#i had blue hair for a bit and was always nervous about it fading to green and all she said was 'trust me i handled it'

[let-love-run-red]

My hair stylist is a genius

[everyonewooeverywhere]

MDNI 18+ BLOG -> ageless blogs and minors WILL BE BLOCKED

pairing ✭ sub!yunho x afab!reader

synopsis ✭ he just wants you to come home. he misses you so so much. but you left your panties on the bed...so maybe he'll be okay.

content/genre ✭ smut 18+ MDNI (warnings below the cut)

word count ✭ 1k

notes ✭ this is just a bit of contrast from yesterday 👀

warnings ✭ smut, panty sniffing ☺️, mommy kink, sub yuyu, dirty talk (mc calls yunho a whore & slut), masturbation

✭ ✭ ✭

He knew he shouldn’t call you in the middle of the day. You were out with friends, getting lunch and shopping. He didn’t need to be by your side at every waking moment…but actually he did.

The bed felt so cold without you. No amount of blankets could replicate your touch. But he needed to let you be. It was noon anyway. He should probably get out of bed.

So…he called you. And it rang. And rang. And rang until eventually the tune faded and he was left with his own wildy impure thoughts. He could stop think about you. How good you had smelt after you’d spritzed your perfume in the bathroom. How good your legs had looked under that skirt. How gently you’d kissed him before you left.

Pressing a hand to his chest and pressing your freshly glosses lips to his own, “Be a good boy for me while I’m gone, okay?” 

He’d only nodded breathlessly before retreating to your bed and burying himself in your fluffy blankets. Bringing one of them up to his face and inhaling the scent of your shampoo and fabric softener that clung to the fabric. He could already feel himself getting unbearably hard.

And when you hadn’t picked up, he’d only gotten more and more needy. When he tossed his phone down next to him, though, he caught something out of the corner of his eye. 

Fuck.

You’d left a pair of panties on the bed. The one’s you had just changed out of before you left. The light blue fabric printed with little bows was taunting him. 

He should put them in the laundry. Clean them for you. And let you kiss him on the forehead and call him a good boy for helping you out.

But they were so close. It was just be so easy to take them. Keep them. Hide them in a special place. He should’ve felt more guilty. Where was that nervous knot in his stomach that kept him from doing stupid shit? Was this a boundary he really wanted to cross?

He reached across the bed and pinched the waistsband, caressing the fabric with his thumb, dragging them closer to him. “Fuck,” he groaned softly as he gingerly picked them up. 

It was so wrong of him. Why was he acting this way? Like some kind of sex-depraved creep. He was your boyfriend for fucks sake. You buried his cock deep in your pussy nearly every day. Riding him and draining him dry. Leaving him a babbling whimpering mess every night before kissing his cheeks and caressing his hair until he inevitable fell asleep in your arms.

And was here returning the favor by burying his nose in your panties, whimpering at the scent of you left on them. He finally pulled his aching cock out of his shorts (he always forwent underwear in the house). The precum leaking out of the tip was more than enough to lube himself up as he teased himself. Starting the pumps painfully slow. Grazing a finger over the underside. 

He was a whining mess. Whimpering into your panties, picturing you sitting on his face. He imagined you breathing in his ear.

I thought you were gonna be my good boy?

No? You’re gonna be a little whore, aren’t you.

It’s ok~ Mommy likes needy little sluts anyway.

He shuttered at the thought of your breath on his neck. Degrading him just like he deserved, “Hmmm, mommy,” he whimpered, “‘M sorry–fuck–’m sorry mommy.”

The words came out as barely coherent babbles he choked out between breaths. Pumping his cock despreatly and irratically in his fist just to get a fraction of the feel of you. 

He brought the panties down to his cock and rolled over onto his stomach. He gripped your pillow for dear life, moaning and sobbing into it as he furiously jerked himself off. The control he had over himself was wearing thin. He kept grinding into your mattress, too. Trying to give himself just a little more friction. 

It was so overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. Everything smelt like you. The pillow, the sheets, the blankets tangled between his legs. But nothing felt quite like you. Not his fist, not the panties, not anything he could get himself.

The whimpers come out as he aimlessly begged, “Need you. Mmm…need you so bad.” His grip on his cock tightened as he felt himself get closer, “Need mommy’s pussy. Hah–please.”

He imagined you chuckling at him. Condescendingly telling him that, “Mommy’s right here. You have mommy’s pussy.” You’d grip his cheek between your fingers, “Don’t tell me you need more?” And you’d pout out your bottom lip as his eyes welled up with tears, “Baby boy can’t get off by himself, can he? Needs some help?” And he’d nod desperately. He’d have no resolve, no dignity left. Just an empty head filled with the desire to cum.

The more he thought about your dirty words the closer he got. So so so close. “Please please please,” he whined, “Mommy please let me cum. ‘M your good boy. Please–’m a good boy.”

And just the thought of you telling him, “Go ahead baby. Cum for mommy,” made him cum. A lot. All into your panties and over your sheets and he shook unnder your blankets. Sobbing into your pillows. 

When he collapsed fully into your pillows, he had to take a few minutes to catch his breath. Trying to realize what had just happened. He pulled you blanket up to his neck snuggling further into your bed. 

His phone buzzed next to him. And he groaned as he stretched over to grab it. Only to see a text from you. 

angel 🤍: what happened to being my good boy yuyu?

angel 🤍: i can’t leave you at home for a few hours without you breaking the rules, can i?

What the fuck? He clicked out of the chat quickly to check his call log. And there it was.

You’d been on the phone the whole time.

[its-avalon-08]

Hi! i love daniel riccardo and lando norris, can you maybe do one where you are daniel's best friend and end up falling for lando? you grew up in an abusive childhood so daniel is fiercly protective of u, and he doesn't like that lando is flirting with u (daniel and y/n is purely platonic pls),

i'll always be your home (dr3 platonic + ln4)

tw- abusive household

the monaco grand prix was always a chaotic spectacle, but this year, the real drama was brewing off the track. you, ever the loyal friend, sat with daniel in the mclaren hospitality area, dodging champagne showers and lando's relentless teasing.

"hey bubs," lando sidled up, a mischievous glint in his eye, "think you can handle a real yacht party later? not like those snooze-fests danny drags you to."

daniel, already bristling at lando's nickname for you, snorted. "actually, y/n loves classic rock marathons. much better than your dubstep-infused ear torture."

you squeezed daniel's arm, stifling a laugh. "don't worry, honey badger, i can handle both." you'd picked up his playful nickname for himself, a constant reminder of his unwavering support.

growing up in an abusive environment had left scars, but daniel had become your anchor. he saw past your nervous flinches and forced smiles, his protectiveness a constant comfort.

later that night, under the twinkling lights of monte carlo, you found yourself drawn to lando's easy charm. you dueled with him on jet skis, his laughter echoing across the water, a sound that sent shivers down your spine. he felt like home, like a sense of comfort and safety.

noticing your growing closeness, daniel pulled you aside. his smile was strained. "y/n, are you ok?"

"yeah, why wouldn't i be?"

"lando," he said, his voice low. "he can be… a lot."

you sighed. "daniel, i can handle lando. i want to handle him."

silence stretched between you. daniel's gaze softened, a hint of pain flashing through his blue eyes. "i just want to make sure you're happy, safe. you deserve the best, y/n."

tears welled up in your eyes. you squeezed his hand. "i am happy, thanks to you. you're like a brother to me and i love you for it, but… lando makes me feel…" you trailed off, unable to articulate the unfamiliar butterflies in your stomach.

daniel chuckled, the sound laced with relief. "like you're on a rollercoaster? lando can be a bit of a daredevil." he paused, then added, "but if he ever hurts you…"

you finished his sentence with a mock glare. "honey badger unleashed, right?"

he grinned, the familiar twinkle back in his eyes. "exactly. now, go have fun. just… promise me you'll be careful, alright?"

you threw your arms around him in a hug. "always."

the next few weeks were a whirlwind. you and lando went on secret dates, stolen kisses under the guise of "team strategy meetings." daniel, ever the detective, noticed your flushed cheeks and lingering smiles, but a relieved smile played on his lips whenever he saw you genuinely happy.

the sun beat down on the budapest paddock, reflecting off lando's helmet as he peeled it off. daniel, ever the opportunist, snagged him before he could disappear.

"lando, a word?" daniel's voice was quiet, a stark contrast to his usual boisterousness.

lando followed him into a shaded corner, a playful grin fading as he saw the seriousness etched on daniel's face. "alright, mate, what's up?"

daniel hesitated, running a hand through his sweat-damp hair. "look, lando, i know you and y/n have been… hitting it off lately."

lando's grin returned, a touch sheepish. "yeah, she's pretty awesome, isn't she?"

"she is," daniel agreed, his voice heavy. "but there's something you need to know about her."

lando's smile faltered completely. he'd noticed the flinch y/n sometimes had, the way she seemed to shut down in certain situations. he hadn't pushed, but it had gnawed at him.

daniel took a deep breath. "y/n… she's been through a lot. more than you know." he hesitated again, then continued, his voice low. "she doesn't deserve to be hurt, lando. not again."

lando felt a pang in his chest. the playful teasing suddenly felt cruel in light of what daniel was implying. "hurt her? mate, i would never—"

daniel cut him off, his voice thick with emotion. "you wouldn't believe the things she's had to deal with. the strength it takes her just to get through the day…" he trailed off, wiping a hand across his eyes. "i just… i promised myself i'd protect her."

lando stared at him, his heart clenching. he'd never seen daniel like this, so vulnerable. a new respect bloomed for the man who was more than just a teammate, but a fierce protector.

"daniel," lando said, his voice firm despite the tremor in his hands. "listen to me. y/n is incredible. kind, funny, strong as hell. and the way she lights up when you talk to her… it's something special."

daniel looked up, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "you… you care about her?"

"care about her?" lando scoffed, a genuine smile breaking through. "mate, i'm smitten. i haven't been able to stop thinking about her since that night in monaco. but trust me, hurting her is the last thing i'd ever do. i want to make her happy, to be there for her the way you have been."

daniel's shoulders slumped in relief. a watery smile played on his lips. "just… don't mess up, alright? she deserves the world."

"i know," lando promised, a newfound determination burning in his eyes. "i'll take care of her, mate. you can count on me."

from then on, things shifted. lando toned down the teasing, replaced by genuine care. he made an effort to understand your past, offering a supportive ear and a shoulder to lean on.

the hungarian twilight cast long shadows across the budapest track, the last embers of the setting sun painting the sky in fiery hues. you leaned against the railing, the city lights twinkling below, a bittersweet ache settling in your chest.

the race had been exhilarating, a nail-biting finish that left you breathless. lando and daniel did amazingly.

suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence. "lost in thought, shoey queen?" lando stood beside you, his blue eyes holding a hesitant warmth.

you offered a small smile. "just reflecting on the race. it was incredible."

he nodded, then cleared his throat nervously. "listen, y/n, there's something i… something i've been wanting to say."

his vulnerability sent a jolt through you. you'd seen lando's playful facade, the charming daredevil who thrived on competition. but this lando, standing before you with a tremor in his voice, was captivating.

"alright," you encouraged, your heart pounding a frantic rhythm against your ribs.

he took a deep breath. "these past few weeks… they've been incredible. getting to know you, not just as daniel's best friend, but as y/n. you're strong, funny, and you have this incredible spark in your eyes that makes me want to be a better person."

his words washed over you, each one a brushstroke painting a picture of affection you hadn't dared to imagine. tears welled up in your eyes, a mixture of joy and a fear of vulnerability you hadn't fully conquered.

"y/n," he continued, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "i know you've been through a lot. and i want you to know, whatever it is, i'm here for you. to listen, to support you, to be your shoulder to cry on."

he reached out, his thumb gently brushing away a stray tear that trailed down your cheek. the simple touch ignited a thousand unspoken emotions within you.

"so," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "would you like to… maybe go out sometime? just you and me. no strategy meetings or champagne showers, just a chance to get to know each other better."

the weight of his sincerity settled upon you, a comforting blanket against your past hurts. you met his gaze, a newfound determination sparkling in your own eyes.

"i'd like that very much, lando," you whispered, a single tear slipping down your cheek, this time a tear of pure hope.

he smiled, a radiant beam that chased away the twilight shadows. in that moment, under the budapest sky, bathed in the soft glow of the city lights, you knew this was just the beginning of something special.

later that night, you found daniel by the pool, a beer in his hand. "so," he said gruffly, "what happened with lando?"

a shy smile spread across your face. "he asked me out. officially."

he raised an eyebrow. "and?"

"and i said yes."

his lips twitched. "about time, shoey queen." he held you in a tight hug. "just promise me one thing."

you pulled back, concern flickering in your eyes. "anything."

"take care of each other. and if he ever breaks your heart…"

"honey badger unleashed, i know."

you both laughed, the sound echoing through the night. you knew daniel would always be there, a fierce protector turned loving friend, and with lando by your side, you were finally ready for something more.

🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️🏎️

leave a like! leave a comment! reblogs are appreciated!

[mental69er]

Post Kill Yandere Victoria Neuman

setting: you set the president elect off the rails and now you're in for it

content: yandere victoria, mentions of head popping, blood, jealous and possessive victoria, fem reader who is very into feral victoria, mutually assured destruction i guess, slight choking, quips about politics, morally gray reader

"Look what you made me do, baby," Victoria crooned darkly, shoving back the wet mass of her soaked hair to keep it out of her eyes. It remained slicked back, weighed down by the blood that stained it and dribbled down her face. Crimson soaked the front of her clothes, forever ruining the white shirt, and the baby blue suit that you loved so much.

But you did always find red to be a complimentary color on Victoria.

She turned to face you, breathing slightly heavy, white fading from her vision. There was a feral look in her eyes- the adrenaline of a satisfying kill.

The alleyway was dark and otherwise deserted, the contents of a man's head exploded across the brick walls, body slumped by the trash bags.

The noise from the bar seemed dull, the heavy metal door you had left through unable to be opened from this side. Victoria had seen to shoving a dumpster in the way so she couldn't be interupted from this.

You said nothing, heart pounding in your chest, little clouds fogging the air in front of you. You hadn't brought your jacket with you, and the wind cut through the skimpy gold top you wore, sending goosebumps rippling up your near naked thighs, only adorned with a mini skirt.

Victoria approached you, tsking. "Is this what you wanted?" she asked. The smell of rust rose off of her, the blood cooling down and drying on her skin. "Are you happy now?" she paused in front of you, that familar anger swirling under her skin. "Happy that you ran off to some skeazy joint, picked up a sleazebag to make out with, and made me kill him?"

You said nothing, knees almost knocking together.

Victoria's lips bared back in a snarl and she reached for your throat, applying just enough pressure to tighten it. To make it feel a bit harder to breathe. You knew she could snap your neck with ease.

She wouldn't.

"Answer me," she said, biting her words.

"You didn't have to hurt him," you managed to choke out and her grip tightened more. You lifted up on your tip toes to alleviate some of the pressure.

"His hands were all over you, and so was his disgusting mouth," she growled out.

"You were busy," you shot back.

"I was at work."

"You couldn't answer my texts?"

"It's very hectic right now with the campaign. One that you're making me risk if it gets out that I killed someone."

"You didn't have to do it," you repeated.

"You're mine," she said, pushing you back into the wall. The harsh brick scratched at your exposed skin. "I don't care how busy I am, I want you to remember that."

"All talk and no action, typical politician type," you sneered at her, refusing to show her how nervous you were.

Her face hardened in anger before she attacked your mouth. The kiss was rough, with a clank of teeth that sent a jolt of pain through you. Your cry of pain was muffled, the taste of blood heavy on your tongue.

Victoria did not let up the kiss, devouring your mouth, sucking your tongue into hers, nipping at your bottom lip til it turned red. You tried to catch your breath when she pulled away, glaring at you.

"When will you learn, you can't keep goading me like this," she hissed at you, though it didn't look like she had quite minded.

"You smiled as he died," you shot back at her. "I know it was good stress relief." Your hands laid over the one on your throat holding you down. "I can be good stress relief too, Vicky."

She pushed right into you for another bruising kiss, this time her hand going too tight on your throat. Air supply was starting to be cut off, white sparking in front of your eyes.

As it was about to become too much she let go, allowing you to suck in lungfuls of air. She took the time to unbutton your shorts, and to slip a hand up your shirt.

Her hand thumbed at your breast, flicking your pert nipple. You let out a groan at the sensation, that only doubled when her other hand dove under your underwear to find the spot between your thighs that dripped for her.

"This wet for me? In an alleyway with a dead body in it?" she poised and you let your arms wrap around her neck, drawing her closer.

"As if you're not soaking wet from what you did," you countered. "At least I only get this wet from you." You faked pouted. "You let yourself get wet from him."

She roughly pushed into your entrance at that, stretching you out with three fingers.

"I only care for you," she said, tone offended. "You're the only one I would burn this world down for. You have no idea how often you run through my head. I can't stop thinking about you, even when I should be thinking of work. Yet there you are, infecting my thoughts everyday." The hand under your shirt pinched your nipple roughly, puncutating her point.

You gasped out at her words and the press of her fingers deep inside you. She moved hard and fast, leaving your head spinning as your chest heaved for air.

"The things I think of doing to you," she chuckled darkly, "no woman should think of."

"Oh fuck," you moaned, body flushing with intense heat as more wetness slipped down your thighs, at the idea of what depraved thoughts were running in her head about you.

Your hips canted up into her palm, sinking in deep on her fingers.

"You drive me crazy, you drive me to kill," she confessed, voice growing breathier as she watched you unfold under her. She swallowed thickly. "Sometimes it feels like I'm the headless one."

"Vicky, fuck!" you exclaimed, not bothering to be quiet. There was no one around to hear you. Your nails sunk into her skin, wanting to mark and brand her.

Her tough demeanor from before was melting as she watched you on the verge of an orgasm, fucking yourself so well against her, slinging up one leg to hoist over her hip.

"Like that, baby, just like that," she purred, knocking her forehead into yours, the blood sticking to your skin. Your eyes fluttered shut and then you came, stilling your body as you filled Victoria's palm with sticky heat.

She pressed kisses up and down the side of your face, quietly praising you for doing such a good job.

You slumped into her, wincing lightly at the sting of your skin. You were probably rubbed raw. A reminder for next time, to be better prepared for a fucking in the alleyway. She pulled her fingers out of you and sucked the liquid off of them, moaning at their taste.

The feral energy was still in her eyes, but it had softened into something else with your release. You knew it was time to leave this place, and take her back to bed where you could help her work out all her frustrations by letting her fuck you until morning came.

"You're a little shit, you know that," she said, catching her breath. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," you shrugged innocently, batting your long lashes at her.

"You love riling me up. Do you have a thing for me popping heads?" she asked and you giggled lightly before tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Let's just say I did my research beforehand and this guy really deserved his head getting popped off. The courts wouldn't punish him for what he did, but you could. And if I could get a two for one with you killing him and fucking me, well," you shrugged again. "Worth it."

"You're worse than a career politician." Victoria buried a smile and chuckle into your shoulder.

[lee-laurent]

Ensnared - Luke Hughes

Summary: There's something suspicious about Luke's new girlfriend

content: swearing, angst, some fluff, supernatural aspects, spooky (a little)

wc: 7.4k

notes: ik i'm a few days late from halloween but i really wanted to put out a supernatural-esque fic for you guys! halloweekend was insane for me so again sorry this is almost a week post-halloween! hope you guys like this as much as i enjoyed writing it!! this is different than my usual stuff but i still love it

The lights were dimmed low in the apartment, the only glow coming from some twinkling fairy lights and candles flickering in jack-o'-lanterns. Luke could feel the music in his chest as he stood near the kitchen counter, nursing a beer. He usually didn't go all out for Halloween, but Jack had insisted he join the team for their party, saying her needed to get out and let loose. They'd even coaxed him into a costume--one of his jerseys and some fake scars on his face, almost too close to his usual look to be considered a costume.

"Lighten up, Lukey!" Jack clapped him on the back, grinning through his over-the-top vampire costume, his girlfriend tucked close to his side. "It's Halloween! Have some fun!"

