#i think i can spoil a bit of the first chapter this week too

[ceilidho]

take me home, country road

[ao3]

You have nothing on your person apart from a hastily packed suitcase and the dress you came into town wearing, on the run from trouble back home. Too bad John's missing a bride that matches your description. Or: the 1800s (mistaken) mail order bride au (chapter 12) [note: trigger warning for a pretty rough spanking scene with a belt and minimal aftercare. if you need to, you can skip to the midway point (there's a line between the first half and second).]

first chapter >> last chapter

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He keeps your hands tied behind your back on the ride home.

All that does is confirm the fact that he must know. Graves must have tracked him down or perhaps he was approached by someone who did consider your sudden arrival in town suspicious. Why else would the sheriff chase you all the way into the mountains on horseback and then take you back with him? He would’ve within his rights to leave your thieving self to wander alone in the woods and succumb to the elements.

John doesn’t say a word the first hour of the ride back. You can feel the anger emanating from him though. He almost shakes with it. His anger somehow upsets you more than whatever is left to come. 

“Anytime you wanna start talkin’, I’m all ears,” John finally says, breaking the silence. 

You keep your lips pressed together, stubbornly silent. There’s no use giving yourself away before you’ve learned how much he knows. You haven’t built this life of yours with loose lips. 

“I don’t know what in the Sam Hill has gotten into you,” he continues, and his voice is cobblestone tread rough in the night. “Running off all by yourself. There ain’t nothing out in these parts except outlaws and highwaymen. There are men out here that’d love to get their hands on a woman like you—not even a knife to defend yourself with. You haven’t even got a scrap of food on you, never mind water. You’d’ve been dead in a week if the men out here hadn’t picked you off themselves.”

His words make your stomach ache. You know that there are worse things out there. A thousand gruesome ways to die. You’re less of a lady than John might think—you’ve heard stories. You’ve brushed close to that reality yourself. You wonder how he’d take it if you were to tell him about what had happened back east. 

Maybe running away this time hadn’t been your smartest idea, but it had been your only. You can’t fault yourself for the instinct to survive. 

“I know,” you mumble, dropping your chin to your chest. 

“You gonna explain to me why you stole my horse and ran off in the first place?” he asks. 

It’s the strangest interrogation you’ve ever heard of—sitting on the same horse with your back to the man questioning you and your hands tied together at the wrists. You wonder if you leaned back whether you’d feel his heart beating furiously in his chest. 

You remain mulishly silent though, reticent to answer the question.

“Maybe I’ve been spoiling you,” he continues, trying to rationalize it to himself. “After the fuss you put up those first few days, I thought a bit of structure and discipline would do you well, and it did. Giving you a bit of slack was my mistake.”

You frown at that. Those don’t sound like the words of a man with any knowledge of the circumstances leading to you running off. He might not even have come across Graves at all in the hours since the man made his appearance in the general store. Otherwise, you can’t imagine how he wouldn’t make the connection. 

Still, you can’t make yourself come right out and say it, even though every iota of your being aches to let the truth out. Call it nerves overpowering the need to be truthful and good. You vacillate between honesty and self-preservation, but each avenue feels like being dropped into a nest of vipers. 

But he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know. If he knew, he wouldn’t question you like this. It’s a boon you can’t give up, not yet. Not when the thought of his inevitable righteous fury fills you with dread and self-loathing. 

“I don’t have to explain myself,” you spit out suddenly, and it’s not you saying those words but something ugly and sad in you. “You’re not my owner.”

“I damn sure am your husband though,” John growls, winding his free hand around your hair to tug you back into his chest. “And I know these parts far better than you, little miss. Beyond running off on me for no good reason when I thought we put your reticence behind us, you went and put yourself in danger the likes of which you couldn’t even fathom.”

“I’m not an idiot,” you snap. “I know what men are like.”

“You’re telling me you pulled that stunt knowing what kinda danger is out there in the woods?”

“I wasn’t thinking!”

“I know you weren’t,” John grunts. “That’s the issue.” 

The rest of the ride home is uncomfortably quiet. John keeps one hand clamped on your waist while the other holds the reins of both horses, the two walking alongside each other back down the trail towards the house. The ride home is a lot longer than the ride out into the woods since John refuses to let either of them go faster than a slow trot while your hands are tied behind your back. 

He snorts in derision at your suggestion to undo your binds. “That eager for your punishment?” 

That gets you to zip your lips. 

When you get drowsy, John tips your head back and makes you sip from his waterskin. His hand fits carefully around your throat to hold your head in place, his fingers curling around to just graze the nape of your neck. Your throat pulses under his palm when you swallow. It’s far too intimate for how restless you feel, damn near shaking out of your skin, but it briefly shushes the voice in your head until he pulls his hand away. 

A shadow under the doorway of the house startles you at first before it takes a step into the faint light of the setting sun and you recognize the bristly blond of Simon’s shorn head and the red bandana shrouding the bottom half of his face. The tension ebbs back into you when you realize with creeping humiliation that the black horse you rode home on must belong to him. 

He watches the two of you approach with predictable disinterest, his eyes betraying nothing. The shame is excruciating. 

John brings the horse to a halt some feet from Simon, not bothering to greet him. You wonder if it’s the anger choking him or if this is just routine, men trading favors in silence lest a word in gratitude break the spell. After dismounting himself, John helps you down, all but picking you up and lifting you off the horse. 

Simon doesn’t say a word to either of you when he takes the reins from John’s hands, giving him only a curt nod and you a cursory glance before leading his horse away to mount. He doesn’t spare you a backwards glance before taking off back towards town. You watch him over your shoulder while John guides you up the porch steps and into the house, until the shape of him disappears into the horizon. Then the door shuts behind you. 

Alone now, your attention turns back to John. He stares down at you consideringly, a hand planted on the door he just shut until he lets it fall to his side. You can see the gears turning in his mind, weighing something out. 

It wouldn’t be right to call it anticipation; it’s not quite dread either. 

“I don’t make idle threats, you know,” he says, apropos of nothing. 

His words make you frown until you glance down to find him undoing his belt. Your blood turns to ice. He tugs the thick strap until it comes sliding out of each loop around his waist. The buckle rests heavy in his palm, thick fingers curling around it, and when he bends the belt in two, you already know that he intends to follow through with his threat from earlier, the one you said you’d gut him for.

“I’ll scream,” you warn, heart in your throat. It almost chokes you. “I mean it. I’ll scream like the devil.”

“Don’t go makin’ no empty threats now, darlin’,” he says in a low voice, almost taunting. You can hear the hard edge in his voice though. It’s not something he craves, but he’ll take it. 

“You touch me with that thing and I’ll never forgive you.” 

John’s eyes go hard. “I’ll just have to take that chance.” 

And then he’s on you.

He hooks an arm around your waist when you try to rush past him back out the door and it forces the breath out of you. 

You struggle as best you can with your hands tied behind your back, trying to wriggle out of his hold even as he heaves you up into his arms and climbs the staircase towards the bedroom. The steps creak under the added weight of you in his arms. The screams come tearing from your throat, ripping your vocal cords and nearly sending you into a coughing fit. 

“Let—me—go—” you shriek, kicking out wildly, hoping to catch something that’ll make him lose his balance. 

“All that squirmin’ ain’t making me feel more merciful,” he growls. 

John kicks the bedroom door open with his foot when he reaches the top of the staircase. The room looks ominous without the oil lamp lit, the shadows growing in the corners swallowing up the end table. The bed is just as you made it this morning, the sheets pressed tight and neat, and you only get a second to take that in before he marches towards the bed and throws you down onto it.  

You hit the bed hard, bouncing slightly. He sits down heavily enough to jostle you and when you try to roll away on instinct, a hand catches you by the bicep and pulls you back. He hauls you across the bulk of his thighs this time, far different from your first meeting back in the sheriff’s office all those weeks ago. Your feet don’t even touch the floor this time around, dangling in the air and flailing for purchase. 

“You brute—you bastard!” you screech.

“I’m not gonna be as charitable this time,” John says, yanking your dress up and your drawers down until your bare bottom is exposed. You gasp at the cold air, murmuring something like please, please, please under your breath. “Even if I knew why it was you decided to run off, that doesn’t excuse the fact that you did. You coulda been hurt or worse out there, darlin’, and I’d never have forgiven myself. I’m gonna make sure the lesson sinks in this time.”

He folds the leather belt to hold it in one hand, leaving the other to pin you down over his thighs, making sure you don’t wriggle out. The leather is cool at first when he drags it over your butt. It makes your breathing pick up. It’s so gentle that you can almost trick yourself into thinking that it’s all he intends to do. 

The first lash comes so quick that you barely register it. The second knocks the wind out of you, and then the pain sets in. 

It stings something fierce. Where his palm hurt that first time he bent you over his desk and spanked you, the belt burns. It goes deep and it lingers when he pulls the leather away from your stinging bottom. 

“Hurts like the dickens, don’t it?” John asks, not bothering to wait for confirmation before bringing the belt down again. “You’re lucky it’s only ten this time.”

You howl into the bedsheets, eyes tearing up and spilling down your cheeks. When you try to cover your ass with your bound hands, John grabs them and pins them to the small of your back. 

“What’ll you never do again?” he growls. 

“I—I’ll—”

“Say it, darlin’: I’ll never run off on my own again.”

“I’ll—n-never gonna—oh, it hurts, John—please—”

At some point, you must say the words he’s looking for. You lose count of how many times his belt has struck across your ass. Like thunder coming after lightning, you feel it and then you hear it. The sharp snap comes as a second wave of agony in and of itself. 

Your throat is stripped raw by the time it’s over. The aftermath finds you with a puddle of drool under your cheek, hair matted to your face. Sweat slicks the backs of your thighs and down your spine. Even the gentlest brush of John’s hand over your backside, the belt deposited off the side of the bed, makes you flinch, the skin there tender to the touch. You’ll surely feel it deep in your bones come sunrise. 

Too exhausted for anger, all you can do is lie there. It sits heavy in your stomach though, a pit at the center of you. You want to say, who gave you the right? The answer burns a ring around your finger though. You want to say, you don’t understand, it had nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with him and you. 

You can tell he wants to say something. It gets choked in his throat, but you can hear it in the way his breath draws in, like he’s trying to coax it from his chest but it simply won’t come out. 

“Stay right there,” John rumbles instead, shifting you onto the bed to let you lie on your belly. 

You moan in pain when he moves you, sniffling into your arms. The crook of your elbow is sticky with your tears and snot. 

The bed dips under his weight when he comes back. You flinch violently when he draws the skirt of your dress up again and smooths his hand over the tender cheeks of your backside, spreading a cool salve over your skin. The first touch of his hand makes you hiss, tears beading in the corners of your eyes again, but then the cool sinks in, alleviating the ache. 

He does that for another few minutes in silence. Gentle, tentative touches, only stopping when the salve has been spread evenly over your bottom. He’s quiet when he shifts you up the bed until your feet are no longer dangling off the end. You’re distantly aware of him taking off your shoes and tucking you into bed, but the events of the day have finally gotten the better of you. It would be easier to push a boulder up a hill than crack even one of your eyelids open.

Time passes slowly; sluggishly. Your thoughts can’t quite catch up with it, either too quick or too slow. You’re stuck in thoughts of the desert, caught in a sandstorm that manifests too suddenly for you to take cover. All you can do is close your eyes and wait it out. 

Morning comes like a brutal summoning into the waking world. 

It hurts, but you expected that. Before your eyes even open, you’re aware of a throbbing pain coming from your backside. You wince when you shift to your side, squeezing your eyes tight. You contemplate rolling over and taking your chances with John’s temper. The thought isn’t as appealing in the light of day though. 

It takes some time to get out of bed and when you do, you have to step tentatively from floorboard to floorboard, the ache making it decidedly uncomfortable. You can’t imagine what sitting down will be like. Riding a horse is just out of the question. 

From the bedroom window, you see John standing in front of the house with Simon, back again not even twelve hours later. With the window closed, you can’t hear their conversation, nor can you read their lips. Their exchange doesn’t last long though. After another minute or so, and a nod goodbye, Simon walks back over to his horse standing nearby and lifts himself up and over onto the saddle, taking off towards town. 

When John turns back towards the house, you see him glance up towards the bedroom window where you stand. The circles beneath his eyes are dark, pronounced. On another day, you might’ve ducked out of sight or jumped away from the window, but now you hold his gaze. 

He breaks your stare first this time, heading back inside. It’s less satisfying than you thought it’d be. 

You spend the day resting in bed and avoiding John for the most part. He spends the majority of the day out of the house. You hear him downstairs in the kitchen around midday, fixing himself up something to eat, and you listen attentively to the scrape of the chair across the floor and the pan on the stovetop. Like the day he brought you home, he brings you up a tray only to leave it at the door, rapping the door with his knuckles to let you know before heading back downstairs. 

When he comes up for bed, you’re already lying down with your back to the door, the oil lamp left unlit. John doesn’t say anything to you as he changes into his nightwear. He smells fresh when he climbs into bed, like he bathed in the creek out in the woods. You breathe in deeply, trying to keep your breath quiet enough to not disturb the silence. The pillow under your head is saturated with his scent. You turn your nose into it when he lies down on his back instead of curling into you like he usually does. 

Your chest aches at that simple denial. There’s a wall between the two of you and you know where it came from. Any trust that you’d built lies in ruins now. 

Perhaps that’s not quite right though. It’s a romantic notion that you’ve been building something together all this time, but it doesn’t feel right now that you have the wherewithal to look back and reflect. All this time, whenever you’ve touched, you’ve held him steadfast and at an arm's length away, stopping two degrees short of intimacy. 

Deliberately effusive; and worse, you’ve called it affection. 

The tenderness in your heart is the worst of it. There’s a bruise there, and it’s been there awhile. It’s only grown with your recent troubles. You tell yourself every year that you’ll air it out come spring, but then the winter comes and it freezes over again.  

The pillow under your chest grows damp with your tears. 

Your dress the next morning is cornflower blue. The wheatfields are golden stalks swaying in the breeze. It’s a pleasanter day than how you feel. 

The ride into town is as painful as you thought it might be. You wince with every stride, your bottom still tender as a rose. John’s arm tightens around your waist when you squirm, like you might slide off the saddle and try to flee again, and you bite your lip to hold back the urge to snap. 

The little bit of independence you’d grown to enjoy is snatched away from you. You expected that as well, but that loss of privilege comes with a biting ache. You fight the urge to gnash your teeth and bark at him that you’re not a child when he grips you under the arm and leads you down the road. It wouldn’t do you any good. 

When John leaves you off at the general store, you’re surprised to find Kate back, hale and hearty. She looks up when the chime over the door jingles and raises her eyebrows in greeting. The sound makes you flinch, memories coming back unbidden. 

You look over your shoulder to say something to John before he leaves, but the door is already closing behind him by the time you turn around. Your lips are pursed on a word that dissolves in your mouth. It has a bitter aftertaste. 

“Thought you wouldn’t be back for a few more days,” you say instead, turning back to Kate. There’s already a chair pulled up for you by the wall and you make yourself comfortable there, grimacing at first when your sore backside touches the wood before settling in. 

She shrugs. “Plans changed. Gaz and I made it back late last night.”

You frown. “Gaz?”

“Kyle Garrick. Sorry—slip of the tongue. You’ve met him already. He used to go by Gaz way back when.”

“Way back when?”

“Not my story to tell. You should ask one of them, if you’re curious.”

You are, but not enough to ask. “Maybe.”

The two of you lapse into silence after that exchange. Before leaving the house, you remembered to bring with you some needles and wool to pass the time. They’re not as familiar in your hands as you’d like them to be, but you suppose, barring the possibility of Graves or another bounty hunter showing up in town to cart you off, you’ll have time to learn. 

The thought leaves you anxious. It feels distinctly more possible now. 

“You met Miles while I was away?” Kate asks, out of the blue.

Your head comes up at her question. “Miles?”

“He was minding the store for me while I was away. Said you came in the other day.”

You swallow reflexively. “Oh. Yes, I suppose I did meet him. I didn’t stay long, since you were gone and all.”

She hums and looks back down at the book in front of her. You feel nervous all of a sudden. 

“He said you were very helpful,” she says abruptly, breaking the silence. You flinch. “Told me some gentleman came by with a warrant for a murder back east and you were kind enough to take it to your husband for him so he could keep minding the shop.”

Your throat constricts. She pins you under her gaze, unblinking eyes staring into yours but not looking for anything. Wispy blonde bangs brush along her forehead when she tilts her head ever so slightly. 

You nod instead of answering. 

“Did you give it to him?” she asks.

“I didn’t have a chance to. The day got away from me,” you say tersely. 

“I heard something about that. Kyle said John had to borrow Simon’s horse the other day. Said something about him taking off in a hurry.”

Again, you don’t answer. It feels like without knowing it, you’ve crossed over a threshold. 

“Do you still have it?” Kate prompts when again you don’t respond. You don’t tell her that you don’t because in all the fuss the other day, it must have slipped out of your pocket and drifted off into the wind. “The warrant?”

“No,” you whisper, shaking your head. 

“That’s alright. I have a good enough idea about what it might’ve said.” 

Sweat beads on your upper lip. She all but says it outloud. You’re as still as a ferrotype under her gaze, imprinted in place, unable to move so much as a muscle or force a word past your stiff lips. 

“You’re under no obligation to tell me or anyone,” Kate says, and her voice is suddenly gentle, softer than you’ve ever heard it before. “I’m sure you had your reasons. I won’t be telling John, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Oh. Thank you,” you breathe, throat so tight that the words almost don’t come out. 

It’s the closest you’ve come to admitting to it, tangentially or not, and even now it’s spoken only out of the corner of your mouth. You don’t think you have it in you to recite the events sequentially. Even in the privacy of your memory, it comes piecemeal, in fragmented images that flicker across your mind because maybe to remember it whole would be too much. 

You don’t say much more after that, and neither does Kate. That wasn’t the point of bringing it up, you think. You'd know if it was. 

When John comes to fetch you at the end of the day, you leave without saying goodbye to Kate. Only a stiff smile before heading out on your way. If she returns your smile, you don’t notice it. To John, you simply duck your head and follow him out the door, letting him help you up onto the horse without a word. 

If it bothers him that you refuse to speak to him, he doesn’t show it. 

It’s so many steps back that you might as well be back where you started. Maybe even further back, a voyage gone so wrong that when you look over your shoulder, you can’t make heads or tails of where you came from. The trees from the other side of the trail never look quite the same. 

If you could open your mouth and say it, you would. If you knew he’d listen. But you don’t think John is that kind of man. Against the gold of the setting sun, he cuts a figure from times of yore. He speaks plain while you tend to speak in fricatives and bilabial stops, incapable of enunciating the words. 

You feel like a wound on the world. Getting it wrong again and again. 

It’s an old pain, one that started back when you were too small to hold it all. Now, you’ve grown large enough to hold it, though it holds you back in turn. You remember your parents studiously ignoring first creation like some noxious cloud billowing from the chimney. There’d been too many children for them to care about the runt. Shipped off to your aunt’s and uncle’s just for the cycle to repeat itself. 

It’s an old grief, this one, friendly because it nudges at your hips when you brush by, striking in the blue-green. And when it burns, it burns.

“John, I—” you say when he helps you down back at the house. 

He stares down at you, waiting you out. Your mouth goes dry, the truth beyond your grasp again. Your heart aches when his brows furrow and the lines around his eyes crease again, frustration welling beneath the surface. 

You understand. It sits under your skin too. 

"Go inside," he says instead when you don't go on. "I'll bring in the horses and start supper."

Your God sits at the edge of the bed, wholly lacking praise. It’s not His fault that it’s been awhile. These days, you can hardly muster up the energy to say hello. You gargle saltwater before you bathe and scrub your skin free of blood, waiting for the next morning to come.

And you think, lying on your side while John sleeps on the other side of the bed, wouldn’t it be lovely to get it right now, rather than in retrospect?

[madamechrissy]

Dirty Little Secret

ꕥ Pairings: Toji Fushiguro x Fem Reader

ꕥ Warnings-MDNI-explicit sexual content, dirty talk, Toji calls reader 'doll, ma, slut (Toji and Doll just work lol) Age gap- reader is 21, Toji is 39. - This chapter-Slapping, Blow jobs, rough oral sex, mentions of fluids, swallowing, cunnilingus

ꕥ Word Count- 4,514

ꕥ Summary- Toji Fushiguro is your dad Shiu's best friend for years. You've known him most your life. You come home for spring break to relax, and who pops up at the fucking doorstep? Toji. He's nasty, annoying, perverted and... Sexy. Hot. Built. And makes you think, maybe your first time shouldn't be with some college boy? But with this buff dude who can tie a cherry stem with his tongue and a scar on his damn lip. You just gotta hope your dad doesn't find out.

Chapter 1 - Playlist - Masterlist

Chapter 2

The next day comes, and you can’t get Toji’s smug face out of your head. The way he talked to you, the way he used you, it’s all you can think about. You’re a mess, avoiding him as best you can, because every time you look at his stupidly attractive face, you feel wetness between your thighs.

And the worst part is, you swear he knows.

You’re in the kitchen, washing dishes as your dad walks in, coming to give you a kiss on the cheek. You smile at him.

“Make me lunch kiddo? I gotta run to work for a few hours.” You freeze at that, as Toji isn’t far behind, grinning at you as he descends the stairs.

“Aw, working!?” You pout, and Shiu sighs.

“Just for a few! I tried to take the entire week off.”

“Fine. What ya want?”

“Anything please, I never hardly have you here to spoil me.” You smile, then bend down to grab things out of the fridge. You gasp when you stand back up, and feel Toji’s presence, you look back and see his green eyes were on your ass. You glare.

“Gonna make me some too, doll?” Toji asks, and you snort.

“Nope, only dad.” You stick your tongue out, and your dad laughs, as Toji sticks his tongue back at you.

“She’s so mean, Shiu.”

“She gets that from me.” You start making a stir fry real quick, gathering veggies and leftover rice, then popping in some of the chicken from yesterday, then you make Shiu and dumbass Toji plates.

“Thanks, doll.” Toji comes to ruffle your hair as you hand him his, and you smirk up at him.

“Only cause there’s extra.” He laughs at that, then you all are all sitting down eating together, reminiscing, and it’s honestly nice.

“Oh shit, Mei is coming over tonight.” Shiu says then.

“Really? How’s her crazy ass been?”

“Good I think. You know her. Darling you may not remember her…”

“I do. Real pretty with the braids?” Shiu nods. “She was cool.”

“She was hot.” Shiu said, and you roll your eyes. “Right Toji?”

He nudges Toji, and you expect him to agree, but he shrugs. “Mmm, sure I guess, never really looked at her like that.” You blink a bit in surprise, as his gaze catches yours.

Huh.

“Really? Her tits though- ah shit, sorry kid.” You laugh, taking their plates and turning to the sink.

“Dad you’ve been single forever, I don’t mind if you date.” You hadn’t seen your mom in eight years, one day she just fucked off. Had nothing to do with you all, on your thirteenth birthday actually. Shiu hadn’t really dated since.

“I dunno, seems more like a fuck buddy than a girlfriend.” Toji mutters.

“Either is good.” Shiu and Toji laugh again, and you sigh, annoyed by the over projection of manliness in the room. Eventually, Shiu comes to say goodbye, and you head over to the bathroom, brushing your teeth and getting out of your pajamas. You were the worst about just lounging in them whenever you could.

When you step out, there he is.

“Fuck, you scared me!” You nearly yell, and he’s just smirking, looking down at your little skirt and tank.

“No Hello Kitty today?” You glare up at him, shoving him out of your way, but he stops you. “Talkin to ya doll.”

“I’m ignoring you, old man.” You head down the hall, but then he’s pressing you against the wall, back hitting it hard, then he’s leaning down, serious set to his mouth, lust in his eyes.

“Ya forget about me already doll? When I had you cumming so hard you almost passed out?” You’re bright fucking red, averting your eyes, and he grabs your chin roughly, shoving it up to look at him. “Answer. Now.”

“No, how could I? Fuck…” You’re faced with him, as he runs his tongue along that scar, then his lips, gaze going down to your throat now.

“When I choked that pretty neck, ya forget?”

“No.” Your answer was quieter now.

“And, when I said…”

“Yes, I wanna suck your dick, stupid.” He blinks, taken aback, and you could swear you see some red on his face, but must be the sun, because no way. “No, I haven't forgotten.”

“And… you want me to lick that cunt before or after?” He whispers now, sliding his hand down to find your panties under your skirt. “So fuckin hot f’me.”

“Shut up.” You sigh, though, leaning up and yanking him down, he’s wearing some skin tight white tee, covering nothing, you can see every line of his body, and it makes you wet. “Kiss me, Toji.”

“ Fuck .” He slams his lips on yours, hands all over your body, desperate, like he couldn’t get enough of how you feel. “So fuckin small compared to me.”

You gasp as he grabs your waist. “My tits aren’t small.”

He laughs. “They sure the fuck aren’t.” He slides his huge hands, squishing them, rough, but you love it. “That mouth is big too.”

“Dick.” He picks you up then, slamming you into the wall, and his cock is pressed against your pussy, hot and achy for him, then the door shuts. “ Shit !”

He puts you down quickly, gently though, which surprises you, and then you all separate, luckily hidden up the stairs. You struggle to breathe as Toji walks back down, and he’s up in a few moments, the door shutting. You look at him with eyes wide, heart fucking racing.

“Forgot his work keys.” Toji said, casually, and your hand is on your chest, as you struggle to make sure it doesn’t just fall out.

“Fuck, too close. We’re… we can’t.” You turn then, walking toward your room, and he stops you, hand surrounding your little wrist, and you pause, as his body is hard against your back.

“Sure we can, just gotta be careful.” He kisses down the side of your neck, and you tilt your head, moaning, as he grabs your skirt, gripping it, pressing your ass agaisnt him and moaning. “Perfect fuckin body.”

“No…”

“No? Gotta show ya then, doll?” He whispers, tickling your ear with his hot breath, and you shiver. “Lick every pretty inch?”

“Toji…” You lean your head back, resting on his strong chest, and he reaches around, playing with your breasts again, plucking at the peaks, shooting pleasure down your tummy.

“Ya ready for your next lesson, girl?” You sigh, shaking your head, but he just laughs. “I’ll just eat that pussy again then.”

“Why? What’s in it for you?” He chuckles, sliding a hand to your tummy, pressing in on it.

“Think I didn’t cum eating ya out?” You blink in shock.

“What? How?”

“Easy, ya fuckin taste so good, and hearin’ ya say daddy? Cum so much. I cum alot by the way, hope you can swallow it all.”

You freeze, breasts heaving up and down as he just holds you like that, in the hall, gripping like he fucking owns you. And…

You want him to?

“So, whaddya want, doll?”

“I want to suck you off.” You manage to whine out, and he groans then, spinning you and cupping your face, messy kissing you, tongues battling for dominance for a pathetic moment, until he wins. He picks you up, and takes you to the guest room he’s staying in, shutting the door behind him.

