#i think after a little while of her head on his chest though they'd move so he has his face buried in ash's chest

[silverselfshippingchaos]

got to this scene tonight and uh. actually this all happened with my s/i instead <3

[loulovingho]

Sleep Talking

(Dedicated to my niece, who wakes me up weekly with very detailed sleep discussions about roblox)

Before Buck slept over for the first time, Tommy had given him a warning.

“Sometimes I talk in my sleep,” he'd said. “It's not always, and usually only when I'm overly tired or stressed, but... just in case, wanted you to know.”

He'd given Buck the option to change his mind. He could stay in the spare room, or go home if he wanted, but Buck simply pulled him closer and told him there was nowhere else he'd rather be than right here.

Nothing happened that first night, or the next time they slept together, or even the next time.

Buck was starting to wonder if this was something from Tommy's childhood. Something he'd grown out of a long time ago, he just didn't know it.

And that's when it happened.

“I don't want those teeth,” he'd mumbled out, pushing a hand out in front of him. “No. Thank. You.”

He'd just gotten off a 48 that turned into a 52 and had barely gotten any sleep. He'd passed out as soon as his head hit the bed, and Buck sat up beside him, quietly reading a book with the lamp light on low.

Buck was a little startled at first, looking over at him with furrowed eyebrows. “What?” he'd asked, thinking for a split second that Tommy had woken up with something to say.

But when he saw Tommy's eyes shut tight, his face scrunched up in that way it did when he was annoyed, Buck knew.

He was sleep talking.

So, Buck waited. He waited to see if Tommy had anything else to say.

A couple minutes went by, and Tommy's face relaxed again, so Buck went to turn back to his book, then-

“I'd rather die then get veneers.”

Okay, so maybe he wasn't done.

“I just don't like them,” he continued, again shoving his hand out like he was pushing something away. “Take it all. Not my pearly whites.”

Buck closed his book and laid it on the nightstand, shutting off the light and scooting further into bed. As he did, Tommy turned and immediately snuggled into his side, resting his head on Buck's chest. “I go home with all teeth,” he commanded.

Buck wrapped his arms around him, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “You'll get to keep your teeth, Babe,” he whispered. “I promise.”

“Hmph,” Tommy huffed. “Giddy up says the cowboy, I guess.”

Buck tried and failed to contain his laughter, but still he held Tommy closer as he drifted off to sleep himself. Luckily, he didn't mind the noise.

*****

“I don't care if she wants to go home. She is here, her leg is'a half mile down road. She going to hospital now stat!”

Tommy had mentioned having a difficult day at work. Buck was already at his place when he got home, food coming out of the oven and ready to eat as soon as Tommy showered and got changed.

They'd had a comfortably quiet dinner, Tommy mostly speaking about how good the food was, and asking Evan to please stay the night.

He didn't need to be convinced.

They'd fallen asleep with their naked bodies tangled together, too lazy to get out of bed and put anything back on.

If it wasn't for the fact Tommy was talking nearly directly in Buck's ear, he probably wouldn't have even woken up.

“Lady, you don't have a leg to stand on. Literally. I'm takin' you to hospital and you get help with leg.” He moved his head as though he were turning to speak to someone else, “And help with brain,” he muttered.

Buck tried to unravel himself from Tommy. Get some distance between them so he could go back to sleep without Tommy talking right in his ear. But as soon as he moved, Tommy was rolling over and wiggling around until his head laid directly over Buck's stomach. “People are so stupid,” he whispered into Buck's bellybutton. “This is a comfy sandwich though.”

*****

“Evan makes better casseroles than this.”

It was the middle of the day, and Tommy had fallen asleep on the couch. They'd spent thirty-six of the last forty-eight hours moving Buck's things into his place, and that was after Tommy had come off of a forty-eight hour shift. So, while Buck and Eddie finished eating lunch at the kitchen table, Tommy had decided to lie down and rest his eyes for a few minutes.

“This casserole tastes like sewage.”

Eddie peered into the living room, then looked over at Buck, who was eating his sandwich like nothing was happening at all.

“What's he talking about?” Eddie asked.

Buck's eyebrows furrowed. “What? Who?”

“Evan uses chicken breast. So much better than this.”

Eddie waved in Tommy's direction. “Come on, Man!”

“Oh! Yeah, he's just sleep talking. Does it when he's overly tired.”

“He... He sleep talks about your casseroles?”

Buck smiled, nodding. “He really likes them. You know, I wasn't sure if he was just telling me they were good to be nice, but he doesn't have a filter when he sleep talks so that's how I know.”

Eddie glanced at Tommy again. “Does he ever sleep talk about me?”

Buck's posture straightened and he pursed his lips. “I can't break that trust, Eddie.”

“He does!” Eddie exclaimed. “What's he say? Did he talk about Muay Thai? Because headbutting is an illegal move so technically he didn't win.”

“I said I can't break his trust,” Buck repeated, getting up to throw his trash away. “Although, if someone was losing so they made it look like they got headbutted... Well, I wouldn't know anything about it.”

“I knew it! Your man is such a sore loser, Buck.” Eddie got up and walked over to Tommy, crossing his arms over his chest as he spoke. “I spent my day off unloading boxes for you,” he whispered over him. “I could have left you alone with Buck. Everyone else made excuses but I didn't.”

“Only thing better than casserole is his soup,” Tommy said, one hand going to his stomach. “I call it sex soup, cause it goes down the throat 'n straight to my-"

“Okay,” Eddie grimaced, walking away. “I'm about to lose my lunch.”

“Did he mention sex soup?” Buck asked.

“Mhm.”

Buck nodded. “Always ends up there after casserole.” He shrugged, “It is really good soup though.”

“Ugh,” Eddie groaned. “I hate you both.”

*****

Buck learned over time that Tommy's sleep talking from being overly tired versus his sleep talking from being stressed were two very different things. Overly tired Tommy was funny, sarcastic, and a little bitchy. He was much like awake Tommy, things just made less sense and he had no filter whatsoever.

Stressed Tommy was like listening to the saddest, most angsty drama you've ever heard in your life.

“Please,” he muttered out, sounding like he was on the verge of having a breakdown. “Please, listen to me.”

Buck was mostly used to the sleep talking now, but the difference in Tommy's voice shook him awake. He knew Tommy had a bad day. It was the anniversary of his mom's death, which was already rough, but then his dad called and said he'd be coming into town. He expected Tommy to meet with him for lunch. When Tommy declined, there was a fight. Mostly on his dad's side, with Tommy sitting there and listening, becoming more and more disconnected with each word. His dad just kept going and going until Buck reached out for the phone, taking it from Tommy's hand and hanging up for him.

He'd gotten quiet after that. Withdrawn in a way Buck hadn't seen before. He was usually an open book about his life. He'd told Buck all the good and the bad, and there was a lot of bad, but something about the phone call was different.

“I don't want you,” Tommy groaned, his head moving left to right so quickly his neck made a popping sound. “I want...” his voice trailed off. Buck slowly lowered his arm over Tommy's waist, hoping that would help him rest, but it only seemed to stir him back up. His legs kicked out quickly as he turned onto his side, facing away from Buck. “You don't listen to me!” he exclaimed. It made Buck's heart race a little. He never usually shouted when he was sleep talking.

“It should have been you, not her!”

The next noise Tommy made sounded less human and more like a dog crying out in pain. His body thrashed out, his arm nearly smacking Buck on the chest.

“You always hated me,” he said, quieter this time. “I see it in the mirror.”

That was all Buck could handle. He quickly sat up and turned the lamp on. “Tommy,” he whispered. He wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch him, but he knew that was probably the worst idea at this point.

“It's not... It's not fair. It's not fair. I don't-”

“Tommy!”

Tommy's eyes shot open as he sucked in a breath of air.

He blinked a few times, eyes darting around until he met Buck's.

“Was I..?”

Buck nodded. “I think it was a nightmare though. You- I couldn't touch you.”

Tommy looked so tired, his eyes struggling to stay open even as his chest heaved. “I'm sorry.”

“You don't need to be sorry,” Buck replied, moving closer to Tommy now that he was awake. “I was just worried.”

“Was it... about him?”

“Yeah, I- I think so.”

Tommy pulled Buck close, nearly wrapping their bodies together like a pretzel. “I really hate him, Evan,” he said, voice breaking as he settled his head into the crook of Buck's neck.

Buck ran his hand up and down Tommy's back. “I know you do, Baby. I know.”

*****

There was one conversation Tommy had in his sleep more than any other, and Buck never got tired of that one.

“He's so pretty. Like a teapot.”

The things he called Buck were always different, but the overall message never changed.

“This Evan, he is love my life.”

Buck grinned. He loved when Tommy missed a word here and there.

“Nah, he won't bite you. Only me.”

Tommy let out an exasperated sigh before speaking again. “He's my special on menu. I like him and me like peanut butter and jelly. Apple jelly, duh, are you crazy?”

Another sigh, and Tommy wiggled his legs a little. “I know you drive thru, I wants fries with that. He's my chicken nugget. Love my chicken nugget.”

Buck turned to his side, pressing his body against Tommy's and wrapping an arm around him. He pressed a kiss to the back of his head. “Your chicken nugget loves you too.”

[callofdudes]

*presents to you* price being a father figure to you and bringing you back to meet his wife where she treats you like her child 😭😭😭😭

Three makes a family.

John Price's history with his inability to have children was a rough one. His wife was a gentle woman with the heart of a lion inside. She had all the care a mother could provide and no children she could pour her love into. It was a struggle, but over the years they'd made due with themselves.

The idea of adoption has come up a few times, but John doesn't like the thought of being away so much from said child. It just wasn't a good situation they had found themselves in.

Price creating the 141 was just one of those ways that Price felt what it might be like to have family. Sure, he got his fair experience of what rounding up a gaggle of children would have been like. But he enjoyed the feeling of having fellow adults he could meet on his level while feeling paternal toward them.

You are one of them.

Price has had his fair share of wild run ins with you. And he's no stranger to getting you and John for something. But you were a good soldier regardless.

Talk of his family was limited of course. You guys knew he didn't have children, but not much more than that. Simon had been to the house before but refused to tell, it wasn't the greatest time when you visited anyway.

But now it's your turn to take up the mantle. Price's wife had decided she wanted company over at the house when he returned, so he invited one of you in secret as to not make the others potentially jealous or crowd his wife.

And that's how you got here, in the busy rush of the airport and following Price like a loet lamb to find the exit after grabbing your bags. Price looked around for his wife, and he spotted a sign with his name, and the most beautiful woman.

He smiled and led you over, falling in love all over again when he saw her.

"John!" She put the sign down and rushed to hug him, his firm arms curling around her. "Rebecca." *He replied fondly, kissing the top of her head. She had chest length blonde hair and a simple but lovely complexion.

You couldn't help a little smile at seeing them reunited, and a tad sheepish at meeting your captain's wife.

She opened her eyes, still smooshed against his chest and waved at you softly.

You waved back shyly.

They pulled away and Rebecca held out her hand to you. "Rebecca, and you are-"

"Everyone on base calls me Egg."

"Ah, John has told me a lot about you." She motioned for you two to follow her, walking with you back to the entrance of the airport.

"Wait- what has he been saying??" You cocked an eyebrow up.

"Only good things I promise." Price said quickly, to which Rebecca chuckled and shook her head softly.

You shot Price a look, and he innocently turned his head away to look back at his wife like nothing happened.

Rebecca gave you an entire window tour on the way back. You didn't mind listening to her introduce you to everything you passed. Her tone was warm and her smile never left her lips when he addressed you. It made you feel welcome, it was such a warm feeling that you felt around Price. Fitting.

Their house was beautiful, as much as London homes are, but theirs had a particular charm to it. Like a newly wed couple buying their first house together and never moving.

You lugged your bags up the driveway and into the house behind Rebecca, Price keeping the door open for you.

"Your place is nice." You commented when you put your bags down.

"Thank you. The spare bedroom is upstairs, I'll show you." She slipped her shoes off and motioned for you to follow.

The spare bedroom was a queen mattress, the walls were a light baby blue, and it made you smile. "Child's room?" You asked without thinking, and soon realizing your mistake.

Rebecca smiled, though her eyes dimmed in sadness. "We'd hoped. But you can have it." She went to the closet and pulled out some extra blankets. "In case it gets cold you can layer up. And if you need anything in here don't hesitate to tell us."

You nodded. "Thank you, I will."

Price squeezed your shoulder as you went to set up the room, and then turned to greet his wife properly with a loving kiss.

---

The first couple days at the house were nice, Rebecca was incredibly hospitable. She accommodated what you needed, and the double attention from Price was a win for you.

Rebecca couldn't help seeing you as a kiddo for her to take care of. The way Price was with you, wrapping an arm around you for snuggles or teasing you at dinner.

"Do you like cookies??" She asked from the kitchen as she kneaded the small balls of cookie dough and placed them on a tray.

"Cookies sound good. What kind??" You looked over at her from the table.

"Just chocolate chip. I figured I'd go simple."

You smiled a little. "Yeah, that sounds nice."

She nodded and finished putting the cookies on the tray and slid them into the oven. "They'll be out in a bit." She came by and gently patted your shoulder, a comforting touch from her.

Price came in from the patio after having a smoke and coughed when he walked in.

Rebecca and you both looked at him when he entered.

"John, be careful." Rebecca scolded softly, walking over and lifting his chin, seeing his tired eyes. She sighed softly and took his hand. "Go relax darling, a nap will do you more good than a cigar."

He hummed and shrugged. He tiredly stole a kiss from her lips before he had to lean into his arm to cough again.

You put your phone down and lightly shake your head. "Come on Captain."

Price huffed indignantly. "Oh so now both of you are policing me around??" He smirked and tugged Rebecca in by her waist and allowed you over.

But he didn't fight, allowing himself to be led to bed, and he flopped down, feeling you curl up to his left side, and Rebecca got comfy with a book at his other.

Price squeezed her hand and ruffled your hair. He wasn't old, but mannnn, he loves his old man naps.

You smiled as you got comfy, looking up at Rebecca. She looked back at you and smiled too, letting you rest.

And you woke up to the delicious smell of chocolate chip cookies. Price searched lazily for Rebecca, his arm still securely wrapped around you.

You yawned and rolled, hiding against his chest. He patted your shoulder and looked over at the door. "C'mon... I smell cookies."

"Ok..." You groaned and managed to drag yourself off of Price's chest and follow him downstairs where Rebecca was reading at the table.

"Cookies are ready." She said when she heard you two, smiling softly.

"Thank you, darling." Price said sleepily, going to the stove and taking up a cookie.

You hummed excitedly and also went for one. "Gooey." You said between bites, "I like them."

"I'm glad I could make them for you two."

She was like Price to you, a strong rock, and a warm embrace. She was like a mother, and that made you happy as much as it did her. She'd give anything to be a mother, and she wasn't picky of who it was she got to cherish.

(I know there's a lot of her character we've digested over a long time, this was the best I could come up with. I'm on a time crunch but take this. 🙂)

[roguerogerss]

Wanted To Have You

Pairing: Thomas Shelby x Reader

W/C: 3.7k (i think i didn’t check tbf)

Warnings: mention of smut (no actual smut though), swearing, arguing

(welcome back babes, missed you. tommy has been on my mind all the time recently so i decided i’d bang something out and post it. it’s basically just word vomit tbh but hope u enjoy. LOVE a lil bit of angst when it comes to peaky blinders and hope u do too!! luv u the most b back soon)

***

Birds chirped, the sounds of the market opening began, golden sunlight poured in through the window. The morning had come too early, but Tommy was always a sight to see in the morning.

Laid on his back, one arm curled loosely around her waist, the other on his chest, right above a bullet scar that Y/N had helped Polly to stitch up in early January. His lips were parted slightly, chest rising and falling, dark lashes settled on ruddy cheeks.

She smiled and traced the tattoo on his chest ever so lightly with the tip of her painted fingernails, her way of quietly waking him up. It always worked, and today was no exception. He sighed as he stirred, a small smile making it's way onto his face.

"G'mornin', love." How she loved the way that his voice sounded in the morning. Heavy with the day before's cigarettes, low and gravelly, Brum accented. "Sleep okay?"

"Slept great." She was so tired from the night before's antics that she couldn't have stayed awake another second after they'd collapsed onto the mattress and he'd pulled her close underneath the sheets. "Did you?"

Tommy hummed, "Mm, slept alright. Wasn't great, thinkin' a lot."

"Thinkin' about what?" Her fingers absentmindedly wandered from his tattoo to the back of his neck, tugging at the short hairs that gathered there.

"Business stuff, darlin'. Nothin' for you to worry your pretty little head about." He gave a soft, bleary-eyed smile and pressed a hand to her cheek, thumb stroking back and forth.

"Tommy, you always say it's just 'business stuff'. Why won't you just tell me what's going on for once?" She wasn't angry, really, but the pout on her face might've said otherwise. Business stuff was the closest that she ever got to knowing anything about Tommy's personal life.

But rumours fly, and she'd heard a lot from the people of the town that made her think that her Thomas wasn't as innocent as she thought he might be.

"I've told you. It's not important, nothing you'd want to hear." His voice strained as he stretched, biceps flexing as he raised his arms above his head. "Would bore ya, honest."

"You don't bore me, Tom." She looked up at him through her lashes and he gave a short-lived chuckle and ran his fingers soothingly through her hair.

"I have to get up." He ignored her statement and gave her a quick kiss on the top of the head, before rolling over and sitting up. He was still only wearing his underwear, and so she marvelled at the way that the muscles in his back flexed as he moved to grab his previously ironed button-down shirt from the side table.

