#i know his balls were drenched 24/7

[werdlewrites]

Season of The Witch (Steve Harrington x OC?)

Chapter Two: Death

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UPDATED 7/21/24

Summary: “Can I help you with something? Are you lost?” There’s finally some recognition, a twist of discomfort as he can sense the tension building between them already. He opens his mouth to retort but she beats him to it. “Did that orange ball smack your big head so hard you forgot where you were?” “Alright, alright,” he says rather quickly, annoyed at just how pleased she was with herself. “I come in peace,” he says with both hands held out, palms towards her in good faith. “Yeah, I’m sure." Warnings: Smoking, anti Steve (for now), witchery, panic/anxiety attack Word Count: 3707

Time was stretching on forever. Leaving Autumn lingering in an unknown void, a trance. Watching as the water slowly eased its way down into the soil of her ninth, or tenth, plant of the morning. She would study it closely, making a guess if it was either too much or too little, and moving forward after that. It was slow, tedious, and sometimes therapeutic, but not when you’ve struggled for another night of sleep. 

Autumn had awoken before the sun had even kissed the sky of Hawkins, unsettled and uncomfortable in her own bed. She only tossed and turned through most of the night, and in the moments of peace she did find, she was only met with hushed conversations in the furthest reaches of her mind. Voices, not of anyone she knew, and certainly not of her own. 

This hadn’t been the first time they’d called out to her as she laid her head down to rest. It was one of many curses, or gifts, as her father would call them. Autumn would call them neither, only pieces of herself that she has struggled to cope with throughout her life. From imaginary friends when she was only a child to actively experiencing moments she couldn’t recognize or place. She had thought she was spiraling into madness, and so did everyone else—safe for her father, who helped her find the way. He was encouraging, full of guidance and support, as he purchased any book she asked for to better herself and her understanding of just what was happening. With age came acceptance; acceptance created hatred from others.

The girl didn’t have much. People feared her without much knowledge, pitied her, or simply thought she was the odd one out.

Autumn had her plants, a father who cared in his own way, Jonathan, and a dream to get the fuck out of Hawkins. To a place where people welcomed her if it even existed.

She downs the last of her coffee, staring in silence at the now-empty mug in debate over a second cup. The sun has yet to make an appearance, and the lack of sleep is weighing heavily on the girl. A looming cloud filled with heavy rain drenching Autumn until her feet sink deep into the earth, unable to move onward. Each step drains life from her—a fight. 

The only peace she holds onto is knowing that it’s Friday, the final day of torment before a weekend with the Byers. Autumn leaves the mug behind, opting for a hot shower to further push her into the morning and away from a tempting nap before the alarm sounds. She can still hear the voices calling, but only as a memory that she doesn’t wish to return to.

There was the usual onslaught of unnecessary comments the moment her feet touched down at the high school. Maybe it was the lack of sleep—maybe it was something in the air that day—but her patience was wearing thin the moment someone gave her an odd look. The wire was only twisting tighter and tighter in her gut with every passing remark and glance, and within seconds, a cigarette had found its way to her lips, panicked fingers running along the wheel until it finally provided a flame. It sends a rush of relief and nicotine through her body—a destructive distraction. 

As her lungs filled, those momentary worries seemed not so worrisome. Her tense shoulders had now fallen, and her frame leaned up against the brick wall of the school building, ignoring the murmurs as they passed right by and through the doors. Her knee was bouncing wildly, still lingering in the effects of anxiety, until she forced it out straight with a final drag of her cigarette, crushing the end of it into the wall before making her way inside. It’s as busy as ever. No one seemed to be in a real rush to get to class early, all lingering as if they hadn’t seen each other the day before. Friday did, in a small way, feel like a piece of the weekend.

There was one part of her Friday she did not anticipate, though. He was leaning against her locker, waiting with an almost impatient look on his face as his eyes flicked through the crowd in search of her. King Steve Harrington is the star of the basketball and swim team. Cocky as all hell, Nancy Wheeler’s special something, and Autumn’s very long, lost friend. 

He was so lost that she couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed his company, and yet somehow, he was at her locker. Honey-colored eyes lock on her within seconds, and he gives her a small, awkward wave. As the distance between them lessened, her heart rate only seemed to go up, already missing that poisonous friend she had left outdoors to calm her aching nerves.

“You’re in my way, Harrington.” 

His smile doesn’t falter, but he does inch away from her space, just enough so she can open the metal door with great unease. She takes her time, pretending to look through her books or her bag, as she can feel those same eyes burning a hole through the shield meant to deter him. A bagged lunch is tossed inside, along with other items she didn’t require for the first half of the day, before she closes it, looking unimpressed and irritated to see that the boy hasn’t moved at all. “Can I help you with something? Are you lost?” 

There’s finally some recognition. A twist of discomfort, as he can sense the tension building between them already. He opens his mouth to retort, but she beats him to it. “Did that orange ball smack your big head so hard you forgot where you were?” 

“Alright, alright,” he says rather quickly, annoyed at just how pleased she was with herself. “I come in peace.” Both hands are offered out, palms towards her in good faith. But she doesn’t quite buy it.

“Yeah, I’m sure. Tommy around the corner? Just waiting t’throw some pig's blood on me?” 

Steve seems taken aback by her comment, brows knitted together in pure confusion before hands fall to his hips, cocked to the side. “What? Why-no! That’s disgusting. There’s no—there's no blood here.” 

“Great. Then I suppose I can spare the world from my rage just one more day,” she teases, though her fake smile easily falls flat, still wondering why after all of this time Steve would bother to come to her one-on-one. She had only seen him from afar as they drifted apart—as he found new crowds to surround himself with. They influenced him in ways that changed her view of him forever, watching as he became someone she could no longer recognize. And while Steve never attacked her directly, he never stopped it. That alone spoke volumes.

Steve pinches at the bridge of his nose, feeling unfocused, and he is desperate to get back on track, while she seems determined to keep him off of it. “Look, I came because... I wanted t’ask for a favor,” he finally admits with a sigh. It’s enough to leave a brow raised in curiosity. “I was wondering if you could do, y’know, a reading.” 

“Readings aren’t ‘favors’, Steve. That costs,” she holds up her hand, rubbing her thumb along her fingertips, the sign for ‘cash’ and he instantly rolls his eyes, shoulders slumped. 

“Okay, well, I can pay. Can we do one today? During lunch?” 

In their time apart, she had never imagined herself here, agreeing to Steve Harrington and his request. But, here she was. Nodding along to his plan to meet up at the bleachers midday. He seemed breathless, a little too eager for her liking as he jogged away from her, all the while she looked at him like any other customer.

Autumn had nearly slept through her classes. The beginning always seemed to start so well, and by the end, she was heavy-lidded, leaning into her palm so hard that she swore she could have torn her own face off. At one point, she was gone. The voice of the teacher had faded out, replaced with sweet nothingness—at least that’s what it seemed. For a moment, all behind closed eyes was black. A sweet relief, though brief, as something unsettling creeps in. 

The sound of misery—desperate pleas from a soft and pained voice just at her back. So close, it almost feels too real. The agony is squeezing at her chest as frantic breath ghosts along the shell of her ear. She’s almost grateful as a kick to her ankle rips her back into reality. 

The light rushed in with wide, dazed eyes, searching for the source of the voice. It was almost blinding, her eyes blinking away the blurred vision to focus back on her teacher and then on Jonathan. He sits with a smug look on his face, hiding behind a hand as a smile creeps in. Though her glare fails to waiver, amusement turns to worry, mouthing, “Are you okay?” 

It’s the last thing she needs. Having someone stress over her without the ability to pull her from the fire. Autumn wears a forced smirk, her middle finger rising just under her folded arms to say, "Fuck you.” 

He’s quick to shift focus downward, scoffing in amusement with the roll of his eyes. With his mind set at ease, he returns to the lesson, and she slumps further into her seat—attention forward but mind elsewhere.

Friday was no weekend. Not this time.

When lunch had come around, Autumn was happily laid out on the bleachers. Soaking up what little sun was available to them that day as the clouds roamed high above, consuming the sky. The air was chilled, comforting her aching muscles from the long night before. The air was still and quiet enough to offer her comfort as her eyes slipped shut, finding peace away from all of the noise inside the cafeteria. 

With her lunch devoured on sight and the beast within now tamed, she was able to drift into a state of calm. A mistake on her part was letting time pass by carelessly. Ignorant to just how long her eyes would remain closed for. She could have spent the day out there, her mind full of fragility as she gave in to the long, sleepless night. She’d catch a cold and land under a stern stare from the principal and her father for unintentionally skipping class. She puts blind faith in Harrington, hoping he will do good on his word and pull her from the edge just before she fades out.

“There, I did it,” the child states happily. In her palm, she holds what she believes to be a delicate piece of art. Something she’s worked hard for, following every instruction, no matter how frustrating. 

She marvels at the simple design, making notes on where to add more polka dots on the folded-up sheet of paper. Her eyes wander, finding her friend oblivious to her finished project as he smoothes out the creases of his own paper game. In comparison, hers seems like a wadded-up ball. Uneven folds and words show where they shouldn’t have been. She doesn’t question it at first, simply casting looks back and forth until he finally finishes. 

His sweet eyes are prideful, a blissful smile shining as he holds it up for her to see. Then, it all seems to shift. Victory is long gone, and he’s locked in a trance over her attempt. Without warning, a laugh slips through. “What did you do?” 

The girl at his side holds an empty stare, unsure if she should be laughing along with him or hurt by his comment. “I did what you said,” she replied plainly, her brows knitting together as his amusement grew. 

“Give me that.” He trades their pieces, and she watches as he works in silence. Her paper is unfolded to lay flat against the small desk, his smile stretching as he reads over the options given. “Make more friends" lies right next to “Get a dog,” and he can’t fight the tug at his heart. Sparing a look her way, he watches as she pulls at his tabs, a look of irritation at just how good he was at designing them. “You’re cheating.” 

Young eyes flick up to stare at the boy, easing the fold back down to hide the message. “Sorry.” Her voice is low, barely audible, and she seems almost ashamed. 

“N-no, it’s okay, really. You’re just supposed t’go by your gut,” he reassures gently before his focus moves back to her own, where he begins to fold it evenly with care. “I guess it’s about fate, or whatever.” Her spine straightens and her fingers slip inside the pockets, practicing the game by herself while he works. 

“You like dogs?” She shrugs in response, her expression confirming that curiosity. “What kind?” Another weak shrug. 

“Don't know. All dogs, I think.” 

“Maybe you’ll get one for Christmas,” he suggests with a toothy grin, though faltering ever so slightly as the enthusiasm isn’t returned. If anything, he swears her eyes shift into something more somber.

“Hey!”

Alarms are sounding off in her head at the sudden disruption. Her body comes to life with shock as chilled air sweeps in to burn her resting lungs. There’s no more peace, only the sound of his voice booming across the field, calling out her name. 

Through one cracked-open eye, Autumn swore she could see him waving for her attention as he ran the rest of the way. She’s not sure if she’s pleased by just how timely he was or if there’s disappointment that she couldn’t steal away another moment of quiet. 

"Sorry, sorry,” he stammers, clearly breathless, with his hands resting lazily on his hips. “I got held up. Y’know, girl stuff.” 

Autumn remains unamused, eyeing him with remnants of the person he used to be. Running out to sit on these very bleachers to hide their cigarettes or the place they met a few yards away to put an end to the tattered friendship. For a moment, she wonders what it all would have been like. “Yeah, girl stuff. D’you want this reading or not?” 

A rush of excitement seems to move through him, a spark as his eyes light up, and maybe even a hint of a smile. Maybe there was a piece of him that didn’t think she would still be willing to help. “Y-yeah! One second,” he says in a panicked voice, scrambling towards the other end of the bleachers to begin his climb up to her. The chilled metal stings his skin, shaking out his hands by the time he is up at her level, sitting just across from her with eyes glued to her bag as she rummages through it. “How can you sit out here?” 

Autumn pauses in her search, blowing hair from her face and shaking it away to meet his curious gaze. “I’m sorry. D’you want t’go inside? I can do magic there." 

“No!” The boy yells, a little unexpected for both of them, as the air immediately becomes painfully silent afterward, heavy with discomfort, though she could only smile. “O-out here is...fine.” 

Autumn waits another moment. She waits for him to settle and be sure of his choices before she pulls out a Tarot deck from her bag, setting it between the pair. “Can’t be caught fraternizing with the witch,” she chuckles. “Alright, here’s how this works. I do cash up front; no refunds. Your destiny is your own, blah blah. All of that bullshit. D’you have any questions?”

 Steve seems unsettled, though he gives a quick shake of his head to let her begin. The boy leans in with his elbows resting on denim-clad knees, chewing at his lips as his nerves build into something he is unable to ignore. “D’you want a palm reading or one from the cards?” 

That seemed to pique some interest, with his eyes beaming up at her in confusion through fallen locks of hair. “What?” 

“A palm reading is three bucks. Five from the cards and ten for a large spread.” 

It was then that he sat back, a clear look of annoyance in his expression as he glared at her, pure disbelief in her words. “I heard you did Heather’s for cheaper.” 

“Yeah, I like Heather.” 

The comment leaves him stunned, blinking with a dumbfounded look in his eyes, and together they sit in silence, almost as if he is waiting for her to change her reply. To make a joke of it all. Autumn remains calm and steady, leaving Steve to surrender and bitch about the pricing as he digs through his wallet, practically tossing the five-dollar bill at her, just to end the awkward moment only he seemed to be suffering from. “What d’you want t’know?”

Steve had come here with a goal in mind, but getting him to actually confess it had his palms sweating as he rubbed them together. There was hesitancy, a sudden skip in his chest that left him breathless for only a moment. “I-I want t’know about me and Nance.” 

And no matter his look of pain and discomfort, Autumn was smiling from ear to ear, hands already gently shuffling the cards once pulled from their tin. “Feeling a little insecure, are we?”

“What? No,” he bites back, though it’s shrugged off by the receiver. 

“And what is it you want t’know?” 

“Uh,” his thumbs are fiddling together, fighting for the right words—she pretends not to notice as she continues to shuffle, not in preparation but mostly to calm her nerves. “Will I-” Autumn shuts his question down before it truly begins, waving her hand between the two in disagreement. 

“No, no. ‘Will I’ questions lock you into 'yes' or 'no'. Ask ‘How’ or ‘What’.” 

Steve whispers an “Oh,” with eyes fluttering elsewhere, rethinking the question to something more suitable. “What does my future with Nancy look like?” 

Boring. It's what most of them want these days. Anything in regards to love with their current partner or from their ex, or if they will ever find the missing piece to their ever-growing puzzle of life. On occasion, some would seek more benefits towards more personal goals. Colleges, larger-than-life sports teams, or simply if they made it anywhere at all. Of course, Autumn could never say, "Looks like you'll win the lottery." But her readings were enough to provide hope or crush dreams right on the spot. Whatever the outcome, she was a few bucks richer. And no matter the history between the two, Steve would be no different. The cards favored and pitied no one. 

Her eyes are closed, focusing the dull and expected question into the deck that she sorts through with quick hands, cards flying with ease. Slow and steady breaths fill her chest, unaware of the curious gaze moving between her and the cards. Uncertain if he should do or say anything and how it all really works, he sits in silence until further instructed. But when she pauses, looking stone-faced and serious, he can't fight the audible gulp before the cards are spread out along the icy, rigid seat. Autumn is determined, wasting no time before pulling a single card and laying it face up before Steve. He’s uncertain of it all, but he isn’t blind, and the words paired with imagery are enough to have his fingers anxiously dig into his jeans.

Death.

"Pfft," the girl let out an airy chuckle, hiding behind her present, joyous smile while the boy was wide-eyed with panic. It’s one of her favorite cards in the deck, one that causes mayhem as the client seeks to understand it—just like now. 

“What? What is that?” It sounded like a question, but his tone was forceful, demanding, seeking acknowledgment immediately, and growing more aggravated the more she laughed. “Hello? What the fuck is that? Why does that say ‘Death’?” 

“Calm down, Harrington." 

“No, I don’t like that. You pulled way too quick.” 

Autumn reels back at the comment, an obvious look of offense on her face, and for a moment she is too stunned to reply back. Mouth hung agape, biting back all of the things she had wanted to say since the start of freshman year. “This is how I do things. I go by feeling and gut instinct. Besides, Death isn’t all that bad.”

Steve looked as though his old friend had just grown a second head—bizarre and confusing. How is that even possible? “Uh-huh? D’you want to elaborate on that for me? That big orange ball, y’know. It really smacked me around.” He teases, his large hands creating a sphere around his head as he rattles himself around within it dramatically.

“Death is the ending of a cycle. A beginning, a change—metamorphosis. D’you know-?” 

“Yeah, I know what metamorphosis is.” He spits out, defensive. 

“But when reversed, there are... new meanings. Fear of change, never moving forward, and so on.” 

"Yeah, but y-you laid it upright,” Steve says quietly, his finger firmly pressed down on the card, drawing her attention back to the symbol between the two. 

Without further hesitation, she lets out a loud, “Dun, dun, dun.” Out of the two of them, only she finds it amusing, while Steve is merely rolling his eyes with hands running along his thighs from anxiety. 

“Come on, that’s not funny. I want another pull." 

The laughter stops, and she’s bent forward, her open palm exposed for his cash to fall into her grasp. “D’you have another five for a full spread?” 

“N-no, but I can pay you next week.” 

With that, Death along with her many other cards, are swiped up and neatly laid in their place, protected from whatever harm may come to them. “Cash up front. Don’t sweat it, Harrington. You two just got together, yeah?” He nods wordlessly, everything he wants to say caught in his throat. “Change is coming. Growth for the two of you.” 

"Is that good or bad?” Autumn shrugs, the tin now resting safely in the depths of her bag before it’s swung over her shoulder. 

“That’s up to the two of you.”

[siodium]

financial irresponsibility strikes again!! ദ്ദി ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )

sO last week i went to check out some events with koko!! we went to aniplus cafe's creators spotlight event, mercury festival, and night at orchard (NAO). aniplus' one was focused on animanga merch, while the other two were focused on handmade crafts?? like beaded accessories, and polymer clay crafts. i never knew there were other types of artist/creator fairs aside from anime cons. O: this newfound knowledge has opened my eyes...... and wallet......

also going to three(!!!) events in one day wasn't the best idea bc i was so exhausted by the end of the day!! aniplus' event was alright. they converted the cafe dining area to fit a few booths. tbh i was just there for the dokja flapping wing standee from lushiette. the queue for her booth was insane!! possibly worse than the queue to enter bc of how slowly it moved. somehow i managed to snag the last (display) piece. unfortunately, i saw the person in front of me take the last alnst ivan freebie that i wanted to get with my purchase. but it's ok...... i got his boyfriend till instead.

mercury fest drained my energy the most bc the event hall was so smol and some aisles were so congested that i forgot how to breathe. ( ꩜ ᯅ ꩜;)  i rly like the handmade crafts and cute trinkets that a lot of booths were selling tho!!! lowkey wanna try making things out of polymer clay now. aLSO it was very nice to see that a lot of creators were fundraising for palestine at the event.

i only bought one thing from NAO, and it was the crochet frog outfit. just wanted to let yall know that chi was tRAUMATISED at that booth. i got interested bc i saw that the artist was selling clothes for her original crochet ball character?? and so i tried to see if chi would fit. i was probably visibly having a hard time putting chi in, so the artist asked if i wanted some help. i thought she'd be gentle with chi bUT NO she stuffed chi in like he was just some cotton ball saldkasks. i was horrified, but i still ended up getting a frog suit for chi..... maybe when chi forgets about the traumatic experience, he'd wear it...??

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

list of loots + birthday gifts from koko (thank you!!) ↓↓

ivantill acrylic standee and candy bag set (@capybara_roll)

kim dokja standee + till acrylic keychain (@lushiette)

kim dokja print (@sanukett)

silver moon bracelet (@cideroll)

covid bunny sticker freebie (@barelybreathingbunny)

meiji apollo strawberry chocolate clay charm + chiikawa sticker freebie (@strawberriestudios.co)

tortoise melonpan clay charm (@kireikoii)

resin flower necklace (@rinsgarnet)

crochet frog outfit (@yenllys.studio)

sacabambaspis magnet (@planktonparts)

espurr charm (@y0ruist)

ducky sticker freebie (@domo.arts.studio)

sakura wagashi drops bracelet (@risu.craft) - 🎁!!

pillow bag (@theeverydayclub.co) - 🎁!! i have no idea what colour it is bc i can't find the exact shade on their website but it's like a pretty bluish grey colour?? the straps are super padded so it's very comfortable even with a kindle and a 350 mL water bottle inside.

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foods we ate!! ↓↓ (+bonus jinx standees bc aniplus is having some sus collabs right now 🤨 and i read the manhwa LMAO)

first time eating at supply & demand. didn't even realise there was a high end(?) italian restaurant so near to the aniplus cafe. we shared a crab and scallop tagliatelle, which was delicious, and "the morning after" pizza. the gooey egg in the centre?? amazing.

i got a hot cup of pancakes and maple tea, and it rly did taste like pancakes and maple?? like the aftertaste was of warm pancakes drenched in maple syrup?? i can't tell if i was tripping or not but it was good.

matcha bingsoo for dinner bc my stomach left the chatroom, and i couldn't eat anything until like?? after 10 pm. which was not very good bc there weren't a lot of 24/7 food places around. we did find a coffeesmith tho, so that's where we had "dinner" and rested before heading home~

[separatist-apologist]

Now I want to know your opinion on the Bargainer Series

STOP IT. Okay fine twist my arm why don't you.

First of all, I don't believe for one minute this isn't terrible ACOMAF fanfiction. I bought it on vibes alone, and I bought all 3 so that's on me. I should know better. I have only read the first two books but that Jemlin art of Des and Callie is making me wonder if I shouldn't try again.

Lets just get it out of the way. 500 year old man in love with a 16 year old girl is just. COME ON. We're not even TRYING anymore. And miss me with the mate bullshit because he could have waited until she was 25 to circle back and be like, what's up shorty, you know? Instead he spends EVERY NIGHT in this traumatized girl's bedroom letting her accumulate a huge "debt" to him which is just fancy grooming. Grooming with extra steps. Takes her supernatural prom where, through some event I didn't understand well...separates them for 7 years. I both want someone to explain that bargain to me slowly like I'm dumb but I also just don't care.

So he's gonna confess his love to a teenager but is thwarted by magic, and then the magic frees them (again through the power of the author realizing her protag was now old enough to suck dick) so he shows back up in an AC/DC t-shirt and leather pants. And if you think I'm joking about that, I swear to you I'm not. His fashion sense is so questionable that if he were MY mate, I'd reject him on principle alone.

There is an ex boyfriend who is a caricature of men who don't know the word no, and a plot so transparent you can see straight through it. Spoiler: they're NOT mates. They're SOUL mates. He is of course, the fae prince of his realm and he essentially a watery, silver haired version of Rhysand and Callie is supposed to be the punchy, siren slash bounty hunter protagonist but like all heroines in these ill conceived books, she is BATSHIT BAD at her job. I guess if you just tell the reader often enough the MC is good at what she does/the best, then all her endless failures that prove otherwise don't count.

The sexual assault is handled BADLY. Full stop, if you're going to write it like this author did, intention is important. Using it as a contrived device so your hero can burst in and be mad is like...you know? Callies body is changed without her consent and she spends half of book 2 miserably sad about it.

And then she fucks Des and he's like "no don't be sad youre so hot" and suddenly she is POWERFUL and OVER IT. I knew that bitch was gonna get wings in book 1, wish she could have gotten them literally any other way.

It's another book series where the author wrote the books too quickly, didn't bother paying for an editor, and just barely plotted them out. I could forgive a lot of it.

But the idea that I'm supposed to simp for a man who owns 3 shirts of lame 80s bands that he pairs with leather pants was too much.

[alicemitch09writes]

lame

01.

it was supposed to be us against the world

It was just a normal Tuesday for you, the scorching sun was out, seeping whatever energy you had for today, class had just ended, and you were treading the thought of having to work later that day. But hey, girl’s gotta fend for herself, right?

Just as you arrived at the station, your phone buzzed in your pocket. Lazily taking it out, your (e/c) eyes scanned the text before shooting wide open, you instantly took off, never minding work, thoughts flying to one thing - Izuku.

For such a prestigious school, it sure had a lousy way of being indiscreet if it were located on top of a hill. Winded from the trip, barely feeling your legs, drenched completely in sweat from the trek, a hero awaited for you at the gate, giving you instructions on how to get to your location (he figured to give it straight to you, judging from your harried breathing and frazzled state alone).

Finding the clinic, you all but burst into the room, eyes easily finding curly green locks. "Izuku!"

Green eyes widened at the sight of you, taking the sight of you. "(Nickname)-!? H-How did you-"

"Are you alright?!"

Flinching at the pitch, tone, and of the overall worry painting your features, he all but gave you a sheepish look whilst rubbing the back of his head. That didn't help, but at least seeing him now in the bed was making your worries lessen.

“He’ll be fine, I’ve treated the worst of his injuries.” The small lady- hero, Recovery Girl, tells you from where she sat. “He just woke up and has made a full recovery now!”

Allowing yourself to sigh in relief, you collapsed by his bed, legs pressed against the cool tiled-floor, eyeing the green-haired boy with narrowed eyes.

"Really, Izuku, you better take better care of yourself."

A scarred hand reached out to pat your shoulder, seeping away the tiredness of practically storming all the way here. "I know, (Nickname). I'm sorry for worrying you..."

