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lefteagleblizzard · 1 month ago

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𝒫𝔞𝔱𝔥 𝔯𝔢𝔧𝔬𝔦𝔫𝔢𝔡 Until dawn males x male reader

Summary: 4 scenarios featuring each of the men from Until Dawn. Meeting them an year after the prank and Hannah and Beth’s disappearance. Each scenario exists in its own standalone world, completely unconnected to the others.

Tags: He/Him pronouns used for the reader. Romance and/or smut. Mike Munroe x male reader; Matt Taylor x male reader; Josh Washington x male reader; Chris Hartley x male reader. Set during the events of the game at chapter 1. All of these are separated and not connected. All of these with bottom male reader. Friends to lovers/ established relationships. Smut. Gay smut. Dom Mike Munroe. Gentle dom Matt Taylor. Dom Josh Washington. Pinning. Anal sex. Sex in the open. Matt and Emily broke-up before the events of the game. Mike and Jess are not together in this. Chris is a flirt.

Words counts: 9000 words (around 2000 for each character).

Can also be found on wattpad and ao3

ℳ𝒾𝓀ℯ 𝓂𝓊𝓃𝓇ℴℯ

You sat on the bench just outside the cabin, the cold biting at your exposed fingers as you scrolled through your phone for the hundredth time that evening. Your heart was doing its best impression of a jackhammer as you opened your chat history with Mike Munroe yet again.

The threads were littered with messages, both casual and charged, and no matter how many times you scrolled through them, you couldn’t stop your face from heating up at his words.

Your thumb hovered over one conversation in particular, a mix of texts and a photo that had been on your mind all day for weeks.

Mike [7:13 PM]: So I just left the gym. Guess what I saw?

You [7:15 PM]: A treadmill that wasn’t terrified of you for once?

Mike [7:16 PM]: Wow, rude. My cardio game is STRONG.

You [7:18 PM]: Sure it is. What’d you actually see?

Mike [7:20 PM]: Someone broke one of the bench press racks.

You [7:21 PM]: He broke it? Like snapped it in half?

Mike [7:23 PM]: Nah, he was just being an idiot and overloaded it without a spotter. It cracked. Dude nearly took his head off.

You [7:25 PM]: Jesus. That’s terrifying.

Mike [7:27 PM]: You tell me.

He followed the message with a photo. You’d stared at it for longer than you’d ever admit.

In the picture, Mike stood in the gym. Behind him, the cracked bench press was visible, but your eyes had been glued to his frame for far too long. Sweat glistening on his skin, his simple white tank top clinging to his broad chest. His hair was slightly mussed, strands sticking to his forehead, and there was a teasing grin on his face, one brow raised in a way that screamed smug.

You could still feel the way your face had burned after seeing that photo. He was infuriating in the best way possible.

The soft thud of snow against your chest startled you so completely that your phone slipped slightly from your grasp. You barely managed to grab it before it hit the bench, a surprised gasp escaping your lips as you looked down at the patch of snow now scattered across your clothes.

A triumphant shout rang out and you looked up to see Mike standing a little ways up the slope, his grin wide and victorious. “Bullseye! Right in the heart!”

Your lips twitching into an unwilling smile. “Seriously?”

“Dead serious,” he replied, jogging down the hill toward you, his cocky grin never faltering. “That was an incredible shot. You’ve gotta give me some credit.”

“Credit for assaulting me?” you shot back, though the humor in your tone betrayed your mock annoyance.

“Hey, it’s a tradition,” Mike said as he reached the bench. Without breaking stride, he vaulted over the wooden fence separating the path from the seating area, landing beside you with graceful ease. He plopped down on the bench so close to you that his knee pressed against yours, the faint scent of his cologne and winter air clinging to him as he wrapped an arm around your shoulders.

“Now,” he said, pulling you just slightly closer, “you gonna forgive me, or do I need to buy you a hot chocolate to make it up to you?”

Your laugh came despite yourself and you turned your head to meet his gaze. “You think one hot chocolate is gonna cut it?”

Mike gasped theatrically, his free hand clutching his chest. “I thought you knew I was a man of many talents, but clearly, I’ve been underestimated.”

“And what talents are those, exactly?” you teased, raising an eyebrow.

“For starters, I have an excellent aim. That’s already been proven. I also happen to be fantastic at keeping people warm. Very cozy. Ten out of ten, highly recommended.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you muttered, though the smile tugging at your lips made it clear you weren’t entirely serious.

“Ridiculous or amazing?” Mike asked, tilting his head in mock thought. “Actually, don’t answer that. I already know.”

You rolled your eyes, but the warmth of his arm around you and the easy humor in his voice made it hard to keep up any pretense of annoyance. “So,” he said after a moment, his tone softening slightly, “how are you doing? Really.

The question caught you off guard, and you hesitated, glancing down at your hands. “I’m… okay,” you said after a moment, though the uncertainty in your voice was impossible to miss.

Mike’s grip on your shoulder tightened ever so slightly, a silent reassurance as he waited for you to continue.

“It’s just…” you began, your voice quieter now. “I wasn’t sure about coming here. I mean, after everything that happened with Josh’s sisters…”

Mike nodded, his expression growing more serious. “Yeah, I get that. It’s… a lot, being back here.”

“I was surprised he invited me,” you admitted, your fingers brushing over the hem of your coat. “It’s not like we were super close, you know? And with everything that happened, it just feels…” You trailed off, searching for the right word.

“Weird?” Mike offered gently.

“Yeah,” you said with a small nod. “

Mike was quiet for a moment, his thumb absently brushing over your shoulder. Then, with a small, playful smile, he said, “Well, at least there’s one good thing about you being here.”

You raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

“Me,” he replied, his grin widening.

You groaned, shaking your head. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I try,” he said with a wink, but his tone shifted to something softer as he continued. “Seriously, though, I’m glad you came. And if you ever feel like it’s too much, or you’re not sure if you belong here, you can come to me. Anytime.”

The sincerity in his voice caught you off guard, and you found yourself looking up at him, your chest tightening slightly at the warmth in his expression. “Thanks, Mike,” you said softly.

“Hey, it’s what I’m here for,” he replied, giving your shoulder a gentle squeeze.

The sound of soft crunching snow caught your attention and out of the corner of your eye, you saw something moving just beyond the bench. You turned your head slightly and were greeted by the sight of a magnificent, curious elk with wide, inquisitive eyes and soft fur that glistened under the sunlight.

Beside you, Mike’s arm instinctively tightened around your shoulders, his fingers pressing against your jacket in a protective squeeze. It was only when he took in the elk’s nonchalant demeanor that his tension eased.

“Careful,” he said softly, his voice low and cautious.

“I’ll be fine,” you said, your tone calm as you gently slipped out from under his arm, much to his clear disappointment. He sat back, watching as you reached for your bag.

Fishing through it, you found the remainder of a snack you hadn’t finished earlier. Unwrapping it, you extended your hand toward the elk, holding the fruit out in your palm.

The elk stepped closer, its warm breath brushing against your hand as it sniffed at the offering. With surprising gentleness, it began nibbling on the fruit, its large tongue lapping at your palm as it ate. You chuckled softly, the sensation tickling your skin, and Mike fell silent, his gaze fixed on you.

He couldn’t look away. There was something magnetic about the way you smiled, your laugh so unguarded and genuine as you interacted with the massive animal. The sunlight filtered through the trees, catching in your hair and illuminating your face in a way that left Mike completely mesmerized. His mind spun with thoughts he couldn’t quite put into words.

God, you looked so good like this.

He glared at the elk. That thing was getting all of your attention and he found himself growing annoyed with the creature.

“Lucky bastard,” Mike muttered under his breath as he drank in the sight of you.

When the snack was finished, the elk gave your hand one last affectionate lick before lifting its head and turning away, ambling back into the trees with a serene grace that only added to Mike’s begrudging admiration of the animal.

As you looked down, brushing the moisture from your hands, your gaze fell on the perfect mound of snow at your feet. An idea struck, and your lips curved into a mischievous smile.

“Hey,” you said, drawing his attention. “Could you check my bag? I think I might’ve left my phone in there.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, sure,” Mike said, blinking as he snapped out of his trance. He leaned forward, reaching for your bag with a slight frown of concentration.

The second his focus shifted, you bent down, scooping up a handful of snow and packing it quickly into a tight ball.

By the time Mike turned back to you, his hand holding your bag the snowball has already been launched, striking him squarely in the chest.

“Bullseye!” you declared, grinning triumphantly as the snow splattered across his jacket. “Right in the heart!”

Mike stared down at the mess for a moment, then looked up at you with wide eyes and an exaggerated expression of betrayal.

“That’s it,” he said, dropping the bag unceremoniously onto the bench as he bent down to scoop up a handful of snow, his voice a mix of disbelief and humor. “You’re dead.”

He soon hurled a snowball at you. You dodged to the side, laughing as the snow missed you by inches and you started collecting more snow for your next attack.

What followed was a chaotic, exhilarating flurry of snowballs and laughter as the two of you launched attack after attack, dodging and weaving across the snow-covered ground.

The next throw was fast and while you managed to shield yourself with your arm, it distracted you just long enough for Mike to close the distance. He tackled you rapidly, his arms wrapping around you as the two of you tumbled onto the soft, powdery snow.

You landed on your back with Mike hovering over you, his weight carefully balanced so he didn’t crush you. His face was flushed from the cold and exertion, but his grin was wide and triumphant, his breath visible in the chilly air.

“Gotcha,” he said, his voice low and teasing as his hands pinned your wrists gently in the snow.

Your laughter faded as you looked up at him, your breath catching in your throat.

The intensity in his gaze was unmistakable, his usual playful demeanor softening into something deeper as he took in the sight of you your flushed cheeks, your bright smile, the way your chest rose and fell with each breath.

His heart was pounding in his chest.

Mike’s hand moved to cup your jaw, his thumb brushing against your cheek as his grin turned softer, more sincere. “You’re gonna be the death of me, you know that?” he murmured, his voice warm and full of meaning.

He leaned down, his lips capturing yours in a kiss that was both bold and tender.

The snowy ground beneath you was cold, but the heat radiating from Mike’s body made it feel distant. His kiss deepened, growing more fervent, his lips capturing yours with a hunger that left you breathless.

His arms encircled your waist tightly, pulling you flush against him, your bodies pressed so closely together that you could feel every contour of his broad, muscular frame.

The kiss was unrelenting, his tongue exploring every part of your mouth with a possessive fervor. His light beard scraped against your skin, the sensation adding a sharp edge to the soft heat of his lips.

When he finally pulled away, both of you gasping for air, he didn’t go far. His mouth trailed down your jawline, leaving a burning path of open-mouthed kisses. He moved to your neck, his lips brushing the sensitive skin there before sucking lightly, his tongue darting out to soothe the marks he left.

“You taste so good,” he murmured against your skin, his voice rough and breathless.

You shivered beneath him, your hands clutching at his jacket as he kissed lower, his teeth grazing your collarbone. His hands slid to your hips, holding you firmly as his mouth returned to your neck, sucking and nipping with a mix of tenderness and urgency.

When his lips found yours again, the kiss was almost brutal in its intensity. His tongue slid against yours, dipping into your mouth to claim and explore, the wet, heated clash of it making your head spin. He shifted his weight slightly, pressing you further into the snow, his hands moving with purpose as he tugged at the waistband of your pants.

The question was silent but clear, his dark eyes meeting yours with an unspoken need. You nodded quickly, unable to trust your voice not to betray how desperate you felt in that moment.

His lips quirking into a brief, cocky grin before his focus returned to his task.

He pushed your pants down just far enough to expose your ass, the cool air biting at your skin for only a moment before his hand was there, warm and firm, kneading the soft flesh. His other hand wrapped around your length, stroking you slowly at first, the friction maddening in its contrast to the urgency in the rest of his movements.

“Look at you,” he murmured, his tone low and rough as he watched your reactions. “So perfect. All mine.”

The words sent a jolt through you, your breath hitching as his fingers pressed against your entrance. He didn’t waste time, his impatience evident as he worked his fingers inside, the stretch a sharp but delicious contrast to the heat building in your core.

His mouth returned to your neck, lips and teeth working in tandem to leave marks that were sure to bloom into dark bruises. His free hand continued to stroke you, the combined sensations pulling soft moans from your lips that only seemed to spur him on.

“Let me hear you. Let me know how good I’m making you feel,” he whispered, his breath hot against your ear.

You couldn’t hold back the sounds spilling from your lips, your body arching into his touch as he added another finger, the stretch pushing you closer to the edge. His movements were fast, efficient, as if he couldn’t wait a second longer.

When he finally deemed you ready, he withdrew his fingers, the loss leaving you gasping. He leaned back slightly, his hands fumbling with the zipper of his pants as he freed himself, the sight of his length sending a mix of anticipation and nervousness through you. He was big, thick and achingly hard, the head glistening with precum as he stroked himself once, twice, before positioning himself at your entrance.

“Tell me if it’s too much,” he murmured, his voice softer now, though the urgency in his movements remained.

You nodded, your breath coming in short, uneven bursts as you braced yourself. Slowly, he pushed forward, the thick head stretching you in a way that was both intense and indescribably good

“Fuck,” he groaned, his hands gripping your hips tightly as he slid further inside, the tight heat of you nearly driving him mad.

The stretch was overwhelming but addictive, each inch filling you in a way that left you gasping. Mike paused once he was fully seated, his breath ragged as he let you adjust.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice strained with the effort of holding himself still.

“Yeah,” you managed, your voice barely above a whisper.

He groaned softly, his lips brushing against your temple as he murmured, “Good,” he rasped, his voice thick with pleasure as his hands roamed your body.

He pulled out almost completely before thrusting back in, the force of it sending a shudder through your body. His rhythm started slow, deliberate, but quickly grew faster, each thrust hitting deeper, harder, until the cold snow beneath you felt like a distant memory.

One hand found its way to your jaw, tilting your face up so he could kiss you again, the angle messy and desperate as his tongue delved into your mouth.

The noises spilling from you only seemed to drive him further, his hips snapping against yours with a growing intensity. His hand left your jaw to grip your length again, stroking you in time with his thrusts, each movement pushing you closer to the edge.

“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he confessed, his voice rough and breathless as he buried himself deep inside you.

His words sent a fresh wave of heat through you, your body tightening around him as your release built to a crescendo.

“Come for me, I want to feel you.” He murmured, his tone commanding yet tender.

With a cry of his name, you came, your body clenching around him as your release spilled over his hand.

The sensation of you tightening around him was enough to send him over the edge. With a deep, guttural groan, he thrust into you one last time, his release spilling deep inside you as his body trembled with the force of it.

Mike collapsed beside you, pulling you into his arms as he pressed a lingering kiss to your forehead.

“You’re amazing,” he whispered, his voice soft but full of emotion.

And in that moment, with both of you painting heavily from the heat despite the cold surrounding you two, everything felt perfect.

ℳ𝒶𝓉𝓉 𝒯𝒶𝓎𝓁ℴ𝓇

The crunch of snow underfoot was the only sound breaking the silence as you trudged down the icy trail, your breath visible in the frigid mountain air from cursing softly to yourself. The bag with your clothes was still in your car at the base of the mountain. Now you had to descend the trail and take the cable car again, with the sun already starting its lazy dip below the horizon.

Halfway down the path, you spotted Matt sitting on a rock, his shoulders slumped under the weight of unseen burdens.

His usually sunny demeanor had been replaced with a shadowed expression, his body language heavy and defeated. When he noticed you, he straightened, his dark eyes lighting up momentarily before dimming again, his face attempting a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Hey, the lodge is that way, you know,” he called, his voice tinged with forced humor as he gestured up the mountain.

You sighed, brushing a hand through your face as you tried not to think about all the long path you still had to do. “Yeah, I know, big guy. I left my damn bag with my clothes in the car.” You gestured vaguely down the path, your tone dry. “So now I’m on an impromptu adventure to go get it before the sun sets and I freeze my ass off”

Matt pushed himself up, brushing snow off his jacket. “You’re going down there? Now?” There was a faint note of concern in his voice. “It’s getting late.”

“Not like I have a choice.” You gave him a crooked smile, shrugging. “I’ve got these, don’t worry.” You flexe an arm in an exaggerated manner, earning a faint chuckle from him.

“Right,” he said, his grin flickering but quickly fading. His gaze dropped to the snow for a moment, as if he were weighing something heavy. Then, hesitantly, he glanced up again. “Mind if I, uh, tag along? You know, to keep you company…” His voice faltered briefly, but he picked it up again with a nervous laugh.

There was a vulnerability in his expression that tugged at you. His usual playful energy was subdued, like a lamp turned down to its lowest setting. It was unlike him this quietness.

“Sure,” you said, stepping forward and reaching out to grip his arm lightly. Your fingers brushed against the solid muscle beneath his jacket and he stiffened slightly under your touch, blinking at you in surprise. His throat went dry and his thoughts raced in a jumble of half-formed realizations.

You probably didn’t mean anything by it. But God, it felt like more. He tried not to stare, but his gaze kept flickering to you.

He had always admired you. You’d always been a little out of his league, at least in his mind, but that didn’t stop the small crush he’d harbored before everything went sideways. He thought about the way you smiled, the way you’d always been so kind to him. Maybe this was his chance to be someone you could see as more than just a friend.

For a beat, he didn’t say much, just walked alongside you in silence until you were face to face with the cabin. His lips twitched like he wanted to say something but couldn’t quite get the words out. Finally, he cleared his throat, his voice quieter than usual. “Uh, I could help with your luggage, you know. If it’s too heavy or something.”

You raised an eyebrow at him, your curiosity piqued. “luggage?” you teased lightly, quirking your lips into a smirk, “Matt, it’s just a bag. I can manage carrying my own clothes.”

“Yeah, well…” He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, his gaze dropping to the snowy ground. “Seems like that’s all I’m good for, anyway.” His tone was soft, mostly murmured just for himself, but you caught the self-deprecating edge to it instantly.

You stopped walking, turning to face him with an offended look on your face. Matt nearly tripped over his own feet trying to stop alongside you.

“Matt,” you said, crossing your arms and fixing him with a look. “You cannot be serious right now. That’s all you think you’re good for? Carrying stuff? For other people?”

He blinked at you, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

“Don’t even try to defend yourself,” you stepped closer and poked a finger lightly against his chest. He looked down at your hand, the warmth spreading across his cheeks making him look ridiculously adorable.

“You’re telling me that’s all you’re good for? So what about all those insane jumps you pulled off last winter for your team? Or the fact that you can probably outrun anyone in your sport group? I'm still convinced you could play blindfolded. Not to mention your ridiculous strength. I mean, seriously, have you seen your arms?”

“I-uh… I guess—“ Matt stumbled with his own words at the series of compliments thrown his way.

“I’m not done,” you interrupted, a playful edge to your tone as you continued, stepping even closer. “It’s nice to be with you. You’re fun. People like you, Matt. I should be offended on your behalf for even thinking something so dumb. You’re so much more than that.”

Matt stood there frozen for a moment, his lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. Finally, he let out a breathless laugh, his face breaking into a shy, almost bashful smile.

"Uh… wow," he mumbled, his voice cracking slightly. "I, uh… I didn't know you thought about me like that.”

"Of course I do," you grinned, giving his arm a playful squeeze before turning back to the trail. “Now come on, Matt. We still have a long way to go.”

As he followed you inside the cabin, his mind was spinning. The way you’d smiled at him, the way your voice had been filled with both teasing warmth and genuine sincerity flipped something in him. Any lingering doubt he’d had about his feelings for you dissolved right then and there.

Matt was officially, unequivocally head over heels.

The cabin swayed slightly as you stepped inside and took a seat close together, the old structure emitting a low groan that sent an unsettling vibration through your feet. You reached out instinctively, your hand landing on Matt's arm to steady yourself. His bicep tensed under your grip, solid and warm, the fabric of his jacket doing little to mask the muscles beneath.

Matt's breath hitched and his gaze darted to your hand for a split second before snapping back to your face. He noticed the way your expression tightened, your lips pressing into a thin line as you glanced out the window.

He didn't say anything, not wanting to draw attention to your nervousness.

When the cabin finally stabilized, the creaking subsiding, you exhaled in relief and your grip on his arm loosened. You pulled your hand back, murmuring something about how rickety the cabin felt, but Matt barely registered your words.

A pang of disappointment tugged at his chest.

He had already missed the moment, hadn't he? He cursed himself silently, his heart aching at how quickly the fleeting connection had slipped away.

The two of you settled into a comfortable silence as the cable car began its slow descent. You stared out the window, your face lit softly by the golden hues of the setting sun.

You didn't notice it at first, but when Matt turned to look at you fully, the sadness on his face was unmistakable. It was the same defeated look you'd seen earlier when you'd first run into him, only this time it cut deeper, like a wound reopening.

"What did I do wrong?" he asked suddenly, his voice low, almost a whisper. His eyes searched yours, filled with a vulnerability that made your heart twist. "With Emily, I mean. What could I have done differently?"

You turned to face him, your brow furrowing as frustration bubbled quietly in your chest. "Matt…" you started, your tone soft but firm. "You didn't do anything wrong."

"But-"

"No, listen to me." You reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder and his breath hitched again, his gaze flicking briefly to your hand before returning to your face. "You keep talking like you have to justify what happened, like if you had just been better somehow, she wouldn't have left. But that's not fair to you, Matt. Not even close."

He opened his mouth to protest, but you didn't give him the chance. The words came tumbling out, your frustration mingling with the need to comfort him. "You can't keep putting yourself in her shoes, trying to figure out what you did wrong when the truth is, you didn't deserve to be treated the way she treated you. You deserve good things too, you know?"

Matt's lips parted, but he said nothing, his throat working as he swallowed hard.

"And for the record," you added, a hint of teasing creeping into your voice to soften the intensity of your words, "It’s her loss. She's going to regret losing the best boyfriend she ever had. Meanwhile, you'll be off living your best life."

He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head as he looked down at the ground. "You really think that?"

"I know that," you replied, grinning now.

The smile on Matt's face grew, spreading slowly until it lit up his entire expression. He looked back up at you, his dark eyes shining with something warm, something vulnerable. For the first time in what felt like forever, he believed he deserved something good.

And right now, that good thing was sitting inches away from him.

You smiled back, though the intensity of his gaze when he looked up again sent a jolt through you. His face lit with an expression you couldn't quite place but it made your heart race all the same. You realized, belatedly, just how close the two of you had leaned toward each. His knee pressed against yours, his breath warm against your cheek as the cabin swayed gently.

Matt hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking between yours as if searching for permission. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he raised a hand and cradled your cheek, his palm broad and calloused but impossibly gentle. Your breath caught as his thumb brushed lightly against your skin and before you could second-guess the moment, he leaned in and pressed his lips to yours.

The cable car rocked gently as the winter landscape stretched endlessly beyond the frosted windows. The dying light of the sunset bathed the mountains in fiery hues, the soft orange and pinks painting the snow with an ethereal glow. It was breathtaking. Something you'd expect to see on a postcard or an oil painting.