She almost forgot that she was angry as he got up and pulled his slacks on, shirt still unbuttoned and the light hitting his toned torso just right. "I'll see you later, sweetheart." Tommy leaned down to place a kiss on his girl's lips, barely taking a second to enjoy the feeling but really only doing it so that he could continue to taste her on his lips for the next hour or so.

"Family meeting?" It was obvious that Y/N was unimpressed, but Tommy either didn't notice or was pretending that he hadn't, because he didn't comment and simply nodded. "And I can't come?”

"Told ya." Tommy tucked his shirt into his slacks and knotted his tie, eyeing Y/N all the while. "Would bore you."

He wanted to tell her about what he did. He really, really did. But he also wanted to keep her, and he knew that he couldn't do both. There was no way that she'd want to stay with him if she knew about all of the terrible things that he'd done, and so he'd made everyone who worked with him agree that she was never to know.

He supposed that she'd get suspicious at some point, but he hadn't expected that point to come so soon. It had been a year, and he figured that the towns people spoke and that she heard, but he was dreading having to actually let her know by himself.

"And I've told you," Y/N had gotten up, pulling her silk robe around her small body and padding lightly across the floor to where Tommy stood. She fixed out his jacket and smoothed down his shirt affectionately. "You don't bore me."

"We can talk later." Tommy smiled softly, hand smoothing Y/N's hair against her head as he pressed his lips to her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally her lips. She made him linger for a second, hands grabbing at the back of his neck and holding him in place as their lips moved together.

Tommy chuckled and pressed his forehead against hers. "I have to go.

"Fine." She pecked his lips once again and then let him go. "Go about your business, Mr Shelby."

"As I will, Miss Y/L/N." He smiled and then he was gone, unlocking the bedroom door and slipping out of the room.

**

Y/N was furious. That was really the only word that she could think of to describe the sheer anger that bubbled inside of her. Thomas Shelby is a Peaky Blinder.

And she knew that the statement from the woman at the market wasn't a lie. What other reason would he have to hide everything from her? To never tell her about his life or where he'd been or why he would often come to bed at ungodly hours?

She stormed into their shared home and, upon seeing him sat at the kitchen table, cigarette in hand, decided that she couldn't deal with him. And so she threw him a look and then took off up the stairs to their bedroom.

Tommy followed, of course he did, yelling her name and asking what was going on. But she ignored him, simply sitting down on the bed and waiting for him to join her.

"What's wrong, love? Did someone do something? I swear, I'll-"

"You'll what, Tommy?" She stood then, still keeping her distance but crossing the room only slightly. "Cut them? Kill them?"

"What the hell is this about?" Tommy sighed. He seemed bored already, unprepared to listen to her ramble because, oh, Thomas Shelby knew that his girlfriend could ramble for hours.

"Let me see your hat." She knew what the Peaky Blinders were, she knew fair well what the name meant, and she needed to confirm what the townsfolk had told her. "Where is it? Show me it!" She started searching for the hat, opening drawers and cabinets, she knew that she had to find it, because she had to know.

"Y/N, calm down, for God's sake." Tommy clasped a hand around her forearm, but she yanked it away and simply stared up at him, tears threatening to fall from her already glassy eyes.

"Are you one of them?" Her voice was almost a whisper, so quiet and timid that maybe Thomas wouldn't have heard her if they weren't almost chest to chest. "Are you a Peaky Blinder, Tommy?"

And now she was really crying, tears smudging the makeup on her cheeks and clouding her vision as Tommy's piercing blue eyes stared down at her. He was thinking, thinking about whether it was best to tell the truth or to leave, and thinking about what the consequences of each would be.

What would she do if he told her? Would she yell? Hate him? Would she leave? And what if he left? Would she let him back in?

But she looked so vulnerable, was crying so hard because she already knew the answer. And Tommy wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and kiss her head and wipe the tears from her eyes. But it was his fault that she was crying, he'd caused the tears and the hurt. And he had to tell her.

"Yes." Her heart felt like it might've stopped. Because Tommy was the only person that she trusted, and now she felt like she knew nothing about him.

The room fell silent, she stared at him and waited for words to come, and she waited, and waited. Thomas wouldn't break eye contact with her. In truth, because he was scared that, if he did, he'd never look into her eyes again, she'd leave and she wouldn't come back, she'd go back to Ireland, back where people told her things because that was the right thing to do, because they weren't afraid of what the Peaky Blinders might do to them.

She decided, after a few beats of standing still, staring at him, heavy breaths coming from both of them, that she couldn't look at him anymore. She'd been waiting for him to say something, anything, that would mean that this had all been some sort of sick joke. He'd start laughing, tell her he was kidding, that the woman at the market had told her that just to see how she would react. She'd be angry, yes, but it'd only be short lived, and it wouldn't change anything.

But he didn't, and he wouldn't, because she already knew there was no hint of a lie in what she'd been told. She took a last, deep breath, and then departed to the other side of the room, where she turned her back to Thomas and took a few more deep breaths.

"Listen, love, I...I wanted to tell you-"

"Don't, Thomas."

"I really did. I wanted to. But I knew you'd react like this-"

"And so you thought that keeping it from me was right? You thought that holding the threat of the Peaky Blinders over the entire town's head to keep them quiet, was the right thing to do? You thought I'd be happy when I eventually found out?" Thomas found himself falling silent, speechless. He was never speechless.

"I was hoping to tell you myself."

"Well, you missed the opportunity to do that two years ago, Thomas." She'd picked up her handbag now, and Thomas noticed that tears had pricked his eyes and were threatening to fall. "To think I worked for you, as your secretary. I signed off your fucking books, I made phone calls for you, you involved me in this without even telling me, you didn't even ask me if that was what I wanted, Thomas."

"I know, and I'm sorry-"

"Pack your things."

"Love-"

"Pack your things, Thomas. And don't you ever call me anything other than my name."

And with that, she'd gone. To where, Thomas wasn't sure, but he found himself watching her, almost in slow motion, as she stormed through their bedroom door. He could hear her heels clicking as she hurried down the stairs, the brief pause as she pulled her coat - the one he'd bought her for their anniversary - around her body, and then the click open and slam shut of the front door.

He lowered himself onto the bed, placed his head in his hands, and sat for a few minutes in silence. The window was open, and so the sounds of the bustling street below floated upstairs, and he tried not to listen. The thought that she was out there, inconsolably upset, with every intention of leaving him, because of a mistake he'd made off his own back seemed entirely too much to handle.

So he closed the window, lay back on the bed, and lit the end of a cigarette. He needed to figure out a way to make things right by her, after all, Thomas Shelby didn't care about opinions, but what she thought of him was the most important thing in the world.

**

She'd gone to the Shelby's family home, mostly to try to seek comfort from either Ada or Polly, but also to berate the brothers for not thinking to tell her their secret.

She burst through the front door, to find Polly and Ada at the dining table, each smoking a cigarette. They jumped up when they saw her, womanly instinct coming into full effect, knowing that something must've been wrong from the way she'd stormed in, and the look on her face when she had.

"What's he done, my love?" Polly was always best at being able to tell when Thomas had messed up, and she was always on the right track when it came to guessing what he'd done wrong. His aunt knew him better than anyone, as much as he'd hate to admit it.

"Did you know?" She was breathing heavily, trying not to let the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes slide down her cheeks.

"Know what, love?" Ada had come to Y/N's side now, guiding her to sit down at the kitchen table, and had shooed the men away, into the drawing room, after Arthur had come mooching for a bottle of rum.

"Did you know what he was doing?" Her eyes were full of tears now, making it hard for her to see properly. She placed her elbows on the table and used the sides of her palms to wipe the tears as they fell. Polly pulled her chair over so that she was sat close to Y/N.

"Calm down, sweetheart." Polly placed a tentative hand on her arm, "What has he done?" His aunt could feel her heart drop in her chest, from the way that Y/N was speaking, she was almost certain that her nephew had cheated on his girlfriend.

"Did you know he was a Peaky Blinder? Is that what they're doing through there?" Y/N was really crying now, looking that horrible, vulnerable way that Tommy hated. Arthur had opened the door a crack, and he, John, and Finn were peeking out at the women sat in the kitchen.

Ada sighed and ran a hand over her face, and Polly seemed to erupt into anger, "We bloody told him, didn't we Ada? We told him you'd find out, but he listened to these bloody idiots," She jabbed a finger at the doors to the drawing room, which made Arthur crack up like a child, provoking Polly to pick up a teaspoon from the table and throw it at his face. "The women in this house are apparently the only ones with any sense in them."

"Why wouldn't he tell me, Polls?"

Polly took a long pause before answering. Thomas's reasonings had never been clear, behind any of his madness, and, even while having known him his entire life, she often wondered what the method behind the goings-on in his life was. "Listen, love, you know he loves you, yes?"

Y/N nodded slowly, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "Then you know how he protects the people he loves. Yes, he does all of this bad work, but he doesn't want you to know because he's scared something will happen to you if you know too much. And he doesn't want you to see him as this monster, Thomas Shelby, the leader of the Peaky Blinders. Sometimes, he just wants to be Tommy. Do you know what I'm saying?"

Polly, as always when she assumed anything about Tommy, was right. He'd liked Y/N from the moment he'd hired her to work as his secretary, but he knew she wasn't the type to turn a blind eye to his work. He supposed it was selfish, not telling her, but he wanted her to know him for who he was, not what he did.

She let out a sigh, partly letting go of all of the anger she'd built up towards Tommy, and partly because she was relieved to hear what his aunt had to say about it. "I know what you're saying, Pol."

A long pause followed, with only the bustle of the drawing room keeping the place from being in dead silence. Polly's hand was still resting on Y/N's arm, and Ada's on her back, and she found herself able to forgive. The Shelby women certainly had their ways.

"What do you want to do, love?" Polly broke the silence that had settled on the room.

"I don't know." Y/N couldn’t even think of anything else that she could say, she truly didn’t know what she wanted. Polly’s face contorted slightly, and Ada rubbed her hand up and down over Y/N’s back.

"Well, are you going to tell him it's over?" Ada asked, voice quiet, so as not to alert the men in the other room that anything too serious was being spoken about. She thought for a moment, feeling a pang of sadness come over her at the fact that she had to even think about whether or not she wanted to end things with Tommy.

"No. No, I'm not going to do that."

Polly breathed out, a breath that she didn’t even know she’d been holding, and wrapped an arm around Y/N’s shoulders, pulling her in and squeezing her in a way reminiscent of a mother holding her daughter.

"Okay. Okay, good. He does love you, so much, you know that?” It was a rhetorical question, and Polly didn’t leave enough time for Y/N to even answer. “Do you want to go home? Or will Ada boil the kettle and we can have a brew?"

"A brew would be nice."

**

The air was almost cold when she left the Shelby house to start the walk home. Summer was coming to an end now, but the sky was still bright past nine. She'd begun noticing things that she hadn't before, after finding out Thomas's secret. People would greet her profusely as she walked down the street, some even going out of their ways to let her past. They'd hold their children back from walking in front of her, the men working at the furnace would shield her from any soot that might come her way.

It felt strange, like Thomas was king of Small Heath and she was his Queen, and god forbid anyone see what might happen if they disrespect the Queen. She made an effort of smiling and thanking these people, showing that she didn't actually need them to be doing these things for her, but they did them regardless.

When she reached the front door of the house she shared with Thomas, she stood for a moment, simply staring at the front door. The mark was still there from the nail Thomas had banged into it months ago now, so that she could hang a holly wreath there to celebrate Christmas. He'd called it unnecessary, but they'd only just moved in together and she'd been so excited for their first Christmas in their new home, she'd come home from work one day to find the largest wreath Thomas could find at the market, hanging on their front door.

She smiled to herself, suddenly feeling emotional with all of the memories of their time together coming flooding back. She opened the door.

She was pleased to find that, when she got home, Thomas's hat and coat were still hanging on the coat stand at the front door. His pocket watch on the mantelpiece, shoes still placed neatly at the door. He hadn't gone anywhere yet.

"Thomas?" She called, and was met with the sound of soft footsteps in the bedroom.

"Upstairs." His voice was quiet, small, something that hurt her to hear. She wasn’t sure she’d ever seen him truly upset, even after two whole years.

She placed her handbag on the floor and draped her coat over the coat stand, then crossed the hallway and climbed the stairs to their bedroom, where Tommy was sat on the bed, head in his hands, suitcase at his feet. She felt a piece of her heart chip away upon seeing him.

"I'll be gone soon enough, I just-I didn't want to believe that-"

"Do you want to leave, Tom?" She took a few steps towards him, and Tommy lifted his head to look at her for the first time. His eyes were red, and she knew that Tommy Shelby strictly did not cry, except when it came to her.

A pause followed, Tommy simply staring up at her, opening and closing his mouth every now and again, thinking of the right thing to say. Was there a right thing to say?

"You know I'm not really religious. But I've been praying all day that you'd come home and we'd be fine again." A small, sad looking smile had settled on his face.

"Maybe you should start going to church, then." She placed her house keys down on the bedside table, she was here to stay. Tommy felt a weight lifted from his shoulders as she gave him a small smile and held her arms out to him, letting him back in, “Come here."

He didn’t hesitate, pulling her into his lap and wrapping himself tightly around her. Please don’t leave again, he was saying, eyes closed and cheek pressed to her stomach. Her arms settled around his neck, one hand drawing comforting patterns on his shoulder and the other smoothing his hair.

"I wasn't doing it to upset you." He needed an explanation for her, he owed her that, especially after she’d come back when he wouldn’t have blamed her for walking out of the door and never having a thought of him again.

"I know you weren't." He hated how forgiving she was. He hated that he’d done wrong, and, instead of just leaving like she deserved to, she’d come back and was comforting him, making him feel good about the lies he’d fed her. But he knew her all too well, he knew deep down she’d have forgiven him, because she wasn’t one to deal with things in any way other than graciously.

"No, sweetheart, I know I've been selfish. I know I’m not fair to you. But I'm only selfish because it's you." His hands roamed her back, underneath her dress, feeling every dip and scar, memorising them again, “I just wanted to have you, loved you since the minute I met you, I swear. Couldn't have you thinking of me as this cold, relentless monster. I just remember thinking you were too pure to know, thought I’d only ruin that if I got too close and you knew the truth.”

“I know you better than you know yourself, Tommy. You’ve got a heart in there, you know.” She gave him a small smile while he looked up at her, bright eyes piercing through dark eyelashes, “I don’t understand why you did all of this for me, you could’ve chosen another woman, one who you could’ve even helped you with your work all this time, but you chose someone who you felt like you had to hide everything from.”

“Told you already, I just wanted to have you.” He pressed a kiss to your cheek, then one to your nose, and then your lips. “You, not anyone else, not a woman who’d do my work for me, not someone easy, I wanted to have you. And you know I’m selfish with things that I want.”

You were really smiling now. Tommy always knew the right things to say, always knew how to make you happy. You wrapped your arms around him again, and, while Tommy didn’t like to admit it, he felt safe with you, something that he didn’t feel in many places.

“Thomas Shelby, you’ll always have me.”

[rs-hawk]

ok. Here’s a screwball idea. I don’t care if you don’t do it or even ask, but it’s here.

This thing is a Venus figurine. Many people tie them to being symbols of fertility due to their exaggerated, chubby proportions, and a lack of a face (kinda looks like they’re wearing vases). Because these things were made like in the Upper Palaeolithic era, and since society was a lot different back then (clearly), many people speculate that they could represent healthy or fertile women, goddesses, or simply self-portraits by their own makers.

from the way I see it, a Venus figurine represents a healthy woman very much capable of loving and having kids regardless of her appearance (lack of facial features), so the idea is simplified to this:

Fucking a life-sized Venus figurine who only wants to love, and be loved.

and now it’s done. This was most likely a fat waste of my time.

Friendly reminder that I'm an Anthropology major. When I tell you I fucking love Venus- Lord. I'm basically vibrating rn. I can't wait to drop nerd shit in this post. More asks like this I'm BEGGING. Prehistoric is my second area of interest! Pre-Colombian Americas is my main. I will go feral every time I get an ask like this. I’m not a fan of the almost self deprecating way you asked it, but I like it so-

Come to Life Venus of Willendorf x College Student Cis Male! Reader

"You know, some say that instead of a fertility Goddess, this is just a self portrait of some random woman. Like, look at her hips. That's how they'd look if she was looking down at herself while carving, you know?" you gushed, marveling at the small statue as you and your friend crowded around it. The velvet ropes stopped you from getting too close, but the statue was almost magnetic.

“Imagine being this chick and knowing dudes for centuries have used you to jerk off,” your friend snickered, side eyeing you.

"Come on dude. Do you really have to talk about her like that?" you scoffed, hating the idea of anyone else using her to get off. There was an aching in your cock that you couldn’t explain. Admittedly, you felt a little embarrassed about it. It was just a statue, but there was something about it.

“ ‘Her’?” he repeated, grinning teasingly at you. “So sorry I insulted her. Is she going to be upset with me?”

Rolling your eyes, you drew them away from the statue. “Whatever. Let’s go check the rest of the museum. I’m sure there’s plenty of other things from the Paleo that we missed.”

“You’re not going to write your essay about your wife?” your friend gasped, putting his hand to his chest with mock shock. “She’s going to be so hurt!”

Rolling your eyes again, you waved him on, though you did spare another glance at the statue. After the museum trip, you found yourself coming back to the museum again. And again. And again. And again. You were there nearly every day. When no one was around, you started praying to the small statue, whispering wants to her. How you wished you could have held her. How often you thought of her. Sure, it still made you feel a bit silly with how often your cock ached when you thought of her, but who would a statue tell?

The next morning, you woke up early. Much earlier than usual. Despite that, you couldn’t fall back asleep, so you began your morning routine. When you made your way to the living room to head to the kitchen, you stopped in your tracks. Sitting on your couch was… Venus?