Luke rolled his eyes, but cracked a smile. He scanned the room lazily, half-focused on all his friends and chaos of laughter and music. He was just about to glance away when he saw her.

She was standing alone, near the edge of the room, and she was... stunning. Her hair spilled over her shoulders like waves, catching the dim light and shimmering in shades that seemed almost impossible--dark but with an almost etheral glow. Her dress, flowing and midnight blue, hugged her figure perfectly, and she moved with a calm, mesmerizing grace that cut through the noise of the crowd.

Their eyes met, and his stomach flipped.

"See something you like, bro?" Jack nudged him, following his gaze, his girlfriend giggling beside him. Luke blinked, snapping out of his trance. He could feel his cheeks heating up, and Jack just laughed, rolling his eyes. "Go talk to her, dude. Looks like she's waiting for someone to notice her."

Luke hesitated, but something inside him urged him forward. He took a deep breath, gripping his drink a little tighter, and started weaving through the crowd until he reached her side. She looked up, her eyes catching his with an intensity that felt magnetic. They were deep and dark, like the ocean at night--bottomless, mysterious, dangerous.

"Hi," he managed, suddenly feeling like he'd forgotten how to form sentences.

A smile played at her lips. "Hi," she replied, her voice smooth and musical, like a song he'd heard once but couldn't quite remember.

For a moment, they just stood there, caught in the haze of the party, but it was like nothing else mattered. Luke felt a strange pull, something unexplainable that made him want to stay rooted there, by her side.

"I'm Luke," his voice sounded breathless even to him.

"Marina." Her named rolled off her tongue like silk, and she extended her hand. When he shook it, her touch was warm, but it sent a chill straight to his core, leaving a strange tingling feeling where their fingers had connected.

"Not much for Halloween parties?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound too awkward.

She shrugged, her smile mysterious. "I don't usually come to things like this. But... something told me tonight was worth it."

His pulse quickened. It was probably nothing, but he felt like she was looking right through him, reading him in a way that made him nervous. He shook it off, laughing a little. "Well, welcome to the chaos. It's a bit wild, but it's a good time, I think."

"Chaos isn't always a bad thing," she leaned in a bit closer. "Sometimes it's exactly what we need."

Her words seemed to have a hypnotic effect on him, and he found himself nodding, his gaze locked with hers. Everything in the background faded. He could barely remember what he'd been thinking about just minutes before.

"Luke!" Nico's voice cut through his trance. Luke flinched, snapping his head toward Nico, who was standing with a raised eyebrow, watching the two of them with curiosity. He smiled, but there was a strange look in his eyes, like he'd interrupted something he didn't trust.

"Oh, hey, Nico," Luke blinked, trying to shake off the foggy feeling. He looked back at Marina, but she didn't seem bothered by the interruption. Instead, she just offered Nico a polite smile, tilting her head in acknowledgment.

Nico's eyes flickered between them, lingering a second too long on Marina. "Just checking in, man. You've been a little quiet tonight."

Luke laughed it off, feeling a strange surge of frustration at Nico's interruption, even though he knew his friend was looking out for him. "I'm fine," he said, a little too quickly. "Just... talking."

"Alright. Just wanted to make sure you're good."

Marina's eyes glittered with amusement as Nico walked away, and she turned back to Luke. "Your friend seems... protective."

"He just worries too much," Luke replied, a bit embarrassed.

"Well," she murmured, her voice like a gentle wave lapping at the shoreline, "tonight, you don't have to worry about anything. Just... enjoy yourself."

~~

Luke couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so... alive. As the night went on, the others in the apartment had faded away into blurs, leaving him fully focused on Marina. She seemed just as absorbed in him, her dark eyes watching him with an intensity that made his pulse race.

"So," he attemped a casual smile, "how do you know everyone here?"

A wry smile danced on her lips. "I don't, actually. I just... found my way here." She shrugged one shoulder elegantly, her eyes glinting with a secret he wanted to know. "I suppose I'm just drawn to certain places. The right places."

There was a hidden meaning behind her words he couldn't shake. But her smile was so enchanting that he just nodded, leaning in a little closer. "Well, it's a good thing you came. I think I'd be bored out of mind if you hadn't."

"Oh, I doubt that." She tilted her head, considering him in a way that made his breath hitch. "You seem like you're never bored, Luke Hughes."

He blinked, surprised that she knew his last name when he hadn't mentioned it. But before he could ask, she smiled again, and he forgot his question as her hand brushed his arm--a light, fleeting touch that made his skin tingle.

"I feel like I know you already," he was surprised by his own boldness. He wanted to be seen by her, he wanted her to know everything about him.

"Do you?" her smile was amused. "Maybe you do. I have a way of... drawing people to me." Her words were like a whisper, her eyes locked on his. "I suppose I'm a bit of a mystery. Not quite from here, you could say."

The words made his skin prickle with something he couldn't explain. He wanted to know more, needed to know more. "What does that mean?"

"Have you ever felt like there was more to life than just... this?" she asked, gesturing to the room around them. "Like you're only seeing the tiny pieces of the world, when there's so much more hidden beneath?"

The question struck him as strange, but it made his heart race. He nodded slowly, feeling oddly exposed, as if she'd seen straight through his exterior to something he didn't know he was hiding.

"Yeah. I... guess I do."

"Good. Not many people do. You have to look a little deeper to see the real world."

A teammate's laugh broke their little moment, pulling Luke back to the sounds of the party. He noticed that the other guys had been glancing over at them, nudging each other and smirking as if to say, Look at Luke, completely spellbound.

He could almost hear Jack teasing him. Normally, he would've laughed it off, maybe shrugged and joined the guys for a drink. But tonight, none of that mattered. There was only her--only Marina.

"So, where are you from?" he asked, desperate to know more.

"Oh... a place far from here. Somewhere most people haven't seen." She lifted her glass, eyeing the liquid inside as if it were the most curious thing in the world. "You know, I haven't tasted something like this in... well, centuries, it feels like."

He laughed, but her eyes were dead serious. The chill that ran down his spine was unmistakable, and he felt an impulse to lean in even closer, to feel her presence more fully. It had to be a joke, a weird way to add to the Halloween vibe, right?

Before he could ask, she took a slow sip, the look in her eyes mesmerizing. It was like her words had wrapped around him, drawing him into her orbit, making him feel like nothing else mattered.

"I'm glad I came tonight," she murmured, her voice soft, almost as if she were speaking only to herself. "Sometimes, it's hard to find people who understand... the way things really are."

"Yeah? And how are things... really?"

"It would take more than one night to tell you that. But perhaps we'll have more time. If you want."

"I do," he said instantly, without even thinking. The words felt natural, as if she'd pulled them from him somehow.

She seemed satisfied, giving a small, mysterious nod before she leaned in close, brushing his cheek with a touch that sent shivers down his spine. Her lips were close to his ear, her breath warm. "Until next time, then."

And with that, she was gone. She drifted away through the crowd, disappearing like it was a dream. Luke tried to follow her, to catch one last glimpse, but the crowd thickened, and no matter which way he turned, he couldn't find her.

He stood there, dumbfounded, feeling as if a spell had just been broken--but only for a second. His head was spinning, and he felt her presence lingering like a haunting melody that he couldn't shake.

"Well, Luke, looks like you've got a new fan," Nico said from behind him.

Luke barely heard him, his mind lost in Marina's dark eyes and her words that felt like they'd been written just for him. He couldn't stop thinking about her, his heart aching with an unexplainable longing. She'd carved herself into his memory, and he knew, even as he lay awake hours later, that he was already falling, deeper than ever before.

~~

Two mornings later, Luke was the first on the rink. Or, more accurately, the first one pacing the outside of the rink with an ear-to-ear grin on his face, his mind so far from hockey he might as well have been somewhere completely different. When the guys started trickling in, he didn't notice; he was scrolling through his phone, texting with a smile that hadn't left his face since last night.

Jack was the first to notice, elbowing Nico as he smirked. "Look at him," he whispered with a grin. "Our boy's got it bad."

Nico glanced over, amused but slightly concerned. "Bad? He met her two nights ago. Doesn't usually happen that fast, you know?"

"Oh, come on, Nico," Jack laughed, watching Luke's dazed, half-grinning expression with a proud, older-brother look. "Kid's in love. And he deserves it, doesn't he? Especially after all those jokes about him being too serious." He shook his head. "I'm just glad he's finally letting loose."

Nico was unconvinced. He frowned, noticing how Luke seemed glued to his phone, as if he couldn't bear to be away from it for even a second. The more Nico watched him, the more a strange, uneasy feeling settled in his gut. "It just... I dunno. It's a little fast, don't ya think?"

Jack shrugged, laughing. "Well, I for one am happy for him. Let's leave him alone."

Nico nodded slowly, but he couldn't help glancing back at Luke. Something about the way he was acting felt off--almost like he was in a trance. Usually, Jack would be the first to hit the ice, focused and ready to warm up, but he hadn't even looked up from his phone.

As practice began, Luke finally put his phone away, but Nico kept watching him. Every few minutes, Luke's gaze would drift to the door of the locker room, like he was waiting for a message. When drills started, his usually sharp reflexes were sluggish, his focus absent. He missed passes, stumbled through plays, and even forgot his positioning once or twice, much to the coach's frustration.

Jack just laughed it off. "Guess he's got other things on his mind," he joked.

Nico, however, wasn't laughing. When they had a break, he approached Luke, trying to keep things light. "So... someone had a good night at the party, huh?"

Luke grinned, his eyes lighting up at the mere mention of Marina. "Yeah... Yeah, I did. She's... different, ya know? I don't think I've ever met anyone like her."

"Different, huh?" The captain raised an eyebrow. "What's so different about her?"

Luke hesitated, as if he couldn't find the words to explain it. He just shook his head, his eyes a little distant. "She just... gets me. Like, she understands stuff that most people wouldn't, y'know? And when I'm with her, it's like everything else fades away. Like I'm in a dream."

Nico's concern deepened. "A dream? Don't you think it's a little... strange to feel that way this fast?"

But Luke laughed it off just like his brother. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's not like anything I've ever felt before. And she--" He stopped, his eyes glazing over a little. "I dunno. She just knows things."

"Like what?"

Luke hesitated again, a dreamy look on his face. "The other night... she knew stuff about me I didn't even tell her. Like, personal stuff." He shrugged. "Maybe I'm just overthinking it, but... it feels like I've known her for years. Like she's been a part of me."

Nico forced a smile, trying to hide the unease he felt. "Yeah, maybe. Just... be careful, okay?"

But Luke barely heard him again. As soon as a notification buzzed on his phone, his eyes lit up, and he pulled it out, smiling as he read a message from her. Nico had never seen Luke act this way before, and something told him that whatever hold Marina had on Luke wasn't as innocent as it seemed.

~~

By the end of the week, the changes in Luke were impossible to ignore. His dedication to hockey--a commitement that had been rock-solid--was slipping. He was often late to practice, distracted, or exhausted. Once, Nico caught him sneaking off during a break, texting Marina with an intensity that bordered on obsession.

"Luke," Nico said, "are you even here right now? Or have you mentally checked out?"

Luke blinked, looking up from his phone like he'd forgotten where he was. "I'm here," he mumbled, though his fingers were itching to reply to Marina's last message.

"Dude, you're supposed to be focusing on pratice," Nico pressed, trying not to sound annoyed. "Are you okay?"

Luke looked at him, and for a moment, his expression was almost... irritated. "I am focused. Just... I don't know, she's different. It's like I need to be with her, Nico."

"Need? That's... not normal, man."

Just then, Jack bounded over, rolling his eyes at the serious expression on Nico's face. "Nico, come on, cut the guy some slack! He's got a girl he's crazy about, so what?" He threw an arm around Luke's shoulders. "Let him enjoy it! We don't all find someone like that."

Luke managed a smile, grateful for Jack's support, and Jack flashed Nico a pointed look, telling him to drop it.

But Nico couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Luke was acting like someone else, like he'd been changed. And it was more than just puppy love; it was like he was under a spell, an invisible tether he couldn't escape from. The idea sounded ridiculous--more like a Halloween ghost story than anything else--but he couldn't ignore what he'd been seeing.

That night, Nico lay awake, mulling over everything Luke had told him about Marina. He couldn't help thinking back to the way she'd looked at him that night, her eyes dark and knowing. There had been something about her... something he couldn't put into a words. A feeling he couldn't shake.

Then a memory hit him--something he'd heard, maybe just a legend, about people who could captivate others in ways that defied logic. He'd thought it was just a fairy tale, but now... he wasn't so sure.

The next morning, he found Luke standing alone by the rink, staring at his phone. "Still thinking about her?" Nico asked.

Luke glanced up, his expression... pained. "It's weird," he mumbled. "It's like she's in my head. I can't stop thinking about her."

Nico's concern turned to alarm. This was more than a crush. Something deeper, darker, was at play. "Luke, maybe you need to take a break from her Just... clear your head."

Luke scowled, his posture becoming defensive. "Why are you so against her, Nico? You don't even know her!"

"Maybe. But I know you. And this isn't you, Luke."

Luke looked taken aback, his gaze flashing with a strange confusion. But then he shook his head, pocketing his phone. "You don't understand, Nico. You can't understand."

As Luke walked away, Nico felt a chill run down his spine. He was certain now--Marina wasn't just any girl. And he was going to find out exactly who she was, no matter what it took.

~~

Luke's sense of time was blurring. He couldn't pinpoint when he started feeling that itch to see her every moment he could. It was like he attached to a rope that kept pulling him back, drawing him in like never before. Marina had become his every thought, every second between practice and sleept spent waiting for her texts, which came at odd hours, often in the dead of night.

Every time they met, it was somewhere new, somewhere unexpected. She would send him cryptic directions that led to hidden spots in the city--places he hadn't known existed. First, it had been a secluded coffee shop by the river, only open after hours. Then, it was an abandoned rooftop overlooking the city, their eyes reflecting the city's pulse.

Tonight, she'd told him to meet at the edge of an old, overgrown park on the outskirts of town. Luke had hesitated as he looked around the deserted space, but as soon as she appeared, a smile on her lips, his hesitation melted. She took his hand, her fingers warm against his cold skin, and led him deeper into the park, away from the faint street lights.

"You like these places," he remarked, his voice detached, like he was in a dream.

She laughed softly, her voice weaving through the trees. "I like places that feel... hidden. They're more real, don't you think? Not so tied to the world that everyone wants you to see."

Luke nodded. It felt like she was speaking a language he barely understood but wanted to, needed to. "Yeah. Like... like they're just for us."

Marina turned, her eyes catching his with that same magnetic intensity she always had. "Exactly," she whispered, her fingers trailing up his arm. "It's like you know what I'm thinking."

"I... yeah. Sometime I feel that."

They stood close, her presence enveloping him like the night itself. She was so close that he could see the way her pupils dilated. "And that's why I like being with you, Luke. You're... different."

She knew exactly how to make him feel like the only person in the world. Any doubts he had, any worries that flitted across his mind about her or the way he felt... they all vanished the moment she looked at him. She didn't even have to speak; just a touch, a glance, and he was hers, swept into a current he couldn't control.

~~

While Luke disappeared into the night, Nico sat in his apartment, his laptop open as he scrolled through Marina's social media for the third time that evening. He knew was overstepping, but his gut wouldn't let this go. Something wasn't right, and he was going to prove it.

He started with her photos, but that only added to his unease. Her account was full of pictures, but they were... strange. Oddly curated, almost impersonal, yet haunting. Most were places, landscapes with a dark, moody atmosphere--misty forests, empty fields, waves crashing against cliffs. When she did appear in her own photos, her face was always turned away or obscured, as if she were more a shadow than a person. And what really struck him was the dates. The photos went back years, yet she looked exactly the same in every single one.

He clicked on one from nearly eight years ago, studying it closely. She was sitting on a rock by the sea, her hair blowing in the wind, a distant look on her face. The style was modern, but there was something timeless about it, something off. And as he compared her current photos to older ones, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were... staged. As if she'd been posing in the same way for decades.

His fingers hovered over the keyboard. He tried to tell himself it was a coincidence, that maybe she just had a certain aesthetic she liked, but it wasn't convincing. Frustrated, he swtiched tabs, digging through online archives, local stories, anything that could give him more information. But her trail seemed to vanish whenever he got close, she was like a ghost, slipping just out of reach.

He leaned back, rubbing his temples, trying to shake off all the bad feelings. He didn't want to believe it, but the more he found, the more he was convinced: Marina was hiding something, and it was bigger than he'd realized.

~~

Back in the deserted park, Luke and Marina sat side by side on a bench, the shadows thickening around them. Her presence was intoxicating, and he found himself leaning ever closer, mesmerized by her voice.

"Do you ever wonder what lies beyond this world?"

"What do you mean?"

"Life... it's just the surface of something much deeper. Most people never even notice. But you... I think you can see it." She looked at him, her eyes sharp and assessing. "Can't you feel it, Luke? Like there's something you're missing, something just out of reach?"

He nodded slowly, his words tugging at something deep inside him. It felt like she was speaking directly to a hidden part of his soul. "Yeah. I... I think I do."

She smiled, and he could've sworn her eyes darkened, just for a second. "Good," she murmured, intertwining her fingers with his. "Maybe one day, I'll show you."

He felt a thrill run through him. The way she said it felt like a promise, like she was offering him something no one else could. Any lingering doubt melted away, replaced by a hunger to know more, to fall deeper into whatever spell she'd woven around him.

~~

It was nearly midnight when Nico stumbled onto a page in an old forum discussing local legends and folklore. The story that caught his eye created goosebumps all over his arms.

It was a tale about a woman who had been seen over the centuries, known for enchanting young men, leading them away to secluded places and leaving them forever changed--or worse, vanishing altogether. The description was vague, but certain details matched perfectly: her beauty, her mysterious nature, her tendency to appear and disappear without a trace.

His hands shook as he read the final line. According to the legend, she was a siren of sorts, feeding on the very essence of those she captivated. Her name wasn't mentioned, it didn't need to be. Every instinct screamed that it was her. Marina.

Without wasting another second, Nico grabbed his phone, dialing Luke's number. He had to tell him, had to warn him--whatever Marina was, she wasn't just another girl. But the call went to voicemail, and Nico cursed under his breath. Luke was probably with her right now, deep under her spell.

As he hung up, Nico felt an icy dread settle over him. He only hoped he wasn't too late.

~~

The tension in the locker room was nearly tangible. Practice had just ended, and the rest of the team had headed out, but Nico stayed behind, watching Luke as he packed his things, his phone glued to his hand. His face softened whenever a message from Marina popped up, an unmistakable grin on his face every time without fail.

"Nico? You need something?" Luke asked, sensing his friend's presence behind him.

"Yeah. I need to talk to you. It's... important."

Luke finally glanced up, frowning. "About what?"

"About Marina," Nico said, his voice sharper than he intended. He saw the immediate defensiveness flash in Luke's eyes and rushed to explain before he could be cut off. "Look, man, just... hear me out, okay? I've been doing some research, and there are things about her that don't make sense."

Luke's expression hardened, his grip tightening on his phone. "Seriously, Nico? You're still on about that?"

"Yes, and I'm not saying this to mess with you. I'm saying it because I care about you," Nico replied. "There's something about her that feels... wrong. I don't think she's who she says she is."

Luke shook his head, laughing bitterly. "This is ridiculous. She's not some villain, Nico."

"I know how it sounds, but just listen to me. I looked her up. Her social media, her background--none of it adds up. She's been posting the same pictures for years, looking exactly the same. She's told you things that don't make sense, like... like how she's been around for centuries, or how she's from some place that 'no one's ever seen.' Doesn't that make you wonder, even a little?"

"You're really going to dig into her past? Based on... what, a feeling?"

"It's not just a feeling!" Nico snapped, frustration boiling over. "I think she's dangerous, Luke. She's got you wrapped around her finger, and it's not normal. You're not acting like yourself anymore. You're late to practice, you're distracted, always with your phone in your hand like you're waiting for her next command. You don't even see it!"

"This is insane, Nico! You don't know her like I do. You've never felt this way about someone, have you? You don't know what it's like."