But as stunning as the scenery was, it couldn't hold a candle to what was happening inside the cabin.

Your hands were pressed against the cold surface of the mirror door, its frosted sheen reflecting the two of you in the dim light. Matt's sturdy body was flush against your back, his warmth sinking through your clothes and grounding you against the cool glass. A pair of warm lips were on your neck, slow and deliberate, each kiss sending a ripple of heat down your spine.

"Is this okay?" he murmured between kisses, his breath warm against your skin. His voice was soft, tentative, but there was an underlying hunger in it that made your stomach tighten.

You nodded, a small sound of affirmation slipping from your lips as his hands roamed over your body, strong and sure yet trembling ever so slightly.

One of them slid down to cup your ass, his fingers flexing against the curve as he pressed you closer to him. The heat of his touch burned through the fabric of your pants, making your breath hitch. Matt paused, his lips lingering against your neck as his grip faltered for a moment.

"I want to make sure you're okay," he whispered, his voice laced with a mix of uncertainty and desire.

"I'm okay," you assured him, your voice breathy but steady. Turning your head slightly, you caught his gaze in the reflection of the mirror. "I want this, Matt. I want you."

His eyes darkened at your words, a soft groan escaping him as he pressed his forehead briefly to the back of your head. "You have no idea how long I've wanted this," he admitted, his voice barely audible.

Matt's hands moved to your waistband, his fingers hesitating for a moment before undoing the button and zipper. He slid your pants and underwear down, baring you to the cool air of the cabin. His hands returned to your skin immediately, kneading the soft flesh of your ass as he let out a low, reverent sigh.

"You're so… perfect," he murmured, almost to himself, as his hands explored you.

Broad palms sliding over your hips, thumbs brushing the curve of your spine, fingers dipping lower to tease. He was taking his time, making sure you felt every ounce of his care and adoration.

When one finger pressed gently against your entrance, he paused again. "Tell me if it's too much," he said, his voice earnest. His movements were careful and deliberate as he pressed the finger in slowly. The stretch was slight but noticeable and he paused to let you adjust, his free hand stroking soothing circles on your hip.

"You’re okay?" he asked, glancing up at your reflection in the mirror.

"Yes," you breathed, a small smile curving your lips. "You're doing perfect"

His expression softened at your words, his insecurity melting away under the weight of your trust. He added a second finger, his movements slow and deliberate as he worked to prepare you. The tension in your body eased under his care, the warmth of his touch chasing away any discomfort.

By the time he added a third finger, you were panting softly, your forehead resting against the mirror as you pushed back against his hand. Matt pressed a kiss to your shoulder, his breath warm against your skin as he murmured, "You're so good for me."

When he finally pulled his fingers away, you felt both relief and anticipation flood through you. You heard the rustle of fabric behind you as he undid his own pants and then, the unmistakable warmth of him pressed against your entrance.

Matt's voice was soft but filled with need as he asked one last time, "Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you."

You nodded, your voice firm despite the breathlessness in your tone. "I want you, Matt. Please."

The groan that escaped him was deep and throaty, filled with both desire and relief. He pressed forward slowly, the stretch of him filling you inch by inch as you gripped the mirror for support. He paused when he was fully seated, his hands gripping your hips tightly as he tried to steady himself.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice strained.

You nodded, your breath hitching as you adjusted to the fullness of him. "Yeah," you managed, "You feel incredible."

Matt let out a shaky laugh, his head resting on your shoulder as he started to move, his thrusts slow and deliberate at first, each one sending a wave of pleasure coursing through you. His hands slid up and down your body, gripping and caressing, as if he couldn't get enough of you. The cabin swayed gently with his movements, the creak of the structure blending with the soft sounds of your shared pleasure.

As he found a rhythm, his lips returned to your neck, peppering kisses and soft bites along your skin. His name spilled from your lips in a breathless moan, and he groaned in response, his hips snapping forward with more urgency.

"You feel so good," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

Each snap of his hips sent a wave of pleasure coursing through you, your moans echoing softly in the small cabin.

Matt's lips found your neck again, sucking and biting gently as he thrust into you, his hands roaming your body as if he couldn't get enough. One hand slid up to cradle the back of your head, angling it to pull you into a heated kiss as his other hand squeezed your ass, pulling you closer with every thrust.

The glass behind you fogged with your combined heat and the view outside was forgotten entirely as Matt buried himself inside you, his breath coming in ragged pants against your ear.

"I'm close," he warned, his voice hoarse, and you nodded, your own climax rapidly approaching.

"Me too," you gasped, your fingers digging into his shoulders as your body tensed.

His thrusts grew erratic, his grip tightening on your hips as he chased his release. When he finally came, it was with a deep groan, his body trembling against yours as he spilled inside you, warmth flooding through you.

The warmth of it sent you over the edge, and you cried out, clutching him tightly as pleasure washed over you in waves.

For a moment, neither of you moved, the quiet hum of the cable car the only sound as you both caught your breath. Then Matt wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close against his chest, his lips pressing a soft, lingering kiss to your temple.

"You're incredible," he murmured, his voice filled with awe.

You turned your head slightly, catching his gaze in the reflection of the mirror. "So are you," you replied with a small, tired smile.

And for the first time in a long time, Matt felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

𝒥ℴ𝓈𝒽 𝒲𝒶𝓈𝒽𝒾𝓃ℊ𝓉ℴ𝓃

Josh sat hunched over on the massive leather couch in the lodge's main room, his elbows digging into his knees and his head cradled between his hands. His fingers tangled into his hair, tugging lightly as he mumbled to himself, barely audible words blending into the eerie silence.

"Keep it together," he murmured under his breath, fingers curling tightly against his scalp. His voice was barely above a whisper, almost drowned out by the wind howling against the windows. "Just… keep it together."

He repeated the words like a mantra, but they did little to quell the storm brewing inside him.

His sisters' faces flashed behind his eyelids, Beth's soft smile and Hannah's nervous laugh, and his stomach twisted like a vice.

His foot tapped a frantic rhythm against the floor and his gaze darted toward the hidden cameras he'd planted days before. They were all in place, every angle meticulously planned.

But it didn't feel controlled. Nothing ever felt controlled anymore.

The sudden knock at the door made him flinch. His head snapped up, his heart racing in his chest. It wasn't time yet. It was too early. He froze for a moment, his mind spinning.

Quietly, he rose from the couch, his socked feet making no sound against the hardwood floor. As casually as he could manage, he glanced around the room, his eyes darting to the hidden cameras he had set up earlier. They were all still there, their little red lights glowing faintly in the shadows.

Satisfied, he moved to the door, pulling it open with a practiced smile ready on his lips.

But the smile faltered the moment he saw you standing on the porch.

Josh didn't know what to do. His heart lurched painfully in his chest as he took you in, the cold wind brushing past you and ruffling your hair. You stood at the edge of the porch, your hands shoved deep into the pockets of your jacket, your shoulders hunched slightly against the cold.

"Hey," you said softly, offering a tentative smile.

Josh's throat felt tight and it took him a second longer than it should have to respond. "Hey," he said, his voice quieter than he intended.

There was an awkward pause, the kind that would've never existed between you before. Before his sisters. Before he pushed you away.

"Uh, come in," he said finally, stepping back to let you inside.

You nodded and stepped over the threshold, your boots squeaking slightly against the polished wood floor. Josh closed the door behind you, the lodge suddenly feeling much smaller with you in it.

He watched as you looked around, your expression shifting as your eyes moved over the familiar space. The place hadn't changed much, but he knew this place probably felt as haunted to you as it did to him.

"You're early," Josh said, breaking the silence. His voice sounded strange to his own ears-too casual, too detached.

"I wanted to talk to you," you said, turning to look at him. "Before everyone else got here."

Josh swallowed hard, his heart pounding again for a completely different reason.

"Oh."

Another pause.

He gestured to the couch. "Uh, sit? If you want, I mean."

You nodded and moved to the couch, sitting down on the edge as if you weren't sure you belonged there. Josh sat a little farther away, his hands resting awkwardly on his knees.

For a while, the conversation was surface-level-small talk about the weather, the drive up, little things that didn't mean much but filled the silence.

But even as you spoke, Josh couldn't stop his mind from wandering.

You looked good. Just like he remembered. Better, even. There was something about the way the firelight caught your face, the soft glow making you look almost ethereal.

He hated himself for pushing you away, for hurting you, for letting the walls he built around himself trap you on the outside.

He found himself fixating on the sadness in your eyes. It hadn't always been there. You used to look at him with so much warmth, so much trust. Now, you looked… fragile.

It made him sick.

He realized you'd said something and forced himself to tune back in, nodding as if he hadn't just been drowning in his own guilt.

"…I was worried about you," you were saying, your voice tinged with hesitation. "I mean, I still am."

Josh swallowed the lump in his throat, his fingers curling into fists on his knees. He didn't know what to say to that, didn't know how to admit that he wasn't okay without opening the floodgates.

"I missed you," you added after a moment, your voice quieter now.

That was the breaking point. Josh's breath hitched and he looked down at his hands, his vision blurring slightly at the edges.

"I missed you too," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

The silence that followed was heavy, but not uncomfortable. Josh felt you shift slightly closer, your presence grounding him in a way he hadn't felt in months.

"I don't blame you for shutting me out. I know you were hurting. I just…" You hesitated, your voice breaking slightly. "I wish you'd let me help you."

Josh's chest tightened painfully, guilt and longing warring inside him. "I didn't want you to see me like that," he said, his voice raw. "I didn't want you to pity me."

"I never pitied you, Josh," you said firmly, your eyes locking onto his. "I love you."

Josh's heart pounded as your words lingered in the air.

It was both a balm and a dagger.

He wanted to believe it was still true. That somewhere, beneath the sadness in your eyes and the awkward distance between you, that love remained. But as you sat there, your voice soft and soothing, his thoughts began to twist, spiraling back into the familiar chaos that had consumed him over the past months.

His gaze drifted to the cameras he'd hidden, their red lights blinking faintly in the dim light. He hadn't planned for you to arrive early, hadn't prepared himself to see you alone, so exposed. You were supposed to be with the others, part of the game, part of the plan.

But now you were here, sitting so close, your presence stirring something raw and conflicted inside him.

Should he spare you?

The question lingered like a shadow in his mind. You weren't supposed to be here, not yet. If he told you to leave, to get far away from this place before the others arrived, he could keep you safe. But if he kept you here, then what? Would you understand him when it was all over?

Only one thing became clear to him.

He didn't want to lose you again.

"Josh?" Your voice broke through his thoughts, grounding him, and he realized he'd been silent for too long.

He looked up at you, his expression softening as he met your gaze. "Sorry," he murmured, his voice rough. "I was… thinking."

"About what?" you asked, leaning forward slightly.

Josh hesitated, his fingers twitching against his knees. "About us," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

You blinked, your lips parting slightly in surprise. "Us?"

"Yeah," he said, leaning back against the couch and running a hand through his hair.

"I've been thinking about it a lot, actually. About what I did. How I pushed you away."

Your expression softened, a flicker of sadness crossing your face. "Josh, you were hurting. I understood that."

"That doesn't make it okay," he said quickly, his voice gaining a sudden intensity. "I shouldn't have shut you out. I shouldn't have—" He cut himself off, shaking his head.

"I shouldn't have let you go."

The silence that followed was heavy, but Josh pushed through it, his eyes locking onto yours.

"You were the best thing in my life," he said, his voice raw and unsteady. "And I ruined it. I ruined us. And for what? So I could sit here and drown in my own misery?

"Josh—"

"No, let me finish," he said, his hand reaching out to grab yours. His grip was firm but gentle, his thumb brushing over your knuckles. "I don't expect you to forgive me," he said softly, his thumb still tracing slow circles on your hand. "I don't even know if I deserve it. But I want to try. I want to fix what I broke, if you'll let me."

You didn't respond right away and the silence stretched between you. Josh's mind raced, doubt creeping in like a cold wind, but then you squeezed his hand gently, your expression softening.

"I missed you," you said simply, your voice trembling slightly.

Josh's breath hitched, and he felt something warm and fragile bloom in his chest. "I missed you too," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Josh felt his paranoia waver, the weight of his plans slipping to the back of his mind as he leaned closer to you. Your faces were inches apart now, your breath warm against his skin, and he hesitated for just a moment before closing the distance.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant and unsure. As your lips moved against his, it deepened. Josh's hands cupped your face, his fingers trembling slightly as he poured everything he couldn't say into the kiss.

It ignited something in Josh he hadn't felt in so long it nearly overwhelmed him. A year's worth of bottled-up emotions exploded all at once as your lips pressed against his, soft but insistent.

His hands slid up to cup your face, his fingers trembling slightly as they moved to tangle in your hair. He kissed you deeper, harder, his breath hitching when you pressed closer, your body fitting perfectly against his.

When you broke away for air, both of you gasping, his lips trailed along your jawline, then down to your neck, placing open-mouthed kisses against your skin.

"Josh," you murmured, your voice breathy, and the sound of his name on your lips made his knees go weak.

"I need you," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion as his hands gripped your waist. "I need you so bad."

Your answer was a soft moan as you pulled him back into another kiss, your hands tugging at his shirt, your urgency matching his. He let out a low groan, helping you push the fabric over his head before his hands found their way under your shirt, his fingers splaying across your warm skin.

He wanted to memorize every inch of you, to re-learn every curve and angle of your body. The feel of your skin against his palms sent his mind spiraling, and he found himself unable to focus on anything else.

Somehow, the two of you managed to stumble off the couch, your hands fumbling with each other's clothes as you made your way to his room. Josh couldn't stop kissing you, his lips moving against yours with a fervor that bordered on desperation.

When you finally reached his room, he pressed you against the door, his chest heaving as he looked at you. Your shirt was hanging off one shoulder, your lips swollen from his kisses and the sight of you made his heart ache in the best way.

"You're so handsome," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "God, I want you."

Josh let out a shaky breath, his hands sliding down to grip your thighs as he lifted you, carrying you to the bed. He laid you down gently, his eyes raking over your body as he climbed on top of you, his lips finding yours again.

Every kiss filled with unspoken emotion as his hands roamed your body, his touch reverent as if he were afraid you might disappear. He slid his fingers under the waistband of your pants, his breath hitching when he felt how warm and soft your skin was.

"Is this okay?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly as he pulled back to look at you.

You nodded, your eyes meeting his. "Yes, Josh. I want you."

His heart swelled at your words, and he leaned down to kiss you again as he carefully removed your pants, leaving you bare beneath him. He took a moment to drink in the sight of you, his hands trailing over your thighs as he whispered, "You're perfect."

He reached into the drawer beside his bed, pulling out a bottle of lube. His hands trembled slightly as he poured some onto his fingers, the anticipation building in his chest as he positioned himself between your legs.

Your trust in him is evident in the way you relaxed beneath him. Josh's heart pounded as he pressed a finger against your entrance, the slickness of the lube making the motion smooth. He pushed in slowly, his breath hitching when he felt the tightness around his finger.

How was he supposed to handle this?

He worked you open carefully, his free hand stroking soothingly along your thigh as he added a second finger. Your soft moans filled the room, each sound going straight to his already hard cock.

Josh added a third finger, his movements deliberate as he stretched you, preparing you for what was to come.

When he finally pulled his fingers away, he positioned himself at your entrance, his cock aching with the need to be inside you, his breath hitching as he pushed forward slowly, the tight heat of you surrounding him inch by inch. He groaned, his hands gripping your hips as he bottomed out, his body trembling from the sheer intensity of the feeling.

"You feel so good," he murmured, his voice rough as he began to move, his thrusts slow and measured at first.

Josh's hands roamed your body, gripping and caressing as he poured every ounce of his emotion into his movements.

When he finally reached his peak, his body tensed and he let out a deep groan as he spilled deep inside, his hands gripping your hips tightly as he buried himself as deep as he could.

The only sounds audible were your ragged breaths and the faint creak of the bed beneath you. Josh collapsed beside you, pulling you into his arms as he pressed a soft kiss to your temple.

𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈 ℋ𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓁ℯ𝓎

You pressed your gloved hand against the cold rock face, steadying yourself as you climbed up the wall near the lodge gate. The gate had been locked and you'd found yourself scaling the icy terrain instead of taking the easy way in.

As you hoisted yourself onto the top ledge, you heard a familiar voice from below.

"Hey! Was there a lot of traffic, or did you just take the scenic route?"

You looked down to see your older sister, Sam, standing at the bottom of the wall with her hands on her hips, a bemused expression on her face.

"It was a nightmare," you shot back. "Endless hours of brake lights and honking. And to top it off, there was a note from Chris on the gate saying it's locked, so I had to climb up here like I'm in an action movie."

Sam groaned, tilting her head back dramatically. "Of course it's broken."

"Your turn, big sis. Want me to guide you?" You said with a grin, holding out a hand.

Sam rolled her eyes, but the hint of a smirk tugged at her lips as she grabbed onto the wall and started to climb. You stayed close, offering encouragement and holding out your hand when she struggled for the final push. "C'mon, I've got you."

With one last huff, Sam grabbed your hand and you pulled her up and over the top. The two of you jumped down together, landing with a satisfying crunch in the snow below.

The path to the cabin cable was peaceful, the sound of snow crunching underfoot the only noise. The trees stretched overhead, their branches heavy with snow and the cold mountain air was sharp but refreshing. As you approached the cable car station, Sam pointed toward a bench near the platform.

"There's Chris’s bag," she said, gesturing toward the familiar backpack sitting against the wooden bench.

"But no Chris," you added, scanning the snowy clearing. "Chris?" you called out, your voice carrying through the stillness

There was no response, only the faint rustle of wind through the trees. You frowned, walking a few steps forward as your gaze swept the area. "Where'd he go? He wouldn't just leave his stuff out here, right?"

"Maybe he is inside the bag," Sam suggested, her tone humorous.

You were about to call out again when you caught movement from the corner of your eye. Turning, you spotted Sam crouched near Chris's bag, her head bent slightly as she stared at something in her hands.

"Are you snooping through Chris's phone?" you asked, your voice filled with mock scandal.

Sam looked up at you, her expression unapologetic as she smiled. "No," she replied, holding the phone out of your reach.

"Uh-huh. And you didn't think to invite me?" you teased, stepping closer to her. "Come on, let me see."

She laughed, shielding the screen with her body. "No way. I know what's best for you, little brother."

"Oh, come on," you protested, craning your neck to try and catch a glimpse of the screen.

"Trust me," Sam said, her tone teasing as she stood up and held the phone behind her back. "You don't need to see this."

"That just makes me want to see it more," you countered, crossing your arms.

Sam laughed again, but as you reached for the phone, she turned her back to you completely. For a brief moment, her expression softened as she glanced at the screen. The chat was still open on your conversation with Chris, and she debated what to do.

Should she tell you how Chris saved your name?

Her lips twitched as she imagined your reaction, the flush of embarrassment that would spread across your face. But ultimately, she decided against it for now.

The stillness of the snowy clearing was shattered by a loud rustle and a sudden, unexpected voice.

You and Sam both jumped, a startled yelp escaping her as you instinctively took a step towards your sister. Chris appeared from behind her, grinning like a kid who'd just successfully pulled off a prank.

"Geez, Chris!" Sam said, her hand clutching her chest as she glared at him.

"Did I accidentally hire you as my secretary?" He pointed at the phone on Sam’s hand before taking it back.

You rolled your eyes, your lips curving into a smirk. "Sorry, sir. We didn't realize your bag was a classified area."

"Alright, alright. I'll take better care of my precious belongings in the future, starting with finding new friends. Now come here. I've got something to show you." he said, motioning for you and Sam to follow him.

He led you a little further down the path until you reached a small clearing. A wooden structure loomed ahead. A rustic shooting range, complete with a rifle resting on the counter and several targets set up in the distance.

Chris turned around, grinning like a kid in a candy store. "Ta-da!" he announced, gesturing grandly at the range.

Sam raised an eyebrow. "So, your 'cool find' is a place to shoot stuff?” She shook her head in disbelief.

Chris turned his full attention to you. "What do you say? Are you interested in seeing just how great my aim is?” Chris said, his grin widening as he moved toward the old rifle propped up on a stand.

You raised an eyebrow, your smirk growing. "Alright, Chris. Impress me."

“Gladly," Chris said, his grin turning smug as he stepped up to the line.

“You’re about to see a true marksman in action." He picked up the rifle, turning toward you with a cocky tilt of his head.

Sam snorted, crossing her arms as she leaned against the wall. "This I've gotta see."

He took his time setting up, his movements exaggerated just enough to make you roll your eyes. He aimed the rifle, his gaze narrowing as he focused on the first can.

The shot rang out, the sound echoing through the small space as the can flew off the railing. Chris straightened, a satisfied grin on his face as he turned to you.

"Not bad," you admitted, leaning against the wall.

"Not bad?" Chris repeated, feigning offense. "That was a perfect shot!"

Sam rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Everyone could hit something so big that close."

"Challenge accepted," Chris said, aiming for the next target.

As he continued to fire, his tone grew more playful, his remarks directed almost exclusively at you.

"If you ever find yourself in a zombie apocalypse, I'm definitely the guy you want by your side," he said after hitting another can.

"Good to know," you replied, your smile widening.

Sam clapped her hands together, breaking the moment.

"Alright, lovebirds," she said, pushing off the wall. "Let's move this along before we freeze out here."

Chris laughed, shaking his head as he set the rifle back on its stand.

The cold air hit your face and you couldn't help but glance at Chris, his easy grin still firmly in place. He met your gaze, his expression softening slightly and for a moment, the chill of the mountain didn't feel quite so sharp.

The hum of the cable car grew louder as it approached, its bright light piercing the snowy dusk. You, Sam, and Chris made your way to the platform, the crisp mountain air biting at your cheeks as you walked.

"Finally," Sam muttered, hugging herself with both her arms. "I thought this thing would never get here."

The three of you stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of snow crunching underfoot the only noise. But as the cable car slowed to a stop, Sam turned to you, her brow furrowing slightly as she remembered something.

"Hey," she said, tilting her head, "did you lock your car?"

Her words hit like a bolt of lightning. You froze, your mind racing as you tried to recall the last few moments before you'd left the parking lot. Had you locked the doors? Pressed the button on your keys? The memory was frustratingly blank.

"I…" you began, but the uncertainty in your tone betrayed you.

Sam rolled her eyes. "Go check before you give yourself a heart attack."

You let out a groan, already turning toward the trail that led back to the parking lot. "I'll be right back. Don’t wait for me."

As you jogged away, Sam turned to Chris, who stood awkwardly on the platform, shuffling his feet. His gaze flickered between you and the cable car and he hesitated, his mouth opening as if to speak but then closing again.

Sam raised an eyebrow, catching the subtle war in his expression. "Well?" she said, nodding toward your retreating figure.