Once Recovery Girl assured you that she was to see your best friend fit, you allowed yourself to rest a while before making sure that his recovery was done. You would have loved to wait until he got better, so you can leave, but you had to report to work, even for just a bit then head home to change. Giving your best friend an apologetic look, Izuku nodded in understanding and you reluctantly complied to leave. But not without giving him a parting hug.

“Really, you have to stop giving me a heart attack,” you warned him, teasingly, earning a laugh from the green-haired boy. “I’ll be over for dinner later, okay?”

At that, his eyes brightened. “I’ll be sure to tell mom! She’ll surely be happy to have you over.”

“And I look forward to Auntie’s cooking!”

With one last wave at your best friend, a polite-grateful bow to the school nurse, you turned to the door.

Once out, however, you were face to face with the last person you wanted to see. You ignored him, bent on getting out of here. There was nothing to be said. Absolutely nothing. And it was better off that way.

“Ta-dah!”

“Uwah!!!” big green eyes – matching the shade of his wild curly locks, widened.

“What is it, what is it?” a small blond boy ran towards them excitedly, especially at the excitement at the tone of his two precious friends. “So, what is it?” he asked, head tilted in question at the object in hand.

Grinning toothily, the young girl placed it atop curly locks, flowers intertwined with each other, the green camouflaging with the boy’s locks, as though the flowers sprouted from his hair. “It’s a flower crown, silly!”

“Che, and I was excited for nothing,” the blond boy’s cheeks puffed. Carmine eyes glared at the object on his friend’s hair. “So girly…”

Miffed, the (h/c) girl’s tiny fists balled, stomping her foot. “W-Well duh, because I am a girl!”

“Yeah right!” teased the blond, scratching the underside of his nose, angering the girl as she began to growl.

“Hey, no fighting now…” the small green-haired boy called out to his friends. “…please?”

The two looked at him, then at each other before parting away, the girl’s arms crossed.

“W-Well, if Izuku says so! I’ll forgive you this time, Katsuki!”

Carmine eyes narrowed; cheeks puffed as they reddened to slowly match his eyes. “W-Whatever!”

At that, Izuku smiled, getting to his feet to grab the hands of his best friends. Smiles appearing on his other friend’s faces.

“Ah, by the way!” the (h/c) girl suddenly cried out, alarming the two boys. Heading towards the pile of flowers she was fiddling with earlier, she took something from the ground, keeping her hands behind her as she walked up to the blond boy. “N-Ne, Katsuki, g-give me your hand…”

“…what? No way!”

“Come on, just give me your hand!”

“No way, you might give me a bug!”

“No, I won’t!”

“Then you might just prank me!”

“Didn’t I say that I wouldn’t?”

“How would I know if you’re telling the truth!”

“If you just give me your hand!”

Stuck in between another argument, the green-haired boy could only laugh at their antics.

“K-Katsuki, please?”

She widened her eyes on purpose, pouting purposely to jut out her lower lip, it was all it took for the young blond to cave in. Also, she did say ‘please’.

Reluctantly, stretched out his hand watching as she happily reached for it, her hand now in his. His cheeks reddened, not that he’d say it out loud and chose to frown. “Alright, now close your eyes!” Not wanting to argue, he did as was asked, without putting up a fight. At first, he heard Izuku gasp and she quickly shushed him, almost excitedly, before he felt something slip into his ring finger. “Okay, now open!”

The first thing he saw were (eye color) orbs so big and bright – filled with excitement and joy before his eyes fell unto the object in his hand. The flowers were just as wild and vibrant as Izuku’s, except his was more but fit to wrap around his stubby fingers.

“Wow, (Nickname), it’s so pretty! You’re amazing!”

Chubby cheeks flushed at that, turning to him expectantly. “D-Do you like it?” came her quiet voice.

Silence.

Green and (hair color) heads turned to each other, sharing a look. The taller girl was about to ask again but stopped head tilting. Beside her, the green-haired boy’s mouth formed into an ‘o’, hands slapping against his freckled cheeks.

“K-Katsuki, are you turning-“

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” screamed the boy, messing his hair with his free hand before turning to the girl, a look of determination in his eyes as he pointed, using the hand with the ring flower. “W-W-When we get older, I-I’ll get you the biggest, shiniest, prettiest wedding ring, you hear me!?”

“Kacchan…”

“And Deku!” he turned to the green-haired boy, no longer irked by the flower crown. “You’re going to be my best man, got it?”

Realizing his outburst, the two friends burst into laughter, the blond’s face heating even more.

“Stop laughing at me! Deku! (Name)!”

“Auntie, you didn’t have to prepare so much!” you call out to Auntie Inko, eyes wide like saucers when you saw the meal served at the table.

Meal wasn’t even the word to put it, it was more like a feast! The Midoriya matriarch had prepared spaghetti, karaage, tempura shrimp, grilled eel, salad, and some side dishes. Basically, it was a lot of protein and carbs.

“Nonsense, (Name)-chan! It’s been a while since I last saw you,” she says kindly as you take a seat. “also, this is to celebrate Izuku’s good performance at school, so he can now rest easy for summer break.”

“Thank you so much, mom!” Izuku flusters, especially when she says it so easily in front of their guest as if you’re not used to it.

“Oh, Izuku, still that flustered momma’s boy, huh?”

“(N-Nickame)!”

Laughing, the three of you begin to dig in, exchanging stories about school, your part-time job, some funny customer Auntie Inko had to deal with earlier at the office (she was a government employee), your grandfather, and his dojo. It was always so comforting having dinners with the Midoriyas, always so warm.

Volunteering to help with the dishes, the two youngsters continued to catch up, talking about just about anything. It was always easy to talk with Izuku, always refreshing to be in his presence and hear his thoughts about things.

“Eh? So, you’re classmates with the son of Endeavour?”

“Yes! And his quirk is amazing! He’s half-cold and half-hot.”

“How does that even work?”

“Well, he’s in a constant state of homeostasis to balance out both quirks.”

“Must be hard to manage 24/7 then.”

“That’s true. But with enough practice, he may be able to stabilize both quirks to be able to do more, especially because it can be a double-whammy to villains who might not expect from someone capable of managing two quirks at the same time, there’s also the fact that he can be able to maneuver better should he master his other side…”

The kitchen slowly filled with his ramblings as the last of the dishes were taken care of, which you didn’t seem to mind. It always fun to hear him ramble, knowing that there was a big brain beneath his curly green locks. He was like a walking encyclopedia.

When the clock struck 9, you had announced that you were off, lest you worry your dear grandfather. Izuku volunteered to walk you home.

“Ah, please wait a minute, (Name)-chan!” Aunt Inko shouted when the two of you were at the front entrance, rushing towards you both with a few Tupperware in hand – leftovers from dinner.

“Oh my! Auntie Inko, thank you so much!”

She smiled at you, reaching up to caress your cheek. “Please drop by for dinner more often, (Name)-chan, okay?”

The hand was soft and warm against your cheek, calming your heart with love washing over you. Nodding, silently promising the older woman, you turned to Izuku, who opened the door for you.

“Good night, Auntie Inko!”

Once the two of you reached the neighborhood, you couldn’t help but stare off at the playground – still the same as before, but the paint’s probably new. You could almost picture out three kids running around, chasing each other merrily.

“Man, your mom really didn’t have to put up a feast.”

Laughing, Izuku scratched his cheek as he replied. “Well, she does like to go out whenever she can. Plus, it’s not always (Nickname) comes over for dinner. Also, I’ve been increasing my diet lately because of my quirk.”

Ah, his newly acquired quirk. “Come to think of it, you have been getting bulkier since the last I saw you.”

“Well, I have to compensate mass for all the power I’ve acquired.”

The matter of his quirk piqued your interest, especially because of how much it’s taking a toll on your friend. Instead of backing down, he readily worked his way to accommodate such power.

“True,” you nod, turning to him, realizing he’s grown several inches taller as well, you couldn’t help but giggle. “that and because you’re probably finally hitting puberty.”

“E-Eh!?”

“Dude, you used to be my height!” you tell him, gesturing with your hand your height. “Now, you’re…well, not really that huge, but the growth rate is a bit alarming, to say the least.”

Suddenly, he was sweating bullets, looking between relief and mild panic. “A-Ah…puberty…yes, m-must be th-that a-an-and i-i-it’s side-effects on t-th-the quirk- my quirk!” And there’s his stuttering. Still adorable.

Nudging him with your shoulder, you were quick to assure him. “There, there,” deciding to just sling your arm around his, you leaned on him comfortingly “you’ll always be cry baby Izuku to me!”

“(Nickname)!”

“Or was it wimpy Izuku?”

“(Nickname), please…”

Despite the name-calling, they were all in good fun. A comfortable silence filled in, nothing needed to be said as you two walked around the quiet streets of Musutafu.

For the first time since you were kids, you were apart because you went to different high schools, it hurt because you two were always together and you were each other’s shoulder to lean on. Technology had a great way of bridging you two together, keeping each other up to date on the other’s lives. But nothing beat direct communication with the ones you loved and you relished nothing more than these small moments with your best friend.

“By the way, (Nickname),” Izuku’s voice suddenly cut through the silence. “how is your grandfather? Couldn’t he have dropped by for dinner as well?”

At the mention of your grandfather, you couldn’t help your expression from souring. “Eh, let him be, he’s probably off watching reruns of those tournament matches to prepare. He wants to rough up the team to tough shape.” Despite his age, your grandfather had quite the build and was the martial arts coach at your high school (don’t ask which martial arts specifically, he knows them all).

“That’s true, he might want to challenge me at the front entrance door before dinner started.”

“And your mom would cry a planet at the devastation left between you two.”

It would be quiet the image, knowing how strong both your grandfather and Izuku was, and then Auntie Inko would be comically crying about in the background.

“Oh, and I’ll just watch because no way am I coming between you monsters, while comforting Auntie Inko.”

As the image progressed, the two of you giggled amongst yourselves, the two of you were nearing a lamppost, resting comfortably against his arm, when a presence before you made the two of you stop.

A blond teen came into view, halting at the sight of both of you. Dressed lazily in his home clothes, with a plastic bag filled with items he got from the convenience store.

Instantly, the laughter died out from you, lips set into a thin line.

“K-Kacchan…” stuttered the teen beside you, gulping at the tense air. “…g-good evening.”

Said teen could only blink, carmine eyes taking in the sight of both of you. Something glinted soon after.

Eyes narrowing, you gently tugged at Izuku’s sleeve, continuing your journey, dismissing the blond completely. The two of you walked past the blond, who slowly began to move when you did, starting a new conversation about Izuku’s homeroom teacher, anything to block off that one person who was forever dead to you.

(Blocks away, the blond stopped in his path, hands still balled into fists, glare fixed to the ground, while a gentle laugh coming from a gentle smile relayed in his head. They weren’t for him.

“Fuck.”)

Midoriya Izuku and Bakugo Katsuki were both your childhood friends.

They were both the first friends you made ever since moving into their town.

To be fair though, Bakugo was your first friend. He then introduced you to the green-haired boy a few days later.

Since then, the three of you grew close, were inseparable, and always played together. There was never a day when the three of you were not with the other, always ensuring to include the other whenever there was a new game to play, a new kid to befriend, or an adventure to go off to.

Bakugo had always been the leader of the three since he had such a strong personality and presence even at the age of 5. He was quick to protect the two of you and command whatever new stuff you were to do.

Izuku was his opposite, submissive, soft, and shy. Nonetheless, he had a very strong sense of justice, even when he seemed to cry a lot, and was recklessly impulsive.

And then there was you, the new girl – quiet, unassuming, tomboy. Sometimes, you liked to pretend to be the mom of the two boys, the big sister, the glue that kept you three together – but you and Katsuki knew that it was Izuku, really.

Regardless, you could always count on the two. Bakugo, especially.

He was the front liner to push you to do things you want to do, uncaring of the fact that you were a girl, because it was a minor detail to all the amazing things you could do – like catch a bug, run like the wind, play under the rain, climb trees, give bullies a beating when they were picking on Izuku, play video games, to name a few. (In addition, you were into martial arts, because it was in the family)

It was because you were so close to Bakugo that you picked up on cursing, much to the shock of dear Izuku’s innocent baby ears. You couldn’t help being a tomboy because of the fact that your best friends were guys and games the blond would instigate, you loved to challenge him in just about anything – especially at claiming to be Izuku’s bestest friend.

Still, whenever you fell or scraped your knee, it was Bakugo who’d lend a hand, angrily berate you on being reckless, before picking you from the ground or giving you a piggyback – Izuku would cry all the way, worried about your state and the possible scolding from your parents and grandfather.

You three were supposed to stick together, stay inseparable, always with each other.

That is until Bakugo discovered his quirk, followed by Izuku discovering that he was quirkless.

And ever since then, everything changed.

masterlist • two

[cuinnamonbun]

HC!! Imagine how funny it is that the brother think MC is suicidal or insane when they just speak out on their intruitive thoughts ☠️

The Brothers When GN!MC Says Their Intrusive Thoughts Out Loud

Lucifer

It was the ass-crack of dawn and he’d just finished a sizeable portion from his mountain of paperwork

He went into the kitchen for some coffee to freshen up when he saw MC there already sipping on their own cup

They seemed to be staring off into space, only giving him a nod as he muttered a good morning

It was a peaceful silence until MC decided to say some outta pocket shit

MC: Wouldn’t it be really fucked if I died in the Devildom not because of some demons but because of consuming excessive amounts melancholy coffee? That’d be pretty wild

MC....what

Lucifer only looked at them with exasperation before leaving the kitchen, mumbling that it’s too early for this shit

Mammon

For once, Mammon is calm enough that he’s not racing out of the house to go scam people or steal some valuable antiques

They were just chilling on MC’s bed side by side against the wall as he scrolled through Devilgram while MC is just daydreaming

It was all good vibes dude, Mammon even played some lofi music while they were chilling

Until MC decided to ruin it without even realising

MC: Dude....what if some random demon breaks in the House of Lamentation when I’m home alone and in the shower and he tries to kill me? Can you imagine fighting someone when you’re bare naked and completely drenched? I bet that demon’d get a great show before ending my existence, huh?

Mammon did a double take as he gaped at his human

HUMAN. FUCK KINDA DRUGS U ON???

Now he will never allow Lucifer to let them stay home alone (or leave them alone ever really)

MC has now found themselves a helicopter parent and a 24/7 bodyguard

Leviathan

He’d invited MC over to play this new video game he’d just bought from Akuzon

But MC was pretty groggy when they came by and decided to opt out lest they throw Levi off his mojo and hold him back

So now they’re just sitting next to him watching as he killed his enemies with ease, progressing through the levels with barely a sweat

The last guy that Levi had to kill before he could move on to the next stage had his spine broken by the game’s protagonist

Of course, it sparked some thoughts in MC’s brain

MC: Damn if my spine just snapped right now, would I feel it? Or would I just be immediately paralysed and die?

Levi had to pause and gape at MC for almost an hour before he went nuts

Levi: WHYYYYY IN HELL WOULD YOU THINK THAT????

Now MC has to calm this ball of crippling anxiety by ensuring him that they didn’t mean to say their intrusive thoughts out loud

poor Levi, you’d better comfort him as best you can MC

Satan

They were both watching some of the stray cats at the back of the house eating the cat food that Satan had brought

It was peaceful, neither of them were talking since it was still early in the morning and MC had just gotten out of bed

They were absentmindedly petting one of the kittens as they ate by their feet when they foolishly opened their mouth

MC: What if I just...picked this kitten up and throw it as hard as I can against the wall?

If Satan wasn’t awake then, he was awake now

He pulled the kitten away from MC before turning to them in a fit of rage

....which (just barely) sizzled out when he noticed just how sluggish they look

Ah, then it clicked in him. He’s read about this; they were having intrusive thoughts

He understands of course, he has had some of his own too but...as a precaution, he will no longer allow them anywhere near his cats

Asmodeus

They were having their bi-weekly spa night together in his room

Usually MC would be pretty amped up during this time but given how much RAD assigns them homeworks, projects, assignments and tests, they were pretty burned out by the time Asmo was pampering them

Asmo didn’t mind the quiet, he already has his playlist out and he knew how tired MC was so just relax, darling and let him take care of you ;)

He was applying the clay mask on MC’s face when they suddenly opened their eyes to look into Asmo’s

MC: I wonder what clay mask tastes like. Do you think I’ll die if I just...eat a dollop of it

Are you really MC or has Beelzebub somehow taken hold of your body?

Asmo would be so concerned

Asmo: Darling! Don’t do that, if you’re hungry we can go and grab some snacks from the kitchen, but don’t go around and eat skincare!

It would be an hour-long lecture about how skincare is expensive and how you shouldn’t eat it no matter how much the company advertises it like it’s food before he drags them downstairs to get some snacks before resuming their spa-night

Beelzebub

They were down the kitchen doing their midnight snack run

It’s not something that they planned to do together, but sometimes when Beel is down in the kitchen hunting for food in the middle of the night, MC would join him

Beel was scrounging for food in the pantry while MC was eating some ice cream on the countertop, leisurely kicking their feet back and forth

Of course he emerged with a whole roasted duck

He was cutting into the duck as he ate it because he is a well-mannered boy even as Gluttony :)

The way he cut into the meat with ease and then devoured the whole thing in minutes somehow sparked something in MC’s mind

MC: Can you imagine if I get kidnapped by a Hannibal-like demon and instead of devouring me like how you’d expect an animal to, they just elegantly eat me like I’m some five-course meal at a Michelin-grade restaurant. That’d be pretty funny

Beel had to stop eating to gawk at MC

This poor man’s brain was processing what the fuck they just said before he went full blown concern

Beel: MC!! Don’t make me think that!!!

Now MC has another (unofficial) bodyguard tailing them wherever they go and ensuring that they’re never alone whenever they go out

Belphegor

The two of them were in the attic, taking a well-deserved nap after a tiring day at RAD

Or well, MC is attempting to at least

They were just so tired to the point where they just couldn’t fall asleep no matter how hard they tried to

The constant tossing and turning by MC really irked Belphie so he just wrapped his arms, legs and tail around them to keep them from moving

This just forces MC to lie still and stare up at the ceiling as their fatigued yet overly hyper mind started thinking all sorts of things

MC: We are literally pieces of meat on a rock floating through space, and our lives are ruled by little pieces of paper, so technically....I could throw myself off the side of the cliff and life would still continue on as we know it

Okay, now Belphie is wide awake (or...half awake?)

Is this human just too fatigued or are they just insanely suicidal

He would grumble and hold onto them tighter as if to prevent them from running off and actually yeeting themselves off of a cliff

Belphie: For the love of Hell, please just go to sleep you insane human

[mentally-in-northern-italy]

Raising the Stakes — Oliver Wood x reader

***not my GIF***

Summary: you are the newly appointed Slytherin captain, ambitious to win at least one match after your two previous losses. But when the stakes are raised, you seem to be playing for more than just to clear your name as a “failed” captain.

Word Count: ~3.4K

A/N: OH MY GOSH! I’m so sorry, I know I “announced” that I would be writing my first fic a while ago, but to be honest, I was so overwhelmed with everything else that I had to keep putting it off. Anyway, this fic is super duper long, because I totally got carried away while writing, I’m so sorry! It’s a lengthy one, but if you give this a read, I’d be so grateful! Feedback is more than welcome, as I’ve never really done this before. Thank you, and I hope you enjoy!! :)

____________________________________________________________________

The day before a Quidditch game was always tough for you. And, rightfully so, seeing as the pressure that was put on you every single time was incredibly overwhelming. See, this year was not a good year for Slytherins when it came to Quidditch. When Marcus Flint was temporarily suspended from his position as Quidditch Captain due to very distasteful, (what many would refer to as... foul) play, they needed someone who could fill his shoes, and fast. 

You just had to be the one who got the short end of the stick. 

Being Quidditch Captain came with many benefits, of course -- anyone could see that. You were able to order around everyone on the team, especially the people who you didn’t get along with too well, decide the times for practices to fit your schedule best and if the match resulted in a victory, get all the credit for the marvellous match. 

Except every seemingly perfect thing has its flaws, after all. Flint’s shoes as Captain were hard to fill. Many people at Hogwarts may tell you that he is the most disgusting, obnoxious, and arrogant person around… and they wouldn’t be wrong. But what many people cleverly omit is that he is a brilliant Quidditch player -- when he doesn’t resort to cheating. The Slytherin Quidditch team, under his strong guidance, was practically unbeatable. They were doing better than they’ve done in years. Needless to say, when they won match after match, the team’s thrilling victories were all attributed to the fact that they had someone as masterful and godly as Flint as their Captain. 

You, however, had a different approach as Captain. While you weren’t an angel, you certainly weren’t Flint. Your approach to leadership may be considered too laid-back for some, but you never wanted to be as overbearing as Flint. 

Unfortunately, this approach wasn’t exactly successful. The Slytherin team had now broken their winning streak, and lost two games ever since you were appointed Captain. Naturally, they blamed these losses on your failed leadership. 

The first game that was played with you appointed as the new Slytherin Captain was against Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff had a strong team, their plays were tactful and their brilliant seeker, Cedric, almost always managed to pull through and catch the snitch. However, and one can blame it on the fact that this was because you were simply a Slytherin, you and the rest of your team had severely underestimated the sunshine-coloured team. Call it overconfidence or just sheer misfortune, you and your team had not trained nearly hard enough and the match was over extremely quickly, and all the plays that you had devised, hunched over in the common room, all went to waste. 

This was a devastating loss for Slytherin, as it had broken their streak. People whispered about you whenever you walked by them in the halls, spreading gossip and judgement because of your failed leadership. 

But true to the verdant-coloured house’s core values, they stayed loyal to you. Many excused your failure by simply taking into account the fact that it was your first match as Captain, after all. The second one will be better… right?

Wrong.

For your second match, you took the opposite approach. You trained hard, and made sure that everyone else trained hard as well. 

Oliver, the Gryffindor team’s beloved Captain, took notice of how often the Quidditch team was booked under your name. And he would never give up on an opportunity to tease you.

Oliver and yourself, had a complicated relationship. You were never exactly friends… no, that was definitely not the right word. You two had a few classes together, but barely ever talked off the Quidditch pitch. You thought he was incredibly infuriating with his smug smile plastered on his face 24/7 and his thick Scottish accent. But even you, couldn’t deny that he was attractive. He thought you were… well, this bit was a bit more complicated. 

He didn’t like you, but he couldn’t possibly hate you. He had always thought you were incredibly pretty and the way you always raised your hand in class was adorable. He loved how out-spoken you were… that is, until you picked up a Quidditch broom. 

You could still remember your first match like it was yesterday. You had done a spectacular job as a chaser, scoring not five but six goals against Oliver. And when the Slytherin seeker finally caught the snitch, your team had consequently won that match. You were ecstatic, meanwhile Oliver had decided that it was his new-found goal to beat you. After the match, he had come up to you and told you that you had played horribly. Taken aback a bit, you gave him no response, but only smiled at him coolly. Your smile perfectly disguised your new-found resentment of the Gryffindor, who instead of congratulating you, had just insulted you. 

“Training hard, I see,” he said as he jogged over now, to you one evening after a particularly lengthy training session. You were bent over, trying to properly place all the balls in their rightful places in the box. 

You looked up to glance at him before turning your head back downwards, paying no attention to him. 

“You know, Ravenclaws aren’t particularly skilled when it comes to Quidditch,” he said casually as he took in how attractive you still looked, even when you were drenched in sweat.

“Thank you for your input, Wood,” you said sarcastically, not even bothering to look up.

“No problem,” he smiled at you smugly as you began to stand up, “I think you can beat them. Good luck.” 

“Why would you want me to win?” You questioned with narrowed eyes. This was not like Oliver.

“Because no matter what happens in the match tomorrow,” he drawled as he leaned in slightly, “Gryffindor will still beat you.” 

There it was.

You groaned and shoved him lightly and started to walk off. You could hear him chuckling under his breath as he watched your receding figure. 

But when it came down to it, in the middle of the match, most of your team had begun to realize that there was no way they were going to come out of this victorious if they followed your plays. Malfoy, ever so resourceful, pulled the rest of the team aside and advised them to completely abandon the plays that you once again had worked hard for and try offensive.

This lack of unity within your team inevitably led to another loss.

And your house was not happy. 

___________________

So, here you were, eating your breakfast in the Great Hall with extremely shaky hands. You could not afford to lose the match tomorrow. There was no way you could let that happen. That would surely end your Quidditch career before it even started, and the whispering in the halls would not come to a stop. You tried to run through the Quidditch plays once again in your head, to ensure you had them down for the practice tonight when Malfoy swaggered in and took a seat beside you.

“We better not lose again, [Y/L/N],” he grunted as he reached over to grab the jam, “you’ve failed us enough.”

“Shut up, Malfoy,” you snapped at him after rolling your eyes so far back into your head that it hurt a little, “maybe if you played well and followed my plays that I spend HOURS creating, we would do better.” 

“Whatever,” he muttered under his breath as he took a bite, “Flint was better.”

With a groan you decided that you had had enough food to eat. You felt as though if you ate anymore, you would surely have to rush to the girls’ lavatory and throw up. You stood up and started to head towards the exit of the Great Hall, not having any particular idea what exactly it was that you were heading towards. 

All you knew is that you had to win. 

____________________

“[Y/L/N],” called two familiar voices from somewhere behind you. 