“What?” you frowned, thinking maybe you were still asleep. This had to be a dream.

Her head turned, Her braids moving just enough for you to see a glimpse of facial features, but they seemed scattered. Not quite right. Then they were gone completely. You stood frozen. Rooted to where you stood.

“I came to pay a visit to my most dedicated worshipper,” She said in a voice that sounded the way a first kiss felt.

The way She spoke, you were certain she was smiling, if She could. She gestured for you to come sit beside her, which you did. Your head was spinning. Was this even real? You couldn’t help it when your gaze roamed Her bare body. Everything about Her was so perfect that you felt like touching Her would be like defiling a holy place.

As a thousand thoughts ran through your mind, She cut them all off by placing one hand on your thigh, the other tilting your chin so you had to look down at Her chest. You swallowed hard, your cock already aching. How would She feel wrapped around you?

The two of you didn’t speak for several moments. You wanted so badly to touch Her, but you still struggled with the idea. She, however, seemed to have no such reservations. She pulled down your pajama pants, running Her firm palm over the bulge in your boxers. A low groan escaped your lips. That was the end of your hesitation.

You stood up, kicking the pants off from around your ankles, quickly taking off your boxers as well. She chuckled slightly, though She seemed intrigued when you got on your knees in front of Her, lightly pushing Her plush thighs apart. You worshipped Her cunt just as well as She knew you would.

Your tongue lapped at Her, Her thick thighs and the overlap of her tummy nearly suffocating you. The coolness of Her core made you almost desperate to make Her cum and taste it on your tongue. She tasted like saltwater and copper, and all but Her majestic cunt and thighs seemed to still be primarily stone. All you wanted was to make Her happy. All you wanted was to continue to worship Her.

She moaned as you slid a finger into Her dripping pussy, moving your mouth to dutifully suck on Her clit. The metal decorations on Her braids clinked together when She threw Her head back, letting you see the curve of Her throat. A Goddess’ blessing. Or maybe the sounds were of the metal decorations hitting against the stone like braids themselves. Your other hand snaked between your legs, pumping your aching cock in time with how you were fingering Her. It only took a few minutes for Her to cum on your tongue, much to your satisfaction.

“What a skillful worshipper I have,” She nearly purred, pulling you up by placing Her hand under your chin.

She laid on Her back, spreading Her legs for you. In seconds, you sank into Her. Your thrusts were not rhythmic, but She didn’t seem to care, moaning and arching Her hips up to meet you. Your mouth found one of Her large nipples, taking it into your mouth as you softly groped Her other breast, your stomach and chest pressed against Hers. The softness and squish of Her stomach making it easier for you to adjust as you slammed into Her. It surprised you as Her limbs and head seemed to be solid stone. Maybe She could control it at will, but you didn’t have much time to ponder it. Not with how She was pulsing around you.

When you finally came, you didn’t even try to pull out. Why would a Goddess of fertility want you to? The two of you were panting together as your seed spilt deep inside of Her.

“I think I’m going to stay with you,” She whispered in your ear, the coolness of the metal loops sending a shiver down your spine.

“Please do,” was all you could get out, your mind back to reeling.

Like this story? Support me on Kofi ☕️ ❤️

[spideyhexx]

what do we think about a situation with Snowjanus x Reader where maybe there are rumours about how Reader is involved with both of them and Festus or Felix or someone tries to make advances towards Reader and when she declines they get somewhat salty and tell her that if she's enough of a slut to jump back and forth betweem Sejanus and Coryo then she should be thankful that someone else still wanted them as well. maybe Sejanus and/or Coryo overhear? whatever happens then is up to you, but I'd love it if it ends with the three having sex or similar again where they praise her for being only theirs💗💗💗

omg okay

mdni

The night after you and Sej officially ask Coryo to be a part of the relationship, the question about public perception would come up of course. But at this point, people had already begun to suspect something was happening. Why would Coriolanus always sit next to you and Sejanus? Why was Coriolanus always going home with either you or Sej? Why was Sej's girlfriend getting all cute and cuddly next to Coryo in the library?

I think Sej becomes the clear voice for you three, saying something about focusing on one another and not letting any possible comments get to you.

Festus teasing or even asking to "join," would be enough to piss off you or either of the boys, but it would also be expected, especially from him. The moment is worse if you aren't around either of your boyfriends, just you and Festus, talking until he teases you about being with both of the men. At first, it feels playful, like he's just gonna make a small jab and then move on, but then he moves in close, "you got room for a fourth? I wouldn't mind sharing you," he whispers with a disgusting smirk as his eyes rake over your body.

You deny him, hoping to just walk away from the conversation once you get your words out, but he mutters, "I know you'd actually want it," and it's got you turning back on your heel to face him, asking what he means.

Festus' smirk would only grow wider, "You're fucking the Plinth and Snow boy. Sounds like something a whore would do. You're lucky I'm even interested in someone like you." And you can never really tell if Festus is being genuine or if he's just trying to hurt you, but it wouldn't really matter. You'd want to go off of on him, but you're still at the Academy and you don't want to cause any sort of scene so you just end up rolling your eyes and leaving.

Sej would notice first that something is wrong, but you brush it off. He'd share a look with Coryo and soon Sej's hand is holding yours as Coryo's eyes pierce into yours. You wouldn't tell them what happened until you're in the safety of your bedroom, tears threatening to prick. You'd find it in yourself to joke a little though, saying, "I think I win in the end. Even if I do get called a slut or whore or whatever name they can come up with cause I have two very caring boyfriends," and you let out a breathy chuckle as they both give you small smiles. "I'll just tell them I'm a slut too," Sej would chime in, making you giggle for the first time this night and it would bring a blush to his cheeks.

"And you're our girlfriend. Ours. No one else's, especially not Festus'," Coryo says, tugging you into his side as Sej rubs his hand on your other thigh.

The progression of the night feels too obvious, but you end up being surprised when both Sej and Coryo deny you getting on your knees for them, instead opting to please you and you only. They'd take turns between your legs, while the other is letting their tongue soak in your juices, the other is at your chest, neck, or ear with his mouth.

"our girl, you're so pretty," Coryo would mumble against you, kissing your shoulder while Sej's head is buried against your cunt. "make us feel so lucky, did you know that?"

Sej's words are a little sweeter given the fact you've been in a relationship with him longer. Coryo doesn't seem to mind at the moment as he brings you closer to another orgasm. "I love you, baby. You're so good for us, Coryo's gonna fall in love with you, I know it." And it makes all three of you smile when that's what sends you over the edge.

let's chat about sej, coryo, or both, here :)

[literaryavenger]

Captain America: Civil War - 5

Summary: Team Cap gets taken to the Raft.

Pairing: Avengers x Reader, Bucky x Reader

Warnings: Descriptions of injuries. Language. Mentions of Y/N. A little angst if you squint. My poor attempts at being funny.

Word Count: 1.8K

A/N: Thank god it took me very little to finish this one! Hope you like it!

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

The Raft.

That’s where they sent you after they arrested you in Germany. The fucking Raft.

You haven’t even seen Wanda since you were handed your very unstylish new clothes and they made you change.

You got separated from her when they took you to your cell between Scott's and Sam's. You dread what they're going to do to her, but you're powerless to stop them.

You sit on the ground of your cell and don’t move from there, barely registering what happens around you until the sound of clapping snaps you out of your trance. 

“The Futurist, gentlemen!” Clint shouts but you still don’t move, just listening to the scene. “The Futurist is here! He sees all! He knows what's best for you, whether you like it or not.”

“Give me a break, Barton.” You hear Tony say and almost show some emotion, but stop yourself. “I had no idea they'd put you here. Come on.”

You hear Clint spit and then say “Yeah, well, you knew they'd put us somewhere, Tony.”

“Yeah, but not some super-max floating ocean pokey. You know, this place is for maniacs. This is a place for…”

“Criminals?” Clint interrupts him. “Criminals, Tony. Think that's the word you're looking for. Right? That didn't used to mean me. Or Sam, or Y/N, or Wanda. But here we are.”

“Because you broke the law.” Tony says.

“Yeah.” Clint says back and starts chanting “La la la la la” while Tony talks, making you grin slightly.

“I didn't make you. You read it, you broke it.” Tony keeps talking. “Alright, you're all grown up, you got a wife and kids. I don't understand, why didn't you think about them before you chose the wrong side.” he says and your face falls again immediately, knowing Tony went too far.

“You gotta watch your back with this guy.” Clint says before slamming his hands on the bars angrily. “There's a chance he's gonna break it!”

“Hank Pym always said, you never can trust a Stark.” You hear Scott say from the cell on your right.

“Who are you?” Tony says, his voice closer to you than before, and you can hear Scott mumbling “Come on, man.”

Tony gets to your cell and sees you sitting on the ground, hugging your knees tight to your chest, your head resting back on the wall while you look straight ahead.

Tony is nothing short of shocked when he sees your face all beat up and bruised, your arm bandaged with blood seeping through it showing just how big and deep the cut is, all courtesy of Ayo.

“I never wanted to see you like this...” Tony says softly but you don’t even react to his words.

He’s standing in front of you but it’s like he’s not even there, like you’re looking right through him to something more interesting behind him.

Tony sighs and shakes his head before moving to Sam’s cell.

“How's Rhodes?” Sam asks right away.

“They're flying him to Columbia Medical tomorrow. So… fingers cross.” Tony answers and you close your eyes, grateful that he’s still alive at least. “What do you need? They feed you yet?”

“You're the good cop now?” Sam asks almost in disbelief.

“I'm just the guy who needs to know where Steve went.” Tony answers calmly.

“Well, you better go get a bad cop, because you're gonna have to go Mark Fuhrman on my ass to get information out of me.”

“Oh, I just knocked the 'A' out of their 'AV'.” Tony says, much too playfully for your taste. “We got about 30 seconds before they realize it's not their equipment.”

You furrow your eyebrows at his next sentence. “Just look. Because that is the fellow who was supposed to interrogate Barnes. Clearly, I made a mistake. Sam, I was wrong.”

Your eyes snap open at his apology and, even though you can’t see either of them, you know Sam’s feeling the same way as you, which is confirmed by his next sentence. “That's a first.”

“Cap is definitely off the reservation but he's about to need all the help he can get. We don't know each other very well. You don't have to-”

“Hey, it's alright.” Sam interrupts him, then you hear him sigh and after a little pause he says “Look, I'll tell you… but you have to go alone and as a friend.”

“Easy.” Tony says and Sam proceeds to tell him all about the Hydra base in Siberia and the other supersoldiers.

When Tony leaves, Sam once again tries to make sure you’re okay even if he hasn’t had luck at getting an answer out of you since you got here.

He knocks twice on the wall between you two then pauses and then knocks three more times fast before talking, a thing you two started doing since you both moved into the Avengers Compound so you would know it was the other knocking right away. “Are you okay?”

You don’t answer him and can hear him sighing before continuing talking.

“Look, I’m sorry you got caught up in this and-”

“I don’t regret the choice I made, Sam.” You interrupt him before he can finish his sentence, speaking up for the first time since you got arrested at the airport. “As much as this sucks, it was the right thing to do. I know it was.”

You don’t say anything else. Sam can tell you mean it and he knows better than to push you.

“They’ll be okay.” He says after a moment of silence and then lets you be.

You know he means Steve, Bucky and Tony but you can’t help but think he’s trying to reassure you that Bucky’s gonna be fine.

And you can only hope that he’s right.

-

A couple of weeks after Tony’s visit there’s a commotion in the prison.

You haven’t so much as made a sound since that day, aside from your daily knock on the wall between you and Sam so he can make sure you’re okay, knowing you well enough to know you don’t want to talk but still wanting to check in.

But you can’t help but let out a loud gasp when you see Steve just standing in front of your cells.

You look around when the cell doors open and you hesitantly get up from the floor and walk towards Steve. He hugs Sam, then you, then Clint and then pats Scott on the back, but doesn’t linger long before he’s guiding you towards another level where Wanda is.

You get to her just as the door to her cell opens and you rush inside with Clint to take off her collar while he takes off her straightjacket. You hug her tightly and wrap your arm around her with Clint to help her move you since she looks a little worse for wear.

You manage to move through the prison without problems. You have to hand it to Steve, he’s a hell of a criminal.

When you get to the landing pad you see the Quinjet ready for take off and you all rush inside just to see Bucky at the commands and you smile brightly at the sight.

You have no time to comment, though, as Sam shouts “What are you waiting for?! Go!”

Bucky rolls his eyes but calmly says “We have one more coming.”

You frown. One more? You turn to Steve confusedly but before you can ask anything you can see blond hair darting into the Quinjet and then Natasha’s there.

Bucky instantly takes off and you all take seats and buckle up.

There’s a moment of silence while everyone processes what just happened, but you break it while looking at Natasha that’s sitting directly in front of you.

“Are we gonna talk about the hair?” You ask arching your eyebrow with a smirk.

She groans in annoyance and you can hear the others chuckling while she says “We are not.”

-

After a few hours you all get to a safehouse and Steve ushers you in before showing you around.

It’s not bad: a secluded cabin with three bedrooms, not too big but Steve assured you you wouldn’t be staying there long anyway. Which makes sense, you're on the run now so this is just temporary.

After the tour Bucky approaches you in the living room and only then you notice he’s missing his metal arm.

“You flew the jet with only one arm? That’s impressive…” You can’t help yourself as you reach to touch his left shoulder, your eyes fixated on it. But stop on your tracks when you feel his right hand carefully cupping your cheek.

Your eyes snap up to his and you can see him thoroughly inspecting the wounds in your face that are still healing a little. He grimaces when he looks down at your bandaged arm and whispers “I’m sorry…”

“It’s nothing I can’t handle, Sergeant.” You smile softly at him and put your hand over his still on your cheek, trying to reassure him that you’re fine.

“I bet you can, doll.” He chuckles.

You’re too busy staring at each other to notice everyone’s attention is on you until Steve clears his throat with an apologetic look on his face.

“We need to go, Buck.” He says and you look confusedly between the two men.

“I’m going back into cryo.” Bucky clarifies for you.

“Oh.” Is all you can say and your eyes widen for a second before you force yourself to put on a more neutral face.

“It’s okay.” He smiles at you, but you feel like he’s trying to convince himself as much as you. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, doll.”

You try your best to smile and not look too bummed out. “I bet you can, Sergeant.”

You hesitate for a moment before surprising him, the others and even yourself by giving him a hug. He hesitates too before delicately hugging you back and, after a moment, you pull away. 

He smiles at you with a faint blush and you smile back, watching him walk to the door.

Steve passes you on his way to the door and kisses your forehead, whispering “He’ll be okay” before saying goodbye to the rest of the team, assuring you that he’ll be back soon. Then he also goes through the door and soon both the supersoldiers are gone.

You turn around with a sigh and see Sam, Natasha and Clint standing there, grinning at you, Wanda and Scott looking more compassionate than teasing.

You narrow your eyes at the first three and say sternly “Not. A. Word.” punctuating every word by pointing threateningly at each of them.

They raise their hands in mock surrender while snickering but thankfully don’t say anything and everyone just scatters around the safehouse.

You see the Quinjet depart from the window and try your best to look at the bright side: This isn’t forever, you’ll see him again.

Right?

Requested taglist: @sapphirebarnes @aki-ham @mary-jinx @abbyyourlocalmilf @selcouthial @esposadomd @americaarse

[stxrr-strxckk]

Something I noticed about I Saw the TV Glow that I haven't seen anybody mention yet

I saw this movie in theaters back in early may when it was released (Twice!), and it's been lingering in my head ever since then. Something I noticed on my second watch through: When Owen (and the audience) first see the Pink Opaque, we see Tara and Isabel in this sort of 90s nostalgia light, and I always thought they looked quite similar to Maddy and Owen. For example: Here is Owen and Isabel next to each other for reference.

While it's not entirely the same (Owen has softer features and is warmer toned, Isabel is more sharp and cool toned), they do look like they'd at least be related, cousins at least?

Same with Maddy and Tara, though not as much. (They looked more similar after Maddy's haircut, but I'm too lazy to change the photo)

But then, at the end when Owen is rewatching Pink Opaque? It's completely different. That nostalgic effect is gone and all of a sudden Tara is nowhere to be seen (Since Maddy left the world they were trapped in), and Isabel is completely different. Instead of being the confident, strong, WOC we see her as originally, she's just the same boring white protagonist of every little girl's show we grew up on.

And of course Owen is panicking, realizing that he lost his chance: He buried Isabel; she's dead underground, without her heart and instead of being who he truly is where he truly belongs, he's just... Owen. Stuck in suburbia, living the hell of being a queer kid growing up in the suburbs. Except now, he's an adult living a lie, knowing what he could have had is gone and he's stuck.

And another thing: I think the choice of the fun zone being where Owen works is deliberate. Sure, they could have kept him at the theater, but the theater shutting down is not only accurate (sad but true- please support your local movie theaters!) but shows how everyone is moving on from that experience of going to see a movie (and also from the joy of childhood and into adulthood while Owen is still stuck that awkward teenager!) in person- choosing streaming instead.

And we also notice this change in the Pink Opaque when Owen is watching it streaming. This is a reflection of how media felt more special growing up when it was in a physical form. Cds, vinyl, Dvds, casettes, film reels, even game cartridges, we've always had some physical object that bonds us to the worlds of creativity in which artists express themselves. And whether you've noticed or not, it's a special sort of feeling that just... Dies with streaming. Its like you own a piece of the media. Like saying: "This is mine, it's my personal piece of media that belongs to me and only me." and that's always made it feel special. Sure, there may be multiple copies, but this one belongs just to you. Not to mention the ritual of actually putting in cds, dvds, casettes into a player, or playing vinyl on a record player. There's this action you have to take to consume this media that's familiar and sort of gets you to anticipate what you're about to watch (much like Owen and Maddy's ritual of Maddy taping the show then leaving them around school for Owen to find) whereas now, you're just on a streaming service that lots of people own, and you're just mindlessly scrolling through hundreds of options.