"Maybe not, but I do know what it's like to care about my friends and want to keep them safe. I don't want you getting hurt, Luke."

"I'm not getting hurt! I'm... happy. She makes me happy, and for some reason, you can't stand that," Luke shot back, his voice trembling with anger. "Ever since I met her, you've been trying to find something wrong with her. You're just... you're jealous, or you're mad that I finally found someone I actually care about."

"Jealous? I'm trying to help you, Luke! Do you hear yourself? You're so deep under her spell that you can't even see what she's doing to you. You've barely been yourself since she came into your life."

"Maybe that's what you don't get," Luke replied, tone cold. "Maybe I'm finally being who I'm supposed to be, and she's the only one who understands that."

Nico stared at him, almost at a loss. He could see the intensity in Luke's eyes, an intensity that didn't feel... real. It felt like someone else was looking back at him, not Luke. He had no idea how much of Luke was even left, how much of him was already lost to Marina.

"Luke," Nico said softly, taking a step closer, "you don't even sound like yourself. You've only known her for a few weeks, but you're acting like you'd give up everything just to be with her. Doesn't that scare you?"

"No. It doesn't scare me. What scares me is you, Nico. You don't get it. You're so desperate to find some fault in her that you're willing to throw me under the bus." His voice grew louder, angrier. "Maybe I'm finally moving on from all of this, and you just can't handle it."

"Luke, think about it. Every time you're with her, it's like you're... drained. You're losing yourself."

"I don't have to stand here and listen to this," Luke spat, turning and grabbing his bag.

"Luke, come on--" Nico's voice cracked. "If you walk out of here, you're letting her control you. Can't you see that?"

But Luke didn't turn around. "What I can see is that my best friend can't let me be happy. Maybe you should look at yourself, Nico. Maybe you're the one who's lost."

~~

Marina had led Luke to another place he'd never been--a small, secluded cabin tucked away on the outskirts of the city. The silence around them felt heavy.

Luke didn't ask how she'd found the place, and she didn't explain. Instead, she just smiled, her hand trailing down his arm. "Do you trust me, Luke?"

"Of course."

"Good. Because I have so much more to show you. But to see it... you have to trust me completely. Can you do that?"

Luke nodded. He was ready to follow her anywhere.

~~

Nico's eyes burned from hours spent staring at his latop. He'd used the information from his previous search to find even more out about Marina. But every new lead, every story he uncovered, pointed to something far more sinister.

He stumbled across another thread of legends, all about a mysterious girl who had been seen in cities across the country, always the same striking beauty, always connected to young men who became infatuated with her. Some people claimed to have seen her over the course of decades, some even over centuries. But the worst part? Just like the post he'd found before, all these stories ended the same. The men either disappeared without a trace or were left broken, mere shadows of themselves, haunted by her memory.

One story in particular caught his attention: it was a newspaper clipping from a small town across the state. A local athlete, promising and ambitious, had vanished after meeting a girl who fit Marina's exact description. Friends said he had acted strangely, obsessed with her, and when he disppeared, they'd found no evidence of foul play. The town had written it off as a tragedy, but a few people had claimed there was more to it--that the girl was not human.

His instincts had been right, but this truth was more horrifying than he'd anticipated.

Every cell in his body screamed at him to warn his friend, to get him out of Marina's reach. Would Luke even listen? After their last fight, Luke had made it clear he didn't want Nico's "help."

Still, Nico knew he couldn't give up. He had to try.

~~

Across town, Luke was with Marina in her small, dimly lit apartment. The room was filled with things he couldn't quite place--strange, intricate trinkets on the shelves, books with covers that looked centuries old. Everything about her was extraordinary.

"There's something I need to tell you," she murmured.

"Anything."

Marina sighed, looking away from him. "It's about your friend, Nico. He... he doesn't understand what we have, Luke."

Luke frowned, irritation flaring inside him. "What do you mean?"

"Nico's been... watching me, hasn't he? Digging into my past, trying to... find something wrong with me."

"Yeah, he has," he admitted. "But he's just protective. He doesn't know you like I do."

Marina's hand brushed his cheek, her touch warm and soothing. "It's more than that, Luke," she whispered. "Nico's afraid of what he doesn't understand. People always are." Her voice was soft, almost sad. "But he's not just afraid. He wants to keep you away from me. He wants to ruin what we have."

Luke felt a surge of anger at the thought. The way she said it made Nico's actions seem cruel, possessive. He hadn't thought about it that way, but hearing her say it--it made sense. Nico had been relentless, unwilling to let him find happiness with Marina. And for what? Because he didn't like her?

"I think... maybe he wants you just to focus on hockey and your friendship. Or maybe he's jealous that you've found someone who understands you."

Luke's brow knitted together, a part of him resisting, not wanting to believe it. But Marina's voice, her touch--they wrapped around him, making it feel real, as if Nico's actions were all part of some deeper betrayal. "Nico would never..."

Her gaze softened, but there was still something sharp and calculating in her eyes. "Sometimes, the people closest to us don't want to see us happy, Luke. They want us to stay close to them, just so they can feel safe. He doesn't understand what we have, and he doesn't want to."

He'd trusted Nico for years, and to think that his friend would stand in the way of his happiness, just because he didn't like Marina...

He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "I don't care what Nico thinks," he said firmly. "I'm not letting him ruin this for us. I'm staying with you."

"I knew you would," she rested her head against his chest. "But you need to be careful, Luke. People will say things about me, try to turn you against me. They don't understand what we have... but that doesn't matter, does it?"

"No. It doesn't matter at all."

~~

Nico tried calling Luke again, his heart pounding with every unanswered ring. But he got nothing--only Luke's voicemail, each message left sounding more desperate than the last. Frustration boiled in him and he decided he could't just sit there. He needed to find Luke, even if it meant going to Marina's place and dragging him out himself.

As he left, he thought over everything he'd learned about Marina, every detail of the stories he'd read. She was a predator, a siren of sorts, he didn't know for sure. But the pattern was always the same: men who fell under her spell, only to be broken or lost, victims of her influence.

~~

Marina had lulled Luke into a sense of calm, making him feel safe and wanted, not registering the buzzing of his phone as another call from Nico came through.

"You're sure about this Luke? You're sure you want to be with me, no matter what?"

"Of course."

"Then let go of your doubts. Let me show you what we can have together--what life can be like when there's no one holding us back."

Marina leaned in close, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered, "You'll never need anyone else, Luke. Not as long as you have me."

~~

The street outside Marina's apartment was eerily quiet. Nico parked his car and stared up at the dark windows, his hands clammy and heart racing. Every instinct screamed for him to turn back, but he shoved his fear aside. This was his last chance to save Luke.

He made his way to the door and knocked, his fist clenched. When Marina opened it, she seemed unsurprised, her expression calm and almost amused.

"Nico," she greeted, her voice low and mocking. "What a surprise."

He didn't waste time on pleasantries. "I need to talk to you. Now."

She smirked, stepping aside with a graceful wave of her hand. "By all means. Come in."

Marina watched him enter, her eyes predatory. "So, what brings you here? Come to tell me how much you hate me? Or perhaps... beg me to let Luke go?"

Nico's jaw tightened. "This isn't a game, Marina. I know what you are. I know what you're doing to him."

She tilted her head, smile widening. "And what exactly am I doing to him, Nico?"

"You're destroying him. I don't know how or why, but you've got him under some kind of spell, and I'm here to end it."

Marina laughed, the sound filling the room with a dark, melodic energy. "Oh, Nico," she purred. "I'm not forcing Luke to do anything. He's with me because he wants to be. Because I understand him in ways you never could."

"That's not true!" Nico retorted. "You're manipulating him, feeding on his weaknesses. He's losing himself because of you. He's not the Luke I know."

She took a step closer to him, smile fading, and for the first time, her calm façade slipped. A flash of something dark, something ancient, crossed her face--a flicker of supernatural beauty that made her features seem sharper, more otherworldly. Her eyes glowed faintly, like embers hidden in the dark.

"I don't know who you are," he said, his voice unsteady, "but you're not going to have him. You're done with him. Let him go."

She arched a brow, her smile twisting into something cruel. "You think you can save him, Nico?" she asked, her voice laced with venom. "You think you have what it takes to pull him away from me? He's mine now."

"No. He's my friend. And I'll do whatever it takes to bring him back."

At that moment, the door behind them opened, and Nico turned to see Luke standing there with a bag of food in hand, his expression conflicted.

"Luke," Nico took a step toward him. "You have to listen to me. She's not who you think she is."

"Why are you here, Nico?" his voice carried a hint of accusation.

"Because I care about you, and I know what she's doing to you," Nico's words were rushed. "She's not just some girl, Luke. She's... she's something else. Like a siren. She's using you."

Marina moved to stand beside Luke, slipping her arm around him. Her touch seemed to calm him, his tense expression softening.

"Luke. You don't have to listen to him. He doesn't understand us, what we have together."

His defences slipped as he gazed down at her, and Nico's heart sank. It was like Marina's hold on him was too strong, she'd wrapped him in a web he couldn't break free from.

But Nico wasn't giving up. In a last, desperate attempt, he pulled out his phone, opening a recording he'd taken from his research--a clip from an interview with a historian who'd studied local legends, including the strange, eerie sightings of Marina over the decades.

"Luke. Listen to this."

Luke glanced down at the screen, but Marina's expression shifted. A flicker of something like fear crossed her face, but she quickly masked it.

The recording played, the historian's voice low and serious. "Throughout the years, there have been sightings of a woman described as hauntingly beautiful, appearing near young men who later exhibited strange behaviour--infatuation, detachment from their families, and in some cases, even disappearance. She's known by different names, but the pattern is always the same. She entrances her victims, drawing them away, leaving nothing but traces of a faded life."

The words sank in slowly, Luke's face twisting. But he glanced at Marina, who was looking up at him, eyes wide and pleading.

"Luke, it's... not what you think," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Don't listen to him. He's trying to tear us apart."

Luke looked at her, his hand shaking slightly. "Marina... is it true?" His voice was barely a whisper.

The softness in her gaze vanished, replaced by a cold, dark expression. Her eyes flashed with that unnatural gleam again, her voice dropping low. "I told you, Luke. I warned you that others wouldn't understand us."

Luke's breath hitched, and for the first time, he looked truly afraid. "Marina... what are you?"

"I am what I am, Luke. And I never lied to you about that."

Shock and betrayal crossed Luke's face, the spell around him cracking just enough for doubt to creep in.

"Luke," Nico said quietly, "remember the first time you told me about her? You said she seemed too perfect, too good to be real. You knew something was wrong, even then. Don't let her control you."

Luke looked between Nico and Marina, his mind racing, trying to reconcile the dream he'd been living with the nightmare it'd become.

Marina reached for him, her hand hovering near him his face. "Don't listen to him, Luke. I can show you things you've never dreamed of. I can give you everything."

But Luke stood a step back. "No... no, I can't..." He shook his head, looking at her with dawning horror. "I can't stay with you."

"Very well," her voice dripped with disdain. "But remember, Luke--you came to me. You wanted this."

With a final glance, she disappeared into the shadows, her form dissolving like mist, leaving a chilling silence in her wake.

Nico steadied Luke as he swayed, his face pale. "You okay?"

"I... I don't know what I was thinking. It's like I was in a fog."

"You're safe now," Nico assured him. "She's gone."

But as they left, Luke cast one last glance over his shoulder, wondering if Marina was truly gone--or if she was just waiting for another chance to lure him back.

~~

Luke sat alone in the quiet of the rink. He took a shaky breath, feeling like he'd just woken up from a long, twisted dream. His mind replayed the last few weeks--how he'd fallen for her so fast, how she'd made him feel like no one else existed. Now that the spell was broken, the memories felt blurry, unreal, like a fever dream.

He barely remembered leaving her apartment. Nico had driven him home, guiding him to bed like a ghost, his mind empty and aching. He was grateful for Nico, though he hadn't been able to say much but a quiet "thank you." How could he explain what happened to anyone?

The sound of footsteps jolted him to the present, and he looked up to see Jack, Nico, and a few of the others guys looking concerned.

"Hey, man," Jack said softly, sitting beside him. "You, uh... you doing okay?"

Luke nodded slowly, though he wasn't sure he believed it himself. "I... yeah. I think so." He managed a weak smile. "Feels like I've been gone for a while, huh?"

Jack chuckled, though his voice was strained. "Just a bit. Had us worried."

"You're back now. That's what matters," Nico addded.

Jack turned to their captain, a sheepish look on his face. "Hey, man... I guess I owe you an apology." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking genuinely embarrassed. "I thought you were just being overprotective. But you... you knew something was off."

Nico shrugged. "You were just looking for him. We both were."

The other guys gathered around, patting Luke's shoulders, offering words of encouragement. For the first time in days, Luke felt grounded, his friends' helping to anchor him. But the haunting memories of Marina still lingered.

As they talked, Luke glanced around the rink, half expecting to see her standing in the shadows, watching him with that dark, knowing smile. He shook his head, reminding himself that she was gone. She had to be gone.

Jack’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Luke.”

He forced a laugh, shrugging it off. “Maybe I have."

~~

It took days for Luke to even slightly feel like himself again. Every night he dreamed of her. He would wake up drenched in sweat, the memories leaving him shaken, unable to stop feeling like she was still there somehow.

One evening, after practice, he walked alone through the streets, trying to clear his mind. He passed a bustling café, the windows lit warmly against the growing darkness. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of dark hair, a glimpse of a figure that made his heart stop. He turned quickly, his eyes searching the faces inside.

There--by the window, staring right at him--was Marina. She was as beautiful as ever, smiling at him. But when he blinked, she was gone, leaving only an empty seat where she'd once been. A cold sweat broke out over his skin. He backed away, she was still watching him, somehow... some way.

He walked away quickly, when he heard something. A whisper that was barely there. Barely audible.

I'm never far, Luke.

But there was no one. Only the empty street.

With a shiver, he continued, refusing to let himself dwell on the feeling that she might always be lurking, somewhere just beyond his reach.

[caxde]

still live | 𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

summary you and Eddie have been friends for ever, but have chosen to keep your feelings quiet, until a single afternoon changes it all. (2.7k)

warnings fem!reader, fluff (like a lot of it) hurt/comfort, friends in love, mutual pining, yearning etc, slowburn friends to lovers, idiots in love!!!, english is not my first language so I apologise if there’s some mistakes, not proof read! 

-

It had never been a question. 

You had started painting even before you learned how to talk, your house was always messy and stained because of you. As you grew up, stained carpet floors turned into stained old clothes, paint splattered all around your wardrobe, and a burning passion was developed. 

So, of course, when the dreaded question of what are you going to do after high school started going around, your answer had always been the same ‘art school’. 

But anxiety and stress were getting to you, you had been working hard on your portfolio, barely sleeping, painting canvases that were bigger than you, held by reclining it against your bedroom wall, and working in sketches nonstop, not even in the middle of class. 

He would tease you, everytime he heard the pencil scratch against the yellowish paper. He always does the same thing, he starts watching quietly, admiring the way your fingers hold the pencil ever so delicately, the way your eyes follow the grey stain so closely, concentration evident on your expression, and your hair messing your face when you look down.  When he couldn’t hold it any longer, a soft smile curves the end of his lips, as he brings his body closer to yours, and he always whispers, his voice always sweet and soft when he calls your name to get your attention. 

And he chuckles everytime you jump out of concentration as you breathe out his name. 

But today was different. 

Eddie knows you, better than anyone for that matter, and he also knows that you had been a little too stressed about it all. He knew you needed quiet company while you worked, so he asked you to come finish your last one over to his house. 

He had made his room tidier, in his own way. He cleared the floor, no dirty clothes could be seen, and the table was what he would charmingly call an “organized mess”, little piles of things in a neat position, a clean composition. Window open and clean air coming in, with a space under it so the smell of the acrylic paint can leave as fast as it comes. 

“You moved the bed.” You let out as soon as you step inside his room, looking at the open window. 

“You need to paint.” He answers, as he shrugs, trying not to give it that much meaning, even if he feels his pulse quickening as you smile grows deeper. 

“Thank you.” 

“No problem.” He answers quickly, really trying to not hyperfixate in the way your smile is caused by him, or the way it seems to illuminate the room a bit more. 

You laid the canvas against the wall, and started organizing your paint tubes in your particular way. Black, blue, red, yellow and white. The other fancy special colours away from them, the lilac, teal and silver pulled apart. 

He knew you needed your space, just as much as he knew you appreciated the quiet companionship. 

It was nice, being in the same room as him, not feeling alone, and knowing that he’ll be here when you inevitably feel tired or burned out and need a little push. 

And you liked feeling him look closely at you. Though you think he’s looking at the way the thin light blue haze is staining the pristine white of the canvas, he’s actually looking at the way your oversized, full-of-various-faded-splatters-of-paint shirt is hanging from you, the way it wraps on your waist, and the way your hair is falling down your back, your face tilted, only makes him more nervous, and in a way, realize even more that he wouldn’t do this for just anyone, so he might as well admit to himself that he does have some feelings for you. 

He played music on his guitar, quietly, and smiled deeply at the sound of you muttering the worlds of the songs he always chooses absentmindedly. Even if he only plays Bowie when you’re around. 

You're obvious to it all. You only focus on the way your hand won’t stop shaking, and you’re not even sure why, so the frustration is starting again, and with it so does the headache. You need to finish the stupid sketch so you can actually start painting, but your hand won’t stop shaking and you don’t even have a good enough reference. You’ve stopped singing and are instead biting your lip, an anxious tic that Eddie knows a bit too well. 

He doesn’t say anything, instead he stops playing, goes to the kitchen and brings two cups of tea. 

He decides to sit down beside you, and instead of startling you as he normally does, he instead leaves a soft touch on the small of your back, his fingers feeling the beginning of your jeans through your shirt. The familiar warmth left in both of your bodies. 

“Here” He whispers, a bit too close to your ear. 

You turn to him, realizing that he’s never been as close, that now you could if you wanted and had the time to count every single one of his eyelashes, and that his lips look pinker than ever. And in that moment, something seems to click, a warmth awakens in the inside of your chest, and you move a bit far away instinct kicking in. 

“Thanks” You whisper back, blood travelling fast to your cheeks as your fingers touch his for a moment, grabbing your tea. 

“So, what’s wrong?” He chooses his words carefully, his tone softer, his voice quieter. He raises his eyebrow in concern, making you frown for just a second. 

“It’s all wrong.” You whisper, in anxious shame, nervously, avoiding his eyes. 

“What do you mean it's all wrong?” He echoes your voice, not really following your train of thought. 

“It’s all wrong Eddie.” Your voice is stronger now, more impatient. But still barely above a whisper, it felt stupid to speak at a normal volume when he’s so close to you. “ The proportions are awful, the reference is shit, and I can’t start painting until I finish the stupid sketch but I can’t manage to finish it.” You’re trying your hardest to not stumble over your own words, it’s complicated, frustration getting the best of you, making your voice shake as you can feel the small tear threatening to form on the verge of your eyes. 

“Hey…” He whispers once more, the hand he had on your lower back petting you once again, trying to get you to calm down for a second. “Step by step, yeah?” He watches you nod at his question, and he waits for you to take a deep breath. “What can you do to fix it?” 

“I need to restart it all.” You answer in defeat, you were tired, and with a clear idea in mind that didn’t seem to transform as well as you wanted to. 

“Okay, so restart it, what can I do to help?” 

“Nothing really.” You add, looking back at him for once. You're captivated by him for a moment. The way his curls frame his face makes you really want to put the little flyaway away from his complexion, touch his pale face for a second, but instead, you hold the cup harder, your knuckles turning white. 

“What’s wrong with the reference?” He asks, trying to refocus you, snatching the photograph off the floor. A blurry image that’s barely recognizable, a kiss between two people that you don’t know. 

“It’s shit.” You admit, hiding a chuckle. “ I found it on the floor of The Hideout and thought that a kiss scene would be the perfect ending for my project, but… I’m not… I don’t know” You admit, defeated, tired, and anxious about you having to start the whole project again. 