You had been walking, on your way to the common room, to try to have a final look at the Quidditch plays when you heard the seemingly identical voices.

You turned around to see the Weasley twins, with Oliver, standing in the hallway, discussing something hurriedly. Oliver’s back had been turned to you, but it wasn’t hard to recognize his very distinct broad shoulders that Quidditch had blessed him with.

Oliver turned around and met your gaze, before looking back at the twins confusedly. 

“Um, yes?” you said, reluctantly as you walked closer to them. 

The twins had a toothy grin stuck on their face which, you decided, was not a good sign. This meant that they were up to something. Oliver continued to look between the two twins and, occasionally you, with a dumb-founded look.

“Ready for the match tomorrow?” one of the red-headed twins asked in a teasing matter.

“Yes, actually, I am,” you said rather defensively. You crossed your arms to try to look more intimidating but this clearly failed as the other twin started to snicker.

“You know, Oli here thinks so too,” the other one started to say as he clapped Oliver’s shoulder, “he’s a little scared about tomorrow. Doesn’t think we can beat you.”

You raised your eyebrows at this. Well, this was a new development. You looked at Oliver for confirmation.

“What? N--” he exclaimed at the twins before the twin to his right shushed him and cut him off.

“Georgie and I think it would be rather fun to raise the stakes, don’t you think?” Fred said quickly before Oliver could interrupt him again, “Motivate him a little, perhaps?”

Oliver had gone back to looking lost.

You didn’t say anything to this but George must have picked up some sort interest in your gaze.

“Tell you what, [Y/N], you win tomorrow and Oli boy here,” he says as he claps Oliver’s shoulders again, making him slightly wince in pain, “owes you a favour.”

Oliver opens his mouth to say something but is once again, cut off.

“Anything you want.” Fred said.

“Whenever you want.” George finished.

You opened your mouth to reply but you were unable to find the right words. Of course, you wanted this. You could make Oliver give over all his booked quidditch pitch hours, you could make him carry your books, do your homework---

“Hello?” George said as he jokingly waved a hand in front of your face. 

“Uh, yes! I mean, yes. Yes, that sounds good, I guess.” You said as you tuned back into the conversation.

“I--” Oliver started.

“But what if you win?” you ask suddenly as the realization dawns on you. You were not about to add onto your humiliation of losing three consecutive Quidditch matches by becoming Oliver’s personal servant as well.

“Glad you asked, dearest [Y/N],” Fred smirked as if this is exactly what he was waiting for.

“If we win, you and Wood go on a date,” George said with a big smile, “that’s it.”

“A pretty great deal if you ask me,” Fred added in quickly.

Oliver’s expression contorted into absolute shock as his cheeks started to redden the faintest shade of pink. He opened his mouth to yell at the twins but was unable to. Something compelled him to shut up and turn to you, desperate to see what you thought of this. A small part of him hoped that you would agree.

This clever plea presented by the twins had taken you back by surprise, to say the least. On a date? With Oliver? Didn’t he hate you, and you him? You almost wanted to laugh at what a ridiculous idea this was, and you almost did, before you saw that Oliver was watching you with his eyebrows furrowed. Did he want this? Did he not? It seemed pretty harmless, right? Plus, if you declined, wouldn’t that show that you were nervous and unsure about the match? 

“Fine. You have a deal.” you said assertively and reached out your hand to shake Oliver’s. 

Now, Oliver wasn’t a bright student, but he wasn’t dull either. But at this moment, his brain had completely stopped working as he stared at you, taking in your eyes that twinkled and your perfect lips that looked so soft---

His thoughts were rudely interrupted by Fred’s aggressive approach to bringing his attention back to this conversation; he shoved Oliver, almost causing him to fall over.

“Wha--? Oh, yes. Yes. Date,” he stammered, trying to find the right words, “I mean--, no, not a date. Dea--Deal. Yes.” 

He extended out his incredibly sweaty hand to take your noticeably smaller hand in his and gave a firm shake. He smiled at you and you returned it hesitantly before you turned back around to walk away.

What a weird night this has been. 

______________________

The match had started nearly ten minutes ago and Oliver had not taken his eyes off you once. It did work in his favour a bit, as you were a chaser, so it didn’t look out of the ordinary at all. But Fred and George caught on quickly and exchanged knowing looks, smirking slightly.

The match, dare you say it, was going extremely well. The other chasers had already scored multiple goals and this offensive-style play was proving to be very effective. 

But your head was not in the game. Not at all. 

The way that Oliver was flying on his broom, strategically blocking goals and giving a victorious smile each time to the crowd was proving to be particularly distracting. And it may just be your brain playing tricks, but you could’ve sworn you saw him watching you a few times, too.

It was somewhat of a revelation last night. This morning, you saw Oliver in a completely different light. Your mind even tried to convince you that maybe it wouldn’t be that bad if your team lost again. You quickly mentally slapped yourself to get rid of this thought. You had to win.

______________

The match went on for a while after, and it came incredibly close to being a victory for Gryffindor.

But it wasn’t. 

Many people blamed it on Oliver’s lazy and distracted gameplay, and many on your brilliant one.

You exclaimed loudly and smiled broadly as Malfoy caught the snitch, and the stands erupted into applause and cheer.

You hopped off your broom and went to congratulate Malfoy and your other teammates, all the while the stands clapped and screamed. It sounded like music to your ears. You were so incredibly happy that your hard work had paid off and you had broken the losing streak. 

Your smile faltered, however, as you saw how defeated Oliver looked. This was a major bruise to his ego. He was not used to losing. But you couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, he looked that disappointed because he would be unable to go on that date. If you were being honest, part of you was also disappointed for the same reason. 

_________________

You were sat in the library, trying to focus on your Charms homework but that was proving to be quite… impossible.

Oliver was sat two tables ahead of you, and while his back was turned, you still felt yourself feeling a little flustered. 

You had been gazing shyly at the back of Oliver’s head when a sudden tap to your shoulder scared you half to death.

“Hellooo [Y/L/N],” said the slightly taller twin, which you now were able to tell was Fred.

“For Merlin’s sake,” you exclaimed with hand to your chest, “you can’t scare me like that, Fred!” You whirled around to see Fred standing behind you with his infectious smile on his face and George, standing beside him in an identical manner.

“Sorry.”

“What do you want?” You questioned dryly, picking your quill back up again, pretending to get invested in work.

“Congratulations on your win, [Y/L/N],” George said pleasantly as he patted your shoulder, “you played well. It's a shame though, isn’t it, Freddie?” 

“Yes, it really is, Georgie.” Fred said, crossing his arms, faking sadness.

You turned around to face them, your eyebrows furrowed, “What? What is?” 

“Oh, just Oliver,” George sighed.

“What about him?” 

“You know, after the match…” Fred added. 

“What?” you said again, curiously. You desperately wanted to know. What were they talking about? Was Oliver alright? Was he mad at you?

“Oh, you know…” George sighed, again, faking disappointment.

“Fred, George, will you please just get on with it?”

“Well, y’know,” Fred said but stopped again. 

“Merlin’s beard, you two are infuriating!” you whisper-shouted, “what is it?!”

“Hmm, you seem to care about Oli boy a lot,” George said thoughtfully, with a hand to his chin, “I wonder why that is, eh?”

“Please just get to the point,” you huffed, annoyed at yourself for feeling butterflies at the mention of this ridiculous idea. You were glad your hair was covering your cheeks or else they would surely be able to see you blushing.

“He’s quite disappointed he wasn’t able to go on that date with you,” Fred said smugly, “He was crying about it.” 

“Oh, shut up,” you said, turning back to your work. They were only pulling your leg, you could tell. 

“Ok, ok, maybe he wasn’t crying,” Fred rushed to tell you, “but he might as well have been.”

“Yeah, right,” you rolled your eyes.

“We aren’t lying, you know,” George rushed to Fred’s aid, “why would we ever do that?” 

You snorted quietly under your breath. 

“Alright, alright, all jokes aside, we saw you staring at him,” Fred told you, as he sat down beside you, “it’s obvious you like him.”

“And, it must be your lucky day, because he likes you too,” George added, taking a seat on your other side.

“So just ask him out.” 

“It’s as simple as that.” 

“We’re bloody geniuses, Georgie.”

“We bloody are, aren’t we?” 

You were watching this scene unfold in absolute horror. Your cheeks were as red as a tomato and your stomach had dropped. People knew? They knew you liked him? Did you even like him? Did he even like you?

“I don’t know what you two are talking about,” you started, trying to compose the storm raging within you, “I don’t like him, you two are mad.” 

“You have a favour, lying around in case you forgot,” George said, wiggling his eyebrows at you, “use it.”

The truth was, you had forgotten. You did have a favour overdue. The excitement of the win had made you forget that you could make Oliver do whatever you wanted. 

“I will not do that! Are you two insane?” you exclaimed again. This idea was mad. 

“Come on,” Fred whined, “it’s not like he can reject you. Which, if you ask me, he wouldn’t do anyway because he’s so bloody in love with you.”

“No! Absolutely not. There is a reason I’m not a Gryffindor, you know.” you protested.

“Hey! Oliver! Wood!” George shouted, much to Madame Pince’s dismay. She gave him a mean look and carried on reading. You looked at him in shock and harshly whacked him in the shoulder, to which he responded by snickering. What was he doing? 

Oliver turned around and looked at you three before furrowing his eyebrows again. He got up from his spot and walked over to your table, while you gave George a murderous look.

“Hi.” he said, quietly, looking only at you. 

“Hi,” you muttered back, a little breathless. Merlin, why were you behaving like this? You hated it. 

“[Y/N] here, has something to say,” Fred said suggestively, as he stood up from his seat.

“Have fun, you two,” George said as he, too, stood up and walked away with Fred, leaving you and Oliver feeling incredibly awkward.

“So…” he tried to say casually but he was much too nervous to be in your presence.

“Uhh, I--, I wanted to call in that favour you owe me,” you said, thinking quickly before this becomes even more weird.

“Right,” he said gloomily, once again reminded of his loss.

“I…” unable to think of anything, you uttered the first things that came into your head as you glanced down at your incomplete homework, “I need you to tutor me.”

“Tutor you?” 

“Yes.”

“Okay.”

“At the Three Broomsticks.” you added, not really sure why. 

“Oh?” 

“Yes.”

“Alright.” he nodded, looking a little surprised at your odd request.

Before you knew it, you were uttering the three words of confirmation that made both of your hearts leap simultaneously, “It’s a date.”

Oliver raised his eyebrows, unsure of what to say. A date? You cringed at yourself for even thinking of saying that.

“A date?” he asked, still surprised, but his tone suggested it was pleasant surprise more than anything.

“Uh, yes.” 

“Alright.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll pick you up at 11? Next Saturday?” his heart was beating a hundred times per second but it was evident that the Gryffindor courage had kicked in. 

“Yes. I’d like that,” you managed to get out.

“Alright, it’s a date.”

[spicymayo1983]

Hiya. This is part 2 of the finale. After an awkward meeting with his father Kes you are hoping things will go smoother with his friends....

Your wedding is set for the next morning, nerves are shot on all ends.

But then you lay your eyes on Zorii Bliss, Poe's first love from his tumultuous, spice runner days.

And the low self esteem, and anxiety, hit you like a ton of bricks.

Instead of feeling like the luckiest woman in the galaxy you are worried, extremely worried.

Will your wedding go off without a hitch or will you hit a snag?

Warnings, angst, jealousy, smut on steroids. PORN! Lmao. The sexiest damn wedding night ever with the space husband of your dreams. 🥰🥰🥰

Flirting with disaster chapter 7

You know that Poe is a friendly guy but that hug between him and his ex seemed way too intimate for a man who's wedding is less than 24 hours away.

You know their history. When Poe ran away from home at 16 he joined the spice runners and immediately forged a bond with Zorii, who was in her late teens.

He lost his virginity to her, and at one time they were deeply in love. You understand that they are connected for life because of that but did he really need to embrace her? Right in front of you? And the kiss on the cheek wasn't needed.

You don't want that woman at your wedding, but you don't know how to tell him. You're almost certain that he wouldn't agree with your decision.

Everyone is gushing over little Maxim, who is on his best behavior and soaking up the attention.

"He's so cute, look at his hair". Zorii tells Poe, looking at him fondly. "You sure do make beautiful babies".

Her words make Poe blush a little and bite his lower lip, with a slight smile he tells her,

"We're thinking about trying again, maybe next time we'll get lucky and have a little girl".

"I don't know, Poe". Zorii teases, laughing and jokingly punching him in the arm. "I think you're only capable of making boys".

His face turns an even deeper shade of pink and he looks down at the floor. You realize that they are friendly exes but why does her presence make you so uncomfortable?

When you return to the Dameron family farm Poe notices that you are being quiet.

"What's wrong, babe?" Poe asks, slipping his arm around you, nuzzling your neck affectionately.

"Nothing, it's nothing". You reply quickly, closing your eyes as he begins to plant soft, fluttering kisses on your neck.

"If it's about Zorii you have nothing to worry about". Poe explains, his kisses becoming wetter and more passionate. "We have a unique past that we share together and that's about it, she was my 1st, but you are my last".

"Oh Poe". You reply, tears streaming down your cheeks. "I never should have doubted you".

"You had my baby, and I want you to have more of my babies". Poe tells you softly, looking deeply into your eyes and caressing your cheek with his hand. "I can't wait for you to be Mrs. Dameron".

"You're the most beautiful woman in the galaxy, I love you and our son so much". He finishes, kissing you tenderly. "I wish you could see yourself like I see you".

You collapse onto the bed together, and Poe hungrily reaches under your blouse to caress your breasts.

"Not so fast". You tell him with a playful laugh. "Save your energy for tomorrow night".

Early the next morning your best friend Joy Nich shows up to help you get ready. She surprises you with a beautiful woven chain necklace made of beskar for you to wear.

"It's stunning". You gasp, putting it on and admiring yourself in a mirror. "You shouldn't have, it looks expensive".

"I love you like a sister". Joy tells you, tears running down her cheeks. "I've never seen you smile so much in your life, Poe makes you so happy".

"He really does make me happy". You tell her, with tears of joy rolling down your cheeks. "He is so thoughtful, he's so tough, brave but still so sensitive".

You're wearing a beautiful, white, robe like gown made of soft, gauzy material. You are wearing a crown of beautiful native flowers and carrying a matching bouquet.

You're getting ready in a tent not far from where you will be exchanging vows.

Poe is in the tent right next to you, getting ready also and having a heart to heart with his father.

"I wish mom was here". Poe tells his dad, fighting back tears. "I wish she could meet her grandson and daughter in law".

"I know we haven't seen eye to eye in the past". Kes tells Poe, putting his hand on his son's shoulder. "But I love you, and little Maxim, you make me proud".

Poe can't keep it in anymore, he breaks down and starts crying. Kes gives his son a big bear hug, smiles a little and says,

"Your mother would be very proud of the man you've become too, kid".

So far so good, you tell yourself with a smile, you've done a great job staying strong. Everyone important to the rebellion is in attendance, Rey is one of your bridesmaids and Finn is Poe's best man.

BB-8 rolls down the aisle, acting as your ring bearer.

Kes walks down the aisle holding his grandson.

The sight of your brave, handsome husband at the end of the aisle in his dress uniform, complete with the medals that he earned in battle, takes your breath away.

Just when you thought Poe Dameron couldn't look more handsome and dashing he has the audacity to show up looking like that.

"Wow, look at you". Poe whispers into your ear.

"I was just about to say the same". You whisper back.

General Organa officiated the ceremony. The two of you share your first, passionate kiss as a married couple.

The crowd goes wild and there isn't a dry eye in the room. Zorii is cheering you on with a look of genuine joy in her eyes.

Afterwards you attend your wedding reception, set up amongst the beautiful, lush jungle. But you don't stick around for too long, Poe wants to jump ahead to the honeymoon.

The two of you hike to a secluded campsite not far from where you got married, but it's still extremely private.

You're near a waterfall, and the temple. The inside of the tent has been carefully set up for your wedding night. There's a big, colorful, pillow like bed in the middle, colorful rugs everywhere, and lanterns that create the ideal mood lighting.

Flower petals lead to the bed, Poe takes you, his new bride, into his arms and carries you over to the center of the room.

He does a sexy little strip tease for you. You return the favor. His beautiful cock is hard and oozing precum for you, you're already dripping wet for him but you get even more turned on when he looks deeply into your eyes, the passion burning in his own, and says,

"I want to put another baby inside of you, tonight".

You roll over on your back and spread your legs wide open for him. Poe's hand slides between them, exploring every wet fold gingerly, delicately. You sigh deeply from his tender touch. There's a bowl of warm, perfumed massage oil sitting on a short table next to the bed that he's dipped his fingers into.

"I live to please you, babe". Poe whispers into your ear, his words sending chills down your spine. "I love you with all of my heart, mind and body".

The sensation is toe curling and pleasurable as he softly inserts three fingers inside you while gently rubbing your swollen clit with his thumb.

You cum for him, squirting like a fountain. His head ducks between your legs, tasting your juices mixed with the sweet massage oil.

With his tongue buried inside your vagina you cum again for your gorgeous husband, filling his mouth with your warm ejaculate. Poe hungrily swallows it, you get on all fours and he wraps his arms around you and slides his fat cock deep inside.

As your pussy tightly grips him your juices drip down his balls. Poe reaches around and massages your clit, making you grip harder and moan from delight.

You are both drenched in sweat from the humidity in the air. His curly hair is a mess. It feels like raw, dirty, baby making sex.

His warm, fertile seed fills your womb. Afterwards you carefully recline on your back, careful to not spill a single precious drop.

With his fingers oiled up again Poe massages your lower belly, near your uterus.

A few drops of his cum are visible on your outer lips, which excites and arouses him.

"I hope it's a little girl". He tells you, smiling a naughty little smile.

"How do you know that I'm even pregnant?" You tease, closing your eyes and enjoying the little massage.

"Poe Dameron never fails at a mission". He teases, leaning over and kissing you.

"Whatever you say, flyboy". You tease, laughing hysterically.

You fall asleep nude and cuddled up against each other in an intimate embrace. The next morning you wake up before him, Poe is fast asleep next to you, with a beautiful smile on his face.

You can't believe he's really your husband. That this gorgeous man chose you to spend the rest of his life with.

You fidget with your wedding ring, his mother's ring, that he wore around his neck for all those years.

When Poe finally does wake up you're resting next to him, enjoying the warm, tropical air on your bare skin.

"You're so beautiful". Poe mumbles sleepily.

"I know". You reply, your smile looking more confident.

"Good". Comes Poe's groggy reply.

The end

[shinsousbedroom]

Stars and their Distance

Daiya no Ace misawa FWB AU, 1/10 chapters

Miyuki Kazuya, a depressed, workaholic catcher in the NPB, and Sawamura Eijun, a frustrated influencer who just got dumped, are both looking for temporary distraction. The casual, no-strings-attached friends with benefits thing they stumble into is exactly that.

Well, it would be if either of them knew how to do casual.

[Read on AO3.]

Chapter 1: Spinning

Excerpt from “Ace of Hearts: a blog about when love comes outta left field!; Q&A: Bad Break-Up Blues”

“[…] Think of relationships like this. You’re a pitcher on the mound and there’s a line up of batters waiting to knock your ball outta the park. These are your dating prospects. When you’ve gotten hurt pitching before—tore a tendon, drilled the batter, balked, whatever it was—you might not wanna pitch again, right? But the only surefire way to lose the game is to not throw the ball at all. 

“You might be thinking, ‘But Eijun, if the batter hits a home run off your pitch, aren’t you losing the game?’ Well, if you think the point of the game is to win, sure. But to me, the point of baseball isn’t victory. It’s playing the best game you can with the best players you can. The same can be said for love. Some batters will foul out early, and some runners will never make it all the way home. But when you make that connection, when that bat slams the ball out of the park and the whole field feels the electric rush of a phenomenal play that you helped make—isn’t that a beautiful moment to chase after? Isn’t that feeling worth the risk that comes with love?

“So no matter how unlikely a batter steps up to your plate—and there will be batters you didn’t anticipate—throw the pitch! I promise, every strikeout and home run just makes you a better pitcher and brings you a step closer to a beautiful game. […]”

***

“Did you have to move right after the end of the season?” Kuramochi wiped off the sweat from his face with the bottom of his blue shirt. The whole thing was already drenched dark, consistently doused with water the whole day through as Kuramochi drained bottles over his head to beat back the unseasonably hot September day. “Take a fucking break first, Miyuki.”

Kazuya spat out a handful of screws. The bitter, metallic aftertaste clung to his mouth. “Why delay?” he said, tossing the instruction manual for his shelf to the side in frustration. It skittered across the hardwood floor and into Chris’ calf. 

Chris plucked the booklet up and thumbed through the pages of mildly helpful pictograms, eyeing them warily against Kazuya’s clear lack of progress. “Yeah, Miyuki. Why delay?”

Kazuya shot Chris a sour look and flopped back onto the ground with a groan, defeated. “Not like we’re busy during postseason this year.” 

They sighed in unison, united in the bitterness of loss. 

At least Chris’ team had been only one out from the Climax Series. The Swallows hadn’t come close, and even though it was expected from a rebuild year, the loss still rankled. Small mercies, though: Kazuya could rub in the fact that the Swallows hadn’t been last place in their league unlike the Mariners. 

Suck it, Kuramochi. He’d take his victories where he could.

Kazuya stuck his hand into the air, spreading his fingers wide as the overhead lights filtered between them. “Anyway. Moving is work, and you all banned me from working for the next four months. So really, I’m being responsible here.” His hand flopped down next to him with a hard thunk. 

Kuramochi trudged over, heavy steps echoing through the empty apartment, until his head popped into Kazuya’s vision, arms crossed and scowl fierce. “If you wanna try to fight this again, just give me a fucking reason to pin you into a headlock until you’re crying for mercy.”

Kazuya grabbed at his ankle, rolling onto his stomach for a second swipe as Kuramochi danced out of reach. 

“You can’t pull a fast one on the cheet—AH!” 

His ankles caught the edge of the shelf boards, knocking Kuramochi onto his ass. The wooden slats scraped across each other as they slid out of their neat stacks, thumping and scratching the floor until they were criss-crossed between Kazuya cackling into the floor on his stomach and Kuramochi, shocked and sprawled across the debris.

“Fucking build your furniture, Miyuki!” He cradled his foot in his hands, holding it up to inspect as he twisted it every which way. “We’re not doing the same thing as last time, when it took you a full year to finally put all your shit together.”

The weight of apathy slid back into Kazuya’s limbs, edging out the laughter that had given him a moment of relief. “What if I just didn’t?”

“Is that what you want?” Chris replied evenly.

He lolled his head towards Chris. Despite the heat, Chris had spent all day in a black turtleneck, never once hinting he was even mildly uncomfortable even at the peak of the day’s heat, lugging in heavy boxes from the sun-warmed streets. Now sitting on the floor among bubble wrap and crumpled paper, legs kicked out in front of him and waves of brown bangs framing his face, he still looked as wholly put together as ever. 

Even when Kazuya knew beyond a doubt Chris was the epitome of keeping a stone face even when he was going through the worst of it, he still couldn’t help but be jealous. 

Kazuya went back to staring at the unfamiliar gray tiles on his new ceiling. “It would be pretty funny to leave my apartment unfurnished to spite Kuramochi.”

“Finish the shelf.” Chris tossed the manual back. 

“Kominato’s the one who left the task half-done,” Kazuya said, closing his eyes, overwhelmed in a sudden wash of fury and helplessness. 

He opened his eyes to see Kuramochi and Chris hovering above him again. Both their brows were furrowed, Kuramochi’s fist clenched at his collar, Chris frowning mildly. 

“I’m fine,” Kazuya said brusquely.

They glanced at each other, then back at Kazuya. 

He sat up, forcing the other two to reel back to avoid knocking their heads together. “I’m 27, not 7,” he said, testily. “I don’t need to be put under a watch, I’m a grown ass adult.”

“We aren’t gonna—we can’t sit to the side and watch you nearly kill yourself from overwork again this off-season.” 

“Don’t exaggerate—“

“You said you had it together last year, but you didn’t. So you’re getting strict rules this year,” Kuramochi tugged at his hair, a frustrated sneer on his face. “The Swallows and your agent both know not to let you pile on more than your bare minimum until preseason. And the rest of us are going to check on you regularly because we care about your health, even when you don’t. Got it?”

“It’s not overwork,” he said, falling into the same argument that had been chipping away at him for a year now. 

“Then what is it?”

The only coping mechanism that works. The only way I can pretend to feel anything off the diamond. The only thing that makes me tired enough to sleep at night without baseball 24/7.

He settled on: “It’s just work. Making a living, some might say.”

“Hard to do that when you’re stuck in a hospital bed.”

“That won’t happen again. I was just stressed and tired and a bad day caught me off guard.”

“Yeah, it won’t again because we’re gonna help make sure the off-season doesn’t wreck you again after a long history of hiding your fucking problems until they explode.”

“At least you can’t take conditioning away from me.”

“Follow the plan your trainers set for you.” Chris’ voice cut into Kazuya’s stubbornness. “Please don’t joke about this with me.”

After a moment, Kazuya nodded his head, brusque.

Kuramochi rubbed the back of his neck, trying to break the awkward air that had sprung up between them. “Isn’t exercise supposed to help depressed people? Boost your serotonin up or some shit like that?”

“Just my luck it doesn’t,” Kazuya muttered. He cleared his throat. “Can we go back to harassing me about how bad I am at unpacking?”

