#i end up basically chasing him around the gym floor

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

Today in my gender studies class, we talked about P.E in primary school and basically how much trauma it induced. Especially for people assigned female at birth.

Other kids, especially boys, could be extremely aggressive or treat P.E as "life or death".

Where I live, we played a game called "brännboll" ("burnball"), which I guess is similar to baseball, but it's essentially one person that serves and hits the ball with a bat (there is no one throwing the ball to them or anyone behind them, it's ONE person serving and hitting), and then they get to run laps around the field while the other team tries to get the ball. When they get the ball, they run to a spot, shout "burned!" and the person who threw has to go back to the last "checkpoint" they ran past.

There is two different bats used for hitting the ball, and you can choose which one you want to use

As you see, it's a normal bat, and then another bat that might make it more easy to hit the ball with. This bat is often called "kärringracket". "Kärring" is a more mean-spirited word for an old lady.

Very often, when a girl in primary school was gonna serve, many boys immediately made comments "use kärringracket! So you'll hit the ball!" Because they could not believe they could use the normal bat - meaning that, if a girl did use a normal bat, she'd have much more expectations and pressure that she needs to hit. And if she doesn't, some (especially male) classmates takes offense because they dare to be bad at the sport.

I have a large trauma from playing brännboll in elementary school, but not from serving and hitting the ball. But when I was in the team that was gonna catch the ball. I was 8 years old, at the end of 2nd grade. The ball bounced on the field, and started rolling fast on the ground. I was about to grab it, when it rolled between my legs. Apparently, me not being able to catch it was SO OFFENSIVE to one kid, that he started screaming: ”WHAT THE FUCK, SARA!!! I’M GONNA MURDER YOU!!!!”. He then proceeded to sprint in my direction. The gym teacher saw it and stopped him from reaching me by standing in the way, so he then proceeded to run in another direction while the gym teacher chased him.

I have other traumatic memories too. Like when we were jumping over obstacles, and I couldn’t no matter how much I tried. I had to walk over them. And my classmates saw this as a great offense to them. That I couldn’t jump over obstacles was bothering for them?

Or all the ball sports… aggresive ball throws. If you managed to hit someone with a ball, ”it didn’t count, actually!!”

Girls could be mean too. If you know european P.E halls, they often have colored lines on the floor. We had a game of tag one P.E lesson where you were supposed to only run on the colored lines. If you got tagged or if you ran outside the lines, you had to step aside and do five jumps (the kind of jump where you squat, put your hands on the floor and jump up). I had just done my five jumps, when a girl stopped me and was like ”Sara, you did the jumps all wrong! Now you need to get back and re-do them!”. I’ve been thinking for years why it was so important to her that I didn’t do the jumps ”correctly”. What if she did them incorrectly? She was also not a P.E teacher, she was a child like me?

I actually still remember some trauma in high school. By that point, no one got that offended anymore, but as a girl I sometimes got treated like I couldn’t do things as well as some others. One lesson, we played badminton. Now, I’m fine in badminton. But when the whole class is watching me serve, I feel the pressure, and I miss hitting the ball. And again. And again. And I get stressed, because I can do this!! And then comes a boy up from my class, and goes ”this is how you serve” and proceeds to explain to me how to serve, as if I didn’t know… and I am aware he’s being nice, but it felt humiliating when I COULD serve, I just got stressed and nervous. The nail in the coffin was some time later, when we discussed badminton, I mentioned ”Yeah I like it fine, i’m not the best but it’s fun” and this boy answered ”Sara… you can’t play badminton. I’ve had to help you several times 😉”

(The same guy also mansplained how to hold a minigolf club because I didn’t hold it the same way he did. Then I just told him ”I can’t hold the way you can, and I’m gonna hold the way I’m comfortable with”, to which he got nervous and was like ”but of course!! I just mean… I have learned to hold it like this!”. I won over him in minigolf anyway)

The more I think about P.E the more bad memories come. Like us having to run laps and I came last out of everyone because I could not run as fast as hard as I tried (I also had undiagnosed asthma). We all needed to lift ourselves up with some gymnastic rings. I never could. We were supposed to cartwheel. I have never learned to cartwheel. And when they brought in the springboard and everyone needed to jump over this giant stool-table-thing (i don’t know the english word). Ugh.

This little post was from an AFAB perspective, but I am aware P.E definitely was not always fun for AMAB people either. Especially if you weren’t one of those boys who took P.E super seriously.

[im-no-jedi]

I’ve had several dreams with the Crit Role cast in them before, but I think the one I had last night was my new favorite cause it was literally just Matt and Marisha hanging out at my house. like we were all besties and playing video games and just chatting, it was SO nice. Taliesin showed up later too. I was VERY happy 🥰

I remember three specific moments. the first was me and Matt sitting on the couch together joking around and cuddling (platonically!!); Marisha eventually joined us and we made a Matt sandwich on the couch 🥰

the second thing was a bit later, my parents called us to dinner, and I got really embarrassed cause my dad wanted to say a prayer, but I knew Matt and Marisha aren’t religious (especially Marisha), so I felt really awkward. they were totally cool with it though and respectful because of COURSE they are 🥰 I was sitting in between Matt and Marisha at the table so we could keep chatting. Taliesin showed up in the middle of dinner, and I completely forgot to finish my food cause I was so excited to see him LOL

the last thing I remember is a bit fuzzy on the context, I just remember it was in a gym, like a big basketball court thing? anyway, there was some jerk that I was chasing down cause he’d been threatening my sisters. I almost got him, but then the dude launched a heavy ball at me that I tried to catch, but it ended up basically breaking my wrist (I literally couldn’t move it, my palm started to turn purple and everything 😳). Matt, Marisha, and Tal witnessed all this and came over to me while I was on the floor in pain. Marisha quickly took off running after the guy, and Matt joined her after Taliesin said he would help me. I remember trying my hardest to not cry despite how bad my hand hurt, but Tal pulled me into a big hug to comfort me and I just broke down sobbing into his shoulder 🥺

aaaaaand this is why I could never speak to these people for more than two seconds irl lololololol

[strange-and-dynamic]

Dateline: May 10th 2022

So there was some sort of lockdown or school wide detention that happened at a modified (and better 🙈) version of my school and the dream started out with me having the knowledge of that, and basically it started with me on the 2nd day of that lockdown being like “oh no we have to end this” (also if I’m being honest aside from not going to recess there really wasn’t anything that bad about the lockdown, like some extra exit paths were locked but we had other exits that weren’t, none of the teachers were strict, we could talk, etc.) and then I go on this actually full flex gameplay meshing with reality adventure, and apparently I’m at the halfway point in the gameplay-reality mesh and I fight this ballet teacher boss who would laugh maniacally and chase me while pirouetting! She laughed maniacally until on my 3rd try (oh btw I would die but come back, like vidya games—) I slapped her 💀💀💀 and then that’s how I figured out how I beat this boss, so I would slap her to stop her for a few seconds, keep running, get my objective finished, and win (oh yeah and this was a ‘constantly chasing you’ type of boss, yes she was pirouetting the entire way)

And then the boss after her was the gym teacher (who was in the same class room I just got the exit to??? And the ballet boss I just beat was just standing in there looking sad because I just beat her????) and the gym teacher had a helper, and the way I beat the gym teacher and his helper was I picked up a mop, shoved the stick part in his face trying to get some damage, then that didn’t work so I tried shoving it down his throat (to which he responded in a fake sexual manner 😳), it slipped out so then I took the mop part and swiped it across his face, and THEN that did damage, so after I beat him and his helper I broke into the bathroom (as to which gender bathroom is unknown but there was only 1 and it was in the classroom so it had to logically be unisex) and the bathroom didn’t have a toilet,,, but had gym showers and a parkour section— so I did the parkour section to get to a little mini key in a vent, and then climbed back down, and ran to upstairs (we were on the second floor, now as to why the ballet class is on the second floor???)

And then when I got to the third floor it was time for the final boss, and the final boss was some random boy my age (based on our heights my dream character had to have been 14-15) who was just chasing me around the entire third floor and I could hide from him but either couldn’t go back down to the 2nd floor or I just wasn’t thinking about it (the final boss was a cat n mouse game????) and when I found my way to the only unlocked staircase (there was no objective for some reason even tho this was the final level—) I make it downstairs to the first floor back exit and it took 2 keys to unlock both doors (because apparently I couldn’t just open one, even tho only one is usually open at dismissal 🙄) I’m guessing I got the 1st key before the halfway point because I now have 2 keys????? And I go “cmon please work, moment of truth!” And unlock the 2 doors to freedom! I run out into the recess yard, that was filled with snow when I was looking out the classroom window but when I got down there it was filled sand???? Me and every student from the building all went in the yard and we all had winter clothes on like it was cold (I couldn’t feel the temperature but none of us were breathing vapor) and a student wrote “SAVE ME” in the sand and I called her selfish under my breath and wrote “SAVE US” in the sand with a key I had on me, and that’s the end of the reality-game ✨

Also extras:

• my story made it on the news but I woke up before the news lady could actually get to my story (instead of getting to revolutionary school story first she got to the snowboarders boarding in sand story 🙄)

• There was some running theme of using sand like snow??

• I can remember the ballet teacher’s design perfectly and she looked like this:

• My design changed from a girl that wasn’t me in my school uniform when I was in the ballet class to 6th grade me in winter clothes when I beat the classroom

• The ballet teacher looked like a Monster High custom doll but like not ball jointed and, y’know, human sized— and her shoes kept transitioning from white to light blue, like that effect when you leave white silk in a windowsill under a clear blue sky, reminiscing?? 🤔

[simplymurdock]

Decontamination

summary: after a long night getting chased by dead serial killers from shadyside’s past (y/n) figues it’s now or never to confess her feelings for her best friend.

pairing: simon x female reader

warnings: langue, mentions of death, underdressing in front of someone (that’s all i could think of but if i missed anything let me know and i’ll add it <3)

word count: 1,359

authors note: after a million and a half years i finally wrote something and went through with it !! everyone can thank @jinxthequeergirl simon headcanons that spark this and @fearstreetss entire blog only fueling my love for simon. I hope y’all enjoy it because pure fluff is sum of my favorite things to write about.

The lost and found box was placed on the school floor as everyone crouched down and started going through it. Each finding something that actually fit and didn’t have giant holes in them. “Alright, we have to decontaminate.” Josh said as they all piled their clothes into their arms.”You can’t have any of Sam’s blood on you.”

“Well, not much we can do about that.” Sam muttered before walking off to a class room as Deena followed. “Deena, you have to get clean too! Not a single drop, oaky?” He yelled after them.

“Rub-a-dub-dub time!” Simon remarked as the three of them were going into the bathroom as Kate stopped them seeing she was going in by herself.. “Hey, wait. I don’t want to go in by myself. don’t want to go in there alone,”

“I don’t either, which is why I’m staying with the one who knows what’s happening, and Simon.” (y/n) remarked getting a ‘hey’ from Simon.

“I’ll go with you,” Josh said as Kate gave him a smile in return as Simon and (y/n) shared a look thinking the same thing. Holding the door open for her as he followed in right behind her.

(y/n) took the sink at the farest end while Simon took the sink one over from the door. Each piling off their clothes, turning the water on and washing away the blood and dirty they could. But it came clear to her that she was gunna need some help. She glanced over to him seeing he was looking over himself.

“Hey Si--,” She started to say but had to clear her throat, “Can you check my back?”

At first he didn’t answer looking her up and down once before looking in face not wanting to push anything she didn’t want. As she stood in front of him in her underwear and bra. She stepped closer waving in front of his face. “Hello? Earth to Simon?”

He blinked a couple of times before nodding, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

“You sure? You zoned out for a sec,” She asked as he nodded insteading he was fine. She turned around holding her hair up. He looked over at her lightly moving her bra strap to check under it as small bits of electricity jolted through her body while each touch made tiny goosebumps raised on her skin. “Good news you’re clean,”

“And bad news?” She asked knowing there was always ‘bad news’ with him.

“Our therapist will think we’re crazy.” He said, making her laugh. He loved her smile and definitely needed it after what they had seen.

She turned back to face them as she quickly realized how close their faces, each other noses basically brushing against one another.“Yeah that’s if we make it through tonight,” She remarked, grabbing the ugly gym shorts she had and bending down and putting them on.

“Hey,” He said softly, grabbing her hand getting her attention, “We are going to get through this. Alive, all of us.”

“Yeah, well I have things I want to do before I die, so I hope you’re right about this.” She remarked looking down. That certain thing was how she felt about him. She had a crush on Simon for as long as she could remember. Kate knew how she felt after one to many longing looks in his direction. She made her swear on everything that she would never say anything to him. But what (y/n) didn’t know was Kate had a few hours earlier sworn to him she wouldn’t say anything to (y/n) about his feelings for her.

He smiled pushing his floppy hair from his face, “Oh really? What are these things?”

She quickly looked down picking at her nails, not wanting to look him in the face. Knowing if she didn’t say something now she wouldn’t ever do it. Not knowing if the adrenaline from running from dead serial killers all night was still going through her veins, or if it was actually herself doing this. He saw her picking at her nails knowing she only did it when she was nervous about something.

“You know what--”

“No it’s okay, I--” They both said speaking over each other, Simon trying to change the topic and get her mind off it not wanting to see her stressed. And (y/n) just trying to get it out, but the words just wouldn’t.

“No really you don’t have to--”

“I like you.” She blurted as the room fell silent as they both looked down.

“It's just…” She trailed off picking at the white part of her nail, swallowing harshly. “I just don’t want to die with regrets. And with everything we’ve seen I don’t want to take any--” She started to ramble as he quickly cupped either side of her face and pressed his lips against hers.It was sweet and simple but made the same goosebumps appear on her arms.Pulling apart from each and pressed their foreheads together. “--chance.”

His wide smile quickly made its way on his face, swiping his tongue along his bottom lip tasting her sweet cherry chapstick. “God I’ve been wanting to do that forever,”

“Took you long enough,”

The two basked in each other for a little to long. Realizing it and quickly throwing on whatever clothes they could find that didn’t have blood or dirt on it. “You two almost done? We got some serial killer ass to kick!” Kate yelled banging on the door frame as the door was a simply push door.

They smiled at each other before walking out. (y/n) fixing the stiff loose fitting shirt that swallowed her body, while Simon followed out behind her. “Blame my shoes, they didn’t want to tie properly.”

Josh nodded looking around for any sight of his sister and Sam, while Kate knew better. Seeing how close they stood next to each other, closer than normal, and how with each glance at each other a smile grew more and more on each of their faces. But the nail in the coffin was when she noticed they had the same red tinting on each other's lips. She crossed her arms as a sly smile creeped it’s way onto her lips. “Right. Your “shoes” took up both of y’alls attention.” She used air quotes before gesturing between the two. “It was about time,”

“Oh really?” (y/n) questioned looking over at Josh and back at her. “Please, it was barely first base.” She insteaded.

Simon grabbed (y/n)’s waist turning her to face Deena and Sam, “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Did you… all go to pound town?” He asked after resting his elbows on her shoulders so he could talk with his hands.Everyone stayed quiet before he broke out into a giant grin, “Us too!” She looked up, hitting his chest lightly shaking her head.

And they went to get started on the plan. Kate and (y/n) were about to walk off to get the CPR dummy before Simon grabbed her hand playing with fingers.”One kiss before we die?”

She smiled turning her full body towards him looking at his lips as she brought her lips closer to his. Swiftly putting her finger to his lips, “You can get the kiss when we survive,” She said walking backwards, “We’ll be right back, I promise!” She shouted, turning and hooking her arm with Kate’s.

[arrowflier]

Arrow write the mickey spotting ian and kev fic challenge!

Had to do this while it was still topical lol, so here goes.

The first time was an accident.  Well, sort of. 

"Ian can help with that," Mickey offered, watching Kev struggle to shift kegs and pour drinks at the same time.

"Thanks man," Kev grunted, hoisting another keg.  He waddled with it along the length of the bar, body hidden behind the counter, and set it down with a heavy thunk.

"Not easy though," he added as he straightened.  "Don't wanna make him strain somethin' before your wedding."

He waggled his eyebrows at Mickey, tongue stuck out, and Mickey rolled his eyes.

He knew exactly what would come next.

"You think I can't lift a keg?" Ian asked from the stool next him.  His voice almost broke on the last word with sheer disbelief.  "I'm not some skinny kid anymore, Kev, I just got out of prison for fuck's sake!"

"Cause there were plenty of kegs there to lift," Mickey muttered into his beer, and almost sent it splashing over the old stained countertop when Ian shoved his shoulder too hard.

"Just point me where you need me," Ian told Kev, puffing out his chest.

Kev eyed Ian, then Mickey, then Ian again.  But ultimately, he shrugged, and tapped the top of the keg he had just put down.

"Uh, this guy here needs to go out back," he said.  "Brought in the wrong one."

"On it," Ian said, and made his way to it.  He bent over at the waist, his hands reaching for the handles, ass stuck out in his too-tight jeans.

Mickey tilted his head, and sipped his drink, admiring the view.

"Whoa, whoa, not like that!" Kev said from behind the bar, arms out.  "You're gonna hurt yourself, man."

"Then how," Ian forced out between gritted teeth, still leaning over, "would you suggest I do this?"

Kev came around, whacked Ian in the back until he let go and straightened with a huff.  Then he took up position at another keg alongside the first.

"Lift with your legs, kid," he said, and dropped into a half squat right in front of Mickey's face.

Oh.

"Like this?" Ian relented, assuming position next to Kev, broad back stretched and straight over bent legs and strong thighs.

Oh.

Kev and Ian each hoisted their kegs, beginning their awkward walk away toward the back, and Mickey leaned so far back on his stool he almost fell off.

Well, he thought as he downed the last of his drink, eyes following two ridiculously built sets of shoulders strain their way across the room.

He could get used to seeing that.

---

The second time, it was definitely on purpose.  He had talked Ian into trying out KevFit after his own misadventure--he was not eager to keep working out on his own, but Ian kept wanting to do new shit together.

They were only one round in at the keg lift station, Ian already grunting and heaving and sweaty next to him, when Kev came by.

"Good form, Ian," he congratulated, clapping a hand on his shoulder hard enough to make him drop the half-filled keg with a clatter.  "Way better than last time."

"Gee, thanks," Ian answered dryly, wiping his forehead with the hem of his thin workout tank, and Mickey had an epiphany.

"Hey, Kev," he said slowly, like the idea was just occurring to him, "You got all this equipment rigged up, but how are you on basics?"

Kev's brow furrowed, his muscled arms going slack at his sides.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean like, pushups and jogging and shit," Mickey answered.  "You know, the kind of stuff they do in the military."

He let his eyes widen, and turned them on Ian. 

"Oh wait," he said, "that's kinda your thing, ain't it?"

Ian shrugged, looking confused.

"Uh, I guess?"

"Why don't you show Kev one of your old workouts?" Mickey suggested innocently.  "He could add some things to the whole KevFit routine, maybe bring in more clients."

Kev perked up at that.

"Yeah, why not?" he said.  "C'mon Ian, show me what you've got."

Five minutes later, Mickey was leaning against the "spring water" station, sipping from the flask he had snuck in from next door, watching two ridiculously tall, ridiculously strong fuckers take up half the open floor space doing increasingly impressive pushups.  Right then, Ian had one arm behind his sweat-slicked back, Kev mirroring his form, and Mickey's eyes followed the rise and fall of their bodies with total focus.

"Excuse me," a wimpy, hipster-sounding dude said hesitantly from behind him, " but do you know when they're bringing out more waters?"

Mickey didn't even bother to look.

"Get lost," he answered, waving a hand in the guy's general direction.  "Go drink outa the bathroom sink like a normal fucking person and let me watch my show."

---

The third time, he was pretty sure Ian was catching on.

Not that he cared, honestly--the view was fucking worth it.

"You call that a bench press?" He goaded his husband from behind the bench.  "Kev's kickin' your ass, man, that's just embarassing."

Ian glowered, breath hissing out between his teeth as he pushed up again.

"I'm pretty much pressing you right now," he gritted out, "so I'm feeling pretty good about it, actually."

Mickey hid his grin behind a hand, feigning disinterest even as his eyes followed Ian's bulging arms up and down, lingering on the tight plane of his chest.

"Well he's pressing like two of me," Mickey countered, letting his eyes wander, "so you might wanna step it up, tough guy."

Sure enough, Kev's current weights were at least half again what Ian had, and he was doing an admirable job of lifting them considering that his gigantic self was too big for the bench.  Mickey hadn't considered that when he invited Kev to check out the gym at their new place; it was designed for recreational exercise, not fucking seven foot tall body builders.  The man's legs stretched out awkwardly off the bottom of the bench, knees bent but stuck up far too high for proper form.  His broad shoulders dwarfed the other end, making it look like his upper body was just suspended there.

Mickey licked his lips, watching the shift of muscles under Kev's tanned skin--thank the lord the man shared his aversion to sleeves--and almost got chinned when he leaned too far over Ian's station.

The bar slotted into place without his help, Ian sitting up and wiping his face with a hand.

"Why don't you spot him for a while, then," Ian said. "While I go hit the shower."

He stood, making his way to the door, and Mickey paused, torn.

"Or I could give you a practical demonstration of my ability to lift you," Ian added over his shoulder, and Mickey was making his excuses to their guest and chasing after him before Kev could even finish another rep.

---

Ian never brought it up, after that, but Mickey still decided to cool it, just a little. Ian had seemed a little jealous, at the gym, although you'd never have known it by the things he said later--bet you like it when people look like they can throw you around, Mick--and Mickey did not need to throw a wrench into their marriage just for a little extra eye candy.

But then they were all at the pool together, the Gallaghers plus Mickey, plus Tami, plus Kev and Vee, and he really couldn't help it.

"Damn our men are hot," Tami had commented, sitting in a white plastic chair next to Mickey.

Mickey leaned back with a grin, taking a swig of lukewarm beer, and said, "You think that's hot?" nodding to where Ian and Lip were splashing each other over Franny's head in the shallow end.

"Watch this," he finished, and cupped a hand over his mouth to help his voice carry.

"Hey Ian," he shouted. "Bet Kev could beat you in a race."

"Hell yeah!" Kev called back from where he was manning the grill. "Name the time, man!"

Mickey could see Ian roll his eyes, and worried for the briefest of moments that his husband was done humoring him. But after a brief, hushed word with his brother, Ian was swimming to the side of the pool nearest Kev, saying "right now, backstroke, three laps," and Mickey was falling in love all over again.

"You do this a lot?" Tami asked, amused, as Kev stripped off his shirt and jumped in to take his place at the wall of the pool.

Mickey waited until they were off, arms wheeling wildly through the water and sending the sparkling spray onto sculpted, heaving chests, to answer.

"Define a lot," he said, not looking away from the spectacle as Ian and Kev hit the wall and turned, their swimsuits flashing through the water.

Tami snickered.

"Got it," she said, then, "thanks for sharing the wealth."

The race finished, Ian and Kev lifting themselves out of the pool, water running down their bodies as they clasped hands and went in for a shoulder-slapping bro hug. Ian looked back to where Mickey sat, and smirked.

"No problem," Mickey murmured, watching closely.

Ian leaned up to say something into Kev's ear, and Mickey squinted, like that would somehow help him hear it.

"Ogling the competition, Milkovich?" Lip's voice came from behind, and Mickey nearly fell out of his chair.

"The fuck are you talkin about?" he demanded, twisting around in his chair to look at Lip's knowing smirk.

"Nothing," Lip answered innocently. "Just noticed you've been watching Kev a lot lately."

Mickey scowled.

"And what's it to you?" he challenged. "Nothing at all," Lip said. "Just an observation." His grin widened. "And a distraction."

Mickey's eyes narrowed.

"A distraction from wha--argh!"

He cut off as he was lifted by two pairs of string arms, familiar ones wrapped under his own and different, strong hands holding his feet. He flailed, barely registering the flash of green eyes and a mostly bald head, before he hit the water with a splash.

By the time he surfaced, snorting chlorinated pool water out of his nose, it was to see two grinning faces looking down at him.

"Thought you might need to cool off after watching us," Ian said with a grin, laughing when Mickey tried to splash water into his face.

"Next time you want a show," Kev added, "just ask, man." He waggled his eyebrows. "I learned a few things when I worked that gay club."

Ian laughed again at Mickey's shocked expression.

"You need to work on your poker face, Mick," he said. "But it's okay, we don't mind."

He winked, then turned to walk away, leaving Mickey floating in the pool. Kev left with him, hips swaying slightly, and Mickey bit his lip and watched them go.

"Really?" Lip asked from the side of the pool, sounding disgusted, and Mickey just shrugged without looking back.

After all, if they didn't mind...

[itjazzbicch]

2-0

Pairing:  Matt Jackson x Fem Reader

Summary: Based off Surging Waves:

The reader and Matt have a wonderful first date that ended with some spice and created a strong bond between them. With a busy schedule, the reader tries to make some time for them and they do find time in the ring, learning their ring chemistry and then some...

Warnings:  SMUT! (18+ ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Requested by:  No one (But I hope you all enjoy!)

Word Count:  2043

Tag List: @demonqueen29​ @jessiebean00​ @new-zealand-chic​ @crowleysqueenofhell​ @justamess44​ @thatpanpal​ @hungmanhorsecarriage​ @irish-newzealand-idian-dutch​  @linziland13​ @xxx-jazz-xxx​ @writtingrose​

I DO NOT OWN THIS GIF

[Hey Matt, I know we’ve both been busy lately, but here in the city, I have my own ring. Wanna hang out and get some training in? Here’s the address if you decide to come]

A true connection was established during my first date with Matt, that connection making my heart ache a little every time he was away.

It had been a little over a week since we had time to ourselves because of how filled our schedules were but with a day between shows in the same city, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity.

I was hoping I didn’t come off as clingy or desperate by that message. Not receiving a response was a bad sign in my eyes.

An hour had passed when I gave up. Matt wasn’t coming. With a tense, angry hand, I snatched my sweat towel, ready to exit the ring, but then I heard knocking on the door.

“It’s open!” My voice echoed throughout the room, eyes exploding with happiness and relief at the sight of Matt walking through the door with a gym bay.

“Nice ring!” Matt complimented, finding the apron and jumping up, getting a good feel of the ropes, “Man, I don’t think our crew even does this good!”

“Thanks,” I appreciated, “I put a lot into this ring.”

Matt always knew how to make my eyes lock onto him, adoring his tye-dye t-shirt, but enjoying the show much more when he revealed his bare chest, his abs built and tone, tossing his shirt off.

I was enraptured by his every move but also distracted and just able to roll out of the way when he jumped off the top rope and into the ring, coming at me.

A sharp wheeze made my chest seize, exhaling deeply in the corner, stressing, “What was that about?”

“I told you, next time we’re in a ring, we’re having a match,” Matt recalled, “Remember?”

That was during our first kiss and I remembered, clear as day.

A fiendish, playful smile was my response; nodding my head when I stood up in the corner across from him, smiling, “Oh, I remember. Remember what I told you? Don’t get too ahead of yourself.”

It was hard not to laugh when Matt turned away, as if there was a timekeeper's area, yelling, “Ring the bell! Ding! Ding! Ding!”

The first thing we did was get into a lock-up and this time, I actually had to use a good bit of strength. Matt was a lot strong than I anticipated, but I was able to keep up.

I tried keeping it simple with some chain wrestling, but our pace picked up a lot, especially since I was a high flyer. I was so used to moving so fast.

Lucha rolls, jumping off the ropes, dropkicks, arm drags, cross bodies; If we were on Dynamite, the fans would eat it up. We were basically wrestling a real match and it was astonishing how evenly matched we were.

All that fast-paced wrestling was wearing me down, so I decided to go for a pin. Matt and I’s hands were interlocked, trying to overpower one another, but I swept out his leg, then jumped on top of him.

With my head pressed hard against his shoulder, pinning him down to the mat, I called out, “One! Two!”

He kicked out and I tried again, pushing my head against his other shoulder, yelling, “One! Two!”

Matt was truly proving his strength, almost breaking my hold, trying to throw me off with a thrust of his hips upwards, but with a loud groan, I pushed them back down, keeping mine pinned against his.

Silence fell between us, a desirous look in his eyes when our eyes met, both of our chests heaving.

“Got damn it, I can’t take it anymore,” He heaved, breaking my hold and sitting up, cradling my face with both hands, powerful zealousness in his lips when they met mine.

His passion was so strong and stirring, small trembles radiating through his body, tensed up muscles that made his arms latch around my waist, keeping me in a warm embrace.

All those feelings flowing between us continued to grow stronger as my reaction was to return an even more spirituous kiss, my hands now cradling his face.

We probably could’ve kissed each other to the point where we stopped breathing and collapsed, but the sound of our lips popping free echoed in the room, the look of lust being shared between us.

“God, have I missed that,” Matt confessed, taking the moment to catch his breath.

“Really?” I whispered shyly; swimming in those deep brown eyes made me a little nervous. Everything about him was so striking, anything he did made my heart flutter and that intensified the second I felt his lips against mine.

“Yes,” He assured, chuckling like I was speaking nonsense, but the lust came back and kicked in hard, making me even more flustered, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you and it feels so good to have what I want.”

Knowing that we were experiencing the same emotions regarding one another made that nervousness fade away, getting what I wanted to, kissing him along with a scruff of his beard.

I fell in deep, getting lost and we began to think unconsciously, our bodies beginning to move together.

“What do you think of turning this match into a submission match, hm?” Matt offered, thrusting his hips into me gently.

“You think you can make me tap out?” I snickered, shaking from arousal when his hands pinned my hips to his, biting at my lower lip and growling:

“I know I can.”

“I’d love to see you try,” I grinned, slowly grinding against him, able to feel how the tension bulging between his thighs, his erect cock creating tight friction against his shorts.

“Oh, I’m going to,” He pledged, swapping positions and slamming me against the mat.

Clothes were flung all over the ring, shoes kicked out to the floor. For a moment, I couldn’t believe I was doing this in my ring, but the emotions between made me careless.

Only focused on Matt, kneeling back down to the canvas, hand giving soft strokes, attending to the length and thickness of his cock.

Stars were spinning around my head already, my brain so pleasurably dazed that I had my own, slow-motion view, but the speed of our movements caught up to me.

Our skin was hot pressed together, stinging steaming trapped and it wasn’t going to get any cooler from here.

His smile against my lips showed his excitement, enjoying the squish of my thighs when he spread them wide.

Sweat was forming and I was filled with heat, moaning against his lips, looking down for a moment to see his cock slowly disappear inside me, inch by inch.

My body showed how hungry I was for this, walls keeping ahold of him and not wanting to ever let go, slicking him so much already.

I could feel him being milked with every thrust, fighting some noise that could be declared sinful, feeling a pinch in my lower core that made me groan, “ugh!”

“You hiding your moans? Don’t act all tough “ He panted, holding my face by the jaw, sloppily kissing, “I know every noise you’ll make will be beautiful.”

“Ugh!” I gasped, still registering that pinch, “M-Matt!”

It made my body tremble, my brain having to process every move he made because it was so overloaded with pleasure and bliss, his pace quickening to satisfy both our needs.

A hand got tangled in his hair, pulling unintentionally, I just needed something, getting the contact I needed when I latched around his body, eyes rolling to the back of my head.

