.”

Emma didn’t realized what she’d said until it was too late. While she’d become comfortable enough with Killian to share certain details about her personal life over the past few months, her upbringing in foster care was the one subject she’d avoided. She’d heard stories of his and Liam’s upbringing by their single mother, who died when Killian was in college. The only family she’d ever mentioned to him was David, and he didn’t even know they weren’t actually siblings.

But that wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have at Granny’s in the middle of the afternoon. She wasn’t sure how much time he had free to spend with her, or when she would see him again. If you even will, she thought.

Sensing her discomfort, Killian reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. “Is everything alright, love?”

The feeling of his hand in her own stopped Emma’s train of thought. She almost hated how comforting it was. “Yeah, it’s nothing.” She gave what she hoped looked like a genuine smile. There was no need to waste her time with him focusing on bad memories. “What do you say we pay the bill and go do some sight seeing? Boston isn’t New York or LA, but it can be fun. I think so anyway.”

“Sounds like a plan, love.”

They bickered at the cash register over who was going to pay. Killian wanted to be a gentleman, Emma wanted him to feel like her guest in some way. She somehow won. “You can buy me a bear claw at my favorite bakery later if you really want to,” she told him as she swiped her debit card through the reader and he stood to the side pouting.

She and Killian were heading for the door when a familiar face entered the diner. The sight of Ruby made Emma consider grabbing Killian and hiding him.

“Emma!” Her friends’ eyes lit up when she spotted them, red lips breaking out into a grin.

“Hey, Rubes. I didn’t think you were working today.” She would have taken Killian to eat somewhere else otherwise. Emma loved her friend, but something told her Ruby would have less of a filter than usual around him.

“I wasn’t, but Ashley had a doctors’ appointment and asked me to cover her shift.” She glanced around Emma to get a look at Killian. “Oh, is this the English guy? You didn’t tell me he was hot.”

The urge to crawl under the nearest table was tempting. “Uh, yeah,” she said, her face reddening, even more so when she realized it sounded like she was agreeing with Ruby’s comment. She turned to Killian. “This is my friend, Ruby. Granny’s is, well, her grandmother’s.”

Ruby held her hand out to him. “It’s so nice to  put a face with the name. Emma talks about you all the time.”

Emma shot her a death stare as Killian accepted the handshake and brought her hand to his lips. “It’s a pleasure, love. I’ve heard quite a bit about you as well.”

“Such a charmer.” Ruby’s grin widened. “I love it.”

“Yeah, well, we were just leaving, and I know you have to get to work.” She grabbed Killian’s hand and pulled him out the door before Ruby had another chance to embarrass her. “Bye!”

Emma groaned as soon as the door to Granny’s had shut behind her. “I’m sorry about that. She means well, but she tends to come off a bit strong.”

“No worries, Swan. I can’t say I have many objections with a woman who so freely acknowledges my good looks.” He smirked, and she couldn’t help but think how much she wanted to kiss the smile off of his face.

Which she wasn’t going to do. Because that would be ridiculous. “Yeah, I’m never gonna let her live that down.”

She moved her car to a free public lot and spent the next hour with Killian, walking around downtown Boston to show him some of her favorite spots in the area. She pointed out the precinct where she often dropped off bail jumpers, the library, her favorite coffee shop, and the bakery that made the best bear claws in town.

“You can definitely return the favor from lunch now,” Emma told him when they entered the shop and she caught a whiff of something that smelled like butter and cinnamon.

“Whatever the lady wishes.”

“The lady definitely wishes for a bear claw. Or five.”

In the end she requested one, although Killian told the attendant to add another to her bag. “In case you’d like one for the weekend and don’t feel like making the trip.”

“Bold of you to assume I’ll let it go uneaten for that long.”

They sat at a bench outside the bakery since the weather was nice. Mid September in Boston was often ideal since it was still warm without being unbearably hot. Emma took one of her bear claws out of the paper bag and bit into it, letting the warm dough melt in her mouth. “You don’t know what you’re missing,” she told Killian, who had started eating his blueberry scone.

“I’ll take your word for it, Swan. You know I’m not fond of raisins.”

“Whatever.” She feigned disappointment. “More for me.”

It occurred to Emma that she had yet to ask another important question. She had no idea how long he would be in Boston, and if she would get to see him again after today. Killian had mentioned in previous conversations that he had a handful of meetings over the following two days, but nothing about what his schedule looked like or when he would be flying back.

Killian picked up on her unspoken apprehension. “What’s going on in that head of yours, love?”

She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Hadn’t she decided she wasn’t going to waste time worrying while he was there? “It’s nothing,” she insisted again. Killian’s expression suggested he didn’t believe her, but he didn’t press the issue.