“We wouldn’t harass you if you just did it.” Kuramochi stood back up and kicked at a box as he went back to sweeping the floors. “Unpack before the season starts up again. You have nearly five months. If you’re feeling feisty, try decorating your apartment, too.”

“My entire personality is baseball. I don’t care about interior design. Or anything else, for that matter.”

“You used to. Pick up your old hobbies. Bring out that telescope you had at back at Waseda. Read a memoir. All the shit you can’t do during the season, drag ‘em out into the open again.”

The wrong answer, he knew, was to reiterate that he didn’t care about any of that anymore. Seriously. “You two are busy-bodies.”

Chris handed him the power drill then returned to the pile of securely wrapped glass kitchenware. “It’s called friendship,” he said, bubble wrap crinkling.

“This is ridiculous.”

“Just try, Miyuki. Please.”

“Sure,” he said, flippantly, knowing the lie didn’t pass unnoticed from the sag in Kuramochi’s shoulders. He thumbed through the instructions, pushing aside the guilt welling into his throat. Kazuya needed this conversation to be over. “Chris-senpai, where’d you put the drill bits?”

***

“Hjnhbgfgvbhnjmknjbhgvfdbghnjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj” wasn’t the most eloquent start to Eijun’s next blog post. Of course, Eijun normally didn’t start his articles by rolling his face across the keyboard in frustration, but considering how little he’d written in the past week, this was as good a draft as any.

Eijun’s eyes flung open as the laptop shifted from under his face, tipping his head off to thunk into the table. He rubbed at his forehead, and blinked up to find Harucchi tapping delicately at the keyboard while the other hand balanced the device in the air. “Eijun-kun,” said Harucchi, peering from around the screen, “not your finest work.”

Eijun sat up and scowled, the lines of his face scrunching against the keyboard indents on his skin. “What would you know about it?” 

“I’ve been editing your posts for years,” Harucchi said. He settled the laptop in front of Eijun, then settled into the chair across from him. “If you’d like me to stop now, I can happily use that time in other ways.”

The dishes rattled when Eijun slammed his palm onto the table. “You’re not allowed to ditch me like that!” 

Harucchi raised his eyebrows. “Says the man who’s been avoiding me.”

A double blow of panic and then confusion struck him. He frowned and swiveled his head around. Snaking line at the counter, coffee scenting the air, a low hum of incomprehensible chatter: this was definitely the coffee shop he’d just discovered this morning and came to by himself and didn’t tell Harucchi about. “How’d you find me?”

“You should stop posting your location on Instagram if you don’t want to be found,” he offered with a gentle smile.

“You don’t live anywhere near here.”

“A teammate just moved to the neighborhood. It was pure luck I happened to be there while you happened to be here.” He ran his fingers against the edge of a plate by Eijun’s elbow, empty of all but crumbs. “It’s a cute shop. New haunt for you?” he asked, a touch too casual.

Eijun averted his eyes, lips pinching. He knew what Harucchi was really asking. “I’m fine.”

“I didn’t ask that.”

“I’m doing fine,” Eijun insisted. “Really.”

“I’m glad you stopped feeling obligated to go to the other cafe.” His voice was barely loud enough to reach Eijun, covered by the clatter and call of employees, and a particularly rowdy group of seven students packed at a four person table next to his little corner.

“The old place got too many baristas who sucked,” Eijun lied. As if Harucchi didn’t already know that he’d only just shoved his pride aside enough to accept he’d lost his favorite coffee shop to the break-up. “Had to find a new one.”

Harucchi pried open the plastic lid to his coffee, blowing at the steam rising from the cup. He drew in a long, slow slip of his drink. “Maybe a fresh start here means a fresh start with the blog. Talk about grinding new beans, or something…?” Eijun blanched, well aware that Harucchi’s innocent reputation was a front. 

“If you think I am going to subject my loyal followers to love advice using bean grinding as the topic—”

“You’ll have to excuse me if you had an idea in mind already. I’d thought from the keysmashing that you hadn’t.” Eijun aimed a kick at his shin under the table. Without looking, Harucchi crossed his legs, as if he’d planned on it for that exact moment all along instead of the attempt to dodge Eijun’s ire that it really was. “Is there a reason you can’t find an appropriate topic for your next post?”

Eijun cheeks puffed out, determined for two whole seconds not to tell Harucchi the truth, before blurting out, “I promised Wakana we’d wait a few months before officially announcing we broke up.” And yep—there it was, that classic Kominato passively skeptical look that circled past nonjudgmental so thoroughly that it ended up aggressively intimidating. The one that meant Harucchi was seconds away from bulldozing through all the nonsense he was seeing ahead of him. Eijun lived in terror of it. “She wanted to give us a chance to recuperate in private first,” he muttered, defensive. 

“Eijun-kun.”

“I know, I know! A smart idea for people like Wakana, but I don’t…like wallowing like this. I can’t keep sitting here thinking about how much she doesn’t want me, and it’s all I want to write about. But I can’t post any of it. It’s been nearly two months, and I haven’t moved on. I’ve just gotten madder.”

“You two didn’t consider posting a small announcement saying you were over but you needed time? Space?”

“I couldn’t ask her.” Eijun subsided, spinning his teacup in its saucer with a single finger hooked through its tiny handle. “I owe her, Harucchi. The only reason I started lifestyle and romance blogging was because Wakana got me into it. I made my start on her profiles with her followers. Talking about her now? Why we broke up? Even if I want to, it sounds like betraying her. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m trying to talk shit about her, when we’re both in the same influencer circles.”

Harucchi tilted his head, and when Eijun didn't continue on after several seconds, he prompted, “There’s more.”

So much for the dumb jock stereotype.

“If I write it, then I feel like I’m giving up on her. On us ever being something together, again.” He crossed his arms onto the table, elbows shoving the dishes and laptop uncomfortably close to the edge of the small table, and laid his head on his forearms. He closed his eyes, and said quietly into his chest, “I still love her, Harucchi.”

“I know, Eijun-kun.” A warm hand squeezed his elbow. Between their silence, the monstrous table of college students packed up and left, and suddenly the shop settled into a calm Eijun needed. 

He poked his head up from the comfort of his arms to stare at Harucchi. He was steadily sipping his coffee, one hand resting on Eijun’s elbow. His pink hair had pulled out of the bun at his nape and fell into windswept wisps framing his face and neck. He’d long since stopped wearing Ryou-san’s hand-me-downs in favor of softer, luxe sweaters and slacks, the only true expense he indulged in despite his lucrative status as a rising star for the Swallows.

Altogether, he looked gentle, dangerously so. On the diamond or off, it was easy to be lulled into a sense of security right before he whacked an unpleasant truth out of the park. 

Harucchi pulled his hand back and apologized with a glance. Eijun wasn’t sure why…until he started speaking. “You make a living off of posting about your life—and romance, in particular. You’ve never hidden your past relationship troubles from your followers, however difficult it was to express. It’s part of your brand at this point.”

Eijun’s mouth twisted as he sat up. “Wakana isn’t a branding tool.”

“No one is saying that,” Harucchi said patiently. “What I am saying: you underestimate how much of your own work goes into your success. Aotsuki was certainly helpful—but your personality and your words are why people stay. People trust you.

“You’re good at what you do, Eijun-kun. You’re honest and kind in your observations, to yourself, to your partners, to strangers, despite how difficult and personal love is. When the time comes, whatever you post about Aotsuki will be the same.” Harucchi shrugged. “Also, I’ll edit out anything that makes you sound insensitive.”

Eijun let out a heavy sigh, stretching his arms into the air and shaking off the melancholy. “Thanks for not letting me fall on my own sword.”

“What are friends for?”

For all that he felt better, though, Eijun was still stuck staring at a blinking cursor at the end of a line of drivel. “That still doesn’t solve my problem. I don’t have a clue what to post next. The schedule I followed is trash now without personal updates of me and Wakana. I haven’t been able to binge any of the manga or shows I wanted to review, either. All I got left is the advice column, but if I keep that up with nothing else, I might as well change the blog name to Dear Eijun instead of Ace of Hearts.”

Harucchi stared at him, calculating out something as he took in Sawamura’s restlessness. “You don’t have to keep writing about romance.”

“That’s what I started the blog for.”

“But that’s not why you started writing and recording back at Seidou. You’ve had success with your baseball analysis and tutorials on YouTube and Instagram. You could even say you’ve been neglecting them to chase after romance.”

Eijun groaned, loud and theatrical enough to make the meek businessman behind him jump in shock. “Maybe if I got as much engagement talking about how stupid the idea of celebrity athletes are when it’s a team sport—”

“See?” he cut in, tilting his cup toward Eijun. “You already have a topic to post about.”

“Baseball is my hobby, not my job,” he said mulishly, jaw jutting out. “My dad wrecked his love of music that way! I’m not gonna risk hating baseball after he spent my whole life yelling at me not to ‘monetize my interests’ while holding me in a headlock. That’s asking for the biggest lecture of my life!”

“You can always stop if it’s not the direction you want to go. You’re not getting married to the idea.”

“Don’t bring up marriage, I just got dumped!”

Harucchi pressed his lips together in a thin line. “Fine, don’t think of it as a marriage,” he said. From Harucchi, the sliver of impatience he let free was the equivalent of hauling Eijun by the collar and shaking him down. “Flirt with baseball. Go on a few dates. Get a benefit or two out of it. Does the metaphor suffice now?”

Eijun gasped. “Harucchi! You’re too innocent for that sort of talk!”

“My brother is Kominato Ryousuke, and my best friend writes a blog about romance and sex that I edit,” he said, even as his quiet voice went squeaky and his face mottled bright red from embarrassment. 

“Maybe I should change my blog to save you the embarrassment.”

“I also admit I have a request of you,” Harucchi said sheepishly, pressing a hand to his cheek. “The Swallows want me to get more heavily involved in PR this offseason, and I could use your help figuring out what I’d actually like to do instead of going along with every idea they propose. I’ve seen what they make the other players do, and I’m not interested in doing the exact type of promo they’ve done the past few seasons.”

Eijun crossed his arms and leaned back, chin tilting up defensively. “If you’re trying to convince me by pretending you need help—”

Harucchi shook his head, bangs bouncing across his forehead. “I hope you’ll find value or inspiration in it, too, but I was going to ask, regardless.” He grimaced into his cup. “The players who carry most of the strain of Swallows marketing are…otherwise occupied this offseason. I was volunteered to step in; management’s been wanting me to raise my profile for a while. I can’t really say no, so I may as well make the most of it.”

“I don’t want a pity job.”

“Please, be reasonable.” Harucchi smiled the shy, dreamy, polished smile the Swallows had been trying to splash across their advertising since he joined the team. “It’s a pity favor.”

Eijun snorted, relaxing into his chair again. “Fine,” he said, pulling open a clean document on his laptop. “Let’s brainstorm.”

[qiankunfics]

KunTen Masterlist Part 3

AO3

1. La danse des masques (The dance of the masks) by skymoonlight

Summary:  A month full of balls that all the princes had to attend and, to make it worse, Kun had to host them all in the palace, being forced to endure that odious Thai prince who seemed to enjoy making his life miserable. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

2. Turbulence, and then none by pyakpyaknation

Summary: Soulmate au where the first words your soulmate says to you are written on your wrist and while A has an absolutely unhelpful 'Hey' written on them, B has something very unique and weird. Rating: General Status: One-Shot

3. hearts like drums by lovelight (Delenaley)

Summary: Ten's completely and utterly fucked, he can't even confess without straight up insulting his crush. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

4.  must cry out loud by andnowforyaya

Summary: He wanted to shake himself apart. In pieces, maybe it wouldn't hurt as much. Rating: General Status: One-Shot

5. Boxing Day by violetpeche

Summary: Christmas: for all the superficial, capitalist hell it stood for now, Kun rather liked that time of year. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

6. yesterday, today, and until the end of the world by rowenabane

Summary: He is still searching, though. He won’t stop until he finds it. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

7. Come Back (Nightmare) by NovemberSuns

Summary: After disappearing for four years, Ten comes crashing back into Kun’s life. Kun doesn’t know what to make of this stranger he once called his best friend. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

8. needlepoint by fairyslush

Summary: in which ten is a fashion designer, and he decides to embroider their little family of four onto his neurosurgeon husband's labcoat. Rating: General Status: One-Shot

9. flavour you by mikararinna

Summary:  Ten sacrifices his staff meal for a chance at an Americano, Kun waits for Ten to bring in his favourite flavour. Rating: General Status: One-Shot

10.  go the distance (a new chapter with u) by borntovixx

Summary: Alternatively: YouTube chef Kun shows off his boyfriend to his followers. Rating: General  Status: One-Shot

11. ursa major by lowkeyamen

Summary: "It's a star map." Ten let out a little breathy laugh; it was pretty obvious Kun had no idea what this was. "It's a snapshot of what the sky looked like the night you first told me you loved me." Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

12. Family Planning by eggboyksoo

Summary: Starting a family is hard. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot Trigger: unaccepting family of teen pregnancy?

13. not even you could destroy your shine by jeannedarc

Summary: Kun closed his eyes and prayed for something exciting to happen to him. Anything. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

14. people say (we're so weird) by sayounarahitori

Summary: In which some WayV members know more than they'd like, some know less, and nobody has a crush on Ten, okay. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

15. Stamped by Lertsek

Summary: There is one soul mark in particular that Ten treasures, one that appeared when he passed the audition to train under SM Entertainment. It's that of a little dancer, looking up, face not visible but hands in the air, ready to jump. Rating: Mature  Status: One-Shot

16. The Retreat by andnowforyaya

Summary: Kun begrudgingly attends a week-long relaxation retreat at his friend (and business partner) Johnny's behest. There, he meets Ten. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

17. You have weird taste by princessgongjunim (MyOwnCharacterInEverything)

Summary: In an universe where you can taste what your soulmate is eating.  Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

18. in limine by florulentae

Summary: Kun goes to sleep in New York and wakes up in Madrid. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

19.  A Lotus in Bloom by Crucified_To_A_Star

Summary: Ten is the Mogwai that bought Kun's soul; set to protect and elevate him until the contract's time runs out, by any means necessary. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

20. Happy Home by taeyongseo

Summary: Kun is doing just fine on his own. Being a single father at age twenty-one isn't easy, but he has the lines of his life clearly drawn. That is, until Ten comes in and blurs them all. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

21. come and find me by sayounarahitori

Summary: Ten comes home. Rating: General  Status: One-Shot

22. to the moon and back by staryukhei

Summary: ten is a good parent. he just can't say no. Rating: General Status: One-Shot

23. You Get Me Closer to God by dustysadderdaze

Summary: There was nothing Ten adored more than defiling angels. Rating: Explicit  Status: One-Shot 

24. No Manners by SenpaiJecho

Summary: “You’re such a fucking asshole” Kun murmured against Ten’s skin, his hands wandering all over his body, desperate, needy. He was furious with him for fucking him up but, at the same time, he wanted to consume him completely. Rating: Explicit  Status: One-Shot  Trigger: Cheating

25. 家 (jiā) by moonfleur

Summary: “Missed you,” is all he says and Kun smiles, all knowing and more than a little fond. Ten sighs, squeezing his eyes shut in an attempt to control the shaking in his voice. “Miss you all actually.” Rating: Teen  Status: One-Shot

26. It Starts with a Wish by nu-exo (Nekohime)

Summary: The man lowered himself to a knee before Ten, reaching out a hand to tip Ten’s chin up with a finger. “You ask for a lot, little prince. You have a dragon’s hunger.” Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

27.  The Anatomy of Change by vinylcherry

Summary: Kun and Ten meet at three points in their life, but circumstance always seems to pull them apart. Will this time be any different? Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

28.  silk and snakeskin by fairyslush

Summary:  ten is a lamia who eats the hearts of those who love him. kun is a reaper who collects the souls of the devoured. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

29.  to lost by mikararinna

Summary: It was initially Ten's idea to go on a road trip, Kun was just there to execute it. He didn't really expect to get lost in the middle of it. But it was better than losing each other. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

30. Exit Strategy by cobalamincosel

Summary: That is until a stranger named Ten makes his way into Kun's oasis and suddenly, Kun doesn't have only himself to worry about anymore. Rating: Teen Status: One-shot  Triggers: Zombies

31. Tease by dojaefairy

Summary: Ten looks at him and briefly considers answering “dick”. Rating: Explicit  Status: One-Shot

32.  heaven is a place on earth (with you) by storytimewithme6

Summary: a look into kunten's married life. Rating: Mature Status: One-Shot

33. Face to Face by winterofouryouth

Summary: Ten had been thinking about it for a long time but his thoughts had been extra loud lately. He didn't know why, but something about the stale heat inside the tent and Kun's slow breathing next to him made him feel like this was the right moment. Rating: General  Status: One-Shot

34. That's What Friends Do by tensfilm

Summary: “We were just cuddling.” Rating: General  Status: One-Shot

35. now or never now by sayounarahitori

Summary: Ten can always be too much, but today is a new high even for him, especially considering Kun is live on instagram. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

36. face to face by andnowforyaya

Summary:  Ten said, "Sir's traveling. He couldn't make it back in time for me. Of course I'm a little sad, but he promised he'll make it up to me. Plus, I've got all of you to keep me company, right? And since you're here, I should be good to you, too." Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

37. prayer from an angel by seolay (speos)

Summary: Kun is a succubus who doesn’t want to seduce humans for food. In the process of finding other ways to survive, he alerts the attention of an angel who might be willing to help. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

38. Elbow Rub by speckledsolanaceae

Summary: Qian Kun has bumped into you! the app announced, and Ten tapped the notification on impulse. Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

39. In The Morning by devinemoon

Summary: On a Sunday morning, with the sun kissing his loved one’s skin he realizes he loves him. And he wants to stay like that forever. Based on “Kissing in cars” by Pierce The veil. Rating: General Status: One-Shot

40. the bigger the hoops, the bigger the hoe by johnrens

Summary: kun got dragged out to the club when he’d rather not be there, but the man with the hoop earrings from across the club changes his night for the better... Rating: Explicit Status: One-Shot

41.  same deep water as me by sayounarahitori

Summary: Kun cared too much. Ten, unfortunately, cared even more. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

42. creation myth by madhoney

Summary: Kun’s eyes narrowed as he watched Ten float through the soiree. He moved like fluid, drenching everything and everyone in his path with hunger – not that anyone present needed any further persuading before succumbing to the haze of lust that clouded the expansive villa. Rating: Explicit Status: One-shot

43. let me help you by loudqueen

Summary: Sometimes it got too much for Ten to handle, and sometimes he couldn’t get out. But Kun always managed to guide him through it all. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot Trigger: Mentions of depression

44. annoying is kind of my type by aprofessorstale

Summary: Ten and Kun are baristas at a cafe and they can't stop insulting each other because they definitely have crushes they don't want to admit to. Rating: General Status: One-Shot

45. The Crimson Flower by muffincollection

Summary: Ten, a rich businessman is sent to the city with little income to ‘teach him a lesson.’ Upon his job search, he meets a young and philosophical artist Kun— who is more than displeased of his presence. Rating: Mature Status: One-shot

46.  the seven ways i love you (and the seven ways it kills me)

Summary: Ten and Kun have a high risk of dying any second, but that won’t stop them from making each other’s lives impossible. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

47. Perfect Little Family by oonymay

Summary: In which Kun and Ten find a crying child in a forest and naturally decide that raising it in secret is the best option. And therein begins a battle with languages, the meaning of home and feelings. Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

48. Ten, Kun, and the Cat by thesunflowerchild

Summary: “No, Kun, he’s my son!” Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

49. instagram? by mooniesuhs

Summary: “What if we made an Instagram for Louis and Bella?” Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

50. i take care of an eldritch creature w my bf (NOT CLICKBAIT!!!!) [1080p]

Summary: four times yangyang almost reveals himself as an eldritch creature (and two times he definitely does) Rating: Teen Status: One-Shot

[naturalbornsnickerdoodle]

Saturday night fever

I'm currently with a fever, and since I couldn't sleep I thought I'd write a story about Harry taking care of the reader to pass the time.

I hope you enjoy!

Ps. The title is trash I know.

Warnings: some swear words.

Y/N was pretty excited to see Harry after so long. Both had been caught up with work lately and he went on a business trip to discuss tour dates, TV interviews, and who knows! Perhaps even a new album.

Y/N was going to surprise Harry after picking him up from the airport. She bought his favorites snacks, would prepare his favorite dish for dinner, got the TV room ready to watch a RomCom, and she even shaved. You know...just in case.

It was morning, his flight would land by 7 PM, so Y/N had plenty of time to get the things she needed, go to work, and then bring him home. Or so she thought...

Her phone starts ringing while she was getting dressed for work, the screen lights up with the words "H ❤" and she answers.

Y/N: "Hi, baby! How's it going?"

Harry: "Hi, love. I'm alright. What about you?"

Y/N: "Oh, you know, pretty good. Been jumping up and down, cheering silently since I woke up *giggles* No biggie. What's up? Is your flight about to take off?"

Harry: "Actually, I have some bad news, button. They needed me here one more day, to see some business men down in San Diego. Label says it's important."

She stops putting on her shoes for a second. Then replies with a fake, slightly cheery voice.

Y/N: "Oh, I see!"

Harry: "I know. Good news is I'll leave tomorrow at the same time, same flight, and we'll see each other then, yeah?"

Y/N normally wouldn't get upset over something like this. She was understanding and would always assure him everything was okay. However, it's been a whole month of not seeing her boyfriend, and that could upset anyone, if you ask me.

Y/N: "Define good "

Harry: *he sighs* "Okay, maybe not the greatest of news I could deliver, but it's just one more day, love."

Y/N: "Oh yay, one more day. Woo hoo!" She said sarcastically.

Harry: "What's gotten into you? It's literally 24 more hours, Y/N."

Y/N: "Too many for my taste, Harry. But, hey! Thanks for trying to cheer me up. Didn't work."

Harry: "Y/N—"

Y/N: "You know what? I'm done talking to you. Have fun in all those meetings. Bye."

Harry: "Wait, bab—"

Y/N hangs up the phone before she got to hear the rest of his speech. And boy, was she upset. She tapped her fingers on the kitchen counter while taking deep breaths to calm herself down. She could only think about the nerve he had trying to see the bright side of this. Sometimes there was no brightside.

She couldn't get her mind off the following night. Plans ruined, they'd get home to a reheated dinner, and she'd have stubbly legs and private parts from almost 3 days of not shaving. Let's face it, she was too mad at him for that last part.

Finally, she snapped her head upwards and said "Fuck this", grabbed her car keys and headed for the door. Next thing you know, she was furiously tapping her phone screen, texting her friends to meet later at the pub.

Afternoon came along and after several failed attempts of Harry calling Y/N, aswell as texting her, she finally replied with "going out tonight" and a do not disturb emoji for an extra touch. That sure looked menacing. But Harry got that, and only replied with an "Okay, take care, yeah? Love you xx". A thumbs up would be the perfect reply, she thought. She hit Send.

At the pub, Y/N and her friends were ordering pint after pint, and then some questionable chili cheese fries since she'd gotten hungry. Needless to say it was a poor choice of snack.

Through the evening, she'd gotten a couple of texts from Harry asking if she was okay, and one around 5 am letting her know that he was going to the airport soon. She didn't reply to any of them, of course.

Fast forward to the next morning, Y/N woke up to the sunlight hitting her right in the face, as if he'd never shown his face in London before, the bastard, and with a thumping headache. Yup, this was going to be fun.

She had felt like crap the entire day. Didn't try to have breakfast 'cause she was too tired and nauseous, so she went back to sleep. At noon, she tried to have some tea and a sandwich but that only made her sick to her stomach, and ended up throwing it all up. It tasted like chili cheese fries and regrets. Emphasis on the regrets part.

At last, when the vomiting ceased, she washed it down with some mouthwash and grabbed her cup of tea to not dehydrate, then proceeded to try and get some sleep. Completely oblivious to the fact that her boyfriend was getting home that evening.

Harry's plane landed on time, but got worried after his girlfriend didn't reply to him all day that day, not even when he texted he'd landed safely. He got a private ride to get him back home, since she wasn't there to pick him up. Oh, he was in trouble, alright.

The ride parks outside their home, and Harry notices Y/N's car. "Thank god she's home!" He thinks to himself. He gets his suitcases, walks in only to find darkness. He turns on the lights and calls out for his girlfriend: "Y/N? You home?"

He walks upstairs and through their bedroom door only to find what he could only think was his girlfriend but in the form of a shivering ball. A trashcan on the floor, a cold cup of chamomile tea on the nightstand, and lots of baby wipes laid around the floor.

Harry gets closer to Y/N and sees her small face pale, sweating, and her whole body slightly shivering.

Harry: "Y/N? What happened, love?"

He touches her forehead and she's burning hot. God knows how long she's been with a fever. He'd like to think that's why she didn't reply to his texts earlier, not 'cause she was mad at him. One can dream.

Just then, she comes back to a semi conscious state and replies in a weak voice. Blinking slowly, barely opening her eyes.

Y/N: "Harry?"

Harry: "Yeah, button. The one and only."

Y/N: "Y-You-You're h-home" stuttering through her words.

Harry: "I am, and you're burning. Come on, let's check up on you. Did you take anything for the fever?"

Y/N: "No, I did-d-didn't know I had one, until n-now."

Harry: "That's alright, I'll take care of you, yeah?"