“Why a kiss?” He asks, innocence in his tone. He tries to hide his curiosity with that Eddie grin, that stupid grin that makes you smile in return even if you're not aware of it. 

“I…” You look at him for a moment. Stopping at his lips for a second, and this time it doesn’t escape you that he does the same. “It’s about melancholy. The whole thing. Situations that have happened and you miss, and the ones that haven’t but you wish they did… Love… I wish it happened to me but… Yeah” You stop talking, as you feel his eyes not leave yours, it’s stupid, but talking about this in this space, for some reason is making your heart beat faster, and wherever your body touches his, it tingles, electricity flying between both of you. 

“You haven’t been in love?” The question took you out, it didn’t make sense for Eddie to ask this. It doesn’t fit the way he has always acted around you, but in a weird way, when you look back at him, and see the way his eyes look softer, kinder. 

You always saw Eddie repel the idea of love, avoiding it at all costs, so it was weird seeing him like that, like he was hopeful for an answer, as he wanted to tell you how he started feeling, he also knew he would never dare to tell you such a thing. Much too proud, much too careful. 

“I have. But, they don’t love me back.” You mutter, not ready to voice it fully. Not sure if this is the best time to say, yes, Eddie, I have been in love, I’ve been in love with you for ages. 

Because, even now, you’re slowly realising that what you’ve been feeling for him is love. 

“I understand.” He mutters, his sight leaving you for the first time, looking down at the photo, while he yells to himself, his brain is telling him to not do anything stupid, while his whole heart and body are begging for him to tell you that he could learn how to love you if you let him. 

For fucks sake, he tells himself, he cares so much about you, he wants you to be happy and loved and cared for so much it pains him a bit not knowing what to do to help. He slowly lifts his head up.

Coincidence, destiny or just dumb luck, he makes eye contact with his old, beaten up Polaroid and a stupid idea, oh so stupid crosses his mind, and he narrows his eyes. 

You notice. 

And before you can stop yourself you're asking him a soft and questionable “What?” that leaves him looking back at you. 

“We could take a picture.” He states, blankly looking back at the camera. A nervous smile that makes his eyes shine. 

“What picture?” You’re left even more confused, following his glance. 

“A kissing picture.” He says. Your body frozen, heart skipping a beat. Eddie’s does the same, amazed at himself for actually having said such a stupid thing. “Just so you have an actual reference… I just… Wanna help.” He’s now avoiding your sight, embarrassed about his idea, he begins to get flustered, and the only thing he can get himself to do now is stare at the floor. 

You need a second. 

A moment. 

Silence fills the room, as the only thing you can feel is the beating of your own heart, loud in your eardrums, a rhythmic rhythm that begs kissme kissme kissme. 

So, once again, it wasn’t even a question. 

“Who’s taking it?” You answer, sweet quiet voice. Your eyes also set on the floor, as you can feel your cheeks burning. Anticipation forming in the air. 

“I’ll do it.” He answers, his smile bigger than ever. As he stands up, you leave the cup on the floor, wiping your nervous hands on your jeans. One swipe, two, three. 

You’re left looking at him, and if you didn’t know better, you’d think that he was just as extremely excited and nervous as you are. And then it comes, the realisation of what was about to happen, he’s going to kiss you, and you’re going to kiss him. You’re about to do what you’ve been wanting to do for ages, all for some stupid excuse that you can’t be worried about. 

As he moves, gracefully, it all stops mattering for a brief moment. 

It doesn’t matter if the painting is good enough. 

It doesn’t matter if the admission committee thinks your work is good enough. 

It doesn’t matter if this complicates your friendship or not. 

He sits down beside you, a trembling hand pushing a strand of hair behind your ear, his lips slightly parted, his eyes switching between your eyes and your lips. The electricity is tangible now, you almost feel like you could fill up jars with it, a weird anticipation, an excitement. A promise almost. 

“Are you ready?” He asks, his thumb gracing your lower lip, his breath so close to your lips you could actually drink it if you wanted to. He smells of vanilla and sandalwood.

“Yeah.”

Then it happens. 

Eddie kisses you, softly. 

A soft, sweet kiss is left on top of your lips, as you close your eyes and enjoy it, one of your hands travels slowly to the back of his neck, tentatively, you start playing with his hair. You see a flash, a bright light that makes you giggle, only brighter when you feel the way he’s also smiling. 

Eddie can’t stop kissing you. 

He’s delighted that he’s finally doing this. He doesn’t care that he can’t fully give in, somehow worried that the photo won’t turn out good, he takes a couple more. And then he finally gives in. One last touch, a small bite to your lower lip, and he gently pulls away. His forehead against yours. Catching his breath, you can feel the way your lips are left tingling now. How your heartbeat seems happier in a weird way, like something got fixed for a moment.

When Eddie opens his eyes, he can see that yours are still closed. And that your lips look pinker than before, that your cheeks are flushed and you’re breathing faster than usual. He smiles quietly to himself, and looks down, between your bodies, lays the camera and the polaroids spread around, proof that he didn’t imagine it all. Proof that he did just do it. 

He carefully bumps his forehead into yours, playfully almost. 

You open your eyes, looking down. 

He hands you one of the photographs, you can’t help but smile. 

“I don’t think I ever had such a beautiful photo” You whisper, as you’re taken back for an instance. You’re blooming with joy, an uncontrollable smile decorates your face. The shyness gone for this brief moment. 

“Me either.” Eddie adds as he holds another one. 

You’re both idiots. 

Happy idiots, unaware of each other's feelings, not knowing that it was more than a favour. 

“Thank you, Moon.” You tell him, as he blushes even harder. 

And he’s not sure if it was the eye contact, the way you look right now or the fact that you had just given him what might be his new favourite nickname. 

“Now, get back to work.” He teases, while he decides to lay down, resting on his forearms so he can still look at you. 

“Don’t distract me.” You add back, a flirty banter evident in the air now. 

“I won’t kiss you until you ask for it.” And in that moment it's clear, he’s being sincere. 

You can’t help but laugh, softly. And he can’t help himself, echoing your laugh. 

He doesn’t need to say anything, and neither do you. You just know that now he knows something more about you, you know that now that he’s tasted your lips he will be left craving for more, just as much as your craving for a new encounter. 

Eddie is left mesmerized, proud of you, seeing how now you’re determined to finish this painting, with a soft smile and quick brushstrokes. So, you spend the next afternoon painting, and stealing soft glances at him, as he just sits there, amazed by you, as he continues talking with you as if nothing has changed, as if his heart isn’t now all yours, even if you know as well as he does, that it is. 

[unapologetic-and-aesthetic]

A crule dream

Ace x gn!reader

Series: Telling them they are pretty

Description: You and Ace have been close friends, sharing companionship on the Moby-Dick for a long time now. As Ace seemingly finds himself in a dream of you, his bottled up feelings for you bubble to the surface, he has nothing to lose in a dream after all.

Header: by me ✨

Themes: Friends to Lovers, kinda; Idiots to Lovers, kinda; first Kiss; Angst with open ending; but its hinted at to be a happy ending; drunken kissing; mentions of alcohol and drunkenness; Ace is alive and well, what is this Marineford you are talking about.

Note: This has been sitting on my iPad since Febuary?! What is time even?! Its been a while since i posted a fanfiction of mine on the World Wide Webz, so i am a bit nervous about this. Also my first time writing gn!reader, so i‘m still getting used to it. This was supposed to be a little drabble but it kinda went of the rails :‘), this poor sad-boy needs a hug so badly.

It will be the first entry in a series about telling One Piece characters they are pretty. I am no native englisch speaker so please be kind in the comments. I appreciate every bit of feedback from you! Enjoy! ✨

And thank you to @fanaticsnail for being an inspiration to me for the past month or so, you are amazing!

-

The atmosphere on the Moby-Dick almost felt like a dream, it was all so effortlessly light-hearted today. The soft pinks and blues of the sunset faded perfectly into the dark night sky on the horizon, already dotted with softly shining stars.

You sat in the crow's nest together with Ace and enjoyed some quietness away from the lively party that was unfolding on deck down below. The crow's nest has always been your spot together.

Ace had one too many already, he read about Luffy in the newspaper today. It got him sentimental again, you knew it all too well. His laughter was always a little too loud after that. You wouldn‘t press him to talk about it, instead trying to comfort him with your company. You two were friends, close friends, you had each other's backs in any situation, even tho he was your commander. He never let you think for a moment this hierarchy was standing between you two. He valued your input and asked for your opinion on things frequently.

You and Ace stared off at the horizon in comfortable silence, sitting shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee, leaning against the mast. He could feel his thoughts drifting away, eyes wandering from star to star, the laughter of the crew down below fading into the background. There was only your warmth beside him now.

„Hey Ace, you are pretty! But you know that, right?!“, that snapped him out of his trance. He slowly turned his head towards you as you grinned up to him cheekily.

„Like how?“ his face turned into a confident grin as well. He was sure you were just joking around. The next thing you‘d say would be something along the lines of „pretty dumb“ or „in pretty deep shit“, and you both would laugh.

But instead of quipping a joke, you were quiet for a moment, studying his face intently. Why were your eyes suddenly so serious? He blinked, feeling your eyes on himself so intently made him a little nervous all of a sudden.

„Well… I like your freckles and your sharp nose… I think that's pretty.“ you said, taking a sip from your bottle. „Oh, and your hair!“ you reached up to touch the tip of a black hairstrand, that was closest to you. A small giggle escaped your lips at his dumbfounded expression.

He was quiet for a moment, his dark eyes looking into yours, seemingly searching for something. This must be one of his dreams, he must have dosed off again.

Sometimes when that happened, his dreams would be so realistic and sometimes so cruel. Like this one. He would dream of Sabo, Luffy and himself reunited and having a drink together, or seeing Yamato again or… well… for you to finally reciprocate his feelings. When he would wake up, he would remember most of it, which left him with a somber feeling for a few hours or even days.

Despite his tender feelings for you, he would never make a move, his position as devision-commander made it difficult, not to mention your close friendship. You were too important for him to ruin it all just like that.

This must be a dream then. Everything felt so light and soft right now.. and you would never say these things to him in reality. Pinpointing his insecurities as something you felt were beautiful? That would be too good to be true. He didn't deserve this to happen to him, he thought at that moment. He studied your face, taking in all the little details he had put to memory so many times before. The soft light of the sunset making your features soft, almost dream-like.

It was a dream, he was sure of it! So why not indulge?! Nothing had consequences right now, it was a dream after all. And he felt so lonely lately, the longing he felt for you has been eating him up inside.

You blinked at him, your face slowly becoming warmer with any moment he stared so intensely at you. You opened your mouth to say something, but he beat you to it.

„I see…“ his low voice was merely a whisper as he leaned in and gently took your face into his hands. His heart skipped a beat at your surprised expression. And was that a blush around your nose? So cute, he thought. The rough skin of his thumb caressed softly over your cheeks.

Your name fell from his lips, quietly, longingly, as if he could scare you away if it was any louder. He leaned in further, his nose brushing against yours.

„I want to kiss you for so long now…“ he all but whispered before pressing his lips to yours. It was a bit rough, but he wanted to pour every ounce of longing into this kiss he had harboured for the past year. Ace wanted to relieve his lonely heart of some pain. You froze up for a second, taken aback by the sudden feeling of his lips against yours, but you quickly found yourself enjoying it.

Your hands wandered behind his neck, as he moved his soft lips against yours. He wanted to know how you taste like and what beautiful noises could fall from your lips. You where gently holding him close, searching for something to hold onto while he pressed you closer to his chest and deepend the kiss.

A sigh fell between the two of you as he coxed your head to the side gently. You completely gave in to his kiss as his tonge brushed yours, letting him dominate your mouth. A million butterflies erupted in his stomach, a tingle went up his spine as you two moved in sync. He softly explored your mouth with his tounghe, brushing with yours in the procces as you did the same, which made him gasp into your mouth.

Yes, he thought, this feels right, kissing you felt so natural to him. Your body fit so well in his strong arms. He gently bit your lower lip as he slowly left your lips, both of you gasping for air, still close to one another.

His heart was banging against his ribcage, an intense blush spread across his face. Oh, he never wanted to let you go. His thumb gently brushed over your lower lip, red and swollen from the kiss you‘ve shared. You where at a loss for words, looking up to him throuhg your eyelashes bashfuly.

„Gods, I want to do this with you all the time, not only in my dreams.“ his gaze held an intense longing as he watched the soft light dance around your features “You are so beautiful right now…“ he whispered to you. „No. You are beautiful all the time,“ he corrected himself.

You gasped at his words. Shocked by his sudden outburst of passion and by yourself, indulging in a drunken kiss with your best friend. The kiss has left you lightheaded and it took you a moment to gather your thoughts to respond. He looked so dreamy right now, and so happy, you haven‘t seen him like that in a while. It made your heart soar.

„Ace, what…?“ you wanted answers, what dream was he talking about. Where was this coming from? But you were incapable of forming a straight sentence right now.

Suddenly, his eyes fell shut and his head lulled forward onto your shoulder, still holding you in his arms. „Ace?!“ you looked down to him, his head almosed nuzzled into the crook of your neck peacefully.

That bumbass dared to fall asleep right now?! After what just happened?!

Your head became clearer as you lingered in this position with him. As you began to think, your chest tightened, what was that all about?! And for how long would he sleep now? From experience you knew, that was unpredictable.

But you have an important mission tomorrow morning! You couldn't wait until he woke up and talk this out with him right now. It was already very late for you and you didn‘t wanna mess up tomorrow.

And would talking even be feasable? He might not even remember any of this. Maybe you could go back to your friendship as it was before then!

Thought after thought crashed down on you. And the worst one was: Would he regret kissing you, his close friend, if he remembered? Now…that would break your heart.

The waves didn‘t stop crashing, taking you with them into a spiral. What would your Crewmembers think?! What would Marco think!? Or your captain if he ever found out?!

Your breath got quicker and the fuzzy feeling in your chest quickly made way for a tight knot, making it more difficult to breathe.

„I am so sorry Ace“ you whispered to him as you gently leaned his sleeping body against the mast. The waves of emotions took you with them, you had no chance. The coil in your chest was unbearable now, you felt like crying. After one last tearful look at his peaceful sleeping face, you stood up and ran to your quarters, hoping no one saw you leaving the crows nest.

-

As the questions and thoughts flooded in, you barely took in your surroundings. The mission was so unimportant to you right now. Absentmindedly, you trotted after your team members, just going through the motions. It was a simple scouting mission anyway.

You tried to stop the thoughts and the guilt that where flooding you, but it was no use. Your head wandered to Ace and the kiss time and time again. You could still feel his lips on yours, his soft voice saying these sweet things to you and is warm embrace holding you so gently. What would happen now after this? You clutched your cest to stop your heart from beating so fast, squeezing your eyes shut for a moment.

"Hey, did you hear!? Ace made out with a crewmember yesterday!“ your head snapped up at your teammembers comment. How did they know already?!

Another one laughed “There is always a rumour about him and some crewmember making out at a party. You shouldn't believe everything you hear!“ the elder one gave the newbie a pat on the back.

This fired up the storm of anxiety inside you. So it was just a little makeout for him then!? No… you knew it was more. It meant more to you, at least. And you wanted to believe it was more for him as well. You knew about his little flings here and there.

What if he was just in the mood, and you where the next available option? You frowned at that nasty thought about you friend. Ace was better then his. But what would the crew think about you when they figured it out? What would they think about Ace?!

- Ace had slept until midday, waking up in the crow‘s nest, still in the position you left him in the previous night. He felt disoriented and had a terrible headache from the booze he had the evening before.

And something else felt wrong, it felt like he had had a dream inside a dream, that had never happened before. Ace scratched his head, tilting it to the side wondering. One of the dreams was about Luffy and a giant snake. They fought it together and then ate it. The other one was about you… and you two had kissed. That one he liked the most out of the two.

He sat up and stretched his arms and upper back, looking around for you in the process. But you weren't there with him in the crow‘s nest, unlike in his dream. As he looked around taking in his surroundings, and it slowly dawned on him. The exact place he was in right now seemed so familliar.

Oh no.

He jumped up with a scream of horror. That with you was no dream at all! He kissed you and said all these things for real. And he didn't even ask for your consent before kissing you! His breath got quicker as he tried to remember what exactly had happened yesterday.

Ace really kissed you… he grabbed you by the face even to hold you in place. And you looked surprised at that. Or was it shock on your face?!

He grunted, a feeling of dread creeping into his stomach. His memory was failing him, everything was so blurry.

Did you kiss him back? Or did you say anything at all? That's where it was all blurry for him. He remembered how good it felt to him. But what did you say to him? What did you do? He also remembered you tensed up when he smashed his lips to yours. That wasn‘t a good sign. The dread crawled up his spine lowly.

„Fuck… no,“ he took his hat that was laying on the ground where he slept and raged a hand through his hair before putting it on, just to shove it deep into his eyes.

“No, no, no!“ he wispered to himself under is breath, frozen for a moment and unsure what to do now. Go look for you and talk to you? And then what!? Admit his feelings and possibly destroy your friendship?!

He didn't deserve someone like you at all. You were way too good for him. So brave, and kind. You gave out your love so freely, without fear. Unlike him. You would never accept the feelings of a downer such as him.

Maybe he could backpaddle and say he was just very drunk? That might save your friendship. But he still kinda forced himself onto you. So the friendship was likely unrepairable already.

And it was all his fault. If someone would have rammed a knive into his chest right now, it would likely have hurt less.

Ace felt sick to his stomach, horrifyed as he imagined how you might be feeling right now. His mind filled in all the gaps his memory left open with crule things. Pictures of you trying to push against his chest to get him away from you, but he was too strong and helt you in his firm grasp. Tears in your eyes as he paused his advances on you for a moment. You running to the sleepingquarters, scared and probably disappointed in him, crying.

And you might not tell anyone about it. Ace was your superior and a well-respected member of the crew. He knew you didn't want to destroy his reputation, you would honour your friendship even after this. So you would stay silent with no one to turn to. And then you would leave the Moby-Dick!

Ace grabbed the mast with one hand, knuckles white, his body shaking. He wanted to throw up, wanted someone to punch him in the face. That was what he deserved.

„Oi! I‘ve been looking for you everywhere,“ it was Marco, coming in to the crow‘s nest behind him. Ace was just standing there, unable to move.

„Are y-,“ Marco stopped talking as he saw Aces trembling back. „Oi, what's wrong!?“ he asked, bridging the gap between them with two long steps. When his comrade didn't respond, Marco grabbed him gently by the shoulder to make Ace face him. His brows furrowed at the horrified expression on the other man's face.

„Ace?! What happened?“ Marco shook his shoulders in an attempt to bring him back to reality. This can‘t be good. „What happened last night!?“

At the question, the black-haired man snapped out of it. Did Marco know something about the incident? Did it already make its rounds? No, that couldn't be! He felt like someone was choking him.

He wispered your name „I kissed them….Marco," Ace confessed "I don't remember everything,“ his voice was shaking. Saying it out loud made the stone in his stomach heavier. „I am a superior….and I forced them to kiss me“ he looked to the ground with empty eyes, flinching as he saw Marcos's face scrunch up out of the corners of his eyes.

Marco was at a loss for words. He was rooting for you two to finally stop being dense and confess your obvious feelings to each other. But this was not what he had in mind. He saw you ran to the bunck with a sorrowful expression last night. With that last puzzle piece, it all made sense to him.

The older man gently pressed his fingertips into Ace's shoulders, trying to ground him. That poor boy was still trembling. He tried to find the words to break the news to him, but Ace was quicker with his question as his head snapped up „Where are they? Did you see them today already?“ he asked with a sense of urgency. „I- I need to apologize!“

„Well… you have some more time to think about what you want to say“ It hurt Marco to see Ace like this, and what he was about to say would hurt him even more. „They have been injured on the mission today and collapsed when they came back – from exaustion and bloodloss."

"What?", the other man's voice sounded dead. This can't be happening. Ace felt like his body was floating.