He pushes you on the bed, and slides his grey sweatpants off, leaving him in fucking nothing , since apparently Toji just freeballs, and his thick, long cock smacks on his belly button, fucking huge. You stare at it in shock, blinking for a moment, trying to register it, how could it be that thick? How would you suck it, let alone, how would that fit in you?

Fuck.

“Like what ya see, little girl?” You gulp, struggling to form a coherent word, and then you have him in your hand, hot and thick, stroking up and down, once, twice. He hisses, tensing, and you look up at him, his eyes dark with lust.

“Tell me what to do…” You whisper, and he groans, taking your hand.

“Haven’t… played with one?” He bites the words out, you shake your head, and he exhales. “You’re such a goodie goodie.”

“Then I’ll stop.” You yank your hand back and he glares.

“It’s not a bad thing, doll. It’s just making everything fuckin hotter to me. Being your first.” You tremble, as for a moment he’s affectionate. “Spit on it.”

Never mind.

“What?” He grins, and you remember, oh, it’s Toji.

“Spit on it first, then move your hand up and down.” You sigh, spitting a bit, and he laughs at you. “So dainty.”

“Shut up.” You try again, spreading it, and his cock twitches in your hand, his own hands sliding your shirt up, revealing your breasts.

“Need to look at these pretty tits.” He plays with them, as you stroke him, you look up at him as you move, up and down his shaft. "That's it, doll," He murmurs, his voice low and raspy.

You lean forward, licking the white bead of precum leaking out of his girthy tip, and he sucks in his breath, now his hands are in your hair, pulling, urging you on with his moans. He tastes… good? Fuck. Salty a bit from sweat, but also… yummy… his pre cum is leaking again, so you suck it.

"Show Daddy how much ya want it, pretty girl.” You feel it, your tummy clenching as he strokes your hair, you move up and down, as he guides you down, deeper and deeper. “Want me to fuck this throat, doll?”

You lean back, with a loud pop, trembling. “What if I can’t?”

“If you take too much you’ll tap me three times. Got it?”

“Toji, do you actually use safe signals?”

He glares down at you, tall, imposing, sexy. “Of course I do. Don’t need ya fuckin fainting on me.”

It’s kinda sweet?

Is your bar low for Toji?

“Ready, doll?” You nod, and then you try to relax your throat, as he starts shoving his hard thick cock in your throat, over and over, so thick and deep. You struggle to breathe, adjusting your mouth to fit him. You feel yourself losing breath, falling into it, getting even wetter as you look up at him, seeing that lust in his fucking eyes.

You’re drooling all over his thick cock, breathing through your nose now, and he rams his cock so deep you gag, near throwing up, just as he eases out of you completely, grabbing your cheeks and squishing em. You tremble when he pushes your back on his bed, until your head is dangling off the edge.

“Wanna watch my cock in that pretty lil throat.” He moans, and you’re looking at him upside down, at his thick cock.

“Take your shirt off.” He laughs at that, then he does so, revealing his hard, thick muscular frame.

“Your turn.” He snatches your shirt off you, leaving you in your little pleated skirt, then he runs his hand over your tits again, caressing them. “Remember, tap me if it’s too much.”

You nod, opening your mouth wide eagerly, then he’s fucking your throat, groaning as he watches his cock outlining in your throat. Your eyes are watering, but you do your best, you want to be good for Toji, you want to make him feel good. It’s so fucked, but you can’t lie, you’re so horny right now you’re enjoying him inside you, suffocating you till there’s nothing left.

He’s groaning louder now, and you can feel your panties getting wetter, your pussy clenching around nothing, as he takes you, fucks your mouth over and over, and you realize you’re really enjoying it. You moan around his cock, and his abs flex as he fucks your throat so good, until you’re gagging again, strangled.

“Tight lil throat feels so good, fuck, doll.”

You like it. You like it a lot. Huh…

“Feel so fuckin perfect, such a good girl f’me.”

You’re panting at his words, at his cock wrecking you, and your eyes squeezed shut, his hands are tight in your hair, holding your head down, keeping you in place, as he uses your mouth like it’s your pussy. It’s almost too much, but you keep going, keep taking his cock, and he’s fucking groaning, yanking your skirt up your hips and scrunching it up, bending over you.

He pulls out suddenly, and you’re coughing, holding your throat, it’s on fire now, his thick cock has wrecked it. “Take off the skirt, doll, now.”

“You didn’t cum yet?” You murmur, voice hoarse, he smiles as he helps you sit up, you’re weak as fuck.

“Take it off, girl. Now.” You unzip it with shaky hands. “Panties too.”

You do as he asks, they’re so sticky you gotta peel 'em off, trembling, then he has you back down. “T-Toji… am I doing okay?”

He caresses your face with his big hands, positioning your head back again. “You’re fuckin’ perfect doll.”

You moan under the praise, then he’s fucking your throat again, harder this time, and you feel his cock swell, his grip on your hair tightens, and you know he’s about to cum.

“You’re gonna take it all, aren’t ya, like a good girl?”

You make a strangled moan, jaw aching as you take his cock, tears streaming down your face, and then he’s letting go, spurts of hot cum shooting down your throat now, so much. You swallow, choking and coughing around it, but it’s so hot, he’s filling you up so much. And he keeps going, keeps pushing until he’s empty, bottoming out.

His moans are shaky, when he pulls out, and you’re coughing, choking, gasping for air, and he’s smiling down at you, his cock still out, helping you sit up finally. You look up at him, tears on your face, and he wipes them away gently.

“You alright doll?”

You nod, holding your throat, it hurts like fuck, but… you just swallowed Toji’s cum. And it was so…

“Fuck, you’re so pretty when you cry.” He murmurs, wiping your hot sticky tears, rubbing your sore neck gently. “Such a good girl, took it all f’me.”

“Hurts…” You manage and he sighs, kissing you then, tasting his own cum on you, then he’s grabbing you, your naked body, kissing down the throat he’d just cum inside.

“Did s’good, ma. S’good.” He keeps praising you, and it thrills you, before he’s flipped you, on your tummy, yanking your hips up. “Time for me to make ya feel good, little doll. Earned it.”

He spreads your legs wide, his mouth watering as he stares at your pussy. You're so wet, you can feel it dripping down your thighs, making a mess on the clean sheets. You whine as you grip the sheets under you in tight fists as he strokes his fingers on your slick heat.

“Got this fuckin wet just sucking me off?” He groans out the words, and grabs your ass cheeks, smacking one, then the other, making you gasp, crying out in pleasure.

“Y-yeah.” Is all you manage.

“Gonna be a perfect slut f’me aren’t ya?”

“Perfect slut… for you… yes. Yes .”

Toji Fushiguro leans in, his breath hot against your skin, and you can't help but moan in anticipation. “Such a good girl. Let Daddy taste that sweet little pussy of yours, would ya doll?”

“ Please… ” He smacks your cunt now, and you wiggle, as it stings so fucking good. “ Please, Daddy.”

And then he's there, his tongue sliding over your clit, his teeth grazing your sensitive flesh before he’s nipping it, and you scream, burying your face in the bed, the sensation hitting so hard. Then, he’s got your lips spread, and he’s shoving his tongue in so deep, it’s so fucking long you can’t take it, as it pushes it’s way into your tight entrance.

“Ah, fuck! S’good Tojii…” You manage to mumble, and he’s moaning against your cunt, against your sensitive clit, hands gripping the fuck out of your ass, until he’s sliding his tongue up there to your little ass hole now, and you tense, as he’s slathering it too, until he’s back against your cunt, shoving his whole face against you.

You’re struggling to stay on this earth as he’s fingering you, two thick fingers, shoving past your gummy walls and that tight ring, he's groaning as you pulse around them.

“Yeah, girl, fuckin soak me. Tight little perfect cunt.” He’s urging you on with his words, and you’re starting to tense, feeling it hit you. “That’s it, cum f’me, lil perfect slut, aren’t ya? Slut for Toji.”

“Fuck!” You scream now, hips jerking up, cumming all around his fingers and then you just say… “Fuck me, please, please.”

He pauses, easing fingers out of you then, you hear his heavy breaths mixing with yours. “Beggin for me, lil slut?”

“Shut up and fuck me. Do it.” He groans, flipping you on your back then, coming to lay on top of you, chest pressing heavy on your breasts. You grip his shoulders, arching your hips up, he shoves them down. “Thought you wanted to fuck me?”

“Your first time, need to be worked up y’know.” You giggle then, brushing his sweaty dark hair back, and he closes his eyes at it.

“Are you being caring, Toji?” He blinks for a moment, then glares.

“I wouldn’t wanna fuckin hurt you the first time, no. You’re… fuck me… you’re too special you know.” You suck in a breath, and then he sighs, clearly irritated with the turn of the conversation.

“I’m… special?” You asked, eyes wide, this was Toji, right?

Right?

“You’re tiny too, doll. Notice how huge I am?” You nod, rising up again, and you feel him, hard and thick on your thigh. Your hand reaches down to stroke him, and he’s groaning at your gentle tugs.

“So what, tomorrow?” You tease, and he smirks down at you.

“If you’re a good girl f’me. Yeah, tomorrow. But… question.”

“Hmm?”

“Ya on the pill? Because I really wanna cum in that pussy.” You flush, covering your face and letting him go, and he laughs. “I mean, I’ll cum in there anyway, but you ready for a kid?”

“You’re so full of shit! You would not even!”

“You’d be hot as fuck pregnant, doll.” He presses on your tummy, and you hiss. “Can’t wait to feel my cock up here. Oh fuck, horny again, lil slut?”

“Shut up.” You’re gasping then, as he leans up and smacks your face, not hard, but enough to jolt you, and you’re soaking his thigh, shoved between your legs.

“Freak, fuckin liked that?”

“Sure fuckin did. Do it again Daddy .” He moans, smacking your other cheek, and you know he’s being easy. “Why don’t you fuck me already?”

“Should shove this cock in ya, make ya scream. But no, you can wait, slutty fuckin brat.” You glare then, shoving up at him.

“Then don’t!”

“Oh, I will soon.” He’s shoving two fingers in you again, finding that spot that makes you gush, wetness all over his hand. “Baby girl need to cum again?”

You gulp, nodding, and he’s kissing you, brutal, rough, biting your lower lip and shoving his fingers into you, you’re crying out. “Fuck me, please , Toji.”

“Goddammit, demanding brat. Fuck.” He’s at your entrance now, glaring down with those blown out eyes, pupils so dilated, face all red. “I’m tryna be like a gentleman and shit.”

“You just fucked my throat, Toji.” He snorts then, and you laugh too. “Fuck my pussy then.”

“Wanna make you beg more for it. I’ll wait. But…” He strokes against you, thick hot tip up and down, until it’s on your clit, and you’re twitching.

“Fucking tease, Toji. Unh!” He grins down at you.

“So pretty fuckin begging for me, nah you can wait, doll. Fuck, your wet little cunt feels so goddamn good though.” He shuts his eyes, brows lowering, as he groans, stroking your little clit, which is soaked.

“Cumming…. Ugh… fuck me please… ” You’re a whole stupid mess for him, cunt throbbing, soaking his tip.

“Pathetic, fuckin beggin’ like a whore, huh?” You attempt a glare, but then you’re losing it as he continues that friction on your clit, his precum oozing on your tip.

“Fuck you, Old…. man… ah!” He groans, then as you start cumming, he pulls back, stroking his cock in front of you, hunched over, muscles taut, his face screwed in concentration as he looks at your naked body.

“Gonna cum all over that perfect fucking body, filled out so good, didn’t you lil doll?”

Fuck he’s awful.

Fuck he’s hot.

As he jerks himself off he yanks your hand down, shoving your fingers on your own clit, puffy and oversensitive, feeling how sticky and messy you are. You play with yourself, as he plays with his thick cock, moaning over you, and you’re crying out, arching your hips.

“Want it, doll? Me to paint you all over like a lil slut?” You nod, uncaring of whatever the fuck he said, you want it, you want him. “Then cum f’me first.”

“Mmm… fine… unh… Toji!” You’re screaming now, praying your dad wouldn’t just randomly come home, because you were stupid loud, as you cum all over your fingers, and he watches you, hungry, lustful.

“Good girl, good girl.” He cooes, and then he’s moaning, cumming for the second time, so fucking much, cumming all over your wide spread thighs, your glistening pussy, up to your tummy and your belly button.

You lay there, breasts heaving, as he starts spreading the sticky white liquid all over you, like he’s painting you, then he’s shoving two fingers in your mouth, ordering you to swallow more of his cum. You moan, sucking on them, then he’s kissing you, licking your lips, groaning.

“Need me to clean ya, doll?” He murmurs, and you just nod, helpless to him. “Look at you, so eager for it. You’re going to be the best little slut, aren’t ya?”

He’s kissing down your body, confusing you, as you half expected him to like get a washcloth or something? But no. Toji Fushiguro is down between your thighs, licking up the mess there, his own cum, and yours, moaning against your overstimulated little pussy.

“Toji! Fuck!” He groans, shoving his face against you, inhaling you, like he can’t get enough.

“You and me taste so fuckin good together, doll.” He groans, sucking up more of his sticky cum, then he’s back to eating your pussy, and you can’t take it, you grab his hair and try to yank him off.

“Too much, too much! Please… can’t!” He laughs, looking up and licking his lips, his lips and chin are soaked again.

“Gotta work on this stamina if you want this cock to wreck this lil cunt here.” He kisses it, loudly, then starts slurping up more. “Cum on my face again, doll. Let me drink more of ya. Ya taste so good, baby.”

“Toji…” You’re whining now, but you let him start sucking his cum clean off you, while the cum on your tummy he’s spreading around, till your whole body is covered in it, in Toji’s white ropes, as he’s flicking that little clit. He’s sucking on it, moaning, and you start to fall apart again . “Hurts! T’much… Toji!”

“Daddy.” He corrects, biting your clit again, and you gasp, arching your hips up for more of it, more of the ridiculous feelings.

“Daddy! Cumming!” He groans, looking up at you again, hands sliding up to grip your tits, making them sticky too, and your orgasm hits you again. This time you can’t see, when he’s vibrating that clit with his moans, your ears start ringing, and you feel like you’re so dizzy, like you’re gonna fall, clinging to his hair.

He drinks you up, along with the last remnants of his cum, pushing you past your orgasm to another, until you’re delirious, head lolling back, drool pooling, and he pushes you so hard you can’t see. He’s finally easing off when you gush cum all over his face, as he’s lapped you all clean, sliding up you, holding your face.

“That cock drunk face, beautiful.” He whispers, kissing you, and you taste yourself, taste his cum, taste his lips. You’re crying again, you realize, when he swipes them away. “Ya alright doll?”

You nod, shaky, gasping a bit for a breath. “Never… cum… s’much. That was… alot. Fuck.” He grins then, kissing down your jaw.

“Rest up a lil, doll. Your dad and Mei will be busy tonight, and I’m not done with ya just yet.” You shiver at that.

“Gonna fuck me?” He laughs, shaking his head.

“How are you a cock thirsty virgin? This only because of me, huh?” You flush bright red, looking down, then he exhales, tense on top of you, tilting your chin up. “Just f’me doll?”

You nod, shy suddenly, like he hadn’t just been fucking your throat, cumming all over your body, face buried in your cunt. “Yeah, just for you Toji.”

He kisses you, pulling you close, sighing into your mouth. “When I do fuck ya, doll, you’ll never want anyone else.”

“How the fuck will that work? Like…”

He just grins. “Take a nap, doll.”

You sigh, going to get up, but he picks you up, handing you your clothes, you get dressed, shaky, he has to help you. You sigh, standing on wobbly legs, and he laughs as he looks down at you, making you glare.

“Don’t tell me what to do, old man.” You yawn, and he’s laughing now, and for a moment, it’s comfy, when he pulls you against him, wrapping his thick, muscled arms around your little body.

“Be a good girl f’me, get some sleep. Stamina doll.” You sigh, then shove off him, acting like you didn’t wanna stay in his arms. “Oh… one thing.”

You pause at the door, about to walk out, he tilts your chin up. “What is it, old man?”

“Never liked getting my dick sucked like that. Best mouth…” He rubs a fingertip across your lower lip, and your tummy flutters.

Fuck.

“Tightest throat…” He wraps a hand around your neck then, not squeezing, caressing, studying you like a predator.

“Toji…”

“Those moans? So fuckin good.” He presses up, making your chin shove up now, facing him as he bends down.

“Toji… I…” He kisses you again, and you just sigh against his lips.

“Nap, doll. I need to feel you cummin on me soon.”

He smacks your ass, and you’re struggling to walk to your room, so irritated, so horny, so spent, so confused… so…

What the fuck was even happening?

You lay on your bed, wondering how dare he tell you to take a nap, like you’re some little kid? But…

You pass out.

Dreaming of Toji.

Toji’s cock in you, specifically.

Fuck….

Chapter 3

Also on Ao3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/57496135/chapters/146421850#workskin

[milfsloverblog]

Secret Benefits (NSFW)

Part 3 (previous part here)

Sugar mommy!Larissa Weems x Fem!Reader

A/N: Listen, you guys know me, I just had to include some angst in this. So, tiny bit of angst in this chapter, and these two idiots are still convinced that the other one doesn’t want them. OH!! You can see edits I made of Larissa’s outfit in this chapter here. Thank you for the enthusiasm you all show for this fic. Enjoy! <3

You were putting your shoes on when your phone buzzed with an incoming text from Larissa.

I’m here. Xx

She was right on time, of course she was.

You had arranged that she would pick you up from your place at 3, and you would spend the afternoon getting spoiled by her.

You took a last look in the mirror, wondering if you should have opted for a lighter lipstick, not that you had enough time to change it anyway.

Larissa had told you to wear something comfortable, but not too comfortable. “A blouse and some black pants will do just right,” she’d said, and you had sent her a picture of the few blouses you owned, letting her pick the one she wanted you to wear.

Your jaw dropped when you stepped out of your flat and caught Larissa standing by her car, slightly leaning on it. She wore a suit this time, a deep burgundy suit that perfectly matched her lipstick, with a white shirt underneath. Her hair had been let down from its usual intricate updo, her silver curls falling on her shoulders and framing her soft, pale face. She was a vision, truly, and it made you stop functioning for a moment.

“Hello, darling.” Larissa flashed you a smile when you finally reached her.

“Hi, Larissa.” You smiled back, getting on your tiptoe to place a kiss on her cheek, feeling one of her hands on your waist as you did so.

She wore flats this time, and you found that she wasn’t that tall without her heels. She was still tall, sure, but it was perfect. She was the perfect height. She was perfect.

“Hop inside, sweetling,” she said as she pulled the car door open for you, letting you get inside.

The ride wasn’t too long, it was spent with her hand on your thigh as you told her about your week and how you nearly had an argument with your coworker when you’d asked to take the day off, making Larissa chuckle a little.

-

“You said you’ve never been to a place like this, right?” Larissa asked as she pushed the door to the shop open and followed you inside.

“Yeah, it definitely is a first.” You nodded, looking around at the mannequins.

A small brunette quickly made her way over to the both of you, flashing Larissa a wide smile.

“Miss Weems,” she said. “I hope you’re doing well. Would you require some help with your shopping today?”

Larissa looked down at you before looking back at the assistant.

“Thank you, Clarice, but it won’t be necessary. I will let you know if we ever need some assistance.” Larissa smiled and the brunette nodded before going back to where she had appeared from.

“Come,” Larissa said, leading you through the shop. “I was thinking, since this is your first time, that I will let you choose the sets you’d like to try on. I will, however, still pick a couple of things I’d like to see you wearing.”

You gave a nod, happy at the prospect that you’d have some free rein while still being under Larissa’s control.

She walked with you around the shop, giving you advice on which fabric was the softest, which lingerie would be better suited to wear for a whole day and which one would be better for special occasions.

It was almost hypnotising, listening to her talking so passionately about colours and fabric, watching her fingertips brushing the different sets as she spoke.

Larissa chose three pieces for you to try on. A white lace body and a sage bra and panties set. You personally picked a burgundy set, something that matched her outfit, and a royal blue one.

The woman showed you the way to the changing room, helping you carry the pieces you were to try on.

“Let me know what you think of them, will you?” She asked.

You nodded and smiled before closing the curtain and taking a deep breath.

Right, you thought, time to try on some lingerie while the hottest woman alive is waiting right outside.

You took your time undressing and trying on the first set, the blue one. It looked nice, but it wasn’t what you had expected when choosing it.

“I tried the blue set on,” you told Larissa. “It’s beautiful, but not on me.”

Larissa’s eyebrows knitted. Not beautiful on you, what did that even mean? If only she could see you, see what you meant by “not on me”. But alas…

A couple of minutes went by without another word from you until you let out a frustrated groan.

“Larissa?” You called, getting a soft hum in answer. “I can’t close the button at the back all by myself, could you maybe…”

Larissa straightened her shoulders before pushing the curtain aside, just enough to slip herself inside the changing room.

You were trying on the white body she had picked for you, your hands desperately reaching back to close the button.

“Let me,” she said gently, her fingers brushing against the skin of your back as she buttoned the body shut.

Larissa took a step back once it was done, watching as you looked at yourself in the mirror. You felt a little unconscious as you spun on your heels to show her the result. She had picked this model, after all, you thought she’d like to see what it looked like on you.

The tall woman’s breath hitched as she watched you turn around. She had picked the perfect model for you.

“May I?” She asked, lifting her hand and reaching out when you nodded your approval.

“Here,” Larissa said, gently pulling on the lace that covered your left breast and making sure it lay flat against your skin.

Your eyes never left her face as she did so, not even when her fingers brushed against the swell of your left breast and made you shiver.

She looked beautiful, she looked passionate, but there was something else there too, hidden deep inside her blue eyes. Something more primal, something the lion felt when the antelope stepped too close to it.

“Beautiful,” Larissa whispered under her breath. “It’s a beautiful piece, I suggest you get this one. But the choice is all yours today, enjoy it while it lasts.” She winked and took a last up-and-down look at you before stepping out of the changing room.

Another moment went by where you let Larissa know that the sage set, as pretty as it was, simply wasn’t your colour.

You tried the burgundy set last, smiling as you looked at your reflection. It looked great on you, and the thought of wearing underwear that matched Larissa’s outfit was arousing in more ways than one.

You took a deep breath and brushed your fingertips on your breasts, closing your eyes as you imagined them to be someone else’s fingers.

Larissa walked back and forth in front of the closed curtain while you changed back into your clothes. She had managed to steady her heartbeat, taking a couple more deep breaths to fully relax herself.

She was about to take another step when she noticed that the curtain wasn’t properly closed. She didn’t think twice as she reached up and grabbed a handful of the velvety fabric to close it, only to unintentionally catch a glimpse of you inside the changing room.

If Larissa’s heartbeat had successfully steadied previously, it felt like it had completely stopped as her eyes landed on you. It only took less than a second for her brain to register what you were doing with one of your hands splayed on the wall while the other one busied itself between your legs.

Larissa held her breath, her mouth falling slightly open as she watched you. This was better than anything she had imagined when touching herself and thinking of you. She watched for what seemed to be hours, her eyes never leaving your face, wishing to memorise every single one of your expressions.

She wanted to see you climax, she craved to know the face you’d make as you’d reach your peak, if your knees would buckle and if you’d keep touching yourself to overstimulation.

Larissa, the little voice tugged at the back of her mind. Larissa, you shouldn’t. Larissa… Larissa!

The tall woman jumped and quickly shut the heavy curtain, her knuckles turning white as she kept tightly holding onto the fabric.

Larissa closed her eyes, her head hanging low as she let go of the curtain. She hated it. Not the fact that she had caught you masturbating, no. She hated the nagging feeling in her chest, one that she knew all too well.

She remembered feeling that nagging thing for the first time as a teenager when Morticia had started getting closer to Gomez and more distant from her.

That nagging feeling had grown and grown and grown until it had seeped through the cracks of Larissa’s heart and filled her whole body.

She hadn’t been able to properly control her shapeshifting abilities back then, and so she had woken up one day with her skin tinted a deep grassy green. She had hidden in her room for a couple of days, spending hours scrubbing at her skin in the shower only to burst into tears of frustration when nothing helped.

There was nothing she could do about it, Larissa had literally turned green with jealousy.

And she felt it again, as she took a step back from the changing room, that awful nagging pull in her heart.

She was buying you lingerie, beautiful silk and lace that you would wear for someone else. For the person you were thinking about right then with your hand between your legs, the one who would get to peel those expensive pieces off your body.

And it made Larissa sick with envy. She was sure that hadn’t she been able to control herself, she would have turned green again.

If she only had watched you for a moment longer, Larissa would have caught her name slipping from your mouth barely audibly as your thighs clenched around your hand, a strong orgasm washing over you.

It took you a few minutes to fully get down from your high, your cheeks burning in embarrassment as you realised what you had done. Anyone could have caught you. A shop assistant, a customer, Larissa. That last thought made you shiver, you would have died on the spot if the older woman had caught you masturbating.

You quickly got dressed and picked two sets from the ones you had tried on, the burgundy one that matched Larissa’s suit and the white one she seemed to have loved on you.

“Larissa,” you said as you walked out of the changing room carrying the lingerie.

The woman looked up and you could immediately tell that something had happened. She did push a smile, but it wasn’t quite right, it didn’t reach her eyes like it usually did.

“Did you make your choice, darling?” She asked, looking at the pieces in your hands.

“Yes, yes. I like these the most.” You raised your right hand to show her the ones you’d want to keep, earning a nod from the older woman.

“Larissa, is everything alright? You seem a bit-“ your question was interrupted by the same shop assistant from earlier asking you if you had found anything to your liking. You showed her the sets you’d like to keep and handed them to her so she could take them to the till.

Larissa’s hand fell on the small of your back and she guided you to follow the shop assistant. She was quiet, awfully quiet as she pulled her Visa card from her handbag and paid for your items. And still awfully quiet as you both walked out of the shop and back towards her car.

She took the bag from your hand and placed it in the trunk of her car before opening the passenger door for you, only closing it once you were comfortably seated.

You didn’t know what it was exactly, but you could feel the bad energy oozing from Larissa as she sat down by your side. Something had happened, that much was clear, and you feared it was somehow your fault.

A few minutes passed where both of you remained silent, Larissa’s eyes never leaving the road. She stopped at a traffic light and your gaze fell on her hand holding the gear lever, noticing the death grip that she had on it.

“Larissa,” you whispered, your fingers gently wrapping around hers on the lever. The small gesture seemed to be enough to snap the woman out of her trance, her head turning so she could look at you.

“I’m sorry, darling. I’ve lost myself in my thoughts again.” She pushed a small smile, one that looked more sincere than the previous one. “Did you have fun today?”

“I did, I enjoyed every second of it,” you said sincerely, your thumb gently brushing her fingers. “And I don’t want it to end now.” You admitted.