She could only reply with a soft and weak "okay". Then, Harry proceeded to take her temperature, 38.5 °C. No wonder why she was shivering. He left her side only to fetch her medicine and some water. Then, he continued to get a small bowl with ice water in it and a small towel. He also noticed she was sweating profusely, got her shirt all wet. He fetched fresh PJ's for her, wanting to replace the ones drenched in sweat.

Harry: "Can you sit up, love? I'll help you out of these in a second."

Y/N: "You trying to get in my p-pants, Styles?"

Harry: *smirks* "Me? Nah."

Y/N: "Go-Good. 'Cause I'm still m-mad at you."

Harry: "I'm very much aware of that, honey. Come on, arms up."

He changes her into a fresh t-shirt and discards the old one in the laundry basket.

Harry: "Good as new! Now, let's get that fever down. Here"

Harry gives her the tylenol they had in their first aid bag, she chugged it down with water, and then continued to put her on her back again.

Harry: "Alright, could you lay down for me, please? This cold towel will help you. There you go." He places the wet and cold towel on her forehead. He hears a big sigh coming out of her. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing slow. She shivered every now and then, grabbing her hand hopefully would make her feel better. And it did.

Harry only left her side to get more cold water for the towel, and to make her some chicken soup. Thank god he knows how to cook. When the soup is ready he wakes her up by kissing the back of her hand and playing softly with her hair.

Harry: "Hey, babe."

Y/N: "hm?"

Harry: "Hi there, love. Fancy some dinner? Made your favorite soup"

Y/N: *wide eyed* "of course!" She says in a raspy voice.

Harry: *giggles* "Okay, sit up for me please."

Y/N sits up and lays against the headboard. Then Harry places the tray they use for breakfast in bed, with the most delicious smelling plate of soup you could ever imagine. Lots of veggies and chopped chicken breasts. And the best part, it was made with love.

He'd pulled a chair next to their bed to sit beside her if she needed anything. She grabs her spoon and tries the soup out. The only thing coming from her lips are happy sounds. She really needed that.

Y/N: "It's delicious, as always. Maybe even better than the last time you made it"

Harry: "Proud to hear that. Gordon Ramsay who?"

They both laugh at his comment. Then, after a moment, Harry speaks.

Harry: "I'm sorry I canceled on you."

Y/N: "Oh, that's okay. Actually, I overreacted, too. I, I know how hard you work and how much you care for what you do. I just felt... overwhelmed. Cause I had the entire day planned out for us and then they make you stay one more day, and then-"

Harry: "I know, love." He takes her free hand on his own and squeezes it tight.

Y/N: *sighs* "What I mean is...I'm sorry, honey. For everything.

Harry: "Apology accepted. But you'll have to make it up to me for not answering my calls or texts earlier today. Had me very worried back there." He pinches her nose lightly between his thumb and index finger, making her blush.

Y/N: "Oh, shit. Right. Again, I'm sorry. How was your flight back, by the way? You must be so tired"

Harry: "Eh, it was alright. I'm used to them now. I just wanted to get home ASAP."

Y/N: "and now here you are stuck with a sick girl next to you."

Harry: "Yeah, how did I get so lucky?" *giggles*

Y/N: "Life can be funny like that sometimes, even if we're not laughing with it"

Harry: "True, but there's no other place I'd rather be."

They both smile at each other.

Harry: "So what did you do or eat to get this sick?"

Y/N: "Ugh. It was the beer and the cheese fries I had last night. Ew" She gets goosebumps from thinking about the goddamned fries.

Harry: *giggles* "Not the best of ideas, yeah?"

Y/N: "Not at all"

She finishes her soup, Harry puts the tray and plate aside, only to make her lay down again, change her cold towel one more time and go put on some PJ's and go around their bed to sleep next to her, it was already pretty late.

She tries to find his hand, grabs it and squeezes tight.

Y/N: "Thank you."

Harry: "For what?"

Y/N: "For checking up and taking care of me. Even if we were mad at each other"

Harry: "Hey, c'mere." Harry gets closer to Y/N and wraps his arm around her shoulder only to let her rest her head on his chest. She was still pretty cold anyway.

Harry: "I love you, I like taking care of you, hun. I know you'd do the same for me" he says with a smile. "except for the soup" *giggles*

Y/N: "Well, it's nice to see we agree on something"

They both laugh, say their I-love-you's and wish each other good night, slowly drifting to sleep.

The next Morning (reference is the gif above)

Harry grunts and feels a little too light for his taste. He opens his eyes only to see Y/N missing from her usual spot. He jumps from bed and starts calling out her name, looking for her in the bathroom and walk-in closet. His heart starts to slow down once she replies with a "Down here, in the kitchen!"

He finds Y/N making two cups of tea and toast.

Y/N: "Good morning, love!" She plants a quick kiss on his lips.

Harry: "Morning! Um, how are you feeling, button?"

Y/N: "Oh, a lot better than yesterday, for sure. Still a little light headed, but no biggie. Nothing a good breakfast can't fix.

Harry: "Here, let me help"

They chat over breakfast. They talk about the meetings he had, when he'd have to travel again and that she could accompany him this time.

After they're done with their meal, Harry urges Y/N to go back to bed.

Y/N: "Honey, I'm fine now. I'm sure a shower and then watching something on tv will be an even better cure.

Harry: "Oh no, you're not getting your way this time. Medicine, water and rest, doctor's orders, Y/N."

Y/N: "oh really? Who's gonna make me"

Harry: "That's it!" He jumps toward her and lifts her in his arms, carrying her upstairs

Y/N: "Oh my lord, HARRY! PUT ME DOWN!" She said laughing.

Harry: "I said you should rest and REST you will, woman!" He said in a very superhero like voice.

And all you could hear after that were giggles and laughter, and they knew they were okay.

[jeranasblog]

Starker Kink Advent Calendar - Day 7

Summary: Peter marries Tony because he wants to keep working. Tony marries Peter because he doesn’t want the boy’s brilliance to go to waste. Neither one of them expects an overwhelming attraction to unfold between them. Feelings, insecurities, and doubts tangle together until they find themselves inextricably linked. And what happens when a surprise turns everything upside down?

24 days, 24 chapters, 24 kinks

Pairing:  Peter Parker/Tony Stark

Rating: E

Notes:  Hey guys. I’ve decided to write a “Starker Kink Advent Calendar” this year, so 24 chapters with 24 different kinks. Enjoy <3

Warnings: Check all the sex tags on Ao3

Read on Ao3

~⭐~

Day 7 - Anal Beads for Kim @twokinkybeans​

Peter’s heat passed in a blur of fucking and knotting, so the day Tony and Peter went back to work came faster than they had expected. It was nice getting back into a routine, but Peter could have lived without the gossiping of his coworkers. Some of them were jealous, wondering how Peter had snatched away such a wealthy Alpha. The majority was happy for Peter, but there were a few colleagues whispering behind his back, claiming he had already fucked the Alpha before he had applied for the job. 

 The gossip made Peter insecure. He liked the Alpha, more than he had expected when they got married, but they still hadn’t talked about what this was between them. Peter was afraid Tony didn’t want what he wanted, afraid the Alpha thought about him as a pity case or an accessory. Their marriage was too good to be true.

 Tony was amazing. He was patient, handsome and intelligent, everything Peter had always wanted in an Alpha. And to top it all, Tony was also incredible in bed. Peter couldn’t have imagined that sex could feel so good, that it would feel so perfect with his husband. Sometimes, he was ashamed of how needy he was, but Tony didn’t discourage him once, always calling Peter his perfect slut. 

 Peter knew the day they had to talk would come, but he wasn’t ready yet. He enjoyed the time he could spend with his husband, enjoyed every single second they fucked, cuddled or just relaxed on the couch together. A talk could fuck things up, and Peter was content just now.

 Sure, their time together had lessened thanks to work, but they made room for each other on weekends and every single night. Tony worked longer than Peter, often until evening, but when he came home, Peter had usually already prepared dinner and they watched a movie together. A movie that usually ended in sex. 

So when Peter came home one afternoon, he was surprised to hear sounds coming from the kitchen. Tony was usually still working at this time, but today the table was set and a small present was placed next to Peter’s plate.

 “Hey, babe.” The Alpha greeted him with a kiss on the cheek, dressed in his favorite sweatpants and a tank top that was too tight for Peter to think about anything but sex. Shit, his husband was truly a sight. 

 “Just get changed, Peter. I’ll take care of dinner.”

 Even though Peter wanted to ask what’s in the box or even better, open it immediately, he obeyed and picked out his favorite sleep shorts and one of Tony’s oversized hoodies to wear. And because Peter hoped for something more, he also rummaged around in his drawer until he found the red panties Tony loved so much. 

 Feeling better than before Peter went back into the living room.

 “Is the present for me?” Peter hadn’t meant to ask, but he couldn’t keep his curiosity in check. 

 Tony chuckled. “Can we eat in peace if you didn’t open it?”

Peter blushed furiously and lowered his gaze. He knew he wouldn’t be able to think about anything else, but he didn’t want to admit it either. Thankfully, Tony could already read him like a book.

 “Come on, open it.”

 The package wasn’t big, not even the size of a shoebox, but it was heavier than expected. Peter wanted to be patient, he really did, but as soon as Tony gave him an encouraging nod, Peter ripped the wrapping paper apart. He held a sleek black box with a golden emblem in his hand and opened the lid. 

 “What’s that?” Peter had never seen anything like this before. Inside were ten metal balls, all connected by a chain. 

 The Alpha’s eyes were glowing and Peter could see them darkening with hunger. “Have you ever heard of anal beads before, sweetheart?”

 Peter swallowed. He had heard of it, MJ had mentioned it once, but he had never seen it before. A week ago, Peter would have been scared, but he had liked everything Tony had introduced in the bedroom so far. Suddenly, Peter wasn’t interested in dinner anymore. 

 “Can we eat later, Alpha?” Peter’s voice was already needy, and if he hadn’t seen the hunger in Tony’s eyes, he would have felt pathetic. 

 “I guess we can reheat it.” 

 Before Tony could react, Peter already jumped up, grabbed the box, and sprinted over to the bedroom. He wanted to try his present now. Tony was a little more patient so Peter was already down to his panties when the Alpha finally entered the room. 

 “What have I done to earn such a perfect little slut as a husband, huh?” Tony’s voice was nothing but a growl and Peter’s limbs trembled in arousal as he crawled onto the bed. Maybe it would speed things up if he presented for the Alpha?

 “Go, get the lube, Peter. I can’t believe you’d tease me like this.”

 Peter whimpered and obeyed, opening the night-drawer and pulling out the half-empty bottle. After that, he took the same position again, ass up and face down so the Alpha got a perfect view of the panties-covered ass. He wondered dimly if the fabric was already drenched, but before he could think too much about it, Tony pulled them down.

 “Your little hole is beautiful, baby. Can’t believe I’m going to stuff you with something other than my cock. I want to fuck you right now.”

 Yes, yes, yes. “Fuck me, Alpha. Please, fuck me.”

 But Tony chuckled and shook his head. “No, baby. I promised you the use the gift so that’s what you’ll get. Gimme the lube, sweet thing. Can’t be wet enough for this.”

 Peter doubted his slick wouldn’t be enough because he could already feel it running down his thighs again, but he didn’t protest. Tony probably knew what he was doing and Peter wouldn’t protest over such a simple thing as lube. 

 “It’s gonna be cold in the beginning, baby. I’ll try to warm it up, but I want you to feel it, alright?” Peter moaned affirmatively. “You can either watch me or close your eyes. Your decision.”

 Peter pondered for a minute. He wanted to watch Tony, wanted to see the hunger in his Alpha’s eyes, but he wanted to focus on the feeling as well. In the end, he decided to close his eyes and waited for the Alpha to start. 

 Even though Tony had warned him, Peter still flinched when the first bead was pressed into his hole. It was cold, but Peter’s body heated it up quickly. He barely felt it so something close to disappointment washed over him. He had been so excited for it. 

 The feeling lasted a few seconds until Tony pulled on the chain and the bead was pressed against the inside of his rim before the muscle slowly opened to let the metal free. Peter had never felt anything like this before, a hot surge of arousal that went immediately into his cock. He let out a filthy moan. 

 “Again,” Peter demanded and Tony chuckled when he pressed the bead in again, only to pull it out a second later. Peter’s entire body shook in arousal. Not even five minutes in and Peter’s cock was already leaking. 

 “Can you take all ten for me?” Tony asked, his voice dark and gravely. 

 How could Peter resist such a request? He nodded, arching his back even further and encouraging Tony to go on. The Alpha placed the first bead against his hole, teasing and tempting him, but he didn’t push it in. After a while, Peter turned his head in question.

 “Baby, I need you to do me a favor. Do you listen?” Tony’s face was serious.

 “Uh-huh.”

 “If it gets too much, tell me ‘red’, okay? I need to know that you stop me if it gets too much.”

 Red? Like a safeword? Peter was sure he could take all the beads without stopping Tony, but he could do it if it made Tony happy.

 “Red for stop,” Peter repeated and the smile Tony gave him as a reward was worth the distraction. 

 “Such a good boy.” The praise made Peter’s cock jump. “Now spread your cheeks, baby. Show me your greedy hole.”

 Peter’s hands trembled in arousal as they wandered behind his back, pulling his cheeks apart and showing off his leaking hole. The curse Tony let out made Peter smirk, but he hid it in his pillow. He wanted the beads now. 

 Cold metal was pressed inside of him again, still not that much of a stretch but this time, Peter knew what was coming. He closed his eyes in anticipation, purring contently when the second and third bead joined the first. 

 “How do you feel, sweet thing?”

 How did he feel? Peter loved the attention Tony gave him, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to be filled to the brim. Wanted to struggle with the stretch.

 “Empty.”

 Tony chuckled again and slapped Peter’s ass playfully. Fuck, Peter loved that. The sensation tingled through his entire body and he wanted nothing more than to feel the sting again. Peter wiggled his ass, trying to coax his Alpha to hit him one more time, but Tony steadied his hips with a tight grip.

 “Not today, baby. We have to talk about it before. Let’s stuff you full for now, alright?”

 Peter couldn’t answer because simultaneous to his word, Tony pushed in three more beads. Finally, he was feeling the stretch, the metal forcing him open and when Peter wiggled his ass, one of the beads bumped against his prostate. The first needy whine slipped from his lips. 

 “That’s it, sweet thing. Not content until you’re properly filled. Do you want more?”

 “Yes, Alpha.” He wanted more, he needed more.”

 “Beg me, Peter.”

 Oh, God. The command made Peter see stars and he had to take three deep breaths before he could focus on his words again. 

 “Please, A-Alpha, gimme more. N-need to be filled.”

 Tony stroked his back and whispered in his ear how good he was, how obedient while he pushed another two beads into Peter’s slick heat. The Omega knew he was stuffed already, the beads bumping against each other while pleasure coursed through his body. His cock was leaking by now, adding to the mess his slick had already left on the mattress.

 Getting the ninth bead into his body was a struggle and Peter had to bite his lips to stop himself from coming. Had he really thought he didn’t like the beads first? He was totally changing his mind. This was amazing. 

 “Can you take one last bead for me, baby?”

 Peter didn’t know how it would fit, but he nodded affirmatively. He would try it, try to make his Alpha happy. 

 Tony had to press to get the last bead in, his hole almost too full to take it but somehow, it plopped in. Peter wailed in pleasure, one of the beads was pressed against his sweet spot again. It was too much, Peter was already close while his neglected cock bobbed against his own stomach. 

 “So close, Alpha. I can’t… I need…”

 “Shh,” Tony soothed him while his hand wandered around his body, caressing his stuffed belly. “I can feel them moving inside you, sweet thing. You were perfect for me. Such a good little Omega. You can come when I pull them out, I promise.”

 Peter relaxed, relieved that he got his Alpha’s permission. His entire world was zoomed in, fixated on his Alpha and everything Tony did to him. He was almost floating, his body shaking with pleasure. 

 When Tony pulled out, it came unexpectedly. One moment, the Alpha was still stroking his back, whispering sweet things in his ear, and in the next, he grabbed the chain and pulled the beads out. 

 Peter screamed as he came, his body squirming on the bed, and Tony had to hold him so Peter didn’t hit one of them accidentally. The pleasure was so intense that Peter noticed nothing but the overwhelming feeling inside of him, not his leaking cock, and not even Tony’s praising words. 

 The Alpha gave him time after each bead, prolonging Peter’s orgasm until the Omega couldn’t take it anymore and he started to sob. He was floating, the euphoric feeling going on and on until Peter fell limp onto the bed. 

 Tony cooed as he pulled out the last bead, wrapping Peter into a tight embrace and pulling him against his muscular chest. 

 “You were perfect, my Omega. Such a good boy. I’m proud of you.”

 Peter smiled and pressed himself closer against his Alpha’s chest. He made his Alpha proud, he was a good boy. 

 The last thing Peter heard before he fell asleep was Tony telling him what a good investment the beads had been. Peter could only agree.

[thebiasrekkers]

Make It Right [BTS Mafia!AU]

Plot: “It’s always darkest before the dawn…” It’s a dog-eat-dog world in Seoul, South Korea. One has to dwell in the shadows in order to reach for the light. What are you willing to sacrifice in order to feel the sunlight on your face? What will it take to drag you back into darkness? How long will the journey be to make it right?

Rating: NC-17 // NSFW

Genre: Series | Mafia!AU | Crime!AU | Angst | Romance/Fluff | Smut

Pairings: Jin x OC | Taehyung/Hoseok x OC | Yoongi/Jungkook x OC

Warnings: Graphic Violence, Heavy Language, Angst, Slow Burn, Smut

Previous Chapters: Prologue 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Links: FAQ || BTS Masterlist || Admin E’s AO3 || Admin E’s WP || [ REQUESTS ARE OPEN ]

Word Count: 2,448

Tag List: @prisczero​, @pinkpjmin​, @btsaudge​, @flowerwrites06​, @unoriginal-username15432, @halussali​, @hobipluto​

Chapter 40: Let Go

”No, but I accept your blame. Really, it’s time to say goodbye.”

© thebiasrekkers (Admin E). All rights reserved. Reposting/modifying our work is prohibited. Translations are not allowed. Plagiarism/stealing is not tolerated by any means. Legal action will be taken in instances of theft.

Two weeks had passed since his encounter with Kihyun. Yoongi never would have guessed that seeing Kihyun under those circumstances would rattle him to the core. He’d been uneasy ever since, wondering when he would next run into the man; wondering if he would be better prepared for whatever words would come tumbling from his mouth next.

There was no lingering attachment there. At least not from Yoongi. That part of his life he’d put far behind him. He’d let it go when he traveled to the States and met Eden for the first time. He was able to see someone come from nothing, yet determined to make something of herself. She wasn’t the sort of person who accepted handouts and she always returned a favor – not wanting to place herself in the debt of others.

For the first time in a while, Yoongi thought of his family; the family he’d left behind in Hwaseong. His father, ironically, was the former police chief in the area. His mother ran her business from home, making calendars for people from the photos she’d taken. Yoongi adopted a love of photography thanks to her, but there were few moments when he ventured out with his camera. He just hadn’t had the time for it like he had when he was still a school kid.

Until now.

The shutter clicked wildly as he roamed around one of the parks in Gangnam. Spring was upon them. The blossoms from the cherry trees fluttered in waves on the ground and through the skies. The soft breeze tickled the hairs around his ears, reminding him that he probably needed to get a haircut soon. His legs carried him through the park, memories flooding his mind as he took nature shots and pictures of unsuspecting pedestrians.

There was a time when he would come to the park, usually late at night, with Eden. She hadn’t minded since there were nights when they both worked late. He frowned, recalling the memory of her laughing as she sprayed him with the bottle of water she had in her hand. His hair was drenched and water dripped from his eyelashes and chin, allowing her to get about a five-foot head start before giving chase.

She always let him catch her.

Yoongi sighed, shaking his head to chase the memory away. Stop, he chastised himself, you need to stop. She’s not here and she won’t be.

An image of Jungkook smiling widely as he embraced her replaced the vision in his mind. He paused in his steps, his hands cradling his camera lowering slowly. They finally fell to his sides and the weight of the camera tugged at the strap around his neck. A heaviness filled his chest until it finally collapsed into the pit of his stomach. Yoongi knew he had no right to feel anything at the sight of them together, whether in real life or in his own mind. The reality was still the same. He’d fucked up and his younger brother was doing the one thing he never had the courage to.

He was honest with the woman he loved.

Yoongi scoffed, reaching up to scratch at the side of his nose. A sardonic smile passed over his features as he admitted to himself that he had, in fact, loved that stubborn woman. That he was still in love with her. But he knew he’d blown it and there was no turning back the clock, no matter how much he might have wanted to. The situation was plain and clear as the daylight breaking through the canopy of trees over his head.

It was over. All he had to do was admit it to himself. Truly admit it.

Taking a few steps, he broke through a row of trees and deviated from the path. In the center of the park was a large rock near a man-made creek. The sunlight was always the best here, shining down without prejudice on whoever wished to seek out its light. His feet shuffled through the grass as he ducked under a low hanging branch, using his hand to shield his eyes from the mid-morning light that threatened to blind him.

Just as he was mentally cursing himself for not remembering to bring his sunglasses, he stopped and stared. For a moment, he thought he was seeing things and began to roughly rub his eyes with his fists. Blinking the prism-like spots from his vision, he looked again and saw that he hadn’t, in fact, been imagining things.

There, on the rock, laid Eden – sprawled out like a tiger who’d just finished devouring a kill that was hunted and sleeping off the heavy meal. Her olive skin glowed in the sunlight and he was surprised to see that she was willingly allowing the sun to touch her flesh. He remembered her saying how she hated the sun because it often baked her to a darker shade of brown than she liked, making her look Middle Eastern at times. Not that she had anything against them, but people were always getting her ethnic background wrong and it annoyed her.

Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, signifying that she was, in fact, asleep. Deep asleep, in fact. The gentle babbling from the creek and twittering of birds served as the perfect ambiance to rest and relax. There was a book opened face down on her stomach and her fingers splayed over the spine, holding it in place. But with each breath she took, it slowly slipped further and further from her hand. At the angle she was lying, the moment it left her fingers it would fall into the creek.

As if predicting the future, Yoongi watched the book begin its descent and he rushed forward, snatching up the book before it could meet its watery end. His heart hammered heavily against his ribs as he sighed, standing to his full height before closing the book. Eden mumbled something incoherent before rolling over on the smooth rock to readjust herself to a more comfortable position.

Yoongi was almost flabbergasted by this. He couldn’t remember a time when she’d allowed herself to be this vulnerable. Unless she believed she was safe, she would always jolt awake to the most innocent of sounds – a knife at the ready in her hand.

His brows furrowed while canting his head to the side. Is that it? Yoongi reached out with one hand, his fingers just barely touching her cheek. Do you feel safe here?

She groaned sleepily, causing him to flinch involuntarily. He yanked his hand back, as though he was being struck by a snake. Seconds later, Eden’s phone went off and she immediately sat up – patting her pockets for the item to get it to shut up. Yoongi stood rooted in his spot, unable to flee the scene. He continued to stare at her even as she groggily fisted her eyes to rid them of the sleepy haze sitting on the backs of her eyelids. Eden smacked her lips and then began looking around, her eyes falling on Yoongi.

As she looked at him, Yoongi didn’t move; he didn’t even breathe. Eden seemed to gather up her surroundings and the sleepiness in her gaze was quickly replaced with realization. Her eyes widened as her lips parted, prepared to scream at him. Without thinking, he reached out and covered her mouth with his hand, silencing whatever verbal onslaught she had prepared for him.

“Look, before you say anything, this is completely a coincidence,” he explained rapidly, feeling her huffing over his fingers, “so don’t get crazy, okay?”

Slowly, he removed his hand and held his arms up in surrender. She narrowed her eyes at him, the irritation evident. But she didn’t say anything. Yoongi wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or upset by her lack of clapbacks at that moment.

“Why are you sleeping here?”

“It’s a nice day out and I felt like taking a nap,” she said while standing from the rock, snatching the book from Yoongi’s hand. He’d almost forgotten he’d had it. “Sleeping on the rooftop gets too hot and I burn that way.”

“Yeah, I know…”

For a moment, no other words were shared between them. Even though Yoongi had so much he wanted to say, he couldn’t formulate the words the way he would have liked. Everything he tried to start with sounded like an excuse and all the other options made him sound like an idiot. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Yoongi sighed as he roughly rubbed the back of his head.

“Eden,” he began, his heart rate escalating a measure, “I just…” Eden’s gaze practically bore into his forehead and Yoongi considered averting his gaze. However, he thought better of it and, instead, cleared his throat loudly. “…I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she asked quickly, catching him off guard. Licking his lips, he just looked at her as she folded her arms across her chest. “What are you sorry for, Yoongi-ah? Hm? That you got caught or that I’m with Jungkook now?”

There it was. The dig he was waiting for. He’d prepared himself for it, but he didn’t expect hearing her say it out loud to hurt so much. It was like he’d been hit in the gut with a cannon ball, the proverbial wind knocked straight from his lungs.

It was quickly replaced with anger.

“Goddammit, woman,” he snarled, taking a step forward to close what little distance there was between them, “you are fucking impossible, you know that?”

She sniffed, smirking. “I do, actually.”

Eden moved to pass him, but he quickly grabbed her by her upper arm, yanking her back so that she was flush against his chest. A gasp spilled from her, causing her book to fall against the grass as it slipped from her fingers. She tried to jerk free from him, but he squeezed tighter. He saw her brow twitch, probably from how hard he was holding her, but Yoongi couldn’t stop.