Another thing: What do we see when Owen cuts his chest open in the final few minutes? TV static. Like when a tape finishes and you don't take it out of the player. His tape is over, Isabel is dead, and all that's left is the static of his fake life as he slowly rots in this husk. Now with streaming, you don't get that static. His connection with the Pink Opaque stems from his friendship with Maddy, the nostalgia of his favorite childhood show, and of course: his own queerness.

It's no secret this movie is about growing up queer and feeling like something is wrong. Like some part of you missing, the part that makes you normal. I've seen many reviews on IMDB that clearly missed the point, so I really want to spell it out here: THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT QUEER PEOPLE FOR QUEER PEOPLE. And I've never seen a movie so perfectly encapsulate that feeling more than this one.

From my experience as a queer POC growing up with little to no representation I know this feeling all too well of seeing someone and realizing: "Wow, that's me." And projecting who I wanted to be onto that person. Even though they're not queer, they're not a poc, they're just a character. We try so hard to make them into who we want to be that the image of this character becomes so distorted you barely recognize them. Then, later revisiting that media to realize that a: you've become them, your true self, or b, in Owen's case: that you've buried that person alive and barely recognize yourself now.

It's really such a unique experience that I've never been able to put into words before. These scenes gave me such a visceral feeling and I almost cried in the theater. The scene of Owen in Isabel's dress is just the cherry on top. I myself am lucky enough to not need to transition and growing up I didn't feel as much dysphoria as my other trans friends, but this reminds me of a good friend of mine who used to dress in heels, makeup, skirts, and dresses to try and lessen the dysphoria she felt growing up in the wrong body.

I also love how the movie shows being queer in school.

Like how Maddy asks Owen if he likes girls or boys, and he replies with: "I think I like TV shows."

Avoiding the question because you either don't know the answer, or are so afraid you're gonna get bullied even more for being who you are.

Growing up, there weren't many queer kids in my school. So when we found each other, we stuck together. But for most of school, we were alone. No groups, not many friends, no space at the lunch table for us.

And seeing Owen, I just felt this connection to him almost immediately. Alone, not part of any group, until he finally finds Maddy. They don't have anything in common except the show, which is really the only reason they're friends, but it keeps them together, They're bonded.

For me, I see this as finding another queer kid in a mostly straight school. You may not have much in common, but that identity means you two will stick together, no matter what.

TLDR: I love isttvg, it makes me cry, everyone is gay and fuck imdb.

[icarusflewsworld]

Rhysand & Cassian & Azriel X OC

Hello, here is the chapter 6 of a fanfiction on the world of Acotar where our three favorite Batboys are the mates of a single woman.

I hope you like it! Please feel free to comment and telling me what you think of the story, it would make me very happy. In any case, thank you for reading ❤️❤️

! Don't forget to read the previous chapters ! : Here

Happy reading!

Chapter 6

After a silence, Luxiana, realizing that she was still not touching the ground, put her hands on Cassian's forearms around her and bent her neck backward to try to look at the Fae who was holding her in his eyes. Cassian lowered his gaze as he felt her move and their pupils collided, causing something to explode in Cassian's lower abdomen. Luxiana smiled innocently with all her teeth, fluttering her eyelashes a few times.

“Could you possibly grace me with your benevolence and release me to let me touch the ground again?”

Cassian smirked, his eyes shining with playfulness as he detailed her. He thought she was so beautiful, that the dimples that formed at every word she said were so adorable and the way she spoke was so cute he could have physically melted. 

“I can, but I don't want to,” the Illyrian with the red Siphons simply replied, taking advantage of the closeness with his soul mate to detail her and enjoy the feeling of well-being that was bringing every cell in his body back to life.  

Luxiana raised an eyebrow in surprise at the audacity of Cassian's answer. This fae had guts. She liked that. “Don't make me force you, Commander.” Her tone was playful and light, but an aftertaste of terrifying menace in the depths of her pupils made Cassian swallow hard, making him frown. 

She was such an intimidating little woman. Cassian's smile widened before he reluctantly resigned himself to releasing her, raising his hands in the air beside his face in remission. 

Luxiana smiled with pride as she put her foot on the ground. She took a step forward to distance herself from the imposing mass of the Fae behind her, to whom she had enjoyed being close to far more than she should have. Then she returned her gaze to Rhysand, who had tilted his head and detailed her with interest. She liked his piercing gaze. 

“There are also things that don't deceive, you know...” she said, regaining her seriousness. “You had no reason to save Feyre after Amarantha's death, yet, even though she was your enemy's wife, you did it out of charity because you're not such a bad guy and then...you were alone. Under the mountain. You were alone and no member of your court was locked up with you, while the entire court of Tamlin had been cursed, and while the entire other courts were locked up with their lord, you, you were alone. I may not know exactly what you did, but I'm convinced you did it to protect those you cared about. I'm convinced you're a good person. And even if you're not...” She smiles. “...I'll protect you anyway. I'll protect you as much as I can in the hope that it might offer you a break, or just bring you some peace.” 

Rhys took a step back, shocked. He was breathing. His heart beat with such force in his chest that it hurt, and his eyes burned. He was convinced he was ready to cry. After everything she'd just said, he felt like everything made sense. His whole life, everything he'd been through. It had all led to this moment, to her, and then all those horrors had been worth it. 

The three Illyrians said nothing, only smiling tenderly as they approached the blonde. Their large bodies surrounded Luxiana's small body, but she was in no way intimidated. She detailed them one by one with her head bowed and a broad smile on her lips. Something felt right. Something made her feel good, at ease. 

The same feeling that gave Cassian, Rhysand and Azriel the impression of having found their place. To have found something they'd been missing.

“You're very intelligent,” Azriel observed, gazing at her avidly from top to bottom, a hint of admiration shining in his eyes. This woman was intelligent and was very probably his soul mate.  

Luxiana gave him a look of shining confidence that excited Azriel with a force far too insane. “Oh, you haven't seen anything yet, you know.”

This girl was mysterious and the three Illyrians loved and hated it at the same time. 

Cassian was intrigued. He hated the idea that this woman didn't fall under his charm enough to reveal her whole life to him, but he loved the fact that the pretty blonde was a ball of secrets waiting to be discovered.

It was Rhysand who was the most frustrated. No one ever had a secret from him, not with his power and certainly not a human, yet Luxiana's mind remained entirely closed. So hermetically sealed that Rhys had never, for a second, been able to access her thoughts. Rhys thought she probably wasn't doing it on purpose, but this mental shield indicated that she didn't feel safe in his presence, and that hurt him slightly. 

Azriel was good at understanding people and getting the answers he wanted; nobody had any secrets from him. Yet this girl never gave him any clues as to what kind of person she was, either in the way she acted or in what she said. He didn't know what to do with her. He hated to see people resist him, but he loved to see them capitulate. 

The Illyrian with the blue Siphons slowly raised his hand to the blonde's face, giving her time to step back or prevent him from touching her, but she didn't move a millimeter, piercing him with two confident but intrigued pupils. Azriel's chest felt like it was on fire at the young woman's casualness. He delicately caught her chin in his hand, gently digging his fingers into her cheeks. He suddenly pulled her possessively toward him, Luxiana's chest colliding with his.

“No matter how much of a bastard Tamlin is,” he growled in a calm voice yet vibrating with anger and with cold authoritative eyes anchored in the blonde's, ”You must avoid provoking a high lord. You could have been hurt.” 

Luxiana's gaze flashed with a barely perceptible glint of playfulness. She squinted as she detailed the blue siphon fae, trying to give herself the air of anger she should have, but the truth was that she was far too amused by these three Illyrians. And boy, what that one had just said and the way he'd pulled her towards him had been soooo sexy. Her heart was still beating wildly against her ribs. She couldn't hide her provocative smirk because, damn it, she liked to provoke. 

“Yes, by the way, Spymaster, I don't remember to have authorized you or your brothers to stop me from beating up a Fae.” Her tone was condescending, and she didn't need to feign the bitter aftertaste in her mouth as her intonations twisted with anger. She hated it more than anything when someone thought they were stronger than her, or when someone stopped her from doing something.  It was a clear lack of confidence on that person's part and a sign that he or she thought himself or herself superior to her, and she hated that.

Rhysand detected immediately from her words and the way she said them that she was angry. He had understood that she had taken their intervention badly and he would have liked to apologize, but the truth was that he wasn't sorry and would do it again at the first opportunity. He simply couldn't bring himself to see her hurt, but he understood that for her, their behavior didn't make sense, or at least not a very reasonable one. 

Like Rhys, Cassian could only see one side of Luxiana's face, yet he was more than certain that she had a confident expression thanks to the charisma and confidence she exuded and which left no room for hesitation. He was more than admiring her, and his eyes sparkled as he detailed her. This small woman was surrounded by three Illyrians twice her size in length and breadth, whose reputations would strike fear into the hearts of the most hardened of men, but she didn't blink. Not even an ounce of doubt could be felt in her demeanor. Cassian was burning from head to toe.

Azriel gritted his teeth, anchoring his fingers a little more firmly into the skin of the young woman who wasn't even a little intimidated by his tone. He'd seen how her words and gesture had sent shivers down Luxiana's spine, and although he'd been seething with joy at the sight, he'd quickly become disillusioned at her provocative words. She hadn't 'allowed' him to save her life? A cold anger froze Azriel's vessels blood, making his whole body ache. He almost winced. She had no instinct for survival, blaming them for saving her, but above all, she was provoking him. She'd talk back to him and tell him she hadn't 'authorized' him to do anything. He was the one who authorized things, he was the one who was going to authorize things for her, and his whole body trembled with anticipation at the idea of making her assimilate this notion. At the idea of dominating her to teach her not to endanger her life. 

Cassian leaned forward, his warm breath hitting the young woman's ear. “We kept you from ending up in tatters, my dear,” he said with a condescending smile as he noticed her shiver. 

Luxiana felt her body and heart trembling. Her lower abdomen began to implode and burn with excitement. It was only a bodily reaction to Cassian's hot breath on her lobe, Azriel's possessive grip on her chin and the piercing purple gaze of Rhysand's side-tilted head, but it had to be said that she didn't want to fight her resentment either. She found them downright sexy and intriguing, even if they were Illyrians. 

They were Illyrians. They hadn't shown any typically disturbing characteristics of their species so far, yet they were Illyrians. This thought made his eyelids twitch for a microsecond, which might go completely unnoticed or might appear to be a lack of magnesium, yet Rhysand noticed. 

He instantly sensed her discomfort. The blonde's expression hadn't changed, but he'd felt it, he'd experienced it so many times over the last fifty years, and like her, he'd tried so hard to hide his weaknesses and discomfort, that he'd immediately noticed the sudden slight tension in her shoulders. He didn't know why she'd suddenly felt threatened, but he didn't like it. He liked it even less to see that the blonde's body had acted out of automatism to hide what she was feeling, which meant she must have picked up the habit as a child. The difficult childhood and the problems she must have gone through and which were foreshadowed by this behavior compressed Rhysand's stomach. He'd have to wait for her to talk to him about it, but in the meantime, as she still didn't move back, surely forcing herself to keep her composure in front of them, he gently took her by the shoulders to pull her towards him and away from his two brothers. 

Azriel had to let go of Luxiana and glared at Rhys, furious that he had broken off contact with his soul mate. Cassian straightened up, also glaring at Rhysand, but with a confused expression.

Rhysand positioned her beside him and released her, even taking a step backwards to distance himself from her and give her some space. 

Luxiana gave a questioning glance at the Fae high lord, staring at him for a second before squinting under the sympathetic gaze he cast at her. She understood that he understood. And understood then that he didn’t have an easy past either. She shook her head and took back her haughty face, directing her gaze back to Cassian and Azriel, whose hand was still raised in the air.

“The only one who would have ended up in tatters would have been him.”Luxiana no longer had to feign anger, now a little irritated by the behavior of the three brothers. She knew she wasn't very intimidating to behold, but she really was capable of the worst. She crossed her arms, squinting her eyes and furiously detailing the three of them. 

The Illyrians stared at her for a second, seemingly out of time, and then realized. There, like that, with her arms crossed, her eyebrows furrowed, her nostrils dilated and her little expression of irritation, she was the cutest woman they'd ever met. She was so sweet and so innocent, she had no idea of the atrocities that could befall her and how dangerous this world was, and although an ounce of fear lingered in the guts of the three Illyrians, their hearts swelled with joy and pride in their chests at such cuteness. She was their soul mate. A wave of joy swept through them, so powerful that they had to laugh heartily, laughing out loud at the little blonde who frowned a little more. 

“But yes we don't doubt it,” said Rhysand, patting the top of her head affectionately, but he froze for a microsecond, holding back a wince. Her hair was soft, damn it, how was it possible to have such silky hair?

He withdrew his hand hastily, suddenly realizing that he'd acted unconsciously and touched her when he'd found her uncomfortable two seconds before. He didn't know what had come over him, but she'd been so cute with her angry little face that his body had needed to touch her. Fortunately, it had been just that, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable by touching her in a way she might find inappropriate or that might upset her. But when Luxiana turned to him, glowering at him despite her flushed cheeks and an adorably vexed face, Rhysand had to focus every fiber of his body on stopping himself from pouncing on her and kissing every one of her freckles. 

The blonde was seething with rage. They'd just treated her like a child. Oh dear, they were lucky their lord had saved Feyre, otherwise she'd have made them eat the floor for this behavior. She was about to speak up in her own defense, but stopped when she saw the faces of the three Illyrians change dramatically to become more serious. They stared at the door for a moment, before Azriel and Rhysand threw themselves out of the house without a word. 

“What's going on?” asked Luxiana as she watched them leave the house. She took several steps forward, intending to run after them, but Cassian, who had stayed behind, caught her by the hips and lifted her to the opposite of the door, far away in the hall. He placed her on the ground and put her back against the wall, wrapping his large frame around her.

“Is that Feyre?” Luxiana worried, trying to free herself from the Illyrian's grip on her hips. “Let me go, I've got to join her.” 

“Rhys and Az have gone to help her, don't worry,” Cassian reassured her, pinning her down a little more.

Luxiana's eyes widened. So something was going on and it had something to do with Feyre. Her heart began to beat wildly in her chest. She had to protect her. “What the hell is going on?? and Elain and Nesta?” She grabbed the Illyrian's wrists on her hips and put pressure on them to try and get him to let go, but he was far too strong for her to move him more than a millimeter. 

“They're in the dining room. You're safe, I won't let anyone enter in the house.”

“I don't need to be safe. Let go of me,” Luxiana struggled even harder, trying to push him away with her hands pressed to his chest. Anger buzzed in her ears. Why was he preventing her from reaching her best friend and helping her?

Cassian almost took a step back under the unsuspected strength she had just shown, so he grabbed her wrists and pinned them to the wall beside her pelvis. He leaned his body over her, encircling the blonde a little more with his wings and preventing her from seeing further than his tall frame, bringing his face closer to hers. 

He tried not to appear as disturbed by the young woman's proximity as he was. The Illyrian tried to hide the warmth spreading through his chest and body, but this was the first time he'd felt this way for a woman he'd only known for a few hours, and only because of a light touch of her breast or the simple vision of him holding her wrists. God, what he'd like to do to that woman against that wall, right now. 

“If I let you go, do you promise not to run straight into danger?” he questioned in a hoarse voice, unable to take his eyes off the young woman's mouth.

“No, that's exactly where I'm going, but if you don't let go, I'll emasculate you,” Luxiana threatened with a dark look.

Cassian smiled. It had been a long time since someone had stood up to him like that.

“You don't want to hurt an attribute that could do you some real good,” Cassian proclaimed seductively.

Luxiana raised an eyebrow, then a smirk emerged on her face. She slowly approached Cassian, standing on tiptoe. 

Luxiana could feel her eyes shining and she wasn't sure if it was desire or mischief, but her whole body was vibrating with excitement. She could easily have succumbed to that feeling of security he'd disarmed her with when he surrounded her with his body or even wanted to go further, but first she had to make sure Feyre was okay.  

She brushed her lips against Cassian's, which elicited a grunt from the Illyrian whose body had just been struck by the contact. He had to use all his self-control not to fall over backwards. This woman hadn't even kissed him yet, he'd felt more with her than with any other. 

Taking advantage of his moment of weakness and absence, and proud of her move, Luxiana deftly turned her wrist to release it from Cassian's grip. She then grabbed the brunet's forearm and spun around, taking his arm with her and draping it over her head. The Illyrian had to twist to the side, wincing under the pain, which created a small gap between his wings and the wall, large enough for Luxiana to pass through.

Cassian's eyes widened in surprise as he realized the empty space between him and the wall, where Luxiana wasn’t anymore. The blonde released his arm and ran towards the door. Cassian barely had time to blink and understand what had just happened that Luxiana had almost reached the outside.

She was about to open the door and run out, determined to protect her best friend, but the latter stormed back into the house. Luxiana stopped in the middle of the hall. 

Feyre looked a little shocked as she entered the house. Her gaze was on her best friend, but she didn't seem to see her. Tamlin and Lucien were following her.

“Feyre,” Luxiana cried, throwing herself into her best friend's arms for a little hug. “What happened?” 

“The Ator waited until I was alone to attack me,” she replied, regaining consciousness and throwing herself at Luxiana to wrap her arms around her and give her a hug back.

“The Ator? What's this? Are you all right?” Said Luxiana, placing her hands on Feyre's shoulders and detailing her up and down, making sure she was okay. 