Larissa looked at you for a moment, her sapphire eyes boring into yours.

Is that really all there is to it? She wanted to ask. Are you just company to me and am I just easy money to you?

“We’ll have dinner,” she said, looking back to the road when the light turned green.

“Dinner sounds perfect. Where are you taking me?”

“The Paragon.” She answered without thinking twice.

You noticed the quick look she gave to your outfit, making you shuffle in your seat.

“If my outfit isn’t appropriate for the place you’re taking me to, we could drop by my house and I’ll wear the dress you bought for our first date.”

Date, the word echoed through Larissa’s mind.

“Get in the backseat,” Larissa said, a little authoritatively almost like a teacher would.

“Sorry?” You shook your head, watching as she parked the car.

“Get in the backseat, there’s a shopping bag. Something I bought for you a few days ago and wanted to make you wear on our next…rendezvous.” She explained.

You gave a quick nod and stepped out of the car to quickly get in the backseat.

“Vivienne Westwood?” You raised an eyebrow. Even someone who didn’t know much about fashion would know about Vivienne Westwood.

“Yes, she used to be one of my favourites when I was younger,” Larissa said, turning the engine back on to drive away. “But I’ve become more reasonable now.”

You opened the bag and pulled out the piece of clothing, a long black dress with long sleeves and white patterns.

“It should fit with your flats.” She said, looking at you in the rear-view mirror.

“I absolutely love it, thank you, Larissa.” You smiled and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze, earning yourself a smile from the woman.

“Get changed,” she said. “We’ll be at the restaurant in about twenty minutes.”

“Here?” You frowned.

“Well, yes, here.” Larissa chuckled as if it was the most evident thing ever. “The windows are tinted, no one can see you from the outside.”

But you can, you thought.

“I won’t look.” She added as if she could read your mind.

You stayed still for a moment but eventually gave a nod before starting to unbutton your blouse.

Larissa kept her eyes on the road as much as she possibly could, her knuckles once again turning white as she gripped the steering wheel. She could see you peeling off your clothes in the rear-view mirror from the corner of her eyes. She had to refrain from stealing a few glances, biting onto the inside of her cheeks to keep herself focused.

“Your underwear too,” Larissa said, a little too strictly which made you jump.

“I thought you weren’t looking!”

“And I’m not. But the bag is in the trunk, so I know you haven’t changed that. Pull on the middle seat and reach for the bag. I want you to wear the burgundy one.”

“Oh, wanting to match?” You teased a little, pulling on the middle seat once you had gotten rid of your bra and panties.

Larissa allowed herself one glance then, only one. She was greeted by the expanse of your naked back flexing as your arm reached inside the trunk for the shopping bag.

Her eyes snapped back to the road when you straightened up, but not before she could catch a glimpse of your side boob, her tongue instinctively darting out to wet her lips.

“You can look now,” you said once you had put the lingerie on. It wasn’t anything that Larissa hadn’t already seen.

Larissa waited a short moment before looking in the mirror, not wanting to appear too eager to watch you.

You put the dress on, muttering under your breath as you struggled with the zipper for a moment, making Larissa chuckle softly.

“We’ve arrived,” she said, parking the car in front of the restaurant just as you managed to zip the dress up.

Larissa stepped out of the car and opened the back door, offering you her hand to help you out of the car which you gladly took.

“You look beautiful,” she said, looking you up and down. “It suits you. I thought it might be a bit too long, but it’s perfect.”

“You look beautiful too,” You said, squeezing Larissa’s hand.

The older woman looked taken aback by the compliment, so much so that it made you wonder if it was a rare occurrence for her.

“You do!” You reassured her, grinning from ear to ear. “Thank you for the dress and the lingerie. I’ll wear it thinking of you.”

Larissa's body moved automatically, her hand cupping your cheek as she stepped forward, trapping you between the car and herself.

I’ll wear it thinking of you, your voice sounded in her head. Do you have any idea what you do to me, she wanted to ask. Do you have any idea what you do to me?

“Larissa,” you whispered, taking hold of the hand that was cupping your cheek and kissing its palm, successfully snapping your companion out of her thoughts. The heat emanating from her body mixed with her perfume was unbearable, you needed her to step away before you did something you would regret.

“I’m sorry, sweetling,” she said, taking a step back and pulling her hand away from you.

Your chest was heaving up and down, Larissa noticed. Had she scared you? She hoped she hadn’t. She needed to get a grip on herself and control those…urges.

She doesn’t want you, told the little voice at the back of her mind. Stick that in your brain, Larissa. She doesn’t want you like that.

And she tried, Larissa really tried to get that into her brain. But as you walked inside the restaurant together and you slipped your hand in hers, letting your fingers interlace, she couldn’t help but wonder - what if?

————————————————————————

Taglist: @raspburrythief @weemssapphic @readingtheentrails @larissaoftarthweems @principal-weems09 @kimiinou @winterfireblond @im-a-carnivorous-plant @geekyarmorel @h-doodles @azu-zu @barbarasstar @witchesmortuary @vigelvictoria @m1lflov3rrr @dumbasslesbi @crow-raven-crow @fridays-coven @lilfartbox1 @shawncantwrite @autumn-leaves-chasing-breeze @gwens0girl @aemilia19 @the-bagel24 @lvinhs @thefutureisus2020 @gela123 @a-queen-and-her-throne @rando-mango @wheresmyboo @my-silver-spring @hillary-nicks @ablsk @natasha29romanoff @tallvampirelady12 @canyoufeelmyheartsayinghi @moonyboyjay @i-love-nerdy-stuff @1-800-milfdilf @musicallovinggal @scarlettssub @jasperobsidian-blog @i-write-sometimes-maybe @brienne-the-brave @slytherinthepms @non-binary-frogking @wife-of-gwendolinechristie @anjo-iludidoefudido @imnotafruitt @opheliauniverse

[yooglefics]

The casual type: 01 . The blind date

Pairing: Min Yoongi x fem!reader  Wordcount: 2,888 words Genre ( for the whole series ): AU. College!verse. Strangers to friends with benefits to ?????. Eventual smut. Hurt / comfort at times. And fuff for cute friends. Summary: Hobi and his girlfriend set you up with a friend of hers to help with whatever happened months back. However no one really expected things to end the way they did.

Warnings ( for this chapter ): Setting things up for plot purposes. Gridding? Mentions of a boner. Making out.  Author's note: So, I wanted to write some friends with benefits thing, plus a bunch of art kids… and this came out ┐( • ֊ • )┌ . I should note here I took the creative liberty to play around with their ages so everyone is in college at the same time, and if you haven't, you can check the presentation post and learn a little bit more about them. Now let's start, hope you like it! If you do you can reblog, like, comment, send an ask, follow and what not. Thank you for reading <3

The place is quieter than the last time you were here, you realize, is earlier in the day and the semester just started after all, meaning students are still moving in from their home cities. And although you want to be mad at him, you can't really blame Hoseok's choice of place for a date, instead, you're already thinking of ways to be able to escape the awkwardness of it all.

Of course, he and Mai don't have to worry about that. Is not their first date and considering they're both dance students it actually makes sense for them to be in a club on a friday night. Is their element, unlike yours, who hasn't left their room for the last couple of weeks if it's not to go art-supply shopping and will spend even weekends far away from a place like this.

But you couldn't say no. Not to Hobi. Not after he held you tight that night and didn't pray for an explanation.

He had come up with his own conclusions, though, and that's how you ended here. On a double date with Mai and her friend who you don't even know, so... Yay! Blind date added to the mix of reasons why you already want the night to end.

"You made it!" Mai greats when the both of you get closer to the bar, standing up to hug you first and then her boyfriend. "We ordered something while waiting."

Your friend nods at the explanation, "What do you want?" He asks in your direction and you settle for a fruity cocktail to not look too out of place with everyone else drinking. Mai insists on going with Hobi and he insists you stay, so, a bit awkwardly, you take the stool besides your date.

"Yoongi, by the way." The guy simply introduces himself before taking a sip of his drink.

"Y/n" short, overthinking if bowing is too formal until you decide is too long of a pause and it would only make it more awkward. In the end, a soft smile is your decision.

"They look cute together," you say looking at your friends, trying to break the silence that has fallen between.

"Listen," Yoongi begins, and your head turns to him, "I'm only here because she asked, so if you're expecting something like that, let's just leave."

"Like that?" Brows slightly closer, "a cute relationship?"

"A relationship in general. I don't do those."

"Oh..."

And before you can say anything else, Hobi is placing a glass in front of you, smiling reassuringly. "You'd be okay if I go dance now?"

A pause and then a nod is the answer. Not having any intentions of spoiling their night.

"Don't worry. Yoongi," Mai turns to him, a serious expression on her soft features, "you better take care of her, alright?"

He salutes, earning a smile from the couple and they walk to the dance floor hand in hand. You watch them make some silly moves at first and giggle, but it doesn't take long before they start to follow the beat and match it with their movements.

"I don't want a relationship either," you clarify, tone assertive, still looking at the couple with a smile.

He laughs, "I'm sorry, but that's hard to believe."

"Why?"

"Look at me and tell me you didn't just imagine yourself with someone on that dance floor."

You turn to him, brown eyes inspecting yours, "Well, yes. But that doesn't mean I want it to happen with someone I'm in a relationship with."

Again, he laughs. Clearly not believing you.

"What? People do casual things all the time," you defend, straightening your back and looking away.

"You do 'casual things'?" His eyebrows raise, "all the time?"

"Shut up, you don't know me."

"That's a no," no need to look at him to know there's a smirk playing on his lips.

"Who are you? Some kind of hook up police or something?" You want to take it back as soon as it leaves your mouth, cringing.

"Are you gonna show me your license?" but he is faster.

"Okay, that was more lame than what I said," you laugh. Maybe he is not as grumpy as he seems. And maybe, just maybe, you would be able to enjoy the night after all. 

If he doesn't want a relationship either, then you don't have to deal with rejecting him or being forced to accept a second date just because you're too kind to say no. That's good.

"Yoongi, hey!" A guy calls out and for a split second your date's expression changes to a surprise one before a polite smile takes place on his face. "Oh, hi. Sorry for interrupting, haven't seen him in months."

"Is alright," you play along even when not understanding.

"I guess he has been busy with yo—"

"Jay," Yoongi's tone is serious, like the one he used to say he doesn't do relationships. However, before he can continue or you are able to clarify that you two just meet, Jay is calling someone over.

"Look who I found, love. Yoongi!"

A redhead girl repeats Yoongi's early expression and you wonder two things about Jay. One: if he always has that effect on people. And two: if he is even more clueless than you in this whole situation, since his smile never falls.

"Hi," the redhead says and Yoongi greets back just as plain.

Are you really imagining the awkwardness? Perhaps you were wrong and in the end you should put one of your plans to avoid it into place?

A few seconds of thinking go by, no one says anything and you could swear the tension is filling the air around your new  group.

"Oh, that's the song!" Fake excitement in your voice tricks everyone into looking at you. "I promise, remember? If it comes on, we'll dance."

Yoongi looks confused for a second, but it doesn't take him long to finally understand, "right, the song. Sorry guys, been waiting all night."

Jay dismisses him smiling with a pat on the back, saying something about not breaking promises and Yoongi takes your hand.

Looking around, you try to find your friends, hoping to copy Mai's moves and keep up with the plan even when you're a self proclaimed not dancer. But they aren't in sight and even if you can't really prove it since your back is facing them, you feel like Jay's and the girl's eyes are on you.

Ugh. Why did you use this plan?

Why was this something you even thought about?

When Yoongi stops and positions himself in front of you, you get closer, sliding an arm on top of his shoulders pretending you're positioning yourself to dance, copying the random couple beside you.

"I don't know what I'm doing," you confess in a whisper.

"What do you mean?” He looks for your eyes, hair strain coming out of place when his head lowers a little, "you want to go back and sit down?"

"No, then they would know I lied," you're still trying to figure out why in the first place and don't need the embarrassment too, "but I don't know how to dance."

He chuckles, "here, I'll help." And holds your hips softly, moving them to the beat of the song, matching your movements with his own. "Relax. Don't think too much about it."

"If I don't, how do I know how to move?" It doesn't make sense and is a bit frustrating, honestly.

"Is not a dance competition, or the grant ball, princess. Just do what feels right."

He catches you looking at your feet and brings you closer, eliminating the gap between your bodies completely. "Don't do that," one of his hands travels to the small of your back, keeping you in place.

"Sorry," you say against his neck. Not intentionally, but because of your height difference, there's no other option. In an effort to not be so dependent on him, both your arms move around his neck and you try to move your hips in a way that in the end doesn't match his movements completely, causing you to bum into his front. He makes a sound that you assume is a complaint at your skills and another apology rolls through your lips.

"Turn around," Yoongi commands, applying pressure to one side of your hip.

You comply, confused even when you feel his hands on your waist. "Well, I'm going to assume you been fucked before, miss casual all the time," with his chest against your back, you can feel his laugh. "Open your legs a little," one of his feets kicks gently between yours, fixing your stand. "You want to lead or should I?"

"...You." Is the safest, you decide. Your turn to assume he surpasses your experience at that too.

“Some describe dancing like a good fuck," he explains, hands softly making their way a bit lower to your hips, "because you have to learn your partner. Find a rhythm together." His movements start slow, moving your body with his from side to side, with small circles of the hips.

Your hands fall on top of his, not knowing what else to do with them. They're soft, which for some reason is unexpected.

"I have dancer friends and they never described it like that..."

"Not to you, probably," he laughs and when you stop the movements to throw an angry look his way — because you're pretty sure that's some kind of insult,— he chuckles, before continuing the swaying of your hips. "Calm down, princess. I meant, they probably just weren't teaching you this kind of dance."

And that makes sense. You can't imagine dancing with your friends like this. You can barely believe you're doing it with a stranger.

Your shyness must have shown, because his next question is why did you even choose this song.

"I was trying to help and get you away from whatever that was," you lift your head, eyes away from your feet and the color lights projecting on the floor, and sure enough, behind red bangs, the girl is looking in your direction.

Your hips halt.

Yoongi catches up a bit too late, bumping his pelvis into you.

"What ar—"

"She is looking." Cutting him off, you want to hide as if you were the one caught doing something she wasn't supposed to. So, you try to turn around on his arms but his hold is firm.

A new song starts, the rhythm not much different.

"Help me with another song?"

You try again, this time using your hands on top of his to soften the grip. He gives in. And after a look at his face, you nod.

You can decide if it's sadness or anger that you see, not knowing him well enough to tell — or at all, to be honest — but either way, there's a part of you that can relate. One for each emotion.

Throwing your hair back, letting all black strands fall over your back, your arms go back over his shoulders, this time your chest flush against him a little more than last.

Yoongi says thanks and you kiss his cheek as his hands hold you again. His movements are more determined and even his fingers form dents over the fabric of your dress.

Assuming his demeanor changed only for the specific viewer doesn't sound too crazy, and you want to confirm the theory by looking at his face, see if he is looking behind you at her. Your eyes travel against the direction the few sweat drops over his skin go, and when they reach Yoongi's, he is looking back at you.

Your body stops.

"Fuck" he whispers when the front of his pelvis bumps yours. "You really need to stop doing that."

"Sorry. Told you I can't dance."

He chuckles.

Your bottom lip forms a small pout. "Don't be mean. I'm trying to help you, remember?" And you initiate the movements again, starting to get the hang of it. Kind of.

"You're not much help right now if you keep making me dry hump into you," this time he is the one stopping, making it so you bump into his front and you can feel the outline of his growing erection.

"Yoo—"

"Exactly," he says so matter of fact, "you're the mean one."

Lowering your head, you try to not think too much about it. It doesn't make you want to run away or kick him, but you also don't want to make him feel like kicking you away. You keep repeating to yourself that is normal with this type of dance, that there's probably more than one hard on at the club right now and how you're probably not the only one who is getting we—

Damn it. Just stop thinking about it.

Yoongi stops your body from moving, and when you realize he has been calling your name, you're even more embarrassed by your thoughts.

"I'm sorry. That was too much, I shouldn't have. We can go sit now." His eyes are looking straight at you, letting you know he's being sincere.

"I need some air."

Without even bothering to wait for a confirmation that he is following or not, you make your way to the side door of the club. The autumn breeze hits your skin as soon as you step into the alley, instantly calming your hormones down.

Hands cover your face in shame after reclining on the wall. Can you stop acting like it was the first time you felt a penies? Because even if it hasn't happened in a while, it doesn't mean the score goes back to zero.

"Should I bring Hoseok?" Yoongi asks a few steps in front of you and you jump a little, shaking your head after.

"I'm good. You can go back in."

"I'm not leaving you alone here. Do you want him or Mai to kill me?"

A small chuckle leaves your throat and one from him follows it.

"And you think he wouldn't kill you for—" stop. You can't think about it.

"For dancing like that with you? Probably. But he also set this date up, so..." Out of the corner of your eye you can see him shrug, "can't complain unless you hate me now."

"I don't hate you."

"Is okay if you do."

"It… it just surprised me."

"In a bad or good way?"

"A good one." You answer directly in a strain of honesty.

"So you're not really the casual type, uh?" He teases after a couple seconds of silence.

"Maybe I just don't like doing casual in the middle of the club," you defend.

"I don't know, you were the one that kept humping into me."

Your mouth opens and closes, finally looking at him and his stupid lips pull up in a smirk. You want to erase it so bad.

"Shut up."

"Make me."

And you do.

Skipping forward, right hand flying to the back of his neck to pull him in and you're able to touch his lips with yours.

He is quick to react. Kissing you back, his hands on either side of your waist pulling your body into his. But you're trying to prove a point, to defend yourself. So, you pull away slightly, making sure your lips are just about to touch.

He pulls in.

Allowing just a peck, you move.

You kind of regret not using your cherry lip gloss, because you know for sure that knowing you're so close for him to smell it but not taste it, would be the biggest tease.

You let him lean in again, not moving this time and he sighs. You smile against his lips just before his tongue asks for permission to enter your mouth. Again, you regret your simple choice of a simple red lip tint, but remind yourself that this date wasn't supposed to go like this. That Yoongi doesn't seem like the guy he was supposed to be, not what he was advertised by your friends.

Fighting back control, your left arm joins the other around his neck, moving your lips expertly and feeling his chest rise and fall quickly against yours. Is pretty much the position you were in on the dance floor minus the grinding.

Casual in the middle of the club is not your thing. Casual in general is actually not something you have experience with. But kissing? You've mastered it thanks to your past relationships and the avoidance of jumping into someone's bed right from the start.

A moan vibrates through your lips against Yoongi's, and even if it's part of the routine, you must admit is pretty real. A soft groan is his answer and the cue for your heels to touch the floor again. His hold tightens in reaction, making your dress rise up and covering a couple inches less of your thighs. Suddenly you're aware of the wind again as a breeze runs up your legs, towards the center of your panties.

Your breath caughts on your throat and Yoongi swallows any sounds before pulling away.

"Fuck," he breaths heavily, "we've to stop."

"Why? Are you not really the casual type?" You tease, stealing his line.

The left corner of his mouth lifts, before falling again in a millisecond. "Not with you."

Should I’ve added “cliffhanger” to the warnings? haha i swear is gonna be okayyyy ♡ Tag list: @n33mesis , @mggv97 , @wobblewobble822 , @bbou-doir , @m00njinnie , @nariee02 , @sexytholland . hope you guys like this one <3

➪ The squad. | ➪ 02 | ➪ Updates for this verse ➪ Ko-fi | ➪ ♡ Tag list info ➪ Main masterlist. | ➪ Updates in general | ➪ Request & chats

[wolfjackle-creates]

Answer My Call Chapter 2 Part 1

What's this? Two posts for WIP Wednesday??? I said I was gonna spoil you guys. Now, I originally planned to do Carry Your Heart. Figured the top and bottom choices from the WIP Wednesday poll would be fun. But both stories are at a point where Danny is taking Jason to Frostbite and I just didn't feel like writing the same scenario twice, even if the details and POV are totally different.

So I went to the third place option.

If you want a say in what I work on this week, check out the poll!

Story Summary: Jazz, Sam, and Tucker manage to help Danny escape the GIW, but they can't follow him and are under too much surveillance to communicate with each other. Sam snuck Danny a phone as he ran and Jazz sends him a text every day, hoping to hear he is all right. But he's not the one getting the texts.

Jason was away for several months on a mission with the Outlaws. When he finally returns home, he is surprised to find dozens of messages from an unknown number begging a Danny to tell her he's okay. Looks like there's not going to be a break between missions this time around.

Chapter 1: AO3 (user locked), Tumblr

Word Count: 1.5k

-----

Jazz tapped her finger on her phone as she waited for the Dunkin employee to call out her order. Red Hood was supposed to arrive any minute. She’d left her dorm a full two hours ago and led Agents K and O on a merry chase through Boston before finally losing them at Quincy Market. Then she’d doubled back and was now near Northeastern. She had no reason to be here, so hopefully it’d take a little longer to track her down.

And that’s when she felt it—a ghost or liminal was nearby.

Pushing his way in the building was a tall man with a red beanie covering dark hair. He had on an unbuttoned flannel jacket over a Dumpty Humpty T-shirt and jeans with a backpack slung over one shoulder. He glanced around before his eyes settled on her and he grinned.

“Hey, Jazz, right?” He held out his hand. “I’m Todd.”

Jazz couldn’t say anything and just stared in horror. Red Hood couldn’t be liminal. Had she just led another liminal to the guys in white? Did he even realize he was considered an ecto-entity under the anti-ecto acts she’d introduced him and Red Robin to?

“Jazz? Are you okay?” he asked, dropping his hand.

“Order for Jazz!” called out the barista.

Jazz shook herself and grabbed her drink with a smile for the employee. Then she grabbed Todd’s elbow and dragged him over to the tables.

“Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting—” she cut herself off. She had no idea what he knew and what he didn’t. And the agents could come get them at any moment. Instead she pulled out her phone started turning off every security setting. “Never mind. Do you want anything?” she asked with a gesture at her own drink.

“I’m all right. But, are you? What happened?”

Jazz let out a laugh; if the way Todd’s eyes widened was any indication, it was a tad more hysterical that she would’ve liked. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing happened.” She looked down at his shirt. “My brother loves Dumpty Humpty, you a music fan?”

He seemed nonplussed at the topic change but shrugged. “Sure. Music is good, but I stole this shirt from one of my brothers. I don’t know if I could name a single song by them. How about you?”

Jazz grinned and forced herself to relax as she logged out of her school email on her phone. “I’m a huge fan of any sort of self-expression, including music. Actually, my plans for tonight involve music, so I hope you like the indie scene. Might be a bit intense for a first date, but I’ve always figured, why not jump right in? Show ‘em the crazy from the start and see if they can keep up.” She leaned forward over the table and winked at him. “Think you’ll be able to keep up?”

Todd played the game perfectly and looked her up and down like they really were about to start a first date. “With you, sweetheart, I’ll follow anywhere you lead.”

Jazz laughed and stood. “Come on, then. We’re going on an adventure.”

Todd grinned and joined her. “Lead the way.”

Once out of the building, Jazz led them away from the university. This being Boston, it wasn’t long before they came across a homeless man begging on the side of the street.

Wincing internally, she gripped Todd’s arm and said loudly, “Honestly, I don’t know why the cops don’t do a better job of keeping away the beggars.”

Todd looked at her in surprise. “What are you talking about? They have a right to exist and we should help them.”

“They’re probably fine. Everyone knows they only use the money they’re given on drugs and alcohol.” She pretended to glance at her phone before reaching back to shove it in her back pocket. Only to miss so it fell to the ground. “Ew, he’s looking at us. Come on, let’s cross the street.”

She could feel the way Todd tensed at her words, but he let himself be led across the street.

As soon as they were out of hearing shot, he turned to her and hissed, “What the hell was that?”

Jazz glanced back and saw the man picking up her phone. She looked away before he could catch her looking. “Come on, I’ll explain.” She grabbed Todd’s hand and led him down an alley to a much busier street. “I had to ditch my phone. I logged out of everything and left it unlocked so he can use it or resell it. I needed to make sure he wouldn’t try to return it to me and, well, what better way than being the worst person you can imagine?”

And now he was staring, open mouthed.

“They’ve had remote access to my phone for months and I couldn’t let them track us!” she insisted. Habit had her looking around for any sign of a white suit.

“Who can’t find us?”

Jazz shook her head. “The guys in white. Look, this is too public. I can’t say much else here. But meeting you, everything had to change. You’re in danger just by being near me and I refuse to be the reason you get hurt.”

“Why am I in danger?”

“Later!” Jazz hissed before wincing and looking around. She forced a smile back on her face and asked, in as normal a tone as she could manage, “What time is it? Do you know?”

He looked down at his phone. “Uh, looks like it’s almost five.”

“Oh great! Plenty of time for us to get something to eat before I bring you to our surprise destination.”

And from there, Jazz led Todd on a convoluted tour of Boston. They grabbed food at the Pru, then she took him to the green line. Where they traveled four stops before she jumped up in feigned surprise that they were on the wrong branch. So then they got off and hopped on the train going in the opposite direction.

Which was where she wanted to be going all along.

For once, she was happy the orange line was still under construction, because the shuffle of passengers from trains to buses and back just made their journey that much more complicated and harder to follow.

By the time they finally got to their stop, the sun had mostly set. The station was mostly empty and Jazz looked around for any sign of white suits or vans, but even when she didn't see any, she couldn't relax.

“Where are we going?” Todd asked for probably the dozenth time.

Jazz rolled her eyes. “We’ll be there in five minutes and then you’ll find out.”

She led him to the street, the crosswalk had lights over it, but the rest of the road was shrouded in darkness. They ran across without waiting for the walk symbol.

Once they crossed what was basically a divided highway, Jazz led them along the poorly lit and cracked sidewalk. Ahead of them they were approaching a river.

“It’s before the river,” muttered Jazz to herself. “Is this it?” She hesitated at the top of a sloping, unpaved drive that led to an industrial building that sat on the waterfront. “I think so. Apparently this building used to be a coffin factory. Cool, huh?”

“I don’t care for coffins,” was Todd’s terse reply.

Jazz flinched slightly. She knew he was death-adjacent. Should’ve known better than to mention coffins. “Right, sorry. Well, they aren’t made here anymore.” She made her way down the steep drive, Todd a step behind her.

“What is it now?”

“Apartments, I believe.”

Once at the bottom, she looked around and saw the old loading dock. Entering, she looked for the door on the left.

Only to hesitate once more. Two doors were on the left. She hadn’t heard anything about there being two doors. Taking a chance, she opened the first one.

Inside was a table where two women sat in front of a metal box. On the wall were a set of pegs already mostly filled with coats. And inside milled probably thirty or forty people.

The women smiled at Jazz. “Hi, have you two been here before?”

Jazz shook her head and pulled two twenties out of her wallet. “No. But I had a classmate come here and tell me about it. When I realized you had something going on tonight when I had a date? Figured it was a great place to come with my partner!”