His body moved faster than his brain could process, unable to prevent him from doing what he was getting ready to do. Still in his grasp, Yoongi pushed Eden until her back hit the trunk of a tree. The leaves shuddered with the sudden force placed on its surface and she let out a soft cry. Glaring up at him, he matched her gaze as he looked into her eyes – his reflection cast back at him from her dark umber tones. Eden’s lips pressed together into a thin line, slowly blinking at him. But he saw the tell-tale red flare around her neck to show that her anger was mounting with each passing second.

Yoongi pressed his hips against hers, further bracing her against the tree and preventing her from escaping. But she made no move to remove herself from the situation. Whether she believed it was fruitless or if she was unable to was something that Yoongi couldn’t figure out. Her expression was so impassive outside of her clear outrage. She could have pushed him aside, slapped him, kicked him in the shin or, hell, even kneed him in the nuts.

But she did none of that. The only sign of a visible struggle was the flex of her muscle against his fingers. Why wasn’t she fighting back?

“Yoongi-ah,” she said, cutting through the turmoil raging in his head. He blinked, looking at her – really looking at her. But he couldn’t read the face she was making. “What do you want from me?”

“W-What?” He felt his mouth go dry and he involuntarily tried to swallow.

“You heard me.” She lazily blinked again. “What. Do. You. Want. From. Me?”

Eden made a point to enunciate each word of the question. It stung, like someone plucking hairs straight from the root of his head. But it was a question he wasn’t ready to answer. Or maybe he didn’t have an answer. He had every opportunity to fix the problems he’d caused. He had every chance in the world to come clean and he hadn’t. Asking anything from her, even now, would have been plain selfishness.

Yet, Yoongi wanted to be selfish. He wanted to be greedy. He wanted to play dirty and he wanted to be as unfair as humanly possible.

Instead of answering her, he leaned forward and forcefully pressed his lips against hers. He heard her sharp intake of breath and there was a sound of bark scraping from the tree and hitting the grass. Yoongi waited for her to shove him, slap him, or even to feel a sharp pain in his gut as she stabbed him. None of it came.

Nothing happened.

When he pulled back, Yoongi saw Eden’s eyes filling with tears. Whether they were angry tears or something else, he couldn’t be sure. When they finally leaked from her eyes, he took a step back and released the hold he had on her. His breath came out rapidly – like he’d broken the surface of the ocean after nearly sinking to his death.

There was clarity. Absolute clarity.

And it hurt him.

“Eden, I—”

“Wow,” she said, her bottom lip trembling as more tears streamed down her face, “you’re a real asshole, Min Yoongi. You know that?”

He sighed, nodding.

“Yeah, I know.”

“You’re scum.”

He averted his gaze, too ashamed to look at her.

“I know.”

“And you’re the worst kind of pretender.”

He closed his eyes, wincing.

“You’re right. I am.”

Yoongi heard her leaving, her body shuffling through the grass and branches to exit the park. When her footsteps were far enough away, he felt his legs begin to tremble. Taking a step forward, he spun and let his back fall against the tree Eden previously was pressed on. It was still warm.

He looked down, spying the book that still laid abandoned on the grass. He slid down until he was sitting, his hand reaching out to grasp the book and finally looking at the title. Yoongi smiled bitterly.

“Pride and Prejudice, huh?”

A pathetic laugh escaped his chest as he covered his eyes with his forearm. It was over. It was really over. To think otherwise would have been a fool’s errand. Mistakes were made, even now, and Yoongi had no choice but to admit to them. To admit that she was no longer his.

That she never would be.

Hugging one knee to his chest, he buried his face into the crook of his arm and released a painful laugh. “…I’m sorry, Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi whispered, his voice thick with emotion, “Your Hyung is so fucking sorry.”

[whisperess33]

Pictures, Tattoos, Rock N’ Roll, And The Boy Who Smiled At Me (Tracii Guns / OC, One-Shot)

1991, L.A Guns opens for Skid Row during the ‘No Fuckin’ Frills’ tour.

Kelly headed towards her, drenched in sweat but eyes gleaming with excitement, energy still flowing in his veins despite the after-show exhaustion. She could see it, as he was almost shaking with adrenaline. He smiled brightly when he saw her waiting on the side of the stage, his grin making his high cheekbones even more visible.

“Hey little Maxwell!” he shouted merrily over the cheering of the audience, and Maxwell laughed at his excitement. 

He gave her his bass guitar, so she could properly care for it and pack it for their next destination, and quickly made his way back on the stage for the final bow. The bass was heavy in her hands, so she put the thick – and clearly oversized – strap around her body to carry it to the room the boys kept all the equipment in. Despite the fact that Maxwell knew perfectly where she was going, walking backstage was like trying to reach the other side of a road full of speeding cars: in a nutshell, be careful to look on both sides before crossing. Since L.A Guns opened for Skid Row, the main band was still backstage enjoying a few drinks before going on stage, while the roadies and staff were running in every direction like a bunch of headless chickens.

Maxwell passed by the Skid Row dressing room, peeping discreetly through the open door, silently enough not to be noticed by a very loud Sebastian – who was standing on one of the couches, wearing a bright yellow t-shirt, imitating God knows what – but her pale green hair showy enough to catch Rachel’s attention. The chain going from his nose to his ear made him look a bit intimidating, not to mention the fact that he was a pretty silent man, but after having talked to the guy a few times, Maxwell had stopped being nervous around him. His dark gaze was still very intense though. Rachel smirked, before once again focusing his gaze on Sebastian.

Maxwell entered the room next to theirs. There wasn’t much space, but being alone in there was always a moment that she welcomed with open arms. After all, being a roadie, and Kelly’s bass guitar tech, meant countless hours in the staff tour bus – only sleeping in hotels when they were lucky – and listening to live music almost 24/7. Needless to say, privacy and calm were to be given up, a price that Maxwell was glad to pay. She liked being surrounded by all these loud musicians, and she was happy to be able to call them her friends.

Max was thrilled that her parents had let her go on tour with the boys. After all, she was only 21. She had once been a studious young woman, working two jobs in two different bars on the Sunset Strip to pay for her college tuition. Her parents couldn’t pay it all, and she still lived with them to limit expenses, but she was glad for the opportunity to work, even it if was exhausting. Every monthly paycheck, Max felt that she was one step closer to independence. She still waited until the end of her third year studying musicology before she told her parents that she wished to take a year-long break and experience the world outside of university. In a way, she needed time to think about what she was going to do next. Her parents' only conditions had been that she continues to take care of herself, that she has a regular salary, and that she enjoys as much as she possibly could.

Originally, Maxwell had just intended to keep working at her jobs to save money, but the members of L.A Guns had barged into her life like a bunch of elephants in a porcelain shop. From the beginning, they had been very imposing, very loud and had had absolutely no intention to leave her alone. Maxwell had gone through the stages of initial surprise and annoyance, to getting used to their presence, to welcoming them every time they came through the doors of the bar she worked at. 

If you worked a night job on the Sunset Strip, it wasn’t rare to come across the Hollywood Vampires, as they were often called. In fact, Maxwell’s first contact with one of the boys had been when a drunk-out-of-his-ass Kelly had collapsed on her counter and had started asking her out on a date, thinking he was so charming that he had started winking at her suggestively – well, that’s what he thought, he had actually just been blinking with both eyes, which had been hilarious. The memory was always sure to bring a smile on Maxwell’s face. She had bonded nicely with the boys, especially with Kelly, who played the bass, just like her, and Tracii, who always had kind words and smiles for her. Kelly had made her do a few trials with his bass, and when Maxwell had one night expressed her desire to get out of Los Angeles for a few months, the boys had offered her to go on tour with them as a roadie and Kelly’s bass guitar tech. The attention had made Maxwell blush, as she was truly attached to the band, and the fact that Kelly trusted her with his instrument was very flattering.

And now, three months later, she was still on the road with them, in Europe. She felt good there, like she had found her place in this overly-masculine environment. Everybody was nice, the boys were generally quite protective of her anyway, and that extended to the Skid Row boys as well, particularly Sebastian and Rachel.

Sebastian’s loud laugh resonated in the corridor, and Maxwell heard the boys of the main band starting to walk towards the stage. This meant that L.A Guns would soon be finished with receiving their daily dose of the audience’s attention, and would get back in their own dressing room, probably accompanied by a few groupies, to start drinking until dawn, after what they would board their tour bus and nap all day like a bunch of toddlers. The young woman smiled; she was so fond of them.

When she finished making sure that the bass was still properly tuned, she started wiping the sweat on it with a wet cloth. 

Boy, she was pretty sure that Kelly lost half of his body-mass in sweat during each concert. Gross.

Once it was all clean and she was happy with her work, she put the bass in its case and headed towards the small – and only – bag that belonged to her in the room. She opened it and took her most precious possession in her hands. Her camera.

Since her parents had given her her first camera when she was 10, Maxwell had been obsessed with taking pictures of literally everything. It had become a kind of OCD, and her suitcase was filled with albums containing all the pictures she took of the concerts of L.A Guns and Skid Row, as well as a lot of backstage pictures, and pictures of random things that she found beautiful.

Maxwell's plans for the night mainly included watching the boys of Skid Row during their concert. She would probably never be tired of taking pictures of Sebastian Bach. As energetic and loud and over-confident as he sometimes could be, Maxwell couldn’t deny that he had a kind of youthful beauty that made him an excellent model for her pictures: he was tall, even taller than Kelly, and his dollface, long silky blond hair and baby blue eyes were an absolute pleasure to photograph.

As she was making her way to the stage, Kelly’s tall stature entered her field of vision. As soon as she saw one of his dark eyebrows raised and his arms crossed on his chest, blocking her way to the side of the stage, Maxwell knew that her program of taking pictures of Skid Row wasn’t going to happen that night. She cradled her camera to her chest and walked towards the bassist. She stopped in front of him, and Maxwell almost felt the bones in her neck crack when she tilted her head upwards to look at Kelly’s satisfied smirk.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Maxwell enquired.

“Because I know a girl. She's pretty. She has green hair. And she is going to spend the night with us, for once...” Kelly smirked.

"Nice Kelly, you'll introduce us if I meet her one day," Max joked. She didn't know if she had the strength of watching them all getting fucked up on alcohol, and who knows what else, when her program had initially included relaxing.

“... and if she refuses, I’m going to take her camera," Kelly carried on.

“Kelly, if you damage my camera, I’m going to damage one of your balls,” Maxwell looked at him in the eyes, daring him to touch her camera, her baby. She usually had a sweet and very kind disposition, but when touring, she had to play by their rules.

Kelly gulped, “Just one?”

Max raised one eyebrow, and clenched her fists, “Well, since you’re asking so nicely…”

“No no no! It’s okay, I’m not touching your camera!” He feigned being hurt. “But come with us though, why are you always taking pictures of them?” he said, pouting, while leading her to the large dressing room with a hand on her back. Maxwell let him, Kelly was always particularly protective of her, in a brotherly kind of way.

“Well it’s obvious Kelly, use your brain…” she said, looking at him thinking hard, “I mean, they’re so much more handsome than you bunch of uglies.”

“Hey, you know it’s not true! Plus, we have the best hair!”

“You all have the same hair, Kelly. Same colour, same length, same originality,” Maxwell said laughing. “BO-RING”.

“You love it though.”

“Yes, I do.”

“And you love us.”

“Don’t be so sure about that.”

They arrived at the door of the dressing room, and Kelly took Maxwell in his arms, half-bent over her small stature. Max leant in, glad for the affection, and hugged him back. To her, Kelly was the big brother she never had the chance to have, and she knew that he felt the same way. Kelly booped her nose, laughing, and took a seat – or rather, crashed like a morbidly obese sea lion – on one of the couches, next to a girl wearing a red dress.

Tracii was absent. If Max remembered correctly what Kelly had mentioned on the way, he was taking a shower to relax and get rid of the after-show sweat. Max could understand; showers in the venues were rare, so every time there were some to their disposition, they tried to make the most of it. Most of the boys were playing cards and drinking, except maybe for Phil, the oldest member of the band and without any doubt the horniest as well, who was busy with the girl leaning seductively against him. Maxwell didn’t really like the groupies, but she admired their openness regarding their own desires, when Max already found it difficult to bond with people. The boys had become her temporary family, and she was comfortable with them, despite being one of the only girls on the road with them.

The girl in the red dress clinging to Phil was stunning, in a way that was sensual and innocent at the same time. She was of mixed ethnicity, with one of her parents probably being Asian and the other Caucasian, and she seemed to have gotten the best parts of each side : long straight thick black hair, dark almond shaped eyes shining with intelligence, a discreet smirk, and surprisingly, a few freckles on her pale skin. For once, one of the groupies Phil had chosen looked decent enough.

Maxwell looked down at her forearms. Even though they were pale, they were also covered with freckles, pretty much just like the rest of her face and body. Max had needed a long time to accept them, especially during teenagehood, when she was always teased about them. Max’s natural hair was dark brown, just like her father’s, but the freckles and pale skin came from her mother, who was a redhead. Now, Maxwell didn’t mind this physical trait so much anymore, and she had even dyed her whole hair a light green. Now she looked truly unique, not like a bad mix of her two parents.

Max headed towards the 'couple' and lightly tapped the girl in red’s shoulder, blushing.

“Excuse me, can I take a picture of you?”

The girl didn’t seem to understand, so Phil explained, answering to Maxwell’s silent cry for help.

“Mikaela, this is Maxwell. She is obsessed with photos, she takes pictures of everything. She's a bit of a nerd, but she’s also a bass player and one of our roadies.”

Max glared at Phil. She was sure he was going to add his grain of salt to the conversation.

“Thank you Phil, but can you tell me exactly what, in your eyes, makes me a nerd?”

Phil put his arm around Mikaela’s waist, and smirked. Cocky little shit, you’re lucky you have a sexy accent and a pretty face.

“Maxie here spends her nights either taking pictures of the other band, or reading in her bed instead of hanging out and drink with us.”

Maxwell looked at the other girl and smiled.

“Don’t listen to him, I don’t take pictures of him because he’s ugly, and he’s also jealous of the fact that I can read.”

When Phil put his hand on his heart in fake hurt, Mikaela burst out laughing, and Max knew that she had just made an ally. Mikaela extended her hand for Max to shake.

“My name is Mikaela but you can call me Mika, everyone does. And of course, you can take my picture, it's so lovely!”

Maxwell smiled and shot several pictures, some of Mika alone, and others with Phil. They sure would have made a sexy couple, but she knew Phil wouldn't settle down before long. Mika seemed aware of it and didn't look bothered by this fact.

          Max was so solitary that she had a hard time trusting people, and had to her own despair never dated anyone. She had had massive crushes on classmates but her shyness made her stop there. No one – that she knew of – ever seemed to reciprocate her feelings. She was not ashamed of it, as her situation was in majority due to her own choices, but she had to admit that she avoided talking about it. If the guys knew, she would never hear the end of it, not counting the fact that they would try to find a man for her in every city they would stop at. But Maxwell knew that she couldn't just settle for one night. As stupid as it might sound in this sex, drugs and rock n' roll environment, stability and a simple and honest relationship were what she desired and she was decided to settle for no less than that.

Maxwell thanked Mika: “Thank you, the pictures are going to turn out so good!”

“No, thank you Max, at least I’ll have some memories of tonight,” Mika scribbled on a piece of paper, “if you ever have them developed, could you send them to me? This is my address, we should keep in contact.”

Phil sent Maxwell the ‘I can’t believe you just made friends with the girl I intend to bang tonight’ look, and Max silently answered with a clever smirk, almost feeling demon horns growing on her head. It’s good to be evil sometimes.

“Go on Maxie, you’ve got your pictures, now go bother Mick and Steve,” Phil said, seemingly eager to get rid of her. He could be a bit abrasive sometimes, but deep down, he was a nice guy.

  “Okay Phil, I’m going away, but first you have to stop calling me Maxi– “

Before she had the time to finish her sentence, Maxwell felt two rather strong tattooed arms snake around her waist, surprising her. The owner of the two arms glued his torso to her back and Max felt a kiss being pressed on her cheek. She blushed.

She liked Tracii a lot. He was not only a very good guitar player, but also a very good friend, who from the beginning, had been nothing but supportive of her. Maxwell had an ungodly amount of pictures of him, mainly because Tracii posed for her every time he saw her with her camera just because he knew that it made her happy. Out of all the members of the band, Kelly and Tracii were the ones Max had the most tenderness for, but even she could make a distinction between the brotherly bond she shared with Kelly and the thing – for lack of a better word – that she felt for Tracii.

“Hi Maxie! Finally decided to join us, haven’t you?” Tracii said, still enveloping her frail body in his arms. Well, she was only small compared to them: standing at 5’5, she was only a little bit smaller than Tracii, who was the smallest in L.A Guns with his 5’8. No need to precise what a delightful pleasure Sebastian Bach took in teasing Max on her height, even allowing himself the luxury to call her ‘Mini Maxie’. Damn giant.

“I didn’t really have a choice, Kelly took matters in his own hands and as you know, shit happens when he does.”

“You’ll thank me later ‘Maxie’,” Kelly smiled.

“Hey! Why can Tracii call her ‘Maxie’ and I can’t exactly?” Phil asked.

“That’s because I’m her favourite and you’re not."

Tracii smiled, his head resting on Max’s shoulder, breathing deeply, leaning slightly against her, his eyes closed. Maxwell could feel his skin, warmer than hers. He smelt all clean – he had indeed taken a shower, and every muscle in his body was obviously relaxed now, thanks to the hot water. Max lightly tapped his shoulder, she was scared he would fall asleep right there and then.

“C’mon Tracii, let’s sit with the others”

The guitarist opened his heavy eyes and smiled. Max could feel Tracii’s wet hair tickling the skin of her neck. She put her camera on the only table in the room and Tracii moved to the couch, taking Max with him, and sat her besides Mick Cripps, so close that she was obviously invading poor Mick’s personal space. Max quickly apologized, but a smile from Mick told her everything was alright. Out of all L.A Guns members, he was the one that spoke the less, or as he would rather say ‘when there is nothing to say, I don't say anything’.

When Max could finally look at Tracii, she felt her heart swell in her chest: he was so beautiful, with his wet hair, short at the back and long enough at the front to cover his eyes, his dark eyes and his long face with somewhat noble features. Damn, this thing she felt for him was becoming more and more cumbersome by the second…

“Maxie, can you help me?” Tracii woke Max up from her internal monologue, handing her a black bandana.

Maxwell nodded, while Tracii sat on the floors, between her legs with his back to her, and quickly went to work. She started by trying to untangle a few knots before brushing his hair back with her fingers. Max smiled when the guitarist let out a sigh of well-being. Just like her, he apparently loved it when someone touched his hair. Maxwell felt good, like nothing could burst the bubble of intimacy she and Tracii had built around themselves. She tied the bandana, tight enough so it wouldn’t bother him, grabbed his cap and put it on his head over the bandana.

“There, all good” she said, tapping lightly on Tracii’s cap-covered head.

“Thanks Maxie!” Tracii said, but made no move to change his position from sitting on the floor, his back against the couch, between her legs.

Maxwell got up anyway, and grabbed her camera, shooting several pictures of Tracii. When he saw her with her most treasured possession in her hands, focused on him, and him only, Tracii leaned forward a bit, showing his beautifully inked arms to Max, and smiled so brightly for her she thought she was going to become blind. After their little photo session, Max sat on the couch again, satisfied, in the same position as earlier, the guitarist once again getting comfy near her, even leaning his head on one of her legs.

When Max stopped focusing on Tracii, she realized that everyone, members of the band as well as Mika, had stopped talking to observe her and Tracii. After a minute of silence – which was very rare for the boys – except from the sound of Skid Row’s ‘Youth Gone Wild’, Max finally spoke.

“What are you all looking at?” She said, unsure of what had provoked their reaction.

All Hell broke loose at that moment, and everyone started to speak at the same time.

“So, how long has it been going?” Mick.

“Tracii, you didn’t tell me? I thought I was your best friend?!” Steve.

“You guys are so cute.” Mika.

"You look so happy together it makes me want to puke rainbows." Phil.

“Max can I be your maid of honor? Dresses suit me, I have a very slender waist!” Kelly.

Max watched the mess, totally confused. She was aware that they were just teasing her, but none of the teasings before had involved the guitarist she happened to have a nasty crush on. When she thought it couldn’t possibly get worse, Tracii started answering everything in the most unexpected way, a big goofy smile on his face.

“Well, it's been going for about a week but we wanted to wait to tell you guys. We're very happy together. Thank you honey, Mika, isn’t it? Phil, I'll take that as a compliment. Kelly, you will look dashing I’m sure!”

Maxwell didn’t know what to think of the web of lies Tracii was building around them. He was surely joking, right? She knew just like him that they were not in a relationship. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it was going to jump out of her chest. She didn’t like being the center of attention. She must have looked like a deer in the headlights, because Tracii, still sat on the ground, turned to look at her, a worried look painted on his face. His gaze was so expressive that she could almost tell what he wanted to say to her: ‘Are you okay? Have I gone too far?’

Fortunately, before the others had the time to notice the distressed look on Maxwell’s face, Phil stood, yawned out of boredom, and started to make his way to the door.

“Max, Tracii, I love you guys and I'm happy for you but all I want right now is a beer,” he said, quickly followed by Mika, and the other guys, “can you tell the Skid Row guys we’re out and they can join when they’re finished?”

“Yes, no problem. Maxwell and I need to talk anyway. Maybe I’ll join you after,” Tracii said, looking at Max.

Kelly stopped in the door frame before winking.

“Behave my little lovebirds, don’t do anything I would do.”

Max put her hands on her face to block the entire world from her view, just the time the room became silent again. She made a face before opening her fingers, and closing them again when she saw Tracii looking at her.

“Maxie…” he started. She cut him, removing her hands from her face.

“What just happened? Everything was under control one moment, and the next they were practically planning our wedding. God, I’m so embarrassed!”

Tracii looked hurt for a moment.

“You’re embarrassed because I said we were together? I’m sorry, I noticed you were uncomfortable when they were teasing you, and so I thought I would shift their attention to me…”

“It obviously worked so well Tracii!” Max snapped. She started regretting right away, the poor man looked so hurt.

“No, I’m sorry Tracii, I shouldn’t have talked to you that way. I just want to know, why tell them we’re together?”

Tracii got up and sat beside her on the now-empty couch.

“I don’t really know, it’s the first thing that came to my mind. I didn’t think you would mind so much, I… I thought I had interpreted the signs the right way but, apparently, I made a monumental mistake…”

Now Maxwell was even more confused. She looked at the guitarist: he was sitting, his elbows on his knees, face hidden in his hands. Her heart nearly broke at how sad he looked, his behaviour contrasting with his bad boy looks. His black cap, bandana, torn tank top and beautifully inked arms sure made him pass for a tough guy, but Maxwell knew that when it came to Tracii, the phrase 'never judge a book by its cover' had never been more fitting.

“What are you talking about Tracii? What signs?” she asked in what came out as barely a whisper. Max’s heart was beating so fast, because despite her question, she had the feeling she knew where this conversation was headed.

“Your signs, Maxwell. You. You were always so sweet and kind, and sometimes, I felt like I was the only one with Kelly who could make you open up to the group.”

"You're right. I mean, you both helped me a lot in the beginning, and even now. But I still don't understand what you're talking about," Max sighed, completely lost.

Tracii looked desperate for a moment, as if he was a mere second away from exploding under the pressure this conversation was putting on him.

He took a deep breath, looked at her and started talking.

"Maxwell, the day I met you, the very moment Kelly collapsed on your counter and started doing this ridiculous charm act he insists is so efficient on women, and that I saw you smile, I wanted you to be a part of my life." Tracii stopped, fiddled with the hem of his shirt and continued, "I insisted for us to always go to the bars you worked at, at the hours I was sure you were gonna be there. I wanted to get to know you. When we started hanging out and Kelly proposed that you become his bass tech, so you could come on tour with us, I was thrilled."

Max nodded, too stunned to do anything else. She didn't know any of that.

"Then you left with us, and everything was perfect. We all had a girl who we knew was competent at her job, but would also be our friend, and would take care of us just like we would take care of her. But the more I spent time with you, the more my feelings started evolving…"

Maxwell held her breath.  Anxiety seemed to be eating at her very insides. Was all this really happening? With him?

"Anyway, I'm not going to beat around the bush any longer Max. I have feelings for you, I don't know what happened, but they're here. I just thought, by how you acted with me, that you were ready to reciprocate these feelings, but everything that has happened in the last ten minutes leads me to think that I was wrong. The most stupid is, when you were hanging out with the others, or Rachel and Sebastian, I always felt a pang of jealousy arise in me. Not because I didn't trust you – you are perfectly capable of making your own choices and being with who you want – but because I envied them and the time they got to spend with you, even if we were always pretty close."

A minute of tense silence passed. Tracii reached for her hand and the feeling was so foreign to her that she jumped a bit. It was one thing to accept platonic physical contact in front of their friends, but this gesture felt more intimate than anything she had ever experienced. Yet, the guitarist never let go, and did everything he could to make her look at him in the eyes.

"I never knew Tracii, I would have never guessed."

"Well, now you know. I know that you're shy and that you don't like this kind of situation, but this time I was stuck. And it feels good to finally tell you. Don't think that because I have feelings towards you that you're not a good friend anymore. Our relationship will evolve only if you want to, but if it doesn't, be sure that I will always be there for you, Maxwell Lucy Milner.” Tracii briefly tightened his hand around hers and smiled at Max, “Always.”