“Did I tell you my nephew is into Peppa Pig now?” she asked, knowing he might like this change of subject. “He’s, like, fascinated with the British accents and tries to talk like the characters all the time now. It’s hilarious.”

His eyes lit up. “Is that so? I like this lad already. Although I do prefer Percy Pigs myself. It’s a type of candy,” he explained when her eyebrows shot up. A quick Google search provided a photo of what he was referring to, which was, as suggested, a gummy in the shape of a pig’s head.

It was weird, if she was being frankly honest, but Leo would love them. “Kid’s definitely getting an order of these for his next birthday.”

Emma finished her bear claw and wiped her mouth with a napkin from the bakery. But she must have not done an adequate job. Killian leaned over. “You missed a spot, love,” he said, brushing his thumb at the corner of her mouth. Any reply she had was forgotten with the gesture as she became hyper focused on the brief but startling feeling of his touch.

“Uh, thanks.” The words came out raspy and uneven.

Her reaction seemed to make Killian realize what he’d done. “Apologies, Swan. I wasn’t thinking.”

She couldn’t stop herself from blurting out the question that followed. “What are we doing here, Killian?”

[blondecasper]

Goodnight

Mob!Tom x female!reader story 

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, a little bit of angst, violence, and not giving him his money. This idea is mine. 

 Characters: tom, reader, and some harry

Summary: Y/N arrived at a bar, waiting for a friend, and meets a new man. When there's a turn of events, Tom finds himself doing something very out of character.

__

The foul smell of the bar had Y/N gagging, twisting hopelessly in her bar stool. It hadn't even been three minutes since she had walked in, and she was already checking the time, sick to the stomach.

She looked around her. Why had her friend picked this of all places? The old looking bar, strangely isolated from the rest of the World. It was a damp area, the constant wind making it strangely eerie, and yet her she'd been told to dress like it was her last night. So, she'd shoved herself into a crimson number, an old clubbing dress paired with simple heels, and knew that charm would have to make men swoon tonight, chances there were any.

The sight of a group of men in the corner made her want to twitch. Although she wasn't sat close to them, she could feel their eyes on her, puffing away at their cigars. The room was tense, so hot that the wet mud on her legs seemed to tighten. She'd had to charge up the street, and by the time she got in the pub, She wanted to wring her friends boyfriend for suggesting this place. How he could influence her in the blink of an eye made her sick. 

And she'd went through all that mud just to third-wheel.

 "Are you waiting for a friend, or should I get you a drink? " Called the bartender. They seemed to always talk, she supposed it was their job to.

The bar seemed to grow quiet with a chair scrapping in the distance. She asked for a pint of beer.

 Rooting around in her purse for a while, she wondered how long it would take her friend. Perhaps her mind had wondered too far to hear his voice, but she snapped out of her daydream when a man's hand slammed a bundle of change on the countertop.

"£2.50." He answered grimly. 

Her nose was immediately met with a passionate scent of whiskey, the man's ginger bound of curls brushed back and a pink scar on his lip. His clothes were loose yet pulled tight in some areas. His fashion sense was old, a dark blazer contrasting with his good chain, the attire pulled together with pants and squeaky clean shoes. By his whole outlook, she seemed to sense he wasn't as prefect as he seemed to be.

 "Harry." He grinned. It curled, his smirk, folding into a bittersweet Cheshire cat smile.

 "I'm Y/N."

 "And?" He laughed darkly. She raised her brows in question. "Y/n what?"

 "Y/N Y/L/N, why do you want to know?" She turned from him, swirling her drink, deciding to let how the bartender hurried from them after giving her the drink pass.

A beat went by. The men in the corner seemed to quiet down a touch.

 "You know a Kendra Hunt right?" Harry asked. His voice was cool now. Collected. 

"I- yes I do." Kendra had invited her here, tonight. Maybe he was someone she'd set her up with? 

The pads of Harry's fingers reached for her wrist under the countertop. Like little butterfly touches, yet each one was so warm that her stomach seemed to turn.

"She tell you why?" He looked behind him at the men in the corner of the room. His fingers latched onto her wrist, and her throat choked up. She nodded a yes. She knew that this wasn't a meet up at all, but the idea still seemed so sweet.

 Another beat went by, "Where is it?"

Y/N went completely still. 

Where is what?

"Tell me, now. Where about, take me there." His words seemed to shoot out, the rush of adrenaline wafting off of him. 

His calm demeanour wearing away. She could practically taste his impatience.

 "What? I don't understand -"

"The money -" He noticed her cold sweat, "Y/N, love, tell me, now."