She laughed. “We’re definitely unique here at the Night Cap.” She stamped their hands. “Show starts in half an hour, but feel free to mingle until then. Bathroom’s through the kitchen.”

“Thanks! We’re looking forward to tonight.”

Todd nodded his own thanks and followed Jazz into the room.

“What are we doing here?” he whispered in her ear.

“Hiding,” she whispered back. “I’ve never been here before. Never even taken this stop on the T before. When we leave here, we’ll get a motel room or something and I’ll tell you everything.”

“Is this necessary?”

“Without a doubt.”

Jazz could tell Todd didn’t fully believe her, but he dropped it. Jazz found a few people who were discussing that evening’s performers and the two of them joined the conversation.

-----

Part 2

I no longer do tag lists, but please check out the Subscription Post if you want notifications when I update.

So, I had a lot of fun with this section. The place Jazz takes Jason to? Real place. Though Night Cap isn't what the residents call it. Honestly, the real name is also impossible to google. If you don't know it exists, you would never find it (why Jazz runs from the GIW there). Out of respect for the residents of the apartment, though, I changed the name. I went to a show there and it was super weird trying to find it. Like, the directions in my email seriously said "enter the loading dock of the former coffin factory, find the door on the left, and slip the person standing there $10-20 cash. Don't touch anyone's personal belongings, please."

As we waited for the bathroom during set break, two of the residents were cooking dinner at the stove and we were chatting about how Regan was the worst.

10/10 would go again.

Anyone who has spent any time in Boston knows what I mean about the T being under construction. Annoying as hell, but it worked out for Jazz this time.

(The T is the name of the Boston train/subway system.)

The Pru refers to the Prudential building. The bottom level(s) are full of restaurants and shops (basically a high end shopping mall) and upper levels are offices. The top level is an observation deck that's open to the public, though I've never been.

[hestzhyen]

Chapter 66 Trepidation Posting

Well, dear void... I begged for Seitei War lore and a finger curled on the monkey's paw. Where to even begin?

Rough TL of the editor's notes:

First Page: 封じられた記憶… [fuji rareta kioku...] "Sealed memories..." Last Page: 妖刀も妖術もなくただその剣技で- [yoto mo yojutsu mo naku tada sono kengi de-] "No enchanted blades, no sorcery, just swordsmanship-"

Iori Lore and Dad Stuff

What a cute creature.

Her fake last name is Yoshiura (吉浦): 吉 (yoshi) for good luck/joy and 浦 (ura) for bay/creek/inlet. Nothing particularly interesting or exciting about it but it has a nice sentiment.

I'm in a better headspace now so I can do some thinking that needed to be done last week. Let's take some notes about the current arc and it's continued focus on one of Kagurabachi's key themes: Daddy Issues™.

Chihiro: lost his dad through tragedy, memories haunt and drive him. Was loved dearly and loved his father back in return. Acting on his grief in violent ways.

Hakuri: lost his dad through abuse, let go of his memories and found closure on that front. Was loved dearly then discarded but never stopped loving his dad.

Iori: lost her dad through his own guilt, trying to recover her memories of him. Was loved dearly and seemed to love him back in return. The memories she had with him were so upsetting that she passed out when she got them back.

Hiruhiko: mostly unknown right now, but clearly special to John and spoiled a bit by him. Surprisingly wholesome relationship despite how unhinged he is. If he was truly adopted like many fans think then John was probably a doting dad from the start.

So the "similar" traits based on what we know are...

Lost Their Dad: Chihiro, Hakuri, Iori

Dad Murdered/Killed: Chihiro, Hakuri

Dad Deliberately Abandoned Them: Hakuri, Iori

Were Always Loved by Their Dad: Chihiro, Hiruhiko, Iori

Dad was Burdened by Guilt: Chihiro, Iori

And the "unique" traits are...

Abused by Their Dad: Hakuri

Clings to Memory of Dead Dad: Chihiro

Dad Forgot About Them: Iori

Spoiled Brat Thanks to Dad: Hiruhiko

Chihiro and Iori are the ones being directly compared right now. They both lost their fathers, but Samura's a real piece of work compared to what we know about Kunishige. He chose to forget her in order to protect her whereas Kunishge went into hiding to stay with Chihiro. One child forgotten on purpose, one clinging to memories because that's all he has left.

Yeah, Samura's not winning any "Best Dad" awards any time soon- but it's hard to blame him when we see what the family was enduring because of his reputation after the war. Any half-decent parent wants their kid to grow up without having to see that kind of stuff. Samura just let guilt have too much influence over his choice on how to manage it, in my opinion. Kids should have a bit of say in how they're raised too. Not a lot but at least enough be able to feel seen and heard.

As for the other two, Hakuri and Hiruhiko are in pretty good shape. Hakuri's still smarting over the loss of his dad most likely, but he got the catharsis he was craving when Kyora finally acknowledged him right before he died. That particular wound can start to close up and heal as Hakuri moves on through the story, unlike Chihiro and Iori's at present. And Hiruhiko seems to be in the best spot out of the four as John's special little guy who can do whatever he wants. Spoiling kids isn't being a good parent but Hiruhiko's in a pretty good state all things considered- probably the best out of the four. We have plenty more to dig in with him so this'll get revisited once development happens or new information drops.

But yeah. Chihiro being rightfully angry at Samura for deciding to sever the parent/child bond so lopsidedly tracks with his unresolved trauma. Of course he thinks he wouldn't want to change a thing about living with his father. He's still deep in mourning and floundering in the morass of grief he uses to push himself forward. I wonder if we'll get commentary on this at some point... it's such a core aspect to his personality and the story that it might be saved for the end.

Iori's choice is left for another chapter but I have a feeling she'll agree with Chihiro and keep the memories despite the pain and danger they bring. Samura's guilt needs to be addressed and the daughter he chose to forget should have the biggest part in confronting him about it! The story can become an escort mission of sorts to keep Iori safe until that happens, which leads to easy action so hooray for us.

Perception and Being Perceptive

Yeah, he is. But that's not all.

And here we go, we're back to how people look at Chihiro and judge him without knowing the truth. Samura, Kunishige, and the other Bearers are "heroes" who seem to have some rather serious crimes buried in their pasts. Chihiro is a "murderer" stricken with grief killing those who try to destabilise society. Simple, no-frills parallels between guys drowning in guilt that anyone can pick up on.

What else is going on here? Well, those who were saying the hotel was inspired by John Wick are almost certainly correct with sorcery and fights being forbidden within it's walls. The Manager and his staff/followers enforce this with his own sword technique: Reigen One Sword School/Style (no relation to Reigen Arataka of Mob Psycho 100 fame). 礼 (rei): salute, thanks, gratitude, etiquette 玄 (gen): mysterious, occultness, profound

How... polite?

No, that's not Kumeyuri, and anyone who asks gets a bonk on the head for not paying attention.

Small note that wasn't kept in EN: Hiruhiko refers to Toto as "Toto-san", which is cute. He respects her and/or she's older than him.

Of course Toto summons Hiruhiko in so he can begin his own training arc by facing off against the hotel's staff. The bloody pin being used to tie his hair back will definitely not inspire a ton of fan art, trust me. It will be a Hiruhiko-free week everywhere (RIP my feeds). But Hiruhiko's really racking up the service industry experience between being bonded to Kumeyuri with it's geisha spirits and learning how to fight from hotel employees using a polite sword fighting technique.

Other than that, it's not clear if Kuguri's in this hotel or not but chances are extremely good that we'll get more hot-blooded action next chapter as Hiruhiko and Chihiro both learn by doing. Maybe they'll meet again, maybe not. The only guaranteed thing is that Sumi and Moku are wasting their time by prepping the seal on the roof because Iori's not going to want it even if it's finished before another dramatic escape is made.

Desperate cope theory while I'm here: maybe we can see Hakuri again soon since he and Hiruhiko have that "what is friendship, anyway" thing going on with Chihiro. That cut from Hiruhiko yapping about battling to the death as "equals" to Hakuri on the page turn in chapter 54 is still eating at my brain, yes. And Chihiro just reminded us that he feels inferior to Hakuri (he's gonna become his samurai it's canon no one can take this from me). Depends on how the next chapter plays out but I'm hoping. Dying. I'm dying without Hakuri. Please I miss him so bad just one new panel is all I'm begging for.

"Truth"?

OK. Time to let the brain worms squiggle freely over about two pages' worth of Seitei War information.

So, first... a translation note (sigh). The subject of how the war ended will probably come up now that the beginning of it was given to us (or at least, a particular version of it).

Chapter 9, if you forgot. Thank you Hella for catching this when I was all set to yap about the implications of an armistice vs. other ways to end a war.

How the war ended is still a mystery but it might not have actually been an armistice as implied by the English translation of the signboard. The word used in Japanese to describe it is 終戦 (shuusen), simply "end of war/cessation of hostilities" in a formal and pretty final way. The method could have been anything: surrender, peace treaty, and so on. An actual armistice would use 停戦 (teisen - temporary ceasefire for negotiations), 休戦 (kyuusen - a short-term truce/suspension of fighting), or 偃武 (enbu - mutually laying down arms but without the finality of shuusen) to describe both sides agreeing to pause the fight. So there might not have been mutual feelings that the war needed to stop for both sides' benefit like an armistice would imply, leaving a lot of room for the losing side to build up resentment.

Of course we all know that peace treaties coming from armistices can do the same thing if they are crafted poorly- The Treaty of Versailles used to end WWI is probably the most well-known example in the West. But the ambiguity exists in Japanese and should have stayed in English in my opinion. Folks who remember this signboard from early in the manga might be confused if it turns out the end of the war wasn't so peaceful or mutual after all.

With that out of the way, I want to talk about how fucking suspicious the story of how the war started is.

Keep in mind that Chihiro, Iori, and the Masumi don't know the truth of what actually happened- they're only recounting what they were taught or read about.

"But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked" this is not.

小国 (shokoku): small country. NOT the actual name of the place, just describing it for what it was. "Twenty-two years ago... a 'small island nation' appeared in the south-east seas..." would be more accurate. (Thanks as always, Hella.)

So, right out of the gate, a whole damn country appearing out of nowhere full of people using magic rocks to attack the mainland sounds like something straight out of a child's fairy tale. You're telling me that Japanese Atlantis rose out of the ocean and became hostile right away, completely unprovoked? That's the kind of framing used to justify showing a foe no mercy. It's an essential part of successful propaganda- dehumanise the enemy, make them seem unknowable, monstrous, and imminently threatening.

The datenseki bit is especially interesting. How did these undersea people have natural compatibility with a stone named as if it came from a meteor?

雫 (da) - drop, trickle 天 (ten) - sky, heavens 石 (seki) - stone

And in such quantities that they could wage a war with it, despite it being rather scarce? (Only 250kgs exist per Sojo in chapter 11; same weight as nearly 12 average-sized countertop dishwashers in Freedom Units.) I suppose a giant meteor could have dropped in the ocean on their territory, or they could have mined it from the seabed, but I don't believe this conveniently simplistic version of events for a second. Not after so much emphasis was put on how shady the Kamunabi is and that they are hiding a lot of shit from the general public.

I doubt an island rose out of the sea as the story claims at all, honestly. While Japan does sit on the Pacific Ring of Fire and sees little islands pop up then vanish back beneath the waves all the time, one big and stable enough to have a whole nation's worth of people on it would not have gone undetected for so long. It beggars belief that the mainland didn't know they had a whole bunch of people living off the coast underwater unless they were using sorcery to hide from sonar and exploratory/research missions.

My bets are on this "invading" nation to have been a populated island that existed for a while and for some reason -probably related to the datenseki- war broke out between them and the mainland. Classic grab for resources, discontent with the mainland rulers vs. the island's own government, everything's still on the table. Maybe they were a long-lost fragment of society that tried to reintegrate, who knows?! But does anyone really think a war that started with such one-sided aggression out of the blue would have the population reacting to the people that saved them like this?

Not exactly a "hero's welcome".

"Disappear", "Atone for your sins", and "mass murderer" painted on the side of someone's house with garbage dumped in front is not reflecting the sentiments of people who are happy that the threat to everything they know and love was dealt with. That's outrage! Probably something to do with how the enemy was "wiped out" (JP:掃討 [soutou], cleaned up/swept clean/mopped up, specifically of enemies.) Sounds like the so-called invaders from Japanese Atlantis were thoroughly eliminated...

Iori is very young here, probably elementary school age. So this is a few years after the war in an unknown location- there's a chance this was on the enemy's island, but why would he live among the remaining enemies? He doesn't need more guilt than he already has, seriously. Also, since he was reputable as the fastest swordsman alive when the blades were being handed out, he most certainly wasn't a defector from the enemy's side. Thus I believe this scene takes place on the mainland.

It seems to me like it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows after the war so the Kamunabi came up with a publicity campaign and squashed the truth somehow. But that doesn't erase the memories of the people involved, either as participants or witnesses. I'm extremely curious as to how other members of the war generation remember things. The blades themselves were only used in empty fields (according to Azami, ch. 9) so the Kamunabi could spin that any way they wanted and likely did. But if that was the case, then who saw what and told others to kick off the harassment campaign? Are there mainlanders who dissent to the Kamunabi's rule because of that information not being completely suppressed and thus help out the Hisaku- like Kyora and the Sazanamis were implied to be doing? Remember, Kyora wasn't quite manipulated as thoroughly as Chihiro recounted to Uruha in chapter 48. He definitely had some personal and/or political sympathies with our favourite group of silly bad guys:

Chapter 22. "Dissidents" aren't business rivals or competitors- they're specifically political opponents against the current regime. The term used in Japanese (異分子 [ibunshi], outsiders/alien elements) has slightly different connotations but can mean the same thing.

This is what I meant by the monkey's paw curling at the start of this post. We got crumbs that only really raise more questions instead of answering anything. For now I am still clinging on to the theory of the Seitei War being a civil war... mostly because I don't know if the author intends to tell a story with blunt commentary on the misdeeds of Imperialist governments.

Possible Real-World Influences

Hakuri has nothing to do with this, I just miss him.

So, I know a lot of people have Attack on Titan's swerve into "What the Hell, Author?!" territory still fresh in their minds and I do too. What Hokazono-sensei's setting up here has some eerie similarities with a corrupt government hiding a lot of shit and the mysterious enemies being more sympathetic than they should be... I just hope we don't take the same route of "both sides were bad, so the military needs to protect us all and destroy the worse evil" that seems to happen a lot in these WWII allegory stories.

Not to get political about an action manga, but the discussions in Japan over how to teach younger generations about what went down in the WWI and WWII eras are pretty tense right now. A great deal of emphasis is put on the suffering of the people that happened after Japan was nuked twice -which was a tragedy- but the real story is lost in the debates about what and how much to teach. There's a lot of folks who want to minimize and omit lessons about the war crimes the nation committed in China, Korea, the Philippines, and the rest of the Pacific. There are even a handful who vociferously defend them as "necessary" things that happened during wartime.

I see a lot of this reflected in Kagurabachi's arc right now. We've been told several times that the Kamunabi's version of events can't be trusted and that there's something awful that was covered up. The Hishaku want some secret to come to light and it will almost certainly have hugely negative impacts on the Kamunabi, the Bearers, and likely Kunishige too. Chihiro needs to know what happened as a core part of his character arc, and it will probably come with the realisation that the conflict he's embroiled in is much more complex than a simple revenge mission can solve. Whatever the truth of the situation is will shatter his worldview.

Where Attack on Titan failed in executing this sort of plotline was making the Titans a genuine threat that needed to be put down after revealing what they really were. You don't set up obvious real-world parallels to groups that have suffered greatly in the past just to say they were a real threat all along. You don't downplay a government's corruption and cruelty with "well the other guys weren't great either". But this isn't an AoT blog so I'll stop there.

I don't see a reason to be nervous about Kagurabachi making the same mistakes right now after the sensitive writing around difficult topics from previous arcs. I'm paying close attention to where the Seitei War information crumbs lead us, though. I'm interested in most things the author has to say if it's well-told but I'm not going to stick around for justification of jingoist ideology. I also hope that the author will be able to tell the story he wants even if it happens to go against the government's prevailing sensibilities.

We don't know yet where this will go so I'll just wait and watch with a bit of trepidation. I trust Hokazono-sensei to not repeat mistakes other authors have made, but he could well make new ones as an author writing his first-ever serialisation. I just want whatever comes of this plotline to have something interesting to say like the others before it...

We'll leave it here for today, dear void. Thanks for reading all this if you got through it and let's sit tight for some awesome hotel fight action next week! Say something nice about yourself once a day in the meantime. Every other or even just one day is fine if that's all you can manage too- we all start somewhere.

[dollgxtz]

Okay I couldn’t stop thinking about this so I gotta ask, why DID Sylus take so long to rescue her? Was it like a sort of mental game of letting her suffer a bit outside so she realized how she had it better back at home with him, and then Sylus only stepped in right before things got too far? Or was he genuinely spending all that time traveling to her location after Mephisto tracked her and just so happened to be there right before she almost got attacked?

I don’t why I assumed it was the first option since he did mention last chapter that “he heard her call for him” , which made me think he was waiting for the pinnacle moment to step in and save her. But then I realized how genuinely fcked that would be since that would imply he was watching the attacker repeatedly fail to do what he wanted with mc.

You don’t gotta answer if there’s no actual canon context behind when Sylus appeared, I was just wondering!

THE STORY IS AMAZING SO FAR THOUGH I LOVE HOW YOU FRAME EVERYTHING 🥹❤️

This story’s always the highlight of my week <3

Hi Anon!

I feel so bad that people think my version of yan!Sylus was just letting her attacker do whatever he wanted until the right moment. I realize I wasn’t very clear on the timing, since it was from the reader’s perspective, but here’s how it would have played out from his point of view:

I imagine Mephisto would report back to him the audio of reader screaming and struggling with Reese and that man. But because Yan!Sylus was out of the N109 Zone dealing with urgent business related to a threat to Onychinus, it took him several days to return and save her. So the few-day sequence with her in the basement aligns with this. Mephisto would’ve been guarding the house from afar, listening within its walls and reporting back to Sylus.

He did let her run off, with Mephisto following her to see how long she could survive in the N109 Zone before she came crawling back. Someone else had already guessed correctly that part of this was to show her how good she had it with him, but I haven’t delved into that plotline yet. 😅

Lastly, to clarify (even though it’s a bit of a spoiler), he arrived at the house, heard the struggle, and noticed a hatch in the floor. Saw Reese freak out and try to run off and sent the twins after him. He rushed to the hatch and just as he was about to open it, he heard reader call his name.

This is partially my fault as the author for not being more detailed initially so can see how it looks that way. I just haven’t explored his perspective yet in the story, it’s all coming 🥲🙏

Despite having to spoil a teeny bit I think it’s important to clarify this one detail as people keep asking me about it and I feel so bad people think Yan!Sylus would let reader be almost raped :(

[merrybloomwrites]

Little Things (Extra: We Need a Little Christmas)

Summary: Your two doms, Harry and Louis, go all out for your first Christmas together. It's made even more perfect when you're able to enjoy it through different ages.

Word Count: 2.7K

CW: mentions of past abuse, dom/sub au dynamics, littlespace, non sexual age-regression

AN: If the summary doesn't make sense, the basis of this story is that reader's mental age changes throughout the day and they get to experience their first Christmas not only as an adult, but as a teen, a child, and a little one.

Previous Chapters: Chapter 1 ; Chapter 2 ; Chapter 3

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Do you think we went overboard?”

Louis looks at his husband, then at the stack of presents Harry has finished putting under the tree and says, “Oh we for sure went overboard.”

“We're not spoiling her, are we?” Harry asks worriedly. 

“I mean, we’re definitely spoiling her,” Louis replies. “But that’s our job. It’s her first Christmas with us, probably the first one she’s ever really celebrated. Plus we don’t know what headspace she’s going to be in, so she needs gifts for each age range she might be.”

“I got different wrapping paper so we can tell which gifts are for which age,” Harry explains. “Bluey if she’s really young, Barbie if she’s a bit older, the plaid if she’s not in headspace. And of course,” here he pauses to grimace, “Jonas Brothers if she’s a teenager.”

Louis laughs and asks, “You think that’s a phase, or are we in for a lifetime of Year 3000?”

“I mean, if our fans are anything to go by then I don’t think it’s something she’ll grow out of,” Harry answers. 

“That’s what I was afraid of.”

Harry wraps his arms around Louis’ neck and says, “I’m sorry we didn’t do more for your birthday today.”

“Don’t you dare apologize. Spending the day with you and Y/N is all I wanted. It was a perfect birthday. Granted I can think of one thing to make sure it ends just as perfectly,” Louis says cheekily before dragging his husband up to their bedroom.

***

You wake up Christmas morning filled with excitement and trepidation. 

Holidays have always been bad for you. They’re an excuse to get drunk, leading to your father, and later your older siblings to be even more cruel than usual. 

While your classmates would come back from break talking about the trips they took, or the new presents they got, you’d be busy hiding the new bruises you’d received during two weeks home without having school as an escape. 

But now is different. That’s what you keep telling yourself. And holidays are different too. 

Harry and Louis have been doing everything they can the past few weeks to get you excited for Christmas. You’ve baked and decorated cookies, played Christmas carols almost nonstop, they’ve talked to little you about Santa. But your favorite has probably been snuggling on the couch watching holiday movies. 

You never thought you’d enjoy physical contact, but your two doms have completely changed your mind on that. They’re so gentle with you, and every touch from them is filled with kindness. So now you love every cuddle you get from them. 

When they tucked you in last night Harry had instructed you to come downstairs still in your pajamas. Normally they set out an outfit for you to change into before breakfast, but they wanted to switch it up for the holiday. 

You get up to use the bathroom and brush your teeth before heading downstairs. 

In the living room you’re greeted by a sight that takes your breath away. The tree that you had helped Louis and Harry decorate now has piles of gifts under it. Both of your doms are already there, beaming smiles on their faces. 

“Merry Christmas, love,” Louis says. 

“Merry Christmas!” Harry quickly echoes. “We got you some presents!”

You’re speechless for a moment before you say, “That’s more than some presents,” causing the other two to laugh. 

“We may have gone a bit overboard,” Louis says. “But you deserve it.”

You look at all the gifts and can’t help but feel like you haven’t done anything to earn them all. As though reading your mind, Harry adds, “We know you’re not used to this, but this is how you should be treated.”

When you still say nothing, Louis says, “Let’s go eat breakfast first and we can come back to this. Harry’s made some quiche that should be ready.”

Doing as you're told, the three of you head to the kitchen for some food. Now with a full belly, the sight in the living room doesn’t seem as overwhelming. In fact, as you see how happy Louis and Harry look, it instead fills you with love. 

You all settle around the tree, and one by one you’re handed the plaid wrapped gifts to open. Everything is perfect, each present filling you with joy and showing you how well your doms know what you’d like. 

Once you’re done opening them, Harry says, “My mum and sister will be here in about an hour. Not sure when Mitch and Sarah will get here, they said it would depend on the kids' naps. Apparently Rory was up late waiting for Santa so Mitch wasn’t sure how the morning would go.”

You think about little Rory, four years old and at that perfect age where he understands the joy of Christmas before the magic gets lost. When you had seen him the week prior he told you all about meeting Santa and how excited he was to get the toys he’d asked for. 

That was an experience you’d never gotten to have. Really you’d never gotten to have a childhood, but days like today really remind you of all that you’d missed out on. 

But as you watch Louis and Harry exchange gifts with each other, you realize you can have that experience. In your time with the two of them you’ve started to become more comfortable slipping into your littlespace. At first you couldn’t control it, slipping at random moments. But now you're able to go into headspace when you choose. 

And today you want to go into headspace. 

Noticing how quiet you’ve gotten, Louis asks, “Y/N, you alright?”

“Yea, I’m good. But, would it be alright if I slipped today? I know people are coming, and there are things to do, but I just feel like- I dunno, I want to experience Christmas as a kid? Or not, maybe I’m being silly-”

Harry cuts off your self doubt and says, “That’s not silly. We’ve got dinner taken care of so that’s not a problem. And I know you haven’t really spent much time in littlespace around other people, but I promise everyone coming today will love you and be nothing but supportive, so don’t even worry about that. Okay?”

Louis nods but adds, “Why don’t you go get changed first?”

“Ok. What am I wearing today?” You ask. 

“I’ll come up with you,” Harry says. 

The two of you head to your room and he goes into your closet, walking out with a red long sleeve dress and a pair of thick white tights. It’s an outfit you’d wear at any age, which is perfect since you’re not sure exactly what headspace you’ll end up in. 

“I’m going to get dressed as well, I’ll meet you back in the living room,” Harry says before walking out. 

You quickly get changed and head back downstairs, seeing Louis has put on other clothes as well. 

Closing your eyes, you take deep breaths. You’d learned how to meditate in order to enter headspace, and when you open your eyes again, you quickly look at the gifts with the Jonas Brothers wrapping paper. 

“Go for it, love,” Louis says, quickly understanding that you're now in your teenager headspace. 

Harry enters the room, and you open up your gifts, consisting mostly of beauty products and a few outfits that you’d seen trending online. 

As you finish unwrapping the last gift the doorbell rings. Harry gets up to answer it. 

You’re not sure why, but the arrival of Harry’s mum and sister has you suddenly slipping into a much younger headspace, now 5 instead of 15. 

“Gramma! Auntie Gemma! Santa came!” You shout, startling all the adults with how young you are. 

“He did?” Anne says excitedly. “What did he bring you?” 

“Dunno! They’re all still wrapped,” you answer. 

“Well then I guess it’s time to open them up, huh?” She says as she sits on the floor with you. 

Harry observes as his mum interacts with you, so happy that he could provide her with a grandchild in this way. 

Everyone watches as you excitedly open your gifts, revealing toys, Barbie dolls, and an abundance of arts and craft materials. 

“Grandma and I have one more present for you,” Gemma says after everything is unwrapped. 

Your eyes light up at the large gift she and Harry place in front of you. 

“Can I?” You say, asking permission before tearing into it. Even in younger headspace, your submissive tendencies are still there. 

The second they nod yes you unwrap the most beautiful dollhouse you’ve ever seen. Your loud gasp and bright smile tell everyone that it’s a hit, and you quickly start arranging the tiny furniture to make it just right. 

“Y/N, what do you say to your Aunt and Grandma?” Louis prompts. 

“Thank you!” You say, turning to give each of them a big hug. 

“Auntie Gemma, will you play with me?”

“Of course!” She replies.

“Gems, are you good to watch her while we finish getting dinner ready? I didn’t realize it’s almost 2 and the others should be here soon,” Harry explains. 

“Oh yea, we’re good here,” she replies as she turns her attention back to you and listens to the life stories you’re making for each doll in the house. 

Not long later, the doorbell rings again and Louis is the one to answer, letting in Mitch, Sarah, Rory, and baby Theo. You’re torn between wanting to keep playing with the dollhouse and going to say hi to some of your favorite people. 