Chris's eyes widened slightly. "Uh, you mean…?"

"Go," Sam said, her voice warm but firm. She smiled knowingly, crossing her arms as she stepped toward the cable car. "He'll appreciate the company. And, you know, you might actually get to talk to him."

Chris blinked at her, his hesitation melting into a sheepish grin. "You sure? I mean, I don't want t-"

"Chris," Sam interrupted, her smile widening. "It's fine. Go."

Grinning proudly now, Chris nodded and took off after you, his boots crunching against the snow as he jogged to catch up.

"Hey!"

The sound of Chris's breathless voice made you turn, and you couldn't help but laugh as you saw him bent over, hands on his knees, his chest heaving. "Out of shape already?" you teased, folding your arms as you waited for him to recover.

Chris shot you a mock glare, though his grin betrayed him. "I'll have you know," he said between breaths, "I am in excellent shape. I just… wasn't prepared for the sudden cardio." He protested, straightening up and adjusting his glasses. "This altitude is killer. Plus, I'm carrying, like, two extra layers."

You shook your head, laughing softly as the two of you began walking back toward the parking lot. Chris stayed close to your side, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets as he glanced at you every now and then, his grin lingering.

When you finally reached your car, you pulled the keys from your pocket and pressed the button. The lights flashed, confirming the doors were locked, and you let out a relieved sigh.

"Well, crisis averted," you said, slipping the keys back into your pocket.

You glanced at the next cable car making its slow descent down the mountain, its light barely visible through the snow. With a shrug, you turned and hopped onto the hood of your car, brushing some of the snow away before settling down.

Chris hesitated for a moment, then stepped closer, leaning against the side of the car with his arms crossed. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze softening as he watched you.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

You hesitated, your fingers idly tracing patterns in the thin layer of snow beside you. "I don't know," you admitted finally, your voice barely above a whisper. "It's weird being back here after… everything."

Chris nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. It's been a lot, hasn't it?"

"More than I thought it would be," you said, letting out a soft sigh. "Part of me wasn't sure if I even wanted to come."

Chris was quiet for a moment, his gaze dropping to the ground. Then, with a small, teasing smile, he said, "You know, we could just bail. We'll head to my place, order a ton of pizza and spend the whole night beating my game library. What do you say?"

You couldn't help but laugh, the suggestion managed to ease some of the tension in your chest. "Tempting," you admitted, shaking your head.

"The offer's always on the table," Chris said, grinning. But then his smile softened and he took a small step closer. "In all seriousness, though…"

He placed a hand on your shoulder, the warmth of his touch grounding you. "I think this is a good thing," he said, his voice steady. "Coming back here, I mean. It's a chance to… I don't know, start over. Maybe even get things back to how they used to be."

You looked up at him, your chest tightening at the earnestness in his gaze. "You think so?"

"I know so," he replied, his grin returning. "And, hey, if it gets to be too much, you've got me. Anytime you need to vent, or take a break, or… you know, crush me in Mario Kart or something. I'm here."

The sincerity in his words made your heart ache in the best way, and you felt a small smile tug at your lips. "Thanks, Chris," you said softly.

"Anytime," he replied, his hand lingering on your shoulder for a moment longer before he stepped back.

Chris felt your hands on his shoulders. His breath hitched as he looked down at you, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the soft, warm smile on your face.

God, you look so good when you smile like that.

The thought came unbidden, but he didn't push it away. How could he? You were so close, your face lit by the soft glow of the sun’s distant light and the way you were looking at him was enough to make his chest tighten.

Chris couldn't help but notice how much brighter you seemed in this moment, even though he knew this place carried so many heavy memories. The fact that you could still smile like that, still radiate that warmth despite everything, left him feeling both in awe and completely unworthy of you.

And then you spoke, your voice pulling him from his thoughts.

"Hannah and Beth's disappearance," you began softly, your smile faltering just slightly, "it made me realize how quickly everything can change. Like, in just a couple of minutes, your whole life can be flipped upside down. It scared me," you admitted, your voice quieter now. "It made me think about how much I keep inside, how much I don't say because I'm too afraid, or I think it's not the right time."

You paused, letting out a small, self-deprecating laugh. "But who knows? Maybe tonight some monster will show up and kill me in the snow. So…"

Chris blinked at your attempt at humor, though his heart was already racing. He felt a rush of nervous energy flood through him and when you tilted your head up to look at him, the sudden proximity made his breath hitch.

"What—" he began, his voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to sound steadier. "What is it you wanted to say?"

His eyes betrayed him, flickering down to your lips for a fraction of a second before darting back up to meet your gaze. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of excitement and panic swirling in his mind as he waited for your response.

You hesitated, your expression shifting into something more vulnerable. Chris could see the nerves in your eyes, the way your hands fidgeted slightly against his shoulders.

"I like you, Chris. " you began, your voice barely audible. You took a shaky breath, your gaze dropping briefly before meeting his again. “I've liked you for a long time."

The confession hung in the air, your words fragile but sincere. Chris froze, his mind racing as he tried to process what you'd just said. His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.

His gaze flicked to your lips again, the movement unintentional but impossible to stop.

"You…" he began again, his voice shaky. "You have no idea how long I've—" He cut himself off, his breath catching as you leaned in, your eyes never leaving his.

The first brush of your lips against his was so soft, so tentative, it felt like a spark catching fire. Chris's breath hitched, his body going rigid for a split second before he melted into the kiss, his hands lifting to rest lightly on your waist.

The world seemed to fade away. Everything disappeared, leaving only the warmth of your lips moving against his.

Chris's heart pounded as he tilted his head, his hands tightening slightly on your waist as he pulled you closer. His lips moved against yours with more confidence now.

You made a soft sound in the back of your throat and the noise sent a jolt of electricity down Chris's spine. He couldn't stop himself from pressing closer, his hands moving up to cup your face, his thumbs brushing over your cheekbones as if to anchor himself to the moment.

When you finally broke apart, both of you gasping softly for air, Chris didn't move far. His forehead rested against yours, his glasses slightly fogged from the warmth of your breath.

He pulled back just enough to meet your eyes, his thumbs still stroking your cheeks. "I've liked you too. For so long. I just… I didn't think…"

He trailed off, his words failing him as he searched your face. His heart ached at the mix of nervousness and hope in your expression and he let out a shaky laugh, his lips curving into a small, self-deprecating smile.

"I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to say it," he admitted softly. "You're amazing, smart and funny. I’m just some guy that cracks jokes with an awful aim."

"Your aim isn't that bad," you teased, your voice lighter now as you leaned into his touch.

Chris laughed, the sound soft and breathless. "You're my best shot," he said, his tone turning teasing but his eyes holding a depth of sincerity that made your chest tighten.

You smiled, your hands sliding from his shoulders to rest against his chest, feeling the rapid thrum of his heartbeat under your palms. "You're such a dork,” you murmured fondly.

"Yeah," he agreed, his grin turning sheepish. "But I'm your dork now, right?"

Your smile widened, and before you could reply, Chris leaned in again, capturing your lips in another kiss. This one was deeper, more confident, his hands moving to cradle the back of your head as he poured every ounce of his feelings into the movement.

His lips were soft but insistent, his touch firm yet tender as he held you close. The warmth of his body against yours was enough to chase away the chill of the snow around you, leaving you completely caught up in the moment.

Chris didn't care about the cold, or the time, or the fact that the cable car was probably waiting. The only thing that mattered was you.

When you pulled back again, your breath mingling in the cold air, Chris let out a soft, almost dazed laugh. "Wow," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "That was… wow."

Your smile returned and Chris felt his chest swell with something he could only describe as pure happiness.

Note: Do you have a favorite among the four? I think you all know which one is mine, but I’d love to hear your thoughts! <3 I’m also open to any feedback or constructive criticism you might have.

147 notes · View notes

mcu-binge · 3 months ago

Text

Love in Brooklyn pt 1

The gym was practically empty, just the way I liked it. I tossed my water bottle onto a nearby bench and plugged in my headphones, but before I hit play, I spotted him—a guy across the room working with free weights. He was hard to miss. Tall, broad shoulders, the kind of muscles that looked like they came from years of hard work, not just vanity lifts. His movements were strong, fluid, but focused, like he was in his own little world.

Not bad, I thought. Still, I wasn't here to ogle. I had my own workout to get through.

I started my warm-up, though my eyes kept drifting over to him every now and then. I couldn’t help it—he was kind of… magnetic. He paused in the middle of his set, catching me watching. I offered a quick, polite smile, but instead of looking away, he smiled back, a little lopsided, like he wasn’t sure what to make of me.

Feeling a spark of mischief, I strolled over toward the free weights, making sure to pass close by. “Hey, don’t hurt yourself,” I warned, grabbing a pair of dumbbells. “it’s okay to take it easy. Ego lifts can be dangerous.” I smirked.

He raised his eyebrows, caught off guard for a second, before chuckling. “Ego lifts? Is that what this looks like?”

I grinned, setting my weights down. “A little. But hey, confidence is half the battle, right?”

“Guess I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said, eyes twinkling as he stood and wiped his hands on a towel. He was closer now, and up close, I noticed the sharpness of his jawline and the way his hair fell perfectly into place, even after working up a sweat. “You come here often?”

I gave him a once-over, pretending to size him up. “Yeah, I do. Which is how I know you’re new around here. Haven’t seen you before.”

There was a flicker of something in his expression, like he wasn’t sure whether to be amused or relieved. “Yeah, I guess you could say I’m new.”

I tilted my head, biting back a smile. “Well, you’re not doing too bad… for a newbie. Though, I’ve gotta say, you look like you’re trying a little too hard to make an impression.”

“Oh yeah?” He crossed his arms, leaning a little closer, his voice dropping to a teasing tone. “And here I thought I was keeping a low profile.”

“Low profile?” I let out a light laugh. “With muscles like that? Come on, you’re practically screaming ‘look at me.’” I gave him a playful nudge with my shoulder. “But hey, don’t worry. I’ve seen worse show-offs.”

“Worse? Now I’m curious, where I land” he said, his smile widening. “What’s your scale for rating gym performances?”

“Well, you’re not at the top of the list. But you’re not at the bottom either,” I said with a smirk. “Maybe somewhere in the middle. Solid B-plus effort.”

He chuckled, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe the conversation. “B-plus? Guess I’ll have to work harder for that A.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “Yeah, good luck with that. Takes more than lifting a few heavy things to get on my radar.”

“Oh? So what does it take?” he asked, his voice playful, as he leaned in just a bit, clearly enjoying the banter.

I pretended to think about it for a few seconds, tapping my chin for effect. “Well, let’s see… charm, a sense of humor, and maybe someone who can keep up with me on the treadmill.”

He laughed, the sound warm and deep. “A treadmill challenge? Is that your way of saying I need more cardio?”

“More like my way of saying you don’t look fast enough to keep up.” I gave him a wink, grabbing my water bottle and heading for the exit. “But hey, nice try, newbie.”

He called after me, “You’re really just gonna walk away like that?”

I turned around at the door, smirking. “Why? You want more?”

He paused, clearly trying to think of a clever response, but he didn’t need one. I could see it in his expression—like he wasn’t used to being left hanging. He rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. “Maybe. You think you can handle that?”

I grinned, stepping halfway out the door. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see, won’t you?”

His eyes followed me as I left, the playful challenge hanging between us. Something told me he wasn’t used to this, but that was exactly what made this fun. I had a feeling this wasn’t the last time I’d catch his attention, and I was more than ready to play this game a little longer.

#steve rogers #captain america #marvel #marvel mcu #steve rodgers x reader #steve rodgers imagine #mcu fandom

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loveandthings11 · 1 year ago

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How Deep My Love Goes, Chapter 13

Read on AO3 Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6 Ch 7 Ch 8 Ch 9 Ch 10 Ch 11 Ch 12

Very Tall Somethings

Fic Summary: A Kenrava-focused fix-it alongside canon 💗

Chapter Summary: Hunting and Safe Room, redone. Or, the story of Kendall and Rava's chaotic Christmas week. Kendall tries different tactics to get Logan to agree to save Vaulter while trying to stay apprised of goings-on within the company from afar. Rava is terrified when an active shooter situation hits Waystar with Kendall inside. The incident causes Kendall to struggle with his past demons and to try to reconnect with Shiv. Kendall and Rava exchange Christmas gifts and see how much they mean to each other.

On December twentieth, Kendall lies on the couch in the great room and stares up at the ceiling.

“I-I mean, he didn’t mean that, right?” he asks for the fourth time since his call with Logan yesterday. “That was nothing? He wasn’t really offering it to me when I turned it down. Was he?”

“Mind games…” Rava says absentmindedly as she turns the page of her book in a nearby chair.

“Yes, mind games! Fucking- manipulation, yeah? He’s always done shit like that. What- what do I even do with that?”

She can feel his chaotic energy.

“Have you considered calling HR?” Rava says drily.

“Uh-huh. Okay. They’re all at the fucking corporate retreat in Hungary doing God-knows-what with the company-“ he looks at her eyes running across the page. He’s more stressed by the day not to be able to attend any management meetings right now and it couldn’t be clearer that she doesn’t want to hear about it anymore. “Whatever. I need sunflower seeds.” He gets up and goes to pace in the kitchen as he pours the bag into his mouth.

She tries not to look at him while he’s doing it because she knows what that means. He walks back and forth and looks around.

“You know what? I’m gonna be in the gym,” he says as he walks down the hall toward it.

“Twice in one morning?” Rava asks.

“That was floor stuff, weights. Now it’s cardio. Why, you don’t want me too ripped?” She lets him turn the substitute addictions into a joke. Whatever works.

“No,” she laughs. “Go get ripped. That’s…. great.”

“You laugh now,” he says. “You’re not gonna be ready.”

“Oh, I’ll be ready,” she nods sarcastically. “You should go back to drawing, or music. You used to do more art.”

“Uh- yeah. I did. I should. Just- yeah, I’m going to work out right now.”

He flashes her a smile and walks away. When he comes back in the room she looks over his ever-so-slightly mussed hair. He locks eyes with her.

“Yeah?”

She raises her eyebrows and tilts her head to the side as she chuckles. It doesn’t look like he was going too crazy with the workout, but she does like what she’s seeing. She notices a grey smudge on his hand and nods at it.

"What is that?" she asks. He looks down at it.

"Oh, it's nothing. From the treadmill I guess."

“Okay... well, you are looking good.”

“Feeling good,” he says. But he sounds like he’s trying to reassure himself. “I haven’t heard from Roman in a couple days,” he says.

“Well, there’s probably not much privacy in jail- I’m sorry, the retreat. I always get those mixed up,” she returns.

“Right.” He heads to the shower and, after fifteen minutes, enters the room and starts pacing again. She looks up from her book.

“You’re making me nervous. Come sit down!” He goes to sit down next to her and she watches his foot bounce.

“I’m gonna text him again,” Kendall says with worry in his voice. He types out a message.

Rome. You gotta give me something, man.

He taps his fingers on Rava’s thigh as he looks at the screen. After a couple of minutes, Roman sends a text with a news screenshot and accompanying message.

Preview of an article Karolina sent us. Merry fucking whatever. You’d better not forget this.

Kendall looks at the screenshotted headline and gives a little smile at his screen.

Waystar Royco subsidiary Vaulter lives to fight another day; President Lawrence Yee stays in role under embattled Waystar CEO Logan Roy’s leadership.

“Roman saved Vaulter,” he says out loud in disbelief. “I’ve seen this kind of thing, though. It’s just a temporary extension for now, but it’s a start.”

Rava smiles.

“Good Christmas present,” she replies. “Speaking of which, it’s about time to do the finishing touches on the tree now that you can breathe again. Only a few days til Christmas! You know the kids are going to be ready for holiday stuff.”

“Yeah, for sure.” He pauses a second. “I feel kinda fuckin’… bad that we’re not going to my mom’s. She always wants us to go and Shiv would never do it, but Roman wanted to too. Maybe next year? Or can we- could we go see her next month or something? I just- you know, things were actually good with us at the wedding. It was kind of weird. But, yeah, good.”

“Yeah. Sure, we can go see your mom. Whenever you want.”

Kendall nods and gets up to go to the kids’ rooms to coax them out with promises of hot chocolate and ornaments as Rava looks through the boxes of decorations the staff had been taking out earlier to find the last bits of tree decor. Kendall and Rava have always done this part themselves.

Rava shows Kendall a ceramic ornament they’d bought at a Christmas market in Belgium in one of their first holiday seasons together. The little red frame says Merry Christmas in green and features a sweet picture of 24-year old Kendall and Rava with big smiles on their pink faces pressed together. Kendall’s first Christmas free of his family had been one for the books.

Kendall looks at it and wordlessly returns her look of love. He takes his phone from the glass coffee table and walks the few steps over to her, bending down to her and putting his cheek on hers before taking a quick picture of them smiling once more. Rava nods at the picture and gives him a grin.

“We’ll get a new one made to match,” he says.

“Love that,” she says.

…..

On December twenty-first, Roman calls Kendall.

“Hey, fuckface,” Roman starts. “I’m so hungover I might kill myself.”

Kendall doesn’t know if this is about to be an alcoholic joke or if Roman really just called because he would understand.

“Uh, okay. Well, I’d go throw up and pour yourself an Irish coffee, always worked for me,” he says sardonically to head him off at the pass.

“No. Jesus. I’m not drinking at least until this afternoon.”

“Solid restraint.” Kendall wonders for the millionth time why he’s the only sibling who got the addiction gene. “How was last night? Little bit of corporate trauma bonding?” he asks, stretching out on the couch and enjoying the fact that he spent last night sipping hot chocolate by the Christmas tree while the kids watched Elf.

“You missed a fantastic round of Boar on the Floor. De-licious. Got it all on film, I’m gonna watch it and jerk off later.”

Kendall massages his forehead.

“Jesus. First of all, delete that immediately- or, actually, send it to me and then delete it.”

“I don’t share my porn stash,” Roman says.

“Bro. Seriously. That kind of abuse of power could help our case.”

“Your case. I’m not fucking over Dad. Why do you want it, are you giving it to the biographer? Because Dad will know it’s you.”

Kendall sighs.

“No. I- I mean I got a call, but I didn’t return. Didn’t you get a call?” he asks.

Roman’s quiet before he responds.

“Yyyyeah, of course I did. I’m the most important one.” He changes tone. “But seriously, Dad’s fucking paranoid right now. Someone talked. He doesn’t trust anyone. He’s being… you know. Scary.” He switches back to being cavalier. “He’s gonna find out who it is and it’s gonna be sweet punishment time.”

“Well. It’s not me. But if he wants to know who’s got motivation to talk shit about him, he should look to literally anyone else he’s talked to in the last twenty years.” Roman makes a hurt face and Kendall can practically see it through the phone. “Dude, it’s- it probably won’t even go anywhere. Don’t worry about it. But- yeah. Try to stop people from talking if you can.”

“Why would you want to stop them? You hate Dad,” Roman mumbles.

“I- I don’t- come on, bro. You know that’s not true. It’s tough with us, though.”

“Whatever. This isn’t your ridiculous therapy time where we talk all about how you want to fuck and/or kill our parents and possibly our sister, although you should know she’s mine.”

Kendall rolls his eyes.

“Did he make you play Boar on the Floor?” he asks. The protective older brother in him comes out no matter how annoying Roman is to him.

“Of course not, Dad loves me, Ken. Not something you would understand, but-“

“He never made me play either.” It’s true, but there was always a present threat to both of them at retreats. “Well- good,” Kendall finishes.

“Frank’s here,” Roman says angrily. Kendall feels a momentary pang.

“Yeah? How is he?”

“Being a corporate cock-suck like always. My fucking babysitter.”

“Frank knows what’s doing,” Kendall says. He’s glad Frank is back on at the company, but he misses his guidance. He’s a little envious that Roman is getting the advice he wants. He wonders if he could get Frank on board with his side.

“Ugh. This godfatherly love thing is annoying. Dad’s only bringing him back so he can suck up to the Pierces.”

“The Pierces?” Kendall asks in disbelief.

“Oh, fuck,” Roman laughs. “You didn’t know about that? Man, you are out of the loop.” Kendall squirms at his brother’s glee.

“What do you- Dad’s going after them again? This is his solution. Old tech again.” His mind starts running and he makes a note to text Sandy and Stewy right after this call ends.

“I didn’t tell you that!” Roman exclaims, partially regretting having the shared the information. Kendall can tell how he’s feeling.

“I would’ve found out anyway,” he informs him.

“I guess.”

Kendall decides to change the subject.

“You, uh, see Connor’s video?” he asks.

“Giving away all our secrets to never paying any taxes. Idiot. I mean- love him and his desperate ploys for attention- obviously- but, like, perhaps he shouldn’t be making a joke of our last name?”

“Yeah, thought that was your job.” Kendall sends the rare jab his way.

“Fuck you,” Roman spits back. But he has another thing to discuss. “Um… hey, what do you think of Gerri?” he asks.

“What- Gerri?” Kendall asks. “You mean, like, is she trustworthy? I mean, yeah. She’s all in for Waystar.”

Roman scrunches his face and runs his hand through his hair.

“No, I know, I mean, uh… like as a… human woman? Did she and Dad ever…”

“Fuck?” Kendall chuckles. “I dunno. Maybe. She seems like she’d tell him to go to hell though. Not exactly a warm and fuzzy, fuckin’… take you to bed type.”

“Well, you don’t know. You don’t know her.”

Kendall’s confused by Roman’s sudden defensiveness.

“Why are you asking me this?”

“I don’t- nothing. No reason, I just want to know if she’s trustworthy.”

“Okay.” Did I not just say that? Kendall thinks. “Well, yeah.” His interest is piqued by the questioning. “Why’d you think of that, her and Dad?”

“I don’t know, nothing. She’s just… you know, she was probably hot, once. I should’ve hit on her when I was, like twelve. That would’ve been saucy.” He swirls his finger in the bowl of grapes next to him and doesn’t eat any.

“Dude, what the fuck,” Kendall half-laughs.

“I don’t know. Whatever.” He sounds defensive again and Kendall is more amused by the second.

“Are you trying to fuck Gerri, bro?”

“No, gross, fuck you. She’s, like, efficient. And old. Fuck off. And text me what pills Dad’s supposed to be on.”

“Uh- okay. He- he said I would know?” Kendall’s surprise is evident in his voice. He feels a brief warmth in his chest followed by anxiety that he might never get to experience the closeness he craves with his dad in person again. But he reminds himself that this is a good sign for the future.

“Yeah, don’t get excited. He won’t trust anyone he hires. Thinks they’re all gonna send the list of meds to Michelle Pantsil for the book.”

“Wow. Sure, I’ll- I’ll send you the list.”

“Ugh, just do it, don’t make it a big deal. See you whenever.”

Roman hangs up and Kendall is left with a moment of mixed emotions before refocusing and sending a text to Sandy and Stewy.