Then this moment, which to Maxwell had seemed to last for seconds and hours at the same time, ended. Tracii let go of her hand and got up, heading towards the door of the room, probably to join his bandmates in whatever bar they had decided to colonize for the night.

Maxwell felt dread invade her whole body at the thought of what she wanted to do, of what was going to happen next. Even after Tracii admitted his feelings towards her, she was somehow still scared of getting rejected. Yet, she was even more scared at the thought of not doing anything.

Come on, do something, don’t let him go.

Tracii had almost reached the door when Max spoke, forcing herself to sound infinitely more assured than she really was.

“Tracii, wait!” Maxwell got up as well, made a few steps, and stopped right in front of Tracii. She looked up in his eyes, greyish-blue meeting chocolate brown. “You don’t have to be jealous you know…”

“Yes, I know it doesn’t make any sense, you don’t belong to anyone, to me even less.”

“No Tracii, what I meant was,” Max sighed, and prayed for her sudden moment of courage to stay with her until the end of the conversation, “you don’t have to be jealous because there is no reason for it. I have feelings for you too. I have since the beginning of the tour.”

All of a sudden, Max felt Tracii’s hands on her waist, the fabric of her flannel shirt thin enough to feel the warmth of his palms, and the delicate strength he applied on her sides.

“Maxie, are you sure? Because I don’t want you to say that just to please me…”

“I couldn’t be more sure.”

“Max that’s… that’s wonderful!” Tracii was smiling so hard that Max thought he was going to break his jaw, his high cheekbones making him look adorable.

She lowered her head. She felt like a teenager, ashamed to tell her friends about her inexperience.

“No Tracii, you don’t understand. I… I’ve never had a boyfriend.”

The guitarist’s eyes opened wide, but his smile didn’t fade, and Maxwell thought she could see tenderness in his gaze.

“Never. Like, never never?”

“Never never.” Max repeated, smiling sadly. In an attempt to feel less vulnerable, she hugged Tracii, and hid her face in his neck so he couldn’t see her. She sighed in relief when Tracii’s arms looped around her waist, applying a gentle and reassuring pressure on her body. She felt Tracii hold his breath and waited for him to speak.

“Wait, so… that means that you’ve never…?”

“Please Tracii, don’t say it, this situation is already awkward enough for me as it is.” Maxwell whispered, slightly uncomfortable.

Tracii chuckled, and Max tapped his shoulder as roughly as her position would allow.

“And don’t laugh at me!”

“Maxwell, I’m not laughing at you. I promise. But it’s ridiculous.”

“I know, no need to remind me…”

“No, it’s not you who is ridiculous. It’s all these boys who have never dared to ask you out. They have missed a rare gem. You might not trust yourself enough to see it Maxie, but I do. You are pretty, intelligent, patient, modest… you’re beautiful, inside and out. Don’t put yourself down, it’s useless because I’ll always be there to tell you this, every hour of every day that pass by where you'll allow me to be by your side.”

Max felt tears threatening to roll down her cheeks. She always promised her mom that she wouldn’t settle down with the first man who would shower her in compliments and sweet words but… how could her mother know how alive he made her feel, and what Maxwell really felt towards this man?

How much she loved him. Wait, what?

Maxwell smiled at her realization, but decided to keep it to herself. One day maybe, when she feels more assured and comfortable, she would tell him. 

 She slightly broke away from Tracii, and looked him in the eyes. They were shining with what she could only call adoration. Suddenly, Tracii leaned towards her and kissed her cheek, right where a tear she hadn't even realized the existence of had rolled down her skin. Then he kissed her other cheek, and Maxwell closed her eyes.

His lips felt almost shy and hesitant on hers, but they were warm and soft. The feeling was foreign, and not quite as ‘magical’ as in the novels Max had read when she was younger, but it was simple, full of affection and she felt safe with him. She answered to his kiss as she could, trying to communicate what she felt for him through it, all despite her inexperience. Tracii didn’t try to go further than this, probably not wanting her to feel overwhelmed.

A shrill whistle surprised them, and Tracii and Max, surprised, moved away from each other at the speed of lightning, almost as if they were two schoolchildren caught red-handed putting thumbtacks on the teacher’s chair.

There, all piled up to fit in the door frame and not miss one second of the show, was the entirety of Skid Row. Max had not even realized that more than one hour had passed since the end of L.A Guns’s concert. Scotti Hill crossed his arms on his chest.

“Well, well, well, who would have thought?” He said, a naughty smirk plastered on his face.

Max blushed and looked down. Tracii walked to her and took her hand in his.

“If Mini Maxie ends up pregnant and it’s a boy, you’ll have to call him Sebastian! If it’s a girl, well… Sebastiana?” The singer exclaimed, obviously proud of himself.

“How original Baz, very impressive.” Dave ‘Snake’ Sabo laughed at the singer, while Rachel’s eyes rolled so far in the back of his head at Sebastian's suggestions that Max thought they were going to get stuck.

The bassist spoke up when Max met his dark gaze. He smirked as well, the young girl's discomfort being for him a source of prime quality entertainment.

“And as future godfather, I veto those two names, one Sebastian is already more than enough for me to handle.”

Max chuckled discreetly and smiled at Rachel. She definitely had a knack for brotherly relationships with bassists. Rachel started walking away from the door, making sure that his bandmates follow him, all distracted by the idea of an after-show drinking session with L.A Guns. Before he disappeared from her view, Max thought she saw Rachel wink at her, but the gesture was so furtive that she wondered if she hadn’t just imagined it.

When she felt Tracii’s arms snake around her waist, asking for contact, she gladly returned in his arms, her back to his torso, both of his hands joining on her stomach, and his head on her shoulder. When he spoke, his voice – not quite low but still unmistakably masculine  –  made Max shiver.

“We are fucked, there is no way Sebastian can shut his mouth, especially after a few beers.” Max felt the guitarist smile against her flannel-covered shoulder, and a few seconds later, a kiss was pressed on her neck.

“Well, technically, they already believe that we are together, so they will not be surprised.”

“You’re right… maybe I made a good decision when I decided to lie earlier.”

“It’s not right to lie,” Max chastised gently, “but today, I’m glad you did.”

They spent a few minutes in each other's arms, in silence, before Maxwell frowned.

“Trace?”

“Yes, honey?” He answered, just before covering her cheeks with kisses, which made Max laugh. He was so affectionate, and she was pleased to discover this side of him.

“Didn’t you want to go to the bar with the others?”

Tracii stayed silent for a second before responding.

“I think I’d prefer to stay with you tonight, all I want to do is bring you back to our tour bus and spend the night with you.”

Maxwell paused for a moment.

“Tracii, I... I’m not sure if this is a good idea. I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient for… plus I don’t want you to feel forced to stay with me just because I rarely go to bars. I’m fine with a night by myself.”

“No no no, Maxie I didn’t mean it like that! God, we’re going to take our time. And you’re not forcing me to do anything. We have all tour to drink with the others. All I want right now is to hold you in my arms.”

Despite how tempting the thought of a night in the arms of the man she loved was, Max was still hesitant. Not regarding Tracii’s behaviour, as she trusted him completely – especially as he had said nothing would happen that night – and she knew him quite well by now, but rather regarding the fact that he was a child of rock n’ roll before anything else and she didn’t want to separate him from his music, from his life.

“The others are going to miss you.” She tried, turning in his arms to look at him. He was grinning, completely aware of what she was trying to do. He pecked her lips.

“They will be so drunk they won’t even notice that I’m not with them.”

“The bunk bed is too tight for two people.” 

“Good.” He simply answered, a devilish look in his eyes. Another peck on her lips.

Max decided to try one last time to convince him, secretly delighted that he wanted to spend some time with her.

“Kelly will plan 35 different ways to kill you when he sees me in your bed, and Phil will imagine all kinds of dirty scenarios and will tell everything about them in detail. We’re never going to hear the end of it.”

Tracii pretended to think about it for a second before the shadow of a naughty smirk crossed his face, his eyes shining with a playful glow.

“I think I’ll take the risk.”

[xxsovereignsarayaxx]

Supernatural - Road to Revenge Chapter 4

Authors Note: Here is chapter 4! Hope everyone is well. Thank you to all for the likes and re-blogs. If anyone wants to be tagged in the upcoming chapters please send me an ask. Bit more drama to be added to the plot. Word Count: 2934 Warnings: There is some angst in this one. Character death.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

My heart had just shattered into pieces.

Nia was dead…

I had seen plenty of bodies in my lifetime but with this being Nia’s body and not just some stranger. It was different. It was a member of my family so now it was personal. 

Her body was tied to a chair, the rope that once bound her was drenched with her blood. Whatever blood was still in her body still slowly dripped onto the floor. Her head tilted backwards - lifeless. Her eyes had rolled and dry tears and what makeup was left stained her once perfect features. Nia’s long black hair was matted and messy. I noticed her top had been cut, pulling the knife I had in my boot. I used it to carefully peel the blood soaked garment away for a closer inspection, the new anti-possession tattoo she had gotten a mere few hours before, the tattoo that was meant to keep her safe had a large gash breaking it. And just like a devil's trap or salt circle once it was broken you were no longer protected. 

I felt something wet on my face. I was crying. I didn’t cry. I was never allowed to. But suddenly I just collapsed to the ground, the knife that was once in my hand clattered to the floor. The last and only normal part of my life had been taken away from me. I curled up into a ball on the floor. I felt weak, powerless and vulnerable. 

Was she in Heaven? Was she in Hell? 

As I laid there on the floor. I remembered...

Weaknesses are not tolerated. Failure is not an option.

My training started when I was five years old, I was taught how to dismantle and reassemble a handgun, then shoot it with precision by seven my marksmanship was the top of its game. I even rivalled some of the adults. At eight I had to prove that I was the top of my class, my opponent  and other classmates finally understood why you never brought a knife to a gunfight. I was being trained into the perfect killing machine, they were lucky I was a blank slate when I arrived. When my fourteenth birthday came I was sent out in the field, it was also the day I escaped from the clutches of my handler.

“Nicole, step forward.”  

I did as I was asked and stepped forward, there was a line of us eight of us to be exact both male and female. All dressed in black, our hair was neat and tidy and the same solemn expression littered each individual face except for one.

“Maxwell, step forward.”

The boy froze in his place. 

“Maxwell, step forward. You know the rules if your name is called out you step forward.” The voice said again this time firmer with more authority.

The boy finally stepped forward and the rest of the line was dismissed, they dispersed quickly and quietly hardly making a sound.

“One of you is ready to graduate. But you must prove your worth. You must prove to ‘The Men of Letters’ that you are ready.” 

With that we were left on our own. We knew that only one would leave the room - That person would be me.

“Nicole… We don’t have to do this.” Maxwell whimpered, his eyes searching for a shred of hope.

“This is what they have trained us for.” I said bluntly looking at the few weapons that were left on a nearby table.

“But…”

“Maxwell you are weak. And weaknesses will not be tolerated!” I shouted as I picked up a throwing knife and launched it at him. I missed by an inch.

“You were chosen because you needed to be dealt with. Failure is not an option, you have failed the Men of Letters because you are weak.” I stated as I cornered him.

And right before I had him pinned up against a wall…

I shot back up but this time I wasn’t alone Dean had me cradled in his arms. I then broke down, tears streamed down my face once more, I buried myself in his jacket. From that moment the remnants of the person I used to be, came flooding back. I will hunt down this demon and nobody is going to stop me.

 “Nikki I’m so sorry.” Dean said, trying to shush me to try and calm me down.

“I need...I need to put her to rest.” I muttered trying to get out of Dean’s embrace. He wouldn't let me go at first.

Escaping Dean’s iron hold I clambered back up to my feet, bending down to pick up the knife. The silver blade being a welcomed cold feeling on my palms as I tightened my grip. Carefully making my way to Nia’s body I sliced through the blood soaked ropes. 

“I know she wasn’t a hunter but I think a hunter's funeral would be best.” Dean said softly. 

I nodded, finally through all of the ropes that held Nia. I closed her eyes and Dean walked over and carefully picked her up.  

“Please be careful with her.” I whispered. 

Dean never uttered a word but simply nodded. As he held Nia close to his chest, not caring that her blood stained his clothes, we made our way through the empty bar and back to the impala, opening the back seat door Dean slid Nia’s body onto the smooth yet worn leather. We drove towards the Las Vegas Ranger District as that was the closest place to give Nia a proper hunters funeral. The drive was silent, nothing but the odd glance at one another. By early morning we arrived, Dean immediately got out of the car and got the axe that lived in the trunk. I still sat in the car keeping Nia company, I turned to look at her.

“Ni, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I’m sorry that I haven’t been there for you when you needed me, I’m sorry I have been a crappy sister. But I promise you that I will find the bastard that did this to you and I will make them pay. I hope wherever you are, you’re happy and at peace.” I whispered to her, reaching out to hold her cold and lifeless hand one last time. 

Once Dean had cut down enough trees to make a base, he offered to get Nia out of the car but I declined, I had to be the one to do this. I opened that car door and picked up my sister. Even though she was slightly taller than me I was still able to lift her. I put her on a white sheet that Dean got out of the trunk and placed on the floor. Smoothing out her hair, I kissed my fore and middle fingers and planted them on her forehead.

“Sweet dreams sis.” I said softly and wrapped her up tying the sheet where necessary. 

I carried Nia to the base, I struggled to place her down and Dean with an act of kindness aided me, he didn’t take over he just helped and I was thankful for it. He then took a step back as I doused Nia’s body with salt and the gasoline. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver zippo style lighter - it was Nia’s lighter, the one I had bought for her on her birthday when she turned 21. I had it engraved with the words. ‘Smoking is bad for you. You're a pain in the ass. Try not to lick anymore window glass.’ I took the lighter. It seemed fitting to do it with this. As I flicked the lighter a flame appeared. I watched the mix of blue and amber dance together. 

“I promise I will avenge you Ni…” And with that I threw the lighter onto the wood and flames roared to life as they ate up her body. 

Dean pulled me close, both of our eyes were red…

“Has your past got something to do with Nia’s death?” Dean asked me to break the silence.

“Yes…”

We stayed with Nia for a good twenty minutes and then headed back to the car. My walking pace was faster than Deans.

“Actaeon as in the wind, we need to rethink how we are going to do this.” Dean suggested softly. 

“How I’m going to rethink this.” I said stopping and turning to face him.  

“Nik, you can’t do this one alone.” Dean replied, coming to a halt.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I can’t do this alone? You should know me better than anyone Dean, that if I’m told I can’t do something I will do the opposite.” I argued raising my voice.

“You’ll get yourself killed!” Dean snapped.

“Then so be it! I just had the last shred of normality ripped away from me.” I shouted back.

“You want to end up like Nia? You want it to be where it’s me and Sam burning your body? Is this what you're aiming for? You are the best thing that happened to me Nikki and I’m going to bloody make sure you're still around. If Nia’s death is connected to your past then you need to fill me in. Even if it's just the basics.” 

“You know the basics Dean. I was in a foster home when I was fourteen, I met you and Sam a couple years later.” I replied bringing my tone of voice back to its softer tone of voice.

“Why were you in that foster home though?” 

“Because I ran away from what I thought was my home. Because I wanted no connection with my past and coming to America was the best way to do that. Because I wanted to forget what I was being turned into, but when it’s drilled into you 24/7 for almost a decade you don’t know any different!” I ranted.

Every time I spoke Dean inched closer to me and by the time I had finished speaking we were face to face, I had told him too much. I let my emotions get the better of me. He pulled me closer and kissed me hard but full of love and passion, he held my face in his hands. But while he was doing that I had another idea in mind, I reached into my jacket pocket and held onto a set of handcuffs that I shoved in there earlier, and with a grip on the metal restraint I slowly pulled them out quietly so I wouldn’t be caught.  

“I am so sorry.” I whispered as I pulled away from Dean. 

I quickly attached one cuff to his wrist, maneuvering around so I stood behind him. I grabbed his other hand and cuffed that one as well. A look of disbelief was plastered over Dean's face. 

“Nik? What are you doing?” He asked cautiously, spinning back around to face me.

“I have to find him D…I have to send that son of a bitch to rot back in hell. He killed my sister…” I replied with tears falling down my features once more. I cried more times today then I had ever done in the past. 

“Revenge is a dangerous road to go down. You told me that.” Dean pleaded. 

“I don’t want you to see the things I’m going to do.” I said plainly. 

“Please when this is over I hope you forgive me.” I added and punched him in the face with such force I knocked him clean out. 

As Dean fell backwards I fished my phone from my pocket. Dialling Crowley’s number he picked immediately.

“Fawn pleasant surprise.”

“Where can I find him?” I asked, looking back over my shoulder still seeing Dean passed out. 

“Like I said you don’t find Actaeon.”

“Then point me in the right direction Crowley…” I snapped.

“Fine, fine.” 

The phone line went dead but however he appeared at my side. Peering over my shoulder he saw Dean still unconscious; he pulled a sarcastic face. 

“Dean will wake up with a headache and nothing more.” I told him.

“If you say so.” 

“Anyway, so like I have mentioned time and time again, you don’t find Actaeon. But I can point you in the right direction. Head over to this address. You're looking for a sweet thing called Kandy. And by sweet I mean fickle and conniving."

“So just normal demon behaviour? So this Kandy she works for Actaeon?” I replied sarcastically raising an eyebrow.

“Your reputation precedes you Miss Callahan…”

“Nobody calls me that now…”

“You really think a change in last name and moving to another country would keep you safe?” Crowley asked.

“It worked well so far…”

“Do Moose and Squirrel know of your past?” 

“No and it stays that way. Do you hear me?” I almost shouted back.

Crowley put both of his hands up in surrender. “Alright Fawn I won’t say a word.”  

Still holding my phone I threw it on the ground making sure it smashed in the process, I couldn't have Sam nor Dean track me. This would be my fight. Satisfied that my phone no longer worked I walked over to Baby knowing that putting a knife in her tires would definitely end my relationship with the unconscious hunter so instead I took the dust caps off letting the air out. I needed that small head start before Dean came around. I took off the two thigh holsters and left one of my weapons on the ground near the impala. I wanted to use it as a sign to Dean that I would come back.

I turned to Crowley. “Let’s go.” Holding one of my guns, sliding out the magazine and checking the chamber, and then tucking it into the waistband of my jeans hiding it with my jacket.

Crowley got me to where I needed to be, Omaha Nebraska to be exact. I was currently looking at this small bar located down this alleyway, standing in a small puddle I turned to look at Crowley. “This is where this Kandy is?” I asked.

“Correct Fawn, this is the end of the line in where I shall be assisting you. Good luck.”

“I know you didn’t have to help me, but thank you.” I replied.

Holding my head high I entered the small bar, this time there were actual people inside which was a good sign, as I approached the counter I took note of the bartender cleaning glasses. She was around 5ft5, bubblegum pink hair with bright blue eyes. Her makeup was full and her false eyelashes were one of the most standout features, she stood out. “Hi Sugar, what can I get you.” She asked in a southern accent.

“Whiskey neat please.”   

The bartender picked up a clean glass and put it on the counter bending down to get a bottle of whiskey and poured a generous helping into the glass. She nudged it forward. Taking the glass I brought it to my lips and took a sip, pausing for a moment appreciating the taste I placed it back onto the counter. 

“What’s a sweet thing like you doing in a place like this?” The bartender asked me in her southern drawl.

“Could ask you the same question?” I countered.

“Well I work here sugar. What's your excuse?” 

I took another sip of my drink enjoying the burn. “I’m looking for someone.”

“I make it my business to know everything and everyone about this city.” 

“Do you know where I can find someone called Kandy?” I asked tracing the rim of the glass with my finger.

“Well you're looking at her. Now are you a friendly hunter or do I need to get my friends over there involved?” She asked pointing to some of the bar patrons as her eyes flickered to black and then back to the radiant blue.

I turned to look over my shoulder seeing the potential demons by the door.

“If you don’t give me a reason to shoot you then I’m a friendly hunter I shall be.” I replied, flashing her a smile. 

“I’m told you work for Actaeon, do you know where I can find him?”

Kandy let out a chuckle and leaned towards me. “I sure do. But why would I go against him? I mean Actaeon keeps me safe from the likes of your kind.”

“You know how I said before that I wouldn’t shoot you, you're now starting to give me a reason to.” I told the pink hair demon giving her a wink. 

I downed the rest of my drink and slammed it on the counter. “Unless you want a bullet in between your eyes. I know, I know it won’t kill you but I’m pretty sure I can get hold of an angel blade that will. Actaeon may have protected you from other hunters but he won’t be able to keep you safe from me…” I added in a sickly sweet voice. 

“And there is the person that I’ve heard so much about.” Kandy said with a chuckle.

After that moment a bag covered my head and I was restrained. I struggled in the grip that held onto my tight. Kicking my legs trying in any attempt to break free from my captors. “Let me go!” I attempted in a muffled shout. As I was moved into another part of the bar I was forced into a seated position, I then had my arms tied behind my back to the back of the chair. 

“Well, well, well” Said an unknown male voice. 

[svtntntn]

---habits--->

jock!seungcheol x classmate!you

this was something from a long, long time ago and now I'm getting around to finishing and posting it!! 

this is a small bit that goes hand in hand with this scenario ( snippet )

so you live next to the school

yes, you live right next door to your high school

your backyard is right next to the school's football/track field

the only thing separating your backyard from the school's field is a grand black cast iron fence

there's some shrubbery and bushes along the fence and your parents planted some flowers and tall plants to cover it up, but the football field still visible

your balcony can overlook the entire football field if you're sitting at the right angle

which honestly is a blessing and a curse

bc you can watch the games and events from your bedroom window and balcony but when you need to study or want to sleep in early, there's cheers and horns blaring outside your house

but in your best friend somin's opinion, it's also the best place to watch the jocks work out and run laps

staking out the most athletic and toned bodies in your high school on your bedroom balcony with your best friend on a weekly basis?

it wasn't something you were completely crazy about bc

1) wouldn't it be considered stalking?

and 2) your homework wasn't going to complete itself

she'd come over unannounced and set up an entire camp on your balcony

you'd protest your balcony being used as a stake out point to stalk cute guys but she repays you by bringing you food 

you don't really have an interest in any of the guys on the team except for a certain choi seungcheol

he's the school's heartthrob with his dashing good looks, his charming smile, his warm heart and natural leadership 

he's been the star quarterback for your high school since his sophomore year which is a new record as the youngest starting quarterback in school history

so somin's always calling you over to the balcony and saying that seungcheol is running laps around the track or that he's doing drills on the field with his teammates hansol and mingyu

or that he's just sitting on the bench looking as handsome as one could be with a sweat-drenched shirt

she literally wants you to die from your crush on choi seungcheol

which makes you less responsive to when she says his name, "(y/n)! seungcheol’s on the field!"

you stay sitting at your desk, "is he just taking a water break? again?"

somin is quiet for a beat, "okay yes, but look!"

you don't look and turn back to your hw

and you continue to daydream about your crush bc in all actuality, you've never talked to him or introduced yourself to him so he technically doesn't even know you exist 

one day you’re doing homework and somin’s on the balcony when she tackles you on the bed, "(y/n)," she says gravely, "choi seungcheol is outside your fence"

"whAt?"

you both peek out the balcony doors and this boy is standing on the other side of your backyard fence looking sheepishly nervous for some reason

but when you step out behind the doors, you spot a football in the middle of your yard, and then seungcheol spots you! 

he does a giant wave at you with a beaming smile and motions over at the football

you wave back before turning away from the balcony and somin is literally pushing you down the stairs bc you’re paralyzed from the shock of seeing him

you walk outside trying to act all nonchalant and caught off guard like "oh, hi there!" 

but you trip over the very thing you’re supposed to be returning to seungcheol

if that football was a person, you’d be murdering it 12 different ways and hiding it across the country where no one would find it

your cheeks burn red as you hear seungcheol chuckle to himself and ask if you’re okay

you nod slowly and toss him the ball over the fence and he catches it with a single hand 

showoff

he jogs back to the field with the ball and you’re left feeling crazy embarrassed bc you just tripped over a stupid football in front of your crush like thIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN

you suddenly hate football

somin tries to cheer you up with her never-ending optimism, "hey at least he knows your face and where you live now!"