“Y/N, come say hello,” Louis instructs, and though you’re having fun playing, you can’t ignore a clear direction. 

After quickly greeting the new guests you return to your pile of gifts. You’re in your own world, not hearing Louis explain to Mitch and Sarah what mental age you are. Deciding that you want to color, you pull out a new coloring book and package of markers. 

You lay on the floor to begin coloring and a moment later Rory joins you. Feeling possessive over your gifts, you pull the markers closer to you. 

“Y/N, please share with Rory,” Louis says. 

“But they’re mine!” You exclaim. 

Giving you a stern look, he says, “I’m sure you can find a page for him to color.” You understand this is not up for discussion and grab the other book you’d gotten so Rory can color as well. 

A little while later Harry comes in and says, “Food’s ready. Y/N, go wash up and come to the dining room.”

You’re unsteady when you get up, but you figure you just stood too quickly. But then you find it hard to wash your hands, your coordination not what it should be. Your mind is getting fuzzier, but you’re still somewhat aware of what’s going on. Noticing you’ve sprayed water everywhere you grab the hand towel and try to clean your mess. 

You must be taking longer than expected because Louis comes to find you, asking if you’re alright. You tell him you’re fine and follow him to the dining room, where you sit between Harry and Gemma. 

Mitch is across from you feeding Theo a bottle, and you become dazed while watching them. Harry piles some food on your plate, bringing you back to the present. 

You’re quiet throughout the meal, only picking at your food, but Harry and Louis don’t think much of it. You had told them that when you were younger, your parents would often punish you by denying you food. This isn’t the first time you’ve had trouble eating when in the headspace of a child, and they figure you’ll eat later when you’re out of little space. 

But then you move to tuck yourself against Harry, and he picks up that something is wrong. 

“What is it, sweetheart?” He asks. 

You look up at him, your eyes wide, your expression concerned, like you don’t know what is going on around you. Harry picks up on what is happening, finally realizing that you’ve slipped even more. 

“Babygirl, can you look at daddy?” He says, but you’re too far down to understand what he’s saying. 

You stare at the bottle that Mitch had placed on the table. Louis follows your eyes to see what you're focused on, and says, “I’ll make her a bottle, see if she wants that.”

All the adults are watching you, not having seen you so young before, but you don’t mind. You can tell the attention is on you, and it makes you feel wanted and loved. 

Gemma rubs a hand on your back and you look at her, laughing as she makes funny faces to distract you from how hungry you are waiting for the bottle. While it finishes warming, Harry takes you upstairs to change you into a nappy, just in case.

When the two of you get back downstairs, Louis says, “Harry, can you carry her over to the living room and I’ll feed her.”

“Actually, could I?” Gemma asks. 

“Of course you can,” Louis answers. 

He hands her the bottle and she makes her way to the big comfy chair while Louis picks you up. He places you in her lap and sets a pillow under her arm to make sure she’ll be comfortable. 

You relax as she feeds you, the sound of familiar voices soothing you. By the time you’re done your eyes are heavy, and you’re very nearly asleep. The others have all joined you and Gemma and Harry notices how sleepy you are. 

“You ready for a nap, little one?” Gemma says. 

You simply blink your eyes closed again in response. 

“How about I get you up to bed?” Harry asks.

Just as he’s lifting you, his mum says, “Any chance I can hold her while she sleeps? I’d love some cuddles if that’s alright.”

“Yea, we can definitely try that. Gem, can you switch with mum?”

“Of course.” she says. Anne gets settled on the chair and Harry gently places you in her lap. After snuggling in closer, you quickly fall asleep. 

Nearly an hour later you wake up, but you’re so comfortable in your grandmother's arms that you make no move to leave her hold. Within the next twenty minutes you gradually come up from your littlespace, and once you’re back to your adult mindset you climb off, saying, “Sorry if I was crushing you.”

“Oh nonsense, you were not. It was lovely getting to hold you,” she replies as she stands up. You smile, and in a move that surprises even yourself, you lean in for a hug. She wraps her arms around you, hugging you back, and says, “I am so glad you’ve joined our family.” 

“Me too,” you murmur. 

“You hungry, love?” Louis asks.

“I could eat a little bit, yea,” you reply.

He leads you back to the dining room and gets you a plate of leftovers from earlier. Sarah is there and the two of you talk while you finish eating. Soon after, everyone has some dessert and before you know it, they all leave to head home. 

After saying your goodbyes, you help Harry and Louis clean up. When everything is taken care of you go upstairs to get ready for bed.

As always, they both join you in your room to tuck you in. Once you’re under the covers, Harry sitting on your right and Louis on your left, you say, “Thank you so much for making today so perfect.”

“You deserve every last moment of it,” Louis says.

“We’re just so happy that we can make it possible for you. We just want you to feel safe and loved,” Harry adds.

“I do,” you reply. “Every day. I love you both.”

“We love you too,” Louis says as he and Harry wrap you up in a group hug.

The three of you stay like that for a few minutes, enjoying this calm moment of quality time. When they finally pull away they make sure the blankets are secure around you. They each press a kiss to the top of your head and say goodnight.

“Goodnight,” you reply as they switch off the light and head out of your room. “Merry Christmas,” you add, so joyous that after a lifetime of hating the holiday, you can finally enjoy it the way you’re supposed to, all thanks to Harry and Louis.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AN: Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is having a good holiday season!

[bandsandwristbands]

This is your last warning, share the fic or else ☠️☠️🔪

(any fic you're comfortable enough to share sweetie 🥰)

so I've been angsting about how much is too much to drop as a snippet, like I'd be giving you a whole chapter from the middle of a long ass fic, or spoiling the end, or dropping a few highlights out of context??

so i guess I will drop the a scene my partner chose at random lol Light spoilers for Backyard Heathens (My religious Sunan slow burn gaalee that I have not posted or finished yet 🙃)

Gaara’s swamped in paperwork; drowning in preemptive piles of legislature that he wishes could wait until after the coming festivities. The council is stubborn in their grip to hold on to ‘tradition’ but getting funding for the yearly celebration before the rainy seasons was like pulling teeth. The old fogies can’t stand to see the general morale of Suna’s citizens rising every season. Namely, they don’t like to see the younger people having fun. They have a scarcity mindset despite growing technological advancements and stronger trade agreements. 

Suffice to say, they relented in the budget but Gaara is now being punished with the duty of reallocating remaining funds appropriately. He’s trying to remember if the irrigation system will need maintenance soon when Kankuro trudges dramatically into the Kazekage office without knocking. 

“What is it?” Gaara offers flatly.

“You’re such a grumpy bitch this week. You could at least pretend-” Gaara rolls his eyes to his brother in a sharp glare, “Fine, fine. I see you’re busy but I need to drag you out into the daylight for a bit. Fazluna needs you to meet her at the front to go over the security rotations for the festival.”

“The front office?” Gaara asks but he’s already tossing the irrigation logs onto his ‘in progress pile’ to be dealt with later.

Kankuro offers a sympathetic look and leans against the door frame expectantly, “Sorry, kid. Front of the village.”

Gaara gets up and mutters that he ought to check the irrigation himself anyways, but the way he sighs begrudgingly says enough about his displeasure. 

“Come onnnnnn, some sun is actually good for you, yknow? Besides, I thought you were excited about this year, it’s the big one for you!” Kankuro’s tone is teasing as they walk. 

Gaara can admit that sun feels good, but it’s higher humidity these days, the first streaks of clouds forming stringy in the bright sky, and Gaara does not  appreciate the sweat forming on his back and neck. His jacket clings uncomfortably, but he can’t remove it because a plain shirt is improper for a young kage like himself. 

“It’s not as if this one will be any different.“ Gaara finally grumbles once the towering entrance to Suna is within his sight. 

“Think you won’t get any suitors brave enough to approach you?” Kankuro teases.

Gaara huffs derisively, “Hopefully not. I’m not interested anyways.”

Kankuro gives him a sidelong glance like he knows something Gaara doesn’t. “Not anyone from here you mean.” He titters obviously, “You’re just grumpy ‘cause none of your friends can make it.” Before Gaara can respond, they're stopping next to Fazluna just outside the Sand stone walls. They immediately launch into a very dull and standard recounting of the shift changes for the festival and Gaara is getting irritated now. They clearly don’t need Gaara for this and Kankuro dragged him away from a full desk of work for nothing. And to add insult, he had to remind Gaara why his mood was so sour. 

Although Gaara is grateful to have so many friends, he is actually kind of upset that no one can make it over to Suna for this particular one. It’s a big deal for most in his culture, a coming of age sort of thing. The Squall is supposed to symbolize renewal. Death and nurturing the seeds of rebirth. It’s also a time of indulgence, a brief reprieve from the dry, barren heat, where water is plentiful and one is free to celebrate excess. And at Gaara’s current age, people are allowed to publicly court him. 

He dreads that part. He doesn’t want to be running away from groupies (Kankuros phrasing) or politically motivated dignitaries. He wants to be able to celebrate with people he actually likes. Most of his closer friends have learned to play guard dog at these functions so even just one would be a comfort. Gaara understands regardless. They’re all busy in their own villages with their own obligations and missions. Even in a time of peace, he finds everyone pulled in many directions. It hadn’t really bothered him until he got his response letter from Lee, confirming he wouldn’t be able to sneak over to Suna in time. He apologized profusely even though Gaara had omitted the importance of this year specifically. He tries to tell himself he doesn’t feel a bit sad and a bit emptier, he already knew after all, expected the answer but he offered the invitation anyways. Lee is a bad influence on him sometimes. Gaara struggles with expectations, and he stumbles with Lee the most. Maybe it’s best Lee can’t make it then. Gaara can focus on the practical aspects and-

“Hey,” Kankuro slaps Gaara’s shoulder with the back of his hand, interrupting Gaara’s internal spiral, “What’s that?” 

Gaara blinks and follows the direction of Kankuro’s lazy point to the open desert before them. He squints against the melting mirages on the horizon and barely makes out a cloud of sand. For a moment Gaara stiffens in alarm because whatever this is, it’s approaching fast. He wasn’t warned of anyone coming to the village today, maybe one of his teams wrapped up early?? 

Then, in a blink, a flash of green in the kicked up sand. Gaara’s eyes go so wide they burn a bit, in disbelief even as he focuses his chakra out to sense who it was. The ninja beside him had stopped talking and Gaara turns his confused stare to his brother. He smirks back at him and snatches the kage hat off of the younger’s head. 

“Is that-?” Gaara wheezes.

“Yeah, Go get him!” Kankuro says it like Gaara is stupid but he’s smiling and nods towards the growing dust devil and Gaara doesn’t even think about it. 

His feet break into a sprint against his will. His gourd is tossed to the side in a rush. He’s not nearly as fast as the approaching ninja and sand begins pushing at his feet like it can propel him a bit faster. His skin is buzzing, he’s so sweaty and his face just gets hotter as Rock Lee comes into focus clearer and clearer. 

Lee pushes himself to slow down as he approaches the walls of Suna, but his heart is dancing around his chest in nervous excitement and by the time he processes the redhead running right towards him he can’t withhold his shout of excitement. 

“Gaara-kun!” He exclaims loud enough he’s sure it carried well into the village. However, once he really looks at Gaara, hair shining brightly in the midday, pretty blue eyes wide and locked directly on Lee, he almost stumbles. Suddenly it is difficult to pull in a full breath as Gaara leaps up, propelled by sand on his heels. His head blots out the sun for a brief second, but Lee can see it in slow motion, knows he’ll never forget this instant. Backlit by sunrays like a halo, eyes almost glowing when they curve up at the corners and one dimple obvious as he beams. Gaara lands right in Lee’s outstretched arms, squinting like he can’t contain the grin on his face. Lee thinks he has never seen anything so beautiful. 

They collide heavily, Gaara gasping like he’s had the wind knocked out of him as Lee skids them both to a stop. He uses the momentum to spin Gaara in a quick circle as he trips over his feet. Sand comes up to steady their intertwined weight and Lee thinks he must be smiling so hard it looks like a grimace.

An elated laugh bubbles up and out and into sweaty red hair that sticks to his chin and mouth. Lee squashes Gaara against him just a bit tighter, not sure if it’s too hard. Gaara is huffing into his neck, trying to catch his breath after a rather impressive sprint from him! And Lee can’t help another happy spin before finally releasing him onto the ground. 

Gaara lands gracefully as always, light as a grain of sand atop the shifting desert. And it’s all they can do but stare at each other in disbelief and Lee feels speechless. He watches Gaara slowly relax into a much calmer demeanor, like he’s caught himself, but he’s still got a dusting of pink across his cheeks. The corners of his mouth quirk up like he can’t quite contain it. It is rare to see Gaara so excited. Lee thrills at being the cause.

“I apologize for dropping by so last minute…” Lee manages to say on a nervous exhale. He had really thought Gaara might be mad at the surprise but the young Kazekage just shakes his head at the apology. He eyes Lee like he still isn’t sure if he’s really there. 

“I thought you couldn’t make it?” Gaara finally says, no pleasantries, a straight shooter like always. His tone is light, though, almost airy, and it gives him away.

[obsessivestar]

'What If It's All A RomCom?' - a Ted Nivison x Reader

{{-Hello yes am alive ♡. Givin' ya a smaller chapter today as a sort of warm-up but next one will be a lil' bigger. This one has more exposition tho so I hope you still enjoy ♡. This fic will either have about 25 chapters in total or maybe 30 if I can think of more to add. For now though, enjoy Chapter 11 ♡ Love ya-}}

//General Warnings: 18+ Fic (MINORS DNI), Reader is implied to afab and under 5'5.

Chapter Warnings: Thoughts bout last night, Chuckle Sandwhich mention! Exposition lololol\\

Word Count: 2.7k (lil baby)

☆▪︎▪︎▪︎Taglist!▪︎▪︎▪︎☆

@k-k0129 & @callsign-scully

☆ Love ya to death! ☆

Chapter 11: Two Weeks Remaining

I wake up to the sound of my own alarm going off this time, letting out a little groan as I smack my hand over to my phone to turn the alarm off. I turn onto my back and open my eyes, using my other hand to feel the other side of the bed. All I feel are my sheets. I turn to look, furrowing my brows a little. Ted isn't there. I take a deep breath, sit up more in the bed and attempt to stretch my legs out.

"Ooh--" I breath out when my legs start shaking like crazy, specifically when I bend my knees closer to my chest. I lay them flat on the bed, blushing to myself. Christ, that's worse than the first time. I know he pushed my limits a little last night, but I didn't think my legs would still be feeling like jello after a good night's rest. I hear the sound of my doorknob turning quietly and the door slowly opens. Ted is in a comfy but old looking white hoodie and some baggy slacks, holding a whole tray of food. He looked like he was really trying to be quiet. It was cute, but he noticed me as he was stepping in.

"Awe. Fuck. I didn't make it in time.." Ted frowns playfully, closing my bedroom door behind him. "I was gonna surprise you.."

It was a relief that he didn't just leave after last night. I didn't think he would, but waking up alone got me worried for a second.

"I'm very surprised.." I smile at him, angling my pillow up so I could comfortably lean back. "I only just woke up now, my alarm went off.."

"Yeah, I was trying to beat your alarm. I couldn't turn it off again." Ted admitted with a chuckle, moving to sit next to me with the tray. There were 2 plates on it with some eggs, toast and breakfast sausage, freshly cooked. It smelled delicious.

"Did...you make us this?..." I ask him, pointing down at the plates. I couldn't stop smiling, this was so sweet of him to do.

"Okay asshole, at least pretend you believed I was capable of cooking!" Ted laughs a little, nodding at me. "Yes, I made this!"

"No, it's not--" a grin spreads along my cheeks and I start laughing as well, shaking my head and waving my hands in front of me a little. "It's not that! I'm not ragging on you, I promise!"

"Y'know how expensive sausage is now adays?" Ted jokes, playfully nudging my shoulder. "You're being spoiled, princess. Don't mock me."

"I'm not! I'm not!.." I continue to shake my head, trying to calm myself down from my laughing fit. "I'm flattered! I'm not mocking you!.."

"You should be flattered! I burnt the first batch I made, this was my second attempt!" Ted chuckles with a big smile, using his fork to pick up a piece of breakfast sausage from his plate, taking a bite with a content hum. I smile warmly at him, taking my own cutlery into my hands to start working at the cooked eggs. So, Ted's an aftercare kind of guy. Good to know, I kinda needed it.

"When I woke up and you weren't here, I...kinda thought..." I pause to take another bite of my eggs, smiling more to myself. They tasted delicious. I could tell he had sprinkled in a bit of pepper before he cooked them. I do that too.

"Again? You still think I'm gonna fuck off after...fucking, I guess?" Ted raises a brow with a slight scoff, taking a bite of some of his toast. "I'm tellin' ya babe; I told you last night. I'm not goin' anywhere. I'm stayin'."

"Babe?" I repeated with a cutsey smile, shrugging my shoulders in a bashful manner as I take a bite of my own toast. "Is that what I am now? Your babe?"

"Yeah. As long as the sex stays this good.." Ted jokes with a confident chuckle. He reaches over to my face, carefully wiping some crumbs off my cheek. "I mean, we already gave each other pet names. That's what people do when they're together, right?"

"Do they?" I tilt my head at him, letting him wipe my cheek. "Is that what we are?"

"Hm?"

"Together?"

"Yeah. Aren't we?"

"Are you making that decision now?"

"I'm not makin' a decision, I'm stating what I feel is out there."

"'What you feel is out there'." I repeated to Ted.

"Yeah." He nods simply. "It's been out there, right?"

"So you feel like...we're together."

"Yeah. Aren't we?"

"I mean, I'd...like to think we are. Do you want to be together?"

"Yeah. I figured we were."

"When did you 'figure we were' together?"

"I don't know, when I stuck my dick in you?? We didn't exactly--"

I completely cut Ted off by erupting into laughter, flinging my head back in shock and awe, having to put my cutlery down as I laugh out. My laughing causes Ted to start laughing, shaking his head and running his fingers through his tall hair. "We didn't exactly ask each other out! We-We got to business! Right? We got down and dirty! Am I wrong? I'm right! I know i'm right!" Ted chuckles out, holding his arms out with a slight shrug. I mean, he had a point. We've told people like Tanner and the others that we're a thing, but we haven't talked about it one on one. I assumed he didn't want to.

"Okay, yeah, well, I figured you wanted to, I don't know, be casual?.." I shrugged, picking at my eggs on my plate.

"With you? No, I want in. I don't do casual." Ted admitted nonchalantly, finishing up one of his pieces of toast. "You're mine for sure."

There was something very validating about hearing him say that. It feels like it's really out there now, we're together. A relationship, I suppose. About damn time.

"Oh, this is perfect, actually." Ted spoke up again with a more upbeat tone, setting his food down for a moment so he could give me his full attention. "After work tonight I'm recording an episode of the podcast I was tellin' you about. You wanna be in it? Meet the boys?"

"Chuckle Sandwhich, right?..." I repeat with a warm smile, shifting my hands into my lap a little. "You want me in an episode?.."

"Sure. You already know most of my other friends. You should meet Schlatt and Tucker." Ted nodded a little at me, his smile turning into a smirk. "Okay, I should clarify though, I'll let them know we're together, but I'm not sure I wanna announce anything about us just yet, is that ok?"

Honestly, I thought I'd be more disappointed to hear that, but I was relatively okay with it. My fandom knew about this project, but they didn't know Ted was going to be involved in it at all, much less be my love interest. Dropping all of this now, especially on a podcast, would be...an odd way to do it. I should probably start taking videos on set to kind of...slow start this. At least for now, his closest friends will know, just like mine.

"Yeah, that's fine." I give Ted a reassuring smile. "Honestly, I feel like they'd find a way to ruin the reveal.."

"Oh I'm already expecting Schlatt to make comments during the episode itself, don't you worry. It's gonna spark rumors no matter what we do." Ted admitted with a shrug. "I just...wanna put a bit more time between this before I make anything public. It'd be weird if I just went 'yeah I met her a week ago, get the fancams ready'."

"I understand. I like the idea, actually.." I giggle a little, playfully shaking my head at him. "They'll make fancams anyways, It can be, like...a little mystery."

"Wow, already thinking about how we can turn this into content, eh?" Ted grins at me with a raised brow, leaning a little closer to me. "Ooh, you're so fucking annoying, it's gonna be hard not to flirt with you.."

"Mmm.." I let out a pleased hum and lean forward to kiss Ted intimately, a little sigh leaving him in the kiss. I was actually looking forward to seeing if any of our fans would say anything. Usually shipping rumors can be annoying, but it's fun when they're right and you're trying to keep it a secret, at least to me. I'll be keeping an eye on who starts guessing if anything's going on. I don't think I'll leave any specific hints or anything, I'll treat Ted as I usually do in front of my own friends.

Ted and I eventually finished our breakfast in bed, talking more about his friends on his podcast and what to expect. I finished my plate first, so I got up to get dress as Ted explained how everything worked. I had the closet door held out so he didn't necessarily watch me change, as much as he wanted to, but I had no issues changing in the same room as him. He's seen me naked twice now. It's whatever.

"You think anyone's gonna ship us right off the bat?" Ted asks as he sets our empty plates on my dresser.

"Honestly, I was thinking about that earlier." I admit with a bashful smile. "I mean, I don't intend to flirt with you or anything, but even Joe saw we had chemistry after one trip to Dunkin'. One trip."

"Yeah, I guess it's bound to happen.." Ted shrugged a little with a smirk. "Schlatt's gonna--ugh, man, he's gonna be the fuckin' worst for it.."

"Why're you so worried about him specifically?" I ask, peeking my head out from behind the closet door with a chuckle.

"Because he's an asshole." Ted joked with a little laugh. "He's gonna make comments either at you or with you."

"With me?"

"Yeah, they've been pickin' on me these last few weeks. If you fuckin' join in, I'll have all 3 of yeah's on my ass. Fuck, if they ship you with Schlatt instead? I'll lose it."

"They're NOT gonna ship me with Schlatt! They ship you two too much!" I laugh out, shaking my head. "But y'know what? Bullying you for an entire hour does sound pretty appealing."

"Maybe, if you're in a hurry to have a repeat of last night."

I smile to myself at his comment, briefly recalling how rough he was. My legs were literally quaking because of him, both last night and this morning. No man has ever made them do that, I didn't even know it could happen. I thought that was a porn thing. "Maybe I am.." I admit after a long pause, stepping away from the closet door now that I was fully clothed. Ted chuckles lowly at me, crossing his arms.

"I'll keep that in mind.."

Ted and I leave my room together, carrying our empty plates as we head downstairs to clock in for the day. Some members of the film crew notice that we came downstairs together, but at this point I couldn't care less what they're thinking. It's not like they'll leak anything, I don't even think any of them know we're YouTubers. We met up with Joe, Tanner and Dan at the kitchen table once more, both of us pulling up a chair, side by side of course. Tanner is fiddling with an old looking Canon model camera. On the table, there were 2 different sized lens that could fit the camera. Tanner looked extremely focused on it, furrowing his brows a little.

"What's he doing?" I ask Joe, leaning back a bit against my seat.

"Fiddling with the camera, I don't know. I know art, not cameras." Joe shrugged a little, looking at Tanner as he messed with the buttons on his camera.

"He's fixing the settings. Today's photoshoot day." Dan answered, picking up one of the long lens'. "It's an EOS R100."

"...what?" I raise a brow, visibly confused.

"It's the type of camera." Ted clarified for me, looking at me with a smirk before turning to Tanner. "Why you messin' with that one, bud?"

"Photoshoot day." Tanner answered simply, glancing up from the camera briefly.

"Oh. I-I thought that was a joke.." Ted held back a chuckle, crossing his arms in front of him. "Why are we having a photoshoot?"

"For the film. Opening night." Tanner answered, setting the camera down after a pause so he could give us a clearer explanation on what we'd be doing today. "Every short film is getting, like, a made up opening night. I have to make posters, teaser images, DVD covers, all that. Joe's helping me with the fonts and CD designs. I thought it'd be cool to use the camera I started the program with for some of the first shoots."

"Oh shit! That's awesome, dude!" I smile brightly at Tanner, sitting forward a bit more in my chair. "So we're gonna have a premiere night? Will there be a red carpet? Should I buy a new dress? Ooh, or maybe I'll wear a suit this time..."

"I'm gonna wear the red suit that didn't fit him.." Joe spoke as well, pointing at Ted. "I'm claiming that."

"I still have no idea how you ordered a suit that's an entirely different size.." Ted pointed back at Joe, shaking his head. "I think you did that on fucking purpose."

"I didn't do it on purpose! I was--it--ok." Joe struggled to get his point out, laughing a little. "I-I was high, I'll give you that."

"You were high ordering the suits?" Dan asked, raising his brows up with a surprised smile.

"I can do math faster when I'm high. I had to add all the prices up for him." Joe chuckles with a little half smile, shrugging his shoulders. All of this was pretty exciting to think about. It was nice to know we'd all get to see the film together at the end of it all, I certainly hope Tanner gets a good final grade for this. We've all put so much into it for him, especially Ted and I, I'd like to think.

"Are you, like, renting out a theater or something?" Ted asked, uncrossing his arms to rest his hands on his lap. "Can you afford that?"

"Ok, well, it's all going through the college, so it's not gonna be a big thing.." Tanner admitted with a little chuckle, holding his hands out somewhat. "I think the only thing we'll have to personally pay for is your tickets."

"Okay, but will there be a red carpet?" I ask again, resting both of my hands on the table.

"I will--" Tanner pauses to laugh a little. "I will make sure there is a red carpet."

"YES!" I raise my arms up with an excited laugh, hearing everyone begin to laugh and talk over each other about the premiere. I've never walked a red carpet before, I'm not really that famous just yet. Even with this being a small college thing, the more we talked about it, the more excited I became. As we all got up to get to work, we discussed more about the premiere. It'd be taking place In Sacramento, where Tanner lived. I'd probably be sticking around with him for the premiere before I'd be going home to Washington. It'll be bittersweet to have to split up, but we're not all super far from each other. Ted lives right here in L.A., I'm in Washington, Tanner's in Sacremento until he's done school, then he's moving back up to Vancouver where Joe and Dan actually live.

Now that I think about it, after this is all over, Ted will be the furthest away...

No, I don't want to think about that now. The premiere won't be happening for another month. I'll have plenty of time with Ted until then. I don't want to think too far ahead, I'll just make myself upset. I have another 2 weeks with him, then we'll have a whole premiere to goto together. We can figure it out from there.

I want these next few weeks to be stress free. I want to enjoy this time with some of my best friends, especially with Ted.