“It's a creature under the orders of Amaranta and the king of hybern now,” Lucien said in a deep voice, looking at Feyre with concern and at the black anger on his lord's face in the same way.

“Yes, I'm fine...,” Feyre breathed. “Thanks to Azriel and Rhysand.”

Luxiana first widened her eyes but then saw red as she turned back to Tamlin.“Weren't you with her?” she cried accusingly, with a hint of surprise.

For God's sake, Rhysand had once again saved her best friend, while Tamlin had no excuse this time. What would have happened if the Illyrians hadn't been there? She'd been so stupid, so careless to think that Feyre wasn't in danger here.

“No, we had a fight because of you!” growled Tamlin menacingly.

Luxiana froze and winced, guilt welling up in her chest. She could have lost her best friend over such a stupid thing. “Where are Rhysand and Azriel?” she asked.

“They took the creature home to interrogate it and find out why it was there,” Lucien explained.

“How did they know I needed help?” Feyre asked Cassian, turning to him.

“The Azriel’s shadows,” replied the Illyrian, arms dangling in the middle of the hall and who was still recovering from the emotions the blonde had just made him feel.

***

Cassian had received a telepathic order from Rhys to accompany Tamlin, Feyre and her sisters to post the letters to the queens and make sure it was done. Cassian did so, disappointed to leave Luxiana alone with Lucien. However, his disappointment turned to jealousy when he saw Luxiana laughing with Lucien once back in the mansion. Intense jealousy radiated through all his muscles, urging him to do something, urging him to stop the redhead from making his soul mate laugh, urging him to stop the redhead from hearing that melodious sound that was only his. Only theirs. How dare he make her laugh!

Without even being able to prevent it and acting on a strange instinct, Cassian directly sent the image of Luxiana sitting on the couch, laughing heartily with Lucien at her side, to Rhysand and Azriel. Cassian had absolutely no telepathic power and Rhysand was far too far away to be able to read his thoughts, yet Rhys and Az had received the image in their minds. Cassian had just sent the memory via a link between the three of them that had formed, defying time and space and of which they were not even aware until then. 

Rhysand, leaning against the wall of the cell in which the Ator in front of him was being tortured, suddenly straightened up, receiving the image in his head. He frowned as he detailed the memory and even heard Lucien's laughter echoing in his mind mixed with the one of his soul mate. His chest tore with such violence that it physically hurt him. He frowned. She was only laughing with someone, yet it hurt him so much. But how did he receive this image?

Azriel froze, his knife planted in the Ator's thigh, kneeling in front of it. He widened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the pale creature, but not even seeing it, focused on the images of his soulmate laughing with this carrot bastard that appeared in his mind. His heart began to beat like crazy in his chest and a wave of frost crushed his limbs. How dare she laugh with someone else?

Rhysand glanced at Azriel in front of him and quickly understood from the glance that threw him back, that they had both seen the same thing and that they were both wondering how it was possible.

That said, all three of them quickly understood that it was the bond that now united them with their soul mate that allowed Cassian such a thing and that now bound them three in a completely different way. If it was real, it was a bond that would be very useful to them in the future to protect, love and cherish their mate, they were sure of it, but in the meantime they were burning with rage, pain and jealousy. 

That said, 2/3 of these emotions were not theirs. This jealousy that they felt and that suffocated them, really preventing them from breathing, was mainly Cassian's. The rage that consumed them from top to bottom by making them tremble was mainly Azriel's. But the pain that tore their hearts from their chests was mostly Rhysand's.

The three brothers had always reacted differently to problems, they thought differently, they felt differently, and today the bond that united them allowed them to become one and feel what the other two felt. Only, it was complicated. The faes felt more intensely when it concerned their soul mates and the Illyrians were known for having trouble controlling their emotions. On top of that, today, they also had to feel those of their brothers and experience everything multiplied by three.

Azriel had removed his weapon planted in the Ator's thigh and had turned robotically to face the cell door. He began to walk towards it in a tense manner, smiling, imagining all the horrible things he was going to do to Lucien. He was going to fly there, join them, and he was going to rip the ears off that bastard who had been able to hear the melodious sound of his soulmate's laughter.

Rhysand turned too, ready to follow Azriel. He knew that what they were about to do was wrong but he simply couldn't reason with himself and calm down. Not when he wasn't the only one to reason with and calm down.

"Am I interrupting something?" Cassian had spat, shooting Lucien with his brown pupils, being the only one who could act, his two brothers being for the moment still at the Night Court. He would have liked to be angry and kill Lucien but when Luxiana turned to him, jumped up and down with joy at the sight of him and started explaining to him what she had said to Lucien to make him laugh, he calmed down. He hadn't even listened but she spoke to him with such joy that he relaxed uncontrollably. And the other two too.

Azriel and Rhysand both stopped in front of the cell door, ready to go out, seeing in their minds Luxiana talking cheerfully to Cassian, almost ignoring Lucien at her side. They were able to take a deep breath, realizing the insane anger that had boiled in their bodies two seconds before. And although an aftertaste of anger, jealousy and pain remained in their guts, it was now less urgent to kill the redhead. They turned back around and resumed their activity, calmed down. They told themselves they could wait a little before killing Lucien.

Azriel had then been able to gratuitously and more violently plunge one of his blades into the Ator, taking advantage of the outlet it offered him.

Rhysand no longer even took pleasure in watching the creature suffer despite what it had done to him, his mind too focused on torturing him by playing the sound of his soulmate's laughter mixed with the one of another man.

Despite everything, they were a little calmer.

After that, the Faes at the Archerons’ domain had been able and had to leave. Cassian had kissed the back of Luxiana’s hand to say goodbye and after a last wink, he had flown away, fighting against the worry that took place in his heart and that told him to stay by his soulmate’s side.

Cassian was somewhat disappointed not to be able to spend more time with her, but the irritable mood of these two brothers told him that they were even more disappointed not to have been able to say goodbye to her. They would have liked to bring her back to Velaris to keep her close to them, but with the war against Hybern looming and all the things they had to do, it was not the right time, especially not for a fragile human who would be in danger.

So all three of them did not know when they would be able to see her again, doubting that they might not see her again for a long time, and this realization hurt their feelings in a way that was completely new to them. Especially since no matter what they did, they could not get her out of their heads. 

Luxiana's face, her hair, her perfume, her smile, her curves, her voice, all dragged through their minds with such vehemence that they had almost become zombies unable to concentrate on anything but her.

The only times they were not absent, diving into their thoughts, was when they talked about this girl among themselves or to Mor.

Morrigan had wanted to see her. Meet the woman she was a little jealous of and who had managed to capture Azriel's attention, who had won Cassian's loyalty and made Rhys smile again in just a few hours.

Rhys only smiled when he thought of her or talked about her. He had never felt that before. This strange way of having only one person in his head all day long with such irreversibility that it had chased away all other thoughts. Including the bad ones, including memories. There was only her and without even knowing it, she was doing him good. His body was pushing him to find her as if he needed her to live. So Rhys had sworn that at the first opportunity, when things were calmer, he would go find the Suriel and then, when he had confirmed to him that she was indeed their soul mate, he would go find Luxiana. 

Azriel detailed Morrigan. He detailed her as he used to do before Luxiana but now it sounded false and wrong. He had remembered the existence of Rhys' cousin and what he had felt for her for five hundred years when he saw her in the dining room but he no longer felt anything special for her. Not after laying eyes on his soul mate. He had even come to wonder how he could have been obsessed with Morrigan for so long when Luxiana was there, outside. He didn't know why this girl obsessed him so much... Well yes, he knew and he also knew why it was so strong but damn, he could have done anything to see her again just for a second. He needed the light that this girl brought him and her amazing way of making his shadows flee by shining.

Cassian was boiling. He was irritable like never before. He had tried sleeping with women to calm down and try to stop his brain from thinking about Luxiana, but his body had just refused to feel aroused. His body even gave him the impression to be disgusted by all the women he met by giving him a strong feeling of revulsion even the most beautiful of them, he no longer found them attractive. Cassian would have almost believed he was sick if he did not have an erection every time he thought of Luxiana, that is to say almost constantly since he had met her. Every cell of his being called him to do obscene things to Luxiana and apparently desired only her. He had to explore and discover every corner of the skin and mind of the beautiful blonde who haunted his thoughts. 

In the meantime, the three Illyrians threw themselves into their work, eager to finish as quickly as possible, at least until they had to go to the Archerons to find out if they had received a response from the queens. 

[ageingfangirl2]

A Little Goes A Long Way! Buggy (OPLA)

SMUT! A week has passed since a drunken encounter between you and your captain occurred and he's all you have on your mind, little do you know your captain feels the same way. Buggy x Reader (Female)

Part 2

Y/N

It had been a week since you'd gotten drunk with the crew after a successful raid that came with a lot of treasure. It had been a week since you drunkenly told your captain that you wanted him to fuck you and that you craved him, and the captain followed through fucking you beneath the deck. It had been a week since he left dark hickeys on your inner thighs, chest and neck that had only started to fade recently. It had been a week since your last interaction, and you weren't sure if he regretted that night because his orders came from other crew members.

There was one thing you were sure of and that was that you couldn't get him off your mind. He was like a drug and you were addicted. Maybe you'd been at sea too long and needed a release. You would fool around when you docked in a port with random guys, but the captain made those guys seem like boys and sex wouldn't be the same unless it was with him.

You weren't the only female crew member, but you'd been around the longest. Of course, Buggy had screwed them, and they had stories to tell that only piqued your interest. Alvida was the only one who didn't have an interest in him that way. The other crew were more feminine than you, but you could draw an eye or two, choosing to make men come to you and not the other way around. But here you were debating going to Buggy and begging for round two.

'y/n can you do me a favour?' Alvida asks, popping her head around the kitchen door.

You stop chopping vegetables and face her smiling, the two of you got along really well since she joined, 'Anything for you Alvida.'

She winks at you, 'I was asked to gather intel on our next target from a guy in town. Can you deliver it to the captain please, I'm going back into town.'

she slaps some documents down on a barrel and you roll your eyes, 'Of course, go get laid.'

She blows you a kiss, 'See you tomorrow beautiful, don't do anything I wouldn't do.'

You laugh at her antics as she vanishes. You finish chopping the vegetables before picking up the documents. It looked like you had an excuse to see Buggy, you just weren't sure what was going to happen.

BUGGY

Running a ship was hard work. Yes, we had a success last week but now we need to move on to the next target. Alvida should have something for me, though I wasn't quite sure where the damn woman was. Working also got my mind off y/n of all people. They'd been on the crew for a couple of years, mainly helping in the kitchen and showing impressive knife skills in shows. They put up with my rants, and flirting and took punishments like a champ. I never once pursued them, unlike other female crew members out of respect. So imagine my surprise when a week ago when they were drunk they came up to me and said they wanted to fuck and had been thinking about me for a while.

I'm a man and gave into my carnal desires, taking y/n in the shadows, pounding into them as they begged for more. I left marks all over their body, and they were beautiful in the light of day when they weren't covered. But for a week now I'd been ignoring them, assuming that once sober they had regrets.

'Captain can I come in?' y/n calls out, knocking on the door.

Well, this would be interesting. I take a deep breath, 'come in.'

y/n walks in smiling, they are always a happy person, and this makes it hard to read them, 'Alvida's a little busy and asked me to deliver this intel.'

y/n puts the folder on the desk but doesn't immediately leave. I sit back in my chair and smirk, 'something else on your mind?'

y/n closes their eyes and takes a deep breath before pointing an accusing finger my way, 'I'm all over the place and it's your fault.'

My smirk reaches my ears and I chuckle, 'Mmm, it's not all on me, you know y/n,' I say teasingly, 'I was minding my own business having a couple of drinks when you came onto me. Been thinking about me all week have you?'

y/n opens their eyes and a blush gives them away. I detach a hand and use it to pull them towards me, forcing them onto my lap which they straddle without any further prompting.

I unbutton their shorts and slip my fingers inside, shocked to find them not wearing any underwear, 'dirty girl.'

y/n bites their lip, 'I need to do laundry, this wasn't planned.'

I nod along, mischief in my eyes, 'You didn't lock the door. Do you want someone to walk in on us?'

This wasn't my first rodeo, I knew exactly where to touch, rub, pinch and how much pressure to apply to the clit to get certain responses. y/n was putty in my hands whimpering and trying to keep control, but this was my fight to win.

I lick my lips, 'answer me. Do you want to get caught with your captain? Do you want the crew to think you're another whore for my dick?'

y/n's whimpers were enough to get me hard, but they still kept eye contact which was hot, '...maybe...right now...I want you inside me...'

I don't give any warning before I move away from the clit and thrust two fingers inside their tight warm cunt, 'BUGGY!' they squeal loudly, and squirm on my lap.

'Tell me what you want,' I whisper, voice low, and y/n shudders beneath me.

'...faster...please...' they beg and a moan slips out.

I add a third finger and quicken the pace. Beads of sweat form on y/n's forehead as they come undone around me. y/n bucks their hips and grinds against me, 'FUCK!' I exclaim as y/n starts fucking themselves on my fingers matching my pace.

if anyone walked past my quarters right now all they'd hear were y/n's moans, 'You really are a dirty girl. So desperate and needy, I should have fucked you sooner,' I laugh.

With one more forceful thrust from me y/n cums on my fingers still inside them. They breathe heavily coming down from their high, the blissful look in their eyes turning me on even more, '...fuck...Buggy...'

I remove my slick fingers and bring them to my lips, licking them clean, 'so sweet. I didn't have to do much, you fucked yourself and it was hot.'

y/n's face turns a darker shade of red before they bury it in my chest in embarrassment at their slutty actions. I can't contain my laughter as I hold them against me and kiss the top of their head, 'next time I'm going to watch you finger fuck yourself y/n. You're captain's dirty girl now.

[writeforfandoms]

Listening In 4

Find the series masterlist

Well, here we are. The end of this little series. This took me a lot longer to finish than I originally planned, and I apologize for that. I hope the tooth rotting fluff makes up for it.

Warnings: Fluff, cavity inducing sweetness, Feels, idiots in love, piv sex, dirty talk, and they lived happily ever after.

Word count: 4.6k

Soap and Ghost made it back to the 141 safely, and Price congratulated them on a job well done. 

Life moved on. There was always another op. 

But Soap kept thinking back to that op. To their little waitress. 

And she most certainly was theirs, now. Just thinking about the way she'd whimpered under him was enough to get Soap riled up. 

Soap texted her as often as he could, which was almost daily. Ghost, he knew, didn't text nearly as much. 

But when he did… well. When Ghost wanted to, he was a right bastard. 

Like the time he sent their waitress an audio recording of the two of them. That was well worth it. 

Of course, it wasn't just audio recordings and the occasional video call. 

Soap managed to detour to see their waitress for half a day on the way back from an op. Ghost, lucky bastard, had an entirely accidental two day layover, most of which was spent in her bed. And that wasn't all of it - the two found themselves stopping by to see her as often as possible. 

It wasn't until Soap and Ghost had leave together and arranged to go see her again for a whole week that either of them thought more of it. 

"Hey, Si?" 

Simon grunted, cracking open one eye above his plain medical mask. That was the more plane-friendly look. 

"Think we're a bit looney." 

Simon barked a laugh, closing his eyes again. "Just now figuring that out?" He drawled, amused. 

Johnny huffed with quiet laughter. "Maybe," he admitted. Simon's lack of distress helped put him at ease, though. 

Soon, they'd be off the plane. And then they could surprise their pretty little waitress. 

They had a lot of ideas they wanted to try out, after all. 

–

You'd had an awful day. An opening shift rife with assholes and a few too many pinches. You were tired, achey, aggravated. 

Honestly, you wanted to go home and cry and ignore the rest of the world for a while.

So when your phone rang, you almost ignored it without even checking it. Almost. 

“Johnny?” you scrambled to answer it as soon as you saw who was calling. “What’s up?” 

“Got a bit of a surprise for ye, gorgeous.” Johnny sounded far too pleased. 

“Yeah?” You dodged an idiot who wasn’t watching where he was going, huffing softly. “And what’s that?” 

“You at home?”

You didn’t quite startle at the question, but you did pause. “Not yet,” you said slowly. “Heading there, though. What did you do?” 

Johnny laughed. “So little faith! It’s a good thing, promise.”

You shook your head. “Alright, if you say so. Do I need to check my mailbox or something?”

“Not exactly,” he hedged. “Ye’ll see soon, promise.”

You sighed but gave up. “Alright, sure. I need to go, it’s crowded out here today.”

“Okay. Get home safe.” Johnny paused there for a moment, like he wanted to say more, but he didn’t. 

“Will do,” you agreed and hung up. A little abrupt, maybe, but you were tired. You didn’t have your normal energy for his silliness.

The walk home was too loud and too crowded, with people jostling into you. You were so tired and so done you wanted to cry by the time you finally got into the elevator. 

The elevator opened onto your floor and you got three trudging steps off before you halted. 

Johnny and Simon stood outside your door, facing you. Johnny was grinning, bright and a little mischievous. 

You didn't let them say anything. You just walked straight into Johnny, winding your arms around him and hiding your face against his chest. 

"Hey, gorgeous," Johnny cooed, one big hand rubbing your back soothingly. "Happy to see us?" 

"Yeah," you agreed softly. "Also fucking tired." 

"Long day?" His voice softened with sympathy. 

Your laugh was dry and a little too close to tears. "Could say that." 

Johnny hummed in wordless concern, holding you closer and pressing his cheek to the top of your head. "Poor gorgeous," he murmured. "C'mon, let's head inside, aye?" 

You breathed in deep and let go of him, grabbing your keys. Simon plucked them from you, and you blinked. But moments later you were all inside. 