“Still not ready to tap yet?” He teased, not ready for the moan that jumped from his chest due to the feeling of my hips beginning to chase his, moving faster this his current pace.

“You should know by now, I don’t go down without a fight,” I growled, pulling at his hair a little again.

“You don’t go down without a fight?” He repeated with a deep grunt, making it tough for me not to fall into a puddle when he went off like a jackhammer, sentence being finished with a rough thrust.

With a tight scrunch of his nose, he sat up to admire his cock pulling back just to be sucked back in so quickly, biting his lips and focusing on the squelching sound being created between us, making an even bigger mess of me.

“G-go-“ I stuttered, a sharp arch forming in my lower back, fingernails scratching at the canvas.

“Spit it out,” He smiled, curious as to what I was going to say, thinking I was ready to tap.

“Got damn you, Matt,” I whined, gasping at the feeling of my sweet spot being hammered, rattling my body like an earthquake and I didn’t know how much my body could take before I became undone.

Matt could always read me well, doubling his efforts, such a sexy but devilish look on his face; hair falling down past his eyes, that look alone had me ready.

His eyebrows raised with expectancy when I became so dazed I could only babble out his name, lips having trouble that I made me drool.

To keep a stabilized flow of pleasure through me, he established a quick, pounding rhythm, balls slapping against my wet skin, raising my legs a little higher with a tight grip of my thighs.

It was as if someone was taking bumps in the ring with the way he was going, feeling every movement vibrate against my back and spine, ricocheting all over the place and making all of the pleasure ping around me and hit hard like a pinball machine.

There was no way I was going to get the chance to turn the tables and I didn’t want to. I wanted this and Matt blew my mind.

“I can’t understand you when you’re babbling like that,” Matt noted, wanting my words to express what was happening to my body.

My core coiled up like a spring, a spring that was ready to snap. It made my back arch harder on its own, almost making me sit up, but my body was also ready to collapse, keeping my shoulders down.

The heat was growing in the air thickly, making me overhear, breaking out in small sweats and with Matt going and going, his stamina showing no end, there was no running from the orgasm that lurked.

The squelching grew louder, deep groans rumbling in his chest from my walls pulsating, but there was no slowing him down.

“Matt!” I cried out loud, frantically grabbing him by the shoulders, needing his body for support, his heart pounding hard against my chest when gushing slick drenched his cock and thighs, making his cock pulsate, not daring to slow him down, delivering deep thrust and continuing to fuck me thoroughly.

There was no denying how good every part of it felt, but with all the heat trapped in my body, how my legs were shaking like hell, a faint ring in my ears when my chest stopped heaving, heartbeat echoing with a pound in my head.

With a faint wrist, I tapped his shoulder, holding his head that fell to my shoulder, kissing it with a smile, pinning his hips against mine to take a moment of his own to breathe.

The ring shook a little when he moved his knees, faintly giggling, “Your winner! Matt Jackson. Undefeated against Y/N!”

He was such a goof sometimes and I loved it, making me laugh hysterically when he added quickly, guilt in his voice, “Also, uhhhh, a new canvas is in this ring’s future.”

“Courtesy of Matt Jackson!” I huffed, mocking his announcer's voice.

He wasn’t done getting moans of out me yet, sharp whines falling from my lips when he sat up, slowly pulling out with a languid thrust, smiling into my eyes, “I think you and I should have more matches like these.”

“Oh yeah,” I grinned, blowing him a kiss, “I’m beating that undefeated streak of yours.”

[oftenderweapons]

Steamy Waters — Jungkook

Pairing: Jeon Jungkook x reader (nicknamed Candy)

Wordcount: 7.7k 

Genre: smut, pwp; initial fluff, but don’t let that fool you; established relationship;  idol!AU

Rating: 18+

Hello my fluffy ducklings, welcome to Jeongguk’s Steamy Waters 😈

I won’t even pretend there’s a plot in this. It’s just Jk, coming home from the gym and finding excuses to shower with his gf. Set almost a month after Love Talk, Jeongguk is finally ready to take a big step in his relationship with Candy, however finding the courage for the big leap is excruciating. Candy is more than willing to reward him before asking for something in return, she simply doesn’t know how much her game will cost her. 

I decided I’ll keep using the nickname the nickname “Guk”, (see more in this post). Now, straight on to...

TRIGGER WARNINGS: unprotected sex within an established relationship (don’t do that unless YOU’RE TESTED AND CLEAN), mentions of therapy and mental health; sweaty jock!Jungkook, smitten!Jungkook who can’t express his emotions but IS WORKING ON IT, with a very supportive gf; I guess there’s a striptease, if you like... squint?; masturbation (female and male receiving); breast worship; period talk; very intimate love confession; foreplay under the shower (specifically mutual oral sex — aka 69 — while laying on the floor); predator/prey dynamics (namely she runs and he chases her, finds her as she tries to hide, drags her out and throws her over his shoulder); plenty of lube (lube is important and useful, let’s normalise using it); lots of degradation and objectification, name calling (fuckdoll, slut, cocksleeve, cockfairy), very multiple orgasms — like a lot; edging (both male and female receiving), begging, crying, slight humiliation. These two know all the possible variations to missionary sex (sorry not sorry); biting; slightest, most delicate face slapping and grabbing; spanking; tattoo fetish; cumplay, mentions of cum eating. 

[Inspired by this look]

Here is my masterlist and check out my non-idols!AU (Partition update coming on Sat, Jan 23rd!!!) 

Remember to vote for next prompt (link in bio)!

And now, enjoy ✨💜

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The entry door smashed loudly sometime around ten p.m., followed by the thud of a bag falling to the floor, Jeongguk’s heavy steps stopping as he took of his shoes.

The moment he appeared he looked unreal, with an oversized black shirt reaching his mid thigh, the sleeves exposing his forearms and part of his tattoos, his hair falling messily in wet curls over his forehead.

“Candy, babe?” He called from the entry. “I’m home!”

“Guk?” You called from the kitchen, your head peeking around the corner. He spotted you and smiled.

“What you doing there?” He said with a smile, sauntering towards you, standing at your side and placing a hand around your waist as you stood by the stove.

You turned and stood on your tiptoes, puckering your lips and closing your eyes.

He bent down and pressed a chaste kiss to your lips. “I’m sorry I’m messy.” He said, close to your mouth.

“Are you fresh out of the gym?” You asked.

He nodded. “I haven’t even showered yet. I wanted to come home as soon as possible.” His fingers rubbed your side gently, trying not to tickle you. “I missed you a lot today.”

You smiled as you finished warming up his favourite post-workout snack. “I’ve already eaten. I thought you might be hungry.” You said, just as he stole the ladle and took a sip.

“Yum!” He commented, placing the utensil back in your hand. He stood behind you, placing his hands on your shoulders. “I wanna hug you but I’m too sweaty.” He commented as he kneeled the tense muscles of your neck.

You shook your head. “Oh, these need to be washed,” you said, referring to your outfit. “We went to a bulgogi place today and I feel like I smell so bad.”

“You haven’t showered yet?” He asked, his hands slowing down, almost stopping.

“No… I switched on the tv and there was this interesting old interview with Miyazaki and I got caught up.” You explained with a cheery tone.

“The Japanese director and artist?” He asked.

“Yeah.” You confirmed, switching off the stove and pouring a couple ladles of noodles and broth in a bowl, adding some basic decorations on top.

He paused before wrapping an arm around your waist. “Can I hug you then?” He asked gently, almost too quietly for you to hear.

Still, there was no way you wouldn’t hear his voice. Sometimes you thought you could hear his very thoughts.

“Of course you can hug me, Guk.”

His body adhered to yours without hesitation, a low moan exiting his throat as he felt you sink even deeper into him, pressing into his body, almost trying to hide into him.

“I said I missed you.” He said shyly, waiting for you to praise him as he opened up about his emotions.

You were working through it, together, trying to make him open up more, offer you more of himself, of his feelings and fears.

“I missed you too, baby. I love you.” You spoke against his chest, taking in the clean and humid scent of his skin. He always smelled so good even after working out. Especially after working out.

Your hormones did a somersault.

“Today I felt very… restless.”

That was a very specific word for his emotional vocabulary. Lately, he was getting better and better, finding new words that fit his moods appropriately. His way of speaking was always plain, in the best meaning of the term. He is simple and transparent, always using basic words with great meaning. That seemed to be his style, pure and direct, honest.

However, he was growing a lot, even emotionally. He was slowly losing the adjective “young” that people normally put before the word “man” when trying to describe him.

He is a man. And an excellent one at that. Sure, a bit naive sometimes, and still shy, but he always showed a caring, attentive side whenever you tried to speak your needs and grievances within your relationship.

“Mh… What made you feel restless today?” You asked, repeating an exercise that your psychologist always made you do when you were a teen.

“We practiced a choreo all morning. And we always messed up the same part. There’s a very difficult transition and it’s just… so difficult to end up in the right position after the passage.” He said, huffing out loudly.

You thought about his food getting cold, still you knew that if you made him eat the conversation would quite surely stop. “Anything else, baby?” You asked, kissing his breastbone.

“We had a couple interviews this afternoon. One with a radio and another one with a talk show.” He said. “I’m glad that my English is improving. Namjoon hyung said he’s proud of me and that I did a good job.”

You heard the smile in his voice.

“Even Yoongi hyung said I did a good job. And he offered me a tangerine!” He said enthusiastically.

You rubbed his back. “We’re all proud of you, baby.” You said fondly.

“Thank you.” He replied and when you looked up at his face you saw his ears flush red.

“Time to eat, Koo.” You said, pressing your hands to the sides of his head, trying to calm down the blush.

He smiled.

He looked beautiful.

On your tiptoes, you kissed the mole under his lip, shortly before he picked you up by the waist and brought you at his eye level, your arms anchoring behind his neck as he pushed his mouth to yours. “Thank you.” He said again, that feeling in his chest getting more and more urgent.

He would say it. Just… Not now.

He had plans.

He took the bowl and a spoon in his hand, the other one staying around your back, pulling you to the table with him. First he placed down the objects and then he sat, still holding your hand, tugging at it gently and making you sit across his lap.

You giggled and adjusted yourself, your forearm moving behind him and securing you to his back.

He pecked your temple and thanked for the food quickly before digging in, slurping loudly and devouring the whole meal in eager, large spoonfuls.

“No one’s stealing your food, baby, don’t eat too fast.” You said, worried as he paused for a moment, only to take a few breaths and dig in again, finishing the bowl.

He placed down the spoon and rubbed his belly, exhaling with a satisfied grin.

You smirked. “Would you like some more?”

He shook his head no. “I wanna shower.” He said, placing the spoon in the bowl and handing both to you; but before you could protest, thinking he was asking you to tidy up, he moved one arm under your knees, the other around your shoulders, picking you up bridal style.

“Guk, for goodness’ sake!” You shrieked, trying to secure yourself with one arm, the other holding the bow.

“Trust me,” He said, “I’ve got you.” He reassured you, stopping in front of the sink and helping you place the bowl down. Next, he made you sit on the counter, “I need both hands free for this,” he said, picking up the pot and covering it with its lid before placing it back inside the fridge.

He would deal with that later.

“Come here,” he called, standing between your legs and picking you up again, his hands pressed to the back of your thighs. You pushed your nose against the soft hair of his nape. “Where are we going?” You asked, curious.

“Shower.” He said, reaching the room and placing you down near the sink in the dim light coming in from the window. He looked at the saffron gleam of the streetlights landing on the floor, cutting a thin, long stripe landing at your feet.

He took a step forward and stood in it, his black shirt immediately absorbing the light with a curious pattern of shadows that seemed to offer small outlines of the taut, solid muscles underneath.

Jeongguk stood there, fascinated with the way you looked at him, almost ready to hide his face in his hands before you traced the line of his collarbone, then up his throat, until you reached the deep darkness enshrouding his mouth.

“Would you take off your shirt?” You asked, cupping his jaw.

He nodded. “In a second.” He said, staring some more.

He would have never believed he looked at you the same way you looked at him, weren’t it for the picture that had become his new desktop wallpaper a few hours ago. Jin had sent him a picture of the night Jungkook had introduced you to the boys, a week after the two of you had reunited. In the picture, you were talking with Jimin and Taehyung, the older leaning into you as he laughed hysterically while the younger looked at you like you had hung the very stars in the sky. Sitting on the sofa, you glanced up at Jeongguk as he stood behind you with his hands on your shoulders, a large grin on his face and the warmest feeling glittering in his eyes, his ears bright as your own lips opened up in a soft smile.

And now he stood in front of you and you were gorgeous. And he felt so in love.

So desperate to touch you.

But you looked like a vision, a mirage ready to disappear like his unsteady feelings; like that ugly, lying voice could come up any moment and make his doubt you and himself, making him believe that he was incapable of understanding true love, that he had been fooled once and it was sweet like this at the beginning until all there was left was barren land and bitter dust.

He took off his shirt. You moved away the hand on his face before you got tangled up, giving him space until his naked torso was right in front of you.

“You’ve been getting skinnier.” You said, placing your hands on his pectorals. “You’ve lost weight?” You asked, cupping his face again.

“It’s why I’m exercising. It was hard to keep a routine while I was gone.” He explained, placing his hands around your wrists and pushing them down. “Am I not strong enough? Fit enough?” He asked once your hands were resting on his pectorals.

Your thumbs circled his nipples, making them harden immediately. “No, baby.” You argued, a bit disappointed. “I’m saying I wouldn’t mind if you slowed down with the gym and ate a tiny bit more.” You replied. “I love you. I don’t care about your looks, but you’re all bones and muscles. I don’t mind the flesh.” You said, pinching his belly and finding only skin between your fingers. “I’m saying I don’t want you to be so hard on yourself.” You explained before your hands travelled to the ribbon of his sweats.

“You want me to put on some weight?” He asked, incredulous.

“I just want you to be healthy and eat enough food to match your workouts, and do anything you want with your body without feeling pressured. True Army will love you with or without abs.” You raked your nails across his taut abdomen. “And I don’t care as long as I get to touch you like this. Or kiss you here.” You said, following the shape of his cock with a finger.

He smiled and blushed — which you couldn’t see, considering the dark room. What you did feel was his sex twitching and hardening some more. He moaned weakly, his head falling forward and landing on your shoulder. “You mean you care only about blowing me?” He asked, his hips pushing against your palm, his hair tickling your neck and ear, making you arch away from his sinfully messy mop of hair.

You cupped him from over his sweats, massaging him slowly, gently. “Let’s say it’s a pretty important factor in our relationship.” You joked, nuzzling your nose against his head.

“Mh...” He commented meditatively. “How important compared to your love for me?” He asked, mouthing at the underside of your jaw, chuckling and teasing it with the vibrations of his voice clad in a deep rumble and the thick, teasing accent of his dialect.

“Mh… they’re neck and neck for factor number one.” You teased back, tracing his happy trail with your index finger.

“Neck and neck, you say...” He mused, nipping at your throat harshly, making you gasp. “Let’s see what happens if I take it away from you.” He wondered as he took a step away, out of your grasp.

You tried to keep touching him until he was too far for you to reach.

“Hands to yourself, babe.” He scolded as you licked your lips, looking at him as he switched on the soft led from the shower, lowering it to a soft dark red. “Promise me you’ll keep your naughty fingers at bay.” He asked, taking one step toward you.

You nodded eagerly, “I promise. Please.” You begged, placing your palms flat on your thighs and waiting for him to come closer. Once more he stood between your legs, his hands catching your wrists and bringing your arms behind your back, indirectly making your spine arch forward and push your breasts up.

He stared unashamed at your curves, barely visible over the large cotton blouse. “Keep your hands there.” He said, his fingers starting at your buttons. “My turn.” He said, undoing enough buttons to reach the lower hem of your bra, his hands sliding into the opening and cupping your breast from the lower, outer part, pressing them together and planting his face right in the crevasse, making you laugh at the drastic way he dove in.

“You good there, Guk?”

He nodded simply. “God, if you’re listening, this is a good moment to die.” He commented gingerly. “Let my girlfriend’s tits be the last thing I see before I pass.” He went on. “Amen.”

The laughter overtook you, your whole body wiggling with giggles. “Admit it, you love my tits way more than you love me.” You said before realising that the joke didn’t work both ways: even though you had confessed your feelings, he hadn’t done so with an actual declaration yet.

“Neck and neck.” He replied, letting his feelings implicitly show with ambiguous confessions.

He drew the upper curve of each breast with small kisses while his fingers worked the buttons left. The moment he reached the last one, he undid it and raised his head, looking you in the eye for the longest, slowest seconds in the history of the universe. His lips collided with yours, pressure building and building until you separated, galaxies of feelings and sensations blooming in both of you.

His hands pushed the blouse off your shoulders, letting it slide to your wrists. Next, he moved the straps of your bra off your shoulders kissing the slope of your neck and collarbone slowly and leisurely on the left side, before turning to the other side and parting his lips, letting half an inch of his tongue hang from his mouth and trace the ridge of your collarbone, his fingers undoing the clasp of your bra. The garment slid lower, your breasts heavier now without the support of the small cage. “Are they sore?” He asked, kissing you under your ear before moving his hands to your forearms, freeing you from the shirt.

“A bit. It was hot outside today.” You paused. “And my period’s close.” You added, hoping he didn’t get embarrassed by the small statement.

He stayed silent for half a minute. “How close?” He asked, moving your arm to your front so he could remove one strap, then focusing on the other one, baring your torso completely.

“It should be… four or five days away.” You said after making a quick count.

He nodded before cupping your face and kissing your mouth. “Do you need me to stock anything in the house?” He asked, parting from your face and looking you in the eye? “Sanitary products, comfort food, anything?” He asked, his gaze so soft and caring you felt a string of your heart snap and break.

“I have those at home.” You said, combing his hair away from his face, the red light making his eyes even more intense, his lips even more tempting.

“You won’t be here on the weekend?” He asked, suddenly hesitant. “I know we met today because I called you and normally you prefer staying at your place on weekdays and coming over for the weekend; but I thought that meeting today wouldn’t mean I wouldn’t have the weekend.” He said, confused and a little bit sad. Even with the dim lights you could see the disappointed look on his face.

“I thought that since I had my per—”

“It’s not like I wouldn’t want to cuddle and sleep with you. You know I—” love you. “I don’t want only sex.” He said, frowning.

You noticed he grew increasingly upset, his teeth torturing his lower lip.

Can’t you just fucking say it, Jeon Jeongguk, for goodness’ sake! His brain snapped at him, but his heart stayed guarded and wary.

“Come here.” You said, opening your arms, and letting him barricade himself into your embrace, your chest hot against his, the late summer night making both your and his skin clammy. “I know you care about me.” You said, your hand sliding into the long locks of his nape. ���I’m not used to this, Guk. You know how we did this before you left.”

“This is not before I left. This is now.” He said, his voice so insecure. “I want everything. The cuddles and the sex and the feelings and… all of it. I want to be there for you. Always.” He said, raising up, towering over you as hegave up on the protection of your arms and offered you the safety of his own. “I want you to count on me. To trust me and tell me when something’s wrong. I want to support you and protect you.” He said, more and more determined. “I want to be the one you want when you had a stressful day and you need to talk. I want your problems too, ____. I want the ugly bits too. I don’t want you to choose the parts that you think I can handle and offer those alone.” He patted your head before making you look at him. “I want everything, Candy. Every damn thing, baby. The good, the bad and the in between.” He bent to your ear and closed his eyes, leaning into you, pressing his forehead to your temple. “Will you let me be there for you, baby, please?” He asked, begging, holding the crown of your head with one hand and your waist with the other.

You nodded, almost too emotional. “Yes.” You replied simply before he pressed you to his chest, where his heart beat so loud you thought he would get a heart attack.

He placed both hands on your waist lifting you off the counter and placing you with your feet on the floor. “Take off your trousers and panties, Candy.” He spoke softly as he watched your hands slide down your sides dragging the garments all the way to your ankles before stepping out of them. He placed them in the basket with the dirty laundry.

“Your sweats,” you said, trying to reach for the waistband.

“No,” he said, getting undressed by himself.

Just like that, you stood naked in front of each other, his eyes focused on your face, your gaze laced with his.

“You're so beautiful.” He whispered, cupping the side of your neck before letting his hand skim your chest, the plumpness on your breast, the sensitive curve of your waist, his palm stopping at your hip before his fingers sunk into your flesh, his eyes following his hand with unbreakable focus.

Gently, he tugged you toward the shower, making you stop before entering. “Let me get the temperature right.” He said, opening the tap and waiting a little before the water turned warm. You stared at him as he tested the spray and dove under, small rivulets rolling down his body, following the curve of his back, drenching his hair and rolling down his cheeks as he rubbed his face with his hands.

“Come, babe.” Jeongguk said, stretching his hand toward you.

Biting your lip, you took a few steps before he moved out of the spray, hugging you before he took a small step back, your and his body both under the water. You simply pressed your mouth to the base of his throat while his hands made sure that your hair got properly wet before he could wash them.

Your hands moved down his back, from his shoulder blades to the small of his back, until you managed to reach the full roundness of his ass, massaging it slowly, comfortably.

He snickered. “Are you comfy there?” He asked, just as his hands reached your own ass and squeezed it. “Does that feel good?”

You nodded, the sound of the water drowning your small moan. “Let me.” You said, turning around and rubbing at your hair, making sure it was soaked.

His hands followed the curves of your body capturing your heavy breasts in his palms. He took a deep breath before he stretched to reach his body wash, pouring some in his palm and foaming it up before spreading it over your skin, the scent of his soap filling the space.

The lights were making it even more intimate, with the red-to-black spectrum tinging the experience in a variety of tones of eroticism. First and foremost, the mildest but most difficult of them all: intimacy.

Jeongguk placed his hands on your waist, making you turn around. You were there, with your hair pushed back, your beautiful face completely exposed to his observing stare. He couldn’t hold your gaze.

He poured more shower gel on his palm and after it turned into a small handful of bubbles he bent down and divided it between his hands, bending down and washing your legs, until he knelt, washing your feet.

“Guk.” You called shyly.

He hummed in reply, just as he took a gentler soap meant for your intimate parts. He pumped a dollop on his hand and foamed it briskly before cupping your vulva delicately, focusing on the simple, affectionate task at hand, making sure to spread your labia as you parted your legs slightly to let him have access. He rubbed the palm slowly, lightly against your skin, not sparing the back, in between your ass cheeks, waiting for the water to rinse his hands and clean you fully.

He felt ready.

His hands cupped your hips, holding tight without his fingers digging in, all the pressure focused on his palms.

He kissed your belly button.

“I love you.” He almost whispered.

You were far too lost in sensations to be sure that he had actually said what you thought you had heard.

“What?” You asked, looking down at him.

He delivered another small kiss on your tummy and looked up. “I love you, ____.” He said, before smiling timidly.

“You love me?” You asked, incredulous.

“Yes. I love you, Candy. A whole damn lot.” He said, kissing a straight line from your belly to your pubic bone, stopping there. “I wanna… Can I… Can I taste you?” He asked, waiting on his knees, removing his hands and mouth from you, letting you choose freely.

You looked at him before your mouth opened in the happiest, widest smile you had ever given him. “I love you, you know that, right?” You told him, touching his face, combing his hair back.

He nodded. “I love you too.” He said, and the more he said that, the more his body felt how right, how true it was.

“You wanna eat me out?” You asked as he nodded furiously.

You lifted a leg, ready to place it on his shoulder when he sat on his hip, then turned with his back to you, laying flat on the floor, his head away from the water spray.

Your brow furrowed before he tucked his elbows next to his torso, his hands close to his face before he grinned and wiggled his fingers in a “come forth” motion.

“Uhm…” You wondered, confused for a brief moment, trying to understand if he really meant for you to ride his face, especially since you were both still trying to understand the whole cunnilingus discourse.

“Sit on my face?” He asked, his cheeks blushing — which fortunately you couldn’t see with the current lighting, he considered.

Your eyebrows shot up. “You sure?” You asked.

“Pretty sure, yes. If you want to, of course.” He replied.

Slowly you lowered yourself to your knees, his hands circling your waist and heading up, up, until he met your breasts, before heading down again, fixing your hips right against his lips.

“I’m gonna start now, Candy.” He warned you, “you can ask me to stop whenever you want to, baby.”

“Wait!” You called. “Is it okay if I blow you?” You asked, pretty sure that it would be good for your mind space if you dedicated yourself to his pleasure, easing the mental pressure you felt whenever someone went down on you. After all, Jeongguk had been the first to make you cum during oral sex, and even with him sometimes you struggled reaching your high.

“You want to sixty-nine?” He asked, trying to comfort you by lacing his fingers with yours.

“I wanna try?” You asked. “Maybe it all works better if I’m not thinking about it too much. I could use a…distraction?” You explained, doubtful.

“Okay, let’s give this a go.” He replied, completely oblivious that the simple movements of his mouth as he spoke against your crotch were making your hole drip in wetness.

“Okay then!” You slowly lowered yourself on your elbows, his lips going on a slow side-to-side motion before he opened his mouth, his upper lip pressing against your entrance while his lower one met the sensitive nerve endings of your clit, making you moan just as his tip entered your mouth, your hand cupping his balls and sliding upwards, until you could grip him as comfortably as you could.

He released a heavy breath, the hot air meeting the raw skin of your slit. Just as his tongue made its way between your labia, you bobbed your head a couple times, making him moan loudly, which made you moan in return.

The whole situation turned into a game where the more you received, the more you gave.

As you started sucking him, creating a vacuum effect with your cheeks, his hands gripped your ass, his lips wrapping around your left labium, pumping it with his cheeks into his mouth, just past his teeth, that grazed it perfectly, alternating the softness of his lips and tongue with the hard edge of his teeth, making blood pool in the sensitive tissue. Meanwhile, on his lap, you were drooling all over him, pumping him with your fist as you started losing focus. “Guk.” You called.

He simply hummed and switched to the other side.

Yes, he was dedicated like that.

“Gu— Oh, yes, love, like that, baby, just like that.” You said as you felt his hands direct your hips in a grinding motion, your mouth returning between his legs out of sheer gratitude.

He moaned again, his eyelids fluttering with pleasure as you pushed his soft head to the back of your mouth, bobbing your head a few times before your hand started fondling his balls with your palm, twisting your wrist and using the pad of your thumb to tease the delicate spot between his balls and his anus.

He released your labium. “Candy. Fuck, baby, yeah, that a… I— I really like your finger there, baby.” He said, swallowing loudly before flicking the tip of his tongue repeatedly against your clit, spanking your ass brusquely before he gave a few strong pumps to your most sensitive spot.

You released his cock, letting it snap back to his belly and speaking against his shaft. “Please… Guk. Too good, love—” Your hips began to gyrate on him, his hands leading you, keeping your movements controlled so that he didn’t lose his grip between your legs. Holding his tongue rigid and still, he pushed the tip to the underside of your clit, dragging it up and exposing the most sensitive nerves, usually protected by the hood and way too sensitive for direct stimulation. Which is exactly why after two minutes your body stilled before starting to shake uncontrollably with effort, your whole universe silent, holding its breath before your lips opened in a high pitched, incoherent cry that announced your orgasm and predicted your reckless, ruthless movements on top of Jeongguk.

He took everything in.

Every small thing.

He kept moving his tongue even as it cramped, slapping your ass shamelessly, violently, spurring you into a wilder, more desperate pace as you — completely oblivious to your raw knees — rode him with a passion, pulling him into your mouth once more to quiet down your moans.

You felt your legs shake even more as his hips started pushing into your mouth, his long hums turning into short, deep groans and whimpers.

Just as you felt his balls tighten, you drew away, making him whine and arch his hips toward you.

“Please…” He called, his voice so, so miserable and pleading.

“You want your orgasm?” You asked, voice sultry.

You precisely knew what you wanted. And you had very clear plans on how to get it just right.

You looked right in front of you, at the small bathroom carpet laying just outside the shower, ready for you to dry your feet. Your escape route was bright and clear in front of your eyes.

“Does it feel nice?” You asked, un-straddling his face, acting as if you had each and every intention to bring him to the very edge and watch him dissolve.

“Please, Candy...” He cried, his hips undulating hypnotically.

“You wanna cum?” You cooed cutely.

He nodded eagerly. “Yeah… Please.”

You stopped. “Then come get me, bunny boy.” You grinned and stood, exiting the shower with a long step, shaking the water off your body as you rubbed your feet against the carpet a few times, before dashing for the door.

Alone, he opened his eyes and raised his head, looking around. “Candy?” He called again.

No sign.

He shook his head and stood up, his erection painful and uncomfortable as he closed the tap and walked out of the shower, drying his feet harshly as he switched off the bathroom lights and exited the room, looking around, spotting a trail of droplets on the floor.

He sneered and swore, staring at his hard on and clenching his jaw as he walked down the corridor with quick, long steps.

He found you as you tried to hide in the walk-in closet, almost sure you were unfollowed the moment you moved on all fours and tried to crawl under a lower shelf.

Jeongguk smirked, the scene disgustingly hilarious to him as he grabbed your hips and pulled you out of your hiding spot.

“That’s your plan?” He asked just as you tried to wiggle out of his grip.

His fingers dug into your waist, grabbing you even harder as he dragged you away from the shelf, where you could hit your head.

“You’re ridiculous.” He said, putting you on your feet before he turned you around and hoisted you over his shoulder, spanking you unceremoniously. “Running on wobbly legs.” He spanked you again. “Leaving a pretty trail of water leading me right here.” Another spank. “I thought I had taught you better than this.” He said, offering you some mercy and biting your leg instead of smacking your ass.

Your world was very unstable as he began walking you to his bedroom. He threw you on the mattress and switched on the led light behind the headboard. Again your view became nothing but the sultriest black and red.

“You wanted to make me angry?” He asked, looking you in the eye as he climbed on top of you, spreading your legs and sitting in between before both his arms caged your head.

His chest, wet and toned, was right before your eyes, moving with the fury of a wild beast. He grabbed your chin and led your gaze upward, into his. “I said, you wanted to make me angry?” He repeated.

You nodded.

“You wanted to make me snap?” He asked again, grabbing your face, making your lips turn into a silly pout.

You nodded once more. “I am—”

“I’ll tell you what you are.” He said, getting off you, opening his drawer and taking out a towel and a plastic bottle, which he placed on the bedside table before he lifted your legs with one arm and laid the towel down with the other.

You stayed silent as he took his time.

“You are a ridiculous little fuckdoll.” He stated clearly, no lips, no stutter, no hesitation whatsoever. “You are my dumb little fuckdoll,” he went on opening the bottle and letting a heavy amount of lube draw a line from the base to the tip as he held his cock away from his belly with his thumb and forefinger running around the glans. He spread the slick liquid with his palm, sliding it up and down as he hissed. “You always need to act like a dumb brat to make me fuck you like a slut.” The moment he leaned over you and poured some lube on your cunt too, you knew you were in for a long night. He closed the lid of the bottle but kept it nearby, in case he needed more.

You were close to your period, and once you had mentioned that you had some issues getting wet because of hormones changing. He was glad you gave him that kind of notions too. He had so much to learn still.

“You want me to fuck you hard?” He asked, spreading the wetness between your legs.

You nodded wordlessly.

“Not so wordy anymore, are we?” He said, cocking an eyebrow.

“Please, Guk.” You whimpered.