__________________________________

Chapter 1 || Chapter 2 || Chapter 3 || Chapter 4 || Chapter 5 || Chapter 6 (smut) || Chapter 7 || Chapter 8 || Chapter 9 || Chapter 10 (smut) || Chapter 12 || Chapter 14 (smut) || Chapter 15 || Chapter 16 || Chapter 17 || Chapter 18 (smut) || Chapter 19 ||

[madaqueue]

Dripping in Gold | Chapter 2

synopsis: finding a job was never easy, and why even bother trying after you meet satoru gojo, a man with mysterious and exorbitant wealth, who wants nothing more than to spoil you with it? the only caveat to your little arrangement is that it can never, ever, become personal.

pairing: satoru gojo x f!reader

themes/content: non-curse modern au, sugar daddy gojo. language, smut. fingering (f receiving). 18+, MDNI

word count: 2.3k

a/n: my gojo brainrot is hitting this man is all i've been able to write about the past two weeks hELP somEBODY HELP MEE

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A week after your first date with Gojo, he randomly calls you while you’re in the middle of making lunch.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he purrs through the phone.

“Hi Gojo,” you respond flatly.

“Wow, I was hoping for a bit more excitement,” he chuckles, “especially since I have good news - your car is fixed!”

“Oh my god, thank you!” your tone softens as you remember you are actually grateful; he really did come through for you on this.

“Don’t thank me just yet - remember how you offered to repay me?” he asks slyly.

Of course. You knew he was too good to be true - he fixed your car, now you have to sleep with him. For a moment you nearly forgot the transactional nature of your relationship, and even though you had already decided you want to hook up with him, it still stings a bit.

“Well,” he continues in your silence, “in exchange for my generosity, how about you let me take you out for lunch today?”

You chortle in surprise. “Seriously, that’s all you want from me?” you ask incredulously.

“C’mon now, you’ve got to stop thinking so lowly of me, I’m actually quite the gentleman once you get to know me,” he laughs. “Anyways, I’ll meet you at your place in 15 minutes. Wear something cute for me, m’kay?”

He hangs up as you pull your phone away from your face. The smell of something burning hits your nose as you realize the grilled cheese you had been making was slowly frying to a crisp on the stove.

Well, good thing I’m going out for lunch.

Riffling through your closet, you search for something that would meet Gojo’s idea of “cute,” hurling jeans and leggings across your room. The closest thing you find is a plain white dress you got a few years ago that’s slightly stained, but you hope he won’t be able to tell. Again, it’s not like you’re made of cash, especially after you had to use what he sent you from your last date to cover rent and groceries.

Exactly 15 minutes later he pulls up outside in a different car than the one he let you borrow over the past week, this one a flashy red sports car with a logo you don’t recognize. He hops out to open the door for you and you take a seat on the cool leather, the tantalizing scent of his cologne hitting you as he returns to the driver’s side.

He looks over at you through round sunglasses, taking in your outfit. “With all due respect, what the hell are you wearing?” he teases.

“You told me to dress cute, this is the best I’ve got,” you explain, hands moving over your lap to try and cover your dress as embarrassment washes over you.

“No, no, this won’t work,” he tilts his head away from you. “Okay, we’re postponing lunch to go get you some actual clothes.” Before you can protest, he puts the car into drive and speeds out from the parking lot.

While he drives his hand idly finds its way back onto your thigh, a feeling you didn’t realize you had missed so much until you notice pressure building between your legs and nervousness in your stomach. Every so often you steal glances at him, his white hair somehow perfectly ruffled and blue eyes slightly shaded by his sunglasses. The white button-up shirt covering his torso looks freshly ironed yet hastily rolled up above his elbows, his plain black pants perfectly hugging his waist. He really is gorgeous, you think to yourself.

He eventually stops the car outside of a store you’ve never seen before, likely because it’s in a part of the city you could never afford to go to, until now. The exterior is unassuming, a simple brick facade and plainly lettered sign. Gojo gets out of the car first before opening your door, taking your hand in his as he leads you up the stairs and inside. The store itself is well-lit, with a faint scent of rosemary hanging in the air.

An attendant greets you without looking up until she finally glances over at the two of you. “M-Mr. Gojo!” she exclaims, surprise evident on her face. “I’m so sorry, we didn’t know you’d be in today, your tailor isn’t here-”

“No worries,” he cuts her off with a calm smile, “I’m actually not here for me.” He pulls you up next to him, a hand going around your waist as though it was second nature, and you feel the warmth of his body against yours. “She needs something cute.”

The still-flustered attendant nods. “Of course, I’ll take you back to your dressing room and grab a few things for her to try.” She gestures you both to follow as you walk to the back of the store, past racks of clothes that look straight out of a catalogue.

Who the hell is this guy? you think as you walk next to him. You are led to a curtained-off area with a deep purple rug and matching couches that surround a central mirror, additional racks of suits lining the remaining walls.

Glancing around you notice a small nameplate hanging by the entrance. ‘Satoru Gojo’ is embossed against the gold, light reflecting off it slightly.

“Satoru?” you question, reading it aloud.

“Mhm,” he hums as he sits down onto one of the couches, legs sprawling in front of him. “That’s my first name, but nobody really uses it. I mostly just go by Gojo.”

You plop down next to him, enjoying the feel of the velvet texture beneath you. “Well, do you prefer ‘Satoru’ or ‘Gojo’?”

“It depends,” he starts, putting his arm around you and pulling you closer to him. “If it’s a pretty girl like you saying it, I don’t really have a preference.” You blush as his face slowly gets closer to yours. “Although, I think ‘Satoru’ is probably a little easier to scream when I’m-”

His words suddenly cut off as the attendant walks back in, arms full of dresses. You’re grateful for the distraction that allows you to turn away, hoping he didn’t notice how red your face was getting or how fast you started breathing. Something about him makes you so nervous, like a kid with their first crush. You’re better than this, aren’t you?

With a huff, the attendant sets the dresses down in the middle of the room before hanging them up one by one on a nearby empty clothing rack. “I think I got your size right, but do let me know if you need anything tailored and I’d be happy to help. I’ll leave you two to it, let me know if there’s anything else I can get for you!” she waves, stepping out of the room.

Now alone with Gojo, you find yourself tense, heart fluttering in your chest as he traces his fingers along your jawline, landing on your chin to turn you back to face him. His eyes stare into yours as a smirk draws at the corners of his lips.

“So, you wanna give me a little show?” he whispers, so close you can feel his breath against your face. His eyes travel over your shoulder to the clothes rack behind you as he tilts his head, releasing his hold from you and leaning back. “After all, these aren’t going to try themselves on.”

Trying to steady your breathing, you stand up and attempt to ignore how shaky your hands are as they move to feel the clothes hanging up. The textures are almost impossibly soft, with colors from yellows to blues and reds, a rainbow of beauty in front of you. Glancing down at the price tag on one dress, your eyes widen.

“Gojo, these are like $2,000 each, I can’t-” you start, slightly panicked.

“Hush, this is my treat,” he says nonchalantly with a wave of his hand, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the couch. “Besides, getting to see you in these is worth all the money in the world.”

You blush again, a soft, “Okay,” leaving your lips as you pick out a dress from the rack.

Each one you pick up is more beautiful than the last as you work your way through the clothes. Gojo insists on helping you zip every single one up and has you twirl around, a smile permanently plastered on his face. He murmurs some version of “gorgeous,” “beautiful,” or “perfect” when he sees you in each dress, and truthfully, he makes you feel it. You find yourself giggling and practically skipping around the room as you dance around the man who’s making it all possible as he just watches you with joy in his eyes.

Finally, you near the end of the rack as you put on a flowy, off-the-shoulder dress that looks like the color of the sun. It hugs your body perfectly and you can’t help but stand in front of the mirror, spinning back and forth as it flares out around your waist.

All of a sudden, you feel the warmth of Gojo behind you as his hands wrap around your waist, his head settling in on top of your shoulder. He looks at you in the mirror, slowly taking in your beauty.

“This is the one,” he whispers into your ear. “Get all the others, I don’t care, but this is the one you’re leaving here in.” All you can do is grin and nod, your cheeks flushing at his words.

The two of you stand there for a moment, Gojo’s hair softly tickling the side of your face as his hands trace along your hips, moving down to run the hem of the dress through his fingers. He tilts his head down slightly to place his lips against your neck, softly kissing the space above your collarbone.

Instinctively, you lean your head back as your eyes close, taking in the feeling of his body against yours. Your hips press against his, the hands that rest against your thighs pulling you into him further. He bites softly against your skin, eliciting a moan from you as you raise one of your hands up to the back of his head, gently rubbing an undercut you didn’t know he had before you bring your fingers higher into his hair, loosely twirling the white locks through your palm.

One of his hands trails under your dress between your legs. He pauses momentarily, lifting his head away from your neck so his mouth hovers next to your ear. “Tell me what you want, princess,” he hums.

Eyes still closed, warmth begins to build in your stomach at his touch. The only thing you know in this moment is that you want him.

“You,” you whisper, “I want you, Satoru.”

Hearing you voice his name, a soft moan leaves his throat as his lips reattach to your neck, gently sucking your skin just enough to leave a small bruise. His fingers continue their path until they reach your clothed cunt, a breathy chuckle from Satoru telling you that you’ve soaked through your panties. His fingertips ghost over your folds, the gentle sensation making your hips slide forward, desperate for more.

“P-please,” you whine, moving back against his body as you suddenly feel his cock start pressing against your ass through his pants.

He slides your panties to the side and brushes his fingers over your clit, the roughness of his fingertips making you squirm from pleasure. His hips start grinding against yours, craving the friction your body provides.

Moving down slightly, he presses against your entrance before slowly sliding two fingers inside you. Fuck, it’s even better than what you imagined. You tilt your head back further and feel a moan start to leave your throat, when suddenly his lips are on yours. His tongue slides into your open mouth as the pace of his fingers picks up, curling inside you as he finds the spot that makes you shudder against him. You both forego air as you sloppily kiss one another, releasing a need within you that you didn’t know you held.

Satoru continues kneading his fingers inside you until the familiar tension begins to build in your stomach. Pulling away from his lips for a moment, you moan his name. “I-I’m close,” the words catching in your throat, eyes shut tightly from pleasure.

You hear him chuckle behind you. “Open your eyes, sweetheart,” he purs as his lips return to your neck. You do as he says, focusing your gaze in front of you, and your eyes meet his through the mirror. “I want you to see how pretty you’re about to look when you cum for me.”

At that he thrusts his slender fingers further into you, thumb hastily drawing circles over your clit as you watch yourself get closer to the edge. With one hand in his hair and the other grasping onto his wrist, you try to stabilize yourself as your knees begin to give out. His free arm wraps around your waist to hold you up as you begin to lose yourself, eyes threatening to close as you try to maintain your gaze ahead.

“That’s my girl,” he hums. His words are barely audible over your moans as you feel waves of pleasure crashing over you, the only sound leaving your mouth a broken cry of his name.

His movements finally slow as he pulls his fingers out of your sensitive cunt, never breaking eye contact with you through the mirror as he lifts them to his lips, opening his mouth to lick your sweet essence off them. Pausing for a moment, he admires you - your taste, your delicate hands clutching onto him, your flushed cheeks. He places a kiss on the side of your mouth as you try to ground yourself, knees still shaky underneath you and only able to remain standing thanks to his hold on you.

“So,” he smirks, his eyes lighting up as he looks at your pretty face in the mirror, “where should we get lunch?”

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[imtrashraccoon]

This chapter turned out much different than I planned but it's a good change. I have learned that my biggest writing weakness is impulse. I usually only struggle when I impulsively decide to change or write something else.

@owl-bones

First Day, Previous Day, & Next Day.

Bad Sansuary: Nightmare - PJs

Word Count: 2,153

You were thinking about going to bed soon when a gentle knock sounded on your front door. You were already in your pajamas and it was rather late, so who could be at your door?

You retrieved your brass knuckles and slipped them on just in case. Taking a peek through the peephole, you were relieved to see that it was only Nightmare standing outside. Then the absurdity of this situation set in and you did a double take, looking again.

What was he doing outside your door?

Setting the weapons aside, you unlocked the door and opened it. "Hi, uh... I wasn't expecting you..." You chuckled and rubbed the back of your neck before adding, "What's the occasion?"

His permanent smile widened and he let out a soft chuckle. "I just wanted to come see you in person, my dear. I hope I'm not intruding?" His tentacles slowly undulated behind him as he spoke.

You shrugged your shoulders and stood back from the door to let him in. "Nah, I don't mind," you answered.

Once he'd come inside, you shut the door again and turned to him. "It's a bit late to really do anything together. So, unless you wanted to do something, is this like...a sleepover?" You couldn't help teasing him a little bit as you still weren't sure what he thought of you.

He seemed kind of confused and he studied you quietly for a moment. "Did you want me to stay over?" he asked in a soft voice.

You hadn't expected him to seem actually interested but you nodded. "Yeah, if you're able to I wouldn't mind. I've been a bit lonely lately, you know?"

His bonebrows furrowed with concern but he said nothing. He didn't need to anyways as you both knew what the reason for that was. You hadn't heard from any of your skeleton friends all week, and while spending time with Nightmare in the dream world was nice, you couldn't help missing your other friends too.

You decided to focus on something else rather than spoil a potentially fun evening. So, you started to pull out a bunch of extra blankets and pillows from your closet. Nightmare just sort of watched while you set about arranging them into a comfy nest of sorts on the floor in the living room.

You'd experienced very few actual sleepovers growing up, but thanks to the magic of tv and movies, you knew approximately what to do. It helped that you were already in your pajamas, even if they weren't cute ones and literally just a pair of shorts and an old t-shirt. While you didn't feel like making snacks, you could watch some random television together if Nightmare wanted to join you.

He was still just quietly watching you and it was making you wonder if he was alright. So, you decided to try and distract him.

"Do you have like...a favorite pair of pajamas, like something that's really warm and comfy? Or do you not care for that sort of thing?" You glanced over at him once you were satisfied with the blanket nest and tilted your head curiously for his response.

He got a bit of an amused look and shook his skull. "I do have pajamas but I don't actually require sleep, with the whole being a god situation." He hummed in a thoughtful way and added, "I can sleep I suppose but it doesn't give any real benefits whether I do or not."

"Huh... I guess that makes sense." You pursed your lips thoughtfully. "I didn't even consider you may not have to deal with fatigue like the rest of us."

He chuckled, "That's not entirely correct... Using too much magic is still tiring of course but that's not usually an issue." He glanced around before adding, "Give me a minute and I'll be back."

You nodded and watched as his body seemed to liquify before sinking into the floorboards and completely disappearing. You guessed that was his way of teleporting? Of course, he had to be much more dramatic than the boys were, who all just sort of disappeared with no melting involved.

He reappeared about a minute later just as he'd said but he was dressed differently this time. He wore gray plaid button up pajamas with a black silk bathrobe and fuzzy slippers. Honestly, it was kind of basic considering his usual penchant for finery, but pajamas were supposed to be comfortable to make sleep come easier.

"It's a little over the top for sleeping, isn't it?" you joked. You kind of felt out done right now in all honesty.

Nightmare sat down next to you with a huff. "I very rarely even try to sleep, okay?" His voice had a slight growl to it and there was the faintest hint of a cyan glow over his zygomatic bones. While he was quick to mask how you'd managed to fluster him, you knew what you saw.

"I think they suit you though," you said with a hum and leaned back against the couch. "You wanna just hang out and watch tv for a bit until one of us passes out?"

"Maybe until you pass out, my dear," he teased and lightly ruffled your hair.

You shot him an annoyed look but there wasn't any malice in it. You both sat there for a while just enjoying being close and watching some random reality tv show.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" you asked after a couple minutes.

He turned, giving you his full attention. "Of course, what's on your mind?"

"I've been thinking about what you said last night and I think I would like you to draw me into an Encounter. I want to know what my soul looks like."

He studied you for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Why do you really want to know?" he asked. His voice had taken on a much more serious tone now and his eye socket was narrowed as he continued watching you.

You were a bit taken aback by his question. You were just curious as it wasn't something society had allowed you to know. There wasn't anything wrong with that, right...?

Nightmare clicked his non-existent tongue and tilted your chin up so you'd look at him again. "I don't need to be a god to know that there's another reason you want this. However, I can feel the turmoil in your soul and you really should be honest with yourself."

You sighed and fiddled with your nails. "I guess... I just want to know what all four of you see in me that's so special... Why else would any of you continue to hang around?"

You felt his tentacles slither around you and he pulled you closer, wrapping his arms around your body as well. He held you close and gently leaned his skull against your forehead.

"You've been worrying about this for a while, haven't you?" he murmured.

"Yeah... It's only gotten worse lately..."

He ran his claws through your hair in a soothing way. "I'm sorry, I certainly didn't help with matters either I'm sure. Your soul is what makes you...you. None of us would have gotten so close with you if there wasn't something special."

You sighed, "That's the thing though... I just want to know what that is."

"It's your ability to be kind, dear." His tone sounded so confident and sure of himself that you found yourself speechless. He gave your body a light squeeze and continued, "Or rather, your ability to be kind despite everything you've been through and how you put yourself into other's perspectives."

You hummed quietly as you thought over what he'd said. Anyone could be kind though. You still didn't understand why you were different from anyone else. Surely other humans weren't so heartless like the boys had sometimes hinted at...

"That being said, would it help you feel better if I showed you?" Nightmare asked in that familiar velvety voice.

"I don't know. I want to believe it will but what if my soul doesn't look right? I don't know if it would convince me."

He gently chided you. "Your overall appearance and personality are greatly influenced by your soul. I highly doubt it will...not look right."

You sighed and wiggled in his grip until he released your body. "Okay, then I'd like to see my soul. I trust you, Nightmare."

He studied you for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I'm honoured to know that you can say that with such conviction as not many people would."

He moved his hand so that it was hovering just above your chest but he hesitated for moment and glanced up at you. When you didn't change your mind, his cyan eyelight began to burn brighter and he focused intently for a moment.

You felt a sort of pressure in your chest just below your collarbone before a small teal heart slowly emerged from your body. It glowed softly and the living room seemed to get even darker than before, even though you hadn't turned the tv off.

You knew now why Nightmare had been hesitant to actually draw you into an Encounter in the beginning. Not only did you suddenly feel incredibly exposed, but you could also see several hairline fractures criss crossing along the surface of your soul. You didn't know what they meant but you could sense that the fractures couldn't be a good thing.

Nightmare was silent and when you finally tore your gaze away from your soul, you saw the expression of contemplation that graced his skull. He seemed to sense that you were staring and his eyelight flicked up to your face again.

"Do you still doubt that you're special now?" he whispered and brushed his knuckles against your cheek.

"I..." You found yourself at a loss for words and struggled to articulate exactly what you were feeling at the moment. "I...didn't know souls were this beautiful..."

He let out a quiet chuckle. "Indeed. Not all are as beautiful as yours though."

His eyelight briefly glanced down at your soul before he looked back into your eyes again. "Your primary trait is in fact Kindness and your secondary is called Empathy. Incredibly fitting, wouldn't you say?" His tone sounded kind of like he was teasing but there was still a genuineness in his gaze at the same time.

"Yeah, it is..." You could feel yourself tearing up a little and desperately tried to keep yourself from actually crying. "What do the cracks mean?"

His eye socket narrowed and he pulled you a bit closer against himself before answering. "That's something only you can truly know. Everyone goes through events in life that can affect them in various ways. Cracks usually signify moments of hardship or negative experiences that affected you so deeply that they left a mark."

"I see..." you muttered. "It's still beautiful. Thank you for showing me, Nightmare."

He nodded and carefully guided your soul back into your body. You couldn't help letting out an inadvertent sigh of relief as the room became brighter again. He wrapped your body up in his tentacles, giving you a gentle hug.

"You're very welcome, my dear," he purred against your hair.

It was hard to focus on anything but what you'd just experienced. You felt like you should feel freaked out or at the very least embarrassed, but you didn't. Maybe it would set in at some point, but for now you had a lot to digest.

You knew what your soul trait was and yet your life seemingly hadn't changed. You were grateful that Nightmare had been willing to show you, but you weren't sure if he'd had his own reasons for doing so. It probably didn't even matter at this point anyways. If he was going to hurt you, he would have already or he could've done it while you were so vulnerable moments ago.

You were rapidly becoming more tired the longer he continued to hold you. You felt oddly safe with him though and so you didn't even question it when you inevitably fell asleep leaning against him. While you had a dreamless sleep for the first night this week, you weren't too surprised when you woke up tucked into your own bed again.

There was a note taped to your alarm clock in very intricate cursive writing, like the writer had used either a calligraphy pen or maybe an actual quill. While you had to squint and adjust how close it was to your face for a bit like a nearsighted person, you eventually were able to read it.

"Good morning dear, I am sorry that I had to leave before you woke up but please know that I enjoyed our little impromptu sleepover. I will see you soon and I hope you slept well after everything. Yours truly, Nightmare."

[kannymaei]

Realistic Nightmare (TPG! Special Chapter 3) - Kamisato Ayato x Reader

MASTERLIST

Synopsis: It was a dream come true to be married to Kamisato Ayato except you weren’t aware that dreams can turn into a nightmare too.

Genre: Angst to more angst.

WC: 3.9k

—

The day of your marriage with him was a fairytale and it was the grand wedding of the century. You would imagine that you were the princess in a movie and he was your prince. Everyone said that the two of you were a match made in heaven and you were the lucky perfect girl to captivate and soften his stone-like heart. 

During the first year of your marriage it was exactly like you dreamed of except there were still a lot of bad comments towards your marriage because you were just a lowly commoner and Ayato was someone of high status but Ayato told you that he would take care of it and you should not pay attention to those people that were jealous to your marriage.

Kamisato Ayato was a gentle and loving man towards you and was more than enough to give you your needs. 

As you were married to a busy man, he was not often at home and would only return during the night and sometimes he would be out of the country. 

You were always spoiled by his love and gifts whenever he returned home and his return is what you always wait at the end of the day.

At night you think about how the two of you crossed paths since it’s very unlikely for a lowly commoner to get married to someone with a prestigious reputation. You were just starting to get used to living the life of a trophy wife. 

Three years prior, you applied to a job to work as a servant or maid for the Kamisato Household. It was a hard interview and they had to make sure that you do not have any ill-intent against the Kamisato Family. 

A few weeks later, you’ve gotten a little used to the Kamisato residence since it was a large house, no, it was a mansion. First, you worked to take care of their garden and next was to take care of the laundry of the Kamisato siblings. The first time you and Kamisato Ayato had your conversation is when he called who made his dinner.

“Who made this meal?” He said and ordered one of his servants to get you out of the kitchen.

You were chatting with the other servants until you got pulled harshly by one of the servants out of the kitchen. You were nervous since you weren’t used to facing him that near and you do not know how to act around him.

“The food is warm and comforting and it has been so long since I have tasted something like this, roughly 20 years since I last tasted a meal made by my late mother.” He smiled, enjoying every bit of the food you prepared him.

Your eyes widened and you kneeled and bowed your head immediately.

“F-forgive me my lord for making you remember your late-mother, I didn't mean to hurt my lord, please punish me if needed to” You said, sweat streaming down your face.

He let out a laugh.

“Y/N, please stand up. I’m more than glad to have someone like you to cook meals whose taste is similar to the cooking of my mother.” He said and you stood up.

“I should send Thoma my gratitude for finding a gem amongst the stones.” He said finally finishing his meal before he left the dining room.

Since that day, you began seeing Kamisato Ayato often. Sometimes he would surprise you in the kitchen to see what you’re making him or he’d request something from you. He became fond of you and wanted you to accompany him with his work at all times. He was very much forgiving if you ever made mistakes.

One day you had to fetch Ayato from a prestigious bar where he got drunk. 

It was around 3 hours until you got back home and most of the servants were asleep for tomorrow’s work. You helped Ayato walk upstairs and laid him in his bed, gave him warm water to sober up, and readied the bath.

“My lord, the bath is ready. I will be taking my leave now, I will be at your front door sitting and please call my name if you need anything.” As you were about to leave his bed, he tightly held your wrist.

“Do you need something my lord?” You asked and the next thing that you knew is that you were struggling to get his hand off you and he just pulled you in the bed with him. 

“Don’t leave my Y/N” He said, hugging you, pulling you closer to him in bed.

“M-my lord, I am afraid that this isn’t appropriate for the two of us. Please sober yourself-”

“I am sober!” He lied.

“I always hate it when you leave, it reminds me of when my mother left me.” He started to cry, you wrapped your arms around his back stroking it over and over again. 

Your face was too close to his and you blushed a little, you thought of how he was a very handsome man and assumed that there may be a lot of women of noble families trying to win his heart.

“Y/N” He opened his eyes and took you by surprise.

His hand was at the back of your head as he pulled you for a kiss.

You pushed him away.

“M-my lord, it is not right nor appropriate for us to do this, it would ultimately destroy your reputation and-” He did not let you finish and pulled you into a kiss again.

“I want you Y/N.” He said and you cannot believe that you heard the words that you were dreaming to hear.

Is it truly possible for this to happen? For someone like him developing feelings towards you?

He looked at you.

“Y/N, I’m not intoxicated or drunk, in fact I was already sober up the moment you came and I was just having a minor headache. Hehe… Would you allow me to kiss you again?” He said, asking for your consent since he stole two kisses from you.

“Y-yes my lord-”

“Call me by my name, do not call me your lord. For tonight, I wanted to be yours.” He said brushing your hair.

“Yes… A-ayato-” You embarrassingly said because you were not used to calling him with no formalities.

That was the answer he just needed to hear before pulling you into a passionate kiss again. He turned you around in bed and pinned you down before kissing you again. You felt his tongue explore every bit of your mouth and whenever he let go of the kiss to catch his breath, there would be a string of saliva connecting your tongue and mouth to his.

The kiss the two of you were sharing is starting to heat both of your bodies and you were sexually aroused. 

“Y/N, would you allow me to touch your body?” He asked again for your consent.

“P-please! I’m begging Ayato-” You said as he kissed your neck and his hands began to travel around your body that would later on strip you from your clothes.

Your face reddened as you remembered that fateful night, you also remembered how your whole body ached the next day after and you had to rush towards your room as fast as you could so no one could see you come out of the master’s bedroom.

It is already 8pm and he still has not come home. A few minutes later you received a letter that there was a problem overseas and he’d be out of Inazuma for a long time though he promised that he would be sending you gifts weekly or monthly to remind you that he misses you dearly.

Sometimes you’d get telephone calls from him and he tells you how stressed he was at work and has been craving your touch for a long time.

Weeks turned into months, months turned into years.

Kamisato Ayato has not returned home.

Rumors in Inazuma said that he had probably forgotten about you and so it prevented you from going outside because you were hurt about the words you were hearing. Sometimes Ayaka would come to visit you to comfort you because of the absence of her sibling. 

Thoma has reminded you not to go outside late at night due to the monsters roaming since he would be out to protect Ayaka because of her duties.

Until one day, you have stopped receiving calls, letters, and gifts from him which made you worry. 

A few more years have passed and you have received a letter. You jumped out of joy because you had hope of the return of your husband. This small happiness you felt was stolen away from you when you saw that his name was not on the letter, perhaps it came from someone you did not know but was addressed to you.