Simon guided you to the couch and pushed you down to sit. You blinked at him, startled. He just motioned you to wait while he brought water. 

"What's goin' on?" Johnny dropped down next to you, pulling you into his side with an arm around your shoulders. 

You blew out a breath, shoulders dropping. "Just life stuff," you dismissed, or tried to. "Nothing like your shit." They'd told you some, a little, mostly that they were military and had unpredictable schedules. You didn't blame them, not at all, and it explained the odd absences. 

"Tell us anyway." Johnny gave you a gentle little shake, eyes warm and focused on you. 

Simon dropped down on your other side, setting water on the table in front of you, leaving you nowhere to run. Of course. These two were practiced, moving in an easy tandem in and out of the bedroom. Which they often used against you. Like right now. 

You huffed, half exasperated and half amused. "Just. Work sucked today. Few too many shitty people." 

"And?" Simon drawled, knowing that wasn't the end of it. You'd ranted to him about work and handsy guys before. 

"And my rent is going up," you finally admitted on a sigh. "It's just enough that I'm thinking of moving or downgrading." 

Johnny hummed soft sympathy, pulling you closer. "Job hunt hasn't turned up anything?" 

"Not yet." You made a face. "It's just frustrating, that's all. I'll get through it."

"We'll come back to that." Johnny pressed a kiss to the side of your head, easy and affectionate as ever. "What's yer schedule, gorgeous?" 

You blinked, thrown off a bit by the question. "Tomorrow I'm off, the next two days I have closing shifts, then two mid shifts, then two more days off," you said after a moment of thought. "Not sure beyond that. Why?"

"Well, we've got a week," Johnny said, grinning at you. "Was hopin' to spend a good bit of that with ye." 

"You… are far too sweet." You smiled, relaxing between the two of them. "Next you're gonna say you've got a better idea about my job and apartment situation."

Silence. Damning silence. You turned slowly to look at Johnny, who was busy looking anywhere but you. Simon scoffed softly. 

"You'd think he'd have learned to lie by now," Simon added conversationally, one big hand landing on your thigh. 

"Ah can lie!" Johnny immediately defended himself. "Just. Not to. Well. The two o' ye."

Your heart swelled at being so blatantly lumped in with Simon, your shock plain to see. Oh, sure, you knew these two liked you - they kept visiting you, after all. 

But this was something totally different. 

"Nope," you decided. "We are tabling that because I cannot be a rational person right now." 

Simon leaned closer to your back, his bulk bleeding warmth into the scant space between you. "Don't be rational, then," he murmured. "What're you thinking, dove?"

"Very non-feminist thoughts," you drawled, shivering briefly as Simon pressed even closer. 

"Tell us." Simon scooted forward, slowly but inexorably pressing you closer to Johnny, who looked more than willing. 

You groaned softly. Simon had a way of getting you to admit to things you wouldn't otherwise, something you both loved and hated. "Really?"

"Be a good girl for me." He was so close now you could feel his mask just brush the shell of your ear. 

"Not fair," you complained weakly, swallowing hard. But Simon squeezed your thigh and you folded. "I was thinking I'd let you both whisk me away anywhere you wanted." You ducked your head to hide in Johnny's chest, flustered. 

"There's our sweet girl," Johnny cooed, immediately pulling you closer, until you were sort of situated on his lap. 

"We'll discuss that tomorrow," Simon murmured, pressing in against your back again until you were sandwiched in warmth. "We have time." 

You huffed but didn't object, just relaxing between them. You were warm, you were tired, and they were very comforting. Honestly, you were tempted to just sleep between them. 

"Have you eaten yet?" Simon asked, thumb rubbing your thigh slowly. 

"No," you admitted, grumpy because you knew that meant he'd move. 

Simon huffed a little laugh. At your attitude, undoubtedly. "We'll take care of dinner," he assured you. "You want anything in particular?"

"Don't really care," you admitted, covering his hand with yours to link your fingers through his. 

"Don't fall asleep on us yet, gorgeous," Johnny huffed with amusement. 

"Shut up," you grumbled, nestling in closer and relaxing. "Comfortable." 

They both laughed quietly, but neither of them moved, letting you soak in the comfort you so needed. 

If they kept this up, you'd do anything for them. 

Finally, you released them both and squirmed away, because otherwise you really would fall asleep. And that would be bad. 

Simon took charge of dinner, as promised, and you didn't have to do a thing. Johnny "helped" you change into more comfortable clothes (here meaning he shamelessly ogled you and got a little hands-on but you didn't let him totally derail you). 

Simon even folded his mask up just over his nose to eat with you and Johnny, which was still new enough to be thrilling, even though it wasn't the first time. 

It was very comfortable, being so domestic with them. It really was strange - you hadn't known them long, not in the overall scheme of things, but you were so comfortable with them. 

Sometimes you wondered about impossible things. Dinners at dining tables and breakfasts in bed and exhausting yourself with the two of them. 

"Gorgeous?" Johnny touched your hand, frowning a little. 

You blinked rapidly and looked at him. "Hm?"

"Where'd ye go?" He gently closed his fingers over your hand, ducking his head a little to hold your gaze. 

You smiled and shook your head. "Just thinking. Sorry. Been a long day." 

The two exchanged a quick look, a world of communication in that one look. It almost made you ache to think about how long they'd been together, to have such wordless communication. 

"Do ye want us here tonight?" Johnny asked, squeezing your hand gently. "Or should we go back to our hotel?"

"Stay." Your heart lurched. You'd blurted that out too fast, too earnest. Revealed too much. 

But Johnny just grinned, like he'd been hoping for that. Even Simon quirked a half smile. 

"Good!" Johnny leaned close to smack an intentionally loud kiss to your cheek, just to make you laugh. "Wanna watch a movie?"

And back you settled into the simple domestic bliss, letting them squish you between them on your couch, laughing at their antics, comforted by their warmth. Neither one made a move for more, both accepting easy kisses from you. 

It didn't occur to you until you were settled in bed between them, Johnny already clinging to your front while Simon curled like a shield between your back and the rest of the world, that you'd do anything to keep this. 

Simon was already up when you woke, Johnny taking a well-deserved lie-in with you. Breakfast was easy, relaxed. 

But you remembered the promise to talk about your current situation today. Honestly, you'd rather get it over with sooner than later, or your anxiety would be out of control. 

"So," you started as you washed the dishes. Johnny was drying while Simon put everything away. (And the fact that he knew without having to ask inspired feelings that you tucked away to be examined later.) "Sounded like you two had a plan for dealing with my woes." 

Johnny snorted. "Something like that," he agreed. 

"Had an idea," Simon corrected without looking at either of you. 

"Alright, let's hear it." You glanced at them both, undeniably curious. 

Johnny breathed in slowly. "Well," he started slowly. "Was thinkin' we could help ye find a place. Closer to us. If ye wanted." 

"Closer to you?" You looked between the two, the dish in your hands all but forgotten. "Like, England?" 

"If you want." Simon spoke quietly, finally looking at you, gaze assessing. 

You nodded slowly, letting the idea sit as you scrubbed at a pan. That would be a big move for you. Very different. You didn't even know if you'd be able to find a job there, or how you'd find a job. How expensive would it be to move? 

Although, really, considering how you felt about these two… maybe it was time to have another talk, too. 

"I have questions first." 

"'Course," Johnny murmured, his foot nudging into yours as he looked at you earnestly. 

You licked your lips, debating how to proceed. Because, really, you were pretty sure you could figure out the rest of it, depending on one factor. 

"Why?" You handed off the pan to Johnny and grabbed an extra towel to dry your hands. "Is this just, like, a convenience thing for you two? Or is this something more?" 

Johnny blew out a breath. "Cut right to the heart of things," he muttered, a little wry. "It's not for convenience." 

You didn't move, still watching him, towel held tightly in your hands, all but forgotten. "Johnny, please." 

Johnny dropped his head for a moment before glancing at Simon. Simon shook his head a little, just once. Johnny swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing, and then nodded. 

"Truth is, gorgeous, we wanna see ye more. All the time, if we could. We like ye. More'n we should, prob'ly. And…"

You breathed in slowly, leaning closer to him. "Johnny."

He blinked at you, setting the pan down.

"You're absolutely daft if you think I'd have let you both keep coming back if I didn't care for you deeply already." You quirked a little smile, the words coming easier now that you'd seen him near fumbling his own words. 

Johnny blinked and slowly lit up, stepping right into your space. "Yeah?"

"Yes," you confirmed, amused. "Honestly. Simon knew, didn't you?" 

But when you looked at him, Simon simply looked away. 

You blinked, flabbergasted, jaw dropping. And then you started laughing, completely unable to stop yourself. At the near-twin disgruntled looks, you flapped a hand, trying to stifle your laughter long enough to explain. 

"I've been completely gone on you two for months," you managed. "And none of us was smart enough to know it." You promptly devolved again, hand over your mouth. 

They both froze completely, going quite still. Then Johnny grabbed you with a laugh, yanking your hands away from your face to kiss you thoroughly. No sooner had he released you than Simon grabbed you, mask pulled up so he could kiss the breath out of you. 

Panting, you finally pulled away from him too, looking at the both of them as the enormity of what you'd said and how they'd reacted hit you. 

Clearly you weren't the only one attached here. 

You curled a hand into Simon's shirt, your free hand taking Johnny's wrist as you towed them both to the couch. (Only because they let you but you'd take it.) 

"Tell me more about your idea." You pushed Simon down to sit on the couch and settled yourself in his lap, knees on either side of his hips. Johnny pressed up against your back, hands at your hips. 

"We'd help ye find a job," Johnny murmured into your ear, squeezing your hips. "Get ye all settled." 

"Doesn't have to be a flat," Simon rumbled, hands big and warm on your sides, thumbs rubbing the skin just under your breasts. 

"Could do a house," Johnny agreed immediately, nipping the shell of your ear. "Big enough for the three of us." 

You sucked in a breath, biting your lip. Oh now that was temptation. "Somewhere to stay during your time off?" You rolled your hips down into Simon's lap and grinned when his grip immediately tightened on you. 

"And someone to come home to." Johnny bit your neck gently, humming in satisfaction at your little noise. 

"Fuck." You rolled your hips again, biting your lip. "If you're not serious about this–"

"We are." Simon bumped his hips up into yours, letting you feel the growing hardness there. "Very serious." 

"Give us the word, and we'll do it." Johnny nipped down your neck to your shoulder, hands still on your hips moving you to a slow, steady rhythm against Simon. 

You shuddered, grinding down harder. "Let's do it," you agreed, a little breathless. "Please." 

Johnny groaned softly and pressed you down harder into Simon, biting down gently on the back of your shoulder. Simon rucked your sleep shirt up and quickly pulled it off, his hands settling against your skin. 

Any other time, you might tease them about how fast clothes vanished, but right now? You didn’t say a word. Partially because Johnny had tipped your head back to kiss you while Simon took over guiding your hips against his, the feeling more intense now without barriers between you two. 

“Johnny,” Simon grunted, fingers tightening. 

Johnny hummed into the kiss before he pulled back, eyes already gone dark with desire. “Mm?” 

“Duffel bag,” was all Simon said, but Johnny seemed to understand, because he disentangled himself and stepped away. 

“Really?” you half-whined, pouting at Simon. You’d been enjoying being between the two of them, dammit. 

Simon had the gall to chuckle at you, one hand cupping your cheek and bringing you closer. “Just getting some supplies,” he murmured, soft and soothing. “Won’t take him a minute, dove.” 

He was proven right by Johnny coming up behind you again, pressing his front to your back and dropping a condom into Simon’s hand. You warmed and ducked your head, a little embarrassed you’d forgotten about that. 

“C’mere, gorgeous,” Johnny cooed in your ear, arms wrapping tight around your waist and pulling you back into his warmth. And subsequently giving Simon the space he needed to put on the condom. “Gonna let me fuck ye after, gorgeous?”

“You want to?” You didn’t look away from Simon, though, watching his hands settle on your thighs. 

“Oh, aye,” Johnny agreed, low and rough. “Very much.” 

You hummed softly, running your fingers over his arm still around your waist. “After, then.” 

Johnny nipped the back of your shoulder and moved the two of you forward, guiding your hips up. Simon simply watched, one big hand on your thigh. 

“Ready for me, dove?” Simon watched you closely, fingers rubbing against your skin. 

“More than.” You started to sink down slowly, only for Johnny to tsk and guide you, controlling the pace. You swallowed hard, not entirely sure why that was so exciting… but it very much was. 

“Look at you, gorgeous,” Johnny murmured once you were settled fully against Simon’s lap, hands clenched on his shoulders. “So pretty for us.” 

You huffed softly at him, wiggling a little, getting used to the stretch of Simon in you. His hands smoothed up your sides to your breasts, thumbs rubbing back and forth over your nipples. 

When you moved, Johnny quickly took control again, hands moving you to a rhythm he liked. Simon seemed content to let Johnny move you, head tilted back against the couch as he watched you with dark eyes, still gently teasing you. Heat built between the three of you, and you tipped your head back onto Johnny’s shoulder. 

“Johnny…” You whined, just a little, trying to move faster. Johnny didn’t allow you.

“Hm? Somethin’ ye want, gorgeous?” he teased, teeth grazing the shell of your ear. 

“More? Please?” Your breath caught in your throat when he bit down gently, hands tightening on you.

“What d’ye think, Si?” Johnny asked, low and teasing. “Think she’s earned it?”

“Johnny,” Simon growled, hips finally stuttering up into yours, “if you don’t, I will. And I’ll keep her.”

Johnny laughed quietly but moved you faster, until you were gasping and shivering between the two. Your hands roamed restlessly over Simon, trying to make him feel as good as you felt. Your thighs trembled, back arching. 

A second set of hands joined Johnny’s at your hips, their fingers intertwining, before Simon tightened his grip and held you still. You lifted your head, confused, only for him to lift his hips up into you instead. Your lips parted, jaw dropping, eyes going hazy with pleasure. 

“C’mon, gorgeous,” Johnny goaded softly in your ear. “Make a mess of him for me.” 

A few more hard thrusts from Simon and you did just that, whimpering through the rolling pleasure of your orgasm. 

Simon didn’t even slow down, fingers tight on your hips, chasing his own pleasure now. Your overstimulated whines only spurred him on until you leaned forward, hiding your face in the crook of his neck. 

And bit down. 

He swore as he came, hips stuttering, grip almost punishingly tight. He finally stilled against you, grip slowly relaxing. 

“Fuckin’ beautiful,” Johnny murmured, carefully moving one hand to rub a hand up and down your back. “Both of ye.” 

You huffed against Simon’s neck, an action he mirrored. You grinned, amused, and relaxed between the two for the moment. 

“Still alright, gorgeous?” Johnny asked after a few moments, hand lingering at the nape of your neck.

“Haven’t forgotten you,” you assured him, sitting up again, despite the way your legs shook. “How do you…?” 

Simon hummed softly, moving slowly to give you time to move with him. He situated himself longways on the couch, your knees on either side of him, one of his legs on the floor to make more room. 

“I’ve got you, dove,” he murmured, taking hold of your hands and linking your fingers together. The couch dipped behind you as Johnny moved too, giving your back one more soothing stroke before there was a rip of foil. 

“Could get used to this,” Johnny murmured, only half-teasing, pressing against your back. “Quite a view from here.” 

“I’m sure you’ll get to see more like it,” you agreed. “After we figure out the move.” 

Johnny groaned softly at the reminder. “Fuckin’ temptress, you are,” he muttered, one hand on your hip holding you steady as he slid into you. He wasn’t quite the same stretch as Simon, but he still felt divine. 

He didn’t give you slow, though. He started moving hard, startling a little yelp out of you. 

“Easy, dove,” Simon murmured, sweet in contrast to Johnny. “Hold on to me, yeah?” 

You could do nothing but obey, holding tight to Simon’s hands even as Johnny slid one hand up to your back to the nape of your neck, gently pushing you down until your chest pressed to Simon’s. 

“Doin’ so well, dove,” Simon rumbled, squeezing your hands gently. “He feel good?” 

“Yes,” you managed on a gasp, as Johnny drove harder into you, hitting somehow deeper. “Fuck!” 

Johnny groaned, hand squeezing your nape. “Beautiful,” he muttered again, almost worshipful. “What d’ye need, gorgeous?” 

You nearly choked when Johnny did something that hit a spot that sent sparks all through you. And then he hit it again. And again. Until you needed Simon’s support, moving as best you could with Johnny, making too many noises. Johnny was little better behind you, swearing softly but vehemently. 

“Close, dove?” Simon asked, eyes bright as he watched you. “Need a little more, hm?” He released one hand, sliding it down between the two of you. Two gentle fingers circled your clit and you whined, shaking. “Good fucking girl.” 

You were gone. That was all it took. You shook apart between the two of them, briefly unaware of anything beyond the burning, rolling pleasure. 

You slumped fully against Simon, panting, shivering still. Johnny followed close behind you, muffling his whines against the back of your shoulder, hips pressed flush to yours. He didn’t back off when he was done, staying pressed against you so the three of you were a sweaty heap. 

“Up, Johnny,” Simon finally ordered, both hands now soothing up and down your sides. 

Johnny groaned theatrically but got up, pressing one last kiss to the nape of your neck. 

“Think you can get up?” Simon asked softly. “Or do you need a minute longer?” 

You puffed out your cheeks. “Let’s find out.” You stood carefully, letting him hold one of your hands to help keep you steady. Your knees wobbled but held, at least long enough to get you to the bathroom. 

Simon herded you back to bed, where water waited for all three of you, a laptop already set up with a movie. You smiled, both touched and amused at his thoughtfulness. 

“I vote we do nothing the rest of the day,” you muttered, crawling into bed. 