“That’s my little slut. You need to be fucked, uh?” He asked again, making you beg for him.

“Jeongguk, please.” You called again, pleading for his cock inside you.

“She even says ‘please’. Aren’t you desperate?” He asked, rubbing his tip up and down your slit.

“Yes, I’m your desperate doll. I’m begging… Please—” You whimpered, opening your legs as far as they would go.

He tutted and snarled. “Oh no. You’re not my desperate doll. You’re my desperate fuckdoll.” He said with a smirk. “Say it.”

“I’m your desperate fuckdoll.” You repeated with a thin voice.

He nodded “That’s right,” he replied, rewarding you with the tip of his cock as he swore and let it stay inside you, helping you get used to it — still, he grit his teeth, his deltoids and trapezei bulging with the effort. His tattooed hand held his cock to your entrance, covered in slick, helping you as he fed you a small inch at a time.

The moment he looked up at you, you noticed the lack of harshness in his eyes. “Are you okay, Candy?” He asked just as you hissed out a ‘yes’, closing your eyes and biting your lower lip. “Can I move?” He asked again, at which you nodded energetically. He giggled. “I love you, bae.” He concluded, making you whisper a brief ‘love you’ in reply before his bad boy persona came back into play.

“So you want it hard, uh?” He asked, feeling his cock already pulsate inside you.

“Yes, hard and fast, Guk. Please. I’m your fuckdoll. Do me like your little cocksleeve, please.” You begged, whiny and weak.

“Like my cocksleeve?” He said, rolling his hips twice before he pulled out. His hand drew away from his sex and moved to your mouth, laying there gently. “Cocksleeves don’t make a sound.” He leaned towards your ear. “So you’d better stay quiet.”

Your eyes blew wide as you bit your lip and furrowed your brow, his cock sinking in your flesh so hard that the smash echoed through every single organ inside your body.

You laid there and admired him as he fucked himself inside you, biting his lower lip and releasing it slowly, letting it roll and snap forward, past his teeth. He switched his position, leaning on his hand rather than on his elbow, arching even further, spreading his legs wider, propping his weight on his knees for better leverage, using his thighs to push your legs further apart as his eyes closed, chilly droplets of water falling on your face and your chest as he hammered into you, the tendons of his neck growing taut, his veins pulsing and growing and showing even in the dim red light.

Your high was there, right there, right…

Jeongguk roared, loud and aggressive and so, so angry that he sat on his heels and gripped your hips, shoving you on his length on and on, his hips meeting your body with loud smacks as he released inside you.

“No, no no. No, please no, please—” you begged as you felt him slow down, “So… close…” You sobbed as he stopped entirely.

He placed you down on the mattress. “Oh, no...” He said with faux compassion. “Poor cocksleeve.” He said with a sadistic grin, his smirk almost demonic in the crimson light.

He caged you with his body, his arms bulky and delicious at each side of your head, several rivulets of water — or maybe sweat — sliding down his face and chest. “Cocksleeves don’t get to cum, do they?” He asked rhetorically.

You whimpered and tried to squeeze him with your inner muscles.

“Or maybe I could be generous… Offer you another round…” He wondered, kissing your lips. “Would you like that?” He asked.

“Please. So close,” you whispered, chasing his mouth with yours.

He stretched and grabbed his pillow from the headboard, sliding an arm under your hips and lifting them up, placing the pillow right under your ass. “Do you need more lube, Candy?” He checked in on you, at which you shook your head.

“I just need you inside.” You replied miserably.

He pouted and got in position, cupping your jaw and sliding his thumb in your mouth. “Take it,” he said, his right hand pushing his cock in, only barely softened. Once he sank in and gave two tentative rolls of his hips, any sort of softness disappeared.

“Like this?” He asked, his nose curled adorably and sexily at the same time as his face scrunched at the effort of slow, deep thrusts.

You purred and shook your head. “Faster, harder… please.” You moaned before he started going even slower.

He chuckled. “What do I get in exchange for it?”

You opened your eyes and bit into his arm delicately. “Please,” you pleaded again. “I’m—” A tear rolled down your face. “It’s too good, let me cum, please, I love you. I’m your fuckdoll, Guk, please let me— I’ll be so tight around you, I’ll milk your cock so good, let me cum.”

He loved when you grew wobbly-lipped and teary-eyed. He loved seeing how desperate you always were for him, how much you depended on him for your pleasure.

He collected one of your tears with his lips, “are you crying for my cock?” He asked, wicked as usual.

You shook your head yes. “More, I’m begging you, Jeongguk. I’m begging you. I’m…” In an act of pettiness, you turned completely quiet, trying to rebel against him and his oversized ego. Self-sufficiently, your hands went to your boobs, grabbing them, pinching your nipples, sometimes climbing up to your throat and pressing against it softly.

He swatted your hand away, bending his mouth to your breast, tugging and suckling at your nipple messily, just as his arm grabbed your right knee and hooked it at his elbow, pushing your leg up, the angle so irresistible that your high finally peeked from around the corner. Still you stayed silent — mouth open, but quiet.

“Candy?” He called, curious about your sudden lack of noise.

You furrowed your brow and looked at him.

He tutted at himself. “Hard and fast?” He asked again.

You didn’t react. He rolled his hips deeper, hitting the spot you loved so much. Another tear spilled from your eye, but you proudly kept your stoic approach.

He smirked and started going faster, now that he had found the spot.

A small hiccup escaped your mouth.

“There we go, Candy.” He said, finally sure of his decision as he started pounding into you with everything he had in himself. “Touch your boobs, Candy.” He suggested as he saw you grow closer and closer. “So messy for this cock, uh? Whose is the best cock, Candy?”

“Yours.” You sobbed, your hips beginning to stutter, trying to meet his thrusts but too weak and sensitive for that.

“That’s right. You love this cock, Candy, don’t you?” He asked again.

“Only yours. I do, yes, please, Guk. Jeong— Guk, please I—” Your body thrashed against his as your orgasm finally caught you and drew you under.

Jeongguk’s head dove for your breastbone, pressing there as he tried to resist your high, currently threatening to drag him with itself.

As your climax persevered, he pushed your leg over his shoulder, picking up the other one too, sinking so deep with the new angle, his mouth kissing your calf, the inner side of your knee. “Is it good enough, baby?” He asked as he saw your eyes slowly flutter open.

Fuck, his jaw line was impeccable with that angle. “It’s perfect, Guk.”

“Nice, can you take another round, love?” He asked and damn, that nickname made you say yes, yes, ten thousand times yes with no hesitation.

He pushed his thumb in your mouth, against your tongue.

“I need to touch you.” He said, watching as his finger emerged drenched from your lips, immediately bringing it to your clit.

“Can you lift your ass?” He asked right as you obeyed, the angle so deep that he slowed down specifically to make sure he could guarantee you one more orgasm before he achieved his own.

His thumb replicated the motion of his tongue earlier in the shower, teasing the tender underside of your clit just as your eyes closed—

Too intense. Too much, you thought as your breathing slowed down again, your whole body focused on your kegels.

“Give me another… Work your magic, cockfairy.” He teased as your lips parted, your eyes flashing open before slowly, messily crossing and sliding shut again, your body too confused and overwhelmed to give a verbal reaction.

Jeongguk kept going, so, so close, his hips digging deeper with tiny rolls focused on staying in, enjoying every tight squeeze you had to offer, your hands leaving your breast as you tried to slap his hand away from your clit while his teeth began teasing your calf on one side, his deep moans unstoppable even when he turned to the other side and actually nibbled on your leg, his hand persistent in his torture.

“No. Oh god! Please. No! Oh— I need to— Yeah, yes...” You hissed as Jeongguk finally crumbled against your body and delivered the last few thrusts, deep, slow, so destructive as your head tipped back, your final high too much for your body to handle.

He looked down, where your bodies joined and with a loud growl, he came apart and spilled inside you, his cock swelling intermittently for so long he almost worried at some point. But the softness of your breasts, pillowing his head, and the warmth of your breath fanning over his head, your legs sliding off his shoulders, to his waist while your arms circled his back. “I love you, Candy. So damn much. I’m so in love with you baby.” He repeated on and on, trying to make up for each slur, each degrading word and idea he had used against you.

“I love you, baby.” He repeated again. “I love every little thing of you.” He kissed your breast — even though he truly aimed at the heart beating underneath. “I don’t want just the sex. You get it now?” He asked, nuzzling his hair against your bosom.

You caressed his head fondly.

“I get it now, of course, love.” You reassured him.

“You’ll lean on me, right? You’ll count on me?” He asked insecure, afraid at how many things he still had to learn about adult, mature relationships.

“I’ll lean on you. We’ll lean on each other.” You said, kissing his forehead as he raised his head.

“We didn’t finish the shower…” He mused, pulling out of your entrance carefully, staring as his seed dripped out of you and down your thigh.

You looked at his mesmerised expression.

He bit his lip before releasing it with a snap. “Fuck, you’re dripping.” He said before looking up.

And you don’t know if it was for the hot sight of his tattooed arm flexing, for his mop of damp long curls, for his wide, taut pectorals, for his lips glistening in drool or the dark lust in his eyes as he saw the mixture of his seed and your wetness oozing from your cunt, but you decided you were far from having enough.

“Didn’t they teach you to clean after yourself?” You teased with a cocked eyebrow.

His eyes climbed all the way to your gaze, finding the silent permission he was looking for.

And he dove for your cunt like a starving wolf.

[eaucian]

Kuroo x male reader where y/n and kuroo are being made fun of by nekoma & bokuto because they’re literally so in love it hurts, like they stare at eachother with loving eyes, play fight a lot & one time they even secretly saw kuroo studying as y/n was sleeping in their lap.

They’re like mocking y/n by saying lover boy

Also, y/n and kuroo aren’t together.

★ to be (oblivious) or not to be, that is the question

impt. kuroo tetsurou x m!reader

sum. the request! or kuroo and reader are obliviously in love, but as high school (or upper secondary whatever you call it haha) comes to an end, both of you kinda need to admit how you feel about each other

wc. 1,823 (1.8k)

w. none. but maybe slight mention of anxiety, rlly though you good :))

n. thank you for requesting anon! i hope you like what i wrote, and i’m so sorry it’s taken a while to complete!! i need to work on my organization- the actual thing is under the cut because it got a little long :>

i.

The whole, Kuroo and you getting in each other’s faces and chasing each other around the gym, was normal. Normal in that now no one on the volleyball team batted an eye when it started. It had progressed so much that you’d been handed a copy of a key to the gym because you and Kuroo were always the last to leave. 

This was another one of those days. Everyone had long gone and it was just you and Kuroo. You were lying on your backs on the gym’s floor, breathing heavily after having just tackled Kuroo to the ground. Sometimes he won your play fights. Sometimes. 

“I wanna know,” you began once your breathing evened out a little. “How do I always manage to beat you rooster head?”

“Maybe I let you win,” he says, turning his head to look at your profile. You were still staring at the ceiling. 

You smiled, turning to face him as well, “Do you?”

“No,” he answered.

You squint your eyes, picking yourself up and settling down on your knees, “Promise?” 

You stuck out your pinky finger to him.

He laughed like he always does, that loud obnoxious perfect laugh that makes his head tilt back unconsciously. 

“Promise.”

He linked your fingers together, giving them a squeeze before you fell on top of his stomach. Lying there while he had the breath pushed out of him. 

ii.

Training camps. Something so utterly chaotic yet completely amazing. Maybe there being three different volleyball teams really plays a part in the chaos. 

“Kuroo! Get that beautiful booty of yours over here!” Was the literal, first thing Bokuto heard when walking into the gym. 

Kuroo, who was about to walk over to Bokuto, obediently ran over to you. It was early and practice had barely begun but it looked to Bokuto like you wanted him to help you practice setting and retrieving. Bokuto deflated like a popped balloon without someone’s attention.

But—he basically filled with helium once again when he saw the red slowly creep on Kuroo’s neck when you hugged him, probably because of saying yes to your questions. Yep, Bokuto’s energy has been restored.

It had taken him all of two seconds to know, Kuroo Tetsurou had a crush on you. 

“Akaashi!” Bokuto yelled. Akaashi was right next to him.

“Hm?” Was all the boy answered with.

Bokuto leaned over to whisper in Akaashi’s ear. 

“Kuroo has a crush,” he practically purred when he wasn’t even a part of the cats. 

“That sounds amazing, Bokuto,” Akaashi blanked, pulling him away towards a separate court where they could practice. Bokuto frowned, but let himself be dragged, looking over towards you and Kuroo every once in a while. 

iii.

“Hey Kuroo?” You asked, playing with the grass at your side.

You were sitting at a field, one near your own home you often liked to escape to. It was pretty, and the grass always seemed to be green.

He hummed in response, giving you an opening to continue.

“Why do you hang out with me?”

He turned on the spot to look at you. Not the people at the park, because all he ever did when you went together to the park was people-watch. It was enough to be in each other’s presence.

“Why do you ask?”

You fiddled with your fingers, entangled with stray pieces of grass. Your pants would probably be stained with the stuff after standing up.

“I don’t know. Just answer the question,” you replied, not looking at him but at your hands. You knew why you were asking, but Kuroo didn’t need to know. 

“Because I love you, you dork,” he said, moving to sit next to you. He bumped your shoulders together before deciding to stop your hands from messing around with the grass. “I like spending time with you. What other reason would I need?” He continued, picking out all the grass from your hands.

You smiled slightly, “Thank you.”

“Shut up,” he replied, ruffling your hair. “C’mon, time to go,” he stood up, cleaning himself of any grass, and extending a hand out to you. “It’s getting windy,” was all he said, smiling down at you. He knew you didn’t like staying out in the cold, you much preferred snuggling up inside and staring out at it.

Now you smiled, your genuine smile, and took his hand. 

He knew.

He knew everything about you and more, and he knew why you needed that question answered sometimes. But there was nothing he wouldn’t do to get you to stop asking it.

iv.

“Kenma!” Kuroo whisper-yelled into his phone. Kenma said something to him, causing Kuroo to scoff at a normal volume. His eyes widened, looking into his lap for a second before his attention was again on Kenma’s speaking. 

“Be quiet when you get here,” a pause before he spoke again, cutting Kenma off across the phone, “No! Just be quiet, okay?”

Kuroo sighed before turning off his phone and putting it next to his open laptop on the coffee table. Yes, Kuroo was in fact studying for once in his life. Was he unusually motivated today? That was also a yes.

When Kenma had made it over, he had walked into the room practically yelling Kuroo’s name to get his attention. Kuroo had immediately shushed him, who in turn squinted his eyes in confusion. Kenma was getting a bit annoyed with Kuroo’s short-lived secrecy. 

Kuroo, on the other hand, looked exasperated. He tilted his head in the direction of his lap, only making Kenma more confused. Kuroo then pointed at his lap, a finger over his lips telling Kenma to stay quiet, please. 

Kenma threw his hands up, slowly walking around so he could actually see what Kuroo was pointing at as an excuse to be quiet.

His eyes grew wide and mouthed to Kuroo, “Why is he sleeping in your lap?”

Kuroo more or less got why, sleep, lap? out of everything that Kenma said. 

Kuroo got out his phone instead, deciding to text Kenma the details.

When Kuroo looked up again, Kenma mouthed, “I hate you.”

Kuroo didn’t understand a word of it.

Over the next few hours, as Kenma had left only thirty minutes after getting there, Kuroo may or may not have placed a few kisses to both your forehead and hair.

But alas, there were no witnesses. Not even you knew he did it.

v.

“Oh, loverboy!” You cooed to Kuroo, arms wide open, he rolled his eyes but came to hug you regardless. 

It had been a while since the training camp. A while meaning, you were no longer going to be third years. It was almost time for everyone to go their separate ways, off to university or something else. 

The thought completely scared you. 

You were meeting up with Kuroo, Kenma and Bokuto and Akaashi. You were all like a small circle of friends who were always available.

Together you messed around, visiting stores and restaurants where the owners would definitely never let you inside again. You had even ended up on Bokuto’s shoulders at one point, feeling extremely tall and so entirely like a child, it felt nice.

But throughout the whole day, Kuroo also seemed distracted. He had that look on his face that told you what was happening in the moment wasn’t the first thing he was thinking about. 

And by the end of the night, which had originally started as a very long day, it was just you and Kuroo left. You’d come to be used to it being just you two doing something, he never said no to you when you asked to hang out. It was kind of like he physically couldn’t say no to the offer.

It was a cold night and you had stolen one of Kuroo’s blankets. He owned a lot of them, would he really miss one? Was always your excuse. Upon getting comfy on the couch, you covered yourself, motioning for Kuroo to settle down with you. He had taken to standing by the doorway. Only watching you settle down on his couch.

“So,” you began, curling up into yourself on his couch because of course you had to end up in his apartment. “Something on your mind?” 

It was a cold night and you had stolen one of Kuroo’s blankets. He owned a lot of them, would he really miss one? Was always your excuse. Upon getting comfy on the couch, you covered yourself, motioning for Kuroo to settle down with you. He had taken to standing by the doorway. Only watching you settle down on his couch.

“Maybe,” he answers, an all too fond smile gracing his lips before he walks over to you on the couch. He sits down, before promptly placing his head in his hands.

“Yeah?” You ask, watching him rub his hands against his face quite aggressively. “You can tell me, you know that right?” 

“‘Course I do,” he mumbles back at you.

You chuckle, rolling your eyes at his stupid stubbornness. 

“So are you gonna be kind enough to let me on your little secret, or should I start guessing?”

“Guess,” he says, flopping onto the couch. 

“Hm,” you say, giving it an actual bit of thought. “Girl on your mind? Grades too crappy for your liking?”

He grumbled in response, sinking further down the couch.

“So it is one of those, huh,” you state.

He grumbles something unintelligible to you.

“Hm?” 

“It’s one of ‘em, kinda,” he says, almost too quiet to hear. You heard, of course.

“Kinda?” You retort.

“Yes! Kinda,” he says defensively, crossing his arms over his chest, pouting.

“Would you like to tell me which one and what the, kinda, means?”

“Not really,” he responds, going a shade of red you frequently saw on him.

“Well I’d like to know.”

“I don’t think you’d like it,” he tells you glumly.

“I think I’d really like it,” you respond, removing the blanket from yourself and going for his warmth.

“I- I maybe, might kind of, like you?” He says slowly, voice rising in pitch over his normal tone. “And I mean! I know I’m a guy and you’re a guy,” he scrambles to say pausing to swallow so hard it may have even hurt his throat. “So that’s kinda weird, I mean — not to say those feelings are weird or anything! But you might not like guys, or you might find that weird or something, or-”

You cut him off with a kiss to the cheek.

You followed with saying, “Calm down, Kuroo,” making his head whip around so fast it could've fallen off. You let out one big dramatic breath. “That’s it?”

“Huh?” He asks, dumbfounded by the simplicity in your answer.

“That’s everything you’re worrying about, yeah?”

“I- what? Yeah, I guess,” he responds.

“Good,” you smile at him. “You should stop worrying then, I kinda like-like you too, rooster head.”

His eyes widen at your complete calmness.

He could only nod.

“Okay,” you pause, yawning. “Now get over here, I can cuddle you with no shame now.”

Kuroo had been expecting a lot more emotion. 

But he was glad the start of whatever this was, was so much easier than he thought it was gonna be.

[derekmorganscrocs]

Pictures: Ace x Reader

Pairing: Drew!Reader x Ace (Nancy Drew CW)

Word Count: 7, 632 words

Request for @ateliefloresdaprimavera

Summary: When Carson asks reader for an old photo, her and Ace go through their photos and reminisce on their years of memories. From how they met, to their first kiss, to when they moved in together, the pair enjoy remembering their past and talk about the future.

Notes: Reader is Nancy’s older sister and a nurse student. None of the timelines really add up, so just don’t think about that too much lol. This is my first request, so I hope I did alright! It took so long and I got majorly carried away (7k words whoop whoop!), but I’m so happy with it and I hope you enjoy!! Flashbacks are in italics!

You walk into the apartment you and Ace share, throwing your keys onto the little table in the entryway and placing your bag on the ground. It’s been a long day, and you really just want to see your boyfriend. A smile appears on your face as you breathe in the smell of your favourite dinner cooking and savour the sound of Ace humming along to some Bon Jovi song he and his dad listened to when Ace was a little kid.

A small laugh escapes your lips, and you make your way into the kitchen. Ace must not have heard you come in, because he jumps when you wrap your arms around his waist. He realizes it’s you by the old bracelet on your wrist, an old woven strip of leather that his dad gave you the  Christmas after you guys got together. It’s one of your most prized possessions. He turns, staying in your grip, and smiles down at you. 

“Hey,” he says softly, lifting your chin with his finger. Ace leans in and plants a sweet kiss against your lips. You smile into the kiss, and when he pulls away you lean your head against his chest. He wraps his arms snugly around your shoulders, and you melt into his embrace. 

“Today was like a thousand years long,” you groan, your voice muffled by his chest. “And its only like six o’clock!” Your comment makes him let out a small laugh and the sound makes you smile. It’s been all of a minute, and Ace is already turning your day around. Though that’s been his specialty for a long time. 

“Well, once we eat I thought we could go through old polaroids. Mr. D wants a copy of the one from Halloween two years ago.” Ace glances down at you, but you keep your face smushed against him. 

“Sounds great.” The sound is still muffled, but he can hear that you’re more than happy with the idea. He laughs slightly, he’s always found your exhausted antics funny. You tilt your face slightly, glancing at the food on the stove. 

Ace follows your gaze, reaching to stir the pasta so it won’t burn to the pot. Your eyes catch on his arm. The way he’s stretching is really just defining every single muscle. He’s concentrated on the food, trying to focus enough that he won’t mess up using a single hand. When he’s really focused, he bites his lip slightly, and he’s really focused right now. And if you weren’t so tired, oh boy-

“Hey, it’s done!” He’s still clueless. You’ve been dating for six years and sometimes he still doesn’t notice the way you just stare blankly for a minute, imagining his hands roaming your body or his lips pressed against yours as he- “Let’s eat on the couch, we can start looking at pictures now.”

“Okay.” You finally move out of his grip, feeling a lot less warm and fuzzy without his arm around you. “Hey, do we have a printed version of the one Nancy took the day we met?”

“I think so, they’re sorted by date, right?” 

“Yes. I still love your mom for that, by the way.” You grin at him, turning and heading toward the couch. He chuckles before following, and the two of you sit and eat, flipping through an album first. 

The album is older pictures, from before you met, but it’s so fun to look through. Little BoyScout Ace is such an adorable image, it never fails to make you laugh and make him blush. And your younger self playing doctor has the same effect, with reversed reactions of course. It only takes a little bit to finish dinner, and Ace returns the dishes to the kitchen to leave table space for photos. He comes back, this time sitting closer. You curl up against his side, and he drapes an arm over you. 

“Can we look through all of our pictures?”

“I was gonna ask the same thing,” he chuckles, picking up a smaller album. You recognize it right away, it’s the one from your first year of high school. When you started taking polaroids. It’s been a fascination of yours forever, and cameras have always been an interesting hobby for you. 

The first picture is actually of the school, and you notice the former Mr. G standing in the corner, looking shady as hell. That’s from the beginning of the year, when you and your sister, Nancy, got roped into the mysterious locker thief at school. 

The next is the ‘crime scene’ photos you took. They’re no professional photos, but they’re decent. Ace looks them over and gives you an impressed smirk. You chuckle and flip to the next photo. You and Ace in the back of a cop car. 

You pressed tape over the powder that Nancy had spread over the teacher’s desk, praying that some clear fingerprints will show up. The desk was cleaned only a few minutes before the theft, which meant that the fingerprints should be visible. 

A cough in the hallway tore you from your thoughts. You and your sister glance up, caught in the act. Fearing detention, the pair of you decided to hide behind the door and make a break for it once the teachers were inside of the room. Solid plan, if they were teachers. 

Instead, you were met with two very strong, very angry looking men, who were glaring at you and Nancy. In the heat of the moment, the two of you made a wordless decision to split up, and ran off in opposite directions. Dashing through the school, Thief One got on your heels, you had known that your only sanctuary would be the old janitor’s closet. 

It was easy to miss. Tucked just around a corner, outside the gym and hidden because of the angle of the wall, Thief One would totally not notice it if he didn’t know about it. And if he did know about it, you just hoped he would believe the stories about it being haunted. Which, in hindsight, were probably true. 

It came down to a split second decision, and you went for the closet. Choosing to go for the supply closet, willing to risk ghosts over crazy thieves who want your head on a stick, you flung the door open...

...And ran right into a mildly familiar fluffy-haired boy. Apologizing profusely at a whisper, you’d closed the door behind you and shushed him. The closet was smaller than you had remembered, and Ace basically had you pinned to the door. Holding a finger to your lips with a pleading look in your eye, you waited for the footsteps. 

They came soon enough, pounding on the floor by the door as he rushed past. You could hear the man open the back door, which was his fatal mistake. Never open the door. Security systems exist. The alarm started blaring, which meant that the cops got called. You let out a sigh of relief, tilting your head back against the door. 

“What’s going on?” Ace had watched your expression relax, and he’d noted how breathless you were when you burst in. He was impressed, to say the least, and really curious. 

“Tell you later,” you whispered hurriedly, bringing a hand to his mouth. “Don’t let him hear us.” Chest still rising and falling rapidly, you try and catch your breath. Ace nods and you remove your hand, focusing on your breathing. 

A few more silent minutes had passed and then the cops had arrested the man outside your closet. You and Ace had come out quietly, seeing Nancy with Chief McGinnis, and two officers watching the two men you and Nancy had accidentally caught. 

After seating you in the police car, shouting at Carson for letting you break into the school, McGinnis had to decide what to do. He ended up dragging you, Nancy, and Ace to the station, only to later send Ace home. Nancy got front seat privileges because she had more of an explanation than you. Which resulted in your dad snapping a picture of you and Ace in the backseat. 

Ace got sent home as soon as you all got to the station, but his interest had been piqued. 

“I remember that. You busted into that supply closet and nearly killed me with the door.”

“It’s not like I meant to, I was being chased by a criminal!” You give him a gentle smack on the back of the head, laughing. “And if I remember correctly, you were still flirting with me for weeks after that.”

“Well that was just uncalled for.” He pretends to be offended, which makes both of you laugh again. “But yes, when you broke into that closet, it was game over. No one else was ever going to compare to you.”

Your face burns at the compliment, and you try and hide your smile. A soft giggle escapes your lips despite your efforts to stop it, and Ace lifts your chin. 

“I mean it. You’re something else, Y/n Drew.” He glances down, distracted by a picture from May of your second year of high school. That’s when you and Ace first got together. It’s a picture of you and him, sitting on the hill out behind the school. 

It was over when Ace had taken his first look at you. He fell hard and he fell fast. He was so painfully obvious about it too. Not that it bugged you, ever since he’d had you pinned against that door, all you could think about were his piercing blue eyes and his sly smirk. The two of you started hanging out more, and the rest is history. 

By the end of your sophomore year, you were dating Ace. Not to mention head over heels for him. Same went for him about you. You guys were inseparable. Are inseparable. 

On the hill, you took out the camera. Ace grinned, knowing exactly what he should do. You flip the camera, pointing it to capture you and Ace, caught completely off guard when he kissed you. The timer ended and it snapped the photo, but you were too wrapped up in the moment to realize. 

You put the camera down and leaned in more, fully embracing the moment. Ace was, and still is, everything you could ask for. When the pair of you had pulled back, it was pretty clear that no one else would ever stand a chance. 

Both of you smile at each other, and you kiss Ace softly. Smiling happily, he  pulls back, still holding the album in his hand. He flips a few pages, and there’s a picture of when you went to prom. You’re sitting next to your mom, Ace standing behind you. Despite the sadness in the air, everyone was smiling. It brings tears to your eyes, and Ace glances over to see if you’re okay.

“I, uh, I forgot we had this one,” you whisper. He pulls you closer, and you lean against him for a second, remembering the night. 

After pictures, you and Ace had separated from Nancy. She wasn’t your biggest fan anymore, and she had never really gotten along with Ace in high school. Something about weed and the fact that he almost went to prison, who knows. Columbia was her priority. 

You and Ace had only spent a little while in the gym, you bailed about two hours in. The room was hot and sweaty, and you and Ace had other plans anyway. The plan was to make a quick stop at home and pick up some cash and a phone charger, then take off for a date night. If you guys had time, you’d pop back into prom for a while. 

When you got home, your mother was dying. Ace was there for you and your dad, and your mom, in a way. She saw him protecting you and Carson, and you know how much peace of mind that must’ve given her. She slipped away, and you sobbed into Ace’s arms. 

“Did I ever thank you? For... For that night?” You look up at Ace, wiping away a tear. 

“Thank me? Why would you thank me?”

“You were there for me.”

“I’d be there for you no matter what. No thanks necessary,” he says softly, brushing another teardrop off your cheek. 

“Well, thank you, Ace. For everything ever. Because I love you.”

“I love you.” He shifts slightly, rolling you over him. You laugh at the sudden movement, and before you can truly process, you’re snuggled against his side, both of you laying comfortably on the couch. 

He picks up the album again, flipping to the last photo. This one is beautiful. It’s yours and Ace’s hands, fingers interlocked. You can see the edge of the bluffs in the background, and the clouds lining the sky are a mix of deep and light greys. 

Neither of you say anything yet, both of you are wrapped up in remembering the moment. 

A few months into your senior year (Ace’s gap year), there was a rough patch. Ace had gotten this idea, that he was dragging you down. You were this perfect girl, Y/n Drew. Your father, Carson, the top lawyer in the district, and Kate has been just about the kindest woman in Horseshoe Bay. Not to mention that your sister was (is) some crime fighting genius. And when you had decided to be a nurse? He’d realized he was right. 

The rift had started, and you felt it. The idea of losing him scared you shitless, so you sat him down to talk about it. It was a nice moment actually, walking up the path to the bluffs. Literally all you did was remind him that he was good enough. That he’s some techno genius and that you weren’t going anywhere far, not with your Dad and Nancy in the place that they were. Not with the loss of your mom. Besides, you never wanted to leave Horseshoe Bay. The hospital needed more nurses. So it’s not like you’re gonna leave him, and it’s not like you think he’s not a good guy. Man, the look on his face when the words-

“I’m not going anywhere. I love you, Ace. Forever.” 

-had come out of your mouth were priceless. That night stays one of your most cherished memories. The night you and Ace dished it all out at sunset on the bluffs. You reminded him that he was good enough and that you needed him. He reminded you that he had your back. 

Each of you reminded the other that you loved them. That’s why that night is so important. 

“I remember that. I can’t believe I ever thought I was dragging you down.”

“Me neither. Honestly, you make everything so much better, all the time.” You shift your gaze to his face, smiling slightly. He smiles too, how could he not? “Ace, I need you to know how much you mean to me.”

“I know. You mean so much to me, too,” he whispers. You feel his grip on you tighten slightly, making you realize he’s nervous. 

“Why are you nervous?”

“I’m not.”

“Tell.”

He knows what that means. It was established a long time ago. Both of you know what a ‘tell’ is, mystery solving is common for you, so knowing when someone is lying is important. You and Ace say ‘tell’ whenever it’s obvious the truth is being avoided. 

“You’re not breaking up with me, are you?”