You carefully opened the letter and began reading it.

To whom it may concern,

I assume that you are Kamisato Y/N, the wife of Ayato. I have committed a grave sin in the world and I knew not even the archons would forgive me. I would like to apologize to you. I am sorry but I have a child, mostly by your husband by accident. I am a noble woman from Fontaine, please do not find me. I have met your husband for a long time and my family has always wanted him to be my husband except he has denied and rejected me multiple times due to the fact that he said that he was already married and has someone dear to him.

I am sorry to say that I was the reason why your husband has not returned home for a very long time due to the child that was made accidentally. My family has pressured him that he should take responsibility for what he did. It was probably the reason why he has stopped contacting you.

As soon as you finish reading the letter, your world just falls apart. Your blood ran cold and tears formed and streamed down your face.

Although he is quite happy when he is with me right now and mostly loves our child. I am sorry Mrs. Y/N. Thank you for understanding.

You realized that the letter from this woman was believable and it makes sense why he hasn’t contacted you for a long time. 

He had left you here in Inazuma to die out and suffocate.

You remembered how you were his perfect girl, his beautiful wife, and his loving queen. You remembered how he reminded you that he doesn’t know what he would do if you were gone. You remembered all of the promising words that he said… and you remembered on your wedding day that he said that he would love you for the rest of his life.

He has promised that he would return home… maybe now… he doesn’t have a reason to return home when he has found his new home in another country.

You have been waiting for him for almost 10 years since he had been working abroad. It was already late at night. You closed the letter and each step towards your bedroom was painful. You sat in the bed and cried out loud. You do not understand what you were lacking that made him do that. 

“I’m sorry Ayato, if I was just a lowly commoner and I do not have anything to do with other countries. The reason I do not want to accompany you is because I do not want to be a burden to you because you were working.”

“I knew that I didn't deserve you, I’m sorry if I was just poor and wasn’t someone from a rich family. I’m sorry Ayato-” 

You wrote a letter to be left in this house saying how you were sorry for all of the things that were imperfect about you and how you weren’t that much perfect unlike the fontaine woman that he met.

In the last part of the letter, you said how you love him and you would remain faithful to him until the end of time.

You put it in an envelope and sealed it, you feel like you were being suffocated in the house and you gathered some things that reminded you of him, mostly his pictures and some of the gifts that he sent you with their corresponding letters. 

You decided to go outside and go to Mt. Yogou, one of your favorite spots to walk with him when you were still working as a servant for him.

—

As you were walking, you unexpectedly awoke a sleeping lawachurl. It was very furious that you have disturbed their sleep and began to attack you. 

You ran and ran and screamed for help… but no one came. Now you realize why Thoma has reminded you not to go outside. 

You weren’t athletic nor fit to be a fighter so you decided to hide in one of the large rocks. You looked around and saw that the lawachurl was almost near to you so you decided to run from it again until it couldn't see you and then you tripped on one of the short cliffs and injured yourself.

It was a bad fall that you could see that your right leg was broken and it was very unfortunate that you had fallen in a hilichurl camp, waking one of them would end you. Luckily, the lawachurl has lost sight of you but you have another problem. 

You noticed that the things that you were carrying were scattered around the camp, you crawled and struggled to pick each one of them because these were the remaining loving memories that you and Ayato have now that he has a new family and you cannot afford to lose them. 

You struggled and struggled with blood bleeding out of you. You did not care for the pain you were feeling because what is most important is that you get to keep the precious items and letters that he gave you. You truly believe that all of it was filled with love.

You sighed a relief when you finally collected them without waking one of the hilichurls and now your next mission is to get out of the camp safely. 

When you were a few meters away from the camp via crawling with your blood trailing down, a hilichurl was awoken due to the smell of blood. When you look back it was pointing in your direction.

You saw different monsters charging over you because they thought you killed someone hence the blood. 

What scared you the most is the mitachurl with an ax charging faster than the other hilichurls and you just closed your eyes because you knew this was already the end of your life. You cannot run because of your broken leg and you were forced to just stay there and accept your fate.

Before the hit of the ax landed, you thought of Ayato…

How he would not have any problem bringing home his new wife now if you are already gone because only death can invalid a marriage contract. 

In your last moments, you whispered that you were sorry that you weren't enough to make him happy and wished him eternal happiness with his new family.

You hugged the items, letters, and gifts that Ayato had given you before you felt a warm feeling at your back. You felt your body separating from one another. It was followed by arrows and different kinds of weapons being thrown at your poor, lifeless body. As soon as the hilichurls and mitachurls were convinced that you were dead they went back to their camp to sleep.

In your final moments, you looked at your marriage picture, it was a disastrous and failed one because you were just a lowly commoner and did not deserve someone like him.

Your heart was aching because Ayato would not know that you are about to go to heaven now. Even if you are no longer in his mind, he would remain in yours. You hugged your wedding picture and your body turned cold.

…

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A week has passed and the Kamisato residence was quiet and it was the same as you left it.

The Raiden Shogun has ordered the eradication of the monsters in Mt. Yogou since it has been causing a problem in the Grand Narukami Shrine.

Kujuo Sara was the leading general of the eradication of monsters, as ordered by the Shogun. After a few hours of eradication, there was a report of your decaying body somewhere near a hilichurl camp.

When Kujuo Sara checked, her face showed different kinds of horror because she knew that you were the lady and the wife of the Kamisato Family. She has ordered her soldiers to retrieve your body to give you a final resting place together with the items that were kept around you. Blood has dried out from his letters and pictures and the soldier had made sure that none of it was damaged as they were transferring you to a body bag.

Kujuo Sara has rushed towards Kamisato Ayaka who is currently having tea in the Komore Tea House for a break.

“Lady Ayaka, I have news for you…” Sara said and sat beside Ayaka and Thoma.

“Lady Ayaka… I’m sorry but I just need to report to you… Kamisato Y/N, the wife of your brother has passed away.” Sara said, Ayaka and Thoma were shocked by the news of you passing away because they just saw you a few weeks ago to comfort you.

“Her body was found separated probably by a mitachurl ax and there were different kinds of injuries such as a broken leg, and arrows penetrated her arms and neck. I assume Lady Y/N went for a walk but has suffered an attack from the monsters.” Sara added

Ayaka and Thoma began to cry and they began to have regrets about not visiting you everyday to check on you and ease your loneliness because of the absence of her brother.

“Lady Ayaka, as per the law, Lady Y/N should be cremated because her body is separated. Would that be alright?” Sara asked and Ayaka just nodded.

“I’ll be… informing my brother… Thoma please go with Sara and prepare the funeral of Y/N” She said and walked outside.

—

It took nearly two months for Ayaka’s letter to reach Kamisato Ayato to inform him about your death.

The truth is, Ayato never had a family, the noble girl from Fontaine was just jealous of you since Ayato has been bragging to you anywhere about his loving wife and got tired of how she kept on getting rejected and her family was mad at her that she allowed or was careless to an extent that Ayato has married a lowly commoner instead of someone like her. Ayato has never stopped contacting you all these years nor has he stopped sending you gifts. It was the woman from Fontaine that stopped those letters and gifts from reaching you. Everytime she knew that Ayato would send you letters, she’d bribe the post office workers to prevent the letter from being sent. Ayato never knew anything about this and she would just tell her family to keep on giving Ayato work so that he would not have the opportunity to go home and be with you.

Since Ayato was a very hardworking man and wanted to give you the best future, he wanted to make sure that the two of you would have houses per nation so that you would not be stuck in Inazuma since you will have a house anywhere. 

It was the surprise gift that he wanted to give you, he dreamed of telling you a joke how he’s made love with you in each house.

Ayato quickly rushed to pack his things due to the letter that he had received from Ayaka. He was mostly quiet and tried to keep his tears as soon as he read the line that his beloved wife has transcended to another life.

“Where are you going Ayato?” The noble woman asked.

“I have an emergency at home, mostly about my wife.” He coldly responded

“Oh, is she finally dead?” The woman joked about it.

“How did you know my wife is dead? Did you plan all this?!” Ayato raged and destroyed all of the precious items in the hotel he was staying in, which was owned by the family of the girl.

“Ayato- I didn’t mean to! I didn’t-” Ayato slapped the woman and ordered one of his servants to restrain her.

“If I ever find out that her death was your doing, I am going to end your life, I will be destroying your family. Do you know what Y/N is?! She was my world, she was my light, and no one could take her away from me. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!” Ayato was furious.

“I’ll deal with you later, I need to go home now. My wife has been waiting for me for 10 years now.” Ayato carried his things and left.

—

After a few days, Ayato has finally returned home.

He opened the door and tearfully said “Y/N… I’m home…” but no one responded.

Ayaka peeked out to see Ayato at the front door and welcomed him.

“Brother… I’m sorry for your loss…” She hugged Ayato and cried.

“I miss her a lot, I’ve been staying in your house since she left… I made sure that it’s clean and would be the same by the time you return.” She added.

“I found a letter in your bedroom, it said that you were cheating on her with a new family in Fontaine. I regret that I didn’t see that letter anytime soon… I can’t imagine the pain she felt when she saw all those lies written there! I knew you weren’t cheating on her! I always believed that you were a faithful husband to her…” She handed the letter to Ayato and he walked towards your bedroom. When he opened the door, he saw a picture of your face smiling next to your urn followed by the things that were found when you died such as the letters, gifts, and pictures of the two of you. 

He closed the door and sat on the bed looking at your picture and noticed that there was a letter hidden in the bed sheets.

That was the letter you wrote the night before you died, how you told him that you were sorry that you were not enough and all that. 

He clenched the letter of lies that was made by the girl from Fontaine and almost destroyed it until he realized that it could be used as evidence to punish the family of that girl since her signature was written there and it was more than enough.

A week after there was a trial held and the family was punished for the murder of Kamisato Y/N.

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Several years have passed by and Ayato has not remarried except that Ayato has also been mourning for several years now since you passed away. He promised that he would never leave the house again for abroad so you wouldn’t be alone all over again.

At least, he thought maybe it could atone for his absense.

"Y/N, My love… I'm home." He says everyday.

[seenoversundown]

For Death Or Glory : Chapter Eight

Jake Kiszka x Charlotte (Fem OC)

Warnings: DRINKING / ALCOHOL (bigger warning because they are actively drinking in this one, not just in the bar) Swearing, Sex is mentioned (not had) A LOT of ridiculous puns and jokes, Slow Burn is REAL, Halloween Costumes, Brotherly Banter (gentle bullying) and finally, our favorite warning, YEARNING.

Word Count: 7k (longest so far!!)

Summary: IT'S HALLOWEEN BABES; Josh decides to decorate the bar for the holiday and so, they make it into a little party. Jake hesitates on what to do about Charlotte, but goes with his gut. And BOY IS THAT A LITTLE TREAT.

Author's Note: I said this week would be a sweet treat and I think that you'll find that it is! I don't want to spoil the surprise but, I think you'll be excited to see what it is 🤭 See you on the other side!

More Than Friends - Aidan Bissett "Girl, lets be more than friends, I know you're thinking the same thing."

Jake POV 

“You know, whatever you decide to hang up, we need to be able to get down, right?” 

I stand there watching Josh not so carefully hanging off the ladder’s top step. Quinn looks less than impressed while they stand on the bottom step.

“Maybe Jake is onto something, Josh Groban,” they tell him. 

Josh stops, looks back with a glare, and then returns to whatever he is trying to do. 

I look over at them, both of us shaking our heads, knowing that Josh will do whatever he damn well pleases. 

“He’s your problem to deal with now,” I tell them, gently squeezing their shoulders as I pass by. 

Deciding to make sure the bar is fully stocked for the night, I can’t help but eavesdrop on Sam and Willa as they try to get ‘cute post-worthy’ pictures for the bar’s Instagram. 

“Sam, can you just work with me?” Willa asks, letting out a frustrated sigh. 

“Birdie, you know this is also my job?” 

“Yeah, well, last time you took promo photos, you stole all my flowers, AND you hated the outcome. So, maybe just listen to me?” 

“I’m not trying to be difficult, little bird,” Sam says, “You just need to relax.”

“When has telling a girl to relax ever ended well for you?” 

I was chuckling to myself as I listened to them and took notes of what needed to be pulled from the back. I hate dragging myself away from the free entertainment, but I need to keep moving so the bar can be ready tonight. 

I wasn’t the one who came up with the idea to do a themed night; you can only imagine who suggested it, but people have been talking about it lately, so maybe it was a good choice. Even though I had to explain to Josh that we cannot require people to wear costumes, I think it’ll be fun to see everyone dressed up. 

Looking at the back stock and pulling out the things we’ll need, I hear footsteps approaching me. I simply glanced at the doorway to finally be met with Josh’s presence. 

“So.. are you going to invite her?” 

My eyebrows pull together a bit, “Who?”

“Your First Mate,” Josh says, wiggling his eyebrows at me. 

“Oh shut up,” I quip back, “I was thinking about it.” 

Regret has never hit me quicker. 

“OH ARE YOU NOW?”

“I mean… you saw her the other day, Josh. She’s obviously not having a great time and the fact she has to keep coming here, I may as well at least extend the offer.” I tell him, “Even if she’ll probably say no.” Quickly, I look back at my notes to make sure I’m not forgetting anything before walking back out to the bar. 

“Well, you have been talking to her,” he says. 

“We’ve texted .. a little bit,” I tell him, knowing that he will pry for more information, “BUT– it’s nothing crazy. I just wanted to make sure she was okay.” 

He follows me, offering no assistance carrying anything but absolutely still trying to make something out of nothing. 

“That’s very you… of you to do.” 

Both of us looked vaguely unimpressed at that statement. 

“Okay, that wasn’t my best work. I’m just saying that maybe there’s a chance you two could be something of an item,” he tells me, a little too giddy for my liking. 

Setting everything on the bar abruptly, “Jesus Christ, Josh. Just because I’m nice to the girl doesn’t mean I want anything more.” I’m trying to sound convincing, even though I know he will call me on it at any moment. I wouldn’t be opposed to it, though. But for god’s sake, Josh doesn’t need to know that. 

“Okay, okay, alright, I’ll stop,” he starts, holding his hands up. But know that I will find out if anything happens between you two,” he squints at me before turning around to continue helping Quinn decorate. 

I watch as he finds himself busy again, but I can tell from a distance that he updates Quinn on his interrogation. If there is anything I know about my brother, it is that he will know everything about everyone all the time, which in turn means Quinn knows everything as well. I let out a small sigh while piling bottles of Modelo back into the fridge. Maybe I should just text her. Is that weird? She’s going to say no anyway. 

Still squatting down behind the bar, I pull my phone from my back pocket. Unlocking it to a handful of email notifications and a few texts from Sam that I ignored earlier.  I love him, but he doesn’t need to ask me every time if he can take some promo pics for the bar. 

I tap on her conversation; my thumbs hesitate for a second. Is this stupid? Am I wasting my metaphorical breath? Maybe she’ll appreciate the thought. 

Me: Hi there. How are you? Are you busy tonight by any chance?

I shove my phone back into my pocket before standing back up, grabbing the few loose cans and bottles across the bar, and tossing them. Looking around at the new decorations, they all have managed to get hung up already, and it’s definitely feeling much more festive. 

“Josh, can you–” I start, but I feel my phone vibrate, stopping me mid-question, “Uh, lost my train of thought. I’ll get back to you on that,” 

I grab my phone and see her name sitting there, making the heat rise in my face. 

Charlotte: No, I’m free. Why? 

The three dots pop up before I can reply, making me more nervous. 

Charlotte: Do you need help with something?

Me: nooo I don’t need anything from you. We’re just doing a little thing here for halloween and I thought I would see if you were interested. No pressure or anything lol.

Those god-forsaken three dots come back, then disappear, and reappear. There is no worse form of torture in the modern day than waiting for a text to pop up. 

Charlotte: Maybe

Okay… Well, it isn’t a no. I look up to find Josh directly in front of me, scaring the shit out of me. I didn’t realize he could be quiet enough to do that. 

“Can I help you?” 

“You looked very intrigued by whatever was on your phone there, brother,” Josh says, with a shitty little grin on his face. 

“Don’t you have things to be doing other than watching me use my phone?” I ask, not able to stop the slight eye roll that came along with it. 

“I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that,” he says, “ Quinn and I are going to run upstairs to get ready, and then I can take over so you can go put on whatever pirate bullshit you want.” He says, staring at me with a matter-of-fact expression and his arms folded across his chest.  

“Sounds good to me, bub.” 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

 Sam and Willa left shortly after Josh and Quinn, leaving me with the usual regulars to tend to. They weren’t a rowdy bunch, so I got a good amount of cleaning done before the rush of people. 

Maybe. The fact she didn’t say ‘no’ was basically haunting me. It’s not a big deal if she does show up because she is just a ‘friend’. That’s even a strong way of wording it. 

At this point, the sun has been set for a while, which is attracting costumed customers. Some are more clever than others, but regardless, I’m just glad that people seem to like the idea. 

I’m talking to Linda, who’s dressed as an 80s Aerobic Instructor, when I hear the sounds of my dear brother entering the building. He always has a way of making his presence known, whether he means to or not. We both glance over to the door, where he lets Quinn through first, quickly following behind. 

Hand in hand, they joined us at the bar. I just looked at the two of them for a minute, my head tilted slightly. 

“Peter Pan and Tinkerbell?” I finally manage to ask.

“Yes!” Josh says, fluttering the tiny wings he has on. 

I let out a small sigh; I should have known, giggling to myself. 

“I think you two look adorable,” Linda compliments them, eliciting a curtsy from Josh while Quinn does a stage bow. 

“Alright, Tink, come tend bar so I can go change into something more festive.”

After I finally got upstairs, I started digging through my closet, looking for everything. I know it’s in here. I finally found my cream button-up; it was a bit looser on me than most of my shirts, so when I tucked it in; it definitely fit a pirate theme. 

I pull on my black slim-fit jeans, tucking the bottom of my shirt into them. I slide on my brown dress vest over the shirt, leaving it fairly open so that my chest is exposed. I grab the necklaces on my nightstand and walk into the bathroom to make sure they are sitting properly. I don’t need Josh telling me I layered my necklaces wrong again. 

I know Josh has some sort of scarf or belt that would make more sense for a pirate outfit, so I decide to bravely go into his room. Good lord, Josh.  Walking into his room, I always forget that he likes to have things. I mean that nicely; he just loves art, decor, and tchotchkes, so his bedroom would be overstimulating to most. Considering how long I’ve known him, I’m generally accustomed to his ways, but when he keeps his door shut more often than not, it starts to slip my mind. 

Rummaging through his closet, filled with colorful pieces, I find the clothes hanger loaded with scarves. I pulled out an olive green one; earth tones will work, right?  I tie it around my waist, moving in front of his full-length mirror; I look much more piratey than before. 

I look at the time, not realizing how long it’s taken me, I hustle back into my room. I grab the rings from the drawer in my nightstand, quickly sliding them on and spraying myself with another round of cologne to hopefully hold me over the rest of the night. I pull out a single cigarette from the drawer, shutting it a little harder than I mean to. 

Maybe? Her text is still sitting in my mind. What if she does show up? I grab my phone from the counter, slide it back into my pocket, and head out the door. 

“Excuse me, sorry,” I mumble as people pass me on the stairs. I’m moving a little quicker than I usually am because I don’t want to leave Josh bartending alone for too long. Maybe Melody is helping him out? I should have pulled everything out earlier, so this didn’t happen. 

I pull open the door, letting the couple outside into the stairwell. I pull my lighter out, placing the cigarette between my lips and covering the filter end with my hand to block the wind. I take the long way around the building so I can enjoy this while I have a second. Josh is fine, the bar is fine, if she shows up, that’s also fine. I think to myself as I’m rounding the corner. Taking one final drag before putting it out, I hold in the cloud of smoke for a moment before releasing it. I close my eyes for a second, breathing in the cool fall air. Glancing over to the most delightful sight, I’m unable to come up with words fast enough before I hear– 

“Well, hello there, Captain.” 

Charlotte POV

You’re allowed to have fun, Charlotte. That’s the mantra I’ve been repeating in my head since Jacob told me about this party, though the alternative is that this is incredibly unprofessional. 

I’ve been parked and sitting in my car for 10 minutes, building up the will to get out. You bought a costume, and you got ready, and you smiled at the text for about 15 minutes straight. Just go have fun. My hand finally reached for the handle, opening the door. 

My boots make a little click on the pavement as I get out of the car; I smooth out my pants and readjust the little corset so it’s more comfortable. I look at my reflection in my car windows, leaning in to make sure my lipstick is still in place. Okay. Just go. 

Rounding the corner, I see the entrance to the bar, making me slow my pace a little until- 

Jacob? I watch as he walks towards the bar; he looks .. good– No, Charlotte, cut it out. I slowly walk towards him, still watching him as he lets out a quick stream of smoke; why is that kinda…  He sets the rest of the cigarette in the ashtray placed on top of the garbage can. He stops for a second, clearly trying to calm down. Is he okay? His shoulders drop as he lets out a long breath. Suddenly, we’re making eye contact. Shit.

“Well, hello there, Captain,” I say to him. Smooth Charlotte, real smooth. 

He giggles at the name, “Well, blow me down. I didn’t know if I would see you tonight, Red.” 

“I decided that I deserved a little fun after this past week and all.”

“I think you made a good decision,” he says calmly, “Also, your costume choice is just lovely.” I don’t know if I ate too much or if he is actually giving me butterflies right now. 

“Oh, thank you,” I say quietly; I’ve never been good at receiving compliments. We both stand there for a brief second before he grabs the door to the bar, gesturing for me to go through. 

“Ladies first.” 

“What a gentleman– oh, I mean, gentle-pirate.”

The bar is full of costumed people, Halloween songs playing loud over the speakers that you can barely hear over the chatter from everyone.  It’s nice to see how busy the bar is finally.  I had only really been here earlier in the day and honestly, it’s refreshing to know that the bar is doing well, considering how many people are here. 

I followed Jacob to the bar, sitting down, only to notice that his brother was dressed as Tinkerbell. It seemed like an odd choice until I looked down to the other end of the bar to see Peter Pan sitting there. Oh… OH. 

“Charlotte! You came!” Josh says excitedly, “Y’know, I told Ol’ Captain Sparrow that if he just asked you that, you-” 

 “Oooookay, Tink, that’s enough,” Jacob cuts him off, making me laugh. 

He slid a glass over to me on a napkin. I looked down to see that he made me a Boulevardier. He remembered? My heart feels weird. 

“Let me know if it’s terrible, I’ll remake it for you,”

I take a small sip; it’s incredible?

“No, it’s perfect, thank you,” I tell him. 

He smiles at me, even his eyes light up. I watch him walk down the length of the bar, checking in on other customers and replacing their drinks with fresh ones. He’s so soft-spoken that I’m shocked he feels so comfortable bartending. The way he looks at every single customer, giving them his full attention, even for the twenty seconds it takes for them to place their order. He’s so-

“So Charlotte,” Josh starts, pulling me out of my thoughts, which may be a good thing at this rate. 

“How are you doing, dear?” he asks while wiping a wine glass dry. 

“I’m okay,” I tell him, “I am sorry about the other day, I hope you weren’t trying to get out of here.” 

“I was actually coming back from lunch, and you weren’t a bother at all,” he tells me, relieving me that I didn’t mess up his entire day. 

He continues, “Also, never apologize to me for having feelings. I don’t know what happened, but I’m glad that you were able to let them out. Jake is good at handling situations like yours, so you picked the perfect time, honestly.”

“Oh,” I say before taking a bigger sip. 

“Are you here alone?” he asks. I nod quickly, “Let me introduce you to someone. Hold on!” 

I watch as he waves over the person in the Peter Pan costume. They make their way over to us, and with how Josh’s face looks, I’m assuming this is a special person to him.

“Charlotte, this is Quinn,” Josh said, gesturing between the two of us. 

“Hi, nice to meet you, Quinn,” I can’t help how professional it comes out. 

“You as well,” they start, “If you haven’t pieced it together, yes, I’m Josh’s partner.” They let out a small laugh, gesturing at the Peter Pan costume. Okay, thank God, I didn’t want to say that I assumed.  

Looking at the two of them, they really are precious. 

“I love your costumes,” I tell them. 

“Oh, thank you!” they both say simultaneously. 

“So Charlotte, what exactly is your job?” Quinn asks. 

“Well-” I’m cut off by the group of people approaching us loudly. 

I watch quietly from my seat while they all greet each other. 

“WILLIAM,” Quinn hollers.

 “QUILL” 

“QUILLIAM,” the two of them yell at the same time, falling into a fit of giggles. 

I can’t help but wonder what I’m currently witnessing. 

“Oh my god, you look so fucking good.”

“Stop it- no, YOU guys look so good.”

Quinn looks back over to me, grabs the two girls’ hands they have been chatting with, and hustles back to the bar.

“Guys, this is Charlotte!” Quinn starts introducing us. “This is Willa,” they gesture to the petite girl with a cute bob haircut that frames her face so nicely. She’s dressed in light pink. Loofah? Which is quickly clarified when Sam comes into view dressed as a bar of soap, whom I met briefly the first day I came in. 

“I still can’t believe I’m soap, Bird.”

“It was this or Twilight, be glad!”

“And this is Melody, obviously. You’ve met already, though?” gesturing to her, who’s also absolutely beautiful. She’s dressed as Arwen, which means that Danny is dressed as the Aragorn man.

“Hi,” I manage to get out, “Yes, we have, and you both look so great,” 

“Thank you so much!” Melody quickly responds. 

“Oh, thanks!” Willa quips back. 

“Drinks for everybody,” Jake’s voice came from behind me as he slid a bunch of glasses towards us. A chorus of ‘thank you’ surrounds me. Before I can turn to acknowledge him, he’s grabbing my glass. 

“Another one?” He asks, fairly quietly this time. 

“Please,” my nerves are getting the best of me, and the best way to fight them off is not to be sober. 

“Oh, sick! We’re all in couples costumes,” 

“Sam,” Willa hitting Sam’s arm, “Shut up?”

I could feel the heat rising into my face; I had been ignoring that Jacob and I wore the same kind of costume and wishfully thought that nobody would mention it. I guess that ship has sailed.

“We have Peter Pan and Twinkerbell, Lord of the Rings, and Calico Jack and Anne Bonny at the bar– I thought it was safe to assume!” Sam says, his loud laugh following it.  

“Oh guys,” Jake sounds defeated, “Don’t embarrass her. You just met her.” 

He looks back at me, handing me a new drink, “I’m sorry about that. I swear sometimes my brother hates me.” 

“It’s okay. I was kind of waiting for it to happen,” I laughed, “I mean, we are matching so..” 

He laughs at my observation for a moment. 

“Between you and me,” he leans a little closer, whispering, “I think we’re the best dressed here,” flashing me a small smile; oh, how I wish he wouldn’t do that. 

“Charlotte, come with us!” Quinn says, grabbing my hand and pulling me off the barstool. They pull me over to a table where the other girls are sitting. Oh god.  