Dad’s going after Pierce. Good news. He has no real option if his only plan to get the company even more bloated. Just wants an excuse to chase the old dream. No chance Nan Pierce lets this happen.

Rava pokes her head into the office.

“Are you working?” she asks.

“No- that was Roman, but I think he just called to catch up, actually.” Kendall surprises himself as he realizes that is exactly what just happened.

“Oh?” He’s not the only one who’s surprised.

“Yeah, I think, uh, I guess Dad wanted him to ask me about his pills.” Kendall can’t help but smile a little bit.

“Really?” Rava asks hesitantly. “And that’s- a good thing…?”

“Yeah. That’s a good thing.” He looks at her and gets up to hug her. “Let’s go sit by the tree before the kids go to bed.”

Rava already has had Christmas music playing for the kids, who are inspecting every wrapped present under the beautiful, towering tree.

Kendall notices Sophie subtly peeling back the wrapping paper on the corner of a present addressed to her.

“Uh-uh, Soph. Santa can see that,” he scolds. She looks shocked to have been caught and stares up at him.

“Tell him I didn’t do it! You know the president!”

Rava puts her hand over her face for a moment.

“Santa is more powerful than the president,” Kendall says seriously. “Up, away from the tree. You’ll unwrap it in a few days.”

Iverson looks concerned and Rava goes to smooth his hair.

“Don’t worry,” she reassures him. “Santa knows you’ve both been good this year. That’s what really matters. It’s time for bed now.” The kids groan. “Up, up, up,” Rava continues. “The faster you go to sleep the faster you get to Christmas!”

They stand up and Sophie runs ahead of Iverson, who looks over his shoulder at the festively lighted tree and the many perfectly wrapped boxes underneath it.

Kendall and Rava savor the moment of wonder and innocence and she sits next to him on the couch and leans into him. He kisses her head and they gaze at the glowing tree together.

…..

On December twenty-second, Kendall is at Waystar. He’s here to save Vaulter and he can’t do that without talking to his dad. But he won’t answer the phone and his assistants are denying Kendall at every turn. So here he is. The only way was to come in person. He sits nervously at his desk waiting for any sign that Logan is back on the floor so he can make sure his acquisition isn’t going anywhere. It’s proof he deserves to be here. He glances over to Logan’s office. In there. Heads turn at the sight of him looking out at the floor. He feels self-conscious but strangely proud. They all look away once they've been caught. They've been staring all morning. He bites a nail.

Jess walks into his office. “Hey, Ken?”

He's startled out of his nervous haze and looks up. “Yeah?”

“It’s Rava.”

They exchange the briefest of moments. She hasn’t said that in years. Even though it’s been a few months now, he still gets the rush of remembering she’s calling because she wants to talk to him, not because she’s mad or just to coordinate the kids’ schedules. For a while, it had sent shots of anxiety through him to talk to her- another opportunity to fuck up. But not anymore. He smiles.

“Oh. Yeah, of course put her through.” She turns to go. “Jess- can you just- always put her through.”

She nods with a tiny smile.

“Yeah.”

He picks up the office phone.

“Hey.”

Her voice is honey sweet.

“You didn’t text me back.”

“Oh. Right. Yeah, hang on.” He picks up his phone and reads her latest message. He thought nothing could scandalize him but he’s been proven wrong.

“Wow. Uh… are you going to act that out later, or-?”

“Maybe. How’s everything going? What are the guys saying?”

He’s still looking at the text and now he really doesn’t want to admit that he might have a colossal failure on his hands.

“I- I don’t remember, I’m a little distracted.” She laughs.

“Tell me!”

“It, uh, it- it’s not… great. But I’m figuring it out. I’ll have it by tonight. I will.”

“I’m sure you will.”

“I will.”

It’s like he doesn’t know anyone he doesn’t have to convince.

“I know, Ken. You don’t have to prove it.”

He takes a breath.

“Right, yeah. Okay. I have to go but, yeah, I’ll text you back.”

“Okay.” She knows when work’s not going well, nothing is right in his world. She sounds disappointed and he can’t let that happen either.

“Hey- it’s- it’s five hours til I’m home.”

She can hear him trying and she sighs dramatically.

“Suuuure it is. See you at midnight.”

“I’m coming home at 7:00.” Knowing he’s going home to her makes him feel like he can do this.

“You’ll at least come home before you have to go to some other thing tomorrow, right? I mean, you have to change?”

“Okay. Yeah. See you at 5:00 AM,” he deadpans.

“Ken!”

“I’ll see you at 7:00. Seriously. Maybe we’ll go out.”

“For breakfast? When you get home in the morning?”

He shakes his head.

“Yes. For breakfast. Okay. I have to go save this company now.”

“God, I love how important you are.” He rolls his eyes at the sarcasm but he can hear her smiling and he loves it.

“Bye.”

There’s a tentative knock on the glass and Kendall looks up to see Greg nervously standing at his office door. His voice is muffled as he calls through the glass.

“Uh- hey- hey Ken. Can I come in and talk to you?” He smiles awkwardly. “For a just a- a min? A sec of fam time?”

Kendall’s feeling generous.

“Sure, Greg. Come in,” he calls back. Greg swings the door open.

“H-hey, cuz! What’s up on the anti-corruption, you know, the anti-Roy train?” he attempts.

Kendall gives him a small smile.

“Just anti-corruption. And anti-dictator behavior. What’s up, Greg?”

“Uh, well, you know, just… hangin’ with the fam on the private- private planes and livin’ that high life. I mean, not, like, high. Like not drugs. Not that- uh, I didn’t mean-“

Kendall shakes his head.

“What’s going on?” he asks.

“Um, so, you know the biography of your dad? Michelle Pantsil?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Um, well, I didn’t exactly meet with her, but I did, like, a pre-meet? And-“

Kendall sighs.

“So it was you. And you said some things you can’t take back now?”

“I mean, kind of?” Greg starts. “It wasn’t anything terrible, but maybe things that shouldn’t be in a book? You know? And Tom said Ratfucker Sam is, like, doing research, and apparently he’s not the best guy?”

“Uh, yeah, I mean, Dad’s not gonna love it, man.”

Greg looks panicked.

“Well- well, isn’t there something you can do, or, like-“ he takes in a short breath, “-protect me, maybe? Because I am gonna be able to help you if you win. Or, actually, I can help you win.”

Kendall looks at him.

“Well… I’m not sure what I can do,” Kendall begins.

“I, well, I think you should give me a job if I lose this one?”

Kendall raises his eyebrows.

“No. Dude, come on. If you lose this one? Second choice?”

“I mean, I’m just saying? I have some very, potentially, extremely useful information that I think you could use.”

They look at each other. Kendall thinks about whether he should believe him. He considers the consequences of turning him down and letting the mysterious information stay hidden and the positives of letting it go and staying a small team. He already has one person who’s straddling two sides of the line. But then he considers his dad’s tendency to play as dirty as possible and wonders if he has anything planned to destroy his reputation again. It would be good to have something to stop him this time.

“Okay, Greg. You got it. I think you should leave this side sooner rather than later if you’re going to do it.”

Greg nods.

“Uh, yeah, totally. I- I’m kind of, like, moving up here, though? But also I agree so yeah, yeah.”

The most wishy-washy person alive is on his team, Kendall thinks.

“Uh-huh. Yeah. Okay, well… gotta finish this stuff,” Kendall gestures at the stack of papers on the desk in front of him.

“Right! Yeah! Gotta get to work, for sure.” Greg smiles a nervous smile and backs out of the room. “See ya!”

….

On the afternoon of the same day, a news headline flashes across the PGN screen and Rava’s heart stops for what feels like minutes.

“ACTIVE SHOOTER AT WAYSTAR ROYCO: BUILDING BARRICADED WITH SHOOTER INSIDE”

“What?” Her hands shake as she grabs instantly for her phone and there are tears in her eyes before she can even process it. The most terrifying images and future rip through her mind and she fights as hard as she can to make them stop. The one day Kendall goes back. Was it someone looking for him?? Is he hurt? Hiding? Worse?! She can’t breathe right. The phone rings and rings as she dials his number. He doesn’t answer and she starts hyperventilating as she runs for the car. She calls her driver and manages to choke out “Waystar building, right away, please.”

Her coat half on in the freezing air, she jumps into the waiting SUV and calls him again. When she hears his voice on his voicemail, she starts feeling truly terrified. Why would he not answer his phone in the middle of this?? She doubles over and tries to breathe as heavy rain starts to pound on the car.

Her driver glances back at her but she’s too scared to even try to explain. She dials again, still no answer. Just the voicemail message. She frantically pushes away the thought that that’s how she’ll hear his voice now. She waits to hear the beep.

“Kendall!” She practically yells. “Call me! Call me, please call me and tell me you’re okay. Call me. Ken. Call me. Please.”

The drive seems to take hours. The rain makes the traffic even worse than usual and she curses her lack of recollection of the subway system. She dials Jess and is relieved that she answers on the first ring.

“Hi, Rava,” Jess answers through panting and panic.

“Is Kendall okay?” Rava asks helplessly. "Are you okay?"

“Um-“ Jess sounds like she’s running. “I don’t- I don’t know, I’m being taken to a room somewhere but I don’t see him- but that doesn’t mean anything. Everyone’s running around. I’m sorry!”

“Oh, my god,” she lets out a yelp of true terror. “How is this possible- is anyone- you know?”

“I don’t know, I just heard a shot and some people said maybe more than one? But I haven’t seen anything- um, okay, they’re making everyone hang up so we can hear safety procedures? I’ll call you back as soon as I know anything or if he shows up. When he’s here, I mean.”

Rava covers her mouth. She can hear the blood pounding in her ears.

“Stay safe, Jess! Please call me! I’m coming.”

The beeps to end the call seem louder than normal. Rava panics and dials Roman.

“Oh, good, a connection to what almost passes for civilization,” he answers. She drops her head back for a second and realizes she forgot that Kendall told her he’s been out of the office at management training all week.

“Roman,” Rava starts tearfully. “You don’t know? There’s a shooter at Waystar.”

“Oh, holy fuck, what? Are you fucking with me?”

“No! Kendall’s not answering his phone, Jess is being hidden somewhere and he’s not there. I have to call Shiv.”

“What the f-“ Rava hangs up and dials Shiv. Straight to voicemail like it’s off. She begins to really cry and falls toward the seat. He said he was coming home at 7:00.

The car pulls up and she practically falls out of it trying to get out as fast as she can. Armed guards stand outside and look suspiciously at everyone in sight. Police cars line the street, scattered protesters stare up at the building, news crews are everywhere.

“Excuse me! Is Kendall Roy in there? Is he okay? Where is he?” she calls desperately to the nearest security guard.

“Please stand clear, ma’am. Police orders. This is a crime scene.”

“NO! My husband is in this building and I need to know if he is safe! Kendall Roy.” The guard appears unmoved. “As in Royco?!” She has never talked to anyone like that in her life, but she will do whatever it takes.

“We’ll update everyone when we have more information.”

She practically screams in frustration and calls Kendall again. The rings end early and his live voice sends waves of relief like she couldn’t even imagine over her.

“Hey! Fuck, sorry, I just heard your message and I was going to-“

“Oh, what the fuck,” she sobs into the phone. “Ken! Are you okay? Are you safe? Where are you?”

He sounds like Jess had, being hustled through hallways.

“I’m- yeah, I’m fine, I was making a call on the roof til it started raining and I didn’t even know about this until about a minute ago when these guys came and found me.” He covers the mic. “Excuse me! Where are we going?” he asks the security guards. Rava can hear heavy breathing and yelps and alarms and hurried footsteps in the background.

“Safe room,” Rava hears a guard’s muffled voice through the noise. “With Logan.”

“With- uh- what, no, is there a different-“

“Kendall! Go to the safe room!” Rava yells into the phone. He looks at the phone in surprise and then it really hits him what she must have thought.

“I’m going. Hey, I’m sorry, I’m fine. Really. I mean, it’s possible this was all orchestrated by Dad to get me alone and threaten me.“

Neither of them knows if he’s joking. Rava puts her hand on her face.

“Please. Are you almost to the room? Have they caught the- whoever was-“

“Uh, I don’t know. Not sure, we’re almost there, though.”

“Do not hang up on me,” Rava says sternly, but he can feel where it’s coming from through the phone.

“I won’t. It’s okay. I promise.”

He can’t promise that and she knows it, but hearing it in his voice makes her feel a little bit better. She doesn’t want to be too dramatic.

“Can they just let you out of there? I-“ her breath catches. “-it would be really good to see you right now,” she tries, knowing there’s no way they’re just letting one person out.

“I agree, but they’re not letting anyone out. These guys have the kind of guns Ravenhead loves to talk about.” The door opens in front of him.

“We’re here, head inside, please,” the guard orders.

“Okay, I’m here at the safe room,” he reports to Rava. She’s suddenly beyond exhausted and plops down onto a bench in the wide courtyard in front of the Waystar building.

Kendall steps inside, dreading what Logan’s reaction will be, whether he’ll even let him in. But Logan’s up and striding over as fast as Kendall has ever seen him.

“Kendall!” Rava hears Logan’s voice through the phone. “Are you all right, son? Where were you?”

Kendall can’t believe the embrace he’s getting. He hesitantly hugs his dad back and finds himself wishing against his will that it could last longer.

“Uh- yeah, I’m fine, Dad. I was fine.”

Logan nods and pats his arm before going to sit back down. Kendall takes half a second to remember that he’s still his father’s son, regardless of what’s going on with the company.

“You’re in? You’re okay?” Rava asks nervously.

“Yeah. I’m good.”

“Thank God. Fuck. I don’t-“ she shakes her head. “I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared in my life.” The adrenaline has kept her warm so far but now the cold is getting to her and she zips her coat, gazing up at the building and willing him to come walking out the doors. She longs to feel him against her, to squeeze him and feel his heartbeat.

“I really am sorry, I- I should’ve answered, I was on a call and thought I’d just call you right back and then they came up-“ he begins.

Gerri hangs up her phone and interrupts the moment.

“It was an ATN employee… a suicide,” she tells the room delicately. Kendall glances down and he’s suddenly pulled away from his conversation, from the present moment. He has uncomfortable flashbacks to wondering if anyone would notice. If anyone would care. Logan looks at him for a second and Kendall feels a disturbing connection to know it’s in his head too. The only other person who knew how he used to feel. It’s a wake-up call to see how worried his dad was just now. To hear Rava’s panicked crying at the mere thought. He thinks maybe he’ll never tell her what he used to think about when he was left alone for too long.

“Uh-“ he clears his throat as he and Logan break eye contact and he turns his attention back to the call. “I’m not sure if you heard that… someone- killed himself… at his desk. It’s- it’s him only. No one else.” He wonders what they would have said about him.

“Oh,” she breathes out. “That’s sad… Does that- um, are you coming outside now?” she asks, knowing that’s much too hopeful.

“No, I think we have to be in here a little while longer?” But his head is elsewhere. “Hang on a sec.” He taps one of the guards near the door a bit nervously. “Um. Do you know who it was?”

The guard shakes his head.

“Okay.” He takes a step toward Gerri. “Who was it, do we know?” he asks her.

“A- Mark Johnson?” she says, scrolling through an email from Karolina about the incident. Kendall knew there was a small chance he’d know the name, but he still feels guilty that he doesn’t.

“Oh. Okay.” He wonders if there’s anything that could have been done. The therapists told him there was always something to live for.

“Did you know him?” Rava asks.

“No,” he answers.

But it’s still more upsetting than he’d like to admit. He looks around the room and thinks he should go to talk to Shiv. It’s been a while and he wants to know what’s going on. Maybe she can distract him. Or maybe she can talk. He glances at Gerri and Logan talking to Rhea and wants to make an appearance in that conversation too. If Logan’s going after Pierce, Kendall needs to make it clear that he won’t.

“Uh, I’m going to go make sure everyone else is okay,” he says into the phone. “Yeah? I’ll call you as soon as we get the go-ahead.”

“Oh, okay. I’m right outside for you,” she says. He likes the sound of that. “I’ll see you soon.” She doesn’t like this situation but she knows it could be hours.

“Okay, thanks, Rav. I love you.”

“I love you.”

They hang up and Kendall cautiously makes his way over to the corner where Gerri and Logan and Rhea are talking. He wouldn’t have normally attempted it, but Logan’s concern prompts him to think he might be allowed in.

Gerri’s talking in a low voice about Mark Johnson.

“Apparently he emailed a close friend last week, talking of a ‘culture of bullying.’”

“It’s a newsroom, not a kindergarten,” says Logan as he rolls his eyes. Gerri hesitates.

“Tragically, he also had a history of incidences of – well, not really, mental illness, which he was medicated for through our health plan?”

“Well, let’s hope that doesn’t get out and muddy the waters,” Logan replies darkly.

Kendall feels like someone’s punched him in the stomach and changes his mind about being a part of this. He walks over to Shiv. He wants out of this room and into Rava’s arms.

“Hey,” he starts.

Shiv’s scrolling on her phone and glances up at him, pressing her lips together for a second as she decides on a tone.

“Hey,” she says carefully, with just enough attitude to make it clear that she’s on Dad’s side.

“Can we talk? Like…” he gauges her weirded out reaction. “Actually talk?”

“Um… I guess?” she says as she glances toward Logan.

They move around the corner and she looks at him expectantly.

“So you’re working here now?” he asks.

Her expression turns suspicious.

“Just observing. Why? You know, that’s company information, not for outsiders,” she smiles. He nods and raises his eyebrows.

“Right. But you’re not an outsider?” he challenges.

“Oh! No, I am,” Shiv says with a sarcastic nonchalance.

“So, Rhea,” Logan says smoothly from the other side of the wall. Kendall and Shiv both turn their heads at the sound of his voice moving back into business mode. “Let’s get into it. There’s a price. Let’s cut the bullshit.”

The siblings look at each other warily as they both lean in Logan’s direction to hear better.

“Well, I’m a mere conduit, so feel free to give some numbers, but it’s a hard no from the Pierces.”

“Twenty-one billion.” Shiv looks alarmed and her eyes dart to Kendall. She’s dismayed to see his lack of surprise.

“Why aren’t you more shocked by this?” she asks. “Oh, fuck. You’ve been in contact. This is all an act? Is this why you’re here today?”

“No, Shiv. I’m here because I need to keep up with what’s going on here and I’m not shocked because I’m taking over the company I’ve worked at for seventeen years. I know what Dad wanted to bid.”

“Fuck off, I don’t believe you,” she whispers as they both quiet down to listen to Rhea’s low-key reaction to the staggering number.

“It’s like Shiv said, the cultures just aren’t compatible,” Rhea answers. Shiv gives Kendall a smug look. “It’s an emotional matter for the Pierces. Money is not irrelevant, but how can I put it-?”

Kendall knows Rhea is really here to shut it all down. He makes a split-second decision to call her bluff. Maybe there is no number big enough. Before Shiv or Logan can stop him, he steps back out into the main part of the room.

“-Relevant?” he finishes. Logan and Rhea look up at him and he feels his heart hammering in his chest. “I mean, let’s be honest here. What is it- twenty-one five?”

Shiv runs up behind him.

“Excuse me?” she looks at Logan. His expression is complicated. “Dad! He can’t just say numbers. Can he?” Kendall holds strong and hopes his dad won’t shut him down.

They’re both glued to Logan’s face and Rhea seems reluctantly enthralled by the family drama. Logan’s anger at the move is simmering under the surface, but Kendall can see that he’s grappling. He wants Rhea’s yes more than he wants to shut Kendall down. The moment feels like it lasts a week but finally, Logan nods. Authority approved.

“Bidding against yourself,” Rhea smiles. Kendall’s emboldened.

“Twenty-two,” he says without breaking eye contact with Rhea.

“Jesus, Ken.” Shiv stares at him.

Rhea’s grin continues.

“That doesn’t sound like a real offer.”

“It’s real,” Kendall confirms more confidently. Rhea raises her eyebrows.

“I’ll really have to take this to the Pierces,” she demurs.

“Uh-huh,” Logan says. “Thank you, kids. Rhea, I’m sure I’ll be hearing from you.” His phone rings and he steps away to answer it. “Marcia. Yeah, yeah, fine. Just some ‘mental illness’ fuck…”

Shiv walks over to a couch and calls Tom, leaving Kendall standing with Rhea. He tries to read her face.

“This isn’t what the Pierces want,” he says, as both a statement and a question. Rhea smiles.

“No,” she confirms. He was right. If she’s saying no to twenty-two, there’s no way this is happening.

“Well, frankly, I think you deserve complete transparency. I don’t think my dad should start something he can’t finish. His tenure, as storied as it is, is going to come to an end when I take over. And I agree with you. It’s just not the direction we want to take the company, Sandy and Stewy and I.”

“Mmhmm. Yeah. I understand that. I have a feeling your dad won’t give up until he gets a solid answer from Nan Pierce though.”

“Right,” Kendall says. “Well. I think we can be confident what that answer will be.”

Rhea gives him an enigmatic look. She can communicate with just her eyes and he knows she sees the same future he does.

“It is going to be you, isn’t it?” she says, more as a statement than a question.

He takes a breath.

“Yes. It is.”

She nods subtly. He nods back and she goes to sit down.

Kendall takes a second to collect himself before sliding back down into the current reality of what has happened today. He looks over at Shiv hanging up the phone and thinks he’d really like to try again to connect to her. He cautiously makes his way over to the corner she’s standing in behind the side wall, hidden from the rest of the room. He can’t help himself and lowers his voice.

“Hey. Did Dad promise you… something?”

Shiv tucks her hair behind her ear.

“Nope. No… did he promise you something?” she asks, concern bleeding through her façade of calm.

Kendall decides to keep it vague. The sadness starts creeping up again and sucking away his adrenaline.

“Well. He’s promised me a lot of things.”

“Old news, Ken.”

“I mean, it’s not. Turn on the literal news and they’ve been talking about it.”

“Mmhmm.” Shiv returns to her phone before flitting her eyes back up when she feels that he’s still looking at her. “…What?” she asks.

“Did you know the guy?”

“Who- the guy who- with the gun? No. Why, did you?”

He shakes his head.

“No. Fucking… terrible, though.”

“Yeah,” Shiv shrugs. “Sad,” she adds in an obligatory tone. He’s too quiet. “What’s wrong with you?” she asks.

“I mean, no one knows him, or- cares? Dad was over there talking about publishing his mental illness, like…” She looks at him expectantly. “You know.” She gives him a blank look. “It’s what they would say, Shiv. About me.”

“Well, they’re speculating with him. But everybody knows for sure how fucked up you are,” she jokes. He doesn’t laugh and his eyes stay on the table next to him.

She gives him an uncertain look. The news is really sinking in now and making him more upset by the minute. The fact that an employee brought a gun in the office, the fact that someone in his company killed himself because of policies Kendall could have improved. The idea that more than one person thought he might have been dead today. The things Logan and Gerri would’ve said if he’d gone through with it years ago. The distance between him and his siblings now. It’s too much. He just wants it all to go away for a minute. She sees his face and doesn’t really know what to do.