“You’re dumb,” you laugh. “Obviously not.”

“Thank god,” he sighs in relief. 

“I’ve thought about how to say this a lot and I really don’t want to freak you out, but the idea of seeing someone else makes me sick. I love you Ace, and I don’t see myself loving anyone else like this.”

“The idea of losing you hurts me more than anything else I can think of,” he replies. “You and me, that’s what makes all of this worth it.”

The room falls silent for a second, and you trace circles against his chest with your finger. He rubs your arm with his thumb, hand splayed over your upper arm, still from before. 

Ace shifts slightly, moving the album onto the table, but something falls from it. An extra photo. From when you moved in together. 

You and Ace moved in together after your first year of college. It was funny, finding an apartment between Horseshoe bay and your new school was so easy. No one else wanted to live in the middle, but it’s perfect for you. Ace could go to the Claw, you could go to school. 

“Ace, is this for real?” 

You’d looked around in awe. All of your belongings were in your new home, the one you shared with Ace. It was perfect. You wouldn’t change a thing. 

“This is for real,” he reassured you. 

The pair of you had spent the night organizing your cupboards and shelves, a task most people would call tedious, yet for the pair of you it had been one of the best nights ever. 

Now it’s your last year of college, and so much as the thought of losing Ace makes you sick to your stomach. He’s perfect. He’s the sunshine on your cloudy days, the left to your right, the anchor of your ship, the rock to your roll. The two of you have become two halves of a whole. You’re his and he’s yours, and neither of you want it any other way. 

Ace laughs, pulling you back to reality and away from your thoughts. He holds up a picture from after your first week of school. You’re absolutely knocked out on the couch, exhausted from school. 

You’d lived with Ace for two months. And it was fantastic. Your decision to be a nurse was finalized when you lost your mom, and the idea of staying nearby stemmed from the state of your family. Nancy’s downward spiral and your father drifting were signs for you to stay close. 

So you did. You went to (and still do go to) the university one town over from Horseshoe Bay, and your apartment is right smack in the middle. Ace could still get to the Claw, major props to the reliable Florence for that, and you could still get to school. 

It was perfect. Studying to be a nurse was exhausting, and trying to protect your sister was so hard. She never wanted any help, she was so focused on pushing everyone away. It was hard, but Ace was there for you. As he always was (and is). 

When you woke up the next morning, you were in your bed, snuggled up with Ace. Honestly, if you hadn’t already known he was the one, you did then. He’s caring and sweet, funny too. Not to mention he’s super attractive. 

And that year was one of the best you’d ever had. It had been relatively uneventful, aside from finally reconnecting with your father. And any day you spent with Ace, those were always an adventure. But it was amazing. And that was the year you and Ace really locked in your future together. 

Late night talks, dinner dates, lazy Sundays, even the silly arguments. All of it was irreplaceable. 

You smile at the thought, and Ace holds up the picture you’ve been searching for. Two Halloweens ago. You almost wonder why your dad, Carson, wants it, but when you really look at the photo, you know. You and Ace look so happy in your stupid costumes. 

“Tell me the two of you aren’t dressed up as those kids from that stupid fairy cartoon.”

“Why would we tell you that, George? We clearly are.” 

The pair of you had laughed. You had thought the pink hat on Ace’s head and your outfit made it obvious. Bess, on the other hand, was loving the outfits. The lot of you were hanging around in the Claw, waiting for Nick to show up so you could head to the party. The joys of carpooling. 

“Are you dressed as Timmy Turner?” Nick had walked through the door wearing a really fancy looking suit, and come over to join the group. 

An interesting combo: Ace and Y/n as Timmy and Trixie from the Fairly Odd Parents, Nancy as Sherlock Holmes, as usual, George as herself- which she was calling Kim Possible (but you all knew she just threw on a close enough outfit because didn’t really want to dress up), Bess as Cher from Clueless, and Nick as a magician. So yeah. Wacko. But now that Nick had shown, you could head out to the real party. 

“Hey, hold on!” You held up your camera that you’d been keeping in Ace’s car (Florence). “Come on guys, pictures before we go!”

You set up the timer and took a few different group shots, then decided to head out. You handed the camera to Nancy, who had a purse on her. Little did you know that she had taken a snapshot of you and Ace talking. 

The party was crazy fun, aside from a guest appearance from some girl with a surprisingly realistic sea ghost costume. No one ever really talked about that again, for some reason.

When you headed out, you and Ace had decided to spend the night in your childhood home. The drive was just too long for that night, since it was already so late. When you and Ace had curled up on the couch, Nancy handed you the photo.

It was perfect. You and Ace laughing about having the same favourite cartoon, your expressions were pure joy. 

“Are you really the kids from that stupid fairy show?!” You make fun of George’s comment. “Coming from the one who didn’t dress up,” you finish with a laugh. Ace laughs with you, shifting slightly so he can glance at your face. It’s a little awkward because of the way you’re laying, but cute nonetheless. 

“That night was crazy. Do you think sea-ghost-girl was Dead Lucy?”

“I never thought about it.” Your eyes widen, and you pause.  “You think?”

“Nah,” both of you say with a laugh, brushing off the idea. You sit up, setting the Halloween photo aside. 

“We’ll make a copy for Mr. D, yeah?” Ace props himself up on his elbows, half sitting up. He fully enjoys the view of you, fully immersed in looking over these photos. You’re so entranced with the memories that it’s like your in another world. He sits up all the way, pushing back your hair. 

“I’m sure my dad would love copies of all of these,” you say softly, eyes settling on some old photos of you and your mom, Nancy and your mom, or even you and Ace with mom. “Oh- Maybe not this one!” You laugh as you slip a more scandalous photo out of the album, handing it to Ace. 

He blushes profusely, running his hand through his hair with a chuckle. 

“Oh god!” Ace looks down quickly, probably imagining your dad seeing. “If he saw this he would kill me!” Both of you laugh, glancing at each other. 

Ace planted a kiss at the base of your neck, and you laughed as you tried to finish writing the answer to a question on your notes. 

“Ace,” you mumbled. He didn’t respond, he was wrapped up in the moment. You took his chin, pulling his face so that his eyes meet yours. “Can I finish this sheet?”

“No.”

He gave you that look, and you gave in instantly. 

“I mean, I don’t have class tomorrow.” You glanced at him, and he was smiling like an idiot. Without a second thought, you grabbed the camera off the coffee table and snap a photo of his stupid grin. Both of you laughed as the flash illuminated his face, and you went to put the camera down.

“Nah,” Ace had whispered softly, leaning in. “Bring it.”

Then he swung you into his arms and carried you toward your bedroom. 

When you manage to compose yourself and bring your thoughts to the present moment, you can feel the heat of your face. You just hope Ace doesn’t pick up on it, because he’ll tease you about this for days. 

“Hey, you better keep that somewhere that no one will see,” you laugh. 

“Oh I fully intend on doing that.” He tucks the small photo into the chest pocket of his shirt, giving it a pat once it’s hidden in the fabric. “Hey, it’s not that late yet. We may as well drive in tonight and hand deliver the photos.”

“That sounds so good,” you say with a smile, looking over at Ace. “We’ve still got like two hours of daylight left. Plus we could maybe stop at our spot for sunset. We haven’t done that in a while.”

“We should, it’s been like six months since we spent sunset on the bluffs.” He gazes over at you, watching as you stack up the photos. You glance over and he pretends he wasn’t just staring at you. Obviously you know he was, but you think it’s adorable that he still has his shy moments. 

“Can I drive?”

“No. You can take a nap in the front seat, because I know you’re tired.” He kisses your cheek, standing in front of you. 

“You just don’t want me to drive Florence,” you laugh. 

“Not true.”

“Is too!”

“Nah-uh.”

“Yuh-huh.”

“No-“ he cuts himself off by kissing you. You kiss back, of course. You weren’t seriously arguing with him, just playing. “You’re telling me you don’t want a nap?” He pulls back slightly, looking into your eyes. 

“Oh I definitely want a nap. I’m just being funny,” you tease. 

“Alright then, you’re hilarious.” He rolls his eyes playfully, and you pretend to be hurt by his faux-annoyance. “You wanna head out now?” He takes your hand, dragging you off the couch. You stand in front of him, glancing up slightly. 

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

After you get changed and Ace puts away the dishes, the pair of you make your way to the car- sorry, Florence, and put the box of photos in the backseat. Before long, you’re on the road, Ace’s playlist drifting through the speakers of the car. You try to stay awake, but you’re just so tired. As absurd as it sounds, you fall asleep to an AC/DC song that he likes. 

Ace wakes you up nearly an hour later, and as you wake up you realize where you are. 

“Dad’s place?”

“Yeah. I made a stop and copied the photos in town so you could sleep,” he tells you quickly. “Come on, he doesn’t know we’re here. I want to surprise him.”

It doesn’t take you long to fully wake up. There’s a sort of salty smell to the air, the water of the bay blowing in on the wind. It’s the energy of Horseshoe Bay that you’ve missed so dearly, and it has you awake in an instant. You stretch, looking around quickly. Nothing on the street has changed since you left, and that’s comforting. Ace leads the way, envelope full of the copies in his hand. 

The door is opened before you even reach the stairs. Carson Drew stands in the doorway, a bright smile written on his face. 

“What are you guys doing here?! I thought you were busy until the end of the month!” 

“We had some spare time tonight and our weekend plans fell through,” Ace says happily, walking up the stairs. You follow, only a step behind. “It’s great to see you, Mr. D!” 

Your father has the pair of you wrapped in a warm embrace before you can even greet him. He’s overjoyed that you’re home, especially with how busy your life has been lately. He’s happy that you’re taking a weekend off. 

“Hey dad,” you say softly. He lets you go, and Ace steps back so that you can enter the house first. “It’s good to be back.” You walk through the doorway, Ace and your dad following. 

In the house, you give your dad a proper hug before you spot your sister, Nancy, on the couch. Ace and your dad start talking behind you when you’ve let go of him, and you head into the living room. 

“Hey, Red.” You use your old nickname for your red-haired sister, a smile tugging at your lips. 

Nancy’s head jerks up at the sound of your voice. A grin spreads over her face and she removes her headphones. Standing quickly, she yanks you into a hug. 

“You’re back?!”

“Yeah. Weekend off,” you explain, hugging your sister tightly. It’s nice to actually hug her again. 

The last few times you were in Horseshoe Bay she was off trying to find some missing jewellery, or solve some sort of embezzlement mystery? You don’t really remember. Ever since things have been good with you and Nancy again, she’s been busy. Not that you’re complaining, you’re just glad she’s back to liking you. 

“Hey, what’s Ace got?” She glances over at the kitchen and you remove yourself from her embrace to follow her gaze. 

“The picture dad asked for. And some extras.”

“Right. Did you guys bring the Christmas one? Dad was looking for a duplicate of it the other day.” Nancy looks at you, watching you admiring Ace. 

“Uh, I think we keep the Christmas ones separate, we didn’t look at them today. Which one was he looking for?”

You glance over at Nancy, and she picks up her phone, flipping it over. There’s a Polaroid in her case. You can see because she has a clear case, the picture sits sandwiched between the phone and the plastic of the case. 

This photo is of you, Ace, Carson, and Nancy on Christmas. The four of you are standing in the front yard, which is covered in snow. Everyone’s bundled up and there’s a bunch of sleds around Ace. 

“Come on, please?!”

“Y/n, we’ll be late,” your dad chuckled, walking over to where you want everyone standing despite his remark. He never seriously objected to photos anyway. He likes having keepsakes. 

“Aw, come on Mr. D, we’ll add you to our Christmas card!”

“Ace, we don’t even have a Christmas card!” You set up the camera against the fence, laughing at your boyfriend as you set a timer. You turned, taking in the scene for a split second before you rushed to join them. 

Carson stood with an arm around Nancy, and Ace was beside them, four sleds leaning against him. You chuckled slightly, jogging over to join them. You’d have called it running, but the snow slows you down. You threw your arms around Ace, laughing as he dropped the sleds to catch you. The camera clicked, and everyone was smiling. 

When you fetched the camera, you ended up with a beautiful photo of you and Ace laughing with sleds on the ground in front of you, and Carson and Nancy laughing at you, leaning against each other. It was perfect. It was your family. 

Sledding at the local park is an annual tradition in Horseshoe Bay. There’s even a race on the 23rd, two days before Christmas. That’s where you were headed. 

The four of you were walking, the hill was attached to a park not far away from your Dad’s house. Ace and your dad were talking about your dad’s work, Ace always was genuinely interested in the whole lawyer thing. You’d just been watching contently, glad that Ace got along with Carson. 

“Y/n,” Nancy said quietly, bringing your attention to her. 

“Yeah?”

“I know you’ve only been out of our house for like a year, but I had a lot of time to think.”

“That’s never good,” you tease. She rolls her eyes but continues. 

“When mom died, I pushed you away. I forgot you were losing someone too, and I was horrible to you and dad. I’m sorry.”

“Nance, you never have to apologize to me. I’m your big sister. I’m here to protect you and forgive you no matter what. It was rough for all of us. I understand why you felt like that.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Nope. Of course not. I’m your sister. We’re good. We’ll always be good.”

“Thanks, Y/n.” 

“Love you, crapface.”

“Love you too.”

Nancy pretended to be exasperated with the nickname, but you both knew how happy she was that you weren’t upset. She’d let you back in, and you’d taken the opening that was offered. That Christmas was the first one since your mom died that you and Nancy were fully on good terms. 

“You still have that one?” You look at your sister, who nods. She doesn’t say anything, just watches your face. When she notices that you’re still thinking, she speaks up. 

“I, uh, keep it in my phone case so that I can have you and dad close. Whenever I’m stuck on a case, I ask what you’d tell me to do. It always helps.”

“Of course it helps, I am a genius, after all.”

“Shut up!” Nancy gently punches your arm. The two of you laugh, sitting on the couch to catch up. 

After maybe an hour of everyone talking and catching up, Ace stands. You check the time, realizing it’s eight o’clock. The sun is setting. 

“Oh, sorry guys. We actually have one more thing we need to do,” you tell your dad and sister, standing to join Ace. 

“We’ll be back before too long,” Ace reassures them, taking your hand. 

You find it odd that Ace is reassuring them, given that he seems nervous today. Especially right now. You shrug it off as stress, deciding to just enjoy the night. You can ask about it tomorrow. You almost don’t notice the nervous glance Ace throws at your dad before you go out the door. You still do notice, but choose to ignore that too. You will have a nice sunset date at the bluffs, and that’s that.

Apparently, you’re actually going to have a windy sunset date at the bluffs. It’s still beautiful, and the sunset is the clearest sky you’ve seen from the bluffs in years. It’s just a little windy. 

“Hey, smile.” Ace pulls his phone from his pocket and snaps a photo of you, smiling cheekily. You reach over and knock the hood off his head. He pretends to be offended as he sits back and scoots close to you. “You cold?” Ace puts an arm around you, feeling goosebumps on your skin from the wind. 

“It’s not that bad, just the wind.”

He doesn’t really listen though, he takes off his jacket and drapes it over you. Not that you’d complain. The dark jacket is comfortable and warm, and smells like Ace’s cologne. 

“You know, one of the things I love about you is that you’re an awful liar.” Ace watches as you slide your arms into the jacket. 

“Oh really? What about that time I lied us out of getting arrested?”

“Okay, That was different. And we were just breaking and entering. They weren’t actually gonna hold us.”

“Fair enough,” you say with a laugh. 

“Another thing I love about you is that you care about everyone. And you’re not selfish.”

“Neither are you.��� You look over at him nervously, wondering why he’s telling you this. Your vision is slightly spotty from staring at the sunset, and you have to blink a few times to make sure you’re seeing correctly. 

Ace is kneeling beside you, in his hands. A gorgeous ring fills the spot in the velvet box, but honestly, that’s almost the last thing you care about right now. 

“Oh,” you gasp, genuinely so shocked that this is happening. Yeah, you and Ace have been together for years, but for some reason you’re still surprised. 

“Y/n Drew, you are the bravest, kindest, smartest, coolest, funniest, cutest person I know. You’re beautiful beyond words and I love everything about you. I love how you take pictures of everything, I love the way you see the world. I love that even after a long day you still come home happy.” Ace takes your hand in one of his, and you scoot closer. 

“Ace,” you whisper, a smile spreading on your face. 

“I love that whenever anyone mentions love I think of you and me. Y/n, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

“Yes!” You launch yourself into his arms, kissing him passionately as the mist of the bay blows against your faces. 

When you pull away, he slides the ring onto your finger, before kissing you again. The pair of you watch the rest of the sunset, wrapped in each other’s arms. 

You were so glad to finish your third year of university. The stress was over and you could finally hang out in Horseshoe Bay for the summer. 

The first night you and Ace arrived was spent with your friends, and part of the night with your dad, telling him about everything that had happened in the last couple weeks of the school year. 

The second night was you and Ace on the bluffs, watching the sunset. The mist was blowing in slightly, dampening your faces. It was welcome though, the day had been so hot and you were both sweating.

As the night went on, the wind picked up slightly, leaving you shivering. Ace had of course offered up his jacket, and you ended up wrapped up in it. The pair of you watched the sunset together, like you had so many times before, snuggled up against each other. 

You take out your phone as it starts to really get dark and you turn on the flashlight. When you swipe back to the home screen, you see the photo of yours and Ace’s hands, intertwined with the cliff and sunset in the background. The photo from the moment you were just thinking of. 

“What are you smiling at?”

“My screen.”

“Should we head back? Everyone’s gonna go crazy.”

“Sounds fun,” you chuckle. “Ace. I love you.”

“I love you.” He kisses you for possibly the millionth time today (not that you mind), and helps you to your feet. 

“Hold on,” you tell him, pulling up the camera on your phone. You take his hand and replicate the pose on your lock screen, taking a photo with the flash on. 

Instead of the sunset, the night sky is in the background, but it’s just as beautiful. There are so many stars visible that it looks like the sky is glittering, and the flash makes the ring sparkle. You smile at the picture, more than happy with the results. More than happy with everything. You’ve got Ace, your family, your friends, and you’re well on your way to graduating nursing school. 

Soon enough you’re back in Florence, headed back to your childhood home. Your favourite song is playing over the radio and you and Ace are singing obnoxiously loudly and horribly. But it’s amazing. The pair of you have never been happier. 

When you get back to the house, you and Ace walk in the door, met with your sister and dad in the living room. Nancy and Carson watch you intently, and you extend your hand. 

“Did you do it?! You did it!” Your dad pulls you into a crushing hug, before doing the same to Ace. Your sister makes her way over, smiling widely. She glances proudly at Ace before taking your hand to admire the ring. 

“I thought he’d chicken out,” she laughs. “I’m impressed.” She pulls you into another hug, and you savour the embrace. It’s a feeling you’ve missed, the true warmth and happiness that you’re feeling right now. It’s good to have Nancy back. 

The night progresses, and Ace drags you all to the Claw so he can show off to his friends. And so everyone can celebrate. You suppose they’re your friends too, but they’re closer with him.

“Hey! They’re here guys!” Nick turns to the door as you and Ace walk in, and you see George and Bess standing at the bar. They smile when you come in, deciding to come over when you stop to visit with Nick. 

It’s hugs all around, even from George. It’s been a while, so even though she hates to admit it: she missed you. Bess is more than happy to admit she’s been missing you, and she nearly breaks a rib (your rib) when she hugs you. Nick’s hug is soft but secure, and when it’s Ace’s turn to embrace Nick, Nick goes for the bro hug. Ace isn’t having that and engulfs him in a full on bear hug, which results in laughter from everyone else. 

It’s good to really see everyone again. Time really gets away from you with school, so it’s hard to get out to Horseshoe Bay. But when you manage to get out here, it’s always great. 

The door swings open suddenly, getting everyone’s attention and in walk Ace’s parents. Your heart swells at the sight of Ace’s mom and Thom. They come over to where you sit and you embrace each of them before they take a seat. 

“I felt like it was only fitting to announce it here because so many of our best nights were here.” Ace takes your hand, pulling you against him and showing off the ring. 

“We’re getting married!” You grin widely, watching as everyone except Carson freaks out. He pretends to be surprised and he’s clearly truly happy, but it’s so obvious that he already knew. 

“Oh my god! We need to celebrate, let me go see if we have any good food!” Bess takes off, headed to the storeroom. 

“I’m gonna make sure she doesn’t break anything. It’s been awhile since she waitressed.” George heads the same way as Bess, and you turn back to your remaining family and friends. 

Ace’s mom is ecstatic and crushes you into a hug, sobbing about how happy you’re making her son. How you’re soulmates. Thom also hugs you, but he’s more gentle. Like he’s afraid to break you. He’s in disbelief, he didn’t think Ace would ask you so soon. 

“Welcome to the family,” he signs. You smile, nodding gratefully. Gently taking Ace’s hand, you move it away from yours. 

“Thank you, Thom,” you sign back, “I’m honoured.”

If Thom wasn’t crying before, he sure is now. Last he saw, your ASL was a work in progress... but like before it was really a work. It was rough. Baby steps. You’ve been practicing though, and Ace is mind blown. 

“When did you learn that?”

“I’ve been practicing.”

Ace watches you in awe for a second as you smile at his parents again. Thom pulls you in for another embrace, teary eyed. You chuckle gently, tears welling in your own eyes, before pulling away from Ace’s dad.  You look over to your dad and Nancy, who are smiling like idiots. Not that your face is any different. 

“Okay, bad news, there’s no good food.” Bess returns, George in tow. 

“Good news, we found a groupon for The Bay Bakery.” George holds up the ticket, displaying the bakery’s logo. 

“Sounds good,” Ace agrees with a laugh. 

“You kids have fun,” Carson says. “We’ll sit this one out.” He gestures to himself and Ace’s parents, a smile still on his face. Your dad pats your back slightly and you smile at him. 

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

That’s that. You and Ace lead the group out the door, and the four remaining pile into their vehicles. It’s all smiles and laughter and it’s decided that you’ll all meet there in a bit. You and Ace climb into his car, sitting in a happy silence for a second. 

“Ace, there’s one more person I want to tell.”

Next thing you know, you’re kneeling in front of a slab of rock. Katherine Drew is carved gracefully into the stone. Ace kneels beside you, putting an arm over your shoulder. It’s peaceful. Chilling, but peaceful. Not what you expected, especially since it’s dark out. 

“Hey mom,” you whisper. “I, uh, still don’t know if you can hear me or not.” You pause, letting out a small chuckle and trying to blink away the tears brimming your eyes. “I mean at this point you’d think I’d stop leading with that. But nope. Old habits I guess.”

You pause, glancing up at Ace. He cups your face in his hand, brushing away a tear with his thumb. 

“Keep going, I’m sure she’ll want to hear.” He gives you a reassuring smile and presses a soft kiss to your temple. 

“Mom, Ace proposed to me. We’re going to get married.” It’s odd not hearing a response, but you put your hand against the stone for a second as if it will connect you to her energy once again. Strangely enough, it comforts you. “I miss you, mom.”

“I miss you too, Mrs. D,” Ace adds softly. You let out a small laugh at the nickname, leaning against Ace.

“I’ll visit again soon mom, okay? We’re going to go celebrate right now. I just wanted to tell you first.” You feel a little silly, explaining yourself to a rock, but you know that if your mom is out there somehow, if she could hear anything, this is where she’d hear it. 

A short drive later, you’re reconnected with Bess, Nick, George, and Nancy. They’ve already collected some delicious looking snacks and taken a seat on the patio. The employees inside are cleaning up for closing, and the patio is softly lit up by the fairy lights around the patio. 

You and Ace sit, joining them in their conversation. You laugh and sit back, a smile burned onto your lips. You’ve got your friends, your family, your Ace. You’re well on your way to finishing school. You’re ready to marry Ace and you’re more than happy. Everything is perfect. 

Life is good.

Tags: @ananad1 @remmysrecs @bookish-bucky @sahi-raa @peakyrogers

[kuroopaisen]

the in-between | iii (kuroo tetsurou)

➵  it took you and kuroo far too long to learn that love was never singularly defined. it can be both striking and understated, sudden and unhurried, gentle and all-consuming. and most of all, it can be anything else in-between.

wc: 7.2k (part 3 of 3)

warnings: f!reader, depiction of anxiety & mentions of depression (kind of)

a/n: a grand final thank you to @w-yuren once again for going through ALL OF THIS,,, anyway, i hope you enjoy this finally!  

m.list |  ch. 2 ↞ ch. 3

"You gotta make sure you squish it down," Kuroo said, patting his hair.

"I know," you laughed, on your tiptoes as you balanced yourself on one of his shoulders. You tried not to think too much about how close the two of you were, and how unnecessary it was. Measuring the heights of the rest of the team hadn’t felt this weird. Was it because you’d stood on a step ladder for the other behemoths of the team? Was it because Kuroo was kind of attractive? Hard to say. 

You really should’ve just used the step ladder. That way, you wouldn’t have to rely on your admittedly shoddy sense of balance– 

Oh shit. You felt yourself falling backwards, squeezing your eyes shut as you prepared for your inevitable and humiliating collision with the gym floor. 

But you didn’t fall. A pair of hands grabbed you, hoisting you up. 

You opened your eyes. 

He may have had a shit-eating grin on his face, but the look that Kuroo was giving you was undeniably fond. Although, fond in the way you might look at a puppy that was chasing its own tail. 

His hands were on your waist. You’re close, closer than you’d ever been before. You looked up at him, unable to shake the feeling that this was a bit like something out of a shoujo manga.

"You and your damn lack of balance," he chuckled, that aggravating smile of his painting his lips. "You've really gotta do something about that, you know."

"I'm well aware," you huffed, plopping your heels back on the ground. You tried to ignore the hammering in your chest and the way you couldn’t take your eyes away from his face. You tried to stop your mind from flicking back to the day he’d been crowned captain, and how it had felt to be in his arms like that. 

You’re doing a rather shit job at it, really. So instead you half-dove for your notebook, jotting down his height. You’d already prepared all the measurements from the last assessment in order to compare them. 

"You've barely grown," you mused, brows all furrowed as you looked at the notebook.

"As long as I'm still taller than Bokuto, it's fine."

You laughed. He's glad for it. "Isn't he catching up to you?" You asked, looking over your shoulder at him.

Kuroo waved a hand. "We don't talk about that."

You smiled, taking the opportunity to jog over to Coach Nekomata and hand him these new stats. You really needed a moment to distance yourself from him, to let yourself catch your breath. 

Those weird little feelings had been cropping up more and more. Frankly, they were annoying. You enjoyed your friendship with Kuroo. It was comfortable. It was safe. And you didn’t know what you’d do without it. Feeling… whatever it was that you were feeling could jeopardise that. So, you were determined to suppress them as aggressively as you could. 

Meanwhile, he’s trying to get the thought of just how pretty you looked in his arms out of his own head.  

✉

[YOU] 8:31 PM: if i told you you've shrunk a few mms since last year, what would you do?

[taller than bokuto (for now)] 8:31 PM: don't even joke about that

[taller than bokuto (for now)] 8:31 PM: i’m a respectable 187.9cm thank you very much

[taller than bokuto (for now)] 8:32 PM: that's basically 188. and up from, what? 186.4 cm last year?

[YOU] 8:32 PM: aw you sound just like yaku

[taller than bokuto (for now)] 8:32 PM: now that's just uncalled for

✧ ✧ ✧

Your approach to training camp was quite similar to how a zoo animal might respond to being released into the wild. Excitement, followed by a brief spurt of anxiety, and then flitting about relentlessly as you experienced all you could. 

He hadn’t had many chances to talk to you, given how busy you both were. He was actually kind of miffed at that, much to his own surprise. But, he knew it’d only be for a week. 

You were always with the other managers, sorting out food and water, and making sure that everyone was doing okay. You had some friends on Karasuno, too, and you’d been taking the time to catch up with them. 

Somewhere along the way, you’d ended up becoming friends with Bokuto of all people. You’d been acquainted before from previous practice matches, but for some reason you’d really clicked at this camp. 

And that was fine. Wonderful, even. But sometimes Kuroo really needed your help to control the kids, but he never knew where you were. 

At that moment, he needed you to whip Lev into shape. So he was doing his daily scan of the gym, hoping to catch sight of you. 

Ah. There you were.

You were peering at… something, brows furrowed and bottom lip jutted out just a little. You were sitting on the gym floor, hunched over your knees. You looked like a little gremlin. It's kind of cute, but he's not going to say that.

"What're you thinking about?" Kuroo flopped down next to you, legs spread wide.

You nudged him with your foot. "Give me some space, would you?"

"Nah," he shrugged, spreading his legs even wider.  

“You doing alright?” You murmured, slumping down to sit properly. 

“Lev’s being a little shit,” Kuroo said, “I need you to talk to him.”

“Same as always, then,” you smiled. But, you still weren’t looking at him. Your gaze was somewhere else entirely. Frowning, Kuroo did his best to follow your gaze across the busy gym. 

Were you looking at… Bokuto?

He glanced back at your face, trying not to get distracted by your eyes as he followed your gaze once more.

Yeah. There's no way you weren’t.

Bokuto was two courts away, rapt in deep conversation with Akaashi. Kuroo knew, deep in his heart, that it was probably about something stupid. But nonetheless, you were staring at him. 

"Don't tell me you have a thing for dumbasses," Kuroo chuckled, trying to ignore that weird little pit forming in his stomach.

"And what if I did?" You hummed, tilting your head.

"Really?" Kuroo scoffed. "Bokuto's your type?"

You used to be so easy to fluster. But you knew each other too well now. 

If he wanted to know if you really thought about Bokuto that way, he’d have to be bolder. 

He wished he could ask the question more directly. He wished he could ask in a way that'd get him a definite answer.

You grinned, shaking your head. "I'm not admiring him, if that's what you're asking." 

"Then why are you staring at him like some kind of superfan?"

"He's just… serotonin in human form," you shrugged. "Literally, he's always smiling about something." You bit your lip. "I don't know, he just seems like someone who's… always making people… happy."

Kuroo snorted. "You really don't know him very well."

"Hey, don't be mean!" You slapped his arm gently for that one.

"I wasn't insulting him!" Kuroo grinned, holding up his hands. "I'm just saying–"

"I thought you were friends."

"We are!" Kuroo couldn’t tell if you were genuinely upset or not. "I just… not sure if his team would agree with you on that," he grinned. "Have you seen him in a slump?"

You shrugged. "Not my problem." A pause. "Thank God."

Kuroo chuckled. "You know, I can put in a good word for you if you'd like." He didn’t know why he offered. Maybe to ignore that swell in his stomach. Maybe to hear you say 'no thanks.’

You shook your head, a smile tugging at your lips. He thanked whatever deity was looking over him. 

"Can't I just admire someone for being a good person, Tetsu?"

He didn’t miss a beat. He quirked an eyebrow at you. "Calling me that here, huh?" A grin swept across his face before he could suppress it. "What if people hear you? They might get the wrong idea."

You blushed at his words. You blushed. He didn’t know why he loved it so much when you did.  

"Shut up," you mumbled, crossing your arms. It's like you’re shrinking. Some part of him, unruly and foolish, wanted to wrap his arms around you.

Instead, he smiled, reaching up to ruffle your hair. "I don't mind, at least."