“Nothing?” Johnny asked, moving over you to box you between himself and Simon. “At all?” He pouted at you, over the top. 

“Well, maybe a little something,” you gave in with an easy grin, cuddling between the two of them. “After we’ve rehydrated a bit.”

“Smart woman.” Simon settled against you, relaxed. “We’ve still got days, dove.” 

The reminder made you smile, an entirely different kind of warmth bubbling away in your chest. “Yes, we do.” 

–

Johnny stood at the end of the terminal, anxiously shifting his weight from foot to foot. Next to him, Simon was still as stone, gaze fixed on the steady flow of people coming out of the terminal. 

Johnny checked his phone again, unable to help himself. It had been two whole minutes since he'd last checked. Still no new update from you. 

Not that he was entirely surprised. You'd had a long flight, had to gather your things. 

Well. Some of your things. The rest were being shipped, something Simon had arranged and paid for over your half-hearted protests. 

Finally, finally, he spotted you walking towards them. You were clearly tired, dressed down, looking a little limp. 

And you were still one of the lost gorgeous things he'd ever seen. 

Johnny pounced as soon as you were past the last gate, picking you up in his arms and swinging you around in a hug. You yelped and laughed, clinging to him just as hard. 

"Hi," you said, a little breathless, grinning up at him. 

"Hi yerself." Johnny finally set you back on your feet, though he didn't release you yet. 

"Flight alright?" Simon asked, putting a gentle hand against your back. 

"Long and boring." You shrugged, poking Johnny until he released you so you could turn to hug Simon instead. Johnny's heart melted at the sight of you wrapped up in Simon's arms.

"You're home now," Simon murmured, almost too quiet for even Johnny to catch. 

Johnny did melt at that, throwing himself into the hug and making you laugh, a little watery. 

"Almost," you murmured, squeezing both of them. "Come on, I'm eager to get out of here. I didn't sleep a wink." 

That was all it took for Johnny to take your backpack, Simon taking charge of your luggage, both ignoring your spluttering protests with aplomb. They loaded up the car (Simon's) and Johnny let you have the front seat. 

The house they'd chosen was out of the way, at the end of a quiet neighborhood, with plenty of garden space. 

And a huge master bedroom. 

Simon parked, and you blinked awake again. Johnny had to resist the urge to cook at how cute you looked. He hopped out first and opened your door for you, eager to bring you inside. Simon brought your things in, letting Johnny unlock the door and usher you in. 

Johnny watched with an overfull heart as you turned a slow circle, eyes huge as you looked around. 

"Welcome home, sweetheart." Simon and Johnny squished you between them, trading off kissing you. 

They had all the time in the world now.

[genshin-scenarios]

Anemo androids with a reader whos slowly dying? Could be a good chance for both fluff and angst

Or alternatively, I raise you...

anemo androids who lost their previous user

Ever since, they've wandered around alone as independents, before running into you.

Content warnings: angst. death by natural causes (Heizou), death by illness (Venti, Wanderer), hospitals + grief + accidents (Kazuha).

Not specified or gone into detail, but thought I'd give a heads up! The guys are… very traumatized.

Characters: Xiao, Wanderer, Venti, Kazuha, Heizou

Xiao, whose user was working a risky job. Everyone knew that shorter lifespans were common in their line of work, considering how many enemies they could make - but that never stopped them from greeting each day as if it was the most beautiful morning they've seen.

Xiao expected them to appoint him to work, doing tasks that regular humans would avoid if they could. While they did ask him to help, they'd always put themselves on the front line instead. He never understood it - still doesn't. And it's arguable that Xiao also doesn't get why their last command to him was to live like a human.

He tries, truly. But he's quite sure he's lost his purpose after his user was gone; that is, until he ran into you.

You're a person with a pretty domestic life (domestic by his standards at least, which wasn't saying much). He's not sure if one can describe it as a crush, but Xiao finds himself visiting the places where he first ran into you in hopes he'd see you again. And then... maybe start a conversation. Or if you were in trouble or had too many bags to carry, he might offer his assistance.

He thinks it's just a passing interest until you thank him with a smile that has him blurt out a question, asking if you'd need more help in the future.

You exchanged phone numbers and promised to contact him soon. Xiao thinks that's the most he's spoken in a long time - and there's an odd feeling in his chest that might be the equivalent of grief and butterflies, finally fluttering out of the sea of autumn leaves that have dried against the forest floor.

Wanderer who unfortunately, has went through 3 users before you, if that's what you could call them. The first was a guardian who needed an assistant for her work, before she eventually tried to set him free. Little did she know this felt like abandonment more than liberation to the android.

Next was a well-meaning person whom he considered a friend, but wasn't aware of his nature as a droid and eventually moved away from the city. And the third...

...forget it. It was brief: a child who couldn't see him anymore once their parents realized Wanderer was an independent android. He's sure the kid's doing fine though, getting the medical care he needs.

Wanderer expected himself to learn his lesson: don't get attached to anyone, as they'll never stay or need him for long. That is, until he sees you; too kind for your own good despite his sharp personality, offering him a role at the cafe you owned. 'If you truly have nothing to do, perhaps you could join us here?'

A cafe. How ludicrous. He's worked in high-profile science labs, and now he's a cashier and waiter in an unsuspecting part of the city. You say he has a talent for beautiful plating and latte art. He holds back from telling you that as an android, of course he'd reach perfection more easily than humans.

...But, you seem like you need the help. And you're not as annoying as other people - so maybe he'll stick around. Just until you try to get rid of him (you never did.)

Venti was a companion droid for a boy with an illness. He was a friend and caretaker who'd make sure the child's vitals were alright, and would be able to call for emergency aid or apply it himself if something were to happen.

Venti was surrounded by a family full of love, and just as equally the despair of knowing that their time together was limited.

The boy passed after he graduated highschool. His parents had since given Venti his independence, saying he had the freedom to decide what he wanted to do next.

He knew that they saw parts of their son in him. So as an android who was always a little too kind, Venti left soon after he paid his respects to the boy. He pursues a dream that was both his user's and his own - shared hopes that were supposed to be debuted by a pair, rather than one.

He becomes quite a successful singer. Venti's no celebrity (maybe an internet idol at best, though he doesn't post his appearance without a mask or wig), but he's popular enough to live on his own and donate his profits towards causes related to his past user.

Eventually, you come into his life as a housemate - he'd accepted the idea on a whim, seeing as you just needed a quiet place to live in the city for your new job. It was only then when Venti realized how much he missed having someone to return to at the end of the day.

Was it possible for an android to have more than one dream? He must be greedier than he gave himself credit for.

Kazuha is still at a point of recovery, after his previous user's passing.

It'd all happened too fast; an accident right when Kazuha wasn't with them, realizing it was too late by the time he rushed to the hospital. He was a complete mess, panicking and standing there numbly as he processed the announcement made by the doctors. No tears could shed, for androids couldn't cry.

He still keeps their apartment tidy, seeing as his user's relatives were still in grieving as well. He goes on his usual chores, everything except the laundry and cooking. The pet cat feels grief too, finding comfort in Kazuha as it nuzzled into him. It grounds him a little.

Days, weeks, and months pass. After enough time, Kazuha's taught himself how to manage his grief, thought part of it still clings to him like a ghost. The first time you met Kazuha was when he'd pulled you out of the way of a speeding car that rushed the traffic lights. You're shaken by the near-accident encounter, but Kazuha even more so.

You see the worry in his eyes and the way he grips onto you so tightly, it was as if he'd be willing to use his body to shield yours to prevent another tragedy.

When you gently ask Kazuha if he was okay, he stiffly nods, before allowing you to pull him aside to a nearby bench to sit down.

...Ah, he was supposed to be a companion droid that comforted others. But you didn't seem to mind even if you noticed the slight scratches on his synthetic skin, left uncared for after a while of living through an isolated season.

It was safe to say that you brought the sunlight back to him again, little by little. Kazuha doesn't know how to thank you enough for that.

Heizou was bought to accompany an elderly couple who had a bit too much saved for retirement. They brought him onto their holiday trips, thinking of him as a son of sorts that they doted on - not that he allowed them to do so without doing anything in return. He'd make sure the house was in good shape, that they were healthy, and operated the electronics needed for them to call their loved ones.

He can't exactly be mad about how old age took them in their sleep. Ridiculously enough, they'd tried to fit him into their wills during their reading, which he pushed back against until a small fortune was given to him in cash. He had to open a bank account after that. He wonders how different things would be if that elderly couple had actual children to spend their time on. He's sure they would've been very happy.

Heizou goes on to become a detective; he's good at it, and they'd always joke that one day, they could see him helping a lot of people. Passing off as a genius detective, Heizou presents himself as a human and works at an agency. His boss and closest co-workers know he's an android, after dangerous missions where he threw himself in front of them and survived an otherwise fatal wound to the chest. He finds a family of sorts there - people who'd have his back despite how he likes to tease them.

You're a client that walks into the agency one day with a sensitive case. Perhaps it's because two lonely souls found comfort in each-other, but Heizou immediately forms a connection with you as he tries to make you more comfortable around him. You're not opposed to his charming jokes either, even expressing your thanks for his help when the job was done, and asking if he'd like to get coffee together sometime.

Heizou simply wanted to cheer you up at first. But at this point, it was safe to say that he's grown a little more attached than he intended to. (He'd love to get coffee, but would need to get around the fact that he couldn't actually consume drinks.)

[bleach-your-panties]

Sincember Event❄️❄️

Rating: Fluff🍥

Shinji Hirako has a big crush on you.

Ever since he saw you at the induction meeting where you were appointed the new taichou of squad thirteen.

Dare he say it, you may be the only person in existence to make Shinji Hirako feel shy.

He can’t help himself, though; you're just so cute! 

The moment you walk into a room, all eyes fall to you. 

Stylish, graceful-

Overall ethereal.

How can he ever garner the courage to talk to you? 

Well, that was when the other Visoreds came in-

But of course their advice was less than savory, per usual-

“Stop being a pussy and just talk to them.” Love, Kensei

“You should just give up, they'd never entertain an uncouth savage such as yourself.” Rose

“It’s more daring and romantic if you make the first move. Trust me, I've read the books.” Lisa

“You're a lovely person. Just be yourself. “ Hachi

“Just go right up to them and give them a big smooch! That'll surely get you noticed!” 

Mashiro, what?

“What did you just say?” Shinji narrowed his already slanted eyes at the greenette.

“I said to kiss them! It'll be cute and show that you really like them!”

“Pretty sure that’s sexual harassment.” Lisa mumbled while thumbing through the pages of her manga.

“Right. I can’t just go up to them and kiss them; they might kick my ass! Then I’ll be the laughing stock of the entire Seireitei!”

“Aren’t you already that, though?” Hiyori finally chimed in, having just rejoined the group after running an errand for Kurotsuchi-taichou.

Shinji scowled at her, but she continued with her thought process, 

“They should be coming to the annual Christmas party this Sunday. Make your move then, or just shut up about it altogether.”

“Swear you motherfuckers get on my nerves.” He mumbled underneath his breath. 

“Care to repeat that?” Hiyori raised a blonde eyebrow and Lisa’s head snapped around in his direction. 

“Nothing. I said I’ll be there.” 

—-

Shinji began looking for you immediately upon entering the party.

His lips tilted up into his signature grin when he saw you by the punch bowl conversing animatedly with Shunsui and Nanao.

Just as he was about to approach you, a random shinigami came up and joined in the conversation, tugging incessantly on the sleeve of your top.

‘Ugh! Seriously?! This is not going to work. I have to find a way to get their attention. Think, Shinji, think!’ 

His earthy-colored eyes scanned the room, searching for some type of opening or distraction.

A mistletoe.

The little green shrub with white berries dusted with white paint to make it look like snow had fallen upon it. A bright red ribbon strung it from the ceiling right above your head.

‘Well, I guess you can’t get any more cliche than that. Lisa is going to have a field day with this.’ 

Puffing out his chest, Shinji strode forward and began walking towards the table where all the food was set out. 

Just as he was merely inches from being able to brush his fingers against your sleeve, something caught around his foot and he went sailing up into the air.

A few sharp gasps of surprise and then loud snickers flooded his ears as he hung mercilessly upside down from the ceiling by his ankle.

No one could have been as surprised as you were, though. You quickly rushed to the blonde’s aid and cupped his face between your soft hands.

“Hirako! Are you alright?!”

Shinji’s cheeks blushed a million shades of pink, but he simply nodded. From this angle, he had a perfect view of your pouty lips and before his overbearing thoughts could stop him, he pressed forward and connected his with yours.

It was quick and a bit rushed due to the swaying caused by his current predicament, but you were slow to pull away, cupping his chin and pulling his mouth back onto yours repeatedly.

A chorus of whoops and cheers finally broke you both out of your little moment and you could see Mashiro, Hiyori, and Lisa standing off to the side with satisfied smirks on their faces.

“Drastic times call for drastic measures.” Hiyori laughed.

----

ʳᵉᵇˡᵒᵍˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜⁱᵃᵗᵉᵈ ᵃⁿᵈ ⁱ ˡᵒᵛᵉ ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ🫶🏽

[bella-rose29]

Happy New Year - Anthony Lockwood x fem!reader

Word count: 1.7k

Warnings: barely proof read (I vaguely looked over it once) and mentions of alcohol consumption

felt like writing this (it's totally not to sweeten you all up for when I post deck the halls part 5 tomorrow whaaat that would be ridiculous I would never do that... 👀)

Tag list (i think this is everyone but idk anything anymore): @anathemaloren, @augustisintheair, @avdiobliss, @briar-rose23, @curseofhecate, @dangelnleif, @el-de-phi, @ell0ra-br3kk3r, @informedimagining, @karensirkobabes, @light-23, @locknco, @mentallyillsodapop, @mischivana, @mitskiswift99, @mrsklockwood, @mrsyixingunicorn10, @no-morning-glories, @novelizt, @ran23sblog, @superpositvecloudshipper, @t2sh0, @taygrls, @tournesol77, @whenselenefallsinlove, @wordsarelife

"Right, we've got just over an hour before midnight and George has got the telly all set up for the fireworks display. Holly said she'd be here in about ten minutes and Kipps is coming with her, I'm not entirely sure where Lucy and Norrie are which I should probably be more concerned about, and I think that's everything. Is Flo coming do you know? Because I know George said she hadn't decided yet but-"

"Lockwood?"

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you sit down? You seem very stressed," Y/n said, smiling at him from behind her mug of tea while she sat in the kitchen, watching Lockwood pace around the table. It was definitely way past her normal bedtime, but Lockwood had seemed so excited about seeing the New Year in with them all that she couldn't exactly say no to him, especially not when he'd given her a small smile filled with hope that she would say yes to spending the evening with him.

That and they'd tested out the speakers earlier, and she would never have been able to sleep with the music as loud as it currently was.

"I am hosting, Y/n/n. I'm meant to be stressed; it's part of the job."

"Well," she started, getting out of her chair and wincing when her bones clicked. She picked up the mug that Lockwood had abandoned on the table and moved over to where he had stopped his pacing. "I think you're meant to drink your tea and have a biscuit. Then everything will be better, yeah?"

"Alright, if that's what the doctor orders," he smiled as he took the mug out of her hand, and she felt her heart stutter in her chest at the sight. She'd had a crush on Anthony Lockwood since she first met him a few years ago in a café, both him and his company and her Fittes team winding down after their jobs and grabbing a cup of tea before heading out into the cold again. Then she'd quit her job at Fittes because they stopped giving her work and she couldn't afford the rent, and she'd noticed an ad in the paper for agents to join the psychical agency Lockwood and Co, and she'd been met with the pretty boy from the café again. He'd welcomed her instantly, made her feel at home and gave her a place to live, and over the next couple of years her feelings only grew.

Now they were 18 years old, soon to be celebrating the New Year in 35 Portland Row together, and he was smiling at her like she was the sun.

"Don't tell George about the biscuits though, yeah?" he whispered, leaning in as though it were the sort of secret that could never be told. She nodded, snorting at his mock seriousness.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. Can't have you on your own, can we?"

"I wouldn't be alone, Lockwood. I'd have Lucy, and Holly, and George." She frowned a little, considering something. "Although maybe not George if he's killed you. I don't really want to be friends with murderers to be honest." Lockwood let out a laugh, and Y/n couldn't help but grin back at him when his joy was so infectious.

"No, I don't suppose that would be very good, would it?" He chuckled to himself for a moment or so, sipping his tea and munching on a biscuit. "I'm not much looking forward to being the only one not getting a kiss at midnight though."

It surprised her that he'd brought up the topic, since Lockwood had never really shown much interest in that sort of thing before. "Kipps'll probably be on his own too, although I'm not sure you'll be able to convince him to give you a smooch. I'm not kissing anyone either, if that helps."

"I think I'd rather kiss George's underwear than Kipps. You're not even going to kiss Lucy? I thought you two said you would," he asked, attempting to sound disinterested in the whole subject.

"Yeah, well now that she's got Norrie here they're gonna kiss instead, so I'm on my own. And I would also rather kiss George's pants than Kipps."

"Ah."

"Hmm." They drank the remainder of their tea in silence, the music from the speakers that George had set up streaming in despite being muffled through the closed kitchen door. "You know, I haven't even had my first kiss yet."

Lockwood looked at her, surprise all over his face. "What about that guy you went on a date with?"

"What? When did I go on a date?" And why did Lockwood sound... jealous?

"A few weeks ago. Oh, what was his name? Dave? Derek?"

"Daniel?"

"Yes! Daniel, that's the one. I knew it started with a 'd'."

"Dan's not... we're not dating, Lockwood. That wasn't a date," she said, feeling increasingly flustered.