“Come here. Give me a hug,” he says quietly.

“Wha-?” she starts. He pulls her in and stays there for longer than she’d expect.

“Ken. Hey. That’s not you.” She rubs his back for a second and pulls back to look at him. “Wait, you’re not, like.. thinking of-? Because, you know, Dad would be pissed. Who would he talk shit about to the lackeys?” Kendall has to restrain himself from asking if she’s kidding. She looks at him like he’s crazy. “It is just a company.” He looks at her like she should know it’s not. “It is. Not really worth…” She gestures at him. “…this, you know.” He shakes his head.

“Not the company. Not really. I just… I don’t know. Someone should have noticed something with this guy. They just- should’ve noticed.”

She gives him a long look.

“You wanna talk some more?”

He looks at her and hates that he feels like he can’t trust her to keep it all to herself. He flashes back to holding her as a baby and wants to cry at the thought that he can’t tell her anything. It’s so quiet for a second that they can hear the rain dripping down the windows outside.

“I- I really can’t.”

….

After what feels like an eternity, Kendall finally trudges out of the Waystar doors into the drizzle. Rava’s head snaps up at the sight of him and slides out of the SUV to run across the courtyard and throw her arms around him in her puffy coat.

“Oh,” she whispers. “You’re here.” He lays his head on her shoulder and just lets the news photographers snap their shots. He’s so relieved and lets his shoulders drop. He hadn’t even realized they’d been practically around his ears. She doesn’t let him go for a whole minute and she’s teary again when they separate just enough to walk over and get in the backseat. She’s a little surprised that he’s teary, too. She opens her arms again when they’re inside and the door is shut, enclosing them in the safe, heated interior with tinted windows. He leans into her and stays in her arms the whole way home. He tells her the whole story and she tries to stay even-keeled while telling him her side. When they’re home, she takes him inside, and even though he has to email Stewy to tell him about Rhea and figure out how he’s going to get Roman to tell him the whole truth about PGM as things develop, he’s just feeling emotionally exhausted. So he lets Rava lead him to their room and slowly pull on some pajamas before she guides him into bed and holds him to her. She takes the remote from the bedside table and starts the fire in the fireplace. While the flame shadows dance on the walls, she nestles into him and slowly kisses his cheek, once, twice, three times. He closes his eyes.

Her lips touch his and he needs them to feel like one. He pulls the comforter over them both and rolls her on top of him for a deep and slow connection that they both need after everything they’ve been through since this morning. He needs comfort, needs to give comfort, and she wants to be taken care of after such a dangerous day. He holds her close and they share each other’s air. They’d rather have less oxygen than be more than an inch apart.

They end the day lying still in the light of the fire, wrapped up in each other with no plan to move. They don’t need words to express themselves and he’s grateful just to have time to exist where there’s nothing to prove. She just wants him to lie there with her. Deep tiredness hits him hard after such a taxing day. Even though he has no idea what time it is and is pretty sure it’s still early evening, he lets himself slip into sleep. His even breathing and the way he cuddles up to her in his sleep make Rava feel like utter mush and she kisses his head before she follows after him and floats into sleep.

….

On December twenty-third, Rava wakes up still on her side facing Kendall as he lies on his back. She glances at his phone screen as he scrolls. An Instagram profile full of professional photos, galas, upscale restaurants and bars… she squints a little in her morning haze and sees the username clearly. MarkJohnson.

She blinks and he realizes she’s awake.

“Hey,” he says, closing the app. He looks haunted.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to close it,” she says. “I thought you didn’t know him.”

“Uh, yeah, I didn’t.” He pauses. “Probably should have. I dunno. I wish I had.”

She runs her fingers over his forearm. She’s still getting used to his newfound enlightenment and desire to be the one to help post-rehab.

“Oh, Ken, you couldn’t have done anything.”

He doesn’t love that attitude but he reminds himself it’s coming from not wanting him to feel guilty. He looks at the comforter.

“He sent an email to his friend saying it was a culture of bullying. My company. I could have done something.”

“You can’t control everyone at the company,” Rava sounds too indifferent and it makes him kind of upset. He doesn’t want to say anything. She glances at him. “I mean, you couldn’t have known, his Instagram looks like a lot of fun,” she prompts. He nods.

“Yeah.” They’re quiet for a moment. “I might start a foundation.”

“For this guy-?”

“Yeah, I mean, you know, for people who are struggling. Like… it doesn’t have to end like that.” He considers how differently he would’ve felt if he’d known that in the future he would be lying next to Rava and on his way to taking over Waystar.

Rava’s a little touched.

“Well, that would be nice,” she affirms as she sits up in bed and reaches for his sweater to pull over her tank top.

“Or- something for addicts, maybe. Maybe both. There’s kind of a lot of crossover. You know? Maybe he had a problem. He had a lot of party pictures? I- I was at some of those galas.”

Rava looks back and realizes his voice was wobbling.

“Hey,” she says, laying back down and giving him a hug. “You don’t know what caused it. It was probably complicated.” She pats his back.

Everyone’s so quick to dismiss and he tries not to spill a tear onto the sweater she’s wearing. But she notices.

“Oh, Ken, what’s-“

“Nothing. It’s just- fucking… sad.” He sniffles and sits up. “Yeah, it’s fine.”

She looks at him with concern.

“You sure?”

He shrugs.

“Uh- yeah. I’m gonna get some breakfast… yeah? You want something?”

“Yeah. I’ll be in in a minute,” she says.

He nods slowly and gets up and walks toward their bathroom. She thinks he looks like he has a hundred pounds on his shoulders. She follows him into the bathroom after a minute and finds him leaning against the wall by the sink with the water running and a silent tear on his face.

“Oh,” she pulls him close and he lets her. She turns the water off.

“Uh…” he wipes the tear from his face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Nothing’s wrong with you. It’s sweet that you care. It is sad!” She keeps one arm around his waist and touches his face with her free hand.

“It could’ve been- anyone. You know?” He finds himself wishing she did know.

“Sure,” she says.

“Dad’s gonna publish that he was insane because he was on some prescription through the company. You- you know he’d do that to me. He basically already did.”

Logan’s shaming for being a human being never seems to stop, Rava thinks.

“Well,” she says, “that would pale in comparison to the headlines I’d get printed about his Viagra use. And of course his death by daughter-in-law.” Kendall laughs a little through the tears and she squeezes him. “He’s such a…. fuck him,” she says. He nods and tries to get it together.

“It’s okay to fall apart,” she tells him.

He shakes his head.

“Not doing that.” He takes a deep breath and she nods and takes his hand as they walk out to the breakfast table. He sits down and looks at her across the round edge of the breakfast table. “So, tell me what’s going on,” he says. “Something else. It’s- it’s not good for me to think about this anymore.” She gives him a worried look but obliges. She sighs as she forces herself to talk about her situation.

“Well, I called that firm Robert knows to take the case,” she says a little regretfully. Her face is pained. “I- couldn’t handle it on my own I guess.” She smiles a forced smile of embarrassment. “I’m still the attorney of record,” she adds, feeling like she must sound lame, “but they’re mostly handling the day to day now.” She shrugs. “It’s… disappointing. But I’m staying up on it as much as I can. They’re already making more progress with getting documentation.”

He nods and holds her hand. He knows the feeling of failure.

“Well, it’s good for those guys. Tony, yeah? And the other guy?”

“Yeah,” she says reluctantly. “Yes it is.”

“I don’t mean you weren’t good. I mean- you know. If they can solve it. If they can find the guy who disappeared. What’s the resort company called?”

“Um, Triangle Properties.” Kendall thinks for a second about whether he recognizes it. No.

“Uh-huh.”

They look at each other and it sinks in that they have nothing good to talk about at this moment. They pick at breakfast for a few minutes.

“You want to watch tv?” she asks.

“Yeah. That would be good.”

They take their coffees and head into the family room for some low-key zone-out time. She flips on the set and spreads one of the blankets over them both.

“The kids are out?” Kendall asks.

“With Malaya, at the new science museum exhibit. Iverson wanted to go.” Kendall nods. He kind of wishes they were going, too. He could use a distraction and he thinks Rava could, too.

“I’m supposed to have lunch with a couple of the girls today,” Rava says, more like it’s a question than a statement.

“Oh.” Kendall tries not to make his disappointment obvious. “Uh… yeah. Okay."

"I just promised them because it's been so long."

“Right. Sure,” he pushes a smile onto his face. She should have a distraction.

After the show has ended and Rava has gotten ready, she walks over to kiss Kendall, still in his robe in his armchair.

“Don’t go,” he says, only half-serious.

“Ohh, I’ll be home before you know it. But you could have a friend over, too.” She smiles, “or don’t you have any of those?” she teases.

“I have friends,” he insists.

“Outside of business acquaintances?”

“Well, Stewy’s not a business acquaintance.”

“Business partner,” she says as if that distinction is not the point.

He feels regretful for having given up so many of his party friends from the old days, but he’d known he had to do it.

“It was part of rehab to end those other friendships,” he says, trying not to sound annoyed that she would forget that. “You know that.”

“Ken, I’m messing with you. You’re fine.”

“Ivey will build the Lego skyline with me when he gets back.”

“Adult friends, Ken,” she smiles.

“Uh, well, you’re my adult friend,” he says as he purposely looks her up and down.

She smiles a little sadly and glances down at herself.

“Not exactly looking my best these days,” she sighs.

“What? You look good every day.”

She looks at him for half a second and looks away. He can tell her confidence is shaken by the loss of control over the case.

“Come here!” he says lightly.

She walks over and he gently pulls her down to kiss him.

“What are you going to do while I’m out?” she asks him.

“Uh, just work out, and… yeah, I have to call Sandy.”

“Okay. I should probably join you in the gym. Gonna go eat instead,” she’s says in a regretful yet amused voice.

“Hey, stop that. Seriously. I have to work out,” he says seriously. “You know. Every day it has to happen. But that’s my shit.” She nods. “You look hot.” He means it but she laughs it off.

“Okay. Thanks. I’ll see you when I’m back,” she says without a lot of feeling.

….

On December twenty-fourth, the Waystar Christmas party is in full swing. The cocktails are flowing, the festive attire is sparkling, the band is playing, and Rava is grimacing. Kendall looks over and doesn’t miss the expression.

“I know, last place you want to be right now,” he sighs. “It’s only 4:00. We’ll be out of here in no time. I just have to talk to Dad.”

She nods because she gets it and she sighs because she doesn’t want to get it.

Logan’s across the room and she hopes he’s feeling as un-grinch-like as possible. She watches Kendall eyeing him cautiously.

“This is the last chance I have to save Vaulter,” he says nervously. “Next time I see him- I don’t even know. A month? Argestes? It’ll be too late.”

“Oh yeah,” Rava says. “I forgot about that trip.” She always liked it out there, minus all the networking. “Well, go do it. You can get this taken care of and we can go home?”

“Yeah,” he confirms. “You know, it’s kind of fucked up that there’s this party when Mark Johnson…” his eyes fall to the floor for a moment. She squeezes his hand.

“I know. But you’re here to fix the Vaulter situation for all those people. They need you,” she reminds him.

He nods and takes a deep breath and summons the strength to walk to where Logan is standing with Colin not far behind.

She watches from across the room as Kendall approaches his dad. He starts off nice, and she can see his harder business persona come out as she’s sure they’re getting into the nitty-gritty. After a surprisingly brief conversation, Kendall bounds back over to Rava.

“It’s done. I convinced him. He’s keeping it.”

“Just like that?”

“This- this is a new level, I think. I’m playing him, Rav. We’re playing chess. Like equals. He fucking listened to me.”

“He’s listened to you plenty of times before!”

“Yeah- yeah, but this was another level. This was real shit, like- there was respect there. I showed him I did the work, I had the full answer for everything he asked. He said Roman agreed with me.”

Rava pats his arm.

“Honestly, that’s great, Ken.”

He’s basking in the glory of being heard as Rava glances around at the attendees. Her eyes stop when she sees a tall, thin blonde with fake cleavage spilling out of her tight dress walking by and smiling at Kendall.

“Hi, Kendall,” she says in a breathy voice as she passes them.

Rava turns her head and swings it back around to stare at him. He’s looking at his watch.

“Um, who was that?” she asks, eyes a little wider than necessary. He shrugs.

“Nobody, just, uh, some girl I went on a date with last year.” She keeps staring at him. “It was nothing.”

Rava looks down at her corporate-appropriate dress and takes in a bit of a sharp breath.

“Oh. You… went out with her?”

“One time.”

“Oh. Okay.” She raises her eyebrows and wishes for a mirror. He saw her, he asked her out.

“What?” he asks.

“Oh, nothing, you know, just that she can’t be more than twenty-five.”

He shakes his head and tries to brush it off.

“I don’t know how old she is. It doesn’t matter, it was nothing.”

She reaches behind her head to fix her hair.

“Mmhmm. Okay.”

He half-smiles at her. She can’t seriously be worried about this.

“Nothing even happened.”

She grimaces at the idea of anything happening, of him comparing her to that girl. Nothing happened. She wonders if they kissed at the end of the date. The idea makes her sick.

“Nothing?”

“Nothing, I promise.”

She tries to seem casual, like she’s making a joke.

“But you wanted it to, though.”

He looks right at her.

“Actually, I didn’t. She’s really not my type.”

“Right, yes, I’m sure you hate perfect, beautiful, young-”

He smiles.

“Stop. You are perfect, beautiful, and young.”

She rolls her eyes dramatically.

“Oh, right,” she says, walking ahead of him a step. He reaches for her hand and grabs it.

“Where are you going?”

“I don’t know, the dermatologist?”

He shakes his head and laughs.

“Don’t say that.”

She looks back at him.

“Stop smiling!” she insists.

“I’m smiling because this is ridiculous.”

“Oh, you were so miserable without me,” she says in a mocking tone.

He looks at her seriously.

“I was.”

She shifts uncomfortably and he slips his arms around her waist, looking into her eyes. She squirms a little and avoids looking at him.

“Yeah, it’s fine.” She starts moving away and he keeps her there.

“Hey. I mean it, I was.”

She wrinkles her nose.

“Please, I didn’t even look like that when I was twenty-two.”

“I don’t want you to look like that.”

“You asked her out.”

He doesn’t know whether the truth is better or worse.

“Actually-“ He drops his head down and looks up at her. He tells himself not to mention that Rava had a whole pseudo-relationship and tries not to smirk or gloat. “She asked me out.”

She sucks in one cheek.

“Oh, good. A slutty model,” she says semi-seriously.

“I wouldn’t know. One date, Rav.” He gazes at her and she avoids eye contact. “I-I wished she was you. I fucking wished everyone I talked to was you.”

She sighs and finally looks at him.

“Really?”

“Of course, really. Fuck, don’t get all… fake at the doctor.” He shakes his head. “You’re perfect. Come here.” He pulls her in and she leans against him. She’s briefly amused that he’s blissfully unaware of her expertly-done skin treatments.

“Does she know you’re married again now?” she asks in that fake-joking voice again as she squeezes him to her.

“If she reads Page Six.” He still can’t believe she would care about this. “Can we go home now?”

She looks up at him with a small smile and imitates the girl’s voice sarcastically.

“Yes, Kendall.”

He shakes his head again.

“Stop. Let’s go.” He puts his arm around her and they walk out.

….

On December twenty-fifth, Rava hands Kendall a wrapped present after the kids have gone to take post-unwrapping naps. He takes a look at the gift tag.

I thought about sneakers, but this seemed somehow even better. Something for the man who has everything.

The phrase used to be a dark joke to him. He'd thought he had nothing for the longest time and it had always been impossible to explain to anyone but her. He opens the wrapping paper and beholds a well-loved journal.

“It’s my diary,” she smiles. “From the first years we first started dating. I thought you’d like to read what I- well, how I saw you, versus how you saw yourself.”

“I didn’t even know you kept this!” he says with wonder. He opens it up and starts flipping through it, catching snippets on different pages.

If he could take a month away from the Roys, he’d start to see how brilliant he actually is.

I wish I knew how many colors are in Ken’s eyes. I tried to count them once but he blinked. I could honestly look into those eyes forever.

I didn’t know it was even possible to think about someone so much. All I want to do is lie in bed with him every minute. It’s like I physically need him. I don’t know how I’m going to focus on classes when I have to go back to law school next week. I can’t be away from him anymore!

He’s speechless when he looks up at her again. She’s blushing but she’s happy it’s having the intended effect. He glances back down and flips the page one more time.

If Kendall doesn’t propose to me this year I might actually die!!

He chuckles and points to that line, holding it up for her to see.

“Wow,” he laughs. “Good thing I did.”

“Yeah,” she smiles and they gaze at each other. “It is a good thing.”

“This- this is amazing,” he says. “I don’t even- wow.” He looks at her again. “Can’t believe this is real.” He looks down at the book and smiles again. “So, uh, I guess you’re kind of into me.”

“Mmm,” she says as she kisses him. “I guess so.”

He pauses.

“Did you really count the colors in my eyes?”

She smiles.

“Four,” she whispers in his ear.

“Four? No, three.”

“You’re missing the darker green,” she says.

It’s his turn to feel a little hot in his face.

“Okay. So, you’re actually obsessed with me,” he smiles.

“And look how happy you are about it!” she replies.

“You just took out all the bad stuff,” he insists.

She shrugs. “No missing pages!” He flips through the whole thing again. She’s right.

“Okay, I’m absolutely reading every word of this today. But first, I’ll get your gift.”

He pulls out a wrapped gift that’s clearly a frame.

“I don’t know if this is- yeah, this is probably not, you know, great, but- you said you missed when I did art, so…”

She pulls the paper off of a close-up sketch of her smiling in bed, sheets wrapped below her bare shoulders and slightly messy hair framing her face. Sunlight streams through the window behind her.

“How I see you,” he says. “Versus how you see yourself,” he adds.

“I can’t believe you drew this,” she whispers. “It’s so beautiful, I love it. When- when did you even have time to do this?”

He shrugs.

“You know. I made it work. Got the idea at the wedding, the way you woke up,” he smiles. “I just think you should know…” they look at each other. “You know.” She nods. “Come here,” he says quietly.

She cuddles up to him and they wrap their arms around each other. Today, they do have everything.

Chapter 14 💗

#merry christmas!#merry jeremy strong day!#it's a long one again #rewriting one of the most popular episodes fkdjngkdf #ok enjoy!#succession #kendall roy #kendall x rava #kenrava #kendall roy fic #rava roy

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tf-boi · 2 years ago

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Requested by @baranchik3

“Another day at the gym” Cody says to himself, a slim fit young man running on the treadmill. He often stays at the gym for hours but also disappears for weeks as well. The staff knows him and reserves a locker for him.

As Cody does his run on the treadmill, he notices a more built man taking glances at him.

“Ughh. . .great. . .” Cody thought, not paying him much attention. There was a certain type of man Cody normally goes for and this man didn’t meet his standards.

After a good 30 minutes of running, he notices the man has moved from lifting weights to running besides Cody.

“Nice day for a run, huh?” The man said in a cheery voice.

Silence, Cody did his best to ignore him.

“Not much of a talker are you?”

“. . .”

“You’re pretty cute.”

“Thanks. . .” Cody said without thinking

“Crap. . . “ Cody thought, realizing what he has done.

“So you can talk!” The grizzly man says cheerfully. “Name’s Jim, yours?”

“. . .Keith. . . “ Cody lied, one of the aliases he uses when he is not interested.

“I’m going for a swim after this you interested?”

“Sorry I forgot my swimsuit.”

“Oh same here. Looking to get a new one for today.”

“Oh one of those guys. . .” Cody thought.

Cody, annoyed, walked into the shower room, planning on calling one of his usuals after just to get away from Jim.

Turning on the showers Cody steps in, only to see Keith in the shower next to him.

“Look Keith, you’re cute and I’m just gonna say it. . . I’m in the market for a new sugar baby. Interested?”

Cody looked shocked “Uhhh. . .thanks. . .pretty young to be a daddy though?”

Jim chuckled “Thanks for that! I’m not too much older than you probably but nonetheless I’m looking for someone like you.”

Cody, not sure why he was answering now took a good look at Jim. Jim wasn’t very muscular but his bod was still pretty good, and he is packing a monster rocket.

“You’re not my usual type. . .” Cody said, pretending not to be interested

“Oh? So you’re an experienced sugar baby?”

“I prefer the term. . . ‘professional house boyfriend’”. Cody said looking away.

“Well I’ll hire you then!” Jim says with a smirk “I’ll give you $500 a day for an allowance, an extra $300 every time we do extra “stuff”.

“$500?!” Cody thought “Well best case I can make a quick buck. . .worse case, I get that giant monster in me. . .I guess. . .” Cody said rolling his eyes, not believing what he is about to do.

“Uhhh. . .I guess. . .for a bit. . .Daddy.” Cody said smirking.

Jim grinned, the young ones always go for the money.

Jim put his hand on Cody’s shoulder leading him to the locker room. He opens his locker and pulls out a stack of cash and hands it to Cody. Cody grabs it and starts counting “100, 200, 300. . .800? A little forward aren’t we?” Cody says opening his locker and putting the cash in his bag.

“Little it, but hey, people stop playing hard to get after the first time. Plus you don’t seem to mind so much.”

“Score. . .” Cody thought. “Soo where to?”

“Well gotta go on my morning swim. . .and looks like you’ll be fixing my speedo problem.”

“Great. . .” Cody thought, this wasn’t his first rodeo but he was hoping he wouldn’t have to do it today.

The pair walk back into the showers and Jim only needed to point down for Cody to know what to do. He opened his mouth wide and started sucking on Jim’s massive shaft, his mouth barely able to fit the massive girth.

“Thats good, but I need you to really get in there!” Jim says, shoving his cock into Cody’s mouth, hes pertty sure half of it went down Cody’s throat as he gags a bit, but surprisingly keeping it together.

“Mmm mmmm” Cody says, enjoying Jim’s fat cock. Massaging it with both his tongue and his throat, he was shocked that he could still breath with Jim’s dick that deep in him.

Jim puts his massive hands on the sides of Cody’s head and starts to face fuck Cody.

“Unnnf unnnn” Cody moaned as he was getting his brains fucked out of him. A warm feeling fills his body, his cock becoming erect and he feels the warm precum of Jim go down his throat. Cody wrapping his tongue around Jim’s shaft, licking every inch of his salty meat. The shower water hitting their bodies put Cody into a trance of moaning, and sucking as his face gets fucked harder and harder by Jim.

“You’re a good boy aren’t you? And good boys listens to daddy right?” Jim says looking down on Cody.

“Cody only cold nod in agreement as Jim pouds Cody’s face more with his cock.

“So be a good boy and don’t resist. . . “

Cody nodded again.