"It will be okay! It wasn‘t fatal, Ace. I already took care of it all" Marco added quickly, shaking him again as he noticed Ace empty gaze drift off. "Stay with me! I'm here with you. You're not alone." Ace, staring into space while Marco talked to him, bareley registering what he said "Talk to them when they wake up, i‘m sure its going to be fine." Marcos voice sounded far away.

Nothing is going to be okay. Ace had just lost a very important person to him, due to being a drunken mess. He must try everything to do damage controll as soon as he came down from the crows nest.

[silvrash-797]

Hey Ash! Here’s my little gift fic for you for the baby shower— it isn’t much, but I hope you like it :) congratulations again! <3

-Sky Floor

...

Twilight was not pacing.

His footsteps padded steadily across the grass, yes, and he was walking back and forth, just as he had been for... he wasn’t actually sure how long. But he wasn’t pacing. He wasn’t nervous.

A distant cry caught his ear, and Twilight couldn’t help his flinch, pressing his fingers into the skin of his palms. It was fine. Everything was fine. It had been a while, sure, and the faint noises he could hear from the house had gotten more loud and frequent, but everything was fine. He hadn’t heard anything to dispute the fact, and just because it had been hours with no sign of Time or the doctor who’d shown up, it was—

“Rancher?”

Twilight flinched again, and he turned to see Wild walk up, blond hair looking more silver in the moonlight.

“Champion,” he greeted, and Wild gave him a little smile, though it faded when a faint noise came from the farmhouse again.

“Nobody’s come out?” he asked, and Twilight shook his head, going back to his steady not-pacing.

“Not yet.”

Wild gave his head a little bob, and he leaned against one of the porch supports, watching Twilight walk back and forth. Crickets chirped somewhere nearby, and the low hoot of an owl accompanied them, but Twilight was too distracted to enjoy the night, not caring the least about the bright swirls of stars above his head, with only a faint sliver of moon joining them.

“Twilight,” Wild spoke up after a minute, eyes still following him back and forth. They always seemed a little brighter than other people’s eyes in the dark, the blues shining just a bit. Twilight had wondered once or twice if that was because of the shrine, but he certainly wasn’t going to dwell on it right now. “Maybe you should come in the barn with everyone else.”

“No thanks.”

“The captain started a game of cards,” Wild tried again. “I think Wind’s trying to get him to bet his scarf.”

“No thanks.”

Wild pursed his lips, and Twilight jumped when another faint cry came from inside, speeding his steps. He appreciated Wild trying to distract him, but he wasn’t planning on taking a single step further from the farmhouse than necessary.

A hand settled on his arm, and Twilight paused, looking over at Wild.

“Twilight, all this pacing isn’t doing any good,” he said, voice pleading. “You’re just flattening all of Time and Malon’s grass and wearing yourself out. You sure you don’t want to go play cards? Or at least head inside with everyone else?”

Twilight shook his head. “Wild, I... I can’t. That’s my ancestor being born up there, I can’t just sit around playing cards right now, it’s...”

He bit his lip, crossing his arms over his chest.

“...I don’t know how to explain it,” he said quietly, and it wasn’t a lie. He truly didn’t know how to explain to Wild that he couldn’t just walk away and try to distract himself from what was going on, not with this, not away from his family.

Wild sighed and shook his head, but he gave Twilight’s shoulder a squeeze.

“Okay. But... at least consider getting some sleep at some point?” he asked. Twilight gave him a ghost of a smile.

“At some point. I’d say I wish I knew what time it was, but I really don’t want to know.”

“I’d guess around two,” Wild said with a glance up at the sky, and Twilight sighed.

“You know, I said I didn’t want to know.”

“Well that was just a guess,” Wild shrugged, but there was mischief shining in his eyes. “Maybe it’s more like three anyway.”

Twilight groaned at the thought of it being that late, and Wild chuckled as he gave him a light elbow.

Their ribbing continued for a few minutes, and Twilight started to relax a bit, Wild doing a pretty fine job of distracting him. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he ducked in the barn for a few minutes. He should probably check on everyone else anyway, he’d barely spoken to the other Links since they’d gotten here...

The door inside suddenly opened, and Twilight looked over with his nerves shooting back to their frayed state. The doctor that had shown up was standing there, face neutral, and he scanned Twilight’s face for a second, gaze catching on his markings.

“You the one they call Twilight?” he asked, and Twilight nodded. “Good. Lons want you upstairs.”

“Really?” Twilight asked hesitantly, and the doctor nodded, stroking his beard.

“Really,” he said, and smiled a bit. “Said you were family. I think they want you to meet their new baby boy.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide, and the doctor chuckled, turninv to Wild.

“Son would you help me find Malon’s father? Need to tell him the news.”

Wild nodded, then gave Twilight’s shoulder a squeeze before leading him off to where Talon had been nervously holed up in the barn with the rest of them.

Twilight swallowed as they walked away, then went inside.

He crept through the silent living room and then upstairs, taking care to be quiet as he walked down the hall and towards Time and Malon’s room. Twilight hesitated before gently knocking, and then pushed open the door when he heard Time’s voice saying he could come in.

It was dim in the room, but plenty bright enough to see. Malon lay propped up with pillows, looking exhausted in bed, and Time sat beside her, looking at least as tired as she did. Seeing her okay made Twilight’s heart calm a bit, but the thing that really drew his focus was the tiny bundle in between them.

Twilight swallowed. It was so small...

“Hey Twilight,” Malon said as he slipped in, giving him a tired smile. Her voice was more worn than he’d ever heard it, but coated in happiness.

“Hi Miss Malon,” Twilight greeted back, his voice soft. He hadn’t actually seen her since they’d arrived at the ranch yesterday. “How are you doing?”

“Exhausted, but I expected that. It’s nice to see you again,” she smiled. “I’m glad you boys came when you did.”

“We certainly timed it well,” Time said with a smile of his own, and Twilight let out a nervous laugh. Time pressed a kiss to Malon’s hair, and she hummed, closing her eyes for a moment.

The look on Time’s face wasn’t one that Twilight saw very often— a more intense version of the loving look he would make when speaking about Malon. At the moment it was even more intense, filled with something soft and protective and fierce and loving.

He felt a brief pang as he thought what would become of that look in the future, but he was interrupted by Malon catching his eye.

“Twilight? You want to meet him?” she asked softly, and Twilight swallowed, then stepped over to the bed. Malon held out the little bundle, and Twilight carefully took it, his hands steady despite their trembling.

He’d held babies before, plenty of times, and knew just how to cradle heads and support their necks, but this... this was different. This was his ancestor.

Family.

Twilight swallowed and looked down at the baby in his arms.

He really was tiny, though maybe it just seemed that way in Twilight’s relatively large arms. Twilight had never seen a truly newborn baby before either, and he was a little surprised at how red and scrunched up he seemed, a tiny dash of reddish hair on his head. He looked almost more like a tomato than a baby.

Twilight ran a gentle thumb along his cheek, and the baby yawned, a tiny hand catching his finger and holding on. Something in Twilight’s chest melted and then turned into mush, and he immediately knew he would do anything for this kid.

“Hey buddy,” Twilight whispered, and the baby made an almost squeaking sound. “I guess you’re my however-greats grandad, huh?”

The baby squeaked again, eyes slitting open just a little, and Twilight caught a glimpse of brilliant blue, a mix between Time and Malon’s, almost as bright as Wild’s. Twilight held him closer, and was glad nobody except Time and Malon saw the tear that snuck past his defenses.

The baby snuggled up to him, and Twilight held him for a few more minutes, admiring every tiny detail, from his fingers to his toes. He began smacking his lips after a bit, squirming and making little noises, and Twilight carefully moved back to Malon’s bedside and handed her the baby.

“I think he wants to eat,” Twilight whispered, his voice thick. “Thank... thanks for letting me hold him.”

“Of course hon,” Malon smiled, and she ran her hand over his cheek before taking back her baby. “You’re family too.”

Twilight nodded, eyes stinging suspiciously, and Time gave his hair a fond ruffle, a warm smile on his face.

Twilight stayed a few minutes longer, talking quietly with Time and Malon a little, but he soon left them be to let them all get some rest. Malon and Time both smiled at him, and Twilight gently closed the door behind him, wiping his eyes.

Wild was waiting for him on the front porch, and he gave him a nervous look as Twilight walked over to him.

“Is Malon okay? How’s the baby?” he asked anxiously, and Twilight smiled at him, and put his arm around Wild.

“They’re all doing fine,” he said, and gave his brother a squeeze as he thought back to the pure happiness on Time and Malon’s faces.

Just fine.

Poor Twi! Labor can be scary when you have personal investment in it. Good for Wild in trying to distract him!

And OOOUGH Twi being the first to see the new baby because he's family 😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️

[lizaluvsthis]

A Chamber of Burning Souls - Chapter 1

Fanfic Written and Illustrated by @lizaluvsthis

Idea of creation by @itsajjanea

●■●

Summary: It's Prom and everyone is invited to celebrate at Square Plaza, having no partners left to find. SMG4 and SMG3 both paired together.

With Four having no experience of what Prom is at all, he happens to find himself binded with his ex rival filled with complicated thoughts.

Tags: Friends to Lovers, Sun and Moon, fluff, romance, drama, hurt/comfort, angst, gay fruits are real, LOVE IS IN THE AIR YALL

Relationships:

SMG4/SMG3

Mario & Meggy Spletzer

Meggy & SMG4

Mario & SMG4

Mario & SMG3

Meggy/Tari

Luigi/Bowser

Mario/Spaghetti¿

Bob & Mario

Chapter: 1 - A Night Bring Out

thus the sun has continued to set from the horizon as four is calmly watching the view afar, the cold breeze blew through his hair sitting outside.

"SMG4?" Mario called his bestfriend, seeing him sitting on a chair admiring the view. Mario snuck behind him, distracted "still having those gay thoughts?" He chuckled, making four bounce from his chair with a light scare from the fat italian.

"N-No I'm not!" He brushed off the dirt from his blue colored suit. Man does he love how his formal attire looked, where he can move freely and relaxed.

"You sureee????" "Yes I am." He looked away from Mario with a light pink faded blush surrounding his face. "Have you uhh found a partner?" SMG4 looked at Mario.

"I'm with bob, he said his girlfriend can't attend" "what about the others?" "Hmmmmmm" Mario did his best to remember the pairings from his team.

"Meggy is in pairs with Tari, Saiko is with Kaizo since they're both hosting a side played oncore songs, Boopkins is- he's with his waifu bed, Chris with Swag, Melony is just- sleeping-" figures. Melony is always too tired whenever she's awake, but for some reason- it feels like he won't be getting in partners with anyone else...

"Andd uhhh for Luigi- luigi is-" SMG4 shot a glance of the familiar green colored signature and ran. "Hey! SMG4?" Mario saw Four rush out of there and got back from the room to talk to luigi.

"Hey! Luigi..." "wah? SMG4? What is it?" "Do you want to be partners with me for prom?" Luigi eye-d to another side and furrowed his eyes giving him a smile. "Oh- uh- sorry SMG4 I'm already left partners with someone..."

"Oh come on! I bet I can still be as good as that partner this is bullsh-t!" SMG4 cursed out loud, hearing something approach to him was a giant... lizard-?

"Ahe- ahem!" SMG4 gulped looking upwards to reveal, it was bowser out of all people. He was tossed by a massive force by bowser across the room, with no one to notice.

"Ow..." his back couldn't move after cracking a wall. "SMG4! Are you okay?!" The voice sounded nothing like Mario, a man reached out a hand to help him get up.

"Yes I'm..." He paused, looking up to see the person. SMG3... his former ex rival... a 'friend'... is there to attend the prom as well.

He stared at his face for a moment, and boy how he felt something inside him flutter and beat. "I'm alright..." He finally gave him a reply, getting back up from the floor acting like nothing happened.

"You got yourself tossed in that room dude- you sure you're alright?" SMG4 felt distracted by looking at his 'friend' from top to bottom.

He had his hair up in a bun, (honestly- when did he missed out the part he had long hair?) His looks are still the same but it came out more handsome than the last time he saw him without a hat on, his dark purple silk suit that the light reflects on the shades, he was wearing a different gloves that has the usual roman numeral but with white color text with black gloves filled.

His magenta necktie, his long black pants, shining clean black shoes that exposed from his view. Since WHEN did SMG3 became this more of a neat character to get so- well dressed...?

Or its just four not knowing how fashion works-

"Yeah I'm hurt a little bit but I'll be fine-" he gave him a nervous chuckle, not wanting three to feel worried of him. SMG3 wanted to speak about this but he didn't find the urge to do so. Now that his soft spot might reveal a bit too much.

"You got invited too huh?" SMG3 nodded. "I uhh- couldn't find a decent partner to pair up with... not even when I enjoy less party talks yet I still come here..." He looked at the other of the members who are currently talking with the other people.

"You haven't- found a pair yet?" SMG4 asked again, he wondered why Three even came here despite knowing that he hates occassional events except for evil villain anniversaries or such as getting paid.

But for just this time, he attended anyway. "No I haven't... thats why I'm asking several of the people here- but they all already found one..." SMG3 hugged his stomach, the felt of discomfort attempting on asking for someone to be his partner and didn't work out too well when you're bad at talking in public.

More as of being socially awkward to people that gave out his anxiety... but to SMG4 however, he felt safe to be around with yet he wasnt even sure why.

His ex rival just felt too safe to be with, he didnt have complains for that. It felt nice...

Because he'd never felt needed by any other people from his life...

SMG4 is unsure at this state he's on with, he struggled and hesitated to put out the words of apologizing. He wasn't used to this type of sensitive talk.

"I also haven't found mine yet-" he started to stare at those red crimson eyes... "do you... want to be partners with me instead?" Out of the ordinary, SMG3's face lit up after hearing SMG4 say that.

Did he just hear this right. Is it actually true that Four is asking him out to be his... his... HIS... he turned red second by second.

"I-I uhh... Yeah sure whatever- just try not to mess things up- you baka..." the blue held out his hand for three to grab on, as four smiled still with three on being a tsundere. It never gets old.

Three accepted, embracing his left hand with four colliding in. With now both fingers interlocked, that was purposely done by SMG4.

"Dude- are you TRYING to make things look even more gayer?" SMG3 looked down at both of the hands then back to the man himself.

"Just- incase..." SMG4 pouted, he couldn't come up with a reason. He did this on purpose and he'd been making it a bit more awkward with this between just him and three.

The chattering went low as the host made his way out of the door and welcomed everyone.

"Welcome to the square plaza everyone! We are so excited to gather you all for our occasional prom! Now go out there and get yourself started!"

He offered to everyone by stepping aside from the open door, being a gentleman to let everyone inside.

"Well... here it goes..." SMG4 walked forward as Three followed a few steps near, little did four know is that Three kept glancing at their interlocked hands together thinking the forms of something special...

Something... something that also made SMG4 feel the same but more tensed...

SMG4 couldn't process much of the things that are currently happening to him right now. Why has this have to go very wrong yet right at the same time? Why did he have to come even tho he didn't want to?

He'd started to overthink with all of his actions that he had made. In regret...

(Why did I even came here... I should've stayed at the castle...) He clinched the hand even tighter, holding Three's.

But it had made him thought, for any other reasons it somehow made him feel glad that he was there.

"Good evening everyone! We are all gathered here for a special event- aka prom." The other host guestured their hand with the obvious sign.

"The dance will begin at 7pm, just to say you can go talk to any other people here or have some snacks while everyone enjoys their stay!" The microphone turns off, entering a soothing audio played in the background.

-A Night To Remember by beabadoobee & Laufey-

The man in purple looked at the sparkling chandelier placed right on top of the ceiling the lights that glimmered through the glass.

Swore I'd seen you before

Within the atmosphere flowing through the colors of pink, red, and purple. Mixtures of blue, the colors fading through the room.

Watched you walk through the door

The beam of light, shining across Four's face with an escape of the light. Reflecting through his blue colored eyes that took notice of the red ones.

Somethin' in your eye

Reminded me of somebody I used to know

Damn... SMG4 looked glorious... he hated that...

Three's eyes happen to gaze upon to Four's with the room surrounded by the soft sounds, they both met each others eyes.

You touched my back

I took your hand

Somethin' from your touch felt shockingly familiar

He didn't know what that feeling was, it just felt right for him to do. If this would only be only focused to him, where would his thoughts go?

And I swore I'd seen you before

Oh, I swore I'd seen you before...

They both felt so lost, but being there together with him?

Underneath the sheets

You enchanted me

And whispered sweet nothings in my ear

It felt romantic...

I shivered beneath you

All wrapped up in embers

It was a night... to remem-

"Is it just me or are you both staring goo goo eyes at each other thats super gay-" The fat italian called them both out ruinimg their silence.

"SHUT UP YOU ASS" SMG3 looked at Mario annoyed, he who had ruined their moment. "We're not gay!" SMG4 cried out loud, with the crowd bringing their attention from his scream. He smiled to fill out the apology trying his best not to disrupt them.

SMG4 turned his head back to Mario and eyed Three. "It seemed like it-" he shrugged his shoulder, drinking an orange juice from the cup.

"Look you idiot- I came here to get over with the party. I'm not saying I'm a party pooper in this, I was only trying to..." he gave a pregnant pause after realizing that he had almost revealed his words to him.

"To- uh- not miss out on the occassions and stuff..." his eyes darted towards Mario after he shot up his eyes with Four.

He checked the time...

6:55 pm

Almost seven o-clock before the dance begins, and just being in there with him... it felt like time passes by too quickly by seconds...

"Oh! I think I should go now- Mario wishes you two gay boys goodluck!" He puts a thumbs up to the both of them and headed to Bob's direction.

The two looked at each other in disbelief, had they both been staring too long? Did the song dragged them away into this...?

How can this be?

SMG4 is unsure, he was too scared about this feeling. Little does he know is that Three also scattered with the same thing as well...

End of Chapter 1...

--------

Previous Chapter - Prologue

Next Chapter - Sway me More [PENDING...]

[mydearzero]

Vocal Exercise | E.M. x Reader

MASTERLIST

18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

Summary: Your band is about to compete against Corroded Coffin in Battle of the Bands and you're way too nervous. Eddie might just know something to take the edge off (hint: it's not drugs)

Smut, Enemies to Lovers.

Warnings: AFAB Reader, Smut, unprotected sex, penetrative sex (p in v), oral sex (f rec), creampie, Exhibitionism, If I missed any warnings please tell me!

2K words

A/N: I wrote something?? How very unlike me lmao I hope you enjoy this once in a blue moon occurrence

You nibbled at your thumb as you stared at the sign-up sheet. It shouldn't be this difficult a decision, so why was it? You had played in front of a crowd before. Your band was always excited about any opportunity to play. What was keeping you from signing up for the annual Battle of the Bands? 

You heard him before you saw him. The bane of your existence. Eddie Munson. The chains attached to his clothing rattled with every confident step he took. 

You had no good reason to dislike Eddie. There was just something about him that got under your skin, and he knew it. He used the fact to his advantage, even if only to get a rise out of you. 

You refused to turn your gaze to him as you continued staring at the sign-up sheet. Three entries so far, and no Corroded Coffin in sight. Tammy Thompson was on top of the list, as always. 

"Unless you've developed telekinesis, can you move?" His voice, though somewhat attractive, was like nails on a chalkboard. It sent raised the hairs on the back of your neck. 

You grumbled as you crossed your arms, took a step back and gestured to the sheet. "All yours, Munson." 

"What, too scared to sign up? Not like you'll win. Why don't you just let the pros do what they do and keep practising in your friend's basement until you're ready, hmm?" He smirked as he all but etched 'CORRODED COFFIN' into the paper. 

"Oh yeah, the pros, like Tammy Thompson? I'm sure she'll get real far. Can't beat raw talent, Munson." You rolled your eyes as you snatched the pen from his hands and wrote your band's name under Eddie's recognisable handwriting. 

Eddie never moved an inch, leaning against the wall. He watched as you scribbled your bandmember's names and what you'd be doing, never taking his eyes off your disgruntled face. 

Usually, you'd try to not let him have the upper hand. His gaze was knawing, screaming at you to return it. You caved and turned to look. His smirk grew as he chewed his gum obnoxiously. "See you there, (Y/L/N)." 