"he saw me TRIP in my own backyard" you bury your face in your hands, "good thing he doesn’t even know my name"

days pass and you try to forget your terrible first impression, but you end up replaying the whole event in your head whenever you think of him 

now your crush on choi seungcheol is tainted by this one terrible memory and you kinda hope he forgets about the whole thing

little do you know, he doesn't;)

and then fate interferes: you're paired with him for a project in your literature class

just a quick partner presentation and of course, you draw seungcheol’s name from the hat

"hi (y/n), right?" seungcheol find a seat next to you and slides into it, "choi seungcheol"

his handshake is very firm and strong and you can already feel your cheeks blushing from how handsomely handsome he is

but you ignore the butterflies in your stomach and get down to business and set up a whole outline and plan of action for the presentation

seungcheol attentively listens to you and gives his feedback, which is refreshing bc most ppl would just nod, sit back and let you do the bulk of the work

you two set up a time after school to work on the presentation and you hope he doesn't bring up the whole 'hey aren't you the girl who tripped over a football' thing and thank goodness he doesn’t

before you know it, class is over and done with but when you leave the classroom, seungcheol is calling your name and walking with you down the hallway, "hey (y/n), I was hoping if I could get your number? to message you about our study session! I might come late because of practice and I don't want to make you wait for me or anything"

"oh! uh sure, of course" you punch in your number on his phone and he grins

"I'll see you tonight" he winks as he turns into another hallway, meeting a chorus of "hey's" from his friends

it takes you a solid minute to realize that choi seungcheol asked for your phone number and he got it under the guise of a study session

and you didn't even think much of it in the moment

seungcheol does come late to your study session in the library, but it's alright, you spent the 15 minutes sitting alone wondering what even to say to him in terms of small talk 

and when he gets to you, he’s apologizing to you profusely and you and him get your presentation done in under an hour, seeing as you're both smart and efficient students:)

the sun is setting outside when you both walk out together, "(y/n), let me drive you home, you're right next to the school anyways"

you brush over the fact that seungcheol remembers you live right next to the school, “no no! it's okay, I can walk home, I usually do”

seungcheol gives in, "okay… I'm walking with you though"

"you don't have to, really, it's such a short walk "

"I want to" and so, after a short stop to his car to drop off his football gear, he starts walking with you to your house

which makes your stomach flip and turn as seungcheol walks side by side with you

the awkward silence is replaced with seungcheol first breaking the ice and telling you some type of corny joke and making you laugh

you both get into a rhythm of talking about music and classes and friends when you get to your front door 

seungcheol has this tiny little pout on his lips that he hides when you mention that you'd rather just sit and talk to him longer

"we have tomorrow to talk more! and we can text each other" he promises, holding up his phone, "I'll text you when I get home"

you're over the moon when you enter your house!! everything's just perfect!! 

seungcheol does text you when he's home and you two end up staying up all night texting one another

this goes on and on and on for the next couple of days

it becomes less about your project and more about everyday things and trivial questions that you both know the answer to

seungcheol would text you before and after his football practice and you'd both stay up till the morning texting each other

during actual school tho, he'd spend time with you at your lunch table, walking with you in between classes and hanging out with you before his practice starts

if someone needs to find him, they’ll find you with him

you help seungcheol study for upcoming quizzes and exams in your respective classes in the school library

he ends up lending his letterman jacket to you when you two are studying in the library together;)

if you're up for it, which you usually are, seungcheol will take you out for dinner after his practice

like a gentleman, he always pays for you until you try to sneak money back into his pocket or his backpack

somin doesn't find out that you and seungcheol have been talking outside of class till she spots you with seungcheol at the burger place near the school 

she waits for you at your house when she basically tackles you, "(y/n)!!! tell me everything!! who, what, when, where, why, how! wait I already know who—it's mr. choi seungcheol, your dream man" 

his teammates always end up interrupting you two when you're walking around campus, joshua always introduces himself politely while jeonghan and chan are both like 'who are you?' 

while mingyu and hansol are like 'oOOO, you're the girl who lives at that one house near the football field'

everytime he's sitting with you at your lunch table or when you two are walking down the hallway, both of your phones go off with text messages 

bc somin's sending winky faces and heart emojis to you with seungcheol's name in it and seungcheol says it's just the team's groupchat asking about practice times and stuff for the friday's game

but they're all teasing seungcheol with heart eyes emojis and winky faces too;)))

so basically, now the whole team and somin know of seungcheol’s major crush on you and your crush on him

but bc of the upcoming competitive season, you begin to see seungcheol less and less, as he’s swamped with meetings and practice 24/7 that he only really sees you in class and around campus

one day, you're studying in your room again when you hear seungcheol's voice from outside your balcony

and there you see in your yard that same brown football that first irked the heck out of you just as seungcheol says, “sorry, mingyu keeps threw it over here by accident”

he's running his hand through his hair and even when he's a sweaty mess, he still looks super handsome damn it

you toss it over to him again, “it's fine, just as long you don't break anything over here”

“don't worry, I won't break your heart” seungcheol reassures you with a smirk, nodding at you as he walks backwards, “bye (y/n)!”

and again, the next day the football magically appears in your backyard again

"(y/n)!" seungcheol's standing right outside your fence, explaining how hansol kicked the football too far this time 

you take the ball in your hands and throw it over the fence again, "I think this ball keeps appearing here more often than on the actual field, seungcheol"

"maybe the football just gravitates to here, just like how I do to you"

you start laughing at his dumb line,"oh my gosh"

"see you, (y/n)" he winks at you before jogging away again

this continues for so long and when you tell somin everything, she's suspicious

bc why would they kick the ball horizontally across the field rather than length-wise where the actual goal posts are?

you've never thought about it until she points it out to you, making you shrug but somin's still curious as to why the ball keeps appearing in your yard for no legitimate reason

so she does the obvious and camps out by your balcony for you as you do your homework at your desk 

somin yells for you once you finally get productive and ready to start your english essay, "(y/n)! look! come over here! it's seungcheol!"

you slide over next to somin and she points at the figures of seungcheol, hansol and mingyu on the field, all of them sitting on the benches tiredly as just practice appears to end

you watch as seungcheol stands up and toys with a single football in his hands, spinning it in the air before catching it himself

he tosses it to mingyu and starts running across the field, towards the direction of your yard as mingyu hands it to hansol, who then punts it to seungcheol

and of course, it goes over your fence and into your backyard

now you see hansol and mingyu slouch tiredly on the bench as seungcheol comes running nearing your backyard fence

making you and somin hide back in your room before you're caught 

"does seungcheol know you’re home?"

"why does that matter?"

"because, he's going to call for you because he likes—"

"(y/n)!" and when he says your name, it clicks in your head

tHIS BOY HAS BEEN PURPOSELY THROWING THE FOOTBALL IN YOUR YARD TO TALK TO YOU

okay, so he's been making hansol and mingyu throw it in your yard, but the sentiment is still the same

you step out on the balcony and once again, there's choi seungcheol leaning against the bars of your fence 

this time, you slowly pick up the football, spinning it around in your hands, "hansol really needs to get better at kicking this the other way"

"yeah, we're working with him tonight on that, sorry again… I don't even know how or why it gets all the way here"

"I think I know why" you spin the football in your hands again and seungcheol raises an eyebrow, "why are you making hansol kick the ball this way?"

"what?"

"I watched you hand the ball to hansol and he kicked it this way knowing fully well the goal posts are the other way, and you even started running in this direction before he even kicked the ball"

"ok ok, you caught me" he sheepishly confesses, scratching the back of his head nervously, "well since I've been so busy with practice and with games every week and so, I barely get to see you anymore… and I like seeing you"

"you still see me around classes and around campus, we have literature class together"

"yes, but… that's during school... and never mind, can I have the ball back please?"

"but what seungcheol?" you still hold it hostage as seungcheol groans

"I like you, (y/n)! that's why I make hansol and mingyu kick the ball this way and into your yard, because since the first time you tripped over it and ever since the project in lit class, I can't get you out of my head"

"you still remember that?" you're embarrassed that he remembers your terrible first impression of you tripping over the dumb football and he breathes out a laugh

"of course, I've never seen someone so mad at a football before and you were, or are pretty cute"

"I tripped and nearly fell on my face" your face heats up at the memory while seungcheol shakes his head

"you tripped cutely" he tries, reaching out and touching your arm through the fence, "so…"

"so what, mr. quarterback?"

seungcheol pulls his best pouty face, "may I have the ball back and would it be too much to ask you out to dinner tonight?"

"I don't know… I do have a lot of homework to catch up on because someone keeps distracting me by throwing their football into my backyard"

"tomorrow night then?"

you toss the ball over to him and he easily catches it, "don't you have a game tomorrow night?"

he frowns and sighs at the football in his hand, "after then, after tomorrow night's game," he promises as he runs back, "see you (y/n)!"

the next night, you decide to watch the game from your balcony, proudly wearing your school's hoodie while eating some popcorn to get into the whole school spirit thing from the comfort of your own house

somin keeps you company as she writes an essay to turn in last minute with your help, making you lose track of who's winning or losing with her endless amount of questions

you're proofreading her paper when she stands up and drags you out of your chair, "(y/n)! seungcheol is waving this way! for you!"

when you look up, you can see seungcheol's hand waving in your direction and to anyone else, it could just be him pointing up in the air for no reason

you try and wave back, but you don't even know if he can see that far, so you quickly put your hand down to not look like a fool

it's the last two minutes of the game and your school is in the lead by three points when somin already bets seungcheol and the team are going to win

and of course, you go along with her and when the final timer runs out, you see everyone swamp the field in celebration

you hug somin, but you just wish you were hugging seungcheol in congratulations

soon, you see the large batch of ppl slowly trickle out of the field, only a couple members of the team standing in the middle before there’s only one person

you stand on you balcony as notice the only person left on the field gesture in your direction, his arm motioning for you to come over as you promptly look around to check if it is for you

you notice a football fly into the air and into the middle of your backyard again, and so of course you know exactly who's on the field

you rush downstairs and take the football from the ground, briskly walking to the middle of the field in your hoodie and jeans to meet the one and only choi seungcheol

he's dressed in another jersey's of his, his hair damp with either sweat or water with his gear and duffle by his feet

you toss the ball over to him and he catches it with one hand as you approach him, his other hand staying behind his back, "congrats, mr. quarterback"

"hey (y/n)" he smiles innocently at you

"why did you throw the ball into my yard again? I was going to come over here anyway, you already have my attention"

seungcheol's flustered by you last comment before clearing his throat, "old habits die hard, and for some reason, the ball just wants to go in that direction" 

you roll your eyes at his excuse as you take the football in your hands, spinning it around and he takes a step closer to you, "and speaking of habits, I was wondering if you could help me with a new one?"

"if it means retrieving the ball for you always, no. you should really break that habit of throwing that my way"

"no no, I don't mean that," he pulls out a single flower from behind his back and smiles at you, "go out with me?"

you accept the flower and step closer to him, "I thought I already agreed to this date?"

"the thing is with habits, they occur over and over again, yeah? and so I'm asking you out on multiple dates, you know?"

"are you ever going to break this habit?"

"if you say yes, then never. I'll never break this habit" 

your eyes dart to his lips and his eyes dart to yours and he leans closer to you to try and kiss you but you chicken out at the last moment

you hold up the football in front of your face, blocking his lips with the winning ball, "ah ah ah, you haven't even taken me out yet"

"I can't get a kiss for winning the game?" he bashfully pouts

"hmm, let me think about it…" you pretend to think about it for a moment before leaning towards him, your lips super close to his cheek, but not touching his skin before you mutter into his ear, "nope, you have to take me out first, remember?"

you teasingly smirk at him as you run towards the field's exit, waving him over from afar as he starts jogging towards you with his duffle and his gear slung over his shoulder

seungcheol has this cute little pout as you wrap your free hand in his, swinging his arm as you walk together

he stops in his tracks and drops his duffle and gear on the ground, "wait, I need to do something, real quick"

he holds out his hand for the football and you apprehensively give it to him, watching him jog the distance back to the middle of the field and throws the ball to its usual spot, back to your backyard

you watch with your jaw open as the ball flies over and seungcheol runs back over to you, "oops, bad habit"

.

[etherealreveri]

➶ MRS. KIM ➶ CH 6

Chapter One  ⦁  Chapter Two   ⦁ Chapter Three   ⦁  Chapter Four ⦁ Chapter Five

⦁ ⦁ ⦁ MRS. KIM MASTERLIST ⦁ ⦁ ⦁

“Hello Miss Sunshine looks like we did it again,” you look up and see that Naeun is wearing yellow as well. “Great minds think alike don’t you think?”  

“You okay?” Naeun pulls a chair and sits across from you. “Thinking of Junmyeon?”

“Hey, I don’t think about him 24/7 …” you scratched your head. “I’m just thinking about him now.”

“Didn’t you just see him this morning? And slept with him last ni-” you shove a chip into Naeun’s mouth. “Sh!” you laughed. You both order your dessert bowls and chit-chat about girl things such as makeup and fashion. Naeun mentions that she has been secretly designing clothes during the summer while you were away and there is a shoot tomorrow and she wants you to join her as well, she also mentions that Junmyeon and Jongin will be there tomorrow to join in the photoshoot. Naeun thinks that this will play well into Junmyeon’s public image and plus, you would get to spend more time with him.

“I don’t know Naeun, I’m not really the model type.”

“Please,” she pouted.

“Junmyeon doesn’t really like things like this either, how did you get him to do this?” she bats her eyes at you and laughs. “I might have told him that you agreed to do this so he agreed to do this.”

“Hey!” you almost choke on your drink. “You did what?”

“Please,” she begged with her hands together. I think i’ve finally found my calling as a fashion designer and could really use the assistance of my best friend, I’m also diving into men’s fashion and thats a big step from me, pleassseee.”

“Okay fine,” you bring her hands down and held her hands. “I’m proud of you, you know that right?”

“I know, and I’m proud of you too.”

“What did I do?”

“I’m proud that you and Junmyeon are back together.”

“We’re not technically back together. I don’t even know what we are.”

“You know what would be romantic?” she turns to you and holds up a dress, ”This is cute, here you go,” she turns back around and rummages through the dresses. “I think it would be romantic if you go visit him during work and bring him a home-packed meal. “I know Jaehyun really appreciates a homecooked meal during lunchtime and plus, you get to see him more.”   

“I can’t do that,” she gasps and turns around, handing you another dress.

“Why not?”

“What if I run into his dad?” she gives you a face.

“What?”

“Why are you so scared of his father?”

“Because I’m not the right fit for him Naeun, I don’t own a chain of corporations or hotels and come from a well-known family, my family just owns a cozy hotel ...I think you would be a more perfect fit for him than I am. Look at you, I think you’re the perfect gal.”

“Shut up you are just as good, without all of the jazz I am nothing like you.”

“Hey! Random, but question! Do you think guys like wearing watches?”

“Yeah, why?” she smiles and narrows her eyes at you, you look her up and down and take a step back from her. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“Are you getting Junmyeon a little something-something?”

“No, silly. My dads birthday is coming up and I think a nice watch would go well with him and the snazzy style he always has going, and since you have great fashion taste and have seen my dad quite a few times I thought I’d ask if you want to hop over to the jewelry shop next door after we ring up these-”

“Okay,” she grabs the dresses from your hands and heads towards the register. “These are on me!”

“Wait, no! Naeun, I’ll pay for them my-” she turns around and pinches your cheek. “Just let me do this, I haven’t seen you all summer and you’ve been back for like 3 weeks and haven’t gone out and I want to spoil you, mkay? Cool,” and she struts to the register and hands the associate her card, turning back to look at you she gives you a cheeky smile. After you lecture her on how she needs to stop buying things for you, she just keeps insisting that it's okay and to let her do this since you are like a little sister for her.

You and Naeun walk arm in arm into the jewelry shop and begin browsing the watches on display. There were so many choices to choose from and some that would send your bank account to the roof. You settle on a leather watch with gold trim to it and hand over your card before Naeun could do anything.

“You don’t have to be so aggressive.”

“If I wasn’t aggressive you would have whipped out your card wouldn’t you?”

“Okay fine, you caught me but still,” she pulls you into a hug and jumps with you in the middle of the store.

“What?”

“Look,” she points to a ring in the display case. It was a simple elongated ring with a diamond band that you and Naeun swore that you would both get so you would both be matching, and of course, it could be differentiated because Naeun wore a size bigger than you. The jeweler reaches in and grabs the ring, causing you and Naeun to pout at each other.

“A girl can only dream,” you both whispered.

“I mean I would want her to know as soon as possible you know just in case you know. I wouldn’t want ”

“Baekhyun,” you wave your hand over as he walks into the jewelry store. Baekhyuns eyes widen and he covers up his mouth as he was talking to the phone.

“I got to go. Haha, hi,” he puts his phone in his pocket and the jeweler greets Baehyun. “Sir, your ring,” the ring that you and Naeun looked at was in a ring box in front of Baekhyun. “Aha, right right my ring, this is my ring.”

“Baekhyun, I didn’t know that you had a girlfriend.”

“Oh yeah, I, haha, its-she’s pretty shy so we keep the low on things because that’s how my girlfriend is well, I guess now my soon to be fiance.”

“I see, well … she’s a very lucky girl Baekhyun. Naeun and I, we said that when we get proposed to we will both have the same rings, it works out with us not mixing it up because we have different sized rings.”

“Baekhyun is lucky here, this ring is popular and the only size we have left is a size 8.”

“Hey, Naeun. That’s your size, I think this is a sign with Jaehyun,” you winked.

“Right, um, well I have a meeting to attend in an hour so I just came to pick up the ring before the meeting. I should probably get going now because Junmyeon would kill me if I don’t show up prepared. He’s been pretty busy today with his merger deals with international corporations and such.”

“Okay, tell him I said hi.”

“I will,” he bows and powerwalks away from you two. You and Naeun shrug, Baekhyun was always like this so it wasn’t anything new. “That ring is so beautiful though, whoever he is marrying is so lucky to wear it.”

“Yeah, she’ll be one lucky gal. The ring is beautiful. ”

“You know, now that we’re on this topic. I think he’s going to propose to me soon.”

“Shut up Naeun, you’re lying.”

“I’m not,” she holds your hands and does a little happy jump. “When I get married can you promise me one thing?”

“Anything.”

“Getting married will be very scary, promise to be by my side? I know weddings are all fun and stuff but its the next step of adulting and I’m scared.”

“Of course,” you hug her. “And to be completely honest, I think with the wayJaehyun is acting … I think you’ll get proposed to soon and plus, we’re like sisters, I will always be there for you.”

Though it’d been a few hours since you’ve seen Naeun, you’ve been texting her since the time you both parted because you had a sudden urge to go see Junmyeon even though you saw him this morning and wasn’t sure if you were just being needy because you couldn’t get the idea of his hug from this morning out of your head. Since you couldn’t get that out of your mind, here you are, standing across from his office dripping from the rain you just walked through. Thanks to your luck it began pouring in the middle of your walk there and you were drenched in rain by the time you reached the doors of his building.

“Okay,” you took a breath. “On the count of three,” you lift your hand up and ball it into a fist. One knock. Nothing. Two knocks. Nothing. Three knocks. Nothing. You sigh and your shoulders slump down. “So much for wanting to see him-” you place your hand on the door handle then turn around and make your way to the elevator. Pulling out your phone, you call Naeun to let her know of the fail that just happened to you. Saying your parting words to the cleaners, you walk out of the building and make your way back your family’s hotel. It was great that it still looked wet outside because if it didn’t look like it had just rained, you would have looked ridiculous walking in soaked clothes.

“At least it’s a beautiful night,” you round the corner onto a less populated street. “I don’t know what I was thinking, I don’t even know why I walked there.”

“Well, where are you now?”

“I just walked past the bakery shop by the corner and am on that one sketchy bit before it leads to the busier side again.”

“It was worth a try, you’re a hopeless romantic.”

“No, I’m not,”  you laughed.

“Hey, do you want me to come to drive you back?”

“I’m fine, I’m almo-ahhhhh!” a hand grabs onto your shoulder and you freeze. Before the guy was able to speak you elbow him in the stomach and twist his arm around, nailing him to the ground with your knee on his back.

“I know karate, don’t test me-”

“Damn,” you look up and Baekhyun was standing at the driver side with the door open. “When did you learn karate?”

“Uh …” your eyes divert down to the man on the ground.

“Thank you Miyeon, you don’t have to stay and take care of him tonight, I’ll take care of him since this is my fault.”

“Miss …”

“It's okay, you take a night off and I’ll take care of him,” she nods, hands you the first aid kit and makes her way out. You move the kit to the side and scoot closer to Junmyeon, taking the bandaids out you take a cotton pad and pour some hydrogen peroxide onto it. “This might sting,” you grab his arm and gently wipe the cut he sustained when he fell onto the ground.

“You know i’m okay right?” you shrug. “I’m fine I promise.”

“I know you say that but I still feel bad,” you take the bandage and place it on top of his wound. “Because of me, you’re bruised up like this.”  

“Well, at least we know that you will never get kidnapped.”

“Haha, not funny,” you said as you packed everything back into the first aid box. Junmyeon’s knee touches yours and you look up, noticing that he scooted closer to you. With your eyes locked on his, your heart began pounding, and it felt like it was pounding faster than the speed of light. “Why were you out in that part of the street? You know how dangerous that area is?”

“I-um, I-I just wanted to take a walk that's all. The hotel has had an influx of customers the past few days and I wanted to take a walk since it felt nice tonight.”

“Is that why the security guard I met as I was coming out of the restroom confusingly ask me why I wasn’t in my office with a beautiful lady?”

“I …” you scratch your head and turn away from Junmyeon. “I, I um, well you know your main building or whatever you call it was along the path I was walking and …” he turns you back around and locked eyes with you again. You hiccup and immediately looked down at your hands. Why am I like this again? You scratch your arm. He lifts up your chin.

“ … or did you?”

“Okay fine I wanted to see you.” you stand up and began pacing with your hands cupped to your face. Why is my face so hot right now? It's not like you’ve never done anything with him before. “I don’t know why I did that I actually went out because I wanted to-” You spin around and find his chest in front of your face, you clear your throat and turn away from him only to have him spin you back around to face him.

“So,” a grin begins building until he full on smiles. “Why are his teeth so pretty too?” you whisper.

“What?”

“Nothing,” you shake your head.

“I wanted to see you too,” he pulls you in and the warmth of his body overtakes you and give in, wrapping your arms around his waist. He squeezes and tight little hug and pulls away. “Follow me,” he laces his hands in yours and pulls you out of the family living room and you both make your way behind the stairs to a bookshelf.

“Why are we in front of your bookshelf?” he shrugs at you. “I think there is an elevator behind this.”

“You think?” he pushes the light switch and it flips up, revealing a keypad. Junmyeon presses a few buttons and the bookshelf opens up, revealing the secret elevator. You both walk in and the door shuts, shaking a little before it began to ascend, he smiles and gives your hand a little squeeze. Once you enter the 3rd-floor Junmyeon pauses and looks both ways.

“What are you looking for?”

“My room,” he turns to the left, “I think it’s this way,” he takes you to the left wing. You pause and look up at him.

“What?”

“You don’t know where your own room is?”

“I do, this house is just so big I don’t remember where everything is all the time.”

“Hold up,” you tried holding back a laugh. “Do you even know where all the rooms are in your house are?”

“I know where the family room is and where my room is and my office, that’s all that matters isn’t it?” he said as you walked through the hallways. “Yeah, those are important but why live in such a big house if you don’t know where things are? Or, get lost.”

“I don’t know.”

“But no ones occupying the room, wouldn’t that be a waste of space?”

“I guess you could say that.”

“Do you have some kind of secret society her-ah!” you yell as you trip over the carpet. He bends down as you sit yourself up and boops your nose. “Maybe,” he winked. “Here we are,” he opens up the door to his room and you follow him in. “What are we doing here?” you turn the corner. He grabs you a towel and wraps it around your head. “Dry up,” you take down the towel and dry your hair.

“Take off your clothes, you’ll get sick if you stay in those,” he strips off his shirt and begins unbuckling his pants, you clear your throat. “I’m fine,” he chuckles and comes over with his boxers on, “You act like you’ve never seen me-”

“Junmyeon!”

“This is covering more tha-”

“Junmyeon,” you covered his mouth. “Don’t say that.”

“Acting shy aren’t we?” he pulls a cabinet open and you see women's lingerie and clothing. “You have women's clothing?”

“Yeah,” he nods and turns back around. “I do.”

“That's kind of strange, don’t you think?”

“No,” he shook his head. “Not when they’re yours.”

“What?”

“When I was packing to move back here, I forgot to give you the clothes you left at my apartment. I just never got around to doing anything with them.”

“Right,” you grab a black romper and undergarments and quickly change into them. You sit on the little couch built into his closet and observe the walk-in closet you were sitting in. “I see your style’s still pretty neutral.”

“I know,” he slips on black sweats and a plain white t-shirt. You blink at him. He looks so good. You follow him out of the closet and back into his room where you wait for him as he uses the restroom. Walking around, you notice that his room is just like the rest of the room, minimal decorations and really clean, like no one lives here and this is all brand new.

“You know, it looks like you barely live in your room.”

“I don’t,” he yells from the bathroom. “I mainly sleep on the couch in the family room or on the couch in my office.”

“You need to sleep on actual beds Junmyeon, you’re going to have a bad back when you’re older.”

“I think I’ll be fine,” he walks out with his glasses on. Oh fuck me, why does he look so hot in plain clothing. “Why are you so hot? I just want to kiss you so much ri-” you slap your hands over your mouth. Why did I say that out loud?

“Then do it,” he grins, your eyes widen and you take a step back from him.

“Or?” you said as you take a step back.

“Or I’ll do it if you’re too shy too,” your eyes move from his and travel down to his lips, you bite down on yours and hear your heart pounding out of your chest. The distance between you and Junmyeon is decreasing as much as the bed and your doomed fall onto it. It's now or never. You grab his shirt and tiptoe up for a quick peck. Well, you stand there unsure of what to do, that was anticlimactic.

“Satisfied?” he winked. You shake your head at him. Without a second thought, he pulls you on him with your legs wrapped around his waist with your forehead against his. 

You wanted to know Junmyeon again, you wanted to know how it felt to have his lips on yours. 

Junmyeon slowly put you on his bed, his lips gently pressed onto yours. All you could feel was the adrenaline in your veins and your heart pounding out of your chest, his hands push away hair from your face and you pulled him in closer to you. You missed this, you missed Junmyeon but of course, things like this never last.

“Junmyeon?” you manage to mutter out in between.

“Hm?” you pointed to the door.