With that he felt a large surge of warm liquid enter his body, him moaning as he accepts Jim’s load into him. His stomach stretches and expands to look like he is 9months pregnant when Jim is done.

“You liked that didn’t you?” Jim said looking at the stream of cum flow out of Cody’s own cock and into the shower drain.

Cody tries to gasp for air and notices he couldn’t move his jaw. Infact he couldn’t move his body as a warm sensation fills his body.

Cody feels his body slowly deflate and flatten his limbs dangling as his mouth hangs on Jim’s dick, stuck to it like glue.

“Oh. . .guess its kinda hard to change you when you are so full. . . Jim says as he steps on Cody’s back, Jim’s load flowing freely out of Cody’s dick, ass, nose, and ears.

Cody moaned again at the sensation of the hot sticky liquid exiting his body. Eventually all of Jim’s cum flows out of him leaving, Cody a flat body, which then moves on its own to wrap itself around Jim’s waist and crotch, his skin changing to black polyester with 2 grey stripes. His body forming into a tight fitting speedo for Jim.

“Ohhh a speedo! Nice! My last one turned into a pair of trunks but I like you more! You fit perfectly for my crotch and balls! Maybe I’ll wear you all the time!” Jim says, rubbing his dick in its new home. “Maybe we’ll start with a week, hows that sound?”

Cody used what little mobility he has left to press against Jims cock and shake it side to side as to say “No”

“Oho? More?” Jim asked.

Cody moved Jim’s dick as if to say yes.

“How bout a month?” Jim said rubbing Cody.

Again, yes.

“Thats a good boy, don’t worry I’ll always have you on me! I’ll be sure to keep track of your allowance and your “bonus”. . .and if you start to tear up before the month is over, I’ll merge with my kid to keep you patched up.”

#object transformation #object tf #speedo tf #swimsuit transformation #inanimate transformation #inanimate tf

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mymelodyisme · 8 months ago

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3, 7 and 14 for the asks!! 😍

😭 I should have asked you more myself!! But I saw handwriting and went “I MUST have her write some of her FIC-“

3. 3 films you could watch for the rest of your life and not get bored of?

So 🤔 this is kinda tricky cause we hardly rewatch films in my house cause 🙄 my mom and dad only like watching things once usually. But but but I DO share in common with my mom that I love rewatching:

Encanto

Tangled

Turning Red

I’ve certainly annoying my sisters recently with Turning Red 🤣 it’s really good background noise and fu bro watch. Encanto cause it’s good!!! But also I’m latina and also feel not special like Mirabel 😭 my sister first time we watched the movie said Luisa reminded her of me tho thanks for clocking the older sister energy I guess. And tangled because Rapunzel my favorite Disney princess ever 🥺

7. what scares you the most and why?

Oof here’s where we get ✨depressing✨

First do we mean spine tingling or deep rooted fear that stabs at your heart till it aches and pours out? Cause I could easily say something concrete like cockroaches (they make me cry and shake so quick) but if we’re talking in ouchie heart ache type of scares it’s becoming unwanted and an inconvenience 😭 I’ve felt like that a few times in my life and heck I’ve been feeling it especially hard lately. Just gotta take a deep sigh and keep going cause I’m gonna like me enough to want me to stay! Ya know! Also I’m scared of being in absolute darkness and I’m scared to be out at night :)

14. what’s something you’ve always wanted to do but maybe been to scared to do?

😭 kinda related back to the other question Owie, this one seems kind of ridiculous but it’s the simplest and most heart breaking for me. All of my wants have this same thing in common but this one is the most recent so ridiculous or not here you are.

Going for a walk.

I’m, frankly, scared of the unwanted attention that comes with being a fat person in public 😭 I mean realistically I know no one’s actually looking at me but I can’t help but feel they are. In PE I was always last to finish and the kids who were done early would cheer me on and they meant well but it always made me cry. For a bit I got a little braver about walking on the treadmill at the university but I’m out now and we don’t have one at home. I’ve been wanting to go walking to better myself because 🥺 I could be better but I’m really scared of going to the park. It’s on the other side of town, it’s bigger with more shade, but it’s next to our high school and there’s a bunch of houses and there’s no good time for me to talk out of my day to do this and I’d go for a walk but we don’t have sidewalks where I live and I don’t want to walk in the road and block someone from their driveway. It’s all excuses I guess but all in all I’m afraid of existing in other people’s spaces.

But but to end on something positive!!! 🤔 um I’m really proud of the way I’ve conquered my fear of driving. I’m still afraid of that and going long distances to places I don’t know but now I feel that I just gotta go it and I’ll get used to it. It helps that my car is cute and I have stuffed animals 😄 I actually don’t hate driving as much anymore I like going around town with the windows down letting the air mess up my hair.

♥️Questions♥️ (yall should go ask Libby too 🩷)

#😭 help I made myself cry #sorry for the ✨trauma✨#Im trying to keep my face straight over here cause my mom sister and dad are in the room and I refuse to share this with them #i stopped sharing with my mom a long time ago tbh 😭 but that’s a whole other ✨dump✨#on the upside!!! I’m also proud of how honest I can be !!#it’s hard to talk about the deeper stuff sometimes cause who wants to hear that??? voluntary probably not too detailed but if you ask I’m #an open book #tbh I’m always an open book you just have to sift through my pages a bit #😄 anyways i love you and we *both* can make it though whatever is stabbing our hearts #we got this my love 😤#muah muah muah ♥️🩷#mys mail 💌#to everyone else I’m so SORRY you can ignore this #but also 🔫 you can make it though your problems too I believe in you #edit: the PAIN I felt in my chest when I thought this didn’t save oh my gosh I thought I was gonna have to type that all over again #i would have rather 🔫 myself #😭😭 okay I’m good I promise GASP

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normalsdotheolympics · 2 months ago

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A Lot Better than the Last Time

It's been a busy couple of weeks, but we managed to keep up with our routine for the most part. Katy started getting some blisters from her beloved Hokas, so we went to a running store, and she decided to try their "fit testing" for shoes. I've been somewhat skeptical of this process, but I guess it's free at least? The shoes, however are not. They take some sort of 3D imaging of your foot and create an insole that is supposed to compensate for your arch and other issues with your step. To be honest, it just seems the same as orthotics. I'm not honestly sure how they're different aside from the fact that my orthotics are firmer and theoretically were made from a mold. They also cost about 5-6 times more so there's that too... Katy gave it a try and decided the whole thing felt magical, since she's never had inserts or orthotics or anything of the like. While we were there, I decided to try some wraps for my knees to see if I could stabilize the patellas a little bit, hoping that might help with my pain. Theoretically what I'm dealing with is patellar tendinits, so this SHOULD help, if the random people on the internet know what they're talking about (again, skeptical). The store also had a 90 day refund policy on the inserts and shoes, so I decided to try some new shoes as well and see if they felt any better. I'm not gonna lie...I really felt like I was floating. The cushioning was so amazing, you barely feel the impact when you're walking at all. I've only tried them out on the treadmill once, and I used my knee wraps, and I'm cautiously optimistic that these things may actually help.

All the while, we've been back at the pool a few times, and I think the drills are paying off. Something sort of clicked the other day with the motion while doing my "catch-up drills", in which you're supposed to have one hand catch up to the other in front of you before doing your pull back. I realized I was pausing at the back of my motion, and if I just eliminated that pause, I could actually do the catch-up pretty well, and the motion seemed much more fluid and efficient when I integrated it into my normal freestyle. Finally, a breakthrough, and some progress! I know Katy has been doing this a long long time, but it's still somewhat demoralizing to see how easy she finds it. Katy is running 2-3 miles now, so she's really making great strides (literally) on her running. I'm hoping a few more weeks of PT, more quad strengthening, and my new gear, and I might be able to cautiously give it a try again. We signed up for the Turkey Trot this week for Thanksgiving Day, but I don't think I'm going to risk jogging it yet. Oh well...

We went back for another badminton session, and honestly, I couldn't have imagined how much better it would go. Just a massive difference from the first time out. At least we weren't swinging and missing constantly! It still is hard to figure out the right motions, but there have been tons of helpful folks there willing to give tips. It's a really great club there. Apparently Wednesday nights there are much less busy, so we might give that a try now that our curling season is on hiatus for several weeks, giving us some more free evenings.

The goals for the end of November were 500m freestyle, 2km jogging, and 40km on the bike. I think the bike is the only one I might achieve, though I'll have to put in a good one this week to get there. I'm close on the swimming, but I'm not sure I can do 500m consecutively without stopping at the moment. Still just get a little out of breath after 250-300m. I do better if I don't do the flip turns, so maybe that's something we need to work on. Katy is still cruising along at her 1500m freestyle without stopping, so she's miles ahead there and I'd say she hit the running goal for the month! Now I've just gotta get her back on the bike. In theory, we're supposed to do our first real events next month, so we'll see if that's feasible. We have the three shorter swim distances on the docket. The biggest barrier will be trying it in a 50m pool. A new one just opened near us, but we'll have to talk to them to see if we're allowed to use the starting blocks and when they open the 50m lanes, since there's usually a barrier in the middle I think. Something we'll have to investigate over the next few weeks. I think if we can get the events done in January along with our badminton games, that would be a great successful start to this venture!

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gizopedia · 2 months ago

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Alright, let's dive into this Samsung Galaxy Watch7 review. We all know how Samsung is always pushing the limits with their tech, right? Well, guess what? They’ve done it again with the latest Galaxy Watch7! If you're thinking about upgrading your smartwatch game, stick around, because I'm about to break it down for you in a chill, real-world kinda way. Introduction to the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is Samsung's latest leap into the smartwatch world. It’s designed to blend advanced health tracking, fitness features, and smart connectivity into one sleek package. It does everything from keeping tabs on your heart rate to letting you answer texts without picking up your phone. Now, why did I decide to give it a spin? Simple—I was on the lookout for something that could handle both my workout routines and daily tasks, without needing constant charging or complicated setups. I wanted a smartwatch that didn’t just track steps or calories, but one that could act as a full-time assistant on my wrist. Design That Slaps Right off the bat, the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 just looks clean. Like, it’s not over the top flashy, but still has that “yeah, I’m wearing a premium watch” vibe. The circular face is slick, and they’ve nailed that balance between a traditional watch look and modern tech. It's lightweight too, so you won’t feel like you’re strapping a brick to your wrist. But let’s be real—when we buy a smartwatch, it’s gotta look good on the 'gram and, you know, not just be functional. Samsung nailed the design, and I’ve gotta say, it looks super dope with pretty much any outfit. Performance & Features: Does It Stack Up? So, performance. Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 just another pretty face? Nah, fam, it’s got the brains too. The battery life, for instance, is way better than expected. No joke, this thing can keep going for days, even if you’re using all the fitness and health features. Speaking of health stuff, it’s packed with everything you could want—heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, blood oxygen, all that jazz. Here’s what’s super cool though: the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 isn’t just for fitness junkies. It's got a bunch of smart features like notifications, music control, and even payments. It syncs up with your phone smoothly, so if you’re deep into the Samsung ecosystem, this thing will fit right in like the missing puzzle piece. Customization: Your Wrist, Your Rules This part is gonna make a lot of folks happy. The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 lets you go wild with customization. Want to switch up the watch face? Easy. Need a band that screams "I’m casual but still cool"? They’ve got you. It’s all about making the watch feel you, and Samsung’s got you covered. Fitness & Health Features: Not Just for Gym Rats Okay, let’s get into the fitness side of things. If you're serious about staying fit, the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 might just become your new workout buddy. It tracks literally everything: running, biking, swimming—heck, it even knows when you're on a treadmill. Plus, it’s waterproof, so no excuses when it rains. The watch also keeps an eye on your heart rate and blood oxygen levels like a little health virtuoso on your wrist. It’s like having a personal trainer with none of the yelling. And for the sleep-deprived (aren't we all?), the sleep-tracking feature is clutch. It gives you a breakdown of how you're sleeping, and yeah, it might guilt-trip you into getting more Z’s. Sorry, Netflix. Features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 The Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is packed with a range of features that make it a powerful tool for fitness, health, and day-to-day convenience. Let’s break them down. 1. Fitness and Health Tracking Heart Rate Monitor: Keeps track of your heart rate in real-time, whether you're working out or chilling. It even alerts you if your heart rate dips too low or spikes too high. Sleep Tracking: Tracks your sleep patterns, breaking down light, deep, and REM sleep.

If you're like me, this helps you figure out whether you're actually sleeping well or just lying there pretending. Blood Oxygen Monitor: Monitors your blood oxygen levels, giving you insights into your breathing and overall fitness. Workout Tracking: Automatically detects workouts like running, swimming, biking, and even treadmill sessions. This helps ensure you don't have to manually input your activities—just start moving, and the watch will do the rest. Effectiveness: These fitness features are incredibly helpful if you're trying to stay on top of your health. The workout tracking is spot-on, giving you detailed stats that can help you push yourself. The sleep tracking? It might even guilt-trip you into getting better rest! 2. Smart Features Notifications and Calls: You can receive and respond to messages, calls, and app notifications straight from your wrist. This is perfect if you're someone who's always on the go and can't always pull out your phone. Samsung Pay: Quick, tap-to-pay functionality right from the watch. Super convenient if you're the type to forget your wallet. Music Control: Control your playlist without having to reach for your phone. It syncs with Spotify and other apps to give you seamless control over your tunes. Usefulness: These features are a game-changer for multitaskers. You’ll never miss a call or text because the watch keeps you in the loop. Plus, Samsung Pay saves the day when you’re in a hurry. Honestly, once you start using these features, it's hard to imagine going back to a regular watch. 3. Customization Options Watch Faces: There’s a whole range of customizable watch faces, from minimalist designs to ones loaded with info like weather, heart rate, and more. Interchangeable Bands: The bands are easily swappable, so you can go from sporty to classy in a snap. Whether you're hitting the gym or attending a meeting, there's a look for every occasion. Effectiveness: Customization is key, and the Galaxy Watch7 lets you make it your own. Whether it’s the watch face or the band, you can tweak everything to fit your mood, outfit, or activity. This makes the watch feel more personal like it’s tailored to your lifestyle. 4. Battery Life Multi-day Battery: Samsung promises a battery life of up to several days on a single charge, depending on usage. Even with heavy use of fitness and smart features, you can go a couple of days without reaching for the charger. Usefulness: A long-lasting battery is a lifesaver when you're using it all day for fitness tracking, notifications, and music. You won’t constantly be hunting for a charger, and that’s a huge plus. 5. Seamless Integration with Samsung Ecosystem Syncs with Samsung Devices: If you're already in the Samsung ecosystem, this watch plays nice with everything—phones, tablets, even Samsung TVs. It integrates smoothly and allows for things like answering calls, controlling media, or even unlocking your devices. Effectiveness: If you’re deep into the Samsung ecosystem, this integration feels seamless. It’s like adding an extra layer of convenience to your already-connected life, which is super satisfying. If not, no worries—it still works well with other Android devices. Overall Feature Evaluation All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 delivers features that are not just flashy, but practical. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just want an extension of your smartphone on your wrist, this watch gets the job done. Each feature feels like it has a purpose, helping you stay on top of your goals—whether they’re health-related or just making life a little more convenient. Is It Worth It? Final Thoughts So, is the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 the move? Honestly, if you’re looking for something that blends style, function, and a boatload of features, this could be it. It’s more than just a fitness tracker—it’s a full-blown lifestyle tool that can keep up with you whether you're hitting the gym or just hitting snooze.

Bottom line? If you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem or want a smartwatch that does everything, the Samsung Galaxy Watch7 is gonna make you pretty happy.

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blueempty · 11 months ago

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Guess who has been excused from jury duty

Its me. Im fwee. I'm so glad too cuz I forgot that shit takes all day and they take your phone away, I was like how the fuck am I gonna practice kana for 6 hours without my phone

I had a weird ass day and got home at 2am again but the details aren't really important. The only thing of note I did was S rank Onimusha. Now I gotta clear all 12 levels of the Oni Spirits minigame so I can beat the game on Ultimate difficulty. Then theres a few secret achievos I gotta figure out how to do but then I'll have 100%ed another old game on my switch, cuz I guess thats what I've been in to since I played Fairune

I've been pretty isolated for a little while now, for reasons that I have written out and chosen to delete because I am not venting, not me nuh uh, but basically I havent been in a group call every night like I used to be

So in the absence of group activities I've just been sitting around learning to speedrun things and filling out achievments in games that have them on the switch. And I mention all this because unless I find more friends soon I might end up speedrunning Onimusha against my better judgment. And the reason I say against my better judgment is I may want to do like a 100% category or something, which would be dumb as shit of me. But that game is fun and its like a Resident Evil so it calls to me. But I should really practice and record Fairune first. So much to do. Im glad to have lots of hobbies but I should really look into exercising too cuz every time my body does something weird my childhood hypochondriac brain activates, and I could solve most of my problems if I had an under desk treadmill. Fucked up how your body picks and chooses what counts as physical activity, like come on man

Peace and Long Life

#skyposting #thoughtposting

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nny11writes · 1 year ago

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I cannot express how funny this round of the Sims has been. I have several mods installed, this is important to know.

So Catra develops a crush on Luna Villareal after rudely introducing herself before class and Luna laughs and cracks a joke, the first sim who didn't dislike the rude intro. Catra, being Catra, insta crushes. I think to myself, "Guess I'm not making Glimmer or Adora this time. Go wild you crazy kids."

Catra keeps turning down the offer to join the paragons, works hard and goes home to have Weaver spontaneously yell at or slap her, and gets invited to the football team. All weirdly par for the course. Luna is sweet and silly and basically Adora, so it's kinda hilarious that she comes over every day to hang out in the refurbished garage Catra lives in.

About the time I'm thinking I gotta break these two up before the end of high school because Weaver keeps autonomously being really fucking shady with Luna (as she does), these two idiot teens have sex. Thanks deviant desires. I'm over here making sure Weaver stops being a creep for five minutes to learn the Zappity spell and the teens start banging without protection. No babies, Catra will not be dissapeared by Luna's creepy dad. But Catra's a loyal sim so now she's ride or die in love. Great.

A while passes, Catra graduates early, I'm thinking university might be a way for them to grow apart. I still kinda want to make an Adora sim for this playthrough. Luna runs over right as I'm considering it, bursts into Catra's bedroom and proposes marriage to her.

Yeah, okay, fine, I get it game, no Adora this time. Not like Luna is basically Adora, whatever, it's fine, Catra will be devastated if I say no. So I say yes.

Three days later it's the Sims valentines day and Luna invites Catra out on a date. Weaver is getting high on cocaine and complaining that I don't have alcohol in the house right now because I spent it getting her high quality cocaine, this gets me away from her antics and Catra can wine and dine her fiance. We go to a lounge and Luna keeps collapsing to her knees and crying, I'm so fucking confused. Catra keeps trying to talk to her and tell her jokes. Time is running out on the date clock and now Catra is too depressed between Luna's sadness and Weaver being an addict to even try. This is the worst valentines day ever. So far. Because a car then runs a woman over and now Catra and Luna are freaking out and crying with the crowd while the grim reaper takes his sweet fucking time playing fucking candy crush or something on his tablet, asshole.

The date ends terribly, Luna is still crying, Catra is now depressed and just wants to cry in a shower. I invite Luna to her house anyways hoping to figure out what the fuck that actually was.

Luna has a terminal illness, it turns out.

In a panic I have them elope in Weaver's shitty entryway next to the shoe rack and treadmill. Weaver is doing another fucking line of coke before coming to cheer. The eloping takes an eternity because Luna keeps collapsing. I move her to the household and pulled 10k with her. I'm thinking it's time for Dr. Barber surgery time you know?

No. Luna dramatically collapses into Catra's arms and DIES THERE. Catra is crying and babbling to her. I cannot get her to bargin with the grim reaper who suddenly knows how to use his tablet proving he was being a dick earlier, and Weaver hated Luna with a passion at this point so she's high and celebrating.

I am wondering how the fuck I recreated the heart but much sadder on accident in the sims. Catra is inconsolable and offering a candy skull to the urn. I haven't saved in forever, so I guess we are renovating the house with the money. Catra goes to look at the salt and pepper shakers before retreating to cry in her bed.

I switch to Weaver who's clapping over the whole affair which is less depressing, thinking to myself, "Well at least scumbag is still here? Is this better or worse?". And then she needs a breath of fresh air.

She will not be stopped. I am gobsmacked knowing I can't stop life tragedies, even though Weaver literally cancelled her own desire to beat Catra up due to tomfuckery from the sims gods.

A truck pulls up and kidnaps Weaver.

Catra has 300 smackeroos to her name, got engaged three days ago, married the love of her life, only to have her die in her arms, and now Weaver was kidnapped while she was crying and not around to kick their asses like fuckign McKenzie who keeps robbing us.

I have decided Catra has suffered enough. Right now she has a mindbreak status debuff, is depressed over life in general, and also terrified by the kidnapping. She deserves to do some murder as a treat. I sell enough to make the 5k and go to the cave.

Catra murders and immediately gains enough buffs from confidence and pride that she's temporarily not depressed. Weaver hugs her three times in thanks. The reaper takes so FUCKING LONG WITH HIS STUPID TABLET GOD DAMN that I regret killing that one dude at the other end of the cave he he survived the choke out and ran. Weaver apologies to Catra while I'm distracted scrolling in and out on the reaper as if he'll get motion sickness and peace out faster.

They go home and Weaver has lost her addiction status, which I think is just a bug or a glitch.

They are now living kinda happily together??????????????? Like in the most fucked up way possible, let's not get into that, but what is this?

I immediately make a new game where Catra lives down the street from Entrapta and Scorpia so there can be a meet cute super poly trio to wash whatever that was out of my mouth.

So far Catra has not wandered by despite all her fucking jogging (I am across the street two houses down HOW does she never run this way were Scorpia can see her??). Also the first night at the new house they are robbed at gunpoint and the fucker takes the fridge because Scorpia loses the fight. There is nothing left to eat except the fruitcake from the welcome wagon that automatically makes you sad.

Still better than that last game so far, but like, c'mon the tragedies are set to VERY slow, let my poor girls have a normal happy life!

#the sims #the sims 4 #long post #technically she ra but not really #anyhow my night is capital G Going how's everyone else doing?

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crazy-sevens · 3 years ago

Note

Hi!!! May I request some sort of villain x civilian?? Maybe the civilian is getting threatened by another villain or hero??

Thanks! ❤️❤️❤️

It wasn’t like the Civilian looked for trouble. Really everything about her screamed background character. But of course the one time she ran on main street instead of the backroads, she got kidnapped by a villain. And not just any villain, oh no, the supervillain. The hero, living up to the job description, of course saved her. And, of course, the media weaved a whole tapestry of an amazing love story between them.

He was nice. Muscly and whatnot.

Yeah . . . that was pretty much it.

Ever since then she’d been kidnapped twelve times by a whole myriad of maniacs and psychopaths, even though she had made it her personal mission not to talk to the hero ever again aside from the brief ‘thanks’ exchanged after each rescue.