You glared at him. You didn’t know how that name had come out of your mouth. You’re still not sure if it's okay for you to call him that. You just knew that the little smile that touched his lips whenever you used that nickname made you happy.

But it's a small fondness; the sort that made you feel all giddy inside, but usually went unnoticed regardless. 

But nothing went unnoticed with Kuroo. No remark, no glance. He's infuriatingly observant.

You finally understood what his opponents must feel.

His hand was still tangled in your hair. Neither of you had broken eye contact; and you’d been looking at each other for much longer than usual. There’s a voice in the back of your mind, begging you not to let your mind wander. But it’s hard, when you’re this close. When he felt barely a breath away. Your ears thrummed as you came back down to earth, the pounding of volleyballs and the chatter of far too many sweaty boys reminding you of where you are.

"Hey, Kuroo!”

A voice called out. You’re not quite sure who it belonged to. You’re too distracted by the look in his eyes.

His head whipped around, brow creased ever so slightly. But it was enough for you to know he's annoyed. You wouldn’t let yourself wonder why.

But he's up on his feet, and the air suddenly felt a lot cooler. And you couldn’t help but wonder, 'what was that?’

As he walked away, he couldn’t stop thinking about you. About Bokuto. About the fact he's so bothered by the mere thought that you might have a crush on his friend. You’d said you didn’t like him, right? That should’ve been enough. And yet, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. There's something about it being someone he knew that got on his nerves.

He’d convinced himself that this wasn’t love. So why did he feel like this? 

✉

[a respectable 187.9cm] 11:54 PM: i literally cannot believe that bokuto’s your type

[YOU] 11:54 PM: okay FIRST OF ALL

[YOU] 11:54 PM: i told you he’s not my type omfg i can’t believe you’re still thinking about this 

[YOU] 11:54 PM: second of all

[YOU] 11:54 PM: tetsu you should be asleep 

[YOU] 11:55 PM: go to sleep or there’ll be consequences 

[a respectable 187.9cm] 11:55 PM: i just

[a respectable 187.9cm] 11:55 PM: i thought you’d have better taste than that, you know? 

[YOU] 11:55 PM: I Am Going To Kill You

✧ ✧ ✧

“Okay,” Kuroo nodded, pen in hand. “So what exactly are you worried about?” 

You were both sat at the desk in your room, huddled over a textbook. You’d been trying to pay attention, but you just couldn’t. Your brain was too frazzled from stress. And Kuroo, as always, had picked up on that. 

You took a deep breath, straightening out your shoulders. Quite frankly, you were worried about a lot. But, you weren’t about to drop every single little anxiety you had on him all at once. 

“It’s the uni exams, right?” He asked, tilting his head at you. “Amongst other things.”

You nodded slowly. “Yeah…” 

“Did you want to do more practice exams?” He asked, reaching for his laptop. 

You shook your head. “No, I’m just…” You took another deep breath, your fists balling in the fabric of your sweatpants. “I feel like I can’t keep up with all the content we’ve been learning, and I genuinely have no idea what I’m going to do if I bomb the entrance exams.” 

Kuroo gazed at you with just the right amount of sympathy. 

“My chemistry grade’s been improving, yes, but I feel like…” You took another deep breath, trying to ground yourself. “It’s been… really, really hard trying to stay on top of everything, and… and I don’t even know what I want to do with my life, so I have no idea how hard I’m supposed to be working, or what I’m supposed to be focused on, and… and I’m scared, and I’m worried I’m letting people down, and I’m.. I’m scared that I’m not going to do anything meaningful with my life, and–” 

Your words caught in your throat as you felt a hand on your head, smoothing over your hair. It wasn’t an unusual spiel for you; Kuroo was quite used to them. And he was getting better and better at handling them. 

“Listen,” he sighed, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “I know it’s hard for you to see your own merits. And I know that things are getting pretty overwhelming. But you’ve got to have faith in yourself.” 

You swallowed, leaning into his touch instinctively. 

“I know that’s easier said than done, but you’re smarter than you think you are,” he said, giving your arm a squeeze. “You’ve improved a lot over this past year, you know? You finally know what a compound is!”

“Hey,” you whined. 

“I know, I know,” he grinned, hand now ruffling your hair. “But believe me. You can do this. I know you can.” 

You bit your lip. Oh, no. Your chest was constricting again. 

“I’m just… scared,” you mumbled, looking down at your hands. 

“I know,” he murmured, giving your arm another a light squeeze. “Let’s take this one step at a time, yeah?”

You nodded, but you didn’t lift your head back up. You kept staring at your balled up fists, trying your best to take a long, measured breath, in the hopes that doing so would help ground you. 

Don’t think too much. Just focus on the moment. On his voice. 

“Hey,” he murmured, unlooping his arm from your shoulders and instead taking your hand. You flinched at the suddenness of it, but you didn’t pull away. He brought his pen to the back of your hand, the nib tickling you as he scribbled something over your skin. 

It’s going to be okay. You can do this. Those words stared at you from the back of your hand, emblazoned in Kuroo’s chicken-scratch script. 

He’d always been saying this sort of stuff to you. He’d always been trying to help ground you, to bring you back down to earth. And above it all, he’d always had an unshakeable faith in you. A faith you didn’t quite feel like you deserved. But he was always there, always supporting you. 

He meant more to you than you could even put into words.

“I’m sorry,” you sniffed, squeezing your eyes shut as you felt an all-too-familiar sting in them. “I didn’t mean to freak out on you, I’m–”

“No,” Kuroo shook his head, smiling at you. “Don’t do that.” 

You bit your lip. He hated it when you apologised for stuff like this. Totally unwarranted, he’d said. 

“Do you still have it?” Kuroo asked, letting go of your hand. 

You dug around in your bag, pulling out a little booklet. “This thing?” 

He grinned. “Yeah. You told me it’d be useful.” 

“It has been,” you murmured, fiddling with the corner of the booklet.

You’d been a little surprised when he’d first handed it to you a few months ago, but now it was well-worn. It was a collection of articles, each one dedicated to different types of coping strategies for all sorts of problems. Stress, anxiety, melancholy, a lack of motivation… any potential problem you could face, he’d found at least a handful of potential solutions for. 

Honestly, you weren’t sure if things would be running so smoothly if it wasn’t for him. Kuroo was the sort of person who always liked to be on top of things – ‘it gives me more time to goof off,’ he’d said. But you knew that he also wanted to do well; to see his hard work pay off, to get into a good university, and to make his family proud.

And he’d helped you stay on top of things as well. His timetables and this booklet were just one small part of that.  

As you ran your thumb over the booklet, a lump began to form in your throat. 

You really couldn’t have predicted that the two of you would get so close. And each and every day, you grew closer still. 

You’d noticed the little affections between the two of you. The way your hands would brush when he walked you home. The way you leant against one another whenever you had movie nights. They way his hand always lingered in your hair when he ruffled it. They were only little moments, nothing particularly grand. It was nothing that transgressed either of your boundaries. Everything you shared was nebulously platonic; more a testament to just how comfortable you really were with each other than to any undercurrent that ran differently to friendship. 

But you knew that some part of you wanted it to speak to something else. That frightened you.

And yet, romance didn’t cover it nicely. It felt almost disrespectful to try and think of your feelings that way. You had the suspicion that this love of yours didn’t fall neatly into either camp.

There’s so much at play – he meant so much to you, and you honestly couldn’t imagine your life without him in it. Where would you be? Who would you be? 

You loved Kuroo Tetsurou. Deeply. And you had for a while. 

Your love for him was somewhere in the in-between. There’s a wealth of feeling here, deep and powerful and intimidating. But you were scared of the grey. Scared of what it meant. Scared of how those feelings might express themselves. And you had no idea what he was feeling. No idea if he was even on the same page. The last thing you wanted to do was to make him uncomfortable.  

So, it’s easier to call them platonic. For the sake of your friendship, if nothing else. 

✉

[passable at best] 11:34 PM: i hope you’re asleep right now

[passable at best] 11:34 PM: but don’t forget to look after yourself, okay? 

[passable at best] 11:34 PM: i know you’re really stressed, but don’t forget to eat well and keep your fluids up 

[passable at best] 11:35 PM: and when you’re stressed, take a deep breath 

[passable at best] 11:35 PM: your brain needs the oxygen, if it’s going to run smoothly ;) 

✧ ✧ ✧

It took everything within you not to squeal at the top of your lungs as you watched that final spike from Yamamoto go flying off the hand of one of Nohebi’s blockers. 

Your kids had done it. They’d won. 

You’re running on pure adrenaline as you launched yourself in the air, jumping being the only way to properly express your delight. Yamamoto dashed towards you, hands held up. You high-fived him with a grin, saying something that you were sure was totally incoherent. But you just didn’t quite know how to put your overwhelming pride into words. 

Lev was next, running at you while screaming. You screamed back, standing on your tip-toes in an attempt to ruffle his hair. Oh, you had words for him; but you’d wait until you’d calmed down a bit. 

There was someone in particular that you wanted to see, though. Someone– 

“Oi!” You flinched, turning around. 

Kuroo. With his arms spread wide, already anticipating you. 

You threw yourself into his embrace, and his arms found their way around your waist. He wanted nothing more than to be close to you, to share the joy and elation coursing through his veins. What he wanted most, in that moment, was to be with you. 

You melted into him, your face nestled in the crook of his neck. And then, he knew. 

It’s love.

It’s not love in the way it’s always been sold to him. It’s not a love that burns bright with passion and spectacle.

But it’s how he loves you. It’s a quiet, peaceful love, an impressionist watercolour of every shade and tone of affection. 

You looked up at him, cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling with joy. 

And he wondered, in that moment, if he should kiss you.

You’re looking up at him with such resolve, such determination that he felt like maybe, just maybe, the things he'd dreamt of might be possible.

There's a pleasant remembrance, a deep gratitude for the fact that all this time, you’d been there. Supporting him. Like you always had.

But it wasn't time to think about it. You’re still technically on the court, and there were so many people around. He wasn’t going to put you on the spot like that. 

He merely wrapped his arms around you again, pulling you into his chest. "I can't thank you enough, you know."

"Me?" Your face was burning red, and you’re glad he couldn’t see that.

“Yeah,” he chuckled, resisting the urge to kiss the top of your head. “You’ve done a lot for me. Both as a manager, and as a friend.” 

Your arms were around his waist, and you squeezed him tight for just a moment. “You too.” 

He knew he should let you go. He knew that the two of you had been entwined like this for far too long to pass it off as platonic. But he didn’t want to let go. He wanted this moment to last forever. 

He only found the courage to let you go when Lev came thundering towards the two of you, arms raised above his head and elated smile on his face. Kuroo managed to release you, watching with an unabashedly fond smile as Lev gave you a highly dramatised play-by play of the game you’d just been watching. 

But you were smiling, all the way up to your eyes. And for Kuroo, part of loving you was feeling nothing but joy when he saw that look on your face. 

And he knew he would be blessed with that sight for the rest of the evening. 

By the time you’d all left the stadium, you and Yaku were in tears. The first years were flitting around, offering you both a copious amount of tissues. Both of you refused them, content on just using your shirts. 

Usually, the sight of you in tears would break his heart. But he knew these were happy tears. And he wouldn’t trade that brilliant smile that accompanied them for anything. 

You’d calmed down a bit by the time you all settled into a nearby ramen joint. The tears had stopped, replaced by nothing but high spirits. Kuroo, for one, was having the time of his life. There wasn’t much time to just let go these days; entrance exams were closer than he wanted them to be, and finals were growing more and more imminent. And that wasn’t even taking volleyball into account. 

But for now, he could lose himself in this moment; in sharing his glee with this team that he loved so much, that he’d fought alongside with everything he had. 

And you, of course. 

As he sat next to you, watching your face light up as you spoke to Kai about nothing of consequence, he knew that he was done with tip-toeing around the issue. Done with denying his feelings. He knew that he’s feeling something on top of friendship. Not instead of it, but alongside it. And maybe that was the realisation he should’ve come to a while ago.  

But that didn’t matter. He knew now. He had to say something. 

He tried his best as he walked you home. But confessing was harder than he’d given it credit for. 

You were chatting away so animatedly about how proud you were, your entire face lit from within by nothing but pure adoration for your kids. You even pulled out specific examples from today’s game, complimenting each person who’d been on the court. 

Seeing you like this made him so soft. So fond. 

And he wanted to kiss you really, really badly. 

Say something, he thought to himself. Say something, you absolute idiot. 

“And Lev,” you breathed, a hand on his chest. “Can you believe it?” 

Kuroo chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll be honest, I thought it’d take a bit longer for the whole teammate thing to click.” 

“I’m so proud of him,” you said, shaking your head. “He’s grown so much in just one year.” 

So have you, Kuroo thought to himself. 

“Will Yaku be okay?” You asked, looking up at him. Fuck, you were so pretty. 

“He should be,” Kuroo nodded. “Honestly, at least that sprain means he’s obligated to take a couple days rest.”

You grinned. “That’s true.” 

Your arm kept brushing against his, your hands so close to touching. 

Why were his palms so sweaty? He might’ve reached out and taken your hand if his own didn’t feel so gross. 

Fuck. You’ve already reached your house. 

“Well,” you sighed, rocking on your feet a little. “Thanks.” 

“For what?” He raised an eyebrow at you. 

“For tricking me into being your manager,” you laughed, moving to stand right in front of him. “It’s been fun.” 

“Geez, you don’t have to say it like it’s over.” He scoffed, too nervous to reach out and ruffle your hair like he usually would. 

“Sorry,” you grinned. “I’m just… happy.”

“Me too,” he admitted. 

You smiled at him, eyes bright and full of wonder. Were you letting the moment linger? Did you not want this to end either? Was there any possibility that you felt the same way he did? 

Do it, he thought to himself. She’s right there. Just… just do it. 

Something in your face shifted. Just a little. But you stepped back, giving him a resolute nod. 

The moment was gone. 

“Make sure you get plenty of rest, okay?” You smiled at him. 

Do something, he pleaded. 

But the adrenaline’s gone. That bright flame of courage he’d felt when you were in his arms had flickered out. And now you felt just out of reach. 

“I will,” he nodded. 

By the time you made it up to your room, you knew. 

You threw yourself on the bed, burying your head in your pillow. 

He was going to kiss you. 

You could see it in his eyes. In how he’d looked at you in his arms at the stadium. In the way he’d hesitated before dropping you home. 

You’d wanted him to kiss you. You’d felt nothing but crushing disappointment when he hadn’t. 

You rolled over onto your back, staring at your ceiling for a second. You took a few deep breaths – just as that little booklet of yours instructed you to. You needed to calm down. To sort out your thoughts. 

You sat up, reaching for the photo album sitting on your bedside table. 

It was his birthday tomorrow. It’d been lost in the hub-bub of the qualifiers, but you’d been preparing this gift for a couple of months now. You just had to get the photos from today printed, and it’d be complete. 

You flicked through the last few pages, gazing over the pictures of the past few months with a strange lump in your throat. 

It hit you as you looked at his face in one photo. It’s decorated with a genuine smile as he gazed at you, sat next to him in a little booth at a ramen joint. You’re not doing anything special. Just laughing, probably at something stupid he had said. But he looked so happy, and that made your heart ache in the way it only did for him. 

You couldn’t chalk your feelings up as just friendship. You had feelings for Kuroo Tetsurou, and they’re multiplicious. They’re something in-between friendship and romance, something you hadn’t given shape and form to. 

But they’re something you wanted to explore. 

✉

[YOU] 8:43 PM: hey

[YOU] 8:43 PM: i don’t think i made it clear enough today, but i’m so proud of you 

[tetsuwu] 8:44 PM: yeah, the team really gave it their all 

[YOU] 8:44 PM: they did! but i meant, like you. i’m proud of you

[tetsuwu] 8:47 PM: oi

[YOU] 8:47 PM: ????

[tetsuwu] 8:48 PM: what did i say about warning a guy before you say sappy stuff like that? 

[YOU] 8:48 PM: look, i just wanted to let you know! and you should really be proud of yourself, you know?

[tetsuwu] 8:49 PM: just. give me a moment 

[tetsuwu] 8:50 PM: also did you have to change my name back to tetsuwu?

[YOU] 8:50 PM: it’s a classic :) 

✧ ✧ ✧

Birthday mornings were always a gamble in the Kuroo household. 

Was the rest of the family going to pretend they forgot? Were they going to be standing in the corner of your room, waiting for you to wake up and scream? Were they going to be hiding in the garden as you woke up to an empty house? 

Most years he tried to wake up early to get the jump on them. But he’d permitted himself a sleep-in, just this once.

He’d been up late, after all, cursing himself out for being such a coward. The thought’s still with him when he woke up. 

He had to push it out of his mind. There was a lot to be happy about – a spot at nationals, a chance to make the Battle At The Garbage Dump actually happen, his birthday. He knew he shouldn’t dwell too much on you. He also had to check on Kenma; chances were he was suffering from a fever, as usual. 

He’d confess. Eventually. But first he had to actually enjoy his birthday. 

And the only way to kick that off was with a tea. 

He’s still a bit bleary from sleep as he walked into the kitchen, intent only on getting some caffeine into his body. He didn’t need to peek at the mirror to know that he looked like a damn mess. His family would chew him out for it regardless. 

So he tried to steel himself for the typical morning tirade, playful jabs that he had to be lucid enough to return. 

What he didn’t steel himself for, however, was seeing you standing in his kitchen. 

He froze. What were you doing here? Why were you speaking to his grandmother? Why did you look so cute in your jumper? 

The questions flooded his mind all at once, a mental labyrinth that he couldn’t quite make his way through. 

Your arms were around his neck before he even had the chance to process it.

“Happy birthday!”

Oh, oh–

He’d been awake for barely fifteen minutes, and he had to act like this wasn’t making him melt into a puddle? His mind was back at the play-offs, his arms around your waist as you pressed your body against his. He needed to regain his composure, and desperately.

“Thanks,” he managed to mumble out, his arms hovering awkwardly above your waist. 

At that moment, he locked eyes with his grandmother. Her face was plastered with the trademark Kuroo grin, and she winked at him. 

That’s it. His composure was completely in shambles. He grabbed your shoulders and pushed you away from him, giving him the space he needed to think clearly.  

“So…” He cleared his throat, one hand pressed on his neck as if to ground himself. “What are you doing here?”

Your face fell ever so slightly, and it broke his heart. 

“Isn’t it obvious?” You frowned, tilting your head at him. “It’s your birthday. I wanted to come and say hi.” 

He locked eyes with his grandmother again. She took a sip of her tea. 

“Let’s… let’s go to my room,” he suggested, painfully aware of the fact that the flush in his cheeks had made its way to his neck. It’s not ideal, being alone with you in his room when he’s feeling like this. But if he was going to embarrass himself, he’d prefer to do it somewhere his grandmother couldn’t watch. 

He didn’t wait for your response. 

He turned on his heels, stalking out of the kitchen as quickly as he could. 

He’d wanted at least twenty-four hours to pull himself together. At least. Then maybe he would’ve stood a chance while talking to you. But here you were, one of the first faces he’d seen today. How long had he been awake? Twenty minutes? 

This was, quite frankly, a disaster. 

He thundered into his room and sat himself on his bed, back a little too straight and hands balled up in his lap. 

You sat yourself down next to him after shutting his door, close enough to make him a little more nervous. You’ve got a gift bag in your hand and a look of concern painted on your face. 

“Tetsu, are you okay?” 

Did you have to use his nickname? You’d called him that plenty of times before, but now it just felt… strange. Now it made his stomach flutter in all sorts of ways.

“Yeah,” he blushed, looking away from you. “Do I seem… not okay?”

“You seem uneasy.” 

Idiot, he thought to himself. Of course you’d be able to read him. And it’s not like he’s being subtle. 

“I’m fine,” he said, trying to replicate his usual easy smile. “Just feeling old, you know?” 

You laughed. “Sure.” 

He could feel his face burning up. And he could feel you watching him. That just made it worse. 

He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what he even wanted to say. Blurting out a confession wasn’t the best way to go about it. But he didn’t even know how to start a conversation with you right now. 

“I, uh… I brought you something,” you said, holding out the bag. 

He took it with a nod, setting it in his lap. Okay. This was a start. At the very least, he now had something to talk to you about. 

He took a deep breath as he reached into the bag, pulling out a thick, square-shaped present. Peering into the bag, he caught sight of an envelope. 

“Read the letter later, please,” you said, your cheeks a little pink. 

He nodded. You probably got all sappy in it. If he read it now, he’d probably explode. 

“You can open the present, though,” you said, gesturing to it. 

“Right,” he mumbled, taking a second to collect himself before tearing into the wrapping.

It’s a photo album. The photo you’d slipped into the cover was one of the team, collapsed in a human pile as they beamed at the camera. 

He looked at you tentatively. You offered him a beautiful smile. 

“I hope you like it,” you said, a hint of blush to your cheeks. 

He already knew he would. 

But he wasn’t ready for the absolute flood of emotions that was stuffed between these pages. There was that time from second year, when the team had gone to a theme park. It was just after Kenma had started to bleach his hair. Kuroo, Yaku and Kai beamed up from the page, completely unaware of Yamamoto pulling a face in the background.  

There’s the day you, Kuroo and Kenma had gone to get ice cream in celebration of Kuroo’s captaincy. Kuroo’s beaming at the camera, one arm looped around Kenma’s shoulder. It’s only slightly, but Kenma’s smiling, too.

There’s a selfie from that trip to the temple, both your cheeks flushed. He couldn’t tell if it’s from the cold or from the promises you’d made that day. 

There’s photos from the New Years’ Festival you’d both attended with Yaku and Kai. You’re all dressed up in your nicest clothes, pressed together for a poorly lit selfie. 

There’s the first group photo from this year, the entire team huddled together. The taller guys had to hunch to accommodate the likes of Yaku, even if they weren’t about to say it out loud. But, half of Lev’s head still got cut off. 

And that’s just a handful of them. His heart was already overwhelmed as he flicked through countless photos of birthday celebrations, the training camp, and many other little moments he’d forgotten about. 

There’s even photos from yesterday, each member of the team grinning like idiots. 

The tears welled up before he could stop them. 

He wasn’t the sort to get sentimental. But this just got to him. Seeing every happy, joyful memory of the past two years made him feel like he was about to collapse in on himself. It filled him with a certain sense of adoration that he couldn’t hold back. 

He covered his face with his hands, bending over. 

“Hey,” you murmured, placing a hand on his back. “You alright?”

“I’m–” He choked on his words, clearing his throat. “I’m great.” 

When he finally dropped his hands and let you see his face, your heart stuttered. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes, his nose was all red, and his cheeks were flushed a deep, deep scarlet. But you didn’t have time to process it. 

His arms wrapped around you, pulling you towards him. You conceded, resting your face in the crook of his neck and wrapping your arms around his chest. He’s warm, comforting. 

"I wouldn't be who I am today without you."

His breath fanned your neck as he said those words. And as fuzzy as that made your mind, you knew you felt the same way. 

You genuinely couldn’t imagine who you’d be without him. He’d had such an impact on you, and you couldn’t be more grateful for all the ways he’d helped you grow as a person. 

And you knew now that, it’s okay to love him in the in-between. You didn’t need to be afraid of how you felt. You could love him in all sorts of ways; in ways that were cleanly defined, and in ways that weren’t. You could love him as you needed to. As you’re able to. 

"Me neither," you mumbled. 

He drew back, bringing one of his hands to cup your cheek. You didn’t shy away. 

He was looking at you with such affection, his eyes still a little watery, still a little red. You loved this Kuroo – this big, dense softie. 

His thumb ran over your cheek gently, and you hoped your face didn’t look as flushed as it felt. 

He thought you were the most precious thing he’d ever seen. 

“Can I kiss you?” His words were soft, his voice low and gentle. 

You could feel your heart hammering in your chest, your mind abuzz with excitement, nervousness and everything in-between. 

You managed to nod. 

The smile on his face rivalled even the most beautiful sunrise you’d ever seen. 

When his lips met yours, you felt everything from elation to relief. Elation at being able to hold him like this. Relief that you could finally hold him in all the ways you wanted to. 

His lips were softer than you’d expected them to be, and his touch so gentle and hesitant that you felt like you’re about to melt. 

But there’s desperation in this kiss, a testament to all the build-up. You wanted more of him. You wanted to give him more of you. 

He pulled you into his lap gently, both hands on your waist. One of your hands was twined in his hair, the other running over his shoulder and collarbone with a feather-light touch. You’re just so glad, so grateful that you finally get to be with him like this. 

His hands moved from your waist, to your hips, to your thighs, to your shoulders. The only thought running through his brain was you – how good it felt to kiss you, how exhilarating it felt to hold you close to him like this with no hesitation, how it felt like he’d waited his whole life for this. For you. 

Some part of his brain thought that was oh-so-adolescent and stupid. Most of his brain didn’t care.

You pulled away, lips pink and cheeks flushed. He blinked at you, dazed and a little startled. How did your post-kissing face look so cute and pretty? Why hadn’t he kissed you sooner? Why’d he deprived you both of this for so long? 

“Tetsu,” you hummed, cupping his face in your hands. 

“Hm?” 

“Your family is home.” 

“Oh,” he swallowed, a little embarrassed by how much he’d let his mind wander. “Yeah.” You both knew that his grandmother wasn’t the type to knock. 

You laughed, pressing a kiss to his nose. 

He smiled at you. A sudden swell of gratitude gripped his heart; you felt the same way as he did. You hadn’t necessarily traded those words yet, but he had a feeling that they were in that letter you’d written for him. 

But you didn’t need to talk about it right now. You could just enjoy this moment. Enjoy the fact that neither of you were holding back anymore. 

He couldn’t wait to tell Kenma–

Oh shit. Kenma. 

“You alright?” You asked, brushing his fringe out of his face. 

“Huh?” He asked, blinking at you. 

“Your face went all weird,” you pouted. 

“I just remembered that I’ve gotta go check on Kenma,” he said, resting his hands on your hips. “I want to make sure he hasn’t got a fever from yesterday.” 

Oh. Oh. Your heart was going again. 

There was a lot you could say about Kuroo Tetsurou. And there were so many things you couldn’t put into words. You adored him. You adored him for his perspective on things, for how he always managed to bring you back down to earth. You adored him for just how much he cared, even if that was veiled by his playful deflections. You adored him for the fact that, even though he’d never admit it, he’s soft, and had a penchant for offering people all that he could give. 

And he’d given you so much. He’d been your resource to use as you pleased, and so much more. He’d held you up without complaint, and he’d done nothing but support you. He’d been one of your closest friends, if not the closest. And ever since you’d gotten to know one another, he’d been someone you’ve always felt comfortable with. In many ways, he’d been your safe place. 

Yet on top of it all, he’s a dork. He’s clever, yes, and one of the most interesting people you’d ever known. But he’s such an idiot, so endearingly goofy. He always seemed to find the levity in things, even though he knew when to take things seriously. And for all his maturity, for all those wonderful things about him, he’s still just a guy.   

You wouldn’t want him any other way. 

✉

[whipped] 2:01 PM: okay but… can i call you my girlfriend now? 

[whipped] 2:01 PM: am i... your boyfriend?

[YOU] 2:01 PM: tetsu we’re in the same room 

[whipped] 2:01 PM: yeah but i don’t wanna say it out loud 

[whipped] 2:02 PM: also kenma’s here and he’ll get uncomfortable 

[YOU] 2:02 PM: sounds suspiciously like you planned this 

[YOU] 2:02 PM: anyway, i thought that much was clear? 

[whipped] 2:03 PM: not necessarily 

[whipped] 2:03 PM: just wanted to check 

[YOU] 2:03 PM: you’re such a nerd 

[whipped] 2:03 PM: yeah well… i also wanted you to know that you’re the best birthday present i could’ve asked for ;)

[YOU] 2:03 PM: oh my god

[YOU] 2:03 PM: you’re so cheesy 

[whipped] 2:04 PM: :) 

[ideasaboutpokemon]

Note: I have no idea how tagging someone works on this app, but I’m trying :(

So, I was on Tumblr and I saw someone with the username @prismtowerprincess (they’re awesome btw, I recommend checking them out) and it gave me an idea:

The story of Rapunzel BUT make it Pokémon XY. More specifically, Diodeshipping (Clemont X Ash)

Let me explain.

Basically it’s a rewrite of the Disney film Tangled but in the Pokémon XY universe.

So for the plot, Clemont is the lost gym leader trapped in Prism Tower, locked off to all of Kalos (there are only 7 gym leaders of Kalos because the 8th one went missing as a child and therefore Prism Tower was put out of business) Clemont was kidnapped at the age of 1 and a half by Xerosic (on Lysander’s orders but we don’t know that yet) because he was somewhat prophesied to be some kind of genius that shaped the future of Kalos and Lysander didn’t want that prophecy coming true. Xerosic is manipulative through Clemont’s childhood and convinced him not to go outside, as Xerosic only enters through a window at the top of the tower. To get up, he asks Clemont to let down his HAIR [Handy And Indestructible Rope] which Clemont does ever day without fail. Whilst he accepts his life, Clemont is getting bored of the way his life is since he’s seemingly read every book, worked on every calculation, made every invention, etc. He wants to see the Pokémon made electric shower that happens to fall each year on the night of his birthday, but Xerosic won’t let him, telling Clemont in greatly exaggerated detail about the dangers of going. When Clemont asks Xerosic again on his 16th birthday, he snaps and yells at Clemont, who hides in his room out of fear. Xerosic leaves, and Clemont goes and sits in his closet like he does when he needs some alone time. Xerosic tells Clemont that he’ll get the him a new wrench for his birthday, and leaves to go to the mechanics shop.

Meanwhile Ash is on the run with Jessie and James, who don’t trust Ash but need him for their heists. Whilst Jessie and James like stealing unique Pokémon from Kalos and trading them for money, Ash prefers stealing gym badges. They just stole the only Mega Evolution Stone from Professor Sycamore’s lab, so the professor sends the Royal Kalos Defence Force to arrest them with the chase being led by a Pikachu, who is at first underestimated by Ash and his crew. But after witnessing first-hand the power of Pikachu’s thunderbolt, the trio end up separated with Ash having to fly solo. After complaining that the wanted poster messed up his nose, he spots Prism Tower, and comes to the conclusion that since it’s a gym, he can rob the gym leader there. And since Pikachu is hot on his tail, he has no choice but to climb up and hide. Clemont hears Ash enters the building, ventured out of the closet and knocks ash out with an old wrench, tying him to a chair with his HAIR in a panic. When Ash wakes up, he sees Clemont walking around the room looking highly anxious, and mockingly asks him questions like if he was a boy or a girl due to Clemont’s longer than average hair, referring to him as “Gender-bent Goldilocks” on occasion. Clemont demands to know who Ash is, and naively believes the wanted man when he says his name is “Tom-Ato” Ash asks for the stone back and Clemont says that he’ll return the stone if Ash takes him to see the electric shower. Ash reluctantly agrees, but secretly plans on betraying Clemont at the earliest opportunity. Ash gets Clemont to use his HAIR as a way of escaping the tower rather than letting Xerosic into it, but still, Clemont is terrified. Reluctantly, Ash carries Clemont to an isolated first as the blond haired man is too scared to walk on the floor since he’s never been outside before and when Clemont gets on the grass he runs around in an excited phase. He continually flips between a mood of joy and depression/fear of Xerosic’s response. Ash uses his guilt to try and force Clemont back to the castle, but Clemont refuses. However, he bumps into a Luxray and is scared easily. Whilst Ash is tempted to leave Clemont stuck up a tree he climbed to escape the playful Pokémon, he eventually gives in to his gut and goes to rescue Clem who proclaims his gratitude for “The Heroic Tom Ato” which makes Ash laugh. Clemont eventually grows to trust the Luxray, who joins them on their quest into the centre of Lumious City where the electricity event takes place.