Money? She was going to drop dead. Had her friend planted her in a mess she wasn't responsible for? She'd left her here, purposely, as a bait.

Harry took to silence her just in case a plea of scream would come out of her slack mouth, and pulled her closer to him by the hold on her wrist.

 "Be quiet." He snapped, "She must've sent you here as a bargaining chip, or bait. Are you that stupid to think that she could afford all that stuff with what she earns normally?"

"Please." Y/ N cried. It was supposed to be a normal night.

Harry stroked her cheek with a sinister smile, "You know, my brother Sam thought it'd be funny for me to go get the pretty girl Tom's been eyeing. Poor girl, poor manipulated baby. The real bad people always act innocent."

She shook her head like a wild animal, "Kendra and I haven't seen each other in months. It was a night out tonight. Harry, whoever you are, I can't even pay my rent, I don't have time for shady stuff. I didn't even touch it, I had no idea she even owed you money. Please, please don't hurt me. " 

"Your friend took money off Tom." Harry stated. He seemed to shake with pent up energy. Would he let it out on her? "She probably spent it on booze and drugs. She hasn't given it back, and her time's up. She said you would be coming to give it to me tonight, but she probably sent you here to distract us while she gets away. Do you know where she is?"

"No, please let me go."

"Its not that easy love. If we don't get that money I'll hurt you. Give me your phone."

He took her phone with his spare hand, calling over a friend, "Harrison! I've got her phone. Try and track her. "

"Are you going to kill her? Are you the boss-"

She felt heavy breath at the back of her head. Harrison maybe? He couldn't get there that quick.

"No, he's not the boss."

Harry seemed to perk up suddenly, "Tom."

Y/N turned. This was Tom. In his all drunken and god-like glory, suit tight and golden chain sparkling like the sun, his scent warm and strangely comforting. His sweetly shaped eyes that seemed as dark as coal, and the only thing except his current state that was unkempt was his brown curls.

"The Hunt girl sent her to us as bait. Tom, I thought you were celebrating tonight? It's another successful transaction between businesses. "

"This one isn't successful," Tom couldn't seem to look from her, the two of them entranced, "I don't like people not telling me about business. You told me Hunt had paid up." 

" Tom -"

"Don't 'Tom' me, idiot."

"Oi, both of you. You make a scene and our reputation goes up in pretty little flames. And If either of you want the girl to live, I suggest setting a good example so no more witnesses have to die, again." It was certainly Harrison now, a fresh head of Sandy blonde hair and blue puppy dog eyes.

Tom turned to him, "You knew too didn't you? " and pulled Y/N up by the hand, pulling her after him in a tantrum.

Harry and Harrison called after Tom from behind, receiving drunken mumbles of 'lady's bathroom '.

"What are you doing?" She cried, as he dragged her into the women's.

He propped himself up on a sink, pulling a lighter and a fresh cigar from his pocket, "Silence. Sweet silence. You can pee now without your little best friend, I'll just be minding my own business. "

Y/N could run, but the threats had nearly scared her enough to make her pee on the spot. So, she cautiously entered the toilet, and began to pee.

A beat went by, "If you're wondering, my father gave me this as a present as a kid. That's why we 're here. We haven't been in years. Just back to keep our reputation fresh."

"My brother threatened you." He folded his arms and she furrowed a brow, "He talked to me about you after you left. I know you're not responsible for this. Forgive Harry, he's violent. Don't call the police on him either, they don't come here, they know better." The dark in his eyes intrigued her.

"I'm sorry. I had no idea, at all. She wrote my name down -"

" - and put you right in the middle to stall us, and then ran. Harry tried calling her. She left. Probably ditched the phone." His outfit was the same as Harry's, except darker and sharper. Clean cut. It suited him, really well.

He snatched toilet paper from a stall at the sight of her watering eyes, and handed it to her. Tom then leaned into the sink behind him. 

"I'm not good with sappy, emotional stuff, forgive me. And I'm not even supposed to go into the women's toilets but I wanted to check on you. After all, I have been staring at you all night. "

 A chuckle came from Y/n. He was cunning. Yet she felt drawn to the accent, the skin, the eyes and the hair. The death-threats hovered to the back of her mind for a second. The cold breeze, cold feeling, that came with him felt luring. 

A predator with prey. Oh lord, she didn't want to die. Even when the silence stretched out over them, she wanted to plead for her life.

And while she stressed over pleading, his thoughts were too twisted in the feels pulling painfully at his gut. A bad feeling washed over him. He had to make decision -and quick- and hope to not feel guilty about it.