"So he just bought you flowers and took you to dinner... as a friend?" Lockwood was definitely jealous, and Y/n had to bite back a laugh at the idea. Something was nagging at her in the back of her mind, telling her that it was strange for him to be jealous and wouldn't that mean something? but she wasn't paying much attention to it.

"Well I told him it wasn't a date. And we didn't kiss so I don't see how it's relevant."

"Right." A momentary pause. "But still, how come you haven't kissed anyone before?"

"It's not by choice. I've just never... had the opportunity I guess. You've probably kissed loads of people, what with how many of them you charm every day." Lockwood shrugged.

"Not really. There was one girl a few months ago, but she kissed me after pinning me against a taxi so that I physically couldn't get away from her, so I'm not entirely sure that counts."

"... What?"

"Yeah. After that job for Mrs. Hastings, her daughter followed us out and shoved me against the taxi. I have no idea how she was that strong but I feared for my life."

"You're ridiculous," she muttered as she looked at his face, no hint of anything other than utter seriousness displayed on his features.

"Ah, there you two are!" George said, pushing open the door and talking slightly louder than normal due to the blaring music. "I was wondering where you'd got to! Come on, the others are all here now, and they managed to convince Flo to come along somehow."

Y/n put down her empty tea mug and picked up her plastic cup that had had Lucy's punch in it (although what was in the punch itself she had no idea), and headed into the living room with Lockwood close behind to get comfy for the celebrations.

~~~

"Five minutes everyone!" Lucy shouted. She had since emerged from wherever it was that she'd been hiding (she and Norrie had appeared in giggles and with blushes on their faces, so Y/n felt sure in her assumption of what they'd been up to) and was now handing around a large bottle of some sort of cocktail that she'd mixed earlier.

Y/n and Lockwood were curled up next to each other on the sofa, somehow fitting the both of them on there without falling off. Lockwood was partially sat up, leaning his back against the armrest and holding Y/n close to him by wrapping an arm around her waist.

"You alright, love?" Lockwood murmured into her ear, and she nodded sleepily. Despite the loud music and alcohol Y/n was feeling worn out from the late hour, and Lockwood's hand stroking through her hair wasn't helping to keep her awake.

"I'm alright. Jus' tired."

"Not long now. Four minutes I think."

"I still don't have anyone to kiss," she said, a frown appearing on her face. The alcohol had made her tipsy, and she pushed herself up to look at Lockwood. "Neither do you. Oh!" she exclaimed, thinking up a brilliant idea that was helped by the drinks in her system. "We should jus' kiss each other, then all of our problems will be solved!"

"I'm not sure about all, love," Lockwood chuckled, and Y/n's frown reappeared.

"So you don't want to kiss me?"

"I didn't say that," he replied, voice growing quiet. "I mean, if you're happy to then... you know. If you don't mind then I don't... we can kiss. If you want."

"I want. I'm not going to lie I've wanted to kiss you for years now. You're so prettyyyy and kind and funny and lovely." She had no control over her words, all of them flying out before she could properly stop and think, and then she was registering them and slapping her hand over her mouth while her face turned red. Lockwood was just staring at her, his mouth slightly open and his face flushed from the alcohol he had drunk, and she buried her head in his chest.

"Why are you hiding, love? You're pretty too, so I don't know why you're not letting me look at you." He was still stroking his fingers through her hair, and when she brought her head back up to smile softly at him he pulled her closer (although she hadn't thought that was possible).

"You're drunk, Lockwood."

"I'm not-sober. There's a difference. Besides, you're not-sober too," he wagged a finger at her with a smile. "Wait, what does me being not-sober have to do with you being pretty?"

"'Cause you don't know what you're saying."

"I know exactly what I'm saying, love." It was almost too much, the fondness in his eyes, and if she wasn't so captivated she would have looked away. "I've wanted to kiss you for years too, I was just never brave enough."

"Ten seconds!" Lucy yelled, and Y/n wondered just how long she'd been staring into Lockwood's eyes for time to pass so quickly.

"Nine!" the others gathered in the room started chanting, not noticing Lockwood and Y/n cuddled up on the sofa. "Eight! Seven! Six!" Lockwood pushed a strand of hair back behind Y/n's ear, his hand lingering at the side of her face and cupping her cheek. "Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year, Lockwood," she whispered, brushing her nose against his.

"Happy New Year, Y/n/n," he whispered back, pressing his mouth to hers.

[dullgecko]

Riz faints in a martial fighting practicum one day. he doesn't know if it's from lack of food (the budget's been tight lately and he's been sneaking the bigger portions on his mom's plate,) dehydration (he switched from drip coffee to espresso for speed of consumption recently and it means much less liquid intake during his day,) or tiredness (when is there time for sleep in junior year?) fabian and gorgug are in class that day and don't take it well/don't let riz downplay things

Riz generally tried not to get involved in up-close fights while in actual combat situation but that didn't mean he never would. There was also no guarentee that he wouldn't be fighting someone outside his size class. In order to make sure everyone was well rounded his martial fighting class, usually only full of halflings and gnomes beside himself, had been combined with one for larger adventurers.

He'd been looking forward to it. Sure, Riz sparred with Gorgug and Fabian informally all the time but there was something a little different about doing it at school. They'd been halfway through warmups when he started feeling a little off, lagging behind slightly as they ran laps around the gym before moving into stretching so no one would hurt themselves. He pushed past it though, usually if he ignored feelings like this they'd pass eventually.

It didn't pass though, his movements feeling sluggish as he sparred with his first partner. It was bad enough that he took a few hard hits from the wooden sparing swords, the halfling he'd been fighting actually giving him a concerned look as she dropped out of fighting stance after knocking the goblin on his ass for the third time.

"Dude are you okay? You've gone... gray? Your face is gray." She waved a hand at her own face, Riz blinking at her in confusion as he shifted to stand back up.

"Yeah sorry, bit off my game today. I think I'm a bit tir-" He felt like someone had stuffed his ears with cotton when he pushed himself back to his feet, vision tuneling before reducing to a pinprick as a wave of nausea rushed over him. He had a brief moment to think that he was glad his stomach was empty before he felt his knees buckle under him, the goblin landing on the padded mat with a muffled thump like a puppet with cut strings.

He was a bit confused when he opened his eyes again, suddenly finding himself a lot more supine than he'd been several seconds ago. A heavy weight on his chest as one of the paladins in Fabian and Gorgugs class knelt over him with a hand resting on his sternum. They must have cast lay on hands because he couldn't feel any of the bruises from sparing anymore, though he still felt fucking awful.

"He still looks pretty gray."

"He's in your party yeah? Think you can handle him while we continue the lesson?"

"Yeah we've got this." Riz heard Gorgug say from somewhere behind his head, the goblin giving the paladins wrist a pat to indicate they could stop as he tried to sit up.

"I'm okay. Just... gimme a second. I think my blood sugar went a bit loopy." He had to cross his legs and lean forwards when even that bit of movement made his head spin a bit, the goblin trying to take measured breaths to try and stave off the tunnel vision so he wouldn't just flop back over again.

"Fabian went to grab you a sports drink from the vending machine." Gorgug crouched in front of Riz when the paladin got out of the way, his party member giving them a pat on the shoulder by way of thanks. "Gods you look horrible dude. You scared the shit out of your sparing partner she thought she killed you."

"Sorry. Didn't have breakfast today." Or dinner last night, though he wasn't going to say that to Gorgug. He'd get worried looks... more worried looks than he was getting now anyway. "Was in a hurry."

"I don't think this is a case of skipping one meal man. You didn't even look this bad after the whole nightmare forest thing." The half orc wiggled his fingers, glancing up at the sound of running footsteps as Fabian sprinted back across the gym.

"Oh, good, he's awake I got-" He juggled a good half-dozen sports drinks in his arms, dropping two of them to the floor before shoving a bright purple bottle into Riz's lap.

"Thanks?" Riz pulled open the cap and took a sip, very nearly draining half the bottle when he suddenly realised how thirsty he was. He would have finished the whole thing if Gorgug hadn't tipped it away from him after a few seconds.

"Dude slow down, you'll make yourself sick. We know you're dehydrated as hell given you're not even sweating after all that working out but you need to pace yourself."

Riz just sighed at that and flicked his ears in irritation, waiting a few more seconds before taking a small sip of his overly sweet drink. "I'm fine. You don't need to... hover. You should go back to sparing."

"Nope. Once you're done with that you're coming down to the nurses office." Fabian jabbed a finger at him, handing him a second sports drink when the goblin finished draining the first one.

"But I'm-"

"You're dehydrated, you probably didn't eat breakfast..." Fabian turned to Gorgug who nodded in affirmation, the fighter rolling his eye in response. "...definitely didn't eat breakfast, and the bags under your eyes need their own postal code. When was the last time you slept?"

"Last night?"

"Sorry, rephrasing, more than two hours?"

Riz's eyes darted to one side as he thought, the rogue pausing long enough that Fabian made an annoyed noise at him and flicked his ear hard enough to make him flinch.

"Ow! Fuck!"

"Nurses office. You're not arguing your way out of this one... or should we call Sklonda to come pick you up?"

Riz just hissed in response to that, getting another ear flick for his efforts which made him flinch and cover them with his hands.

"Don't call my mom." She couldn't afford to leave work early, not with their budget as tight as it was this month. His case load had been pretty sparse so he wasn't able to help with the bills.

"So you'll come down to the nurses office?" "Okay."

"And stay there until they give you the all clear?" Gorgug added, catching the subtle squint to Riz's eyes that usually meant he was looking for loopholes.

"Ffffffine. I'll stay until they let me leave."

"Good."

[drabbles-mc]

Here On Out

Benny Cross x Kathy Cross

Written for @narcosfandomdiscord Book of These Damn Restraints: "Now you know why I never say anything."

Warnings: 18+, language, angst

Word Count: 1.8k

A/N: I have been wanting to write another Benny/Kathy fic for a hot minute now and I'm so so glad that the prompts gave me the inspo for this little heartbreaker! in my head this is a missing scene from the movie, but if that's not your jam you can pretend it's an AU lmao. I just. I think about them so much idk

The ride back to the house after his last conversation with Johnny felt longer than usual and yet still not long enough. He went through the motions like it was business as usual, even though it was anything but. He cut the engine near the end of the road, rolling quietly until he landed in front of Kathy's house in an attempt to not wake her or the neighbors up in the small hours of the morning.

All the lights in all the windows on the street were out, except for the bedroom light in Kathy's window. Benny knew that she was probably still going to be awake when he got home, but part of him had been hoping that she wouldn’t be. It would make all of this so much easier.

He dropped the kickstand and swung his leg off and over the bike in what seemed like one fluid motion. Everything about it was second nature now. He padded quietly up the stairs until he was on the front porch. He lingered by the door for a moment, chin tucking down towards his chest as he took a deep breath. He allowed himself to linger there for a few more seconds, soaking up the last of what would be the latest in a long series of before’s.

There was the Benny that he was before he came to Chicago. There was the Benny he was before he became one of the Vandals. There was the Benny he was before he married Kathy. He thought that he'd run out of them, that the rest of his life was just going to be a permanent state of after.

But he found out that he had at least one more in him: The Benny he was before he left her.

Once he got up those stairs and went down the hall and through the bedroom doorway, he would be moving into a brand new after. He didn’t know what that was going to feel like, didn't know if he was really ready for it. Didn't seem like he had much of a say in the matter, though.

Finally, he opened the door. He left his jacket and boots on, but still shut and locked the door behind him. Out of habit he went to reach for the pack of smokes he had but he fought the urge—he wouldn’t be staying long enough to enjoy one before he had to turn back around and leave again.

The stairway was dark but he could still see the warm yellow light that was coming from down the hall. One hand tracing against the wall, he made his way upstairs. The silence of the house felt heavier than it usually did, or maybe it was just him that felt heavier.

When he reached the doorway, it was to find Kathy awake with a book open across her lap. The duvet was pulled up and covering her legs, her hair falling down around her shoulders while one hand toyed with a stray lock of it while she read. Messing with the rings on his hand, Benny lingered just outside the room so he could steal a few more seconds of looking at her like that before he shattered the façade of it all.

“You just gonna stand there then?” Kathy asked, only lifting her eyes from the pages in front of her when she asked her second question, “Gonna stand out in the hall all night like some kinda creep?”

Benny let out a laugh, or the closest that he ever really got to it, that sharp breath out through his nose. Shaking his head, he crossed the threshold into the room. “No.”

Even as he was walking into the room, he didn’t really know what his plan was. He knew how it all had to end, but he had no idea how he was going to get there. Living that way had served him just fine so far. At least neither of them had the anger in their voices that they'd had in their conversation earlier. It all had given way to exhaustion now.

He went over and sat down on Kathy's side of the bed. He could see the confusion on her face, wondering why he wasn't getting ready to come to bed with her. She closed her book and set it off to the side, hands resting in her lap as she stared at him, watched him as he looked back and forth between her and the window.

“Everythin' alright?” she asked. Before he could try and give an answer, she said, “How'd it go with Johnny?”

Benny shrugged at that, frowning slightly. “Fine. Took care'a some things.”

Kathy scoffed quietly and shook her head as she repeated the words back to him, annoyance in her voice. “Took care'a some things. I was tryna talk to you before, you know. I had somethin' to say and you just,” she gestured vaguely to the doorway, “went right on ahead and took off. No goodbye, no nothin', but apparently it was real important. Now you come back at,” she turned and looked at the clock beside her bed, “God. And all you can tell me is you took care'a some things? I can't keep doin' this, Benny, you know? I can't—”

“I know,” he said, interrupting wherever the stream of consciousness was threatening to take her next.

His reaction gave her pause. “What?”

He nodded, looking down at his hands for a moment. “I know. That you can't, you know,” he forced himself to look at her, “can't do this no more.”

Kathy’s eyes were wide as she slowly shook her head while processing through what he'd just said to her. “Okay. So…so what's that mean, then? What's that mean you know I can't do this no more? ‘Cause, come on, Benny, you must'a been knowin' before this, you know? You must'a known back when all that happened that there was no way that I could just keep—”

“You wanna leave.”

Kathy stumbled on her words for a moment. “I never said that.”

Benny sighed, staring down at the seams of the blanket for a moment. “You want me to leave the club.”

“That's not the same as me wantin' to leave. But if the only way to get you outta all that mess is to leave, then, then yeah I'll do that, y'know. If that's what it takes I'll do it. Hell, Benny, I'll pack my bags right now and we can leave tonight.”

He shook his head. “You don't gotta do all that.”

Kathy reached for his hand. “I will, though. If it gets us away from all’a this mess I'll do it.”

Benny almost went to pull his hand away from her but stopped. He soaked it up, the soft warmth of her palm as it seeped into the top of his hand. He reached with his thumb, running it along her fingers.

He studied the way that their lands looked layered and tangled together like that as he tried to choose his next words with the utmost care. “You don't gotta do all that,” he looked her in the eyes again, “’cause I'm leavin'.”

Kathy froze. “What?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I'm, uh, I'm gonna grab a couple'a my things, and I'm just gonna go.”

“Benny—”

“That's what you want.”

She squeezed his hand tighter. “That's not what I want. I want—”

Benny felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. He tried his best to ignore it. “What you want,” he shook his head, “I can't give you that.” Finally, he pulled his hand away. “Leavin' is the best I can do for you, Kathy.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. “C'mon, Benny. Don't do this. You always say you're gonna do this but you never—”

“And now I am. It's, uh, it's better this way, y'know?” His frown stretched deeper. “I ain't ever gonna be what you really want, so I might as well just go now.”

Kathy sniffled, pressing the heels of her palms to her eyes for a moment to get the tears to go away. “This what you really want, then? This what you really think you should do? After everythin' and all'a this…”

“Now you know why I never say anythin'.” He wanted to reach out for her again but he stopped himself. “All it does is break your heart.”

The chuckle that Kathy let out was weak and sad, matching the small smile on her face perfectly. Tears were already back in her eyes again. “ No one better at it'n you.”

He didn’t know how to apologize for some of it without apologizing for all of it. He wasn't sorry about the club, but he was sorry for what it'd done to her. He was sorry for the hurt she was going to feel when he left, but he wasn't sorry for leaving. She was always the talker, always the one that could pick things apart down to each little bone that made up the skeleton. Maybe after he was gone she would be able to peel it open and see the intricacies for herself. Once she was done being sad, once she was done being angry. It might be awhile.

“I gotta go, Kathy.”

Benny said the words with such finality that Kathy didn’t even try to argue. She didn’t get out of bed to try and stop him from shoving some of his clothes into a bag. Instead she sat there, twisting the blanket between her fingers and gnawing on the inside of her cheek. Benny tried not to keep looking over at her, knowing that it wasn't going to change or help anything if he did. He could look into her big, sad, brown eyes all he wanted but it wasn’t going to do anything but break both their hearts more.

When he was done, and he closed up the bag where he'd stuffed all of his clothes, he felt a wave of familiarity wash over him. He'd rolled into Chicago with nothing but his bike and a bag, and now he was leaving with the same thing.

He paused by the foot of the bed and looked at Kathy. She looked small and sad and part of Benny just wanted to slide into bed beside her and hold her but he'd given up the right to do that the second he told her that he was going to leave.

She sniffled. “I still love you, y’know.”

That got a crack of a smile out of him. Walking over to her side of the bed once more, he leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead, the kiss reaching her through her bangs. He pressed his forehead against hers for a brief second, and then pulled away.

His boots sounded heavier on the hardwood as he left than they had when he'd arrived. He fought the urge to turn back and look at her, knowing that this was just another after now.

When he got outside to his bike, he allowed himself to look up at the bedroom window. The crushing weight on his chest got a little lighter when he saw the bedroom light go off.

(Divider by @silkholland 💞)

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