Meanwhile, Xerosic asks Clemont to let down his HAIR, and when he doesn’t, Xerosic grows concerned. With Lysander’s orders to never let Clemont leave the tower ringing in his head, he runs up a hidden emergency staircase, breaks into the tower and is dismayed to see that Clemont isn’t there, as well as the stolen mega evolution stone laying in the closet floor. He pockets the stone and begins using a set of goggles to track Clemont’s footprints. After seeing another set of prints next to Clemont’s he lets out a panicked cry and chases after them, running into Jessie and James along the way. The duo are musing about the lost stone and Xerosic demands they tell him who stole the stone (and Clemont). They challenge him to a battle - if he wins, they tell him everything as well as help him, and if he looses, he gives them all his possessions. Xerosic agrees.

Ash takes Clemont to a pub in order to scare him back into the castle as the people inside all have reputation of somewhat dangerous trainers. When Ash and Clemont walk in, the entire pub turns on them and recognises Ash from the wanted posters. They close in on the duo, and as they’re backing up Ash tells Clemont that it’s not too late to “run back home.” This approach almost works until in a state of fear, Clemont asks some of the people closing in on him if they’ve ever had a dream to follow. One by one the “menaces” in the pub reveal their not-so scary dreams. Brock wants to be a doctor. Misty just wants to be better than her sisters. Tracy wants to be an artist. Serena and May just want to dance and Cilan wants to open up his own restaurant with his two brothers. Ash confessed his dream is to be seen as a champion and Clemont says his dream is to see the electric shower. Ash sees Jessie and James directing an unfamiliar man in a red lab coat (Xerosic) to where him and Clemont are, and panics. He grabs Clemont and they try to escape out of the back, where they are confronted by Pikachu and a squad of Dedennes. Cilan grabs Clemont and directs him and Ash to an underground tunnel that will get them out of there, which the two and Luxray run down before Jessie, James and Xerosic can get in. Unfortunately for them, Pikachu also manages to follow them through the tunnel. Xerosic walks in and demands to know where the tunnel went. One of the people in the pub - Alain - tells him against the wishes of Brock and Misty. Xerosic takes Jessie and James to beat Ash and Clemont to the exit.

Clemont and Ash are halfway down the tunnel when Ash hands Clemont a pokeball. Clemont asks what it is, and Ash revealed that it would be easier for them to travel if Luxray was inside the pokeball. Clemont bolds the pokeball out, Luxray bops it with his nose and is sucked into it, and caught. Clemont is panicking that Luxray disappeared, whilst Ash reassures him that Luxray is safe in the pokeball. As the two get near the exit of the tunnel, it ends up looking like more of a cave and a stone is knocked loose, causing the cave to start flooding. This results in the water blocking their light source and the exit is hidden from view. (I don’t entirely recall what happens in the film here so I’m sorry and this bit might seem a little random in terms of the rest of the plot) Clemont and Ash are at the point of nearly drowning when Ash tells Clemont he’s really Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. Clemont then confesses to Ash that he always takes a few of his inventions with him, and pulls out his HAIR, which when turned on, somehow gives off a little bit of light. The duo realise they can use this to escape, and when they find the exit of the cave, Clemont asks Ash why he lied to him and Ash says it’s because “It was easy.” Pikachu then fires an electroball at Ash, but Clemont takes the hit for him. Pikachu stops attacking whilst Ash looks at Clemont’s injury, which is quite a minor one, and Clemont asks Pikachu to trust Ash just until he gets back to the tower after seeing the electric shower. Ash notes that since Jessie and James were trying to capture both of them, they’re probably enemies now. He blames the stone heist on them and Pikachu relents, joining them on the journey. He sits on Ash’s shoulder to make sure he doesn’t do anything illegal.

Night falls and Ash shows Clemont how to make a fire. When he goes to get more firewood with Pikachu, Xerosic emerges from the bushes and grabs Clemont by the arm. He attempts to drag the lost gym leader back to the tower but Clemont breaks free and yells that he trusts Ash entirely. Xerosic laughs and mocks Clemont, saying Ash would never be trustable as the only reason he tolerated Clemont in the first place. He then dares Clemont to put his trust in Ash and give him the stone to watch how fast Ash would leave him. Xerosic then tells Clemont that he’ll be keeping an eye on him, leaves Clemont with the stone alone in the woods near the fire and disappears. Meanwhile Ash is trying to collect more wood but Pikachu is giving him a hard time. Pikachu seems to question why Ash is doing this, to which the boy has no idea. He says that something in his gut is drawing him to Clemont, but passes it off as an “opportunity”. He tells Pikachu how he feels obliged to take care of Clemont and yet again, passes it off as an “opportunity”. He returns to see Clemont visibly shaken and rushes to comfort him. Clemont then shows Ash some calculations based on the fire he did, but didn’t know how he did them. This amazes Ash who tells Clemont that the science he just did was so amazing, causing the lost gym leader to blush. They basically chat and have joke fights like an old married couple for a while, but neither of them are aware of this due to Ash being dense and Clemont not knowing what love is. Meanwhile, Xerosic is watching from the bushes, plotting how to use this to his advantage. He watched from afar as Ash pulls Clemont into an embrace as they go to sleep under the stars.

The next morning, Clemont prods Ash awake due to being scared of the unknown Pokémon surrounding them. It turns out that it’s actually the Royal Kalos Defence Force to arrest Ash and now Clemont as well. Ash asks Pikachu to help fight them off, and Luxray helps Clemont. They fight off the Dedennes and run into the city where preparations for the festival are being made. Clemont is overexcited at the sight of all the machines and Ash actually walks down a whole street is pop-up stands without stealing anything for once! Telling Clemont that, he takes the lost gym leader’s hand and drags him to the middle of the festival where a man called the Blasekin mask is giving a speech about it being his lost son’s 16th birthday. Clemont tells Ash that it’s his 16th birthday too, which shocks Ash. He buys Clemont a slice of cake to celebrate and the duo spend the day playing in three streets with everyone else. Pikachu and Luxray bond as well, and Luxray asks Pikachu and not arrest Ash. Pikachu says he’ll consider it. Non of the other humans know what the two Pokémon are saying.

During the festival, Clemont starts to come out of his shell whilst Ash is also having fun, no longer thinking of the stone. Clemont meets a young girl who says her name is Bonnie, and she’s the sister of the lost gym leader. Clemont asks what the lost gym leader is, to which Bonnie remarks that he “must’ve been locked in a tower all your life if you haven’t heard of him.” unaware of the irony of that statement. She explains that due to a prophecy, her brother was abducted at the age of 1 and a bit, and taken away from his father. Bonnie then proceeds to explain that after her brother went missing, her mother started to grow ill from heartache. When she gave birth to Bonnie 8 years later, the stress of having a baby drained the life from her, and whilst Bonnie survived, her mother didn’t. Both Ash and Clemont are horrified by this revelation and Bonnie remarks that Clemont’s eyes look like hers. She gives Clemont the Lumiose gym badge and smiles at him. Her father then approaches them, tells her not to talk to strangers, and leads Bonnie away. Clemont starts to cry into Ash’s shoulder as Ash stands there looking shocked. Clemont apologises for his emotions and Ash tells him not to worry about it as everyone feels sad sometimes. To put him at piece, Ash takes Clemont to see the flowers that decorate the memorial of the lost gym leader’s mother, which had a stone with the engraving of “The future is now thanks to science.” Clemont says quote feels familiar to him but he can’t place where from, causing Ash to look at him in confusion. Brushing it aside, he drags Clemont all around town to see all the inventions, all of which intrigue Clemont.

On the night of the festival, Ash says that the best place to see the festival is on top of the Pokémon Centre, but Clemont is scared of the heights. Ash helps him up and they watch the electric shower together. In the climax of the shower, Ash leans in to kiss Clemont for a reason he can’t quite place, but before he can actually kiss him, he sees James and Jessie behind Clemont on a building roof across the street and pulls away to go and talk to them. Clemont then gives the stone to Ash, surprising the their greatly, and agrees to let Ash go. Whilst Ash is gone, Xerosic emerges from behind and tells Clemont to be wary of Ash’s motives. Clemont is confused by this but Xerosic merely says he’ll wait for him by the back entrance to the Pokémon Centre. Ash goes to talk to Jessie and James but is captured by them and tied up by an electric net. They take Pikachu and go, leaving Ash to call for help in a soundproof room.

After Xerosic leaves, Clemont is sat by himself on the roof when he’s grabbed by Jessie and James, who tell him he’ll make them a lot of profit. He pulls himself out of their grasp and runs outside and calls for Ash’s help, to which the duo tell him not to bother as Ash was the one who told them to kidnap him before taking the stone and leaving. They back a resistant Clemont into a corner whilst telling him in detail how Ash said he was pathetic but could be used for other purposes, therefore making him a good trade. Clemont breaks down into tears when hearing of Ash’s betrayal and as Jessie and James are about to knock him out, they are attacked by a Malamar. As they’re knocked out, Xerosic returns the Malamar to a pokeball he’s holding, walks out towards Clemont who rushes to embrace him, and yells him that he’s here so everything will be ok. He puts an arm around Clemont and explains that Ash pretended to love him just to get the stone, which breaks Clemont’s heart. Xerosic leads Clemont home whilst the Royal Kalos Defence Force arrest Ash as well as Jessie and James.

Laying awake in the tower, Clemont is looking at the Lumiose gym badge in sadness when Xerosic sits on his bed. Clemont asks Xerosic why he saved him since Clemont disobeyed direct orders and left. Xerosic tells Clemont that whilst he’s very disappointed in him and will most likely punish him later, he still lives Clemont as “That’s what family does.” Clemont questions how they can be related, to which Xerosic ignores him. Clemont wonders aloud where Ash is now, and to distract him, Xerosic pulls out some of Clemont’s old inventions to remind him that he doesn’t need Ash. Clemont looks closely at his inventions and realise that the Lumiose gym badge has been carved on all of them, like some kind of sign. Rushing to his closet, he pulls out his old notebook, the first page reading “The future is now thanks to science.” He confronts Xerosic about it, using the signs and quote to question why he even knows these things from years ago if he’s only learned about them today. Clemont then questions why he’s so good at inventing as Xerosic never taught him, and reflects on how he shares the lost gym leader’s mother’s eyes. He points out how there was a physical resemblance between him and Bonnie, and how the electric shower happens to fall every year on his birthday. He tells Xerosic that his birthday is the same as the lost gym leaders birthday, which sends Xerosic into a panic. Clemont tells Xerosic with no question that he is the lost gym leader, which Xerosic feebly denies. As Clemont starts to question why Xerosic wouldn’t tell him, Xerosic yells at Clemont that he will never leave the tower. Clemont says that Xerosic can’t stop him, at which Xerosic tells Clemont about lysandres “contingency plan” and proceeds to back Clemont up into a corner. He takes the pokeball containing Luxray and puts it in his pocket, causing Clemont to cry out in guilt et not being able to stop Xerosic taking his new friend. As Clemont is stood helpless, pinned in the corner by Xerosic, he pulls out a phone in front of Clemont and phones Lysander, saying half to Lysander and half to Clemont, “Director, it’s time for plan B.”

Meanwhile, Ash is sat in jail with Jessie and James, and he asks them how they could betray them. They say that Xerosic bribed them, and Ash leaves it at that. As Ash tries to break out, they muse about how they need a cool new duo name when a Meowth walks up to the cell and talks in the human language, shocking the three criminals. He says he heard from people within Lysandres organisation called Team Flare that they were using a new method of confining the lost gym leader to prism tower. Whilst Jessie and James are shocked that this Meowth knew where the lost gym leader was the entire time, Ash realised that Clemont is actually the lost gym leader, and that he’s in danger. He begs the Meowth to break them out, to which the Meowth replies “Back up’s outside.” As he breaks the cell open, all of Ash’s new friend from the pub help break him out. Pikachu jumps on Ash’s shoulder, and Ash realised that Pikachu got the people from the pub to come break him out! He thanks Pikachu, and together they rush off to prism tower to help Clemont escape from Xerosic.

When Ash gets to prism tower, he asks Clemont to let down his HAIR, which is lowered quickly. Ash climbs up the rope only to be met with the sight of Clemont in chains with a gag around his mouth, trying to tell Ash to flee. Xerosic creeps up behind Ash and stabs him with a dagger, causing Clemont to cry out in guilt and Ash to tell in pain as he falls to the ground. Xerosic tells Clemont that this is his fault and proceeds to drag him towards a secret trapdoor leading to an isolated basement that Clemont didn’t know about. Clemont is resisting this and eventually manages to get the gag to fall from his mouth and hang around his neck. He then tells Xerosic that he will never stop trying to get away unless he lets Clemont use his invention to save Ash. Xerosic reluctantly agrees and unchains Clemont, who frantically rushes to Ash’s aid whilst Xerosic watches from by the trapdoor. Ash asks what the invention does and Clemont explains quickly that is would patch up the wound. Ash then asks how much it can be used, to which Clemont replies “only once.” As the lost gym leader aims at Ash’s wound, Ash deliberately knocks the invention as Clemont pulls the trigger so that the invention fires at Xerosic instead, causing is body to freeze over in some kind of cocoon. As his face freezes over, the last this he addresses to Clemont is “What have you done?!” He drops Luxray’s pokeball causing the Pokémon to come out. Pikachu then runs up to him and with Luxray they both aim a powerful thunderbolt star Xerosic’s comatose from gyre, causing it to break into small pieces, effectively killing Xerosic. Clemont is too caught up sobbing into Ash’s chest to notice - he asks Ash why he sacrificed himself for him, to which Ash merely replies that “science is so amazing” As Clemont accepts that he’s going to loose Ash for good, he leans in to kiss Ash, to which Ash responds by putting his lips on Clemont’s. Suddenly, Clemont’s glasses light up and like he suddenly pulls out an old fabreze. Using different components from around the room, in less than 15 seconds, he manages to convert it to a “Heal my love-inator” and applies it to Ash’s stab wound. As the bleeding stops and the wound disappears, Clemont tells Ash that they need to get to a Pokémon center now. Ash says he feels fine, which surprises Clemont greatly. Ash asks Clemont how he knew how to do that to his invention. Clemont replies that honestly has no idea, and Ash kisses him again, causing Clemont to blush. He backs away, telling Ash that they can kiss after Ash is patched up by Nurse Joy. Ash says that he feels completely normal, and describes Clemont’s new invention as some kind of “super-duper max revive potion!” which causes Clemont to blush. Clemont reveals that he had no idea what he was doing, which amazes Ash even more. Clemont then goes to look at the remains of Xerosic, trying not to cry. Ash then takes Clemont and his HAIR, saying that he’s free to go and live his life now. Cutting the HAIR apart, Clemont says that he has no use for it and begs Ash to take him around the world because after being locked up for so long, he wants to know what he’s missed out on. Ash then says that there’s somewhere they need to go first.

Ash takes Clemont to the professor’s lab, at which Clemont is completely star-struck. Hearing the duo, Professor Sycamore emerges with Meyer and Bonnie in tow, to which Bonnie says hi to Ash and Clemont again. Professor Sycamore asks them who they are, and Ash merely replies with “So, I kinda stole your stone but I brought it back as well as someone else.” Clemont nervously approaches Meyer and holds out the Lumiose gym badge, saying quietly, “I think I’m your son.” Meyer looks down at him and simply responds with a hug, causing Clemont to blush and Ash to start crying quietly. Bonnie looks at Ash in confusion, and he just mutters “Shut up.” Professor Sycamore says that since the lost gym leader has been found, they can reopen prism tower since it’s been out of use since Clemont was taken as a baby. Clemont just looks at Ash and tells the room that he never wants to step foot in prism tower again, which is why he’ll build a replacement gym leader called Clembot. He also suggests that to celebrate the purpose for him meeting Ash, he makes mini electric showers for Pokémon like Pikachu and Luxray. Meyer explains that those Pokémon are called “electric types” to which Clemont says he wants to know everything about them. Taking his boyfriend by the arm, Ash says that there’s plenty of time for that, and tells Clemont to get ready for the world. As they leave, Professor Sycamore remarks that it’s the world that should get ready for Clemont. Bonnie asks Meyer, “What did the prophecy say again?”

As we see Clemont and Ash on their journey together, we hear the background narration of what the prophecy says, told by Meyer’s disembodied voice. He says that “On a dark summers night, all that is innocent and promising shall be lost. At the other side of the year after many have gone, it shall be found again. The nature of that which has been concealed shall rise to the occasion and bless Kalos with scientific discovery both great and little. A champion shall rise by his side, and together they shall take the world in electric storms, bringing knowledge and prosperity to wherever they go.”

The voiceover changes from Meyer’s voice to Lysander’s voice who closes a book containing the original written prophecy. Shaking his head, we see him walk around prism tower, kneeling by the remains of Xerosic as he sighs to himself. Standing up, he faces away from the camera and says to nobody in particular; “Oh Xerosic, your efforts still remain in vain. I suppose if you want anything done right, you have to do it yourself.”

The end.

That’s pretty much my idea. I wrote it on Notes so I apologise if the text format looks a little weird. I know the plot is a bit rough in some places but please bare with me: I am by no means a writer and merely had the idea in the heat of the moment when I saw the username. Thanks to @prismtowerprincess for the inspiration :) I know this idea probably sucks, but this is just an idea. Hopefully you like it :)

[howdoyousleep3]

no need to ask me

Rating: Explicit 

Pairing: Andy Barber x Lance Tucker

Summary: “That was quite a scene there, baby. Made a bit of a fool’a yourself wouldn’t you say?” What the fuck? “What? How long have you been sittin’ there like a creep?” Andy takes another couple of steps, closes in with broad shoulders, crosses his arms. “Long enough to see that pitiful display of what I assume was flirting.” 

Words: 6.3K

Tags: Daddy Kink, Feminization, Humiliation, Spanking, Desk Sex, Spitting, Light Dom/Sub, Crying, Rough Sex, Little Prep, Anal Sex, Anal Fingering, Hair Pulling, Spanking

This isn’t my normal softness so please read the tags! I hope you enjoy the filth! 

Lance tends to like Fridays. He pushes his gymnasts harder because it’s the end of the week, more people are in and out of the gym so he can show he knows his shit a little more, and let’s be completely transparent—Lance feeds off the attention. He’s worthy of said attention, knows people are aware of his status, knows people find him hot as fuck whether they like it or not. Fridays are the days where Lance feels good, feels powerful, feels of value.

He’s spent the day working with his own girls, focusing on things beyond the basics; they’re passed that shit. They needed to work on sharpness and sticking landings and fuck if they couldn’t understand just how to make things tight. They did alright, nothing like he could do, but he feigned exasperation and disappointment nonetheless to get under their skin a little bit.

The moments where he wasn’t meeting with his own athletes he spent on the outskirts of the floors. He loved how even his presence rubbed other coaches and players the wrong way, how he didn’t even have to open his mouth to get under other people’s skin. That made actually opening his mouth and spouting off taunts that much sweeter. When he wasn’t on the outskirts of the floor, he spent his time working his charm on the front desk girls, the few coaches in the office.

He wasn’t genuinely interested in these chicks, but flirting was fun and if he got some pussy out of it that was just a happy accident. He knew what his smirk did to people, knew that if he licked his lips just the right way and paired it with a look up and down, he might have a chance. It’s been a long day, one of his few full days, and the people around him are busy closing the gym down. He’s in the middle of working his shot with this pretty blonde (Amanda? Miranda? He can’t remember and can’t find it in himself to care) when—

“Andy?”

Lance’s glance to his right leads him to catching an out of place crisp dress shirt out of the corner of his eye. Andy is seated in the waiting area meant for parents, ankle of one leg resting on the opposite knee, arms spread onto the backs of the chairs on either side of him, suit jacket tossed into the chair next to him. He looks casually out of place in this gym, looks infinitely better than Lance does in his tracksuit. Well, maybe not better but he looks like belongs back in his office or in a courtroom. He looks good.

“Hey, baby,” Andy purrs, tilts his head a little as he says it, and Lance is immediately on alert at his tone. It’s an odd tone, like a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, a little bitten off. Add that to Andy having never shown up to his place of work has him feeling on edge. That edge hardens slightly when Lance realizes his predicament: he’s propped up onto the front desk counter and has been staring down the shirt of AmandaMiranda for the past ten, fifteen minutes.

How long had Andy been sitting there?

“What are you doing here?” It comes out much more harshly than he intends for it to, so much so that the girl behind the front desk takes it as her cue to leave. He’s upset with himself and his tone for maybe half a minute before he starts to think about how uncalled for it is for Andy to show up unannounced, for him to sit there and watch Lance like some sort of creep.

Andy’s eyebrows raise in an unnerving move and he responds with a cool, “You’re not happy to see me?” That isn’t fair. Lance is always happy to see Andy, always excited to see the older man, still gets a few butterflies in his chest, his stomach, but he needs to play it cool. He can’t come off as eager, needs to give Andy the chase that everybody else gets. He scoffs at Andy’s words, looks around as he deepens his lean on the front counter, hip cocked.

“I mean you’re not the worst thing I’ve ever seen come through those doors I guess.”

Andy doesn’t look impressed, gives Lance a look that conveys just that, leaves him on shaky ground as the last few to leave walk past them. Someone asks Lance if he’ll lock up and he brushes them off, says it’s no big deal, tells them he can handle it. Andy doesn’t take his eyes off Lance once. He didn’t realize how much he depended on those few short minutes with other people in his presence, other people in the building with him and Andy, until they’re gone.

It’s unnerving.

Andy Barber isn’t Lance’s type. He’s a rule-follower, a suit, never raises his voice, a man, but he’s got pretty eyes and hands that Lance loves to feel tight around his thighs and the juiciest bottom lip he’s ever found. After running into him enough at his lawyer’s office (Lance doesn’t want to talk about it) and exchanging flirty glances, Andy made a move and asked Lance if he wanted to go get a drink.

“Yeah sure—what the hell?”

Andy was a little older than Lance and, even though they were wildly different, they got along well. Lance found that he could be more of himself with Andy, let loose a little more, found that Andy could keep up with his banter. Lance would have never guessed that Andy was the kind to fuck on the first date but when a hand slid up his thigh under the cover of the table and a pair of lips found that fucking spot under his ear, he was pleasantly surprised.

They’ve gone on a handful of dates, met up for drinks and gone to see a few movies, but Lance keeps coming back for the sex. He doesn’t let people fuck him often, but Andy Barber is one of them. Andy works out to keep his body right and tight, keeps him fit, knows how to work it to give it to Lance good, an easy 7/10. He lets Lance get a little rough (could give it to him a little rougher if Lance is critiquing), lets him be on top, and it’s great but no amount of a good fuck makes it acceptable to show up unannounced at his place of work.

Before Lance can say anything else, Andy is standing, closing the distance between the two of them slowly. Lance swallows audibly.

“That was quite a scene there, baby. Made a bit of a fool’a yourself wouldn’t you say?”

What the fuck?

“What? How long have you been sittin’ there like a creep?” Andy takes another couple of steps, closes in with broad shoulders, crosses his arms.

“Long enough to see that pitiful display of what I assume was flirting.”

That’s uncalled for. It leaves Lance feeling even more off-kilter because Andy has never been mean to him and he’s pretty sure that’s what this is. Lance’s feathers are more than ruffled. He wants to say more, wants to spit his gum in Andy’s face, but the other man is standing toe-to-toe with him now and there’s a tight hand on his chin.

Ouch.

“You tryin’ to shoot your shot with her? S’that what that was?” Andy’s breath is hot on his lips, grip tight on his chin, and Lance’s brain stutters to a halt somewhat. Andy’s never touched him like this. He can’t think straight, can’t even remember what was happening a few measly minutes ago, and Andy is shaking his chin sharply.

“I asked you a question. You wanted to fuck her?”

Lance’s body goes simultaneously cold and hot. He was somewhat interested in fucking her, but he isn’t used to those words coming out of Andy’s mouth, him seemingly not being a crass person whatsoever. He’s almost certain his mouth would drop open if it could at the other man spitting out the word fuck. He feels that in his toes. He doesn’t think, just speaks, chooses to bite out, “Why? You wanna watch?”

He doesn’t expect Andy to bite out a chuckle low and deep in the back of his throat, tries not to flinch when he leans forward to press a soft kiss to the corner of Lance’s mouth.

“Wouldn’t be much to watch, sweet boy; if it were the three of us in one room, you’d be gettin’ fucked by both of us.”

Lance’s breath stutters. Andy has only pulled out sweet boy a few times and Lance has tried his hardest to ignore the way it makes his chest pull tight. He’s no one’s sweet boy; he’s a man and he is no ones. He hates the way his chest aches and pulls tight yet again at the straightforwardness of Andy, how he says that Lance would be getting fucked no matter the situation.

He absolutely hates how unopposed and indifferent he feels about that idea.

Even through the feeling of his cheeks burning he’s rolling his eyes and punching out a laugh that’s trying too hard. He’s uncomfortable, hot and bothered and on alert, but when Andy steps forward with him, presses him back into the desk, his chuckle dies into a whimper in his throat.

“Could fuck her if I wanted, easy,” he says with all the strength he can muster up, tries his hardest to jut his chin out to prove his point more but then Andy is smiling down at him and that’s infuriating.

“Yeah, know you love to strut around dick first but that’s not what you really want is it? What you really like is to be pushed down and fucked until you’re screamin’ for it. And don’t lie to me, sweet boy, because I’ve fucked this pussy enough to know what it likes, what it needs.”

The noise he lets out is betrayal at its finest, a slutty exhale, a shocked little noise. His pussy? He’s—

“Don’t have a pussy,” he manages to grit out, shaking his chin free from Andy’s grip, but it’s no use, not when Andy’s other arm wraps tight around his lower back. There are warm lips on his cheek, his jawline, and he hates how much he loves the feeling of that fucking beard on his skin, hates how in-control Andy feels tonight. When said lips reach his ear he snarls pitifully when Andy sucks on his earlobe, feels that hand around his back drop down to his ass.

“Sweetheart,” Lance hates how his stomach clenches up at Andy’s barely detectable voice, “Know this is a pussy ‘cause I’ve fucked it.”

A few of Andy’s fingers press and rub tight right up against his asshole, right through his tracksuit, right there behind the front desk of his gym, and Lance fucking whimpers. He isn’t sure if it’s Andy’s unprecedented words or that fact that his dick goes hard as a rock at the other man’s touches, but either way he lets out far too feminine of a noise than he’s comfortable with.

“Does she know you like getting’ fucked too? Does she know that I can make you gag for it, make you squeal for a good dickin’, too?”

Fuck.

Lance brings his hands up to shove at Andy’s broad muscular thick chest, doesn’t know what else to do in reaction to the other man’s words, doesn’t want to think about how achy his dick is in his pants. Andy chuckles, seemingly full of them today, moves and takes Lance’s shoves like they’re nothing, like Lance isn’t a powerful man himself, and it’s an unintentional low blow.

Their physical banter escalates to Lance finding himself face down and pressed into the desk, Andy’s hand tight between his shoulder blades. He feels the fight in him leave, feels the pool of arousal fog up his brain some, at the pressure of Andy’s crotch, his dick, pressing up against his ass. His cheeks heat up exponentially when he hears the other man let out a throaty groan, squirms as Andy grinds and rubs in tight to Lance’s backside.

“Does she know that you love it when your Daddy fucks your sweet pussy?”

“Oh shit.”

He doesn’t mean to say it out loud, doesn’t mean to make it sound like it was punched right from his chest, but that’s exactly what happens, exactly what it sounds like. Andy has never referred to himself as…that…before. How did Andy know? Did Lance let it slip during any of the times they were fucking? He swore he had buried that part of him deep deep down, hadn’t let anyone find it, but here is Andy Barber of all fucking people yanking it out from the shadows.

“Ohh, look at that,” Andy purrs, hand between his shoulders sliding up to squeeze at the back of his neck, “Y’went all soft on me just from that one word, didn’t you? Mhmm, such a sweet slutty boy.” Lance’s fingers go tight on the edge of the desk and attempts to use any amount of strength he can muster up to push up, off the desk and out of such a vulnerable position, but all that does is grind his ass back into Andy’s dick more, make him squirm.

He puts up somewhat of a valiant fight, will continue to bicker no matter what, but when he feels the warm length of Andy’s front press against the line of his back, he crumbles on the inside. There’s a hand in his hair, gliding through the back, but then it’s yanking, pulling his head up so Andy can better whisper into his ear, better get his point across.

“’Cause I’m your Daddy, aren’t I? Bratty slut like you needs someone to keep you in line, keep you sweet. Isn’t that right, Lance?”

He wants so badly to moan out loud, wants to give in to the side of him that wants to tell Da—Andy—that he does need someone to keep him in check, does need someone to be sweet for. He swallows a few times, breathing so labored some exhales come out as whimpers, and Andy’s hand in his hair goes taut in a warning.

“Ngh, yes yeah, sure,” is what Lance spits out while he does what he can to wiggle under Andy’s body, but that only makes him harder, makes his core burn hot with the strength and size of the other man. Teeth hit the hinge of his jaw, a generous nibble that makes him gasp, and Andy’s voice has a harsh edge to it when he says, “Fuckin’ say it.”

Lance is enraged, is fired up, but the urge to give in is stronger, to say what he’s always wanted to say. He hates how much he loves the sting of his scalp and the sting on his jaw, hates how much he loves the way he feels overpowered, wishes it were all in a different setting. It’s all love and hate but he’s whimpering nonetheless, hears himself grit out, “I need a Daddy.”

“Yeah? And who’s that?” Goddamnit.

“S’you,” he mumbles, “You’re my Daddy.”

The sweet little kiss he gets to his cheek is something that burns through his body straight to his toes, somewhat of a sour preen. He despises the way his body feels after even the smallest amount of immediate gratification, that honey sweetness pooling on the back of his neck. He huffs anyway, right in time for Andy to lift himself off his backside, reach for the waistband of Lance’s pants.

Lance is up for some freaky shit, trying out different positions and in different rooms in the house, but when Andy goes for the top of his track pants, yanks them halfway down his ass, Lance is protesting. It’s not even a worthy attempt, a humiliated noise and a push up off the desk but there’s a hand on the back of his neck, an unwavering one, and another hand smacking tight against the exposed skin of his ass. It’s a shock, makes Lance gasp again, makes him stretch the line of his body as the piece of exposed skin throbs.

It’s too good.

“Quit it. You think I’m not gonna teach you a lesson? You think your Daddy isn’t gonna show you what he thinks of you tryin’ to get your dick wet right in front of him? It’s time you learn your lesson.”

Lance has never once been as turned on as he is right now in this moment. Being a brat is who he is, is ingrained in his core, but he knows better than anyone that’s only because no one’s ever been able to deal with him, has never been able to step up to him. Andy Barber of all people was not someone he expected to rise to such a challenge and knock it out of the fucking park and then some.