He began again, "I want you to leave, right now with no but's, and don't ever come here again. " He rushed out, "No one's gonna come after you, as long as you don't interfere with us again, understand? I'll tell Harry that you ran, and make sure he won't go after you. I'm his boss. And if you tell anybody that I let a client go without giving me my money, I'll send him. Go before I change my mind."  

Her eyes caught with his brown ones. He smelt like strawberries and bourbon, and she could breathe him in all day. Perhaps on a rainy afternoon on the couch. 

"Do I have to repeat myself?" 

She looked at his curls. They were soft, so soft.

 "What, do you want my number or something? I'll get your phone back to you in a day or so, and who knows, you might just get that number." He joked with a wave of his hand. The longing silence coming from her was his only answer. 

She pressed her hands against the door and smiled at him, "Thank you. Goodnight, Tom." And set off, like the wind had swiped her off her feet.

He spun on his heal a beat after her exit. They lived around the same area, they would see each other again, right?

She hadn't given him a goodbye.  She'd given him a Goodnight.

This is my first so I apologise if i have made any mistakes!

[h-o-l-l-i]

Love Never Hurt So Bad

Dean Winchester X Reader

Word Count: 1.5K

Warnings: language

Author’s Note: Requests are open again! This is going to be a new SERIES! Please give me some feedback so I can get better as a writer!

Requested by the amazing, brilliant, talented @coffee-obsessed-writer (Ooo I have a request! Its honestly been a really rough week (Chuck help me its only Wednesday) but I could use some fun, flirty, (smutty if you're up for it, no worries if you aren't), Dean Winchester maybe with the song "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett? Long, short, drabble, series lol, whatever you are feeling, darlin'! xoxo)

tag list: @coffee-obsessed-writer // @roonyxx // @mrsjaxtellerfan

want to be added to a tag list? Let me know!

Part 1

You slumped down in the ripped, red high barstool and placed your elbows down on the bar-top with a thud. The bartender placed a clean glass in front of you, “Long day?” He raised an eyebrow to you, tipping the bottle of Jack Daniels. You gazed up to him through your long, thick eyelashes and let out a half chuckle in response. “So, what’s a beautiful lady like you doin’ in my bar, in the middle of bum-fuck nowhere at,” his deep brown eyes darted over to the clock that hung crookedly on the wooden wall above the entrance of the bar, “going on 4 am?” His attention turned back to you as he leaned his body casually on the bar near you.

“Work.” You stated simply, setting the small glass back down.

“You a cop or somethin’?”

“Yeah. Something like that.” He opened his mouth again to speak again but you interrupted him sharply, “I appreciate your interest chief but—” The jingle sounded to alert someone else had entered the empty bar. Your heart fluttered with happiness that you would be going home with Dean Winchester instead of this wart of a man, bartender.

“Two beers.” He held out his bruised fingers and then ran his hand through his growing hair, ruffing it around some. Your heart skipped a beat with the look he gave you, his hair slightly messy; making you melt deeper into the old chair you sat in.

“You got it.” The bartender smirked then looked into your blue eyes before nodding in realization before fetching your drinks.

***

“You okay?” Dean sipped from the bottle, staring straight ahead.

You took a moment, gathering your thoughts, nodding, your voice soft and subtle, “Yeah. What about you?”

His head gently swung to your direction, his eyes full of pain and hurt, tears beginning to burn at the corner of his eyes, “Yeah.” His lips pursed together, his dimples gracing his perfect face. He cleared his throat and slid from the chair, reaching into his wallet and laying a couple bills down, “You ready, Y/N?”

You twisted your body to your left and your feet met the ground, bits of dried mud releasing itself onto the sticky floor, marking your territory. You grabbed Dean’s hand in your, squeezing it gently.

***

“You should sleep, Y/N. It’s been three days since—” Dean started.

“You haven’t slept either so don’t even try any of that, Winchester!” You snarled, punching his shoulder playfully, his teeth glistening in the passing street lights.

“All right, we can find someplace and get a couple rooms for the night.”

“A couple rooms?” You raised your eyebrows, “Dean, we barely had money to cover those two beers.” You scoffed, “Get out of here with ‘two rooms’” you mocked, making him laugh silently.

“You want to share a room with me?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

“Don’t get your hopes up.” You winked at him.

***

The impala rolled to a stop, the neon light flickering, casting a red hue through the windshield. “I’ll get the room, you can grab what you need from the trunk.” Dean’s exhausted voice commanded. You nodded in response, yawning.

***

“Room for two.” Dean raised his eyebrows and closing his eyes, wiggling his head hoping to shake his sleepiness.