“Josh told me you were here alone, and well.. that’s not fun,” they tell me. 

“I don’t actually live around here, so I don’t really know anybody,” I start, “Well, aside from you guys, now.”

A slew of ‘oooohhhh’s come out from all of them. 

“So, I’m under the impression you’re all partners with the boys?” I ask. 

“Yes!” “Yep,” “Mhmmm,” quickly followed. 

I take another few sips of my drink, feeling the anxiety starting to melt away. 

“I’m secretly a sucker for romance, so who wants to let me in on the situations here?” I tell them, rapidly pointing around at all of them and the boys. I’m going to be around for a little bit. I may as well get to know them. Plus.. it probably wouldn’t hurt for me to try and make some friends… right? 

“How much time do you have?” Quinn asks bluntly. The other two erupted with laughter. 

I look down at my drink, swirling it around, and then drink the last few sips quickly before looking at them and delivering a monotone, “I got time.” 

“Well, in that case,” Willa starts, “Let me tell you about my sweet, dumb, but hot boyfriend Samuel.” She says while cracking her knuckles. 

“So– I met him at the farmers market, where he proceeded to be an absolute dick to me. And THEN, he was here when I came here on an unsuccessful date, we had to WORK TOGETHER, went on a trip where we got with ONE BED-” Willa pauses for dramatic effect before taking a breath to practically yell, “LIKE THE BOOK TROPE, CHARLOTTE.”

“You sure you wanna hear this?” Quinn interjects. 

“Oh, I’m invested now,” I quickly spit out. I catch a small glimpse of Jacob as he’s grabbing some empty bottles from a table across the room. He smiles and nods at whatever they say; oh, there’s that feeling again. 

Willa continues her tale, but I barely hear her. My eyes fixated on him, watching how he makes eye contact with anyone who talks to him. Making sure that he hears them, nodding along and giggling often. Every so often, letting someone have a genuine smile–

Willa’s voice hit me again, “–and now I guess I like him back.” 

“Oh, my god?” I respond, “That is uh.. A lot?” Oh, I’m the worst person ever. 

“It is a lot, but I guess he was worth it or whatever,” Willa rolls her eyes at the statement. 

Quinn smacked her arm, “You loved that silly string bean for so long. Don’t even act like you didn’t.” 

Everybody was giggling at the call out. I saw Melody look around the table at all the empty glasses before standing up and grabbing them all.

“Let me get us another round, but Quinn, feel free to start whenever,” She grabs their arm, “I obviously know how this goes already.” 

We all watch her for a minute as she walks up to the bar, getting the boys’ attention. 

“Melody is so pretty?” I say out loud, “Oh god, is that weird?”

“No!” 

“Not at all.” 

“We all think she’s hot, don’t worry.”

Before I can look back over to them, Jacob is in my line of sight again. This time, he’s behind the bar, talking to one of the older ladies he seems so fond of. The way they make him laugh is sweet. He’s stood there for a second before he leans over the bar to grab something from them, but the way he leans makes his shirt fall open more; I can see his stomach flex for a split second. Holy shit. Where is Melody with those drinks, dear god- 

“Alright, Quill, let’s go.” 

Melody sat back down at the table, dispersing the drinks to everyone. 

“Welllllll,” Quinn says, “I met him at Hobby Lobby- don’t ask me why HE worked THERE.”

I have got to stop getting distracted by this man. He walks past our table, gently squeezing Quinn’s shoulders as he passes them. They just glance over at him as they’re talking. It’s precious how much he seems to like them. Maybe he’s just a loving person? Oh, god I don’t like that. 

 “But, now we’re just in love, and he’s perfect, so!” 

“...in the cooler?” Willa mumbled, covering her mouth, “Please tell me you’re joking.” 

What did they do in the cooler? Shit, I need to be paying closer attention. 

“Yeah… I probably could have left that part out, huh?” Their eyes widened, looking over at me, with the realization of who they were telling that to. “We cleaned up after! Promise!”

“Wait a second- so, you and Josh.. here?” Willa says, pointing at Quinn, before turning to Melody, “And you and Danny …ALSO here..?” 

Never mind, I don’t want to know. Don’t tell me, don’t tell me, don’t tell me. 

The two nod in sync, holding back their laughs. 

“Well, that’s not fair!”

“This is truly taking years off my life,” I tell them while rubbing my temples, making them all giggle at my pain. 

“I’m not about to make it any better,” Melody says with a laugh, followed by the other two losing even more.

I hold up one finger while inhaling the rest of my drink, “Okay, I think I’m ready.” 

“So Daniel and I actually started dating in High School,” Melody says, pulling a quiet ‘awww’ from all of us, “We were together for a while before I decided to go to college out of state,” she tells us. 

I see him in the background, just scanning the room while Josh is making drinks, well, until he sees me looking back at him. Shit, shit, shit, shifting my eyes back to Melody.

“Anyway– I ran into Josh, who got me the job here, and I’m so thankful for it. The boys are so great, and I’m obviously not going to complain about getting to see Daniel again.” 

“I bet you’re not complaining,” Willa says suggestively with an exaggerated wink. 

“HE sure complained at first, though,” Quinn pipes up with a laugh.

“Oh hush,” Melody tries to brush it off, “I do love him for more than our sex life.”

Willa is quick to reply, “Whatever you say, girly.” 

“So.. what’s the part that will ruin my day?” I nervously ask. 

“Conveniently, the day you came in actually, Jake had sort of… walked in on us.” 

“Walked in on WHAT?” 

“The thing is.. The roads were terrible, so I asked Jake if he minded grabbing Iris-” Quinn quickly cuts off Melody. “YEAH, WE HAD A SLEEPOVER WITH THE CHILD,” Quinn can’t tell us fast enough. 

“Hey,” Willa, chuckling, gently grabs Quinn’s arm, “Charlotte was the only one not involved. You don’t need to yell.” 

“Sorry, I just love Iris a lot, okay?” 

“And she loves you back,” Melody reassures them, “Anyway, yes, so everybody else had a fun sleepover with my daughter, and I closed the bar with Daniel while having a weird argument–” 

Jake comes up between Quinn and Melody, placing one hand on Melody’s back, “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I come bearing not watered-down drinks.”  

He starts placing the drinks on the table, having to slide mine and Willa’s across the table. 

I watch as he makes a little small talk with everyone and how much they all seem to like him. He seems too nice to be real. Everyone laughing with him, I look up at him before he slides my drink over to me. His hands. Oh my. He has rings on… oh my GOD. Trying not to be obvious, I quickly flit my eyes back up to meet his. 

“Thank you,” I mouth to him while the other three are talking. He mouths back, ‘Of course’, flashing me a smile. The boy is beautiful when he smiles. 

He turns to go back to the bar, and I just focus on him walking there; unknowingly, I am being watched.

“Charlotte!” 

“Yes?” I quip back; I can feel the heat in my face, but is it embarrassment or the alcohol? The world will never know.

“Are you… into Jake..?” Willa asks quietly. 

The other two leaned in on our little secret session, which I was not prepared for. 

“Nooo, no, no, no,” I can’t spit it out quickly enough.

Quinn lets out a laugh before choking out, “You were practically drooling over him,” 

“Ha ha.. Nooo.. I wasn’t,” I try to defend myself, scratching the back of my head, “Was it really that obvious?” 

A chorus of yelps elicited when I loosely admit to thinking he’s attractive. 

“Oh stoooop,” I cover my face. 

“Don’t be embarrassed– those Kiszka boys are incredibly charming,” Quinn states, “It’s hard not to fall for it.”

“Yeah, I don’t know about ‘charming’ per se, but they do have some good genes in that family.” Willa taking a light jab at Sam. 

“Really though,” Melody chimes in, “Jake is honestly very charming,” 

“Oh, he is absolutely,” 

“He’s too nice,”

Quinn and Willa tend to talk at the same time, and being a few drinks in does not help my deciphering of who said what, but at least when they’re on the same page, it helps. 

“He has been very easy to work with, so I would believe that,” I try to regain my composure,  even though the fact everybody thinks he’s sweet is not helpful to where my brain has been going all night. 

“I’m sure his brain just shuts down when you’re around,” Willa says into her glass before taking a sip. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Have you seen yourself?” Quinn questions, “You’re so hot?”

‘Mhm’ 

‘Yeah, you are.’ 

I know that my face is absolutely pink at this rate; I just shake my head ‘no.’

“I’m sure he sees plenty of pretty girls being a bartender,” I roll my eyes at the idea that he wouldn’t hit on other girls while he’s working. 

“Pretty sure the only one he entertains is Eleanor,” Melody giggles. 

“I’m almost positive he told Josh that he’d just marry her if he stayed single for too much longer,” Quinn says, looking over at Josh, who just blows a kiss to them. Wow, they’re so cute together. 

I watch as Melody taps on her phone, seeing the time, “Well, guys, I need to go relieve Josh for a bit.”

Quinn quickly stood up with their drink and nodded to the bar. Willa and I followed suit, migrating up to the bar. Claiming a bar stool and watching as Josh comes to find Quinn, quickly kissing their nose and then their forehead before Quinn snuggles themself into him for a brief moment. 

“Pretty cute, aren’t they?” Jacob whispers, scaring the living daylights out of me. 

“They really are,” I say, “And you need a bell or something because Jesus Christ.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he laughs, placing his hand on my back for a second, “I just need to get out of there for a minute,” he tells me.

 “So I’m going to run around to clean and just saw you fixated on them.” 

“Well, since you’re here, Jake,” Willa says loudly, leaning over to me and whispering, “Wanna see the boys squirm?” I simply nod with a grin plastered across my face. 

“Don’t you guys think Melody is insanely hot?” She questions everybody.

Daniel violently shakes his head, ‘Yes,’ while Melody laughs behind the bar. 

“I.. uhh,” Jake mumbles, holding the back of his neck, “I have tables to clean,” and quickly walks off to grab glasses. 

Sam’s eyes are wide, and his face is filled with panic. “Birdie, I can’t answer,” he begins to say before his brother abruptly cuts him off. 

“SMASH FOR SURE,” Josh confidently shouts, being met with a high five from Quinn. 

“You’re right, that was worth it,” I whisper, leaning into Willa. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

I sat with everybody while they talked, well, yelled. This is a much louder group of friends than I’m used to. Granted, I have like..no group of friends. I listen to a lot of very odd conversations filled with Sam instigating Willa so that she would get a little pissed at him. There are plenty of lengthy stories from Josh, which probably wouldn’t take as long if he didn’t tell us every side story that goes along with it, but he’s so animated I guess I can’t really complain. 

“Here, Charlotte,” Melody says, “Jake told me how to make your drink, so .. I hope it tastes right,” 

I take a sip, oh lord, that is STRONG, “It’s great!” 

Why did I do that? She needs to learn… Not that I could even correct her right now. 

I sip on my drink for a while, feeling it hitting harder than I’m used to. Every so often, Jake comes out from behind the bar to make small talk with some of the customers or come bug his brothers for a few minutes. I always hope it’s the latter. 

“How are we doin’, Red?” 

I blink rather slowly, “I’m thriving,” slowly cracking a smile, knowing it sounded terrible coming out of my mouth. 

“Well, I’m so glad,” he tells me. The way he makes eye contact but also watches my mouth when I talk makes me want to scream. 

“You know,” I tell him, what are you doing? , “I dare ye to resist me booty,” the alcohol starts speaking. 

“Are…are you trying to flirt with me?” He laughs out. 

“Maybe, is it working?” I ask, biting the inside of my lip. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

“Oh– well,” he giggles quietly; leaning in, he rests one hand on the back of my barstool to support himself, but his face creeps in closer to my ear before he whispers, “You don’t even have to try with me, honey.” Fuck me. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

I spend the rest of the night chatting with Quinn and Willa about the most random things. But I think that is what friends are supposed to do? 

Slowly, people start trickling out as it nears 1 a.m. I say my goodbyes to Sam and Willa, which is shortly followed by Josh and Quinn. Jake was nice enough to let Josh go to bed since he was here decorating so early. 

“Ready to go, ducky?” Daniel asks Melody;  party of one officially. 

“Oh, I am beyond ready,” she stretches her arms out before turning to me, “I’ll see you tomorrow, right?” 

Shit. I already forgot that I told her about the training earlier today. 

“Yes, you will! Can’t wait,” I do my best not to show that I definitely forgot and that I’m definitely NOT going to feel like shit in the morning now. 

“I’ll see you then,” she says with a little wink. 

I turn to the bar, leaning into my hand with a very minuscule smile painted on my face as I watch him. Just waiting for him to look over at me, I can’t help but stare. 

“I can feel you watching me,” he grins from the other end of the bar. 

“I’m debating on how I’m going to get home, is all,” I say with a sigh. 

“Did you drive here?” He asks. 

“Yep,”

“Okay, so, first of all, you’re not going to do that,” he tells me. 

“And why not?” I protest. He sauntered over to me, leaning against the bar. 

“You’re so pretty,” he says to me, glancing down at my lips until I finally pull the bottom one in with my teeth, “Yeah- you’re not driving.”

My jaw drops; he really got me there. 

“I can just call an Uber,” I tell him.

“Charlotte, I don’t love that idea. It’s almost 2 am, and I literally live just upstairs,” Jake continues to tell me I need to stay here, and I don’t know why I’m fighting it so hard. 

“I don’t want to impose,”

“I’m offering?” 

“Touche Captain,” I giggle a bit at the nickname. I bet he likes it. 

“Just hang out for a couple minutes so I can close the bar down,” he tells me. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

“Don’t you want to clean?” 

“It’s so late. Josh can help me in the morning,” Jake speaks low as we walk into the stairwell. 

“Oh no,” slips out, “oh, I didn’t mean to actually say that,” 

Jake lets out a quiet laugh, “I got you, don’t worry,” 

Before I can react, he has his arm underneath mine, gesturing for my hand. I lace my fingers into his; the butterflies are back. How fun. He holds my hand tightly, letting me put a lot of my weight into him as we carefully go up the first flight of stairs. 

“I think I can do it,” I tell him; I absolutely cannot? 

“You sure about that, sport?” 

I squint at him and immediately stumble up the first couple of stairs of the second flight, letting out a small ‘oop.’

“Yeah, that’s what I figured,” He makes fun of me gently while supporting me again. 

This may be the longest stair climb of my life.

We finally make it to his apartment.

Jake whispers, “You can take my bed, and I’ll just sleep on the couch.”  He’s so cute when he’s concerned.

“Noooo, I can sleep on the couch. I’ve already inconvenienced you.” 

He blinks at me slowly, unamused. 

I can’t stop myself from walking towards his couch, and it’s a humbling moment for me as my legs wobble in the process. 

“No, you don��t,” Jake says from behind me. 

“Jake, really, I don’t mind,” I look back at him, disorienting myself from turning too quickly. 

“Jesus Christ,” he mutters as he grabs my arms to stop me from falling over. I just stare at him like a deer in headlights. 

“Yeah, I didn’t want it to come to this, but,” he says before he wraps his arms around my thighs, lifting me over his shoulder. 

Childlike laughter erupts from me as he carries me through his apartment into his bedroom. I can feel his chest vibrating subtly from giggling with me. 

“Here ya go,” he says, moving one hand to my back so he can set me down.  So carefully, making sure not to drop me, he leans down slowly. The feeling of falling became so real suddenly, that I instinctively held onto his shoulder, which pulled him back with me. He stumbles forward a bit, catching himself before landing on top of me. 

I prop myself up on my elbows as I laugh. He’s hovered over me, with a hand on either side; our faces are so close. 

We both freeze as we realize how close we are. I wonder how soft his lips really are… My eyes defy me, shifting down to look at his mouth, just for a second, as he watches me. 

Clearing his throat as he stands up. 

“Uh- here, let me get you a sweatshirt or something,” he sounds timid. Quickly shuffling through his closet, he pulled out a navy sweatshirt and handed it to me. 

“It’ll probably be a little bit loose on you, but better than sleeping like a pirate?” 

I chuckle, smiling up at him. Simply grateful for something comfortable to wear. 

“I’ll go so you can do that,” still clearly very nervous. 

Pulling my shirt over my head, I quickly pull the sweatshirt over me. I lock the bottom of it under my chin so I can see what I'm doing. Oh no. No, no, no, no. My zipper is stuck, and staring at it makes me cross-eyed. I drop my head back, letting out an angry sigh. Please just unzip. My hands get increasingly sweaty, making the stupid plastic zipper hard to grip. 

I hear a few soft knocks on the door before it cracks open. 

“Can I come in?” He asks. 

“Actually… I um… I need help.” 

Coming in quickly and shutting the door behind him, I just stare at him pathetically. 

“My zipper is stuck,” I tell him, embarrassed. 

He chokes back a laugh, setting a glass of water on the nightstand next to his bed. 

He kneels in front of me; oh, this is terrible. I lift the sweatshirt, revealing the catastrophic mess from me, yanking the zipper every which way. 

“Where the hell did you even get these, Red?” He asks, looking up at me with a soft giggle. 

I wish he would just focus. I don't need to look at him like this. Making eye contact causes my brain to short-circuit, and I stare back at him silently. Watching him try to figure out how the zipper got caught, he’s so carefully moving the fabric around. 

“How much do you care about these?” He asks, gently tapping my hip. 

“At this point,” I raise my eyebrows in defeat. 

“Are you sure?”

I just nod ‘yes’ in response. 

He grabs either side of the zipper and tears it apart quickly. The sound of the fabric ripping was relieving, well, for a second. Both of us smile at the fact that I’m free until he looks back down to see the lace of my thong peeking out. 

I see his eyes go wide, and the pink creep into his cheeks as he pinches the fabric together. 

“Oh,” slips out of me. I let the sweatshirt drop, falling to the tops of my thighs as the now ripped pirate pants hit the floor. 

“So, uh, well,” Jake says, holding the back of his neck while avoiding eye contact, “I will let you get some sleep.” 

I don’t know what possesses me to say, “Wait-“ 

Closing the gap between us, I lean up onto my toes slightly, placing a small kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you,” I tell him before crawling into his bed.

“Of course, m’lady,” he says with a bow. His little English accent laces the words, which makes me laugh. 

“Sleep well,” he whispers, shutting off the light as he leaves. 

I fall back into his bed, wrapping myself up in the blankets. They smell like him, comforting, warm. 

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Chapter Seven

Chapter Nine

FDOG Masterpost | Masterlist | FDOG Playlist

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[am-i-the-asshole-official]

WIBTA if I played the last game by myself? to find it-> 🎮👾🕹️

So I [26NB] and three of my friends have been playing this game series for a while now it’s been probably a little under a year at this point that we’ve been chugging through these games (there’s, I believe, five games in total with a spin off and each game has multiple parts/chapters). We’ve been setting aside a day every week depending on our work and life availability to play through it. Normally getting a chapter a night or half a chapter depending on the length. Of course not every week we can do it cause of life and that's totally fine.

A little extra info on the games because I find it relevant. So the first game I actually played by myself cause the other three started without me (this was their thing they planned and invited me into later when I showed interest in the game) and I spent that time working to catch up to where they were in the game so I could join them. I did have a lot of fun playing the game as the game play is just as fun as the story to me and even when I get stuck the walk throughs are really easy to read and helpful. I'm not known for my gaming and actually watch playthroughs for stuff instead of plaything them myself cause I just all around suck at video games but this is one of the few games I like playing personally.

Once I played through the first game I hopped onboard the group plays with the other three to hang out and play together. Two of the friends have already played the whole series (lets call ‘em Lucy and Zeref) and know all the story where me and the third friend (let's call them Gray) didn't know anything at all about the series before we started playing. Part of the joy of these games for the both of us is getting to experience the exciting story in real time. As these games actually have a fairly large following and are pretty popular but some how both of us have gone most our lives with little to no spoilers for the series. This game is also full of crazy twists and turns that are VERY exciting to experience live.

Because of this fact I've also spent so much effort and time staying away from spoilers but still trying to interact with the fandom which is where not impossible just kinda frustrating cause there's a lot of art and fics and convos I'm missing out of because of it. I've even made another friend outside of this small group who ALSO likes these games but we don't talk about them much cause they're afraid of spoiling things for me by accident. Which, while very kind of them, is also in it's own way kinda frustrating.

We are currently on the fourth game and, honestly I've been thinking about just playing the last game and the spin off by myself at this point. There's two reasons for this. The first is that the games are just dragging on far too much to be fun anymore for me. I think it’s a mix of the fact that this fourth game is apparently one of, if not the, longest in the series and also that because of scheduling changes our weekly get togethers are much shorter now. Both of these factors causing us to take much longer to get through the chapters and this game. It’s really making it much harder to enjoy and even my roommate last week said I looked really tired and seemed burnt out during the session. It also doesn’t help that these meetups are online so I also don’t get to physically play the game myself and I can’t just ask to have the controller for a bit cause all of us are states away. 

The other part to this is that, honestly, me and these friends have not been talking as much. Something happened around the time we started the fourth game where I had a bunch of huge life changing events happen to me and I was severely depressed and grieving because of it. Due to some mixed up emotions on all sides and miscommunication, we had a hiccup in our friendship. There was a moment where I was genuinely scared of losing them but we talked it out like adults and things were better. However, ever since then it really does feel like the three of them talk a lot less to me now. I, at first, believed it was just my imagination. I do have some issues with my perception of reality due to mental heath but I always keep a very strong foot on the ground and go to people when I really feel like I can’t tell if I’m being crazy or not. So I chalked it up to me having a Moment(™) and just kept on like nothing was wrong. I even threw myself into DMs and out a lot more to try and make up for it. Instead of hiding away and being sad I tried to get them to interact with me more by really engaging in our friendships and chats. Unfortunately this hasn’t really helped the feeling of growing separation and light (possibly even unconscious) ignoring on their parts and I’m really feeling weighed down by it these days. It’s making these sessions even harder for me because no matter how much fun I have with them it makes the silence outside of the calls even more hollow and gut wrenching. 

A while back I did actually go to Gray and talk about my feelings mostly towards the way us playing the game is taking so long and causing burn out, and even suggested that instead of leaving the game nights completely, just playing the rest of them on my own and still hopping in with them when they do it. Gray was really sad with this cause they really enjoyed how both of us were going in blind together and they didn’t wanna be the only one who didn’t know anything while everyone else did. I understand that and felt really bad so I kept playing with them as a group. But the above feelings just got worse and worse. 

To top it off, Lucy has stopped coming to the game nights all together and I don’t really know why. As far as I’m aware they haven’t said anything at least not publicly in our chat about it and I didn’t feel it my place to pry. They also just haven’t been talking in the chat at all which feels extra bad cause I’ve always felt closest to Lucy and Gray at the end of the day. I’ve been chatting with Lucy in DMs here and there and they never seem disinterested in our conversation or like they no longer wanna be friends or anything. But it’s still really saddening as I am not really the DM type of person and am better at interacting in group chats and the like. So I feel like our already dying friendship is just going down hill faster. 

I just really wanna play the games and get it over with. I miss being able to play them physically and these game nights are starting to just worsen my mood as we go. I’m really not sure what to do cause I know Gray (and probably Zeref a little too) will be real upset if I drop out completely or if I play ahead of them. A part of me almost thought about playing the games in secret and pretending like I didn’t to spare their feelings and still make it fun for them and relieve all this stress off myself which I don’t know if that would be better or worse

What are these acronyms?

[remnantofstars]

Would love to know more about how the apparanticeships work. Well the education system in general and what changes uve done. I don't mind waiting if ur planning to elaborate on it later :D

Hehe hiii here to answer your question! Here's what I mentioned about it in the chapter, just to do a small recap.

Apprentices can be like TA’s. Either they’re trying to get an extra study in, get tutelage under a specific teacher’s expertise for their own study, want to become a teacher for that specific class and or become an official teacher’s assistant.

Apparently the boy was really into spell research, and he was good with defensive magic and attacking magic. He was considering going into dueling, and maybe doing an apprenticeship under Filius next year for it. Since the dueling environment was competitive and strict he needed more experience. But it wasn’t the only thing he was considering doing, the kid was so very ambitious.

He wanted help developing, researching and making spells. He wanted to help tutor the younger students or take over classes, not first years, Kent admitted that younger kids were oftentimes a bit intimidated by him so he’d rather work with second or third years. He also confessed he felt a bit terrified to be an adult influence on small kids like that, and second and third years weren’t so green eared, and most would at least be a bit familiar with him now. He wanted to see if he could get extra credit for university so that if he settled on going there first he’d at least have what he needed for it.

This was all on Apprenticeships, which kinda lets it show it's literally whatever the student needs it to be. It's an extra year someone can choose to do to either study more on the subject from a specific teacher, get more knowledge in, get points for doing it for uni, helping them with their own independent research, or becoming a TA/get experience in teaching in case they want to become a professor in the chosen subject. Apprenticeships are discussed between the professor and the student and made into whatever is needed, hence why Dakota had to sit down with Kent for an entire year syllabus and why its still flexible in case the student changes their mind on what they need! They get two hours a week to sit down with a professor to do what is needed and then have their own schedule, some people take classes at uni, some use that time to research on their own or work on their own projects, or just do TA stuff. This wasn't really something mentioned in canon, I think at least haha. Further changes! Well,, I can't spoil much but there IS an extra class (and a future one hehe but not relevant right now) based on helping every first year with getting familair with the wizarding world, its laws and stuff like that. This gets optional AFTER the first year. More on the introduction class! Mentioned in chapter 10 I believe.

He thinks he remembers someone mentioning there was an introduction guide class to wizarding society? But it was open to all houses and mainly for first years? He’s not sure. He doesn’t remember it from canon, and Tom certainly didn’t seem to know about it. Maybe it was a newer class? If it even was a class. Someone definitely mentioned it, but he doesn’t quite remember when, so it was probably at one of the breakfast’s he had attended and before he had his coffee.  He thinks he remembers it was someone’s job? It wasn’t his and that’s all he knew about it. 

Also what Dakota had to say about it in chap 12

There was a lot of shifted education because of everything, almost all students went into apprenticeships to get where they needed to go. University was for those who wanted to have a mastery in a subject, not necessarily work in the field. Magical universities were also open to the world, most British students went abroad to study in the university suited to their chosen mastery. 

Which yeah we got uni's! Sooo fun hehe. Uni's really for mastering stuff. Hogwarts is right now too underfunded to get any more classes unfortunatly </3 but that's also kinda why Apprenticeships and uni's exist! Apprenticeships also exist outside of Hogwarts! Not that Dakota knows that XD but it's very common! Any student can ask anyone who is a master at their craft to study under them for a specified amount of time, unfortunatly this doesn't mean that the person would accept. This is why Apprenticeships are more common at Hogwarts! Since the professors don't really refuse any students that want one. It's still not very common for students to chose a Apprenticeships at Hogwarts though, most people immediatly dive to whatever job they want or directly go to uni abroad. Or other boring things I won't mention :D

That's all for now hehe >:D