Doesn’t mean Lance is done fighting.

As soon as his pants and underwear hit the floor he’s whining out a pathetic, “Andy, listen I—” but gets only those three words out before there’s another smack coming down on his ass but this one has a bite to it, is all palm and no holding back. It makes Lance’s toes curl in his shoes.

“You goin’ stupid on me and all I’ve done is pull your pants down? Huh? Who am I to you?” Lance breathes out his answer, a little gritty, a soft, “D-Daddy,” still not feeling comfortable saying the word in such a context and outside of his head. He gets another smack on his ass, the opposite cheek, a squeeze on both cheeks that makes him whimper, one and then the other. He in no way could have anticipated Andy’s next words.

“Show me where Daddy fucks you. Show me that slutty little hole.”

Lance isn’t even moving and he feels dizzy in the head, is horizontal but feels like he’s gone vertical too quickly. He knows what Andy wants, what his words mean, but he would never spread himself open to show anyone his asshole, not even Daddy.

“What? You think I haven’t seen your pussy before? You think I don’t watch that greedy little thing eat me up each time we fuck?” Andy’s hands grip his cheeks as he speaks, pushes and pulls them apart rather roughly, mimics the exact movement Lance recognizes from when they are in bed together. He hadn’t even made the connection before, a little muddled, and the back of his neck burns hot in realization.

Two palms squeeze tight, makes Lance hiss, before Andy is demanding again, “Show me,” and Lance does. He brings his hands back, feels them shake as he grabs at his own ass, pulls his cheeks apart. He hears Andy take a few steps back, wants to sink through the floor but also tilt his ass up at the satisfied noise the other man gives him. It drips down his spin like honey, pools at the base of his cock. He wants to sneak a hand under himself, wants to wrap it around his own dick, wants to come already.

“S’that where Daddy fucks you?” Lance’s fingers dig into his skin, makes it hurt, makes that burn more than the one of shame when he whispers, “That’s where…w-where Daddy fucks me.” He can’t even stop himself from his whisper turning into a breathy whine, almost everything out of his control at this point. He’s on shaky ground now, entirely out of his element, and he feels like he’s dreaming. There is no way for him to anticipate Andy’s next move because this entire experience is unprecedented. Lance has never felt so visible before, so broken open and just seen before.

Which is why he has no warning whatsoever when Andy brings a couple of fingers down to his hole, his pussy, rubs at it like he fucking owns it. Lance bites his lip, bites it hard so he doesn’t let the other man hear his shout, his noise of surprise and pleasure.

“You think she knows you got a pussy too? But that Daddy has to spend time gettin’ yours all wet before he can fuck it?”

The back of Lance’s neck burns hot yet again, feels the skin of his neck and cheeks go tingly at the flush he knows for a goddamn fact is there and building. It’s bad enough to admit that he has a Daddy and a pussy but for Daddy to talk about his pussy? It’s almost too much but “too much” goes right out the fucking window as soon as there are warm palms covering his own, as soon as he hears Andy spit, angry and loud right—

“Ohh,” is all Lance can wail, doesn’t bother with being quiet this time, not when Andy just spit on his pussy, not when thick fingers rub said spit around in circles. His balls feel achy and tight, he wants to come, but Daddy’s fingers almost feel better, rub in a motion that makes him want to spread his legs some more. He hears Andy’s chuckle, a dark deep noise, and it adds to the eroticism and forbidden nature of the entire situation.

Andy spits again, this time thick and slow from above and Lance has to screw his eyes shut tight, has to stop himself from shivering as he feels the glob of saliva trickle down his balls. Andy makes it messy, makes his pussy all slick and ready, teasingly presses the tips of two fingers hard against his opening. Andy rumbles, a noise that Lance realizes is something he’s heard before as well but in an entirely different context, just like the ass grab.

Andy steps forward again and Lance feels the heavy weight of his cock smack and rest right in the crack of his ass, right on his pussy and he can’t help but—

“Fuck, oh…”

He hadn’t even heard Daddy take his dick out, hadn’t heard the telltale signs of a zipper, nothing, but he knows what that is. This action is one that makes him tilt his hips back, is one that makes him physically plead for what he can only hope is coming at this point. Andy smacks at his hands, pushes them away, and Lance flings his arms forward and scrambles and pushes at papers Lance couldn’t care less about.

“You think she’d still get wet for your dick after watching you cry for your Daddy’s cock?”

Lance sniffles on instinct, checks to see if he’s truly crying even though it most definitely sounds like he is, feels like he is. He almost doesn’t care if he’s crying, not with the feel of Daddy’s cock not fucking him, simply resting there where he should be fucking. He forgets he was asked a question, too distracted to answer, gets a pinch of the ass for his troubles.

“N-no, Daddy.”

“No? I don’t know, sweet boy—you look awful pretty cryin’. I’m hard as a fuckin’ rock from seeing you break down and give into me. She might get all wet from seein’ it too.”

“Please, p-please,” Lance hears himself say and it’s pathetic, how whiny it is and how it comes from the back of his throat. He doesn’t even know what exactly he’s begging for, but he does know he wants Andy to give him a few fingers, to split him on his cock. He knows he wants to get fucked even if it does mean right here and right now, wants it so bad.

Andy lets his cock slip and slide along his ass crack, hands back to squeezing at the meat of Lance’s ass, lets Lance feel how hard he is. It’s devastating, makes him let out another set of whimpers, makes him turn his cheek into the desk more.

“Get specific, boy,” Andy taunts, grabs for his own cock and smears the fat head of it around the opening of Lance’s pussy, all warm and slick with spit. It makes Lance dizzy.

“F-fuck…fuck me, Daddy, please.”

The noise Andy gives him in response is all throat, all chest, deep and warm and it prolongs Lance’s dizziness, makes him curl his fingers into the papers beneath him. There’s pressure and skin on skin and spit and then there’s nothing, nothing at all and a whine slips between Lance’s lips.

“You want a finger or two? Huh? Not gonna loosen you up too much, want you tight for Daddy, want you feelin’ me for a few days. You want that?” And fuck him, he does, nods his head and cries for it, whimpers, “Uh-huh, yeah yes. Yes, please.”

The finger that slides into him is shocking. Just like he didn’t hear the zipper of Andy’s pants, he does not hear the packet of lube being torn open, but feels it coating said finger. Lance’s breath stutters in his chest, lets out a hefty exhale, one that is akin to a wail. It slips and slides in and out of him without much mercy, all business. It’s a relief but it makes him hungrier, makes him want more.

He doesn’t have to wait long, a second finger sliding smoothly in alongside the first, making him bite out a hefty curse. Daddy’s fingers don’t stop, don’t slow, scissor and press and slide against Lance’s walls in such a way it has his eyelids heavy, has them drooping.

“Look how sweet you get for your Daddy, how sweet you can be when you shut your fuckin’ mouth and listen. Should have put you in your place weeks ago.”

And Lance just nods and drools, all he can manage when Daddy’s thick fingers fuck in and out of him in a pace and angle that makes his gut curl, makes him moan like the helpless animal he feels like. The hand on the back of his neck slides down his jacket, the line of his spine, a soothing gesture that Lance eats up. Andy is right—they should have been doing this for weeks, for the entire time they’ve known each other. Lance has needed a Daddy, has wanted a Daddy, needs—

“Daddy…”

Andy pulls his fingers free, smears a little more lube around his pussy, shoves some inside and gets him good and wet.

“Yeah, baby that’s right. You just keep sayin’ it ‘cause that’s what I am isn’t it? I’m your Daddy. Daddy isn’t even gonna use a condom, gonna mark you up real good on the inside because he can…”

Lance barely hears the other man’s words, not when his cock is pushing against his rim, pressing in and taking the breath right out of his fucking lungs, his chest. He scrambles, it’s so much, Andy murmuring, “Lemme in, honey come on—let your Daddy in…”, a hand running up and down his back, taking a home in Lance’s hair. He tries his hardest to relax, to lay there and take it, but he wants to squirm as he thinks it’ll make it easier on himself.

It doesn’t.

He thinks Andy tells him to breathe but he can’t be sure, can’t even see out of his eyes with how furiously they water up. He spreads his legs as far as they’ll go, confined by his pants and underwear around his ankles, hears himself shout, moan, curse. Daddy powers through, slides into Lance’s body at a snail’s pace, presses into his little pussy like he fucking owns it, bends and verbalizes just that.

“Want you to think about this, about how this is my pussy, every time you wanna leave your fuckin’ lane and make eyes at somebody else. This is my pussy. Daddy owns this pussy.”

Lance wails, feels his lips tremble as he does so, but he’s nodding his head, has no fucking clue why he decides to repeat and sob out, “Daddy owns this pussy!”

He both wants to remember this moment for the rest of his life but also wipe it clean from his memory.

When Andy’s clothed thick thighs meet the bottom of his ass Lance feels like he’s deepthroating Daddy’s cock, feels it all throughout his body, wiggles on it and can barely find it in him to breathe. Lance feels like he’s going to combust. He feels Daddy’s hands on his sides, running up under Lance’s jacket and shirt, like fire against his skin as he is blessedly patient and waits for Lance to adjust.

Andy bends down again, presses hot little kisses up the column of his neck, on the skin behind his ear. 

“Gonna fuck this pretty pussy now,” is all the warning he gets before Andy is pulling his hips back and pressing forward again. It isn’t an alarming rate, no slams or yanks, but fuck is it gutting. It’s a brutal pace right from the start, one that has Lance gasping like a fish out of water, like he’s clinging on for dear life. Andy’s cock is heavy in his pussy, so big, spread him open and wide each time he presses back in. It has Lance pushing up onto his toes, has him curling and arching his neck, has him stretching the line of his body against the desk so he can better feel.

But it’s so much, just barely enough that has Lance a little hysterical, a little upset at himself for wanting to feel more. His legs are spread just enough to where he can feel Daddy’s balls smack against his own, the tap and slide sending little sparks up his spine. He almost wishes he were looking up at Andy, wants to see Daddy’s face, but he would never ask the other man to stop, not now.

“Gonna buy you some sweet little panties, Lance. Gonna make you wear them when you come to work and when…when you walk by this desk and remember how I fucked you so hard you cried your little dick’ll be all wrapped up in the panties Daddy bought you.”

Lance sobs. He’d do anything Daddy wanted him to do, wants someone to tell him what to do so he can be good.

“And you’re such a little slut you’d get hard each time you passed this desk, oh you’d get so hard so fast, wouldn’t you, baby? Yeah?”

The hand in his hair comes to life, Andy’s hand spanning almost the entirety of the back of Lance’s head and fuck that’s hot. What’s hotter is his hair getting tugged on, getting pulled up and up and up until Lance has no choice but to follow with a set of whimpers until he’s vertical. The hand in his hair swaps its position for one around the front of his throat and that’s—

“Oh fuck, Daddy.”

The hand that isn’t wrapped around the column of Lance’s throat digs into the meat of his hip, holds him steady as Andy continues to rock into him, bounces against his pert ass. Andy Barber is a man of consistency, a man of passion, and it shines through each and every time the two of them are together in such a way. Lance has never encountered such devotion and focus when fucking someone else and he whole-heartedly has not been appreciating it nearly as much as he should have been.

He hasn’t been appreciating Andy Barber as a person as much as he should have been.

The other man purrs into his ear, pulls Lance away from his untimely thoughts, the hand on his hip running up the curve of Lance’s back, shirt rucking up as he moves. The lewd sticky sound of them fucking, the slaps of skin and the squelch of Lance’s pussy getting wrecked, sounds like a goddamn concert in this empty gym, sounds like it’s performing for a crowd of thousands. Lance loves performing.

“Fuck, I can’t wait to get’chu all bent up in all those positions you’re always bitchin’ about, put your money where your mouth is. Bet you’d look sweeter than sin with your feet curled behind your head beggin’ for my come…”

Lance sees stars.

Lance doesn’t beg, or at least he thought so, but he’s so consumed with the picture that Andy paints for him in his head that he knows for certain he’d beg Daddy to come in his pussy. In fact—

“Ohh, Daddy please…”

Andy curses, harsh like the bite on the gymnast’s shoulder that follows, staggers forward with Lance right in tow until Lance has to bring his own arms forward to hold them shoddily up against the desk. His pace quickens, deepens, how Lance doesn’t know but god he had no idea Daddy had been holding back on him. He mewls, feels his dick jump with every thrust Daddy gives him, so fucking full. The bend in his back, the arch, deepens and curls as Daddy presses him down, down, by the hip but the hand on his throat doesn’t waver.

It’s a test, a test of said flexibility.

“Should have known the mention of my come would make a slutty boy like you lose his fucking mind.”

His fucking mind lost its way long ago, back when Andy asked him if a girl knew he had a pussy too. His breathing strains from such a position, head bent back so far that when he looks up, he’s look right up at Daddy. Lance shouts, sputters, as soon as he sees that face and that beard and those eyes.

Lance might be in love. Or maybe that’s a side effect of how thoroughly he’s getting fucked right now.

He doesn’t even recognize the swirls and build of his own orgasm until his eyes are closing, no use for them staying open when Andy brings his lips and presses them messily into Lance’s upturned forehead. He can’t remember the last time he came on someone’s cock alone, no attention to his dick by either party, and it’s shocking, has him gasping, has him sobbing.

“Daddy! Daddy I’m—”

“Fuck, pretty boy—already?”

“Uh-huh, please I…please lemme come!” Lance doesn’t recognize his own voice, begging and pleading aside. It’s strained, high and feminine. Lance has never heard it like that. Andy’s fucking into him so deeply, with so much power, that he’s having trouble holding the two of them upright. Daddy doesn’t seem to care, will fuck him right through the floor if that’s where they end up.

“You come sayin’ my name, you hear me? You come tellin’ me who I am, Lance. Who am I to you?”

Lance’s whole body clenches up as he shouts, “Daddy!”

“Come.”

Lance has never listened to anyone without some sort of fight. He bites back, sasses back, obeys no one, but when Andy Barber—Daddy—tells him to come he fucking comes. It’s a miracle within a miracle and Andy fucks him through every second of it. Every shake and tremor and, quite frankly and embarrassingly, scream. 

He knows Daddy can feel the noises he makes, the screams and wails, on his hand on Lance’s throat as the tumble from his mouth. He knows Daddy can feel the way his pussy clenches and trembles, physically begging for the other man’s come, by the way he growls about it in his ear. This orgasm feels like a layered relief like nothing Lance has ever felt, like with every wave, each ebb and flow, he feels more like himself than he ever has.

Daddy comes before his orgasm is even over, grabs for Lance with both hands, both arms, groans into the skin of his neck. It’s like Daddy’s orgasm prolongs his own, like the significance of never having anyone before his Daddy come in his pussy makes him almost come again.

“Fuck, baby s’pussy is so good, goddamn so good for Daddy isn’t it?”

Andy has always been someone who is vocal when they come, someone who holds Lance close, pulls him in tight, gives him some teeth, some bites. This is no different but is more amplified than normal. Andy puts his entire being into this orgasm, squeezes and holds onto Lance like a treasure. His mouth doesn’t part from Lance’s ear and he finds himself smiling that he gets to hear all of Daddy’s noises right there, so close, so feral.

It makes him feel invincible, that he did this.

Lance has been worn out before, has had workouts and competitions, the fucking Olympics, but nothing compares to the fatigue he feels when that last ragged sigh leaves his body. He knows he is going to feel this for days but that’s the point he guesses. He clenches down around Andy’s cock, is greedy for a moment that literally ended mere minutes ago.

He gets a smack on his ass for his troubles, a chuckle into his shoulder.

“Fuckin’ brat,” Andy mumbles into his neck before kissing the underside of his jaw, giving him a little squeeze.

“You gonna get this ‘fuckin’ brat’ some dinner or what? Got calories to make up for here.”

Andy laughs this time, no chuckle, and it has a new ring to it. Lance likes it.

“Oh how quickly we forget our manners when we’re not gettin’ fucked. Even though I’m literally still inside of you.”

Lance wiggles his ass back into Andy’s crotch, clenches a little more, ignores the jump in his gut when he feels how hard Andy still is.

“M’sorry, D-Daddy,” he whispers, taking a chance and saying that word outside of the context of fucking. Lance still likes it and so does Andy, purrs a little when he hears it.

“S’my boy. Let’s get you some dinner. Won’t even clean you up, let you go messy. You want that?”

Lance hates how much he wants that...

[p-artsypants]

I’ll Handle This (5)

In Which There is an Akuma

Ao3 | FF.net

Plagg was laying on the bed when he returned. “Oh good, you’re back. I was kind of worried about you—“ 

“There’s an Akuma!” Adrien interrupted. 

Plagg’s eyes lit up. “An Akuma, you say? How interesting...” 

“Yeah yeah, just do the thing that sucks me in the ring!” 

“I’ll warn you ahead of time, when I’m in your body like this, the suit becomes factory default. Oh, and you’ll be able to see and hear everything I do.” 

“Great. This whole ‘Invasion of the Bodysnatchers’ episode is getting better and better.” 

“Adrien, Claws out!” 

That was an odd sensation. Now Adrien knew what Taffy felt like. He felt his whole body grow long and thin, before spiraling smaller and smaller. There was every color in the rainbow, flashing in a nauseous wave, and then, he was looking through his eyes again. 

“Ha!” Said Plagg with a little satisfaction. “Feels good to be on the other side.” He walked over to the mirror, where Adrien could finally see what ‘factory default’ meant. 

He looked like a ninja. Not like a Naruto ninja, but like a real Sengoku period, 15th century ninja. An all black, cloth ensemble, with foot wraps and a thick belt. Instead of claws on his fingertips, there were long blades attached to the back of his hand, almost like wolverine. Instead of a mask around his eyes, he wore one over the lower half of his face, and only left his eyes exposed. But his eyes looked different enough. The sclera was a toxic green instead of white, and his pupils were slit. Thick black eyeliner traced the eyes and framed them, making the color pop. His hair was a complete disaster and stood up in every direction. 

Finally, the ears. They were real, genuine cat ears. Complete with fur. 

“Not too shabby, if I say so. Though, the first guys that wore this had black hair, which made the ears less jarring. But I can’t complain. We mustn’t leave our lady waiting!” 

Plagg threw open the window and leapt into the city. 

He rushed over the rooftops, doing impossible feats of parkour and agility. It actually made Adrien dizzy. 

“Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention,” Plagg said aloud. “You know how when you’re in the suit, you can be body slammed into a building and be okay afterwards?” 

Yeah? 

“Well...you’re going to feel all that pain instead. That’s why I’m always so wiped after a fight.” 

What?!

Plagg glanced at his baton, the screen looking more like parchment than the usual LED screen, and found where Ladybug was. 

A hop skip and a jump, he landed next to her. “What are we up against?” 

She didn’t look at him, eyes glued to the akuma. “Stretchy guy. Like Mr. Fantastic. Can’t figure out what ticked him off, but he’s able to reach anything and even shape shift. Might be difficult to fight.” Then she finally looked at him and her eyes bulged. “Chat? What’s with your suit?” 

“Plagg’s having a hard time right now, so I’m factory default.” 

“O...Kay...are you going to be okay fighting like that?” 

“It feels fine, my Lady. Nothing to worry about. In fact, do you mind if I take the lead on this one? Give you a little break?” 

She chuckled. “You know I could always use a break.” 

“Great! We need to lead him over to the construction site over at Notre Dame, where all the scaffolding are.” 

She smiled at him. “I think I know what you’re planning, Kitty. Lead the way.” 

He dropped the bottom part of his mask, and wolf whistled quickly, before Ladybug could place his face. “Hey stretch!” He shouted. “You up for a little race?” 

“Ladybug and Chat Noir! You’ll give me your Miraculous as soon as I reach you!” 

“Good luck with that!” And he vaulted backwards on to the street and darted towards Notre Dame. 

Plagg was fast. Faster than Chat Noir normally was, and Ladybug was surprised at how hard it was to keep up with him. 

“H-Hey Chat! Don’t leave me behind!” 

He only stopped a second to scoop her up into his arms before running off again. Her added weight didn’t even slow him down. 

“Sorry, Bug. The Akuma has long legs, so he’s faster than usual. I can’t slow down, so hang on!” 

She did, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. 

Adrien was going to kill Plagg if he didn’t die from ecstasy first. He could feel Ladybug pressed tightly against him, and he loved every bouncing second of it. 

Soon they reached the construction site, with the Akuma hot on their tail. 

“Split up,” Plagg commanded and Ladybug gave a firm nod, following right along with him. 

While Adrien was basically on autopilot, he noted that this fight felt a lot like being on the jungle gym when he was a kid. He swung on the bars, twisting up levels onto the scaffolding, the akuma chasing after with each turn. 

Except, the akuma was long, and he was starting to get tangled in all the bars. 

“Oh no!” Ladybug feigned a cry. “I’m stuck! He might be able to get my Miraculous!” 

“You’re mine!” Called the akuma, twisting around a pole and darting for her. As he was about to snag her, she dropped and spun on her bent knees away. 

“Whoops, not so stuck after all!”

“I’m going to—“ The akuma reached out their arm, stretching and stretching to grab at her ears. But he never reached her. He was out of length, and hopelessly tangled in the mass of wood and metal. “No! No!” He wriggled, trying to untie himself, but Plagg had already found the akumatized item in the akuma’s back pocket. A roll of measuring tape. 

“Akuma, coming in hot!” He called, as he smashed the tape. 

The black butterfly emerged, and Ladybug caught it and purified it easily. “Bye bye little butterfly!” 

One cure later, the relative damage done to the scaffoldings was repaired, and the akuma victim, a short man, was returned to ground level. 

“Wow! We didn’t even have to use our powers today! Great work, kitty!” She praised as he raised her fist.

He bumped her back with a grin. “Thank you, Bug. Hope you didn’t mind me taking charge. I just figured with you being the guardian and all, having some shared responsibility would really help you out.” 

She exhaled with a breath, her shoulders relaxing. “Ugh, you have no idea. When that akuma alert went off, I was already dreading it. It’s been a long day.” 

Plagg frowned. “A long day?” Even after their shopping spree and awesome lunch? “Do you need to talk about it?”

She ground her toes on the roof of the church. “Are you busy? Plagg said you were doing something…” 

“Oh, I was napping. I have all the time in the world for you, Ladybug.” 

“Want to get some ice cream, then?”

“Only if you let me pay.” 

She dramatically put a hand to her forehead, “oh, if you must!” 

Plagg chuckled with her, and then took off running.

“Hey! I never said it was a race!” She called back. 

“You never said it wasn’t either!” He shouted back.

When she finally located Andre’s ice cream cart, he was already sitting and waiting with her order. “Your ice cream, my lady?”

“You’re so fast! Have you just been holding out on me all this time?!” She huffed, taking the cone from him. 

He shrugged. “Oh, I have a couple of tricks up my sleeves.” 

They enjoyed their ice cream in comfortable silence for a while, before Ladybug asked, “hey, you’re a boy, right?”

“Last I checked.” 

She shook her head at her dumb question. “Right. Um…I have a friend. Guy friend.” 

Plagg crossed his legs. “OoooOOoooo is it him?”

Ladybug blushed. “Yes.” 

“Tell me everything.”

Inside his head, Adrien started to panic. This could only end badly for them!

“Well today…he was acting really weird. Usually, he’s really nice and reserved and polite…I know he can be silly and rambunctious, but…today, he was larger than life. He took us out for an expensive lunch, and then shopping for clothes that would make his dad angry. I think it’s a rebellious streak, but my gal friend said his money has gone to his head…” She scuffed her foot on the floor. “I’m just worried. I don’t want him to change…but I don’t want him to fake being someone he’s not just to make others happy. I guess I’m just confused. What do you think?” 

Plagg finished his cone in one gulp, hiding his face right after. “I think it’s just puberty.” 

She did not think that was amusing. “Yeah right.” 

“Has handsome rich boy ever shown signs of materialistic superiority?”

“No, he wears the same clothes all the time, and never flaunts the things he owns—“ 

“Then I think your gal pal is off base. It probably is rebellion. Just…be a safe place for him, and I’m sure it’ll end up okay.” 

“A safe place? What do you mean?” 

“I’m not sure what this dude is rebelling for. You’d probably know. Is his family…strict?”

“Very.” 

“And controlling?”

“Extremely.” 

“Okay, so if I was in his shoes, I’d want a friend that was trustworthy for me to confide in. Rebelling is liberating and exciting, but also extremely scary, because it’s risky. He needs to have someone to have his back in case things go south.” He massaged her shoulder. “And it would be best if that friend was soft and smelled nice.”

Ladybug smacked his shoulder. “When did you get so wise?”

“I hide a lot of wisdom under my ‘dumbass’ veneer.”

Ladybug cackled loudly, making Plagg smile and Adrien swoon.  

“You can be a dumbass sometimes,” Ladybug admitted. “But you’re my dumbass.” 

“Aww, thanks bug!” He grinned. “So, handsome rich boy is all that’s on your mind? I know identity clues have to be avoided and all, but I like knowing stuff that’s going on in your life. And I think I can manage another golden nugget of advice as well, if needed.” 

Ladybug frowned, obviously something else cropping up in her mind. “Actually…there’s something I haven’t told you that I probably should have.” 

“I’m all ears. I literally have four of them.” He twitched his cat ears.

She reached up and rubbed them, an affectionate look on her face as she felt the fur under her fingertips. “Not too long ago, I was expelled from school.” 

“Ladybug is a bad student in her civilian life?” He joked.

“No! I’m not!” She damn-near cried. “Sorry, I just…ugh. I was framed. There’s this girl in my class that…she lies with every breath. I know she has a crush on my crush, but she’s lying and manipulating to get her way to him. She works with him now too.” 

Plagg knew there was certainly more to the story than that, but he had to play dumb as Chat Noir. “Lying is bad and all, but it’s not really your problem, is it? She’ll get caught in her web eventually.”

“Argh, that’s what Ad—my boy said too. Take the high road. And it made sense, for what he knew about her at the time…but what he didn’t know was that she threatened me. Threatened to take all my friends and him away, just because I told her to stop lying.”

This was a shock to both kwami and holder. “She threatened you?” 

“Yeah. And she went through with it. She got me expelled. Apparently, according to my boy, he sort of convinced her to double lie to get me un-expelled. She’s been quiet ever since, which has been a few weeks, but…she keeps staring at me. It’s unnerving.” 

“I suppose it would be, with her track record.” 

“I didn’t want you to find out about this, but I have to tell you. She’s almost gotten me akumatized, twice.” 

Plagg slapped a hand over his mouth with a gasp. 

Lila was a nuisance for Adrien, but she was a problem for Marinette. No, an imminent threat. This changed his attack strategy…though it started to look like Adrien’s three problems were weaved together. The whole situation was a little more delicate than he had considered at first. 

“I’ve beaten both akumas off, but I worry about the future. I’m trying to come up with a contingency plan, but for right now it’s just ‘don’t get upset’.” 

“I’ll try to come up with a plan too. Maybe next time, you could hand your earrings off to Tikki for a little while, if things start to get dicey. She can bring them to me, since she knows who I am.” 

Ladybug gnawed at her lip. “Tikki’s been my greatest ally in fighting them off. If she’s not there…” 

Plagg rested a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Bug, you’re the practical one here. What happens when you don’t give Tikki your earrings, and you don’t fight it off? When you’re so consumed with pain you don’t even see the Akuma coming? What then?” 

She shook her head. “You’re so right, I hate it.” She sighed. “That happened the last time too…I was only spared because Hawkmoth suddenly stopped his attack. That was the day I got expelled.”

“And I’ll follow the plan too. I haven’t gotten akumatized or anything, but it might only be a matter of time.”  

“Yeah…” It was awful to think about. Having to fight her partner was not something that Marinette wanted to do. But this loose plan was better than no plan. “Hey, it’s getting pretty late. I have a project I have to finish up.” 

“Oh, of course, go on home.” Plagg insisted. 

“Thanks for the Ice Cream, and for lending an ear. You’re the best, Kitty.” 

Plagg smiled at her, though she couldn’t see through his mask. His eyes crinkled in mirth. “I try.” 

“Tell Plagg I still have that cheese danish if he wants it. Night, Chat.” 

“Night, Bug.” 

And she swung off into the distance. 

Plagg took out his baton and made his own way home. He knew Adrien didn’t really want to be transformed any longer than he had to be. 

He landed inside the mansion, and called, “Claws in.” 

Adrien came flying out of the ring, and Plagg caught him carefully in his hands. “How you feeling, kiddo?”

“Like I got hit by a truck,” said Adrien, weakly. “You didn’t even use my power, why am I so tired?” 

“How much cheese did you eat today?”

“None.” Adrien scrunched up his nose. “Come to think of it, I didn’t eat anything today.” 

“That would certainly do it.” Plagg said, with a sigh. He took out a wheel of camembert and took out a wedge for Adrien, holding it in front of his face. 

Normally, Adrien couldn’t stand the smell. It was putrid and foul and moldy…but this…this was on a different level. Curse Plagg’s disgusting body! He sat up and helped himself to a nibble of cheese. A nibble turned into a bite, and a bite turned into a full inhale, almost taking off his fingers. 

“Better?” 

Adrien sighed as his energy started to return. “Remind never to complain about your eating habits.” 

Plagg grinned. “Oh it's a deal!” 

Adrien’s phone rang, and Plagg reached to answer. 

“Who is it?” Asked Adrien. 

“It’s Marineeeeeeetteeeee~!” Plagg sang, and connected the call, putting it on speaker for Adrien to hear. 

“Hey Pooh Bear.” 

“H-hey uh, Tigger? No no that was dumb. Sorry, hi Adrien.” 

Plagg and Adrien shared a look of fondness. She was just too cute sometimes. 

“Whats up?” Pried Plagg. 

“Uh, not-not much! I just finished your second shirt! I can do more tomorrow, but for now…” 

“I’ve got an outfit picked out for tomorrow, don’t worry. And you’ll love it.” 

“Will I really? Or will it turn me into a pillar of salt?”

“Have a little faith in me, Mari.”

“I—of course. Did you just call me Mari?”

“Yeah, I thought it was about time I gave you a nickname. Is that okay? Or are you okay with Pooh Bear?”

Marinette’s giggle was adorable, as it was filled with thinly veiled embarrassment. “Call me whatever you like! I don’t mind!” 

“Great! What’s my nickname?”

“I don’t know? Do you want one?”

“Only from you, Pooh Bear!” He sang. 

“Um…I’ll have to think about it. I think I’ve heard Lila and Chloe both call you ‘Adri’, so I’ll try to come up with something else.” 

“I appreciate that.” Plagg said, as Adrien smiled fondly at the phone. It sure was considerate of her to think about that.

“And Adrien?” Her tone conveyed so much. So much more than Adrien could understand. But it brought a warmth to his face. 

“Yes?”

“I’m here for you. You know that, right? Whatever you need. An ear, a h-h-hug. Whatever. I…I care about you.” 

Adrien wiped a paw under his eyes, fully prepared for tears to take him. 

“I care about you too,” Plagg said, not faking the genuine appreciation in his voice. “I appreciate everything you do for me.”

“I-…” She trailed off, and Adrien wondered if she was going to say something else. But instead, she just exhaled and said. “It’s getting kind of late. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Of course, Pooh Bear!” 