_____

"I don't think I can do this. I think I'm gonna hurl." You fanned your face as the stagehand came over to give you your microphone headset. The loud music faded to a halt as Corroded Coffin finished their set. 

"We'll leave you to it for a bit, yeah? I'll get you some water, maybe. Just calm down, it'll be fine." Your bandmates gave a thumbs-up as they filed out of the room. 

"Y'know... I might know something to take the edge off." Eddie's voice came from the hallway, peering his head around the corner into your dressing room. His bangs stuck to his forehead, sweat covering his skin. Lucky bastard, he'd already gotten it over with. 

"Piss off, Munson. I'm not interested in any of your drugs." You scoffed as you messed with the positioning of the clunky headset. 

The stagehand left you once she connected all the wires and had given you the last rundown of when you'd be on. Three more acts, two and a half before your mic was hot. You had to get the vocal jitters out now. 

Eddie paraded into the dressing room and closed the door behind him, locking it. "That's not exactly what I had in mind. But that offer does stand." He crossed his arms as he leaned against the vanity. You'd never quite noticed how toned they were or how tall he was until now. 

Perhaps it was the adrenaline rushing through the room, your nerves combined with his post-performance butterflies. You couldn't help but be intrigued. You gestured for him to continue. -

He put his hands on your hips and pulled you to stand between his legs. You frowned as he leaned to whisper in your ear. "Nothing more relaxing than a decent orgasm, babe." 

Your eyes widened as you pulled away from his touch, mouth agape. "What the hell, Eddie! That's not funny!" You slapped his bicep. His eyebrows raised in challenge as he watched your thought process. He saw your horrified face change to confusion before it flushed with shame. You hadn't even noticed you'd called him by his first name. 

He noticed your uncertainty. You loathed him, but he was right. And it wasn't like he wasn't easy on the eyes. He knew you'd been convinced when he stroked your arm and your eyes fluttered at the surprisingly delicate touch. 

Your breath hitched as he leaned close once more. "Let me make you feel good." His touch burned your skin, heat soaring straight between your legs. His lips pressed to your neck, breath hot on your skin. 

A soft moan left your mouth when he sucked harshly under your jaw. "Is that a yes?" He questioned, slowly trailing his hand down your side. You nodded breathlessly. 

"I'm gonna need you to say it, princess." He tutted. You were surprised when a barely audible whine made its way out of your throat. 

"Please, Eddie." were all the words you could gather. His eyes met yours. They were polar opposites. You felt yours were pleading and desperate, while his seemed amused, maybe derisive. His pupils were blown. Whether from the adrenaline, drugs, lust, or a combination of all of the above was uncertain. 

He turned your positions around, pushing you onto the vanity table and getting on his knees. The way he looked up at you through his eyelashes could only be described as absolutely blasphemous. You were convinced he wasn't doing this for you as much as he was doing it for himself. 

He placed his hands on your thighs, ever so slowly creeping up under your skirt. He hooked the tips of his fingers into the band of your underwear, tugging it down. You raised yourself off the table so he could slide it down. He barely got it past your knees as he dove forward, using his hands to spread your legs to make room for his head. His grip on your knees was crushing as he licked a stripe up between your lips. He nuzzled for a little before releasing his hands, opting to spread your lips with them instead. 

A sigh of relief left your mouth as your body melted into his touch. One of your hands was on the table to steady yourself, the other tangling itself in his hair. His lips wrapped around your clit. He circled his tongue around it a few times before slowly sliding a finger inside. 

"Knew you'd be so wet for me." He sounded out of breath as he devoured you. "All bark, but the second the offer stands, you're like a little bitch in heat." He chuckled. You tugged his hair harshly, urging him to shut up and continue. 

Eddie complied and returned to pleasuring you. You could feel him smiling against your pussy, as stupid as it sounds. The bastard was enjoying this way too much. He added another finger and curled them in the exact way he knew would get you close. You felt the pressure build up in your throat as you tried to stay silent. Noise threatened to spill with every thrust of his fingers and movement of his tongue. 

Eddie deemed you close enough, judging by the tight grip on his hair combined with the suppressed sounds coming from your lips. He rose from his knees and wasted no time unbuckling his belt. You tried to listen for the stage to estimate the time you'd have. Eddie spread your legs once more as he positioned himself between them. 

"Wait, Eddie. How many songs have there been?" You whispered as you put your hand on his chest to stop him. "Don't know, don't care. Guess you'll have to shut up and keep quiet." He shrugged as he grabbed your wrist, removing your hand from his chest. He pushed his underwear to join his jeans around his knees and stroked himself a couple of times before lining himself up. 

Eddie pushed the head of his cock inside and roughly reached up your shirt, grabbing your right boob and twisting the nipple harshly. An audible yelp left your mouth. "Shut up." He groaned as he pushed all the way in. Air was nowhere to be found, especially not your lungs. 

He barely let you adjust before pistoning in and out. Adrenaline was very obviously still coursing through his veins. He grabbed your hips and pushed you to lean against the mirror. The lights surrounding it shone down on him, almost giving him an angelic glow. 

His grip on your hips tightened as he changed his stance. Small whimpers and breaths left you, still trying to remain as quiet as possible. Eddie pushed inside relentlessly, chasing his release and coercing yours out of you. He's found the right spot now, he knew by your face. He moved his right hand to lean on your thigh, thumb circling your clit. He grinned as he watched your face, eyes shut tightly. 

The light on your headset flickered, indicating it'd just gone hot. Eddie took this as his sign to hurry the fuck up and make you come. Loud knocks on the door, combined with the music from the stage drowned out the banging noise of you against the mirror and his balls slapping against your pussy over and over. 

Your breathing sped up as you neared your peak. Eddie was getting sloppy, putting more and more pressure on your clit, circling it hastily to meet the pace of his hips. He groaned as he felt you tighten around him. You were so close. 

"Y/N! Are you in here? We're on in three!" Your bandmate yelled through the locked door. Their pleas went unheard over your whines and Eddie's rambles in your ear. 

"I'm gonna fill you up so well, baby." Eddie smiled to himself sadistically as he moaned in your ear. He was going to make you scream his name through that headset even if it was the last thing he'd do. You were gonna kill him. 

The knot in your stomach snapped when Eddie pulled out all the stops, flicking your left nipple, circling your clit with the speed of light and hitting the exact right spot to send you over the edge. 

"Eddie!" You screamed as you came on his cock. He laughed and groaned in satisfaction as he followed, hips stilling and pushing as deep as he could. He looked between you with glee as he filled you to the brim. 

Your eyes widened as you noticed you'd not only screamed his name while your mic was on, he'd just cum inside you, and you had to be on stage in less than two minutes. "Better keep it in, princess. Everybody can probably already guess what we did, don't want to give them more proof when you have my cum spilling from that pretty pussy in the middle of the stage, hmm?"  

He smirked as he pulled his dick out and pushed the spilt cum back inside with two fingers. He gave your pussy one last tap before sliding your underwear back up, fixing your top and skirt and letting you down from the vanity. You already felt the cum trickling out slowly and staining your underwear

You could barely give yourself a last glance in the mirror before he was ushering you out of the door and onto the stage, your flustered band members following after seeing you barge out of the dressing room, Eddie hot on your tail. They'd definitely heard. Which means the crowd definitely heard you scream his name through the last band's performance. 

You'd never felt as embarrassed, yet turned on in your life. Your nerves were long forgotten, the only worry in your mind during your performance being to not let any more of his cum spill from inside you. 

At least you were no longer worried about your singing skills. Too bad Corroded Coffin had the menace that was Eddie Munson, or you'd definitely come first instead of second. Or, well, come first again. 

[ofoceansandtombsanew]

Building Castles in the Sky

cw. pre!release, gn!reader, step 2, hurt & comfort

pairing. tamarack x reader

notes. this has been in my head since the step 2 demo inclusion first popped off and with frederick and nichole's design and info being released, i wanted to write this even more. i have so many OL thoughts but i wanted to get this one out first

It starts when you hear the tell-tale sound of pebbles hitting the rails of your window.

It's a school night, Thursday to be exact. Or at least it still should be, it could be Friday now. And while you're no fan of Riverview Peak High, every high school student loves Friday. Once those school bells rang, you'd be free to spend the rest of your weekend as you chose.

Maybe you'd laze around in bed all day.

Or maybe you, Tamarack and Serenity will spend a good chunk of it together, gossiping all the while.

The tinge of sleep had just begun to take you when the sound of soft clicks against your window started up. Sleep had left you easily in exchange for warm excitement, there's only one person you knew who hit the rail of your window that accurately.

You climb out of bed and open your window, unsurprised to see Tamarack sheepishly waving at you in the darkness. You wave back with a smile of your own.

Even if it was dark with the moon barely visible through the clouds, you feel like you can still see every feature that makes Tamarack Baumann 'Tamarack Baumann'.

You know she's wearing her dark blue pajamas covered in moons and stars. You see her berry-red eyes and even if it is dark you know her hair is still shining the autumn gold it's shone ever since you were children. Tamarack Baumann is one who has been painted in the colors of autumn ever since you were children, maybe even from before you've known her. You've loved her from the very start.

"I met a girl I'm gonna marry!" You remember telling your mother the very first day you moved to Golden Grove. While your mother brushed it off as puppy love in her amusement, that vow exists even now.

Tamarack Baumann is going to be your wife one day.

Thoughts of weddings and old promises are swept to the wayside when you see Tamarack's gesture to a pair of paper cups in her hand. You nod and prepare for her accurate-as-always toss. The cups were her idea when you were still young elementary schoolers and Tamarack was more wild child than nervous.

4 years later, you have yet to grow out of them.

When the cup that has your name crudely written across it in fading crayon reaches your hand, you smile fondly. "Why hello, Miss Baumann," you begin poshly yet softly, much like how Qiu used to format their introductions. "What are you doing up this fine autumn evening?"

Her giggles are music to your ear, "why I could ask you the same thing."

"This isn't about me," you chuckle softly. Maybe you found yourself a bit distracted playing Pokemon White Version to fall asleep. The grind to become the very best like no one ever was never stops, not even on a school night.

A comfortable silence falls over you both and you sigh, content. Until you notice Tamarack's fidgeting, her index finger and thumb rubbing against her hair. A nervous tick you've noticed since you were 11. "Is something up?"

"No, everything's okay," Tamarack replies almost immediately. It's a bit too quickly for you to be reassured in any capacity. "I just wanted to hear your voice, that's all."

"Tamarack," you look at Tamarack from where you stand, slouched over your window sill. You see her clearly even if she's mostly obscured by the gloom of the night. You know she is wearing her dark blue pajamas covered in moon and stars. You know her shining autumn gold hair is pulled into pigtails with soft, pastel blue bobbles. And you know her berry-red eyes don't have their usual shine. "What's wrong?"

There's a pause and you see Tamarack shuffling, unsure. You remain silent, patient as ever while you wait for your friend to find her voice.

"My parents are coming to visit," Tamarack says at last, voice thick with emotion. Your blood feels as chilly as the autumn wind. Six words packed with more pressure than any unsuspecting person would realize. "I heard Omi arguing with them on the phone again."

Tamarack's living in the cozy town where everybody knows everybody has always meant to be temporary. It's been that way from the very beginning, noticeable even when you were young children.

Tamarack's room has never been her room. It's just where she sleeps at her grandparents'.

The house she has spent the past 4 years living in is just that, a house. Not a home.

Because at some point in her stay, Tamarack's parents will come to Golden Grove and take their daughter back to the big city. The only reason she hasn't yet is simply because something always came up in the pursuit of her parents' academics.

Frederick and Nichole Baumann are anxiety-inducing anomalies in the peaceful life you've built in Golden Grove. They are scholars first and foremost and that takes precedence over everything, even their own daughter to a considerable extent. They love Tamarack, you know this. It's why they had her in the first place, that's how parents work.

Mr. and Mrs. Lin wanted a child to love so they had Qiu.

Your mother wanted a child to love so she went and made it happen on her own, no partners needed.

Dr. and Dr. Baumann, as they insist on being referred to, wanted Tamarack too.

So the logical part of your brain knows it's fair for them to decide on a whim if they want to take Tamarack back. At least, that's the conclusion you forced yourself to come to after listening to your mother and Mrs. Lin talking about the Baumann family drama in private. Tamarack is the girl you know you'll marry in the future but she isn't yours, not truly.

She can't be taken away from you if she wasn't really yours to begin with.

Yet it still hurts to think that one day you'll wake up and that will be the day Tamarack's parent decide is the day. That you'll see their car you now know fearfully to well after so many visits and see Tamarack's bags being shoved into it. That the last time you'll see Tamarack in person, it will be Tamarack waving tearfully from a car window while you try not to cry yourself.

If that thought is scary for you, you know it's doubly terrifying for Tamarack who grows more and more unsure of her place in Golden Grove each year. Does she adamantly demand to stay in Golden Grove when she knows it's meant to be temporary? Does she leave with her parents even if she doesn't feel like that's the right choice either?

This is the fork in the road she's been stuck choosing between since she came to Golden Grove. Which path should Tamarack Baumann take if she herself doesn't know what she wants?

Tamarack loves her parents and she loves her Omi and Opa. But through the Baumanns, you've learned sometimes loving someone isn't enough to make everything magically better.

The sound of Tamarack's choked sobs only serve to make you more sure of your theory.

"I'm coming over," you tell her.

"W-what?" Tamarack sniffs in surprise, but you're already throwing your cup back in her direction and running to grab your shoes.

This isn't the first time you've snuck over to Tamarack's home and this likely won't be the last. So you stick your leg over your window sill, cautiously stepping on the asphalt shingle roofing of your home, lowering yourself enough that you can drop to the ground. You ignore the minor ache of your ankles and press on. Leaves crunch under your feet and you shudder from the sudden lack of warmth.

Once you reach the tree on the side of the closest to Tamarack's side of the house, you carefully climb it. Every placement of your hand on the cool bark familiar, every knot you push off against as stable as it was the last. All until you finally reach Tamarack's window where she's made room for you to let yourself in.

You latch onto each other, the chill of your favorite season still in your bones but the warmth of Tamarack's body against yours is an immediate neutralizer.

Her fingers dig into your back with a frightening grip, nose buried in your shoulder, "what if it's serious this time?"

"It doesn't matter," your voice is more sturdy than you actually feel. Your palms are sweaty and your mind is racing a million miles per hour, your heart even more so. You hope she can't tell how nervous you are as you try to be brave enough for the both of you. "We promised, didn't we?"

Back when you were 10 and you saw Tamarack's loneliness bare and raw for the first time.

Back when the sky cried alongside her.

"I care about you and you care about me," you hug Tamarack tighter. "And it doesn't matter how we change or how old we get, we won't leave each other behind. Not even if you have to move somewhere else." It would be hard but you would make it work. Maybe if Tamarack moves, your mother will finally be compelled to buy you a cellphone.

You'd call and text everyday and count down the days until her next weekend visit. The weekends where it's impossible for her to come to Golden Grove, you'd simply go to her even if it means begging your mother weeks in advance.

"You promise?" It isn't so much a question as it a desperate plea.

"I've got you," you promise, resting your head against hers. If Tamarack is a princess, you are her knight. It's what you decided you'd be a long time ago. "I've got you."

Extra

If I had to pick a favorite lead in OL2, it would have to be Tamarack no question. So if I'm going to enter into the Halls of Writing OL fic, it's gotta be with her

Frederick and Nichole are hot but damn they are terrible parents, I look forward to seeing how they rebuild their relationship with Tamarack in the game!!! And Imma need Tamarack's grandparents to start holding their son more accountable it ain't just Nichole U.U

Anyways, I personally hc that my MC's room faces Tamarack's and there is at least one window they use to communicate. Yes, she has a stash of pebbles saved just for getting your attention

Feel free to spam my inbox with OL stuff I need more people to talk to about it

[nzeldahime]

His Puppy (RE2!Leon x Reader)

Oh look, a finished one shot fic !! Started as a drabble for my dear friend @leonspuppy and turned into a whole story (oops #sorrynotsorry) /-\

Synopsis: You go out with Leon & some work friends, things get a little uncomfortable so you leave and Leon has to comfort you at home

Notes/Warnings: my first fic! (posted at least), mention of bullying (@reader, not coming from Leon), gender neutral reader (no pronouns), lots of crying/sad vocab, fluff/comfort, no use of “y/n”

You had just wanted to get along with Leon’s friends and agreed to a night out with them. The two of you had decided to leave the work get-together early when you had ended up the victim of a scream attack. One of his coworkers had gotten a little too drunk and tried to make a fool of you in front of the unit. They kept on saying how Leon was too good for you and you were just a lost dog following him around. You couldn’t take it and started crying right then and there, another thing for them to pick on you about. Leon did his best to step in, which was him getting in between you two and telling them in a stern tone, “that’s enough.” He then took you by the hand and pulled you out of the building, the sound of that coworker’s yelling fading into the crowded bar. 

Now, Leon’s hand was holding onto you just as strongly as when he rescued you from that awful situation. He held it the whole way home, even in the car with one hand on the wheel and the other gripping you tightly; he only let go to help you out of the car, then it was right back to your hand. Tears were streaming silently down your face as Leon led you back to your shared apartment. As he carefully guided you up the stairs, he took glances back at you, a twinge of pain showing on his face as he looked at your tear stained cheeks. 

“P-please don’t cry, babydoll. We’re almost home,” he said with such concern. He almost sounded like he would cry too.

When you reached the door to your place, he stopped to peer into you once more. You didn’t want to look at him, make him see the pained expression you wore and your eyes trailed downwards, looking down at your feet. His hands found the sides of your face, making you face him. You couldn’t help but look into his baby blues and you broke down once again. The tears wouldn’t stop, you let them take over, and the whole ordeal turned Leon into a nervous wreck. 

“W-whoa, hey, I’m sorry, what did- did I do something?” You just kept crying and fell into him. He held you, a little bit confused, but was as delicate as possible while he reached into his pocket for the house keys. “I-I can’t find em,” you heard him muttering to himself, “dammit, where’d they go?” 

You tried your best to calm down enough to search within your own pockets. You stayed pressed against his chest, fumbling till you found the keys in your jacket pocket. Although without the strength to speak, you pulled away from Leon enough to place the keys in one of his hands. 

“You always were more responsible than me in most things,” he said in an attempt to lighten the mood. You sniffled, wanting to let out a little bit of a laugh, but the tears continued to flow. When he realized that was no help, he ushered you through the door after unlocking it as quickly as possible. 

Leon reached for you, taking the jacket from your shoulders and placing it on the hooks by the door along with his own. In the next instance, he gathered you into his arms once more. You continued to cry into his chest and he made gentle shushing sounds as he navigated your mushed bodies to the bedroom. He managed to sit you both on the bed, still holding you close. He placed a kiss on your head.

“I’m sorry if I can’t do more for you right now,” he spoke into your hair. “I wish I was better at this kind of thing.” He then began to stroke your hair, gentle comforting pats to your head in hopes to comfort you more.

“Y-you don’t think I-I’m a d-dog, do you Leon,” you questioned between sniffles and hiccups. You felt him pause his movements and grow a little tense, causing you to look up at him. He had an apologetic look on his face as he looked down at you. 

“I didn’t mean for you to think I was petting you! I just- I thought it would be soothing or, su-something,” he stammered, trying to get out an explanation. Now you couldn’t help but smile a little. 

“I liked it,” you stated. Relief washed over his expression. 

“Should I … keep going?” 

You hesitated, but then nodded. He continued his movements, his fingertips weaving through your hair and sending slight goosebumps on your skin at the sensation. You sighed in relief, your breath hitching as you stopped a sob from ripping through you. A few moments of this went by as you melted further into him with each touch.

“I like to think of you more as a puppy I can take care of.” Leon’s voice was low, almost a whisper, his words filled with a caring tone. He chuckled a little and added, “In a good way.” You smiled into his chest.

“I wouldn’t want to be anyone else’s puppy,” you replied, your voice slightly muffled. You felt him chuckle again, the slight vibration against your face making you smile more. You wrapped your arms around his waist and squeezed lightly.

“Thank you, Leon.” 