The manager turned at the sound of Dean’s groggy, rough voice, “You’re in luck, friend. Got one room left.” He paused, handing Dean the key, his eye catching your figure leaning against baby, “You’re a lucky man.” He pointed to the window, Dean’s emerald eyes followed his finger.

He chucked, rubbing the back of his head with his rough hand, raising his eye brows, “Yeah, I am. She’s amazing and I don’t deserve her.” He sighed, “I just hope she doesn’t wise up and realize she’s too good for me.” He laughed awkwardly before nodding and bowing out of the small motel office.

***

He walked briskly over to you, dangling the keys from his finger, “Room 18.”

“Awesome!” You exclaimed with the small amount of energy that you still had. “I cannot wait to take a nice hot shower and go to bed!” you slumped your shoulders as you walked side by side with the older Winchester. “Oh!” You raised your voice causing him to go into save the world mode, “maybe I can get five hours sleep instead of the usual four!” You laughed, “What?” You smile faded seeing Dean’s guard fully raised.

“You scared me, Y/N.”

Your jaw dropped open slightly, “I. Y/F/N. Y/L/N. Scared Dean Winchester. The. Dean Winchester?”

“Shut up! I wasn’t even scared.” He scoffed, pursing his lips and shaking his head, you laughed back at him, “Whatever…” he finished.

“You and Sam always pranked me, consider it payback from all of the years on the road as kids.” Your hand accidentally brushed against his as you walked up the steel staircase. Your heart skipped a beat and your breath caught in your throat when his piercing eyes caught yours.

His lips curled up slightly, his cheeks blushing a little bit, his voice so softly said, “Sorry.”

For a moment, all time had stopped and it was only the two of you in the whole entire world; no monsters, no armageddon, nothing; just you and Dean. 

You never thought that you would find love, not in your line of work anyway… You knew Dean since you were kids, your father hunted with John, so you were dumped at Bobby’s along with the Winchester brothers. As time rolled on, people died, your father never came home from a hunt one night, so you called John.

He came and picked you up, he had no idea what to do with you so he took you in; and everyday after that you fell more and more in love with Dean Winchester.

“You can take a shower, I’m going to go get some food, the usual?” He asked you.

“Sounds good Winchester.” You said closing the bathroom door.

Your guard went up instantly at the sound of a lamp crashing to the floor followed by shuffling, you kept the shower running but got out, wrapping the rough motel towel around your body. You leaned down the the heap of clothes that lay on the floor where you stripped, you found your knife that you always had on you, it was your father’s…

You readied yourself and slowly and very quietly cracked the door open, your heart thumping up into your throat, your eyes welled with tears and you closed the thin door again; sliding your back down until you were seated on the tile floor, tears running down your cheeks.

You sat there for almost thirty minutes before there was a knock at the door causing you to jump and wipe your eyes.

“You okay in there?” Dean’s voice boomed.

“Yeah. Um.” You stood up, furrowing your eyebrows and reached a shaky hand to turn off the shower, “I’ll be out in a second.”

A minute later you opened the door, your wet hair making small rivers running down your shoulders. Dean’s attention went from his greasy burger to the woman who stood half naked in front of him. “I forgot to bring my bag in there with me…” you muttered, your voice shaking from anger and pain in your chest.

He nodded and tried his hardest not to give in and let his eyes wander your body. “Your, uh, food is over there.” He pointed from the bed, his words almost inaudible from the amount of food that was shoved in his mouth.

“I’m actually not that hungry. It cool if I take the Impala?” You asked digging though your bag, gathering your clothes instead of your nightwear.

“Where are you going?” He asked you, his voice thick with concern, “You okay, Y/N?” He inquired, swinging his legs around, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” You lied. He took notice but he knew better than to pry, he knew you so well in some respects but in others he was a complete stranger to you.

He nodded, wiping his hands on a napkin then bringing it to his lips, “Okay. Just, call me if you need anything. Okay, Y/N.” He came over to give you his keys, his hand lingered on yours for an extra moment, “Be safe.”

You remained silent but nodded your head once, tightening your jaw, your hand squeezing the cold metal keys. You were startled by the manager who was getting ready to knock on your door, you stopped your fist seeing the fresh towels he was clutching, realizing he wasn’t a threat you slid out around him and briskly descended the staircase, jogging over to he impala.

“Oh, boy. Maybe she did wise up…” the motel manager stated, his bushy eyebrows raised, his eyes following the sound of the impala leaving the lot. 

“What?” Dean asked him curiously.

“Whatever you did, you’re in the dog house with that one.” He warned, pushing the towels into Dean’s strong arms and turning on his heel. Leaving Dean there alone in the empty room, without you.