How he got her number she didn’t know.

“Hey Civilian, how’s it going?”

“What do you want?”

“Umm, well,” he gave an uneasy chuckle. “There’s this villain giving me a little trouble, could you . . . wait on the roof of the Enterprise as bait?”

“Oh you’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I know! And I’m sorry, but this would be a great help.”

The civilian sighed, “Now?”

“Preferably.”

The hero looked at her watch. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “You couldn’t just be good at your job and find him yourself?”

“...”

“Of course not.”

“Please. It won’t even take that long, I’ll give you a tracking device so I can find you faster.”

She didn’t reply.

Now it was his turn to sigh. “You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. We’ve got to stop him before he hurts anyone.”

She could only imagine what kind of puppy dog expression he would give her if they were talking in person.

She was going soft.

“Alright, fine,” she growled. “But never ever call me again.”

“Thank you so mu-”

“Yeah whatever.”

***

So here the Civilian was, waiting to get kidnapped.

Again.

She wondered what sort of villain it would be. Over the top? Sinister? Sympathetic? Sometimes she made bets with herself. It was a good way to pass the time while running.

She should really consider getting herself a treadmill.

The Civilian felt a little bad for how curt she was with the hero earlier. He was just trying to help people. And this was clearly the easiest way to draw villains out. She was just tired. Maybe she could get some sleep after the whole ‘threatening before kidnapping’ thing. Of course sleeping tied to a chair wasn’t very comfortable. But it was more comfortable than dangling off a building. Less comfortable than a cell though.

Cell

Chair

Building

Yeah that’s about right.

She guessed she was so used to this whole routine by now that she wasn’t surprised by a voice from behind her. “Do you normally sit on the edge of buildings?”

She spared a glance behind her. The villain was leaned up against the door to the roof. “I like a little danger.”

He smirked. “Oh really?” His voice was low and smooth. “Is that why you’re dating Hero?”

She raised a brow. “Yeah that and the abs.” She left her perch, stood, and folded her arms. “So you gonna kidnap me now? I’m not that fun to be around, trust me.”

He looked her up and down, probably noticing the tight line that was her mouth, the bags under her eyes, and her chewed off fingernails. “You seem used to this.”

“You have no idea,” she replied.

He matched her folded arms, still casually leaned against the building. “Well I can’t kidnap you just yet.” He winked. “Gotta see if this is a trap or not.”

A ghost of a smile crossed her face. “You’re a little more perceptive than they usually are.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

This guy was . . . interesting. “I haven’t seen you before. New around here?” she asked.

“You could say that.”

Vague. Very vague. “Well you got any powers, new guy?”

He pushed off the door and spread his hands. Electricity arched between his fingers. She watched with wide eyes. It was kinda pretty.

Pretty?

She cleared her throat. “It’s alright.”

She was surprised he wasn’t trying to intimidate her, like the villains usually did. He was fully capable though. A head taller than her, calculating eyes, athletic frame, and powers to boot: he could give the hero a run for his money.

The electricity sizzled out. “So you usually wait around to get kidnapped, or is this just my lucky day?” he asked.

Well, she guessed it was kind of obvious what the hero’s plan was. Heroes’ pretend girlfriends don’t just wait around on buildings for no reason. “I mean, it would get this over with quicker if you fell for it.”

He chuckled. “I’m guessing your relationship with the hero is just a business deal?”

“If it was a business deal, I’d get paid.”

He actually laughed then. She felt a flush creep up her cheeks. “Well I have to say I’m surprised,” he said.

“How so?”

“You’re the envy of the town, darling. Any girl would leap at the chance of being rescued by Hero.”

She shrugged. “Yeah well don’t get me wrong, newbie. I’m quite head over heels smitten. But I think I’ll take a nap over being rescued for the thirteenth time.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, just a slight smile on his face and his eyes all-too observant. She just tilted her head. Two can play at these mind games.

His eyes brightened a little.

“How about I make you a deal?” he finally said. “I’ll kidnap you, but you can have a couch.”

Her brows furrowed. “But you know it’s a trap.”

“I’ll take that risk.”

She considered it. It was a better deal than she usually got.

Which was no deal, actually.

“You know, I could just sleep at my house.”

He smirked. “I don’t know if you’re new here, but that’s not how this kidnapping thing works.”

She actually smiled now. “Alright, fine. But I still protest.”

“Duly noted.”

As they headed downstairs, she tossed the tracking device. Let the hero take his time, she didn’t mind a little more conversation with the villain anyway.

Part two here

#villain x civilian #civilian x villain #writing snippet #creative writing #short story #this was a fun one #not a prompt

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bratkook · 4 years ago

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one chance. (m) knj. teaser.

pairing. flash!namjoon x reader genre. fluff, angst, smut, superhero!au word count. approx 20k warnings. light hearted, some fighting (not graphic), mentions of character death (also not graphic...or permanent), mutual pining, namjoon is an adorably sweet dork !! smut: tbd as i write! but ofc filthy summary. namjoon knows he only has one chance to go back and make things right, but is he prepared to live with the potential consequences that his actions could cause? note. this was going to be part of a bts super hero collab that fell through (& i hope the author’s involved still post their fics) i’m about halfway through writing it and hope this will give me the motivation to finish it lmao. i might do a tag list if anyone is interested?? lmk muah.

The searing pain is felt before Namjoon even hits the floor, shooting down his fingertips when he attempts to move them, making his shoulder ache with each breath he takes. The plastic drums he had just collided into—an impact at a speed they weren’t designed to withhold—lay tattered in bits and chunks all around him, cold water that would typically be held inside them now spilled out and soaking into his suit.

A hiss escapes his lips as he remains on the wet floor, already hearing the rushing footsteps approaching him. “It’s broken!” he shouts out, wincing when he once again attempts to move his arm. “Why isn’t it healing if it’s broken?”

When you and Hoseok finally reach him, you breathe a sigh of relief. From the absolute chaos his crash had caused, you were expecting to see him a lot more battered and bruised. Instead he lay on his side, hand gently cradling his aching shoulder with a grimace on his face.

“Holy shit, that was awesome.” Hoseok barely spares a glance at Namjoon, overstepping him to assess the damage caused, tapping away at the screen of his tablet as he does so, checking the speed data he had captured.

“You told me these would hold,” Namjoon grumbles, foot kicking a nearby scrap of plastic, another groan leaving him when his shoulder throbs.

“That was just a guess.” Hoseok brushes him off, continuing to type away as he circles the crash scene. He only approaches Namjoon to pluck the Go-pro off his head, pocketing it with a sheepish smile on his face.

With a subtle eye roll, you’re crouching down to meet Namjoon’s body, hands gently reaching out to see what the problem was. He lets his hand fall from it’s protective position, eyes squeezing shut as he waits for the burst of pain to come, jaw clenching when your fingers press along his shoulder, clearly feeling the way it had popped out of place.

“It’s not healing because it’s not broken.” Namjoon finally opens his eyes now, peering up at you and gulping when he realizes just how close you are. He can clearly see the worry in your eyes as you try to see just how bad it is, a crease between your brows that he wants to rub out with the pad of his thumb, small frown on your lips that only makes him feel worse for going against your warning of this being a bad idea.

A small huff spills from your lips once you realize you won’t be able to help him until you’re back at the lab without this suit—a suit that Hoseok calls his pride and joy—covering him up. “It’s dislocated. You probably tore some ligaments and tendons, but those will heal up just fine once we pop it back into place.”

“Wait, is that gonna hurt?” he whines out, huffing out the strands of his brown hair that had fallen over his face and gasping in pain when you purposely prod at the swollen joint with a small glare.

“I’ll make sure it does so you remember to never go against my warnings.”

“Oh god, you’re doing this on purpose!” Namjoon yells, sat on the cold chair, knees pulled up as he braces for the pain.

“I told you I was,” you smirk, extending his arm out, hands placed against his palm with the other on his trap muscle to get a good grip. The loose threads of his suit tickle his skin, a product of you cutting the fabric to double check that the only thing wrong was in fact his dislocated shoulder.

Did you actually have to cut it? No. This was just your childish way of getting back at Hoseok for convincing Namjoon to do this.

The grimace never leaves his face as you stretch the limb out, twisting it slowly to the right angle before pulling back with a slight pop once it settles back into its rightful spot.

He feels the relief instantly, tense muscles relaxing as he sags back into the chair, face no longer contorted in pain when you gently lower his arm. Namjoon swears he’s never felt better, already able to lift his arms as if nothing ever happened, the torn tendons quickly repaired and back to normal thanks to his regenerative ability.

“Good to go. If you pop it out of place again you’re gonna have to do it yourself.”

“Yeah right. I’ll just have Hoseok do it for me.”

Right on cue, a crash sounds out behind you, followed by a shout and an apology as Hoseok picks up whatever gadget he was currently working on.

“You sure about that?” you question with a smug smile, crossing your arms under your chest as you step back. As smart and helpful as Hoseok was, his mind was far too focused on the technology surrounding him. If Namjoon seriously injured himself, the only person who would know what to do, was you.

He knew this, and sometimes he liked that fact, not opposed to the way you’d constantly worry about him—totally choosing to ignore the reason why you did so was because it was your job. That tiny factor in the equation was tucked into the back of his mind. His small crush was innocent, and if looking forward to seeing what color lipstick you’d wear that day helped him deal with getting poked, questioned, and forced to run on a treadmill to document his speed, then that's fine by him.

“I won’t dislocate my shoulder again. I promise.”

Something about the smile on his face does nothing to ease your worry, and as Hoseok emerges from his room with a giddy laugh, you feel the need to pry.

“What the hell were you trying to do anyway?”

“I think we’re close!” Hoseok announces, your question being brushed aside as he thrusts his tablet into Namjoon’s now fully mobile arms. The only thing lighting up the screen is a skew of numbers along with a diagram and some fancy looking animated figure that slightly resembled himself. It meant nothing to Namjoon so he doesn’t bother trying to decipher it, looking back up at Hoseok with a confused expression.

“I don’t think me making those plastic drums explode got us any closer.” A small shiver courses through him as he recalls the pain from his shoulder once more.

“Oh yeah, that was pointless. But I think I figured out another way.” Hoseok grabs the tablet once more, tapping a few more times before another animation fills the screen. Peering over his shoulder you spot what it is, a golden animation of what looks to be a treadmill, swirls flowing on either side of them that you believe to represent wind.

“Another way for what?” You question again, not liking the sly look on Hoseok’s face.

“Time travel.” He says it so casually, not even sparing you a glance as he flips the tablet over to show Namjoon.

That wasn’t what you were expecting. When you had walked in on Hoseok pitching the idea to Namjoon, wanting to document his full speed, push it further to see what more he was capable of, you thought it was just to gather information to help when it came to figuring out a plan of action the next time a meta-human decided to torment the city.

“Time travel?” you repeat, a displeased look on your face that Namjoon spots instantly. The small wrinkle between your brows is back and he can’t even allow himself to find it adorable because the small glare you were giving Hoseok changes course and stares directly at him.

“Yeah,” he quietly admits, pressing his lips together gently. His saving grace comes in the form of his phone ringing loudly, cutting through the tense silence and making him jolt in his seat, hands fumbling for the device.

He has never been more thankful to get a call from work, your scolding being directed at Hoseok now, but Namjoon can hear it through his current conversation. The worried tone in your voice is clear as you question Hoseok’s sanity, stating how dangerous time travel could be in the grand scheme of things. Hoseok can only stumble over his words, flustered at being on the receiving end of your lecture.

Namjoon ends the phone call right on time to hear you shout, “Are you trying to start World War three?!”

“I gotta go…” he whispers, slowly sliding off the chair trying to be as quiet as possible, hoping he wouldn’t be detected. But before he can flash out of there, you’re looking at him again.

“Not so fast.” He freezes instantly, hands lifted up in front of him. “We’re not done talking about this—“

“I know, but I gotta go. I do have an actual job after all.”

Hoseok glares at Namjoon, “So you’re gonna leave me here to get yelled at...alone?”

Namjoon gives him a guilty smile, shrugging and mumbling out a quick apology before bolting out of there—literally. Your hair flows up at the speed, Hoseok’s shirt flapping wildly, and nearby documents scatter around from the gust of air he had caused. The only thing left behind is the red suit draped across the chair he had been sitting on, flashing out of it and into his regular clothes before leaving to work.

“What was the Gopro for?” you question. As much as you didn’t like the idea of time travel, you were slightly curious about the entire situation.

“Just thought it’d be sick to film it. Like imagine if it actually works and we have solid proof?” Hoseok’s eyes glimmer at the prospect of it all, tapping at the screen to replay the footage captured earlier. The two of you have front row seats of Namjoon’s earlier crash, and seeing the chaos along with hearing Namjoon’s grunts of pain a second time makes you glare at Hoseok once again.

You reach forward and grab the discarded red suit from the chair, balling it up and tossing it at Hoseok’s face. “Patch it up. I had to rip the sleeve to properly see his shoulder.”

He whines loudly as he peels the material off of his face, fingers clutching the precious suit and gasping when he spots the torn area. “You monster!”

#namjoon fluff #namjoon angst #namjoon smut #bts fics #new #teaser

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aoyama-division · 3 years ago

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ARB Birthday Special: Karada Kessaku

~~ May 1st ~~

"Famous men have the whole earth as their memorial."

"What's up, yo?! Just finishing some runs on the treadmill real quick. ...Huh? A gift? Well thanks, dude! But... what's it for?"

"Oh crap! I totally forgot it was my birthday today! Man, I'm dumb! But that makes perfect sense why you gave me this! Thanks a ton, yo!"

Voice Lines:

"This is awesome, bro! All-day long, I've been getting gifts from everyone in Aoyama! It's so cool to have a day made especially for you, and you alone!"

"I've lost track of how many numbers many of the women here in Aoyama have given me. ...It's a shame I can't call them, though. I promised myself and Lola I'd change my ways if I ever want her to notice me! ...But man, do I feel like I'm about to go nuts..."

"Hey, Gramps! Just stopped by to let you know I'm doing alright. I've turned 28 today, but you probably already know that. I've received a lot of presents today, which is a shock! I guess it just shows how important I am to the people of Aoyama, huh? ...Well, I just stopped by to talk. Gotta get going! Later!"

"Hey, Tomi! Thanks for the birthday wish, bro! You're a close friend of mine, as well. So, what did you get me for my birthday? ...Is that... a tanning booth?! Holy crap, dude! I've been meaning to get one of these for my gym back home! I just haven't had time to go get one. Thanks, bro! I'm definitely going to use this before the day is over. Think your guys there can help get it into my house?"

"Luis! Thanks for the birthday wishes, man! I'm surprised we're still buddies after all this time too! But I guess it's true what they say: opposites attract, amirite?! So what kind of gift did you give me? Is it a birthday cake like you gave Lola's goth girlfriend?!

"This is... the Guinness Book of World Records?! Oh crap! Dude, did I make it known that I wanted this? Cause if I did, it was just by accident, I swear! But seriously, Lu, this is awesome! I've been wanting to get into this book for the longest, and now I know what I have to do to get into it! ...Think I could bypass this guy who went a whole month without bathing? ...What? ...What?!"

Tomi Lines:

"Well, seeing as it is one of my closest compatriots' special day, I shall endeavor to congratulate him, so: Happy 28th Birthday, Karada! You are one of the few people here in Aoyama that I can proudly call a friend and an associate, despite how much you may irk me with your simple-mindedness. As thanks for being a close colleague of mine, here is a gift I think you'll enjoy:

With a snap of his fingers, the socialite makes two figures appears, carrying a large rectulangur box, which houses a tanning booth. "I've noticed you're starting to lose that tan which you're so proud of, so... congratulations. You now have your very own tanning booth, which means no more having to use it after any of those peons or Neathandrals at the gymnasium. You're welcome."

Luis Lines:

"Yeah, yeah. Happy birthday, you big lug. I still can't possibly believe that we are friends after all these years. Despite how much of a headache you give me on a daily basis, I'm glad that we know each other. ...So anyway, here's my birthday gift.

"You mentioned earlier this year that you wanted to try to do something to get into the Guinness Book of World Records, right? Well, here. This book should help you with that. Not holding my breathe that you'll actually make it in there, but if you do... just remember who it was that helped you along the way."

#hypmic #hypnosis mic #hypnosis microphone #hypmic oc #hypnosis mic oc #karada kessaku #tomi chōten #luis kōkyū #jet set trio #aoyama division #happy birthday karada 2022 #alternative rap battle #hypmic arb

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restapesta · 4 years ago

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Here's a small fic i put together this morning. I did a sort of twist on a prompt @ianandmickeygallavich (who gives the best prompts btw) put out about Ian and Mickey running into the "abs guy" at the gym. It's short and not edited -- enjoy!

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

Ian's prize

Mickey had followed Ian to the gym begrudgingly, deeming the supposed work-out session Ian had nagged him about completely unnecessary -- sex was good enough of a work-out already, as he had pointed out to his weird-ass husband, but Ian was adamant on having Mickey see the place for itself. Mickey guessed it had something to do with the whole "try to get comfortable in the Westside" bullshit. Mickey appreciated the efforts, but he also knew that Ian's methods weren't gonna work like Ian wanted them to -- Mickey knew that eventually the condo and the Westside as a whole could be something he got used to, but the process was going to be slow. He needed to get familiar with the streets and the escape routes, as well as the best places and bars to buy cheap beer, along with a spot he and Ian could go to if they ever needed to. He needed to know the people -- not just the walking stereotypes like Alan, who Ian had pointed was the 'rule-enforcer' around here, or Karen -- was her name Karen? -- who liked things to be aesthetically pleasing, like the fucking white curtains. He needed to meet the normal ones, or get to know the ones who were wandering around here, but he sure as hell wasn't gonna do that in the fucking gym.

"C'mon, Mick. I want you to come with me. It'll be easier to get my abs back if I have you as my prize." Ian wiggled his eyebrows suggestively while Mickey scowled in confusion.

"Why do you need to get your abs back? Also, you have me even if you start weighing a thousand pounds, so, I'm not really a prize." He glanced at Ian's shirt-covered stomach appreciatively.

Ian shrugged in response. "Saw some guy working out the other day. He had these abs -- kinda reminded me of how I used to be. I kinda let myself go, you know, it being quarantine and having gotten married. Wanna get back in shape."

Mickey had no idea what the fuck Ian was talking about, so instead he just let his eyes wander over Ian's form. "You do you, man. But, if this is letting yourself go..." He blew out a low whistle. "I can't wait to see what it looks like when you get 'in shape'."

Ian smiled at Mickey's suggestive tone, rolling his eyes playfully, obviously content with Mickey's comment. "This isn't gonna get you out of this, baby. No matter how hard you try."

With a smile plastered to both of their faces, they made their way to the fully-equiped gym, Mickey happily glancing and noticing there were only a few people inside.

"I'm gonna do my own thing, Gallagher. You do yours. Best to keep your prize out of reach." He winked at the ginger who raised his hands in defeat, moving away to the treadmills.

Mickey, on the other hand, made his way towards the weights, sitting himself down on the bench. He kept his eyes glued to Ian who was figuring out the buttons on the thing, only lightly pacing on the track.

The whole sight was still drool-worthy. Marriage made Ian look better, in Mickey's opinion. He was always hot, but nowadays, with their anniversary coming up, he looked especially hot and buff.

He was so busy drooling over his husband, he hadn't even noticed a guy staring at Ian himself. He glanced over to the guy who had his eyes glued to Ian's body and the muscles moving beneath his tight-fitting shirt. The guy wasn't bad looking either -- he was actually pretty attractive, blonde hair, nice bod. Still, his eyes were watching the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Suddenly, he turned towards Mickey who was staring at him. He smiled sheepishly, seemingly caught. Chuckling, he said, "That's what happens when you put in the work, I guess." He blew out a breath, checking Ian out.

Mickey wasn't jealous. He and Ian were more solid than ever and the whole thing was somewhat a compliment.

"Imagine getting a guy like that."

Mickey simply nodded. "Probably gotta put in a lot of work."

Being jealous did not mean he wasn't petty though. So, he got up from his place at the bench and made his way to Ian who was now jogging lightly. Ian smiled widely at the sight of Mickey joining next to him. Mickey simply winked.

He didn't care if the asshole got the message.

He was Ian's prize tonight. It was pretty obvious Ian was also his.

#gallavich #shameless #ian gallagher #mickey milkovich #ian and mickey #ianxmickey #shameless us

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shattered-catalyst · 4 years ago

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Intro to OCD for the RPC part 1/?

This is a balmy 6 page document on the VERY BASICS of OCD by a person who has had OCD for over 15 years and knows their shit.

If you want to write a character who has OCD this series is going to be a good starting point. If you dont know much about OCD I encourage you to read it so you can be an ally to those of us who have the disorder.

OCD is made into a cultural joke and when there isnt the ‘Obsessive Cat disorder’ bullshit its an angst off with other people and their non-ocd intrusive thoughts. Its different. Do your research and be an ally.

This will cover the very very basics. The next post will look into subtypes of OCD and how those are experienced.

Whomst can write it?

Literally anyone as long as you

● Do so respectfully and not make a mockery of the disorder and the harm it causes in peoples lives

● Dont make OCD the characters single thing or boil them down to it entirely ● Do respect the experiences and opinions of muns who have the disorder if they have concerns about your portrayal.

● Dont milk it for angst - unless you have OCD in which case release some of your angst.

● Dont try and say you know what intrusive thoughts are because they have *insert any other neuro a-typical thing here*

● Dont police how Muns who have OCD choose to portray it. Its our experience not yours. I like to write out my characters OCD as I experience OCD so my experiences are different from other muns. OCD is very diverse in its effects but always ask if you arent sure.

. What isnt OCD?

● Cleanliness or organization- OCD is NEVER an adjective.

● Planning/ Hypervigilance/Organized/Methodical

● Turning light switches on and off, unplugging things (find out more on later time)

● “I have to organize my pencils otherwise it bothers me” “ I have to make sure my mattress is straight” “ my nails have to be the same length” are all typical responses from people WHO DO NOT have OCD.

● Making sure objects are lined up neatly

● Having things go in a particular order like the letters CDO as the joke goes

● Really loving Cats, Corgis, or Christmas; if you own any of these items i urge you to reflect and also send me 10$ (jk but do reflect)

The Barest minimum

Google OCD this will be an advanced version of OCD. This will be long but if you want to be aware of others or want to write the character you will read it.

OCD is made of Obsessions. Triggers. Anxiety, Compulsions/Rituals.

1. Obsessions are the thoughts

2. Triggers are the object/person/image/situation/smell ETC

3. The Anxiety occurs is at uncomfortable levels to the point of panic or anxiety attacks

4. Compulsions or Rituals are performed

*There is a variant of OCD called Pure O. In this individuals have the obsessions triggers and anxiety but there is NO compulsion or ritual. This is still valid OCD.