He pulled away slightly, arms still around you, but enough so he could see you. He raised an eyebrow at you.

“For what?” You let out a giggle.

“For making me feel better, silly man.” 

You could see a slight blush on his face as his eyes looked elsewhere, avoiding eye contact. He was so cute, you couldn’t help yourself and pressed a kiss to his cheek. That got him turning redder and he immediately became flustered. He stood up, clearly nervous and lost on what to do next. 

“I uh - I should probably take a shower. Been a long day and what not,” he forced out. He was almost tripping over his own words as he made his way towards the bathroom. You couldn’t help but laugh. 

After Leon had finished up, you went to shower soon after. When you both were comfortable and ready for bed, you got snuggled up under the covers. He had an arm under you, resting his hand over your shoulder as you leaned your head on his chest. 

“I’m sorry about my stupid friends,” he said out of the blue. His tone was defeated. It all caught you by surprise, your heart skipping a beat as you recalled the encounter at the bar. 

“I know he was really drunk,” Leon continued, “but that doesn’t excuse the way he talked to you. I’ll have a talk with him at the station next time I see him.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of your head. “You don’t deserve that kind of talk. You’re more to me than they’ll ever know.”

You almost teared up at his words, so much happiness filling your heart. Bringing your arm over his middle, you gave him a light squeeze. 

“They were right about one thing,” you teased. 

“And what’s that?” 

“You’re definitely too good for me.”

Leon laughed and embraced you. His arms wrapped around you, enveloping you, pressing you tighter against him. 

“I love you, my little puppy.”

[shesalwaysthere]

Waiting Room

Joel x F!Reader

Chapter One: My Poor Parents’ Teenage Daughter

pairing: dbf!joel x f!reader

genre: no outbreak, explicit, fluff, angst, eventual smut

word count: 3.7k

summary: You come home from your term at UT for the summer to visit your parents. It’s your last summer close to home before you go up north and leave your family behind- but what happens when a teenage wet dream turns into something that could challenge your future?

warnings: 18+ EXPLICIT MINORS DNI, age gap, mentions of attraction when reader is younger (Joel is NOT attracted to reader when they are younger than 18), swearing, drunkenness, tommy being an asshole, no use of y/n

a/n: hey guys!! this is my first fic on here so if u have any tips please let me know! this was such a joy to write and i absolutely cannot wait to continue this story!! pls lmk what u think! <3

“be easy.

take your time.

you are coming

home

to yourself.”

— the becoming

Every day until you come home each June seems longer and longer until the departure day arrives. You love your school, UT has brought you so many new experiences and you truly feel like you’re ready for this new chapter in your life. But the long stretches of day that seem to go on forever don’t treat you kindly like home did.

Your journey home is, thankfully, a short one.

When you were younger, you dreaded going to college so close to home, your mind always so full of wanderlust, fantasizing about what the big, blue world would bring you. Austin was big, to be sure, but not big enough for you. You needed to soak up the Earth and everything it had to offer.

At twenty-two, you’re glad fifteen-year-old you didn’t make the decisions anymore. Within the first week of your freshman year, you missed your bed. You missed your mom blasting her songs through the house, and seeing your dad floating in the pool on the sweltering Texas days. Your family was crazy, loud, and crass, but the quiet of university gave you hives.

This summer was going to be the last before you traveled further north to Dallas to pursue the last leg of your degree. You were offered free room and board to finish your master's degree at a smaller school, and you were even granted an internship at which your mother screeched in excitement. You were thrilled to start your future, certainly, but this trip was expected to be a little… melancholy.

Your dad tried to convince you to let him drive you, but you insisted a two-way trip was a waste of gas, and you’d see him at home anyways. Home, you thought. Not for much longer, but home. Your old, rickety car sputtered on the half-hour drive, and you patted the poor steed’s dashboard reassuringly, almost as if it could be calmed by your hand. You did push the car’s limits by driving a bit too fast on the main roads, but you were just so, so eager to be home.

Once you finally reached the driveway, your parents were already rushing out the door, attacking you with an embrace, and you giggled happily, letting their warmth take over you. When they finally released you, you took notice of the massive – and very poorly painted – banner above the door, welcoming you home, with your name in big, messy letters drawn for the whole neighborhood to see. As you approached the door, you heard telltale sounds of… oh, God.

A party.

Before you could even protest, or remind your parents of the fact that you were a mess in nothing but a t-shirt and shorts, your hair was all messy, and your face made you look like the underside of a dumpster, they promptly shoved you inside as a cheer erupted from the crowd. Waves of family members shoved through to try and greet you first – aunts and uncles, cousins you’d missed, your sweet little nephew who’d been born four months before. There were even a few family friends you hadn’t seen in years, friends who must have traveled much too far just to see you. Your anxieties about your appearance faded as the energy in the room shifted. How silly you were to be so nervous. You felt surrounded by so much love, and honestly, it was just what you needed.

You almost don’t notice one of your childhood friends, Hannah, standing off to the side, as if she was patiently waiting for you to find her. You had wondered why she hadn’t been answering your texts for the past couple of weeks, then remembered fondly how she can’t keep a secret. You both share a look that nearly brings you to tears, overwhelmed by just the sight of her. You both look so… grown up.

You rush to her with arms outstretched, wrapping her in a tight embrace and laughing, overcome with joy. She pulls away to scan your face, nodding approvingly. “Damn, college did some good to you,” she laughs, holding your face for a moment, “maybe I should have followed you to UT, huh? Could’ve got this glow you have.”

Hannah is three years older than you. She was always so smart in school, and while it made you feel a little inferior, it also filled you with so much pride. She even tested into a program that earned her an associate’s degree when she graduated high school. She finished up her BA at community college even though she was offered several scholarships at many different colleges, all amounting to a number you could never dream of having. No full rides, though, and that was a dealbreaker for her parents. She’s down at the library, now, which you can only hope is something she loves.

You talk for a while, letting other folks come up to greet you and show praise for a few moments before you get too embarrassed and shoo them away. At one point, someone approaches from behind, covering your eyes. You feel them lean in all too close, their breath on your neck.

“Guess who,” they whisper, and you shiver.

If you didn’t know by the hands alone, the voice gives it all away. You pull away and smile wide, wrapping your arms around your dad’s closest friend for as long as you can remember, Joel Miller. Being the man he is, he lifts you up and spins you around, chuckling as you scream. He sets you back down and affectionately puts a hand on your shoulder. “Heya, kid. I’m real proud of you. I know how much this means to you. We’ll miss you down here.” You smile, your cheeks turning a light pink color as he walks away.

Your feelings for Joel are… complicated. He’s been around as far back as your memory goes, always there for your family when you needed him. Hell, he’d even come over when your dog ran out the door and you had to comb through the whole neighborhood to find her. You’d hop in the bed of his truck and shout her name until she came bounding towards you. He was there for birthdays, holidays, funerals…

He also made an occasional appearance in your teenage wet dreams.

It really isn’t your fault. He was consistently fit, handsome, caring, funny… he was the whole damn package and you couldn’t really ignore that as a teenage girl dreaming about prince charming. Joel wasn’t perfect, you knew that, but you loved that even more.

As you and Hannah watch him leave, she pokes you with her clawed finger, making you yelp and playfully slap her, pouting. She shakes her head at you. “What?” You cry, rubbing your arm where she poked you.

“You’re unbelievable,” she says, looking back at Joel. “He’s basically your uncle.”

“Ew, Hannah! Don’t say that, god, that’s so gross,” you say, shaking your head and covering your face. “Don’t make me feel worse! I can’t help this.”

Hannah, of course, knew all about your little crush on Joel and relentlessly teased you throughout the years for it. The teasing was well deserved, as it was silly to feel that way towards someone around 20 years your senior, but sometimes it got to you. It wasn’t like you were going to pursue him, he was just… one delicious fantasy that was stuck in your head.

“So, how’s Kevin?” you ask, trying to change the subject. It doesn’t go unnoticed by Hannah, but you know boy talk is her weakness, and you breathe a deep sigh of relief when she begins her ramble. The gossip doesn’t last too much longer, though, as your dad approaches you with a big smile, and you could tell by the look in his eyes he had some sort of surprise for you.

“Hey, nugget,” he smiles, making you roll your eyes at the nickname. “Come over here, I wanna talk to you about something.” You nod, giving Hannah’s hand a squeeze and smiling before walking away with your dad, intuiting that whatever he wants to talk about will take quite a while. You love him, but he’s something of a talker. He guides you through the sea of people in your living room to the back door, where more people have slowly gathered as the grill begins to work its magic and the crowd gets hungrier. Manning the grill was, of course, Joel.

Your dad leads you over to where he stands, Joel’s eyes not leaving the grill. ‘So serious about his hamburgers’, you think, smiling to yourself. Your dad claps him on the back and Joel jumps slightly, smiling at how surprised he was. He shoves your dad’s shoulder and your dad shakes his head. “This old fucker… well, he’s in desperate need of your help. See, the legal side of his contracting business is frankly a mess, and he won’t hire anyone thinkin’ it’s one big waste o’ money, or whatever.”

The two of them share a laugh, and despite how adorable your two favorite old men are, you find yourself growing increasingly impatient at their lack of to-the-pointness. You nod your head, crossing your legs in agitation. Your dad sighs and points to you knowingly.

“You’re good with that law aspect though, aren’t you? Making sure the… y’know, labor’s fair and the whole thing’s all up to code,” your dad says, scratching his nose. You know he has absolutely no clue what the hell he’s talking about, but he’s trying, and it gives you some semblance of warm joy at the thought. “I thought maybe… you could work for Joel this summer. Few months of real-world experience under your belt, get some decent pay… plus, the old man won’t be too hard on you, will ya, Joel?”

You bring your eyes back over to Joel, who’s clearly been a bit more affected by the alcohol than your dear old dad. His cheeks are red, his brow a bit sweaty (though that could be from the grill) and his lips pursed. You stop to wonder if someone so clearly messed up should be manning a grill, but the thought is stopped in its tracks as you notice something.

Joel is looking at you. I mean, really looking. Not in your eyes, no, at your face. Scanning you, drinking you in, like he’s looking at you for the first time. You feel your face get hot as his eyes go lower before slowly rolling their way back up, and he locks eyes with you, making you smile. He smiles back, which surprises you. It’s a smile that speaks to you. It tells you to be quiet, shushing you, keeping it a secret. You bite your lip, stifling a giggle as you look back at your dad.

You shrug. “I guess. As long as Joel knows the basics of everything, or has kept a file. You did have a lawyer when you started Miller Contracting, right?” you ask, narrowing your eyes at Joel playfully. He laughs too loud, taking another sip of his beer and nodding. “Yeah, yeah, I’m sure he kept the files somewhere around, I’ll get ‘em for you. As long as you’re comfortable workin’ with me.”

Your dad shoves him a bit. “Oh, c’mon, Miller, she’s fine. She’s known you most of ‘er life, long as you just treat her right and don’t saddle her with work like you do Tommy, she’ll be alright. And make sure Tommy keeps his hands to himself!” He half-shouts, busting out into more laughter as you turn red again.

You snap your eyes over to Joel who quickly averts his gaze to the floor, and you bite your lip in frustration.

“Yeah, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine,” you say. “And don’t worry, Dad. We’re both good with our hands in different ways.”

You couldn’t be certain, but you thought you saw Joel choke on his drink.

You decided to go formal. First day, new job, might as well look nice, right? Your little… outfit was a little form-fitting, but you’d go for it anyways. You gathered what you figured would be first-day essentials and rushed out the door before your parents woke up. You knew your parents would either make you late by celebrating it as if it was some massive deal, or they’d force you to stay until they were ready to take you themselves, and you couldn’t bear the embarrassment of either.

As you start your car, your phone dings with a little notification. You check, pleasantly surprised, as it’s a text from Joel.

ミ★

(9:08 am) Joel: Hey kid, here’s the address for the office.

(9:08 am) You: look at you, joel, all tech-savvy!

(9:10 am) Joel: Gotta remind me I’m old huh?

(9:11 am) You: now do an emoji for me

(9:11 am) Joel: I am not doing tricks for your pleasure.

(9:12 am) You: i’ll bring you a coffee.

(9:12 am) Joel: 🎪🤹🤡

☆彡

You smile, shaking your head at your goofy, old boss. You punch in the directions to your GPS app and begin the 15-minute (turned to a 25-minute to stop for coffee) trip to your new job. And with around 20 minutes to spare, you pat yourself on the back. Joel is already waiting for you when you walk in, giving you a look you cannot place, especially being distracted by carrying coffee with you. You shove your folders into Joel’s chest momentarily to regain your balance.

“Hey, sorry, hold this for a sec,” you say, pulling out Joel’s coffee and setting it on the desk behind him and sighing, grabbing your papers back. “Thanks. Um… you okay?” Your question is prompted by you taking notice of the look on his face – a sort of slack-jawed, wide-eyed look, like you’d walked in wearing nothing. You feel something tighten inside of you, cursing yourself for feeling so weak at a man looking at you like some kind of meal. You clear your throat, trying to push out a little awkward laugh. “What, you never seen me in nice clothes before?”

Joel clears his throat, smiling a little at himself. “Not since your prom dress,” he says, clearly poking fun at you, since you decided at seventeen that the best thing to wear to prom would be a bright pink dress that looked WAY better in the store than it did the day of, and you had to go in one of your mom’s old dresses. You grimace at the reminder, shoving Joel playfully for bringing it up. “Thanks for reopening that wound, asshole. To think that wasn’t even the worst part of prom,” you say, shaking your head at the memory. He gives you a confused look, making you shrug.

“You know, because I went with Harrison.” you say, gesturing for Joel to catch on. “He… was an asshole? He left me alone all night and made out with my friend when we got to Hannah’s house. Did Dad not tell you?”

Joel nods as if he understands, but he just looks more confused. “Really? Ken’s kid acted that way? Shit, that fuckin’ bonehead’s married now. Can’t imagine what that woman’s goin’ through now. If I’d known, woulda kicked the shit out of him.” He smirks, taking a sip of his coffee.

You laugh, covering your mouth like someone’s going to hear you. “Yeah, I bet you would have. All you would’ve had to do is look at him and he’d run, the pussy. Speaking of, I bet his wife’s real frustrated that he can’t make a woman come.” Joel chokes on his coffee a bit.

As if on cue, Tommy walks in, a customary Joel resting frown on his face that quickly turns to a smile when he sees you. His walk picks up into a jog as he approaches you, wrapping you up into a hug that is purely Tommy. He smells like he just got out of the shower, which is comforting in the most unidentifiable way. He leans away to get a look at you, smiling wide. “Joel told me you’d be here! Couldn’t shut the fuck up about it, in fact,” he says, giving Joel a teasing look, to which Joel responds with a frown.

Tommy looks back at you and puts his hand on your shoulder. “I’m gonna show you where you’re workin’. This old fart won’t remember where everything is, so I’m in charge of the tour. He’ll come along, though, don’t you worry.” You smile and nod, even though you’re a little confused about why you’d be worried about Joel not being there. Did Tommy know something? Did Hannah already tell the whole damn town? Before you can catastrophize anymore, Tommy walks ahead of both of you, leading you toward your station.

The consultation office is new to the company, but the building is definitely not. The only thing that doesn’t seem to be over a decade old is the floor- seemingly new tile, which Tommy comments about. Something along the lines of “out of our own damn pockets” and how it was “worth gettin’ rid of the suspicious carpet stains”. You say something about how Tommy better not bring any girls around and make more stains, which makes Joel laugh. You’re shown Joel’s consult area, Tommy’s area (which he doesn’t really explain, but based on the fact that it looks like a man cave, you assume going in there is a bad idea), a tiny coffee machine that looks like it’s older than the building itself, and finally, your office.

It’s bigger than Tommy’s. Hell, it’s bigger than Joel’s. Obviously, it’s still not huge, but there’s enough space for your desk, a little lounge, and a bookshelf. There are boxes of files on your desk, seemingly all set out for you to go through and organize. However, another box catches your attention. It has a picture frame, a little pencil cup, and a few other things one might have in their office inside of it- but it isn’t yours. You inspect it closer, seeing the picture is of Joel and Sarah. You turn to look at Joel, confused, as he leans against the doorframe.

“You gave up your office for me?”

He just shrugs. “Wasn’t usin’ it.”

You reel. It’s stupid and cheesy, but you do. You rack your brain for any indication before that he was doing this for you, but you can’t remember anything he might have done to reveal this. He wanted to surprise you.

Tommy looks back and forth between you and Joel, smiling knowingly. “He really wasn’t. This geezer spends most of his time out workin’ instead of in here, even though we got a whole group of guys doin’ the work for us.”

“Well, we didn’t start this shit to have other guys do it,” Joel combats, standing up straight. “You’re just a lazy ass now that we got more people. It’s still Miller Contracting, not… Miller and The Other Guys Contracting.”

You stifle a laugh. So does Tommy. Joel purses his lips frustratedly, which only breaks the damn. You laugh so hard you cry, the silliness of the joke rushing at you. Tommy laughs with you, sharing a look with you. It was so fucking stupid and you both knew it.

Joel finally laughs, too. Laughs so hard he has to grab his stomach, delighted at the idiotic joke he made.

You and Tommy silently agree not to mention it. You’re afraid he’ll stop.

Once your giggles finally settle, Tommy crosses his arms and says something about having to get back to someone who called earlier and he steps out of the office. And then there were two.

Joel watches you. He doesn’t say anything when Tommy leaves, just stands exactly where he’s been the whole time, stalking you, waiting for you to move. You don’t look at him. It unnerves you, making you conscious of your movement, but you want him to keep looking. You can’t explain what he’s doing, and you can’t even begin to explain what you’re doing either.

You walk around the room some more, admiring the view from the window, touching the shelves, et cetera. His eyes stay on you. You turn and face him, considering asking him what the hell he’s looking at, but his gaze stops you in your tracks. Goddamn him. You force a smile and bring your hands up to your arms, rubbing them lightly. “Little cold in here, huh?” you chuckle.

Joel just shrugs. “Better’n outside.”

You nod. The air is tense. And awkward.

He leans away from the doorframe and for a moment you think he’ll walk towards you, but he doesn’t. “Well, I’ll let you get settled. Let me or Tommy know if you need anything.”

And he’s gone.

You use the rest of the day to organize the files all piled and half-organized on your desk, not even having time to read them with the unidentifiable order, or lack thereof, of it all. You assume the guys leave halfway through the day when silence falls over the office. It isn’t unsettling in the slightest, but comforting in the way it reminds you of the quiet of your dorm. You hadn’t missed it yet, but you found yourself starting to. Maybe this would be a nice substitute.

When you find yourself hungry for lunch, you decide stretching your legs is a good idea and just go to get some. When you come back, Tommy’s truck is there, and both of their office doors are closed, so you know they’re back. When you walk back into your office, there’s something there you hadn’t left.

It’s a jacket. Pretty fuckin big, too- not chunky big, just stretched out like whoever was wearing it had been wearing it for a long time. There’s a little pink Post-it note attached to it, seemingly from the office.

Don’t go touching the thermostat. -J

Fucking Christ. You groan but put it on, silently grateful for the act of kindness. Still, a thought nudged at the back of your mind.

Is the whole summer going to be like this?

[ithinkyouhealedmyheart]

National Boyfriend's Day

Characters: Kendall Knight, Gustavo Rocque mentioned, Veronica Clark oc, James Diamond, Mrs. Knight mentioned,

Pairings: Kendall Knight/Female Original Character(s), Kendall Knight/Veronica Clark

Word Count: 1988

Grammarly is my beta reader

The boys were graciously given the day off for some unknown reason, which was not wholly unknown. Gustavo claimed his throat hurt from all the yelling he had done the day before. But it didn't matter; they didn't have to sing or dance in the recording studio for a whole day.

Ronnie had been doodling a lot the past few days. She had heard about the botanical garden and wanted to go there more than anything, but she was stuck working with Gustavo and the boys. It wasn't like she hated working with them. They were rowdy and louder but had their quiet moments. Since Kelly gave her earplugs on her first day, she hasn't been without them. It was common for her to wear earplugs even if she lounged at the pool with the guys.