She laughed. “Thanks Adrien, goodnight.” 

“Goodnight.” And he ended the call. 

“She took your advice.” Adrien noted.

“She took Chat Noir’s advice. She trusts him after all.” 

Adrien sat on the desk, still feeling a storm brewing inside of him. He was still upset about Plagg’s behavior with his father…but he was starting to come around. Marinette never called him, and her conversations with him were never so easy. Was this actually working?

“Adrien,” Plagg started, scratching between his ears. “I’m sorry for hurting you. If there was a way to humble your father without hurting you in the process, I’d do it…but right now…”

“I understand, Plagg.” Adrien said with a hopeful smile. “It sucks but…that Chloe-tantrum you threw was really funny.”

Plagg beamed at him. 

“And,” Adrien added. “After hearing the whole truth about Lila, I’m fully on board with whatever you want to do to her.”

“Fully?”

“Absolutely. This bitch needs to go.”

The mansion was nearly silent in the night, so Plagg’s evil cackle echoed and echoed, sending goosebumps down the neighbor’s spines.

[honeypwark]

[ Flexibility Equals Sex Appeal ]

  ↳ Dec 2018

       ↳ Katie hates working out. She goes to the gym with Jaehyun. She’s watched by some unwelcome eyes.

TRIGGER WARNING: Hi, guys! In this post, there are mentions of sexual assault (nothing actually happens, it’s just men being pigs). There are about three lines of dialogue between two men making jokes about assaulting Katie and one use of the word “rape.” If this is triggering to you, please do not read!

m.list

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“I hate working out.”

Jaehyun looks up from his phone as Katie speaks. The older girl sits in the driver’s seat, driving the two of them to the gym. They’re probably about two minutes away from their destination at this point.

“Then why did you offer to work out with me?” he asks.

“I guess the company wants me to portray myself more sexily since I’m already confident, I don’t really know,” she says. “I don’t mind. Like, I’m cool with that. It’s just... ew, exercise.”

Jaehyun chuckles but doesn’t comment any further.

Katie turns into the gym parking lot and parks. The two idols enter with just their phones and water bottles. They sign in then head to stretch before beginning their workouts.

Once they’re finished, Katie starts to walk away backwards, “See you in two hours.”

She gives Jaehyun a two-fingered salute and turns around to head to the elliptical. She’d been given a workout routine by her new personal trainer and follows it over the next hour and a half. She uses the elliptical then runs for a bit and uses a few weight machines briefly before finding an empty space on the floor to do the next steps: sit-ups and planks. She does several reps of those, a few more than the list says. Next up are stretches that aren’t part of the official workout but had been added to work on her flexibility.

Across the gym, Jaehyun finishes on the weight bench and looks around to check on Katie. He spots her stretching off to the side of the treadmills. He stands and is about to continue and do resistance training when he spots two men on stationary bikes are watching Katie very obviously. They’re whispering to one another and unabashedly staring at Katie.

Despite knowing full well that the older girl can look after herself, Jaehyun feels protective of her. He forgoes resistance training for now and walks over to Katie. He passes the two men on the way, who don’t seem at all bothered by his momentary presence, continuing to talk quietly to one another.

“What if we cornered her once this other guy leaves?” one says.

The other one laughs, “Dude, there are cameras in here, shut up.”

“Don’t lie and say you weren’t thinking it, too.”

Jae feels anger bloom hot in his chest but continues over to Katie. He sits down on the floor fairly close to her but leaves enough room for her to continue stretching.

“Whatcha up to?” he asks as nonchalantly as possible.

“Stretching. Because apparently Songi and Chu being stupidly flexible isn’t enough for some people. Flexibility equals,” she lifts herself up and turns so she sits in a side split, “Sex appeal. Or something.”

She leans down onto her elbows, head bowed as she focuses on stretching. Jaehyun looks at her, not sure what he was even planning on doing by coming over here but knowing he doesn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone. Katie notices his lingering presence and looks up at him from her stretching position.

“I know they’re watching me,” she deadpans.

“I don’t like how they’re looking at you,” Jaehyun confesses.

Katie just shrugs, “It’s whatever.”

“No, it’s not whatever.”

“What are you? My boyfriend? Get your basic, whipped for Mark Lee ass out of my face.”

“I heard them talking about cornering you if no one else was in here.”

“I took karate for two years when I was seven; I’ll be fine.”

“Katie,” Jaehyun says seriously.

“Jaehyun,” Katie mocks.

Jaehyun looks at her seriously and she just stares back unbothered.

“Can you at least pretend to care that two men are talking about raping you?”

“Don’t be so dramatic. Men are all talk. They wouldn’t actually do anything.”

“You don’t know that.”

Jaehyun is nearly whining at this point, his seriousness fading at Katie’s persistent dismissal. He glances over his shoulder at the two men. They obviously look away when he looks at them. He looks back at Katie, who has gone back to stretching with her head down again.

“I can get them to back off,” he says.

“Jae, I literally don’t care.”

“I do.”

Katie looks up at him again with an unreadable expression, though she does seem slightly amused. She sits up and swings one of her legs around to come out of her split.

Relenting, she says, “Fine. Make yourself feel better. Whatever.”

Katie sits and waits for him to do something. Jaehyun swallows and looks away. Now that he has the opportunity to do what he had thought of to get the two men to mind their own business, he doesn’t know if he can. Or if Katie wouldn’t punch him for trying, even with her permission.

“You gonna do something or can I go back to increasing my sex appeal?” she asks.

Jaehyun looks back at her and hesitates a moment more before leaning closer to her. He pushes her back to lie on the ground as he hovers over her. It couldn’t be more obvious Jaehyun is out of his comfort zone, facial expression screaming embarrassment. Katie blinks up at him, hiding her amusement at seeing him so flustered.

“Your ears are red,” she comments.

“Because this is weird,” Jaehyun complains.

“This was your idea.”

“I know.”

Katie rolls her eyes and pulls her legs up towards her chest so she’s not caught under Jaehyun when she pushes him to the ground and rolls to be on top of him. Jaehyun stares up at her as his ears get redder and pink spreads on his cheeks, not sure what to do with his hands now that Katie straddles his hips. She leans down further and further until they’re cheek to cheek. Jaehyun can hardly breathe with the space between them being practically nonexistent.

Even after working out for an hour and half, Jaehyun can still smell the coconut hair conditioner she uses when he’s this close to her. She has an odd affinity for coconut despite most people despising it. He wonders when she learned she likes coconut.

“They still looking?” Katie speaks next to his ear.

“W-What?”

“The two guys. Are they still looking at me?”

“I-I can’t see them from here.”

Katie tugs on his shoulders and he sits up with her. He really can’t breathe now, the lump in his throat impossible to swallow as Katie sits in his lap chest to chest with him. Her hands stay on his shoulders. Despite his lack of oxygen, he finds it incredibly comfortable to have her this close to him.

“Well?”

Jaehyun blinks as he remembers he’s supposed to be looking for the two men. He finds them seeming to have gone back to working out, no longer staring at him or Katie. He clears his throat.

“They’re not staring anymore.”

“Cool.”

Katie lets go of his shoulders and climbs out of his lap, grabbing her phone and standing. She checks over her list and sees she’s finished everything on it.

“Are you ready to go? I’ve finished everything I need to.”

Jaehyun doesn’t respond and she looks down at him. He’s still sat on the ground and staring at the floor with a blush still very prominent on his ears.

“Jaehyun.”

He jumps comically before looking up at her, “Huh? What?”

“Are you good to go?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m good.”

“Let’s roll, then.”

They walk out to Katie’s car and buckle in. She backs out of her parking space and turns onto the city street. It’s silent for a few moments. Katie unlocks her phone and tosses it to Jaehyun. He fumbles to catch it.

“You’re on DJ duty,” she says. “I will be judging your music taste very harshly, so don’t play garbage.”

He doesn’t know why his hands are trembling so much as he opens Spotify and tries to think of a decent song to play. He’s not that nervous about Katie judging his music taste, so why does he still feel like his stomach is doing flips? He eventually decides on a song and the familiar two notes starts “Chasing Cars.”

“Snow Patrol. Solid,” Katie comments.

They don’t say anything as the song plays, Katie driving and Jaehyun holding Katie’s phone in the delicate way you hold a phone that isn’t your own. When the song is over, Katie tells him to play Spice Girls when he doesn’t have another song picked out. She sings along humorously and loudly, managing to ease the tension between them as Jaehyun laughs at her. She comes to a stop in front of 127’s dorm building just a few moments after the song ends, awkwardness seeping back into the car with the silence that follows. Katie unlocks the car.

“Get out.”

Jaehyun laughs.

He unbuckles his seatbelt and opens his door. He sets one of his feet on the pavement outside then stops. He turns back to face Katie, mouth open to say something. He hesitates for a moment as he looks at Katie. He lets out a small breath and closes his mouth.

“See you at practice,” he says.

Katie knows that isn’t what he wanted to say but she doesn’t mention it for his sake.

“See ya, loser.”

Jaehyun steps out of the car and stands on the sidewalk, watching as Katie drives away. He stares down the street long after she’s gone before heading inside and going up to the dorm. He says hi to whoever greets him, showering then getting into bed soon after. He finds it nearly impossible to fall asleep.

His head feels full yet no thoughts come to the forefront of his mind except the memory of earlier: Katie above him, her breath warm against his skin as she leaned down so close their faces touched. Her body against his when he sat up. Her weight foreign yet nowhere near uncomfortable in his lap. He wonders how it would have felt like if he’d held her rather than letting his hands hang limply at his sides.

Would he have finally been brave enough to admit the reason behind why he cared so much about making sure she was safe? No. He may never be. Katie is older and fiercely independent and his group member. He can’t confess, not with both his pride and group on the line.

He still wishes he could know what it feels like to hold her. To touch her without her deflecting away like a typical touch starved American. To hold her hand or cup her cheeks or kiss her lips or grip her waist or feel her-

Jaehyun blushes feverishly in the dark of his room, glad no one else is around to witness his embarrassment as he rolls over to shove his face in his pillow. He doesn’t know why he can’t control his own thoughts when it comes to Katie. It’s like he’s some hormonal teenage boy again. He knows he’ll probably never confess- for a multitude of reasons-, but he can’t find it in him to care at the moment because just thinking about her makes him giddy. It’s crazy to think about the hold Katie has over him without even knowing it.

[kodzuken-pie]

hii can i req a terushima x reader where she’s their manager and they both like each other but he acts cold/rudely to her bc he doesn’t realize she likes him and then one day she ends up crying bc of him and the team tells him and then he finally realizes he shouldn’t have acted like that and confesses w/a fluffy ending? thank you! -🥡

[ A/N : A TERUSHIMA request yes!! I love you 🥡 anon. I really hope I don’t disappoint. Sorry it took so long! ]

Pairing : Terushima x reader

Warnings : None

Word count : 1784

——————————————————————————

Cold shoulder ❄️

——————————————————————————

“Yuuji!” You exclaimed to get his attention but he didn’t look. “TERUSHIMA YUUJI!” You yelled.

He quickly turned his head and had a scared look on his face. His expression was priceless and you were living for it. As much as you wanted to laugh, you had to act like you were angry.

“W-what did I do?” Terushima shrieked and he looked like he was ready to run.

You narrowed your eyes at him for a few seconds with your hands on your hips. He looked everywhere else except at you. You stomped your way towards him and he flinched at your unexpected touch. He was shaking now, still couldn’t figure out if he had done something wrong or not. That was when you broke character and laughed until your stomach hurt.

“Wait what?” He was confused.

“I’m not mad at you silly! Just wanted to get your attention!” You said in between breaths as you laughed.

His mouth was stuck open as he looked at you in disbelief. You were laughing too hard to notice the slight blush on his face. He just stood there waiting for you to stop laughing and thought of something.

“Psh, whatever.” He said with a cold tone and walked away.

The tone he gave was enough to stop you from laughing and you immediately looked up. Seeing his figure quickly fade away from your sight made you feel sad. In normal cases you would chase after him but you felt like you had been chasing him ever since you met. The more you chased after him the more he ignored you and gave you the cold shoulder.

He left you there not looking back because he believed that you would be right behind him. He turned to check if you were following but you weren’t. This surprised him a lot. He expected you to be there, to be calling out his name like it was a saving grace. He looked around to see if you were hiding somewhere, fully expecting you to pop out of nowhere and give him a hug. Disappointment in himself sat in his stomach as he continued on his tracks towards the club locker room.

“Terushima! Have you told y/n yet?” Misaki asked as she greeted him when he walked in the gym.

“Yeah! You should just tell y/n already!” Futamata teased.

He scoffs and doesn’t give them an answer, instead he just turned to practice. The two looked at each other and shrugged. Misaki then asked Runa to look for you. Runa nodded and casually walked out of the gym.

You usually had a music club after classes and would have the music room to yourself when you didn’t. Today it was just you, violin in hand, you were playing a melancholy tune. Runa opened the door quietly and watched you play, only stepping in when you finished. She stopped when she sniffled you sniffle.

“Y/n-senpai?” she whispered.

You wiped your tears away before turning to look at her. You give her a small reassuring smile.

“Hey Runa!! What’s up?” You say a little too cheerfully.

“Oh uhm well Misaki senpai wanted me to check on you for a bit.” She said shyly.

“You can let her know that I’m ok and thank you for checking on me.” This time you flashed her a bittersweet smile.

You thought she didn’t notice cause she gave you a sweet smile before she left. The door shut behind her and you knees gave in, you clutched your violin and let your knees hit the floor. Tears steadily fell down your face as you thought about Yuuji.Time seemed to pass by slowly but you didn’t even realize how late it was.

“Hey the lights in the music room is still on.” Bobata said, curiously looking towards the light on the third floor of the building. “Terushima, we should go check it out! y/n might still be here.” He added but it fell on deaf ears.

Terushima looked at him with a blank look on his face and turned and walked away. Bobata called him out but he didn’t respond, so he glared at the back of Terushimas head before going back into the locker room.

“We should go check on y/n.” He suggested as everyone walked out of the locker room.

“Yeah, I kind of have a bad feeling.” Futamata added.

Everyone nodded in agreement and headed toward the building. The closer they got to the music room, the louder the sobs were. They hurried at the sound and when they got to the room they saw you laying on the floor, violin in your arms and tears flowing continuously.

“Y/n? Hey y/n are you ok?” Bobata was next to you, rubbing circles on your back.

Everyone was helping you get up, saying words of encouragement along the way. They let you calm down before asking you questions but it turns out, they didn’t have to ask. You look at Futamata sitting in front of you and you couldn’t help but let out another sob.

“H-he…” It was all you could muster to say before you broke down in tears again.

“Hey hey, it’s ok. Just try to relax for now yeah?” Bobata was still rubbing circles on your back hoping that it did make you feel better. He shot a look at Numajiri who was already on his phone texting Misaki.

*Hey, y/n is still here and she’s crying nonstop.* He texted.

*Oh I know, I had Runa check on her earlier. I’m looking for HIM right now.* She replied, the emphasis on him sent a shiver down his spine.

*He couldn’t have gone far. We all basically finished changing at the same time.” He said.

“I found him. Be right there in a bit.* Her reply seemed calm but he knew otherwise.

Numajiri looked at Bobata and gave him a thumbs up. Bobata nodded in response and let out a sigh.

“Why is he being cold to me? Did I do something wrong?” You said in between hiccups.

“What?” Futamata asked in confusion.

“Y-yuuji. He’s been ignoring me a lot lately. I usually go after him but I just feel like I’m being a nuisance.” You said softly, holding back more tears.

“He’s been what?” Numajiri chimed in, irritated.

“He even said I was being annoying the other day.” You were looking at your hands, playing with them.

The boys looked at each other in confusion. They all had the same question in their minds.

*Why would Terushima act like this towards y/n? He likes y/n so why?* It was all written on their faces. As if on cue they all let out a sigh. Just then they could hear something from the hallway. That was when Misaki burst through the door, dragging Terushima.

“WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME SENPAI!” He yelped.

“You fix this!” She yells at him as she turns him to look at you still on the floor, cheeks still wet.

His heart almost jumped out of his chest at the sight. You put a hand over your mouth to restrain a sob and you wanted to cry once again. He stood there not knowing what to do but was fully aware that it was his fault and this broke his heart. He would never want to see you cry like this. He never meant to hurt you, he just didn’t know that you felt the same way he did.

“Y/n? Y/N I’m so sorry, I’m so so sorry.” He said rushing next to you, wrapping you in his arms. “Please stop crying, I’m here now. I’m here.” The sound of your whimpering tugged at his heart.

“Y-yuuji…” You cried, face burying into his shoulder.

“I like you y/n! So please, it breaks my heart seeing you like this. I know it’s my fault. I’m sorry. Tell what to do to make it all better?” He said, holding you tighter hoping that this would make you stop crying.

His words echoed through your mind and you held onto him. The feeling of coldness and emptiness was now replaced with warmth and happiness. You were still unable to speak as you were trying to steady your breathing while also calming your tears.

“What am I saying? I don’t like you. I love you with every fiber of my being.” He said, pulling you away from him so he can look you in the eyes.

The playful and wild Terushima that you knew was serious now. The fire in his eyes was lit with his emotions. He put his hands on your cheeks and pulled you in for a fervent kiss. It was hot and sweet and you loved it. You were both stuck in the moment, time slowing down as you shared an intimate kiss, forgetting about the other people in the room.

“Ahem.” Bobata faked a cough after you two pulled away from each other.

You two got startled, lips went thin and eyes wide. You looked around and the life drained from your face, while he looked proud. He laughed at your expression and this brought you back. You smacked him in the arm and this just made him laugh harder.

“Stupid Yuuji.” You said looking away with a pout.

The mood in the room immediately shifted after that. Everyone started laughing and there was warmth in your heart. If it weren’t for these people, Yuuji would have probably still ignored you and this made you smile.

“Thank you everyone.” You said sweetly, Yuuji visibly turned into a tomato.

“Hey! What about me? I just confessed to you!” He was pouting.

“I like you too Yuuji.” You say as you turn to look at him. “Oh wait I meant, I love you too.” You added in a teasing tone.

“Does that mean you’ll finally go on a date with me?” He smirks.

“You idiot! Of course!” You bonked him in the head lightly.

“WAHOOOOO!” He screamed cheerfully.

“OI GO HOME!” Coach Anabara was at the doorway.

You all turned to look at his direction and swiftly got up and gathered your belongings. The coach let out as sigh as all of you walked out of the room and left the school grounds.

Everyone went their separate ways except for you and Yuuji. When everyone was out of sight, he pulled you in and gave you a soft hug.

“I meant it when I said I love you.” He whispered in your ear.

“I know and I meant it when I said I love you too.” You answer, hugging him back for what felt like an eternity.

——————————————————————————

Taglist : @lydzisanerd @hatsukei @arixsp4g @yagirlmandaa @izzyphantomgamer @tokyoghoose @gulfwanq @dear-green-tea @baby-boy-taichi @vventure @blobbyx2blobfish

[seiin-translations]

2.43 S1 Chapter 1.3 - Young Yunichika

3. THIRD TOUCH

Okay maybe I’ll try doing the dialects after all. Stop me if it gets too cringe or something.

Also Yori-chan’s voice is deep

Previous || Index || Next

The next day boys’ volleyball team could use the gym was Friday. Kuroba nonchalantly confirmed that on the notice board he hadn’t looked at in a long time. And so, after school on that day, as he was paying attention to Haijima’s movements, Haijima carried his bags over his shoulder and left the classroom as soon as he finished cleaning, as though he had been waiting impatiently. Kuroba also hurriedly pulled out his bag from his locker and was about to tail him, but…

“Hold on a minute. You’re going home? You’re the one on trash duty today.”

A girl from his class blocked his path and foisted two eighteen-litre drums that were used as the classroom’s trash cans onto him. To go to the garbage dump at the back of the school, he had to change into his outdoor shoes at the entrance and go outside once, which was somewhat of a bother. Plus, it was this season.

He lost a lot of time as he ran to the garbage dump and back while grumbling about the cold. Even though he had planned to follow Haijima closely after school and observe all of his actions, his plan went awry immediately. No, it’s not really a mission that needed to be carried out exactly as planned, it was just an idea to kill time——.

“You’re into some boring stuff, huh.”

He felt a sense of competitiveness, wanting to see just what kind of “non-boring stuff” Haijima, who had stated that, was doing.

Today it was the girls’ basketball team and boys’ volleyball team that used each half of the gym. As soon as he pushed open the heavy deep-blue metal doors and peeked inside,

“Dash!” “Yes!” “Next!” “Yes!”

He ended up poking his head into the middle of a flurry of enthusiastic girls’ voices.

Girls’ basketball was a major faction in girls’ athletic department, rivalling girls’ volleyball. At a quick glance, there were about twenty members in the club. It seemed that they had just finish doing dashes and were about to move onto practicing with the ball.

But at the same time, when he looked closely at the other side of the green partition net down the middle, that side of the court hadn’t even finish setting up, much less doing warm-ups.

Next to the pole used for volleyball, Haijima was putting up the net. He was wearing plain black trainers, black shorts with a florescent stripe, and long black underpants that went all the way to his ankles. Are his sneakers Mizuno? They were probably full-fledged volleyball shoes. All of them seemed quite well-worn. It might be prejudice, but he found it irritating how refined and stylish he looked, like a middle schooler from the city. But he could tolerate it because he didn’t have an idol-like face. He could see that his fingers on both hands that were tying the net’s cords were also taped today. His thumb, index finger and middle finger on both hands were taped from their tip, covering the nail, to just above the second joint.

After finishing putting up the net by himself, Haijima started running around the court. He finally started warming up much later than girls’ basketball. Along the lines, at a fixed pace, his gaze slightly lowered…by himself… Kuroba unconsciously held his breath as he watched him come and go from the other side of the metal doors.

Finishing the light jog that mixed in side stepping or something like that, he stretched carefully before pushing the cage of balls towards the end line of one end of the court. It seemed that he was going to practice serving. The line at the back end of the court was the end line.

In six-people volleyball, each position rotated clockwise once every time the team commits a side out (gaining the right to serve), the person who came to the back right became the server. The area behind the end line was the service zone (the place where you can serve). Though imperfectly, Kuroba was a member of the volleyball team, so he was at least taught the basics.

He put the ball in his left hand, extended his arm straight before him to eye level, and stayed still for a beat. His perfectly still form was incredibly cool. He threw the ball up slightly forward with a swing of his arm and a snap of his wrist—how high was his toss? That’s right, don’t position yourself too far back from the line, he thought—he ran forward to chase after the ball and jumped, and then hit the ball with his left hand that tossed it.

A jump serve! He was surprised. He thought there were few middle schoolers who could do a jump serve unless they were a national tournament-class player.

From a high hitting position, the ball was driven in with enough force to bend his body backwards, but it was slightly too low and got caught on the net before dropping down to his own side of the court.

However, it didn’t matter to Kuroba whether it went over or not. He was entranced, feeling like he was shown something very high level. A jump serve was like spiking a ball in a serve, an offensive serve that flew into the opponent’s court with the most force. Even none of his senpais had hit one before, so this was the first time he saw one in person. Amazing, so cool…He unconsciously leaned out from behind the doors and strained his eyes to see the next one better.

Haijima himself didn’t seem pleased that it didn’t go over, and he took out the next ball from the cage while glaring at the net with a petulant face. It seemed that he planned on fetching the balls all at once after using up the balls in the cage. After all, he was “alone.”

It happened when Haijima took the serve stance once again.

“Hey hey, transfer student!”

A voice came from the neighbouring court over the partition net. He was pretty sure she was the head of girls’ basketball who was in the same class as Itoko. The other members were scattered along the wall with their towels in hand, taking a breather. With an aura of blatant annoyance rising from him, Haijima put down his left hand that holding the ball.

Basically, they were telling him to hand over the court. Come to think of it, there was no reason for the other clubs to considerately leave the spot for boys’ volleyball open, which had been neglected until now. He can easily imagine the tacit understanding that “the day we’re next to boys’ volleyball is the day we can use the whole court.” But then one day, Haijima suddenly appeared and, without even a word to his neighbors, set up the net and started practicing by himself with a face like it’s natural…The other clubs, who were under the impression that they could also use the whole court today as well stared at that with unaccepting faces…He could picture that in his mind so vividly he couldn’t bear standing there a second longer.

“You’re by yourself today too? As you can see, we’re packed like sardines over here. If you’re gonna do it by yourself, wouldn’t it be better to just do it in a corner?”

At some point, everyone from girls’ basketball gathered in front of the partition net to put pressure on Haijima.

“Hey, if you’re just playing around by yourself, then isn’t it better to go do it in a corner?” “We can practice more efficiently if we can use two courts.” “I think it’s fair if we divide the surface area according to number of members.” The group was pressing clamorously.  It was more like a group of ferocious girls than girls’ basketball. The image of a deer in Nara Park being surrounded by a herd of female African lions came to mind, but if he said that aloud, girls’ basketball would almost certainly strangle him.

Even though Kuroba was completely terrified just by looking, Haijima didn’t recoil in the slightest. He bent his chin slightly and glowered at the confronting group with narrowed eyes, as though looking down on them. Being able to take that shameless attitude in this atmosphere—are his nerves as thick as sewage pipes? No, maybe he was lacking the nerves to read the air in the first place. Yeah, I feel like that’s the case, judging by his attitude from the first day he transferred here until now.

“I can’t practice without having one side of the court. The number of people doesn’t matter. If you don’t have enough space to practice, talk with your advisor. I’m just using my rightful privilege.”

That voice, which was by no means loud but reached the ears across the space, and his standard Japanese that sounded haughty and cold compared to the local dialect, silenced the girls’ basketball club. Their complaining voices became muffled and weak, as though the volume of a TV was turned down, but they looked at each other with unaccepting faces, saying, “What’s with this kid, gives me nasty vibes…” “Why’s he actin' so high and mighty…?”

Ugh, Kuroba groaned inside his head. This was the first time he heard Haijima say a rather decently long line, but perhaps his likability wouldn’t go down yet if he didn’t speak… A sound argument was a sound argument, but the way he said it was too awful in any case.

“Hey, ya ain’t got any complaints if he ain’t alone, right?”

Even he was surprised at himself for stepping out from behind the doors and calling out to them. The girls’ basketball team looked back all at once and he flinched inwardly, but outwardly throwing out his chest to try not to give into the pressure.

“S-sorry for bein’ late…”

Even so, his face froze and his voice trailed off.

“Ain’t that Kuroba Yuni?” “Oh, Itoko’s cousin?” “Was he in boys’ volleyball?” Girls’ basketball was buzzing amongst themselves, but the one who was the most surprised might be Haijima. His brows were knitted together and he looked extremely bewildered, his face seeming to say “What the hell are you doing?”　What the hell am I doing, you ask…What the hell am I doing?

He was actually told that.

⋆﹥━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━﹤⋆

“What the hell are you doing?”

Haijima stood facing the net from court end, dribbling a ball in his left hand. The ball that bounced off the floor settled into his hand like it was sticking to it. Kuroba sat cross-legged courtside and set his bag aside. A ball had rolled within reach, so he stretched his hand and pulled it in. This might be the first time he touched a volleyball in a while. It felt somewhat ticklish.

On the other half of the court, girls’ basketball had resumed practice. He could feel the vibrations of the wild dribbling, like venting anger that had no outlet, through his bottom. Even though the gym floor was always fluffy with dustballs, it was clean now, as though it was mopped before practice. By himself…? He must have taken the time before practice started.

“I just came here to watch. The stuff I do gets called boring, so I thought you must be doin’ somethin’ fun over here. But I didn’t come here to rescue you. That was just because I felt like it. It’s not about you, it’s just that twenty against one is unfair.”

“It’s still not very reassuring even if it’s twenty against two.”

“You’re not cute at all, you know. You’ll lose friends by saying stuff like that.”

The ball that was rhythmically going back and forth between Haijima’s palm and the floor viciously hit his toes and flew in an unexpected direction. …Hmm? Was he agitated just now?

With a sour face, Haijima took out another ball from the cage. After lightly bouncing the ball, he placed his left hand on it and extended his arm directly in front of him. He narrowed his eyes and stared intensely at the point beyond the ball. The rite of mental concentration was not long. It was about a second in time. He turned it with one hand and released a high set. Chasing his own set, he ran three steps, sank his knees deeply and jumped. Nimbly warping his body like it was a bow made of supple wood, he bent himself into the “ku” character and at the same time, swung his left hand with all his strength. Come to think of it, he was pretty sure he held the chalk in his left hand when writing on the board in class as well.

When the ball was precisely caught in the air and a hearty “bam” sound burst out, Kuroba let out a cheer. This time, it was a sharp serve that passed over the net and pierced into the other end of the opposing court. Oh. He might not be that agitated after all.

“That was amazing! You can do jump serves! I only saw those on TV.”

He imitated him by tossing up the ball in his hand and hitting it, but he didn’t feel like he could hit it like Haijima at all. Even though he praised him honestly, Haijima didn’t even look flattered in the least.

“I did nothing but this for three weeks, so I’d be in despair if I didn’t get even a little better. Also, I still can’t use it in a game unless I increase my accuracy more.”

“Only serves? Why?”

He got glared at when he asked that without thinking. He was just told by Yorimichi that his tendency for asking questions was annoying.

“It’s the only thing you can do with just one person.”

“Oh...” Kuroba was speechless after letting that out.

Haijima was doing this because he wanted to, so there was no reason for him to feel guilty, but he still did. Mopping the floor, putting up the net, warming up all by himself…then, practicing serves, using up all the balls in the cage and fetching them, and then doing serves again, all by himself…putting down the net, cleaning up, and then going home by himself. “What you’re doing seems fun.” ——It can’t be fun at all. What’s more, if he was doing it alone, then he was constantly being pressured to give up his spot by the neighboring court.

He rewound the conversation in his head and played it. “It’s still not very reassuring even if it’s twenty against two.”

He put the ball on the floor and used it like a prop to stand up.

“…I don’t have a jersey, but I can join you if you want. I came all the way here, and I don’t have any plans with Yori-chan today. I suck, though. I might not make a good practice partner. If it’s better for you to do it alone, then I won’t come again.”

While bending and stretching in place of warming up, he piled on the extra words like excuses. His ears were subconsciously prepared for another “What the hell are you doing?” When he finally did some back-bending exercises, he peeked at Haijima’s face as he got back up. No doubt, he’s looking down on me—

Haijima was looking at him with his narrow eyes opened so widely that it made him wonder if that was as far as they could go. He could see something wet at the back of his eyes—Huh, was he crying? I didn’t say anything bad, though? I was confused for a moment, but no—?

It was light. There was a feverish light glittering in his eyes, which you couldn’t feel something like temperature from as they were obstructed by the lens of his glasses. Like an elementary school boy who got excited about the moving life-sized Tyrannosaurus robot at the dinosaur museum he visited for the first time.

“Wh-what the…”

It was so different from his impression of him until now that it felt somewhat creepy.

“Wait. I’m getting my contacts.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’ve been by myself after all, so I’ve actually been slacking. Also…”

He thought Haijima had turned towards the door, but he stopped for a moment and turned back, then pointed at Kuroba’s face, who was standing in place with his enthusiasm dampened. He left with high-handed words.

“The way you warm up is no good at all. We’ll have to start over from stretching. Wait here.”

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