Obsessions are the precursors to the flawed unwanted and harmful intrusive thoughts:

Im going to use you so you really understand this because its important.If you misunderstand this you are basically encouraging a mental health condition and dont get a sticker for reading this far.

First check out this link as it has ALL the subtypes and examples.

Obsessions can be hidden by the intrusive thought and teasing them out can be difficult to do if you have the disorder because well its a disorder okay thats why. It boils down to ‘i could harm someone’ ‘i could cause harm’ ‘ i may have accidentally harmed ___’ ‘ i may accidentally harm’ etc

This is the flawed powerful belief that predate the Intrusive Thought.

Intrusive thoughts appear in every brain on earth. They are not special or unusual however intrusive thoughts with OCD get stuck in the brain- meaning they stay there no matter what you do. So yes , they are different from intrusive thoughts in other conditions.

The thing about OCD is that it latches on to what you hold dear; it may be you are a caring person and love children and animals- your OCD would give you intrusive violent or sexual thoughts or images. These are horrible to experience. They are not welcome nor appreciated and there is no benefit or positive side to having them.

If say social justice is something you hold dear your ocd may take the form of intrusive thoughts of slurs, jokes, visuals etc. These are horrible to experience and lead to high levels of anxiety and are not positive nor beneficial to have in any way shape or form.

Maybe you would not harm someone or you value others; your OCD may present as graphic intrusive images or thoughts around poisoning, stabbing,accidental..ly murdering (yeah you read that right), hitting, insulting etc someone else

I must emphasize this because it is critical that people understand POCD: for the sake of those of us who have OCD read this until its burned into your brain.

This is the fucked up awful Obsessive thought that you are/were/ or could be sexually attracted to children. This is NOT pedophilia. People kill themselves over this because they are afraid that these intrusive thoughts are true. People isolate themselves and dont have families out of fear of harming a child. People take work in different fields or avoid areas with children out of the absolute terror their obsessive thoughts could be true. This is NOT pedophilia. There is NO attraction present.

Most people who experience POCD intrusive thoughts would rather punch a sharknado than even THINK of hurting a kid in any way shape or form. That is why the OCD does its thing it is like having an abusive brain.

Again for clarity's sake

If you value social justice -> the intrusive thoughts violate social justice stuff

If you value animals -> intrusive thoughts come up with harming animals

If you care about the protection and safety of children -> POCD

Triggers would be the situation, scenario, object, person,creature, context etc that is related to the Obsession. It can be literally anything.

What follows is a hell of a lot of anxiety that can range anywhere from discomfort to full on panic attacks.

Everyone has different intrusive thoughts and everyone experiences different amounts of distress upon being triggered.

● As a side bar. Do not ever try and expose someone to their triggers or write about a character being exposed to their triggers as a way to help ‘cure them’ or ‘expose them’ to ANYTHING. What you are doing is literally taking someone with a mental illness and shoving them into a breakdown and thats a piece of shit move. Exposure therapy does exist and is done by professionals TRAINED in ERP. My parents did this a lot and I am positive I am not alone in that experience.

Compulsions or Rituals: Now you may be saying ‘hey i know what those are’ yeah dude me too and I have had ocd for over 15 years and trained in mental health for 7 and guess what. They teach ya wrong.

Compulsions or ‘rituals’ are any behavior done to alleviate the anxiety from the intrusive thought and trigger object.

This can be as passive as ‘i am leaving the room’ ‘ i am checking my body sensations’ ‘ i am trying SO HARD TO HEAR MY HEARTBEAT’ .

It can also be repeating the same thing over and over. To illustrate this I once mentally chanted the same song lyric line on a 3 hour plane ride because otherwise we were all going to die. I took one for the whole team.

It can be somatic things like counting your heart beats, focusing on your breathing, swallowing, staring and not blinking for so many seconds.

It can be readjusting clothing until the seams fit. It can be checking god yes checking IK its a common trope but it IS a compulsion that has ruined my life and can be as passive as checking my reality or texting for proof my cat is still alive. It can also be checking yourself for assurance you wouldnt do the intrusive thought or that the intrusive thought isnt going to happen.

Compulsions are mentally painful and sometimes physically painful;

● Washing your hands with scalding water for 5+ minutes can lead to horribly dry and cracking skin to down right BURNS.

● If you do the same movement you can mess up joints and ligaments. So if you pray constantly you may have knee issues from standing and kneeling.

● If your compulsion has you doing movement against an object ie say gripping and regripping something you get callouses.

● If you compulsively exercise you may get trapped doing something above a healthy amount or say going from not working out to running a five minute mile and wiping out on a treadmill because your brain demanded it. Totally didnt do that...

● If your compulsions make you rub against any object you can get friction burns and scars.

To put this in perspective 15 years of compulsions have left my hands and finger joints a complete mess, damaged my arm tendons, friction scars on my arms that only now faded, and scars on my legs from doing too much of an activity.

Its not lmao I gotta fix these pencils its real agony and real torture.

In short compulsions and rituals are not fun they are absolutely not logical, and we know they are not logical but we are forced to do them. Thats why its a disorder.

OCD disrupts relationships with social components such as ;

Obsessively checking in with partner/friend if things are ‘okay’ (this feels horrible to do too fyi like you KNOW things are fine but you cant NOT because the anxiety is SO BAD),

Relationship OCD is a WHOLE category itself! this ties into sexuality OCD where your obsessive thoughts prey on your sexuality (regardless of your orientation), your relationship, cheating or being disloyal etc.

OCD causes significant withdrawal from others, fears of being a monster, intense guilt over intrusive thoughts, disgust with yourself over the intrusive thoughts sometimes leading to self punishment.

OCD leads to strange behavior which more often than not leads to bullying and ostracization. To exemplify this I have an intrusive thought that I have stolen something when I am inside stores, my check-check-check-check-check-recheck! of my pockets gets me store security called so often its criminal.

OCD limits activities that may expose them to triggers or influenced by intrusive thoughts ie: not being able to take the train to work or only getting off at bus stops with even numbers.

OCD impacts where they spend time, who they associate with, what jobs they take or even if they have a family or not

OCD leads to overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, and fear over having intrusive thoughts or images that they experience which causes them to socially isolate or have difficulty in social situations.

OCD leads to Hyperfixation: like a lot of other things but thankfully it is just hyperfixation and not different from other diagnoses.

OCD leads to rigidity or structured routines: I have listened to the same CD in my car for 5 years now. Every single day. 5 Years.And Im not okay with that.

OCD impacts standards we hold ourselves to and others: its like regular perfectionism but like add on 5 extra layers of anxiety!

OCD according to NIMH statistics

1.2% Occurrence among US adults

2.3% Lifetime Prevalence among US adults

34.8% Of Adults who have OCD suffer moderate impairment to daily functioning 50.6% of Adults who have OCD suffer serious impairment to daily functioning

OCD has strong co-morbidity with the following:

Tourettes Syndrome- is a genetic friend of OCD and if you have tourettes or OCD your chances of having someone else in the family is high

ADHD

Autism

GAD

Eating Disorders

Depression - this is a big one along with low self esteem because of the intrusive thoughts

Writers like to make jokes about characters “being OCD” well now they have clinical OCD and you should consider fleshing out your character with this information just as you would any other disorder.

Batman (DC)

Riddler (?)(DC)

Domino (Marvel)

Cyclops (Marvel)

#this took a lot of emotional energy and i am now terrified

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undercoverclover · 4 years ago

Text

Safest When I’m With You

Pairing: Byeongkwan x reader

Genre: Fluff

Warning: Mentions of Stalking

The thought of walking through those doors was intimidating. I’d put it off ever since I’d broken up with my ex, but it’s time I move on. I breathe in then out and walk through the gym doors.

“Hi, welcome. How can I help you?” Hearing the employee at the front desk.

“Hello, just coming back after a break.” I say, scanning my card to allow me access. They thank me for coming back and I head to the locker room to put my stuff away.

Looking down as I come out, I run into someone, “Oops, I’m so sorry.” Looking up, I notice it’s a guy with blonde hair and light brown eyes.

“It’s alright. No big deal.” He says, chuckling.

“I’m glad, some would be completely rude and it’s my first time back in about 6 months. I don’t want to ruin it.” I ramble. I realize and take a deep breath, making myself chill.

“You’re alright, promise. And that’s awesome that you got back into it, most would give up and just stay away.” He smiles. His smile is adorable.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I smile back.

“I’m Byeongkwan. Nice to meet you.” He says, holding out his hand. I tell him my name and shake his hand, smiling bigger, “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Saying goodbye, that was the end of our conversation that day. I went back a few more times over the next few weeks and we talked for a bit those days that we were both there. Exchanging numbers, we even went for coffee once...or twice. The next gym day came and I lay in bed, still sore from the last one, and debate on whether or not I should go or stay in bed. I decide to get up and put on my gym clothes.

I walk into the gym an hour later and I see Byeongkwan was lifting weights in the front of the gym. I head to the locker room after scanning in and decide to go to the treadmills at the back. I rotate walking and running for a while, then head to the leg machines.

Sitting down on one, I put the appropriate weights on and start. Halfway through my reps, I hear a laugh that I loathe, “Hey, I see you’re back again.”

“Great, I see you’re here.” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Is that anyway to treat the best thing you ever had?” He smirks.

“Believe me, if I thought you would be the best thing I would ever have, I’d lock myself in a tower and throw away the key.” I retort.

“Oh, still touchy about it, I see.”

“If I recall, I broke up with you, Daniel.”

The unhappy memories flood back and my anger dissipates, trying to turn into anxiety.

“You can think that babe, but we know you’ll try to come back.” Daniel chuckles. My breathing increases, but one would think it’s from the leg exercises.

“Hey, baby. I thought I saw you.” I hear, butterflies forming in my stomach at the voice. Byeongkwan bends down and kisses my cheek, “Play along.” he whispers, as a blush crosses my face.

“Hey, yeah. Sorry. I was just about to come find you.” I say, smiling up at him.

“Hey man, I’m Byeongkwan.” He says, holding out his hand to the idiot on the other side of me.

“Daniel.” He smiles, shaking Byeongkwan’s hand.

“Nice to meet ya, man,” He replies then looks down at me, “Are you about ready? We have dinner reservations with my parents in a few hours.”

I smile and nod, “Yeah, I was about done. This was the last thing I had to do.”

“Alright,” he looks back up at Daniel, as do I and his face is full of frustration.

“Nice to meet you, again, but I gotta get my girl home so we can get ready. Maybe we’ll see you around sometime.” He smiles at Daniel, who still looks just as frustrated.

“Yeah, maybe.” He says, then looks down and glares slightly at me.

I stand up, “Ready when you are. Just let me grab my bag from the locker room.”

Heading towards the locker room, Byeongkwan follows me to the door, “I’ll meet you right here.”

I nod, not arguing with the look on his face.

Grabbing my bag, I walk back out and see Byeongkwan standing there with his arms crossed, waiting for me. Daniel is standing there too, talking to him again.

“Hey, hon. Are you ready?” I smile, putting my arm through his to loosen the tension, hopefully.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” He smiles down at me, “See ya around.” he nods to Daniel.

“For sure.” Daniel says. Byeongkwan walks me out and steers me away from my car, only to go to his.

“You don’t need to take your car yet. I bet he watched us the whole way out.” He said, unlocking his car doors.

“What? How do you know?” I say, looking back and not seeing anything.

“Just a feeling.Does he know where you live?” He asks.

I nod at him.

“Who is he?” He says, getting in and opening the door for me from the inside. I get in and sigh.

“First, thank you for saving me in there, I’d have lost a lot of hard work if you hadn’t come over. Second, he’s my ex. When I left he started stalking me. I was terrified to do anything.” I state.

“So that’s why it took you so long to come back?” He asks.

“Mostly, I wanted to be stronger mentally before I knew I would end up facing him again.”

“You say that like he hurt you in some way.”

“He did. But, I’m better now, or so I thought.” I say.

“Well, I’d call us friends, wouldn’t you?” He asks.

“Yeah, for sure.” I say, “Why?”

“Because, he doesn’t sit right with me and I don’t want you going back there by yourself. So either I’m going with you or you're going to my place. But if I go to yours, I’ll have to go get clothes.”

“Um, well.. I guess you can come to my place. You’d have to bring me back to my car later anyway.”

“Alright. Then to my house it is.” He starts the car and we take off.

It wasn’t very far to his place, we walked in and 4 guys were sitting on their couch, watching tv.

“Hey Bk, what’s up?” One with platinum hair asks.

“Nothing Donghun, just came to grab some clothes. I’ll fill you in later.” He says.

“Okay? Who’s this?” Another asks, smiling.

“A friend, Jun. Don’t worry about it.” Byeongkwan smiles at the black, curly haired one.

I smile and tell them my name anyway, being polite and Byeongkwan sarcastically glares at me. I giggle and wave him off. He heads to a bedroom and closes the door behind him.

“So, you go to the gym we go to?” Donghun asks.

“Mhmm. I started going back last week.” I smile at him.

“That’s cool. Do you enjoy it? I’m Chan, by the way.” He smiles.

“I do. I took a break for a while to figure some things out and finally decided it was time to go back.” I say.

“Ah, that’s cool. We all try to go to the gym when we have time. Bk is the only one that makes time. He loves working out. You’d think it was relaxing for him...” Chan explains, chuckling. I laugh and Byeongkwan walks out into the living area.

“Alright, I’m ready.” He says, eyeing them as I laugh, “What did you say?”

“Just that you and the gym have a close relationship.” The one I don’t know their name, says.

“Sehyoon. Oh my gosh guys, come on. Don’t be weird.” He says groaning and rolling his eyes.

“We aren’t… Chan is.” Jun says, pointing to Chan.

“I am not.” The man laughs.

“They’re not. I know you like working out. It shows.” I say, my face turning red as the words came out of my mouth. Byeongkwan smiles, turning slightly pink and chuckles.

“Come on, it should be okay to take you back to get your car now.” He says, shaking his head.

“Alright. It was nice to meet you guys.” I smile and wave at them.

“Yeah you too. Maybe we can hang out sometime.” Jun smiles as the rest wave back. Walking out the door, I hear Jun get hit with something a few times and playfully scream. I peek my head back in the door and the others are all cackling, while Jun is crouched in the floor gasping for air from laughing so hard.

“I’m coming.” Byeongkwan laughs, noticing me in the doorway. He closes the door once we both get out.

“Sorry about them. They’re weird.” He smiles, seeming kind of embarrassed.

“No, it was fun, They were adorable.” I laugh.

We get back in his car and go back the way we came. Getting to my car, I hop in and he follows me back to my apartment.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” He asks.

“Honestly, with how he made me feel today. I’m more than okay with it.”

I unlock my door and go in, taking my shoes off and showing him where he can sit his stuff.

“Do you want something to eat or drink?” I offer.

“Nope, I actually do have dinner with my parents tonight though. But, you’re coming with me.”

“Byeongkwan! No. No. I can’t. I can stay here, lock myself in and you can text or call me every so often.” I say, startled at the news.

“No way. I don’t know what he did when you were with him, but I just don’t want to leave you alone tonight. Plus, I kind of already told them you’d be coming” He says looking down.

“When? How?” I laugh.

“While we were back at my place.”

“Byeongkwan!” I groan, “Ugh. What should I wear?”

He smiles, “Just casual clothes are fine.”

I show him to the bathroom and he takes a shower. I look for clothes to wear before I shower next and get stuck between a white one and a black one. A few minutes later, I hear him walking out and I go to ask him what shirt would be better.

Hey, Byeongk- Oh! My bad.” I say, looking down, realizing he’s without a shirt and blush. My eyes stay there and take note of his amazing body. Muscular, but not overdoing it like some do… and his abs. I clear my throat and bring my eyes back to his face, his eyes are gorgeous and his lighter skin makes him adorable... He has nice lips that would be great to kiss, too. I finally notice he’s smirking and look away.

“Sorry, I left my shirt on top of my bag.” He says.

“It’s alright.” I chuckle. I let him pass and he goes to grab his shirt.

“Did you need something?”

“Huh? Oh! Which shirt?”

“Hmm… Well, I don’t know the dinner menu tonight, so I’d go with black.

“Well suggested…” I laugh and he smiles.

After I get ready, we head to his parent’s house. I was deep in thought most of the way there. I wondered why he was being this protective to be honest. Did he actually like me? Did Daniel say something to trigger him at the gym? Does he feel responsible for me? All these questions running through my head and I have no answer to any of them.

“You alright?” I hear Byeongkwan ask.

“Yeah, just thinking about some things.”

“Anything you want to talk about?”

“Not really? I mean there’s things I want to talk to you about, but it’s not necessarily a conversation to have on the way to your parent’s house.”

“Go ahead. We have time.” He smiles.

“O- Okay… Well first, I wanted to ask if Daniel had said anything to hint that he might cause trouble with me?”

“No, I tried to keep him away from the subject of you.”

“Okay.”

“What’s the next thing?”

“Huh?” I ask.

“You said the first thing was the Daniel question. Is there more?”

“Well, yes. Kind of…”

“Shoot.”

“I’m not sure if I want to ask or not.”

“Come on now. I’ll be 100% honest.”

“Okay…. Do you feel responsible for me because you were there and you saw what was happening? Or. Or do you like me?” I ask, hesitating on the last question.

His hands tighten on the steering wheel a little, while he looks like he’s thinking super hard.

“That’s honestly a harder question than I’d thought it would be.”

“How so?”

“Okay, so it’s not a hard question to answer, it’s just- you know what. Yes.”

“Yes what?” I ask, confused.

“The truth is, I do like you.. I have for a bit now, but never could get up the courage to do something about it. And yes, I did feel a little responsible, only because I felt like if I hadn't been there, you would have had a panic attack and I don’t want that to happen.”

I have no words to say to him. I was in shock more or less…

“You can say something, you know?” He frowns.

“I would, if I could think of the right thing to say.”

“Great.”

“No. no. no, I don’t mean in a mean way. I just mean, well I like you too and I’m really honored that you helped me today, not knowing how I'd react.” I say.

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” I smile and he smiles back, continuing on our drive. Looking over at him, I feel like he seems more relaxed.

“We’re almost there. Another 5 minutes or so…” He says, smiling.

“Okay.” I say, as my nerves start to pick up slightly.

“You don’t have to be nervous. They’re great, I promise.” He chuckles.

“I don’t doubt that one bit… They seemed to have raised you well.” I smile and notice a blush appear on his face.

Pulling up to a cute little white house, I feel my stomach drop.

“We’re here.” Byeongkwan states.

“It’s cute.” I smile at him.

“It is. And don’t worry, I think you’ll do fine, no pressure. It’s not like we’re dating.” He states, looking away.

“Yeah, but still. Meeting someone’s parents is important either way.”

“True. But they’ll like you,”

We get out of the car and walk up to the house. He knocks a few times before a woman with dark hair and Byeongkwan’s eyes answers, “Hello, my boy.” She says smiling and looking behind him at me.

“And hello to you too.” She says, smiling widely.

I smile and bow, “Hello. Nice to meet you.”

We go inside and his father is just as welcoming. We greet each other and sit down to talk for a bit before dinner is done.

When his mom calls us to the table, I notice several dishes I loved. I’d never told Byeongkwan, so he wouldn’t have known… so maybe these are his favorites too?

“It all looks so amazing.” I say, looking up at her as she places rice in the middle of the table.

“Thank you, dear.” She says, happily and takes her seat at the table, next to her husband. They were on one side and we were on the other.

“I’m glad you came today. It’s nice to meet you. Especially after Byeongkwan told us a lot about you.” His dad said. I blush and look down at my plate.

“Ah, come on dad!” Byeongkwan says, putting his face in his hand.

“Well! Ah, okay.” He grumbles. We eat and speak in light conversation, laughing as they embarrass their son for the rest of the night and finally say our goodbyes.

Heading to my house, the car is quiet. Neither of us saying a word, so I decide to break the silence…

“Your parents seem really great.” I smile, looking towards him.

“Thanks, I think they are.” He says, smiling back at me.

“Eyes on the road, sir.” I laugh, pushing on his cheek to turn his head so his eyes are back on the road. He chuckles, but does it.

Ten minutes lanter, we arrive back at my place. As I walk down my hall, I notice my door is open..

“Byeongkwan.” I whisper, stopping.

“I see it. Stay out here.” He whispers back.

“No, let’s just call the cops. They can come check it out.” I say, grabbing his hand to keep him beside me.

“It could take them forever. What if the person is still in there?” He asks.

“Exactly… what if it’s Daniel and you get hurt?” I ask. He sighs, pulling out his phone and calling the police.

“If they come out, I’m taking whoever it is out.” He says, as he hangs up the phone.

“Deal.” I agree.

Within 10 minutes, there were 2 cops at the side of my door, about to charge in with their guns ready. One pushes open the door and they charge in. :Police! Stop where you are.” One says. Then, I hear pans crashing, a lamp break and a gun goes off. I start to panic and Byeongkwan wraps me in his arms and I bury my face in his chest, waiting for the noise to end.

“Shhhh, it’s going to be alright. I’m right here.” He says, covering my ears.

“Ma’am?” The officer says. Byeongkwan uncovers my ears and I look up at the cop.

“Yes?” I ask, nervous.

“You two did the right thing. There was a man in there. He seemed to be waiting on you. Do you know him?” He asks. The other cop marches exactly who I’d expected out of my door… “Daniel Green.” I say, squeezing Byeongkwan’s hand. He goes to radio the incident in and I turn and wrap my arms around the man who I felt safe with.

“Hey, he’s coming back, come on. I’m not going anywhere.” He reassures me.

“I understand you’d had an order of protection against him, did that just expire?” He says walking back up us and I nod.

“Well, you got lucky then. It seemed he knew when it would expire too.” He says, frowning, “grab what you need to and I’d suggest staying somewhere else tonight.”

I nod, tears streaking my face.

“You can stay at my place. Wait here with the officer and I’ll get our stuff.” Byeongkwan says.

“Okay…. Thank you.” I say, trying to stop the tears.

An hour later, we finish up at the police station as my place is being searched for more evidence. We leave and head to Byeongkwan’s place. His roommates immediately open the door and engulf me in a group hug. I smile and hug them as best as I can.

“Okay, let her through. She’s exhausted.” Byeongkwan says, grabbing my hand and taking me to his bedroom.

“You can sleep here, I don’t mind.”

“Will you lay with me? I don’t want to be alone right now.” I admit.

“I can, but I didn’t plan on letting you out of my sight anytime soon.” He smiles, wrapping me in a hug and laying his forehead against mine.

“Forever?” I smile.

“Forever is a long time. Are you sure you can handle me for that long?”

Looking up at him, I smile and kiss his perfect lips, “Forever it is then.”

#ace byeongkwan #acewriters #byeongkwan #byeongkwan x reader #a.c.e #a.c.e byeongkwan #fluff #ace x reader

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