Her doodles mainly consisted of various types of flowers. She hadn't been sightseeing since arriving in L.A. a few months ago. Gustavo's been keeping her busy with the prospect of a new album, so it's been taking away from her time. For the time being, she sat in the living room of 3G. Her dad and Mrs. Knight got coffee earlier, leaving her alone in the apartment.

Living in Hollywood was a dream come true. She also heard her music play on the radio because Big Time Rush was a big hit. It was excellent writing music that would sell stadiums and make it onto CDs that teenagers would buy and listen to. But, being behind the scenes was the best of all. She wasn't a fan of all those big crowds or the flash of camera lights. Instead, the boys got to deal with all of that.

A knock was at her door, but she was too in the zone to notice. Music playing softly on the radio, Pink Floyd and David Bowie tapes that her father left in there from his spring cleaning.

"This is your first date. It has to be amazing," James whispered to Kendall. He only tagged along because Lucy wasn't at the pool, and he was bored.

"How many times do you think I should tell you? This isn't our first date, and quit trying to control it." Kendall knocked on the door again.

"I'm sorry, you have a bad track record of asking girls out and keeping them entertained. Shall I remind you of- "

"Don't. Say her name." Kendall sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do we even know if Ronnie is inside? She could be with Camille,"

"Maybe she can't hear you? She always has those earplugs in." James shrugged. "Oh! Which means she can't hear us talking,"

"For the last time. You don't have to worry about the date I've planned."

"But you won't tell me about it," James pouted. "I want to make sure you take her to the right place and know-"

"You're not her brother. Or her dad." Kendall cut him off sharply. He pulled out his phone and texted her.

Shortly after, the door opened, revealing Ronnie with her faded blue hair dye. She'd meant to touch it up, but everything else had been distracting. She wasn't wearing her yellow sweatshirt. It had been swapped for a plain tank top.

"Sorry, did I keep you guys waiting? What happened?"

James waved and smiled brightly. He was a bit too giddy for her liking, and she wasn't sure if she would be happy about what Kendall had to say. It wasn't odd that they were standing outside her door, but something about it felt suspicious.

"So, uh, there's this new botanical garden that opened, and I was wondering- I was hoping that you wanted to come see it." Kendall was rarely all that nervous, but it was cute when he did trip over his words.

"Of course! But uh," Ronnie glanced down and smiled sheepishly. "Let me go change real quick."

"I think that's fine considering the heat wave-" Kendall elbowed James.

Ronnie left the door open and sauntered into her room, closing that door behind her. Kendall and James glanced at each other before stepping through the threshold. It wasn't that they'd never been in her apartment, but they hadn't been inside without her dad present. He was ex-military and scary. The last thing either of them wanted was for him to come home and assume Kendall and James were there for less-than-safe for work activities.

"Oh, hey, her notebook!" James's eyes sparkled as he made his way over to the beige couch. He didn't pick it up but leaned over to look at what she was doing.

"Does she have any new song ideas?" Kendall joined him, but he was too afraid to touch her notebook. It was one thing if Ronnie caught them looking at it, but an entirely different ordeal if they picked it up and started flipping through.

"I know it's scorching out, but I can't go anywhere without my hoodie. At least I have short-" Ronnie's bedroom door creaked when it opened, and the three stood still, staring at each other. Not only were Kendall and James caught red-handed, but they also froze like deer in headlights.

"What are you doing?" Ronnie narrowed her eyes.

"You left it open!" James whined, shuffling away and holding his hands up. "If you're going to hurt us, don't touch the face!"

"I'm not going to hit you. It's not like you would see the new song I'm working on anyway,"

"Are you sure you want to wear your hoodie?" Kendall asked. He was wearing cargo shorts and a T-shirt.

"I'll be fine." Ronnie shrugged. "Now, get out. I'm not leaving my apartment unlocked with three idiots all day. That's asking for something to get broken." She shooed the guys with her hands.

"Aw, but I wanted to see your dad's face when he gets back." James mocked.

"I bet he'll be happy to see you later." Ronnie rolled her eyes.

~~~

It was no surprise that Ronnie hated buses. She hated the crowds, the limited number of seats, and, most of all, the smell of L.A. passengers. A purse dog with dead eyes was staring straight at her, and she stared back, nearly crushing Kendall's hand. The bus was noisy because of the people on it and because it sounded like the moving vehicle would fall apart at any given chance.

Kendall was standing, holding onto the bar above his head. He moved to block the small purse dog from her sight and gently rang his thumb over her knuckles. He could tell from a mile away that she was getting overwhelmed. As much as she tried to hide it, she wasn't really good at it.

Ronnie didn't want it to seem like everything in this city was overwhelming, but when the only place she had been to was the Palm Woods, everything was overwhelming. But it wasn't for a lack of trying. She rested her head against the back of the uncomfortable plastic seat and closed her eyes. The bus ride would be shorter than it seemed. It was easy to get caught up in it all.

Originally, Kendall would have asked his mom to take them to the botanical gardens, but she was away, and he couldn't ask Gustavo or Kelly to drive them. A limo would attract suspicion, which would, in turn, alert a border of fangirls. It had been a hot minute since he last rode the bus; he was too used to having a driver, and now that he and his friends were famous. However, they would have taken the train if they had been in Northern California.

As soon as the bus finally stopped at their destination, Ronnie hopped out of her seat and whizzed past the bus driver. Her thanks were drowned out by her feet hitting the steps. Kendall followed after, thanking the bus driver more prominently. Even though the bus had yet to pull away, Ronnie couldn't contain her excitement. She jumped up and down, clapping her hands with a big smile. Kendall wasn't embarrassed to be seen with her. He was glad he could make her happy.

"We could never start a garden back in Vermont, which was a bummer because everything always looked so gray. Also, Scout would eat whatever flowers we planted, which was a hazard to his health. My dad doesn't have the best green thumb either-" Ronnie rambled while she led him by the hand, taking a big breath before launching into the second part of what she was saying.

"Easy, easy. Don't forget to breathe." Kendall chuckled. He would follow wherever she would go, even to the ends of the earth.

"Sorry, sorry. I swear, sometimes I need one of those cool devices that tells you when to drink water, but instead for when I need to breathe." Ronnie laughed and played with the drawstring of her hoodie with her free hand.

"If you got one of those, you would throw it against the wall."

"Well, yeah, but it would be useful for a little while."

Kendall showed the man at the door their tickets, and they each passed through a metal detector. Luckily, it didn't go off. When they were in the lobby, Ronnie froze. Her eyes went wide and sparkled. Her head swiveled, trying to take in every detail about the botanical gardens. Kendall was even taken aback by how pretty it was, too. 

There was greenery everywhere. It was the perfect place for Poison Ivy’s secret lair. There were halls divided up by seasons. Wordlessly, Ronnie took the blonde's hand and led him toward the Spring hall. When did she get so strong? He nearly tripped over himself, trying to follow after her. In a way, she was like a kid in a candy store. Wait, no, she was like Gustavo when she spent the night at 2J because Griffin took his mansion away. And her smile was infectious. He honestly didn’t mind getting pulled around. He hadn’t realized just how pretty nature was before now. When James suggested the botanical gardens, he shrugged it off but this place was ethereal. Although he would have preferred playing street hockey with his friends this wasn’t the worst way to spend his time. 

Did he mention how pretty Ronnie’s smile was? 

Kendall, pretty much, spent the day admiring Ronnie while she admired plants and talked about them. She wasn’t the most knowledgeable about them but she was passionate. Maybe this little adventure could even spark some inspiration? At least Kendall could only hope. He really just wanted to know what their next song was going to be about, because Gustavo wouldn’t tell them anything. But, he could ask her about it any other day. Ronnie didn’t stop holding his hand either, and he was on cloud nine. It was the cutests thing. She was the cutest thing. Now that he thought about it, he should take her on dates more often. She deserved it to be honest. 

Plants weren’t just pretty, but they played an important role in symbolism. Bouquets could be used to relay a hidden message, and different colors had different meanings across all genes. The only thing Kendall knew was that roses were used to symbolize love. It was why he always got roses for his mother on valentine's day, because he loved and cherished her more than anything. Ronnie prattled off about the symbolism of different roses and even different flowers. But, he was too busy paying attention to the sparkle in her eye to understand anything she was saying. At least he found out that she liked Lisianthus, whatever that was. 

And by the time they were ready to come home, Ronnie leaned her head on Kendall’s shoulders and her eyes fluttered shut. She had tired herself out. 

“Best, day, ever.” She mumbled sleepily. 

“Best date ever.” Kendall clarified with a small smile.

[hermesserpent-stuff]

remy interacting more with nightcrawler and eleanor.

based on convos with @golden-buddle

a continuation from this post! now hopefully my brain can focus on vampires or sabretooth.

,,,

probably sabretooth. dang it creed!! stop being interestinggg

Remy twists the chord of the phone around his finger, eyes flicking down to the bright magenta nails that Laura had done for him out of interest to see if it would look good. Remy is sure that they are going to chip and fade soon, as the polish is cheap and Remy does not go easy on his hands which are always busy. The phone stops ringing and a youngish voice answers.

“Xavier’s Institute. Who are you trying to reach?”

“Mais, he gave me more of a heroing name than a normal one. Nightcrawler. He told me I could contact him about seeing Eleanor.”

His voice is calmer than he feels. He knows about Charles from Magneto and he is still nervous about telepaths. But he wants to see the kid. Beignet winds around his feet, rubbing her chin on his ankle while he nervously holds the phone.

“Oh! Kurt said he's been-HEY!”

The sound of the phone being snatched away and bodies moving about is clear through the phone.

“Mein Freund! Remy! Hallo!!”

Nightcrawler sounds excited.

“Bonjour. I wanted to call to check on Eleanor, and maybe see if there's a chance to meet her? On the edge of the institute?”

“Ja, ja, ja. She would love to see you! She is doing so well! Very good at geology and talks about you all the time. Ah, I wish you'd come up to the mansion.”

“Non, I - I can't.”

He bites his lip. Blade looks up from where he is sharpening his blades. He waves iff the man as he leans against the the wall.

“Nightcrawler… I cant.”

“I… I will ask about that later Mein Freund. But! I have Scott on board to chaperone with me, so you can come visit. Are you free Friday afternoon? She has classes in the morning ofn Fridays, but afternoons are free.”

The man’s voice is chipper and soothing. Remy relaxes shifting down to pet Beignet. She purrs gently.

“I will be free. But I have to bring a companion. Blade. You met him at the raid.”

“Ja. Ja! I understand. He's welcome since we are staying on the edge. Oh, I forgot at the raid. I'm Kurt. When I'm not running around helping save Kinder as Nightcrawler.”

“Ah, that is good to know, I thought the person who answered the phone might not have really known you.”

It is a bit of a joke and Kurt laughs freely. The blue mutant then immediately launches into a more indepth explanation of how Eleanor is doing, how she is fitting in, and how thrilled she would be to hear that Remy is coming. Remy is sitting on the floor grinning like a loon while Kurt answers all his questions and avoids pressing Remy too much on anything. He finds that he likes the blue mutant. Perhaps they could be friends.

--

Remy rocks back on his heels, tongue flicking along the tips of his teeth as he looks at the borders of Xavier’s institute.  He and Blade are sitting on a wall facing part of the forested grounds, waiting for Kurt. They were early. Blade glances at him, nose scrunching. 

“You sure about this kid?”

Remy sighs at the question, running a hand through his hair and undoing his ponytail. He threads his fingers through the strands and huffs.

“Yeah. I promised her. I'm just nervous. Don't like telepaths.”

“Neither do I.”

Blade replies. The daywalker sits in silence for a little longer and then gives a gentle whistle chirp. A whistle chirp that Remy knows stands for asking for a hug. He gives a soft whistle chirps back, asking, begging for affection. Blade shifts closer and tugs Remy to his chest. Remy relaxes as his hair is nuzzled and scratched gently. He sighs happily as Blade comforts him. He finds himself pressing closer to Blade’s warmth. Blade chirps low.

“I hear people coming. Ready?”

“Mm. As I'll ever be Par.”

He shifts back, sweeping his hair up into a tight ponytail and shooting Blade an easy going grin. Blade does not look like he believes the calm, which is fair. Remy slides down the wall with grace, knowing Blade is soon to follow. He hears footsteps and then hears running.

“Remy!”

Eleanor’s voice rings out and he bends down. She slams into his arms. He scoops her up and twirls.

“Ah! Mon chere!! You look so well!!”

He croons, meaning every word. Weight has settled nicely on her bones and her tail and ears look much healthier. She rubs her chin against his neck and chin, purring loudly as she clings to him tightly. He settles down on the ground, letting her shift to be comfortable on his lap. She immediately launches into telling him about everything she had gotten up to in the school. He begins to run his fingers through her hair and braid it, asking as many questions as he can fit in, checking if she is really safe. Really happy. And it seems she is. He ignores Kurt and the stranger, fully trusting Blade to keep an eye on them. Kurt does settle down right across from him, but does not interrupt. Eleanor soon drags him into the conversation, boasting that the man is teaching her German. 

“Ohh, mon petite is gonna be the smartest in the whole school, non?”

He finishes the braid in her gray hair and pats her head. She glows.

“Ja! I am!”

She beams,

“She has one of the highest scores in geology and her beginning German.”

Kurt adds. Remy grins at him.

“Is he a good teacher?”

“Yess!”

She purrs. Then Eleanor turns and pokes his chest.

“Let's play!”

“Oh? What game?”

“Tag.”

She then launches herself at Kurt and taps his nose.

“You're it! No tag backs!”

She darts away and Kurt grins and jumps to his feet and taps a slightly stunned Remy.

“Tag!”

He cackles and poofs away. Remy is up and running dashing after the two that are laughing loudly. The game continues up in the branches of the trees, down amongst the roots, and around the trunks of the trees. Remy finds himself laughing as he plays along, moving fast as he keeps up with the other. It feels a lot like hunting. But with no blood. 

Remy stills on a high branch at a piercing whistle.

Blade.

Telling him to return.

He immediately seeks out Eleanor who is nearby. He scoops her up and darts back to Blade. He lands beside Blade Eleanor giggling. Remy looks at his mentor's body ready for fighting. Blade looks relaxed and taps his watch. Remy immediately matches Blade’s energy and gently puts the girl down. Kurt bamfs into existence beside Remy who startles and hisses. Kurt immediately crouches and makes himself small.

“Es tut mir leid. Sorry.”

Kurt says, staying low, tail tucked around his legs. Remy swallows and realizes that he had shifted to Blade’s side, tugging Eleanor with him. He gives Kurt an easy smile.

“Not like you meant harm.”

Remy says relaxing again. He turns to Eleanor. 

“Time for me to leave, chere. Take care and keep up the hard work. And next time Remy teach you how to make gumbo.”

“Next week?”

She asks and he looks at Kurt.

“I’d teach you too fuzzy elf, if’n you want.”

Remy offers and Kurt rises eyes lighting up.

“Ja! See you next Friday!”

“Now hold on Kurt. The Prof gave permission for today. And we might be on mission next Friday.”

The man wearing sunglasses says and Remy shifts away from his tone and the mention of the professor showing his teeth slightly. 

“Bla. You're no fun Scott. He’ll give permission. I know he will! And I'll call Remy if we are on mission. But I'll try very hard to be back on time!”

Kurt waves a dismissive hand and beams at Remy. Remy nods. 

“Here. My number. Well, Blade and I’s number.”

He hands a slip of paper to Kurt and to Eleanor and then bids them both goodbye before scrambling over the wall with Blade. Blade hums as they drive back to the city in their rental and Remy tilts his head in question.

“It was good hearing you laugh and have fun with someone your age kid.”

Blade says as explanation. 

[dickinfectionbez]

Celeste knew she wasn't the typical girl that Bez went for.

Bez went for the long-legged blue eyes girls with sliky hazel hair and soft hands that never touched a car engine, let alone a wrench. Cele had calloused hands and her hair was far from silky, always tied back so she could work. The girls would tap their perfectly manicured fingernails against Bez's phone giving their numbers to her. Celeste was 85% sure she had break fluid trapped under the stubs she called nails. Those girls had their life put together while she was working two jobs and reading tarot cards trying to make sense of the future.

When Bez revealed that her attraction wasn't just to guys, Celeste felt a little flame of hope spark in her. The years of pining now had a chance of coming true. But that flame slowly flicked to embers as she watched different girls flirt with Bez each weekend. She had thought about dressing up like those girls but it felt like she was betraying herself. If Bez wanted her, truly wanted her then she would want her now as she was. She couldn't have her romanticly, but Celeste sure as hell wasn't going to lose Bez as a friend. So she swallowed her feelings and went on the lunch dates.

It was dark outside as the pair sat inside Cele's bedroom. Celeste sat on the bed as Bez lay on her side. It was way too late but neither wanted to fall asleep.

Celeste shuffled her deck, hyperaware of Bez's eyes on her. Bez already had the routine Catholic panic that most seemed to have. The clutching of the cross when they realised that the cards in Celeste's hands were in fact tarot cards.

"Marcolina." she said, her doe eyes on show, "pick a card." Bez hesitated, her grandmother screaming in her ear. She shook her shoulders and reached out pulling a single card. Celeste gently held her wrist, flipping it to reveal what card she had chosen.

the lovers.

Celeste stared at the card as Bez made a low noise. She hadn't realised how similar the two lovers depicted in the card looked like her and Bez. The couple stood naked on an open mussel, frozen in an embrace, one kissing the other on the neck passionately. Had Marcolina noticed? Cele looked at her, scanning her face for anything. "The lovers." She began as Bez continued to look at the card not moving. "A relationship might start, but it will come with a sacrifice." Bez looked up. "Gain one lover but lose the freedom to find others." Bez hummed and the air crackled with nervous energy. Both of them stayed silent. Celeste tapped her deck thrice and packed it away back into its velvet pouch.

She lay down next to Bez, eyes up on the sky. "You have anyone in mind?" Bez asked. Celeste shook her head, "no. You?" Bez wiped a hand on her face. "Yeah." Celeste froze as Bez continued. "Known her for ages, haven't got the confidence to tell her though."

Who was this bitch that made the Marcolina Bezzecchi unconfident?

Bez glanced at Cele for a second before continuing. "She's so smart, I've seen her solve problems that old men couldnt." She could fix engines that old men couldn't, could this girl do that?

"Her hair is coffee brown and her eyes are so beautiful." Her hair was brown, just not coffee brown. Celeste contemplated dying her hair at that moment. "- and I don't know what to do. If I tell her and she rejects me? I don't know what I'd do, I don't want to lose her as a friend. What should I do?" Bez continued unaware that Celeste was mentally beating the shit out of this girl.

"tell her how you feel." Cele whispered, the embers of hope in her chest fading out. Bez lay silently, her hands dancing on her chest as she thought. She then turned, looking at Celeste with an unidentifiable look in her eyes. Something was mixed with fear, something passionate.

Bez brushed some stray hairs off Celeste's face. "Marcolina? Wha-" She began as Bez kissed her. She was caught off guard for a second before she sneaked her arms around Bez's neck. They pulled apart and Celeste could feel her head spin. Bez bit her lip and leaned in again. This time Celeste was prepared, one of her hands tangling itself in Bez's hair, pulling ever so slightly. Bez groaned into Cele's mouth, her hands finding Cele's waist, pulling her in even closer. They pulled apart again, lips puffy and hair wild. Bez leaned her forehead on Celeste's. "Be mine." She mumbled. Cele left a confused noise out. "Will you be my girlfriend?" Bez asked clearer as Celeste nodded happily, peppering Marcolina's face with kisses.

They stayed that way, kissing and laughing before falling asleep, tangled in each others embrace. Celeste woke up alone, embarrassed that she could even imagine Bez confessing her love. She got up out of bed, ignoring the tarot card on her side table.

Downstairs Bez stood in the kitchen, making breakfast for her girlfriend. Celeste walked downstairs and saw Bez dancing around. She greeted Bez, who kissed her softly. She stood starstruck for a second before tucking herself into Bez's side, the small flame in her heart now a forest fire.